Cricket

Nitish Rana, a seasoned left-handed batter, has been a mainstay in the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batting lineup for the past seven years. However, with the IPL 2025 auction approaching, his chances of being retained by KKR seem uncertain.Rana has expressed his desire to continue with KKR, highlighting his consistent run-scoring record. "I have been serving KKR for the past seven years. It's not in my hands if I will be retained; it's up to KKR management to decide. I haven't received any calls yet. I have scored runs for KKR every year and if they consider me an asset, they will retain me," he said.Meanwhile, India's rising pace sensation Mayank Yadav is set to join the IPL's "Million Dollar Club" after making his T20I debut against Bangladesh. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will need to retain his services for a minimum of Rs 11 crore (USD 1.31 million).Similarly, Sunrisers Hyderabad will also need to pay a minimum of Rs 11 crore to retain all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy after his international debut in the same match.According to IPL retention rules, any uncapped player who makes their international debut before the auctions will be elevated to the capped player category. This means that the retention prices for capped players are significantly higher.While the deadline for announcing the retention list is October 31, it is widely expected that LSG will retain Mayank as one of its three primary retentions. The 22-year-old pacer has impressed with his raw pace and potential."There is no way that LSG will put a rare bowler like Mayank back in the auction pool. They have invested in him for the past two seasons and he will certainly be one among the top three retentions," said an IPL insider.

Nitish Rana's heartfelt tribute to Gautam Gambhir on Instagram following Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) historic IPL 2024 triumph has shed light on the profound impact Gambhir has had on the franchise's resurgence.Gambhir, who captained KKR to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, returned to the dugout as a mentor ahead of the 2024 season. His influence has been undeniable, with Rana crediting him for the team's success."In this era of Mamba Mentality, we're soon all going to embrace the GG Mentality too," Rana wrote on Instagram, referring to Gambhir's initials.Rana shared a screenshot of a conversation with Gambhir from November 2023, where Gambhir expressed his desire to "create something special" in the upcoming season.KKR's dominance in IPL 2024 was evident in their impressive Net Run Rate (NRR) of +1.428, the highest in IPL history. They capped off their campaign with a resounding victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final, bowling them out for a mere 113 and chasing down the target with ease.Gambhir's influence extended beyond Rana. Sunil Narine acknowledged his role in convincing him to open the batting again, a move that proved pivotal for KKR's success.Even owner Shah Rukh Khan expressed his gratitude to Gambhir during KKR's post-final celebrations. "My special thanks to GG," Khan said. "I just have one request... we have to make GG dance tonight."Gambhir's return to KKR has sparked speculation about his potential as India's next men's head coach. While the BCCI has yet to announce its shortlist of candidates, Gambhir's success with KKR has undoubtedly strengthened his credentials.

Rishabh Pant Joins Kolkata Knight Riders' IPL 2024 Title CelebrationsIndian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant made a virtual appearance at the Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) victory celebrations after the team clinched the IPL 2024 title. In a heartwarming video that has gone viral on social media, Pant was seen congratulating Rinku Singh and Nitish Rana on their triumph over Sunrisers Hyderabad.Pant, who is currently in the USA with the Indian cricket team preparing for the T20 World Cup 2024, expressed his joy and admiration for the KKR players. Rinku, in turn, shared his excitement about joining the team in the USA soon."Bhaiya, I am coming [to US] on 28th," Rinku said to Pant on video call.In the match itself, KKR dominated SRH, bowling them out for a mere 113. Andre Russell led the bowling attack with three wickets, while Mitchell Starc and Harshit Rana chipped in with two each.In response, Venkatesh Iyer smashed a brilliant half-century, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a fiery knock to guide KKR to a comfortable victory.KKR bowling coach Bharat Arun praised the team's performance, particularly highlighting the contributions of Rana and Starc."He [Rana] has been outstanding and it's about the bowler understanding what his strengths are and when he does, it comes out beautifully on the ground," Arun said."Mitch coming into the team boosted the confidence of the other youngsters. He has been one of the best bowlers in world cricket and he has been in such situations before, it's about understanding Indian conditions and once he did that, it is magic all over."Arun also credited Gautam Gambhir for his decision to open the batting with Sunil Narine, which proved to be a game-changer for KKR."He [Narine] has brought a totally different dimension to our batting this year and it was Gautam who insisted that Sunny open and what Sunny did was outstanding," Arun said.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured a top-two finish in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign after their match against the Gujarat Titans (GT) was washed out due to rain. This result guarantees KKR two chances to reach the final.Despite the match being abandoned, the focus shifted to KKR star Nitish Rana's hilarious conversation with commentator Harsha Bhogle. Rana, who has been sidelined with injuries this season, made a witty remark when Bhogle commented on his hands."Yeah, it's fine now, but I can't show it here on camera because it's the middle finger (chuckles)," Rana said. "I'm happy to be back in the team after missing 10 matches. It was a challenging period for me, as I've never sat out for so many games in the IPL. I'm grateful to the KKR management for their faith in me and their belief that I can still make an impact in the game."Rana's return to the team was a welcome sight for KKR, who have struggled with injuries this season. The all-rounder missed 10 games after injuring himself in the first match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Youngster Angrish Raghuvanshi filled in for Rana during his absence and impressed with his batting performances.Rana made his comeback against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Saturday (May 11) in Kolkata and scored 33 runs in 23 balls. However, the match against GT was abandoned due to rain, with no ball being bowled. The points were shared, strengthening KKR's position at the top of the points table and officially eliminating Gujarat Titans from the playoffs race.KKR's top-two finish ensures that they will have two opportunities to reach the final. The team has been in impressive form this season, led by the likes of Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Pat Cummins. They will be looking to capitalize on their momentum and secure a spot in the championship match.

Nitish Rana and Saachi Marwah Engage in Playful Cricket Face-OffKolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batsman Nitish Rana recently found himself on the receiving end of some friendly competition from his wife, Saachi Marwah, in a lighthearted cricket session. The playful exchange was captured on video by KKR and has since gone viral on social media.In the video, Rana is seen bowling to Marwah, who effortlessly dispatches his deliveries with ease. "What's this face-off all about?" asks the person filming the video. "Husband and wife face-off," replies Rana with a grin.Marwah's impressive batting skills drew praise from her husband, who exclaimed, "She's got a better pull shot than me." The video showcases the couple's playful banter and their shared love for the sport.KKR is currently enjoying a successful IPL 2024 campaign, sitting atop the points table with 16 points from 11 matches. The team, led by Shreyas Iyer, is looking to secure its third IPL title, having previously won under Gautam Gambhir's captaincy in 2012 and 2014. Gambhir currently serves as KKR's mentor.Rana's performance in the tournament has been crucial to KKR's success. The left-handed batsman has scored 350 runs in 11 matches, including three half-centuries. His contributions have helped KKR maintain its position at the top of the standings.The viral video of Rana and Marwah's cricket face-off has garnered widespread attention, highlighting the couple's love for the sport and their playful relationship. It also serves as a reminder of the growing popularity of women's cricket in India.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), led by Shreyas Iyer, have emerged as a formidable force in IPL 2024, securing five victories in seven matches. Despite Iyer's modest batting performance, the team's consistent success has boosted morale.In a recent interview with Cyrus Broacha, Iyer attributed his confident stride to childhood teasing. "They used to tease me," he said, referring to his teammate Nitish Rana. "This is natural. I've walked like this since I was young."Iyer humorously suggested that his "bouncy toes" might contribute to his distinctive gait. The trio, including Iyer, erupted in laughter at his explanation.KKR's success has been a collective effort, with contributions from various players. Andre Russell has been a key performer, scoring 180 runs and taking 10 wickets. Nitish Rana has also been impressive, amassing 200 runs.The team's bowling attack has been equally effective, with Umesh Yadav leading the charge with 12 wickets. Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine have also been instrumental in restricting opposition batters.KKR's strong start has positioned them as one of the favorites to reach the playoffs. With a balanced squad and a winning mentality, they aim to continue their impressive run and challenge for the IPL title.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vice-captain Nitish Rana expressed optimism about star batter Shreyas Iyer's fitness and leadership role in the upcoming IPL 2024 season. Iyer, who missed the previous season due to injury, has returned to the KKR camp with a back issue.Rana, who led KKR in Iyer's absence, acknowledged the challenges faced by the team last year. "We did not achieve everything we wanted, yet it was the greatest experience for me," he said. Despite finishing seventh in the points table, Rana believes there is a renewed sense of determination within the team."This time, our team is very positive and you can feel it in the dressing room. There is a determination to win, which wasn't so strong last year. Everyone is thinking about the trophy," Rana added.Regarding Iyer's fitness, Rana expressed hope that he would be able to lead the team throughout the season. "Shreyas is back with the team and is quite fit. Of course, he had fitness issues in the past, but I hope I do not have to take up this responsibility again," Rana said.Rana also highlighted the strength of the KKR squad, which includes experienced players like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Venkatesh Iyer, as well as promising youngsters like Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rinku Singh."We have a good mix of experience and youth. We have a lot of match-winners in our team. We are confident that we can go all the way this time," Rana concluded.

Nitish Rana, the left-handed batter of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), is ready to lead the team again if required, despite the return of first-choice skipper Shreyas Iyer. Rana, who was appointed captain last year due to Iyer's unavailability, hopes that Iyer remains fit throughout the season."Shreyas is back with the team and is quite fit. Of course, he had fitness issues in the past, and we cannot take anything for granted. I hope I do not have to take up this responsibility again, as we are hoping Shreyas leads in all the matches," Rana said.However, Rana is prepared to step into the captain's role if necessary. "If a situation arises where I have to wear the captain's band again, I am ready for it. I was made the captain last year, and that was the biggest thing for me. Although we did not achieve everything we wanted, yet it was the greatest experience for me," he added.Despite last year's disappointing performance under his captaincy, Rana believes the team has a positive mindset this season. "This time, our team is very positive, and you can feel it in the dressing room. There is a determination to win, which wasn't so strong last year. Everyone is thinking about the trophy," he said.KKR has invested heavily in Mitchell Starc, the Australian fast bowler, who is expected to bolster the team's bowling attack. Rana believes Starc's experience will be invaluable. "Starc is too experienced to let the price tag affect him. We had been missing a death bowler, and he has filled up that spot. He knows what needs to be done. In fact, I feel he will be one of our main performers this time," Rana said.While Starc will be a key player, Rana also highlighted the potential of KKR's young pacers. "Last year, all our three young pacers (Chetan Sakariya, Vaibhav Arora, and Harshit Rana) did well in bits and pieces, and we expect them to do the same this time. This is a chance for them to learn from Starc," he said.Rana also expressed his desire to be selected for the upcoming World T20 squad. "Everyone wants to play for the country, and many players will have it in the back of their mind, but we have to stay in the present. I too want to get selected for the World T20 squad, but at this moment, I am thinking only about the IPL. I believe I can get 600 runs in this tournament, and I will be aiming for that," he said.