Which Replacement Player Has Been the Best Performer for a Team in IPL 2025

The 18th season of the IPL saw everything from hard run chases, big shots, multiple centuries, and classical bowling spells that made the fans go berserk. However, between these entertaining nights, there were some other major developments, such as the replacement players who entered the IPL due to injuries to the original players or their withdrawal from the tournament for other reasons. With this, there were several players who were named as replacements for these players, and some of them turned things upside down for the franchise. Mumbai Indians had to deal with the highest number of replacements.

Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Lizaad Williams, Vignesh Puthur, Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton, and Corbin Bosch were all ruled out due to injuries or national duties. Their replacements — including names like Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Jonny Bairstow, and Charith Asalanka — stepped in swiftly to keep the campaign on track. Delhi Capitals lost Harry Brook and Jake Fraser-McGurk, with Sediqullah Atal and Mustafizur Rahman coming in as their replacements.

Gujarat Titans saw big names like Glenn Phillips and Jos Buttler exit, with Dasun Shanaka and Kusal Mendis brought in. Chennai Super Kings had to replace Ruturaj Gaikwad, Gurjapneet Singh, and Vansh Bedi, with Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, and Urvil Patel coming in. Rajasthan Royals had to replace key players like Nitish Rana and Sandeep Sharma with Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Nandre Burger. Some replacements, like Mayank Agarwal for Devdutt Padikkal and Blessing Muzarabani for Lungi Ngidi, were smart moves by Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Best Replacement Players of the IPL 2025

In IPL 2025, several replacement players stepped up brilliantly, delivering match-winning performances that transformed their teams’ campaigns. Let’s have a look at the record-breaking replacement players who redefined impact in this thrilling IPL season.

Dewald Brevis — CSK

What can be termed as the silver lining in Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) tough IPL 2025 season was the arrival of Dewald Brevis as an injury replacement for Gurjapneet Singh on April 18. The 22-year-old South African, previously with the Mumbai Indians in 2022 and 2024, stepped in for CSK after going unsold at the auction. At CSK, Brevis lit up the field despite the team’s struggles, finishing last in the standings. In six innings, he scored 225 runs at an average of 37.50 and a blistering strike rate of 180.00.

His consistency shone through, with scores of 32 or more in five innings, except for a first-ball duck against RCB, where he missed a review on an lbw call. Brevis’ knack for big hits was evident, hammering 17 sixes, second only to one other CSK batter that season. His 125 was a standout knock, showcasing his ability to turn games. Though CSK’s campaign faltered, Brevis’ flair and power-hitting injected hope. His impact as a middle-order dynamo has convinced CSK to view him as a long-term prospect.

Harsh Dubey — SRH

For the team Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), the IPL 2025 season brought an unexpected gem in Harsh Dubey, a 22-year-old left-arm spinner who stepped in as a replacement for Smaran Ravichandran, who himself was a replacement for the injured Adam Zampa on May 5. Dubey, signed for ₹30 lakh (US$35,000), became a replacement for a replacement, yet his brief stint showed he could be a long-term asset for SRH. In just three matches, he claimed 5 wickets at an average of 19.60 and an economy rate of 9.80, proving his mettle despite SRH’s early exit. Dubey’s impact was immediate.

In his first two games, he picked up 1/44 and an economical 1/1, showing control. His standout moment came in SRH’s final match against Kolkata Knight Riders, where he took 3/34, including the prized wicket of Andre Russell, who walked off before the umpire’s call. This bold dismissal highlighted his knack for big moments. Initially, SRH relied on Zeeshan Ansari as their main spinner, but Dubey’s performances have put him in contention for a bigger role next season.

Jonny Bairstow — MI

After coming in as a replacement for Will Jacks, who left for national duty on May 20, 2025, Jonny Bairstow proved a game-changer for Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL 2025 playoffs. Signed for ₹5.25 crore (US$620,000) on May 19, the 35-year-old England batter brought his explosive style to the fore, scoring 85 runs in two innings at an average of 42.50 and a blistering strike rate of 184.78. With 7 fours and 5 sixes, Bairstow’s power-hitting was crucial in MI’s high-stakes matches.

In the Eliminator against Gujarat Titans, Bairstow’s 47 off 26 balls, packed with boundaries, set the tone for MI’s chase, making the difference in a tense victory that kept their campaign alive. His aggressive approach swung momentum MI’s way. In Qualifier 2 against Punjab Kings, Bairstow smashed 38 off 24, hammering 3 sixes, to propel MI’s batting effort.

Mayank Agarwal — RCB

Coming with a knack for stepping up when it mattered, Mayank Agarwal made a strong impact as a replacement for the injured Devdutt Padikkal, who was sidelined with a right hamstring injury, for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2025. Signed for ₹1 crore (US$120,000) on May 7, the 34-year-old batter played three matches, scoring 71 runs at an average of 35.50 and a lively strike rate of 154.34, with 8 fours and 1 six.

His compact yet aggressive batting proved vital in RCB’s playoff push. Agarwal’s standout moment came against Lucknow Super Giants, where his quality knock of 41 off 23 balls steadied RCB’s chase under pressure, helping secure a crucial win when the team needed a spark.

Ayush Mhatre — CSK

The fifth player who has been a revelation for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2025 is 17-year-old opener Ayush Mhatre, drafted as a replacement for captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, sidelined by an elbow injury, on April 14 for ₹75 lakh (US$89,000). Fresh from trials with CSK and a stunning Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, where he became the youngest to score 150+ in men’s List A cricket, Mhatre brought fearless energy to the team. In seven innings, he amassed 240 runs at an average of 34.28 and a scorching strike rate of 188.97, hitting 31 fours and 11 sixes. Mhatre wasted no time, smashing 32 off 15 balls on debut against Mumbai Indians, signaling his intent.

AYUSH MHATRE SMASHED 4,4,4,6,4,4 – 26 RUNS IN AN OVER VS BHUVI. pic.twitter.com/Usc1HTpax3

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 3, 2025

Against Sunrisers Hyderabad, his 30 off 19 kept the scoreboard ticking. His defining moment came against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he blazed 94 off 48 balls, becoming the third-youngest IPL fifty-scorer. This knock, laced with boundaries and towering sixes, nearly clinched a chase for CSK. Despite the team’s struggles, Mhatre’s aggressive approach and maturity shone through, offering hope for a franchise missing its captain.