The unexpected 10-day break has left both the RCB and the KKR with different goals to achieve and common challenges to hurdle over.
Will Kohli ends RCB's long wait for a title? Or will Shreyas produce another match winning knock for Punjab Kings in the final?
What's interesting is now fans are questioning the reasons and persons behind their retirements.
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke believes India is in "safe hands" and has "enough talent" to trounce England, but it will all come down to how the young-looking squad will leave a mark in the series on a territory known for being "tough".
Former England opener Mark Butcher feels the Indian Test captain has taken ownership of Virat Kohli's No 4 spot quite comfortably despite the 'enormous scrutiny'.
KL Rahul topples David Warner's record, fastest batter to score 5000 IPL runs
Gill and Jaiswal centuries put India in control of series opener against England
If history is anything to go by, Leeds always has room for a little magic.
As Team India gear up for the much-anticipated Test series against England starting on Friday, several players in the squad will draw confidence from their county cricket experience.
Cricket back in Olympics after 100 years because of India: Former UK PM Sunak
This is only the second time that Punjab Kings reached the IPL final, while it is the fourth time that RCB have made it to the title clash.
IMAGES from Day 1 of the 1st Test between England and India at Headingley in Leeds on Friday
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has stirred up fresh controversy with his latest IPL 2025 rankings, leaving fans fuming after snubbing two of the tournament's top run-scorers.
Lucknow Super Giants Spinner Digvesh Rathi's unique 'notebook' celebration has caught everyone's attention in IPL 2025.
Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar revealed how ODI captain Rohit Sharma entrusted him with mentoring K L Rahul to adopt a more aggressive approach and unleash his full potential across formats.
RCB claimed that CAT's order didn't adhere to the principles of natural justice.
Despite having an impeccable domestic record and a decent start to his international career, he was not picked for the England tour as selectors preferred Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair over him.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has admitted that dealing with the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be a significant challenge for the team.
The squad also features Karun Nair, who returns to the national set up after a long gap of eight years.
Kohli walked up to Rahul and cheekily recreated Rahul's famous celebration - pointing to the ground and thumping his chest.
The tourists have hosted a training camp at the South East London venue in Beckenham as they solidify their preparations for the first bilateral Test series without batting bigwigs Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
Virat Kohli: The one who forced Gen-Z to fall in love with Red and Whites
'Captaincy for India is slightly different to captaining a franchise or any state side; it comes with its own responsibilities and the pressure.'
Who do you think should be part of the Indian team for the first Test against England?
The state government has planned a formal felicitation ceremony at the iconic steps of the Vidhana Soudha.
India ended an 11-year-long ICC Trophy drought, beating South Africa by seven runs to claim the ICC T20 World Cup title for the second time on June 29 last year, in Barbados.
Joe Root declared that it is his time to pay back Test skipper Ben Stokes, who did so much for him while serving as his deputy during his captaincy tenure that lasted from 2017 to 2022.
Pant now has three Test centuries on English soil.
All eyes in the stands had been on Anushka, who was cheering passionately for Kohli and RCB
"We will have an advantage...": BCCI VP Shukla on India's new-look squad for England tour
'Such things happen, and not everything deserves a reaction. I played and played well and that's what matters.'
If Kohli sticks to his decision, the selectors will be left with the unenviable task of rebuilding India's batting core for the England series-potentially without both Rohit and Kohli for the first time in years.
It is now-or-never for the now senior-most superstar batter to produce an all-timer series that justifies his talent.
A probable lack of solution for his recurring struggles with the ball outside the off-stump prompted Virat Kohli to take retirement from Test cricket
In a video shared on BCCI's X handle, the playing were seen performing intense drills as they prepped ahead of the opening Test against England.
'With a young and dynamic squad, this tour represents a significant turning point for Indian cricket.'
As India prepares for a much-anticipated five-match Test series in England, memories of the thrilling 2021 tour still linger, especially for Shardul Thakur, who played a pivotal role in that campaign.
India's young guns have the talent to achieve something special in the upcoming England Test series, provided they back themselves, said former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers in Mumbai on Saturday.
Virat surprised me, he had at least 2-3 years of Test cricket left in him: Shastri
The celebration offered the squad chance to unwind and laugh together ahead of the big IPL 2025 final on June 3.
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