Cricket fans were treated to two thrilling matches on Sunday, especially the early match where Sunrisers Hyderabad kicked off their campaign in emphatic fashion by delivering batting carnage in their match against Rajasthan Royals.

Sunrisers commanded a 44-run victory over Royals, in a high-octane run-fest at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

The win was powered by a breathtaking century from Ishan Kishan, whose unbeaten 106 was the cornerstone of Sunrisers’ batting onslaught.

Kishan’s terrific ton was complemented by an explosive top-order show, with Travis Head’s dynamic 67 off 37, Heinrich Klaasen’s fiery 32 off 14, Nitish Reddy’s impactful 30 off 15, and Abhishek Sharma’s rapid 24 off 11 ensuring relentless pressure on the Royals’ bowlers.

Their combined firepower propelled Sunrisers to a staggering 286/6 – the second-highest team total in IPL history.

Chasing a daunting 288, Rajasthan Royals found themselves in early trouble but fought back, to finish on a decent, but still disappointing, 242/6. This however showcased the Royals’ never-say-die spirit.

Chennai Super Kings take on Mumbai Indians in second match of the day

Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Chennai Super Kings kicked off their TATA IPL 2025 campaign in style in the second match Sunday, securing a commanding four-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

CSK’s foundation was laid by the brilliance of Player of the Match Noor Ahmad, whose sensational spell of 4/18 stifled MI to 155/9.

The chase was then anchored by skipper Gaikwad’s fluent 52 off 26 and Rachin Ravindra’s composed, unbeaten 65 off 45, ensuring a winning start for the five-time champions.

Chasing 156, CSK suffered an early jolt as Deepak Chahar struck in the very first over, dismissing IPL debutant Rahul Tripathi. However, Gaikwad and Ravindra took charge, capitalizing on the powerplay.

The CSK skipper played with elegance and authority, rotating the strike effectively while piercing the gaps with finesse.

By the end of the powerplay, Chennai had raced to 62/1.

A dramatic moment unfolded in the last over however and with four runs required, Jadeja was run out. But instead of disappointment, the Chepauk crowd erupted in sheer delight — MS Dhoni was walking out to bat.

Though the crowd longed for a signature Dhoni finish, it was Rachin who fittingly sealed the victory with a six, remaining unbeaten on 65, guiding CSK to triumph.

Monday’s Match

Match 4 will take place on Monday, March 24, at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam when Delhi Capitals meet Lucknow Super Giants.

Ariana Television will broadcast the match live across Afghanistan so fans can tune in to watch the match from 6:15 pm Kabul time.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) brought the fireworks on the opening night of TATA IPL 2025 to begin their campaign with a special performance and kickstart what promises to be another thrilling season. 

The Rajat Patidar-led side registered a commanding seven-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), chasing down 175 with 22 deliveries to spare to cap off a memorable curtain-raiser for Season 18.

Virat Kohli, the most prolific run-getter in TATA IPL history, picked up from where he left off in 2024, remaining unbeaten on 59 in the chase after a scintillating opening stand with Phil Salt (56 off 31). 

But the platform for the victory was set by player-of-the-match Krunal Pandya’s 3/29 in four overs, which was instrumental in RCB’s comeback after KKR were on song early on.

Earlier, RCB won the toss and put KKR in to bat and the tone for the season was set in the very first over. 

Lucknow signs Shardul Thakur

In other IPL news, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have named Shardul Thakur as a replacement for left-arm fast bowler Mohsin Khan, who has been ruled out of this year’s IPL due to injury.

Thakur, an experienced all-rounder, has been signed from the Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP) at his reserve price of INR 2 crore. A proven performer across all three formats for India, he brings valuable IPL experience, having played 95 matches for five franchises.

LSG will begin their TATA IPL 2025 campaign against the Delhi Capitals on Monday, March 24, in Visakhapatnam.

Sunday’s schedule

Sunrisers Hyderabad will take on Rajasthan Royals on Sunday, March 23, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, in Hyderabad. The match will be screened live on Ariana Television in Afghanistan from 2pm. 

The second match of the day will see Chennai Super Kings play Mumbai Indians at MA Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai. The live broadcast of this match, on Ariana Television, will start at 6:15pm.

Turkey’s Erciyes Ski Resort hosted the prestigious FIM Snowcross World Championship 2025 this past weekend which saw the world’s best snowmobile  athletes battle it out for the title. 

With competitors from Scandinavia, North America, and Europe, the championship showcased elite snowmobile racing, where riders took advantage of extreme winter conditions in pursuit of the world title. 

The high-altitude terrain and unpredictable snow tracks of Erciyes added to the excitement of the adrenaline-fueled competition.

Over the past decade, Erciyes Ski Resort has emerged as a premier winter sports destination. Located in central Turkey, it features over 100 kilometers of ski slopes, modern facilities, and world-class event-hosting capabilities.

Turkey’s investment in winter tourism and international sporting events has positioned Erciyes as a top location for extreme sports. 

Snowcross is one of the most extreme winter motorsports, requiring speed, strength, and technical skill. Riders navigate sharp turns, icy terrain, and intense jumps, pushing their limits as they compete head-to-head on a fast-paced track.