Cricket

KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel to Join India A for Unofficial Test in AustraliaIn preparation for the upcoming Test series against Australia, senior batter KL Rahul and reserve wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel will join the India A squad for the second unofficial Test against Australia A. The match will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from November 7.Rahul and Jurel were both part of the Indian squad for the recent New Zealand series. Rahul played in the opening Test but was dropped from the playing XI for the remaining matches. Jurel, who made his Test debut against England earlier this year, has not played a Test since Rishabh Pant's return to the team.The Indian team management is keen to give all players in the squad an opportunity to gain match experience, especially the reserves who may be called upon during the seven-week Test series against Australia.Rahul, a seasoned opener, will be looking to regain his form and cement his place in the Indian Test team. Jurel, on the other hand, will be hoping to impress the selectors and earn a spot in the Test squad for the upcoming series.The India A team will be led by Priyank Panchal and will also feature other promising young players such as Shubman Gill, Hanuma Vihari, and Mohammed Siraj. The team will play two unofficial Tests against Australia A before the start of the Test series against the senior Australian team.

KL Rahul's omission from the Lucknow Super Giants' retained players list for the IPL 2025 auctions has sparked speculation about his future destination. The former LSG captain, who was one of the most sought-after players in the league, is now a free agent and could be pursued by several franchises.One potential suitor is Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rahul's former team. RCB legend AB de Villiers has hinted that the franchise may be interested in bringing Rahul back. "If only we kept hold of KL Rahul, we never would've had to buy him back in the auction," de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.De Villiers also suggested that RCB could target Kagiso Rabada, the South African fast bowler who had a disappointing IPL season with Punjab Kings in 2024. "Kagiso Rabada would be nice at RCB; that would be very, very cool," de Villiers said. "He is a guy that might go for a decent price like a discount. I think he is gonna have the best IPL of his life coming up in 2025."Another team that could be interested in Rahul is Punjab Kings. Newly-appointed coach Ricky Ponting expressed surprise at Rahul's release by LSG. "It seems certain franchises are aiming for a change in direction," Ponting said.Rahul's availability in the auction pool has created a buzz among IPL fans. The 31-year-old is a proven match-winner and has been one of the most consistent performers in the league. He has scored over 3,000 runs in the IPL, including two centuries and 27 half-centuries.Rahul's leadership skills are also highly regarded. He led LSG to the playoffs in their debut season in 2022. He has also captained India in limited-overs cricket.With the IPL 2025 auctions set to take place in December, Rahul's future destination remains uncertain. However, it is clear that he will be one of the most sought-after players in the league.

KL Rahul's inability to adapt to the evolving dynamics of T20 batting has cost him his retention at Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The franchise has opted for Nicholas Pooran as their alpha finisher, a decision influenced by head coach Justin Langer and mentor Zaheer Khan.LSG's decision was based on Rahul's poor strike rate over the past three years. His strike rates of 136.13, 113.23, and 135.38 were deemed unacceptable in today's T20 landscape, where even the Indian team has had to adjust its philosophy.In contrast, Pooran, who primarily bats in the back 10, has consistently maintained a high strike rate. His strike rates of 144.34, 172.95, and 178.21 in the past three seasons have impressed LSG's management.LSG also highlighted Pooran's leadership qualities and his popularity within the team. He has captained the West Indies and is seen as a natural leader.Meanwhile, Mayank Yadav's retention was based on his exceptional bowling abilities. He is the only bowler in the country with a strike rate of over 150. LSG believes that his talent will be an asset to the team despite his recent injury concerns.The article also mentions the ongoing suspense surrounding Rishabh Pant's future at Delhi Capitals. The franchise is yet to make a decision on his retention, with his future dependent on the level of autonomy granted to him by the management.

KL Rahul Departs Lucknow Super Giants Amidst Speculation and Interest from Multiple FranchisesKL Rahul, the former captain of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has officially parted ways with the franchise due to a combination of professional and personal reasons. The news comes after Rahul's meeting with LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka in Kolkata on August 26th, which initially sparked rumors of a potential contract extension.Sources close to the situation have revealed that LSG was prepared to offer Rahul a top retention bracket, but the batsman ultimately decided to move on. Rahul's departure leaves a significant void in the LSG lineup, as he has been a key figure for the franchise since its inception in 2022. Under his leadership, LSG reached the playoffs twice in three seasons.With Rahul now set to enter the auction pool, he is expected to be a highly sought-after commodity. Sources indicate that four franchises have already expressed interest in acquiring his services: Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals, and Chennai Super Kings. All four teams are likely to engage in a bidding war for Rahul, who not only brings exceptional batting skills but also offers valuable captaincy experience.Rahul's absence from India's T20 World Cup-winning team in June raised some eyebrows, but his vast experience in the format remains undeniable. He has played 72 T20Is for India, amassing 2265 runs at an impressive average of 37.75. His ability to anchor the innings and provide stability in the middle order makes him a valuable asset for any franchise.As the IPL auction approaches, Rahul's availability will undoubtedly be one of the most closely watched storylines. With multiple teams vying for his signature, it remains to be seen which franchise will ultimately secure the services of this highly skilled and experienced batsman.

KL Rahul's future with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) hangs in the balance as the franchise prepares for the upcoming IPL mega auction. Rahul, who has captained LSG since their inception in 2022, is unlikely to be retained and is expected to enter the auction pool.Despite being LSG's leading run-scorer in all three seasons, Rahul's strike rate has come under scrutiny. In IPL 2024, he averaged 136.12, which is below the league's average in recent seasons.Following LSG's disappointing seventh-place finish in IPL 2024, owner Sanjeev Goenka was seen having an animated conversation with Rahul on the field. While Goenka later clarified that the exchange was amicable, it sparked speculation about Rahul's future.At an event in August, Goenka referred to Rahul as "family" but remained non-committal on player retention. Sources indicate that Rahul has not yet committed to accepting a retention offer if one is made.The deadline for franchises to submit their retained player lists is October 31. Teams can retain up to six players, with a maximum of five capped internationals.Rahul's departure would be a significant blow to LSG, who have relied heavily on his batting prowess. However, the franchise may be looking to rebuild with a new captain and a more aggressive batting approach.

KL Rahul's Time Running Out as Sarfaraz Khan's Form Mounts PressureAhead of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, the Indian team faced a crucial decision: whether to retain out-of-form KL Rahul or select in-form Sarfaraz Khan. After India's loss in the opening Test, the debate intensified, with many experts calling for Sarfaraz's inclusion.At the toss, Indian captain Rohit Sharma ended the speculation by opting for Sarfaraz over Rahul. The decision was met with mixed reactions, but former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes it's a sign that time is running out for Rahul."Of course, the pressure is building because of his form," Chopra said. "He hasn't really been very good in the last 8 or 10 Test matches. That's also a fact. So, time is running out."Chopra highlighted that Sarfaraz's consistent run-scoring has increased the pressure on Rahul. Since his debut against England earlier this year, Sarfaraz has played four Tests, scoring 350 runs at an impressive average of 58.33, including three half-centuries and a century."Sarfaraz has already scored 150 in the last Test match," Chopra said. "That pressure is also there on KL Rahul. The team also knows that KL Rahul is basically an opener, but he has been pushed up and down the order way too many times. It is not fair for someone to always be in the line of fire and asked to adjust."Chopra emphasized that while the team is still backing Rahul, ultimately, it's about scoring runs. "There will be pressure on KL Rahul now. There's no doubt about it," he said.Rahul's struggles in red-ball cricket have been well-documented. In his last 10 Test matches, he has averaged just 26.70, with only one half-century. His poor form has raised questions about his place in the team, especially with Sarfaraz knocking on the door.The second Test in Pune will be a crucial one for Rahul. If he fails to perform, it could spell the end of his Test career. Sarfaraz, on the other hand, has a golden opportunity to cement his place in the Indian team.

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.

KL Rahul's poor performance in the first Test against New Zealand has put his place in the Indian team under scrutiny. The 32-year-old scored 0 and 12 in the two innings, and his struggles in the middle order contributed to India's collapse in both essays and an eventual 8-wicket loss.Ahead of the second Test in Pune, India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate stressed that Rahul enjoys a long rope from the head coach Gautam Gambhir. However, ten Doeschate also acknowledged that there is a fight for a spot between Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan, who impressed in the first Test."Yeah, there's no point in sugarcoating it, there's a fight for a spot," said ten Doeschate. "Sarfaraz was obviously brilliant in the last Test. I went to KL after the last Test (and) said how many balls do you play at (and) miss at? He didn't play at (and) miss at one ball and that's what tends to happen when you're not getting runs.""There's certainly no concerns about KL, he's batting nicely, he's in a good mental space. But we are certainly going to have to fit seven pieces into six spots for this Test and look at the pitch now and decide what's going to be best for the team.""Gauti [Gautam Gambhir] is keen to give him a long rope like Sanju [Sanju Samson]," he added.Rahul's dismissal in the second innings in Bengaluru came at a point when India had gained momentum, courtesy of a stand between Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant. Losing Rahul at that stage put the Indian cricket team on the back foot, which led to a batting collapse.Now, as India look to make their way back into the three-match series, starting with the second Test on October 24 (Thursday), KL Rahul will be keen to make amends.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has sparked a debate by suggesting that Team India should drop star batter KL Rahul from the Test side once Shubman Gill recovers from his injury. Gill missed the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru due to a stiff neck, paving the way for Sarfaraz Khan to make his Test debut. Khan seized the opportunity with both hands, scoring a magnificent 150 in the second innings.However, with Gill expected to return for the second Test in Pune, India faces a dilemma. Basit believes that Sarfaraz should not be sacrificed, despite his impressive performance. Instead, he argues that Rahul, who has been out of form, should be dropped."Once Shubman Gill is fit, there should not be an injustice to Sarfaraz Khan. KL Rahul should be rested now. People rate him very highly, but his performances haven't been like that. He did very well in South Africa but hasn't done the same in home matches," Basit said on his YouTube channel.Basit criticized Rahul's performance in the first Test against New Zealand, calling it "disappointing." He pointed out that Rahul's failure to deliver in both innings put pressure on the team."A lot depended on KL Rahul after Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant got out. He has played a lot of Test matches and is everyone's favorite. However, he disappointed me today," Basit added.Meanwhile, New Zealand secured a historic victory in the first Test, chasing down a target of 107 with ease. Will Young and Rachin Ravindra put on an unbroken 75-run partnership to guide the visitors to a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.