Cricket

MS Dhoni's Uncharacteristic Outburst After CSK's IPL LossFormer Indian and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has revealed an incident that has shocked fans of the legendary captain and wicketkeeper-batsman, MS Dhoni.During an interview with 'Sports Yaari', Harbhajan narrated an incident that occurred after CSK's crucial loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year."RCB were 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," Harbhajan said."CSK had lined up to shake hands. RCB were a little late to reach there. By the time, RCB finished their celebration, (Dhoni) went inside. Dressing room se pehle jo screen hai, uspe mukka bhi maara (he punched a screen outside the dressing room). I was watching from above, but it is okay, it happens when you win or lose."Harbhajan's revelation has surprised many, as Dhoni is known for his calm and composed demeanor. However, Harbhajan suggested that Dhoni's outburst may have been due to the disappointment of losing the match and the realization that his dream of retiring with the IPL trophy was shattered."It's their (RCB's) right to celebrate, even if they take three minutes. But he (Dhoni) went away. That was his thinking...Maybe he was not so calm that day, maybe because his dream of retiring with the trophy was shattered," Harbhajan added.Despite Dhoni's outburst, both RCB and CSK failed to reach the IPL final, which was contested between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). KKR emerged victorious, winning their third IPL title.It is expected that Dhoni, now 43, will return for another season with CSK, as the new IPL Player Regulations allow the franchise to retain him.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has implemented stringent measures to address the issue of players withdrawing from the Indian Premier League (IPL) after being acquired at the auction. In the past, several overseas players have pulled out of the tournament, prompting franchises to raise concerns with the BCCI.To deter such withdrawals, the BCCI has introduced a two-season ban for players who make themselves unavailable before the start of the season. This penalty applies to players who register for the auction and are subsequently picked but choose to withdraw.Additionally, the BCCI has made it mandatory for overseas players to register for the Big Auction to be eligible for subsequent auctions. This move aims to prevent players from selectively participating in the mini auction, which often results in inflated bidding wars.To address fitness-related withdrawals, the BCCI will rely on confirmation from the player's home board. However, the board is exploring the establishment of a verification system at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to ensure the authenticity of medical claims.The BCCI's new regulations emphasize that overseas players cannot choose which auctions to participate in. This decision aims to maintain the integrity of the IPL and ensure that all players are available for the duration of the tournament.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the IPL Player Regulations 2025-27 ahead of the upcoming mega auction. These regulations aim to address the issue of overseas players withdrawing from the tournament after being picked in the auction.Former England cricketer Ian Bell has weighed in on the new rules, describing them as "fair" but emphasizing the need for a balance. He believes that while it is reasonable to penalize players who fail to honor their commitments, it is also important to consider the conflict between IPL and international schedules."It's a pretty fair rule. If you get picked in the auction and then you don't come, it's not fair to the team," Bell said. "But it's a balancing act because the IPL is usually at the start of the England season as well."According to the new regulations, any overseas player who fails to register for the Big Auction will be ineligible to participate in the following year's auction. Additionally, any player who registers and is picked in the auction but subsequently makes himself unavailable before the start of the season will be banned from the tournament and player auction for two seasons.Bell, who retired from cricket in 2020, has transitioned into a coaching role. He recently served as the batting coach for Sri Lanka's national team and has also worked with England's U-19 and Lions teams, as well as the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League.The 42-year-old expressed his desire to coach an IPL team in the future, suggesting that his affiliation with the GMR Group, which owns the Delhi Capitals, could lead to a potential opportunity."The IPL is the cutting edge of cricket," Bell said. "I think I can contribute as well with my knowledge of the game. If you want to challenge yourself, then IPL is the place you want to be as a player and coach."

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has announced significant changes to its retention rules, allowing franchises to retain up to six players ahead of the 2025 auction. This strategic move will enable teams to secure top international players like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, who have proven their worth as world-class pacers.Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are expected to benefit from these rule changes. KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan has been vocal about his desire to retain eight players, while SRH co-owner Kavya Maran has advocated for removing the cap on retaining foreign players.Under the new rules, franchises can retain a maximum of five capped players and up to two uncapped players. This flexibility allows teams to tailor their retentions to their specific needs. SRH, for instance, can now retain overseas players like Cummins, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, and Aiden Markram. KKR, on the other hand, can focus on retaining domestic stars like Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, and Sunil Narine.Starc, who was acquired by KKR for a record-breaking Rs 24.75 crore in the 2024 auction, is a prime example of the value that top international players bring to IPL teams. Despite an inconsistent season, he delivered a standout performance in the final, earning him the Player of the Match award.The updated retention rules give franchises greater flexibility and strategic options. They can now retain a core group of players while also targeting specific players in the auction. This will likely lead to more competitive bidding and a more dynamic IPL landscape.

Overseas Players Face Stricter IPL Rules to Prevent WithdrawalsThe Indian Premier League (IPL) has implemented new regulations to discourage overseas players from withdrawing after being auctioned. These rules aim to ensure player availability and prevent disruptions for franchises.Mandatory Registration and AvailabilityOverseas players must now register for the mega auction. Failure to do so will make them ineligible for the subsequent mini-auction. Once registered and selected, players must remain available throughout the season.Penalties for WithdrawalsIf an overseas player withdraws before the season starts without a valid reason, such as a confirmed injury by their home board, they will face a two-season ban from the tournament and player auctions.Fitness Assessment and ReportingPlayers with a history of recurring injuries, like Ben Stokes, must undergo a fitness assessment by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) if they participate in the IPL mega auction and subsequently get injured. If they withdraw after the assessment, they must report to the BCCI's medical team or risk missing the next two seasons of IPL.Capped Fee for Mini-AuctionsTo further deter withdrawals, the IPL has capped the maximum fee for overseas players at mini-auctions. This fee will be the lowest of the highest retention price and the highest auction price from the mega auction.Impact on Overseas PlayersThese new rules require overseas players to carefully consider their availability and fitness before participating in the IPL. Failure to comply with the regulations could result in significant penalties that could impact their careers.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has introduced a new retention formula that will require teams to pay a higher price for retaining more players. The formula, which can be described as 'pay more to retain more', stipulates that teams will have to pay a higher price for their fourth and fifth retained players.The auction purse for each team has been increased to Rs 120 crore. For the first three retentions, the deductions will be Rs 18 crore, 14 crore, and 11 crore, respectively. This means that if a team chooses to retain more players, they will have less money available to spend in the auction.The fourth and fifth retention will cost the franchise the same amount as Player No. 1 and No. 2. The price for the uncapped player has been pegged at Rs 4 crore. In total, retaining six players will cost Rs 79 crore, leaving the franchise with Rs 41 crore to build the remainder of their squad.Under the new regulations, each franchise can retain up to six players using a combination of Retentions and the Right to Match (RTM) options, with no restriction on the number of overseas players that can be retained. Teams are allowed to retain a maximum of five capped players and up to two uncapped players.For Mumbai Indians, the priority would be to retain their star-studded Indian core, including captain Hardik Pandya, India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, former skipper Rohit Sharma, and one of the world's top fast bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah. These four players are likely to be the marquee picks for five-time champions MI, meaning the franchise will have to pay a significant sum to retain them.If Hardik and Surya are retained as the first and second players at Rs 18 crore and Rs 14 crore, respectively, then Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah would be retained as the fourth and fifth players at the same amounts as the first and second retentions. Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who was the most expensive player at the last mega-auction in 2022, can be their third retention at Rs 11 crore.

Mayank Yadav, the 22-year-old pace sensation from Delhi, has been making waves in the cricketing world. His impressive performances for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) this year earned him a call-up to the Indian T20I squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh.Yadav's journey to the national team has been marked by both triumph and adversity. Despite his exceptional pace, which consistently exceeds 150 kmph, he had only played a handful of matches at the domestic level before his IPL debut.However, his raw talent caught the attention of LSG's support staff, who were astounded by his speed. Yadav's inclusion in the IPL team gave him a platform to showcase his abilities, and he made the most of it, impressing with his pace and accuracy.Yadav's success has not come without its challenges. He has faced persistent niggles, including a side strain, which required extensive rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). During his time at the NCA, Yadav received invaluable support from the staff, including Troy Cooley and Rajnikanth, who helped him understand his body and overcome his injuries.Yadav's unwavering determination and the unwavering support of his coaches at Sonnet Club in Delhi have played a pivotal role in his rise. The club, known for nurturing young talent, provided Yadav with financial assistance and mentorship, enabling him to focus on his cricket without financial worries.Yadav's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of a supportive environment. His call-up to the Indian team is a recognition of his hard work and talent, and it serves as an inspiration to aspiring cricketers across the country.

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) Player Regulations for 2025-27 announced, franchises are gearing up to make crucial decisions regarding player retention. Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif has urged Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to seize the opportunity to acquire Rohit Sharma as their captain if the chance arises.Rohit Sharma, the former Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper, was replaced by Hardik Pandya ahead of the 2024 season. However, the move proved unsuccessful as MI failed to qualify for the playoffs. Kaif believes that Rohit's leadership skills could be the key to ending RCB's title drought."Rohit Sharma turns a player from an 18 to a 20," Kaif said in a video circulating on social media. "He knows how to get the best out of a player by putting an arm around him."Kaif highlighted Rohit's tactical acumen and ability to identify the right players for specific roles in the team. "He understands the tactical moves, knows which player to fit where in the playing eleven," Kaif added.According to the IPL Player Regulations, franchises can retain a maximum of six players, including five capped players and two uncapped players. RCB currently has Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Wanindu Hasaranga as their retained players.Kohli, who has been with RCB since the league's inception, has been the team's top scorer in recent seasons. However, he has yet to lead the franchise to an IPL title. Kaif believes that Rohit's experience and leadership qualities could make a significant difference for RCB."If RCB gets a chance, they should definitely take Rohit Sharma as captain," Kaif concluded.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) held its 93rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Bengaluru on Sunday, where Arun Singh Dhumal and Avishek Dalmiya were re-elected as members of the IPL Governing Council. This means that Dhumal will continue as the IPL chairman for another year, overseeing the upcoming mega auction and the implementation of the recently announced retention rules.The AGM also saw the induction of V Chamundeswaranath, a former Andhra and South Zone cricketer, to the IPL Governing Council as a player representative, nominated by the Indian Cricketers Association (ICA).The BCCI approved the recommendations of the IPL Governing Council regarding the player auction cycle for 2025-2027. These recommendations include provisions for player retentions, right to match card, salary cap, and other regulations.For the 2025 IPL Mega auction, franchises can retain a maximum of six players from their current squads. They have until October 31 to make these decisions, which can be done through retention or by using the Right to Match (RTM) option. Each team can retain up to five capped players (Indian or overseas) and two uncapped players.The auction purse for the ten franchises has been set at INR 120 Crore for IPL 2025. Each playing member, including the Impact Player, will receive a match fee of INR 7.5 Lakhs per match. The impact player rule will continue until the 2027 IPL season.The General Body of the BCCI expressed appreciation for the efforts of the office bearers in establishing the new National Cricket Academy campus and the Centre of Excellence, which was inaugurated in Bengaluru over the weekend.The audited accounts for FY 2023-24 were passed and adopted by the General Body, and the Annual Budget for FY 2024-25 was approved. The General Body also unanimously resolved to maintain BCCI's legal status as a society and decided that BCCI tournaments, including the IPL, will not be converted into a company.