IPL 2025: Fan Favorites and Surprising Performances Revealed
Impact of IPL 2025 on Fan Preferences
A comprehensive study conducted by a global company revealed how the outcomes of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) shaped fan preferences. This season was marked by significant events: the Royal Challengers Bangalore clinched their inaugural title, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi made a remarkable debut, and Sai Sudharsan excelled with 759 runs, earning the Orange Cap.
The survey included over 3,000 participants who selected their most valuable player (MVP), the top captain, and the best young player.
Top Player of IPL 2025 as Chosen by Fans
Prior to the season, a similar survey was conducted by the company, allowing us to compare shifts in fan favorites:
|
Rank |
Before IPL 2025 |
After IPL 2025 |
|
1 |
Virat Kohli (27.4%) |
Sai Sudharsan (45.40%) |
|
2 |
MS Dhoni (12.50%) |
Suryakumar Yadav (13.07%) |
|
3 |
Rohit Sharma (12.4%) |
Virat Kohli (8.60%) |
|
4 |
Abhishek Sharma (11.1%) |
Shreyas Iyer (7.05%) |
|
5 |
Jasprit Bumrah (4.3%) |
Heinrich Klaasen (4%) |
|
6 |
Yashasvi Jaiswal (4.2%) |
Josh Hazlewood (2.80%) |
|
7 |
Hardik Pandya (4.0%) |
Abhishek Sharma (2%) |
|
8 |
Rishabh Pant (2.9%) |
Nicholas Pooran (1.80%) |
|
9 |
KL Rahul (2.5%) |
Sai Kishore (1.60%) |
|
10 |
Suryakumar Yadav (2.4%) |
Arshdeep Singh (1.50%) |
Sai Sudharsan's remarkable journey saw him rise from being an unknown player to the top of the fan rankings. Just a month before IPL 2025, he was not even in the top 10, but his outstanding performance during the tournament earned him over half of the votes. Interestingly, the majority of his support came from Maharashtra (11.17%), surpassing his home state of Tamil Nadu (5.49%).
His performance was nothing short of spectacular, as he scored 759 runs throughout the season, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure and rightfully claiming the Orange Cap as the tournament's leading scorer. Sai Sudharsan's future in cricket looks promising, and he could soon be a key player for the Indian national team.
Suryakumar Yadav also had a notable season, increasing his vote share by 10% compared to the previous survey and climbing from 10th to 2nd place. His rise was bolstered by support from fans in Uttar Pradesh (12.50%), despite his roots in Maharashtra (9.87%).
Yadav's consistency was a significant factor in his success, as he averaged over 25 runs per match and earned the MVP award for the championship. His contributions helped the Mumbai Indians reach the semifinals.
Virat Kohli, a cricketing icon, finished in third place with 8.60% of the votes. Although he was the favorite before the tournament and played a crucial role in the final, leading RCB to their first title after 18 years, the emergence of Sudharsan and Yadav overshadowed his performance.
The top five also included Shreyas Iyer (7.05%) and Heinrich Klaasen (4%). Iyer, the Punjab Kings captain, surprised fans with his leadership and calm demeanor, while Klaasen delivered memorable performances, including a standout 37-ball knock against KKR.
On the other hand, MS Dhoni's performance was disappointing. Once a top contender, he fell out of the top 10 due to the Chennai Super Kings' poor showing, finishing last in the standings with just 8 points.
The survey indicated that the most engaged voters were men aged 25-34, who accounted for 30-50% of the votes, depending on the player. Additionally, interest in cricket among younger fans is rising, with supporters aged 20-24 matching the voting activity of the 25-34 age group, each contributing 33% of the votes.
Top Captains of IPL 2025
The survey results highlighted the following top captains:
- Shreyas Iyer (PBKS) — 58.50%.
- Rajat Patidar (RCB) — 23.20%.
- Hardik Pandya (MI) — 3.80%.
Shreyas Iyer led the fan votes by a significant margin, demonstrating his ability to inspire his team during challenging times while maintaining impressive playing skills with a strike rate of 175.80.
Many believe that Iyer's leadership was pivotal in the Punjab Kings reaching the playoffs for the first time in 11 years, and he is seen as a potential future captain for the Indian national team.
Rajat Patidar, the captain of RCB, garnered nearly half as many votes but successfully led his team to their first championship title, showcasing his leadership and impressive strike rate of 143.78.
Hardik Pandya from the Mumbai Indians secured third place, narrowly beating Shubman Gill.
Players Who Underperformed
Fans also identified the top five players who did not meet expectations in IPL 2025:
- Rishabh Pant — 20%.
- MS Dhoni — 9.2%.
- Mohammed Shami — 5%.
- Hardik Pandya — 4.7%.
- Abhishek Sharma — 4.6%.
Rishabh Pant's record auction fee of ₹27-28 crore placed immense pressure on him, resulting in an average of only 13-15 runs per match. Consequently, the Lucknow Super Giants finished 7th and missed the playoffs.
MS Dhoni, once a fan favorite, saw a significant drop in support, finishing outside the top 10. His performance was underwhelming, and many fans believe he should consider retirement.
Mohammed Shami, a previously reliable bowler, struggled with injuries and failed to deliver, conceding over 12 runs per over in several matches.
Top Young Players of IPL 2025
This season showcased numerous young talents, with the following players standing out:
- Sai Sudharsan — 30.80%.
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi — 29.80%.
- Ayush Mhatre — 13.80%.
- Priyansh Arya — 8.90%.
- Noor Ahmad — 3.20%.
- Prabhsimran Singh — 2.30%.
- Harshit Rana — 2%.
- Vipraj Nigam — 1.60%.
- Arshin Kulkarni — 0.90%.
- Ishan Malinga — 0.90%.
Sai Sudharsan narrowly edged out Vaibhav Suryavanshi for the title of best young player, thanks to his impressive performance and high strike rate (150+). Sudharsan became the youngest player to score over 700 runs in the IPL, earning the Orange Cap.
At just 14, Vaibhav Suryavanshi made history as the youngest player in IPL, scoring 252 runs in 7 matches with a remarkable strike rate of 206.56.
His aggressive playing style and fearless approach make him a player to watch in the future, and the Rajasthan Royals have a valuable asset in him.
IPL: The Thrilling Cricket League
The findings from the India Cricket Next Gen study confirmed that IPL 2025 was filled with thrilling matches, unexpected outcomes, and standout individual performances. The season also highlighted the rapid development of young players.
Stay tuned to IPL and regional leagues with 1xBet to witness the emergence of new cricket legends!
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