Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is gearing up for its 2025 season with a mega auction set to take place on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A total of 574 players, including 366 Indians and 208 overseas players, will go under the hammer. This includes 330 uncapped players, of which 318 are Indian and 12 are from overseas.The auction will feature a total of 204 slots, with 70 available for overseas players. This is the first time since the 2018 auction that the marquee list has been split into two. The marquee list includes players who have a base price of INR 2 crore or more.The IPL auction is a crucial event for teams to build their squads for the upcoming season. Teams will be looking to acquire a mix of experienced and talented players to bolster their chances of success. The auction is also an opportunity for young and uncapped players to showcase their skills and earn a contract with an IPL franchise.The IPL has become one of the most popular cricket leagues in the world, attracting top players from around the globe. The league has also played a significant role in the development of Indian cricket, providing a platform for young players to showcase their talent and earn international recognition.The 2025 IPL season is expected to be another exciting and competitive one, with teams vying for the coveted trophy. The mega auction will play a key role in shaping the teams and determining the outcome of the season.

Newly appointed Delhi captain Ayush Badoni showcased his exceptional talent with a scintillating century, guiding Delhi towards a potential first-innings lead against Jharkhand in their Ranji Trophy Group D encounter.Badoni, known for his exploits with Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, displayed his hunger for runs with an unbeaten 116 off 144 deliveries. His knock propelled Delhi to 238 for 5 at stumps on Day 3, in response to Jharkhand's formidable first-innings total of 382.Badoni's innings was a masterclass in strokeplay, featuring 11 boundaries and four sixes. He fearlessly attacked the Jharkhand bowlers, hitting two sixes off former Mumbai Indians spinner Anukul Roy. His partnership with Sumit Mathur (19*) for the unbroken sixth wicket has added 80 runs, but Delhi still require 148 runs on the final day to secure three points and maintain their quarter-final hopes.The contrast between Badoni's quality and that of some of his teammates was evident. While Badoni played with confidence and aggression, others struggled to make significant contributions. Anuj Rawat (52) was the only other top-order batsman to make a notable impact.Delhi's designated skipper Himmat Singh, who was replaced by Badoni after a defeat against Chandigarh, continued his poor form with a duck. He is likely to be replaced by Jonty Sidhu in the next match.The most significant partnership for Delhi was the 60-run stand between Mayank Gusain (24) and Badoni for the fifth wicket. Badoni's ability to counterattack and take the aerial route set him apart from his colleagues.On the final day, Badoni will aim for a double century, but he will need support from Mathur and lower-order batter Siddhant Sharma, both of whom have shown their batting prowess earlier this season.

Railways' Woes Continue as Tamil Nadu Dominates in Ranji TrophyAhmedabad, November 15, 2024: The Indian Railways team has endured a challenging start to their Ranji Trophy campaign, conceding a substantial lead to Tamil Nadu and losing half their side in their second innings.The hosts, who spent over 133 overs fielding as Tamil Nadu amassed 438 runs in their first innings, expressed their frustration through animated gestures and "clapping" in unison as several lbw and caught-behind appeals went against them.Tamil Nadu's S. Mohamed Ali played a pivotal role, scoring 91 runs and forging an 80-run partnership with S. Ajith Ram for the seventh wicket. However, Kunal Yadav's five-wicket haul put the brakes on Tamil Nadu's progress, removing Ajith Ram and S. Lakshay Jain in quick succession.Mohamed Ali, sensing an opportunity, decided to farm the strike and go for boundaries with No. 10 Gurjapneet Singh at the other end. This strategy proved successful as he was caught at long-on.Railways may have seen a glimmer of hope, but 16-year-old Pranav Ragavendra and Gurjapneet frustrated the bowlers with a 36-run stand. An extended first session was not enough for Railways to end their ordeal, as Tamil Nadu was only dismissed after lunch.To make matters worse, skipper Pratham Singh lost his stumps off the first ball of Railways' second innings as Gurjapneet continued his habit of striking early. The Railways top-order proceeded briskly after that, with Vivek Singh (63) and S.A. Ahuja (36) engaging in a 65-run stand. Mohammad Saif joined the opener for a 70-run association.However, three late-evening jolts saw Railways slipping from 135 for three to 150 for five. Unless Saif (52 batting) produces something extraordinary, Tamil Nadu is poised to secure a victory.

James Anderson, at 42, Registers for IPL 2025 Mega AuctionFormer England pacer James Anderson, a veteran of international cricket, has made history by becoming the oldest player to register for the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. At 42 years of age, Anderson has set his base price at Rs 1.25 crore for the auction, which will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25.Anderson's entry into the IPL auction pool marks a significant moment in his illustrious career. The seasoned fast bowler, who hasn't featured in T20 cricket since 2014, could make his inaugural appearance in the IPL. Should any team secure his services at the upcoming auction, it would represent a major milestone for Anderson as he ventures into the IPL arena.The IPL released its highly-anticipated Player Auction List on Friday, featuring a total of 574 players for the upcoming Mega Auction. Of the 574 players, 366 are Indian, and 208 are from overseas, including three from Associate Nations. The list includes 318 uncapped Indian players and 12 uncapped players from abroad.In total, 204 slots are up for grabs, with 70 spots available for overseas players, as confirmed by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah on behalf of the IPL. According to the BCCI statement, the highest reserve price is set at Rs 2 crore, with 81 players opting for this top bracket. Additionally, 27 players have a reserve price of Rs 1.50 crore, while 18 players are listed with a reserve price of Rs 1.25 crore.Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis and Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, both aged 40, are the second-oldest players set to go under the hammer at the auction. The presence of these experienced players adds depth and experience to the auction pool.The IPL 2025 mega auction promises to be an exciting event, with a wide range of talented players available for selection. Anderson's registration for the auction has generated significant buzz, and it remains to be seen which team will secure the services of the veteran pacer.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Auction is poised to be a grand spectacle, set to take place on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This mega auction will witness a pool of 574 players, including 366 Indians and 208 overseas players, vying for the attention of the 10 IPL franchises.Among the marquee players set to go under the hammer are Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, and Mohammed Siraj. These star performers have proven their mettle in both domestic and international cricket, making them highly sought-after commodities.The auction will be conducted by Mallika Sagar, who has successfully handled the Women's Premier League (WPL) auction and the IPL 2024 auction. The bidding war is expected to be intense, with franchises eager to secure the services of these exceptional players.Wicketkeeper-batters are likely to be in high demand, and KL Rahul stands out as a prime candidate. His consistent performances and captaincy experience make him a valuable asset for any team. Rishabh Pant, known for his explosive batting and leadership abilities, is another player who is expected to fetch a hefty sum.Ishan Kishan, another explosive wicketkeeper-batter, has also proven his worth in the IPL and on the international stage. His ability to score runs quickly and his wicketkeeping skills make him a highly desirable player.Other players who are expected to attract significant interest include Shreyas Iyer, a talented batter and former captain, and Arshdeep Singh, a left-arm pacer who has impressed with his performances in the IPL and for India.The IPL 2025 Auction promises to be a thrilling event, with franchises vying to build their squads for the upcoming season. The presence of marquee players and the intense bidding war will undoubtedly make this auction one of the most memorable in IPL history.

Karnataka Unveils Squad for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Vysakh Vijaykumar ReturnsKarnataka has announced its 15-player squad for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scheduled to take place in Indore from November 23rd to December 5th. The team will be led by Mayank Agarwal, with Manish Pandey serving as vice-captain.The squad features the return of fast bowler Vysakh Vijaykumar, who recently missed two rounds of the Ranji Trophy due to his selection for the Indian T20I team. Vijaykumar's inclusion bolsters Karnataka's bowling attack, which also includes experienced campaigners like Shreyas Gopal and Vasuki Koushik.Karnataka's batting lineup boasts a wealth of talent, including India's middle-order batsman Devdutt Padikkal, Abhinav Manohar, and KL Shrijith. The team will be hoping for consistent performances from these batsmen to guide them through the tournament.Karnataka has been placed in Group B for the tournament and will face a challenging schedule. They will open their campaign against Uttarakhand, followed by matches against Tripura, Saurashtra, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Baroda, and Gujarat.The team's support staff remains unchanged, with Yere Goud continuing as head coach and Mansur Ali Khan as bowling coach. They will be tasked with guiding Karnataka to success in the tournament.The full Karnataka squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is as follows:* Mayank Agarwal (Captain)* Manish Pandey (Vice-captain)* Devdutt Padikkal* Abhinav Manohar* Shreyas Gopal* R Smaran* KL Shrijith (Wicketkeeper)* Vysakh Vijaykumar* MacNeil H Noronha* Vasuki Koushik* Manoj Bhandage* Vidyadhar Patil* LR Chethan (Wicketkeeper)* Shubhang Hegde* L Manvanth Kumar

India and South Africa will face off in the fourth and final T20I match in Johannesburg on Friday, November 15, with the series win on the line. India currently holds a 2-1 lead after winning the third game by a narrow margin.In the opening match, India dominated with a 61-run victory, thanks to Sanju Samson's brilliant century (107 off 50 balls). However, South Africa bounced back in the second game, winning by 3 wickets despite Varun Chakaravarthy's five-wicket haul.In the third game, Tilak Varma shone with an unbeaten 107 as India edged past South Africa by 11 runs. The Proteas fought hard in the chase of 220 but fell short at 208 for 7.India will be aiming to seal the series win in the fourth T20I, while South Africa will be desperate to level the series. The match will be played at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, starting at 08:30 PM IST.The match will be telecast live on Sports18 and Colors Cineplex TV channels in India. It will also be streamed live on Jio Cinema app and website.

Virat Kohli, the enigmatic Indian batter, has arrived in Australia for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite his recent form struggles, the Australian media has accorded him a grand reception, recognizing his enduring status as a cricketing icon.Various Australian newspapers, including The West Australian and Sydney Morning Herald, have prominently featured Kohli on their front pages. However, their coverage has been a curious blend of admiration and scrutiny. While acknowledging Kohli's past brilliance, they have also highlighted his recent performance dip.The Sydney Morning Herald's front-page image of Kohli, captioned "A Heavy Crown," captures the duality of his current situation. The publication notes that Kohli's form has waned in recent years, particularly in Test cricket. Since 2020, he has averaged a modest 31.68, a far cry from his peak years between 2016 and 2019, when he averaged an astonishing 66.79.Kohli's struggles were evident in India's recent home Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, where he managed only 192 runs in 10 innings. This poor performance saw him drop out of the ICC Men's Test batting rankings Top 20 for the first time in a decade.Despite his recent struggles, Kohli remains a formidable force in Test cricket. His career average of 47.83 is a testament to his exceptional talent. Moreover, he has a remarkable record against Australia on their home turf, averaging 54.08 in 13 matches.The Australian media's intense focus on Kohli is a reflection of his enduring popularity and the high stakes of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Kohli will be eager to prove that he is still a world-class batter, while Australia will be determined to exploit his recent vulnerabilities. The series promises to be a fascinating contest between one of the greatest batters of all time and a formidable Australian team.

Melbourne Renegades emerged victorious in a thrilling nine-run WBBL clash against local rivals Melbourne Stars, thanks to a career-best knock from Nicole Faltum and Sarah Coyte's clutch bowling in the dying moments.Faltum's unbeaten 66 off 42 deliveries propelled the Renegades to a competitive 170 for 6 at the MCG. The wicketkeeper-batter's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, as she smashed six boundaries and two maximums.The Stars' chase got off to a shaky start as Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin stifled their scoring rate. However, Rhys McKenna and Tess Flintoff threatened to turn the tide with some quickfire batting.But Coyte's ice-cool bowling proved to be the difference-maker. She dismissed both McKenna and Flintoff in the penultimate over, leaving the Stars needing 18 runs off the final six balls. Matthews' valiant effort wasn't enough to secure victory, as the Renegades held on for a crucial win.Faltum's partnership with Georgia Wareham (34) was instrumental in setting up the Renegades' victory. The duo added 67 runs for the sixth wicket, a new WBBL record for runs added after the fall of the fifth wicket.The result sees the Renegades climb to second spot on the ladder with a 5-3 record, while the Stars' playoff hopes hang in the balance at 2-4.Faltum's performance was a testament to the Renegades' unwavering belief in their abilities. "There is just this belief amongst the group that we can win from anywhere," she said. "We didn't win our first two games but we still believed that we were right on task."