IPL 2025: Fresh Faces and Sudden Swaps Add Spice to Playoff Race

The 2025 Indian Premier League has taken a thrilling turn as key players make surprise exits and new faces step into the spotlight. Among the most notable updates is Mitchell Owen’s entry into the Punjab Kings (PBKS) camp.

Owen, who had been instrumental in Peshawar Zalmi’s PSL campaign, has now shifted focus to the IPL, replacing the injured Glenn Maxwell. His transition was delayed due to political tensions that disrupted both the PSL and IPL schedules, but once fixtures were revised, Owen prioritized joining the Kings.

During his PSL stint, Owen didn’t post massive scores but left a strong impression with a blistering strike rate of 192.45 in eight innings. With the PSL schedule now overlapping with IPL matches, Zalmi will need to fill the gap he leaves behind, and Abdul Samad or Najibullah Zadran may step up to the challenge.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis is gearing up for his first IPL appearance. He replaces England’s Jos Buttler in the Gujarat Titans squad, as Buttler heads home for ODI duties against the West Indies. Mendis had been playing for Quetta Gladiators in the PSL but opted out of returning due to safety concerns. His impressive form in the PSL, where he scored 143 runs at a strike rate of 168, earned him a call-up from GT.

This moment is especially significant for Mendis, who has entered the IPL auction multiple times but was never picked—until now. Set to bat at number 3, he brings experience and flair to a side that already sits at the top of the table.

The Titans, looking for stability and spark in the playoffs, saw Mendis as a perfect like-for-like replacement for Buttler. With 4,718 runs across 178 T20s, Mendis’s credentials are solid, even if he’s yet to prove himself in the IPL arena.

Elsewhere, other teams have also made strategic moves. PBKS brought back Kyle Jamieson, while Lucknow Super Giants handed a debut IPL call-up to New Zealand’s William O'Rourke.

As teams race toward the playoffs, these swaps could prove pivotal. With the business end of the tournament fast approaching, it’s clear that this season’s script is far from predictable.