Cricket

Rohit Sharma's IPL Future Sparks Fan Frenzy at India-New Zealand TestDuring the first Test between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru, India captain Rohit Sharma found himself at the center of a light-hearted moment that has captured the attention of cricket fans on social media. As Rohit walked off the field, a fan shouted out a question that has sparked speculation about his future in the Indian Premier League (IPL)."Bhai, IPL mein kaun sa team?" (Brother, which IPL team?), the fan asked, eager to know Rohit's preferred destination for the upcoming season. Rohit responded with a playful question of his own: "Where do you want?"Without hesitation, the fan replied, "Bhai, RCB mein ajao yaar (Come to RCB, brother)." Rohit, however, did not respond to the plea and continued walking towards the pavilion, leaving the fan's request unanswered.Rohit's current IPL team, Mumbai Indians (MI), has been his home for the past 13 seasons, during which he has led them to five championship titles. However, the fan's plea from the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) camp highlights the intense rivalries and transfer hopes that run deep within the IPL.In the match itself, Rohit bounced back from a disappointing first innings with a solid 52 in India's second innings, providing a strong foundation alongside opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (32). The hosts have staged a remarkable recovery by erasing New Zealand's mammoth 356-run lead, bringing the team back into contention for a victory.Rohit's future with MI remains uncertain, and the fan's plea for him to join RCB has sparked speculation about a potential transfer. While Rohit has been a key figure for MI, the team's recent struggles and the emergence of young talent could lead to a change in strategy.The IPL is known for its unpredictable nature and game-changing transfers, and Rohit's future destination will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. Whether he remains with MI or makes a move to another franchise, his presence is sure to have a significant impact on the upcoming season.

Legendary cricketers Vivian Richards, Sunil Gavaskar, and Shaun Pollock have been appointed as governing council members of the inaugural International Masters League (IML) tournament. The six-nation T20 event, featuring retired players like Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara, will take place from November 17 to December 8.The IML aims to provide a platform for former cricketers to showcase their skills and relive their glory days. The tournament will feature three stages, with matches being played in Navi Mumbai, Lucknow, and Raipur.Richards, Gavaskar, and Pollock will oversee the strategic direction, rules, and operations of the IML. They will ensure that the league maintains its status as a premier platform for retired cricketers.The IML has attracted significant interest from fans and players alike. The tournament will provide a unique opportunity for cricket enthusiasts to witness some of the greatest players of all time in action once again.The inaugural edition of the IML is expected to be a grand spectacle, with a host of former cricketers set to participate. The tournament will not only provide entertainment but also serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of these legendary players.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 retention list is highly anticipated, especially considering the upcoming mega auction. Among the most intriguing questions is whether Rohit Sharma will remain with the Mumbai Indians (MI), a team he has led to five IPL titles.According to a report by the Indian Express, MI is likely to retain Rohit along with three other star cricketers: Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Suryakumar Yadav. This move would ensure the continuity of MI's core leadership group.Rohit Sharma, currently leading the Indian cricket team in the first Test against New Zealand, has been the subject of much speculation regarding his IPL future. Last year, he was replaced as MI captain by Hardik Pandya, sparking rumors of a rift within the team. However, the report suggests that MI remains committed to Rohit's leadership.In a recent incident, a fan approached Rohit Sharma during the Test match and asked him which IPL team he would be playing for. The fan's plea for Rohit to join the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) went viral on social media. Rohit responded with a smile but did not provide a direct answer.Meanwhile, MI has appointed Paras Mhambrey as their bowling coach. Mhambrey, who previously served as India's bowling coach, will work alongside current bowling coach Lasith Malinga under head coach Mahela Jayawardene. This appointment strengthens MI's coaching staff and signals their commitment to improving their bowling performance.

Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali has criticized young Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for throwing away his wicket cheaply in the second innings of the first Test against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Jaiswal was dismissed for 35 off 52 balls, stumped by Tom Blundell off Ajaz Patel, leaving fans and experts frustrated with his shot selection at a critical moment.Basit voiced his frustration on his YouTube channel, labelling Jaiswal as a "kacha player" (not ripe yet). He acknowledged Jaiswal's talent but stressed the importance of staying at the crease to support the team. "I agree that you have many shots in your arsenal, but it was crucial for you to stay at the wicket because you're a left-hander, my prince. A left-hander disrupts the opposition’s bowling rhythm," Basit remarked. "In the first innings, you got out early due to the toss (India's decision to bat first in overcast conditions), but this time you handed your wicket to Ajaz Patel. For the team’s sake, you needed to stay longer; this mindset is necessary."Jaiswal’s dismissal came at a moment when India needed stability to fight back from a first-innings disaster. The opener stepped out of the crease, aiming to dominate Patel, but the ball dipped and then bounced unexpectedly, beating his bat and allowing Blundell to complete the stumping. While Jaiswal showed glimpses of his potential with six boundaries, his aggressive approach ended prematurely, giving New Zealand their first breakthrough on Friday.India, bowled out for a humiliating 46 in the first innings, trailed New Zealand by 356 runs after the visitors posted 402. Rachin Ravindra's brilliant 134 and Tim Southee’s 65 propelled New Zealand to a commanding lead. However, India bounced back in the second innings, reaching 231-3 at stumps on Day 3, thanks to a gritty 136-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan.Furthermore, Basit also emphasized that India would not be playing for a draw but a win even if they eventually lose the match.

Nathan Lyon, Australia's premier off-spinner, has taken on the mantle of preserving the legacy of spin bowling following the tragic loss of Shane Warne. With the potential to join Warne as one of Australia's top two wicket-takers this season, Lyon feels a responsibility to keep the art of spin alive.Lyon's longevity has been instrumental in Australia's recent success, having played 100 consecutive Tests before a calf injury sidelined him in the Ashes last year. Now 36, Lyon has no plans to retire anytime soon, aiming to play until his 40th birthday and potentially the 2027 Ashes in England.While Lyon acknowledges that he has not yet considered his legacy or potential successors, he recognizes the importance of promoting spin bowling in the wake of Warne's passing. Warne's revival of the art in the 1990s inspired a generation of bowlers, and Lyon feels a duty to continue that legacy."I do see the responsibility of flying the flag for the spinners around the country," Lyon said. "Especially with the passing of Warnie, I feel like there is a big role for me to ensure that spin stays cool."Lyon's passion for spin bowling is evident in his mentorship of young spinners like Todd Murphy, Matthew Kuhnemann, and Tanveer Sangha. He believes that Sangha, in particular, has the potential to become a superstar of the game."What he can offer for New South Wales and Australia going forward is going to be nothing but amazing," Lyon said of Sangha. "He's going to be a superstar of the game."Lyon's commitment to spin bowling extends beyond his own performances. He is determined to inspire future generations of spinners and ensure that the art remains a vital part of the game.

Ram Babu, an ardent fan of former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni, has revealed the enduring bond between the two. Despite Dhoni's retirement from international cricket, he continues to support Babu, providing him with match passes to various matches across India.Babu, known for his iconic T-shirt adorned with the Indian tricolour and Dhoni's jersey number 7, shared how Dhoni personally ensures he receives match passes. "I take Dhoni's name to the stadium, and the passes I've been receiving so far are all arranged by Dhoni sir," Babu disclosed in a viral video.This heartwarming gesture highlights Dhoni's humility and appreciation for his fans. Babu expressed his unwavering support for the Indian team and his intention to continue chanting Dhoni's name at matches, even if he no longer plays for the country.Meanwhile, Dhoni's future with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) remains uncertain ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. With five IPL titles under his belt, Dhoni's IPL future will significantly impact CSK's strategy for the upcoming season.Interestingly, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced a new rule allowing players who have not represented India for over five years to be classified as 'uncapped'. This enables CSK to retain Dhoni for a base price of ₹4 crore, giving hope to fans who wish to see him play for the franchise once more.Whether Dhoni plays the IPL or not, his legacy extends far beyond the cricket field. His unwavering support for his fans and his humility have made him an icon not only in India but worldwide.

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has heaped praise on Sarfaraz Khan, comparing him to legendary Pakistani batter Javed Miandad. Manjrekar's comments came after Sarfaraz's impressive performance in the first Test between India and New Zealand in Kanpur.Sarfaraz, who replaced the injured Shubman Gill in the Indian team, scored a half-century in the first innings and remained unbeaten on 70 off 78 balls at the end of Day 3. Manjrekar was particularly impressed with Sarfaraz's approach to batting, both offensively and defensively."Sarfaraz reminds me of a Javed Miandad of the 1980s but this is a 2024 version of a Javed Miandad," Manjrekar said on ESPNcricinfo's YouTube channel. "Really impressed with the way he played. We know he plays spin well but I liked the way he played fast bowlers."Miandad, who played for Pakistan from 1975 to 1996, is considered one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He scored over 16,000 international runs, including 8,832 in Tests at an average of 52.57.Manjrekar also praised Sarfaraz's game awareness, particularly towards the end of the day's play. "Towards the end of the day's play, he was looking to play defensively and wanting bad light when there was actually bright light," Manjrekar said. "I loved the way he was ducking to bouncers, just trying to play the day out so he has that game as well and that augurs well for India and Sarfaraz Khan for Australia because he has shown that element of batting as well."Sarfaraz stitched a 136-run partnership with Virat Kohli in the second innings, before the latter departed on the final ball of Day 3. India will resume their innings on Day 4 with Sarfaraz looking to convert his half-century into a century.

Shakib Al Hasan's Absence Sparks Protests as Bangladesh Prepares for South Africa Test SeriesBangladeshi cricket fans gathered outside the Mirpur Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Friday to protest the exclusion of star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan from the national team ahead of the upcoming home test series against South Africa.Shakib, who is also a politician, had initially flown from the United States to join the Bangladesh team but abruptly canceled his trip while in Dubai, citing "security concerns." The development sent shockwaves through the cricket community, with hundreds of Shakib's supporters taking to the streets to express their outrage."Shakib is one of the best cricketers in the world. You can't exclude him from the team," said one fan wearing a Bangladesh jersey. "He didn't do anything wrong. Why is he being barred from coming home?"Another supporter added, "Shakib wants to say goodbye to cricket from Mirpur, not Kanpur. He will do it on his own terms."The fans fear that Bangladesh cricket will suffer without Shakib's presence. "The team is immobile without him," said one fan.Shakib's absence stems from his involvement in politics. He joined the ruling Awami League party in 2023 and won a parliamentary seat in the 2024 general election. However, the party has been accused of committing crimes during a recent uprising that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Shakib is one of the accused in these cases.Despite the allegations, Shakib had expressed his desire to continue playing cricket and had sought security guarantees from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The BCB initially responded positively and announced his inclusion in the team. However, Shakib's decision to cancel his trip has raised questions about his safety concerns.The BCB has since appointed former West Indies batter Phil Simmons as the new head coach of the national team, replacing Chandika Hathurusinghe.

Ishan Kishan, the explosive left-handed batter, is set to make a comeback to the India A team after being dropped from the BCCI central contracts earlier this year. Kishan's return to the domestic circuit as captain of Jharkhand has paved the way for his inclusion in the India A squad for two four-day "Tests" against Australia A and an intra-squad match with the senior team.Kishan's omission from the central contracts raised concerns about his prioritization of the Indian Premier League (IPL) over domestic cricket. However, his recent performances for Jharkhand have demonstrated his commitment to the domestic game.The two "Tests" against Australia A will be held at McKay from October 31 to November 3 and at the MCG from November 7 to 10. While the BCCI has yet to announce the official squad, Ruturaj Gaikwad or Abhimanyu Easwaran is expected to lead the side.Easwaran, who has scored four centuries in his last four first-class matches, could also be called up as a backup opener for the senior team. Skipper Rohit Sharma is set to take a break during one of the first two Tests due to personal reasons.Bengal will be represented in the India A squad by seamer Mukesh Kumar and keeper-batter Abhishek Porel. The likely squad includes:* Ruturaj Gaikwad* Abhimanyu Easwaran* Devdutt Padikkal* Sai Sudharsan* B Indrajith* Abishek Porel (wk)* Ishan Kishan (wk)* Mukesh Kumar* Ricky Bhui* Nitish Kumar Reddy* Manav Suthar* Navdeep Saini* Khaleel Ahmed* Tanush Kotian* Yash DayalKishan's return to the India A team is a testament to his talent and determination. It also highlights the importance of domestic cricket in the development of Indian players.