Minnu Mani, the pride of Wayanad, made history, becoming the first Kerala woman cricketer to play for the India senior team. She believes that her India debut will inspire many girls in Kerala.
Mani is part of the Indian squad for the upcoming Asian Games.
Recently a camp was organized for the DC Men's and Women's teams by the Delhi Capitals franchise in the Delhi NCR region. The camp, which was conducted under the watchful eyes of the franchise's Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly, consisted of nine players from each of the Delhi Capitals Men's and Women's teams.
Speaking on the sidelines of the camp, DC off-spinner Minnu Mani narrated the story. She explained how she felt before making her India debut against Bangladesh in July. "I didn't expect to play all matches in the T20I series. I couldn't believe it when I was named in the eleven for the first game of the series. I was so excited to get the opportunity and it was great to receive my India cap from Smriti Mandhana."
The off-spinner is the first woman from Kerala to play cricket for India.
"I was slightly nervous when I started bowling. Igot hit for a six and a four, and then Harmanpreet shared some thoughts with me. I felt comfortable on the field after the two hits (laughs)." Mani added.
Mani is the is the first woman from Kerala to play cricket for India. When asked about the special feat, Mani said, "My India debut will certainly inspire many girls in Kerala. I dreamt of becoming the first woman from Kerala to represent India and that dream has come true."
However, the road to the Indian team hasn't been easy. Speaking about her journey, Mani expressed, "I practised cricket and carried out my studies in Kerala Cricket Association's Cricket Academy from 9th grade until my graduation. But, post my graduation, I had to cover a long distance to reach my training ground from my home. I was travelling three hours a day. and my family found it difficult to provide for my travel requirements as well. However, all the hard work has paid off now."
The off-spinner also received a special gesture from her hometown - Wayanad following her India debut. Mani expressed that she feels proud to receive the gesture.
"Whenever I used to go for practice, I used to cross the main junction of our town. And now that junction is called Minnu Mani junction. I feel very proud and happy to see a junction named after me," the off-spinner signed off.
CSK has now one last-place finish, joining KKR and RR with one each. Ever wondered which franchises consistently struggled the most? Find out the teams to finish last in IPL points table every season.
While the spotlight always shines on the top performers of the IPL, every season also sees a team finish at the bottom of the points table. Some have a record of never ending at the bottom, while some have appeared the most times.
Explore the teams to finish last in IPL points table every season and track the count for each team.
Team with the most last-places finishes
Delhi Capitals in IPL 2018. Image | Instagram
Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredevils) stands out with most last-place finishes in IPL history. Despite having a good reputation of finishing at the top in the years like 2009 and 2012, along with reaching the finals in 2020, they still has the highest number of bottom finish record.
The franchise have finished last 4 times in IPL points table, in the following years:
Beyond the current active teams, 2 former franchises, Deccan Chargers and Pune Warriors India, also registered only one last-place finish during their respective IPL tenures.
GT has turned out to be very successful since their inaugral season. They won the title in 2022, and qualified for the playoffs 3 out of 4 times in their IPL seasons so far.
Most runs vs England in England for India in tests
Conquering English conditions is tough, but some Indian batsmen have mastered them. Find out the ones with most runs vs England in England for India in tests.
For any touring cricket team, England presents an unique challenge in Test cricket. It's a land where even most skilled players can struggle.
Far away from home, Indian cricketers have sincerely accepted this challenge and given a tough fight for many years. Discover which batting legends have mastered the game and scored the most runs vs England in England for India in tests.
1. Sachin Tendulkar | 1575 Runs
17-year-old Sachin Tendulkar after scoring his international maiden century against England in 1990. Image | ESPNcricinfo
The 'Master Blaster' Sachin Tendulkar holds the unmatched record for most runs vs England in England for India in tests. He scored 1575 runs in 17 matches (30 innings) with an average above 54.
Tendulkar dominated the English soil with 4 hundreds and 8 fifties in his test career.
Rahul Dravid celebrating his century against England at The Oval in 2011. Image | Instagram
Rahul Dravid is another big name when it comes to legendary test batsmen from India. He holds impressive record against England which is hard to match in the long run for young Indian batters of the coming age.
Dravid scored 1376 runs in 13 matches, with his highest being a phenomenal 217 runs during India tour of England in 2002.
Dravid stats vs England in England
Span
Matches
Innings
Runs
Highest
Avg
100
50
1996-2011
13
23
1376
217
68.80
6
4
3. Sunil Gavaskar | 1152 Runs
Sunil Gavaskar during his knock of 221 runs against England at The Oval in 1979. Image | Facebook
Sunil Gavaskar is the third Indian batter to cross the 1000-run mark against England in England. The 'Little Master' scored 1152 runs in 16 matches during his Test career.
He scored 221 runs in 1979, which is the highest score ever by an Indian batsman against England in their own soil.
Gavaskar stats vs England in England
Span
Matches
Innings
Runs
Highest
Avg
100
50
1971-1986
16
28
1152
221
41.14
2
8
4. Virat Kohli | 976 Runs
Virat Kohli celebrates his heroic century against England in 2018. Image | ESPNcricinfo
Here comes the most successful Test captain of India, Virat Kohli, securing the fourth position in this list. He surpassed many legendary test batters with his brilliant record against England in their home soil.
Kohli scored 976 runs in 15 matches, with 2 centuries and 5 fifties to his name. The numbers could soar higher if he had not retired from tests at the age of 36, in 2025.
Dilip Vengsarkar in action against England at Lord's cricket ground in 1986. Image | Instagram
Dilip Vengsarkar is a gem of a player in the history of Indian Test cricket. He scored 960 runs in 13 matches (23 innings), with 157 being his highest score.
Vengsarkar scored 4 hundreds and 4 fifties during his tenure.
Vengsarkar stats vs England in England
Span
Matches
Innings
Runs
Highest
Avg
100
50
1979-1990
13
23
960
157
48.00
4
4
6. Sourav Ganguly | 915 Runs
Sourav Ganguly celebrating his debut test ton against England in 1996. Image | TOI
Another successful captain in the history of Indian Test cricket, Sourav Ganguly, makes his way to the sixth rank in the list. He started his career with an iconic ton against England in 1996.
Ganguly scored a total of 915 runs in 9 matches (15 innings) vs England in England with an average above 65.
Gundappa Viswanath in action against England in 1981. Image | ESPNcricinfo
Gundappa Viswanath played a major role for India in Tests back in the 1970s. He scored 858 runs in 13 matches against England in England, with an average of 39.
Viswanath stats vs England in England
Span
Matches
Innings
Runs
Highest
Avg
100
50
1971-1982
13
24
858
113
39.00
1
9
8. Cheteshwar Pujara | 806 Runs
Cheteshwar Pujara after scoring a century against England in 2018. Image | ESPNcricinfo
Cheteshwar Pujara's journey as a test batsman in the English soil was short-lived but great. He scored 806 runs in 14 matches, having one century and 5 fifties to his name.
Pujara stats vs England in England
Span
Matches
Innings
Runs
Highest
Avg
100
50
2014-2022
14
28
806
132*
31.00
1
5
9. MS Dhoni | 778 Runs
MS Dhoni in action against England in a test match. Image | BBC
Apart from excellent captaincy records, MS Dhonialso holds the ninth position for most runs vs England in England for India in tests. He scored 778 runs in 12 matches (23 innings).
Ajinkya Rahane celebrating his knock of 103 runs against England in 2014. Image | Instagram
Ajinkya Rahane is the tenth name in the elite list for most runs vs England in England for India in tests. He scored 665 runs in 14 matches, with a classy century and 5 half centuries to his name.
With the IPL 2025 playoffs just around the corner, the tension is reaching its peak. Over the years, the Indian Premier League has given fans plenty of memorable moments full of surprises at the fag end of the group stage. Generally, the fans have to wait till the last over of the group stage to know who will qualify for the IPL Playoffs.
Sometimes, it even goes to the final ball as well, to decide the fourth team to qualify.
From teams that regularly reach the playoffs to underdogs who’ve shocked everyone, the path to the final four has always been full of drama.
Let's take a look at the IPL Playoffs teams from 2008 to 2025.
IPL 2025 Playoffs Race: Who Will Claim the Final Spot?
Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and Punjab Kings have secured their spots in the top four, leaving one final slot up for grabs. Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and LSG are fighting for that last spot in the IPL 2025 Playoffs.
As the IPL 2025 season nears its climax on May 19, 2025, the playoff picture is almost complete. Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and Punjab Kings have secured their spots in the top four, leaving one final slot up for grabs.
Mumbai Indians: 14 points from 12 games (NRR: 1.156)
Delhi Capitals: 13 points from 12 games
Lucknow Super Giants: 10 points from 11 games
Upcoming Fixtures
The outcome of the following matches will determine who claims the final playoff spot:
MI vs. DC (May 21, 2025)
MI vs. PBKS
DC vs. PBKS
LSG vs. SRH (May 19, 2025), GT, and RCB
Qualification Scenarios
Mumbai Indians
MI are in pole position with 14 points. Winning both of their remaining matches against DC and PBKS will guarantee qualification with 18 points.
Even a single win could suffice, provided other results, particularly DC’s and LSG’s, go their way, and their strong net run rate (1.156) holds up.
Delhi Capitals
DC, with 13 points, need to win both remaining games against MI and PBKS to reach 17 points. This would put them in contention, but their qualification could hinge on net run rate and other results, especially after their recent 10-wicket loss to the Gujarat Titans.
Lucknow Super Giants
LSG face an uphill battle with only 10 points from 11 games. They must win all three of their remaining matches against SRH, GT, and RCB to reach 16 points. Even then, their qualification depends on favourable results elsewhere and a significant improvement in their net run rate.
Mumbai Indians are currently favoured to clinch the final playoff spot, thanks to their higher points tally and strong net run rate.
The upcoming MI vs. DC clash on May 21 is being dubbed a virtual knockout, as the winner will gain a significant advantage. However, LSG’s three remaining games give them a slim chance to stage a dramatic comeback, provided they can upset strong teams like GT and RCB.
Highest individual scores by players in IPL playoffs
From Shubman Gill's match-winning 129 off 60 balls to Sehwag and Watson's heroics. Discover the highest individual scores by players in IPL playoffs history.
The intensity of IPL playoffs brings out extraordinary performances. Several players have set the bar high with their fearless batting skills and bagging those victories for the teams.
With the IPL 2025 playoffs approaching, it is the best time to examine the highest individual scores by players in the IPL playoffs.
Check out the full list of the highest individual scores by players in the IPL playoffs.
1. Shubham Gill (129 runs) | GT
Shubman Gill celebrating his century against MI in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2023. Image | ESPNcricinfo
Shubham Gill shattered all the big batting records of IPL playoffs with his unbelievable knock of 129 runs off 60 balls against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023 Qualifier 2.
His performance as an opening batsman took Gujarat Titans to a huge total of 233 runs, which they defended comfortably and booked their final berth.
This groundbreaking knock tops the chart for the highest individual scores by players in IPL playoffs.
Wriddhiman Saha playing a slog-sweep during his 115* off 55 balls in IPL 2014 Final. Image | ESPNcricinfo
An incredible season for the boy of Bengal, Wriddhiman Saha, who dominated till the very end against KKR in the IPL 2014 Final. He scored an unbeaten 115 runs from just 55 balls and helped PBKS reach a defendable total. Saha's ton was the first ton ever scored in an IPL final.
Even though Kolkata Knight Riders pulled off a brilliant victory in that match, Saha's performance won the hearts of the fans!
5. Murali Vijay (113 runs) | CSK
Murali Vijay's celebration after scoring 113 runs off 58 balls in IPL 2012 Qualifier 2. Image | Pinterest
Murali Vijay single-handedly took CSK to a humongous total in the Qualifier 2 of IPL 2012. His remarkable contribution of 113 runs from 58 balls made things easier for their team.
With this victory against Delhi Capitals, CSK headed towards the Final and Murali Vijay was rewarded player of the match.
Rajat Patidar's match winning 112* runs against LSG in IPL 2022 Eliminator. Image | Reddif
Rajat Patidar has proven to be one of the impactful figures for Royal Challengers Bengaluru ever since his debut in 2021. He left a stellar lasting impression with his knock of 112* runs from 54 balls against LSG in IPL 2022 Eliminator.
His contribution was extremely crucial for the team as their batting line-up collapsed early in the first innings. However, RCB successfully defeated LSG to move ahead in the tournament, with credit to Patidar.
Follow Us
/sportzpoint/media/post_attachments/b584a7fdea4175aef76b32a6f44995c772c90823ac5e3ffd0622624a5ee699ae.jpeg)
/sportzpoint/media/post_attachments/b4a696f0e66d1d9125538f5c00ae78c161c3c4f8d398c243afc149f596c19fe4.jpeg)
