Can't wait for Indian Premier League 2025 to begin? Neither can we. The latest edition of the cash-rich IPL offers a number of varied storylines, and the build-up to the tournament is no less intriguing. (Full Coverage | More Cricket News)
Here are the top developments and IPL trends shaping the narrative ahead of the Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru opener:
Dhoni's Helicopter Floors Fans
Yes, he is 43 now. No, he is not too old to play. MS Dhoni showed he's still got it, while training for the fresh season with his trademark helicopter hit. The Chennai Super Kings heartthrob smashed a yorker-length delivery from a bowler who specialises in landing deliveries in the blockhole, Matheesha Pathirana, straight down the ground for a big hit. Fans have since been going gaga, watching the clip on loop. Here, you watch it too:
Star Power At Opening Ceremony
As always, big names from Bollywood and the music industry are set to be part of the IPL 2025 ceremony. A report by Hindustan Times suggests that stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Vicky Kaushal and Sanjay Dutt are expected to attend the gala event.
While SRK is the co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders and bound to be present, Salman Khan will reportedly use the grand platform to promote his upcoming action film Sikandar, co-starring Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal and expected to release on March 30.
Angry CSK Fans Vent Ire For Not Getting Tickets
The online ticket booking for the first Chennai Super Kings match, to be played against Mumbai Indians began on Wednesday at 10.15 am. But with the kind of craze and demand as only the Dhoni-featuring franchise can garner, the tickets sold like hotcakes. And many fans of the franchise were left disappointed for not getting confirmation. They took social media to express their frustration.
An irate supporter wrote online: "I logged in exactly at 10:15 AM, and I was already in queue at 87,600. How does that even work when transactions must be completed within 10 minutes?" Another disappointed user warned, "Don't waste your time, folks! This online sale is just for show."
'How Can Good IPL Lead To Test Call Up?', Ashwin Asks
Shreyas Iyer's rich vein of form in the Champions Trophy has led to him cementing a spot in the ODI side, but he harbours aspirations for making it back into the Test team as well. However, a great run in the IPL should not in any way be correlated to that, as per Indian spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin.
"Tell me one thing: how can a good IPL lead to a Test call-up? How can you improve your Test credentials if you have a good IPL? If you do well in ODIs, someone writes an article about having that player in Tests," Ashwin remarked in a video on his YouTube channel.
"If someone does well in Tests, people start talking about return in T20Is. Isn't all this wrong? If you have a good IPL, then only your T20I credentials should improve," he added.
SKY To Lead MI For Opener
Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav will lead Mumbai Indians in their opening Indian Premier League match against Chennai Super Kings on March 23, as regular skipper Hardik Pandya will be forced to sit out due to a one-match suspension for over-rate offences committed by the team last season. "Surya leads India as well. When I am not there he is the ideal choice," Pandya said during MI's pre-season press conference in Mumbai.
KKR Vs LSG Likely To Be Rescheduled
Elsewhere, Kolkata Knight Riders' IPL home match against Lucknow Super Giants on April 6 at Eden Gardens is likely to be rescheduled, as the city police have not given security clearance due to Ram Navami celebrations.
