Rating opening pairs of all teams in IPL 2025: Who is the strongest on paper?

The 18th edition of the IPL will have teams step onto the pitch with their best opening pairs, setting their sights on winning the title.

Rating opening pairs of all teams in IPL 2025: Who is the strongest on paper?

The IPL 2025 will begin on the 22nd of March, 2025. (via IPL.com)

With the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League less than ten days away, it is important to take a look and review the teams and their squads for the upcoming season. Ten IPL teams will be in action once again, with matches starting on 22 March 2025. 

The 2024 IPL season was an impressive one in terms of runs scored by the franchises. Records for the most runs in the power-play, the largest team totals and the biggest run chases were broken in the tournament last year.

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The openers played an important role last season, as a majority of the runs from the 200+ matches came off their bats. The likes of Sunil Narine, Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad scored big. Teams sought to revamp themselves during the 2025 IPL auction in order to bring in major changes and challenge for the title. 

While there is a tight competition while ranking the best opening pairs for the upcoming season, here is a look at the strengths and weaknesses and analyse them based on their form and recent T20 performances. 

Kolkata Knight Riders – Sunil Narine and Quinton de Kock

The defending champions failed to bring back English opener Phil Salt, a player who was crucial in the team’s title-winning campaign. Veteran South African batter Quinton de Kock could open the innings alongside Sunil Narine, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz and skipper Ajinkya Rahane remain backups. 

Kolkata Knight Riders IPL
Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine might open for KKR in the IPL. (via Sports Tiger)

Sunil Narine ended the 2024 IPL season as the Most Valuable Player, scoring 488 runs at a blistering strike rate of 180.74. He became a formidable force up front for KKR, and could be pivotal once again this season. His partner, Quinton de Kock, retired from international cricket last year. He scored only 250 runs in the IPL last season for LSG, at a poor average of just 22.73. 

While KKR will be missing out on the explosive batting of Salt in the powerplay, De Kock does remain a good and experienced option. The duo play pace well and are ideal partners, giving the team a left-handed pair up top. However, Narine has not been in convincing form, and needs to fire. De Kock on the other hand, had a good CPL season with Barbados Royals, followed by a poor SA20 campaign. 

Sunrisers Hyderabad – Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head

Sunrisers Hyderabad retained their core from last season, as they enjoyed a brilliant IPL 2024 campaign, getting all the way to the final. A major force behind the team’s impressive display last season was their explosive batting, as they smashed all the run-scoring records in the IPL. 

Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL
Abhisekh Sharma and Travis Head will continue opening for SRH. (via ESPN)

Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head will return as the openers once again. The prolific duo scored more than 1000 runs last season. Sharma ended the season with 484 runs in 16 matches, at an average of 32.27 and a strike rate of 204.22. Meanwhile, Australian Travis Head finished fourth on the list of highest run-scorers last season, with 567 runs at a strike rate of 191.55. 

The two aggressive left-handed openers love to take on the attack to the opposition in the early overs, and compliment each other well. They have also been in great form, with Head being a top-performer for Australia in all three formats. Sharma on the other hand, is ranked 2nd among T20I batters in the world. The two have however, struggled at slower pitches, and failed to perform in the play-offs last season. 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Virat Kohli and Phil Salt 

The 2025 IPL season will be another one for RCB and Virat Kohli, as the team hopes to clinch the trophy despite having failed multiple times. This season however, RCB is laden with batting firepower, which begins with the deadly opening pair of Virat Kohli and Englishman Phil Salt.

Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL
Phil Salt and Virat Kohli will open for RCB this season. (via Sports Tiger)

Kohli comes off the back of a successful white-ball season with the Indian national team, having won the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy. He is also the IPLs leading run-scorer of all time, and won the Orange Cap last season for scoring 741 runs at an average of 61.75. Phil Salt on the other hand, smashed 435 runs last season in just 12 innings, helping KKR lift the IPL trophy. 

The two players could form a deadly combination, as they possess the ability to anchor the innings and shift gears whenever necessary. Salt showed great adaptability, and his aggression could allow Kohli to play freely. However, opposition bowlers would seek to utilize upon Kohli’s off-stump struggles. Salt also has not been in great form, after having scored just 30 runs in the Champions Trophy recently. 

Rajasthan Royals – Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal

Rajasthan Royals retained their much-successful opening pair of skipper Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The two openers were retained for a massive combined salary of INR 36 crores. Samson and Jaiswal will be carrying the burden of giving a good start to the innings.

Rajasthan Royals IPL
Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal will continue as RR’s openers. (via MyKhel)

Both Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal had a brilliant 2024 IPL season. They ended as the team’s second and third highest run scorers respectively, behind Riyan Parag. Skipper Sanju Samson scored 531 runs in 15 matches at an average of 48.27, while Jaiswal scored 435 runs at an average of 31.07 to make it among the top run scorers of the season.

The pair of Jaiswal and Samson can be highly effective if the 23-year-old plays his natural attacking game, while the RR captain provides support. However, the two are not as explosive as needed at times, and strike rate can be an issue. Samson’s recent elevation to the top for India has also returned mixed results, as he has struggled with short-pitched deliveries.

Chennai Super Kings – Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway

Back to basics, Chennai Super Kings have stuck with their tried and tested opening duo of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway. The two players offer a potent combination of explosive power and consistent performances, and will be important to fulfill CSK’s ambition of winning their sixth IP title. 

Chennai Super Kings IPL
Devon Conway will return to open the innings for CSK, with Ruturaj Gaikwad. (via IPL.com)

The duo of skipper Gaikwad and Conway were pivotal in the team’s 2023 IPL triumph. While the Kiwi opener missed the 2024 season, Gaikwad, in his debut season as captain, ended the tournament as the second highest run-getter. He scored 583 runs at a strike rate of 141.16. Meanwhile, Conway has scored 924 runs in his two IPL seasons, at a combined average of 48.63 and a strike rate of 141.28.

The left-right combination up top is expected to fire this season, and allow the team to exploit different bowling attacks. While the two openers are not the most explosive ones, they have however, delivered strong performances, stitching crucial partnerships. However, Gaikwad’s recent form in domestic cricket has been a matter of concern. Meanwhile, Devon Conway faces competition from Rachin Ravindra.

Mumbai Indians – Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton

Mumbai Indians have two players in waiting, who would seek to open the innings alongside Rohit Sharma for the upcoming IPL season. While Will Jacks seems to be an obvious pick, South African batter Ryan Rickelton is the better option. The left-handed would complement the Indian team skipper well.

Mumbai Indians IPL
Rohit Sharma is expected to join Ryan Rickelton in opening for MI. (via Sports Tiger)

Rohit Sharma ended the 2024 season with 417 runs and a strike rate of 150 and a moderate average of 32.08. However, Mumbai Indians only ended the season in 10th place on the IPL table. He will be joined by an emerging star in the form of Ryan Rickelton, who most recently finished as the fourth highest run-getter in the SA20, helping MI Cape Town lift the trophy for the first time.

While the former MI captain brings in experience and leadership, as well as power hitting abilities, 28-year-old Rickelton’s inexperience in the IPL could prove to be a strength or even a weakness for MI. Moreover, Rohit Sharma’ inconsistency is also a concern. In case Rickelton fails to shine, Jacks remains a strong and credible option, as he possesses the experience of playing the IPL previously with RCB. 

Gujarat Titans – Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler

Ahead of the 2025 IPL season, Gujarat Titans managed to put together a solid combination of Jos Buttler and Shubman Gill as the openers. The former RR wicket-keeper joined for a massive price of INR 15.75 crores. Interestingly, Buttler won the 2022 Orange Cap and Gill followed by winning it in 2024. 

Gujarat Titans IPL
Jos Buttler and Shubman Gill could open for GT in the IPL. (via Sports Tiger)

GT skipper Shubman Gill has been one of India’s most consistent white-ball performers over the last few years. Last season, he scored 426 runs at an average of 38.73 and a strike rate of 147.40, adding up to his tally of 3216 IPL runs. Meanwhile, Buttler, despite not making it past the 400-run mark, scored two centuries, closing up to Virat Kohli’s record of eight IPL centuries. 

While the English batter adds aggressiveness and his explosive style to the GT batting order, Gill brings his composed yet powerful approach to the table. However, the two players, followed by number three Sai Sudarshan face a considerable amount of pressure, owing to GT’s weaknesses in the middle order. Both Jos Buttler and Shubman Gill are also susceptible against spin bowlers.

Delhi Capitals – Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk

Delhi Capitals were the one of the best performing franchises in the 2025 IPL auction, as they managed to bring together a blend of good Indian and overseas players. While veteran Indian batter KL Rahul is expected to open the innings alongside Jake Fraser-McGurk, Faf du Plessis seems to be a strong pick.

Delhi Capitals IPL
Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk could open for DC in the IPL. (via Sports Tiger)

An opening pair of Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser McGurk would bring in a combination of experience as well as young talent. In just nine matches last season, 22-year-old Jake Fraser-McGurk scored 330 runs at a blistering strike rate of 234.04. Veteran South African batter Faf du Plessis, who captained RCB last season, has been a consistent performer in the IPL since 2012, and ended last season with 438 runs.  

For an ultra-aggressive partner like Jake Fraser-McGurk at the top of the order, du Plessis’ experience will come handy. The South African scored a combined 1368 runs in the SA20, CPL and the MLC over the last year. However, the two players could face challenges in maintaining consistency. Fraser-McGurk’s recent form has not been great. KL Rahul and Abhisek Porel could be the other opening options.

Punjab Kings – Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis 

Punjab Kings’ new opening pair of Prabhsimran Singh and Australian star batter Josh Inglis will be an exciting one to watch. The Kings could also opt for Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis or young uncapped talent Priyansh Arya to open the batting alongside Singh. 

Punjab Kings IPL
Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis might open for PBKS. (via Sports Tiger)

Prabhsimran Singh was retained by the Punjab Kings, as the team owners displayed their faith in the 24-year-old’s abilities. He has been leading the line for Punjab since the last two seasons, and has scored a combined 756 runs in the IPL at a decent strike rate of 146.23. Inglis on the other hand, has proved his abilities on the international stage for the Australian national side, and remains a dependable option. 

The Prabhsimran-Inglis duo do not face the pressure as other openers do, as PBKS has Shreyas Iyer, Glenn Maxwell and other stars down the batting order. Prabhsimran’s aggressiveness could come handy, added to Inglis’ versatility, experience and power hitting abilities. However, there is a question of consistency surrounding the two players, as well as their ability to play spin.

Lucknow Super Giants – Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh

Lucknow Super Giants surely have the weakest opening pair in the upcoming edition of the IPL. While Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh seem to be the only option as openers, it might not be surprising if Rishabh Pant comes out to open the innings, after having expressed interest for the same. 

Lucknow Super Giants IPL
Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh could open for LSG in the IPL. (via Sports Tiger)

South African skipper Aiden Markram has been a decent performer in the IPL over the last four seasons, scoring 995 runs at an average of 30.15 and a modest strike rate of 129.73. His partner Mitchell Marsh, who leads the Australian national team in the shortest format, has struggled to find form in the IPL. He played just four matches last season for Delhi Capitals, scoring 61 runs at an average of just 15.25. 

Markram and Marsh’s numbers do not look convincing enough. The two players need to deliver for LSG with consistency. Their abilities to play both spin and pace well could be a factor, but the duo still lack enough firepower to post a mammoth score at the end of the powerplay. In case any one of the two players fails to hit the deck, South African batter Matthew Breetzke could be handed the opportunity.