The five-time champions finished last in IPL 2024 with everything going wrong for them. This time, MI is focused on ensuring that everything goes right, and that their journey towards a sixth title is back on track from the beginning.
This was India's third victory in a row against Pakistan and their 11th victory overall against the arch-rivals in 14 T20 matches.
The Indian team's heavy reliance on all-rounders will be tested by a plucky Australia in the second ODI but the spotlight will continue to stay firmly on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both of whom would look to turn back the clock with series-saving knocks in Adelaide on Thursday.
Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah overtook Bhuvneshwar Kumar to become team's fourth-highest wicket-taker in T20I cricket.
Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar reportedly opposed Pandya's World Cup selection due to his form and injuries. However, they allegedly conceded 'under pressure', hinting at the BCCI leadership's strong backing of Pandya as the future T20 leader.
Domestic veterans Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rajat Patidar and Rinku Singh could keep the team management interested going forward in Test cricket.
Should Hardik have opened the bowling instead of Bumrah? Should he have come in higher than No. 7?
As always, HP looked dapper as he soaked in the sun and enjoyed delicious looking bowls of food.
Virat Kohli is yet to arrive in Bengaluru and it is not clear when he will undergo the mandatory fitness test ahead of the new season.
Pandya's quickfire fifty (50 runs off 27 balls) along with contributions from Virat Kohli (37), Rishabh Pant (36) and Shivam Dube (34) helped India reach 196 for 5 after they were put in to bat.
Hardik Pandya shared a glimpse of his gym session, describing it as a 'Work in progress'.
Praveen Kumar expressed his opinion that prioritising the IPL over domestic commitments could be detrimental.
Team India skipper Suryakumar Yadav has found himself in the spotlight for a brief moment of forgetfulness at the toss during their Asia Cup fixture against Oman in Dubai on Friday.
While the white-ball trophy cabinet kept getting heavier, Team India's fortunes in Test cricket swung wildly between hope and despair in 2025.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav will depend heavily on his spin troika as India gear up for yet another demolition act of Pakistan in what promises to be an intense and tense Super 4 face-off of the Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday.
This brings us to the question of combination and perhaps Arshdeep could miss out on more games going into the T20 World Cup -- a tournament that will be held in the sub-continent -- India and Sri Lanka.
'They are sure about his batting and that he can bowl 8-10 overs like Hardik used to bowl.' 'But Hardik bowls at 140. Nitish bowls at 125 to 130 kmph.'
Ahead of the mini-auction, scheduled to be held in Doha on December 26, the 10 franchises have released their list of retained and released players.
After days of off-field drama, Team India was back on the field in Dubai at the ICC Academy, sharpening their skills ahead of the final Group A clash against Oman.
The cricketing world is abuzz after images emerged of Mumbai Indians' new captain Hardik Pandya sharing a hug with his predecessor, Rohit Sharma, during a practice session.
Abhishek Sharma reached 931 ratings point, which is 12 more than the previous best rating of 919 attained by England's Dawid Malan in 2020.
Just months ago, the Mumbai Indians captain faced jeers from his home crowd during IPL 2024. On Thursday, the same stadium erupted in cheers as Hardik was hailed a hero for his crucial role in India's T20 World Cup victory.
'Relaxed state of mind,' Ishan captioned the Instagram post.
My fans don't know I don't go out at all,' Hardik told UK 07 rider. 'I have hardly been out in the last two to three years.'
'Pretty amazing. The whole tournament, we remained unbeaten, it feels pretty amazing to be in this position.'
Hardik displayed great maturity as he commented with a red heart, heart eyes, evil eye, and an okay hand emoji.
Ashwin wants this "unexpected hero" to surprise against Pakistan during Asia Cup
Hardik Pandya secured a Grade A contract despite not participating in Ranji Trophy matches
The former Australia wicketkeeper with GT for two seasons as a player -- in 2022 and 2024 -- but not part of the IPL mega auction following his retirement from international cricket.
The 34-year-old mystery spinner rewrote the record books during the fifth and final T20I against South Africa at Ahmedabad on Friday, casting a spell of his bamboozling spin magic on the Proteas batters, four of them surrendering to his bowling.
Pollard said highs and lows are part of the journey as an individual and he was happy seeing Pandya's progress.
Hardik Pandya's commitment towards Indian cricket has been questionable over the years with someone like Jasprit Bumrah being more capable of playing the role of Rohit Sharma's deputy in the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Americas, reckoned Mumbai Indians skipper's bete noire Irfan Pathan on Wednesday.
'With its gorgeous marine life, beautiful beaches, Lakshadweep is the perfect getaway spot and surely a must-visit for me for my next holiday #ExploreIncredibleIndia'.
Captains in IPL 2025 will not be banned for over-rate offences and instead will be docked demerit points.
Washington Sundar enhanced his reputation as a T20 hitter with India batting in top gear through the innings to comfortably chase down a target of 187 for a series levelling five-wicket win over Australia.
'Looking at their bowling line-up, they had a left-arm spinner and a leg spinner. I think Dube was perfect for that occasion in that 7-15 overs range.'
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction saw some foreign names earning big bucks, headlined by Aussie all-rounder Cameron Green
Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya credited his bowlers for using variations effectively and executing plans smartly on a slugging wicket as his side registered a four-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in their IPL match in Mumbai on Thursday.
Hardik Pandya was relaxed as he chilled in the pool in Wellington.
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