JioHotstar ends free streaming of IPL, reveals new subscription plans
IPL, India’s most-followed and most-watched sports league. will be held between March 22 and May 25 this year.
India a better cricket team than Pakistan; Sports Bring People Together, says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not consider himself a cricket expert but emphasised that recent results showed India was a better team than Pakistan and also underlined the role of sport in bringing people together.
Delhi Capitals v Mumbai Indians, WPL 2025 final: Will DC be third time lucky?
The final of the third season of the Women’s Premier League will be played between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals tonight at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. Ahead of the thrilling match try this quiz on the Women’s Premier League!
India’s Champions Trophy Win: Celebrating the ‘Team’ Behind the Team
A look at Indian cricket team’s coaching staff. The coaching staff in itself is a team where every member holds a specific designation and has performs a specific role! The members of this ‘team’ ensures that Indian cricketers are always game ready!
Reliance Industries (RIL) Acquires 49% Of Oval Invincibles
Reliance Industries Limited, parent company of Mumbai Indians, signed a deal with the Oval Invincibles of The Hundred, acquiring a 49% stake in the franchise, valued at 123 million pounds sterling for the entire team. Reliance will pay 60 million pounds sterling for the total equity of 49 percent. Reliance Industries (RIL) Diversifies Cricket Business Portfolio The acquisition of the Oval Invincibles is a major step by RIL as an expansion of its cricket franchise, which it has already invested in on other frontiers: Mumbai Indians (IPL and WPL), MI New York (MLC), MI Cape Town (SA20) and MI Emirates (ILT20). The sixth team under the RIL Banner will add momentum to the Company’s global cricket presence-the Invincibles. Intense Competition And Acquisition Terms Their bid defied strong competition from a Silicon Valley tech consortium comprising Google’s top executive, a senior Microsoft executive and the head of Adobe, not to mention private equity giant CVC. According to reports, RIL’s final bid valued the Invincibles at £123 million, with the company’s 49% stake costing just over £60 million. The ECB has yet to officially confirm the successful bidders, though an announcement is expected next week. Oval Invincibles – A Strong Brand One of the most successful brands that came under The Hundred was Oval Invincibles. Similar to men, they took away consecutive titles for The Hundred, and their women’s teams also won two consecutive titles for each respective The Hundred. This epitomised success and attracted the gaze of investors. RIL came out as one of the strong contenders for English cricket. Surrey To Retain Majority In Invincibles Even with new investment by RIL, though, the control of the Surrey, the owner of the franchise Invincibles will not be going as the county club had stated early on that they would hold to the majority percentage of their equity even as host venues were granted the option for selling 51% of it in the privatisation process provided by the ECB. Knighthead Capital To Buy Birmingham Phoenix On the flip side, reports say, US-based hedge fund Knighthead Capital won Birmingham Phoenix. It will be Knighthead’s first adventure in the world of cricketing after it had bought Birmingham City Football Club back in 2023. In addition, it is investing in the city in new developments including a “sports quarter.” A Year Of Transition For The Hundred This might just be another exciting turn of things in The Hundred as RIL comes in and replaces the Invincibles. This will definitely be a transition year for the tournament, at least for 2025 which falls between August 5th to 31st. ECB was actually not looking to go head to head with Major League Cricket; one could see how all this was going to be playing out into the future. As the season progresses, little other than a lead story should be written inside the embryonic narrative of The Hundred as these big-name ownership deals start to have their say. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
No Captain’s Event Or Photoshoot Before Champions Trophy 2025
The PCB confirmed that no official ICC captain’s meet or photoshoot would precede the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. No Captain’s Event For Champions Trophy 2025 For the first time, the Champions Trophy will be skipped in the buildup to the event in Pakistan. The host nation usually organizes this meet in the host country. In the case of the first ICC event in Pakistan after 1996, i.e. the Champions Trophy 2025, the usual meet would be skipped. Reasons Behind The Logistical Challenges Unlike the Champions Trophy in 2017 that took place in the UK where there was a captain’s event and photoshoot, this tournament will not repeat the same this year. According to the PCB, there was no plan for an opening ceremony, further revealing that neither the ICC nor the PCB had planned one. However, the PCB will host a special event on February 16 in Lahore three days before the opening match to mark the tournament. The reason for not attending the captain’s event and photoshoot was logistical. The tournament will be played in four venues across two countries, and with tight schedules for teams, many will arrive in Pakistan close to the start of the tournament. In fact, Australia’s team will not reach Pakistan until February 19, the day of the opening match. Effect On India’s Participation This also provides a fillip to the debate over India playing in the captain’s event. India and Pakistan have not played any bilateral series since 2012 due to political tensions and have met each other only at ICC events. Under the tournament’s hybrid model, India’s matches, which will include the final if it reaches there, will be staged in Dubai. Glorifying Renovated Grounds In a further buildup of the excitement, the PCB has planned ceremonies at the completion of refurbished stadiums in Lahore and Karachi. Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, under renovation, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on February 7, 2025 and National Stadium, Karachi, by President Asif Ali Zardari on February 11, 2025. This will indeed mark the start of a keenly awaited tournament in Pakistan. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
SL v AUS: Steve Smith Joins 10,000-Test Run Club After Lengthy Wait
Steve Smith has officially joined the exclusive 10,000-Test run club, becoming just the fourth Australian cricketer to achieve this rare milestone. Steve Smith’s Near-Miss At The SCG The 35-year-old right-hander, Steve Smith reached the landmark in the first test against Sri Lanka in Galle, after an agonising wait following his near-miss earlier this month. Steve Smith’s Milestone Moment In Galle Steve Smith had only been one run away from 10,000 during Australia’s game against India at the SCG, when he was dismissed for 9,999 runs. Many wondered if he would ever reach or cross that exact threshold. On Thursday in Galle, however, Smith’s wait finally ended in spectacular style as, with the first ball he faced, he made his 10,000th. He had walked to the crease with Australia at 2-137 in the opening session and immediately went on the attack, striking a single to mid-on off Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya. The crowd erupted in applause as Smith raised his bat, sharing a brief embrace with his batting partner Usman Khawaja. Steve Smith Celebrates The Achievement The moment was bittersweet for Steve Smith, who looked sheepish as he acknowledged the crowd, however, the achievement was monumental. He is now part of an elite group that includes Allan Border, Steve Waugh, and Ricky Ponting, all of whom have surpassed the 10,000-run mark in Test cricket. Notably, all three were present at the SCG for the match where Steve Smith’s wait began. Galle’s Quiet Celebration Galle, though, was an altogether low-key affair and only a small number of Aussie supporters were out to cheer on Smith at this small seaside venue. Nonetheless, the achievement it still carries does great importance for the cricket world. He now joins some of the game’s greatest players, with only Brian Lara reaching the milestone in fewer Tests than Smith’s 115. Alongside Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara, and Ricky Ponting, Smith is one of only a few to have achieved such a feat in under 200 innings. Among active players, only England’s Joe Root, with 12,972 Test runs, has a higher tally than Steve Smith. A Year Of Near Misses And Achievements For Steve Smith Steve Smith had come into the Australian summer 315 runs shy of the milestone and had been inching his way back with centuries in successive tests against England in Brisbane and Melbourne. When he walked into Sydney for the New Year’s Test, he needed only 38 runs; yet he was caught for 33 early on the second day of the match. The next two departures in the 9,990s brought him into the Sri Lanka series to finally gain the mark he had long pursued. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
SL v AUS: Unfinished Business On Steve Smith’s Mind As Australia Returns To Galle
As the opening test of the 2025 series against Sri Lanka comes around, Steve Smith is ready to go back as Australia’s captain. Steve Smith Returns To Galle As Captain The Galle International Stadium is a beauty and an eye opener to what lies in store. Having seen everything and anything in his distinguished career, it was only on Tuesday that Steve Smith came to this shrine to find himself warmly culturally greeted with energetic Sri Lankan folk dancers, masks and even flame throwers, but the Australian captain had eyes for only one thing, the 22 yards of turf that were going to decide the match. An Uncertain Deck At Galle As is always the case, the battle will be fought at Galle. First item on Smith’s agenda was to get a close-up look at the surface from every angle, something he did with equal parts curiosity and urgency. The pitch, as of the eve of the Test, seemed to be in a rather unpredictable state with heavy rainfall earlier in the week leaving thick clouds and extreme humidity hanging over the stadium. There is no telling how it’s going to come out despite all the ground staff’s efforts-be it cutting short the grasses or employing that UV light device-as is often so in Galle, it shall be one major determinant of match intensity. Drama At Galle Through Time From Nathan Lyon’s debut in 2011 to the very narrow contests of 2022, Galle has always been a stage for drama between Australia and Sri Lanka. But this series carries an extra weight for the Australians: they have already qualified for the World Test Championship final, but their record in Sri Lanka is at stake. Australia hasn’t won a Test series on the island in 14 years and, for Smith, it feels like something he wants to put right. Electric Atmosphere At Galle The atmosphere at Galle is electric, the local crowd adding their fervour to the mix. The Papare music of the Galle Cricket Club and the busy fort add to that distinct energy, defining this coastal venue. The game is everything, but above all the celebrations outside of the pitch. With nothing much to lose, Australia feels it is quite set on the right note at making the record straight. For Steve Smith, nothing proves the point in this task of accepting the challenge to lead his team into victory. Josh Inglis To Debut Josh Inglis is all set to get a match day call, this contest could turn out to be both interesting as it is demanding. And so much for this series for the batsman Steve Smith—is a chance of completing what hasn’t been complete yet. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IPL Owners And Tech Giants Bid For Hundred Franchises
A couple of IPL franchises and a couple of renowned tech industry owners have shown interest in taking the ownership roles in The Hundred. IPL Franchises Show Interest In The Hundred A few IPL franchise owners are among the shortlisted investors: Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants, and Delhi Capitals co-owners GMR Group. A consortium of global tech giants with leaders from Google, Microsoft, and Adobe also remains in contention. IPL And Tech Giants In The Spotlight The bid for The Hundred franchises is in its decisive phase, as investors compete to win equity stakes for all eight franchises. Mumbai Indians and the tech consortium, led by Nikesh Arora of Palo Alto Networks, heavily target the London-based teams, particularly Oval Invincibles and London Spirit. The consortium includes some of Silicon Valley’s biggest names, such as Sundar Pichai (Google CEO) and Satya Nadella (Microsoft CEO), among others. IPL franchise owners, including RPSG Group, are also targeting multiple teams in the competition. Interest In Manchester And London Teams The most sought-after teams are London clubs, Oval Invincibles and London Spirit, which investors are interested in tapping into the commercial potential of the city. Manchester Originals, hosted by Lancashire, is another highly sought-after team, largely because of the city’s connection to famous football clubs and its young, vibrant population. IPL owners are attracted to the possibility of working with Lancashire in managing cricket operations, making Manchester a strong contender for their investments. Apart from the London-based teams, there are others in the regional franchises, including Trent Rockets, Northern Superchargers and Welsh Fire that have generated much interest. The Sun Group that owns Sunrisers franchises of both IPL and SA20 has shown much interest in these teams while global fund manager CVC Capital Partners has taken a keen interest in Birmingham Phoenix, focusing on them. A Profitable Future For The Hundred Interest for both the IPL teams and global investors is strong towards the ECB decision of privatizing The Hundred by selling 49% stakes in franchises. Bids are expected to exceed £350 million, thereby shaping the new structure of the competition from 2026 onwards under the new ownerships. 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
