Cricket

Rishabh Pant Poised to Shatter IPL Auction Records, Predicts Aakash ChopraFormer Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has predicted that wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant could become the most expensive player in Indian Premier League (IPL) history at the upcoming 2025 mega auction. Chopra believes that Pant's exceptional form and high demand from multiple franchises could lead to a bidding war that surpasses the current record of Rs 20 crore.The BCCI has confirmed that the mega auction will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25. Pant's recent performances, particularly in the Test series against New Zealand, have only enhanced his reputation as a match-winner.Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra said, "The big thing is who all have kept themselves in the Rs 2 crore bracket. A lot of Indian players, including KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. Pant could be the most expensive player in IPL history. He can go above 25-26 crores."Chopra highlighted that teams like Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are likely to be the most aggressive bidders for Pant. Punjab Kings have a massive Rs 110 crore purse, while RCB have Rs 83 crore at their disposal."I can see at least three teams going absolutely hammer and tongs. One (PBKS) has 110 crores and another (RCB) has 83 crores. I feel a lot of money will be spent when they fight amongst themselves," Chopra remarked.He also identified KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan as other key players likely to attract high bids at the auction.Pant's exceptional batting skills, wicketkeeping abilities, and leadership potential make him a highly sought-after player. His ability to play match-winning knocks and lead from the front has made him a valuable asset for any IPL franchise.If Pant does indeed become the most expensive player in IPL history, it will be a testament to his immense talent and the high regard in which he is held by IPL teams.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is set to witness a record-breaking number of players, including 409 overseas stars from 16 countries. Among them, Thomas Jack Draca, a 24-year-old fast bowler from Italy, has emerged as a player to watch.Draca's rise to prominence began in the Global T20 Canada 2024 league, where he impressed with his pace and accuracy. In just six games, he claimed 11 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 6.88. His performances caught the attention of the Italian national team, and he made his debut in June 2024.In his four T20Is for Italy, Draca has already taken eight wickets, including those of established international players like Sunil Narine, David Wiese, Kyle Mayers, and Iftikhar Ahmed. His ability to bowl deceptive variations and swing has made him a formidable opponent.Draca's success in Canada has also attracted the attention of IPL franchises. MI Emirates, a subsidiary of Mumbai Indians, has signed him for the upcoming ILT20 in the UAE, indicating that he could be a potential target for the five-time IPL champions in the 2025 mega auction.Draca has registered himself as an all-rounder for the IPL auction, although he is yet to make a significant impact as a batter. However, his impressive bowling performances and potential as a multi-dimensional player make him an intriguing prospect for IPL teams.With his pace, variation, and ability to dismiss top-class batsmen, Thomas Jack Draca is poised to make a mark in the IPL 2025 mega auction. His unique status as the first-ever Italian player in the IPL adds an extra layer of intrigue to his story.

Ben Stokes Skips IPL 2025 Mega AuctionEnglish all-rounder Ben Stokes has opted out of the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction, scheduled for November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The absence of Stokes, who has been a key player for Rajasthan Royals in recent seasons, is a significant development ahead of the auction.The IPL has released a long list of 1574 registered players, which will be finalized after receiving input from the franchises. The list includes all the marquee Indian players who were not retained by their teams. Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer, former captains of Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, and Kolkata Knight Riders, respectively, are listed at a base price of INR 2 crore. Other notable players at this price point include R Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, both released by Rajasthan Royals.Mohammed Shami, who has been sidelined since the 2023 ODI World Cup final due to injuries, is also listed at a base price of INR 2 crore after being released by Gujarat Titans. The auction is expected to attract a wide range of players, both domestic and international, as teams look to bolster their squads for the upcoming season.Stokes' decision to skip the auction is likely due to his busy schedule with the England national team. He is expected to play a key role in the upcoming Ashes series against Australia and the 2023 World Cup in India.

IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Indian Superstars Hit the Market, MI Retains CoreAs the IPL gears up for its mega auction on November 24-25, three Indian superstars have become available for bidding after not being retained by their previous franchises. Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul will join the auction pool, adding intrigue to the proceedings.Pant, who spent nine years with the Delhi Capitals, and Iyer, the title-winning captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, are both highly sought-after leaders. Multiple teams, including DC, Punjab Kings, RCB, and LSG, are reportedly interested in Iyer's services.Meanwhile, the Mumbai Indians have retained their core Indian players, including captain Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rohit Sharma. Pandya will continue to lead the team despite their disappointing performance in 2024.The Delhi Capitals have retained Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and South African batter Tristan Stubbs. If they fail to acquire Iyer in the auction, Axar may be considered for the captaincy role.The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have retained Nicholas Pooran as their top pick, while the Chennai Super Kings have retained MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, and Shivam Dube.The Sunrisers Hyderabad have broken the bank to retain Heinrich Klaasen for a whopping Rs 23 crore. They have also retained captain Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Nitish Reddy.The Rajasthan Royals have opted not to retain Jos Buttler, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ravichandran Ashwin. They have instead retained Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Shimron Hetmyer.The Gujarat Titans have retained Rashid Khan as their premium player, while Shubman Gill has taken a pay cut to stay with the team.The Royal Challengers Bangalore have retained Virat Kohli for Rs 21 crore but have released Faf du Plessis and Mohammed Siraj.The Punjab Kings have let go of Arshdeep Singh and will enter the auction with a substantial purse of Rs 110.5 crore.

Nicholas Pooran Set to Become One of IPL's Highest-Paid Retained PlayersNicholas Pooran is poised to become one of the most highly compensated retained players in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, according to sources within the league. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Pooran have reportedly reached an agreement that could see the Trinidadian batsman earn over Rs 20 crore from the franchise.The agreement was reportedly finalized within two minutes after consultations with LSG mentor Zaheer Khan and coach Justin Langer. However, it does not guarantee Pooran the captaincy, as the franchise will assess its options after the mega auction. LSG is reportedly keen on acquiring Rishabh Pant if Delhi Capitals do not retain him.LSG is expected to spend approximately Rs 50 crore on retentions, with Pooran, Mayank Yadav, and Ravi Bishnoi likely to command the highest salaries. Overseas and capped players like Pooran, Mayank, and Bishnoi could receive around Rs 40 crore, while uncapped players like Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan will be compensated based on mutual agreements.In the previous IPL mini auction, Mitchell Starc became the most expensive player when Kolkata Knight Riders acquired him for Rs 24.75 crore. However, no player has ever been retained for an amount exceeding Rs 20 crore. Pooran's potential retention at such a high price underscores his value as a dynamic batsman and a key asset for LSG.

IPL 2025 Retention Deadline: Key Questions AnsweredWith the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season approaching, franchises are gearing up for the mega auction. Before the retention deadline of October 31, 5pm IST, teams must finalize their list of retained players. Here are some key questions answered:Retention Limit and Cost:Each franchise can retain a maximum of six players from their 2024 squads, including five capped players (international cricketers) and two uncapped Indians. The retention costs are as follows:* First player: ₹18 crore* Second player: ₹14 crore* Third player: ₹11 crore* Fourth player: ₹18 crore* Fifth player: ₹14 crore* Uncapped Indian player: ₹4 croreRetention Pool Distribution:Franchises have a purse of ₹120 crore to build their teams. The ₹75 crore retention pool can be distributed among the five capped players as deemed fit. However, if the total retention cost exceeds ₹75 crore, the excess amount will be deducted from the overall purse.Right to Match (RTM) Card:Teams that retain less than six players will have RTM options to buy back players at the mega auction. Each RTM card allows a franchise to match the highest bid for a player they previously had. However, a new rule allows the bidding team to increase their offer after the RTM is used.Uncapped Player Definition:The IPL has revived a rule that allows capped Indian players who have retired or not played international cricket in the last five years to be categorized as uncapped players. This means teams can retain players like MS Dhoni as uncapped players at a cost of ₹4 crore.Player Refusal:Players have the right to refuse retention offers and enter the mega auction. Unlike the mini-auction, there are no player trades allowed between the retention deadline and the start of the 2025 season.Mega Auction Details:The IPL 2025 mega auction is expected to take place in the last week of November. It will be a two-day event where teams will bid for players who are not retained or released by their previous franchises.

The upcoming IPL mega-auction is set to witness a significant shake-up in team rosters, with several franchises eyeing the services of Rishabh Pant. The Delhi Capitals wicketkeeper-batter is reportedly likely to enter the auction pool due to his desire for captaincy, which the current DC management is hesitant to grant.Pant, who has been with the Capitals since 2016, has emerged as a highly sought-after player. His exceptional batting skills and leadership qualities have made him a prime target for teams in need of a captain. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are believed to be particularly interested in acquiring Pant, as they seek a replacement for the retiring Dinesh Karthik.Other franchises, including Lucknow Supergiants and Punjab Kings, are also expected to bid aggressively for Pant. Ricky Ponting, who has a close relationship with Pant from their time at the Capitals, is now in charge of the Punjab unit.The mega-auction, scheduled for the last week of November, is expected to feature a large pool of Indian stars, including Shreyas Iyer, who is unlikely to be a top retention for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Mumbai Indians, with their star-studded roster, are the only team likely to retain a significant number of players.Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have reportedly finalized their retention list, with Heinrich Klassen, Pat Cummins, and Abhishek Sharma as their three picks. The Right To Match (RTM) card is expected to be used aggressively in the auction, adding an extra layer of intrigue.

MS Dhoni's participation in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season remains uncertain, as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan awaits confirmation from the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman."We have still no confirmation from him, though we would like him to continue playing for us," Viswanathan told ESPNcricinfo. "Hope he will confirm before 31st [October]."October 31 is the deadline for franchises to submit their list of retained players to the IPL ahead of the mega auction. Dhoni is eligible to be retained by CSK as an uncapped player, thanks to a rule change that considers players retired from international cricket for five years as uncapped.Dhoni, who last played for India in the 2019 ODI World Cup, retired from international cricket in August 2020. He has since played exclusively in the IPL, scoring 161 runs at a strike rate of 220 as a finisher in the 2024 season after handing over the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad.If CSK retains Dhoni as an uncapped player, they will lose only INR 4 crore from their auction purse of INR 120 crore. Franchises are allowed to retain up to six players ahead of the mega auction, with a maximum of five capped internationals.While it is highly likely that Dhoni will be retained by CSK, the franchise's decision will depend on his availability and performance in the upcoming season.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has unveiled its player regulations for the 2025 season, introducing significant changes to the retention and auction process. Franchises will now be allowed to retain a maximum of six players, down from eight in previous seasons. This move aims to create a more balanced competition and encourage teams to invest in a wider pool of talent.The IPL 2025 auction is expected to be held in late November or early December and will be a mega auction, meaning all players will be available for selection. Franchises will have an auction purse of INR 120 Crore to bid on players, with the total salary cap now consisting of the auction purse, incremental performance pay, and match fees.Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul will command a hefty price if he enters the auction. "He is the face of the franchise and you would want to make him the captain," Chopra said. "If he goes to the auction, he will get Rs 18 crore."Chopra also discussed the case of Mayank Yadav, who has been selected in the India squad for the Bangladesh T20Is. "They would have definitely wanted to retain him, but if he gets the India cap, there is no advantage of retaining him," Chopra said. "Then you can use the Right To Match card."A significant change for the 2025 season is the introduction of a match fee for players. Each playing member, including the Impact Player, will receive INR 7.5 Lakhs per match in addition to their contracted amount. This move aims to reward players for their performances and create a more competitive environment.Overseas players will be required to register for the Big Auction, and those who fail to do so will be ineligible to participate in the following year's auction. Any player who registers and then makes themselves unavailable before the start of the season will be banned from the tournament and player auction for two seasons.Capped Indian players will become uncapped if they have not played in the starting XI in international cricket or do not have a Central Contract with the BCCI in the last five calendar years. This rule applies only to Indian players.The Impact Player Regulation will continue for the 2025 to 2027 cycle, allowing teams to substitute a player during the match.