The Buzz
How well do Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma know Sachin Tendulkar's career?
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Apr-2025
From his debut in 1989 to his retirement in 2013, Sachin Tendulkar was something of a singular obsession for India cricket fans, with his most memorable innings burned into their minds. But what about today's cricketers, who would have been very young, or not yet born, for the majority of his career?
On the occasion of Tendulkar's 52nd birthday, on April 24, Mumbai Indians (MI) asked some of their players to identify a few of the Little Master's innings: his Test debut in 1989, the ODI knocks against Australia in Sharjah in 1998 (one of which came on his 25th birthday), and his ODI double-hundred - the first in the men's format - in 2010.
Suryakumar Yadav (born 1990) gets them all easily. While Robin Minz (born 2002) says he's watched the highlights of the Sharjah innings on YouTube, Suryakumar remembers it was always on TV. Tilak Varma (also 2002) recognises Tendulkar's debut, but the year eludes him. "I'm not even sure if my parents were married in 1989," he exclaims when told the year.
Full postWho's wearing Mumbai Indians' suit of shame?
ESPNcricinfo staff
23-Apr-2025
You've heard of Superman, but have you seen Laterman? Mumbai Indians had devised a unique "punishment suit" for the perpetually tardy - which actually makes for a rather fetching superhero (superzero?) costume. So far, it looks like Will Jacks, Raj Bawa and Tilak Varma have been forced to don the suit this year.
This isn't the first time MI have brought out the cape of shame. Last year, it was Ishan Kishan, Shams Mulani, Nuwan Thushara who made the naughty list.
Full postSai Sudharsan, Washington Sundar, Rashid Khan look back at their first Instagram photos
ESPNcricinfo staff
23-Apr-2025
It's always interesting to see how a person's social media posting changes over time, usually going from self-conscious to savvy. Gujarat Titans (GT) players shared the stories behind the first photos they ever posted on their Instagram accounts.
Washington Sundar looks back at a photo from 2015, saying he would have rated it 8-10 back then but today he rates it about 4-5. Ouch. Sai Sudharsan talks about a 2017 Tamil Nadu squad photo in which he captained the state team for the first time. His Tamil Nadu and Titans team-mate M Shahrukh Khan is surprised to hear Sudharsan captained the side and jokes that they must have lost. Sudharsan smiles and admits that they indeed lost. Shahrukh's own first photo is also a cricket one: from a college cricket tournament in 2008.
Rashid Khan talks about a trip to the Taj Mahal in 2016 with other Afghanistan players.
Full postHave you met Dr Urooj Mumtaz?
ESPNcricinfo staff
23-Apr-2025
Is there anything Urooj Mumtaz can't do? She has captained the Pakistan women's side in the 2009 World Cup and has done time as a cricket administrator. In 2020, she became the first woman commentator from Pakistan to be part of the panel in a men's World Cup and she's now a much sought-after broadcaster as well. In her spare time, she's an avid golfer and a padel player. You wouldn't think that leaves her much time for anything else but Urooj has another full-time job - she's a qualified, practising dentist.
She is currently part of the commentary panel of the ongoing PSL, where fellow commentator JP Duminy seemed to have a dental emergency. Luckily for him, expert help was at hand.
Full postHow many litres of milk does MS Dhoni drink in a day?
ESPNcricinfo staff
23-Apr-2025
MS Dhoni has debunked the "fact" that many believed to be the secret behind his long-lasting success: it seems he does not drink five litres of milk every day.
When asked at a Chennai Super Kings (CSK) event during IPL 2025, what the most ridiculous rumor he has heard about himself, he said: "[That] I drink five litres of milk a day."
At the interviewer's surprise that the story wasn't true, Dhoni explains: "I used to drink maybe a litre of milk, spread out through the day, but four [sic] litres, you know, it's a bit too much for anyone."
Full postThe IPL has a new pet
Roving robot dog is the latest addition to the broadcast team
ESPNcricinfo staff
18-Apr-2025
The IPL has a brand new addition to its broadcast squad, and it's a... dog? This roving robo-dog is strapped with cameras to give a dog's eye view of proceedings behind the scenes at the tournament, as well as providing players and commentators a fair bit of amusement. The as-yet-unnamed pet can walk, run, jump, beg and even make a little heart - but only for people it likes apparently, and Danny Morrison seems to be a favourite.
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 13, 2025
It can walk, run, jump, and bring you a 'heart(y)' smile
And...A whole new vision
Meet the newest member of the #TATAIPL Broadcast family - By @jigsactin
P.S: Can you help us in… pic.twitter.com/jlPS928MwV
The dog was filmed interacting with Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals players, most of who found the pup adorable. Reece Topley though seemed more than a little spooked. Maybe he's watched that episode of Black Mirror? It even played coin-bearer at the Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad match on Thursday.
Full postFatima Sana's hilarious Punjabi mix-up
ESPNcricinfo staff
16-Apr-2025
Lahore is hosting the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier. What do the players think of this historic city?
There's a famous saying in Punjabi, based on the title of a play: "Jinney Lahore nai vekheya, o jameya nai [Those who haven't seen Lahore haven't been born yet".
Pakistan allrounder Fatima Sana is introduced to the saying and asked to repeat it, to much laughter and confusion. In the end she phrases it so: "Those who haven't seen Lahore are not born in Lahore", which… makes sense factually, we guess?
Full postRohit and Wadekar to get stands named after them at Wankhede Stadium
Ex-BCCI president Sharad Pawar to also be honoured similarly
ESPNcricinfo staff
15-Apr-2025
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) will name a stand after India Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma at the Wankhede Stadium, his home ground. Former India captain Ajit Wadekar and ex-BCCI president Sharad Pawar are also set to have stands named after them at the venue.
Divecha Pavilion Level 3 will be called the Rohit Sharma Stand, while the Grand Stand Level 3 will be named after Pawar and Grand Stand Level 4 after Wadekar. The decision to rename the stands was taken during MCA's 86th annual general meeting held on Tuesday.
"Today's decisions reflect our deep respect for the pillars of Mumbai cricket and our determination to build an even stronger future," MCA president Ajinkya Naik said.
Full postWho stole Virat Kohli's bat?
ESPNcricinfo staff
14-Apr-2025
How long before Virat Kohli realises one of his bats is missing? Tim David decided to find out after Royal Challengers' (RCB) win against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Jaipur. After all, what better way to celebrate a victory than to prank your team-mates? Turns out Kohli keeps a close eye on his bat count (seven, in this case) and quickly caught on.
"I wanted to see how long it would take Virat to realise we've taken one of his bats," said David. "I counted my bats yesterday and there were seven, now there are six," Kohli can be heard saying. A quick inspection of his team-mates bags turned up the bat soon enough, in David's kit, to much laughter in the dressing room. To be fair, he did take very good care of it, even putting it in bubble wrap.
Full postHardik keeps promise, gifts shredded-down bat to Kashvee
Kashvee, a big fan of Hardik, met him during the Eliminator of the Women's Premier League
ESPNcricinfo staff
13-Apr-2025
Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya kept his promise to Gujarat Giants bowler Kashvee Gautam he had made a month ago, presenting her with his shredded-down bat.
Kashvee, a big fan of Hardik, met him during the Eliminator of the Women's Premier League at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai in March. During their meeting, Kashvee's Giants team-mate Harleen Deol revealed to Hardik that Kashvee not only tries to imitate his batting style but also has HP33 written on her bat. Hardik then promises to shred his bat down to her preferred weight of 1100g and gift it to her.
Ahead of the IPL match against Delhi Capitals in Delhi, Hardik presented his signed bat to her and also congratulated her on her maiden India call-up. "Let me know if you don't like it, you can give it back," Hardik is heard telling Kashvee in the video. "Enjoy, go well, play for India."
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