Sri Lankan all-rounder Kamindu Mendis delivered under pressure, helping Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) script a historic first-ever win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium during the IPL 2025 season.

Chasing a tricky target of 155, Mendis played a composed and crucial unbeaten knock of 32 off 22 balls, stitching an unbroken 49-run partnership with Nitish Kumar to seal a five-wicket victory with eight balls to spare. His calm presence at the crease when the game was delicately poised underlined his growing stature in T20 cricket.

Earlier, the Chennai Super Kings, once invincible at home, continued their disastrous 2025 campaign — suffering a fourth consecutive home defeat. Batting first, CSK stumbled despite a promising start, collapsing to 154 all out. Dewald Brevis impressed briefly on debut with a quickfire 42 runs, but it was Harshal Patel’s brilliant spell (4 wickets for 28 runs) that broke CSK’s backbone.

For CSK, promising youngster Ayush Mhatre shone early, but a middle-order collapse proved costly. Even skipper M.S. Dhoni’s tactical gamble of giving Sam Curran two overs backfired, as SRH batters capitalized to turn the game.

In the SRH chase, despite early hiccups — losing Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head quickly — Ishan Kishan’s fluent 44 and Kamindu Mendis’ finishing touch ensured Hyderabad stayed alive in the playoff race.

Meanwhile, in the updated IPL 2025 points table, Sunrisers Hyderabad now sits 8th with 6 points, while CSK languishes at the bottom with just 4 points from 9 games, effectively ending their playoff dreams.

Mendis’ all-round contribution, including a key wicket earlier, and his coolness in the chase were pivotal. While Harshal Patel deservedly took the Player of the Match award, Sri Lanka can proudly celebrate Kamindu’s evolving prowess on the IPL stage.

Points Table Update (After SRH vs CSK Match):

• GT, DC, and RCB are leading the race with 12 points each.
• PBKS and MI are close behind with 11 and 10 points.
• CSK and RR are at the bottom with just 4 points, all but knocked out of the playoffs.

Sri Lanka Cricket has officially announced a strong and balanced 17-member squad for the Women’s Tri-Nation ODI Series 2025, with star batter Chamari Athapaththu set to lead the team. The series, scheduled for next month, will serve as a key preparatory tournament ahead of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025.

Athapaththu, a globally respected all-rounder known for her fearless batting and bold leadership, remains the cornerstone of Sri Lanka Women’s cricket. As captain, she brings not only experience but also explosive firepower at the top of the order.

The Sri Lanka Women’s ODI squad for the tri-nation series blends youth with experience, showcasing the selectors’ vision of developing depth across all departments. Emerging talent Vishmi Gunaratne retains her spot following a solid domestic season, while consistent performers like Harshitha Samarawickrama and Nilakshi Silva will provide stability in the middle order.

All-round strength is a key feature of the squad, with the likes of Kavisha Dilhari and Anushka Sanjeewani (who will also don the gloves as the primary wicketkeeper) offering both batting and bowling options. Batters Hasini Perera and Piumi Wathsala strengthen the order, while promising youngsters Manudi Nanayakkara and Dewmi Vihanga are expected to gain valuable international exposure.

On the bowling front, spin remains Sri Lanka’s biggest weapon, spearheaded by veteran Inoka Ranaweera, with support from Inoshi Fernando and Sugandika Kumari. Their ability to control the game in the middle overs will be vital on slower pitches.

The pace unit will be led by Achini Kulasuriya and Rashmika Sewwandi, both known for their early breakthroughs and death-over effectiveness. All-rounders Malki Madara and Hansima Karunaratne round out the squad, providing versatility and tactical flexibility.

This ODI series is more than just preparation—it’s a chance for Sri Lanka to test its combinations, refine strategies, and build momentum ahead of a major global tournament. With Chamari Athapaththu at the helm and a team full of potential, fans can expect a spirited and competitive campaign.

Sri Lanka Women’s Squad for Tri-Nation ODI Series 2025

Chamari Athapaththu (Captain), Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshi Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani, Hasini Perera, Piumi Wathsala, Manudi Nanayakkara, Dewmi Vihanga, Inoka Ranaweera, Inoshi Fernando, Hansima Karunaratne, Rashmika Sewwandi, Malki Madara, Sugandika Kumari, Achini Kulasuriya

As of April 16, 2025, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has reached a crucial stage, with the competition heating up and the points table showcasing how tightly contested this year’s tournament has become.

Gujarat Titans (GT) currently sit atop the table with 4 wins from 6 matches, boasting a net run rate (NRR) of +1.081. Their recent form—3 consecutive wins—has propelled them to the summit and marked them as strong playoff contenders once again.

Joining them on 8 points are Delhi Capitals (DC), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). While DC has played only 5 matches, their solid NRR of +0.899 and form (4 wins from 5) show they’re a team to watch. RCB and PBKS have been steady with 4 wins out of 6, but their recent loss raises questions about consistency. LSG, despite also having 8 points, has played 7 matches, leaving them vulnerable with fewer games in hand.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), sitting at 6th place with 6 points, are still in the hunt but need to find consistency after 4 losses from 7 outings.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians (MI), Rajasthan Royals (RR), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are in a precarious position. All four teams have only 4 points, but it’s CSK’s form that is most concerning. The five-time champions are languishing at the bottom of the table with 5 losses from 7 matches and a worrying NRR of -1.276. Despite flashes of brilliance from MS Dhoni and others, the team has failed to click as a unit.

SRH and RR also face an uphill climb with poor net run rates and inconsistency plaguing their campaigns. MI, despite some promise, has only managed two wins and will need a strong turnaround to stay in playoff contention.

Key Takeaways:

• Top 5 teams are locked at 8 points, making every upcoming match crucial.

• GT and DC appear the most balanced and dangerous sides so far.

• CSK and SRH face the biggest challenges with momentum against them.

• Net Run Rate will be a critical factor as the race to the top 4 tightens.

As the tournament moves past its halfway mark, fans can expect drama, surprises, and spectacular cricket as teams jostle for playoff positions in what’s shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable IPL seasons yet.