Cricket

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction approaches, teams are strategizing their purchases. Dinesh Karthik, batting coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has predicted that South African fast bowler Gerald Coetzee could command a hefty sum.Coetzee, currently part of the South African squad facing India in a T20I series, impressed in the second match. He dismissed opener Abhishek Sharma and contributed 19 runs off nine balls, helping his team secure victory.Karthik believes Coetzee's versatility and impressive performances will spark a bidding war at the auction, scheduled for November 24 and 25. "He's a thinking cricketer who has worked on his batting. He's not just a one-trick pony," Karthik said.Coetzee was acquired by Mumbai Indians (MI) for INR 5 crore in IPL 2024, taking 13 wickets in 10 games. However, he was released ahead of the mega auction.RCB, with the second-highest purse of INR 83 cr, has retained Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) mentor Zaheer Khan also praised Coetzee's batting prowess and dedication to his role.Coetzee's performances in the ongoing T20I series have further enhanced his reputation. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a valuable asset for any IPL franchise.Teams will be eager to secure Coetzee's services at the mega auction, and it remains to be seen how high the bidding will go for the talented South African all-rounder.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir's pre-departure press conference ignited a verbal spat with former Australia captain Ricky Ponting. Gambhir defended Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's recent form, questioning Ponting's comments.Ponting, in response, labeled Gambhir as a "prickly character" and expressed surprise at his reaction. However, he clarified that his initial comments were not intended as a dig at Kohli."I actually followed it up by saying he's played well in Australia and he'll be keen to bounce back over here," Ponting said. "If you ask Virat, I'm sure he would be a little bit concerned that he hasn't been able to make the same amount of hundreds as he has in previous years."Kohli's form has been a concern, with the former India captain scoring just 488 runs in 25 innings across formats in 19 international matches this year.Gambhir, however, remains confident in Kohli and Sharma's abilities. "They (Kohli and Rohit) are incredibly tough men; they've achieved a lot for Indian cricket and are going to achieve a lot in future as well," he said.India's upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia is crucial for their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC). The team had their first practice session at the WACA stadium in Perth on Tuesday and will open the series at the Optus Stadium in the same city on November 22.

Arshdeep Singh Credits Jasprit Bumrah for His Bowling SuccessIndia's rising pace sensation Arshdeep Singh has attributed his remarkable development as a bowler to the invaluable guidance of his senior teammate Jasprit Bumrah. The duo's formidable partnership played a pivotal role in India's triumphant run to the T20 World Cup 2024 title, with both pacers delivering match-winning performances throughout the tournament.Arshdeep, who has swiftly become a cornerstone of India's bowling lineup in T20 cricket, acknowledged Bumrah's profound influence in building pressure on opponents, thereby enhancing his own effectiveness and wicket-taking ability."I have had a really good bowling partner in Jassi bhai (Jasprit Bumrah), and he has helped me enormously in taking a lot of wickets by creating pressure from the other end. So a lot of credit goes to him as well," Arshdeep told the media ahead of the third T20I between India and South Africa.However, Arshdeep emphasized the importance of adapting to varying conditions and situations to maintain his performance level, especially in Bumrah's absence during the ongoing series."But the main thing is how well I can adapt to the conditions and the situations of the game, how I can attack the batsman early on and take some early wickets. And even at the death, how I can outsmart them and bring the game back into our hands," he added.Despite facing challenges in replicating his World Cup form, Arshdeep has managed to secure a couple of crucial wickets in the series. With the series currently tied at 1-1, he is focused on refining his approach to help India gain the upper hand in the upcoming matches.Arshdeep's rapid rise to prominence has been marked by his ability to swing the ball both ways, generate pace, and execute yorkers with precision. His partnership with Bumrah has formed a formidable bowling duo that has been instrumental in India's recent successes in T20 cricket.

India's decision to boycott the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the future of the tournament. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed India's withdrawal on Sunday, despite earlier suggestions of a "hybrid" solution involving India playing their matches in Dubai.Pakistan has expressed disappointment and is reportedly considering hosting the tournament without India or boycotting it altogether. Such a scenario would be a major blow to the ICC, which has secured broadcast rights worth $3.2 billion until 2027 and expected an additional $1 billion from other sources.India's absence would significantly impact viewership and popularity, as they are the highest revenue generator for the ICC. Pakistan's absence could also be problematic, as India is scheduled to host four major ICC events between 2024 and 2031. If Pakistan retaliates by boycotting these events, it would further diminish their viewership.The political tensions between India and Pakistan have prevented bilateral series for over a decade, making international competitions the only platform for their rivalry. These matches generate immense popularity and viewership, as evidenced by the record-breaking numbers during the 2023 World Cup.Even if Pakistan accepts the "hybrid" model, funding could be an issue. The ICC has allocated $70 million for the tournament, with only $4.5 million for additional expenses. Moving India's matches to Dubai would incur additional costs and travel time for teams.The ICC may increase its budget if plans change, but logistical challenges could arise for all teams involved. The situation highlights the complex relationship between politics and sports, and the potential impact on major sporting events.

Delhi Capitals' Strategic Retention of Tristan Stubbs Lauded by Paul AdamsFormer South African spinner Paul Adams has hailed the Delhi Capitals' decision to retain Tristan Stubbs for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Amidst significant roster changes, including the release of former captain Rishabh Pant, Stubbs's retention underscores the franchise's belief in his abilities."It was a calculated move from Delhi Capitals," Adams told IANS. "Stubbs is one of the few young players who will be a long-term asset for the franchise. He has proven his credentials in all formats, including a classy innings against Bangladesh in Tests. Having a young, hard-hitting batter and a terrific fielder will always benefit the team."The 22-year-old Stubbs has impressed with his aggressive batting and efficient fielding in previous IPL seasons, scoring three half-centuries in 18 matches. Alongside Stubbs, Delhi Capitals have also retained Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and uncapped player Abishek Porel, aiming to solidify their core team."With Axar, Kuldeep, and Porel also in the retention list, DC has tried to retain their core strength," Adams added. "But with Rishabh gone, it will be interesting to see who will lead the team."Stubbs, who made his IPL debut in 2022, has scored 405 runs at an average of 36.82, including three fifties. Acquired for Rs 50 lakh in the 2024 IPL Auction, his performance showcases his potential as a long-term asset for the team.Adams also praised the emergence of young talent like Gerald Coetzee and credited the SA20 tournament for its positive impact on South African cricket, attributing part of its success to the involvement of IPL franchises."Coetzee has been around for a while and has always been able to contribute with the bat," Adams said. "His innings the other night was absolutely amazing. Coming in and taking the pressure off Stubbs immediately. Having a player like that down the order and the batting depth South Africa now has in T20 is important.""It allows batters to continue to keep going hard," Adams added. "And you've got to understand that the game's never finished. You've got to make sure you've got length in your batting and batters down the order that can clear the ropes. And we had to see what Gerald is capable of."

KL Rahul, the enigmatic Indian cricketer, recently faced a perplexing dilemma during an interview on Star Sports. Asked to choose his preferred IPL 2025 teammate from the legendary trio of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni, Rahul found himself in a pickle."It's a tough one," Rahul confessed. "I've enjoyed playing with all of them. It's very tough to answer."Rahul's predicament highlights the exceptional talent pool available in Indian cricket. Rohit Sharma, the current Indian captain, is renowned for his aggressive batting and astute leadership. Virat Kohli, the former Indian captain, is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. MS Dhoni, the former Indian captain and wicketkeeper, is known for his calm demeanor and strategic brilliance.In addition to his teammate selection dilemma, Rahul also revealed his preferred batting position. "I would pick 'floater' instead of opener or finisher," he said. "I like to bat at different positions and adapt to the situation."Rahul's versatility and adaptability make him a valuable asset to any IPL team. He has consistently performed well at the top of the order, but he is also capable of batting in the middle order and finishing innings.After being released by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Rahul is set to enter the upcoming IPL mega auction with a base price of Rs 2 crore, the highest possible. As captain of LSG for three seasons, Rahul guided the team to the playoffs in 2022 and 2023. However, the team's performance dipped in 2024, leading to a seventh-place finish.Despite his departure from LSG, Rahul clarified that he is open to taking on the captaincy role again if presented with the opportunity. "I would never go and ask someone for it," he said. "But if you feel that my leadership skills are good enough... I am happy to do it."Rahul's primary focus is to be part of a team with a positive and supportive environment. He believes that a collective and unified approach is crucial for success in a tournament as competitive as the IPL.The upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction will be a significant event for both Rahul and the franchises. His experience, batting prowess, and leadership qualities make him a valuable asset.

Nathan Lyon Deemed More "Complete" Bowler Than Ravichandran Ashwin by Former South African Test CricketerFormer South African Test cricketer Paul Adams has sparked a debate by asserting that Australian spinner Nathan Lyon possesses a more "complete" skillset than his Indian counterpart Ravichandran Ashwin. Adams's comments come ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Test series between India and Australia.Both Lyon and Ashwin are widely regarded as elite spinners in modern cricket, boasting over 500 Test wickets each. However, Adams believes Lyon's versatility across different conditions gives him an advantage."I still think Nathan Lyon has a more complete game in terms of competing in the subcontinent and in Australia or South Africa, those types of conditions, than Ashwin," Adams stated.Adams, renowned for his unconventional "frog in a blender" bowling action, highlighted Lyon's ability to generate overspin as a crucial factor. He contrasted this with Ashwin, whose carrom ball adds a unique dimension to his bowling.Adams also addressed the absence of Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami from the upcoming series against Australia. He expressed his belief that Shami's absence will be a significant blow to the Indian team, especially on Australian pitches."I think he (Shami) will be a major miss for India, given the Australian conditions," Adams said.The former South African cricketer expects Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to assume a more prominent role in the bowling department in Shami's absence.

Mumbai's women's cricket team showcased their dominance in the Senior Women's T20 Trophy, crushing Bengal by a commanding 10 wickets in the final held at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The victory marked a resounding triumph for the Mumbai side, who displayed an all-round performance that left their opponents trailing in their wake.Bengal's batting lineup struggled to find their footing against Mumbai's formidable bowling attack. Dhara Gujjar's valiant effort of 26 runs off 38 balls proved to be a solitary bright spot for the Bengal team. Mumbai's Jagravi Pawar emerged as the star of the show, claiming an impressive 3/13 from her four overs, while Soumya Singh chipped in with 2/11. Sayali Satghare and Fatima Jaffer also contributed with one wicket each.The Mumbai batters, in contrast, made light work of the Bengal bowling attack. Humaira Kaazi led the charge with an unbeaten 41 off 36 balls, including five fours and a six. Vrushali Bhagat provided solid support, scoring an unbeaten 45 off 39 balls with six fours. The Mumbai duo's clinical batting performance ensured that they chased down the meager target of 86 runs in just 12.3 overs without losing a single wicket.Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) president Ajinkya Naik hailed the team's triumph, announcing that the organization would match the BCCI's prize money of Rs 40 lakh. "This win inspires every young women cricketer in Mumbai to dream big and strive for excellence," Naik said in a statement.

Perth Scorchers' teenage sensation Chloe Ainsworth continued her impressive start to the WBBL, leading her team to a dominant 74-run victory over the previously undefeated Sydney Thunder.Ainsworth's impressive bowling figures of 2 for 15 at Drummoyne Oval on Tuesday night played a crucial role in restricting Thunder to a mere 97 runs in the 20th over, well short of Scorchers' formidable total of 171 for 7. The young seamer's early wickets set the tone for the match, as she conceded only 4 runs from her opening two overs.The result snapped Thunder's four-match winning streak and propelled Scorchers from fifth to second on the WBBL ladder. However, the match was not without its drama, as one of Drummoyne Oval's light towers malfunctioned early in Thunder's chase. Umpires halted play to consult with both teams, and Thunder captain Phoebe Litchfield opted to continue batting despite the reduced visibility."I don't think I would like to be batting out there with Ainsworth out there firing, but that's the umpire's call," Thunder coach Lisa Keightley said after the match. "And they gave it to the players, so that is interesting."Despite the setback, Litchfield and Heather Knight briefly reignited Thunder's hopes with a 32-run third-wicket partnership. However, Litchfield's dismissal off Amy Edgar's bowling triggered a collapse, with Thunder losing wickets in quick succession.Earlier, Sophie Devine played a pivotal role in setting up Scorchers' victory with a well-paced 48 from 34 balls. The New Zealand star, who had endured two consecutive ducks prior to Tuesday's match, found her rhythm alongside India's Dayalan Hemalatha, who contributed a brisk 41 off 26 balls.Devine's innings included a six and four boundaries, providing the impetus for Scorchers' strong total. Mikayla Hinkley also played a valuable role, contributing 26 runs to the team's cause.While Devine's performance showcased her experience and class, Ainsworth's display highlighted her immense potential. The 19-year-old has emerged as a genuine threat to opposition batters, adding the likes of Chamari Athapaththu, Meg Lanning, and Alice Capsey to her growing list of victims this season.With nine wickets at an average of 12.88, Ainsworth has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. Her ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace makes her a formidable opponent, and her performances have undoubtedly caught the attention of Australian selectors.