IPL 2025: Who’s Dominating the Data?

We’re 46 matches in, and this IPL season feels like one of the most competitive yet. But does the data back that up? Here’s what the numbers reveal about who’s making an impact, and who’s struggling to keep up.

How the Rankings Work

Quick note before we dive in: to keep things fair, I’ve calibrated all player performances as if every team has played 8 matches (the fewest played by any team so far). This way, we can compare players consistently, no matter how many games their teams have completed. Importantly, players who’ve missed matches aren’t penalized further—they simply have fewer opportunities to contribute. (For more on the model and metrics, head to the homepage.)

The Top 3: Who’s Leading the Pack?

1. Prasidh Krishna: The Titan Enforcer

No surprise here. Prasidh tops the Overall Player Ratings, dominating both key bowling metrics: first in Wicket Frequency and second in Run Restriction. His ability to strike consistently while keeping scoring under control has been central to Gujarat Titans’ resurgence.

2. Suryakumar Yadav: Mumbai’s Driving Force

SKY is right up there, excelling in both batting metrics: Aggression and Consistency. With 427 runs (second only to Virat Kohli) and a strike rate of 169 in a season where Mumbai matches average 149, he has been the backbone of Mumbai’s batting lineup.

3. Kuldeep Yadav: The Silent Squeezer

Kuldeep leads in Run Restriction with an economy rate of 6.86, remarkable given that Delhi Capitals’ matches have averaged 9.2 runs per over. His wicket-taking rate, one every 18 balls, is slightly below average, but the model places greater weight on economy, which has shown a stronger correlation with T20 success. Is 1 for 27 in four overs better than 2 for 50? The model says yes.

The Strugglers: Who’s Out of Form?

At the bottom: Rishabh Pant. His strike rate of 98 and average of 12 make for grim reading. Interestingly, Deepak Hooda (74 strike rate, 7 average) edges him out—but only because Hooda has faced fewer balls (39 to Pant’s 112). Pant’s lone bright spot, a 63 off 49 balls, still left Lucknow with a sub-par total and a loss, illustrating how even a seemingly solid innings can hurt when it stalls momentum.

MVP Showdown: IPL Ratings vs. "True MVP"

The official IPL MVP ratings are simple: runs, boundaries, wickets, and dot balls. But that misses key nuances, like how scoring 1s (not just dot balls) restricts runs, or how strike rates impact totals. Here’s how our “True MVP” model stacks up:

Nicholas Pooran: Tops the IPL MVP Index with his boundary blitz and also ranks first in Aggression. His Consistency is solid too, placing him 6th overall. We rate Suryakumar slightly higher since he’s delivering in tougher conditions (average match total of 179 vs. Pooran’s 191), but there’s no doubt Pooran is having a standout season.

Suryakumar Yadav: No debate here—both systems rank him 2nd.

Aiden Markram: A major disagreement. He’s 3rd in the IPL MVP list but 41st in our model. Why? He’s scoring runs but at a strike rate of 149, below the 159 average for LSG matches. His consistency keeps him in the top 25, but the model penalizes him for not accelerating enough, even with all those boundaries.

Batters vs. Bowlers: A Balance Check

Notice something? The IPL MVP’s top 7 are all batters. A strong rating system should weigh batting and bowling impact more evenly. In our rankings, 2 of the top 4 are bowlers, reflecting a more balanced view of what drives T20 success.