Ahmedabad’s mood ahead of the IPL 2025 final between RCB and PBKS is unexpectedly subdued, with low fan turnout and sluggish merchandise sales. Despite star power and high stakes, the city lacks buzz. Rain remains a threat but excitement lingers as fans await a new champion. Will it be Rajat Patidar’s RCB or Shreyas Iyer’s Punjab Kings?

As the Indian footballing landscape navigates a period of turmoil, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey has hit back vehemently at former international Baichung Bhutia. The former called out Bhutia for ‘misleading’ several families after the latter called for the President’s resignation earlier. Chaubey also spoke on India head coach Manolo Marquez and his future.

Suresh Raina celebrated MS Dhoni’s induction into the ICC Hall of Fame, acknowledging his significant impact on cricket. Raina highlighted Dhoni’s calm leadership, game-changing contributions, and unwavering commitment as inspirations for millions. Dhoni, now the 11th Indian in the Hall of Fame, is celebrated for his unparalleled leadership and remarkable achievements with the bat and behind the stumps.

Sai Sudharsan expressed immense joy and gratitude upon his Test selection, emphasizing his focus on patience and adapting to the red-ball format. Gujarat Titans, after their loss to LSG, are gearing up to face CSK, aiming to regain momentum and secure a top-two position before the playoffs. Concerns remain about GT’s lower-middle order batting performance.

Shreyas Iyer achieved a milestone, becoming the fifth IPL captain to secure 50 wins as Punjab Kings (PBKS) defeated Mumbai Indians. PBKS advances to the IPL final for the second time. Iyer has captained Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and PBKS, boasting a win percentage exceeding 57%.

Virat Kohli, who captained India to the WTC final in 2021, has announced his retirement from Test cricket after 123 matches. He scored 9230 runs, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. Kohli expressed gratitude for the game and his experiences, while former cricketer Harbhajan Singh questioned the timing of his decision.

JioStar’s broadcast of IPL 2025 reached over a billion viewers, amassing 840 billion minutes of watch-time. The RCB vs PBKS final became the most-watched T20 match ever, with 31.7 billion minutes consumed. Digital consumption surged by 29%, while linear TV also achieved record-breaking viewership, marking a monumental success for the tournament.

South Africa have named a formidable lineup for their highly anticipated clash against Australia in the ICC World Test Championship Final, set to begin on Monday, June 11. Captain Temba Bavuma unveiled the playing XI for the summit clash, featuring a blend of experience and youthful energy.

Following Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement, Madan Lal has proposed Jasprit Bumrah for India’s Test captaincy, citing his consistent performance and permanent team status. Bumrah’s previous captaincy stint includes a win against Australia and a loss against England. Rohit Sharma’s retirement marks the end of a career that included 67 Tests, 4,301 runs, and 12 centuries.

Shubman Gill’s captaincy debut for India at Headingley ended in a five-wicket defeat against England, despite his first-innings century. England chased down 371, overshadowing Gill’s promising start. The article revisits the debuts of the previous ten Indian Test captains, highlighting varied outcomes from victories under Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble to Virat Kohli’s valiant effort in Adelaide.