On 'Succession Plan' For Dhoni, CSK Coach Fleming's Unexpected Response

As Chennai Super Kings gear up for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, the big question over MS Dhoni's successor remains. Ravindra Jadeja was tried as CSK's skipper in 2022 but the strategy faltered to the extent that Dhoni had to be reinstated as the franchise's captain in the middle of the season. While Jadeja's return as the team's skipper is unlikely, CSK continue to hunt for a new captain. When head coach Stephen Fleming was asked about the 'succession plan' for MS Dhoni in the IPL 2024 auction, he gave a rather unexpected response.

During a press conference at the auction in Dubai, Fleming said that CSK have had succession plans for Dhoni for the past 10 years but he continues to lead the team with as much enthusiasm as ever.

"We've had succession plans for MS for about 10 years. It is going to be a talking point., but he is as engaged and as enthusiastic as I have seen him for a while. While that passion is there for the team and franchise, we'll roll on," Fleming said in response to the question.

After CSK signed New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell in the auction, Fleming was asked if they see him as a replacement for Ben Stokes. Fleming, giving a candid response, highlighted how Stokes had only played one game for CSK last season, and hence, isn't too difficult to replace.

"He played just one game, so not massive shoes. Daryl is a different type of player, but his performances over the last 18-24 months have warranted this type of a price. He is an unfashionable player, and often goes under the radar. With his ability to play spin he is competitive and he is also a handy bowler. In Chepauk we can slide him into a role. Just like his performances, he fits in nicely and a good buy for us," he said.

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/bdDeVhi

Who Is Kumar Kushagra? DC's Rs 7.2 Crore Pick With A Dhoni Connection

Jharkhand's uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra was bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 7.20 crore in the IPL 2024 auction in Dubai on Tuesday. Kumar Kushagra, initially listed at a base price of Rs 20 lakh, witnessed an intense bidding war among the franchises, ultimately resulting in Delhi Capitals successfully acquiring his services. At 19, Kumar Kushagra has garnered comparisons to the legendary Indian cricketer MS Dhoni, particularly for his adeptness at power-hitting. The right-handed batter had participated in a trial camp with the DC team before the auction. Kumar Kushagra rose to prominence following his impressive performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament earlier this year, amassing 111 runs in six matches for Jharkhand.

Across 11 T20 matches, Kumar Kushagra has scored 140 runs at a strike rate of 117.64. Renowned for his sound technique, he has exhibited the ability to adapt his innings based on the match conditions.

Having been part of India's U19 World Cup squad in 2020 at the tender age of 15, Kumar Kushagra made his Ranji Trophy debut during the 2021-22 season, establishing himself as a consistent member of the Jharkhand team.

In the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022-23 season, Kumar Kushagra showcased his batting prowess by amassing 275 runs at an impressive average of 68.75 and a strike rate approaching 90, propelling Jharkhand to the final eight.

Continuing his good form, in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023-24 season, Kumar Kushagra notched up 164 runs in seven matches, maintaining a strike rate of 83.24. 

His consistent performances make him a promising prospect for the Delhi Capitals in the upcoming IPL season.

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/AFqWlsn

IPL Auction: Who Bags The Player If Teams End Funds On An Equal Final Bid?

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 player auction is all set to take place on December 19 in Dubai. A total of 333 cricketers will go under the hammer. 214 of which are Indians and 119 are overseas players of which 2 are from associate nations. The list has 116 capped players, 215 uncapped players and 2 players from associate nations. Gujarat Titans will enter the auction with the highest remaining purse while Lucknow Super Giants have the lowest money left for the event.

Here is a look at the remaining purse of all the 10 franchises - Gujarat Titans (Rs 38.15 crore), Sunrisers Hyderabad (Rs 34 crore), Kolkata Knight Riders (Rs 32.7 crore), Chennai Super Kings (Rs 31.4 crore), Punjab Kings (Rs 29.1 crore), Delhi Capitals (Rs 28.95 crore), Royal Challengers Bangalore (Rs 23.25 crore), Mumbai Indians (Rs 17.75 crore), Rajasthan Royals (Rs 14.5 crore) and Lucknow Super Giants (Rs 13.15 crore).

Before the mini-auction in Dubai begins, let's have a look at one lesser-known rule - the silent tie-breaker bid.

What is a silent tie-breaker bid?

With the franchises having small purse remaining, chances are high that two or more sides could end up on a tied bid for a player and fail to go further due to lack of fund. In this case, the tie-breaker bid will be brought in action to decide the side who will bag the services of the player.

How does the silent tie-breaker bid work?

The franchises, who put a joint final bid for a certain player, will have to submit a silent written bid on a form. The side that promises to pay a higher amount in it will acquire the services of the player. The money promised by the franchise on the form would be paid by them to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This amount will be in addition to the final bid made by the franchise for the player. However, the amount paid by the franchise to the BCCI would not affect its salary cap.

If the tie-breaker bids from the franchises are equal, the process will be repeated until a winner is decided.

Has the tie-breaker bid ever been used in IPL auctions?

In the 2010 IPL auction, Kieron Pollard and Shane Bond were sold to Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders respectively through the tie-breaker bid.

In the 2012 auction, Chennai Super Kings secured the services of Ravindra Jadeja through this method.

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/M6y4Fc7

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal meets Mamata Banerjee at Abhishek Banerjee's Delhi residence

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal meets Mamata Banerjee at Abhishek Banerjee's Delhi residence

from News - Videos - The Times of India https://ift.tt/VGjmqkL

‘You don’t believe in dialogue’: Jagdeep Dhankhar suspends 45 Opposition MPs

‘You don’t believe in dialogue’: Jagdeep Dhankhar suspends 45 Opposition MPs

from News - Videos - The Times of India https://ift.tt/rigfVMI

'Not A Finished Product': Ex-India Star's Bold Take On Hardik's Captaincy

Cricket commentator and former India player Aakash Chopra feels that Hardik Pandya as a captain is not a "finished product". Hardik made a return to the five-time champions in a trade deal between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. While many expected Hardik to play under Rohit's captaincy, MI's decision to hand the captaincy to the 30-year-old all-rounder earlier this week caught many by surprise. While hosting JioCinema's daily sports show '#AAKASHVANI', Aakash gave his take on Pandya's appointment and said, "It's my understanding and not some inside news. When Hardik (Pandya) decided to move from Gujarat, captaincy may have been a part of the deal. This decision would have been definitely communicated to Rohit Sharma as well."

"Rohit would have also been briefed about Mumbai Indians' future plans. I feel Ashish Nehra had a tremendous role in making Hardik the captain he was at Gujarat Titans. So, Mumbai's job is cut out. They have to provide inputs at a different level for Hardik to replicate them on the field, because I don't think Hardik, as a captain, is a finished product yet," Aakash added.

He further went on to and Rohit's contribution as the leader of the side calling him a legend and praising the efforts he put in for the past 10 years.

"Rohit is a legend. It's an end of an era. He led the team for 10 years and won five IPL titles. He worked a lot for this and also earned a lot of fame. But there comes a time when you start thinking about the future. To be fair, the last two years have been average for MI, considering the high standards they have set for themselves," Aakash said.

"While it's extremely important to give someone a chance at the right time, it's even more critical to decide when to let go of someone. There has been talk on social media that Rohit should have been allowed to leave on his own terms, or may be allowed to lead MI in one match before Hardik was asked to take over. I personally don't subscribe to it. There is no one bigger than a team," Aakash added.

Rohit is yet to react to Pandya's appointment as MI skipper.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV Sports-Cricket https://ift.tt/2MjYZpw

Darshan at Shree Somnath Temple, First Jyotirlinga, 18 - Dec - 2023

Darshan at Shree Somnath Temple, First Jyotirlinga, 18 - Dec - 2023

from News - Videos - The Times of India https://ift.tt/2qX3PTm