After several confrontations and negotiations, ICC finally got the formal approval to organize the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in hybrid model on Thursday.

Also Read: Breaking: Ravichandran Ashwin retires from international cricket

Pakistan to face India at neutral venues in all ICC events

ICC announced that for this tournament to be held in February-March next year, Indian Cricket Team's matches will be played at a neutral venue instead of Pakistan, which BCCI was demanding from the beginning. In return, Pakistan will only face India at neutral venues in all ICC events from 2024-28.

The agreement will see Pakistan play all matches at neutral venues in the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup in India, the 2026 T20 World Cup to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The agreement could also apply to the 2028 Women's T20 World Cup, which is the first tournament of the next event cycle and has now been awarded to Pakistan. The neutral venue will be proposed by the tournament's host board and will need to be approved by the ICC.

Hosting will remain entirely with Pakistan

However, its hosting will remain entirely with Pakistan. BCCI had expressed concern about security and had said about not getting permission from the Government of India, but ICC has accepted it. The Pakistan Cricket Board had initially shown an adamant stance and said that it would not accept the hybrid model at any cost and if this happened, it could even withdraw its name. But after a long discussion a solution has been found. 

How did the controversy start?

ICC had handed over the hosting of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy to Pakistan 3 years ago i.e. in November 2021. For the first time since 1996, PCB was given the responsibility of ICC tournaments. After this, in January 2022, the Government of Pakistan gave permission to build a new stadium in Islamabad.

Then in April 2024, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced to hold the tournament in the already existing stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi instead of the new stadium and drafted the schedule of the tournament in July. After this, ICC released a fund of 65 million dollars for the tournament in August and the very next month Pakistan started the repair work of the stadium.

Till now nothing was said from BCCI. However, considering the relationship between the two countries, everyone was aware of the dispute and the same thing happened. As the tournament came closer, reports started emerging that BCCI has told ICC that it will not send Team India to Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the rhetoric continued towards the former cricketers of both the countries. Many Indian cricketers including Harbhajan Singh were instructed not to go there. 

The issue heated up in November

The issue of Champions Trophy again heated up in November, when BCCI refused ICC to officially send Team India and demanded a hybrid model. Immediately after this, Mohsin Naqvi protested and said that this is not acceptable to the PCB at any cost. Not only this, on November 10, PCB also discussed this issue with the Pakistan government. The schedule of the tournament was to be announced on November 11, which was canceled by the ICC.

Also Read: What each team needs to do to qualify for the WTC final

No series between India and Pakistan since 2012

5 matches of Champions Trophy have been taken away from Pakistan. Pakistan Cricket Board has demanded compensation for this. ICC has also accepted this demand. There has been no series between India and Pakistan since 2012, both teams have clashed only in ICC and Asia Cup. 

RCB star batter Virat Kohli has passed Chris Gayle with the second most fifty plus scores in T20s. Kohli achieved this milestone during the IPL 2025 match against Rajasthan Royals at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. He came into the game tallying 110-fifties and struck another beautiful half-century with the bat-off just 32 balls, enabling his side to a grand start. Now at 111 fifty-plus scores, Kohli trails only David Warner, who scores a total of 117.

Let's take a look at the batters who have scored the most fifty plus scores in T20s.

Also Read: Top 5 game-changing factors that could send MI to IPL 2025 Playoffs

Most Fifty Plus Scores in T20s

4. Babar Azam | 102

Babar Azam is known as a model of consistency in T20 cricket. The brilliant right-hander has scored over 11,000 runs in his T20 career, including 91 fifties and 11 centuries, and has scored fifty plus runs a total of 102 times.

This remarkable record puts him fourth in the all-time list of most fifty plus scores in T20s, which shows his dominance and reliability in the shortest format for Pakistan in international cricket and other franchises around the world.

3. Chris Gayle | 110

The Universe Boss, Chris Gayle, is one of the prominent names to have scored the most 50+ scores in the shortest format of cricket. Arguably the first global superstar of this format, Gayle's explosive batting has made a splash in many T20 games over the years.

With a record 22 T20 centuries and 88 fifties, his record of scoring 110 fifty plus scores ranks third in T20 cricket history.

2. Virat Kohli | 111

Virat Kohli, the reigning king of the cricket world, is now second in terms of all-time T20 fifty-plus scores after another brilliant half-century in the IPL 2025 match against Rajasthan Royals. With 111 fifty plus scores, Kohli continues to be the epitome of consistency.

From taking Team India to the T20 World Cup for years to being the heartbeat of RCB, Kohli has always performed well. Now that he is in the twilight of his career, the world is eagerly waiting to see what magic is still left in Kohli.

Also Read: IPL Facts: Fewest Innings to Reach 5000 IPL Runs

1. David Warner | 117

David Warner tops the list of fifty plus scores in T20 cricket. He has 117 fifty plus scores in T20 cricket. Warner also scored most half centuries in T20 cricket, smashing 109 fifties. The explosive left-hander from Australia has been the epitome of consistency right from his early T20 days.

Warner is always hungry for runs, whether representing Australia or leading Sunrisers Hyderabad. He’s still going strong across various leagues, and we can expect him to add even more to this record.

After enduring a tough stretch since IPL 2024, Mumbai Indians (MI) appear to have rediscovered their rhythm just when it matters most in IPL 2025. The five-time champions had a shaky start to the season, suffering early defeats, but they’ve begun to show why they’re one of the most successful franchises in league history. Having seen both glory and failure over the years, MI has mastered the art of staying composed under pressure and responding with tactical precision.

Climbing from the bottom of the table to 4th place with four consecutive wins, MI’s resurgence has been both timely and impressive. In this article, we break down the key reasons behind their comeback.

Mentality

Mumbai Indians management is well known for its methodical game style on the field. From structuring the playing eleven to utilising bowlers according to conditions, MI has mastered all these things. After a cruising victory against arch-rival Chennai Super Kings (CSK), MI batting coach Kieron Pollard revealed that they planned to use Jasprit Bumrah with the new ball against SRH and wanted to use Deepak Chahar against CSK. 

Read Also | IPL 2025: Where's What each team need to do to qualify for the playoffs

Return of Bumrah 

Best in the business — and the numbers prove it! 📊

Jasprit Bumrah has the BEST economy rate (6.91) among pacers with 300+ T20 wickets!
Deadly, disciplined, and damn near unplayable. 🐐#BumrahBoss #T20King #jaspritbumrah #LasithMalinga #T20Legend #LSGvsMI pic.twitter.com/lOYEHaJXL1

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) April 23, 2025

Jasprit Bumrah’s absence in the early matches due to injury was a major setback for the Mumbai Indians, but his return has proven to be a turning point in their campaign.

Once he regained his rhythm, Bumrah quickly reminded everyone of his match-winning abilities with impactful spells. His bowling performances have been crucial — he returned figures of 0/29 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), followed by a tight 1/21 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and a vital 2/25 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

All-rounder skipper 

Mumbai Indians’ captain, Hardik Pandya, has been in exceptional form this season, contributing with both bat and ball. In just five innings, he has scored 104 runs at an outstanding strike rate of 170, demonstrating his explosive batting capabilities.

In addition to his batting prowess, Pandya has claimed 11 wickets, placing him firmly in the race for the Purple Cap. His all-around performances have been crucial in tight encounters, where his timely contributions with both bat and ball have helped Mumbai stay competitive.

Pandya’s ability to turn matches with his dynamic skills has proven his worth as a match-winner. His leadership, coupled with his brilliance, has been a key factor in Mumbai's success this season, and he continues to be a vital player for the team as they push for a playoff spot in IPL 2025.

Read Also | IPL Facts: Most Man of the Match Awards in IPL History

Vintage Rohit 

Rohit Sharma is steadily regaining his form, with his brilliant knock of 76* off 46 balls being exactly what the Mumbai Indians required to lay a solid foundation at the top of their batting order. This innings highlighted his ability to anchor the innings and build partnerships, something MI has relied on for success.

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Alongside him, Ryan Rickelton has shown encouraging signs of being able to deliver match-winning performances. His promising starts indicate that he could be the explosive partner Rohit needs at the top. Together, the opening duo holds the potential to dominate any bowling attack, creating a strong platform for MI's middle order to capitalise on.

If both Rohit and Rickelton continue in this form, they can prove to be a formidable force in the tournament, taking on some of the toughest bowling lineups in IPL 2025. This partnership could be a game-changer for MI as they aim for the playoffs.

Swashbuckling Suryakumar 

Suryakumar Yadav has regained his confidence and form in the middle order, showcasing his trademark 360° hitting abilities. The Mumbai Indians' star batter has been crucial in stabilising the innings and accelerating when needed. His match-winning knock of an unbeaten 68* off just 30 balls against Chennai Super Kings stands out as his best performance of IPL 2025 so far.

Read Also | BCCI Central Contract 2025: Talking points from BCCI's contract announcement

Suryakumar's ability to adapt to various situations and play innovative shots has been pivotal in MI's resurgence. His aggressive batting style has been a game-changer, helping the team set strong totals and chase challenging targets.

With his current form, he remains a key player for MI as they push for a spot in the playoffs. If he continues this momentum, Suryakumar's contributions could be the driving force behind the Mumbai Indians' successful campaign this season.

The seventeenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to begin on Friday, March 22 with a huge clash between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chennai. IPL has seen several world-class players over the years. The best players in the world, like Kohli, Gayle, AB de Villiers, and Warner, have scored plenty of runs in the league. So it's time we have a look at the players with the most runs in IPL history.

Also Read: MS Dhoni Captaincy Record and Stats in IPL

Top Five Players with Most Runs in IPL History

Virat Kohli holds the record for scoring the most runs in IPL. He is in the top of this list with 7263 runs in 237 matches, including 7 centuries and 50 fifties. Virat has scored those runs at an average of 37.24 and a strike rate of 130.02. His best season came in 2016 when he made an incredible 973 runs in a single season, including 4 hundreds which is still the highest individual runs in a single season.

Shikhar Dhawan is second on the list in terms of scoring the most runs in IPL. He has been consistent in the IPL, crossing the 400-run mark each season from 2016 to 2022. Dhawan has scored 6617 runs in 217 games at an average of 35.38, including 2 centuries and 50 half-centuries. His best season came in the 2020 season when he scored 618 runs with 2 centuries and 4 half-centuries. 

The former captain of Hyderabad, David Warner, is the top run-getter among the foreign players and comes third overall. He has made 6397 runs in 176 matches at an average of 41.53 and a strike rate of 139.91. He has scored 4 centuries and 61 half-centuries in the Indian cash-rich league. His best season came in 2016 when he made 848 runs with 9 fifties.

The Hitman, Rohit Sharma is one of the most dangerous batsmen in the IPL. He has led Mumbai Indians to five titles so far. Rohit began his IPL career with Deccan in 2008 before joining Mumbai in 2011. In 243 matches, Rohit Sharma has scored 6211 runs at an average of 29.57, with 1 hundred and 42 half-centuries. The Hitman is the 2nd highest six-hitter in IPL with 256 sixes. 

Mr. IPL, Suresh Raina has been a key member for Chennai in the league. He has been always consistent for CSK and led the team to 4 titles and 5 runner-up titles. In 205 matches, Raina has scored 5528 runs at a fantastic strike rate of 136.76, with 1 hundred and 39 fifties. Raina retired from international cricket in 2020 and from IPL in 2022.

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

Delhi Capitals registered a spectacular win in the Super Over against Rajasthan Royals in the 32nd match of IPL 2025 played at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday. However, arguing with the umpire during the match has cost Delhi's bowling coach Munaf Patel heavily.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has found Munaf Patel guilty for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct and has fined him. Along with this, he has also been given a demerit point.

Also Read: BCCI sacks four staff members after defeat in Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia

There was a heated argument with the fourth umpire

During the match, Delhi Capitals bowling coach Munaf Patel was seen having a heated argument with the fourth umpire. This incident happened near the boundary, where Munaf was clearly angry with the umpire for not allowing him to convey the message on the field and they had an altercation over this. The video of this incident is also going viral on social media.

Munaf Patel had a heated exchange with the 4th umpire during the #DCvRR match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi after the umpire denied sending a player to enter the ground to convey his message.#DCvsRR #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/hHv0tNAUvd

— Gaurav Chaudhary (@gkctweets) April 16, 2025

Fined 25% of his match fee

The BCCI has fined Munaf Patel 25% of his match fee. Along with this, he has also given a demerit point for violating the IPL Code of Conduct. Munaf has admitted a Level 1 offense under Article 2.20, which relates to conduct contrary to the spirit of the game. He has also accepted the punishment given by the match referee.

This is not the first disciplinary issue for Delhi this season. Captain Axar Patel was fined Rs 12 lakh after their sixth game - their only loss so far - against Mumbai Indians due to a slow over-rate.

Patel's contribution as bowling coach

Despite the controversy, Munaf Patel's contribution as bowling coach has been remarkable, as he is credited with Delhi's excellent bowling efforts. This performance played a vital role in turning the tables during the match.

Also Read: IPL 2025 facts: KKR has won every game when this player has played for them

Mitchell Starc was named Player of the Match for his crucial spell. He took 1 wicket for 36 runs in his 4 overs, with the 20th over being particularly crucial in taking the match to the Super Over.

With the win, Delhi Capitals reclaimed the top spot in the IPL 2025 points table. With five wins from six matches, they became the first team to reach 10 points this season.