Sports

Adelaide, December 17, 2025: Australia suffered a major pre-match blow in the third Ashes Test at Adelaide as Steve Smith, acting captain in the first two Tests, was ruled out due to illness. In his place, Usman Khawaja, 38 years and 364 days old, was drafted into the team. Australia’s innings began shakily, losing 4 wickets for just 94 runs against an aggressive England bowling attack. Openers Travis Head (10) and Jack Weatherhield (18) fell cheaply, and Marnus Labuschagne added 19 runs before Khawaja joined him at the crease. England’s Jofra Archer then struck twice in quick succession, including dismissing Cameroon Green, who had gone for a record ₹25.20 crore in the IPL 2026 auction the previous day but failed to score in this Test. Veteran Pair Stabilize InningsKhawaja and wicke...

IPL 2026 witnessed Chennai Super Kings shocking everyone by acquiring Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma for ₹14.20 crore each, making headlines overnight. However, the history of IPL auctions is filled with players who, like Veer and Sharma, attracted massive bids but failed to meet expectations on the field. Here’s a look at some of these players: Shahrukh Khan:The Tamil Nadu-based finisher was bought by Punjab Kings in 2022 for ₹9 crore after his long six-hitting spells in domestic cricket. While he showed glimpses of power-hitting, inconsistency prevented him from becoming the superstar his price suggested. He was later bought by Gujarat Titans but has not lived up to the hefty tag. Krishnappa Gautam:In the 2021 auction, CSK acquired him for ₹9.25 crore, making him the most expen...

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) went big in the IPL 2026 auction, spending ₹41 crore to acquire nine new players, making them one of the highest spenders. However, despite these additions, five players may struggle to secure a spot in the playing XI this season. Big Buys CSK invested heavily in uncapped players Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer, paying ₹14.2 crore each. Other additions include Rahul Chahar, Matt Henry, Akil Hussain, Matthew Short, Jack Foulkes, Sarfaraz Khan, and Aman Khan. Players Likely to Miss Out Rahul Chahar: Bought for ₹5.2 crore, the leg-spinner may struggle for game time as CSK already has superb spinners like Noor Ahmad and Shreyas Gopal. Aman Khan: Primarily a finisher, he faces tough competition from MS Dhoni, Prashant Veer, and Kartik Sharma. Sarfara...

Even after an impressive IPL 2025 season, Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis was released by Punjab Kings. In a dramatic turn at the IPL 2026 auction, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured Inglis for a whopping ₹8.6 crore, despite reports that he may be available for only four matches due to his upcoming wedding. Inglis’ IPL and International Impact Inglis was a standout performer in IPL 2025, delivering explosive batting and playing a key role in helping Punjab Kings reach the final. Known for his striking ability against top bowlers—including Jasprit Bumrah—he boasts a strike rate close to 160 in T20s and has two international T20 centuries to his name. Previously, Inglis had a base price of ₹2.6 crore, but this time the bidding saw fierce competition, including a strong p...

Australia’s Cameron Green has become the most expensive overseas player in IPL history after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) shelled out ₹25.2 crore to secure his services in the IPL 2026 auction. The all-rounder’s signing has raised eyebrows, with questions emerging about whether KKR may be repeating the costly mistake they made with Venkatesh Iyer in the previous auction. Why KKR Spent Big Green, known for his explosive batting, was the standout all-rounder on the auction table. With no other overseas T20 player offering a combination of power-hitting and medium-fast bowling, KKR invested heavily to bolster their batting depth. With over ₹64 crore still in their purse, the franchise didn’t hesitate to bid aggressively. Despite his batting prowess, Green’s bowling record does not ins...

Bihar has produced a new IPL star. Mohammad Izhaar, hailing from the modest village of Thuthi in Supaul district, has been bought by Mumbai Indians for ₹30 lakh in the IPL 2026 auction. His journey from poverty to the grand stage of IPL is a story of perseverance, grit, and sheer determination. Humble Beginnings and Family Struggles Izhaar grew up in a simple household, where life was defined by hardships. His mother, Shabnam, recalls the constant challenges he faced from the neighborhood while chasing his cricket dreams. Despite opposition and even physical discipline at home, Izhaar remained determined, vowing one day to play professional cricket. To pursue his dream, he moved to Veerpur to join the Kosi Cricket Club, leaving home behind. While his family initially wanted him to...

In the IPL 2026 mini-auction, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) turned heads with a bold strategy, investing ₹43.40 crore to build a squad focused on young Indian talent rather than big-name veterans. The move has surprised cricket enthusiasts, as CSK opted for future potential over immediate star power. Auction Highlights: Uncapped Stars Steal the Show The biggest headline from CSK’s auction was the acquisition of two uncapped Indian players—Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma—each for a staggering ₹14.20 crore. CSK briefly competed for Cameron Green at ₹25 crore but chose instead to strengthen their Indian core. Even after spending ₹41 crore, CSK still retained ₹2.40 crore in their purse, reflecting prudent financial planning alongside bold talent investment. CSK Squad for IPL 2026 Bats...

After going unsold in last year’s IPL auction, Tejasvi Singh Dahiya has made a remarkable comeback, earning a spot in the Kolkata Knight Riders squad for IPL 2026 at a whopping ₹3 crore—ten times his base price of ₹30 lakh. His acquisition sparked intense bidding among Mumbai Indians, KKR, and Rajasthan Royals, highlighting the young wicketkeeper-batsman’s growing reputation. Rigorous Training in the Jungle Gurukul Tejasvi’s journey to IPL stardom is a testament to hard work and discipline. Under the guidance of Dronacharya awardee coach Sanjay Bhardwaj—who has trained legends like Gautam Gambhir and Amit Mishra—Tejasvi spent last year in a remote jungle-based cricket gurukul near Bhopal. Here, strict routines were enforced: mobile phones were confiscated, and players could only talk...

Sri Lanka’s rising star and opener, Pathum Nissanka, has been acquired by Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2026 auction for a hefty ₹4 crore. This marks Nissanka’s debut season in the Indian Premier League, giving him a platform to showcase his talent alongside the world’s best players. Outstanding White-Ball Form Nissanka has been in sensational form across white-ball cricket. In 2024, he scored 694 runs in One-Day Internationals at an average above 63, including a brilliant century. His T20 performances in 2025 have been equally impressive, accumulating 625 runs in 18 matches at an average of 36.76 and a strike rate of nearly 150, including a T20I century. In the ILT20 tournament, he has also excelled, scoring 226 runs in 5 matches at a strike rate of over 191, featuring three half-centur...

The IPL 2026 mini auction witnessed franchises investing heavily in Indian talent, highlighting the league’s continued focus on nurturing young stars. Several players secured record-breaking bids, reflecting teams’ faith in their potential and match-winning abilities. Here is a look at the five most expensive Indian players in the IPL 2026 auction. 1. Kartik Sharma – ₹14.2 Crore (CSK) Kartik Sharma emerged as one of the joint-most expensive Indian players in the auction, with Chennai Super Kings acquiring him for ₹14.2 crore. The huge bid underscores the franchise’s belief in his talent and future potential. Fans will be keenly watching how Sharma performs and justifies his record-breaking price, especially as he takes on key roles in CSK’s squad. 2. Prashant Veer – ₹14.2 Crore (C...