Virat Kohli, Yuzvendra Chahal, CSK and MS Dhoni dominate the debate over the baap of IPL in terms of batting, bowling, team and legacy.
Story Highlights:
- Virat Kohli will reign as the batting Baap of the IPL with 8,000+ runs and unmatched consistency.
- Yuzvendra Chahal leads the bowling Baap of IPL wicket-taker in IPL history.
- The ultimate Baap of IPL title goes to MS Dhoni for his legendary leadership, legacy, and fan devotion.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is and always has been more than a cricket tournament; it is a cultural phenomenon that enthrall millions of fans around the globe every season. As we head into the 2025 season, one question looms larger than ever: Who is the Baap of IPL?
“Baap”, which means “father” in Hindi, is a colloquial title fans use to call forth the most supreme king or the most dominant force in the IPL, be it a player, a team or even a fan base. The batting Baap of IPL, the bowling Baap of IPL, the Baap team of IPL, and the overall Baap of the league — this article will cover all sides of the debate. Let’s discuss it and choose the real legends of IPL 2025!
In the world of the Indian premier league (IPL) however, the term Baap is not used as a mere show of respect, it is rather used as a badge of distinction to indicate an unsurpassed superiority. The title is given to those who are regularly known to be of higher performance, dominance and establishment of lasting records. Whether through unrivalled batting, prolific wicket-taking, the guidance of a championship-winning side, or the cultivation of an unmatched supporters’ base, the “Baap of the IPL” exemplifies pre-eminence across multiple criteria.
As soon as the IPL 2025 season kicked off, on March 30, 2025, the fans have been already engaged in heated arguments of who deserves the esteemed award in every category the most. The major competitors are systematically looked at.
Virat Kohli—The Batting Baap of the IPL
In IPL as far as batting is concerned there is only one authority and name and that is of Virat Kohli. Regularly referred to as IPL ka Baap and described as the king of the IPL, Kohli has the un-surpassed overall record of 8,004 runs scored in 252 innings by the first game of IPL 2025. His batting record is outstanding: eight centuries, 55 half-century marks and an impressive 32.08 average indicate that he is a run-making machine.
The 2016 campaign based on 973 runs and four centuries is the most seasoned one conducted by Kohli so far, and this is definitely a mark by which his future performances in championships will be compared. Kohli in his new role as the country captain-turned-centre-of-gravity at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) keeps impressing and thrilling viewers with his aptitude to anchor innings, change the tempo at ease, and perform well at the time of the run-chase.
However, despite the spirited response that the feats of Shubman Gill (890 runs in 2023) and the incredible 175 he scored against Chris Gayle in 2013 have received, Kohli is more than deserving of the crown of the IPL king of batting with his legendary endurance and the mass of runs he has scored, he has earned the title of the undisputed ruler of IPL batting.
Yuzvendra Chahal — The Bowling Baap of IPL with His Spin Magic
If batting has a king, bowling also has another Baap — Yuzvendra Chahal. As of March 2025, Chahal is the highest wicket-taker in IPL history with 205 wickets in 159 innings. His twirls break backs, his googlies deceive punters, and he has outfoxed the best in the world that has earned him the bowing Baap of the IPL tag. His best season came in 2022 when he won the Purple Cap with 27 wickets for Rajasthan Royals and led them to the final.
It is the consistency, across teams, be it Royal Challengers Bengaluru or Rajasthan Royals, that makes Chahal a breed apart. Although pacers Jasprit Bumrah (165 wickets) and Dwayne Bravo (183 wickets) have records of their own, Chahal’s wickets and match-winning abilities give him the edge. In IPL 2025, he is still bamboozling batsmen and fans love to call him the bowling Baap already. Can a new contender rise this season? Only time will tell, but for now Chahal’s throne seems safe.
Baap Team of IPL: Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians
The Baap team of IPL is a controversial debate and only two franchises are being discussed, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Mumbai Indians (MI). As of 2025, the two teams had each won five IPL titles, making them the most successful in terms of championships in the league’s history. So who really deserves the crown?
Mumbai Indians: The Kings of the Clutch
Rohit Sharma has been leading the Mumbai Indians for a decade and this team, historically, has a habit of peaking at the right time. MI’s efficiency in crunch games is unmatched, sweeping five titles (in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020) from six final appearances. They are a powerhouse with a balanced squad from star players Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya to Suryakumar Yadav. Moving to IPL 2025 where MI’s dominance in the tournament continues in the backdrop of a new captain in Hardik Pandya.
Chennai Super Kings: Master of Consistency
On the contrary, CSK with the great MS Dhoni in charge has been the epitome of consistency. CSK has reached the playoffs in almost every season they’ve played with 10 final appearances and five titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023). It is their knack for rebuilding, adjusting and prevailing against all odds — known as the “Dhoni magic” — that makes them a crowd favorite for title of the Baap team of IPL. CSK’s loyal fan base and proven record keeps them also in contention even if Dhoni is in a mentorship role in 2025.
Verdict
(MI’s clutch performances or CSK’s relentless consistency is the split in Baap team of IPL debate, and it’s barely a debate at all. For now it’s all a stalemate — both sides represent IPL royalty in their own right.
IPL Fans: Yellow Army of CSK is the Best among Fan Base Team
No IPL discussion is complete without the recommendation of the fans—the lifeblood of the league. As far as fan base squads are concerned, they stand at the top of the hierarchy and “Yellow Army” of Chennai Super Kings is at the top when it comes to fan base team of IPL. The roar of “CSK! CSK!” at Chepauk Stadium and across the country, is a sign of their endless zeal. Win or lose, fans of Chennai Super Kings — fondly referred to as “Whistle Podu” (whistle is a popular form of encouragement) fans — throng in large numbers, painting stadiums yellow.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s “RCB Army” and Mumbai Indians’ “Paltan” are running close behind with their own dedicated fan bases. The team has a vocal, die-hard fan base, thanks to Kohli’s stardom, despite it not having managed to lay its hands on the title. But CSK’s name-karega, global, emotional connection with Dhoni and sheer no.’s give them an upper hand as the fan base Baap of IPL in 2025.
The Big Baap of IPL: MS Dhoni’s Colossal Shadow
Individual records and team successes tell part of the story, but the true Baap of IPL is not written in numbers — it is written in impact, leadership, and legacy. Enter MS Dhoni, known as “Thala” among CSK fanatics. Dhoni’s claim is water-tight with five IPL titles as captain, 250-plus matches played more than anyone else in IPL history and the best game finisher.
His tactical brilliance — rotating bowlers, setting fields, remaining calm under pressure — has transformed CSK into a dynasty. Dhoni’s aura, regardless of whether he’s batting, keeping, or mentoring, remains unmatched, even in 2025. The worthy contenders are Rohit Sharma (five titles as MI captain) and Virat Kohli (batting titan), but Dhoni’s omnipotent influence — on and off the park — makes him the overall Baap of IPL.
Read More: IPL 2025 Commentators Salary – Who Is The Highest Paid Commentator of IPL 2025?
IPL 2025 Latest Results: How’s The Table Looking?
March 30, 2025 The IPL season is on, and early trends are taking shape. And we have had some early bloomers in CSK and MI, with Chahal and Kohli doing their bit. Recent matches — CSK’s hammering of RCB or MI’s edge-of-the-seat victory over the Gujarat Titans — point towards the usual suspects competing for supremacy. Check on live updates to know if Baap ka ek aur darshan karne ko mile iss season!
Other Challenges to the Baap Crown
Chris Gayle: Highest individual score (175*) and most sixes (357) in ODI. He’s the Sixer Baap of IPL.
– Suresh Raina: The “Mr. IPL” has 5,528 runs and 109 catches to his name.
– Jasprit Bumrah: He’s the death-over master, so he might contest the bowling Baap with Chahal.
– Rohit Sharma: Dual threat Baap with 6,628 runs and five titles as a captain
In Conclusion: Who is the Real Baap of IPL in 2025?
The Baap of IPL is not one but a multitude of things. Virat Kohli be the batting Baap, Yuzvendra Chahal be the bowling Baap, CSK and MI battle for Baap team, MS Dhoni be the overall Baap. Avid fan: Baap is part of CSK’s Yellow Army, whose zeal is also unlimited. While IPL 2025 might present new heroes, these legends will always be a part of IPL folklore.
Who’s your Baap of IPL? Let the arguments continue — that’s the beauty of this great league!
