Five Game-Changers Transitioning from IPL Fame to MLC 2025 Stardom

The IPL may have dropped the mic, but MLC 2025 picked it up in true Yankee style—louder, flashier, and with hot dogs on the side. There was already much excitement for the season opener on June 12, 2025, with San Francisco Unicorns vs Washington Freedom, and the excitement is now brewing rapidly. The best part? Everyone is back in the USA, but they are now wearing MLC colors, including some top IPL stars.

Trent Boult

Trent Boult had a terrific season for the 2025 IPL Mumbai Indians, taking a massive 22 wickets to finish joint-third overall. He is now back with MI New York, who just missed out on qualifying for the MLC finals last year.

This will be Boult’s third season of MLC, following his outstanding season of 22 wickets in 2023, and then a satisfactory performance in 2024. Given Boult’s form in IPL, one would argue he is due a significant revival. MI New York will want Boult to take wickets up front again and swing it back in their favour, as they are looking to restart their title challenge.

Nicholas Pooran

Nicholas Pooran had a monstrous IPL 2025, smashing 524 runs at a mind-blowing strike rate of 196 for Lucknow Super Giants. Now captaining MI New York, the recently retired West Indian is a complete convert to franchise cricket.

Pooran’s aggressive and devastating batting, paired with his cool head and leadership skills, make him a considerable threat. MI New York was not quite able to get it done last season, but with Pooran’s excitement and leadership addition to his blistering form, they are starting to look like legit contenders.

Also read:- 5 IPL Legends Who Never Played Test Cricket — And Still Rocked the Game

Sunil Narine

Sunil Narine has always been evolving, and 2025 was no different. He had scored 246 runs with a strike rate of 170 in his time at KKR, and ended up with 12 wickets as one of the modes all-arounders in the IPL. A blend of grit and gut-feel, he’s the kind of leader who walks the tightrope blindfolded—and juggles fire while doing it.

Narine’s spin is still very difficult to read, and his pinch-hitting at the top is something Bowlers are surprised by. LA finished fifth last season, but with Narine steering the ship now, they will have a great chance to improve in 2025.

Heinrich Klaasen

Heinrich Klaasen was immense in IPL 2025 and put together a particularly stunning 487 runs, which included an unbeaten 105 for SRH. He didn’t do much in MLC 202,4, though, as he only scored 97 runs in, count them, SEVEN GAMES.

Seattle will expect Klaasen to be the brawn behind the wheel, and they have every right to expect that. Klaasen’s ability to go either way, being an anchor or accelerator, is hugely beneficial for the middle order.

Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis is 40 years old and still knows no bounds. He did not exactly blaze the trail for IPL 2025 when he was with Delhi Capitals, but he was the rock of Texas Super Kings last MLC season – he managed to score a whopping 520 runs at an average of 52.50.

Duo’s leadership and calm amid chaos at the top of the order are invaluable to Texas’s balance. They finished third last season, and with du Plessis back leading the charge, they will no doubt believe they can go even higher.

So, who’s your money on for MLC 2025? Will one of these five dominate, or will others make the world take notice? Let the games and banter begin!