Tuesday, November 26
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will not be part of Delhi Capitals from IPL 2025, as the team has decided not to retain him. They will look for new captaincy options, potentially exploring choices in the mega auction. Axar Patel is a possible option, but Shreyas Iyer might also be on their radar due to his past success with the team.
Shubman Gill will continue as Gujarat Titans captain, agreeing to a pay cut for IPL 2025 to help retain core players like Rashid Khan. Gill's leadership has impressed BCCI, earning him India's vice-captaincy. GT are aiming for a balanced squad after finishing eighth last season.
Ahead of the final Test against New Zealand, India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar highlighted the team's focus on adapting to diverse pitch conditions and leveraging player skills. Despite speculation, Nayar refuted claims of requesting spin-friendly pitches. He defended the current Indian batsmen, emphasizing the importance of patience and adaptability for long-term success.
South Africa set a new record in the 2nd Test against Bangladesh by hitting 17 sixes, surpassing their previous best of 15. Tony de Zorzi's remarkable 177, along with contributions from Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, and Wiaan Mulder, propelled the team to a formidable 577/6 declared. Bangladesh's Taijul Islam claimed 5 wickets but couldn't stem the Proteas' scoring.
Virat Kohli is set to take over as Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain, succeeding Faf du Plessis. Kohli returns to the leadership position after previously captaining the team from 2013 to 2021. Despite strong individual performances in the past, he aims to finally secure RCB's first IPL title.
South Africa's Kagiso Rabada has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Test bowler rankings, surpassing India's Jasprit Bumrah. Rabada's nine-wicket haul in the first Test against Bangladesh propelled him to the number one position. Bumrah dropped to third behind Australia's Josh Hazlewood. New entries include Pakistan's Noman Ali, ranking ninth, after a strong series against England.
Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg believes Virat Kohli's emotional instability is affecting his Test cricket performance. Kohli scored 245 runs in five Tests in 2024, averaging 27.22, with India gearing up for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Hogg suggests Kohli must control his emotions and improve his technique against New Zealand.
New Zealand aim to convert their historic series win into a clean sweep in the third Test against India in Mumbai, bolstering their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final. Despite consecutive defeats, India remain atop the WTC table. New Zealand's coach Gary Stead emphasizes adapting to the red-soil pitch as crucial for their success.
Abhimanyu Easwaran, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Prasidh Krishna's performances will be pivotal in India A's match against Australia A. Easwaran could replace captain Rohit Sharma if needed, while Krishna aims to regain form post-injury. Ruturaj Gaikwad leads India A's strong contingent.
IPL franchises must submit their list of retained players by October 31 for the 2025 season. Teams can retain up to six players, with a maximum of five capped players. Retention costs impact the ₹120 crore purse, while RTM cards allow franchises to re-acquire certain players during the mega auction. A handy FAQ before the deadline.
