Tag: ipl 2025

The IPL 2025 Team of the Tournament

Posted on By Kabir Khan No Comments on The IPL 2025 Team of the Tournament

IPL 2025 was a tournament like no other. Apart from being disrupted by a war and having a new winner, it had a whole clutch of players making significant impacts across teams. That makes picking a Tournament XI (or XII with an impact player) doubly difficult. For example, who do you pick as an opener when all, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Mitchell Marsh, Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre make different but compelling cases? Let us solve just that dilemma through this selection. Also Read | IPL 2025: How much prize money champions RCB, Punjab Kings take home? The openers From among the worthy candidates listed above, I have gone for Phil Salt and Sai Sudharsan. It was a wrench leaving Kohli out, especially in a championship-winning season. But Sudharsan as opener was probably the best of the lot, and to complement his stability – and given the batting to follow – I have gone for the more explosive Salt. The middle-order These picks should meet with near-universal acclaim: Jos Buttler, Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer. Buttler was easily the best No. 3 in the competition and will be the ideal man to come in regardless of whether there is a set platform or a wicket has fallen early. He will be followed by the best batter in the tournament, Suryakumar Yadav. The run of scores that SKY racked up is still unbelievable. He achieved consistency without sacrificing scoring speed in the most volatile format. Batting one spot below the No. 4 as he had during the latter half of the IPL is Shreyas Iyer, who will also be the team captain. Shreyas had a pretty incredible season with the bat alone, unveiling his revamped white-ball game in its full glory. His leadership of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) was inspirational and astute, and he marshalled a team with several rookies expertly. Also Read | RCB’s IPL 2025: End of an 18-year wait — tracing RCB’s journey to glory The lower middle-order Krunal Pandya is a sure-shot entry. He has had an underrated superstar season, coming to the fore with the ball in almost every match, and doing the job with the bat too when he was required. Krunal had his best-ever wicket-taking season as a bowler, taking 17 wickets overall. While he is slotted into the lower middle-order, he is not someone who can hit out right off the bat. He will be more of a firefighter than a firestarter, so the two men alongside him need to be of the type who can get going fast. Both Jitesh Sharma and Naman Dhir have shown that ability amply this IPL. They are among the best at starting quickly, while also having the ability to finish explosively. Jitesh’s keeping has also been understatedly brilliant, so he will take the gloves ahead of Buttler or Salt (who was great in the outfield anyway). The bowlers Three pace bowlers had standout seasons: Josh Hazlewood, Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna. They are all automatic entrants in the Team of the Tournament. Hazlewood was Bangalore’s colossus, incisive whenever he came on, and hard to score off to boot. Prasidh showed impressive control of length, which allied with his natural strengths of pace, bounce, and movement to fetch him the most number of wickets for the season. Also Read | IPL 2025 recap: From Kohli and RCB conquering final frontier to decline of champions As for Bumrah, well, he was Bumrah. A cut above the rest, a genius nonpareil, and a bowler who can seemingly conjure magic on demand. Even when he gave up a 20-run over, he ensured his next three overs went for just 20. A champion if there ever was one. Two left-arm wrist spinners were in contention: Noor Ahmad and Kuldeep Yadav. Noor won because he had to perform for a team where most others were floundering consistently. He often did not have the cushion of runs to play with and inconsistent bowling support. Yet he shone brightly for CSK. Kuldeep was also excellent, but he had a better team around him. The XII: Sai Sudharsan, Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Naman Dhir, Krunal Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Josh Hazlewood, Noor Ahmad. There are four players from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), one from Punjab Kings (PBKS), three from Mumbai Indians (MI), three from Gujarat Titans (GT) and one from Chennai Super Kings (CSK). This XII also satisfies the four overseas player criteria (Salt, Buttler, Halzewood and Noor). None of the bowlers can really bat, but given their own skills and the batting line-up they have, they won’t really need to. So one of them can sit out of the batting XI. Buttler might well be the one to sit out of the bowling XI, since he won’t have the gloves. Source link

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After IPL 2025 win, Krunal Pandya reveals telephone chat with brother Hardik Pandya | Cricket News

Posted on By Kabir Khan No Comments on After IPL 2025 win, Krunal Pandya reveals telephone chat with brother Hardik Pandya | Cricket News

Krunal Pandya (BCCI/IPL Photo) NEW DELHI: Krunal Pandya delivered a Player of the Match performance to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday.Picked up by RCB for Rs 5.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, Krunal brought out his full arsenal, refusing to let Punjab Kings gain control during their chase.His spell of 2 for 17, which included the crucial wickets of Prabhsimran Singh and Josh Inglis, proved to be a game-changer and played a key role in RCB’s six-run victory.Krunal later revealed that he had set his intentions clearly with the franchise during his very first conversation — he was there to win trophies — and he made good on that promise with a match-defining performance.“When we batted, we realised the slower you bowl, the better it is. In this format, you need guts to do it. I just backed myself and thought I’d vary my pace and keep it on the slower side more often. My biggest strength has been to learn what the situation requires. I knew I had to be brave to get wickets tonight. Thought I’d do that by bowling slow. If you’d have bowled quick, it’d have been a good wicket. But if you mixed it up, it was tougher. Pitch actually got easier in the second innings,” said Krunal while collecting the POTM trophy.“Have enjoyed my time with RCB so far. I told them on day one that I like to win trophies. I told Hardik too that the Pandya household will have nine trophies in 11 years,” he added. Krunal now has four IPL titles to his name — three with Mumbai Indians — and Tuesday’s performance marked the second time he has won the Player of the Match award in an IPL final. The first came in 2017, when he scored 47 off 38 balls to help Mumbai Indians defeat the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant. Source link

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Akash Ambani’s emotional speech to Mumbai Indians players after IPL 2025 exit – WATCH | Cricket News

Posted on By Kabir Khan No Comments on Akash Ambani’s emotional speech to Mumbai Indians players after IPL 2025 exit – WATCH | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Mumbai Indians (MI) missed out on reaching the IPL final for the fifth straight season, crashing out after a loss to Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 2 on Sunday, June 1. Batting first, the Hardik Pandya-led side posted a solid 203/6. Despite picking up two early wickets in the powerplay, MI couldn’t keep PBKS from staying in the hunt.A brilliant unbeaten knock of 87 off 41 balls from Shreyas Iyer guided PBKS to a successful chase in 19 overs, with five wickets in hand. After the defeat, MI owner Akash Ambani visited the dressing room to speak with the players.“The last thing that I want to leave you with it’s actually one of my dad’s quotes that situations and circumstances like this can either make two choices, right: Becoming a bitter person or becoming a better person. And better person applies to each and everyone individually of what it takes skills wise, mentality wise, team spirit wise,” Akash said.“I am sure as hell and it is certain no one should take whatever is lost bitterly. We should take it better and understand what it takes. What it takes to be a champion of the IPL. Wishing you all the best for the upcoming nine months to be. See you guys soon and thank you for everything.”MI had a rocky start to their IPL 2025 campaign, winning just one of their first five matches. They turned things around mid-season and finished fourth with eight wins from 14 games. IPL 2025 Final, RCB vs Punjab Kings: The wait will finally end in Ahmedabad A chance to finish in the top two slipped away after a final league-stage defeat—again to PBKS, who later ended MI’s playoff run. Prior to that, MI had kept their hopes alive by beating Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator on May 30.Now, PBKS will face RCB in the IPL 2025 final on Tuesday, June 3. Both teams are eyeing their maiden IPL title, having been part of the league since its beginning. Source link

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RCB vs PBKS IPL 2025 finals: Bengaluru restaurants, pubs expecting 3X crowd on Tuesday; how are they preparing for it?

Posted on By Kabir Khan No Comments on RCB vs PBKS IPL 2025 finals: Bengaluru restaurants, pubs expecting 3X crowd on Tuesday; how are they preparing for it?

As Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are set to face Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the finals of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Tuesday (June 3), restaurants and pubs across Bengaluru are bracing for two or three times the usual footfall, driven by a high demand from RCB fans, according to a report by The Hindu. Vinay Chandrashekhar, partner at Long Boat Brewing Co, Marathahalli, told the publication that while a typical Tuesday sees around 350-450 people, he is expecting at least 700 to 800 on June 3. Meanwhile, Alister Braganza, Senior Regional Business Manager, South at Impressario, which owns SOCIAL, said foot traffic at their outlets on Tuesday is anticipated to be three times higher than on a typical weekday. Notably, SOCIAL has many outlets across the city. How are restaurants preparing? Several restaurants have installed giant LED screens for a better viewing experience, introduced new items on the menu, organised several activities and will play Kannada songs to attract customers. With the good performance of RCB, the IPL 2025 season has been a blessing for most restaurants and pubs amid various challenges faced by the industry, including rising beer prices. Most restaurants and pubs are expected to be crowded on the final day, with several cricket enthusiasts already facing difficulties in bookings due to high demand. Customers advised to use public transport Amid the anticipation of a large crowd in restaurants across the city, restaurateurs have advised customers to use public transport. “The city is going to be chock-a-block on that day and hence, we are advising our patrons to not drive but take cabs or public transport. Parking is also going to be an issue if there are too many vehicles,” said Chethan Hegde, head of the Bengaluru chapter of the National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI), told Hindu. IPL 2025 finals The IPL 2025 final match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) will be held on June 3, 2025, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm. The IPL 2025 finals match is a much-anticipated game among cricket enthusiasts as both RCB and PBKS have never lifted the IPL trophy before. Source link

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IPL Qualifier 2 PBK vs MI: Rohit Sharma’s luck runs out, Marcus Stoinis roars in celebration

Posted on By Kabir Khan No Comments on IPL Qualifier 2 PBK vs MI: Rohit Sharma’s luck runs out, Marcus Stoinis roars in celebration

Rohit Sharma’s fortune finally ran out in the IPL 2025 playoffs on Sunday, 1 June. After riding his luck to a match-winning 81 in the Eliminator against Gujarat Titans—capitalising on two dropped catches in Mullanpur—Rohit was dismissed for just eight in Qualifier 2, despite another early life at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Rohit fell in the third over, caught in the deep mid-wicket region while attempting to hit Marcus Stoinis out of the attack. Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer surprised many by handing the third over to Stoinis, a part-time medium pacer. The move, however, turned out to be a tactical masterstroke as the Australian all-rounder delivered the breakthrough with his very first over. | IPL Qualifier 2 PBKS vs MI Coverage | It was a short-pitched delivery that begged to be put away, and Rohit obliged—but failed to middle it. Stoinis was visibly ecstatic after claiming the prized wicket. The Australian celebrated in animated fashion, roaring in Rohit’s direction on his follow-through. He was quickly joined by his teammates, who recognised the significance of the early breakthrough. Just two days prior, Rohit had been dropped twice by Gujarat in the Eliminator and went on to score a 50-ball 81 that propelled Mumbai Indians to a commanding total of 228. This time, however, the opener couldn’t ride his luck any further. Shreyas Iyer’s decision to introduce Stoinis early was a calculated risk, given Punjab were missing key pacer Marco Jansen for the playoffs. With only Arshdeep Singh and Kyle Jamieson as frontline seamers, the skipper was forced to explore alternative options—and it paid off handsomely. Despite Rohit’s early dismissal, Mumbai maintained an aggressive approach. Jonny Bairstow and Tilak Varma ensured the momentum didn’t drop, powering MI to 65 runs in the powerplay. Notably, the start of Qualifier 2 between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians was delayed by two hours and 15 minutes due to rain. Punjab won the toss and elected to field at 7:00 pm IST, only for the skies to open soon after. Fortunately, the game eventually began at 9:45 pm without any reduction in overs. Published By: Akshay Ramesh Published On: Jun 1, 2025 Tune In Source link

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Rahul Tewatia yells behind Jasprit Bumrah, MI pacer snaps with ‘don’t say this to me’ in tense verbal exchange

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The Mullanpur crowd witnessed a high-octane Eliminator clash in IPL 2025 on Friday as Mumbai Indians held their nerve in the death overs to edge past Gujarat Titans by 20 runs and march into Qualifier 2. But amid the crunch moments of the match, a fleeting verbal exchange between Jasprit Bumrah and Rahul Tewatia added drama to the already tensed contest. Rahul Tewatia had a tense exchange with Jasprit Bumrah during the IPL 2025 Eliminator match(IPL) The incident took place in the 18th over of the GT innings. Tewatia, who had earlier launched Bumrah for a six, looked eager to seize the moment again. However, after failing to connect with the next ball, Tewatia uttered a few words in frustration that seemed to catch Bumrah’s ear. “Don’t say this to me,” Bumrah shot back, turning around with a glare, visibly displeased. But the tension dissolved almost as quickly as it had escalated. Tewatia clarified that his words were self-directed. “Tujhe nahi keh raha tha, khud ko bol raha tha (I wasn’t saying it to you, I was saying it to myself),” he said, prompting a smile from Bumrah, who raised a hand in acknowledgement and walked back to his mark. Watch: By then, the match had swung multiple times. Chasing 214, GT were rocked early by Trent Boult, who dismissed Shubman Gill for 1 in just the fourth ball of the innings. But a counterattack by Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar kept the chase alive. With 45 needed off the last three overs, GT banked on Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan. Bumrah returned for the 18th and conceded just nine runs despite the six from Tewatia, leaving GT with a daunting 36 to get off the final 12 balls. Boult removed Rutherford early in the 19th, but Shahrukh smashed a six off the final ball, dragging GT within 24 of the target for the last over. But the ask proved too steep as MI sealed the game, dashing GT’s hopes of a second IPL crown. MI will now face Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad on June 1 for a place in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Source link

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How Rohit Sharma’s ‘luck’ powered Mumbai Indians into IPL Qualifier 2 | Cricket News

Posted on By Kabir Khan No Comments on How Rohit Sharma’s ‘luck’ powered Mumbai Indians into IPL Qualifier 2 | Cricket News

Rohit Sharma (image credit: BCCI/IPL) NEW DELHI: Mumbai Indians held their nerve better in a pressure-cooker Eliminator to outclass Gujarat Titans by 20 runs in a high-scoring IPL 2025 clash on Friday. Rohit Sharma (81 off 50) capitalised on early chances to play a pivotal knock, while Jonny Bairstow (47 off 22) made an instant impact on debut, powering MI to a commanding 228 for five in their 20 overs.After sealing a place in Qualifier 2, Player of the Match Rohit Sharma expressed pride in his side’s all-round effort.“I have got only four fifties. Would have loved to score more fifties. Good day for us as a team. I do understand the importance of playing this Eliminator and going through this and taking the next step forward. Really proud of a complete team effort,” Rohit said at the post-match presentation.“When I play the game, I try to do my best keeping everything aside. Making sure how I can do the job for the team. I had to make the most of the luck. I am glad I could do that. Get the team into a good position. It was going to be challenging with the dew coming. The bowlers held their nerves really well. To be honest, I have played those shots before in the tournament and found fielders. ‘I don’t want to be a one-season wonder’: Punjab Kings’ Shashank Singh “Somewhere down the line you got to be lucky and today was that day for me. I got lucky as those catches were dropped. But even after that you got to play. I was focussing on keeping the momentum and tempo going. Was a good bowling effort. Jonny I have watched him over the years from the other side. We know the quality he has. Lot of experience playing in this format. Never looked like he was playing the first game. We got the start and capitalized on it,” Rohit said.Mumbai Indians will now face Punjab Kings in Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The winner will meet Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2025 final on June 3.Gujarat Titans, despite being erratic in the field and with the ball, managed to stay in the hunt thanks to a masterful knock from Sai Sudharsan (80 off 49), but eventually fell short at 208 for six, bowing out of the tournament.Ultimately, it was Mumbai who won the crucial moments to stay alive in the playoffs. Despite the heavy dew, chasing down such a mammoth total in a knockout match demanded something extraordinary — and Sudharsan nearly delivered just that before his dismissal in the 16th over tilted the contest.Bumrah’s trademark yorker accounted for Washington Sundar (48 off 24), and Richard Gleeson struck the decisive blow by dismantling Sudharsan’s stumps when the left-hander missed a scoop, turning the tide in MI’s favour. Why no Shreyas Iyer for England tour? Coach Gautam Gambhir opens up While he was at the crease, Sudharsan’s strokeplay was a sight to behold. In a match dominated by brute power, the elegant left-hander stood out, threading gaps with surgical precision and timing.With the equation down to 36 off 12 balls, and left-handers Rahul Tewatia and Sherfane Rutherford at the crease, MI debutant Gleeson was handed the final over with 24 runs needed. He held his nerve to deliver three clinical deliveries, effectively sealing the win before walking off with an apparent hamstring issue. Source link

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IPL 2025 final: Three Army Chiefs unlikely to attend closing ceremony in Ahmedabad on June 3 – Report

Posted on By Kabir Khan No Comments on IPL 2025 final: Three Army Chiefs unlikely to attend closing ceremony in Ahmedabad on June 3 – Report

Three service chiefs of the Indian Armed Forces, who were invited by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council for the final match on June 3, are unlikely to attend the event according to a report. The Army chiefs were invited as a part of tribute to Operation Sindoor – the military operation in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam in Kashmir region that killed 26 civilians. Based on a NDTV report, the Army chiefs will not be present for the game. The IPL 2025 final will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have already qualified for the final after defeating Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1. RCB will face either Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans or Punjab Kings in the summit clash. “The BCCI salutes the bravery, courage, and selfless service of our armed forces, whose heroic efforts under Operation Sindoor continue to protect and inspire the nation. As a tribute, we have decided to dedicate the closing ceremony to the armed forces and honour our heroes,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had told TOI. IPL 2025 resumes on after week-long pause Meanwhile, the IPL 2025 closing ceremony will also feature performances by the military bands along with other prominent singers on board. Earlier, the IPL 2025 had to be stopped for a week due to Operation Sindoor. It resumes on May 17 after the ceasefire was agreed by both India and Pakistan. The BCCI too recognised the efforts of Indian Arme forces on resumption of IPL as the players sang National Anthems before the start of several matches. Messages of ‘Thank you, armed forces’ were displayed on the giant screens. Stay updated on all the action from theIPL 2025. Check theIPL 2025 Schedule, track the latestIPL 2025 Points Table, and follow the top performers with theOrange Cap andPurple Cap. Source link

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GT vs MI–IPL 2025 Eliminator-Match Preview

Posted on By Ravi Agarwal No Comments on GT vs MI–IPL 2025 Eliminator-Match Preview

Match Details GT vs MI – Head-to-Head Record In their seven encounters, Gujarat Titans have emerged victorious five times, while Mumbai Indians have won twice. Notably, GT defeated MI in both league matches this season, giving them a psychological edge heading into this eliminator. 🔍 Team Analysis Gujarat Titans (GT) GT finished third in the league stage with nine wins. Captain Shubman Gill has been in exceptional form, scoring 649 runs at a strike rate of 156.39. Sai Sudharsan leads the team’s run charts with 679 runs. In the bowling department, Prasidh Krishna has taken 23 wickets, while Mohammed Siraj has contributed 15 wickets. Probable XI: Mumbai Indians (MI) MI secured the fourth spot with eight wins. Suryakumar Yadav has been a standout performer, amassing 640 runs at an average of over 70 and a strike rate of 170. Jasprit Bumrah has led the bowling attack with 17 wickets at an economy rate of 6.33. Probable XI: 🏟️ Pitch & Weather Report The pitch at Mullanpur is balanced, offering assistance to both batters and bowlers. The average first innings score is around 170. Teams winning the toss might prefer to bat first, as setting a target has been advantageous in recent matches. 🔮 GT vs MI–IPL 2025 (Match Prediction) While Gujarat Titans have a superior head-to-head record and have won both encounters against MI this season, Mumbai Indians’ recent form and experience in knockout matches make them formidable opponents. Suryakumar Yadav’s red-hot form and the Bumrah-Boult bowling duo could tilt the match in MI’s favor. Read more…

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PBKS vs RCB: Punjab set unwanted IPL record after 101 all-out in Qualifier 1

Posted on By Kabir Khan No Comments on PBKS vs RCB: Punjab set unwanted IPL record after 101 all-out in Qualifier 1

The Punjab Kings recorded the second-lowest total in the history of IPL playoffs as Suyash Sharma and Josh Hazlewood ran riot in Mullanpur in Qualifier 1 on Thursday, May 29. Suyash and Hazlewood picked up three wickets each as PBKS posted 101 runs in 14.1 overs as the batting order completely collapsed on the day for Punjab. After winning the toss in Mullanpur, RCB made the early breakthrough by dismissing the in-form Priyansh Arya in the second over of the game. Since then, wickets kept falling at regular intervals with the likes of Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer and Josh Inglis falling after playing rash shots as the PBKS owners looked in dismay. While Marcus Stoinis provided some respite with his 26 off 17 balls, the rest of the batters were clueless as Suyash spun a web around them. The spinner claimed the wickets of Shashank Singh and the impact sub Musheer Khan in the same over before cleaning up Stoinis. PBKS vs RCB Updates Hazlewood, who was returning from an injury layoff, got rid of Inglis, Shreyas and then Azmatullah Omarzai to end the innings in the 15th over. 14.1 overs is the lowest batted by a team in an IPL play-off. Lowest totals in IPL playoff history 87 – DC vs RR, Mumbai WS, 2008 SF 101 – PBKS vs RCB, Mullanpur, Qualifier 1* 101 – LSG vs MI, Chennai, 2023 Eliminator 104 – Deccan Chargers vs CSK, DY Patil, 2010 SF 107- KKR vs MI, Chinnaswamy, 2017, Qualifier 2 What Suyash said after the performance RCB’s hero of the day, Suyash, who ended with figures of 3 for 17 said that the coaches set the plan for them and they executed it brilliantly. He also felt that no one could pick his googly on the day. “The coaching staff helped us plan this and we executed it very well. I felt the ball nice in my hand today. I was feeling that no one could pick my googly. We wanted to play this as a normal game. The previous victory also helped us feel energetic. I have worked hard on my googly,” said Suyash. Stay updated on IPL 2025 with India Today! Get match schedules, team squads, live score, and the latest IPL points table for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Plus, keep track of the top contenders for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap. Don’t miss a moment! Published On: May 29, 2025 Tune In Source link

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