Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 20 : With the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 set to begin on Saturday, former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina hailed the league for its role in shaping Indian cricket’s talent pipeline. He also named some of his favorite rising stars in the tournament.
The new season will kick off with an electrifying match between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens.
Raina, a multiple-time IPL champion with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the league’s fifth-highest run-scorer (5,528 runs in 205 matches), spoke on JioHotstar, calling IPL a “global cricket festival.”
Raina’s Picks for Future Stars
Praising the new generation of cricketers, Raina said:
“I am a big fan of Tilak Varma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rinku Singh. We have seen so many young players transition from IPL to international cricket. Look at Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli—they became captains after proving themselves here. We also have a new captain in Axar Patel. The key for young players is to stay focused, be consistent, and step up on big occasions. Every IPL season is an opportunity to evolve.”
Robin Uthappa on IPL’s Evolution
Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa, another IPL veteran with 4,952 runs in 205 matches, also shared his insights. He described IPL as the league that has “elevated cricket to a whole new dimension” and added:
“The IPL is the ‘daddy’ of all T20 leagues. It has redefined the sport with its fast-paced, adrenaline-driven nature. This season, we could witness 1,000 sixes, a team scoring 300 runs, or even a double hat-trick. Just when you think you have seen it all, IPL always finds a way to surprise you.”
As IPL 2025 gears up for another high-octane season, cricket fans worldwide can expect record-breaking performances, rising stars, and thrilling moments that redefine the game.