Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to unveil its retention rules shortly, with the Governing Council (GC) convening in Bengaluru on Saturday. The official announcement is anticipated within the next few hours or by Sunday at the latest.Sources indicate that the decision to hold the GC meeting on Saturday was made at the last minute, with notices sent to members only on Friday evening. The retention rules may be presented at the general body meeting scheduled for Sunday before a formal announcement.The mega IPL auction is expected to take place in the Middle East in late November, and the GC meeting may also determine its date.Speculation has been rife regarding the retention rules, with estimates ranging from 2 to 8 players. The BCCI is likely to settle on a number between 5 and 6, including the Right to Match (RTM) option.The retention rules will have a significant impact on the upcoming auction, as teams will need to strategize their player acquisitions accordingly. The auction is expected to be highly competitive, with several high-profile players available.The IPL is one of the most popular cricket leagues in the world, attracting a massive fan base. The retention rules will play a crucial role in shaping the tournament's dynamics and ensuring a thrilling and unpredictable season.

Kamindu Mendis has etched his name into the annals of cricket history, becoming the joint third-fastest player to reach the coveted milestone of 1,000 test runs. His remarkable achievement came during the second test against New Zealand in Galle, where Sri Lanka tightened its grip on the match.Mendis's blistering innings mirrored the legendary Don Bradman, who achieved the feat in 1930 against England at Headingley. Only England's Herbert Sutcliffe and West Indies great Everton Weekes reached the landmark in fewer innings, doing so in 12 knocks.In a career that has blossomed rapidly, Mendis notched his fifth century before lunch, his second century in two tests. Later, with audacious flair, he brought up his 1,000th run by stepping down the track to Rachin Ravindra and smashing a towering six straight back over the bowler's head.This remarkable achievement made him not only the fastest Sri Lankan but also the quickest Asian to the milestone, surpassing the likes of Sri Lanka great Roy Dias (23 innings) and India's Vinod Kambli (14).The crowd's celebrations were bittersweet, however, as Sri Lanka declared before Mendis could reach his maiden double century. He was unbeaten on 182 off 250 balls, an innings laced with 16 boundaries and four massive sixes."Kamindu Mendis has been sensational for us this year," said teammate Angelo Mathews. "He is doing stuff that none of us were able to do early in our careers. He is very matured, knows his game and plays very positively."Mendis found strong support from Kusal Mendis, who shrugged off recent struggles to post an undefeated 106, his 10th test century. Demoted to No. 7 in the order after disappointing performances, Kusal responded with a measured innings, combining with Kamindu for an unbroken 200-run partnership, the highest sixth-wicket stand for Sri Lanka against New Zealand on home soil. This partnership also set a record as the highest sixth-wicket stand in Galle, by any team, further cementing Sri Lanka's dominance.Earlier in the day, the hosts lost Mathews (88) and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva (44) in the morning session, but Kamindu's relentless march, paired with Kusal's defiance, ensured Sri Lanka remained firmly in the driver's seat, with thoughts of a 2-0 series sweep looming large.New Zealand, meanwhile, missed crucial chances again to rein in Sri Lanka. Daryl Mitchell dropped Kamindu on 26 and Tom Blundell fluffing a straightforward stumping when he was on 113. The misery continued for the Kiwis when Sri Lanka struck early in their innings. Asitha Fernando set the tone, dismissing Tom Latham in the very first over with a sharp catch at gully. Prabath Jayasuriya then removed the other opener Devon Conway, snapped up at slip by De Silva on 9."It's a tough ask for us now," said New Zealand's Luke Ronchi. "The important thing is to play each ball, build partnerships and see through sessions. We have done it before in tough conditions. We need to take the game as deep as possible."

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced an all-female panel of 13 match officials for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates from October 3 to 20. Among the appointed officials are two Indian representatives: match referee G.S. Lakshmi and umpire Vrinda Rathi.Lakshmi and Rathi were also part of the match official panel for the previous edition of the tournament held in South Africa in 2023. The current panel comprises three match referees and 10 umpires.For the marquee India vs Pakistan match at the Dubai International Stadium on October 6, Australia's Eloise Sheridan and South Africa's Lauren Agenbag have been appointed as on-field umpires, while Jacquline Williams of the West Indies will serve as the television umpire.The tournament kicks off on October 3 with the opening clash between Bangladesh and Scotland, which will be officiated by Claire Polosak of Australia and Agenbag. India will begin their campaign on October 4 against New Zealand, with Williams and Anna Harris of England as the on-field umpires and Polosak as the TV umpire.New Zealand's Kim Cotton and Agenbag will be the on-field umpires for India's game against Sri Lanka on October 9, while England's Suzanne Redfern will be the TV umpire. Redfern and Cotton will also officiate India's match against defending champions Australia on October 13, with Williams in charge of TV duty.The umpires and match referees for the semifinals and final, to be played on October 17, October 18, and October 20 respectively, will be announced later.The ninth edition of the tournament was initially scheduled to be hosted by Bangladesh but was moved due to political unrest in the country. The tournament will be held across two venues in the UAE - Dubai and Sharjah.

Australian Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis Booed at Lord's for Controversial Catch ClaimDuring the fourth ODI between Australia and England at Lord's, Australian wicketkeeper Josh Inglis faced a chorus of boos from the crowd after claiming a controversial catch. In the 17th over of England's batting, Inglis dived to his left to catch a delivery from Mitchell Starc that England captain Harry Brook appeared to have edged.However, replays showed that the ball had bounced before reaching Inglis' gloves. Despite this, Inglis appealed for the catch, prompting the Lord's crowd to express their disapproval with loud boos. Umpire Joel Wilson initially gave the dismissal before consulting with fellow official Martin Saggers, and the pair referred the decision to the third umpire for confirmation.Third umpire Kumar Dharmasena overturned the decision after replays confirmed that the ball had bounced into Inglis' gloves. The crowd's reaction was swift and vocal, with boos and chants of "Same old Aussies, always cheating" echoing around the ground.The incident brought back memories of a similar controversy 14 months earlier, when Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey controversially stumped England's Jonny Bairstow during the second Ashes Test at the same venue. That incident led to heated reactions and unsightly scenes in the Lord's Pavilion's Long Room.Earlier in the match, Australia opted to bowl at a cold and cloudy Lord's after the toss was delayed by 90 minutes due to rain. Further showers after the toss reduced the match to 39 overs per side, with no bowler allowed more than eight overs.

South Africa, led by Aiden Markram, opted to bowl first in the opening T20I against Ireland at the County Ground in Bristol. The Proteas fielded a balanced attack featuring four seamers and three spinners, resting experienced pacer Lungi Ngidi.Ottneil Baartman and Lizaad Williams made their tour debuts, while all-rounders Wiaan Mulder and Patrick Kruger completed the seam attack. In the spin department, South Africa deployed left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin, legspinner Nqaba Peter, and Markram himself as an occasional offspinner.Ireland, missing captain Andy Balbirnie, handed Ross Adair an opportunity to open the batting alongside Paul Stirling. They also opted for a spin-heavy attack, including left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys, George Dockrell, and legspinner Ben White.Ireland have never defeated South Africa in a T20I, and the Proteas will be keen to maintain their dominance. South Africa's batting lineup features three opening batters, with Reeza Hendricks and Ryan Rickelton at the top of the order and Matthew Breetzke at number three.The match promises to be a competitive affair, with both teams looking to gain an early advantage in the three-match series.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the former Indian cricket captain, has sparked a frenzy on social media with a viral video showcasing his laid-back style. The video captures Dhoni riding a bike in slippers, executing a stylish U-turn with effortless flair.Dhoni's return to Ranchi after a rejuvenating vacation in the United States has been met with much fanfare. The video of his bike ride, shared widely on social media, has become a testament to his humble and approachable nature.As excitement builds around Dhoni's return, speculation intensifies regarding his future in the Indian Premier League (IPL). With the mega auction approaching, questions linger about whether Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will retain their legendary captain or if he will enter the auction pool.Rumors have circulated about Dhoni's status, particularly after images of him enjoying an American football game in the US emerged online. Earlier, there were suggestions that CSK management had requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to allow Dhoni to be retained as an uncapped player. However, CSK's CEO, Kasi Viswanathan, has denied these claims.Should the "uncapped player rule" be reinstated, which permits franchises to retain retired international players as uncapped, fans may witness Dhoni donning the iconic yellow jersey once more in the upcoming IPL season.Dhoni's return to Ranchi has not only sparked excitement among fans but also raised questions about his future in the IPL. As the mega auction looms, the cricketing world eagerly awaits the decision of CSK and Dhoni regarding his participation in the upcoming season.

New Zealand's nightmare continued on day two in Galle as Sri Lanka piled on a mammoth 296 runs for the loss of just two wickets. Despite New Zealand's valiant efforts, their bowlers toiled fruitlessly for over 124 overs, with only Glenn Phillips managing to create any significant impact.The overcast conditions provided some respite for the visitors, but the batting conditions eased up considerably on day two, allowing Sri Lanka's batters to dominate proceedings. Dhananjaya de Silva's decision to bat first proved crucial, as the surface became drier and harder, making it easier for the batters to score runs.New Zealand batting coach Luke Ronchi acknowledged the difference in the surface, stating that it was "a nice surface" for batters once they were in. Angelo Mathews, who scored a half-century for Sri Lanka, echoed these sentiments.Ronchi praised the Sri Lankan batters for their exceptional performance but also lamented New Zealand's missed opportunities on day one. He emphasized the importance of applying themselves and following their processes as a batting group."We did that in the first Test, so we need to sort of back our plans and our processes and the work we've done," Ronchi said. "That's something we've done really well for a number of years. It's not about looking at an end-product type thing, but the processes and how we're going to make the best of each ball, each moment and each partnership."With New Zealand still 580 runs adrift and having lost two wickets in the final 45 minutes of play, Ronchi stressed the need to take the game as deep as possible."You just want to just go out there and bat, and bat for as long as we can as well. That's a massive part of what's going to happen. There's three days left, so we've got to make sure that we can bat well and sort of see what happens."

Aleem Dar, the legendary Pakistani umpire, is set to bid farewell to his illustrious career at the end of Pakistan's current domestic season. Dar, 56, has been a pillar of the cricketing world for nearly a quarter of a century, earning widespread recognition as one of the finest umpires of all time.Dar's journey began as a legspinner, playing 17 first-class and 18 List-A matches between 1986 and 1998. However, it was in umpiring that he found his true calling. He made his first-class umpiring debut during the 1998-99 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and quickly rose through the ranks.In 2002, Dar became the first Pakistani umpire to be appointed to the ICC's elite panel. He went on to establish himself as a respected and highly skilled official, standing in four World Cup finals and a record-breaking 145 Tests and 222 ODIs.Dar's reputation for fairness and accuracy earned him the ICC's David Shepherd Trophy for Umpire of the Year three years in a row from 2009 to 2011. He was known for his calm demeanor, clear communication, and unwavering commitment to upholding the spirit of the game.In recent years, Dar has gradually reduced his on-field role, focusing on mentoring and guiding the next generation of match officials. He has also established the Aleem Dar Foundation, a charity that provides a free ambulance service, blood bank, and transfusion for thalassemia patients.As Dar prepares to retire, he reflects on his remarkable career with gratitude and pride. "Umpiring has been my life for nearly 25 years, and I have cherished the privilege of officiating some of the most iconic matches involving the greatest players of this generation," he said.Dar's retirement marks the end of an era in cricket umpiring. He has set a high standard of professionalism and integrity, inspiring countless aspiring umpires around the world. His legacy will continue to shape the game for years to come.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has launched a scathing attack on a section of the English media for their persistent criticism of Indian pitches prior to a Test series. Gavaskar, while commentating on the first day of the second Test between India and Bangladesh in Kanpur, labeled the English media as "moaners" and "crybabies" for their incessant complaints about Indian pitches that provide spin.Gavaskar's outburst came in the wake of the English media's criticism of the Chepauk pitch during the first Test between India and England earlier this year. The English media had labeled the pitch as "unfair" and "unplayable," despite India's victory in the match.Gavaskar, however, defended the Chepauk pitch, saying that it was a "good cricket pitch" that provided a fair contest between bat and ball. He also pointed out that Indian batsmen had scored runs on the pitch, including Ashwin's century in the first Test."He (Ashwin) actually said in the press conference that you can get a hundred if you apply yourself. So he walked the talk when the moaners were going on saying 'you can't bat here'. Saying and doing all the things like crybabies, typical English media stuff, where they only talk about Indian pitches," Gavaskar said.Gavaskar's comments have sparked a debate on the role of the media in cricket. Some have argued that the media has a right to criticize pitches that they believe are unfair, while others have accused the media of bias against India.The debate is likely to continue in the lead-up to the upcoming Test series between India and England. The English media has already begun to criticize the pitches that have been prepared for the series, but Gavaskar has warned them that they should be prepared for a backlash from the Indian team.