The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 league stage concluded with several surprising shifts from the 2024 season. Despite teams collectively posting more 200+ scores than ever before, the number of centuries dropped, and franchises known for big-hitting failed to reach the playoffs. As the first playoff match of the season gets underway, here’s a detailed comparison between IPL 2024 and IPL 2025, covering scoring trends, batting patterns, boundary counts, toss impact, and bowling dynamics.
Scoring Trends: More 200+ Totals but Fewer 250+ Explosions
In 2025, the IPL witnessed a surge in 200+ totals, hitting a record-breaking 48 instances, compared to 41 in 2024, largely due to the continued use of the Impact Player rule introduced in 2023. However, only two 250+ scores were recorded this season—both by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)—a significant drop from the six posted last year.
While the overall run rate slightly dipped from 9.61 to 9.60, the batting average rose from 29.86 to 30.50, showing batters were more consistent in converting starts into valuable runs.
Punjab Kings Top the Charts for Scoring Rate
This season saw Punjab Kings (PBKS) emerge as the most aggressive batting side, registering a run rate of 10.10, overtaking last year’s leaders, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who had 10.62 in 2024. Despite Punjab’s scoring brilliance, they failed to reach the playoffs—highlighting that run rate alone isn’t enough for success.
Gujarat managed a playoff spot, SRH narrowly missed out. Interestingly, teams with slower run rates—Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Delhi Capitals, and KKR—also failed to qualify, mirroring the previous year’s trend.
Boundaries and Centuries: Marginal Gains, But Shocking Exits
While the total number of sixes rose from 1,208 to 1,217 and fours from 2,070 to 2,138, the season witnessed only 9 centuries, a notable dip from 14 in 2024. However, half-centuries rose from 122 to 138, suggesting more batters got starts but struggled to convert them into three-digit scores.
Sunrisers Hyderabad again stood out with three different players scoring centuries, while Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) had two centurions—yet neither team qualified for the playoffs.
In the six-hitting race, LSG topped the chart with 152 sixes, followed by Rajasthan Royals (RR) with 146. Ironically, both teams failed to reach the final four, unlike in 2024 when high-scoring sides were dominant.
Among individual performers, Nicholas Pooran of LSG smashed 40 sixes, leading the tally. In 2024, SRH’s Abhishek Sharma had topped with 41 sixes, and his team had made the playoffs—highlighting a deviation from last year’s pattern.
Toss Impact: Winning the Toss Gained Importance
Toss outcomes had a greater influence on match results in 2025. Teams winning the toss won 60% of the matches, a considerable jump from the 45% win rate in 2024.
- When teams chose to bat first after winning the toss, the win percentage jumped to 73% (from 41% last year), despite only 11 teams opting for this.
- Teams that chose to bowl first after the toss won 58% of the time, up from 46% in 2024.
This sharp increase highlights how captains adapted better to pitch and condition assessments, using the toss more strategically than in the previous season.
Left-Handed Batters Outshine Right-Handers
One of the most interesting takeaways of IPL 2025 was the dominance of left-handed batters. In 2024, right-handers scored 10 centuries compared to just 4 from left-handers.
Though fewer in number, lefties were more efficient, boasting higher strike rates and averages. They also contributed 50 half-centuries compared to 46 last year, while right-handers saw a marginal improvement in boundary-hitting but failed to convert innings into big scores.
Bowling Trends: Spinners Outshine Pacers in Wicket Count
In a reversal from previous seasons, spinners emerged as more effective wicket-takers in IPL 2025. They claimed 291 wickets, significantly up from 218 in 2024, while maintaining a similar economy rate of 8.86.
Pacers, meanwhile, took fewer wickets—489 in 2025, down from 560 last year, though their economy remained steady around 9.85.
This shift underscores a growing impact of spin-friendly pitches and perhaps better strategic use of spinners in the middle overs to break partnerships and control the game.
Final Thoughts: Power Hitters Miss Out as Balance Becomes Key
IPL 2025 highlighted a critical shift in the game’s dynamics. Teams that focused solely on boundary-hitting—like LSG and RR—fell short, while consistent scorers and teams with balanced bowling attacks, particularly those leveraging spinners, found more success.
As the playoffs begin, one thing is clear: raw power and high scoring aren’t enough. The teams that adapt tactically, use resources efficiently, and maintain consistency across departments are the ones that will rise in the modern era of the IPL.
