Cricket

Mumbai is on the cusp of victory in its Ranji Trophy Group A tie against arch-rival Maharashtra, thanks to three outstanding innings and two mini collapses. Despite centuries from Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ankeet Bawane, and Sachin Dhas missing the landmark by just two runs, Maharashtra's second innings folded up for 388, conceding a 315-run innings lead.At stumps on Day three at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy ground, Mumbai had wiped out 13 runs of the target of 74. The day belonged to the three Maharashtra batters, despite bursts of brilliance with the ball. Shardul Thakur and Mohit Avasthi employed the short-ball ploy right away, but Gaikwad made his intentions clear, hooking the first ball of the day's play over the deep square-leg's head beyond the boundary.Gaikwad displayed his ability to convert good balls into boundary shots in abundance, impressing with his strokeplay and running between the wickets alongside Dhas. However, Dhas faltered into a pull shot off Mohit Avasthi, and Shardul ran in from deep square-leg to take the catch. Dhas was dismissed on 98, leaving captain Gaikwad to offer him a consolatory hug.Mulani was finally rewarded when Gaikwad edged one that pitched around leg-stump and turned, with Ajinkya Rahane not faltering at slips. Tanush Kotian then wreaked havoc by picking three wickets in eight balls, including a stunning Suryakumar Yadav catch at short midwicket to dismiss Arshin Kulkarni.Bawane, driving at his fluent best, found an ally in Satyajeet Bachhav. Mumbai's ploy of taking the new ball also worked in Maharashtra's favor as the duo batted without any trouble. Minutes after crossing his 24th First Class hundred, Bawane attempted a reverse sweep off Mulani and was bowled. That resulted in a chaotic finish to the innings with Mumbai picking the last four wickets for five runs.

Chennai Super Kings Face Dilemma: Ruturaj Gaikwad or Ravindra Jadeja for Higher Retention Slab?As the Indian Premier League (IPL) retention deadline of October 31 approaches, all franchises are finalizing their rosters. Among the most scrutinized teams is five-time champion Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who must decide between Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja for the higher retention slab.According to reports, CSK is considering offering both players the same pay scale. The official retention slabs are: Rs 18 crore (first), Rs 14 crore (second), Rs 18 crore (third), Rs 14 crore (fourth), Rs 11 crore (fifth), and Rs 4 crore (uncapped player).However, CSK may opt to avoid creating a disparity between Gaikwad and Jadeja. Gaikwad has emerged as the franchise's captain, while Jadeja has been a mainstay since 2012 and was CSK's highest retention before the previous mega auction.The Times of India reports that while CSK is leaning towards equalizing the pay of Gaikwad and Jadeja, a final decision is pending. The management will consult with both players before making an announcement.If CSK retains four players, two retention slabs of Rs 18 crore are mandatory, potentially opening the door for Gaikwad and Jadeja to be retained on equal terms.Another consideration for CSK is the Right to Match (RTM) option, which allows teams to retain players who have been released into the auction. CSK must decide whether to retain Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana and Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube using the RTM.Notably, the RTM option is included in the six retentions. If a team uses all six retentions, it will have no RTM at the auction.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, the prolific opener, is poised to lead India A on their upcoming tour of Australia later this month. The 15-man squad will feature a host of talented players, including Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, and Devdutt Padikkal, who are all vying for a spot in the Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.With Rohit Sharma expected to miss the first two matches of the Test series due to personal reasons, India will need to name a reserve opener. The matches against Australia A will provide an opportunity for Easwaran and Sudharsan to showcase their skills and stake their claim for a place in the Test squad.Easwaran, 29, has been in exceptional form this domestic season, scoring two centuries in the Duleep Trophy, another century in the Irani Trophy, and a ton for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. Sudharsan, 23, has also impressed with a first-class hundred for English county Surrey, a century in the Duleep Trophy, and a double-hundred in Tamil Nadu's ongoing Ranji Trophy match.The middle-order of the India A squad will be bolstered by Padikkal, B Indrajith, and Ricky Bhui, while Abishek Porel and Ishan Kishan will share wicket-keeping duties. Nitish Kumar Reddy, Tanush Kotian, and Manav Suthar will provide all-round options, and the pace attack will be led by Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, and Yash Dayal.Reddy, 21, has recently recovered from a hernia and made his T20I debut for India against Bangladesh earlier this month. He is seen as a promising all-rounder who could benefit from more experience and exposure.India A will play Australia A in two four-day matches in Mackay from October 31 and in Melbourne from November 7. They will then face the India squad in a warm-up match in Perth between November 15 and 17 before the first Test against Australia begins on November 22.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have unveiled their five retentions for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, hitter Shivam Dube, pacer Matheesha Pathirana, and the legendary MS Dhoni making the cut.Gaikwad and Jadeja, the team's top two performers, will be officially retained for Rs 18 crore and Rs 14 crore, respectively. However, under the IPL's "redistribution of purse" rule, CSK may offer both players the same amount, recognizing Jadeja's seniority and Ruturaj's current status.Dhoni, the former India captain and CSK icon, will take the Rs 4 crore retention. The franchise faces a dilemma with Pathirana and Dube, two crucial players whose salaries may be comparable.CSK will have one Right to Match (RTM) option remaining, which they may use based on auction dynamics. Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra are potential targets for the RTM.The retentions reflect CSK's emphasis on continuity and stability. Gaikwad, Jadeja, and Dhoni have been key figures in the team's success over the years, while Dube and Pathirana provide valuable depth and versatility.The IPL auction is scheduled for December 16, and CSK will be looking to fill the remaining slots in their squad with a combination of experienced players and promising youngsters.

The Maharashtra Derby, a storied rivalry in Indian domestic cricket, is set to be reignited at a new venue - the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy ground - in the heart of a business hub. Mumbai, the defending Ranji Trophy champions, will face off against Maharashtra in a crucial match that could shape their title defense.Mumbai, playing its first game of the season, has received a boost with the return of India's T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav. Yadav, who last played a Ranji match at the same venue two years ago, will be eager to make an impact and help his team get its title defense on track.Maharashtra, under the new coach-captain combination of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sulakshan Kulkarni, will also be looking to make a statement after conceding the innings lead to Jammu and Kashmir in their previous match. Reading the pitch and getting its combination right will be key for Maharashtra.The Maharashtra Derby has a rich history, having been staged at various venues across the state over its 64 previous Ranji Trophy meetings. The rivalry between the two teams is intense, with both sides boasting a strong fan base.In recent years, Mumbai has held the upper hand, winning the last two encounters. However, Maharashtra will be determined to break that streak and reclaim the bragging rights.The match is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams possessing a wealth of talent. Mumbai will rely on the experience of Ajinkya Rahane and the explosive batting of Suryakumar Yadav. Maharashtra, on the other hand, will look to its captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and the all-round abilities of Shardul Thakur to guide them to victory.The outcome of the match could have a significant impact on the Ranji Trophy standings. A win for Mumbai would give them a strong start to their title defense, while a victory for Maharashtra would boost their confidence and put them in contention for a playoff spot.

MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Ravindra Jadeja: Chennai Super Kings' No-Brainer Retentions for IPL 2025Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja has identified MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Ravindra Jadeja as the three indispensable players for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK)."MS Dhoni for sure. There's no doubt about that, especially because he's now an uncapped player. He's done a lot for the team and has no desire to be treated as the No. 1 player on the squad. His value is unquestioned," Jadeja stated.Ruturaj Gaikwad, the current CSK captain, has also earned Jadeja's endorsement. "He's had a good year, so you'll hope to retain him as well," he said.Ravindra Jadeja, the all-rounder, completes Jadeja's trio of must-haves. "He can't be left out either," he emphasized.Ex-India batter Aakash Chopra believes the Right to Match (RTM) card will be advantageous for CSK. "I don't think they'll retain five players. They might go for 3-4. I see two players worth 18 CR in Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja," he said.Chopra also suggested that CSK could use the RTM card for Deepak Chahar, depending on his fitness. "The price for these players is really high, so the RTM card could be useful to get players for cheaper," he explained.Regarding the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Chopra believes they may let go of their current skipper Faf du Plessis. "It's not about his ability; it's about his age. When you're talking about a mega auction, it's for the next three seasons," he said.Jadeja, on the other hand, thinks RCB will be more cautious with their retentions. "We don't even need to discuss Virat Kohli; it's the same as Dhoni. I favour Rajat Patidar, whether it's his style or his role in RCB's revival. He's the future," he said.Jadeja also highlighted the importance of wicketkeeper-batsmen and suggested that RCB could retain Mohammed Siraj and Yash Dayal.

Ruturaj Gaikwad's omission from India's T20I squad for the Bangladesh series has sparked controversy, given his impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and for India in T20Is. However, reports suggest that the selectors have a strategic reason for this decision: to prepare Gaikwad for a potential Test call-up during the upcoming Australia tour.Gaikwad has amassed 633 runs in 23 T20Is for India, averaging 39.56 with one century and four fifties. Despite these numbers, he has struggled to secure a regular spot in the Indian T20I team.Sources close to the selection committee have revealed that Gaikwad is being considered as the third opener for the Australia tour. With Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal as the first-choice openers, India lacks a backup option. Shubman Gill, who can also open, has been assigned the No. 3 spot, while Virat Kohli bats at No. 4.The selectors believe that Gaikwad's experience and ability to play in different conditions make him the ideal candidate for the third opener's role. They also want him to continue playing red-ball cricket to enhance his Test credentials. This is why he has been asked to lead Rest of India (ROI) in the Irani Cup.The decision to prioritize Gaikwad's Test development over his T20I prospects has drawn mixed reactions. Some experts believe that it is a wise move, given India's need for a reliable opener in Test cricket. Others argue that Gaikwad should be given more opportunities in T20Is to prove his worth.Ultimately, the selectors' decision will be judged based on Gaikwad's performance in the Irani Cup and, if selected, on the Australia tour. If he can translate his T20I success into the longer format, he could cement his place in the Indian Test team for years to come.

The Duleep Trophy, India's premier domestic red-ball tournament, is set to resume its final round on Thursday, September 19, 2024, providing another opportunity for aspiring cricketers to showcase their skills. Unlike previous editions, this year's tournament will not feature any knockout games, with the team accumulating the highest points crowned as champions.Currently, India C, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, sits atop the standings with nine points from two matches. They will face Mayank Agarwal's India A, while Abhimanyu Easwaran's India B will take on India D, captained by Shreyas Iyer.Iyer, who was overlooked for the recent Bangladesh series, will be eager to prove his worth. However, his team has yet to earn a point in the tournament, putting pressure on him to deliver an inspiring performance.The performance of India D batter Sanju Samson and pacer Arshdeep Singh will also be closely monitored by the selectors. In the India B camp, Rinku Singh will aim to make a significant contribution after a disappointing outing in the previous game.The India A versus India C contest will see the selectors expecting more runs from Agarwal, Riyan Parag, and Sai Sudharsan. Parag has shown promise with the bat but needs to spend more time in the middle.Pacer Prasidh Krishna, returning from injury, will be looking to bowl a substantial number of overs, while Shams Mulani will hope to repeat his match-winning effort in the prevailing conditions. Ishan Kishan, who made a memorable return to red-ball cricket with a century for India C, will need another impressive knock to garner further attention from the selectors.

India C and India B played out a tame draw in their second Duleep Trophy 2024-25 fixture in Anantapur. Haryana seamer Anshul Kamboj's career-best haul of 8 for 69 and Ruturaj Gaikwad's second half-century of the match were the major highlights on the dull fourth day.Resuming on 309 for 7, India B were bowled out for 332 with Kamboj picking up all three wickets to fall. Abhimanyu Easwaran, the India B captain, carried his bat through and was unbeaten on 157 as his side conceded a 193-run lead early on the final day.India C, however, decided to settle for the first-innings honours and were at 128 for 4 after 37 overs when both captains decided to shake hands. Kamboj's performance was among his most impactful yet in a nascent first-class career. Coming into his 15th game, Kamboj hadn't taken more than three wickets in a single innings previously. His eight-for in Anantapur brought him the second-best figures by a fast bowler in Duleep Trophy history, behind Debasis Mohanty (10 for 46).India C lost B Sai Sudharsan early when Mukesh Kumar had him bowled for 11. Gaikwad and Rajat Patidar put on 96 for the second wicket, Patidar hitting 42 to go with his first innings 40, before falling to Musheer Khan's left-arm spin. Rahul Chahar, the legspinner, then had first-innings centurion Ishan Kishan for 1, followed by Gaikwad's scalp in his very next over.The only blip for India C in this game was a leg injury to pacer Sandeep Warrier, which led to him hobbling off after just 1.1 overs. Manav Suthar, who picked up a match-winning seven-for in the first round of matches, went wicketless in this game. His figures read: 33-4-85-0. Musheer, the player of the match last week for his 181, managed just 1 while Sarfaraz Khan, asked to play in this fixture before linking up with the Indian Test squad in Chennai, managed 16.