Little-known ambidextrous Bengal spinner Kaushik Maity seamlessly doubled up for both roles during the optional practice session.
Virat Kohli's nearly two-decade long agonising wait to lay his hands on an IPL trophy with Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be up against Shreyas Iyer's resolve to make first-time winners out of the tenacious Punjab Kings.
The former Australian opener suggested that KKR could benefit from releasing Iyer and attempting to buy him back at a more balanced price point.
Rashid Khan opens up on rehab mistakes, how a break helped him rediscover his best following back surgery.
'Players who are playing First-Class cricket throughout the year, they would have had 14 First-Class games potentially with India A games, the Irani Trophy, the Duleep Trophy or even more. So a bit of break in between, switching in the formats is always good.'
Beyond the historic victory, the IPL 2025 final also showcased the soaring financial stakes of the tournament, with record-breaking prize money rewards that reflect the league's explosive growth since its inception.
Afghanistan keeper batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz has no hesitation in admitting former KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir as the "best coach" that he has played under.
The Indian Premier League needs a 12-16 week operating window to match the brand value of top sporting leagues in the world including the NFL, NBA and the English Premier League, reckons Punjab Kings co-owner Mohit Burman.
But in their pursuit of glory, both leaders must find a way to address the issues at hand.
Krunal Pandya has been the nucleus behind RCB's excellent showing in the middle overs throughout the season.
Bihar's teen sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, aged just 14, blasted an 84-ball 190 to become the youngest List-A centurion ever. His captain Sakibul Gani, then upstaged him with a 40-ball 128 not out -- the fastest List-A century by an Indian.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav and his deputy Shubman Gill's indifferent form is a massive concern but the national selection committee is unlikely to make any shocking changes when it picks the 15-member squad for next year's T20 World Cup in Mumbai on Saturday.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi is unlikely to play the full season for Bihar as he will be in contention to be a part of India's squad for the Under-19 World Cup to be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia early next year.
Spending more than US$3 million (Rs 28.40 crore) and nearly 60 percent of their purse on players, who can proverbially be termed as wet behind the ears, does display a change in mindset.
Gujarat Titans skipper Gill is expected to captain India on the Test tour of England following the retirement of Rohit Sharma. Rishabh Pant is likely to be his deputy.
Kiran More, retired Test cricketer and former chairman of the selectors, tells Faisal Shariff how this IPL season belongs to the batters and explains the art of scouting for new talent.
Punjab Kings have under-performed since IPL's inception, reaching the final only once in 14 attempts.
In a first for the tournament, the WPL final will not be played over the weekend, but on Thursday, February, probably to avoid a clash with the men's T20 World Cup, which begins the same week in India and Sri Lanka.
Reddy's all-round show not enough for Andhra Pradesh.
Those who bowl at 150 kph are kings, but I am also working on slower balls, yorkers: Umran Malik
In keeping with workload management for frontline pacers, spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is also likely to be rested from the three-match ODI series, which carries little significance in the build-up to the T20 showpiece.
IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives in the June 4 stampede.
Recalling the special moment that broke the Internet, Rohit on Friday described it as a culmination of their emotions of 'doing everything together' for years.
India will be desperate for a quality replacement for the crucial No. 4 slot with Shubman Gill likely to be ruled out for the must-win second and final Test against South Africa.
Mumbai off to flourishing start in SMAT, beat Railways by 7 wickets
'India gave me its heart first. So India will always have mine.'
Siraj was delighted with his performance at his home ground, especially with his family in attendance.
'My motivation is to stay fit and be available for Indian team.'
New Zealand batting stalwart Kane Williamson has joined Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as a strategic advisor ahead of the Indian Premier League's (IPL) next edition.
India have been served well by Shreyas Iyer in ODIs at No. 4 but with the Mumbai batter unavailable due to injury, the team management entrusted Gaikwad with the job to build the innings and he did it with aplomb, hitting his maiden century in the second ODI against South Africa on Wednesday.
Virat Kohli has been with RCB since the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008, including nine seasons as captain of a franchise that made the finals in 2009, 2011 and 2016 but lost every time.
Shami has not exactly been pleased with the national selectors and has gone on record to say that they have not communicated with him. However, sources in the BCCI say that it may not be the correct picture.
As the victorious RCB squad returned to their team hotel in Ahmedabad late Tuesday night, they were welcomed like true champions-with dhol beats, thunderous cheers, and an atmosphere electric with celebration.
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday expressed "outrage" over Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan's exclusion from the India A squad and said runs in domestic cricket must be valued by the selectors.
In all, Axar has led in 24 matches across all formats, winning 12, losing 10 and two matches ended in a draw.
At 37, the numbers behind his all-format dominance reveal not just longevity but an unmatched hunger for excellence.
India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said training with the two-coloured balls helps in eliminating white ball tendencies from the red ball game.
Faisal Sharif and Prem Panicker discuss the emergence of young, capable captains in the Indian ranks, the decline of the old guard, and the retirement of a trophy that was instituted in memory of an authentic great of Indian cricket.
Record scores, a dream debut and a salivating season awaits.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi says he will look to do two times better for his team Rajasthan Royals in next year's Indian Premier League.
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