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

Jasprit Bumrah in MI vs RCB, IPL 2025 (PC: BCCI) Jasprit Bumrah is unique. He is the only Indian cricketer who is universally loved by fans. His injury did not lead to a single meme, and almost every fan was worried about him not being there for India. His return to the IPL was celebrated the country over, and in many ways, Bumrah has been able to unite the toxic worlds of Indian cricket fandom. There could be two reasons behind this. First, he is India’s most valuable player by a country mile. In batting, there have been occasions where Rohit Sharma has done better than Virat Kohli and vice versa. But when it comes to Bumrah, he has always been the Pied Piper whenever he has played. His skill set is unmatched and his presence was the singular factor that made India competitive in Australia. It is no exaggeration to say that his presence could well define India’s performance in England in the five-Test series starting June 20. This unique skill set was yet again on view in the ma...

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

GT vs MI, IPL 2025 Eliminator (PC: BCCI/IPL) Mumbai Indians (MI) beat Gujarat Titans (GT) by 20 runs in the Eliminator of IPL 2025, played at the Mullanpur Stadium in Chandigarh. Here are the top three highlights from today’s GT vs MI Eliminator clash in IPL 2025: MI’s Bowling GT lost their captain, Shubman Gill, who has scored the bulk of their runs this season, along with Sai Sudharsan, very early in the innings. MI picked up wickets at crucial junctures of the match. When Sudharsan and Kusal Mendis were looking good, Mendis unfortunately got out hit-wicket. Sudharsan and Washington Sundar were threatening to take the match away from MI, but their premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah brought them back into the game by dismissing Sundar at the right time. Then Richard Gleeson dismissed Sudharsan, which was the final nail in the coffin for GT. Bumrah and Trent Boult then bowled excellent death overs to seal the match for MI. Rohit’s Match-Winning Knock Rohit Sharma once again proved h...

Bumrah. PC – BCCI Despite Sai Sudharsan’s valiant 49-ball 80, Gujarat Titans slipped to a heartbreaking 20-run defeat against Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator of the 2025 Indian Premier League. The mainstays of MI’s victory were Rohit Sharma (81 off 50 deliveries), Jonny Bairstow (47 off 22) and Jasprit Bumrah with the ball in hand. MI will play Punjab Kings in Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad. Despite MI ending up with 228 on the board, GT gave their fancied opponents a run for the money for long periods. The duo of Sudharsan and Washington Sundar shared an alliance of 84 in just over seven overs to more or less ensure that GT wouldn’t lose track of the required run-rate. The highlight of Sudharsan’s knock was how he picked the length quickly to crack a flurry of cuts, punches, pick-up shots and flicks while facing the likes of Hardik Pandya, Trent Boult and even Bumrah. At the other end, Washington also showcased his pyrotechnics by smashing the experienced Boult for two sixes and a bo...

Test Cricket: A History, an incredible story of Test cricket over its 148-year history. Images: X Test Cricket: A history , Tim Wigmore, Quercus, April 2025 It is never easy to write a book with a huge scope. And when it involves documenting multiple narratives and understanding complex socio-political contexts, the task becomes even more difficult. Maybe that’s why there is no perfect history of cricket. Or rather, can’t be. Tim Wigmore’s Test Cricket: A history isn’t perfect. but it comes close to being the go-to book if you are looking at one comprehensive narrative of how the format evolved and transformed itself over time. Wigmore is an accomplished cricket writer and has spoken to more than 40 international cricketers in the course of writing the book. But what is more commendable is his ability to grasp nuances and understand particular contexts. The chapter on Sachin Tendulkar and his impact, for example, was a personal highpoint. Yes, I’d have liked to see more on India...

RCB against PBKS in the Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur. Image: BCCI/IPL By Bharath Ramaraj Planning. Precision. Execution. These three words were synonymous with how Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s pacers went about their task in the PowerPlay overs of Qualifier 1 of the 2025 Indian Premier League game against Punjab Kings. Around 28 of the 36 deliveries were on a length or back of a length, alongside one short ball ushered in by Josh Hazlewood. Somewhere the RCB camp had understood that there was some tennis-ball bounce and a hint of nip for the pacers to take advantage of in Mullanpur, and they utilised it. By the end of the seventh over, PBKS were already reeling at 52 for 5. It was once again Hazlewood who spearheaded the RCB pace attack. Returning to action after a small break, Hazlewood put on a masterclass in how to execute simple but effective plans. Shreyas Iyer’s dismissal is a case in point. He just pounded the deck hard on a length and extracted extra bounce. He also found a ...

Salt smashed a fifty on a tricky Mullanpur wicket. (PC: BCCI) Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) opener Phil Salt was at his brutal best with the bat in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Mullanpur, guiding his team to a one-sided eight-wicket win. Chasing a modest target, Salt unleashed an aggressive unbeaten 56 off just 27 balls, propelling RCB to 106/2 in only 10 overs and securing their place in the final. With this win, RCB became the first team to confirm their spot in the IPL 2025 final, set to be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 20. Meanwhile, PBKS will have another shot at qualification when they compete in Qualifier 2 on June 1, also in Ahmedabad. Having struggled against Arshdeep Singh earlier in the season, Salt adjusted his approach. “The only thing on my mind was not getting out to Arshdeep,” Salt said after the match. “He got me out in both league games, so today I focused on just reacting to the ball.” Despite a disrupted ...

It has been a dream first season as RCB captain for Rajat Patidar. (PC: BCCI) Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) delivered a dominant performance to outclass Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025, held at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in Mullanpur. Despite PBKS playing at their home venue, the crowd was noticeably filled with RCB supporters donning the team’s colours. RCB’s passionate fanbase, known for their unwavering loyalty, once again turned up in large numbers. With just one win separating them from a historic maiden IPL title, skipper Rajat Patidar expressed his gratitude to the fans. “I want to thank all RCB fans—not just those at Chinnaswamy, but everywhere we go, it feels like home. We love you all. One more game to go—let’s celebrate together,” said Patidar. RCB’s bowlers made full use of the challenging surface, dismantling PBKS for a mere 101 runs—the second-lowest total ever recorded in an IPL play-off match. Their disciplined bowling ...

Shreyas Iyer (L) and Virat Kohli (R) will be in action in the Qualifier 1. (PC: X/Punjab Kings) Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face off in Qualifier 1 on May 29 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, with a place in the IPL 2025 final at stake. PBKS, playing their first playoffs in 11 years, will look to make the most of their home advantage despite an average record at the venue. Familiarity with the conditions could prove beneficial. Marco Jansen is unavailable, with Azmatullah Omarzai likely to come in. Yuzvendra Chahal, who missed the last two games, may return to the XI.   RCB have been dominant on the road, winning all seven away matches — including one earlier this season at Mullanpur. They’ve preferred chasing and will draw confidence from their recent win in Lucknow. Tim David is expected to miss out, while Josh Hazlewood may return after a month-long absence. Pitch Report The pitches in Mullanpur have...

Pakistan outplayed Bangladesh in all three departments in the first T20I. (PC: PCB) Shadab Khan’s all-round heroics, a composed half-century from skipper Salman Ali Agha, and a fiery five-wicket haul by Hasan Ali propelled Pakistan to a emphatic 37-run win over Bangladesh in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Wednesday. With this win, the hosts take a 1-0 lead in the series. After opting to bat first, Pakistan posted an imposing total of 201/7 in their 20 overs. However, their innings got off to a shaky start as both openers, Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman, departed early, dismissed by Mahedi Hasan and Shoriful Islam, respectively, leaving the team at a precarious position. Captain Salman then partnered with wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris to rebuild the innings. The duo added 48 runs before explosive cameos from Hasan Nawaz and Shadab Khan turned the tide. Nawaz, batting at number 5 after opening in the previous series against New Zealand,...