As IPL 2025 enters its final leg, one major theme has stood out across pitches, match-ups, and strategies — the resurgence of spin bowling. After several seasons dominated by express pace and power-hitting, this year’s edition has seen spinners reclaim center stage, often turning matches with clever variations and tight control. Veteran leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, currently part of the Mumbai Indians setup, believes it all comes down to one thing: “Lengths and speeds are the key.”
A Season of Spin: Numbers Tell the Story
From the first few games of IPL 2025, it became clear that conditions in several venues — including Chennai, Lucknow, Delhi, and Jaipur — were offering grip and purchase for slower bowlers. This has led to a noticeable uptick in both wickets taken by spinners and their economy rates, which in some cases are better than those of frontline pacers.
Top Spinners in IPL 2025 (as of Match 55)
| Player | Wickets | Economy | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 19 | 7.10 | 18.3 | 15.4 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 17 | 7.30 | 19.8 | 16.2 |
| Piyush Chawla | 14 | 7.85 | 22.1 | 17.5 |
| Noor Ahmad | 13 | 7.40 | 20.9 | 16.8 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 12 | 6.95 | 23.0 | 19.2 |
These stats not only highlight a strong comeback for spinners but also show that teams are using spin more aggressively — even during powerplays and at the death.
Chawla: “It’s All About Variation and Deception”
In a recent media interaction after Mumbai Indians’ tight win at Chepauk, Piyush Chawla offered insight into the resurgence of spin in IPL 2025, saying:
“Batters have adapted to mystery spin, so it’s back to basics — bowl at the right length and change speeds smartly. The margin for error is small, but when you get it right, it’s very hard to score.”
Chawla, who has had an extended second wind in his career since rejoining Mumbai Indians in 2023, pointed out that even experienced batters are struggling to accelerate against spinners who mix up pace and trajectory effectively.
Strategic Use of Spin in Powerplay and Death Overs
Another evolution in IPL 2025 is the increased usage of spinners in unconventional phases. Traditionally reserved for the middle overs, spinners like Ravi Bishnoi, Narine, and Jadeja are now being trusted to bowl in the first six overs or even in the final five to counter left-right batting combinations and take pace off the ball.
CSK captain MS Dhoni, a long-time advocate of spin in T20s, was quoted earlier this season:
“In Indian conditions, even if a spinner goes for a boundary, he’s still in the game. You just need control and guts.”
Venue Conditions Also Favoring Spin
The scheduling in IPL 2025 has brought slower pitches into play more frequently. Wickets in Lucknow, Jaipur, and Chennai have deteriorated as the season progressed, offering significant turn, grip, and uneven bounce. This has helped finger spinners and wrist spinners alike find rhythm and relevance.
Additionally, dew hasn’t been as severe this year, especially in northern and central India, allowing captains to confidently deploy spinners without fear of a wet ball.
What This Means for Teams in the Playoffs
As the playoffs draw near, franchises with quality spin attacks have a distinct edge. Teams like Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Chennai Super Kings, all boasting experienced spin trios, are seen as better equipped for slow, high-pressure games where dot balls and pressure-building matter more than just raw pace.
The resurgence of spin also adds an extra layer of tactical depth—forcing teams to rethink batting orders, target specific matchups, and even choose venues more carefully during playoff planning.
Final Thoughts
The headline “Spinners’ resurgence in IPL 2025: Lengths and speeds the key, says Chawla” perfectly captures this season’s quiet revolution. In a format increasingly dominated by muscle and strike rates, it is guile, variation, and craft that have once again found their voice.
As Piyush Chawla rightly notes, it’s not about mystery anymore — it’s about doing the simple things with precision and courage.
