Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction promises to be a spectacle, with a plethora of marquee players and international stars available for selection. The presence of 12 marquee players, including Indian stalwarts Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul, has generated immense excitement within the cricket fraternity.Marquee Players in the Spotlight:Jos Buttler: The English wicketkeeper-batter is a T20 behemoth, boasting an impressive record of 11,929 runs in 427 matches. His exceptional performances for Rajasthan Royals (RR) have earned him a reputation as one of the finest white-ball batters of this generation.Shreyas Iyer: A versatile all-rounder, Iyer has excelled in all formats for India. His leadership skills and aggressive batting style have made him a valuable asset for Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).Rishabh Pant: The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter is known for his fearless approach and match-winning abilities. His impressive T20 record and consistent performances for Delhi Capitals have established him as a force to be reckoned with.Kagiso Rabada: The South African pacer is among the world's best, with a proven track record in T20 cricket. His ability to generate pace and swing makes him a formidable weapon for any team.Arshdeep Singh: The young Indian left-arm pacer has emerged as a rising star, impressing with his swing and wicket-taking abilities. His performances for Punjab Kings and India have earned him widespread recognition.Mitchell Starc: The Australian pacer is a multi-time world champion and one of the most feared bowlers in the game. His ability to deliver match-winning spells has made him a highly sought-after player.Yuzvendra Chahal: The Indian spin wizard is the leading wicket-taker in IPL history, with an impressive record of 205 wickets in 160 matches. His ability to control the run rate and take crucial wickets has made him a valuable asset for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR).Liam Livingstone: The English all-rounder is a T20 World Cup winner, known for his explosive batting and useful spin bowling. His ability to accelerate the innings and take wickets makes him a valuable addition to any team.David Miller: The South African finisher is considered one of the modern greats of white-ball cricket. His ability to score quick runs and finish matches has made him a highly sought-after player.KL Rahul: The Indian batter is a versatile performer, capable of opening the innings, anchoring the middle order, and keeping wickets. His consistent performances for various IPL teams have established him as one of the most reliable players in the tournament.Mohammed Shami: The Indian pace veteran is a proven match-winner, having played a crucial role in India's success in the 50-over World Cup. His ability to swing the ball and generate pace makes him a formidable weapon.Mohammed Siraj: The Indian pacer has emerged as a solid performer in all formats, impressing with his accuracy and ability to take wickets. His performances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have made him a valuable asset for the team.

Shreyas Iyer, the in-form batter, has been appointed as the captain of the 17-member Mumbai squad for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scheduled from November 23 to December 15. The squad also includes Prithvi Shaw, who has been recalled after being dropped from the Ranji Trophy side due to fitness and discipline issues.Iyer has been in exceptional form this Ranji Trophy season, amassing 452 runs at an impressive average of 90.40, including two centuries. His blistering 233 against Odisha and 142 against Maharashtra were instrumental in Mumbai's consecutive victories.The inclusion of Shaw is a significant development, as the 25-year-old opener has been in prolific form in domestic cricket. He has scored 332 runs in four innings in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, including a century and two half-centuries.Other notable inclusions in the Mumbai squad include Ajinkya Rahane, who has been captaining the team in the Ranji Trophy, and Siddhesh Lad, who has also been among the runs this season. Spin bowling all-rounder Tanush Kotian, who recently represented India A in unofficial Tests in Australia, has also been selected.Veteran all-rounder Shardul Thakur, who has been a regular member of the Indian team in recent years, will add experience and depth to the Mumbai side. The squad also features promising young players such as Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Jay Bista, and Suryansh Shedge.Mumbai will be aiming to make a strong impact in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which is a domestic Twenty20 tournament. The team has a balanced squad with a mix of experience and youth, and will be hoping to challenge for the title.

Shreyas Iyer's IPL Future: Gavaskar Predicts KKR or Delhi Capitals ReunionShreyas Iyer's release by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has sparked speculation about his future in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite leading KKR to the title in 2022, Iyer was released ahead of the 2023 season due to a back injury.Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has proposed an intriguing idea for Iyer's future in the IPL. Gavaskar believes that KKR will attempt to reacquire Iyer, similar to his earlier prediction regarding Rishabh Pant. However, he cautions that negotiations over the fee could lead to a disagreement.KKR's limited purse of Rs 51 crore and lack of a Right to Match (RTM) card put them in a challenging position ahead of the auction. "When KKR won last year (IPL 2024), Shreyas Iyer was the captain. As I said earlier for Rishabh Pant as well, at times, there could be a disagreement on the fees," Gavaskar said on Star Sports' show 'Game Plan'.Iyer has set his base price at Rs 2 crore. His performance last season was impressive, amassing 351 runs in 14 innings at an average of 39, with a strike rate of 146.86.Gavaskar suggests that Delhi Capitals will also be interested in Iyer, as they will need a new captain if Rishabh Pant is not part of the team. "Delhi will want him because they will also need to find a captain if Rishabh Pant isn't in their team. So I feel Delhi will definitely try to use the RTM card or bring Rishabh Pant back into their team at the auction," he said.Ultimately, Iyer's future in the IPL will depend on the strategies of KKR and Delhi Capitals at the auction. If KKR is willing to pay a premium for his services, he could return to the franchise that he led to glory. However, if Delhi Capitals sees him as a suitable replacement for Pant, they could make a strong bid for his services.

The upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will feature a star-studded list of 574 players, including Indian stalwarts Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Arshdeep Singh.Pant, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, is expected to command the highest bid, with teams like Punjab Kings eager to secure his services. Other top-tier Indian players include Iyer, the IPL-winning captain; Arshdeep, India's leading T20I bowler; Rahul, the stylish opener; Mohammed Shami, the experienced pacer; Mohammed Siraj, the rising star; Yuzvendra Chahal, the wily leg-spinner; and Avesh Khan, the promising fast bowler.The auction will also see a strong contingent of overseas players, with 81 in the top base price bracket of Rs 2 crore. England's Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, and Jonny Bairstow are among the most sought-after, while South Africa's Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, Australia's Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis, and Mitchell Starc are also highly rated.Notably, retired England pacer James Anderson has made the cut despite T20 not being his forte. Other notable overseas players include Marco Jansen and Rachin Ravindra, both priced at Rs 1.25 crore.The auction will also feature 48 capped Indians and 193 capped overseas players. Former India U-19 World Cup-winning captain Unmukt Chand, now an Associate member nation player, has made the cut, while Saurabh Nethravalkar, who impressed during the T20 World Cup, was not shortlisted.

Mumbai's batters put on a dominant display in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match against Odisha, posting a mammoth total of 602 for four before their bowlers tightened the noose around the visitors' neck.Shreyas Iyer and Siddhesh Lad were the stars of the show for Mumbai, forging a record-breaking fourth-wicket partnership of 354 runs. Iyer, known for his aggressive batting, smashed 24 fours and nine sixes in his innings of 233, while Lad played a more patient role, contributing 169 not out with 17 fours.The duo's partnership was the highest fourth-wicket stand for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, surpassing the previous record of 336 set by Wasim Jaffer and Amol Muzumdar in 2006. It also marked the first time that two Mumbai batters had scored double centuries in the same innings of a Ranji Trophy match.Mumbai's innings was further boosted by a cameo from Suryansh Shedge, who smashed 79 not out off just 36 balls, including seven fours and six sixes. The declaration came 20 minutes after lunch, with Mumbai's total standing at an imposing 602 for four.Odisha's bowlers struggled to contain Mumbai's onslaught, with only Himanshu Singh extracting some bounce and turn from the pitch. Singh picked up two wickets, while Suryakant Samantray and Debabrata Pradhan claimed one each.In response, Odisha's openers Anurag Sarangi and Swastik Samal made a steady start, putting on 39 runs for the first wicket. However, Shardul Thakur broke the partnership by dismissing Samal for a duck.Sarangi and Govinda Poddar then added 39 runs for the second wicket before Himanshu struck again, trapping Sarangi lbw for 39. The dismissal triggered a mini-collapse, as Mumbai picked up three wickets for two runs in 16 balls.Odisha's innings was eventually halted at 146 for five, with Sandeep Pattanaik (73 not out) providing some resistance. The onus will be on Pattanaik to stretch the innings on the third morning and wear out Mumbai's four specialist bowlers as much as possible.

Shreyas Iyer, the former Indian captain, has sent a resounding message to the national selectors and IPL franchises with his blistering double century for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy. Iyer, who has been out of the Indian team setup, smashed an unbeaten 233 off just 228 balls against Odisha, following up on his earlier century (142) against Maharashtra.Iyer's latest knock came at a crucial time, just ahead of the IPL mega auction scheduled for November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. His blazing form is sure to catch the attention of franchises, as Iyer, the first captain not to be retained after leading his IPL team to a title, looks to make a fresh impact in the tournament.Returning to action after a one-match break to rest a shoulder injury, Iyer wasted no time asserting his dominance. His innings was a mix of ruthless aggression and controlled strokeplay, including nine sixes and 24 fours. Iyer formed a colossal 354-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Siddhesh Lad, propelling Mumbai to a commanding 508/4 at the time of his dismissal.The 29-year-old's sensational form in the Ranji Trophy serves as a strong statement not only ahead of the IPL auction but also as a reminder to the national selectors amid India's ongoing batting concerns. His back-to-back centuries highlight his hunger for a return to the Indian squad, particularly after being sidelined from recent series.Despite being overlooked for India’s T20I series against South Africa and the India A tour to Australia, Iyer has kept his focus, proving his value in domestic cricket. Having lost his place in the national Test side midway through the England series earlier this year, and not featuring in the BCCI's central contracts list, Iyer has been fighting to regain his form. Though he endured a tough Duleep Trophy and Irani Cup campaign, his resurgence in the Ranji Trophy is evident.Iyer's batting partner, Siddhesh Lad, also found redemption, breaking a six-year century drought in First-Class cricket. Together, the pair ensured Mumbai raced to a formidable total, with Iyer playing the aggressor and Lad anchoring the innings.With his current form, Iyer has not only reminded selectors of his potential for India but also positioned himself as a key contender in the IPL auction, where franchises are likely to be eager to secure his services.

Star India batter Rinku Singh, who rose to prominence with his explosive batting in IPL 2023, has been retained by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a whopping 13 crore. The power-hitter, who smashed five sixes against Yash Dayal in a memorable innings, has become the highest-paid player in the KKR squad.Following the IPL retentions, reports have emerged claiming that Rinku has purchased a luxurious bungalow in The Golden Estate, Aligarh, for an estimated 3.5 crore. The property is said to be a 500 square yard house.Meanwhile, KKR has parted ways with their IPL-winning captain Shreyas Iyer. Despite leading the team to their first title in a decade, Iyer has been released due to a combination of factors, including his batting statistics and the team's strong top-order.Iyer joins the ranks of other unfortunate IPL captains who have been released after title wins, such as Adam Gilchrist and David Warner.This year's IPL retentions have witnessed a bold approach from franchises, with several experienced players being released in favor of uncapped and inexperienced Indian players. Out of the 46 players retained across all teams, 36 are Indian, including 10 uncapped stars.These uncapped players include Abhishek Porel, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mohsin Khan, Ayush Badoni, Shashank Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, and Yash Dayal.Among the capped Indian players, 13 have played less than 30 international matches, and eight have played 10 or fewer games for India. Notably, Dhruv Jurel, who has only played international matches for India, has received the biggest pay hike, going from 20 lakh this season to 14 crores next season.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the reigning Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, have come under fire for their lack of communication with star players Mitchell Starc and Shreyas Iyer. Despite submitting their list of retained players to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), KKR has yet to reach out to Starc, who was a key contributor to their title victory in 2024.Starc, who was acquired for a hefty Rs 24.75 crore in the mini-auction in December 2023, expressed his surprise at the lack of contact from KKR. "I still haven't heard from them (KKR)," he told Australia's The Daily Telegraph.KKR's silence towards Starc is not an isolated incident. The franchise also had minimal communication with captain Shreyas Iyer before the IPL retentions deadline. As reported by TimesofIndia.com, KKR had their first chat with Iyer just three days before the deadline, despite his impressive leadership in their third IPL triumph.Sources suggest that Iyer was seeking a high retainer fee, but KKR failed to engage in timely discussions. Instead, the franchise prioritized Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, who were retained for Rs 12 crore each. Rinku Singh was the top retention at Rs 13 crore, while uncapped players Harshit Rana and Ramandeep Singh were retained for Rs 4 crore each.KKR CEO Venky Mysore has maintained that the franchise has "engaged in conversations" with all players, but the latest revelations by Starc and Iyer contradict this claim. Mysore's decision to block TimesofIndia.com on WhatsApp further raises questions about KKR's transparency.Shreyas Iyer will now enter the IPL mega auction and is expected to attract significant interest from other franchises seeking a leadership role. KKR's lack of communication and apparent lack of interest in retaining key players has raised concerns about the franchise's long-term prospects.

Shreyas Iyer, the former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain, has opted to enter the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, setting the stage for a bidding war for his services. Iyer's decision to leave KKR, where he led the team to the IPL title in 2024, has sparked speculation about his potential destination.According to reports, Iyer's former franchise, Delhi Capitals (DC), is keen on bringing him back. DC, who released Rishabh Pant ahead of the auction, is reportedly offering Iyer the captaincy role. With a purse of Rs 73 crore, DC has the financial muscle to make a significant bid for Iyer.Iyer's departure from KKR was amicable, according to CEO Venky Mysore. "There won't be too many teams that would want Iyer the T20 batter, but just to ensure DC spends a bomb on a player, they might engage in a bidding war for Iyer," said an IPL franchise official.Meanwhile, other teams are also eyeing potential acquisitions. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is reportedly considering KL Rahul, who was released by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Rahul could be a potential captaincy option for RCB.Punjab Kings is expected to retain Arshdeep Singh via the Right to Match (RTM) card if his value stays below Rs 20 crore. LSG is reportedly interested in wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan as a replacement for Rahul.The IPL auction is set to be a major event, with several high-profile players available. Iyer's availability is likely to be one of the most sought-after acquisitions, as teams look to bolster their squads for the upcoming season.