Author: Gargi Raut

MS Dhoni can no longer pull rabbits put of his hat while batting, the way he once did. The massive sixes that he once hit effortlessly are now occasional flashes of nostalgia rather than match-turning moments. In the 18th year of the IPL, his presence at the crease is more about spectacle than impact. When he walks out to bat, no matter the situation or position, the stadium erupts in a way no other cricketer can command—not even a Virat Kohli or a Rohit Sharma. After the much-debated No. 9 experiment, Dhoni returned to his natural batting position at No.…

It is no secret that the IPL is all about fan culture and rivalries, and one of the most anticipated matchups of the event is right around the corner – Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is all set to take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Chepauk stadium. With two of cricket’s biggest brands locking horns, it promises to be a spectacle. And more so a high-voltage clash between fanbases, intensified by social media—which is now a battleground for fans of the two icons: MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. A Rivalry that goes beyond the field The last time CSK…

The debate over whether IPL franchises should have a say in pitch conditions revived after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) put on a dominant show against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on a traditionally slower Guwahati wicket. The spinners’ dominance added weight to Ajinkya Rahane’s argument that teams should be able to collaborate on the preparation of the home pitches. The KKR skipper had expressed his disappointment at a press conference following a seven-wicket loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL opener at the Eden Gardens. “We would love to see the pitch helping the spin bowlers but again, this wicket…

Kolkata fans have always been known to bring the energy at the Eden Gardens, be it an international match or an IPL clash, the crowds are at the top of their game. Cheers, chants and frenzy—they never fail to spice up a match. The opening game of IPL 2025 between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru was no exception. With the home team playing, a star-studded opening ceremony and the ‘Virat Kohli’ factor added to the mix, the build up was sheer madness. Three days ahead of the match, fans had started queuing up outside the stadium to catch…

When Glenn Phillips goes around the field, defying gravity and turning games on their head with his catches, he has a simple philosophy—feel the moment, enjoy it, but never get carried away. In recent times, Phillips has taken over the Internet. He has a knack for pulling off the impossible, with moments that sometimes outshine even the best knocks or spells. “Not to say I’m taking Jonty Rhodes’ legacy forward—he set the benchmark for all of us, but it shows that you can change the game on the field just as much as you can with the bat or ball,”…

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been known as cricket’s glitziest spectacle—the perfect blend of cinema and cricket, packed crowds, larger-than-life stars, star-studded opening ceremonies and corporate-box balconies. But when you peel away the glitter, you realise what the IPL is really about—diamonds being unearthed from the rough, comeback tales and a haven for stars who have stepped away from the international stage. You can’t help but romanticise stories like these. Less than a day ago, the name Vignesh Puthur meant nothing to India—the 24-year-old was still unknown, probably battling nerves and adrenaline in the Mumbai Indians (MI) dressing…

Oscar Piastri put on a race winning show at the Shanghai International circuit to redeem himself following the Melbourne spin out. Piastri, who took pole in qualifying, clinched his third F1 race win with an immaculate drive where he led every single lap while navigating both his teammate Lando Norris and Mercedes’ George Russell. The two McLarens topped the race again as they executed their one pit-stop strategy to perfection. In fact, the top five race finishers—Piastri, Norris, Russell, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, all deployed a single pit stop strategy. Although it is to be noted that Lewis Hamilton,…

Gargi Raut at Eden Gardens The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been about more than just cricket. It’s a spectacle of entertainment, success stories, cinema, music, celebrities and sporting passion. But at the heart of it all, beyond the glitz and the glamour, the fireworks and the drama, lie the fans — who make IPL what it truly is. The 2025 IPL season burst into life at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the home of the defending champions. The night started with a spectacle combining cinema and cricket—with Shreya Ghoshal, Disha Patani, Karan Aujla and the ‘King…

Royal Challengers Bengaluru has one of the most loyal fanbases in the world. Sugumar in particular exemplifies the point. You may have seen him on the screen in every RCB match, with a feathered headgear and face-painted crimson. On the eve of the IPL 2025 opening game between KKR and RCB. The franchise’s two superfans – Ashok and Sugumar – were in the stands, waving their flags, chanting their slogans and catching the attention of other fans. The two superfans are celebrities in their own right. As fans spotted them, they queued up to get pictures with the two. Before…

Virat Kohli is a name that echoes through every alleyway and household in India. It is a name synonymous with success, power and an unimaginable fan following. Kohli is not just a cricketer or a celebrity, he is a phenomenon. If the former Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain were to play a game alone, people would still fill up a stadium, such is the brand value of his name. We witnessed a glimpse of that madness at Eden Gardens as the RCBteam stepped out to practice ahead of the blockbuster IPL 2025 opening game. The atmosphere outside the iconic stadium was…