Will Chennai Super Kings win the trophy as this is Dhoni’s last IPL?
IPL 2025: Who will win the trophy this season? I carefully analyzed the final scores, team combinations, and playing XIs of all the squads. After doing so, I have some disheartening news: if we look at the team as players, it seems unlikely that Dhoni’s Chennai will not make it to the IPL final this year.
Not just the final—by looking at players’ performance, even making the playoffs might be a challenge. And that’s heartbreaking because this could very well be Dhoni’s last season. Fans everywhere are hoping to see the trophy return to Chennai as a grand farewell for the legend. But based on the current squad, the road ahead looks tough.
Now, let’s talk about the teams that seem strongest and most likely to reach the playoffs.
Strong IPL Team 2025
First up, Mumbai.
Mumbai Indians have retained a significant portion of Team India and made some excellent auction buys despite limited funds. They’ve assembled a solid lineup: Rohit Sharma will likely open with Will Jacks, followed by Surya at 3, Tilak Varma at 4, and Hardik Pandya as captain at 5. In bowling, they have the world-class Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult, with Deepak Chahar anchoring the spin department. Mumbai looks like the strongest team once again, provided they avoid the internal issues that plagued them last year.
Next, Delhi Capitals.
This season, Delhi appears to have built its strongest squad in years. With players like Jake Fraser (Australia) opening alongside backups like Faf du Plessis, and a power-packed middle order including Harry Brook and Heinrich Klaasen, their batting looks solid. Add to that spinners Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, and a pace attack led by Mitchell Starc, Mukesh Kumar, and T Natarajan, and you’ve got a team that’s ready to dominate. Could this be KL Rahul’s redemption season as both captain and player?
Third, Gujarat Titans.
Nehra’s Gujarat has quietly built a fantastic team. With Jos Buttler joining Shubman Gill at the top, and young stars like Sai Sudarshan in the mix, their batting lineup is fierce. They also secured underrated picks like Glenn Phillips at bargain prices. Their bowling unit—featuring Rashid Khan, Washington Sundar, Prasidh Krishna, and Kagiso Rabada—looks like a dream. Watch out for this team to make a deep run this season!
Finally, Kolkata Knight Riders.
KKR had a tricky auction but retained nine players from their title-winning squad. However, they face challenges in leadership—will it be Rinku Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, or Ajinkya Rahane? Despite this, their core team still looks competitive, and if they solve their captaincy issues, they could be playoff contenders.
Other teams like Hyderabad also appear promising, but remember—matches aren’t won by looking at player’s performances. Decisions on the field, pressure management, and team synergy often trump squad strength. That’s where Dhoni shines, turning average squads into title contenders.
Do you agree with these predictions? Which teams do you think will reach the top four? Let us know in the comments.