IPL 2025 Flop Players : Big Stars Who Failed This Season

IPL 2025 Flop Players : Big Stars Who Failed This The 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League has given us everything — last-over thrillers, breakout stars, controversial moments, and sheer cricketing brilliance. But for every rising hero, there has been a big-name player who couldn’t quite find their rhythm. While teams fought tooth and nail for playoff spots, some of the most celebrated names in the league quietly faded into the background.

Whether it was poor form, fitness issues, or just plain bad luck, these five players — who came into the season with sky-high expectations — ended up being some of the biggest disappointments of the tournament.

1. Glenn Maxwell (Punjab Kings)

Let’s be honest — Glenn Maxwell came into this season with a point to prove. After a forgettable 2024, this was meant to be his redemption arc. Instead, the story took an even worse turn.

In six matches for Punjab Kings, Maxwell managed only 48 runs. His strike rate? A shocking 97.95 — far below what we’ve come to expect from someone known for his fearless hitting. To make things worse, four of his six outings ended in single-digit scores, and he just couldn’t find an answer to spin, getting out to slower bowlers five times.

A finger injury eventually ended his season, but by then, the damage was already done. Two poor seasons in a row have left fans wondering if the ‘Big Show’ still has it in him when it comes to the IPL.

2. Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants)

The headline-grabbing ₹27 crore move to Lucknow Super Giants was supposed to be a fresh chapter in Rishabh Pant’s IPL career. But instead of a fairy tale comeback, we got a slow-motion nightmare.

Pant has looked a shadow of the swashbuckling batter he once was, scoring only 128 runs in 11 games at a strike rate of 99.22. That’s the lowest among any batter who’s crossed the 100-run mark this season. He has just one notable knock — a 63 against CSK — but even that came in a losing cause.

It’s not just the lack of runs; it’s the lack of intent, the spark. Pant’s struggles at the top have had a ripple effect on LSG’s middle order, and the burden of his underwhelming performances has weighed heavily on the team’s campaign.

3. Mohammed Shami (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

This one stings. Mohammed Shami has been one of the IPL’s most reliable bowlers for years. Between 2019 and 2023, he was the highest wicket-taker across seasons. But 2025 has been a brutal fall from grace.

Playing for a new franchise, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Shami has picked up just 6 wickets in 9 matches, while conceding runs at an eye-watering 11.23 runs per over. His average? 56.17. For someone who used to strike fear into top-order batters, he’s now struggled to even make the playing XI — getting dropped in a couple of crucial games.

Age, fitness, form — whatever the reason — Shami just didn’t click this season. And for SRH, who relied on him to lead the attack, it’s been a costly miss.

4. Jake Fraser-McGurk (Delhi Capitals)

From last season’s breakout superstar to this year’s forgotten man — Jake Fraser-McGurk has learned just how quickly fortunes can change in the IPL.

After lighting up IPL 2024 with his explosive strokeplay and jaw-dropping strike rate, expectations were sky-high for the young Aussie. But in 2025, he’s managed only 55 runs in six innings, striking at 105.76 — a far cry from the chaos he created last season.

He struggled to handle pace, which accounted for five of his six dismissals, and couldn’t adjust when bowlers started figuring him out. Eventually, he was dropped from the Delhi Capitals playing XI. From sensation to benchwarmer in just one season — it’s been a tough ride.

5. Rachin Ravindra (Chennai Super Kings)

Rachin Ravindra was billed as one of the players to watch this season — especially with the kind of form he showed internationally in the past year. But the New Zealand all-rounder couldn’t find his groove with the bat for Chennai Super Kings.

Ravindra’s campaign began on a high with a composed 65 not out against Mumbai Indians, but that remained his only real highlight. He ended the season with 191 runs from 8 innings, and struggled to convert starts into match-winning scores.

Fast bowlers clearly had his number, as he managed just 107 runs off 87 deliveries against pace, striking at a modest 123. While the potential is evident, this wasn’t the season he — or CSK — hoped for.

Final Thoughts

Every IPL season brings its share of glory and heartbreak. While unknown names rise to fame, some of the biggest stars struggle to live up to their reputation. Glenn Maxwell, Rishabh Pant, Mohammed Shami — these are names with pedigree. But T20 cricket doesn’t care about past laurels — it demands performance in the now.

For fans, it’s disappointing. For teams, it’s frustrating. And for the players? It’s a hard pill to swallow. But that’s the beauty of the IPL — it humbles you, tests your resilience, and always gives you another shot.

Let’s hope these stars come back stronger in 2026.

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