Cricket

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are set to undergo a significant roster overhaul ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. The franchise is unlikely to retain their title-winning captain Shreyas Iyer and star all-rounder Andre Russell.Instead, KKR is expected to retain four players: Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, and uncapped fast bowler Harshit Rana. Mitchell Starc, who was acquired for a record INR 24.75 crore in the IPL 2024 auction, is also unlikely to be retained.The possibility exists that KKR may retain a second uncapped player in Ramandeep Singh, an explosive lower-middle order batter. However, this would leave them with only one right-to-match option at the auction, which could limit their ability to reacquire Iyer, Russell, or Starc.The deadline for franchises to submit their list of retained players is October 31. Teams are allowed to retain up to six players, with a maximum of five capped internationals and two uncapped players. While the IPL has set minimum deductions from the auction purse for each retained player, franchises are free to pay more or less than those amounts.KKR's decision to release Iyer and Russell marks a significant shift in their strategy. Iyer led the team to the IPL title in 2024, while Russell has been a key contributor since joining the franchise in 2014.Among the players retained, Narine, Rinku, and Varun have all played vital roles for KKR in recent seasons. Narine, the Most Valuable Player in 2024, provides explosiveness at the top of the order and is a wicket-taking threat. Varun has been the team's most successful bowler in the last two seasons, while Rinku has emerged as a promising young batter.Rana is a rising fast bowler who is part of India's Test squad for the upcoming tour of Australia. Ramandeep's performances in the IPL and domestic cricket earned him a spot in India's squad for the recent Emerging Players Asia Cup.

West Indies have recalled Shimron Hetmyer to their ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against England, starting in Antigua on Thursday. Hetmyer replaces Alick Athanaze in the squad, marking the only change from the group that recently toured Sri Lanka.Hetmyer's return to the ODI setup comes after a brief absence. He last featured in the format in December 2023, playing a key role in West Indies' 2-1 series victory over England. However, he missed the Sri Lanka tour due to personal reasons.Despite his absence, Hetmyer has maintained his form in domestic cricket. He recently finished fifth on the run-scorers' list at the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). His inclusion in the squad is expected to bolster West Indies' batting lineup.Alick Athanaze, who had been one of the incumbent openers, has lost his spot to Evin Lewis. Lewis, making his first ODI appearance in over three years, impressed with an unbeaten 102 from 61 balls in the third ODI against Sri Lanka.Shai Hope will continue to lead the West Indies team, which also includes 17-year-old batting prodigy Jewel Andrew. Andrew made his ODI debut at the end of the Sri Lanka series and will be looking to make an impact against England.England, led by Liam Livingstone, have already arrived in the Caribbean for their third limited-overs tour since 2022. Jos Buttler, who has been out with a calf injury since July, is still recovering and will not be available for the ODI series."Playing against England always provides a new challenge and reignites a rivalry that the players and the people of the Caribbean are eager for," said Daren Sammy, West Indies head coach. "We West Indies always find a way to raise our game when we face England."The first two ODIs will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, followed by the third ODI in Barbados. The series will then be followed by five T20Is, played at the Kensington Oval and the Daren Sammy National Stadium in St Lucia.

The Hong Kong Sixes 2024, a thrilling cricket tournament, is set to ignite the Tin Kwong Road Cricket Ground from November 1 to 3. Featuring 12 teams, the tournament promises an electrifying spectacle with six-a-side matches, captivating performances, and a vibrant atmosphere.The teams have been divided into four pools of three each, competing in a round-robin format. India, led by Robin Uthappa, will face arch-rivals Pakistan and UAE in Pool C. Hosts Hong Kong will battle South Africa and New Zealand in Pool A, while Pool B comprises Australia, England, and Nepal. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Oman will clash in Pool D.The tournament kicks off with South Africa facing Hong Kong, followed by the highly anticipated India-Pakistan encounter on the first day. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the quarter-finals, with the winners progressing to the semi-finals. The quarter-final losers will compete in the Plate semifinals, while the bottom-placed teams in each pool will play in the Bowl Competition.A total of 29 matches will be played over three days, showcasing the skills and strategies of some of the world's best cricketers. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, a Women's Exhibition Match will be held on the final day.The tournament schedule is as follows:November 1:* South Africa vs Hong Kong: 6 AM (IST), 8:30 AM (Local time)* England vs Nepal: 6:55 AM (IST), 9:25 AM (Local Time)* Pakistan vs UAE: 7:50 AM (IST) 10:20 AM (Local Time)* Sri Lanka vs Oman: 8:45 AM (IST), 11:15 AM (Local Time)* New Zealand vs Hong Kong: 9:40 AM (IST), 12:10 PM (Local Time)* Bangladesh vs Oman: 10:35 AM (IST), 13:05 PM (Local TIme)* India vs Pakistan: 11:30 AM (IST), 14:00 PM (Local Time)* England vs Australia: 12:25 PM (IST), 14:55 (Local Time)* South Africa vs New Zealand: 1:15 PM (IST), 15:45 (Local Time)* Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh: 2:10 PM (IST), 16:40 (Local Time)November 2:* Australia vs Nepal: 6 AM (IST), 8:30 AM (Local Time)* India vs UAE: 6:55 AM (IST), 9:25 AM (Local Time)* Bowl Match 1: A3 vs D3 7:50 AM (IST), 10:20 AM (Local Time)* Bowl Match 2: B3 vs C3 8:45 AM (IST), 11:15 AM (Local Time)* Quarterfinal 1: B1 vs A2 9:40 AM (IST), 12:10 PM (Local Time)* Quarterfinal 2: A1 vs C2 10:35 AM (IST), 1:05 PM (Local Time)* Bowl Match 3: A3 vs C3 11:30 AM (IST), 2:00 PM (Local Time)* Bowl Match 4: B3 vs D4 12:25 PM (IST), 2:55 PM (Local Time)* Quarterfinal 3: D1 vs B2 1:15 PM (IST), 3:45 PM (Local Time)* Quarterfinal 4: C1 vs D2 2:10 PM (IST), 4:40 PM (Local Time)November 3:* Bowl Match 5: A3 vs B3 6 AM (IST), 8:30 AM (Local Time)* Plate Semifinal 1: LQ1 vs LQ2 6:55 AM (IST), 9:25 AM (Local Time)* Plate Semifinal 2: LQ3 vs LQ4 7:50 AM (IST), 10:20 AM (Local Time)* Bowl Match 6: C3 vs D3 8:45 AM (IST), 11:15 AM (Local Time)* Women's Exhibition Match: 9:40 AM (IST), 12:10 PM (Local Time)* Semifinal 1: WQ1 vs WQ2 10:20 AM (IST), 12:50 PM (Local Time)* Semifinal 2: WQ3 vs WQ4 11:10 AM (IST), 1:40 PM (Local Time)* Bowl final: 12:05 PM (IST), 2:35 PM (Local Time)* Plate Final: 12:55 PM (IST), 3:25 PM (Local Time)* Cup Final: 1:55 PM (IST), 4:25 PM (Local Time)

Domestic Cricket Thrills: Patidar's Century, Delhi's Dominance, and Mumbai's DrawThe Ranji Trophy, India's premier domestic cricket tournament, has witnessed a thrilling week of action. Madhya Pradesh's Rajat Patidar stole the show with a lightning-fast century, while Delhi and Baroda registered emphatic victories. Defending champions Mumbai, however, were held to a draw by Tripura.Patidar's Blazing CenturyMadhya Pradesh batter Rajat Patidar set the stage alight with a blistering century against Haryana. He reached the three-figure mark in just 68 balls, becoming the fifth-fastest centurion in Ranji Trophy history. Patidar's innings helped Madhya Pradesh post a formidable total, but Haryana fought back to earn a hard-fought draw.Delhi's Dominant WinDelhi secured their first outright victory of the season with a comprehensive 10-wicket triumph over Assam. Openers Sanat Sangwan and Gagan Vats chased down the target of 59 runs without losing a wicket, securing a bonus point for their team.Mumbai Held to DrawMumbai, the defending champions, were held to a draw by Tripura after taking a first-innings lead. Tripura's Bikramkumar Das and Jiwanjot Singh played unbeaten knocks to guide their team to safety.Baroda's Innings VictoryBaroda skipper Krunal Pandya led from the front with a century, while Shivalik Sharma and Vishnu Solanki also made significant contributions. Their efforts helped Baroda secure an innings and 98-run victory over Odisha.Other Match ResultsIn other matches, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Baroda, Karnataka, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Jammu & Kashmir, Chandigarh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Railways, and Vidarbha emerged victorious. Punjab and Uttar Pradesh played out a draw, while Bengal and Kerala's match was unfinished.

Ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia, former Indian cricketer M. S. K. Prasad has expressed confidence in Virat Kohli's ability to regain his form. Despite a challenging start to the decade in Test cricket, Prasad believes Kohli's love for Australian conditions will ignite his batting prowess.In 2024, Kohli's Test performance has been inconsistent, with an average of 27.22 in five Tests. However, in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2023-25, he has shown signs of improvement, scoring 556 runs at an average of 42.76.Prasad, who served as a BCCI selector, emphasized Kohli's affinity for Australian pitches. "Virat Kohli is like a duck getting into the water when he goes to Australia. He loves these conditions and probably he must be eagerly itching to just finish off this Wankhede Test match and then go and play in Australia because he loves that," Prasad said on Star Sports.The Border-Gavaskar series will commence on November 22 in Perth, with the second Test scheduled for Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. The third Test will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18, followed by the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The series will culminate with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7.India's squad for the series includes Rohit Sharma as captain, Jasprit Bumrah as vice-captain, and a mix of experienced and emerging players. Notably, Mohammed Shami was not included in the squad.

Smriti Mandhana, the star batter of Indian women's cricket, has etched her name in the annals of history by surpassing the legendary Mithali Raj to become the Indian player with the most ODI centuries. Mandhana's elegant stroke play and aggressive approach have been instrumental in her remarkable achievement.During the third ODI against New Zealand women at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Mandhana notched up her eighth century, surpassing Raj's record of seven. Her innings of 100 off 122 balls was a testament to her exceptional batting prowess and provided India with a strong start.Mandhana's ability to build big scores has set her apart as one of the finest batters in the game. Her powerful stroke play and elegance at the crease have often provided India with vital innings at crucial moments. In the final match of the three-match ODI series, India secured a six-wicket victory over New Zealand, winning the series 2-1.Behind Mandhana is Mithali Raj, a legendary figure in Indian cricket. With seven centuries to her name, Raj's approach was marked by precision, patience, and technical prowess. Her career spanned over two decades, during which she not only held together India's middle order but also inspired countless young cricketers. Her impact on Indian women's cricket is undeniable, and her seven centuries stand as a testament to her enduring skill and resilience.Current ODI skipper Harmanpreet Kaur is another notable name in the list of Indian batters with multiple ODI centuries. Known for her aggressive batting and match-winning knocks, Kaur has six ODI centuries to her name. She has often taken on the role of a game-changer, particularly in high-stakes situations. Her ability to counterattack and play under pressure has made her one of the most exciting players in the lineup.Punam Raut, with three centuries, has also made a significant contribution to India's journey in women's cricket. Her steady approach and ability to accumulate runs have earned her a place among the top batters in the country.These players have each contributed uniquely to India's success in women's cricket, creating a formidable legacy for future generations. Mandhana's record-breaking achievement is a testament to her exceptional talent and the bright future of Indian women's cricket.

Sri Lanka is poised to make history by hosting its inaugural men's T10 competition from December 12 to 22, marking a significant milestone in the country's cricketing landscape. This tournament, organized in partnership with T Ten Global Sports, will feature six franchises, one more than the Lanka Premier League, Sri Lanka's premier T20 competition.The tournament's draft is scheduled for November 10, with overseas players expected to participate. The draft will also include emerging players from Zimbabwe and the West Indies, where T Ten Global Sports operates similar ventures.Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Shammi Silva expressed his enthusiasm for the tournament, stating, "I am confident that the first ever draft of the Lanka T10 Super League is going to set the platform for an exciting and entertaining tournament, which will add color to the Sri Lankan cricketing calendar and bring in a new experience to our players and fans, alike."The T10 tournament is strategically placed in the cricketing calendar, coinciding with an 11-day window between the conclusion of the second Test in South Africa and the commencement of a white-ball series in New Zealand. This timing ensures the availability of Sri Lanka's top men's players, including stars like Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Maheesh Theekshana.The tournament is expected to attract significant attention from fans and media alike, providing a platform for emerging players to showcase their skills and for established stars to further enhance their reputations. With its fast-paced and action-packed format, the Lanka T10 Super League promises to deliver an unforgettable cricketing experience for all involved.

With the IPL 2024 retention deadline fast approaching, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are facing crucial decisions regarding their player roster. The team's most pressing concern is the status of legendary captain MS Dhoni, who has hinted at continuing his IPL career.CSK's retention strategy has been the subject of intense speculation, with many wondering whether Dhoni will be retained as an uncapped or capped player. The franchise has remained tight-lipped about its plans, but a recent social media post has sparked a flurry of predictions.On Tuesday evening, CSK posted a cryptic message on Twitter featuring emojis of a helicopter, sword, star, rocket, and others. Social media users quickly interpreted these emojis as hints towards the team's retained players.According to popular predictions, Ravindra Jadeja, Ritiraj Gaikwad, Matheesha Pathiarana, MS Dhoni, and Rachin Ravindra are likely to be retained. Jadeja, the all-rounder, is believed to be CSK's top retention choice, while Gaikwad, the young opener, has emerged as a key player for the team.However, some have dismissed the social media predictions, claiming that the post is an old one that has been re-published. CSK has not officially confirmed any retentions, and the final list will only be revealed on the deadline day.Meanwhile, Dhoni has dropped a subtle hint about his IPL future. During an event, he expressed his desire to enjoy the remaining years of his cricket career. "I just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I am able to play," Dhoni said.CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has also expressed his delight at Dhoni's willingness to continue playing. "When he is ready, what else (do) we want. We are happy," Viswanathan told Cricbuzz.Despite the uncertainty surrounding Dhoni's status, CSK is reportedly considering Jadeja as their No. 1 retention choice. The all-rounder has been a vital cog in the team's success over the years and is expected to lead the side in the upcoming season.As the retention deadline approaches, CSK will have to make some tough decisions to shape their squad for the 2024 season. The retention of Dhoni and Jadeja will be crucial for the team's hopes of regaining the IPL title.

India's women's cricket team clinched the three-match ODI series against New Zealand with a resounding six-wicket victory in the decisive match on Tuesday. The triumph was orchestrated by a masterful century from star batter Smriti Mandhana, who anchored India's chase of 233 with an unbeaten 100 runs off 122 balls.Mandhana's innings was a return to form for the talented batter, who had struggled to make an impact in the previous two ODIs and the preceding T20 World Cup. Her patient yet dominant knock, studded with 10 boundaries, laid the foundation for India's successful run chase.After a shaky start that saw India lose Shafali Verma early, Mandhana found a willing partner in Yastika Bhatia. The duo stitched together a crucial 76-run partnership for the second wicket, steadying the Indian innings. Bhatia played the perfect foil to Mandhana, scoring a brisk 35 runs before falling to a return catch.Mandhana's partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur proved decisive, effectively sealing the match for India. Their 118-run stand for the third wicket deflated the New Zealand bowling attack, with Kaur playing a supporting role with an unbeaten 59.By the time Mandhana departed in the 41st over, India were within touching distance of victory. Earlier in the day, New Zealand recovered from a precarious 88/5 to post a respectable total of 232/5, thanks to a fighting knock of 86 runs from Brooke Halliday. The Indian bowlers, led by Deepti Sharma and Priya Mishra, had initially dominated the proceedings, reducing New Zealand to a moderate total. Despite the late fightback from New Zealand, Mandhana's century proved to be the difference between the two sides.India's victory in the series is a testament to the team's resilience and determination. Despite facing a strong New Zealand side, the Indian women showed their mettle and emerged victorious. Mandhana's century was the highlight of the match, but the contributions of other players, such as Bhatia and Kaur, were equally crucial.