The Shank Play the Game. Share the Passion
Who Makes the Team of the Tournament and Do You Agree?
It’s that time of the year again when we look at who has made the 2025 Team of the Tournament XI for what has been another barn-storming Indian Premier League Tournament, as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally won their 1st tournament.
We take a look at who has played their part in another brilliant tournament and makes the list for the Team of the Tournament. Impressive seasons for players from RCB, Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings XI will surely see them represented. Take a look and let us know if you agree with our choices.
1. Sai Sudharsan – Gujarat Titans
This impressive youngster has star quality aura all about him and at just 23 years old, has the next decade to impose himself on the International scene. Amassing 1 century and 6 further half-centuries, the explosiveness of Sudharsan, who took the Orange Cap award for the most runs in the season with 759 runs, was a big factor in propelling the Titans to the play-offs. Despite the team tailing off towards the back-end of the tournament, after leading for so long, Sudharsan and his character were a big factor in the 2025 tournament and he will surely be a mainstay for India in the coming years and has hit form at a great time with the side going through a changing of the guard.
2. Shubman Gill – Gujarat Titans
The new India captain earns his place alongside his teammate at the top of the order after amassing 650 runs across 15 games at an average of 50.00 with 6 half-centuries. Whilst it was his opening partner that stole the headlines, Gill’s presence alongside at the top of the order was a huge factor in why they led for so long in the tournament. It also gave Gill the chance to show his captaincy credentials that ultimately earned him the role as India captain going forward. Losing a couple fo key players after the enforced break led to the Gujarat Titans dropping off late-on but he will take a lot from this experience for both club and country for 2026.
3. Virat Kohli – Royal Challengers Bengaluru
The master finally got his win after many a season where he just fell short. As always is the case with this superstar, he was an undeniable factor in RCB winning their first title with 657 runs across the tournament that included 8 half-centuries, showing his incredible consistency. His presence and aura has manifested itself as to arguably the most recognisable superstar in cricket today and whilst he may be in the twilight of his career, he will have many more years now he has decided to concentrate on the T20 format, to add to his trophy cabinet.
4. Shreyas Iyer – Punjab Kings XI
Sadly it was one game too far for the Punjab Kings XI captain as crucially he lasted only two balls in the Final as West Indian Romario Shepherd induced an edge behind but it was still a positive 2025 IPL tournament for the rising star. with 604 runs that included 6 half-centuries, he led his un-fancied side all the way to the showpiece match and was instrumental in getting them there with an electrifying 87* against the Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2. A big 2026 is expected for the fan-favourite PBKS skipper.
5. Suryakumar Yadav – Mumbai Indians
The darling of Indian cricket had another explosive tournament that saw him finish behind only Sai Sudharsan in the race for the Orange Cap with 707 runs and five half-centuries, showing just why he is such a superstar in the game today. A slow start for the Mumbai Indians had them needing to go on a run and an inspired Yadav, led from the front as they won 6 games on the trot to propel themselves into the latter stages. Solid contributions throughout included a 44 in Qualifier 2 but it wasn’t enough against an inspired PBKS side. The Indian T20 captain will no doubt be a key player for the Mumbai Indians in 2026 where he will look to continue his impressive form of 2025 after a down year in 2024.
6. Jos Buttler – Gujarat Titans
Was Buttler’s absence from the Gujarat Titans side a big reason why the faltered towards the back end of the 2025 tournament? The former England captain was expected to be with the side for the whole tournament but when it postponed due to the India-Pakistan tensions, the delay in resuming the tournament meant Buttler was needed for England duty. The 2025 signing hit 538 runs in the tournament and his 10 dismissals and tidiness behind the stumps were huge factors. After a bout of poor form that saw him relinquish the England white-ball captaincy, Buttler needed this tournament and boy did he come alive.
7. Mitch Marsh – Lucknow Super Giants
Often seen as a useful player without setting the game alight, Marsh showed why he has had a later-career renaissance with an impressive 2025 tournament. With 627 runs that included 1 century and 6 further half-centuries, Marsh was imperious and was a big factor in the Lucknow Super Giants staying in contention as long as they did. Whilst he didn’t bowl, a trend that is quite expected these days, his role as a middle-order hitter was a big plus for him and should earn him another stint for 2026.
8. Marco Jansen – Punjab Kings XI
The South African star is making a huge impact on the world game with his thirst for wickets and his usefulness as a lower order batter. 16 wickets showed that he was a big factor in PBKS finishing top of the table and with runs down the order and his fielding a big plus, he makes this Best XI of the Tournament in the Number 8 role because of those attributes. There is little doubt that Jansen will go on to have a long IPL career and PBKS will want to tie this youngster up quickly on a long-term contract.
9. Noor Ahmed – Chennai Super Kings
Mystery spinners in the game never go far wrong these days and whilst they don’t always get it right, Noor Ahmed’s figures show that he was a standout in the 2025 IPL. Despite the Chennai Super Kings finishing bottom of the table, it certainly wasn’t because of Ahmed and his 24 wickets, just one behind the Purple Cap holder, Prasidh Krishna. Had his side made it through to the latter stages, he would have no doubt taken the Purple Cap but instead the Afghanistan star will have to make do with a place in the Best Tournament XI.
10. Trent Boult – Mumbai Indians
This was a toss-up between the New Zealander and Australia’s Josh Hazlewood with both of them taking 22 wickers across the tournament. The late surge by the Mumbai Indians to thrust themselves into contention was a factor in him getting the nod. Despite being on the back-end of his career, New Zealand will know that he still has plenty to offer them in the short format game. His ability to keep runs to a minimum early doors and then bowl his variations at the back-end of games are why he makes the final XI for 2025.
11. Prasidh Krishna – Gujarat Titans
This side wouldn’t be complete without the Purple Cap holder and this year it went to the impressive Prasidh Krishna who led the league with 25 wickets at an average under 20. Whilst he has had International experience for India, he has yet to nail down a regular place in the squad but if he continues this form, he will be hard to ignore in either of the white-ball formats with a changing of the guard coming with the Indian national side. Krishna was a middle-order specialist, bowling and taking wickets at crucial times when teams were looking to build momentum and that could be his role in the future like former England star Liam Plunkett who did the role so perfectly.
************************
Let us know who you think should have been in the 2025 IPL Team of the Tournament and also who you think will be victorious in the 2026 edition
