Cricket

Rishabh Pant Poised to Shatter IPL Auction Records, Predicts Aakash ChopraFormer Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has predicted that wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant could become the most expensive player in Indian Premier League (IPL) history at the upcoming 2025 mega auction. Chopra believes that Pant's exceptional form and high demand from multiple franchises could lead to a bidding war that surpasses the current record of Rs 20 crore.The BCCI has confirmed that the mega auction will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25. Pant's recent performances, particularly in the Test series against New Zealand, have only enhanced his reputation as a match-winner.Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra said, "The big thing is who all have kept themselves in the Rs 2 crore bracket. A lot of Indian players, including KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. Pant could be the most expensive player in IPL history. He can go above 25-26 crores."Chopra highlighted that teams like Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are likely to be the most aggressive bidders for Pant. Punjab Kings have a massive Rs 110 crore purse, while RCB have Rs 83 crore at their disposal."I can see at least three teams going absolutely hammer and tongs. One (PBKS) has 110 crores and another (RCB) has 83 crores. I feel a lot of money will be spent when they fight amongst themselves," Chopra remarked.He also identified KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan as other key players likely to attract high bids at the auction.Pant's exceptional batting skills, wicketkeeping abilities, and leadership potential make him a highly sought-after player. His ability to play match-winning knocks and lead from the front has made him a valuable asset for any IPL franchise.If Pant does indeed become the most expensive player in IPL history, it will be a testament to his immense talent and the high regard in which he is held by IPL teams.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is fast approaching, and former South African cricketer AB de Villiers has shared his insights on Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) strategy. With Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal retained, RCB has a substantial Rs 83 crore available for auction.De Villiers believes that RCB's retention choices provide a solid foundation. He sees potential for the team to acquire impactful players who could make RCB a title contender. "The good news is we still have Virat. And we didn't spend too much with the retentions. There's a lot in the bank still, which I'm very happy about," de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.Kohli's consistency and leadership are crucial for RCB. His impressive 2024 season, where he scored 741 runs at a strike rate of 154.70, earned him the Orange Cap. However, de Villiers believes that Kohli alone is not enough; the squad needs more players with skills tailored for Chinnaswamy Stadium.De Villiers sees leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal as a priority: "Let's just get Yuzi back at RCB where he belongs. He should never have left." He also suggested a robust bowling unit, ideally including Chahal, Kagiso Rabada, and Ravichandran Ashwin. "We're talking about a tournament-winning attack there," he added.Additionally, de Villiers suggested Bhuvneshwar Kumar as an option if Rabada isn't available, highlighting his vision for a versatile, street-smart team that can excel on the home ground. "My four priority players are Yuzvendra Chahal, Kagiso Rabada, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Ravi Ashwin. We can make a plan with the rest of the money we have left in the auction. If you can't get Rabada, I get hold of Mohammed Shami. If you can't get him, get hold of Arshdeep Singh. So there's lots of options," he further added."We don't need a trophy. Forget about the trophy. We need a team that understands the Chinnaswamy, who are street smart, who can bowl to plans, who can play to plans, who has got a very good understanding about the game of cricket," de Villiers noted.With a calculated mix of spin, pace, and experience, RCB's potential auction strategy could be groundbreaking. As de Villiers suggests, RCB has a strong chance to build a winning formula with the right investments.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is set to witness a record-breaking number of players, including 409 overseas stars from 16 countries. Among them, Thomas Jack Draca, a 24-year-old fast bowler from Italy, has emerged as a player to watch.Draca's rise to prominence began in the Global T20 Canada 2024 league, where he impressed with his pace and accuracy. In just six games, he claimed 11 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 6.88. His performances caught the attention of the Italian national team, and he made his debut in June 2024.In his four T20Is for Italy, Draca has already taken eight wickets, including those of established international players like Sunil Narine, David Wiese, Kyle Mayers, and Iftikhar Ahmed. His ability to bowl deceptive variations and swing has made him a formidable opponent.Draca's success in Canada has also attracted the attention of IPL franchises. MI Emirates, a subsidiary of Mumbai Indians, has signed him for the upcoming ILT20 in the UAE, indicating that he could be a potential target for the five-time IPL champions in the 2025 mega auction.Draca has registered himself as an all-rounder for the IPL auction, although he is yet to make a significant impact as a batter. However, his impressive bowling performances and potential as a multi-dimensional player make him an intriguing prospect for IPL teams.With his pace, variation, and ability to dismiss top-class batsmen, Thomas Jack Draca is poised to make a mark in the IPL 2025 mega auction. His unique status as the first-ever Italian player in the IPL adds an extra layer of intrigue to his story.

Ben Stokes Skips IPL 2025 Mega AuctionEnglish all-rounder Ben Stokes has opted out of the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction, scheduled for November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The absence of Stokes, who has been a key player for Rajasthan Royals in recent seasons, is a significant development ahead of the auction.The IPL has released a long list of 1574 registered players, which will be finalized after receiving input from the franchises. The list includes all the marquee Indian players who were not retained by their teams. Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer, former captains of Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, and Kolkata Knight Riders, respectively, are listed at a base price of INR 2 crore. Other notable players at this price point include R Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, both released by Rajasthan Royals.Mohammed Shami, who has been sidelined since the 2023 ODI World Cup final due to injuries, is also listed at a base price of INR 2 crore after being released by Gujarat Titans. The auction is expected to attract a wide range of players, both domestic and international, as teams look to bolster their squads for the upcoming season.Stokes' decision to skip the auction is likely due to his busy schedule with the England national team. He is expected to play a key role in the upcoming Ashes series against Australia and the 2023 World Cup in India.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25, marking the second consecutive time the auction will be held outside India. The two-day event will coincide with the third and fourth days of the Perth Test between India and Australia.A total of 1,574 players have registered for the auction, including 1,165 Indians and 409 overseas players. Among the Indian players, 48 capped stars, such as Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer, will be up for grabs.The auction will feature 204 slots, with 87 slots reserved for overseas players. The player registration closed on November 4, and the BCCI has confirmed that 320 capped players, 1,224 uncapped players, and 30 players from Associate Nations will participate.The overseas player contingent includes 272 capped internationals, 965 uncapped Indians, 152 uncapped Indians who have played in previous IPL seasons, and 104 uncapped internationals.The country-wise breakdown of the 409 overseas players is as follows:* Australia: 114* England: 98* South Africa: 77* New Zealand: 62* West Indies: 29* Sri Lanka: 15* Afghanistan: 10* Bangladesh: 4The IPL 2025 mega auction is expected to be a highly competitive event, with teams looking to bolster their squads for the upcoming season. The auction will be streamed live on Star Sports and Disney+ Hotstar.

Rajasthan Royals' head coach Rahul Dravid has revealed that captain Sanju Samson played a pivotal role in the franchise's retention strategy for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. Samson, who is the team's captain and wicketkeeper-batter, was the first pick of the franchise in the retentions, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sandeep Sharma.Dravid explained the rationale behind retaining Samson as the No. 1 pick: "Sanju Samson is our batsman, wicketkeeper, and captain. He has been the captain of this team for many years. So, it was a no-brainer for us to retain him as he will be our captain in the future too. He was a top retainer pick for us and he was very involved in our decision process as well."The former Indian batter emphasized the importance of retaining core players for stability: "There is definitely a stability when you retain six players. We could only retain six players, but if we could have done more, we would have retained more for sure. We believe that the players we have retained are deserving. Of course, you have less money when you go to the auction, but there is a certain stability that you have blocked in some areas and then you can see how you have to make the whole team."Dravid praised Samson's role in the retention decisions: "Sanju Samson played a big role in the retention, and it was difficult for him as well. As a captain, he has built a lot of relationships with the players. He has had a lot of balanced views about this. He has taken the trouble to understand the dynamics of it, the pros and cons of this. So, I would like to praise him for discussing this with us. It was not an easy decision for us either."Regarding expectations for the upcoming season and the auction table, Dravid stated: "For the next season, the expectation will be that we qualify and win. It's been many years since Rajasthan has won a title. So, our effort will be to win, but we also understand that there are very good teams in IPL. The rules of the RTM have also changed a bit, so we will definitely get to see something different in this auction. In the auction, you have to do some preparation and planning, but there you have to show some flexibility. We have built a foundation for us, we have created a base, we have retained a core, we will take this forward and fill it and make a good squad."

Jos Buttler Bids Farewell to Rajasthan Royals After Seven Memorable SeasonsEnglish cricketer Jos Buttler has expressed his gratitude to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) after not being retained ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. Buttler, who played for the franchise for seven seasons, shared his reflections on social media."If it turns out that this is the end, thank you @rajasthanroyals and everyone involved with the franchise for 7 incredible seasons together. 2018 kickstarted the best years of my cricketing career, and many of my most cherished memories have come in a Pink shirt over the last 6 years," Buttler wrote on Instagram."Thank you for welcoming me and my family with open arms. Could write so much more, but let's leave it there."The Rajasthan Royals responded with a tribute, saying, "You will be one of the greatest ever to wear Pink. Forever a part of the Royals Family."Buttler's journey with the Royals began in 2018. He quickly became one of the team's most recognizable players, making significant contributions. In the 2024 season, he scored 359 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 140.78, including two centuries.Recently, Rajasthan Royals revealed their retained players for the IPL 2025 auction. The team retained key players like captain Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shimron Hetmyer. They have a limited purse of INR 41 crore for the auction and aim to make strategic signings.Buttler's exit leaves a gap in both leadership and performance for the Royals. His contributions have been notable and will be remembered by the franchise and fans.

Chennai Super Kings Retain Key Players for IPL 2025Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have announced the retention of five key players ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 auction. The retained players include captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, legendary wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni, Sri Lankan speedster Matheesha Pathirana, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, and hard-hitting batsman Shivam Dube.The decision to retain these players reflects CSK's commitment to building a strong and competitive squad for the upcoming season. Gaikwad, who has emerged as one of the most promising young batsmen in the IPL, will continue to lead the team's batting charge. Dhoni, despite his advancing age, remains an integral part of the CSK setup, providing invaluable experience and leadership.Pathirana, who made a significant impact in his debut IPL season, will bolster CSK's bowling attack with his raw pace and wicket-taking ability. Jadeja, a versatile all-rounder, offers a balanced combination of batting, bowling, and fielding skills. Dube, known for his power-hitting, will add depth to the team's batting lineup.CSK's retention strategy aligns with the IPL regulations, which allow each franchise to retain up to six players, including a maximum of five capped cricketers. The team's decision to retain these five players suggests that they are confident in their abilities and believe they can contribute significantly to the team's success in the upcoming season.

Virat Kohli's RCB Captaincy Return Rumors Quashed by FranchiseAs the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 retention lists were unveiled, speculation ran rampant about Virat Kohli's potential return as captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). However, RCB's Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, has dismissed these rumors, stating that no decision has been made regarding the team's captaincy.Kohli relinquished the RCB captaincy after the 2021 season, making way for a new leader. The franchise entrusted the responsibility to former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who led the team for three seasons. However, with Du Plessis released from the squad, the question of RCB's captaincy in 2025 remains unanswered."I am sorry to disappoint everybody listening. We have not made any decision related to captaincy or on that (Kohli returning as skipper) as yet. We are open to options. The only obvious decision we made was not to retain Faf. He did a great job last year and the year before that. So from our perspective, we will keep a very open mind when we head to the auction," Bobat told JioCinema after the IPL 2025 retentions were announced.Despite the lack of official confirmation, reports suggest that Kohli is eager to reclaim the team's captaincy. However, no concrete decision has been made on the matter.Meanwhile, RCB coach Andy Flower has explained the rationale behind retaining Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal ahead of the new season."We are thrilled to retain Yash Dayal, an extraordinary talent whose career is on an upward trajectory. His unique ability as a left-arm bowler, capable of swinging the ball in both directions, adds a valuable dimension to our bowling attack - one that is increasingly rare in the auction landscape," he said."Rajat Patidar is a key member of our squad. His exceptional talent and resilience have already made a significant impact on our team, and he truly embodies the spirit of RCB. We are excited to see him continue to develop and shine in the upcoming season," the Zimbabwe legend added.