Cricket

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.

Sri Lanka is poised to make history by hosting its inaugural men's T10 competition from December 12 to 22, marking a significant milestone in the country's cricketing landscape. This tournament, organized in partnership with T Ten Global Sports, will feature six franchises, one more than the Lanka Premier League, Sri Lanka's premier T20 competition.The tournament's draft is scheduled for November 10, with overseas players expected to participate. The draft will also include emerging players from Zimbabwe and the West Indies, where T Ten Global Sports operates similar ventures.Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Shammi Silva expressed his enthusiasm for the tournament, stating, "I am confident that the first ever draft of the Lanka T10 Super League is going to set the platform for an exciting and entertaining tournament, which will add color to the Sri Lankan cricketing calendar and bring in a new experience to our players and fans, alike."The T10 tournament is strategically placed in the cricketing calendar, coinciding with an 11-day window between the conclusion of the second Test in South Africa and the commencement of a white-ball series in New Zealand. This timing ensures the availability of Sri Lanka's top men's players, including stars like Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Maheesh Theekshana.The tournament is expected to attract significant attention from fans and media alike, providing a platform for emerging players to showcase their skills and for established stars to further enhance their reputations. With its fast-paced and action-packed format, the Lanka T10 Super League promises to deliver an unforgettable cricketing experience for all involved.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is considering a major overhaul of the Hundred tournament's draft system and player compensation structure. The proposed changes aim to attract top international players and boost the league's competitiveness.Under the new plans, franchises could make direct offers of multi-year contracts worth up to £300,000 per season to players. This would represent a significant increase from the current salary cap of £125,000 for men and £50,000 for women.The ECB is also considering lobbying the UK's Home Office to allow each team to field a fourth overseas player in the XI, up from the current limit of three. This move would bring the Hundred in line with other major T20 leagues worldwide.The proposed changes are part of a broader effort to increase the Hundred's appeal to top players and fans. The ECB has fallen behind other short-form leagues in attracting men's stars, and the new salary structure aims to address this issue.The plans would also see each team able to sign one designated 'England star' on a multi-year deal, worth around £100,000 in the women's competition and £250,000 in the men's.The ECB is confident that the proposed changes will make the Hundred more competitive and attractive to players and fans alike. The league's 2025 season will start in early August, immediately after England's men complete a Test series against India.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has implemented stringent measures to address the issue of players withdrawing from the Indian Premier League (IPL) after being acquired at the auction. In the past, several overseas players have pulled out of the tournament, prompting franchises to raise concerns with the BCCI.To deter such withdrawals, the BCCI has introduced a two-season ban for players who make themselves unavailable before the start of the season. This penalty applies to players who register for the auction and are subsequently picked but choose to withdraw.Additionally, the BCCI has made it mandatory for overseas players to register for the Big Auction to be eligible for subsequent auctions. This move aims to prevent players from selectively participating in the mini auction, which often results in inflated bidding wars.To address fitness-related withdrawals, the BCCI will rely on confirmation from the player's home board. However, the board is exploring the establishment of a verification system at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to ensure the authenticity of medical claims.The BCCI's new regulations emphasize that overseas players cannot choose which auctions to participate in. This decision aims to maintain the integrity of the IPL and ensure that all players are available for the duration of the tournament.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the IPL Player Regulations 2025-27 ahead of the upcoming mega auction. These regulations aim to address the issue of overseas players withdrawing from the tournament after being picked in the auction.Former England cricketer Ian Bell has weighed in on the new rules, describing them as "fair" but emphasizing the need for a balance. He believes that while it is reasonable to penalize players who fail to honor their commitments, it is also important to consider the conflict between IPL and international schedules."It's a pretty fair rule. If you get picked in the auction and then you don't come, it's not fair to the team," Bell said. "But it's a balancing act because the IPL is usually at the start of the England season as well."According to the new regulations, any overseas player who fails to register for the Big Auction will be ineligible to participate in the following year's auction. Additionally, any player who registers and is picked in the auction but subsequently makes himself unavailable before the start of the season will be banned from the tournament and player auction for two seasons.Bell, who retired from cricket in 2020, has transitioned into a coaching role. He recently served as the batting coach for Sri Lanka's national team and has also worked with England's U-19 and Lions teams, as well as the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League.The 42-year-old expressed his desire to coach an IPL team in the future, suggesting that his affiliation with the GMR Group, which owns the Delhi Capitals, could lead to a potential opportunity."The IPL is the cutting edge of cricket," Bell said. "I think I can contribute as well with my knowledge of the game. If you want to challenge yourself, then IPL is the place you want to be as a player and coach."

Overseas Players Face Stricter IPL Rules to Prevent WithdrawalsThe Indian Premier League (IPL) has implemented new regulations to discourage overseas players from withdrawing after being auctioned. These rules aim to ensure player availability and prevent disruptions for franchises.Mandatory Registration and AvailabilityOverseas players must now register for the mega auction. Failure to do so will make them ineligible for the subsequent mini-auction. Once registered and selected, players must remain available throughout the season.Penalties for WithdrawalsIf an overseas player withdraws before the season starts without a valid reason, such as a confirmed injury by their home board, they will face a two-season ban from the tournament and player auctions.Fitness Assessment and ReportingPlayers with a history of recurring injuries, like Ben Stokes, must undergo a fitness assessment by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) if they participate in the IPL mega auction and subsequently get injured. If they withdraw after the assessment, they must report to the BCCI's medical team or risk missing the next two seasons of IPL.Capped Fee for Mini-AuctionsTo further deter withdrawals, the IPL has capped the maximum fee for overseas players at mini-auctions. This fee will be the lowest of the highest retention price and the highest auction price from the mega auction.Impact on Overseas PlayersThese new rules require overseas players to carefully consider their availability and fitness before participating in the IPL. Failure to comply with the regulations could result in significant penalties that could impact their careers.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has implemented stringent measures to address the issue of overseas players withdrawing from the tournament after being acquired at auctions. To deter such actions, the IPL has introduced a two-year ban for players who make themselves unavailable without legitimate reasons.Additionally, the IPL has established a "maximum fee" for overseas players at mini auctions. This fee will be capped at the lower of the highest retention price (INR 18 crore) or the highest auction price at the mega auction. This move aims to prevent teams from overspending on overseas players during mini auctions.The IPL's decision to mandate overseas player registration for mega auctions is intended to discourage players and agents from seeking higher salaries during mini auctions. Previously, players could avoid the mega auction and potentially earn more money in subsequent mini auctions.The IPL's new rules also include an exception for players who withdraw due to injury or medical conditions, which must be confirmed by their home board. This exception ensures that players are not penalized for genuine reasons beyond their control.The IPL's governing council has emphasized that these measures are necessary to maintain the integrity of the tournament and ensure fair competition among teams. The new rules aim to prevent players from disrupting team plans and to create a more balanced auction process.

The upcoming SA20 auction promises to be a thrilling affair, with a host of international stars set to go under the hammer. Fast bowlers Shamar Joseph, Naseem Shah, Josh Little, and Josh Hull are among the overseas players who will be up for grabs.Nearly 200 players, including 115 South Africans, have made the shortlist, but only 13 spots are to be filled up by the six franchises. Paarl Royals have the biggest purse of R11.95m to spend at the auction, followed by MI Cape Town with R8.275m and Pretoria Capitals with R4.575m.Other overseas attractions in the shortlist include New Zealand opener Martin Guptill, Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis, and Afghanistan wristspinner Qais Ahmad."Some of the biggest names on the international T20 circuit have already signed up for season 3 and I am looking forward to see how the teams finalise their squads from this competitive auction list of players," said Graeme Smith, the former South Africa captain and current SA20 commissioner.Reeza Hendricks, who was released by Super Kings, is perhaps the most high-profile South African in the shortlist along with fellow opener Tony de Zorzi.All squads are required to have 19 players, with a minimum of ten South African players, a maximum of seven international players, a rookie, and a wildcard player.Barring Super Kings, all franchises have announced their wildcard picks. Notably, Paarl Royals picked former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik as their wildcard. Having retired from Indian and international cricket in June earlier this year, Karthik will become the first Indian to feature in the SA20.Super Kings have until December 30 to lock in their wildcard player.The SA20 2025 auction will take place on October 1 and the tournament will begin on January 9, clashing with Australia's Big Bash League, UAE's ILT20, and New Zealand's Super Smash.

The BBL and WBBL drafts are set to take place on September 1, where the eight clubs in each competition will secure overseas players for the 2024-25 season. The draft process has undergone significant changes this year, with clubs now allowed to pre-sign one overseas player before the draft.Draft Order and Rounds:The draft order was determined by a weighted lottery based on last season's finishing positions. In the WBBL, Hobart Hurricanes have the first pick, while Perth Scorchers have the last. In the BBL, Melbourne Stars will have the first pick, and Sydney Sixers will have the eighth.The draft consists of four rounds, with each round featuring different player categories:* Round 1: Platinum players* Round 2: Platinum and Gold players* Round 3: Gold and Silver players* Round 4: Silver and Bronze playersPre-Signed Players and Retention:Clubs have already taken advantage of the new pre-signing rule, with all eight clubs securing at least one overseas player before the draft. These pre-signed players will be allocated to a specific round based on the value of their contract.Each club also has one retention pick, which can be used to retain a player who played for the club the previous season or who was signed last year but did not play.Player Availability:The WBBL and BBL seasons have been reduced to 40 games each, which has impacted player availability. The WBBL starts just seven days after the T20 World Cup, and there are various bilateral cricket series scheduled during the competition.In the BBL, most pre-signed players have committed to a full season, but some players drafted in the draft itself may leave early due to commitments to other T20 leagues.Player Salaries:Players are divided into four price bands based on their value:* WBBL: * Platinum: $110,000 * Gold: $90,000 * Silver: $65,000 * Bronze: up to $40,000* BBL: * Platinum: $360,000-$420,000 * Gold: $300,000 * Silver: $200,000 * Bronze: up to $100,000