June 24, 2025
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After winning five straight finals, Shreyas Iyer loses back-to-back title clashes | Cricket News

After winning five straight finals, Shreyas Iyer loses back-to-back title clashes | Cricket News

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Shreyas Iyer (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images) For Shreyas Iyer, June has been a month of heartbreak. Just ten days after leading Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final, only to fall short against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the India batter suffered yet another final defeat — this time in the T20 Mumbai League. Iyer captained SoBo Mumbai Falcons in the local T20 competition and looked set to end the month on a high. But it wasn’t to be. His side was beaten by Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals in the final held at the Wankhede Stadium, with Iyer himself failing to make a mark with the bat, echoing his subdued performance in the IPL final.Before enduring two back-to-back final defeats this June, Shreyas Iyer had built an enviable record in title clashes. He was part of the Mumbai team that lifted the Ranji Trophy, played a crucial role in India’s Irani Cup triumph, and captained Kolkata Knight Riders to a memorable IPL 2024 title. He also led his state side to victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and was a member of India’s squad that clinched the Champions Trophy 2025 earlier this year. Speaking after the match, an emotional Iyer said, “Don’t want to pinpoint any particular incident. Overall, the boys were brilliant with their efforts. We lost just one game en route to the final. Just a one-off game where you can’t single out anyone — it’s basically backstabbing, and I don’t enjoy that.” Major League Cricket 2025 Explained: Teams, Schedule & Where to Watch Iyer acknowledged the hurt of a second straight title loss but encouraged his team to take pride in their campaign: “It’s pretty common to feel dejected after a final loss. It must hurt them. But when they come back next year, they’ll have that extra motivation and confidence. They should be proud of their effort.”Quiz: Who’s that IPL player? Adding to the occasion, Indian cricket legend Rohit Sharma was in attendance and personally handed over the runners-up medal to Iyer.

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'I love leading': Captain Shreyas Iyer and finals - The love story continues | Cricket News

‘I love leading’: Captain Shreyas Iyer and finals – The love story continues | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: India batter Shreyas Iyer’s uncanny knack for taking his teams to finals continues to script a love story unlike any other in Indian cricket. On Tuesday, the in-form batter and captain steered SoBo Mumbai Falcons into the T20 Mumbai League 2025 final, adding yet another chapter to his golden run as skipper across formats and competitions.It marks Iyer’s fourth final as captain in just over a year, starting with Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL triumph in May 2024. Since then, he’s led Mumbai to a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title, Punjab Kings to an IPL final, and now SoBo Falcons to the summit clash of the city-based league.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“There’s always pressure with captaincy, but I love leading,” Iyer said on the sidelines of the T20 Mumbai League. “I’ve done it since I was 22, and I enjoy embracing the challenge and the responsibility that comes with it.” Poll Which achievement of Shreyas Iyer as captain do you find most impressive? In the semifinal, SoBo Mumbai Falcons outclassed Bandra Blasters by five wickets. Chasing a modest 131, Ishan Mulchandani anchored the reply with an unbeaten 52, supported by a brisk 32 from Akash Parkar and 27 from Angkrish Raghuvanshi. Earlier, Parkar starred with the ball too, grabbing three wickets to restrict Bandra.Who’s that IPL player?The final against Maratha Royals is scheduled for June 12 at Wankhede Stadium, with Iyer aiming for another title as captain.This remarkable run began with KKR’s IPL title in May 2024 — their first in a decade — where Iyer scored 351 runs and led with poise. He followed it up by leading Mumbai to their second Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy win in December, amassing 345 runs at a blistering strike rate of 188.52. Bold prediction! Astrologer Greenstone Lobo picks winner of Australia vs South Africa WTC Final 2025 Then came a defining Champions Trophy campaign in March 2025, although not as skipper, where Iyer’s consistent middle-order knocks helped India clinch their second ICC title in two years. Scores of 56, 79, and 48 were pivotal in India’s title charge.In the recently concluded IPL 2025 season, he carried a resurgent Punjab Kings side to their first final in 11 years. Despite finishing runners-up to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Iyer ended as PBKS’ top scorer with 604 runs at a staggering 175.07 strike rate.Iyer’s captaincy reign has become synonymous with finals. Win or lose on June 12, the love story between Shreyas Iyer and the big stage is far from over — it’s only getting deeper.

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WTC Final: Marco Jansen reveals Ricky Ponting's cheeky send-off - 'Good luck, but hope you lose' ahead of Australia clash | Cricket News

WTC Final: Marco Jansen reveals Ricky Ponting’s cheeky send-off – ‘Good luck, but hope you lose’ ahead of Australia clash | Cricket News

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Marco Jansen with Punjab Kings coach Ricky Ponting. (Pic credit: IPL) South African pacer Marco Jansen has shared the cheeky parting words from Ricky Ponting that continue to echo in his mind as he prepares to face Australia in the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord’s.Fresh off a stellar Indian Premier League (IPL) season with Punjab Kings, where he claimed 16 wickets in 14 matches, Jansen revealed that Ponting, who coached the Kings to a runners-up finish in his debut season, offered both support and a light-hearted jab before Jansen left India for England.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“Before I left (India), he (Ponting) just said, ‘Good luck, I hope you do well, but I hope you lose’,” Jansen told ICC Digital with a grin, as South Africa’s warm-up match against Zimbabwe was washed out in Arundel.The 24-year-old left-armer was full of praise for Ponting’s coaching style, especially his ability to nurture confidence and focus on the positives. Poll Do you believe Marco Jansen will excel in the ICC World Test Championship Final? “I learnt a lot from him, especially from a mental point of view. He is always positive and he always sees the good stuff instead of the bad. I think that’s why he’s a legend of the game,” Jansen said. “He always reminds you what could happen, what you can do, instead of what might go wrong.”Now shifting focus to red-ball cricket, Jansen is keen to soak up more knowledge from recently retired England pacer Stuart Broad, who has joined the Proteas in a consulting role ahead of the WTC Final. Gautam Gambhir sends stern message after Bengaluru tragedy “Obviously, he’s played a lot against Australia at Lord’s,” Jansen said. “Maybe I’ll pick his brain… ask what they did to get certain batters out. But at the end of the day, you still have to figure it out yourself on the pitch.”

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'The job is still half done': Preity Zinta opens up, speaks out for the first time after Punjab Kings' defeat in IPL 2025 final | Cricket News

‘The job is still half done’: Preity Zinta opens up, speaks out for the first time after Punjab Kings’ defeat in IPL 2025 final | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: Following Punjab Kings’ heartbreaking loss in the IPL 2025 final, co-owner Preity Zinta has spoken out for the first time, offering an emotional and inspiring message to fans, players, and the cricketing community. Taking to social media platform X, Zinta praised her team’s resilience while acknowledging the pain of falling just short.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“It didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but … the journey was spectacular! It was exciting, entertaining & it was inspiring,” Zinta wrote. “I loved the fight & the grit our young team, our shers showed throughout the tournament. I loved the way our captain, our Sarpanch lead from the front & how Indian uncapped players dominated this IPL!”It was a rollercoaster season for Punjab Kings. From topping the points table for the first time in over a decade to overcoming multiple disruptions, player injuries, scheduling pauses, and even relocating home games, the team consistently showed adaptability and character. Gautam Gambhir sends stern message after Bengaluru tragedy Zinta’s message struck a chord as she highlighted how this IPL was unique in its challenges. “We smashed records even with so many hurdles. We adapted and we fought till the very end in an exciting final.”She also extended her gratitude to the fans — the Sher Squad — who stood by the team through every high and low. “Whatever we are & how far we’ve reached is because of you. I promise we will come back to finish the job, because as of now, the job is still half done.”While RCB celebrated their long-awaited first title, Zinta’s words were a reminder that Punjab Kings’ journey is far from over. With a promising core and spirited leadership, the foundation for a stronger comeback in IPL 2026 has already been laid.

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Shocking detail! Yuzvendra Chahal played IPL 2025 with three fractures, RJ Mahvash reveals | Cricket News

Shocking detail! Yuzvendra Chahal played IPL 2025 with three fractures, RJ Mahvash reveals | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: Radio jockey RJ Mahvash, rumoured to be dating Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, shared a heartfelt post on social media, praising Chahal’s incredible courage during the IPL 2025 season. She revealed that the spinner played through the tournament carrying not one but three fractures while representing Punjab Kings.Punjab Kings had an impressive campaign, reaching the final of IPL 2025, but narrowly lost the title to Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six runs in a thrilling clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.“They fought, stayed and played till the last match! And special post to @yuzi_chahal23 because what people don’t know is that his ribs got fractured in the second match only and his bowling finger got fractured later, this guy played the entire season with 3 fractures!,” RJ Mahvash wrote on Instagram. ‘Daring, Dynamic, Different’: Ponting hails PBKS young guns despite final loss Highlighting Chahal’s fighting spirit, she added: “We all have seen him screaming and crying in pain but have never seen him giving up! I mean what warrior spirit you have man ?? The team kept fighting till the last ball! It was nothing but an honour to be a supporter of this team this year! Well played boys.”Mahvash also expressed her love for the sport and the team, saying: “All the people in these pictures have my heart ?? See you next year! Also, many congratulations to RCB and fans for winning the title. Everyone played and worked hard! Cricket, and IPL ..my God again! Truly a festival for us Indians.”

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Bengaluru stampede: Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma return to Mumbai; tragedy overshadows RCB's IPL celebration | Cricket News

Bengaluru stampede: Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma return to Mumbai; tragedy overshadows RCB’s IPL celebration | Cricket News

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Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma at the Mumbai airport. (Video grab) Star Indian cricketer Virat Kohli and his wife Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma returned to Mumbai on Thursday following the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL title celebrations that were marred by tragedy in Bengaluru. The couple was spotted at Mumbai airport, and visuals of their arrival quickly went viral on social media.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!RCB’s historic first-ever IPL title win — achieved with a thrilling six-run victory over Punjab Kings in the final on Tuesday in Ahmedabad — was meant to be a moment of joy. But the mood turned somber on Wednesday during the team’s homecoming event at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where a stampede claimed 11 lives and left over 30 others injured.WATCH:Tens of thousands of fans gathered outside the stadium to celebrate the team’s 18-year-long wait for glory. However, the crowd soon became unmanageable, and chaos ensued as fans pushed to enter the already packed venue, leading to a tragic crush at the gates.While the event inside the stadium did take place, it was cut short out of respect for the tragedy. Only RCB captain Rajat Patidar and Kohli addressed the crowd briefly, lifting the trophy to acknowledge the fans before the event ended. ‘A particularly special feeling’: Andy Flower hails Virat Kohli, RCB after historic title win Reacting to the heartbreaking incident, Kohli shared RCB’s official statement and wrote on Instagram: “At a loss for words. Absolutely gutted.”The RCB franchise also expressed deep sorrow and extended condolences to the bereaved families. What was supposed to be a celebration of triumph ended in mourning.

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Shreyas Iyer's act in IPL 2025 Final labelled 'criminal offence', deemed punishable by 'two-match ban': 'No apology'

Shreyas Iyer’s act in IPL 2025 Final labelled ‘criminal offence’, deemed punishable by ‘two-match ban’: ‘No apology’

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Former Indian cricketer Yograj Singh has launched a scathing attack on Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer for what he termed a “criminal offence” in the IPL 2025 final. Iyer, who was dismissed for just one run in two deliveries, played what Yograj called an unforgivable shot at a crucial juncture, contributing heavily to Punjab’s narrow six-run loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the title clash on Tuesday. Shreyas Iyer during the IPL 2025 Final(PTI) RCB, who ended an 18-year wait for their maiden IPL trophy, posted 190/9 after being put in to bat by Punjab at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. While the bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh (3/40), Kyle Jamieson (3/48), and Yuzvendra Chahal (1/37), managed to rein in RCB’s big hitters to some extent, the chase came down to the final over. Punjab’s innings was built on solid starts from Priyansh Arya (24) and Prabhsimran Singh (26), with Josh Inglis (39) and Shashank Singh (61* off 30 balls) keeping them in the hunt till the end. Despite Shashank’s 22-run blitz in the final over, PBKS fell agonizingly short at 184/7, and the turning point was undeniably the early loss of their skipper. Reacting to Iyer’s soft dismissal, caught behind off Romario Shepherd, Yograj did not mince words. “The shot which Shreyas Iyer played in the final was a criminal offence, according to me. Ashok Mankad told me about this criminal offence, which comes under Section 302. He also told me that the repercussions of this are that you will be banned for two matches. What Shreyas did yesterday is not acceptable. There is no apology for that,” he told ANI. RCB’s tight bowling RCB’s bowling attack, including Krunal Pandya (2/17), Yash Dayal (1/18), and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/38), applied the brakes at crucial moments, and Pandya was deservingly named Player of the Match for his match-winning spell. While RCB ended their long wait for a maiden title, the celebrations were marred on Wednesday after a stampede in Bengaluru resulted in at least 11 deaths, with several others injured. The stampede took place during RCB’s title-winning celebrations, and the franchise is facing heat for reportedly not adhering to police guidelines.

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Virat Kohli's gesture to Shreyas Iyer's father wins hearts after RCB's historic IPL triumph - Watch | Cricket News

Virat Kohli’s gesture to Shreyas Iyer’s father wins hearts after RCB’s historic IPL triumph – Watch | Cricket News

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Virat Kohli with Shreyas Iyer’s father (Video grab) NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally ended an 18-year-long wait for the Indian Premier League (IPL) title, defeating Punjab Kings by six runs in a dramatic final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.While Kohli top-scored with a composed 43 and RCB basked in the glory of their maiden IPL title, it was a heartfelt post-match moment that stole the spotlight on social media. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!In a video that quickly went viral, Kohli was seen bowing his head and taking blessings from Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer’s father before embracing Shreyas himself. The emotional gesture struck a deep chord with fans across the country, showcasing the respect and sportsmanship that define Kohli’s character beyond the game.The visual of the RCB talisman humbly greeting Iyer’s father amid the euphoric celebrations on the field symbolised the spirit of cricket at its finest — even in victory, there was grace, humility, and compassion.Unfortunately, the celebrations took a tragic turn the next day in Bengaluru. During a public event near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to celebrate RCB’s historic win, a stampede broke out due to overcrowding, resulting in the death of 11 people and injuries to 33 others. ‘A particularly special feeling’: Andy Flower hails Virat Kohli, RCB after historic title win Kohli, visibly shaken by the tragedy, took to Instagram to share his grief: “At a loss for words. Absolutely gutted.” His message echoed the sorrow felt by the entire RCB family and cricketing community.

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'There is no apology for that': Yograj Singh slams Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer after IPL final loss | Cricket News

‘There is no apology for that’: Yograj Singh slams Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer after IPL final loss | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Yograj Singh launched a scathing attack on Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer for his reckless dismissal in the IPL 2025 final, terming it a “criminal offence” that proved costly in the team’s narrow six-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!In a high-voltage final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, RCB lifted their maiden IPL trophy after 18 seasons. However, Iyer’s early exit — caught behind for just 1 off 2 balls while attempting an ill-judged shot off Romario Shepherd — emerged as the turning point in Punjab’s failed chase of 191.Who’s that IPL player?Speaking to ANI, Yograj Singh didn’t mince words. “The shot which Shreyas Iyer played in the final was a criminal offence, according to me. Ashok Mankad told me about this criminal offence, which comes under Section 302. He also told me that the repercussions of this is that you will be banned for two matches. What Shreyas did yesterday is not acceptable. There is no apology for that.” ‘Daring, Dynamic, Different’: Ponting hails PBKS young guns despite final loss Batting first, RCB posted 190/9, with contributions from Virat Kohli (43), Rajat Patidar (26), and Jitesh Sharma (24). PBKS responded strongly with Shashank Singh’s unbeaten 61 and Josh Inglis’ quickfire 39, but a disciplined bowling effort from Krunal Pandya (2/17) and others held them back at 184/7.Despite Shashank’s 22-run blitz in the final over, PBKS fell just short, with Iyer’s early departure drawing heavy scrutiny as RCB celebrated long-awaited glory.

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Watch: Fans climb trees and buses to witness RCB’s IPL victory | Cricket News

Watch: Fans climb trees and buses to witness RCB’s IPL victory | Cricket News

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Bengaluru: An aerial view of fans gathering for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s fan engagement programme (PTI Photo) Bengaluru came alive on Wednesday as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) returned home with their first IPL trophy. Thousands of fans filled the streets, stood on rooftops, and gathered around Vidhana Soudha and Chinnaswamy Stadium just to see their favourite players — especially Virat Kohli, who has been part of the team for 18 years. The RCB squad, led by Rajat Patidar, landed in the city around noon. They were welcomed at the airport by Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. The team then went to meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at Vidhana Soudha, where a short ceremony was held to honour their achievement. ‘A particularly special feeling’: Andy Flower hails Virat Kohli, RCB after historic title win “Virat Kohli has given his youth and heart to RCB. Today, he has made Karnataka proud,” Shivakumar said. After meeting the CM, the players got on an open-top bus for a victory parade to Chinnaswamy Stadium. Fans lined up along the route, many waving flags, holding posters, and cheering loudly. Some climbed trees, buses and walls for a better view. It was a special moment for everyone who had supported the team for years.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player? RCB defeated Punjab Kings by six runs in the final, finally ending their 18-year wait for the title. The celebrations started early in the day and continued into the evening at the stadium, where fans were allowed in to be part of the moment. For RCB and their fans, it was more than just a win as it was the end of a long wait.

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