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Former cricketer slams Josh Hazlewood for prioritising IPL over WTC final

Former Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson has launched a scathing attack on fast bowler Josh Hazlewood for returning to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 just before the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final.

Josh Hazlewood, returned to the resumed IPL after recovering from a shoulder niggle during the final phase of the tournament and helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in clinching their maiden title in 18 years.

IPL 2025 was suspended for a week during the border tensions between India and Pakistan.

The pacer was instrumental in RCB’s maiden title, taking 22 wickets from just 12 matches.

Now, Johnson raised doubts over Hazlewood’s fitness, stating that his decision to prefer the IPL has sparked speculation.

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“We have seen concerns about Hazlewood’s fitness in recent years, and his decision to prioritise returning to the delayed Indian Premier League over his national team preparations raised eyebrows. Lyon didn’t look his best on day three either,” Mitchell Johnson said.

The pacer also criticised Australia’s bowling quartet, noting that they are not an automatic selection in the team.

“Our successful ‘big four’ bowling attack of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon can’t be taken for granted as a lock going forward either,” Johnson said.

Mitchell Johnson highlighted the looming Ashes set to be played at the end of this year while questioning the rationale behind benching some of the in-form players.

“If veteran players are sticking around just for the Ashes as a send-off, it does beg the question of whether that’s the right mindset. It’s crucial that we embrace the future and build confidence in selecting our next Test players.

“Players on the fringe, such as Sam Konstas, Josh Inglis, and Scott Boland, despite being 36, have a different mentality. They’re eager to prove themselves every time they get a chance,” he concluded.

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Virat Kohli ‘lost for words’ after RCB victory parade turns tragic

Star batter Virat Kohli said he was lost for words after celebrations of a dream IPL title of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) turned to tragedy when 11 mainly young cricket fans were crushed to death in their home city.

Hundreds of thousands had packed the streets in Bengaluru on Wednesday to welcome home their hero Kohli and the RCB team after they had beaten Punjab Kings (PBKS) a day earlier in a thrilling Indian Premier League (IPL) final.

But the euphoria of the vast crowds in the southern tech city of Bengaluru ended in disaster, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling it “absolutely heartrending”.

Karnataka state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said most of the 11 dead were young people, and there were 47 others injured in the crush after a stampede near the city’s M. Chinnaswamy cricket stadium, where the players were parading the trophy for fans.

Kohli, who top-scored in the final, said earlier it had been “as much for the fans” after the 36-year-old finally celebrated winning the IPL at his 18th attempt.

Later, Virat Kohli wrote on social media: “At a loss for words.

“Absolutely gutted,” he added, alongside a statement from the RCB team saying they were “deeply anguished” at what had unfolded.

One of the people injured described to AFP how a “huge crowd” had crushed her.

“They stamped on me,” said the woman, who did not give her name, from a wheelchair. “I was not able to breathe. I fell unconscious.”

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Most of the dead were young fans who had gone out just to catch a glimpse of their sporting heroes.

Street food vendor Manoj Kumar mourned the death of his 18-year-old son, killed in the stampede, who he said he had stopped from working on his stall so he could study.

“I wanted him to go to college,” Kumar told the Indian Express newspaper. “I brought him up with a lot of care. Now, he is gone.”

A grieving mother outside a city mortuary said her 22-year-old engineering student son had also died in the crush.

“He was crazy about RCB,” she was quoted as saying by the Indian Express on Thursday. “He died in an RCB shirt. They danced when RCB won, and now he is gone. Can RCB give him back to us?”

Authorities had already called off RCB’s proposed open-top bus victory parade through the streets after anticipating vast crowds. But organisers pressed ahead with the welcome ceremony and celebrations inside the stadium.

RCB’s social media account posted a video of cheering crowds lining the streets as the players waved back from their team bus on their way to the stadium.

The team said they cut short the celebrations “immediately upon being made aware of the situation”.

Siddaramaiah said that the stadium had a capacity of “only 35,000 people, but 200,000-300,000 people came”.

READ: Former Pakistan captain backs Babar Azam amid T20I scrutiny

WATCH: Virat Kohli breaks down as RCB finally lift IPL trophy after 18-year wait

AHMEDABAD: Star batter Virat Kohli couldn’t hold back tears as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally ended their 18-year-long title drought, clinching their first-ever IPL trophy with a tense six-run win over Punjab Kings.

RCB were put into bat and posted 190/9, with Kohli top-scoring with a 35-ball 43, a knock that drew some criticism for its tempo, but proved crucial in the end.

The innings also featured some fireworks from the lower order, helping RCB post a competitive total.

Punjab Kings made a solid start in the chase, but the tide turned during the middle overs, thanks to Krunal Pandya’s miserly spell of 2/17.

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The pressure mounted steadily, and though the Kings fought till the end, the target eventually proved out of reach.

With 29 runs required off the last four balls, the result was all but sealed. And for Virat Kohli, who had carried the burden of expectation for so many years, the moment broke him.

As the final ball of IPL 2025 was launched for a consolation six, Kohli collapsed to the ground, overcome with emotion.

Teammates rushed in to celebrate, but for him, it was the release of years of heartbreak, loyalty, and unwavering belief in the franchise.

“I’ve given this team my youth, prime and experience,” said a visibly emotional Kohli after the match.

“I’ve tried to win it every season, and gave it everything I have. To finally have it is an unbelievable feeling. I was overcome with emotion after the last ball. Gave each and every ounce of my energy, and it’s an amazing feeling.”

Having featured in three IPL finals previously without success, this win marked the end of a long, painful wait, both for Kohli and the RCB fans.

READ: Kagiso Rabada sends strong message to Australia ahead of WTC final

IPL set to resume from THIS date after India-Pakistan ceasefire

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to resume with a revised schedule after the ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

The tensions between India and Pakistan reached fever-pitch following an attack last month in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) town of Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists.

However, the situation returned to normal after an immediate ceasefire on Saturday, following days of deadly jet fighter, missile, drone and artillery attacks.

Due to the growing tensions, IPL was postponed indefinitely, leading to the return of overseas players to their home countries.

The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI), in a statement, shared the details of IPL resumption.

“The tournament suspended on May 9 will continue on Saturday, May 17, with an updated schedule as the event will take place across seven venues,” BCCI confirmed in a statement on Monday.

The tournament’s remaining 17 matches will be played in Bengaluru, Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai, while the final will be played on 3 June.

Meanwhile, the eliminator and final dates will be announced in due course.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Notably, the match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) that was called off midway on 8 May will be played again. The last league game will be between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 27 in Lucknow.

It is noteworthy to mention that the latest IPL schedule also squeezes the gap between the IPL final and the World Test Championship (WTC) final to just seven days, with Australia and South Africa set to contest the Test world title from June 11 at Lord’s.

Due to the aforementioned reason, the return of Australian Test players who are set to feature in the WTC final is highly unlikely.

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Cricket Australia to back players opting out of IPL over safety concerns

Cricket Australia (CA) is set to support the shaken Aussie players’ decision to refrain from returning to the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to safety concerns.

The tensions between India and Pakistan reached fever-pitch following an attack last month in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) town of Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists.

However, the situation returned to normal after an immediate ceasefire on Saturday, following days of deadly jet fighter, missile, drone and artillery attacks.

The escalating situation led to the postponement of the IPL and the Pakistan Super League (PSL), leaving many players stranded in a tense environment.

According to a report by the Sydney Morning Herald, many Australian players expressed feelings of fear and anxiety on their return home from the IPL.

Among the coaching staff, Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin are still in India. While Justin Langer and Mike Hussey, have returned home, but are expecting to be called back to complete the tournament.

The players are experiencing uncertainty because of safety concerns and the pressure to return to the tournament this week. Furthermore, Australian players are worried that if they decide against participating, they could be left out of future IPL editions.

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It is worth mentioning that foreign players opting out of the tournament without serious reasons have faced consequences. The recent example is of England’s Harry Brook, who was handed a two-year ban from the IPL for pulling out of the tournament for the second season in a row.

In light of this, CA will defend the rights of players in their decision not to participation in the remaining matches of IPL.

The report further revealed that the abandonment of a match between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings due to air raid warnings raised plenty of questions, as there were already concerns about playing the game in that northern location.

With IPL set to conclude no later than 24 May finish date, it is doubtful that Australian players will feature in the edition due to international commitments.

Australia is set to play the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa in one month. Test players like Travis Head, Starc, captain Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood are meant to spend a few days at home before flying to the United Kingdom.

READ: WATCH: Bizarre fielding error costs Bangladesh A five-run penalty

CA, SACA address player safety over Pakistan-India tensions

Cricket Australia (CA) and the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) have released statements regarding the players’ safety amid growing tensions between Pakistan and India.

The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) expressed concern over the security of their players participating in the India Premier League (IPL).

“The health and safety of players is not negotiable. We are in direct contact with all the South African players at the IPL and keeping them updated with security reports.”

“We have offered them any support they need,” Andrew Breetzke, the chief executive of the South African Cricketers’ Association, said.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Cricket Australia announced that it is closely monitoring the situation in Pakistan and India and highlighting the communication between stakeholders in both countries.

“We continue to closely monitor the situation in Pakistan and India, including obtaining regular advice and updates from the Australian Government, the PCB, BCCI and local government authorities, and maintaining communication with our players and support staff currently in the region,” CA said in a statement on Friday.

It is pertinent to mention that, amid the growing tensions, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to suspend the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 with immediate effect, due to cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.

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The major development comes just a day after the match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) in Dharamsala was abruptly abandoned midway through the first innings.

One of the floodlights at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Stadium was switched off, and fans were asked to evacuate the venue, triggering an alarm across the cricketing world.

With flight operations suspended in Dharamsala and nearby regions, players and support staff from both franchises were transported to Delhi on Friday morning via a special train arranged by the IPL.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday also decided to relocate the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

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Cricket West Indies monitoring player safety amid escalating Pakistan-India tensions

ANTIGUA: Cricket West Indies (CWI) has issued a statement regarding the safety of it’s players who are currently participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL), amid ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India.

At present, there are eight West Indian players participating in the IPL: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Rovman Powell are part of the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Nicholas Pooran and Shamar Joseph play for the Lucknow Super Giants; Shimron Hetmyer is with the Rajasthan Royals; Romario Shepherd is part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru; and Sherfane Rutherford represents the Gujarat Titans.

Meanwhile, five players are participating in the ongoing PSL 10: Jason Holder (Islamabad United), Gudakesh Motie and Shai Hope (Multan Sultans), Alzarri Joseph (Peshawar Zalmi), and Akeal Hosein (Quetta Gladiators).

According to Cricket West Indies, they are in active communication with the stakeholders of the Pakistan-India cricket boards.

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“We are in active communication with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and our players currently involved in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL),” the official statement read

The statement further added that Cricket West Indies has engaged their strategic partner to ensure the safety of all West Indies players.

“We have also engaged our strategic partner, West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA), to coordinate and ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all West Indies players and support personnel in the region. The welfare of our people remains our highest priority,” it added.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

The board also highlighted WIPA’s contribution to current safety initiatives, noting that the organisation works together to evaluate risks and provide support to players during their engagements in South Asia.

“CWI continues to receive regular updates through diplomatic, governmental, and cricketing channels and stands ready to offer assistance where necessary.”

“We remain committed to the spirit of international cricket and to supporting our players through this uncertain and sensitive period,” the release concluded.

READ: IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals called off midway

IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals called off midway

DHARAMSALA: The 58th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals is called off midway amid security concerns, according to Hindustan Times

According to the report, the match was called off on Thursday after just 10.1 overs of action.

However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released a statement citing significant technical failure at the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala.

“The Punjab Kings v Delhi Capitals match (Match#58) in Tata IPL was forced to be abandoned due to a significant technical failure at the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala.”

“Due to a power outage in the area, one of the light towers at the HPCA stadium malfunctioned. BCCI regrets the inconvenience caused to the in-stadium attendees,” the board’s official statement read.

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The official broadcasters reported that the match was halted due to floodlight failure. However, the Hindustan Times cited an ESPNcricinfo report revealing that the IPL authorities had requested the evacuation of the stadium for security reasons.

Additionally, the report cited PTI, mentioning that the floodlights dimmed during the Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals match for security reasons.

Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) postponed the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10 clash between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings. The decision was made due to rising tensions between Pakistan and India.

For the unversed, the tensions between India and Pakistan escalated in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

This incident has increased the already fragile relationship between the two countries.

On early Wednesday, India launched a “cowardly” missile attack on Pakistani territory, firing from across the Line of Control, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR),

DG ISPR confirmed that the missiles targeted areas including Kotli, Muzaffarabad, Ahmedpur Sharqia, Bagh, and Muridke.

The Pakistan armed forces responded swiftly and successfully intercepted the threat and prevented Indian aircraft from breaching Pakistani airspace.

In retaliation, Pakistan’s military shot down five Indian aircraft and destroyed a brigade headquarters across the border, according to ISPR.

READ: Former, current cricketers react to escalating Pakistan-India tensions

Peshawar Zalmi’s Mitchell Owen set to join Punjab Kings for IPL 2025

Peshawar Zalmi’s Mitchell Owen is set to represent Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 as a replacement for injured Glenn Maxwell.

According to Cricinfo, the right-handed batter will join the IPL franchise after his stint with Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 10.

He will replace Glenn Maxwell, who had a lean run in the IPL but was ruled out after suffering a finger injury in his right hand.

The hard-hitting Australian batter, hailing from Tasmania, has reportedly been bought for INR 3 crore.

Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi currently sits in fifth place in the PSL 10 points table, and their final group stage fixture will be on 9 May.

Mitchell Owen’s commitment to the franchise could be prolonged till 18 May if Zalmi qualify for the playoffs, two days before PBKS’ last group stage fixture.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Mitchell Owen made headlines after leading the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024-25 runs chart. He played a vital role in the Hobart Hurricanes’ triumph in the final with a joint-fastest 39-ball hundred in the tournament’s history.

The 23-year-old scored 108 from 42 balls to win the Player-of-the-Match award, finishing with 452 runs from 11 innings, scoring at an average of 45.20 and a strike rate of 203.60.

Mitchell Owen has recently played in the South Africa (SA20) and the PSL. He bowls medium pace and has claimed 10 wickets in 20 T20 innings.

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Ricky Ponting, the head coach of PBKS and former Australian cricketer, has kept a close eye on Owen’s progress while serving as the Hurricanes’ head of strategy in the BBL

It is pertinent to mention that Mitchell Owen joined Peshawar Zalmi as a replacement for Corbin Bosch, who withdrew from the PSL 10 after Mumbai Indians picked him as a replacement for Lizaad Williams.

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Virender Sehwag criticizes Ishan Kishan’s ‘Brain Fade’ moment

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has strongly criticized Ishan Kishan for leaving the crease despite being given not out during the match between the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

The incident occurred during the third over of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s innings, when Ishan Kishan attempted to play a delivery on the leg side but failed to make contact with the ball.

Mumbai Indians’ wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton collected the ball cleanly, but none of the players made an appeal for a catch. However, Ishan walked away from the field.

Virender Sehwag referred to the incident as a brain fade moment, stating that Ishan should have paused for the umpire’s decision.

“Many times, the mind fails to work at that moment. It was a brain fade. At least stop and wait for the umpire to make his decision. He is also being paid for his job,” Sehwag said.

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Virender Sehwag criticized Ishan for demonstrating honesty despite the umpire’s unclear decision.

“I don’t understand this kind of honesty. If there had been an edge, it would’ve been in the spirit of the game. But there wasn’t even a clear decision from the umpire, and he just walked away,” he added.

The incident soon raised eyebrows with many questioning the umpiring standards in the IPL.

Meanwhile, SRH were bundled out for a modest score of 142, thanks to a dominant bowling performance from MI bowlers.

Mumbai Indians reached the target comfortably in 15.4 overs, losing just three wickets in the process. Rohit Sharma led the charge with a blistering 70 off 46 balls, laced with eight fours and three sixes.

The loss marked Sunrisers Hyderabad’s sixth defeat in the IPL, leaving them at the bottom of the table.

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