In what comes as a massive shot in the arm for the Indian athletes preparing to compete in the Paris Olympics 2024, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah announced that the cricket administering body would be donating ₹8.5 crore to the Indian Olympic Association.

"Proud to announce that the @BCCI will be contributing our mighty athletes who represent #India at the 2024 Paris Olympics. We are supporting the IOA's campaign with INR 8.5 Crores," Jay Shah posted on X, formerly Twitter. He also sent out his best wishes to the Indian contingent, saying: "Make India proud! Jai Hind!"

I am proud to announce that the @BCCI will be supporting our incredible athletes representing #India at the 2024 Paris Olympics. We are providing INR 8.5 Crores to the IOA for the campaign.

To our entire contingent, we wish you the very best. Make India proud! Jai Hind! 🇮🇳…

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) July 21, 2024

Shah's announcement comes as the Paris Games are set to commence on July 26, 2024. The contingent of India would be 117 athletes, while the support staff would be 140-strong to back them up—making it a 257-member team.

A Ministry of Defence press release focussed on the large contribution of the Armed Forces in this year's Olympics. Among the 117 Indian athletes, there are 24 Armed Forces personnel. In the contingent is star Javelin thrower Subedar Neeraj Chopra, among the 22 male athletes, while two female Service athletes will mark their maiden participation at the Olympics.

With the country's premier cricketing body behind them and the involvement of the Armed Forces, the Indian contingent is therefore bound to create a flutter at the Paris Olympics.

Due to the increasing conflict between India and Pakistan, BCCI has postponed the IPL 2025 for a week. BCCI gave this information on Friday. The board said that it has taken this decision keeping in mind the concerns of the players and the sentiments of the fans. The new schedule of IPL will be released depending on the situation.

At the same time, according to media reports, all foreign players have been asked to return to their country. Meanwhile, Cricket Australia and South Africa Cricket Board have expressed concern over their players. There are still 12 league matches and 4 playoff matches left in IPL 2025. The final of the tournament was to be held on 25 May.

Also Read: India-Pakistan War: How Indian athletes reacted to it

It is believed that India's tour of Bangladesh in August will be cancelled. The Asia Cup to be held in September will also be postponed. The remaining matches of IPL can be held in India in their place.

It is difficult for BCCI to bring back foreign players

The biggest challenge for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in resuming the IPL in May is to bring back foreign players. As soon as the IPL was announced to be postponed for a week, most of the foreign players returned to their respective countries. The remaining players will leave India by Saturday.

It will be interesting to see how BCCI brings back the foreign players and restarts the tournament. Because without them, it will be difficult to organize matches.

Players will start playing for the country

If the IPL resumes at the end of May, most of the foreign players will be able to return. The teams believe so. If these matches are played after May 25, it will be difficult for the players to return. The biggest reason for this is that many players will be playing for their national team then.

The final of the World Test Championship (WTC) is also scheduled to be held between the Australia and the South Africa at Lord's from June 11.

Starting the tournament is not easy

BCCI has kept all three grounds ready. Despite this, officials believe that it will not be easy to restart this competition now. All the teams were informed about this on Friday without any formal announcement. People from many teams are saying that all the remaining matches can be held at the end of the year.

Punjab-Delhi match had to be canceled midway

On the night of 8 May at around 8.30 pm, Pakistan attacked the borders of Jammu, Punjab and Rajasthan of India with missiles and drones. During this time, a match was being played between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. It had to be stopped midway.

Gujarat on top, 3 teams out of the playoffs race

By the time IPL 2025 was halted midway, 57 matches of the league stage had been completed. The 58th match was halted midway. After 57 matches, Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bangalore had the highest points in the points table with 16-16 points.

GT remained on top due to better run rate. Punjab was third, Mumbai fourth and Delhi fifth. Whereas Chennai, Rajasthan and Hyderabad teams were out of the playoff race.

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

Gujarat-Bengaluru have 3-3 matches left

When the tournament was stopped, 4 teams had 2-2 matches left. Whereas 6 teams including Gujarat and Bangalore had not played 3-3 matches. A match was to be played between Lucknow and Bangalore in Lucknow on Friday, but the tournament was stopped before that.

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.

Taking a shocking decision, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has removed fielding coach T Dilip and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar from the Indian team's coaching staff. BCCI has taken this action after India's humiliating defeat in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia. 

According to media reports, by removing the coaching staff and many other members, the BCCI has given a strict warning that the performance of the Indian team in Tests cannot be ignored.

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

Abhishek became assistant coach eight months ago

Abhishek was appointed as the assistant coach just eight months ago when Gautam Gambhir took over as the head coach. However, he has now been relieved of his responsibilities as the assistant coach.

Along with him, fielding coach T. Dilip and strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai have also been sacked. Apart from this, a staff member who used to massage the players in the team has also been sacked.

Abhishek worked with Gambhir in KKR

Rahul Dravid's tenure ended after the T20 World Cup 2024. After this, BCCI appointed Gambhir as the head coach. Gambhir had associated his teammates from Kolkata Knight Riders with the team as his assistants.

Before becoming the head coach of the Indian team, Gambhir was the mentor of KKR and at that time Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate were the support staff in the same team. Morne Morkel had worked with Gambhir in Lucknow Super Giants. He was holding the post of fielding coach since the time of Dravid.

Replacement for Abhishek and Dilip

The BCCI has not announced permanent replacements as per reports. However, the transition is already underway. Sitanshu Kotak, currently with the team setup, will continue in his role. Ryan ten Doeschate will handle fielding duties in place of Dilip. For fitness and conditioning, Adrian Le Roux who is currently with Punjab Kings will fill in for Desai.

India's performance in Border Gavaskar Trophy

Team India struggled in the Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. They were inconsistent on both the batting and bowling fronts as the Aussies dominated. The failure was not just about the scoreboard, but the manner in which the team collapsed under pressure.

Also Read: Bengal Cricket: YMCA (College Branch) Clinches Thrilling Victory in Relegation Final, BNR Relegated to CAB Second Division

The result of this loss prompted the BCCI to introspect, and a shake-up the support staff.

The Indian team is set to play a five-match Test series against England starting June 20. They will want to bounce back with the new restructured support staff.