Cricket

IPL Mega Auction: Franchises Gear Up for Bidding FrenzyWith the highly anticipated IPL mega auction scheduled for November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, the 10 franchises are meticulously planning their strategies to acquire the world's top cricketing talent. Having already retained their core players, the franchises will now engage in intense bidding wars to build their teams.Premier Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, recently released by Rajasthan Royals, has added a touch of entertainment to the auction proceedings by conducting a mock auction on his YouTube channel. Ashwin, acting as the auctioneer, auctioned himself off to various "franchises" represented by fans and cricket enthusiasts.The franchises will have a vast pool of 1,574 players to choose from, including 1,165 Indians and 409 overseas players. The list features 320 capped players (48 Indians and 272 internationals), 1,224 uncapped players, and 30 players from Associate Nations.Rajasthan Royals, having retained their full quota of six players, will not have the Right to Match (RTM) option during the auction. This gives other franchises an opportunity to bid for their former players, such as Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.The auction will be a crucial event for the franchises as they aim to assemble balanced and competitive teams. With a wide range of players available, the bidding is expected to be fierce, with franchises eager to secure the services of the best talent in the world.

Dan Mousley, the English cricketer, has made a remarkable debut in One Day Internationals (ODIs) with his unique "offspin" bowling style. Despite a three-year absence from List A cricket, Mousley's unconventional approach has caught the attention of the cricketing world.Mousley's journey to international cricket began in Sri Lanka's domestic competition in 2021, where he played for Burgher Recreation Club. His exceptional speed and accuracy with the ball earned him a call-up to the Warwickshire Academy.Mousley's signature move is a 116kph/72mph yorker bowled off three steps. This unorthodox delivery has proven effective, as evidenced by his first international wicket against Rovman Powell. According to CricViz, Mousley is the fastest spin bowler since ball tracking records began in 2006, averaging 109kph/68mph.Mousley's unique style has drawn praise from England captain Jos Buttler, who described him as "a point of difference" for the team. Mousley's ability to bowl at high speeds and deliver yorkers makes him a formidable opponent for batters.While Mousley's bowling may not conform to traditional aesthetics, it is effective in the modern T20 format. As scores continue to rise, bowlers are being challenged to innovate and find new ways to restrict batters. Mousley's fast spin/seamers present a unique challenge that batters are not accustomed to.Mousley's unconventional approach is a testament to his willingness to experiment and push the boundaries of the game. He is not a one-trick pony, as he also possesses traditional offspin skills. However, he recognizes that in T20 cricket, the ability to bowl the ball that is hardest to hit for six is paramount.Mousley's unique bowling style has sparked a debate about the future of spin bowling. Some believe that his approach is a glimpse into the future, while others argue that it is a fad that will eventually be countered by batters. Regardless, Mousley's emergence has undoubtedly shaken up the cricketing landscape and forced batters to rethink their strategies.

India has consistently produced exceptional young talent in every U-19 World Cup, but Rajangad Bawa's all-round abilities have set him apart. Despite injuries hindering his progress, Bawa has shown immense promise as a seam-bowling all-rounder.After his stellar performance in the 2022 U-19 World Cup, where he was named Player of the Match in the final, Bawa made his Ranji Trophy debut for Chandigarh. However, injuries plagued him, limiting his playing time.Undeterred, Bawa underwent rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), where he received expert guidance and underwent corrections to his bowling action. The NCA's support has been instrumental in his recovery and return to form.In the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, Bawa has showcased his all-round skills, scoring 209 runs at an average of 52.25 and taking eight wickets. His performances have earned him a place in the elite list of players invited for high-performance camps at the NCA.Bawa's father and coach, Sukhwinder, has played a crucial role in his development, providing support and guidance. Bawa acknowledges the importance of staying relaxed and not putting undue pressure on himself.While comparisons to Hardik Pandya are inevitable, Bawa remains focused on his own journey. He recognizes the rise of other all-rounders, such as Nitish Kumar Reddy, as a challenge that motivates him to improve.Despite the setbacks he has faced, Bawa remains optimistic about his future. He is determined to prove his worth and earn a place in the Indian team. The NCA's continued support and his own unwavering determination make him a promising prospect for Indian cricket.

Team India's decision to cancel their practice match in Australia has drawn criticism from legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar. The team had initially planned to play a warm-up game against India A at the WACA ground before their opening Test match against Australia, which begins on November 22 at Perth Stadium.Gavaskar expressed his disbelief at the decision, stating that the batters needed the practice game, especially given their struggles against New Zealand at home. He pointed out that despite scoring over 400 in the second innings of the first Test in Bangalore, the Indian batters looked clueless in the subsequent innings against a spin attack that was not particularly dangerous.Gavaskar emphasized the importance of playing in real practice matches over just facing bowlers in net sessions. He acknowledged that some may argue that 'A' team bowlers might hold back against top players in practice games to avoid injuries, but he countered that in the nets, batters often face less prepared pitches and bowlers who sometimes bowl no-balls without penalty.He also highlighted the benefits for bowlers in playing proper matches, such as getting into a proper rhythm with their run-up and gaining confidence in not overstepping. He stressed that line and length are also aspects that can be learned in a proper game rather than in the nets.Gavaskar concluded by expressing his hope that the decision to cancel the warm-up game and reduce the match between the first and second Test against the Australian Prime Minister's XI to two days would prove to be the right one for Indian cricket. However, he emphasized that the batters and bowlers would have benefited greatly from the additional practice and match experience.

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.

Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine has expressed frustration with the heavy criticism aimed at Australia's ODI team following their recent 1-2 series defeat to Pakistan. Despite a promising start with a win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the Aussies stumbled in the subsequent matches, suffering comprehensive nine-wicket and eight-wicket losses at the Adelaide Oval and Optus Stadium, respectively. These defeats have sparked discussions over the state of Australia's ODI squad, with some commentators labelling the series loss as a "disaster."Speaking on SEN Tassie, Paine voiced his discontent with what he sees as an exaggerated reaction, particularly from established cricket analysts. "That annoyed me. People were saying, 'Oh, I can't believe how bad the Australian cricket team are,' and these are cricket commentators—world-class commentators—saying, 'I can't believe what I'm watching; this is the World Cup holders.' But it's not. The World Cup holders are sitting on the couch getting ready for a Test series."Paine explained that the absence of key players, including Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, and Josh Hazlewood, who missed the series entirely, along with Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Mitchell Starc, who only played in parts of the series, made a significant difference. These absences were due to the players' need to prepare for the upcoming Test summer and other critical red-ball engagements, including an important series against India. Paine highlighted that the team on the field wasn't representative of the World Cup-winning unit but was instead filled with emerging talents learning to play at the top level."We're blooding some youth to give them experience at the international level whilst the big boys get ready for two hugely important series — one in Test cricket and one in white-ball. Relax. It's okay," he said.The World Cup-winning side's absence was deeply felt, as Australia managed scores of only 163 and 140 while batting first in the second and third ODIs, respectively.Paine's comments highlight the challenges facing Australia's ODI team as they transition from a golden generation to a new era. While the recent series loss is disappointing, it's important to remember that the team is in a rebuilding phase and that the absence of key players played a significant role in the outcome. With the return of experienced players and the continued development of young talent, Australia's ODI team has the potential to regain its status as one of the world's best.

MS Dhoni, the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman and former Indian captain, has been retained by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for a sum of Rs 4 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. This move comes as a surprise, as Dhoni had previously hinted at retirement after the 2023 season.The retention of Dhoni is significant due to a recent rule change in the Indian Premier League. The new rule states that India players who have not played any international game or held any BCCI central contract within five years will be considered uncapped. This rule change has allowed CSK to retain Dhoni as an uncapped player, which gives them a significant advantage in the upcoming auction.CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan expressed confidence in Dhoni's continued presence in the team. He stated that the doors are always open for the legendary player and that he is sure Dhoni will make the "right decision" regarding his future."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.Following CSK's unexpected exit in the group stage of IPL 2024, Dhoni has remained reserved about his plans for the league's next season. However, he recently shared how professional sport often makes it difficult for players to purely enjoy the game. The 43-year-old said he now wants to savor cricket for the next few years."I just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I am able to play, like when we used to go out to play at 4 pm during our childhood, simply enjoying the game. But in professional sport, it becomes challenging to enjoy it as just a game. There are emotions and commitments, but I want to enjoy it for the next few years," Dhoni said.Dhoni last represented India in the 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, a match that ended in disappointment for India. Since his retirement in 2020, Dhoni has only appeared in the IPL. In the 2024 season, he scored 161 runs at a strike rate of 220, fulfilling the role of a finisher for the five-time champions.

Indian cricket star Ravichandran Ashwin recently shared a heartwarming moment with chess legend Viswanathan Anand on a flight. Ashwin, a self-proclaimed "fanboy," posted a picture on Instagram expressing his admiration for Anand, who hails from the same state of Tamil Nadu.Anand, India's first chess grandmaster, has achieved remarkable success in the sport, becoming a five-time World Chess Champion. His contributions have paved the way for chess in India, inspiring a generation of players.Ashwin, known for his exceptional bowling skills in Test cricket, has also ventured into the world of chess. In July, he became the co-owner of the American Gambits franchise in the Global Chess League 2024.The meeting between Ashwin and Anand sparked excitement among fans, who praised the duo for their achievements in their respective fields. Ashwin's caption on Instagram read, "A fanboy moment and a flight journey to savour forever with the legendary Vishwanathan Anand."Anand's journey to becoming India's first chess grandmaster in 1988 was a groundbreaking moment for the sport in the country. He reached the pinnacle of chess, holding the No. 1 ranking for 21 consecutive months.In 2024, India made history by winning its first-ever gold medals at the Chess Olympiad in both the men's and women's categories. This triumph showcased the growing strength of chess in India, a testament to Anand's influence.Meanwhile, Ashwin has established himself as one of the greatest bowlers of his generation, particularly in Test cricket. He is currently only 83 wickets behind Anil Kumble among Indian cricketers with the most Test wickets.Despite India's recent 0-3 loss to New Zealand in a home Test series, Ashwin remains a key player for the team. He expressed his disappointment over the defeat, calling it a "shattering experience."Ashwin is set to feature for India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, starting from November 22. His experience and skill will be crucial as India aims to regain its dominance in Test cricket.

Sanjay Bangar's son, Aryan, has undergone a hormonal replacement surgery and transitioned to Anaya. The 23-year-old cricketer shared his transformation journey on Instagram, showcasing his 10-month progress.Anaya's journey has been marked by sacrifices, resilience, and unwavering dedication. She has faced doubts and judgments, but has remained steadfast in her pursuit of authenticity. "Embracing my true self meant making hard choices, letting go of the comfort of fitting in, and standing up for who I am," she wrote in her video caption.Anaya's transformation has not been without its challenges. In November 2023, the International Cricket Council (ICC) ruled that transgender athletes will not be allowed to participate in women's cricket. Anaya expressed her disappointment over the decision, stating that it undermines inclusivity and the safety of players.Despite the setbacks, Anaya remains committed to her passion for cricket. She continues to play at the local club level and is an active member of the Hinckley Cricket Club in Leicestershire.Anaya's story is an inspiration to all who are struggling with their gender identity. It is a reminder that authenticity and self-acceptance are paramount, even in the face of adversity.