Shreyas Iyer drew high praise from former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra following his explosive 97* off just 42 balls in Punjab Kings’ thrilling 11-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL. Chopra hailed Iyer’s clean and calculated hitting, especially against spin, calling him the best Indian batter in the middle overs.

Speaking after the match, Chopra emphasized Iyer’s ability to take down spinners without stepping out, making him unpredictable and difficult to bowl to. “It was just the clean, crisp hitting—especially against spin,” said Chopra. “I believe he is the best Indian batter in the middle overs when it comes to taking down spinners.”

Chopra also pointed out a key technical tweak in Iyer’s batting stance that has improved his overall game. He observed that Iyer has slightly opened up his stance, allowing better control over short balls and expanding his shot range. “Traditionally, batting is side-on, but Shreyas has adjusted such that his back leg is slightly open. His bat is now positioned just outside the off-stump, which helps him access new areas and handle the short ball more effectively,” Chopra explained.

Iyer’s brilliance was complemented by Shashank Singh, who smashed 44 off just 16 balls, as the duo piled on 77 runs in the final four overs. Their aggressive finish powered PBKS to 243/5, which proved just enough to hold off Gujarat Titans at 232/5.

Chopra concluded that Iyer’s balance and adaptability are elevating his game, making him a vital asset in the middle order.

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.