Cricket

England's white-ball woes have been well-documented since their disappointing World Cup semi-final exit in 2023. With a new era dawning under Brendon McCullum, the T20I series against West Indies presents an opportunity for redemption.Jos Buttler, who missed the recent ODI series due to injury, will make his long-awaited return as captain. His presence will provide stability and experience to a squad that has been plagued by inconsistency. England's batting lineup boasts the likes of Liam Livingstone, Will Jacks, and Dan Mousley, who will look to provide fireworks.West Indies, too, have their own scars from the T20 World Cup, where they failed to reach the semi-finals despite strong form. They have since regrouped and will be eager to prove their worth against a formidable England side. The return of Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, and Shimron Hetmyer will bolster their batting lineup, while Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie will provide spin options.The series will be played at Kensington Oval, a high-scoring venue that favors both batters and bowlers. The weather forecast predicts a hot day with a chance of showers, which could add an element of unpredictability.England will be keen to start their white-ball rebuild on a positive note, while West Indies will be determined to show that they remain a force to be reckoned with in the shortest format. The series promises to be a fascinating contest between two teams with a point to prove.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are set to undergo a significant roster overhaul ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. The franchise is unlikely to retain their title-winning captain Shreyas Iyer and star all-rounder Andre Russell.Instead, KKR is expected to retain four players: Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, and uncapped fast bowler Harshit Rana. Mitchell Starc, who was acquired for a record INR 24.75 crore in the IPL 2024 auction, is also unlikely to be retained.The possibility exists that KKR may retain a second uncapped player in Ramandeep Singh, an explosive lower-middle order batter. However, this would leave them with only one right-to-match option at the auction, which could limit their ability to reacquire Iyer, Russell, or Starc.The deadline for franchises to submit their list of retained players is October 31. Teams are allowed to retain up to six players, with a maximum of five capped internationals and two uncapped players. While the IPL has set minimum deductions from the auction purse for each retained player, franchises are free to pay more or less than those amounts.KKR's decision to release Iyer and Russell marks a significant shift in their strategy. Iyer led the team to the IPL title in 2024, while Russell has been a key contributor since joining the franchise in 2014.Among the players retained, Narine, Rinku, and Varun have all played vital roles for KKR in recent seasons. Narine, the Most Valuable Player in 2024, provides explosiveness at the top of the order and is a wicket-taking threat. Varun has been the team's most successful bowler in the last two seasons, while Rinku has emerged as a promising young batter.Rana is a rising fast bowler who is part of India's Test squad for the upcoming tour of Australia. Ramandeep's performances in the IPL and domestic cricket earned him a spot in India's squad for the recent Emerging Players Asia Cup.

With the IPL 2025 mega auction retention deadline approaching on October 31, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are facing a dilemma regarding the retention of their title-winning captain, Shreyas Iyer. Sources have revealed that Iyer's retention status is uncertain, with other players emerging as strong contenders for retention.Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, the West Indies duo, have been instrumental in KKR's success as all-rounders. Narine's spin bowling and Russell's power-hitting have been crucial for the team. Middle-order batter Rinku Singh, who has been with KKR since 2018, has proven to be a valuable find as a finisher.Wrist-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has been a key figure in KKR's spin attack, picking up 21 wickets in IPL 2024 with an impressive economy rate of 8.04. His performances have earned him a recall to the Indian team for the T20Is against Bangladesh and South Africa.Uncapped fast-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana has also impressed in recent seasons, picking up 19 wickets in IPL 2024. His recent call-up to the Indian team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series further enhances his value.While Iyer led KKR to their third IPL title in 2024, scoring 351 runs in 14 innings, his retention status is in doubt. If he enters the mega auction pool, franchises in need of a captain will have the opportunity to acquire his services.KKR's retention dilemma stems from the abundance of talent within their squad. Apart from the six players mentioned above, they also have Mitchell Starc, Phil Salt, Venkatesh Iyer, and Ramandeep Singh, who has been called up to the Indian team for the T20Is against South Africa.Under IPL retention rules, each team can retain a maximum of five capped players and two uncapped players. KKR will have to make tough decisions to finalize their retention list, balancing the need for experience and potential.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), reigning champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), face a challenging situation ahead of the upcoming season. The departure of Gautam Gambhir, Abhishek Nayar, and Ryan ten Doeschate to the Indian cricket team has left significant voids in the KKR dugout.While Dwayne Bravo has been appointed as mentor, the team still needs to fill the assistant coach and academy head positions. Additionally, the captaincy role remains uncertain.Shreyas Iyer, acquired by KKR for Rs 12.25 crore at the 2022 auction, is a potential candidate for the captaincy. However, the franchise is reportedly willing to retain him but not as their top retention.Andre Russell is the frontrunner for retention with a hefty price tag. The all-rounder was previously retained for Rs 12 crore and is likely to receive a substantial raise.If Iyer is not satisfied with his role in KKR, he could explore other options. Several teams, including Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, and Delhi Capitals, are in need of a captain, particularly an Indian one.Punjab Kings, with Ricky Ponting as head coach, may be interested in Iyer due to his successful partnership with Ponting at Delhi Capitals. Delhi Capitals could also consider Iyer, as Rishabh Pant has requested to step down as skipper.Last year, a section of the KKR camp favored Nitish Rana as captain in Iyer's absence. However, the franchise announced Iyer as captain before the tournament, raising eyebrows.KKR, co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan, advocates for a smaller auction and more Right to Match (RTM) options. They are likely to utilize this strategy at the upcoming auction.Other potential retention options for KKR include Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Mitchell Starc, and Varun Chakravarthy. The team's captaincy decision will be closely monitored by other franchises.

Andre Russell, the explosive West Indies all-rounder, has expressed his frustration and anger following a controversial incident during the eliminator match of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024. Russell, who represents the Trinbago Knight Riders, took to social media to vent his disappointment after his team's loss to the Barbados Royals.The match was marred by a floodlight failure with five balls remaining in the Trinbago Knight Riders' innings. The team was in a strong position at 168/3 after 19.1 overs when the lights went out. After a lengthy delay, the Royals were given a revised target of 60 runs from 30 balls using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.Russell's outburst on Instagram was filled with expletives, expressing his belief that his team had been "robbed." He criticized the timing of the floodlight failure, the revised target, and the Royals' subsequent victory."I'm not the person to come on the internet and voice my opinion, but this year CPL I feel robbed," Russell wrote. "This light situation was ry, lights came on just before the cut-off time is also ry, and then 60 off 30 balls is also a bigger ry."Russell's frustration stems from the fact that the Royals were able to chase down the revised target thanks to an explosive knock from David Miller, who scored a 17-ball fifty. The Trinbago Knight Riders felt that the revised target was unfair, given the circumstances of the floodlight failure.Russell's outburst highlights the growing frustration among players over the increasing number of rain-affected matches in T20 cricket. The use of DLS can often lead to controversial outcomes, as teams may be given targets that are perceived to be unfair.In addition to his frustration over the CPL incident, Russell also expressed his belief that most Caribbean players are "just not interested in playing Tests." He attributed this to the rise of T20 franchise cricket around the world, which has made red-ball cricket less appealing to young players.Russell's comments echo the concerns of many cricket experts who believe that the future of Test cricket is under threat from the popularity of T20 cricket. The shorter format offers players more financial opportunities and less physical demands, making it a more attractive option for many.

West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell has expressed outrage over the controversial floodlight situation that led to Trinbago Knight Riders' elimination from the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Eliminator against Barbados Royals.During the match, Knight Riders were in a commanding position at 168 for 3 in 19.1 overs when three of the six floodlights at the Providence Stadium in Guyana abruptly went off. The match was halted at 8.58pm, leaving players and fans in limbo.After nearly two hours of delay, the power was restored at 10.51pm, just 10 minutes before the cut-off time for a five-over match. Using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, the target for Royals was revised to 60 runs off five overs.South African power-hitter David Miller led Royals to a comfortable victory, blasting an unbeaten 17-ball 50 to seal the win with four deliveries to spare.Russell, who was batting on 20 when the lights went out, took to Instagram to vent his frustration. "Am not the person to come on the internet and voice my opinion but this year CPL I feel robbed," he wrote. "This light situation was ry lights came on just before the cut off time is also ry and then 60 off 30 balls is also a bigger ry."Knight Riders captain Kieron Pollard was more measured in his reaction, acknowledging that the umpires had informed the teams about the minimum overs needed for a result and the cut-off time. However, he expressed disappointment that the match could not be resumed under insufficient light."If the floodlights were not restored, then Knight Riders, based on their superior position on the points table, would have gone through," Pollard said. "But once the lights were back, I was always ready and willing to play within the rules of the game and did not mind the five-over match."Royals captain Rovman Powell admitted that his team was fortunate to advance. "We knew it was our game to lose; five over 60 runs, not very difficult," he said. "It was unfortunate for Knight Riders to be on the wrong side of luck."The Guyana Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) later issued a joint statement explaining that a technical fault in the underground cable supplying power to one of the floodlights caused the delay.

Dwayne Bravo's potential farewell match in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) was an emotional affair, with Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) teammates and fans paying tribute to the legendary all-rounder.Before the start of CPL 2024, Bravo had announced his retirement from the league. While he has played only two games this season, his appearance against Guyana Amazon Warriors at the Queen's Park Oval in Port-of-Spain could have been his last, according to teammate Andre Russell.Russell, who has played alongside Bravo for 130 matches, praised his impact on his own career. "Bravo has a lot to do with me being who I am today," Russell said. "He's helped me outthink batters and become a smarter bowler."TKR players and staff honored Bravo by wearing his No. 47 shirt and giving him a guard of honor before the match. Bravo contributed with a wicket and a catch, and during the innings break, he was driven around the stadium, signing balls for the crowd.Bravo is the most decorated player in the CPL, having won five titles, including three with TKR. He played a pivotal role in building the Trinidad franchise, bringing in international stars and supporting local talent.Kieron Pollard, TKR's current captain, acknowledged Bravo's contributions. "He's brought excellent cricketers of generations to the franchise and understood what's needed to build a cricket team," Pollard said.Russell, who returned from an ankle injury, made a significant impact with his 36 off 15 balls, helping TKR chase down 149. "It feels good to be back in the middle," Russell said. "I've been working hard with the support staff to get back on the park."Bravo's potential retirement from the CPL marks the end of an era for the league. His contributions as a player, captain, and mentor have left an indelible mark on the tournament and the sport of cricket in the Caribbean.

Andre Russell, a key member of the West Indies cricket team, will miss the upcoming three-match T20I series against South Africa due to a request for rest and recovery. The 36-year-old all-rounder has been a vital cog in the West Indies' recent successes, including their run to the Super Eight during the home World Cup in June.Russell's absence will be a significant blow to the West Indies, who are looking to rebuild after a disappointing World Cup campaign. However, the team will be bolstered by the return of spin-bowling all-rounder Fabian Allen, who missed the World Cup cut. Allen has been in impressive form, having recently won the Lanka Premier League (LPL) with Jaffna Kings.Another notable inclusion in the squad is all-rounder Matthew Forde, who has been picked with an eye on the 2026 T20 World Cup. Forde is a promising young player who can swing the new ball and hit sixes lower down the order. He has flourished under Daren Sammy at St Lucia Kings in the CPL.The West Indies will also be without Jason Holder, who has also been rested for the T20Is. Holder, who is the team's Test captain, will work closely with the CWI science and medicine team to manage his workload.Alzarri Joseph, who was West Indies' vice-captain during the T20 World Cup and missed the Tests against South Africa, will continue to take time off. The red-ball coach, Andre Coley, has emphasized the importance of rest and recovery for Joseph, who has a heavy workload.Opening batter Brandon King will also miss the series as he continues to recover from a side strain sustained during the World Cup. In his absence, Shai Hope could open the batting with Johnson Charles, while rookie Alick Athanaze could also get a chance at the top.Shimron Hetmyer, who didn't feature in a single game at the 2024 T20 World Cup, has retained his place in the squad. Hetmyer had last played a T20I for West Indies in December 2023."Facing a strong South Africa side is an excellent opportunity for our team to reset and refocus with our game plan," said Daren Sammy, West Indies' white-ball coach. "We have played them recently and had mixed results, so this should be an exciting and important series."

West Indies Cricketers Prioritize T20 Leagues Over Tests, Says Andre RussellAndre Russell, the explosive West Indian all-rounder, has shed light on the ongoing issue of premier West Indian cricketers opting out of Test matches in favor of lucrative T20 leagues around the world. Russell believes that the lack of interest in Tests stems from a shift in priorities rather than financial concerns."I don't think it's the money, I don't think money is the issue," Russell told Press Association. "Based on the amount of T20 and leagues around the world, I think a lot of players are just not interested in playing Tests."Russell's comments come amidst West Indies' struggles in the World Test Championship, where they currently languish at the bottom of the table. Despite a recent draw against South Africa, the team has been plagued by inconsistent performances and a lack of depth in the Test format.Russell, along with several other high-profile West Indian players, has been absent from the Test team in recent years, opting instead to participate in T20 leagues such as The Hundred. This has raised concerns about the future of Test cricket in the Caribbean."I'm always excited watching the other West Indian batters, especially when they're hitting boundary after boundary," Russell said. "As long as you can do well from contracts outside your nation I think they are going to grab that opportunity but everyone wants to play on the big stage."Russell believes that the allure of T20 leagues, with their shorter format and higher financial rewards, has made it difficult for players to commit to the rigors of Test cricket. He also acknowledges that the physical demands of Test cricket may not be suitable for all players."Red-ball cricket is not my cookie, I don't think my body will keep up with Test cricket," he said. "But those in the team at the moment are fit enough and taking on the challenge."Russell's comments highlight the challenges facing West Indies cricket as it grapples with the changing landscape of the sport. The team's struggles in Test cricket have raised questions about the future of the format in the Caribbean, while the popularity of T20 leagues has created a new set of priorities for players.