In a significant moment for his career, 28-year-old Delhi batsman Himmat Singh has secured his first Indian Premier League (IPL) call-up, joining the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for their match against the Gujarat Titans. Singh steps into the playing XI as a replacement for Australian star Mitchell Marsh, who is unavailable due to his daughter’s illness, marking a notable debut opportunity for the young talent.

Marsh’s absence is a blow for LSG, given his stellar form in IPL 2025. Currently third in the Orange Cap race, Marsh has amassed 265 runs in five matches, with four half-centuries and a single duck, making him a key pillar of the team’s batting lineup.

Who is Himmat Singh?

Hailing from Delhi, Himmat Singh brings a robust T20 resume to the IPL stage. With 55 T20 matches for Delhi under his belt, he has scored 917 runs at an electrifying strike rate of 133. His recent domestic performances have turned heads, particularly in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, India’s premier T20 domestic tournament, where he smashed 197 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 148.

Singh also made waves in the Delhi Premier League, racking up 381 runs in 10 innings, placing him among the tournament’s top scorers. Only Priyansh Arya and Singh’s new LSG teammate Ayush Badoni outscored him. Notably, Arya has already left a mark in IPL 2025, hammering a century for Punjab Kings against Chennai Super Kings, setting a high bar for Singh to emulate.

Spotlight on the debutant

As Himmat Singh prepares to take the field, expectations are high for the Delhi batter to seize this chance to shine. His aggressive batting style and proven consistency in domestic circuits make him a promising addition to LSG’s lineup. Fans are eager to see if Singh can replicate Arya’s IPL heroics and deliver a standout performance on one of cricket’s biggest stages.

With Marsh’s return uncertain, Singh’s debut could be a turning point, not just for his career but also for LSG’s campaign.

Glenn Phillips has officially exited the Gujarat Titans squad midway through the IPL 2025 season due to a groin injury. The New Zealand all-rounder sustained this injury while playing as a substitute fielder during the Titans’ away match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 6. His departure marks a significant loss for the team, especially considering his reputation for exceptional all-round abilities and electrifying fielding.

At 28 years old, Phillips has not yet made a match appearance this season, having only participated as a substitute fielder. The injury occurred while he was attempting to stop the ball, highlighting the risks that come with such high-stakes competition. This unfortunate news arrived just hours ahead of the Titans’ crucial match against the Lucknow Super Giants, amplifying the challenges the team faces as they continue to vie for dominance in the league.

In a statement, the Gujarat Titans expressed their support and well wishes for Phillips, hoping for a speedy recovery. The franchise had secured Phillips during the auction at his base price of INR 2 crore, following an impressive run in the Champions Trophy where New Zealand finished as runners-up. His athleticism and fielding prowess, demonstrated through jaw-dropping catches in challenging conditions, had made fans and analysts excited about his potential contributions on the field for the Titans.

Despite the anticipation surrounding his arrival, Phillips leaves the squad without having played in a single match. This situation reflects the unpredictable nature of competitive sports, where injuries can derail even the best-laid plans.

As the Titans prepare for their upcoming clash against the Lucknow Super Giants, they will need to strategize without Phillips. The matchup promises to be intriguing, especially with Nicholas Pooran in tremendous form for LSG, going up against Gujarat’s formidable Mohammed Siraj. Currently, Gujarat Titans sit atop the table with four consecutive victories and a total of 8 points, leveraging a better net run-rate compared to the Delhi Capitals, who also have four wins. The upcoming encounter in the sweltering Lucknow heat will be a test of skill and resilience for both teams.

Cricket’s most animated left-hander, David Warner, just scored a record-breaking deal in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) – and no, he’s not crying over the Indian Premier League (IPL) snub. In fact, he’s laughing it off — with a captain’s cap on.

The Australian southpaw was roped in by Karachi Kings for a whopping Rs 2.58 crore, becoming the most expensive signing in PSL history. The veteran cricketer, now named captain of Karachi Kings, addressed the media ahead of his PSL debut match against Multan Sultans. And just when you thought the drama ended there, a reporter in Karachi tried to spice things up during a press conference by suggesting Warner was being trolled by Indian fans for swapping IPL glitz for PSL grit.

David Warner’s response

“This is the first I’ve heard of it. From my perspective, I want to play cricket,” Warner said, blinking like someone who just heard his name on a school gossip list. “There’s an opportunity to come to PSL… Now, I want to compete, captain the Karachi Kings, and hopefully win the trophy.”

Warner’s acquisition by Karachi Kings marked a historic moment, as he became the most expensive signing in PSL history. While many expected Warner to light up the IPL 2025, the auction tables had other plans. But instead of sulking into retirement or dancing on TikTok (again), Warner opted for a new cricketing home — Pakistan.

The PSL 10 Draft, held at the historic Hazoori Bagh in Lahore, saw Warner picked first in the Platinum category by Karachi Kings. The move not only handed him the captaincy but also broke the bank — in the best way possible.

With a glowing T20 record of 12,913 runs in 399 matches at a strike rate of 140.23, Warner’s not here to play second fiddle — he’s here to rule.

Karachi Kings squad

David Warner (C), Abbas Afridi and Adam Milne (all platinum), James Vince, Hasan Ali, Khushdil Shah (all diamond), Shan Masood, Muhammad Irfan Khan and Aamir Jamal (all gold), Arafat Minhas (brand ambassador), Tim Seifert, Zahid Mahmood, Litton Das and Mir Hamza (all silver), Fawad Ali and Riazullah (both emerging), Omair Bin Yousuf, Kane Williamson, Mohammad Nabi and Mirza Mamoon