Sports / The Economic Times
GT vs MI IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 Key Players: Get ready for a thrilling face-off. Gujarat Titans will battle Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025 Eliminator. Both teams aim for Qualifier 2. GT seeks to overcome recent stumbles, relying on key players. MI welcomes Jonny Bairstow amidst player absences. Suryakumar Yadav leads MI's batting charge. Jasprit Bumrah spearheads their bowling attack.
Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah shared insights on managing workload across formats and his excitement about cricket's Olympic inclusion. Speaking on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, Bumrah acknowledged the physical demands of playing all three formats, emphasizing the importance of being selective and listening to his body.
AB de Villiers is confident that Virat Kohli, an ultimate team player, will significantly contribute to Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) quest for their first IPL title in the 2025 final. De Villiers highlighted RCB's balanced squad and their ability to perform as a cohesive unit.
India witnessed a golden performance at the Asian Athletics Championships, led by Jyothi Yarraji, Avinash Sable, and the women's 4x400m relay team. Sable's steeplechase victory marked India's first gold in 36 years, while Jyothi set a championship record in the hurdles. The women's relay team secured their first gold since 2013. India currently stands second overall with 14 medals.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Suyash Sharma starred with the ball, taking three crucial wickets, including Shashank Singh, during their dominant Qualifier 1 victory against Punjab Kings. Punjab were bundled out for a mere 101 runs, succumbing to playoff pressure. RCB chased the target with ease, securing an eight-wicket win, propelled by Phil Salt's explosive unbeaten half-century.
PBKS vs RCB Qualifier 1 Match Report: Royal Challengers Bengaluru advances to the IPL 2025 final. They defeated Punjab Kings convincingly in Qualifier 1. RCB chased down the target of 102 runs with ease. Phil Salt's explosive innings sealed the victory. Earlier, Punjab Kings were bowled out for a mere 101 runs. RCB will now compete in the final on June 3.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru displayed a dominant bowling performance, dismantling Punjab Kings for a mere 101 runs in Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur Stadium. PBKS suffered an early collapse, losing wickets consistently throughout their innings. Josh Hazlewood and Suyas Sharma spearheaded the RCB attack, claiming three wickets each, while Marcus Stoinis's 26 was the top score for Punjab.
PBKS vs RCB Qualifiers, Key Players: Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are set for a crucial IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 clash. Key players like Virat Kohli, Jitesh Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Arshdeep Singh, and Priyansh Arya will be under pressure to perform. The unpredictable Mullanpur pitch adds another layer of intrigue to this high-stakes encounter, where individual brilliance could be decisive.
Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru clash in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 at Mullanpur, both seeking to break their title droughts. The unpredictable pitch, known for both high and low scores, will be a key factor. Seamers may find early assistance, while spinners could gain grip later, influencing the toss decision amid hot weather and potential rain.
Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore are set to battle in Mullanpur. The weather forecast predicts a scorching day with no rain. With no reserve day, a washout would see Punjab Kings advance due to their higher ranking. RCB would then be forced to play the Eliminator match in Qualifier 2.
Pakistani pacer Hasan Ali faced a personal setback before his triumphant return. His mother was mugged in Gujranwala. Ali channeled his anger into an impressive performance against Bangladesh. He secured a five-wicket haul, leading Pakistan to victory. Ali had been sidelined due to an elbow injury. He emphasized the importance of fitness for professional athletes.
Saudi officials are in difficulton Thursday, after the star footballer suggested he was leaving Al Nassr. There is an ongoing difficult negotiation to convince Ronaldo to stay and play in the Saudi Pro League next season, said the source from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), a major investor in Saudi football.
Gujarat Titans, led by Shubman Gill, face Mumbai Indians in a crucial IPL Eliminator, both teams grappling with momentum and player availability. Titans' bowling woes and Buttler's absence pose challenges, while Mumbai seeks to address batting concerns and integrate replacements like Bairstow. Both captains, Gill and Pandya, aim to prove their leadership and secure a path to the final.
Punjab Kings face Royal Challengers Bangalore in Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur, marking PBKSs first playoff appearance since 2014. RCB rides high on Virat Kohlis stellar form and Jitesh Sharmas explosive batting. Josh Hazlewoods return strengthens their pace attack. Shreyas Iyer eyes a third straight title as captain, while both teams benefit from a second chance to reach the final.
India showcased a dominant performance at the 26th Asian Athletics Championship, securing a gold medal in the 4x400m mixed relay with a time of 3:18.12sec. Tejaswin Shankar (decathlon) and Praveen Chithravel (triple jump) added to the medal tally with silver medals. Rupal Chaudhary, Pooja, and Yoonus Shah also contributed with individual silver and bronze medals, respectively, bolstering India's overall success.
Iga Swiatek defeated Emma Raducanu in the French Open second round. Swiatek won with a score of 6-1, 6-2. This victory extends Swiatek's winning streak at the tournament to 23 matches. Swiatek has won all ten sets played against Raducanu. Despite past successes, Swiatek faced recent challenges, including early exits in Stuttgart and Rome.
The IPL 2025 Playoffs begin tonight with Punjab Kings facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Both teams aim for a direct spot in the final. PBKS and RCB had similar league stage performances. Key players return from injury, but some will miss out. Shreyas Iyer will look to perform against Virat Kohli and RCB's bowlers.
Mullanpur, New Chandigarh will host key Indian Premier League matches. These include Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator. Punjab police have heightened security due to recent India-Pakistan tensions. Extensive security measures are in place around the stadium. Mock drills are being conducted to ensure preparedness. Authorities aim to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees.
Betway SA20 Season 3 sees unprecedented growth in South Africa. The league experiences a surge in attendance and viewership. Digital platforms also record significant increases in followers and engagement. MI Cape Town wins the title. The league contributes to youth development and social impact initiatives. Season 4 is scheduled to begin on December 26, 2025.
The IPL 2025 season witnessed a mix of emerging stars and disappointing performances from established teams. While young talents like Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Priyansh Arya shone with record-breaking centuries, teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals faltered despite boasting strong lineups. Sai Sudharsan's consistent run-scoring earned him a Test call-up, while Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings showed signs of resurgence.
Virat Kohli investments: The World Bowling League (WBL) has received a significant boost with Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli joining as a strategic investor. Kohli's involvement aims to elevate the sport, recognizing its untapped business potential. Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts has already invested in a team, and the WBL is set to unveil franchises and schedules for its mixed-gender team events.
Punjab Kings are set to clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1. Shreyas Iyer's leadership faces a big test. Punjab Kings enter the playoffs after a long gap. RCB aims to break their title drought. Both teams view this match as a crucial step. Punjab's batting looks strong with Prabhsimran Singh and others.
Indian athletes showcased a strong performance at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea. Rupal Chaudhary and Pooja secured silver medals in the 400m and 1500m respectively, while Yoonus Shah added a bronze in the men's 1500m.
Virat Kohli is aiming to finally secure an IPL title as Royal Challengers Bengaluru enter the playoffs, facing Punjab Kings. Kohli, driven by the memory of past final defeats, is seeking to end his trophy drought.
In Norway Chess, Arjun Erigaisi defeated D Gukesh. Hikaru Nakamura stunned Magnus Carlsen in the Armageddon tie-break. Erigaisi and Nakamura are now joint leaders. Anna Muzychuk won against Koneru Humpy in the women's section. Lei Tingjie and Ju Wenjun won their Armageddon games. The tournament witnessed intense competition and surprising results. Indian players faced mixed fortunes in the event.
Rishabh Pant, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain, faced a Rs 30 lakh fine due to his team's slow over-rate against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). This marked LSG's third over-rate offence this IPL season, leading to additional fines for the playing XI members.
Jitesh Sharma's explosive innings propelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a stunning six-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants in their final group stage match. Chasing a daunting 229, RCB's Mayank Agarwal and Sharma forged an unbeaten 107-run partnership, securing the third-highest successful run chase in IPL history. Earlier, Rishabh Pant's magnificent century powered Lucknow to a formidable total.
Jitesh Sharma's captain's knock propelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their highest successful IPL chase against Lucknow Super Giants, securing a top-two finish. The match included drama with a 'Mankad' appeal that was ultimately withdrawn by LSG captain Rishabh Pant. Pant had earlier scored a century, but Sharma's unbeaten 85 led RCB to victory.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Lucknow Super Giants in a thrilling match. Jitesh Sharma's brilliant innings led RCB to victory. He scored an unbeaten 85. Mayank Agarwal supported him with 41 runs. Virat Kohli also contributed with 54 runs. Earlier, Rishabh Pant smashed a century for LSG. However, RCB chased down the target and won.
Rishabh Pant, struggling with form this IPL season, blasted a remarkable century against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Lucknow Super Giants' final match. Pant's 54-ball innings, featuring 10 fours and six sixes, propelled LSG to a massive total. His partnership of 151 runs with Mitchell Marsh, who contributed 67, provided a strong foundation, though LSG has already been eliminated.
In a bizarre turn of events at the Ekana Stadium, stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma's toss blunder led to confusion regarding Royal Challengers Bengaluru's team sheet. Sharma mistakenly submitted the batting-first team sheet, initially listing Rajat Patidar in the starting XI instead of as an impact player. Lucknow Super Giants also made changes, bringing in Matthew Breetzke and Digvesh Rathi.
Cameron Norrie of Britain prevailed over Daniil Medvedev in a grueling five-set match at the French Open. The British number one secured his first victory in five encounters against the 11th-seeded Russian. Despite Medvedev's quarter-final appearance in 2021, Norrie advances to the second round in Paris for the fifth time.
Alexander Zverev, the third seed, began his French Open campaign strongly, defeating American Learner Tien in straight sets. Zverev, a finalist last year, secured a comfortable 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 victory, breaking Tien once in each set. He acknowledged Tien's potential and previous win against him, expressing satisfaction with his own performance and looking forward to the next round.
Gulveer Singh secured India's first gold at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, winning the men's 10,000m event with a time of 28:38.63. Servin Sebastian added to India's medal tally with a bronze in the 20km race walk, clocking 1:21:13.60.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru faces Lucknow Super Giants in a crucial IPL clash, aiming for a top-two finish. RCB confronts LSG's formidable batting lineup, despite Aiden Markram's absence due to international duties. The partnership of Markram and Marsh has been prolific, amassing significant runs.
Mumbai Indians' Ryan Rickelton conceded that their seven-wicket loss to Punjab Kings served as a wake-up call ahead of the IPL Eliminator. Despite the defeat, which cost them a top-two finish, Rickelton remains confident in the team's ability to bounce back.
Richmond Cricket Club's fourth XI suffered an unprecedented batting collapse, scoring a mere 2 runs against North London Cricket Club in a Middlesex County League match. Chasing a daunting target of 427, Richmond's innings lasted only 34 deliveries, including eight ducks and a single run scored off the bat.
Josh Inglis showcased his adaptability by excelling at No. 3, forming a crucial partnership with Priyansh Arya as Punjab Kings defeated Mumbai Indians. Inglis humorously addressed filling Shreyas Iyer's role, expressing his satisfaction with the new batting position. He emphasized smart cricket and leveraging his strengths, attributing his success to intelligence and hard work.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will clash with Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025. The match is crucial for RCB's playoff hopes. Rajat Patidar will lead RCB, aiming to capitalize on their momentum. Mitchell Marsh will captain LSG, seeking a final league win. The game will be held at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Both teams have experienced international players.
Following a heartfelt tribute to Rafael Nadal at the French Open, commemorative Merci Rafa T-shirts distributed to fans have surfaced on resale platforms like Vinted, with prices soaring as high as 500 euros. The French Tennis Federation president, Gilles Moretton, expressed dismay at the profiteering, highlighting the unique nature of the tribute and the unexpected market that has emerged.
Jannik Sinner extended his Grand Slam winning streak at the French Open, overcoming Arthur Rinderknech in a three-set match. Despite a dip in the third set, Sinner rallied to secure the victory. He will now face Richard Gasquet, in what will be Gasquet's final tournament. Rinderknech's attempts to energize the crowd added drama to the match.
Punjab Kings secured a top-two finish in the Indian Premier League after a thrilling victory against Mumbai Indians, highlighted by Shreyas Iyer's winning six. Preity Zinta, co-owner of Punjab Kings, celebrated exuberantly as the team clinched the win and a spot in Qualifier 1.
Naomi Osaka expressed her disappointment after a first-round defeat to Paula Badosa at the French Open in a three-set match. Despite winning the first set tie-break, Osaka couldn't maintain her lead, with Badosa capitalizing to secure victory. Osaka, working with coach Patrick Mouratoglou, cited struggles with consistency and hand blisters as contributing factors to her performance.
Suryakumar Yadav's impressive 57 and Hardik Pandya's contribution propelled Mumbai Indians to a total of 184 for seven against Punjab Kings. Despite a strong start by Punjab's bowlers, Suryakumar's record-breaking performance and crucial hits in the death overs shifted the momentum. Arshdeep Singh's tight final over helped Punjab Kings restrict Mumbai's scoring in the end.
Punjab Kings secured a dominant seven-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians in their IPL match, guaranteeing a top-two finish in the playoffs. Mumbai Indians scored 184/7, but Punjab Kings chased it down with ease, reaching 187/3 in 18.3 overs. Priyansh Arya's 62 and Josh Inglis's 73 led the charge, overshadowing Suryakumar Yadav's 57 for Mumbai.
Mumbai Indians faced Punjab Kings in a crucial IPL match. Mumbai batted first, scoring 184/7. Suryakumar Yadav led the charge with 57 runs. Arshdeep Singh, Marco Jansen, and Vijaykumar Vyshak took two wickets each for Punjab. A late surge helped Mumbai reach a competitive total. Both teams aimed for a top-two spot in the standings.
Punjab Kings' Yuzvendra Chahal is expected to recover from his finger injury. He will likely play in the IPL 2025 play-offs. This is a boost for the team. Punjab Kings have qualified for the play-offs after a long time. Kyle Jamieson may replace the unavailable Marco Jansen.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) suffered a massive 110-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad, marking their biggest loss in IPL history. KKR's batting woes were highlighted by their inability to forge a single 50-plus opening partnership throughout the entire 2025 season. This poor performance places them alongside Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2008) and Delhi Capitals (2010) in this unwanted record.