IPL 2025: Gujarat Titans, RCB, and Punjab Kings seal playoff spots — what worked for them this season? Let’s take a closer look.
The IPL 2025 league stage has delivered plenty of drama. And, three teams have already sealed their playoff spots—Gujarat Titans (GT), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and Punjab Kings (PBKS). While all three franchises had different paths to success, their rise can be credited to strong leadership, smart batting combinations, and impactful bowling units. Here’s a deeper dive into what worked for each of these sides this season.
Gujarat Titans: Calm leadership and record partnerships
Shubman Gill’s calm and composed leadership stood out this season. Taking charge in only his second year as captain, Gill led from the front both tactically and with the bat. He rotated his bowlers smartly and showed confidence in the younger players, which helped GT remain consistent. His ability to stay cool under pressure and guide his side in crunch games was a major factor behind their top-of-the-table finish.
The highlight of GT’s batting was the phenomenal opening partnership between Gill (601 runs) and Sai Sudharsan (617 runs). Together, they stitched the highest run partnership by an India pair in IPL history—839 runs this season. Their understanding, running between the wickets, and ability to accelerate after getting set gave GT a solid foundation in almost every match.
Jos Buttler’s (500) experience at number three, showcasing the mix of added firepower and ability to anchor when required, and the overall balance of their batting ensured GT could chase or set targets with confidence. Shahrukh Khan, Sherfane Rutherford and Rahul Tewatia have risen to the occasion when demanded.
GT’s bowling was quietly effective. Prasidh Krishna led the attack brilliantly, taking 21 wickets and becoming the go-to bowler in both powerplay and death overs. The support from Mohammed Siraj (15 wickets) and spinners like R Sai Kishore (15 wickets) and Rashid Khan (8 wickets) ensured GT had variety. Coach Ashish Nehra’s tactical inputs, such as encouraging Mohammed Siraj to trust his outswinger, also played a behind-the-scenes but crucial role in sharpening GT’s bowling unit.
Read More: IPL 2025, DC vs GT, Highlights: Shubman, Sudharsan make light work of 200 chase; GT into Playoffs
Punjab Kings: A new leader, new identity
Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy brought a fresh and assertive energy to PBKS. After winning the title with KKR in 2024 (though he didn’t get full credit), he proved his credentials by guiding Punjab to their first top-four finish since 2014. His field placements were proactive, and his trust in uncapped India players helped build a fearless, flexible unit. Iyer also became the first-ever captain to lead three different franchises to the playoffs, a unique feat in IPL history.
Iyer backed up his captaincy with the bat, scoring 435 runs at a strike rate of 174.70—leading from the front in crucial run chases. What made PBKS stand out was the rise of lesser-known India batters like Priyansh Arya (426 runs), Prabhsimran Singh (508 runs), Shashank Singh (273 runs), and Nehal Wadhera (280 runs). These youngsters played their roles without fear, ensuring the team didn’t overly depend on overseas stars. The variety in their batting approach—from power-hitters to anchors—gave them a dynamic edge this season.
PBKS’s bowling attack also clicked as a complete unit. Arshdeep Singh (16 wickets) and Marco Jansen (13 wickets) shared new-ball responsibilities and regularly picked wickets early. Yuzvendra Chahal’s (14 wickets) return to form provided control in the middle overs, while Harpreet Brar (7 wickets in five games) grabbed his opportunities with impactful spells.
The combination of left-arm pace, wrist spin, and finger spin gave PBKS flexibility in different conditions. Importantly, their bowlers stayed disciplined under pressure—something that was missing in past seasons.
Read More: IPL 2025, RR vs PBKS, Highlights: Wadhera-Shashank surge, Brar’s triple strikes take PBKS to no. 2
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): Big names, bigger results
Though not the most experienced leader, Rajat Patidar rose to the occasion after being handed the RCB captaincy. He managed made bold calls, and showed trust in his teammates—especially the bowlers. His leadership allowed RCB to find rhythm and keep that going. His calm demeanor and aggressive intent mirrored the likes of previous great RCB captains.
No surprises here—Virat Kohli led the charge once again, scoring 505 runs with seven half-centuries. He held the innings together in tough situations. Explosive starts from Phil Salt (239 runs in 9 innings) and Jacob Bethell (67 runs in 2 innings) often gave RCB a platform to attack in the powerplay, while Devdutt Padikkal’s (247 runs in 10 innings) consistency at No. 3 added further stability. What helped RCB this season was the contribution from finishers—Jitesh Sharma (142.22 strike rate) Tim David (193.75 strike rate), and Romario Shepherd (378.57), all of whom turned close games in their favour with powerful cameos.
RCB’s bowling attack looked the most balanced it has in years. The pace trio of Josh Hazlewood (18 wickets), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (12 wickets), and Yash Dayal (10 wickets) delivered with control and variety, while Suyash Sharma’s (8.26) economical spells in the middle overs stalled opposition momentum. Krunal Pandya (14 wickets and 97 runs) offered great balance as an all-rounder, contributing both with the ball and lower down the order with crucial runs. For the first time in recent seasons, RCB had both depth and discipline in their bowling line-up.
While each of these three teams—GT, PBKS, and RCB—took different routes to the playoffs, they shared a few common traits: smart captaincy, strong Indian core, and all-round balance. With all three still vying for a top-two finish, the playoffs promise high-voltage clashes. But one thing is clear—these teams didn’t just make it by chance. They earned their place with intent, execution, and belief.
Read More: IPL 2025: RCB bowlers’ stellar stats in powerplay (overs 1-6) the bedrock of their success so far
