The buzz for the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is high and all franchises are trying to prepare well in all fields before the start of the carnival. (Full Coverage | More Cricket News)
We expressed in the afternoon's digest how BCCI lifted the ban on the usage of saliva. Here are the other developments of the IPL 2025 so far:
KKR-LSG Clash On April 6 Shifted To Guwahati
Kolkata Knight Riders' home game against Lucknow Super Giants on April 6 is set to be moved to Guwahati due to the police's inability to provide security for the IPL match, coinciding with the 'Ram Navami' celebrations in the city on that day, as revealed by CAB president Snehasish Ganguly to PTI on Thursday.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari announced that over 20,000 processions are being organized across West Bengal to celebrate the festival.
This matchup between KKR and LSG, owned by RPSG Group chairman Sanjiv Goenka, was expected to attract a full house, given that both teams have strong local support.
An official statement from the IPL has yet to be released. In the 2024 season, the IPL fixture between KKR and Rajasthan Royals also had to be rescheduled due to security concerns during the Ram Navami festivities.
Captains' Meeting Before The Opening Ceremony
The captains of all ten franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL) gathered in Mumbai for a photo shoot with the trophy ahead of the start of the 18th season. The meeting was scheduled to begin at 12:30 PM, but it was delayed due to the late arrival of some team officials at the BCCI office.
The decision to lift the saliva ban in IPL 2025 was made after the captains voted, with a majority in favour of ending the ban. The photoshoot featured the iconic Gateway of India in the background.
Mo Bobat Stresses On The Right Usage Of Data In IPL
Relying on data science has become essential for IPL teams, enhancing decision-making when combined with intuition, according to Mo Bobat, RCB's Director of Cricket.
Bobat, a former Performance Director for England and Wales Cricket, emphasized the importance of balancing data usage and gut feeling to improve decisions.
"Data is a core currency for leaders, and understanding it is vital for success," he stated. Bobat highlighted that having superior data can provide a competitive edge, but the real challenge is effectively interpreting and using the abundance of information available.
Former Umpire Anil Chaudhary Set To Do Commentary
Anil Chaudhary has served as an umpire for the past 17 editions of the IPL, but after turning 60 last week, he has transitioned into a commentator for this season. This change effectively marks his retirement from officiating in the game.
Chaudhary's farewell match was the Ranji Trophy final between Kerala and Vidarbha last month in Nagpur, and his last international appearance took place in September 2023. Throughout his career, he officiated in 12 Test matches, 49 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 64 Twenty20 matches.
As he prepares for retirement, Chaudhary has been planning for his future and has started working in regional commentary, which has seen significant growth over the past two years. He will be part of the Haryanvi commentary team for the IPL, starting March 22, and will also make occasional appearances in Hindi commentary.
Mohammed Siraj Backs Lifting Of Saliva Ban
India pacer Mohammed Siraj welcomed the BCCI라이브 바카라 decision to lift the saliva ban ahead of the upcoming matches, stating that it will assist bowlers in achieving “reverse swing,” even in less favourable conditions.
The BCCI has lifted the ban on the use of saliva on cricket balls after a majority of team captains agreed to the proposal. This marks the first major competition to abolish the restriction that was initially imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It라이브 바카라 great news for bowlers. This decision is excellent for us because when the ball isn’t doing much, applying saliva will increase the chances of generating some reverse swing,” Siraj, who joined the Gujarat Titans this season, told PTI.
“Using saliva on the ball is important for maintaining the shine on one side, and it aids in creating reverse swing, unlike scrubbing the ball against the shirt, which does not help,” he added.
