Cricket

The upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction is expected to witness an intense bidding war for wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emerging as potential frontrunners to secure his services.Rahul's consistent run-scoring record and leadership experience make him a highly sought-after commodity for teams seeking a reliable top-order batsman and potential captaincy material. His versatility and composure make him an ideal fit for franchises looking to strengthen their batting lineup.CSK and RCB, in particular, could benefit significantly from Rahul's ability to anchor the innings and provide stability. Both teams have a history of success in the IPL, and Rahul's addition could further bolster their title aspirations.Legendary Indian player Sunil Gavaskar believes that Rahul's hometown connection with Bengaluru could give RCB an edge in the bidding war. "I do believe that the two south franchises, Bengaluru as well as Chennai, will go for KL Rahul. Maybe even Hyderabad will go, but Bangalore is of course KL Rahul's hometown," Gavaskar said.Meanwhile, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed doubts about David Warner's prospects in the auction. Warner, known for his aggressive batting style, has seen his performances decline in recent years. Manjrekar believes that CSK, who released Devon Conway, may not be interested in bringing Warner into their plans.Manjrekar also raised concerns about Mohammed Shami's recent fitness issues, which could impact his price tag in the auction. "There will definitely be interest from teams, but given Shami's injury history — and this recent one took a significant amount of time to recover — there’s always a concern about a potential breakdown during the season," Manjrekar said.With substantial budgets and a need to fill key positions, CSK and RCB are expected to be among the most active teams in the upcoming auction. Rahul's availability will undoubtedly be one of the most closely watched storylines, and his eventual destination could have a major impact on the balance of power in the IPL.

The highly anticipated IPL 2025 mega auctions are set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on November 24-25. A total of 1574 players, including 320 capped players, 1,224 uncapped players, and 30 players from Associate Nations, will be up for grabs.Among the marquee players available in the auction are Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, and Mohammed Siraj. Rahul, who captained Lucknow Super Giants since 2022, was released by the franchise ahead of the auctions.Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) should target Rahul as a potential successor to MS Dhoni. CSK has retained Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, and Matheesha Pathirana, but Dhoni has been retained as an uncapped player."What all do they need? I feel they need a successor to Dhoni, a wicketkeeper-batter and it's great if they get an Indian. Everyone is saying, let me also say - he is more than 30 years old, is going to be a father very soon and everyone has written him off as well, so he is right for Chennai, that's KL Rahul. So they will definitely go for KL Rahul," Chopra said on his YouTube channel."We can't say for how long they will go but they will try to acquire him because the franchise still has Rs 55 crore to be spent. So if they can get an Indian like him, Ishan Kishan or Rishabh Pant for Rs 10-15 crore, they are going to try. They might think about Shreyas Iyer for some time because they will need Indian batters to bat in those conditions," he added.Other notable players in the auction include David Warner, Ben Stokes, Sam Curran, and Jofra Archer. The auction is expected to be a fiercely competitive affair, with teams looking to bolster their squads for the upcoming season.

Mumbai's 17-year-old prodigy Ayush Mhatre continues to impress, scoring a commanding second first-class century against Services in the Elite Group A Ranji Trophy match. His 116 off 149 balls, studded with 12 boundaries and three sixes, gave Mumbai a 13-run lead.Mhatre's rise has been meteoric. Earlier this season, he showcased his talent with a marathon innings of 176 against Maharashtra. His consistent performances have established him as a key player in Mumbai's batting lineup, and now, with his U-19 selection, he is on the cusp of greater opportunities.Mumbai's innings began on a shaky note in their response to Services' total of 240. However, Mhatre anchored the innings, combining aggression with composure. He found valuable support from Shreyas Iyer, who contributed 47 off 46 balls. Together, they stitched a crucial 109-run partnership in just 104 balls, helping Mumbai regain their footing.Meanwhile, Mumbai's pace bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur delivered an impressive performance, taking four wickets to wrap up Services' innings. Thakur, overlooked by the national selectors for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, showcased his grit with figures of 4 for 46 in 19 overs.Mhatre's performance has also caught the attention of the Indian Premier League (IPL) giants Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He has been approached by CSK for IPL trials and has expressed his interest in playing alongside legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni."Yes, I got a call from the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) talent scout team for the trials a few days back. I think I will go for the trials, but right now, my focus is on red-ball cricket. Since this is the last match of the first half of the Ranji Trophy season, I want to finish it on a high note," Mhatre said."I can't say if I will be picked in the auction, but yes if I get a chance to play in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings, I will try to be productive for the franchise. Playing alongside Mahendra Singh Dhoni is every youngster's dream and it will be a dream come true for me. I haven't met him yet, but let's see what happens," he added.Mhatre's rise is a testament to his talent and hard work. He is a player to watch out for in the future, and his potential is limitless.

Deepak Chahar, the Indian pacer, is eager for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to bid for him at the upcoming IPL auction. Chahar, who has been out of action since May due to an injury, has expressed his desire to don the yellow jersey once again.Chahar, who has represented CSK since the start of his IPL career, was not retained by the five-time champions ahead of the auction. However, he is confident that his skills will be valued in the current T20 landscape, where teams are scoring heavily in the Powerplay."I have proved how valuable I can be in limiting runs in that phase of the game," Chahar said. "I think they (CSK) will bid for me again. I would like to don the yellow jersey again and if not that, then I would want Rajasthan Royals to bid for me."Chahar has been dealing with injuries in recent years, including a stress fracture in the back and a quadriceps tear. He has spent 18 months in rehab in the last three years. However, he is now confident about his body and hopeful that the hard work he has put in will help him revive his career."I have worked really hard on my fitness and I am confident that I am back to my best," Chahar said. "I am eager to get back on the field and help my team win matches."

MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) icon, is set to return for his 18th season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2024. This confirmation comes amidst widespread speculation that the upcoming season would mark his final appearance.CSK has retained five players for the 2024 season, including Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, and Matheesha Pathirana. Notably, Dhoni has agreed to a significant salary cut, signing for Rs. 4 crore for the season. His retention falls under the 'uncapped player' category, following the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s reinstatement of a rule allowing teams to classify players as uncapped if they haven't represented India in over five years.CSK CEO Kasi Vishwanathan hinted at Dhoni's future, suggesting that the former Indian captain aims to end his career at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium. This aligns with Dhoni's 2021 statement during a CSK victory celebration, where he expressed his desire to play his last game in Chennai."As far as Mahi bhai (brother) is concerned, you know he keeps everything to himself. It comes out at the last moment only. Knowing the passion he has for CSK, and also knowing the following he has, and he also mentioned in one of the interviews that he'll play his last game in Chennai, we're hoping that he will continue as far as CSK is concerned. As long as MS wants to play, the doors are open. Knowing him, his commitment, and his dedication, I'm sure he'll always take the right decision," said Viswanathan.Dhoni, who led CSK since 2008, briefly joined Rising Pune SuperGiants in 2016 and 2017 before passing CSK's captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the 2024 season.

James Anderson, the legendary English pacer, has made a surprising move by registering for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. This marks the first time Anderson has entered the IPL auction, and his decision has sparked speculation about which franchise might be interested in acquiring his services.Anderson, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year, has set a base price of Rs 1.25 crore for the IPL 2025 mega auction, scheduled to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 24 and 25. However, Anderson has not played a T20 game since 2014, raising questions about whether any franchise will be willing to invest in him.Former England skipper Michael Vaughan believes that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) could be a potential destination for Anderson. CSK has a history of valuing new ball bowlers who offer swing, and Anderson's experience and skill in this area could make him an attractive option for the franchise."You mention James Anderson, I wouldn't be surprised if Jimmy Anderson ends up at Chennai Super Kings. You heard it here first. They are a team that like someone who can swing it in the first few overs. They had a swinger, be it Shardul Thakur. It would not surprise me if Jimmy Anderson ends up at Chennai," Vaughan said on Club Prairie Fire Podcast.Anderson himself has expressed his desire to continue playing cricket after retiring from Test cricket. "That's the whole point of going in the auction, I think, I want to play cricket again. Whether I get picked up or not is a different matter. There's definitely a feeling inside of me that I've got more to offer, in some shape or form," Anderson said on Sky Sports."So, however long down the line that might be, in whatever capacity that might be I'm not sure yet. But I'm really keen to play. I feel really fit, I've been bowling still, ticking over, so I feel like I'm in a good place and I'd love to have an opportunity to play somewhere," he added.It remains to be seen whether any IPL franchise will be willing to take a chance on Anderson, given his lack of recent T20 experience. However, his reputation as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time could make him an attractive proposition for teams looking to bolster their bowling attack.

Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting has heaped praise on MS Dhoni, the former Indian captain who continues to inspire with his performances for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Ponting, speaking on the latest episode of The ICC Review, lauded Dhoni's enduring legacy in the sport. He highlighted Dhoni's ability to bounce back from a difficult season two years ago and regain his impact on the game."I think it will be exactly the same now...they might not get him through the whole season. They might think about leaving him out for a game and resting him up here and there to make sure that they're getting the best out of him," Ponting said.As a two-time World Cup-winning captain himself, Ponting understands the challenges of balancing playing and mentoring roles. He believes Dhoni's experience and leadership are invaluable, even when he's not captaining or playing."Any team that he's in, whether he's captain or not, he's always going to be a mentor and a leader around that group, whether he's playing, whether he's sitting on the sidelines, that's just who he is...he's crucial to Chennai, for that leadership that he brings on and off the field," Ponting said.Despite recent injuries, Ponting believes Dhoni still brings an irreplaceable presence to the CSK team. He highlighted Dhoni's ability to evolve and remain impactful, a trait shared by many cricket legends."The best players are the ones that are able to maintain such a high level for a long time...for 10, 12, 14-year careers," he said on Dhoni's longevity.Ponting also acknowledged that while Dhoni's role has shifted over time, with him now batting later in the innings, he continues to make significant contributions to the team."He's actually batting the last 20 balls of an innings now but still showing that you can make a big impact on the game by doing that," Ponting said.

Chennai Super Kings Retain Key Players for IPL 2025Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have announced the retention of five key players ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 auction. The retained players include captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, legendary wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni, Sri Lankan speedster Matheesha Pathirana, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, and hard-hitting batsman Shivam Dube.The decision to retain these players reflects CSK's commitment to building a strong and competitive squad for the upcoming season. Gaikwad, who has emerged as one of the most promising young batsmen in the IPL, will continue to lead the team's batting charge. Dhoni, despite his advancing age, remains an integral part of the CSK setup, providing invaluable experience and leadership.Pathirana, who made a significant impact in his debut IPL season, will bolster CSK's bowling attack with his raw pace and wicket-taking ability. Jadeja, a versatile all-rounder, offers a balanced combination of batting, bowling, and fielding skills. Dube, known for his power-hitting, will add depth to the team's batting lineup.CSK's retention strategy aligns with the IPL regulations, which allow each franchise to retain up to six players, including a maximum of five capped cricketers. The team's decision to retain these five players suggests that they are confident in their abilities and believe they can contribute significantly to the team's success in the upcoming season.

Rishabh Pant's release from the Delhi Capitals has sparked a frenzy among IPL franchises eager to acquire the star wicket-keeper batter. However, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), despite being linked with Pant, faces challenges in securing his services due to financial constraints.CSK retained Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Matheesha Pathirana, and MS Dhoni ahead of the auction, leaving them with only one Right To Match (RTM) card. They are likely to use this card for opening batter Devon Conway.With just INR 55 crore remaining in their purse, CSK may struggle to compete for Pant, who is expected to fetch a fee of around INR 25 crore. The Super Kings have several areas to address, and spending such a significant amount on Pant could disrupt their balance.Other franchises with larger purses, such as Punjab Kings (INR 110.5 crore), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (INR 83 crore), and Lucknow Super Giants (INR 69 crore), are better positioned to sign Pant. Gujarat Titans (INR 69 crore) could also be in the race.Meanwhile, CSK could potentially reunite with Ravichandran Ashwin, who was released by the Rajasthan Royals. Ashwin has expressed his desire to play for his home franchise again, and this auction could provide an opportunity for that dream to be realized.