Lalit Modi, the founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has expressed strong support for Saudi Arabia’s potential investment in the IPL. Modi, a veteran businessman, suggested the possibility of establishing a second-tier league with 20 teams. Significantly, he disclosed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not communicated with him for the last 15 years, as they banned him in 2013.

The success of the IPL has attracted international interest, with reports indicating discussions between advisers of Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Indian officials about transforming the IPL into a holding company. If the Saudi investment materializes, it is expected to significantly enhance the league’s popularity.

While there is no official confirmation of Saudi Arabia’s interest in the IPL, Lalit Modi remains optimistic about the potential investment. Despite his lifetime ban by the BCCI, he proposes the establishment of a second-tier league featuring 20 teams.

Modi also shared his perspective on the future of cricket formats.

“I believe 50-over ODIs are fading away. I don’t see any real purpose in them; they seem to exist just for the sake of it. The true significance lies in Test cricket. A four-day Test, or even a five-day one, especially a day/night Test, holds value because people lack the time from morning to evening. With a day/night Test, fans have the opportunity to attend the game after work hours,” Lalit said RevSportz.

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An IPL official announced that the 2024 season’s auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL) will occur in Dubai on December 19, marking the first instance of holding the auction outside India. The IPL official stated that the decision to host the auction in Dubai due to concerns about hotel availability during the wedding season.

Teams have received notification of the extension of the player retention deadline to November 26, deviating from the typical November 15 cutoff. This move provides franchises with additional time to finalize their player retention strategies for the upcoming season.

Significantly, all 10 IPL teams will now have a purse of Rs 100 crore. It is a notable increase from the previous auction’s Rs 95 crore. This enhancement offers teams greater financial flexibility in their preparations for the upcoming auction.

Mumbai Indians made the first trade ahead of the 2024 season. In a cash deal worth INR 50 lakh, Mumbai acquired West Indies’ fast-bowling all-rounder Romario Shepherd from Lucknow Super Giants. Renowned for his all-round abilities, the 28-year-old Shepherd excels in both bowling and batting.

Shepherd’s impressive T20I record includes 301 runs in 31 matches at an average of 37.62, with a strike rate of 153.57. Mumbai Indians will be Shepherd’s third IPL franchise. He had previously played for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2022 and the Lucknow Super Giants in 2023.

In the IPL 2023 season, Mumbai Indians finished fourth in the points table, with eight wins in 14 matches. Their journey ended with a defeat to Gujarat Titans in the second eliminator after overcoming Lucknow Super Giants in the first.

Fans and teams are excited about the IPL auction in Dubai. They eagerly await the strategies that will shape the rosters for the season.

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Romario Shepherd has been traded to four time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) during the ongoing trading window ahead of the Indian Premier League 2024.

Shepherd, who has been a part of 4 matches, with Lucknow Super Giants and Sunrisers Hyderabad, joined the Mumbai based franchise for INR 50 Lakh.

Rohit Sharma-led team reached the knockout stage in the last season. However, they failed to qualify for the final, with Chennai Super Kings beating Gujarat Titans in the mega clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

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MS Dhoni has recovered from his knee surgery but he is still way behind match fitness. The veteran hasn’t touched the bat since leading Chennai Super Kings to fifth title in the Indian Premier League in 2023.

He was seen hobbling during the last season of the league and was in discomfort while batting. Dhoni didn’t promote himself in the batting order due to his fitness issues.

Meanwhile, he is trying his best to get fit for the Indian Premier League 2024. The Chennai based franchise needs him to defend the title.

“I am trying my best to play in IPL 2024, just had knee surgery, if everything goes well then definitely,” he said.

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Chennai Super Kings’ captain, MS Dhoni, has recently given a crucial update on his knee injury and hinted at his future with the team in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The World Cup-winning skipper, who led CSK to victory in the IPL 2023, faced challenges due to a nagging knee injury that impacted his batting performance. Following the team’s fifth IPL title win, Dhoni underwent knee surgery and has now shared positive news about his recovery.

Speaking at an event in Bengaluru on October 26, the 42-year-old cricketer revealed that he is progressing well in his rehabilitation. Medical professionals assure him that he will feel significantly better by November. Dhoni emphasized that there are no complications in his day-to-day routine, expressing confidence in his successful recovery.

Addressing his future plans, Dhoni confirmed his commitment to return to the IPL in 2024. He had previously put an end to speculations about retirement after guiding CSK to their fifth league championship.

In a statement at the Narendra Modi Stadium after CSK’s victory over Gujarat Titans in May, Dhoni stated that he would be back.

“In the current situation, it’s the right time to declare retirement. The simple choice for me is to express gratitude and retire. However, the love I’ve received from CSK fans makes playing one more season a special gift for them,” he said.

While discussing his career, Dhoni reiterated that his primary goal was not to be solely recognized as a skilled cricketer. Instead, he consistently emphasized the importance of leaving a legacy as a decent human being.

“From the beginning, my focus was not on being remembered solely as a good cricketer. I consistently expressed my desire to be remembered as a good human being. Achieving that involves a lifelong process,” he concluded.

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Rajasthan Royals (RR) have welcomed Shane Bond as their new fast bowling and assistant coach, confirming the appointment on Monday, October 23. The former New Zealand cricketing legend, who previously served as the bowling coach for the New Zealand national team from 2012 to 2015, brings a wealth of experience to the table.

During his tenure with the Kiwis, Bond played a crucial role in guiding the team to the 2015 World Cup final. Following his success on the international stage, the 48-year-old took on the role of coach at Mumbai Indians in 2015, where he remained until the conclusion of the 2023 season. His coaching stint with Mumbai Indians contributed to the development of prominent bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult.

Bond’s appointment at Rajasthan Royals follows the departure of Lasith Malinga, who served as the team’s coach for two seasons. The franchise’s decision to bring in Bond reflects their commitment to strengthening their coaching staff.

“I’m thrilled to join the Royals. It’s a forward-thinking team set on success, and I’m excited to be part of their vision. The bowling group has a fantastic blend of youth and experience, and it’ll be fantastic to collaborate with them,” Bond said.

Apart from his involvement in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Bond has also made significant contributions to the coaching staff of Big Bash League franchises. He served as the assistant coach for Brisbane Heat in 2015 and later took on the role of head coach for Sydney Thunder in 2018.

Hailing from Christchurch, Bond represented the BlackCaps in 18 Tests and 82 ODIs, amassing an impressive record of 234 wickets during his international cricket career. Shane Bond’s rich experience and coaching prowess are anticipated to positively impact the Rajasthan Royals’ bowling unit

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On October 18, Mumbai Indians officially ended their successful 9-year collaboration with coach Shane Bond. The former New Zealand fast bowler, who joined the team in 2015, played a pivotal role in nurturing the bowling talents of the five-time Indian Premier League champions.

Bond, who also served as the head coach of MI Emirates in the inaugural ILT20, departed as Lasith Malinga took over the role of bowling coach for IPL 2024 in August.

“Mumbai Indians announce that Shane Bond’s successful tenure, which started in 2015, has ended after a 9-year stint with the team,” the IPL franchise’s announcement said.

Throughout his tenure, Mumbai Indians clinched titles in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020, establishing Bond as one of the franchise’s most celebrated coaches. Players such as Jasprit Bumrah credited Bond for shaping the early stages of their fast-bowling careers.

In his parting note, Bond expressed gratitude to the Ambani family, players, and fans.

“I’d want to express my gratitude to the Ambani family for giving me the chance to be a member of MI One Family for the past nine seasons. With so many wonderful experiences both on and off the field, it has been an amazing experience. I’ve had the good fortune to work and develop close bonds with a lot of wonderful people, players, and staff. All of them will be missed, and I hope the best for them in the future. Finally, I want to thank MI Paltan for their assistance,” the former Kiwi pacer said.

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Former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni continues to captivate not only cricket fans but also notable figures from various domains. Recently, a viral photograph surfaced featuring Dhoni alongside Ram Charan, a prominent name in the Telugu film industry. Shared on Instagram by Seemanth Lohani, Dhoni’s childhood friend and business partner, the picture sparked speculation among fans.

Although the details of the meeting were undisclosed, some users suggested that the duo might have met in Mumbai for a potential ad shoot. Adding fuel to the speculations was a post by Aalim Hakim, a celebrity hairstylist who recently gave Dhoni a makeover. Hakim, in an Instagram caption expressing admiration for the CSK captain, hinted at a shoot for an ad film.

If Hakim’s revelation holds, it implies that MS Dhoni and Ram Charan might have collaborated on a promotional film. The Pepsi ad they collaborated on in 2010 struck gold, becoming a massive hit. Fans now eagerly await a possible reunion, fueled by the anticipation of their earlier success. In a viral pic, Dhoni, donned in a blue polo t-shirt, stands beside Ram Charan, both sharing smiles with Seemanth Lohani.

A viral video also captures Dhoni interacting with fans in a hotel, drawing attention not just for the meeting but also for his new hairstyle. Dhoni has revived his iconic long hair, reminiscent of his early career days. Aalim Hakim, enthralled by the buzz, urged Dhoni to maintain this look for the next IPL.

Reflecting on Dhoni’s hair journey, after India’s ODI World Cup triumph in 2011, he shocked fans by shaving off his head. The Times of India later reported that Dhoni chose to go bald as he fulfilled a religious commitment made to the Balaji temple in Tirupati.

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Mitchell Starc has confirmed that he will give his name for IPL 2024 auction as he wants to end his 8-year absence from the tournament.

He is estimated to have missed more than $10m-plus in personal earnings by not competing in the best T20 event of the world.

Starc has been hit by injuries and the veteran has also prioritised international cricket and family life over the cash rich league.

“I will definitely return to the Indian Premier League next year,” Starc told the Willow Talk cricket podcast.

“It is going to be a great lead up to the ICC T20 World Cup in 2024. It is a good opportunity to see if anyone is interested. The winter will be quiet next year as compared to 2023. It is a perfect opportunity for me to give my name for the auction,” he added.

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Lasith Malinga’s return to the Mumbai Indians (MI) team marks an exciting development. He is all set to make a comeback as the fast bowling coach for MI in IPL in 2024.

The news of Malinga’s return includes the information that he will assume the role previously occupied by Shane Bond, who is scheduled to depart from MI following an impressive nine-year tenure

Lasith Malinga had previously been a key player for MI, gracing the team from 2008 to 2020. During his time on the pitch, he made quite a mark by becoming the highest wicket-taker in the IPL tournament.

An impressive tally of 170 wickets in 122 IPL matches put him in the joint-sixth position for the most wickets taken in the T20 league. His remarkable journey culminated with his retirement in 2021.

Subsequently, the Sri Lankan cricket legend embarked on a new phase in his career. He joined the Rajasthan Royals (RR) as their pace-bowling coach for the IPL campaigns in 2022 and 2023. While RR managed to reach the finals in 2022, narrowly losing to eventual champions Gujarat Titans, their performance in the 2023 season was less noteworthy, finishing fifth in the points table and missing out on the knockout stage.

Malinga’s association with MI had been laden with success, as he clinched four IPL trophies with the team in the years 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019. Unfortunately, he was unable to participate in the 2020 season due to certain constraints. Furthermore, he added to MI’s glory by contributing to their victory in the Champions League T20 tournament in 2011.

According to ESPNCricinfo, this will be Malinga’s second stint with MI in a supporting role. In 2018, the towering fast bowler had served as their mentor, briefly stepping away from active play. He resumed his playing career a year later.

In his upcoming role as the fast bowling coach, the 39-year-old Malinga aims to nurture and refine the raw bowling talents within MI’s ranks. This will include players like Akash Madhwal, who demonstrated commendable performance in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah during IPL 2023.

The 2023 season showcased the prominence of only two MI bowlers who managed to secure more than 10 wickets. Akash Madhwal took 14 wickets in eight games, while Jason Behrendorff claimed 14 wickets in 12 games.

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