The JioStar expert also analysed KKR's buys at the auction, saying that getting NZ all-rounder Rachin Ravindra at base price was smart and there is "serious batting power" in the squad.
Pandya's return from a nearly two-month layoff due left quadriceps injury propelled India to a massive 101-run win against South Africa in the opening T20I in Cuttack on Tuesday.
The Indian Premier League's overall brand value declined by 20 per cent to $9.6 billion in 2025 due to lost momentum in the league caused by tensions between India and Pakistan, and teams adjusting to their squad composition post the auction.
Seasoned South African opener Quinton de Kock returned to his old base Mumbai Indians for a base price of Rs 1 crore.
Expect some fireworks for the highly-versatile Cameron Green along with Quinton de Kock, Matheesha Pathirana, Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi.
In keeping with workload management for frontline pacers, spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is also likely to be rested from the three-match ODI series, which carries little significance in the build-up to the T20 showpiece.
Having set the pace with emphatic back-to-back victories, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be eyeing a hat-trick of sorts against star-studded Mumbai Indians in the WPL match at home on Friday.
The right-arm seamer Sen and wicketkeeper-batter Vinod, both were a part of the PBKS side which lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final, did not feature in any of the matches of the 2025 edition.
'The doctors told me had I delayed by even a few hours, the consequences could have been catastrophic.'
Pace bowling all-rounders always come at a premium and therefore, the troika of Green, Venkatesh Iyer and West Indies' Jason Holder, all coming at the highest base price of Rs 2 crore (US$220,000), are set to headline the bidding war.
Powered by the all-round brilliance of Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews, Mumbai Indians head into the Women's Premier League final as favorites to claim their second title, while Delhi Capitals hope to break their title jinx in what promises to be a thrilling showdown in Mumbai on Saturday.
Growing up, he sharpened his skill watching videos of West Indian spinner Sunil Narine and Indian legend Ravichandran Ashwin. He was fortunate to meet Ashwin during a stint with KKR in the IPL.
The franchise chose to retain only former Under-19 World Cup winner Shweta Sehrawat as part of a fresh approach for the upcoming season.
Zaheer Khan is set to leave Mumbai Indians to take up the role of mentor at Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have agreed to trade veteran seamer Mohammed Shami to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
Andre Russell announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League on Sunday ahead of the mini auction, scheduled for December 16, and will join three-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders's coaching staff.
Ignored by the national selectors for T20 set-up, Yashasvi Jaiswal sent another stern reminder to the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee with a blistering 48-ball century as defending champions Mumbai crushed Haryana by four wickets in a high-scoring Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Super League B match, in Ambi, Pune, on Sunday.
Kolkata Knight Riders splashed the cash as they spent a record breaking Rs 25.20 to buy Australian all-rounder Cameron Green.
KKR, CSK to engage in bidding war in IPL mini-auction with big purse in hand
The T20 WC champions will look to enter this phase with clarity of intent as they refine roles, streamline combinations and settle the XI that will carry the weight of expectations in front of home crowds.
The Russians have termed Putin's visit to India, his first to this country since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, as 'Druzhba Dosti', which means 'friendship' in Russian and Hindi respectively.
SMAT: Haryana beat Bengal to enter Super 8s, Punjab also qualify
The seasoned duo of Meg Lanning and Sophie Devine were also among the marquee picks. Giants bought Devine for Rs 2 crore, while UP Warriorz landed Lanning for Rs 1.90 crore.
MI staged a coup on Day 1, by winning the bid for Trent Boult, bringing him back into the fold.
'Players who are playing First-Class cricket throughout the year, they would have had 14 First-Class games potentially with India A games, the Irani Trophy, the Duleep Trophy or even more. So a bit of break in between, switching in the formats is always good.'
Karva Chauth celebrations were in full swing across India, and the wives of cricketers joined in the festivities, sharing glimpses of their special day on social media.
Suryakumar also gave due credit to Rohit Sharma for teaching him the tricks of the leadership trade.
Why did SKY give Bangladesh's fielding coach a hug?
Ahead of the mini-auction, scheduled to be held in Doha on December 26, the 10 franchises have released their list of retained and released players.
The IPL's overall valuation fell by 8 per cent to Rs 76,100 crore in 2025.
Jemimah's success is carved not just from talent and hard work, but from dreams, faith, and an unshakable spirit.
The birthday greetings became a platform for MI fans to voice their discontent over the franchise's decision to replace Rohit as the team's captain for IPL 2024.
Arjun Tendulkar has reportedly been engaged to Saaniya Chandhok, granddaughter of prominent Mumbai-based industrialist Ravi Ghai.
Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya has been fined Rs 30 lakh and suspended from his team's opening match of the next edition of the Indian Premier League for slow over-rate offence for the third time in the competition.
A round-up of Ranji Trophy matches played on Monday.
Karnataka on Tuesday named internationals K L Rahul, Prasidh Krishna, and Karun Nair in the probables list for the upcoming Ranji Trophy season.
MI have six points after playing 11 matches and need to win their next three matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants to bag six points from these games.
Ishan Kishan left everyone in splits with his comical impersonation of Mumbai Indians' bowling coach Lasith Malinga.
'This decision is made by us to embrace a transition phase with the new captain.' 'Let's set aside emotions.'
Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya has been fined Rs 12 lakhs for his team maintaining a slow over rate during their thrilling nine-run victory over Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League.
