Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) is nearly here and fans can’t wait for the high-octane tourney to commence. Undoubtedly, the openers of each teams will carry the weight of providing the perfect and explosive starts, especially in the powerplay. From the likes of Head-Sharma to the brand new opening pair of Kohli and Salt, a run fest awaits fans, courtesy of the top-order batters. Here, we take a look at the opening combos of all teams and who is rated the best.
CSK: Rachin & Gaikwad – 8/10
CSK have managed to retain the same opening combination they went with in IPL 2024. Rachin Ravindra and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad will start off the innings for the five-time champions. Both stars, who are classy in their own rights, have the ability to accelerate their innings at will. In IPL 2024, Gaikwad amassed 583 runs in 14 matches, averaging 53. His partner Rachin, who made his debut in the previous season, managed to score 222 runs from 10 matches. CSK also have the luxury of having a back-up opener in the form of Devon Conway as well.
RCB: Virat Kohli & Salt – 9/10
Virat Kohli has a new opening partner in IPL 2025 and it is ex-KKR star Phil Salt. The former RCB skipper had a phenomenal run as an opener in IPL 2024, finishing the season as the leading run-getter. He amassed 741 runs from 15 matches, averaging a mind-boggling 61.75. Salt enjoyed tremendous success too as an opener for KKR. The England batter smashed 435 runs in 12 matches, including four half-centuries. This opening combo could very well turn out to be a nightmare for the rest of the teams.
SRH: Head & Abhishek – 10/10
Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma showed why they were the best opening pair in IPL 2024, with some fearsome knocks and partnerships. The destructive duo provided the perfect start to the team in nearly all the matches and were a pair that the opposition dreaded bowling to. Abhishek has been consistent over the last three seasons, amassing 426, 226 and 484 runs in IPL 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively. His partner, Head, went on to amass 567 runs in IPL 2024, including a century and four half-centuries and boasted of a staggering strike rate of 191.55.
MI: Rohit & Rickleton – 8/10
A new season means a new opening partner for the seasoned Rohit Sharma in Mumbai Indians. The Hitman will join forces with the formidable Ryan Rickleton in IPL 2025. Sharma, who is reputed for his lazy elegance and ability to strike at will, amassed 417 runs in IPL 2024, including a century. Rickleton has been a rising star in the recent past and delivered some memorable performances in the SA20 2024/25. He will be making his IPL debut in the upcoming season and can’t ask for a better opening partner.
LSG: Pant & Marsh – 4/10
Lucknow Super Giants probably have the weakest set of openers. Not that the players are weak but it is their inexperience of playing as openers which could pose as risk to the team. Pant, who has never opened in the IPL, will mostly have to move up the order. He last opened for India in the U19 WC in 2016. Mitchell Marsh, who has never played a full season previously, is likely to be Pant’s partner. He is injury prone and in fact, has been cleared to play IPl 2025 as a pure batter only, having recovered from his back injury just recently.
RR: Jaiswal & Samson – 10/10
Another dreaded opening combo will be that of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson. Both batters have been in prolific form over the last year and can easily terrorize the opposition with their vicious batting. Bowlers will have a tough time bowling to the duo in the powerplay and will brace themselves for fireworks from Samson & Jaiswal.
GT: Gill & Buttler – 9/10
Jos Buttler has found a new home in Gujarat Titans after ending his long association with RR. He will now partner with skipper Shubman Gill to open the innings for the side. Gill needs no introduction about his prowess at the top-order and is GT’s most consistent batter. Gill’s elegance coupled with Buttler’s ability to strike at will is a dream combo for GT.
KKR: Narine & de Kock – 7/10
KKR have no plans to shift out Sunil Narine from the opener’s role. The reason? His consistency at the top-order. He will partner with Quinton de Kock in IPL 2025. However, the Proteas star’s recent form and his performance in IPL 2024 wasn’t that great. Whether he will be able to fire effectively with Narine remains to be seen in the upcoming season.
DC: Fraser-McGurk & du Plessis – 8/10
Delhi Capitals confirmed that Faf du Plessis, their latest signee, will be in the playing XI after naming him as vice-captain. This means he will open the innings for DC along with the explosive Jake Fraser-McGurk. In 111 matches that he has played at the top, du Plessis has amassed 3827 runs, averaging 37.37 and has 33 half-centuries to his name. JFM had a memorable debut season last year, managing to score 330 runs in 9 matches.
PBKS: Prabhsimran & Inglis / Stoinis – 6/10
Punjab Kings boast of a strong middle-order but it is their opening combo which is a point of concern. The team is expected to continue with Prabhsimran Singh at the top. But who will be his partner is a question that remains unanswered. It could be Josh Inglis who does not have great numbers in T20s. PBKS could also turn to Marcus Stoinis, as the Australian has the experience of playing as an opener in BBL.
| Team | Openers |
| CSK | Gaikwad & Rachin |
| RCB | Kohli & Salt |
| SRH | Head & Sharma |
| MI | Rohit & Rickleton |
| RR | Jaiswal & Samson |
| GT | Gill & Buttler |
| LSG | Pant & Marsh |
| DC | JFM & du Plessis |
| KKR | Narine & de Kock |
| PBKS | Prabhsimran & Inglis / Stoinis |
