With the Indian Premier League's new season less than a week away, news around the competition is trickling every time. Here are some of the stories, you might have missed in the big pool of IPL 2025 updates. (Full Coverage | More Cricket News)
KL Rahul To Bat In Middle Order
After Faf du Plessis was appointed the vice-captain of Delhi Capitals, there were speculations that the move might mean KL Rahul will have to shift into the middle order. A report in the Times of India now confirms that the Capitals are thinking on these lines as well. With Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser McGurk likely to open and the retained wicket-keeper batter Abhishek Porel to take the number three slot, Rahul will now fit into the middle order like he does for India in ODIs.
Iyer Marks No3 As His Spot
Shreyas Iyer, the new Punjab Kings skipper, has put his mark on the number three spot for the upcoming season.
"We already know that IPL is an integral part of Indian cricket. And If I would want to mark myself at some position in T20, it would be number 3. And that's what I'm focusing at. I wouldn't say that we are planning and thinking about what number I will be batting.
"This time I'm quite clear about that position. And I'm going to be focusing on that number. As long as coach approves of me," Iyer said at the season opening media interaction seated alongside head coach Ricky Ponting.
LSG Pace Battery Injured
Lucknow Super Giants were to sport an all-Indian bowling line-up for IPL 2025 but their plans have been derailed due to injuries. All of Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan and Akash Deep are reportedly under injury cloud pushing LSG to look for potential replacements.
Click HERE to know the players who could fill in for LSG pacers should any of them not be able to make it to the tournament.
'Virat Won't Have To Up His Strike Rate'
Ex-RCB and South Africa legend, Ab de Villiers thinks that Phil Salt aggressive nature would help Virat Kohli and the Indian star would not have to worry about his strike rate in the upcoming edition.
"Virat seems to be enjoying his cricket. I don't think he's going to have to up his strike rate batting with Phil Salt," de Villiers said on JioStar Press Room on Tuesday.
"Salt is one of the most attacking players we've ever seen. I think he's going to take a lot of pressure off Virat. Virat needs to continue what he's been doing for so many years...control the game, play smart cricket. He's got the best instinct of any player out there. He knows when to up the ante a bit and when to lower it."
KKR Unveil Eco-Friendly Biodegradable Jersey
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Tuesday announced the launch of their revolutionary new jersey that is made out of biodegradable materials, alongside their innovative environmental initiative called ‘Runs to Roots,’ reinforcing the team's commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation.
The new KKR jersey, unveiled earlier in March, is designed to be 100% biodegradable in compost state, setting a standard for sustainable sportswear in cricket.
(With PTI Inputs)
