Category: Cricket

by Abhishek Shukla

“Want to replicate Azam Khan’s style in my game,” says Desert Vipers all-rounder Aryan Lakra

Dubai, 22 December 2023: Making an impactful international debut is not a privilege too many cricketers can boast of but Aryan Lakra made his presence felt when he scored 84 on his ODI debut against USA in August, 2022.

The Desert Vipers have acquired the services of all-rounder Aryan Lakra for season 2 of the DP World International League T20 after finishing as runners-up in the inaugural edition of the tournament. The left-arm-spinner-cum-left-hand-batsman who made a humble beginning playing school cricket went on to captain the UAE U16 and U19 squads including the one that participated in the 2020 ICC U19 World Cup, where he played a crucial role in their qualification.

Just as he was to transition into the senior national team, he suffered a setback. “I was supposed to make my debut for the senior team against Ireland in early 2021 but I tested positive for. This delayed my debut by about 16 months but I eventually had the opportunity to make my ODI debut against USA where I did well and 11 days later, I made my T20I debut against Singapore. I also went on to play for UAE in the ICC Men’s T2o World Cup in Australia later that year,” said the 22-year-old Aryan Lakra who has his roots in Haryana, India.

Aryan believes the DP World ILT20 provides a massive platform for young players like him. “Season 1 was a great success and going forward the tournament is only going to get a lot bigger with more superstars coming in. Getting a chance to play alongside them is an opportunity everyone looks for.”

“I think if players like us do well in this tournament and show the world that we are as good as any of the players coming in, it could help us get a chance to be a part of any of the franchise-based leagues that take place around the world,” he said.

Speaking about the upcoming season, Aryan said, “The Desert Vipers were the runners-up last season so this team definitely knows how to go about winning games. I’m really excited and extremely grateful to be a part of the squad this year. It’ll be great to contribute to the team in a way that’ll hopefully help us lift the cup.”

Aryan also looks forward to interacting with all the big names that’ll be a part of the 2024 edition of the tournament scheduled to begin in January. “Our team has the likes of Alex Hales, Colin Munro and Azam Khan so I look forward to sharing the field with them. David Warner, a modern-day legend, is also a part of this tournament and I would love to be able to interact with him,” he said.

“Azam Khan is one of the cleanest strikers of the cricket ball you’ll see and we bat in similar situations so I’d definitely pick his brain on a thing or two and try to replicate his style in my game,” he concluded.

The DP World ILT20 Season 2 will feature Australia’s World Cup hero David Warner, Andre Russell, David Willey, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Alex Hales, Shimron Hetmyer, Chris Jordan, Trent Boult, Nicholas Pooran, Chris Woakes and Maheesh Theekshana. More than 100 international and 24 UAE players will feature in the tournament.
The DP World ILT20 will begin on 19th January in Sharjah while the tournament final will be staged at the iconic ‘Ring of Fire’ Dubai International Stadium on Saturday, 17 February. 

by Abhishek Shukla

Historic India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup Clash Set for New York in 2024

New York, USA – The cricket world is abuzz with excitement as the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 is set to host an electrifying match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan. This much-anticipated clash will take place in a newly-built stadium on the outskirts of New York, marking a significant milestone in cricket’s expansion to new territories.

The venue for this high-profile match, scheduled for June next year, is a pop-up stadium located in New York, designed to tap into the large cricket-loving expatriate communities in the United States. With an expatriate Indian population of over 711,000 and Pakistani residents up to 100,000 in New York, this venue promises an electric atmosphere for one of cricket’s most intense rivalries.

The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 will be hosted jointly by the West Indies and the USA, with the event scheduled to commence in June. This edition is unique as it will be the first time the USA hosts an ICC tournament, which is part of a larger initiative to promote cricket in America ahead of the 2028 Olympics. The tournament will feature 20 teams, divided into four groups of five teams each, making it larger than any previous edition. England will enter the tournament as the defending champions.

The likely dates for the India-Pakistan match are June 8 or 9, 2024, with a preference for June 9 due to the time zone differences between the US and the Indian subcontinent. This timing consideration is crucial for broadcasting the match at a convenient time for viewers in the subcontinent. If the match is scheduled as a night game in New York, it will be broadcast early in the morning in India and Pakistan. The ICC is mindful of this and is likely to schedule India’s matches for morning starts in the USA to cater to the Indian television market.

Hosting the India vs Pakistan match in New York is not just a significant event for cricket fans; it is a strategic move by the ICC to promote the sport in the USA. With three venues in operation for the tournament, including Central Broward Park in Florida and Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas, the addition of the temporary stadium in New York City, with a capacity of 34,000, is a testament to cricket’s growing global appeal.


The upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024, especially the India vs Pakistan match in New York, is poised to be a historic event, bringing the excitement of cricket to new audiences and showcasing the sport’s potential for further global expansion. Fans around the world can look forward to a tournament that promises not only high-quality cricket but also a unique experience in the world of sports.

by Abhishek Shukla

Cricket: Countdown begins as future stars gear up for U19 showdown

The 15th edition of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup is set to begin on 19 January in South Africa, and with just 30 days to go, the excitement is already palpable.

Featuring young and upcoming talent from 16 nations, the tournament will excite fans the world over across 24 days, during the course of which cricket is sure to unearth the next generation of superstars. 

A total of 41 matches will be played across five venues in South Africa. This tournament will feature some prominent cricketing nations, including five-time winners and defending champions India, the reigning ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup holders Australia, and New Zealand, who’ll be making a comeback after missing out on the most recent edition in the West Indies in 2022.

The pathway

The 11 full member nations who featured in the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 earned direct qualification for the South Africa event.

These teams were South Africa (2014 champions), Australia (1988, 2002, 2010), Afghanistan, Bangladesh (2020), England (1998), India (2000, 2008, 2012, 2018, 2022), Ireland, Pakistan (2004, 2006), Sri Lanka, the West Indies (2016), and Zimbabwe.

For the five remaining spots, teams had to progress via their respective regional qualification tournaments.

Namibia had a near-perfect run in the Africa Qualifier, overcoming next-best Kenya by a comfortable margin of seven wickets, and topping the table with nine points to their name.

The United States started with a confident win against Bermuda. However, they suffered a close loss to Canada in the second game. They lifted themselves thereafter and churned out comprehensive wins, including a seven-wicket success over Canada in their Americas Qualifier rematch. This gave them a significant net run-rate advantage and helped them top the table, sealing their first appearance at an ICC U19 Men’s CWC since 2010.

A thrilling last-gasp win over the second-placed United Arab Emirates proved to be the difference for Nepal, whose unbeaten run in the Asia Qualifier helped them earn a ticket to South Africa.

New Zealand, absent from the 2022 showcase, bossed the East Asia-Pacific Qualifier, winning all their games in style.

Scotland made it through the Europe Qualifier unbeaten, ending with a comfortable victory over an emerging Italy in their final match to book their third successive appearance at the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.

New format, same thrill

The upcoming U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup will be a departure from the Plate and Super League format that had been a feature at the tournament in previous editions.

The competition retains the same number of teams (16) as in 2022 and divides them into four groups of four sides, as was the case in the last edition. Things, however, get more interesting from here. As many as 12 sides will remain in contention for the ultimate prize after the opening stage – unlike eight in the previous edition.

The top three sides from each group will qualify for the next phase. Here, the top teams from groups A and D will be clubbed together in what will be known as the Super Six stage, and likewise with the top three teams from groups B and C. They will carry forward their points and net run-rate achieved against fellow Super Six qualifying teams from their respective groups.

Here, each side will play two encounters. These will be against those teams from the corresponding group, who finished at different group stage positions. The top two sides from these groups will then qualify for the knockout stages, comprising the semi-finals and the final, to be held in Benoni on 11 February.

Rare title defence opportunity

In the 2022 edition of the tournament, Yash Dhull’s India had a flawless run, with Ravi Kumar and Raj Bawa holding off a spirited England performance in the final to help the side to another crown.

While the age-specific nature of the tournament mostly ensures that a set of fresh faces appears in each new edition, India has still managed to win three out of the last six tournaments.

In a testament to their efficient youth setup, the side has consistently produced high-calibre players and have appeared in every single final of the U19 Men’s CWC since 2016.

However, the side has never quite managed to lift the World Cup on back-to-back occasions. This prolific honour belongs only to Pakistan, who won in 2004 and 2006.

The 2024 edition presents the young Blues with a chance to not just win their sixth title, but also become the first since 2006 to successfully defend it.

Can home advantage spur the hosts?

As hosts, South Africa will seek to make the most of their home advantage. The young Proteas are hoping to win their first title since the class of 2014 stormed to the title, powered by captain Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada.

David Teeger’s side begin their campaign against the West Indies, the 2016 Champions, on 19 January, before taking on 2022 finalists England on 23 January and Scotland on 27 January for their final group fixture.

Markram, who won the Player of the Tournament accolade back in 2014, is a testament to the platform that the event provides young international stars, and now leads the senior South Africa side. He was full of encouragement for the young Proteas in an interview with Supersport yesterday.

“First and foremost, all the very best from all of us who are a part of the Proteas family,” Markram said ahead of South Africa’s ODI victory over India in Gqeberha.

“It’s an exciting time playing for your country in a World Cup. It’s a great privilege, and we just wish them all the very best of luck.”

by Abhishek Shukla

Arjuna award to be conferred to Mr Illuri Ajay Kumar Reddy

Bengaluru, Karnataka, December 20: Visually impaired cricketer and captain of Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the Blind Illuri Ajay Kumar Reddy will be conferred with Prestigious Arjuna Award from the President of India at a specially organized function at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 9, 2024.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports on Wednesday announced the National Sports Awards 2023. Illuri Ajay Kumar Reddy (Blind Cricket) is among the 26 sportspersons selected for Arjuna Awards for outstanding performance in Sports and Games 2023.

“Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports announced the National Sports Awards 2023 today. The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organized function at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 09th January, 2024 (Tuesday) at 1100 hours,” the Sports Ministry said in an official statement.

Illuri Ajay Reddy, who is currently working in SBI regional office in Bangalore described it as the “best moment” of his life.

“It is the best moment of my life. Cricket has given me this opportunity and I feel blessed right now. I want to dedicate the Arjuna Award to my parents for their sacrifices, support and to all my fellow teammates, who played under the guidance of Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI). I feel this is the best recognition which will help Cricket for the Blind to be promoted,” Ajay Reddy said in a statement.

The chairman of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) Dr Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar said that the recognition will help in the promotion of visually impaired cricket in India.

“This is the best day for Cricket for the Blind in India. After many years, we are being recognised for this award. This award not only recognises Ajay Reddy but also the entire visually impaired community. This will go on a long way to promote cricket for blind across the country and more and more people will get inspired to take up the cricket as the sport,” Dr Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar said.

Illuri Ajay Kumar Reddy is a B2 category player, who is representing India since 2010. He has been part of winning two ODI World Cups, 3 T20 world cups, 1 Asia Cup. He is the captain of the Indian cricket team for the blind since 2016. Under his captaincy Team India has won 1 ODI world cup, 2 T20 world cups, 1 Asia Cup and the Silver Medal in IBSA World Games and many bilateral and triangular Series.

National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports. Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in Sports and Games is given for good performance over a period of the previous four years and for showing qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.

Cricket Association for the Blind in India(CABI) acknowledges the great support received from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports through this award. The continuous support and patronage received from the esteemed ministry has helped CABI to achieve this milestone.

by Abhishek Shukla

IPL 2024 Auction: Punjab Kings Address Shashank Singh Signing

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.

by Abhishek Shukla

Future stars the focus as ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup marks 30 Days to go

With only 30 days to go until the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup commences in South Africa, attention is set to turn to the future stars of the game once more, and excitement is building before the action begins on 19 January.

The schedule for the event was announced earlier this month, and will see five cities in the Rainbow Nation hosting 41 matches across 24 days of thrilling competition; Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Potchefstroom, East London and Benoni – the venue selected to host the semi-finals and final.

The most exciting young talent on the planet will make their introduction onto the world stage at the event, which has a strong reputation for having forged the careers of many icons of today’s game.

As well as laying the foundations for the participating players to announce themselves on the world stage, the 15th edition of the event will also celebrate future generations through a vibrant series of engagements with schoolchildren across the host provinces.

Engaging with a broad network of schools, the ICC in partnership with Cricket South Africa will provide thousands of schoolchildren with the opportunity to attend ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup matches, feature as flag bearers and anthem kids, as well as joining in with the next generation of superstars in cricket clinics with the participating teams.

These activities form part of the well-established Cricket 4 Good programme, the ICC’s global community outreach programme, aimed at leveraging the vast power and reach of cricket to transform the lives of children and families worldwide.

The programme, also supported by UNICEF, includes educational workshops as part of the cricket clinics, equipping children with valuable life skills sessions to aid development.

In addition, the coveted U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup will be showcased around schools in the four provinces as part of the Trophy Tour, launched last week at international fixtures in Johannesburg and Gqeberha, and which will enable young fans to get up close to the prize that will be up for grabs at the final on 11 February.

Over the course of the event, the 41 matches will be free to enter, meaning fans and families alike can enjoy the festival atmosphere of matchdays and witness the best young players in the world.

ICC Head of Events Chris Tetley commented: “We are thrilled to have schoolchildren front and centre of the action during the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup. The event has long celebrated the new generations of cricket players and fans that lie ahead of us, and we’re sure by providing a series of vibrant and unique opportunities to young fans through the Cricket 4 Good programme that we can strengthen the future of the sport in the country.”

Reflecting on the upcoming event, Player of the Tournament from the last edition in 2022, South Africa international Dewald Brevis, added: “It’s a really special tournament. As a player, it’s the first taste you get of international competition and I have a lot of fond memories from competing in 2022.

“It’s quite a stage, and is the perfect springboard for any young player to launch their career and get noticed. As the sport moves into an exciting new phase of fearless cricket, we’ll certainly see a lot of talented individuals on show from all of the participating nations.”

The full schedule of matches at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup is below. All matches will begin at 10:00am local time.

by Abhishek Shukla

Adil Rashid grabs No. 1 position in MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings

England spinner Adil Rashid has moved up two slots to grab the number one position in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings after consistent performances in the five-match series against the West Indies which is level at 2-2 with one match to go.

Rashid grabbed five wickets in the three matches played over the past week to move to the top of the bowlers’ list for the first time in his career, overtaking other leg-spinners Rashid Khan of Afghanistan and Ravi Bishnoi of India. Rashid’s previous best was second position that he last occupied in September 2023.

Left-arm wrist spinners Tabraiz Shamsi of South Africa and Kuldeep Yadav of India are among the others to advance. Shamsi has moved into the top 10 while Yadav’s five-wicket haul in the third and final match of the series against South Africa in Johannesburg has lifted him 13 places to 24th position.

South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj (up five places to 19th) and India fast bowler Mohammad Siraj (up 37 places to 69th) are among others to move up after the latest weekly rankings update.

In the rankings for batters, West Indies opener Brandon King, who scored a match-winning 82 not out off 52 deliveries in the second match of the series, has gained six slots to reach a career-best sixth position while Nicholas Pooran (up two places to 12th) and Rovman Powell (up14 places to 23rd) have also progressed. 

England’s Phil Salt has galloped to 20th position and India’s Yashaswi Jaiswal has moved to 14th position in the list led by his team-mate Suryakumar Yadav.

In the ODI Rankings, Babar Azam is back as the number one batter after Shubman Gill did not figure in the ODIs against South Africa, even as Ireland players were in the limelight after their 2-0 series win over Zimbabwe.

Harry Tector (up one place seventh) and Curtis Campher (up 19 places to 73rd) moved up the batting rankings while Mark Adair (up nine places to 24th), Andy McBrine (up two places to 27th) and Joshua Little (up 28 places to 34th) have all gained in the latest update.

KL Rahul (up two places to 16th) has also moved up the batting rankings while New Zealand’s Trent Boult (up one place to seventh) and Bangladesh’s Shoriful Islam (up 14 places to 59th) have progressed in the bowling rankings.

The latest update to the Test rankings sees Australia opener David Warner move up nine slots to 27th after scoring 164 in the first innings of the first Test against Pakistan while Usman Khawaja’s scores of 41 and 90 have lifted him three places to fourth. Opener Imam Ul Haq (up one place to 29th) and Agha Salman (up two places to 32nd) are the Pakistan batters to advance.

In the Test bowling rankings, Australia captain Pat Cummins has inched up to third position, spinner Nathan Lyon is fifth and Josh Hazlewood is in the top 10. Pakistan debutants Aamer Jamal and Khurram Shahzad have entered the rankings in 74th and 87th positions, respectively.

by Abhishek Shukla

IPL 2024 Auction: We felt like we needed to improve at home, asserts skipper Du Plessis as RCB strengthens bowling Unit at IPL 2024 Player Auction

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).

by Abhishek Shukla

IPL 2024 Auction: Full list of Punjab Kings XI

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

by Abhishek Shukla

KKR Shatters IPL Auction Records by Signing Mitchell Starc for a Whopping INR 24.75 Crores

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.

by Abhishek Shukla

Delhi Capitals Bolster Squad With Sensational Talents at IPL Mini-Auction 2024

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.

by Abhishek Shukla

Sidra Ameen soars in MRF Tyres ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings

Opener Sidra Ameen has reached a career-best 14th position in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings while attaining the fourth-highest rating points for a Pakistan woman batter after notching 105 in the first match of the ICC Women’s Championship series against New Zealand in Queenstown.

Sidra has gained six positions and is now on 578 rating points, with only Javeria Khan (632), Bismah Maroof (628) and Nahida Khan (604) having registered higher points tallies from among Pakistan women batters.

New Zealand batter Suzie Bates, who smashed a 104-ball 108 in the first match, is another one to gain, advancing five slots to reach 18th position. All-rounder Amelia Kerr, player of the series with 164 runs and five wickets, has gained one slot to reach ninth position among batters after helping her team to a 2-1 win.

Sadia Iqbal (up 11 places to 21st among bowlers), Fatima Sana (up two places to 27th among bowlers) and Ghulam Fatima (up 12 places to 44th among bowlers) are other Pakistan players to move up, while Maddy Green (up nine places to 23rd among batters), Hannah Rowe (up four places to 22nd among bowlers) and Fran Jonas (up 11 places to 47th among bowlers) are the New Zealand players to gain after the latest weekly update.

South Africa star Marizanne Kapp, who missed the first match of their ICC Women’s Championship series against Bangladesh in East London, now shares the top position in the ranking for all-rounders with Ash Gardner, as the Australian caught up with her at 377 rating points.

Murshida Khatun’s unbeaten 91, that helped Bangladesh score a 119-run win over South Africa in East London, has moved up 23 places to 52nd position while left-arm spinner Nahida Akter’s three-wicket haul lifted her two places to 12th position.

by Abhishek Shukla

Pakistan penalised for slow over-rate in Perth Test

Pakistan have been fined 10 per cent of their match fee and penalised two ICC World Test Championship points for maintaining a slow over-rate against Australia in the first Test in Perth.

Javagal Srinath of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Pakistan were ruled to be two overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.

In addition, as per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, a side is penalised one point for each over short. Consequently, two World Test Championship points have been deducted from Pakistan’s points total.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

On-field umpires Joel Wilson and Richard Illingworth, third umpire Michael Gough and fourth umpire Donovan Koch leveled the charge.

by Abhishek Shukla

Nagesh Trophy: Kerala, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana secure wins as matches in Kochi and Chandigarh get underway

Kochi / Chandigarh [India], December 18, 2023:  Kerala, Odisha in Group C while Madhya Pradesh, Telangana in Group D registered wins on Monday here in the ongoing 6th edition of IndusInd Bank Nagesh Trophy – Men’s National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind 2023-24.

The Kochi and Chandigarh-leg started simultaneously on Monday with Odisha, Jharkhand, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar in Group C and Gujarat, Chandigarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana in Group D competing respectively.

In Group C’s opening match held in Kochi, Kerala emerged victorious, defeating Bihar by 35 runs. Kerala set a target of 126/6 in 13 overs, and Bihar could only manage 91/4 in response. The standout performer, Md Farhan, who scored 51 runs in 34 balls, earned the well-deserved title of Player of the Match.

Meanwhile, in another Group C encounter, Odisha displayed dominance by thrashing Jharkhand with a convincing nine-wicket victory. Jharkhand, opting to bat first, faltered at 39/10 in the 17th over, allowing Odisha to chase down the target in just 21 balls. Debaraj Behera, who claimed three wickets, was named the Player of the Match.

Shifting the focus to Group D, the first match witnessed a high-scoring thriller as Madhya Pradesh secured a six-wicket win against Chandigarh. Chandigarh, batting first, posted a formidable total of 208/8 in 20 overs. However, Madhya Pradesh successfully chased down the target in the 18th over, propelled by Rampal Uike’s match-winning century. Rampal earned the Player of the Match honor for his stellar performance.

In the second Group D match, Telangana emerged victorious over West Bengal by 27 runs in a run-filled contest in Chandigarh. Telangana posted a commanding total of 262/5 in 20 overs, and despite Surojit Ghora’s impressive 129 runs in 72 balls for West Bengal, Telangana’s K Shiva Shankar was awarded the Player of the Match for his well-made 86.

Jammu & Kashmir (Group E) and Karnataka (Group B) currently tops their respective Groups. In Group C, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Odisha, Kerala will lock horns with each other on Tuesday while in Group D Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Chandigarh, West Bengal will meet on the same day.

The ongoing 6th edition of Nagesh Trophy began on November 23 with the four teams of Group E battling out at the University of Jammu. The tournament will run till February 02, 2024 and the League stage will be played till December 29, 2023.

Nagesh Trophy was launched in the memory of Late Shri SP Nagesh, Founder President, Cricket Association for the Blind in India and Founder Trustee, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled. The launch of the tournament brought together the entire blind cricket community into one huge platform, by creating a milestone in the blind cricket history.  

by Abhishek Shukla

IPL: RCB Director of Cricket Mo Bobat keen to look for overseas pacers and homegrown spinners during the IPL Auction

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.

by Abhishek Shukla

Cricket: Teams confirmed for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2024

Hosts, Uganda and Zimbabwe have secured the top-two finishes in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier, confirming their spots in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier in Dubai 2024.Zimbabwe celebrate their qualification to the Global Qualifer scheduled for early next year in Dubai

Zimbabwe celebrate their qualification to the Global Qualifer scheduled for early next year in Dubai

Uganda dug deep to outplay a determined Tanzania in their semi-final clash, beating them by 10 runs with four balls to spare, while Zimbabwe clinched the sub-Saharan Africa semi-final derby against Namibia with a convincing, 86-run victory.

Africa’s two finalists join eight other teams for the Global Qualifier which will determine who will take on already-qualified Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and West Indies in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Bangladesh.

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifiers are as follows:

Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uganda, UAE, USA, Vanuatu and Zimbabwe.Rita Musamali picked up 3 wickets and took the Player of Match award

Rita Musamali picked up 3 wickets and took the Player of Match award

Uganda will face Zimbabwe in the tournament final today, marking the end of another exciting tournament in Africa.

Fans can follow all the action live at  ICC.tv.

Semi-finals scores in brief

Zimbabwe vs Namibia

Namibia won the toss and elected to bowl

Zimbabwe: 150 for 6 in 20 overs (M Mupachikwa 33, C.M Tiripano 25, A Ndiraya 24*, M.A Musonda 22; M Mwatile three for 17, J Diergaardt two for 23, K Green one for 23)

Namibia: 64 all out in 16.2 overs (E Van Zyl 23, J Diergaardt 10; P Marange three for 9, J Nkomo two for 4, N Sibanda two for 8, K Ndhlovu one for 9, A Ndiraya one for 1)

Zimbabwe won by 86 runs (with 22 balls remaining) 

Uganda vs Tanzania

Tanzania won the toss and elected to bowl

Uganda: 99 for 4 in 20 overs (S Nampiina 51, R Musamali 35*, I Nakisuyi 4*; P.Z Kamunya two for 10, A.J Qwele one for 4)

Tanzania: 89 all out in 19.2 overs (S.G Mtae 23, M.P Iddi 15, F.O Kibasu 12; R Musamali three for 11, J Mbabazi three for 14, L Anyait one for 18)

Uganda won by 10 runs (with 4 balls remaining)

by Abhishek Shukla

Cricket:Lyon Leads Australia to Historic 360-Run Victory Over Pakistan

In an exhilarating display of Test cricket, Australia clinched a commanding 360-run win against Pakistan, highlighted by off-spinner Nathan Lyon’s remarkable achievement of claiming his 500th Test wicket. The monumental milestone was reached at 4:15 PM local time in Perth, where an LBW decision against a Pakistani batsman, initially turned down, was overturned upon review, marking a memorable moment in Lyon’s illustrious career.

Lyon, returning from a calf injury, had begun Pakistan’s second innings on 499 wickets. Despite a challenging start, he rapidly escalated from 499 to 501 wickets, cementing his status as a crucial player in the team’s victory. Pakistan, pursuing a daunting target of 450 runs, crumbled under Australia’s bowling prowess, registering their fourth-lowest fourth-innings total in Perth with a meager score of 89 in just 30.2 overs.

Australia’s formidable total of 5(dec)-233 earlier in the day set a challenging pace for Pakistan. The win, by a staggering 360 runs, marks Australia’s second-largest victory (by runs) against Pakistan, surpassed only by a 491-run triumph 19 years ago in Perth.

Pakistan’s innings began with a bleak outlook, quickly deteriorating to 4-48 within the first 15 overs. Mitchell Starc’s precise bowling in the opening over set the tone, capturing the wicket of Abdullah Shafique. The Australian pace attack, led by Starc and Josh Hazlewood, swiftly dismantled Pakistan’s top order, leaving little hope for a competitive chase.

The situation worsened for Pakistan with the dismissals of key players, including captain Shan Masood and first innings top-scorer Imam-ul-Haq. Australia’s Pat Cummins further dented Pakistan’s hopes, capturing the vital wicket of Babar Azam.

Pakistan’s innings continued to unravel, highlighted by a running mishap that led to Salman Ali Agha’s run-out, symbolizing the team’s disarray. Despite some resistance, Australia’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Lyon, remained relentless. Lyon’s decision to review an unsuccessful LBW appeal paid off, marking his 500th Test wicket and etching his name in the annals of cricket history.

The pitch in Perth presented significant challenges for batsmen, evident in the struggles of even seasoned players like Steve Smith and Travis Head. Australia’s batting resilience was showcased by Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Marsh, whose partnership effectively sealed Pakistan’s fate.

Khawaja’s gritty performance was a testament to his determination, enduring a tough pitch for over five hours, while Marsh played his natural game, despite some risky shots and physical blows.

As Australia closed their innings, setting a virtually insurmountable target for Pakistan, the focus shifted to whether Pakistan’s lower order could extend the match into the fifth day and if Lyon could achieve his landmark wicket. Lyon’s milestone was a fitting climax to a Test dominated by fast bowlers, underscoring his unique talent and contribution to the team’s success.

The victory sets the stage for the upcoming matches in the NRMA Insurance Test series, with Australia demonstrating formidable form and Pakistan facing the challenge of regrouping after a heavy defeat. The second Test is scheduled for December 26-30 at the MCG, followed by the third Test from January 3-7 at the SCG.

Australia’s squad, led by Pat Cummins, showcases a blend of experience and emerging talent, while Pakistan, captained by Shan Masood, includes a mix of seasoned and new players, setting the scene for an intriguing continuation of the series.

by Abhishek Shukla

IPL: Hardik Pandya Appointed as Mumbai Indians Captain for IPL 2024

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.

by Abhishek Shukla

IPL Auction 2024: When and where to watch, date, time, live streaming, venue

The IPL 2024 Auction will take place on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. 333 cricketers will go under the hammer, of whom 214 are Indians and 119 are overseas players, with a maximum of 77 slots to fill. The highest reserve price for a player is Rs 2 crore, with 23 players such as Travis Head, Steve Smith, Harshal Patel, Shardul Thakur, and Lockie Ferguson listing themselves at that value. Gujarat Titans will come into the auction with the highest purse with Rs 38.15 crore while the Lucknow Super Giants have the lowest purse balance at Rs 13.15 crore

JioCinema will bring back its multi-language coverage of the league, streaming the auction in seven languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Punjabi, and Bhojpuri. Each language will have former Indian cricketers and experts to cover the auction, including the likes of AB de Villiers, Eoin Morgan, Suresh Raina, Anil Kumble, Hanuma Vihari, Abhinav Mukund, Veda Krishnamurthy, and many more.

JioCinema will also live stream a mock auction with the likes of Suresh Raina, Anil Kumble, Mile Hesson, Eoin Morgan, Robin Uthappa, and others on December 18 at 12 noon to give viewers a flavour of what to expect from auction day and analyse potential strategies.

Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming IPL Auction 2024 livestream: 

What: IPL Auction 2024 

When: December 19, 2023 (Tuesday)  

Where: Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 

Time: Pre-auction analysis begins at 1:30 PM, followed by live auction coverage 2:30 PM onwards 

Live streaming in India: JioCinema 

IPL Auction Experts on JioCinema 

No. 

Language 

Presenters 

Experts 

1 

English 

Suhail Chandok 

AB de Villiers 

Eoin Morgan 

Anil Kumble 

Mike Hesson 

Robin Uthappa  

2 

Hindi 

Anant Tyagi 

Suresh Raina 

Aakash Chopra 

Parthiv Patel 

RP Singh 

3 

Tamil 

Sameena Anwar 

Abhinav Mukund 

R Sridhar 

 Anirudha Srikkanth 

4 

Telugu 

Pratyusha 

Hanuma Vihari 

Venkatapathy Raju 

5 

Kannada 

Reena D’souza 

Veda Krishnamurthy 

Amit Verma 

6 

Punjabi 

Sunil Taneja 

Sarandeep Singh 

VRV Singh 

7 

Bhojpuri 

Robin  

Manoj Tiwary 

Shivam Singh 
by Abhishek Shukla

Airlink Soars High as the Official Airline Partner of the Paarl Royals

National, 15 December 2023: Royals Sports Group-owned franchise, Paarl Royals, today announced a soaring partnership with Airlink, naming the airline as the Official Airline Partner of the team for the upcoming 2024 season of the SA20.

As a team that consistently strives for excellence both on and off the field, Paarl Royals is delighted to align with Airlink, Southern Africa’s leading regional airline with a strong commitment to service, reliability, and connecting communities.

The partnership between Paarl Royals and Airlink signifies a shared commitment to excellence, a passion for the sport, and a dedication to fostering growth within the local community. With Airlink on board as the Official Airline Partner, Paarl Royals aims to soar to new heights, both in terms of on-field performance and community engagement, by connecting fans and supporters across South Africa.

The association is not limited to the cricket field, as both entities plan to engage in various promotional activities and digital campaigns. Fans can expect a unique blend of cricketing excitement and travel experiences throughout the season.

Alok Chitre, Chief Business Officer, Paarl Royals, welcomed Airlink to the Royals Family, “As a team, we are always looking for partners who share our values and commitment to excellence. Airlink’s reputation for reliability, professionalism, and community engagement aligns perfectly with our vision for the Paarl Royals. With Airlink by our side, we look forward to a successful partnership that not only enhances our team’s performances but also contributes to the overall growth of cricket in the region.”

Airlink, renowned for its commitment to quality service and extensive regional connectivity, is the team’s official carrier for the tournament and will fly the squad and support staff between their matches taking place in Paarl, Centurion, Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).. The collaboration aims to enhance the overall fan experience and strengthen the team’s presence in Southern Africa.

“As Southern Africa’s premier airline, Airlink provides service fit for royalty with comfortable seats, complimentary in-flight beverages and meals, and – as cricketing nobility will appreciate – our free and generous sporting equipment allowance,” said Airlink CEO and Managing Director, Rodger Foster.

The SA20 2024 season is scheduled to kick off on 10 January, with the Paarl Royals commencing their campaign against the Pretoria Capitals at Boland Park on 12 January 2024.

by Abhishek Shukla

Sharjah Warriors Name Tom Kohler-Cadmore as Captain, Johan Botha and JP Duminy Join Coaching Staff

Sharjah, 15th December, 2023: The second season of the ILT20 is not too far away, and will kick off with the Capri Sports owned Sharjah Warriors facing the defending champions Gulf Giants in the opener, at one of cricket’s most loved venues, Sharjah.

The Sharjah Warriors, who will be eyeing a strong start to the tournament, have announced the England cricketer Tom Kohler-Cadmore as their captain for the upcoming season. A hard-hitting right-handed batter, Kohler-Cadmore is known for his ability to score quickly, and has played some fantastic knocks during his career so far in white-ball cricket. A regular in the franchise cricket circuit, the 29-year-old wicket-keeper batter has had a fair amount of success while playing the shorter formats in UAE, and boasts of a strike rate of 140 plus in T20s. He has also scored 1 century and smashed 33 half-centuries in more than 150 T20 matches in his career, during which he has scored more than 4000 runs as well.

“I am honoured and delighted to have been named as the captain for the Sharjah Warriors. We have a strong squad that has a healthy mix of experience and youth and plenty of fire power in the ranks as well, and with all of that together, we will be looking to make a solid mark at the ILT20 this season. Each team will be tough competitors, but we are going to give it our very best in every game, said Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Captain, Sharjah Warriors.

The Sharjah Warriors have also named the former South African Captain Johan Botha as the Head Coach while his compatriot JP Duminy is the Batting Coach. Former Warwickshire cricketer Ian Westwood will be the Assistant and Fielding Coach for the Warriors.

Botha has been coaching in franchise cricket since 2017 and has moved around the block a fair bit, plying his trade in the Pakistan Super League, and the Caribbean Premier League with multiple franchises.

Meanwhile, JP Duminy has had a storied international cricket career and turned out in high-profile leagues such as the IPL. Earlier in 2023, Duminy was appointed as the full-time batting coach for the South African men’s white-ball cricket teams, and the team performed brilliantly with the bat at the ODI World Cup in India, where they regularly scored in excess of 300. He was the Head Coach at the Paarl Royals in the SA20 league and at the Boland Rocks’ provincial team

In ODI cricket, During the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, Duminy became the first South African to take a hat-trick in a World Cup match, and was well known for his ability in the field as well as with the bat.

“The Sharjah Warriors are preparing with full enthusiasm for the upcoming season of the ILT20. We have built a strong squad that we feel would allow us to put our best foot forward during the tournament and cause a stir. We are looking forward to the tournament, and are excited to see what lies in store” said Johan Botha, Head Coach, Sharjah Warriors.

“In white-ball cricket, especially in the shorter formats, it is very important to have an aggressive mindset, and at the Sharjah Warriors we are confident that our batters will do their bit to keep things moving forward. We have a powerful line-up and there is every scope to cause serious damage to some of the records in the format. said JP Duminy, Batting Coach, Sharjah Warriors.

Speaking on the occasion, Capri Sports, COO Kshemal Waingankar said, “We have some of the best in the business taking on important leadership roles for the second season of the ILT20 for the Sharjah Warriors, and we are confident that they will help provide the team with the right kind of boost. The tournament is an important one in the cricket calendar, and we at Capri Sports will leave no stone unturned in terms of our preparations.”

The Sharjah Warriors is Capri Sports’ first investment in cricket outside of India. They also own a team, UP Warriorz, in the Women’s Premier League in India, alongside supporting indigenous sports such Kabaddi and Kho-Kho.

by Abhishek Shukla

Indian women’s cricket team for the blind meets Harmanpreet Kaur, Amol Muzumdar after series win over Nepal

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 14: Indian Women’s Cricket Team for the Blind along with chairman of Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) Dr Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar on Thursday met Harmanpreet Kaur, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur and coach of Indian women’s team Amol Muzumdar here at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Indian women’s team is currently locking horns with England in the one-off Test here. On Thursday, Indian batters shone as the hosts scored 410 runs for the loss of seven wickets on Day One of the Only Test against England.

Following the conclusion of the day’s play, Harmanpreet Kaur, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur and coach Amol Muzumdar took time to meet and appreciate the Indian women’s blind cricket team, currently engaged in the Fedfina Women’s Bilateral Cricket Series for the Blind 2023 against Nepal. The blind cricket team emerged victorious in the fourth T20 against Nepal, securing the bilateral series 3-1, with one match remaining.

Indian women’s cricket team for the blind on Thursday defeated Nepal in the fourth T20 and clinched the bilateral series 3-1 with one match to go. Harmanpreet, who is also the brand ambassador for the women’s cricket for the blind, Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Jemimah Rodrigues congratulated the Indian team for the win over Nepal and also for their gold medal win in IBSA World Games.

The meeting was a source of inspiration for the visually impaired cricketers, who were thrilled to interact with their role models. CABI chairman Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar described it as an “ecstatic moment” for the visually impaired cricketers.

“Our girls had the chance to sit and cheer for the Indian women’s team. When the Indian team hit the 400th run we were there cheering for our team. It was a delighted moment for the Blind Women’s cricket team. Harmanpreet was very happy to meet our visually impaired girls and was willing to extend all possible support,” Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar said in a statement.

Coming to the Nepal series, India had won the first two T20s but the visitors came back in the third game on Wednesday, denying India a series win. However, India on Thursday won the fourth T20 to clinch the series with 3-1 with one match to go. India and Nepal will now meet in the fifth T20 on Friday.

by Abhishek Shukla

Blockbuster European Summer of Cricket in 2024 confirmed

 

Next year will see three new countries given the opportunity to host an ICC event for the first time, with Italy, Germany and Denmark joining seasoned hosts Scotland and Guernsey in a packed summer of ICC pathway cricket in Europe in 2024.

A record 30 countries will compete in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Sub-Regional Qualifiers, with three tournaments happening between June and August in Italy, Germany and Guernsey.

During the same period, qualification for the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 will be up for grabs as Scotland and Netherlands do battle in August, whilst eight countries will compete in the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Europe Division 2 Qualifier in Denmark on the road to the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026.

T20 qualification heads to new venues

In a clear sign of the growth and expansion of cricket into new territories, Germany and Italy feature as first-time hosts in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup qualification pathway. Both countries impressed at the recent Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Final, and are relishing the opportunity to deepen the connection with local fans and players by competing in an ICC tournament on home soil.

Severin Weiss, President of the Deutscher Cricket Bund said: “We are looking forward to hosting our first international tournament in July in Krefeld and Gelsenkirchen, which will bring new popularity and awareness to the sport in Germany. The recent landmark decision by the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) in Germany to accept the German Cricket Association as its 100th member alongside the inclusion of cricket in the Olympics in 2028 will see a major upswing in participation and awareness of the sport in Germany. Hosting this event in 2024 will be a great opportunity for us to showcase to Europe and the world what German cricket has to offer.”

Fabio Marabini, President of Federazione Cricket Italiana said: “It is with extreme pleasure that we acknowledge that our bid to host the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Sub Regional Qualifier has been successful. The event will take place in two of the best grounds in Italy located in Rome and Aprilia. Cricket Italy will make sure that the tournament is a great sporting event for all the participating countries. We are looking forward to hosting athletes, coaches and team staff from our European neighbours in Italy next summer.”

Andy Wright, ICC Regional Development Manager – Europe said: “We’re delighted to announce the schedule for the Europe Qualifiers for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. This will, once again, be our biggest summer of cricket in Europe with no fewer than 30 countries entering the qualification pathway between June and August 2024. We’re also excited to be hosting these events in Germany and Italy for the first time and wish to thank the DCB and FCrI (Cricket Italy) for all their hard work to date. Taking the third qualifier to Guernsey is testament to the outstanding job they did in hosting our U19 Men’s CWC Europe Division 2 Qualifier back in 2022, and we’re pleased to be bringing men’s international cricket back to the Bailiwick.”

U19 pathway goes from strength to strength

Scotland will play host to the Netherlands as both teams compete in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier in August. With direct qualification to the 2025 edition of the global event on the line, the stakes will be high for both teams. Scotland will aim to replicate their success from the previous qualification campaign, when they secured qualification with a 3-0 series win over the same opposition to clinch a spot at the inaugural edition in South Africa in 2023. With a new generation coming through on both sides, odds will be even going into this tournament.

In July, Denmark will also debut as hosts of an ICC pathway event with the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Europe Division 2 Qualifier. With games being played in the 50-over format and eight teams competing, the event will have four grounds in operation across Copenhagen to accommodate an action-packed schedule. A minimum of two teams will progress from this event to the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Europe Qualifier taking place in the summer of 2025.

Alex Olsen – CEO Cricket Denmark said: “It is a super exciting task for Danish Cricket to host the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Europe Division 2 Qualifier in July 2024. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Denmark. Our lovely capital Copenhagen contains a number of excellent cricket grounds which will be the setting for the event. The young boys in our sport deserve the best and we will ensure that all the young participants have a positive experience they can remember for the rest of their lives.”

2024 Schedule of Events:

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Qualifier A

Host: Italy

Dates: 9-16 June 2024

Participating Teams; Italy, Portugal, Isle of Man, Austria, France, Romania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Turkiye, Israel

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Qualifier B

Host: Germany

Dates: 7-14 July 2024

Participating Teams; Jersey, Germany, Belgium, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Serbia, Gibraltar, Croatia, Slovenia

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Qualifier C

Host: Guernsey

Dates: 21-28 August 2024

Participating Teams; Spain, Guernsey, Denmark, Finland, Czech Republic, Malta, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Greece, Estonia

ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Europe Division 2 Qualifier

Host: Denmark

Dates: 24-30 July 2024

Participating Teams; Netherlands, Norway, Italy, Isle of Man, Denmark, Sweden, France, Belgium

ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier

Host: Scotland

Dates: 1-4 August 2024

Participating Teams; Scotland, Netherlands

 

by Abhishek Shukla

Women’s Blind Cricket: India thrashes Nepal and clinches the series

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 14: India on Thursday defeated Nepal by seven wickets in the fourth T20 despite captain Binita Pun’s show with the bat here at Police Gymkhana Cricket Ground in the first-ever Fedfina Women’s Bilateral Cricket Series for the Blind 2023.

Put into bat first, Nepal scored 165/6 in the allotted 20 overs. Sushma Patel, Ravanni, Basanti Hansda and Simu Das all scored as India chased down the target in the 19th over. With this win, India clinched the five match series 3-1 with last match to go on Friday.

Batting first, Binita Pun, who has been the highest run scorer in the ongoing series, provided Nepal a firing start. Mankeshi Chaudhary and Binita built a 101-run stand in the first 12 overs.

Binta (69) departed in the 14th over leaving Nepal at 116/2 but Srijana Pariyar continued the scoreboard. However, India bounced back in the game with flurry of wickets as Nepal lost 4 batters in the last four overs and were only able to score 165/6 after a good start.

Chasing 166, Sushma Patel and Ravanni completed India’s fifty inside six overs. But Ravanni was sent back to the dugout in the seventh over by Prativa Rai. Sushma and Basanti Hansda then stitched a 66-run stand to continue India’s chase.

India lost Sushma and Basanti Hansda in the 14th and 16th over respectively but that didn’t dent the chase and the side chased down the target quite comfortably in the 19th over.

Sushma Patel, who scored 45 runs in 37 balls, was adjudged as the Player of the Match. India and Nepal will now meet in the fifth T20 on Friday. Having already won the series 3-1, the Friday’s T20 will be a dead rubber.

India had won the first two T20s but Nepal came back in the third game on Wednesday, denying India a series win. However, India on Thursday won the fourth T20 to clinch the series with 3-1 with one match to go.

by Abhishek Shukla

IPL’s Record-Breaking Surge into Decacorn Territory with Unprecedented Brand Value Growth

Mumbai, India: The Indian Premier League (IPL) has achieved a historic milestone in 2023, skyrocketing into decacorn status with a 28% increase in brand value, now exceeding a remarkable $10 billion. This significant growth in brand value solidifies the IPL as not just a cricketing powerhouse but a global sporting phenomenon.

Mumbai Indians Lead the Charge in Brand Value

Mumbai Indians (MI), with an impressive valuation of $87 million, stand at the pinnacle of the IPL franchise brands. This figure represents not just their success on the cricket field but also their extensive global brand presence, bolstered by their #OneFamily campaign. Following closely are the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), valued at $81 million, with their consistent performance and strong brand presence.

Gujarat Titans: The Rising Stars

Gujarat Titans (GT) have shown a remarkable rise in brand value, achieving a 38% growth and securing the 5th position in brand rankings. This leap from their 8th place position last year demonstrates their growing influence in the IPL ecosystem.

Lucknow Super Giants: The Fastest Growing Brand

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have emerged as the fastest-growing IPL brand, showcasing a 48% increase in brand value. This growth, particularly impressive given their recent entry into the league, underscores the potential for new teams to make a significant impact.

Full Stadiums and Explosive Viewership: Key Growth Drivers

The return to full-capacity stadiums has played a crucial role in this growth, rekindling the full stadium experience for fans. Additionally, a surge in viewership across various platforms, including Jio Cinema’s free-to-view access in over 15 languages, has significantly expanded the league’s reach and appeal.

Chennai Super Kings: The Strongest Brand

CSK has been crowned as the strongest IPL brand, earning an AAA- rating and a high Brand Strength Index (BSI) score. Their brand strength is comparable to globally renowned brands like TikTok and Mercedes Benz, highlighting the immense brand equity of IPL teams.

Aramco’s Strategic Sponsorship Impact

Aramco’s sponsorship of the IPL, particularly the Orange and Purple Caps, has positively influenced its brand perception in India. This partnership has enhanced Aramco’s reputation as a trustworthy and innovative brand among cricket fans.

The Global T20 Business Ecosystem and IPL’s Role

The IPL 2023 season marks a significant shift towards a global T20 business ecosystem. With franchise owners looking to expand their brands to new markets in MEA, USA, and APAC, the IPL is at the forefront of this transformation. The league is increasingly seen as a platform fueling broader growth in the sports economy.

Conclusion

The IPL’s unprecedented brand value growth is a testament to its global appeal, robust governance, and innovative strategies. As the league continues to evolve, it stands as a beacon to other T20 leagues worldwide, illustrating the potential of sports franchises as major players in the global sports and entertainment industry.