Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) by 12 runs in a thrilling IPL 2025 clash at the Ekana Stadium on Friday. Despite Hardik Pandya’s maiden T20 five-wicket haul, MI fell short while chasing 204. LSG posted 203/8, powered by quick fifties from Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram. Rishabh Pant failed with the bat, but LSG’s bowlers held their nerve in the final overs. MI, missing Rohit Sharma due to a knee injury, couldn’t recover despite Pandya’s all-round brilliance. Both teams were eyeing their second win of the season after losing two matches each earlier in the tournament. (PC: BCCI)

Hardik Pandya claimed his maiden T20 five-wicket haul as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) posted a formidable 203/8 against Mumbai Indians (MI) in their IPL 2025 match at Ekana Stadium. Mitchell Marsh smashed a 27-ball half-century and Aiden Markram also scored a fifty. Rishabh Pant, captaining LSG, failed again with the bat. MI skipper Rohit Sharma was ruled out due to a knee injury, with Pandya leading in his absence. MI had won the toss and opted to bowl first. Both teams entered the match seeking their second win of the season, after each suffered two losses in their opening games. (PC: X/@IPL)

A fire broke out in the bushes outside Lucknow's Ekana Stadium just hours before the IPL 2025 match between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Mumbai Indians (MI). Thick black smoke caused panic among early-arriving fans, with the incident triggering visible chaos near the venue. Fire brigade teams acted swiftly to control the flames, averting a larger emergency. The cause of the fire is yet to be confirmed. Security measures have been tightened around the stadium, and local authorities are on high alert. Officials have assured that the situation is under control, and the match is in progress as scheduled at 7:30 PM. (PC: Times Now, X/IPL)

MS Dhoni could return as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain in their IPL 2025 match against Delhi Capitals on April 5, as current skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad remains doubtful due to an elbow injury. Gaikwad sustained the injury during CSK’s last game against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati. Batting coach Michael Hussey said Gaikwad’s fitness will be assessed during Friday’s training session. Hussey jokingly hinted that “a young guy behind the stumps,” referring to Dhoni, could step in. Dhoni last captained CSK during their 2023 title-winning campaign. A final decision will be made on matchday in Chennai. (PC: PTI)

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)