IPL 2025: Alan Wilkins added to commentary panel after beating cancer

Alan Wilkins is highly revered among the top voices to commentate in cricket, and has enjoyed his stint as a commentator since 1984. However, the 71-year-old had been diagnosed with throat cancer in an unfortunate health update for the former Welsh cricketer. But now, Wilkins has battled the horrific disease successfully and will return to commentary duties with the ongoing Indian Premier League 2025.

Wilkins will be starting his journey in this edition with the game between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals at the iconic Eden Gardens. The game at Kolkata's historic venue will be held on Sunday, May 04 in an afternoon fixture and will see the Wilkins hold the microphone for the first time this year. This come as great news for all the passionate fans, who enjoy cricket from their television sets, since the commentator is a class apart.

Wilkins himself confirmed the development via his social media handle, and gave an update on X, formerly known as Twitter, in a post on Friday. "India 🇮🇳 here we come! @IPL Starting at Eden Gardens on Sunday! @BCCI KKR v RR #TATAIPL2025 #BackToIndia," he wrote on his handle.

Alan Wilkins@alanwilkins22

India 🇮🇳 here we come! @IPL Starting at Eden Gardens on Sunday! @BCCI KKR v RR #TATAIPL2025 #BackToIndia

10:18 PM · May 01, 2025

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Speaking of the game on Sunday, KKR have slim chances of making it to the top four and qualifying for the Playoffs of the 2025 edition. The defending champions have had a start-stop campaign in the tournament, where they lost some crucial matches at home. With four wins out of nine games, the three-time champions currently find themselves seventh on the IPL 2025 Points Table, and a win against the Royals can take them a spot above.

For RR, the Riyan Parag-led side will be playing for pride, since they have already been eliminated from the ten-team tournament. The 2008 champions were out of contention from the playoffs' race after their horrific loss to Mumbai Indians on Thursday.