The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has finally announced the IPL 2025 schedule for all ten franchises. The new IPL season will be beginning 12 days after the ICC Champions Trophy 2025—on March 22. It will be a repeat of the first-ever IPL fixture to start the IPL 2025, with KKR taking on RCB at Eden Gardens, a ground that will also host the final on May 25. Apart from this, it looks like there are massive disagreements within the Indian team management. According to reports, Gautam Gambhir asked Virat Kohli to take up Test captaincy but the RCB superstar denied the offer. Also, Gambhir now wants Bumrah to take up the role as Test captain but the other BCCI officials disagree. Catch all this and more as we skim through the biggest cricket stories from February 17.
Disadvantage for RCB?
RCB’s home record at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium is surprisingly poor. Despite having a massive fanbase, they’ve struggled with lacklustre bowling, making it difficult to defend high scores. Since 2017, RCB has won only 15 out of 34 matches at home, with a high run rate of 9.16. This could be a major concern for new captain Rajat Patidar, especially with now that four of their last six IPL 2025 games are scheduled at home. Can their new bowling lineup turn their fortunes around? Read more here: Disadvantage RCB! Patidar’s late IPL 2025 fixtures at M Chinnaswamy Stadium could backfire
Virat Kohli declines Gambhir?
Virat Kohli reportedly declined an offer to captain India in the fifth Test against Australia after Rohit Sharma stepped down due to poor form. Head coach Gautam Gambhir wanted Kohli to lead, but he refused, leading to Jasprit Bumrah being chosen as captain. This is not the first time Kohli has declined a captaincy role, having also turned down the opportunity to lead Delhi in a Ranji Trophy match and RCB in IPL 2025, opting to focus on his batting instead. Read more here: Virat Kohli denied Gambhir’s request to captain India after Rohit Sharma stepped down
Bumrah or Pant—who will be next Test captain?
India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir reportedly wants Jasprit Bumrah to be the next Test captain, with Yashasvi Jaiswal as his deputy. This comes amid uncertainty over Rohit Sharma’s future in Tests. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya is likely to be made the new ODI captain after the ICC Champions Trophy. Gambhir’s plans also suggest that Pandya could take over as T20I captain if Suryakumar Yadav continues to struggle with the bat. However, Ajit Agarkar and other officials want to have a look at Rishabh Pant for the Test role. The BCCI might make a final decision soon. Read more here: Gautam Gambhir wants Bumrah as captain
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IPL 2025 Schedule
The IPL 2025 schedule has been announced, featuring 74 matches across 13 venues in India. The season kicks off on March 22 with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The final will be played on May 25. Key matchups include Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians on the second day, and SunRisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals on March 23. The playoffs will be hosted by Hyderabad and Kolkata, with the final taking place in Kolkata. Read more here: BCCI announces full IPL 2025 schedule: KKR vs RCB to start new season
Good news for Pakistan!
Pakistan’s Haris Rauf has been declared fit for the ICC Champions Trophy after recovering from a low-grade side strain. Rauf’s injury had raised issues about his participation, but a week’s rest has helped him recover. His return is a boost for Pakistan, who struggled in the tri-series final without him. Rauf’s pace and ability to bowl in the middle overs will support Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, making Pakistan’s pace department a strength in the tournament. Read more here: Pakistan survive injury scare, Haris Rauf declared fit for ICC Champions Trophy
Manjrekar criticizes CSK
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has criticized Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) strategy at the IPL 2025 auction, saying it didn’t go well. He believes CSK relied too heavily on a few players, including MS Dhoni, who is past his prime. Manjrekar thinks CSK doesn’t look like a champion team anymore, despite being the most successful IPL team. He questions their decision to retain Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja, both of whom have retired from T20Is. Read more here: Manjrekar criticizes CSK
