Cricket

IPL Retention Debate: Raina and Rayudu Advocate for Increased Player RetentionAhead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, former IPL stalwarts Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu have called for a significant increase in player retention. They argue that maintaining a stable core is essential for teams' success in the highly competitive tournament.During the last mega auction in 2022, IPL teams were permitted to retain up to four players. However, as the three-year cycle draws to a close, there is a growing consensus that this number is insufficient. Some teams are advocating for the retention of up to eight players, while others believe four or five would be more appropriate."Personally, I feel retentions have to be a lot more because a franchise invests a lot on players," said Rayudu. "The core of the team is what makes every team unique in the IPL. The longer the core remains, the culture of the team remains, and there is a greater chance of success."Raina, Rayudu's former Chennai Super Kings teammate, echoed these sentiments. "I 100 percent agree with Rayudu," he said. "The mega auction should be every three years. The IPL Governing Council will do what is best for the game."The issue of player retention has become a hot topic of discussion as franchises prepare for the next mega auction in December. Teams are eager to secure the services of their key players and build a strong foundation for the upcoming seasons.The IPL Governing Council is yet to make a decision on the number of players that can be retained. However, the views of Raina and Rayudu, two of the most experienced and successful players in IPL history, are likely to carry significant weight in the decision-making process.

India Champions Triumph in Inaugural World Championship of LegendsIn a thrilling finale at Edgbaston, Birmingham, India Champions emerged victorious in the inaugural World Championship of Legends, defeating arch-rivals Pakistan Champions by five wickets.Pakistan Champions, led by Younis Khan, posted a competitive total of 156 for 6 in their 20 overs. However, India's explosive batsman Ambati Rayudu stole the show with a blistering 50 off just 30 balls, guiding his team to victory with five wickets and five balls to spare.Post-match celebrations erupted, with captain Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, and Harbhajan Singh engaging in a playful dance to the tune of "Tauba Tauba." However, their antics sparked controversy when para-badminton star Manasi Joshi criticized them for mocking people with physical disabilities.Joshi, a former world no. 1 in her SL3 badminton category, expressed her disappointment in the comments section of the viral video. She condemned the trio's behavior, stating that it could encourage bullying and harm young children with disabilities."This isn't funny," Joshi wrote. "You don't know how much harm your behavior can do. The appreciation you're getting from people around is appalling to see."Joshi's comments highlighted the importance of responsible behavior from public figures and the need to respect individuals with disabilities. Her words resonated with many, who expressed their support for her stance.Despite the controversy, India's victory in the World Championship of Legends was a significant achievement. The team's performance showcased the depth of talent in Indian cricket and cemented their status as one of the world's leading cricketing nations.

Ambati Rayudu, the former Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians batter, has been making headlines with his critical comments about the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise and its star player, Virat Kohli. Rayudu's remarks came after RCB's disappointing exit from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign.Rayudu took aim at RCB's management, suggesting that they prioritize individual brilliance over collective effort. He pointed out that while Kohli is a legendary player, it's unrealistic to expect every player to match his high standards. Rayudu emphasized the importance of nurturing young players and allowing them to develop their own identities and strengths."You can't expect somebody to win the game in the first season. You need to give him that leeway and time to grow into a match-winner," Rayudu said. "So I think the management has its task out, and even Virat Kohli needs to ease his standards a bit when it comes to youngsters, nurturing them, and letting them go."Rayudu's comments sparked a debate on social media, with some fans supporting his views and others defending Kohli and RCB. Former England captain Kevin Pietersen initially reacted to Rayudu's remarks by calling him a "joker," but later clarified that he was simply joking around."Come on guys! This tribalism with/against Indian players on social media needs to slow down! Example - @RayuduAmbati and I were messing around after the IPL final and all of a sudden that banter has turned into an avalanche of abuse towards Ambati. PLEASE stop it?" Pietersen wrote on social media.Rayudu's criticism of RCB and Kohli highlights the challenges faced by teams in balancing individual talent with team cohesion. It also raises questions about the role of experienced players in mentoring and supporting younger teammates. As the IPL continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how teams address these issues and strive for success in the highly competitive tournament.

Ambati Rayudu's Waistcoat Switch Draws Amusement from CommentatorsKolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) emphatic eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2024 final on Sunday sparked a moment of lighthearted banter among commentators Kevin Pietersen and Matthew Hayden.Rayudu, who was initially seen supporting SRH in an orange waistcoat, swiftly switched to a blue one after KKR's triumph. This wardrobe change did not escape the notice of Pietersen and Hayden, who couldn't resist teasing the former Indian batsman."Thank you for bringing out the fact that he changed from orange to blue," said host Mayanti Langer."I've at least held firm. I wore it and I owned it," said Pietersen, referring to his own purple attire. "You are a joker, always a joker," he added, addressing Rayudu.Rayudu responded with a diplomatic answer: "I am supporting both the teams. I am supporting good cricket."KKR's victory was a comprehensive one, as they restricted SRH to a paltry 113, the lowest total in an IPL final. Venkatesh Iyer's unbeaten 52 off 26 balls led KKR's chase, which they completed with 57 balls to spare.Mitchell Starc, Andre Russell, and Harshit Rana were the standout bowlers for KKR, as SRH failed to put up a competitive total.Rayudu's waistcoat switch may have been a minor incident, but it provided a moment of amusement amidst the excitement of the IPL final. It also highlighted the camaraderie and banter that often exists among commentators and players in the world of cricket.

Ambati Rayudu's Relentless Swipe at Royal Challengers Bengaluru Continues After KKR's IPL TriumphFormer Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians batter Ambati Rayudu has reignited his feud with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) following Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Rayudu, who has been relentlessly trolling the Bengaluru franchise since their IPL 2024 exit, took another swipe, emphasizing the importance of collective performances over individual accolades.Rayudu's criticism stems from Virat Kohli's impressive performance this season, where he emerged as the top-scorer with over 700 runs. However, despite Kohli's individual brilliance, RCB was eliminated in the Eliminator by Rajasthan Royals."Congratulations to the KKR team for really standing up for stalwarts like Narine, Russell, and Starc and also contributing their share in the team's win. That's how a team wins the IPL. We have seen this over the years. It's not the Orange Cap that wins you the IPL, but it is the contributions like 300 runs each (of many players)," Rayudu said in a chat on Star Sports.Rayudu went on to suggest that Kohli should lower his standards to reduce the pressure on younger players in the team. "Virat Kohli is a stalwart and a legend there in the team. He sets so high standards which puts pressure on the youngsters to emulate him. So, Virat needs to lower his standards a bit so that the youngsters can be in a good state of mind in the dressing room," Rayudu stressed.Rayudu's criticism extends beyond Kohli's individual performance. He has also called out the poor management by RCB's bosses, accusing them of prioritizing individual milestones over team titles. "My heart truly goes out to all the RCB supporters who have passionately supported the team over the years. If only the management and the leaders had the team's interests ahead of individual milestones... RCB would have won multiple titles," Rayudu said in a social media post.While Kohli has consistently delivered runs for RCB, he has lacked the necessary support from his teammates. The franchise's bowling department has also struggled to produce consistency. Rayudu's criticism highlights the need for a more balanced approach and a greater emphasis on team cohesion if RCB is to break their title drought.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) endured another disappointing Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign in 2024, failing to lift the elusive trophy for the 17th consecutive time. Despite a dismal start to the season, winning only one of their first seven matches, RCB staged a remarkable comeback, notching six consecutive victories. Their resurgence included a crucial win against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK).However, their hopes were dashed in the Eliminator match against Rajasthan Royals. The match was marred by an incident outside the stadium, where a video emerged on social media showing a man wearing an RCB jersey assaulting a group of individuals, one of whom was wearing a CSK jersey. The authenticity of the video remains unverified.The rivalry between RCB and CSK fans has intensified since RCB eliminated CSK from the tournament. Former CSK player Ambati Rayudu has been particularly vocal in his criticism of RCB. After their elimination, Rayudu took to social media to troll the franchise, stating that "only passion and celebration don't win you the title."Rayudu's comments sparked a war of words between former players of both sides. Rayudu later clarified that his criticism was directed at RCB's management, not the fans. He emphasized that the franchise could have achieved greater success if they had prioritized team interests over individual milestones.Despite their disappointing season, RCB fans remain passionate about their team. They will be hoping for a stronger performance in the upcoming mega auction and a chance to finally break their IPL title drought.

Chennai Super Kings' Ambati Rayudu Mocks Royal Challengers Bangalore After IPL EliminationFormer Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Ambati Rayudu has taken a dig at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) following their elimination from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Rayudu's Instagram post, captioned "Just a kind reminder from the 5 time champions," featured CSK players gesturing the number 5, symbolizing their five IPL titles.Rayudu's post comes after RCB eliminated CSK from the tournament earlier in the season. However, the former India batter appeared to relish Bengaluru's exit from the competition.In a previous statement, Rayudu had criticized RCB's approach, saying, "If you talk about RCB, it shows that only passion and celebration don't win you trophies. You don't get the IPL trophy just by reaching the playoffs. Don't think you will win the trophy just by beating CSK."RCB skipper Faf du Plessis expressed pride in his team's effort despite their playoff exit. "With the dew coming, we felt we were short with the bat. Did think we were 20 runs shy of what was a good score. Credit to the boys - they fought really well. That's all you can ask for," du Plessis said."Also with the dew coming in. Extremely proud. Lot of teams - their wheels would've fallen off after 1 from 9. To come back like that, six games in a row, takes a lot of heart and character. We weren't special tonight in terms of pushing that extra 20 runs with the bat," he added.Rayudu's post has sparked a social media battle between fans of the two franchises. While some CSK supporters have praised Rayudu's humor, others have criticized him for being disrespectful.

Ambati Rayudu, a former Indian cricketer and current commentator, has witnessed the highs and lows of the Indian Premier League (IPL) firsthand. Last year, he celebrated Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) victory in the finals, but this year, he watched in dismay as his former team was eliminated from the tournament.Rayudu's emotions were evident in a viral video where he sat with his face buried in his hands, unable to believe CSK's defeat. "I'm an emotional being," he admits. "I've always wanted things to be fair and fought for what I believe is right."Despite his disappointment, Rayudu remains passionate about cricket. He enjoys his new role as a commentator, even though he initially had doubts about his ability to speak publicly. "I didn't know if I would be good at it, because I hardly spoke during my playing days," he says. "But I love discussing cricket with friends and family."Rayudu believes that the IPL has brought the game closer to fans, making them more knowledgeable about T20 cricket and identifying with the players. He also credits the league for identifying and nurturing talent, giving opportunities to players who might not have been noticed otherwise.Rayudu's connection to Chennai runs deep. He played under-13 cricket there and has fond memories of the city. "I have played a lot of junior cricket and then Ranji Trophy at Chepauk," he says. "I have enjoyed the food, people, and have always felt very emotionally close to people from Chennai."Rayudu's involvement in cricket extends beyond the field. He has dabbled in politics and actively supported actor and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan in the recent election season. He hopes to play an active role in public life in the future. "I believe sport can be a unifying factor in bringing people together," he says. "I believe equal opportunities should be available; I have suffered in the past due to a lot of factors. I hope that a player, even without any godfather, should be able to play the sport just based on his or her talent."

Former Indian batsman Ambati Rayudu believes that MS Dhoni's IPL career is not over yet and urges the BCCI to retain the impact player rule to facilitate Dhoni's continued participation in the tournament.Chennai Super Kings' hopes of reaching the playoffs were dashed after a 27-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore on Saturday. Dhoni's team needed 17 runs in the final over to qualify, but RCB bowler Yash Dayal held his nerve to secure the victory.Rayudu, who played alongside Dhoni at CSK, believes that Dhoni is not ready to retire. "I don't think this is his last game. I just don't see him wanting to end on this note," Rayudu said. "He looked a little frustrated, even when he got out. That's very unlike MS Dhoni, he just wanted to qualify and finish on a high. But you never know with MS Dhoni, he might come back next year."Rayudu also highlighted the importance of the impact player rule in keeping Dhoni involved. "With the impact player role as well, it gives him the opportunity to be able to come in those last few overs and truly make that impact," Rayudu said. "BCCI better not remove the impact player role because we still want to see MS Dhoni play. So, it's up to BCCI now. Do we want to see MS Dhoni play or not."Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden also commented on Dhoni's performance, noting that while his physical abilities may be diminishing, his leadership and cricketing knowledge remain invaluable. "As a leader, he is The Thala of the Chennai Super Kings. This is telling me that nothing here is about becoming anything else other than first place. He's desperately using his brains, all of that cricket knowledge," Hayden said.Despite the disappointment of the loss, RCB continued their impressive run of form with their sixth consecutive win, securing a place in the playoffs.