Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction promises to be a spectacle, with a plethora of marquee players and international stars available for selection. The presence of 12 marquee players, including Indian stalwarts Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul, has generated immense excitement within the cricket fraternity.Marquee Players in the Spotlight:Jos Buttler: The English wicketkeeper-batter is a T20 behemoth, boasting an impressive record of 11,929 runs in 427 matches. His exceptional performances for Rajasthan Royals (RR) have earned him a reputation as one of the finest white-ball batters of this generation.Shreyas Iyer: A versatile all-rounder, Iyer has excelled in all formats for India. His leadership skills and aggressive batting style have made him a valuable asset for Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).Rishabh Pant: The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter is known for his fearless approach and match-winning abilities. His impressive T20 record and consistent performances for Delhi Capitals have established him as a force to be reckoned with.Kagiso Rabada: The South African pacer is among the world's best, with a proven track record in T20 cricket. His ability to generate pace and swing makes him a formidable weapon for any team.Arshdeep Singh: The young Indian left-arm pacer has emerged as a rising star, impressing with his swing and wicket-taking abilities. His performances for Punjab Kings and India have earned him widespread recognition.Mitchell Starc: The Australian pacer is a multi-time world champion and one of the most feared bowlers in the game. His ability to deliver match-winning spells has made him a highly sought-after player.Yuzvendra Chahal: The Indian spin wizard is the leading wicket-taker in IPL history, with an impressive record of 205 wickets in 160 matches. His ability to control the run rate and take crucial wickets has made him a valuable asset for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR).Liam Livingstone: The English all-rounder is a T20 World Cup winner, known for his explosive batting and useful spin bowling. His ability to accelerate the innings and take wickets makes him a valuable addition to any team.David Miller: The South African finisher is considered one of the modern greats of white-ball cricket. His ability to score quick runs and finish matches has made him a highly sought-after player.KL Rahul: The Indian batter is a versatile performer, capable of opening the innings, anchoring the middle order, and keeping wickets. His consistent performances for various IPL teams have established him as one of the most reliable players in the tournament.Mohammed Shami: The Indian pace veteran is a proven match-winner, having played a crucial role in India's success in the 50-over World Cup. His ability to swing the ball and generate pace makes him a formidable weapon.Mohammed Siraj: The Indian pacer has emerged as a solid performer in all formats, impressing with his accuracy and ability to take wickets. His performances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have made him a valuable asset for the team.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is set to witness a plethora of young talents vying for the attention of the ten franchises. With an unprecedented number of Indian and overseas superstars in contention, the auction promises to be a thrilling affair.Among the 574 shortlisted players, five stand out as the youngest:* Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Age: 13 years 234 days): The youngest player on the list, Suryavanshi made his first-class debut for Bihar at the tender age of 12. He has since impressed with his batting prowess, scoring a century against Australia U19.* Ayush Mhatre (Age: 17 years 123 days): An opening batter, Mhatre has showcased his talent in the Ranji Trophy, scoring two centuries and one fifty in just five matches. He also earned a call-up to Mumbai's Irani Trophy squad.* Hardik Raj (Age: 18 years 44 days): A spin-bowling all-rounder, Raj has impressed with his performances in the Maharaja T20 Trophy and India U19 matches. He is known for his left-arm spin and aggressive batting.* C Andre Siddarth (Age: 18 years 80 days): The nephew of former Tamil Nadu batter S Sharath, Siddarth has been in stellar form in the Ranji Trophy, scoring multiple half-centuries. He has also received his maiden call-up to the India U19 squad.* Kwena Maphaka (Age: 18 years 104 days): The youngest overseas player on the list, Maphaka is a South African U19 pace sensation who shone in the U19 World Cup. He has already made his international debut for South Africa.These young players represent the future of Indian cricket and are eager to make their mark on the IPL stage. With their exceptional talent and potential, they are sure to attract the attention of franchises looking to build their squads for the upcoming season.

IPL 2025 Mega Auction: RCB's Mo Bobat Emphasizes Flexibility and Contingency PlanningWith the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction approaching on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, teams are meticulously crafting their auction strategies to navigate the unpredictable dynamics of the event. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Director of Cricket Mo Bobat acknowledges the inherent uncertainty of the auction and stresses the importance of having multiple contingency plans in place."As we get closer to the auction, we start considering the auction dynamics that will come into play," Bobat said in a statement. "Knowing the set orders and potential player availability significantly impacts our planning and strategy."Bobat highlights the crucial task of setting cost parameters for different player roles and emphasizes the need for flexibility and adaptability during the auction. "We're trying to prepare for as many eventualities as possible," he added. "There's no absolute certainty, but we have plans A, B, C, and D to ensure we can react quickly and make informed decisions."RCB has retained only three players for the upcoming season: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. This leaves them with a purse of INR 83 crore and three Right to Match (RTM) cards to acquire former capped players.Bobat acknowledges the challenges of building a balanced squad with limited retentions. "We have a clear understanding of the areas we need to strengthen," he said. "We'll be looking for players who can complement our existing core and contribute to our overall team performance."The IPL 2025 mega auction promises to be a highly competitive affair, with 574 players set to go under the hammer and only 204 spots available across the ten franchises. Teams will need to carefully consider their needs, budgets, and potential player combinations to emerge from the auction with a squad capable of challenging for the title.

James Anderson, at 42, Registers for IPL 2025 Mega AuctionFormer England pacer James Anderson, a veteran of international cricket, has made history by becoming the oldest player to register for the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. At 42 years of age, Anderson has set his base price at Rs 1.25 crore for the auction, which will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25.Anderson's entry into the IPL auction pool marks a significant moment in his illustrious career. The seasoned fast bowler, who hasn't featured in T20 cricket since 2014, could make his inaugural appearance in the IPL. Should any team secure his services at the upcoming auction, it would represent a major milestone for Anderson as he ventures into the IPL arena.The IPL released its highly-anticipated Player Auction List on Friday, featuring a total of 574 players for the upcoming Mega Auction. Of the 574 players, 366 are Indian, and 208 are from overseas, including three from Associate Nations. The list includes 318 uncapped Indian players and 12 uncapped players from abroad.In total, 204 slots are up for grabs, with 70 spots available for overseas players, as confirmed by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah on behalf of the IPL. According to the BCCI statement, the highest reserve price is set at Rs 2 crore, with 81 players opting for this top bracket. Additionally, 27 players have a reserve price of Rs 1.50 crore, while 18 players are listed with a reserve price of Rs 1.25 crore.Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis and Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, both aged 40, are the second-oldest players set to go under the hammer at the auction. The presence of these experienced players adds depth and experience to the auction pool.The IPL 2025 mega auction promises to be an exciting event, with a wide range of talented players available for selection. Anderson's registration for the auction has generated significant buzz, and it remains to be seen which team will secure the services of the veteran pacer.

The Mumbai Indians (MI), a powerhouse in the Indian Premier League (IPL), are gearing up for the 2025 mega auction with a strategic plan and a substantial auction purse. The auction, scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will be a battleground for teams seeking to revamp their squads for the upcoming season.MI, after a disappointing 2024 campaign that saw them finish last in the 10-team league, will enter the auction with Rs 45 crore remaining in their purse. The five-time IPL champions aim to bolster their squad by acquiring key players across various departments. They also possess one strategic Right to Match (RTM) card, allowing them to potentially retain a player by matching the highest bid during the auction.In preparation for the mega auction, MI has retained five key players who form the backbone of their team. These retentions have consumed a significant portion of their total auction budget of Rs 120 crore. The retained players and their respective salaries are as follows:* Jasprit Bumrah: Rs 18 crore* Suryakumar Yadav: Rs 16.35 crore* Hardik Pandya: Rs 16.35 crore* Rohit Sharma: Rs 16.30 crore* Tilak Varma: Rs 8 croreThese retentions have cost MI a total of Rs 75 crore, leaving them with Rs 45 crore to spend at the auction. These players bring a wealth of experience and talent, with Bumrah as the bowling spearhead and Suryakumar Yadav, India's T20I captain, leading their dynamic batting lineup. Notably, Rohit Sharma, who recently retired from T20 Internationals after leading India to a T20 World Cup win, remains a pivotal figure for MI despite stepping down as captain. His leadership duties have been handed over to Hardik Pandya, who returned to MI after a stint as Gujarat Titans' captain.With Rs 45 crore in hand, MI will target crucial areas in their squad. They will aim to rebuild after a poor 2024 season, focusing on reinforcing both their batting depth and bowling attack. The presence of an RTM card gives them added flexibility to bring back a former player who might attract high bids.After five retentions, MI have a minimum of 13 slots and a maximum of 20 slots available to fill. Mumbai Indians will have several important slots to fill during the auction, with a focus likely on securing few world-class overseas talents and uncapped Indian cricketers. Additionally, MI could look to bolster their bowling unit to support Jasprit Bumrah, particularly with spinners and pacers who can adapt to different conditions.Having retained their core group of stars, including their new skipper Hardik Pandya and the explosive Suryakumar Yadav, MI now have the challenge of finding the right balance in the rest of their squad to return to their winning ways in 2025.

RCB Should Target Rishabh Pant in IPL 2025 Mega Auction, Suggests Aakash ChopraFormer India opener Aakash Chopra has strongly advocated for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to make a concerted effort to acquire wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant in the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. Chopra believes that Pant's aggressive batting style and suitability to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium's short boundaries make him an ideal fit for RCB."Will you go towards Rishabh Pant? In my opinion, they should go towards him. Again a small ground, it will suit him as well. Please go for him even if you have to go till Rs 25 crore," Chopra emphasized on his YouTube channel.RCB has retained only three players ahead of the auction: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. This leaves them with a substantial budget of Rs 83 crore to build a formidable squad. Chopra suggests that RCB should not hesitate to splurge on Pant, even if it means spending a significant portion of their budget.If RCB decides that Pant is not the right fit, Chopra proposes considering KL Rahul instead. Rahul's familiarity with the local conditions as a "local boy" and his preference for small grounds and flat pitches make him a viable alternative."If you feel you don't need Rishabh Pant and need KL Rahul because he is a local boy and knows this ground as well, he will also like the small ground and flat pitch. So you can also try to bring him with you," Chopra added.RCB may not pursue Shreyas Iyer as aggressively, according to Chopra, as they may leave him for Delhi to target. Pant, Rahul, and Iyer are expected to be highly sought-after players in the auction, having been released by their respective franchises.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is poised to witness a bidding frenzy for some of India's most sought-after cricketers. Among them, Rishabh Pant stands out as a potential record-breaker, according to former India cricketer Aakash Chopra.Pant, who was not retained by the Delhi Capitals, is expected to command a massive paycheck at the auction. Chopra believes that the wicket-keeper batter could surpass the current record of Rs 24.5 crore, set by Mitchell Starc in the IPL 2024 auction."Rishabh Pant could still become the most expensive player in the history of the IPL," Chopra said on his YouTube channel. "He could go even beyond Rs 25-26 crore."Pant's impressive performances in the T20 World Cup 2024 and Test cricket have solidified his status as one of India's most valuable players. Several teams, including the Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, are expected to engage in a bidding war for his services."I can see three teams going absolutely hammer and tongs for him," Chopra predicted. "One has Rs 110 cr (PBKS), one has Rs 83 cr (RCB). They'll fight each other and a lot of money will be spent."While the Delhi Capitals have the third-highest auction purse, it is unlikely they will use their Right to Match (RTM) card on Pant. The franchise has already retained several key players, including David Warner and Prithvi Shaw.Pant's availability during the auction is uncertain as he is expected to be playing in the first Test between India and Australia, which clashes with the auction dates. However, his absence is unlikely to deter potential bidders.The IPL 2025 mega auction promises to be a thrilling event, with several other top players, including Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya, also set to go under the hammer. The auction will take place in Jeddah on November 24 and November 25.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is set to take place on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This marks the second time the auction will be held overseas, following the 2024 auction in Dubai.Every three years, IPL franchises undergo a reset, allowing them to retain a maximum of six players and rebuild their squads at the mega auction. This year, teams have a total purse of INR 120 crore to form their squads, with varying amounts available based on the number of players retained.As many as 1574 players registered for the auction, but the final list is yet to be released. Big names expected to be in the auction include Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Deepak Chahar, Venkatesh Iyer, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, T Natarajan, Devdutt Padikkal, Krunal Pandya, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, David Warner, Jos Buttler, Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell, Faf du Plessis, Kagiso Rabada, David Miller, Devon Conway, Tim David, Rachin Ravindra, Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis, Sam Curran, Jonny Bairstow, and Liam Livingstone.Teams have a maximum of 25 slots to fill, with a maximum of eight overseas players allowed. The size of each franchise's squad is a maximum of 25 (minimum size is 18) and there are ten teams - so a maximum of 250 players in total. Forty-six players have already been retained by the teams, leaving a maximum of 204 slots to fill during the IPL 2025 auction.The IPL teams were allowed to retain up to six players this time - of which a maximum of five can be capped and a maximum of two can be uncapped. The six could either be retained outright ahead of the auction, or can be bought back using Right-to-Match (RTM) options at the auction, or a combination of both.

Mumbai Indians (MI), the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, face a crucial challenge in the upcoming mega auction with a limited budget of Rs 45 crore. Despite retaining their core Indian stars, MI must fill their squad strategically.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra predicts that MI will target an Indian spinner, particularly Yuzvendra Chahal. Chahal, the highest wicket-taker in IPL history, was surprisingly released by Rajasthan Royals. His consistent performance, with 18 or more wickets in the last six IPL seasons, makes him a valuable asset.Another potential target for MI is Washington Sundar, who was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad. Sundar's impressive performances in T20Is and Test cricket for Team India could fetch him a high price in the auction.Chopra also suggests that MI may bid for Ishan Kishan, but his high price tag may be prohibitive. Instead, he recommends alternatives such as Quinton de Kock, Jitesh Sharma, or Phil Salt for the wicket-keeper batter role.MI's strategy will likely involve building an Indian batting lineup and an overseas bowling lineup, with a couple of Indian spinners. The IPL mega auction will be held in Jeddah on November 24 and 25, and MI's ability to fill their squad effectively with their limited budget will be crucial to their success in IPL 2025.