Manoj Bhandage, the young all-rounder from Karnataka, was brought in as Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) impact player during their IPL 2025 clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 18. However, the highly anticipated appearance ended on a disappointing note as he was dismissed cheaply after RCB’s batting order collapsed in a shortened innings.

RCB reels after rain-hit start

The encounter at Bengaluru was disrupted by heavy rainfall, leading to a significant delay. Once play resumed at 9:45 PM, the fixture was reduced to 14 overs per side. RCB, who were put in to bat first, struggled heavily as wickets fell in quick succession, leaving them reeling at 41/6 within the first eight overs.

In a bid to salvage their innings, the team turned to Manoj Bhandage, deploying him as their designated impact player.

Profile: Who is Manoj Bhandage?

Manoj Bhandage, born on October 5, 1998, in Karnataka, was acquired by RCB for ₹30 lakh during the IPL 2025 mega auction. A left-handed batter and right-arm medium pacer, Bhandage is known for his aggressive style and versatility with both bat and ball.

He made his T20 debut for Karnataka in 2019 and later featured in List A cricket starting 2022. In 14 List A matches, Bhandage has accumulated 235 runs at a strike rate of 100.42 and has taken 10 wickets at an economy rate of 4.80. His T20 record includes 186 runs and 13 wickets from 24 appearances.

Bhandage has been recognized for his ability to contribute in the lower-middle order while offering useful overs with the ball, which prompted RCB to test his potential under pressure.

Short stay at the crease

Unfortunately for the debutant, his contribution was limited. Facing Marco Jansen, Bhandage attempted to flick a length delivery but misjudged its line. The ball struck his pad with his front leg airborne. Although he opted for a review, technology confirmed no bat contact, and the ball-tracking data indicated a marginal clip of the leg stump. The umpire’s original decision of out was upheld, and Bhandage had to walk back after scoring just one run from four balls.

His brief outing added to RCB’s woes on a night where their top and middle order offered little resistance, leaving fans and management with unanswered questions about their depth under pressure.

Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid has firmly denied recent reports suggesting a rift between skipper Sanju Samson and the franchise. Addressing the media ahead of their upcoming IPL 2025 clash against Lucknow Super Giants, Dravid labelled the rumours as “baseless” and stressed the team’s unity and shared focus on playoff qualification.

The controversy was sparked by a video that showed Samson missing from a team huddle involving Dravid and other members of the support staff. Speculations quickly followed about a possible internal conflict and even questions about Samson’s captaincy future.

“I don’t know where these reports are coming from. Sanju and I are on the same page,” Dravid stated during the press conference.

He further added, “He’s a very integral part of our team. He’s involved in each and every decision and discussion. Sometimes, when you lose games and things don’t go right, you face criticism and we can take it on our performances, but we can’t do anything about this baseless stuff.”

Dravid praised the team’s effort and unity, highlighting that criticism often overlooks how deeply players are affected when they don’t perform well. “The spirit of the team is really good, I’m impressed with how hard these guys work. One of the things people don’t understand is how hurt the players feel when they don’t perform,” he noted.

Sanju Samson’s fitness in question ahead of key match

Adding to the team’s concerns, Sanju Samson’s availability for the crucial Saturday fixture remains uncertain. The RR captain had to retire hurt during the previous match against Delhi Capitals after scoring 31 off 19 balls, following a possible side strain.

He was seen in visible discomfort after playing a cut shot against Vipraj Nigam and was subsequently assessed by the physio for pain in the left ribcage area. Although he continued briefly, Samson had to leave the field soon after. The match ended in a tie and RR eventually lost in the Super Over.

“Sanju experienced a bit of pain in the abdominal area. So we have gone for scans. He has done some scans today so we are waiting the results… and then once we get a bit more clarity… we’ll take a decision,” Dravid said on Friday.

As Rajasthan Royals await the scan results, all eyes are on Samson’s condition ahead of what could be a pivotal match in their campaign.

On Friday, the Chennai Super Kings officially announced the signing of South African all-rounder Dewald Brevis as a replacement for the injured pacer Gurjapneet Singh for the remainder of the IPL season. This strategic move adds a dynamic young talent to the CSK roster, as Brevis is widely regarded as one of the most exciting emerging cricketers globally.

Dewald Brevis, who has quickly made a name for himself in the cricketing arena, debuted internationally in T20 cricket in 2023 and has since participated in various franchise tournaments around the globe.

His remarkable performances in leagues such as the IPL, Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Major League Cricket (MLC), and SA20 have demonstrated his potential and skill. In the recently concluded 2025 SA20 season, he stood out as one of the top players, finishing as the sixth-highest run-scorer with an impressive 291 runs at an explosive strike rate of 184.17. His contributions were pivotal in guiding MI Cape Town to their first title, showcasing his ability to perform on big stages.

In an official media statement, the IPL emphasised the importance of this signing, stating, “Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have signed South Africa’s Dewald Brevis as a replacement for the injured Gurjapneet Singh for the remainder of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.” This announcement signifies CSK’s commitment to maintaining a competitive edge in the tournament despite dealing with injuries.

At just 21 years of age, Brevis has a previous association with the Mumbai Indians, having played 10 matches during the 2022 and 2024 seasons. His overall T20 experience includes 81 matches in which he accumulated 1,787 runs, with a highest score of 162.

Brevis is often referred to as “Baby AB” because of the striking resemblance in both looks and playing style to the legendary AB de Villiers. With this new opportunity, Brevis will don the Chennai Super Kings jersey for ₹2.2 crore, and fans are eagerly anticipating his contributions throughout the remainder of the IPL season.