Cricket

MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) icon, is set to return for his 18th season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2024. This confirmation comes amidst widespread speculation that the upcoming season would mark his final appearance.CSK has retained five players for the 2024 season, including Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, and Matheesha Pathirana. Notably, Dhoni has agreed to a significant salary cut, signing for Rs. 4 crore for the season. His retention falls under the 'uncapped player' category, following the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s reinstatement of a rule allowing teams to classify players as uncapped if they haven't represented India in over five years.CSK CEO Kasi Vishwanathan hinted at Dhoni's future, suggesting that the former Indian captain aims to end his career at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium. This aligns with Dhoni's 2021 statement during a CSK victory celebration, where he expressed his desire to play his last game in Chennai."As far as Mahi bhai (brother) is concerned, you know he keeps everything to himself. It comes out at the last moment only. Knowing the passion he has for CSK, and also knowing the following he has, and he also mentioned in one of the interviews that he'll play his last game in Chennai, we're hoping that he will continue as far as CSK is concerned. As long as MS wants to play, the doors are open. Knowing him, his commitment, and his dedication, I'm sure he'll always take the right decision," said Viswanathan.Dhoni, who led CSK since 2008, briefly joined Rising Pune SuperGiants in 2016 and 2017 before passing CSK's captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the 2024 season.

With the IPL 2024 retention deadline fast approaching, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are facing crucial decisions regarding their player roster. The team's most pressing concern is the status of legendary captain MS Dhoni, who has hinted at continuing his IPL career.CSK's retention strategy has been the subject of intense speculation, with many wondering whether Dhoni will be retained as an uncapped or capped player. The franchise has remained tight-lipped about its plans, but a recent social media post has sparked a flurry of predictions.On Tuesday evening, CSK posted a cryptic message on Twitter featuring emojis of a helicopter, sword, star, rocket, and others. Social media users quickly interpreted these emojis as hints towards the team's retained players.According to popular predictions, Ravindra Jadeja, Ritiraj Gaikwad, Matheesha Pathiarana, MS Dhoni, and Rachin Ravindra are likely to be retained. Jadeja, the all-rounder, is believed to be CSK's top retention choice, while Gaikwad, the young opener, has emerged as a key player for the team.However, some have dismissed the social media predictions, claiming that the post is an old one that has been re-published. CSK has not officially confirmed any retentions, and the final list will only be revealed on the deadline day.Meanwhile, Dhoni has dropped a subtle hint about his IPL future. During an event, he expressed his desire to enjoy the remaining years of his cricket career. "I just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I am able to play," Dhoni said.CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has also expressed his delight at Dhoni's willingness to continue playing. "When he is ready, what else (do) we want. We are happy," Viswanathan told Cricbuzz.Despite the uncertainty surrounding Dhoni's status, CSK is reportedly considering Jadeja as their No. 1 retention choice. The all-rounder has been a vital cog in the team's success over the years and is expected to lead the side in the upcoming season.As the retention deadline approaches, CSK will have to make some tough decisions to shape their squad for the 2024 season. The retention of Dhoni and Jadeja will be crucial for the team's hopes of regaining the IPL title.

Former Indian cricket team spinner Harbhajan Singh has sparked confusion and speculation with a cryptic post on social media. On October 8, 2024, Singh took to Twitter to write, "Nowadays, some ants are teaching bees how to make honey."The enigmatic message has left the internet baffled, with many trying to decipher its meaning. Some have suggested that it is a reference to another cricketer, while others have speculated about a political connection, as the post coincided with the Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir election results.Singh's post comes after he shared his thoughts on the thrilling IPL 2024 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). RCB emerged victorious, securing a spot in the playoffs.In a recent interview with Sports Yaari, Singh revealed an incident that occurred after the match. He claimed that CSK legend MS Dhoni lost his composure and punched a screen while walking back to the dressing room."RCB was celebrating and they deserved to celebrate because of the way they won. I was watching the whole scene from above because I was present there. RCB was celebrating and CSK had lined up to shake hands, RCB were a little late to reach CSK. By the time Team RCB finished their celebration, (Dhoni) went inside and he punched a screen outside the dressing room. I was watching from above but it is okay that every player has his own emotions, it happens," Singh said.Singh's cryptic post and the revelation about Dhoni's reaction have further fueled speculation and discussion among cricket fans. The true meaning behind the message remains unknown, but it has certainly sparked a buzz on social media.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction guidelines have sparked discussions among fans and former cricketers. Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja has expressed his opinion on Mumbai Indians' retention strategy, suggesting that they should prioritize retaining Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah.Jadeja believes that these three players are indispensable to Mumbai Indians and should be retained without hesitation. He also suggests that the franchise should use their Right to Match (RTM) card on Hardik Pandya, despite his injury concerns."I'd say, players like Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah, are undoubtedly the three players who will be retained by MI. It is impossible to get these players if put up for auction," Jadeja said.However, Jadeja acknowledges that using the RTM on Pandya could be risky. "The kind of player he is, you might not get him either (in the auction). But there is a chance that his injury tendencies might make the other franchises not be able to open up their banks for him," he added.Jadeja believes that sacrificing one of the other three players for Pandya would be a mistake. "If you have an RTM, they you can use to their advantage. I am not saying that this decides the player's caliber or power, but if you look at a player like Bumrah and his value and then Hardik Pandya on the market, it will be a difficult business," he said.Mumbai Indians have a number of other key players to consider, including Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Tim David, and Dewald Brevis. The franchise will have to make some tough decisions before the mega auction.

Despite a devastating leg injury that shattered his IPL 2024 and World Cup aspirations, Australian pacer Jason Behrendorff remains unyielding in his pursuit of success. The 34-year-old's journey in 2024 has been a rollercoaster of setbacks and triumphs.In March, just days before his scheduled departure for the IPL, a freak accident at the WACA nets left Behrendorff with a broken fibula. The injury came at a cruel time, as he was in peak form and considered a contender for Australia's T20 World Cup squad.Undeterred, Behrendorff refused to let the setback define him. He opted out of his state contract with Western Australia and embarked on a freelance career in global T20 leagues. This bold move saw him go from representing Australia, WA, and Mumbai Indians to becoming an uncontracted freelancer overnight.Despite the uncertainty, Behrendorff's return to cricket has been nothing short of spectacular. He lifted the Lanka Premier League trophy with Jaffna Kings and helped the Toronto Nationals win the Global T20 Canada title, earning player-of-the-match honors in the final.Behrendorff's success as a freelancer has led him to believe that more players will follow in his footsteps, choosing to forgo state contracts in favor of the lucrative opportunities offered by T20 leagues.While the pinnacle of cricket remains the Baggy Green, Behrendorff believes that success is not solely defined by Test cricket. He has made a significant impact in the game through his contributions in limited-overs formats.Behrendorff's T20 journey is far from over. As T20 leagues continue to expand, he is confident that he can continue to make a mark on the global stage. His determination and resilience serve as an inspiration to all who face adversity in their pursuit of success.

Former South African cricketer and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) fielding coach Jonty Rhodes has heaped praise on young Indian pacer Mayank Yadav, calling him the "Rolls Royce" of the IPL franchise. Yadav, a product of Delhi's Sonnet Cricket Club, made a stunning debut for LSG in IPL 2024, showcasing his raw pace and impressive skills.In his debut match against Punjab Kings (PBKS), Yadav consistently bowled above 145 kmph and returned with figures of 3 for 27, including a top speed of 155.8 km/h. He continued to impress in the four matches he played for LSG, picking up four wickets with an economy of 6.99.However, Yadav's promising season was cut short by an injury against Gujarat Titans. He suffered a side strain, which was later confirmed as lower abdomen soreness, and was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.Despite the setback, Rhodes believes that Yadav has immense potential and is a valuable asset for LSG. "He's like the Rolls Royce of bowlers, similar to how we used to call Allan Donald a Rolls Royce," Rhodes said. "He had a whole season with the team and that's why the owners decided to keep him with the team."Rhodes emphasized the importance of managing Yadav's workload and ensuring that he is physically and mentally prepared for the rigors of the IPL. "He doesn't need to bowl 30 minutes every day in the nets," Rhodes said. "He just needs to top up to make sure that he from a mental and emotional point of view feels that he's ready."Rhodes also highlighted the challenges that Yadav faces as a young pacer bowling to some of the best batters in the world. "You've got pace, but you can't bowl in good areas or with good skill, the better players will hit you out the ground," he said.Rhodes expressed his hope that Yadav will remain fit and available for the entire IPL 2025 season, whether with LSG or another franchise. "There's a talent that is exciting," he concluded.

With the departure of Rick Ponting as head coach of the Delhi Capitals ahead of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, the franchise is reportedly eyeing Yuvraj Singh as his replacement. Yuvraj, a legendary Indian middle-order batter, has limited top-tier coaching experience but is highly regarded for his cricketing acumen and leadership qualities.The Delhi Capitals are keen to replicate the success of the Gujarat Titans, who appointed Ashish Nehra as their head coach last season. Nehra, who was initially linked with a move away from GT, is now expected to remain with the franchise. This has prompted the Capitals to turn their attention to Yuvraj, who is seen as a potential replacement for Ponting.Yuvraj's extensive playing experience, including 40 Tests, 304 ODIs, and 58 T20Is, makes him a valuable asset to any coaching staff. He was a key member of India's victorious campaigns in the 2007 ICC World T20 and the 2011 ODI World Cup.If Yuvraj accepts the role, he will have the support of Sourav Ganguly, who is the Director of Cricket Operations at the Delhi Capitals. Ganguly was initially considered for the coaching position but ultimately decided against it.Yuvraj has unofficially mentored players like Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, helping them improve their game. His ability to inspire and motivate young players could prove invaluable to the Delhi Capitals.Whether Yuvraj can replicate his success as a player in the coaching role remains to be seen. However, his appointment would undoubtedly add experience and star power to the Delhi Capitals' coaching staff.

Mayank Yadav, the 22-year-old fast bowler for Lucknow Super Giants, emerged as a standout performer in IPL 2024. His blistering pace, consistently exceeding 150 kmph, and impressive wicket-taking ability (seven wickets in four games) caught the attention of fans and selectors alike. However, an unfortunate injury abruptly halted his season, casting uncertainty over his return to competitive cricket.BCCI secretary Jay Shah expressed doubts about Yadav's availability for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Test series scheduled for December. While recovering at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey advocates for a gradual reintroduction to action, particularly focusing on first-class cricket.Yadav's injury has sparked discussions about his immediate future and the appropriate path for his recovery. Mhambrey believes that keeping Yadav sidelined out of caution may not be the best approach for the young pacer. He argues that bowlers need to bowl to develop control and understand their physical limits.Mhambrey emphasizes the importance of playing red-ball cricket for Yadav's development and injury management. He believes that first-class cricket provides the necessary experience and helps bowlers understand their individual physical limits.The former bowling coach also highlights the significance of understanding Yadav's background and training regimen to better manage his fitness and workload. He notes that Yadav is still in the developmental phase of his career, and proactive management of his workload and fitness is crucial.As the BCCI deliberates on the best course of action for Yadav, the young pacer's return to full fitness remains eagerly anticipated by fans and selectors alike. His impressive performances in the IPL have shown glimpses of his potential, and managing his recovery effectively could be key to his future success in Indian cricket.

Punjab Kings (PBKS), the perennial underachievers of the Indian Premier League (IPL), are poised to appoint former India batter Wasim Jaffer as their new head coach for the upcoming season. Jaffer, who previously served as PBKS' batting consultant and batting coach, will succeed Trevor Bayliss, whose two-year contract expired.Jaffer's appointment marks his third stint with the Punjab franchise. He was released as the batting consultant ahead of the 2023 IPL season. The 46-year-old, who played 31 Tests and 2 ODIs for India, was the batting coach of PBKS from 2019-2021.PBKS, who have not reached the playoffs since 2014, endured a disappointing IPL 2023 campaign, finishing ninth in the points table. Despite recording the highest successful run-chase in T20 cricket earlier this year, chasing down 262 at the Eden Gardens to beat Kolkata Knight Riders, the team struggled for consistency.Bayliss, a World Cup-winning coach who also guided Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL trophies, failed to transform PBKS into a consistent outfit. His three-year tenure ended with the team finishing in the bottom half of the table.Jaffer's appointment is expected to bring a fresh approach to the franchise. His experience as a player and coach, coupled with his knowledge of the IPL, could prove invaluable for PBKS.Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to meet with all 10 IPL teams on July 31 to discuss the number of retentions teams can make and the Right to Match (RTM) options ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.