Seasoned commentator Harsha Bhogle has put to rest swirling rumors surrounding his absence from the commentary box during the IPL 2025 match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at Eden Gardens. Rumors arose after reports indicated that Bhogle, as well as former New Zealand cricketer and commentator Simon Doull, had been allegedly blacklisted by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) following their critical comments about the Kolkata pitch.

But Bhogle resorted to microblogging site X (previously Twitter) to set the record straight. He said there were "inappropriate conclusions" being made about his absence and clarified that he was only set to commentate on two Kolkata games this season. While he did the first one, personal reasons prevented him from attending the second.

There are some misplaced conclusions being drawn regarding the reasons why I was not present for yesterday's Kolkata game. Simply put, it wasn't on my list of games that I was agreeing to do! A simple question would have answered the problem. Rosters are completed prior to the tournament beginning. I was rostered for two games in Kolkata. I covered the first, and an unexpected illness within the family kept me away from the 2nd," Bhogle posted.

Harsha Bhogle clears air on his absence from #KKRvsGT match at Eden Gardens!#IPL2025 #EdenGardens #HarshaBhogle #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/4MPYP3VpNh

— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) April 22, 2025

Also read: SRH vs MI : Match 41 Weather and Pitch report IPL 2025

Clarification Amid Controversy: Bhogle Addresses Pitch Criticism Fallout

His explanation follows reports that the CAB had asked the BCCI to steer clear of giving Bhogle and Doull KKR's home games, allegedly following their public criticism of the Eden Gardens pitch, prepared by Sujan Mukherjee. On Cricbuzz, both commentators had questioned the surface in question, contending that it was not conducive to KKR's spin-oriented lineup. Doull even went so far as to recommend that the franchise think about shifting home games if the pitch conditions did not provide a strategic advantage.

KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane and coach Chandrakant Pandit have also complained about the Eden Gardens surface this season, specifically its failure to provide spin support.

The home woes of the defending champions continued with a 39-run loss against GT, where they found themselves at number seven on the points table with a mere three victories. KKR will seek a turnaround when they play Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 26 at Eden Gardens.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will face Delhi Capitals (DC) on April 22, 2025, at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. This thrilling contest between two strong teams will be influenced by the weather and pitch conditions, which will play a crucial role in determining the result of the match.

Match Details 

• Date: April 22, 2025
• Time: 07:30 PM IST
• Venue: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
• Win % Batting First: 47%
• Win % Bowling First: 53%

Follow for more: https://www.cricketwinner.com/

Weather Report:

Lucknow’s weather forecast for match day indicates a clear evening with no rain interruptions. The temperatures will hover around 27-30°C, making it comfortable for players and spectators. Humidity levels will be moderate, and there will be light winds throughout the match.

• Temperature: Ranging between 27°C and 30°C.
• Winds: Light breeze with no significant impact on gameplay.
• Precipitation: No rain is forecast, ensuring an uninterrupted match.
• Humidity: Moderate humidity levels (around 70%), but not extreme.

Also read: KAR vs PES PSL 2025 Match Live streaming: Where & How to watch on TV

Pitch Report:

The pitch at Ekana Stadium is known for assisting both batsmen and bowlers. While the surface is generally batting-friendly, pacers may get early movement under lights. The pitch tends to slow down in the second inning, making chasing slightly difficult.

• Balanced Surface: The pitch offers an initial swing for pacers while supporting stroke play for batsmen.
• Spinners’ Role: Spinners might come into play in the latter part of the match as the pitch slows down.
• Boundary Dimensions: The stadium has large boundaries, making six-hitting slightly challenging.

Also read: GT VS KKR IPL Match Live streaming: Where & How to watch on TV

Venue Records:

• Highest Team Total: 235/6 by Kolkata Knight Riders against Lucknow Super Giants.
• Lowest Team Total: 108/10 by Royal Challengers Bangalore against Lucknow Super Giants.
• Average First Innings Score: Around 165-170 runs.

Stay tuned for an exciting clash between LSG and GT in IPL 2025!

​The upcoming IPL 2025 match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, promises an exciting contest, given the venue's batting-friendly conditions and the anticipated weather. 

MI vs CSK: Match Details

• Date: 20th April , 2025​
• Time: 7:30 PM IST​
• Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• Win % Batting First: 49%
• Win % Bowling First: 51%

Also Read: Not just a bowler: Amir turns finisher in dramatic cameo

MI vs CSK: Weather Report  

• Temperature & Humidity: The weather in Mumbai will be warm, with temperatures ranging from 28 to 34°C and humidity levels around 60%, making conditions tough for players.
• 25% Rain Interruption: There is a forecast of rain, ensuring an interrupted match at Wankhede Stadium.
• Dew Factor: Dew is expected in the second innings, which might make gripping the ball difficult for bowlers, favoring the chasing team.

MI vs CSK: Pitch Report

• Wankhede Stadium is renowned for its batting-friendly pitch, characterized by red soil and short boundaries, facilitating high-scoring encounters.
• Batsmen benefit from true bounce and carry, allowing for stroke play.
•  Fast bowlers may find initial assistance with movement and bounce, especially when the ball is new and hard. Spinners, however, often face challenges due to the minimal turn offered by the surface. Historically, the average first innings score in IPL matches here is around 169 runs, indicating the pitch's support for batsmen.

Also read: PBKS vs RCB : Match 37 weather and pitch report IPL 2025

Wankhede Station Records

• Highest Team Total: 235/1 by Royal Challengers Bangalore vs. Mumbai Indians.​
• Lowest Team Total: 67/10 by Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Mumbai Indians.​
• Average First Innings Score: 169 runs.

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) match is set to take place on April 20, 2025, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. This highly anticipated clash will be a key encounter as both teams look to gain momentum in the tournament.

Match Details:

• Date: April 20, 2025
• Time: 03:30 PM IST
• Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur
• Win% % Batting First: 20%
• Win% % Bowling First: 80%

Also read: Not just a bowler: Amir turns finisher in dramatic cameo

Weather and Pitch Conditions:

Weather:

• The weather is expected to be pleasant and clear, with temperatures around 32°C.
• Humidity: 26%
• Rain Probability: No rain is expected, ensuring an uninterrupted match.
• A light breeze may assist swing bowlers in the early overs.

Pitch:

• The Mullanpur pitch is known for its true bounce and pace, making it a batting-friendly surface.
• Fast bowlers enjoy good carry and movement under lights.
• Spinners might find some grip as the match progresses, but the pitch remains favorable for stroke play.
• Average Score Batting First in the Last Season: 178
• Average Score Batting Second in the Last Season: 185
• Wins Batting First in the Last Five Games: 2
• Wins Batting Second in the Last Five Games: 3

Also read: GT VS DC IPL Match Live streaming: Where & How to watch on TV

Venue Records: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur

• Highest Team Total: 240/5 by Chennai Super Kings against Kings XI Punjab in 2008.
• Lowest Team Total: 67 all out by Delhi Daredevils against Kings XI Punjab in 2017.
• Average First Innings Score: Approximately 175 runs.

Ahead of the scheduled IPL 2025 match between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), there was a special encounter when KL Rahul connected with his former cricket player and current Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid. The teams showed mutual respect and camaraderie by enabling an emotional reunion, which occurred before the matches started during the pre-match warm-up.

As Rahul Dravid sat in a wheelchair due to his leg injury, he appeared in good spirits while exchanging greetings with KL Rahul. Through their brief conversation, Dravid delivered smiles and pleasant remarks to Delhi Capitals captain KL Rahul while displaying the strong connection shared by two cricket legends.

The meeting stood out because Dravid showed up with an obvious injury that has not prevented him from playing an active leadership role with his team members. Players of both teams witnessed him using leg braces as he communicated with them while focusing on the sports spirit above competitive efforts. Social media users gave their immediate approval to this sportsmanlike exchange, which they described as "classy and respectful sportsmanship."

RAHUL MEETS RAHUL. 💥

- KL Rahul meeting Rahul Dravid. ❤️pic.twitter.com/4U4Gy3H0vo

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 15, 2025

Also read: 'Udta hua gaya Punjab' - Fans react as Punjab Kings bundled out for 111 against KKR in IPL 2025

A Mentor’s Legacy Lives On

Through his roles as National Cricket Academy leader and then India's head coach, Rahul Dravid continued to guide numerous cricketers in their development. KL Rahul has revealed multiple times that Dravid has been instrumental in shaping his development as a cricketer. The field interaction between these former teammates on Monday displayed the lasting mentor-protégé bond that exists beyond their present team comparisons.

 The DC vs. RR match starts with great momentum because this off-field handshake already gained widespread approval for showing genuine sportsmanship in IPL 2025.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced its additional services during the IPL 2025 matches so as not to inconvenience train users. Cricket fans who travel by train will benefit from this new IPL initiative, and this will better manage the traffic on the roads and metro services.

DMRC plans to cover 76 extra train services for the home matches on April 13, 16, 27, 29, and May 11. The last trains on all lines and the Airport Express Line will leave at least one to two hours later. This is to ensure that there is less traffic congestion and fewer delays in the eastern and western regions of the city.

To facilitate the spectators during the T-20 matches of Indian Premier League scheduled to be played on 13th, 16th, 27th & 29thApril and 11th May 2025 at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Feroz Shah KotlaGround, New Delhi, the Delhi Metro has made changes in its last train timings on all… pic.twitter.com/Yq7xvxC1Nt

— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) April 11, 2025

DMRC was already overloaded with other plans to control the crowd expected at the gates, and now, with these changes, there is a slight shift in control. DMRC attempts to reduce the crowd buildup at the gates and the stations like ITO and Delhi Gate via the Violet Line, which seem to be the most crowded metro stations.

Also read:  LSG VS CSK : Match 30 Weather and Pitch Report – IPL 2025

As stated in their official statement, DMRC expects a large crowd at the match, and every hour trains leave to surrounding stations. A large number of passengers will use those trains, hence increasing the train traffic.

This development comes at the right time, with the Delhi Capitals performing exceptionally well in the tournament. Under the captaincy of Axar Patel, the team has notched up four consecutive victories and is currently leading the points table after convincingly defeating Visakhapatnam, Chennai, and Bengaluru. With the home crowd set to support the team, they will be able to enjoy the game without any concerns regarding getting home after the match, thanks to the extended metro hours.

Also read: RR vs RCB IPL Match Live streaming: Where & How to watch on TV

At the same time, the next match will be critical for the underperforming Mumbai Indians, for whom the pressure is on to generate some excitement in their IPL 2025 campaign.

People are often bothered by the advertisements between overs or any other moment of a match. Whereas it is a live match on television or in a mobile app, viewers turned off their devices to enjoy their favorite game, not to view advertisements. But will it be possible to watch an Indian Premier League (IPL) match without ads?

Read More: List of players who got run out with Virat Kohli at the non-striker’s end

Throughout the years, the IPL has become a cash-rich league, the most popular cricket franchise league in the world, and one of the most popular sports events across the globe. Franchise owners spent crores of money to build a team, then top-notch facilities, promotions, and telecasts—all over a business package. The Indian Premier League changed the perception of the game a lot. Cricket, which is known as a gentleman's game, an exclusive sport for some selected people, has been changing drastically with the help of IPL. 

The crorepati league has become a stage for cricketers, entertainers, and businessmen—a carnival opportunity for many to make some profit. Thus, advertisements between games are natural. But an average viewer has no need to understand business; they turned on their devices to watch cricket, only cricket. Nowadays, online live match streaming through multiple apps has gained huge popularity, like Jio Hotstar. 

Want to watch IPL on JioHotstar without ads? Try this trick!pic.twitter.com/PFqKB8SEC6

— DealBee Deals (@DealBeeOfficial) April 11, 2025

A video recently shared on a social media platform has shown a trick to watch an IPL match without being interrupted by advertisements. According to the video, if you switch the main camera to the fan camera option, then you may find the difference. 

IPL matches today and tomorrow:

Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 7.30 PM, IPL 2025, Match 25, MA Chidambaram Stadium. (Today)

Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans, 3.30 PM, IPL 2025, Match 26, Ekana Cricket Stadium (Tomorrow)

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings, 7.30 pm, IPL 2025, Match 27, Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium

A memorable outing for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. A solid foundation built by Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh turned into a monumental structure with the help of Nicholas Pooran (87*), who drove the Lucknow-based franchise to a total of 238/3. The target was little far to achieve for the defending IPL champion team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). In reply to 238, KKR’s innings were restricted to 234/7.

Read More: Rishabh Pant Cheers from the Stands at ISL Semi-final Before KKR vs LSG Showdown

Toss and first innings

The surface of Eden Gardens had very little to offer for the bowlers. After winning the toss, Knight skipper Ajinkya Rahane’s decision to field first could have been perfect if his bowlers had at least been able to slow down the opponent team’s run rate. Harshit Rana took the wickets of Markram (47) and Abdul Samad (6) but went for a 12.75 economy rate in his 4-over quota. The other wicket fall, in the form of Marsh (81), was taken by Andre Russell. Russell took a wicket, bowled only 2 overs, and spent a total of 32 runs. Though Varun Chakaravarthy did not claim any wicket, he produced a 7.75 economy rate in his 4 overs quota, which proved that there was something for the bowlers in the pitch.

Second Innings

On their home ground, Knight Riders has shown their fighting spirits with the bat. Despite losing Quinton de Kock’s wicket early, KKR batters tried to maintain their momentum with a quick pace. Sunil Narine, who has so far remained cold in the ongoing IPL 2025, played a handy 30-run innings with a 230.77 strike rate. Skipper Rahane, with his well-composed batting, scored a brilliant 61 off 35 balls, accompanied by Venkatesh Iyer with a 29-ball, 45-run innings. Their efforts went in vain as the middle order and the lower middle order batters produced very little to take the team to the finish line. Rinku Singh (38 runs 15 balls) tried to make some impact at the last minute, but it was not enough. 

Thorough entertainment at the Eden Gardens 🏟 🍿

And it's the Rishabh Pant-led @LucknowIPL that prevail in a thrilling run fest 🥳

They bag 2️⃣ crucial points with a 4️⃣-run victory over #KKR 👏

Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/3bQPKnxnJs#TATAIPL | #KKRvLSG pic.twitter.com/31clVQk1dD

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 8, 2025

Post-Match Reactions

Rishabh Pant (LSG Skipper): "We didn’t realise the game would get this close when they batted in the first inning, but in the second inning, as the batters of KKR were batting, they knew that it would go close for sure. There were a lot of turning points in the game as after the first strategic break, told the bowlers to stick to their game plan and not try to overdo things. Our plan was to have a left-hand and right-hand batter at the crease as KKR spinners were bowling well.

Ajinkya Rahane (KKR Skipper): "Match was a really tight one, and this wicket looks good to bat on, and we fought well, fell short of just 4 runs in the end, but overall, it was a great game. When you are chasing 230 plus, you are bound to lose wickets in the middle as the intent was always there to just go for the boundaries. Everyone batted really well and it was really tough for the bowlers to contain here. The boundary was very short at one end of the square, and there is no complaint about the bowling attack, and Varun also bowled really well."

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants match scorecard

Lucknow Super Ginats- 238/3 (20 overs)

Kolkata Knight Riders- 234/7 (20 Overs)

MI vs KKR IPL 2025: Despite an easy win over Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on March 31, Rohit Sharma’s form remains a concern for MI. Rohit, Mumbai Indian’s 5-time IPL-winning former captain, scored only 13 runs of 12 balls with an over boundary. The only over-boundary hit by Sharma was cheered by the spectators in the loudest way possible.

According to stat, it was the loudest 'Shor' recorded—129 db—of the season when he sent the ball out of the boundary line for a maximum. The intense cheer yet again established why Rohit Sharma is called the ‘Hitman.’ Last night, it was an absolutely lackluster performance by the Kolkata Knight Riders, the away team; in every department, they were dominated by the home team, the Mumbai Indians. Batting first, KKR put only 116 runs in before losing all of their 10 wickets in 16.2 overs. 

129DB LOUD AFTER THAT SIX BY ROHIT SHARMA 🥶pic.twitter.com/6TecOWQU2x

— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) March 31, 2025

This match marked the rise of another young star, Ashwani Kumar, who took 4 wickets as a debutant IPL player for the Mumbai-based side. By clean-bowling Knight skipper Ajinkya Rahane in his 1st delivery, Kumar announced his arrival at the grandest stage of franchise cricket. The young left-arm seamer removed Rahane, Rinku Singh, Manish Pandey, and Andre Russell.

When Mumbai Indian came into the field to chase the easy target, South African Ryan Rickelton scored an unbeaten 62 runs against 41 deliveries. He single-handedly destroyed the KKR bowling unit with four 4s and five 6s. When the team score was 46, Sharma lost his wicket to Andre Russell; before that, he hit an over-boundary with a record-breaking, loudest cheer by the crowd. Harshit Rana bowled a full toss, well outside the off-stump, allowing Sharma to slice the ball over the rope for that infamous six. 

Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders: Ashwani Kumar, another rising star of Indian cricket, scouted by Mumbai Indians, took 4 wickets against Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede Stadium on the evening of March 31. The young seamer claimed his very first IPL wicket on his debut ball for MI. 

Read More: https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/first-indian-to-take-4-wickets-on-ipl-debut-ashwin-kumar-makes-history/

First ball, first wicket for Mumbai Indians; history had been written when Kumar dismissed KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane. Along with Rahane, Rinku Singh, Manish Pandey, and Andre Russell fall prey to the 23-year-old left-arm medium pacer. Crowds at the Wankhede stadium were on their feet when he completely fooled Russell to hit the stumps. A historic evening for Ashwani Kumar, a historic night for the Indian Premier League. 

But it was not the first time that a Mumbai Indians bowler cleared a batter on their debut match. According to the stats, before Kumar, there were 2 more MI bowlers who did wonders before. Kumar became the third bowler for the Mumbai Indians to take a wicket on IPL debut. Ali Murtaza and Alzarri Joseph bagged a wicket on their very first IPL delivery. 

Back in 2019, Alzarri Joseph had a fairytale beginning for the Mumbai Indians in his IPL career. He delivered a maiden and dismissed David Warner in his debut over. Ali Murtuza was the first MI bowler to achieve this all-time record. He dismissed Naman Ojha from Rajasthan Royals in his first IPL ball back in 2010.