IPL 2025: Top teams that have performed exceptionally well in the first two weeks of the tournament — RCB is one such side. Who are the others?
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season is off to a thrilling start, and while the usual heavyweights are making headlines, it’s the so-called underdogs who have captured the imagination of fans with their spirited performances.
In the first two weeks, teams like Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Delhi Capitals (DC) have surprised many by outperforming expectations. Let’s take a closer look at what’s working for these teams and why they’re off to flying starts.
Royal Challengers Bangalore – New dawn at the Chinnaswamy
RCB have often carried the burden of star power without results to match. But IPL 2025 has witnessed a shift in that narrative. They have found a rhythm, thanks to different players stepping up at crucial moments. The bowling unit, which has long been RCB’s Achilles heel, has looked sharp and united this season as they have managed to emerge triumphant in three games out of four and are comfortably seated at the third place in the points table with six points.
Veteran pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood have brought calm and control to the attack. Hazlewood, in particular, has led from the front with 8 wickets, while Krunal Pandya has emerged as a surprise package with 7 scalps. Yash Dayal has carried his 2024 form into this season, adding balance to the pace attack with 5 wickets to his name.
On the batting front, RCB’s success has not hinged on one or two individuals. Virat Kohli (164 runs) and Rajat Patidar (161 runs) have anchored the innings consistently. Meanwhile, Phil Salt’s (56 off 31 balls) explosive innings against KKR and Jitesh Sharma’s (40 off 19 balls) impactful knock against MI showcased RCB’s newfound batting depth.
The encouraging thing for @RCBTweets is that they have won precisely the kind of match that would go against them in the past. They are looking a wonderful unit with many little contributors rather than being dependent on a few key players
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 7, 2025
Read More: IPL 2025: Teams that have been a huge letdown in first two weeks
Punjab Kings – Fresh identity under Shreyas Iyer
Punjab Kings have often struggled with consistency, but under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting, the team seems more assured and confident. Shreyas, riding high on his form from Champions Trophy 2025, has carried that momentum into the IPL and provided stability in the middle order. He amassed unbeaten 97 against Gujarat Titans (GT) and then scored 52 not out against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). However, he did get out early against Rajasthan Royals (RR), but not before showing his class with two classic cover drives.
The emergence of uncapped opener Priyansh Arya and the fiery starts from Prabhsimran Singh have given PBKS solid platforms in the powerplay. Their bowling unit, featuring Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson, and Marco Jansen, has clicked well, offering variety and penetration.
Vijaykumar Vyshak’s death-over spell against GT as an impact player was one of the turning points of their campaign so far. Nehal Wadhera’s blistering knock against LSG added further depth to their batting.
The only concern for PBKS is their form at home, where they’ve lost 5 out of their last 6 games since IPL 2024.
They have always had the players, not always the team. But there is something different about @PunjabKingsIPL this year. My eyes will be on them.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 1, 2025
Read More: IPL 2025, PBKS vs CSK, Hits & Flops: Priyansh Arya dazzles the stage with 103; Chennai lose 4th game
Delhi Capitals – Undefeated and unafraid
Delhi Capitals are the only unbeaten side so far in IPL 2025, having won all three of their matches. What stands out most is their ability to perform as a unit, with different players delivering in each game.
Ashutosh Sharma (66 off 31 balls) and Vipraj Nigam’s (39 off 15 balls & 35/1) standout performances against LSG were proof of their bench strength, while experienced heads like Mitchell Starc (5/35) and Faf du Plessis (50 off 27 balls) delivered against SRH. KL Rahul’s (77 off 51 balls) composed knock versus CSK and the clever captaincy of Axar Patel have added calmness to the side.
Kuldeep Yadav (6 wickets in 3 matches) has been a constant threat across all games, weaving his magic in the middle overs. DC’s game plans have been spot on, with match-ups executed to perfection.
IPL 2025 has already seen plenty of upsets and thrilling contests, but the rise of RCB, PBKS, and DC has added an extra layer of excitement. Whether these teams can maintain their momentum over the long season remains to be seen, but for now, they are setting the standard for spirited, all-round cricket. They’re reminding everyone why the IPL is the most unpredictable T20 league in the world.
Read More: IPL 2025, MI vs RCB, Hits & Flops: Bengaluru hold their own in close clash with Mumbai
