Gujarat Titans (GT) face Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL 2025 Eliminator at Mullanpur on Friday. With high stakes, the winner moves to Qualifier 2 against Punjab Kings. However, questions have arisen over weather concerns. Fortunately, forecasts predict minimal rain and no interruptions. If the match is washed out, GT will advance due to a better group-stage finish. MI, who placed fourth, would be eliminated. There is no reserve day for the Eliminator, making Friday’s match a do-or-die for both teams. RCB has already secured a spot in the final after defeating PBKS by 8 wickets. (PC: X/IPL)

India shone at the Asian Athletics Championships 2025 in Gumi, South Korea, as Jyothi Yarraji and Avinash Sable delivered golden performances. Jyothi clocked a Championship Record of 12.96s to defend her 100m hurdles title, clinching India’s fourth gold at the event. Earlier, Avinash Sable ended a 36-year wait for India in the men’s 3000m steeplechase, clocking a season-best 8:20.92s. His dominant run made him the first Indian since 1989 to win the event. Their victories, along with earlier wins in the mixed relay and 10,000m, kept India in the top three of the medal table. (PC: PTI)

India’s cricket is entering a new era with young stars rising rapidly. Vaibhav Suryavanshi, at 13, scored a 58-ball century against Australia U-19, the fastest for India in youth Tests. Tilak Varma made back-to-back T20I centuries vs South Africa, the youngest to do so against a top nation. In the IPL, Priyansh Arya’s 39-ball century for Punjab Kings and Suryansh Shedge’s all-round brilliance for Mumbai stand out. Ayush Mhatre shines for Mumbai and Chennai Super Kings, showcasing great all-round skills. These players are shaping India’s cricket future. (PC: The Hindu)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have entered the IPL final for the first time since 2016 after thrashing Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur. Under debut captain Rajat Patidar, RCB bowled PBKS out for just 101 runs in 14.1 overs on a fast bowler-friendly pitch. Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma took three wickets each, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal dismantled Punjab's top order early. Despite losing Virat Kohli in the 4th over, RCB chased down the target in just 10 overs, winning by 8 wickets. The dominant performance showcased RCB’s fierce intent to finally clinch their maiden IPL title. (PC: X/RCB)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru delivered a powerful bowling performance to bowl out Punjab Kings for a low total of 101 runs in IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur. Opting to field first, RCB’s bowlers dominated the innings, with leg-spinner Suyash Sharma (3/17) and pacer Josh Hazlewood (3/21) taking crucial wickets. Marcus Stoinis was the top scorer for PBKS with 26 runs, but early breakthroughs from Yash Dayal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar left Punjab struggling at 50 for five. RCB now have a strong advantage going into their chase to secure a place in the IPL final. (PC: BCCI)

India head coach Gautam Gambhir declined to comment on Shreyas Iyer's exclusion from the 18-member Test squad for the England series starting June 20. "I am not a selector," Gambhir said when asked about Iyer, who has led Punjab Kings to the IPL play-offs. Instead, Gambhir lauded the BCCI for inviting chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force to the IPL 2025 final on June 3 in Ahmedabad, calling it an "unbelievable step." The gesture honors Operation Sindoor, launched after the tragic Pahalgam terror attack in April that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists. (PC: AFP)

On May 28, 2025, at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, India's 4x400m mixed relay team—comprising Rupal Chaudhary, Santhosh Kumar Tamilarasan, Vishal Thennarasu Kayalvizhi, and Subha Venkatesan—successfully defended their title, securing gold with a time of 3:18.12 seconds. China followed with silver at 3:20.52, and Sri Lanka took bronze at 3:21.95. This victory marks India's third medal in the mixed relay event, having previously won gold in 2023 and silver in 2019. Rupal Chaudhary also earned a silver in the women's 400m, while Tejaswin Shankar secured silver in the decathlon, contributing to India's impressive medal tally. (PC: Hindustan Times)

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)