Latest news with #DelhiCapitals'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
IPL Final 2025: Shreyas Iyer vs Rajat Patidar – Will Tactical Brilliance decide the winner?
As the IPL 2025 Final draws closer, the real question isn't just who will win — but "whose strategy will succeed." Although among the most famous names in cricket, Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar have led their teams throughout the season with calm precision, smart strategy, and brave decisions. This IPL final is a strategic battle rather than just a simple match. Shreyas Iyer's calm control Vs. Rajat Patidar's fearless freshness Delhi Capitals' former captain, Shreyas Iyer, is renowned for making calm, collected decisions. By strategically changing bowlers and supporting young players like Axar Patel and Anrich Nortje to win challenging games, he led DC to their first-ever IPL 2020 final. However, Rajat Patidar, a relatively new captain, has shown a strong fighting spirit and bold field placements this season. Fans can never forget his game-winning century for RCB in the IPL 2022 Eliminator, even though he has not been an appointed captain for the crucial playoffs. Grabbing opportunities was the main focus of that knock, and since then, he has led his squad in this manner. Pitch reading, pressure handling & key calls Fans are already picking the sides On X (previously Twitter), fans are divided. Some feel Iyer's calm mind would outsmart Patidar's daring moves. Others admire Patidar's commitment and hope to see a new-age captain take the cup. Shreyas Iyer deserves to captain India in ODIs and T20s. #RCBvPBKS Good Luck captain @ShreyasIyer15 After defeating CSK at Chepauk, Rajat Patidar has already surpassed Virat Kohli's legacy as a captain for this mug franchise called RCB. Who will be the IPL 2025will the IPL 2025? This match will likely come down to who manages pressure better in the last five overs. Iyer's expertise provides him an advantage in cool planning, but Patidar's strong game attention might instantly change the game. Both have unique strengths, and this contrast is what makes the IPL 2025 Final a must-watch. Who will bag their maiden trophy- Shreyas Iyer or Rajat Patidar? Will see it tonight.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
SS Rajamouli praises Shreyas Iyer's IPL exploits, questions franchises for not retaining him
Delhi Capitals' captain Shreyas Iyer's performances at the IPL this year have caught the eye of the cricketing world and beyond. Filmmaker SS Rajamouli took to his social media accounts to praise Shreyas for becoming the first captain to lead three different IPL franchises to the marquee tournament's final. Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders did not retain Shreyas despite him leading the former to the IPL final and the latter to the title, respectively. Now, Shreyas has guided Punjab Kings to their first final in 11 years. Referring to Shreyas' match-winning innings in yesterday's second qualifier for Punjab Kings against Mumbai Indians, Rajamouli wrote, 'Iyer guiding Bumrah's and Boult's yorkers to the third man boundary… Exquisite… This man leads Delhi to a final… and is dropped… Leads Kolkata to a trophy… dropped… Leads a young Punjab to the finals after 11 years. He deserves this year's trophy too…' Rajamouli also drew attention to the unique situation where there will be a first-time IPL winner on June 03. 'On the other hand, it is Kohli… who is performing year on year… compiling thousands of runs. The final frontier for him… He deserves it too,' wrote the Baahubali filmmaker about the final between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The filmmaker added, 'Whatever the result… its going to be a heartbreak…' On the work front, Rajamouli is collaborating with actor Mahesh Babu in a two-part film series, tentatively titled SSMB29. He is also working with a screenplay by Vijayendra Prasad. The project reunites him with composer MM Keeravani and costume designer Rama Rajamouli.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Kuldeep Yadav at Idea Exchange: ‘I was shocked when Rohit & Virat bhai retired. You want the seniors to stay for the big series'
Indian star spinner Kuldeep Yadav on the upcoming India-England Test series, playing under Shubman Gill's captaincy and Delhi Capitals' inadequate performance in this season's IPL. The session was moderated by Devendra Pandey, Deputy Associate Editor, The Indian Express. Devendra Pandey: You had taken seven wickets against England the last time you played them in Dharamshala. There are different conditions now but you must be confident? Yes, I remember. Those were batting-friendly tracks and the games went to fourth or fifth days. The conditions will be different in England this time. We have to adapt quickly, considering how England players bat. I feel spinners will be in the game there. Nihal Koshie: You have bowled against Joe Root, arguably the best Test batsman of this era. What are the challenges and plans? It is challenging to bowl against him. I feel his batting, especially against spinners, is very good. He has great control and is a very important player in the England Test line-up. The field positioning is very crucial. I have planned how to bowl to him. He is a complete player, and has the sweep, slog-sweep, paddle, and reverse. He is in great control of his hands. Devendra Pandey: There have been retirements of Ravichandran Ashwin and then Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Were you surprised? I had an inkling that Ash bhai might retire due to his body. We used to have a lot of chats and once I remember, he put his hand on me and said, 'You will have to take responsibility in the future. You have to manage'. I used to feel a bit concerned that he doesn't leave and go. I was shocked when Rohit bhai and Virat bhai retired. You want your senior players to stay for big series such as this. The responsibility is taken by the seniors and the youngsters feel free. That's how I used to feel. I'd approach them in case of any doubts. I have spent a lot of time with Ash bhai, discussing bowling and even field settings; we used to sit and talk. His exit is shocking to me as I was learning a lot from him. He would keep feeding me ideas. Sandip G: You played most of your career with Rohit, Virat and Ashwin. How has your experience been with them? I had a great understanding and bond with Rohit bhai. He used to look after me like an elder brother, even off the field. When bowling, he used to tell me clearly what he expected from me and whether I was delivering it or not. If he found that I was lagging somewhere, he used to tell me to put more effort on that aspect. He would clearly tell me the role he expected from me, and sometimes he used to scold me as well — little things that always lifted me in bad times and took great care of me. I made my Test debut under Virat Kohli. He did not play the match (in 2017 against Australia in Dharamshala) but he handed me the cap. At that time, I was raw and not mature, but he handled me wonderfully, gave me the belief that I could be good in this format. He always supported me and I always enjoyed playing with him. I played and learned a lot with Ashwin. He supported me a lot in the last three-four years during the comeback. He would keep telling me how I should bowl in a particular situation, plus about pace, revs and run-up — we used to talk about everything in terms of bowling. Sandip G: In 2018, you played as the lone spinner at Lord's. Seven years later, how would you handle such a responsibility? At that time I did not have much idea. When you are not mature, you keep going through the motions. Now I have become much better in controlling the game, setting up batsmen and approaching a particular situation. That time, I had belief in my bowling that I could bowl the wrong'un and the skidder etc, but did not have the understanding about how to bowl differently to each batsman, how I should set the field for different batsmen. Now I read batsmen much better and know where and how to bowl and what field to set. On bowling against Joe Root | It is challenging. I feel his batting, especially against spinners, is very good. He has great control and is a very important player in the england test line-up. I have planned how to bowl to him Venkata Krishna B: In the time you led the spin attack in limited-overs cricket, you have been waiting patiently in Tests. Now you enter the WTC cycle as the lead spinner. Is there added pressure? I'm not thinking that way. In our team, we have (Ravindra) Jadeja as well. He has been playing since 2010 and he has got more experience than me. But in terms of leading the spin attack, I don't think it makes a huge difference. It doesn't create extra pressure. It is just normal. Whenever we play two spinners, it doesn't feel like 'this fellow is my senior'. Whenever I've played with Jadeja and Ash, we never thought someone is senior. Venkata Krishna B: Your idol Shane Warne loved bowling with the Dukes ball. Having played just one Test with it before, how are you preparing for it ahead of the England tour? I've started bowling with it. I've got the Dukes ball at home and I'm planning a couple of sessions. We also have two weeks before the series, so there is enough time to prepare. I don't think it will make a huge difference. It is just a change of ball. Obviously, the Dukes ball is a lot harder compared to the SG and the Kookaburra. Shape-wise, it is similar to SG. It will take two to three days to adjust, but I will definitely be allright by the time the Test series begins. On acquiring control as a bowler | When you are not mature, you keep going through the motions. Now I have become much better in controlling the game . Now I read batsmen much better and know where and how to bowl and what field to set Tushar Bhaduri: Delhi Capitals had a great start to the IPL season. Why did things go wrong thereafter? All the facets of the game need to click in this format. Sometimes our batting collapsed and sometimes our bowling didn't do well. Both sides never performed together. When we had to score big, we didn't do so. We scored 160 on the Delhi wicket. We also lost close matches, like the one against Mumbai. We lost momentum, some matches were affected by rain, and the game at Dharamshala was stopped midway. In this competition where there are 10 good teams, if you make one or two mistakes, you quickly start going downhill. Momentum is like a wave. If you can ride it, things can go in your favour. But if you get on the wrong side, you can start losing games and close matches go against you. Tushar Bhaduri: Shubman Gill is the new Test captain. What are your expectations as a bowler when a new captain takes over? He should support me and include me in the XI for all matches, what else! A new captain has a lot of challenges and a lot on his mind. I don't have any expectations from a captain. My expectations are from myself. If I am playing, I should prepare myself thoroughly and give my best. He would have a lot of pressure on him, but there is no pressure on him from my side. He should lead the team with a free mind. Sandeep Dwivedi: As the country's leading spinner, you have stood out with the white ball. How difficult has that been with bats getting bulkier, pitches dead and some batsmen just training to hit sixes? The problem is we tend to get rid of our basics very quickly, more so when it comes to the T20 format. A bowler tends to quickly change his plans once a batsman starts attacking. They tend to start bowling faster or fuller. Basically they are thinking how they can avoid getting hit. This can work once in a while but not in the long run. The important thing in this format is to read the batsman's mind. Try to see what he expects you to bowl next and what shot he can try. The other important thing for a bowler in this format is the length. If you stick to the good-length area, it works. Once you have settled into a good length, you keep changing the line by reading the batsman. If you can do that, the format isn't that difficult for a bowler. This is a format where runs will be scored. But one should look to take wickets. This can create pressure on the batsmen. Like the ground in Delhi, where one needs to be aggressive and not bowl with the intention of not getting hit for a six. Attacking mindset, reading the batsman, keeping in mind his scoring areas — if these things are in focus, the load on a bowler's mind comes down. Sandeep Dwivedi: Since reading the mind is important, you need to extensively prepare before a game. What's your process? Do you sit with the analyst for long before a game? I don't like meetings, I feel no one should play with my mind. No one should tell me too many things or give me ideas. Then I'm not able to bowl like I do. I always want to do things my way. I have understood that even if I fail in a game, I would have collected some learnings. Earlier, I would think that I should not fail. But now, I am not afraid of failing. I tell myself 'it's okay, he has played well and so he will score'. But my takeaway would be 'now I know how this batsman scores, and that will help me the next time.' Sandeep Dwivedi: How do you react when you are hit for a six in T20 cricket? Do you delete that memory from your mind or remember that stroke and plan your next ball? What is important to know is on which delivery you have been hit for sixes. In case you bowl an overpitched ball or a short ball, you get hit for a six. That one can't do much. In case the batsman is stepping out and hitting you, that means he has hit a good ball for a six. You need to think and understand if he is hitting you straight for a six or he is slog-sweeping for a six. If he is hitting a slog-sweep six, I will bowl a ball wide outside off-stump or bowl into him to cramp him. In case he is hitting straight, I will turn the ball and pull the length back. If you are starting as a young spinner, you need to look to spin the ball, give it more revs so that you get dip on the ball. If you look at the top spinners over the years, this is what they have been doing. On expectations from the new Indian test captain | A new captain has a lot of challenges and a lot on his mind. I don't have any expectations from a captain. My expectations are from myself. If I am playing, I should prepare myself thoroughly and give my best Mayank Chaudhary: Ravindra Jadeja recently spoke about captaincy in Test cricket. He said a captain only needs to change two to three fielders, and it's not that complicated compared to T20s. Do you feel the same? A T20 is a bit more challenging when it comes to captaining a team. You always have time to make a comeback in Test cricket. In T20 cricket, if you change something — or you don't — or if you are, let's say, one or two overs late in making a change, the whole outlook of the game can change. A T20 game is very fast, just like football. I'm sure Jaddu must have said the same thing in that context. In Tests, even if you have one bad day, you can lift the team with a better performance the next day. Obviously, he (Jadeja) has played over 70-75 Tests and has experience leading a group, so he understands these things much better. I'm still new to these things… I've played only about 15 Tests. Mayank Chaudhary: How seriously do you take your batting? I try to contribute as much as I can, but not all my focus is on my batting. If I'm playing, I'll play as a bowler. No one will pick me for my batting. I've played as a genuine wicket-taker. Batting is just a plus. Devendra Pandey: They say a person's identity is known by the city he comes from. You are from Kanpur; have its 'smart, shrewd, chatur' traits been imbibed by you? It has helped a lot. If you are game-smart, it helps. A smart cricketer makes better decisions. You know how to escape being hit in bowling! But there have been a lot more 'street-smart' people than me here. Bahut tez (sharp) log jo insaan ko bech bhi dete hai (People who can even sell people!) I am not that chalaak (clever)! I used to move with some kids in U-15 and U-19 days jo coach ko hi bech dete (fool or scare coaches). I remember a player who was upset with the coach for not giving sufficient attention to him during training. During our U-15 days, a chap changed the way he looked, camouflaged himself, and covered himself in a bedsheet and blanket and stood outside the coach's room for half an hour. He waited for the coach to get up, see him, get scared and run for his life — which is exactly what happened. A lot of such incidents. If you survive here, wohi dhanya hai! (That itself is a blessing!) Devendra Pandey: How do you handle your finances? My father takes care of those things and I am just free to play. There are marriage talks of course and I guess it will happen soon. Not too soon as I have time. We plan to start a sports complex in Kanpur. The work has started where we will set up a cricket academy, football … and other sports as well. Hopefully, it will be ready in two-three years. Kids can have a future in sports, apart from cricket. I don't drive cars in Kanpur as it's one of the more dangerous places. Driving is difficult here. You will get 500 abuses in five minutes. I don't feel like driving here. A couple of years ago, I got a Mercedes. But I have driven it just once. Koi fayda nahi hai (no use). The roads aren't great either, potholes galore. When I come home, I just feel like relaxing at home. Devendra Pandey: You come across as a happy, cheerful person. Did you get into fights growing up in Kanpur? One should be happy. Keep expectations to your game; not from life in general. I am content, not greedy. Got to be peaceful.I don't fight. As a kid, I remember a boy who used to sit near me at school, he used to fight with me and bahut maara bhi hai mujhe (has hit me a lot too). Sriram Veera: Tell us about your banter with Rinku Singh that earned you lot of criticism. Oh yes. Rinku is ghar ka ladka. He has stayed at my home a lot. He is like a younger brother. He has been with me from U-16 days. People saw on camera that I hit him but let me tell you he is a kalakaar (character). What can I tell them about our relationship? People don't understand, and I can't keep explaining these things.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Digvesh Rathi's gestures to Champak the robot dog: A-Z of IPL 2025
The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League was nothing short of a blockbuster. It gave us fiery debuts, emotional farewells, chaotic finishes, and moments that trended far beyond the boundary ropes. From a 14-year-old sensation rewriting history to veterans signing off in style, this season had something for everyone. Here's a rapid-fire A–Z of all the madness, milestones, and magic that defined IPL 2025: Delhi Capitals' Ashutosh Sharma delivered a stunning unbeaten 66 off 31 balls, rescuing his team from 65/5 to chase down 210 against Lucknow Super Giants. His explosive finish, scoring 46 runs off his last 11 balls, was hailed as one of the top innings of the season. Yuzvendra Chahal made history with a 4-wicket over against CSK—including a hat-trick—and helped defend the lowest total ever in IPL in another match against KKR: just 111 runs. Introducing "Champak," the robot dog that became a fan favorite by delivering balls to umpires and engaging with crowds, adding a futuristic flair to the matches. Became known for his exuberant wicket celebrations, Digvesh Rathi's antics, including a controversial Mankad attempt against Jitesh Sharma, led to fines and debates about sportsmanship . Is he the anti-hero IPL needs right now? Suryakumar Yadav set a unique record by scoring exactly 25 runs in every innings he played this season, showcasing unparalleled consistency. Abhishek Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi lit up the season with rapid centuries, each reaching the milestone in under 40 balls, thrilling fans across venues. Cricket legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their retirements from the Test matches, marking the end of an era and leaving fans emotional and nostalgic, during the tournament. Sunrisers Hyderabad set the season's highest team total and executed the most successful run chase, showcasing their explosive batting lineup. Sai Sudharsan emerged as the season's top run-scorer, delivering consistent performances that anchored his team's batting throughout the tournament. After recovering from injury, Jasprit Bumrah made a remarkable comeback, leading Mumbai Indians' bowling attack with precision and pace. KL Rahul silenced critics with a stellar season, amassing 539 runs and playing a pivotal role in Delhi Capitals' campaign, which also saw him become the only batter to hit three centuries for three different franchises. Punjab Kings showcased exceptional bowling and fielding to defend a modest total of 111 runs, setting a new IPL record for the lowest total successfully defended. MS Dhoni's appearances at the crease caused stadiums to erupt, with fans flocking to matches primarily to witness the legend in action one last time. Ashish Nehra, affectionately known as "Nehra Ji," quietly guided Gujarat Titans to their third playoff appearance in four seasons, earning admiration for his strategic acumen. In the middle of the IPL season, all matches were halted for a week as India launched Operation Sindoor—an intense military response to cross-border attacks. The country stood united, and even cricket paused in solidarity. IPL teams embraced creativity with vibrant and thematic posters, engaging fans and adding a visual spectacle to the season's narrative. The race to the playoffs remained undecided until the final league match, with multiple teams vying for spots, making it one of the most competitive seasons yet. Rishabh Pant silenced his detractors with a commanding 118 off 61 balls in the final league match, showcasing his resilience and flair . Shreyas Iyer made history by leading three different teams to the IPL playoffs, demonstrating his leadership versatility and tactical prowess. The International Pavilion became a hub for cross-cultural interactions, with players and fans from around the world sharing experiences and traditions. Several umpiring decisions sparked debates and trended on social media, highlighting the need for technological enhancements and consistency in officiating. At just 14, stunned the IPL—scoring a six off his first ball, smashing a 35-ball century, and becoming the youngest IPL centurion ever. His fearless batting made him the breakout star of 2025. The presence of WAGs like Jasmin Walia, Mahvash, Maddie Hamilton, and Avneet Kaur added glamour and garnered significant media attention throughout the season. The strategic use of impact players frequently altered match outcomes, underscoring the importance of adaptability and bench strength. Lucknow Super Giants' Mitchell Marsh has scored the most runs -- 299 runs in 6 matches at an average of 168.9 -- as an impact player. Chennai Super Kings faced a challenging season, finishing at the bottom of the table for the first time, leaving their devoted "Yellow Army" disheartened. Former cricketer and blowling coach for Lucknow Super Giants Zaheer Khan and actress Sagarika Ghatge celebrated the birth of their son, Fatehsinh Khan, bringing joy to fans and the cricketing community
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Karun Nair kisses helmet in stirring celebration after double century on comeback to Indian red-ball setup
Karun Nair delivered a timely reminder of his long-format pedigree with a marathon double century on Day 2 of the first unofficial Test against the England Lions on Saturday. The right-hander's 272-ball double-ton comes at a time when India has lost two of its biggest batting stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma; furthermore, Nair is part of the Test squad for the England series. The marathon knock has boosted Nair's contention for a spot in the XI when India returns to the format in the first Test on June 20. Nair appeared assured from the outset as he made his return to Indian colours, albeit in an unofficial match. He displayed a vast array of strokes – crisp drives, powerful pulls, deft steers, and even a reverse sweep – as he punished a tiring Lions attack. His innings included 26 boundaries and a six, and he brought up his double century with a punchy four. Nair's innings came to an end after he was caught behind on 204 off 281 deliveries against Zaman Akhter. The batter, 31, was also a part of Delhi Capitals' IPL 2025 campaign, making his return to the league after three years on the back of a stellar domestic season. What makes this effort even more compelling is the absence of rival contender Sai Sudharsan from the India A tour. The left-hander, who had a breakout IPL season with Gujarat Titans, is yet to link up with the red-ball setup in England. With Abhimanyu Easwaran also part of the touring party, the fight for one of the vacant top-order spots has intensified, and Nair may have just taken a decisive lead. This is not Nair's first taste of success on English soil. He struck an unbeaten 202 for Northamptonshire in the 2024 County Championship at Edgbaston, also the venue for the second India-England Test. His familiarity with English conditions makes a compelling case for his selection for the opening match. Nair is one of only two Indian batters – the other being Virender Sehwag – to have scored a triple hundred in Test cricket; his 303* against England in 2016 remains etched in memory. Add his 328 in the Ranji Trophy and this latest double ton, and it's clear: Karun Nair doesn't do small scores.
