Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya admitted Rohit Sharma’s return altered their strategy in the 12-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Wankhede. Pandya acknowledged the powerplay struggles and late execution issues, despite a solid middle-order stand with Tilak Varma. He defended moving Naman Dhir down the order, stating, “Once Ro was back, we knew Naman had to go lower.” Rohit scored 17 runs off 9 balls as an Impact Player. Pandya praised Jasprit Bumrah’s effort on return, calling him “special.” RCB’s 221/5 proved just enough, despite a strong fight from MI, who ended on 209/9. (PC: BCCI)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Mumbai Indians by 12 runs in a last-over thriller in IPL 2025 at Wankhede Stadium. Batting first, RCB posted 221/5, powered by Virat Kohli’s 67 and skipper Rajat Patidar’s 64. Mumbai’s chase saw momentum swings, with Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya reviving hopes before Krunal Pandya’s final-over brilliance sealed the game. Krunal, Hardik's brother, took 3 wickets in the 20th over, crushing MI's chase. This marks RCB’s third win in four matches, boosting their playoff hopes. Kohli said post-match, “We believed till the end.” MI, despite showing fight, are still struggling for consistency this season. (PC: X/@RCBTweet)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) posted a commanding 221/5 against Mumbai Indians (MI) in their IPL 2025 match. RCB stars Virat Kohli (67) and skipper Rajat Patidar (64) led the charge with fluent half-centuries, while Devdutt Padikkal and Jitesh Sharma added quick cameos. Mumbai Indians’ pace ace Jasprit Bumrah, returning to competitive cricket, struggled for impact, finishing wicketless with figures of 0/29 in four overs. Despite his economic bowling, Bumrah couldn't break RCB's momentum. RCB's strong batting performance now puts pressure on MI to chase a steep target at home. The clash remains crucial in the IPL 2025 points table. (PC: X/@IPL)

Virat Kohli struck a scintillating 29-ball fifty to stabilize Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) after the early loss of Phil Salt against Mumbai Indians (MI) at Wankhede. Kohli showcased aggressive intent, sweeping Vignesh Puthur for a six to bring up his half-century. Supported by Devdutt Padikkal, who scored 37 off 22 balls, the duo added 91 runs before Padikkal was dismissed. The MI crowd enjoyed light moments between Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, who returned after a 92-day injury break. Bumrah even jokingly attempted a run-out at the non-striker’s end, triggering a friendly exchange with Kohli that delighted fans. (PC: X/IPL)

Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are set to clash in a blockbuster IPL 2025 match at Wankhede. Bumrah, returning from a 4-month injury break, will lead Mumbai Indians’ bowling attack against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Shane Watson, now a JioStar expert, believes Bumrah might struggle initially due to match rustiness, giving Kohli an edge. Kohli was dismissed by Bumrah for just 3 runs in their last IPL 2024 encounter. Meanwhile, Watson expressed confidence that Chennai Super Kings will bounce back under young captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, despite their poor start this season with 3 losses in 4 matches. (Pc: Hindustan Times)

R Ashwin's YouTube channel has decided to halt coverage of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) matches for the remainder of the IPL 2025 season. This decision follows controversy stemming from comments made by guest Prasanna Agoram, a former data analyst for South Africa and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Agoram criticized CSK's acquisition of Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad for ₹10 crore, suggesting the team should have prioritized a batsman instead. The ensuing social media backlash led to the removal of the video. An official statement from the channel emphasized their commitment to maintaining the platform's integrity and clarified that guest opinions do not reflect Ashwin's personal views. (PC: The Quint & The Week)

Mohammed Siraj starred with a fiery 4-wicket haul as Gujarat Titans crushed Sunrisers Hyderabad by 7 wickets in their IPL 2025 clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Siraj took 4 for 17, helping restrict SRH to 152/8. Support came from R Sai Kishore (2/24) and Prasidh Krishna (2/25). Nitish Reddy top-scored for SRH with 31. Despite SRH’s early strikes, reducing GT to 16/2, Washington Sundar’s counter-attack (49 off 29) and Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 61 off 43 balls powered the Titans home. Siraj's opening burst turned the tide, earning him Player of the Match honours. (PC: BCCI)

In a crucial IPL 2025 encounter, Gujarat Titans (GT) captain Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bowl first against struggling Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. SRH suffered a major setback as their Rs 8 crore star player was hospitalised and ruled out of the match. The team, placed at the bottom of the points table after three straight losses, is desperate for a turnaround. Meanwhile, GT rides high with two consecutive victories, thanks to stellar performances by B Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler. SRH banks on Indian talents like Abhishek Sharma and Mohammed Shami for revival. (PC:X/@IPL)

Amid swirling retirement rumors, MS Dhoni, 43, has clarified his intention to continue playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Speaking at a promotional event, the former Indian captain expressed his desire to enjoy cricket with the same innocence he had as a child. He emphasized his commitment to maintaining fitness, stating, "I have to keep myself fit for nine months, so that I can play two and a half months of IPL." Dhoni highlighted the importance of prioritizing cricket during his playing years, underscoring his dedication to the sport. He will participate in IPL 2025 as an uncapped player for Chennai Super Kings. (PC: BCCI)

India's premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, has rejoined the Mumbai Indians squad ahead of their IPL 2025 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Wankhede Stadium on April 7. Bumrah had been sidelined due to a back injury sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year, leading to surgery and rehabilitation at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. His return was announced via a Game of Thrones-themed video featuring his wife, Sanjana Ganesan, and son, Angad, symbolizing his comeback as the 'lion' of the team. Despite his return, it's uncertain if Bumrah will play in the upcoming match, given his recent recovery. (PC: Al Jazeera)