Cricket

Mayank Yadav, India's promising right-arm pacer, is diligently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. His exceptional pace has garnered attention since his impressive performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, despite playing only four matches.During his brief IPL stint, Yadav showcased his raw talent, claiming seven wickets at an economical rate of 6.99. His blistering pace consistently exceeded 150 kmph, with his fastest delivery clocking in at an astonishing 156.7 kmph.However, Yadav's promising run was cut short by an injury, prompting questions about his potential inclusion in the Indian squad. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah acknowledged Yadav's talent but remained non-committal about his immediate selection."I cannot give you any answer on Mayank Yadav as there is no guarantee whether he will be in the team or not. But he is potentially a good fast bowler, and we are looking after him. He is currently in the NCA," Shah told Times of India.Yadav's IPL debut for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in 2023 was equally impressive, but an injury forced him to withdraw after just four games. Despite being acquired by LSG for a base price of Rs 20 lakh in the 2022 auction, he was replaced by Arpit Guleria due to an injury.Throughout his T20 career, Yadav has amassed 19 wickets in 14 matches, while in List A cricket, he has claimed 34 wickets in 17 matches. He represents Delhi in the domestic circuit.In April 2024, Yadav etched his name in the IPL record books by delivering the fastest ball of the tournament. His blistering delivery propelled Lucknow Super Giants to a resounding victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru.Yadav's rehabilitation at the NCA is a testament to his determination to overcome injuries and fulfill his potential. With his raw pace and impressive track record, he remains a promising prospect for the Indian cricket team.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners are poised to make a significant impact on the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) Hundred competition. As the ECB prepares to sell shares in its eight Hundred teams in September, it is eager to attract Indian capital. According to The Guardian, even minority investments will grant new owners substantial influence, as all ten IPL owners are expected to bid for shares.Sources involved in the sale process indicate that IPL owners are seeking control in exchange for their investments. They are likely to push for name changes, with the extent of the changes depending on the amount invested. The Ambani family, owners of the Mumbai Indians and its sister franchises, is reportedly considering a substantial bid for the London Spirit team, with plans to rebrand it as MI London.London Spirit is considered the most valuable team in the Hundred, and its sale is expected to generate a significant portion of the revenue. The ECB has been in discussions with potential investors for several months, including Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds and Manchester United owner Avram Glazer. American owners of Birmingham City, Knighthead Capital, have also expressed interest in acquiring a stake in Birmingham Phoenix.The Rajasthan Royals, IPL champions in 2008, are expected to bid for the Northern Superchargers as part of their acquisition of Yorkshire. The Delhi Capitals, who recently acquired Hampshire for 120 million pounds, are also likely to seek a stake in the Southern Brave.These moves align with the growing global reach of the IPL. The league's popularity and financial success have made it an attractive investment for international investors. The ECB's decision to sell shares in the Hundred is seen as a strategic move to capitalize on this interest and further develop the competition.

Hardik Pandya's appointment as Mumbai Indians' captain in 2024 sparked controversy among fans, leading to frequent booing and criticism. However, India and MI pacer Jasprit Bumrah has revealed the team's unwavering support for Pandya during this challenging period.Bumrah emphasized that the team strongly disapproves of the negative behavior directed towards Pandya. "We don't encourage or promote that. We don't think it's warranted," he stated. The team rallied around Pandya, providing him with support and encouragement.The situation took a dramatic turn after India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Pandya's match-winning performance in the final, where he dismissed key South African batsmen, earned him widespread praise and admiration. The narrative shifted, and the fans who had once booed him now cheered him on."The narrative just changed when we won the World Cup," Bumrah said. "This is part of the journey. It's us against the world. We will try to give as much support as we can."Pandya's impressive performance in the T20 World Cup, where he scored 144 runs at a strike rate of over 150 and claimed 11 wickets, further solidified his position as a valuable asset to the team.Bumrah's comments highlight the importance of team unity and support, especially in the face of adversity. The Mumbai Indians' unwavering belief in Pandya's leadership and abilities ultimately helped him overcome the initial backlash and establish himself as a respected captain.

Punjab Kings Ownership Dispute: Preity Zinta Files Legal AppealThe Punjab Kings Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise is embroiled in an internal dispute that has escalated to the Chandigarh High Court. Actress and co-owner Preity Zinta has filed a legal appeal to prevent fellow owner Mohit Burman from selling a portion of his franchise shares.Zinta, who holds a 23% stake in the franchise through KPH Dream Cricket Private Limited, alleges that Burman, who holds the largest share at 48%, is attempting to sell 11.5% of his stake to an unnamed party. This action violates an internal agreement among the owners, which mandates that any stake intended for sale must first be offered to existing promoters within a specific timeframe before being offered to external parties.Burman has publicly denied any plans to sell his shares, but Zinta's legal action suggests a breakdown in communication and trust within the ownership group. This internal conflict arises at a time when IPL franchise valuations have skyrocketed following the addition of two new teams in 2022. The potential sale of even a partial stake in a franchise like Punjab Kings could be valued at approximately Rs 540-600 crore, making it a significant financial decision with potentially long-term implications for the franchise.The case, scheduled for a hearing on August 20, has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the Punjab Kings. Attempts to reach Zinta, Burman, and Ness Wadia, another co-owner, for comments have been unsuccessful.The dispute highlights the importance of clear and enforceable agreements among franchise owners, especially in the context of rapidly increasing franchise valuations. It also raises questions about the future of the Punjab Kings franchise and the potential impact on its performance in the upcoming IPL seasons.

Umran Malik, the Jammu and Kashmir-based pacer, burst onto the scene in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 with his blistering speed. His impressive performances earned him a Team India debut against Ireland in June 2022. However, the 24-year-old's form has since taken a dip, leading to limited appearances in the IPL and domestic cricket.Malik's struggles in the IPL 2023 and 2024 seasons were attributed to his expensive bowling, as batters found ways to score runs against him. The pacer recently revealed that he missed the ongoing Buchi Babu tournament in Tamil Nadu due to dengue.Malik believes that his lack of domestic appearances has contributed to his poor form. He worked with former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan during the Ranji Trophy but faced challenges due to weather and injuries.Despite the setbacks, Malik remains optimistic and is working on improving his bowling. He is focusing on swing bowling with the new ball and developing a plan to execute his deliveries effectively.Malik acknowledges the importance of fitting into the bowling group and complementing their plans. He believes that by doing so, he can better handle the challenges he faces on the field.

Steve Smith, the veteran Australian batter, has expressed his desire to return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) next year after leading Washington Freedom to their first Major League Cricket (MLC) title. At 35, Smith has not played in the IPL since 2021, having gone unsold in the last two auctions.Despite being overlooked for the T20 World Cup and the upcoming tours of Scotland and England, Smith remains optimistic about his chances of making a comeback in the IPL. "I'd certainly love another opportunity at IPL. I'll be throwing my name in the ring, and we'll see how we go," Smith said.Smith's standout performance in the MLC came in the final against the San Francisco Unicorns, where he scored an 88 off 52 balls against bowlers like Australian captain Pat Cummins and Pakistan's Haris Rauf. His effort earned him the player-of-the-match award in the final.Smith's return to form in the MLC has raised questions about his omission from the Australian T20I team. However, Smith understands the team's decision to focus on younger players. "In terms of international T20s, I don't know what's going on there," Smith said. "They've obviously got some people they want to bring in, and that's fine."Despite the setbacks, Smith remains focused on improving his game. "I'll just go about my business, keep trying to improve and get better," he said.Smith also expressed interest in representing Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where cricket will make its debut. "That's still a while away as well, so we'll wait and see. Never say never," Smith said.

Former Indian batting legend Rahul Dravid, who recently stepped down as India's head coach after guiding the team to the T20 World Cup 2024 title, is reportedly set to return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the coach of Rajasthan Royals.Dravid, who had a successful stint with the Royals as captain, mentor, and coach before joining the BCCI, is likely to replace current head coach Kumar Sangakkara, who is being considered for the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) white-ball coaching role.According to Cricbuzz, if Sangakkara leaves the Royals to join England, Dravid is the frontrunner to take over the vacant head coach position. The 51-year-old has a wealth of experience in coaching, having guided India to the T20 World Cup title and the Under-19 World Cup title in 2018.Sangakkara, when asked about the England coaching job, said, "I know my name has been mentioned, but there has been no approach. The England white-ball job is exciting, but I am happy at Rajasthan Royals."England's white-ball coach Matthew Mott recently stepped down after the team failed to defend their ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup titles. The ECB has appointed former England batter Marcus Trescothick as an interim coach for the upcoming one-day international and T20 series against Australia.Dravid's return to the IPL as a coach would be a significant development, as he is widely regarded as one of the greatest batters India has ever produced. His experience and leadership skills would be invaluable to the Royals, who are looking to improve on their recent performances.

Sanju Samson, the enigmatic wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan, has been a constant subject of debate among cricket enthusiasts. Despite his impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and sporadic appearances for the national team, Samson has often found himself on the sidelines of the Indian squad.Samson's international debut came in 2015, but he has since struggled to cement his place in the team. He was overlooked for the Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023 squads, despite his consistent performances in the IPL. He was eventually included in India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad but did not feature in any matches.Recently, Samson played two matches in India's three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, but failed to score a single run. Despite these setbacks, the 29-year-old remains unfazed."I will just go and play whenever they select me. That's it! End of the day, our team is doing well. I am the kind of person who believes in higher purpose. I just try to take things positively under controllable circumstances and put up the efforts," Samson said at a recent event.Samson's resilience is evident in his performances for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. In the 2024 season, he emerged as the fifth highest run-scorer with 531 runs in 15 matches.Overall, Samson has played 30 T20Is for India, scoring 444 runs, and 16 ODIs, scoring 510 runs. He has also played 167 IPL matches, amassing 4419 runs.Despite his impressive record, Samson's omission from the Indian team has raised questions about the selection criteria. Some experts believe that his inconsistent performances in international cricket have cost him his place, while others argue that he deserves more opportunities.As the Indian team prepares for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024, Samson's form and selection will be closely monitored. If he can replicate his IPL performances on the international stage, he could prove to be a valuable asset for the team.

Ravichandran Ashwin Slams Right to Match Rule Ahead of Potential IPL ReinstatementIndian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has vehemently criticized the Right to Match (RTM) rule, which is being considered for reinstatement in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. The BCCI is exploring the possibility of bringing back the RTM rule, sparking debates among players and franchise owners.Ashwin, in a video on his YouTube channel, expressed his strong opposition to the RTM rule, arguing that it deprives players of their true market value. He explained that the rule allows original teams to retain players by matching the highest bid, even if the player's value has increased during the auction. This, according to Ashwin, creates an unfair advantage for the original team and prevents players from receiving their deserved compensation."There is no rule more unfair for a player than RTM," Ashwin stated. "It does not give fair value to the player. If a player's value has gone up during the auction, the original team can simply match the highest bid without contributing to the increase. This leaves the player without the opportunity to achieve their true market worth."Ashwin emphasized that while the original team may benefit from the RTM rule, other franchises and the player himself may feel shortchanged. He argued that this undermines the integrity of the auction and prevents players from getting their deserved compensation."This leaves the player without the opportunity to achieve their true market worth," he reiterated, stressing that the rule benefits the original team disproportionately.The BCCI is currently engaged in discussions with franchise owners regarding the reinstatement of the RTM rule. The final decision will significantly impact the dynamics of the upcoming IPL auction.