A three-pronged performance from Kamindu Mendis and Harshal Patel’s use of the middle of the pitch led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to win their first-ever match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Chennai, a win SRH will hope revives a faltering campaign.

Dewald Brevis, on his CSK debut, and Ayush Mhatre,  the youngest CSK player ever in only his second innings, threatened to inject some freshness into a stale CSK campaign, but the 154 they took CSK to was not enough to avoid their fourth loss at home in IPL 2025 even though they did give SRH a scare on the dry pitch.

In the kind of slugfest you expect of lowly-placed sides on a tricky surface, the batters overcame the conditions only in small pockets despite heavy dew for considerable duration of the game.

Brevis looked every bit the player that earned the nickname ‘Baby AB’, but his threatening innings was cut short on 42 off 25 balls by arguably the catch of this IPL by Kamindu, who had earlier wowed us again with his ambidextrous spin. CSK mounted a spirited defence, but Kamindu calmed SRH with his unbeaten 32 off 22 to see them home.

Despite a first-ball wicket for Mohammed Shami,  the 17-year-old Mhatre continued to display his quality through good intent and efficient hitting through the off side. He hit six fours in the first four overs to take CSK to 37 for 1, but now SRH began to dig the ball in and started to make both him and Sam Curran hit into the leg side.

Harshal was the bowler to kickstart the plan. Mhatre nearly holed out to deep midwicket before Curran actually did so. In the next over, Mhatre drilled Pat Cummins straight into the lap of mid-off. At 50 for 3, CSK edged past only their fourth powerplay of 50 or more in nine games.

Six police officers have been killed in Thailand after their plane crashed into the sea during a test flight for parachute training, police have said.

The small plane was seen crashing into the water at around 08:00 local time (01:00 GMT) on Friday in the Cha-am district, a coastal resort area some 130km (80 miles) southwest of Bangkok.

Royal Thai Police said in a statement on Facebook that five of the officers died at the scene, with a sixth later dying in hospital.

Authorities are examining the aircraft’s black box data recorder to determine the cause of the crash.

(BBC)

President Anura Kumara Disanayake stated that no nation in the world has achieved development by neglecting its cultural values and traditions. He emphasized that the current government is committed to rebuilding the country by reinstating the moral principles and ethical systems that have slowly diminished over the years.

The President made these remarks on Friday afternoon (25) while participating in the opening ceremony of newly built Bodhi Prakara with Golden Fence, at the historic Rangiri Dambulla Rajamaha Viharaya (Cave Rock Temple of Dambulla).

Upon arrival at the temple, President Disanayake formally opened the newly built Bodhi Prakara and offered the first floral tribute. He also unveiled the commemorative plaque marking the opening of the Bodhi Prakara.

Addressing the gathering at the ceremony, the President further stated that a just and virtuous society cannot be built through laws alone. Highlighting the significant role religious philosophy can play in shaping society, he noted that village temple monks, together with other religious leaders, bear a major responsibility in this effort.

The President also stated that the government has planned a wide-ranging transformation of the education sector to nurture a future generation enriched with wisdom and virtues an essential step for the economic, social and political transformation of the country.

In addition, President Disanayake said the government is taking structured and strategic steps to curb organized drug trafficking and protect future generations from the harmful effects of drugs.

The ceremony was attended by the Maha Sangha of both the Malwathu and Asgiriya Chapters, including the Chief Incumbent of the Rangiri Dambulla Rajamaha Viharaya, Dr. Godagama Mangala Nayaka Thera, and the Chief Custodian of the Sri Vishnu Devalaya at the Rangiri Dambuli Viharaya, Venerable Dadubaddiruppe Mahinda Thera along with Maha Sangha and Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana Gamagedara Dissanayake and other devotees.

(PMD)