The IPL 2025 final witnessed Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s historic win against Punjab Kings, drawing a record 169 million viewers in India. Surpassing the India vs Pakistan 2021 T20 World Cup match, it achieved an impressive TVR of 11. The match generated 15 billion minutes of watch-time, exceeding previous records.
Agni Chopra, son of Bollywood figures, carved his own path in cricket, overcoming assumptions and proving his dedication. Despite early success in Mumbai’s U-23 team, Ranji selection eluded him, leading to a stint with Mizoram. Now, MI New York has picked him for $50,000 in MLC 2025, offering a fresh start and a chance to compete against top-tier talent.
Steve Smith’s participation in the upcoming West Indies Test tour is in doubt after a painful compound dislocation of his finger during the World Test Championship final against South Africa. The injury occurred while fielding at slip, forcing him to leave the field and be taken to the hospital for treatment.
In October 2026, the ICC and MCC will introduce a new catching rule in cricket, disallowing ‘bunny-hop’ catches where fielders jump from outside the boundary to touch the ball. Fielders can still push the ball from within the boundary, step out, and dive back in to complete a catch.
Following a challenging day three in the WTC final, Australian assistant coach Daniel Vettori praised Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram’s resilient partnership. South Africa now needs just 69 runs with eight wickets remaining. Vettori acknowledged the difficulty of taking the remaining wickets and expressed concern over Steve Smith’s finger injury.
Sam Burns fired a stunning 65 at Oakmont, seizing the US Open lead at three-under, as other top players faltered. J.J. Spaun sits one stroke back, followed by Viktor Hovland. Heavy rains suspended play, while McIlroy barely made the cut and DeChambeau missed it, along with Mickelson. Scheffler and Rahm are seven shots behind Burns.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, once guided by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, now steps into a senior role for India’s Test series in England. With Rohit and Virat absent, the young Indian team, led by Shubman Gill, faces a tough challenge. Coach Jwala Singh emphasizes the need for Jaiswal to balance aggression with caution, anchoring the batting lineup in demanding English conditions.
The expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States promises compelling narratives, including Lionel Messi’s return against European teams and the emergence of PSG’s Desire Doue. Manchester City aim to rebound with new signings, while South American clubs bring mid-season energy. Atletico Madrid, hungry for silverware, seek a strong showing after a trophyless season.
Aiden Markram’s century has put South Africa in a commanding position in the ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia. Chasing 282, the Proteas ended day three at 213 for two, needing just 69 more runs to win.
India’s intrasquad game in Beckenham saw Shubman Gill and KL Rahul scoring impressive half-centuries, showcasing their batting acumen ahead of the England Test series. Shardul Thakur’s bowling stood out, as he exploited the conditions to claim crucial wickets. The team observed a minute’s silence for the Air India plane crash victims, marking a sombre start to their preparations.