Cricket

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have demonstrated their unwavering faith in their express bowler Mayank Yadav by retaining him for a staggering Rs 11 crore despite his injury-prone history. The franchise's co-owner, Shashwat Goenka, emphasized that Yadav's on-field contributions far outweigh his time spent on the sidelines.Yadav, who joined LSG in 2022, made his debut in 2024 and immediately showcased his exceptional pace, consistently exceeding 150kph. In his first two matches, he claimed Player of the Match honors with impressive performances of 3/27 against Punjab Kings and 3/14 against Royal Challengers Bangalore.Goenka acknowledged Yadav's injury history but stressed that it was not a decisive factor in their decision to retain him. "When he plays, what is the contribution he makes to the game and to LSG? That was the guiding principle behind keeping him," Goenka explained.Despite the challenges bowlers face in the high-scoring IPL, Goenka expressed confidence in Yadav's ability to handle the pressure. He cited the performances of Yadav and fellow young pacer Mohsin Khan in the death overs as evidence of their resilience.Yadav's retention is a testament to LSG's long-term vision and belief in his potential. The franchise is optimistic that he will continue to make significant contributions to their success in the years to come.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) CEO Venky Mysore has revealed the challenges faced in selecting the team's six retentions ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. After winning the previous season, KKR had to make tough decisions, ultimately retaining Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, and Ramandeep Singh.Mysore emphasized the difficulty in narrowing down the list, stating that "trying to trim that down to six was very challenging." He highlighted the long-standing relationships with players like Narine and Russell, as well as the contributions of Chakaravarthy and Rinku.The CEO also discussed the process of communicating with players who were not retained. He emphasized transparency and understanding, acknowledging that "leaving out some of the players is never easy." Mysore noted that retention is a mutual agreement and that players may choose to explore other options.Regarding the upcoming mega auction, Mysore acknowledged the unique challenges KKR faces with a purse of INR 51 crore and no Right-To-Match (RTM) cards. He emphasized the need for a well-thought-out strategy and expressed confidence in the team's think tank.Mysore also highlighted the involvement of the support staff, particularly after the departure of Gautam Gambhir, Abhishek Nayar, and Ryan ten Doeschate. He praised the contributions of DJ Bravo, Chandrakant Pandit, Bharathi Arun, Carl Crowe, and Nathan Leamon in the decision-making process.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 retention deadline looms on Thursday, sparking speculation and anticipation among fans and experts alike. While the BCCI and franchises remain tight-lipped, rumors have been swirling about which big names could find themselves in the mega auction.Former Indian skipper MS Dhoni, known for his witty remarks, recently addressed the ongoing discussions with a humorous quip. "Everyone is a team owner now," Dhoni said. "Whatever player they desire, whoever is going up for auction, and whoever they decide to purchase, we should be prepared for it. IPL auction works in mysterious ways."Dhoni, who led Chennai Super Kings to five IPL titles, has confirmed his participation in IPL 2025. The veteran wicket-keeper batter is expected to be retained by CSK for a mere Rs 4 crores, thanks to a BCCI rule that classifies Indian players who haven't played for the national team in the last five years as 'uncapped.'"People enter the auction, and there's the uncertainty of where you'll end up," Dhoni explained. "The most delightful aspect comes from the fans. They are the ones who make predictions on which team a certain player will end up with. Look, you find yourself in a market where all teams are well-funded.""Whoever acquires you, you will need to perform for them," Dhoni added. "That certainly is the beauty of the IPL auction. It's not simply a trade; rather, it involves one player being moved to another franchise. You have the freedom to go wherever you desire."The IPL auction is a highly anticipated event that brings together the best cricketers from around the world. With the retention deadline approaching, the excitement is building as fans eagerly await the unveiling of the final rosters.

Shreyas Iyer's Future with Kolkata Knight Riders Uncertain Amidst Retention TalksAhead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 retentions, the future of Shreyas Iyer with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) remains uncertain. Despite leading KKR to the IPL 2024 title, media reports suggest a lack of communication between the player and the franchise.According to Times of India, KKR has finally initiated talks with Iyer but is not considering him as their top retention pick. Sources close to the developments express surprise at this decision, given Iyer's proven leadership abilities and success with Delhi Capitals.Multiple franchises have reportedly approached Iyer for a leadership role, indicating his high demand in the league. Sources believe that if he enters the auction pool, several teams will be eager to acquire his services.Meanwhile, former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh has suggested five possible retentions for KKR: Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Phil Salt, and Sunil Narine. He believes these players form the core of the team's success in the previous season.However, the final decision on retentions rests with the KKR management. It remains to be seen whether they will prioritize Iyer's leadership qualities or opt for a different strategy. The IPL 2025 retentions will provide clarity on the future of Shreyas Iyer and the Kolkata Knight Riders.

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.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have received a significant boost ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction with the potential retention of uncapped fast bowler Harshit Rana at a cost-effective price of Rs 4 crore.Rana, despite his impressive domestic performances and contributions to KKR's title-winning campaign in 2023, remains uncapped due to a viral infection that prevented him from making his international debut in the third T20I against Bangladesh.This unfortunate circumstance has worked in KKR's favor, as they can now retain Rana at a significantly lower cost than if he had made his international debut. The uncapped player retention rule allows teams to secure the services of uncapped players for a maximum of Rs 4 crore.Rana's impressive domestic record and his contributions to KKR's success make him a valuable asset for the team. In the 2023 IPL season, he claimed 19 wickets in 13 matches, playing a crucial role in KKR's run to their third title.KKR's decision to retain Rana at this price could be a strategic move, allowing them to invest more in other key areas of the squad while keeping a promising young player on their roster.Rana's international debut may still be on the horizon, as he has been named as one of the traveling reserves for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand at home. However, with pace sensation Mayank Yadav and experienced seamer Prasidh Krishna also among the reserves, Rana's chances of making his debut in the Test series appear slim.

Mayank Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy Elevate to Capped Status Ahead of IPL 2025Pace sensation Mayank Yadav and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy have made their mark on the international stage, earning their T20I debuts for India against Bangladesh. This elevation comes after their impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where they showcased their exceptional skills.Yadav, 22, has been a standout performer for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL, consistently delivering blistering deliveries exceeding 150 kilometers per hour. His raw pace and accuracy have caught the attention of both fans and experts alike.Reddy, on the other hand, has made a significant impact in the star-studded Sunrisers Hyderabad lineup. The right-hander has displayed explosive batting prowess, notably hammering a 42-ball 76 against Rajasthan Royals, featuring eight towering sixes. He concluded the season with an impressive 303 runs.Their elevation to the international stage adds further value to their already impressive IPL credentials. As capped players, Yadav and Reddy are likely to attract significant attention during the upcoming IPL retention and auction process. Franchises will be eager to secure their services, recognizing their potential as key assets for the next year's tournament.The India debuts for both players also have financial implications. As capped players, they are now eligible for a higher salary if retained by their respective franchises. The designated amount for retaining an uncapped player is Rs 4 crore, but capped players can command a higher fee.The deadline for franchises to submit their final list of retained players is October 31, 2024. According to the new retention rules, a franchise can retain a total of six players from their existing squad. This can be either via retention or by using the Right to Match (RTM) option. The six retentions/RTM's can have a maximum of five capped players (Indian and overseas) and a maximum of two uncapped players.With the increased auction purse of Rs 120 crore for each team, there will be a reduction in the cost of retaining players. However, the first three retentions will still come at a significant cost, with the subsequent fourth and fifth retentions further reducing the franchise purse.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has introduced a new retention formula that will require teams to pay a higher price for retaining more players. The formula, which can be described as 'pay more to retain more', stipulates that teams will have to pay a higher price for their fourth and fifth retained players.The auction purse for each team has been increased to Rs 120 crore. For the first three retentions, the deductions will be Rs 18 crore, 14 crore, and 11 crore, respectively. This means that if a team chooses to retain more players, they will have less money available to spend in the auction.The fourth and fifth retention will cost the franchise the same amount as Player No. 1 and No. 2. The price for the uncapped player has been pegged at Rs 4 crore. In total, retaining six players will cost Rs 79 crore, leaving the franchise with Rs 41 crore to build the remainder of their squad.Under the new regulations, each franchise can retain up to six players using a combination of Retentions and the Right to Match (RTM) options, with no restriction on the number of overseas players that can be retained. Teams are allowed to retain a maximum of five capped players and up to two uncapped players.For Mumbai Indians, the priority would be to retain their star-studded Indian core, including captain Hardik Pandya, India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, former skipper Rohit Sharma, and one of the world's top fast bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah. These four players are likely to be the marquee picks for five-time champions MI, meaning the franchise will have to pay a significant sum to retain them.If Hardik and Surya are retained as the first and second players at Rs 18 crore and Rs 14 crore, respectively, then Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah would be retained as the fourth and fifth players at the same amounts as the first and second retentions. Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who was the most expensive player at the last mega-auction in 2022, can be their third retention at Rs 11 crore.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is gearing up for its mega auction, and franchises are preparing their retention and release lists. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has set the retention rules, allowing teams to retain a maximum of six players.With the increased retention cost, franchises must carefully balance retaining key players and acquiring new talent through the auction. Here are the top six candidates who could be retained by each franchise:Chennai Super Kings:* Ruturaj Gaikwad* Ravindra Jadeja* Shivam Dube* Daryl Mitchell* Matheesha Pathirana* MS DhoniMumbai Indians:* Hardik Pandya* Rohit Sharma* Jasprit Bumrah* Suryakumar Yadav* Ishan Kishan* Anshul KambojRoyal Challengers Bengaluru:* Virat Kohli* Mohammed Siraj* Will Jacks* Glenn Maxwell* Cameron Green* Yash DayalRajasthan Royals:* Sanju Samson* Jos Buttler* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Trent Boult* Yuzvendra Chahal* Sandeep SharmaKolkata Knight Riders:* Shreyas Iyer* Rinku Singh* Phil Salt* Sunil Narine* Andre Russell* Harshit RanaGujarat Titans:* Shubman Gill* Rashid Khan* David Miller* Sai Sudharsan* Mohammed Shami* Rahul TewatiaLucknow Super Giants:* KL Rahul* Quinton de Kock* Nicholas Pooran* Ravi Bishnoi* Marcus Stoinis* Mayank YadavDelhi Capitals:* Rishabh Pant* Tristan Stubbs* Mitchell Marsh* Jake Fraser-McGurk* Axar Patel* Abishek PorelPunjab Kings:* Sam Curran* Arshdeep Singh* Kagiso Rabada* Liam Livingstone* Shashank Singh* Ashutosh SharmaSunrisers Hyderabad:* Pat Cummins* Abhishek Sharma* Travis Head* Heinrich Klaasen* T. Natarajan* Nitish Kumar ReddyThe status of uncapped players may change before October 31st. Players representing the national team before the deadline will not be considered uncapped. However, those making their international debut on November 1st will still be classified as uncapped for the IPL 2025 season.