Two-thousand twenty five – What a year it has been for cricket fans in India as well as across the world. Years of hard work and determination were finally met with satisfactory results, which in turn put a smile on the faces of fans.
The 18th season of the Indian Premier League told a very similar story for Royal Challenger’s Bengaluru. Despite coming agonisingly close to winning the title on multiple occasions, and despite having star-studded lineups full of talent, the team unfortunately fell short every single time. The franchise, which is often known for its massive fan following, was left heartbroken and dejected every single year but one thing that the fans never did was stop believing.
Their loyalty shone through even in moments of crisis and they hoped that, “maybe this year is going to be our year”; and, 2025 was indeed their year. After 17 long years of continuous heartbreaks and near misses, the team close to their hearts was finally able to lift their maiden IPL trophy. Witnessing Virat Kohli getting emotional during the winning moment and lifting the trophy, with retired franchise stalwarts like AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle around him, surely did bring tears to the eyes of many cricket lovers. During the course of the tournament, we saw each member of the squad standing up for the team on multiple occasions and contributing equally, which made them stand out from the rest.
The ODI world cup triumph of the Indian Women’s team was perhaps the most unexpected, yet emotionally resonating with the fans. This was a team that had endured constant heartbreaks and mudslinging over the years. But in 2025, the fans were finally able to see hard work and unwavering discipline translate into history. The viewers, who had shed tears after the disappointing end in 2017, finally found their long-awaited relief as the side rewrote history by emerging victorious.
It was a collective effort in the truest sense, and a lot of permutations and combinations were tried out, keeping the sake of the team in mind. India’s emphatic victory over the mighty Aussies in the semi- finals, with that unforgettable match-winning knock from Jemimah Rodrigues, truly set the tone for boosting belief in the camp. The last catch of the tournament taken by captain Harmanpreet Kaur was more than just a catch that defined the fate of the match – it was a statement. A statement that women can achieve anything that they set their minds on to. The moment truly revolutionised the fate of women’s sports in India, finally putting an end to “go-back-to-the-kitchen” remarks that had long overstayed its welcome.
Similarly, for decades, the South African cricket team was burdened with the “choker” tag and their story was written in the ink of ‘what-ifs’ and near misses. Yet, at Lord’s, history was finally created. Facing a formidable Australian side, the Proteas put up a gritty performance which was a clear reflection of their hunger and resilience. With match-defining contributions from Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma, the unexpected turn of events unfolded as the underdogs refused to blink. When the final runs were struck, it was not just another victory. Rather, the World Test Championship mace ended the 27-year-old trophy drought, heralding the dawn of a new golden era of South African cricket.
This game is one such sport which has served the purpose of bringing people together, breaking all barriers of difference, and this year, it was heavily rewarded. For onlookers of the game, 2025 was not just another year, but a blessing, in the true sense of the term.
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