Cricket

Rinku Singh, the rising star of Indian cricket and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has unveiled the profound meaning behind his new "God's Plan" tattoo. The tattoo, which features a circle representing the sun and five sixes, symbolizes a pivotal moment in his career that transformed his life.During the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL), Rinku's stunning performance against the Gujarat Titans, where he smashed five consecutive sixes, catapulted him into the limelight. This extraordinary feat not only secured a crucial win for KKR but also marked a turning point in his cricketing journey."I keep saying 'God's Plan.' I designed my tattoo based on that," Rinku explained. "The main aspect of the tattoo is the representation of the five sixes I hit in the IPL. It changed my life, so I thought I would include them in the tattoo."Rinku's inclusion in India's T20I squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh is a testament to his remarkable talent and the impact of his IPL heroics. The three-match series, starting on Sunday, will provide Rinku with an opportunity to showcase his skills on the international stage.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video on social media where Rinku shared the story behind his meaningful tattoo. The video highlights the significance of the five sixes and the profound impact they have had on his life.Rinku's journey to the Indian team has been marked by perseverance and determination. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, he has remained steadfast in his pursuit of cricketing excellence. His new tattoo serves as a constant reminder of his resilience and the belief that everything happens for a reason.As Rinku prepares to represent India in the T20I series against Bangladesh, he carries with him the hopes and aspirations of a nation. His "God's Plan" tattoo is a symbol of his unwavering faith and the belief that his destiny is in the hands of a higher power.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has announced significant changes to its retention rules, allowing franchises to retain up to six players ahead of the 2025 auction. This strategic move will enable teams to secure top international players like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, who have proven their worth as world-class pacers.Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are expected to benefit from these rule changes. KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan has been vocal about his desire to retain eight players, while SRH co-owner Kavya Maran has advocated for removing the cap on retaining foreign players.Under the new rules, franchises can retain a maximum of five capped players and up to two uncapped players. This flexibility allows teams to tailor their retentions to their specific needs. SRH, for instance, can now retain overseas players like Cummins, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, and Aiden Markram. KKR, on the other hand, can focus on retaining domestic stars like Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, and Sunil Narine.Starc, who was acquired by KKR for a record-breaking Rs 24.75 crore in the 2024 auction, is a prime example of the value that top international players bring to IPL teams. Despite an inconsistent season, he delivered a standout performance in the final, earning him the Player of the Match award.The updated retention rules give franchises greater flexibility and strategic options. They can now retain a core group of players while also targeting specific players in the auction. This will likely lead to more competitive bidding and a more dynamic IPL landscape.

Dwayne Bravo, the former West Indies captain and renowned all-rounder, has expressed his gratitude to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner Shah Rukh Khan and the management for appointing him as the franchise's mentor. Bravo's appointment extends to KKR's sister franchises in the Caribbean Premier League, Major League Cricket, and ILT20.In a heartfelt video message, Bravo thanked his former team, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), for their support and blessings as he embarks on this new chapter in his coaching career. Bravo, who retired from the IPL in 2021, served as the franchise's bowling coach in the 2022 and 2023 seasons."I want to say a big, big thank you to the Knight Riders family and the management for trusting me, giving me the opportunity to be a part of a very special franchise," Bravo said. "I also want to thank the management and staff of the Chennai Super Kings for giving me the blessings to move on and carry on in my journey."Bravo recalled a message from KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, who encouraged him to continue "partying and winning trophies" in the years to come. "So now, with that being said, I look forward to doing my best and I look forward to doing great things with the team in Purple," Bravo added.Bravo's stint with KKR marks his second coaching role in the IPL. He joined CSK in 2011, retired from the franchise in 2022, and returned in 2023 as the bowling coach. The decorated Caribbean star has lifted four IPL titles with CSK in various roles.With 183 wickets, Bravo is the third-highest wicket-taker in IPL history. He is also the first player to win two purple caps in the tournament, in 2013 and 2015. Bravo's appointment as KKR mentor is a testament to his vast experience and leadership qualities, which are expected to guide the franchise to future success.

Dwayne Bravo, the legendary West Indies all-rounder, has bid farewell to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after a remarkable journey that spanned four IPL titles. He will now embark on a new chapter as a mentor for defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) from the 2025 season onwards.Bravo, who turns 41 in October, will replace Gautam Gambhir, who recently took over as India's head coach until 2027. The move comes a day after Bravo announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.According to ESPNcricinfo, Bravo recently met with KKR CEO Venky Mysore during the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) before agreeing to the contract. In addition to KKR, he will also oversee all franchises under the Knight Riders umbrella in various T20 leagues, including Trinbago Knight Riders (CPL), Los Angeles Knight Riders (MLC), and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ILT20)."DJ Bravo joining us is an exciting development," Mysore said in a statement. "His relentless drive to win, along with his vast experience and deep knowledge, will greatly benefit our franchise and players."Bravo expressed his excitement about the new role, saying, "I've been part of the Trinbago Knight Riders for the last 10 years in the CPL. Having played for and against the Knight Riders in various leagues, I have a lot of respect for how they operate. The owners' passion, the professionalism of the management, and the family-like environment make it a special place."This will be Bravo's second coaching stint in the IPL. After retiring from the IPL as a player in 2022, he joined CSK as their bowling coach for the 2023 season. Having won the IPL three times as a player, Bravo continued his success in his first coaching assignment, guiding CSK to victory over defending champions Gujarat Titans in 2023.Widely regarded as one of the best death bowlers in T20 cricket, Bravo is the third-highest wicket-taker in IPL history and the first player to win two purple caps in the tournament. With over 500 T20 appearances to his name, he is known for his tactical acumen and motivational skills, qualities that earned him the West Indies captaincy.Bravo retired from international cricket after the 2021 T20 World Cup but continued to play in T20 leagues. He also played a key role as a consultant coach for Afghanistan during the 2024 T20 World Cup, helping the team reach the semi-finals for the first time.

Rahul Dravid's appointment as coach of the Rajasthan Royals has triggered a significant shake-up within the franchise's management. Former Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour is reportedly set to join Dravid's support staff, prompting speculation that Director of Cricket Operations Kumar Sangakkara is seeking an exit.According to reports, Sangakkara has initiated talks with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the role of mentor, potentially replacing Gautam Gambhir, who recently became India's head coach. KKR is undergoing a major overhaul of its support staff, with Gambhir and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar joining the Indian team.Sangakkara has been instrumental in Rajasthan's recent success, helping the team reach the IPL final in 2022 and finish third in the 2023 season. His departure would mark a significant loss for the Royals.If Sangakkara joins KKR, it would complete a full circle of coaching changes involving him, Gambhir, and Dravid. Gambhir replaced Dravid as India's head coach, while Dravid is now replacing Gambhir at the Royals.Sangakkara's potential move to KKR would also align with the franchise's desire to strengthen its coaching setup. With Chandrakant Pandit as head coach and Bharat Arun as bowling coach, KKR is looking to add experience and expertise to its support staff.Sangakkara's decision is expected to be finalized in the coming days. His departure from Rajasthan would leave a void in the franchise's management, but it could also open up opportunities for other talented individuals to join the Royals.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the third time this year, defeating SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final. This triumph marked their first IPL success since 2014, and former India head coach Gautam Gambhir played a pivotal role in all three of KKR's victories.In 2012 and 2014, Gambhir captained KKR to two IPL titles. This year, he transitioned into a mentorship role, joining KKR from the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), where he had also served as a mentor.Gambhir's contributions to LSG were significant, as he helped build the team from the ground up. LSG owner Sanjeev Goenka acknowledged Gambhir's role in the franchise's success, particularly in the team's first auction."Gautam has played a significant role in building the side's foundation," Goenka said. "If you consider our first auction successful, it is only because of Gautam. We got the franchise barely two weeks before the auctions. We did not have an analyst or a research team. It was all Gautam Gambhir's team. He did everything and put together a very balanced team."LSG qualified for the IPL playoffs in its first two seasons before finishing seventh in IPL 2024. Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auctions, LSG appointed former India pacer Zaheer Khan as the franchise's mentor.Zaheer expressed his commitment to serving the team in every capacity possible, including bowling. He emphasized the importance of decision-making and building on the team's existing strengths."It is a team game, so I will be serving the team in every capacity possible, and yes, it includes bowling," Zaheer said. "When you see LSG, their journey is only three years but they are as comparable to the teams who have played the IPL for 17-18 years. The building blocks are in place and we need to take them forward."

Shreyas Iyer's Surprising Bowling Debut in Buchi Babu Tournament Draws Comparisons to Sunil NarineIndian middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer has surprised fans and spectators alike with his bowling action during the ongoing Buchi Babu Tournament. In a match between TNCA XI and Mumbai, Mumbai captain Sarfaraz Khan handed the ball to Iyer in the 90th over of TNCA's innings.Iyer's bowling action drew immediate comparisons to his Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) teammate Sunil Narine. Like Narine, Iyer gripped the ball behind his back and approached the bowling crease with a unique, mystery spin action.While Iyer's attempt at emulating Narine's bowling style did not yield any wickets, it captivated the audience. His unique action, reminiscent of his IPL teammate, instantly caught the eye of many fans, who were treated to an unexpected spectacle.The Buchi Babu Tournament 2024 holds significance for Iyer and his Mumbai teammate, Suryakumar Yadav, as they eye a potential Test comeback for Team India. Their performances in this tournament could potentially influence the selectors' decisions and open doors for their return to the Indian Test team.Iyer's bowling debut, though brief and wicketless, has added an unexpected twist to the Buchi Babu Tournament. It remains to be seen whether he will continue to experiment with his bowling in future matches, but his unique action has certainly left a lasting impression on fans and spectators alike.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have experienced a remarkable resurgence under the guidance of coach Chandrakant Pandit, culminating in their third IPL title in 2024. However, former KKR player David Wiese has raised concerns about Pandit's coaching style, alleging that it created a tense atmosphere within the team.Wiese, in an interview with the 'Hitman for Hire' podcast, claimed that "guys weren't happy with certain things that were going on" under Pandit's leadership. He described the changing room as "tough" and suggested that Pandit's strict disciplinary approach did not sit well with some players.In contrast, England opener Philip Salt, who played for KKR in IPL 2024, has praised Pandit's coaching abilities. Salt emphasized that Pandit "reads a room very well" and knows how to motivate and discipline players effectively. He also revealed that he has a "great relationship" with the coach.Despite the contrasting views on Pandit's coaching style, KKR's success under his leadership cannot be denied. The team has won the IPL title twice in the past three seasons, and Salt played a crucial role in their 2024 triumph.However, Salt expressed disappointment at being recalled by England before the IPL playoffs. He felt that he had unfinished business with KKR and wanted to contribute to their title victory. Despite his absence, KKR went on to defeat Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final.

England opener Philip Salt has hailed the pivotal role of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Gautam Gambhir in his success during the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). Salt, who played a crucial role in KKR's title-winning campaign, credited Gambhir's mentorship for helping him adapt to the challenging conditions in India.Reflecting on his time with KKR, Salt praised Gambhir's competitive nature and relentless pursuit of improvement. "He's a competitor. I could really relate to him from that point of view. He's always looking for those one percenters that will get the individual and team better," Salt said.Salt's performance in the 2024 IPL was impressive. Despite leaving before the playoffs to join England's T20I series against Pakistan, he managed to score 435 runs in 12 matches at an average of 39.55 and a remarkable strike rate of 182.01.One specific piece of advice from Gambhir had a significant impact on Salt's batting strategy. "He told me to take the game deep, especially here in India. He said, 'I know you're going to score runs for us, but I want you to score the majority of your runs between overs ten and 20,'" Salt recalled.Gambhir's strategy aimed to ensure Salt could exploit the latter stages of the innings, particularly at KKR's home ground, Eden Gardens. "Even if it can be a little bit slow to start with, I want you to hang in there and make sure you're there from overs ten onwards and get the big overs," Gambhir advised.Salt acknowledged the value of Gambhir's guidance. "Of all the conversations I had, I think that's the best bit of coaching I had," he said.Salt's success with KKR is a testament to the impact of Gambhir's mentorship. The former India opener's competitive spirit and tactical acumen have helped Salt develop into a more effective batsman in Indian conditions.