Sports

File photo of Neeraj Chopra© AFP

Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram in action against KKR.
| Photo Credit: K.R. DEEPAK

Lucknow Super Giants opener Aiden Markram is pleased with his association with Australian Mitchell Marsh, which has produced two successful partnerships in the team’s successive wins over Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders.

After a four-run win over KKR at the Eden Gardens here on Tuesday, Markram said, “We’re getting along really nicely and he takes the game forward quite quickly. It’s a nice partnership to be involved in and in T20 cricket if you can get your team off to a good quick start, it goes a long way in terms of setting the game up.”

Markram said he had no idea how they became opening partners. “I think it’s mostly because myself and Mitch have opened the batting before in various formats. It probably just fell on our side in terms of opening.”

As LSG bowlers leaked lots of runs (including 20 wides) while defending, Markram said a smaller ground tested their skills.

‘Hard for bowlers’

KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane said LSG adapted to the conditions better. “They used the boundary really well, bowling to the longer boundary. Our bowlers tried as well, but again, (Nicholas) Pooran and Marsh batted well, took their chances which came off really well. It was a lovely pitch, scoring almost 500 runs on this track, hard for the bowlers,” said Rahane.

Rahane said KKR bowlers could not execute their plans well. “I thought our bowlers’ plans were perfect, but they couldn’t bowl into the right areas,” said Rahane.

NEW DELHI: Chennai Super Kings veteran MS Dhoni has added yet another feather to his already illustrious cap, becoming the first wicket-keeper in IPL history to complete 150 catches behind the stumps.
The 43-year-old legend achieved this remarkable feat during Chennai Super Kings’ clash against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur on Tuesday.
The historic moment came when Dhoni pouched a sharp edge from Nehal Wadhera off the bowling of Ravichandran Ashwin.
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It was classic Dhoni. With this, the CSK veteran continued to set new benchmarks, further cementing his legacy as not just a game-changing batter but also the most consistent and impactful wicket-keeper the IPL has ever seen.

Even as Punjab Kings posted a daunting 219/6, largely thanks to Priyansh Arya’s record-breaking 103 off 42 balls, Dhoni’s sharp glovework stood out in a game where bowlers were under siege.
Having already retired from international cricket, Dhoni’s continued excellence in the IPL has become the stuff of legend.

Whether it’s his lightning-quick stumpings, match-winning cameos, or tactical brilliance from behind the stumps, Dhoni proves that age is just a number.
This latest achievement adds to a long list of records, including most dismissals by a wicket-keeper in the IPL.

At 43, Dhoni remains the heartbeat of CSK, and his fitness and reflexes show no signs of fading.
While young guns like Priyansh Arya lit up the scoreboard, it was Dhoni who made history once again with his gloves.
In a game filled with fireworks, it was a quiet piece of brilliance behind the stumps that reminded everyone why Dhoni is, and will always be, one of the greatest to ever play the game.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru got their third victory of IPL 2025 on Monday after they defeated Mumbai Indians by 12 runs. Playing at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, RCB posted a whopping total of 221/5 in 20 overs with skipper Rajat Patidar scoring 64 off 32 balls. Later, MI put up a tough fight but fell short by just 12 runs and suffered their fourth loss of the season. Apart from Patidar, star batter Virat Kohli also scored 67 off 42 balls and helped RCB reach a huge total.

It’s not surprising that Virat Kohli has a huge fan base who never fails to express its love for the star player. Apart from the general public, the right-handed batter also got fans among his co-players and a living example of this was seen after the match against Mumbai Indians. 

Despite being on losing side, it was a memorable moment for some young MI players as they got opportunity to share the field with the great Virat Kohli. After the game, the likes of Ashwani Kumar, Raj Angad Bawa, and some other youngsters of MI stood in a line to get a picture clicked with Kohli. 

Everyone’s favourite. @imVkohli#ViratKohli𓃵 #RCBvsMI pic.twitter.com/K1pkzY74RC

— 18 (@theslogger18) April 8, 2025

The video of this heartfelt moment went viral on social media like a wildfire and left the fans utterly impressed. 

Talking about the game, Hardik Pandya (2/45), the skipper and Trent Boult (2/57) took two wickets but leaked runs. Vignesh Puthur got a wicket as well. Jasprit Bumrah delivered figures of 0/29 in four overs on his comeback.

During the run-chase, MI was 99/4 in 12 overs. But an explosive 89 run stand between Tilak Varma (56 in 29 balls, with four boundaries and four sixes) and skipper Hardik Pandya (42 in 15 balls, with three fours and four sixes) threatened to take the game away from RCB.

However, Krunal (4/45), Josh Hazlewood (2/37) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/48) came in clutch with crucial wickets at the right times, helping secure RCB a 12-run win.

RCB is at the third spot with three wins and a loss in four matches and all their three wins have been away from home. MI have won just one out of their five games and are standing at eighth spot.

Washington Sundar has this ability to produce something special when he is given an opportunity. Remember his innings on Test debut, four years ago, that turned India’s most famous chase around?

After playing just nine games in the last couple of IPL seasons, for Sunrisers Hyderabad, he made his debut for Gujarat Titans against his former side at Hyderabad a couple of days ago. Coming down at No. 4, after the early loss of two in-form batters B. Sai Sudarshan and Jos Buttler, he made a 29-ball 49 – his highest IPL score — to help his new team score a seven-wicket victory.

“It felt amazing to contribute to the team’s victory, and getting to bat at No. 4 was a great opportunity, thanks to the coach,” Washington said on the eve of GT’s match against Rajasthan Royals. “I had a good time in the middle and was able to do the things that I was supposed to do.”

After making a sudden impact with the bat, the off-spinning all-rounder is looking forward to getting a ball (which he didn’t against SRH). “I love bowling,” he said, smiling. “It is just about me being ready when the opportunity comes and picking up a few wickets.”

Rajasthan Royals’ fast bowling coach Shane Bond believes it will be a challenging game. “It is a pretty intimidating atmosphere here, but it is a fun atmosphere,” he said. “We have come in here with a great deal of confidence.”

Preity Zinta’s wild celebration breaks the internet (Screengrabs)

NEW DELHI: Punjab Kings dugout erupted with emotion on Tuesday evening as 24-year-old Priyansh Arya lit up the Mullanpur stadium with a jaw-dropping century against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2025.
But it was co-owner Preity Zinta’s reaction that captured the hearts of fans as she jumped in celebration, visibly overjoyed at Arya’s historic knock.
Also See: PBKS vs CSK Live Score, IPL 2025
Arya, a left-handed batter from Delhi, announced himself on the big stage in style, hammering 103 off just 42 balls — a knock studded with seven 4s and nine towering 6s.
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With this innings, he became the second-fastest Indian to reach a century in IPL history, getting there in just 39 balls. Only Yusuf Pathan’s 37-ball carnage in 2010 stands ahead of him.
As Arya brought up the milestone with a powerful strike over long-on, the camera panned to the Punjab Kings camp, where Preity Zinta could hardly contain her excitement. She leapt to her feet, clapping and cheering, her joy mirrored by fans across the stadium.
Watch:
This wasn’t just a random explosive innings, it was the culmination of a journey that’s been steadily gaining momentum.
Arya first rose to fame in the Delhi Premier League, where he smashed six sixes in an over and scored a blistering 120.
His performances earned him a Rs 3.8 crore IPL deal with PBKS — a huge jump from his base price of Rs 30 lakh.

Before the IPL, he had already impressed in domestic cricket, topping the run charts for Delhi in the 2024–25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Even senior players like R Ashwin had taken notice of his fearless shot-making.
Born in 2001, Arya is now part of a rare club of uncapped players to score a century in the IPL, joining the likes of Manish Pandey, Devdutt Padikkal, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
With Preity Zinta’s celebration going viral and Arya’s knock now etched in the history books, this was more than just another game.
ALSO READ: Who is Priyansh Arya, second-fastest Indian to score IPL century

Shrivalli Bhamidipaty gave a bright start for India.
| Photo Credit: Kamesh Srinivasan

Lulu Sun won both her singles and doubles matches to clinch the tie for New Zealand against India in the Billie Jean King Cup on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
Kamesh Srinivasan

The Indian team went down fighting 1-2 in a thriller against New Zealand, as World No. 41 Lulu Sun pulled her weight in both singles and doubles for the Kiwis, in the Asia-Oceania Billie Jean King Cup women’s tennis championship at the Balewadi Stadium on Tuesday.

Vibrant atmosphere

Playing in a vibrant atmosphere, Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare saved three match points on Lulu’s serve before bowing out 3-6, 4-6 in the decisive doubles.

Ankita and Prarthana had led 4-2 in the second set before the Kiwis, both left-handers, regrouped their game to match the craft and intensity of the Indian pair.

Shrivalli had earlier given a rousing start for the host by winning the first singles 6-1, 6-1 against Aishi Das. Serving well and stroking with flair, Shrivalli was concentration personified in executing a fine opener for India.

Sahaja Yamalapalli fought hard in the second singles against the Wimbledon quarterfinalist, but Lulu raced ahead to put the Kiwis on par with a 6-3, 6-3 victory.

It was a tough start for Ankita and Prarthana in the doubles under the floodlights, before they made the competition come alive with some robust tennis and imaginative play.

The Kiwis were relieved to pull through, but India, under the guidance of captain Vishal Uppal, had given every hint of being well prepared for the challenges ahead.

India will next next play Thailand on Wednesday. Thailand blanked Hong Kong 3-0 and Korea got past Taiwan with a similar scoreline in the other matches of the day.

The results (league):

New Zealand bt India 2-1 (Aishi Das lost to Shrivalli Bhamidipaty 1-6, 1-6; Lulu Sun bt Sahaja Yamalapalli 6-3, 6-3; Lulu Sun & Monique Barry bt Ankita Raina & Prarthana Thombare 6-3, 6-4).

Korea bt Taiwan 3-0 (Sohyun Park bt Ya-Hsuan Lee 6-1, 6-3; Dayeon Back bt Joanna Garland 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, Kim Dabin & Eunhye Lee bt Fang-Hsien Wu & Y Tsen Cho 7-6(3), 3-6, [10-8]).

Thailand bt Hong Kong 3-0 (Lanlana Tararudee bt Ho Ching Wu 6-1, 6-4; Mananchaya Sawangkaew bt Hong Yi Cody Wong 3-6, 6-2, 6-1; Penagtarn Plipuech & Patcharin Cheapchandej bt HOng Yi Cody Wong & Man Ying Maggie Ng 6-3, 6-4).

Priyansh Arya (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Priyansh Arya is quickly becoming a name to remember in Indian cricket. The 24-year-old left-handed batter from Delhi stunned the cricketing world during IPL 2025 with a blistering 103 off just 42 balls for Punjab Kings (PBKS) against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Mullanpur on Tuesday.
With that knock, Arya not only lit up the stadium but also became the second-fastest Indian to score an IPL century, reaching the milestone in just 39 balls.
Also See: IPL Live Score
Only Yusuf Pathan has gotten there faster among Indians, with his iconic 37-ball ton in 2010.
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Arya now sits alongside elite names like Travis Head and David Miller on the list of fastest IPL centuries, just behind the legendary Chris Gayle.
Fastest hundred in IPL (by balls faced)

While this was Arya’s breakout moment in the IPL, his journey has been building for a while.

Priyansh Arya first made waves in the Delhi Premier League (DPL), where he blasted six sixes in an over en route to a brutal 120 off 50 balls. That single performance sent scouts and IPL franchises scrambling, culminating in a bidding war at the 2025 auction.

PBKS secured his services for a hefty Rs 3.8 crore, a steep jump from his base price of Rs 30 lakh.
Prior to the IPL, Arya had been turning heads in the domestic circuit.
In the 2024–25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), he emerged as Delhi’s top scorer and played a memorable innings of 102 off 43 balls against Uttar Pradesh.

His clean hitting and fearless approach earned praise from none other than R Ashwin, who highlighted one of Arya’s audacious pick-up shots off Washington Sundar.
Born in January 2001, Arya made his T20 debut for Delhi in the 2021 SMAT and followed it with a List A debut in 2023.
Known for his strong base and clean striking, especially down the ground, Arya is now part of an elite club of uncapped players to score an IPL century — joining names like Manish Pandey, Paul Valthaty, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
IPL hundred by an uncapped players

From smashing records in Delhi to dominating IPL attacks, Priyansh Arya’s rise is no fluke. We are witnessing the arrival of a fearless new talent with the bat.

Sachin Tendulkar at Kaziranga National Park (Agency Photo)

NEW DELHI: On a recent visit to Assam, the iconic Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar explored the Kaziranga National Park. During his visit on Tuesday, Tendulkar embarked on a jeep safari, an experience that also included a memorable interaction with a young fan, with whom he shared a handshake.
Known globally as the ‘God of Cricket’, Tendulkar’s illustrious career is marked by record-breaking achievements in the realm of cricket, particularly in Test and One-Day Internationals (ODIs), where he remains the highest run-scorer.
His cricketing journey, spanning from 1989 to 2013, has been celebrated for its extraordinary contributions to the sport.

Born in Mumbai, Tendulkar made his Test debut on November 15, 1989, at the age of 16, and played his first ODI on December 18, 1989. Throughout his career, he participated in 664 international matches, accumulating a total of 34,357 runs at an average of 48.52.
This record makes him the top run-scorer in the history of international cricket. His achievements include 100 international centuries and 164 half-centuries, a feat that remains unparalleled.
Tendulkar’s record also boasts being the first cricketer to score a double century in an ODI and participating in a record 200 Test matches.
In ODIs, he scored 18,426 runs at an average of 44.83, with 49 centuries and 96 half-centuries to his name. His Test career was equally impressive, with 15,921 runs at an average of 53.78, including 51 centuries and 68 fifties.
A pivotal figure in India’s 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup victory, Tendulkar’s dream of winning the prestigious trophy was realized after participating in his first World Cup in 1992.
His tenure with the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2008 to 2013 culminated in a championship win in 2013, further cementing his legacy in the sport.

Looking good: Buttler will look to make things difficult for the RR bowlers. | File Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

Jos Buttler will see a very familiar colour on the opposite side on Wednesday night: pink. Rajasthan Royals must be hoping he doesn’t see red.

The Royals letting go of Buttler, who struck seven hundreds in as many IPL seasons for them, was one of the biggest surprises of the last auction. The England superstar may have been dismissed for a duck in the previous match, but before that, his scores for Gujarat Titans read 54, 39 and 73 not out.

Buttler would be just one of the concerns for Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium. With three wins on the trot, the Titans are looking good at the moment.

Mohammed Siraj is fresh and fiery. R. Sai Kishore has batters in a spin. Captain Shubman Gill and B. Sai Sudharsan are complementing each other wonderfully with strokes of elegance. Washington Sundar is getting the fans hooked again, reminding them of his immortal hook against Pat Cummins in India’s greatest Test win four years ago at the Gabba. And Sherfane Rutherford is striking at close to 177.

So RR’s bowlers have a task on their hands on a track the batters have largely relished. But the visiting side could take heart from Jofra Archer’s magnificent return to form.  

And the Royals have run into some form themselves, too. They have won their last two matches, after losing the first two of the season.

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s return to form could not have been timed better. That should take some pressure off his opening partner and skipper, Sanju Samson.