Cricket

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have received a significant boost ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction with the potential retention of uncapped fast bowler Harshit Rana at a cost-effective price of Rs 4 crore.Rana, despite his impressive domestic performances and contributions to KKR's title-winning campaign in 2023, remains uncapped due to a viral infection that prevented him from making his international debut in the third T20I against Bangladesh.This unfortunate circumstance has worked in KKR's favor, as they can now retain Rana at a significantly lower cost than if he had made his international debut. The uncapped player retention rule allows teams to secure the services of uncapped players for a maximum of Rs 4 crore.Rana's impressive domestic record and his contributions to KKR's success make him a valuable asset for the team. In the 2023 IPL season, he claimed 19 wickets in 13 matches, playing a crucial role in KKR's run to their third title.KKR's decision to retain Rana at this price could be a strategic move, allowing them to invest more in other key areas of the squad while keeping a promising young player on their roster.Rana's international debut may still be on the horizon, as he has been named as one of the traveling reserves for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand at home. However, with pace sensation Mayank Yadav and experienced seamer Prasidh Krishna also among the reserves, Rana's chances of making his debut in the Test series appear slim.

Delhi Capitals' Retention Strategy: Aakash Chopra Advises Prioritizing Pant and AxarFormer Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has urged the Delhi Capitals (DC) to prioritize the retention of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and all-rounder Axar Patel ahead of the IPL 2025 auction.Despite rumors of Pant's potential departure, Chopra confirmed that the star player will remain with the Delhi-based franchise. He emphasized Pant's importance as the team's first retention, allocating a budget of Rs 18 crore for his services.Chopra also highlighted Axar's consistent performances, citing his contributions as a bowler, batter, and fielder. He believes that retaining Axar will save the team significant funds in the auction, as his value would be high if he were available.For the third retention, Chopra identified a dilemma between Australian all-rounder Jake Fraser-McGurk and Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav. While he prefers an Indian player, he acknowledges the value of Fraser-McGurk and suggests using the Right To Match (RTM) card for one of them.Chopra further recommended retaining Abishek Porel as the uncapped player, securing him at a lower price of Rs 4 crore. This move would leave DC with two RTM cards after retaining three capped players and Porel.

Mayank Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy Elevate to Capped Status Ahead of IPL 2025Pace sensation Mayank Yadav and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy have made their mark on the international stage, earning their T20I debuts for India against Bangladesh. This elevation comes after their impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where they showcased their exceptional skills.Yadav, 22, has been a standout performer for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL, consistently delivering blistering deliveries exceeding 150 kilometers per hour. His raw pace and accuracy have caught the attention of both fans and experts alike.Reddy, on the other hand, has made a significant impact in the star-studded Sunrisers Hyderabad lineup. The right-hander has displayed explosive batting prowess, notably hammering a 42-ball 76 against Rajasthan Royals, featuring eight towering sixes. He concluded the season with an impressive 303 runs.Their elevation to the international stage adds further value to their already impressive IPL credentials. As capped players, Yadav and Reddy are likely to attract significant attention during the upcoming IPL retention and auction process. Franchises will be eager to secure their services, recognizing their potential as key assets for the next year's tournament.The India debuts for both players also have financial implications. As capped players, they are now eligible for a higher salary if retained by their respective franchises. The designated amount for retaining an uncapped player is Rs 4 crore, but capped players can command a higher fee.The deadline for franchises to submit their final list of retained players is October 31, 2024. According to the new retention rules, a franchise can retain a total of six players from their existing squad. This can be either via retention or by using the Right to Match (RTM) option. The six retentions/RTM's can have a maximum of five capped players (Indian and overseas) and a maximum of two uncapped players.With the increased auction purse of Rs 120 crore for each team, there will be a reduction in the cost of retaining players. However, the first three retentions will still come at a significant cost, with the subsequent fourth and fifth retentions further reducing the franchise purse.

SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) face a dilemma as all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy's potential international debut could impact their retention strategy for the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. Reddy has been called up to India's 15-man squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh.If Reddy makes his debut, SRH will lose the option to retain him as an uncapped player, which would significantly increase his retention cost. Under IPL's latest retention rules, an uncapped player can be retained for Rs 4 crore, while a capped player would require a minimum retention fee of Rs 11 crore.Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes SRH would be hoping that Reddy does not make his debut, as it would allow them to retain him for a lower price. "They would be praying that Nitish Kumar Reddy remains uncapped. They would be saying - 'Please don't play him in the T20I series'," Chopra said.Chopra also suggested that SRH should prioritize the retentions of captain Pat Cummins and young India batter Abhishek Sharma. "They have to firstly retain the captain and Abhishek Sharma. You have to retain Heinrich Klaasen and it's great if you can get Travis Head," he added.SRH's retention strategy will be crucial in shaping their team for the upcoming IPL season. The franchise will need to balance the need to retain key players with the financial constraints imposed by the retention rules.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is gearing up for its 2025 season, and the excitement is palpable among fans. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released guidelines for the mega auctions, allowing franchises to retain a maximum of six players.Retention Guidelines:Franchises can retain players with the following financial implications:* First retention: Rs 18 crore* Second retention: Rs 14 crore* Third retention: Rs 11 crore* Fourth retention: Rs 18 crore* Fifth retention: Rs 14 crore* Uncapped player retention: Rs 4 croreAuction Venue:The IPL 2024 auctions were held in Dubai, UAE, but for the 2025 edition, Saudi Arabia is likely to host the event. Riyadh and Jeddah are the probable venues for the two-day auction.Cristiano Ronaldo's Influence:The presence of renowned football star Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, playing for Al-Nassr, may have influenced the decision to host the IPL auctions in the country.Expert Analysis:Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul will command a hefty sum if he enters the auction. Chopra also suggests that LSG may consider using the Right to Match card for Mayank Yadav, who has been selected in the India squad for the Bangladesh T20Is.Conclusion:The IPL 2025 mega auctions promise to be a thrilling affair, with franchises strategizing to retain their core players and acquire new talent. The event will be held in Saudi Arabia, marking a new chapter in the history of the IPL.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council has announced the retention rules for the upcoming 2025 mega auction. While franchises can retain a maximum of six players, including one uncapped player, a significant twist has been introduced. The old rule, which was in place from 2008 to 2022, has been reinstated, allowing Indian players who haven't played an international game in over five years to be retained as 'uncapped players.'This rule opens up the possibility for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to retain legendary captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for a nominal fee. According to the BCCI, "A capped Indian player will become uncapped, if the player has in the last five calendar years preceding the year in which the relevant Season is held, not played in the starting XI in International Cricket (Test match, ODI, Twenty20 International) or does not have a Central Contract with BCCI."In addition to Dhoni, several other Indian players who have represented the national team but meet the uncapped criteria include:* Piyush Chawla (Mumbai Indians)* Sandeep Sharma (Rajasthan Royals)* Rishi Dhawan (Punjab Kings)* Mayank Markande (Sunrisers Hyderabad)* Vijay Shankar (Gujarat Titans)* Mohit Sharma (Gujarat Titans)* Amit Mishra (Lucknow Super Giants)* Karn Sharma (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)This rule change provides franchises with greater flexibility in their retention strategies. It allows them to retain experienced players who may not be regular international fixtures but still possess valuable skills and experience.

Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif has suggested that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) should consider acquiring Rohit Sharma as their captain ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. Kaif's proposal stems from the recent announcement of IPL's retention and auction rules, as well as rumors surrounding Rohit's future with Mumbai Indians (MI).Rohit, the current Indian skipper, has led MI to five IPL titles. However, MI's disappointing performance in the 2024 season, where they finished last with only four wins, has raised questions about his future with the franchise.Kaif believes that RCB, despite boasting star players like Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle, has never won an IPL trophy due to a lack of effective leadership. He argues that Rohit's exceptional captaincy skills, evident in his recent ICC T20 World Cup victory, could transform RCB's fortunes."RCB should take this chance. Somehow convince Rohit and make him the captain. He might not score that much as a batter, he scores forties and fifties, but I believe Rohit knows how to build a playing eleven very well," Kaif said.Kaif emphasized that Rohit should focus solely on captaincy in the IPL, given his proven track record as a leader. "Rohit Sharma should play as a captain only in the IPL because he is such a great captain. He has come after winning the T20 World Cup. He would have offers. We know people would have been calling him and asking him to play for them. I feel he should take the role of a captain only, whichever franchise is offering it," he said.Rohit's impressive IPL record, with 6,628 runs at an average of 29.72 and a strike rate of 131.14, further supports Kaif's suggestion. His ability to build a cohesive team and inspire players to perform at their best could be the key to RCB's long-awaited IPL triumph.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction is set to be a pivotal event for all 10 franchises. With a mega auction on the horizon, teams must carefully consider their retention strategies to build competitive squads.According to the BCCI, franchises can retain a maximum of six players, either through retention or the Right to Match (RTM) option. The combination of retentions and RTMs can include up to five capped players (Indian or overseas) and two uncapped players. The auction purse for each franchise has been set at INR 120 Crore.For five-time champions Mumbai Indians, who endured a disappointing IPL 2024 campaign, the upcoming auction holds immense significance. The team boasts a star-studded roster, including Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, and Tilak Varma. However, the franchise faces a crucial decision regarding player retention.Former IPL-winning coach Tom Moody has expressed his reservations about Hardik Pandya's potential retention at the highest price of INR 18 crore. Moody believes that Pandya's recent struggles with fitness and performance may not warrant such a high valuation."When you dissect all of those areas with Hardik Pandya, does he deserve to be an 18 crore player? Is he worth it? If you've got to be an 18 crore player, you've got to be a genuine match-winner and do it regularly," Moody said.Moody also highlighted Mumbai Indians' past struggles at the auction table, particularly in retaining players at inflated prices. He cited the examples of Ishan Kishan and Jofra Archer, who failed to deliver consistent returns despite their hefty price tags."They've had a little bit of a problem at the auction table the last couple of years. They've gotten caught up in a way too loyal in some cases and tried to retain, or get players back into their squad, which has cost them dearly," Moody said.The Mumbai Indians management will have to make some tough decisions regarding player retention. They must balance loyalty with performance and value for money to build a squad capable of challenging for the IPL title in 2025.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has unveiled its player regulations for the 2025 season, introducing significant changes to the retention and auction process. Franchises will now be allowed to retain a maximum of six players, down from eight in previous seasons. This move aims to create a more balanced competition and encourage teams to invest in a wider pool of talent.The IPL 2025 auction is expected to be held in late November or early December and will be a mega auction, meaning all players will be available for selection. Franchises will have an auction purse of INR 120 Crore to bid on players, with the total salary cap now consisting of the auction purse, incremental performance pay, and match fees.Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul will command a hefty price if he enters the auction. "He is the face of the franchise and you would want to make him the captain," Chopra said. "If he goes to the auction, he will get Rs 18 crore."Chopra also discussed the case of Mayank Yadav, who has been selected in the India squad for the Bangladesh T20Is. "They would have definitely wanted to retain him, but if he gets the India cap, there is no advantage of retaining him," Chopra said. "Then you can use the Right To Match card."A significant change for the 2025 season is the introduction of a match fee for players. Each playing member, including the Impact Player, will receive INR 7.5 Lakhs per match in addition to their contracted amount. This move aims to reward players for their performances and create a more competitive environment.Overseas players will be required to register for the Big Auction, and those who fail to do so will be ineligible to participate in the following year's auction. Any player who registers and then makes themselves unavailable before the start of the season will be banned from the tournament and player auction for two seasons.Capped Indian players will become uncapped if they have not played in the starting XI in international cricket or do not have a Central Contract with the BCCI in the last five calendar years. This rule applies only to Indian players.The Impact Player Regulation will continue for the 2025 to 2027 cycle, allowing teams to substitute a player during the match.