Why do IPL teams packed with star players sometimes crash and burn, while underdog squads surprise everyone? This article breaks down why looking strong on paper does not guarantee wins on the pitch.
Big names on paper do not ensure winning the IPL trophy
You had thought a team with Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Glenn Maxwell or Chris Gyle and ABD would be unstoppable, right? But Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has won zero trophy titles in 17 years!
In 2016 season, Kohli scored 973 runs (a record), yet RCB lost the final to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI), with fewer “superstars,” have 5 trophy titles each followe by 3 titles victory by KKR, RR 1, and SRH 1, and Deccan Charges 1.
Cricket is not a solo sport. A team needs balance reliable bowlers, finishers, and role players. RCB often relies too much on their top 3 batters. If they fail, the team collapses. CSK, though, has players like Dhoni and Jadeja who step up under pressure.
But wait, don’t star players ever work? Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won in 2014 with Gambhir and Narine shining. But even they needed support from unknown players like Manish Pandey. A team needs teamwork, not just big names.
Young players outperform expensive stars
Remember the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in 2008? They won with rookies like Yusuf Pathan and Ravindra Jadeja. Fast-forward to 2024, RR’s Riyan Parag (22yrs age) scored 573 runs, while Sanju Samson smashed 400+.
Compare this to Punjab Kings (PBKS), who splurged ₹11.75 crore on Sam Curran in 2023 and finished 8th.
In the 2023 season, 60% of IPL’s top run-scorers were under 25. Youngsters adapt faster, handle pressure better, and play fearlessly. Teams like Gujarat Titans (GT) mix youth (Shubman Gill) with experience (Rashid Khan) perfectly.
But isn’t relying on kids risky? Sometimes, yes. Delhi Capitals (DC) struggled when Pant was injured in 2023. But teams like RR and GT prove that investing in youth pays off, if managed well. Give youngsters a chance they might just win you the cup!
Home ground advantage: Real or Excuse?
Mumbai Indians dominate at Wankhede Stadium (70% win rate) but often struggle in Chennai. CSK, meanwhile, turns Chepauk into a fortress (75% wins). Even pitches matter, spin-heavy teams like SRH suffer on flat tracks like Bengaluru.
In 2023, GT won 80% of their away matches, thanks to adaptable players like Hardik Pandya. But MI’s 2024 season crashed because they lost 4 home games—their first-ever streak like that.
But what about neutral venues? IPL 2020 in UAE proved teams can adapt. DC reached finals that year.
Still, home support and pitch familiarity give a clear edge. Smart teams plan for all conditions not just their backyard. IPL isn’t a “who’s who” contest. Teams win by balancing stars with rookies, building strategies for all pitches, and staying calm under pressure.
So in the IPL 18th season starting from 22nd March 2025, there is no surety that a team filled with stars and their stats on paper will perform to lift the trophy in the finals.
The length of the tournament, home ground dynamics, number of matches, injuries, different weather conditions, and players’ consistency make it complex and dynamic, which makes it hard to predict a winner until the last ball of the final match in every IPL season.
So next time your favourite team buys a big star, ask, can they handle the real game? After all, cricket isn’t played on paper it is won on the pitch!
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