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
Dwayne Bravo Begins His Second Innings In Cricket Itself
You just can’t keep Dwayne Bravo away from the game. The former West Indies all-rounder, is set to join Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a mentor for IPL 2025 This move follows Bravo’s retirement from all forms of cricket and sees him taking over from Gautam Gambhir, who recently became Indian Cricket Team’s head coach after leading KKR to their third IPL title in 2024. Bravo’s Association With The Knight Riders Bravo’s new role isn’t just limited to KKR. He will also be responsible for player development across the Knight Riders’ other franchises, including Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL, Los Angeles Knight Riders in the MLC and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20. Bravo’s Cricketing CV With over 500 T20 matches under his belt, Bravo brings a wealth of experience and tactical brilliance to the table. His journey into mentorship comes on the heels of his success with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he was instrumental in winning four IPL titles as a player. After retiring from the IPL in 2022, Bravo transitioned into coaching, helping CSK win another title in 2023, this time as their bowling coach. Bravo’s Take On Joining The Knight Riders Expressing his excitement about the new role, Bravo said, “I’ve been part of the Trinbago Knight Riders for the last 10 years in the CPL. Having played for and against the Knight Riders in various leagues, I have a lot of respect for how they operate,” Bravo added, “The owners’ passion, the professionalism of the management, and the family-like environment make it a special place. This is the perfect platform for me as I transition from playing to mentoring and coaching the next generation of players.” Bravo surely would be excited to get into his new role and fine-polish the talent at the Knight Riders. The Sportz Planet Desk,Nitya Sutrave
IPL 2025: Here’s What Franchises Proposed Ahead Of 2025 Auction
In a series of feedback sessions with the Indian Premier League (IPL) officials, franchises have suggested several substantial changes to the player retention process, aiming to ensure more stability and strategic depth in team compositions. The next steps will be discussed in an upcoming meeting between IPL officials and franchise representatives, which will take place on 31st of July, 2024. Here are a couple of key suggestions from the franchises. 1. Mega Auction Cycle Change Franchises are advocating for the IPL mega auction to be held once every five years instead of the current three-year cycle. According to a senior franchise official, this change would offer multiple benefits, including the opportunity for teams to build continuity by developing young, especially uncapped Indian players. The longer cycle would incentivize franchises to continue investing in their grassroots academies without the immediate threat of losing nurtured talent to rival teams. 2. Retention and RTM Options Teams have proposed the ability to retain between four and six players, coupled with eight Right-to-Match (RTM) options. One of the franchise CEOs suggested allowing teams to retain one marquee player, such as the captain, with the rest being retained through RTMs, thus letting the market determine player prices and reducing potential dissatisfaction among retained players regarding their monetary value. 3. Salary Renegotiations Another proposal involves allowing franchises to renegotiate player salaries between mega auctions. This would help teams retain their core players and reach better terms with players originally acquired at lower prices. The process would be transparent, with new contracts declared to the IPL, however would be controlled by the franchise without players having the option to be released. Historical Context and Current Challenges Historically, the IPL has conducted mega auctions in four-year cycles twice in the last decade. The first was in 2018, following the 2014 auction and the return of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals from suspension. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the 2021 mega auction to be deferred by a year, leading to an extension of player contracts. Currently, franchises face challenges with players, particularly those who were uncapped and bought at low prices but have since become maga contributors or international players. These players might prefer re-entering the auction to secure higher contracts, which could be seen as unfair by the franchises that initially identified and developed them. Varied Responses to RTM-Only Proposal One of the franchises has proposed using only RTM options without any direct retentions, providing eight RTM options per team. The idea has received mixed reactions. Some franchises believe it promotes a level playing field, while others fear it could disrupt their auction strategy as rivals might drive up player prices. Focus on Fan Engagement Several franchises stretched on the importance of creating a loyal fan base. With frequent squad overhauls every three years, maintaining fan loyalty becomes challenging. Franchises argue that longer retention periods would help build stronger connections with fans, fostering a sense of loyalty and engagement. IPL officials and franchise representatives are expected to discuss these suggestions in detail in the forthcoming meeting. Other topics likely to be on the agenda include the Impact Player rule, which has received mixed feedback, the purse for the IPL 2025 auction and potential changes to the salary cap deduction for retained players. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IPL Franchise Owners Consider Investment In ECB’s The Hundred Amid Concerns Over Minority Stake
As the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) launches the fourth season of The Hundred, discussions around the privatization of the tournament’s eight franchises have intensified. The ECB’s plan involves selling a 49% stake in each team to private investors, while the remaining 51% will be retained by the existing ‘hosts’ – seven counties and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) for London Spirit. Reservations About Minority Stake This proposal has drawn interest from owners of several Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises. However, many express reservations about the minority stake being offered, fearing it could lead to a lack of control over the franchises. Concerns Highlighted by IPL Franchise Official The concerns were highlighted by an official from an IPL-winning franchise, who preferred to remain anonymous. “In all other franchise investments, we are 100% owners. Here, it’s going to be a joint venture. There’s valuation, ownership, and operational matters to consider – these issues come to the fore immediately,” the official said. ECB Acknowledges Investor Concerns Vikram Banerjee, the ECB’s Head of Business Operations, acknowledged these concerns. During his trip to India for IPL 2024, he met with various franchise owners to discuss the proposed model. “For a number of them, it’s around things like brand, control of cricket operations, and majority stakes from an equity perspective,” Banerjee explained. “We understand where they are at and have built that into the process.“ MCC and Surrey’s Stance on Stake Divestment Among the eight franchises, the MCC has stated it will consider selling part or all of its 51% stake, pending approval from its members. In contrast, Surrey, the owners of the Oval Invincibles, have declared no intention to divest any of their stake. Possibility of 100% Ownership Richard Gould, the ECB’s Chief Executive, did not rule out the possibility of investors acquiring a 100% stake, provided they meet various criteria. “There’s certainly the opportunity for people to have, potentially, 100% ownership,” Gould stated. “It depends on the capabilities they bring in terms of finance and operational delivery.“ Importance of Chemistry in Joint Ventures Venky Mysore, CEO of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), emphasized the importance of chemistry between investors and existing stakeholders. “Ultimately in any joint venture, it boils down to the chemistry recipe,” Mysore said. “The existing shareholder group has existed for 100-plus years, and suddenly, you have a new investor coming in. Can you work together? Because this is for the long run.“ Open Approach to Minority Stake A couple of IPL franchise owners, however are more open to starting with a minority stake. A CEO from another IPL team mentioned that a 49% stake would be a good starting point, with the option to increase their investment gradually. “The key question is how much that 49% constitutes of the overall value. If that number is too huge and I’m not sure of the returns, I’d rather take a small share to begin with, with the option to increase my stake over time.“ Balancing Control and Investment Value The ECB has clarified that the highest bid will not necessarily win. They seek partners keen on supporting the growth of the game at all levels, beyond just financial contributions. As the formal bidding process approaches, starting mid-September, the future of The Hundred and its appeal to IPL franchise owners hinges on balancing control, investment value, and operational harmony. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Mitchell Starc & Pat Cummins – IPL’s ‘Big Bucks’ Success Theory
In December 2023 at the IPL auction, the Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders broke the bank for Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. Combined, the Australian duo was sold for Rs 45.25 Crore. First, the Australian Captain was bought for Rs 20.50 Crore. A few moments later, KKR steamrolled the remaining nine franchises, to bag Starc’s services for a mammoth Rs 24.50 Crore. Back then, even after making such extravagant bids, many- including fellow team owners, media and fans weren’t sure of such costly buys. Now, after the IPL 2024 is over, with KKR lifting the title, the two most costliest players in IPL history, are the ones standing tall. The Big Bucks Theory Right since the beginning of the IPL, there has been a notion, that big bucks can be a distraction for top players. There have been examples like Andrew Flintoff (CSK-2009), Yuvraj Singh (Delhi-2015), and Chris Morris (Rajasthan – 2021), who failed to live up to expectations. The pressure was on both Starc and Cummins. The limelight was always going to be on them – be it success or failure. Both the Aussies had a dream IPL, individually and as a team. Starc produced 17 wickets from 14 matches. This was after going through a lull period in the first half of the tournament. Like the big players often do, they step up when the team needs them the most. The left-arm pacer produced a dream spell, first in qualifier 1 picking up three wickets, and then in the final, picking up two wickets. His spell determined the fate of both these games. In both these big games, Starc was named as the player of the match. Talking about Pat Cummins, the all-rounder did some heavy lifting right through the IPL 2024. He is the fulcrum around which Sunrisers Hyderabad’s ship floated, from game number one. Talking of numbers, he finished with 18 wickets from 16 matches and also played useful cameos with the bat. Most importantly, Cummins led the team superbly, on and off the pitch. Fittingly, his team played the final. Both Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have proved that money might not always be a big distraction, for players. If you are as talented and committed as the Australian pace duo, then there’s no need to worry. With the mega auction coming up, expect the remaining teams to take a leaf out of KKR and SRH books, and target specific players, no matter, what price they come at. Maybe the Big Bucks Theory is likely to stay for a few more seasons. Also Read: IPL or T20 World Cup winners – who get a bigger paycheque? Life comes a full circle for Starc and Cummins He first posed with Rohit Sharma and the World Cup trophy at Adalaj Stepwells in Ahmedabad. Then, he had a modeling session with Kraigg Brathwaite at Adelaide Oval, flipping sunglasses like teenagers. Recently, Pat Cummins had a photoshoot with Shreyas Iyer and the IPL trophy at Marina Beach, posing with an autorickshaw. He’s made all these poses work without any fuss, both on and off the field, as Sunrisers Hyderabad captain. Mitchell Starc isn’t into posing much but has performed well on the field. He returned to the IPL after nine years and had a standout 2024 season. No one could imagine, Starc finishing as a winning member of the IPL winning team, and playing a major role in that too. Cummins has had a big impact on Hyderabad’s performance, leading them from the bottom to the top of the table. He’s created a positive environment for the team and contributed crucial overs in matches. Despite not being a T20 specialist or having prior captaincy experience in T20, Cummins was a strategic pick for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Starc, on the other hand, had limited T20 experience but was a sought-after player at the auction due to his international reputation. Gautam Gambhir’s decision to splurge truckloads of money on Starc has finally paid rich dividends. Kolkata Knight Riders played like invincible and rightfully deserve to be the IPL 2024 champions. SRH fans are expectedly disappointed, but the brand of cricket they played right through the season, has caught everyone’s attention. In the IPL, every era is dominated by players from respective countries. Maybe Aussie domination in the IPL has just begun, thanks to the Big Bucks Theory.
IPL 2024 Final: KKR vs SRH Chennai Weather Forecast: Will IPL 2024 Final be washed out due to rain?
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Final will be held at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will lock horns for the coveted prize. Before these two strong teams, led by Shreyas Iyer (KKR) and Pat Cummins (SRH), face off, how’s the weather looking like in Chennai for the big day. Also Read: T20 WC Winners vs IPL Winners – Who gets a bigger paycheque? What are the worst-case scenarios? How the match results can change due to rain? IPL 2024 has already seen multiple games disrupted or canceled due to bad weather. WEATHER PREDICTIONS – IPL 2024 FINALUnpleasant weather wasn’t a hindrance during the IPL 2024 Qualifier 2 between the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Rajasthan Royals. However, a dangerous cyclone named Remal is forming in the Bay of Bengal. Cyclone Remal is currently about 1500 km east of Chennai. It is expected to move northward, meaning it won’t directly threaten Chennai. However, Chennai might still feel some effects from the cyclone, with the sky being cloudy and light scattered rain likely on the day of IPL 2024 Final. There is a 40% chance of scattered thunderstorms in Chennai on Saturday, which could be challenging for the ground staff. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE IPL 2024 FINAL – KKR VS SRH IS CANCELED DUE TO RAIN?The BCCI has already planned for a reserve day for the IPL 2024 Final. If bad weather interrupts the match on Sunday and it can’t continue, the game will restart on Monday, even if some overs were already played. The scheduled day’s match time can be extended by up to 120 minutes to complete the game. So, if you thought KKR might automatically win if it rains on Sunday because they topped the table, that’s not the case. It wouldn’t be fair since both KKR and SRH have worked hard over the two-month-long season and deserve a fair chance in the final. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE RESERVE DAY OF THE IPL 2024 FINAL – KKR VS SRH ALSO GETS CANCELED DUE TO RAIN?If a complete match can’t happen even on the reserve day, the team with the most points at the end of the league stage will be declared the winner. In that case, Shreyas Iyer and his Kolkata Knight Riders would be declared as the IPL 2024 Champions. As of now, no rain is predicted during the IPL 2024 Final. Both KKR and SRH fans would be hoping for Rain Gods to stay away from the match. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye.
