Bengaluru V Punjab: Can Virat Kohli Break 18-Year IPL Curse? First Sports With Rupha Ramani
Bengaluru V Punjab: Can Virat Kohli Break 18-Year IPL Curse? | First Sports With Rupha Ramani | N18G
The IPL 2025 Final is finally here — and it's a showdown no one saw coming: Bengaluru V Punjab. Two franchises with passionate fan bases and years of heartbreak now face off for their maiden Indian Premier League title. Bengaluru, led by the ever-determined Virat Kohli, is chasing glory after 18 long years of waiting. With emotions running high and superstition in the air — including fans conducting havans and chanting "Ee Sala Cup Namde" — this final carries more weight than most. Meanwhile, Punjab fans are already celebrating their first final in over a decade, but will they go all the way? Rupha Ramani breaks down the historical context, legacy moments, fan emotions, and why this final could mark the beginning of a new era in IPL history.
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Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Cabinet to discuss stadium stampede report today; KSCA, police and organisers likely to face heat
Bengaluru: The cabinet, which meets Thursday, is expected to initiate action against those found responsible for the stampede outside M Chinnaswamy stadium on June 4, in which 11 people were killed during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL victory celebrations. The one-man inquiry commission led by Justice John Michael D'Cunha submitted its report on July 7. Though it was tabled during the cabinet meeting on July 17, a final decision was deferred. The report has reportedly held Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd (RCB franchise owner), event managers DNA Entertainment Networks, Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and senior police officers responsible for lapses that led to the tragedy. Chief minister Siddaramaiah met legal experts Wednesday to discuss the report ahead of the cabinet meeting. "The govt has studied the report in detail and required action will be taken on recommendations of ministers and considering provisions under the law," said AS Ponnanna, Congress MLA and legal adviser to the CM. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Sources say the commission has specifically recommended legal action against KSCA president Raghuram Bhat, DNA Entertainment Networks MD Venkat Vardhan, and Bengaluru city police commissioner B Dayananda. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Enhance Online Presence and Get Customers [Try Now] Undo The report criticised the choice of venue, calling the stadium infrastructure inadequate for large gatherings, and reportedly suggested shifting crowd-heavy events to better-equipped venues. "Since the govt has already taken some action including suspension of four police officers, the cabinet will deliberate on Justice Cunha's report and make recommendations. While a case is pending in the high court, the cabinet will also decide on filing a fresh petition if needed," said HK Patil, law and parliamentary affairs minister. Officials said more legal action is likely, especially since the report accused KSCA and event organisers of violating the Licensing and Controlling of Assemblies and Processions (Bengaluru City) Order, 2009. Despite lacking police permission, organisers proceeded with the event. The commission also pulled up police for deploying only about 70 personnel — far below the required strength. Casting a long shadow, the report's findings could impact upcoming events at the venue, including key matches of the ICC World Cup. The Maharaja Cup, slated for Aug 11-28, will now be held without spectators. Other items on agenda Besides the stampede report, the cabinet is also likely to consider key proposals, including amendments to the Global Capability Centers (GCC) Policy 2024-29, establishment of a Centre of Excellence for space technologies in Bengaluru, and implementation of the local economy accelerator programme at an estimated cost of Rs 100 crore to drive tech innovation. "These steps are being taken to enhance jobs and the proposed amendment to the GCC policy is in line with the industrial policy aimed at creating a pro-people and industry-friendly ecosystem," said IT-BT minister Priyank Kharge.
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Indian Express
Day 1, Old Trafford: How Rishabh Pant's toe injury gave England a leg in the door
As Rishabh Pant sat on the golf-cart turned ambulance with a swollen right foot, a question loomed over Old Trafford, along with the dark clouds. How will India tread through the final hour of play on Day 1? The score at that point was 213/3, the honours were even. But with the most consistent Indian batsman on the tour gone, England captain Ben Stokes saw this as an opportunity to get his leg in the door. He did very soon. Six overs later the last of India's specialist, Sai Sudharsan pulled a short ball from Stokes into the hands of fine-leg. The cat and mouse contest for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy continues. India had a foot ahead till Pant was hit flush on his right toe by England's hero of the day Chris Woakes. At stumps, India would finish at 264/4. On crease were the two all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur. Both were on 19, both looking comfortable against the tired England attack. This was a hard day's work for both the batsmen and bowlers. Once again the most-repeated 'end of the day' summation on this series—the first hour tomorrow would be crucial—echoed around the storied ground. This game too has the opening of a gripping drama. The pitch is no sleeping beauty, this is no batting paradise, the spinners are getting turn, pacers the bounce. The 'Theatre of Dreams', the home of footballers that has the same name, is round the corner. But cricket's Old Trafford too might throw up a game of gravitas. On the very first day, a fairytale almost unfolded. Sudharsan getting into the playing XI here wasn't a popular decision. Experts have believed that he shouldn't have replaced Karun Nair, who should have been given one more game. But those in the know say that it was captain Shubman Gill who backed Sudharsan. No one has seen India's new No.3 as closely as Shubman. They are opening partners at Gujarat Titans. The two have spent long hours on the field and months together during the IPL. Familiarity doesn't always breed contempt, it also can generate awe. Once during the IPL, Shubman had spoken about Sudharsan's special talent. 'It's easy to swing freely on good cement wickets, but real skill lies in reading conditions, assessing the situation.' The coaches at GT also talk about the potential of the star batsman who plays even IPL like Tests. Assistant coach Nadeem Amin, talking to this paper about Shubman, had diverted the topic towards the other GT opener. That was during the Lord's Test. 'He may be out now but look out for the boy, his appetite for runs is as much as Shubman. Just wait till he gets a game.' So when he got the game, the initiation was relatively easy. Openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal had put on 94 runs and the English pace bowlers had lost the first hour to India. Sudharsan too looked like he was going to make this opportunity count. In the first innings of the only Test he had played in England at Headingley, Sudharsan got out edging an angled ball on the leg-stump to the wicket-keeper. Stokes doesn't usually forget such weak spots in his rivals. So he immediately went round-the-wicket to the left-hander and bowl from the corner of the crease. The ploy almost worked, Sudharsan edged a ball but the wicket-keeper Jamie Smith failed to grab it. This was the lucky break the batsman returning to the team wanted. A big part of Sudharsan's batting is his wrists. There is a tiny bit of Virat Kohli in his drives. He rolls his wrists over the ball, like a competent table-tennis player hitting a top-spinner. He is also quick to jump on balls that are marginally short as he crouches and slaps them to square leg. This too isn't a straight tight slap but more of a subtle pat, again with the help of his wrists. Sudharsan's county stint also prepared him to negotiate the English conditions, the kind India encountered for the first time on this tour. In the few games he played for Surrey, the left-hander learned to relax and give importance to the technical aspects of the game. 'As a batsman, when you are juggling between formats, I believe only the mindset should change, not your game … There is a big shift tactically. When I go to England, I have to leave a lot more balls than I usually do,' he had told The Indian Express. It is the wrists that manipulate the ball into the gaps, making it difficult for the captain to set a field. When he was in the company of Pant, another batsman with a knack of hitting the ball in unguarded areas, it seemed England were in trouble. The two were toying with the bowlers, India seemed set for a long partnership. England were losing the grip and then came the twist. Pant got carried away and to a smartly bowled slow yorker, he attempted a predetermined reverse sweep. He was beaten by the pace and trajectory. He missed the ball and it hit him on the toe. There were worried faces in the Indian dressing room as the pain on Pant's face hinted at the seriousness of the injury. By late evening the word from the Indian camp was that Pant had gone for scans and the BCCI medical team was 'monitoring his progress'. India's key player's left finger hadn't yet fully healed and now he gets a blow on his right foot. A bigger question looms: How will India limp on the last leg of this tough tour if Pant is ruled out of the series?
The Hindu
6 hours ago
- The Hindu
Russell's sparkling farewell in vain as Australia sprint to T20 win
Andre Russell struck a sparkling 36 off 15 balls in his final innings before retirement on Tuesday (July 23, 2025) but could not save the West Indies from losing the second Twenty20 international against Australia in Kingston. The 37-year-old all-rounder was unable to script a fairytale farewell to his glittering T20 career, but departed to a standing ovation on his home Sabina Park ground after hitting four trademark sixes and two fours. Batting at number seven in his 85th and last T20 international, Russell's cameo, plus a late flurry from Gudakesh Motie (18 off nine balls) added to 51 from opener Brandon King enabled the hosts to score 172-8 off their 20 overs. But a record 131-run stand by Josh Inglis, who made 78 not out, and Cameron Green (56 not out) saw Australia race to an eight-wicket win with more than four overs to spare. It was Australia's highest third-wicket partnership in Twenty20 internationals and, aided by six dropped catches by West Indies fielders, gave the visitors a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Inglis hit seven fours and five sixes while Green was barely more sedate, clearing the ropes four times and stroking three fours in his second consecutive fifty. "I didn't want to finish on a losing note," said Russell, whose spectacular final knock had briefly thrilled his hometown crowd. "I enjoy seeing the ball go over the ropes," he added. "As a kid you dream about playing here. Thanks to all the fans who came out to support me." Russell, who was given a guard of honour before the match by both teams, played just one Test match. It was as a Twenty20 specialist that he made his name, winning the T20 World Cup twice with the West Indies in 2012 and 2016. A more than lively seam bowler, Russell's free-scoring late-order batting and athletic fielding saw him sought after by T20 leagues around the world. He has been with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL since 2014, scoring more than 2,400 runs.
