Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull took a dig at the curator of Eden Gardens, Sujan Mukherjee, for not considering the demands of the home team for a spin-friendly pitch ahead of Kolkata Knight Riders' match against Rajasthan Royals. Legendary commentator Harsha Bhogle also supported Doull's statement, emphasizing that home advantage is crucial in a tournament like IPL. With tensions rising between the franchise and the curator, it remains to be seen what kind of pitch is laid out for the match.
With the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders facing off against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, led by captain Ajinkya Rahane, in the opening match of the 2025 IPL season, all eyes are on Eden Gardens for what is sure to be a thrilling showdown. Both teams have undergone changes in leadership, but will be looking to replicate their past success on a historically batting-friendly pitch. Scattered showers may add an element of uncertainty to the game, but teams winning the toss are likely to opt to bat first in Kolkata.
In the world of cricket, Indian captain Virat Kohli has been making waves as a phenomenal batsman. Former coach Ravi Shastri shares his insider perspective on what sets Kohli apart from the rest in the ODI format. From his discipline to match awareness, Kohli showcases his prowess with 51 centuries and over 14,000 runs. As fans eagerly anticipate the ICC Champions trophy final, Shastri's analysis sheds light on the key qualities that propel Kohli to the top.
In a thrilling Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal between India and Australia, the in-form batsman Travis Head was dismissed by Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy. However, what caught everyone's attention was the reaction of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and wicket-keeper KL Rahul to the missed opportunity by Mohammed Shami in the first over. Adding to the emotional atmosphere, the Indian team also paid tribute to legendary cricketer Padmakar Shivalkar who passed away the day before at the age of 84. As India and Australia continue their rivalry, this match will surely be one to watch out for.
In a highly anticipated match, Pakistan takes on New Zealand at the Champions Trophy 2025 opener. Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan chooses to field first, as the team looks to start strong and defend their title. Despite a few injury setbacks, New Zealand is ready to take on the home team in what will be the first ICC tournament held in Pakistan in 29 years.
Get ready for an epic showdown as Chennai Super Kings releases their full schedule for IPL 2025. The five-time champions will kick off the season by facing off against Mumbai Indians in Chennai on March 23rd, followed by a highly-anticipated match against Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 28th. Fans can expect even more excitement as CSK takes on various teams, including defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders and the returning Lucknow Super Giants. The season will culminate with a thrilling match against Gujarat Titans on May 18th at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Stay tuned for what promises to be an action-packed season for CSK!
This week's Radar column explores the upcoming match between Manchester City and Arsenal, with a focus on the highly anticipated clash between young stars Erling Haaland and Gabriel. While Haaland made headlines with his fiery exchange with Mikel Arteta, his battle with Gabriel on the field is what sparked the feud. The column also delves into other intriguing storylines such as Archie Gray's versatility for Tottenham and Andoni Iraola's innovative approach to defense for Bournemouth. Don't miss the action, watch Arsenal vs Man City live on Sky Sports Premier League from 4pm on Sunday.
In a thrilling semi-final match on day 13 of the Australian Open, 19-year-old Jannik Sinner defeated Ben Shelton in straight sets to secure his spot in the men's singles final. The Italian will face Alexander Zverev in what is sure to be an epic showdown on Sunday. In other Australian Open action, GB's Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid won the wheelchair doubles title, while Andy Lapthorne secured the quad doubles title with partners Harry Poole, Emily Salley and Millie Sian.
Ruben Amorim has already achieved one thing in his short time as Manchester United's manager - he has secured the loyalty and admiration of fans through the brilliance and persistence of 22-year-old Ivorian, Amad Diallo. In what was a difficult and frustrating match against Southampton, Amad's speed, agility, and refusal to give up ultimately led to his first Premier League hat-trick - a stunning display that turned the game around and brought the house down. Amorim's grin at the end of the match was well-deserved, as he has not only secured a victory but also a promising talent for United's future.
The much-awaited Carabao Cup semifinal first leg between Arsenal and Newcastle is just around the corner. While both teams have their own narratives and motivations, all eyes will be on Newcastle's key striker, Alexander Isak. The 25-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal and with the Gunners in desperate need of a new forward, Isak seems like the perfect fit. Former Arsenal player and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson even believes that Isak could be the one to take Arsenal to the next level. Will Isak prove his worth in Tuesday's game? Tune in to find out in what promises to be an exciting match.