Kane Williamson, the former New Zealand captain and 2016 IPL winner with Sunrisers Hyderabad, has been assigned a new role for IPL 2025. After going unsold at the mega auction, Williamson will serve as a commentator and expert for Star Sports during the tournament. The IPL 2025 season is set to begin on March 22 with the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, facing Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Williamson's inclusion as a national-feed commentator adds to the high-profile commentary lineup.

The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to begin on March 22, 2025, in Kolkata, with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Excitement surrounds new rule changes, including the lifting of the saliva ban, allowing bowlers to use it to shine the ball for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, new team captains and the possibility of rain affecting the opening match add intrigue to this year's highly anticipated season.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the esteemed Indian cricketer, will be honored by having his home street in Chennai renamed after him. The Greater Chennai Corporation has approved renaming Ramakrishnapuram 1st Street in West Mambalam, where Ashwin grew up and still resides, to 'Ravichandran Ashwin Road'. This tribute follows Ashwin's retirement from international cricket in December 2024, concluding a remarkable career with 765 wickets across all formats, making him India's second-highest wicket-taker after Anil Kumble. Ashwin's contributions to cricket, particularly his six Test centuries, three of which were at his home ground in Chennai, have solidified his legacy. Additionally, he is set to rejoin the Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming IPL season, returning to his roots after a decade.

India's all-rounder Shardul Thakur is set to join the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for IPL 2025 after going unsold in the auction. This move addresses LSG's injury woes, notably the absence of left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan due to an ACL injury and calf strain. Thakur, informed of his inclusion, will travel with the team to Visakhapatnam for their opener against Delhi Capitals. LSG's pace attack faces challenges, with key bowlers like Avesh Khan and Mayank Yadav recovering at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. Mentor Zaheer Khan emphasized adaptability amid these uncertainties, highlighting the dynamic nature of the squad's situation.

India has formally submitted a bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, marking a significant step towards its ambition of hosting the 2036 Olympics. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) submitted a letter of interest, with the Sports Ministry finalizing Ahmedabad as the proposed venue. India last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010 in Delhi. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) will now evaluate bids before finalizing a host nation. Ahmedabad, emerging as a sporting hub, previously hosted the 2023 ODI World Cup final. The bid aligns with India’s long-term vision of securing major global sporting events.

Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and dancer Dhanashree Verma have officially divorced. A Mumbai family court granted their request for mutual separation. The couple married in December 2020 but separated in June 2022. Their divorce plea was fast-tracked as Chahal will play in the IPL 2025 for Punjab Kings. His T-shirt, reading "Be Your Own Sugar Daddy," caught attention outside the court and went viral online. The Bombay High Court waived the usual six-month waiting period. Chahal, the highest wicket-taker in IPL history, will now focus on his cricket career as Punjab Kings begin their campaign on March 25.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), originally scheduled for April 6, 2025, at Kolkata's Eden Gardens, has been moved to Guwahati. This decision follows Kolkata Police's notification to the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) about their inability to provide adequate security due to extensive Ram Navami celebrations in the city on that day. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) approved the venue change after CAB raised the issue. Guwahati's Barsapara Stadium is expected to host the match, ensuring both teams' safety and smooth conduct of the game. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has lifted the saliva ban for IPL 2025 after captains supported the move in a Mumbai meeting. The International Cricket Council (ICC) had permanently banned saliva use in 2022 due to COVID-19 concerns. However, the IPL operates under its own guidelines, making it the first major event to reintroduce saliva for ball shining. "The majority of captains were in favor," a BCCI official confirmed. The decision is expected to impact reverse swing significantly, with players like Jasprit Bumrah previously highlighting its importance.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a ₹58 crore cash reward for Team India after winning the Champions Trophy 2025. Rohit Sharma’s men defeated New Zealand in the final, securing India’s third title in tournament history. BCCI President Roger Binny praised the team’s dedication, while Vice-President Rajeev Shukla lauded their composure under pressure. India’s campaign included victories over Bangladesh, Pakistan, Australia, and New Zealand. Shreyas Iyer was India's top scorer with 243 runs, while Mohammed Shami and Varun Chakravarthy were the highest wicket-takers with 9 each.

Australian cricketer Jake Fraser-McGurk, who made a sensational IPL debut in 2024 with 330 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 234.04, has experienced a significant decline in form. Over the past 24 innings, he has averaged 15.91 with a strike rate of 136.91. Despite this downturn, the Delhi Capitals retained him for ₹9 crore, anticipating a resurgence in the upcoming season. Former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist emphasized the IPL's unforgiving nature, stating, "Franchises... don’t tolerate a lack of results for too long." He stressed the importance of Fraser-McGurk starting the season well to maintain his position.