Both CSK and RCB are based out of Dubai while the Rohit Sharma-captained Mumbai Indians are camping in Abu Dhabi.
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji present Rediff's Most Valuable Player Index of IPL 2025 after Game 68.
India captain Virat Kohli said the Jammu and Kashmir youngster's growth needs to be monitored to ensure his potential is maximised.
The dew factor will go out of the window but the searing heat will be an issue when Royal Challengers Bangalore take on a better prepared Rajasthan Royals in the first of the 10 IPL double-headers, in Abu Dhabi, on Saturday.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri advised the out-of-form Virat Kohli to take a break, even if it meant 'pulling out of the IPL, for all you care' to prolong his international career.
India's Test captain Virat Kohli feels that it will be difficult to replace someone like Mahendra Singh Dhoni but Wriddhiman Saha according to him 'deserves' to don the gloves for the national team for the 'next five to six years'.
'RCB is a natural choice for us, mainly due to our long-standing association with Virat Kohli.'
Virat Kohli's brilliant innings under pressure enabled Royal Challengers Bangalore to eke out a thrilling six wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL cricket tournament on Friday.
'The wicket definitely needs to be much better, even with dew it was spinning big'
Will Mumbai Indians leg-spinner Rahul Chahar replace Royal Challengers Bangalore's Yuzvendra Chahal, who was unimpressive in the first two games?
Skipper Virat Kohli said the manner in which his side beat Delhi Capitals will give Royal Challengers Bangalore "the confidence to pull off a game from any situation" in the IPL play-offs.
Images from the Indian Premier League match between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore, Dubai, on Friday.
Virat Kohli termed the entire series as a memorable one with a lot of positives for the national cricket team going forward.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri advised Virat Kohli that he must not drop the tempo of his innings after getting a start.
IMAGES from the IPL 2022 game between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants in Navi Mumbai on Tuesday.
McCoy and Prasidh Krishna kept it tight at the death, Krishna in particular being being on the money with his yorkers and picking the important wickets of Dinesh Karthik and Wanindu Hasaranga in the same over.
Virat Kohli's golden run with the bat in IPL sees him lead the MVP rankings in the ongoing IPL, with RCB team mate AB de Villiers a distant second. Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji anaylse the players' performance in Rediff.com's Most Valuable Players ratings.
He bowled a tight line, took a wonderful catch and smashed 40 runs off just 18 balls to take his team to victory and live another day in this season of the IPL.
Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings will renew their intense rivalry after two years when they face-off in the Indian Premier League, in Bengaluru, on Wednesday.
Punjab Kings kept their prospects of making the play-offs alive after a a five-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in Dubai on Friday. They are placed fifth with 12 points, after five wins and seven defeats. Victory in Sunday's outing will certainly enhance their chances.
For KKR, the biggest cause of concern will be the availability of big-hitter Andre Russell, who hurt his knee when he dived into the advertisement boards after missing a catch on Saturday.
In a rare appearance since shifting base to the United Kingdom, troubled Indian businessman Vijay Mallya was seen having a good time in London as he watched the Indian Premier League final between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday. In a video gone viral, Mallya senior is seen having a gala time with his son Siddharth along with a few others. The video was posted by Siddharth as he watched the IPL final with his father. Siddharth also mentions about Force India's third place finish in the Monaco Grand Prix, which also took place on Sunday. "Here we are, watching together from London. It doesn't get better than Sergio Perez getting a podium (for Mallya co-owned Force India). Hopefully we can add to what has been an epic day of sports so far," says Mallya junior in the video as he catches the IPL action with his father on the big screen.
Young Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman Sarfaraz Khan on Tuesday revealed he has been advised to play as per the match situation by captain Virat Kohli in the ongoing Indian Premier League.
Virat Kohli's tenure as captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore may have ended without an IPL triumph but the franchise will nonetheless 'celebrate' his contributions over the years, said the team's pacer Harshal Patel.
A formidable Royal Challengers Bangalore led by India captain Virat Kohli became the first team to be out of contention for play-offs after a humiliating 61-run defeat against Rising Pune Supergiant in an Indian Premier League encounter, in Pune, on Saturday.
India captain Virat Kohli said he would be 'sitting at home if he thinks like people from outside', responding, in his trademark combative style, to Gautam Gambhir's recent jibe at him, but without taking the former opener's name.
IMAGES from the WPL match between UP Warriorz and Royal Challengers Bangalore, played in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday.
Images from the IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals, in Ahmedabad, on Tuesday.
'Virat suffered a neck sprain during an IPL match in Jaipur.'
Kohli seemed delighted to see his India teammate make an excellent return after a long injury layoff.
Royal Challengers Bangalore must thank their two unheralded batters Rajat Patidar and Mahipal Lomror for their crucial knocks which played a big role in their 13 run victory against the Chennai Super Kings.
After playing another match-winning knock in the Indian Premier League, a visibly satisfied Chris Gayle "dedicated" his 56-ball-96 to his mother, who celebrated her birthday on Saturday.
With their big-hitting batsmen back in the mix, Royal Challengers Bangalore would prefer chasing targets said skipper Virat Kohli, who himself is set to play his first Indian Premier League game of the season against Mumbai Indians, in Bengaluru, on Friday.
Kohli and de Villers -- the two talismans had raised the batting standards in the IPL year after year and shattered numerous records along the way.
Although Virat has scored 47 more runs, Warner's strike rate of 168.6, which is better than Kohli's strike rate of 137, puts both batsmen almost at par.
Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli admitted that his team has not played as a unit, resulting in five defeats in eight games, including the 32-run loss to Kings XI Punjab on Friday.
West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo heaped praise on India and Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kolhi and equated him with legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.
Kohli took charge after Ali's fall and stole the match from KKR's grasp by playing some great shots.
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