September 25 was filled with anticipation. Fans were eagerly waiting for the IPL 2025 retention rules to arrive but it wasn’t to be. Regardless, we had a couple of IPL 2025 mega auction updates, with rumours even swirling about MS Dhoni, Ravichandran Ashwin and CSK. Apart from this, the Indian team also had their first practice session at Kanpur, where they will host Bangladesh for the second Test. In other news, Virat Kohli’s name was included in Delhi’s probable squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy season.
Ashwin to reunite with MS Dhoni at CSK?
The IPL 2025 retention rules are still under wraps, but rumors are swirling about potential player movements. One intriguing possibility is Ravichandran Ashwin’s return to CSK. The off-spinner, who has a strong history with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), could see him join MS Dhoni in the IPL. However, it depends on if his current team RR decide to release him. Another player on CSK’s radar is Mohammed Shami. The Indian pacer has been a target for the franchise in the past and could be a significant asset. However, his current team, Gujarat Titans, may be reluctant to release him.
No RTM at IPL 2025 mega auction?
According to reports, The BCCI is likely to announce that IPL franchises can retain five players ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. However, a significant change is the removal of the Right To Match (RTM) card. This means teams won’t be able to retain players who were previously part of their squad by matching the highest bid they received in the auction. This decision follows discussions with franchise owners and aligns with previous IPL auctions as well. The last time RTM was used was back in 2018.
Virat Kohli to play in Ranji Trophy?
Virat Kohli has been named to Delhi’s Ranji Trophy (probable) squad for the first time since the 2019-20 season. If selected, due to a packed schedule, he’ll definitely miss the initial leg of the tournament, which starts on October 11. Following the New Zealand Test series, which ends on November 5, Kohli is unlikely to feature for Delhi due to the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy. However, there’s a possibility he might play in the second leg of the Ranji Trophy in January, marking a potential return after a decade. Apart from this, Rishabh Pant has also been selected.
No Virat Kohli in top 10, Jaiswal-Pant shine
In a recent ICC Test Rankings update, Virat Kohli slipped out of the top 10 for the first time in years. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant’s stellar performance in his Test comeback catapulted him to a career-best No. 6. Both Kohli (11) and Rohit Sharma (10) struggled in their recent Test against Bangladesh, leading to a drop in their rankings. After scoring an unbeaten 119 in the second innings, Shubman Gill moved up to a career-best 14th position in the rankings. Yashasvi Jaiswal is India’s highest-ranked Test batter, at number five.
IND vs BAN 2nd Test in Kanpur in danger?
Just a couple before the India-Bangladesh Test in Kanpur, a major safety concern has arisen. The Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department has deemed a stand in the Green Park stadium unsafe for full capacity. The stand’s structural integrity is in question, and there are fears of it collapsing under the weight of a large crowd. As a result, the capacity for Balcony C will be significantly reduced. The UPCA has informed that only 1700 tickets will be sold out of the stand’s usual capacity of 4800.
Pitch for IND vs BAN 2nd Test in Kanpur
The IND vs BAN Kanpur Test is set to be a spin-friendly affair. Green Park Stadium, known for its low and slow surfaces, has taken things a step further. They’ve imported clay from a pond in Unnao, a nearby district, to enhance the spin-inducing qualities of the pitch. This decision will likely force India to play an extra spinner, impacting their playing XI. Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma will have to choose between Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel. While the pitch curator expects batters to have a say, the spin-friendly conditions are expected to dominate the match.
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