IMAGES from the IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings at the Chinnaswamy stadium, in Bengaluru on Friday
Ahead of the 18th season of Indian Premier League, here all the stats and numbers from the annual cricket extravaganza.
The 25-year-old Shubman Gill is a clear favourite to land the high-profile job as Indian embarks on a new World Test Championship cycle.
RCB fans had little to cheer about on Friday night as their team crumbled under pressure in a rain-shortened clash against Punjab Kings at the Chinnaswamy.
Royal Challengers Bangalor will attempt to break a 17-year jinx at the Chepauk stadium when they face Chennai Super Kings in the IPL match on Friday.
But the hosts will be a confident group as star batter Virat Kohli made a return to run-making ways after an all too brief blip.
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With new rivalries, fresh team colours, and familiar faces reunited, this isn't just the start of a new season-it's a blockbuster waiting to unfold.
'...with the Champions Trophy ahead, they have a great opportunity to showcase their abilities and prove how they can still win matches for India.'
As the next generation is eager to demonstrate their mettle on the international stage, there are polarising views linked with the presence of Kohli and Sharma in the T20 team.
India's young guns are fearless and mentally hardened by the IPL exposure. But true mettle will be tested when adversity strikes -- and this time, there will be no Kohli to stir up the crowd, no Rohit to deliver a captaincy masterstroke, and no Ashwin to conjure wickets out of nowhere.
Ponting added that the likes of Rohit and Virat Kohli getting back amongst in the preceding ODI series against England augurs well for India.
Rohit Sharma's career has been a mix of brilliant moments and inconsistencies. While his Test record may not be impressive, his white-ball dominance and leadership qualities make him a legend.
Shubman Gill, who has been India's stand out batter in the tournament, was the only one who did not turn up for practice.
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As Arya walked back to the pavilion after scoring eight off nine balls, Digvesh, his teammate from the Delhi T20 League, mimicked writing a letter -- an act seemingly directed at Arya.
'There is nothing like an Olympian Virat and Olympian Rohit winning the gold medal for the country.'
RCB will look to Virat Kohli not just for runs but also for inspiration as they chase that elusive IPL title -- a drought that has persisted for the last 17 years since the IPL's inception in 2008.
The contrast between Iyer's selflessness and Kohli's perceived self-interest fuelled online discussions, with many interpreting Shastri's comment as a veiled critique of Kohli's actions.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's bowling unit will face a different challenge when they take on Gujarat Titans in an IPL match on Wednesday.
Virat Kohli roared back to form in sensational fashion, smashing his 51st ODI ton to help India secure a six-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan.
Kohli and Rohit, the two generational talents with 8334 T20I runs, six centuries, 69 fifties and 119 catches between them are the last bridge between the old and new and they both deserve to be in the same frame with that trophy in hand.
Virat Kohli was dismissed for a golden duck against USA, extending his poor run after being promoted as an opener in the T20 World Cup.
'Rohit Sharma is an outstanding person. He understands every single person in the team, he knows what each one of us likes and dislikes.'
Struggling Mumbai Indians will be hoping their batters get their act together and shoulder responsibility when they take on an inspired Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League match in Mumbai on Monday.
India outclassed New Zealand by four wickets to win their third Champions Trophy title at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips praised Virat Kohli's legacy in cricket, calling his 300th ODI a 'big feat' in the modern era.
With Mahendra Singh Dhoni being the same player and no one to "bell the cat", CSK are in unusual mess with a mis-firing top-order where the skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has had to give up his opening slot.
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India's premier batter Virat Kohli arrived in New York on Friday for the T20 World Cup, five days after his other team members but it is still not clear if he would be playing the warm-up game against Bangladesh on Saturday.
Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Shreevats Goswami spoke out-some demanding an immediate and total severing of sporting ties with Pakistan.
RCB handed CSK a 50-run thrashing -- their biggest defeat at home in the IPL.
Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar have emerged as the leading candidates for the role of RCB captain for IPL 2025.
Yuvraj commended Kohli for his dedication and discipline towards his craft
Rajasthan Royals face a tough challenge against a marauding Punjab Kings batting lineup, led by in-form Shreyas Iyer.
All eyes will be on Captain Shubman Gill and Coach Gautam Gambhir to lead the Indian Test team into a bold new era.
India may be one of the favourites, but Uthappa said they will have their task cut out in their opener against Bangladesh.
M S Dhoni was back, and within moments, he reminded the world why his name remains synonymous with cricketing brilliance.
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