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CSK vs RCB Match details: After winning in their opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) travel to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in an all-South Indian battle on Friday (Mar 28).&nbsp;
<h2>CSK vs RCB Match Preview</h2>
The contest will see the winning side top the table early on, as momentum remains key in the IPL playoff race. Ahead of the clash between CSK and RCB, here are all the key details of the IPL 2025 contest, including match time and venue.&nbsp;
<h2>CSK vs RCB Head-to-Head Records</h2>
CSK and RCB have faced each other in 33 matches in IPL. Out of these 33 games, Bangalore have won 11 whereas Chennai have come out victorious on 21 occasion. 1 match ended without a result.
<h2>CSK vs RCB Dream11 Prediction MyPlaying 11</h2>
Wicketkeepers: Jitesh Sharma, Phil Salt
Batters: Rachin Ravindra (captain), Shivam Dube, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli (vice-captain
All-Rounder: Ravindra Jadeja, Krunal Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin
Bowlers: Noor Ahmad, Yash Dayal
<h2 class="MsoNormal">3 Top Captain Or Vice-Captain Choices<o:p></o:p></h2>
1. Virat Kohli
Virat is in good form and struck a match-winning fifty against KKR. Secondly, he is the leading run-scorer against CSK in the IPL among active players.
2. Noor Ahmad
The pitch in Chennai is likely to be spin-friendly, which increases the chances of doing well for Noor Ahmad. Hence, he can be a good captain pick for CSK vs RCB Dream11 teams.
3. Rachin Ravindra
Rachin Ravindra is in red-hot form for last couple of years now. Along with that, he can also roll his arm over, which is where he can earn more points.
ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-updated-points-table-indian-premier-league-rankings-standings-net-run-rate-8888780" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">[Updated] IPL 2025 Points Table: Check points table, match results, NRR with wins, loss and other key details</a>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">CSK vs RCB Fantasy Cricket Tips<o:p></o:p></h2>
Rahul Tripathi didn't have a great debut for CSK as he could only score 2 runs against MI. He is unlikely to make an impact against RCB as well.
<h2 class="MsoNormal">CSK vs RCB Team Analysis<o:p></o:p></h2>
CSK: Chennai have stayed with the same DNA after the mega auctions as they continue to impress the pack of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni.
RCB: After major changes in the IPL 2025 mega auctions, RCB are building a team around youngsters. Rajat Patidar and Virat Kohli should play a key role in the team's run.&nbsp;
<h2 class="MsoNormal">MA Chidambaram Stadium Pitch Report<o:p></o:p></h2>
The pitch at Chepauk generally supports spinners. In the IPL, teams usually prefer chasing, and this trend is expected to persist. A total above 150 runs is considered competitive on this surface, and the dew is not anticipated to have much impact on the game.
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Suggested playing 11 No. 2 for CSK vs RCB Dream11 Fantasy Cricket<o:p></o:p></h2>
Wicketkeeper: Phil Salt 
Batters: Rachin Ravindra, Rajat Patidar, Shivam Dube, Virat Kohli 
All-Rounders: Ravindra Jadeja (captain), Sam Curran, Krunal Pandya (vice-captain) 
Bowlers: Noor Ahmad, Suyash Sharma, Yash Dayal&nbsp;
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Match Prediction: Who Will Win CSK vs RCB?</h2>
Considering RCB have not won in Chennai since 2008, we back them and end the run and emerge victorious in the contest.&nbsp;
Disclaimer: The fantasy tips and facts expressed within this article are the author's personal opinions and WION does not promote or endorse any sort of betting activity. They do not reflect the views of WION. It is not a reflection of the actual points you might earn. WION does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

CSK vs RCB Dream11 prediction: A high-stakes clash with star performers from both teams. Choose your fantasy picks carefully for maximum points!

CSK vs RCB Match details: After winning in their opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) travel to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in an all-South Indian battle on Friday (Mar 28). CSK vs RCB Match Preview The contest will see the winning side top the table early on, as momentum remains key in the IPL playoff race. Ahead of the clash between CSK and RCB, here are all the key details of the IPL 2025 contest, including match time and venue. CSK vs RCB Head-to-Head Records CSK and RCB have faced each other in 33 matches in IPL. Out of these 33 games, Bangalore have won 11 whereas Chennai have come out victorious on 21 occasion. 1 match ended without a result. CSK vs RCB Dream11 Prediction MyPlaying 11 Wicketkeepers: Jitesh Sharma, Phil Salt Batters: Rachin Ravindra (captain), Shivam Dube, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli (vice-captain All-Rounder: Ravindra Jadeja, Krunal Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin Bowlers: Noor Ahmad, Yash Dayal 3 Top Captain Or Vice-Captain Choices 1. Virat Kohli Virat is in good form and struck a match-winning fifty against KKR. Secondly, he is the leading run-scorer against CSK in the IPL among active players. 2. Noor Ahmad The pitch in Chennai is likely to be spin-friendly, which increases the chances of doing well for Noor Ahmad. Hence, he can be a good captain pick for CSK vs RCB Dream11 teams. 3. Rachin Ravindra Rachin Ravindra is in red-hot form for last couple of years now. Along with that, he can also roll his arm over, which is where he can earn more points. ALSO READ | [Updated] IPL 2025 Points Table: Check points table, match results, NRR with wins, loss and other key details CSK vs RCB Fantasy Cricket Tips Rahul Tripathi didn't have a great debut for CSK as he could only score 2 runs against MI. He is unlikely to make an impact against RCB as well. CSK vs RCB Team Analysis CSK: Chennai have stayed with the same DNA after the mega auctions as they continue to impress the pack of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni. RCB: After major changes in the IPL 2025 mega auctions, RCB are building a team around youngsters. Rajat Patidar and Virat Kohli should play a key role in the team's run. MA Chidambaram Stadium Pitch Report The pitch at Chepauk generally supports spinners. In the IPL, teams usually prefer chasing, and this trend is expected to persist. A total above 150 runs is considered competitive on this surface, and the dew is not anticipated to have much impact on the game. Suggested playing 11 No. 2 for CSK vs RCB Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Wicketkeeper: Phil Salt Batters: Rachin Ravindra, Rajat Patidar, Shivam Dube, Virat Kohli All-Rounders: Ravindra Jadeja (captain), Sam Curran, Krunal Pandya (vice-captain) Bowlers: Noor Ahmad, Suyash Sharma, Yash Dayal Match Prediction: Who Will Win CSK vs RCB? Considering RCB have not won in Chennai since 2008, we back them and end the run and emerge victorious in the contest. Disclaimer: The fantasy tips and facts expressed within this article are the author's personal opinions and WION does not promote or endorse any sort of betting activity. They do not reflect the views of WION. It is not a reflection of the actual points you might earn. WION does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

CSK vs RCB Dream11 Prediction: Check Team, captain and vice-captain picks for Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

It&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ms-dhoni" rel="dofollow">MS Dhoni</a>&rsquo;s world, and we are living in it.
India and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/chennai-super-kings-csk" rel="dofollow">Chennai Super Kings (CSK)</a> giant is perhaps the most enormous cricketing personality since the great Sachin Tendulkar, and the roar the home crowd (in IPL) makes upon his arrival at the crease is a testament to it. Dhoni is CSK, and CSK is Dhoni, and his former teammate Ambati Rayudu doesn&rsquo;t think otherwise.
Ahead of Chennai&rsquo;s marquee home game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2025 on Friday night, Rayudu talks about the energetic CSK crowd known for producing the loudest noise ever heard on a cricket field. It&rsquo;s intimidating for someone coming over to the venue (Chepauk in Chennai) for the first time, but it&rsquo;s phenomenal (to feel), Rayudu reckons.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/star-culture-returns-with-csk-rcb-southern-derby-why-is-it-ipl-2025-biggest-draw-8896859" rel="dofollow">Star culture returns with CSK-RCB Southern Derby: Why is it IPL's biggest draw?</a>
Rayudu, who played for several seasons under MS Dhoni, winning three IPL titles with them (2018, 2021 and 2023), feels Dhoni is rightly being called &lsquo;Thala&rsquo; (leader) for what he did at CSK and what he brings to the table. Rayudu admits the fans are madly in love with the former Indian and CSK captain and come in abundance to cheer for him first and then the team.
"It is quite daunting if you're a newcomer," Rayudu said in a chat with ESPNcricinfo.&nbsp;
"It's quite loud. The support is phenomenal. But, as you go on and play, then you realise they are MS Dhoni fans before they are CSK fans. It is quite evident, and rightly so, because that's the way the team has been set up and built over the years. He's rightly named Thala [leader], and he has been calling the shots in CSK, and it's come to a stage where people are madly in awe and in love of what he's done for CSK,&rdquo; he added.
<h2>The other side of it</h2>
There&rsquo;s always another side to everything, and CSK fans cheering the stadium out for MS Dhoni comes with its set of cons.&nbsp;
Also read | <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">IPL 2025: KKR pitch curator does U-Turn in Rahane episode, says &lsquo;those who are accusing me&hellip;&rsquo;</a>
Who doesn&rsquo;t want to watch MS Dhoni bat? Perhaps everyone; however, since he comes late down the order, his time only comes when most of the batting order is back in the hut, with the strangest part being the fans cheer after a CSK wicket falls only to see MS Dhoni walk out and bat and hit sixes.
Rayudu feels it doesn&rsquo;t set a nice example for the game, and considering everyone in the side gives their 100%, the home fans must not cheer for a CSK batter&rsquo;s wicket to watch MS Dhoni play in the middle.&nbsp;
"It's been happening for quite a few years now, and quite a few players have felt it over the years, you know, if not come out openly and said something about it, but internally, a lot of people used to feel that the crowd&hellip; even though we also love MS Dhoni, and they also love MS Dhoni and we want to see him bat, but sometimes when you, as an individual, are going out to bat they are shouting from the crowd to&hellip; literally asking you to get out. Or they are anticipating or expecting you to get out.
"So it is quite strange, and I don't think it actually serves the game well to be very honest. All the [other] players are giving their best for the team as well. They are also preparing and doing really well for the franchise, and they have put in a lot of sacrifices to be where they are. When things like that happen from their own crowd, it is, I feel, maybe it can be avoided,&rdquo; Rayudu added.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Rayudu feels the home fans (in IPL) cheering for a CSK wicket to watch MS Dhoni play in the middle doesn’t set a nice example for the game.

It’s MS Dhoni’s world, and we are living in it. India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) giant is perhaps the most enormous cricketing personality since the great Sachin Tendulkar, and the roar the home crowd (in IPL) makes upon his arrival at the crease is a testament to it. Dhoni is CSK, and CSK is Dhoni, and his former teammate Ambati Rayudu doesn’t think otherwise. Ahead of Chennai’s marquee home game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2025 on Friday night, Rayudu talks about the energetic CSK crowd known for producing the loudest noise ever heard on a cricket field. It’s intimidating for someone coming over to the venue (Chepauk in Chennai) for the first time, but it’s phenomenal (to feel), Rayudu reckons. Also read | Star culture returns with CSK-RCB Southern Derby: Why is it IPL's biggest draw? Rayudu, who played for several seasons under MS Dhoni, winning three IPL titles with them (2018, 2021 and 2023), feels Dhoni is rightly being called ‘Thala’ (leader) for what he did at CSK and what he brings to the table. Rayudu admits the fans are madly in love with the former Indian and CSK captain and come in abundance to cheer for him first and then the team. "It is quite daunting if you're a newcomer," Rayudu said in a chat with ESPNcricinfo. "It's quite loud. The support is phenomenal. But, as you go on and play, then you realise they are MS Dhoni fans before they are CSK fans. It is quite evident, and rightly so, because that's the way the team has been set up and built over the years. He's rightly named Thala [leader], and he has been calling the shots in CSK, and it's come to a stage where people are madly in awe and in love of what he's done for CSK,” he added. The other side of it There’s always another side to everything, and CSK fans cheering the stadium out for MS Dhoni comes with its set of cons. Also read | IPL 2025: KKR pitch curator does U-Turn in Rahane episode, says ‘those who are accusing me…’ Who doesn’t want to watch MS Dhoni bat? Perhaps everyone; however, since he comes late down the order, his time only comes when most of the batting order is back in the hut, with the strangest part being the fans cheer after a CSK wicket falls only to see MS Dhoni walk out and bat and hit sixes. Rayudu feels it doesn’t set a nice example for the game, and considering everyone in the side gives their 100%, the home fans must not cheer for a CSK batter’s wicket to watch MS Dhoni play in the middle. "It's been happening for quite a few years now, and quite a few players have felt it over the years, you know, if not come out openly and said something about it, but internally, a lot of people used to feel that the crowd… even though we also love MS Dhoni, and they also love MS Dhoni and we want to see him bat, but sometimes when you, as an individual, are going out to bat they are shouting from the crowd to… literally asking you to get out. Or they are anticipating or expecting you to get out. "So it is quite strange, and I don't think it actually serves the game well to be very honest. All the [other] players are giving their best for the team as well. They are also preparing and doing really well for the franchise, and they have put in a lot of sacrifices to be where they are. When things like that happen from their own crowd, it is, I feel, maybe it can be avoided,” Rayudu added. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Everyone gives their 100% at CSK but fans cheer for MS Dhoni,’ Rayudu’s honest admission of Chennai’s IPL crowd

It&rsquo;s been just one week into <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ipl-2025" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025</a>, and we already have drama surrounding pitches on offer making headlines. Days after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/kolkata-knight-riders" rel="dofollow">Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)</a> captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ajinkya-rahane" rel="dofollow">Ajinkya Rahane</a> openly admitted to not getting the pitch of his and his team&rsquo;s liking for the tournament opener against the RCB, with the reports suggesting that KKR&rsquo;s pitch curator denied any requests, Sujan Mukherjee, the man in question, took a U-turn in this matter, saying no one requested to alter its condition in the first place.
Earlier reports suggested that Rahane requested a spin-friendly track for the curtain raiser; Sujan outright denied making any changes to the one they played on, which was quick and assisted bounce, unlike how the Eden Gardens pitch usually behaved, aiding the spinners.&nbsp;
&ldquo;As per the IPL rules and regulations, franchises have no say over the pitch,&rdquo; Sujan said in a chat with RevSportz. &ldquo;Ever since I have taken charge (as Eden curator), the pitches here have been like this. It was like this in the past. Things haven&rsquo;t changed now, and it will not be altered in the future.&rdquo;
The aftermath of such remarks was loud, with several broadcasters, including Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull, coming down hard on the KKR pitch curator, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-harsha-bhogle-simon-doull-unhappy-with-kkr-pitch-curator-for-disrespecting-ajinkya-rahane-8895205" rel="dofollow">accusing him of bossing around</a> despite the home side&rsquo;s captain requesting a change in pitch conditions.&nbsp;
Upon reaching out to him, Sujan took a U-turn on his earlier comments, saying he prepared the pitch per the BCCI guidelines and those who accused him know nothing about the situation.
"No official or player asked for the pitch requirement for the first match. A coach at the time of practice asked me about the behaviour of the pitch. I said &lsquo;ghumega bhi aur accha chalega (the pitch will turn, and it will be good for batting)," Sujan said in a chat with Sports Tak.
"I never denied anything to KKR. We have been in good relations for a long time. I prepared the pitch as per BCCI guidelines. Those who are accusing me know nothing," he added.
<h2>KKR&rsquo;s topsy-turvy start to IPL 2025</h2>
Defending IPL champions lost their first game to the touring RCB at the Eden Gardens the past Friday; however, they made it Even Stevens with their cracking win against Rajasthan Royals in their next match in Guwahati.&nbsp;
KKR will face former five-time winners Mumbai Indians in an away game on Saturday (Mar 29) before hosting the high-flying SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) at home on April 3. However, it remains to be seen what pitch would be on offer for his high-octane clash.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Earlier reports suggested that Rahane requested a spin-friendly track but Sujan outright denied making any changes to the one they played on.

It’s been just one week into IPL 2025, and we already have drama surrounding pitches on offer making headlines. Days after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane openly admitted to not getting the pitch of his and his team’s liking for the tournament opener against the RCB, with the reports suggesting that KKR’s pitch curator denied any requests, Sujan Mukherjee, the man in question, took a U-turn in this matter, saying no one requested to alter its condition in the first place. Earlier reports suggested that Rahane requested a spin-friendly track for the curtain raiser; Sujan outright denied making any changes to the one they played on, which was quick and assisted bounce, unlike how the Eden Gardens pitch usually behaved, aiding the spinners. “As per the IPL rules and regulations, franchises have no say over the pitch,” Sujan said in a chat with RevSportz. “Ever since I have taken charge (as Eden curator), the pitches here have been like this. It was like this in the past. Things haven’t changed now, and it will not be altered in the future.” The aftermath of such remarks was loud, with several broadcasters, including Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull, coming down hard on the KKR pitch curator, accusing him of bossing around despite the home side’s captain requesting a change in pitch conditions. Upon reaching out to him, Sujan took a U-turn on his earlier comments, saying he prepared the pitch per the BCCI guidelines and those who accused him know nothing about the situation. "No official or player asked for the pitch requirement for the first match. A coach at the time of practice asked me about the behaviour of the pitch. I said ‘ghumega bhi aur accha chalega (the pitch will turn, and it will be good for batting)," Sujan said in a chat with Sports Tak. "I never denied anything to KKR. We have been in good relations for a long time. I prepared the pitch as per BCCI guidelines. Those who are accusing me know nothing," he added. KKR’s topsy-turvy start to IPL 2025 Defending IPL champions lost their first game to the touring RCB at the Eden Gardens the past Friday; however, they made it Even Stevens with their cracking win against Rajasthan Royals in their next match in Guwahati. KKR will face former five-time winners Mumbai Indians in an away game on Saturday (Mar 29) before hosting the high-flying SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) at home on April 3. However, it remains to be seen what pitch would be on offer for his high-octane clash. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: KKR pitch curator does U-Turn in Rahane episode, says ‘those who are accusing me…’

Ishan Kishan started his Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign with a bang when he smacked 106 not out off 47 balls in SunRisers Hyderabad's (SRH) season opener against Rajasthan Royals. In the match against Lucknow Super Giants, he was out on a golden duck - becoming the sixth IPL player on the list of 100 and duck.
Before Kishan, Marcus Stoinis in 2024, Venkatesh Iyer in 2023, Shane Watson in 2018-19 and Suresh Raina in 2013 and Yusuf Pathan in 2010 had been through the same - 100 and duck.
Also Read: <a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-i-had-to-accept-it-shardul-thakur-reveals-who-called-him-to-join-lsg-after-going-unsold-at-auction-8897895" aria-label="IPL 2025: 'I had to accept it,' Shardul Thakur reveals who called him to join LSG after going unsold at auction">IPL 2025: 'I had to accept it,' Shardul Thakur reveals who called him to join LSG after going unsold at auction</a>
Kishan was the second wicket on as many ball as Shardul Thakur broke through SRH's destructive top order and while Travis Head stayed on a few more overs, they could never recover from the double blow.
SRH kept hitting the balls and kept scoring along with losing wickets at the same pace. Eventually, SRH managed 190/9 in 20 overs.
Head was SRH's top scorer with 47 while Shardul was the pick of the bowlers with the figures of 4/34.
Chasing the total, LSG too had a bad start as they lost Aiden Markram with just four runs on the board. Nicholas Pooran then launched an all-out attack on SRH.
Pooran added 116 runs in about seven overs with Mitchell Marsh before being trapped LBW by Pat Cummins but by that time, LSG only needed about 70 runs in nearly 11 overs.
A couple of quick wickets did slow down LSG towards the middle but skipper Rishabh Pant, who was dismissed for a duck on his LSG debut, stayed on. Pant was dismissed on first ball of 15th over - but on a waist-high no ball - or that's what everybody though before the third umpire ruled him out.
In last six overs, LSG only needed 28 runs and they scored them with five wickets and 23 balls left - winning their first game of the season.

Before Kishan, Marcus Stoinis in 2024, Venkatesh Iyer in 2023, Shane Watson in 2018-19 and Suresh Raina in 2013 and Yusuf Pathan in 2010 had been through the same - 100 and duck. cricket sports

Ishan Kishan started his Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign with a bang when he smacked 106 not out off 47 balls in SunRisers Hyderabad's (SRH) season opener against Rajasthan Royals. In the match against Lucknow Super Giants, he was out on a golden duck - becoming the sixth IPL player on the list of 100 and duck. Before Kishan, Marcus Stoinis in 2024, Venkatesh Iyer in 2023, Shane Watson in 2018-19 and Suresh Raina in 2013 and Yusuf Pathan in 2010 had been through the same - 100 and duck. Also Read: IPL 2025: 'I had to accept it,' Shardul Thakur reveals who called him to join LSG after going unsold at auction Kishan was the second wicket on as many ball as Shardul Thakur broke through SRH's destructive top order and while Travis Head stayed on a few more overs, they could never recover from the double blow. SRH kept hitting the balls and kept scoring along with losing wickets at the same pace. Eventually, SRH managed 190/9 in 20 overs. Head was SRH's top scorer with 47 while Shardul was the pick of the bowlers with the figures of 4/34. Chasing the total, LSG too had a bad start as they lost Aiden Markram with just four runs on the board. Nicholas Pooran then launched an all-out attack on SRH. Pooran added 116 runs in about seven overs with Mitchell Marsh before being trapped LBW by Pat Cummins but by that time, LSG only needed about 70 runs in nearly 11 overs. A couple of quick wickets did slow down LSG towards the middle but skipper Rishabh Pant, who was dismissed for a duck on his LSG debut, stayed on. Pant was dismissed on first ball of 15th over - but on a waist-high no ball - or that's what everybody though before the third umpire ruled him out. In last six overs, LSG only needed 28 runs and they scored them with five wickets and 23 balls left - winning their first game of the season.

Yusuf Pathan in 2010, Suresh Raina in 2013 and now Ishan Kishan in 2025 - SRH batter joins UNIQUE list

HIGHLIGHTS | SRH vs LSG, IPL 2025
Shardul Thakur broke through SRH's destructive top order and while Travis Head stayed on a few more overs, they could never recover from the double blow of Abhishek and Kishan in one over.
SRH kept hitting the balls and kept scoring along with losing wickets at the same pace. Eventually, SRH managed 190/9 in 20 overs.
Head was SRH's top scorer with 47 while Shardul was the pick of the bowlers with the figures of 4/34.
Chasing the total, LSG too had a bad start as they lost Aiden Markram with just four runs on the board. Nicholas Pooran then launched an all-out attack on SRH.
Pooran added 116 runs in about seven overs with Mitchell Marsh before being trapped LBW by Pat Cummins but by that time, LSG only needed about 70 runs in nearly 11 overs.
A couple of quick wickets did slow down LSG towards the middle but skipper Rishabh Pant, who was dismissed for a duck on his LSG debut, stayed on. Pant was dismissed on first ball of 15th over - but on a waist-high no ball - or that's what everybody though before the third umpire ruled him out.
In last six overs, LSG only needed 28 runs and they scored them with five wickets and 23 balls left - winning their first game of the season.

They chase down a total of 191 with nearly four overs remaining and five wickets in hand. What a performance by them - taming hard-hitting SRH in their own home.
LSG (191/5) beat SRH (190/9) by 5 wickets

SRH vs LSG LIVE SCORE: LUCKNOW WIN

Five wickets have gone down for LSG but they are still on the winning course with only 15 runs more needed off 30 balls.
LSG:&nbsp;176/5 in 15 overs, need 15 runs in 5 overs vs SRH (190/9)

SRH vs LSG LIVE SCORE: A bit of slow down but LSG still in command

Pooran has been dismissed for 70 runs but he has put on LSG on course to win as they need only run-a-ball.
LSG: 129/2 in 10 overs, need 62 runs in 10 overs vs SRH (190/9)

SRH vs LSG LIVE SCORE: Pooran dismissed but LSG march on

Pooran has taken off form where he left in the last game and has already smacked 44 off 16 balls with 4 sixes and 4 fours.
LSG: 76/1 in 6 overs, need 114 runs in 14 overs vs SRH (190/9)

SRH vs LSG LIVE SCORE: Pooran goes hard against SRH

Shami has struck early for LSG as he took out Aiden Markram which bring last game's hero Nicholas Pooran on the crease.
LSG: 31/1 in 3 overs, need 161 runs in 17 overs vs SRH (190/9)

SRH vs LSG LIVE SCORE: LSG lose Markram early

A decent enough score but well below par given SRH's batting firepower all thanks to Shardul Thakur's 4/34
SRH: 190/9 in 20 overs (Head 47, Thakur 4/34)

SRH vs LSG LIVE SCORE: Hyderabad score 190/9

LSG have done well to contain the explosive SRH batters as thet head into the last five overs.
SRH:&nbsp;143/5 in 15 overs

SRH vs LSG LIVE SCORE: Last 5 overs to go

Reddy and Klaasen are rebuilding on a sold platform as SRH look to post 200 once again but one more wicket and the prejected score can down to 170s.
SRH: 96/3 in 10 overs

SRH vs LSG LIVE SCORE: Reddy, Klaasen take SRH innings forward

Travis Head has been clean bowled - after all those two chances didn't prove too costly at all - SRH in a bit of a bother but still have a lot of firepower left.
Travis Head b Prince Yadav 47
SRH: 76/3 in 7.3 overs

SRH vs LSG LIVE SCORE: Head gone

Travis Head has kept the momentum going for SRH despite two wickets but he has been given two chances as well. How costly will they prove? Only time will tell
SRH: 62/2 in 6 overs

SRH vs LSG LIVE SCORE: Head dropped twice inside powerplay

Shardul strikes again and takes out Ishan Kishan for DUCK! What a moment in the game.
Ishan Kishan c &dagger;Pant b Thakur 0
SRH:&nbsp;15/2 in 2.2 overs

SRH vs LSG LIVE SCORE: Kishan gone on DUCK!

Shardul Thakur draws first blood for LSG as he takes out dangerous Abhishek Sharma early here in Hyderabad.
Abhishek Sharma c Pooran b Thakur 6
SRH: 15/1 in 2.1 overs

SRH vs LSG LIVE SCORE: Shardul takes out Abhishek

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
🚨 Toss 🚨<a href="https://twitter.com/LucknowIPL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LucknowIPL</a> won the toss and elected to bowl against <a href="https://twitter.com/SunRisers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SunRisers</a> in Hyderabad. Updates ▶ <a href="https://t.co/X6vyVEvxwz">https://t.co/X6vyVEvxwz</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TATAIPL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TATAIPL</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SRHvLSG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SRHvLSG</a> <a href="https://t.co/9PJ6Oo6YFR">pic.twitter.com/9PJ6Oo6YFR</a>
&mdash; IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1905252294788264044?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2025</a></blockquote>

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SRH vs LSG LIVE SCORE: LSG win toss, bowl first in Hyderabad

SRH vs LSG, IPL 2025 : LSG chased down 191 in 16.1 overs with five wickets still in hand. Both the teams now have one win and one loss each in two games played. Cricket Sports

HIGHLIGHTS | SRH vs LSG, IPL 2025 Shardul Thakur broke through SRH's destructive top order and while Travis Head stayed on a few more overs, they could never recover from the double blow of Abhishek and Kishan in one over. SRH kept hitting the balls and kept scoring along with losing wickets at the same pace. Eventually, SRH managed 190/9 in 20 overs. Head was SRH's top scorer with 47 while Shardul was the pick of the bowlers with the figures of 4/34. Chasing the total, LSG too had a bad start as they lost Aiden Markram with just four runs on the board. Nicholas Pooran then launched an all-out attack on SRH. Pooran added 116 runs in about seven overs with Mitchell Marsh before being trapped LBW by Pat Cummins but by that time, LSG only needed about 70 runs in nearly 11 overs. A couple of quick wickets did slow down LSG towards the middle but skipper Rishabh Pant, who was dismissed for a duck on his LSG debut, stayed on. Pant was dismissed on first ball of 15th over - but on a waist-high no ball - or that's what everybody though before the third umpire ruled him out. In last six overs, LSG only needed 28 runs and they scored them with five wickets and 23 balls left - winning their first game of the season.

HIGHLIGHTS | SRH vs LSG: Lucknow chase down 191, beat Hyderabad by 5 wickets

Shardul Thakur was not supposed to play in IPL 2025. He had made arrangements to play for Essex in England domestic cricket after going unsold in IPL mega auction last year. A few injuries then opened up some slots at Lucknow Super Giants and he got a call.
Shardul accepted the offer and has bowled two double-wicket overs in as many matches for LSG in IPL 2025. During the match against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Thursday (Mar 26) he finished with 4/34 and and revealed it was Zaheer Khan who had called him to join the franchise.
Also Read: <a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-lgs-vs-srh-playing-only-9th-t20-game-overall-who-is-delhi-based-lsg-bowler-prince-yadav-clean-bowls-travis-head-on-first-ball-watch-8897790" aria-label="IPL 2025, LGS vs SRH: Playing only 10th T20 game overall, Delhi-based LSG bowler clean bowls Travis Head on first ball - WATCH">IPL 2025, LGS vs SRH: Playing only 10th T20 game overall, Delhi-based LSG bowler clean bowls Travis Head on first ball - WATCH</a>
"In IPL, all these things keep happening. Unfortunately few injuries here and there and there were few inquiries if I could join the camp. But LSG approached me first so I had to accept it. Zaheer Khan gave me a call. You have good and bad days, you have to go through it in cricket," said Shardul during the innings break.
Against SRH, Thakur removed dangerous Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, who had scored a whirlwind ton in the last game, on successive balls - putting IPL's most destructive batting line-up in defense mode.
In the match against Delhi Capitals, Shardul had also picked up two wickets that too in the same over - the first of DC's chase - as he dismissed Jake Fraser-McGurk and Abhishek Porel.
Overall, Thakur has played 95 IPL games for five different franchise over last 10 years. Before turning up for LSG, he played for Punjab Kings in 2015, Rising Pune Supergiants in 2017, CSK from 2018-2022, KKR in 2023 before going back to CSK in 2024.
In 95 IPL games before this season, he had taken 94 wickets with a best of 4/36 and an economy of 9.22 He also has 307 runs to his name at a strike rate of 137 and a best of 68.

Shardul, against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Thursday (Mar 26), finished with 4/34 and revealed it was Zaheer Khan who had called him to join the franchise. Cricket Sports

Shardul Thakur was not supposed to play in IPL 2025. He had made arrangements to play for Essex in England domestic cricket after going unsold in IPL mega auction last year. A few injuries then opened up some slots at Lucknow Super Giants and he got a call. Shardul accepted the offer and has bowled two double-wicket overs in as many matches for LSG in IPL 2025. During the match against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Thursday (Mar 26) he finished with 4/34 and and revealed it was Zaheer Khan who had called him to join the franchise. Also Read: IPL 2025, LGS vs SRH: Playing only 10th T20 game overall, Delhi-based LSG bowler clean bowls Travis Head on first ball - WATCH "In IPL, all these things keep happening. Unfortunately few injuries here and there and there were few inquiries if I could join the camp. But LSG approached me first so I had to accept it. Zaheer Khan gave me a call. You have good and bad days, you have to go through it in cricket," said Shardul during the innings break. Against SRH, Thakur removed dangerous Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, who had scored a whirlwind ton in the last game, on successive balls - putting IPL's most destructive batting line-up in defense mode. In the match against Delhi Capitals, Shardul had also picked up two wickets that too in the same over - the first of DC's chase - as he dismissed Jake Fraser-McGurk and Abhishek Porel. Overall, Thakur has played 95 IPL games for five different franchise over last 10 years. Before turning up for LSG, he played for Punjab Kings in 2015, Rising Pune Supergiants in 2017, CSK from 2018-2022, KKR in 2023 before going back to CSK in 2024. In 95 IPL games before this season, he had taken 94 wickets with a best of 4/36 and an economy of 9.22 He also has 307 runs to his name at a strike rate of 137 and a best of 68.

IPL 2025: 'I had to accept it,' Shardul Thakur reveals who called him to join LSG after going unsold at auction

Prince Yadav had not played a single T20 game even at first-class level before 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) and in IPL 2025 match against SunRisers Hyderabad, he clean bowled Travis Head - one of the most dangerous T20 batters in the world - on the very first ball he bowled to the batter.
Prince is playing for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL 2025 and after going for 47 runs in four over during his first game against Delhi Capitals, he showed why LSH spent INR 30 lakh ($35,000) for him in the mega auction last year.
Also Read: <a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-unsold-in-auction-shardul-thakur-bought-for-inr-2-crore-bowls-double-wicket-over-in-second-consecutive-match-for-lsg-vs-srh-8897642" aria-label="IPL 2025: Unsold in auction, Shardul Thakur bowls double-wicket over in second consecutive match for LSG">IPL 2025: Unsold in auction, Shardul Thakur bowls double-wicket over in second consecutive match for LSG</a>
Bowling his first over against SRH on Thursday (Mar 26), Price went for a four on the first ball but a single on the next ball brought Head on the crease. He then fired in a fuller ball on the stumps and Head's stumps lie on the ground - shattered. Have a look at the video below:
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<h2>Who is Prince Yadav?</h2>
Prince rose to prominence on the back of his performance in Delhi Premier League (DPL) while playing under his LSG captain Rishabh Pant. He finished with 13 wickets in 10 games and was subsequently awarded a white-ball debut for Delhi.
Although, Prince had played two Ranji Trophy games for Delhi in the past - this time he was given a longer rope. He featured in all eight games for Delhi in SMAT and picked up 11 wickets with a best of 3/36 and an economy of 7.54.
A day after he played his first SMAT game where he took wickets of Sameer Rizvi and Nitish Rana, he was bought by LSG in the IPL auction.
With Mayank Yadav and Avesh Khan being out due to injury in LSG's season opener - he made his debut but an unforgettable one. The franchise, however, showed faith and he responded with probably biggest wicket of his career so far.&nbsp;

IPL 2025, LGS vs SRH: Prince clean bowled Travis Head - one of the most dangerous T20 batters in the world - on the very first ball he bowled to the batter. Cricket Sports

Prince Yadav had not played a single T20 game even at first-class level before 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) and in IPL 2025 match against SunRisers Hyderabad, he clean bowled Travis Head - one of the most dangerous T20 batters in the world - on the very first ball he bowled to the batter. Prince is playing for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL 2025 and after going for 47 runs in four over during his first game against Delhi Capitals, he showed why LSH spent INR 30 lakh ($35,000) for him in the mega auction last year. Also Read: IPL 2025: Unsold in auction, Shardul Thakur bowls double-wicket over in second consecutive match for LSG Bowling his first over against SRH on Thursday (Mar 26), Price went for a four on the first ball but a single on the next ball brought Head on the crease. He then fired in a fuller ball on the stumps and Head's stumps lie on the ground - shattered. Have a look at the video below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by IPL (@iplt20) Who is Prince Yadav? Prince rose to prominence on the back of his performance in Delhi Premier League (DPL) while playing under his LSG captain Rishabh Pant. He finished with 13 wickets in 10 games and was subsequently awarded a white-ball debut for Delhi. Although, Prince had played two Ranji Trophy games for Delhi in the past - this time he was given a longer rope. He featured in all eight games for Delhi in SMAT and picked up 11 wickets with a best of 3/36 and an economy of 7.54. A day after he played his first SMAT game where he took wickets of Sameer Rizvi and Nitish Rana, he was bought by LSG in the IPL auction. With Mayank Yadav and Avesh Khan being out due to injury in LSG's season opener - he made his debut but an unforgettable one. The franchise, however, showed faith and he responded with probably biggest wicket of his career so far.

IPL 2025, LGS vs SRH: Delhi-based LSG bowler Prince Yadav clean bowls Travis Head on first ball - WATCH

The story of Shardul Thakur or Lord Shardul - how he came to be known among fans - doesn't get any better than his twin wickets against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2025 on Thursday (Mar 27). Thakur, who was originally not even picked in the IPL mega auction last year, has been the most effective LSG bowler in the two games played so far.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/star-culture-returns-with-csk-rcb-southern-derby-why-is-it-ipl-2025-biggest-draw-8896859">Star culture returns with CSK-RCB Southern Derby: Why is it IPL's biggest draw?</a>
Against SRH, Thakur removed dangerous Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, who had scored a whirlwind ton in the last game, on successive balls - putting IPL's most destructive batting line-up in defense mode. Have a look at the wicket below:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
SHARDUL STRIKES! 🔥 The dangerous <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AbhishekSharma?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AbhishekSharma</a> falls into the trap as he gets caught at fine leg off <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShardulThakur?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShardulThakur</a>&rsquo;s clever delivery! Watch LIVE action: <a href="https://t.co/f9h0ie1eiG">https://t.co/f9h0ie1eiG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPLonJioStar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPLonJioStar</a> 👉 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SRHvLSG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SRHvLSG</a> | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi &amp; JioHotstar! <a href="https://t.co/hx4H3wO2EN">pic.twitter.com/hx4H3wO2EN</a>
&mdash; Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/StarSportsIndia/status/1905263676376141918?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2025</a></blockquote>

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In the match against Delhi Capitals, Shardul had also picked up two wickets that too in the same over - the first of DC's chase - as he dismissed Jake Fraser-McGurk and Abhishek Porel. Thanks to his wickets, LSG were dominating the game for most part only to loss the game by a wicket in the end.
He eventually finished with 4/34 as SRH posted 190/9 in 20 overs.
<h2>Shardul Thakur Story in IPL</h2>
Thakur joined LSG only days before the IPL 2025 season as a replacement of Mohsin Khan who was ruled out due to an injury. Shardul was picked from registered pool of players at his base price of INR 2 crore ($233,402).
Overall, Thakur has played 95 IPL games for five different franchise over last 10 years. Before turning up for LSG, he played for Punjab Kings in 2015, Rising Pune Supergiants in 2017, CSK from 2018-2022, KKR in 2023 before going back to CSK in 2024.
In 95 IPL games before this season, he had taken 94 wickets with a best of 4/36 and an economy of 9.22 He also has 307 runs to his name at a strike rate of 137 and a best of 68.

Thakur joined LSG only days before the IPL 2025 season as a replacement of Mohsin Khan. Shardul was picked at his base price of INR 2 crore ($233,402). Cricket Sports

The story of Shardul Thakur or Lord Shardul - how he came to be known among fans - doesn't get any better than his twin wickets against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2025 on Thursday (Mar 27). Thakur, who was originally not even picked in the IPL mega auction last year, has been the most effective LSG bowler in the two games played so far. Also Read: Star culture returns with CSK-RCB Southern Derby: Why is it IPL's biggest draw? Against SRH, Thakur removed dangerous Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, who had scored a whirlwind ton in the last game, on successive balls - putting IPL's most destructive batting line-up in defense mode. Have a look at the wicket below: SHARDUL STRIKES! 🔥 The dangerous #AbhishekSharma falls into the trap as he gets caught at fine leg off #ShardulThakur’s clever delivery! Watch LIVE action: https://t.co/f9h0ie1eiG #IPLonJioStar 👉 #SRHvLSG | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi & JioHotstar! pic.twitter.com/hx4H3wO2EN — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 27, 2025 In the match against Delhi Capitals, Shardul had also picked up two wickets that too in the same over - the first of DC's chase - as he dismissed Jake Fraser-McGurk and Abhishek Porel. Thanks to his wickets, LSG were dominating the game for most part only to loss the game by a wicket in the end. He eventually finished with 4/34 as SRH posted 190/9 in 20 overs. Shardul Thakur Story in IPL Thakur joined LSG only days before the IPL 2025 season as a replacement of Mohsin Khan who was ruled out due to an injury. Shardul was picked from registered pool of players at his base price of INR 2 crore ($233,402). Overall, Thakur has played 95 IPL games for five different franchise over last 10 years. Before turning up for LSG, he played for Punjab Kings in 2015, Rising Pune Supergiants in 2017, CSK from 2018-2022, KKR in 2023 before going back to CSK in 2024. In 95 IPL games before this season, he had taken 94 wickets with a best of 4/36 and an economy of 9.22 He also has 307 runs to his name at a strike rate of 137 and a best of 68.

IPL 2025: Unsold in auction, Shardul Thakur bowls double-wicket over in second consecutive match for LSG

Few rivalries in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/indian-premier-league">Indian Premier League</a> (IPL) ignite as much passion and excitement as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Over the years, this fixture has evolved into a marquee showdown, drawing fans from across the country. Former RCB head coach&nbsp; <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/sanjay-bangar">Sanjay Bangar</a> shared his insights on what makes this rivalry so special and what RCB must do to overcome CSK&rsquo;s dominance, particularly in Chennai.<o:p></o:p>
Reflecting on the head-to-head record, Bangar acknowledged CSK&rsquo;s historical upper hand, having won 21 out of 33 encounters. However, he noted that the gap between the two teams has started to close. "If you look at the last couple of seasons, we&rsquo;ve seen high-scoring, closely fought contests," Sanjay Bangar, JioStar expert, replied to WION's question ahead of the IPL's 'El Clasico' match on Friday (March 28). He remembered a memorable game where RCB came agonisingly close to chasing down 220+ runs, only to fall short when Dinesh Karthik was dismissed.<o:p></o:p>
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/star-culture-returns-with-csk-rcb-southern-derby-why-is-it-ipl-2025-biggest-draw-8896859">Star culture returns with CSK-RCB Southern Derby: Why is it IPL's biggest draw?</a>
Despite Chennai&rsquo;s home advantage, Bangar believes RCB&rsquo;s batting firepower could give them an edge. "RCB has a stronger batting line-up, but if the pitch starts gripping and turning, that&rsquo;s where CSK&rsquo;s spinners&mdash;Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandra Ashwin, and Noor Ahmed&mdash;could create trouble, especially for RCB&rsquo;s English batters," he explained.<o:p></o:p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: normal;">Why CSK vs RCB is a spectacle?<o:p></o:p></h2>
Beyond the on-field battle, Bangar highlighted the emotional and fan-driven aspects of the rivalry. "CSK is one of the most followed teams across the country, while RCB, with Virat Kohli at the helm, enjoys an equally passionate fan base," he said. The presence of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ms-dhoni">MS Dhoni</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/virat-kohli">Virat Kohli</a> &mdash; two of the biggest icons in Indian cricket&mdash;elevates the stakes every time these teams clash.<o:p></o:p>
"The mutual respect between Dhoni and Virat, their leadership styles, and the electrifying atmosphere they generate make this fixture a must-watch," Bangar added. "It&rsquo;s not just about the teams; it&rsquo;s about the legends of the game coming together, battling it out with their teams, and creating unforgettable moments for the fans."<o:p></o:p>
As RCB looks to break their losing streak in Chennai, all eyes will be on their ability to counter CSK&rsquo;s home advantage. "They&rsquo;ve been playing consistent cricket over the past four seasons, and that confidence might just help them get over the line this time," Bangar signed off.<o:p></o:p>
One thing is certain&mdash;whenever CSK and RCB lock horns, the IPL transforms into a grand spectacle, filled with drama, skill, and an unrivaled sense of anticipation.<o:p></o:p>

Cricket, Sports: RCB faces huge task against CSK at Chepauk stadium, where they have only won once in IPL history. Will CSK's spin attack threaten RCB's batting line-up?

Few rivalries in the Indian Premier League (IPL) ignite as much passion and excitement as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Over the years, this fixture has evolved into a marquee showdown, drawing fans from across the country. Former RCB head coach Sanjay Bangar shared his insights on what makes this rivalry so special and what RCB must do to overcome CSK’s dominance, particularly in Chennai. Reflecting on the head-to-head record, Bangar acknowledged CSK’s historical upper hand, having won 21 out of 33 encounters. However, he noted that the gap between the two teams has started to close. "If you look at the last couple of seasons, we’ve seen high-scoring, closely fought contests," Sanjay Bangar, JioStar expert, replied to WION's question ahead of the IPL's 'El Clasico' match on Friday (March 28). He remembered a memorable game where RCB came agonisingly close to chasing down 220+ runs, only to fall short when Dinesh Karthik was dismissed. Also Read: Star culture returns with CSK-RCB Southern Derby: Why is it IPL's biggest draw? Despite Chennai’s home advantage, Bangar believes RCB’s batting firepower could give them an edge. "RCB has a stronger batting line-up, but if the pitch starts gripping and turning, that’s where CSK’s spinners—Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandra Ashwin, and Noor Ahmed—could create trouble, especially for RCB’s English batters," he explained. Why CSK vs RCB is a spectacle? Beyond the on-field battle, Bangar highlighted the emotional and fan-driven aspects of the rivalry. "CSK is one of the most followed teams across the country, while RCB, with Virat Kohli at the helm, enjoys an equally passionate fan base," he said. The presence of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli — two of the biggest icons in Indian cricket—elevates the stakes every time these teams clash. "The mutual respect between Dhoni and Virat, their leadership styles, and the electrifying atmosphere they generate make this fixture a must-watch," Bangar added. "It’s not just about the teams; it’s about the legends of the game coming together, battling it out with their teams, and creating unforgettable moments for the fans." As RCB looks to break their losing streak in Chennai, all eyes will be on their ability to counter CSK’s home advantage. "They’ve been playing consistent cricket over the past four seasons, and that confidence might just help them get over the line this time," Bangar signed off. One thing is certain—whenever CSK and RCB lock horns, the IPL transforms into a grand spectacle, filled with drama, skill, and an unrivaled sense of anticipation.

Exclusive | IPL 2025: 'Dhoni vs Kohli elevates CSK-RCB clash to epic proportions', says former RCB coach

Some rivalries and battles stretch beyond all boundaries, and IPL&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/chennai-super-kings-csk" rel="dofollow">Chennai Super Kings (CSK)</a> vs <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/royal-challengers-bengaluru" rel="dofollow">Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)</a> is one the cricketing world longs for. There&rsquo;s more to it than just a contest between bat and ball, two giants of franchise cricket and MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli. Since the tournament&rsquo;s inception in 2008, both have held the highest honour in this league, with their fan bases running the show outside.
<h2>IPL&rsquo;s greatest draw</h2>
Watching <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ms-dhoni" rel="dofollow">MS Dhoni</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/virat-kohli" rel="dofollow">Virat Kohli</a> share the stage in opposite camps 18 years since doing it for the first time in 2008 still gives chills to everyone, let alone those in attendance.&nbsp;
Cricket peaks, the advertisement prices boom and the fans stick to their TV sets when MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli &ndash; the two grandest sporting heroes in the country come face to face.&nbsp;
Contrary to the notion of how a heroic sporting culture in India led to the team and fans facing disappointment on the global stage several times, with the team&rsquo;s superstars failing to perform on the big day and India losing eventually, all take the back seat when these two stalwarts enter the arena.
With CSK and RCB ready to write another chapter in their glorious IPL history, let&rsquo;s look at what is in store for the fans ahead of the Southern Derby on Friday at Chepauk.
<h3>The Big Preview</h3>
Chennai opened their IPL 2025 campaign with a five-wicket win over rivals Mumbai Indians at home, while Bengaluru clinched a crucial yet statement win over the defending champions Kolkata in the tournament opener at Eden Gardens.&nbsp;
Oozing with confidence, both teams will aim to carry the momentum in their second clash &ndash; their first against each other this season in Chennai.
Talking of the home team, CSK has all the right weapons to unleash on a batting-heavy RCB in their home conditions. With the veteran duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja holding the fort, alongside the addition of Afghanistan&rsquo;s Noor Ahmed strengthening their spin attack, CSK is ready to maintain their winning streak.&nbsp;
However, the touring RCB side is not short of deadly arsenals in their attack. Besides the powerhouse of attackers at the top, including England&rsquo;s Phil Salt and Kohli, their dominating middle order makes up for a lack of fine spin bowling options, although Krunal Pandya&rsquo;s first-game heroics keep their noses ahead.
Following the first marquee clash on the past Sunday between CSK and MI, Chennai will return with another blockbuster tie against the touring RCB.&nbsp;
However, for the nth time in the past couple of years, this could also be the last time Kohli and Dhoni go against each other for the one last time.
So, till they are around, it&rsquo;s time we cherish it.&nbsp;

Cricket, Sports: Cricket peaks, the advertisement prices boom and the fans stick to their TV sets when MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli come face to face.

Some rivalries and battles stretch beyond all boundaries, and IPL’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is one the cricketing world longs for. There’s more to it than just a contest between bat and ball, two giants of franchise cricket and MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli. Since the tournament’s inception in 2008, both have held the highest honour in this league, with their fan bases running the show outside. IPL’s greatest draw Watching MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli share the stage in opposite camps 18 years since doing it for the first time in 2008 still gives chills to everyone, let alone those in attendance. Cricket peaks, the advertisement prices boom and the fans stick to their TV sets when MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli – the two grandest sporting heroes in the country come face to face. Contrary to the notion of how a heroic sporting culture in India led to the team and fans facing disappointment on the global stage several times, with the team’s superstars failing to perform on the big day and India losing eventually, all take the back seat when these two stalwarts enter the arena. With CSK and RCB ready to write another chapter in their glorious IPL history, let’s look at what is in store for the fans ahead of the Southern Derby on Friday at Chepauk. The Big Preview Chennai opened their IPL 2025 campaign with a five-wicket win over rivals Mumbai Indians at home, while Bengaluru clinched a crucial yet statement win over the defending champions Kolkata in the tournament opener at Eden Gardens. Oozing with confidence, both teams will aim to carry the momentum in their second clash – their first against each other this season in Chennai. Talking of the home team, CSK has all the right weapons to unleash on a batting-heavy RCB in their home conditions. With the veteran duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja holding the fort, alongside the addition of Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmed strengthening their spin attack, CSK is ready to maintain their winning streak. However, the touring RCB side is not short of deadly arsenals in their attack. Besides the powerhouse of attackers at the top, including England’s Phil Salt and Kohli, their dominating middle order makes up for a lack of fine spin bowling options, although Krunal Pandya’s first-game heroics keep their noses ahead. Following the first marquee clash on the past Sunday between CSK and MI, Chennai will return with another blockbuster tie against the touring RCB. However, for the nth time in the past couple of years, this could also be the last time Kohli and Dhoni go against each other for the one last time. So, till they are around, it’s time we cherish it.

Star culture returns with CSK-RCB Southern Derby: Why is it IPL's biggest draw?

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Moeen Ali was given a difficult task to replace ailing Sunil Narine for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match against Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday (Mar 26). KKR had already lost their opening match and were desperate to kickstart their campaign and Ali played his part to perfection.
The all-rounder, who bowled only 48 balls entire last season for CSK, delivered a sensational spell of 2/23 in four overs and ably supported Varun Chakaravarthy who himself finished with 2/17 in four overs. The two spinners stifled Royals for a modest score of 151/9 in 20 overs.
Also Read: <a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/rohit-sharma-virat-kohli-ravindra-jadeja-demotion-in-bccis-annual-central-contract-list-report-8896602" aria-label="BCCI to take massive call on star Indian trio as annual central contract list announcement looms">BCCI to take massive call on star Indian trio as annual central contract list announcement looms</a>
Ali, however, acknowledged that his role was to contain as he doesn't have skills like other bowlers and the all-rounder did his job extremely well in KKR's eight-wicket win.
"I don't have the skill as other bowlers, but my job is to contain as much as I can. I think my skill is that I think like a batter. So a lot of the time I'm trying to think what they think and it works in my favour," said Ali in his post-match press conference.
"You're just waiting for your turn and when the chance comes, you try and take it as much as you can. But on some wickets like today, I probably used my experience as much as I could to actually keep it simple, keep the stumps in play, keep the line to the left-handers in particular quite straight and just try and spin the ball," he said about his inclusion in the final XI.
KKR chased the target 17.3 overs as Quinton de Kock top scored with 97 not out of 61 balls, hitting six sixes and eight fours.
KKR next play Mumbai Indians on March 31 while Royals face CSK day prior to KKR's match.

Ali, who bowled only 48 balls entire last season for CSK, delivered a sensational spell of 2/23 in four overs and ably supported Varun in KKR's win vs RR. Cricket Sports

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Moeen Ali was given a difficult task to replace ailing Sunil Narine for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match against Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday (Mar 26). KKR had already lost their opening match and were desperate to kickstart their campaign and Ali played his part to perfection. The all-rounder, who bowled only 48 balls entire last season for CSK, delivered a sensational spell of 2/23 in four overs and ably supported Varun Chakaravarthy who himself finished with 2/17 in four overs. The two spinners stifled Royals for a modest score of 151/9 in 20 overs. Also Read: BCCI to take massive call on star Indian trio as annual central contract list announcement looms Ali, however, acknowledged that his role was to contain as he doesn't have skills like other bowlers and the all-rounder did his job extremely well in KKR's eight-wicket win. "I don't have the skill as other bowlers, but my job is to contain as much as I can. I think my skill is that I think like a batter. So a lot of the time I'm trying to think what they think and it works in my favour," said Ali in his post-match press conference. "You're just waiting for your turn and when the chance comes, you try and take it as much as you can. But on some wickets like today, I probably used my experience as much as I could to actually keep it simple, keep the stumps in play, keep the line to the left-handers in particular quite straight and just try and spin the ball," he said about his inclusion in the final XI. KKR chased the target 17.3 overs as Quinton de Kock top scored with 97 not out of 61 balls, hitting six sixes and eight fours. KKR next play Mumbai Indians on March 31 while Royals face CSK day prior to KKR's match.

IPL 2025: 'I don't have the skill...' says KKR's all-rounder Moeen Ali after match-winning performance vs Royals

India captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/rohit-sharma" rel="dofollow">Rohit Sharma</a>, star batter <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/virat-kohli" rel="dofollow">Virat Kohli</a> and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja could face demotion from the A+ category to the A category in BCCI&rsquo;s annual central contract list for the upcoming season. Per the latest reports, there would be at least three new entrants to the contract list, including that of an opener, an all-rounder and a seamer.
Last year, the BCCI turned heads with two bold calls by removing two mainstream batters, Shreyas Iyer and gloveman Ishan Kishan, from the contract list. Though the board was right in doing so after both denied obeying BCCI orders to play Ranji Trophy matches, the report said Iyer would return to the list, but the same cannot be said for Kishan.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/virat-kohli-rohit-sharma-to-play-india-a-matches-ahead-of-england-tests-report-mi-rcb-ipl-2025-8895733" rel="dofollow">Kohli and Rohit to play India A matches ahead of England Tests &ndash; Report</a>
Meanwhile, the left-handed batter recently made headlines for his match-winning hundred for his new IPL team, SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) and on the other hand, Iyer guided his new team, Punjab Kings, home against Gujarat Titans, in the side&rsquo;s tournament opener.
Returning to the three stalwarts, all belonged to the top category, reserved for only those who play all three formats. Now that Rohit, Virat and Jadeja retired from the T20Is following India&rsquo;s T20 World Cup triumph last year, the trio shall be demoted to the A category. A Dainik Jagran report suggested that only ace seamer Jasprit Bumrah retains his place in the A+ category.
<h2>Any promotions on the cards?</h2>
While the newly-appointed ODI vice-captain Shubman Gill, currently listed in the A category, could be promoted to the A+ category, rookie opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (B category) could also get promoted to the A category. Another player who can get a promotion is all-rounder Axar Patel (B category), who took massive strides across formats, playing handy roles in helping India win two ICC titles in two years.
However, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana and Abhishek Sharma are the three confirmed entries to the C category, where a player should have represented India in a minimum of three Tests or eight ODIs or 10 T20Is within a specific period.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/eng-vs-ind-2025-karun-nair-set-for-india-a-call-up-as-bcci-keeps-close-tab-on-tests-hopefuls-report-rohit-sharma-captain-8896034" rel="dofollow">ENG vs IND 2025: Karun Nair set for India-A call-up as BCCI keeps close tab on Tests hopefuls &ndash; Report</a>
On the other hand, opener Ruturaj Gaikwad could face trouble holding onto his position (in the C category), having last represented India in July 2024.
Moreover, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is set to meet in Guwahati on Saturday (Mar 29) to work on the annual contract list and discussions around India and India-A squads for the upcoming England Tests.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Last year, the BCCI turned heads with two bold calls by removing two mainstream batters, Shreyas Iyer and gloveman Ishan Kishan, from the contract list.

India captain Rohit Sharma, star batter Virat Kohli and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja could face demotion from the A+ category to the A category in BCCI’s annual central contract list for the upcoming season. Per the latest reports, there would be at least three new entrants to the contract list, including that of an opener, an all-rounder and a seamer. Last year, the BCCI turned heads with two bold calls by removing two mainstream batters, Shreyas Iyer and gloveman Ishan Kishan, from the contract list. Though the board was right in doing so after both denied obeying BCCI orders to play Ranji Trophy matches, the report said Iyer would return to the list, but the same cannot be said for Kishan. Also read | Kohli and Rohit to play India A matches ahead of England Tests – Report Meanwhile, the left-handed batter recently made headlines for his match-winning hundred for his new IPL team, SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) and on the other hand, Iyer guided his new team, Punjab Kings, home against Gujarat Titans, in the side’s tournament opener. Returning to the three stalwarts, all belonged to the top category, reserved for only those who play all three formats. Now that Rohit, Virat and Jadeja retired from the T20Is following India’s T20 World Cup triumph last year, the trio shall be demoted to the A category. A Dainik Jagran report suggested that only ace seamer Jasprit Bumrah retains his place in the A+ category. Any promotions on the cards? While the newly-appointed ODI vice-captain Shubman Gill, currently listed in the A category, could be promoted to the A+ category, rookie opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (B category) could also get promoted to the A category. Another player who can get a promotion is all-rounder Axar Patel (B category), who took massive strides across formats, playing handy roles in helping India win two ICC titles in two years. However, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana and Abhishek Sharma are the three confirmed entries to the C category, where a player should have represented India in a minimum of three Tests or eight ODIs or 10 T20Is within a specific period. Also read | ENG vs IND 2025: Karun Nair set for India-A call-up as BCCI keeps close tab on Tests hopefuls – Report On the other hand, opener Ruturaj Gaikwad could face trouble holding onto his position (in the C category), having last represented India in July 2024. Moreover, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is set to meet in Guwahati on Saturday (Mar 29) to work on the annual contract list and discussions around India and India-A squads for the upcoming England Tests. (With inputs from agencies)

BCCI to take massive call on star Indian trio as annual central contract list announcement looms

The BCCI selectors have decided to reward batter <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/karun-nair" rel="dofollow">Karun Nair</a> with a call-up to the India-A squad for the upcoming India tour of England 2025 starting June 20 in Leeds. The latest report suggests Karun, who made headlines for outstanding performances in India&rsquo;s domestic tournaments the past season, will be part of two four-day practice matches against England Lions starting May 30. An ECB statement read that India A will play the second game beginning June 6.
Karun capped off his best-ever domestic season as the highest run-scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the fourth-highest in the premier Ranji Trophy tournament, scoring 863 runs from nine matches, including four centuries and two fifties, averaging 54.
Even in the 50-over competition in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Karun amassed a massive 779 runs from nine outings, hitting five hundreds and averaging a mind-boggling 389.50.&nbsp;
"I'm not the right person to ask. I cannot comment on that. I have to just say that I have to keep performing in every game that I get, and if it happens, it happens. I have to do my job to the best," Karun said of his India call-up chances following his brilliant 132 against Kerala in the Ranji Trophy final.
<h2>Rohit to captain India in England</h2>
Amid reports of captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/rohit-sharma" rel="dofollow">Rohit Sharma</a> hanging his boots from Test cricket following his most dismal red-ball season, wherein he scored just 164 runs in ten Tests (from September 2024 till January this year), the batting veteran will continue to lead India in five-match Test series against England.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/virat-kohli-rohit-sharma-to-play-india-a-matches-ahead-of-england-tests-report-mi-rcb-ipl-2025-8895733" rel="dofollow">Kohli and Rohit to play India A matches ahead of England Tests &ndash; Report</a>
Per a PTI report, Rohit will work with the batting coach Abhishek Nayar to improve his fitness, which will further fine-tune his reflexes against the moving ball in the UK.
Besides, with Rohit most certain to lead India in the whites, KL Rahul will drop down to the middle order, and should the selectors pick Karun for the five Tests, this batting pair can help India revive from past demons.
<h3>Squad announcement during IPL 2025 Playoffs</h3>
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ipl-2025" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025</a> got underway the past week and shall continue entertaining fans for the next two months. With the England Tests starting June 20, the BCCI selectors have ample time to work on the squad structure, with reports claiming that the selectors will pick the Test squad during the IPL 2025 playoffs.&nbsp;
(With inputs from PTI)

Cricket, Sports: Karun, who performed brilliantly in domestic cricket the past season, will be part of two four-day practice matches against England Lions.

The BCCI selectors have decided to reward batter Karun Nair with a call-up to the India-A squad for the upcoming India tour of England 2025 starting June 20 in Leeds. The latest report suggests Karun, who made headlines for outstanding performances in India’s domestic tournaments the past season, will be part of two four-day practice matches against England Lions starting May 30. An ECB statement read that India A will play the second game beginning June 6. Karun capped off his best-ever domestic season as the highest run-scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the fourth-highest in the premier Ranji Trophy tournament, scoring 863 runs from nine matches, including four centuries and two fifties, averaging 54. Even in the 50-over competition in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Karun amassed a massive 779 runs from nine outings, hitting five hundreds and averaging a mind-boggling 389.50. "I'm not the right person to ask. I cannot comment on that. I have to just say that I have to keep performing in every game that I get, and if it happens, it happens. I have to do my job to the best," Karun said of his India call-up chances following his brilliant 132 against Kerala in the Ranji Trophy final. Rohit to captain India in England Amid reports of captain Rohit Sharma hanging his boots from Test cricket following his most dismal red-ball season, wherein he scored just 164 runs in ten Tests (from September 2024 till January this year), the batting veteran will continue to lead India in five-match Test series against England. Also read | Kohli and Rohit to play India A matches ahead of England Tests – Report Per a PTI report, Rohit will work with the batting coach Abhishek Nayar to improve his fitness, which will further fine-tune his reflexes against the moving ball in the UK. Besides, with Rohit most certain to lead India in the whites, KL Rahul will drop down to the middle order, and should the selectors pick Karun for the five Tests, this batting pair can help India revive from past demons. Squad announcement during IPL 2025 Playoffs IPL 2025 got underway the past week and shall continue entertaining fans for the next two months. With the England Tests starting June 20, the BCCI selectors have ample time to work on the squad structure, with reports claiming that the selectors will pick the Test squad during the IPL 2025 playoffs. (With inputs from PTI)

ENG vs IND 2025: Karun Nair set for India-A call-up as BCCI keeps close tab on Tests hopefuls – Report

The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) could ask ace batters captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/rohit-sharma" rel="dofollow">Rohit Sharma</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/virat-kohli" rel="dofollow">Virat Kohli</a> to feature for India-A ahead of the away England tour starting June 20 in Leeds. India-A will face England Lions in two four-day matches during the May-June window, with the first game scheduled for May 30 start (four days after the IPL 2025 final), while the second match begins on June 6.&nbsp;
"The first four-day match will be hosted at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in Canterbury from May 30. The second match is scheduled to begin a week later on June 6 at the County Ground in Northampton," an ECB statement read.
India&rsquo;s away tour of England will mark the start of the next World Test Championship cycle (2025-2027).
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ecb-boss-wants-players-to-prioritise-national-team-nick-knight-on-england-cricketers-opting-out-of-ipl-2025-lately-8895537" rel="dofollow">ECB boss wants players to prioritise national team: Nick Knight on England cricketers opting out of IPL lately</a>
Meanwhile, the Rohit Sharma&ndash;led Indian Team failed to qualify for this year&rsquo;s WTC Final after losing two back-to-back Test series (against New Zealand at home and Australia away).
Per a PTI report, a few of India&rsquo;s first-team players will feature for India A against England Lions. This move, however, could put them under pressure over logistical challenges, as should any of the mainstream Test players (picked for England Tests) qualify for the IPL 2025 Playoffs, he shall be bound to feature for his franchise team unless his side gets knocked out.&nbsp;In this case, should Mumbai Indians (MI), for whom Rohit plays, or Kohli&rsquo;s Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) qualify for the playoffs or even the finale, either of them have to participate before flying to the UK to feature in India A matches.
Following their below-par outings against both New Zealand and Australia earlier, the BCCI could force them to play red-ball cricket before the crucial England tour begins, ensuring both return to some form and help India avoid any more hiccups in their quest for a maiden WTC title. While Rohit scored just 31 runs across three Tests Down Under, batting at different positions, Kohli managed a paltry 190 runs from nine innings against Australia, which included a hundred in the series opener in Perth.
<h2>Kohli, Rohit in IPL 2025</h2>
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have had contrasting starts to their respective <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ipl-2025" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025</a> campaigns. While Kohli starred in RCB&rsquo;s win over KKR in the tournament opener, hitting an unbeaten 59, former MI captain Rohit departed on a four-ball duck against Chennai Super Kings, which the hosts won by four wickets.
RCB will travel to Chepauk for its next game on Friday (March 28) and MI will take on Gujarat Titans the next day.&nbsp;
(With inputs from PTI)

Cricket, Sports: India’s away tour of England will mark the start of the next World Test Championship cycle. India failed to qualify for this year's WTC Final.

The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) could ask ace batters captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to feature for India-A ahead of the away England tour starting June 20 in Leeds. India-A will face England Lions in two four-day matches during the May-June window, with the first game scheduled for May 30 start (four days after the IPL 2025 final), while the second match begins on June 6. "The first four-day match will be hosted at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in Canterbury from May 30. The second match is scheduled to begin a week later on June 6 at the County Ground in Northampton," an ECB statement read. India’s away tour of England will mark the start of the next World Test Championship cycle (2025-2027). Also read | ECB boss wants players to prioritise national team: Nick Knight on England cricketers opting out of IPL lately Meanwhile, the Rohit Sharma–led Indian Team failed to qualify for this year’s WTC Final after losing two back-to-back Test series (against New Zealand at home and Australia away). Per a PTI report, a few of India’s first-team players will feature for India A against England Lions. This move, however, could put them under pressure over logistical challenges, as should any of the mainstream Test players (picked for England Tests) qualify for the IPL 2025 Playoffs, he shall be bound to feature for his franchise team unless his side gets knocked out. In this case, should Mumbai Indians (MI), for whom Rohit plays, or Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) qualify for the playoffs or even the finale, either of them have to participate before flying to the UK to feature in India A matches. Following their below-par outings against both New Zealand and Australia earlier, the BCCI could force them to play red-ball cricket before the crucial England tour begins, ensuring both return to some form and help India avoid any more hiccups in their quest for a maiden WTC title. While Rohit scored just 31 runs across three Tests Down Under, batting at different positions, Kohli managed a paltry 190 runs from nine innings against Australia, which included a hundred in the series opener in Perth. Kohli, Rohit in IPL 2025 Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have had contrasting starts to their respective IPL 2025 campaigns. While Kohli starred in RCB’s win over KKR in the tournament opener, hitting an unbeaten 59, former MI captain Rohit departed on a four-ball duck against Chennai Super Kings, which the hosts won by four wickets. RCB will travel to Chepauk for its next game on Friday (March 28) and MI will take on Gujarat Titans the next day. (With inputs from PTI)

Kohli and Rohit to play India A matches ahead of England Tests – Report

Something is brewing behind the scenes in England cricket. Despite the IPL and the BCCI listing out repercussions for those opting out of a season if not injured or for unavoidable reasons, England star batter <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/harry-brook" rel="dofollow">Harry Brook</a> pulled out of the ongoing 18th edition to prioritise the national team, thus facing a two-year ban. Former opener Nick Knight explains why English cricketers have lately begun pulling their names out of the cash-rich league.
It&rsquo;s not the first time England players have pulled their names out of the IPL. Brook decided to pull out last year, although for personal reasons, while several top English cricketers, including Joe Root and Ben Stokes, decided against registering for the IPL auction. However, Brook and seamer Brydon Carse will not feature in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ipl-2025" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025</a>, with only ten players from England participating.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/bcci-was-right-in-banning-harry-brook-for-ipl-2025-pullout-says-moeen-ali-8862219" rel="dofollow">BCCI was right in banning Harry Brook for IPL 2025 pullout, says Moeen Ali</a>
<h2>Cramped schedule, and its side effects</h2>
Considering the jam-packed international calendar, with all boards trying to protect their all-format players, the ECB is not behind, trying to keep their best players safeguarded from exertion. The ECB is doing everything to ensure their top cricketers pick playing for the national team ahead of participating in such lucrative leagues worldwide.
With England hosting India for five Tests right after the IPL and later travelling Down Under for the marquee away Ashes, ECB chief Robert Key wants all its players fit and available for selection; Knight feels there's nothing wrong with that.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/boost-for-england-as-former-captain-makes-grand-return-to-cricket-for-wcl-2025-alastair-cook-world-championship-of-legends-8895324" rel="dofollow">Boost for England as former captain makes grand return to cricket for WCL 2025</a>
"Rob Key, who is in charge back at the ECB, has basically tried to - and he's fairly right - encouraged his players to play as much for England [as possible]," Nick Knight said on ESPNcricinfo's T20 TimeOut show.&nbsp;
"They've got a five-Test series against India. They've got an Ashes to follow. They've got multi-format players, like Harry Brook and Mark Wood - they're pretty well looked after now. And they're going to have to be looked after.
"There's a bit of that influence. So they perhaps don't need to travel and play in all these leagues around the world. There are other leagues popping up as well. If you're not going to get the full price [at the IPL auctions] that perhaps you might want to get, you might want to play in another league. So there are a number of these sorts of factors flying around for some of these players,&rdquo; he continued.
Meanwhile, the ten English players to feature this season are - Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Phil Salt and Reece Topley.&nbsp;
Although Delhi Capitals approached opener Ben Duckett as Brook&rsquo;s replacement, the English batter decided to stay away.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Considering the jam-packed international calendar, with all boards trying to protect their all-format players, the ECB is not behind.

Something is brewing behind the scenes in England cricket. Despite the IPL and the BCCI listing out repercussions for those opting out of a season if not injured or for unavoidable reasons, England star batter Harry Brook pulled out of the ongoing 18th edition to prioritise the national team, thus facing a two-year ban. Former opener Nick Knight explains why English cricketers have lately begun pulling their names out of the cash-rich league. It’s not the first time England players have pulled their names out of the IPL. Brook decided to pull out last year, although for personal reasons, while several top English cricketers, including Joe Root and Ben Stokes, decided against registering for the IPL auction. However, Brook and seamer Brydon Carse will not feature in IPL 2025, with only ten players from England participating. Also read | BCCI was right in banning Harry Brook for IPL 2025 pullout, says Moeen Ali Cramped schedule, and its side effects Considering the jam-packed international calendar, with all boards trying to protect their all-format players, the ECB is not behind, trying to keep their best players safeguarded from exertion. The ECB is doing everything to ensure their top cricketers pick playing for the national team ahead of participating in such lucrative leagues worldwide. With England hosting India for five Tests right after the IPL and later travelling Down Under for the marquee away Ashes, ECB chief Robert Key wants all its players fit and available for selection; Knight feels there's nothing wrong with that. Also read | Boost for England as former captain makes grand return to cricket for WCL 2025 "Rob Key, who is in charge back at the ECB, has basically tried to - and he's fairly right - encouraged his players to play as much for England [as possible]," Nick Knight said on ESPNcricinfo's T20 TimeOut show. "They've got a five-Test series against India. They've got an Ashes to follow. They've got multi-format players, like Harry Brook and Mark Wood - they're pretty well looked after now. And they're going to have to be looked after. "There's a bit of that influence. So they perhaps don't need to travel and play in all these leagues around the world. There are other leagues popping up as well. If you're not going to get the full price [at the IPL auctions] that perhaps you might want to get, you might want to play in another league. So there are a number of these sorts of factors flying around for some of these players,” he continued. Meanwhile, the ten English players to feature this season are - Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Phil Salt and Reece Topley. Although Delhi Capitals approached opener Ben Duckett as Brook’s replacement, the English batter decided to stay away. (With inputs from agencies)

ECB boss wants players to prioritise national team: Nick Knight on England cricketers opting out of IPL lately

In a historic moment for cricket lovers, England's legendary batter Sir Alastair Cook has announced his return to competitive cricket, joining the England Champions squad for the upcoming World Championship of Legends (WCL 2025) to be held at Edgbaston in July 2025.&nbsp;
Cook, who <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/england-great-sir-alastair-cook-announces-retirement-from-all-forms-of-cricket-pens-heartfelt-letter-646441" rel="dofollow">bid farewell to international cricket in 2018</a> as England's highest Test run-scorer, will reunite with his longtime comrade and white-ball icon, Eoin Morgan, who is set to lead the England Champions in this prestigious global tournament.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
Sharing his excitement, Cook said, as quoted from a press release by World Championship of Legends, "It is great to be back playing for my country. I am really looking forward to being back on the field with Eoin and the other guys.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-harsha-bhogle-simon-doull-unhappy-with-kkr-pitch-curator-for-disrespecting-ajinkya-rahane-8895205" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025 - Bhogle, Doull unhappy with KKR pitch curator for disrespecting captain Rahane</a>
Expressing gratitude for the opportunity, he added, "The World Championship of Legends is providing the chance to be back involved with cricket at its best. I can't wait!" <o:p></o:p>
Harshit Tomar, Founder and CEO of WCL, expressed his enthusiasm and said, "Having a player of Sir Alastair Cook's caliber join the World Championship of Legends will be a tremendous boost for the tournament. His legendary status will undoubtedly elevate the competition and bring immense value to the England Champions team." <o:p></o:p>
"Sir Cook's decision to return to cricket through the WCL platform demonstrates the tournament's growing prestige and appeal to cricket icons worldwide," Harshit Tomar added. <o:p></o:p>
Praveen Sharma, owner of the England Champions, shared his pride in the team's strengthening squad: "This is more than just a team announcement--it's history in motion. With Cook and Morgan at the helm, England Champions is ready to take the WCL by storm."<o:p></o:p>
Captain Eoin Morgan welcomed Cook with open arms and said, "Having Alastair back is not just about cricket, it's about camaraderie, history, and creating new memories. We're not just playing the game--we're honouring it." <o:p></o:p>
Cook's return adds yet another layer of excellence to a side already packed with champions. His career boasts 161 Test matches, 12,472 runs at an average of 45.35, and 33 centuries, solidifying his legacy as one of the game's all-time greats.
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Cricket, Sports: Cook, retired in 2018, will reunite with Eoin Morgan, who is set to lead the England Champions in this prestigious global tournament.

In a historic moment for cricket lovers, England's legendary batter Sir Alastair Cook has announced his return to competitive cricket, joining the England Champions squad for the upcoming World Championship of Legends (WCL 2025) to be held at Edgbaston in July 2025. Cook, who bid farewell to international cricket in 2018 as England's highest Test run-scorer, will reunite with his longtime comrade and white-ball icon, Eoin Morgan, who is set to lead the England Champions in this prestigious global tournament. Sharing his excitement, Cook said, as quoted from a press release by World Championship of Legends, "It is great to be back playing for my country. I am really looking forward to being back on the field with Eoin and the other guys. Also read | IPL 2025 - Bhogle, Doull unhappy with KKR pitch curator for disrespecting captain Rahane Expressing gratitude for the opportunity, he added, "The World Championship of Legends is providing the chance to be back involved with cricket at its best. I can't wait!" Harshit Tomar, Founder and CEO of WCL, expressed his enthusiasm and said, "Having a player of Sir Alastair Cook's caliber join the World Championship of Legends will be a tremendous boost for the tournament. His legendary status will undoubtedly elevate the competition and bring immense value to the England Champions team." "Sir Cook's decision to return to cricket through the WCL platform demonstrates the tournament's growing prestige and appeal to cricket icons worldwide," Harshit Tomar added. Praveen Sharma, owner of the England Champions, shared his pride in the team's strengthening squad: "This is more than just a team announcement--it's history in motion. With Cook and Morgan at the helm, England Champions is ready to take the WCL by storm." Captain Eoin Morgan welcomed Cook with open arms and said, "Having Alastair back is not just about cricket, it's about camaraderie, history, and creating new memories. We're not just playing the game--we're honouring it." Cook's return adds yet another layer of excellence to a side already packed with champions. His career boasts 161 Test matches, 12,472 runs at an average of 45.35, and 33 centuries, solidifying his legacy as one of the game's all-time greats. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Boost for England as former captain makes grand return to cricket for WCL 2025

KKR pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee rejected team captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ajinkya-rahane" rel="dofollow">Ajinkya Rahane</a>&rsquo;s request to prepare pitches that could aid their spinners so that they could maximise their home advantage, with broadcasters Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull coming down hard on him for disrespecting Rahane. Although KKR won their second game of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ipl-2025" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025</a> by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-rr-vs-kkr-live-score-updates-6th-match-rajasthan-royals-vs-kolkata-knight-riders-today-live-cricket-match-scorecard-26-march-8893149" rel="dofollow">beating Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati</a>, their home loss in the tournament opener didn&rsquo;t sit well with cricket experts.
Knowing KKR has enjoyed enormous success banking on their spin attack, no assistance provided for the curtain raiser this time hurt their result, as RCB prevailed in a lop-sided contest. After posting a moderate 174/8 in the first innings, KKR could pick just three RCB wickets, two of which came to their mystery spin pair of Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-marsh-acknowledges-lsg-going-to-be-under-pressure-against-srh-8894171" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025: Marsh acknowledges LSG 'going to be under pressure' against SRH</a>
Meanwhile, Bhogle pointed out how home teams rightly use the pitch advantage to their benefit, and if all IPL teams are getting this privilege, then KKR should also. The veteran TV commentator expressed displeasure over KKR&rsquo;s pitch curator remarks, saying Rahane never asked for rank turners or 120-run pitches; instead, all that he asked for were the surfaces where his spinners could get some purchase.
"RR, if they are playing at home, should get the tracks that they think are suited for their bowlers. So too with KKR. I saw something what the KKR curator has said. If I'm in the KKR camp, I'm extremely unhappy of what he said because I'm not asking for a 120 surface.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I'm just saying give me a surface where my bowlers can win matches. To say, 'Sorry, we don't prepare pitches like that...' No. We are not asking you to make a 120 pitch, we are not asking you to make a 240 pitch.&nbsp;
&ldquo;But I think home advantage in a tournament like IPL is absolutely legitimate. That will enhance the tournament because winning away becomes crucial then," Bhogle said in a Cricbuzz show.
<h2>What did KKR pitch curator say?</h2>
Since taking over the job ten years ago, Sujan has ensured the Eden Gardens pitch remains quick, assisting bounce and seam movement, unlike the ones prepared previously, where it used to benefit spinners, something the former KKR captain Gautam Gambhir banked (with his spin-heavy squads) winning two IPL titles (2012 and 2014).&nbsp;
Although Rahane put it under the mat after the RCB loss, saying the pitch behaved such because they covered it for some time, Sujan outright denied accepting any requests for altering its condition in games to come.&nbsp;
&ldquo;As per the IPL rules and regulations, franchises have no say over the pitch,&rdquo; he said in a chat with RevSportz. &ldquo;Ever since I have taken charge (as Eden curator), the pitches here have been like this. It was like this in the past. Things haven&rsquo;t changed now, and it will not be altered in the future.&rdquo;
<h3>&lsquo;He&rsquo;s not paid&hellip;&rsquo;</h3>
While Bhogle kept it subtle in criticising KKR&rsquo;s curator, Doull didn&rsquo;t mince his words, coming down hard on him.&nbsp;
"If he's not taking heed of what the home team wants... I mean they are paying the stadium fees, they are paying for what's going on in the IPL but if he's still not paying heed of what the home team wants, then just move the franchise away to somewhere else.
"His job is not to pass an opinion on the game. That's not what he's paid for," Doull said.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: The veteran TV commentators expressed displeasure over KKR’s pitch curator remarks, saying Rahane never asked for rank turners or 120-run pitches.

KKR pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee rejected team captain Ajinkya Rahane’s request to prepare pitches that could aid their spinners so that they could maximise their home advantage, with broadcasters Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull coming down hard on him for disrespecting Rahane. Although KKR won their second game of IPL 2025 by beating Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati, their home loss in the tournament opener didn’t sit well with cricket experts. Knowing KKR has enjoyed enormous success banking on their spin attack, no assistance provided for the curtain raiser this time hurt their result, as RCB prevailed in a lop-sided contest. After posting a moderate 174/8 in the first innings, KKR could pick just three RCB wickets, two of which came to their mystery spin pair of Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine. Also read | IPL 2025: Marsh acknowledges LSG 'going to be under pressure' against SRH Meanwhile, Bhogle pointed out how home teams rightly use the pitch advantage to their benefit, and if all IPL teams are getting this privilege, then KKR should also. The veteran TV commentator expressed displeasure over KKR’s pitch curator remarks, saying Rahane never asked for rank turners or 120-run pitches; instead, all that he asked for were the surfaces where his spinners could get some purchase. "RR, if they are playing at home, should get the tracks that they think are suited for their bowlers. So too with KKR. I saw something what the KKR curator has said. If I'm in the KKR camp, I'm extremely unhappy of what he said because I'm not asking for a 120 surface. “I'm just saying give me a surface where my bowlers can win matches. To say, 'Sorry, we don't prepare pitches like that...' No. We are not asking you to make a 120 pitch, we are not asking you to make a 240 pitch. “But I think home advantage in a tournament like IPL is absolutely legitimate. That will enhance the tournament because winning away becomes crucial then," Bhogle said in a Cricbuzz show. What did KKR pitch curator say? Since taking over the job ten years ago, Sujan has ensured the Eden Gardens pitch remains quick, assisting bounce and seam movement, unlike the ones prepared previously, where it used to benefit spinners, something the former KKR captain Gautam Gambhir banked (with his spin-heavy squads) winning two IPL titles (2012 and 2014). Although Rahane put it under the mat after the RCB loss, saying the pitch behaved such because they covered it for some time, Sujan outright denied accepting any requests for altering its condition in games to come. “As per the IPL rules and regulations, franchises have no say over the pitch,” he said in a chat with RevSportz. “Ever since I have taken charge (as Eden curator), the pitches here have been like this. It was like this in the past. Things haven’t changed now, and it will not be altered in the future.” ‘He’s not paid…’ While Bhogle kept it subtle in criticising KKR’s curator, Doull didn’t mince his words, coming down hard on him. "If he's not taking heed of what the home team wants... I mean they are paying the stadium fees, they are paying for what's going on in the IPL but if he's still not paying heed of what the home team wants, then just move the franchise away to somewhere else. "His job is not to pass an opinion on the game. That's not what he's paid for," Doull said. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025 - Bhogle, Doull unhappy with KKR pitch curator for disrespecting captain Rahane

RR vs KKR, Highlights, IPL 2025:&nbsp;South Africa's Quinton de Kock struck an unbeaten 97 as holders Kolkata Knight Riders registered their first win of the IPL season with an eight-wicket hammering of Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday.
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">Kolkata Knight Riders win in Guwahati</h2>
Spinners Moeen Ali and Varun Chakravarthy combined to help restrict Rajasthan to 151-9 after KKR elected to field first in Guwahati.
De Kock bossed the chase with his 61-ball innings laced with eight fours and six sixes as Kolkata achieved their target with 15 balls to spare.
He handed his team a quick start, hitting two fours but then lost opening partner Moeen, run out for five.
Skipper Ajinkya Rahane fell after a brisk 18 but De Kock stood firm and along with impact substitute Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who made 22, steered the team home in an unbeaten stand of 83.
De Kock finished with a six off Jofra Archer as Kolkata bounced back from their opening loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Rajasthan suffered their second straight loss.
Earlier, Kolkata fast bowler Vaibhav Arora dismissed Sanju Samson, bowled for 13, and Chakravarthy and Moeen soon took two wickets each.
Wicketkeeper Samson is Rajasthan's regular captain but has been forced to play only as a batter in the first three matches due to an injury.

Led by Quinton De Kock's fiery 97-run knock, KKR beat RR by eight wickets at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.&nbsp;
RR 151/9 (20)
KKR 153/2 (17.3)
Kolkata Knight Riders won by 8 wkts

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: De Kock leads KKR to win

De Kock has led from thre front as Kolkata Knight Riders near win in the vital IPL 2025 contest.&nbsp;
LIVE SCORE: KKR 126/2 (16.1) &nbsp;CRR: 7.79 &nbsp;REQ: 6.78
Kolkata Knight Riders need 26 runs in 23 balls
RR 151/9 (20)

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: KKR near win in Guwahati

KKR are firmly leading the chase as they need another 100 runs to win with De Kock in the middle.
LIVE SCORE: KKR 61/1 (9.1) &nbsp;CRR: 6.65 &nbsp;REQ: 8.4
Kolkata Knight Riders need 91 runs in 65 balls
RR 151/9 (20)

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: De Kock leads the charge

Moeen Ali has to depart after poor communications leads to his run out. KKR could not build on good start.&nbsp;
LIVE SCORE: KKR 42/1 (6.4) &nbsp;CRR: 6.3 &nbsp;REQ: 8.25
Kolkata Knight Riders need 110 runs in 80 balls
RR 151/9 (20)

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: Ali run out after resolute PP show

Considering 152 will ot challenge the batters having seen some big scores in the IPL 2025, KKR still have a task in hand as they try to avoid a second defeat.&nbsp;
LIVE SCORE: KKR 13/0 (2.3) &nbsp;CRR: 5.2 &nbsp;REQ: 7.94 Kolkata Knight Riders need 139 runs RR 151/9 (20)

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: KKR with task in hand

Moeen Ali and Quinton de Kock have started Kolkata Knight Riders innings as they chase 152 runs to win.

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: De Kock-Moeen Ali start innings

Well KKR will chase 152 runs to win the IPL match 6 after bowlers had a good day at the office.
LIVE SCORE: RR 151/9 (20) &nbsp;CRR: 7.55
Last 5 overs:&nbsp;41 runs, 3 wkts

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: KKR to chase 152 runs to win

Shubman Dubey has hardly contributed with the bat as the Impact Sub fails to impress.&nbsp;
LIVE SCORE: RR 117/6 (16.3) &nbsp;CRR: 7.09
Last Wkt:&nbsp;Shubham Dubey c Russell b Vaibhav Arora 9(12) - 110/6 in 14.6 ov.

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: Another wicket down

Rajasthan Royals have 100 on the board as they look to rebuild after they lost wickets in tandem.&nbsp;
LIVE SCORE: RR 102/5 (13.5) &nbsp;CRR: 7.37

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: 100 up for RR

Well there isn't too much fight left in the Rajasthan Royals batting as Nitish Rana becomes the latest batter to depart.&nbsp;
LIVE SCORE: RR 83/5 (11.2) &nbsp;CRR: 7.32
Last Wkt:&nbsp;Nitish Rana b Moeen Ali 8(9) - 82/5 in 10.6 ov.

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: Nitish Rana departs

Not a happy 15-20 minutes for Rajasthan Royals as they this time lose Wanindu Hasaranga after another unforced error.&nbsp;
LIVE SCORE: RR 76/4 (10) &nbsp;CRR: 7.6
Last Wkt:&nbsp;Wanindu Hasaranga c Rahane b Varun Chakaravarthy 4(4) - 76/4 in 9.5 ov.

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: Hasaranga is out as well

Another one bites the dust for Rajasthan Royals as they lose Yashavsvi Jasiwal in another blow.&nbsp;
LIVE SCORE: RR 76/3 (9.4) &nbsp;CRR: 7.86
Last Wkt:&nbsp;Yashasvi Jaiswal c Harshit Rana b Moeen Ali 29(24) - 69/3 in 8.4 ov.

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: Jaiswal out!

Varun Chakaravarthy gets the better of Rajasthan Royals captain as Riyan parag departs for 25 off 15.&nbsp;
LIVE SCORE: RR 67/2 (7.5) &nbsp;CRR: 8.55
Last Wkt: Riyan Parag c de Kock b Varun Chakaravarthy 25(15) - 67/2 in 7.5 ov.

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: Varun Chakaravarthy strikes in first over

What a delivery as Vaibhav Arora scalps Sanju Samson in the powerplay, the RR batter us clueless and has to return to the pavilion.&nbsp;
LIVE SCORE: RR 34/1 (4) &nbsp;CRR: 8.5
Last Wkt:&nbsp;Sanju Samson b Vaibhav Arora 13(11) - 33/1 in 3.5 ov.

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: Vaibhav Arora strikes

So it is Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal who have kick started the Rajasthan Royals inning as we are in for a treat in Guwahati.

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: Samon-Jaiswal kickstart Rajasthan innings

Kunal Singh Rathore, Shubham Dubey, Akash Madhwal, Kumar Kartikeya, Kwena Maphaka.

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: RR Impact Subs

Anrich Nortje, Manish Pandey, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Anukul Roy, Luvnith Sisodia.

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: KKR Impact Subs

Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag(c), Dhruv Jurel(w), Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: RR Playing XI

Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Spencer Johnson, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: KKR Playing XI

What a big news, Sunil Narine won't be part of the Playing XI as he is not well. Moeen Ali comes into the squad instead.&nbsp;

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: NO SUNIL NARINE for KKR

Ajinkya Rahane has won the toss and opted to bowl first in the contest. They batted first against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on the opening day, but have opted to chase in this one.&nbsp;

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: Kolkata win toss, opt to bowl first in Guwahati

Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson, who is still recovering from finger surgery, will continue to feature as an Impact Player. Riyan Parag, whose captaincy tenure got off to a tough start, is set to lead the side once again.
Kolkata Knight Riders: KKR's bowlers could have their task cut out against RR, whose batters - barring Shimron Hetmyer - are generally comfortable against spin. They also have the firepower to exploit inexperience in the pace department, which was evident in RCB's run-chase.

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: Injuries/Availability for both sides

<h2>Kolkata Knight Riders Probable Playing XI</h2>
Quinton de Kock (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Spencer Johnson/Anrich Nortje, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy
Vaibhav Arora (Impact Sub)

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: KKR Probable Playing XI

<h2>Rajasthan Royals Probable Playing XI</h2>
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubham Dubey, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Sanju Samson (Impact Sub)

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: RR Probable Playing XI

Well there appears to be no rain and cloudy conditions so we expect a full 40-over match. There should be some firework considering both teams have good batters in the ranks.&nbsp;

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: What is the weather like?

So we are live again as Rajasthan Royals host Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) match 6. The contest will take place at Rajasthan's adopted home ground of Guwahati. Stay up to date with all the live updates here on WION.&nbsp;

RR vs KKR LIVE SCORE: And we are live!

Sports, Cricket, IPL: Led by Quinton De Kock's fiery 97-run knock, KKR beat RR by eight wickets at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. 

RR vs KKR, Highlights, IPL 2025: South Africa's Quinton de Kock struck an unbeaten 97 as holders Kolkata Knight Riders registered their first win of the IPL season with an eight-wicket hammering of Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday. Kolkata Knight Riders win in Guwahati Spinners Moeen Ali and Varun Chakravarthy combined to help restrict Rajasthan to 151-9 after KKR elected to field first in Guwahati. De Kock bossed the chase with his 61-ball innings laced with eight fours and six sixes as Kolkata achieved their target with 15 balls to spare. He handed his team a quick start, hitting two fours but then lost opening partner Moeen, run out for five. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane fell after a brisk 18 but De Kock stood firm and along with impact substitute Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who made 22, steered the team home in an unbeaten stand of 83. De Kock finished with a six off Jofra Archer as Kolkata bounced back from their opening loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Rajasthan suffered their second straight loss. Earlier, Kolkata fast bowler Vaibhav Arora dismissed Sanju Samson, bowled for 13, and Chakravarthy and Moeen soon took two wickets each. Wicketkeeper Samson is Rajasthan's regular captain but has been forced to play only as a batter in the first three matches due to an injury.

RR vs KKR, Highlights: De Kock leads Kolkata to heroic win, RR slump to second defeat

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) all-rounder Mitchell Marsh acknowledged that his team going to be 'under pressure at some point' when they face SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Thursday (Mar 27). SRH have already announced themselves with second highest total of IPL history - 286/6 - in their season opener of IPL 2025 against Rajasthan Royals.
"We know they're going to come hard. I think there are not many T20 teams in the world now that don't go hard from ball one and try to apply as much pressure as they can to a bowling team. So we know we're going to be under pressure at some point tomorrow night," Marsh said while talking to reporters on the match eve.
Also Read: <a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-stats-after-one-match-for-each-team-here-are-all-the-numbers-record-most-runs-sixes-wickets-bowling-total-8894074" aria-label="IPL 2025 Stats: After one match for each team, here's how the numbers look like">IPL 2025 Stats: After one match for each team, here's how the numbers look like</a>
The all-rounder, who himself scored 36-ball 72 for LSG against Delhi Capitals, also says that the par score has gone up on most of the grounds in T20s.
"It seems 230 is now the new par score at most grounds. We respect that they have got a phenomenal batting line-up with a lot of power, but we're here to focus on our game and hopefully match with them," Marsh added.
LSG are currently dealing with a loss of a few bowling options including speedster Mayank Yadav whose recovery has been pushed back by a toe injury. Marsh, however, sounded confident of LSG's depth for the potential high-scoring tie against SRH.
"Yeah, we have a few guys out, no doubt, but I think we have assembled a really solid squad," Marsh said. "There is no doubt that in time we will welcome guys back into the team who have a bit of experience with the ball. But we certainly back our [current] bowlers to do the job. I don't see it as a lack of depth."
The game will be played in SRH's home ground in Hyderabad which certainly offers more advantage to their brute-force ideology.

SRH have already announced themselves with second highest total of IPL history - 286/6 - in their season opener of IPL 2025 against Rajasthan Royals. Cricket Sports

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) all-rounder Mitchell Marsh acknowledged that his team going to be 'under pressure at some point' when they face SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Thursday (Mar 27). SRH have already announced themselves with second highest total of IPL history - 286/6 - in their season opener of IPL 2025 against Rajasthan Royals. "We know they're going to come hard. I think there are not many T20 teams in the world now that don't go hard from ball one and try to apply as much pressure as they can to a bowling team. So we know we're going to be under pressure at some point tomorrow night," Marsh said while talking to reporters on the match eve. Also Read: IPL 2025 Stats: After one match for each team, here's how the numbers look like The all-rounder, who himself scored 36-ball 72 for LSG against Delhi Capitals, also says that the par score has gone up on most of the grounds in T20s. "It seems 230 is now the new par score at most grounds. We respect that they have got a phenomenal batting line-up with a lot of power, but we're here to focus on our game and hopefully match with them," Marsh added. LSG are currently dealing with a loss of a few bowling options including speedster Mayank Yadav whose recovery has been pushed back by a toe injury. Marsh, however, sounded confident of LSG's depth for the potential high-scoring tie against SRH. "Yeah, we have a few guys out, no doubt, but I think we have assembled a really solid squad," Marsh said. "There is no doubt that in time we will welcome guys back into the team who have a bit of experience with the ball. But we certainly back our [current] bowlers to do the job. I don't see it as a lack of depth." The game will be played in SRH's home ground in Hyderabad which certainly offers more advantage to their brute-force ideology.

IPL 2025: Marsh acknowledges LSG 'going to be under pressure' against SRH

Five matches of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 are done and each team has played at least one match each. The games have already shown some great power hitting while only Chepauk match at Chennai between CSK and Mumbai Indians being a 150-odd runs affair.
<h2>Have a look at all the numbers after one match each for all 10 franchises:</h2>
Highest innings total: SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) posted 286/6 in only second match of the season - it is not only the highest innings total this season after the five five matches but also the second highest overall in the IPL history. The highest innings total of 287 also belongs to SRH which they had posted last season.
Highest individual score: SRH batter Ishan Kishan scored 106 not out off 47 ball against Rajasthan Royals - the highest individual score so far this season.
Also Read: <a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/not-travis-head-or-heinrich-klaasen-but-kane-williamson-picks-this-srh-batter-as-one-of-the-most-dangerous-in-world-8893843" aria-label="Not Travis Head or Heinrich Klaasen but Kane Williamson picks THIS SRH batter as 'one of the most dangerous in world'">Not Travis Head or Heinrich Klaasen but Kane Williamson picks THIS SRH batter as 'one of the most dangerous in world'</a>
Highest strike rate: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) batter Nicholas Pooran hit 75 runs off just 30 balls at a strike rate of 250 against Delhi Capitals - the highest this season so far.
Best bowling in an innings: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowler Noor Ahmed picked up 4/18 at an economy of 4.50 against Mumbai Indians- both best so far this season.
Most sixes in an innings: Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Shreyas Iyer hit nine sixes in his 97 not out off 42 balls against Gujarat Titans - the highest in an innings so far this season.
Highest partnership: Rajasthan Royals pair of Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel added 111 runs for the 4th wicket against SRH in chase of 287. It is the highest partnership this season for any wicket.
Highest match aggregates: 528 runs were scored during the match between SRH and RR - the highest in the season so far.
The season has proven to be a run-fest so far and with more than 70 matches left - more records are set to tumble.

The games have already shown some great power hitting while only Chepauk match at Chennai between CSK and Mumbai Indians being a 150-odd runs affair.

Five matches of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 are done and each team has played at least one match each. The games have already shown some great power hitting while only Chepauk match at Chennai between CSK and Mumbai Indians being a 150-odd runs affair. Have a look at all the numbers after one match each for all 10 franchises: Highest innings total: SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) posted 286/6 in only second match of the season - it is not only the highest innings total this season after the five five matches but also the second highest overall in the IPL history. The highest innings total of 287 also belongs to SRH which they had posted last season. Highest individual score: SRH batter Ishan Kishan scored 106 not out off 47 ball against Rajasthan Royals - the highest individual score so far this season. Also Read: Not Travis Head or Heinrich Klaasen but Kane Williamson picks THIS SRH batter as 'one of the most dangerous in world' Highest strike rate: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) batter Nicholas Pooran hit 75 runs off just 30 balls at a strike rate of 250 against Delhi Capitals - the highest this season so far. Best bowling in an innings: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowler Noor Ahmed picked up 4/18 at an economy of 4.50 against Mumbai Indians- both best so far this season. Most sixes in an innings: Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Shreyas Iyer hit nine sixes in his 97 not out off 42 balls against Gujarat Titans - the highest in an innings so far this season. Highest partnership: Rajasthan Royals pair of Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel added 111 runs for the 4th wicket against SRH in chase of 287. It is the highest partnership this season for any wicket. Highest match aggregates: 528 runs were scored during the match between SRH and RR - the highest in the season so far. The season has proven to be a run-fest so far and with more than 70 matches left - more records are set to tumble.

IPL 2025 Stats: After one match for each team, here's how the numbers look like

Former New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson says that India youngster Abhishek Sharma is one of the most dangerous T20 batters in the world. The statement came on a ESPNCricinfo show during ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Williamson had captained Abhishek at SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the past.
Abhishek now forms one half of one of the most dangerous opening pairs in IPL with Travis Head on the other end. He was brought in by SRH from Delhi Capitals in 2019 and in 2024 he fully paid the trust shown in him - hitting 484 runs in 16 innings at a strike rate of 204.
Also Read: <a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/119-sixes-183-fours-and-six-200-scores-in-10-innings-ipl-2025-is-already-a-run-fest-and-there-is-no-par-score-8893150" aria-label="119 sixes, 183 fours and six 200+ scores in 5 matches: IPL 2025 is already a run-fest and 'there is no par score'">119 sixes, 183 fours and six 200+ scores in 5 matches: IPL 2025 is already a run-fest and 'there is no par score'</a>
"Sometimes in the IPL, it's quite difficult to have a long pathway for a young player. But yeah, a real masterstroke obviously now bearing fruit with Abhi being one of the most dangerous T20 batters in the world," said Williamson on his late blooming.
"I think there were a few guys who were kind of under Yuvraj Singh's wings," Williamson added. "Abhi was one of them and Shubman [Gill] was another. So clearly there was an identification of talent.
"He has got that gift of power but it's not through brute force. It is through timing the ball and playing all around the ground, which is a superpower in a lot of ways. It's a little bit like Heinrich Klaasen"
His last year's IPL exploits also earned him a place in the India T20I team which had two vacant places at the top after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired post T20 World Cup 2024 win.
Abhishek shone there as well - scoring 535 runs in 17 games at an average of 33.43 and a strike rate of 193 - with two hundreds and two fifties.
In the first match of the IPL 2025, Abhishek scored 24 off 11 balls as SRH once again had a flying start of 45 runs in three overs.

His last year's IPL exploits also earned him a place in the India T20I team which had two vacant places at the top after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired post T20 World Cup 2024 win. Cricket Sports

Former New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson says that India youngster Abhishek Sharma is one of the most dangerous T20 batters in the world. The statement came on a ESPNCricinfo show during ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Williamson had captained Abhishek at SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the past. Abhishek now forms one half of one of the most dangerous opening pairs in IPL with Travis Head on the other end. He was brought in by SRH from Delhi Capitals in 2019 and in 2024 he fully paid the trust shown in him - hitting 484 runs in 16 innings at a strike rate of 204. Also Read: 119 sixes, 183 fours and six 200+ scores in 5 matches: IPL 2025 is already a run-fest and 'there is no par score' "Sometimes in the IPL, it's quite difficult to have a long pathway for a young player. But yeah, a real masterstroke obviously now bearing fruit with Abhi being one of the most dangerous T20 batters in the world," said Williamson on his late blooming. "I think there were a few guys who were kind of under Yuvraj Singh's wings," Williamson added. "Abhi was one of them and Shubman [Gill] was another. So clearly there was an identification of talent. "He has got that gift of power but it's not through brute force. It is through timing the ball and playing all around the ground, which is a superpower in a lot of ways. It's a little bit like Heinrich Klaasen" His last year's IPL exploits also earned him a place in the India T20I team which had two vacant places at the top after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired post T20 World Cup 2024 win. Abhishek shone there as well - scoring 535 runs in 17 games at an average of 33.43 and a strike rate of 193 - with two hundreds and two fifties. In the first match of the IPL 2025, Abhishek scored 24 off 11 balls as SRH once again had a flying start of 45 runs in three overs.

Not Travis Head or Heinrich Klaasen but Kane Williamson picks THIS SRH batter as 'one of the most dangerous in world'

There's no par score - this is what Punjab Kings bowler Arshdeep Singh had to say after defending 27 runs in the final over against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025 match on Tuesday (Mar 25). PBKS had posted 244 runs in 20 overs but managed to win only by 11 runs - showing the level power hitting has reached in the cash-rich T20 league.
In the ongoing season, five matches have been played with each team playing at least one match and six of them have already breached 200-run mark. The season has seen six 200+ scored in the 10 innings with the highest being 286/6 by SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in only the second match of the IPL 2025.
Also Read: <a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-pbk-coach-ponting-says-not-shreyas-iyer-or-shashank-singh-but-bowler-vijaykumar-vyshak-changed-the-game-vs-gt-8892028" aria-label="IPL 2025: PBKS coach Ponting says not Shreyas Iyer or Shashank Singh but THIS bowler 'changed the game' vs GT">IPL 2025: PBKS coach Ponting says not Shreyas Iyer or Shashank Singh but THIS bowler 'changed the game' vs GT</a>
The average first innings score in IPL 2025 has been 213/7 at a run-rate of 10.65 with the highest being 286/6 by SRH. Out of five matches, three teams have managed to breach the 200+ score in the first innings - 286 by SRH vs Rajasthan Royals, 208 by Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals and 244 by PBKS vs GT.&nbsp;
Out of these three, two time the team batting first have won while the team batting second have won the remaining two games where the chase was less than 200.
In the second innings, the average score has been 204/6 with the highest being 242/6 by Royals albeit in a losing cause against SRH. The three teams which have scored in excess of 200+ in second innings are - Royals, DC (211 vs LSG) and GT (232 vs PBKS). Only DC though, have managed to win and that too barely by one wicket.
A total of 58 sixes have been hit by the teams batting first in the IPL 2025 - which translates to roughly one six every two overs. While batting second, 61 sixes have been hit which shows that the batters have not been sparing bowlers now matter the score, conditions or pressure.
If the trend continues, the season is poised to have many more runs fests in the coming games - more than 70 of them.

The season has seen six 200+ scored in the 10 innings with the highest being 286/6 by SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in only the second match of the IPL 2025. Cricket Sports

There's no par score - this is what Punjab Kings bowler Arshdeep Singh had to say after defending 27 runs in the final over against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025 match on Tuesday (Mar 25). PBKS had posted 244 runs in 20 overs but managed to win only by 11 runs - showing the level power hitting has reached in the cash-rich T20 league. In the ongoing season, five matches have been played with each team playing at least one match and six of them have already breached 200-run mark. The season has seen six 200+ scored in the 10 innings with the highest being 286/6 by SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in only the second match of the IPL 2025. Also Read: IPL 2025: PBKS coach Ponting says not Shreyas Iyer or Shashank Singh but THIS bowler 'changed the game' vs GT The average first innings score in IPL 2025 has been 213/7 at a run-rate of 10.65 with the highest being 286/6 by SRH. Out of five matches, three teams have managed to breach the 200+ score in the first innings - 286 by SRH vs Rajasthan Royals, 208 by Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals and 244 by PBKS vs GT. Out of these three, two time the team batting first have won while the team batting second have won the remaining two games where the chase was less than 200. In the second innings, the average score has been 204/6 with the highest being 242/6 by Royals albeit in a losing cause against SRH. The three teams which have scored in excess of 200+ in second innings are - Royals, DC (211 vs LSG) and GT (232 vs PBKS). Only DC though, have managed to win and that too barely by one wicket. A total of 58 sixes have been hit by the teams batting first in the IPL 2025 - which translates to roughly one six every two overs. While batting second, 61 sixes have been hit which shows that the batters have not been sparing bowlers now matter the score, conditions or pressure. If the trend continues, the season is poised to have many more runs fests in the coming games - more than 70 of them.

119 sixes, 183 fours and six 200+ scores in 5 matches: IPL 2025 is already a run-fest and 'there is no par score'

SRH vs LSG IPL 2025 Live Streaming:&nbsp;After a record-equalling score against Rajasthan Royals, SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) will look to continue their impressive form against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as the two teams face in Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) match 7. After losing a thriller against Delhi Capitals, LSG will look to bounce back with plenty of positives. Ahead of the key clash between SRH and LSG, here are all the key details of the IPL 2025 contest including match time and venue.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-updated-points-table-indian-premier-league-rankings-standings-net-run-rate-8888780" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">[Updated] IPL 2025 Points Table: Check points table, match results, NRR with wins, loss and other key details</a> 
<h2>SunRisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants Live Streaming Details</h2>
Here&rsquo;s everything you need to know about the live-streaming details for the SRH vs LSG IPL match:
<h2>When is the SRH vs LSG IPL match? Date</h2>
The SRH vs LSG IPL match will be played on Thursday (Mar 27).
<h2>Where is the SRH vs LSG IPL match being played? &nbsp;</h2>
The match will be hosted at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
<h2>What time will the SRH vs LSG IPL match start?&nbsp;</h2>
The SRH vs LSG IPL match will commence at 7:30 PM IST with the toss taking place at 7:00 PM IST.
<h2>Where can I watch the SRH vs LSG IPL match in India on TV?</h2>
The live telecast of the SRH vs LSG IPL match will be available on Star Sports Network (Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2, Star Sports 1 HD).
<h2>How can I watch the SRH vs LSG IPL match online? &nbsp;</h2>
The SRH vs LSG IPL match will be available for live streaming on JioHotstar App and website in India.
<h2>SunRisers Hyderabad Probable Playing XI</h2>
Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Aniket Verma, Abhinav Manohar, Pat Cummins (c), Simarjeet Singh, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Shami
Impact Sub: Jaydev Unadkat
<h2>Lucknow Super Giants Probable Playing XI</h2>
Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant (c &amp; wk), David Miller, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Rathi, Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi, Manimaran Siddharth
Impact Sub: Avesh Khan

Sports, Cricket, IPL: After a record-equalling score against RR, SRH will look to continue their impressive form against LSG as the two teams face in IPL 2025 match 7.

SRH vs LSG IPL 2025 Live Streaming: After a record-equalling score against Rajasthan Royals, SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) will look to continue their impressive form against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as the two teams face in Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) match 7. After losing a thriller against Delhi Capitals, LSG will look to bounce back with plenty of positives. Ahead of the key clash between SRH and LSG, here are all the key details of the IPL 2025 contest including match time and venue. Also read: [Updated] IPL 2025 Points Table: Check points table, match results, NRR with wins, loss and other key details SunRisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants Live Streaming Details Here’s everything you need to know about the live-streaming details for the SRH vs LSG IPL match: When is the SRH vs LSG IPL match? Date The SRH vs LSG IPL match will be played on Thursday (Mar 27). Where is the SRH vs LSG IPL match being played? The match will be hosted at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. What time will the SRH vs LSG IPL match start? The SRH vs LSG IPL match will commence at 7:30 PM IST with the toss taking place at 7:00 PM IST. Where can I watch the SRH vs LSG IPL match in India on TV? The live telecast of the SRH vs LSG IPL match will be available on Star Sports Network (Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2, Star Sports 1 HD). How can I watch the SRH vs LSG IPL match online? The SRH vs LSG IPL match will be available for live streaming on JioHotstar App and website in India. SunRisers Hyderabad Probable Playing XI Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Aniket Verma, Abhinav Manohar, Pat Cummins (c), Simarjeet Singh, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Shami Impact Sub: Jaydev Unadkat Lucknow Super Giants Probable Playing XI Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), David Miller, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Rathi, Shahbaz Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi, Manimaran Siddharth Impact Sub: Avesh Khan

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