Cricket

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, remains an icon in the world of sports. Despite retiring from international cricket in 2020, Dhoni continues to captivate fans with his presence in the Indian Premier League (IPL).As the IPL 2024 season approaches, Dhoni has relinquished the captaincy of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to Ruturaj Gaikwad. This move signals the franchise's search for a successor to the veteran skipper.Recently, a heartwarming video emerged on social media, showcasing Dhoni's enduring popularity. The former CSK skipper delighted a fan by signing an autograph on his motorcycle. Such gestures underscore Dhoni's enduring connection with his admirers.However, speculation persists regarding Dhoni's future in the IPL. While the mega auction is scheduled for the upcoming months, the player has remained tight-lipped about his participation in IPL 2025.Earlier, reports surfaced that CSK had requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to reinstate the "uncapped player" rule. This rule would have allowed Dhoni to be retained at a lower price. However, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanath has denied these claims, stating that the franchise has not made such a request.Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Dhoni's legacy in the IPL remains secure. Under his leadership, CSK has emerged as one of the most successful franchises, winning five IPL titles, including the most recent one in 2023.Dhoni's contributions to Indian cricket are immeasurable. He led the team to victory in the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 Cricket World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy. His astute captaincy and exceptional wicketkeeping skills have earned him widespread admiration.As the IPL 2024 season unfolds, fans eagerly await Dhoni's next move. Whether he continues to play or decides to retire, his impact on the game of cricket will undoubtedly endure for generations to come.

Wasim Akram and Shaniera Celebrate 11th Wedding Anniversary with Love and HumorFormer Pakistani cricket legend Wasim Akram and his wife Shaniera Akram recently celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary on August 19th, 2024. The couple, known for their active social media presence, marked the occasion with a public declaration of love and appreciation, infused with their characteristic humor.Shaniera initiated the online celebration with a playful jab at her husband. She posted a hilarious, edited image of Wasim Akram on X (formerly Twitter), accompanied by a caption that blended lighthearted teasing with genuine affection."Happy anniversary to the love of my life @iamshaniera with you in my life I became better person you are that gift that keeps on giving not just to me but to everyone around you. Your positive energy is so infectious it lifts everyone around you and shines wherever you go. So I thank you and God almighty to have you in my life as my wife, partner and best," Akram wrote.To counterbalance the initial playful trolling, Shaniera later shared a more flattering, recent photograph of Wasim Akram, reiterating her love and emphasizing the importance of his enduring smile."While jokingly commenting on her husband's appearance, she expressed gratitude for his presence in her life and declared him her "world".Wasim Akram, widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in cricket history, retired from professional cricket in 2003. He holds numerous records, including being the first bowler to reach 500 wickets in One Day Internationals.The couple's anniversary celebration was met with an outpouring of love and well wishes from fans and fellow cricketers. Many commented on the couple's enduring bond and their ability to find humor in life's moments.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has witnessed a remarkable financial surge, earning a surplus of Rs 5120 crore from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. This represents a significant 116% increase compared to the Rs 2367 crore surplus generated in IPL 2022.The BCCI's total income from IPL 2023 amounted to Rs 11,769 crore, marking a substantial 78% year-on-year growth. However, the expenditure also increased by 66% to Rs 6648 crore, as per the BCCI's annual report for 2022-23.The primary drivers behind this financial growth were the new media rights and sponsorship deals. The new media rights deal, valued at Rs 48,390 crore for the 2023-27 cycle, commenced with IPL 2023. Disney Star secured the IPL TV rights for Rs 23,575 crore, while Jio Cinema acquired the digital rights for Rs 23,758 crore.Additionally, the IPL title rights were sold to Tata Sons for Rs 2500 crore. These lucrative deals have significantly boosted the BCCI's revenue streams.Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team has decided not to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The BCCI has requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to host India's matches in Sri Lanka or Dubai instead.This decision stems from the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. Since 2008, India has not participated in any cricket tournaments held in Pakistan. The last bilateral series between the two nations was held in India from December 2012 to January 2013.The Pakistan Cricket Board had proposed that India play all its matches in one city, reportedly Lahore. However, the BCCI has rejected this proposal, citing security concerns.

Australian cricket legend Steve Smith has dismissed any thoughts of retirement, despite being overlooked for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup. The 35-year-old recently signed a three-year deal with the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League (BBL), indicating his continued passion for the game.Smith's decision to join the Sixers suggests he intends to play at least four BBL matches this summer, fitting them in between the final Test against India and the tour of Sri Lanka. Despite his omission from the T20 World Cup squad, Smith remains committed to competing in all formats of cricket."I don't have any plans [to retire], I'm just enjoying playing at the moment," Smith told reporters. "I'm pretty relaxed and I'm looking forward to this summer."Smith's recent performances as an opener for Australia have been mixed. In the home summer against the West Indies and New Zealand, he averaged just 28.25 in eight innings. However, his career average of 56.97 suggests he is still a formidable batsman.The veteran batsman admitted that his teammates prefer him at number four, where he has spent most of his Test career. However, he emphasized that he is willing to bat anywhere for the team."I'm happy wherever and I'll bat anywhere for the team," Smith said. "For me it's just a position."Smith's future role in the Australian Test team remains uncertain. He is expected to play in the upcoming five-Test series against India, but it is unclear whether he will open the batting or return to his preferred position at number four.

Yuvraj Singh's Record Shattered: Samoa's Darius Visser Blasts 39 Runs in an OverIn a remarkable feat, Samoa's wicketkeeper-batsman Darius Visser has broken Yuvraj Singh's long-standing record of 36 runs in an over in a T20I. During the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional East Asia-Pacific Qualifier A match against Vanuatu, Visser unleashed a blistering assault on seamer Nalin Nipiko, smashing six sixes and three no-balls for a staggering 39 runs.Visser's onslaught began with three consecutive sixes off the first three balls of Nipiko's over. He continued his boundary-hitting spree with another six from the fourth legal delivery, propelling Samoa's total to a century. Despite Nipiko's attempt to contain Visser with a dot ball on the fifth delivery, the 28-year-old remained undeterred. He capitalized on the momentum, smashing another six from the third no-ball of the over. To cap off his remarkable performance, Visser concluded the over with yet another maximum, cementing his place in history as the first Samoan player to hit a century in international cricket.Visser's outstanding innings featured an impressive tally of 14 sixes, just four shy of the record for the most sixes hit by a single batter in a men's T20I match. His game-changing knock of 132 runs from a mere 62 deliveries proved to be the catalyst for Samoa's second victory in the tournament. This triumph kept their aspirations of qualifying for the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup edition alive and kicking.Visser's record-breaking feat has not only etched his name in the annals of cricket history but has also brought unprecedented attention to the sport in Samoa. His performance serves as an inspiration to young cricketers around the world, demonstrating that anything is possible with determination and hard work.

Karun Nair, the former Indian Test batsman, showcased his exceptional batting prowess in the Maharaja Trophy T20 tournament on Monday, smashing an unbeaten 124 off just 48 balls for the Mysore Warriors against the Mangalore Dragons.Batting first, Mysore got off to a slow start, reaching 61/2 in 8 overs. However, Nair, who joined skipper Samit Dravid at the crease, accelerated the innings, adding 36 runs in 21 balls. After Dravid's dismissal, Nair took charge, hitting boundaries at will.In the last 29 balls of the innings, Nair and Manoj Bhandage (31 not out off 14 balls) plundered 85 runs, leaving the Dragons bowlers helpless. Nair's innings included 13 fours and 9 sixes, with a staggering strike rate of 258.33.In response, the Dragons struggled to keep up with the Warriors' total, reaching only 138/7 in 14 overs before rain interrupted the match. Only wicketkeeper-batsman K Siddharth (50 off 27 balls) and Nikin Jose (32 off 21 balls) offered any resistance.Nair's blistering knock was a reminder of his talent and potential. The 31-year-old has played six Tests and two ODIs for India, but has not been able to cement his place in the national team. However, his performance in the Maharaja Trophy suggests that he is still a force to be reckoned with.The Warriors' victory was their second in the tournament, while the Dragons suffered their first defeat. The tournament, which features eight teams from Karnataka, is a platform for young and talented players to showcase their skills.

Jalal Yunus, a former fast bowler and prominent sports organizer, has resigned from his position as a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director and chairman of the cricket operations committee. This move comes after the National Sports Council (NSC), the governing body for 41 sports organizations in Bangladesh, requested his resignation.Yunus's resignation is part of a broader effort by the NSC to reform sports federations in the country, including the BCB. The NSC's new sports adviser, Asif Mahmud, has called for a politics-free sporting arena, a departure from the BCB's history of political influence.Yunus, who played professionally in the 1980s, has been involved in cricket administration since the late 1990s. He has held various key roles within the BCB since 2009, including his most recent position as cricket operations head.In his resignation statement, Yunus expressed his support for the NSC's efforts to improve cricket governance. "I have resigned for the greater interest of cricket," he said. "I am all for cricket running properly and correctly."Meanwhile, Ahmed Sajjadul Alam, another NSC-nominated director in the BCB, has declined the board's request to step down. Alam, a veteran sports organizer and current chairman of the BCB's tournament committee, stated that the NSC should make the decision regarding his position.The NSC is expected to nominate a replacement for Yunus as their director in the BCB. Faruque Ahmed, a former Bangladesh captain and two-time chief selector, is reportedly the likely candidate.The BCB, which oversees Bangladesh's most popular sport, has been criticized for its political connections in recent years. The board has included members of parliament, former MPs, and relatives of the country's prime minister.The NSC's move to reform the BCB is seen as a step towards creating a more transparent and accountable sports administration in Bangladesh.

The Hundred, the ECB's flagship T20 competition, has completed its fourth season, albeit with mixed results. While the women's tournament continues to thrive, the men's competition has faced challenges, including declining scoring rates and crowd numbers.The ECB's main goal for the 2024 season is to consolidate the Hundred's position and prove its concept. They hope to attract investors for hospitality suites during the finals weekend, despite the competition's overall decline in attendance.Official figures show a 7% drop in ticket sales, with most of the decline occurring outside of London. Lord's and The Oval accounted for nearly half of the Hundred's total attendance, highlighting the importance of these venues.Despite the challenges, the ECB remains optimistic about the Hundred's future. They cite record-breaking attendances at women's fixtures and believe the competition has significantly boosted the women's game.The cricket itself has been a mixed bag. The men's competition suffered from clashes with other tournaments and the absence of key players like Jos Buttler. A decline in scoring rates, due to swing-friendly balls and heavy investment in bowling, has also been a concern.However, the success of Oval Invincibles, who have won back-to-back titles, has provided a positive narrative for the men's tournament. In the women's game, Welsh Fire's resurgence and Southern Brave's struggles have added intrigue.The Hundred's overlap with Major League Cricket led to some farcical one-match signings, such as Mohammad Amir's brief appearance. However, the women's competition has proven that investment can attract top players, with Meg Lanning and Ash Gardner making their Hundred debuts.Despite the presence of overseas stars, the quality of domestic players remains crucial for the Hundred's success. England player availability is also important, and Ben Stokes' injury was a significant setback.The imminent sale of the Hundred's franchises means the future of the competition is uncertain. However, the ECB is confident that the Hundred can achieve its goals of accelerating the growth of the women's game and attracting new fans to cricket.

The World Cricketers' Association (WCA) has initiated a comprehensive review of the global cricket structure, aiming to address the increasingly fragmented and congested calendar. The review is driven by players' concerns and seeks to find solutions to the challenges facing the sport.The WCA, formerly known as FICA, has expressed frustration with the lack of a coherent structure that allows international cricket and domestic leagues to coexist harmoniously. The review will examine three key areas:1. Scheduling Model: The current scheduling model is deemed "broken and unsustainable," forcing players to choose between representing their countries and maximizing their earning potential. The review will explore alternative scheduling options that provide clarity and balance.2. Economic Disparity: The growing economic disparity between cricket boards is a concern, with a few wealthy boards funding the majority of the game. The review will investigate ways to distribute revenue more equitably and support the development of smaller cricket nations.3. Player Employment and Contracts: The lack of a clear global calendar makes it difficult to regulate player contracts and employment transnationally. The review will seek to establish guidelines and standards to ensure fairness and transparency.The review will be led by a six-member group headed by former Australian Cricketers' Association chief Paul Marsh. The group includes former Pakistan captain Sana Mir, former FICA chief Tony Irish, former ECB CEO Tom Harrison, and Sanjog Gupta, Head of Sports at Disney Star.The group will consult with various stakeholders, including players, administrators, and franchise owners, before presenting recommendations to the WCA board and the wider cricket community. The aim is to produce recommendations by the end of the year, although this is not a strict deadline.The WCA represents players from 16 different member associations, including Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa. The BCCI and PCB are the only major Full Members without representation in the WCA, as they do not have active player associations.The WCA believes that change is essential to create clarity and value for players, boards, and fans. The review is a significant step towards addressing the challenges facing cricket and shaping its future.