Thrust into captaincy for the Sri Lanka tour, Shikhar Dhawan's idea of leadership is all about keeping the flock together and in a good state of mind.
The likes of Devdutt Padikkal, Chetan Sakaria, Nitish Rana, Krishnappa Gowtham, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Varun Chakravarthy earned their maiden India call-up after they impressed in the IPL earlier this year, which was suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Following is the list of players who have been released by the different franchises ahead of the auction for the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League.
Mark Wood and Alzarri Joseph scarred the likes of Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan in Delhi's line-up in the first two games. Now, when these talented but low on confidence willow wielders face an attack comprising Trent Boult, KM Asif and Jason Holder they will have to negotiate speeds of mid-130 kmph.
Electing to bat, India struggled to put up 81 for 8 in their 20 overs against Sri Lanka in the deciding third Twenty20 International, in Colombo, on Thursday.
Ahead of Saturday's event, here's a lowdown of ready references for the auction.
India bowled England out for 218 and cruised to 135/1 in their robust reply to seize early control of the fifth and final test.
Kohli has always led from the front but he knows his search for a maiden title will remain incomplete if the team doesn't perform in all departments.
Suryakumar Yadav gave a befitting reply to the selectors with a magnificent knock with the bat that helped Mumbai Indians outclass Royal Challengers Bangalore by five wickets and all but seal their place in the IPL play-offs.
Purnendu Maji and Srinivas Bhogle list IPL 2021's Most Valuable Players up to Game 21.
The Maharashtra government on Monday cleared the decks for the IPL to take place in COVID-19 ravaged Mumbai, allowing teams to practice after 8pm IST and travel to their respective hotels during the night curfew that has been imposed across the state to contain the pandemic.
IMAGES from the IPL 2022 game between Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rajasthan Royals in Pune on Tuesday.
Images from IPL 2023 match between Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Friday
Ravichandran Ashwin is a legend in his own right but he still needs to think about improvement and bowl the conventional out-break deliveries more frequently, said Rajasthan Royals' Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara.
Both the high-profile openers, Kohli and Faf du Plessis, are big match players and will be itching to make an impact after low returns in the previous game.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the third Test against England?
Guilty of making too many changes at the top, Kolkata Knight Riders will be looking to find a winning combination against Rajasthan Royals and snap their five-match losing streak in the IPL, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, on Monday.
He finished unbeaten on a career-best 78 not out from 52 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes, putting on a match-turning stand of 111 runs with Maxwell, who stroked 51 not out from 33 balls.
Royal Challengers Bangalore's head coach Simon Katich and Director of Cricket Operations Mike Hesson backed Virat Kohli to stay as the captain despite yet another IPL heartbreak and the criticism around it.
Delhi Capitals and India all-rounder Axar Patel has rejoined his Indian Premier League side after staying in a medical care facility in Mumbai for nearly three weeks following a positive test result for COVID-19.
Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer slammed blistering half-centuries as Rajasthan Royals outclassed Gujarat Titans by three wickets.
Pacer Mohammed Siraj bagged his maiden 10-wicket haul as India 'A' beat South Africa 'A' by a comprehensive innings and 30 runs after stiff resistance from the middle order on the final day of the first 'Test'.
Both Avesh and Washington sustained their injuries while turning up for County XI in the first-class warm-up game against their own side. This was done after multiple players in the home team were ruled out either due to injury or because of COVID-19 isolation.
When AB de Villiers is in full flow, no target is beyond him. Rajasthan Royals discovered it the hard way when de Villiers came up with an incredible exhibition of strokeplay in the death overs to take Royal Challengers Bangalore to a seven-wicket victory from a difficult position.
Saurashtra secured a place in the Ranji Trophy final for the fifth time in the history of the tournament, defeating Karnataka
'If Hardik doesn't bowl, it disturbs the balance of the side hugely'
The Indian Premier League match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore in Ahmedabad on Monday has been rescheduled after two KKR members test positive for COVID-19.
A summary of Ranji matches played on Wednesday.
Kane Williamson made the difference as he finished unbeaten on a splendid 50 from 44 balls, putting on an unbroken stand of 65 runs with Jason Holder (24) to steer Sunrisers to a hard-fought victory in a difficult run chase.
Bengal snatched an exciting one wicket win against Tamil Nadu to earn six points in a Ranji Trophy Group B match at the M A Chidambaram stadium in Chennai on Saturday.
Former India opener Virender Sehwag there can't be a better 'mentor' than Dhoni when it comes to young players, who are a bit introvert and need someone to guide them as they try to express themselves on the field.
Two wrist-spinners, who are currently dominating the bowling charts will be itching to show their wares
Sunrisers Hyderabad's pace sensation Umran Malik clocked 152.95kph to bowl the fastest delivery of IPL 2021, during their match against Royal Challengers Bangalore in, Abu Dhabi, on Wednesday.
Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell was scoring at a good pace and his runout was probably the turning point of their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, said Royal Challengers Bangalore Director of Cricket Operations Mike Hesson.
IMAGES from the IPL 2022 game between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals, in Navi Mumbai, on Saturday
Images from Monday's IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders, in Sharjah.
Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli says impressive middle overs bowling and staying fearless during the game's crucial moments contributed to the team's fine run in this edition of the Indian Premier League.
A round-up of Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy matches played on Sunday
