Shreyas Iyer’s stellar leadership turned Punjab Kings’ fortunes around in IPL 2025, taking them from ninth place to the final. Amidst injuries, inexperience, and exits, Iyer led with composure, scoring 604 runs and guiding youngsters with belief. Though PBKS fell just six runs short in the final, Shreyas’ inspiring captaincy drew praise for resurrecting a struggling franchise.
Rob Walter has been appointed as the new head coach of the New Zealand men’s cricket team across all formats, succeeding Gary Stead. Walter, a 49-year-old South African, brings a wealth of experience, including guiding South Africa to significant achievements in recent World Cups and Champions Trophy.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the IPL in 2025. Celebrations turned deadly due to a stampede. A prior warning from a Chennai Super Kings fan club resurfaced. The warning highlighted safety issues at Chinnaswamy Stadium. RCB announced financial aid for the victims’ families. The incident sparked debate on fan safety and event management. Over fifty people sustained injuries during the stampede.
Iga Swiatek’s impressive 26-match French Open winning streak ended amidst controversy as chair umpire Kader Nouni denied her request to inspect a mark on the clay during her semifinal clash with Aryna Sabalenka. Sabalenka capitalized on the moment, ultimately defeating Swiatek in three sets to advance to her first French Open final.
England’s chief selector, Luke Wright, has raised hopes for Jofra Archer’s return to Test cricket in the second match against India at Edgbaston, marking a potential comeback after a four-year absence due to injuries. Archer is set to prove his fitness through second-team games and a match for Sussex against Durham.
Aryna Sabalenka ended Iga Swiatek’s reign at the French Open, securing a 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-0 victory in the semifinal. This win halted Swiatek’s 26-match winning streak at Roland Garros and her bid for a fourth consecutive title. Sabalenka now advances to the final, where she will face Coco Gauff or Loïs Boisson, aiming for her first major title on clay.
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma were seen in Mumbai after RCB’s IPL victory celebration, which was overshadowed by a tragic stampede in Bengaluru. The stampede, occurring during the team’s homecoming, resulted in 11 fatalities and numerous injuries. Kohli expressed his grief, and the RCB franchise conveyed condolences, turning a moment of triumph into one of mourning.
After an 18-year wait, Virat Kohli finally clinched the IPL trophy as RCB successfully defended their total. Kohli’s emotional celebration, shared with Anushka Sharma and fans, highlighted the victory. His sister, Bhawna Kohli, shared heartfelt messages and family photos, celebrating the long-awaited triumph and expressing pride, while remembering their father.
Gautam Gambhir revealed that a decision on how many Test matches Jasprit Bumrah will play in the upcoming series against England is yet to be made, emphasizing discussions with Bumrah will determine his availability based on the series’ progress. Shubman Gill is set to lead India in the five-Test series, marking the start of their World Test Championship campaign.
Gautam Gambhir has strongly hinted at Karun Nair’s inclusion in the playing XI for the upcoming England Test series, emphasizing the importance of rewarding players with consistent performances. Nair’s impressive domestic form, including a double century against England Lions, coupled with Gambhir’s backing, makes his selection at Headingley increasingly probable.