As pipes played and ceremonial commands echoed across the parade ground, a subtle but sharp undertone ran beneath the pride -- the knowledge that these young men may soon be called to act in a world where real-time threats blur the lines between battlefield and cyberspace.
Preity Zinta, like Punjab Kings, is a fighter. Her disappointment today only adds to the fire for tomorrow. The tears she held back will likely fuel next season's charge. Because if there's one thing the IPL has taught us, it's that passion like hers doesn't fade. It only comes back louder.
Krunal Pandya is also the first player to win 4 IPL titles -- three with Mumbai Indians and one with RCB.
Rajat Patidar's astute captaincy has been apparent throughout this season, be it bowling changes or field placements, he has been spot on. Unlike other franchises where captaining big egos has not sat well with certain players, Patidar has commanded the respect of his senior India as well as international team-mates.
In IPL 2025's most intense knockout clash, he produced one of the tournament's finest innings -- an unbeaten 87 that carried Punjab Kings to their first final since 2014.
In a match that was a do or die for RCB -- they HAD to win to seal a spot in Qualifier 1 -- the Ekana stadium watched in admiration as the stand-in skipper played the innings of his life.
Ishan Kishan finally roared back to life in IPL 2025 -- not with a flash-in-the-pan cameo, but with a statement innings.
RCB squandered a golden opportunity to seal a top-two finish on the IPL points table.
Rahane had, on May 2, said he would never give up on his "desire and hunger" to play for India again despite being out of reckoning for the past two years.
The Aussie all-rounder scored a blazing 117 off 64 balls. Not only was his innings decorated with 10 fours and 8 sixes, his two massive partnerships put LSG in the driver's seat.
It was Rishabh Pant's brief, unconvincing stint at the crease that starkly epitomised his season-long struggle
His assuredness at the crease augurs well for Punjab in the play-offs and thereafter.
On Sunday, he did well to kill the notion that left arm spinners are not effective against left arm batters as he clearly took out the Rajasthan southpaws for his first two wickets.
Here's a look at the biggest disappointments of IPL 2025 -- the players who've cost crores but delivered crumbs.
While Sachin Tendulkar's 2013 farewell became a national pilgrimage, a vibrant celebration befitting a cricketing deity, the exits of many other Indian icons this century have been quieter journeys into the twilight.
Virat Kohli may have stepped away from Test cricket, but he leaves behind a faster, leaner, hungrier Indian team.
'The way our President was greeted, that itself shows how far India has come.' 'People were aware of who she is, people know who our prime minister is.' 'Everybody knows India now and everybody respects India.'
The South African's blistering 52 off 25 balls not only augurs well for him personally but for the franchise who are aiming to build a team from scratch for the next season.
In two of the three games CSK has won this season, Noor Ahmad has won the Player of the Match award.
As India prepares for its upcoming five Test series against England, the selection committee faces a crucial decision regarding the team's leadership. Who should be the next India captain in red ball cricket?
© 2025 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances