IPL 2025: Openers play a huge role in the IPL. Some go all-out from the start, smashing bowlers in the powerplay. Others take time, build an innings, and explode later. Over the years, legends like Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, David Warner, and Virender Sehwag have set the stage on fire as openers. The 2025 season will be no different.
As we gear up for IPL 2025, some teams will stick to their successful combinations, while others will experiment with new pairs. Here’s a look at the possible opening duos for each team this season:
IPL 2025: Predicted Opening Pairs For All Teams
Advertisement
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
CSK’s new captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, is a certain pick. The big question is his partner. Will CSK go with the in-form Rachin Ravindra, or will they reunite the successful combo of Gaikwad and Devon Conway? Ravindra brings an aggressive approach, while Conway offers stability. Either way, CSK will have a strong left-right pair.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
Rohit Sharma will continue at the top, but with Ishan Kishan moving to SRH, MI needs a new opener. Will Jacks and Ryan Rickelton are the top choices. Rickelton gives the left-hand option MI usually prefers, but Jacks offers power-hitting. MI may choose based on the form and team balance.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Virat Kohli remains the pillar of RCB’s top order. With Faf du Plessis moving to Delhi Capitals, RCB needs a new partner for Kohli. England’s Phil Salt looks like the best option, but Devdutt Padikkal could be considered to maintain a left-right combination.
Gujarat Titans (GT)
Shubman Gill is GT’s main opener, but who will join him? Jos Buttler is an IPL legend, but Sai Sudharsan provides a left-handed option. If GT sticks to experience, Buttler will open. If they want balance, Sudharsan will get the nod.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
Advertisement
With multiple changes, LSG will have a fresh opening pair. If Mitchell Marsh is fit, he will likely open. His partner could be captain Rishabh Pant or Aiden Markram. If Marsh is unavailable, Matthew Breetzke or young Arshin Kulkarni could step in.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
KKR will miss Phil Salt, who was key in their title-winning run. Sunil Narine will likely continue, but who joins him? Rahmanullah Gurbaz is an option, but Quinton de Kock brings world-class experience. KKR will decide based on their overseas player combinations.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Prabhsimran Singh is expected to open again. PBKS has limited choices for his partner Priyansh Arya, Aaron Hardie, or Josh Inglis. Coach Ricky Ponting will likely pick based on form and overseas slots.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
With KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis joining, DC has strong opening choices. Abhishek Porel and Jake Fraser-McGurk are also options, but Rahul and Du Plessis bring experience and reliability.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
SRH will likely stick to the explosive pair of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head. Ishan Kishan could be an option, but he may slot in at number three. SRH won’t want to break a partnership that worked so well last season.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson are RR’s best bet. With Samson gaining confidence as an opener for India, he will likely continue. Vaibhav Suryavanshi is a backup option, but the experience of Jaiswal and Samson makes them the obvious choice.
Also Read: IPL 2025: Players Who Can Replace Jasprit Bumrah In Mumbai Indians
Advertisement