Cricket

Indian Premier League Betting Preview And IPL Predictions (2025)

6 months ago

| BY Sam Cox

The Mumbai Indians are the pre-tournament favourites for the 2025 IPL in the latest cricket betting markets at William Hill. This is despite concerns over Jasprit Bumrah’s availability, and a bottom-placed finish 12 months ago.

Also among the betting favourites, the Chennai Super Kings missed the playoffs last year despite the best bowling economy in the tournament. They have added Kiwi star Rachin Ravindra and the Indian duo of Rahul Tripathi and Vijay Shankar in hopes of improving their batting lineup.

Sunrisers Hyderabad split the Indians and Super Kings in the top three of the latest IPL odds. Headlined by Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen, the Sunrisers have a box office batting lineup, while Mohammed Shami was an eye-catching signing to form an impressive bowling triumvirate with Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa.

At the time of writing, these three teams are the clear favourites to lift the trophy. Kolkata Knight Riders have the fourth-shortest odds are 13/2, but no other team is shorter than 8/1.

Mitchell Starc being replaced by Spencer Johnson and Anrich Nortje’s injury leave KKR with a weaker bowling attack than any of the top three at full strength. Ajinkya Rahane’s inclusion is potentially a weakness for Kolkata, given his 123.88 strike rate in domestic T20s.

Here are some of the best pre-tournament bets:

Chennai Super Kings to Win The Tournament – 5/1

The Super Kings are the pick of the field at 5s, though we would consider an each-way wager in this market. They failed to reach the playoffs last season, but have won two of the last four titles, alternating between missing the playoffs and winning the whole thing.

The loss of Tushar Deshpande weakens Chennai’s bowling attack somewhat after the hustling medium pacer was their top bowler 12 months ago. Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Noor Ahmed, and Matheesha Pathirana are an impression foundation to cover 20 overs, meaning they should have one of the best economy rates once again.

The batting is a bit more of a concern, but Chennai should continue to be dominant at home (66% win rate) in spin-friendly conditions. Ravindra has a phenomenal white-ball record in the sub-continent and should make a big impact.

Travis Head to Finish as Top Batter – 10/1

Travis Head averages 37.76 for his IPL career with a strike rate 173.87. Head is the most destructive all-format player in the world at the moment and finished with the fourth-most runs in the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League despite three ducks.

The Orange Cap has almost exclusively been won by openers. Head, of course, will be opening the batting for the Sunrisers Hyderabad at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium where the team batting first scores an average of 162.

Back Head to pile on the runs throughout the 2025 IPL. He’s going to score for fun in his matches at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Finish as Top Bowler – 12/1

The second-highest wicket taker in last year’s IPL and the second-highest wicket taker in the 2024/25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Varun Chakaravarthy is an excellent option for top bowler.

Varun excelled in the white-ball series against England. He has been a fixture in the IPL for over half a decade and has an even bigger role to play for the Kolkata Knight Riders given the weakness of their fast-bowling attack.

Taking nine wickets in three Champions Trophy matches, the 33-year-old is the form white-ball bowler in world cricket.