Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction is fast approaching, and the anticipation is building for the potential record-breaking deals. Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has made a bold prediction, suggesting that Rishabh Pant could surpass Mitchell Starc's auction record of Rs 24.75 Crore.Pathan took to social media to express his belief in Pant's ability to fetch a staggering price. "Mitchell Starc's auction record is in danger. @RishabhPant17 is ready to break it," he wrote.Pant, the current captain of the Indian cricket team, has established himself as one of the most sought-after players in the IPL. His explosive batting and exceptional wicket-keeping skills make him a valuable asset to any franchise.Starc's record-breaking deal with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2024 auction set a new benchmark for player salaries. However, Pathan believes that Pant's star power and recent performances could eclipse that record.Meanwhile, the IPL auction has also created a scheduling conflict for Australia's bowling coach, Daniel Vettori. He will leave the team during the first Test against India in Perth to attend the auction in Saudi Arabia as the coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad.This scheduling conflict also affects Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer, who will leave the Test to attend the auction as head coaches of Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, respectively.Vettori's decision to prioritize the IPL auction over a Test match reflects the evolving landscape of cricket. While franchise commitments have previously caused coaches to miss series, this is the first time a coach has left midway through a Test to attend the IPL auction.Cricket Australia (CA) is currently seeking a new full-time national pace bowling coach to cover for Vettori when he is unavailable.

Australia's bowling coach Daniel Vettori will temporarily leave the team during the first Test against India in Perth to attend the IPL auction in Saudi Arabia as the head coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Test match begins on November 22, while the IPL auction will take place in Jeddah on November 24-25.Vettori's departure has raised concerns as he is one of the few coaches in world cricket who holds a permanent assistant role with an international team while also being the full-time head coach of an IPL franchise and a Hundred side. He has been Australia's bowling coach for all three formats since 2022, working under Andrew McDonald.Cricket Australia has expressed support for Vettori's role with Sunrisers Hyderabad, allowing him to complete final preparations for the first Test before attending the auction. He will then rejoin the team for the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.The prioritization of the IPL auction over a Test match highlights the growing influence of franchise cricket. Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer, who are employed as commentators with Channel Seven, will also miss part of the Test to attend the auction as head coaches of Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, respectively.Vettori has previously missed certain series due to his franchise commitments, but this will be the first time he leaves midway through a Test to attend the IPL auction. CA is advertising for a new full-time national pace bowling coach to fill in for Vettori on future tours.On Monday, Vettori worked closely with Australia's bowling unit at their first day of training at the WACA ground. He also threw left-arm orthodox deliveries to the batters in preparation for facing Ravindra Jadeja in the Perth Test.Australia had two consultants working with their main coaching team on Monday: former Australia batter Michael Hussey and former Glamorgan allrounder Jim Allenby. Both men will be with the team all week in the lead-up to the Test match.Fielding coach Andre Borovec and stand-in T20 captain Josh Inglis will join the Test squad in Perth after the conclusion of the T20I series against Pakistan in Hobart. National development coach Lachlan Stevens will also provide additional support for the team when Vettori departs.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is gearing up for its 2025 season with a mega auction set to take place on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A total of 574 players, including 366 Indians and 208 overseas players, will go under the hammer. This includes 330 uncapped players, of which 318 are Indian and 12 are from overseas.The auction will feature a total of 204 slots, with 70 available for overseas players. This is the first time since the 2018 auction that the marquee list has been split into two. The marquee list includes players who have a base price of INR 2 crore or more.The IPL auction is a crucial event for teams to build their squads for the upcoming season. Teams will be looking to acquire a mix of experienced and talented players to bolster their chances of success. The auction is also an opportunity for young and uncapped players to showcase their skills and earn a contract with an IPL franchise.The IPL has become one of the most popular cricket leagues in the world, attracting top players from around the globe. The league has also played a significant role in the development of Indian cricket, providing a platform for young players to showcase their talent and earn international recognition.The 2025 IPL season is expected to be another exciting and competitive one, with teams vying for the coveted trophy. The mega auction will play a key role in shaping the teams and determining the outcome of the season.

Mallika Sagar, the renowned auctioneer with over two decades of experience, will once again preside over the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction, scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah. This marks a significant milestone for the IPL, as Sagar becomes the first female auctioneer to conduct the event for the second consecutive year.Prior to her involvement with the IPL, Sagar successfully conducted the Women's Premier League (WPL) auction and the eighth edition of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Her expertise and professionalism have earned her widespread recognition in the sports auction industry.Ahead of the two-day mega auction, all IPL franchises are actively preparing to assemble their squads for the upcoming cycle. With retentions already completed, teams are conducting trials to finalize their potential shortlists. Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, and Mumbai Indians have already held their trials, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Supergiants are expected to conduct theirs after the ongoing Ranji Trophy concludes on November 16.A total of 1574 players have registered for the IPL mega auction, and the list will be shortlisted before being presented to the ten teams in Jeddah. Each franchise can have a maximum of 25 players in their setup, and 204 slots will be up for grabs during the two-day event.Several high-profile Indian players, including Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul, will be available in the auction pool. These players are expected to attract significant interest from teams seeking a captain or key players to bolster their squads.The IPL mega auction is a crucial event that shapes the composition of teams for the upcoming season. With Mallika Sagar at the helm, the auction promises to be a captivating and competitive affair, as franchises vie to secure the best talent available.

IPL Mega Auction: BCCI Unveils Two Marquee Player ListsAhead of the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a significant change in the bidding process. The auction, scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will feature two sets of marquee players, each comprising 8-9 individuals.This move marks a departure from the previous mega-auction in 2022, which utilized only one marquee list. However, it aligns with the format employed in the 2018 and 2014 auctions.The marquee players are expected to include top-tier talent such as Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, R Ashwin, Mitchell Starc, and Jos Buttler. Notably, Ben Stokes, who would have been a marquee player, has opted out of this year's auction.Each marquee player will have a base price of INR 2 crore, which could potentially exhaust 30-50% of the total auction purse. Franchises are expected to secure at least two prominent players each, with an average cost of INR 20-25 crore. This could amount to INR 200-250 crore from the total purse of Rs 641.5 crore.It's important to note that franchises have already allocated Rs 558.5 crore of their permitted INR 1200 crore during recent retentions. The auction's trajectory will likely hinge on the bids placed for players in the first two sets, many of whom are expected to be sold.Punjab Kings, holding the largest available purse at INR 110.5 crore, are well-positioned to acquire top players. The BCCI will soon announce the precise bidding order and the marquee list. They recently distributed a register of 1,574 names, including 1,165 Indian players and 409 overseas players. This roster comprises 320 capped, 1224 uncapped, and 30 Associate players. Additionally, franchises have retained a total of 46 players.

South African all-rounder Marco Jansen has emerged as a hot prospect ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, following his scintillating performance in the third T20I against India. Jansen's explosive batting and impressive bowling skills have caught the attention of cricket pundits and fans alike.In the high-scoring encounter, Jansen played a pivotal role in South Africa's chase of India's 219/6. Coming in at number seven, he unleashed a whirlwind innings of 54 off just 17 balls, setting a new record for the fastest T20I fifty against India. His innings was a display of power-hitting, featuring four boundaries and five sixes.Jansen's aggressive batting put India under immense pressure in the crucial final overs. Despite his heroics, South Africa fell short by 11 runs, but Jansen's performance left an indelible mark on the match.Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn took to social media to predict a substantial payday for Jansen in the upcoming IPL auction. "Marco Jansen. A 10 crore player? I'd say so," Steyn tweeted.Jansen, who was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) after the 2023 season, will be a sought-after player in the auction. His ability to bowl at high speeds and contribute crucial runs with the bat makes him a valuable asset.The cricketing world is abuzz with discussions about Jansen's power-packed innings, solidifying his position as a prime target in the IPL 2025 auction. The mega auction will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on November 24-25.

Former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting and his former teammate Justin Langer may miss the first Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India due to their involvement in the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction. The match is scheduled to begin in Perth on November 22.Ponting and Langer are currently coaches for IPL franchises Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, respectively. Their coaching commitments may necessitate their presence at the IPL auction, which is set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25.According to a report by The Age, Australian assistant coach Daniel Vettori might also leave the Australian team early to attend the IPL auction. Vettori serves as the head coach for the Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL franchise.Vettori's potential departure presents a challenge for Australia, as his presence as assistant coach is considered crucial during the Test series against India.Channel Seven secured a seven-year, AUD 1.5 billion broadcasting deal with Foxtel. However, despite this significant investment, the network may lose two of its prominent commentators, Ponting and Langer, to the IPL auction. The report suggests that Indian cricket authorities hold considerable influence in this matter.Last year, Ricky Ponting also departed from the Perth Test match early to attend the IPL auction, while Justin Langer remained with the Australian team until the match's conclusion.As of Wednesday, no decision had been made regarding whether Vettori would stay with the team through the entire Test or leave early for the auction, The Age reported.This situation presents a dilemma for prominent figures like Ponting, Langer, and Vettori, who must navigate the balance between their international cricket commitments and their franchise obligations.

Deepak Chahar, the Indian pacer, is eager for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to bid for him at the upcoming IPL auction. Chahar, who has been out of action since May due to an injury, has expressed his desire to don the yellow jersey once again.Chahar, who has represented CSK since the start of his IPL career, was not retained by the five-time champions ahead of the auction. However, he is confident that his skills will be valued in the current T20 landscape, where teams are scoring heavily in the Powerplay."I have proved how valuable I can be in limiting runs in that phase of the game," Chahar said. "I think they (CSK) will bid for me again. I would like to don the yellow jersey again and if not that, then I would want Rajasthan Royals to bid for me."Chahar has been dealing with injuries in recent years, including a stress fracture in the back and a quadriceps tear. He has spent 18 months in rehab in the last three years. However, he is now confident about his body and hopeful that the hard work he has put in will help him revive his career."I have worked really hard on my fitness and I am confident that I am back to my best," Chahar said. "I am eager to get back on the field and help my team win matches."

IPL Mega Auction: Franchises Gear Up for Bidding FrenzyWith the highly anticipated IPL mega auction scheduled for November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, the 10 franchises are meticulously planning their strategies to acquire the world's top cricketing talent. Having already retained their core players, the franchises will now engage in intense bidding wars to build their teams.Premier Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, recently released by Rajasthan Royals, has added a touch of entertainment to the auction proceedings by conducting a mock auction on his YouTube channel. Ashwin, acting as the auctioneer, auctioned himself off to various "franchises" represented by fans and cricket enthusiasts.The franchises will have a vast pool of 1,574 players to choose from, including 1,165 Indians and 409 overseas players. The list features 320 capped players (48 Indians and 272 internationals), 1,224 uncapped players, and 30 players from Associate Nations.Rajasthan Royals, having retained their full quota of six players, will not have the Right to Match (RTM) option during the auction. This gives other franchises an opportunity to bid for their former players, such as Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.The auction will be a crucial event for the franchises as they aim to assemble balanced and competitive teams. With a wide range of players available, the bidding is expected to be fierce, with franchises eager to secure the services of the best talent in the world.