Cricket

The upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction is expected to witness an intense bidding war for wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emerging as potential frontrunners to secure his services.Rahul's consistent run-scoring record and leadership experience make him a highly sought-after commodity for teams seeking a reliable top-order batsman and potential captaincy material. His versatility and composure make him an ideal fit for franchises looking to strengthen their batting lineup.CSK and RCB, in particular, could benefit significantly from Rahul's ability to anchor the innings and provide stability. Both teams have a history of success in the IPL, and Rahul's addition could further bolster their title aspirations.Legendary Indian player Sunil Gavaskar believes that Rahul's hometown connection with Bengaluru could give RCB an edge in the bidding war. "I do believe that the two south franchises, Bengaluru as well as Chennai, will go for KL Rahul. Maybe even Hyderabad will go, but Bangalore is of course KL Rahul's hometown," Gavaskar said.Meanwhile, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed doubts about David Warner's prospects in the auction. Warner, known for his aggressive batting style, has seen his performances decline in recent years. Manjrekar believes that CSK, who released Devon Conway, may not be interested in bringing Warner into their plans.Manjrekar also raised concerns about Mohammed Shami's recent fitness issues, which could impact his price tag in the auction. "There will definitely be interest from teams, but given Shami's injury history — and this recent one took a significant amount of time to recover — there’s always a concern about a potential breakdown during the season," Manjrekar said.With substantial budgets and a need to fill key positions, CSK and RCB are expected to be among the most active teams in the upcoming auction. Rahul's availability will undoubtedly be one of the most closely watched storylines, and his eventual destination could have a major impact on the balance of power in the IPL.

KL Rahul Reveals Virat Kohli as the Most Famous Person in His Contact ListAhead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) conducted a light-hearted Q&A session with Indian batter KL Rahul. Among the questions posed, Rahul was asked to name the most famous person in his contact list. Without hesitation, Rahul promptly replied, "Virat Kohli," eliciting laughter and amusement from fans and fellow cricketers.Rahul's response is a testament to the enduring friendship between the two cricketing icons. Kohli, widely hailed as one of the greatest modern-day cricketers, has not only dominated Indian cricket but has also left an indelible mark on the global cricketing landscape. His influence extends far beyond the sport, making him a household name.Rahul's answer underscores the deep bond they share, having played together in countless international matches and sharing both triumphs and setbacks on and off the field. Their camaraderie and mutual respect were evident throughout the Q&A session, with Rahul's candid response highlighting the admiration he holds for Kohli.During the same session, pacer Mohammed Siraj posed a question to Kohli, asking him to select his favorite knock in Australia. Kohli reminisced about his remarkable century in Perth during the 2018-19 series, describing it as his top pick.Despite India's heavy defeat by 146 runs in that match, Kohli's innings stood out as a beacon of brilliance. He was the lone Indian batter to shine, showcasing his resilience and determination in challenging conditions. His century remains a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering spirit.As Kohli responded to questions from the BCCI's Social Media team, both Sarfaraz and Mohammed Siraj were heard enthusiastically exclaiming "Legend, Legend," a clear indication of the profound respect he commands from his teammates.

The highly anticipated IPL 2025 mega auctions are set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on November 24-25. A total of 1574 players, including 320 capped players, 1,224 uncapped players, and 30 players from Associate Nations, will be up for grabs.Among the marquee players available in the auction are Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, and Mohammed Siraj. Rahul, who captained Lucknow Super Giants since 2022, was released by the franchise ahead of the auctions.Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) should target Rahul as a potential successor to MS Dhoni. CSK has retained Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, and Matheesha Pathirana, but Dhoni has been retained as an uncapped player."What all do they need? I feel they need a successor to Dhoni, a wicketkeeper-batter and it's great if they get an Indian. Everyone is saying, let me also say - he is more than 30 years old, is going to be a father very soon and everyone has written him off as well, so he is right for Chennai, that's KL Rahul. So they will definitely go for KL Rahul," Chopra said on his YouTube channel."We can't say for how long they will go but they will try to acquire him because the franchise still has Rs 55 crore to be spent. So if they can get an Indian like him, Ishan Kishan or Rishabh Pant for Rs 10-15 crore, they are going to try. They might think about Shreyas Iyer for some time because they will need Indian batters to bat in those conditions," he added.Other notable players in the auction include David Warner, Ben Stokes, Sam Curran, and Jofra Archer. The auction is expected to be a fiercely competitive affair, with teams looking to bolster their squads for the upcoming season.

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has urged KL Rahul to introspect and regain his confidence after a string of poor performances. Rahul, who was dropped from the Indian Test team after the first match against New Zealand, has been under pressure due to his recent form and the release from his IPL franchise, Lucknow Super Giants.Ganguly believes that Rahul needs to take ownership of his situation and work on improving his mental strength. "He has to speak to himself and say, just put everything behind. Ups and downs are part and parcel of sports. Confidence will go up and down. You have to bring it back by working hard in the nets," Ganguly said.The former BCCI president also highlighted the challenges Rahul faces due to the emergence of young players in the Indian team. "He (Rahul) has been in and out of the team, has seen young players play well in T20, you've seen what they've done in South Africa. But then he has to change. He cannot expect to keep playing the same way and expect to get picked all the time because somebody else will come and get picked," Ganguly added.Ganguly suggested that Rahul should consider opening the batting for India in the Perth Test if captain Rohit Sharma is unavailable. "I think so and play Dhruv Jurel in the middle," Ganguly said.Rahul's recent struggles have raised concerns about his place in the Indian team. However, Ganguly believes that the 32-year-old has the ability to overcome this difficult period. "He's got a hundred in South Africa last time they want, excellent hundred in Centurion. He can scores hundreds in these conditions, but the mind has to believe that and the fight has to be there," Ganguly said.

KL Rahul's Injury Woes Continue Ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy OpenerIndian star batter KL Rahul's participation in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) opener against Australia is in doubt after he was forced to retire hurt during an intra-squad match simulation at the WACA.Rahul was struck by a rising delivery and was seen leaving the ground in discomfort, escorted by a physio. The incident has raised concerns about his fitness and form, which have been under scrutiny in recent times.The first Test of the BGT begins on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Rahul is a candidate to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal in the opening Test, with skipper Rohit Sharma likely to be unavailable due to the impending birth of his second child.Rahul's recent performances have been underwhelming. In the home series against New Zealand, he was dismissed for scores of 0 and 12 in his only Test appearance, leading to his exclusion from the next two Tests. His struggles continued in a recent India A game against Australia A, where he scored only 4 and 10.The pressure is mounting on Rahul to regain his form as India looks to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the challenging Australian conditions. India are aiming for their third consecutive Test series victory in Australia, a feat that would cement their status as one of the world's leading Test teams.Rahul's injury is a setback for India, who are already dealing with the absence of several key players, including Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Shami. The team management will be hoping that Rahul recovers in time for the first Test, but his participation remains uncertain at this stage.

KL Rahul Reflects on Intense Exchange with LSG Owner After Humiliating IPL LossIndia wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul has shed light on the heated conversation he had with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka following the team's crushing 10-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 2024 IPL.The loss shattered LSG's playoff hopes, and Goenka's visible displeasure after the match led to an animated exchange with Rahul along the boundary line. Rahul admitted that the incident was "not the nicest thing to be part of" and acknowledged its impact on the team."We were all in shock because every game was crucial at that stage," Rahul said. "We had to win three out of five or two out of the last four games. When this happened, it was a big shock for us."Rahul emphasized that the conversation was not constructive and should have been held in private. "It did affect the entire group," he said. "We still had a chance to make the playoffs, but unfortunately, our best wasn't good enough."The exchange between Goenka and Rahul sparked controversy, with experts and fans criticizing the public nature of the discussion. Rahul acknowledged the criticism and expressed regret over the incident."I don't know how much was made outside, but it was probably one of the worst games I've been part of," Rahul said. "We watched on TV how dominating Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma were, but to see it from up close was ridiculous."LSG's batting performance in the match was particularly disappointing, with Rahul scoring a sluggish 29 off 33. SRH's openers, Head and Sharma, then tore into the LSG bowlers, chasing down the target of 166 runs in just 9.4 overs without losing a wicket.Notably, LSG released Rahul in the IPL 2025 retentions day, ending their three-year association with the batter. Pooran became their biggest retention at Rs 21 crore, followed by Ravi Bishnoi and Mayank Yadav at Rs 11 crore each.

KL Rahul, the former captain of Lucknow Super Giants, is actively seeking a new franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). While a return to Royal Challengers Bangalore has been widely speculated, Rahul has hinted at considering other options.In an interview with Star Sports, Rahul revealed his reasons for leaving LSG. He expressed a desire for a more positive and relaxed team atmosphere, citing Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings as examples."I wanted to start fresh and explore my options. I wanted to go and play where I could find freedom and the team atmosphere would be lighter," Rahul said. "The pressure is already high in the IPL, but you see teams like Gujarat and CSK, and you see when they win or lose, they seem really balanced, and the dressing room is really calm. That is something very important for me as a player."Rahul also praised the culture fostered by Mumbai Indians under Rohit Sharma's leadership. "People do not know what happens inside the dressing room. The last 2-3 years I have been part of the Indian dressing room has so much clarity and calmness among players. There has been lot of friendship, we are like a family. The coaches are like your older brother. If teams could recreate that kind of environment, they will find themselves in a good position."Rahul's comments suggest that he is seeking a franchise that values a positive and supportive team environment, where players feel comfortable and empowered to perform at their best.

KL Rahul, the enigmatic Indian cricketer, recently faced a perplexing dilemma during an interview on Star Sports. Asked to choose his preferred IPL 2025 teammate from the legendary trio of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni, Rahul found himself in a pickle."It's a tough one," Rahul confessed. "I've enjoyed playing with all of them. It's very tough to answer."Rahul's predicament highlights the exceptional talent pool available in Indian cricket. Rohit Sharma, the current Indian captain, is renowned for his aggressive batting and astute leadership. Virat Kohli, the former Indian captain, is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. MS Dhoni, the former Indian captain and wicketkeeper, is known for his calm demeanor and strategic brilliance.In addition to his teammate selection dilemma, Rahul also revealed his preferred batting position. "I would pick 'floater' instead of opener or finisher," he said. "I like to bat at different positions and adapt to the situation."Rahul's versatility and adaptability make him a valuable asset to any IPL team. He has consistently performed well at the top of the order, but he is also capable of batting in the middle order and finishing innings.After being released by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Rahul is set to enter the upcoming IPL mega auction with a base price of Rs 2 crore, the highest possible. As captain of LSG for three seasons, Rahul guided the team to the playoffs in 2022 and 2023. However, the team's performance dipped in 2024, leading to a seventh-place finish.Despite his departure from LSG, Rahul clarified that he is open to taking on the captaincy role again if presented with the opportunity. "I would never go and ask someone for it," he said. "But if you feel that my leadership skills are good enough... I am happy to do it."Rahul's primary focus is to be part of a team with a positive and supportive environment. He believes that a collective and unified approach is crucial for success in a tournament as competitive as the IPL.The upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction will be a significant event for both Rahul and the franchises. His experience, batting prowess, and leadership qualities make him a valuable asset.