For every success story, there are many tales of failure. In this year’s IPL, there has been no dearth of players who have missed their mark.
However, even here there is a hierarchy. There were a number of players still finding their feet or new to the tournament who failed to impress. You can’t pick too many faults in that.
However, there are some who, despite their reputation, experience and hefty salary, performed poorly. Below we take a look at the biggest flops of IPL 2025.
Venkatesh Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Innings: 7, Runs: 142, 50s: 1
It was an unmitigated disaster for the left-handed batter. Bought back by the franchise for an exorbitant sum of $2.8 million, and also discussed as a possible captain following the departure of the title winning Shreyas Iyer, Venkatesh fell flat with the bat and looks set to be shipped out.
More than anything, Kolkata’s decision to let a title winning captain go, while splurging on a decent at best T20 cricketer is what rankles the most. The pressure of the price tag probably got to him.
Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants)
Innings: 13, Runs: 269, Avg: 24.45, SR: 133.16, 100s: 1, 50s: 1
Pant scored a century in the last match of the season for Lucknow, with very little to gain. But even with that ton, Pant failed spectacularly in his first season as captain of the Super Giants and the most expensive player in IPL history – with a salary of $3.2m.
Granted, Lucknow lost almost their entire frontline bowling attack to injury. But they had a few overseas players in great form with the bat – namely Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram. All they needed was Pant to play a few useful knocks here and there. But the wicketkeeper captain failed on all counts. His batting is looking ungainly and he just does not look the part in T20 cricket.
Mohammad Shami (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
M: 9, Wkts: 6, Econ: 11.23
The India pace veteran is trying to make a strong comeback from long-term leg injuries but he has just not been the same since the 2023 ODI World Cup. He has suffered numerous setbacks on his return from injury and in the IPL struggled to pick wickets or restrict runs – something many of his contemporaries did throughout on wickets conducive to bowlers.
Shami should consider himself lucky if he continues to get picked in top-level competitions.
Ravichandran Ashwin (Chennai Super Kings)
M: 9, Wkts: 7, Econ: 9.12
For some reason, Chennai management thought Ashwin was worth over a million dollars during the auction. Actually, it does not come as a surprise as they also thought that Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda and Vijay Shankar are a good T20 middle order.
Ashwin has lost his zip, already replaced by Washington Sundar at the national level. Predominant finger spinners have almost no space in the IPL, and that too those at the end of their careers. Chennai quickly moved on from him.
Glenn Maxwell (Punjab Kings)
M: 7, Runs: 48, Avg: 8.00
The Aussie is a proven performer at the international level, especially during major tournaments, but has missed his mark for two straight seasons in IPL. Maxwell was disastrously poor, even in a winning side like Punjab filled with in-form batters.
Not sure how many franchises will pick him in future. But then again, there is a T20 World Cup early next year. He might shine there and all could be forgotten.
Jake Fraser-McGurk (Delhi Capitals)
Innings: 6, Runs: 55, Avg: 9.16
There was a fear that the young Aussie batter’s technique could soon be unraveled as he does not have an all-round game and looks susceptible on pitches with any sort of help.
Unfortunately for Fraser-McGurk, teams had already done their homework on his technique and the pitches were more than responsive. After six failures, the 23-year-old was benched. He will now have to go back to the drawing board to show the franchise, and possibly the Australian selectors, that he is not a one trick pony.
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
Tomorrow 2021
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PROVISIONAL FIXTURE LIST
Premier League
Wednesday, June 17 (Kick-offs uae times) Aston Villa v Sheffield United 9pm; Manchester City v Arsenal 11pm
Friday, June 19 Norwich v Southampton 9pm; Tottenham v Manchester United 11pm
Saturday, June 20 Watford v Leicester 3.30pm; Brighton v Arsenal 6pm; West Ham v Wolves 8.30pm; Bournemouth v Crystal Palace 10.45pm
Sunday, June 21 Newcastle v Sheffield United 2pm; Aston Villa v Chelsea 7.30pm; Everton v Liverpool 10pm
Monday, June 22 Manchester City v Burnley 11pm (Sky)
Tuesday, June 23 Southampton v Arsenal 9pm; Tottenham v West Ham 11.15pm
Wednesday, June 24 Manchester United v Sheffield United 9pm; Newcastle v Aston Villa 9pm; Norwich v Everton 9pm; Liverpool v Crystal Palace 11.15pm
Thursday, June 25 Burnley v Watford 9pm; Leicester v Brighton 9pm; Chelsea v Manchester City 11.15pm; Wolves v Bournemouth 11.15pm
Sunday June 28 Aston Villa vs Wolves 3pm; Watford vs Southampton 7.30pm
Monday June 29 Crystal Palace vs Burnley 11pm
Tuesday June 30 Brighton vs Manchester United 9pm; Sheffield United vs Tottenham 11.15pm
Wednesday July 1 Bournemouth vs Newcastle 9pm; Everton vs Leicester 9pm; West Ham vs Chelsea 11.15pm
Thursday July 2 Arsenal vs Norwich 9pm; Manchester City vs Liverpool 11.15pm
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
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ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,
- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.
The five pillars of Islam
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Day 2, stumps
Pakistan 482
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