Cricket

Gujarat Titans (GT), the reigning Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, are set to retain five key players ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. The franchise is likely to hold onto Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan, B Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, and Shahrukh Khan, leaving them with one right-to-match (RTM) card for the auction.Gill and Rashid were acquired by GT before the 2022 auction, while Sudharsan, Tewatia, and Shahrukh were bought in subsequent auctions. Gill, the 23-year-old opener, has been a consistent performer for GT, scoring over 500 runs in each of the past two seasons. He was appointed captain for IPL 2024 after Hardik Pandya's departure.Rashid, the Afghan leg-spinner, is one of the most sought-after bowlers in the IPL. He has been GT's leading wicket-taker in both seasons, with 32 wickets in 2022 and 24 wickets in 2024.Sudharsan, a left-handed batter from Tamil Nadu, has emerged as a promising talent for GT. He was the sixth-highest run-scorer in IPL 2024, with 527 runs at an average of nearly 48. He is considered a potential future Test player for India.Tewatia and Shahrukh are both uncapped all-rounders who have been retained for their power-hitting abilities. Tewatia has played several impactful knocks as a finisher, while Shahrukh is one of the strongest hitters in domestic cricket.GT will have at least INR 51 crore deducted from their purse of INR 120 crore for retaining three international players and two uncapped players. The amounts for each player are not yet known, but GT is free to pay more or less than the minimum deductions set by the IPL.The deadline for franchises to submit their list of retained players is October 31. The mega auction is expected to be held in December or January.

Gujarat Titans, the reigning IPL champions, are gearing up for the upcoming mega auction by retaining three key players: captain Shubman Gill, star spinner Rashid Khan, and left-handed batter Sai Sudharsan. Uncapped hitters Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan are also expected to be retained by the franchise.Gill, a highly-rated young batsman, led the Titans for the first time in 2023, guiding them to an eighth-place finish. Despite the team's overall performance, Gill's leadership qualities and potential as a future Indian captain have impressed the franchise.Rashid Khan, the Afghan spin wizard, has been a consistent performer for the Titans since joining in 2022. In his debut season, he claimed 19 wickets, followed by 27 wickets in the following year. While his form dipped slightly in 2023, with 10 wickets in 12 games, his experience and match-winning abilities make him an invaluable asset.Sai Sudharsan, a rising star in Indian cricket, had a breakout year in 2023, amassing 527 runs in 12 games, including a century. His impressive performances have earned him a place in the national team, where he has featured in three ODIs and a T20.Uncapped all-rounder Shahrukh Khan, known for his explosive batting, is another player expected to be retained by the Titans. With a strike rate of 169.33, he provides a valuable option in the middle order.IPL veteran Rahul Tewatia, a left-handed batsman, is also likely to be retained. With close to 100 IPL games under his belt, Tewatia brings experience and a high strike rate to the team.The mega auction is expected to be held overseas in the last week of November, with an increased auction purse of Rs 120 crore. Teams can retain up to six players from their existing squad, the highest number in IPL history.

Gujarat Titans, the reigning Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, have hinted at retaining their skipper Shubman Gill and star spinner Rashid Khan for the upcoming 2025 season. The franchise posted images of both players on social media, suggesting their retention ahead of the official announcement.However, the absence of pacer Mohammed Shami's photo in the post has raised questions about his future with the team. Shami has been a crucial member of the Titans since their inception in 2022, playing a pivotal role in their title victory that year. In IPL 2023, he continued to lead the Titans' pace attack, finishing with an impressive tally of 28 wickets.Shami's recent struggles with injuries have cast a shadow over his retention prospects. He has been sidelined since the ODI World Cup final last November due to an ankle injury and a knee swelling issue. However, the 34-year-old has recently shown encouraging signs of recovery, bowling at full intensity in the nets.Shami's fitness and performance in upcoming domestic matches will be crucial in determining his fate with the Titans. He aims to play "one or two" matches to strengthen his case for selection ahead of the marquee tour of Australia starting next month.The Titans' decision on Shami's retention will be closely watched by fans and experts alike. His experience and skill would be a valuable asset to the team, but his recent injury concerns may give the franchise pause.

The Abu Dhabi T10, a fast-paced and exciting cricket tournament, is set to return in 2024 with a star-studded lineup. The tournament, which will expand to a ten-team league, has attracted some of the biggest names in the sport.Rashid Khan, the Afghan spin sensation, and Jos Buttler, the England wicketkeeper-batter, are among the high-profile players who have signed up for the tournament. Khan will join the Bangla Tigers, while Buttler will represent the Deccan Gladiators.Other notable signings include Dinesh Karthik, who has joined the Tigers after retiring from international cricket. Karthik, who is known for his explosive batting, will be a valuable addition to the Tigers' lineup.The defending champions, New York Strikers, have retained their core of Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, and Akeal Hosein. The Strikers have also added Matheesha Pathirana, the Sri Lankan fast bowler, to their squad.The Deccan Gladiators have retained Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, and Maheesh Theekshana. They have also signed Marcus Stoinis, the Australian all-rounder, who will add depth to their batting and bowling.The Abu Dhabi T10 will also feature some of the most exciting young talents in the game. Finn Allen, the New Zealand opener, will join the Northern Warriors, while Lockie Ferguson, the New Zealand fast bowler, will represent Team Abu Dhabi.The tournament will run from November 21 to December 2, avoiding an overlap with other major cricket tournaments. This will allow players to participate in the Abu Dhabi T10 without missing out on other commitments.The Abu Dhabi T10 is a major boost for cricket in the United Arab Emirates. The tournament has helped to raise the profile of the sport in the region and has attracted some of the biggest names in the game.

Rashid Khan, Afghanistan's Spin Wizard, Ties the Knot in Grand Kabul CeremonyAfghanistan's star spinner, Rashid Khan, has embarked on a new chapter in his life, tying the knot in a lavish wedding ceremony in Kabul on October 3. The nuptials, held according to Pashtun customs, were attended by numerous cricketers from the Afghanistan national team.The wedding venue, a hotel in the Afghan capital, was adorned with traditional decorations and witnessed a grand celebration. Videos and pictures from the event have taken social media by storm, showcasing the joy and excitement of the occasion.Outside the hotel, a large crowd gathered, some carrying guns, adding to the festive atmosphere. The wedding hall itself was a sight to behold, with intricate designs and elegant lighting.Rashid Khan, widely regarded as the world's top T20I spinner, received heartfelt congratulations from his fellow cricketers. Mohammad Nabi, a veteran of the Afghanistan team, was among the first to extend his well wishes."Congratulations to the one and only King Khan, Rashid Khan, on your wedding! Wishing you a lifetime of love, happiness, and success ahead," Nabi wrote on social media.Other Afghanistan stars, including Wazhma Ayoubi, also took to social media to express their joy and admiration for the newlyweds.Rashid Khan's wedding marks a significant milestone in his personal life and is a testament to his popularity and influence both on and off the field. The Afghan spinner has established himself as one of the most formidable bowlers in the world, holding multiple records to his name.His exceptional skills and dedication have earned him the respect and admiration of cricket fans worldwide. As he embarks on this new chapter, Rashid Khan will undoubtedly continue to inspire and entertain with his remarkable performances on the cricket field.

Afghanistan, having secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against South Africa, opted to bat first in the final encounter. The decision was made after winning the toss, with the hosts making three changes to their playing XI.Rashid Khan, the star leg-spinner who claimed a five-wicket haul in Afghanistan's 177-run victory in the previous match, was rested due to a hamstring niggle. In his absence, Nangeyalia Kharote and AM Ghazanfar will lead the spin attack.Afghanistan also included an additional seamer in 19-year-old Naveed Zadran, who will make his second ODI appearance. The other two changes saw left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi replaced by Fareed Ahmed, while opening batter Riaz Hassan was dropped for Abdul Malik, who will make his ODI debut.Afghanistan's decision to bat first meant that South Africa would once again face challenging weather conditions. Afternoon temperatures were expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius, with a real feel of around 46 degrees.South Africa, on the other hand, made only one change to their team, bringing in allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo for left-arm seamer Nandre Burger. The batting lineup, which has struggled against Afghanistan in the previous two matches, remained unchanged.

Afghanistan, riding high on their historic series win over South Africa, will be aiming to complete an unprecedented 3-0 whitewash when the two teams face off in the third and final ODI on Sunday, July 22.Afghanistan's remarkable success in the series has been built on their exceptional bowling performances, with South Africa being bowled out for under 150 in both matches. The Afghan bowlers, led by star spinner Rashid Khan and wicketkeeper-batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz, have been in devastating form. However, it is the emergence of young talents like AM Ghazanfar and Nangeyalia Kharote that has been particularly impressive.South Africa, on the other hand, will be desperate to salvage some pride and end the series on a positive note. Their inexperienced side has struggled to cope with the pressure, but they will be hoping for a better performance in the final match.The match will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah, starting at 5:30 PM IST. It will be live telecast on the Eurosport network and live streamed on the Fancode app and website.Afghanistan will be confident of completing the whitewash, but South Africa will be determined to avoid a humiliating 3-0 defeat. The stage is set for an exciting and potentially historic encounter.

Rashid Khan's heroic performance, despite battling a hamstring injury, propelled Afghanistan to a historic series victory over South Africa. The leg-spinner's remarkable figures of 9-1-19-5 dismantled the Proteas' batting lineup, securing a 177-run triumph in Sharjah.Khan's determination to stay on the field stemmed from his belief that his contribution was crucial to Afghanistan's success. Despite a month-long hamstring issue, he pushed through the pain, knowing that his presence could make a significant difference."I had a hamstring injury, but I tried my best to stay on the ground till the end," Khan said. "I knew my contribution would be key, so I had to go for it."Khan's injury woes have been a recurring theme lately. He missed the final week of the Hundred due to hamstring trouble and suffered a back niggle during Afghanistan's domestic T20 league. He also missed the one-off Test against New Zealand.On his 26th birthday, Khan's hamstring flared up again while batting. However, he refused to be sidelined, continuing to bat and eventually finishing with six not out off 12 deliveries."The love for this game is just pushing you to play," Khan said. "I thought I was able to bowl and stay in the field, so why not go for it?"Afghanistan's victory was marred by another injury concern, with half-centurion Rahmat Shah leaving the field with hamstring trouble. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi expressed optimism that Shah's injury was not serious."I talked with him, he's good inshallah," Shahidi said. "Hopefully he will be okay and play the other game."Afghanistan have clinched the series 2-0 but have one more match to play in Sharjah on Sunday. They will then have a break before their scheduled tour of Zimbabwe in December-January.

Afghanistan's spin wizard Rashid Khan is set to make a much-anticipated return to ODI cricket after a lengthy absence. The legspinner has been named in the 17-member squad for the upcoming three-match series against South Africa in the UAE, starting on September 18.Khan's return is a major boost for Afghanistan, who have been without his services since the World Cup last October-November. The 24-year-old underwent back surgery after the tournament and has since been restricted to T20 cricket.However, Afghanistan will still be without mystery spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who is still recovering from a finger injury. Wristspinner Noor Ahmad has also been left out of the squad. Chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil said offspinner AM Ghazanfar will cover for Mujeeb against South Africa.Despite the absence of Mujeeb and Noor, Rashid's return provides a significant boost to Afghanistan's bowling attack. The legspinner has been in impressive form in T20 cricket since his comeback, taking 20 wickets in 15 matches in the IPL, T20 World Cup, and MLC.Afghanistan have also called up uncapped medium-pace bowler Bilal Sami, and top-order batters Darwish Rasooli and Abdul Malik for the ODIs against South Africa. Rasooli has played seven T20Is, Malik has played two Tests, while Sami is yet to represent Afghanistan in any format.Malik has been called up as cover for the injured opening batter Ibrahim Zadran, who is ruled out with an ankle sprain.The three-match ODI series against South Africa will be Afghanistan's first bilateral ODI series against the Proteas. It will also serve as preparation for the Champions Trophy early next year, for which Afghanistan qualified by finishing sixth in the league stage of the 2023 World Cup.