IPL 2025: 3 surprising moments of the season

The IPL 2025 has started off on a banging note, as the first one and a half weeks have given the fans a lot of action and surprising moments on the field.  This season marks the 18th edition of this cricketing extravaganza. With ten teams battling across 74 matches from March 22 to May 25, it promises thrilling action and unforgettable moments.

Beyond entertainment, IPL serves as a launchpad for young talent, offering them a platform to showcase their skills on a global stage. Many youngsters have risen to prominence, gaining invaluable experience and confidence to excel in international cricket.

PL 2025 has already delivered its share of surprises, from SRH scoring 286 runs in their first match of the tournament to unexpected tactical moves like Tilak Varma being retired out during a crucial chase. These moments have kept fans on the edge of their seats, proving that the league is as unpredictable as ever.

Here are the 3 surprising moments of the IPL 2025 season:

1. MS Dhoni bats at no. 9 for CSK

MS Dhoni's decision to bat at No. 9 for CSK in the IPL 2025 has created intense controversy among fans and experts. While he scored 30-odd runs in 16 balls, the match was lost for CSK long before. The renowned cricketer, known for his finishing ability, has made this move to control his physical health, notably his knees, while still balancing his leadership and wicketkeeping responsibilities.

Despite limited opportunities, Dhoni has given memorable cameos that highlight his ability to adapt and perform under duress. By batting lower down the order, Dhoni allows younger batsmen to seize the lead earlier, while he focuses on closing games when necessary. However, after copping with criticism, Dhoni did come out to bat at no. 7 in the next match.

2. KKR vs Eden Gardens curator fight

After the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lost the IPL 2025 opening match to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on March 22, captain Ajinkya Rahane took a dig at the Eden Gardens pitch. In the post-match press conference, Rahane stated that the pitch in the home stadium should help the home team.

However, Eden Gardens’ curator, Sujan Mukherjee, arrogantly refused to heed the KKR captain’s request and stated that pitches will be made as per IPL and BCCI guidelines and he will not listen to IPL franchises. He also criticized the KKR spinners while praising the RCB tweakers. But after severe backlash, Mukherjee toned down and stated he could only do whatever he was told to do, but he would not tweak the pitch.

3. Tilak Varma retires out

In the match between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Mumbai Indians that was played at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, MI batter Tilak Varma was retired out by the team management.

This happened when MI was to chase more than 20 runs in the last 7 balls. Tilak Varma had struggled to 25 runs off 23 balls and was not getting the big hits going. Therefore, in a surprising move, MI management decided to retire him and bring in Mitchell Santner, a move that was slammed by fans online and even by cricket experts.

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