IPL 2025 Flops Who Have Turned Game-Changers in Other T20 Leagues

Cricketers Who Flopped in IPL but Excelled in Other T20 Leagues

Meanwhile, Indian players like Shahrukh Khan, Ravichandran Ashwin, who were criticised for their performance in the IPL 2025, have been among the best players in the ongoing TNPL 2025.

1. Jake Fraser-McGurk

Australian batsman Jake Fraser-McGurk was signed for INR 9 Crore in the mega auction after he scored 330 runs in 9 innings at a strike rate of 234.04 in 2024. 
However, he had a season to forget in the IPL 2025. The Aussie batter who likes to bat with intent scored only 55 runs in 6 innings, averaging a mere 9.17 and a strike rate of 105.77.
However, how the fortunes have turned. The right-hand batsman, who currently plays for the San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket (MLC), has already amassed 196 runs in five innings. He has a 194.06 strike rate and an average of 39.20 as San Francisco remains unbeaten in the MLC 2025.

2. Quinton de Kock

South African wicketkeeper batsman Quinton de Kock was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to fill in the boots of the outgoing Phil Salt. However, the South African had a below-average campaign in the IPL 2025.
The left-hand batter played in 8 matches and scored 152 runs at a strike rate of 129.91. He was dropped from the playing XI as a result of his poor form. 
However, the Johannesburg-born batsman has amassed 210 runs in 5 innings while playing for the MI New York in the MLC 2025. In just five innings, he has amassed three scores of fifty or more.
In the previous match, as of writing this, the Proteas batter scored 70 runs off 46 balls vs San Francisco Unicorns. He will be hoping he has done enough to get a deal in the IPL 2026 auction as he is unlikely to be retained by KKR.

3. Faf du Plessis

Former South Africa and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Faf du Plessis was bought by Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL 2025 season. However, the 40-year-old veteran batter scored 202 runs in 9 innings and missed a few matches due to injury.
However, he has been in great form in the MLC 2025 for the Texas Super Kings (TSK). He has already scored 202 runs in 5 innings, as of writing this, at a strike rate of 169.75 and average of 40.40. There is still uncertainty about the probability of Delhi Capitals (DC) retaining the South African batsman ahead of next season.

4. Glenn Maxwell

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has been one of the best performing players in the MLC 2025. The 36-year-old, nicknamed the 'Big Show', has already scored 185 runs in 5 innings for Washington Freedom (WF). 
He also scored a century against the Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) off 49 balls and remained unbeaten for 106 runs. He has also bagged 3 wickets in the tournament.

However, Maxwell hasn't been able to put up the same numbers when he plays in the IPL. While playing for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL 2025, Maxwell scored 48 runs in 6 innings and was ruled out of the tournament due to injury.

5. Xavier Bartlett

Australian pace bowler Xavier Bartlett had an average campaign in his debut IPL campaign in 2025. He was mostly a bench player but featured in 4 games for the Punjab Kings. He only managed to take 2 wickets and had an economy rate close to 10.
However, he has been doing fairly well in the Major League Cricket 2025. The right-arm pacer has taken 9 wickets in 5 matches for San Francisco Unicorns and has an economy rate of 8.96. PBKS might be monitoring his performance closely to decide on the Aussie pacer's future at the franchise for IPL 2026.

6. Rahul Tripathi

Rahul Tripathi was part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2025. He was tried out as number 3 and opening batter. Yet, the right-hand batter scored 55 runs in 5 innings with a strike rate of 96.49 and an average of 11.00.
However, he had a much improved campaign for the Kolhapur Tuskers in the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL) 2025. The former KKR and SRH batter scored 157 runs in 6 innings at a strike rate of 153.92 and an average of 26.17. There will be a big discussion among CSK management ahead of IPL 2026 retentions.

7. Mukesh Choudhary

Left-arm pacer Mukesh Choudhary, who once took 16 wickets in 13 matches for CSK in 2022, has been mostly a shadow of his former self. Since returning from an injury that forced him to miss the IPL 2023, he has not been able to find his way back in the CSK playing XI regularly.
In 2024, he played only 1 match and was wicketless. In 2025, the left-arm pacer only played 2 matches and took a lone wicket. However, he seems to have rejuvenated in the Maharashtra Premier League 2025. He 28-year-old had a brilliant campaign, finishing as the 4th highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 14 wickets in 9 matches.

8. Vijay Shankar

The Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2025 has been a bit of a redemption arc for all-rounder Vijay Shankar. Playing for CSK in the IPL 2025, he scored only 118 runs in 5 innings, including 69 runs vs Delhi Capitals.
However, in the TNPL 2025, Shankar has been one of the league's best players with 206 runs in 6 innings at a strike rate of 158.33 and has also taken 5 wickets.

9. Ravichandran Ashwin

Another Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player who was criticised throughout the IPL 2025 season is Ravichandran Ashwin. CSK spent INR 9.75 Crore to bring their former man back home. Yet, the veteran spinner managed only 7 wickets in 9 matches and scored only 33 runs.
However, in the ongoing TNPL season, the 38-year-old, leading the Dindigul Dragons, has taken 6 wickets in 5 matches. But most importantly, he has also contributed significantly with the bat, scoring 185 runs in 5 innings. He is, though, unlikely to be retained because of his price.

10. Shahrukh Khan

The Gujarat Titans (GT) didn't need Shahrukh Khan a lot in the IPL 2025. However, when they did, he was quite inconsistent, not able to play a big knock. He scored 179 runs in 11 innings with a strike rate of 179.00 and an average of 29.83. He was one of GT's weak links in the middle order.
However, he continues to do well in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) like the previous season. In the 2025 edition, the 30-year-old has scored 154 runs in 5 innings with a strike rate of 142.59 and an average of 38.50. He has also taken 3 wickets with an economy rate of less than 8.

11. Shimron Hetmyer

Shimron Hetmyer, after having an average outing in IPL 2025 for the Rajasthan Royals, has turned up in Major League Cricket. In 14 games for RR, the left-handed batter managed to score only 239 runs, averaging 21. He failed to finish off chases, costing crucial points for the team. However, while playing for the Seattle Orcas, Hetmyer scored 309 runs in six games at a strike rate of 220. Unlike his performances for the Royals, the 28-year-old has been pretty successful in chasing games.