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And That’s a Wrap!

Updated: 1 day ago


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The IPL 2025 season is done and dusted — and for the first time ever, Royal Challengers Bangalore are champions! With four teams mounting a genuine challenge for the title, the final stretch was thrilling. But in the end, RCB rose above the rest.


For this season finale, we break down key stories from the playoffs, unveil our Team of the Tournament, and share what’s next for T20 Analytics.


The Final Four: How RCB Won the Title

Perhaps the biggest surprise? RCB won the title without a single player in the model’s top three, and only Virat Kohli cracked the top ten.


But zooming out, RCB placed four players in the top 26 overall:

  • Virat Kohli

  • Tim David

  • Krunal Pandya

  • Josh Hazlewood


They built success not on superstars, but on consistent contributors across roles. It’s a team formula we’ve seen before: think KKR in 2024 with Narine leading a well-balanced core as Kohli did here.


Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans, the top-ranked team overall, fell short in the Eliminator. With B. Sai Sudarshan and Shubman Gill anchoring the top, they looked like favorites to take the title, but the margins were razor-thin. Mumbai Indians, despite fielding two of the season’s top three players (Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah), couldn’t overcome an off day for Bumrah and a lack of support for Suryakumar.


Bottom line: tournaments aren’t won by the best XI on paper — they’re won by the team that peaks at the right time. In that sense, RCB nailed it.


Team of the Tournament - Playing XII with an Impact Sub


Selections were based primarily on each player’s overall ranking in the model, with secondary factors including:

  • Balance across skill metrics (e.g., Hitting Value, Wicket-taking Frequency)

  • Team structure (4 pacers, 2 spinners)

  • Batting positions matched to roles during this season

  • Maximum of 4 overseas players


Playing XII:

  • Virat Kohli

  • KL Rahul

  • Suryakumar Yadav

  • Shreyas Iyer

  • Nicholas Pooran

  • Heinrich Klaasen

  • Krunal Pandya

  • Pat Cummins

  • Kuldeep Yadav

  • Jasprit Bumrah

  • Josh Hazlewood

  • Prasidh Krishna (Impact Player replacing KL Rahul)


Openers: Virat Kohli and KL Rahul

The two highest-rated openers this year. I was tempted to include a more aggressive opener with a high Hitting Value, but decided against it since the middle order will have strong finishers. B Sai Sudarshan and Mitchell Marsh, who had fantastic seasons, were unlucky to miss out.


Middle Order

  • Suryakumar Yadav: No. 1 overall and MVP by both our model and the IPL.

  • Shreyas Iyer: 3rd-ranked batter.

  • Nicholas Pooran and Heinrich Klaasen add finishing power, both ranking high in Hitting Value and excelling through the middle overs.


Pace Attack

  • Prasidh Krishna: Highest Wicket Frequency and highest ranked bowler.

  • Jasprit Bumrah: Top for Run Restriction and 2nd ranked bowler.

  • Josh Hazlewood: Third in Wicket Frequency and selected for his striking ability.

  • Pat Cummins: Edges out Arshdeep Singh, Jaydev Unadkat, and Mohammed Siraj to add batting depth.


Tough to leave out a left-arm option, but team balance wins out.


Spin Duo

  • Kuldeep Yadav: 3rd-best bowler overall, and 2nd for Run Restriction.

  • Krunal Pandya: 6th ranked spinner, but adds much-needed batting depth at number 7 and is a proven match-winner.


What’s Next for T20 Analytics?


With the IPL season wrapped, our focus shifts to Major League Cricket. Stay tuned for rankings, matchup analysis, and predictions.


Thanks for following this season — we hope you’ve enjoyed the ride and look forward to seeing you for Major League Cricket!

 
 
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