Cricket

Jimmy Anderson, the legendary English fast bowler, is set to make a remarkable return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the age of 43. Despite not playing T20 cricket for over a decade, Anderson's exceptional skills and unwavering determination have earned him a spot in the upcoming season.Anderson's journey to the IPL is a testament to his enduring passion for the sport. Unlike the great West Indies fast bowlers, he lacked the raw ferocity but compensated with remarkable control over swing, even in challenging Indian conditions. His ability to generate reverse swing, which he learned from Zaheer Khan, further enhanced his effectiveness.Anderson's return to the IPL is not merely a nostalgic gesture. He brings with him a wealth of experience and a unique perspective that can inspire and guide younger players. His presence in the dressing room will foster a culture of excellence and a relentless pursuit of perfection.Anderson's signing is reminiscent of Shane Warne's impact on the inaugural Rajasthan Royals team. Warne's leadership, mentorship, and on-field brilliance transformed the team and had a profound influence on the format itself. Anderson has the potential to play a similar role, inspiring a new generation of cricketers and leaving an enduring legacy on the IPL.Beyond his cricketing prowess, Anderson is known for his obsessive dedication to the sport. He continues to play for his club Burnley and envisions himself playing pickup games in the park and bowling to his grandchildren in the future. This unwavering passion is a testament to his love for the game and his desire to share it with others.Anderson's return to the IPL is a reminder that age is just a number for true athletes. His determination to continue playing at the highest level is an inspiration to all who aspire to achieve greatness. As he prepares to don the IPL jersey once again, Anderson embodies the spirit of a true sportsman, driven by an unyielding passion for the game.

Shreyas Iyer's IPL Future: Gavaskar Predicts KKR or Delhi Capitals ReunionShreyas Iyer's release by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has sparked speculation about his future in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite leading KKR to the title in 2022, Iyer was released ahead of the 2023 season due to a back injury.Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has proposed an intriguing idea for Iyer's future in the IPL. Gavaskar believes that KKR will attempt to reacquire Iyer, similar to his earlier prediction regarding Rishabh Pant. However, he cautions that negotiations over the fee could lead to a disagreement.KKR's limited purse of Rs 51 crore and lack of a Right to Match (RTM) card put them in a challenging position ahead of the auction. "When KKR won last year (IPL 2024), Shreyas Iyer was the captain. As I said earlier for Rishabh Pant as well, at times, there could be a disagreement on the fees," Gavaskar said on Star Sports' show 'Game Plan'.Iyer has set his base price at Rs 2 crore. His performance last season was impressive, amassing 351 runs in 14 innings at an average of 39, with a strike rate of 146.86.Gavaskar suggests that Delhi Capitals will also be interested in Iyer, as they will need a new captain if Rishabh Pant is not part of the team. "Delhi will want him because they will also need to find a captain if Rishabh Pant isn't in their team. So I feel Delhi will definitely try to use the RTM card or bring Rishabh Pant back into their team at the auction," he said.Ultimately, Iyer's future in the IPL will depend on the strategies of KKR and Delhi Capitals at the auction. If KKR is willing to pay a premium for his services, he could return to the franchise that he led to glory. However, if Delhi Capitals sees him as a suitable replacement for Pant, they could make a strong bid for his services.

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.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is gearing up for its 2025 season with a mega auction set to take place on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A total of 574 players, including 366 Indians and 208 overseas players, will go under the hammer. This includes 330 uncapped players, of which 318 are Indian and 12 are from overseas.The auction will feature a total of 204 slots, with 70 available for overseas players. This is the first time since the 2018 auction that the marquee list has been split into two. The marquee list includes players who have a base price of INR 2 crore or more.The IPL auction is a crucial event for teams to build their squads for the upcoming season. Teams will be looking to acquire a mix of experienced and talented players to bolster their chances of success. The auction is also an opportunity for young and uncapped players to showcase their skills and earn a contract with an IPL franchise.The IPL has become one of the most popular cricket leagues in the world, attracting top players from around the globe. The league has also played a significant role in the development of Indian cricket, providing a platform for young players to showcase their talent and earn international recognition.The 2025 IPL season is expected to be another exciting and competitive one, with teams vying for the coveted trophy. The mega auction will play a key role in shaping the teams and determining the outcome of the season.

Mallika Sagar, the renowned auctioneer with over two decades of experience, will once again preside over the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction, scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah. This marks a significant milestone for the IPL, as Sagar becomes the first female auctioneer to conduct the event for the second consecutive year.Prior to her involvement with the IPL, Sagar successfully conducted the Women's Premier League (WPL) auction and the eighth edition of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Her expertise and professionalism have earned her widespread recognition in the sports auction industry.Ahead of the two-day mega auction, all IPL franchises are actively preparing to assemble their squads for the upcoming cycle. With retentions already completed, teams are conducting trials to finalize their potential shortlists. Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, and Mumbai Indians have already held their trials, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Supergiants are expected to conduct theirs after the ongoing Ranji Trophy concludes on November 16.A total of 1574 players have registered for the IPL mega auction, and the list will be shortlisted before being presented to the ten teams in Jeddah. Each franchise can have a maximum of 25 players in their setup, and 204 slots will be up for grabs during the two-day event.Several high-profile Indian players, including Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul, will be available in the auction pool. These players are expected to attract significant interest from teams seeking a captain or key players to bolster their squads.The IPL mega auction is a crucial event that shapes the composition of teams for the upcoming season. With Mallika Sagar at the helm, the auction promises to be a captivating and competitive affair, as franchises vie to secure the best talent available.

Former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has joined Karnali Yaks for the inaugural season of the Nepal Premier League (NPL). This move comes after Dhawan was released by Punjab Kings (PBKS) ahead of the 2025 IPL mega-auction.Dhawan's decision to join Karnali Yaks marks a new chapter in his illustrious career. The 38-year-old announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket in August 2024, bringing an end to a remarkable journey that saw him represent India across all formats.In his international career, Dhawan was a prolific run-scorer, particularly in ODIs. He amassed 6,793 runs in 167 appearances, including 17 centuries and 39 fifties. His average of 44.1 is a testament to his consistency and ability to score runs at a brisk pace.Dhawan also made significant contributions in Test and T20I cricket. In 34 Tests, he scored 2,315 runs at an average of 40.6, with seven centuries and five half-centuries. In 68 T20Is, he accumulated 1,759 runs at an average of 27.9, including 11 fifties.At the domestic level, Dhawan played 122 First-Class matches and scored 8,499 runs at an average of 44.26. He notched up 25 centuries and 29 fifties, showcasing his ability to dominate bowlers in the longer format.Dhawan's experience and leadership qualities will be invaluable to Karnali Yaks in the NPL. The franchise will be hoping that he can replicate his international success and help them make a strong impact in the tournament.

IPL Mega Auction: BCCI Unveils Two Marquee Player ListsAhead of the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a significant change in the bidding process. The auction, scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will feature two sets of marquee players, each comprising 8-9 individuals.This move marks a departure from the previous mega-auction in 2022, which utilized only one marquee list. However, it aligns with the format employed in the 2018 and 2014 auctions.The marquee players are expected to include top-tier talent such as Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, R Ashwin, Mitchell Starc, and Jos Buttler. Notably, Ben Stokes, who would have been a marquee player, has opted out of this year's auction.Each marquee player will have a base price of INR 2 crore, which could potentially exhaust 30-50% of the total auction purse. Franchises are expected to secure at least two prominent players each, with an average cost of INR 20-25 crore. This could amount to INR 200-250 crore from the total purse of Rs 641.5 crore.It's important to note that franchises have already allocated Rs 558.5 crore of their permitted INR 1200 crore during recent retentions. The auction's trajectory will likely hinge on the bids placed for players in the first two sets, many of whom are expected to be sold.Punjab Kings, holding the largest available purse at INR 110.5 crore, are well-positioned to acquire top players. The BCCI will soon announce the precise bidding order and the marquee list. They recently distributed a register of 1,574 names, including 1,165 Indian players and 409 overseas players. This roster comprises 320 capped, 1224 uncapped, and 30 Associate players. Additionally, franchises have retained a total of 46 players.

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction approaches, a plethora of Indian and overseas cricketers eagerly await their fate. Among them is Ashutosh Sharma, a 26-year-old middle-order batter who made a significant impact in the 2024 IPL season with Punjab Kings.After being picked at his base price of ₹20 lakh, Ashutosh seized the opportunity and showcased his daring and inventive strokeplay. Batting predominantly in the slog overs, he contributed 189 runs in 11 matches at a remarkable strike rate of 167.26.Despite his impressive performance, Ashutosh was not retained by Punjab Kings, a decision that he accepts with equanimity. "I didn't think much about whether I was retained or not. It is not in my hands," he said. "Wherever I go, I will be happy as long as I just play cricket."Ashutosh's journey to the IPL has been marked by perseverance and determination. After not getting enough opportunities for Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket, he moved to Railways, where he finally found his footing.Reflecting on his IPL experience, Ashutosh highlights the invaluable lessons he learned. "I have learned a lot of things. A lot of legends play in the IPL. I have learned by observing how they perform on a big stage," he said. "I used to get to bat in tough situations. The biggest lesson was how to handle those tough situations and how to stay calm and believe in yourself."As the mega auction looms, Ashutosh remains optimistic about his prospects. "I am excited about the auction. I am hoping to get picked by a team that believes in me and gives me the opportunity to showcase my skills," he said.With his talent and determination, Ashutosh Sharma is poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming IPL season. Whether he returns to Punjab Kings or finds a new home, his journey is a testament to the transformative power of the IPL and the opportunities it provides to aspiring cricketers.

Australia's Border-Gavaskar Trophy preparations have hit a snag as assistant coach Daniel Vettori is set to depart midway through the first Test to attend the IPL 2025 mega auction. Vettori, who is also the head coach of IPL runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), will need to be present for the auction, which clashes with the Test match days.The IPL 2025 mega auction is scheduled for November 24 and 25, coinciding with the first Australia-India Test in Perth, which runs from November 22 to 26. Vettori's absence will be a significant blow to Australia, who are looking to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after losing it in India last year.Vettori is not the only Australian coaching staff member who will be leaving for the IPL auction. Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer, who are head coaches of Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) respectively, are also expected to depart midway through the Perth Test.The IPL's growing stature and financial clout have made it increasingly difficult for players and coaches to prioritize international commitments. The league is now one of the richest and most-watched in the world, offering lucrative contracts and the opportunity to work with top players and coaches.Vettori's departure highlights the challenges facing cricket boards in balancing the demands of international cricket with the allure of the IPL. While the IPL provides financial benefits and opportunities for players and coaches, it can also disrupt national team preparations and create scheduling conflicts.Despite the challenges, Australia will be determined to put on a strong performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. They will be led by Pat Cummins, who is also retained by SRH along with Travis Head. The team will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing loss in India and reclaim the trophy on home soil.