Cricket

Star India batter Rinku Singh, who rose to prominence with his explosive batting in IPL 2023, has been retained by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a whopping 13 crore. The power-hitter, who smashed five sixes against Yash Dayal in a memorable innings, has become the highest-paid player in the KKR squad.Following the IPL retentions, reports have emerged claiming that Rinku has purchased a luxurious bungalow in The Golden Estate, Aligarh, for an estimated 3.5 crore. The property is said to be a 500 square yard house.Meanwhile, KKR has parted ways with their IPL-winning captain Shreyas Iyer. Despite leading the team to their first title in a decade, Iyer has been released due to a combination of factors, including his batting statistics and the team's strong top-order.Iyer joins the ranks of other unfortunate IPL captains who have been released after title wins, such as Adam Gilchrist and David Warner.This year's IPL retentions have witnessed a bold approach from franchises, with several experienced players being released in favor of uncapped and inexperienced Indian players. Out of the 46 players retained across all teams, 36 are Indian, including 10 uncapped stars.These uncapped players include Abhishek Porel, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mohsin Khan, Ayush Badoni, Shashank Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, and Yash Dayal.Among the capped Indian players, 13 have played less than 30 international matches, and eight have played 10 or fewer games for India. Notably, Dhruv Jurel, who has only played international matches for India, has received the biggest pay hike, going from 20 lakh this season to 14 crores next season.

Mohammed Shami's return to competitive cricket has been further delayed due to a fresh injury setback. The Bengal pacer, who has been sidelined since November 2022 with an ankle injury, has now developed a side strain that has ruled him out of the next two Ranji Trophy matches.Shami's absence from the Bengal squad for the matches against Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh effectively ends his hopes of being included in India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, starting November 22. Despite showing positive signs of recovery from his ankle injury, Shami's side strain has extended his comeback timeline.The 32-year-old had resumed bowling at full intensity last month and expressed optimism about his recovery. However, the latest setback has dashed his hopes of a swift return to action.Shami's ankle injury had kept him out of action since the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy season, where he was the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 24 wickets in just seven games. Despite the pain and fatigue, he had taken three five-wicket hauls in the tournament.The Bengal squad for the next two Ranji Trophy matches includes Anustup Majumdar (capt), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Sudip Chatterjee, Sudip Gharami, Shahbaz Ahmed, Writtick Chatterjee, Avilin Ghosh, Shuvam Dey, Shakir Habib Gandhi, Pradipta Pramanik, Aamir Gani, Ishan Porel, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Mohammed Kaif, Rohit Kumar, and Rishav Vivek.India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy includes Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Ravichandran Ashwin, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, and Washington Sundar.

Team India's dismal performance in the Test series against New Zealand has sparked a debate about Rohit Sharma's future as captain. With the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy looming, former India batter Mohammad Kaif has thrown his support behind Rishabh Pant as the ideal successor to Rohit in the longest format.Kaif believes that Pant possesses the qualities necessary to lead India in Test cricket. He highlighted Pant's impressive batting record, his ability to perform in all conditions, and his impact on the team's performance."From the current team, only Rishabh Pant is in contention to be Test captain," Kaif said. "He's worthy of it. Whenever he's played, he's put the Indian team in front. He's ready to play a match-winning knock no matter what number he comes in to bat."Kaif pointed to Pant's performance in the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai as evidence of his leadership potential. "Till he was at the crease, New Zealand didn't breathe easy," Kaif said. "He's shown that already, his keeping has improved drastically."Kaif believes that Pant's experience and maturity have made him the ideal candidate to take over the captaincy from Rohit. "When Rishabh Pant will be playing his last Test match, he will retire as a legend," Kaif said. "He deserves to be Rohit Sharma's successor especially in Test cricket."While Jasprit Bumrah is the designated vice-captain in India's Test side, Kaif's endorsement of Pant as the future captain is a significant development. It remains to be seen whether the selectors will agree with Kaif's assessment, but Pant's performances in recent years have certainly strengthened his case for the captaincy.

South Africa and India are set to clash in a four-match T20I series starting on Friday in Durban, marking their first encounter since India's triumph in the T20 World Cup final four months ago.Both teams have undergone significant changes since that memorable match in Barbados. South Africa will be without key players like Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Quinton de Kock. India, too, has made alterations, with only four players from their World Cup-winning squad featuring in this series.South African coach Rob Walter acknowledges the challenges of balancing overlapping cricket schedules. He emphasizes the need to manage players carefully to ensure they perform at their best when representing their country.Despite the absences, South Africa has assembled a strong squad that includes franchise stars David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Marco Jansen, and Keshav Maharaj. India, on the other hand, will field a mix of experienced players and promising youngsters, including Ramandeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, and Yash Dayal.The series holds financial significance for Cricket South Africa, with substantial revenue expected from Indian television broadcasts. It also provides an opportunity for India's emerging talents to showcase their skills ahead of the upcoming IPL auction.The schedule for the series is as follows:* November 8: Durban* November 10: Gqeberha* November 13: Centurion* November 15: Johannesburg

Virat Kohli's recent Test series against New Zealand has been a disappointing one, with the former Indian captain scoring just 44 runs in five innings. This has resulted in a significant drop in his ICC Test ranking, with Kohli now sitting at 22nd, his lowest position in over a decade.Kohli's struggles have been evident throughout the series, with the 34-year-old failing to convert starts into substantial scores. In the first Test in Kanpur, he was dismissed for 0 and 1, while in the second Test in Mumbai, he managed only 4 and 1.Kohli's poor form has coincided with a resurgence from Rishabh Pant, who has moved up to sixth in the ICC Test batting rankings after a strong performance in the Mumbai Test. Pant scored half-centuries in both innings, helping India to avoid a whitewash.Other Indian batters to make gains in the rankings include Shubman Gill, who moved up four places to 16th, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who dropped a rung to fourth.In the bowling rankings, Ravindra Jadeja climbed two spots to sixth after taking 10 wickets against New Zealand. Jasprit Bumrah remains India's top-ranked bowler, sitting at fourth, while Ravichandran Ashwin is fifth.New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell also made a significant jump in the rankings, moving up eight places to seventh after scoring 82 in the first innings of the Mumbai Test.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, has etched his name in the annals of cricket history as one of the most successful captains of all time. Known for his unwavering composure and astute tactical acumen, Dhoni led the Indian national cricket team to unprecedented heights, winning all three major ICC tournaments: the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy.Dhoni's leadership style is characterized by his ability to remain calm under pressure, his keen understanding of the game, and his unwavering belief in his players. His ability to make quick decisions and adapt to changing circumstances has been instrumental in India's success on the international stage.Beyond his cricketing prowess, Dhoni has also garnered immense respect from fans and opponents alike for his humble demeanor and sportsmanlike conduct. Despite the intense rivalry between India and Pakistan, Dhoni's calm demeanor and respectful attitude towards opponents have won over fans across borders.One such Pakistani cricketer who is a fervent admirer of Dhoni is Sajid Khan, the spinner who played a pivotal role in Pakistan's recent Test series victory against England. In a viral video, Khan expressed his admiration for Dhoni, stating, "The best captain is MS Dhoni, he is very cool and calm, and a successful captain too."Khan's admiration for Dhoni is a testament to the latter's enduring legacy as a cricketing icon. Dhoni's ability to inspire and motivate his players, coupled with his tactical brilliance, has made him a role model for aspiring cricketers around the world.

Afghanistan's captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, elected to bat first after winning the toss against Bangladesh in the opening ODI in Sharjah. The decision marked the debut of left-handed opening batter Sediqullah Atal, who replaced the injured Ibrahim Zadran. Atal has previously featured in six T20Is.Afghanistan's lineup included four spin-bowling options: legspinners Rashid Khan and Rahmat Shah, left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote, and offspinners Mohammad Nabi and AM Ghazanfar. Fazalhaq Farooqi served as their sole frontline quick, with Azmatullah Omarzai and Gulbadin Naib providing support.Bangladesh, on the other hand, faced the absence of key players Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, and Tanzim Hasan due to various reasons. Nasum Ahmed and Nahid Rana were also unavailable for the match. Their team featured three frontline pacers in Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, and Shoriful Islam, along with two spinners in Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain.Afghanistan entered the series with momentum from their 2-1 victory over South Africa in September, while Bangladesh had not played an ODI in eight months. This match also marked Bangladesh's first ODI in Sharjah in 29 years.

Yuvraj Singh's Iconic Shots Recreated by Impersonator, Inspiring Young Indian BatterFormer Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh has shared a viral video showcasing an impressive impersonation of his signature batting style. The fan flawlessly recreated Yuvraj's iconic pull shots and powerful sixes, earning widespread admiration online.Yuvraj, renowned for his elegant and powerful batting, was particularly known for his memorable six sixes in an over against England's Stuart Broad during the 2007 T20 World Cup. The fan's impersonation captured the essence of Yuvraj's legendary moment, sparking nostalgia and reminding cricket lovers of his remarkable achievements.The video has resonated with fans, celebrating the enduring impact of Yuvraj's legacy. His fans appreciated the gesture, highlighting the inspiration he continues to provide to aspiring cricketers.Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video featuring young Indian batter Abhishek Sharma, who reflected on his arrival at Kingsmead, Durban. This venue holds special significance as it's where the first T20I against South Africa will be played and also where Yuvraj Singh's six sixes took place.Abhishek expressed his excitement about playing at the historic ground where one of Indian cricket's most iconic moments took place. He highlighted the deep influence Yuvraj's achievement has had on his own cricketing journey."I have come here for the first time, but when I saw it (the ground) on TV and now that I am here, it's like a dream come true. I was inspired by Yuvraj Singh's six sixes in 2007. The first day when I came here I was trying to figure out from what end to which end he had hit the sixes. He had sixes all over the ground, it's a great memory," said Abhishek.Yuvraj Singh's iconic batting style and memorable achievements continue to inspire young cricketers, showcasing the enduring legacy of one of India's most celebrated cricketers.

Kerala's seasoned all-rounder, Jalaj Saxena, has etched his name in the annals of Indian domestic cricket by becoming the first player to amass 6000 runs and claim 400 wickets in the prestigious Ranji Trophy. This remarkable feat was achieved during the Elite Group C fourth round match against Uttar Pradesh at St Xavier's College Ground.Saxena, who had crossed the 6000-run milestone in Kerala's previous match in Kolkata, reached the double landmark after dismissing left-hander Nitish Rana with a sharp off-spin delivery that resulted in a stumping. The 37-year-old became the 13th bowler in Ranji Trophy history to reach the 400-wicket mark, a testament to his exceptional bowling prowess.Saxena's journey in First-Class cricket began in 2005 with Madhya Pradesh, where he spent 11 years, claiming 159 wickets and scoring 4041 runs. In the 2016-17 season, he moved to Kerala and has since become the second-highest wicket-taker in First-Class cricket for the team, behind only KN Ananthapadmanabhan.Last season, Saxena joined the ranks of legends when he became only the fourth player in Indian domestic cricket history to achieve 9000 runs and 600 wickets across all formats, joining the exclusive company of Vinoo Mankad, Madan Lal, and Parvez Rasool.In the Ranji Trophy alone, Saxena's record is unparalleled among active all-rounders and stands in a league with Indian greats like Vijay Hazare, Madan Lal, and Sunil Joshi. His all-round abilities have been instrumental in Kerala's success in recent seasons, and he continues to be a vital cog in the team's quest for silverware.