Author: Ishaan Shahane

The fifth round of Ranji Trophy matches kicked off with standout performances across several games. Mahipal Lomror led the charge for Rajasthan, scoring an impressive 141* against Uttarakhand, taking his team to a solid 362/4. In the Uttar Pradesh vs. Karnataka clash, Uttar Pradesh struggled, bowled out for just 89 runs thanks to Vasuki Koushik’s exceptional spell. Karnataka ended the day at 127/5 in reply. Baroda’s Mahesh Pithiya was instrumental with six wickets, restricting Meghalaya to 103. With Jyotsnil Singh’s 121 taking Baroda to 306/6, they hold a strong position in the match. Saurashtra set themselves up strongly at 299/2…

The 2025 IPL mega auction, set for November 24th and 25th in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, promises to be one of the largest in league history. A total of 1,574 cricketers—1,165 Indians and 409 from overseas—are up for grabs, including 320 capped players, 1,224 uncapped players, and 30 from Associate Nations. With 46 players already retained by their respective franchises, teams are gearing up to enhance their squads with strategic picks that will give them an edge in the upcoming season. Attending my first live IPL auction has me thrilled. Watching team owners and strategists carefully construct their squads over those…

The excitement for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is expected, and it showed last night at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport, which was bustling with fans bidding farewell to Team India as they departed for Australia. Among the early arrivals were fast bowlers, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep, assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, all-rounder Washington Sundar, opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill. The team bus pulled up at the airport at around 9 p.m, pausing for 25 minutes near the gate before the players began disembarking, greeted by an enthusiastic crowd. The atmosphere at the airport was buzzing with excitement, as fans…

Day 3 of Round 4 in the Ranji Trophy produced thrilling action, with gripping contests across the country. Odisha struggled against Mumbai. They were bowled out for 285 in the first innings, despite a knock of 102 from Sandeep Pattnaik. Shams Mulani claimed 6/115. After making 602/4 in their only innings, Mumbai then reduced the visitors to 126/5, to stay on course for an innings win. Tripura’s solid batting display, taking them to 482/7, has put Baroda under pressure. Having made 235 in the first innings, Baroda will have to bat well on the last day to avoid defeat.…

Day 2 in the fourth round of Ranji Trophy showcased more spectacular performances, with Mumbai extending their dominance, thanks to Shreyas Iyer’s sensational 233. Returning after a period away from the game, Iyer would be thrilled with this performance, hoping to maintain momentum in the upcoming matches. Siddesh Lad contributed an unbeaten 169, while Suryansh Shedge provided valuable support with a rapid 79 not out. By stumps, Mumbai had firmly seized control, leaving Odisha at 146/5. Kerala continued to dominate Uttar Pradesh, extending their lead to 178 runs. Following Jalaj Saxena’s stellar performance on Day 1, Kerala’s batters stepped up…

The fourth round of the Ranji Trophy kicked-off with a series of fine performances. Leading the charge for Mumbai, Shreyas Iyer made a brilliant comeback, scoring an unbeaten 150 that showcased his class and reignited his confidence. Young talent Angkrish Raghuvanshi also impressed, crafting a solid 92, though he fell just short of a well-deserved century. Adding to Mumbai’s strong position, seasoned domestic player Siddesh Lad contributed a crucial 115*, guiding the team to a commanding total of 385 for 3 against Odisha on Day 1. Kerala’s all-rounder Jalaj Saxena achieved a historic milestone in the Ranji Trophy by becoming…

With three rounds of the Ranji Trophy completed, the tournament has already showcased stellar performances with both bat and ball. As excitement builds for the upcoming round, fans and selectors eagerly await to see which players will step up and deliver standout performances. Baroda captain Krunal Pandya is set to draw considerable attention after his exceptional century against Odisha. Displaying superb temperament and tactical awareness, Pandya led his team to victory. Continuing this momentum could boost both his prospects for future national selection and Baroda’s campaign in the Ranji Trophy. Similarly, Rajat Patidar will be keen to leave an even…

Rajasthan Royals Players retained: Sanju Samson ( 18 crore) Yashasvi Jaiswal ( 18 crore) Riyan Parag ( 14 crore) Shimron Hetmyer ( 11 crore) Sandeep Sharma ( 4 crore). What do the retained players bring to the table? Samson, with his extensive IPL experience and tenure with the Rajasthan Royals, has been the backbone of the franchise. Moreover, his leadership and natural talent make him one of their most reliable players. Jaiswal, an explosive top-order batter, brings the much-needed spark; he understands the nuances of T20 cricket and continues to strengthen his game. Furthermore, Parag, who had a breakthrough season,…

The third round of the 2024/25 Ranji Trophy season featured several standout performances that have heightened interest in the tournament. As a crucial platform for players to showcase their skills and catch the attention of national selectors, the competition has not disappointed. The most recent round of matches delivered thrilling contests, match-winning displays, and moments of heartbreak. Rajat Patidar recently grabbed headlines with a blistering 159 off just 102 balls for Madhya Pradesh, dismantling Haryana’s bowling attack. This performance will boost his confidence as he looks to overcome past struggles with consistency. After his 13th first-class century, Patidar aims to…

The second ODI between India Women and New Zealand Women took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, with the visitors opting to bat first. The White Ferns got off to a flying start as openers Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer displayed aggressive intent, keeping the Indian bowlers on the back foot. Their smart shot selection, combined with hard running and powerful strokes, gave New Zealand early momentum in the first 10 overs. Bates and Plimmer were relentless in their attack, punishing anything loose from the Indian bowlers. However, just as the partnership began to threaten, Deepti Sharma provided…