Cricket Updates Today: IPL 2025 Thrillers & Ashes 2025-26 – Australia Go 2–0 Up As Franchise T20 & Test Rivalries Heat Up
December 8, 2025 | IPL 2025 Highlights & Ashes 2nd Test Result | Sports Current Affairs for Exams
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By Sports & Exam-Oriented Current Affairs Desk
Cricket Analysis • Tournament Tracking • Exam-Focused Sports Updates
Focus: IPL, ICC events, Ashes, records, sports governance & GK for UPSC / Banking / SSC
With IPL 2025 storylines and the Ashes 2025–26 in Australia simultaneously grabbing headlines, sports-current-affairs for exams is dominated by
franchise T20 drama and the historic Test rivalry between Australia and England[web:138][web:139][web:142][web:145].
On the Test front, Australia have taken a 2–0 lead in the 2025–26 Ashes series after an eight‑wicket win over England in the 2nd Test (Day/Night) at The Gabba, Brisbane, chasing a modest 65‑run target and finishing on 69/2 thanks to Steve Smith’s match‑winning six[web:148][web:151][web:154].
In franchise cricket, while the IPL 2025 season concluded earlier this year, the tournament continues to dominate cricket conversations with its
qualifier results, captaincy changes, and coaching appointments forming key exam-oriented talking points for sports GK and current affairs[web:138][web:140][web:146].
Ashes 2025–26: Australia Dominate, Lead Series 2–0
📍 Series Overview
- Series: 2025–26 Ashes, part of ICC World Test Championship 2025–27[web:139].
- Host: Australia (five-Test series from 21 Nov 2025 to 8 Jan 2026)[web:139][web:142].
- Current Scoreline: Australia lead 2–0 after wins in 1st and 2nd Tests[web:148][web:154].
- 2nd Test Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane – Day/Night (Dec 4–7, 2025)[web:142][web:151].
🏏 2nd Test Key Scorecard Snapshot (Brisbane)
| Team | Innings 1 | Innings 2 |
|---|---|---|
| England | 334 | 241 |
| Australia | 511 | 69/2 (Target 65) |
Australia won by 8 wickets, comfortably chasing the 65‑run target early on Day 4, with Steve Smith (23*) finishing the match with a six[web:148][web:151][web:154].
⭐ Key Performers & Turning Points
- Michael Neser’s Five‑for: Australian seamer Michael Neser took a crucial five‑wicket haul in England’s second innings, including the wicket of Ben Stokes (50), to bowl England out for 241 and set up the small chase[web:148][web:151].
- Ben Stokes Fights Back: England captain Ben Stokes scored a gritty 50 off 148 balls, but lacked support as wickets fell regularly around him[web:148].
- Smith’s Catch & Finish: Steve Smith pulled off a stunning one‑handed catch in the slips to dismiss Will Jacks and later sealed the match with a trademark six[web:148].
- Series Context: With a 2–0 lead and three Tests remaining (Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney), Australia are strong favourites to retain the Ashes[web:139][web:145].
IPL 2025 Recap: RCB’s Dream Run & Big Leadership Changes
🔥 RCB Enter Final After Dominant Qualifier 1 Win
- Match: PBKS vs RCB, Qualifier 1, IPL 2025 at Mullanpur (Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium)[web:149][web:155].
- Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) beat Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 8 wickets to reach the final for the first time in nine years[web:149][web:155].
- PBKS Score: Bowled out for just 101 in 14.1 overs after a top‑order collapse against RCB’s pace and spin[web:149][web:155].
- RCB Chase: RCB chased down 102 in just 10 overs, finishing on 106/2; Phil Salt scored an unbeaten half‑century (56* off 27)[web:149][web:155].
- Bowling Heroes: Josh Hazlewood (3/21), Suyash Sharma (3/17), Yash Dayal (2/26) broke PBKS’s backbone[web:149].
👑 Captaincy & Coaching Changes Ahead of IPL 2025
- RCB: Rajat Patidar appointed captain, replacing Faf du Plessis who moved to Delhi Capitals[web:140].
- Punjab Kings: Shreyas Iyer named as new captain, leading PBKS in 2025 season[web:140].
- Mumbai Indians: Mahela Jayawardene returned as head coach; Hardik Pandya continues as captain[web:140].
- Rajasthan Royals: Rahul Dravid took over as head coach, with Sanju Samson continuing as captain[web:140].
- Delhi Capitals: Hemang Badani appointed head coach; Kevin Pietersen joined as mentor; Venugopal Rao as Director of Cricket[web:140].
- Lucknow Super Giants: Rishabh Pant made captain, replacing KL Rahul[web:140].
📆 IPL 2025 Calendar & Future Fixtures (SEO Notes)
- IPL 2025 ran from March–May 2025, with league matches, playoffs (Eliminator, Qualifier 1 & 2) and the final[web:138][web:143].
- Upcoming IPL topics likely to feature in 2026 exams: new captains, coaches, record chases, Purple/Orange Cap winners, playoff results[web:138][web:140][web:146].
Exam-Focused Section: Sports Current Affairs (IPL + Ashes)
Important One-Liners for UPSC / SSC / Banking / Railways
- Australia lead the 2025–26 Ashes series 2–0 after winning the 2nd Test at Brisbane by 8 wickets, chasing 65 and finishing 69/2[web:148][web:151][web:154].
- In the 2nd Ashes Test, England scored 334 & 241, while Australia made 511 & 69/2[web:151].
- Michael Neser took a pivotal five‑wicket haul in England’s second innings at The Gabba[web:148][web:151].
- Ben Stokes scored a fighting 50 off 148 balls in England’s second innings but could not prevent defeat[web:148].
- In IPL 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Punjab Kings by 8 wickets in Qualifier 1 to qualify for the final after a long gap of 9 years[web:149][web:155].
- Phil Salt was RCB’s star with an unbeaten 56*(27) in that chase[web:149].
- Rajat Patidar (RCB), Shreyas Iyer (PBKS), Rishabh Pant (LSG) were among the notable new captains for IPL 2025 franchises[web:140].
Expected MCQs (Prelims / Objective Exams)
- Australia vs England 2nd Ashes Test 2025–26 at Brisbane ended with which result? (A) Australia won by 8 wickets (B) England won by 2 wickets (C) Match drawn (D) Australia won by an innings
- In the 2nd Ashes Test at Brisbane, what target did Australia chase in the 4th innings? (A) 115 runs (B) 65 runs (C) 256 runs (D) 310 runs
- Which team did Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeat in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 to enter the final? (A) Chennai Super Kings (B) Mumbai Indians (C) Rajasthan Royals (D) Punjab Kings
- Who captained RCB in IPL 2025 after Faf du Plessis moved to Delhi Capitals? (A) Virat Kohli (B) Phil Salt (C) Rajat Patidar (D) Glenn Maxwell
Descriptive / Mains Practice
- “The Ashes remains one of the most influential bilateral series in Test cricket for shaping ICC World Test Championship narratives.” Discuss with reference to the 2025–26 series.
- Analyse the impact of franchise leagues like IPL on player workload, national team selection, and fan engagement.
📝 Key Takeaways For Exams & Interviews:
- ✓ Australia 2–0 up in Ashes 2025–26 after Gabba win; series central to World Test Championship points table[web:139][web:142][web:148].
- ✓ Ashes 2nd Test: ENG 334 & 241 vs AUS 511 & 69/2 (AUS won by 8 wickets; target 65)[web:151][web:154].
- ✓ IPL 2025: RCB beat PBKS in Qualifier 1 by 8 wickets to reach final; Phil Salt & Hazlewood key performers[web:149][web:155].
- ✓ Multiple captaincy & coaching changes in IPL 2025 – high‑probability static + current affairs questions[web:140].
- ✓ Sports current affairs now often combine franchise leagues + ICC events; exam strategy must cover both.
— End of Cricket Current Affairs Report —
Sources:
- Cricbuzz, ESPNcricinfo, Hindustan Times cricket live blog, BBC Sport, official IPL & franchise reports[web:138][web:140][web:142][web:145][web:148][web:149][web:151][web:155].
