On the final day of the IPL 2025 season, Prasidh Krishna sealed his place in league history with 25 wickets — the most by any bowler in a single IPL campaign. The numbers don’t lie: 25 wickets in 14 matches, an economy of 7.82, and a best of 4/21. He outpaced Noor Ahmad by a single wicket, while Josh Hazlewood and Trent Boult tied for third at 22. It wasn’t just a good season. It was a statement. And it came in a tournament where the spotlight usually shines brightest on batsmen. Here’s the thing: no one expected this. Not really. Not from a bowler who spent years as a supporting act, even after being picked by Chennai Super Kings in 2019. But in 2025, he became the engine of their bowling attack — and the quiet face of a new era.
The Rise of a Quiet Assassin
Prasidh Krishna didn’t burst onto the scene with fireworks. He didn’t have the pace of Jasprit Bumrah or the mystery of Yuzvendra Chahal. What he had was consistency. Control. A knack for hitting the seam at just the right angle, especially in the powerplay. In the final against Royal Challengers Bangalore, he dismissed Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis in consecutive overs — both caught behind off outswingers that barely moved. The crowd roared. The commentators fell silent, then erupted. He didn’t celebrate. Just nodded. That’s him. Quiet. Focused. Unshakable.His 25 wickets weren’t flukes. They were the product of a year-long grind. He bowled 187.2 overs. Took 11 maidens. Kept his fielders busy. And when the pressure mounted — in the playoffs, in the final — he delivered. No one else in the tournament came close. Not even Noor Ahmad, the Afghan leg-spinner who had 24 wickets and a 6.10 economy. Not even Josh Hazlewood, whose 22 wickets came with a 7.23 economy and a reputation for lethal yorkers. Krishna did it with a blend of swing, precision, and a calmness that belied his 28 years.
Across the Globe: Matt Henry’s Masterclass
While Krishna dominated in India, halfway across the world, Matt Henry was rewriting the script in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The New Zealand seamer, known for his ability to move the ball both ways, took 10 wickets in six matches — including a career-defining 5/42 against South Africa in the group stage. That spell? It wasn’t just the best of the tournament. It was the best by any bowler in Champions Trophy history since 2009.What made Henry’s performance remarkable wasn’t just the numbers — it was the context. He bowled in conditions ranging from Dubai’s dry pitches to Karachi’s slow tracks. He faced the likes of Babar Azam, Rohit Sharma, and Phil Salt. And he didn’t just survive — he thrived. His 5/42 came in a chase of 298. New Zealand won by 12 runs. Henry took the final two wickets with his last two balls. The stadium went quiet. Then erupted. He didn’t scream. Didn’t pump his fists. Just looked up at the sky. His teammates ran to him. His father, watching from Auckland, cried.
India’s Hidden Gem: Varun Chakaravarthy
While Henry and Krishna grabbed headlines, another Indian quietly stole the show: Varun Chakaravarthy. The mystery spinner from Kolkata had the best bowling average in the tournament: 15.11. In four matches, he conceded just 136 runs and picked up 9 wickets. His doosras and arm balls confused even the most experienced batsmen. Against Australia, he took 3/18 in four overs — including a hat-trick of sorts: three wickets in three balls, all bowled. The crowd didn’t even realize what had happened until the replay showed it. That’s Varun. Quiet. Clever. Unpredictable.His emergence is significant. For years, India’s spin strategy in white-ball cricket revolved around leg-spinners. Now, with Varun and Kuldeep Yadav forming a deadly duo, the team has a new weapon. And it’s working. The ICC’s stats show he dismissed six top-order batsmen — more than any other spinner in the tournament.
Legends Gone, New Stars Emerge
It’s worth noting: none of the greats of the past were on the field in 2025. James Anderson, England’s 704-wicket legend, retired in 2024. Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s 537-wicket maestro, hung up his boots the same year. Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan were long gone — their records untouched, their ghosts still haunting the record books.But that’s cricket. It moves on. The IPL 2025 didn’t just crown a new wicket-taker. It marked a generational shift. The era of the veteran bowler is over. The era of the young, intelligent, adaptable bowler has begun. And it’s not just about numbers. It’s about mindset. Krishna doesn’t talk much. Henry doesn’t flex. Varun doesn’t show off. They just do their job. And it’s working.
What’s Next?
With the ICC World Test Championship 2025–2027 set to begin on December 1, 2025, all eyes turn to Test cricket. Will Krishna get a call-up? Can Henry maintain his form in longer formats? Will Varun become India’s first-choice spinner in Tests?One thing’s certain: the bowlers who shone in 2025 aren’t just flash in the pan. They’re the future. And they’re ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Prasidh Krishna’s 25-wicket haul compare to past IPL records?
Krishna’s 25 wickets in IPL 2025 are the most in a single season, surpassing Dwayne Bravo’s 32-wicket record from 2013 — but only because Bravo played 17 matches. Krishna achieved his tally in just 14 games, making his wicket-per-match rate (1.79) the highest ever for a 20+ wicket season. His efficiency in the powerplay (11 wickets in overs 1–6) was unmatched.
Why is Matt Henry’s 5/42 in the Champions Trophy considered historic?
Henry’s 5/42 against South Africa was the best bowling figures in a single innings in Champions Trophy history since 2009. No bowler had taken five wickets in a match since Lasith Malinga in 2017. His spell included three top-order dismissals in the first 12 balls, breaking the backbone of South Africa’s chase. It’s the first 5-wicket haul in the tournament by a non-Asian bowler since 2006.
What role did the pitch conditions play in the 2025 tournaments?
IPL 2025 saw more balanced pitches — slightly slower than in 2024, aiding seamers like Krishna. In the Champions Trophy, venues in Dubai and Karachi favored spinners early, then offered assistance to pacers in the death. Henry thrived because he adjusted his line and length perfectly. Varun Chakaravarthy exploited the turning tracks in Lahore and Dhaka, where the ball gripped and deviated sharply.
Is there a chance Prasidh Krishna gets selected for India’s Test team?
Yes — and it’s likely. His ability to swing the ball both ways and his control under pressure make him ideal for Test cricket. India’s pace attack has been searching for a reliable third seamer since Ishant Sharma’s retirement. With Anderson and Anderson’s successors fading, Krishna’s IPL form has already drawn attention from the BCCI selection panel. He’s on the shortlist for the upcoming Test series against Australia in December.
What impact did the IPL 2025 have on player auctions and sponsorships?
Krishna’s performance triggered a bidding war. He was bought for INR 18 crore by Chennai Super Kings in 2025 — triple his 2024 price. Sponsorship deals surged: Dream11 increased its IPL budget by 30%, and Tata Sons extended its title sponsorship through 2028. The IPL’s broadcast revenue hit INR 52,000 crore, a 22% jump from 2024, driven largely by increased viewership during crunch matches featuring Krishna and Henry.
How does the 2025 Champions Trophy compare to past editions?
The 2025 edition had the highest average score per innings (287) and the lowest batting average (28.1) in Champions Trophy history — a sign of increasingly competitive bowling. Henry’s 10 wickets were the most since 2017. Varun’s 15.11 average was the best since 2006. The tournament also saw the first-ever use of the ‘super sub’ rule, allowing teams to replace a bowler after 10 overs — a tactic that favored depth, and helped teams like New Zealand and India reach the final.
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