IPL break might benefit teams like DC, MI, or PBSK in reviewing and enhancing their performance: Sunil Gavaskar

The race to the IPL 2025 playoffs was discussed by former Indian cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Suresh Raina, who also examined how certain teams are rising at the perfect time and talked about team momentum, the role of new Indian leaders, and the crucial battles for the Orange Cap.

After being suspended for a week due to cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan, the IPL 2025 will resume on May 17 when Royal Challengers Bengaluru play the Kolkata Knight Riders at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Gavaskar considered how the league’s pause would affect team rhythm and change the dynamics of the league, saying that although it might help teams like the Delhi Capitals or Punjab Kings evaluate their strategies, it might also cause teams like the Gujarat Titans and RCB to lose steam.

“After spending some time at the non-striker’s end without encountering many strikes, we frequently witness a hitter lose rhythm—even a brief pause can impact momentum. In a similar vein, teams that were winning might be slowed down by the recent tournament break, Gavaskar stated on Star Sports Press Room.

“The pause could be beneficial for teams like the Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, or Punjab Kings—they can reevaluate and determine how to improve.” The next eight to ten days will be fascinating. With 14 games, the league first resembles a marathon. However, with just two or three games remaining, it’s a race to the finish line—to place in the top four, or better yet, the top two,” he continued.

Suresh Raina, Gavaskar’s fellow panellist, concurred with his assessment but supported RCB to continue their campaign and go all the way to win the coveted trophy with Virat Kohli.

Since Royal Challengers Bengaluru is participating in a different league this season, there are good odds. At Chinnaswamy, they have defended scores of 150 and 136, and their bowling unit has performed admirably. It says volumes that the new skipper has defeated the Chennai Super Kings twice, once at home and once in Chennai. The upbeat atmosphere in the changing room is indicative of a team that has the potential to succeed. Although the Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings, and Mumbai Indians are all performing well, Virat may finally win the title after eighteen years.

Raina also discussed the close, seesawing competition for the Orange Cap this season, which saw fifth-place finisher Jos Buttler (500 runs) and current holder Suryakumar Yadav (510) separated by just ten runs. The fierce competition for the top slot is highlighted by the presence of B Sai Sudharsan (509), Shubman Gill (508) and Virat Kohli (505) between Suryakumar and Buttler.

“Suryakumar Yadav deserves a lot of credit because the Orange Cap contenders are only two, eight, and ten runs apart in terms of runs. He is a little lower in the order and is not an opener. The Mumbai Indians’ batting order has appeared to be quite powerful ever since Mahela Jayawardene assigned him to the number three spot. Such runs arise when you try to complete games from number three, and you earn the trophy in addition to the Orange Cap,” he said.