Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is approaching its 2025-27 cycle, and franchises are facing uncertainty in finalizing player retentions due to ambiguities in the IPL Player Regulations 2025-27 Key Points document released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).The document outlines the Retention/Right to Match (RTM) process, but a footnote has raised questions. It states that the overall retention deduction will be Rs 75 crore, regardless of the amount paid to individual players. However, if the total amount exceeds Rs 75 crore, the actual amount will be deducted.This has led to confusion among franchises. They are unsure whether they can retain players at different prices than those specified in the document (Player 1: Rs 18 crore, Player 2: Rs 14 crore, Player 3: Rs 11 crore, Player 4: Rs 18 crore, Player 5: Rs 14 crore)."What are they trying to say here? It has left us confused too. Does this mean that any price tag can be followed while retaining players? And if the total price of retentions exceeds Rs 75 crore then that would be deducted from the Salary Cap. If it's a free hand for the franchises to use their own prices for different retentions then what are the 18, 14 and 11 markers for?," questioned a senior official at a franchise.The footnote also states that if the total retention amount is less than Rs 75 crore, Rs 75 crore will still be deducted. This has further perplexed franchises."So they are trying to imply that one can retain Player 2 and 3 for a cheaper price than 14 and 11? A lot of clarity is needed because it is the most important piece of the puzzle and we have already asked for more clarification and explanation from the board," added the official.With the retention deadline approaching on October 31, franchises are eagerly awaiting a comprehensive Player Guidelines document that will provide detailed explanations of the regulations. They hope that the BCCI will release this document in the coming days to enable them to make informed decisions about player retentions.

Indian Cricket Team Arrives in Hyderabad for Series Finale Against BangladeshThe Indian cricket team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, arrived in Hyderabad on Friday for the third and final T20I match against Bangladesh. The series is already in India's grasp after convincing victories in the first two matches.In the series opener in Gwalior, India chased down Bangladesh's total of 153 with ease, winning by 7 wickets. The second T20I in Delhi was even more dominant, with India posting a massive 217/5 and restricting Bangladesh to just 131/7, securing an 86-run victory.Nitish Reddy, who hails from Visakhapatnam, expressed his excitement about playing in his home town of Hyderabad. "I'm really looking forward to playing in front of my home crowd," said Reddy, who scored a blistering 34-ball 74 in the second T20I.Bangladesh, on the other hand, are yet to register a win on this tour. They lost both Test matches that preceded the T20I series.Squads:India:* Suryakumar Yadav (C)* Abhishek Sharma* Sanju Samson (wk)* Rinku Singh* Hardik Pandya* Riyan Parag* Nitish Kumar Reddy* Washington Sundar* Ravi Bishnoi* Varun Chakaravarthy* Jitesh Sharma (wk)* Arshdeep Singh* Harshit Rana* Mayank Yadav* Tilak VarmaBangladesh:* Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain)* Tanzid Hasan Tamim* Parvez Hossain Emon* Tawhid Hridoy* Mahmud Ullah* Litton Kumer Das* Jaker Ali Anik* Mehidy Hassan Miraz* Shak Mahedi Hasan* Rishad Hossain* Mustafizur Rahman* Taskin Ahmed* Shoriful Islam* Tanzim Hasan Sakib* Rakibul HasanThe third and final T20I match between India and Bangladesh will be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Saturday, August 20.

Cameron Green, Australia's promising fast-bowling all-rounder, faces a potential setback ahead of the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Green has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower back, which has sidelined him from Australia's ODI series against England.According to reports, Green met with Australian team officials to discuss his options, including surgery or rehabilitation. The surgery, which involves inserting screws and titanium wire to bind vertebrae together, would rule Green out for several months.Green's absence would be a significant blow to Australia's plans for the India series. The 23-year-old has been a key figure in the team's recent success, contributing with both bat and ball. In 28 Tests, he has an impressive batting average of 48.57 and has taken 35 wickets.If Green opts for surgery, Australia will need to find a replacement at number six in the batting order and adjust their bowling attack. Mitchell Marsh could be asked to shoulder more of the bowling workload, while Steve Smith may return to batting at number four.Other potential candidates for the opening batting spot alongside Usman Khawaja include Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, Matthew Renshaw, Nic Maddinson, and Sam Konstas.Australia has three remaining Sheffield Shield matches and two 'A' team games against India 'A' before the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test begins on November 22 in Perth. The team will be hoping that Green can recover in time for the series, but his participation remains uncertain.

India, having secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, will aim for a clean sweep in the final encounter in Hyderabad on Saturday. The series has provided an opportunity for India to assess the progress of their emerging talents and identify potential backup options for future international events.Despite the series victories, India's openers, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, have failed to impress. Samson has managed only 29 runs in two innings, while Sharma has contributed 15 and 16. Their inconsistency has put pressure on the middle order, with India struggling to 41 for three in the power play during the second T20I.Head coach Gautam Gambhir and the coaching staff are evaluating potential support players for the upcoming ICC event next year. Fast bowler Mayank Yadav and spinner Varun Chakravarthy have impressed in their limited opportunities. Yadav, returning from injury, has bowled at speeds over 150 km/h, while Chakravarthy claimed three wickets in his comeback match.Nitish Kumar Reddy has also made a significant impact, scoring a 34-ball 74 and taking two wickets in the Delhi T20I. The think-tank is also considering including other talented players from the bench, such as leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi and all-rounder Harshit Rana.Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be desperate for a victory to salvage some pride from the tour. They will need stronger performances from senior players like captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das, and Mustafizur Rahman, who have not lived up to expectations so far.

As the Indian cricket team prepares for their upcoming red-ball assignment against New Zealand, starting October 18, talismanic batter Virat Kohli was spotted at the Mumbai airport. Kohli, as expected, was surrounded by paparazzi upon his arrival.While some photographers clicked pictures, others attempted to engage in casual conversation. As Kohli was leaving, one paparazzi remarked, "BGT mein aag lagani hai (You have to light up the Border-Gavaskar Trophy)." The comment left Kohli momentarily confused."Kismien (what do I have to light up?)" Kohli asked. The paparazzi clarified, "BGT mein (in Border-Gavaskar Trophy)." Kohli nodded and entered his car.Notably, Kohli missed India's home series against England earlier this year due to the birth of his second child. He is expected to be fully available for the BGT assignment, which begins in November.Meanwhile, India captain Rohit Sharma is likely to miss one of the first two Tests of the series due to personal reasons. Sharma has played seven Tests in Australia, scoring 408 runs at an average of 31.38.The Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia will commence on November 22 with the first Test at Perth. The second Test will be played under lights at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. The third Test will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18.The traditional Boxing Day Test will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The series will conclude with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7.

The West Indies' hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the Women's T20 World Cup have been dealt a blow with the injury to all-rounder Stafanie Taylor. The 33-year-old suffered a knee injury during Thursday's eight-wicket win over Bangladesh and was forced to retire hurt on 27.Taylor's injury is a major concern for the West Indies, as she is a key player in their lineup. She is a versatile all-rounder who can bat, bowl, and field, and her experience is invaluable to the team.West Indies captain Hayley Matthews said that Taylor's injury is a "knee problem" and that the team is "trying to look after her really well." Matthews also praised Taylor's fighting spirit and said that she "knows how to manage her body pretty well."The West Indies will face undefeated England in their last Group B game on Tuesday. Pool rivals South Africa are also in the running for a semi-final spot.Matthews said that the West Indies are "up for the challenge" of facing England. "If you want to be competing and winning World Cups, you're going to have to beat the best teams in the world," she said.The West Indies will need to win their last group game against England to secure a place in the semi-finals. If they can do that, they will be one of the favorites to win the tournament.

Chicago CC Dominates New York Lions in NCL Sixty Strikes TournamentAs the cricketing landscape continues to evolve with shorter formats, the pace of scoring has accelerated significantly. The introduction of the 10-over format has further intensified the game, making run rates of 10 no longer sufficient. This was evident in the recent National Cricket League Sixty Strikes tournament, where Chicago CC secured a comprehensive victory over New York Lions.Batting first, New York Lions struggled to gain momentum, with former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez and India star Suresh Raina failing to make an impact. Upul Tharanga and Ben Cutting provided some resistance, but their efforts were not enough to propel the team to a competitive total.Chicago CC's bowlers were in top form, with Karthik Gatepalli claiming three wickets and Simon Harmer taking two. The Lions' innings ended on a disappointing note, with Dominic Drakes and Asad Shafiq also falling for ducks.Chasing a modest target of 90 runs, Chicago CC wasted no time in asserting their dominance. Australian batter Chris Lynn unleashed a blistering knock of 43 runs off just 24 balls, decimating the New York bowling attack. Skipper Mikyle Louis also contributed with a quickfire 16 off 5 balls, ensuring a swift victory for Chicago.The Lions' bowlers struggled to contain Chicago's aggressive batting, with Tabraiz Shamsi and Shourya Gaur managing only one wicket each. The defeat left New York Lions languishing at the bottom of the NCL Sixty Strikes tournament standings, while Chicago CC climbed to the top with three wins from their first four games.

In the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup, West Indies Women emerged victorious in their match against Bangladesh Women, opting to field first after winning the toss. The match witnessed a thrilling display of batting and bowling, with both teams showcasing their skills.Bangladesh Women's innings got off to a slow start, with the openers struggling to find boundaries. However, Nigar Sultana and Sobhana Mostary formed a crucial partnership, guiding their team to a respectable total. Sultana played a steady innings, scoring 25 runs off 32 deliveries, while Mostary contributed 22 runs off 26 balls.West Indies Women's bowling attack was led by Afy Fletcher, who claimed three wickets in her spell. Fletcher's accurate deliveries and variations proved too much for the Bangladesh batters, who were dismissed for 104 runs in 20 overs.In response, West Indies Women's batting lineup showed their dominance. Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor provided a solid foundation, scoring 25 and 24 runs, respectively. Deandra Dottin then took charge, smashing an unbeaten 34 runs off just 25 deliveries, including three boundaries and a six.Bangladesh Women's bowlers struggled to contain the West Indies batters, with only Fahima Khatun managing to pick up a wicket. West Indies Women chased down the target with ease, reaching 105 runs in 17.2 overs, securing a comfortable victory.The match highlighted the strengths of both teams. Bangladesh Women showed resilience in their batting, while West Indies Women displayed their all-around prowess, particularly in their bowling and fielding. The victory gives West Indies Women a boost in their campaign, while Bangladesh Women will look to improve their performance in their upcoming matches.

Coimbatore: Tamil Nadu captain R. Sai Kishore is urging his team to adopt an aggressive and fearless approach as they prepare for the upcoming domestic season, which begins on Friday. "Our preparation has been good, and we want to play a positive brand of cricket," said Sai Kishore on the eve of his side's first match against Saurashtra.TN reached the semifinals last season after a six-year absence, and expectations are high this year. When asked about it, Sai Kishore explained, "There are always expectations not just from outside but even within ourselves. We had six players in the Duleep Trophy, and we have set high standards. But we just want to focus on our job."While he led from the front, taking 53 scalps and topping the wicket-takers charts last year, the 27-year-old also came under criticism for his decision to bat first on a seamer-friendly pitch against Mumbai in the semis, which proved costly. "Captaincy, in terms of player management and being honest with them, came naturally to me. On the tactical side, I had a few things to learn and have worked on it. I have spoken to a few captains ahead of the season," he revealed.Meanwhile, Saurashtra skipper Jaydev Unadkat backed his experienced players to come good against TN. "Almost 80 or probably 90% of our squad has been playing for the last seven or eight seasons and has 60-70 games (experience), which is our strength. When you start against a team as good as them (TN), it sets you up for the season."