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CSK veteran and IPL great MS Dhoni faced wrath for his failed attempt at helping his team complete a run chase in IPL 2025. Unlike in the previous game, (where) he came out to bat at number nine (at a time) when his team had already lost the game (against RCB at home); against RR, Dhoni walked in a bit earlier, but even that failed to change the outcome as they lost by six runs. Former South Africa batter Herschelle Gibbs had his say on Dhoni&rsquo;s stance in the team after CSK's second straight loss this edition.
Addressing the media after Chennai&rsquo;s second loss, head coach Stephen Fleming encountered a sea of questions surrounding MS Dhoni&rsquo;s batting at the death, saying the 43-year-old veteran is now a pale shadow of himself and that he cannot bat for ten overs straight like he used to do before.&nbsp;
Citing Dhoni&rsquo;s prolonged knee issues and how it restricts his flow as a batter, Fleming said Dhoni balances out by trying to play to the conditions, granting more opportunities for other batters to get the job done.
Also read | IPL 2025: MS Dhoni&rsquo;s heartwarming gesture towards Rahul Dravid after match wins the internet-WATCH
"Yeah, it's a time thing," Fleming said of Dhoni&rsquo;s batting and his position in the XI. "MS judges it. His body is&hellip; his knees aren't what they used to be. And he's moving okay, but there's still an attrition aspect to it. He can't bat ten overs running full stick. So he will gauge on the day what he can give us. If the game's in the balance like today, he will go a little bit earlier, and he backs other players when other opportunities are up. So he's balancing that."
Against Rajasthan Royals, Dhoni walked into bat in the 16th over when Chennai needed beyond 50 runs to win. Alongside his longtime India and CSK batting partner Ravindra Jadeja, Dhoni tried seeking singles earlier; although he was successful in hitting a boundary and a six, with both coming too late when the asking rate was above 20, Dhoni failed to make it count in the last over as he got out on the second ball (off Sandeep Sharma), caught in the deep.
<h2>What did Gibbs say?</h2>
MS Dhoni announced his international retirement in August 2020, and thanks to an IPL rule that allows a retired Indian cricketer to play as an uncapped player under one condition that his last international game must be at least five years before the auction date, which was the case with Dhoni.&nbsp;As a result, CSK retained him for the minimum base price of INR 4 crore in December last year.&nbsp;
However, besides the IPL, Dhoni doesn&rsquo;t play any cricket, with Gibbs, replying to an ESPNcricinfo post on X, saying these are the repercussions a team will face for expecting too much from a batter who doesn&rsquo;t play any cricket across the year outside of IPL.
"Expecting too much from a man that doesn&rsquo;t play any other cricket," Gibbs posted on X.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m8wx6onv-lhn2ucxf-6yzot7rl">
Expecting too much from a man that doesn&rsquo;t play any other cricket https://t.co/EUwuN7lE5d
&mdash; Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) March 31, 2025</blockquote>
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Addressing the media after CSK's second loss this season, head coach Fleming said MS Dhoni cannot bat for ten overs straight like he used to do before.

CSK veteran and IPL great MS Dhoni faced wrath for his failed attempt at helping his team complete a run chase in IPL 2025. Unlike in the previous game, (where) he came out to bat at number nine (at a time) when his team had already lost the game (against RCB at home); against RR, Dhoni walked in a bit earlier, but even that failed to change the outcome as they lost by six runs. Former South Africa batter Herschelle Gibbs had his say on Dhoni’s stance in the team after CSK's second straight loss this edition. Addressing the media after Chennai’s second loss, head coach Stephen Fleming encountered a sea of questions surrounding MS Dhoni’s batting at the death, saying the 43-year-old veteran is now a pale shadow of himself and that he cannot bat for ten overs straight like he used to do before. Citing Dhoni’s prolonged knee issues and how it restricts his flow as a batter, Fleming said Dhoni balances out by trying to play to the conditions, granting more opportunities for other batters to get the job done. Also read | IPL 2025: MS Dhoni’s heartwarming gesture towards Rahul Dravid after match wins the internet-WATCH "Yeah, it's a time thing," Fleming said of Dhoni’s batting and his position in the XI. "MS judges it. His body is… his knees aren't what they used to be. And he's moving okay, but there's still an attrition aspect to it. He can't bat ten overs running full stick. So he will gauge on the day what he can give us. If the game's in the balance like today, he will go a little bit earlier, and he backs other players when other opportunities are up. So he's balancing that." Against Rajasthan Royals, Dhoni walked into bat in the 16th over when Chennai needed beyond 50 runs to win. Alongside his longtime India and CSK batting partner Ravindra Jadeja, Dhoni tried seeking singles earlier; although he was successful in hitting a boundary and a six, with both coming too late when the asking rate was above 20, Dhoni failed to make it count in the last over as he got out on the second ball (off Sandeep Sharma), caught in the deep. What did Gibbs say? MS Dhoni announced his international retirement in August 2020, and thanks to an IPL rule that allows a retired Indian cricketer to play as an uncapped player under one condition that his last international game must be at least five years before the auction date, which was the case with Dhoni. As a result, CSK retained him for the minimum base price of INR 4 crore in December last year. However, besides the IPL, Dhoni doesn’t play any cricket, with Gibbs, replying to an ESPNcricinfo post on X, saying these are the repercussions a team will face for expecting too much from a batter who doesn’t play any cricket across the year outside of IPL. "Expecting too much from a man that doesn’t play any other cricket," Gibbs posted on X. Expecting too much from a man that doesn’t play any other cricket https://t.co/EUwuN7lE5d — Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) March 31, 2025 (With inputs from agencies)

Gibbs explains what’s restricting MS Dhoni from playing like his old self in IPL 2025

After 10 days of cricket in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Mumbai Indians remain the only team to open their account. MI have lost both their matches so far in the league as they face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Monday (Mar 31) at Wankhede stadium.
KKR, who are the defending champions, have 50-50 record in the two games played so far and would be hoping to build on the momentum against a struggling Mumbai Indians side.
<h2>MI vs KKR, Today match prediction:</h2>
Last season, Mumbai won the toss five times at Wankhede but managed to win only two games as they chased in all of those games. They scored 32 runs on an average for each wicket with a highest of 199.&nbsp;
Also Read: <a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2025-doesnt-make-sense-says-india-batter-on-srh-hard-hitting-batting-style-after-two-consecutive-losses-8909239" aria-label="IPL 2025: 'Doesn't make sense', says India batter on SRH's hard-hitting batting style after two consecutive losses">IPL 2025: 'Doesn't make sense', says India batter on SRH's hard-hitting batting style after two consecutive losses</a>
A year before that, in 2023, they had the best averages runs per wicket in a season at Wankhede - 46 - as they won three out of four games after winning the toss and electing to bowl.
So it seems safe to say that they'll be choosing to bowl first at their home ground if they win the toss and back themselves to chase the target.
Wankhede also has shorter boundaries and a high-scoring fest is pretty much on the cards but Mumbai would be hoping for their batters to join the part soon as asked by their skipper Hardik Pandya after the last loss.
KKR, on the other hand, snapped their losing streak at Wankhede last season when they won the match by 24 runs. Before the win last season, KKR had not won a game at Wankhede since 2016.
KKR have poor record in both batting and fielding first at Wankhede - they have lost eight out of 10 games while batting first but managed slightly better with fielding first - losing four and winning three matches.
If won the loss, they'd hopefully go with batting second while MI might do that same as they have won 24 games while batting first and 27 while batting second.

MI vs KKR, Today match prediction: MI have lost both their matches so far in the league as they face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Monday (Mar 31) at Wankhede stadium. Cricket Sports

After 10 days of cricket in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Mumbai Indians remain the only team to open their account. MI have lost both their matches so far in the league as they face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Monday (Mar 31) at Wankhede stadium. KKR, who are the defending champions, have 50-50 record in the two games played so far and would be hoping to build on the momentum against a struggling Mumbai Indians side. MI vs KKR, Today match prediction: Last season, Mumbai won the toss five times at Wankhede but managed to win only two games as they chased in all of those games. They scored 32 runs on an average for each wicket with a highest of 199. Also Read: IPL 2025: 'Doesn't make sense', says India batter on SRH's hard-hitting batting style after two consecutive losses A year before that, in 2023, they had the best averages runs per wicket in a season at Wankhede - 46 - as they won three out of four games after winning the toss and electing to bowl. So it seems safe to say that they'll be choosing to bowl first at their home ground if they win the toss and back themselves to chase the target. Wankhede also has shorter boundaries and a high-scoring fest is pretty much on the cards but Mumbai would be hoping for their batters to join the part soon as asked by their skipper Hardik Pandya after the last loss. KKR, on the other hand, snapped their losing streak at Wankhede last season when they won the match by 24 runs. Before the win last season, KKR had not won a game at Wankhede since 2016. KKR have poor record in both batting and fielding first at Wankhede - they have lost eight out of 10 games while batting first but managed slightly better with fielding first - losing four and winning three matches. If won the loss, they'd hopefully go with batting second while MI might do that same as they have won 24 games while batting first and 27 while batting second.

IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders - Match Prediction

Abhishek Porel put on a solid display against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday (March 30), showcasing his growing confidence and composure at the crease. The young wicketkeeper-batter has been steadily making his mark for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/delhi-capitals">Delhi Capitals</a>, proving that he belongs at this level. With his fearless strokeplay and improved game awareness, Porel is shaping into a key player for the franchise.
In an exclusive interview with WION, Porel reflected on his journey, the learnings from the past year, and his aspirations for the ongoing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/indian-premier-league">Indian Premier League</a> 2025 season. The Bengal cricketer shared insights into his game, training regimen, and the invaluable support he's received from DC.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-after-hardik-now-rr-captain-riyan-parag-penalised-for-slow-over-rate-against-csk-8909307">IPL 2025: After Hardik, now RR captain Riyan Parag penalised for slow over rate against CSK</a>
Over the past year, Porel has been focusing on both his game and mental resilience. He acknowledges the rapid evolution of cricket and is determined to stay ahead. Reflecting on his preparation, he said, "Over the last 12 months, I have focused more on my game and mental strength. Cricket is evolving rapidly, and I want to ensure that I keep up with its pace. The level has already gone very high. I began with the domestic season, which is crucial for us. During the off-season, I worked at the NCAA and with my state team. Overall, it was a successful domestic season, and now my mission is to perform better than last year&rsquo;s IPL and help my team lift the trophy."
When it comes to improving his game, he takes a very methodical approach. He evaluates his strengths and weaknesses to make targeted improvements, particularly in his hitting ability. "To be honest, I evaluate my game and identify areas of improvement. My hitting ability has improved compared to two years ago&mdash;I have gained strength and worked closely with my trainer. However, I don't specifically train for power-hitting. I focus on understanding my strengths and refining my game accordingly, " he explained.
<h2 data-start="784" data-end="969">'I worked on improving my strike rate against spin'</h2>
Playing for Delhi Capitals (DC) has had a profound impact on his career. He expresses deep gratitude for the franchise, emphasising how their unwavering support has given him confidence and allowed him to grow as a player. "I am extremely grateful to DC for the opportunity they have given me. It has been a life-changing experience. They have backed me wholeheartedly and encouraged me to play freely. As a young player, when a franchise tells you to express yourself without fear, it has a significant mental impact. That trust has helped me grow as a cricketer," he shares.
Looking back at his previous IPL season, he acknowledges a specific area that needed improvement&mdash;his strike rate against spin. After identifying this weakness, he made it a priority to work on it.&nbsp;"Last year, I scored 360 runs, but my strike rate against spinners was low. After the IPL, I worked specifically on improving my strike rate against spin, particularly in the middle overs. Small improvements like these will help me become a better player in the long run."
When asked about his training routine, he highlights the importance of timing the ball well. Rather than brute power, his focus is on making clean contact with the bat,&nbsp;"My primary focus during practice is to time the ball well. I aim for the bat to make clean contact with the ball, hitting the middle of the bat consistently. That is crucial for me."
Beyond cricketing skills, he values the mentorship and guidance he has received from senior players. He shares a special bond with veteran wicketkeeper <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/wriddhiman-saha">Wriddhiman Saha</a>, who has been a constant source of support and advice since his Ranji Trophy debut. Talking about his bond with Saha, Porel said, "I have shared a great bond with Wriddhiman Saha for the last three to four years. After my Ranji Trophy debut, I stayed in constant touch with him. Whenever I face any challenges, I call him, and he always shares valuable insights. He is very approachable and has helped me immensely," he signed off.

Cricket, Sports: Abhishek Porel put on a solid display against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday (March 30), showcasing his confidence and composure at the crease

Abhishek Porel put on a solid display against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday (March 30), showcasing his growing confidence and composure at the crease. The young wicketkeeper-batter has been steadily making his mark for Delhi Capitals, proving that he belongs at this level. With his fearless strokeplay and improved game awareness, Porel is shaping into a key player for the franchise. In an exclusive interview with WION, Porel reflected on his journey, the learnings from the past year, and his aspirations for the ongoing Indian Premier League 2025 season. The Bengal cricketer shared insights into his game, training regimen, and the invaluable support he's received from DC. Also Read: IPL 2025: After Hardik, now RR captain Riyan Parag penalised for slow over rate against CSK Over the past year, Porel has been focusing on both his game and mental resilience. He acknowledges the rapid evolution of cricket and is determined to stay ahead. Reflecting on his preparation, he said, "Over the last 12 months, I have focused more on my game and mental strength. Cricket is evolving rapidly, and I want to ensure that I keep up with its pace. The level has already gone very high. I began with the domestic season, which is crucial for us. During the off-season, I worked at the NCAA and with my state team. Overall, it was a successful domestic season, and now my mission is to perform better than last year’s IPL and help my team lift the trophy." When it comes to improving his game, he takes a very methodical approach. He evaluates his strengths and weaknesses to make targeted improvements, particularly in his hitting ability. "To be honest, I evaluate my game and identify areas of improvement. My hitting ability has improved compared to two years ago—I have gained strength and worked closely with my trainer. However, I don't specifically train for power-hitting. I focus on understanding my strengths and refining my game accordingly, " he explained. 'I worked on improving my strike rate against spin' Playing for Delhi Capitals (DC) has had a profound impact on his career. He expresses deep gratitude for the franchise, emphasising how their unwavering support has given him confidence and allowed him to grow as a player. "I am extremely grateful to DC for the opportunity they have given me. It has been a life-changing experience. They have backed me wholeheartedly and encouraged me to play freely. As a young player, when a franchise tells you to express yourself without fear, it has a significant mental impact. That trust has helped me grow as a cricketer," he shares. Looking back at his previous IPL season, he acknowledges a specific area that needed improvement—his strike rate against spin. After identifying this weakness, he made it a priority to work on it. "Last year, I scored 360 runs, but my strike rate against spinners was low. After the IPL, I worked specifically on improving my strike rate against spin, particularly in the middle overs. Small improvements like these will help me become a better player in the long run." When asked about his training routine, he highlights the importance of timing the ball well. Rather than brute power, his focus is on making clean contact with the bat, "My primary focus during practice is to time the ball well. I aim for the bat to make clean contact with the ball, hitting the middle of the bat consistently. That is crucial for me." Beyond cricketing skills, he values the mentorship and guidance he has received from senior players. He shares a special bond with veteran wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, who has been a constant source of support and advice since his Ranji Trophy debut. Talking about his bond with Saha, Porel said, "I have shared a great bond with Wriddhiman Saha for the last three to four years. After my Ranji Trophy debut, I stayed in constant touch with him. Whenever I face any challenges, I call him, and he always shares valuable insights. He is very approachable and has helped me immensely," he signed off.

Exclusive | IPL 2025: 'I have focused more on my game and mental strength', says Delhi Capitals' Abhishek Porel

Rajasthan Royals captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/riyan-parag">Riyan Parag</a> has been fined $14,000 for maintaining a slow over rate during their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday (March 30).
IPL issued a statement on Monday confirming that the Royals skipper breached the Code of Conduct and was penalised accordingly.
"Riyan Parag, Captain, Rajasthan Royals has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during Match 11 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Chennai Super Kings at the ACA Stadium, Guwahati on 30th March, 2025," the statement from IPL read.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2025-doesnt-make-sense-says-india-batter-on-srh-hard-hitting-batting-style-after-two-consecutive-losses-8909239">IPL 2025: 'Doesn't make sense', says India batter on SRH's hard-hitting batting style after two consecutive losses</a>
"As this was his team's first offence of the season under Article 2.22 of the IPL's Code of Conduct, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences, Parag was fined ₹12 lakh," the statement concluded.
Riyan is the second captain penalised this season after Mumbai Indians' <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/hardik-pandya">Hardik Pandya</a>, who was fined for MI&rsquo;s slow over-rate against Gujarat Titans.
<h2>Wanindu Hasaranga joins elite club</h2>
Rajasthan Royals' leg-spinner <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/wanindu-hasaranga">Wanindu Hasaranga</a> joined an elite club after securing a four-wicket haul against Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing IPL 2025.
Hasaranga dismantled Chennai's chase of 183 on Guwahati&rsquo;s surface. He ripped through CSK&rsquo;s batting order by dismissing Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube, and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad.
He completed his four-over spell with figures of 4/35, becoming just the third spinner to claim a four-wicket haul against Chennai in IPL history.&nbsp;Former spinner <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/harbhajan-singh">Harbhajan Singh</a> was the first to achieve this, taking 5/18 for Mumbai Indians in 2011. Brad Hogg later joined the list with 4/29 for Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens in 2015.
The Sri Lankan spinner also became only the second Royals bowler to take 4+ wickets against CSK after Pakistan pacer Sohail Tanvir&rsquo;s 6/14 in Jaipur during the inaugural season.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Riyan is the second captain penalised this season after Mumbai Indians' Hardik Pandya, who was fined for MI’s slow over-rate against Gujarat Titans

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has been fined $14,000 for maintaining a slow over rate during their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday (March 30). IPL issued a statement on Monday confirming that the Royals skipper breached the Code of Conduct and was penalised accordingly. "Riyan Parag, Captain, Rajasthan Royals has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during Match 11 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Chennai Super Kings at the ACA Stadium, Guwahati on 30th March, 2025," the statement from IPL read. Also Read: IPL 2025: 'Doesn't make sense', says India batter on SRH's hard-hitting batting style after two consecutive losses "As this was his team's first offence of the season under Article 2.22 of the IPL's Code of Conduct, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences, Parag was fined ₹12 lakh," the statement concluded. Riyan is the second captain penalised this season after Mumbai Indians' Hardik Pandya, who was fined for MI’s slow over-rate against Gujarat Titans. Wanindu Hasaranga joins elite club Rajasthan Royals' leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga joined an elite club after securing a four-wicket haul against Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing IPL 2025. Hasaranga dismantled Chennai's chase of 183 on Guwahati’s surface. He ripped through CSK’s batting order by dismissing Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube, and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. He completed his four-over spell with figures of 4/35, becoming just the third spinner to claim a four-wicket haul against Chennai in IPL history. Former spinner Harbhajan Singh was the first to achieve this, taking 5/18 for Mumbai Indians in 2011. Brad Hogg later joined the list with 4/29 for Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens in 2015. The Sri Lankan spinner also became only the second Royals bowler to take 4+ wickets against CSK after Pakistan pacer Sohail Tanvir’s 6/14 in Jaipur during the inaugural season. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: After Hardik, now RR captain Riyan Parag penalised for slow over rate against CSK

In a beautiful display of sportsmanship, former CSK captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mahendra-singh-dhoni">MS Dhoni</a> shared a heartwarming moment with Rajasthan Royals coach <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/rahul-dravid">Rahul Dravid</a> after Chennai Super Kings&rsquo; match in the ongoing IPL 2025.
Despite CSK suffering a second consecutive defeat in the tournament, Dhoni&rsquo;s focus remained beyond just the game. In a viral video circulating on social media, the former CSK captain can be seen approaching Dravid after the match, engaging in a warm conversation with the legendary cricketer. According to reports, Dravid had sustained a minor injury, and Dhoni took the time to check on his well-being, a gesture that resonated deeply with fans.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tennis/how-much-did-miami-open-2025-winners-earn-full-breakdown-inside-8908825">How much did Miami Open 2025 winners earn? Full breakdown inside</a>
What made the moment even more special was Dhoni&rsquo;s insistence that CSK&rsquo;s young players take the opportunity to greet Dravid. Known for nurturing young talent and instilling the right values in his teammates, Dhoni encouraged the next generation of cricketers to show respect and acknowledge the greatness of the former Indian captain.
<h2>Watch the viral video here:</h2>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
People who know me know how big a fan I am of Dravid &amp; Dhoni. Watching them together on the field was a dream come true ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/QCXsPwwjUR">pic.twitter.com/QCXsPwwjUR</a>
&mdash; .... (@Mrsolivegreen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mrsolivegreen/status/1906575373179228338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2025</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The emotional exchange between the two icons quickly went viral, with fans and cricketing experts hailing Dhoni&rsquo;s humility and respect for the game. Social media platforms were flooded with reactions, with many calling it a 'golden moment' in IPL history. 'Legends respecting legends &ndash; this is what cricket is all about', wrote one fan, while another commented, 'This is why Dhoni is loved across generations!'
Coming to the match, CSK opted to bowl first after winning the toss. After Jaiswal was dismissed early, Nitish Rana and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/sanju-samson">Sanju Samson</a> stitched a 82-run partnership. Later on, skipper Riyan Parag (37 in 28 balls) held one end steady, but he kept running out of partners. In the end, RR was restricted to 182/9 in their 20 overs.
During the run-chase, CSK lost <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/rachin-ravindra">Rachin Ravindra</a> early for a duck. Following that came a 46-run partnership between Rahul Tripathi and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. Gaikwad put up a strong fight (63 in 44 balls) but his wicket changed the game for CSK, leaving them out at 129/5 in 15.5 overs. MS Dhoni (16 in 10 balls), Ravindra Jadeja (32* in 22 balls) and Jamie Overton (11* in 4 balls) tried their best, but CSK fell six runs short at 176/6 in their 20 overs.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: In a video circulating on social media,  ex-CSK captain can be seen meeting Dravid after the match, also encouraging other young players to meet him

In a beautiful display of sportsmanship, former CSK captain MS Dhoni shared a heartwarming moment with Rajasthan Royals coach Rahul Dravid after Chennai Super Kings’ match in the ongoing IPL 2025. Despite CSK suffering a second consecutive defeat in the tournament, Dhoni’s focus remained beyond just the game. In a viral video circulating on social media, the former CSK captain can be seen approaching Dravid after the match, engaging in a warm conversation with the legendary cricketer. According to reports, Dravid had sustained a minor injury, and Dhoni took the time to check on his well-being, a gesture that resonated deeply with fans. Also Read: How much did Miami Open 2025 winners earn? Full breakdown inside What made the moment even more special was Dhoni’s insistence that CSK’s young players take the opportunity to greet Dravid. Known for nurturing young talent and instilling the right values in his teammates, Dhoni encouraged the next generation of cricketers to show respect and acknowledge the greatness of the former Indian captain. Watch the viral video here: People who know me know how big a fan I am of Dravid & Dhoni. Watching them together on the field was a dream come true ❤️ pic.twitter.com/QCXsPwwjUR — .... (@Mrsolivegreen) March 31, 2025 The emotional exchange between the two icons quickly went viral, with fans and cricketing experts hailing Dhoni’s humility and respect for the game. Social media platforms were flooded with reactions, with many calling it a 'golden moment' in IPL history. 'Legends respecting legends – this is what cricket is all about', wrote one fan, while another commented, 'This is why Dhoni is loved across generations!' Coming to the match, CSK opted to bowl first after winning the toss. After Jaiswal was dismissed early, Nitish Rana and Sanju Samson stitched a 82-run partnership. Later on, skipper Riyan Parag (37 in 28 balls) held one end steady, but he kept running out of partners. In the end, RR was restricted to 182/9 in their 20 overs. During the run-chase, CSK lost Rachin Ravindra early for a duck. Following that came a 46-run partnership between Rahul Tripathi and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. Gaikwad put up a strong fight (63 in 44 balls) but his wicket changed the game for CSK, leaving them out at 129/5 in 15.5 overs. MS Dhoni (16 in 10 balls), Ravindra Jadeja (32* in 22 balls) and Jamie Overton (11* in 4 balls) tried their best, but CSK fell six runs short at 176/6 in their 20 overs. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: MS Dhoni’s heartwarming gesture towards Rahul Dravid after match wins the internet-WATCH

Rajasthan Royals' star leg-spinner <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/wanindu-hasaranga">Wanindu Hasaranga</a> drew inspiration from South Indian cinema as he unleashed a &lsquo;Pushpa&rsquo;-style celebration during his match-winning spell against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/chennai-super-kings">Chennai Super Kings</a> in the ongoing IPL 2025.
The Sri Lankan spinner played a pivotal role in RR&rsquo;s thrilling six-run victory, bagging four crucial wickets in an action-packed Sunday clash. Each time he struck after conceding a six, Hasaranga responded with a cinematic flourish, pulling off Allu Arjun's iconic 'Pushpa' gesture.
"I love to watch Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil films, and I got that from the Pushpa film," Hasaranga revealed after the match.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-ms-dhoni-fails-in-run-chase-as-rajasthan-royals-pile-misery-on-struggling-csk-8908015">IPL 2025: MS Dhoni fails in run chase as Rajasthan Royals pile misery on struggling CSK</a>
His four-wicket haul (4/35) dismantled CSK&rsquo;s batting order, including the prized scalp of Ruturaj Gaikwad, who threatened to take the game away with a blazing 63. Hasaranga named Gaikwad's dismissal as his favorite, crediting a brilliant catch by Riyan Parag.
<h2>'We have good bowling attack'</h2>
"(On the wicket he enjoyed the most) <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ruturaj-gaikwad">Ruturaj Gaikwad</a> because he's a really good player, he batted really well, end of the innings I got him out. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/riyan-parag">Riyan Parag</a> took a brilliant catch, and Shimron Hetmyer was also gun in the field," he said.
Rajasthan Royals&rsquo; bowlers held their nerve to defend 182, bouncing back strongly after two tough outings. Hasaranga highlighted the crucial role he and fellow spinner Maheesh Theekshana play in RR&rsquo;s attack.
"We have a really good bowling attack, especially in the middle overs. Myself and Maheesh have different roles, sometimes with the old ball and sometimes in the middle," he said.
Rajasthan Royals made CSK tilt at the windmills throughout their 182-run defence. CSK's top stars came in and played a couple of shots but eventually perished and surrendered to a six-run loss.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: The Sri Lankan spinner played a pivotal role in RR’s thrilling six-run victory, bagging four crucial wickets in an action-packed Sunday clash

Rajasthan Royals' star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga drew inspiration from South Indian cinema as he unleashed a ‘Pushpa’-style celebration during his match-winning spell against Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing IPL 2025. The Sri Lankan spinner played a pivotal role in RR’s thrilling six-run victory, bagging four crucial wickets in an action-packed Sunday clash. Each time he struck after conceding a six, Hasaranga responded with a cinematic flourish, pulling off Allu Arjun's iconic 'Pushpa' gesture. "I love to watch Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil films, and I got that from the Pushpa film," Hasaranga revealed after the match. Also Read: IPL 2025: MS Dhoni fails in run chase as Rajasthan Royals pile misery on struggling CSK His four-wicket haul (4/35) dismantled CSK’s batting order, including the prized scalp of Ruturaj Gaikwad, who threatened to take the game away with a blazing 63. Hasaranga named Gaikwad's dismissal as his favorite, crediting a brilliant catch by Riyan Parag. 'We have good bowling attack' "(On the wicket he enjoyed the most) Ruturaj Gaikwad because he's a really good player, he batted really well, end of the innings I got him out. Riyan Parag took a brilliant catch, and Shimron Hetmyer was also gun in the field," he said. Rajasthan Royals’ bowlers held their nerve to defend 182, bouncing back strongly after two tough outings. Hasaranga highlighted the crucial role he and fellow spinner Maheesh Theekshana play in RR’s attack. "We have a really good bowling attack, especially in the middle overs. Myself and Maheesh have different roles, sometimes with the old ball and sometimes in the middle," he said. Rajasthan Royals made CSK tilt at the windmills throughout their 182-run defence. CSK's top stars came in and played a couple of shots but eventually perished and surrendered to a six-run loss. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: Hasaranga's 'iconic' celebration steals the show against CSK. Deets inside

In a rare moment on a cricket field, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ms-dhoni" rel="dofollow">MS Dhoni</a>, 43, failed to pull off a run chase for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/chennai-super-kings-csk" rel="dofollow">Chennai Super Kings (CSK)</a> as hosts <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/rajasthan-royals" rel="dofollow">Rajasthan Royals</a> inflicted a six-run defeat on the former champions in Guwahati in IPL 2025. Unlike how late he came out to bat in the previous game when the match was already over for CSK, Dhoni walked out to bat in the 16th over this time. Though he managed a four and a six in his brief stay at the crease, MS Dhoni failed to help his team cross the winning line.
CSK won the toss and elected to field first, making a few changes to their side. Though they dismissed returning Yashasvi Jaiswal inside the first over on just four, the CSK bowlers failed to gain more out of it; the batting pair of Nitish Rana and gloveman Sanju Samson added 82 for the second wicket before Noor Ahmed provided the much-needed breakthrough.
However, Nitish had done the damage by then. Batting on 81, having already smoked Ravichandran Ashwin for plenty of boundaries, the left-handed came down the track, only for Ashwin to outwit him and bowl outside the off, with Dhoni collecting it and affecting the stumping.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-coach-chandrakant-pandit-backs-ajinkya-rahane-over-eden-gardens-pitch-controversy-bats-for-favourable-home-conditions-kkr-vs-mi-8907831" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025: KKR coach backs Rahane over &lsquo;Eden Gardens pitch controversy&rsquo;, bats for &lsquo;favourable home conditions&rsquo;</a>
RR captain Riyan Parag enjoyed his brief stint at his home ground, scoring 37, including two sixes and as many fours. His dismissal triggered a late collapse for the home side, which lost the next three wickets for three runs, ending 20 overs with 182 for nine.
<h2>Pace ate CSK&rsquo;s momentum</h2>
Chennai lost their man-in-form Rachin Ravindra inside the first over, with RR&rsquo;s overseas seamer Jofra Archer accounting for his dismissal.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m8vywxzt-9t5fltal-2npu05ju">
BIG WICKET EARLY! 🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JofraArcher?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JofraArcher</a> makes an instant impact, removing <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CSK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CSK</a>&rsquo;s key man <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RachinRavindra?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RachinRavindra</a> in the very first over! 👀 Watch the LIVE action ➡ <a href="https://t.co/nlNC9EgmIb">https://t.co/nlNC9EgmIb</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPLonJioStar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPLonJioStar</a> 👉 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RRvCSK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RRvCSK</a> | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 2, Star Sports&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/NIIHegJFXe">pic.twitter.com/NIIHegJFXe</a>
&mdash; Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/StarSportsIndia/status/1906380386135167408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2025</a></blockquote>
His sheer pace kept the Indian duo of skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and struggling Rahul Tripathi silent during the Powerplay before they opened their arms and went for runs.
That formula failed massively as Tripathi and Shivam Dube departed quickly, with Wanindu Hasaranga removing both; Parag&rsquo;s one-handed blinder to dismiss Dube was an impressive sight.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m8vyvjj2-pvj4t76r-4yqlr1li">
Captain Riyan Parag replies with a fantastic catch 🤯<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CSK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CSK</a> lose Shivam Dube in the chase Updates ▶️ <a href="https://t.co/V2QijpWpGO">https://t.co/V2QijpWpGO</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TATAIPL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TATAIPL</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RRvCSK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RRvCSK</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/rajasthanroyals?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rajasthanroyals</a> <a href="https://t.co/fPG0OhNcyg">pic.twitter.com/fPG0OhNcyg</a>
&mdash; IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1906392603215720466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2025</a></blockquote>
The Sri Lanka ace spinner removed Vijay Shankar on nine, leaving Gaikwad with Ravindra Jadeja at the crease.
Though Gaikwad did accelerate the innings with odd fours and a six, Hasaranga had his number, picking four wickets for 35 runs. Gaikwad&rsquo;s dismissal brought MS Dhoni to the crease, with the crowd cheering him massively.&nbsp;
The India and CSK veteran failed to find runs earlier, but (at a time) when he looked set at the crease, the asked run rate rose to around 20 per over, which turned out a bit too much for the ageing chase master.
As a result, he departed on the second ball of the last over, with CSK going down by six runs, losing their second straight match.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m8vyuwbx-snzm3vev-b790pjis">
The situation 🤯 The catch 🫡 The moment 🔝 🎥 Shimron Hetmyer's match-changing catch 🙇&zwj;♂️ Scorecard ▶️ <a href="https://t.co/V2QijpWpGO">https://t.co/V2QijpWpGO</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TATAIPL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TATAIPL</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RRvCSK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RRvCSK</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/rajasthanroyals?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rajasthanroyals</a> <a href="https://t.co/ytuCdERVas">pic.twitter.com/ytuCdERVas</a>
&mdash; IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1906406547871465685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2025</a></blockquote>

Cricket, Sports: Though he managed a four and a six in his brief stay at the crease during the run chase, MS Dhoni failed to help his team cross the winning line.

In a rare moment on a cricket field, MS Dhoni, 43, failed to pull off a run chase for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as hosts Rajasthan Royals inflicted a six-run defeat on the former champions in Guwahati in IPL 2025. Unlike how late he came out to bat in the previous game when the match was already over for CSK, Dhoni walked out to bat in the 16th over this time. Though he managed a four and a six in his brief stay at the crease, MS Dhoni failed to help his team cross the winning line. CSK won the toss and elected to field first, making a few changes to their side. Though they dismissed returning Yashasvi Jaiswal inside the first over on just four, the CSK bowlers failed to gain more out of it; the batting pair of Nitish Rana and gloveman Sanju Samson added 82 for the second wicket before Noor Ahmed provided the much-needed breakthrough. However, Nitish had done the damage by then. Batting on 81, having already smoked Ravichandran Ashwin for plenty of boundaries, the left-handed came down the track, only for Ashwin to outwit him and bowl outside the off, with Dhoni collecting it and affecting the stumping. Also read | IPL 2025: KKR coach backs Rahane over ‘Eden Gardens pitch controversy’, bats for ‘favourable home conditions’ RR captain Riyan Parag enjoyed his brief stint at his home ground, scoring 37, including two sixes and as many fours. His dismissal triggered a late collapse for the home side, which lost the next three wickets for three runs, ending 20 overs with 182 for nine. Pace ate CSK’s momentum Chennai lost their man-in-form Rachin Ravindra inside the first over, with RR’s overseas seamer Jofra Archer accounting for his dismissal. BIG WICKET EARLY! 🔥#JofraArcher makes an instant impact, removing #CSK’s key man #RachinRavindra in the very first over! 👀 Watch the LIVE action ➡ https://t.co/nlNC9EgmIb#IPLonJioStar 👉 #RRvCSK | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 2, Star Sports… pic.twitter.com/NIIHegJFXe — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 30, 2025 His sheer pace kept the Indian duo of skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and struggling Rahul Tripathi silent during the Powerplay before they opened their arms and went for runs. That formula failed massively as Tripathi and Shivam Dube departed quickly, with Wanindu Hasaranga removing both; Parag’s one-handed blinder to dismiss Dube was an impressive sight. Captain Riyan Parag replies with a fantastic catch 🤯#CSK lose Shivam Dube in the chase Updates ▶️ https://t.co/V2QijpWpGO#TATAIPL | #RRvCSK | @rajasthanroyals pic.twitter.com/fPG0OhNcyg — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 30, 2025 The Sri Lanka ace spinner removed Vijay Shankar on nine, leaving Gaikwad with Ravindra Jadeja at the crease. Though Gaikwad did accelerate the innings with odd fours and a six, Hasaranga had his number, picking four wickets for 35 runs. Gaikwad’s dismissal brought MS Dhoni to the crease, with the crowd cheering him massively. The India and CSK veteran failed to find runs earlier, but (at a time) when he looked set at the crease, the asked run rate rose to around 20 per over, which turned out a bit too much for the ageing chase master. As a result, he departed on the second ball of the last over, with CSK going down by six runs, losing their second straight match. The situation 🤯 The catch 🫡 The moment 🔝 🎥 Shimron Hetmyer's match-changing catch 🙇‍♂️ Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/V2QijpWpGO#TATAIPL | #RRvCSK | @rajasthanroyals pic.twitter.com/ytuCdERVas — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 30, 2025

IPL 2025: MS Dhoni fails in run chase as Rajasthan Royals pile misery on struggling CSK

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/kolkata-knight-riders-kkr" rel="dofollow">Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)</a> head coach Chandrakant Pandit has backed team captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ajinkya-rahane" rel="dofollow">Ajinkya Rahane</a> in batting for favourable playing conditions at home in IPL 2025 amid Eden Gardens pitch controversy. Days after Rahane spoke openly about wanting home pitches favouring his bowling attack after earlier reports of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-kkr-pitch-curator-does-u-turn-in-ajinkya-rahane-episode-says-those-who-are-accusing-me-sujan-mukherjee-8898729" rel="dofollow">KKR pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee denying accepting any such request</a> made headlines, team coach Pandit said who wouldn&rsquo;t be happy about that.
KKR has played two matches thus far this season, losing one (against RCB in the tournament opener) and winning the other against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati.&nbsp;
With them playing host to Mumbai Indians (MI) in another marquee match this season on Monday, the KKR coach said he would love to have the pitch (on offer) that benefits his team but agrees he or even the management has no control over preparing it during any stage in the competition.
"Who will not be happy about that? I mean, this is a simple answer," Pandit replied when asked if all IPL teams should be allowed to have a say in conditions for the home matches.&nbsp;
"See, as a coach, as a team management, whatever the surface has been provided to us, we play. The control, of course, that will be under [the] curator. And at this moment, the focus is definitely going to be on the next game tomorrow, which we are playing [against MI]," he added.
<h2>Pandit denies team&rsquo;s role in deciding pitch&rsquo;s nature</h2>
Although several prominent names in the cricket world, including broadcasters Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull, have voiced for teams being right in asking for favourable conditions for their home games in this cash-rich league, the KKR head coach denied his team or franchise&rsquo;s role in deciding everything that happens on the ground.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-who-is-aniket-verma-srh-newest-star-the-rookie-batter-who-loves-hitting-sixes-for-fun-dc-8907671" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025: Who is Aniket Verma, SRH&rsquo;s newest star who loves hitting sixes for fun</a>
&ldquo;No. In charge of everything at the ground&hellip; I don't know. That doesn't mean that they [the franchises] have control of preparing wickets. I mean, ultimately, I don't know what is the system in different states or different grounds, whether the control is with the franchise.&nbsp;
&ldquo;But, at the moment, what I understand is the surface which is given to us, as a team management, as a coach, as a captain, probably we expect something [helpful] to be provided. So, that's all,&rdquo; he continued.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, KKR pitch curator Mukherjee revealed what happened behind the scenes.
"As per the BCCI guidelines, it is clearly mentioned that the pitch and ground preparation for all IPL regular season matches is the responsibility of the chief curator of the host association under the guidance from the BCCI-appointed venue curator, and they will be the sole decision-maker regarding the nomination of practice and match pitches, as is the case for first-class matches in India," Mukherjee said in a chat with RevSportz.&nbsp;
"It is also instructed that the franchises and players shall not have any say in the preparation of the wicket. The BCCI chief curator is available to give any advice that is required, and will also be able to intervene if any issues arise,&rdquo; he continued.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: KKR has played two matches thus far this season, losing one (against RCB in the tournament opener) and winning the other against Rajasthan Royals.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Chandrakant Pandit has backed team captain Ajinkya Rahane in batting for favourable playing conditions at home in IPL 2025 amid Eden Gardens pitch controversy. Days after Rahane spoke openly about wanting home pitches favouring his bowling attack after earlier reports of KKR pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee denying accepting any such request made headlines, team coach Pandit said who wouldn’t be happy about that. KKR has played two matches thus far this season, losing one (against RCB in the tournament opener) and winning the other against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati. With them playing host to Mumbai Indians (MI) in another marquee match this season on Monday, the KKR coach said he would love to have the pitch (on offer) that benefits his team but agrees he or even the management has no control over preparing it during any stage in the competition. "Who will not be happy about that? I mean, this is a simple answer," Pandit replied when asked if all IPL teams should be allowed to have a say in conditions for the home matches. "See, as a coach, as a team management, whatever the surface has been provided to us, we play. The control, of course, that will be under [the] curator. And at this moment, the focus is definitely going to be on the next game tomorrow, which we are playing [against MI]," he added. Pandit denies team’s role in deciding pitch’s nature Although several prominent names in the cricket world, including broadcasters Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull, have voiced for teams being right in asking for favourable conditions for their home games in this cash-rich league, the KKR head coach denied his team or franchise’s role in deciding everything that happens on the ground. Also read | IPL 2025: Who is Aniket Verma, SRH’s newest star who loves hitting sixes for fun “No. In charge of everything at the ground… I don't know. That doesn't mean that they [the franchises] have control of preparing wickets. I mean, ultimately, I don't know what is the system in different states or different grounds, whether the control is with the franchise. “But, at the moment, what I understand is the surface which is given to us, as a team management, as a coach, as a captain, probably we expect something [helpful] to be provided. So, that's all,” he continued. Meanwhile, KKR pitch curator Mukherjee revealed what happened behind the scenes. "As per the BCCI guidelines, it is clearly mentioned that the pitch and ground preparation for all IPL regular season matches is the responsibility of the chief curator of the host association under the guidance from the BCCI-appointed venue curator, and they will be the sole decision-maker regarding the nomination of practice and match pitches, as is the case for first-class matches in India," Mukherjee said in a chat with RevSportz. "It is also instructed that the franchises and players shall not have any say in the preparation of the wicket. The BCCI chief curator is available to give any advice that is required, and will also be able to intervene if any issues arise,” he continued. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: KKR coach backs Rahane over ‘Eden Gardens pitch controversy’, bats for ‘favourable home conditions’

Aniket Verma has turned heads in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ipl-2025" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025</a>, and it&rsquo;s not luck by chance. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/sunrisers-hyderabad-srh" rel="dofollow">SunRisers Hyderabad&rsquo;s (SRH)</a> newest star made bowlers suffer in his three outings this season, with his best coming against the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/delhi-capitals" rel="dofollow">Delhi Capitals</a> in the just-concluded game in Vizag on Sunday. Coming in at a time when the chips were down, Aniket got a lifeline in the sixth over when Abishek Porel dropped him, later making the most of this chance and slamming bowlers to all parts of the ground.
Even during his second IPL game against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at home, Aniket smoked five sixes in his brief stay at the crease, scoring 36 off just 13 balls. However, his best came against Delhi on Saturday, when he hit his maiden IPL fifty (74 off 41 balls). The 23-year-old came out to bat in the third over and departed in the 16th, hitting bowlers for six sixes and five fours.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m8vsp3k4-gb96jpap-qhtresa0">
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐀 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐊𝐄𝐓! 🤯 Stay calm when Aniket is on the field, effortlessly smashing maximums and driving SRH&rsquo;s score forward 🤩 Watch the LIVE action on JioHotstar ➡ <a href="https://t.co/ZP3CFmZvDm">https://t.co/ZP3CFmZvDm</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPLonJioStar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPLonJioStar</a> 👉 DC 🆚 SRH | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 2, Star Sports 2&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/QcxHJovyIO">pic.twitter.com/QcxHJovyIO</a>
&mdash; Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/StarSportsIndia/status/1906310919971627329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2025</a></blockquote>
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-mitchell-starc-picks-five-wicket-haul-as-delhi-capitals-hit-jackpot-against-sunrisers-hyderabad-in-vizag-faf-du-plessis-8907351" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025: Starc picks five-for as Delhi Capitals hit jackpot against SunRisers Hyderabad in Vizag</a>
His clean striking with the bat and commendable foot movement caught everyone&rsquo;s attention, with countless fans wondering where this wonder kid emerged from. His ability to read the game situation and play accordingly earned him praises from all quarters, with last year&rsquo;s runners-up showing a willingness to give this youngster more chances this season.
<h2>Who is Aniket Verma?</h2>
Hailing from Bhopal, Aniket was raised by his uncle Amit Verma following his mother&rsquo;s death at an early age. Born to go places, Aniket picked up a cricket bat quite early in his life (at six), but a tough financial situation meant he would not get formal coaching back in the day.&nbsp;
Although he did not get support from his extended family in wanting to pursue a cricket career, his uncle&rsquo;s fondness for this game, and having watched the fire and desire in Aniket&rsquo;s eyes to make it big, he backed him to chase his dream.&nbsp;
A 10-year-old Aniket joined the Ankur Cricket Academy in Bhopal, where Jyoti Prakash Tyagi, the coach, took him under his wing. With each passing year, the right-handed batter climbed up through age-group cricket, impressing his coaches with massive scores at the inter-division levels.&nbsp;
Soon after, he joined the Faith Cricket Club on the city's outskirts, where he began realising his dream of playing top-flight cricket.&nbsp;
Aniket rose to the limelight with his heroics in the Madhya Pradesh Premier League last season, where he top-scored with 273 runs in six matches, which included a 32-ball hundred and 25 sixes throughout, earning him a trial with the SunRisers Hyderabad ahead of the mega auction late last year, and, when it came around, he left no stone unturned to make it count.
"First in the Powerplay, we were told to score 65 in 6 overs," Aniket said in an exclusive chat with Cricbuzz. "We had to do it in pairs, and if we got out, we'd have to sit out of the simulation. We achieved that easily. In the second scenario, we were told to score 85+ in 8 overs. We got that in 4 overs. They'd asked us to play the entire six overs (in the first scenario), and I made 72-odd in that. In the second one, I scored 64 out of the 85."
Such efforts were, however, enough for the SRH to consider him for the impending season, buying him at his base price of INR 30 Lakh at the auction.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Against DC, Aniket came out to bat in the third over and departed in the 16th, hitting bowlers for six sixes in his 74-run-stay at the crease.

Aniket Verma has turned heads in IPL 2025, and it’s not luck by chance. SunRisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) newest star made bowlers suffer in his three outings this season, with his best coming against the Delhi Capitals in the just-concluded game in Vizag on Sunday. Coming in at a time when the chips were down, Aniket got a lifeline in the sixth over when Abishek Porel dropped him, later making the most of this chance and slamming bowlers to all parts of the ground. Even during his second IPL game against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at home, Aniket smoked five sixes in his brief stay at the crease, scoring 36 off just 13 balls. However, his best came against Delhi on Saturday, when he hit his maiden IPL fifty (74 off 41 balls). The 23-year-old came out to bat in the third over and departed in the 16th, hitting bowlers for six sixes and five fours. 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐀 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐊𝐄𝐓! 🤯 Stay calm when Aniket is on the field, effortlessly smashing maximums and driving SRH’s score forward 🤩 Watch the LIVE action on JioHotstar ➡ https://t.co/ZP3CFmZvDm#IPLonJioStar 👉 DC 🆚 SRH | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 2, Star Sports 2… pic.twitter.com/QcxHJovyIO — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 30, 2025 Also read | IPL 2025: Starc picks five-for as Delhi Capitals hit jackpot against SunRisers Hyderabad in Vizag His clean striking with the bat and commendable foot movement caught everyone’s attention, with countless fans wondering where this wonder kid emerged from. His ability to read the game situation and play accordingly earned him praises from all quarters, with last year’s runners-up showing a willingness to give this youngster more chances this season. Who is Aniket Verma? Hailing from Bhopal, Aniket was raised by his uncle Amit Verma following his mother’s death at an early age. Born to go places, Aniket picked up a cricket bat quite early in his life (at six), but a tough financial situation meant he would not get formal coaching back in the day. Although he did not get support from his extended family in wanting to pursue a cricket career, his uncle’s fondness for this game, and having watched the fire and desire in Aniket’s eyes to make it big, he backed him to chase his dream. A 10-year-old Aniket joined the Ankur Cricket Academy in Bhopal, where Jyoti Prakash Tyagi, the coach, took him under his wing. With each passing year, the right-handed batter climbed up through age-group cricket, impressing his coaches with massive scores at the inter-division levels. Soon after, he joined the Faith Cricket Club on the city's outskirts, where he began realising his dream of playing top-flight cricket. Aniket rose to the limelight with his heroics in the Madhya Pradesh Premier League last season, where he top-scored with 273 runs in six matches, which included a 32-ball hundred and 25 sixes throughout, earning him a trial with the SunRisers Hyderabad ahead of the mega auction late last year, and, when it came around, he left no stone unturned to make it count. "First in the Powerplay, we were told to score 65 in 6 overs," Aniket said in an exclusive chat with Cricbuzz. "We had to do it in pairs, and if we got out, we'd have to sit out of the simulation. We achieved that easily. In the second scenario, we were told to score 85+ in 8 overs. We got that in 4 overs. They'd asked us to play the entire six overs (in the first scenario), and I made 72-odd in that. In the second one, I scored 64 out of the 85." Such efforts were, however, enough for the SRH to consider him for the impending season, buying him at his base price of INR 30 Lakh at the auction. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: Who is Aniket Verma, SRH’s newest star who loves hitting sixes for fun

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mitchell-starc" rel="dofollow">Mitchell Starc</a> was the star of the day for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/delhi-capitals" rel="dofollow">Delhi Capitals (DC)</a>, picking his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 cricket against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/sunrisers-hyderabad-srh" rel="dofollow">SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH)</a> in IPL 2025, as the hosts beat Hyderabad by seven wickets in Vizag on Sunday. While Delhi won its second successive game this season, Hyderabad endured its second straight loss. Delhi&rsquo;s top order contributed heavily in the chase, with the team&rsquo;s vice-captain Faf du Plessis top-scoring with 50 off 27 balls.
Everyone came to the party for Delhi in this crunch clash against the touring Hyderabad side, including KL Rahul, who relinked with the team following his paternity leave.&nbsp;
Hyderabad won the toss and elected to bat first, only to fall flat on their face inside the first six overs. Delhi seamer Starc triggered an early SRH collapse, picking three wickets in his first spell. After Abhishek Sharma&rsquo;s run out in the first over, Starc picked two wickets in his second, removing Ishan Kishan and Nitish Kumar Reddy before getting the big fish in SRH opener Travis Head (22) for the sixth time in his career. With that, SRH&rsquo;s scorecard read 37 for four at one stage.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m8vp4dcl-b5p9aafk-m5ahvk8y">
𝙎𝙪𝙣𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙀𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮 𝙎𝙚𝙩𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 😱 A big breakthrough for Delhi Capitals as Abhishek&rsquo;s error sends him back to the dugout early 🤯 Watch the LIVE action on JioHotstar ➡ <a href="https://t.co/VU1zRx9cWp">https://t.co/VU1zRx9cWp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPLonJioStar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPLonJioStar</a> 👉 SRH vs DC | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 2 &amp; Star Sports&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/KL8QFBb2kA">pic.twitter.com/KL8QFBb2kA</a>
&mdash; Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/StarSportsIndia/status/1906292498701631817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2025</a></blockquote>
Aniket Varma and Heinrich Klaasen saved their sinking ship with a quick-fire 77-run stand for the fifth wicket, only for Kuldeep Yadav to break into their lower order and restrict them under a par total.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-delhi-capitals-mitchell-starc-floors-srh-with-five-for-but-its-his-aussie-teammates-catch-that-stunned-all-watch-jake-fraser-mcgurk-8907196" rel="dofollow">Jake Fraser-McGurk&rsquo;s brilliant catch to dismiss Aniket</a> stunned all in Vizag as DC wrapped up SRH on 163 inside 19 overs.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m8vp53pw-20dx9ur7-wiv248qo">
Jump. Timing. Perfection. 🔝 An excellent catch from Jake Fraser-McGurk at the ropes brings an end to Aniket Verma's fighting knock! 💙 Updates ▶️ <a href="https://t.co/L4vEDKzthJ">https://t.co/L4vEDKzthJ</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TATAIPL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TATAIPL</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DCvSRH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DCvSRH</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/DelhiCapitals?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DelhiCapitals</a> <a href="https://t.co/7b6eekZtRC">pic.twitter.com/7b6eekZtRC</a>
&mdash; IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1906308290772078753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2025</a></blockquote>
<h2>DC batters come good against SRH</h2>
After failing in the side&rsquo;s tournament opener against LSG, Delhi batters came good against Hyderabad, with the top four contributing to the team&rsquo;s success. Fraser and du Plessis stitched an 81-run partnership for the first wicket, with the veteran opener completing his maiden fifty for his new team.&nbsp;
Making his IPL debut, SRH&rsquo;s rookie spinner Zeeshan Ansari broke the stand, dismissing both openers and Rahul later to complete his quota with three wickets for 42 runs.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m8vp5fgq-osdgrz6o-3yqvh4n4">
A Dream Debut ✨ Zeeshan Ansari couldn't have asked for better wickets in his maiden <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TATAIPL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TATAIPL</a> appearance 🧡 Scorecard ▶️ <a href="https://t.co/L4vEDKyVsb">https://t.co/L4vEDKyVsb</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DCvSRH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DCvSRH</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/SunRisers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SunRisers</a> <a href="https://t.co/WHKiLX30Uw">pic.twitter.com/WHKiLX30Uw</a>
&mdash; IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1906335732307824986?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2025</a></blockquote>
Abishek Porel and Tristan Stubbs then completed the formalities as Delhi wrapped up the chase with four overs and seven wickets remaining.&nbsp;
As things stand, Delhi is second on the points table with two wins in as many matches, and Hyderabad is placed seventh with just one win in three contested matches thus far.&nbsp;

Cricket, Sports: Delhi Capitals' top order contributed heavily in the chase in Vizag, with the team’s vice-captain Faf du Plessis top-scoring with 50 off 27 balls.

Mitchell Starc was the star of the day for Delhi Capitals (DC), picking his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 cricket against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2025, as the hosts beat Hyderabad by seven wickets in Vizag on Sunday. While Delhi won its second successive game this season, Hyderabad endured its second straight loss. Delhi’s top order contributed heavily in the chase, with the team’s vice-captain Faf du Plessis top-scoring with 50 off 27 balls. Everyone came to the party for Delhi in this crunch clash against the touring Hyderabad side, including KL Rahul, who relinked with the team following his paternity leave. Hyderabad won the toss and elected to bat first, only to fall flat on their face inside the first six overs. Delhi seamer Starc triggered an early SRH collapse, picking three wickets in his first spell. After Abhishek Sharma’s run out in the first over, Starc picked two wickets in his second, removing Ishan Kishan and Nitish Kumar Reddy before getting the big fish in SRH opener Travis Head (22) for the sixth time in his career. With that, SRH’s scorecard read 37 for four at one stage. 𝙎𝙪𝙣𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙀𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮 𝙎𝙚𝙩𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 😱 A big breakthrough for Delhi Capitals as Abhishek’s error sends him back to the dugout early 🤯 Watch the LIVE action on JioHotstar ➡ https://t.co/VU1zRx9cWp #IPLonJioStar 👉 SRH vs DC | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 2 & Star Sports… pic.twitter.com/KL8QFBb2kA — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 30, 2025 Aniket Varma and Heinrich Klaasen saved their sinking ship with a quick-fire 77-run stand for the fifth wicket, only for Kuldeep Yadav to break into their lower order and restrict them under a par total. Jake Fraser-McGurk’s brilliant catch to dismiss Aniket stunned all in Vizag as DC wrapped up SRH on 163 inside 19 overs. Jump. Timing. Perfection. 🔝 An excellent catch from Jake Fraser-McGurk at the ropes brings an end to Aniket Verma's fighting knock! 💙 Updates ▶️ https://t.co/L4vEDKzthJ#TATAIPL | #DCvSRH | @DelhiCapitals pic.twitter.com/7b6eekZtRC — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 30, 2025 DC batters come good against SRH After failing in the side’s tournament opener against LSG, Delhi batters came good against Hyderabad, with the top four contributing to the team’s success. Fraser and du Plessis stitched an 81-run partnership for the first wicket, with the veteran opener completing his maiden fifty for his new team. Making his IPL debut, SRH’s rookie spinner Zeeshan Ansari broke the stand, dismissing both openers and Rahul later to complete his quota with three wickets for 42 runs. A Dream Debut ✨ Zeeshan Ansari couldn't have asked for better wickets in his maiden #TATAIPL appearance 🧡 Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/L4vEDKyVsb#DCvSRH | @SunRisers pic.twitter.com/WHKiLX30Uw — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 30, 2025 Abishek Porel and Tristan Stubbs then completed the formalities as Delhi wrapped up the chase with four overs and seven wickets remaining. As things stand, Delhi is second on the points table with two wins in as many matches, and Hyderabad is placed seventh with just one win in three contested matches thus far.

IPL 2025: Starc picks five-for as Delhi Capitals hit jackpot against SunRisers Hyderabad in Vizag

India ODI captain and Mumbai Indians veteran <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/rohit-sharma" rel="dofollow">Rohit Sharma</a> is going through a rough phase while looking like a pale shadow of himself, reckons cricketer-turned-broadcaster Sanjay Manjrekar.
After failing in the side&rsquo;s tournament opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he got out on a four-ball duck, Rohit failed against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the next match, getting out inside the first over. Though he hit two good-looking shots for fours on the leg side, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-rohit-sharma-left-stunned-as-mohammed-siraj-sends-him-packing-with-a-beauty-watch-8905616" rel="dofollow">he failed to put bat to the ball to an incoming delivery from Mohammed Siraj</a>, who clean bowled him on eight - his 80th single-digit dismissal in the cash-rich league.&nbsp;
Watching him struggle against the moving ball time and again, Manjrekar feels Rohit is no more the Rohit of four or five years ago, as he has to put in extra yards every time to be among the runs.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-delhi-capitals-mitchell-starc-floors-srh-with-five-for-but-its-his-aussie-teammates-catch-that-stunned-all-watch-jake-fraser-mcgurk-8907196" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025: Starc floors SRH with five-for but it&rsquo;s his Aussie teammate&rsquo;s catch that stunned all &ndash; WATCH</a>
"Rohit Sharma is clearly going through a phase," Manjrekar said on JioStar after MI&rsquo;s second loss of the season. "He's not the Rohit Sharma of, say, three to four years ago. He's at a stage in his career where he has to push himself every morning - train hard and be at his best - because things are slipping away for him. He's still relying on his natural talent and instincts."
Rohit endured a lean patch in international cricket the past season. Since the home season began, he failed to find his touch, scoring just one fifty (52) throughout (against Bangladesh in September). While his lowest came against New Zealand during the home Test series, where India got whitewashed for the first time in history, Rohit&rsquo;s batting slump continued making headlines Down Under, where he scored just 31 runs in five innings.&nbsp;
Despite changing positions, he failed to get going, leading to him sitting out of the fifth and final Test in Sydney, which India lost within three days and conceded the BGT for the first time in a decade.
Though Rohit hit an ODI hundred against England in the lead-up to the first showpiece event of the year, his best came against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final, wherein he scored a match-winning 76.
<h2>Manjrekar digs deep into MI&rsquo;s loopholes</h2>
Explaining what went wrong for the former five-time winners who lost the second match by 36 runs, Manjrekar said they never looked comfortable in the chase after losing two wickets inside the Powerplay, even comparing it to how GT maximised their momentum in the first innings.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/cricket-australia-confirms-bumper-home-season-with-india-south-africa-white-ball-series-check-full-schedule-8906875" rel="dofollow">Cricket Australia confirms bumper home season with India, South Africa white-ball series, check full schedule</a>
&ldquo;Mumbai Indians didn't look in the race when they lost two wickets for 35 [against GT]. In comparison, Gujarat Titans had around 129 runs for their first two wickets. After that, it seemed like Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav were trying to build a partnership.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The challenge with building a partnership in a chase of over 190 is that the required run rate starts to suffer, and that's exactly what happened. In the end, you have to say that Gujarat Titans batted better - I thought they got maybe 15 to 20 runs over par,&rdquo; Manjrekar explained.
Meanwhile, Mumbai lost both contested games this season, with their next scheduled against the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at home on Monday (Mar 31).&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: After failing against CSK, where Rohit Sharma got out on a four-ball duck, he failed against GT, getting out inside the first over.

India ODI captain and Mumbai Indians veteran Rohit Sharma is going through a rough phase while looking like a pale shadow of himself, reckons cricketer-turned-broadcaster Sanjay Manjrekar. After failing in the side’s tournament opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he got out on a four-ball duck, Rohit failed against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the next match, getting out inside the first over. Though he hit two good-looking shots for fours on the leg side, he failed to put bat to the ball to an incoming delivery from Mohammed Siraj, who clean bowled him on eight - his 80th single-digit dismissal in the cash-rich league. Watching him struggle against the moving ball time and again, Manjrekar feels Rohit is no more the Rohit of four or five years ago, as he has to put in extra yards every time to be among the runs. Also read | IPL 2025: Starc floors SRH with five-for but it’s his Aussie teammate’s catch that stunned all – WATCH "Rohit Sharma is clearly going through a phase," Manjrekar said on JioStar after MI’s second loss of the season. "He's not the Rohit Sharma of, say, three to four years ago. He's at a stage in his career where he has to push himself every morning - train hard and be at his best - because things are slipping away for him. He's still relying on his natural talent and instincts." Rohit endured a lean patch in international cricket the past season. Since the home season began, he failed to find his touch, scoring just one fifty (52) throughout (against Bangladesh in September). While his lowest came against New Zealand during the home Test series, where India got whitewashed for the first time in history, Rohit’s batting slump continued making headlines Down Under, where he scored just 31 runs in five innings. Despite changing positions, he failed to get going, leading to him sitting out of the fifth and final Test in Sydney, which India lost within three days and conceded the BGT for the first time in a decade. Though Rohit hit an ODI hundred against England in the lead-up to the first showpiece event of the year, his best came against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final, wherein he scored a match-winning 76. Manjrekar digs deep into MI’s loopholes Explaining what went wrong for the former five-time winners who lost the second match by 36 runs, Manjrekar said they never looked comfortable in the chase after losing two wickets inside the Powerplay, even comparing it to how GT maximised their momentum in the first innings. Also read | Cricket Australia confirms bumper home season with India, South Africa white-ball series, check full schedule “Mumbai Indians didn't look in the race when they lost two wickets for 35 [against GT]. In comparison, Gujarat Titans had around 129 runs for their first two wickets. After that, it seemed like Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav were trying to build a partnership. “The challenge with building a partnership in a chase of over 190 is that the required run rate starts to suffer, and that's exactly what happened. In the end, you have to say that Gujarat Titans batted better - I thought they got maybe 15 to 20 runs over par,” Manjrekar explained. Meanwhile, Mumbai lost both contested games this season, with their next scheduled against the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at home on Monday (Mar 31). (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: ‘He’s not the Rohit Sharma of…,’ Sanjay Manjrekar comments on MI veteran’s batting lapse

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/delhi-capitals" rel="dofollow">Delhi Capitals (DC)</a> seamer <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mitchell-starc" rel="dofollow">Mitchell Starc</a> picked his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 cricket, flooring the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/sunrisers-hyderabad-srh" rel="dofollow">SunRisers Hyderabad</a>&rsquo;s daunting top order inside the Powerplay on Sunday afternoon in IPL 2025. However, what made headlines was his Aussie teammate Jake Fraser-McGurk&rsquo;s well-timed catch near the boundary line to dismiss dangerous-looking Aniket Verma on 74.
Starc bowled the first over and looked threatening despite leaking runs. Abhishek Sharma's sluggish running broke SRH's momentum, with Starc further denting their chances by picking two wickets upfront.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m8vlz6bg-9z21xcvr-sxme09yk">
𝙎𝙪𝙣𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙀𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮 𝙎𝙚𝙩𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 😱 A big breakthrough for Delhi Capitals as Abhishek&rsquo;s error sends him back to the dugout early 🤯 Watch the LIVE action on JioHotstar ➡ <a href="https://t.co/VU1zRx9cWp">https://t.co/VU1zRx9cWp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPLonJioStar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPLonJioStar</a> 👉 SRH vs DC | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 2 &amp; Star Sports&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/KL8QFBb2kA">pic.twitter.com/KL8QFBb2kA</a>
&mdash; Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/StarSportsIndia/status/1906292498701631817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2025</a></blockquote>
He first removed SRH&rsquo;s gloveman Ishan Kishan, caught in the deep on just two before accounting for Nitish Kumar Reddy on a two-ball duck in his second over.&nbsp;
Despite losing three wickets inside as many overs, SRH opener Travis Head maintained his attacking approach, only for Starc to remove him in his third over of the Powerplay. The touring Hyderabad&rsquo;s scorecard read 37 for four at one stage. Aniket and Heinrich Klaasen added 77 runs for the fifth wicket before Delhi seamer Mohit Sharma broke the stand.&nbsp;
<h2>Jake&rsquo;s jackpot near the boundary</h2>
Spinner Kuldeep Yadav picked three quick wickets, including removing Aniket, caught in the deep on a brilliant 74 off 41 balls, hitting six sixes and five fours. Looking in a fantastic touch since his IPL debut in the last game, wherein he hit five sixes against the LSG, Aniket pulled one straight to the deep mid-wicket, only for Fraser McGurk to perfectly time his jump and grab a screamer.
His wicket squashed any hopes of SRH putting up a fighting first-inning total as Starc completed his five-for in his last over to end SRH&rsquo;s inning on 163 inside 19 overs.&nbsp;
<h3>Watch Video &ndash;</h3>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m8vlwbib-amuvwxby-er76ov31">
Jump. Timing. Perfection. 🔝 An excellent catch from Jake Fraser-McGurk at the ropes brings an end to Aniket Verma's fighting knock! 💙 Updates ▶️ <a href="https://t.co/L4vEDKzthJ">https://t.co/L4vEDKzthJ</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TATAIPL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TATAIPL</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DCvSRH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DCvSRH</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/DelhiCapitals?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DelhiCapitals</a> <a href="https://t.co/7b6eekZtRC">pic.twitter.com/7b6eekZtRC</a>
&mdash; IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1906308290772078753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2025</a></blockquote>
Meanwhile, even in the previous game against the LSG, Starc picked three wickets, including <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-mitchell-starc-breaks-timber-like-no-one-watch-his-double-strike-against-lsg-dc-8886804" rel="dofollow">dismissing Nicholas Pooran clean bowled off a Yorker</a>. He then similarly removed spinner Ravi Bishnoi in his last over, breaking his off and middle stumps in half.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Starc first removed SRH’s gloveman Kishan, caught in the deep on just two before accounting for Nitish Reddy on a two-ball duck in his second over.

Delhi Capitals (DC) seamer Mitchell Starc picked his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 cricket, flooring the SunRisers Hyderabad’s daunting top order inside the Powerplay on Sunday afternoon in IPL 2025. However, what made headlines was his Aussie teammate Jake Fraser-McGurk’s well-timed catch near the boundary line to dismiss dangerous-looking Aniket Verma on 74. Starc bowled the first over and looked threatening despite leaking runs. Abhishek Sharma's sluggish running broke SRH's momentum, with Starc further denting their chances by picking two wickets upfront. 𝙎𝙪𝙣𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙀𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮 𝙎𝙚𝙩𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 😱 A big breakthrough for Delhi Capitals as Abhishek’s error sends him back to the dugout early 🤯 Watch the LIVE action on JioHotstar ➡ https://t.co/VU1zRx9cWp #IPLonJioStar 👉 SRH vs DC | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 2 & Star Sports… pic.twitter.com/KL8QFBb2kA — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 30, 2025 He first removed SRH’s gloveman Ishan Kishan, caught in the deep on just two before accounting for Nitish Kumar Reddy on a two-ball duck in his second over. Despite losing three wickets inside as many overs, SRH opener Travis Head maintained his attacking approach, only for Starc to remove him in his third over of the Powerplay. The touring Hyderabad’s scorecard read 37 for four at one stage. Aniket and Heinrich Klaasen added 77 runs for the fifth wicket before Delhi seamer Mohit Sharma broke the stand. Jake’s jackpot near the boundary Spinner Kuldeep Yadav picked three quick wickets, including removing Aniket, caught in the deep on a brilliant 74 off 41 balls, hitting six sixes and five fours. Looking in a fantastic touch since his IPL debut in the last game, wherein he hit five sixes against the LSG, Aniket pulled one straight to the deep mid-wicket, only for Fraser McGurk to perfectly time his jump and grab a screamer. His wicket squashed any hopes of SRH putting up a fighting first-inning total as Starc completed his five-for in his last over to end SRH’s inning on 163 inside 19 overs. Watch Video – Jump. Timing. Perfection. 🔝 An excellent catch from Jake Fraser-McGurk at the ropes brings an end to Aniket Verma's fighting knock! 💙 Updates ▶️ https://t.co/L4vEDKzthJ#TATAIPL | #DCvSRH | @DelhiCapitals pic.twitter.com/7b6eekZtRC — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 30, 2025 Meanwhile, even in the previous game against the LSG, Starc picked three wickets, including dismissing Nicholas Pooran clean bowled off a Yorker. He then similarly removed spinner Ravi Bishnoi in his last over, breaking his off and middle stumps in half. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: Starc floors SRH with five-for but it’s his Aussie teammate’s catch that stunned all – WATCH

Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee has addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/kolkata-knight-riders">Kolkata Knight Riders</a> (KKR) and their request for a spin-friendly pitch in the ongoing IPL season. Mukherjee has faced criticism from some KKR fans after reportedly denying franchise captain Ajinkya Rahane&rsquo;s request for a track favoring spinners.
The controversy gained momentum after KKR&rsquo;s mystery spinner, Varun Chakravarthy, was taken apart in their opening match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, conceding 43 runs. Following backlash, Mukherjee cited the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/board-of-control-for-cricket-in-india">Board of Control for Cricket in India</a>&rsquo;s (BCCI) guidelines, which clearly state that franchises and players do not have a say in pitch preparation.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-weekly-review-drama-thrills-and-controversy-ipls-opening-week-unpacked-8906369">IPL weekly review | Drama, thrills, and controversy: IPL&rsquo;s opening week unpacked</a>
"As per BCCI guidelines, pitch preparation for IPL matches is solely the responsibility of the host association&rsquo;s chief curator, under the supervision of a BCCI-appointed venue curator," Mukherjee was quoted saying to RevSportz. "Franchises and players have no authority over wicket preparation, and the BCCI chief curator oversees the process to ensure fair play."
Despite staying away from social media, Mukherjee admitted that the criticism hurt him. However, he maintained that he always aims to prepare a balanced pitch offering assistance to batters, pacers, and spinners.
"I do not follow social media, but when I heard what was being said, it did feel bad. I have always focused on preparing a sporting track. If you watch the first match, there was turn available, as seen in Andre Russell&rsquo;s dismissal," he added.
<h2>'If we make rank turners, it could backfire'</h2>
Mukherjee warned that creating a spin-dominant wicket could be a risky move for KKR. "If we make rank turners, it could backfire. Spectators come for a good, entertaining game where there is something for everyone," he explained. However, he assured that spinners would get more assistance in upcoming matches.
Former New Zealand cricketer <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/simon-doull">Simon Doull</a> also weighed in on the debate, suggesting that KKR should consider moving to a different home ground if their requests are not met. Mukherjee responded sharply, saying, "I don&rsquo;t have to worry about what Harsha Bhogle or Simon Doull say. My accountability lies with the BCCI and my association."
The curator also pointed out that KKR&rsquo;s management is well aware of Eden&rsquo;s playing conditions over the past few seasons. He expressed openness to discussing potential adjustments once the team returns from Mumbai. "The KKR management understands the wicket well. Once they return, we can discuss and see what&rsquo;s best," he concluded.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Despite staying away from social media, Mukherjee admitted that criticism hurt him. However, he maintained that he always aims to prepare balanced pitch

Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee has addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and their request for a spin-friendly pitch in the ongoing IPL season. Mukherjee has faced criticism from some KKR fans after reportedly denying franchise captain Ajinkya Rahane’s request for a track favoring spinners. The controversy gained momentum after KKR’s mystery spinner, Varun Chakravarthy, was taken apart in their opening match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, conceding 43 runs. Following backlash, Mukherjee cited the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) guidelines, which clearly state that franchises and players do not have a say in pitch preparation. Also Read: IPL weekly review | Drama, thrills, and controversy: IPL’s opening week unpacked "As per BCCI guidelines, pitch preparation for IPL matches is solely the responsibility of the host association’s chief curator, under the supervision of a BCCI-appointed venue curator," Mukherjee was quoted saying to RevSportz. "Franchises and players have no authority over wicket preparation, and the BCCI chief curator oversees the process to ensure fair play." Despite staying away from social media, Mukherjee admitted that the criticism hurt him. However, he maintained that he always aims to prepare a balanced pitch offering assistance to batters, pacers, and spinners. "I do not follow social media, but when I heard what was being said, it did feel bad. I have always focused on preparing a sporting track. If you watch the first match, there was turn available, as seen in Andre Russell’s dismissal," he added. 'If we make rank turners, it could backfire' Mukherjee warned that creating a spin-dominant wicket could be a risky move for KKR. "If we make rank turners, it could backfire. Spectators come for a good, entertaining game where there is something for everyone," he explained. However, he assured that spinners would get more assistance in upcoming matches. Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull also weighed in on the debate, suggesting that KKR should consider moving to a different home ground if their requests are not met. Mukherjee responded sharply, saying, "I don’t have to worry about what Harsha Bhogle or Simon Doull say. My accountability lies with the BCCI and my association." The curator also pointed out that KKR’s management is well aware of Eden’s playing conditions over the past few seasons. He expressed openness to discussing potential adjustments once the team returns from Mumbai. "The KKR management understands the wicket well. Once they return, we can discuss and see what’s best," he concluded. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: Eden Gardens curator breaks silence on KKR's pitch request controversy

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/cricket-australia" rel="dofollow">Cricket Australia</a> has confirmed a bumper home summer for the upcoming season with a white-ball series against South Africa and India before staging the home <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ashes-series" rel="dofollow">Ashes</a> in mid-November. Darwin returns as an international venue for the first time in 17 years, hosting two men&rsquo;s T20Is between Australia and the Proteas in August. The Men in Blue will tour Australia for eight white-ball games before the hosts play England in the marquee five-match Test series.
After Australia returns home from its tour of the West Indies, it will first host South Africa for three T20Is and as many ODIs across northern Australia, with Darwin, Cairns, and Mackay staging all games.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-weekly-review-drama-thrills-and-controversy-ipls-opening-week-unpacked-8906369" rel="dofollow">IPL weekly review | Drama, thrills, and controversy: IPL&rsquo;s opening week unpacked</a>
Darwin last staged an international game between Australia and Bangladesh in 2008, and its inclusion means the men&rsquo;s team will play in state and territories in the upcoming season for the first time. Besides, Northern Australia is due to host the two-match Test series against Bangladesh later next year, which was rescheduled from March 2027 due to the 150th anniversary between the Ashes rivals at the MCG.
Meanwhile, India, who conceded the coveted BGT for the first time in a decade during the last away tour, will return Down Under for the white-ball series, including three ODIs and five T20Is. The Men in Blue begins Australia&rsquo;s white-ball leg with the first One-Dayer in Perth on October 19, with Adelaide and Sydney hosting the remaining two matches on 23 and 25, respectively.
The T20I leg begins in Canberra four days later, with the remaining four matches scheduled at the iconic MCG, Hobart, Gold Coast and the Gabba in Brisbane, respectively, on scheduled dates.&nbsp;
However, after the India series and before the home Ashes, the Aussies will travel to New Zealand in October for a short three-match T20I series, the dates of which are yet to be confirmed.&nbsp;
Following hosting the Ashes, which ends in January, all teams will prepare for the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India starting mid-February.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-rohit-sharma-left-stunned-as-mohammed-siraj-sends-him-packing-with-a-beauty-watch-8905616" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025: Rohit Sharma left stunned as Mohammed Siraj sends him packing with a beauty- WATCH</a>
<h2>Australia Men's 2025-26 season full schedule -</h2>
<h3>Against South Africa</h3>
<ul>
<li>August 10: 1st T20I, Darwin (N)</li>
<li>August 12: 2nd T20I, Darwin (N)</li>
<li>August 16: 3rd T20I, Cairns (N)</li>
<li>August 19: 1st ODI, Cairns (D/N)</li>
<li>August 22: 2nd ODI, Mackay (D/N)</li>
<li>August 24: 3rd ODI, Mackay (D/N)</li>
</ul>
<h3>Against India</h3>
<ul>
<li>October 19: 1st ODI, Perth Stadium (D/N)</li>
<li>October 23: 2nd ODI, Adelaide (D/N)</li>
<li>October 25: 3rd ODI, SCG (D/N)</li>
<li>October 29: 1st T20I, Canberra (N)</li>
<li>October 31: 2nd T20I, MCG (N)</li>
<li>November 2: 3rd T20I, Hobart (N)</li>
<li>November 6: 4th T20I, Gold Coast (N)</li>
<li>November 8: 5th T20I, Gabba (N)</li>
</ul>
<h3>Men's Ashes</h3>
<ul>
<li>November 21-25: 1st Test, Perth Stadium</li>
<li>December 4-8: 2nd Test, Gabba (D/N)</li>
<li>December 17-21: 3rd Test, Adelaide</li>
<li>December 26-30: 4th Test, MCG</li>
<li>January 4-8, 5th Test, SCG</li>
</ul>
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Darwin returns as an international venue for the first time in 17 years, hosting two men’s T20Is between Australia and the Proteas in August.

Cricket Australia has confirmed a bumper home summer for the upcoming season with a white-ball series against South Africa and India before staging the home Ashes in mid-November. Darwin returns as an international venue for the first time in 17 years, hosting two men’s T20Is between Australia and the Proteas in August. The Men in Blue will tour Australia for eight white-ball games before the hosts play England in the marquee five-match Test series. After Australia returns home from its tour of the West Indies, it will first host South Africa for three T20Is and as many ODIs across northern Australia, with Darwin, Cairns, and Mackay staging all games. Also read | IPL weekly review | Drama, thrills, and controversy: IPL’s opening week unpacked Darwin last staged an international game between Australia and Bangladesh in 2008, and its inclusion means the men’s team will play in state and territories in the upcoming season for the first time. Besides, Northern Australia is due to host the two-match Test series against Bangladesh later next year, which was rescheduled from March 2027 due to the 150th anniversary between the Ashes rivals at the MCG. Meanwhile, India, who conceded the coveted BGT for the first time in a decade during the last away tour, will return Down Under for the white-ball series, including three ODIs and five T20Is. The Men in Blue begins Australia’s white-ball leg with the first One-Dayer in Perth on October 19, with Adelaide and Sydney hosting the remaining two matches on 23 and 25, respectively. The T20I leg begins in Canberra four days later, with the remaining four matches scheduled at the iconic MCG, Hobart, Gold Coast and the Gabba in Brisbane, respectively, on scheduled dates. However, after the India series and before the home Ashes, the Aussies will travel to New Zealand in October for a short three-match T20I series, the dates of which are yet to be confirmed. Following hosting the Ashes, which ends in January, all teams will prepare for the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India starting mid-February. Also read | IPL 2025: Rohit Sharma left stunned as Mohammed Siraj sends him packing with a beauty- WATCH Australia Men's 2025-26 season full schedule - Against South Africa August 10: 1st T20I, Darwin (N) August 12: 2nd T20I, Darwin (N) August 16: 3rd T20I, Cairns (N) August 19: 1st ODI, Cairns (D/N) August 22: 2nd ODI, Mackay (D/N) August 24: 3rd ODI, Mackay (D/N) Against India October 19: 1st ODI, Perth Stadium (D/N) October 23: 2nd ODI, Adelaide (D/N) October 25: 3rd ODI, SCG (D/N) October 29: 1st T20I, Canberra (N) October 31: 2nd T20I, MCG (N) November 2: 3rd T20I, Hobart (N) November 6: 4th T20I, Gold Coast (N) November 8: 5th T20I, Gabba (N) Men's Ashes November 21-25: 1st Test, Perth Stadium December 4-8: 2nd Test, Gabba (D/N) December 17-21: 3rd Test, Adelaide December 26-30: 4th Test, MCG January 4-8, 5th Test, SCG (With inputs from agencies)

Cricket Australia confirms bumper home season with India, South Africa white-ball series, check full schedule

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The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/indian-premier-league">Indian Premier League</a> never fails to deliver high-octane cricket, and the opening week of IPL 2025 was no exception. From thrilling finishes to unexpected struggles, this season has already given fans plenty to talk about. But while some moments had the cricketing world on its feet, others sparked controversy and debate.&nbsp;
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98173927 BCX0">
The first week saw young stars rising to the occasion, legends facing unexpected setbacks, and bowlers struggling against batting-friendly conditions. Meanwhile, off-field drama, including security breaches and pitch-related controversies, added to the chaos.&nbsp;
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98173927 BCX0">
As WION breaks down the highs, lows, and biggest talking points from the first week, one thing is certain &ndash; the IPL&nbsp;remains the most unpredictable and exciting tournament in the cricketing world!&nbsp;
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98173927 BCX0">
<h2 class="Paragraph SCXW98173927 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraid="1560691300" paraeid="{65ed63fa-fa4c-4ef6-887f-3be62881edbd}{120}">Controversies that rocked opening week&nbsp;</h2>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98173927 BCX0">
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has never been short on drama, and this season&rsquo;s opening week was no different. The biggest controversy revolved around the Eden Gardens pitch curator allegedly copying pitch reports, raising concerns about integrity in pitch preparations. The incident cast a shadow over the thrilling matches played at the iconic venue.&nbsp;
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98173927 BCX0">
Adding to the chaos, security breaches have become a worrying trend. Multiple incidents of fans breaking onto the field to meet their idols have raised serious questions about player safety. While it&rsquo;s always heartwarming to see the passion for cricket, the authorities need to tighten security to prevent potential risks.&nbsp;
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98173927 BCX0">
<h2 class="Paragraph SCXW98173927 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraid="2098070430" paraeid="{64ba799b-116e-4676-b964-e8971c74a956}{48}">The highs: Young blood shining bright&nbsp;</h2>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98173927 BCX0">
While some of the veterans are still finding their groove, fresh talents have set the stage on fire. Vignesh Puthur has announced his arrival with stellar performance,&nbsp;showcasing composure beyond his years. Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ashutosh-sharma">Ashutosh Sharma</a> has proved to be a game-changer with his fearless batting, giving glimpses of a bright future for Indian cricket.&nbsp;
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98173927 BCX0">
These young guns have ensured that the IPL remains a breeding ground for future superstars, reminding everyone why this tournament is the most exciting cricketing spectacle in the world.&nbsp;
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98173927 BCX0">
<h2 class="Paragraph SCXW98173927 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraid="70825537" paraeid="{64ba799b-116e-4676-b964-e8971c74a956}{78}">The lows: Legends struggling&nbsp;</h2>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98173927 BCX0">
Not everything has been rosy in the first week. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mahendra-singh-dhoni" rel="dofollow">MS Dhoni</a>, one of the biggest names in IPL history, coming in to bat at No. 9 raised eyebrows across the cricketing world. Fans have been left wondering if this is a new strategy or a sign of something deeper.&nbsp;
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98173927 BCX0">
Another big name struggling is <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/rohit-sharma">Rohit Sharma</a>. The former Mumbai Indians captain has had a rough start, failing to find his rhythm. With expectations sky-high, the pressure is mounting on the seasoned opener to deliver before it's too late.&nbsp;
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98173927 BCX0">
<h2 class="Paragraph SCXW98173927 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraid="1176419391" paraeid="{64ba799b-116e-4676-b964-e8971c74a956}{108}">Bowlers' nightmare: Too many high-scoring matches?&nbsp;</h2>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98173927 BCX0">
It&rsquo;s no secret that IPL has always been a batter&rsquo;s paradise, but the opening week has left bowlers frustrated. The pitches have been unforgiving, with multiple 200+ totals being chased down with ease. Kagiso Rabada, who plays for Gujarat Titans, expressed his concerns about the imbalance between bat and ball, hinting that the tournament is becoming too batting-friendly.&nbsp;
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98173927 BCX0">
With bowlers feeling the heat, the big question remains &ndash; will we see more balanced pitches in the coming weeks, or is this just the new normal?&nbsp;
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW98173927 BCX0">
<h2 class="Paragraph SCXW98173927 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraid="58036497" paraeid="{64ba799b-116e-4676-b964-e8971c74a956}{138}">What's next?</h2>
With an action-packed week behind us, the tournament promises even more excitement, controversies, and incredible performances. Will the struggling stars bounce back? Will the young guns continue to impress? And most importantly, will the bowlers find some respite?
</div>

Cricket, Sports: The first week saw young stars rising to the occasion, legends facing unexpected setbacks, and bowlers struggling against batting-friendly conditions

The Indian Premier League never fails to deliver high-octane cricket, and the opening week of IPL 2025 was no exception. From thrilling finishes to unexpected struggles, this season has already given fans plenty to talk about. But while some moments had the cricketing world on its feet, others sparked controversy and debate. The first week saw young stars rising to the occasion, legends facing unexpected setbacks, and bowlers struggling against batting-friendly conditions. Meanwhile, off-field drama, including security breaches and pitch-related controversies, added to the chaos. As WION breaks down the highs, lows, and biggest talking points from the first week, one thing is certain – the IPL remains the most unpredictable and exciting tournament in the cricketing world! Controversies that rocked opening week The Indian Premier League (IPL) has never been short on drama, and this season’s opening week was no different. The biggest controversy revolved around the Eden Gardens pitch curator allegedly copying pitch reports, raising concerns about integrity in pitch preparations. The incident cast a shadow over the thrilling matches played at the iconic venue. Adding to the chaos, security breaches have become a worrying trend. Multiple incidents of fans breaking onto the field to meet their idols have raised serious questions about player safety. While it’s always heartwarming to see the passion for cricket, the authorities need to tighten security to prevent potential risks. The highs: Young blood shining bright While some of the veterans are still finding their groove, fresh talents have set the stage on fire. Vignesh Puthur has announced his arrival with stellar performance, showcasing composure beyond his years. Meanwhile, Ashutosh Sharma has proved to be a game-changer with his fearless batting, giving glimpses of a bright future for Indian cricket. These young guns have ensured that the IPL remains a breeding ground for future superstars, reminding everyone why this tournament is the most exciting cricketing spectacle in the world. The lows: Legends struggling Not everything has been rosy in the first week. MS Dhoni, one of the biggest names in IPL history, coming in to bat at No. 9 raised eyebrows across the cricketing world. Fans have been left wondering if this is a new strategy or a sign of something deeper. Another big name struggling is Rohit Sharma. The former Mumbai Indians captain has had a rough start, failing to find his rhythm. With expectations sky-high, the pressure is mounting on the seasoned opener to deliver before it's too late. Bowlers' nightmare: Too many high-scoring matches? It’s no secret that IPL has always been a batter’s paradise, but the opening week has left bowlers frustrated. The pitches have been unforgiving, with multiple 200+ totals being chased down with ease. Kagiso Rabada, who plays for Gujarat Titans, expressed his concerns about the imbalance between bat and ball, hinting that the tournament is becoming too batting-friendly. With bowlers feeling the heat, the big question remains – will we see more balanced pitches in the coming weeks, or is this just the new normal? What's next? With an action-packed week behind us, the tournament promises even more excitement, controversies, and incredible performances. Will the struggling stars bounce back? Will the young guns continue to impress? And most importantly, will the bowlers find some respite?

IPL weekly review | Drama, thrills, and controversy: IPL’s opening week unpacked

India's premier wrist-spinner, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/kuldeep-yadav">Kuldeep Yadav</a>, has credited West Indies veteran <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/sunil-narine">Sunil Narine</a> for teaching him the importance of length in bowling&mdash;an insight that has helped him sharpen his craft over the years.
Kuldeep, who played alongside Narine at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/kolkata-knight-riders">Kolkata Knight Riders</a> for several seasons before moving to Delhi Capitals, recalls how the mystery spinner emphasised bowling the right length.
"As a bowler, you must aim to dominate. Players like Jasprit Bumrah and Sunil Narine have mastered that art. I learned a lot from Narine when I was with KKR. He was ahead of his time, always stressing the importance of length," Kuldeep told the digital broadcasters.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-mumbai-indians-skipper-hardik-pandya-fined-14k-for-slow-over-rate-8906105">IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya fined $14K for slow over rate</a>
"Back then, I believed I could rely solely on my skills, but now I realise he was absolutely right. Since my injury comeback, I've focused a lot on my length, and that has made a significant difference."
Kuldeep, who played a crucial role in Delhi Capitals&rsquo; thrilling one-wicket win against Lucknow Super Giants, where he took 2/20 in Visakhapatnam, acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining an economical spell in the IPL due to the presence of aggressive power hitters.
<h2>'IPL is brutal for bowlers'</h2>
"The IPL is brutal for bowlers. You might pick up wickets, but it's tough to keep an economy rate of just 6 or 7 runs per over. The format is highly competitive with world-class batters," he said.
Now an integral part of Delhi Capitals, Kuldeep has forged a strong bowling partnership with Axar Patel, with whom he shares a long-standing camaraderie.
"Axar and I have played together since our U-17 days. Our understanding is very smooth. I remember during the U-19 World Cup in 2012, we were both in standby. We've been together since then, which speaks volumes about our bond."
"Our bowling partnership is simple&mdash;I attack, and Axar provides control, creating pressure on the batsmen. That pressure often results in wickets, whether for him, for me, or someone else in the team. His control in the middle overs is crucial," he added.
With Kuldeep and Axar leading Delhi&rsquo;s spin attack, the Capitals will be hoping to finally secure their maiden IPL title this season.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Delhi Capitals' Kuldeep Yadav acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining an economical spell in the IPL due to the presence of aggressive power hitters

India's premier wrist-spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, has credited West Indies veteran Sunil Narine for teaching him the importance of length in bowling—an insight that has helped him sharpen his craft over the years. Kuldeep, who played alongside Narine at Kolkata Knight Riders for several seasons before moving to Delhi Capitals, recalls how the mystery spinner emphasised bowling the right length. "As a bowler, you must aim to dominate. Players like Jasprit Bumrah and Sunil Narine have mastered that art. I learned a lot from Narine when I was with KKR. He was ahead of his time, always stressing the importance of length," Kuldeep told the digital broadcasters. Also Read: IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya fined $14K for slow over rate "Back then, I believed I could rely solely on my skills, but now I realise he was absolutely right. Since my injury comeback, I've focused a lot on my length, and that has made a significant difference." Kuldeep, who played a crucial role in Delhi Capitals’ thrilling one-wicket win against Lucknow Super Giants, where he took 2/20 in Visakhapatnam, acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining an economical spell in the IPL due to the presence of aggressive power hitters. 'IPL is brutal for bowlers' "The IPL is brutal for bowlers. You might pick up wickets, but it's tough to keep an economy rate of just 6 or 7 runs per over. The format is highly competitive with world-class batters," he said. Now an integral part of Delhi Capitals, Kuldeep has forged a strong bowling partnership with Axar Patel, with whom he shares a long-standing camaraderie. "Axar and I have played together since our U-17 days. Our understanding is very smooth. I remember during the U-19 World Cup in 2012, we were both in standby. We've been together since then, which speaks volumes about our bond." "Our bowling partnership is simple—I attack, and Axar provides control, creating pressure on the batsmen. That pressure often results in wickets, whether for him, for me, or someone else in the team. His control in the middle overs is crucial," he added. With Kuldeep and Axar leading Delhi’s spin attack, the Capitals will be hoping to finally secure their maiden IPL title this season. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: Kuldeep Yadav credits THIS BOWLER for transforming his bowling approach

Mumbai Indians skipper <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/hardik-pandya">Hardik Pandya</a> has been fined $14,000 for maintaining a slow over rate during their <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/indian-premier-league">IPL</a> 2025 match against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday (March 29).
Mumbai Indians, five-time IPL champions, suffered a 36-run loss to Gujarat Titans on Saturday. The IPL issued a statement confirming the penalty, saying, "Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has been fined after his team maintained a slow over rate during Match No. 9 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad."
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-srhs-spin-bowling-coach-muralitharan-on-breaching-mount-300-two-batters-need-to-fire-8905703">IPL 2025 | SRH's spin bowling coach Muralitharan on breaching Mount 300: &lsquo;Two batters need to fire&rsquo;</a>
Since this was MI's first slow over-rate offence of the season under Article 2.2 of the IPL's Code of Conduct, which deals with minimum over-rate violations, Pandya was handed a $14,000 fine.
<h2 data-start="576" data-end="770">Gavaskar fumes at 'terrible' Mumbai Indians</h2>
Batting first on a black-soil pitch, Gujarat Titans posted 196 runs. MI struggled in response, finishing at 160/6, handing Gujarat their first win of the season. This marked MI&rsquo;s second consecutive defeat, leaving them still searching for their first points in IPL 2025.
Mumbai Indians' bowling unit had a tough outing but managed to restrict GT under 200. However, fielding lapses cost them dearly. One such instance saw an overthrow result in five extra runs. The incident occurred when Sai Sudharsan pulled a delivery from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/deepak-chahar">Deepak Chahar</a>. Fielder Naman Dhir aimed for a run-out at the non-striker&rsquo;s end, but his throw missed the stumps and, with no backup, the ball raced to the boundary.
The blunder left former India cricketer and commentator Sunil Gavaskar unimpressed. Speaking on the incident, he said, "That's absolutely terrible cricket. No wonder Deepak Chahar is not happy. Those five runs go against his name!"
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Since this was MI's first slow over-rate offence of the season under Article 2.2 of the IPL's Code of Conduct, Hardik Pandya was handed a $14,000 fine

Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya has been fined $14,000 for maintaining a slow over rate during their IPL 2025 match against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday (March 29). Mumbai Indians, five-time IPL champions, suffered a 36-run loss to Gujarat Titans on Saturday. The IPL issued a statement confirming the penalty, saying, "Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has been fined after his team maintained a slow over rate during Match No. 9 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad." Also Read: IPL 2025 | SRH's spin bowling coach Muralitharan on breaching Mount 300: ‘Two batters need to fire’ Since this was MI's first slow over-rate offence of the season under Article 2.2 of the IPL's Code of Conduct, which deals with minimum over-rate violations, Pandya was handed a $14,000 fine. Gavaskar fumes at 'terrible' Mumbai Indians Batting first on a black-soil pitch, Gujarat Titans posted 196 runs. MI struggled in response, finishing at 160/6, handing Gujarat their first win of the season. This marked MI’s second consecutive defeat, leaving them still searching for their first points in IPL 2025. Mumbai Indians' bowling unit had a tough outing but managed to restrict GT under 200. However, fielding lapses cost them dearly. One such instance saw an overthrow result in five extra runs. The incident occurred when Sai Sudharsan pulled a delivery from Deepak Chahar. Fielder Naman Dhir aimed for a run-out at the non-striker’s end, but his throw missed the stumps and, with no backup, the ball raced to the boundary. The blunder left former India cricketer and commentator Sunil Gavaskar unimpressed. Speaking on the incident, he said, "That's absolutely terrible cricket. No wonder Deepak Chahar is not happy. Those five runs go against his name!" (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya fined $14K for slow over rate

Ahead of their IPL 2025 clash against Delhi Capitals (DC), <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/sunrisers-hyderabad">Sunrisers Hyderabad</a> (SRH) spin bowling coach <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/muttiah-muralitharan" rel="dofollow">Muttiah Muralitharan</a> believes the elusive 300-run mark in the league can be achieved if two batters deliver standout performances.
After a high-scoring opener against Rajasthan Royals, SRH faced a setback at home against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Now, they take on an Axar Patel-led Delhi Capitals side fresh off a thrilling one-wicket victory over LSG, where <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ashutosh-sharma">Ashutosh Sharma</a>&rsquo;s heroic knock lifted them from 65/5 to successfully chase 210.
Addressing the media ahead of the match, Muralitharan said, &ldquo;The press has made 300 a target, but we nearly got there with 287 against LSG. If two batters fire, we can reach that milestone.&rdquo;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-terrifying-moment-suryakumar-yadav-struck-on-helmet-falls-flat-wife-devishas-concern-goes-viral-watch-8905655">IPL 2025 | Terrifying moment: Suryakumar Yadav struck on helmet, falls flat; wife Devisha&rsquo;s concern goes viral-WATCH</a>
Reflecting on SRH&rsquo;s loss to Lucknow Super Giants, where Nicholas Pooran&rsquo;s blistering 70 off 25 balls turned the game, Muralitharan praised the knock but remained optimistic about SRH&rsquo;s comeback.
"Winning and losing is part of the game. We were a bit unlucky, and Pooran played one of his best innings. But the team is confident, and we will bounce back," he signed off.
<h2>Squads:</h2>
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wicketkeeper), Aniket Verma, Abhinav Manohar, Pat Cummins (captain), Harshal Patel, Mohammed Shami, Simarjeet Singh, Adam Zampa, Sachin Baby, Jaydev Unadkat, Zeeshan Ansari, Wiaan Mulder, Kamindu Mendis, Rahul Chahar, Atharva Taide, Eshan Malinga.
Delhi Capitals: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Faf du Plessis, Abishek Porel (wicketkeeper), Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Karun Nair, Donovan Ferreira, Tripurana Vijay, Darshan Nalkande, Dushmantha Chameera, KL Rahul, T Natarajan, Ajay Jadav Mandal, Manvanth Kumar L, Madhav Tiwari.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: In their first game, SRH put up a staggering total of 286/6—just one shy of the highest-ever IPL score—thanks to a maiden IPL century from Ishan Kishan

Ahead of their IPL 2025 clash against Delhi Capitals (DC), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) spin bowling coach Muttiah Muralitharan believes the elusive 300-run mark in the league can be achieved if two batters deliver standout performances. After a high-scoring opener against Rajasthan Royals, SRH faced a setback at home against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Now, they take on an Axar Patel-led Delhi Capitals side fresh off a thrilling one-wicket victory over LSG, where Ashutosh Sharma’s heroic knock lifted them from 65/5 to successfully chase 210. Addressing the media ahead of the match, Muralitharan said, “The press has made 300 a target, but we nearly got there with 287 against LSG. If two batters fire, we can reach that milestone.” Also Read: IPL 2025 | Terrifying moment: Suryakumar Yadav struck on helmet, falls flat; wife Devisha’s concern goes viral-WATCH Reflecting on SRH’s loss to Lucknow Super Giants, where Nicholas Pooran’s blistering 70 off 25 balls turned the game, Muralitharan praised the knock but remained optimistic about SRH’s comeback. "Winning and losing is part of the game. We were a bit unlucky, and Pooran played one of his best innings. But the team is confident, and we will bounce back," he signed off. Squads: Sunrisers Hyderabad: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wicketkeeper), Aniket Verma, Abhinav Manohar, Pat Cummins (captain), Harshal Patel, Mohammed Shami, Simarjeet Singh, Adam Zampa, Sachin Baby, Jaydev Unadkat, Zeeshan Ansari, Wiaan Mulder, Kamindu Mendis, Rahul Chahar, Atharva Taide, Eshan Malinga. Delhi Capitals: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Faf du Plessis, Abishek Porel (wicketkeeper), Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Karun Nair, Donovan Ferreira, Tripurana Vijay, Darshan Nalkande, Dushmantha Chameera, KL Rahul, T Natarajan, Ajay Jadav Mandal, Manvanth Kumar L, Madhav Tiwari. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025 | SRH's spin bowling coach Muralitharan on breaching Mount 300: ‘Two batters need to fire’

Mumbai Indians&rsquo; star batter <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/suryakumar-yadav">Suryakumar Yadav</a> had a terrifying moment during an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/indian-premier-league">IPL</a> 2025 match against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/gujarat-titans">Gujarat Titans</a> when he was struck on the helmet by a rising delivery. The impact was so severe that he immediately fell flat on the ground, leaving players and fans in shock.
The incident occurred when Suryakumar attempted to play a short-pitched ball but misjudged its trajectory. The ball struck him hard on the helmet, causing him to collapse. The stadium fell silent as medical personnel rushed onto the field to assess his condition. Fortunately, after initial treatment, he was able to get back on his feet, though he looked visibly shaken.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-rohit-sharma-left-stunned-as-mohammed-siraj-sends-him-packing-with-a-beauty-watch-8905616">IPL 2025: Rohit Sharma left stunned as Mohammed Siraj sends him packing with a beauty- WATCH</a>
Cameras captured his wife, Devisha Shetty, in the stands, looking extremely anxious. Her worried expression quickly went viral on social media, with fans expressing their concern for the MI batter. Many took to social media to wish him a speedy recovery, while some praised his resilience.
<h2 data-start="817" data-end="1108">Watch the video here:</h2>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
On field / On Road "𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐒" save lives..‼️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SafetyFirst?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SafetyFirst</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadSafety?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadSafety</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPL2025?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPL2025</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MIvsGT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MIvsGT</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SuryakumarYadav?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SuryakumarYadav</a> <a href="https://t.co/ApYuJQyx4X">pic.twitter.com/ApYuJQyx4X</a>
&mdash; HUBBALLI DHARWAD CITY POLICE (@compolhdc) <a href="https://twitter.com/compolhdc/status/1906046139679596974?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2025</a></blockquote>

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Despite the scary moment, Suryakumar showed great determination and continued his innings after passing the concussion test.
Coming to the match, MI won the toss and opted to bowl first. GT openers Shubman Gill (38 in 27 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and Sai Sudarshan put the team to a fine start with a 78-run stand. Another half-century stand came between Sudarshan and Jos Buttler (39 in 24 balls). Sudarshan played a solid knock of 63 in 41 balls. From 179/4, GT suffered a mini-collapse towards the end as they were restricted to 196/8 in 20 overs.
In the run chase of 197 runs, MI lost Rohit Sharma (8) and Ryan Rickelton early. However, Tilak Varma (39 in 36 balls) and Suryakumar Yadav (48 in 28 balls) tried fighting it out for MI with a 62-run stand. Following their dismissal, MI lost their way and were restricted to 160/6 in 20 overs.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: The incident occurred when SKY attempted to play a short-pitched ball but misjudged its trajectory. The ball struck him on helmet, causing him to fall

Mumbai Indians’ star batter Suryakumar Yadav had a terrifying moment during an IPL 2025 match against Gujarat Titans when he was struck on the helmet by a rising delivery. The impact was so severe that he immediately fell flat on the ground, leaving players and fans in shock. The incident occurred when Suryakumar attempted to play a short-pitched ball but misjudged its trajectory. The ball struck him hard on the helmet, causing him to collapse. The stadium fell silent as medical personnel rushed onto the field to assess his condition. Fortunately, after initial treatment, he was able to get back on his feet, though he looked visibly shaken. Also Read: IPL 2025: Rohit Sharma left stunned as Mohammed Siraj sends him packing with a beauty- WATCH Cameras captured his wife, Devisha Shetty, in the stands, looking extremely anxious. Her worried expression quickly went viral on social media, with fans expressing their concern for the MI batter. Many took to social media to wish him a speedy recovery, while some praised his resilience. Watch the video here: On field / On Road "𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐒" save lives..‼️#SafetyFirst #RoadSafety #Cricket #IPL #IPL2025 #MIvsGT #SuryakumarYadav pic.twitter.com/ApYuJQyx4X — HUBBALLI DHARWAD CITY POLICE (@compolhdc) March 29, 2025 Despite the scary moment, Suryakumar showed great determination and continued his innings after passing the concussion test. Coming to the match, MI won the toss and opted to bowl first. GT openers Shubman Gill (38 in 27 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and Sai Sudarshan put the team to a fine start with a 78-run stand. Another half-century stand came between Sudarshan and Jos Buttler (39 in 24 balls). Sudarshan played a solid knock of 63 in 41 balls. From 179/4, GT suffered a mini-collapse towards the end as they were restricted to 196/8 in 20 overs. In the run chase of 197 runs, MI lost Rohit Sharma (8) and Ryan Rickelton early. However, Tilak Varma (39 in 36 balls) and Suryakumar Yadav (48 in 28 balls) tried fighting it out for MI with a 62-run stand. Following their dismissal, MI lost their way and were restricted to 160/6 in 20 overs. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025 |  Terrifying moment: Suryakumar Yadav struck on helmet, falls flat; wife Devisha’s concern goes viral-WATCH

Gujarat Titans' pace sensation <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mohammed-siraj">Mohammed Siraj</a> delivered a breathtaking performance against Mumbai Indians in the 9th match of IPL 2025 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The right-arm pacer made an immediate impact, striking in his very first over with a stunning in-swinging delivery that sent MI opener <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/rohit-sharma">Rohit Sharma</a>&rsquo;s stumps flying. The delivery was so precise and unplayable that even Rohit was left in disbelief.
Siraj began the over with a dot ball before Rohit responded with back-to-back boundaries. However, the pacer quickly turned the tables, dismissing the MI veteran in spectacular fashion.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-gujarat-titans-skipper-shubman-gill-reveals-strategy-behind-black-soil-pitch-after-win-over-mi-8905589">IPL 2025: Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill reveals strategy behind 'black soil pitch' after win over MI</a>
Rohit has endured a rough start to IPL 2025, having been dismissed for a duck in the opening game and now registering another low score against GT.
Despite his recent struggles, Rohit remains a stalwart of Mumbai Indians. Reflecting on his 15-year journey with the franchise, the former MI captain spoke about the evolution of the team and his role within it. Though his batting position and leadership status have changed, his mindset and dedication to MI&rsquo;s success remain unchanged.
<h2>Watch the video here:</h2>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
4, 4, 𝐖 💥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MohammedSiraj?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MohammedSiraj</a> dismissed <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RohitSharma?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RohitSharma</a> for the first time in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/T20s?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#T20s</a> &amp; what a way to do it! Watch the LIVE action ➡ <a href="https://t.co/VU1zRx9cWp">https://t.co/VU1zRx9cWp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPLonJioStar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPLonJioStar</a> 👉 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GTvMI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GTvMI</a> | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, &amp; JioHotstar! <a href="https://t.co/x2mnv2YWUI">pic.twitter.com/x2mnv2YWUI</a>
&mdash; Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/StarSportsIndia/status/1906019859361927331?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2025</a></blockquote>

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"Things have obviously changed&mdash;earlier I batted in the middle order, now I open. I was the captain, and now I am not. Some of my former teammates are now in coaching roles. But my mindset remains the same," Rohit shared in a video posted by Mumbai Indians on their X handle.
He reaffirmed his commitment to MI&rsquo;s winning culture, saying, "What I want to do for this team has not changed&mdash;it's about winning games and trophies. MI has a legacy of turning impossible situations into victories, and that remains our identity."
Rohit also spoke fondly of MI&rsquo;s consistency over the years, from the welcoming atmosphere to the unchanged traditions. "From the moment you arrive, everything is the same&mdash;your kit, your jersey, and the warmth of the people. That&rsquo;s something special about <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mumbai-indians">Mumbai Indians</a>, and it should never change."
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Siraj made an immediate impact, striking in his very first over with a stunning in-swinging delivery that sent MI opener Rohit Sharma’s stumps flying

Gujarat Titans' pace sensation Mohammed Siraj delivered a breathtaking performance against Mumbai Indians in the 9th match of IPL 2025 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The right-arm pacer made an immediate impact, striking in his very first over with a stunning in-swinging delivery that sent MI opener Rohit Sharma’s stumps flying. The delivery was so precise and unplayable that even Rohit was left in disbelief. Siraj began the over with a dot ball before Rohit responded with back-to-back boundaries. However, the pacer quickly turned the tables, dismissing the MI veteran in spectacular fashion. Also Read: IPL 2025: Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill reveals strategy behind 'black soil pitch' after win over MI Rohit has endured a rough start to IPL 2025, having been dismissed for a duck in the opening game and now registering another low score against GT. Despite his recent struggles, Rohit remains a stalwart of Mumbai Indians. Reflecting on his 15-year journey with the franchise, the former MI captain spoke about the evolution of the team and his role within it. Though his batting position and leadership status have changed, his mindset and dedication to MI’s success remain unchanged. Watch the video here: 4, 4, 𝐖 💥#MohammedSiraj dismissed #RohitSharma for the first time in #T20s & what a way to do it! Watch the LIVE action ➡ https://t.co/VU1zRx9cWp #IPLonJioStar 👉 #GTvMI | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, & JioHotstar! pic.twitter.com/x2mnv2YWUI — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 29, 2025 "Things have obviously changed—earlier I batted in the middle order, now I open. I was the captain, and now I am not. Some of my former teammates are now in coaching roles. But my mindset remains the same," Rohit shared in a video posted by Mumbai Indians on their X handle. He reaffirmed his commitment to MI’s winning culture, saying, "What I want to do for this team has not changed—it's about winning games and trophies. MI has a legacy of turning impossible situations into victories, and that remains our identity." Rohit also spoke fondly of MI’s consistency over the years, from the welcoming atmosphere to the unchanged traditions. "From the moment you arrive, everything is the same—your kit, your jersey, and the warmth of the people. That’s something special about Mumbai Indians, and it should never change." (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: Rohit Sharma left stunned as Mohammed Siraj sends him packing with a beauty- WATCH

Following Gujarat Titans' (GT) victory over Mumbai Indians (MI), skipper <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/shubhman-gill">Shubman Gill</a> shared insights into his team's decision to play on a black soil pitch. He explained that batting second on such surfaces becomes challenging once the ball gets old, making it harder for batters to clear boundaries.
GT clinched a 36-run win at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, with standout performances from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/prasidh-krishna">Prasidh Krishna</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mohammed-siraj">Mohammed Siraj</a> in the bowling department, while Sai Sudharsan contributed a crucial half-century. With this win, GT added two points to their tally and continued their perfect record of 4-0 against MI at Ahmedabad, improving their overall head-to-head to 4-2.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-updated-points-table-indian-premier-league-rankings-standings-net-run-rate-8888780">'Updated IPL 2025 Points Table': Check points table, match results, NRR with wins, loss and other key details</a>
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Gill said, "The decision to play on black soil was made before the first match. This wicket suits us well. Once the ball gets old, clearing boundaries becomes tough, so we aimed to maximise the powerplay. Plans don&rsquo;t always go as expected, but today they worked in our favor. I kept Rashid (Khan) for the end, but since the pacers were doing well, I decided to stick with them. Prasidh was bowling exceptionally, so we capitalised on that momentum."
<h2 data-start="1234" data-end="1726">Sai Sudarshan shines for Guajrat</h2>
Coming to the match, MI won the toss and opted to bowl first. GT openers Shubman Gill (38 in 27 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and Sai Sudarshan put the team to a fine start with a 78-run stand. Another half-century stand came between Sudarshan and Jos Buttler (39 in 24 balls, with five fours and a six). Sudarshan played a solid knock of 63 in 41 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes. From 179/4, GT suffered a mini-collapse towards the end as they were restricted to 196/8 in 20 overs.
Skipper <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/hardik-pandya">Hardik Pandya</a> (2/29) was the pick of the bowlers for MI, while Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, Mujeeb ur Rahman and Satyanarayana Raju each took a wicket.
In the run chase of 197 runs, MI lost Rohit Sharma (8) and Ryan Rickelton early. However, Tilak Varma (39 in 36 balls, with three fours and a six) and Suryakumar Yadav (48 in 28 balls, with a four and four sixes) tried fighting it out for MI with a 62-run stand. Following their dismissal, MI lost their way and were restricted to 160/6 in 20 overs.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Shubman explained that batting second on such surfaces becomes challenging once the ball gets old, making it harder for batters to clear boundaries

Following Gujarat Titans' (GT) victory over Mumbai Indians (MI), skipper Shubman Gill shared insights into his team's decision to play on a black soil pitch. He explained that batting second on such surfaces becomes challenging once the ball gets old, making it harder for batters to clear boundaries. GT clinched a 36-run win at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, with standout performances from Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj in the bowling department, while Sai Sudharsan contributed a crucial half-century. With this win, GT added two points to their tally and continued their perfect record of 4-0 against MI at Ahmedabad, improving their overall head-to-head to 4-2. Also Read: 'Updated IPL 2025 Points Table': Check points table, match results, NRR with wins, loss and other key details Speaking at the post-match presentation, Gill said, "The decision to play on black soil was made before the first match. This wicket suits us well. Once the ball gets old, clearing boundaries becomes tough, so we aimed to maximise the powerplay. Plans don’t always go as expected, but today they worked in our favor. I kept Rashid (Khan) for the end, but since the pacers were doing well, I decided to stick with them. Prasidh was bowling exceptionally, so we capitalised on that momentum." Sai Sudarshan shines for Guajrat Coming to the match, MI won the toss and opted to bowl first. GT openers Shubman Gill (38 in 27 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and Sai Sudarshan put the team to a fine start with a 78-run stand. Another half-century stand came between Sudarshan and Jos Buttler (39 in 24 balls, with five fours and a six). Sudarshan played a solid knock of 63 in 41 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes. From 179/4, GT suffered a mini-collapse towards the end as they were restricted to 196/8 in 20 overs. Skipper Hardik Pandya (2/29) was the pick of the bowlers for MI, while Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, Mujeeb ur Rahman and Satyanarayana Raju each took a wicket. In the run chase of 197 runs, MI lost Rohit Sharma (8) and Ryan Rickelton early. However, Tilak Varma (39 in 36 balls, with three fours and a six) and Suryakumar Yadav (48 in 28 balls, with a four and four sixes) tried fighting it out for MI with a 62-run stand. Following their dismissal, MI lost their way and were restricted to 160/6 in 20 overs. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill reveals strategy behind 'black soil pitch' after win over MI

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Score Updates: Gujarat Titans on Saturday (Mar 29) beat Mumbai Indians to register their second win of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025). Despite Hardik Pandya's return to the side, Mumbai Indians have now lost their opening two matches of the IPL season after their 36-run defeat. Gujarat Titans on the other hand are back to winning ways in the IPL 2025.&nbsp;
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">IPL 2025 GT vs MI Highlights</h2>
Fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna took two wickets each as Gujarat Titans thrashed IPL powerhouse Mumbai Indians by 36 runs for their first win this season on Saturday.
Gujarat rode on Sai Sudharsan's 63 off 41 balls to post 196-8 after being invited to bat first at the world's biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.
Siraj then led the bowling charge to limit the opposition to 160-6 as five-time winners Mumbai went down to their second straight loss in the 18th edition of the T20 tournament.
Siraj removed the Mumbai openers to dent the chase and Krishna hurt the middle-order to return figures of 2-18.
Mumbai's former captain Rohit Sharma started on the front foot with two successive boundaries but Siraj had the last laugh as he bowled the opener for eight on the fourth ball.
Siraj was on fire when he bowled South African wicketkeeper-batsman Ryan Rickelton for six as the left-hander got an inside edge on to his stumps.
Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav attempted to rebuild in a third-wicket stand of 62 until Krishna struck to remove Varma for 39.
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">Follow All IPL 2025 GT vs MI Highlights</h2>

Gujarat Titans on Saturday (Mar 29) beat Mumbai Indians to register their second win of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025). Despite Hardik Pandya's return to the side, Mumbai Indians have now lost their opening two matches of the IPL season after their 36-run defeat. Gujarat Titans on the other hand are back to winning ways in the IPL 2025.&nbsp;

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Updates: GT beat Mumbai by 36 runs

Mumbai Indians are steering down to another defeat in the IPL 2025.
LIVE SCORE: MI 140/6 (18.1) &nbsp;CRR: 7.71 &nbsp;REQ: 31.09
Mumbai Indians need 57 runs in 11 balls
GT 196/8 (20)

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Updates: Mumbai steer to defeat in Ahmedabad

The match has reached a decisive stage as Mumbai need less than 100 to win with Suryakumar Yadav in the middle.&nbsp;
LIVE SCORE: MI 116/4 (14.3) &nbsp;CRR: 8 &nbsp;REQ: 14.73
Mumbai Indians need 81 runs in 33 balls
GT 196/8 (20)

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Updates: Suryakumar Yadav leads Mumbai's charge

Mumbai Indians have lost Tilak Varma as the match hangs in balance in the final phase.&nbsp;
LIVE SCORE: MI 99/3 (12) &nbsp;CRR: 8.25 &nbsp;REQ: 12.25
Mumbai Indians need 98 runs in 48 balls
GT 196/8 (20)
Last Wkt:&nbsp;Tilak Varma c Rahul Tewatia b Prasidh 39(36) - 97/3 in 11.3 ov.

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Updates: Mumbai lose Tilak Varma, need less than 100 to win

After poor start to their innings, Mumbai Indians have made a good recovery and little over 100 runs to win.
LIVE SCORE: MI 80/2 (9) &nbsp;CRR: 8.89 &nbsp;REQ: 10.64
Mumbai Indians need 117 runs in 66 balls
GT 196/8 (20)

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Updates: Mumbai recover after poor start

Mumbai Indians have made a slow start to their innings as Mohammed Siraj continues to impress.&nbsp;
LIVE SCORE: MI 52/2 (6.4) &nbsp;CRR: 7.8 &nbsp;REQ: 10.88
Mumbai Indians need 145 runs in 80 balls
GT 196/8 (20)

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Updates: Mumbai make slow start in run chase

Sai Sudharsan shines for Gujarat Titans as he scores 63 off 41 deliveries to help his side score 196. Mumbai now need to score 197 runs to open their account on the Points Table.&nbsp;
LIVE SCORE: GT 196/8 (20) &nbsp;CRR: 9.80

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Updates: Sai Sudharsan shines for Gujarat, Mumbai need 197 runs to win

Mumbai Indians have made a mini-comeback in the game as Gujarat Titans lose wickets in closing stages of innings.&nbsp;
LIVE SCORE: GT 179/6 (18.2) &nbsp;CRR: 9.76
Last Wkt:&nbsp;Sherfane Rutherford c Santner b Chahar 18(11) - 179/6 in 18.2 ov.

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Updates: Mumbai script mini-comeback as Gujarat near 200

Sai Sudharsan and Shahrukh Khan are in great touch as Gujarat Titans eye a score around 200.
LIVE SCORE: GT 140/2 (15.0) &nbsp;CRR: 9.63

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Updates: Gujarat eye big as Mumbai bowlers face tough time

100 is up for GT as Jos Buttler and Sai Sudharsan continue their onslaught with the bat.&nbsp;
LIVE SCORE: GT 101/1 (11) &nbsp;CRR: 9.04

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Updates: 100 up for Gujarat as batters continue to dominate

Shubman Gill has to deoart as Hardik Pandya has struck against former side at the Narendra Modi Stadium.&nbsp;
LIVE SCORE: GT 79/1 (9) &nbsp;CRR: 8.78
Last Wkt:&nbsp;Shubman Gill c Naman Dhir b Hardik Pandya 38(27) - 78/1 in 8.3 ov.

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Updates: Gill departs as Hardik strikes against GT

It has been some start to the GT innings as Gill-Sudharsan have stitched a 67-run stand for the opening wicket so far in the Powerplay.
LIVE SCORE: GT 67/0 (6) &nbsp;CRR: 11.17

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Updates: Gill-Sudharsan on a roll for GT, score 67 in PP

Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan have got the Gujarat Titans innings underway as they look to make a good start.
LIVE SCORE: GT 14/0 (2) &nbsp;CRR: 7

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Updates: Gill-Sudharsan get Gujarat innings underway

Gujarat Titans (Playing XI): Shubman Gill(c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler(w), Sherfane Rutherford, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Updates: Gujarat Titans Playing XI

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya(c), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Satyanarayana Raju

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Score: Mumbai Indians Playing XI 

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has won the toss on his return to the Narendra Modi Stadium and has decided to bowl first.

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Score: Mumbai win toss, opt to bowl first

This will be the sixth meeting between the sides. Gujarat Titans have the narrow edge with three wins, while Mumbai Indians have won twice. Interestingly, Gujarat has beaten Mumbai in all encounters at the Narendra Modi Stadium.&nbsp;

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Score: What is the head-to-head record?

Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Robin Minz, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Satyanarayana Raju
Impact Player: Vignesh Puthur

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Score: MI Probable Playing XI

Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Arshad Khan, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Impact Player: Ishant Sharma

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Score: GT Probable Playing XI

The live telecast of the GT vs MI IPL match will be available on Star Sports Network (Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2, Star Sports 1 HD).
The GT vs MI IPL match will be available for live streaming on JioHotstar App and website in India.

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Score: Where to watch?

It is a big day in the IPL 2025 as former champions Mumbai Indians travel to Gujarat Titans as both teams search for their first win of the season. You can follow all the live updates here on WION as we'll keep you upto date with all the happenings from the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.&nbsp;

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Score: And we are Live!!

Sports, Cricket, IPL: Gujarat Titans on Saturday (Mar 29) beat Mumbai Indians to register their second win of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025). 

IPL 2025 GT vs MI Live Score Updates: Gujarat Titans on Saturday (Mar 29) beat Mumbai Indians to register their second win of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025). Despite Hardik Pandya's return to the side, Mumbai Indians have now lost their opening two matches of the IPL season after their 36-run defeat. Gujarat Titans on the other hand are back to winning ways in the IPL 2025. IPL 2025 GT vs MI Highlights Fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna took two wickets each as Gujarat Titans thrashed IPL powerhouse Mumbai Indians by 36 runs for their first win this season on Saturday. Gujarat rode on Sai Sudharsan's 63 off 41 balls to post 196-8 after being invited to bat first at the world's biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad. Siraj then led the bowling charge to limit the opposition to 160-6 as five-time winners Mumbai went down to their second straight loss in the 18th edition of the T20 tournament. Siraj removed the Mumbai openers to dent the chase and Krishna hurt the middle-order to return figures of 2-18. Mumbai's former captain Rohit Sharma started on the front foot with two successive boundaries but Siraj had the last laugh as he bowled the opener for eight on the fourth ball. Siraj was on fire when he bowled South African wicketkeeper-batsman Ryan Rickelton for six as the left-hander got an inside edge on to his stumps. Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav attempted to rebuild in a third-wicket stand of 62 until Krishna struck to remove Varma for 39. Follow All IPL 2025 GT vs MI Highlights

IPL 2025 GT vs MI, Highlights: Gujarat Titans beat Mumbai Indians by 36 runs in Ahmedabad

When the only England captain to have won an ODI World Cup throws suggestions into a bowl for the ECB to pick from, they do it. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/eoin-morgan" rel="dofollow">Eoin Morgan</a> thinks the board has two options to choose for England&rsquo;s white-ball captaincy, explaining all will depend on which direction they wish to move forward. Morgan handpicked <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/harry-brook" rel="dofollow">Harry Brook</a> and Ben Stokes as Buttler&rsquo;s replacement as the ODI and T20I captain.
"I think there are a couple of options, and the options are dependent solely on the direction they want to take,&rdquo; Morgan said in a chat with Sky Sports.
"I think it's imperative that you will always have a target in mind. With the recent form the side, particularly in white-ball cricket, has had, you can't go out and all of a sudden try and win absolutely everything. You need to paint a picture moving forward as to what you're driving all of your energy towards,&rdquo; he continued.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-one-year-after-ahmedabad-crowd-booed-hardik-pandya-mi-captain-receives-loudest-cheer-at-toss-gujarat-titans-gt-watch-8904718" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025: One year after Ahmedabad crowd booed Hardik Pandya, MI captain receives loudest cheer at toss &ndash; WATCH</a>
England&rsquo;s ODI cricket rose from the ashes of the 2015 ODI World Cup debacle to winning the next WC four years later at home, and Morgan was at the centre of things. However, after several years of domination in white-ball cricket, their ODI game finds itself in hot waters, with the ECB seeking a perfect leader to pull them out of this mud.
Though local media reported that the ECB was keen on approaching veteran batter Joe Root for the role, his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/joe-root-eyes-india-tests-ashes-but-not-englands-white-ball-captaincy-jos-buttler-8900879" rel="dofollow">outright refusal led to the onus falling on two cricketers</a>. With Brook, the ECB can risk testing his leadership skills, but in a proven leader like Stokes, they can know he can get the job done.&nbsp;
Morgan, however, feels the ECB can find a way to make Stokes, doesn&rsquo;t play white-ball cricket solely to maintain his fitness and prolong his Test career, the &lsquo;flexible white-ball captain.
"I think a bit of a left-field call would be to ask Ben Stokes to consider the role, not necessarily on a full-time basis.
"You would have to create an environment where Ben would slip in and out seamlessly in preparation for big tournaments and then sit on the back burner and focus on Test match cricket until those big tournaments came up,&rdquo; Morgan suggested.
<h2>Why Brook over Stokes?</h2>
Morgan offered another suggestion as to why Brook could answer all questions, saying if the board is looking at three to four years from now, Brook is the right choice.&nbsp;
"If you highlight something that's in three years, four years, somebody like Harry Brook would do a magnificent job," Morgan said. "He had the captaincy at the end of our summer last year against a really strong Australian side and I thought he was impressive.
"We know Harry Brook as this incredibly talented player that we're seeing grow and get better year on year, which is just a joy to watch. But the leadership role didn't seem to weigh on him,&rdquo; he noted.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Morgan thinks ECB has two options to choose for England’s white-ball captaincy, explaining all will depend on which direction they wish to move forward.

When the only England captain to have won an ODI World Cup throws suggestions into a bowl for the ECB to pick from, they do it. Eoin Morgan thinks the board has two options to choose for England’s white-ball captaincy, explaining all will depend on which direction they wish to move forward. Morgan handpicked Harry Brook and Ben Stokes as Buttler’s replacement as the ODI and T20I captain. "I think there are a couple of options, and the options are dependent solely on the direction they want to take,” Morgan said in a chat with Sky Sports. "I think it's imperative that you will always have a target in mind. With the recent form the side, particularly in white-ball cricket, has had, you can't go out and all of a sudden try and win absolutely everything. You need to paint a picture moving forward as to what you're driving all of your energy towards,” he continued. Also read | IPL 2025: One year after Ahmedabad crowd booed Hardik Pandya, MI captain receives loudest cheer at toss – WATCH England’s ODI cricket rose from the ashes of the 2015 ODI World Cup debacle to winning the next WC four years later at home, and Morgan was at the centre of things. However, after several years of domination in white-ball cricket, their ODI game finds itself in hot waters, with the ECB seeking a perfect leader to pull them out of this mud. Though local media reported that the ECB was keen on approaching veteran batter Joe Root for the role, his outright refusal led to the onus falling on two cricketers. With Brook, the ECB can risk testing his leadership skills, but in a proven leader like Stokes, they can know he can get the job done. Morgan, however, feels the ECB can find a way to make Stokes, doesn’t play white-ball cricket solely to maintain his fitness and prolong his Test career, the ‘flexible white-ball captain. "I think a bit of a left-field call would be to ask Ben Stokes to consider the role, not necessarily on a full-time basis. "You would have to create an environment where Ben would slip in and out seamlessly in preparation for big tournaments and then sit on the back burner and focus on Test match cricket until those big tournaments came up,” Morgan suggested. Why Brook over Stokes? Morgan offered another suggestion as to why Brook could answer all questions, saying if the board is looking at three to four years from now, Brook is the right choice. "If you highlight something that's in three years, four years, somebody like Harry Brook would do a magnificent job," Morgan said. "He had the captaincy at the end of our summer last year against a really strong Australian side and I thought he was impressive. "We know Harry Brook as this incredibly talented player that we're seeing grow and get better year on year, which is just a joy to watch. But the leadership role didn't seem to weigh on him,” he noted. (With inputs from agencies)

Eoin Morgan explains how Ben Stokes could become England’s ‘flexible’ ODI captain

The formal and final decision on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/board-of-control-for-cricket-in-india" rel="dofollow">BCCI</a>&rsquo;s annual central contract list is further delayed as no meeting, widely reported in the media to get underway on Saturday in Guwahati, ever happened. Per the latest reports, neither chief selector Ajit Agarkar, head coach <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/gautam-gambhir" rel="dofollow">Gautam Gambhir</a>, nor BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia met in the city.
"All decisions have been deferred," a source close to the information revealed in a chat with Cricbuzz.
Although the decision makers haven&rsquo;t formally discussed the player grades this weekend, there are indications that the BCCI will take a final call on it sooner, alongside deciding the tenure of Team India&rsquo;s extended coaching staff.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-one-year-after-ahmedabad-crowd-booed-hardik-pandya-mi-captain-receives-loudest-cheer-at-toss-gujarat-titans-gt-watch-8904718" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025: One year after Ahmedabad crowd booed Hardik Pandya, MI captain receives loudest cheer at toss &ndash; WATCH</a>
Meanwhile, Gautam returned home on Friday after holidaying overseas but was in his hometown in Delhi on Saturday. Besides, there was no report of head coach Agarkar travelling to Guwahati, although the selectors are travelling to Assam for IPL games.&nbsp;
Guwahati was scheduled to host two games this season, with the first already contested on March 26, which the touring Kolkata Knight Riders won, and the second is on Sunday evening between the hosts Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings.
<h2>Who comes in, who goes out?</h2>
A handful of changes might headline BCCI&rsquo;s new annual central contract list, with some demotions and promotions taking place. While all eyes will be on Shreyas Iyer, who will return after facing an axe from last season&rsquo;s list for not honouring domestic duties, the same cannot be said about his fellow India gloveman Ishan Kishan.
Though several reports suggested that Shubman Gill could be promoted to the A+ category &ndash; reserved for only top performers and those who play all formats, with only ace seamer Jasprit Bumrah retaining his place, Ravichandran Ashwin, who announced his international retirement late last year, will be dropped from the A category. Besides him, ODI and Test captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, <a href="fpforum.com/AFPForum/Search/Results.aspx?pn=1&amp;smd=4&amp;mui=1&amp;thi=44&amp;lng=&amp;fto=1&amp;q=4014043167527274385_0&amp;dlg=en" rel="dofollow">all three who announced T20I retirements last year, could be demoted to the A category</a> per the BCCI rules.
However, Varun Chakaravarthy, who played a crucial role in helping India win the Champions Trophy in Dubai, will be considered for retainership as he meets the eligibility criteria. Per BCCI rules, "athletes who meet the criteria of playing a minimum of 3 Tests, 8 ODIs, or 10 T20Is within the specified period will automatically be included in Grade C on a pro-rata basis."
Meanwhile, there were 30 players in last year&rsquo;s retainership, including four in the A+ category, six in the A category, five in B and the remaining 15 in the C grade.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: There was no report of Team India head coach Ajit Agarkar travelling to Guwahati, although the selectors are travelling to Assam for IPL games.

The formal and final decision on BCCI’s annual central contract list is further delayed as no meeting, widely reported in the media to get underway on Saturday in Guwahati, ever happened. Per the latest reports, neither chief selector Ajit Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir, nor BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia met in the city. "All decisions have been deferred," a source close to the information revealed in a chat with Cricbuzz. Although the decision makers haven’t formally discussed the player grades this weekend, there are indications that the BCCI will take a final call on it sooner, alongside deciding the tenure of Team India’s extended coaching staff. Also read | IPL 2025: One year after Ahmedabad crowd booed Hardik Pandya, MI captain receives loudest cheer at toss – WATCH Meanwhile, Gautam returned home on Friday after holidaying overseas but was in his hometown in Delhi on Saturday. Besides, there was no report of head coach Agarkar travelling to Guwahati, although the selectors are travelling to Assam for IPL games. Guwahati was scheduled to host two games this season, with the first already contested on March 26, which the touring Kolkata Knight Riders won, and the second is on Sunday evening between the hosts Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings. Who comes in, who goes out? A handful of changes might headline BCCI’s new annual central contract list, with some demotions and promotions taking place. While all eyes will be on Shreyas Iyer, who will return after facing an axe from last season’s list for not honouring domestic duties, the same cannot be said about his fellow India gloveman Ishan Kishan. Though several reports suggested that Shubman Gill could be promoted to the A+ category – reserved for only top performers and those who play all formats, with only ace seamer Jasprit Bumrah retaining his place, Ravichandran Ashwin, who announced his international retirement late last year, will be dropped from the A category. Besides him, ODI and Test captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, all three who announced T20I retirements last year, could be demoted to the A category per the BCCI rules. However, Varun Chakaravarthy, who played a crucial role in helping India win the Champions Trophy in Dubai, will be considered for retainership as he meets the eligibility criteria. Per BCCI rules, "athletes who meet the criteria of playing a minimum of 3 Tests, 8 ODIs, or 10 T20Is within the specified period will automatically be included in Grade C on a pro-rata basis." Meanwhile, there were 30 players in last year’s retainership, including four in the A+ category, six in the A category, five in B and the remaining 15 in the C grade. (With inputs from agencies)

BCCI’s annual central contract announcement delayed due to THIS reason

Time is perhaps the greatest healer. One year after the Ahmedabad crowd booed the then-newly appointed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mumbai-indians" rel="dofollow">Mumbai Indians</a> captain, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/hardik-pandya" rel="dofollow">Hardik Pandya</a>, the MI skipper received the loudest cheer at the toss during MI&rsquo;s away <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ipl-2025" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025</a> game against Gujarat Titans on Saturday. Standing alongside GT captain and India teammate Shubman Gill, Pandya won the toss and elected to field first in MI&rsquo;s second game this season.
Veteran cricketer-turned-broadcaster Ian Bishop called out the toss, and upon knowing that Pandya won it, the crowd cheered loudly.
<h3>Watch Video &ndash;</h3>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m8ubuan5-hp6idt1h-p4riunmg">
🚨 Toss 🚨<a href="https://twitter.com/mipaltan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mipaltan</a> won the toss and opted to bowl first against <a href="https://twitter.com/gujarat_titans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gujarat_titans</a> in Ahmedabad! Updates ▶ <a href="https://t.co/lDF4SwmX6j">https://t.co/lDF4SwmX6j</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TATAIPL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TATAIPL</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GTvMI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GTvMI</a> <a href="https://t.co/M5qAcHfJEZ">pic.twitter.com/M5qAcHfJEZ</a>
&mdash; IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1905977327671976263?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
<h2>What happened last year?</h2>
Mumbai Indians shocked the cricket world after appointing all-rounder Hardik Pandya as new captain the past season. The decision to replace Rohit with Pandya as the franchise&rsquo;s on-field skipper didn&rsquo;t sit well among the MI fan base as they kept booing the side&rsquo;s captain at every venue he played in IPL 2024, including at MI&rsquo;s home ground at the Wankhede Stadium.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/kl-rahul-returns-from-paternity-leave-but-delhi-capitals-sweat-over-mukesh-kumars-fitness-for-srh-tie-in-ipl-2025-8904516" rel="dofollow">KL Rahul returns from paternity leave but DC sweat over Mukesh Kumar&rsquo;s fitness for SRH tie</a>
With plenty happening on the field and behind the scenes, considering the change in the leadership group, everything fell apart for the former five-time winners. As a result, Mumbai barely won anything, let alone at least reaching the Playoffs. In 14 contested matches, they prevailed in just four, finishing the season at the bottom of the points table.
However, with Pandya returning to the Indian colours and helping his national team end its ICC trophy drought with the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph in the Americas, the fans that once turned on Pandya cheered the star cricketer during the team&rsquo;s open bus parade in Mumbai.
Pandya then made headlines for his star performances in the recently concluded Champions Trophy 2025, helping India win two ICC titles in as many years. His rise to the top changed people&rsquo;s perception of him, with cheers following him everywhere he went.
<h3>GT vs MI in IPL 2025</h3>
Pandya won the toss and elected to field first, explaining his reasons behind it.
&ldquo;We'll bowl first,&rdquo; Pandya said at the toss.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The simple reason is we don't know how the pitch will play, plus the dew factor. Only last year we played on black soil, otherwise, we have been playing on red soil.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Last year, we had the game under wraps but couldn't finish it. The prep has been fantastic, the boys are excited, and we back each other, be there for each other. Very happy stage. I come back, and the others, we are keeping the options open. Always about playing good cricket, planning right and enjoying the game,&rdquo; he continued.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, Pandya missed MI's tournament opener against CSK, which they lost by four wickets.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Playing his first game this season, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya received the loudest cheers during the toss time against GT in Ahmedabad.

Time is perhaps the greatest healer. One year after the Ahmedabad crowd booed the then-newly appointed Mumbai Indians captain, Hardik Pandya, the MI skipper received the loudest cheer at the toss during MI’s away IPL 2025 game against Gujarat Titans on Saturday. Standing alongside GT captain and India teammate Shubman Gill, Pandya won the toss and elected to field first in MI’s second game this season. Veteran cricketer-turned-broadcaster Ian Bishop called out the toss, and upon knowing that Pandya won it, the crowd cheered loudly. Watch Video – 🚨 Toss 🚨@mipaltan won the toss and opted to bowl first against @gujarat_titans in Ahmedabad! Updates ▶ https://t.co/lDF4SwmX6j#TATAIPL | #GTvMI pic.twitter.com/M5qAcHfJEZ — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 29, 2025 What happened last year? Mumbai Indians shocked the cricket world after appointing all-rounder Hardik Pandya as new captain the past season. The decision to replace Rohit with Pandya as the franchise’s on-field skipper didn’t sit well among the MI fan base as they kept booing the side’s captain at every venue he played in IPL 2024, including at MI’s home ground at the Wankhede Stadium. Also read | KL Rahul returns from paternity leave but DC sweat over Mukesh Kumar’s fitness for SRH tie With plenty happening on the field and behind the scenes, considering the change in the leadership group, everything fell apart for the former five-time winners. As a result, Mumbai barely won anything, let alone at least reaching the Playoffs. In 14 contested matches, they prevailed in just four, finishing the season at the bottom of the points table. However, with Pandya returning to the Indian colours and helping his national team end its ICC trophy drought with the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph in the Americas, the fans that once turned on Pandya cheered the star cricketer during the team’s open bus parade in Mumbai. Pandya then made headlines for his star performances in the recently concluded Champions Trophy 2025, helping India win two ICC titles in as many years. His rise to the top changed people’s perception of him, with cheers following him everywhere he went. GT vs MI in IPL 2025 Pandya won the toss and elected to field first, explaining his reasons behind it. “We'll bowl first,” Pandya said at the toss. “The simple reason is we don't know how the pitch will play, plus the dew factor. Only last year we played on black soil, otherwise, we have been playing on red soil. “Last year, we had the game under wraps but couldn't finish it. The prep has been fantastic, the boys are excited, and we back each other, be there for each other. Very happy stage. I come back, and the others, we are keeping the options open. Always about playing good cricket, planning right and enjoying the game,” he continued. Meanwhile, Pandya missed MI's tournament opener against CSK, which they lost by four wickets. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: One year after Ahmedabad crowd booed Hardik Pandya, MI captain receives loudest cheer at toss – WATCH

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/kl-rahul" rel="dofollow">KL Rahul</a> has returned from paternity leave and will soon debut for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/delhi-capitals" rel="dofollow">Delhi Capitals (DC)</a> in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ipl-2025" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025</a>. The India gloveman missed the side&rsquo;s tournament opener against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the birth of his first child but is likely to get included in the playing XI for their crucial tie against the travelling SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Vizag on Sunday afternoon. However, what worries DC is the fitness of Indian quick Mukesh Kumar, who sustained an ankle sprain in the previous game.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m8u90538-g4abpvz8-ves5ajnm">
You're loved. You're ours. You're home. 🥹 Welcome to Dilli, KLR 💙❤️ <a href="https://t.co/qUBPHAYUyU">pic.twitter.com/qUBPHAYUyU</a>
&mdash; Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) <a href="https://twitter.com/DelhiCapitals/status/1905851253831422402?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
Mukesh could likely sit out of the next game, with Delhi giving seamer Darshan Nalkande a chance against the daunting SRH batting unit, consisting of T20 monsters Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen. With Delhi also missing another Indian quick, T Natarajan, who is recovering from a shoulder injury, they could be forced to make some changes for their second match.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-that-is-what-mumbai-indians-is-known-for-rohit-sharma-gets-candid-about-mi-mindset-watch-8904280" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025: &lsquo;That is what Mumbai Indians is known for,&rsquo; Rohit Sharma gets candid about MI&rsquo;s mindset &ndash; Watch</a>
Meanwhile, to ensure DC keeps their winning run going, they must strike a balance in their picked XI, with another option including replacing opener Jake Fraser-McGurk with a foreign seamer in Dushmantha Chameera. That would, however, make the DC bowling attack look dangerous, with the likes of Mitchell Starc, Axar Patel, Mohit Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav already retaining their places.
<h2>KL Rahul&rsquo;s batting position</h2>
In an ideal situation, KL will bat at number four, replacing Sameer Rizvi, with McGurk, team vice-captain Faf du Plessis and gloveman Abishek Porel occupying the top three positions. With Axar and Tristan Stubbs to follow and Delhi likely to reuse Ashutosh Sharma as the Impact Sub playing at number seven, they have more than a decent batting attack to go after the SRH&rsquo;s bowling.
However, should DC drop McGurk for Chameera in another scenario, KL could open alongside du Plessis, and Sameer could retain his place at number four.&nbsp;
<h3>Predicted Playing XIs of both teams &ndash;</h3>
Delhi Capitals: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Faf du Plessis, Abishek Porel (wk), KL Rahul, Axar Patel (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohit Sharma, (Impact - Mukesh Kumar/Darshan Nalkande)
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Aniket Verma, Abhinav Manohar, Pat Cummins (captain), Harshal Patel, Mohammed Shami and Simarjeet Singh (Impact sub - Adam Zampa)
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: DC seamer Mukesh Kumar could likely sit out of the next game, with Delhi giving seamer Darshan Nalkande a chance against the daunting SRH batting unit.

KL Rahul has returned from paternity leave and will soon debut for Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2025. The India gloveman missed the side’s tournament opener against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the birth of his first child but is likely to get included in the playing XI for their crucial tie against the travelling SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Vizag on Sunday afternoon. However, what worries DC is the fitness of Indian quick Mukesh Kumar, who sustained an ankle sprain in the previous game. You're loved. You're ours. You're home. 🥹 Welcome to Dilli, KLR 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/qUBPHAYUyU — Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 29, 2025 Mukesh could likely sit out of the next game, with Delhi giving seamer Darshan Nalkande a chance against the daunting SRH batting unit, consisting of T20 monsters Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen. With Delhi also missing another Indian quick, T Natarajan, who is recovering from a shoulder injury, they could be forced to make some changes for their second match. Also read | IPL 2025: ‘That is what Mumbai Indians is known for,’ Rohit Sharma gets candid about MI’s mindset – Watch Meanwhile, to ensure DC keeps their winning run going, they must strike a balance in their picked XI, with another option including replacing opener Jake Fraser-McGurk with a foreign seamer in Dushmantha Chameera. That would, however, make the DC bowling attack look dangerous, with the likes of Mitchell Starc, Axar Patel, Mohit Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav already retaining their places. KL Rahul’s batting position In an ideal situation, KL will bat at number four, replacing Sameer Rizvi, with McGurk, team vice-captain Faf du Plessis and gloveman Abishek Porel occupying the top three positions. With Axar and Tristan Stubbs to follow and Delhi likely to reuse Ashutosh Sharma as the Impact Sub playing at number seven, they have more than a decent batting attack to go after the SRH’s bowling. However, should DC drop McGurk for Chameera in another scenario, KL could open alongside du Plessis, and Sameer could retain his place at number four. Predicted Playing XIs of both teams – Delhi Capitals: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Faf du Plessis, Abishek Porel (wk), KL Rahul, Axar Patel (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohit Sharma, (Impact - Mukesh Kumar/Darshan Nalkande) Sunrisers Hyderabad: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Aniket Verma, Abhinav Manohar, Pat Cummins (captain), Harshal Patel, Mohammed Shami and Simarjeet Singh (Impact sub - Adam Zampa) (With inputs from agencies)

KL Rahul returns from paternity leave but DC sweat over Mukesh Kumar’s fitness for SRH tie

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