Cricket

Zimbabwe has announced its ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming series against Pakistan, featuring a blend of experienced and uncapped players.ODI Squad:The ODI squad includes three uncapped players: Trevor Gwandu, Tashinga Musekiwa, and Tinotenda Maposa. Gwandu and Musekiwa have represented Zimbabwe in T20Is, while Maposa, a 21-year-old fast bowler, is yet to make his international debut.Seasoned players like Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, and Sean Williams provide stability to the squad. Youngsters Clive Madande, Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, and the uncapped trio bring energy and potential.T20I Squad:Zimbabwe has retained the same T20I squad that won the men's T20 World Cup 2026 sub-regional qualifier in Kenya. The team broke the record for the highest T20I total during that tournament.Sikandar Raza will captain the T20I side, which includes Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, and Richard Ngarava.Series Schedule:The white-ball series against Pakistan will commence with the first ODI on November 24 and conclude on December 5. Bulawayo will host all six matches, including three ODIs and three T20Is.

IPL 2025 Retention Deadline: Key Questions AnsweredWith the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season approaching, franchises are gearing up for the mega auction. Before the retention deadline of October 31, 5pm IST, teams must finalize their list of retained players. Here are some key questions answered:Retention Limit and Cost:Each franchise can retain a maximum of six players from their 2024 squads, including five capped players (international cricketers) and two uncapped Indians. The retention costs are as follows:* First player: ₹18 crore* Second player: ₹14 crore* Third player: ₹11 crore* Fourth player: ₹18 crore* Fifth player: ₹14 crore* Uncapped Indian player: ₹4 croreRetention Pool Distribution:Franchises have a purse of ₹120 crore to build their teams. The ₹75 crore retention pool can be distributed among the five capped players as deemed fit. However, if the total retention cost exceeds ₹75 crore, the excess amount will be deducted from the overall purse.Right to Match (RTM) Card:Teams that retain less than six players will have RTM options to buy back players at the mega auction. Each RTM card allows a franchise to match the highest bid for a player they previously had. However, a new rule allows the bidding team to increase their offer after the RTM is used.Uncapped Player Definition:The IPL has revived a rule that allows capped Indian players who have retired or not played international cricket in the last five years to be categorized as uncapped players. This means teams can retain players like MS Dhoni as uncapped players at a cost of ₹4 crore.Player Refusal:Players have the right to refuse retention offers and enter the mega auction. Unlike the mini-auction, there are no player trades allowed between the retention deadline and the start of the 2025 season.Mega Auction Details:The IPL 2025 mega auction is expected to take place in the last week of November. It will be a two-day event where teams will bid for players who are not retained or released by their previous franchises.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced new retention rules for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, which could have a significant impact on the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise. According to the revised guidelines, any Indian cricketer who has not represented the national team in the past five calendar years will be classified as "uncapped." This change will substantially reduce the retention cost for franchises, potentially opening up new opportunities for CSK.One player who could benefit from this rule is former India captain MS Dhoni. Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in 2020, has not played for India since July 2019. Under the new rules, CSK could retain Dhoni's services for a mere Rs 4 crore, a significant reduction from his previous salary.However, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has indicated that the franchise is still uncertain about Dhoni's future in the IPL. "We are not sure at this stage. We might not even use it for MS Dhoni. It's still too early to comment on this because we haven't had discussions with him," Viswanathan said in an interview with Times of India.Viswanathan added that CSK is hopeful of Dhoni continuing to play, but the ultimate decision rests with the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman. "We are hopeful of him playing, but it's a call Dhoni will himself make," he said.The new retention rules have been met with mixed reactions from fans and experts. Some believe that the changes will create a more level playing field for franchises, while others argue that it could lead to a decline in the quality of the IPL.Regardless of the differing opinions, the new rules will undoubtedly have a major impact on the IPL landscape. CSK, in particular, will be closely monitoring Dhoni's decision as they prepare for the upcoming season.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council has unveiled the retention rules for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. Teams have until October 31, 2024, to submit their retention lists, with the mega auction expected to take place in late November.Each team can retain a maximum of six players, including one uncapped player if they utilize all their retentions. However, a crucial rule applies to uncapped cricketers."Any player who gets capped on or before October 31, 2024, will be considered a capped player for retention purposes," the BCCI stated.This means that Mayank Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Harshit Rana will no longer be eligible as uncapped players if they make their T20I debuts against Bangladesh. The trio's inclusion in the squad suggests that India may test its bench strength in the upcoming series.IPL franchises can retain up to six players from their previous squads, including the use of the Right To Match (RTM) card at the auction. The RTM card will cost Rs 75 crore from an enhanced team purse of Rs 120 crore.In a significant move, the BCCI has declared that Indian players who have not played international cricket for at least five years will be considered uncapped players. This move is seen as a way to ensure that Chennai Super Kings can retain MS Dhoni, who last played for India in the 2019 ODI World Cup semifinal.The retention cost for an uncapped player is Rs 4 crore, allowing CSK to retain Dhoni while saving significant funds for the auction. In the previous mega auction in 2022, teams were allowed up to four retentions.Additionally, BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced a fixed match fee of Rs 7.50 lakh for all players selected for league games, with an additional Rs 1.05 crore income over and above their salaries. Franchises must maintain a fixed salary purse of Rs 12.60 crore in addition to the auction cum retention purse of Rs 120 crore for the upcoming season.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Indian Premier League (IPL) owners will convene on Wednesday at the Wankhede Stadium complex to discuss player retentions ahead of the upcoming mega auction.Key Points of Discussion:* Retentions: Franchises are expected to retain a maximum of five or six players, with a potential increase in the frequency of mega auctions from three to five years.* Increased Purse: The auction purse may be raised to Rs 130-140 crore from the current Rs 90 crore.* Performance-Based Increments: Players may receive performance-based increments.* Uncapped Player Retention: Franchises may be allowed to retain two or three uncapped players under a separate slot.Uncapped Players in Demand:Several franchises have expressed interest in retaining uncapped players who have shown promise in recent seasons. These include:* Mumbai Indians: Nehal Wadhera, Naman Dhir, Akash Madhwal* Kolkata Knight Riders: Vaibhav Arora, Ramandeep Singh, Suyash Sharma* Punjab Kings: Harpreet Brar, Ashutosh Sharma, Shashank Singh, Prabhsimran Singh* Chennai Super Kings: Mukesh Chaudhary, Simarjeet Singh, Sameer Rizvi* Sunrisers Hyderabad: Nitish Kumar Reddy, Abdul Samad* Royal Challengers Bangalore: Yash Dayal, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Anuj Rawat, Mahipal Lomror* Lucknow Super Giants: Mayank Yadav, Mohsin KhanOther Considerations:* The Impact Player rule, which allows teams to substitute a player during the match, is likely to continue in IPL 2025.* One Right-to-Match card may be introduced this season.

Riyan Parag, the young batting sensation from the Rajasthan Royals (RR), has etched his name in the record books of the Indian Premier League (IPL) by becoming the third-highest run-scorer among uncapped players in a single season. With his crucial 36-run knock in the Eliminator against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Parag has amassed a total of 567 runs in the ongoing IPL 2023.Parag's impressive performance has been marked by a strike rate of 151.60 and an average of 56.70. He has notched up four half-centuries, with his highest score being an unbeaten 84. His consistent run-scoring has propelled him to the third spot on the list of uncapped players with the most runs in an IPL season.The record for the most runs by an uncapped batsman in an IPL season is held by Yashasvi Jaiswal, also from RR. In the 2023 season, Jaiswal amassed a staggering 625 runs in 14 games, setting a new benchmark for uncapped players. His tally included a century and five fifties, with a career-best score of 124.Australian batsman Shaun Marsh, who was uncapped in 2008, ranks second on the list with 616 runs scored in 11 matches. Marsh's impressive performance included five half-centuries and a century, with his highest score being 115.Parag's remarkable run-scoring has not only established him as a rising star in the IPL but has also placed him among the top run-getters for RR in a single season. In 2022, Jos Buttler set a record for the most runs scored by a right-handed RR batsman in a single season with 863 runs. Jaiswal's 625 runs in the 2023 season currently hold the second position.Parag also holds the record for the most runs scored by a batter batting fourth or lower in an IPL season. The previous record was held by Rishabh Pant of the Delhi Capitals (DC), who amassed 579 runs while batting in the middle order during the 2018 season.The Rajasthan Royals will now face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Qualifier 2 on Friday in Chennai. The winner of this match will advance to the final on Sunday, where they will face the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).