As the 2025 IPL final approaches, we revisit the elite club of cricketers who’ve made a habit of walking out under the brightest lights — the IPL final
From its inception in 2008, the Indian Premier League has always been about the razzle-dazzle—the boundaries, the packed stands, and those heart-pounding last-overs. However, beyond the fireworks and confetti lies the grind, the journey. It is the long road that leads to that one night in May or June—the IPL final.
As the 2025 edition prepares for its climax, it is the perfect time to turn back the clock and salute the warhorses of this tournament. The men who’ve walked out for not one, not two, but multiple finals, carrying not just hope but history with them. Some won, some faltered, but all returned — again and again. Let’s unfold their journeys, one final at a time.
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How do you even begin to summarise MS Dhoni’s IPL story? It’s not just about winning — it’s about showing up. From CSK’s first final in 2008 to the yellow brigade’s fairy-tale return in 2023, Dhoni led his side to ten finals. But let’s not forget the detour — the 2017 finale with Rising Pune Supergiant, where Dhoni, though not captain, was still the trusted general.
Ten finals — that’s not a statistic; that’s a legacy. It’s as if Dhoni was stitched into the very fabric of the finale. Calm, tactical, unflinching — Dhoni turned up when it mattered most, year after year.
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While Dhoni plotted, Jadeja delivered. Whether under the legendary Shane Warne in 2008 with Rajasthan Royals or serving as CSK’s Swiss army knife in the last decade, Jadeja has been a part of eight IPL finals.
He doesn’t make a fuss. He doesn’t chase the spotlight. But when the stage is set, Jadeja gets to work — slicing through with the ball, contributing with the bat, and darting around the field like a livewire. As of 2025, he had 4 IPL titles, but perhaps more importantly, he had become synonymous with big-match temperament.
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Rayudu’s IPL story has two halves — the blue of Mumbai and the yellow of Chennai. He entered the league a bit late due to his stint in the ICL, but he made it count once he arrived. Eight finals across two powerhouses.
From 2010 to 2017, he was Mumbai’s quiet soldier. From 2018 to 2023, he embraced the Super Kings’ ethos. Throughout these roles, he won 6 IPL titles, establishing a reputation as one of the most dependable middle-order batters in high-pressure matches.
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You can’t discuss CSK without mentioning ‘Chinna Thala’ — Suresh Raina. Eight IPL finals — all in the yellow jersey. He wasn’t just consistent; he was the glue of CSK. Until 2020, Raina was the tournament’s highest run-scorer and a staple in the team’s core.
He missed the 2021 final due to poor form, but his legacy was secured by then. With 4 IPL titles to his name, Raina left behind a chapter defined by loyalty, flair, and a talent for rising to the occasion in pressure situations.
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Ashwin’s journey in the finals has been both colourful and gritty. Starting with CSK in 2010, he has also competed in finals wearing the blue of Delhi Capitals and the pink of Rajasthan Royals. Seven finals, spanning three teams, illustrate not only his talent but also his adaptability.
His 2 IPL titles with CSK emphasise that success has followed him, while he, in fact, ended up on the losing side with DC and RR in IPL 2020 and IPL 2022, respectively.
