March 22, 2025: As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season kicks off with the highly anticipated clash between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), New Zealand cricketer Kane Williamson, serving as a JioStar expert for the IPL 2025 campaign, has shared his insights on two rising stars expected to make a mark this season.
Williamson singled out New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra, who will represent Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2025, as a player to watch out for. He praised the 23-year-old as a fast learner with immense potential. “He is a fast learner and his high side is extremely high. He is such a gifted player and I am sure he will get plenty of opportunities this season. And I would never bet against him,” said Williamson.
Rachin’s journey has been one of rapid growth, with his breakout 2023 World Cup performance where he emerged as New Zealand’s top run-scorer, amassing 578 runs in 10 matches, including three centuries. His IPL career has seen a steady rise as well; after a decent 2024 season with CSK, where he scored 222 runs in 10 matches, he was bought back by the franchise for Rs 4 crores after being released earlier in the 2024 auction. Rachin is now eager to prove his mettle in the T20 format, where he has had mixed but promising performances so far.
Williamson also expressed confidence in Indian T20I opener Abhishek Sharma, who has been in exceptional form over the past year. Abhishek had a stellar IPL 2024 campaign with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), scoring 484 runs in 16 matches at an average of 32.26, including three fifties and 42 sixes. His partnership with Travis Head at the top of the order, dubbed ‘Travishek,’ was instrumental in SRH’s success last season.
The 23-year-old’s international form has been equally impressive. Abhishek’s performances during the South Africa tour and the home series against England further solidified his place in the team, including his stunning knock of 135 from just 54 balls against England. In his last seven T20Is, he scored 365 runs at an average of 73.00, with a strike rate of over 214.
Williamson believes Abhishek’s recent success at the international level will give him the confidence he needs heading into IPL 2025. “I have got no doubt that his recent international performances will help, those sorts of games grow anybody’s confidence. And as a young, dynamic player, last year was an incredible year for Abhishek. But to then do pretty much the same thing at the international level and recently against England, one of the top teams, was amazing to see. So, he will be very confident coming into this season,” Williamson said.
He also praised SRH’s powerful batting lineup, noting that when the team clicks, they are capable of scoring huge totals, as evidenced by last year’s performances.
With the IPL 2025 season set to begin, all eyes will be on Rachin Ravindra and Abhishek Sharma as they look to deliver on the expectations placed upon them, and both young stars will be eager to continue their rise in one of the world’s most competitive cricket leagues.