Cricket

Shreyas Iyer's IPL Future: Gavaskar Predicts KKR or Delhi Capitals ReunionShreyas Iyer's release by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has sparked speculation about his future in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite leading KKR to the title in 2022, Iyer was released ahead of the 2023 season due to a back injury.Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has proposed an intriguing idea for Iyer's future in the IPL. Gavaskar believes that KKR will attempt to reacquire Iyer, similar to his earlier prediction regarding Rishabh Pant. However, he cautions that negotiations over the fee could lead to a disagreement.KKR's limited purse of Rs 51 crore and lack of a Right to Match (RTM) card put them in a challenging position ahead of the auction. "When KKR won last year (IPL 2024), Shreyas Iyer was the captain. As I said earlier for Rishabh Pant as well, at times, there could be a disagreement on the fees," Gavaskar said on Star Sports' show 'Game Plan'.Iyer has set his base price at Rs 2 crore. His performance last season was impressive, amassing 351 runs in 14 innings at an average of 39, with a strike rate of 146.86.Gavaskar suggests that Delhi Capitals will also be interested in Iyer, as they will need a new captain if Rishabh Pant is not part of the team. "Delhi will want him because they will also need to find a captain if Rishabh Pant isn't in their team. So I feel Delhi will definitely try to use the RTM card or bring Rishabh Pant back into their team at the auction," he said.Ultimately, Iyer's future in the IPL will depend on the strategies of KKR and Delhi Capitals at the auction. If KKR is willing to pay a premium for his services, he could return to the franchise that he led to glory. However, if Delhi Capitals sees him as a suitable replacement for Pant, they could make a strong bid for his services.

Rinku Singh's life took a dramatic turn after his extraordinary feat of hitting five consecutive sixes against Gujarat Titans' Yash Dayal in an IPL 2023 match. This remarkable performance not only propelled him to international fame but also earned him a lucrative contract renewal with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a staggering Rs 13 crore.Born into a humble family in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Singh's journey to the pinnacle of cricket is a testament to his unwavering determination and resilience. Despite facing financial hardships, his passion for the sport and his desire to support his family drove him to pursue cricket professionally.Singh's rise through the ranks was marked by hard work and exceptional talent. He honed his skills at the local level before making his mark in the domestic circuit. His fearless batting and exceptional finishing abilities caught the attention of KKR, who signed him in 2022.In the 2023 IPL season, Singh's star shone brightly. His unforgettable performance against Gujarat Titans, where he smashed five sixes in an over, cemented his place as a key player for KKR. This incredible feat earned him widespread recognition and admiration from cricket fans across the country.With his recent contract renewal, Singh has decided to invest in his dream home in his hometown of Aligarh. The luxurious bungalow, located in The Golden Estate of Ozone City, is a symbol of his achievements and gratitude towards his roots. The 500-square-yard property boasts a rooftop bar, private pool, and a special space dedicated to the bat with which he hit those five historic sixes.Singh's journey is an inspiration to aspiring cricketers and a testament to the power of hard work and dedication. His success story highlights the importance of perseverance, resilience, and the unwavering belief in one's dreams.

Shah Rukh Khan, the iconic Bollywood superstar and co-owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has been a constant presence at KKR matches, cheering on his team and inspiring fans. Under his ownership, KKR has experienced both triumphs and setbacks, but Khan's unwavering support has made him a symbol of loyalty for the franchise.Khan's global fame has also drawn a vast international fan base to KKR. Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins, who played for KKR from 2014 to 2022, recently revealed in a podcast that he was initially unaware of Khan's celebrity status."The first time I met Shah Rukh Khan, I had no idea who he was," Cummins admitted. "I had never watched a Bollywood film. But I could sense his aura and the respect he commanded from the other players."Cummins praised Khan's leadership style, describing him as "very funny, very cute, and always encouraging us to enjoy ourselves and play with freedom." He contrasted this with other owners who put pressure on their players.Despite his commitment to KKR, Cummins opted out of the 2023 IPL season to focus on national duties and manage his workload. However, he returned to the IPL in 2024, joining the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for a record-breaking Rs 20.5 crore.Under Cummins' leadership, SRH reached the final of the 2024 IPL, ultimately losing to KKR. Despite the defeat, Cummins' performance and the team's success showcased his value as a player and leader.Shah Rukh Khan's passion for KKR and his unwavering support for his players have made him an integral part of the franchise. His presence has not only inspired the team but has also drawn a global audience to the IPL, further solidifying the league's status as one of the most popular sporting events in the world.

KKR Eyes Arshdeep Singh as Starc Replacement in IPL 2025 Mega AuctionKolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the reigning Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, are set to undergo a significant rebuild in the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. Having released a majority of their title-winning squad, KKR is reportedly targeting Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh as a potential replacement for Mitchell Starc.Starc, the Australian pacer, was a key performer for KKR in IPL 2024, winning the Player of the Match award in both the Qualifier 1 and the final. However, with Starc released, KKR is reportedly keen on acquiring Arshdeep, who emerged as India's highest wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup 2024.According to a report by Mint, KKR is prepared to go all out for Arshdeep in the mega auction. The left-arm pacer impressed in IPL 2024, taking 19 wickets in 14 games, and followed it up with 17 wickets in the T20 World Cup 2024.However, Arshdeep's economy rate in IPL 2024 was over 10, which could be a concern for potential suitors. Nevertheless, as arguably the most sought-after Indian pacer in the auction pool, Arshdeep is expected to attract significant interest and could command a price tag exceeding Rs 15 crore.Arshdeep has represented Punjab Kings since 2019 but was not retained by the franchise ahead of the mega auction. However, with Rs 110.5 crore in their auction purse and four Right to Match (RTM) cards at their disposal, Punjab Kings could still retain Arshdeep.KKR has already retained two high-quality spinners in Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, as well as two pacers in Harshit Rana and Andre Russell. While Starc's absence will be felt, Arshdeep could provide a similar solution. KKR will enter the mega auction with Rs 51 crore in their purse.Starc, who was bought for an IPL record fee of Rs 25 crore in IPL 2024, had a slow start to the tournament. However, he came into his own in the latter stages, tearing apart Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1 and the final, claiming a combined five wickets in those two games.

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.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the reigning Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, have come under fire for their lack of communication with star players Mitchell Starc and Shreyas Iyer. Despite submitting their list of retained players to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), KKR has yet to reach out to Starc, who was a key contributor to their title victory in 2024.Starc, who was acquired for a hefty Rs 24.75 crore in the mini-auction in December 2023, expressed his surprise at the lack of contact from KKR. "I still haven't heard from them (KKR)," he told Australia's The Daily Telegraph.KKR's silence towards Starc is not an isolated incident. The franchise also had minimal communication with captain Shreyas Iyer before the IPL retentions deadline. As reported by TimesofIndia.com, KKR had their first chat with Iyer just three days before the deadline, despite his impressive leadership in their third IPL triumph.Sources suggest that Iyer was seeking a high retainer fee, but KKR failed to engage in timely discussions. Instead, the franchise prioritized Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, who were retained for Rs 12 crore each. Rinku Singh was the top retention at Rs 13 crore, while uncapped players Harshit Rana and Ramandeep Singh were retained for Rs 4 crore each.KKR CEO Venky Mysore has maintained that the franchise has "engaged in conversations" with all players, but the latest revelations by Starc and Iyer contradict this claim. Mysore's decision to block TimesofIndia.com on WhatsApp further raises questions about KKR's transparency.Shreyas Iyer will now enter the IPL mega auction and is expected to attract significant interest from other franchises seeking a leadership role. KKR's lack of communication and apparent lack of interest in retaining key players has raised concerns about the franchise's long-term prospects.

KKR CEO Reveals Reasons Behind Shreyas Iyer's Non-RetentionFollowing Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) dominant IPL 2024 title win under Shreyas Iyer's captaincy, the franchise's decision to not retain him ahead of the mega auction raised eyebrows. KKR CEO Venky Mysore has now shed light on the thought process behind this move.Mysore emphasized that Iyer was KKR's top retention priority, but the decision ultimately rested with the player. He hinted that Iyer's desire to test his market value in the auction played a role in his non-retention."He was No. 1 on our list (for retention). He's captain and we have to build everything around the leadership. We picked him for this specific reason in 2022," Mysore said.Mysore clarified that the retention process requires mutual agreement between the franchise and the player. In Iyer's case, this agreement could not be reached."What is fundamental to a retention is that it's a matter of mutually agreeing. It's not a one-sided right that the franchise has, the player has to consider various factors and agree," Mysore explained."Somewhere along the line, if that agreement doesn't happen because of factors like money or someone wants to test their value, then the decision is influenced," he added.Mysore expressed his support for Iyer's decision to explore his commercial value in the auction. He acknowledged that players have the right to prioritize their financial interests."In this case, it so happened that he felt it was best, and we're always supportive of the players when it comes to going to the auction and testing their value," Mysore said.With several teams in need of captains, including Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Iyer is expected to be a highly sought-after player in the IPL 2025 mega auction.

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.