Teams Eye 300-Run Milestone as IPL 2025 Season Begins
The 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season kicks off on Saturday with a significant change—bowlers are once again allowed to use saliva to shine the ball, a COVID-19-era restriction that has now been lifted. This change will give fast bowlers a chance to generate some reverse swing in a format typically dominated by batsmen. However, it is the batters who will be most excited, with many teams now eyeing the coveted 300-run mark as a new benchmark for high-scoring matches.
The Impact Player rule, which allows teams to substitute a bowler with an additional batter, will further fuel the fireworks. This rule ensures that there will be an even greater emphasis on big-hitting, promising a spectacle of fours and sixes across the 13 IPL venues over the next two months. A decade ago, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) 263-5 against Pune Warriors held the record for the highest IPL total. However, last season, that mark was surpassed multiple times, with Sunrisers Hyderabad achieving the highest total of 287-3 against RCB. Many experts, including Nathan Leamon, strategy consultant with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders, believe the 300-run mark is now within reach.
“We’ve already seen a huge escalation in scores over the last two years,” Leamon told ESPNcricinfo. “It would be naive to think that we have reached the fullest extent of that. Teams are learning how to take advantage of new laws, and we’ve seen several games where 260 has been scored, something that never used to happen.”
RCB, who play Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening match at Eden Gardens, are expected to be a strong contender to break the 300-mark. The Bangalore pitch, known for its flat surface and small boundaries, is well-suited for high-scoring games. RCB will be led by new captain Rajat Patidar, one of five new captains in this season’s IPL.
The 18th edition of the IPL also sees several changes in leadership across teams. Ajinkya Rahane steps in as Kolkata’s captain after Shreyas Iyer’s departure, while Iyer takes the helm at Punjab Kings, aiming to lead them to their first-ever IPL title. Delhi Capitals will be led by all-rounder Axar Patel following the release of Rishabh Pant, while Pant himself will captain Lucknow Super Giants.
The first double-header of the season includes a thrilling matchup between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, the two most successful teams in IPL history, each with five titles to their name.
While no team stands out as a clear favorite this year, former RCB star AB de Villiers has expressed confidence in his former team’s chances. “It’s an incredibly balanced team,” de Villiers said. “I do feel this squad has got what it takes to go all the way.”
