Author: Subhayan Chakraborty

The big day has arrived when the Indian Premier League will crown a new champion, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru set to take on Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The summit clash is expected to be a fascinating contest, with two table-toppers locking horns after each securing 19 points at the end of the league stage, differentiated only by a slight margin in net run rate. RCB emerged victorious in Qualifier 1, directly entering the finale, whereas PBKS took the longer route, defeating Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 to reach the final stage of what has been…

Subhayan Chakraborty in Ahmedabad With the Indian Premier League 2025 final one-sleep away, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings captains, Rajat Patidar and Shreyas Iyer, addressed the pre-match press conference, sharing their excitement on the eve of the summit clash at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. While the pressure and expectations are there to lift the glittering trophy, both captains acknowledged that they want to “control the controllables” and play the best cricket possible on the big day. “Expectations come naturally, especially when you’re leading a team like RCB in a final, but I always focus on what’s in my…

Subhayan Chakraborty in Ahmedabad The Indian Premier League will crown a new champion when Royal Challengers Bengaluru face Punjab Kings in the grand finale on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With Qualifier 2 between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians starting on Sunday and concluding on Monday due to rain interruptions, Punjab Kings will have no rest day before taking on RCB, who enjoyed a five-day break. Nevertheless, both teams share an equal hunger to lift the glittering IPL trophy. Despite Mumbai Indians posting 203/6, Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 87 off 41 balls stood out against the five-time…

The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will be host to a high-stakes clash between Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings in Qualifier 2 of the IPL 2025. The winner earns a coveted spot in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) while the loser bows out. With both teams packing firepower, the do-or-die encounter promises a thrilling spectacle. Mumbai Indians, led by Hardik Pandya, are riding high after a commanding 20-run victory over Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator. Rohit Sharma’s vintage 81 and Jonny Bairstow’s explosive 47 off 22 balls showcased MI’s batting depth, while Jasprit Bumrah’s match-turning spell underlined their…

Subhayan Chakraborty in Ahmedabad Punjab Kings have been handed a boost as star spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is set to feature against Mumbai Indians in the do-or-die Qualifier 2 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Mumbai Indians would also be hoping for some good news regarding Deepak Chahar’s hamstring issue. Despite MI not scheduled to train on Sunday, Chahar was accompanied by a few support staff, including head coach Mahela Jayawardene, as he underwent fitness drills with a heavy strapping around his hamstring and knee. Chahal, who was battling a wrist injury, last played in PBKS’ game against Rajasthan…

Gujarat Titans would once again depend on their standout opening duo of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharshan to do the heavy lifting with the bat as they take on Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator in Mullanpur on Friday. GT have had a strong IPL 2025 season, primarily due to their exceptional top-order batting and a well-balanced bowling unit. GT’s top three batters, Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler, and Sai Sudharsan have been phenomenal, contributing around 75.9 per cent of the team’s runs with a combined batting average of 57.6, the highest ever for any IPL team’s top three this season. The…

The Indian Test team is entering a new era with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant stepping up as captain and vice-captain respectively for the upcoming five-Test series against England. This high-stakes tour, set to begin in 2025, will test the mettle of two young stars transitioning from prodigious talents to leaders of men. For Gill and Pant, the England series is a defining opportunity to prove that they can carry the weight of Indian cricket’s future while cementing their own legacies, succeeding the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. At 26, Gill has been handed the reins of a…

Subhayan Chakraborty India’s men’s cricket selection committee, led by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, is set to usher in a transformative phase for the Test team as they prepare to announce the squad and new captain for a challenging five-match series in England, starting June 20 in Leeds. This selection marks the beginning of a new World Test Championship cycle, with the team navigating the retirements of the stalwarts Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin within a short span. The 25-year-old Shubman Gill has emerged as the frontrunner to take over the high-profile role of Test captain. While Jasprit Bumrah,…

On May 20, 2025, the Etihad Stadium echoed with a bittersweet symphony of gratitude and farewell as Manchester City fans bid adieu to Kevin De Bruyne, their beloved “King Kev,” in his final home game against Bournemouth. The night was not just about the 3-1 victory that kept City’s Champions League hopes alive, but about honouring a player who redefined midfield mastery and etched his name as one of the greatest in the club’s history. With a tifo flashing “King Kev” unfurled across the stands, a guard of honour, and a post-match presentation featuring a lifelong season ticket handed over…

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to hold a closing ceremony for IPL 2025 during the final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3. The IPL Governing Council met on Tuesday to finalise the venues for the playoff matches. New Chandigarh’s Mullanpur got Qualifier 1 and Eliminator, while Ahmedabad was allotted Qualifier 2 and the final. While there were other topics that came up during the meeting, including increasing the cut-off time for matches from May 20 onwards owing to the adverse weather conditions in several parts of the country, the closing ceremony…