CAPTAIN SHREYAS LEADS FROM THE FRONT

Shreyas Iyer made a grand return to IPL 2025, leading Punjab Kings (PBKS) to an electrifying victory over Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad

March 26, 2025

Shreyas Iyer made a grand return to IPL 2025, leading Punjab Kings (PBKS) to an electrifying victory over Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad. The former title-winning captain played a blistering knock, guiding his team to their second-highest total ever before securing an 11-run win.

Iyer was on the brink of a century, sitting at 97 off 42 balls when the final over began. But instead of chasing personal glory, he instructed his partner, Shashank Singh, to focus on the team’s total. Coming in at No. 3, a position he had set his sights on before the season, Iyer unleashed sheer carnage, smashing nine sixes in a career-best IPL innings. He targeted every bowler, dispatching Kagiso Rabada and Sai Kishore for massive hits and even taking down Rashid Khan with two towering sixes. His intent was clear from the start—PBKS needed a huge score at a venue where chases usually dominate. And with the dew setting in, he ensured his team had enough on the board.

Priyansh Arya, a young left-handed opener, also made a strong impact. Endorsed by Ricky Ponting in pre-season, the 24-year-old lived up to the hype, cracking eight boundaries in the powerplay against world-class pacers like Mohammed Siraj and Rabada. Meanwhile, Shashank Singh played the perfect finisher’s role, hammering half of his 16 balls to the boundary. His best moment came in the final over when he took Siraj apart, plundering 23 runs to give PBKS the final push.

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Simmons To Coach Bangladesh until the end of 2027 World Cup


The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed on Tuesday that Phil Simmons will continue as the head coach of the national men’s team until the ICC ODI World Cup 2027.

The 61-year-old initially signed a contract until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 but has now been entrusted with a long-term role. In his first stint with Bangladesh from October 2024 to February 2025, Simmons coached the team through series against South Africa, Afghanistan, and the West Indies leading up to a major ICC event.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Simmons said, "I am delighted to continue working with Bangladesh cricket. This team has incredible talent, and I believe we can achieve great things together. The passion and skill I’ve witnessed so far have been truly inspiring."

He further added, "My time with this squad has been extremely rewarding. Their energy, commitment, and determination to improve have been impressive. I’m excited to help them grow and take Bangladesh cricket to new heights."

A former West Indies cricketer, Simmons played 26 Tests and 143 ODIs between 1987 and 1999. His coaching career began with Zimbabwe in 2004, followed by an eight-year tenure with Ireland (2007–2015). He also had two stints as West Indies head coach, leading them to ICC World T20 glory in 2016, and worked with Afghanistan from 2018 to 2019.

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“I straightaway called Abhishek [Sharma] and asked, 'What are you guys expecting, do I have to come and hit each and every ball?"

Given Sunrisers Hyderabad's takedown of IPL records, Ishan Kishan wanted to know exactly what he was in for when he was bought at the auction

Domestic cricket + T20 leagues

  • Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings

    PBKS 243/5 (20)

    GT 232/5 (20)

    Punjab Kings won by 11 runs

On This Day

Chaos erupted on day three of the Cape Town Test when Cameron Bancroft and Steven Smith confessed to ball-tampering, after TV cameras caught Bancroft trying to hide a small yellow object—later confirmed as sandpaper—inside his trousers. Earlier, he had used it on the ball in an attempt to aid reverse swing.

At a post-match press conference, Smith admitted that the team’s leadership group had discussed tampering as a tactic to manipulate the ball's movement. The scandal led Cricket Australia to take swift action, forcing Smith and his deputy, David Warner, to step down from their leadership roles on day four—the same day South Africa wrapped up a massive victory. The match also marked a career-best performance for Morne Morkel, who claimed 9 for 110 in what was his farewell series.

The fallout was severe. Smith and Warner, identified as the masterminds behind the plan, were banned for a year, while Bancroft received a nine-month suspension from international and domestic cricket. The scandal shook Australian cricket to its core, leaving a lasting impact on the sport.

Coming tomorrow

  • New Zealand vs Pakistan

  • Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders

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