IPL 2025 offers players chance to revive careers
The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is about to start, and several players are looking to use this opportunity to revive their international careers. The season kicks off on March 22, with Kolkata Knight Riders facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Kolkata. Some of the players aiming for a comeback include Yuzvendra Chahal, Rishabh Pant, and Mohammed Siraj. Chahal, a key bowler for India in the past, last played for his country in August 2023. He has been a strong performer in the IPL and is now with Punjab Kings for Rs 18 crore. He hopes to earn a place in the team ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup. Rishabh Pant, once the top wicketkeeper-batter for India, has also seen his position shake up. Although he has had success in Test cricket, his white-ball performance has been criticized, leading to other players taking his spot. Despite these challenges, Pant was the most expensive player in IPL history after fetching Rs 27 crore from Lucknow Super Giants. Mohammed Siraj is another player in search of redemption. He has not played in white-ball cricket since August, despite being part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning team. Siraj was overlooked for the Champions Trophy, which could be a crucial season for him to prove himself and regain a spot in the national squad. Other players like Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan are also aiming to make comebacks. Iyer has bounced back well since being dropped, but Kishan has not played for India since late 2023. He is now with Sunrisers Hyderabad and hopes to impress under the team’s new leadership. Additionally, England’s Sam Curran is looking to redeem himself after being left out of key squads. The all-rounder played a vital role in England's T20 World Cup win in 2022. He returns to Chennai Super Kings after being bought for Rs 2.40 crore and aims to help rebuild the England team. The IPL offers these players a chance to showcase their talents and potentially win back their places in their respective national teams.