Lucknow Super Giants, already out of playoff contention, defeated Gujarat Titans by 33 runs, fueled by Mitchell Marsh's explosive century and Nicholas Pooran's quickfire half-century. Despite a strong middle-order response from Gujarat, they fell short of the imposing 235-run target, and a top two finish now hangs in the balance.
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KL Rahul's brief innings of 11 runs against Mumbai Indians contrasted sharply with his century in the previous outing against Gujarat Titans. Despite the early dismissal, caught by Ryan Rickelton off Trent Boult, Rahul has amassed 504 runs this IPL season, averaging 56.00 with a strike rate of 148.67.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, eyeing a top-two IPL finish for the first time since 2016, will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Lucknow. RCB, currently second, aims to capitalize on Virat Kohli's form and contributions from Patidar and Shepherd. SRH, positioned eighth, seeks a strong end to their season, relying on their aggressive batting lineup.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has appealed to the ICC to ensure Caribbean nations have a fair chance to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. With cricket returning to the Games, CWI fears that individual Caribbean nations might be excluded if qualification relies solely on world rankings.
Astrologer Greenstone Lobo attributes recent retirements in Indian cricket to cosmic shifts. He says the planetary alignment that fueled the greatness of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin has weakened. Lobo suggests KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are astrologically primed to take over. He also mentions Rajat Patidar as a potential surprise package.
Delhi Capitals faced a significant blow as captain Axar Patel was sidelined due to illness for their crucial match against Mumbai Indians. Faf du Plessis stepped in to lead the team, who won the toss and chose to field at Wankhede Stadium.
Brad Haddin emphasises Virat Kohli's significant impact on Test cricket, highlighting his competitive spirit and passion during high-stakes matches against top teams like Australia. Haddin believes Kohli's absence will be deeply felt in the Test format, considering it his most influential arena. He also praises Shreyas Iyer's leadership qualities and his strong rapport with coach Ricky Ponting.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru has signed New Zealand's Tim Seifert for Rs 2 Crore as a replacement for Jacob Bethell, who is departing for England national duties after the SRH match. Seifert, an explosive wicketkeeper batter with prior IPL experience with KKR and DC, has played 66 T20Is, scoring 1540 runs.
Following crossborder tensions, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal addressed the decision to temporarily halt the league, emphasizing player safety and respecting national sentiment. Despite logistical challenges and player availability concerns, the BCCI swiftly prepared for resumption, prioritizing the completion of the tournament.
Ishan Kishan's brilliant 94 propelled Sunrisers Hyderabad to a formidable 231 against Royal Challengers Bangalore, securing a consolatory win in their penultimate match. Kishan's heroics however, does not impact SRH's position in the IPL table, as they remain in 8th spot, failing to surpass Kolkata Knight Riders, who remain a point above Hyderabad.
Mitchell Starc will not participate in the remainder of the IPL 2025, informing Delhi Capitals of his decision. As the team resumes practice, they anticipate the arrival of Faf du Plessis, Tristan Stubbs, and mentor Kevin Pietersen. With several players unavailable due to international duties, franchises are making temporary replacements, including Delhi Capitals signing Mustafizur Rahman.