And it was another quite day until a major rumour broke out regarding Rohit Sharma and his IPL future. With the mega auction coming up, Rohit’s tenure at Mumbai Indians is up in the air and two IPL franchises have gone on to said that they are keeping as much as Rs 50 crore separate for Rohit. Apart from this, the Test matches between ENG vs SL, and PAK vs BAN continued on Day 3 with both hosts in commanding position. It was a double-header at the Delhi Premier League (DPL) as well, with Central Delhi and East Delhi winning over Purani Dilli and West Delhi Lions. Here are 6 of the most eye-catching stories from August 23.
Rohit to DC for Rs 50 crore?
The upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction is already generating significant buzz. Rohit Sharma, despite being removed as MI’s captain, is expected to command a hefty price tag (potentially reaching INR 50 crore). While Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals had previously expressed interest in him, DC and Lucknow Super Giants are now reportedly willing to spend almost half of their purse to secure his services. Both franchises, still searching for their maiden IPL title, see Rohit as a key asset and are eager to acquire him.
Rohit-Kohli> Chopra, Messi
Despite their retirement, Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni continue to be among India’s most popular sportspersons. Current cricket stars, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, topped the popularity charts in July. Neeraj Chopra, India’s Olympic gold medalist, was ranked below cricketers, showcasing the immense craze of cricket in India. Hardik Pandya, a key figure in India’s T20 World Cup victory, was ranked 10th. PV Sindhu was the lone female athlete in the top 10. Three footballers, including Sunil Chhetri, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi, also made the list.
Free entry to PAK vs BAN Test
To attract more spectators, the Pakistan Cricket Board has announced free admission for the final two days of the Pakistan-Bangladesh Test match in Rawalpindi. This initiative aims to encourage families and students to attend the Test match in this day and age of white-ball cricket.The PCB hopes this decision will boost attendance, especially after low turnouts in previous Test series. A free shuttle bus service will also be available to improve accessibility.
Six-day Test match?
The Sri Lanka-New Zealand Test series will feature a unique six-day format with a rest day. The first Test, starting on September 18 at Galle, will pause on September 21 due to Sri Lankan elections. The second Test begins on September 26. This is a rare occurrence in modern cricket, with previous instances dating back to 2008. Rest days were once common in Test cricket, particularly in England, but have become non existent now. Sri Lanka’s last Test with a rest day was in 2001, and the most recent overall was in 2008 in Bangladesh.
Rs 125 crore to support Test cricket
The ICC is considering a Rs 125 crore fund to support Test cricket, a proposal originally put forth by CA. The aim is to boost player match fees and combat the allure of T20 leagues. Major cricket boards, including BCCI and ECB, have backed the proposal. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, a potential ICC Chairman, has expressed support, reflecting a collective effort to preserve Test cricket’s integrity.
Murder charges vs Shakib Al Hasan?
Wow! A massive news broke from Bangladesh which alleged Shakib Al Hasan of murdering a factory worker. A complaint was reportedly lodged against Shakib al Hasan and former PM Sheikh Hasina who fled the country weeks earlier. This comes amidst the ongoing Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
