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.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge, the prolific English batter, has made a significant move ahead of the upcoming Women's Premier League (WPL) season. She has been traded from UP Warriorz (UPW) to the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The trade sees Wyatt-Hodge join a star-studded RCB squad that includes the likes of Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, and Sophie Devine.Wyatt-Hodge, 33, is a seasoned campaigner with an impressive international record. She is the third-most capped player in T20Is worldwide, having represented England in 164 matches. Her batting prowess is evident in her tally of 2979 runs at an average of 22.91 and a strike rate of 127.85, including two centuries and 16 half-centuries.Despite her impressive credentials, Wyatt-Hodge went unsold in the first WPL auction in December 2023. However, she was picked up by UPW ahead of the second season but did not feature in any matches as the team failed to qualify for the playoffs.Wyatt-Hodge's recent performances at the T20 World Cup have showcased her continued form. She emerged as England's leading run-scorer in the tournament, amassing 151 runs at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 124.79.The trade to RCB provides Wyatt-Hodge with an opportunity to showcase her skills on a bigger stage. RCB, under the leadership of Smriti Mandhana, will be aiming to defend their WPL title and will be counting on Wyatt-Hodge's experience and batting prowess to bolster their lineup.

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction on the horizon, the future of star batter Rohit Sharma at Mumbai Indians (MI) remains uncertain. Last season, MI removed Rohit as captain and appointed Hardik Pandya as his successor, a move that sparked controversy among fans who felt it was disrespectful to Rohit, who had led MI to five IPL titles. Rumors of a rift between Hardik and Rohit further fueled speculation about Rohit's future with the franchise.Amidst the uncertainty, former India batter Mohammed Kaif urged Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to acquire Rohit in the upcoming auction. However, RCB legend AB de Villiers dismissed the possibility of such a move. "I almost laughed at the Rohit comment," de Villiers said. "It would be a huge story if Rohit moved from Mumbai Indians to RCB. But I don't see it happening. I don't think MI will let Rohit go."De Villiers also expressed his support for Faf du Plessis as RCB's captain for the upcoming season, stating that even Virat Kohli would want the veteran South African to continue. "Age is just a number," de Villiers said. "Faf has been exceptional as a player, and I think Virat will back him with all his experience."

MS Dhoni's Uncharacteristic Outburst After CSK's IPL LossFormer Indian and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has revealed an incident that has shocked fans of the legendary captain and wicketkeeper-batsman, MS Dhoni.During an interview with 'Sports Yaari', Harbhajan narrated an incident that occurred after CSK's crucial loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year."RCB were celebrating and they deserved to celebrate because of the way they won. I was watching the whole scene from above because I was present there," Harbhajan said."CSK had lined up to shake hands. RCB were a little late to reach there. By the time, RCB finished their celebration, (Dhoni) went inside. Dressing room se pehle jo screen hai, uspe mukka bhi maara (he punched a screen outside the dressing room). I was watching from above, but it is okay, it happens when you win or lose."Harbhajan's revelation has surprised many, as Dhoni is known for his calm and composed demeanor. However, Harbhajan suggested that Dhoni's outburst may have been due to the disappointment of losing the match and the realization that his dream of retiring with the IPL trophy was shattered."It's their (RCB's) right to celebrate, even if they take three minutes. But he (Dhoni) went away. That was his thinking...Maybe he was not so calm that day, maybe because his dream of retiring with the trophy was shattered," Harbhajan added.Despite Dhoni's outburst, both RCB and CSK failed to reach the IPL final, which was contested between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). KKR emerged victorious, winning their third IPL title.It is expected that Dhoni, now 43, will return for another season with CSK, as the new IPL Player Regulations allow the franchise to retain him.

MS Dhoni's Rare Outburst: A Moment of Frustration in CSK's Early IPL DaysFormer Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Subramaniam Badrinath has shed light on a rare instance where Mahendra Singh Dhoni lost his composure during a match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the early years of the Indian Premier League (IPL).In an interview with InsideSport, Badrinath recalled a low-scoring game at Chepauk where CSK, chasing a modest target of 110 runs, suffered a shocking defeat. Captain Dhoni, renowned for his calm and collected demeanor, displayed visible frustration after this unexpected loss."In this match against RCB in Chennai, we were chasing 110 odd runs. We lost wickets in a hurry and we ended up losing the match. It was one of those matches where we couldn't get 110 against RCB in Chepauk," Badrinath recounted.Badrinath further described an incident in the dressing room after he was dismissed by RCB spinner Anil Kumble. "I got out to a lap shot against Anil Kumble. I got myself LBW. He (MS Dhoni) was coming inside the dressing room and I was standing right there. And there was a small water bottle in front of me and MS just kicked it out of the park and I was oh my god! We were all trying to avoid eye contact with him in that dressing room," Badrinath added.Despite this rare outburst, Dhoni's leadership is widely credited for guiding CSK to five IPL titles, establishing him as one of the most celebrated captains in cricket. Badrinath, who played for CSK from 2008 to 2013, scored 1441 runs in 95 matches, including 11 half-centuries.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed remarkable financial growth in the past year, with its business value surging by 6.5% to US$16.4 billion and its brand value increasing by 6.3% to US$3.4 billion, according to a report by global investment bank Houlihan Lokey.The report highlights the growing appeal of the IPL as a business enterprise and brand, attracting esteemed brands seeking to enhance their value. The title sponsorship for the IPL has been secured by the Tata Group for a further five-year period, from 2024 until 2028, for approximately US$300 million, reflecting the league's status as a pivotal platform for brands.In terms of franchise valuations, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) remains the most valued franchise, despite failing to make it to the playoffs in 2024. CSK's brand value stands at US$231.0 million, a 9% growth from the previous year.The IPL 2024 winners, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), have seen the highest growth in brand value, with a 19.30% rise from 2023. KKR's brand value now stands at US$216.0 million, securing them the third spot in the rankings.Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ranks second in both brand and business value, with a brand worth of US$227.0 million. Five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI), despite their immense popularity, trail in fourth place with a brand value of US$204.0 million.The report also notes the return of Hardik Pandya as captain of MI, solidifying the team's status as one of the most evolving franchises in IPL history.

Australian Test opener Usman Khawaja has expressed confidence that Glenn Maxwell's disappointing 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign will not affect his performance in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Maxwell, who played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), had a tough season, scoring only 52 runs in nine innings at an average of 5.78 and a strike rate of 120.93.Despite his poor IPL form, Maxwell played a significant role in Australia's recent 2023 ODI World Cup triumph. The Australian team and fans are hopeful that he will replicate his success in the T20 World Cup, a format he excels in.Khawaja, speaking to the West Australian, dismissed concerns about Maxwell's IPL form, emphasizing his proven track record and resilience. "The IPL form is absolutely irrelevant. Maxy’s proven himself time and time again. Any player who’s performed over a long period of time understands that you can’t perform well every time you go out there," Khawaja said.Khawaja highlighted the challenges of T20 cricket, especially for middle-order batsmen who often have to take risks. He believes Maxwell is just one good innings away from returning to his best form. "But (for this tournament) if he gets one good innings, he’s away. It doesn’t matter what’s happened in the past. He’s not going to change his game and nor should he. Just keep going. He’ll find it," the veteran opener added.While Maxwell's batting impact for RCB was minimal, he did contribute with the ball, taking six wickets in 10 matches at an average of 21.50 and an economy of 8.06. He bowled a crucial spell of 1-25 in RCB's must-win encounter against Chennai Super Kings, helping secure a playoff spot.Maxwell's ability to adapt and perform on slow Caribbean surfaces will be vital for Australia in the T20 World Cup. His experience and versatility as an all-rounder could provide the edge Australia needs in the tournament.

Ambati Rayudu's Relentless Swipe at Royal Challengers Bengaluru Continues After KKR's IPL TriumphFormer Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians batter Ambati Rayudu has reignited his feud with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) following Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Rayudu, who has been relentlessly trolling the Bengaluru franchise since their IPL 2024 exit, took another swipe, emphasizing the importance of collective performances over individual accolades.Rayudu's criticism stems from Virat Kohli's impressive performance this season, where he emerged as the top-scorer with over 700 runs. However, despite Kohli's individual brilliance, RCB was eliminated in the Eliminator by Rajasthan Royals."Congratulations to the KKR team for really standing up for stalwarts like Narine, Russell, and Starc and also contributing their share in the team's win. That's how a team wins the IPL. We have seen this over the years. It's not the Orange Cap that wins you the IPL, but it is the contributions like 300 runs each (of many players)," Rayudu said in a chat on Star Sports.Rayudu went on to suggest that Kohli should lower his standards to reduce the pressure on younger players in the team. "Virat Kohli is a stalwart and a legend there in the team. He sets so high standards which puts pressure on the youngsters to emulate him. So, Virat needs to lower his standards a bit so that the youngsters can be in a good state of mind in the dressing room," Rayudu stressed.Rayudu's criticism extends beyond Kohli's individual performance. He has also called out the poor management by RCB's bosses, accusing them of prioritizing individual milestones over team titles. "My heart truly goes out to all the RCB supporters who have passionately supported the team over the years. If only the management and the leaders had the team's interests ahead of individual milestones... RCB would have won multiple titles," Rayudu said in a social media post.While Kohli has consistently delivered runs for RCB, he has lacked the necessary support from his teammates. The franchise's bowling department has also struggled to produce consistency. Rayudu's criticism highlights the need for a more balanced approach and a greater emphasis on team cohesion if RCB is to break their title drought.

Virat Kohli's elusive quest for an IPL title continues as Rajasthan Royals extinguished Royal Challengers Bengaluru's playoff hopes in the 2024 edition. Despite a remarkable comeback and a six-match winning streak, RCB's resurgence was cut short by RR's four-wicket victory in the Eliminator.Kohli, who became the first player to amass 8000 IPL runs, witnessed his team's downfall as RR chased down a 173-run target with ease. The Indian star's frustration was evident as he was seen shouting from the boundary line, prompting speculation that he was directing his anger towards his teammates.Rajasthan Royals, after a topsy-turvy chase, broke their five-match losing streak and set up a Qualifier 2 clash with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Avesh Khan and Ravichandran Ashwin's disciplined bowling restricted RCB to 172/8, while Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Rovman Powell guided RR to victory.Jaiswal's 45, Parag's 36, and Hetmyer's 26 laid the foundation for RR's chase. Despite some setbacks, Powell's unbeaten 16 ensured RR's triumph. RCB's hopes were dashed as they failed to capitalize on their recent resurgence.The result sets up an intriguing Qualifier 2 clash between RR and SRH, with the winner facing Kolkata Knight Riders in the final. Kohli's wait for an IPL title extends, while RR remains in contention for their second championship.