Cricket

SRH's Retention Conundrum: Moody's Picks for IPL 2025Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, former Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) coach Tom Moody has identified four key players he believes the franchise should retain: captain Pat Cummins, openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, and wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen.Moody, who guided SRH to the 2024 IPL final, emphasized the importance of retaining the team's core players. Head, Abhishek, and Klaasen were instrumental in SRH's success last season, finishing as the top three run-getters.Head, the Australian batter, amassed 567 runs, including a century and four fifties. Abhishek, the Indian opener, contributed 484 runs with three half-centuries. Klaasen, the South African wicketkeeper, accumulated 479 runs, including four half-centuries."SRH has a tough job during this retention period," Moody said. "At the top, I'd look to secure captain Pat Cummins, followed by Travis Head and then Abhishek Sharma."Moody also suggested considering all-rounders Nitish Reddy and Abdul Samad for retention. Reddy was the fourth-highest run-getter for SRH in 2024, while Samad impressed with his power-hitting, scoring 182 runs at a strike rate of 168.51."I'd extend it even further to retain Heinrich Klaasen," Moody added. "Nitish Reddy and Abdul Samad are also worth considering."IPL franchises can retain a maximum of six players, including a maximum of five capped players and two uncapped players. The auction purse for IPL 2025 has been set at Rs 120 crore. The deadline for franchises to finalize their retention list is October 31.

SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) face a dilemma as all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy's potential international debut could impact their retention strategy for the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. Reddy has been called up to India's 15-man squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh.If Reddy makes his debut, SRH will lose the option to retain him as an uncapped player, which would significantly increase his retention cost. Under IPL's latest retention rules, an uncapped player can be retained for Rs 4 crore, while a capped player would require a minimum retention fee of Rs 11 crore.Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes SRH would be hoping that Reddy does not make his debut, as it would allow them to retain him for a lower price. "They would be praying that Nitish Kumar Reddy remains uncapped. They would be saying - 'Please don't play him in the T20I series'," Chopra said.Chopra also suggested that SRH should prioritize the retentions of captain Pat Cummins and young India batter Abhishek Sharma. "They have to firstly retain the captain and Abhishek Sharma. You have to retain Heinrich Klaasen and it's great if you can get Travis Head," he added.SRH's retention strategy will be crucial in shaping their team for the upcoming IPL season. The franchise will need to balance the need to retain key players with the financial constraints imposed by the retention rules.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has announced significant changes to its retention rules, allowing franchises to retain up to six players ahead of the 2025 auction. This strategic move will enable teams to secure top international players like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, who have proven their worth as world-class pacers.Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are expected to benefit from these rule changes. KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan has been vocal about his desire to retain eight players, while SRH co-owner Kavya Maran has advocated for removing the cap on retaining foreign players.Under the new rules, franchises can retain a maximum of five capped players and up to two uncapped players. This flexibility allows teams to tailor their retentions to their specific needs. SRH, for instance, can now retain overseas players like Cummins, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, and Aiden Markram. KKR, on the other hand, can focus on retaining domestic stars like Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, and Sunil Narine.Starc, who was acquired by KKR for a record-breaking Rs 24.75 crore in the 2024 auction, is a prime example of the value that top international players bring to IPL teams. Despite an inconsistent season, he delivered a standout performance in the final, earning him the Player of the Match award.The updated retention rules give franchises greater flexibility and strategic options. They can now retain a core group of players while also targeting specific players in the auction. This will likely lead to more competitive bidding and a more dynamic IPL landscape.

Nitish Kumar Reddy, the Andhra Pradesh and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) all-rounder, recently shared his emotional journey to receiving his Indian jersey. His father, Mutyalu, had risked his career to support his son's cricket aspirations, and the moment was a testament to their unwavering bond.Reddy's path to the Indian team began with a solid performance in the 2024 IPL season with SRH. Despite not playing due to a sports hernia injury, he impressed with his all-round abilities, scoring 303 runs and taking three wickets.The 21-year-old's journey began at the age of 13 when his father quit his job to focus on his son's cricket development. Despite initial setbacks, Reddy's determination and hard work paid off. He made waves in the Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy, scoring a triple ton and a quadruple ton.However, success at the U19 level proved elusive, leading Reddy to focus solely on batting. But his coach, Srinivas Reddy, encouraged him to continue bowling, recognizing his potential as a rare pace bowling all-rounder in India.Reddy's breakthrough came in the 2019-20 domestic season when he was picked for the ACA camp and subsequently made his Ranji debut. He quickly adapted to the challenges of first-class cricket, learning to conserve his energy and capitalize on loose deliveries.Despite being picked up by SRH in the 2023 IPL, Reddy struggled to break into the team. He was also called up to India's Emerging Players squad for the Asia Cup but did not get a chance to bat.A setback in the form of an ankle injury threatened to derail his progress, but Reddy refused to give up. He arranged for net practice sessions against fast bowlers to prove his worth as a top-order batsman.His determination paid off in the 2024 IPL, where he impressed SRH skipper Pat Cummins with his ability to handle pace. Reddy's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of support, and the unwavering belief in one's abilities.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir has hailed Mitchell Starc's delivery to dismiss SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) opener Abhishek Sharma in the IPL 2024 final as "nearly unplayable." Starc's out-swinger kickstarted SRH's downfall, who were bowled out for 113 after batting first.Gambhir believes that while there is no such thing as an "unplayable" delivery, Starc's effort came close. "I don't know whether I should say that was an unplayable delivery or not, because we were taught that no delivery is unplayable, but it was certainly very close to unplayable," he said.Starc had a below-par season with the ball for KKR, but he managed to perform in the key matches, including the final. Gambhir labeled Starc as an X-factor, saying that players like him save their best for the big games."We always knew he was the X-Factor and he will become one at the right time. I mean, what other big matches could be there in the IPL? It was the Qualifier 1 and the Final. That is why I say that the big players wait for such occasions, they thrive on these occasions. Money is irrelevant. What Starc brings to the team was more important," Gambhir told Sportskeeda.Starc's performance in the final was crucial in KKR's third IPL trophy win, their first in a decade. He was named Player of the Match, finishing with 17 wickets in the tournament, including five in the two knock-out games.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious in the IPL 2024 final, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by a commanding eight wickets. SRH's batting lineup faltered under the pressure of the summit clash, with Andre Russell and Mitchell Starc wreaking havoc on their opponents. Russell claimed three wickets, while Starc scalped two, restricting SRH to a meager 113 runs.In response, KKR's chase was a breeze, with the team reaching the target in just 10.3 overs. The victory marked KKR's third IPL title, sparking jubilation within the team. However, the mood was somber in the SRH camp, particularly for owner Kavya Maran.Maran, known for her unwavering support for SRH, was visibly distraught after the defeat. Her tears, captured on camera, went viral on social media, eliciting sympathy and support from fans. Many expressed their apologies for SRH's loss, while others created memes to lighten the mood.SRH skipper Pat Cummins acknowledged the team's shortcomings, praising KKR's bowling performance. "They bowled fantastically," he said. "Unfortunately, old mate Starcy turned it on again. Not enough tonight, totally outplayed."Cummins also expressed gratitude for the season, highlighting the camaraderie within the team. "Great season. It was fantastic, hadn't worked with many of the guys before at all. It was a real pleasure to work with some of the older, experienced guys like Bhuvi. Bhuvi, Nattu, Jaydev were great and lots of young talent throughout. Really great squad, the support staff were amazing, had a great couple of months."

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious in the IPL 2024 final, claiming their third IPL title with an emphatic eight-wicket triumph over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Led by captain Shreyas Iyer, KKR dominated the match from start to finish.SRH's batting lineup faltered under the pressure of the final, with Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, and Mitchell Starc combining to restrict them to a meager 113 runs. Russell's three wickets and Rana and Starc's two each proved decisive.In response, KKR's openers, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Venkatesh Iyer, made light work of the chase. Gurbaz, who replaced Phil Salt in the squad, played a crucial role in the victory. Salt, who left for England's T20 World Cup preparations, joined the celebrations via video call.After the match, Iyer expressed his delight at his team's performance. "This is what we demanded from the team and every individual," he said. "They stood up to the right occasion and the feeling is hard to express."Iyer praised his team's consistency throughout the season. "We played like invincibles throughout the season," he said. "There's so much to cherish right now. It is pleasing, the performance has been flawless throughout."Iyer also highlighted the contributions of Starc and Russell. "That's when all the big players stand up, right!" he said about Starc. "He's been so good off the field. He's never shown any complacency in his work ethics. He stepped up to the right occasion.""He's got that magic wand," Iyer said about Russell. "He's looking forward to pick wickets. When I look at him, I know he can look at me. All the guys stepped up at the right time. Made it easier. It has been a flawless season."

Shah Rukh Khan's Heartwarming Gesture Wins Chennai Crowd's HeartsBollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan stole the hearts of Chennai fans after his team's emphatic victory in the IPL 2024 final. Despite KKR's dominant performance, Khan made a special effort to acknowledge the home crowd of five-time champions Chennai Super Kings.After KKR's comprehensive 113-run victory over SunRisers Hyderabad, Khan joined the Chennai crowd in chanting "CSK, CSK." The gesture was a heartwarming tribute to the city that has hosted numerous memorable IPL matches."It was a beautiful gesture by SRK," said Chennai fan John Abraham. "It showed that he understands the passion of the Chennai crowd and that he respects their team."Khan's gesture was not only a moment of sportsmanship but also a reflection of his deep connection with his fans. Despite being a co-owner of a rival team, Khan has always maintained a close relationship with the people of Chennai."Shah Rukh Khan is a true superstar," said Chennai resident Priya Sharma. "He knows how to make people happy, even when they're not supporting his team."KKR's victory was a culmination of a remarkable season for the team. After a long trophy drought, KKR finally lifted their third IPL title, thanks to a dominant performance throughout the tournament."We played like invincibles throughout the season," said KKR captain Shreyas Iyer. "There's so much to cherish right now. It is pleasing, the performance has been flawless throughout."SRH, who had a superb IPL 2024, were unable to replicate their form in the final. KKR's bowlers restricted SRH to a paltry 113, which the Kolkata batters chased down in just 10.3 overs."We were lucky to bowl first and every situation went in our favor," said Iyer. "We have been tremendous from game one, we stepped up today."Khan's heartwarming gesture and KKR's emphatic victory made the IPL 2024 final a memorable night for both Kolkata and Chennai fans.

Ambati Rayudu's Waistcoat Switch Draws Amusement from CommentatorsKolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) emphatic eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2024 final on Sunday sparked a moment of lighthearted banter among commentators Kevin Pietersen and Matthew Hayden.Rayudu, who was initially seen supporting SRH in an orange waistcoat, swiftly switched to a blue one after KKR's triumph. This wardrobe change did not escape the notice of Pietersen and Hayden, who couldn't resist teasing the former Indian batsman."Thank you for bringing out the fact that he changed from orange to blue," said host Mayanti Langer."I've at least held firm. I wore it and I owned it," said Pietersen, referring to his own purple attire. "You are a joker, always a joker," he added, addressing Rayudu.Rayudu responded with a diplomatic answer: "I am supporting both the teams. I am supporting good cricket."KKR's victory was a comprehensive one, as they restricted SRH to a paltry 113, the lowest total in an IPL final. Venkatesh Iyer's unbeaten 52 off 26 balls led KKR's chase, which they completed with 57 balls to spare.Mitchell Starc, Andre Russell, and Harshit Rana were the standout bowlers for KKR, as SRH failed to put up a competitive total.Rayudu's waistcoat switch may have been a minor incident, but it provided a moment of amusement amidst the excitement of the IPL final. It also highlighted the camaraderie and banter that often exists among commentators and players in the world of cricket.