James Anderson Registers for IPL 2025 Auction

Veteran English pacer James Anderson has officially entered the player pool for the IPL 2025 auction, scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. His decision to join the auction has surprised many cricket fans, especially since Anderson stepped away from international cricket earlier this year. Following his retirement after England’s first Test match against the West Indies at Lord’s, Anderson transitioned to a coaching role, becoming England’s bowling coach.

Anderson’s base price for the auction is set at INR 1.25 crore, marking his first-ever participation in the popular T20 league. While he boasts an extensive background in Test and ODI formats, having excelled in them over two decades, he has played only 19 T20 internationals. Notably, Anderson has not previously participated in any T20 franchise league, as Test cricket was always his top priority.

In contrast, fellow English player Ben Stokes has opted out of this year’s IPL. Stokes, aiming to concentrate on his Test career, will not be eligible for the next mini-auction under the newly introduced regulations.

Anderson concluded his international career with a record-breaking 991 wickets in 401 matches, making him the highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers. Known for his ability to swing the ball both ways with precision, he remains one of the most effective new-ball bowlers in cricket history. However, given his limited experience in T20 cricket, it remains to be seen whether IPL franchises will be interested in securing his services or if they’ll overlook him due to his inexperience in the shortest format.

Also Read:- Harshit Rana Joins Indian Squad for Mumbai Test

Harshit Rana Joins Indian Squad for Mumbai Test: A Potential Debut Opportunity for the Promising Pacer

In a notable development for Indian cricket, rookie pacer Harshit Rana will join the Indian squad ahead of the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai. Following an outstanding performance in Delhi’s recent Ranji Trophy victory, Rana, who had been in the reserves, has been recalled to the squad with a potential shot at making his Test debut. The third match of the series, set to be held at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, may present an opportunity for the 22-year-old to don the Test whites, especially with team management monitoring the pacers’ workload before the upcoming tour of Australia.

Rana’s performance in the Ranji Trophy has earned him significant attention. In Delhi’s first outright win of the season against Assam, he claimed a five-wicket haul in the first innings and two more wickets in the second, leading Delhi to a convincing 10-wicket victory. His contributions with both ball and bat (scoring a crucial 59) were instrumental in Delhi securing the first innings lead. This exceptional display in the Ranji Trophy has amplified the buzz around his potential India vs New Zealand Mumbai Test debut.

Rana’s Path to the National Squad: A Stellar Ranji Trophy Performance

Delhi head coach Sarandeep Singh, a former BCCI selector, praised Rana’s readiness and composure. Singh noted that Rana is mentally prepared for the challenges of Test cricket, citing his focused and positive mindset. According to Singh, “He bowled his heart out for Delhi, and he is always hunting for wickets. He’s prepared for the grind of Test cricket and ready to compete at the highest level.”

Harshit Rana’s call-up comes at a critical time for the Indian squad, who conceded an unassailable 0-2 lead to New Zealand after a 113-run loss in the second Test in Pune, marking India’s first home Test series loss in 12 years. With the third Test on the horizon, the team management is carefully considering workload options, especially for pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. If Bumrah is rested, Rana could find himself making his Test debut.

Preparation for Australia Tour: Harshit Rana in the Main Squad

Apart from his potential debut in the Mumbai Test, Rana has also been selected for the main squad for India’s highly anticipated Test series in Australia. The five-Test series, starting on November 22 in Perth, will demand the best from India’s pace attack. Rana’s inclusion underscores the team’s strategic planning, aiming to have fresh and capable bowlers ready for the grind Down Under.

Final Words: Harshit Rana’s Exciting Journey Ahead

As Harshit Rana joins the Indian squad in Mumbai, fans are eager to see whether he will be given a chance in the playing XI or will remain as a reserve. His journey from excelling in domestic circuits like the Ranji Trophy to potentially making his India vs New Zealand Mumbai Test debut exemplifies India’s robust cricketing pipeline. If Rana’s stellar domestic performances are any indication, he is well-prepared to make an impact on the international stage.

Also Read:- IPL Retention Show Set for October 31st at 4:30 PM

IPL Retention Show Set for October 31st at 4:30 PM

Cricket fans, mark your calendars! The IPL Retention Show is scheduled for October 31st at 4:30 PM IST, where teams will reveal their retained players for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. This event is highly anticipated as it offers insights into team strategies and sets the stage for the next IPL auction, allowing franchises to retain core players while releasing others back into the auction pool.

The retention show will broadcast live across major sports networks and on the IPL’s official platforms, providing fans with a front-row seat to all the action and analysis. Viewers can expect suspenseful announcements and speculation around key players and possible team shake-ups as franchises aim to strike a balance between star power, emerging talent, and team budgets.

Stay tuned to catch the cricket live updates and see which players will continue with their franchises and who will head back to the auction block in hopes of securing a fresh contract.

Also Read:- MS Dhoni Hints at Continuing IPL Career Beyond 2025, Expresses Passion for the Game

MS Dhoni Hints at Continuing IPL Career Beyond 2025, Expresses Passion for the Game

MS Dhoni IPL Future 2025: MS Dhoni, a cricketing icon and former captain of the Indian cricket team, recently provided clarity on his IPL future, sparking excitement among fans and reaffirming his commitment to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Speaking at an event in Goa, the 43-year-old discussed his ambition to continue playing cricket for several years, hinting that he could stay active in the IPL not just for the 2025 season, but potentially for the entire next three-year cycle.

Reflecting on his career journey, MS Dhoni explained, “I want to savor the remaining years of cricket, just enjoying the game as much as I can.” The legendary captain shared how maintaining his fitness is essential to achieving this goal. “To play those two and a half months of IPL, I have to stay fit for nine months. There’s planning involved but I try to keep things balanced,” he added. For Dhoni, the transition from international to IPL cricket hasn’t dampened his dedication; instead, it has allowed him to focus on enjoying cricket without the intense year-round commitment of international play.

Despite stepping down as CSK captain for the 2024 season in favor of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dhoni’s influence in the team remains strong. His legacy as a five-time IPL champion and one of the tournament’s most celebrated figures still makes him an indispensable asset for CSK. Interestingly, thanks to a rule change allowing franchises to retain uncapped players, Dhoni can be retained by CSK at a relatively modest cost, a move that would excite fans and strengthen CSK’s lineup.

While Dhoni acknowledges that juggling the demands of the sport is challenging, his words reveal a deep-seated passion and commitment to cricket. His presence in the IPL continues to drive enthusiasm, drawing millions of fans globally. As a player known for his strategic mind and calm leadership, Dhoni’s potential presence in future IPL seasons isn’t just a boon for CSK, but a delight for cricket enthusiasts everywhere

Also Read: Sikandar Raza’s Record-Breaking 33-Ball Century in T20I Qualifier

Rahul Dravid Back To Rajasthan Royals As Head Coach Ahead Of IPL 2025

Former Indian Cricket Team coach Rahul Dravid is set to return to Rajasthan Royals (RR) as head coach ahead of the 2025 IPL season, following the end of his tenure as Team India’s coach after the T20 World Cup 2024 win in June this year.

Dravid recently signed a deal with RR and has had initial conversations on retention of players ahead of the upcoming mega auction for IPL 2025. He has a long-lived relationship with the RR captain Sanju Samson, who came through the under-19 ranks under Dravid’s supervision.

Dravid has a history with Rajasthan Royals. He captained the team in IPL 2012 and 2013, and also served as team director and mentor in the 2014 and 2015 seasons. In 2016, Rahul Dravid moved to Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) until he was appointed as the head of the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru in 2019.

In 2021, Dravid became the head coach of the Indian Cricket team and ended his 3-years tenure with the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 title.

RR have only won the IPL title in the first season of Indian Premier League in 2008; the franchise’s second best finish was in 2022 when they came runners-up to Gujarat Titans. However, the franchise did not make it to the playoffs in 2023, finishing fifth in the league despite a good start to the season, but did so in 2024 and were knocked out in Qualifier 2.