How Birthday Boy, Virat Kohli Is The King of Comebacks?
Cricket’s favourite son, Virat Kolhi, turns 36 today. Kohli, now a King, once was a youngster just like all of us who was dealing with his own ups and downs in his career. However, his ‘not to give up’ attitude has taken him to the peak he sits on today. Despite criticism, scrutiny and the inevitable highs and lows that the game of cricket brings, Kohli has everytime shown his knack of getting up from the depths of a lean patch to deliver when India has most needed him to. From unforgettable centuries to crucial match-saving knocks, here’s a look at how Kohli has always staged a remarkable comeback when the Indian Cricket Team has needed him to step up. 1. Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2011-12 Virat Kohli made his first massive comeback in Australia during the tour in the 2011-12 series, which became a turning point for him. At just 23, Kohli was still finding his feet in test cricket, having struggled with low scores. It was the legendary Indian trio of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman who first came up against the stiff task of facing the swift and fiery Australian attack but Kohli was the brightest spark in a series where disappointments for India did not seem to end. Despite all this pressure, Kohli’s grit came through. He was India’s highest scorer in the series with over 300 runs, of which a fantastic knock of 116 in Adelaide defined his lines of fearless intent and pointed to immense potential. Kohli arrived on the international circuit as a player to watch by at the same time proclaiming his arrival with maturity and control that defied the years. 2. Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2014-15 The summer of 2014 was probably the darkest phase of Kohli’s test career. As he returned from that disastrous tour of England, he found himself struggling against swing and seam, with scores of 1, 8, 25, 0, 39, 28 and 20 across 10 innings to leave him with an average of just 13.50. Kohli’s vulnerability to the moving ball was heavily criticised and the critics were quick to question his place in the team. However, Kohli’s reply was just fantastic. When India toured Australia in the same year, he played one of the best test series. Kohli became India’s top run-getter in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2014-15 by scoring 692 runs in four tests and four centuries. His monumental efforts not only ensured that India drew the series but also proved to the world that Kohli could handle pressure and that such a slump was just a temporary setback for a cricketer of his ilk. This series marked one of the defining moments in his career and further reinforced his status as one of the modern greats. 3. Asia Cup T20 2022 Kohli went through perhaps the most disastrous phase of his life in the years 2019 and 2022. The stripping away of T20I captaincy and then the tests and ODIs captaincy did make it a very painful period of Kohli’s life wherein centuries became scarce. That was also added by his 1020-day spree without a century at any format. Again, Kohli showed his mental strength. After taking a much-needed break away from cricket, Kohli returned with batting form in spectacular style in the 2022 Asia Cup. It was a crunch game against Afghanistan where Kohli finally turned up the scoreboard with his first T20I hundred after nearly three years, ending the long wait with a dazzling knock. It was a testament to his resilience, ability to shut out the noise and his determination to bounce back from one of the most trying periods in his career. 4. Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 In 2023 again, the career of Kohli in test cricket went under the sharp scanner due to which he had gone without scoring a test century for over three years. Coming into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, the form of Kohli again became a topic of discussion due to which a mighty challenge awaited India from their rivals to retain the series at home. Kohli was the challenge India needed at Ahmedabad in the fourth test when India needed a good show to level the series and make it to the World test Championship final. A match that seemed to be heading towards a draw was turned on its head by Kohli, who played a monumental 186, a knock that helped India draw the match and gave India a 2-1 series win. This was his first appearance this century and proved to be an apt demonstration of his rise to the challenge when India needed him the most. Kohli’s innings was more than a personal milestone-it was a signal that the “King” of Indian cricket had returned. The knock was not merely about runs but about resilience, determination and leadership qualities that have made Kohli one of the most admired cricketers in the world. Through this career, he has been proving time and again that setbacks are just setups for comebacks. Whether it was his performance in Australia in 2011-12, his revival in 2014-15, his return to form in 2022 or his match-winning knock in 2023, Kohli has proved that the true measure of greatness is not how one fares during their peak but how they respond during times of adversity. On Virat Kohli’s 36th birthday, we’re reminded that this man never gave up on form slumps, on criticism or any form of pressure. Standing like a pillar for the Indian Cricket Team and to his fans everywhere, Virat Kolhi remains the kind of spirit a champion always embodies. This is to many more comebacks, milestones and records from one of the finest ambassadors cricket has ever got. The Sportz Planet Desk,Athharva Shetye
Enhancing Muscle Recovery And Reducing Injuries Post Workout
For most people, fitness is about high-energy workouts and sticking to a strict diet plan. These are indeed valuable aspects of fitness, however, as per sports science, there is one pretty important facet of fitness that gets overlooked, often: recovery. Recovery is not a time out from training; it is an important process whereby your body rests and rebuilds to make itself stronger following the exercise. The right kind of recovery with your muscles should ideally help prevent injuries, peak performance, and general energy levels. Here are five recovery strategies based on sports science that will enhance muscle repair and reduce your risk of injury: 1. Prioritizing Sleep For Muscle Recovery This is one of the easiest and most effective ways by which muscles are recovered: While deep sleep hormones repair the muscle and rejuvenate it. Without sufficient rest, your body cannot repair the muscles as well; this can lead to experiencing fatigue, loss of focus, and greater risk of injury. Make sure you get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each day so that your muscles have time to recover and get stronger. 2. Incorporate Pre-Workout Mobility Training Many people believe that warm-ups will increase flexibility, however sports science says that pre-workout mobility training serves a much broader purpose. Mobility exercises increase your range of motion, enhancing fluid and controlled movements within your joints during exercise. This improves performance while minimizing the risk of injury by ensuring your muscles and joints are well-prepared for the workout. So, mobility training can be thought of as a prophylactic approach to defending your body before embarking on intense exercise. 3. Stretch After Your Workout To Speed Recovery Post-workout is the time for post-workout stretching. Stretching your muscles while they are warm helps release the tension built up, reduces stiffness of the muscles, and facilitates improvement in flexibility. A good stretch routine after your workout accelerates recovery due to enhancing blood circulation to the muscles as well as flushing out toxins and providing an avenue for repair process. Don’t skip this step-for those few minutes of stretch can make a big difference in how quickly and effectively the body can recover. 4. Adopt A Smart, Professionally Designed Workout Routine Work with a fitness professional to develop a smart workout routine that balances intensity, effectiveness and variety within your individual goals and capacity. This is how a tailored plan will ensure that the intensity level of your workouts is right for your body and, therefore, averts overtraining and injury. Every well-planned workout program considers time for recovery-time to let the muscles heal, be built up again, and strengthen. Whatever the objective-increasing strength, endurance, or losing weight, it will lead to a step in progress and avoiding injuries. 5. Do Not Overtrain When the human body is subjected to too much physical work without adequate recovery time, it starts becoming lethargic, sore, and even prone to injury. Listen to your body-if you’re constantly tired, sore, or notice a decrease in performance, that might be the signal for more rest. The workout is not as important to achieve long-term fitness goals as the rest. Proper balance of exercise with proper recovery can ensure sustainability in progress. Recovery Is The Key To Long-Term Fitness This doesn’t mean recovery techniques are any less important than the workouts themselves. With this great temptation to push harder and achieve new goals, the importance of knowing that recovery fuels progress can’t be overstated. Is it sleep, mobility exercises, stretching, working with a fitness professional, or avoiding overtraining? All these strategies will help your muscles repair and grow into working at their best. Recovery is not a time-out on your exercise; instead, it is an important time that really enables the body regarding its ability to perform and, therefore, improve further. This is indeed an incredible source of empowerment toward achieving safety and sustainability in fitness goals. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Best Exercises For Osteoporosis Treatment
Osteoporosis, commonly referred to as the “silent thief of bones,” is among the leading diseases that have caused bones to become weakened and prone to breaking. It is a condition brought about by either losing mass in the bones or insufficient formation of bone tissue which automatically decreases the bone density. This condition usually does not manifest until a fracture occurs, and the fracture often occurs in areas such as the hip, spine, or wrist. Osteoporosis is much more common in older people, especially postmenopausal women, but it can occur in anyone of any age or gender. Why is exercise important for osteoporosis? Exercise is one of the main factors for maintaining bone density and the health of the joints. Weight-bearing activities include walking, dancing and climbing stairs, creating resistance in the body, which encourages the formation of new bone tissue. As stated in Missouri Medicine, this can raise the density and strength of bone. It can also promote the strengthening and flexibility of muscles, essential for maintaining joints, balance and preventing injuries. Strong muscles absorb greater shock, which reduces the effects of stress on the bones and minimizes the incidence of diseases such as arthritis. What are the best exercises for osteoporosis? 1. Walking Walking is an accessible low-impact exercise that benefits patients with osteoporosis as it puts stress on the bones of the legs, hips and spine. In doing so, the body begins to create new bone tissues that increase density in regions prone to fractures. Furthermore, walking enhances balance and coordination and reduces the risk of falls and loss of muscle mass. 2. Stair Climbing Another exercise which enhances weight bearing and thereby supports the development of the bones is stair climbing. It does especially strengthen the lower parts of the body. A single step would require strength in the legs, hips and spine; hence it contributes to stimulating joint and bone growth. Mineral density would also improve. Besides these, stair climbing is used to develop balance and coordination, factors that play an important role in avoiding falls for those who have weaker bones. 3. Dancing Dancing is both a fitness and fun activity that can be considered as a good activity for people who manage osteoporosis. The activity is a weight-bearing form of exercise, which would help increase bone density and fortify the usual areas prone to fractures. The movements involved in dancing enhance one’s balance, coordination and flexibility, hence lowering the chances of falling. Moreover, dancing also lifts the mood, thereby lessening the stress level while improving general physical functioning. 4. Wall Push-Ups Wall push-ups are a low-impact activity that can be used in strengthening the upper body muscles, especially in the arms, shoulders and chest. This activity promotes bone growth and density in these areas through gentle resistance, which is critical in reducing the risk of fractures. 5. Seated Leg Lifts This will help in developing some needed power and strength in one’s core and lower parts, without putting too much bone-to-joint impact stress across, making it proper even for the osteoporotic patient. It can be one exercise that can bring more development of balance or coordination, of good value to prevent a tumble or fall. Individuals with osteoporosis greatly benefit from exercises aimed at increasing bone density, muscle strength and balance. The general body building effects of regular weight bearing activity help in the strengthening of bones and consequently prevent breaks of the bones or fractures especially at points or areas usually attacked by the disease. Beyond this health aspect of the bones, exercising enhances general coordination as well as flexibility of movement, reducing chances of falls and generally aiding better physical functioning. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
The Science Behind Athletes Eating Chewing-Gum While On Field
We have all seen top athletes such as Virat Kohli, Marnus Labuschagne or Aaron Finch pop a piece of chewing gum on the field, seemingly a casual habit. However beyond the surface, chewing gum during sports isn’t just a quirky routine, it’s a scientifically-backed technique to boost performance. Chewing-Gum Boosts Focus And Agility A sports science report by Science ABC claims that the mind is stimulated by chewing gum. It does so with receptors in the mouth. Such receptors can receive stimulations through taste or movements of the jaw. Their stimulation causes them to trigger signals in the brain and thereby enhance mental activities. Increased mental activity in this manner calls for greater circulation of blood. The heart enhances such circulation by speeding its rate of pumping. It increases blood flow between the two, yet it benefits not only the muscle but the brain itself as well. That makes athletes sharper, quicker and more focused at high-stakes moments. Chewing gum can also maintain sharpness and quick reflexes during the field, enhancing biomechanics. Even though the matches are intense sometimes, a little difference makes all the difference in maintaining concentration and gum assists by keeping one’s senses sharp and attentive. For this reason, it does not become a habit, rather, it is a deliberate tactical choice for athletes desiring to remain at top performance. Stress Relief And Improved Concentration Another benefit of chewing gum is that it can be a stress-relieving agent. According to sports science, Chewing is said to stimulate the production of serotonin, which has been linked to keeping up with mood and minimizing levels of stress. This may be the key reason players in a crucial match get the composure and focus needed to win competitive games. Hydration And Comfort On The Field Chewing gum helps in the moistening of the mouth and eliminates the feeling of thirst. During high-speed games, the players do not stop for water very often. In this aspect, if the mouth is moistened by chewing gum, then there is this small relief, which makes the players fully concentrate on the game. A Performance Enabler Well, basically, chewing gum is just a habit for these athletes. It’s more of an adjunct that helps in terms of physical and mental performance to conquer the rigors of intense competition. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
A Matter Of Patience And Faith For The Indian Cricket Team
New Zealand had an upper hand over the Indian Cricket Team in the third test match at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. It turned out to be a 3-0 whitewash. Indians are not accustomed to such sort of loss at home so the outpour has been pretty strong too. However, as a die-hard fan, it’s very important to take a step back and evaluate the bigger picture. Does this loss indicate a downfall of intent, lack of leadership or poor coaching? Let’s dive into these pressing concerns with a balanced perspective. 1. Has The Indian Cricket Team Lost Its Intent? It is easy to get frustrated when the team we respect so much does not perform as per our expectations. However the difference between losing intent and losing to a good opponent is a world of difference. India did not lose because they lacked intent. New Zealand played super disciplined cricket that checked India’s aggression at bay. Moments of victory and defeat go hand in hand in sports. Every game, lost or won, presents an opportunity for introspection. The Indian Cricket Team would have come back to attack the next series with more precision and intent, as is their norm after suffering defeats. India is a side which draws momentum from losses and infuses that into their next match. This could just give them the fuel to rise against Australia in the much-hyped Border-Gavaskar series. So, instead of doubting their intentions, maybe we should believe in their resilience and wait for them to display it. 2. Should Rohit Sharma Be Sacked As India’s Test Captain? A big no.This is the most debated question, however Rohit Sharma’s contribution to the Indian Cricket Team is more than just a win-loss record. Rohit is someone who brings aggression and inspiration to his role and leads by example. He is a great player who does not care to place his wicket on the line for the team, something that is rarely seen in modern-day cricket. The leadership brand he delivers is of a willingness to counter-attack to set the tone for a bold innings. Every captain has ups and downs. What distinguishes them is that they can support their players through it all. The very fact that Rohit gives confidence to younger cricketers like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel and Aakash Deep all of whom have already gone on to become talent prospects under his mentorship he has proven to be players’ captain who trusts other teammates and creates a nourishing atmosphere that goes onto create long-term success although it also brings short term failure. Fans can now look past the last couple of losses and remember how many times Rohit’s leadership has instilled fearlessness into the Indian Cricket Team. And patience, they say, is a test of loyalty. I do not think we need to forget the devotion for the game in Rohit Sharma when we talk about him. 3. Is The Current Coaching Panel Not Up To The Mark? Judging the coaching panel after a few series would be rather premature. Coaching at national level often needs time to make an impact and success isn’t what you can expect instantly. It would be a different ball game indeed, however Gautam Gambhir has shown what potential he holds as a tactician in his stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), guiding them to the trophy in 2024. Fans must remember that each coaching team brings a different vision to the table and for Gambhir and his unit to establish theirs, they require time and trust. Success stories are seldom built overnight and a hasty judgment only undermines their efforts. Just as we have seen past coaches shape the team over seasons, Gambhir and his panel need a chance to build their legacy. With defeat, come accusations and despair. Each of the players, coaches and leaders has put in years of practice and sacrifice to bring themselves to that playing field. So let us rally behind them with understanding and encouragement rather than bash them. As in life, the sadness makes the wins that much sweeter in sport. The Indian Cricket Team’s journey was full of heart-stopping moments of glory and times of learning. Now, when they are at a crossroads, they need their supporters to stand with them and not bashing them. After all, faith is not tested in the moments of victory however in times of adversity. Let’s hold on to that faith and let’s watch the Indian Cricket Team bounce back. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
What Sports Science Says About Athlete Nutrition And Performance?
Sports science and sports nutrition are relatively new fields and there is always new knowledge that challenges age-old beliefs. Where traditional advice on athlete health and performance seems to be plentiful, science now reveals how many of these concepts are no longer valid. Here’s a look at six health myths and what sports science in India and around the world reveals about their accuracy. 1. Must One Train Early in the Morning? Athlete performance is not dependent on exercising at a particular time of day. Although there have been recommendations to “jumpstart” the day through early morning exercise, sports science experts note that every person has the best time for exercising. While some may respond well to morning activities, others are more successful in the afternoon or at night when their muscles have been warmed up. While it is true that athletes do better when consistent and full of energy, rather than at a particular time of day, walking continuously versus walking with breaks to burn more calories does indeed work. 2. Does Walking With Brakes Burn More Calories Than Nonstop Walking? Recently new research disproves some previously held beliefs about interval walking not being more calorically efficient than continuous walking: a recent study shows walking bouts of just a few steps broken up by rest intervals with breaks, requires significantly increased energy consumption compared to similar distance and duration walked continually, offering useful insights on sports nutrition and planning work outs and the capability for short spurts of events that could potentially allow greater increases in athletes’ capacities than originally thought. 3. Can Saunas Help Burn Fat? Athletes rely on saunas to “melt away” body fats. Science in sports negates this by confirming that saunas do not actually have an effect on fat loss; they only temporarily contribute to water weight via sweating, which will then revert with water intake. Still, saunas serve their purpose in the health of the athlete: they relieve muscle tension as well as promote recovery by inducing the increase of endorphins. Saunas could be used during the rehabilitation of an athlete, but will never fill the need for a properly balanced nutrition and exercise lifestyle. 4. Cold Showers Give You the Common Cold—or Do They? A belief continues that, especially in winter time, cold showers are something which leads to a bad case of the common cold. Sports science, however contradicts this by stating it is not the temperature itself which causes the cold. In fact, while acute cold exposure may cause uneasiness, it is actually a stimulus which cannot in and of itself lead directly to illness. In athletes as well as other human subjects, cold showers, without risk, can thus become part of a treatment strategy, especially since exposure to cold has been shown in multiple studies to have an added value of improving circulation, lowering inflammation, etc. 5. Losing Weight: Would Never Consider Fried Foods? The idea that the removal of fried foods is what leads to weight loss is only partially true. Although the removal of fried foods may lead to less calorie intake, a balanced approach to athlete nutrition is required to achieve the ideal weight. Healthy portions combined with strength training and cardiovascular exercise would prove a better way towards health. In sports science, it is emphasized that maintaining a calorie balance through careful eating and regular activity is more important than following strict dietary rules. 6. Are carbohydrates and fats the enemy of an athlete? The rise of high-protein diets has unfairly cast a shadow on carbohydrates and fats. Sports science reminds us that both are crucial to athlete health and performance. Carbs provide critical fuel for the brain and muscles, while healthy fats support hormonal balance and cellular function. Instead of cutting these nutrients out, athletes should add more complex carbs in the form of whole grains and vegetables and unsaturated fats from olive oil, nuts, and avocados. With all this, sports science is challenging many of the health beliefs that have hung around for centuries. For athletes, proper balanced nutrition and the latest research on health practices are keys to optimizing performance and overall well-being. Rather than embracing myths, athletes can rather leverage pieces of evidence-based insights from sports science in India and the rest of the world to make the right decisions regarding their health and performance. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IPL 2025: Sunrisers Hyderabad Finalizes Retention List
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) completed their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 roster of five capped player retention deals, confirming the engagements of Australian batter Travis Head and Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, before the 2025 IPL mega auction. As per a report, Head will be retained for INR 14 crore, and Reddy will receive INR 6 crore. Sunrsiers Hyderabad Core Players and Auction Strategy Earlier, it had also been reported that Heinrich Klaasen (INR 23 crore), Pat Cummins (INR 18 crore) along with Abhishek Sharma (INR 14 crore) had stayed within the core lineup of the team that ultimately reached the finals of the 2024 IPL. With the re-retention of these five players, SRH has now spent INR 75 crore of its overall INR 120 crore purse, and from the auction, the franchise can now only use just one uncapped player Right-to-Match card. Leadership Remains With Pat Cummins Pat Cummins stays in the captain’s chair. He took this SRH team to a second chance at the play-offs first since 2020, and head coach Daniel Vettori is staying here. His support staff has agreed to stay back in hope of building some positive changes in the past success with the team. Value Of Travis Head Head’s retention is evidence of his remarkable 2024 season, during which he aggregated 567 runs with an imposing strike rate of 191.55, in turn becoming the most influential top-order match-winner of the side. A proven big-match player after a century each against India during the 2023 World Test Championship and also against India during the final of the ODI World Cup, he has astronomically increased his price-value quotient. Head was signed at INR 6.8 crores in 2024 and has now more than doubled, showing consistency and impact. Emerging Talent Nitish Kumar Reddy Nitish Kumar Reddy has also seen some growth. Signed for INR 20 lakh in 2023, Reddy was named the Emerging Player of IPL 2024 after scoring 303 runs at a strike rate of 143 and taking three wickets. The victory would also saw him get a T20I debut against Bangladesh in October 2024. A Strong Foundation for IPL 2025 Following the strategy of retention, SRH has prepared a robust squad with a mix of experienced internationals and fresh young talent to face a great battle in the IPL 2025 tournament. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IPL 2025: Rajasthan Royals Likely To Retain Four Players
The Rajasthan Royals (RR) are likely to retain four players ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction, including Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag and Sandeep Sharma. Surprisingly, wicketkeeper-opening batter, Jos Buttler and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal are not part of the initial retention list, however the Royals have the right-to-match for both and can try bringing them back at the auctions, as per reports. Rajasthan Royals Deliberating On Jurel Another name that has been deliberated is the wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, picked up for INR 20 lakhs in an auction conducted to pick a team for the 2022 season. Recently, Jurel received his first India test cap playing a home test against England. It has been revealed that Jurel has been quite influential from the bottom end. For 22 innings, Dhruv Jurel has shown his excellence to hit at a strike rate of 151.52 for scoring 347 runs. Budget Implications For Rajasthan Royals These four retentions would take a minimum of INR 47 crore from the budget for the Royals. Including Jurel, that could take it to a higher INR 65 crore that would leave only INR 55 crore available to spend in the auction. As Sandeep is an uncapped player having not played international cricket over five years, there’s also the factor of regulations imposed by the IPL regarding a player’s status as one who has never represented any national team in any International Cricket match. Retained Player Performances This retained player group was crucial to the Royals’ making it to the IPL 2024 playoffs. Samson had his best IPL season with 531 runs, while Parag also had his most successful IPL season with 573 runs and earned a T20I debut with India. Sandeep, who was bought during the 2023 auction at INR 50 lakh, picked up 13 wickets at an economy of 8.18 and performed well in the powerplay and death overs. Although Jaiswal’s 2024 season was a bit subdued (435 runs at a 152 strike rate), he is one of India’s most promising young openers. RR Uncertain For Buttler And Chahal Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal, who have done so well in the past, have been considered to be in the retention list after their recent form and fitness issues. Buttler scored 359 runs with a strike rate of 141 in IPL 2024 but has been out since the T20 World Cup semi-final due to injuries. Chahal, on the other hand, stands as the highest wicket-taker in IPL’s history with 18 last season with an economy of 9.41 on most occasions when he bowls as an Impact Player to the Royals. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IPL 2025: Lucknow Super Giants Likely To Retain Five Players
The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) confirmed that Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi are set to be retained for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The uncapped duo Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan will stay with the franchise as well. KL Rahul Remains Uncertain At Lucknow Super Giants KL Rahul is the skipper, however it might happen that the captain and player could both not be retained in case of drastic change on both ends. Thus, LSG would remain with just one RTM card available for auctioning. LSG’s Budget Although the retained players’ numbers have not been announced yet, the cut on the LSG budget is expected to be around INR 51 crores. In case the five retained players are more than the reported amount, the total cut will be made from the overall IPL 2025 purse of INR 120 crores. Nicholas Pooran: A Star Performer The sources indicate that Pooran would be the number one retainer, followed by Mayank and Bishnoi. During the 2024 season, Pooran was in excellent form as he finished only second to Rahul. He also served as the replacement captain and wicket-keeper during the injury times of Rahul. Pooran is a 29-year-old power-hitter who was bought by LSG for INR 16 crore before the 2023 season. His market value has gone through the roof since his IPL debut in 2017. Mayank Yadav’s Promising Start Mayank Yadav, for instance, is another highly talented fast bowler, who took two consecutive games as Player-of-the-Match in IPL 2024. He got short of playing just four games due to a side strain. He did find an entry into the group of fast bowlers formed by the national selectors sooner rather than later. INR 20 lakhs LSG spent to auction in 2024 but could play seven matches as many as the last International. Ravi Bishnoi: The Star Bowler Ravi Bishnoi, retained for INR 4 crore before the 2022 mega auction, has been an integral part of the LSG bowling unit. He took 13 wickets at a very decent average in 2022 and was again excellent the following year with 16 wickets, as he guided LSG to playoffs both seasons. But his season was a bit disappointing when he could manage only 10 wickets in 14 matches. Unrestricted Talents: Badoni and Mohsin Uncapped talents Badoni and Mohsin Khan, signed for INR 20 lakhs this year, are another such assets the franchise will also look to hold onto as long as possible. Last season, Badoni looked a force to be reckoned with as a new-age aggressive middle-order battler, scoring 238 runs at a strike-rate of 138, further impressing in the Emerging Series for India A. Mohsin, with raw left-arm fast-bowling talent, bowled his way to 14 scalps in just nine appearances in his first season with a franchise. Although he had a severe injury, he recovered successfully in 2023 and finished the 2024 season with 10 wickets in 10 matches. Future Outlook In the near future, with such smart retention, LSG will strengthen their team and perform well in IPL 2025. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IPL 2025: KKR Likely To Overhaul Player Retention List
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) look to have a major overhaul before Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Captaincy of the team during winning the title in 2024 has hardly protected Shreyas Iyer along with two such veterans, one an old-timer Andre Russell who has been there from his early years with Kolkata. Another fast bowler will be Australian Mitchell Starc. Instead, they wish for core players in their fraternity such as Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy along with promising young fast bowling talent Harshit Rana. KKR To Part Ways With Iyer And Russell It has gone even further by choosing to send both Iyer and Russell out of their way. Shreyas Iyer, KKR’s costliest buy in the auction held in 2022 at INR 12.25 crores, had scored 351 runs at a strike rate approaching 147 during this year’s season where the game was won by the side he represented. Meanwhile, Russell, KKR staple since 2014 has had his stint, showing promise with his striking innings of 222 and important wickets – 19. Both seem likely candidate for another team to lure them in auction. Starc To Have Meagre Possibility For Retention After achieving the bargain to sign up Mitchell Starc at an all-time INR 24.75 crore for 2024, KKR has set itself free to leave behind the Australian pacer. Though Starc, whose league campaign more or less went unremembered, gave excellent showings during the playoffs with 3/34 and 2/14 each in knockout phases that contributed to bringing KKR a title for itself, this seems one more step where KKR seems to consider redistribution of fund for a probable younger generation of players from a futures point of view. Narine, Chakravarthy and Rinku Expected to Lead KKR’s Retention List Sunil Narine, who rendered valuable services as an explosive opener and a safe-plays bowler, has been cemented in KKR’s retentions. The league was one of Narine’s star performers by taking 17 wickets at an economy rate of 6.69. Retained at an INR 8-crore cap for the 2022 version by KKR, Varun Chakravarthy has still gone on to be their top wicket-taker in the two editions so far; he hasn’t had a strike rate of less than that of a shade over 19 till date. While Rinku Singh has got everyone talking and a strike rate of 207.97, he has gotten picked for the T20I side repeatedly and needed to have been retained prior as one of the bigger promises of the future during the same time. The Auction Strategy Of KKR KKR is also weighing its options on the retention of fast bowler Harshit Rana who has been included in the India Test squad and explosive batter Ramandeep Singh, whose potential remains to be tested. These two retentions will push KKR’s total retention cost between INR 47 crore and INR 51 crore, pending final selections. With a maximum of six retained players being allowed in each franchise and only five capped internationals being retained, the submission deadline on October 31 forces KKR to maintain a delicate balance between experience and young talent. A Fresh Start For KKR In IPL 2025 By saying that the new season of 2025 will look into a much younger dynamic side, KKR seems to send a strategic message over their plans. This seems likely to shake up greatly with the mega auction during the season where the franchises seem to find ways for their remaining slots and better edge to face the competitions that await them in IPL for the year 2025. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye