Cricket world

Left: Rohit Sharma, Right: Shreyas Iyer. Images: Instagram The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will be host to a high-stakes clash between Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings in Qualifier 2 of the IPL 2025. The winner earns a coveted spot in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) while the loser bows out. With both teams packing firepower, the do-or-die encounter promises a thrilling spectacle. Mumbai Indians, led by Hardik Pandya, are riding high after a commanding 20-run victory over Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator. Rohit Sharma’s vintage 81 and Jonny Bairstow’s explosive 47 off 22 balls showcased MI’s batting depth, while Jasprit Bumrah’s match-turning spell underlined their bowling prowess. Suryakumar Yadav (673 runs, 67 avg, 167 SR) and Tilak Varma add further muscle, making MI’s lineup packed with match-winners. Their playoff experience, 13 wins in 20 matches, give them a slight edge. Deepak Chahar, who was spotted doing fitness drills without any visible discom...

Yudhvir Singh (PC: X) Yudhvir Singh, an administrator from the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), has been appointed as the manager of the Indian team for the important tour of England, which will kick off in Leeds on 20 June. Yudhvir is currently a member of UPCA’s Board of Directors and has previously served as both secretary and director. India’s campaign in England begins on 20 June in Leeds. This tour is particularly significant for the Indian team, as Shubman Gill will captain the side for the first time, with Rishabh Pant serving as his deputy. A major responsibility has been placed on young shoulders, and it will be interesting to see how they rise to the challenge. Although there were reports suggesting that Gill might miss the second warm-up match against the England Lions in Northampton, with speculation that KL Rahul could step in, Yudhvir stated that he is unaware of any such development. “I have not received any information yet.” – Senior administrator “I h...

Kagiso Rabada For South Africa (PC: X) South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has broken his silence after serving a one-month ban for testing positive for recreational drug use during this year’s SA20 competition. The 30-year-old pacer is now cleared to play and has been named in South Africa’s squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at Lord’s, scheduled from 11 to 15 June. Speaking to the media before his departure for London, Rabada expressed remorse but is ready to move forward from the incident. “I’m just glad to be playing again. The process was handled really well,” said Rabada. “There are people who would have been disappointed, and to those I’m deeply sorry. The people closest to me are the ones I felt I let down. But life moves on. I’ll never be ‘Mr I-Apologise-Too-Much’ — but I’ll never condone that action.” Rabada Reconnects with Teammates Ahead of WTC Final Rabada confirmed that he has already spoken to some of his teammates and intend...

Australia, the current WTC Champions (PC: ICC) The World Test Championship 2025 (WTC 2025) Final is set to take place at Lord’s in England from June 11 to 15, where defending champions Australia will take on South Africa. Ahead of the much-anticipated clash, former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting shared his views on the team selection and revealed his preferred playing XI during the latest episode of the ICC Review show. Ponting made a bold call regarding Australia’s opening pair. He said: “I have just got a bit of a feeling that Marnus Labuschagne might be pushed up the order to open the batting with Khawaja. I think Green will bat at three and Steve Smith will be at four. Then it’s Travis Head five, Beau Webster six, Carey at seven, Cummins eight, Starc nine and Lyon 10.” He also addressed the long-standing debate over the final bowling spot in the Australian Test XI. “And the one that everyone talks about the last couple of years is the whole Hazlewood (versus) Boland one. I...

Salt smashed 56 in a 102-run chase. (PC: X.com) It’s a thin line between being brave and reckless. Even in T20s. Punjab Kings chose to live by the sword in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Mullanpur and died by it. After being sent in, they lost early wickets and kept going for it instead of taking it easy for a while. All out for 101 meant it was RCB’s day and they reached the final with plenty to spare. This was RCB’s fourth entry into the final and the first after 2016. Their bowlers made most of the bounce on offer and stuck to right lines. Several PBKS batters, skipper Shreyas Iyer included, played rash shots. They will get another chance to make it to the final in Qualifier 2 against the winners of Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans. The only time they made it there was in 2014, when they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders. It was an anti-climactic game. Priyansh Arya, Prbahsimran Singh, Iyer and Jos Inglis were going great guns before this game. Aft...

Jasprit Bumrah at the nets in Mullanpur (Image: Gargi Raut) Gargi Raut at Mohali Stadium Mullanpur is gearing up for two blockbuster, back to back matches — Qualifier 1 and Eliminator. Even though the match is half a day away, the crowds had thronged the stadium, this time around it was to get their physical tickets. Box offices at the New PCA Stadium and the Mohali stadium were packed as fans rushed in to get the tickets of the in-demand Punjabs Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Qualifier 1. There seems to be census among fans, that the underdogs should win, whether it be PBKS or RCB. Fans want a new flavour to the end of IPL. Gujarat Titans practised at the Mohali Stadium from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm under lights. Throughout their session there was a cloud cover. While Sai Sudharsan batted at the centre wicket at the beginning of the practice session, Shubman Gill was working hard away from the public eye. Gerald Coetzee too batted around half an hour, as he practised hitting bi...

LSG vs RCB, IPL 2025 (PC: BCCI/IPL) Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won a high-scoring match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by six wickets in their final league-stage clash of IPL 2025. RCB chased down a mammoth 228-run target in 18.4 overs in Lucknow, registering their highest-ever successful chase and the third-highest in IPL history. RCB finished the league stage in second place with 19 points and are now set to face Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1 on May 29 in Mullanpur. At the same venue on May 30, Gujarat Titans (GT) will take on Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Eliminator. Talking about the chase, openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli provided a brisk start, adding 61 runs in just 5.4 overs. After Salt was dismissed for 30 off 19, Rajat Patidar came in as the Impact Player but made only a small contribution of 14 off 7. Liam Livingstone fell for a golden duck, and suddenly, RCB were 90/3 in eight overs. Kohli and Mayank Agarwal steadied the innings, with Kohli reaching his...

Hayley Matthews for West Indies (PC: Windies Cricket) England Women defeated West Indies Women by 17 runs in the third and final match of the T20I series, completing a clean 3-0 sweep. Despite the series loss, it was the West Indies captain Hayley Matthews who stole the spotlight with a stunning all-round performance. Batting first, England posted 144/5 in 20 overs. Heather Knight led the team from the front with an unbeaten 66 off 47 balls, while Nat Sciver-Brunt added a crucial 37. Hayley Matthews was the star bowler from the West Indies, taking 3 wickets by conceding only 32 runs in her four overs. She took the wickets of Sophia Dunkley, skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Amy Jones. In the chase, Matthews took charge and played a brilliant knock of 71 runs off 54 balls, including 11 boundaries and a maximum. However, lack of support from the other end made the difference, as they finished at 127/8. “I’ve been able to execute pretty well.” – Hayley Matthews Matthews’ remarkable pe...

Suryakumar Yadav vs PBKS, IPL 2025 (PC: BCCI/IPL) In the second last league match of IPL 2025, a vital game is being played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, where Mumbai Indians (MI) posted a competitive total of 187/7 in 20 overs against Punjab Kings. Suryakumar Yadav stabilised the innings with 57 runs off 39 balls. The stakes of the game are very high, as the match winner of this game will secure a top-two finish and head to Qualifier 1 on May 29 at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur. Punjab Kings are currently sitting second on the table with 17 points, and are fighting with Mumbai Indians (MI) with 16 points, who are at number four, aiming to finish in the top two at the league stage. Suryakumar Yadav now has 640 runs in IPL 2025 After PBKS chose to field, MI innings got off to a decent start, but it was Suryakumar’s 57 runs, which included six boundaries and two maximums at a strike rate of 146.15, that stood out of all. Coming in after an ear...

SRH vs KKR, IPL 2025 (PC: IPL/BCCI) Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ended their IPL 2025 campaign with an embarrassing 110-run loss at the hands of last season’s runners-up, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), in Delhi. KKR finished eighth with 12 points from 14 games. SRH secured sixth place with 13 from 14. After winning the toss, SRH skipper Pat Cummins chose to bat, and his batters lit up the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi by posting the third-highest total in IPL history — 278/3 in 20 overs. Batting at No. 3, South African star Heinrich Klaasen smashed the joint third-fastest IPL hundred. He remained unbeaten on 105 off 39 balls, scoring at a strike rate of 269.23. The onslaught had started earlier, with the opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head. They added 92 in 6.5 overs before Abhishek was dismissed for 32 off 16 balls. Head built another strong partnership, adding 83 runs with Klaasen for the second wicket, before getting out for 76 off 40 deliveries....

Heinrich Klaasen vs KKR, IPL 2025 (PC: IPL/BCCI) In their final league match of the IPL 2025 season, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) faced last year’s runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. SRH won the toss and elected to bat first, making full use of a batting-friendly pitch to post a massive total of 278 for 3 in 20 overs. The standout performer was Heinrich Klaasen, who played a blistering unbeaten knock of 105 off just 39 deliveries. His innings featured seven fours and nine sixes, at a phenomenal strike rate of 269.23. Travis Head also contributed with a solid 76 from 40 balls. Abhishek Sharma (32 off 16) and Ishan Kishan (29 off 20) provided strong support at the top. Klaasen’s explosive finish helped SRH register one of the highest totals of the season. Heinrich  Klaasen closed the season with 487 runs in 14 innings KKR’s bowlers endured a tough outing. Sunil Narine and Vaibhav Arora were the only wicket-takers, with Narine c...

  Sediqullah Atal is making his IPL debut (PC-Screengrab) Sediqullah Atal is an Afghan cricketer making his debut in the highly prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL) for Delhi Capitals (DC) against Punjab Kings (PBKS). He came in as a replacement for Dushmantha Chameera, who leaked too many runs in the last match. He mainly became famous after hitting seven sixes in an over, and he is known for his power hitting. He is an opening batsman and made his debut in 2023 for Afghanistan. He was also part of the Afghanistan squad for the Champions Trophy 2025. He made his Test debut for Afghanistan on December 26, 2024, against Zimbabwe. He has only played one Test and scored three runs. He played his first One Day International (ODI) match on November 6, 2024, against Bangladesh. Since then, he has played in nine ODI matches and has scored 335 runs at an impressive average of 41.87 and a solid strike rate of 82.10. His ODI career includes two half-centuries and a century, with h...