MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Mitchell Starc's record $2.98 million deal at the Indian Premier League auctions was the ideal Christmas present for the match-winning paceman as he prepares to spend the holidays apart from his cricketing wife Alyssa Healy.Australia's all-formats hero became the most expensive player in the history of the league after attracting the eye-watering bid from Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday.Starc tuned in to the auction at home in Sydney while resting ahead of the second test against Pakistan in Melbourne.Healy, the newly installed captain of the Australian women's team, watched from India ahead of the one-off test in Mumbai."I'm not sure any words will do it justice, really," Starc said of the auction result."Obviously, Alyssa's over there with the Australian team at the minute so I think her coverage was slightly ahead of mine here in Australia so she sort of saw the numbers before I did."A fair bit of shock and certainly excitement with how it was all unfolding, but nothing I could have ever imagined."It's a Christmas full of cricket as usual but it's certainly one with a nice little cherry on the cake."There was joy on both sides of the Tasman Sea, with New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell overwhelmed by his bumper 140 million rupees ($1.68 million) deal to join Chennai.The bid was a massive hike on the base price of 7.5 million rupees Mitchell took to join Rajasthan Royals for two appearances in the 2022 IPL."Your heart starts to pump a little bit, as you see the paddles going up," the 32-year-old told New Zealand media."But having been through the auction before and going unsold, it was a pretty special night last night to experience that."Mitchell, who played a big part in New Zealand's run to the recent World Cup semi-finals in India, also celebrated his daughter's birthday on Wednesday, the day after the auction."She's got a pretty good present, waking up to that – not that she understands what's going on," he said."But that's the whole thing about these sorts of situations – it helps set up your family in many ways so that they can grow up and enjoy the things they love."Also Read: On Suryakumar Yadav Captaining In T20Is, Ex-India Star's Brutal 'Third Choice' Verdict
After leading Mumbai Indians for 10 seasons, Rohit Sharma was replaced by Hardik Pandya as the captain of the franchise ahead of IPL 2024 season.Five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 champions Mumbai Indians dropped a bomb on the entire cricketing universe as they announced the decision to replace skipper Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder arrived from Gujarat Titans as part of a trade after MI decided to send Cameron Green to Royal Challengers Bangalore. But, little did fans know that the trade from GT wasn't in the capacity of a player but also a 'captain'. But, what led to this change in the leadership role?Rohit Sharma, a man who led Mumbai Indians to 5 IPL titles in 10 years, was replaced by Hardik Pandya, a player who led Gujarat Titans to two consecutive IPL finals, winning one of them. The move hints a big change in Rohit's situation, considering his role as India's captain in white-ball teams is also under question since the conclusion of Cricket World Cup 2023.We take a look at the factors that might have prompted Mumbai Indians to make the change:Rohit Sharma's Form:While Rohit had an impressive Cricket World Cup, his form for MI over the last couple of years wasn't the best. In IPL 2022 season, he scored 268 runs in 14 games at an average of 19.14 while in the 2023 season saw him scoring 332 runs in 16 matches at an average of 20.75.While it can't be said that captaincy was taking a toll on Rohit's performance, MI did not to make a big change if they are to challenge for the title again, while also paving the way for the future.IPL 2025 Mega Auction:With just one season to go before the IPL 2025 mega auction gets underway, Mumbai Indians had to lay out plans for the future. Before the last mega auction, the BCCI allowed franchises to retain a maximum of three Indian and 2 overseas players. The complex situation saw them release Hardik but the franchise doesn't want to repeat the same mistakes this time.In all likeliness, MI's Indian retentions would be Suryakumar Yadav (World No. T20I batter), Jasprit Bumrah (arguably the best T20 bowler in the world) and skipper Hardik Pandya. While the exact rules for the IPL 2025 auction aren't known yet, Rohit looks like a big candidate to be released if only three Indians are allowed to be retained.Smooth Transition:With Rohit Sharma 36 and still a capable batter, Mumbai Indians want to make the captaincy change at a time where the Hitman can oversee the transition and help Hardik become an even better leader. By making a captaincy change early, MI are reducing the risk of finding late solutions to the problem in a scenario where Rohit might no longer be with the team. Also Read: Hockey: How Manpreet Singh bounced back from World Cup 2023
IPL 2024 season preview: 6 uncapped Indian players to keep an eye out for in the upcoming seasonThe IPL 2024 Auction made headlines for the astronomical amounts certain players were bought for. Mitchell Starc broke Pat Cummins’ record which was held for less than two hours, while various others also landed big deals.Among those who landed hefty deals for IPL 2024 were some talented, uncapped Indian players. The IPL has typically been a platform for up-and-coming talent to show their worth on such a grand stage, and it will be no different in the upcoming season.IPL 2024: 6 uncapped players to watch out forA number of players will be looking to make even more of a name for themselves. Here is a look at six uncapped Indian players to watch out for this season.Sameer Rizvi – Chennai Super KingsWhen the Chennai Super Kings come knocking, it’s because they see a player who can offer value in a clearly-defined way. Sameer Rizvi, referred to as the “right-handed Raina”, is arguably the uncapped Indian player to keep the closest eye on in IPL 2024.Involved in a bidding war where CSK eventually came out winners with 8.4 crore, Rizvi has made quite the impression in his short career to date. In seven matches in the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he finished with 277 runs at an average of 69.25 and strike rate of 139.89. He does most of his work at number four, and CSK eye him as a player who not only could deliver in 2024, but for many years to come.“People compare me with Raina because of the way I play,” Rizvi said soon after the auction. “If people call me a right-handed Raina then I’ll aim to do what he did for CSK. Even I love fielding like him. I’ll give it my everything.”Shubham Dubey – Rajasthan RoyalsShubham Dubey lit up the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy competition with his magnificent finishing. In one of the matches, he finished with an unbeaten 58 from just 20 balls to lead Vidarbha to a successful chase of 213 against Bengal. The innings included three fours and six sixes.Overall, Dubey scored 221 runs at an average of 73.66 and strike rate of 187.28. Finishing was an area the Royals struggled a little in 2023, and it is no wonder why they spent 5.80 crore to acquire his services.Kumar Kushagra – Delhi CapitalsThat the Delhi Capitals splurged 7.2 crore on 19-year-old Kumar Kushagra may have come as a surprise. After all, Kushagra’s T20 batting stats (11 matches, 140 runs, avg. 15.55, SR 117.64) are nothing to write home about yet.However, the bidding war came about due to the sheer potential he possesses, plus his solid records in First Class (1,185 runs, avg. 40.86) and List A cricket (700 runs, avg. 46.66, SR 89.05).Speaking of List A cricket, one innings that put him on the map was his 67 off 37 balls for Jharkhand against Maharashtra in a successful chase of 355. He hit four fours and five sixes to seal a fantastic victory.Shahrukh Khan – Gujarat TitansSoon after he was released by the Punjab Kings, Shahrukh Khan was picked by the 2022 champions Gujarat Titans for 7.4 crore. Khan’s finishing ability is his biggest asset, and it will be interesting to see how he fares with a current strike rate of 134.81 in 33 IPL matches.Shahrukh didn’t have the best of tournaments in the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, hitting just 45 runs in five innings at a sub-100 strike rate. However, the big stage of the IPL with a franchise who have performed well in their first two seasons can bring out the best in him.Karthik Tyagi – Gujarat TitansTalented pacer Karthik Tyagi has the chance to cement his place in an IPL team under the guidance of Ashish Nehra and co. Tyagi has performed well in the competition in the past, producing memorable performances in the 2021 edition where his yorkers caught the eye. There is no doubt he will be motivated to deliver – especially at the death – where higher honours could await him in the future.The Titans secured Tyagi for just INR60 lakh in the auction, and can get some serious value for money if the pacer produces what he is capable of.Riyan Parag – Rajasthan RoyalsIt might seem strange to see Riyan Parag on this list given he has been around in the IPL for quite some time now. However, this is the time for him to deliver.Parag has often been criticised by fans and pundits for his inconsistency in performances and on-field antics on occasions. But, Rajasthan Royals have stood firm, and this could be the season where they shift him to number four after Parag performed so well in that position domestically.His 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign would have come as great joy to the Royals. Parag finished with the most runs (510) at a whopping average of 85.00 and strike rate of 182.79 with seven fifties in ten matches. Can he translate some of those numbers to the IPL? Time will tell.Other players including Arshin Kulkarni (Lucknow Super Giants) and Shaik Rasheed (Chennai Super Kings) will be chomping at the bit to perform well if they get the opportunity. Indeed, it should be another tournament where some uncapped players enhance their reputation in front of huge audiences.Also Read: How to Bowl a YorkerFAQQ. When the IPL 2024 will start?March 22The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season is expected to start on March 22 and run till May 26. A total of 74 T20 cricket matches, including three playoffs and a final, will be played by 10 teams in IPL 2024. The 17th edition of the IPL will see the 10 teams contest for four spots in the playoffsQ. Will IPL 2024 have 12 teams?IPL 2024 Teams and SquadsFor only the second time in the IPL and the first time in 11 years, a total of 10 teams will compete for the ultimate glory. Joining Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders,see more.Q. Is IPL schedule 2024 announced?Although the BCCI is yet to release the schedule and fixtures, the tournament is set to clash with the upcoming general elections. A total of 70 league matches and four playoff matches will be held including the two qualifiers, the eliminator and the final.
The eagerly awaited TATA IPL 2024 is approaching, with tentative start dates scheduled for the first week of April. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is currently finalizing ticket partners across the country to meet the overwhelming demand from millions of cricket fans eager to witness the Indian Premier League live in stadiums and possibly meet their favorite cricket stars. As the 17th edition draws near, the IPL continues its upward trend, experiencing growth in profitability and expanding its viewership and sponsorships. The BCCI and IPL management committee are dedicated to simplifying the IPL 2024 ticket booking process, ensuring it is convenient and efficient for cricket enthusiasts nationwide.MatchIPL 2024 Tickets BookingTATA IPL 2024 DatesFri, 31st March – Sun, 28th MayIPL Ticket Starting Booking DateFrom 25th MarchTotal Matches74 MatchesTotal Participating Teams10 TeamsTicket PriceStarting from 500Ticket PartnersBookMyShow, Insider.in, TicketGenie, EventsNow, and PaytmTicket priceTicket price for IPL 2024 Booking starts from Rs. 500 onwards, Purchase tickets from the official website. Check out more details.SR No.IPL Teams 2024Starting Tickets PriceHighest Ticket Price1Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)50011,7192Rajasthan Royals (RR)8005,0003Gujarat Titans (GT)50010,0004Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)50016,0005Punjab Kings (PBKS)9508,5006Delhi Capitals (DC)85018,0007Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)75026,0008Mumbai Indians (MI)9009,2009Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)2,10030,00010Chennai Super Kings (CSK)1,5003,000How to purchase ticket Offline stepsStepDescription1.Check Availability: Verify the availability of offline tickets for the desired match before heading to the stadium or retail outlet.2.Locate Nearest Outlet: Find the closest authorized retail outlet or box office by visiting the official IPL website or the respective team’s website.3.Visit Outlet/Box Office: Once the nearest outlet is identified, fans should visit the outlet or box office in person.4.Provide Valid Identification: Fans must present valid identification (Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, driving license, or voter ID card) to purchase tickets.5.Select Seats: Upon ticket availability, fans can choose seats based on their preference and budget.6.Make Payment: Payments can be made in cash or through accepted methods such as credit/debit cards, net banking, or mobile wallets.7.Collect Tickets: After payment, fans can collect their tickets from the outlet/box office, possibly requiring the same identification used during the purchase.8.Follow Guidelines: Adhere to match attendance guidelines, including mandatory mask-wearing and adherence to social distancing measures.How to purchase ticket Online stepsStepDescription1.Visit Official IPL Website: Go to the official IPL website or an authorized ticketing partner’s website.2.Navigate to Tickets: Click on the “Tickets” or “Buy Tickets” option prominently displayed on the homepage.3.Select Match: Choose the match you wish to attend from the list of upcoming matches and click on “Buy Tickets.”4.Choose Seating Category: Select your preferred seating category and click on “Book Now.”5.Ticket Quantity: Indicate the number of tickets you want to purchase and click on “Proceed to Checkout.”6.Provide Personal Details: Fill in your personal details, including name, email, phone number, and delivery address if applicable.7.Review Order: Review your order details and click on “Proceed to Payment.”8.Payment Details: Choose your preferred mode of payment and enter the necessary payment details.9.Verify and Pay: Verify your payment information and click on “Pay Now” to complete the transaction.10.Confirmation: Upon successful payment, receive a confirmation email or SMS containing your ticket details and entry instructions for the stadium.Location IPL 2024 VenuesCityStadiumAhmedabadNarendra Modi Stadium, AhmedabadChennaiM. A. Chidambaram Stadium, ChennaiBangaloreM. Chinnaswamy Stadium, BangaloreDelhiArun Jaitley Stadium, DelhiKolkataEden Gardens, KolkataMumbaiWankhede Stadium, MumbaiDharamsalaHimachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, DharamsalaHyderabadRajiv Gandhi International Stadium, HyderabadLucknowBharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, LucknowJaipurSawai Mansingh Stadium, JaipurMohaliPunjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, MohaliGuwahatiBarsapara Cricket Stadium, GuwahatiAlso Read: 6 uncapped Indian players to watch out for in the IPL 2024 season
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the IPL (Indian Premier League) 2024 schedule on Thursday.The tournament will begin with defending champion Chennai Super Kings taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai on March 22 at Chepauk.The schedule was announced on Thursday only for the first 21 matches. The fixtures for the remaining games will be announced in due course.IPL 2024 schedule (First 21 matches)Match NoFixtureDateVenueTime1.CSK vs RCBMarch 22Chennai7:30 PM IST2.PBKS vs DCMarch 23Mohali3:30 PM IST3.KKR vs SRHMarch 23Kolkata7:30 PM IST4.RR vs LSGMarch 24Jaipur3:30 PM IST5.GT vs MIMarch 24Ahmedabad7:30 PM IST6.RCB vs PBKSMarch 25Bengaluru7:30 PM IST7.CSK vs GTMarch 26Chennai7:30 PM IST8.SRH vs MIMarch 27Hyderabad7:30 PM IST9.RR vs DCMarch 28Jaipur7:30 PM IST10.RCB vs KKRMarch 29Bengaluru7:30 PM IST11.LSG vs PBKSMarch 30Lucknow7:30 PM IST12.GT vs SRHMarch 31Ahmedabad3:30 PM IST13.DC vs CSKMarch 31Visakhapatnam7:30 PM IST14.MI vs RRApril 1Mumbai7:30 PM IST15.RCB vs LSGApril 2Bengaluru7:30 PM IST16.DC vs KKRApril 3Visakhapatnam7:30 PM IST17.GT vs PBKSApril 4Ahmedabad7:30 PM IST18.SRH vs CSKApril 5Hyderabad7:30 PM IST19.RR vs RCBApril 6Jaipur7:30 PM IST20.MI vs DCApril 7Mumbai3:30 PM IST21.LSG vs GTApril 7Lucknow7:30 PM ISTAlso Read: IPL 2024 Tickets Online Booking, Date, Ticket Price, Schedule and Booking Steps
The BCCI announced the schedule for the first two weeks of IPL 2024 with 21 matches across 10 cities. The schedule for the remaining matches will be announced after the upcoming general elections' dates are revealed. Defending champions CSK will face RCB in the season opener on March 22 in Chennai. Check out the full list of captains for all 10 teams in IPL 2024.Chennai Super KingsSunrisers Hyderabad Delhi Capitals Gujarat TitansPunjab KingsRajasthan RoyalsRoyal Challengers BangaloreLucknow Super GiantsMumbai IndiansKolkata Knight RidersAlso Read: IPL 2024 schedule announced for first 21 games: Full list of matches, fixtures, dates, venues, timings in IST
Mahendra Singh Dhoni has relinquished his position as the captain of Chennai Super Kings, with Ruturaj Gaikwad appointed as the new leader just before the commencement of the upcoming IPL season starting on Friday. Despite stepping down from the captaincy role, Dhoni will remain a part of the team as a player for the season. Barring any unforeseen injury concerns, he is set to continue his role as the wicketkeeper against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening match.The decision to change the captaincy on the eve of the season might appear unexpected, but behind the scenes, the Super Kings have been preparing Gaikwad for this responsibility. Back in 2022, prior to the start of the season in Maharashtra, Dhoni had passed on the captaincy to Ravindra Jadeja. However, this decision did not yield the desired results as Jadeja resigned from the position midway through the season, prompting Dhoni to take charge again.In preparation for the 2023 IPL season, CSK initially considered Ben Stokes as a potential captaincy option. However, due to his ongoing fitness struggles, the franchise shifted their focus to Gaikwad. Despite not being a regular fixture in the Indian team, the 27-year-old opener is highly regarded within the franchise setup.Entering the CSK setup in 2019, he debuted in 2020, securing three consecutive Man of the Match awards in his initial matches. In 2021, amidst Chennai's fourth title victory, he clinched the Orange Cap. Since then, he has solidified his position as a consistent presence in the team.Throughout the 2022/23 domestic season, particularly during the Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign, Gaikwad had significant interactions with Dhoni. It was during this time, in Ranchi, away from the media spotlight, that the initial phases of leadership transition were set in motion. This method of passing on the baton, reminiscent of Dhoni's approach, mirrors his handing over of responsibilities to Virat Kohli within the Indian team.Since then, Gaikwad has been consistently participating in the captaincy programs conducted by Stephen Fleming at the team hotel. "Similar to Dhoni, he exudes a remarkable sense of calmness. He handles pressure situations with ease, akin to Dhoni, and possesses a keen understanding of the game. Moreover, he's incredibly observant, and his nature, character, and personality attract people to him. He possesses exceptional leadership qualities," remarked Hussey.During the Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign, where Gaikwad guided Maharashtra to the final, many of his teammates noticed his emulation of Dhoni's captaincy style. From organizing practice sessions to coordinating team outings, Gaikwad managed everything, resembling the way MS Dhoni operates CSK."He's become our pillar," expressed Azim Kazi, Maharashtra's all-rounder. "Under his guidance, we're constantly evolving, adapting to new methods. He's revolutionized our approach to preparation, fostering a strong sense of unity within the team, even extending to our interactions in the hotel. For instance, he keeps his door open at all times, welcoming us to seek his guidance whenever needed. Off the field, he's quick to identify areas where players may be struggling and offers solutions for improvement. What's truly remarkable is his strategic vision, assigning specific roles to each player and utilizing our strengths effectively," Kazi elaborated.After honing his skills within the Maharashtra setup, Gaikwad now steps into the shoes of Dhoni.
