Cricket

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has lifted the lid on the internal turmoil that plagued the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) franchise during his tenure from 2014 to 2017. In his recently released book, Maxwell reveals the power struggle between himself and then-mentor Virender Sehwag, which ultimately led to his departure from the team.Maxwell's arrival in Punjab coincided with a successful 2014 season, where he amassed 552 runs at a strike rate of over 187. However, his fortunes took a downturn in 2017, and his role within the team came under scrutiny. The appointment of Sehwag as mentor marked a shift in power dynamics, with Sehwag asserting his authority over team selection and other decisions.Maxwell's frustration grew as Sehwag's decisions often seemed illogical. In one instance, Sehwag excluded Maxwell from a WhatsApp group used for team selection. Maxwell's public criticism of Sehwag further strained their relationship, leading to a public outburst from Sehwag after a poor performance against Pune.Maxwell was removed from the main WhatsApp group and publicly criticized by Sehwag, who blamed him for the team's failures. Maxwell responded by expressing his disappointment and stating that he had lost respect for Sehwag. The rift between the two deepened, and Maxwell ultimately informed the owners that he would not continue with the team if Sehwag remained.Sehwag's tenure at Punjab lasted only one more season, while Maxwell moved on to other franchises. In his book, Maxwell reflects on the challenges he faced during his time at Punjab and the lessons he learned from the experience.

The upcoming IPL mega-auction is set to witness a significant shake-up in team rosters, with several franchises eyeing the services of Rishabh Pant. The Delhi Capitals wicketkeeper-batter is reportedly likely to enter the auction pool due to his desire for captaincy, which the current DC management is hesitant to grant.Pant, who has been with the Capitals since 2016, has emerged as a highly sought-after player. His exceptional batting skills and leadership qualities have made him a prime target for teams in need of a captain. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are believed to be particularly interested in acquiring Pant, as they seek a replacement for the retiring Dinesh Karthik.Other franchises, including Lucknow Supergiants and Punjab Kings, are also expected to bid aggressively for Pant. Ricky Ponting, who has a close relationship with Pant from their time at the Capitals, is now in charge of the Punjab unit.The mega-auction, scheduled for the last week of November, is expected to feature a large pool of Indian stars, including Shreyas Iyer, who is unlikely to be a top retention for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Mumbai Indians, with their star-studded roster, are the only team likely to retain a significant number of players.Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have reportedly finalized their retention list, with Heinrich Klassen, Pat Cummins, and Abhishek Sharma as their three picks. The Right To Match (RTM) card is expected to be used aggressively in the auction, adding an extra layer of intrigue.

Lucknow Super Giants to Release KL Rahul, Retain Mayank YadavLucknow Super Giants (LSG) is set to release KL Rahul ahead of the upcoming IPL mega auction, according to sources. The franchise has decided to prioritize retaining young pace sensation Mayank Yadav, who will be among the top three retentions alongside Nicholas Pooran and Ravi Bishnoi.LSG's management, including mentor Zaheer Khan and coach Justin Langer, has analyzed Rahul's performance and concluded that his strike rate does not align with the team's aggressive approach. The team has often struggled when Rahul has played long innings, indicating a mismatch between his batting style and the demands of modern T20 cricket.Despite releasing Rahul, LSG has not ruled out bidding for him at the auction. The franchise will assess its options on the day of the auction and determine how much it is willing to spend on the former captain.Meanwhile, Mayank Yadav has emerged as a key player for LSG. The young pacer has impressed with his pace and wicket-taking ability, and the franchise believes he has the potential to become a future star. LSG is keen on preserving its purse as much as possible, which could lead to the retention of Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan as uncapped players.In a related development, several franchises are eagerly awaiting Delhi Capitals' decision on Rishabh Pant's retention. If Pant is not retained by DC, teams like LSG and Punjab Kings are interested in acquiring him as their captaincy candidate. However, the Capitals management is still working out the modalities of Pant's retention after a recent overhaul in the team's operations.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to witness a surge of top Indian cricketers entering the upcoming player auction, thanks to a significant alteration in the retention rules. The deadline for player retention is fast approaching, and the IPL circles are abuzz with frantic activity.The IPL authorities have deviated from the previous practice of reducing the "lesser amount" if a player's retention price exceeds the designated price for the slot. This time around, if the amount is equal to or greater than the designated price, the "higher of the two" amounts will be deducted from the player's purse.For example, in the 2022 auction, the highest price band for a player retention was Rs. 15 crore. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were retained by their respective franchises for Rs. 17 crore and Rs. 16 crore, respectively. However, since the cap for the top player was Rs. 15 crore, only Rs. 15 crore was reduced from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (then Bangalore) and Mumbai Indians' auction kitty.In the upcoming 2025 retention, Sunrisers Hyderabad is likely to retain Heinrich Klaasen (Rs. 23 crore), Pat Cummins (Rs. 18 crore), and Abhishek Sharma (Rs. 14 crore). If this happens, despite the combined designated kitty for the top three retentions being Rs. 43 crore (Rs. 18 crore, Rs. 14 crore, and Rs. 11 crore), Rs. 55 crore will be reduced from the SRH's auction purse of Rs. 120 crore.This rule change, combined with the additional bid offered to the highest bidder while using the Right to Match card, has resulted in Indian cricketers seeking amounts much higher than the anticipated brackets by the franchises. As a result, stars like Shreyas Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders' IPL-winning captain), Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals skipper), Kuldeep Yadav (DC spinner), and Arshdeep Singh (Punjab Kings) may throw their hat in the auction pool.Contrary to this trend, Mumbai Indians is set to retain four of its top Indian stars – Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya. While this will severely hamper its auction purse, the MI management is understood to have arrived at an agreement with the quartet.Punjab Kings may well enter the auction with Rs. 112 crore, the largest purse, since it is likely to retain only two uncapped cricketers. While Shashank Singh is a certainty, either Prabhsimran Singh or Ashutosh Sharma is likely to be retained.

Parthiv Patel, the former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, is set to join the Gujarat Titans as their batting mentor for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This move comes after Gary Kirsten, the previous batting coach and mentor, left the franchise to become the white-ball head coach of the Pakistan cricket team.Patel's appointment is a significant addition to the Gujarat Titans' support staff, which is led by former India cricketer Ashish Nehra. Patel brings a wealth of experience to the role, having played 25 Tests, 38 ODIs, and 2 T20Is for India. He also has extensive experience in the IPL, having played for teams such as the Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Chennai Super Kings.As batting mentor, Patel will be responsible for guiding and developing the Titans' batting unit, which includes the likes of Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, and David Miller. His experience and knowledge will be invaluable to the team, especially considering the Titans' disappointing performance in the previous IPL season.Patel's appointment is a clear indication of the Gujarat Titans' ambition to improve their performance in the upcoming IPL season. With a strong support staff and a talented squad, the Titans will be hoping to make a significant impact in the tournament.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has received bids from several Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises, including Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Lucknow Super Giants, for potential ownership stakes in the Hundred competition. Other notable bidders include the GMR Group, the new owner of Hampshire cricket, and Avram Glazer, co-owner of Manchester United Football Club.The ECB set an October 18 deadline for potential investors to express interest in buying stakes in the eight Hundred teams. The bids submitted last week represent a one-time sum to acquire a 49% stake in each team, currently held by the ECB.In the next stage, which begins in November, investors will meet with the host counties of each Hundred franchise. They will then need to narrow down their choices to four teams, followed by a final selection of two teams.While the ECB aims to announce the final set of investors by early 2025, it has emphasized that it will not rush the process and risk "underselling" the Hundred. ECB chairman Richard Thompson has suggested that a hybrid model could be adopted, with the ECB owning some teams and private investors owning others.However, not all IPL teams have submitted bids. Punjab Kings have opted out, while there is no confirmation on the participation of Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans. Pakistan Super League (PSL) winners Multan Sultans and global sports investors INEOS have also declined to bid.One of the concerns raised by IPL franchises is their potential role as passive investors. Additionally, former IPL architect Lalit Modi has criticized the ECB's financial projections for the Hundred's growth beyond 2026, calling them "overly optimistic."Despite these reservations, the ECB remains confident in the Hundred's potential. CEO Richard Gould has stated that over 100 potential investors from India and the USA have sought information on the privatization.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction for the 2025 season is set to clash with the first Test between India and Australia, creating a scheduling headache for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and broadcasters.According to Cricbuzz, the proposed dates for the auction, November 24 and 25, coincide with Day 3 and Day 4 of the Test match. This poses a significant challenge for the Disney Star network, which holds the broadcasting rights for both events.The report suggests that Saudi Arabia's capital city, Riyadh, is the frontrunner to host the mega auction. BCCI officials have reportedly visited the city and are considering it alongside Jeddah as potential venues.While IPL franchises would have preferred an Indian host city, it is no longer a possibility. The BCCI is urging franchises to finalize the auction venue to facilitate travel arrangements for delegation members.The mega auction is expected to take place in the final week of November, with the retentions list of all franchises to be announced on October 31. Each franchise is allowed up to six direct retentions, including a maximum of two uncapped players.The clash between the auction and the Test match has raised concerns among fans and stakeholders. The BCCI is exploring options to avoid a direct conflict between the two events, but the timing of the match and the auction may make it difficult.The IPL mega auction is a highly anticipated event that attracts global attention. It is a crucial opportunity for franchises to build their squads for the upcoming season. The clash with the India-Australia Test match adds an additional layer of intrigue to the proceedings.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), reigning champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), face a challenging situation ahead of the upcoming season. The departure of Gautam Gambhir, Abhishek Nayar, and Ryan ten Doeschate to the Indian cricket team has left significant voids in the KKR dugout.While Dwayne Bravo has been appointed as mentor, the team still needs to fill the assistant coach and academy head positions. Additionally, the captaincy role remains uncertain.Shreyas Iyer, acquired by KKR for Rs 12.25 crore at the 2022 auction, is a potential candidate for the captaincy. However, the franchise is reportedly willing to retain him but not as their top retention.Andre Russell is the frontrunner for retention with a hefty price tag. The all-rounder was previously retained for Rs 12 crore and is likely to receive a substantial raise.If Iyer is not satisfied with his role in KKR, he could explore other options. Several teams, including Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, and Delhi Capitals, are in need of a captain, particularly an Indian one.Punjab Kings, with Ricky Ponting as head coach, may be interested in Iyer due to his successful partnership with Ponting at Delhi Capitals. Delhi Capitals could also consider Iyer, as Rishabh Pant has requested to step down as skipper.Last year, a section of the KKR camp favored Nitish Rana as captain in Iyer's absence. However, the franchise announced Iyer as captain before the tournament, raising eyebrows.KKR, co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan, advocates for a smaller auction and more Right to Match (RTM) options. They are likely to utilize this strategy at the upcoming auction.Other potential retention options for KKR include Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Mitchell Starc, and Varun Chakravarthy. The team's captaincy decision will be closely monitored by other franchises.

With the IPL player retention deadline looming, franchises are strategizing their rosters for the upcoming cycle. For the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the focus remains on Virat Kohli, but beyond that, the team faces a dilemma.RCB retained Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Mohammed Siraj ahead of the 2022 mega auction. However, Siraj's recent struggles and Maxwell's poor 2024 performance raise questions about their value. Skipper Faf Du Plessis' age (40) also presents a concern.Cameron Green, acquired from Mumbai Indians, is unlikely to be retained due to his recent back surgery. Dinesh Karthik's retirement leaves a void in the finisher role, while Rajat Patidar's potential may not warrant a significant investment.This leaves RCB with the need to rebuild at the mega auction. The Right to Match (RTM) option remains, but premium costs make it unlikely for multiple retentions. The team's priority is finding a long-term captain.Over the years, RCB has neglected local Bengaluru players. Devdutt Padikkal was the last consistent local talent, while Vyshak Vijay Kumar has played sparingly. Government pressure may force the franchise to prioritize Karnataka players in the auction.One potential target is KL Rahul, who fits the bill as a top-order batter, captaincy candidate, and local player. However, his availability depends on his relationship with the Lucknow Supergiants. If Rahul becomes available, RCB could face intense competition for his services.For RCB, the preparations revolve around Virat Kohli, with the rest of the roster to be determined at the auction. The team's future success hinges on finding the right balance of experience and potential.