The IPL 2025 clash between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, held on Thursday evening at the stadium in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, was abruptly halted after the city experienced a blackout following drone and missile strikes launched by Pakistan targeting multiple Indian locations.

“We are reviewing the situation right now,” news agency PTI quoted IPL chairman Arun Dhumal on whether the league will continue amid Indo-Pak military conflict.

Dhumal mentioned that the situation is still developing and noted that no official instructions have been issued by the government so far.

Pakistan: Pakistan’s attacks prompt the suspension of an IPL match in Dharamshala, escalating regional tensions.

— @Global Glimpse (@HimanshuSh80843) May 8, 2025

IPL is leading towards its suspension.
It is a (play)70-30(susp.) chance now.
English players have withdrawn from psl.
I think kolkata will not host playoffs and maybe no more matches in dharmashala.

— Kun M (@Gayatri69108672) May 8, 2025

India-Pakistan tensions:
On Thursday evening, tensions between India and Pakistan intensified after a drone and missile assault launched by Pakistan aimed at areas in Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan. The Ministry of Defence later confirmed that the attack originated from Pakistan, but it was intercepted by India’s air defense systems. The incident caused blackouts, air raid warnings across multiple cities, and led to the suspension of the ongoing IPL match in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.

The situation unfolded with Indian defense systems intercepting a suspected drone and missile intrusion over Jammu. Following this, reports surfaced of explosions in several areas of Punjab, sensitive regions in Rajasthan, and later at multiple locations along the western border, as per military sources quoted by PTI news agency.

This surge in tensions follows just a day after New Delhi initiated ‘Operation Sindoor’. A precision military assault on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)—as a response to the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22.

At the time of the stoppage, Punjab was cruising at 122 for 1 in 10.1 overs. Initially, the interruption was believed to be caused by a floodlight malfunction. The game had already seen a delayed start due to earlier rainfall before the entire hill city experienced a temporary blackout.

For safety reasons, both players and spectators were escorted out of the venue. The scenic stadium, which holds around 23,000 fans, was nearly 80 percent full when the evacuation took place.

“There was no panic from the spectators. They (spectators and players) were moved out of the stadium very carefully and safely,” a Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association source told PTI.

As spectators exited the stadium, many were heard chanting slogans against Pakistan. At the time play was suspended, Prabhsimran Singh remained unbeaten on 50 from 28 balls, while his opening partner Priyansh Arya had earlier struck a brisk 70 off 34 deliveries before being dismissed by pacer T Natarajan.

Both teams, along with their support staff, are set to be transported to Delhi via a special train departing from Pathankot, which lies roughly 85 kilometers from Dharamsala. They will make the journey to Pathankot by road.

Currently, air operations have been suspended at Dharamsala’s only airport as well as those in nearby Kangra and Chandigarh, as a safety precaution in response to possible Pakistani threats.

Following the abandonment of Thursday night’s match, uncertainty now looms over the continuation of the Indian Premier League. It is understood that the BCCI is holding an emergency meeting to assess the situation, especially after growing security concerns expressed by overseas players.

According to sources, several foreign cricketers are reportedly eager to leave the country as soon as possible.

India’s recent missile strikes on terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir came two weeks after the deadly Pahalgam attack on April 22 that claimed 26 lives.

On Thursday, blackouts were enforced across several regions, including Pathankot, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Mohali, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, following air raid sirens and unconfirmed reports of loud blasts near Jammu.

The IPL calendar has already begun to shift due to the escalating situation. The May 11 fixture between Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings, originally scheduled for Dharamsala, has now been relocated to Ahmedabad.

The match scheduled for Thursday between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings in Rawalpindi was called off after Pakistan’s military reported that Indian drones had been shot down over several cities in Pakistan.

Both teams as well as all IPL officials and support staff were immediately evacuated from the HPCA Stadium. The BCCI informed that the game was forced to be abandoned due to a significant technical failure at the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala. “Due to a power outage in the area, one of the light towers at the HPCA stadium malfunctioned. BCCI regrets the inconvenience caused to the in-stadium attendees,” a statement read.

Punjab Kings next match in Dharamsala against Mumbai Indians on Sunday (May 10) has already been shifted to Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad by the BCCI.

PBKS vs DC, IPL 2025 Highlights HERE –

The Indian captain made the decision to retire from Test cricket ahead of the five-match Test series against England. Earlier this year, Rohit had expressed his enthusiasm to keep playing in the longer format and lead the team against Ben Stokes’ squad, but things took a sharp turn in the past week. Reports suggest that BCCI officials were dissatisfied with Rohit’s recent red-ball form and were close to removing him from the role of Test captain.

At 38, Rohit allegedly requested the selectors and officials for two more matches, but the BCCI preferred not to make mid-series changes in such a high-stakes series. As a result, Rohit announced his retirement from Test cricket, while confirming that he would continue playing in One Day Internationals.

“Hello everyone, I would just like to share that I am retiring from Test cricket. It’s been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites. Thank you for all the love and support over the years. I will continue to represent India in the ODI format,” Rohit wrote on his Instagram story.

BCCI officials have yet to announce a successor for Rohit Sharma as the Test captain. Shubman Gill has been widely discussed as a potential replacement, but other players like KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant are also in the running. Jasprit Bumrah is another candidate, having led the team effectively during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, the board is hesitant to appoint him permanently due to concerns about his ongoing injury issues.

At 43, Dhoni became the first wicketkeeper to achieve 200 dismissals in the tournament’s history. He reached the milestone by stumping Sunil Narine and taking a catch to dismiss Angkrish Raghuvanshi.

Some of the nearest challengers to this record include ex-cricketers such as Dinesh Karthik, who has registered 174 dismissals, and Wriddhiman Saha with a tally of 113. Among current players, Rishabh Pant stands out as Dhoni’s closest active competitor, having completed 100 dismissals so far.

Left-arm unorthodox spinner Noor Ahmad made the most of the spin-friendly pitch, claiming figures of 4 for 31 to help contain Kolkata Knight Riders to 179/6, as Chennai Super Kings’ spin attack took control during the crucial middle overs of the hosts’ do-or-die IPL encounter.

KKR looked in control at 67/1 after the powerplay, but things quickly unraveled once Noor Ahmad stepped in and changed the momentum. The Afghan chinaman bowler disrupted KKR’s flow right after the powerplay, claiming two wickets in the same over.

He first removed Sunil Narine (26 off 17; 4 fours, 1 six), who was outfoxed in the air and smartly stumped by MS Dhoni. Just four deliveries later, Angkrish Raghuvanshi nicked one behind, handing CSK a crucial double blow.

The run flow slowed dramatically for KKR, as they went 24 deliveries in the middle phase without finding the boundary. Their revival hopes were pinned on Andre Russell, who was coming off a match-winning half-century in the previous fixture.

Russell responded with intent, cracking two boundaries and a six off Ravindra Jadeja before smashing Ahmad for a towering six off a googly. However, Ahmad had the final word, outsmarting Russell (38 off 21) with another cleverly disguised googly to end the explosive all-rounder’s stay at the crease.

In his last over, Ahmad dismissed Rinku Singh, completing a brilliant spell that dismantled KKR’s resistance.

Noor exploited the spin-friendly surface superbly, returning figures of 4/31 to limit KKR to 179/6 after skipper Ajinkya Rahane opted to bat in a must-win fixture.

CSK’s spin unit played a decisive role, collectively grabbing 5 wickets for 84 runs across 11 overs — a stretch that proved pivotal in turning the tide.

In pursuit of 180 under challenging conditions, Chennai stumbled early, losing half their lineup for just 60 runs in the first 5.2 overs under the Eden floodlights. But in what could be his swansong at this iconic venue, MS Dhoni brought his signature poise and power to the finish, guiding CSK home with two balls remaining.

The defeat all but ends KKR’s campaign on home turf. With just 11 points from 12 games, they now face away matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Even if they win both, their playoff hopes hinge on other outcomes.

With 8 runs needed off the last over, Dhoni smashed a low full toss from Andre Russell deep over mid-wicket for a stunning six, sparking jubilant scenes. He then took a calm single and passed on instructions to debutant Anshul Kamboj, who sealed the game with a boundary.

Dhoni walked off unbeaten on 17 off 18 balls, greeted by a standing ovation from the Eden Gardens faithful — perhaps a final salute to their cherished finisher.

Earlier, CSK were rocked early when Vaibhav Arora and Moeen Ali picked up wickets inside the opening two overs. Harshit Rana then struck twice in quick succession, reducing CSK to 56/4 within five overs.

Rookie Ayush Mhatre was dismissed for a duck in just his second ball.

Debutant Urvil Patel, brought in as a like-for-like replacement for the injured Vansh Bedi, counterpunched aggressively — hammering Moeen Ali for two sixes and a four off his first three deliveries.

However, Moeen responded swiftly, sending back Devon Conway for a duck in the same over.

Urvil continued his fireworks against Harshit Rana, adding a four and a maximum, before he was dismissed after a whirlwind 11-ball 31 (1 four, 4 sixes) in a promising first appearance.

Varun Chakaravarthy then removed Ravindra Jadeja (19) in his opening over, leaving CSK struggling at 62/5 at the end of the powerplay. Despite the top-order collapse, the required run rate stayed within reach.

From a vulnerable 60/5, Brevis mounted a sensational comeback in the 11th over, taking apart Vaibhav Arora for 30 runs and flipping the momentum of the chase.

He started the over with a fortunate six that slipped through Raghuvanshi’s hands and followed it up with two more sixes and three boundaries in the space of six deliveries, reaching his half-century in just 22 balls.

Batting first, KKR looked solid at 67/1 at the end of six overs, but Noor Ahmad’s spell after the powerplay disrupted their rhythm.

The Afghan spinner dismissed both Andre Russell (38 off 21) and Sunil Narine (26 off 17) during crucial moments, applying the brakes on KKR’s innings.

Ahmad struck twice in the same over after the powerplay — first deceiving Narine with flight and having him stumped by Dhoni, then getting Raghuvanshi to edge one behind.

Rahane, who played a composed 33-ball 48 with four boundaries and two sixes, was dismissed by Jadeja, further denting KKR’s momentum.

Boundaries dried up for a long stretch, with 24 deliveries passing without a four during the middle phase.

KKR looked to Russell for rescue — the Jamaican power-hitter had just struck a match-winning fifty in the previous match — and he looked in ominous touch again.

He clubbed Jadeja for two boundaries and a six, then cleared the ropes off Noor Ahmad with a towering blow, but the spinner had the final say, foxing Russell with a googly to end his blitz.

In a brilliant closing act, Noor also picked up Rinku Singh in his final over, capping off a devastating spell that broke KKR’s backbone.

From 67/1 in the powerplay, Kolkata managed just 112 runs in the remaining 14 overs. CSK’s spinners allowed only 55 runs in the last five overs, suffocating the scoring rate on a sluggish, turning surface.

Chasing a target of 180, CSK sealed the win with just two deliveries remaining. Dewald Brevis led the chase with a blistering 52 off 25 balls, while Shivam Dube added a crucial 45 and skipper MS Dhoni remained unbeaten on 17.

For KKR, Vaibhav Arora returned figures of 3 for 48, with Harshit Rana (2/43) and Varun Chakaravarthy (2/18) also making notable contributions with the ball.

Earlier, after choosing to bat first, Kolkata Knight Riders posted 179 for 6.

Captain Ajinkya Rahane anchored the innings with 48 runs, supported by Andre Russell’s 38 and Manish Pandey’s unbeaten 36.

Noor Ahmad was the pick of the CSK bowlers, claiming four wickets.

Match Summary:
KKR: 179/6 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 48, Andre Russell 38; Noor Ahmad 4/31)
CSK: 183/8 in 19.4 overs (Dewald Brevis 52, Shivam Dube 45; Vaibhav Arora 3/48, Varun Chakaravarthy 2/18)

KKR vs CSK, IPL 2025 match no. 57 Highlights HERE –

The incident took place on the fifth delivery of the eighth over. Omarzai had been applying pressure on the left-hander, who was on 18 from 16 balls during LSG’s steep chase of 237. Stepping out to a wide, back-of-a-length delivery, Pant tried to launch it over the leg-side, but his bat slipped from his hands and flew toward square leg. Meanwhile, the ball flew in the opposite direction — toward deep point — where the fielder moved in and completed a comfortable catch.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW:

Wait… what just happened?

Bat in the air, ball in the fielder’s hands… Rishabh Pant’s dismissal had it all

Updates https://t.co/YuAePC273s#TATAIPL | #PBKSvLSG pic.twitter.com/Q74gb4Lpu4

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 4, 2025

LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka, known for regularly attending his team’s games, appeared visibly frustrated during the match. His expression quickly made rounds on social media, becoming a viral moment.

Sanjiv Goenka Reaction after pant’s wicket #LSGVSPBKS #PBKSVSLSG pic.twitter.com/j5p1cGG0r0

— (@HeroicRohit) May 4, 2025

This marked only the fourth time Pant managed to reach double figures in this IPL season. So far, he has accumulated just 128 runs across 10 innings, averaging 12.80 with a strike rate of 99.22. His only notable contribution remains a solitary fifty.

Lucknow Super Giants eventually suffered a 37-run defeat in the match.

“Definitely too many runs,” Pant said after the match, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “When you drop crucial catches at the wrong time, it can hurt you badly. We thought it would do more, but we did not pick the length right at the start. But that is part and parcel of the game. The dream is still alive. If we can win the next three matches, we can definitely turn around and do amazing things. (On the batting order and if they are looking to change it) It makes sense when your top order is batting well. Every match, you cannot hope for them to come off. It is part of the game, we have to take it deep sometimes. We had too many runs to catch up on and that hurt us badly,” he added.

Prabhsimran’s explosive 91 off 48 balls set the platform for Punjab’s commanding 236/5, while Arshdeep (3/16 from 4 overs) once again proved lethal in the Powerplay, dismantling the top order and dashing any real hopes of a successful chase.

This time, he removed the trio of Mitchell Marsh (0), Aiden Markram (13), and the ever-dangerous Nicholas Pooran (6), putting the match firmly in Punjab’s control. Though Ayush Badoni’s gritty 74 from 40 deliveries provided some resistance, it wasn’t enough to change the outcome.

Lucknow were limited to 199/7 in their 20 overs. Even if they win all their remaining three matches and reach 16 points from 14 games, their current net run rate could be a major hurdle in reaching the top four.

With this win, Punjab Kings now have 15 points from 11 matches and need just one more victory to potentially secure a playoff berth.

However, the spotlight remains on LSG’s ₹27-crore captain Rishabh Pant, whose puzzling form continues to raise concerns. He has scored only 128 runs in 11 innings, with a strike rate just below 100 (99.22), hardly fitting for a high-impact player.

Pant managed only 18 runs off 17 balls in this match, and the disconnect in his batting was clear when he wildly attempted to smash an Azmatullah Omarzai delivery, losing control completely — the bat flew toward square leg, while the ball went toward deep point.

His continued struggle reflects the broader issues plaguing LSG, which can be traced back to their auction strategy — especially their reliance on an underprepared bowling unit led by an injury-recovering Mayank Yadav.

Mayank, who had once impressed with his pace, has lost noticeable speed after rehab under Nitin Patel at the National Cricket Academy. On the day, he was smashed for 60 in four overs, conceding six sixes in the process.

Prabhsimran, despite his small frame, packed immense power in his strokes, cracking six boundaries and seven sixes in a dazzling innings. He was denied a century by an overambitious switch-hit attempt against Digvesh Rathi, falling nine runs short.

Shashank Singh then added late fireworks with 33 off just 15 balls, taking PBKS to a near-unreachable total. Punjab smashed 16 sixes in total, 13 of them off pace bowlers.

In the early stages, it was Jos Inglis who took the lead, launching a trio of sixes off Mayank Yadav, whose post-injury decline in speed — nearly 15 kmph — was evident. Once Inglis departed, Prabhsimran, supported by skipper Shreyas Iyer (45 off 25), took full control.

LSG’s fielding only made matters worse, especially Avesh Khan’s poor display, which might go down as one of the least effective in IPL history. On top of conceding 57 runs in his four overs, his lapses in the field gave away at least 15 additional runs.

Prabhsimran punished Avesh brutally, sending back-to-back sixes over mid-wicket. The opening duo added 78 runs in just under eight overs before Rathi — LSG’s most effective bowler — became the first spinner this season to dismiss a PBKS captain.

Even after the fall of Iyer, Prabhsimran continued to dominate, with LSG bowlers consistently offering deliveries right in his hitting zone.

He started off slowly, scoring just 2 off his first 9 deliveries, but soon unleashed a trademark power-hitting display that thrilled the home fans. The 37-year-old ended his innings with a blistering 57 off 25 balls, peppered with four fours and six towering sixes, propelling KKR to a commanding total of 206.

During his explosive innings, Andre Russell also reached a major personal milestone—amassing 1,000 T20 runs at Eden Gardens, both in the IPL and overall. He became only the third cricketer to achieve this at the historic ground, following in the footsteps of Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa. With this feat, the West Indian powerhouse also joined an elite group, becoming the 18th player in IPL history to score over a thousand runs at a single venue.

In total, 168 cricketers have scored over 1,000 runs at a single venue in T20 history, but Andre Russell now stands out by achieving this landmark with the highest strike rate ever recorded. He’s the sole player to reach this milestone in both IPL and T20s while maintaining a scoring rate of over 170. By doing so, he surpassed a long-standing IPL benchmark previously held by Suryakumar Yadav.

Andre Russell represented Delhi Capitals (formerly known as Delhi Daredevils) during the 2012 and 2013 IPL seasons before making the switch to Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014, where he has been a constant presence ever since. Every T20 appearance he’s made at Eden Gardens has been in KKR colors, except for the 2016 T20 World Cup final, when he scored a single run as part of West Indies’ memorable victory against England.

After being asked to bat first, Prabhsimran Singh hammered a fiery 91 off 48 balls and built a 78-run partnership with captain Shreyas Iyer (45), setting the tone for a massive total. Contributions from Nehal Wadhera (16), Shashank Singh (33), and Marcus Stoinis (15) helped PBKS post a formidable 236 for five.

In response, Ayush Badoni put up a brave effort with an unbeaten 74 off 40 deliveries, but received little assistance from the rest of the lineup as LSG ended at 199 for seven in their allotted overs, suffering their sixth defeat in 11 outings.

Arshdeep Singh starred with the ball for Punjab, taking 3 for 16, while Azmatullah Omarzai also made an impact with 2 for 33.

Score Summary:
Punjab Kings: 236/5 in 20 overs (Prabhsimran Singh 91, Shreyas Iyer 45; Akash Maharaj Singh 2/30)
Lucknow Super Giants: 199/7 in 20 overs (Ayush Badoni 74; Arshdeep Singh 3/16)

PBKS vs LSG Highlights, IPL 2025 –

After Royal Challengers Bengaluru racked up a formidable 213/5, thanks to contrasting half-centuries from Virat Kohli (62 off 33), Jacob Bethell (55 off 33), and a whirlwind 53* off 14 balls by Romario Shepherd — tied for the second-fastest fifty in IPL history — Chennai Super Kings were left with a stiff chase.

Remarkably, they came within touching distance, powered by a stunning knock from 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre, who hammered 94 off 48 deliveries (9 fours, 5 sixes), before their innings closed at 211/5.

Mhatre found solid support from the experienced Ravindra Jadeja, who remained unbeaten on 77 from 45 balls. Together, they stitched a crucial 114-run partnership for the third wicket, keeping CSK in the hunt.

The youngster from Mumbai made an early statement by taking seasoned seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar for 26 runs during the Powerplay and sustained that aggressive tempo throughout his stay at the crease.

With this narrow victory, RCB climbed to the top of the IPL standings, now sitting on 16 points from 11 games.

Mhatre showcased the batting intelligence and technical skills honed over countless hours at Mumbai’s historic Oval Maidan, taking apart a depleted RCB attack that missed their injured pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood.

His selection had initially sparked debate, with many questioning the decision to bring him in as Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury replacement ahead of players like Urvil Patel and Salman Nizar.

However, both CSK captain MS Dhoni and coach Stephen Fleming saw something special during pre-tournament practice sessions and backed him — a decision that paid off handsomely tonight.

Jadeja, the seasoned CSK all-rounder with grey streaks in his hair, who survived chances on 57 and 69, deserves equal praise for mentoring the teenager during a high-pressure chase.

Eventually, fatigue may have caught up with Mhatre, whose ambitious shot against Lungi Ngidi resulted in a straightforward catch to Krunal Pandya at long-on, bringing an end to a memorable innings.

At that point, CSK were 172/2 in 16.2 overs, needing 42 more to win.

Ngidi then struck again, sending Dewald Brevis back for a duck and tilting momentum toward RCB. With 15 required off the final over, Yash Dayal delivered under pressure.

He removed Dhoni early in the over, leaving CSK with 13 needed from the last three balls, then restricted them to just a single off the final delivery as Shivam Dube failed to clear the field with a full-length ball.

Earlier, Kohli and Bethell gave RCB a flying start with fluent fifties and a 97-run opening partnership in just under 10 overs.

Kohli punished Khaleel Ahmed with a fierce pull for six followed by a stylish flick for another maximum. Bethell, meanwhile, cracked three back-to-back boundaries off Ahmed in the first over, with a mix of cuts and drives, giving RCB immediate momentum.

Bethell marked his maiden IPL half-century with a reverse scoop for four off Jadeja, while Kohli reached his fifty shortly after with a clean drive through covers.

Just as their stand was gaining steam, Pathirana (3/36) broke the rhythm, inducing a miscue from Bethell that was safely taken by Brevis. Soon after, Kohli fell to a slower one from Sam Curran while attempting a ramp, misjudging the variation.

RCB stood at 121/2 in the 12th over.

Rajat Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal couldn’t accelerate effectively, managing just 37 runs between overs 12 and 18.

However, Shepherd changed the game in a flash, targeting Khaleel Ahmed for a brutal 33-run over — including four maximums and two fours. He and Tim David added 50 runs for the sixth wicket in only 14 balls, with David contributing just 2 runs to that burst as RCB smashed 54 runs in the final two overs.

Mhatre got going instantly. The opening ball of the over, pitched on a good length around middle, was neatly guided past a diving Krunal Pandya at backward point for a four. On the following delivery, Mhatre adjusted his position, moving towards the leg side to create space, and lofted a full-length delivery wide for another crisp boundary.

Bhuvneshwar, feeling the pressure, had no answers as Mhatre continued to place the ball into open spaces. At one point, Jitesh Sharma stepped in to offer some advice to Bhuvneshwar, but the barrage persisted.

On the very next delivery, Mhatre launched an off-speed ball over mid-on for a towering six. Bhuvneshwar, once known for his composure, was visibly faltering, but Mhatre wasn’t finished. He then drove a low full-toss clean past mid-on for another four, completing his fourth boundary in the over.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW:

4⃣ 4⃣ 4⃣ 6⃣ 4⃣ 4⃣ #AyushMhatre goes berserk in the 4th over, smashing 26 off #BhuvneshwarKumar! A thriller in Bengaluru is brewing – #Kohli vs #Dhoni, one last time?

Watch the LIVE action https://t.co/dl97nUeINj #IPLonJioStar #RCBvCSK | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1,… pic.twitter.com/PwHc3SXch2

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 3, 2025

Bhuvneshwar, powerless to respond, could only stand by as Mhatre’s onslaught raged on. The over ended with a powerful lofted drive off a slower delivery, sending the ball to deep mid-off for yet another boundary. It was a punishing performance that left Bhuvneshwar and the RCB bowlers scrambling for a solution.

Romario Shepherd blasted his way to the second-fastest fifty in IPL history, reaching the milestone in just 14 balls. He dominated Khaleel Ahmed’s 19th over, collecting 33 runs, before taking on Matheesha Pathirana with two fours and two sixes.

RCB finished with a massive total of 213/5 in their 20 overs, with significant contributions from Virat Kohli and Jacob Bethell, who both scored half-centuries. Pathirana was the lone bright spot for the bowlers, claiming three wickets in his four-over spell.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW:

Romario Shepherd vs Khaleel Ahmed 19th Over Ball-By-Ball
pic.twitter.com/ae5OLam5yS

— A (@cmmoncheeks) May 3, 2025

Khaleel Ahmed was already having a rough outing, having conceded 32 runs in his first two powerplay overs, largely due to Jacob Bethell’s aggressive start. Romario Shepherd’s brutal hitting later in the innings only added to Khaleel’s woes, turning his night from bad to worse.

Romario Shepherd’s explosive 14-ball half-century against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2025 was a standout moment, showcasing his remarkable power-hitting skills. Coming in during the final overs, Shepherd’s aggressive batting turned the game in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) favor. His innings included a series of boundaries and sixes, contributing significantly to RCB’s total score. This performance not only highlighted his individual talent but also underscored the dynamic nature of T20 cricket, where a single player’s impact can alter the course of a match.

In pursuit of a target of 214, CSK ended their innings at 211 for 5 after 20 overs.

Mhatre crafted a fluent 94 off 48 balls, hammering five maximums and nine boundaries, and built a crucial 114-run stand with Jadeja, who remained not out on 77 from 45 deliveries, including eight fours and a pair of sixes.

For RCB, Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 wickets for 30 runs.

Earlier in the match, strong contributions from Jacob Bethell (55), Virat Kohli (62), and a blistering 53* by Romario Shepherd lifted RCB to 213 for 5.

Bethell and Kohli laid the groundwork with a 97-run partnership at the top, while Shepherd exploded late in the innings with a 14-ball 53 that included four boundaries and six over-the-fence shots — the fastest fifty of the current season and tied for the second-fastest ever in IPL history.

Among CSK’s bowlers, Matheesha Pathirana stood out with a spell of 3 wickets for 36 runs in his 3 overs.

Summary:
RCB: 213/5 in 20 overs (Jacob Bethell 55, Virat Kohli 62, Romario Shepherd 53*; Matheesha Pathirana 3/36)
CSK: 211/5 in 20 overs (Ayush Mhatre 94, Ravindra Jadeja 77*; Lungi Ngidi 3/30)

RCB vs CSK IPL 2025 Highlights Here –

The convincing win significantly boosted GT’s playoff chances, while the defeat left SRH virtually out of the running for the top four.

An all-round effort from Gill, Buttler, and Sai Sudharsan powered Gujarat to an imposing 224 for six. Though SRH began their chase positively, they faltered midway and could only manage 186 for six. Abhishek Sharma was the standout performer for Hyderabad, scoring a brisk 74 from 41 balls.

Gill lit up the first innings with a fiery 76 off just 38 balls, well-supported by Sudharsan, who blasted 48 off 23 deliveries. Together, they stitched an opening partnership of 87 in just 6.5 overs. Buttler then took over, smashing 64 off 37 to push GT past the 200-run mark.

With the ball, Prasidh Krishna once again impressed, returning excellent figures of 2 for 19 from his four overs. The only worry for Gujarat was Ishant Sharma, who had to leave the field after being unable to complete his final over due to discomfort.

Sunrisers Hyderabad came out with intent, taking 42 runs from the first four overs as Siraj gave away 22 and Ishant leaked 20 in his first couple. But Rashid Khan changed the momentum with a sensational catch in the deep, sprinting from square leg and adjusting mid-run to remove Travis Head.

Ishan Kishan struggled at the crease, using up 17 deliveries for his 13 before falling, as the required run rate crept above 14. Even with Abhishek and Klaasen at the crease, the chase looked beyond SRH as the target run rate surged past 16.

A moment of drama unfolded when GT skipper Gill was visibly frustrated during a discussion with the umpires over a review involving Abhishek. The SRH batter was seen calming the Titans captain during the exchange.

Earlier, sent in to bat, Gill opened Gujarat’s innings with intent, flicking a wayward delivery from Shami for a six. Shami had an off day, with Sudharsan taking him apart for five boundaries in one over, including four consecutively.

SRH captain Pat Cummins tried to control the flow by bringing himself into the attack, but the onslaught continued as Gill drove and pulled the Australian for a flurry of boundaries, including a six over deep mid-wicket, taking 17 off the over.

Gill and Sudharsan built their innings with style and smart shot selection, steering clear of reckless hits while still maintaining a high run rate. Gujarat reached 82 at the end of the powerplay.

Leg-spinner Zeeshan Ali finally broke the stand by getting Sudharsan caught behind by Klaasen off a deceptive googly.

Gill, now joined by Buttler, kept the pace going, reaching his fifty with a sublime drive through extra cover, taking just 25 balls. Buttler, in rhythm himself, sent Ansari over the sightscreen and soon after, crossed the 4000-run milestone in IPL, becoming the third-fastest to do so in terms of balls faced.

A lapse in the field saw Cummins spill a catch off Harshal Patel, giving Gill a life on 66. However, Gill’s innings ended soon after when a sharp throw from Harshal at short fine-leg was deflected onto the stumps by Klaasen, catching the GT captain short of the crease.

The match kicked off with Gujarat Titans batting first after losing the toss. The team got off to a strong start in the opening innings, thanks to a stellar performance from openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. Gill scored 76 runs, while Sudharsan contributed 48 runs.

Following their powerful start, it was Jos Buttler who took charge and guided GT to a commanding total. The English batter looked in superb form once again. During his knock, Buttler surpassed 4000 IPL runs, becoming the third-fastest player in history to reach the milestone based on balls faced.

He now ranks third in the list of fastest players to score 4000 IPL runs, trailing only Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers, and ahead of India’s Suryakumar Yadav.

Buttler’s innings of 64 runs off 37 balls was instrumental in helping Gujarat cross the 200-run mark in their first innings. Prior to the match, he needed just 12 runs to hit the 4000-run milestone, which he achieved with a well-crafted knock.

Thanks to strong contributions from Sudharsan, Gill, Buttler, and a late surge by Washington Sundar, GT posted a total of 224 runs in their innings. However, SRH’s Jaydev Unadkat claimed three wickets in the final over, helping restrict GT’s total.

Fastest to 4,000 runs (by balls faced)

• 2,658 balls – Chris Gayle
• 2,658 balls – AB de Villiers
• 2,677 balls – Jos Buttler
• 2,714 balls- Suryakumar Yadav

After being asked to bat first, captain Shubman Gill led from the front with a brisk 76 off 38 balls, followed by Jos Buttler’s impactful 64 from 37 deliveries.

In response, Abhishek Sharma powered SRH with a strong start, scoring 74, but Gujarat’s bowling unit restricted the visitors to 186 for 6.

Match Summary:
Gujarat Titans: 224/6 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 76, Jos Buttler 64; Jaydev Unadkat 3/35)
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 186/6 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 74; Mohammed Siraj 2/33, Prasidh Krishna 2/19)

GT vs SRH, IPL 2025 match no. 51 Highlights HERE –

“To my best friend, my life partner, my safe space, my best half , my everything. You’re the guiding light of all of our lives. We love you so much more everyday. Happy birthday my love,” wrote Kohli on Instagram alongside a picture of the couple together

 

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Widely regarded as one of the most iconic couples in India, the cricketing icon and the Bollywood actress tied the knot in December 2017, after being in a relationship for over three years. They are proud parents to daughter Vamika, born in 2021, and son Akaay, born in 2024.

Kohli is currently featuring in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who are leading the points table with 14 points. The 36-year-old has been instrumental in their performance, amassing 443 runs from 10 matches at an average of 63.28, including six half-centuries. He ranks as the second-highest run scorer in the competition at this point.

RCB has played 10 matches so far, securing victory in seven of them, including an impressive streak of six consecutive away wins. Kohli is one of only four players to have participated in all 18 IPL seasons, and the only one to remain with the same franchise throughout.

However, RCB is yet to claim an IPL title. The team has reached the final three times (2009, 2011, and 2016) but fell short each time. The franchise has made the playoffs in four of the past five seasons and appears to be on track for another postseason appearance this year.

This emphatic win also ended MI’s long-standing drought at the Jaipur venue, where they last tasted victory in 2013. Chasing a daunting target of 218, Rajasthan’s batting unit collapsed to just 117 in 16.1 overs, with Jofra Archer being the only notable contributor, scoring 30 off 27 balls. With this convincing result, Mumbai surged to the top of the standings with 14 points from 11 games, securing seven wins so far.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan remained in eighth place on the table, with only three victories in ten games and a total of six points. Mumbai’s turnaround has been exceptional, considering they managed just a single win in their opening five fixtures.

Defending a towering total, Mumbai’s fierce bowling unit wasted no time applying pressure on Rajasthan. The damage started as early as the fourth ball of the innings when Deepak Chahar sent last match’s standout performer, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, back to the pavilion for a duck after just two deliveries — a harsh reminder of cricket’s unpredictability.

Despite the early blow, Yashasvi Jaiswal tried to keep the momentum alive, smashing Trent Boult for a couple of sixes. But Boult quickly turned the tables, knocking over Jaiswal’s stumps and sending him off for 13 off 6 balls.

With both openers dismissed early, skipper Riyan Parag stepped in and tried to steady the chase with a few attacking strokes to keep the asking rate within reach. But Trent Boult (3/28) continued to wreak havoc, removing Nitish Rana, who failed to capitalise on a reprieve from the previous over and was caught at deep square leg.

Following Rana’s departure, Rajasthan slumped to 41 for 3 within just four overs, but things quickly went from bad to worse as MI skipper Hardik Pandya brought Jasprit Bumrah (2/15) into the attack. The ace pacer made an instant impact, removing Riyan Parag (16 off 8) with a sharp bouncer and sending Shimron Hetmyer (0 off 10) back to the dugout in the same over.

This dominant burst made Mumbai the first side this season to claim five wickets during the powerplay. There was no turning back for Rajasthan after that, as the collapse continued with Hardik (1/2) and Karn Sharma (3/23) chipping in, completing a ruthless bowling display by the visitors.

Mumbai’s commanding victory was set up by a solid 116-run opening partnership off just 71 deliveries between Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton, after RR skipper Riyan Parag opted to bowl first. The pair took a cautious approach early on, with the first boundary coming only on the 10th ball of the innings, courtesy of Rohit breaking free.

Rickelton soon found his rhythm, going after bowlers like Fazalhaq Farooqi and Jofra Archer. The openers reached their 50-run partnership in just 32 balls and wrapped up the powerplay at 58 without loss. Rickelton completed his half-century in 29 balls, launching a big six off Kumar Kartikeya to reach the milestone.

Meanwhile, Rohit reached his third fifty of the season, taking 31 deliveries to get there, as the pair notched up their first-ever 100-run stand in just 61 balls. Rajasthan eventually succeeded in halting the momentum, removing both set batters in back-to-back overs — Rickelton (61 off 38) was dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana (1/47), while Rohit Sharma (53 off 36) was undone by Riyan Parag (1/12).

Rajasthan’s troubles deepened as Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav joined forces at the crease. Suryakumar signaled his aggressive intent early by opening his account with a boundary, while Pandya followed suit with a crisp four off Farooqi to get going.

On a batting-friendly surface, the pair wasted no time shifting gears, launching an all-out assault on the Rajasthan attack — even Jofra Archer wasn’t spared. Suryakumar (48* off 23) showcased his trademark 360-degree style, peppering the field with boundaries, while Pandya (48* off 23) used his raw power to dominate. Together, they stitched an unbeaten 94-run partnership in just 44 deliveries, powering Mumbai to a formidable finish.

Currently in excellent form, the Mumbai Indians are set to face the in-form Gujarat Titans on May 6 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals will aim to salvage some dignity in their upcoming games, beginning with a clash against Kolkata Knight Riders on May 4 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.