There's also a lot more at stake than the final score in these games. High stakes and emotions are at play, as is the pressure of the long season. The last minutes of the game can be unpredictable. Players may make decisions that they normally wouldn't, or coaches may decide to take bold risks. However, the final games are always full of surprises. Anything can happen in the final moments of any match. These clashes are so fascinating because they're unpredictable. This is why the fans continue to watch. Below, we'll look at some unexpected end-of-season clashes.

The Championship Decider 

Imagine that two teams are neck-and-neck in the league and fighting to win first place. Who wins the championship could be decided by the final match of the season. Both teams are under pressure in these matches. A single mistake can cost the team everything. Both fans and experts find it difficult to determine who will win because each team has everything to lose or gain. It could be determined by small things like the last scorer or final player. Therefore, it's important to remain calm in stressful situations. 

Read Also | IPL 2025: Squads of every IPL team after the auction

High stakes Playoff Game 

The last games of the season are more important than the playoffs. Every point is important in these games. The playoffs are a great opportunity to show off your talents, but the outcome is decided by those who advance. These matches are full of drama because the stakes can be high. Kabaddi, for instance, can be swung by a crucial tackle or a raid at the last minute. The games can be thrilling, but you might wonder where to find a safe and fast-running kabaddi betting app to keep up with all the latest updates. 

In such games, coaches also play a major role. The coaches can change the outcome of a game in a split second. It is not uncommon for teams to win when they remain calm under pressure. Only the final whistle can determine who won. 

The Underdog Surprise 

Watching an underdog overcome all odds to win a big match is amazing. The underdogs may not have been noticed or considered losers during the entire season but surprised everyone with their last match. Underdogs often have no stake in the match, and so play with fearlessness and energy that can make the entire game. Underdogs can take more risks, use new tactics, or show greater passion than opponents. It can lead to an unexpected result. 

The winning of an underdog shows that nothing is impossible. The underdogs may not be the best athletes or have the longest track records in the sport. They compensate with determination and grit. As the crowd claps for each successful play, they cheer on the underdog. They are all emotional victories. Fighting so hard can make the underdog surprise even the strongest team. Sports are not finished until the final whistle. 

Read Also | What are the biggest e-sports events yet to come in 2024?

Rivalry Clashes 

The atmosphere when the two rival teams meet is electrifying. The games are more than just a competition. They're also about history, pride, and showing who is the best. Every play, point and tackle become more significant because of the rivalry. Both teams have passionate fans, which are felt by players. These games are often a source of bragging rights that last for an entire season. The stakes are higher in rivalry matches, whether it is a football match or a Kabaddi game. They can be thrilling and unpredictable. 

Rivalry games are even harder to predict because of the unpredictable emotions. It is possible that players are so determined to beat their opponent, they take more risks than normal. This can lead to moments of brilliance or costly mistakes. As the game can be unpredictable, these intense matches force players to change their usual style of play. The intensity of the players can also make these games unpredictable. It doesn't matter if a team is the best or not, their rivals can still surprise them. 

Playoff Final Seeding 

Even if the team has already reached the postseason, it is still crucial to play final games. Final matches can affect a team's seeding, determining the opponent they will face in the next round. Therefore, it can be hard to predict the result of a game between two highly seeded-teams. The results may differ because teams are competing to gain positions. 

Conclusion 

End-of-season matches are full of drama and excitement. The results can be unpredictable. It can be difficult to predict the outcome of these clashes. Anything is also possible in the last seconds. You will not know who the winners are until the final blow. 

Hello and welcome to the LIVE blog of Doha Diamond League 2025, where the largest Indian contingent in terms of numbers at any single Diamond League meet to date is going to perform. 

Double Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra will take part in the men's javelin event. Kishore Jena will be the second Indian to participate in that event.

Read Also | NEERAJ CHOPRA INJURY: A SAGA OF STRAIN, TECHNIQUE, AND RECOVERY

In the men's 5000m, Gulveer Singh will compete for India. Meanwhile, Parul Chaudhary will compete in the Women's 3000m steeplechase event. 

This is Koushik Biswas, who will bring you all the LIVE updates, results and commentary of the Doha Diamond League 2025 for you. So, stay tuned and enjoy the coverage. 

Abhimanyu Easwaran was named the captain of the India A team for the tour of England as the BCCI announced the India A squad for the upcoming tour starting from 30th May 2025. 

India A will play two first-class matches against the England Lions at Canterbury and Northampton. Then they will play a practice match against the senior Indian team to prepare them for the big series against England. 

Karun Nair was rewarded for his excellent domestic form as he made a return to the India A side. His performance for the A side might decide whether he will be given a chance for the senior team or not.

Abishek Porel, who was named in the last India A's tour to Australia, has been replaced by Ishan Kishan in the side.

Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, who will be busy in the Indian Premier League for the Gujarat Titans, will join the squad from the second match. 

India A squad for the England tour

India A squad: Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel (VC) (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan (WK), Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, Harsh Dubey

India A' schedule for the England tour

Cricket has always been a bridge across cultures, a phenomenon that connects players with fans from all around the world. Situations often force people to migrate from one country to the other. There have been instances when cricketers were born in different nations but ultimately played for a different country.

Let's take a look at the cricket facts of cricketers who didn't play for their country.

Also Read: "Wear whites for Virat": RCB fans in Bengaluru to wear white for Virat Kohli Test tribute

Cricket Facts | Cricketers who didn't play for their country

5. Glenn Phillips (South Africa-born)

New Zealand cricket all-rounder Glenn Philips moved from East London, South Africa to New Zealand at the age of five. He pursued his education in New Zealand, where he began his cricket journey. Having made his domestic debut with Auckland, he signed with Otago to play alongside his brother, Dale Phillips, in 2022. Interestingly, he made his international debut against South Africa, the country where he was born.

4. Ish Sodhi (India-born)

Inderbir Singh 'Ish' Sodhi was born in Ludhiana, India, on October 31, 1992, and spent his early years in New Zealand. He made his New Zealand debut as a leg-spinner in 2013, and since then, he has been a reliable performer in limited-overs forms, contributing significantly to the country's T20 World Cup campaigns.

3. Devon Conway (South Africa-born)

After playing for Gauteng and the Highveld Lions, Devon Conway moved to New Zealand in 2017 and made an immediate impact. He was the leading run-scorer in both the 2018-19 Plunket Shield (659) and 2018-19 Super Smash (363). Conway became eligible to play for New Zealand in August 2020 and has since become a key player for them across all formats. He averages 36.72 after 27 Tests and has also made 36 ODI and 50 T20I appearances.

2. Marnus Labuschagne (South Africa-born)

Marnus Labuschagne was born in Klerksdorp, in South Africa. His family moved to Australia when he was 10. Labuschagne made his Australia debut in Tests in 2018, after Steve Smith suffered an injury during the Ashes tour. Since then the prolific batter has emulated the batting prowess of his best friend and has not looked back. 

Speaking of his impressive international cricket career for Australia, Marnus Labuschagne has played 57 Tests, scoring 4396 runs with 11 centuries, and played 63 ODIs, scoring 1869 runs with two centuries. He has also played one T20I match.

Also Read: Fav four in Test cricket: Kohli vs Root vs Williamson vs Smith stats in Tests

1. Ben Stokes (New Zealand-born)

Ben Stokes was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, in June 1991. His family moved to Cumbria when Stokes was 12 years old after his father was appointed head coach at Workington Town Rugby League Club.

Stokes has played for England in all three formats. Stokes is regarded as one of England's greatest all-rounders in the history of the sport. In domestic cricket, he represents Durham and has played in multiple Twenty20 leagues around the world. He was part of the England team that won the 2019 Cricket World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup.

The excitement of IPL 2025 is set to begin once again on May 17. However, the availability of foreign players has been a major challenge for many teams after the one-week postponement.

Many foreign players have returned to India for the remaining matches of IPL, but some have completely refused to come this season. One of them is the name of Australian legend Mitchell Starc. Starc was part of the Delhi Capitals team in IPL 2025.

Also Read: KKR Redefines Matchday Atmosphere with Unmatched Tifo Displays during IPL 2025

Starc returned due to India-Pakistan tension

However, Mitchell Starc returned to Australia due to tensions between India and Pakistan. Starc was also involved in the match when there was a sudden blackout in the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala.

Many foreign players who played in this match were in shock, but now the situation has become normal and the tournament is starting again. In such a situation, there are many foreign players who have returned.

There is talk of imposing a penalty on Starc

Mitchell Starc was an important player for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025, but Starc may be in trouble due to his non-return in the remaining matches. Starc was bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 11.75 crore in the mega auction.

In such a situation, it is believed that the Delhi Capitals team can deduct the auction fee if he does not return for the remaining matches of the season, for which the Australian bowler is also said to be ready.

According to the report, Mitchell Starc may face a penalty of 400000 Australian dollars i.e. Rs 3.92 crore if he does not return to IPL 2025. This amount will be deducted from his auction fee.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Here are the overseas players who might not come for the remainder of the tournament

Starc's performance in IPL 2025

Talking about Starc's performance in IPL 2025, he has taken 14 wickets in 11 matches for Delhi Capitals at an economy rate of 10.16. Starc bowled very economically this season. So, his return could prove to be a big loss for Delhi Capitals as the team is in dire need of wins to make it to the top four of the tournament. 

Delhi Capitals are currently fifth on the IPL 2025 Points Table and are among the four contenders for the playoffs’ spot. They have three matches remaining, and a win in at least two of them will take them closer to the qualification. Winning all three, will guarantee a top four finish.

The City of Joy lived up to its billing during the IPL 2025 season as the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) turned Eden Gardens into a pulsating theatre of colour, creativity, and fandom.

The defending champions took fan experience to new heights by unveiling an unprecedented 14 different tifos across 7 home matches, setting a cultural benchmark not just in the IPL, but in Indian sport.

A ‘tifo’ often refers to a choreographed visual display, typically involving large banners, flags, or signs, performed by sports fans.

Read Also | IPL 2025: Here are the overseas players who might not come for the remainder of the tournament

From electrifying player-centric designs to moments to commemorate the ‘home of champions’, KKR delivered multiple tifos throughout the season, with the marquee clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Eden Gardens witnessing a staggering seven unique tifos being unfurled.

Each tifo was conceptualised and executed to reflect the ethos of the franchise, reflecting fearlessness, expressiveness, and a deep connection to its city and its supporters, while also carrying the famous ‘Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo’ motto.

The unveiling of multiple tifos throughout the season not only added to the matchday experience but also reiterated KKR's commitment to their fans and the atmosphere at Eden Gardens. The initiative not only celebrated the team but also paid tribute to the loyal Knight Riders’ fan base, who have consistently packed the stands and brought the fortress to life.