SRH And Hyderabad Cricket Association Reach Agreement On Complimentary Passes
The issue arose when SRH accused HCA of employing “blackmailing tactics” regarding additional complimentary tickets, prompting the franchise to seek intervention from the BCCI and IPL Governing Council.
IPL Is The Second-Most Valuable Sporting League: World Cricketers Association Report
The report has been prepared after surveying 328 current men’s and women’s pro players from across 16 countries, interviewing 64 senior stakeholder representatives.
Kerala’s Vignesh Puthur Makes A Mark On IPL Debut For Mumbai Indians
Puthur might want to forget the result of the match but will want to preserve one moment in his memory bank for as long as he can. It was when India and CSK legend MS Dhoni put his hand on his shoulders and appreciated his efforts.
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.
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
The Dhawal Kulkarni Story
For generations in Indian cricket, it was a given that the place for batting brilliance had always been in the bastions of Mumbai. However, at one point, it was a young, anonymous fast bowler from the city of dreams who broke all that was known and went about winning everyone’s hearts. Not that this young wonder was a just any pacer, rather he was Dhawal Kulkarni, the most inspiring story of dedication and hardwork that now, is told to all the young fast bowlers in Mumbai. Dhawal Kulkarni’s Early Yet Impressive Years In Domestic Cricket The journey started in the under-17 Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2005-06, when a tall and lean boy with a pace clocking mid-130’s emerged as a force to reckon with. While Mumbai was known for its batting masterclass, Dhawal Kulkarni brought a refreshing change by storming into the domestic circuit with his lethal pace. He was soon noticed by the selectors and had fantastic performances at the Under-19 state level, where he took 8 for 47 against Tamil Nadu, which got him into the India U-19 team for the 2007 tour to Sri Lanka. There, Kulkarni again stunned everyone and got himself a place in the Mumbai Ranji Team for the 2008 season, where his debut season was phenomenal. Dhawal Kulkarni ended the season as the Ranji Trophy’s highest wicket-taker, with 42 wickets, playing an important role in Mumbai’s title-winning campaign. Dhawal Kulkarni’s Maiden India Call-Up Dhawal’s career didn’t stop there. His exceptional rise led him to the national team, with a call-up for the India Test squad in 2009 for the tour of New Zealand. However, it was in the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy season that he made history for himself. Dhawal has led Mumbai to their 40th Ranji Trophy win by taking the match-winning five-wicket hauls both in the semifinal and final, out of which his spell is worth mentioning of 5/32 against Saurashtra in the finals. His performances were so consistent that he was soon called into the India A team for the 2014 Quadrangular series, where he played an important role in India’s title win. Dhawal Kulkarni Shines With Both Bat And Ball At The Rajasthan Royals Dhawal Kulkarni’s IPL journey started with the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2008, however he truly found himself as the lead bowler of a bowling attack the year he joined the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2014. His line and length immaculate, Dhawal was one of the most dependable bowlers for the Royals, often coming up when it mattered the most – delivering crucial breakthroughs. Dhawal was bowling brilliantly. What came as a shock to everyone was his batting. He struck some serious blows out of the park in one of the games against the Chennai Super Kings in Dubai. With such high-scoring nature of IPL 2014, Dhawal’s bowling economy rate of 8.18 stood out as he showed how to control the game and stop the runs from flowing. Dhawal Kulkarni’s International Debut September 02, 2014 will always have some fond memories. Dhawal Kulkarni made his international debut in September 2014 when India toured England. In the home series that was held later the same year at home against Sri Lanka, Dhawal performed even better, taking eight wickets at an average of just 18.62. His career reached a new height when he represented India at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2015 in Australia. Dhawal Kulkarni At IPL 2015 Dhawal Kulkarni continued to dominate in the IPL. Playing for the Rajasthan Royals in 2015, he single-handedly dismantled the batting line-up of Sunrisers Hyderabad with figures of 2/9 in three overs, providing the critical breakthroughs when his team needed it most. Dhawal Kulkarni Blows RCB Top Order In IPL 2016 In IPL 2016, the Rajasthan Royals were suspended along with the Chennai Super Kings due to obvious reasons and Dhawal Kulkarni found himself donning the orange kit of the newly established Gujarat Lions. Speaking of Dhawal at the Gujarat Lions, how can we even forget him dismantling the ferocious Royal Challengers Bengaluru top order. Dhawal and his Gujarat Lions were up against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in front of a daunting Chinnaswamy crowd in the playoffs of IPL 2016. The dangerous looking Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle were out to bat. We all know Virat was only upto smashing every bowler for a four or a six in IPL 2016. Dhawal Kulkarni was given the charge to handle the new ball. He marked his run-up in the second over of the innings and soon dismissed Virat Kohli for a duck. Dhawal soon came in for his second over and bamboozled the dangerous looking Chris Gayle this time for a score of 9 off 11. https://www.iplt20.com/video/5031 Dhawal was breathing fire. He went on dismissing KL Rahul for a duck the very next ball. It seemed that Dhawal was bowling rockets at the RCB batters and RCB were falling like a pack of cards in front of Dhawal Kulkarni. Dhawal’s fourth wicket came in the form of Sachin Baby. Through the innings Dhawal Kulkarni made sure that RCB was completely under pressure. Dhawal Kulkarni roared at Chinnaswamy as the lead bowler for the Gujarat Lions. Dhawal Kulkarni continued with the Gujarat Lions for IPL 2017 as well. Dhawal Kulkarni Shows Athleticism In IPL 2019 Dhawal was back with the Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2018-2019 season. Dhawal’s 2019 IPL season will always be remembered for his outstanding catch at long-off against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. SRH just needed 82 off 55 and were right in the hunt while chasing a target of 199. SRH’s Jonny Bairstow was set on 45 off 27 deliveries with the intention to go hard and cross the boundary rope as much as he can. However there was no escape. Dhawal Kulkarni was at the boundary and his fielding was as tight as that of a high security prison. Dhawal took a screamer just as the ball was going to cross the boundary ropes. Bairstow was
IPL 2025: 5 Players Return To Where It All Began For Them
The reunions in the IPL 2025 auction were dramatic as the big names of cricket are coming back to their franchises where they once etched their names. The fans and the faithful would just love to see some faces again in the jerseys of their former teams and these are the top five comeback players returning to where it all began for them. 1. Ravichandran Ashwin – Chennai Super Kings One of the most important moments in IPL 2025 auctions came in the form of Ravichandran Ashwin‘s return to Chennai Super Kings. The veteran Indian off-spinner was bought for Rs. 9.75 crore, which meant returning to the franchise that was his first in the IPL. Ashwin initially gained prominence with CSK in 2009. He played a vital role for CSK in their championship-winning seasons in 2010 and 2011. Ashwin has represented Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals. Now he is back to his parent club, bringing with him vast experience. 2. Glenn Maxwell – Punjab Kings Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is returning to Punjab Kings, a side he last played for in IPL 2020. The explosive batsman and big hitter, Maxwell had a great time with Punjab between 2014 and 2017. His best season came in 2014 when he scored 552 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 187.75. After four seasons with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Maxwell was picked up by Punjab for Rs. 4.20 crore in the IPL 2025 auction and would look to rekindle his form with his old team. 3. Trent Boult – Mumbai Indians Kivi pace bowler Trent Boult returns to Mumbai Indians after having represented Rajasthan Royals for two years. Boult, who was an integral part of Mumbai’s 2020 IPL title-winning team, took 25 wickets in 15 matches that season and played a key role in the team’s success. He was bought by Mumbai Indians for Rs. 12.50 crore at the 2025 auction and will lead their pace attack alongside Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah. Fans will be eager to see Boult back in his old role as Mumbai’s spearhead. 4. Jofra Archer – Rajasthan Royals England fast bowler Jofra Archer returns to Rajasthan Royals, the side that gave him his IPL debut in 2018. Archer was a star for the Royals, taking 46 wickets in just three seasons. His best year was in 2020 when he took 20 wickets in 14 matches at an economy rate of under 7. Injuries kept him out for most of the last few seasons, but with his fitness back on track, Archer will look to continue his excellent form for Rajasthan after being picked for Rs. 12.50 crore. 5. Devdutt Padikkal – Royal Challengers Bangalore Stylish left-handed batter Devdutt Padikkal is returning to Royal Challengers Bangalore after two seasons with Rajasthan Royals and a brief stint with Lucknow Super Giants. Padikkal started well in his IPL career with RCB in 2020, scoring 473 runs in his debut season. He then had another decent season in 2021 but was not so fortunate in 2024 for LSG, scoring only 38 runs in seven innings. Bought for Rs. 2 crore by RCB at the 2025 auction, Padikkal will be hoping his second stint with the franchise helps him rediscover his best T20 form. These comebacks have rekindled the excitement among fans and promise to make the IPL 2025 season even more thrilling with these familiar faces returning to the fold. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Top Catches And Misses
India’s big names like Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal are among the cricketers to quote a base price of ₹2 crores when they go under the hammer at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Auction table. In total 1,574 players are set to go under the hammer at the IPL 2025 Mega Auction out of which 409 are overseas players. Shami and Siraj In IPL 2025 Mega Auction Mohammed Shami is also one of those who would be going under the hammer with the base price of ₹2 Crore as he was released by the Gujarat Titans. Same is the case with Mohammed Siraj, who was released by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Other top Indians entering the IPL 2025 Mega Auction are Ishan Kishan, Deepak Chahar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, whose base price has been set at ₹2 crores. Umran Malik shall be there at the IPL 2025 Mega Auction at a base price of ₹75 lakhs. Overseas Stars Opt for ₹2 Crore Base Price At IPL 2025 Mega Auction International players like Australia’s Mitchell Starc, who was the record buy of KKR in IPL 2024, will enter the IPL 2025 Mega Auction at ₹2 crore. Other overseas stars in this category are Steven Smith, Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler, with David Warner who now is retired from international cricket joining them. Anderson Walks In England’s old guard, James Anderson has opted to participate in the IPL and has registered himself in the IPL 2025 Mega Action. The man who always prioritised his country and red ball cricket over franchise cricket has now shown interest as he finds time for his leisure post retirement. It would be really interesting to see in which franchise Anderson finds a place. The master of swing would surely be a treat to the eyes if he gets an opportunity in the IPL. Ben Stokes Out; Italian Player Joins IPL Auction Ben Stokes is the standout miss by England, though there’s James Anderson with a reserve price of ₹1.25 crore. Recent recruit by ILT20 in Italian bowler Thomas Draca features in this list as well. IPL 2025 Mega Auction To Take Place In Jeddah In November The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Mega Auction is scheduled to be held on November 24th and 25th, 2024 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A total of ₹120 crore in the purse lies before franchises, which will help fill their respective squads. The Punjab Kings would enter the IPL 2025 Mega Auction with the biggest purse, amounting ₹110.50 crore. 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