Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction is poised to be a transformative event, with the potential to reshape the landscape of the tournament. As teams prepare to release and retain players, the focus has turned to the number of retentions allowed and the fate of star players like Rohit Sharma.Mumbai Indians, the most successful franchise in IPL history, face a dilemma. They possess a formidable core of Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah. However, retaining all four players could prove challenging under the new retention rules.Amidst the speculation, rumors have emerged that Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are willing to offer Rohit Sharma a staggering Rs 50 crore salary package. However, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka has dismissed these claims, questioning the feasibility of such a move."Whether Mumbai Indians will release Rohit Sharma or not, whether he is coming to the auction or not, even if he comes if you are going to use 50 per cent of your salary cap on one player, how will you manage the other 22 players?" Goenka asked.Goenka acknowledged that all franchises have wishlists, but emphasized the importance of practicality. "You want the best player, the best captain to be in your team. It is not about wanting. What you have got and what is available. What can you do with that. This is that thing. I can want anyone but the same goes for all the franchises. You will not get everyone," he said.The IPL 2025 auction promises to be a fascinating affair, with teams weighing their options and making strategic decisions that could shape their fortunes for years to come. The fate of Rohit Sharma and other star players remains uncertain, adding to the intrigue surrounding this mega event.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is poised to be a blockbuster event, with several high-profile players potentially switching franchises. Among the most sought-after names is Rohit Sharma, the former Mumbai Indians captain.Rohit's departure from the Mumbai Indians has been widely anticipated since his removal as captain ahead of the 2024 season. The move, which saw Hardik Pandya take over the reins, drew criticism from fans and former cricketers alike.Given his immense brand value, Rohit is expected to attract significant interest if he enters the auction pool. With the BCCI likely to limit teams to retaining only six players, the chances of Rohit playing for a new franchise next season are high.One team that has openly expressed interest in Rohit is the Punjab Kings, who are yet to win an IPL title. Sanjay Bangar, the team's Director of Cricket Operations, acknowledged their desire to acquire Rohit but emphasized that it would depend on their financial situation."It all depends on whether we have the money in our pockets. If Rohit comes in the auction, I certainly believe he is going to go for a high price," Bangar said in an interview.With Shikhar Dhawan retiring from all forms of cricket, the Punjab Kings are in need of a new captain. Rohit, with his experience and leadership qualities, would be an ideal candidate for the role.Despite being 37 years old, Rohit's performances in the recent T20 World Cup demonstrated that he still possesses the skills and determination to excel at the highest level. His presence in the Punjab Kings lineup would undoubtedly boost their chances of success in the upcoming IPL season.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been rocked by a series of captaincy changes, with the latest rumors swirling around Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). After a disappointing season that saw MI finish at the bottom of the points table, the franchise replaced Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as captain. This move sparked speculation of a rift between Rohit and Hardik, which was reportedly resolved during the T20 World Cup.However, the drama surrounding MI's captaincy continues. Reports have emerged that Suryakumar Yadav, who was recently appointed captain of India's T20I side, has been approached by KKR to become their skipper. According to journalist Rohit Juglan, KKR has made an unofficial offer to Suryakumar and is willing to trade Shreyas Iyer, last year's title-winning captain, to MI in exchange.This potential move could be facilitated by the mega auction scheduled for next year. However, KKR has not officially commented on the matter. Meanwhile, both Suryakumar and Iyer are currently playing for Mumbai in the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament.The Buchi Babu Tournament provides a platform for both players to showcase their skills ahead of the upcoming international season. The BCCI has encouraged India internationals to participate in domestic tournaments to maintain peak performance.The captaincy changes and trade rumors surrounding MI and KKR have added an element of intrigue to the IPL. It remains to be seen how these developments will impact the teams' fortunes in the upcoming season.

Hardik Pandya's appointment as Mumbai Indians' captain in 2024 sparked controversy among fans, leading to frequent booing and criticism. However, India and MI pacer Jasprit Bumrah has revealed the team's unwavering support for Pandya during this challenging period.Bumrah emphasized that the team strongly disapproves of the negative behavior directed towards Pandya. "We don't encourage or promote that. We don't think it's warranted," he stated. The team rallied around Pandya, providing him with support and encouragement.The situation took a dramatic turn after India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Pandya's match-winning performance in the final, where he dismissed key South African batsmen, earned him widespread praise and admiration. The narrative shifted, and the fans who had once booed him now cheered him on."The narrative just changed when we won the World Cup," Bumrah said. "This is part of the journey. It's us against the world. We will try to give as much support as we can."Pandya's impressive performance in the T20 World Cup, where he scored 144 runs at a strike rate of over 150 and claimed 11 wickets, further solidified his position as a valuable asset to the team.Bumrah's comments highlight the importance of team unity and support, especially in the face of adversity. The Mumbai Indians' unwavering belief in Pandya's leadership and abilities ultimately helped him overcome the initial backlash and establish himself as a respected captain.

Jasprit Bumrah Offers Insights on Hardik Pandya's Challenges as Mumbai Indians SkipperIndia's premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, has shed light on the challenges faced by Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya during the 2024 IPL season. In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express, Bumrah discussed the difficulties Pandya encountered and the importance of mental resilience in dealing with criticism and adversity.Pandya, who took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma, faced intense scrutiny and frequent booing from fans, particularly at the Wankhede Stadium. The team's poor performance, finishing last in the IPL standings with only four wins in 14 matches, further exacerbated the situation.Bumrah emphasized the importance of blocking out negative thoughts, a strategy Pandya employed during the challenging period. He acknowledged the impact of fan reactions on players, especially when playing in front of a home crowd."It's not that simple saying 'just don't focus on it.' They're screaming, and you can hear it, but then, the inner circle helps you. We, as a team, don't encourage that, we don't promote that, we don't think that is warranted," Bumrah said.Bumrah highlighted the significance of team support and family during such times. "Now, the world can think what they want to. We as a team were talking to him, if he needed support, his family will always be there. Certain things are beyond your control. If it happens, it happens."The Indian pacer also pointed out the dramatic shift in public perception of Pandya following his outstanding performances in the T20 World Cup. However, he cautioned that the narrative could quickly change again with just one loss.Reflecting on the nature of sports and its emotional highs and lows, Bumrah remarked, "You understand it now, because we play a sport that is so popular, every sportsman will go through these things. In football, you see fans booing the best players in the world. This is a part of the sportsman's journey, things will happen that are not great, sometimes, it might not be fair also, but it is the way it is."Bumrah concluded by encouraging Pandya and others to take challenges in stride. "We have had a great life, we're doing good things in our sport and for ourselves. All these challenges will come, but it will be better if you take it in the right manner."

Hardik Pandya's meteoric rise in Indian cricket has hit a sudden roadblock. After leading India to victory in the T20I series against West Indies, Pandya has been overlooked for the captaincy of the Indian T20 team for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour. This decision has raised questions about his future in the team and his leadership abilities.The decision to appoint Suryakumar Yadav as the captain instead of Pandya is a clear indication that the selectors have lost confidence in his captaincy skills. This is a significant setback for Pandya, who was seen as a potential long-term captain for India.The Mumbai Indians, Pandya's IPL franchise, are also facing a dilemma regarding his captaincy. After a disappointing season under Pandya's leadership, the franchise is considering whether to retain him as captain or look for a replacement.Pandya's position is further complicated by the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as the head coach of the Indian team. Gambhir is known to have reservations about Pandya's tactical acumen, which is crucial for an international captain.To make matters worse, Pandya's international appearance percentage has dropped to a subpar 50 percent in the last 19 months. This means that he needs to perform consistently in domestic cricket to improve his chances of selection for the Indian team.Despite these setbacks, Pandya remains a talented all-rounder with the potential to be a match-winner. He will need to prove his worth in the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka and in domestic cricket to keep his hopes of playing in the Champions Trophy next year alive.

Hardik Pandya's remarkable comeback story has been a testament to his resilience and determination. After a premature end to his ODI World Cup campaign last year due to an ankle injury, Pandya faced further setbacks with jeers from fans during the IPL and personal troubles off the field.Despite these challenges, Pandya's appointment as Mumbai Indians captain initially sparked anger among fans. The transition was not well-received, and Pandya faced the brunt of the discontent. This had a negative impact on his personal game, and MI endured one of their poorest seasons.However, Pandya's fortunes turned dramatically with India's T20 World Cup victory. He delivered the winning over in the final against South Africa, ending with three wickets to lead India's bowling charts. This triumph marked a significant turning point in his career.Upon his return to Mumbai, Pandya was greeted by deafening cheers from fans at the Wankhede Stadium. The past negativity had been replaced by overwhelming support and admiration for his resilience.Pandya's mental strength was evident throughout his journey. Despite being booed in his first home match, he remained focused and worked hard to improve his performance. His determination and unwavering belief in himself ultimately paid off.Fans praised Pandya's crucial role in India's World Cup victory, highlighting his ability to bat deep and provide an extra bowling option. They also acknowledged his mental strength in overcoming the adversity he faced.Despite MI's disappointing IPL season, fans expressed their support for Pandya as their captain. They recognized his contributions to the team and his potential to lead them to future success.

Hardik Pandya's journey to becoming an indispensable all-rounder for India has been marked by both triumphs and tribulations. Despite a disappointing IPL 2024 season, Pandya's exceptional performance at the T20 World Cup 2024 cemented his status as a player with no viable alternative.The decision to appoint Pandya as Mumbai Indians captain ahead of the IPL 2024 season raised eyebrows, but his performance on the field left much to be desired. Rumors of a rift with Rohit Sharma and poor form led to speculation about his exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad.However, the selectors stood by Pandya, appointing him vice-captain. This unwavering support proved crucial as Pandya transformed into a different player once he donned the India colors. His gritty performance in the warm-up game against Bangladesh was followed by an impressive bowling display in the group stage, including three wickets against Pakistan.Pandya's batting also came to the fore in the Super 8 matches, with important knocks against Afghanistan and Bangladesh. His quickfire innings against Australia and England proved equally valuable.In the final against South Africa, Pandya emerged as the match-winner with his bowling. His perfect slower delivery dismissed Heinrich Klaasen, and Rohit Sharma entrusted him with the responsibility of bowling the final over.Months of speculation and criticism culminated in this moment, and Pandya delivered. Suryakumar Yadav's stunning catch dismissed David Miller, and Pandya dismissed Kagiso Rabada to etch his name in Indian cricket history.Pandya's journey to becoming an indispensable all-rounder has been a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite facing adversity, he has consistently risen to the occasion, proving that there is truly no alternative to his unique combination of skills.

Sanjay Manjrekar's impassioned defense of Hardik Pandya at the Wankhede Stadium stemmed from his unwavering belief in the all-rounder's ability to perform under pressure. Despite facing relentless jeers from the crowd following his appointment as Mumbai Indians captain, Pandya's subsequent heroics in India's T20 World Cup triumph have vindicated Manjrekar's stance.Manjrekar's intervention during the toss at a home match of MI at the Wankhede was met with mockery on social media. However, Pandya's crucial contributions to India's second T20 World Cup victory, with 144 runs and 11 wickets, have silenced the critics."What a turnaround for Hardik Pandya," Manjrekar told 'ESPNCricinfo'. "In IPL, there were people jeering him and booing him and I told them to behave because this is a big-stage player."Manjrekar's faith in Pandya's ability to perform under pressure was evident in his crucial wicket of Heinrich Klaasen, which turned the tide of the match in India's favor. "We have seen that umpteen times, wickets of Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and right at the end, Rabada, so he was a champion and no surprise, to see him flourish on the big stage," Manjrekar said.Manjrekar also highlighted Pandya's importance to the Indian team, even during their disappointing loss to England in Adelaide during the 2022 tournament. "Even in that semifinal against England, he came in and gave India some hope with 60 off 33. So that's what he is all about.""You felt safe when he came to bowl in the last over, he was not going to lose his nerves, he was going to bowl sensibly," he concluded.Pandya's resurgence has not only silenced his critics but also cemented his status as a vital cog in the Indian team. His ability to perform under pressure and make match-winning contributions has proven Manjrekar's belief in him to be well-founded.