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Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), owners of the Mumbai Indians, has secured a 49% stake in the Oval Invincibles after winning a virtual auction on Thursday. This acquisition marks RIL’s entry into a period of exclusivity to negotiate agreements with Surrey, the ECB, and financial advisors before finalizing the purchase. RIL outbid a consortium of Silicon Valley tech executives, including leaders from Google, Microsoft, and Adobe, as well as private equity firm CVC. The Oval Invincibles, two-time champions in the men’s Hundred tournament, become RIL’s sixth franchise, joining Mumbai Indians, MI New York, MI Cape Town, and MI Emirates. Surrey has maintained its commitment to retaining a controlling stake in the Invincibles despite the sale. Chairman Oli Slipper emphasized that retaining control is a “clear red line” for the club. While the exact bid amount remains undisclosed, it is anticipated that the Invincibles will be among the most expensive franchises sold in this round. Other bi...

Shardul Thakur has made headlines in Mumbai’s final Ranji Trophy group stage match against Meghalaya by claiming a sensational hat-trick, leading to a dramatic batting collapse for the visitors. Thakur’s remarkable performance began in the very first over when he dismissed opener Nishanta Chakraborty. He then struck again in the third over, taking three wickets in consecutive deliveries—Anirudh B, Sumit Kumar, and Jaskirat—reducing Meghalaya to a precarious 2/5. This hat-trick marks Thakur as the fifth Mumbai player to achieve this feat in Ranji Trophy history. His impressive bowling figures of 4 overs, 14 runs, and 5 wickets not only showcased his skill but also highlighted his potential for a BCCI Central Contract after being overlooked in 2024. So far this season, he has claimed 17 wickets across seven matches. Mumbai opted to field first after winning the toss, aiming for a decisive victory to secure their place in the knockout stage following an upset loss to Jammu & Kashmir i...

Rohit Sharma has faced significant criticism for his recent performances in Test cricket, particularly following a dismal showing in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he scored just 31 runs across three matches. In light of this, former BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale has openly labeled Rohit as an “average Test player,” contrasting his success in white-ball formats. Jagdale questioned why Rohit hasn’t been dropped, given that players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have faced the axe despite their better records. The controversy intensified when reports emerged that Rohit filed a complaint with the BCCI regarding Sunil Gavaskar’s harsh remarks about his captaincy and form. Gavaskar suggested that if Rohit couldn’t participate fully, he should consider stepping aside for someone else to lead. Jagdale emphasized that the selectors missed an opportunity to appoint a new Test captain during the recent series against Bangladesh. Despite the criticism, Jagdale expressed confidence i...

Smriti Mandhana had a stellar year in One Day Internationals (ODIs) in 2024, establishing herself as the leading run scorer with 747 runs in 13 innings at an impressive average of 57.86. The left-handed opener consistently excelled against formidable opponents, starting the year with back-to-back centuries that propelled India to a 3-0 series victory over South Africa. Mandhana’s remarkable performances continued with a match-defining century in the series decider against New Zealand in October, and she also scored a valiant century in Perth against Australia, despite a losing effort. Her four ODI centuries set a new record for the women’s game, showcasing her ability to perform under pressure. In addition to her runs, Mandhana hit 95 fours and six sixes throughout the year, contributing to an aggressive batting style for India’s top order. Her achievements not only highlight her individual brilliance but also played a crucial role in India’s success on the international stage. Man...

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have been a prominent franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since its inception in 2008, yet they remain without a trophy despite their massive following. Recently, Kuldeep Yadav, a player for the Delhi Capitals, humorously trolled an RCB fan during a football stream. When asked to join RCB as a goalkeeper, Kuldeep quipped, “You don’t need a goalkeeper. You need a trophy. What will you do with a goalkeeper?” RCB has reached the IPL finals three times in 2009, 2011, and 2016 but has failed to secure the title each time. Their inability to clinch the trophy has become a talking point among fans and players alike. Despite their struggles, RCB boasts a strong lineup and continues to be one of the most valuable franchises in the league. Kuldeep Yadav has not played for India since October last year due to injury rehabilitation but remains active in football discussions. His witty remarks highlight the ongoing narrative surrounding RCB’s quest for...

Rohit Sharma's return to domestic cricket has been marked by disappointment, as he continues to struggle with his batting form. In his first Ranji Trophy match since 2015, Rohit managed a mere 3 runs in the first inning, dismissed after facing 19 balls against Jammu and Kashmir's Umar Nazir Mir. His performance drew frustration from fans, many of whom left the stadium shortly after his dismissal, highlighting the growing concern over his form. In the second inning, expectations were high for a turnaround, but Rohit again fell short, scoring only 28 runs. This extended his poor run in the 2024/25 season to an average of just 10.43 across 16 innings, marking the lowest average for an Indian batter in this context since 2006. Rohit’s inability to convert starts into substantial scores has raised questions about his place in the team and his future as a player. His recent performances have not only disappointed fans but also put pressure on his role as captain of the Indian cri...

India triumphed over England by 7 wickets in the first T20I of their five-match series at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. England batted first and struggled significantly, losing wickets early in their innings. They were bowled out for a modest total of 132 runs in 20 overs, with captain Jos Buttler being the standout performer, scoring 68 runs off 44 balls. The Indian bowlers put on a disciplined display, with Varun Chakravarthy taking 3 wickets and Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel each claiming 2 wickets. In response, India chased down the target comfortably, scoring 133 runs in just 12.5 overs. Abhishek Sharma was the star of the innings, smashing a quickfire 79 runs off just 34 balls. Sanju Samson contributed with a solid 26 runs off 20 deliveries. India lost three wickets during their innings, with Suryakumar Yadav being dismissed for a duck. Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya remained not out at the end, scoring 19 and 3 runs respectively. England’s innings was characterized by a ...