Sports

IPL 2025: Kohli and Salt’s Fifties Lead RCB to Seven-Wicket Victory Over KKR

Published

9 months ago

March 24, 2025

Virat Kohli (59 not out) and Phil Salt (56) delivered impressive performances, propelling the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a commanding seven-wicket victory over the defending champions, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The match, held at Eden Gardens on Saturday, marked the opening game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, with RCB successfully chasing down 175 runs.

Thanks to Krunal Pandya’s stellar bowling figures of 3-29 and Josh Hazlewood’s 2-22, RCB managed to restrict KKR to 174/8. Salt and Kohli set the tone from the outset, forging a 95-run opening partnership. Salt was dismissed just before the halfway point of the chase, but Kohli remained strong, finishing the innings with an unbeaten 59 off 36 balls, allowing RCB to secure victory with 22 balls to spare.

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Salt ignited the chase with an electrifying cover drive off Vaibhav Arora, while Kohli followed with a flick through mid-wicket in the opening over. Salt continued the onslaught by executing a beautiful cover drive off Spencer Johnson and then lofting Arora over mid-on for a boundary and a six in successive deliveries.

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Kohli struck Arora with a four, followed by Salt’s upper-cut for six to finish the third over. The pair maintained the momentum, with Salt using his wrists to score two fours and a six against Varun Chakaravarthy, pulling him over deep square-leg for another boundary, contributing 21 runs in the fourth over alone.

Kohli created a highlight moment, lofting Johnson for two consecutive sixes over the ground, followed by Salt guiding a shot through backward point for four. After Kohli’s catch was dropped by deep cover, he showcased his power with a slog sweep off Chakaravarthy for six before Salt reached his fifty in just 25 balls.

However, Chakaravarthy eventually claimed Salt’s wicket as he sought a leg-break, but his outside edge was caught by the short third man. Shortly thereafter, Devdutt Padikkal fell to Narine at deep mid-wicket. Nonetheless, Kohli pressed on, achieving his 56th IPL fifty in 30 balls with a stunning drive off Harshit Rana in the 13th over.

Captain Rajat Patidar displayed confidence, lofting Narine for a six and then executing a series of boundaries against Rana, including lofting, flicking, and late-cutting. Although Patidar was dismissed at deep mid-wicket off Arora, Liam Livingstone completed the chase with two boundaries—one four and one six—before slamming the winning run past mid-on, sealing a significant victory for RCB.

Brief scores:

Kolkata Knight Riders: 174/8 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 56, Sunil Narine 44; Krunal Pandya 3-29, Josh Hazlewood 2-22) lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 177/3 in 16.2 overs (Virat Kohli 59 not out, Phil Salt 56; Sunil Narine 1-27, Vaibhav Arora 1-42) by seven wickets

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Sports

Historic Test Debut in Guwahati as South Africa Reach 247/6 on Day 1

Published

2 weeks ago

November 23, 2025

Namma Kudla

On the first day of the second Test between India and South Africa at Barsapara Stadium, South Africa made a strong start, reaching 247 for 6 at stumps.The venue, Barsapara Cricket Stadium, hosted its very first Test match in history — making the day special for Guwahati and cricket in Assam.

South African skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to bat first.Their openers, Aiden Markram (38) and Ryan Rickelton (35), gave a solid start with a partnership of 82 runs.Later, Tristan Stubbs added 49 before getting out, while Bavuma made 41.

India fought back well thanks to a strong performance by spinner Kuldeep Yadav. He picked up 3 wickets and gave away only 48 runs in 17 overs.Ravindra Jadeja also chipped in with an important wicket, dismissing Bavuma. In the final over before stumps, Mohammed Siraj struck, getting Tony de Zorzi out.At the end of play, Senuran Muthusamy was unbeaten on 25, and Kyle Verreynne was 1 not out.

The light became a concern late in the day. As visibility dropped, play was stopped, and light issues forced the umpires to call it a day early.Overall, India ended Day 1 with a degree of satisfaction. The bowling attack showed discipline, especially through their spinners, and they managed to check the South African momentum.

Sports

India A Post 297/4 as Vaibhav Suryavanshi Smashes 144 Off 42 Balls

Published

4 weeks ago

November 14, 2025

Namma Kudla

India A began their Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 campaign with a huge total against the UAE in Doha. Captain Jitesh Sharma won the toss and chose to bat first. Vaibhav Suryavanshi then produced a stunning innings. He scored 144 runs from just 42 balls. His knock included 11 fours and 15 sixes.

Suryavanshi reached his fifty in 17 balls. He completed his century in only 32 balls. He added 163 runs for the second wicket with Naman Dhir, who made 34. Jitesh Sharma also played a quick innings and scored a fast fifty.

India A finished at 297 for 4 in 20 overs. The team now holds a strong position in the match.

Sports

Sri Lankan Players Express Security Fears in Pakistan, Board Urges Them to Stay

Published

4 weeks ago

November 13, 2025

Namma Kudla

Some Sri Lankan cricketers in Pakistan have asked to return home after a bomb blast in Islamabad killed 12 people on Wednesday. The team is currently playing a three-match ODI series in Rawalpindi, which is close to Islamabad.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a statement that it had spoken to the players and assured them of their safety. The board is working with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and local authorities to ensure full security.

SLC has directed all players and staff to continue the tour. It warned that if anyone still chooses to return, replacements will be sent and a review will be held later.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka are also set to play a T20I tri-series with Zimbabwe from November 17 to 29 in Rawalpindi and Lahore. PCB chief and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is overseeing the security arrangements for all three teams.