Cricket

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction approaches, a plethora of Indian and overseas cricketers eagerly await their fate. Among them is Ashutosh Sharma, a 26-year-old middle-order batter who made a significant impact in the 2024 IPL season with Punjab Kings.After being picked at his base price of ₹20 lakh, Ashutosh seized the opportunity and showcased his daring and inventive strokeplay. Batting predominantly in the slog overs, he contributed 189 runs in 11 matches at a remarkable strike rate of 167.26.Despite his impressive performance, Ashutosh was not retained by Punjab Kings, a decision that he accepts with equanimity. "I didn't think much about whether I was retained or not. It is not in my hands," he said. "Wherever I go, I will be happy as long as I just play cricket."Ashutosh's journey to the IPL has been marked by perseverance and determination. After not getting enough opportunities for Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket, he moved to Railways, where he finally found his footing.Reflecting on his IPL experience, Ashutosh highlights the invaluable lessons he learned. "I have learned a lot of things. A lot of legends play in the IPL. I have learned by observing how they perform on a big stage," he said. "I used to get to bat in tough situations. The biggest lesson was how to handle those tough situations and how to stay calm and believe in yourself."As the mega auction looms, Ashutosh remains optimistic about his prospects. "I am excited about the auction. I am hoping to get picked by a team that believes in me and gives me the opportunity to showcase my skills," he said.With his talent and determination, Ashutosh Sharma is poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming IPL season. Whether he returns to Punjab Kings or finds a new home, his journey is a testament to the transformative power of the IPL and the opportunities it provides to aspiring cricketers.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) legend AB de Villiers has expressed his doubts about the franchise's chances of acquiring star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction. Pant, who was released by the Delhi Capitals, is expected to be a hot commodity in the auction, and de Villiers believes that RCB may not be able to match the final bid for the player.De Villiers suggests that Pant may reunite with former DC head coach Ricky Ponting, who has now joined Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the same role. PBKS will enter the auction with the largest purse among all 10 franchises, giving them a significant advantage in the bidding war for Pant."I think it is incredibly unlikely that RCB will get hold of Rishabh Pant," de Villiers said on his YouTube channel. "I think he will be too expensive, and all the franchises are going to go for him in the auction. Punjab Kings spend whatever they can to get him, that's my personal feeling."Apart from Pant, KL Rahul will also be available in the mega auction, and de Villiers suggests that RCB should consider signing their former player instead. However, he emphasizes the importance of signing quality bowlers and talented local players."I have told you guys that I want RCB's focus to be on the bowling department, a world-class spinner, and also some local players," de Villiers added. "Want some Bengaluru players in there, I have heard Anil Kumble say it before that they don't keep their local players, quality talented local players."The IPL 2025 mega auction will be held in Riyadh on November 24 and 25. RCB will be looking to strengthen their squad with a combination of experienced stars and promising young talent.

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.

Ahead of the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions, Punjab Kings have announced the retention of batters Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh for the upcoming season.Prabhsimran, a wicketkeeper-batsman, has been with Punjab since 2019 and has amassed 756 runs in 34 games, averaging 22.24 with a strike rate of 146.23. Last season, he played some impressive innings, showcasing his potential.Shashank Singh emerged as a key player for Punjab last season, scoring 354 runs in 14 games at an average of 44.25 and a strike rate of 164.65. His ability to bat at multiple positions in the order and his exceptional fielding skills make him a valuable asset to the team.Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon expressed the franchise's goal of winning the IPL trophy this season. He praised newly appointed head coach Ricky Ponting, describing him as one of the sharpest minds in cricket."This auction will be critical as we go there with maximum purse. We will build on what we have at the moment. It will be an interesting auction, especially for us, as we also have a new coach in Ricky Ponting. He is one of the sharpest minds in cricket. You will see us develop an extraordinary team. Our goal is to go for silverware this year - nothing short of that," Menon said.Menon emphasized the franchise's faith in Prabhsimran Singh, stating that they have witnessed his development over the past six years. He believes Prabhsimran is on the cusp of breaking into the big leagues.Regarding Shashank Singh, Menon highlighted his versatility and passion, which were key factors in his retention. He also praised Shashank's gun fielding abilities.Earlier this year, Punjab Kings appointed Ricky Ponting as their head coach. Menon hinted that Ponting's fresh ideas and experience will be instrumental in the upcoming auctions.

Punjab Kings, under the guidance of new head coach Ricky Ponting, are embarking on a fresh start for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. With a massive purse of Rs 110.5 crore, the franchise has retained only two uncapped players, Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh.Ponting believes this is an opportunity to reshape the team's identity and play a more dynamic and entertaining brand of cricket. He aims to make Punjab Kings the most exciting franchise in the IPL, both on and off the field.The Australian legend expressed surprise at the release of star players like Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul by their respective teams. He emphasized the importance of identifying key targets and setting a budget for the auction.Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with a purse of Rs 83 crore, has the second-largest budget after Punjab Kings. The full retention list for all IPL teams is as follows:* Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni* Delhi Capitals: Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, Abhishek Porel* Gujarat Titans: Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan* Kolkata Knight Riders: Rinku Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, Ramandeep Singh* Lucknow Super Giants: Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Ayush Badoni* Mumbai Indians: Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma* Punjab Kings: Shashank Singh, Prabhsimran Singh* Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Sandeep Sharma* Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal* Sunrisers Hyderabad: Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head

Punjab Kings (PBKS) are set to retain only two uncapped players, Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh, ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. With the largest purse of over INR 100 crore and four right-to-match options, PBKS will enter the auction with significant financial flexibility.Despite their interest in retaining Arshdeep Singh, their second-highest wicket-taker in IPL 2024, PBKS has opted to release several high-profile players, including Harshal Patel, Sam Curran, Jitesh Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, Jonny Bairstow, and Liam Livingstone.The retention of Shashank and Prabhsimran, who were PBKS's top two scorers in IPL 2024, will cost the franchise INR 8 crore from their purse. Both batters played crucial roles in PBKS's record chase of 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens.PBKS has been struggling to qualify for the IPL playoffs since 2014 and has made significant changes to its coaching setup, appointing Ricky Ponting as head coach. The franchise hopes that these changes will improve their performance in 2025.The deadline for franchises to submit their lists of retained players is October 31. Teams can retain up to six players, with a maximum of five capped internationals and two uncapped players. While the IPL has set minimum deductions from the auction purse for each retained player, franchises are free to pay more or less than those amounts.

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has lifted the lid on the internal turmoil that plagued the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) franchise during his tenure from 2014 to 2017. In his recently released book, Maxwell reveals the power struggle between himself and then-mentor Virender Sehwag, which ultimately led to his departure from the team.Maxwell's arrival in Punjab coincided with a successful 2014 season, where he amassed 552 runs at a strike rate of over 187. However, his fortunes took a downturn in 2017, and his role within the team came under scrutiny. The appointment of Sehwag as mentor marked a shift in power dynamics, with Sehwag asserting his authority over team selection and other decisions.Maxwell's frustration grew as Sehwag's decisions often seemed illogical. In one instance, Sehwag excluded Maxwell from a WhatsApp group used for team selection. Maxwell's public criticism of Sehwag further strained their relationship, leading to a public outburst from Sehwag after a poor performance against Pune.Maxwell was removed from the main WhatsApp group and publicly criticized by Sehwag, who blamed him for the team's failures. Maxwell responded by expressing his disappointment and stating that he had lost respect for Sehwag. The rift between the two deepened, and Maxwell ultimately informed the owners that he would not continue with the team if Sehwag remained.Sehwag's tenure at Punjab lasted only one more season, while Maxwell moved on to other franchises. In his book, Maxwell reflects on the challenges he faced during his time at Punjab and the lessons he learned from the experience.

Punjab Kings' wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma, who has been a part of India's T20I squads, has expressed his preference for playing for Chennai Super Kings or Mumbai Indians if not retained by Punjab Kings in the upcoming IPL auction.Jitesh, who has captained Punjab Kings in the absence of Shikhar Dhawan and Sam Curran, has been a key contributor to the team's middle order with his aggressive batting. Despite not playing in the recent India-Bangladesh series, Jitesh remains hopeful of being retained by Punjab Kings.However, if not retained, Jitesh has revealed his desire to play for either Chennai Super Kings or Mumbai Indians. Having played for Mumbai Indians in 2016-17, Jitesh holds a special fondness for the team and the Wankhede Stadium."I have experienced the MI atmosphere, and I love Wankhede because, as a Maharashtrian, it has always been close to my heart," said Jitesh. "During my younger days, I watched matches at Wankhede and sat outside, feeling the vibe. I want to experience that feeling while playing inside the stadium for Mumbai Indians."Jitesh also expressed his admiration for Chennai Super Kings and their captain MS Dhoni. "I would like to play for Chennai Super Kings because of Mahi bhai and because Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK captain) is my good friend and I enjoy playing under him the same way I enjoy playing under Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) bhai," he said.Despite the pressure of performing in the IPL, Jitesh believes that it is important to perform well at all levels. "No, performing everywhere is important," he said. "Riyan Parag made it into the ODI side because of his performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. You have to perform at every platform you get, and the rewards will follow."Jitesh rose to prominence during the IPL 2022 season when he was acquired by Punjab Kings for INR 20 lakh. Serving primarily as a finisher, Jitesh made a significant impact, scoring 234 runs with a strike rate of 163.64. He continued his strong performance in the 2023 season, accumulating 309 runs with a strike rate of 156.06.Over his tenure with Punjab Kings, which spans 40 matches, Jitesh has maintained a batting strike rate of over 151.14, solidifying his reputation in the league. Despite his previous successes, his performance in IPL 2024 was below expectations. In that season, he managed to score only 187 runs across 14 innings, holding an average of 17.

Punjab Kings, under the guidance of newly appointed head coach Ricky Ponting, have decided to retain the majority of their support staff for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. The only anticipated addition is fast bowling coach James Hopes, who previously worked with Ponting at Delhi Capitals.Ponting, who signed a four-year contract, aims to transform the team's fortunes. Punjab has yet to win an IPL title, with their only final appearance coming in 2014. They have struggled in recent years, failing to finish in the top five for the past seven seasons and placing ninth out of 10 teams in 2023.Despite the team's struggles, Ponting has retained spin bowling coach Sunil Joshi, batting and fielding coach Brad Haddin, and Trevor Gonsalves, who were all part of Trevor Bayliss' coaching staff. Bayliss and Sanjay Bangar, the former head coach and head of cricket development, respectively, have departed."Brad Haddin and Sunil have been retained. James Hopes is likely to be the fast bowling coach," an IPL source revealed.Ponting has yet to determine the number of players to retain ahead of the mega auction, with the deadline set for October 31. However, lead pacer Arshdeep Singh, who has been with the team for six seasons, is expected to be retained. Uncapped player Shashank Singh, who impressed last season, could also be retained."Ricky and his team will decide on the player retention soon," the source added.Punjab, who were led by Shikhar Dhawan for the past two seasons, will be looking to appoint a new captain, likely through the auction process.