Cricket

Rajat Patidar's scintillating century on Day 4 of the Ranji Trophy match against Haryana has sent a resounding message to his IPL franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). With the IPL retention deadline looming on October 31, Patidar's blistering knock has put him firmly in contention for a place in RCB's retained squad.Patidar's unbeaten 100 came off just 68 balls, showcasing his exceptional batting prowess. His innings helped Madhya Pradesh recover from a 132-run deficit in the first innings. The knock has not only boosted MP's chances of victory but has also caught the attention of RCB, who are yet to finalize their list of retained players.RCB currently has only one confirmed retention in star batter Virat Kohli. The future of captain Faf du Plessis and other key players remains uncertain. With teams allowed to retain a maximum of six players, RCB has a crucial decision to make.Patidar's century has put him in a strong position to be one of RCB's retained players. His impressive performance in the Ranji Trophy, coupled with his consistent showings in the IPL, makes him a valuable asset for any team.The IPL retention rules allow teams to retain a maximum of five capped players and two uncapped Indian players. Patidar, who has yet to make his international debut, would be classified as an uncapped player for retention purposes.The purse for the mega auction has been increased to INR 120 crore, giving each franchise a larger budget to work with. The price for retaining uncapped players remains set at INR 4 crore.Patidar's century has not only boosted his chances of IPL retention but has also sent a clear message to RCB. The young batter is ready to take on a bigger role in the team and is determined to make a significant contribution to their success.

With the IPL 2025 mega auction retention deadline approaching on October 31, all 10 IPL teams are gearing up to announce their retained and released players. Franchises are permitted to retain up to six players, including at least one uncapped Indian player. Rumors have circulated that prominent names like KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant may enter the auction pool, prompting franchises to consider lucrative contracts to secure their services.Five Players Likely to be Retained for Rs 20 Crore:1. Virat Kohli:The former India captain has been a loyal member of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) since the inaugural IPL season in 2008. As the tournament's all-time leading run-scorer, Kohli could make history by being retained for Rs 20 crore. RCB may reward his loyalty with an improved deal, surpassing his previous retention amount of Rs 18 crore in 2018.2. Rishabh Pant:Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant has hinted at leaving his team and entering the auction through a social media post. Pant has been with DC (formerly Delhi Daredevils) since his debut in 2016. To prevent him from entering the auction, DC may retain him for a record sum of Rs 20 crore.3. Shreyas Iyer:Despite losing his BCCI central contract earlier this year, IPL-winning captain Shreyas Iyer remains a highly sought-after player. After leading Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the IPL title last year, Iyer's retention should be a priority. With several teams seeking a new captain, KKR could offer Rs 20 crore to retain his services.4. Hardik Pandya:After acquiring him last season in a mega trade deal, Mumbai Indians (MI) are likely to retain their captain Hardik Pandya ahead of the mega auction. However, they may offer him an improved contract worth Rs 20 crore.5. Rohit Sharma:Rohit Sharma's future with MI has been the subject of speculation, with reports suggesting he may leave the franchise. However, a recent report claims that MI is set to retain Rohit, despite stripping him of captaincy duties last season. They may offer him Rs 20 crore to prevent him from entering the auction.

Virat Kohli's recent form has raised concerns among cricket experts, particularly ahead of India's upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Despite his impressive record against the Aussies, Kohli has struggled in recent matches, failing to score a century in his last 10 innings.Former BCCI selection committee chief MSK Prasad expressed his concern, stating that India will miss the stability provided by Cheteshwar Pujara in Australia. Prasad highlighted the complementary roles played by Kohli and Pujara in the 2018 series, with Kohli providing aggression and Pujara anchoring the innings.Kohli's poor form is a cause for concern, especially considering India's World Test Championship qualification chances. The team needs to perform well in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to secure a place in the final.Kohli's return to form is crucial for India's success in Australia. His ability to score runs consistently and inspire his teammates is essential for the team's chances of victory.In addition to Kohli's form, the article also discusses the importance of Pujara's role in the Indian batting lineup. Pujara's ability to occupy the crease and grind out runs provides a solid foundation for the team.The article concludes by emphasizing the need for Kohli to regain his form and for India to find a way to replace Pujara's contributions in Australia.

India's batting stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, have endured a disappointing run in the ongoing Test series against New Zealand. Their struggles have raised concerns among fans ahead of the crucial tour of Australia.Kohli, who has been grappling with form in Test cricket for the past few years, has managed only 88 runs in four innings, with a solitary half-century. Rohit, the team's opening batsman, has fared slightly better with 62 runs, including a knock of 52.The duo's inconsistent form has contributed to India's consecutive defeats, handing New Zealand a historic 2-0 series lead. Their absence from the season-opening domestic red-ball tournament, the Duleep Trophy, has also drawn criticism.Former India spinner and selector Sunil Joshi has emphasized the importance of domestic cricket for top players. He believes that playing in domestic tournaments helps batters improve their skills against spin bowling, a crucial aspect in Indian conditions."When will we see our top-order batters go back to play domestic cricket?" Joshi questioned. "If you don't play domestic cricket, you won't be able to play spinners."A comparison statistic on social media has highlighted the contrast between Kohli and Rohit's recent domestic appearances and that of legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar last played in the Ranji Trophy in 2013, the same year he retired from international cricket. Kohli's last Ranji Trophy appearance was in 2012, while Rohit's was in the 2015-16 season.Fans have questioned why Kohli and Rohit cannot follow Tendulkar's example and participate in domestic cricket to prepare for international assignments. They argue that playing in domestic tournaments would help them regain form and improve their skills against spin bowling.As India gears up for the challenging tour of Australia, the performance of Kohli and Rohit will be crucial. Their ability to rediscover their form and contribute significantly to the team's success will be a key factor in determining India's chances of success Down Under.

Virat Kohli's struggles in Test cricket continue to raise concerns, with the former Indian captain managing just 88 runs in four innings against New Zealand in the ongoing home series. The majority of his runs (70) came in a single innings, highlighting his ongoing difficulties in the red-ball format.Former teammate Dinesh Karthik has suggested that Kohli may need to return to domestic cricket to regain his form. "What he needs to do is probably go back to domestic cricket," Karthik said on a Cricbuzz show. "He is a man who is searching for answers."India's 113-run defeat in Pune confirmed New Zealand's historic maiden Test series victory in India. Kohli was dismissed by left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner in both innings for scores of 1 and 17.Karthik believes that left-arm spinners pose a significant threat to Kohli. "Virat Kohli has not had it easy," he said. "The series has not been good to him; (in) three out of four innings he has disappointed. It's obviously a recurring pattern where spinners have troubled him."Kohli's Test record against spin has been underwhelming in recent years. "Virat Kohli's Test record in the last 2-3 years has not been great against spin," Karthik said.The third and final Test of the series begins in Mumbai on November 1. Kohli will be hoping to end the series on a high and silence his critics.

Virat Kohli's dismissal on Day 3 of the second Test against New Zealand proved to be a pivotal moment in India's eventual 113-run defeat in Pune. The batting maestro was visibly heartbroken after being dismissed for 17 by Mitchell Santner, a dismissal that sparked an India batting collapse.With a mammoth target of 359 in front of them, India needed Kohli to stand tall with Rohit Sharma and others already back in the hut. While Kohli did get a decent start, he was undone by a beautiful delivery from Santer, who got it to zip quickly off the surface. The ball hit him straight in front of the leg stump and umpire Richard Illingworth raised his finger.Kohli was quick to review the call, but the ball tracking showed that the ball would've gone on to clip the leg stump, meaning the decision couldn't be overturned. Kohli, of course, did not like the decision one bit. He was visibly disappointed at the call and hurled a mouthful after hesitating to walk back to the dressing room.Now, a day after India's loss, a fresh video of Kohli's reaction following his dismissal has gone viral. In the video, Kohli looked visibly dejected as New Zealand players were celebrating his wicket.Chasing 359, India started strongly with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who shared a 62-run partnership with Shubman Gill (23 off 31 balls, four boundaries). However, after Jaiswal's dismissal for 77 off 65 balls (nine fours, three sixes), India couldn't recover, succumbing to the Kiwi spinners and being bowled out for 245, resulting in a 113-run defeat. This series loss marks India's first home series defeat in 12 years.Santner, with a remarkable 13 wickets in the match (6/104 in the second innings), emerged as the star of the game, with Phillips and Ajaz Patel chipping in to wrap up the Test two days early.Rohit and his men will aim to bounce back in the third and final Test, starting November 1, before the all-important tour of Australia next month. India will play five Tests Down Under, with the series likely to decide their fate as far as the World Test Championship (WTC) final is concerned.

Ajinkya Rahane, a seasoned Indian cricketer, has attributed his transformation in fitness, training, and nutrition to the profound influence of former skipper Virat Kohli. Rahane's admiration for Kohli's unwavering commitment to a disciplined lifestyle has inspired him to adopt similar practices."Virat Kohli has been a tremendous source of inspiration for me," Rahane revealed in an interview with Curly Tales. "His approach to the game, his training regimen, his fitness, and his diet have all left an indelible mark on me."Rahane's transformation extended beyond his physical attributes. He also embraced Kohli's mindset and unwavering determination. "I've learned so much from Virat," Rahane said. "His ability to stay focused, his resilience, and his unwavering belief in himself have been invaluable lessons for me."The duo's on-field chemistry has also been a testament to their mutual respect and understanding. "I've thoroughly enjoyed batting alongside Virat," Rahane added. "We complement each other well and have forged some memorable partnerships for India. My favorite partnership with him was the 260-run stand we shared in Australia during the 2014 Test series."Despite not being a regular fixture in the national team, Rahane remains a dependable middle-order batsman, particularly in overseas conditions. His leadership skills were evident during India's remarkable Test series victory in Australia in 2020-21, where he captained the team in Kohli's absence.Rahane's success as a captain stems from his belief in empowering his players. "There's no secret to success," he said. "I believe that this game is not about individuals; it's about the collective effort of 11 players. Every player is equally important.""As a captain, it's crucial to give players freedom and confidence," Rahane continued. "Every player has the potential to be a match-winner, and it's my responsibility to create an environment where they can thrive."Rahane's insights into the impact of Virat Kohli and his own leadership philosophy provide valuable lessons for aspiring cricketers and leaders alike. His emphasis on discipline, teamwork, and empowering individuals serves as a reminder of the essential ingredients for success in both sports and life.

Virat Kohli's batting woes in Test cricket have reached alarming proportions, with the former Indian captain enduring a torrid time at the crease. In the recently concluded second Test against New Zealand, Kohli managed scores of 1 and 17, contributing to India's 113-run defeat.Kohli's struggles have become a major concern for the Indian team, as his presence in the middle order is crucial to their success. The 34-year-old has not scored a Test century since November 2019, and his average has plummeted to 26.50 in the last 10 innings.In a video that went viral on social media, Kohli was seen losing his temper and smashing his bat against a water box while walking back to the pavilion after his dismissal in the second innings. This incident highlights the frustration and pressure that Kohli is currently facing.India's defeat in the second Test marked their first Test series loss on home soil in over a decade. New Zealand's victory was largely due to the brilliance of left-arm spinner Mitchel Santner, who took 13 wickets in the match, including seven in the first innings.Santner's performance exposed India's vulnerability against high-quality spin bowling. The Indian batsmen, once regarded as the finest players of spin in the world, were outfoxed by Santner's variations and accuracy.The defeat ended India's run of 18 consecutive Test series wins at home. It was only the fourth time since 2000 that India had lost a Test series in their own territory.Kohli's poor form and India's Test series loss have raised questions about the team's future. The Indian team management will need to find a way to address Kohli's batting woes and improve their performance against spin bowling if they want to regain their dominance in Test cricket.

Virat Kohli's Unfortunate Dismissal Sparks Sympathy from FansIndian cricket star Virat Kohli's dismissal on Day 3 of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune has drawn widespread sympathy from fans. With India chasing a mammoth target of 359, Kohli's presence at the crease was crucial. However, a brilliant delivery from Mitchell Santner ended his innings prematurely.Santner's delivery zipped off the surface and struck Kohli in front of the leg stump. Umpire Richard Illingworth raised his finger, prompting Kohli to review the decision. However, ball tracking showed that the ball would have clipped the leg stump, upholding the on-field call.Kohli's disappointment was evident as he hesitated to leave the field. Fans took to social media to express their sympathy for the Indian batter, labeling him as the "unluckiest cricketer of all time.""Umpires call never favored Kohli," tweeted one fan. "Most unluckiest cricketer ever."Another fan commented, "How unlucky this man is... Umpire is always ready to raise his finger when it comes to Virat Kohli."Kohli's dismissal left India in a precarious position, with the hosts struggling at 178-7 at tea. Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin were at the crease, but India faced an uphill battle to avoid their first Test series defeat at home since 2012.Meanwhile, Santner continued to torment the Indian batting lineup, taking five wickets on Day 3. His performance put New Zealand on the verge of their first Test series win in India.