Faf du Plessis has been named as the vice-captain of Delhi Capitals (DC) for IPL 2025, supporting skipper Axar Patel.

After leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) till the end of IPL 2024, du Plessis was released by the franchise ahead of the mega auction. DC picked him up at his base price of ₹2 crore (approximately $0.24 million), choosing him over KL Rahul, another experienced IPL captain who also joined the team this year.

Du Plessis has been a part of the IPL since 2012 when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) signed him. He stayed with them until 2015 before moving to Rising Pune Supergiant during CSK’s suspension. After CSK’s return, he rejoined them and remained there until 2021. In 2022, RCB bought him and immediately handed him the captaincy after Virat Kohli stepped down. Under his leadership, RCB made it to the playoffs in 2022 and 2024 but couldn’t clinch the elusive IPL trophy.

At 40, du Plessis remains an active force in franchise cricket. In the IPL, he has amassed 4,571 runs in 145 matches at an average of 35.99 and a strike rate of 136.37. Earlier this year, he played in SA20 for Joburg Super Kings and is also being considered by Southern Brave for The Hundred, with DC’s parent company, GMR Group, working on a potential deal.

DC, still in pursuit of their maiden IPL title, have undergone major changes ahead of the new season. They revamped their coaching staff, parting ways with Ricky Ponting and bringing in Hemang Badani as head coach, Matthew Mott as assistant coach, Kevin Pietersen as mentor, and Munaf Patel, Venugopal Rao, and Vijay Bharadwaj in other key roles. Leadership changes were also part of this overhaul, with Axar Patel replacing Rishabh Pant, who went back into the auction and was later picked up by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as their captain.

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International games

• No International Games Today

Chetan Sakariya to replace the injured Umran Malik at KKR.

Chetan Sakariya has been named as a replacement player for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2025, stepping in amid squad adjustments.

Umran Malik, who has played eight T20Is and taken 11 wickets at an economy rate of 10.48, is ruled out due to injury. Meanwhile, Sakariya, with two T20I appearances and a lone wicket at an economy of 9.27, gets an opportunity to fill in. KKR initially had Spencer Johnson as their preferred left-arm fast bowler, and now Sakariya could step into that role. However, with Malik sidelined, the team lacks an Indian pace option to cover for Anrich Nortje, who has also struggled with injuries.

Sakariya was part of KKR’s squad as a reserve player last season and worked as a net bowler before earning his spot as a replacement this year. Speaking about his return, he expressed excitement and gratitude.

"I feel very happy. It feels like I never left the squad and have just rejoined with the same energy and in the same environment," Sakariya told KKR Knight Club. "I am very grateful to the KKR management for trusting me. I am in a good state of mind and have prepared well."

He is particularly looking forward to working under KKR’s coaching staff, which includes Bharat Arun and Dwayne Bravo.

"Our coaching staff helps with both technical and tactical aspects," he said. "If we need any help with match planning, we can go to DJ Bravo. If there’s an issue with our rhythm or technique, Bharat Arun is renowned for that. So as fast bowlers, we get the best of both."

KKR, the defending IPL champions, will be aiming to retain their title after defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2024 final.

Domestic cricket + T20 leagues

• Sri Lankan Lions vs Indian Royals

  IR 148/7 (20)

  SLLS 136 (20)

  Indian Royals won by 12 runs

On This Day

Before the 1996 World Cup, nobody gave Sri Lanka a real chance—they were ranked as 100-1 outsiders. But they defied all odds, completing their fairy-tale run with a dominant victory over Australia in the final at Lahore. No true underdog had ever won a major tournament with such conviction.

After crushing England in the quarter-finals and India in the semis, Sri Lanka dismantled Australia with ease. Aravinda de Silva delivered a masterclass, scoring a flawless 107* while also taking three wickets, two catches, and earning a well-deserved Man of the Match award. Captain Arjuna Ranatunga then calmly guided the team to victory, securing the winning runs with 22 balls and seven wickets in hand. It was a triumph that changed Sri Lankan cricket forever.

Coming tomorrow

• New Zealand vs Pakistan, 2nd T20I

• New Zealand Women vs Sri Lanka Women, 3rd T20I

What else is happening

• BCCI gives go-ahead for Torrent takeover of Gujarat Titans

• IPL captains meet scheduled in BCCI office on March 20