Cricket

Ricky Ponting, the legendary Australian cricketer and coach, is currently a free agent in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after parting ways with Delhi Capitals (DC) in July 2023. Ponting, a two-time World Cup-winning captain, joined DC in 2018 and guided the team to its maiden IPL final in 2021. However, the team's performance in subsequent seasons fell short of expectations.Despite his lackluster coaching record in the IPL, Ponting remains a highly sought-after figure in the league. As the IPL 2025 mega auction approaches, rumors are swirling that Ponting could join defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). In a recent interview, Ponting expressed his interest in continuing his IPL journey, albeit with a different franchise."There might be a few opportunities coming up in IPL in the next few weeks, and we'll see what happens," Ponting told Sky Sports.KKR is reportedly considering Ponting or Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara as a replacement for former mentor Gautam Gambhir, who was recently appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team.Meanwhile, Ponting remains eager to take up coaching opportunities in the IPL. He acknowledged that the lack of silverware during his tenure at DC led to his departure but expressed his desire to return to the league."I'd love to coach again in the IPL. I've had a great time every year that I've been involved, whether that was in the early days as a player or the couple of years I had at Mumbai as head coach there," Ponting said on The ICC Review podcast."I've had seven seasons at Delhi, which unfortunately didn't really work out the way that I would have wanted and certainly the way that the franchise would have wanted.""Me going there was all about trying to bring some silverware to the team and that didn't happen," he conceded.With his wealth of experience and knowledge, Ricky Ponting remains a valuable asset to any IPL franchise. His potential move to KKR would be a significant development in the league and could bolster the team's chances of retaining its title.

Mental health has become an increasingly prevalent topic in elite sports, with many athletes choosing to address it openly. Australian bowler Jhye Richardson is one such player who has shared his experiences with mental health struggles.During the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL), Richardson played for the Punjab Kings alongside renowned players like KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, and Mohammed Shami. However, it was during this time that he faced significant mental health challenges."A lot of it started during COVID," Richardson revealed. "My trip to the IPL – I left home not in the headspace that I probably should have been. Then things sort of hit the fan while I was away, and everything with COVID and not being able to get home and stuff like that, it just toppled on top of each other."Richardson emphasized the importance of addressing mental health proactively, even when individuals believe they are coping well. "I think you don't realize what sort of space you're in until it becomes too much," he said. "It's like practicing for the short ball. The more you practice the short ball, the better you're going to be at it when that situation arises out in the middle. It's very similar off the field."Richardson's struggles reached a point where he sought professional intervention. "Everything just got to a point where there was some professional intervention that needed to happen," he explained. "I'm not willing to go into a whole lot of detail, but I just landed in a spot where things were bad enough that I stepped back and said, 'I can't continue thinking the way that I am' and (needed) to get a bit more education and knowledge about how the brain works."Richardson praised Western Australia for providing support during his mental health journey. "A lot of the judgment has gone nowadays," he said. "Within our (WA) group we trust everyone with the way that they want to go about things. People are individuals – they train different ways, they think differently."Richardson's experiences highlight the importance of destigmatizing mental health issues in sports. "The resources within cricket nowadays make the process of dealing with mental health issues a lot easier and there is a lot more education there," he said. "But as someone who has dealt with anxiety, not just on the field but away from cricket and day-to-day living, it can be quite exhausting."

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction approaches, the future of Mumbai Indians (MI) stalwart Rohit Sharma remains uncertain. After being removed as captain ahead of the previous season, reports suggest a strained relationship between Rohit and the franchise, leading to speculation about his departure.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes Rohit may be traded to a new team during the trade window. "I feel he will not stay. Whoever is retained will be with the thinking that he will remain with you for three years, unless your name is MS Dhoni," Chopra said. "Rohit Sharma at MI, I feel he might himself leave or MI might leave him."Chopra also discussed the future of Suryakumar Yadav, who has also been linked with a move away from MI. However, Chopra believes Surya is unlikely to leave the franchise at this stage of his career. "I don't think Suryakumar Yadav will be traded. The Mumbai Indians won't leave Suryakumar Yadav and I feel Surya also won't leave either," he said.Rohit Sharma's departure would mark a significant change for MI, who have been led by the Indian opener since 2013. Under his captaincy, MI won five IPL titles, making them the most successful franchise in the tournament's history.If Rohit does leave, MI will need to find a new captain and a replacement for his opening batting position. Potential candidates for the captaincy include Hardik Pandya, who led the team in 2022, and Ishan Kishan, who has impressed as an opener for India.The IPL 2025 mega auction is expected to be held in December 2024. All teams will have the opportunity to retain a maximum of four players, with the remaining players entering the auction pool.

Yash Dayal's journey from IPL humiliation to Test call-up is a testament to resilience and redemption. After being mercilessly trolled for conceding five sixes in an IPL match, Dayal faced immense public ridicule and emotional distress. His family rallied around him, vowing to support him until he achieved his dream of playing for India.Dayal's determination and unwavering support from his family helped him overcome the setback. He worked tirelessly to improve his skills and regain his confidence. In the 2024 IPL season, he showcased his growth as a bowler, taking 15 wickets in 14 matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore.His impressive performance in the ongoing Duleep Trophy further solidified his credentials. Dayal's ability to swing the ball and maintain control under pressure earned him three wickets in India A's second innings, leading India B to a 76-run victory.Dayal's father, Chanderpal, believes his son's natural talent and mental strength have played a crucial role in his success. He credits the family's unwavering support for helping Dayal overcome the adversity he faced.With the upcoming India-Australia Test series in mind, selectors may consider grooming Dayal as a left-arm pacer. His ability to generate bounce and swing the ball could prove valuable on Indian pitches.Dayal's Test call-up is a testament to the power of perseverance and the unwavering support of family. It serves as an inspiration to young athletes who may face setbacks in their careers.

Virat Kohli: The Un-Auctioned Star of the IPLVirat Kohli, the batting maestro and former captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), holds a unique distinction in the Indian Premier League (IPL): he has never been sold in an IPL auction. This intriguing fact stems from his early association with RCB, which dates back to the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008.As a young emerging player, Kohli was not eligible to participate in the inaugural IPL auction. Instead, he was selected by RCB through a pre-season draft, recognizing his exceptional talent showcased in the U-19 World Cup. RCB's decision to retain Kohli over the years has kept him from entering the IPL auction.Kohli's loyalty to RCB and their unwavering trust in his abilities have fostered a strong relationship. The IPL allows teams to retain a certain number of players ahead of each auction, and Kohli has been a constant fixture in RCB's retained list. His consistent performances and leadership qualities have made him indispensable for the franchise.As captain, Kohli guided RCB to four playoff appearances, showcasing his tactical acumen and ability to inspire his team. While the elusive championship remained out of reach, Kohli's individual accomplishments in the IPL are remarkable. He is the tournament's all-time leading run-scorer with 8004 runs in 252 matches, boasting an impressive average of 38.67.Kohli's 2016 campaign was particularly memorable, as he amassed a staggering 973 runs, setting the record for the most runs scored in a single IPL season. His exceptional batting prowess is further highlighted by his unparalleled feat of scoring 8 centuries in the tournament, more than any other player.The combination of Kohli's consistent performances, leadership role, and marketability made him indispensable for RCB. The franchise has always prioritized his retention, preventing him from entering the IPL auction. Kohli's dedication to RCB and his deep connection with the fans have ensured that he remains one of the few players in IPL history never to have been auctioned, making his journey unique and significant in the league's history.

Rahul Dravid's tenure as the Indian cricket team head coach culminated in a triumphant note as India emerged victorious in the T20 World Cup 2024 under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. Dravid's instrumental role in shaping the team's success served as a fitting redemption after the heartbreak of the 2023 ODI World Cup final loss to Australia.Post his tenure, Dravid's name was associated with several Indian Premier League (IPL) teams, with speculations of him taking on a head coach or mentor role. However, the suspense ended with the announcement of his appointment as the head coach of Rajasthan Royals, a team he had been associated with from 2011 to 2015 as captain and mentor.According to Cricbuzz, Dravid's decision to return to Rajasthan Royals was driven by his deep connection with the franchise. Despite receiving lucrative offers from other teams, Dravid reportedly "turned down offers from high-profile franchises, even those virtually willing to hand him blank cheques."Dravid's affinity for Rajasthan Royals dates back to 2011, when he was a marquee player with a base price of USD 400,000. It was widely anticipated that he would return to Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he had spent three seasons. However, RCB's failure to bid for him left him at risk of going unsold.In a dramatic turn of events, Rajasthan Royals made a late bid of USD 500,000 to acquire Dravid's services. This marked the beginning of a strong relationship that saw Dravid captain the team for the next three seasons and serve as mentor from 2014 to 2015.Dravid's return to Rajasthan Royals is a testament to his loyalty and the deep bond he shares with the franchise. His experience and leadership will be invaluable to the team as they aim to replicate their past success in the upcoming IPL seasons.

Rahul Dravid, the legendary Indian cricketer and coach, has been appointed as the new head coach of Rajasthan Royals (RR) for a multi-year term. This marks Dravid's return to the IPL after a three-year hiatus, during which he served as the head coach of the Indian men's team and guided them to their first ICC title in 11 years.Dravid expressed his excitement about joining RR, a franchise he has a long-standing connection with. He captained the team in 2012 and 2013, and served as their team mentor in 2014 and 2015. "I am pleased to be returning to the franchise I have called 'home' for a number of years in the past," Dravid said. "After the World Cup, I feel it's the ideal time for me to take on another challenge, and the Royals is the perfect place to do that."Dravid's appointment is a significant boost for RR, who have not won the IPL title since the inaugural season in 2008. Their best finish since then was in 2022, when they finished runners-up to Gujarat Titans. RR CEO Jake Lush McCrum expressed his delight at Dravid's return to the franchise. "His exceptional coaching capabilities are evident with the transformation he's driven in Indian cricket," McCrum said. "He also has a deep connection to the franchise, and we've seen that passion come through in all our conversations."Dravid will work closely with RR's director of cricket, Kumar Sangakkara, to implement the franchise's overall cricketing strategy. He will also play a key role in player retention and recruitment ahead of the upcoming mega auction. Dravid's long-standing working relationship with RR captain Sanju Samson, who came through the under-19 ranks under Dravid's watch, is expected to be a major asset for the team.With Dravid at the helm, RR will be hoping to challenge for their second IPL title. His experience, tactical acumen, and ability to inspire players will be invaluable to the team as they look to build a strong and successful squad.

Rahul Dravid Returns to Rajasthan Royals as Head CoachFormer Indian captain and coach Rahul Dravid has been appointed as the Head Coach of the Rajasthan Royals for a multi-year contract. Dravid, who previously spent five seasons with the Royals from 2011 to 2015, will begin his tenure immediately.Dravid's return to the Royals marks a significant moment for the franchise. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role, having coached the Indian men's U19 and senior teams, as well as serving as the Director of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).Under Dravid's guidance, the Indian team recently clinched the ICC Men's T20 World Cup crown. His ability to nurture talent and enable players to perform consistently at the highest level is highly valued by the Royals."I am pleased to be returning to the franchise I have called 'home' for a number of years in the past," said Dravid. "After the World Cup, I feel it's the ideal time for me to take on another challenge, and the Royals is the perfect place to do that."Royals' Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara expressed his excitement about Dravid's appointment. "Rahul is one of the greatest players to have played the game, but what he has achieved over the past decade as a coach is extraordinary," said Sangakkara. "His characteristics as a coach will allow the Rajasthan Royals to further challenge for the title."Dravid will work closely with Sangakkara to implement the franchise's cricketing strategy. The duo will aim to build a strong and competitive team that can challenge for the IPL title.

Rahul Dravid, the legendary Indian cricketer and current head coach of the Indian men's team, is set to return to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) as head coach for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This move comes after Dravid's tenure as India coach concludes following the 2024 T20 World Cup in June.Dravid has a long-standing relationship with RR, having served as their captain in 2012 and 2013, and as team director and mentor in 2014 and 2015. He also has a close working relationship with RR captain Sanju Samson, who came through the under-19 ranks under Dravid's guidance.According to sources, Dravid recently signed a deal with RR and has already begun initial conversations on player retentions ahead of the upcoming mega auction. It is also understood that former India batter Vikram Rathour is likely to join Dravid's coaching staff as an assistant coach. Rathour, a former India selector, worked with Dravid at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) before becoming India's batting coach in 2019.While Dravid will take charge of RR in the IPL, Kumar Sangakkara, who has been their director of cricket since 2021, will continue with the franchise and oversee their teams in other leagues, including the Paarl Royals in the SA20 and the Barbados Royals in the CPL.RR have not won the IPL title since the inaugural season in 2008, but they came close in 2022 when they finished runners-up to the Gujarat Titans. They failed to make the playoffs in 2023 but bounced back in 2024, reaching Qualifier 2 before being eliminated.Dravid's return to RR is expected to bring stability and experience to the franchise, which has been searching for a consistent run of success in recent years. His vast knowledge of the game and his ability to nurture young talent will be invaluable assets for RR as they look to challenge for the IPL title once again.