Following a nerve-wracking IPL 2025 encounter between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), a post-match chat between LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka and newly appointed captain Rishabh Pant sparked renewed attention, especially as it aired live on television. While the conversation appeared cordial, it reminded fans of a past controversial interaction between Goenka and former captain KL Rahul, which ultimately preceded Rahul’s release from the franchise.

In the high-profile mega auction, LSG secured Rishabh Pant for a record Rs 27 crore and handed him the captaincy. However, his debut as LSG skipper did not go as planned. Pant failed to score in his six-ball stay at the crease and made questionable decisions while defending in the final overs against DC. Notably, he gave the penultimate over to debutant Prince Yadav, who conceded 16 runs, instead of using seasoned bowler Shardul Thakur. The final over, bowled by Shahbaz Ahmed, was sealed with a six by Ashutosh Sharma, sealing a memorable win for Delhi.

Gavaskar reacts to Pant-Goenka exchange

Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, who was commentating during the match, weighed in on Goenka’s televised interaction with Pant and offered his perspective on Pant’s performance and captaincy.

“I think he knows,” Gavaskar said, referring to Pant’s self-awareness of his errors. “He actually mentioned in the post-match interview that you often learn more from your mistakes than from your successes… This is just the first match, and there are 13 more to go. Rishabh Pant is an intelligent cricketer, and he will have picked up valuable insights regarding his batting and captaincy.”

Gavaskar added that scoring runs helps boost a captain’s confidence when making tactical decisions. “Once he gets some runs under his belt, I expect his captaincy to become even more assured,” he said.

Praise for Ashutosh Sharma’s match-winning knock

Gavaskar was also effusive in his praise for Ashutosh Sharma, whose unbeaten 66 off 31 balls was key to DC’s last-over win. He called the finish “fabulous” and said it exemplified what makes the IPL so thrilling.

“These last-over thrillers, these breath-taking finishes—that’s what I call BOLD: Breath-taking, Outstanding, Lightning, and Devastating,” Gavaskar said, praising both Ashutosh and the drama of IPL cricket.

As Rajasthan Royals prepare to host Kolkata Knight Riders in the sixth match of IPL 2025, all eyes turn to Guwahati’s Barsapara Cricket Stadium, a venue known for its batting-friendly nature and recent IPL history. The match will take place on Wednesday, March 26, at 7:30 PM IST, with both teams looking to register their first win of the season.

Pitch report: High scores likely at Barsapara

Barsapara Cricket Stadium has a reputation for producing high-scoring encounters. The average first-innings score in IPL matches at this venue is around 180–200, making it a paradise for batters. While the pitch largely supports batting, pacers have found some movement early in the innings, making the toss crucial. Teams winning the toss have often opted to bowl first to utilize the new ball swing.

Since 2021, Barsapara has hosted 16 T20 matches, with nine wins for teams batting first and six for teams chasing. The surface has seen four 200+ totals and a healthy sixes-per-match average of 10.

Recent stats and performances

The last IPL encounter at this stadium between RR and KKR was unfortunately abandoned due to rain, leaving both teams with one point. Out of four IPL matches played here, teams batting first have had the edge with two wins, while chasing sides have managed just one victory.

Some key individual and team stats at Barsapara include:

• Highest IPL total: 199/4 by Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals (2023)
• Lowest IPL total: 142/9 by Delhi Capitals vs RR (2023)
• Best run chase: Punjab Kings chasing 145/5 in 18.5 overs (2024)
• Lowest total defended: 197/4 by Punjab Kings vs RR (2023)
• Top individual score: Shikhar Dhawan’s unbeaten 86 off 56 balls (2023)
• Most runs at the venue: Jos Buttler – 98 runs in two innings
• Top wicket-taker: Yuzvendra Chahal – 6 wickets
• Best bowling figures: Nathan Ellis – 4/30 in four overs (2023)

Spin vs pace: A balanced contest

Spin has played a critical role at this venue. Since 2021, spinners have bowled 48% of the overs, taking 76 wickets at an average of 25.1 and an economy of 6.7. Comparatively, pacers have taken 80 wickets at a more expensive economy of 8.8. Guwahati ranks among the top IPL venues for spin efficiency, just behind Lucknow.

RR vs KKR: A look at team records

Rajasthan Royals have played four matches at this ground, managing just one win, two losses, and one no result, giving them a win percentage of 33%. For Kolkata Knight Riders, their only outing here ended without a result.

As both teams aim for a turnaround in form, the Barsapara surface offers an ideal platform for an exciting high-scoring contest, with early overs being the key phase for bowlers to make an impact.

Indian football fans can eagerly anticipate the return of Lionel Messi and the Argentine national team in an exhibition match scheduled for October 2025 in Kerala. This event marks a significant moment, as it comes 14 years after Messi first visited the country.

Last November, the Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman announced that Argentina would be visiting the southern state to play two friendly matches in Kochi. This announcement has generated excitement among local fans who hope to see one of the world’s greatest footballers on their home turf.

On Wednesday, HSBC India officially announced its partnership with the Argentine team to promote football in the country and confirmed the timing for the exhibition match. A press release from HSBC India stated, “Under this partnership, the Argentina national football team, including legendary player Lionel Messi, will visit India for an international exhibition match in October 2025.”

Furthermore, the partnership between the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and HSBC includes a one-year agreement focused on India and Singapore, targeting the competitive season of 2025 as preparation for the final qualification matches for the 2026 World Cup. This collaboration aims to enhance the visibility and growth of football in the region and provide fans with exciting experiences.

Lionel Messi’s first visit to India was in September 2011, when he played in a World Cup qualifying match against Venezuela in Kolkata. Argentina secured a 1-0 victory at Salt Lake Stadium during that match, which remains a memorable moment for Indian football enthusiasts.

Sandeep Batra, Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking at HSBC India, commented on the partnership: “As we join forces with one of the most revered teams in the world of football, we look forward to creating unforgettable experiences for fans and customers alike, while supporting the Argentine team in their journey towards the 2026 World Cup.”

Claudio Fabian Tapia, President of the Argentine Football Association, also expressed optimism about the collaboration, highlighting its potential for expansion and new opportunities in India and Singapore. He stated, “We welcome HSBC as the new partner of the Argentina National Team.”