Cricket

Gujarat Titans, the reigning IPL champions, are gearing up for the upcoming mega auction by retaining three key players: captain Shubman Gill, star spinner Rashid Khan, and left-handed batter Sai Sudharsan. Uncapped hitters Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan are also expected to be retained by the franchise.Gill, a highly-rated young batsman, led the Titans for the first time in 2023, guiding them to an eighth-place finish. Despite the team's overall performance, Gill's leadership qualities and potential as a future Indian captain have impressed the franchise.Rashid Khan, the Afghan spin wizard, has been a consistent performer for the Titans since joining in 2022. In his debut season, he claimed 19 wickets, followed by 27 wickets in the following year. While his form dipped slightly in 2023, with 10 wickets in 12 games, his experience and match-winning abilities make him an invaluable asset.Sai Sudharsan, a rising star in Indian cricket, had a breakout year in 2023, amassing 527 runs in 12 games, including a century. His impressive performances have earned him a place in the national team, where he has featured in three ODIs and a T20.Uncapped all-rounder Shahrukh Khan, known for his explosive batting, is another player expected to be retained by the Titans. With a strike rate of 169.33, he provides a valuable option in the middle order.IPL veteran Rahul Tewatia, a left-handed batsman, is also likely to be retained. With close to 100 IPL games under his belt, Tewatia brings experience and a high strike rate to the team.The mega auction is expected to be held overseas in the last week of November, with an increased auction purse of Rs 120 crore. Teams can retain up to six players from their existing squad, the highest number in IPL history.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise retention deadline is fast approaching, with teams having until October 31 to submit their lists. Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has predicted the players that Delhi Capitals (DC) may retain ahead of the auction, which is likely to take place on November 25-26 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.According to Singh, Rishabh Pant is an automatic choice for retention. He believes that DC should also retain Axar Patel, Tristan Stubbs, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and potentially Mitchell Marsh. This would mean that DC would retain five capped players, which would cost them a minimum of Rs 75 crore.Singh does not believe that DC will opt for an uncapped player, as the price slabs for capped players are higher. He believes that DC should focus on retaining a strong core of players and then filling out the rest of their squad through the auction.

Harshit Rana, a rising star in Indian cricket, has made significant strides in his career, earning a spot in the Indian Test squad for the upcoming tour of Australia. With his impressive pace, bounce, and ability to swing the ball both ways, Rana has caught the attention of selectors and fans alike.Rana's journey to the national team began with his standout performance for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the 2023 season, he claimed 19 wickets in 13 matches, finishing as the joint-second-highest wicket-taker. His ability to bowl under pressure and deliver crucial overs in T20 cricket showcased his maturity and skill.The IPL success paved the way for Rana's inclusion in India's white-ball squads. He has since featured regularly in the team, gaining valuable experience and honing his craft. Recently, he was selected in the 18-member contingent for the five-Test tour of Australia, a testament to his growing stature in the Indian setup.Rana's selection for the Test team is a culmination of his hard work and dedication. He has spent time with the Test team as a traveling reserve, observing and learning from senior players like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. This experience has helped him prepare for the challenges of Test cricket, where consistency and accuracy are paramount.In addition to his bowling prowess, Rana is also a fiery competitor, known for his aggressive approach on the field. He is not afraid to engage in verbal exchanges with batters, adding an element of intensity to his performances.Rana's rise to prominence has been supported by the guidance of Gautam Gambhir, who served as KKR's mentor during the IPL and is now India's head coach. Gambhir has been a vocal advocate for Rana, recognizing his potential and providing him with valuable advice.As Rana prepares for his Test debut in Australia, he is excited about the opportunity to showcase his skills on the world stage. He is confident in his abilities and eager to contribute to India's success. With his talent, determination, and the support of his team, Rana is poised to make a significant impact on Indian cricket in the years to come.

Indian pacer Mohsin Khan has expressed his lifelong admiration for former Indian captain MS Dhoni, citing his iconic match-winning six in the 2011 ODI World Cup final as his favorite cricketing moment.Speaking on Shubhankar Mishra's podcast, Mohsin revealed that Dhoni's ability to hit sixes in crucial situations has always inspired him. "Dhoni bhai is my idol. The way he hits those sixes in the end is unbelievable," he remarked.Mohsin recalled the national jubilation that followed Dhoni's match-winning six, saying it felt like a Diwali celebration everywhere. "I was just 13 or 14 years old at the time, watching the final. As soon as he hit that six, it felt like a Diwali celebration everywhere," he added.Despite his admiration, Mohsin admitted that he gets too nervous to approach Dhoni. "I feel happy just seeing him from afar. I can't talk to him directly, but watching him gives me joy," the 26-year-old bowler confessed with a smile.Meanwhile, Dhoni has hinted at extending his cricketing journey despite stepping back from active captaincy. At a recent promotional event, Dhoni shared that he wants to enjoy the "last few years of cricket" at a relaxed pace.His words have fueled speculation that the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) might retain him for IPL 2025, even though he passed the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad last season."I just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I am able to play," Dhoni explained. "In our childhood, we used to go out to play at 4pm and enjoy the game. But when you play professional sport, it becomes difficult to enjoy cricket, just like a game. That's what I want to do."With Dhoni's future in the IPL still uncertain, fans eagerly await whether CSK will retain their beloved "Thala" under the revised retention rules. If Dhoni continues, it would mark yet another unforgettable chapter in his illustrious IPL career.

MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, has expressed his desire to savor the remaining years of his cricketing career. While his availability for IPL 2025 remains uncertain, Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan has expressed optimism about Dhoni's participation in the upcoming season."I just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I'm able to play," Dhoni stated at a promotional event in Goa. "Like how during our childhood we used to go out and play at 4[pm], just enjoying the game. But when you play professional sport it becomes difficult to enjoy the game just like a game. So what I want to do is, there are emotions and commitments, but I want to enjoy the game for the next few years."Dhoni's eligibility for retention by CSK as an uncapped player stems from the IPL's reinstatement of a rule that considers players retired from international cricket for five years as uncapped. This rule change opens the door for Dhoni's retention, as he retired from international cricket in 2019.During IPL 2024, Dhoni batted lower down the order, facing only a limited number of deliveries. While workload management due to his knee surgery played a role in this decision, Dhoni also revealed that it was intended to provide game time to Indian players vying for a spot in the T20 World Cup."My thinking was simple, if others are doing their job well why do I need to come up the order," Dhoni explained. "If you're talking about last year (season) specifically, the T20 World Cup squad was going to be announced soon. So we have to give people who are fighting for a spot a chance. In our team (CSK) we had a few, [Ravindra] Jadeja was there, Shivam Dube was there so you give them an opportunity to prove themselves to get into the Indian team. There was nothing in it for me, no selection and other things. So I'm good behind [playing down the order] and my team was happy with what I was doing."Dhoni also expressed his admiration for the aggressive style of play known as "Bazball," which has become prevalent in Test cricket. He believes that the focus on results has made the format more exciting."You can give cricket any term that you want to, what we have seen is cricket has evolved," Dhoni said. "The way people are playing cricket is very different. There was a time when in ODIs something was considered a safe score, now that score is not safe in T20s too.""For me, the most difficult time during a Test match was the fifth day of a match which is the last day when you knew that 100% it is going to be a draw," he added. "I would still need to keep for nearly 2.5 sessions and that was the most tiring part. You see there is no result happening, you are just going through the motions. Yes, bowlers would like to take wickets, batters will try to score runs, [but] there is no result in the game. You think let's finish this and go, why do I have to be here. So I love the fact there's change in the way teams are playing Test cricket."

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are poised to bid farewell to their captain, KL Rahul, ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction. The IPL governing council has set October 31 as the deadline for teams to finalize their retained and released player lists.According to Cricbuzz, Rahul has expressed his desire to depart LSG after the management declined his request to bat in the middle order due to team composition and dynamics. The report also suggests that LSG may exercise their Right To Match (RTM) card for Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis."While LSG has the option to exercise the RTM for Rahul, the chances of that happening are remote - virtually nil. They may do it for a player like Marcus Stoinis," the report states.With Rahul's departure imminent, LSG is expected to retain Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, and Ayush Badoni, with the latter two being uncapped retentions.Rahul has been linked to several teams ahead of the auction, but if he enters the bidding pool, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is likely to pursue their former player aggressively. Rahul played for RCB in 2013 and 2016 before joining Punjab in 2018.Rahul's strike rate has been a concern for LSG. Since the 2019 IPL season, he has not scored at a strike rate above 140, dropping as low as 113 in 2023.If Rahul and LSG mutually part ways, he will become one of the most sought-after Indian players in the auction pool. Rahul has amassed 4,683 IPL runs at an average of 45 and a strike rate of 134.Rahul's recent struggles have extended to the international arena, as he was dropped from India's playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. However, he has been included in the squad for the upcoming Test tour of Australia.

MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, has hinted at his continued participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL). This revelation comes as a welcome news for fans and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise, who are eager to retain their iconic captain.Dhoni's intentions were made clear during an event where he expressed his desire to savor the remaining years of his cricketing career. "I just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I am able to play," Dhoni stated. "When you play cricket like a professional sport, it becomes difficult to enjoy it just like a game. That's what I want to do. It's not easy."CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan echoed Dhoni's sentiments, expressing delight at the prospect of the former Indian captain continuing in the IPL. "When he is ready, what else (do) we want. We are happy," Viswanathan told Cricbuzz.However, reports suggest that all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who recently retired from T20 internationals, is the preferred retention choice for CSK ahead of skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. Jadeja's exceptional all-round abilities and leadership qualities make him a valuable asset for the franchise.The CSK retention list is expected to include Jadeja at the top, followed by Gaikwad and pacer Matheesha Pathirana. Two players among Shivam Dube, Devon Conway, and Samir Rizvi are also likely to be retained.Dhoni's continued presence in the IPL will undoubtedly bolster CSK's chances of success. His experience, leadership, and ability to inspire his teammates make him an invaluable asset for the franchise. Fans can eagerly anticipate Dhoni's return to the IPL, where he will once again showcase his exceptional skills and contribute to CSK's pursuit of glory.

MS Dhoni Responds to Viral 'Thala for a Reason' Meme, Expresses Gratitude for FansMS Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer and former captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has finally addressed the viral 'Thala for a reason' meme that has taken social media by storm. In a recent video, Dhoni acknowledged the meme's existence but expressed uncertainty about its origins."I do know about the meme, but I don't know the reason behind it," Dhoni said. "I'm not sure whether it's funny, meant to pull my leg, just banter, or a meme. But whatever it is, I think my fans have turned it into something positive for me."Dhoni's response highlights his humility and appreciation for his fans. He emphasized that he doesn't need to defend himself or explain the meme's meaning because his fans are always there to support him."I've got brilliant fans," Dhoni added. "I don't need to speak up or say anything; they're the ones who step up if someone questions me. I'm just keeping quiet and enjoying my life. I try to play good cricket, and that's what matters to me."Under Dhoni's captaincy, CSK has won the Indian Premier League (IPL) title five times, tying with the Mumbai Indians as the league's most successful team. Their first title came in 2010, followed by a back-to-back victory in 2011. CSK added to their legacy with titles in 2018, 2021, and 2023.Dhoni's leadership and strategic brilliance have played a crucial role in CSK's success. His ability to inspire and motivate his team, along with his calm and composed demeanor under pressure, has made him one of the most respected and admired cricketers in the world.

Legendary Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni has hinted at continuing his illustrious career in the Indian Premier League (IPL) beyond 2025. The 43-year-old, who has led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to four IPL titles, expressed his desire to play for "the next few years" and maintain his fitness for the grueling tournament.Dhoni's comments come amidst speculation about his future in the IPL. He had previously handed over the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the 2024 season. However, his continued presence in the team would be a major boost for the franchise and the tournament as a whole."I just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I am able to play," Dhoni said at a promotional event. "When you play cricket like a professional sport, it becomes difficult to enjoy it just like a game. That's what I want to do. It's not easy. The emotions keep coming, the commitments are there. I want to enjoy the game for the next few years."Dhoni's words suggest that he is not only targeting the 2025 IPL season but also the subsequent three-year cycle after the mega auction. He emphasized the need to stay fit for nine months to prepare for the two-and-a-half-month IPL season."I have to keep myself fit for nine months, so that I can play two and a half months of IPL. You need to plan it out, but at the same time chill a bit," Dhoni said.With his last appearance for Team India being over five years ago, Dhoni can be retained by CSK as an uncapped player at a price of only Rs 4 crore. This is due to the revival of a rule that was previously removed in 2021.Dhoni's continued presence in the IPL would not only benefit CSK but also the tournament itself. As one of the most iconic and successful players in IPL history, his presence would add star power and excitement to the competition.