IPL Bulletin For May 17: Rohit Honoured at Wankhede, Mustafizur Returns, Starc Ruled Out, Chase Named WI Captain

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IPL Bulletin For May 17: As the IPL 2025 caravan resumes post its dramatic mid-season pause, May 17 has emerged as a day packed with emotional highs, strategic shifts, and delightful off-field moments.

From Wankhede Stadium proudly dedicating a stand to Mumbai’s favourite son Rohit Sharma, to Mustafizur Rahman getting the green light to rejoin Delhi Capitals amid Mitchell Starc’s confirmed absence, the headlines have been brimming with action and sentiment alike.

In a decision that stirs nostalgia and new beginnings, Roston Chase has been named West Indies' new Test captain, while India A’s squad for their England tour has injected excitement among domestic cricket watchers, with Karun Nair and Ishan Kishan making the cut. Off the field, the mood remains light and upbeat—Tim David embraced the Bengaluru rains with childlike glee, turning the wet outfield into his personal waterpark, leaving fans in splits.

Meanwhile, Ravi Shastri lit up the Wankhede ceremony with a cheeky message to Rohit Sharma: “Smack one there!”—a tribute perfectly suited to the Hitman’s legacy. As IPL 2025 heads toward its decisive league phase, team strategies, player rotations, and emotional milestones are writing a gripping narrative both on and off the pitch.

1. Mustafizur Cleared for Short-Term DC Stint

The Delhi Capitals (DC) have been handed a crucial boost ahead of the final stretch of the IPL 2025 league phase, with Bangladesh’s left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman receiving a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

The BCB confirmed that Mustafizur has been “granted” permission to join DC from 18–24 May, ruling him out of any potential playoff matches but allowing participation in the final three league games. The pacer will first feature for Bangladesh in their T20I against UAE in Sharjah on Saturday before flying to India.

Earlier this week, confusion loomed large as DC announced his signing without BCB’s confirmation. The clearance now comes after Mitchell Starc officially pulled out of the tournament’s remainder. Donovan Ferreira will also not return.

Starc, DC’s highest wicket-taker this season (14 wickets in 11 matches), is prioritising Australia’s preparation for the World Test Championship final.

2. Rohit Sharma Immortalised at Wankhede

In a heart-warming tribute that sent waves of pride across Indian cricket, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) unveiled a stand named after Rohit Sharma at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday. Rohit, visibly emotional, stood with his family as the honour was unveiled by his parents.

"Wankhede has always been incredibly special to me. It's where I began to dream about my journey in professional cricket... To have a stand named after me at this iconic venue is overwhelming." said Rohit.

He now joins the elite club of Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and Dilip Vengsarkar as active cricketers with stands named after them. MCA President Ajinkya Naik said the move was about preserving Mumbai cricket's heritage. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis even hinted at a new mega stadium proposal to accommodate over 100,000 fans.

In a delightful moment, former India coach Ravi Shastri added a slice of humour, hugging Rohit and cheekily saying, "Smack one there!" - pointing to the very stand now bearing the opener's name.

3. Roston Chase Named West Indies’ New Test Captain

A fresh chapter begins for West Indies cricket as allrounder Roston Chase has been appointed the new Test captain. The 33-year-old, whose last Test came over two years ago, will return to lead the side in a three-Test home series against Australia starting June 25 in Bridgetown-his home ground.

CWI said Chase was picked after a "detailed assessment process" that included psychometric testing. Former captain Kraigg Brathwaite stepped down earlier this year after 39 matches in charge.

"Our new captain has earned the respect of his peers... and shown the leadership qualities we need to take this team forward," said coach Daren Sammy.

CWI President Kishore Shallow lauded the appointment process, calling it "comprehensive and forward-thinking." Jomel Warrican will serve as vice-captain.

Chase has 2265 runs at 26.33 and 85 wickets at 46.00 in Tests. While his numbers dipped after a promising start, the hope is that the captaincy responsibility will reignite his form.

4. Starc Opts Out of IPL 2025

In a blow to Delhi Capitals' playoff hopes, Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has opted out of the remainder of IPL 2025. A week after featuring in a rain-marred encounter in Dharamsala, Starc informed the franchise that he won't return for the league.

AAP reported that Starc is now focusing solely on the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final. He finishes his campaign as DC's highest wicket-taker with 14 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 26.14.

Donovan Ferreira, who played just once this season, also won't return. Meanwhile, Tristan Stubbs and Faf du Plessis have confirmed their return, although Stubbs will leave before the playoffs for WTC commitments. With Jake Fraser-McGurk unavailable too, DC's foreign line-up looks drastically reshaped as the playoff race intensifies.

5. Tim David Dives into Rainy Fun at Chinnaswamy

The IPL's return post the 10-day pause saw Bengaluru drenched in rain, but that didn't stop RCB's Tim David from giving fans a rib-tickling moment. With the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium covers soaked and heavy showers pouring down, David was spotted wearing swimming shorts, joyously sliding over the ground covers!

In scenes that brought smiles to everyone's faces, RCB staff were seen laughing and cheering as the Aussie allrounder soaked up the moment-literally. It was a much-needed light moment before RCB's crucial game against KKR.

RCB are second on the table with 16 points from 11 games and eyeing a playoff spot. KKR, meanwhile, have a steep climb ahead with only 11 points from 12 matches. The weather may have tried to spoil the party, but David's antics reminded everyone that cricket is, at its heart, still a game of joy.

6. Karun Nair & Ishan Kishan Included in India A Squad

Karun Nair and Ishan Kishan are back in the reckoning as they were named in the India A squad for the upcoming tour of England. Abhimanyu Easwaran will lead the side, while Dhruv Jurel has been appointed vice-captain.

The squad will play two first-class games against England Lions on May 30 and June 6, followed by a match against the Indian senior team. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan will join the team ahead of the second match.

Karun Nair, who last played for India in 2017, has forced his way back into contention with stellar performances-863 runs in the 2024/25 Ranji Trophy and a productive county stint with Northamptonshire. This tour is seen as a crucial testing ground for India's next-generation batters following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Also included are Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Harsh Dubey-the Ranji Trophy Player of the Tournament-and several uncapped bowlers like Manav Suthar and Anshul Kamboj.

7. Ravi Shastri’s Classic Zinger for Rohit Sharma

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri added his signature wit to an already emotional evening at Wankhede. As Rohit Sharma stood before the newly inaugurated 'Rohit Sharma Stand', Shastri turned to the India skipper and quipped with a glint in his eye:

"Next time you bat here, make sure to smack one straight into your own stand!"

The remark sent the crowd - and Rohit himself - into laughter, breaking the formal mood with a touch of light-hearted brilliance.

Shastri's playful jab wasn't just humour - it was a tribute, the kind that only someone who's seen Rohit's rise from close quarters could deliver. For a moment, cricket's poetry and its punchline stood side by side - much like Rohit and Ravi on that iconic stage.

Kanitkar Set for India A Coaching Role in England

In a strategic move ahead of India's crucial overseas red-ball preparations, former India cricketer Hrishikesh Kanitkar has been appointed as the head coach of the India A team for their upcoming tour of England. The series is scheduled to feature two four-day matches against the England Lions, serving as a key platform for emerging Indian talent to adapt to English conditions.

Kanitkar, who recently served as the batting coach of the senior women's team and has been a part of the National Cricket Academy's coaching setup, brings a wealth of experience and calm leadership to the role. His appointment underlines the BCCI's focus on continuity and developmental strategy, especially for players eyeing future Test roles.

The India A tour begins on May 30 at Canterbury, followed by a second fixture on June 6 in Northampton. With several Test hopefuls, including Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Dhruv Jurel in the squad, Kanitkar's guidance will be crucial in helping the team make a strong impression on English soil. as per report on TOI.