A look ahead to the auction, highlighting a few significant trends that could be in play at the event

Nagraj Gollapudi23-Nov-202412:15

Pant? Rahul? Which Indian player will get the big bucks at the auction?

Will there be a 25-crore buy?

Following the record bids at the IPL 2024 mini auction by KKR and SRH to buy the Australian pair of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins respectively, there is an anticipation that the INR 25-crore ceiling might be broken this time.There are two likely reasons this could happen. Firstly, Rishabh Pant. Pant is listed in the first set of marquee players that will ring in the auction on Sunday. He will be among the most sought-after players because several teams are on the lookout for an Indian captain-cum-wicketkeeper. Pant is the first big-name India player to come up in an auction in a long time, and the expectation is that the teams with the biggest purses – PBKS (INR 110.5 crore), RCB (INR 83 crore) and LSG (INR 69 crore) – will bid for him.Then there is DC (INR 73 crore), the franchise Pant played for since 2016 and led since 2021 until last season. Pant opted to head to the auction after retention talks with DC failed, which he recently clarified had nothing to do with money. DC still have the option to buy him back as they have two right-to-match (RTM) options available. And it is the modified RTM rule that might just escalate the bids.

How will the modified RTM rule impact the bidding?

When it has been used in the past, the RTM option allowed franchises to buy back a player by simply matching the price at which that player was sold at the auction. But in the modified RTM rule, which will be in play at this mega auction, if the previous franchise wants to use the RTM card, the franchise that makes the final bid will be given an additional opportunity to raise their bid. In case that happens, the original franchise will need to match that bid using the RTM card to secure the player.Related

• Iyer, Pant, Rahul among marquee players to kick off auction

• IPL retention FAQs: What is the modified RTM rule?

• Pant, Starc, Rahul and others in line to earn big

• England players in the auction: Five things to look out for

For example, say any franchise apart from DC has made a final bid of INR 18 crore for Pant. DC decide to use the RTM. The other franchise then decides to hike their final bid to INR 25 crore. DC, to buy back Pant, will need to match that price or lose out.Officials at franchises have pointed out that the new RTM rule gives no assurance that a team can get back a player at a fair price. Consequently, several franchises have retained at least five, or in the case of KKR and RR, the maximum of six players.ESPNcricinfo has learnt that a few franchises suspect the RTM rule is also responsible for some big-name players opting to head to the auction after receiving an assurance from another franchise that they would be paid a bigger price.

Impact Player – a hot buy

The Impact Player rule was a significant factor in record totals being smashed in IPL 2024. Most Impact Players were predominantly Indian. Many of those were also uncapped. In 2023, Dhruv Jurel announced himself initially as an Impact Player at RR. In 2024, the success of Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma at PBKS, or the massive INR 8.4 crore CSK paid acquire power-hitter Sameer Rizvi, were examples of how seriously franchises were paying attention to having a player who can be earmarked as the Impact Player.Sameer Rizvi could get a lot of attention at the mega auction•BCCIThis time around, too, franchises will be on the lookout for uncapped Indian names for the role. A few players that could potentially attract a significant bid include Ashutosh and Rizvi, who are back at the auction, Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter Robin Minz, and Karnataka batter Abhinav Manohar.

Uncapped players that could attract strong bids

The quality and importance of uncapped Indian players have grown as franchises have been investing in scouting and in helping these players grow. Importantly, the players are now looked at from a long-term perspective. The success stories of Rinku Singh (KKR) and Tilak Varma (MI) are the two recent examples of uncapped players graduating into top performers, who now play for India.In addition to the names listed for Impact Player role, here’s a short list of uncapped players who are likely to fetch strong bids at this auction: Harpreet Brar, Nehal Wadhera, Anshul Kamboj, Rasikh Salam, Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Gurjapneet Singh.

The two-match series is due to take place next August with venues in northern Queensland also in the running to host

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff29-Aug-2025Darwin is in the box seat to host its first Test in 22 years with Cricket Australia keen to split next year’s Bangladesh tour between the Territory and North Queensland.Players are understood to have been impressed with international cricket’s return to Darwin this month, as part of the white-ball series against South Africa.More winter internationals are scheduled for next year with Australia set to host a two-Test series against Bangladesh which is part of the World Test Championship (WTC) in the Top End. Mackay, Cairns, Townsville and Darwin all loom as options to host, which would double as the first winter Tests in Australia since 2004.But Darwin is the most likely to secure one of those Tests with Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg keen to spread the series across more than one state.”Ideally [we will],” Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said. “We want to make sure we continue to play cricket in lots of different locations, so the next generation of kids can see their stars.”I spent some time with the Chief Minister there and they’ve got a strong appetite for more cricket, as have we, to play more cricket there. The conditions up there are amazing when you take out the biggest variable we have in cricket, which is weather, and you have nothing to worry about.”The Bangladesh Tests had originally been scheduled for March 2027 but the 150th anniversary contest between Australia and England at the MCG has meant the series needed to be moved. Afghanistan had been due to tour Australia next July and August for a one-off Test and three T20Is, but CA has suspended bilateral cricket with them.Darwin last hosted Tests against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in 2003 and 2004 respectively, before largely falling off the cricket calendar for the past two decades.Australia A played out two draws in unofficial Tests against Sri Lanka A in the city in July, before this month’s T20Is against South Africa at TIO Stadium.Mackay looms as the more modern regional venue in Queensland with the Great Barrier Reef Arena upgraded in 2023 and having hosted regular WBBL matches.Players were also buoyed by the wickets in the T20I and ODI against South Africa there this month, which doubled as Australia’s first men’s internationals there.A Test would be the first in Mackay’s history with Cairns having previously hosted two in the early 2000s before last week’s ODIs in the northernmost city. Townsville is the other option after hosting ODIs in 2022, but issues such as lighting have seen it drop behind Cairns and Mackay as an option in recent years.A match at any Queensland venue would also count as the state’s Test for the 2026-27 summer, given the Gabba has missed out on a red-ball match with the touring New Zealand.CA is open to the idea of more winter internationals in the Top End, as a way of extending the season and easing the load on the main part of the summer.”We had such good support [in the white-ball games], we were sold out in almost every stadium we played in,” Greenberg said. “Playing on each of the shoulder parts of the season [works].  Our Australian women’s team will play a Test match in mid-March in Perth this year. International cricket is played 12 months of the year.”

Tottenham Hotspur’s latest defeat against Chelsea in the Premier League was one of the worst of the Thomas Frank era, with the fans starting to get frustrated after the latest showing.

The Dane’s side have huge expectations to impress, especially after their European triumph last season and £100m+ spending spree sanctioned by the hierarchy.

However, his men fell to a 1-0 defeat against their city rivals last night, producing a measly xG of just 0.05 – the lowest in the club’s top-flight history since records began.

Such a result was the third time the Lilywhites fell to a defeat in the league, with all their losses coming on home soil – showcasing the struggles endured over the last few weeks.

However, one player massively failed to deliver in North London, which has led to numerous supporters voicing their concern over the form of one first-team member.

The stats behind Xavi Simons’ struggles at Spurs

Xavi Simons joined Spurs in a £52m transfer during the summer transfer window, with real expectations from the fanbase to provide the needed quality in the number ten position.

The Dutch international’s tally of 19 combined goals and assists last campaign only fuelled the excitement in North London, but his form over recent weeks has been nothing short of embarrassing.

He’s made a total of 12 appearances across all competitions to date, but he’s only been able to notch a single assist and has yet to find the back of the net since his big-money transfer.

Simons was named as a substitute for the defeat against Chelsea, but he was called upon just minutes into the encounter after Lucas Bergvall suffered a concussion.

He featured for a total of 66 minutes, but was hugely wasteful with the ball at his feet – as seen by his tally of 14 times possession lost from his total of 55 touches.

The 22-year-old also only registered two passes into the final third, subsequently failing to create any chances for his teammates – further showcasing his lack of impact against the Blues.

As a result of his showing, Simons was subsequently substituted in the 73rd minute, with the Dutchman enduring a moment to forget after being replaced despite being brought on himself.

However, despite the showing from the attacker midfielder, one of his teammates also had an evening to forget, with the talent now needing to be on borrowed time under Frank.

The Spurs star who should be on borrowed time under Frank

The 17th-placed Premier League finish under Ange Postecoglou last season was unacceptable for Spurs supporters and understandably so, given the huge money spent in recent years.

Frank has been the man tasked with turning the ship around in North London, with the Dane’s side showing glimpses but often letting dismal displays get the better of them.

Their tally of three league defeats in just five top-flight matches showcases the problem at present, especially considering their unbeaten record away from home – which is the best record of any side in the division.

It’s becoming apparent that the 51-year-old is still unsure of his best starting eleven, with numerous different partnerships being utilised within attacking areas of the pitch.

The centre-forward department has been one that has been brought into question, with the central midfield area also one that’s up in the air, as seen by Simons’ lack of form.

Rodrigo Bentancur is just one of the Lilywhites players who has been a regular starter since Frank’s arrival – as seen by his tally of eight starts in the first ten outings in the Premier League.

The Uruguayan international was selected to start against Chelsea alongside Joao Palhinha in a deeper role, with the duo often struggling to feature alongside one another.

However, the former of the duo once again failed to deliver in North London, showcasing why he should be on borrowed time under the current management team.

The 28-year-old featured for just an hour of the defeat, even being lucky not to have seen red for his ankle-high and late challenge on Blues star Reece James.

During his display, he only achieved a total of 39 touches, losing the ball on nine occasions – matching Simons in being wasteful when in possession in North London.

He also failed to complete any of his attempted dribbles, and was unable to create any chances – further showcasing his inability to impress with the ball at his feet.

Minutes played

60

Touches

39

Passes completed

83%

Possession lost

9x

Dribbles completed

0

Chances created

0

Interceptions made

1

Duels lost

50%

Out of possession, he was just as ineffective, only making one interception and losing 50% of the duels he entered – leading to one journalist describing him as “terrible”.

After such a showing, it must be clear to Frank that he can’t rely upon Bentancur to produce the goods in midfield – especially in a trio with Palhinha and Simons alongside him.

He must be on borrowed time in North London, with the manager needing to consider other options at the heart of the side if they’re to be successful and transform their dismal home form.

As bad as Simons: Frank must drop Spurs dud who lost the ball 23 times

Tottenham Hotspur laboured to a dismal 1-0 defeat against Chelsea.

3 ByMatt Dawson Nov 2, 2025

It was raw, it was visceral, and it may well become the defining image of this Border-Gavaskar series

Alagappan Muthu07-Dec-20245:02

Head: ‘Disappointed with my reaction but also going to stand up for myself’

At 6.51 pm in Adelaide, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy took a back seat to a cheap, and therefore very human, thrill. Mohammed Siraj had just picked up a wicket. India have roamed all over this planet in search of it. London. Ahmedabad. Here. So it wasn’t relief the bowler felt when he picked it up. It was something more.Siraj punched down on the air with both fists. He screamed. And as the batter was walking off, with 140 off 141 against his name, Siraj averted his eyes, as if he was sick of the sight of him. If he had stopped there, it would have all been fine. But he sent him off. Twice.Related

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South Australia is not the place to be seen working against Travis Head. He is one of their own and he is everywhere. He is on their buses inviting them to the BBL. He is on their shirts. He is, forever, sitting on that olive green chair, wearing his ODI World Cup winner’s medal, flashing those double finger guns.”Booooooooooooooooooo.” One single syllable from the throats of 51,642 people sounds a little like a Roman amphitheatre. And these guys have had a lot of practice backing up their players, and pulling down their rivals. Aussie Rules Football takes care of that. Back in the day, the Victorian team would arrive into the airport to signs and T-shirts that said “Kick a Vic” over a picture of Football Park.Author and football historian Francis Doherty told , “That parochial South Australian Football Park crowd, if you’ve ever been there and experienced it first-hand, it’s probably one of the most parochial crowds if not the most scary place [for] an opposition supporter to be, in the whole of Australia.”Mohammed Siraj sends off Travis Head in front of his adoring home crowd•Getty ImagesIndia were behind enemy lines. When Mitchell Starc came out as the new batter and hit Siraj for four first ball, the crowd, too busy getting on the bowler’s case as he ran up, were caught unawares. This time the roar was illegible. Two emotions stitched into one.”Boooooooooooyyyaaaaaaaaayyyyyy”Siraj spent that whole over being public enemy No. 1. When it ended, Harshit Rana and Rishabh Pant came over to congratulate him on taking the wicket, to remind him that he had done a good thing.Siraj was preparing to go down to deep third and prepare to field. The boos rang out again, getting steadily louder with every step he took towards the rope. India heard it and pulled him up to field at point. South Australians aren’t the only ones who know how to get behind their man. All of this happened at the back end of a period where India were losing control of the game. There were even a few torturous minutes where their biggest hope to win this series, Jasprit Bumrah, went down clutching his groin and needed several minutes’ attention from three different people to be set right enough to bowl again. There were dropped catches. There were edges that flew into gaps because slip was too wide. The second ball with the new ball had produced a play and miss from Head where his feet retreated to leg and his hands hung outside off and the hundred that he was on looked like a typo.The hometown hero soaks in Adelaide Oval’s adulation•Getty ImagesIndia’s plan was to stay in the game on Saturday; to be careful and balance attack with defence. But every time they run into Head, it seems they just can’t do anything right. When the entire country was still heaving a sigh of relief at seeing Bumrah back on his feet, Head was busy depositing him for four wide of mid-on.Rana in Perth did the impossible and recorded possibly the first instance of an Indian fast bowler actually enjoying beating Head’s outside edge because this time the ball didn’t just wobble on through to the keeper, it crashed into off stump. Rana in Adelaide (16-2-86-0, economy rate 5.37) was flogged all over the park. Head and Marnus Labuschagne hit him for three fours in an over each. And they were really playing the same shot over and over.India bowling coach Morne Morkel felt there were other options that the team could have taken once they fell behind in the game. “I felt as soon as the ball got a little bit softer this afternoon in terms of maybe going defensive, more defensive for a longer period of time, it was maybe an option to consider, but we want to play that aggressive brand of cricket and credit to Travis, I don’t want to take anything away from a great hundred. He really put us under pressure and he got the runs.”Head also got the crowd back on Australia’s side and his send-off gave the fast bowlers one more reason to run in that little bit harder at India in the night session. At 6.51 pm, this Border-Gavaskar Trophy might just have got its defining moment. This series may just feel a whole lot different going forward.