IND v ENG: India Comes Supreme Against England’s Bazball
India produced a clinical performance in the first T20I against England, with a comprehensive seven-wicket victory at Eden Gardens. India Spinners Dominant With The Ball Winning the toss, India elected to field all three frontline spinners, a decision that became a masterstroke as they bundled England for just 132 runs. Arshdeep Singh provided the initial breakthrough, and Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Ravi Bishnoi started to strangle the Englishmen in the middle overs. Chakravarthy’s impressive 3 for 23 was the highlight, while Arshdeep’s 2 for 17 made him India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is. India Spinners Thrash England’s Batting Line-up The English batting line-up struggled against India’s spinners, with Jos Buttler’s 68 off 44 balls being the only notable contribution. The English middle order faltered as the spinners worked their magic. While Buttler briefly gave some hope to his team with a 48-run stand with Harry Brook, Chakravarthy sent back both Brook and Liam Livingstone in quick succession, leaving the tourists in a precarious position. Even Archer’s 12 down the order could not make the total look threatening for England, as India’s bowlers dominated the proceedings. Abhishek Sharma’s Rampage At The Top Of The Order India’s chase of 133 was never in doubt, as the openers chased the target. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma came out all guns blazing, with the latter playing a blistering knock of 79 off just 34 balls. Abhishek’s innings was a display of clean hitting, with 68 of his runs coming in boundaries, including 8 sixes and 5 fours. Archer did manage to dismiss both Samson and Suryakumar Yadav in quick succession, but Abhishek continued to dominate, effectively sealing the win for India. India’s Fielding As Tight As Security Of A Prison While batting, India centered its action. India’s fielding was also spectacular. A brilliant diving full-stretch catch from Nitish Kumar Reddy took away the chances from Jos Buttler to play much more from deep. The catching was made harder when Ben Duckett found it on his bat, that too by Rinku Singh, a contribution crucial to win for the Indian side and clearly highlight the differences between both sides of playing this game. India Exploits England’s Vulnerability In the first T20I, England batters failed against India’s spin attack. The tourists could not read the lengths and lines of the Indian spinners, which cost them dearly as only Buttler showed the necessary skill to counter the spinners. On the other hand, India’s spinners were able to maintain pressure, suffocating the English batsmen with a combination of accuracy and variety. India Takes 1-0 Lead In The T20I Series This complete victory puts India at the helm of the five-match T20I series. Both the teams would be now traveling to Chennai for the second T20I. England has to quickly regroup and figure out how to score against India’s spin bowling. India’s all-round performance left them miles ahead of the competition. Will India continue to establish their dominance or will England bounce back with a win in the second T20I of the series?? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IND v ENG: T20I Series To Test Limits Of The Shortest Format
India and England prepare to clash in a five-match T20I series starting today, January 22, 2025. While India seems to have things under control, England finds itself struggling to show the full potential of its white-ball squad. India’s Smooth Sail In T20Is Since dominating Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and making short work of South Africa. While key players, such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, have bid adieu to the T20I circuit, Team India still looks to include new talent very effectively, as though nothing has ever been changed. A Bumpy Ride For England In T20Is England’s path has been a far more difficult one. Since their glorious 2022 T20 World Cup triumph, the Three Lions haven’t been able to ensure consistent performances at ICC events, and now, with Brendon McCullum in charge, they are looking to redefine the current team and realize their ‘untapped’ potential. Challenges In T20I For Coach McCullum It is Brendon McCullum’s first white-ball series as a coach for England, which presents an ideal situation to squeeze every drop from the talent-packed team containing players such as Jos Buttler, Ben Duckett and Liam Livingstone. Meanwhile, India’s T20I coach, Gautam Gambhir, believes his side’s recent test match defeats would have little to no effect on the confidence levels. Breaking Boundaries Between Forms This series comes at a time when the lines between T20I and ODI formats are increasingly blurred. With the Champions Trophy on the horizon, both teams will be keen to test their players in the shortest format, which could potentially open doors for future ODI spots. England’s Power-Packed T20I Squad England’s side is chock-full of firepower. Batting at No. 3, Jos Buttler has some explosive batting below him in the form of Liam Livingstone and dynamic Harry Brook. In attack, they have one of the most potent fast-bowling attacks in Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. Their squad, as deep as it is destructive, is a force to be reckoned with against India. India’s Selection Dilemmas India, on the other hand, has a lot of decisions to take, especially with their spinners and batting depth. The bowling unit looks quite solid with the seam attack with Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya, and Mohammed Shami. The choice of spinners is still unsure with Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and the likes of Ravi Bishnoi in the selection mix. Pitch Conditions The Eden Garden pitch is looking like a heaven for batsmen with true bounce along with small boundaries and loads of dew which shall ensure high scoring games. According to the coaches of both the teams, they acknowledged that the real challenge lies here in getting their players to adapt to these conditions. Most probably dew might play its tricks, especially while playing the second innings. Expectations From The First IND v ENG T20I The first T20I is definitely going to be an exciting start of what is waiting to be a thrilling series. As both teams try to prove their dominance in T20I format, the fans are in for a big, high-octane contest full of big hits and nail-biting finishes. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Union Sports Minister felicitates winning teams of Kho Kho World Cup 2025, lauds players for making nation proud
Jan 22, New Delhi : Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated the World Cup-winning Kho Kho teams on Wednesday here. The Indian men and women teams scripted history after clinching the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup titles at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on January 19. Both teams defeated Nepal in their respective finals. Present on Wednesday morning was the full squad of the men’s and women’s Kho Kho teams as well as the coaches, Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) and other officials from the Union Sports Ministry and the Sports Authority of India. Talking about the resurgence of traditional games in the nation, Dr Mandaviya said, “Traditional games showcase the resilience, community spirit and most importantly, upholds our traditional sporting value. The world has so much to learn from the richness of these traditional games.“ “Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has mentioned across various national platforms that we have to give the best exposure to the traditional sports. Now our teams are not only getting the best exposures but also coming out with flying colours. I congratulate the spirit of our players and the traditional skills of both teams,” Dr Mandaviya mentioned. With the highlight being the 2036 Olympics which India has put forth a bid to host, the Union Minister added that the winning flow from all the stakeholders should continue, with the latest target being the Asian Games 2026. “We did a splendid job of organising the Kho Kho World Cup and we need to make an effort that these players get a chance to play at the Asian Games. The Government’s endeavour is also to take Kho Kho to Olympics in 2036. For this, the players and coaches need to keep performing well, the federation has to keep managing well and the Sports Ministry will carry on supporting and helping level up the players’ performances.” Out of the 23 countries that took part in the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 at the national capital, India came on top. The credit has largely been given to the month-long camp at the Sports Authority of India JLN Stadium. Sumit Bhatia, chief coach, India Women’s Kho Kho team, explained, “On December 10, we started the camp at the SAI JLN Stadium with 60 players. Out of them, we found the best 15 players each for the men’s and the women’s team. The teams were composed of players from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and the camp helped them forge the team chemistry.“ “The players went through sports science testing for the first-time ever and were provided the best diet and lodging facilities from the Sports Authority of India. This has played instrumental in our success today. With the next edition of the World Cup coming up in England four years later, we will make it a point to unfurl India’s flag again on top of the podium,” Sumit Bhatia added.
IND v ENG: An Action Packed Series Awaits
With the excitement for bilateral series going down, an action packed series featuring India and England surely is expected to keep everyone glued to the television. IND v ENG Anticipated To Be Full Of Action Packed Cricket Despite being watched by large audiences, these series rarely excite like test match series do. However, sometimes a series comes along that promises thrilling cricket and genuine anticipation. One such series is the upcoming T20I showdown between England and India. England’s Bold New Era White-ball cricket has witnessed a sea change both in India and England, particularly in T20Is. Brendon McCullum coached England have gone in for an aggressive approach just like India after their T20 World Cup win. The India vs England T20I series, thus, could be an absolute thriller between these two powerhouses as the battles are expected to be aggressive, explosive batting galore. India’s Aggressive Intent Since their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 victory, the batting philosophy for India has shifted dramatically. India has shown a more attacking approach with the bat and the proof is in their record-breaking scores, including T20Is at 297 and 283. India’s boundary hits have gone up by leaps and bounds, having one every 2.18 balls, as compared to 2.63. England To Continue Playing Bazball This has also reflected on England’s psyche as they have enhanced their boundary attempts per ball from 2.51 to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 from 2.32. England’s capability to chase down big targets, which they have been able to do successfully including chasing a total of 218 runs, depicts the intent of aggressive T20 cricket. The series excitement builds as both teams come to increase the attack game. IND v ENG Expected To Be Evenly Poised The statistics are staggering. India has scored at an average of 200+ in seven out of 11 T20Is since the T20 World Cup. The Men In Blue have become a boundary-hitting machine, however, England has matched their aggression. Both sides are no longer playing conservative cricket—both teams are capable of chasing down huge targets and setting remarkable totals. The battle between these two sides will not only be about who hits more sixes and fours, but also about the tactical adjustments each side makes. The key will be how both teams manage to get through critical overs without conceding too many runs. IND v ENG Playing Conditions Conditions-wise, both teams may favor India’s smaller grounds and the fresh early-season pitches. As long as the tracks aren’t made slow—the thing India loves to do for competitive gain in the hope that it will yield something better-this series might feature some explosive cricket. If conditions match the two teams’ form right now, then this series is going to see some of the most breath-taking, high-scoring cricket witnessed in T20 cricket. Squad Depth And Bench Strength We are expected to see a lot of hard-hitters in this series. England’s Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone and Harry Brook will bring firepower to the batting lineup, while India’s Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma will be key contributors. The absence of players like Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav could create a more level playing field, giving England the opportunity to exploit India’s weaknesses. Anticipation And Excitement For IND v ENG The anticipation surrounding this series is palpable. It carries the potential to shatter existing records and push the limits of aggressive T20 cricket. Looking back at the incredible South Africa-West Indies series in March 2023, where teams posted unheard-of totals, this India-England series could potentially exceed even that remarkable scoring rate. The excitement and unpredictability of T20 cricket are on full display in this high-stakes clash. With everything in line-aggressive batting, freshly manicured pitches and high stakes, India vs England could not only break a few records but also redefine the very approach to T20 cricket in modern times. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
A Spike In Crowd Anticipated As Rohit Sharma And Co. To Feature In Ranji Trophy
Fresh from a break after their recent tour to Australia, India’s marquee players such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set to feature wearing their respective Ranji Trophy kits. Will Rohit Sharma And Yashasvi Jaiswal Open The Batting Together? Mumbai’s game against Jammu & Kashmir at the BKC Ground will garner plenty of attention, especially with Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal possibly opening together. With Mumbai in the hunt for a top-two finish in Group A, their lineup also features Shreyas Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane, Shardul Thakur and Shivam Dube. However, without Sarfaraz Khan, owing to a rib injury, Mumbai face a dilemma in managing to accommodate an in-form opener like Ayush Mhatre in his debut first-class season. Is Virat Kohli Set To Make A Ranji Return? Recovering from neck spasm aside, Virat Kohli will not feature in the next round of Ranji Trophy. He should be back for the final round from January 30, though-when Delhi entertains Railways. Kohli will now have only four days to switch gears from first-class cricket to the Indian ODI squad for this crunch series with England, where much is at stake as it will be the last ODI outing before Champions Trophy. How Much A Difference Will Rishabh Pant Make For Delhi? Despite Virat Kohli’s possible return, Delhi will have Rishabh Pant for their crucial match against Saurashtra starting January 23, 2025 in Rajkot. Pant will be playing his first Ranji game since December 2017, however, won’t be leading the side. Ayush Badoni will captain the team instead, with Pant focusing on his role in the team. The game is pivotal for both Delhi and Saurashtra, as both teams need a win to stay in the knockout race. How Good Will Shubman Gill Be For Punjab? Shubman Gill will come back to the domestic circuit, playing for Punjab, against Karnataka, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The Indian batting may just be done watching Gill at a tour that started rather torturous against Australia; after averaging 18.60 in five innings, the opener would seek a good form restoration ahead of Ranji Trophy. However, their bench is enriched by Gill’s comeback. Their three men left for the India’s T20I squad of England tour will not play Abhishek Sharma and Arshdeep Singh. Karnataka, fresh off winning the Vijay Hazare Trophy, will see Prasidh Krishna and Devdutt Padikkal return to their XI. Which Injuries Are Affecting Key Players In The Ranji Trophy? Bengal will lack two important players as injuries have been carried out on Akash Deep and Abhimanyu Easwaran. Akash Deep is ruled out from the game because of the back issue, while finger fracture sidelines Easwaran for approximately three weeks. Mohammed Siraj will also not be a part of Hyderabad’s team due to workload management as he played all five test matches in Australia. Who Are The Emerging Players To Watch In The Ranji Trophy? One of the players to keep an eye on will be Karun Nair, fresh off a great Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign with five centuries and 772 runs and with Vidarbha all but confirmed for the Ranji knockouts, he has a few more chances to make his case for a spot in India’s Test middle-order ahead of the focus on the England tour. Which Indian star do you think is set to make a strong comeback in the second leg of Ranji Trophy? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
BCCI Restricts Printing Pakistan On Team India Jersey For Champions Trophy 2025
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has given a big no to print Pakistan’s name on Team India’s jerseys for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Team India To Play Champions Trophy 2025 In Dubai Pakistan and Dubai are going to co-host the event while India’s matches will be held in Dubai. The reason was that, although the match was to be played in Pakistan, Team India wouldn’t be donning the tag on their jersey, a tradition according to which all the teams used to wear the tag of the host country on the jersey. BCCI’s Stand Against Political Issues The decision followed long term political issues between India and Pakistan. Earlier, BCCI had announced that they would not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy due to security reasons. According to a hybrid model adopted by the ICC, all of India’s matches would be played in Dubai, and other teams in Pakistan. Much controversy has been seen because the BCCI refused to print Pakistan’s name on Team India jerseys when one of the Pakistan Cricket Board officials described the BCCI as mixing politics with cricket. BCCI And PCB Disputes The PCB and BCCI have been in strained relations for years as India and Pakistan rarely get a chance to play cricketing matches due to the political climate. They had confronted only against each other in the ICC matches or Asia Cup, but bilateral cricket match series were long-overdue. Before this controversy arising out of an incident where India captain Rohit Sharma skipped the inauguration ceremony has excited fresh news regarding this championship; it is highly expected to take off on 19 February. As far as function date goes, an opening ceremony seems to be tentatively scheduled either for February 16 or 17, 2025. India At Champions Trophy 2025 India will kickstart their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign by playing against Bangladesh on February 20, 2025. The India-Pakistan showpiece contest of the ICC Champions Trophy will take place on February 23, 2025. Until date, the BCCI hasn’t made an official statement about jersey designing and other issues of playing few key players during this ceremony when both the sides were in friction. Will Rohit Sharma Attend The Opening Ceremony In Pakistan? The opening ceremony of the ICC Champions Trophy is set to be held in Pakistan. The opening ceremony of an ICC event usually features all the Captains representing their countries. However, as per reports, Rohit Sharma won’t be traveling to Pakistan for the opening ceremony. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
BAI Proposes Salary Hike To Retain Badminton Coaches
BAI has been preparing a joint proposal with SAI to combat the increasing outflow of badminton coaches in India by rewarding them better pecuniary compensations. BAI To Increase Coaches’ Salary Most high-profile coaches of Indian badminton have fled the system owing to meagre financial compensation over the years. While there are more homegrown coaches than before, many leave for better opportunities. The BAI and SAI are working on a plan to retain those coaches and are keen on having a salary hike as part of the proposal. Former Players Join Coaching Ranks Through BAI Initiative In the last three years, leading players-turned-coaches have moved into full-time coaching positions. These include Parupalli Kashyap and RMV Gurusaidutt. They are currently training top men’s singles players such as H. S. Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth and Priyanshu Rajawat under chief national coach Pullela Gopichand. They are also mentoring youngsters such as Tharun Mannepalli, Anmol Kharb, Anuradha Upadhyaya, and Rakshitha Ramraj. Impact Of BAI On Men’s Doubles Coach Former Indian men’s doubles pair Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy, who have played in major competitions like Asian Games and Olympics, have now taken up the job of coaching young men’s doubles talent with a foreign coach in the form of Tan Kim Her at events like India Open. Lack Of Financial Compensation To Coaches The problem is that most of the experienced coaches are leaving because of the lack of financial compensation. For example, Mohammed Siyadatullah Siddiqui, who was coaching Saina Nehwal and Srikanth, moved to Oregon Badminton Academy in the U.S. last year. Also, World Championships bronze medalist and Tokyo Olympian B Sai Praneeth decided to hang his boots from competitive badminton and coach at a US club in March 2024. Arun Vishnu, the man behind stars Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly’s rise, went back to Nagpur recently to take care of his elderly father-in-law. Coaches Highlight Financial Disparity Arun said that in the US, coaches earn between USD 8,000-10,000 per month. Indian coaches working with public sector undertakings (PSUs) earn around Rs 50,000 per month. The difference is more starkly evident now with the Paris Olympics around the corner. The Issue Of Inclusion Of Ex-Players Into BAI’s Structure It is not clear why players as senior as those of Anup Sridhar, Arvind Bhat, Chetan Anand or Jwala Gutta – all of whom were former players and hence better positioned within the system — are not involved in the structure of national coaches. Most of them have set up their own academies subsequently. Sridhar, who used to be a coach of Lakshya Sen and of PV Sindhu, is known to have been promoted as men’s singles head coach to the Singapore Badminton Association. BAI Proposal For Sustainable Coaching In The Future To avoid loss of talent beyond that and making a future more sustainable, this BAI’s proposal works to give financial appeal to coaching positions such that experienced coaches may be retained in the national set up. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Should Psychology Be Focused On In Indian Grassroots Sports?
Indian grassroots sports emphasize the focus on physical skills and talent. But psychology has an important role in the mental development of the child. Psychology And Athlete’s Mental Development In Grassroots Sports Grassroot sports activities among children involve more than the sharpening of physical skills; it is also cognitive and emotional development. It is important to understand child psychology in sports to develop their potential not only on the field but also off it. Young athletes face pressures to perform well, which may affect their self-esteem and motivation. Psychological support can help such athletes build resilience, manage stress and develop a strong mental framework that complements their physical training. Child Psychology In Sports And Its Impact On Performance Psychology has a deep impact on how grassroots level athletes approach their sport. Child psychology in sports focuses on understanding how children think, feel and behave during competition and practice. Many young athletes at the grassroots level are still developing their emotional regulation skills. This is where sports psychology can make a difference. This means that when the coaches and parents include sports psychology techniques, like mental conditioning and visualization, the young athletes are taught to be focused and not flustered in any given situation. Such skills can help them out in sports as well as in personal life and studies. Psychological Challenge Of Balancing Sports and Studies One of the main psychological challenges for Indians to cope with at the grassroots level is being able to balance sports and academics. Children who are young athletes experience a lot of pressure to remain excellent in academics and sports and this mental fatigue sometimes pressures the athlete’s mind to give up. Proper time management is very essential, but when two worlds collide, it may lead to stress, anxiety and eventually burnout. Sports science in India has started realizing the necessity of psychological support for them to achieve this balance. Accommodating time management skills and techniques of mental recovery and stress management at the grassroots levels will allow athletes to be successful in both aspects without having adverse effects on their mental health. Psychology In Indian Grassroots Level Sports No doubt remains that psychology plays a vital role in grassroots sports. Whereas the aspects of physical training and athletic development are still pertinent, the psychological components of sports science in India have become increasingly significant. As awareness grows about child psychology in sports, coaches, parents and sporting organizations are increasingly realizing the benefits of mental health care for young athletes. Once sports psychology enters the fold of sports at the grassroots level, we can ensure that Indian athletes not only perform well physiologically but also build up the mental fortitude required in the extremely competitive world of sports. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IND v ENG: Bazball Has Arrived
Jos Buttler and his men from England have arrived to take on the Indian Cricket Team for an exciting white ball series comprising five T20Is and three ODIs starting January 22, 2025 at the Eden gardens, Kolkata. The audiences are anticipating England to play Bazball. However, let’s understand what Bazball really is. What Does “Bazball” In Cricket Mean? Bazball is the aggressive game of cricket, more so in test match cricket. In cricketing terms, this means playing the fearless attacking game of cricket making a flurry of quick runs scored by taking risks with a positive approach. This was coined after former New Zealand cricketer Brendon McCullum, infamously known as “Baz” while he came up with that style of game during his time as coach for the England men’s test team. Is Bazball Only Limited To Test Match Cricket? Not really. Bazball, in simple terms, means an aggressive style of playing cricket. Be it test matches, ODI’s or even T20’s. Delivering with aggression with an aim to score quickly in the shortest time possible can be described as Bazball. We have seen England playing Bazball not only in test match cricket, but also in ODI’s and T20’s as well. What Is The History Of Bazball In The Back? Bazball was an invention of that time when Brendon McCullum took the mantle of the head coach of the England men’s cricket team in 2022. From then to date, it is when the bold, aggressive nature of Brendon McCullum began to emerge before everyone’s eyes since the players of England started imbibing it in themselves and giving a completely different turn to the game. The term does not only express a style but actually encompasses a mindset – the essence is to take bold decisions and carry strategic attacking movements. Why Is Brendon McCullum Called As The ‘Architect Of Bazball’? Brendon McCullum is aggressive, in his cricketing leadership, cricketer-captain-turned-coach of New Zealand with aggressive batting style. He as a coach of the England test cricket team brought the attitude towards playing cricket with aggression in the simplest and yet most positive way one could enjoy oneself in while playing. The philosophy scribbled at the back reads: negativity avoided while preserving a win attitude, under the command of Ben Stokes. How Has Bazball Helped The Success Of The England Cricket Team? Bazball has transformed the way England plays cricket entirely. It is a much more exciting and dynamic game. The aggressive style brings fresh energy to the team and that is beginning to reflect in performances and international attention. Bazball is being moulded under the philosophy of Brendon McCullum and under the leadership of Ben Stokes. However, England’s limited overs skipper, Jos Buttler also believes to attack right from the word-go. That exciting brand of cricket will be seen when England and India clash in a white ball series in January 2025. Is Bazball a thing that really fascinates you or do you feel that such aggressive intent towards the game is harmful in the long run? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Rishabh Pant Set To Lead Lucknow Super Giants In IPL 2025
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have crowned Rishabh Pant as their new Captain, the franchise declared on Monday in Kolkata. Rishabh Pant Is The Costliest Player In IPL History Rishabh Pant was bought for a record-breaking INR 27 crore in the November 2024 IPL auction by LSG. He is now the most expensive player in IPL history. This will be Pant’s second IPL team after being the captain of Delhi Capitals (DC) during the 2021, 2022, and 2024 seasons. Injuries due to the severity of the hurt did not allow him to participate in the 2023 season. Rishabh Pant Moves From Delhi Capitals To Lucknow Super Giants Rishabh Pant made a move from DC after the franchise decided not to retain him as Captain even as they offered a place in the squad. He was subsequently opened up to entering the auction process, which the LSG side took to his advantage as he was signed on, in a bid to provide an Indian skipper, since KL Rahul bade goodbye from the outfit. Rahul had captained LSG from 2022 to 2024. In the first two seasons, he took LSG to the playoffs. In 2024, LSG finished seventh. The tensions between Rahul and the owner of the team, Sanjiv Goenka, were visibly visible in the match. This is the reason Rahul moved to Delhi Capitals. Rishabh Pant’s Record-Breaking Auction Victory for LSG After leading DC for several seasons, Rishabh Pant entered the auction ahead of IPL 2025 at a base price of INR 2 crore. The bidding was competitive, with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) challenging LSG. The Super Giants secured Pant for INR 27 crore after a dramatic back-and-forth, breaking the IPL auction record. Rishabh Pant Leads New-Look Lucknow Super Giants Squad LSG had actively been on a lookout for captaincy after deciding to let go of KL Rahul, and their first choice proved to be Rishabh Pant. Pant formed the core acquisition of the IPL franchise, helping LSG’s strategy of reinforcing their pace-bowling bench with Indian talent as well as signing foreign stars from Avesh Khan and Akash Deep up to Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh or David Miller. Rishabh Pant To Team Up with Justin Langer and Zaheer Khan Rishabh Pant will now head the Lucknow Super Giants along with head coach Justin Langer and mentor Zaheer Khan as they look to form a new competitive team for the upcoming IPL season. However, one question still remains hanging. Will a change in Captain bring a change in fortunes for the Lucknow Super Giants? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye