After a successful stint with Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, Ruturaj Gaikwad returned to the domestic circuit with a bang. The 28-year-old batsman slammed an impressive century on the opening day of the Duleep Trophy semifinal against Central Zone, showcasing his batting prowess and determination. With this performance, Gaikwad aims to cement his position in the national team and achieve consistency across formats.
South Africa's Tristan Stubbs had a close call when his bat flew over his shoulder and landed in front of the stumps during the second ODI against England. The Proteas were 240/4 after 40 overs, with Stubbs on 55 and Dewald Brevis yet to score. A win for South Africa would seal the series, after their victory in the first ODI at Leeds.
Chennai Super Kings' newest addition, Dewald Brevis, has expressed his gratitude towards captain MS Dhoni for his mentorship during his first season with the franchise. The 22-year-old South African player shared how he learned from Dhoni's experience and also admired his down-to-earth nature. Brevis also discussed his favorite city and experience playing with other teams in the IPL.
Rising star Ruturaj Gaikwad's promising 2025 IPL season was cut tragically short due to an elbow injury, forcing him out of the tournament after just five matches. His absence dealt a blow to defending champions Chennai Super Kings, who subsequently saw a dip in performance and were eliminated from the league. The team's captaincy duties were handed back to experienced player MS Dhoni, as fans eagerly await Gaikwad's return in upcoming seasons.
South African cricket player Matthew Breetzke has become the first in ODI history to score five consecutive half-centuries in his first five innings. This feat was achieved during the second ODI against England at Lord's, where Breetzke added yet another 50+ score to his impressive run. He surpassed the long-standing record held by India's Navjot Singh Sidhu and now also holds the title for most runs after five ODI matches. Despite a fine knock of 85, Breetzke was eventually dismissed, but his partnership with Tristan Stubbs helped South Africa reach a promising position in the game.
In a nail-biting second ODI match between England and South Africa, Adil Rashid's stunning performance lead to the wicket of South Africa's captain, Temba Bavuma, with only four runs on the board. The live updates and commentary of the match is available for UK viewers only, as Rashid's successful spell attracts the attention of cricket fans worldwide. The star spinner's outstanding performance proves to be a game-changer for England in the crucial clash.
In a thrilling Duleep Trophy semifinal match, West Zone's Ruturaj Gaikwad showcased his exceptional batting skills by scoring 184 runs against East Zone. Despite losing early wickets, Gaikwad's partnership with Aarya Desai helped West Zone recover and put up a strong total. His masterful knock included 15 boundaries and he was well supported by Tanush Kotian. Although he was dismissed near his double century, Gaikwad's contribution propelled his team to a dominant position for the next day.
In the highly-anticipated semi-final clash between West Zone and Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy, Ruturaj Gaikwad stole the show with his magnificent century of 184 runs. While star batsmen Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal failed to make an impact, Gaikwad's brilliant knock helped West Zone recover from a precarious position and reach a strong total of 363/6 at the end of Day 1. This innings could also potentially harm Iyer's chances of making a Test comeback, while Gaikwad's partnership with Tanush Kotian proved to be crucial for the team's success.
Indian cricket fans were left stunned this week when Shikhar Dhawan, a beloved former Team India opener, was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over his potential involvement in an online betting platform that's facing money laundering allegations. Dhawan's name is now the latest addition to a growing list of public figures connected to the murky world of celebrity-endorsed betting platforms, including fellow cricketer Suresh Raina and popular actors from the entertainment industry. While many of these figures have denied any wrongdoing, this probe is shedding light on the potential dark side of celebrity influence and the consequences of associating with online betting platforms.
India batter Abhishek Sharma celebrated his 25th birthday in style with a customised cricket-themed cake. With a fondant figure of a player standing on a pitch with stumps around him, the cake was designed by his sister Komal Sharma. Abhishek's impressive performance in T20Is has earned him the top spot in the ICC Men's T20I batting rankings, with a career-best score of 135. He will next be seen in action at the 2025 Asia Cup, while also being praised by spinner Ravi Bishnoi as the toughest player he has bowled to. Keep up with the latest updates on Abhishek's performances and the upcoming 2025 IPL auction at Sportskeeda.