IPL 2021 kicked off for the second time in UAE after a covid-halt in India. The fans could not have asked for more as the heavyweights clashed. CSK took on Mumbai Indians for the first win in the second phase of IPL 2021. Earlier we had predicted the dream11 and fantasy team for the CSKvsMI match, and look if we had guessed it right or not.

The first surprise in the toss was Rohit Sharma not fully fit for the match. However, Mahela then confirmed that Rohit was fit enough to play, though they did not want to take any chances. Therefore, Kieron Pollard had to step in as the captain of the Mumbai Indians.

Read Also: RCB Vs KKR IPL Full Match Preview, Match Details And Dream11 Predictions

First Inning- CSKvsMI

Batting first, CSK was put in trouble by new-ball bowlers Adam Milne and Trent Boult. Before we could grasp the excitement of a restart of IPL, CSK was four down. Thanks to a two-wicket piece from both the bowlers. Meanwhile, they were literally five down as Ambati Rayudu was forced to retired hurt with an injury.

Then came the partnership that changed the course of the game. Ravindra Jadeja came in at No.7 after CSK were 24/4. Then he built an 81 runs partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad who went on to make a brilliant 88 not out of 58 balls. Jadeja got out to Bumrah after scoring 26 off 33 balls. A quick-fire cameo from Dwayne Bravo of 23 off 8 balls took CSK to a competitive 156./6.

Read Also: IPL records: 5 youngest batsmen to score IPL century

Chase from Mumbai Indians- CSKvsMI

In the absence of Rohit Sharma, Anmolpreet Singh made a debut for the Mumbai franchise. But, Deepak Chahar did not take any longer to find his mojo as he rid of both the openers within the powerplay. Mumbai found themselves 35/2 after 5 overs. But the bigger blows came later as Shardul Thakur took the wicket of Surya Kumar Yadav in his first over. Then, Ishan Kishan was caught at short cover by Raina from a slow-cutter from Bravo.

But after the first few blows, captain Pollard was trying to put on a partnership with Saurabh Tiwary. He was looking good also hitting some blows. But, a bowling change from MS Dhoni saw the change in the game. Josh Hazelwood came in and caught Pollard plumb in front of the wicket. Even the DRS could not save him.

In the fifteen over, it looked all-over for the Mumbai team as Krunal Pandya was trapped short of crease by a quick throw from Bravo. CSK was now into the tailenders of Mumbai in the clash of CSKvsMI.

Saurabh Tiwary kept on fighting for Mumbai and meantime crossed his fifty as well. However, in the end, the task was too big for him. With Bravo bowling at the end, CSK proved to be the better team than Mumbai Indians. Tiwary made 50 off 40 balls but could not take his team home. Though, there might be a bit of tension for the CSK fans as Deepak Chahar limped off the ground with a pulled hamstring. In the end, CSK pulled of 20 runs win after being 21/4 in the first inning.

As IPL 2025 faced disruptions and was suspended on 9th May, 2025, most of the overseas players returned back to their respective home countries.

The tournament is set to resume from 17th May, 2025, and it raises a crucial question about how many overseas players can rejoin their franchises.

Given their international commitments and other issues, check out the overseas players who might not come for the remainder of the tournament in IPL 2025 for each team.

IPL 2025 Points Table

Firstly, see where each team stands before the tournament resumes.

Read Also: Top 5 underrated players in IPL 2025

Overseas players return status for the remainder of IPL 2025

The 18th season of Indian Premier League (IPL) will resume on May 17 after a week-long break with the remaining seven teams in contention for playoffs. According to the revised IPL 2025 schedule, the remaining 13 league matches will be played across six venues. The league stage commences on May 27.

The revised IPL 2025 schedule meant a few teams will be deprived of home advantage. While Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (16 points each) are most likely to enter the final four, things could get tight for the likes of Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings.

Also Read: Top 5 underrated players in IPL 2025

Ahead of the IPL 2025 resumption, let's take a look at the qualification scenarios of all the seven teams in contention for playoffs. Notably, Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad are officially out from the race to playoffs.

Only five teams can reach to the 18-point mark after the league stage. That means, 18 points could possibly be the cut-off for the teams in the race for playoffs.

IPL 2025 Points Table before resumption

Rank	Teams	Matches	Win	Loss	NR	Points	NRR
1	Gujarat Titans	11	8	3	0	16	+0.793
2	Royal Challengers Bengaluru	11	8	3	0	16	+0.482
3	Punjab Kings	11	7	3	1	15	+0.376
4	Mumbai Indians	12	7	5	0	14	+1.156
5	Delhi Capitals	11	6	4	1	13	+0.362
6	Kolkata Knight Riders	12	5	6	1	11	+0.193
7	Lucknow Super Giants	11	5	6	0	10	-0.469
8	Sunrisers Hyderabad (E)	11	3	7	1	7	-1.192
9	Rajasthan Royals (E)	12	3	9	0	6	-0.718
10	Chennai Super Kings (E)	12	3	9	0	6	-0.992

Gujarat Titans (16 points)

With eight wins from 11 games, the Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans need just a win shy of confirming their place in the last four stage. They still have three games left in the league stage.

Remaining Games: vs DC (May 18), vs LSG (May 22), vs CSK (May 25)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (16 points)

Just like Gujarat Titans, RCB are also just a win away from securing their spot in the last four stage. RCB also have three games left, including two at home, starting with a clash against KKR.

Remaining Games: vs KKR (May 17), vs SRH (May 23), vs LSG (May 27)

Punjab Kings (15 points)

Punjab Kings breathed a sigh of relief when it was announced their called-off game against Delhi Capitals will be replayed. With three games left, Punjab Kings could possibly reach 21 points, thus securing their first playoff spot over a decade.

Remaining Games: vs RR (May 18), vs DC (May 24), vs MI (May 26)

Mumbai Indians (14 points)

After losing a few matches initially, Mumbai Indians won six matches on the bounce to enter the top four. The Hardik Pandya-led side need to win their final two games to enter the playoffs without needing a help from others. In case, Mumbai Indians lose one, they will be locked at 16 points and would hope Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals falter.

Remaining Games: vs DC (May 21), vs PBKS (May 26)

Delhi Capitals (13 points)

Despite making a roaring start with five wins in their first six matches, Delhi Capitals lost the plot to find themselves out of the top four in the points table. With 13 points in the pocket and three games left to play, Delhi Capitals need to win all their remaining matches to ensure smooth entry into knockouts.

Remaining Games: vs GT (May 18), vs MI (May 21), vs PBKS (May 24)

Also Read: IPL 2025 to resume from 17th May: Here is the revised schedule

Kolkata Knight Riders (11 points)

Things look dicey for defending champions KKR who have won five and lost six so far. Rain played spoilsport in one of their games. With two games left, KKR could go to 15 points even if they win their remaining games. KKR would also hope for other teams to falter in order to get a crack into the last four stage. For KKR to go through, Punjab Kings need to lose all their games.

Remaining Games: vs RCB (May 17), vs SRH (May 25)

Lucknow Super Giants (10 points)

With a new captain in Rishabh Pant, LSG need to win their remaining three games to get to a maximum of 16 points. Like KKR, LSG too need to look at other teams for a change of fortune. Even if LSG win their last three games, they would Mumbai Indian and Delhi Capital to not win more than one game.

Remaining Games: vs SRH (May 19), vs GT (May 22), vs RCB (May 27)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the resumption of the IPL 2025, bringing cheer to cricket fans across the nation. Following detailed discussions with government and security agencies, the BCCI has confirmed that the season will proceed with a revised schedule, ensuring both safety and excitement.

IPL 2025 was suspended for one week due to the rising tension between India and Pakistan. It will be interesting to see with most of the foreign players already going back home, they will return for the remainder of the IPL 2025 or not. 

Read Also | PSL Players' Terror in Pakistan: Daryl Mitchell Vows Never to Return, Curran Breaks Down after reaching Dubai

The remaining 17 matches will be played across six venues, kicking off on May 17, 2025, and concluding with the final on June 3, 2025. The schedule includes two double-header Sundays, adding to the thrill of the tournament. The playoff stage is set as follows:

• Qualifier 1: May 29

• Eliminator: May 30

• Qualifier 2: June 1

• Final: June 3

The BCCI expressed gratitude to India’s armed forces for their bravery and resilience, which have made the safe return of the IPL possible. The Board emphasised its commitment to the national interest while ensuring the successful completion of the league.

🚨 IPL 2025 to restart from 17th May, final to played on June 3rd!

Lucknow, Jaipur, Delhi and Ahmedabad get two matches each. #IPL2025 #ipl2025update pic.twitter.com/roLXGwEzK0

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) May 12, 2025

IPL 2025 Revised schedule

The bond of brothers is often strong, but when it extends to the cricket field, the results can be spectacular. We have witnessed such amazing pairs across the globe.

From Pandya brothers to Curran and Pathans, meet the cricket brothers who ruled world cricket. Read till the end to discover the pairs you didn't know about!

Pandya Brothers (Hardik Pandya & Krunal Pandya) | India

The Pandya brothers are currently the most popular pair from India, known for their hard-hitting capabilities with the bat, and surprise bowling impact on the team. They started their career playing for their home city, Baroda, and later made their way to Mumbai Indians in IPL.

Hardik Pandya made his International debut in 2016 for India, and has been an integral part of the team ever since. His heroic contributions under pressure is something the nation will never forget. He also led India as a captain in 16 T20 matches, winning 10 among them.

Krunal Pandya debuted for India in 2018, which was only 2 years after his IPL debut for MI. In 2021, he became the fastest Indian to score a ODI half century in a debut match. He scored it off just 26 balls against England.

Read Also: ICC Rankings: Hardik Pandya creates history by becoming first Indian player to be ranked No.1 all-rounder

Curran Brothers (Sam Curran & Tom Curran) | England 

The Curran Brothers are brilliant all-rounder pair from England. They both made their international debut at a young age and have evolved to be a popular name in the cricketing world.

Sam Curran is a key player for England, known for his brilliant transformation from bowling all-rounder to being equally aggressive with the bat. He was a part of the T20 World Cup winning squad in 2022. 

Tom Curran made his debut for England at the age of 22, and has served as an efficient bowling all-rounder for his nation. 

They also have another brother, Ben Curran, who currently plays for Zimbabwe national team.

Pathan Brothers (Yusuf and Irfan Pathan) | India

The Pathan brothers played for India and earned worldwide recognition. Both were a part of the T20 World Cup winning squad of India in 2007.

Yusuf Pathan is the elder one, known for his explosive batting, especially in the limit overs format. His six-hitting abilities and raw power has significant impact of teams.

Irfan Pathan's swing bowling and batting contributions made him a fan favourite. He played as a vital all-rounder for India, especially during memorable victories.

Read Also: Yusuf Pathan wants his son to get inspired by him and play for India

Morkel Brothers (Albie Morkel & Morne Morkel) | South Africa 

The Morkel brothers represented South Africa and were one of the finest cricketers who played a major role behind the team's success. They became the first brothers in 56 years to be named as South African Cricket Annual cricketer of the year in the same season, in 2008.

Albie Morkel is the older brother, who played as a batting all-rounder, contributing by his powerful hitting. 

Morne Morkel is a tall right-arm fast bowler, whose ability to generate pace and bounce made him an integral bowler in the bowling attack. He is currently the bowling coach of Indian Cricket Team, since 2024.

Chahar Brothers (Deepak & Rahul Chahar) | India

The Chahar brothers are another pair of brothers who represents India in both ODI and T20 formats. 

Deepak Chahar is the older one, who is a right-arm medium bowler and can also contribute with the bat. He took 6 wickets for 7 runs against Bangladesh in 2019, which is the best bowling figures in T20Is for India.

Rahul Chahar is the younger one, who is a right-arm leg-breal bowler. He made his IPL debut at only 17 years of age and strengthened the spin unit of his team.

Read Also: IPL facts: Every player to make IPL debut before turning 18

Hussey Brothers (Michael Hussey & David Hussey) | Australia 

The Hussey brothers are another extremely popular pair in the world of cricket, hailing from Australia. They dominated the field with their batting power and consistency.

Michael Hussey was given the nickname "Mr. Cricket" because of his strong performances across all formats. He is one of the batting legends of the Australian team, having a highly successful career.

David Hussey is the younger brother who was more prominent in ODIs and T20Is than in Tests. He usually played as a right-handed batter, occasionally bowling off-break for the team.

Akmal Brothers (Karman Akmal & Umar Akmal) | Pakistan

The Akmal brothers played major roles representing Pakistan in International Cricket. They are basically a trip of cricketers, and all of them has played for the national team. 

Karman Akmal is the eldest, who played as a wicket-keeper batsman. He has stuck with the team for a long time and was also am integral part of Pakistan's winning squad in the 2019 T20 World Cup.

Umar Akmal is known for his aggressive batting style who is also a popular name in the history of cricket in Pakistan.

As mentioned above, they are a trio, and Adnan Akmal is the youngest one among them. He also represented Pakistan in Tests and ODIs.

The cricketing bloodline flows through their family, as they are also the cousins of Pakistan's former captain Babar Azam.

Marsh Brothers (Shaun Marsh & Mitchell Marsh) | Australia 

The Marsh brothers are Australian brother pair, representing their country at the highest level. They became the third pair to score a century in the same test innings for Australia, in 2017-18 Ashes series against England. 

Shaun Marsh is the elder one, who played as a top-order batter for his country. He also became the highest run-scorer in the inaugural season of IPL in 2008, and holds the record for highest individual score by an uncapped overseas player (115*) in IPL history.

Mitchell Marsh is an all-rounder, who strengthens the middle order of the team, but also has the ability to come early and give a good start. He scored 177* runs against Bangladesh in 2023, which is the third highest individual score by Australian in ODI World Cup.

Bravo Brothers (Dwayne Bravo & Darren Bravo) | West Indies 

The Bravo Brothers are notable pair of cricket stars from West Indies. They are half brothers as they share the same father but different mothers.

Dwayne Bravo is a key player for West Indies cricket team, who is an all-rounder, known for his dynamic bowling and aggressive batting. He is among the most successful T20 players globally. Dwayne as been a part of the team in memorable winning ICC tournaments.

Darren Bravo is the younger one, who also represented West Indies in international cricket as a left-handed batsman. He majorly played in ODI cricket and Tests, and was less prominent in T20s.

McCullum Brothers (Nathan McCullum & Brendon McCullum) | New Zealand 

The McCullum brothers are a popular pair in the history of New Zealand cricket. They have a strong sporting family background.

Nathan McCullum played as a off-break bowler and was a useful lower-order batsman. He was a part of the New Zealand squad that reached the World Cup final in 2015.

Brendon McCullum is regarded as one or the most influential cricketers. He is a wicket-keeper batsman, known for his aggressive batting and quick run scoring abilities. He holds the record for fastest test century by scoring one off 54 balls in 2016.

Lee brothers (Brett Lee & Shane Lee) | Australia 

The Lee brothers are a pair of cricket brothers who represented Australia.

Shane Lee is the elder one and all-rounder, who was was in the World Cup winning Australia squad of 1999. He played 45 ODIs and retired in the age of 29 due to knee injury.

Brett Lee is one of the fastest bowlers in the history of cricket. He played for Australia in all three formats and was a dominant bowler. Lee holds the record for second-most wickets taken by an Australian in ODIs.

Waugh Brothers (Steve Waugh & Mark Waugh) | Australia 

The Waugh brothers are iconic figures of Australiam cricket. They are identical twins and both played at the highest level.

Steve Waugh is regarded as one of the greatest captains in cricket history. He is often nicknamed as "Tugga." He is Australia's most capped test player and holds 16 consecutive test wins and other batting records.

Mark Waugh is nicknamed as "Junior," and was known for his elegant style of play. He played as a top-order batsman for the team, and was an integral part throughout 1990s and early 2000s.

Read Also: Most successful Test captains from India

Flower Brothers (Andu Flower & Grant Flower) | Zimbabwe 

The Flower brothers are most celebrated sibling pair from Zimbabwe cricket team. They formed the backbone of the team's batting line-up.

Andy Flower is Zimbabwe's greatest cricketer and one of the finest wicketkeeper batsman. He holds numerous batting records and have captained, as well as coached the Zimbabwe national team.

Grant Flower is the younger brother, played as the opening batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler. He contributed brilliantly with the bat, forming crucial partnerships with his brother. 

The journey of successful Indian captains have been remarkable over the years. The nation has got exceptional leaders who shaped the landscape of Test cricket for India. 

It is now time to look back at those victories brought to us by the Indian team under such efficient captains. Here are the most successful Test captains from India.

1. Virat Kohli (40 wins)

Virat Kohli is considered to be the most successful Test captain India could ever get! He had a stellar career as a captain from 2014 to 2022. Under his captaincy, India became aggressively dominant in home and held a streak of never losing or drawing a single home series.

Kohli secured 40 wins out of 68 tests, which is the highest as an Indian captain. He also holds the record for most double centuries by an Indian in Test cricket, with a total of 7 double centuries.

India has had several quality test batters, but there is no other captain who could match King Kohli's legacy.

Virat Kohli's test stats as captain:

Read Also: Virat Kohli became the Test captain on this very day; a look at Kohli's legacy as Test captain

2. MS Dhoni (27 wins)

MS Dhoni served as a Test captain for six years for India, and had a stellar career. He holds the record for most number of sixes by an Indian captain, which is 51 in number.

Under Dhoni's captaincy, India won 27 tests out of 60, having a win percentage of 45%.

Dhoni's test stats as captain:

3. Sourav Ganguly (21 wins)

Sourav Ganguly, who is widely known for his contributions as a player and captain for the Indian team, is a prominent name in this list of most successful Test captains from India.

Dada was the Indian test captain from 2000-2005 and won 21 tests out of 49 played. He also holds the 2nd position for record most wins as a test captain overseas, winning 11 out of 28 matches.

Sourav Ganguly's test stats as captain:

Read Also: Most Runs for India in Pink Ball Test

4. Mohammad Azharuddin (14 wins)

Mohammad Azharuddin is another big name to be mentioned when it comes to Test cricket captaincy for India. He served as a captain for 9 years, winning 14 matches out of 47.

Azharuddin mostly enjoyed dominating in home soil and sealing crucial victories for the team. 

Mohammad Azharuddin's test stats as captain:

5. Rohit Sharma (12 wins)

Rohit Sharma is another name for one of the most successful Test captains from India who led to 10+ victories for the team. He is the 5th captain to do so. He was also one of the most impactful opener for India in tests.

Even though Rohit's captaincy tenure was short-lived, as he decided to retire from test format on 7th May, 2025, he still managed to be on top with 12 wins in 24 matches.

Read Also: Rohit Sharma stats in Tests: Is Rohit the greatest test opener since Virender Sehwag?

Rohit Sharma'r test stats as captain