Follow UsThe Maharashtra Premier League (MPL) 2025 culminated on June 22 (Sunday) with Eagle Nashik Titans beating Raigad Royals in the final and lifting the title at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
At the end of what has been a thrilling journey of 34 matches, several batters impressed and some of them could even become the next Ruturaj Gaikwad, who, from a modest beginning in Maharashtra cricket, went on to become one of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK)’ favourite players and their captain.
So who could be CSK’s new Ruturaj? Here we try to find the answer by delving into the details of three possible candidates from MPL 2025.
A left-handed opener from the finalists Raigad Royals team, Siddhesh Veer was enigmatic in his approach, smashing 450 runs in 10 innings, hitting a century and an unbeaten 99 in the final.
The former India Under-19 product is ready to take the biggest leap of his career at the age of 24, showing potential with his average of 56.35 and strike rate of 143.32.
Having already represented Maharashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), Veer will be eyed by many Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises for pre-season camps and also a main squad entry during the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
It seems like the MPL 2025 was a factory which produced one talented left-handed opener after another. Sahil Parakh of champions side Nashik Titans is one heck of a talent, smashing runs at a strike rate of 177.19, hitting 202 runs in nine innings with 20 fours and 14 sixes to his kitty.
Parekh has the highest strike rate amongst batters with at least 200 runs in their kitty this season.
Another opener that caught the eye and would be targeted by talent scouts of IPL teams would be Nashik Titans’ opener Mandar Bhandari. A mature player of 32 years, who has featured in three First-Class, four List-A and three T20s for the state team, came of age this season, smashing 271 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 152 with a fifty and a century to his name.
Photo Credit: MPL 2025