Every IPL season gives us its fair share of heroes and heartbreaks. While we rightly celebrate the breakout stars and unexpected match winners, it is also worth turning the spotlight on those players who promised the moon and delivered barely a spark in the game.
In a league where franchises invest crores and ardent fans invest their hearts, expectations matter, and when seasoned pros or highly hyped youngsters repeatedly underperform, it is fair to call them out in the first place.
With Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and now even Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) out of playoff contention, some big reputations have taken even bigger hits. It is time to unveil the IPL 2025 Scam XI, a team that looked good on paper but flopped when it mattered most. Let’s take a look at the players below.
1. Jake Fraser McGurk (DC)
Retained by Delhi Capitals for ₹9 crore at the IPL mega auction, Fraser McGurk came in with a reputation for explosive batting. But he returned just 55 runs in six matches, including two ducks. After a promising start, he disappeared completely.
2. Ishan Kishan (SRH)
Bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹11.25 crore, Kishan did manage a century against RR but outside of that one knock, he was underwhelming. 196 runs in 11 matches simply don’t justify his price tag or role.
3. Venkatesh Iyer (KKR)
Picked up for a massive ₹23.75 crore, Iyer looked like he was still living off his 2021 season. He scored just 142 runs in 11 matches, with only one fifty. Impact? Minimal.
4. Rishabh Pant (c & wk) (LSG)
The cricket fraternity is aware of the fact that Rishabh Pant is the most expensive player in IPL history. He was roped in by LSG for INR 27 crore, and he came with sky-high expectations. However, he managed just 128 runs in 11 games. Apart from his solitary fifty, his season lacked spark both with the bat and in leadership.
Also Read: Rishabh Pant tries to copy MS Dhoni in LSG vs DC match; fails miserably
5. Glenn Maxwell (PBKS)
Maxwell’s poor form stretched into yet another season. Bought for INR 4.2 crore, he scored just 48 runs in 7 games before being ruled out with a finger injury. PBKS needed the Big Show; they got an early exit instead.
6. Liam Livingstone (RCB)
Snapped up by RCB for INR 8.75 crore, Livingstone was expected to provide fireworks and useful overs. Instead, he scraped together just 87 runs and 2 wickets in 7 games. A quiet season for a supposed match winner.
7. Ravichandran Ashwin (CSK)
Returning to CSK for INR 9.75 crore, Ashwin was expected to lead the spin department by example. But he managed only 5 wickets in 7 games. A shadow of his former self, he simply failed to make an impact on the field.
8. Ravi Bishnoi (LSG)
Retained by LSG, Bishnoi didn’t offer much with the ball this season. He picked up 9 wickets in 10 games, but his economy rate of 10.41 tells the whole story that he has been expensive and mostly ran out of ideas.
9. Mohammed Shami (GT)
Back in the mix after missing last season, Shami was bought for INR 10 crore. Unfortunately, his comeback didn’t pan out; 6 wickets in 9 matches at an economy of 11.23 made him more of a liability than an asset.
10. Matheesha Pathirana (CSK)
Retained for INR 13 crore, Pathirana was CSK’s death-over weapon. But in 2025, he struggled with form and rhythm. His 12 wickets in 9 games came at a costly economy of 10.22, not quite the impact CSK were hoping for.
11. Mukesh Kumar (DC)
DC retained Mukesh for INR 8 crore via RTM, banking on him to lead their Indian pace attack. But with 9 wickets in 10 games and an economy rate nearing 10, he ended up being a soft target for opposition batters.
12. Shivam Dube (CSK) – (12th man)
After being retained for INR 12 crore, Dube was expected to take games away with the bat. While he scored 256 runs in 11 matches, including one fifty, he failed to provide the kind of consistency CSK desperately needed.
