Cricket

Rajasthan Royals' (RR) decision to release star players Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. The duo played a pivotal role in RR's recent success, reaching the playoffs twice in three years, including the final in 2022.Buttler, the 'Most Valuable Player' of the 2022 season, amassed 863 runs with four centuries. Despite a less consistent 2024, he still managed to score two more hundreds. Chahal, on the other hand, is not only RR's highest wicket-taker in the past three seasons but also the highest wicket-taker in IPL history. He has scalped 27 wickets in 2022 and has picked up 18 or more wickets in every season since 2019.Chahal took to social media to express his gratitude towards Buttler, calling him "Jos bhai" and sharing a video of their shared moments. "In 2022, I knew him as Jos Buttler. In 2024, he's my Jos bhai," wrote Chahal. "Loved every day being around you and only a few people know what you've done for me. Thank you for always standing by me."RR's decision to release Buttler and Chahal has raised questions about their strategy for the upcoming auction. With a budget of just Rs 41 crore, the lowest among all teams, RR will have to make some shrewd decisions to fill the void left by these two stars.The Royals have appointed Rahul Dravid as their new head coach, who recently led India to victory in the T20 World Cup 2024. Dravid's experience and tactical acumen will be crucial as RR looks to rebuild their squad and challenge for the IPL title once again.

Mumbai Indians (MI), the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, face a crucial challenge in the upcoming mega auction with a limited budget of Rs 45 crore. Despite retaining their core Indian stars, MI must fill their squad strategically.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra predicts that MI will target an Indian spinner, particularly Yuzvendra Chahal. Chahal, the highest wicket-taker in IPL history, was surprisingly released by Rajasthan Royals. His consistent performance, with 18 or more wickets in the last six IPL seasons, makes him a valuable asset.Another potential target for MI is Washington Sundar, who was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad. Sundar's impressive performances in T20Is and Test cricket for Team India could fetch him a high price in the auction.Chopra also suggests that MI may bid for Ishan Kishan, but his high price tag may be prohibitive. Instead, he recommends alternatives such as Quinton de Kock, Jitesh Sharma, or Phil Salt for the wicket-keeper batter role.MI's strategy will likely involve building an Indian batting lineup and an overseas bowling lineup, with a couple of Indian spinners. The IPL mega auction will be held in Jeddah on November 24 and 25, and MI's ability to fill their squad effectively with their limited budget will be crucial to their success in IPL 2025.

Former South African batting legend AB de Villiers has urged Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to prioritize acquiring world-class spinners in the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. De Villiers, who played for RCB for 11 seasons, believes that re-signing Yuzvendra Chahal would be a crucial move for the franchise."I've always said that RCB needs a world-class spinner. Let's bring Yuzi back. He should never have left," De Villiers emphasized on his YouTube channel.De Villiers also identified four players who he believes RCB should target in the auction: Chahal, Kagiso Rabada, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar."I really like Ashwin. He brings a wealth of experience and can also contribute with the bat. Imagine having the twin spins from Rajasthan Royals at RCB," De Villiers said.He also advocated for his compatriot Rabada, stating, "Let's get Kagiso Rabada. If we get him, Chahal, and Ashwin, we'll have a tournament-winning bowling attack."De Villiers suggested that RCB should allocate a significant portion of their auction purse to these four players. "I'd spend almost my entire purse on them. If we can't get Rabada, we should go for Mohammed Shami or Arshdeep Singh," he added.RCB enters the auction with a purse of INR 83 crore and three Right to Match (RTM) cards, having retained Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. The IPL 2025 mega auction will take place in Jeddah on November 24 and 25.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is fast approaching, and former South African cricketer AB de Villiers has shared his insights on Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) strategy. With Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal retained, RCB has a substantial Rs 83 crore available for auction.De Villiers believes that RCB's retention choices provide a solid foundation. He sees potential for the team to acquire impactful players who could make RCB a title contender. "The good news is we still have Virat. And we didn't spend too much with the retentions. There's a lot in the bank still, which I'm very happy about," de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.Kohli's consistency and leadership are crucial for RCB. His impressive 2024 season, where he scored 741 runs at a strike rate of 154.70, earned him the Orange Cap. However, de Villiers believes that Kohli alone is not enough; the squad needs more players with skills tailored for Chinnaswamy Stadium.De Villiers sees leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal as a priority: "Let's just get Yuzi back at RCB where he belongs. He should never have left." He also suggested a robust bowling unit, ideally including Chahal, Kagiso Rabada, and Ravichandran Ashwin. "We're talking about a tournament-winning attack there," he added.Additionally, de Villiers suggested Bhuvneshwar Kumar as an option if Rabada isn't available, highlighting his vision for a versatile, street-smart team that can excel on the home ground. "My four priority players are Yuzvendra Chahal, Kagiso Rabada, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Ravi Ashwin. We can make a plan with the rest of the money we have left in the auction. If you can't get Rabada, I get hold of Mohammed Shami. If you can't get him, get hold of Arshdeep Singh. So there's lots of options," he further added."We don't need a trophy. Forget about the trophy. We need a team that understands the Chinnaswamy, who are street smart, who can bowl to plans, who can play to plans, who has got a very good understanding about the game of cricket," de Villiers noted.With a calculated mix of spin, pace, and experience, RCB's potential auction strategy could be groundbreaking. As de Villiers suggests, RCB has a strong chance to build a winning formula with the right investments.

Yuzvendra Chahal, India's limited-overs leg-spinner, has returned home after a successful stint in county cricket with Northamptonshire CCC. Chahal's impressive performances in both four-day and One-Day formats, where he claimed 24 wickets at an average of 17, have earned him accolades as one of the best overseas signings in recent times.Chahal's county experience has not only honed his skills but also provided him with an opportunity to showcase his abilities against a high standard of cricket. With India set to tour England next year, Chahal's performances have served as a testament to his capabilities.Beyond his on-field achievements, Chahal is passionate about mentoring young cricketers. He has been instrumental in guiding Krish Patel, an 18-year-old cricketer with a promising future. Chahal's commitment to nurturing the next generation of cricketers reflects his dedication to the sport.The growing trend of Indian cricketers participating in county cricket highlights its importance as a platform for growth and development. Players like Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Washington Sundar, Prithvi Shaw, and Chahal have all benefited from the competitive environment and high-quality opposition in county cricket.Brindon Bagirathan, the bridge between English Cricket and India, has played a pivotal role in facilitating Indian cricketers' participation in county cricket. Bagirathan's efforts have not only enhanced the skills of Indian players but also strengthened the global identity of Indian cricket.With India's tour of England in 2025 approaching, it is likely that more Indian cricketers will seek opportunities to play county cricket to impress the national selectors. The experience gained in county cricket will be invaluable in preparing for the challenges of international cricket.

Indian cricket star Yuzvendra Chahal recently celebrated his wife Dhanashree Verma's 28th birthday with a heartfelt Instagram post. The couple, who tied the knot in 2020, has become a fan favorite on social media for their adorable reels and public displays of affection.Chahal's Instagram post featured a series of photos of the couple, accompanied by the caption: "Another year older, another year more fabulous! Happy Birthday, love." The post garnered over 1 million likes and thousands of comments from fans and fellow cricketers.The couple's love story began during the COVID-19 lockdown when Chahal took online dance lessons from Dhanashree, a renowned dancer and choreographer. As their interactions grew, so did their bond, leading to their eventual marriage.In a previous interview, Chahal recounted the unique way he proposed to Dhanashree. After asking her why she was always so happy, he was struck by her response: "I seek happiness in small things in life." Inspired by her positive outlook, Chahal proposed to her without hesitation.Beyond their personal lives, Chahal and Dhanashree are both successful professionals. Chahal is a key member of the Indian cricket team, known for his exceptional leg-spin bowling. Dhanashree, on the other hand, is a talented dancer and photographer with a large social media following.The couple's popularity extends beyond the cricket field, as they have become known for their charming personalities and their love for each other. Their fans eagerly follow their every move, from their dance videos to their travel adventures.

Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal continued his impressive form in the English County Championship, claiming a nine-wicket match haul to guide Northamptonshire to a comfortable nine-wicket victory over Leicestershire.Chahal, who had taken 4/82 in the first innings, picked up 5/134 in the second, dismissing key Leicestershire batsmen to restrict them to 316. The visitors then chased down the modest target of 137 in just 30.3 overs, with skipper Luke Procter (68 not out) and George Bartlett (54 not out) guiding them home.Leicestershire had resumed the final day on 69/4, but Scott Currie and Tom Scriven put up a strong fightback, adding 110 runs for the fifth wicket. Currie reached a century (120) before falling to Chahal, who also dismissed skipper Lewis Hill (14) and Liam Trevaskis (2).Despite conceding runs during Currie and Scriven's partnership, Chahal's persistence paid off as he eventually claimed Currie's wicket to leave Leicestershire reeling at 303/9. Saif Zaib (2/61) then dismissed Louis Kimber to end the innings.Chahal's performance follows his impressive 5/45 and 4/45 in Northants' 133-run win over Derbyshire in the previous match. The Indian spinner has now taken 14 wickets in just two matches for his new county, showcasing his exceptional skills and ability to adapt to English conditions.Northamptonshire's victory moves them up to third place in Division Two of the County Championship, while Leicestershire remain in eighth position.

Northamptonshire's spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Rob Keogh once again proved their mettle, combining to dismiss Leicestershire for 203 on the opening day of their Vitality County Championship clash at Wantage Road.Chahal, the Indian leg-spinner, claimed 4 for 82, while Keogh chipped in with 3 for 20. Leicestershire opener Sol Budinger's 56 was the only significant contribution for the visitors, who struggled to cope with the home spinners.Northamptonshire's reply reached 134 for 3 at stumps, with James Sales unbeaten on 34. Luke Procter (38) and Gus Miller (37) made starts, but both fell to Scott Currie, who picked up two wickets.Leicestershire's innings began with a duck for Rishi Patel, who was caught at point off Saif Zaib. Budinger and Ian Holland struggled against the spinners, with Holland falling to Chahal for 12.Chahal was unlucky not to have Lewis Hill and Budinger dismissed lbw, but Keogh broke through just before lunch, castling Leicestershire skipper Hill for 32.After the interval, Budinger reached his half-century but was soon leg before to Jack White. Louis Kimber was caught behind off Ben Sanderson, while Rehan Ahmed's quickfire 30 ended when he was caught at long-off off Chahal.Ben Cox and Liam Trevaskis helped Leicestershire reach 200, but the spinners cleaned up the tail on the stroke of tea.Northamptonshire's response started unconvincingly, with Procter edging Holland between the slips. However, the skipper soon settled down and scored at a brisk pace.Procter's innings ended when he was caught behind off Currie, who also dismissed George Bartlett for a duck. Miller looked set for a half-century but was given out lbw to Tom Scriven for 37.Sales and Keogh guided Northamptonshire through to the close, leaving the hosts well-placed to push for victory on day two.

Northamptonshire's leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal produced a match-winning performance to guide his team to their first Vitality County Championship victory of the season against Derbyshire. Chahal's career-best match figures of 9 for 99 played a pivotal role in Northamptonshire's 133-run triumph.Resuming their second innings on 178 for 5, Northamptonshire added 33 runs to their overnight score, with Rob Keogh contributing a valuable 63. Derbyshire's bowlers, led by Jack Morley's three wickets, managed to dismiss the hosts for 211.Chasing a target of 266, Derbyshire's batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of Chahal's spin. The Indian international claimed four wickets in the second innings, including the crucial dismissal of Luis Reece, who was trapped lbw playing for turn.Keogh provided excellent support to Chahal, taking 5 for 44 to complete a match haul of 8 for 110. The off-spinner's wickets included the dangerous Aneurin Donald, who was caught behind by Lewis McManus.Despite a valiant effort from Wayne Madsen, who remained unbeaten on 48, Derbyshire's batting order failed to mount a significant challenge. Morley's late resistance was eventually broken by Keogh, who bowled him for 22.Chahal's match-winning performance was a testament to his skill and experience. The Indian spinner's ability to extract turn and variation from the pitch proved too much for Derbyshire's batsmen.Northamptonshire's victory is a significant boost to their hopes of climbing out of the relegation zone in Division Two. Derbyshire, on the other hand, remain rooted to the bottom of the table after their third defeat of the season.