Cricket

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has outlined the retention rules for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. Franchises can retain a maximum of six players, with the Right-To-Match (RTM) option available. The retention costs are set at Rs 18 crore for the first priority, Rs 14 crore for the second, Rs 11 crore for the third, Rs 18 crore for the fourth, and Rs 14 crore for the fifth. Uncapped players can be retained for Rs 4 crore.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has questioned whether Punjab Kings (PBKS) has any players worth retaining for Rs 18 crore. He believes that the franchise may release several English players, including Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow, and Chris Woakes, due to the arrival of new coach Ricky Ponting.Chopra advises PBKS to release left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh and use the RTM card to retain him at the auction. He believes that no Indian fast bowler, except for Jasprit Bumrah, is likely to fetch Rs 18 crore at the auction.

Punjab Kings, the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, has announced a major shake-up in its coaching staff ahead of the 2024 season. Trevor Bayliss, the head coach, and Sanjay Bangar, the head of cricket development, have both been released from their roles.The move comes as part of a wider restructuring of the Kings' coaching setup, with former Australian captain Ricky Ponting recently appointed as the new head coach. Bayliss had taken over as head coach after the 2022 IPL season, while Bangar joined the franchise in December 2023.Despite the changes, the Kings have yet to taste IPL success, finishing seventh in 2023 and ninth last season. The franchise is hoping that the new coaching team, led by Ponting, can help them break their title drought.Bayliss, a former England coach, has a wealth of experience in T20 cricket, having led the Sydney Sixers to two Big Bash League titles. Bangar, on the other hand, is a former India international who has served as the head coach of the Indian national team and the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.The Kings' decision to part ways with Bayliss and Bangar is a sign of their determination to improve their performance in the IPL. With Ponting at the helm, the franchise will be hoping to challenge for the title in 2024.

Ricky Ponting, the legendary Australian cricketer, has been appointed as the head coach of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Ponting's appointment marks a significant change for PBKS, who have struggled to find consistency in recent seasons.Ponting's coaching journey in the IPL began with the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2008. He later joined the Mumbai Indians, where he led the team to their first IPL title in 2013. In 2018, he took over as head coach of the Delhi Capitals, guiding them to three consecutive playoff appearances.Ponting's primary task at PBKS will be to identify players for retention ahead of the upcoming season. The team has not qualified for the playoffs since 2014 and finished ninth in the 2024 IPL season.Ponting acknowledged the pressure of winning a trophy as a coach but welcomed it. He said, "That is the thing that makes coaching inviting to me. I like having that pressure. It is as close to getting back to playing as you can possibly get."Reflecting on his IPL journey, Ponting called coaching MI an "awesome experience" and described the DC changing room as a "special place" despite not winning a trophy. He noted that coaching in the IPL has evolved and is now more specific, with teams covering every aspect by appointing specialized coaches.Key performers for Punjab last season included Harshal Patel, who won the Purple Cap for the second time, and the uncapped Indian players Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma. The squad also includes talents like left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma, and leg-spinner Rahul Chahar. Notable overseas players in the team are England's Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow, and South African pacer Kagiso Rabada.With Shikhar Dhawan's recent retirement, identifying a new captain will also be a priority for Ponting and the team management.

Ricky Ponting, the former Australian skipper, has shed light on his departure from the Delhi Capitals (DC) coaching setup, citing availability issues and the franchise's desire for a full-time head coach. Ponting's exit from DC after seven years paved the way for his appointment as the new head coach of Punjab Kings (PBKS) starting from IPL 2025.Ponting's IPL journey began as a player with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2008, followed by a stint with Mumbai Indians, where he relinquished the captaincy in 2013. He later served as an advisor in 2014 and head coach in 2015 and 2016. In 2018, he took over as head coach of DC, guiding them to three consecutive playoff appearances from 2019 to 2021, including their maiden final in 2020.Reflecting on his time with DC, Ponting emphasized the "family environment" he fostered. However, he acknowledged the franchise's desire for a full-time head coach, which he could not commit to due to other commitments and family time."I understand what they want; they said to me that my availability was becoming an issue. And they wanted to pretty much have a full-time head coach. I could not commit to that, so I was disappointed that it ended, but I understand the direction they wanted to head going forward," Ponting said.Despite the disappointment, Ponting expressed gratitude for the memories and relationships he built during his tenure. He also highlighted the pressure of winning a trophy, which he embraces as a coach."That is the thing that makes coaching inviting to me. I like having that pressure. It is as close to getting back to playing as you can possibly get," he added.Ponting acknowledged the evolution of coaching in the IPL, with teams appointing coaches for specific roles. He believes this has contributed to the improvement of Indian players, who benefit from exposure to top coaches.As for his new role with PBKS, Ponting will prioritize identifying players for retention ahead of the next season. Key performers from last season include Harshal Patel, Shashank Singh, and Ashutosh Sharma. The squad also boasts notable talents like Arshdeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Rahul Chahar, and overseas players like Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow, and Kagiso Rabada.With the retirement of Shikhar Dhawan, Ponting and the team management will also need to appoint a new captain.

Ricky Ponting, the legendary Australian cricketer, has been appointed as the head coach of Punjab Kings (PBKS) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. This move comes after Ponting's departure from Delhi Capitals (DC) in July 2024, where he served as head coach for seven years.Ponting has signed a multi-year contract with PBKS, a franchise that has struggled to find success in recent seasons. He will be the sixth head coach in seven seasons for Punjab, who finished ninth in the 2024 IPL season.Ponting's immediate task will be to identify players to retain for the upcoming season, as the IPL is yet to finalize retention rules. Key performers for Punjab last season included Harshal Patel, Shashank Singh, and Ashutosh Sharma. The franchise also boasts a strong squad with Arshdeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Rahul Chahar, and overseas stars Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Johnny Bairstow, and Kagiso Rabada.With Shikhar Dhawan recently retiring, Punjab will also be looking for a new captain. Ponting's experience as a successful captain with the Australian national team and Mumbai Indians will be invaluable in this regard.Ponting has been involved in the IPL since its inception in 2008, first as a player for Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians. He stepped down as Mumbai's captain in 2013, paving the way for Rohit Sharma to take over. Mumbai won the title that year, with Ponting continuing in an advisory role in 2014 and serving as head coach for two seasons in 2015 and 2016.In 2018, Ponting took charge as head coach of DC, leading them to the playoffs for three consecutive seasons between 2019 and 2021. DC also reached their first IPL final in 2020 under Ponting's guidance.Ponting's appointment as PBKS head coach is a significant move for the franchise, as they look to turn their fortunes around and challenge for the IPL title. His experience, leadership, and tactical acumen will be crucial in helping Punjab achieve their goals.

Mental health has become an increasingly prevalent topic in elite sports, with many athletes choosing to address it openly. Australian bowler Jhye Richardson is one such player who has shared his experiences with mental health struggles.During the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL), Richardson played for the Punjab Kings alongside renowned players like KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, and Mohammed Shami. However, it was during this time that he faced significant mental health challenges."A lot of it started during COVID," Richardson revealed. "My trip to the IPL – I left home not in the headspace that I probably should have been. Then things sort of hit the fan while I was away, and everything with COVID and not being able to get home and stuff like that, it just toppled on top of each other."Richardson emphasized the importance of addressing mental health proactively, even when individuals believe they are coping well. "I think you don't realize what sort of space you're in until it becomes too much," he said. "It's like practicing for the short ball. The more you practice the short ball, the better you're going to be at it when that situation arises out in the middle. It's very similar off the field."Richardson's struggles reached a point where he sought professional intervention. "Everything just got to a point where there was some professional intervention that needed to happen," he explained. "I'm not willing to go into a whole lot of detail, but I just landed in a spot where things were bad enough that I stepped back and said, 'I can't continue thinking the way that I am' and (needed) to get a bit more education and knowledge about how the brain works."Richardson praised Western Australia for providing support during his mental health journey. "A lot of the judgment has gone nowadays," he said. "Within our (WA) group we trust everyone with the way that they want to go about things. People are individuals – they train different ways, they think differently."Richardson's experiences highlight the importance of destigmatizing mental health issues in sports. "The resources within cricket nowadays make the process of dealing with mental health issues a lot easier and there is a lot more education there," he said. "But as someone who has dealt with anxiety, not just on the field but away from cricket and day-to-day living, it can be quite exhausting."

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma's future in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has become a topic of intense speculation following his removal as Mumbai Indians (MI) captain in 2024. The move, which ended Rohit's decade-long tenure at the helm, has sparked rumors that he may join a new team ahead of the 2025 IPL auction.Multiple reports suggest that Rohit's availability in the auction could trigger a bidding war among several franchises eager to secure his services. Punjab Kings Head of Cricket Development Sanjay Bangar has expressed interest in acquiring the star batter, stating that PBKS will "certainly go for him" if he enters the auction."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.Meanwhile, Rohit has paid tribute to his long-time opening partner Shikhar Dhawan, who recently announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket. Rohit hailed Dhawan as "The Ultimate Jatt" and credited him for making his cricketing journey easier."From sharing rooms to sharing lifetime memories on the field. You always made my job easier from the other end," Rohit wrote on Instagram.Rohit's future in the IPL remains uncertain, but his availability in the auction is expected to generate significant interest from franchises seeking to bolster their batting lineups. The bidding war for his services could potentially set a new record for player acquisition in the IPL.

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.

Punjab Kings and Railways batter Ashutosh Sharma's maiden First Class century on his Ranji Trophy debut was made possible by a bat gifted to him by Shikhar Dhawan, who had been impressed by his batting during the pre-season camp for the 2024 Indian Premier League in Mumbai.Sharma, who smashed eight sixes and twelve fours in his 84-ball 123 against Gujarat in January, revealed that Dhawan's gesture had a profound impact on his performance. "The best thing was when I met him for the first time for the (IPL 2024) pre-season camp. The first time he watched my batting, he gave me a bat. I made my maiden First Class hundred with that bat!" Sharma exclaimed.Dhawan's support extended beyond the gift of a bat. Before Sharma's first IPL game against Gujarat Titans, Dhawan offered words of encouragement. "I know you will do it for the team. This cricket is the same as domestic cricket. Just calm your nerves," Dhawan advised.Sharma's composure under pressure was evident in his 17-ball 31 (3x4, 1x6) in the final overs of that match, helping PBKS chase down 200 with three wickets and a ball to spare.Sharma's admiration for Dhawan extends beyond his batting prowess. "I've spoken a lot with Shikhar Paaji (at PBKS). He taught me about visualization and manifestation, to always think positively," Sharma said. "I learnt how a legend like him and a foreign player like Sam Curran perform in tough situations. The main thing is that I learnt how to handle pressure."Sharma's journey from a promising young cricketer to a First Class centurion is a testament to the power of mentorship and self-belief. The bat gifted by Dhawan served as a physical reminder of his potential, while Dhawan's guidance provided the emotional support and technical insights that helped him unlock his talent.