Cricket

Cricket's Olympic Return Faces Venue Challenges, May Move Outside Los AngelesCricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has hit a snag, with organizers struggling to find a suitable venue within the city limits. LA28 Chairman Casey Wasserman announced that if a viable location in Los Angeles cannot be secured, the sport may be staged outside the city.Wasserman emphasized the need for a large footprint to accommodate cricket's requirements. He stated that organizers are exploring all options to find the best possible venue that will maximize the sport's success.Recent reports suggest that New York is a potential candidate to host cricket at Nassau County Stadium on Long Island. The venue successfully hosted matches during the 2022 T20 Cricket World Cup, impressing Olympic officials.Staging cricket in New York would also enhance its commercial appeal, as daytime matches would coincide with prime time in major cricket markets like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.LA28 has already decided to relocate softball and canoe slalom to Oklahoma, demonstrating their willingness to move events outside of California.The International Olympic Committee's coordination commission is currently visiting Los Angeles to assess the city's preparations for the 2028 Games. The commission will provide feedback and recommendations to help organizers finalize venue plans.Cricket's inclusion in the Olympics marks a significant milestone for the sport, which last appeared at the Games in 1900. Its return is expected to generate excitement and attract a global audience.

India's stand-in head coach V.V.S. Laxman has praised his team's fearless approach in the ongoing T20I series against South Africa. India currently leads the four-match series 2-1, with the final match scheduled to be played later today at the Wanderers.Laxman believes that the team's fearless attitude has been a key factor in their success. "What we have seen in these three matches is the fearless approach of this team," he said during a reception hosted for the Indian team in Johannesburg.Laxman also emphasized the importance of entertaining the fans along with winning matches. "During any tours to any foreign country, we play and try to entertain the crowd. And we always feel that we are playing at home," he said.The Indian team has received tremendous support from the Indian community in South Africa. Laxman acknowledged this support, saying, "The reason for that is all the wonderful fans of the Indian cricket team – the diaspora of India who settled down in various countries but still love the Indian team and the Indian cricketers."Skipper Suryakumar Yadav echoed Laxman's sentiments, saying, "It's always good to meet the Indian community when we come away from home. It makes us feel like we are at home."Indian Consul General Mahesh Kumar highlighted the long-standing cricket relations between India and South Africa, dating back over a century. He expressed hope that the two countries would continue to collaborate in the future.Chairman of Cricket South Africa Pearl Maphoshe made a plea for the Indian squad to return to South Africa in 2025. "We cannot have enough of Indian teams in South Africa. We really love you," he said.

Krishnan Shrijith's First Class debut for Karnataka against Uttar Pradesh was a bittersweet moment. While he celebrated a remarkable century, the absence of his late father weighed heavily on his heart.Shrijith's father had always been a source of inspiration, urging him to work hard and never give up. His words echoed in Shrijith's mind as he faced the daunting task of rescuing Karnataka from a precarious position.With the team reeling at five for two, Shrijith stepped up to the plate and played a gritty innings. He faced 125 deliveries, hitting 14 boundaries and two sixes. His century not only helped Karnataka recover but also marked a significant milestone in his career.Shrijith's success is a testament to his determination and the guidance he received from his father. He credits the Maharaja T20 Trophy for preparing him for the challenges of First Class cricket. The tournament's high-intensity games and demanding schedule helped him develop mental resilience and adaptability.As Shrijith looks to cement his place in the Karnataka team, his century has raised hopes that he could be the answer to their wicketkeeper-batter conundrum. His ability to combine solid batting with reliable wicketkeeping skills makes him a valuable asset.Shrijith's journey is a reminder of the power of perseverance and the importance of having a strong support system. His father's legacy will continue to inspire him as he strives to achieve greater heights in the sport.

Debutants Krishnan Shrijith and Yashovardhan Parantap played pivotal roles as Karnataka tightened their grip on Uttar Pradesh in their Ranji Trophy encounter at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.Shrijith, resuming on 68, played a composed innings, reaching his maiden century off 125 balls. He was ably supported by Parantap, who contributed a gritty 118-ball half-century. The duo's partnership of 61 for the seventh wicket helped Karnataka extend their first-innings lead to 186 runs.Uttar Pradesh's bowlers struggled to contain the lower order, with three defiant partnerships contributing to Karnataka's total. Skipper Aryan Juyal and Madhav Kaushik led the hosts' fightback in the second innings, but Karnataka's bowlers kept them in check.Shrijith's century was a testament to his patience and determination. He weathered a barrage of short balls from Shivam Mavi and Aaqib Khan, and played with a solid technique. Parantap, on the other hand, showed maturity beyond his years, exhibiting a precocious grit that belied his 20 years.The match is poised for an exciting finish, with Uttar Pradesh needing to bat aggressively to chase down a challenging target. Karnataka, on the other hand, will be looking to capitalize on their advantage and secure a crucial victory.

Former Australian all-rounder Brendon Julian has predicted a resounding victory for the hosts in the upcoming first Test against India, scheduled to commence on November 22 in Perth. Julian's bold prediction stems from India's recent struggles, particularly their humiliating defeat at the hands of New Zealand earlier this month.Julian believes that India's captaincy woes, with Rohit Sharma likely to miss the first Test due to personal reasons, could further hinder their chances. He suggests that Jasprit Bumrah, who is set to lead the team in Sharma's absence, may face additional pressure that could impact his bowling performance."The Aussies will clean up India in 4 days," Julian asserted. "There are worrying signs for India, straight at the top. Rohit Sharma is not playing the first Test; he has come out and said that. So Jasprit Bumrah will captain the side. Now that's a lot of pressure when you're the opening bowler. He is a wonderful bowler; no doubt about that. But all of a sudden when you're opening the bowling and captaining the side, that's a whole different ball game."Julian also expressed concerns about Virat Kohli's form, suggesting that the star batter is not in sync with Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir. "The way that Virat Kohli got out against New Zealand - for him to get out like that in that Test series was unbelievable. Kohli is not at his best. He is not gelling with the captain probably and the coach but having said that, he can quickly turn it around. But if they start pulling in Perth, I reckon it'll be all over," he added.Kohli's presence in Australia has always generated significant buzz, but this series holds immense importance for him. It is viewed as a make-or-break phase in his illustrious career, with the former Indian captain under pressure to regain his form and secure his spot in the Test team amid a potential transition phase.Kohli's current form is a cause for concern. In 19 international matches this year, the 80-time centurion has managed to score only 488 runs at an average of 20.33, with just two half-centuries in 25 innings and a highest score of 76. His struggles in Test cricket have been particularly troubling, given his past dominance in the format.

IPL Mega Auction: BCCI Unveils Two Marquee Player ListsAhead of the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a significant change in the bidding process. The auction, scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will feature two sets of marquee players, each comprising 8-9 individuals.This move marks a departure from the previous mega-auction in 2022, which utilized only one marquee list. However, it aligns with the format employed in the 2018 and 2014 auctions.The marquee players are expected to include top-tier talent such as Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, R Ashwin, Mitchell Starc, and Jos Buttler. Notably, Ben Stokes, who would have been a marquee player, has opted out of this year's auction.Each marquee player will have a base price of INR 2 crore, which could potentially exhaust 30-50% of the total auction purse. Franchises are expected to secure at least two prominent players each, with an average cost of INR 20-25 crore. This could amount to INR 200-250 crore from the total purse of Rs 641.5 crore.It's important to note that franchises have already allocated Rs 558.5 crore of their permitted INR 1200 crore during recent retentions. The auction's trajectory will likely hinge on the bids placed for players in the first two sets, many of whom are expected to be sold.Punjab Kings, holding the largest available purse at INR 110.5 crore, are well-positioned to acquire top players. The BCCI will soon announce the precise bidding order and the marquee list. They recently distributed a register of 1,574 names, including 1,165 Indian players and 409 overseas players. This roster comprises 320 capped, 1224 uncapped, and 30 Associate players. Additionally, franchises have retained a total of 46 players.

Rinku Singh's recent batting performances have raised concerns for the Indian cricket team ahead of the crucial fourth T20I against South Africa. Despite centuries from Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma, India's batting has been inconsistent, and the team is seeking a more collective effort to clinch the series 3-1.Rinku, known for his exceptional T20 skills, has struggled in recent months. His batting position and use as a floater at numbers six and seven have not helped his cause. The Aligarh-born player has managed only 28 runs in three innings, with scores of 11, 9, and 8.While these scores may not seem alarming in isolation, the number of balls (34) Rinku has taken to score them is concerning. Even during the last IPL, he faced only 113 balls in 15 games for KKR, averaging 7.5 deliveries per game.As a specialist "finisher," Rinku is expected to face around 10 balls per innings. However, this strategy has eroded his confidence, leaving him caught between attacking and playing second fiddle.Most of Rinku's better performances have come when he has batted at number five. However, with Samson settling as an opener and Varma staking claim as a No. 3, it may be difficult for Rinku to be promoted ahead of Hardik Pandya.The team think-tank needs to address this issue promptly. India has used 12 out of their 15 players in the first three games, and it remains to be seen if one of the two uncapped pacers, Yash Dayal or Vysakh Vijaykumar, will make their debut if the pitch warrants an extra specialist speedster.For Samson, he will be eager to break his recent run of failures against Marco Jansen. In the final game, skipper Surya may consider Ramandeep Singh's steady medium pace as he offers multiple skills, including the ability to field at all positions except wicket-keeping.

England have extended their winning streak in the T20I series against West Indies, winning the toss for the third consecutive time and opting to bowl first in the third match at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia. The toss was delayed due to overnight rain, but Jos Buttler maintained his perfect record in the series by choosing to field.England, seeking an unassailable 3-0 lead, made one change to their lineup, bringing in Rehan Ahmed as the primary legspinner in place of Adil Rashid. West Indies, on the other hand, made three alterations, welcoming back Alzarri Joseph from suspension and replacing Matthew Forde and Sherfane Rutherford with Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer.The first two matches of the series have followed a similar pattern, with England restricting West Indies to modest totals and chasing them down comfortably. The conditions in Saint Lucia are expected to favor batters once again, with the floodlights and dew creating a conducive environment for run-scoring. However, the recent rains have left the outfield slightly damp and sluggish.England hold a slight historical advantage at this venue, having won both previous encounters here, including an eight-wicket victory in the T20 World Cup earlier this year. West Indies will be eager to turn their fortunes around and avoid a series sweep.

Former Australian pacer Brett Lee has urged Indian batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to reset their approach and focus on technical refinement ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Test series against Australia.Lee emphasized the importance of introspection and a return to basics for the two batters, who have struggled for form in recent Tests. "When you have a couple of bad runs back to back, that's when the pressure gets set in," Lee said. "They've just got to go back to the drawing board."Lee believes that Rohit and Kohli's tendency to be overly aggressive may have contributed to their poor performances. "I can't say there's a technical fault there because I've seen him play for the last decade," Lee said of Rohit. "But maybe he's a little bit too aggressive."Lee also warned that the Australian pacers would be targeting Rohit and Kohli with the new ball. "I can promise you the Australian fast bowlers will be attacking Rohit Sharma with that brand-new ball," he said.Lee advised the Indian batters to work on their technique, freshen up mentally, and hit the ground running in Australia. "They are champions because they do the basics better than anybody else," Lee said. "Then, just hit the reset button, almost."Rohit has managed only 588 runs in 11 Tests this year, while Kohli has accumulated 250 runs in six Tests. Both batters will be under immense scrutiny during the Border-Gavaskar series, which begins in Perth on December 17.