Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to witness a surge of top Indian cricketers entering the upcoming player auction, thanks to a significant alteration in the retention rules. The deadline for player retention is fast approaching, and the IPL circles are abuzz with frantic activity.The IPL authorities have deviated from the previous practice of reducing the "lesser amount" if a player's retention price exceeds the designated price for the slot. This time around, if the amount is equal to or greater than the designated price, the "higher of the two" amounts will be deducted from the player's purse.For example, in the 2022 auction, the highest price band for a player retention was Rs. 15 crore. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were retained by their respective franchises for Rs. 17 crore and Rs. 16 crore, respectively. However, since the cap for the top player was Rs. 15 crore, only Rs. 15 crore was reduced from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (then Bangalore) and Mumbai Indians' auction kitty.In the upcoming 2025 retention, Sunrisers Hyderabad is likely to retain Heinrich Klaasen (Rs. 23 crore), Pat Cummins (Rs. 18 crore), and Abhishek Sharma (Rs. 14 crore). If this happens, despite the combined designated kitty for the top three retentions being Rs. 43 crore (Rs. 18 crore, Rs. 14 crore, and Rs. 11 crore), Rs. 55 crore will be reduced from the SRH's auction purse of Rs. 120 crore.This rule change, combined with the additional bid offered to the highest bidder while using the Right to Match card, has resulted in Indian cricketers seeking amounts much higher than the anticipated brackets by the franchises. As a result, stars like Shreyas Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders' IPL-winning captain), Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals skipper), Kuldeep Yadav (DC spinner), and Arshdeep Singh (Punjab Kings) may throw their hat in the auction pool.Contrary to this trend, Mumbai Indians is set to retain four of its top Indian stars – Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya. While this will severely hamper its auction purse, the MI management is understood to have arrived at an agreement with the quartet.Punjab Kings may well enter the auction with Rs. 112 crore, the largest purse, since it is likely to retain only two uncapped cricketers. While Shashank Singh is a certainty, either Prabhsimran Singh or Ashutosh Sharma is likely to be retained.

Gautam Gambhir's Bollywood Movie Titles for Indian CricketersDuring a lighthearted segment at the Delhi Premier League T20, Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir showcased his playful side by assigning Bollywood movie titles to Indian cricketers, including Virat Kohli.Gambhir's choices were both amusing and insightful. For Kohli, he selected "Shahenshah" (Emperor), a fitting title for the Indian captain's dominance on the field. Yuvraj Singh was dubbed "Badshah," while Gambhir humorously referred to himself as the "Angry Young Man."Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary batsman, was aptly named "Dabang," while Jasprit Bumrah, the pace sensation, earned the title "Khiladi." Gambhir emphasized that Bumrah's title was "more important than all these," highlighting his exceptional skills. Rahul Dravid, known for his precision and dependability, was recognized as "Mr. Perfectionist."Surprisingly, Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni's names were absent from the segment, leaving cricket enthusiasts curious.Gambhir's playful assignment of movie titles not only provided entertainment but also shed light on his relationship with Virat Kohli. In his first press conference as head coach, Gambhir clarified that he and Kohli are "on the same page" regarding their shared goal of making India proud.As India prepares for their upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, all eyes are on Virat Kohli's much-anticipated return to the Test squad. Kohli's inclusion, along with Rishabh Pant's return after nearly 20 months, adds experience and strength to India's arsenal as they aim to start the two-match series on a high note.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 is poised to be an exciting spectacle, with teams bolstering their squads through the recent auction. While some teams have maintained their core, others have made significant acquisitions.Australian pace duo Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc commanded record-breaking bids, fetching over Rs 20 crore each for SunRisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders, respectively. This marked the first time the Rs 20 crore threshold was surpassed in IPL history.Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa believes that the absence of a salary cap would result in astronomical salaries for Indian players. He estimates that as many as 10 Indian players could command over Rs 100 crore if the purse limit were removed."With an open auction and no purse limit, we have 10 players who can get over 100 crore," Uthappa said on News24 Sports. "Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal would all be in that bracket."Uthappa, who has played for several IPL franchises, including Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, and Royal Challengers Bangalore, emphasized the exceptional talent of these players. He highlighted their consistent performances, match-winning abilities, and fan following as factors that would drive their market value.The IPL's salary cap of Rs 100 crore per franchise ensures a level playing field and prevents teams from hoarding star players. However, Uthappa's comments raise questions about the potential financial implications if the cap were lifted.With the IPL 2024 season approaching, fans can expect intense competition and thrilling matches as teams vie for the coveted trophy. The presence of world-class players and the possibility of record-breaking salaries add to the anticipation surrounding the tournament.