The IPL 2025 playoffs commence on May 29 with Qualifier 1 between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Gujarat Titans (GT) and Mumbai Indians (MI) secured third and fourth positions, respectively, and will face off in the Eliminator. The winner of Qualifier 1 advances directly to the final, while the loser gets another chance in Qualifier 2 against the Eliminator's victor. Match timings are set for 7:30 PM IST. Venues include New Chandigarh for Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator, Ahmedabad for Qualifier 2, and the final match of this season on June 3. This playoff structure maintains the traditional format, offering top teams a second opportunity to reach the final.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, having retired from Tests and T20Is, now focus solely on ODIs, aiming for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa. However, with only 27 ODIs scheduled until December 2026 and their tendency to skip matches against teams like Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, maintaining form and fitness poses a significant challenge. Former cricketer Atul Wassan highlights the difficulty of staying match-ready through IPL alone, emphasizing the need for consistent play. While Kohli boasts multiple ICC titles, including the 2011 World Cup, Rohit still seeks his first ODI World Cup win. The duo's path to 2027 success hinges on navigating limited opportunities and sustaining peak performance. (PC: Pinterest)

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced the end of his tenure with Saudi club Al-Nassr via a social media post stating, "This chapter is over." The 40-year-old forward joined Al-Nassr in late 2022, scoring 99 goals in 105 matches and winning the Arab Club Champions Cup. Despite his individual success, Al-Nassr finished third in the league and missed out on AFC Champions League qualification. With his contract expired, Ronaldo's future remains uncertain. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has suggested that Ronaldo could join a club participating in the expanded 2025 Club World Cup in the U.S. Potential destinations include MLS, Mexican, South American clubs, or a return to Sporting CP. Brazilian clubs have reportedly declined due to financial constraints. (PC: eDigital Agency)

In a thrilling IPL 2025 clash, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) chased down a mammoth 228-run target set by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), securing a top-two finish in the points table. LSG skipper Rishabh Pant dazzled with a scintillating 118 off 61 balls, guiding his team to their highest-ever IPL score of 227. However, Jitesh Sharma turned the tide with a superhuman knock of 85 from just 33 balls, supported by Virat Kohli’s crucial half-century. The electrifying match confirmed RCB’s place in Qualifier 1 and showcased Sharma’s explosive finishing under pressure, overshadowing Pant’s valiant effort. (PC: BCCI)

India’s Mahendra Gurjar set a new world record in the men’s F42 javelin category with a stunning 61.17m throw at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Nottwil, Switzerland. The 27-year-old broke the previous record of 59.19m set by Brazil’s Roberto Floriani Edenilson in 2022. Gurjar's record-breaking throw came on his third attempt. He also won gold in the long jump T42 event with a 5.59m leap, marking his debut in the discipline. Despite the F42 category being excluded from the 2023 Asian Para Games and 2024 Paralympics, Gurjar's performance stands out as a milestone for Indian para-sports. (PC: SportsStar)

Punjab Kings (PBKS) have clinched their first IPL playoff berth since 2011, securing a top-two finish under the leadership of captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting. Batter Shashank Singh attributes this success to the inclusive team culture fostered by Iyer and Ponting, where every member, from star players like Yuzvendra Chahal to the team bus driver, is treated with equal respect. Singh emphasized that this egalitarian approach was established from day one and has been consistently maintained. He credited Ponting for transforming the team's mindset and instilling self-belief, while lauding Iyer's leadership as one of the best experiences of his career. PBKS is set to face RCB or GT in Qualifier 1 on May 29.(PC: Hindustan Times)

Despite leading Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 playoffs, Shreyas Iyer has been excluded from India's Test squad for the upcoming England tour. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar cited intense competition and a strategic focus on fresh talent as reasons for his omission. Former England spinner Monty Panesar supported the decision, stating Iyer's technique is vulnerable in swinging conditions, lacking soft hands and late shot execution. Iyer's absence from domestic cricket previously led to his removal from the central contracts list, although strong white-ball performances facilitated his return. (PC: AFP)  

Punjab Kings defeated Mumbai Indians by chasing 185 runs with 8 balls left in a crucial IPL 2025 match. Josh Inglis scored 73 and Priyansh Arya made 62 to help PBKS reach the target. Mumbai Indians’ Suryakumar Yadav was the top scorer with 57 runs. The win gave Punjab Kings a spot in Qualifier 1 and placed them in the top two teams for the first time in 11 years. PBKS will now play the Qualifier 1 match at home in Mullanpur. The match was a key contest for both teams’ playoff hopes. (PC: BCCI)

On May 25, 2025, Roland Garros honored Rafael Nadal with a heartfelt tribute, marking 20 years since his debut on its clay courts. The ceremony featured a video montage, a plaque with his footprint, and appearances by tennis legends Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray, reuniting the "Big Four." Nadal, visibly emotional, delivered a trilingual speech expressing gratitude to his family, coaches, and fans. The stadium was adorned with "Merci Rafa" shirts and a mosaic spelling "RAFA" with hearts and "14 RG." This tribute celebrated Nadal's unparalleled achievements, including 14 French Open titles and a 112-4 match record at the tournament, solidifying his legacy as the "King of Clay."(PC: Shutterstock & The Telegraph)

Sourav Ganguly's brother, Snehasish Ganguly, and his wife narrowly escaped a boating mishap in Odisha's Puri district. While on a speedboat ride at the popular tourist spot, the vessel capsized due to strong waves. Both were promptly rescued by local lifeguards, sustaining no injuries. The incident underscores the importance of stringent safety measures in water-based recreational activities. Sourav Ganguly's sister-in-law, Arpita Ganguly, alleged that the boat was light due to a lesser capacity of passengers, leading to its overturning. Video shows the speedboat upside down in a rough sea as lifeguards continued their efforts to rescue all the tourists. Officials used rubber floats to rescue them. (PC: Zee News & TBS News)