Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Baroda and MP book place into the semis
In the first semi-final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024/25, MP defeated Saurashtra by 7 wickets, while in the second quarter-final match, Baroda, captained by Krunal Pandya, defeated Bengal by 41 runs.
The teams of Baroda and Madhya Pradesh have reached the semi-finals of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024/25 on Wednesday.
In the first semi-final, MP defeated Saurashtra by 7 wickets, while in the second quarter-final match, Baroda, captained by Krunal Pandya, defeated Bengal by 41 runs.
All four quarter-final matches were held in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Wednesday. In the first match, MP defeated Saurashtra by 7 wickets.
Batting first, Saurashtra scored 173 runs. In reply, MP won the match by losing 3 wickets with 4 balls remaining. For Madhya Pradesh, Venkatesh Iyer took 2 wickets and also scored 38 runs. Player of the Match Venkatesh ended on 38 not out off 33 deliveries with the bat, after taking 2 for 23 from three overs with the ball. Harpreet, on the other end, batted more aggressively in his nine-ball cameo to finish on 22 not out to seal the game for MP.
Bengal faced Baroda in the second QF
Bengal faced Baroda in the second QF match. Batting first, Baroda scored 172 runs for 7 wickets. From it's side, Shashwat Rawat scored the maximum 40 runs. Captain Krunal Pandya (7) and Hardik Pandya (10) could not do anything special in batting.
While chasing the target of 173 runs set by Baroda, Bengal collapsed for 131 runs in 18 overs. Mohammed Shami took 2 wickets for 43 runs in a spell of 4 overs for his team. Kanishk Seth and Pradipta Pramanik also got two wickets each.
From Bengals' side, Shahbaz Ahmed scored the maximum 55 runs. Ritwik Roy Chowdhury (29) and Abhishek Porel (22) also played good innings, but the rest of the batsmen could not even touch the 10-run mark.
As a result, the entire team was limited to 18 overs. Hardik Pandya, Lukman Meriwala and Atit Sheth took 3 wickets each.
The Buchi Babu 2025 tournament has started by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association from 18 August to 9 September. In Round 1, TNCA XI and Mumbai are facing off at Gojan College B Ground. On the very first day of this match, India's Out-of-favour middle-order batsman Sarfaraz Khan has attracted everyone's attention by scoring a brilliant century.
Sarfaraz Khan scored this century while batting at number 5. When he came to bat, Mumbai had lost three wickets for 98 runs. After this, Sarfaraz Khan handled the team's innings and scored a stormy century. Sarfaraz reached the 100-run mark in just 92 balls. During this, he also hit 9 fours and 3 sixes.
Not selected for England tour
This innings is special for Sarfaraz Khan in many ways, because recently he was not selected in the Indian Test team for the England tour. Sarfaraz has been in the news for his fitness for some time now. After not being selected in Team India, he worked a lot on his fitness. Sarfaraz Khan surprised everyone by losing about 17 kg in just one and a half months.
This is his first match after losing weight and he has been successful in leaving his mark in this match. Sarfaraz Khan is now eyeing to make his place in the home Test series to be played against West Indies.
Sarfaraz's Test performance for India so far
The last of Sarfaraz’s six Tests came during New Zealand’s tour of India last year. After scoring a brilliant 150 in the first Test against the Kiwis in Bengaluru, Sarfaraz just managed 21 runs in the subsequent four innings as India was blanked 0-3 at home. In 11 Test innings so far, Sarfaraz has scored 371 runs at a middling average of 37.10.
Though Sarfaraz was picked in the squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, he didn’t play a single game in the five-match affair.
However, with Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan failing to make a statement with the willow during the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series in England, Sarfaraz has a golden opportunity to be in the scheme of things again ahead of a packed home season.
Bengal Cricket: Sudip Gharami and Tanusree Sarkar win C.A.B Cricketer of the Year Awards 2025; Rahul Prasad shines in U23
Sudip Gharami and Tanusree Sarkar won the C.A.B. Cricketer of the Year 2024/25 awards for men's and women's, respectively. Rahul Prasad won everything in the Men's U23 category. Dhara Gujjar won the highest run getter in Senior Women's ODI award.
The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is all set to celebrate the remarkable achievements of its cricketers as it announced the awardees for the 2024-25 season. The awards ceremony will recognise exceptional talent across various categories, spanning senior men’s, senior women’s, and junior levels, including under-23, under-19, under-16, under-15, and club league categories.
When is the C.A.B. Award Ceremony?
As per multiple reports, the C.A.B. Award Ceremony for the 2024-25 season will take place on 30 August 2025 at the Dhana Dhanya Auditorium in Kolkata.
Who are the winners?
Sudip Gharami was named the C.A.B. Cricketer of the Year for 2024-25 season. Image | CAB Media
In the senior men’s category, Sudip Gharami was named Cricketer of the Year, while Shahbaz Ahmed and Sayan Ghosh shared the Gentleman Cricketer and Best Fast Bowler awards, respectively. This is the second time Gharami will recieve the Cricketer of the Year Award.
Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal wins C.A.B. Highest Wicket-taker of the Year Award for consecutive seasons. Image | C.A.B. Media
Sudip Chatterjee earned the Highest Run Getter for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, andSuraj Sindhu Jaiswal will be honoured as the Highest Wicket Taker in the same tournament.
Tanusree Sarkar won the Best Senior Women's Cricketer of the Year Award. Image | C.A.B.
The senior women’s category saw Tanusree Sarkar and Dhara Gujjar clinching the Highest Run Getter awards in the T-20 and One Day Tournaments, respectively, with Saika Ishaquerecognised as the Highest Wicket Taker in the T-20 Tournament. Tanusree also won the Best Senior Women's Cricketer of the Year Award.
Both Tanusree and Dhara are with the India-A team in Australia at the moment.
Rahul Prasad won all the awards in U-23 Men's Category. Image | C.A.B.
Among the junior categories, Rahul Prasad dominated the under-23 men’s section, securing multiple awards, including Best Cricketer and Highest Wicket Taker.
Dyuti Paul won the Best U-23 Women's Cricketer of the Year Award. Image | C.A.B.
Dyuti Paul and Sushmita Ganguly shone in the under-23 women’s category, with Paul named Best Women's U-23 Cricketer and Ganguly as the Highest Wicket-taker for Bengal in Women's Under-23 One Day Tournament.
In the under-19 category, Vishal Bhati emerged as a key figure, winning Best Cricketer and Highest Wicket Taker, while Ipshita Mondal led the under-19 women’s section with the Highest Run Getter awards.
Sachin Yadav and Sandipta Patra were standout performers in the under-16 and under-15 categories, respectively, with Yadav named Best Bowler and Patra the Highest Run Getter.
The club league category will see Sayan Paul being honoured as the Best Under-19 Cricketer, rounding off a comprehensive recognition of talent across all levels.
Bengal Players in IPL 2025 – Full List & Performance
From Mohammed Shami to the rising talents, discover the full list of Bengal players in IPL 2025 and track down their performance. Let's see how exciting their season have been.
Bengal has a deep-rooted passion for cricket, and the IPL offers a great opportunity to have their local talents compete at the highest level. Several players from Bengal were a part of the exciting IPL 2025 season.
Whether through match-winning spells, consistent contribution, or vital innings, their presence was always prominent in the season. Check out the full list and performance of Bengal Players in IPL 2025 along with their on-field impact.
1. Mohammed Shami (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Mohammed Shami in action for SRH during a match in IPL 2025. Image | Sports Tak
Mohammed Shami has been a long-standing and key figure in Bengal's domestic cricketing landscape. After being ruled out of the previous IPL season (2024) due to an ankle injury, he made a comeback this year as Sunrisers Hyderabad's key pick and second-highest buy for ₹10 crore.
Shami had a somewhat mixed IPL 2025 season and struggled with consistency and his lengths. After his stellar Purple Cap-winning season in 2023, his 2025 campaign saw him take 6 wickets in 9 matches, with an economy of 11.25.
However, Shami continued to prove his excellence by becoming the only bowler in IPL history to claim a first-ball wicket 4 times. He achieved the fourth one by dismissing Shaik Rasheed in the SRH vs CSK match in the 2025 season.
Abishek Porel celebrating his half century in a match in IPL 2025. Image | NDTV
Born in Chandannagar, West Bengal, Abishek Porel is a true local and a proud representative of the state. He was retained for ₹4 crore by Delhi Capitals, where he continued to showcase his brilliance as a wicket-keeper batter.
He began this season with a good pace and proved to be vital by accelerating the run flow when needed. He scored 301 runs in 13 matches, which makes him the second-highest scorer for DC this season.
While his form and the team's overall performance had a slight dip towards the latter part of the tournament, his contributions as a top-order batter were undeniable. He proved that he can adapt to different batting positions and do well.
Mukesh Kumar celebrates a wicket in IPL 2025. Image | TOI
Mukesh Kumar is another example of an incredible pacer who plays for Bengal in domestic cricket and has done exceptionally well in the stage of IPL. Following his brilliant 2024 season for DC, he was retained this year for ₹8 crore via RTM (Right to Match).
He proved to be a reliable performer, delivering effective spells in death overs and under pressure. His ability to use variations and bowl yorkers with accuracy made him a key part of the team's bowling unit.
He delivered a standout performance in IPL 2025 against LSG with his 4-wicket haul and great spell, which earned him the POTM award after their victory.
Akash Deep celebrates a wicket for LSG in IPL 2025. Image | Instagram
Hailing from Bihar, Akash Deep moved to Bengal to pursue cricket and performed well in the domestic field, then later making it to the India 'A' team. In IPL 2025, he was secured by Lucknow Super Giants for ₹8 crore and played 6 matches.
Akash missed some initial games due to a back injury, and later bounced back to showcase a glimpse of his quality and experience as a fast-medium bowler.
There wasn't any particular "game-changing" performance or moment for him this season, but his contributions were a part of LSG's overall bowling efforts.
Akash IPL 2025 stats:
Matches
Balls
Wickets
BBM
Ave
Econ
6
114
3
2/55
76.33
12.05
5. Shahbaz Ahmed (Lucknow Super Giants)
Shahbaz Ahmed in LSG dressing room post-match. Image | Instagram
A keu all-rounder for Bengal's state team, Shahbaz Ahmed was bought for ₹2.4 crore in the mega auction by Lucknow Super Giants. He played a supporting role in IPL 2025 and provided depth in their squad.
He played only 3 matches, where he came out to bat for a single innings and took 1 wicket in the entire season. While the 2025 season did not see any noteworthy performance, his presence in the squad was enough to back then up and bring flexibility as an all-rounder option.
Expensive flops? Rishabh Pant and Venkatesh Iyer's IPL 2025 disappointments
While this IPL season has given us some great performances, we have also seen some big players struggle. Focusing on the expensive flops that have not met expectations this year, let's talk about Rishabh Pant and Venkatesh Iyer's IPL 2025 disappointments.
IPL 2025 has been a mixture of talents and unpredictable moments. The spotlight always falls on the players who are bought for a high price in the auction.
In 2025 IPL, the spotlight is on two big names that fans were expecting big things from. This article examines Rishabh Pant and Venkatesh Iyer's IPL 2025 disappointments that sparked heated discussions for being expensive flops.
Rishabh Pant's ₹27 crore letdown
Rishabh Pant after his dismissal Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025. Image | Facebook
Rishabh Pant, who captained DC in the last season, was picked up by Lucknow Super Giants as the most expensive player in IPL history for ₹27 crore. He is having an extremely disappointing IPL season this year. He scored 110 runs in 10 matches so far, with an average of 12.22 and a strike rate below 100.
LSG has won 5 out of 10 matches, and Pant has gone out for a duck twice in those. Fans expected him to take greater responsibilities this year as a captain, considering the kind of quality batter he is.
The franchise has managed to win matches with team efforts, but lacked the support from their skipper. Pant scored 63 in 49 balls against CSK but failed to be consistent in the following matches.
Questions have also been raised about his annual contract with BCCI, and we are yet to see a steady comeback after his massive flop. The weight of the price tag definitely appears to have become a heavy burden.
Pant's IPL 2025 batting figures:
vs DC- 0(6)
vs SRH- 15(15)
vs PBKS- 2(5)
vs MI- 2(6)
vs CSK- 63(49)
vs RR- 3(9)
vs MI- 4(2)
Venkatesh Iyer's costly silence
Venkatesh Iyer after his dismissal against PBKS in IPL 2025. Image | Instagram
Venkatesh Iyer's 2025 season with Kolkata Knight Riders serves as another big example of expensive letdown. He has delivered consistent performance for the franchise in previous years and was a major pillar of contribution for the defending champions.
KKR reacquired him with a huge ₹23.75 crore with the hopes of him proving to be their key player, but it was all a flop show. The team is currently not doing well in the points table, having 4 wins in 10 matches, and this is the crucial stage where they need him to step out.
Venkatesh scored 142 runs in 10 matches, with an average of 20.29, which makes the question stand strong: was the big price worth it?
Monster Hits: Top 10 Longest Sixes in IPL History That Shook the Stadiums
Albie Morkel has hit the longest six in IPL history with a massive 125m six in IPL 2008. Here is the list of the Top 10 longest sixes in IPL history. A few names will shock you.
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 representing Punjab Kings in IPL 2022-24
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)
Gautam Gambir, the Captain of Kolkata Knight Riders
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)
Ben Cutting played a important knock of 39* runs off just 15 balls in the IPL 2016 Final Match
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 representing Royal Challengers Bangalore
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, the first captain of Kings XI Punjab
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)
Chris Gayle celebrating after hitting the fastest century in the history of IPL in just 30 balls
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.
Robin Uthappa representing Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2009-10
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 celebrating after smashing 106 runs off just 55 balls against RCB in 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 representing Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL
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)
Albie Morkel representing Chennai Super Kings in the IPL
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.
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