Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) retention deadline of October 31st has passed, revealing a list of prominent players who will enter the auction pool for the 2025 season. These notable absentees include:Rishabh Pant: The star Indian wicketkeeper-batsman has been released by the Delhi Capitals, ending his eight-year stint with the franchise. Pant's absence is a significant surprise, given his status as one of the most dynamic players in the league.KL Rahul: The former Lucknow Super Giants skipper has parted ways with the franchise after three seasons. Rahul led LSG to two playoff appearances and is expected to be a highly sought-after player in the auction.Mitchell Starc: The veteran Australian pacer was not retained by the Kolkata Knight Riders despite his impressive performance in the 2024 season. Starc's release is a testament to the competitive nature of the IPL auction.Arshdeep Singh: The left-arm pacer has been released by the Punjab Kings after a consistent run in India's T20I team. Arshdeep's 19 wickets in the 2024 IPL season highlight his value as a reliable bowler.Shreyas Iyer: The former Kolkata Knight Riders captain has been released after leading the team to the IPL title in 2024. Iyer's omission is a setback for the player, who was also left out of the BCCI's contracted players list earlier this year.Ishan Kishan: The big-hitting wicketkeeper-batsman has been released by the Mumbai Indians due to the franchise's retention of five capped players. Kishan's absence is a blow to MI, who have relied heavily on his explosive batting in recent seasons.Jos Buttler: The England white-ball captain has been released by the Rajasthan Royals despite his impressive run as an opener. Buttler's 359 runs in 11 matches in 2024 were not enough to convince the Royals to retain him.Glenn Maxwell: The Australian batting all-rounder has been released by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru after a disappointing 2024 season. Maxwell's failure to live up to expectations has led to his omission from the franchise's retained players list.Mohammed Siraj: The Indian pacer has been released by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru after taking 15 wickets in 14 matches in 2024. Siraj's release is a sign of the competitive nature of the IPL auction.Mitchell Marsh: The Australian T20I captain has been released by the Delhi Capitals after playing just four matches in the 2024 season. Marsh's injury-plagued campaign has contributed to his omission from the franchise's retained players list.These high-profile releases have set the stage for an exciting IPL auction, where teams will compete fiercely to acquire the services of these talented players.

Arshdeep Singh, the young left-arm pacer, has emerged as a vital cog in India's T20I setup since his debut in 2022. His impressive performances have propelled him to the cusp of a significant milestone in the ongoing series against Bangladesh.With 86 wickets in 52 T20Is, Arshdeep is poised to surpass two legendary Indian bowlers in the T20I wicket-taking charts. After his three-wicket haul in the first T20I in Gwalior, he is just three wickets away from equaling Jasprit Bumrah's tally of 89 wickets in 70 T20Is. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, with 90 wickets from 87 T20Is, is also within reach.If Arshdeep maintains his current form, he could become India's second-highest T20I wicket-taker by the end of the series. Only Yuzvendra Chahal, with 96 wickets in 80 matches, stands ahead of him. Notably, all of India's top five T20I wicket-takers are still active, highlighting the depth of talent in the team.Arshdeep's rise has been meteoric. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace has made him a potent weapon in the powerplay and death overs. His consistency and ability to deliver under pressure have earned him the trust of the Indian team management.As India aims to clinch the series against Bangladesh, all eyes will be on Arshdeep to see if he can surpass these modern-day greats. Currently fifth among India's highest T20I wicket-takers, he trails his teammate Hardik Pandya, who has 87 wickets.India's next two matches are scheduled to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi (9 October) and Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad (12 October). Arshdeep will have ample opportunities to etch his name in the history books and further cement his status as one of India's most promising young bowlers.

Arshdeep Singh, the rising star of Indian cricket, has emerged as a leader within the pace attack. His sage counsel to debutant Mayank Yadav during the first T20I against Bangladesh in Gwalior is a testament to his growing stature.Arshdeep's journey to the top has been meteoric. Just two years ago, he was a newcomer to the international scene. Today, he is a key figure in India's white-ball setup, renowned for his death-over prowess. His ability to execute a mix of pace variations and pinpoint yorkers has made him a formidable force.Arshdeep's crowning moment came in Barbados, where he bowled a miserly 19th over to scuttle South Africa's chase in the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup final. The World Cup title, a lifelong dream for many, was achieved in quick time.Despite his rapid ascent, Arshdeep remains grounded. "I don't know how quickly these last two years have gone. I just try to enjoy and stay in the present," he said.The 25-year-old is also embracing new challenges. Last month, he featured in the long-format Duleep Trophy for India 'D'. A nine-wicket match-haul against India 'B' proved to be a highlight. Arshdeep's dismissal of India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav twice in that game showcased his versatility.While it is too early to suggest that Arshdeep is ready for Test duty, his experience bowling long spells with the red ball was invaluable. "Playing red ball cricket teaches you patience. In T20s, you don't need patience. I want to do my best in all formats wherever I get the opportunity," Arshdeep said.Arshdeep's rise to prominence is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He is a role model for aspiring cricketers, demonstrating that anything is possible with determination and perseverance.

Arshdeep Singh, the T20 World Cup-winning left-arm pacer, believes in living in the present and not dwelling on the past or future. Despite making his debut just two years ago, the 25-year-old has already played 55 T20Is, including two World Cups."I'm enjoying my game and didn't even realize how these two years flew by. I just try and stay in the present, enjoy the highs and lows, that's my focus," Arshdeep said ahead of the second T20I against Bangladesh.Arshdeep's mantra is to live in the moment. "Today is my rest day so I will enjoy my rest today. Kal ka kal dekhenge (Will think about tomorrow when it comes). The T20 World Cup is two years away, very far. I don't think much about the future," he added.The Punjab bowler has been making a case for his first Test cap but is unwilling to discuss it. He developed his red-ball skills in county cricket last season and recently put on an outstanding performance in the Duleep Trophy."I want to do my best in all the formats wherever I get the opportunity," he said.Arshdeep believes that playing in different formats helps players adapt to various conditions and improve their skills. "It gives opportunity to the players to explore their skills. How he can take wickets in different ways, how to absorb pressure," he said.The second game of the series is anticipated to be a high-scoring contest, with the hosts leading 1-0. Teams reached the 200-run mark eight times in the five IPL games played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium earlier this year."We (Punjab Kings) didn't have a match here in the IPL this season but seeing the scores at this ground, I didn't feel like seeing the wicket. We will come tomorrow and assess the conditions and make plans accordingly. The coach and captain will check the wicket and tell us the plan," Arshdeep said.

Bangladesh's T20I series opener against India on Sunday exposed their batting deficiencies, as they failed to provide their bowlers with a competitive total to defend. The visitors' struggles with the bat were evident from the outset, as they managed a meager 39/2 after the powerplay.Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto acknowledged the team's shortcomings, particularly in the powerplay. "We didn't start well. In T20, the first six overs are important, but we didn't do well," he said. "The plan was to play positive cricket, but we had to manage some overs and how we wanted to approach it. Looks like we didn't have much plan."Bangladesh's tepid batting performance was compounded by India's aggressive approach with the ball. Arshdeep Singh's early strikes put the visitors on the back foot, and the Indian bowlers maintained the pressure throughout the innings.Mehidy Hasan Miraz's late cameo of 35* runs provided some respite for Bangladesh, but it was not enough to propel them to a competitive total. India's openers, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, made light work of the chase, reaching the target with more than eight overs to spare.Shanto emphasized the need for a more proactive approach in the second T20I. "We need to focus on rotating the strike. T20 is not only about hitting. If we keep wickets in hand, we can get a good score," he said. "We didn't score many runs. Rishad bowled well, and Fizz was also good, but we didn't have enough runs."Bangladesh's batting woes have been a recurring theme in recent times, and they will need to find a solution quickly if they want to compete against India in the remaining matches of the series.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has outlined the retention rules for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. Franchises can retain a maximum of six players, with the Right-To-Match (RTM) option available. The retention costs are set at Rs 18 crore for the first priority, Rs 14 crore for the second, Rs 11 crore for the third, Rs 18 crore for the fourth, and Rs 14 crore for the fifth. Uncapped players can be retained for Rs 4 crore.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has questioned whether Punjab Kings (PBKS) has any players worth retaining for Rs 18 crore. He believes that the franchise may release several English players, including Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow, and Chris Woakes, due to the arrival of new coach Ricky Ponting.Chopra advises PBKS to release left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh and use the RTM card to retain him at the auction. He believes that no Indian fast bowler, except for Jasprit Bumrah, is likely to fetch Rs 18 crore at the auction.

India D emerged victorious in the final round of the Duleep Trophy 2024-25, securing a 257-run triumph over India B in Anantapur. The victory was largely attributed to Arshdeep Singh's career-best first-class performance, where he claimed 6 for 40 in India B's second innings.Chasing a daunting target of 373, India B's batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of Arshdeep's relentless pace and Aditya Thakare's accurate swing bowling. The duo shared all ten wickets, with Arshdeep dismissing the dangerous Suryakumar Yadav for a mere 16.Nitish Kumar Reddy provided some resistance for India B, remaining unbeaten on 40, but his efforts were in vain as Arshdeep fittingly wrapped up the innings with the final wicket before tea on the fourth day.Ricky Bhui, who was named Player of the Match, played a pivotal role in India D's victory. His unbeaten 119 in the second innings, coupled with his 56 in the first, helped extend India D's lead after they had stumbled to 18 for 3.Bhui's century, his 20th in first-class cricket, was a testament to his resilience and determination. India D's victory was a fitting end to a tournament that showcased the depth of talent in Indian domestic cricket.

On the second day of the Duleep Trophy final round robin league match, India D established a commanding position over India B, thanks to Sanju Samson's century and Arshdeep Singh's impressive bowling performance.India D resumed their first innings at 306 for 5, with Samson continuing his impressive form. The talented batsman reached his 11th first-class hundred, scoring 106 off 101 deliveries, including 12 boundaries and three sixes. However, India D's innings ended shortly after Samson's milestone, with the last five wickets falling for 43 runs. Delhi speedster Navdeep Saini was the wrecker-in-chief, claiming 5 for 74 in 18.3 overs.In response, India B began their innings cautiously, with skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran leading the charge. Easwaran, who had scored a century in the previous game, notched up his 25th first-class hundred, a 170-ball knock adorned with 13 fours and a six. However, India B's progress was halted by Arshdeep Singh, who returned for his second spell with a slightly older SG Test ball.Arshdeep struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Musheer Khan and Nitish Reddy cheaply. He then accounted for the prized wicket of Suryakumar Yadav, who had been eagerly anticipated by the crowd. With India B reeling at 100 for 5, Easwaran and Washington Sundar (39 batting) steadied the ship, adding 105 runs for the sixth wicket.However, Easwaran's dismissal towards the end of the day, caught behind off Aditya Thakare, left India B in a precarious position at 210 for 6. The match remains evenly poised heading into the third day, with India B needing to bat cautiously to avoid a heavy defeat.

India D vs India A: Shreyas Iyer's Team Opts to Bowl FirstIn a crucial encounter between India D and India A, India D captain Shreyas Iyer made the decision to bowl first after winning the toss. The match serves as a platform for players to showcase their skills and potentially earn a spot in the national Test squad.Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who has been included in the India A team, has a lot to prove in this match. His performance in red-ball cricket will be closely scrutinized as he aims to enhance his credentials. Similarly, Devdutt Padikkal and Sanju Samson, who were notably absent from India D's playing eleven against India C, will be eager to make an impact.Shreyas Iyer, the captain of India D, is another player who has been sidelined from the Test squad. A strong performance in this match could potentially bring him back into contention for national selection.Mayank Agarwal, who last played a Test match in March 2022, is captaining the India A unit. He will be looking to score a significant number of runs to regain his place in the national team. The emergence of Shubman Gill has led to Agarwal being overlooked for the Test squad, but a dominant performance in this match could change that.The match between India D and India A is a crucial opportunity for players to showcase their talent and stake their claim for a spot in the national Test squad. The performances of Arshdeep Singh, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, and Mayank Agarwal will be closely monitored as they aim to impress the selectors.