The defending champions Haryana defeated Bengal in the preliminary quarter-final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 at the Moti Bagh Stadium in Vadodara on Thursday. With this, Haryana entered the quarterfinal round. 

Also Read: Mohammed Shami may return to Indian squad for the forthcoming England series and Champions Trophy

Haryana did not get a good start

In the preliminary quarterfinal, Bengal won the toss and decided to bowl first. Haryana did not get a good start and Mukesh Kumar along with Mohammed Shami sent both the openers to the pavilion within 50.

Parth Shiv Vats (62) and Nishant Sindhu (64) took the team beyond 200. Sumit Kumar (41) and Rahul Tewatia (29) played important roles in taking Haryana closer to 300. Shami took 3 wickets while Mukesh Kumar took 2 wickets.

Shami bowled well

Shami ended with figures of 3/61 from his 10-over spell. The veteran seamer dismissed opener Himanshu Rana (14) before getting rid of Dinesh Bana (15) and Anshul Kamboj (4) at the death.

In 135 List A matches, Shami has raced to 257 wickets at 23-plus. 195 of his scalps in the 50-over format have come for India. Shami picked 5 wickets in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25.

Haryana won by 72 runs

Chasing the target of 299 runs, Bengal had a good start and both the openers made a partnership of 70 runs for the first wicket. After this, as soon as both the openers were out, Haryana bowlers wreaked havoc and bundled out the entire Bengal team for 226 runs.

Haryana won the pre-quarterfinal match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 by 72 runs. Parth Vats was chosen Player of the Match for taking 3 wickets and playing an important role in the team's victory. Apart from Parth, Nishant Sindhu and Anshul Kamboj took 2-2 wickets. 

Also Read: Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25: Knockout fixture and schedule

Second half-century for Parth Vats

20-year-old Parth Vats, who made his debut for Haryana in List A cricket with the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, was superb versus Bengal. He hit six fours in his 77-ball knock. This was his 2nd fifty of the tournament. After 7 matches, he has amassed 234 runs at 39. His scores read as: 1, 27, 27, 52*, 18, 47, and 62.

Indian bowlers, especially pacers, have always waited for the tour of England since it produces seam-friendly pitches, which help them get more wickets. From legends of yesteryears like Kapil to modern-day greats like Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah, they have had success in England against England. 

With another England tour forthcoming, we present you the list of bowlers with the most wickets vs England in England for India in tests. 

1. Ishant Sharma | 48 Wickets

Ishant Sharma has the most wickets vs England in England for India in tests. He is widely known for his pace and wicket-taking abilities. He took 48 wickets in 14 matches, with an economy of 3.29.

Ishant's ability to make the ball come in from a difficult length has worked well on English conditions. Moreover, his short-ball strategy during the 2014 series at Lord's helped India register a famous win in England.

Read Also: Most international wickets for India

Sharma's stats vs England in England

2. Kapil Dev | 43 Wickets

The Indian legend, Kapil Dev, is the second-highest wicket-taker in the list with 43 wickets in 13 matches played. The former Indian captain has an exceptional record against England and dominated on their home soil throughout his career.

Kapil's incredible outswing always had the batters guessing and with his ability to clean up tails, also helped him get many wickets in those conditions.

Dev stats vs England in England

3. Jasprit Bumrah | 37 Wickets

One of the most successful bowlers of this era, Jasprit Bumrah, climbed up the ladder really fast in his career. His finest skillset and ability to generate steep bounce and challenging seam movement with his unorthodox bowling action, got him 37 wickets in just 8 matches (15 innings) so far, and there's more to come in the future.

Read Also: Jasprit Bumrah becomes first-ever player to pick 200 Test wickets with an average below 20

Bumrah stats vs England in England

4. Anil Kumble | 36 Wickets 

Anil Kumble holds the fourth place for most wickets vs England in England for India in tests. He took 36 wickets in 10 matches, which is commendable for a spinner in such conditions.

Kumble was the senior-most bowler of the squad during that time, and was often described as bowling "faster" for a spinner, that too with high accuracy. His spin deliveries was considered to be as fast as a "jumbo jet."

Kumble's stats vs England in England

5. Bishan Singh Bedi | 35 Wickets

Bishan Singh Bedi is the one name that stands out while discussing the wicket-taking rate against England. Bedi's incredible stat as a spinner in pace bowling friendly conditions like England sets him apart from the rest.

He took 35 wickets in 12 matches (18 innings), with an economy less than 3. Bedi also has the highest number of maidens among all the players in this list.

Singh Bedi stats vs England in England

6. Mohammed Shami | 34 Wickets

Mohammad Shami has a brilliant overseas record, and only a few Indian bowlers can be at the level with him. He has 34 wickets in 12 matches to his name, with an economy of 3.56.

Shami consistently hits challenging lengths, which makes him a wicket-taker against England batters. His unfortunate absence in the upcoming Test squad against England therefore became a point of concern for the fans.

Shami's status vs England in England

7. B. S. Chandrasekhar | 31 Wickets

The wizard of leg spin, B.S. Chandrashekhar, makes his way up here with 31 wickets in 9 matches against England on their home soil. He had a phenomenal bowling figure in a match with 8 wickets (conceding 114 runs).

His most cherished performance against England came in the 1971 Oval Test, where he took 6 wickets for 38 runs, leading India to secure their first series victory on the English soil.

Read Also: Weird Styles: Indian players with unusual bowling actions

Chandrashekhar stats vs England in England

8. Zaheer Khan | 31 Wickets

One of India's most celebrated pace bowlers, Zaheer Khan, holds the eighth position with 31 wickets in only 8 away matches vs England. The former left-arm pacer was one of the best for India during his era. 

Zaheer had made legends like Alastair Cook his bunny with his lethal outswingers, going away from Cook. He was the best of his time, who significantly enhanced India's bowling strength.

Khan's stats vs England in England 

9. Ravindra Jadeja | 22 Wickets

Ravindra Jadeja, who is one of India's key all-rounders, holds the ninth position with 22 wickets in 10 matches. He is equally good with the bat as he is with spinning the ball for his nation.

Jadeja's ability to bowl long spells with variations, makes him a vital asset for the Indian team.

Read Also: Most Wickets for India in Test Cricket | Ravindra Jadeja overtakes Ishant Sharma’s tally

Jadeja stats vs England in England 

10. Vinoo Mankad | 20 Wickets

Vinoo Mankad stands out from an early era. The former all-rounder truly made his mark on England soil by taking 20 wickets in just 6 matches. 

With his tight bowling and impeccable lengths, Mankad made the most out of the English conditions and proved why he was considered one of the best of his generation.

Mankad stats vs England in England 

11. Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan | 20 Wickets 

The eleventh name on the list, Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan, who also had success in the English conditions, took 20 wickets in 10 matches.

He was a valuable off-spinner for the team, known for his accuracy and control over the ball.

Venkataraghavan's status vs England in England 

Is Mohammad Shami ready to spearhead India's pace attack in the upcoming five-match Test series against England starting June 20, 2025?

With concerns over his form and fitness following a lacklustre IPL 2025 and a long injury layoff, we dive deep into whether the star pacer should be included in the squad. 

From his stellar 2023 ODI World Cup performance to recent struggles with pace and rhythm, we analyse Shami’s prospects and what he brings to the table.  Plus, we explore potential alternatives like Arshdeep Singh, Anshul Kamboj, and others who could step up if Shami’s fitness remains a concern.

With Jasprit Bumrah’s workload being managed, who else can India rely on to challenge England’s batsmen? 

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a festival of big hits, explosive innings, and jaw-dropping sixes since its inception in 2008. While many sixes are hit every season, only a few stand out for their sheer distance. 

These monstrous hits don’t just clear the boundary—they clear stadiums, dent roofs, and sometimes even disappear into the night. Here’s a rundown of the Top 10 longest sixes in IPL history, and the Players whose raw power made them unforgettable.

(10) Liam Livingstone - 117 meters (PBKS vs GT, 2022)

Liam Livingstone hit a 117-meter six at DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai. His raw, savage hitting came while representing the Punjab Kings against the Gujarat Titans. Livingstone’s aggressive batting style added a new dimension to the IPL's power-hitting tradition.

In the 16th over, Livingstone launched Mohammed Shami’s short ball over deep midwicket. The sound off the bat, the launch angle, and the distance of the six were commendable. It was the longest six of the 2022 season and one of the most replayed moments on social media.

(9) Gautam Gambhir - 117 meters (KKR vs RR, 2013)

Known for his gritty batting and match-winning leadership, Gambhir was not the kind of player you would expect to smash 100+ meter sixes.

But he shocked everyone in 2013 when he struck a 117-meter six playing for KKR against the Rajasthan Royals. He picked up a short ball and hammered it deep into the stands — a 117-meter monster against S Sreesanth at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. 

The back-foot shot was so clean and powerful that it left everyone stunned, as it was unexpected from someone like Gautam Gambhir, who built his game on timing and not power-hitting. It proved that even the most technically correct batters can deliver a serious punch.

(8) Ben Cutting – 117 meters (SRH vs RCB, 2016)

During the 2016 IPL final between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad, Ben Cutting smashed a full toss ball of Shane Watson over backwards square leg with a clean strike, and it measured a 117-meter six, making it not just long but legendary at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.   

What made it even more iconic was the situation of that match. Ben Cutting’s 39* runs off just 15 balls with 3 fours and 4 huge sixes gave SRH the final push to reach the total of 208 runs. He then came back with the ball to take 2 wickets, including Gayle and KL Rahul. His all-around performance earned him the Man of the Match award and helped SRH lift their maiden IPL trophy in 2016 under the captaincy of David Warner.

(7) Ross Taylor – 119 meters (RCB vs CSK, 2008)

Ross Taylor smashed a 119-meter six against his Kiwi team-mate Jacob Oram in the deep mid-wicket area. It came during the inaugural edition of IPL in the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Ross Taylor was representing RCB, and Jacob was playing for CSK. 

Taylor's technique – staying still and unleashing raw power – made this six particularly memorable, and it was so long that it made it to the list of Top 10 longest sixes in IPL history.

While Ross Taylor may be remembered more for his classical stroke play and calm middle-order presence, that 119-meter six remains a loud reminder that underestimate his muscle, and he’ll send the ball into orbit.

(6) Yuvraj Singh – 119 meters (KXIP vs CSK, 2009)

Yuvraj Singh smashed a massive 119-meter six with his signature flick shot over the midwicket area against the delivery of Albie Morkel at the SuperSport Park Stadium in Centurion, South Africa. Yuvraj Singh, being one of the important players of Kings XI Punjab in that season, hit that six against Chennai Super Kings.

In the IPL 2009 season, Yuvraj wasn’t just clearing boundaries; he also made headlines with two hat-tricks as a part-time spinner. But moments like this, 119 meters six reminded everyone of what he did best: destroy bowling attacks with his power-hitting.

Unlike many power-hitters who rely on brute force, Yuvraj had a unique blend of timing and wristwork. This particular 119-meter six was a classic example—it looked casual, but it was massive.

(5) Chris Gayle – 119 meters (RCB vs PWI, 2013)

On April 13, 2013, known as the "Universe Boss", Chris Gayle, while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore, unleashed carnage with an unbeaten 175 off 66 balls with 13 fours and 17 sixes against Pune Warriors India, still the highest individual score in T20 history.

Among the 17 sixes he smashed that day, one stood out—a 119-meter monster six which came against the left-arm spinner Ali Murtaza, and everybody knew that this six would definitely make its entry in the unique list of the Top 10 longest sixes in IPL history.

Gayle picked up a tossed-up delivery and sent it sailing high over long-on, clearing the stadium roof.  What made the shot even more iconic was how casual it looked.

There was no slog, no overextension; just a flick of those massive shoulders. And that’s what sets Gayle apart. His sixes don’t just travel far; they leave dents in the minds of bowlers.

Also Read: IPL Facts: Who hit the most sixes in IPL History? Top 10 list

(4) Robin Uthappa – 120 meters (RCB vs MI, 2010)

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Robin Uthappa hit a massive 120-meter six against the delivery of Dwayne Bravo, who was playing for Mumbai Indians. Often underrated in terms of raw power, Robin Uthappa hammered the full-length delivery, and it sailed over the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai.

He shuffled slightly to the offside and struck the full delivery high over wide long-on. The white ball flew above the stadium, high over the concrete roof.

What made this 120-meter six remarkable was how clean the strike was. Uthappa didn’t muscle it; he timed it with perfection.

That’s what shocked everyone—how effortless it looked coming off the bat, yet how far it travelled. In an era dominated by big names like Gayle, Dhoni, AB De Villiers, and Pollard, Robin Uthappa quietly carved out his own moment of IPL glory with that 120-meter majestic six.

(3) Adam Gilchrist – 122 meters (KXIP vs RCB, 2011)

Adam Gilchrist’s 122-meter six in the 2011 IPL was a throwback to his peak days of fearless, no-nonsense hitting. Representing Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the Aussie legend unleashed one of the biggest sixes in tournament history—a 122-meter six of pure, clean power.

The shot came at the Dharamsala ground, known for its high altitude and quick carry. Gilchrist capitalised on that, but this wasn’t a thin-air fluke—it was a full-blooded pull shot off Charl Langeveldt.

The ball rocketed into the mountainside air, disappearing deep into the stands beyond mid-wicket. Even by Gilchrist’s own explosive standards, this was massive. 

That innings was special in itself—Gilchrist smashed 106 off 55 balls in that match with 8 fours and 9 sixes, leading from the front with a captain’s knock. But the 122-meter six became one of the most talked-about moments, not just for its length but for the man who hit it.

(2) Praveen Kumar – 124 meters (RCB vs RR, 2008)

Praveen Kumar, mainly acknowledged for his swing bowling, shocked everyone by hitting a 124-meter six during the 2008 season when he played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, against the Rajasthan Royals.

In that match, Kumar smashed a huge six off the bowling of Yusuf Pathan, sending the ball flying over long-on. This massive 124-meter six stands as one of the longest in IPL history and is the longest six ever hit by an Indian player in the IPL. 

It is important to point out that there is some variation in the reporting about the year and the opposing team for this six.

Some sources place the 124-meter six during a match against the Mumbai Indians in the year 2011, with Kumar hitting the huge six for Kings XI Punjab against Lasith Malinga. However, some reputable accounts put the 124-meter six at the 2008 match against the Rajasthan Royals. 

Regardless of the exact details, Praveen Kumar's 124-meter six remains a standout moment in IPL history, showcasing his unexpected power-hitting ability.

(1) Albie Morkel – 125 meters (CSK vs DC, 2008)

South African all-rounder Albie Morkel holds the record for the longest six in IPL history. Playing for Chennai Super Kings against Deccan Chargers, Morkel launched a delivery from Pragyan Ojha to an astounding 125 meters six, sending the ball onto the stadium roof at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

The shot was classic Morkel—high bat lift, full commitment, and insane raw power. What made it even more impressive was that it wasn’t a slog. It was a technically sound, full swing of the bat that met the ball perfectly in the slot. The bat speed generated by Morkel without much footwork—pure timing and raw strength.

Over 18 years later, no one has topped that 125-meter giant six, and it's a record that stands as a reminder of just how brutal Morkel could be when he found his arc. This 125-meter six by Albie Morkel tops the list of the Top 10 longest sixes in IPL history.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the Central Contract for the 2025-26 season on Monday, 21st April 2025. 7 new players were added to the contract, while players like Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan returned to the list after missing out last time.

Last year, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were left out of the BCCI central contract after opting out of the domestic games for their respective state teams. BCCI's focus on domestic cricket left them out of the central contract despite being part of the Indian team set up a few months ago.

But, this time, both the Indian batters were added to the contract after Iyer won everything in the domestic cricket last season, along with lifting the IPL 2024 with Kolkata Knight Riders. Ishan Kishan also played through the entire domestic season and has been rewarded with the contract too. 

Read Also | "Mere Sath Kyun?.:" Ishan Kishan breaks silence on Team India exit and Central Contract termination

Talking points from the BCCI Central Contract 2025

Rohit and Kohli stay in Grade A+ 

Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remained in the Grade A+ category despite retiring from the T20I format. Rohit and Virat had announced their retirement from the shortest format of the game after lifting the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies. 

Ravindra Jadeja is another name who has been listed in the A+ category despite retiring from the T20Is after the World Cup victory.

Bumrah is the only all-format player in A+

With Rohit, Kohli and Jadeja retiring from the shortest format of the game, Jasprit Bumrah remains the only all-format player to be in the A+ category of the BCC Central Contract 2025.

Pant is promoted to the Grade A category

Rishabh Pant received a promotion to the A category after being in the B category last year. Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya and Mohammed Shami are the other names in the A category, who were already there in last year's contract. 

Ravi Ashwin has been left out of the contract since he retired from international cricket.

Iyer listed in grade B; Kishan in grade C

Shreyas Iyer, who was left out of the contract last year, has been included in the Grade B, while Ishan Kishan has been listed in the Grade C. 

Suryakumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the other names in Grade B, who were there last time as well. 

New 7 names in Grade C

7 new players have been added to the BCCI Central Contract 2025. All of these players found themselves in Grade C. 

Dhruv Jurel, Sarafraz Khan, Nitish Reddy, Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, and Akash Deep are the players who received the contract for their performances in the last season. 

Not to be confused, Akash Deep earlier had a fast bowling contract and this year received the central contract after doing well in the Test format. 

Shardul Thakur, Jitesh Sharma, KS Bharath, Avesh Khan, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Umran Malik, Yash Dayal and Vidwath Kaverappa have been left out of the contract this year.

Vijaykumar Vyshak, Umran Malik, Yash Dayal and Vidwath Kaverappa were all part of the fast bowling contract last season. 

BCCI Central Contract 2025

BCCI announces annual player retainership 2024-25 - Team India (Senior Men) 💙🤝#Bcci #IndianCricket #Viratkohli #RohitSharma #jaspritbumrah #Shreyasiyer #KlRahul #HardikPandya #Ipl2025 pic.twitter.com/LSmlg06QOS

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) April 21, 2025

Hello and welcome to the LIVE coverage of the India vs New Zealand Final in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, to be played today at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.

Exactly a week ago, India faced off against New Zealand in the last group game of the Group A. India won the match by 44 runs to finish first in the group stage.

However, India defeated Australia by four wickets in the first semi-final, whereas New Zealand posted a dominant win by 50 runs against South Africa in the second semi-final.

Both teams have displayed supreme cricketing action so far in this tournament, setting up a potential thrilling final. So just relax and enjoy the epic clash as Sportz Point provides you with all the real-time updates, team news, live scores, images and match commentary of the epic India vs New Zealand Final in the ICC CT '25.

This is Koushik Biswas and Soumit Bhattacharya who bring you all the LIVE Updates from the web desk.

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