Wednesday, July 08
Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a dominant eight-wicket victory over Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1, propelling them to their fourth IPL final. Virat Kohli's emotional "one more to go!" message resonated as RCB chased down 102 in 10 overs. They are now one win away from their first IPL title, with Phil Salt's unbeaten 56 leading the charge.
Sarfaraz Khan impresses with a solid 92 for India A after facing Test squad setbacks. His innings against England Lions showcases his red-ball skills. Earlier, he debuted well against England but later faced exclusion. Selectors opted for other players, citing experience. Ajit Agarkar explained the squad selection, emphasizing limited spots. India's Test series in England starts June 20.
Josh Hazlewood has emerged as a key weapon in RCB’s title charge. With 21 wickets in 11 games, his evolution into a T20 specialist reflects experience, adaptability, and control. Back from injury and peaking at the right time, Hazlewood may just be the missing piece in RCB’s quest for their maiden IPL title.
Avneet Kaur's presence added glamour to the IPL 2025 Eliminator as Mumbai Indians, led by Hardik Pandya, opted to bat first after winning the toss. Jonny Bairstow, making his MI debut, and Rohit Sharma provided a blistering start, reaching 79 without loss in the Powerplay. Gujarat Titans, missing Jos Buttler, included Kusal Mendis as his replacement amidst weather concerns.
