**Cricket Encore: IPL’s Curtain Call and India’s Test Saga Unfolds**
**Mumbai, May 12, 2025** – “It’s not over until it’s over.” The adage holds true for cricket aficionados as the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to make a dramatic return after a brief hiatus. Following the easing of geopolitical tensions and the India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has proposed May 16 as the date for IPL to light up the stadiums again.
With the finals likely being pushed to May 30, the cricket carousel resumes its spin, promising more thrill and nail-biting finishes. Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata are prepping their grounds, while Ahmedabad stands by as a possible venue for the crowning match, amid meteorological watch over Kolkata.
**India Women’s Triumphant Tune-Up**
On the heels of domestic upheavals, India’s Women’s Cricket Team penned a formidable prelude to their anticipated ODI World Cup symphony in October. A spectacular 97-run triumph over Sri Lanka ensured Harmanpreet Kaur and her brigade lifted the tri-series trophy, underlining their preparedness. Smriti Mandhana’s scintillating 11th ODI century paved the way to a formidable 342/7, setting a target that proved a mountain too high for Sri Lanka.
The clinical bowling, spearheaded by Sneh Rana’s economical four wickets, punctuated an assertive statement – India is ready to take the World stage by storm come October.
**A Leader Bows Out, A New Captain Rises**
In a deviating turn of events, speedster Jasprit Bumrah recused himself from the race to captaincy, prior to India’s red-ball contest in England. Bumrah, having led to a laudable victory in the Perth Test, cited the imperatives of workload management, especially on the back of his long injury layoff. With Rohit Sharma’s retirement drawing the curtain on an era, the spotlight turns to the composed Shubman Gill and dynamic Rishabh Pant. However, whispers in the cricketing corridors anoint Gill as the potential heir to Dhoni’s icy calm captainial legacy.
**Gujarat Titans – Acalm Amidst the Storm**
In preparation for a fresh start, Gujarat Titans (GT), currently leading the table, resumed training with resolute focus. The team awaits the return of global talents like Jos Buttler and Gerald Coetzee next week. Poised a win away from securing playoff glory, GT remains a composed collective even as chaos briefly threatened to upend their campaign.
**A Conundrum Down Under**
On the opposite side, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) broods over the potential absence of their lead pacer, Josh Hazlewood. With RCB captain Rajat Patidar sidelined, Hazlewood’s shoulder injury is a blow that looms large over their resurrection plans. Cricket Australia, prioritizing the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, lends its support to Aussies contemplating their return to the IPL stage, meaning stars like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins might favor rest over the IPL’s revival.
**Shami and Iyer at the Cliff-edge**
The narrative for Mohd Shami and Shreyas Iyer seems to teeter between hope and oblivion as the BCCI Selection Committee convenes. Iyer, despite his momentous double ton in the Ranji Trophy, faces the selectors’ skepticism, whilst Shami looks to rediscover his lethal form post-recovery from his extended injury spell.
As the cricket chronicle unfolds, one reality persists: the sport’s landscape is ever-shifting, its drama ever-enthralling. Whether it’s the IPL regaining its rhythm, India’s women setting their sights on glory, or future Test leaders emerging, the saga continues to captivate the hearts of millions.
**The post DRS, May 12: IPL 2025 to resume next week; Jasprit Bumrah rejects Test captaincy; India Women clinch tri-series first appeared on Inside Sport India.**