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Punjab Hold Nerve to Edge Past RCB in Rain-Affected Clash
Despite valiant efforts from Tim David and Josh Hazlewood, Punjab Kings managed to cross the finish line in a tense, low-scoring affair against Royal Challengers Bangalore in a 14-overs-a-side encounter.
Put into bat on a surface that had stayed under covers and offered some spice, RCB found themselves in deep trouble at 63 for 9. But Tim David, showing great composure, struck his maiden IPL fifty, lifting the side to 95, a total that at least gave them something to defend.
Hazlewood brought RCB right back into the contest with a superb spell, picking up 3 wickets and thoroughly testing Punjab’s technique. But Nehal Wadhera held firm in the middle overs, stitching together a calm and calculated knock that helped Punjab recover after a few early blows.
While Hazlewood impressed, RCB’s other bowlers couldn’t maintain the pressure, leaking boundaries at crucial moments. Punjab eventually chased down the target with a few balls to spare, although not without a few nervy moments.
With this result, RCB now have four wins and three losses. The two sides will meet again in just a few days, and RCB will be eager to bounce back in the reverse fixture.
Continue the story here:Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings IPL 2025:
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International games
No International games
CSK rope in Dewald Brevis as injury replacement for Gurjapneet Singh
Chennai Super Kings have brought in young South African batting talent Dewald Brevis as a replacement for injured pacer Gurjapneet Singh for the remainder of IPL 2025. The 21-year-old has been signed for INR 2.2 crore, the same price CSK had paid for Gurjapneet at the auction.
Brevis, often referred to as ‘Baby AB’ for his striking similarity to AB de Villiers, has been making waves in the T20 circuit. With 81 T20 matches under his belt, he’s scored 1787 runs, including a stunning 162-run knock. He also featured in two T20Is for South Africa in 2023.
This isn’t Brevis’ first IPL stint—he previously turned out for Mumbai Indians in 2022 and 2024. Earlier this year, he was instrumental in MI Cape Town’s maiden SA20 title win, smashing a quickfire 38 off 18 balls in the final. He ended that tournament as the sixth-highest run-scorer, tallying 230 runs at a blistering strike rate of 184.
Despite going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction—where he had listed his base price at INR 75 lakh—Brevis has been in impressive form lately. He finished as the second-highest run-scorer in both South Africa’s domestic one-day and first-class competitions this season. His explosive batting and ability to find unconventional gaps have made him a sought-after player across global T20 leagues, including stints in the Caribbean Premier League and Major League Cricket in the USA, where he continues to represent the MI franchise.
As for Gurjapneet, the Tamil Nadu fast bowler, he unfortunately didn’t get a chance to play this season before picking up an injury.
Meanwhile, CSK are struggling this season, sitting at the bottom of the table with just two wins in seven matches. They’ve also been hit by injuries—regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has been ruled out due to an elbow injury, and MS Dhoni has stepped back in to lead the side.
With Brevis now in the mix, CSK will be hoping for a mid-season spark to revive their campaign.
“I forgot that I can use saliva. Yesterday when the [team] staff told me, I didn't know that I have to use it."
Domestic cricket + T20 leagues
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings
RCB 95/9 (14)
PBKS 98/5 (12.1)
Punjab Kings won by 5 wkts - 14 overs game - due to rain
Pic of the week
On This Day
The IPL launched in 2008 with a bang—Brendon McCullum smashed a fiery 158 off 73 balls for KKR against RCB, setting the stage for a league like no other.
Conceived by Lalit Modi, then BCCI vice-president, the IPL mixed cricket with entertainment and introduced a player auction that saw stars like MS Dhoni fetch $1.5 million. The total prize money was around $3 million, and the format quickly won over fans.
But the IPL hasn’t been free of controversy. In 2013, a spot-fixing scandal involving Rajasthan Royals players shook the league. Gurunath Meiyappan, linked to CSK and BCCI president N Srinivasan, was arrested for illegal betting. Lalit Modi himself was later ousted over financial allegations.
Despite the drama, the IPL has grown into one of the biggest spectacles in world cricket.
Coming tomorrow
Gujarat Titans vs Delhi Capitals
Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants
Match Preview
Gujarat Titans vs Delhi Capitals
Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals may go about things very differently, but one thing they have in common this IPL season is consistency. Both teams have been quietly effective—DC with five wins, GT with four, each from six matches. This clash marks the official halfway point in their campaigns.
GT have gone a bit old-school, relying heavily on a top-heavy batting lineup and a solid bowling unit. Shubman Gill hasn’t quite exploded yet, but Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler have stepped up. Their bowlers, especially Prasidh Krishna, Mohammad Siraj, and the impressive Sai Kishore, have kept them in the hunt, even though Rashid Khan has had a mixed run.
DC, fresh off a thrilling Super Over win against Rajasthan Royals, have found ways to win even when things haven’t gone perfectly. KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs have led the charge in the middle order, while Ashutosh Sharma continues to be their X-factor. Their spin trio—Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Vipraj Nigam—has been key, especially as Axar slowly regains form post-injury.
With both teams in good form, evenly matched in different ways, and playing in Ahmedabad’s big ground, this one promises to be a cracking contest.
Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants
It’s been a rough ride for Rajasthan Royals this season, with just four points from seven games. Their latest heartbreaker—a Super Over loss to Delhi Capitals—only added to their woes in a campaign marked by inconsistency and missed opportunities.
Constant tinkering with the batting order and poor death bowling have been RR’s biggest concerns. Riyan Parag, who was brilliant last season, has looked out of sorts, but Yashasvi Jaiswal is showing signs of form with back-to-back fifties. On the bowling front, only Jofra Archer has made an impact early on, picking up five PowerPlay wickets, while the rest have struggled. Royals have also leaked 83 runs through extras—the most this season—and their death bowling (12.3 RPO) continues to be a major weak link.
In contrast, Lucknow Super Giants have quietly impressed. Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran have been among the top-performing batters in the tournament, while Rishabh Pant’s crucial half-century against CSK has added stability. While their pacers have been slightly underwhelming, Digvesh Singh Rathi has stepped up big time with nine wickets so far, leading a strong spin department.
With the tournament inching towards its second half, both teams will be desperate for a win—RR to revive their season, and LSG to strengthen their playoff push.