After a disappointing start to their IPL 2025 campaign with a defeat against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk, Mumbai Indians have taken a breather by heading to Jamnagar for team bonding activities. The move comes as the franchise looks to regroup ahead of their next clash against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.

In a video shared by the team’s official social media handles, players including Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya were seen relaxing and unwinding after landing in Jamnagar. The brief trip aims to help the team reset after their defeat against CSK in season opener.

Despite promising spells by debutant Vignesh Puthur, who claimed three wickets, and Deepak Chahar, Mumbai failed to post a competitive total on a slow Chepauk surface. Rohit fell for a duck, while skipper Suryakumar’s innings lacked impact, drawing criticism for the team’s lacklustre show.

With Hardik Pandya missing the first match due to a penalty from the previous season, his return could be crucial in the coming fixtures. He joined the team in Jamnagar and participated in net sessions, signalling readiness to make a comeback.

Mumbai’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey praised Puthur’s performance under pressure. “He handled it superbly,” said Mhambrey, acknowledging the young spinner’s temperament.

Providing an update on Jasprit Bumrah, Mhambrey said there’s no return date yet. “He is making good progress. The MI team management is in regular contact with the BCCI’s medical team monitoring his rehab at the Centre of Excellence,” he added.

As Mumbai Indians seek to bounce back, the Jamnagar retreat is seen as a move to lift morale, foster team spirit, and regroup strategically before facing the Gujarat Titans.

Indian cricketer KL Rahul and actress Athiya Shetty have embraced parenthood with the birth of their baby girl on March 24. The couple shared the news with fans through a joint Instagram post featuring a simple baby emoji, sparking an outpouring of love from celebrities across the film industry.

Bollywood comes together to celebrate

The comments section of the announcement post was flooded with congratulatory messages from friends and well-wishers. Actress Aditi Rao Hydari commented, “Congratulations. Hugs and squishes,” while Athiya’s brother Ahan Shetty responded with a white heart emoji.

Parineeti Chopra, Vikrant Massey, Ileana D’Cruz, Karisma Kapoor, and Dia Mirza were among the many who extended their warm wishes. Arjun Kapoor and Dhanashree Verma also chimed in with “Congratulations guys.” Though Priyanka Chopra didn’t leave a comment, she liked the post.

Sonakshi Sinha wrote, “Omg yaay. Congratulations you two. So so lucky to have a little baby girl,” echoing the sentiments of Kriti Sanon and Sobhita Dhulipala, who also joined in the chorus of joy. Mom-to-be Kiara Advani reacted with a series of heart emojis, while Ananya Panday, Rhea Kapoor, Isabelle Kaif, Sania Mirza, and Neha Dhupia sent in their blessings as well.

A journey captured in frames

Just earlier this month, the couple shared tender moments from their pregnancy shoot. In one of the pictures, Athiya is seen displaying her baby bump with KL Rahul resting his head on her lap. Another monochrome image captured the couple walking together in a serene outdoor setting.

A family’s heartfelt joy

Athiya’s father, veteran actor Suniel Shetty, had earlier spoken about the family’s anticipation during a podcast conversation with Chanda Kochhar. “Right now, it’s probably all about the grandchild. There’s no other conversation, and we don’t want any other conversation,” he had shared with a smile.

KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty tied the knot on January 23, 2023, in an intimate ceremony held at Suniel Shetty’s farmhouse in Khandala. The couple had announced their pregnancy in November 2024, sharing their happiness with fans in a sweet social media post.

When Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) introduced Digvesh Singh Rathi into their bowling attack against Delhi Capitals, few expected what followed. On his IPL debut, the 23-year-old mystery spinner delivered a spell that left experienced batter Axar Patel bamboozled — his third delivery in the tournament dismantled Axar’s stumps, signalling the arrival of a new talent.

Rathi’s journey to the Indian Premier League is rooted in domestic grind and consistent performances. His breakthrough came during the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2024, where he represented South Delhi Superstarz under the leadership of Ayush Badoni. With 14 wickets in 10 games, he finished as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.

What set Rathi apart was not just his numbers, but the way he controlled even seasoned batters like Rishabh Pant. His bowling style, often compared to the likes of Sunil Narine, featured subtle variations, deceptive flight, and the ability to generate bounce. It was enough to catch the attention of IPL scouts by the end of the DPL season.

At the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, LSG acquired Rathi for ₹30 lakh — a quiet pick amidst a high-spending season that saw a total of over ₹639 crore disbursed across franchises. Despite not being a marquee signing, Rathi carried the weight of potential.

His selection was backed by strong performances, including a key spell of 2/11 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 against Manipur — a performance that highlighted his temperament under pressure.

Come the match against Delhi Capitals, all eyes were on KL Rahul’s absence and the lack of LSG’s premium pace options. Yet, it was Rathi who seized the spotlight in the 7th over. Calm and composed, his delivery turned sharply, stunning Axar Patel and putting LSG in control.

Rathi’s debut may not have been the centre of pre-match discussions, but it certainly became the headline after. As the season unfolds, LSG fans and IPL watchers alike will be keeping a close eye on this emerging spinner with a bag full of tricks.