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Rajasthan Royals leg-break spinner Wanindu Hasaranga entered an exclusive club after bagging a four-wicket haul against Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Hasaranga singlehandedly broke the backbone of Chennai's attempt to chase down 183 on Guwahati's surface. He tore CSK's batting order apart by cleaning up Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. He ended his full bowling quota of four overs with searing figures of 4/35 and became just the third spinner to register a four-wicket haul against Chennai in the cash-rich league. Former ball tweaker Harbhajan Singh was the first to script the feat to his name after dazzling for Mumbai Indians and claiming 5/18 against the five-time champions in 2011.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been making headlines for his lower-than-usual batting order in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. While fans have been left puzzled by his late entries, head coach Stephen Fleming has revealed that the 43-year-old is carefully managing his body, particularly after undergoing knee surgery in 2023. The five-time champions have not been having a great tournament so far, with two losses in three games already. As for Dhoni's batting position, CSK coach Stephen Fleming has finally answered the question on everyone's mind. “Yeah, it's a time thing,” Fleming told reporters. “MS judges it. His body is, his knees aren't what they used to be and he's moving okay but there's still an attrition aspect to it.” Also Read: Jake Fraser-McGurk takes a stunning catch at the boundary line to end Aniket Verma's brilliant knock

Rajasthan Royals leg-break spinner Wanindu Hasaranga's love for South Indian movies was the underlying factor behind his 'Pushpa' style celebration against Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The Sri Lankan ball tweaker's four-wicket haul inspired the Royals to their first win in the 18th edition of the cash-rich league on an action-packed Sunday. Out of his four scalps, Hasaranga punched the return ticket of the Super Kings batters, a ball after conceding a maximum on three occasions. Hasaranga added a filmy touch to celebrate his moment of success. He pulled off the trademark move of Allu Arjun's blockbuster 'Pushpa' to add entertainment and spice to the gripping affair. «I love to watch Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil films, and I got that from the Pushpa film,» Hasaranga said after the match.

Once DC openers made a quick start off the block, the result was never in doubt, but their approach was vastly different. Du Plessis wound the clock back with some stunning shots, such as a straight six off Pat Cummins. But at other end, McGurk was struggling for his timing, partly because of his exaggerated back-lift and partly because of his desire to hit all the ball out of the park. However, his senior partner was willing to do the heavy-lifting and brought up his fifty in 26 balls.

Dhoni's unbeaten 30 off 16 balls only has value for nostalgia merchants as the former India captain is doing disservice to his team by coming in to bat when all is seemingly lost. In this backdrop, playing RR on a surface which is «more Chepauk-ish than typical Barsapara Stadium track full of runs» might just help CSK get a win against a side that also doesn't boast of a great bowling attack. Also Riyan Parag is too raw as a skipper and to put it mildly seems completely out of place for a high stakes assignment like leading a billion dollar franchise. But all these years, CSK had the personnel to play that game, especially in the bowling department, which doesn't look top notch this year.

Mumbai Indians' senior pacer Trent Boult said the Gujarat Titans bowlers made good use of the black soil pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium and successfully tied up the MI batters by taking the pace off the ball. Hosts GT beat MI by 36 runs in their IPL match after posting 196 for eight here on Saturday, as dew did not come into the picture. «Good tactics from the opposition. If you have those options to do that, it obviously makes sense, but I don't think we'll be using it as an excuse,» Boult said at the post-match press conference. «There are players in our team that have played all over the country on all different types of wickets. So, in all honesty, just an off game tonight, I thought they (GT) scrapped their way to a good total and they showed us how to bowl on that wicket. So full credit to them,» Boult added. The track used for the game was black soil instead of the red one, but the seasoned Kiwi refused to use it as an excuse. «I think it was just good thinking of using home tactics to your advantage. Obviously, there should be an advantage for the home team. But like I said, not an excuse from our point of view. We understood the wicket was black soil and I don't think we just didn't adjust nicely enough,» Boult said.

Delhi Capitals registered a thrilling one-wicket win against Lucknow Super Giants in their first match of IPL 2025 at Vishakhapatnam and will look to carry the momentum when they take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium on Sunday. In the first match, DC were reduced to 113/6 in the 13th over while chasing a challenging target of 210. However, debutant Vipraj Nigam, along with Ashutosh Sharma, stitched a vital 55-run partnership for the seventh wicket to turn the game in their favour. Reflecting on his match-winning partnership with Ashutosh Sharma, Nigam, who made quickfire 39 off 15 balls, said, «My job was to make things easy for Ashutosh. I was able to hit some shots which gave him more time to settle,» as quoted from a release by Delhi Capitals. «We both have played a lot of practice games together and have had some drills in the nets as well. Our plan was to try and replicate what we have been doing in the practice sessions. We did that, and fortunately, it worked for us,» the 20-year-old added while addressing media in a pre-match press conference. The young allrounder also thanked Delhi Capitals management for the opportunity and talked on the importance of maintaining a balance between batting and bowling as an all-rounder.

Dhoni came to bat at number nine as Ravichandran Ashwin was sent ahead of him. He smashed the RCB bowlers all around the park for an unbeaten 30 off 16 balls but the effort went in vain as it came too late. The match was as good as over before Dhoni came to the crease. «This is exactly what CSK fans come to see — 30 off 16 deliveries from Dhoni. I would have absolutely loved to see him come up the order. In my opinion, he should have batted ahead of Ashwin,» Watson, who is a JioStar expert, said. «Given the game situation, Dhoni could have played like this for another 15 balls. Over the last couple of years, he has consistently shown that he's still batting beautifully. I truly believe he should be promoted up the order so we can see the full extent of his skills. » However, this is not a new phenomena as Dhoni, after having retired from the game, he had batted lower down the order even in the previous edition.

Stephen Fleming stoutly countered the criticism that his team's brand of cricket was getting outdated, saying the team had enough «firepower» and no one should make the mistake of discounting them. Five-time IPL champions CSK lost to RCB by 50 runs, unable to chase a steep 196/7 set by Rajat Patidar's side on Friday. CSK's defeat to RCB in the 'Southern Derby' in their own den was their first since the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008 and it was also their biggest reversal at home thus far. In response to a question if his brand of cricket was getting outdated, the former New Zealand skipper shot back, «What do you mean, my way of playing (cricket)? Like winning the first game, that's a good way to play. We've got firepower all the way through. I don't understand this question.» «Just because we don't swing (the bat) from ball one and have a little bit of luck go our way, we'll see at the end,» said the New Zealander after his team was restricted to 146/8 in 20 overs. The 51-year-added that CSK should not be «discounted» just because they had lost one match.

Legend of Zelda? The video game franchise is now being adapted for a live-action film, with the makers announcing its theatrical release date on Friday, March 28. The release date was shared on Nintendo Today, Nintendo’s new app, Variety reported. This comes after a gap of roughly a year-and-a-half when the official announcement of Zelda film was made back in November 2023.

Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The explosive batsman achieved this feat with a dazzling 70 off just 26 balls during his side's dominant victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Pooran's swashbuckling knock dismantled Sunrisers' 190-run defense and left the crowd at their home ground stunned. His blistering innings was key to breaking the back of Hyderabad’s total, as he unleashed a series of powerful strokes before eventually being dismissed by SRH captain Pat Cummins. By the time Pooran made his way back to the dressing room, he had accumulated 1002 runs in just 31 matches for LSG, positioning him as the second-highest run-scorer in the franchise's history. His impressive tally places him just behind former captain KL Rahul, who holds the record with 1410 runs in 38 matches. Pooran's remarkable achievement comes at an average of 45.54 and a strike rate of 184.53. Known for his effortless power-hitting, Pooran has become synonymous with fast-paced innings in the IPL. He has crossed the fifty-run mark in fewer than 20 deliveries on four occasions, setting a record for the fastest half-century by any player in the competition. Australia’s Travis Head and Jake Fraser-McGurk are tied for second, having achieved the same feat three times each. Notably, Pooran reached his fifty in just 18 balls during this game, marking the second-fastest fifty for LSG, only behind his own 15-ball effort against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2023.

Lakers made a formal decision to remove guard Jordan Goodwin from the two-way contract system so he can now play full-time for the main roster before the playoffs begin. The Los Angeles Lakers’ decision signaled their confidence in his impact ahead of the postseason. The team dismissed forward Cam Reddish from its roster as they needed the open spot to sign guard Goodwin. The Lakers promoted Goodwin because of his significant contributions since joining the team in January, with particular strength in defense and energy.

Lucknow Super Giants over Sunrisers Hyderabad in an IPL match here on Thursday. Shardul continued his dream comeback returning with figures of 4/34 to help LSG restrict a power-packed SRH to 190 for nine before Pooran (70 off 26; 6x4s, 6x6s) displayed his 360 degree hitting skills. Pooran shared quick-fire match-winning 116 runs for the second wicket with Marsh (52 off 31) to help LSG chase down the target in 16.1 overs. LSG didn't have the best start to their chase as they lost Aiden Markram early. But thereafter, it was the effortless hitting from Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran that helped LSG surge ahead. Pooran in particular was at his attacking best as he mostly dealt in sixes, clobbering Simarjeet and Abhishek Sharma for huge sixes during his knock, mostly towards the square boundary.

IPL 2025 season has already set the stage for an exciting encounter as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Thursday's high-octane clash. The match will feature two dynamic teams, each with key players looking to make their mark. SRH, led by Pat Cummins, are coming off a strong start, having dominated their previous encounter with a 44-run victory over Rajasthan Royals. Their commanding total of 286 runs, the second-highest in IPL history, sent a clear signal to their opponents about their aggressive batting style and power-packed lineup. On the other side, LSG, captained by Rishabh Pant, will look to challenge SRH's momentum. Despite a few key injuries in their squad, including the absence of Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, and Akash Deep, LSG will be aiming to bounce back and maintain their competitive edge. While Avesh Khan is back in the squad after being cleared for the match, his form after a long break remains to be seen. SRH's explosive top order, including Ishan Kishan, Travis Head, and Abhishek Sharma, will provide a major challenge for the LSG bowlers. The team’s aggressive approach, marked by 30 sixes in their last game against Rajasthan Royals, could see them push the boundaries to reach 300 runs for the first time in IPL history. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who made a successful return from injury with a quickfire 30 off 15 balls, adds further depth to SRH's batting lineup. Additionally, Heinrich Klaasen is a strong presence in the middle order, adding firepower to an already formidable batting unit.

The previous season's runners-up made an early impact by posting the league’s second-highest total. As SRH gets ready for today’s match, it’s unlikely they’ll change their aggressive approach, making it possible for them to become the first team to score 300 runs in an IPL inning. In the first five matches, 119 sixes were hit, with 30 coming from the SRH-RR game. The Sunrisers will be eager to take on the LSG bowling attack, which is missing key players Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, and Akash Deep due to injuries.Avesh has been cleared to return, but it will be interesting to see how he fares in his first match since January. He’ll face SRH’s strong top order, including Ishan Kishan, Travis Head, and Abhishek Sharma, all in excellent form. Nitish Kumar Reddy, making a comeback from injury, showed no signs of trouble with a rapid 30 off 15 balls. With Heinrich Klaasen waiting in the wings, LSG's bowling attack faces a significant challenge.

IPL opener, when Chennai Super Kings' legend MS Dhoni was walking out to bat just for the last couple of deliveries, the crowd in Chepauk lit up with excitement even when they were uncertain of winning. The reason is simple: 'Dhoni may finish'. The wicketkeeper-batsman recently shed light on his finishing approach, emphasizing the importance of maximizing every shot. Speaking to Jio Hotstar, the former Indian captain shared his aggressive batting mindset in high-pressure IPL games. «When you go in to bat, you look at the scoreboard—what the team needs from you. If you are going to face 4-5 deliveries, you try to hit as many big shots as you can. At that moment, the thought process is only about hitting a six. You hardly plan for a four, especially if you have wickets in hand. A four becomes a by-product—you are always looking for a six,» he said. At 43, Dhoni continues to be a key player for CSK, expertly closing innings with his signature power-hitting. He also highlighted the significance of every single run in tight matches.

Neil deGrasse Tyson testing the cognitive skills of Chaser, a border collie with a staggering memory, has left viewers in awe. Trained by psychology professor John Pilley, Chaser wasn’t just any ordinary pet—she was capable of recognizing over 1,000 different toys by name and even learning new ones through inference.

«Everything is a wide, no, 4 or 6 #IPL should just replace bowlers with bowling-machines,» said the Shark Tank judge in a post on X. The 18th edition of the IPL, the 2025 season, began on March 22 and will conclude on May 25. The tournament opened with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. A total of 74 matches will be played across various cities in India. The T20 league, first held in 2008, became one of the biggest sporting events and the most lucrative competition in the world, with a brand value of $12 billion, according to a report.

Jofra Archer endured a night to forget during Rajasthan Royals' (RR) IPL 2025 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Sunday, March 23. The speedster set an unwanted record, registering the most expensive bowling figures in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Bowling at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Archer leaked 76 runs in his four-over spell without picking up a wicket, surpassing Gujarat Titans’ (GT) paceman Mohit Sharma’s 0/73 against Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2024. The 29-year-old speedster, RR’s costliest acquisition at ₹12.50 crore in last year’s mega auction, struggled to find rhythm as SRH batters tore into him mercilessly.