Cricket

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has shared an intriguing anecdote about the legendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni, shedding light on his enigmatic personality and unwavering dedication to the sport.Chopra, who shared a room with Dhoni during an India A tour in 2004, described him as a quiet and unassuming individual. Despite his growing reputation, Dhoni displayed a remarkable humility, never answering his phone and opting to eat vegetarian meals to accommodate his roommate's dietary preferences.However, when it came to cricket, Dhoni transformed into a different beast. Chopra witnessed firsthand Dhoni's exceptional batting skills, particularly his ability to execute unconventional shots with ease. During a match in Kenya, Dhoni stunned everyone by hitting a reverse sweep for four against a Pakistani bowler bowling at over 140 kmph.Despite not getting many opportunities to bat, Dhoni remained actively involved in the team by bowling to his competitor, Dinesh Karthik. Chopra questioned Dhoni's choice, but the latter simply replied that he enjoyed bowling.Chopra also praised Dhoni's exceptional wicketkeeping abilities, noting that his hands were still faster than anyone in the world. Despite not practicing keeping extensively, Dhoni's natural talent and dedication allowed him to excel in this aspect of the game.Dhoni's unwavering commitment to cricket and his ability to perform under pressure have made him one of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history. Under his leadership, India won the T20 World Cup in 2007, the ODI World Cup in 2011, and the Champions Trophy in 2013.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction is fast approaching, and the anticipation surrounding the retention policy is palpable. The Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) has yet to announce the official guidelines, leaving franchises and fans eagerly awaiting details.One of the key questions is the number of retentions allowed per franchise. In previous seasons, teams were permitted to retain a maximum of three players, but there are speculations that this number could be increased to four or even five. This would give franchises greater flexibility in building their squads.Another crucial aspect is the maximum number of overseas players that can be retained. Currently, teams are allowed to retain a maximum of two overseas stars. However, there are suggestions that this limit could be raised to three or four, allowing franchises to bolster their international contingent.The BCCI was expected to unveil the retention policy by the end of August, but it is now likely to be delayed further. Cricbuzz reports that franchises may be given until November 15 to finalize their picks.One of the most talked-about topics regarding the retention policy is the potential reintroduction of a rule that would allow retired players to be classified as "uncapped." This means they could be retained at a lower price.Earlier in the IPL, international players who had retired for five years were eligible for the "uncapped" category. However, this rule was abolished after IPL 2021. Reports suggest that the BCCI is considering bringing it back, which would benefit Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and their iconic captain, MS Dhoni.CSK CEO Kasi Viswanath has denied reports that the franchise requested the BCCI to reinstate the "uncapped" rule for Dhoni. However, the latest reports indicate that the BCCI itself is contemplating such a move.The reintroduction of the "uncapped" category would not only benefit Dhoni and CSK but also the league as a whole. It would allow franchises to retain experienced players at a lower cost, creating a more balanced and competitive environment.

MS Dhoni's Rare Outburst: A Moment of Frustration in CSK's Early IPL DaysFormer Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Subramaniam Badrinath has shed light on a rare instance where Mahendra Singh Dhoni lost his composure during a match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the early years of the Indian Premier League (IPL).In an interview with InsideSport, Badrinath recalled a low-scoring game at Chepauk where CSK, chasing a modest target of 110 runs, suffered a shocking defeat. Captain Dhoni, renowned for his calm and collected demeanor, displayed visible frustration after this unexpected loss."In this match against RCB in Chennai, we were chasing 110 odd runs. We lost wickets in a hurry and we ended up losing the match. It was one of those matches where we couldn't get 110 against RCB in Chepauk," Badrinath recounted.Badrinath further described an incident in the dressing room after he was dismissed by RCB spinner Anil Kumble. "I got out to a lap shot against Anil Kumble. I got myself LBW. He (MS Dhoni) was coming inside the dressing room and I was standing right there. And there was a small water bottle in front of me and MS just kicked it out of the park and I was oh my god! We were all trying to avoid eye contact with him in that dressing room," Badrinath added.Despite this rare outburst, Dhoni's leadership is widely credited for guiding CSK to five IPL titles, establishing him as one of the most celebrated captains in cricket. Badrinath, who played for CSK from 2008 to 2013, scored 1441 runs in 95 matches, including 11 half-centuries.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to undergo a potential overhaul in its retention rules ahead of the 2025 season. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to officially announce any changes, media reports suggest that franchises are still negotiating the number of retentions allowed.Amidst the uncertainty, one thing remains clear: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is determined to retain the services of legendary wicket-keeper batter Mahendra Singh Dhoni, regardless of the number of retentions granted. According to Cricbuzz, CSK is willing to retain Dhoni even if he is placed in the "uncapped" category, a move that would significantly reduce his salary cap hit.Dhoni has been an integral part of CSK since the inaugural IPL season in 2008. Under his leadership, the franchise has won five IPL titles. Despite stepping down as captain in 2024, Dhoni remains a vital cog in the team's success.Meanwhile, Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting has praised the transformative impact of former India captain Virat Kohli on Test cricket in the country. Ponting believes that Kohli's aggressive approach and belief in his team's ability to win overseas have inspired a new generation of Indian batters.Ponting also lauded the contributions of former head coach Rahul Dravid, who guided India to the T20 World Cup title in 2022. Dravid's tenure saw India continue to excel in Test cricket, with memorable victories in challenging conditions abroad.Under Kohli's captaincy, India became the first Asian team to win a Test series in Australia. His absence during the 2020-21 series due to the birth of his daughter did not deter the team, which rallied under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane to secure a historic 2-1 series victory.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering postponing the announcement of its Indian Premier League (IPL) retention rules until September, according to sources within the league. The delay could extend until the conclusion of the BCCI's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 29 in Bengaluru.The BCCI has not officially linked the AGM to the release of the retention policy, but there is speculation that the board may surprise everyone by unveiling the policy in the coming days. However, the prevailing sentiment among IPL officials suggests that the announcement is likely to be postponed by 10 days to a fortnight.While no official statement has been made regarding the delay, BCCI representatives have reportedly hinted to franchises that there may be a postponement in the announcement. The franchises have been seeking clarity on the matter, but the board has not provided a definitive timeline for the release of the policy.The BCCI had originally planned to reveal the policy by late August, as explicitly mentioned by Board officials after the owners' meeting in Mumbai last month. However, as the end of August drew near, franchise officials contacted the BCCI and were apparently notified of an additional postponement.The officials were given the impression that the policy would be announced towards the end of September instead.The BCCI's retention policy announcement date remains uncertain, but it has been revealed that franchises will have the deadline of November 15 to make their final decisions regarding player retention. It is expected that the auction, which is tentatively planned for December, will also include the Right to Match (RTM) options for the teams.The BCCI is reportedly considering a controversial decision to categorize retired international cricketers as uncapped players. However, it remains uncertain whether this move will have a significant impact on the auction purse.While some speculate that this policy might be designed to benefit Chennai Super Kings by allowing MS Dhoni to be placed in the 'uncapped' category, it is more likely that the league itself has a vested interest in ensuring Dhoni's participation for another season.Chennai Super Kings management has stated that if MS Dhoni chooses to continue playing in the next season, he will be one of their retained players, regardless of whether the BCCI allows only two retentions. This stance by the CSK officials highlights Dhoni's importance to the franchise and their desire to keep him on the team.The decision to retain players who have retired from international cricket could also impact other cricketers, such as Sunil Narine. Narine, who last played a T20I in 2019, announced his retirement from international cricket some time ago.The retention policies set by the BCCI and the stance taken by teams like CSK may influence the future of players who have stepped away from representing their countries but continue to participate in franchise-based leagues.

India's impending Test series against Bangladesh presents a historic opportunity for the team to surpass its losses in the format for the first time ever. With 178 wins and 178 defeats in 579 Tests, a victory in Chennai would mark a significant milestone.The shift in India's Test fortunes can be traced back to the leadership of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. Dhoni's tenure as captain saw a marked improvement in India's overseas performance, while Kohli's reign ushered in an era of dominance with a focus on pace bowling.Kohli's decision to prioritize fast bowlers, alongside former coach Ravi Shastri, transformed India's Test aspirations. The emergence of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma as a formidable pace trio gave India the edge in conditions that were once considered unfavorable.Under Kohli's captaincy, India achieved its first Test series win on Australian soil, a testament to the impact of his pace-bowling strategy. His win percentage of 58.82% may fall short of Rohit Sharma's current 62.5%, but his contribution to India's Test resurgence cannot be overstated.While Rohit Sharma's brief tenure as captain has yielded impressive results, it is the legacy of Dhoni and Kohli that has laid the foundation for India's current success in Test cricket. The upcoming series against Bangladesh offers an opportunity to further cement India's dominance and etch their name in the annals of Test history.

Veteran leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, who last represented India in an ODI in 2012, has unveiled his all-time India ODI XI. In an interview with Shubhankar Mishra, Chawla named legendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni as the captain of his dream team.At the top of the order, Chawla opted for the iconic Sachin Tendulkar and current India skipper Rohit Sharma as openers. Surprisingly, he placed Virender Sehwag at number three, demoting Virat Kohli to the fourth position.In the middle order, Chawla selected Yuvraj Singh and Kapil Dev, the captain of India's maiden ODI World Cup triumph in 1983, as his all-rounders. Dhoni's presence at number six further bolstered the batting lineup.For the bowling department, Chawla chose two spinners, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, and two pacers, one each from the past and present teams. He picked Jasprit Bumrah to partner 2011 World Cup-winner Zaheer Khan.Chawla also shared his admiration for Rohit Sharma's leadership qualities. "He's not just a captain, he's a leader," Chawla said. "He sets the tone and makes it easy for the other batters. He gives you a free hand."

Piyush Chawla Hints at Retirement, Jokes About Playing with Prithvi Shaw's SonVeteran Indian cricketer Piyush Chawla has playfully hinted at his retirement plans, suggesting that he might hang up his boots after former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.Chawla, 35, remains an active player in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has expressed his desire to continue playing for several more years. In a recent interview on The Shubhankar Mishra Show, Chawla engaged in a light-hearted conversation with fellow cricketer Prithvi Shaw about his retirement plans."A while ago, Prithvi Shaw told me, 'Bas karo yaar ab PC bhai.' I said, I've played with Sachin paaji, and now playing with his son. I am playing with you, and after playing with your son, I will retire," Chawla said with a smile.Chawla's remarks underscore his enduring passion for cricket. Despite no longer being a part of the Indian national team, the two-time World Cup winner continues to make a significant impact in the IPL.When asked who might retire first, Chawla humorously pointed to his former India captain, MS Dhoni, saying, "Mahi bhai." Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in 2020, also continues to play in the IPL like Chawla.Both players are known for their longevity in cricket, continuing to perform at a high level despite their age. Chawla's comments suggest that he plans to stay in the game for a while longer, entertaining cricket fans for more seasons to come.

Virender Sehwag's 'This or That' Challenge: Rohit Sharma Emerges as the Chosen OneFormer Indian opener Virender Sehwag recently ignited a firestorm of debate among cricket enthusiasts with his 'this or that' challenge at the Delhi Premier League T20. Sehwag's choices, which pitted current Indian captain Rohit Sharma against cricketing legends, revealed his unwavering belief in Rohit's exceptional talent and leadership abilities.In the challenge, Sehwag first selected MS Dhoni over Ben Stokes, acknowledging his loyalty to his former captain. However, when faced with the choice between Dhoni and AB de Villiers, Sehwag opted for the South African star, citing his unparalleled batting prowess. The challenge continued with Sehwag choosing Virat Kohli over ABD and Pat Cummins, highlighting Kohli's consistency and match-winning capabilities.However, the pivotal moment came when Sehwag was asked to choose between Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Without hesitation, Sehwag declared Rohit as his preferred choice, emphasizing his belief in the current Indian captain's superior leadership qualities and all-around abilities.Sehwag's selection of Rohit over David Warner and Dale Steyn further underlined his conviction in the Indian opener's exceptional talent. Rohit's aggressive yet calculated style of play has revolutionized the Indian team's approach, leading them to numerous victories across all formats.Rohit's leadership was instrumental in India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup, ending an 11-year drought for a major ICC trophy. His consistent performances as an opener have consistently placed him among the world's best, making him a formidable force in international cricket.Sehwag's challenge has sparked lively debates among fans, showcasing a wide range of opinions on his selections. However, it is clear that Rohit Sharma has emerged as a dominant figure in Indian cricket, earning the admiration and respect of both his peers and the cricketing world at large.