Author: Virat Verma

Former Bangladesh captain and one of the nation’s most celebrated cricketers, Shakib Al Hasan, has been named as one of 147 individuals accused in a murder case linked to the August protests in Bangladesh. The case, filed at Dhaka’s Adabor police station, lists Shakib as either the 27th or 28th accused, according to ESPNCricinfo. The case revolves around the death of garment worker Mohammed Rubel, who succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained during a rally on Ring Road in Adabor, Dhaka. His father, Rafiqul Islam, lodged the complaint, alleging that some of the accused fired shots at the protesters on August…

The IPL 2025 auction is generating significant excitement for several reasons. After meeting with the owners of all 10 franchises to discuss various inputs, the BCCI is preparing to make a crucial announcement regarding the IPL retention policy. Fans and teams alike are eagerly awaiting this verdict, but when exactly will the BCCI reveal the details? The BCCI is expected to announce the IPL 2025 mega auction retention rules, with the announcement likely to take place by the end of August, as reported by Cricbuzz. The retention rules will be crucial for teams as they prepare for the auction, scheduled…

India’s highly anticipated tour of the United Kingdom is set to kick off in less than a year, with the BCCI officially announcing the fixtures for the five-Test series. This tour will mark the beginning of a new World Test Championship cycle for India, as they embark on a nearly two-month-long campaign across London, Headingley, Birmingham, and Manchester. The Indian team, led by skipper Rohit Sharma, will be looking to clinch their first Test series win in England since 2007. Despite coming close in 2021, India had to settle for a 2-2 draw. Now, with victories against Australia and England…

Jaydev Unadkat, one of the standout bowlers in India’s domestic red-ball cricket, has had a compelling yet challenging career. Despite consistently taking wickets domestically, he has struggled to secure a regular spot in the Indian Test team. Even when included in the squad, his opportunities in the playing XI have been limited. With the Indian team preparing for the upcoming Test season, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors chose not to include him in the Duleep Trophy squads. Consequently, Unadkat decided to sign with English county side Sussex, aiming to catch the selectors’ attention through this…

The CEAT Cricket Awards, now in its 26th year, have once again highlighted the pinnacle of cricketing achievements, recognising players for their outstanding performances across various formats of the game. This year’s ceremony, held on 21 August 2024 in Mumbai, was a testament to the sport’s enduring appeal and the talent it fosters. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to none other than Rahul Dravid, whose contributions to Indian cricket as both a player and coach have been monumental. Dravid’s legacy was celebrated with a standing ovation, marking his journey from a reliable batsman to a coach who led India to…

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce the player retention rules for the Indian Premier League (IPL) by the end of August, as reported by Cricbuzz. The new regulations are expected to allow up to six retentions per team, including the Right to Match (RTM) option. Despite some franchises expressing a desire to eliminate the ‘Mega Auction,’ the BCCI is not planning any changes at this time. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah emphasized the importance of continuity in a recent interview, stating, “We’ve heard the views of all the franchises. For us, a minority view…

The 35-year-old Steve Smith has signed a three-year contract with the Big Bash League (BBL) franchise Sydney Sixers. Smith has been in exceptional form recently, particularly in T20 cricket, where he led Washington Freedom to victory in Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024. Currently, Smith has no plans to retire and even envisions himself competing in the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 as cricket makes its long-awaited return. “I don’t have any plans,” Smith told ESPNCricinfo. “I’m just enjoying playing at the moment, I’m pretty relaxed and looking forward to this summer.” Smith was not selected for Australia’s squad in the T20…

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has disclosed that the board is still deliberating on increasing the number of Indian Premier League (IPL) matches from the current 74 to 84, starting with the 2025 season. Shah emphasized that the final decision will take into account the players’ workload and the availability of a suitable window for the expanded tournament. Balancing Players’ Workload and Viewer Engagement In an interview with the Economic Times, Shah remarked, “We have not yet decided on organizing 84 matches in IPL 2025, as we must consider the impact on players due to the increased number of matches. While…

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, have reportedly approached former India cricketer Zaheer Khan to join their coaching staff in a dual role. Over their three years in the IPL, LSG has reached the playoffs twice but has been without a mentor since Gautam Gambhir left to rejoin Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, where he holds a similar position. Gambhir, who is also the current head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, was instrumental in LSG’s early success. Additionally, LSG’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, exited after the 2024 season to join Gambhir’s support staff…

India’s young batter Rinku Singh has expressed his desire to join Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) if Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) release him during the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. Rinku, who debuted in the IPL with KKR in 2018, gained widespread recognition after hitting five consecutive sixes against Gujarat Titans in a dramatic win during IPL 2023. Rinku made his international debut for India against Ireland on August 18, 2023, and his ODI debut on December 19, 2023, against South Africa. In an exclusive interview with Sports Tak, Rinku shared that he would be keen to join RCB…