As Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) prepare to take on Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2025, attention turns to five key players expected to impact the game. LSG aims to continue its winning streak against MI, having dominated past encounters. KL Rahul’s consistency and Nicholas Pooran’s explosive middle-order role will be crucial for Lucknow. MI, on the other hand, will rely heavily on Rohit Sharma’s experience and Jasprit Bumrah’s lethal bowling. Emerging star Tilak Varma also remains a player to watch. With both teams eyeing vital points, these players could determine the outcome of this much-anticipated clash. (PC: India Today)  

Kolkata Knight Riders’ all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer delivered a powerful response to critics questioning his hefty IPL 2025 price tag with a standout performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Iyer played a crucial role in KKR’s victory, showcasing his batting prowess under pressure. In post-match comments, he acknowledged the scrutiny but emphasized focusing on team success over personal opinions. The performance not only boosted KKR’s campaign but also reaffirmed Iyer’s value in the squad. His composed innings silenced detractors and marked a strong comeback statement, reminding fans and analysts why KKR invested heavily in him during the IPL auction. (PC: PTI)

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) dominated Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Eden Gardens, posting 200/6 in IPL 2025. Venkatesh Iyer smashed 60 off 29 balls, punishing Pat Cummins for 20 runs in an over. Angkrish Raghuvanshi also impressed with a 32-ball 50. Ajinkya Rahane (38) and Rinku Singh (32) contributed crucial runs. In response, SRH struggled as Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan fell quickly. Kamindu Mendis and Nitish Kumar Reddy are at the crease, aiming to rebuild SRH's innings. KKR’s all-round dominance has put SRH under pressure in the chase. (PC: BCCI)

The IPL 2025 season has seen controversy over pitch conditions, with teams like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) expressing concerns. KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane wanted a more spin-friendly pitch at Eden Gardens, while LSG mentor Zaheer Khan was unhappy with the Lucknow surface. A BCCI source stated that teams should communicate their pitch needs earlier, as changes cannot be made mid-season. Meanwhile, the KKR vs. LSG match was postponed from April 6 to April 8 due to security deployment for Ram Navami. KKR and Sunrisers Hyderabad face off next at Eden Gardens. (PC: AFP)

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a crucial IPL 2025 match at Eden Gardens on April 3. KKR, currently at the bottom of the table, faces SRH, who are also struggling in eighth place. KKR’s opening partnerships have averaged just 15.3 runs per game, while SRH’s bowling attack has the worst powerplay economy rate (11.4). Key players include Andre Russell and Sunil Narine for KKR, and Heinrich Klaasen and Bhuvneshwar Kumar for SRH. The Eden Gardens pitch is spin-friendly, which could influence team strategies heavily in this high-stakes match. (PC: India Today)  

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Virat Kohli is fine after suffering a finger injury during the IPL 2025 match against Gujarat Titans (GT), head coach Andy Flower confirmed. Kohli injured his finger while fielding but continued playing after treatment. He struggled with the bat, scoring just 7 (6) before getting dismissed. Despite Jitesh Sharma (33) and Liam Livingstone (54) lifting RCB to a competitive total, GT comfortably chased the target in 17.5 overs, winning by 8 wickets. Sai Sudharsan (49) and Jos Buttler (73*) led GT to victory, handing RCB their first defeat of the season. (PC: PTI)

On April 2, 2025, Gujarat Titans (GT) defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by eight wickets at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, handing RCB their first loss of IPL 2025. Mohammed Siraj starred for GT with a 3/19 spell, dismissing key RCB batsmen early. Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 73 off 39 balls, supported by Sai Sudharsan’s 49, powered GT to chase down 170 runs in 17.5 overs. RCB’s batting struggled despite a strong start, ending their two-match winning streak. GT’s dominant performance puts them among the top contenders for IPL 2025. (PC: India Today)  

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka had an intense on-field chat with captain Rishabh Pant after LSG's defeat to Punjab Kings in IPL 2025. The franchise spent ₹27 crore on Pant, but his batting and captaincy have drawn criticism. This was Goenka’s second such discussion with Pant, following a similar exchange after LSG’s loss to Delhi Capitals. The owner, known for questioning captains, previously confronted KL Rahul in past seasons. Pant admitted the team fell "20-25 runs short" against Punjab. The interaction has sparked debate among fans on social media. (PC:  X/@SPORTYVISHAL)

Gujarat Titans dominated Royal Challengers Bengaluru, winning by 8 wickets in their IPL 2025 clash in Bengaluru. Chasing 170, GT finished the match with 13 balls to spare. Jos Buttler's explosive 73* off 39 balls and Sai Sudharsan’s 49 off 36 led the charge, adding 75 runs for the second wicket. Sherfane Rutherford contributed an unbeaten 30 off 18. Earlier, Mohammed Siraj's early breakthroughs troubled RCB, but they recovered to post 169/8. GT secured their second win in three matches with an all-round performance. (PC: BCCI)

Mohammed Siraj delivered a stellar performance, taking 3 wickets to help Gujarat Titans restrict Royal Challengers Bengaluru to 169/8 in their IPL 2025 clash. Opting to bowl first, GT struck early, with Sai Kishore claiming 2 wickets. Despite the fall of wickets, Liam Livingstone fought back with a crucial 54, while Tim David contributed 32. Jitesh Sharma also chipped in but failed to accelerate. GT’s disciplined bowling attack kept RCB in check, setting up an exciting chase. (PC: BCCI)