Cricket

The under-construction international cricket stadium at Narsingarh in Tripura is poised to become a potential second home ground for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This development comes as the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata undergoes a significant makeover next year.The Narsingarh stadium project, initiated in 2017 with an estimated cost of Rs. 185 crore, has faced delays in its completion. However, recent developments have reignited hopes of hosting IPL matches at the venue.Tripura Cricket Association (TCA) secretary Subarta Dey revealed that IPL chairman Arun Kumar Dhumal visited the proposed stadium and expressed optimism about its potential as a second home ground for KKR. The stadium's readiness by February 2025 is crucial for this possibility.To expedite the construction process, the TCA has engaged a reputed construction agency. The agency has completed 80% of the work in the past seven years, despite the initial deadline being only 22 months.The TCA is closely monitoring the progress and has threatened to terminate the agency's contract if it fails to meet the revised deadline. The association is determined to complete the stadium by February 2025 to secure the opportunity to host IPL matches."If we could complete the stadium's work by February next year, I am confident of hosting at least two IPL matches of KKR at Narsingarh international cricket stadium," said Dey.The prospect of hosting IPL matches in Tripura has generated excitement among cricket enthusiasts in the state. The Narsingarh stadium, with its modern facilities and seating capacity of over 50,000, would provide a world-class venue for the tournament.

Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has hinted at a potential move for wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Raina revealed that Pant met with CSK legend MS Dhoni in Delhi, sparking speculation about a possible transfer.The Indian Premier League (IPL) player retention lists were announced on Wednesday, with Dhoni retained by CSK as an uncapped player for Rs 4 crore. Pant, on the other hand, was released by the Delhi Capitals (DC) after eight seasons with the franchise.Speaking to JioCinema, Raina said, "I met MS Dhoni in Delhi, Pant was also there. I think something big is to happen. Someone will be wearing a yellow jersey soon."This statement comes amidst reports that Pant is set to join CSK. The move would not be surprising, as Dhoni is nearing the end of his career and Pant could become the franchise's next star wicketkeeper-batter or even captain.In 111 matches for DC, Pant scored 3,284 runs at an average of 148.93, with a century and 17 fifties. He is the franchise's leading run-getter. Under his captaincy, DC reached the playoffs in 2021 but failed to progress beyond the league stages in 2022 and 2023.In the last season, Pant scored 446 runs in 13 matches for DC, averaging over 40 and striking at over 155. He scored three half-centuries and had a best score of 88*. While he was the franchise's top run-getter, DC missed out on the playoffs, finishing sixth with seven wins and seven losses.DC have retained all-rounder Axar Patel, spinner Kuldeep Yadav, batters Tristan Stubbs, and Abishek Porel ahead of this year's mega auction.

Hardik Pandya's leadership of the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been extended for the 2025 season, despite the team's dismal performance under his guidance in 2024.Pandya's reappointment was met with mixed reactions. Some fans and experts believe that he deserves another chance to prove himself as a captain, while others question his ability to lead a team to success.Pandya himself expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue leading MI. "I have received a lot of love back, (it) means the world to me. My journey started here and you know everything that I have achieved in my life has been part of Mumbai Indians," he said.Referring to MI's five retained players, including himself, Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma, Pandya stated, "We are five fingers but one fist, that's how I look at it."However, the question remains whether Pandya can transform the five fingers into a cohesive unit on the field. In IPL 2024, MI finished at the bottom of the table, appearing disjointed and lacking direction.The upcoming season will be a crucial test for Pandya's leadership skills. With Rohit Sharma, India's Test and ODI captain, Suryakumar Yadav, India's T20I captain, and Jasprit Bumrah, India's Test vice-captain, in the team, Pandya will need to find a way to manage their egos and create a harmonious environment.MI owner Akash Ambani expressed confidence in his team's abilities. "We have always believed that the strength of a family lies in its core and this belief has been reinforced during the course of recent events," Ambani said."...This unified effort reinstates MI's commitment to building strong trust and ownership amongst our core group, our fans, and other stakeholders. We will strive to continue playing the passionate brand of cricket everyone expects from us."

Nicholas Pooran Set to Become One of IPL's Highest-Paid Retained PlayersNicholas Pooran is poised to become one of the most highly compensated retained players in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, according to sources within the league. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Pooran have reportedly reached an agreement that could see the Trinidadian batsman earn over Rs 20 crore from the franchise.The agreement was reportedly finalized within two minutes after consultations with LSG mentor Zaheer Khan and coach Justin Langer. However, it does not guarantee Pooran the captaincy, as the franchise will assess its options after the mega auction. LSG is reportedly keen on acquiring Rishabh Pant if Delhi Capitals do not retain him.LSG is expected to spend approximately Rs 50 crore on retentions, with Pooran, Mayank Yadav, and Ravi Bishnoi likely to command the highest salaries. Overseas and capped players like Pooran, Mayank, and Bishnoi could receive around Rs 40 crore, while uncapped players like Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan will be compensated based on mutual agreements.In the previous IPL mini auction, Mitchell Starc became the most expensive player when Kolkata Knight Riders acquired him for Rs 24.75 crore. However, no player has ever been retained for an amount exceeding Rs 20 crore. Pooran's potential retention at such a high price underscores his value as a dynamic batsman and a key asset for LSG.

Gujarat Titans (GT), the reigning Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, are set to retain five key players ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. The franchise is likely to hold onto Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan, B Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, and Shahrukh Khan, leaving them with one right-to-match (RTM) card for the auction.Gill and Rashid were acquired by GT before the 2022 auction, while Sudharsan, Tewatia, and Shahrukh were bought in subsequent auctions. Gill, the 23-year-old opener, has been a consistent performer for GT, scoring over 500 runs in each of the past two seasons. He was appointed captain for IPL 2024 after Hardik Pandya's departure.Rashid, the Afghan leg-spinner, is one of the most sought-after bowlers in the IPL. He has been GT's leading wicket-taker in both seasons, with 32 wickets in 2022 and 24 wickets in 2024.Sudharsan, a left-handed batter from Tamil Nadu, has emerged as a promising talent for GT. He was the sixth-highest run-scorer in IPL 2024, with 527 runs at an average of nearly 48. He is considered a potential future Test player for India.Tewatia and Shahrukh are both uncapped all-rounders who have been retained for their power-hitting abilities. Tewatia has played several impactful knocks as a finisher, while Shahrukh is one of the strongest hitters in domestic cricket.GT will have at least INR 51 crore deducted from their purse of INR 120 crore for retaining three international players and two uncapped players. The amounts for each player are not yet known, but GT is free to pay more or less than the minimum deductions set by the IPL.The deadline for franchises to submit their list of retained players is October 31. The mega auction is expected to be held in December or January.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has finalized its core group for the upcoming 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season by retaining Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy as their final two capped players.Head, the Australian batter, is set to receive a hefty INR 14 crore, while Reddy, the Indian all-rounder, will earn INR 6 crore. These signings complete SRH's quota of five capped retained players, joining Heinrich Klaasen (INR 23 crore), Pat Cummins (INR 18 crore), and Abhishek Sharma (INR 14 crore).SRH's decision to retain Head is a testament to his impressive performance in the 2024 IPL season. The left-hander smashed 567 runs at a strike rate of 191.55, establishing himself as a key player at the top of the order. Head's ability to perform under pressure, as evidenced by his centuries in the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup finals, makes him a valuable asset for SRH.Reddy, on the other hand, has seen a significant increase in his value since joining SRH in 2023. The 21-year-old was named the Emerging Player of the Year in IPL 2024 for his all-round contributions. He scored 303 runs at a strike rate of 143 and took three wickets with his seam bowling. Reddy's international debut for India in October further enhances his value.With these retentions, SRH has secured the core group that led them to the IPL 2024 final. The franchise will now have INR 45 crore remaining in their auction purse, which they can use to acquire additional players.

Virat Kohli, the former Indian cricket captain, is set to make a grand return as the skipper of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). This decision comes after extensive discussions between Kohli and the RCB management, who believe that his leadership is crucial at a time when the team is facing a leadership vacuum.Faf du Plessis, who led RCB in the previous cycle (2022-24), is now 40 years old, and the franchise has decided to hand over the reins to Kohli, who is still considered one of the best batsmen in the world. Kohli led RCB from 2013 to 2021, guiding the team to the playoffs on four occasions. They came agonizingly close to winning the title in 2016, losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final.Kohli stepped down from RCB captaincy in 2021, but he has remained an integral part of the team. He has consistently been involved in the decision-making process and has provided valuable guidance to the younger players. RCB has never won an IPL trophy, and they hope that Kohli's return as captain will bring them the elusive title.The franchise has already begun preparations for the upcoming mega auction, which is less than a month away. They have identified Kohli as the leader and will now focus on filling the remaining gaps in the squad. Kohli has expressed his commitment to RCB, stating that he will play his last IPL game for the franchise.Even without the official captaincy, Kohli has been the de facto leader of RCB in recent years. He has always been fully engaged in the game, providing support and guidance to his teammates. RCB considered other captaincy options, including Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, but ultimately decided that Kohli was the best choice to lead the team forward.Kohli's return as RCB captain is a significant development for the franchise. He is a proven leader with a wealth of experience. His passion and commitment to the team are undeniable. With Kohli at the helm, RCB will be hoping to finally break their IPL title drought in 2025.

Shreyas Iyer's Future with Kolkata Knight Riders Uncertain Amidst Retention TalksAhead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 retentions, the future of Shreyas Iyer with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) remains uncertain. Despite leading KKR to the IPL 2024 title, media reports suggest a lack of communication between the player and the franchise.According to Times of India, KKR has finally initiated talks with Iyer but is not considering him as their top retention pick. Sources close to the developments express surprise at this decision, given Iyer's proven leadership abilities and success with Delhi Capitals.Multiple franchises have reportedly approached Iyer for a leadership role, indicating his high demand in the league. Sources believe that if he enters the auction pool, several teams will be eager to acquire his services.Meanwhile, former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh has suggested five possible retentions for KKR: Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Phil Salt, and Sunil Narine. He believes these players form the core of the team's success in the previous season.However, the final decision on retentions rests with the KKR management. It remains to be seen whether they will prioritize Iyer's leadership qualities or opt for a different strategy. The IPL 2025 retentions will provide clarity on the future of Shreyas Iyer and the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are set to undergo a significant roster overhaul ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. The franchise is unlikely to retain their title-winning captain Shreyas Iyer and star all-rounder Andre Russell.Instead, KKR is expected to retain four players: Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, and uncapped fast bowler Harshit Rana. Mitchell Starc, who was acquired for a record INR 24.75 crore in the IPL 2024 auction, is also unlikely to be retained.The possibility exists that KKR may retain a second uncapped player in Ramandeep Singh, an explosive lower-middle order batter. However, this would leave them with only one right-to-match option at the auction, which could limit their ability to reacquire Iyer, Russell, or Starc.The deadline for franchises to submit their list of retained players is October 31. Teams are allowed to retain up to six players, with a maximum of five capped internationals and two uncapped players. While the IPL has set minimum deductions from the auction purse for each retained player, franchises are free to pay more or less than those amounts.KKR's decision to release Iyer and Russell marks a significant shift in their strategy. Iyer led the team to the IPL title in 2024, while Russell has been a key contributor since joining the franchise in 2014.Among the players retained, Narine, Rinku, and Varun have all played vital roles for KKR in recent seasons. Narine, the Most Valuable Player in 2024, provides explosiveness at the top of the order and is a wicket-taking threat. Varun has been the team's most successful bowler in the last two seasons, while Rinku has emerged as a promising young batter.Rana is a rising fast bowler who is part of India's Test squad for the upcoming tour of Australia. Ramandeep's performances in the IPL and domestic cricket earned him a spot in India's squad for the recent Emerging Players Asia Cup.