Rising talent Riyan Parag has been appointed captain of the Rajasthan Royals for the first three matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. This decision comes as the regular captain, Sanju Samson, is unable to keep wickets following a minor surgery on a fractured finger, sustained from a delivery by Jofra Archer during a T20I against England in Mumbai. While Samson has received clearance to bat, medical and sports science teams at the BCCI Centre of Excellence have advised him to allow more time for recovery before he resumes wicketkeeping duties.

As a result, Parag, who is just 23 years old, will step into the leadership role and join the ranks of the youngest IPL captains alongside notable figures like Virat Kohli. The Rajasthan Royals released a statement confirming Parag’s temporary captaincy: “Riyan Parag will lead the team for the initial three games of IPL 2025.” He will kick off his captaincy on March 23 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, followed by matches at home against the Kolkata Knight Riders on March 26 and the Chennai Super Kings on March 30.

Despite his absence from wicketkeeping duties, Samson remains an essential part of the squad and will contribute with the bat until he is cleared for full participation. Once he receives the green light from medical staff, he will return to his role as captain.

The decision to hand the captaincy to Parag was explained by the Royals’ management, emphasizing their confidence in his leadership skills. Parag has demonstrated considerable talent throughout his domestic career in Assam and has been a crucial member of the Royals setup over the years. His familiarity with the team’s dynamics makes him well-suited for this temporary role.

The IPL 2025 season is set to be exciting, with various teams positioned to make their mark. In a related announcement, Suryakumar Yadav is set to lead the Mumbai Indians in their opener against the Chennai Super Kings, adding further intrigue to the tournament as it unfolds. With Parag at the helm, the Rajasthan Royals will be looking to make a strong start in the upcoming season.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a cash prize of Rs 58 crore for Team India following their victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that each player in the winning squad will receive Rs 3 crore, while head coach Gautam Gambhir has been awarded Rs 3 crore.

Detailed reward breakdown

According to Saikia, the distribution of the cash prize is as follows:

• Rs 3 crore each for every player in the squad.
• Rs 3 crore for head coach Gautam Gambhir.
• Rs 50 lakh each for the assistant coaches, including Ryan Ten Doeschate, Abhishek Nayar, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, and bowling coach Morne Morkel.
• Rs 50 lakh each for the remaining support staff.
• Rs 25 lakh each for BCCI officials.

India’s dominant campaign in Champions Trophy 2025

Under the leadership of captain Rohit Sharma, India displayed a stellar performance in the tournament, securing four decisive victories before clinching the title against New Zealand in the final at Dubai on March 9.

India started their campaign with a six-wicket win over Bangladesh, followed by another six-wicket triumph against Pakistan. They then defeated New Zealand by 44 runs and outclassed Australia in the semi-finals by four wickets.

BCCI praises team’s achievement

BCCI President Roger Binny acknowledged the significance of back-to-back ICC titles, stating,
“Winning consecutive ICC trophies is a remarkable feat, and this reward recognizes the team’s commitment and excellence on the world stage. This is also India’s second ICC trophy in 2025 after the U19 Women’s World Cup, highlighting our robust cricketing ecosystem.”

Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia commended the team’s performance, saying,
“This victory has reinforced India’s dominance in white-ball cricket. The dedication and strategic execution by players and support staff have set new benchmarks, ensuring that Indian cricket continues to shine globally.”

Vice-President Rajeev Shukla added,
“The team showed incredible composure under pressure, inspiring aspiring cricketers across the country. Their performance has further cemented India’s stature as a cricketing powerhouse.”

BCCI Treasurer Prabhtej Bhatia emphasized the board’s commitment to supporting Indian cricket, stating,
“This reward reflects our dedication to encouraging excellence. We will continue to provide the best resources and infrastructure to sustain India’s global cricket dominance.”

Honorary Joint Secretary Rohan Gauns Dessai remarked,
“Team India played exceptionally well throughout the tournament, bringing immense joy to fans. This success is a testament to the strong cricketing structure in place, and we will keep working to maintain India’s supremacy in world cricket.”

With this victory, India continues its remarkable white-ball streak, following their triumph in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The cash reward by BCCI further cements the recognition of the team’s exceptional performance and commitment to excellence.

On March 20, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a significant change regarding the use of saliva on the ball in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). Following a meeting held in Mumbai, where the majority of team captains expressed their support, the BCCI decided to lift the previous restriction.

The lifting of the saliva ban marks a notable shift in the regulations that have shaped cricket since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, the International Cricket Council (ICC) implemented a ban on the traditional method of using saliva to maintain the ball’s shine as a health safety measure. This prohibition was made permanent by the ICC in 2022, affecting various formats of the game.

Top officials from the BCCI confirmed the development, stating, “The saliva ban has been lifted. The majority of captains were in favour of the move,” as reported by PTI. The decision reflects a growing sentiment among players regarding the impact of the ban on gameplay, specifically concerning the challenging skill of reverse swing. Prominent bowler Jasprit Bumrah previously indicated that the ban had hindered bowlers’ abilities to effectively utilize this technique.

While the IPL initially adhered to the ICC’s directive in the aftermath of the pandemic, it has the autonomy to establish its own set of playing regulations. With this recent announcement, the IPL stands out as the first major cricket tournament to officially allow the use of saliva again, signalling a potential return to traditional playing methods.

As the cricketing world prepares for IPL 2025, the inclusion of saliva use is expected to reignite discussions on the balance between player safety and the integrity of the game. Fans and players alike will be watching closely to see how this change affects match dynamics and performance in the highly competitive environment of the IPL. The season promises to be an exciting one, with the newfound liberties potentially reshaping strategies on the field.