Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has decided to maintain the number of matches at 74 for the 2025 season, despite initially planning for 84 matches. This decision is primarily driven by the need to manage the workload of Indian international players, who are expected to participate in the World Test Championship final in June 2025.The IPL has been a major success since its inception in 2008, attracting a massive fan base and becoming one of the richest sporting leagues in the world. In 2022, the media rights for the 2023-27 cycle were sold for a staggering INR 48,390.5 crore (USD 6.2 billion approx.).The number of matches in the IPL has varied over the years, with 74 matches being played in the last three seasons. However, the IPL had initially planned to increase the number of matches to 84 in 2025 and 2026, and 94 in 2027.The decision to reduce the number of matches in 2025 is a significant departure from the original plan. It reflects the BCCI's commitment to player welfare and the recognition that the increased number of matches could put undue strain on the players.The IPL dates for the 2025 season have not yet been finalized, but the window is likely to stretch between mid-March and the last week of May. The IPL will determine the number of matches in the special package (package C) based on the total number of games in a season.The special package includes the tournament opener, weekend evening matches, and the four playoffs, including the final. The opening match and the playoffs will be mandatory, while the IPL will decide which evening matches from the double-headers will be included in this package.With 74 matches in a season, the special package will have 18 matches. If there are more than 74 matches in a season, the special package matches will rise by two for every ten additional matches.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is gearing up for its next mega auction, scheduled for November or December 2025. This highly anticipated event will witness a significant shift in player retention rules, with franchises reportedly allowed to retain up to five players ahead of the auction.According to sources close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the decision to increase the retention limit from four to five players aims to provide greater flexibility to franchises in building their squads. However, the Right To Match (RTM) option will not be available in this mega auction.This change in retention rules is expected to have a major impact on team strategies. Mumbai Indians, for instance, could potentially retain their star-studded lineup of Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and a fifth player of their choice.The IPL has held two mega auctions in the past decade, with four-year intervals in between. The first major auction was held in 2014, followed by the 2018 auction that marked the return of Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings after their two-year suspensions.The 2021 mega auction was postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in teams extending the contracts of their players for an additional year. The upcoming IPL mega sale is likely to be a two-day affair, similar to the previous auctions held in 2022, 2023, and 2024.While some franchises advocate for a larger retention cap of up to eight players, others prefer the existing limit of four or five. The optimal number of retained players remains a topic of debate among IPL teams.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction is fast approaching, and franchises are eagerly awaiting the release of retention and release guidelines from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). While the BCCI is expected to limit teams to retaining a maximum of six players, including Right To Match, some franchises are hoping for an increase to eight.One of the biggest questions surrounding the auction is the future of MS Dhoni, who has been a mainstay for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). CSK has reportedly suggested that the BCCI reinstate an old rule that would allow them to retain Dhoni as a mentor.Despite the uncertainty surrounding retention guidelines, reports have emerged highlighting the players that different franchises are interested in keeping. However, with only a limited number of players allowed to be retained, several top names could be released.Here are five cricketing superstars who could be released by their respective franchises ahead of the mega auction:1. Rohit Sharma: The Mumbai Indians captain has hinted that the 2024 season could be his last with the franchise. With Hardik Pandya now leading the team, Sharma may be on the lookout for a new side.2. KL Rahul: The Lucknow Super Kings are reportedly seeking a new captain, and Rahul's inability to dictate the game has put his position in jeopardy. He could potentially return to his former franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore.3. Faf du Plessis: The RCB skipper had a disappointing campaign last season, and at 40 years old, his best days in T20 cricket may be behind him. RCB is expected to rope in a new captain and release du Plessis.4. Venkatesh Iyer: The Kolkata Knight Riders have a tough decision to make regarding Iyer, who has fallen out of favor after a title-winning campaign. With several other key players to retain, Iyer could be released.5. Glenn Maxwell: After a poor season with RCB, Maxwell could also be on his way out. The franchise may prefer to invest in a player who guarantees a better performance.The IPL 2025 auction promises to be a major shake-up for several franchises, and these five superstars could find themselves in new colors next season.

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction approaches, franchises are finalizing their retention strategies. According to reports, the Delhi Capitals have identified their priority players, with skipper Rishabh Pant topping the list.Pant, a key member of the Indian team across all formats, was rumored to be considering a move to Punjab Kings, where former Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting is now in charge. However, a report in Cricbuzz suggests that Pant will remain with DC and be their top retention pick.The wicket-keeper batter currently earns INR 16 crore per season, but this figure is expected to increase with the BCCI's new retention guidelines. In addition to Pant, Delhi is likely to retain Team India stars Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav.Overseas players Jake Fraser-McGurk and Tristan Stubbs are also reportedly set to be retained by the franchise. If the BCCI allows franchises to retain an uncapped player, DC is expected to keep wicketkeeper-batsman Abhishek Porel.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is gearing up for its next mega auction, scheduled to take place in late November or early December 2025. The Board for Cricket Council of India (BCCI) is expected to release the rules and regulations for the auction in the coming days.The IPL has held two mega auctions in the past decade, with four-year intervals between them. The first major auction was held in 2014, followed by another in 2018, when the Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings returned to the league after a two-year suspension.Sources close to the BCCI have confirmed that the upcoming mega auction is likely to be held over two days, similar to the 2022, 2023, and 2024 auctions. The auction will allow teams to rebuild their squads and acquire new talent ahead of the 2025 season.One of the key considerations for the auction is the number of players that teams will be allowed to retain. In the 2022 mega auction, teams were permitted to retain up to four players. However, there are differing opinions among franchises about the optimal number of retained players for the 2025 auction. Some teams advocate for a larger retention cap, possibly up to eight players, while others prefer the existing limit of four or five.The BCCI is expected to finalize the retention rules and other auction details in the coming weeks. The auction will be a crucial event for the IPL, as it will shape the composition of teams and the competitive landscape of the league for the next three years.

Ricky Ponting, the legendary Australian cricketer, has been appointed as the head coach of Punjab Kings (PBKS) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. This move comes after Ponting's departure from Delhi Capitals (DC) in July 2024, where he served as head coach for seven years.Ponting has signed a multi-year contract with PBKS, a franchise that has struggled to find success in recent seasons. He will be the sixth head coach in seven seasons for Punjab, who finished ninth in the 2024 IPL season.Ponting's immediate task will be to identify players to retain for the upcoming season, as the IPL is yet to finalize retention rules. Key performers for Punjab last season included Harshal Patel, Shashank Singh, and Ashutosh Sharma. The franchise also boasts a strong squad with Arshdeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Rahul Chahar, and overseas stars Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Johnny Bairstow, and Kagiso Rabada.With Shikhar Dhawan recently retiring, Punjab will also be looking for a new captain. Ponting's experience as a successful captain with the Australian national team and Mumbai Indians will be invaluable in this regard.Ponting has been involved in the IPL since its inception in 2008, first as a player for Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians. He stepped down as Mumbai's captain in 2013, paving the way for Rohit Sharma to take over. Mumbai won the title that year, with Ponting continuing in an advisory role in 2014 and serving as head coach for two seasons in 2015 and 2016.In 2018, Ponting took charge as head coach of DC, leading them to the playoffs for three consecutive seasons between 2019 and 2021. DC also reached their first IPL final in 2020 under Ponting's guidance.Ponting's appointment as PBKS head coach is a significant move for the franchise, as they look to turn their fortunes around and challenge for the IPL title. His experience, leadership, and tactical acumen will be crucial in helping Punjab achieve their goals.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction is fast approaching, and the anticipation surrounding the retention policy is palpable. The Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) has yet to announce the official guidelines, leaving franchises and fans eagerly awaiting details.One of the key questions is the number of retentions allowed per franchise. In previous seasons, teams were permitted to retain a maximum of three players, but there are speculations that this number could be increased to four or even five. This would give franchises greater flexibility in building their squads.Another crucial aspect is the maximum number of overseas players that can be retained. Currently, teams are allowed to retain a maximum of two overseas stars. However, there are suggestions that this limit could be raised to three or four, allowing franchises to bolster their international contingent.The BCCI was expected to unveil the retention policy by the end of August, but it is now likely to be delayed further. Cricbuzz reports that franchises may be given until November 15 to finalize their picks.One of the most talked-about topics regarding the retention policy is the potential reintroduction of a rule that would allow retired players to be classified as "uncapped." This means they could be retained at a lower price.Earlier in the IPL, international players who had retired for five years were eligible for the "uncapped" category. However, this rule was abolished after IPL 2021. Reports suggest that the BCCI is considering bringing it back, which would benefit Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and their iconic captain, MS Dhoni.CSK CEO Kasi Viswanath has denied reports that the franchise requested the BCCI to reinstate the "uncapped" rule for Dhoni. However, the latest reports indicate that the BCCI itself is contemplating such a move.The reintroduction of the "uncapped" category would not only benefit Dhoni and CSK but also the league as a whole. It would allow franchises to retain experienced players at a lower cost, creating a more balanced and competitive environment.

Jonty Rhodes Weighs in on Rohit Sharma's Potential Move to Lucknow Super GiantsWith the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction on the horizon, speculation has been rife regarding the future of India captain Rohit Sharma. Rumors have suggested that Sharma may depart from his long-time franchise, Mumbai Indians, and join the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).Jonty Rhodes, the fielding coach for LSG, has commented on these rumors, expressing his admiration for Sharma's abilities but emphasizing that his presence is not essential for the team's success."I mean, for a long time at Mumbai Indians, I felt I had the best job in the world. I got to watch Rohit Shama practice and play cricket. He is so elegant," Rhodes told ANI.However, Rhodes believes that LSG's focus should be on maintaining team balance rather than relying solely on individual star power."I mean, there's the balance of teams, who's in the side. I love watching Rohit Sharma bat, but I'm not saying he must come in and replace, and then suddenly we change our setup. So whatever, as I said, whatever happens, who is ever there? I'll be doing my best to support," he added.Rhodes also addressed the uncertain future of LSG captain KL Rahul, who has reportedly been reprimanded by franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka."Well, luckily, hypothetically, or in real life, that's as a fielding coach. I don't have to worry about that just now," he said.Beyond his coaching role, Rhodes has also been named the brand ambassador for the inaugural season of the Pro Cricket League (PCL). He remains committed to personal growth and improving his skills as a human being."I think what a learning curve is seeing if I can sit off the field. As a coach, you don't get involved during the game, but it leads to a part of the buildup, part of the preparation. So I will have to see if I have got the patience to be able to sit and watch the whole thing to still be able to do a little bit of coaching, but yeah, a very new role, and it's a part of evolving as an individual. As a cricket player, you always evolve. You have to work on your technique and your skills, so yes, I'm trying to improve my skills as a human being," he stated.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the star Indian off-spinner, has expressed his belief that Rohit Sharma will remain loyal to the Mumbai Indians franchise in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Ashwin's comments come amidst speculation about Rohit's future with the team following his removal as captain last year."Even if you think like Rohit, it's not wrong at all. I don't want any headache. I have been a captain for India. I have captained Mumbai many times. Even if I am not a captain, I am going to Mumbai happily. If I play for Mumbai, it's super. I am sure most players are like that. After a stage, money doesn't matter for some of those players. That's the thing," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.Rohit has been an integral part of the Mumbai Indians since joining the franchise in 2011. He has led the team to five IPL titles and two Champions League T20 titles. Despite being replaced as captain by Hardik Pandya last year, Rohit remains a key player for the franchise.In the 2024 IPL season, Rohit scored 417 runs at an average of 32.07 and a strike rate of 150. He scored a century and fifty, with the best score of 105*. His performances suggest that he is still a valuable asset to the Mumbai Indians.Ashwin's comments echo the sentiments of many fans who believe that Rohit will continue to play for the Mumbai Indians. The franchise has been his home for over a decade, and he has a strong bond with the team and its supporters.It remains to be seen whether Rohit will remain with the Mumbai Indians beyond the 2025 season. However, Ashwin's comments suggest that the veteran batter is committed to the franchise and is not looking to move elsewhere.