Cricket

Shahrukh Khan, the Tamil Nadu all-rounder, has expressed his contentment with his decision to stay with the Gujarat Titans (GT) franchise ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Khan, who was retained by GT for ₹4 crore, has found a sense of belonging and support within the team."A lot of people have said GT is a really good place to play cricket and I got to experience it last year. The feeling of home that they give is immense. Honestly, I haven't found it anywhere else," Khan told The Hindu after Tamil Nadu's victory over Railways in a Ranji Trophy match.Khan's decision to stay with GT was largely influenced by the camaraderie he shares with head coach Ashish Nehra. "Everybody knows what sort of a character Nehra is. He has a big heart and he is compassionate about the players and around the set-up. That was the reason behind sticking with GT because of the trust that they showed in me," Khan said.Khan's batting prowess has been recognized by GT, who have given him opportunities to bat up the order. In the 2024 IPL season, Khan scored a half-century against Royal Challengers Bangalore when he was sent in at No. 4."GT made me bat up the order against RCB. I wasn't sure about it. I knew that I could bat up the order but I really wasn't ready to go at No. 4 and play. But when they sent me, it was a new role and I understood they valued me. They know what sort of a person I am… So, it is better to stick to the team," Khan said.Khan's recent performance in the Ranji Trophy, where he scored an 86-ball 114 as an opener, further highlights his versatility and adaptability. "The idea was Bala anna's (Balaji). He asked me to go and take on the fast bowlers. I like the ball coming fast because I'm good against the pacers. So, it was his idea completely. Nobody expected it... I don't know what he saw, but whatever he saw clicked for us in this match."Khan's commitment to GT and his belief in the team's culture and support system suggest that he will continue to be a valuable asset for the franchise in the upcoming IPL seasons.

Gujarat Titans have appointed former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel as their assistant and batting coach for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Patel brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Titans, having played 17 years of international cricket for India.As assistant coach, Patel will work closely with head coach Ashish Nehra to provide strategic guidance and support to the team. His insights into batting techniques and strategies will be invaluable in enhancing the players' skills and performance.Patel's appointment is a significant boost for the Titans, who are looking to build on their impressive debut season in the IPL. The franchise reached the playoffs in their first year, and they will be hoping to challenge for the title in 2023.Patel's experience as a mentor and talent scout will also be beneficial to the Titans. He has a proven track record of developing young players and helping them reach their full potential.This is Patel's first coaching role in the IPL, but he has a strong understanding of the game and the league. He will be a valuable asset to the Titans as they look to make a deep run in the tournament.

Gujarat Titans (GT), the reigning Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, are set to retain five key players ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. The franchise is likely to hold onto Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan, B Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, and Shahrukh Khan, leaving them with one right-to-match (RTM) card for the auction.Gill and Rashid were acquired by GT before the 2022 auction, while Sudharsan, Tewatia, and Shahrukh were bought in subsequent auctions. Gill, the 23-year-old opener, has been a consistent performer for GT, scoring over 500 runs in each of the past two seasons. He was appointed captain for IPL 2024 after Hardik Pandya's departure.Rashid, the Afghan leg-spinner, is one of the most sought-after bowlers in the IPL. He has been GT's leading wicket-taker in both seasons, with 32 wickets in 2022 and 24 wickets in 2024.Sudharsan, a left-handed batter from Tamil Nadu, has emerged as a promising talent for GT. He was the sixth-highest run-scorer in IPL 2024, with 527 runs at an average of nearly 48. He is considered a potential future Test player for India.Tewatia and Shahrukh are both uncapped all-rounders who have been retained for their power-hitting abilities. Tewatia has played several impactful knocks as a finisher, while Shahrukh is one of the strongest hitters in domestic cricket.GT will have at least INR 51 crore deducted from their purse of INR 120 crore for retaining three international players and two uncapped players. The amounts for each player are not yet known, but GT is free to pay more or less than the minimum deductions set by the IPL.The deadline for franchises to submit their list of retained players is October 31. The mega auction is expected to be held in December or January.

Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar is set to enter the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction pool, scheduled for next month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Sundar, who impressed with 11 wickets in the second Test against New Zealand, is unlikely to be retained by his current franchise, SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH).According to reports, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Gujarat Titans have expressed interest in acquiring Sundar's services. The all-rounder is keen on entering the auction, where he could potentially command a significant sum.While SRH has the option to retain Sundar using the Right to Match (RTM) card, they are reportedly considering retaining only three players ahead of the mega auction. Heinrich Klaasen, Pat Cummins, and Abhishek Sharma are expected to be the retained players.Interestingly, Cummins, who captained SRH in 2024, will reportedly receive a pay cut of INR 2 crore, despite leading the team to the finals last season. SRH is expected to finalize the retentions of Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy soon.The IPL has set October 31 as the deadline for retentions. If SRH finalizes five retentions, they will have one RTM card available at the auction, which can only be used for an uncapped Indian player.Sundar's impressive performances in recent matches have made him a valuable asset for any IPL franchise. His all-round abilities, including his effective spin bowling and solid batting, make him a versatile player who can contribute in multiple ways.The upcoming IPL auction promises to be an exciting event, with several top players set to go under the hammer. Sundar's availability will undoubtedly attract the attention of multiple franchises, and he is likely to fetch a substantial contract.

IPL 2025: Lucknow Super Kings Retain Nicholas Pooran, Gujarat Titans Set to Keep Shubman GillAhead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, Lucknow Super Kings (LSG) and Gujarat Titans (GT) have made significant moves by retaining key players.Lucknow Super KingsLSG has retained West Indies wicket-keeper batter Nicholas Pooran for a whopping Rs 18 crore. Pooran, who joined LSG in 2023 for Rs 16 crore, is reportedly being considered as a potential replacement for KL Rahul as captain."Pooran is committed to LSG, possesses a winning mindset, thinks deep, and above all, he is adaptable to the batting order and any match situation," said an LSG official.In addition to Pooran, LSG is expected to retain Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Ayush Badoni, and Mohsin Khan. The franchise will enter the auction with a purse of Rs 69 crore.Gujarat TitansGT, the reigning IPL champions, are set to retain their captain Shubman Gill, star spinner Rashid Khan, and left-handed batter Sai Sudharsan. Uncapped hitters Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan are also likely to be retained."Shubman, Rashid, and Sai will be retained by the franchise," said an IPL source.Gill, who is seen as a future leader in Indian cricket, captained Titans for the first time in 2023. Rashid Khan has been a consistent performer for GT, taking 27 wickets in the 2023 season. Sudharsan had a breakout year in 2023, scoring 527 runs in 12 games.

Gujarat Titans, the reigning IPL champions, are gearing up for the upcoming mega auction by retaining three key players: captain Shubman Gill, star spinner Rashid Khan, and left-handed batter Sai Sudharsan. Uncapped hitters Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan are also expected to be retained by the franchise.Gill, a highly-rated young batsman, led the Titans for the first time in 2023, guiding them to an eighth-place finish. Despite the team's overall performance, Gill's leadership qualities and potential as a future Indian captain have impressed the franchise.Rashid Khan, the Afghan spin wizard, has been a consistent performer for the Titans since joining in 2022. In his debut season, he claimed 19 wickets, followed by 27 wickets in the following year. While his form dipped slightly in 2023, with 10 wickets in 12 games, his experience and match-winning abilities make him an invaluable asset.Sai Sudharsan, a rising star in Indian cricket, had a breakout year in 2023, amassing 527 runs in 12 games, including a century. His impressive performances have earned him a place in the national team, where he has featured in three ODIs and a T20.Uncapped all-rounder Shahrukh Khan, known for his explosive batting, is another player expected to be retained by the Titans. With a strike rate of 169.33, he provides a valuable option in the middle order.IPL veteran Rahul Tewatia, a left-handed batsman, is also likely to be retained. With close to 100 IPL games under his belt, Tewatia brings experience and a high strike rate to the team.The mega auction is expected to be held overseas in the last week of November, with an increased auction purse of Rs 120 crore. Teams can retain up to six players from their existing squad, the highest number in IPL history.

Gujarat Titans, the reigning Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, have hinted at retaining their skipper Shubman Gill and star spinner Rashid Khan for the upcoming 2025 season. The franchise posted images of both players on social media, suggesting their retention ahead of the official announcement.However, the absence of pacer Mohammed Shami's photo in the post has raised questions about his future with the team. Shami has been a crucial member of the Titans since their inception in 2022, playing a pivotal role in their title victory that year. In IPL 2023, he continued to lead the Titans' pace attack, finishing with an impressive tally of 28 wickets.Shami's recent struggles with injuries have cast a shadow over his retention prospects. He has been sidelined since the ODI World Cup final last November due to an ankle injury and a knee swelling issue. However, the 34-year-old has recently shown encouraging signs of recovery, bowling at full intensity in the nets.Shami's fitness and performance in upcoming domestic matches will be crucial in determining his fate with the Titans. He aims to play "one or two" matches to strengthen his case for selection ahead of the marquee tour of Australia starting next month.The Titans' decision on Shami's retention will be closely watched by fans and experts alike. His experience and skill would be a valuable asset to the team, but his recent injury concerns may give the franchise pause.

Parthiv Patel, the former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, is set to join the Gujarat Titans as their batting mentor for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This move comes after Gary Kirsten, the previous batting coach and mentor, left the franchise to become the white-ball head coach of the Pakistan cricket team.Patel's appointment is a significant addition to the Gujarat Titans' support staff, which is led by former India cricketer Ashish Nehra. Patel brings a wealth of experience to the role, having played 25 Tests, 38 ODIs, and 2 T20Is for India. He also has extensive experience in the IPL, having played for teams such as the Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Chennai Super Kings.As batting mentor, Patel will be responsible for guiding and developing the Titans' batting unit, which includes the likes of Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, and David Miller. His experience and knowledge will be invaluable to the team, especially considering the Titans' disappointing performance in the previous IPL season.Patel's appointment is a clear indication of the Gujarat Titans' ambition to improve their performance in the upcoming IPL season. With a strong support staff and a talented squad, the Titans will be hoping to make a significant impact in the tournament.

Sai Kishore, the promising all-rounder from Tamil Nadu, is poised for a comeback after overcoming a debilitating neck injury. The Gujarat Titans player made waves in IPL 2024 with his match-winning spell against Punjab Kings, earning him the Player of the Match award. However, his success was cut short when he sustained a neck injury while playing golf.Undeterred, Kishore sought rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. In July, he returned to competitive action in the Tamil Nadu Premier League for Tiruppur Tamizhans. Reflecting on his recovery journey, Kishore expressed gratitude for the support he received from various individuals, including his wife."The neck is essential for everything we do," Kishore said. "I couldn't move or sit without excruciating pain. I had to set alarms every two hours to wake up and walk."Despite the challenges, Kishore remained determined to return to the field. "Getting back to normal life was an achievement in itself," he said. "Cricket was a bonus."Kishore exudes confidence in his abilities, declaring himself "one of the best spinners" in India. He aspires to play alongside Ravindra Jadeja in Test cricket, believing it would be an invaluable learning experience."I've never played alongside Jadeja in red-ball format," Kishore said. "It would be a great opportunity to learn from him. I'm confident and ready more than ever."Kishore's comeback has been bolstered by his selection in the Duleep Trophy. He has also represented India in three T20Is at the Asian Games.