The wait is finally over! Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is set to host its highly-awaited Unbox Event 2025 on March 17 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.

The event is the grand comeback of Virat Kohli to his home stadium, as well as the launch of RCB's new jersey and an exciting lineup of performances and team introductions.

RCB Unbox Event 2025: Major Highlights

1. King Kohli Returns to Chinnaswamy Stadium:

At last, after all RCBians' wait of months, King Kohli is back! The cheers will be deafening, the atmosphere electric, and the homecoming one for the ages as one of the all-time greats walks on his home turf.

2. RCB New Jersey Launch for IPL 2025:

A fan favorite part of the event is sure to be RCB’s reveal of their new jersey for IPL 2025. Many fans are curious to know if there are going to be any design adjustments, or if the red and black jersey will stay the same.

3. Full Squad & New Signings Introduction:

RCB will formally introduce their complete squad for IPL 2025, which includes

• Faf du Plessis
• Glenn Maxwell
• Mohammed Siraj
• New signings who will appear for the first time in RCB colors

4. Hall of Fame Inductions

RCB can pay respects to legends from the past by inducting them into the RCB Hall of Fame and honoring their valuable contributions to the franchise.

5. Live Music & Entertainment

The event isn't all about cricket! Be prepared for:

• Live music performances
• On-stage interactions with the players
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes material from the RCB camp

Also See : Injury Blow for Australia: Cooper Connolly Replaces Matthew Short for Champions Trophy Semi vs India

RCB Unbox Event 2025: Event Details

• Event Name: RCB Unbox Event 2025
• Date: March 17, 2025
• Time: From 4 PM onwards
• Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

How to Obtain Tickets?

• Where to Purchase: RCB Official Site & App
• Ticket Price: To be notified
• Ticket Limit: Up to 6 tickets per login

Tickets will most likely sell out quickly, so reserve your tickets in advance!

How to Watch RCB Unbox Event 2025 Live?

• Live Streaming: To be viewed on the RCB Website & RCB App
• Subscription Fee: ₹99 for online streaming

RCB's First IPL 2025 Match

RCB begin their IPL 2025 season on March 22 against KKR at Eden Gardens. The game begins at 7:30 PM IST.

Why You Can't Miss It

This is more than a launch—it's a celebration of RCB!

With Kohli’s return, a new jersey, and a full squad reveal, the excitement is at an all-time high. Whether you’re attending at Chinnaswamy Stadium or streaming online, get ready to cheer for RCB as they gear up for IPL 2025!

Also See : ICC Champions Trophy: History, Winners & Memorable Moments

Australia has been dealt a big blow before their Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final against India, with opener Matthew Short being ruled out because of a left quadriceps injury. Cricket Australia has confirmed that 21-year-old all-rounder Cooper Connolly will be replacing him in the team.

This last-minute revision occurs just prior to Australia's high-stakes match against India in Dubai on March 4, 2025. In the absence of Matthew Short who is injured, the team now has to rewrite their game plan for the make-or-break knockout game.

Matthew Short's Injury: A Major Setback for Australia

Matthew Short injured his left quadriceps in Australia's last group-stage game against Afghanistan. Although it is not sure how severe, the medical staff declared him out of the semi-final, leading to an urgent squad replacement by Australia.

Why is This a Big Loss for Australia?

• Steady Top-Order Man – Short has been consistent at the top order.
• Destructive Opener – His forceful batting aided Australia in securing early starts.
• Team Disruption – His absence necessitates a change in the batting order.

With Short being out of the semi-final, Australia now has to look for a new opening partner for David Warner and make changes to their batting lineup accordingly.

Also See: ICC Champions Trophy: History, Winners & Memorable Moments

Who is Cooper Connolly? Australia's Surprise Replacement

With Matthew Short being out of the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final, Cooper Connolly has been brought in as a replacement.

Cooper Connolly's Career Highlights:

• Captain of Australia's U-19 World Cup-winning side in 2022.
• Aggressive left-handed batsman, renowned for his aggressive attitude.
• Left-arm bowler, offering an additional bowling option.
• International Experience – Played three ODIs for Australia.
• Breakout Star in BBL 2023 – Scored a match-winning innings for Perth Scorchers in the BBL Final, demonstrating his capability in high-pressure games.

What Connolly Brings to the Table:

• Aggressive Batting: His willingness to attack can give Australia some much-needed acceleration during the middle overs of the innings.
• Bowling Utility: He can come in handy with his left arm spin in the spin supportive surfaces of Dubai.
• Big Match Experience: He has played at even the biggest stages, such as the BBL Final or U-19 World Cup. Because of that he knows how to stay calm under pressure.

Will Cooper Connolly Play Against India?

Though Connolly has been included in the team, he is yet to be confirmed in the playing XI. Australia could:

• Utilize him as a middle-order batsman if they require additional firepower.
• Play him as a left-arm spinning option if the pitch suited spinners.
• Have him as an insurance against additional injuries.

India vs Australia: Preview of the Semi-Finals

India's Strengths:

• Solid Batting – Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill are on song.
• Spin-Friendly Pitch – Jadeja and Yadav can prove to be nasty.
• Momentum – India were at the top of their group and are eager for revenge over their 2023 World Cup final defeat.

Australia's Challenge:

• Replacment of Short successfully in the batting order.
• Disrupting India's top order prematurely.
• Dealing with spin on a challenging Dubai pitch.

Clash against India will not be easy for Australia after the loss of Matthew Short, but the addition of Connolly gives the side a fresh boost. The semi-final promises to be a contest of not only skill but also adaptability and the ability to cope with stress will determine the winner.

Also See: ICC Champions Trophy: History, Winners & Memorable Moments

The ICC Champions Trophy is cricket's most elite tournament. Popularly referred to as the "Mini World Cup," it sees the best ODI teams in a limited and intense format.

This tournament, over the years, has seen legendary performances, legendary rivalries, and match-winning moments. As Champions Trophy 2025 draws near, let's take a look at its past, champions, and what awaits us in the next edition.

History of the ICC Champions Trophy

The ICC ChampionsTrophy was initially launched in 1998 as the ICC KnockOut Tournament. It was conceptualized as a shorter version of the World Cup, with just the top teams.

The competition was rechristened the Champions Trophy in 2002 and has since continued to be one of the most thrilling tournaments of ODI cricket.

In contrast to the World Cup, which features several teams and a lengthy format, the Champions Trophy is an elite tournament. Only the best-ranked teams make it in, so each game is high-pressure.

Some of the most successful teams in ICC Champions Trophy history are:

• Australia – Two-time champions (2006, 2009)
• India – Two-time champions (2002*, 2013)
• Pakistan – 2017 champions
• South Africa – First-ever champions in 1998

The tournament has seen some of the most exciting matches and finest individual performances in the history of cricket.

Also see : Shreyas Iyer vs Babar Azam in ICC Events

List of ICC Champions Trophy Winners

Following is a complete list of Champions Trophy winners and runners-up:

Top 5 Memorable Moments

1. 2002 Final – Joint Winners

The 2002 final between Sri Lanka and India was rain-affected to a great extent. Despite a reserve day, the match could not be finished.

For the first time in the history of ICC, India and Sri Lanka were declared joint winners. This is a one-time occurrence in cricket.

2. West Indies' Revival of 2004

West Indies played England in the 2004 final and were in trouble at 147/8, in pursuit of 218.

An incredible partnership between Courtney Browne and Ian Bradshaw took them to victory. This is one of the greatest comebacks in the history of Champions Trophy.

3. Australia's Back-to-Back Titles (2006 & 2009)

Australia became the first team to win back-to-back Champions Trophy titles.

• In 2006, they thrashed West Indies.
• In 2009, they beat New Zealand comprehensively.

Key players such as Ricky Ponting, Shane Watson, and Brett Lee were instrumental in Australia's success.

4. India's Thrilling Victory in 2013

India played England in a rain-hit 2013 final. The match was cut short to 20 overs a side.

India defended a low total of 129 runs on the back of excellent bowling by Ravindra Jadeja. They won by 5 runs, and MS Dhoni became the first captain to win all three ICC titles.

5. Pakistan's Historic Victory in 2017

Pakistan stunned the world with an incredible win against India in the 2017 final.

• Fakhar Zaman played a marvelous 114 runs.
• Mohammad Amir's killer spell got India's top order batsmen out early.

Pakistan won by 180 runs, winning their first-ever ICC Champions Trophy title.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Teams & Expectations

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be organized by Pakistan and the UAE.

Semifinalists:

• India
• New Zealand
• Australia
• South Africa

The ICC Champions Trophy has given cricket fans legendary matches, unforgettable moments, and intense rivalries.

Also see :Shreyas Iyer vs Babar Azam in ICC Events

Playing in ICC tournaments is a real test of the mettle of a cricketer under pressure. Two contemporary stars, India's Shreyas Iyer and Pakistan's Babar Azam, have proved their worth on the international stage.

Whereas Babar is famous for his consistency and captaincy, Iyer has impressed with his big-match performances.

Shreyas Iyer in ICC Events

Shreyas Iyer first appeared in the ICC tournament in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Although he wasn't experienced enough, he was a vital player in India's run.

Shreyas Iyer's ICC Tournament Stats (2023 ODI World Cup):

• Matches Played: 11
• Total Runs: 530
• Batting Average: 66.25
• Strike Rate: 97.27
• Centuries/Fifties: 2/3
• Best Score: 128*

Key Performances:

• 128 vs Netherlands:* A stupendous knock during the group stage.
• 105 vs New Zealand (Semi-Final): A match-winning century in a tight knockout encounter.
•  82 vs Sri Lanka: A thrilling innings that enabled India to register a huge score.

Iyer's capability to push the innings and deliver under pressure makes him an asset middle-order batsman.

Also See : Karun Nair's Ranji Trophy Heroics: 86 & 135 – A Strong Case for India Test Recall!

Babar Azam in ICC Events

Babar Azam has been the mainstay of Pakistan's batting unit in ICC events, playing in the T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup, and Champions Trophy since 2017.

Babar Azam's ICC Tournament Stats (ODI & T20 World Cups):

• Matches Played: 43
• Total Runs: 1,604
• Batting Average: 42.2
• Strike Rate: 81.13 (ODIs), 112.15 (T20s)
• Centuries/Fifties: 1/15
• Best Score: 101*

Key Performances:

• Scored a spectacular 101 against New Zealand during the 2019 ODI World Cup*.
• Led Pakistan to the final of the T20 World Cup 2022 as captain.

Has faced criticism for a poor strike rate in pressure situations.

Despite his consistent run-scoring, Babar has been criticized for being conservative in do-or-die matches, especially in ICC knockout matches.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Shreyas Iyer vs Babar Azam in ICC Competitions

Performance Analysis:

• Iyer is superior on average and strike rate even though he has played fewer games.
• Babar has more runs and experience, but his performance in knockout matches is inferior.
• Iyer has played high-pressure games, while Babar has played well but not that aggressively in crucial moments.

If we consider total experience and total runs, then the advantage lies with Babar Azam

If we compare strike rate, match-winning potential, and pressure match performances, then Shreyas Iyer has been superior.

Also See : Karun Nair's Ranji Trophy Heroics: 86 & 135 – A Strong Case for India Test Recall!

Harsh Dubey is a name that has been making headlines in Indian domestic cricket. A left-arm spinner and all-rounder from Vidarbha, he made news with his record-breaking Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season, when he created a new record for the most wickets in a season. His regular performances have got cricket enthusiasts and experts sitting up and taking notice, and several feel that he may be playing at the top level very soon.

Who is Harsh Dubey?

Harsh Dubey was born on July 23, 2002, in Pune, Maharashtra. He fell in love with cricket at a young age. His hard work and talent made him play for Vidarbha Cricket Team in domestic cricket, where he has impressed with his bowling as well as batting.

Harsh Dubey's Cricket Career

First-Class (Ranji Trophy) Performance:

• Matches: 18
• Wickets Taken: 97
• Best Bowling Figures: 6/36
• Bowling Average: 19.98
• Runs Scored: 709
• Highest Score: 76

List A and T20 Cricket:

• List A Matches: 20
• Wickets Taken: 21
• Runs Scored: 213
• T20 Matches: 16
• T20 Wickets: 9

Shattering Records in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy

The 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season was a turning point for Dubey. He took 69 wickets, setting a new record for most wickets in a season, eclipsing Ashutosh Aman's previous record of 68 wickets. His unforgettable bowling performances played a crucial role in Vidarbha winning the title, proving that he is a match-winner.

Also see : Ranji Trophy 2025 Final: Kerala vs Vidarbha: A Thrilling Contest in Nagpur

Training with Ravichandran Ashwin

Harsh Dubey honed his bowling skills under the guidance of Ravichandran Ashwin while playing club cricket in Chennai. His coaching under Ashwin helped him to perfect variations and match sense, and thus he turned into a more feared bowler.

Harsh Dubey's Future in Cricket

With his ability and regular performances, Harsh Dubey is regarded as a future India player. He is also a good bet for the Indian Premier League (IPL), where teams are constantly looking for quality spin bowlers.

Harsh Dubey's path from a young hopeful cricketer to a record-shattering Ranji Trophy player is motivational. His skill to take wickets when the pressure is on and also score runs with the bat makes him a must-have player for any team. Be it IPL or the Indian national team, Dubey's future seems promising, and Indian cricket enthusiasts must watch out for this new talent.

Also Read : 

Ranji Trophy 2025 Final: Kerala vs Vidarbha: A Thrilling Contest in Nagpur

Karun Nair, the gifted Indian batsman, is back in the news again for his unbelievable consistency in domestic cricket. Having become only the second Indian to score a Test triple century, Nair's international career took an unexpected turn, but his recent performances indicate that he is now set for a national comeback. With multiple centuries and match-winning knocks, Nair is proving that he still has a lot to offer Indian cricket.

A Match-Winning Performance

Karun Nair stepped up when the chips were down. 

He hit 86 in the first innings and then an excellent 135 in the second.

His timely knocks enabled Vidarbha to gain the upper hand over Kerala in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 final.

Karun Nair's Recent Domestic Cricket Performance

Nair's last 17 innings in domestic cricket have been nothing but breathtaking:                                                                                            122(108), 44(52), 163*(107), 111*(103), 112(101), 122*(82), 88*(44), 27(31), 39(80), 4(7), 3(13), 105(193), 122(243), 45(70), 6(17), 86(188), 135(295)**

• 860 runs in Ranji Trophy 2024-25 with a dazzling average of 57.33.
• 779 runs in Vijay Hazare Trophy with an astounding average of 389.50 with five centuries.

Such a consistency across formats makes him a prime candidate for an India comeback.

The 'Nine' Celebration – A Message to Selectors?

After crossing his century, Nair gestured a 'nine' with his hands. Several people felt this was a message to BCCI selectors, as he has been overlooked for international selection since 2017. However, Nair soon explained that it was a premeditated gesture for the Vidarbha support staff, as he was celebrating his ninth century of the season.

Should Karun Nair be recalled to an India Test?

Even after scoring a record triple century (303*) in 2016, Nair has been ignored for the Indian team since 2017. But with India's middle-order struggling in the current England series, his present form makes him a prime choice for selection.

Karun Nair's run-scoring exploits in the Ranji Trophy final and in the domestic season have once again raised questions regarding his inclusion in the Indian Test team. Given his experience, reliability, and desire for runs, he could very well prove to be India's solution for the middle order.

Rishabh Pant will likely return to the Indian playing XI as India host New Zealand in their last group-stage game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The match in Dubai will be key to deciding the top spot in Group A. 

Rishabh Pant's Possible Entry

Rishabh Pant has not made an appearance in India's playing XI, with KL Rahul taking over wicketkeeping duties. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate acknowledged the challenge of this situation, stating, "It's been very hard on Rishabh Pant not playing." Despite that, sources suggest that Pant may find himself part of today's squad, providing him an opportunity to impress.

KL Rahul's Role in Pant's Absence

During Pant's absence, KL Rahul took up the wicketkeeping role. Rahul has accepted the competition between him and Pant for the role of wicketkeeper-batsman in the ODI side, revealing that there is always an inclination for the captain and the coach to select one among them.

Match Significance

Both of these teams are already through to the semifinals, but depending on the outcome of this game, they would be facing respective opponents. In case of a win for India, they will face Australia in the semifinals, while the loss would result in a matchup against South Africa.

Historical Context

This is the first Champions Trophy encounter between India and New Zealand. Interestingly, the teams met in the 2000 ICC Knockouts final, which New Zealand won.

Pant's return, expected to happen soon, makes this match more interesting. The fans are keenly waiting to see how India will manage their playing XI. The match is set to be an exciting contest between two of the best teams.

Of late, Hardik Pandya has been performing really well and thus has further enhanced his presence  in international cricket. He also put up a brilliant bowling performance in the Champions Trophy game against Pakistan on  February 23, 2025, during which he took two vital wickets while conceding  31 runs in his 8-over spell. He was indeed helpful in restricting Pakistan to a  241/9 on the board, which India chased easily with 6 wickets left. 

Hardik Pandya: The Real Warrior

Hardik Pandya has always been a cricketer who gives his everything on the cricket pitch. From his fiery batting, match-winning outings, or his pressure leadership, he has gained the respect of fans all over the globe.  It has indeed been inspiring to see his transformation from a young struggling cricketer to an international  celebrity.  There is one thing recently that he has done that has made fans respect him even  more. It could have been a great performance, good sportsmanship or the right way of handling the  challenges, he is always proving why he is an important part of Indian cricket.

A Special Day: Hanuman Ji’s Saturday

Hanuman Ji also has today as his Saturday, a day devoted to Lord Hanuman, a personage celebrated for his power, faith, and loyalty. The fact that it is this particular day when Pandya gained more respect is noteworthy, since both of them represent grit, determination, and an unrelenting combat spirit. Just as Hanuman Ji broke through adversity with sheer willpower, so has Pandya relentlessly battled injuries, criticism and adversities to demonstrate his credibility.

Fans Admire Pandya Even More

Pandya's impact is not limited to cricket. His personality, confidence, and never-say-die attitude inspire young players and sports fans alike. Even after his career had some ups and downs, he continued to come back stronger, increasing his fans' respect for him.

 Jai Shri Ram: A Moment of Appreciation

As we celebrate both Hardik  Pandya and Hanuman Ji today, I just want to take a moment to celebrate dedication, courage,  and strength. Success always waits for hard work and both Pandya and Hanuman Ji show us this  for us.

The DY Patil T20 Cup is known to produce some exciting young cricketing talent and the latest clash with the raw pace of Mayank Yadav up against the up and coming talent that so to Tilak Varma! A closely watched moment from the game of Tilak Varma, One of the shining faces in Indian's batting line up right now and facing another burnishing young express wicket Mayank Yadav.

A Battle Of Skill And Speed

As seen in the viral moment from the match, Mayank Yadav was charging in with full intensity, clocking rapid deliveries in his spell. With the scoreboard reading 149 in 17.1 overs with a healthy count of 3 wickets down: The other batsman from Shivalik had smashed 30 off 20 and along with Varma (24 off 25) seemed set to make it an easy chase.
Despite Mayank Yadav 18 runs in 2.1 overs, but pace enough it kept batsmen at the throats Tilak Varma, who is well known for his cool bat was quicken resolved to skill full stroke play with Mayank aggressive bowling.

When starboy Tilak Varma faced raw pace of Mayank Yadav 💥 pic.twitter.com/7oj45w3XHQ

— Mumbai Indians FC (@MIPaltanFamily) March 1, 2025

Alwso Read: India vs New Zealand: Predicted Playing XI for Champions Trophy 2025

The Raise of Mayank Yadav

Mayank Yadav has been gaining momentum in domestic cricket owing to his lower-order pace, so it is a bowler to watch for. He has been touted as the next Indian speedster in his raw talent and has proven that so far in the DY Patil T20 Cup and he is all set to lead the pace revolution of future.

Tilak Varma’s Steady Approach

On the flip side, Tilak Varma looked a seasoned pro at the crease as he dealt with Mayank's bowling barrage. An experienced internationals batsman, Varma demonstrated why the lad is one of the brightest young talents in India with his big ball handling skills. What sets him apart in terms of playing any T20 game.

What It Means for Indian Cricket:

Preview of Indian Cricket Tilak Varma Vs Mayank Yadav is an engaging advert as well for what the future holds in Indian cricket Too when young fast bowlers like Mayank comes up with a new sipping game and at the same time batters like Tilak continue improving those high quality bowling faced to him. Not only pace but even bat, contests such as these are the reason cricket diehards tune in for this tournament.

Fans want to see more of that sort of clash in the DY Patil T20 Cup as it churns on and more and more of the future Indian cricket stars come together. Whether raw pace, or proficient bat however contests like these gives true cricket fan who are dated and will keep watch on the tournament.

Jos Buttler resigned as England white-ball cricket captain after the side's premature ICC Champions Trophy exit. The resignation has sparked rumors of possible replacements ready to spearhead England limited-overs cricket into a fresh era. There are three well-known candidates, as follows:

1. Harry Brook – The Emerging Talent

Harry Brook, 26 years old, has quickly become an intimidating batsman across all formats. Fresh from being appointed as vice-captain by Buttler, Brook captained England in a September 2024 five-match ODI series against Australia, amassing the most runs, illustrating his leadership prospects. His style of batting fits into England's contemporary white-ball cricket approach. There have, however, been concerns about pushing him too early at a relatively young age with a suggestion of caution before assigning him the role of captain. 

2. Liam Livingstone

Liam Livingstone has experience as well as the ability to fill several roles. He led England on a West Indies tour when Buttler was not available, hit an unbeaten 124, and won the match. His ability to perform with both bat and ball makes him a serious contender, even though he lacks experience as an international captain.

3. Ben Duckett – The Dependable Performer

Ben Duckett has been a dependable performer for England, especially in difficult situations. His adaptability and composure make him a dependable option in the batting lineup. Duckett's domestic cricket experience and present form could make him a good bet for leadership. But his lack of experience in captaincy roles at the international level could be a factor the selectors would have to consider.

 The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has a significant decision to make at this  moment. They should consider factors like experience, leadership, and pressure handling. This is because there is the  need to consider the workload of the players who are likely to represent England in different formats. The new  captain will be an important factor in determining whether England will continue to be a force in limited overs cricket or not.