Cricket

Rishabh Pant's remarkable comeback from a horrific car crash has once again cemented his status as one of India's most indispensable cricketers. After missing over a year of action, Pant returned to competitive cricket with the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2024, followed by a triumphant T20 World Cup victory with the national team.However, Pant's exclusion from the captaincy of India B in the Duleep Trophy raised questions about his leadership credentials. Despite his impressive performances in the subsequent Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, the decision to overlook him as captain left many cricket experts perplexed.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has questioned the rationale behind this move, highlighting Pant's exceptional performances since his return. "When the Duleep Trophy teams were picked, Rishabh Pant was selected, but Abhimanyu Easwaran was the captain of that team. Pant featured as a player but not a captain in that tournament. We were left wondering if he is no longer a captaincy candidate," said Chopra.Chopra further praised Pant's resilience and dominance in Test cricket, emphasizing his ability to play with confidence and hit sixes while also possessing a solid defensive game. "He is the only one who can play with dominance, playing with so much confidence, he can hit sixes and has the defensive game," said Chopra.Pant's performances have led to renewed calls for him to be considered as a captaincy candidate. His ability to lead from the front and inspire his teammates has been evident in his recent performances. Whether or not he is given the captaincy in the future remains to be seen, but there is no doubt that Pant has once again proven his immense value to the Indian cricket team.

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.

Team India's dismal performance in the Test series against New Zealand has sparked a debate about Rohit Sharma's future as captain. With the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy looming, former India batter Mohammad Kaif has thrown his support behind Rishabh Pant as the ideal successor to Rohit in the longest format.Kaif believes that Pant possesses the qualities necessary to lead India in Test cricket. He highlighted Pant's impressive batting record, his ability to perform in all conditions, and his impact on the team's performance."From the current team, only Rishabh Pant is in contention to be Test captain," Kaif said. "He's worthy of it. Whenever he's played, he's put the Indian team in front. He's ready to play a match-winning knock no matter what number he comes in to bat."Kaif pointed to Pant's performance in the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai as evidence of his leadership potential. "Till he was at the crease, New Zealand didn't breathe easy," Kaif said. "He's shown that already, his keeping has improved drastically."Kaif believes that Pant's experience and maturity have made him the ideal candidate to take over the captaincy from Rohit. "When Rishabh Pant will be playing his last Test match, he will retire as a legend," Kaif said. "He deserves to be Rohit Sharma's successor especially in Test cricket."While Jasprit Bumrah is the designated vice-captain in India's Test side, Kaif's endorsement of Pant as the future captain is a significant development. It remains to be seen whether the selectors will agree with Kaif's assessment, but Pant's performances in recent years have certainly strengthened his case for the captaincy.

Virat Kohli's recent Test series against New Zealand has been a disappointing one, with the former Indian captain scoring just 44 runs in five innings. This has resulted in a significant drop in his ICC Test ranking, with Kohli now sitting at 22nd, his lowest position in over a decade.Kohli's struggles have been evident throughout the series, with the 34-year-old failing to convert starts into substantial scores. In the first Test in Kanpur, he was dismissed for 0 and 1, while in the second Test in Mumbai, he managed only 4 and 1.Kohli's poor form has coincided with a resurgence from Rishabh Pant, who has moved up to sixth in the ICC Test batting rankings after a strong performance in the Mumbai Test. Pant scored half-centuries in both innings, helping India to avoid a whitewash.Other Indian batters to make gains in the rankings include Shubman Gill, who moved up four places to 16th, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who dropped a rung to fourth.In the bowling rankings, Ravindra Jadeja climbed two spots to sixth after taking 10 wickets against New Zealand. Jasprit Bumrah remains India's top-ranked bowler, sitting at fourth, while Ravichandran Ashwin is fifth.New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell also made a significant jump in the rankings, moving up eight places to seventh after scoring 82 in the first innings of the Mumbai Test.

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and New Zealand's veteran Daryl Mitchell have ascended to the top 10 of the ICC Test rankings following their impressive performances in the third Test in Mumbai. Pant's half-centuries in both innings have propelled him five spots to sixth position, inching closer to his career-best ranking of fifth. Mitchell's first-inning score of 82 has earned him an eight-place jump to seventh overall, joining his compatriot Kane Williamson in the top 10.England's Joe Root remains firmly at the summit of the Test batter rankings, followed by Williamson, Harry Brook, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Steve Smith. India's Shubman Gill has also made significant progress, moving up four places to 16th after his 90-run knock in the first innings against New Zealand. Player of the Series Will Young has surged 29 places to 44th overall, reflecting his crucial contributions to New Zealand's success.In the bowling department, India's Ravindra Jadeja has climbed two spots to sixth position after his 10-wicket haul against New Zealand. Washington Sundar has also made gains, advancing seven places to 46th among Test bowlers. New Zealand's spin attack has also been rewarded, with Ajaz Patel rising 12 places to 22nd and Ish Sodhi improving by three rungs to equal 70th.South Africa's Keshav Maharaj has risen four places to 19th, bolstered by his 13-wicket haul against Bangladesh in South Africa's recent series victory.The latest ODI rankings also feature notable movement. West Indies captain Shai Hope has moved up five places to 12th among ODI batters, following his 17th ODI century in the second match against England. England's Liam Livingstone has seen a significant rise, moving up 32 spots to 58th after his century in the same clash.Pace bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Mitchell Starc have made strides on the ODI Bowler Rankings. Afridi has moved up three spots to claim fourth, while Starc has climbed four places to 14th following their opening performances in Australia's ODI series against Pakistan. Scotland's Brandon McMullen has also seen an improvement in the ODI all-rounder category, advancing three spots to reach sixth.

The upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) super auction, scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah, has attracted a diverse pool of 1,574 players, including notable names from England, Italy, and the United States.Among the top Indian players released by their franchises are Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, R Ashwin, and Yuzvendra Chahal. These players have a base price of Rs 2 crore each. Other prominent Indian players on the list include Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Venkatesh Iyer, Avesh Khan, Deepak Chahar, Ishan Kishan, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, all with a base price of Rs 2 crore.International players also feature prominently in the auction pool. Former England pacer James Anderson, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year, has registered for the IPL for the first time with a base price of Rs 1.25 crore. Italian quick Thomas Draca, the first Italian player to sign up for the IPL, has a base price of Rs 30 lakh.India-born USA medium pacer Saurabh Netravalkar, who impressed at the T20 World Cup earlier this year, will also go under the hammer with a base salary of Rs 30 lakh. Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who was unsold in previous auctions, has entered the race with a starting price of Rs 2 crore. Mitchell Starc, an Australian pacer who cost Rs 24.50 crore at the last IPL auction, is back in the running with a base price of Rs 2 crore. England pacer Jofra Archer, who last competed in the 2023 edition, is also priced at the same base level.IPL teams can assemble a squad of 25 players each, with up to six players allowed to be retained prior to the super auction. After 10 teams collectively retained 46 players, there will be 204 spots available. Punjab Kings have the highest available funds with Rs 110.5 crore, while Mumbai Indians have the lowest with Rs 45 crore.

In the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand, India's performance was largely underwhelming. However, wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant emerged as a beacon of hope, showcasing his fearless batting style. Despite the Indian team's struggles, Pant's solo efforts kept India in contention for a consolation win in the third and final Test at the Wankhede stadium.Pant's valiant performance did not go unnoticed, earning him praise from both Indian and New Zealand cricketing circles. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel acknowledged the fear that Pant instilled in the opposition. "When Rishabh Pant is in the crease, everyone is scared," Patel stated.Patel revealed that the New Zealand team had specifically targeted Pant, recognizing his ability to play fearlessly and dictate the game. "He doesn't fear when in the middle. He plays his game, no matter what. His philosophy is till the time you are on the crease, you do what you want to, if you get out, no problem," Patel said.Patel also commented on India's upcoming tour of Australia, where the two teams will face off in a five-match Test series. He emphasized the importance of self-belief and a positive mindset for India to succeed Down Under. "Conditions in Australia would be different. If you take this series into Australia, there would not be any benefit. You need to start with a new mindset. You have the some of the best players, some of whom have even played in Australia. There would be pressure but wins and losses are part of the game," Patel said."The important thing is to keep the trust and belief alive. You need to learn to focus on what's next in line and move on from what has happened," he added.

Former Pakistan cricket star Basit Ali has heaped praise on Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant, suggesting that he should be sold for a staggering Rs 50 crore in the upcoming IPL 2025 Auction. Pant's exceptional performance in the third Test against New Zealand, despite India's massive loss, has impressed Ali.Ali noted that Pant made the pitch appear "flat" during his innings, showcasing his exceptional shot selection. While media reports have estimated Pant's value at Rs 25 crore, Ali believes his abilities warrant a much higher price tag."Rishabh Pant scored 60 in the first innings and 64 in the second. What can I say about this kid? People say he should go for INR 25 crore in the IPL auction. However, I think he should be sold for INR 50 crore. When he batted on this pitch, it seemed like a flat track. He hit wherever he wanted to but his shot selection was good," Ali said on his YouTube channel.With the likes of Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami available in the auction pool, IPL team owners are eagerly anticipating the event. Pant, in particular, is expected to be the cynosure of all eyes.The Rs 75 crore retention cap on international players and the availability of Right To Match cards will make the auction intriguing. Teams with exhausted retention quotas will need to recruit at least 15 more players for a lesser sum. However, teams like Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have ample funds to make significant bids.Unprecedentedly, three IPL captains - Pant of Delhi Capitals, Iyer of Kolkata Knight Riders, and Rahul of Lucknow Super Giants - will be back in the auction pool. In Pant's case, it is believed that he was unhappy with the curtailment of his powers by the co-owners and the appointment of Hemang Badani as head coach and Y Venugopal Rao as Team Director.

Team India's dismal performance in the Test series against New Zealand has sparked a debate about Rohit Sharma's future as captain. With the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy looming, former India batter Mohammad Kaif has thrown his support behind Rishabh Pant as the ideal successor to Rohit in the longest format.Kaif believes Pant possesses the qualities necessary to lead the team, citing his match-winning performances and ability to perform in all conditions. He highlighted Pant's impact in the third Test against New Zealand, where he kept the Kiwis on edge throughout his innings."From the current team, only Rishabh Pant is in contention to be Test captain. He's worthy of it, whenever he's played, he's put the Indian team in front," Kaif said. "He's scored in all types of conditions, be it England, Australia, or South Africa. Be it seaming to turning tracks, he's a complete batter."Kaif also praised Pant's remarkable improvement in recent years, particularly in his wicket-keeping skills. He believes that Pant has the potential to become a legend of the game."When Rishabh Pant will be playing his last Test match, he will retire as a legend. He's shown that already, his keeping has improved drastically," Kaif added. "Hence, I believe from the current lot, if you're looking for a future captain, Rishabh Pant deserves to be Rohit Sharma's successor, especially in Test cricket."While Pant has the credentials to lead the team, Jasprit Bumrah remains the frontrunner for the Test captaincy, according to the BCCI selection committee. However, Kaif's endorsement of Pant adds another dimension to the discussion and highlights the growing belief in the wicket-keeper batter's leadership abilities.