After 18 long years of heartbreaks, close calls, and near misses, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally etched their name into IPL history as champions of the 2025 season. Led by the calm and composed Rajat Patidar, RCB overcame Punjab Kings in a nail-biting final to lift their maiden IPL trophy. This season was one of the most thrilling editions of the tournament, with emerging stars, unforgettable innings, bizarre decisions, and some shocking underperformances.

While some players stepped up on the big stage and carried their teams on their shoulders, others crumbled under pressure or could not find their rhythm. From inspirational captains to mystery spinners and explosive finishers, IPL 2025 gave us a long list of performers to admire. On the other hand, a few big names failed to live up to expectations, becoming disappointments for their franchises. Here are the biggest heroes and zeroes of IPL 2025.

Heroes of IPL 2025

Shreyas Iyer

Even though Punjab Kings fell short in the final, their captain, Shreyas Iyer, was undoubtedly the biggest hero of the tournament. He scored over 600 runs across the season and was the backbone of the PBKS batting lineup. With six fifties and a match-winning 87 in the crucial Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians, Iyer showed incredible consistency and composure.

His leadership also stood out as he guided a team with several uncapped players to the grand finale. In pressure situations, Iyer made intelligent decisions and often led from the front with the bat. While PBKS could not cross the final hurdle, Iyer’s contribution throughout the season was massive. He proved his worth as both a batter and a leader and emerged as the face of resilience and consistency in IPL 2025.

Sai Sudharsan

Sai Sudharsan had a dream season for the Gujarat Titans. Opening the batting alongside Shubman Gill, he scored a massive 759 runs in just 15 matches. His performances included six fifties and a breathtaking century. He was instrumental in guiding GT to the playoffs, providing steady starts and often anchoring the innings while others played around him.

Even in the playoff match, where GT got eliminated, Sudharsan stood tall with a fluent 80, fighting until the end. His temperament, technique, and ability to play under pressure stood out throughout the season. With such a prolific year, it seems inevitable that the young left-hander will be called up to the Indian national team.

Jitesh sharma

Jitesh Sharma was vital to RCB’s historic IPL 2025 title win. Playing the role of finisher, he scored 261 runs in 15 matches at a rapid pace. His 24 off 10 balls in the final gave RCB crucial late momentum. His standout moment came in a must-win league game, where, as stand-in captain, he smashed 85 off 33 while chasing 227, helping RCB secure a top-two finish. Despite limited opportunities, Jitesh made every innings count with fearless hitting and leadership when needed, making him one of the unsung heroes of RCB’s championship season.

Digvesh Rathi

Lucknow Super Giants may have missed some of their frontline bowlers early in the tournament, but Digvesh Rathi filled the gap brilliantly. The young mystery spinner picked up 14 wickets in 13 matches and was vital to the LSG bowling attack. His variations, calmness under pressure, and unique celebrations made him a fan favorite.

Even after receiving a one-match ban due to his over-the-top celebration, he returned without changing his flair or attitude. His presence gave LSG a breakthrough option in the middle overs, and he consistently delivered. With bowlers like Mohsin Khan and Mayank Yadav unavailable for large parts of the tournament, Rathi stepped up and showed he could be a match-winner in his own right.

Zeroes of IPL 2025

Venkatesh Iyer

Kolkata Knight Riders showed immense faith in Venkatesh Iyer by bringing him back in the mega auction for a whopping 23.75 crore. Unfortunately, that investment was one of the season’s biggest disappointments. In 11 matches, Iyer managed only 142 runs, offering no impact at the top of the order.

KKR, the champions of the 2023 season, failed even to make the playoffs this time, and Iyer’s form was a big reason for their downfall. He struggled against pace and spin, and his inability to provide starts or anchor the innings left a massive hole in KKR’s batting unit. Given the price tag and the expectations, Iyer’s performance was one of the biggest letdowns of the season.

R Ashwin

Chennai Super Kings brought back Ravichandran Ashwin with a specific role in home matches, where conditions were expected to assist spinners. However, his approach backfired as he focused more on containment than attacking. Across 9 games, he picked only 7 wickets and bowled at an economy rate of 9.41, a far cry from his usual standards.

His reluctance to flight the ball or go for wickets made him ineffective, especially in crunch moments. With CSK banking on his experience and home advantage, Ashwin’s underwhelming season contributed to their inconsistency throughout the campaign. It was a disappointing outing for the veteran who failed to rise when his team needed him most.

Rishabh pant

Rishabh Pant, bought for a record 27 crore by Lucknow Super Giants, had a disappointing IPL 2025. As captain, he failed to inspire, and LSG missed the playoffs. He scored just 269 runs in 14 matches, with one fifty and a lone century that came in a losing cause. His on-field behavior, marked by constant frustration and shouting, raised eyebrows. His poor decision-making and inability to build partnerships hurt LSG’s campaign. Expected to lead from the front after a high-profile return, Pant’s season turned into one of the biggest letdowns of IPL 2025.

Jake Fraser McGurk

Jake Fraser McGurk was one of the most hyped overseas signings of the season. Delhi Capitals spent 9 crore on him, hoping for fireworks at the top of the order. But what they got was inconsistency and underwhelming performances. In 6 matches, McGurk scored only 55 runs before being dropped from the playing eleven.

He never looked settled or confident at the crease and could not adapt to the pace and conditions of the IPL. Despite a great reputation coming in, his poor form meant that DC had to shuffle their line-up and eventually lose key matches. McGurk’s failure highlighted the risks of investing heavily in unproven overseas talent without considering team dynamics.

IPL 2025 was a rollercoaster of emotions. While Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans finally had their moment of glory after nearly two decades, the tournament also gave us unforgettable individual performances and shocking failures. From the heroics of Shreyas Iyer and Sai Sudarshan to the disappointments of Venkatesh Iyer and R Ashwin, the season was filled with highs and lows. As the dust settles on a memorable season, the heroes will be remembered, and the underperformers will hope for redemption in the future.