Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) welcomed back their fiery pacer Mayank Yadav for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 showdown against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium, marking his eagerly awaited return after missing the season’s first nine matches due to injury.

The 22-year-old speedster replaced Shardul Thakur in the playing XI, a surprising move given Thakur’s impressive haul of 12 wickets in nine games. LSG, led by Rishabh Pant, opted to bowl first after winning the toss, banking on Yadav’s raw pace to unsettle Mumbai’s formidable batting lineup.

Yadav’s inclusion follows his stint as an impact substitute in LSG’s previous matches against Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals, where the team opted for Ayush Badoni instead. After a loss to Delhi, Pant explained the cautious approach, noting the management’s intent to let Yadav regain confidence and rhythm. Retained for INR 11 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, Yadav’s return is a major boost for LSG, who are eager to leverage his game-changing potential.

Yadav first turned heads in IPL 2024, consistently breaching 150 kmph and claiming seven wickets in just four matches before an abdominal injury cut his campaign short. His meteoric rise continued with a T20I debut for India against Bangladesh in October 2024, but a subsequent back injury sidelined him, forcing him to miss the domestic white-ball season. Now, fully recovered, Yadav aims to replicate his 2024 heroics and propel LSG’s playoff aspirations.

In the match, Mumbai Indians, asked to bat first, made two changes, introducing Karn Sharma and Corbin Bosch in place of Vignesh Puthur and Mitchell Santner. An intriguing subplot emerged with reports of Ben Stokes spotted at Mumbai Indians’ team hotel, greeted by team officials, sparking speculation about his involvement.

At the toss, Pant emphasized a fresh approach, stating, “We’re in a good space. Take every day as your first and play good cricket.” Mumbai’s Hardik Pandya countered, “It’s about adapting, staying focused, and doing the right things in every IPL game.”

In a heart-stopping Copa del Rey final on Saturday, Barcelona clinched a record-extending 32nd Spanish Cup with a dramatic 3-2 win against arch-rivals Real Madrid, sealed by a breathtaking goal from Jules Kounde in the 116th minute. The French defender’s long-range strike, a precise low drive into the bottom corner, sparked wild celebrations and etched his name into the annals of this storied rivalry.

Barcelona dominated the first half, with Pedri igniting the Camp Nou crowd in the 28th minute. The young midfielder unleashed a sublime curling shot from outside the box, finding the top corner with pinpoint accuracy.

Despite their early control, Barcelona faced a resurgent Real Madrid after the break. Kylian Mbappe, sidelined from the starting lineup due to a lingering ankle injury, came off the bench to shift the momentum. The French star equalized in the 70th minute, bending a free kick past Barcelona’s defense with clinical precision.

Real Madrid seized the lead seven minutes later when Aurelien Tchouameni rose above the fray to power a towering header from a corner. Barcelona, undeterred, fought back with a lightning-fast counterattack in the 84th minute, as Ferran Torres slotted home to level the score, forcing extra time.

The tension was palpable as both sides traded blows, with a penalty shootout looming. But Kounde’s moment of brilliance in the dying moments of extra time—a 25-yard rocket—decided the contest, handing Barcelona the coveted title.

The victory underscores Barcelona’s resurgence in Spanish football, with their blend of youthful exuberance and tactical discipline shining through. The Copa del Rey final, watched by millions globally, highlighted the enduring intensity of El Clásico, with both teams showcasing world-class talent.

Recent trends show growing global interest in Spanish football, driven by high-stakes matches like this, which blend tradition with modern flair. Kounde’s heroics not only secured bragging rights but also cemented Barcelona’s legacy as Spain’s most decorated club in the competition.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni minced no words after the team faced its seventh loss in nine games during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Following a crucial 5-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Dhoni openly criticized the team’s batting unit for failing to deliver under pressure.

Despite making notable changes, including bringing in Dewald Brevis and Deepak Hooda while dropping Rachin Ravindra, CSK’s batting woes continued. The team suffered an early setback with Shaik Rasheed getting dismissed on the first ball of the match, setting a disappointing tone for the innings.

“We kept losing wickets, and in the first innings the wicket was slightly better and 155 is not a justifiable score,” Dhoni said, reflecting on CSK’s inability to post a competitive total. He acknowledged that while the pitch became slightly two-paced later, it was nothing extraordinary to excuse the low score.

Debutant Dewald Brevis provided a glimmer of hope, scoring a brisk 42 off 25 balls. However, apart from him, CSK’s middle order failed to gain momentum. Highlighting Brevis’ effort, Dhoni said, “He batted really well and we need something like that in the middle order where we have struggled when spinners come in.”

Dhoni further pointed out CSK’s consistent struggles against spin bowling in the middle overs, an area he believes is costing them crucial runs.

While CSK’s spinners staged a commendable fightback to stretch the match, the lack of runs eventually cost them the game. Dhoni stressed that if a majority of players underperform, it becomes impossible to maintain consistency in team selections, forcing frequent changes.

“In a tournament like this, if majority are not doing well, it becomes very difficult,” he noted. The captain emphasized the importance of adapting to conditions and setting competitive targets, noting that while it may not always require 180-200 runs, assessing the pitch and conditions correctly is critical.

As CSK now faces the threat of early elimination, the team’s top order will need urgent rectification to keep their hopes alive in the tournament.