In a heated discussion between Shah Rukh Khan and Ness Wadia, IPL owners are divided on the prospect of a mega auction. A consensus between the BCCI and owners will determine the number of player retentions. Meanwhile, axed Team India player Irfan Pathan slams a 33-ball fifty in England, and veteran MS Dhoni may be open to playing for CSK in IPL 2025 under one condition.
IPL Owners Divided over Mega Auction Proposal
At the Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council meeting, intense discussions have erupted between Shah Rukh Khan, the owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, and Ness Wadia, the owner of Punjab Kings, regarding the prospect of a mega auction.
The mega auction is proposed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to introduce a level playing field by disbanding current team rosters and enabling players to join any franchise. However, some owners, including Ness Wadia, have raised concerns about the loss of team stability and the potential disruption it could cause.
Meanwhile, the BCCI and IPL owners are set to negotiate the number of player retentions allowed for each franchise. A consensus between the two parties will determine the final retention policy.
Irfan Pathan's Impressive Return to Form
After being axed from the Indian team, experienced all-rounder Irfan Pathan has made a striking return to form in English county cricket. Representing Nottinghamshire, he smashed a blistering 33-ball fifty, showcasing his prowess as a powerful hitter.
MS Dhoni's Potential Return to CSK
Veteran wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in 2020, has hinted at the possibility of playing for his former franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 2025 IPL season. However, he has made it clear that his return is contingent on the team's performance in the upcoming IPL seasons.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. What is a mega auction in IPL?
A mega auction is a process where all players from all IPL franchises are placed in a central pool and teams bid for their services.
2. Why are IPL owners divided over the mega auction proposal?
Some owners, like Ness Wadia, believe it could disrupt team stability and lead to the loss of fan loyalty.
3. How many player retentions will each IPL franchise be allowed?
The number of player retentions allowed will be determined through negotiations between the BCCI and IPL owners.
4. Why was Irfan Pathan dropped from the Indian team?
Pathan has been dropped from the Indian team due to inconsistent performances and injury concerns.
5. What is MS Dhoni's condition for returning to CSK?
Dhoni has stated that his return to CSK is contingent on the team's performance in the upcoming IPL seasons.
Punjab Kings made a statement at the IPL 2025 mega auction, securing the services of Indian batsman Shreyas Iyer for a whopping INR 26.75 crores. This made Iyer the most expensive player in IPL history, before being surpassed by Rishabh Pant who was bought for INR 27 crores by Lucknow Super Giants. PBKS had the largest purse of INR 110.5 crores and retained only two players from last season, making impressive signings such as Yuzvendra Chahal and coach Ricky Ponting.
Punjab Kings made waves in the IPL 2022 auction by acquiring top-rated spinner Yuzvendra Chahal for a record-breaking price of INR 18 crore. Despite being out of the national team, Chahal's alluring performance in previous IPL seasons and his skills as a leg-spinner made him a hot property in the auction. With this signing, Punjab Kings have further strengthened their already formidable team, making them a top contender for the upcoming season.
The 2025 IPL mega auction saw the Rajasthan Royals make some strategic purchases, with the team adding five new players to its roster. Among its top picks were England pacer Jofra Archer and Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga. Fans can look forward to an exciting season as the team gears up for 2025.
In a pivotal moment of the first Test between India and Australia, stand-in captain Virat Kohli convinced ace bowler Jasprit Bumrah to take the Decision Review System (DRS) after the on-field umpire initially ruled out debutant Nathan McSweeney. The review ultimately led to McSweeney's dismissal, giving India the crucial breakthrough they needed. Despite a rocky start for the Indian top-order, a partnership between Rishabh Pant and debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy helped them reach a total of 150 before the end of the day. With Australia still trailing by 83 runs, India will look to build on their momentum in the second innings.
In a dominant display, Kerala Blasters defeated Chennaiyin FC 3-0 in an Indian Super League match at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. Despite a strong start from Chennaiyin, who were missing key players due to illness and suspension, Blasters took the lead early in the second half and never looked back. The win keeps Kerala in the hunt for a playoff spot, while Chennaiyin's hopes of a top-four finish took a hit.
Zimbabwe pulls off a shocking upset against Pakistan in the first match of their three-match One Day International series. Despite a shaky start, Zimbabwe manages to put up a respectable 205 runs thanks to Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava's partnership. With an impressive performance from debutant Faisal Akram, Zimbabwe bowls out Pakistan for just 125 runs, securing an 80-run win on the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern system. This report is brought to you by Reuters.
After being a key member of the Mumbai Indians' title-winning campaign in the IPL 2020 season, Trent Boult returns to the franchise in the mega IPL 2025 auction. The 35-year-old New Zealand pacer has established himself as one of the best new ball bowlers in the world, with a total of 317 test wickets, 211 ODI wickets, and 83 T20I wickets. Known for his ability to swing the new ball, Boult has also been a crucial member of India's test team, helping them win the ICC World Test Championship in 2021. After playing for five different IPL franchises, Boult's return to Mumbai Indians is bound to make headlines in the cricket world.
Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, known for his explosive batting and off-spin bowling, will be rejoining Punjab Kings for the IPL 2025 season. This will mark his fourth stint with the franchise, having previously played for Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians as well. Despite attracting interest from other teams, Maxwell's value of INR 4.2 crores came as a surprise to many, given his reputation as one of the top players in the T20I format. Fans can look forward to a strong partnership between Maxwell and Shreyas Iyer in the Punjab Kings' middle order.
The IPL 2024 Auction saw intense bidding for former KKR captain Shreyas Iyer, who was eventually sold to Punjab Kings for a staggering Rs 26.75 crore, the highest ever bid in IPL history. KKR and Punjab Kings engaged in a heated bidding war for Iyer, with the player's base price of Rs 2 crore quickly escalating to Rs 20 crore. In the end, it was Punjab Kings who secured Iyer for their team, leaving fans stunned and excited for the upcoming season.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction witnessed a heated bidding war for young wicket-keeper opener Ishan Kishan. The 26-year-old left-handed batsman was eventually bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for a whopping price of INR 11.25 crore. With his success in international cricket and impressive IPL record, Kishan has become one of the most sought-after players in the auction. His previous teams, Gujarat Lions and Mumbai Indians, also showed interest in him but it was SRH who secured his services.