#from Hardik Pandya

[ishuess]

We meet again♾️

13th Feb, 6:00 AM at the Pandya Abode

*doorbell rings*

Natasha: Hardik can you check the door!

Hardik: itni subah subah kon hai?!

*consistent bell ringing*

Hardik: ARRE AA RAHA HOON. Itni jaldi hai toh darwaza tod hi dee!

Natasha: HARDIK KON HAI?

Hardik opens the door to see a man with a big bouquet of flowers.

Hardik: nahi chahiye *tries to slam door*

Man behind bouquet: Arre bhaiya main hoon

Natasha comes to the living room

Natasha: Kon hai yaar..

Man behind bouquet: Main hoon..Shubman

Hardik: Abbey tu kab aaya..Kahan se aaya?

Shubman: Andar nahi bulaoge bhaiya

Natasha: Come in, come in...I will bring water.

Shubman comes in. All this while Hardik keeps staring at him.

Hardik: Kab se?

Shubman: Kya kab se?

Hardik: Phool bechne ka dhandha kabse shuru kiya?

Shubman: Woh..Ishan ke liye. Ishan kahan hai?

Hardik: So raha hai *with a straight face*

Natasha: Sit, sit Shubman. Drink water...Hardik you're mannerless *whacks him lightly*

Shubman settles himself on couch.

Natasha: Itne subah subah shubman?

Shubman: Haan woh Rajkot to Baroda thoda door hai toh vaapis jaane mein late naa ho isliye.

Hardik: *continues staring at him*

Natasha: *elbows Hardik* stop staring

Hardik: Training nahi hai?

Shubman: optional thi

Hardik: Hmm

Krunal: Arre Shubman! Subah subah idhar

Shubman: Han bhaiya woh bas

Hardik: *interrupts* Ishu se milne aaya hai

Pankhuri: That's sweet. Chai ya coffee?

Shubman: Nahi nahi thik hai bhabhi

Shubman is looking around the house as if trying to find something.

Hardik: Kaisa hai?

Shubman: main..main theek hoon.

Hardik: tu nahi mera ghar..aise dekh raha hai jaise pehli baar dekh rha hai

Shubman: Aap gussa ho mujhse kya?

Hardik: Are u understanding ki team kitni fragile hai abhi aur tu training bunk krke yahan aaya hai. Out of ur mind or what?

Shubman: Ek mahina ho gaya bhaiyaa...ek pal aur wait nahi kar sakta tha.

Hardik: *Hugs Shubman* Yeh tum Romeo log naa

Natasha: Should I wake Ishan?

Shubman: Can I do it?

Natasha: Yea suree..

Krunal: Aa chal tereko tere pyaar se milaun

Hardik: Main nikalta hoon gym ke liye

Krunal takes him to Ishan's temporary abode in their house.

Krunal: Jaa andar jaa..So raha hoga.

Shubman enters the room. His eyes fill with tears as he finally sees his lover sleeping in peace. His face devoid of any pain and stress. Shubman chooses to settle beside Ishan in bed and relish the moment. He traces his finger along Ishan's face and moves his hands through Ishan's hair. Shubman plants a tender kiss on Ishan's forehead.

Shubman(eyes filled with tears): I missed you love..

Shubman plants another kiss just beside Ishan's lips fondly to which Ishan responds with a soft smile unaware of Shubman's presence thinking it's all a dream.

Ishan( in a sleepy voice): Mhmm...I love you Shubii.

Ishan wraps his arm around Shubman in sleep which finally makes Shubman shed a few tears. Shubman tightens his grip around Ishan. As Ishan nudges his face into Shubman's chest to cuddle. Shubman's cologne hits his nose. Ishan freezes yet doesn't open his eyes for he didn't want this beautiful dream to slip away.

Shubman(in a gentle tone): Ishh..

Ishan: Hmm

Shubman: Ishh..uth jaa

Ishan: *shakes his head*

Shubman: Uth..dekh main tujhse milne aaya hoon. Sapna nahi hai

Ishan: *shakes his head*

Shubman kisses Ishan on forehead

Shubman: Dekha main real hoon...aankh toh khol baby.

Ishan: *opens one eye*

Shubman: Ab main aa gaya hoon tere paas

Ishan realises it's not a dream and jumps up from Shubman's arm.

Shubman: Kya huaa?

Ishan: Yeh sapna nahi hai

Shubman: main sach mein..

Ishan: *interrupts Shubman with a kiss*

Shubman: *cups Ishan's face and deepens the kiss*

As Shubman kisses Ishan, he feels tears streaming down Ishan's eyes while few tears escape his eyes too. Ishan felt more complete than he ever felt as they join forehead to share breath. A gentle smile adorned both their faces.

Ishan: I missed you.

Shubman: Main toh yahan hoon na *points at Ishan's heart* miss kaise karsakta hai tu?

Ishan: Paagal *laughs softly*

Shubman: Tere pyaar mein *hugs Ishan* I didn't miss you though

Ishan: Kya?

Shubman: *moves away and cups Ishan's face*.. I missed us.. *kisses Ishan's tears*

Ishan: aaj training nahi hai?

Shubman: poora mahaul kharab kar diya

Ishan: I am serious Shubman.

Shubman: koi training tere se important nahi hai... Ek mahina ho gaya mile huwe.

Ishan: Har second ek saal jaisa tha *pecks Shubman*

Ishan and Shubman settle in bed with their arms wrapped around each other sharing every little news of their life. Absorbing every bit of each other and wrapped in their love, they didn't realise they had an audience at door

Agasthya: Chachu!!Mumma calling

Ishan: Aggu tu kab aaya..

Shubman: Aggu kitna bada ho gaya..idhar aa junior

Ishan: *picks up Agasthya and settles him in his lap*

Shubman: *ruffles Agasthya's hair* Cutie kaisa hai tu?

Agasthya: strong hoon

Shubman and Ishan: *laugh*

Shubman: Meri yaad nahi aati?

Agasthya: Aati hai na par chachu se zyada nahi..Woh toh..

Ishan: *interrupts Agasthya* baatein toh hoti rahegi..breakfast is ready.

Shubman: *takes Agasthya on his lap* Tu bol...Aggu kya bol raha tha?

Agasthya: Chachu toh almost roz aapko miss karte karte rote hain..Aap unhe chorr ke mat jaana ab

Shubman: *hugs Agasthya and looks at Ishan who has his eyes lowered* Kabhi nahi jaaunga..apne saath le jaaunga.

Agasthya: Nahi...Phir main khelunga kiske saath?

Shubman: U have ur friends Aggu.. Main kiske saath khelunga *winks at Ishan*

Ishan: SHUBMANN!! *slaps him lightly*

Shubman: Cricket kiske saath khelunga.

Natasha: Oyee lovebirds.. breakfast is ready.. come on Aggu.

As they are their breakfast together, Shubman's eyes couldn't leave Ishan's face. The table echoed with their shared laughter and banter as the bouquet lies untouched in the living room.

(The fandom is filled with angst due to the current situation and as ur hero my job is to bring smile to your face. Hope you loved this chapter of their life and make sure to drop ur lovely comments.)

May God bless our precious couple Ishman and Ishan makes a banging comeback soon 🧿🧿🧿🔱🔱🔱🙏🙏🙏✨✨✨

[45cementry-gates]

Thoughts on our t20 wc squad :

Thank God Sanju, Jaiswal and Yuzi are in main 15.

It's mostly a very safe team... But here's a few concerns :

Bowlers. Siraj and arshdeep kitne form mein hai... We all know. And they dropped mukesh. We don't have any off spinner too.

Rishab Pant will be first priority as wk... And his t20I record is not good man.

He has played 66 t20i matches and his strike rate is 126 💀

I really hope after his recovery he has turned a new leaf and his performance will be better but... Yk.

Then Jadeja. 126 strike rate in 66 matches. And he's our finisher. 😭

Then Hardik Pandya. His performance in Ipl after he recovered from injury has been appalling. All I can do is pray he magicallly gets better and performs.

Other teams will have players like klassen, salt, Travis, etc.

We have Hardik and Jadeja.

And the guy who has a strike rate of 176 in t20I.....we have kept him reserved.

He will run around and hand over water bottles to others. 🙄

As for gill being in the reserve.... It makes perfect sense.

Jaiswal has a strike rate of 161 and gill has 148. Obviously Jaiswal is the better option.

And as for picking ruturaj or ishan ishan instead of gill for backup opener....

Well ishan has played 32 matches and has a strike rate of 124.

And Ruturaj has a strike rate of 140 in 19 matches.

So gill is a better choice as a backup opener.

It just pisses me off coz the selectors don't have complete faith on anyone and it really shows.

They don't fully trust the senior players...and they are not brave enough to completely let youngsters take the reigns.

Anyways.... Jo bhi hai yahi hai.

Really hope that we win this time because rohit, virat, Jadeja, Hardik, Rishab.... They all have a lot at stake and this might be the last wc they are playing in t20 format atleast.

🙏

[brokoala-soup]

hardik pandya using Enemy by Imagine Dragons on his story 😭 villain arc fr bro is being so 😈😈

[bimesskaira]

I have finally come to my senses and it has finally just sunk in that India has WON, we freaking won the T20 world cup. I couldn't believe it. I was screaming with joy and happy tears were streaming down my face at 11.30 p.m. at night after Hardik Pandya's last delivery. My heartbeat during the entire match went 📈📉. I was so scared when Klassen was on the field and then hardik took his wicket. Hardik proved it, he proved what it means to turn your boos into cheers, what it is to complete one's redemption arc. His words : "last 6 months were, I haven't spoken a word, things have been unfair. I knew that if I kept working hard I could shine and do what I could do", they show how much he suffered and yet still kept a smile on his face. Those words of him will forever remind me to keep working on yourself and ignore the world because when the time comes everyone's criticism will turn into praise. Everybody's contribution yesterday and throughout the tournament has culminated into yesterday's win. If everyone hadn't contributed be it on the field or from the bench by carrying waterbottles or messages, the win wouldn't have been possible. After 11 years we finally won an icc trophy, the win finally eased the hurt of the memories of 2023 odi wc where 1.4 billion people shed tears and were haunted by the memories of that match. Yet despite the overwhelming happiness, today is also tinged with a bit of sadness and bitter melancholy, the reason being, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and Rohit Sharma. They are our childhood, we grew up watching them play. The jersey numbers VK18, Rohit45 and Jadeja8 are forever imprinted in our minds. Jadejas bullet fielding, Rohits pull shots and Virats batting will forever imprinted in our minds and hearts. Their retirement from the t20 format is marking the beginning of the end of an era. Yes, they will continue playing the longer formats of odi and test but we will miss them in t20's not only them but Trent boult and David Warner, too. But as they said it's time for the newer generation to come forward and carry the torch on and VK, Jaddu and Rohit definitely got the fairytale ending they deserved especially after not only the nightmarish 19th November but also the several semi finals and finals we lost over the years. Here, I will input that I am hoping for ishan kishan's comeback too. The dual emotions of happiness and sadness had made the overwhelming. Here's to hoping for an even brighter future. Here's to the future of indian cricket and Indian cricket team. Because we are THE WORLD T20 CHAMPIONS OF 2024!!!🥳🥳🥳.

[thenikhilsinghrajpxt]

"In India cricket Isn't a sport, it's a religion."

A very anticipated tournament the cricket world cup which was back after 4 years with a hope of indian victory started in October 2023, this time it was even more special as india was the host country and the excitement was unparalleled

Indian team had their first clash with arch rivals the mighty austrailians, after a sense of collapse india secured comfortable victory over kangaroos, courtesy virat kohli and k l rahul, That match was not just a match but a statement of hunger for winning the cup, since that match indian team kept on showing their dominance in indian conditions and with the likes of rohit sharma, jasprit bumrah, hardik pandya, mohammad shami, ravindra jadeja, kuldeep yadav and GOAT Virat kohli the team was looking invincible and on the other hand australia was unfortunately on a losing trot.

Eventually the 5 times champions bounced back as what they known for and had a memorable victory over Afghanistan in a neck to neck game, glenn maxwell the big show stood for the team with an injured leg and played the greatest knock in ODI history and took the team over the mark. after this australia won consecutive matches and sealed their semi final spot. India won the semi final against new zealand and reached in the final and on the other hand australia outshined south africa in a close encounter.

19th of november, the stage was set an opening ceremony of air force showdown set the tone of the evening, india was the most probable contender to win the final as of the red hot form they were carrying and were yet to lose a single match in the whole tournament along with Virat kohli scoring most runs in the tournament and Mohammed shami picking up most wickets in the championship, australia won the toss amd decided to bowl first, india started on with their powerful batting approach and an positive intent but after the wicket of rohit sharma responsibility of virat kohli on the crease was increased yet he delivered with a crucial 52 runs knock but after his wicket a big collapse in the batting lineup was seen and they ended up scoring 240 in 50 overs, Australian batters with a edgy start lost 2 early wickets but after that the partnership between travis head and marnus labuchagne took the match away from the hands of india, AUSTRALIA WON THE WORLD CUP BY 6 WICKETS, all there left for india was tears in the eyes of the players and so in the fans and since then 19th november is a nightmare for every indian cricket fan.

[the-prophecy]

We got revenge against Australia reached finals then WON. Hardik pandya cleared his image after ipl. Virat Kohli was man of the match after not being able to score the whole tournament. Rahul Dravid got his farewell. Rohit and Kohli got to announce retirement from t20 with big smiles on their face. THIS LITERALLY LOOKS LIKE AN AMAZING CLIMAX TO AN ANGSTY MOVIE

[thefauxsport]

for the charles, alex and charlotte thing. I think it has been debunked that alex and charlotte weren't friends but friendly because charlotte's sister and alex shared a class. and charlotte and her sister (but mainly the sister) have been really using that former relationship to get engagement. apparently the sister liked a comment about how charlotte and her family were with charles during his hard times. they were also caught running chacha relationship fan accounts and their whole business that they started is a little shady because they don't respond or something. and on a reddit gossip thread once I read that charlotte used to sell some stolen designs or something you can see it on the fauxmoi subreddit when you type F1 in the search bar. all in all its just a lot of holding on to a former relationship (from the fans) they still make edits to songs like deja vu and say that alex and charlotte look alike which I don't think they do at all.

also the F1 gossip pages on Instagram and Tumblr seem to have their favs. I've seen blatant misogyny when it comes to wags like alex, rebecca, carmen. for alex it's always she's private so why is she on tiktok or why is she going out with her boyfriend, she should be private, she wants privacy etc etc (which like she just doesn't want the crazy fans to camp out in her Instagram comments and hate on her constantly and her tiktok is just outfit videos and makeup videos.) for rebecca they'll call her an escort, a whore, call her ugly. again this strong reaction is elicited because she's dating carlos. and carlos is not a wittle baby with no agency who's trapped by ugly witchy rebecca. they're two adults who are consensually hooking up or dating. for carmen it's always that she left her career for him and moved to monaco to be an influencer, which again her choice, she's free to do what she likes and maybe she wanted the easy money from influencing who cares. the gossip pages are surprisingly positive about kelly sometimes (which i suspect is because she provides them with the girl dad max content; another reason they don't like some other wags) I don't think I saw the whole tiktok drama about kelly being covered by the big gossip pages.

i think in every sport, to a certain extent, the wags are hated and criticised for every move that they make and for even the actions of the player. I am a casual cricket watcher and this was a huge deal at the time. so Virat Kohli, the former captain of Indian cricket team and a very reputable player, was dating (is now married to) a Bollywood actress, Anushka Sharma and i remember the hatred she used to get just because she was watching a game and when he was under performing, she used to be the one getting the blame. it was so bad that she stopped attending games and they even broke up once or twice. the same was with other cricket wags as well. it was Athiya Shetty, wife of KL Rahul for a while and now the target is Natasha Stankovic, wife of Hardik Pandya.

[internationalnewz]

"Having To Miss Out On World Cup…": Shubman Gill's Bittersweet Review Of 2023

It has been a brilliant year for Shubman Gill. The talented Indian cricket team opener showed brilliant form in all three formats of the game and his numbers specifically in ODI cricket were extraordinary. Gill is currently the leading run-scorer this year with 1584 runs in 29 matches at an average of 63.36 with the help of five centuries. However, in a recent interaction, the youngster said that the loss in the Cricket World Cup 2023 final somewhat dampened his mood but was quick to point out that he, along with his teammates, will have a chance to improve situations in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.

“I think it’s been a great year for me but having to miss out on the World Cup obviously dampened the mood a bit, but fortunately, we have another World Cup coming up next year so we are all looking forward to it,” Shubman told CNBC-TV 18.

“In the next one year, there is the World Cup coming, a very important Test series coming up in Australia, and I think this year is not over yet, we have the Test series, coming up in South Africa as well. I think the Test series in Australia and the South Africa series are going to be really big ones and those are the matches I am really looking forward to,” he added.

Gill will also have added responsibility in 2024 as he will take over as the Gujarat Titans skipper after the departure of all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Pandya rejoined Mumbai Indians in a sensational trade move and as a result, Gill will be leading the side with Rashid Khan possibly being the vice-captain.

“I am going to be captaining Gujarat Titans, that is a very exciting challenge and that’s gonna be a lot of learning, from that experience hopefully, I can take those learnings and improve myself based on those experiences and learnings, and only that is going to help me in the next year,” he said.

[kkkabir-blog]

Test, ODI Suits Rohit's Persona; T20 Is For Entertainment: Childhood Coach Dinesh Lad

By Aakash Srivastava: With recent reports indicating that Rohit Sharma is unlikely to feature in T20 Internationals going forward, his childhood coach, Dinesh Lad, expressed his support for this decision, categorizing the T20 format as primarily for entertainment, highlighting Test and ODI formats as better suited to Rohit's cricketing persona.

According to PTI reports, India's captain, Rohit Sharma, is expected to step back from T20Is, with Hardik Pandya often leading the team in this format since India's T20 World Cup semi-final exit in November 2022.

know more : https://thequotes.co.in/test-odi-suits-rohits-persona-t20-is-for-entertainment-childhood-coach-dinesh-lad/

[ishuess]

You know what..I am gonna say it

I don't know how everytime Ishan makes it to the trending page on Twitter, some negative PR pops up.

Also people who are saying that him training with Hardik Pandya is ass licking. Then where are these people when Surya and Bumrah show support to Rohit. Surya's love for Rohit is considered loyalty but Ishan's love for Hardik would be considered ass licking. Such hypocrites.

Also Ishan had made it clear very early on that the Hardik took him under his wing pretty early on. So it is rather Ishan is very loyal to Hardik despite Hardik getting so much hate. Also people saying Ishan should spend more time with Rohit instead of Pandya speaks so much about the obvious favouritism in Indian Cricket Team.

Also I want to just say, I personally consider IPL as a cricket fest. Players come together to enjoy cricket for once and here our Indian team is fighting like cats and dogs for a mere IPL team captaincy. I mean Rohit should understand he is the captain of the Indian Team and this childishness of following-unfollowing is just kind of pointless. I never see Virat doing so. And I AM A ROHIT SHARMA FAN TOO. He was the reason I am part of MI Paltan.

Calling Hardik Pandya 'chappri' and 'disloyal' and what not for franchise cricket when he has given a lot to the National Team is so toxic of the fans. Why do we forget that before IPL...WE ARE THE INDIAN NATIONAL TEAM.

Pulling in a youngster, a 25 year old in this fight is almost like pulling in Abhimanyu in the Chakravyuh and ruthlessly killing him. That kid has always been humble and never failed to praise Rohit's captaincy. But now when he chose to train with his family in cricket...He is being brashly hated for it. That kid has performed whenever he got a chance yet he is being played around like a toy. Even Sunil Gavaskar considers him a "a rare talent".

WHY ARE WE LETTING AN IPL CAPTAINCY BREAK DOWN ICT WHICH IS LIKE A FAMILY. THIS TOXIC INDIVIDUAL PLAYER SUPPORTING FANDOM HAS BEVER BROUGHT GOOD TO THE GAME.

So I think Ishan is absolutely right for training with Hardik because he never wanted this war and he never wanted to pick sides. He is being caught in the crossfire and people telling him to side Rohit for a place in team actually speak a lot about favouritism.

THAT WAS ALL FROM MY SIDE AND THIS IS JUST MY PERSONAL OPINION. PEACE OUT✌️

Hoping Ishan come back stronger than ever and God is with him🧿🧿🧿🔱🔱🔱

[sports-culture]

IPL 2024 Auction Retained and Released Players List

🏏 IPL 2024 Auction Overview

The auction is scheduled for December 19, 2023.

All 10 franchises have finalized their list of retained players.

🔄 Teams' Strategic Approach

Teams are strategically retaining a mix of experienced players and promising talents.

Retained players reflect each team's plans and aspirations for the upcoming IPL season.

🟢 Punjab Kings

Retained players include Shikhar Dhawan, Matthew Short, and overseas stars like Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran.

Released players include Shahrukh Khan and Baltej Singh.

🟠 Sunrisers Hyderabad

Retained players: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abdul Samad, and experienced players like T Natarajan.

Traded in Shahbaz Ahmed from Royal Challengers Bangalore.

🔵 Delhi Capitals

Key retentions: Rishabh Pant, David Warner, and Anrich Nortje.

Released players include Mustafizur Rahman and Chetan Sakariya.

🟣 Rajasthan Royals

Retained captain Sanju Samson, star players like Jos Buttler, and added experience with Ravichandran Ashwin.

Traded in Avesh Khan.

💛 Chennai Super Kings

Retained experienced players: MS Dhoni, Moeen Ali, and promising youngsters like Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Released players include Ambati Rayudu and Ben Stokes.

⚫ Kolkata Knight Riders

Key retentions: Shreyas Iyer, Andre Russell, and young talents like Venkatesh Iyer.

Released players include Shakib Al Hasan and Umesh Yadav.

🟡 Lucknow Super Giants

Retained captain KL Rahul, star players like Quinton de Kock, and promising youngsters.

Traded in Devdutt Padikkal and Romario Shepherd.

🔴 Gujarat Titans

Retained key players: Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, and overseas stars like Kane Williamson.

Traded out Hardik Pandya to Mumbai Indians.

🔵 Mumbai Indians

Retained core players: Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and overseas stars like Tim David.

Traded in Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans.

🟢 Royal Challengers Bangalore

Retained Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and promising young players.

Traded in Cameron Green from Mumbai Indians and Mayank Dagar from Sunrisers Hyderabad.

🔄 IPL Auction 2024 Traded Players

Significant player trades include Avesh Khan, Shahbaz Ahmed, Devdutt Padikkal, and Hardik Pandya.

🏆 Conclusion

IPL 2024 Auction Retained and Released Players By ALL 10 Franchises.

Teams aim to build a strong, balanced squad for the matches ahead.

The auction, set for December 19, 2023, promises excitement and intriguing team compositions.

[hindipradeshnewss]

India’s star all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, has been dealt a significant blow as he is now officially sidelined from the World Cup 2023. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made the crucial decision to replace him with Prasidh Krishna.

Read Complete News at- Hindi Pradesh News

[balkikhalnews]

'We were getting out of options'

Karun Nair had one of the best comebacks in IPL as he struck 89 off just 40 balls against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on April 13. Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya gave his insights on the incredible knock from the Vidarbha batter who came into the tournament after brilliant performances in domestic cricket and made an instant impact. Nair last played an IPL match…

[sportsnewsofficial]

Watch- Sanjay Manjrekar attacks Rohit Sharma and fans after they steal Hardik Pandya's credit

Mumbai Indians finally returned to winning ways with a thrilling 12-run win over Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Sunday (April 13). With just one win from 5 games, Mumbai Indians desperately needed a win, and they finally managed to end up on the right side of the result. After suffering close losses in the previous two games, the five-time champions managed to hold their…

[icecricnews0]

Axar Patel a paper captain? DC skipper drops 'KL Rahul makes my job easy' statement

The Indian Premier League has always been a platform not just for thrilling cricket but also for stirring conversations. And this time, it's not just about a six or a hat-trick — it's about Delhi Capitals (DC) vice-captain Axar Patel and his surprising comment regarding KL Rahul. His recent statement, "KL Rahul makes my job easy," has set social media ablaze, with fans now asking: Is Axar Patel just a paper captain?

Let’s dive into the situation and decode what Axar really meant, how it affects the Delhi Capitals setup, and what this means for leadership in the IPL 2025 season.

The Statement That Sparked It All

In a post-match interview after DC’s recent win, Axar Patel, who led the side in absence of the regular captain, made a statement that turned heads. He said:

"KL Rahul makes my job easy when he’s around. I don’t have to think much, just go with the flow."

The statement immediately raised eyebrows. Wait, KL Rahul? But he plays for Lucknow SuperGiants (LSG) — not DC! Why is the DC skipper talking about KL Rahul as someone who helps him lead?

Is Axar Patel Just a Figurehead?

With Rishabh Pant not yet fully back in regular captaincy duties and David Warner being rested or rotated, Axar Patel has been filling in as stand-in captain for DC. However, his comment has sparked speculation: Is Axar Patel just a paper captain, someone filling a formal role while decision-making lies elsewhere?

Some fans believe that Axar, though dependable as an all-rounder, hasn’t shown strong tactical leadership yet. Others argue that his laid-back nature and calm demeanor are being misread as passivity.

But the KL Rahul mention certainly didn’t help clear things up.

What Did Axar Really Mean? Clarification or Confusion?

To be fair, Axar’s quote could have been taken out of context. It’s possible that he was referring to KL Rahul's presence during India team games, not in the IPL. The two have played many matches together for Team India, and perhaps Axar was recalling moments from recent international fixtures, not specifically IPL 2025.

However, with the media and fans hyper-focused during the IPL season, this slip of the tongue has become a trending topic, and has unfortunately contributed to the narrative of Axar Patel being a paper captain.

Also Read:- MI vs RCB Dream11 Prediction IPL 2025

Leadership Confusion at Delhi Capitals

Let’s be honest — Delhi Capitals haven’t had the most stable leadership in recent years. After Shreyas Iyer, the reins went to Rishabh Pant, who showed promise before his unfortunate accident. Then came David Warner, who led DC with mixed results. Now, with Warner rotated and Pant still easing back, Axar Patel has been entrusted with the captaincy.

But here’s the twist: DC’s on-field strategies sometimes look disjointed. Bowling changes come late. Field placements appear reactive, not proactive. These are usually signs of a leadership group not fully aligned — or a captain who’s not completely in control.

Stats Don't Lie – Axar Patel’s Captaincy Record So Far

While Axar Patel is admired for his steady all-round performances, his captaincy numbers in IPL 2025 don’t particularly inspire confidence:

Matches as captain: 3

Wins: 1

Losses: 2

Win rate: 33%

Notable tactics: Mostly conventional, rarely aggressive

Compared to other captains like Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, or Pat Cummins, Axar has seemed less dynamic and more reactive. That’s not to say he’s incapable — but it does add weight to the paper captain claims.

KL Rahul's Quiet Influence?

So where does KL Rahul fit into all this?

Axar’s admiration for Rahul is no secret. They share a good rapport in the Indian team setup. Rahul is calm, calculated, and often seen as a mentor figure. It’s likely that Axar looks up to KL Rahul for leadership inspiration — even subconsciously.

But this slip during an IPL campaign where both players are captains of different franchises has naturally triggered confusion.

Could Rahul’s mentorship be so strong that Axar inadvertently brought it up while discussing a completely different setup? Possibly. But it does put a spotlight on how Delhi Capitals' leadership needs clarity and direction.

What the Fans Are Saying

Social media, as expected, had a field day:

“Is Axar Patel leading DC or LSG? Why is he thanking KL Rahul?” “Now it makes sense why DC’s bowling changes are off… KL must be texting!” “Axar is a great player but captaincy needs more than just vibes.”

Some fans defended him too:

“Chill, he was probably talking about Team India. Don’t read too much into it.” “He’s new to captaincy, let’s give him some space.”

What’s Next For DC and Axar Patel?

With the IPL 2025 season heating up, Delhi Capitals need to settle their captaincy conundrum fast. If Rishabh Pant is ready, it may be wise to bring him back into full-time leadership. If not, the management must support Axar Patel with clearer communication and tactical assistance.

As for Axar, he’ll need to shake off this incident quickly, focus on the matches ahead, and prove that he’s more than just a paper captain.

Conclusion

The headline “Axar Patel a paper captain? DC skipper drops 'KL Rahul makes my job easy' statement” may seem like a harmless quote, but it has opened up larger questions about Delhi Capitals' leadership, Axar Patel’s readiness for captaincy, and the influence of KL Rahul in India’s cricketing circles.

Whatever the reality, one thing is clear — the IPL never fails to entertain, both on and off the field.

Stay tuned to IceCric News for more behind-the-scenes updates, match predictions, and expert analysis from IPL 2025 and beyond.

Also Read:- RCB vs GT Live Streaming IPL 2025

[cricnewz]

IPL 2025: DC vs MI Head-to-Head Records, Match 29

A Tale of Two Journeys

Mumbai Indians, with their five IPL titles, are one of the most successful teams in the league's history. Known for their powerhouse batting lineups, match-winning bowlers, and calm leadership, MI have often set the standard. Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, have taken a more turbulent route. They've transformed significantly in recent seasons, going from underachievers to serious contenders with a young, vibrant squad.

When these two teams meet, it's more than just about points — it’s a battle between legacy and ambition.

Know More: IPL DC vs LSG Dream11 Prediction

Head-to-Head Overview

Historically, Mumbai Indians have had the upper hand over Delhi Capitals in terms of match wins. Their consistency in both the league stage and playoffs has often seen them outclass DC. However, that doesn't mean Delhi haven’t had their share of wins. In fact, DC have managed to surprise MI on several occasions, especially when their top order fires and their spinners strike gold in the middle overs.

Many of their clashes have gone down to the wire, with thrilling last-over finishes or unexpected turnarounds. The competitive nature of this matchup has grown stronger in recent years, especially since DC revamped their squad with match-winners across departments.

Recent Trends and Momentum

In the last few IPL seasons leading up to 2025, the momentum in this head-to-head battle has slightly leveled out. Delhi Capitals have managed to put up stronger fights, particularly when playing at home. Their focus on young Indian talent, paired with overseas experience, has helped bridge the gap that previously existed between them and a star-studded MI side.

Mumbai, while still dominant, have also experienced changes in their core leadership and player roles. The transition from Rohit Sharma’s long captaincy reign to a newer era (led by Hardik Pandya or another key player) has added a fresh layer to this rivalry. These recent developments make their 2025 encounter even more exciting and unpredictable.

Key Players from Past Clashes

Some of the most memorable performances in DC vs MI matches have come from players who love the big stage. For MI, Jasprit Bumrah’s searing yorkers and Suryakumar Yadav’s explosive innings have often been the difference. On Delhi’s side, Rishabh Pant’s fearless batting and Axar Patel’s control with the ball have been crucial.

In past encounters, MI’s ability to execute plans in the death overs and their explosive middle order have been their biggest strengths. DC, when successful, have relied on aggressive powerplay starts and stifling spin attacks in the middle overs.

Looking Ahead to Match 29

As we approach Match 29 in IPL 2025, the dynamics are once again charged with intensity. Both teams have tweaked their combinations, and both are fighting not just for points but for psychological advantage. The head-to-head record may tilt slightly in MI’s favor, but Delhi’s hunger and recent improvements make them dangerous opponents.

The match promises a battle of strategies — Mumbai’s calm and experience versus Delhi’s youthful aggression. Every contest between them feels like a mini-final, and this one will be no different.

Final Word

While the numbers might suggest MI have a better record, IPL has always been about what happens on the day. Head-to-head history gives us context, but current form, pitch conditions, and match pressure will ultimately decide the winner.

As the two sides step onto the field for Match 29, expect fireworks, drama, and a fierce fight. Because when Delhi meets Mumbai, it’s never just another game — it’s a battle of pride, power, and potential.

Know More: See Delhi Capitals Jersey For IPL 2025