‘Lost the battle, not the war’: Shreyas Iyer promises to bounce back Qualifier 2
Punjab Kings suffered the worst defeat in IPL Play-off history as Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased down 102 with 60 balls to spare. It seemed like the good old PBKS that fans were accustomed to witnessing. But under captain Shreyas Iyer, PBKS have improved by leaps and bounds in IPL 2025. Even when PBKS could only manage 111 against Kolkata Knight Riders, they bounced back, saving the lowest total ever. Hence, Iyer is not giving up on the dream to win the maiden IPL title for PBKS. He has a message for fans after the RCB humiliation: ‘We lost the battle, not the war’. “Not a day to forget, but got to go back to the drawing board. We lost a lot of wickets in the first innings. There’s a lot to go back and study on. I am not doubting my decisions, to be honest. Whatever we did in terms of planning, outside the ground, I think it was on point. It was just that we couldn’t execute it on the field. I can’t even blame the bowlers, as it was a low total to defend. At the end of the day, we have to bat according to the situation and we have to live up to it. We have lost the battle, but not the war,” Shreyas Iyer said after the match. Punjab Kings will now face the winner of GT-MI in Ahmadabad in Qualifier 2 on June 1. PBKS have already beaten both teams in their own backyard this season. They began the IPL 2025 campaign with an 11-run win over Gujarat Titans in Ahmadabad and beat Mumbai Indians by 7 wickets in Mumbai.
Mukesh Kumar fined for breaching IPL Code of Conduct in Wednesday’s match
Delhi Capitals fast bowler Mukesh Kumar was fined 10 per cent of his match fee and given one demerit point for breaching IPL Code of Conduct during the match against Mumbai Indians on Wednesday. Mukesh was punished for a Level-1 offence under Article 2.2 of the Code, which pertains to the abuse of cricket equipment or ground fixtures. “Mukesh Kumar admitted to the Level 1 offence under Article 2.2 (Abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during a Match) and accepted the Match Referee’s sanction,” the IPL said in a release. “For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Match Referee’s decision is final and binding.” Mukesh had a forgettable evening with the ball on Wednesday, also conceding five fours and three sixes in his spell of 2 for 48 in four overs. He also conceded 27 runs in the 19th over of the first innings as Suryakumar Yadav and Naman Dhir eventually lifted MI to a match-winning score of 180. The over consumed 6, 1, 4, 6, 6, and 4 runs. This season, Mukesh has featured in 11 of DC’s 13 fixtures so far, taking 11 wickets at an average of 32.63 and economy of 10.11.
Harbhajan spins again; Convinces BCCI to organize IPL Play-Offs in Punjab
Harbhajan Singh, a former India international spinner and currently the Chief Advisor of Punjab Cricket Association, has spun once again to convince the IPL organizers to organize the IPL’s forthcoming Play-Offs in Punjab. The initiative came from Harbhajan after the news of the IPL Play-Offs’ venues shifting from Hyderabad and Kolkata to New Chandigarh and Ahmedabad. According to sources close to BCCI, a report from a leading national daily revealed that Harbhajan Singh played a huge role in shifting the fixtures to Punjab. He reportedly took pains to convince the top brass of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of the stadium’s suitability to host the matches in the present weather conditions. “Harbhajan pushed hard for it. He convinced key decision-makers that New Chandigarh is ready, both in terms of facilities and audience enthusiasm. He wasn’t just lobbying; he was deeply involved in inspection visits, pitch discussions, and logistical planning,” confirmed a source to IANS. Harbhajan, the Chief Cricketing Advisor of the Punjab Cricket Association, has been actively promoting cricket in the region post-retirement and has always voiced concerns about the lack of international and IPL-level matches in Punjab after Mohali’s decline as a regular host venue. With the successful completion of the stadium in Mullanpur, he saw an opportunity to bring elite-level cricket back to the heartland. The BCCI announced the schedule for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Playoffs on Tuesday. After 70 action-packed league-stage matches, the spotlight will shift to the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh as it gears up to host the much-awaited Qualifier 1 – featuring the top two-ranked sides on May 29, followed by an engrossing Eliminator clash on May 30. Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket stadium in the world will host an electrifying Qualifier 2 and the grand Final. Qualifier 2, to be played between the loser of Qualifier 1 and the winner of the Eliminator, will take place on June 1. The highly anticipated summit clash is set to be played on June 3. The new venues for the Playoffs were decided by the IPL Governing Council, keeping in mind the weather conditions and other parameters.
Rathi faces ban after a quarrel with Sharma in Monday’s match
Lucknow Super Giants spinner Divesh Rathi has been suspended for the team’s final league-stage match after accumulating more demerit points from a Code of Conduct breach following a tussle with Sunrisers Hyderabad opener Abhishek Sharma at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Monday. He was also fined 50% of his match fees for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during Monday’s high-octane clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The tournament organizers confirmed that Rathi had committed a Level 1 offence for the third time this season, tallying five demerit points that warrant a one-match suspension. “This was his third Level 1 offence under Article 2.5 this season and hence, he has accumulated two Demerit Points, in addition to three Demerit Points he had accumulated earlier – One Demerit Point against Punjab Kings on 1st April and Two Demerit Points against Mumbai Indians on April 04, 2025. “As he now has Five Demerit Points this season – which result in a one-game suspension – Digvesh will now be suspended for LSG’s next game – against Gujarat Titans on 22nd h May, in Ahmadabad for Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Match Referee’s decision is final and binding,” the statement from IPL read. The incident occurred in the eighth over of SRH’s chase, with Abhishek Sharma in blistering form, having smashed 59 off just 19 deliveries. With the Sunrisers cruising at 99/1, LSG captain Rishabh Pant turned to Rathi for a breakthrough — and the spinner delivered, inducing a catch to extra cover. But what followed marred the moment. As Abhishek walked off, Rathi gave him a fiery send-off, complete with an intense glare. Abhishek, visibly provoked, turned back and walked towards the bowler. The two exchanged words before being separated by the umpire and the LSG fielders. Abhishek, too, was penalized — fined 25% of his match fees for his reaction.
Sunny says Shubman is more competitive; praises IPL for gaining maturity
Legendary Indian batsman and former captain, Sunil Gavaskar feels the IPL is the perfect training ground for future India captains. According to Sunny, tremendous mental pressure of this League is providing the likes of Shubman Gill the required leadership experience before graduating to the highest level. Gujarat Titans skipper Gill is expected to captain India on the Test tour of England following the retirement of Rohit Sharma. Rishabh Pant is likely to be his deputy. Virat Kohli’s retirement, which came just days after Rohit’s decision, has left a massive void in the Test team. Gavaskar said it would take at least a couple of years for Gill and other potential leaders like Pant and Shreyas Iyer to become finished products. “It would take a couple of years (to groom future leaders) to get to the level of our super captains (MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli). All of them brought a different approach to captaincy,” said Gavaskar in a response to a PTI query on Star Sports Press Room. Pant is currently captaining LSG, while Iyer is leading the Punjab Kings in this IPL. “When you see Gill, Iyer, and Pant, three main pretenders to Indian captaincy, you see an amalgamation of all three (Dhoni, Rohit, Virat). Gill is probably more competitive; when there is a decision, he asks the umpire right away. He is probably a lot more involved. “Though Pant is behind the stumps, he is also very involved. Iyer, too, has been superb. All three have brought a lot of positivity in the way they have been captaining. “As a captain, nothing gets you more experience than the pressure of a T20 game. It is the best training ground for captaincy,” added the former India captain.
BCCI considers Gavaskar’s advice about the ‘no-entertainment’ part in the remainder of the IPL
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is seriously considering Sunil Gavaskar’s advice of rejecting the entertainment part in the remainder of the IPL, resuming from 17th May. Gavaskar urged the BCCI to organize the remaining 17 matches without cheerleaders and DJs. According to a report from India Today, the BCCI is now seriously considering the suggestion made by Gavaskar. IPL 2025 was suspended for a week on 8th May amidst cross-border tensions with Pakistan following the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. The heinous attack claimed the lives of as many as 26 civilians. “The Indian cricket board will make a decision after Sunil Gavaskar urged the BCCI to stage the remaining 17 matches without cheerleaders and DJs,” the report said. As a gesture for those who died during the Pahalgam attack, Gavaskar felt that there should not be any entertainment (apart from the sport on display) in the remaining IPL matches. “What I would really like to see is these are the last few matches. I think we have had about 60 games or thereabouts. I think it will be around 15 or 16 matches in the remaining phase of the League. I would sincerely apologize for what has happened, and some families have lost their near and dear ones. I would like all the show-sha baji that goes with it not to be there. It should be just a game to be played. Let there be a crowd but no music. Let’s not have the DJs screaming in the middle of an over. None of that,” Gavaskar told Sports Today. He also stated, “Let’s just have a tournament, the balance of a tournament. No dancing girls, nothing. Just cricket would be a nice way to respect the sentiment of the families who have lost their near and dear ones.”
BCB wants Mustafizur to prioritize national commitment above IPL
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wants Mustafizur Rahman to put national commitment above IPL 2025 duties. The pacer was signed as a replacement for Jake Fraser-McGurk by Delhi Capitals for the remainder of IPL 2025. However, Rahman boarded a flight to the UAE for the upcoming T20I series on the same day he signed with DC. As per Cricbuzz, a BCB director claimed that while the board has no problem in allowing Rahman to play for DC in IPL 2025, it wants him to prioritize national duties. “We are not saying that we won’t let Mustafizur play in the IPL for the Delhi Capitals, but at the same time, there is a thing called national commitment, and he needs to fulfill that,” a BCB director said. The official said that it would be unfair for Nahid Rana and Rishad Hossain, who were a part of PSL but are traveling to the UAE for the T20I series, if Rahman was given a NOC. The BCB director claimed that in that case, the other two would also have to be released from the squad. “Along with that, if we had released him in that case, what would we have done with the two cricketers who took part in PSL, as they could have asked why we were not releasing them?” he added. For the uninformed, the Bangladesh cricket team are set to play a 2-match T20I series against the UAE from May 17 to 19. Understanding that foreign players may not return, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to allow teams to use temporary replacements. And so, the Capitals paid Mustafizur Rs 6 crore to join them. The move made sense since Mitchell Starc might not return either. And having a like-for-like replacement for him seems like a sound decision.
BCCI to wait for next few days before trying to resume IPL this may!
Amidst the rumors about resumption of the deferred IPL a new report by Cricbuzz has revealed that BCCI is committed to conducting the IPL in May and is on the watch-out for next three days. “We have suspended the league for one week. We are not looking beyond that at this stage,” a BCCI source on 9th May was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. The source added, “We are serious about it. Watch out for the next three days.” The Cricbuzz report suggests that in case there is a ceasefire in the next few days, then BCCI will fast track the schedule of IPL with a few double headers. The availability of overseas players could be an issue during a resumed IPL, given most of these players have already departed for their country or are set to leave. Reportedly, BCCI will leave this matter to the franchises to handle. The Indian cricket board is not keen on cancelling the Bangladesh series in August to conduct the remaining leg of IPL, given that it would overlap with The Hundred (nine English players are part of IPL squads). Meanwhile, conducting the IPL in September would make it clash with the Caribbean Premier League (Eight West Indies players are currently in the IPL).
Malan predicts IPL will resume in September after the Test-series against England
Former England cricketer Dawid Malan predicts the remainder of the IPL can resume in September after the five-test series between India and England gets over. The ongoing Indian Premier League has been suspended due to tensions between India and Pakistan. However, this is not the first time IPL has been suspended mid-way through. During the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in 2021, the tournament was halted and resumed in September later in the year. Malan stated while speaking on Al Arabiya, “If it doesn’t happen in India or Sri Lanka in a week like that, I suppose they will start in September. They got a massive Test series coming up against England in a few months, and the IPL has to finish before that or start after that; logistically, it is quite a headache for the organizers. I guess they have to wait and see how next week plays out in terms of the safety concerns of players and people of both countries.” The five-match Test series is beginning on 20th June makes it one of the earliest starts for India in the English summer, with their last two Test tours mostly being played in the months of August. The five Tests will be played at Headingley, Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford and the Oval from 20th June to 4th August.
ECB says they are ready to host remainder of the IPL
The England Cricket Board (ECB) has agreed to host the remainder of the 18th season of the Indian Premier League in September, according to a report in The Guardian. The world’s most popular cricket league was suspended for a week on Friday amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Ahead of the league’s official cancellation, an IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala on Thursday was called off as a precautionary measure. ECB chief executive Richard Gould has come forward and offered the BCCI his support if India fails to resume the IPL after a week-long suspension. The report goes on to say that there are currently no “active discussions” between the two boards. However, a similar offer was reportedly made by the ECB in 2021, when the IPL was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the UAE eventually stepped in as the stand-in hosts. Meanwhile the former India captain, Sourav Ganguly is optimistic that BCCI will be able to complete the IPL despite it has been paused for a week. “I have seen today that the IPL is suspended for 7 days. The BCCI will complete this. They are efficient. During COVID, it was another emergency. I am sure the BCCI will complete it. A COVID-like situation is different. BCCI will work as per Indian government guidelines,” stated Ganguly while speaking to India Today.
