Lockie Ferguson claimed four wickets and Shubman Gill hit 84 to help newcomers Gujarat Titans remain unbeaten in two IPL matches after a 14-run win over Delhi Capitals on Saturday.
Ferguson returned figures of 4-28 with his express pace in Pune to keep Delhi down to 157 for nine while chasing 172 in the second match of the day.
Gill set up victory for Gujarat, one of the two new teams including Lucknow Super Giants added to the Indian Premier League, with his 46-ball knock that guided the team to 171-6.
"The kind of attack we have, we always felt that we can make a score that's 10 under-par look like 25 above," Gujarat skipper Hardik Pandya said after the win.
Gill lost opening partner Matthew Wade for one but built crucial partnerships including a 65-run third-wicket stand with Pandya, who made 31.
David Miller hit an unbeaten 20 off 15 balls to boost the team total, which turned out to be enough for Gujarat's second win in as many games.
Pandya took down Tim Seifert for three with the opening ball of his spell and Ferguson soon took charge with his twin strikes in one over to rattle the Delhi top-order.
Skipper Rishabh Pant and Lalit Yadav attempted to rebuild by putting together 61 runs but a run out ended the partnership. Yadav was out for 25.
Pant made 43 off 29 balls to raise hopes of chasing down the total but Ferguson sent back the left-handed wicketkeeper-batter and struck again in the same over to hurt Delhi.
"Till Rishabh was there, the game was in the balance or maybe Delhi was ahead, and that over from Lockie really turned it for us," said Pandya.
Ferguson said: "Hardik is always giving us confidence to play the game that we want to play and it's nice to have a captain who trusts your skills."
Fast bowler Mohammed Shami struck on successive balls before a hat-trick was averted but the curtains came down on Delhi who hunt for their maiden title in the Twenty20 tournament.
In the first match of the day, England's Jos Buttler hit the first century of this IPL season to lead his side Rajasthan Royals to a 23-run victory over Mumbai Indians in Mumbai.
Royals top the 10-team table in the expanded IPL that is being played at four venues in two cities with limited crowds due to Covid-related restrictions.
The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, nestled in the Italian countryside near Imola, has long been a proving ground for Formula One’s finest. While its history is shadowed by the tragic events of 1994, the circuit has also delivered some of the sport’s most electrifying moments, testing the limits of driver skill, strategy, and sheer willpower. Here’s a look back at three of the most memorable races at this demanding track.
2005: Alonso vs Schumacher – A Showdown of Generations
In 2005, Formula One fans were treated to a classic duel between a young Fernando Alonso and the legendary Michael Schumacher. Starting 13th on the grid, Schumacher charged through the field in a masterful display of overtaking to reach the tail of Alonso’s Renault in the closing stages.
The Ferrari had superior pace after a late fuel stop, but Alonso, just 23 at the time, executed a defensive masterclass, denying the seven-time champion every opportunity to pass. Schumacher probed for weaknesses at the Tosa hairpin, the Variante Alta chicane, and even down the hill into Acque Minerali, but Alonso held his line each time, his car perfectly placed to block every attack. After 20 minutes of relentless pressure, Alonso crossed the line just 0.2 seconds ahead, securing his third consecutive win of the season. This race became a defining moment in the Spaniard’s career, cementing his reputation as a champion in the making. It also marked a symbolic end to Ferrari’s dominant era, as Schumacher would win just one more race that season, while Alonso went on to claim his first world title.
1985: A Race of Chaos and Fuel Misfortune
The 1985 San Marino Grand Prix was one of the strangest in F1 history, defined by fuel shortages and last-lap heartbreak. Ayrton Senna, who had secured pole in his Lotus, appeared set for victory until his fuel tank ran dry just four laps from the end. With Senna out, Stefan Johansson briefly took the lead in his Ferrari, only for an electrical fault to mislead his fuel gauge, forcing him to retire a lap later. This handed the lead to Alain Prost, who managed to coax his McLaren over the finish line, only to be disqualified when his car was found to be 2kg underweight. Amid this chaos, Elio de Angelis, Senna’s Lotus teammate, found himself declared the unlikely winner – the only time he crossed the line first without leading a single lap. It was to be the Italian’s final victory, as he tragically lost his life in a testing accident the following year. Adding to the farce, Thierry Boutsen ran out of fuel just metres from the finish, pushing his Arrows across the line to secure second place.
2021: Hamilton’s Remarkable Comeback
The 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was another chapter of high drama, this time defined by changing weather and a relentless recovery drive from Lewis Hamilton. Starting from pole, Hamilton was forced wide by Max Verstappen at the first corner, damaging his front wing and dropping him to second. The race then took another turn when Hamilton slid off into the gravel while attempting to lap George Russell, seemingly ending his chances of a strong finish. However, a red flag triggered by a high-speed crash between Russell and Valtteri Bottas allowed Hamilton to rejoin the race, now in ninth place. From there, he carved his way through the field to finish second, earning high praise from Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who called it a “10 out of 10” performance.
From nerve-wracking defensive drives to chaotic fuel dramas and stunning comeback charges, Imola has been the stage for some of Formula One’s most unforgettable moments. Despite its tragic past, the circuit remains a cherished battleground, pushing drivers to the absolute limit.
The Indian Premier League resumes on Saturday, eight days after it was suspended due to escalating tensions along the India-Pakistan border.
Most foreign players who left the country after the suspension have now returned. The tournament was halted on May 8 during a match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala, which was stopped after 10.1 overs when rockets landed 80km away. That game will now be played on 24 May in Jaipur.
Remaining matches will be held at six venues, with Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Dharamsala removed from the schedule.
The Pakistan Super League also restarts on Saturday. It had considered relocating to the UAE before suspension. Its final is now on 25 May, with matches limited to Rawalpindi and Lahore. Only Multan has lost hosting rights.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Kolkata Knight Riders in the first of 13 remaining IPL league games, followed by playoffs from 29 May and the final on 3 June.
The revised IPL schedule overlaps with England’s ODI series against West Indies starting 29 May. Cricket West Indies released Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd to remain in India. Some players, including Mitchell Starc and Sam Curran, have opted not to return. Temporary replacements are allowed.
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Australia's Pat Cummins celebrates with the ICC Test Mace on the podium along with teammates after winning the World Test Championship final in 2023. (Photo: Reuters)
THE WINNERS of next month’s World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa will receive $3.6 million, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Thursday after raising the prize money.
The ICC has increased the prize pool significantly. In the previous WTC final held in 2023, Australia won $1.6 million after beating India, who took home $800,000 as runners-up.
The losing team in the upcoming June 11-15 match at Lord’s will receive $2.1 million – more than the winners earned in the past two finals.
"The increase in prize money exhibits the ICC's efforts to prioritise test cricket as it looks to build on the momentum of the first three cycles of the nine-team competition," the ICC said in a statement.
Australia captain Pat Cummins said the team was prepared to meet any challenge in order to defend their WTC title.
"We are enormously proud to have the opportunity to defend the World Test Championship, especially at Lord's," Cummins said.
"It's a testament to all those involved across the past two years who have worked incredibly hard to reach the final, which is a great honour for all of us."
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said the team was focused on winning their first ICC title.
"Everyone understands the importance of test cricket and the World Test Championship lends context to this vital format of the game.
"Lord's is a fitting venue for this mega fixture and all of us will be out there trying to give our best against Australia," Bavuma said.
VIRAT KOHLI, one of the finest cricketers of the modern era, officially drew the curtain on his Test career on Monday (12), leaving behind a legacy that will be hard to match.
The announcement came in an emotional message on Instagram to his 271 million followers.
“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket,” Kohli wrote.
“I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me so much more than I could’ve hoped for. As I step away from this format, it’s not easy – but it feels right.”
Kohli, 36, had already retired from T20 cricket last year. But he is expected to continue in the one-day format, where his fitness and hunger still remain intact.
His decision did not come as a complete surprise. Over the past two years, his form in Test cricket declined, with an average of just 32.56, far below the standards he had set between 2011 and 2019, when he averaged close to 55.
His last Test match, played in Sydney earlier this year, was a tough one, with India losing the series 3-1 to Australia. Barring a century in Perth, he struggled throughout the series.
Kohli was a complete cricketer and a fierce competitor who wore his emotions on his sleeve. As captain, he led India in 68 Tests, winning 40 of them – a record that makes him the most successful Indian Test skippers of all time.
His leadership redefined India’s overseas attitude, making them more aggressive and confident in foreign conditions.
A man of unmatched intensity, commitment and determination, he became the heartbeat of Indian cricket for more than a decade.
Known as “King Kohli,” he was India’s batting mainstay across formats for much of his career. Whether it was the grinding pressure of Test matches, the fast pace of T20s, or the strategic battleground of ODIs, he always stood tall.
Kohli was also part of the legendary “Fab Four” of modern Test batting, alongside Australian Steve Smith, England’s Joe Root, and Kane Williamson from New Zealand. They dominated world cricket during the same era, pushing each other to higher standards. He, however, stood out with his flair and fitness, playing each game like it was his last.
He ends his Test career with 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85. With 30 tons and 31 half-centuries, he made his mark as a consistent match-winner and reliable No 4 batter. Kohli’s highest score in Tests, an unbeaten 254, remains a reminder of his ability to dominate any bowling attack.
His journey was never just about cricket. The number 18 jersey he proudly wore is the most popular cricket shirt in India, chosen in memory of his father, Prem, who passed away on December 18.
Kohli has over 26,000 international runs and 80 centuries across formats – achievements that place him in the rarest class of cricketers.
Many cricket stars paid tribute to Kohli after his announcement. India coach Gautam Gambhir called him “a man with lion’s passion.” Sachin Tendulkar, the man he is often compared to, wrote, “You have given Indian cricket so much more than just runs – you have given it a new generation of passionate fans and players.”
Kohli’s South African IPL teammate AB de Villiers called him “a true legend,” while Wasim Akram described him as “a modern-day great”.
Despite comparisons with Tendulkar, Kohli has always sought his own path. His biographer, Vijay Lokapally, remarked, “Virat never played for records. They happened as he progressed.” He also highlighted Kohli’s extraordinary work ethic and drive, drawing inspiration from past legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev.
However, Kohli’s time as captain was not without turbulence. His form dropped, and in 2021, he stepped down as T20 captain before being removed from the ODI captaincy.
In 2022, he gave up the Test captaincy and opened up about the mental stress he was under. He admitted being “snappy” at home, especially around his wife, actress Anushka Sharma.
But, he bounced back, scoring his first century in over 1,000 days during the 2022 T20 World Cup.
There remains one elusive dream – the Indian Premier League (IPL) title. Despite playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru since the league began in 2008, Kohli has not yet lifted the trophy.
His story is one of grit, ambition, and unshakable belief. In a time when Test cricket struggles for relevance, he carried it on his shoulders with pride.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said, “No individual has done as much for Test cricket as Virat Kohli.
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England’s Jamie Overton (Chennai Super Kings) is among the players who will miss the latter part of the tournament, which is scheduled to end on June 3.
THE INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE (IPL) has announced that teams will now be allowed to bring in temporary replacements for the rest of the tournament, following the withdrawal of several overseas players.
The IPL resumes on Saturday after being paused due to the India-Pakistan conflict. The new schedule overlaps with international fixtures, leading to the unavailability of multiple players.
England’s Jamie Overton (Chennai Super Kings) and Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk (Delhi Capitals) are among the players who will miss the latter part of the tournament, which is scheduled to end on June 3.
"Given the non-availability of certain foreign players due to national commitments or personal reasons or any injury or illness, Temporary Replacement Players will be allowed until the conclusion of this tournament," the league said in a memo to franchises seen by AFP.
"This decision is subject to the condition that the Temporary Replacement players taken from this point forward will not be eligible for retention in the following year.
"Temporary Replacement players will have to register for the IPL Player Auction 2026."
Overton, a bowling all-rounder, will be part of England’s white-ball squad for the home series against West Indies, beginning with a three-match ODI series on May 29.
Fraser-McGurk has withdrawn citing "personal reasons". Delhi Capitals have signed Bangladesh left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman as his replacement.
Delhi are also awaiting the return of Australia’s left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc. The Capitals are monitoring the availability of South African players Faf du Plessis and Tristan Stubbs.
Stubbs is included in South Africa’s squad for the World Test Championship final against Australia, which begins on June 11 at Lord’s.
South Africa coach Shukri Conrad said on Tuesday that he expects players to join the national squad on May 26, a day after the IPL final was originally scheduled.
The tournament resumes with Royal Challengers Bengaluru hosting Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday, the first of 13 remaining regular-season matches.