National, 18 January 2024: On a quiet Friday night in Ahmedabad, in the middle of India A’s tour match against England Lions, Dhruv Jurel’s phone was suddenly inundated with calls, messages and notifications. It took him a while to come to terms with what transpired in those moments, but the realisation soon dawned on him. A right-hand batter and wicketkeeper, former India U19 vice-captain, and Royals’ emerging star, 22-year-old Dhruv Chand Jurel from Uttar Pradesh was now going to rub shoulders with the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Royals teammates Ravichandran Ashwin, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Avesh Khan in the same dressing room as part of India’s Test squad for the upcoming England series.

We let Dhruv bask in the sunshine of selection for a bit and then caught up with him to find out more:

Q: What was your first reaction to your India call-up? Where were you? What did your parents say?
A: I was shocked! I was with the India A team, we were playing against the England Lions in a 2-day match. The news broke late in the night and when I found out, I immediately called my father to tell him and his first question was, “Which Indian team? Aren’t you already playing for one of them?”. I said, “The same one in which Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play”. He couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe it too!

Q. Did anyone from the Royals call/text to congratulate you?
A. Yes, I spoke to Zubin Bharucha (Director of High Performance) sir, got messages from Kumar Sangakarra (Director of Cricket) sir, Siddhartha Lahiri (Support Coach & Head of Coaching, RR Academy) sir, Giles Lindsay (Director of Analytics & Technology), Dishant Yagnik (Fielding Coach) sir. They were all very happy for me. Zubin sir has always backed me and I remember him telling me sometime back that my time was coming soon.

I also got a text from Jos (Buttler) bhai, he said “Good to see you in the Indian team, long way to go”.

Q. On hearing about your India call-up, Kumar Sangakkara in a recent interview complimented your work ethic and demeanour. How does it feel to hear such things from a legend of the game?
A. I read it and honestly, I am just grateful to him and the Rajasthan Royals. All the credit goes to the coaches, support staff, my teammates and the whole franchise. It’s because of them that I’ve been able to come this far in my cricketing journey. They picked me from scratch, I was nowhere near getting into the senior Indian squad. The kind of support I’ve gotten from them has helped me gain that much-needed confidence. Even in the season when I played, Sanju (Samson) bhai told me to express myself freely without worrying about anything.

Q. How have the Royals helped you develop as a player in the past year?
A. There are quite a few off-season camps conducted by the franchise especially to support us not just before the IPL, but throughout the year so that we can go out and perform to the best of our abilities in every tournament we play. It has been very helpful for me, especially having Zubin Sir in the nets, constantly guiding me on things that I can improve. My biggest takeaway from every camp has been that there’s always more to achieve, being in a highly competitive setup like that of the Royals. There are times I’ve spent 7-8 hours at a stretch working on a specific skill set in the nets. It helps me stay focused and be well-prepared whenever an opportunity comes knocking.

Q. From playing for India U19 in limited-overs cricket to representing India A and now the senior men’s squad in red-ball cricket, what are your reflections on your journey so far?
A. As part of India U19, I gained massive exposure playing in foreign conditions and different types of pitches. Then with the Royals, I had a good first IPL season. And that was all white-ball cricket. But then came the longer format, and that’s a different ball game altogether. It took me a while to adapt myself to the demands of red-ball cricket. But with so much practice, training and early experience, I am confident that I can play all three formats equally well.

Q. You’ll be joining the Indian Test squad soon. What are your expectations from the series, sharing a dressing room with senior players and your fellow Royals teammates?
A. The most important learning that I’d want to take away from this series is how to develop the mental fortitude that is needed to survive at the highest level. A lot of players get call-ups, but only a few are able to sustain themselves. Once you’re in the public eye on a much bigger stage, you are constantly judged on your performances. So I really want to know how these players deal with bad days, how they face criticism and pressure. I am going to try and absorb it all.

Q. You and Yashasvi Jaiswal have had parallel cricketing journeys, you are teammates at the Royals and now you will be together once again in the Indian Test team’s dressing room. How does it feel and have you two spoken since the news of your selection?
A. Yashasvi and I go a long way back. We played together in our U19 days and it has always been a lot of fun. I am looking forward to sharing this experience with him too. He was one of the first ones to text me and congratulate, saying “Well-deserved bhai, very happy for you”.

Q. Looking back at your journey so far and where you want to go from here, what’s the one mantra that you’ve always stuck by that has helped you grow as a cricketer?
A. I think it’s being stubborn no matter how many obstacles you face. As a kid, I was always stubborn about wanting to play cricket. Studies were important but deep down I knew I wanted to pursue the sport. It took a while to convince my parents, but then my father stepped up to help me.

I studied in an Army school and during winters, the days would be even shorter in the north. So instead of going home after school and changing into my cricket clothes, my father would bring the clothes to the school and I would change them in the washroom, then rush to the academy to play, and finally be back home by night. That way, I would get two extra hours to practise and they used to be extremely helpful for me.

Despite facing financial constraints and my stubbornness, my family always supported me and I’m eternally grateful for that. My father would stitch up torn batting gloves, get a hanging ball in the room for me to keep hitting, my mother would soak almonds for me so that I’d get all the energy I needed. Everyone in my family is a cricket fan so they got behind me whole-heartedly, even if it took some time and convincing.

Q. One thing you hope to achieve in 2024 – any milestones in your mind?
A. Getting better every day. I have benefited a lot from this. I don’t believe in setting too many expectations for myself, I just want to focus on things I can do better. When I started playing, I only wanted to enjoy my cricket so I would like to continue doing the same.

Interview Credits: Rajasthan Royals

Nagpur, 27 December 2023: 220 runs, 7 innings, a monstrous strike rate of 185+ and a blazing 58 off 20 balls as an ‘Impact Player’ in Vidarbha’s highest-ever run-chase at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023, Shubham Dubey’s timing to leave a lasting impression couldn’t have been better.

The left-handed middle-order batter had little idea that his life was about to take a drastic turn just one month later, at the IPL 2024 Auction. Delhi Capitals opened the bid for the 29-year-old uncapped player, whose base price was set at INR 20 lakh. The Royals soon joined them, and thus began the war of bids that went well beyond the realm of anyone’s imagination. Let alone that of an excited Shubham, who was watching all the action unfold right in front of his eyes. The Royals eventually had the final say, signing the hard-hitter up for a whopping INR 5.8 crore, knowing well and truly what the Nagpur-based cricketer brought to the table.

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We caught up with Shubham for a quick, exclusive tête-à-tête soon after the auction madness and just in time before his phone got bus(ier).

Q. What was your first reaction when Rajasthan Royals bought you at the IPL 2024 auction? Where were you when it happened?
I had mixed feelings ahead of the auction because I had no idea which team would pick me. So that excitement was always there. On the day of the auction, I started with my usual practice. With the Ranji Trophy coming up, all my preparations are focused on that tournament. I had a good outing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy so I was confident about my chances. Honestly, I didn’t expect the bidding to be so high so that was a pleasant surprise. The way the bids kept shooting up one after the other was astonishing to watch. My parents were sitting right across from me in the room when this happened, so watching them get emotional was a priceless moment for me. I touched their feet immediately after and thanked god as well because, without their blessings, this wouldn’t have been possible. My brother and close friends were present with me at home, and they were all very happy for me.

Q. Tell us a bit about your journey. When did you first start playing cricket?
Just like thousands of other kids in the country, my cricket journey also started in typical fashion. When I was in school, I would play gully cricket in the neighbourhood, and watch the Indian cricket team on television. At that time, I would get very excited to watch the likes of Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, etc. So I started playing locally with a few of my friends. I come from a very humble background, my family couldn’t afford to buy a full-fledged cricket kit but my father still managed to buy me one. Then one of my uncle’s friends suggested I should get enrolled in a club called ‘Advocate XI’ that trains talented young kids who can’t afford to pay fees for free.

It was there that I first saw Faiz Fazal, who was Nagpur’s Ranji Trophy captain at the time. His personality, the confidence he carried and the way everyone treated him with so much respect made me feel I wanted to reach that level too. He’s also a left-handed batter so I could relate to him even more. So I joined the club and started practising regularly and eventually got a chance to play matches at the club level. I would like to thank the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA), they gave me plenty of opportunities at the camps. One day, a coach asked me about my fees and I burst into tears because I couldn’t afford to pay it. He then started providing me with gloves, pads, etc. as I continued to play well and score runs. He also got me to play matches at the U-19 and U-23 levels, and then I went on to become the club captain. In my final year of U-23 cricket, coach Sudhir Wankhede gave me a chance to play in the Bapuna Cup and I scored some runs there. That was the moment I thanked him and decided that cricket was indeed what I wanted to pursue going forward. From then on, my hard work resulted in opportunities here and there, and I never looked back.

Q. Who was your inspiration growing up?
As a kid, I enjoyed watching cricket overall on television but I never thought I would become a cricketer. I loved watching Yuvraj Singh and the way he used to hit the big shots. I have also grown up playing a lot of tennis-ball cricket as back then, players would get paid to play in such competitions. I also like MS Dhoni and I know that he also played tennis-ball cricket in his early days before he took over Indian cricket.

Q. How did your family support your dream?
My parents have been incredibly supportive of my decision right from my childhood. They never forced me to do something else despite our struggling financial situation. My father is a modest man who took up odd jobs to support the family, right from operating a paan stall to working as a hotel manager, to even getting into real estate. My mom is very religious, even she didn’t stop me from chasing my dream. I would assure both of them that something good will come out of this and if I play well, it can also open up doors to employment as I had seen my friends getting jobs because of playing cricket.

Q. When was the first time you interacted with Rajasthan Royals? Any particular moment you remember?
A chance visit to the Royals’ High-Performance Centre in Talegaon (Nagpur) with a friend just after the pandemic led me to meet Romi sir (Romi Bhinder, Team Manager) and Zubin sir (Zubin Bharucha, Director of High Performance). When I went there, I saw Yashasvi Jaiswal practising in the nets and I was in awe of the facilities and the huge ground there. Cut to this year, I was there once again for the trials and that’s when Zubin sir took notice of my batting. He said to me, “You have the potential and the calibre, now we need to give it the finishing touches. It’s not just about playing in the IPL, but also beyond that and your ability to do that is clearly visible.”  

Q. Which teammate/coach are you looking forward to meeting in the IPL 2024 season?
Sanga (Kumar Sangakkara) sir for sure. I have followed his journey till his retirement and he is such a respected figure in the cricketing fraternity. He was also a lefty like me so just being around him will surely be a learning experience for me. I can’t wait to get going!

Q. What was the first thing that came to your mind after the auction? What is it that you want to do first?
There are a lot of people who have helped me reach this stage of my life. And I’ve found my biggest supporters in my family. My twin brother took care of the house financially without letting the pressure affect me, my parents were right behind me through thick and thin. Even on my worst days, when I was injured and out of action for a while, they encouraged me and kept me in a positive state of mind. I want to give them the comfort and happiness they deserve, so I wish to first buy a house for the family.

I’ve been fortunate to have friends who would always lend a helping hand, whether it was giving me a ride to the grounds when I had no other means of transport, or bowling to me day in, day out at the nets, or just introducing me to coaches, academies, from where I could carve my path. I would like to give back to them in whichever way possible to express my gratitude towards them.

Q. What is your favourite batting position?
I just want to win the match for my team, be it at any position. The fact that I am flexible in the batting order works well in my favour.

Q. What can fans expect from you in the upcoming IPL season?
The most important thing for me is to repay the franchise that has shown so much faith in me. And the only way to do it is through my performances so I’ll try my best to do that.

In a recent development from the IPL 2024 auction, Punjab Kings have clarified the situation regarding the acquisition of Shashank Singh. Earlier, there were reports of a possible mix-up leading to the player being erroneously bought by the team. However, the franchise has now provided clarity on the matter.

The confusion arose during the IPL auction when two players with the same name, Shashank Singh, were present in the pool of available players. This led to speculation about a potential error in Punjab Kings’ bidding strategy. The franchise has now confirmed that the Shashank Singh they acquired was indeed a part of their planned auction targets.

This clarification from Punjab Kings has put to rest the rumors and confusion surrounding the auction process. As IPL 2024 approaches, the focus shifts to how new signings like Shashank Singh will adapt to their teams and impact the highly competitive landscape of the tournament.

Bengaluru, December 20, 2023: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) made strategic acquisitions to successfully achieve optimal team balance at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Player Auction in Dubai on Tuesday.  

As RCB executed well thought out six bids to shape a strong squad for the upcoming season, skipper Faf du Plessis highlighted that it was a busy time for him and the think tank as they invested a lot of time in developing a comprehensive plan which helped to enter the auction with much more clarity. He said the team’s focus was to pick the players who will perform well at home.

With a strong nucleus already present in the top order with players like Du Plessis, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell and Rajat Patidar, and having acquired services of all-rounder Cameron Green, who adds excellent depth to the batting, RCB’s focussed approach in the auction saw them securing more strength in the bowling department.

West Indian aggressive paceman Alzarri Joseph (₹11.50 Cr) became the first buy for RCB at the auction. The 27-year-old holds the record for the best-ever bowling figures in the IPL of 6-12 and can be a quality option in death overs. They further added more speed into their attack by picking up New Zealand’s fast bowler Lockie Ferguson (₹2 Cr) and England’s Tom Curran (₹1.50 Cr).

RCB also added Indian left-arm pacer Yash Dayal (₹5 Cr) and spin all-rounder Swapnil Singh (₹20 lacs) to ensure variation in the bowling attack. They bought talented young wicketkeeper Saurav Chauhan (₹20 lacs) from Gujarat to complete a 25-member squad. Chauhan made the headlines in the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy when he smashed 18-ball 61.

Talking about the auction and the selection of players, Prathmesh Mishra, Chairman of RCB, said: “RCB is committed to playing a fearless brand of cricket which ranks us among the top global franchises. With the expertise of Mo Bobat and Andy Flower, we aim to foster a bold and dynamic performance culture in the team. The strategic purchases at the auction reflect their meticulous planning and approach. With the strong batting line-up already present, we have now balanced our team with addition of all-rounders and great bowling options to add fire to the pace unit. Overall, we’ve successfully built a formidable team poised to bring glory in the upcoming season.”

“After the last season, we felt like we needed to improve at home. One of the things that we did really well was to succeed away from Chinnaswamy. So, we went away and put our heads together and what that looks like to be better at home and how can we get better, in what ways can we improve? It’s definitely the auction and the process of the last two months has been solely around planning to be better at home and the type of bowlers and batsmen that will be successful at home,” commented Du Plessis.

“We spent a lot of time talking about RCB and where we wanted to take the franchise. I think it’s always really important that you do your homework and make sure you look at every area and talk it through. And I feel like our relation, the three of us [head coach Andy Flower and Director of Cricket Mo Bobat], obviously with the help of a lot of the team, Freddie [Wilde] the analyst and [Adam] Griffith the bowling coach, Malolan Rangarajan, (Head of Scouting) and even Rajesh V Menon (VP and Head of RCB), I feel like we are very well-connected leadership group,” he added.

Head coach Flower is confident about the bowling attack and hopes they play an important role and also said they have a dangerous batting line-up.

“It’s really a strong top four with Virat [Kohli] and Faf [du Plessis], [Rajat] Patidar and [Glenn] Maxwell. Cameron Green who gives us that power somewhere in that top five. We haven’t decided exactly where he’s going to bat yet, but he gives us that power option somewhere in the top five that is going to be very dangerous. Mohammed Siraj will lead the attack and him being fit and firing is going to be very important. We’ve got some skilful young Indian bowlers there who are going to be growing with us through the season and hopefully playing a really important part for us,” the head coach commented.

RCB Full Squad for IPL 2024:

Retained Players: Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Anuj Rawat, Dinesh Karthik, Suyash Prabhudessai, Will Jacks, Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Manoj Bhandage, Mayank Dagar (from SRH), Vijaykumar Vyshak, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Rajan Kumar, Cameron Green (from MI).

New Buys: Alzarri Joseph (₹11.50 crore), Yash Dayal (₹5 crore), Tom Curran (₹1.5 crore), Lockie Ferguson (₹2 crore), Swapnil Singh (₹20 lakh), Saurav Chauhan (₹20 lakh).

Dubai, 20th December 2023: At the conclusion of the 2024 player auctions the Punjab Kings have assembled a squad brimming with experience, explosiveness, and potential. The Kings signed 8 players -2 internationals and 6 Indian.
Trevor Bayliss – Head Coach said “We are delighted with the fact that we have got all our target players except a couple. We had a few gaps in the current squad and are happy to have plugged them. We have a good core of young Indian players and look forward to working with them this season”
Sanjay Bangar – Head of Cricket development said “We had identified our gaps and the players we need to target. It’s always good when you have achieved most of what you set out to do. The most exciting part is the young Indian talent that we have. This should stand us in good stead over time”

The new additions to the Kings are

1. Harshal Patel won the Purple cap with 32 wickets in IPL 2021. The allrounder who plays for Haryana brings on board extensive domestic and international experience. His skills and ability to bowl at the death make him a prized player.
2. Rilee Rossouw brings a range of strokes as a wristy batsman. His experience in the IPL and other leagues worldwide makes him a great asset to have. The South African international has played multiple match-winning knocks
3. Chris Woakes rounds up the English quartet at the Kings. The pace-bowling all-rounder plays in all formats for England and has won the T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup with England.
4. Ashutosh Sharma is best known for hitting the fastest fifty by an Indian. He scored this in 11 balls against Arunachal Pradesh in a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match in 2023. The former MP and current Railways player broke Yuvraj Singh’s record set 16 years ago.
5. Shashank Singh holds a unique Indian record in domestic ODIs. He scored 150 runs and took 5 wickets against Manipur for Chattisgarh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2023. He became the first Indian to achieve this in a first-class cricket match
6. Vishwanath Pratap Singh is an exciting talent from Punjab. He has impressed with his batting at the Under 25 level and the Sher E Punjab tournament.
7. Tanay Thyagarajan was the leading wicket-taker for Hyderabad in the 2018-19 Ranji season.
   The left-arm orthodox off-spinner is a regular for Hyderabad in domestic cricket. We are delighted to give him an opportunity in the IPL
8. Prince Choudhary is a right-arm leg-break bowler. He was scouted by the Kings. From the NCR region, he will be a valuable asset

The complete squad
Shikhar Dhawan
Arshdeep Singh
Ashutosh Sharma
Atharva Taide
Chris Woakes
Harpreet Bhatia
Harpreet Brar
Harshal Patel
Jitesh Sharma
Jonny Bairstow
Kagiso Rabada
Liam Livingstone
Nathan Ellis
Prabhsimran Singh
Prince Choudhary
Rahul Chahar
Rilee Rossouw
Rishi Dhawan
Sam Curran
Shashank Singh
Shivam Singh
Sikandar Raza
Tanay Thyagarajann
Vidwath Kaverappa
Vishwanath Pratap Singh

In a landmark deal during the IPL 2024 Auction, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) signed Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc for an unprecedented INR 24.75 crores (29,78,846.39 USD), setting a new record for the highest bid in IPL history. This acquisition marks a significant moment for both Starc and the IPL, with Starc returning to the league after an 8-year hiatus. His last appearance in the IPL was in 2015, and this return has been nothing short of historic.

The IPL 2024 Auction, held at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, witnessed intense bidding, reflecting the high value placed on top-tier cricketers in this globally recognized tournament. A total of 333 cricketers were up for grabs during this event. Starc’s signing surpassed the previous record set by Australian captain Pat Cummins, who was sold for Rs 20.50 crore earlier in the day to SunRisers Hyderabad.

Mitchell Starc expressed his astonishment at the monumental bid he received from KKR. This move signifies a major coup for Kolkata Knight Riders, as they acquire one of cricket’s premier fast bowlers, renowned for his lethal pace and ability to swing the ball. Starc’s presence in the KKR lineup is expected to bolster their bowling attack significantly, adding depth and experience to the team.

The Indian Premier League, known for its high-octane matches and star-studded lineups, continues to break new ground with such record-breaking signings. Mitchell Starc’s entry into the KKR squad is a testament to the league’s growing stature and its ability to attract top international talent. The upcoming season of the IPL is eagerly anticipated, with fans and experts alike keen to see how Starc’s inclusion will impact KKR’s performance and the overall dynamics of the tournament.

Dubai, 19 December 2023:  The JSW-GMR co-owned Delhi Capitals made exciting additions to their squad at the IPL Mini-Auction 2024 in Dubai on Tuesday. The franchise bagged the hard-hitting Harry Brook for INR 4 crore along with Australian fast bowler Jhye Richardson for INR 5 crore and West Indian wicketkeeper-batter Shai Hope for INR 75 lakh. The Delhi Capitals also picked up uncapped Indian wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra for INR 7.2 crore.

When asked about the Delhi Capitals squad for IPL 2024, Head Coach Ricky Ponting said, “We filled all the gaps that we wanted to and I thought that we did a great job at the Auction table. I am excited about working with Harry Brook. He’s one of the most talented international cricketers at the moment. He was our number one priority in this year’s Auction and we managed to acquire him at a great figure.”

Meanwhile, DC Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly said, “I am excited about Shai Hope. He is a good player of spin and he has a phenomenal record in 50-over cricket. And our bowling department is looking good with Jhye Richardson in the attack.”

The Delhi Capitals acquired South African wicketkeeper-batter Tristan Stubbs for INR 50 lakh. The 23-year-old has notched 1119 runs in 59 T20s at a strike rate of 147.23. 

The experienced wicketkeeper-batter Ricky Bhui was picked up for INR 20 lakh. He has scored 1497 runs in 62 T20s at an average of 32.54.

After a fierce bidding war with Gujarat Titans, the Delhi Capitals acquired wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra for INR 7.2 crore. He has effected eight catches and one stumping in 11 T20s. Speaking about Kushagra, Assistant Coach Pravin Amre said, “The Delhi Capitals have always given a platform to youngsters. We backed players such as Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw and Shreyas Iyer before they started playing T20 cricket. And Kumar is another player we have decided to support and hopefully, he’ll do the job for us.”

Meanwhile, the medium-fast bowler Rasikh Dar was picked up for INR 20 lakh. He has taken 15 wickets in 15 T20s at an average of 27.66 and Australian fast bowler Jhye Richardson, who has taken 112 wickets in 85 T20s at an average of 21.58, was picked up for INR 5 crore. 

Following an intense bidding war with the Kolkata Knight Riders, the Indian all-rounder Sumit Kumar was acquired for INR 1 crore. He has scored 574 runs and picked up 43 wickets in 45 T20s.

The Delhi Capitals also picked up West Indian wicketkeeper-batter Shai Hope for INR 75 lakh. He has scored 2132 runs and effected 40 catches & 8 stumpings in 91 T20s. Meanwhile, opening batter Swastik Chikara was picked up for INR 20 lakh. He has scored 200 runs in 6 List A matches. 

Delhi Capitals Squad

INDIANS: Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Prithvi Shaw, Khaleel Ahmed, Lalit Yadav, Pravin Dubey, Mukesh Kumar, Yash Dhull, Vicky Ostwal, Abishek Porel, Ricky Bhui, Kumar Kushagra, Rasikh Dar, Sumit Kumar and Swastik Chikara.

OVERSEAS: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Harry Brook, Tristan Stubbs, Jhye Richardson and Shai Hope.

Bengaluru, December 18, 2023: Mo Bobat, the Director of Cricket for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) while addressing the convergence of global sporting stakeholders at RCB Innovation Lab’s Leaders Meet India, shed light on the team’s strategic priorities for the upcoming IPL auctions.

Bobat highlighted the need for smart decision-making in trades and auctions to further strengthen the player group. “We have got a strong core of retaining players, and we have got a very powerful top order. Part of the decision-making that we had around our player release decisions was to try and strengthen the middle order and bringing Cameron Green was a fantastic move. Mohammad Siraj is a core part of what we do so supporting Siraj with some more bowling options including overseas bowling options is going to be a real priority for us moving forward. Then we have got a core of local spinners, which I think is quite strong. Some of them got some opportunities over the last year or two and they might play more leading roles moving forward,” he said.

One of the key minds behind RCB Innovation Lab, the 40-year-old dived into the innovative nature of the first-of-its-kind summit and the thought process behind it, “When we first conceptualized the RCB Innovation Lab we wanted RCB to be known as innovators on and off the field.  Leaders have got a fantastic track record of doing this sort of thing around the world and it is their first venture in India. We have deliberately set this one up as a hybrid of high performance and business coexisting in one place. That is really important because the two things are connected. Hopefully, it acts as a bit of a catalyst for movement and change for resource, backing, and decision-making across all sports in India.”

Bobat also underscored the significance of fostering the right performance environment and culture for players to showcase their capabilities. “I am committed to a long-term project here. We have a fantastic captain in Faf, and an excellent group of senior players with the experience of Virat, Maxi (Maxwell), and DK (Dinesh Karthik). So the ingredients are really strong. The next objective is to make sure we create the right performance, and culture where the players can really go and showcase what they are capable of, and go out and entertain the public. If we commit to our processes, play a brand of cricket that is aggressive, and have those moments where we’re prepared to be brave it will get the fans going.”

While discussing how he identifies the right fast bowler using data and a holistic approach which will be key for RCB going into the IPL 2024 auction, Bobat delved into the skill, physical, and psychological aspects and stated, “Naturally cricket tends to get attracted to and gravitate towards things like the control and the lateral movement of fast bowlers but what we should be doing is identifying players that have the pace and the balance. The reason I draw that distinction is you can teach someone to ball accurately, you can teach someone to develop craft and lateral movement but it is not that easy to teach pace or manufacture balance because you are talking about their release height and their physicality. So understanding that distinction between which of those attributes we need to identify and which of those things we can teach over time is a really important distinction,”

 Regarding cricket talent in India, Bobat expressed his admiration for the country’s talent pool whilst also praising the men’s cricket team’s consistent and standout performances in the recently concluded cricket World Cup 2023.

December 15, 2023 – In a significant leadership shift, the Mumbai Indians have announced Hardik Pandya as their new captain for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. Pandya, a dynamic all-rounder, takes over the reins from Rohit Sharma, who has been at the forefront of the team’s success in recent years.

Mahela Jayawardene, Global Head of Performance for Mumbai Indians, emphasized that this decision aligns with the team’s long-standing philosophy of building a legacy and preparing for the future. The Mumbai Indians have a rich history of distinguished leadership, with icons like Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh, Ricky Ponting, and Rohit Sharma contributing significantly to the team’s success while also laying the groundwork for future achievements. Pandya’s appointment as captain is seen as a continuation of this tradition.

The franchise expressed deep gratitude towards Rohit Sharma for his exceptional leadership since 2013. Under Sharma’s captaincy, Mumbai Indians not only achieved tremendous success but also solidified their status as one of the most successful and beloved teams in IPL history. Sharma’s tenure as captain will be remembered for his strategic acumen and his role in shaping the team’s winning culture. Mumbai Indians look forward to leveraging Sharma’s experience and guidance in further strengthening the team, both on and off the field.

The appointment of Hardik Pandya marks a new era for Mumbai Indians. Pandya, known for his aggressive style and versatile playing ability, brings a fresh perspective to the leadership role. His experience and understanding of the game are expected to add immense value to the team’s dynamics.

As the Mumbai Indians prepare for the IPL 2024 season under Pandya’s captaincy, the team and its fans are optimistic about this new chapter. The management, players, and supporters wish Pandya the best in his new role and look forward to seeing him lead the team to new heights.

New Delhi, 26 November 2023: JSW and GMR co-owned Delhi Capitals today revealed their list of retained and released players ahead of next year’s player auction. Please find the details below:



RETAINED PLAYERS

INDIAN: Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Prithvi Shaw, Khaleel Ahmed, Lalit Yadav, Pravin Dubey, Mukesh Kumar, Yash Dhull, Vicky Ostwal, Abishek Porel.

OVERSEAS: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi.

RELEASED PLAYERS

INDIAN: Manish Pandey, Chetan Sakariya, Sarfaraz Khan, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Aman Khan, Ripal Patel, Priyam Garg.

OVERSEAS: Rilee Rossouw, Phil Salt, Rovman Powell, Mustafizur Rahman.

The IPL ’24 Mini-Auction is all set to be held in Dubai on December 19, 2023.

26 November 2023, National: Royals Sports Group-owned franchise Rajasthan Royals today announced a list of 17 retained players ahead of the Indian Premier League 2024 Auction. The franchise has retained 12 Indians and five overseas players, with nine players (six Indians, three overseas) being released from their contracts. The franchise had also earlier in the week announced that top order batter Devdutt Padikkal was traded to Lucknow Super Giants, with pacer Avesh Khan joining the Royals.

The majority of the Royals squad is made up of players who were also part of their Runners Up finish in IPL 2022, but narrowly missed out on making the Playoffs in IPL 2023. Captain Sanju Samson, Indian spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, England’s white ball skipper Jos Buttler, New Zealand pacer Trent Boult, recent men’s 50-over World Cup-winner Adam Zampa, West Indies’ batter Shimron Hetmyer, Indian internationals Prasidh Krishna, Navdeep Saini, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sandeep Sharma and Kuldeep Sen have been retained by the franchise. The team has also continued with exciting young all-rounder Riyan Parag along with the wicketkeeper-batter trio of South Africa’s Donovan Ferreira, Uttar Pradesh’s Dhruv Jurel and Rajasthan’s Kunal Singh Rathore.

Royals’ Director of Cricket, Kumar Sangakkara, shared thoughts on the team’s strategy behind the retentions. He said, “We had a disappointing season earlier this year where we didn’t truly execute as we should have, but given our performances as Runners Up in IPL 2022 where we were so close, we know that the squad we have is capable of bouncing back in our pursuit of competing for the title again. We are excited to be retaining a strong core of players who we believe have the ability to win matches for the team. As a high performance outfit, our goal is to keep refining across various aspects and we have been able to identify the areas where we need to improve considering the different combinations required to win matches during the course of an IPL season.”

“On the other hand, every year, this is also a difficult time as you have to let go of some of the players who have contributed immensely to the team and its environment. We would like to take this opportunity to thank them for everything they’ve done for the Royals, and wish them the very best for what’s to come,” the Sri Lankan legend added.

Please find below the list of players who have been retained and released by the franchise:

RETAINED:
INDIANS:
Sanju Samson
Ravichandra Ashwin
Yuzvendra Chahal
Prasidh Krishna
Navdeep Saini
Avesh Khan (traded from LSG)
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Kuldeep Sen
Sandeep Sharma
Riyan Parag
Dhruv Jurel
Kunal Singh Rathore

OVERSEAS:
Jos Buttler
Trent Boult
Adam Zampa
Shimron Hetmyer
Donovan Ferreira

RELEASED:
INDIANS:
Devdutt Padikkal (traded to LSG)
Murugan Ashwin
KC Cariappa
KM Asif
Akash Vashisht
Abdul Bazith
Kuldip Yadav

OVERSEAS:
Joe Root
Jason Holder
Obed McCoy

Royals Sports Group-owned franchise Rajasthan Royals and India’s leading energy solutions provider, Luminous Power Technologies today announced the extension of their association, with Luminous continuing as the team’s Title Sponsor for the next two seasons. Owing to last season’s collective success, Rajasthan Royals and Luminous Power Technologies will continue to exhibit their power-packed association both on and off the field. With the Luminous logo proudly displayed on the front of the Rajasthan Royals’ official jersey and training kits, the two brands are also joining forces for a cause to encourage participation in sustainability initiatives in Rajasthan for driving significant community impact.

The extension of this partnership is not just a testament to the shared success of the previous season but also a reflection of the aligned vision between Luminous Power Technologies and Rajasthan Royals. Both brands are driven by a commitment to innovation and sustainability, recognizing the importance of making a positive impact on society, which will reflect majorly in the jointly led future initiatives undertaken by both entities.

Luminous Power Technologies has been at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge energy solutions to consumers, offering a diverse range of innovative products that cater to both urban and rural markets. Renowned for its commitment to quality and reliability, Luminous has established itself as a trustworthy No.1 Energy Solutions Super Brand, providing inverters, batteries, and solar solutions that empower individuals and communities across India, and in more than 36 countries globally. Meanwhile, the winners of the inaugural edition of the IPL, Rajasthan Royals, are a high-performance team known for their innovative and pioneering approach to cricket which includes the extensive use of data, analytics, and technology to achieve results on the field.

Commenting on the extension of the partnership, Jake Lush McCrum, Chief Executive Officer, Rajasthan Royals, said, “After our successful partnership last year where we helped strengthen Luminous’ national and global footprint through impactful collaborations, we are delighted to have signed this two-year extension. Our values are deeply aligned and the social impact that we intend to create through effectively activating solar energy and enriching livelihoods in communities across Rajasthan is incredibly exciting! The renewal of our partnership gives us both the opportunity to deeply engage with our fans and consumers throughout the year and drive incredible life-changing campaigns while innovating together every step of the way.”

Preeti Bajaj, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Luminous Power Technologies said, “As a brand, we continuously explore meaningful associations which help us establish a deeper connection with our stakeholders. As Luminous takes center stage on the Rajasthan Royals team’s official playing kits, this collaboration represents more than a sponsorship; it reflects the mutual respect and alignment of both brands and reiterates our dedication to nurturing a sporting ecosystem via strategic partnerships. Together, we forge a compelling alliance, poised to drive innovation, champion sustainability, and catalyze positive change within individuals and communities. Luminous has consistently been drawn to the spirit of high performance, and partnering with the Royals, an epitome of excellence, aligns seamlessly with our brand philosophy. This extension not only acknowledges the triumphs of our past season but propels us into a future filled with exciting possibilities.”

Neelima Burra, Chief Strategy Transformation & Marketing Officer, Luminous Power Technologies said, “Cricket is not merely a sport in India. It’s an emotion. Sporting spirit is at the core of our brand building efforts. Luminous has had a long association with Sachin Tendulkar, who has been our Brand Ambassador for years now. We also have the current world batting champion Virat Kohli as the Brand Ambassador for Amaze. Both associations reflect our strong commitment to cricketing excellence in the country. By associating with one of the best cricket teams as part of the most-watched sporting event in India, Luminous created yet another opportunity to gain exposure among millions of cricket fans. In 2023, the sponsorship enabled Luminous to tap into a large audience and create a strong brand recall, which led to an increase in brand awareness and consideration. This has created good engagement and excitement among our teams and our dealer network and helped us to boost sales and revenue growth. Extending this partnership will not only further strengthen our brand identity but also engagement with our consumers and customers.”

This association aligns the transformative goals of a brand committed to revolutionizing the energy landscape with cutting-edge technology and innovation, and a cricket team actively engaged in societal transformation. Through its philanthropic arm, the Royal Rajasthan Foundation, the franchise has been enabling empowered women in Rajasthan by facilitating equitable access to water, livelihoods, and mental health interventions, along with making strides in providing access to solar energy. The partnership is poised to further amplify the collective efforts of both brands in making a lasting difference in the innovation, sustainability, and societal impact space.

Luminous also shares the Royals’ commitment to imparting education to girls, creating livelihoods, and fostering a green environment, presenting numerous synergies that align seamlessly with the Royals’ ambition of leveraging cricket as a vehicle to impact society positively. Luminous Power Technologies is actively engaged in CSR initiatives like LIFE and LAMP, focusing on empowering society and improving lives through education and essential support for underprivileged children. Luminous’ commitment to enhancing education, livelihoods, and fostering a green environment aligns seamlessly with the Royals’ ambition of using cricket to positively impact society.

Royals Sports Group-owned franchise Rajasthan Royals have announced the signing of exciting Indian pacer Avesh Khan from Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the IPL 2024 retentions deadline, with top order batter Devdutt Padikkal going in the other direction.

The signing of Avesh Khan will further strengthen the Royals’ pace bowling department, with the 26-year-old known for moving and seaming the ball both ways, and also being an effective option in the death overs. Since making his IPL debut in 2017, the pacer has picked up 55 wickets in 47 matches at a strike rate of 18.29. He finished as the second highest wicket-taker in the 2021 season with 24 scalps in 16 matches, while in IPL 2022 he was the highest wicket-taker for LSG with 18.

Meanwhile, his journey in the domestic circuit started in 2014 with Madhya Pradesh, for whom he has 112 wickets in 92 T20 games with an economy of 8.22. The 26-year-old went on to represent the India Men’s Under-19 team at the U19 Men’s World Cup 2016 where he finished as the country’s top wicket-taker. In 2022, he made his senior team debuts in both T20Is and ODIs for India, following which he impressed in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 season, picking up 38 wickets in the season. Earlier this year, Avesh was also a part of the team that won the Gold Medal at the Asian Games.

Welcoming the pacer to the franchise, Royals’ Director of Cricket, Kumar Sangakkara said, “Avesh has proved his mettle in recent years to be one of the top Indian pacers in the country. He has the ability to both swing and seam the ball, and is an effective asset at both the start of the innings and towards the end. He has a lot of variations in his armour which will be extremely valuable in the different conditions that we play in across the country. He will prove to be a valuable addition to our pace bowling department and we are looking forward to having him contribute to the team’s successes.”

Thanking Devdutt Padikkal for his services to the franchise, Sangakkara added, “We all admire Dev (Devdutt Padikkal) immensely for the commitment and passion he’s shown over the past two seasons with us, and for the significant contribution he’s made to the franchise. His energy is loved all round the team and we will certainly miss having him around the group. It was a very difficult decision to let him go given the immense talent and potential that he has, and all of us at the Royals would like to thank him for his services to the franchise. We wish him the very best for this next chapter, and hope for him to always continue to shine

Dubai, 24 September 2021:The Delhi Capitals, who defeated the Sunrisers Hyderabad by 8 wickets in their first match of the second half of the VIVO IPL 2021 season on Wednesday, will look to continue their winning streak when they take on Rajasthan Royals at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Delhi Capitals’ fast bowler Anrich Nortje, who was the Player of the Match in the game against SRH, expressed during a virtual conference on Friday that the Rajasthan Royals will pose a good challenge to the Delhi franchise.

“We’ll have to quickly assess the conditions in Abu Dhabi and see what we need to do. It’s not going to be an easy game and the heat will be a major factor as well. Hopefully, we can just control our skills and focus on what we need to do. It’s going to be a very good challenge for us and I am really looking forward to it,” said the 27-year-old.

When asked about his experience of working with Head Coach Ricky Ponting, Nortje said, “It’s great having Ricky Ponting in our camp. I love his chats and he breaks things down very nicely and makes everything easy to understand. He’s quite clear on what he wants. I am trying to learn as much as possible from him. We enjoy working with him and hopefully, we can grow as a unit with him.”

Nortje, who recorded the top eight fastest deliveries of the IPL 2021 season in only one match with the fastest being 151.71 km/h, expressed that he doesn’t search for high speed on the field, “I don’t think about bowling speeds on the field but I do think about it when I am doing my strength training. High speed is not something I search for on the field. I just try to hit the right lengths while bowling during a game.” 

When asked if he has shared some tricks of the trade with young fast bowler Avesh Khan, the South African said, “Some of us have been looking at how Avesh is landing his yorkers and how he has been going about things. He has been so good for us. It was especially nice to see him land his yorkers in the first half of the season in India. It’s been so nice to see him progress as a bowler. All in all, he has got a lot of skill and I think he has got a bright future ahead of him.” 

Dubai, 21 September 2021:The Delhi Capitals, who put up a brilliant performance in the first half of the VIVO IPL 2021 season, registering 6 wins in 8 matches, will look to continue their momentum when they take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in their first match of the second half of the IPL 2021 season at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Wednesday. Speaking ahead of the match during a virtual media conference on Tuesday, Delhi Capitals’ Captain  Rishabh Pant expressed that the Delhi Capitals are looking to take it one match at a time.

“Our performance in the first half of the tournament will certainly count for us as we have started well in the tournament. However, we are going to take one match at a time, focus on our processes and let’s see how it goes. My biggest learning from MS Dhoni is that one should keep focussing on the process and the results will follow. This is one of the biggest mantras which I have been following for a long time,” said the wicketkeeper-batsman.

The Delhi Capitals Head Coach Ricky Ponting added that he’s confident about his team getting the job done against SRH, “The IPL is such an even tournament that anyone on any given day can beat any team. We’ve got great respect for Sunrisers Hyderabad. They have got world-class players in David Warner, Kane Williamson and Rashid Khan, who is probably their key player. They always try and keep the game really close and really tight. But having said that, we have prepared really well and have done everything we can for the game. I am pretty confident that our boys can get the job done tomorrow.”

When asked about what he has learned about captaincy after taking over the reins this season, Pant said, “I have learned from Ricky that as a Captain need to treat everyone equally in the team. If you respect each and everyone in the team, then the entire team gives everything they have for you and they also stand by you in every situation. I try and keep the environment light. Anyone in the team can discuss anything with me or Ricky. We have a good combination of youth and experience in our team.”

Ponting added that Pant has matured tremendously in the last couple of IPL seasons, “Rishabh’s level of maturity in the last couple of seasons has just gone through the roof. When I first joined the Delhi Capitals camp, Rishabh was just starting to burst onto the scene. I made a pretty big call during the Australian summer last year when Rishabh finally made his way back to the Test team that we are going to see the unearthing of someone that could be a star Test match player for India for a long time. And what he has done since then on the international stage has been nothing short of sensational and I could see that coming. He’s done a terrific job as Captain of Delhi Capitals so far as well.”

Dubai (UAE), 17 September 2021: Some extraordinary performances in the last couple of years have seen South Africa’s Tabraiz Shamsi’s stock rise, and being the number one ranked bowler in the world in T20Is, the 31-year-old is certainly at the peak of his career. The left-arm leg spinner has joined the Rajasthan Royals for the remainder of the IPL 2021 season and reckons his team can challenge for the trophy.

“I think whether the team is at the first spot or the fifth, the position at the halfway mark doesn’t really count. It’s what you do in the second half that matters. So, I think we’re in a good position right now and we’ve got half a tournament to play, so it depends on how we play the rest of the games. The mood in the camp looks really nice so I don’t see any reason why we can’t go on to win the competition,” stated Shamsi, who is currently in quarantine having arrived from Sri Lanka earlier this week.

The Johannesburg-based spinner added that he will aim to add to the Royals’ team environment. He said, “I’m really looking forward to the experience with a new team. What’s really, really exciting is just the vibe that I’ve picked up, from not just the players but also the management. The overall feeling in the Rajasthan camp is amazing – I’ve played for a few teams around the world, but I haven’t experienced something like this before.”

“I’m generally someone who tries to bring a very positive vibe to the team environment – whether it’s speaking to other bowlers, players, or just cracking a joke or two in the changing room to lighten up the mood. I’m a big believer in ‘a happy team is a team that performs better’. So that is something I try to do with my national team as well, and I will try to bring that here as well,” added Shamsi, who has 40 wickets in 30 ODIs and 49 wickets in 42 T20Is to his name for South Africa.

Typically, you would expect the World No. 1 bowler to be in huge demand but it hasn’t been the case in the IPL, and the experienced bowler admits it did affect him. He elaborated, “In the past when I was younger, it (not getting picked) did affect me a little bit. But as you grow older, you realize there are bigger things in life. You understand that there are certain things you can’t control, and I was certainly in that space. I feel like I just have to do my work, and if a team feels I can benefit them with my services, they would pick me like Rajasthan has, and I‘m going to try my best to make sure that we win the competition.”

Acknowledging that he has been following the Royals for a few seasons now, Shamsi added that he likes to watch cricket to learn more about what other players do. “I’m actually somebody who likes watching all the games I can. I like to watch other players and see how they play, and try to pick up on one or two things – stuff that I can implement in my game – which other spinners are doing well, and also study the batsman a bit. And obviously Chris Morris and David Miller have been with RR for quite a bit, so I’ve always ended up watching a game or two whenever my schedule has permitted,” expressed the South African.

Adding that he’s excited about bowling against the best batsmen in the world, Shamsi said that the definition of a good spell has evolved. “With reference to the conditions in UAE and the short boundaries in Sharjah, I think it is a challenge. But it also means that you have an opportunity to get wickets. Sometimes on grounds like that, a spell which goes for 35-40 runs can be a match-winning spell, whereas in other games, a spell of 3 or 4 wickets can change a game. So, I think it’s not just about taking wickets,” said Shamsi who had picked up 3 wickets in 4 IPL matches in 2016.

A fan of Royals’ IPL-winning captain Shane Warne, Shamsi added that he’s had the opportunity to speak to the Australian legend a few times about his bowling. “Shane was of course a legendary leg spinner, and he was always a go-to man for any spinner. From him, I have learned to keep things simple and to be able to remember that we’re all different and that cricket becomes as complicated as you make it in your head.”

Signing off by revealing that he’s already lined up some new celebrations in partnership with fellow RR player Riyan Parag, Shamsi said that the celebrations help him “switch on and off between the game, similar to what batsmen are able to do between deliveries.” The left-arm leg spinner also had a message for the Royals’ fans – “They should be ready to celebrate a trophy win – that’s our goal and that’s not going to change. We are definitely going to try our best to bring the trophy back to the Royals.”

Dubai, 15 September 2021:Delhi Capitals’ Assistant Coach Mohammad Kaif, who has joined the pre-season camp in Dubai recently, expressed that the first match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the second half of the VIVO IPL 2021 season will be very crucial for the Delhi franchise. 

Kaif said that the first match will set the tone for the rest of the tournament, “There has been a big break after the first half of the IPL, but we are fortunate that most of the players have been playing international cricket regularly. We have a well-balanced side as there are players with international cricket experience and domestic players, who have been putting in good performances. The first match is going to be crucial for us. Our performance in the first match will set the momentum for us.”

The Assistant Coach added that the roles of some of the players in the Delhi Capitals team may change because of the change in venue from India to UAE.

“We played well in India and now we have to carry forward our performance here in the UAE. The roles for some of the players compared to the first half of the IPL may change because the conditions are different here. We have to start afresh in the second half of the tournament. We are looking to get used to the conditions here in the next few days and also play a couple of practice matches,” said the 40-year-old.

While speaking about Shreyas Iyer’s comeback to the Delhi Capitals side, Kaif said that the batsman’s return is the biggest plus for the team, “There are not many changes to the squad as compared to the first half of the tournament, however the biggest plus for us is that Shreyas Iyer is back in the squad. He is a fantastic player and he’s been playing well for us in the last couple of seasons. We are looking forward to seeing him play this season.”

The Delhi Capitals are set to take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad on 22 September 2021, when the VIVO IPL 2021 season resumes.