Sports

New Delhi: The countdown to the IPL 2026 mini auction has ended, with the first major event of the league’s 19th season set to unfold on December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. All ten franchises will enter the auction room with one goal: to plug the remaining gaps in their squads and build a title-contending team. While close to 350 players are part of the auction pool, only 77 cricketers will find a place in IPL 2026. However, a significant group of players will be spared the tension of the auction hammer altogether. These are the 173 cricketers already retained by franchises, whose places in their respective squads are secured well before the auction. The official retention list was released on November 15, giving a clear picture of each team’s core strength, remaining purse...

New Delhi: The IPL mini auction has consistently proven to be as dramatic and competitive as the mega auction, despite franchises operating with relatively smaller purses. Time and again, teams have engaged in intense bidding wars for a select group of players, pushing prices to record levels and, in some cases, even surpassing mega-auction figures. Ahead of the IPL 2026 mini auction, scheduled to be held on December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, franchises will be looking to fill 77 available slots. History suggests that while many players go under the hammer quietly, a few names can ignite bidding frenzies that leave the cricketing world stunned. Here are six such cricketers whose market value soared unexpectedly during mini auctions, rewriting IPL auction records. Mitchell ...

New Delhi: Cricket has often been a vehicle of dreams in India, but few stories are as dramatic—and bittersweet—as that of left-arm fast bowler T. Natarajan. His journey reads like a film script: a meteoric rise from poverty to international fame, followed by a sudden fade into obscurity despite immense talent and success. As the IPL 2026 mini auction takes place in Abu Dhabi on December 16, Natarajan’s story serves as a reminder of how unforgiving professional sport can be. Humble Beginnings Born in a small village in Tamil Nadu, Natarajan’s early life was marked by hardship. His father worked as a daily wage labourer, while his mother sold fish by the roadside to support the family. Even arranging two meals a day was often a challenge. Natarajan’s introduction to cricket came...

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the schedule for the IPL 2026 season, setting the stage for another high-profile edition of the world’s most popular T20 league. The tournament will begin on March 26 and conclude on May 31, as decided during a key meeting of IPL franchise officials held in Abu Dhabi. The announcement was made by IPL CEO Hemang Amin just ahead of the highly anticipated auction, scheduled to take place on Tuesday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. With the dates now confirmed, franchises have shifted their full focus toward finalizing squad combinations at the auction. Uncertainty Over the Opening Match Venue Traditionally, the IPL opener is hosted at the home ground of the defending champions. However, there is sti...

New Delhi: Playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is a dream for cricketers across the world. For overseas players, it is often a career-defining opportunity, as the number of available slots is limited and the financial rewards can be substantial. Every player hopes to attract a high bid at the auction—and many do. However, there have been instances where players, despite being sold at the auction, withdraw from the tournament due to international commitments or personal reasons. Can a Player Withdraw After Being Sold? In simple terms, yes—a player can withdraw from the IPL even after being bought at the auction. But frequent last-minute withdrawals have prompted the IPL to introduce much stricter rules, particularly for overseas players. New Strict Rule for Overseas Players ...

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the Players of the Month for November 2025. South African star spinner Simon Harmer has been named the Men’s Player of the Month, while India’s Shafali Verma has been honored as the Women’s Player of the Month. Harmer delivered a stellar performance in the two-match Test series against India, taking a total of 17 wickets and playing a key role in South Africa’s 2-0 series victory. Simon Harmer Reacts to the AwardFollowing his recognition, Harmer said, “Being named ICC Men’s Player of the Month for November is a huge honor. Playing for my country has always been a dream come true, and any achievements that follow feel like a bonus. I share this award with my teammates, coaches, and support staff, and dedicate it to my family, who h...

Perth, Australia: On this day in cricket history, a bold experiment with an aluminum cricket bat brought a Test match to a standstill and ultimately led to a historic change in the rules of the game. During the 1979 Ashes series at Perth, Australia’s legendary fast bowler Dennis Lillee shocked the cricketing world by attempting to bat with a metal “ComBat” instead of a traditional wooden bat. The stunt, partly designed to gain publicity, created a chaotic scene on the field and sparked intense debate. The Incident On December 15, 1979, the fourth ball of an over bowled by England’s Ian Botham hit Lillee’s aluminum bat, producing an unusual sound that stunned England captain Mike Brearley. The umpires immediately inspected the bat and asked Lillee to switch to a legal wooden bat. L...

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing South Africa tour of India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a new directive for Indian national team players. Senior cricketers, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, have been instructed to participate in at least two matches in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025‑26. Tournament Details The Vijay Hazare Trophy is set to begin on 24th December 2025 and will continue until 18th January 2026, featuring the one-day (50‑overs) format. Players from the Indian white-ball team, including veterans, will take part, strengthening domestic competition and providing leadership to younger talent. Rohit Sharma is expected to represent Mumbai, while Virat Kohli will play for Delhi. Both players, though retired from Test and T20 Internat...

New Delhi: Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya scripted history during the third T20 International against South Africa, achieving a remarkable milestone of 100 wickets in T20I cricket for India. In the match, Pandya claimed the lone wicket of Tristan Stubbs, marking him as only the third Indian player to reach this feat after Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. Girlfriend’s Heartfelt TributeHardik’s girlfriend Mahika Sharma took to Instagram to celebrate his achievement. Sharing two stories, she first posted a video of the wicket with the caption: “100, baby! Rockstar, legend, hero.” In her second story, she highlighted another historic milestone—Hardik became the first Indian cricketer to score over 1,000 runs and take 100 wickets in T20 Internationals. A Record-Breaking All-RounderWit...

New Delhi, December 15, 2025: The IPL 2026 player auction, scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi, is set to feature a surprise entry: Bengal’s talented opener Abhimanyu Easwaran. Initially absent from the shortlist, Easwaran has now been included, raising excitement among fans and franchises alike. Out of 1,390 players who registered for the auction, 350 were shortlisted. Recently, 9 additional players were added to the auction list, and reports from Cricbuzz suggest that Easwaran is among them. The Bengal captain had a base price of ₹30 lakh, but he initially missed out on the auction shortlist. A franchise reportedly pushed for his inclusion, making him one of the late entries for the auction. The BCCI is expected to announce the final list of these additions during a franchise briefing o...