Cricket

Star Indian batter Yashasvi Jaiswal has lauded his elder brother Tejasvi Jaiswal for his maiden First-Class half-century in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. Tejasvi, a left-handed batsman and right-arm medium pacer, scored 82 runs in his only innings and claimed a wicket for Tripura against Baroda at Agartala.Tejasvi's knock helped Tripura establish a substantial lead of 252 runs in the first innings, although the match ultimately ended in a draw. Baroda posted 235 before Tripura declared at 482/7. Baroda resumed their innings and were 241/4 when the match concluded.Yashasvi took to Instagram to express his pride in his brother's achievement.Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal has received a significant salary increase with Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has been retained for a whopping Rs 18 crore, a substantial jump from his previous salary of Rs 4 crore.Rajasthan Royals' head coach Rahul Dravid attributed the decision to retain six players to the team's belief in their talent and desire for continuity and stability. Skipper Sanju Samson's guidance also played a role."We have decided that we will do six out of six retentions. We will retain Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sandeep Sharma. We came to this decision because we trust our talent. We also trust that we want to maintain and build with that core," Dravid stated.Sandeep Sharma was retained under the revived 'uncapped' player rule. Teams are permitted to retain a maximum of six players with an overall budget of Rs 120 crore for retention and the mega auction.

MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, is currently enjoying a well-deserved vacation in Phuket, Thailand, with his wife Sakshi and daughter Ziva. The former India captain, who turned 43 in July, is widely regarded as one of the most successful skippers in the history of the game. Under his leadership, India triumphed in the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy.Despite retiring from international cricket in 2020, Dhoni remains an active player in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He was recently retained by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the mega auctions, highlighting his enduring value to the franchise.Dhoni's daughter, Ziva, has shared some heartwarming and picturesque moments from their family's trip to Phuket on her Instagram account. In one of the photos, Dhoni is seen sporting a black vest and sunglasses, posing in the sea with a stunning sunset as the backdrop.Dhoni's retention by CSK as an uncapped player for Rs 4 crore has been met with widespread approval. The five-time champions also retained their skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, and Shivam Dube.Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has expressed his admiration for Dhoni's remarkable career and his continued impact on CSK. "Two seasons ago he probably had his worst season, but then last year again, he bounced back into really impacting some games like the MS Dhoni of old," Ponting said.Ponting believes that Dhoni's presence in the CSK team is invaluable, even if he may not play every game. "Any team that he's in, whether he's captain or not, he's always going to be a mentor and a leader around that group, whether he's playing, whether he's sitting on the sidelines, that's just who he is...he's crucial to Chennai, for that leadership that he brings on and off the field," Ponting stated.Despite recent injuries, Dhoni's ability to evolve and remain impactful has been a hallmark of his illustrious career. He continues to be a source of inspiration for young cricketers and a respected figure in the cricketing world.

Former Indian cricket team spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed his disappointment over the selection committee's decision to overlook Ranji Trophy record-holder Jalaj Saxena for the India A team. Saxena, who has played in the domestic circuit for 17 years, holds the unique distinction of being the only player to have 400 wickets and 6000 runs to his name in Ranji Trophy history.In response to a tweet mentioning Saxena's record, Harbhajan questioned the relevance of domestic tournaments in the current scenario where players are being picked from the Indian Premier League (IPL). "Agree with you. He should be considered at least for India A. Useless of playing Ranji now? People are getting picked from IPL," Harbhajan replied.Harbhajan's comments come in the wake of India's disappointing 3-0 series defeat against New Zealand at home. The former cricketer said that it was a disappointing result for the Rohit Sharma-led side, especially considering the expectations before the series."This entire series has been quite disappointing for all of us. When New Zealand came here, the expectation was that the result would be 3-0 and India would win the series. I can only say that they outplayed us and they took advantage of those conditions," Harbhajan told ANI.Harbhajan praised New Zealand for their performance, saying that they outplayed India and took advantage of the conditions. He also highlighted the importance of playing to one's strengths and adapting to different conditions."New Zealand played to their strengths. They knew that they had a good spin attack and they used it to their advantage. They also adapted to the conditions very well," Harbhajan said.Harbhajan's comments have sparked a debate about the importance of domestic tournaments and the role of the IPL in player selection. It remains to be seen whether the selection committee will reconsider their decision and include Saxena in the India A team for the upcoming matches against Australia A.

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has expressed his gratitude towards Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) following his release ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. Maxwell, who was not retained by RCB, described his exit as a "beautiful" parting, praising the franchise's professionalism and transparency.Maxwell joined RCB in 2021 and played a crucial role in their middle order, helping them reach the playoffs three times. In 52 matches for RCB, he accumulated 1,266 runs and forged a strong bond with the franchise.Despite his successful stint, Maxwell understands RCB's decision to focus on building a core group of Indian players. "I got a phone call from Mo Bobat and Andy Flower, and it was actually a really beautiful exit meeting," Maxwell said. "We ended up talking about the game for about half an hour, discussing their strategy and what they were looking to achieve going forward. I was really happy with that."Maxwell commended RCB's approach, stating that it would foster smoother relationships between players and franchises. "If every team did that, I think it would probably make the relationship smoother. I could not speak high enough of the way they dealt with the whole situation," he added.While acknowledging the team's need to rebuild, Maxwell expressed his desire to return to RCB in the future. "I wouldn't say my RCB journey is over," he said. "I'd certainly love to get back there. It was a great franchise to play for, and I really enjoyed my time."As RCB embarks on a new chapter, Maxwell remains a highly sought-after overseas player. His all-round abilities and experience make him a valuable asset for any team. With the IPL 2025 auction approaching, Maxwell is likely to attract interest from multiple franchises.

James Anderson Registers for IPL Auction to Enhance Knowledge and Coaching SkillsEngland's legendary pace bowler James Anderson has made a surprising move by registering for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction. The 42-year-old, who retired from international cricket earlier this year as the most successful fast bowler in Test history, is seeking to expand his knowledge and experience in the world's biggest T20 league.Anderson, known as the "Burnley Express," has never played a T20 match in the IPL. His last T20 appearance was for his county side Lancashire in August 2014, while his final T20 international for England came in November 2009. Despite his lack of IPL experience, Anderson believes he has much to offer as a player and coach."There is still definitely something in me that thinks like I can still play. I have never done the IPL; I have never experienced it and I think for a number of reasons I feel like I have more to give as a player," Anderson told BBC Radio 4 Today in a podcast.Anderson's primary motivation for joining the IPL is to enhance his knowledge as a bowler and gain valuable experience as a coach. He has already begun mentoring young England players and believes that the IPL will provide him with a unique opportunity to learn from the best in the world."I have done a little bit of coaching since I have finished in the summer. I have been around the England team doing a bit of mentoring or whatever you like to call it," he said. "I just think opening my eyes to something like that and experiencing it, sort of might help me grow my knowledge of the game and help further down the line."Anderson's decision to register for the IPL auction has raised eyebrows, but it is a testament to his unwavering passion for the game. Despite his age, he remains one of the most respected and experienced bowlers in the world. His presence in the IPL could prove invaluable for any team that acquires his services.

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has expressed his disapproval of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) allowing New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra to practice at their academy ahead of the Test series against India. Ravindra emerged as the highest run-scorer for New Zealand as the visitors completed a historic 3-0 whitewash in the series.Uthappa criticized CSK's decision, stating that the franchise should prioritize the country's interests over those of its players, especially when it comes to foreign players who will be competing against India. He emphasized that a line should be drawn when the nation's interests are at stake.Ravindra, who was part of the CSK squad in IPL 2024, was granted permission to practice at the franchise's academy to acclimatize to Indian conditions. However, Uthappa believes that this decision was inappropriate, as it potentially gave Ravindra an unfair advantage in the Test series.Despite his criticism of CSK, Uthappa acknowledged the franchise's reputation for taking care of its players. However, he stressed that the country's interests should always come first.Ravindra, on the other hand, described New Zealand's 3-0 Test series victory over India as a special and unforgettable experience. He praised the team's performance and expressed his joy at being part of such a historic achievement.New Zealand's victory marked the first time a visiting team had completed a clean sweep in a three-Test series against India. Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel played a crucial role in the victory, taking 6-57 in India's second innings.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has emphasized its commitment to fostering strong player relationships throughout their tenure with the franchise. This approach was evident in the recent departure of Glenn Maxwell, who was not retained for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.RCB's director of cricket, Mo Bobat, explained that the decision to call Maxwell and inform him of the non-retention was part of the franchise's culture of building and maintaining strong bonds with players. "At RCB, culture isn't just about the middle of the journey, where everyone is together. It's about building strong bonds at the start and honouring them at the end," Bobat said.Maxwell, who scored 1266 runs in 52 games for RCB, expressed his appreciation for the open and respectful communication he received from the franchise. "It was a very beautiful exit meeting. We ended up talking about the game for almost half an hour - talking about the strategy, and looking to go forward," Maxwell said.Bobat acknowledged the difficulty of parting ways with players but emphasized the importance of respecting their journeys and building a special team culture. "Saying goodbye to players is never easy, especially with so many shared memories. While it's sad to part ways, it's also an opportunity to bring in new heroes for RCB and our fans," he said.Maxwell's positive experience with RCB stands in contrast to that of his teammate Mitchell Starc, who was not retained by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) despite playing a key role in their 2024 IPL title victory. Starc expressed disappointment at not receiving any communication from KKR regarding his non-retention.RCB's approach to player relationships highlights the importance of transparency, respect, and maintaining strong connections both during and after a player's time with the franchise. This approach fosters a positive and supportive environment that benefits both the players and the team as a whole.

Star India batter Rinku Singh, who rose to prominence with his explosive batting in IPL 2023, has been retained by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a whopping 13 crore. The power-hitter, who smashed five sixes against Yash Dayal in a memorable innings, has become the highest-paid player in the KKR squad.Following the IPL retentions, reports have emerged claiming that Rinku has purchased a luxurious bungalow in The Golden Estate, Aligarh, for an estimated 3.5 crore. The property is said to be a 500 square yard house.Meanwhile, KKR has parted ways with their IPL-winning captain Shreyas Iyer. Despite leading the team to their first title in a decade, Iyer has been released due to a combination of factors, including his batting statistics and the team's strong top-order.Iyer joins the ranks of other unfortunate IPL captains who have been released after title wins, such as Adam Gilchrist and David Warner.This year's IPL retentions have witnessed a bold approach from franchises, with several experienced players being released in favor of uncapped and inexperienced Indian players. Out of the 46 players retained across all teams, 36 are Indian, including 10 uncapped stars.These uncapped players include Abhishek Porel, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mohsin Khan, Ayush Badoni, Shashank Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, and Yash Dayal.Among the capped Indian players, 13 have played less than 30 international matches, and eight have played 10 or fewer games for India. Notably, Dhruv Jurel, who has only played international matches for India, has received the biggest pay hike, going from 20 lakh this season to 14 crores next season.

Defending Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have retained six players ahead of the 2025 auction, including Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, and Ramandeep Singh. Notably, KKR released their star fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who became the costliest buy in IPL history in 2024.Starc expressed surprise at not being retained, stating that he had not received any communication from the franchise. He acknowledged that franchise cricket is unpredictable and that all players, except for the Hyderabad duo of Pat Cummins and Travis Head, will be available in the auction.Meanwhile, Starc has achieved a significant milestone in his international career, becoming the fastest bowler to reach 100 ODI wickets in Australia. He surpassed legendary compatriot Brett Lee's record by achieving the feat in just 54 innings. Starc's impressive performance in the first ODI against Pakistan, where he took three wickets for 33 runs, contributed to his achievement.In the match, Pakistan struggled to build partnerships, with only skipper Mohammed Rizwan and Babar Azam managing significant scores. Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi provided some resistance, but Australia's bowlers, led by Starc, restricted Pakistan to 203/10.In response, Australia lost early wickets but recovered through an 85-run partnership between Steve Smith and Josh Inglis. Pakistan's bowlers fought back, but Cummins' unbeaten 32 guided Australia to victory with over 16 overs to spare. Starc was named 'Player of the Match' for his bowling performance, and Australia took a 1-0 lead in the series.