Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 retention list is set to be unveiled on October 31, and the Delhi Capitals are facing a pivotal decision regarding their star players. While Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel are widely expected to be retained, rumors have emerged that Pant could potentially be released into the auction pool.Former India and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) player Aakash Chopra has fueled these speculations, suggesting that Pant's availability in the auction could spark a bidding war. Chopra highlighted Pant's status as India's number one wicketkeeper, his ability to score quick runs, and his experience as an IPL captain as factors that would make him a highly sought-after player."If Rishabh Pant enters the auction pool, it will be massive," Chopra said. "He is a keeper-batter, and even though his T20 numbers have been inconsistent, he has the potential to be a game-changer. I can guarantee that his name will fetch a hefty sum in the auction."Pant's potential release would create a significant void in the Delhi Capitals' lineup. The franchise has yet to win an IPL title, and Pant has been a key figure in their recent campaigns. However, the team may be forced to consider other options if they believe that Pant's performances have not justified his high salary.Several teams are likely to be interested in acquiring Pant's services if he becomes available. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Punjab Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are all in need of a wicketkeeper-batter, while Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans could also be potential suitors.The IPL 2025 retention list will provide clarity on the future of Pant and other top players. If Pant does enter the auction pool, it will be one of the most significant developments in the history of the tournament.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise retention deadline is fast approaching, with teams having until October 31 to submit their lists. Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has predicted the players that Delhi Capitals (DC) may retain ahead of the auction, which is likely to take place on November 25-26 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.According to Singh, Rishabh Pant is an automatic choice for retention. He believes that DC should also retain Axar Patel, Tristan Stubbs, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and potentially Mitchell Marsh. This would mean that DC would retain five capped players, which would cost them a minimum of Rs 75 crore.Singh does not believe that DC will opt for an uncapped player, as the price slabs for capped players are higher. He believes that DC should focus on retaining a strong core of players and then filling out the rest of their squad through the auction.

The upcoming IPL mega-auction is set to witness a significant shake-up in team rosters, with several franchises eyeing the services of Rishabh Pant. The Delhi Capitals wicketkeeper-batter is reportedly likely to enter the auction pool due to his desire for captaincy, which the current DC management is hesitant to grant.Pant, who has been with the Capitals since 2016, has emerged as a highly sought-after player. His exceptional batting skills and leadership qualities have made him a prime target for teams in need of a captain. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are believed to be particularly interested in acquiring Pant, as they seek a replacement for the retiring Dinesh Karthik.Other franchises, including Lucknow Supergiants and Punjab Kings, are also expected to bid aggressively for Pant. Ricky Ponting, who has a close relationship with Pant from their time at the Capitals, is now in charge of the Punjab unit.The mega-auction, scheduled for the last week of November, is expected to feature a large pool of Indian stars, including Shreyas Iyer, who is unlikely to be a top retention for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Mumbai Indians, with their star-studded roster, are the only team likely to retain a significant number of players.Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have reportedly finalized their retention list, with Heinrich Klassen, Pat Cummins, and Abhishek Sharma as their three picks. The Right To Match (RTM) card is expected to be used aggressively in the auction, adding an extra layer of intrigue.

Former Indian batsman Pravin Amre is set to part ways with the Delhi Capitals (DC) after a nine-year stint as assistant coach. The franchise has recently revamped its coaching staff, appointing Hemang Badani as head coach and Venugopal Rao as director of cricket.Amre's departure is said to be mutual, with the franchise owners appreciating his contributions to the team's development. His four-year contract has come to an end, and while GMR, the company running the team for the next two years, may offer him a new role, it is unlikely to be directly with the Delhi Capitals.Amre joined DC in 2015 as an assistant coach and domestic talent scout. He played a key role in identifying and nurturing several Indian players, including Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Khaleel Ahmed, and Prithvi Shaw. He served as a bridge between domestic players and former head coach Ricky Ponting, helping them adapt to the IPL environment.Since July 2023, Amre has been the head coach of the Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket in the USA. He has also coached Mumbai to three Ranji Trophy titles, served as India A coach, and was the chief selector for India Under-19s.Amre's departure marks the end of an era for the Delhi Capitals. His contributions to the team's success and the development of young Indian players will be remembered.

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has been appointed as the Director of Cricket for JSW Sports, a leading sports management company in India. Ganguly's role will encompass all cricketing properties owned by JSW Sports, including the Delhi Capitals franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women's Premier League (WPL), as well as the Pretoria Capitals franchise in the South African T20 league (SA20).Ganguly's appointment marks a significant development for JSW Sports, which is co-owned by JSW Group and GMR Group. The company has been actively involved in cricket, with the Delhi Capitals being one of the most successful franchises in the IPL. Ganguly's experience and expertise are expected to further enhance the team's performance and strategic direction.Prior to his appointment as Director of Cricket, Ganguly served as an advisor to the Delhi Capitals in 2019, working closely with head coach Ricky Ponting. He later returned to the franchise as Director of Cricket after completing his tenure as President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).The appointment of Ganguly comes amidst a restructuring of the management of cricket operations for the Delhi Capitals. Under a two-year rotation policy, GMR Group will handle the operations of the IPL team for the next two years, while JSW Sports will oversee the WPL team.Commenting on Ganguly's appointment, JSW Sports founder Parth Jindal said, "Dada has always had a special place at JSW Sports. For us, he is family first and then the cricketing icon that he is. I've said this in the past and it stands true even today – he is one of the sharpest brains in cricket and we will always stand to benefit from his guidance and wisdom of the sport."Ganguly expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating, "I've had the pleasure of knowing the JSW Group and the Jindal family personally and professionally which made this an easy decision. JSW Sports has been doing visionary work across the board, and I am pleased to be able to lend my experience to all its cricketing projects."

Delhi Capitals, the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, has appointed former India cricketers Hemang Badani and Venugopal Rao as head coach and director of cricket, respectively. The announcement was made on Thursday ahead of the 2025 IPL season.Badani, 47, brings a wealth of coaching experience to the role. He has served as fielding coach with Sunrisers Hyderabad and batting coach with the same team in successive seasons. He also led the Jaffna Kings to two consecutive titles in the Lankan Premier League and was a batting coach for the title-winning Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the inaugural SA20. Most recently, he was the head coach of the Dubai Capitals, who reached this year's ILT20 final."It's my absolute honor to be joining Delhi Capitals, and I'm deeply grateful to our owners for trusting me with the job," Badani said. "With the mega auction around the corner, my job, in collaboration with the rest of our coaching staff, is cut out. I can't wait to get started."Rao, who has played 16 ODIs for India, was part of the Deccan Chargers squad that won the IPL in 2009. He also played in three IPL seasons for erstwhile Delhi Daredevils and has been associated with the Dubai Capitals, serving as a mentor in the inaugural season and later as director of cricket."My association with the franchise has been a long-standing one, and I am thankful for the trust our owners have placed in me by offering me this role," Rao said. "I look forward to this new challenge ahead of a new IPL cycle."The Capitals were runners-up in the 2021 edition but have struggled to reach the top four in the subsequent three seasons."We are delighted to welcome Hemang and Venu to Delhi Capitals. Both have been an integral part of our team for a long time, and we're excited to have them on board in a different role," said Kiran Kumar Grandhi, chairman & co-owner of Delhi Capitals. "With their proven track record as coaches, we're confident that their expertise will be invaluable in helping us achieve our objectives and drive success for Delhi Capitals."

Delhi Capitals have undergone a significant overhaul, with Sourav Ganguly stepping down as Director of Cricket and Venugopal Rao taking his place. This move comes amidst speculation about Rishabh Pant's future as captain.Ganguly, a former India captain and BCCI President, will now focus on the Women's Premier League team and the Pretoria Capitals in SA20. He had reportedly expressed interest in doubling up as the men's team head coach and Director of Cricket, but this did not materialize.The Capitals have also finalized their three retentions in Pant, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. They are expected to use the Right-to-Match (RTM) card to buy back other players. Abhishek Porel, who showed promise last season, is a potential uncapped retention.Ahead of the mega auction, the Capitals will hold trials next week to identify potential targets. They have already identified three venues and will finalize them based on availability.The ongoing Ranji Trophy could hamper their plans, as most players are busy with their respective states. However, the franchise is short on time and will need to reach out to their targets before the auction, likely in the last week of November.The Capitals' captaincy picture remains unclear, with Pant's future in the role uncertain. The franchise is expected to make a decision in the coming days.

Rishabh Pant to Step Down as Delhi Capitals Captain in IPL 2025In a significant development, star Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant will relinquish his captaincy role for the Delhi Capitals in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. According to reliable sources, the franchise is considering appointing all-rounder Axar Patel as the new skipper or exploring options at the IPL auction.Pant, who led the Capitals in IPL 2024 after returning from a severe car accident, will remain the franchise's top retention. However, the team's leadership believes that he would perform better without the burden of captaincy.The Delhi Capitals last reached the IPL playoffs in 2021 and finished as runners-up in 2020 under Shreyas Iyer's leadership. In IPL 2024, Pant led the team to a sixth-place finish with six wins and six losses.One potential candidate for the captaincy role is Iyer, who recently led the Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title. Pant recently met with Delhi Capitals co-owners Parth Jindal and Kiran Kumar Grandhi to discuss his future with the franchise.Despite being India's match-winner in Test cricket, Pant's performance in white-ball formats has been inconsistent. In 76 T20Is, he has scored 1,209 runs with only three half-centuries, averaging 23.25 and striking at 127.26.In the IPL, Pant has amassed 3284 runs in 111 matches for the Delhi Capitals, including 18 fifties and one century. However, he was overlooked for Dinesh Karthik in India's XI during the 2022 T20 World Cup.The Delhi Capitals recently appointed Hemang Badani as head coach and Venugopal Rao as director of cricket for the next two seasons.

Former Indian cricketer Hemang Badani has emerged as a potential candidate for the head coach position at Delhi Capitals (DC), while Munaf Patel is being considered for a role in the support staff. The franchise recently parted ways with Australian legend Ricky Ponting due to scheduling conflicts.DC is reportedly seeking experienced domestic coaches, and Badani and Patel's names have been shortlisted. Badani, a former left-handed batsman, has previously worked with Brian Lara at Sunrisers Hyderabad. If appointed, it would be a significant opportunity for him.Patel, a former pacer, could potentially join the support staff as bowling coach. The franchise is expected to retain three players: captain Rishabh Pant, all-rounder Axar Patel, and left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav.With a retention budget of Rs 75 crore, DC may use Right To Match (RTM) cards to acquire Jake-Fraser McGurk and Tristan Stubbs, two key foreign contributors.Badani's potential appointment as head coach could indicate a shift in management, with GMR taking over the reins for the next two years. The co-owners have an agreement to alternate micro-management of the team.Badani, who played four Tests and 40 ODIs for India, will be tasked with guiding DC to its first IPL title. The franchise has reached the final only once, in 2020, but lost to Mumbai Indians.