The Indian Cricket Board has asked all ten IPL team captains to assemble in Mumbai two days before the 18th edition gets underway in Kolkata later this week. Per the latest report, all ten skippers representing their teams in the cash-rich league will be in the city for a crucial pre-season meeting at the BCCI headquarters around noon this Thursday (Mar 20).
Cricbuzz reported that the emails forwarded by the BCCI/IPL management to all teams surrounding the meeting, to be staged at the Cricket Centre, are more of a briefing and might stretch for an hour. The agenda of this meeting is to inform all concerned captains about the new additions and changes for the impending season. The sponsor activities will follow afterwards at the Taj Hotel.
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>
The report added that this event will be a four-hour programme, ending with a customary photo shoot featuring all ten IPL captains. Although such meetings and mandatory photo shoot sessions often take place in the city where the opening game is scheduled, Mumbai, not Kolkata, hosting this event suggests something more significant than usual affairs.
Meanwhile, with Delhi Capitals announcing Axar Patel as their new captain ahead of IPL 2025, all teams have finalised their captains. The remaining nine captains are &ndash; Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK), Rajat Patidar (Royal Challengers Bengaluru), <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/shubman-gill" rel="dofollow">Shubman Gill</a> (Gujarat Titans), Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants), Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings), Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals), Ajinkya Rahane (Kolkata Knight Riders), Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians) and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/pat-cummins" rel="dofollow">Pat Cummins</a> (SunRisers Hyderabad).
<h2>Sanju, Pat re-link with their respective teams</h2>
Eight of the ten captains had already linked up with their respective teams ahead of IPL 2025, but the remaining two&mdash;Samson and Cummins&mdash;joined their sides on Sunday and Monday, respectively.&nbsp;
While <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/massive-boost-for-rajasthan-royals-as-star-indian-duo-joins-squad-ahead-of-ipl-2025-sanju-samson-yashasvi-jaiswal-8859055" rel="dofollow">Samson recovered from a broken thumb</a> he sustained during the home T20I series against England, Cummins returned to competitive cricket for the first time since the final BGT Test in Sydney.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, KKR and RCB will face off in the curtain raiser at the Eden Gardens on Saturday, with SRH-RR scheduled for Sunday afternoon and Chennai and Mumbai square off in the marquee clash later that evening.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

Sports, Cricket: After the only remaining team without a captain, DC announced Axar Patel as their new skipper ahead of IPL 2025, all ten teams finalised their captains.

The Indian Cricket Board has asked all ten IPL team captains to assemble in Mumbai two days before the 18th edition gets underway in Kolkata later this week. Per the latest report, all ten skippers representing their teams in the cash-rich league will be in the city for a crucial pre-season meeting at the BCCI headquarters around noon this Thursday (Mar 20). Cricbuzz reported that the emails forwarded by the BCCI/IPL management to all teams surrounding the meeting, to be staged at the Cricket Centre, are more of a briefing and might stretch for an hour. The agenda of this meeting is to inform all concerned captains about the new additions and changes for the impending season. The sponsor activities will follow afterwards at the Taj Hotel. Also read | BCCI was right in banning Harry Brook for IPL 2025 pullout, says Moeen Ali The report added that this event will be a four-hour programme, ending with a customary photo shoot featuring all ten IPL captains. Although such meetings and mandatory photo shoot sessions often take place in the city where the opening game is scheduled, Mumbai, not Kolkata, hosting this event suggests something more significant than usual affairs. Meanwhile, with Delhi Capitals announcing Axar Patel as their new captain ahead of IPL 2025, all teams have finalised their captains. The remaining nine captains are – Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK), Rajat Patidar (Royal Challengers Bengaluru), Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans), Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants), Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings), Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals), Ajinkya Rahane (Kolkata Knight Riders), Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians) and Pat Cummins (SunRisers Hyderabad). Sanju, Pat re-link with their respective teams Eight of the ten captains had already linked up with their respective teams ahead of IPL 2025, but the remaining two—Samson and Cummins—joined their sides on Sunday and Monday, respectively. While Samson recovered from a broken thumb he sustained during the home T20I series against England, Cummins returned to competitive cricket for the first time since the final BGT Test in Sydney. Meanwhile, KKR and RCB will face off in the curtain raiser at the Eden Gardens on Saturday, with SRH-RR scheduled for Sunday afternoon and Chennai and Mumbai square off in the marquee clash later that evening. (With inputs from agencies)

Know why BCCI has asked all ten IPL captains to gather ahead of IPL 2025

At 36, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mohit-sharma">Mohit Sharma</a> is not just another fast bowler trying to extend his career&mdash;he is a seasoned warrior, a quiet enforcer, and a man who has seen every high and low the game has to offer. When he came for the pre-season interactions with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/delhi-capitals">Delhi Capitals</a>, he carried with him the same warm smile that has been his signature for years. He greeted everyone with respect, exchanged laughs, and exuded an easy-going charm that made even the most intense cricket discussions feel like casual banter. But behind that ever-present smile lies an unrelenting spirit, one that refuses to fade away.
Mohit&rsquo;s journey in cricket has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. From being a key player in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/chennai-super-kings">Chennai Super Kings</a>&rsquo; dominant era to an IPL Purple Cap winner, then battling injuries and setbacks, and finally making a roaring comeback with Gujarat Titans&mdash;he has lived through every possible phase of a cricketer&rsquo;s life. Now, as he dons the Delhi Capitals jersey, the hunger remains the same, but the wisdom he brings to the team is even greater.
His approach to preparation is methodical yet adaptive. &ldquo;I am preparing myself overall, to be honest. I am taking care of my body, bowling with both the new ball and the old ball, and making sure I am ready for any situation,&rdquo; he shared. For a format as volatile as T20, adaptability is everything, and Mohit has mastered the art of reinventing himself time and again.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/massive-boost-for-rajasthan-royals-as-star-indian-duo-joins-squad-ahead-of-ipl-2025-sanju-samson-yashasvi-jaiswal-8859055">Massive boost for Rajasthan Royals as star Indian duo joins squad ahead of IPL 2025</a>
One of the key aspects of his game has been his ability to handle setbacks with grace. He has never been one to dwell on losses or bask too long in victories. Even when asked about one of the most heartbreaking moments of his career&mdash;the 2023 IPL final, where a couple of crucial deliveries changed the game&mdash;his response was one of acceptance and perspective. &ldquo;I believe in destiny. If something good happens, I move forward. If something bad happens, I go back to the nets,&rdquo; he said, shrugging off any lingering regrets.
Delhi Capitals will look to tap into this experience, especially with a bowling attack that features both young firepower and experienced campaigners. The presence of a veteran like Mohit Sharma in the dressing room will undoubtedly be invaluable, not just for his skill but for the calmness and clarity he brings. &ldquo;In T20s, you will get hit. If you are afraid of getting hit for sixes, you won&rsquo;t take wickets,&rdquo; he says with a smile, emphasising the importance of courage in high-pressure situations.
<h2>'Starc will bring great value to team'</h2>
A crucial addition to this IPL season will be <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mitchell-starc">Mitchell Starc</a>, a bowler Mohit Sharma deeply respects. When asked about the Australian speedster&rsquo;s impact, Mohit was candid in his admiration. &ldquo;Experience matters a lot in T20s, not just in terms of performance but in learning. Having someone like Starc in the mix brings great value to the team. We have all taken hits in this format, but it&rsquo;s about bouncing back. Starc's ability to deliver in crunch moments will be crucial for us.&rdquo;
Mohit also acknowledges the role of great mentors in his career, particularly his time under <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/msd">MS Dhoni</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ashish-nehra">Ashish Nehra</a>. Now, as he steps into a new environment, he brings with him the lessons of leadership, patience, and resilience. Having been a part of IPL for over a decade, he understands that reputations mean little&mdash;execution on the field is everything.
As Delhi Capitals prepare for the upcoming IPL season, Mohit Sharma remains a fascinating subplot in their campaign. Will he once again prove his mettle and script another chapter in his storied career? If his past is any indication, the answer lies in the same smile that never leaves his face&mdash;one that says he&rsquo;s ready for whatever comes next.

Cricket, Sports: Mohit acknowledges the role of great mentors in his career, particularly his time under MS Dhoni and Ashish Nehra as he steps into a new environment

At 36, Mohit Sharma is not just another fast bowler trying to extend his career—he is a seasoned warrior, a quiet enforcer, and a man who has seen every high and low the game has to offer. When he came for the pre-season interactions with Delhi Capitals, he carried with him the same warm smile that has been his signature for years. He greeted everyone with respect, exchanged laughs, and exuded an easy-going charm that made even the most intense cricket discussions feel like casual banter. But behind that ever-present smile lies an unrelenting spirit, one that refuses to fade away. Mohit’s journey in cricket has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. From being a key player in Chennai Super Kings’ dominant era to an IPL Purple Cap winner, then battling injuries and setbacks, and finally making a roaring comeback with Gujarat Titans—he has lived through every possible phase of a cricketer’s life. Now, as he dons the Delhi Capitals jersey, the hunger remains the same, but the wisdom he brings to the team is even greater. His approach to preparation is methodical yet adaptive. “I am preparing myself overall, to be honest. I am taking care of my body, bowling with both the new ball and the old ball, and making sure I am ready for any situation,” he shared. For a format as volatile as T20, adaptability is everything, and Mohit has mastered the art of reinventing himself time and again. Also Read: Massive boost for Rajasthan Royals as star Indian duo joins squad ahead of IPL 2025 One of the key aspects of his game has been his ability to handle setbacks with grace. He has never been one to dwell on losses or bask too long in victories. Even when asked about one of the most heartbreaking moments of his career—the 2023 IPL final, where a couple of crucial deliveries changed the game—his response was one of acceptance and perspective. “I believe in destiny. If something good happens, I move forward. If something bad happens, I go back to the nets,” he said, shrugging off any lingering regrets. Delhi Capitals will look to tap into this experience, especially with a bowling attack that features both young firepower and experienced campaigners. The presence of a veteran like Mohit Sharma in the dressing room will undoubtedly be invaluable, not just for his skill but for the calmness and clarity he brings. “In T20s, you will get hit. If you are afraid of getting hit for sixes, you won’t take wickets,” he says with a smile, emphasising the importance of courage in high-pressure situations. 'Starc will bring great value to team' A crucial addition to this IPL season will be Mitchell Starc, a bowler Mohit Sharma deeply respects. When asked about the Australian speedster’s impact, Mohit was candid in his admiration. “Experience matters a lot in T20s, not just in terms of performance but in learning. Having someone like Starc in the mix brings great value to the team. We have all taken hits in this format, but it’s about bouncing back. Starc's ability to deliver in crunch moments will be crucial for us.” Mohit also acknowledges the role of great mentors in his career, particularly his time under MS Dhoni and Ashish Nehra. Now, as he steps into a new environment, he brings with him the lessons of leadership, patience, and resilience. Having been a part of IPL for over a decade, he understands that reputations mean little—execution on the field is everything. As Delhi Capitals prepare for the upcoming IPL season, Mohit Sharma remains a fascinating subplot in their campaign. Will he once again prove his mettle and script another chapter in his storied career? If his past is any indication, the answer lies in the same smile that never leaves his face—one that says he’s ready for whatever comes next.

IPL 2025 | Mohit Sharma: The smiling warrior gearing up for a new challenge with Delhi Capitals

The Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) season is all set for a grand start as defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Eden Gardens on Saturday (Mar 22). Ahead of the clash, star batter Virat Kohli joined the camp as he looks to win his maiden IPL title. Virat joins the RCB camp just a week after winning the Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai against New Zealand.
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Virat joins RCB squad</h2>
One of the best players of his generation, the IPL title remains the only thing missing from Virat&rsquo;s trophy cabinet as he hunts for the coveted title. Virat&rsquo;s presence in the squad should lift the spirits as RCB get ready for the IPL 2025. During Virat&rsquo;s previous 17 seasons with RCB, they have finished runners-up on three occasions and were eliminated in the playoffs in 2024.
However, the former RCB captain returns to the RCB camp with two ICC trophies under his belt having lifted the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy. Virat will be joined by a few new names in the squad after the overhaul in the mega auctions in November. Liam Livingstone, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Romario Shepherd and others are few names added to the roster of the RCB squad.
ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/all-50-pakistan-cricketers-overlooked-in-the-hundred-draft-heres-why-8854794" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">All 50 Pakistan cricketers overlooked in The Hundred Draft &ndash; Here's why</a>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">RCB squad for IPL 2025</h2>
Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal, Liam Livingstone (Rs. 8.75 crore), Phil Salt (Rs. 11.50 crore), Jitesh Sharma (Rs. 11 crore), Josh Hazlewood (Rs. 12.50 crore), Rasikh Dar (Rs. 6 crore), Suyash Sharma (Rs. 2.60 crore), Krunal Pandya (Rs. 5.75 crore), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Rs. 10.75 crore), Swapnil Singh (Rs. 50 lakh), Tim David (Rs. 3 crore), Romario Shepherd (Rs. 1.50 crore), Nuwan Thushara (Rs. 1.60 crore), Manoj Bhandage (Rs. 30 lakh), Jacob Bethell (Rs. 2.60 crore), Devdutt Padikkal (Rs. 2 crore), Swastik Chhikara (Rs. 30 lakh), Lungi Ngidi (Rs. 1 crore), Abhinandan Singh (Rs. 30 lakh), Mohit Rathee (Rs. 30 lakh).

Sports, Cricket, IPL: The Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) season is all set for a grand start as defending champions KKR take on RCB at the Eden Gardens on Saturday (Mar 22).

The Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) season is all set for a grand start as defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Eden Gardens on Saturday (Mar 22). Ahead of the clash, star batter Virat Kohli joined the camp as he looks to win his maiden IPL title. Virat joins the RCB camp just a week after winning the Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai against New Zealand. Virat joins RCB squad One of the best players of his generation, the IPL title remains the only thing missing from Virat’s trophy cabinet as he hunts for the coveted title. Virat’s presence in the squad should lift the spirits as RCB get ready for the IPL 2025. During Virat’s previous 17 seasons with RCB, they have finished runners-up on three occasions and were eliminated in the playoffs in 2024. However, the former RCB captain returns to the RCB camp with two ICC trophies under his belt having lifted the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy. Virat will be joined by a few new names in the squad after the overhaul in the mega auctions in November. Liam Livingstone, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Romario Shepherd and others are few names added to the roster of the RCB squad. ALSO READ | All 50 Pakistan cricketers overlooked in The Hundred Draft – Here's why RCB squad for IPL 2025 Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal, Liam Livingstone (Rs. 8.75 crore), Phil Salt (Rs. 11.50 crore), Jitesh Sharma (Rs. 11 crore), Josh Hazlewood (Rs. 12.50 crore), Rasikh Dar (Rs. 6 crore), Suyash Sharma (Rs. 2.60 crore), Krunal Pandya (Rs. 5.75 crore), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Rs. 10.75 crore), Swapnil Singh (Rs. 50 lakh), Tim David (Rs. 3 crore), Romario Shepherd (Rs. 1.50 crore), Nuwan Thushara (Rs. 1.60 crore), Manoj Bhandage (Rs. 30 lakh), Jacob Bethell (Rs. 2.60 crore), Devdutt Padikkal (Rs. 2 crore), Swastik Chhikara (Rs. 30 lakh), Lungi Ngidi (Rs. 1 crore), Abhinandan Singh (Rs. 30 lakh), Mohit Rathee (Rs. 30 lakh).

IPL 2025: Virat Kohli joins Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad ahead of season opener against KKR

All-rounder <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/nitish-kumar-reddy">Nitish Kumar Reddy</a> is set to rejoin <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/sunrisers-hyderabad">Sunrisers Hyderabad</a> after recovering from a side strain that had sidelined him since January.
Nitish successfully cleared all fitness tests, including the yo-yo test, at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. With the physios giving him the green light, he is ready for action, as per PTI.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/all-50-pakistan-cricketers-overlooked-in-the-hundred-draft-heres-why-8854794">All 50 Pakistan cricketers overlooked in The Hundred Draft &ndash; Here's why</a>
The 21-year-old Andhra cricketer last played for India in the first T20I against England at Eden Gardens on January 22, though he did not bat or bowl in that match. He trained ahead of the second T20I in Chennai but was ruled out of the game and the remainder of the five-match series due to his injury.
Hyderabad retained Nitish for ₹6 crore ahead of last year&rsquo;s auction, following an impressive IPL season where he scored 303 runs from 13 matches at a strike rate of 143. He also delivered standout performances during India&rsquo;s tour of Australia, including a resilient 114 in the fourth Test at Melbourne.
Nitish Kumar Reddy will be a vital cog in the wheel for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the upcoming IPL 2025. The Pat Cummins-led side acquired some quality players in the auction and with a core of Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Pat Cummins, Heinrich Klaasen, and Reddy, they will be a force to reckon with.
Nitish will soon join the SRH squad as they prepare to kick off their <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/indian-premier-league">IPL 2025</a> campaign against Rajasthan Royals on March 23 in Hyderabad.
Outside of the ten cities that will host matches, including Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Mullanpur, Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Hyderabad, Guwahati and Dharamsala will stage a few matches this season. Guwahati will host two games (of the Rajasthan Royals) with the Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings being the opponents on March 26 and 30, respectively.<o:p></o:p>
Moreover, Hyderabad will host Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator, while the Eden Gardens will stage Qualifier 2 and the summit clash.

Sports, Cricket: Nitish successfully cleared all fitness tests, including the yo-yo test, at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. With the physios giving him the green light

All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is set to rejoin Sunrisers Hyderabad after recovering from a side strain that had sidelined him since January. Nitish successfully cleared all fitness tests, including the yo-yo test, at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. With the physios giving him the green light, he is ready for action, as per PTI. Also Read: All 50 Pakistan cricketers overlooked in The Hundred Draft – Here's why The 21-year-old Andhra cricketer last played for India in the first T20I against England at Eden Gardens on January 22, though he did not bat or bowl in that match. He trained ahead of the second T20I in Chennai but was ruled out of the game and the remainder of the five-match series due to his injury. Hyderabad retained Nitish for ₹6 crore ahead of last year’s auction, following an impressive IPL season where he scored 303 runs from 13 matches at a strike rate of 143. He also delivered standout performances during India’s tour of Australia, including a resilient 114 in the fourth Test at Melbourne. Nitish Kumar Reddy will be a vital cog in the wheel for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the upcoming IPL 2025. The Pat Cummins-led side acquired some quality players in the auction and with a core of Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Pat Cummins, Heinrich Klaasen, and Reddy, they will be a force to reckon with. Nitish will soon join the SRH squad as they prepare to kick off their IPL 2025 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on March 23 in Hyderabad. Outside of the ten cities that will host matches, including Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Mullanpur, Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Hyderabad, Guwahati and Dharamsala will stage a few matches this season. Guwahati will host two games (of the Rajasthan Royals) with the Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings being the opponents on March 26 and 30, respectively. Moreover, Hyderabad will host Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator, while the Eden Gardens will stage Qualifier 2 and the summit clash.

IPL 2025: All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy set to join SRH after clearing fitness test

India star bowler Varun Char Chakravarthy reflected on his 2021 journey with the India squad after overcoming a hurdle of challenges. Appearing on a YouTube channel, Varun spoke on the time when he was first included in the Indian squad, which became the first to lose to Pakistan in a World Cup match. Now a key weapon in the Indian squad Varun helped the Men in Blue win the 2025 Champions Trophy as they went undefeated in the recently concluded tournament.
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Varun recalls 2021 horror show</h2>
"It was a dark time for me. I was depressed because I thought I was not able to do justice after I was picked for the World Cup with a lot of hype. I regretted not taking even one wicket. After that, for three years, I was not selected. So, I think the comeback to the team was tougher than the path to my debut," Varun said while speaking on a YouTube show.
In 2021, Varun was part of the Indian squad that lost to Pakistan for the first time in a World Cup match. The team led by Virat Kohli was outplayed on 23 Oct 2021 at the Dubai International Stadium as Pakistan won by 10 wickets. After the loss, the Indian team underwent major changes including the resignation of Virat Kohli as captain and Rohit Sharma coming in as the skipper.
ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/jasprit-bumrah-injury-update-latest-news-blow-for-mumbai-indians-as-pacer-ruled-out-of-first-few-ipl-2025-games-8852847" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Jasprit Bumrah injury update: Blow for Mumbai Indians as pacer ruled out of first few IPL 2025 games</a>
Varun was also out of the Indian squad until his recent performances for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) saw him earn a place in the Champions Trophy 2025. He repaid the trust showed by head coach Gautam Gambhir and helped India win their record-breaking third Champions Trophy title in Dubai. He was named Player of the Match on a couple of occasions and scalped five wickets in the group match against New Zealand.

Sports, Cricket: Varun Chakravarthy spoke on the time when he was first included in the Indian squad, which became the first to lose to Pakistan in a World Cup match.

India star bowler Varun Char Chakravarthy reflected on his 2021 journey with the India squad after overcoming a hurdle of challenges. Appearing on a YouTube channel, Varun spoke on the time when he was first included in the Indian squad, which became the first to lose to Pakistan in a World Cup match. Now a key weapon in the Indian squad Varun helped the Men in Blue win the 2025 Champions Trophy as they went undefeated in the recently concluded tournament. Varun recalls 2021 horror show "It was a dark time for me. I was depressed because I thought I was not able to do justice after I was picked for the World Cup with a lot of hype. I regretted not taking even one wicket. After that, for three years, I was not selected. So, I think the comeback to the team was tougher than the path to my debut," Varun said while speaking on a YouTube show. In 2021, Varun was part of the Indian squad that lost to Pakistan for the first time in a World Cup match. The team led by Virat Kohli was outplayed on 23 Oct 2021 at the Dubai International Stadium as Pakistan won by 10 wickets. After the loss, the Indian team underwent major changes including the resignation of Virat Kohli as captain and Rohit Sharma coming in as the skipper. ALSO READ | Jasprit Bumrah injury update: Blow for Mumbai Indians as pacer ruled out of first few IPL 2025 games Varun was also out of the Indian squad until his recent performances for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) saw him earn a place in the Champions Trophy 2025. He repaid the trust showed by head coach Gautam Gambhir and helped India win their record-breaking third Champions Trophy title in Dubai. He was named Player of the Match on a couple of occasions and scalped five wickets in the group match against New Zealand.

Varun Chakravarthy reflects on 2021 T20 World Cup experience, says 'it was a dark time for me'

The defending Indian Premier League (IPL) champions of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad embraced the festive spirit of Holi at the team hotel, celebrating the festival of colours with enthusiasm on Friday (Mar 14). The players and support staff took a break from their rigorous pre-season preparations to indulge in traditional Holi celebrations, exchanging colours, laughter, and camaraderie.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Same same but different 💜😍 <a href="https://t.co/ewPXfwLIyB">pic.twitter.com/ewPXfwLIyB</a>
&mdash; KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKRiders/status/1900526450190500237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2025</a></blockquote>

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

<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">KKR celebrate Holi</h2>
Amidst a splash of bright hues, KKR stars including Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh and Angkrish Raghuvanshi were seen enjoying the festivities, smearing colours on each other. Also present during the celebrations were members of the coaching staff, including head coach Chandrakant Pandit and spin bowling coach Carl Crowe. The joyous occasion showcased the strong bond within the team and the high spirits ahead of the upcoming season.
Kolkata Knight Riders will begin their IPL 2025 campaign against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 22 at the iconic Eden Gardens.
The Delhi Capitals squad, currently in New Delhi for their IPL 2025 preseason camp also celebrated Holi at their team hotel. The celebration came just hours after DC announced Axar Patel as their new captain for the new season.
ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/jasprit-bumrah-injury-update-latest-news-blow-for-mumbai-indians-as-pacer-ruled-out-of-first-few-ipl-2025-games-8852847" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Jasprit Bumrah injury update: Blow for Mumbai Indians as pacer ruled out of first few IPL 2025 games</a>
The 31-year-old joined the Capitals in 2019 and has since emerged as one of the top-performing players for the franchise across the six seasons with his ability to step up to the occasion.
In the 82 matches he has donned the red and blue for the Capitals, Patel has scored 967 runs and picked up 62 wickets at an impressive economy of 7.09. Apart from being a live wire on the field, the all-rounder has also developed a special rapport with the Capitals&rsquo; and the Indian national team&rsquo;s fans.
Punjab Kings team too celebrated the festival of colour Holi on Friday, during their IPL 2025 pre-season training camp at HPCA stadium, Dharamsala.

Sports, Cricket, IPL: The defending Indian Premier League (IPL) champions of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad embraced the festive spirit of Holi at the team hotel.

The defending Indian Premier League (IPL) champions of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad embraced the festive spirit of Holi at the team hotel, celebrating the festival of colours with enthusiasm on Friday (Mar 14). The players and support staff took a break from their rigorous pre-season preparations to indulge in traditional Holi celebrations, exchanging colours, laughter, and camaraderie. Same same but different 💜😍 pic.twitter.com/ewPXfwLIyB — KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 14, 2025 KKR celebrate Holi Amidst a splash of bright hues, KKR stars including Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh and Angkrish Raghuvanshi were seen enjoying the festivities, smearing colours on each other. Also present during the celebrations were members of the coaching staff, including head coach Chandrakant Pandit and spin bowling coach Carl Crowe. The joyous occasion showcased the strong bond within the team and the high spirits ahead of the upcoming season. Kolkata Knight Riders will begin their IPL 2025 campaign against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 22 at the iconic Eden Gardens. The Delhi Capitals squad, currently in New Delhi for their IPL 2025 preseason camp also celebrated Holi at their team hotel. The celebration came just hours after DC announced Axar Patel as their new captain for the new season. ALSO READ | Jasprit Bumrah injury update: Blow for Mumbai Indians as pacer ruled out of first few IPL 2025 games The 31-year-old joined the Capitals in 2019 and has since emerged as one of the top-performing players for the franchise across the six seasons with his ability to step up to the occasion. In the 82 matches he has donned the red and blue for the Capitals, Patel has scored 967 runs and picked up 62 wickets at an impressive economy of 7.09. Apart from being a live wire on the field, the all-rounder has also developed a special rapport with the Capitals’ and the Indian national team’s fans. Punjab Kings team too celebrated the festival of colour Holi on Friday, during their IPL 2025 pre-season training camp at HPCA stadium, Dharamsala.

IPL 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals squads celebrate Holi ahead of upcoming season

At the 2024 mega auction, Australia speedster <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mitchell-starc" rel="dofollow">Mitchell Starc</a> was the most expensive purchase in IPL history, going for a whopping $2.8m (INR 24.75 crore) to Kolkata Knight Riders. After one year at the KKR, where he won his maiden IPL trophy, Starc moved to Delhi Capitals for the upcoming season for less than half the price (INR 11.75 crore). Speaking highly of the cash-rich league, Starc said the IPL is the number one project but has its cons too.
Starc played just 2 seasons of IPL to date, for RCB in 2014 and for KKR in 2024. With the 18th edition just on the horizon, Starc feels the rise of Indian cricket across formats is a testament to the magnitude of the Indian Premier League. Starc said India is the only country that can afford a T20I, an ODI and a Test team ready on the same day and still be competitive.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/champions-trophy-felt-like-ipl-in-dubai-kamran-akmal-on-pakistan-no-show-in-final-8849799" rel="dofollow">&lsquo;Champions Trophy felt like IPL in Dubai,&rsquo; Kamran Akmal on Pakistan no-show in final</a>
&ldquo;I think they are probably the only nation that can have a Test team, a one-day team, and a T20 team play on the same day against Australia in the Test, England in the One-Dayer and South Africa in the T20I, and India will be competitive," Starc said during a YouTube channel 'FanaticsTV' chat. "No other country can do that.&rdquo;
<h2>What's a big no about IPL?</h2>
Speaking on how the IPL has shaped up Indian cricket, injecting confidence into players like never before, Starc said it&rsquo;s there for everyone to see how humongous this league is, with countless pros, but mentioned a big con, denying any talks of Indians having an advantage over players from the rest of the world.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/rohit-sharma-has-no-reason-to-retire-ab-de-villiers-throws-weight-behind-indias-almost-most-successful-captain-8849565" rel="dofollow">&lsquo;He has no reason to retire,&rsquo; de Villiers throws weight behind Rohit, India&rsquo;s almost &lsquo;most successful captain&rsquo;</a>
"I am not sure if it's an advantage per se because as cricketers, we have got these opportunities to play all franchise (cricket) around the world (but) the Indian guys can only play in the IPL," said Starc.&nbsp;
"Obviously, it's the number one product, has got all the Indians playing, so much influx of international talent. It's at the top. There's no doubt that it's a huge tournament...But I don't think you can just sit on that because you have guys (players around the world) that play 5-6 different franchise leagues a year; so, they are still getting the exposure to world cricket.&nbsp;
"That (IPL) helps, it's a great tournament, but, obviously, you have got to have talent there; and the depth in Indian cricket (is huge)," he added.
Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-trophy-2025-mitchell-starc-pulls-out-in-another-major-blow-for-australia-steve-smith-to-lead-8712498" rel="dofollow">Starc opted out of the recently concluded Champions Trophy 2025</a> in Pakistan for personal reasons; Australia, who got knocked out in the semis (against India), was also without six of their first-team players.
(With inputs from agencies)

Sports, Cricket: After one year at the KKR, where he won his maiden IPL trophy, Starc moved to Delhi Capitals for the upcoming season for less than half a price.

At the 2024 mega auction, Australia speedster Mitchell Starc was the most expensive purchase in IPL history, going for a whopping $2.8m (INR 24.75 crore) to Kolkata Knight Riders. After one year at the KKR, where he won his maiden IPL trophy, Starc moved to Delhi Capitals for the upcoming season for less than half the price (INR 11.75 crore). Speaking highly of the cash-rich league, Starc said the IPL is the number one project but has its cons too. Starc played just 2 seasons of IPL to date, for RCB in 2014 and for KKR in 2024. With the 18th edition just on the horizon, Starc feels the rise of Indian cricket across formats is a testament to the magnitude of the Indian Premier League. Starc said India is the only country that can afford a T20I, an ODI and a Test team ready on the same day and still be competitive. Also read | ‘Champions Trophy felt like IPL in Dubai,’ Kamran Akmal on Pakistan no-show in final “I think they are probably the only nation that can have a Test team, a one-day team, and a T20 team play on the same day against Australia in the Test, England in the One-Dayer and South Africa in the T20I, and India will be competitive," Starc said during a YouTube channel 'FanaticsTV' chat. "No other country can do that.” What's a big no about IPL? Speaking on how the IPL has shaped up Indian cricket, injecting confidence into players like never before, Starc said it’s there for everyone to see how humongous this league is, with countless pros, but mentioned a big con, denying any talks of Indians having an advantage over players from the rest of the world. Also read | ‘He has no reason to retire,’ de Villiers throws weight behind Rohit, India’s almost ‘most successful captain’ "I am not sure if it's an advantage per se because as cricketers, we have got these opportunities to play all franchise (cricket) around the world (but) the Indian guys can only play in the IPL," said Starc. "Obviously, it's the number one product, has got all the Indians playing, so much influx of international talent. It's at the top. There's no doubt that it's a huge tournament...But I don't think you can just sit on that because you have guys (players around the world) that play 5-6 different franchise leagues a year; so, they are still getting the exposure to world cricket. "That (IPL) helps, it's a great tournament, but, obviously, you have got to have talent there; and the depth in Indian cricket (is huge)," he added. Meanwhile, Starc opted out of the recently concluded Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan for personal reasons; Australia, who got knocked out in the semis (against India), was also without six of their first-team players. (With inputs from agencies)

‘It’s the number one project, it’s at the top,’ Australia speedster Starc on IPL

Australia T20I skipper Mitchell Marsh has been cleared to play the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season which starts March 22. Marsh is coming back to competitive cricket for the first time since January after a back injury. Notably, Marsh had missed out on recently-completed Champions Trophy 2025 due to the injury. He will, however, only play as a batter.
Marsh's availability, as confirmed by the ESPNCricinfo, will be a huge boost for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The Aussie all-rounder was picked for US $400,000 at the IPL auction in November last year. Marsh being fit offers good news to LSG which recently suffered a blow after pacer Mayank Yadav was ruled out for a few initial games.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-rajasthan-royals-captain-sanju-samson-still-not-over-8847280">IPL 2025: Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson still not over...</a>
At LSG, Marsh will reunite with his former Australia and Big Bash League (BBL) side Perth Scorchers' coach Justin Langer who is heading into the second season with the Lucknow-based franchise. Langer replaced India coach Gautam Gambhir at LSG last season when the latter moved to KKR and won them the season as mentor.
Apart from Marsh, other Aussie players namely Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc are also set to take part in the IPL. All three of them missed out the Champions Trophy just like Marsh because of injury and personal reasons.
The non-availability of big stars in the Champions Trophy costed Australia dearly as they were sent packing in the semi-final by eventual winners India.
IPL 2025 starts with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 22.
LSG play their first match on March 24 against Delhi Capitals (DC) where Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul will face their old franchises after the auction swap.
While Pant has been confirmed as the LSG captain, DC are the only franchise in league who have not named their captain for the upcoming season yet.&nbsp;

At LSG, Marsh will reunite with his former Australia and BBL side Perth Scorchers' coach Justin Langer who is heading into the second season with the Lucknow-based franchise. Cricket Sports

Australia T20I skipper Mitchell Marsh has been cleared to play the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season which starts March 22. Marsh is coming back to competitive cricket for the first time since January after a back injury. Notably, Marsh had missed out on recently-completed Champions Trophy 2025 due to the injury. He will, however, only play as a batter. Marsh's availability, as confirmed by the ESPNCricinfo, will be a huge boost for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The Aussie all-rounder was picked for US $400,000 at the IPL auction in November last year. Marsh being fit offers good news to LSG which recently suffered a blow after pacer Mayank Yadav was ruled out for a few initial games. Also Read: IPL 2025: Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson still not over... At LSG, Marsh will reunite with his former Australia and Big Bash League (BBL) side Perth Scorchers' coach Justin Langer who is heading into the second season with the Lucknow-based franchise. Langer replaced India coach Gautam Gambhir at LSG last season when the latter moved to KKR and won them the season as mentor. Apart from Marsh, other Aussie players namely Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc are also set to take part in the IPL. All three of them missed out the Champions Trophy just like Marsh because of injury and personal reasons. The non-availability of big stars in the Champions Trophy costed Australia dearly as they were sent packing in the semi-final by eventual winners India. IPL 2025 starts with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 22. LSG play their first match on March 24 against Delhi Capitals (DC) where Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul will face their old franchises after the auction swap. While Pant has been confirmed as the LSG captain, DC are the only franchise in league who have not named their captain for the upcoming season yet.

Aussie T20I skipper Mitchell Marsh declared fit for IPL 2025 after missing out Champions Trophy with injury

Rajasthan Royals captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/sanju-samson">Sanju Samson</a> opened up about one of the toughest challenges he has faced&mdash;parting ways with explosive opener <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/jos-buttler">Jos Buttler</a> ahead of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/indian-premier-league">Indian Premier League</a> (IPL) 2025.
Buttler, who joined the Royals in 2018, was a cornerstone of their batting lineup, scoring 3,098 runs in 83 matches at an impressive average of 41.84. However, ahead of the mega auction, Rajasthan decided against retaining the English star, opting to keep six other players instead. As a result, Buttler entered the auction pool, where Gujarat Titans secured him for over $1 million (₹15.75 crore).
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/wpl-2025-indian-batters-fall-behind-foreigners-at-own-home-in-terms-of-scoring-runs-numbers-dont-lie-8847098">WPL 2025: Indian batters fail to score as many runs as foreigners at own home? Numbers don't lie</a>
Speaking to digital broadcaster Star, Samson expressed his deep bond with Buttler, whom he considers one of his closest friends. &ldquo;IPL is not just about leading a team at the highest level; it also helps you build lifelong friendships. Jos and I shared a strong batting partnership over seven years, and letting him go has been one of the most difficult things for me,&rdquo; Samson admitted.
<h2 data-start="580" data-end="950">'He was like an elder brother to me'</h2>
The Rajasthan skipper revealed that he still struggles to accept Buttler's departure, even discussing it with him over dinner during England&rsquo;s recent tour of India. &ldquo;He was like an elder brother to me. When I became captain, he was my vice-captain and played a crucial role in helping me lead the team. During the England series, I told him I still wasn&rsquo;t over it.&rdquo;
Samson also shared his thoughts on the IPL retention rules, saying that while they serve a purpose, they also break long-standing relationships. &ldquo;If I could change one thing about the IPL, it would be the rule of releasing players. While it has its positives, it also means losing connections built over years. It has been tough for me, the franchise, the owners, the coaches&mdash;everyone at RR. Jos was family to us,&rdquo; he added.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/rajasthan-royals">Rajasthan Royals</a> will kick off their IPL 2025 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
(With inputs from agencies)

Cricket, Sports: Buttler joined the Royals in 2018 and left in 2024 after the franchise decided against retaining him before the mega-auction last year

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson opened up about one of the toughest challenges he has faced—parting ways with explosive opener Jos Buttler ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Buttler, who joined the Royals in 2018, was a cornerstone of their batting lineup, scoring 3,098 runs in 83 matches at an impressive average of 41.84. However, ahead of the mega auction, Rajasthan decided against retaining the English star, opting to keep six other players instead. As a result, Buttler entered the auction pool, where Gujarat Titans secured him for over $1 million (₹15.75 crore). Also Read: WPL 2025: Indian batters fail to score as many runs as foreigners at own home? Numbers don't lie Speaking to digital broadcaster Star, Samson expressed his deep bond with Buttler, whom he considers one of his closest friends. “IPL is not just about leading a team at the highest level; it also helps you build lifelong friendships. Jos and I shared a strong batting partnership over seven years, and letting him go has been one of the most difficult things for me,” Samson admitted. 'He was like an elder brother to me' The Rajasthan skipper revealed that he still struggles to accept Buttler's departure, even discussing it with him over dinner during England’s recent tour of India. “He was like an elder brother to me. When I became captain, he was my vice-captain and played a crucial role in helping me lead the team. During the England series, I told him I still wasn’t over it.” Samson also shared his thoughts on the IPL retention rules, saying that while they serve a purpose, they also break long-standing relationships. “If I could change one thing about the IPL, it would be the rule of releasing players. While it has its positives, it also means losing connections built over years. It has been tough for me, the franchise, the owners, the coaches—everyone at RR. Jos was family to us,” he added. Rajasthan Royals will kick off their IPL 2025 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson still not over...

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) less than two weeks away, the Delhi Capitals (DC) are yet to announce their captain for the upcoming season. The rest of the nine franchises have already announced the skipper for IPL 2025, and a decision from DC is expected soon.
It was Rishabh Pant who led the side last season but he will now lead Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) after being traded in the IPL 2025 auction. DC has multiple options for who can lead the team. Let's have a look at who can lead DC in IPL 2025:
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/england-australia-to-play-pink-ball-game-at-mcg-in-2027-to-celebrate-150th-anniversary-of-test-cricket-8842443">England, Australia to play pink-ball game at MCG in 2027 to celebrate 150th anniversary of Test cricket</a>
KL Rahul - The wicketkeeper-batter was bought by DC from LSG in what can be touted as the like-for-like replacement for Rishabh Pant. Rahul has experience of leading an IPL side with LSG and Punjab Kings as well. Talking about his captaincy record, Rahul has led in 64 IPL games. He has 31 wins and 31 losses to his name, with two games being tied.
Axar Patel - The all-rounder could be a surprise pick by Delhi to lead the team. He has been associated with the team since 2019 and had led them in one off game in the 2024 season. Patel, however, lost the only game he captained the side in.
Faf du Plessis - The former Protea has enough experience of leading a side in international cricket as well as the IPL. He was the skipper of Royal Challengers Bengaluru until being traded to DC for the upcoming season. He has led in 42 IPL games and managed to win 21 of them with 21 losses as well.
DC, which have never won an IPL title, finished as runners-up in their best ever performance under Shreyas Iyer in the 2021 season.
Ahead of the upcoming season, they were also dealt a blow when England batter Harry Brook opted out for the second consecutive season.

Delhi Capitals, which have never won an IPL title, finished as runners-up in their best ever performance under Shreyas Iyer in 2021 IPL season. Cricket Sports

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) less than two weeks away, the Delhi Capitals (DC) are yet to announce their captain for the upcoming season. The rest of the nine franchises have already announced the skipper for IPL 2025, and a decision from DC is expected soon. It was Rishabh Pant who led the side last season but he will now lead Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) after being traded in the IPL 2025 auction. DC has multiple options for who can lead the team. Let's have a look at who can lead DC in IPL 2025: Also Read: England, Australia to play pink-ball game at MCG in 2027 to celebrate 150th anniversary of Test cricket KL Rahul - The wicketkeeper-batter was bought by DC from LSG in what can be touted as the like-for-like replacement for Rishabh Pant. Rahul has experience of leading an IPL side with LSG and Punjab Kings as well. Talking about his captaincy record, Rahul has led in 64 IPL games. He has 31 wins and 31 losses to his name, with two games being tied. Axar Patel - The all-rounder could be a surprise pick by Delhi to lead the team. He has been associated with the team since 2019 and had led them in one off game in the 2024 season. Patel, however, lost the only game he captained the side in. Faf du Plessis - The former Protea has enough experience of leading a side in international cricket as well as the IPL. He was the skipper of Royal Challengers Bengaluru until being traded to DC for the upcoming season. He has led in 42 IPL games and managed to win 21 of them with 21 losses as well. DC, which have never won an IPL title, finished as runners-up in their best ever performance under Shreyas Iyer in the 2021 season. Ahead of the upcoming season, they were also dealt a blow when England batter Harry Brook opted out for the second consecutive season.

KL Rahul or former RCB star - Who will lead Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025? Have a look at possible options

England batter Harry Brook has withdrawn from the upcoming 18th season of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/indian-premier-league" rel="dofollow">Indian Premier League</a> (IPL) for the second consecutive year, putting him at risk of a two-year ban from future editions of the cash-rich league.
As per ESPNCricinfo, Brook&rsquo;s withdrawal was conveyed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) last week and later communicated to his franchise, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/delhi-capitals" rel="dofollow">Delhi Capitals</a> (DC). DC had acquired Brook for $716,000 (₹6.25 crore) in the last auction. Neither the IPL nor Brook has provided an official reason for his decision.&nbsp;
However, he is considered a frontrunner to replace Jos Buttler as England&rsquo;s white-ball captain following the team&rsquo;s poor performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup and their failure to qualify for the ICC <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/champions-trophy" rel="dofollow">Champions Trophy</a>. With 18 months remaining on his central contract and his commitments as an all-format player, workload management could be a contributing factor.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/it-is-hosted-by-us-shoaib-akhtar-hits-out-pcb-for-missing-out-presentation-ceremony-after-champions-trophy-final-8838283">'It is hosted by us': Shoaib Akhtar hits out PCB for missing out presentation ceremony after Champions Trophy final</a>
<h2 data-start="283" data-end="1008">What the rule says</h2>
Brook&rsquo;s withdrawal may trigger a two-year IPL ban, as per a rule introduced ahead of the 2025 mega auction. The rule, established in response to multiple last-minute withdrawals, states: "Any overseas player who registers for the auction and, after being picked, makes himself unavailable before the start of the season will be banned from participating in the IPL and IPL auction for two seasons. The only exception will be for an injury or medical condition, which must be confirmed by the player's home board."
Last year, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/harry-brook" rel="dofollow">Brook</a> pulled out of the IPL to be with his family following his grandmother&rsquo;s passing, which also led him to miss England&rsquo;s Test series in India. He was part of the Delhi Capitals squad but was released ahead of the 2025 mega-auction.
The upcoming IPL season for Delhi begins on March 24, with Delhi Capitals facing Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). In addition to finding a replacement for Brook, Capitals has yet to announce their captain for the season.
Brook previously played in the 2023 edition for Sunrisers Hyderabad, scoring 190 runs in 11 matches at an average of 22.11. His standout performance was a century against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
(With inputs from agencies)

Sports, Cricket: Brook's move to pull out from the league was conveyed by the officials of England and Wales Cricket Board to the Board of Control for Cricket in India last week

England batter Harry Brook has withdrawn from the upcoming 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the second consecutive year, putting him at risk of a two-year ban from future editions of the cash-rich league. As per ESPNCricinfo, Brook’s withdrawal was conveyed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) last week and later communicated to his franchise, Delhi Capitals (DC). DC had acquired Brook for $716,000 (₹6.25 crore) in the last auction. Neither the IPL nor Brook has provided an official reason for his decision. However, he is considered a frontrunner to replace Jos Buttler as England’s white-ball captain following the team’s poor performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup and their failure to qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy. With 18 months remaining on his central contract and his commitments as an all-format player, workload management could be a contributing factor. Also Read: 'It is hosted by us': Shoaib Akhtar hits out PCB for missing out presentation ceremony after Champions Trophy final What the rule says Brook’s withdrawal may trigger a two-year IPL ban, as per a rule introduced ahead of the 2025 mega auction. The rule, established in response to multiple last-minute withdrawals, states: "Any overseas player who registers for the auction and, after being picked, makes himself unavailable before the start of the season will be banned from participating in the IPL and IPL auction for two seasons. The only exception will be for an injury or medical condition, which must be confirmed by the player's home board." Last year, Brook pulled out of the IPL to be with his family following his grandmother’s passing, which also led him to miss England’s Test series in India. He was part of the Delhi Capitals squad but was released ahead of the 2025 mega-auction. The upcoming IPL season for Delhi begins on March 24, with Delhi Capitals facing Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). In addition to finding a replacement for Brook, Capitals has yet to announce their captain for the season. Brook previously played in the 2023 edition for Sunrisers Hyderabad, scoring 190 runs in 11 matches at an average of 22.11. His standout performance was a century against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: Harry Brook opts out for second successive season, faces possible two-year ban

South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder is all set to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) after he was roped in by SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Thursday (Mar 6). Mulder will replace injured Brydon Carse who opted out of the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 due to an injury. Mulder will join the likes of Pat Cummins, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, Travis Head and others in the rank of SRH, who finished runners-up in IPL 2024.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🚨 News 🚨 Sunrisers Hyderabad pick Wiaan Mulder as replacement for injured Brydon Carse.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TATAIPL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TATAIPL</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/SunRisers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SunRisers</a> | Details 🔽
&mdash; IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1897587885328810247?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2025</a></blockquote>

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

<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Mulder joins SRH</h2>
Having gone unsold in the IPL 2025 auctions in November, Mulder will get his opportunity after Carse suffered an injury during the Champions Trophy clash against Australia on Feb 22. Mulder&rsquo;s base price of INR 7.5 million did not see him get any buyers while SRH&rsquo;s bid of INR 10 million on Carse did not rip rewards after the speedster's injury.
SRH will be one of the favourites to win the IPL 2025 as they look to win their second title in the competition history. Mulder&rsquo;s addition will be great for the franchise as they look to end the eight-year trophy drought.
ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/indias-best-batter-virat-kohli-is-englands-third-highest-odi-run-scorer-heres-how-8827734" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">India&rsquo;s best batter Virat Kohli is third-highest ODI run scorer for 'England'. Know how</a>
Mulder was part of the South Africa side that reached the semifinal of the Champions Trophy 2025 before losing to New Zealand. The all-rounder has played in 11 T20Is, 18 Tests, and 25 ODIs. In his international career, he has taken 60 wickets and accumulated 970 runs.
SRH IPL 2025 Squad
Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head, Mohammad Shami (Rs. 10 crore), Harshal Patel (Rs. 8 crore), Ishan Kishan (Rs. 11.25 crore), Rahul Chahar (Rs. 3.2 crore), Adam Zampa (Rs. 2.40 crore), Atharva Taide (Rs. 30 lakh), Abhinav Manohar (Rs. 3.20 crore), Simarjeet Singh (Rs. 1.50 crore), Zeeshan Ansari (Rs. 40 lakh), Jaydev Unadkat (Rs. 1 crore), Brydon Carse (Rs. 1 crore), Kamindu Mendis (Rs. 75 lakh), Aniket Verma (Rs. 30 lakh), Eshan Malinga (Rs. 1.20 crore), Sachin Baby (Rs. 30 lakh).

Cricket, Sports: South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder is all set to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) after he was roped in by SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH).

South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder is all set to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) after he was roped in by SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Thursday (Mar 6). Mulder will replace injured Brydon Carse who opted out of the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 due to an injury. Mulder will join the likes of Pat Cummins, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, Travis Head and others in the rank of SRH, who finished runners-up in IPL 2024. 🚨 News 🚨 Sunrisers Hyderabad pick Wiaan Mulder as replacement for injured Brydon Carse.#TATAIPL | @SunRisers | Details 🔽 — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 6, 2025 Mulder joins SRH Having gone unsold in the IPL 2025 auctions in November, Mulder will get his opportunity after Carse suffered an injury during the Champions Trophy clash against Australia on Feb 22. Mulder’s base price of INR 7.5 million did not see him get any buyers while SRH’s bid of INR 10 million on Carse did not rip rewards after the speedster's injury. SRH will be one of the favourites to win the IPL 2025 as they look to win their second title in the competition history. Mulder’s addition will be great for the franchise as they look to end the eight-year trophy drought. ALSO READ | India’s best batter Virat Kohli is third-highest ODI run scorer for 'England'. Know how Mulder was part of the South Africa side that reached the semifinal of the Champions Trophy 2025 before losing to New Zealand. The all-rounder has played in 11 T20Is, 18 Tests, and 25 ODIs. In his international career, he has taken 60 wickets and accumulated 970 runs. SRH IPL 2025 Squad Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head, Mohammad Shami (Rs. 10 crore), Harshal Patel (Rs. 8 crore), Ishan Kishan (Rs. 11.25 crore), Rahul Chahar (Rs. 3.2 crore), Adam Zampa (Rs. 2.40 crore), Atharva Taide (Rs. 30 lakh), Abhinav Manohar (Rs. 3.20 crore), Simarjeet Singh (Rs. 1.50 crore), Zeeshan Ansari (Rs. 40 lakh), Jaydev Unadkat (Rs. 1 crore), Brydon Carse (Rs. 1 crore), Kamindu Mendis (Rs. 75 lakh), Aniket Verma (Rs. 30 lakh), Eshan Malinga (Rs. 1.20 crore), Sachin Baby (Rs. 30 lakh).

IPL 2025: Wiaan Mulder joins SunRisers Hyderabad as replacement for injured Brydon Carse

Former England batter Kevin Pietersen has been named as the mentor of Indian Premier League (IPL) side Delhi Capitals as announced on Thursday (Feb 27). Pietersen who represented Delhi in his playing days will serve as the side's mentor as the franchise prepares to conquer its maiden IPL title. Delhi have undergone significant changes during the off-season with key players like David Warner and Rishabh Pant leaving the side and KL Rahul joining the team.
<h2 class="MsoNormal">KP returns as a mentor at Delhi Capitals<o:p></o:p></h2>
"I've got incredible memories of representing the Delhi franchise in the IPL, and I&rsquo;ve been able to maintain that passion for the team even as a broadcaster over the years. I shared the field with Venu (Venugopal Rao) during the 2012 season, and it&rsquo;s great to be reconnecting with him as we begin a new chapter at this amazing franchise,&rdquo; Pietersen said.
The former England captain played for Delhi between 2012 and 2014 and helped the franchise finish top in the standings. Pietersen will be seen in the dugout of the franchise this season having previously served on commentary duty of the Board of Control for Cricket in India&rsquo;s (BCCI) world feed.<o:p></o:p>
ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/champions-trophy-ravi-shastris-advice-for-drowning-england-after-afghanistan-bashing-8761218" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Champions Trophy: Ravi Shastri&rsquo;s advice for drowning England after Afghanistan bashing</a> 
"We are delighted to welcome KP as our team mentor. He has been a Delhi boy, having played for us in the IPL earlier, and it's great to have him back in a different role. We are confident that his vast experience, his tactical understanding of the game, and his passion for the franchise will be invaluable to our team and our players,&rdquo; Kiran Kumar Grandhi, Chairman &amp; Co-owner, of Delhi Capitals said.<o:p></o:p>
The Capitals have been on a disappointing run since 2020 when they last played in the final of the IPL. They will look to win the IPL 2025 with the presence of key players like KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel. DC start their season on March 24 in a clash with Lucknow Super Giants.

Sports, Cricket: Former England batter Kevin Pietersen has been named as the mentor of Indian Premier League (IPL) side Delhi Capitals as announced on Thursday (Feb 27).

Former England batter Kevin Pietersen has been named as the mentor of Indian Premier League (IPL) side Delhi Capitals as announced on Thursday (Feb 27). Pietersen who represented Delhi in his playing days will serve as the side's mentor as the franchise prepares to conquer its maiden IPL title. Delhi have undergone significant changes during the off-season with key players like David Warner and Rishabh Pant leaving the side and KL Rahul joining the team. KP returns as a mentor at Delhi Capitals "I've got incredible memories of representing the Delhi franchise in the IPL, and I’ve been able to maintain that passion for the team even as a broadcaster over the years. I shared the field with Venu (Venugopal Rao) during the 2012 season, and it’s great to be reconnecting with him as we begin a new chapter at this amazing franchise,” Pietersen said. The former England captain played for Delhi between 2012 and 2014 and helped the franchise finish top in the standings. Pietersen will be seen in the dugout of the franchise this season having previously served on commentary duty of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) world feed. ALSO READ | Champions Trophy: Ravi Shastri’s advice for drowning England after Afghanistan bashing "We are delighted to welcome KP as our team mentor. He has been a Delhi boy, having played for us in the IPL earlier, and it's great to have him back in a different role. We are confident that his vast experience, his tactical understanding of the game, and his passion for the franchise will be invaluable to our team and our players,” Kiran Kumar Grandhi, Chairman & Co-owner, of Delhi Capitals said. The Capitals have been on a disappointing run since 2020 when they last played in the final of the IPL. They will look to win the IPL 2025 with the presence of key players like KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel. DC start their season on March 24 in a clash with Lucknow Super Giants.

IPL 2025: England legend Kevin Pietersen named Delhi Capitals mentor ahead of upcoming season

Australia Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins has started to bowl as he begins his rehab for the ankle issue picked up during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India in December 2024-January 2025. The ace bowler, owing to his ankle, had to miss out on Australia's Test tour of Sri Lanka as well as the ongoing Champions Trophy. Cummins now plans to make a comeback in IPL and play in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final in June against South Africa later this year.
"The ankle is all going strong, [have been] able to give it a good rest and then been building up slowly, which you don't get to do when you play lots of cricket," Cummins said in a conversation with cricket news website ESPNCricinfo.&nbsp;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/champions-trophy-2025-over-100-pakistani-policemen-dismissed-for-refusing-duty-8756871">Champions Trophy 2025: Over 100 Pakistani policemen dismissed for refusing duty</a>
"It's feeling as strong as it has for a fair while. Should be fine [for the IPL], that's the plan. So have a few weeks of bowling, building back up and then hopefully don't have to worry about it for a while."
Talking about the issue, Cummins revealed that he has decided not to have the surgery but to manage the ankle with rehab work.
"It's something that we've opted never to have surgery on or intervene too much, just a lot to rehab," he explained. "Having this break meant that I could get a couple of cortisones and really rehab it well the last couple of weeks."
Cummins is one of the most successful skippers currently in the world. His side won the last WTC title beating India in the final in 2023. Australia then went on to win the ODI World Cup later that year in India and again beat India in the final.
They also reached the semi-final of the T20 World Cup in 2024 and under Cummins, IPL side SunRisers Hyderabad also reached the 2024 edition's final.

The ace bowler and Australian skipper, owing to his ankle, had to miss out on Australia's Test tour of Sri Lanka as well as the ongoing Champions Trophy. Cricket Sports

Australia Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins has started to bowl as he begins his rehab for the ankle issue picked up during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India in December 2024-January 2025. The ace bowler, owing to his ankle, had to miss out on Australia's Test tour of Sri Lanka as well as the ongoing Champions Trophy. Cummins now plans to make a comeback in IPL and play in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final in June against South Africa later this year. "The ankle is all going strong, [have been] able to give it a good rest and then been building up slowly, which you don't get to do when you play lots of cricket," Cummins said in a conversation with cricket news website ESPNCricinfo. Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: Over 100 Pakistani policemen dismissed for refusing duty "It's feeling as strong as it has for a fair while. Should be fine [for the IPL], that's the plan. So have a few weeks of bowling, building back up and then hopefully don't have to worry about it for a while." Talking about the issue, Cummins revealed that he has decided not to have the surgery but to manage the ankle with rehab work. "It's something that we've opted never to have surgery on or intervene too much, just a lot to rehab," he explained. "Having this break meant that I could get a couple of cortisones and really rehab it well the last couple of weeks." Cummins is one of the most successful skippers currently in the world. His side won the last WTC title beating India in the final in 2023. Australia then went on to win the ODI World Cup later that year in India and again beat India in the final. They also reached the semi-final of the T20 World Cup in 2024 and under Cummins, IPL side SunRisers Hyderabad also reached the 2024 edition's final.

Out from Champions Trophy with injury, Aussie skipper Pat Cummins eyes IPL comeback

Five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians on Friday (Feb 21) launched their new kit ahead of the upcoming season. The five-time champions have won all possible honours with their parent and sister franchises. The latest launch saw star names Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Suraykumar Yadav feature on the poster image while Hardik Pandya delivered a a heartfelt message for the Mumbai fans.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
👕 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗦 𝗔 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨 📝 आपल्या मुंबईची jersey for the 𝐈𝐏𝐋 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 💙 👉 <a href="https://t.co/FgRK3BUE6a">https://t.co/FgRK3BUE6a</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MumbaiIndians?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MumbaiIndians</a> <a href="https://t.co/cYbhV5V5L6">pic.twitter.com/cYbhV5V5L6</a>
&mdash; Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) <a href="https://twitter.com/mipaltan/status/1892830459924566231?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2025</a></blockquote>

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<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">MI unveil new jersey</h2>
In a heartfelt message, captain Hardik said, "Dear Paltan, 2025 is our opportunity to bring the legacy where it belongs. With the blue &amp; gold on us, we will take the field to Play like Mumbai. This is not just our jersey. This is a promise to you. Chala bhetu, Wankhede la (Let&rsquo;s meet, at Wankhede)!"
The jersey retains the iconic blue and gold palette symbolic of Mumbai Indians&rsquo; essence. Blue represents trust, confidence, and the team&rsquo;s boundless potential, while gold signifies glory, achievement, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/yuzvendra-chahal-and-dhanashree-verma-reportedly-finalise-divorce-share-cryptic-posts-8743182" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma reportedly finalise divorce, share cryptic posts</a>
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">MI search for sixth title</h2>
Level with Chennai Super Kings for most titles, Mumbai under Hardik Pandya&rsquo;s captaincy will search for their sixth title in IPL 2025. The franchise remains one of the most successful in franchise cricket with a huge fan base all over the world. Their quest for the IPL 2025 title starts on Sunday (Mar 23) as they take on Chennai Super Kings in a high-voltage clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The side plays its first home game at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday (Mar 31) as they face defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
The MI team roster has big-name players including Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik and Tilak Varma who were all retained in the retention window.

Sports, Cricket: Five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians on Friday (Feb 21) launched their new kit as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians on Friday (Feb 21) launched their new kit ahead of the upcoming season. The five-time champions have won all possible honours with their parent and sister franchises. The latest launch saw star names Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Suraykumar Yadav feature on the poster image while Hardik Pandya delivered a a heartfelt message for the Mumbai fans. 👕 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗦 𝗔 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨 📝 आपल्या मुंबईची jersey for the 𝐈𝐏𝐋 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 💙 👉 https://t.co/FgRK3BUE6a#MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/cYbhV5V5L6 — Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 21, 2025 MI unveil new jersey In a heartfelt message, captain Hardik said, "Dear Paltan, 2025 is our opportunity to bring the legacy where it belongs. With the blue & gold on us, we will take the field to Play like Mumbai. This is not just our jersey. This is a promise to you. Chala bhetu, Wankhede la (Let’s meet, at Wankhede)!" The jersey retains the iconic blue and gold palette symbolic of Mumbai Indians’ essence. Blue represents trust, confidence, and the team’s boundless potential, while gold signifies glory, achievement, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. ALSO READ | Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma reportedly finalise divorce, share cryptic posts MI search for sixth title Level with Chennai Super Kings for most titles, Mumbai under Hardik Pandya’s captaincy will search for their sixth title in IPL 2025. The franchise remains one of the most successful in franchise cricket with a huge fan base all over the world. Their quest for the IPL 2025 title starts on Sunday (Mar 23) as they take on Chennai Super Kings in a high-voltage clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The side plays its first home game at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday (Mar 31) as they face defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The MI team roster has big-name players including Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik and Tilak Varma who were all retained in the retention window.

IPL 2025: Five-time champions Mumbai Indians unveil new jersey ahead of new season

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/punjab-kings">Punjab Kings</a>&rsquo; new addition and blazing young batter Priyansh Arya is all set for the upcoming edition of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/indian-premier-league">Indian Premier League</a> (IPL). Arya, who has been playing cricket since the age of 9, was picked by the Kings in the 2025 mega auction and will be playing his first-ever IPL season. &nbsp; &ldquo;I am really excited to meet head coach <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ricky-ponting">Ricky Ponting</a>. I love his pull shot. Apart from that, I am also excited to meet Shreyas. I love his attitude and the way he walks. I have never met Shreyas earlier. I think he is a great leader, he has won IPL and all domestic trophies as a captain. So I feel he is the best leader," the 24-year-old said.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/champions-trophy-2025-first-set-of-indian-players-support-staff-leave-for-dubai-8723558">Champions Trophy 2025: First set of Indian players, support staff leave for Dubai</a> Arya took the nation by storm when he hit six sixes in an over, in Delhi&rsquo;s domestic T20 league in August 2024, becoming the fourth Indian cricketer to do so. Recalling the moment, he revealed that a special message came for him, after he achieved the feat, from India&rsquo;s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav.
<h2>'SKY told me to believe in myself'&nbsp;</h2>
&ldquo;After three sixes, I believed that I could hit six sixes as well, as my partner Ayush Badoni was hitting four to five sixes in an over, in every match. After I did so, Suryakumar Yadav messaged me and said that my batting was total entertainment and asked me to keep believing in myself. It was quite motivating for me.&rdquo; Ahead of IPL season 17, Arya was up for auction but was not grabbed by any franchise. But he did not let the setback deter him and he continued to work hard on his game. &nbsp; Recalling his emotions before last season's IPL, the 24-year-old opening batter, said, "I felt bad about not being selected. This year, again, I had a lot of expectations from the auctions but I was not thinking about it and was focused on Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 matches."
"After I was picked by Punjab Kings, I was elated but could not celebrate much as I continued to focus on the tournaments. I will surely celebrate soon," Arya said. &nbsp; Coached by World Cup-winning captain Ricky Ponting and led by the talented Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer, Punjab Kings will enter IPL 2025 in an all-new avatar and begin their title quest.
(With inputs from agencies)

Sports, Cricket: Arya took the nation by storm when he hit six sixes in an over, in Delhi’s domestic T20 league in August 2024, becoming the fourth Indian cricketer to do so

Punjab Kings’ new addition and blazing young batter Priyansh Arya is all set for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Arya, who has been playing cricket since the age of 9, was picked by the Kings in the 2025 mega auction and will be playing his first-ever IPL season. “I am really excited to meet head coach Ricky Ponting. I love his pull shot. Apart from that, I am also excited to meet Shreyas. I love his attitude and the way he walks. I have never met Shreyas earlier. I think he is a great leader, he has won IPL and all domestic trophies as a captain. So I feel he is the best leader," the 24-year-old said. Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: First set of Indian players, support staff leave for Dubai Arya took the nation by storm when he hit six sixes in an over, in Delhi’s domestic T20 league in August 2024, becoming the fourth Indian cricketer to do so. Recalling the moment, he revealed that a special message came for him, after he achieved the feat, from India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav. 'SKY told me to believe in myself' “After three sixes, I believed that I could hit six sixes as well, as my partner Ayush Badoni was hitting four to five sixes in an over, in every match. After I did so, Suryakumar Yadav messaged me and said that my batting was total entertainment and asked me to keep believing in myself. It was quite motivating for me.” Ahead of IPL season 17, Arya was up for auction but was not grabbed by any franchise. But he did not let the setback deter him and he continued to work hard on his game. Recalling his emotions before last season's IPL, the 24-year-old opening batter, said, "I felt bad about not being selected. This year, again, I had a lot of expectations from the auctions but I was not thinking about it and was focused on Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 matches." "After I was picked by Punjab Kings, I was elated but could not celebrate much as I continued to focus on the tournaments. I will surely celebrate soon," Arya said. Coached by World Cup-winning captain Ricky Ponting and led by the talented Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer, Punjab Kings will enter IPL 2025 in an all-new avatar and begin their title quest. (With inputs from agencies)

IPL 2025: 'I love his attitude', Priyansh Arya excited to play under Shreyas Iyer

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Former&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/south-africa-cricket">South African cricketer</a> and captain, AB de Villiers announced retirement after the 2021 edition of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/indian-premier-league">Indian Premier League</a> (IPL). He later said the reason behind his sudden retirement was that&nbsp;his younger child accidentally kicked him in the eyes, and he started to lose vision after that. &nbsp;
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Four years later, the former cricketer has recovered from the injury and is now set to feature in the second edition of the World Championship of Legends. He announced it on X on Tuesday (Jan 28)
See the post here:&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
It&rsquo;s official. I will be playing for the South African team <a href="https://twitter.com/WCLSAChampions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WCLSAChampions</a> in the upcoming <a href="https://twitter.com/WclLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WclLeague</a> 2025! 🌟 Mark your calendars: the tournament runs from 18th July to 2nd August. Can&rsquo;t wait to renew rivalry with so many legends from five other countries. I&rsquo;m heading to the&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/4GnUwdP8LB">pic.twitter.com/4GnUwdP8LB</a>
&mdash; AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) <a href="https://twitter.com/ABdeVilliers17/status/1884141560662458624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2025</a></blockquote>

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Reflecting on his return, the 40-year-old said that he previously lost the urge to play the sport but playing with his sons in the garden has revived his spirit to return to the cricket field. Now, he is actively preparing himself in the gym and announced himself for the World Championship of Legends, set to begin in July 2025.&nbsp;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/indias-batting-coach-sitanshu-kotak-backs-captain-suryakumar-amid-lean-patch-8661142">India&rsquo;s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak backs captain Suryakumar amid lean patch</a> 
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&ldquo;Four years ago, I retired from all forms of the game because I just didn&rsquo;t feel the urge to play anymore. Well, time has passed, and my young sons have started playing the game. We&rsquo;ve been playing more and more often in the garden, and, well, it feels as though some kind of flame has been lit again. So I am heading back to the gym and the nets, and I&rsquo;ll be ready for WCL in July,&rdquo; de Villiers said.&nbsp;
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Notably, de Villiers played 78 T20Is in his career, scoring 1672 runs at a strike rate of 135.16. He was known for his destructive batting, having amassed 9424 runs at a strike rate of 150.13 in T20 cricket overall. 
Meanwhile, he will also be leading South Africa Legends in the upcoming season. Jacques Kallis was at the helm of things in 2024. The squad also featured the likes of Herschelle Gibbs, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/dale-steyn">Dale Steyn</a>, and&nbsp;Imran Tahir, among others.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)
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Sports, Cricket: AB de Villiers has played 78 T20Is in his career, scoring 1672 runs at a strike rate of 135.16. He was known for his destructive batting

Former South African cricketer and captain, AB de Villiers announced retirement after the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He later said the reason behind his sudden retirement was that his younger child accidentally kicked him in the eyes, and he started to lose vision after that. Four years later, the former cricketer has recovered from the injury and is now set to feature in the second edition of the World Championship of Legends. He announced it on X on Tuesday (Jan 28) See the post here: It’s official. I will be playing for the South African team @WCLSAChampions in the upcoming @WclLeague 2025! 🌟 Mark your calendars: the tournament runs from 18th July to 2nd August. Can’t wait to renew rivalry with so many legends from five other countries. I’m heading to the… pic.twitter.com/4GnUwdP8LB — AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) January 28, 2025 Reflecting on his return, the 40-year-old said that he previously lost the urge to play the sport but playing with his sons in the garden has revived his spirit to return to the cricket field. Now, he is actively preparing himself in the gym and announced himself for the World Championship of Legends, set to begin in July 2025. Also Read: India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak backs captain Suryakumar amid lean patch “Four years ago, I retired from all forms of the game because I just didn’t feel the urge to play anymore. Well, time has passed, and my young sons have started playing the game. We’ve been playing more and more often in the garden, and, well, it feels as though some kind of flame has been lit again. So I am heading back to the gym and the nets, and I’ll be ready for WCL in July,” de Villiers said. Notably, de Villiers played 78 T20Is in his career, scoring 1672 runs at a strike rate of 135.16. He was known for his destructive batting, having amassed 9424 runs at a strike rate of 150.13 in T20 cricket overall. Meanwhile, he will also be leading South Africa Legends in the upcoming season. Jacques Kallis was at the helm of things in 2024. The squad also featured the likes of Herschelle Gibbs, Dale Steyn, and Imran Tahir, among others. (With inputs from agencies)

AB de Villiers set to return to cricket after four years in 20-over league

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS) have named India batter <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/shreyas-iyer">Shreyas Iyer</a> as their new skipper. The announcement came on Sunday (Jan 12) through a press release by the IPL team. The tournament is expected to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-2025-start-date-march-23-says-bcci-vice-president-rajiv-shukla-8612858">start on March 21</a>.
<h2>Iyer new PBKS skipper</h2>
"I am honoured that the team has reposed its faith in me. I am looking forward to working again with coach [Ricky] Ponting," Iyer said in the release. "The team looks strong, with a great mix of potential and proven performers. I hope to repay the faith shown by the management to deliver our maiden title."
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/vijay-hazare-trophy-matches-scores-karun-nair-news-five-hundred-in-7-matches-vidarbha-beat-rajasthan-haryana-beat-gujarat-8613205">Vijay Hazare Trophy matches: Karun Nair, scoring at average of 664, hits 5th ton in seven games for Vidarbha</a>
PBKS' coach Ricky Pointing also backed the decision to appoint Iyer as the captain and said: "Shreyas has a great mind for the game. His proven capabilities as captain will enable the team to deliver." &nbsp;
"I have enjoyed my time with Iyer in the past in IPL, and I look forward to working with him again. With his leadership and the talent in the squad, I am excited about the seasons ahead," Ponting added.
Iyer was bought by PBKS at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ipl-mega-auction-2025-updated-final-squad-all-teams-complete-player-list-csk-rcb-mi-gt-kkr-rr-srh-lsg-dc-pbks-779112">IPL mega auction 2025</a> for a whopping INR 26.75 crore (US $3.18 million approx) as one of the most expensive buys in the league history. Punjab outbid Delhi Capitals for Iyer&mdash;a team for which the India batter has played in the past.
Ahead of the auction, Iyer was with Kolkata Knight Riders from 2022 and 2024 and served as the skipper. Under Iyer, KKR became the IPL 2024 champion. Iyer is one of only eight captains to win an IPL trophy, and he would like to add another with PBKS, which have never won one.
This season, Iyer also led Mumbai to India's domestic T20 tournament Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) title.

Shreyas Iyer was bought by PBKS at the IPL mega auction 2025 for a whopping INR 26.75 crore (US $3.18 million approx) as one of the most expensive buys in history. Sports Cricket

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS) have named India batter Shreyas Iyer as their new skipper. The announcement came on Sunday (Jan 12) through a press release by the IPL team. The tournament is expected to start on March 21. Iyer new PBKS skipper "I am honoured that the team has reposed its faith in me. I am looking forward to working again with coach [Ricky] Ponting," Iyer said in the release. "The team looks strong, with a great mix of potential and proven performers. I hope to repay the faith shown by the management to deliver our maiden title." Also Read: Vijay Hazare Trophy matches: Karun Nair, scoring at average of 664, hits 5th ton in seven games for Vidarbha PBKS' coach Ricky Pointing also backed the decision to appoint Iyer as the captain and said: "Shreyas has a great mind for the game. His proven capabilities as captain will enable the team to deliver." "I have enjoyed my time with Iyer in the past in IPL, and I look forward to working with him again. With his leadership and the talent in the squad, I am excited about the seasons ahead," Ponting added. Iyer was bought by PBKS at the IPL mega auction 2025 for a whopping INR 26.75 crore (US $3.18 million approx) as one of the most expensive buys in the league history. Punjab outbid Delhi Capitals for Iyer—a team for which the India batter has played in the past. Ahead of the auction, Iyer was with Kolkata Knight Riders from 2022 and 2024 and served as the skipper. Under Iyer, KKR became the IPL 2024 champion. Iyer is one of only eight captains to win an IPL trophy, and he would like to add another with PBKS, which have never won one. This season, Iyer also led Mumbai to India's domestic T20 tournament Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) title.

IPL 2025: Punjab Kings name Shreyas Iyer as new skipper

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