Padikkal's innings against Punjab Kings wasn't just a return to form -- it was a powerful reminder of his talent, timing, and temperament.
IMAGES from the 1st T20I played between India and England at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday.
Rajasthan Royals face a tough challenge against a marauding Punjab Kings batting lineup, led by in-form Shreyas Iyer.
With the Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh just around the corner, India's star batsman KL Rahul focused on power-hitting during a training session in Dubai.
'India needs to score big because they will have to defend those totals without Bumrah.'
India pacer Harshit Rana credited seasoned speedster Jasprit Bumrah for shaping his consistency and adaptability at the highest level.
Punjab Kings defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru by five wickets in a rain-affected IPL match reduced to 14 overs per side at the M Chinnaswamy stadium, Bengaluru, on Friday, April 18, 2025.
The series already in their pocket, India will look to address their batting woes against an England team gunning for revenge after feeling hard-done by a debatable concussion substitute when the two teams clash in the fifth and final T20 International in Mumbai on Sunday.
With Bumrah out of commission, speedsters Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana will have to take responsibility.
Aiming at the top left corner, Mumbai City FC goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa produced a timely save to keep scores level.
Raina also laid emphasis on how Kuldeep Yadav could be a lynchpin in India's success.
Former Bangladesh opener Imrul Kayes reckons the absence of Jasprit Bumrah will provide his team an opportunity to put India's pace attack under pressure.
Having a left-arm quick of Singh's calibre gives the bowling attack the much-needed heft and variety. It's like having another bow in Team India's quiver, notes Vishal Menon.
'What Shami does is hit the seam and move the ball off the deck. It is dangerous as batsmen will not be able to guess easily which way the ball is going to move.'
Since Suryakumar took over as captain last year, India have hardly put a wrong but his own form has dipped.
'But the way the home team should get support, everyone needs to know this is our home team that is playing in Lucknow and what can we do to help them win? 'Everyone's contribution is important. We will find a way anyway to win matches.'
Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal were snapped up by Punjab Kings in a massive Rs 18 crore deals.
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji present Rediff's Most Valuable Player Index of IPL 2025 after Game 39.
India will look to extend lead against England
Germany, however, regained their lead in the blink of an eye as the ball again got the better of Pathak after it came off Prinz's stick.
'A good headache (playing XI selection), we want to stick to our strengths.'
Sanju Samson's technical weaknesses against express pace along with Rinku Singh's dip in form and fitness issues will be a concern for India
Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy with a back injury.
Hyderabad Toofans registered a commanding 5-1 win over Vedanta Kalinga Lancers to move to second spot.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant recorded a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Hyderabad FC in their Indian Super League contest in Kolkata on Thursday.
Images from the IPL 2025 match between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals in Mullanpur on Saturday
Abhishek Sharma blasted his way to a superb century as Sunrisers Hyderabad chased down a record total to outclass Punjab Kings in a high-scoring IPL 2025 match.
This squad is by far one of the most compact in Punjab's IPL history and with the tactical genius of Ricky Ponting at the helm, it will be a folly to write them off at any time of the competition.
Thirteen-year-old India U-19 cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi from Bihar is the youngest among the lot at Rs 30 lakh base price.
Ravindra Jadeja and Arshdeep Singh were among the sports stars in attendance for the Mangal Utsav on Sunday.
Arshdeep Singh registered career-best figures of 6/40 to help India D outclass India B by 257 runs.
'Even my normal balls felt like slower balls compared to his pace'
India's Arshdeep Singh is in the race for the ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year along with Pakistan's Babar Azam, Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza and Australia's Travis Head, the ICC revealed on Sunday.
Indian seamer Arshdeep Singh entered the top 10 among bowlers and was placed eighth in the ICC T20I rankings issued in Dubai on Wednesday.
India won't give into the temptation of tinkering with the Playing XI, feels opening batter KL Rahul.
'Whatever was thrown at us, we responded pretty well throughout the series.'
A few, acting like his followers, cheered him into the stadium while calling out, "Modi, Modi, welcome Modi."
The 31-year-old didn't find a place in the squad against England because of Reddy's recent exploits.
India's cricket team has embarked on a journey to Dubai for the upcoming Champions Trophy, aiming to secure another global trophy after their T20 World Cup triumph last June.
Mohammed Shami's much-awaited return to top-flight cricket did not receive too many supporting signals during the seasoned pacer's nearly hour-long stint of varying intensity at the India nets here on Friday. Despite working hard on finding his bowling rhythm, Shami never really hit his flowing peak. While he was expected to feature in the playing 11 during India's first T20I against England at Kolkata on Wednesday, the management decided to delay his comeback. Shami's rhythm and sharpness gradually hit a higher gear but the whole picture was one of rustiness, raising questions about his current form and the decision to select him for the series against England and the Champions Trophy.
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