The 2025 Indian Premier League will be talked about for a couple of things, RCB breaking their title drought by defeating Punjab Kings by six runs in the final, Punjab Kings' near-miracle playoff run to their first-ever final, and young guns such as Sai Sudharsan and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stealing the show. But while there was heroism and euphoria, there was another story running hand-in-hand: the spectacular meltdown of some of the league's biggest stars. Grand auctions do not reflect gargantuan performances on the pitch. Injuries, inconsistent form, and some bizarre tactical errors worsened the situation. Whether it was a ₹27 crore megabrokerage move that went sour, or a veteran great's low-key exit, these players formed the most disappointing XI of the season. Players such as Glenn Maxwell, who managed to muster only 48 runs in six innings, and Rishabh Pant, despite his record-breaking buy price, proved to be the biggest flops that defined this Worst XI of IPL 2025. Worst XI of IPL 2025 - Player Statistics Sr. No Player Team Role 1 Rachin Ravindra CSK Opener 2 Quinton de Kock KKR Wicket-keeper 3 Venkatesh Iyer KKR All-rounder 4 Rishabh Pant (C) LSG Captain/WK 5 Glenn Maxwell PBKS All-rounder 6 Rinku Singh KKR Finisher 7 Rashid Khan GT All-rounder 8 Ravichandran Ashwin CSK Spinner 9 Mohammed Shami SRH Fast bowler 10 Ravi Bishnoi LSG Leg-spinner 11 Mohit Sharma DC Death bowler Worst XI of IPL 2025 Detailed Analysis Rachin Ravindra (Chennai Super Kings) Image Source : BCCI Coming into IPL 2025 after the most runs in ICC Champions Trophy 2025, there were expectation sky high from Rachin Ravindra. Left-handed opener CSK was the one who was supposed to be their X-factor opening, providing the destructive start they so desperately needed. But he failed to turn that exceptional international show into the IPL fire. Ravindra was tested with the first eight games of CSK, where he scored only 191 runs in 27.28 average and 128.18 strike rate. His highest score of 65 not out came in the first game against Mumbai Indians, but after that, there were a series of poor low scores. The New Zealand specialist's failure to capitalize on starts to big knocks became the trend, and soon enough he was axed from the playing XI. His failure to provide the platform that CSK's batting lineup required made him one of the top choices for this Worst XI of IPL 2025. Also Read | 3 Former CSK Net Bowlers Who Turned into Star Players in IPL 2025 Quinton de Kock (Kolkata Knight Riders) Image Source : Getty Images Quinton de Kock was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 3.6 crores after letting go of Phil Salt, in anticipation that the veteran South African would provide solidity at the top. However, this move didn't work out for the 2024 season champions, as de Kock never looked to be in command and was unable to play according to his expectation. The batsman wicket-keeper seemed to play in eight innings and managed to score only 152 runs, with his only rescuer being an unbeaten 97 against Rajasthan Royals. In the rest of the seven matches, he managed to hold a total of 55 runs, presenting his inconsistency and poor form. His inability to provide the ferocious starts that KKR needed, along with his poor shot selection in pressure situations, made him one of the biggest letdowns. De Kock's failure to justify even his modest price and his impact on KKR's batting rhythm secured his spot in the Worst XI of IPL 2025. Venkatesh Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders) Image Source : BCCI After playoff heroics during last season, KKR re-signed Venkatesh Iyer for a humongous amount of INR 23.75 crores in the mega auction. Such a move was heavily criticized by several people, especially since KKR released their title-winning skipper Shreyas Iyer to make room for and accommodate Venkatesh. Recruiting the left-hand all-rounder, however, proved to be a dismal move by the three-time champions. Iyer played in 11 games and scored only 142 runs at an abysmal average of 20.28, which implied that his every run had cost KKR close to 16.75 lakhs. His batting was tentative and lacking in confidence, and his contribution through bowling was zero. The weight of the enormity of the price appeared too heavy for him to bear, as he was unable to deliver the match-winning performances that justified his selection ahead of the senior players. His later benching during the season served to further emphasize the magnitude of this expensive misstep in the Worst XI of IPL 2025. Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants Captain) Image Source : BCCI Rishabh Pant broke all records when Lucknow Super Giants bought him for a price tag of INR 27 crores, the most expensive player in an IPL auction ever and loading him with massive expectations. Unfortunately, he managed to score only 269 runs in 13 matches, including an unbeaten 118 in the last group match vs RCB. Kapil in the last 12 innings managed to score just 151 runs at 13.72 and 107.90 strike rate, which means his one run was costing LSG more than 10 lakhs. The left-handed wicket-keeper's captaincy also came under scrutiny at times with some ill-judged tactical decisions that cost LSG some of its most crucial games. His inability to close games from winning positions was a nightmare for the franchise. The pressure of being the costliest player seemed to suffocate him from his natural aggressive play, resulting in defensive batting that did not appeal to him. Pant's failure to justify his astronomical price justifies him as the biggest disappointment of IPL 2025's Worst XI. Also Read | CricketGully's Best XI of IPL 2025: Stars Who Ruled the Season Glenn Maxwell (Punjab Kings) Image Source : BCCI Glenn Maxwell played in 17 matches and collected just 100 runs after 2024, which indicated a sharp decline from form. RCB released him prior to the IPL 2025 auction, and Punjab Kings picked him up for INR 4.2 crores, but he could not deliver again, scoring only 48 runs at an average of eight and taking four wickets in seven games. The Australian all-rounder's batting looked absolutely unorthodox, his hallmark attacking strokeplay absent and cautious pokes and inopportune flashes taking its place. A finger injury eventually ruled him out of the tournament, but his earlier performances were already severely questioning his T20 future. Maxwell's inability to provide the explosive middle-order strike PBKS so desperately required, especially in their record-breaking run to the final, highlighted the extent to which his absence didn't quite make a difference to the fortunes of the team. His lackluster campaign and zero contribution render him a solid candidate for IPL 2025's Worst XI. Rinku Singh (Kolkata Knight Riders) Image Source : Getty Images Rinku Singh was another one of the Indian T20I phenomenon who disappointed his enormous fan following in the season. Having been identified as a game-changing finisher who could turn matches around with his innovative strokeplay, Rinku had a surprisingly disappointing season with KKR, which also had a big influence on the overall team performance in close situations. The left-handed middle-order batsman scored 206 runs at 29.42, his highest score a humble 38 not out - a far cry from the explosive unbeats with which fans had become familiar. His strike rate fell precipitously, and he lacked the timing and confidence that made him such a feared finisher in previous seasons. Rinku's poor cricketing also saw KKR repeatedly finding itself struggling to push the tempo in the death overs at the most crucial time. His inability to live up to his reputation of being a reliable finisher and his contribution towards KKR's middle-order solidity makes him a strong candidate for the Worst XI of IPL 2025. Rashid Khan (Gujarat Titans) Image Source : BCCI According to most cricket pundits, Rashid Khan is typically rated as the best T20 cricketer of all time, so his below-par show in IPL 2025 was even more surprising. The Afghan leg-spinner was sub-par by miles, and even though coming back from injury may be an excuse, he will not be happy with his GT performances. In 15 matches, Rashid managed to pick just nine wickets for an economy rate of 9.34, and with the bat, he managed to score merely 40 runs. This has been the worst season for the trusty spinner since his debut in the 2017 IPL. His googly had lost its sting and batsmen were reading him much more than before. The absence of wickets at key moments saw GT find it difficult to breach stands, with his excessive economy rate piling the pressure on other bowlers. Rashid's spectacular decline from his once-high pedestal and his failure to be the match-winner GT so badly needed makes him a leading light in the Worst XI of IPL 2025. Also Read | IPL 2025: Most Stylish Players On & Off the Field Ravichandran Ashwin (Chennai Super Kings) Image Source : Getty Images Injured Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was signed by CSK for INR 9.75 crore from the mega auction, in a sentimental comeback to his original IPL team. The return was not smooth, however, and the veteran off-spinner failed to provide the kind of input expected of him. Ashwin was even dropped from some of the crucial games, indicating his failure to get into rhythm and perform. He played nine games and took seven wickets for a troubling economy rate of 9.12, scoring a meager 33 runs with the bat. His bowling too lacked the guile and control which earned him such a rich respect as a spinner in international cricket. The slow conditions of some pitches appeared against him, for batters found it less challenging to attack his bowling rather than build pressure. Ashwin’s inability to provide the spinning option that CSK’s bowling attack desperately required, combined with his high economy rate, earned him a spot in the Worst XI of IPL 2025. Mohammed Shami (Sunrisers Hyderabad) Image Source : BCCI Veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami’s return from injury was highly anticipated, but unfortunately, he didn’t enjoy his comeback to competitive cricket. Bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for INR 10 crores in the IPL 2025 mega auction, hopes were sky high for the experienced fast bowler to lead SRH's bowling attack. But Shami was not as great as ever, struggling to get his line and length in place during the season. He played nine games and scalloped merely six wickets at a mind-boggling economy rate of 11.23 and an average of 56.16. His subpar show really hurt his team, as he was unable to take wickets with the new ball as well as the old ball and could not provide the breaks that SRH so desperately needed. The rust of his injury break was noticeable, but more alarming was his failure to adjust to the altered dynamics of T20 cricket. Shami’s expensive spells and lack of wicket-taking ability make him a clear choice for the Worst XI of IPL 2025. Ravi Bishnoi (Lucknow Super Giants) Image Source : BCCI Ravi Bishnoi was one of the LSG players retained prior to the mega auction, retained at a hefty price of INR 11 crores based on his past performances. But it was a nightmare season for LSG's star leg-spinner, with him even being outperformed by lesser-known teammates like Digvesh Rathi on the field. Bishnoi also had his worst season in IPL so far with nine wickets from 11 matches at a poor economy rate of 10.83. The young off-spinner never seemed to be in command, his usual precision and variation of spin deserting him at the times he most needed them. Batsmen could rather easily get runs against his bowling, and he could not produce the dramatic middle-overs breaks that had become his specialty. His inability to press the batsmen in conjunction with his economy rate ensured that LSG's bowling unit lacked the penetration in tight matches that it required. Bishnoi’s dramatic dip in form and effectiveness makes him an unfortunate but deserving member of the Worst XI of IPL 2025. Also Read | 5 Players Chennai Super Kings Should Release Before IPL 2026 Mohit Sharma (Delhi Capitals) Image Source : BCCI Mohit Sharma has experienced many ups and downs throughout his IPL career, but IPL 2025 would definitely be one season that he would prefer to forget entirely. Having claimed an astonishing 40 wickets in the last two seasons for Gujarat Titans, showing his death-bowling talent, Mohit was brought by Delhi Capitals for INR 2.2 crores with high hopes. He was bought primarily for his death-bowling expertise and past experience of playing match-winning situations, but alas, he was exposed woefully as opposition batsmen kept beating him consistently. Mohit played eight matches and could garner only two wickets at the whopping economy rate of 10.28 and average of 128.50. His slow balls lacked art, his yorkers remained consistently short of mark, and his variations were working too hard to be different against experienced batsmen. The veteran pacer's inability to provide death-bowling prowess that DC desperately required, combined with his expensive spells, completes the Worst XI of IPL 2025. Conclusion IPL 2025 Worst XI serves as a wake-up call that cricket is a sport of uncertainty wherein form, fitness, and fate can abandon even the greatest of cricketers. From ₹15Cr expensive signings to folding with the bat, these men were responsible for making their teams' fates, which shows how one man's failures can be translated into team failures. What made them even more painful was the timing - all of them occurred when each of their respective teams most needed them. The stratospheric bidding prices built up pressure that some players were just not able to handle, others through injuries, loss of touch, and tactical imbalances. But these flops do pave the way for redemption stories, and IPL's hedonistic nature guarantees that second chances are on the cards. The beauty of T20 cricket is its unpredictability, and IPL 2025 Worst XI is a reminder that villains and heroes can take a U-turn to become champions the next time around.