Cricket

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have demonstrated their unwavering faith in their express bowler Mayank Yadav by retaining him for a staggering Rs 11 crore despite his injury-prone history. The franchise's co-owner, Shashwat Goenka, emphasized that Yadav's on-field contributions far outweigh his time spent on the sidelines.Yadav, who joined LSG in 2022, made his debut in 2024 and immediately showcased his exceptional pace, consistently exceeding 150kph. In his first two matches, he claimed Player of the Match honors with impressive performances of 3/27 against Punjab Kings and 3/14 against Royal Challengers Bangalore.Goenka acknowledged Yadav's injury history but stressed that it was not a decisive factor in their decision to retain him. "When he plays, what is the contribution he makes to the game and to LSG? That was the guiding principle behind keeping him," Goenka explained.Despite the challenges bowlers face in the high-scoring IPL, Goenka expressed confidence in Yadav's ability to handle the pressure. He cited the performances of Yadav and fellow young pacer Mohsin Khan in the death overs as evidence of their resilience.Yadav's retention is a testament to LSG's long-term vision and belief in his potential. The franchise is optimistic that he will continue to make significant contributions to their success in the years to come.

Rishabh Pant's missed run-out opportunity on the final ball of the 22nd over during New Zealand's first innings in the third Test at the Wankhede Stadium has drawn criticism from former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik.On the opening day of the game, Daryl Mitchell played a reverse sweep on the bowling of Washington Sundar. He ran the first one hard and asked his partner Will Young for a second run. Pant collected the ball at the striker's end but failed to hit the stumps. What he failed to notice was that Young was still around the halfway mark when he collected the ball. A good throw at the non-striker's end could have caught the New Zealand batter short.Karthik pointed out that Pant needed game awareness and should have taken one glove off to throw the ball at the other end. "They (India) had their opportunity in the form of a run-out. Have a look at Will Young, he is thinking just a single. Rishabh Pant is the man you need to watch out for. He didn't remove his glove and you can still see Will Young scrambling. If he had removed his gloves, have a look at where Young is and a throw down the non-striker's end would have definitely been a much better chance. There was so much time and because Rishabh Pant didn't remove his gloves there, he didn't even have the opportunity to go at it at the other end. As a keeper, it is very important to be aware of what's happening. And (I) must admit that Rishabh Pant did miss an opportunity there for a run-out," said Karthik on-air.India ended the opening day at 86 for 4, trailing New Zealand by 149 runs. India were solidly put at 78 for 1 at one stage but they lost three wickets in 8 balls to hand advantage to New Zealand. Earlier, Ravindra Jadeja claimed his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket as India made a remarkable comeback to bowl out New Zealand for 235 runs. With four wickets to his credit, Washington Sundar also helped the hosts' cause. Daryl Mitchell top-scored for New Zealand with a terrific 82, while Will Young hit 71 after New Zealand skipper Tom Latham won the toss and opted to bat.

Rishabh Pant's departure from Delhi Capitals (DC) ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction has shed light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics that led to his release. Pant's nine-year association with the franchise ended abruptly, with Axar Patel being retained as the first choice.According to a report by PTI, Pant's dissatisfaction stemmed from the decisions made by co-owners GMR Group, who will manage the franchise for the next two years. The appointment of Hemang Badani as head coach and Venugopal Rao as Director of Cricket reportedly left Pant unhappy.Furthermore, Pant was reportedly displeased with the GMR Group's decision to curb his powers. Earlier reports suggested that DC was considering stripping Pant of the captaincy and handing it to Axar Patel.Pant's release is a significant development, given his status as one of the most sought-after players in the IPL. He has been a key member of the Indian team, winning the T20 World Cup 2024 as India's first-choice wicket-keeper batter.The changes at DC reflect the franchise's desire for a fresh start. Ricky Ponting, who had been the head coach for seven years, was replaced by Badani. Sourav Ganguly, the former Director of Cricket, was also replaced by Rao.Pant's departure is a reminder of the ever-changing nature of the IPL. Franchises are constantly looking to optimize their rosters, and even established players can find themselves on the move. Pant's release is a testament to the competitive nature of the league and the importance of player satisfaction.

Virat Kohli's Return as RCB Captain: A Critical AnalysisAs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) prepares for the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction, the question of who will lead the franchise has become a topic of intense speculation. While Virat Kohli's name has been prominently mentioned, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has raised concerns about the wisdom of such a move.Manjrekar argues that fans should set aside their admiration for Kohli and objectively assess his recent performances. He points out that Kohli's T20 batting has declined in recent years, and his captaincy record with RCB has been mixed."Just because he is Virat Kohli, 95% of fans want him to be the captain," said Manjrekar. "But if you just go by his performances, it is not that impressive."Manjrekar suggests that RCB fans consider the possibility of a different captain, someone who may be better suited to the demands of T20 cricket. He emphasizes that Kohli's past achievements should not overshadow the need for a critical evaluation."I just have one question from the fans," Manjrekar added. "If instead of Virat Kohli, there was someone else, you just remove Virat Kohli from your mind, and just look at his performance in the IPL, his batting and captaincy performance. Then you think whether it is the right decision to make him the captain."Kohli led RCB from 2013 to 2021, guiding the team to one IPL final in 2016. However, his batting form suffered a significant dip between 2020 and 2022. In the last two seasons, he has regained some of his old form, scoring over 600 runs and winning the Orange Cap in 2024.Despite his recent resurgence, Manjrekar believes that Kohli's overall T20 record does not warrant an automatic return to the captaincy. He suggests that RCB should explore other options, including younger players who may be better equipped to handle the challenges of modern T20 cricket.

Daryl Mitchell, the New Zealand batsman, attributed his team's remarkable turnaround on the first day of the second Test against India to the famed Kiwi resilience. After India's collapse from a promising 78/1 to a precarious 86/4, Mitchell's gritty 82 propelled the Black Caps to a position of strength.Mitchell emphasized the collective effort and unwavering determination that characterized New Zealand's performance. Despite the early onslaught from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, the Kiwis refused to succumb to pressure. "We were lucky today to build some pressure," Mitchell said. "There was a nice partnership going between Shubman and Jaiswal. But as it happens in Tests, you get one, you try and get two and you keep trying to put the pressure on the opposition."Mitchell lauded the contributions of his teammates, particularly Rachin Ravindra's tireless fielding and Matt Henry's sharp catch that dismissed Virat Kohli. "Our motto is to just keep giving to the team," he explained. "The way Rachin and some of the other guys chased the ball right to the boundary, that's the stuff that we pride ourselves on. It means everyone's engaged. It's nice that it paid off tonight."Despite their strong finish, Mitchell acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by India's world-class batting lineup. "We put a total on the board (and) hopefully now we can take a few more wickets," he said. "The game is evenly poised right at the moment."Mitchell also dismissed any concerns about the pitch conditions, stating that the Kiwis were well-prepared for the bounce and turn of the red soil. "It's the nature of the red soil," he said. "It's going to have bounce and a little bit of turn. We knew what to expect."

IPL Mega Auction: Teams Vie for Captains and Indian Wicket-KeepersAs the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction approaches, teams are gearing up to address their key needs. With several franchises seeking new captains and Indian wicket-keepers, the auction is expected to be highly competitive.Chennai Super Kings (CSK)CSK's primary concern is finding a successor to MS Dhoni as captain. Rishabh Pant is the top target, but their limited purse of Rs 55 crore could hinder their pursuit. Ishan Kishan could be an alternative if Mumbai Indians (MI) do not exercise their right-to-match (RTM) card.Delhi Capitals (DC)With Pant departing, DC will seek a captain who can match his stature. Shreyas Iyer, who led them to the IPL final in 2020, is rumored to be their top choice.Gujarat Titans (GT)GT has retained Shubman Gill as captain. They may consider Pant as a wicketkeeping option, given their remaining purse of Rs 69 crore.Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)KKR, having released Iyer, are also in the market for a captain. KL Rahul and Jos Buttler are potential candidates, but their purse of Rs 51 crore could limit their options.Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)LSG has a purse of Rs 69 crore and is likely to target Pant as their captain and wicketkeeper. They released KL Rahul, who is now available in the auction.Mumbai Indians (MI)MI has spent heavily on retentions and named Hardik Pandya as captain. They are expected to use their RTM for Ishan Kishan.Punjab Kings (PBKS)With Ricky Ponting as head coach, PBKS has released all players except Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh. They have a massive purse of Rs 110 crore and are likely to build their squad around Pant. They may also use RTM for Arshdeep Singh.Rajasthan Royals (RR)RR has retained most of its core players and has a limited purse of Rs 41 crore. They will focus on acquiring support players for Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, and Yashashvi Jaiswal.Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)RCB has the second-highest purse after PBKS, with Rs 83 crore. Dinesh Karthik's move to the coaching staff opens up a slot for a captain and Indian wicketkeeper. Pant is a potential target, with Rahul as a backup option.Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)SRH is one of the few teams that appear settled. They will seek support players for their retained core, including Aiden Markram, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Umran Malik.

Rising Indian stars B. Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal showcased their exceptional batting prowess on day two of the first 'Unofficial Test' against Australia-A, guiding India-A to a commanding position with a 120-run lead.Mukesh Kumar, the Bengal seamer, had earlier stolen the show with a remarkable six-wicket haul, restricting Australia-A to 195 in their first innings. Despite his heroics, the hosts managed to secure a crucial 88-run lead.India-A's second innings began with a shaky start, losing skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhimanyu Easwaran cheaply. However, Sudharsan and Padikkal steadied the ship with a resolute 178-run stand for the third wicket.Sudharsan, known for his aggressive strokeplay, struck nine boundaries in his 185-ball 96, while Padikkal played a patient yet composed knock, scoring an unbeaten 80 from 167 balls. Their partnership allowed India-A to seize control of the match.Sudharsan's innings was characterized by his ability to dispatch anything short, cutting and pulling with precision. Padikkal, on the other hand, worked the ball around for quick singles and capitalized on loose deliveries to reach his half-century.With two more days remaining in the four-day fixture, India-A now hold a significant advantage. The scores stand at: India-A 107 and 208/2 in 64 overs (Sai Sudharsan 96 batting, Devdutt Padikkal 80 batting) vs Australia-A 195 in 62.4 overs (Nathan McSweeney 39; Mukesh Kumar 6/46, Prasidh Krishna 3/59).

Tanush Kotian, a lanky all-rounder from Mumbai's Vikhroli suburb, has emerged as a rising star in Indian cricket. His journey has been marked by challenges and triumphs, shaping him into a determined and versatile player.Kotian's passion for cricket began at a young age, influenced by his father, a legend in tennis-ball cricket. Initially a pacer, he gradually developed a fondness for spin bowling. His talent was evident early on, as he helped Mumbai win the Ranji Trophy in 2023.However, a setback occurred in 2022 when Kotian's bowling action was deemed "suspect" during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Despite never being reported in any domestic game, this incident raised doubts about his future.Undeterred, Kotian used this episode as motivation to prove his worth. He worked tirelessly to refine his action and regain his confidence. His determination paid off when he was selected for India-A's shadow tour of Australia ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Kotian's versatility as a batting and bowling all-rounder has been a subject of debate. He believes in developing both aspects of his game equally, aiming to be a complete cricketer. This approach has been influenced by his coaches, who have emphasized the importance of thinking like a batter while bowling and vice versa.Kotian's success has not come without sacrifices. He spends countless hours away from home, honing his skills and pursuing his dream. His father's unwavering support has been a constant source of encouragement.In the 2024 Ranji Trophy, Kotian played a pivotal role in Mumbai's victory, earning the Player of the Tournament award. His impressive performance, including 502 runs and 29 wickets, catapulted him into national reckoning.Kotian's journey is a testament to his resilience, determination, and unwavering belief in his abilities. As he continues to navigate the challenges of professional cricket, he remains focused on achieving his ultimate goal of representing India at the highest level.

England Test Captain Ben Stokes' Home Burgled During Pakistan TourEngland Test captain Ben Stokes' home in County Durham, northeast England, was burgled on the evening of October 17 while he was on tour in Pakistan. The incident occurred while Stokes' wife and two young children were present in the house.According to Stokes, the burglars were "masked" and stole several valuables, including a medal he received after being recognized in the 2020 New Year Honours list for his role in England's World Cup victory the previous year. Other stolen items included a Christian Dior handbag, a gold ring with England cricket insignia, and bracelets.Durham Police have arrested a 32-year-old man on suspicion of burglary. He has since been bailed.Stokes expressed his concern about the emotional and mental impact the incident has had on his family. "By far the worst thing about this crime is that it was carried out whilst my wife and two young children were in the house," he wrote on his personal Instagram account. "Thankfully, none of my family came to any physical harm. Understandably, however, the experience has had an impact on their emotional and mental state.""All we can think about is how much worse this situation could have been," Stokes added.The burglary occurred while Stokes was in Pakistan for a Test series, which England lost 2-1.