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Cricket takes backseat to chicken for IPL's youngest Vaibhav Suryavanshi

If there is one thing that competes for Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s attention every bit as fiercely as the cricket ball does, it is food—especially chicken. “If you give him chicken to eat, you will eventually have to take his hands away, because he will never stop eating,” chuckled his amused father, Sanjiv. For the left-handed batter and spinner from Bihar, the simplest joys of life—like devouring a plate of food—hold equal importance to the game that has just propelled him to IPL stardom, at faraway Jeddah. Despite hailing from one of India’s poorest states, Vaibhav’s talent has been nurtured since he was five. Without the luxury of fancy academies or professional coaches, the 13-year-old's path to greatness is a testament to the unwavering dedication of one man, his farmer father Sanjiv. Sanjiv's years of toil, most likely spent in the hopes of achieving something monumental for his family of five, finally paid off when, on Monday, his youngest son laughed his way to the bank as Rajasthan Royals snapped him up for Rs 1.10 crore, three times higher than his base price. As the mandarins of the game sit up and take notice, his lower-middle-class family and his small-town roots are practically bursting with excitement. When we caught up with Sanjiv on Monday evening, he apologised for the delay in taking our call. “Maaf kijiyega (Sorry)," he sheepishly admitted when we finally connected, his phone ringing off the hook from well-wishers. “I had a small business to run when he was a child, but I had to quit because he needed me to be there during his practice and tournaments. As you know, cricket is an expensive sport, and we didn’t have much money to cover those expenses. So, I was forced to sell my land so he could continue playing. There was no regular income, and I had no other choice. He started training at the age of five, but I had been training him at home for two years before that. Then I made him ready and took him to Samastipur, and later Patna. Three times a week, it would be Samastipur, and the other three days it would be Patna. I have been like a shadow to him all these years.” Also Read: Record breakers to surprises: Full team line-ups and auction price shockers Vaibhav's rise to fame, however, wasn’t some overnight miracle. Having made his domestic debut at just 12 years old in the Ranji Trophy, which came earlier this year against Mumbai, he became a household name when, as a teenager, he struck a blistering century in just 58 balls against Australia’s Under-19 team. He has continued to impress, most recently being named to India’s Under-19 squad for the upcoming ACC Under-19 Asia Cup. If that wasn’t enough, he has also played five matches for Bihar in the Ranji Trophy, and more recently made his T20 debut for them in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.  But as Vaibhav basks in the well-deserved spotlight, not all the attention has been favourable. Alongside the applause, a cloud of rumours has been swirling around his age, with some suggesting that the prodigious talent might not be 13, as officially claimed, but possibly as old as 15. “In 2020, he was only nine years old. I remember taking him to the U-16 trials, and a mandatory bone test was conducted for all players. His bone test was also done there. You can check with the BCCI and ask what age came up in that test. He looked very young until last year, but after he started playing state-level matches, his diet improved, and he began to put on weight and height. If you look at his picture from last year, he’ll look very young. These changes happened only in the past year,” clarified Sanjiv. Despite the noise, he remains focused on the bigger picture: “I can tell you that I will ensure he gets called up to the India team within the next two years.” Also Read: Kohli's 21 cr to Bumrah's 18 cr: What will the Perth Test XI earn in IPL 2025? Now that Vaibhav has landed an IPL contract, things will surely be different. The family, once concerned with scraping together enough money for basic training, is now poised for a dramatic shift in lifestyle. With his IPL debut on the horizon, it seems like the next few years could see Vaibhav living his dream, both on and off the field. For someone of Vaibhav’s age, grasping the concept of a crore can be a bit of a stretch. When asked how exactly he plans to shield his young prodigy from the seductive allure of money talk, Sanjiv said: “Baccha cricket ke alawa aur kuch nahi karta. Agar TV mein koi match chal raha ho, toh wohi dekh leta hai, baaki aur kuch nahi. Film dekhna, mobile chalana, kuch nahi. (He does nothing other than cricket. If there is a match on TV, that's all he watches; he doesn't do anything else. No watching movies, no using the phone, nothing).” "I have taken some loans in the past, and I first need to pay them off. The remaining money will be spent on him. I plan to create an at-home net, but that could attract a lot of people, so I want to set it up at a less-known location. Everything will fall in place,” he signed off.

26 November,2024 10:21 PM IST | Patna | Srijanee Majumdar
Virat Kohli celebrates with teammates after the fall of a wicket on day four (Pic: AFP)

Kohli's 21 cr to Bumrah's 18 cr: What will the Perth Test XI earn in IPL 2025?

The IPL 2025 mega auction concluded on Monday night after two action-packed days, with the ten franchises splurging over Rs 639 crore to secure the services of 184 players. It was a dramatic affair, with many of India's star players, who are currently representing the nation in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, going under the hammer. The auction was a whirlwind ride for Indian players, with some seeing their salaries soar, while others experienced the heartbreak of being overlooked.  Mid-Day takes a closer look at the IPL salaries of Indian players who featured in the first Test against Australia. KL Rahul - Rs 14 Crore (Delhi Capitals) Rahul, who has been in and out of form recently, was picked up by Delhi Capitals for Rs 14 crore. Rahul, known for his elegant stroke play and versatility, has been a vital player for India and was retained by Delhi to strengthen their middle order for IPL 2025. Yashasvi Jaiswal - Rs 18 Crore (Rajasthan Royals) Jaiswal, the talented young opener, was retained by Rajasthan Royals ahead of the auction for Rs 18 crore. Jaiswal's impressive performances in domestic cricket and his strong showing in the IPL 2024 season made him a priority retention for the franchise, reaffirming their faith in his potential. Devdutt Padikkal - Rs 2 Crore (Royal Challengers Bangalore) Padikkal had a challenging first Test against Australia, and his auction journey was equally turbulent. Initially unsold, Padikkal was later picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the accelerated round at his base price of Rs 2 crore. Despite his struggles, RCB opted to bring him back, hoping to rekindle his IPL form. Virat Kohli - Rs 21 Crore (Royal Challengers Bangalore) Kohli, who has been one of the most consistent performers in IPL history, was retained by Royal Challengers Bangalore for a whopping Rs 21 crore. This salary marks the highest in Kohli's IPL career, a testament to his continued value to RCB and his status as one of the league’s biggest stars. Rishabh Pant - Rs 27 Crore (Lucknow Super Giants) Pant stole the spotlight during the IPL 2025 auction, becoming the highest-paid player in IPL history. Released by Delhi Capitals, Pant was acquired by Lucknow Super Giants for an eye-watering Rs 27 crore. His aggressive style and match-winning ability have made him a sought-after player, and LSG's hefty bid reflected their belief in his potential. Also Read: Record breakers to surprises: Full team line-ups and auction price shockers Dhruv Jurel - Rs 14 Crore (Rajasthan Royals) Jurel was another hot pick in the auction, with Rajasthan Royals choosing to retain him for Rs 14 crore. Jurel has been an exciting young talent, and his performances in the IPL have exceeded expectations, making him a valuable asset for the Royals in their quest for another title. Nitish Reddy - Rs 6 Crore (Sunrisers Hyderabad) Reddy, who impressed during his Test debut, was retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 6 crore. Reddy’s solid performances for SRH in IPL 2024 made him one of the team's best performers, and his retention signals the franchise's faith in his future contributions. Washington Sundar - Rs 3.20 Crore (Gujarat Titans) Sundar, released by Sunrisers Hyderabad, found a new home with Gujarat Titans for Rs 3.20 crore. Under the leadership of Shubman Gill, the Titans have shown interest in Sundar's all-round abilities, and he is expected to play a key role in their spin-heavy attack. Also Read: IPL 2025 mega auction: No bids, no glory! Five IPL veterans snubbed this year Harshit Rana - Rs 4 Crore (Kolkata Knight Riders) Rana, who made his debut for India recently, was retained by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 4 crore. The franchise was fortunate that Rana had not made his debut before October 31, which allowed them to retain him at this price. Jasprit Bumrah - Rs 18 Crore (Mumbai Indians) Bumrah, widely regarded as one of the best bowlers in the world, was Mumbai Indians' top retention for Rs 18 crore. This figure represents his highest-ever salary in the IPL, underlining his importance to the franchise and their reliance on his bowling prowess in key moments. Mohammed Siraj - Rs 12.25 Crore (Gujarat Titans) Siraj, who was released by Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of the auction, saw his value skyrocket when Gujarat Titans acquired him for Rs 12.25 crore. Siraj’s strong performances in international cricket, especially in Test matches, made him an attractive buy for Gujarat, who were eager to bolster their fast-bowling department.

26 November,2024 07:08 PM IST | Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) | mid-day online correspondent
Gautam Gambhir with Rohit Sharma (Pic: AFP)

India coach Gautam Gambhir returns mid-tour for personal reasons

India coach Gautam Gambhir has flown home from Australia for 'personal reasons' but will rejoin the team in time for the second Test in Adelaide next week, a source told AFP on Tuesday. The tourists under stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah won the first Test in Perth by 295 runs on Monday to lead the five-match series 1-0. India play a two-day tour match this weekend and Gambhir will miss the game in Canberra against a Prime Minister's XI. "He has left Australia but will be back soon before the second Test," the Indian cricket source said. The second Test, a day-night match, begins December 6. India skipper Rohit Sharma will be back for the pink-ball Test after he missed the opening match due to the birth of his second child. The big Perth win was a stunning turnaround for an Indian team that arrived in Australia on the back of a humiliating 3-0 home series defeat to New Zealand. Meanwhile, fans turned out in record numbers at Perth Stadium for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series opener, with the single highest attendance for a day of Test cricket in Perth recorded on days one and two. The Perth Test attendance saw a remarkable 63% increase year-on-year. Additionally, average viewing audiences were up by 30% year-on-year, reflecting the immense interest in the match, according to the data provided by Cricket Australia. In the first Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India won the toss and opted to bat first. However, they were dismissed for just 150 runs, with Nitish Kumar Reddy (41 off 59 balls, six fours and a six) and Rishabh Pant (37 off 78 balls, three fours and a six) playing crucial knocks and adding a vital 48-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Also Read: Will Rohit Sharma make way for KL Rahul at the top in Adelaide? Josh Hazlewood (4/29) was the standout bowler for Australia, with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, and Mitchell Starc claiming two wickets each. Australia's reply was even worse, as they were reduced to 79/9 before Mitchell Starc (26) and Alex Carey (21) took the total to 104, giving India a slender lead of 46 runs. Bumrah starred for India with figures of 5/30 in 18 overs, while debutant Harshit Rana impressed with 3/48. In their second innings, India amassed a massive lead. KL Rahul (77 off 176 balls, five fours) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (161 off 297 balls, 15 fours and three sixes) put up a 201-run opening partnership. Despite losing quick wickets, an unbeaten 100 by Virat Kohli (143 balls, eight fours and two sixes), supported by Washington Sundar (29 off 94 balls, one six) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (38* off 27 balls, three fours and two sixes), propelled India to 487/6 declared, setting Australia a daunting target of 534 runs. Nathan Lyon (2/96) was the best bowler for Australia, with Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood taking one wicket each. At stumps on Day 3, Australia were 12/3, with Bumrah taking two wickets and Mohammed Siraj one. On Day 4, despite valiant efforts from Travis Head (89 off 101 balls, eight fours) and Mitchell Marsh (47 off 67 balls, three fours and two sixes), Australia were bowled out for 238, giving India a resounding 295-run victory. Bumrah (3/42) and Siraj (3/51) led the bowling in the second innings, while Washington Sundar took two wickets, and Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana picked one each. (With agency inputs)

26 November,2024 06:39 PM IST | Perth | mid-day online correspondent
The mega auction witnessed 182 players being sold for an astounding total of Rs 639.15 crore (Pic: PTI)

Record breakers to surprises: Full team line-ups and auction price shockers

The IPL 2025 mega auction witnessed 182 players being sold for an astounding total of Rs 639.15 crore. Rishabh Pant made history by setting a new record for the most expensive purchase, securing a deal with Lucknow Super Giants, while Shreyas Iyer followed closely behind, joining Punjab Kings. Indian players fetched impressive prices, with Indian fast bowlers particularly shining on Day 2 of the auction. Below is the comprehensive team-wise list of players acquired by the end of the second and final day of the IPL 2025 mega auction, along with their respective prices in INR. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Ravichandran Ashwin (Rs 9.75 crore), Devon Conway (Rs 6.25 crore), Rachin Ravindra (Rs 4 crore), Rahul Tripathi (Rs 3.40 crore), Khaleel Ahmed (Rs 4.80 crore), Noor Ahmad (Rs 10 crore), Vijay Shankar (Rs 1.20 crore), Sam Curran (Rs 2.40 crore), Anshul Kamboj (Rs 3.40 crore), Gurjapneet Singh (Rs 2.20 crore), Nathan Ellis (Rs 2 crore), Deepak Hooda (Rs 1.70 crore), Mukesh Choudhary (Rs 30 lakh), Shaikh Rasheed (Rs 30 lakh), Vansh Bedi (Rs 55 lakh), Andre Siddharth (Rs 30 lakh), Shreyas Gopal (Rs 30 lakh), Ramakrishna Ghosh (Rs 30 lakh), Kamlesh Nagarkoti (Rs 30 lakh), Shaik Rasheed (Rs 30 lakh) Retained: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni Mumbai Indians (MI) Trent Boult (Rs 12.50 crore), Naman Dhir (Rs 5.25 crore), Ryan Rickelton (Rs 1 crore), Deepak Chahar (Rs 9.25 crore), Will Jacks (Rs 9.25 crore), Allah Ghazanfar (Rs 4.80 crore), Mitchell Santner (Rs 2 crore), Reece Topley (Rs 75 lakh), Ashwani Kumar (Rs 30 lakh), Raj Angad Bawa (Rs 30 lakh), Shrijith Krishnan (Rs 30 lakh), Lizaad Williams (Rs 75 lakh), Arjun Tendulkar (Rs 30 lakh), Bevan Jacobs (Rs 30 lakh), VS Penmetsa (Rs 30 lakh), Robin Minz (Rs 65 lakh), Karn Sharma (Rs. 50 lakh) Retained: Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma Rajasthan Royals (RR) Jofra Archer (Rs 12.50 crore), Maheesh Theekshana (Rs 4.40 crore), Wanindu Hasaranga (Rs 5.25) crore, Tushar Deshpande (Rs 6.5 crore), Nitish Rana (Rs 4.20 crore), Fazalhaq Farooqi(Rs 2 crore), Shubham Dubey (Rs 80 lakh), Yudhvir Charak (Rs 35 lakh), Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Rs 1.10 crore), Ashok Sharma (Rs 30 lakh), Kunal Rathore (Rs 30 lakh), Kwena Maphaka (Rs 1.50 crore), Akash Madhwal (Rs 1.20 crore), Kumar Kartikeya (Rs. 30 lakh) Retained: Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Sandeep Sharma Gujarat Titans (GT) Jos Buttler (Rs 15.75 crore), Mohammed Siraj (Rs 12.25 crore), Prasidh Krishna (Rs 9.50 crore), Kagiso Rabada (Rs 10.75 crore), Washington Sundar (Rs 3.20 crore), Sherfane Rutherford (Rs 2.60 crore), Gerald Coetzee (Rs 2.40 crore), R Sai Kishore (Rs 2 crore), Gurnoor Singh Brar (Rs 1.30 crore), Mohd. Arshad Khan (Rs 1.30 crore), Jayant Yadav (Rs 75 lakh), Ishant Sharma (Rs 75 lakh), Glenn Phillips (Rs 2 crore), Karim Janat (Rs 75 lakh), Kulwant Khejroliya (Rs 30 lakh), Nishant Sidhu (Rs 30 lakh), Mahipal Lomror (Rs 1.70 crore), Kumar Kushagra (Rs 65 lakh), Anuj Rawat (Rs 30 lakh), Manav Suthar (Rs 30 lakh) Retained: Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Venkatesh Iyer (Rs 23.75 crore), Anrich Nortje (Rs 6.50 crore), Quinton de Kock (Rs 3.60 crore), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Rs 2 crore), Angkrish Raghuvanshi (Rs 3 crore), Vaibhav Arora (Rs 1.80 crore), Spencer Johnson (Rs 2.80 crore), Rovman Powell (Rs 1.50 crore), Manish Pandey (Rs 75 lakh), Moeen Ali (Rs 2 crore), Ajinkya Rahane (Rs 1.50 crore), Umran Malik (Rs 75 lakh), Anukul Roy (Rs 40 lakh), Luvnith Sisodia (Rs 30 lakh), Mayank Markande (Rs. 30 lakh) Retained: Rinku Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, Ramandeep Singh Also Read: IPL 2025 mega auction: No bids, no glory! Five IPL veterans snubbed this year Delhi Capitals (DC) KL Rahul (Rs 14 crore), Mitchell Starc (Rs 11.75 crore), Jake Fraser-McGurk (Rs 9 crore), Harry Brook (Rs 6.25 crore), T Natarajan (Rs 10.75 crore), Faf du Plessis (Rs 2 crore), Dushmantha Chameera (Rs 75 lakh), Vipraj Nigam (Rs 50 lakh), Darshan Nalkhande (Rs 30 lakh), Mukesh Kumar (Rs 8 crore), Donovan Ferreira (Rs 75 lakh), Madhav Tiwari (Rs 40 lakh), Tripurana Vijay (Rs 30 lakh), Manvanth Kumar L (Rs 40 lakh), Ajay Mandal (Rs 30 lakh), Sameer Rizvi (Rs 95 lakh), Karun Nair (Rs 50 lakh), Ashutosh Sharma (Rs 3.80 crore), Mohit Sharma (Rs 2.20 crore) Retained: Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, Abhishek Porel Punjab Kings (PBKS) Shreyas Iyer (Rs 26.75 crore), Yuzvendra Chahal (Rs 18 crore), Arshdeep Singh (Rs 18 crore), Marcus Stoinis (Rs 11 crore), Glenn Maxwell (Rs 4.20 crore), Nehal Wadhera (Rs 4.20 crore), Harpreet Brar (Rs 1.50 crore), Marco Jansen (Rs 7 crore), Priyansh Arya (Rs 3.80 crore), Josh Inglis (Rs 2.60 crore), Azmatullah Omarzai (Rs 2.40 crore), Lockie Ferguson (Rs 2 crore), Aaron Hardie (Rs 1.25 crore), Xavier Bartlett (Rs 80 lakh), Kuldeep Sen (Rs 80 lakh), Pyla Avinash (Rs 30 lakh), Suryansh Shedge (Rs 30 lakh), Musheer Khan (Rs 30 lakh), Harnoor Pannu (Rs 30 lakh), Pravin Dubey (Rs 30 lakh),, Vishnu Vinod (Rs 95 lakh), Vyshak Vijaykumar (Rs 1.80 crore), Yash Thakur (Rs. 1.80 crore) Retained: Shashank Singh, Prabhsimran Singh Also Read: BCA President hails Vaibhav on becoming youngest player to be sold in IPL Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Josh Hazlewood (Rs 12.50 crore), Phil Salt (Rs 11.50 crore), Jitesh Sharma (Rs 11 crore), Liam Livingstone (Rs 8.75 crore), Rasikh Salam (Rs. 6 crore), Suyash Sharma (Rs. 2.60 crore), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Rs 10.75 crore), Krunal Pandya (Rs 5.75 crore), Tim David (Rs 3 crore), Jacob Bethell (Rs 2.60 crore), Nuwan Thushara (Rs 1.60 crore), Romario Shepherd (Rs 1.50 crore), Swapnil Singh (Rs 50 lakh), Manoj Bhandage (Rs 30 lakh), Devdutt Padikkal (Rs 2 crore), Lungi Ngidi (Rs 1 crore), Mohit Rathee (Rs 30 lakh), Abhinanadan Singh (Rs 30 lakh), Swastik Chhikara (Rs 30 lakh) Retained: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Ishan Kishan (Rs 11.25 crore), Mohammed Shami (Rs 10 crore), Harshal Patel (Rs 8 crore), Adam Zampa (Rs 2.40 crore), Rahul Chahar (Rs 3.20 crore), Abhinav Manohar (Rs 3.20 crore), Atharva Taide (Rs 30 lakh), Simarjeet Singh (Rs. 1.5 crore), Eshan Malinga (Rs 1.20 crore), Brydon Carse (Rs 1 crore), Jaydev Unadkat (Rs 1 crore), Kamindu Mendis (Rs 75 lakh), Zeeshan Ansari (Rs 40 lakh), Aniket Verma (Rs 30 lakh), Atharva Taide (Rs 30 lakh) Retained: Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) Rishabh Pant (Rs 27 crore), Avesh Khan (Rs 9.75 crore), David Miller (Rs 7.50 crore), Mitchell Marsh (Rs 3.40 crore), Aiden Markram (Rs 2 crore), Akash Deep (Rs 8 crore), Abdul Samad (Rs 4.20 crore), Shahbaz Ahmed (Rs 2.40 crore), Shamar Joseph (Rs 75 lakh), M Siddharth (Rs 75 lakh), Yuvraj Chaudhary (Rs 30 lakh), Prince Yadav (Rs 30 lakh), Akash Singh (Rs 30 lakh), Digvesh Singh (Rs 30 lakh), Himmat Singh (Rs 30 lakh), Arshin Kulkarni (Rs 30 lakh), Rajvardhan Hangargekar (Rs 30 lakh), Matthew Breetzke (Rs 75 lakh), Aryan Juyal (Rs 30 lakh) Retained: Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Ayush Badoni

26 November,2024 05:18 PM IST | Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) | mid-day online correspondent
Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul (Pic: AFP)

Will Rohit Sharma make way for KL Rahul at the top in Adelaide?

Returning captain Rohit Sharma is set to rejoin the Indian playing XI for the second Test in Adelaide, replacing young Devdutt Padikkal. However, the positioning of in-form KL Rahul in the pink-ball warm-up game in Canberra is likely to spark significant discussion. The decision largely hinges on whether the injured Shubman Gill is fit in time for the match. If he fails to recover, Rahul could be moved to number three, filling Padikkal’s spot. There is, however, a growing opinion that the team could benefit if Rohit were to bat in the middle order, ideally at numbers five or six. While Rahul was originally considered a temporary opener due to Rohit's absence leading into the first Test in Perth, he has since proven his worth at the top of the order. Technically, Rahul has been the most solid of all Indian batsmen across both innings at Optus Stadium, scoring 26 and 77, showcasing his adaptability and skill. Having already played an India A game at the MCG and now a Test match, Rahul has settled nicely at the top of the order. The Indian captain, who is also searching for runs, has been opening in Test matches for the past five years. Rohit's numbers with the willow has been a bit underwhelming during the five home Tests but those were played on difficult tracks. On Australian pitches, with true carry and bounce, he could get back to form with liberal usage of the horizontal bat shots. Also Read: Greg Chappell wants all talk of Bumrah’s action to end Gill, who has suffered a hairline fracture during the intra-squad game at the WACA, missed the first Test, and is yet to start batting in the nets. Unless Gill gets adequate net practice, the team management might not risk him, with only a couple of training sessions available with pink ball in Adelaide. If he is fit, then Dhruv Jurel will automatically get dropped. Spin bowling options in Adelaide The only possible tactical change in playing XI at the Adelaide Oval could be in spin bowling. The two senior spinners -- Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja -- were benched in Perth at the expense of Washington Sundar. If one goes back to the 2021 Pink Ball Test in Adelaide, Ashwin with figures of 4 for 45, including a beauty to dismiss Steven Smith, gave India the first innings lead before the 36-all out happened. Also Read: It's a perthfect start for India! But, going by current form in the nets, there is not much to choose between Ashwin, Jadeja and Washington at the moment. There is also the fact that in Pink Ball Tests, the spinners don't come into equation a lot, and batting becomes key. Jadeja's batting has been key to India's overseas Test success but the left-handed Washington has also been more than a decent batter in Tests. His 89-run partnership with Virat Kohli in Perth was instrumental in taking India past the 500-run lead. At the Adelaide Oval, expect some rejigging in batting order if not in the playing XI.

26 November,2024 04:37 PM IST | Adelaide | mid-day online correspondent
(L-R) David Warner, Kane Williamson (Pic: AFP)

IPL 2025 mega auction: No bids, no glory! Five IPL veterans snubbed this year

The IPL 2025 mega auction, which saw franchises spending a staggering Rs 639.15 crore to acquire 182 players, including 62 overseas stars, was packed with thrilling narratives. The auction was filled with remarkable moments, from Rishabh Pant securing a record-breaking Rs 27 crore deal to 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi becoming the youngest-ever player to be signed. However, it was not all celebratory, as several high-profile cricketers found themselves unsold, and for some, this might signal the end of their IPL journey. Mid-Day looks at five major superstars who failed to attract bids in the IPL 2025 auction. David Warner David Warner, a stalwart of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for many years, has been an integral part of the tournament. His crowning achievement came in 2016 when he captained Sunrisers Hyderabad to the IPL title. Warner is also one of the tournament's top run-scorers, having won the Orange Cap three times, in 2015, 2017, and 2019. Despite this illustrious career, his recent struggles with Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024 led to his exclusion from the 2025 auction, leaving many surprised at his absence from the teams’ rosters. Kane Williamson Kane Williamson, often regarded as one of the modern greats of cricket and a key member of the "Big 4," had a spectacular IPL career, highlighted by winning the Orange Cap in 2018 and leading Sunrisers Hyderabad as captain. However, his IPL journey has been somewhat unpredictable. Known for his technique and calm demeanor, Williamson’s style of play, more suited to Test cricket, often does not align with the fast-paced nature of the T20 format. Given his recent lack of impact in the league and his focus on red-ball cricket, it seems increasingly likely that the IPL 2025 auction marks the end of his time in the competition. Mayank Agarwal Mayank Agarwal, a seasoned campaigner in domestic cricket, has been a consistent fixture in the IPL since 2011. Having represented several franchises, including a stint as the captain of Punjab Kings, Agarwal was seen as one of the most dependable top-order batsmen in the league. However, his recent form in T20 cricket has been underwhelming, and with no franchises bidding for him in the IPL 2025 auction, it may signal the end of his IPL career. Despite his long-standing presence in the tournament, Agarwal’s dip in form may have contributed to his exclusion this season. Also Read: BCA President hails Vaibhav on becoming youngest player to be sold in IPL Jonny Bairstow Jonny Bairstow’s omission from the IPL 2025 auction raised a few eyebrows. The aggressive England opener has been a regular feature of the league for the past five seasons, having represented both Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings. Known for his destructive batting at the top of the order, Bairstow has provided many memorable moments in the IPL. However, his recent dip in form, especially in the last couple of seasons, seems to have put off potential buyers. As a result, he finds himself without a contract for the upcoming season, an outcome few anticipated. Also Read: Greg Chappell wants all talk of Bumrah’s action to end Piyush Chawla Piyush Chawla, one of the most successful spinners in IPL history, faces an uncertain future after going unsold in the 2025 auction. With 192 wickets to his name, the 35-year-old leg-spinner has been a vital asset for several franchises, including Mumbai Indians in recent years, where he played a pivotal role as their lead spinner. Chawla's experience and skill have made him one of the most respected figures in IPL history. However, despite his pedigree, no team showed interest in him this year, raising questions about his future in the competition. Given his age and the rapid evolution of T20 cricket, it seems that IPL 2025 may mark the conclusion of his illustrious IPL career.

26 November,2024 04:28 PM IST | Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) | mid-day online correspondent
Yashasvi Jaiswal (Pic: File Pic)

"My backstory always gives me confidence to tackle any situation": Yashasvi

Brought up in penury, Yashasvi Jaiswal says that he now uses those experiences from those days as his weapon to perform in international matches. Yashasvi Jaiswal has showcased his class yet again by smashing a century in the first Test match against Australia and is on the verge of becoming Team India's batting mainstay after Virat Kohli, who also registered a century. Having moved to Mumbai from Uttar Pradesh to play cricket at an early age, Yashasvi Jaiswal lived in tents with the groundsmen. He even used to sell paani puris at night to earn money for food. "It's something (his backstory) that always gives me confidence that I can come out of any situation. I always fight, I always look to fight, I want to be in the battle, I want to enjoy the battle and I want to win the battle," Yashasvi Jaiswal said during a chat with Australian television broadcaster Mark Howard. The 22-year-old opener added, "So this is what it gives me and I am really blessed that I have this life, that can give me a lot of confidence, learnings about myself, how I can believe in me, and how I can go through with different emotions, different situation in my life. Also Read: "You are and will always remain my younger brother", Parth Jindal pens down emotional adieu to Rishabh Pant "So I think it's just incredible and I really want to thank god for where I am and what I am doing, and I am doing what I love, so I am just happy at the moment. I want to enjoy this with every ball." His journey of coming to the limelight is an interesting story of a strong-willed man creating his own destiny. After departing on a duck in the first innings, Yashasvi Jaiswal bounced back by smashing a glorious century in the Perth Test. Asked about his unusual celebration after getting to the three-figure mark, Jaiswal said, "Yes, it was (an unusual) way to bring up the hundred. In my mind, I was like, I will do this or that, and then suddenly, something happened, and I was like, oh my god, what should I do. So, I was like, okay, I will just celebrate, and I will enjoy this moment. I was blessed, I was grateful, I enjoyed it, this feeling will stay with me for a long time." "I give kisses to all my loved ones, all my fans who have supported me. I just wanted to give them my love with the kisses." He spoke to his family after the fine achievement. "I just called my family on whatsapp, getting everyone along and celebrate with them. My brother always talks to me about cricket." Team India won the first Test match by a margin of 297 runs against Australia. The teams will now lock horns in Adelaide for the second Test match beginning on December 6. (With PTI Inputs)

26 November,2024 02:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Rishabh Pant (Pic: X/@mufaddal_vohra)

"You will always remain my younger brother", Parth pens down emotional goodbye

Parth Jindal, the managing director of JSW Cement took to social media to open up about his bond with former Delhi Capitals' (DC) captain Rishabh Pant. "To Rishabh @RishabhPant17 you are and will always remain my younger brother - from the bottom of my heart I love you and I have tried everything to make sure you are happy and have treated you like my family. I am very sad to see you go and I am very emotional about it. You will always be in DC and I hope one day we can reunite. Thank you for everything Rishabh and remember that we will always love you - go well champ, the world is at your feet. Best wishes from all of us at @DelhiCapitals - other than when you play DC I will be cheering and hoping for the best for you!", Parth Jindal wrote on X. Taking to X: To Rishabh @RishabhPant17 you are and will always remain my younger brother - from the bottom of my heart I love you and I have tried everything to make sure you are happy and have treated you like my family. I am very sad to see you go and I am very emotional about it. You will… — Parth Jindal (@ParthJindal11) November 26, 2024 Also Read: BCA President hails Vaibhav Suryavanshi on becoming youngest player to be sold in IPL history In the concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction, Delhi Capitals released Rishabh Pant and bought the services of KL Rahul. After parting ways with DC, Rishabh Pant found his new IPL franchise, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The Lucknow-based franchise bought the services of Team India's wicketkeeper-batsman Pant for a whopping Rs. 27 crore. With this, Rishabh Pant scripted history by becoming the most expensive player in IPL. During the IPL 2025 auction, LSG won the bid against teams like Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Delhi Capitals (DC). Delhi Capitals have now acquired the services of KL Rahul for Rs. 10.75 crore. The bid for KL Rahul included teams like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), but DC had the final laugh. Currently, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul, both are representing Team India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Australia. Team India has taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match Test series against the Aussies. Jasprit Bumrah-led India won the first Test match by a margin of 295 runs in Perth.

26 November,2024 01:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Rakesh Tiwari, Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Pic: X/@ANI/File Pic)

BCA President hails Vaibhav on becoming youngest player to be sold in IPL

Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) president Rakesh Tiwari praised Vaibhav Suryavanshi for becoming the youngest player to get picked in the Indian Premier League's (IPL) history. During the IPL 2025 mega auction, fans were surprised after Vaibhav Suryavanshi's services were bought by Rajasthan Royals (RR) for Rs. 1.1 crore. In a video shared by BCA, Rakesh Tiwari said that Vaibhav has brought glory to his home state Bihar, and added that the 13-year-old will bring glory to the nation one day. Also Read: Prithvi Shaw: From next Sachin Tendulkar to going unsold in IPL 2025 Mega Auction? "...This boy has brought glory to our state. And I can say confidently that this boy will bring glory to the country one day. I congratulate and give my best wishes to Vaibhav Suryavanshi for this achievement...," Rakesh Tiwari said. Taking to X:  #WATCH | Delhi: At 13 years old, Bihar's Vaibhav Suryavanshi becomes the youngest player to be selected for the IPL, lands a Rs 1.1 crore deal with Rajasthan Royals.Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) President Rakesh Tiwari says, "... This boy has brought glory to our state. And I… pic.twitter.com/ACX2xtY3Ac — ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2024 It was cut-to-cut bidding for Vaibhav Suryavanshi between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals kept fighting hard to get him in their squads. In the end, RR made the final bid of Rs. 1.1 crore for the youngster. Born on March 27, 2011, in Bihar, Vaibhav Suryavanshi is the youngest player on the list. Vaibhav Suryvanshi made his first-class debut in January 2024 at the age of just 12 years and 284 days. Last month, the youngster smashed a 58-ball century while representing India's U-19 match against Australia in Chennai. In five first-class matches, Vaibhav has scored 100 runs, with a highest score of 41. He is currently participating in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. The youngster's father Sanjeev Suryavanshi opened up about the struggle and the crucial role played by BCA's president Rakesh Tiwari in shaping Vaibhav's career. "If Rakesh Tiwai sir wasn't there I don't think my child would have got the chance to play cricket for Bihar. We even had to sell our land due to financial issues but I'm happy for Vaibhav. He is a still a kid and might not understand what he has done today. I would like to thank Rakesh Tiwari sir who saw a potential in my son and gave him the chance," Sanjeev Suryavanshi was quoted in a release from BCA as saying. Currently representing Bihar in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he made his T20 debut against Rajasthan on November 23. (With ANI Inputs)

26 November,2024 12:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
CSK’s MS Dhoni (right) with pacer Tushar Deshpande during their game v RCB in Chennai last year. Pic/Getty Images

"I will miss Mahi bhai a lot": Tushar Deshpande

Mumbai pacer Tushar Deshpande, who claimed 42 scalps in 36 IPL games for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), was bought by Rajasthan Royals (RR) for Rs 6.50 crore during the players auction in Jeddah on Monday. Also Read: "I think Uzzie should have owned that moment": Michael Clarke on McSweeney facing first ball Deshpande, who had a base price of Rs 1 crore, was expecting to be picked by CSK again and will now miss legendary captain MS Dhoni’s guidance. “I will miss Mahi bhai a lot. He stood by me during the worst and best of times,” Deshpande told mid-day from Bangalore on Monday. Deshpande underwent surgery on his left ankle last September and is currently doing rehab at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. He is expecting to make a comeback in January when the Ranji Trophy resumes. “Now that RR have shown great faith in me, I will give my 100 per cent in each game. I am very excited to join the new team and play under Sanju Samson and learn a lot from Rahul Dravid, who has done wonders for India,” Deshpande remarked. Deshpande, 29, represented India in two T20Is under Shubman Gill’s captaincy in Zimbabwe last July. When asked if he expected to get such a big amount while CSK and RR were trying to get him, he said: “I was expecting to get around this much. I was just hoping that somebody would bid for me. I was following the full duration of the auction on Sunday, but my name did not come up. So, I followed it keenly again today.”

26 November,2024 11:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh Mayure
Prithvi Shaw (Pic: AFP)

Prithvi Shaw: From next Sachin to going unsold in IPL 2025 Mega Auction?

The game of cricket has seen many great players ruining their careers due to external affairs or factors affecting themselves. One among these players who have the potential of carrying the legacy of Indian cricket in the right direction is Prithvi Shaw. Prithvi Shaw, a 2018 U-19 World Cup-winning captain has gone unsold in the concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Mega Auction. Prithvi Shaw, once renowned as the "Next Big Thing in India Cricket" and the "Next Sachin Tendulkar" has now found himself in a difficult situation. Many game's great were mesmerized by the quality of cricket, which Prithvi used to showcase in the early days of his career. Former Team India cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri once hailed Prithvi Shaw by saying, "When I see him first, it reminded me a little bit of Sachin (Tendulkar), a little bit of Viru (Virender Sehwag) and when he walks, there's a little bit of Lara (Brian) there." It's surprising to see him struggle to find a place in the national team when his teammates such as Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are on the verge of becoming the regular faces for Team India. Also Read: Vaibhav Suryavanshi: Age fraud in IPL 2025? WATCH VIDEO of him claiming himself turning 14 years in September Where his fellow batting partner Shubman Gill has already begun leading an IPL team, Shaw fell short of catching the franchise owner's eyes on him. Prithvi Shaw, a boy who was once compared to Legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar by the International Cricket Council (ICC) is now struggling to score many runs in a cash-rich league. Previously, the right-hander was accused of hitting a woman in the middle of the road. Since then, Shaw has faced much criticism for his focus shifting away from cricket to materialistic things. The batsman who has the potential to rule the streets of international cricket with his absolutely stunning techniques has not represented India in more than 10 matches in all three formats of the game. Prithvi Shaw has played five Test matches in which he garnered 339 runs including one century and two half-centuries. Having played six One-Day Internationals, Shaw managed to score 189 runs, followed by one T20 Internationals with no runs. He has a rich record in first-class matches. So far, featuring in 51 first-class matches, Shaw accumulated 4,278 runs including 13 centuries and 17 half-centuries. The last time Prithvi Shaw made an international appearance was during a T20I match against Sri Lanka in 2021. Debuting for Team India at the age of 18 years, Prithvi Shaw became the second-youngest Indian batsman after Tendulkar to score a Test century and the youngest Indian to register a Test century on debut. In his IPL career so far, Prithvi Shaw has been a part of only one franchise, Delhi Capitals since 2018.

26 November,2024 11:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Sujay Shivalkar
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