As the 16th edition of the glitzy Indian Premier League is set to unfold, let's take a look at the driving force of the T20 league and what's in store in this edition.
In other big movements, Punjab Kings have released their last edition's captain Mayank Agarwal, while West Indies skipper Nicholas Pooran was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Even as rain continued unabated spectators were glued to their seats hoping the downpour will subside and the evening's proceedings, to be hosted by Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan, will get underway. Finally, it did.
How the IPL teams have shaped up after the auction.
Kings XI Punjab will be led by KL Rahul this year, and Kumble is well aware of the qualities of the Karnataka-born batsman having seen him from childhood.
The skipper is one win away from equalling an Indian record.
SunRisers Hyderabad has the biggest purse while Kolkata Knight Riders has the slimmest purse.
As in all successful comebacks, strong leadership will be key for the Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals.
A look at how the teams stack up ahead of the mega auction.
CSK, led by India's 2011 World Cup-winning skipper Dhoni has found MI a hard nut to crack at their den and Fleming acknowledged the huge challenge his star-studded side faced.
Chennai Super Kings will look to continue their winning streak when they lock horns with Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL), in Mohali, on Sunday.
India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Ranchi Rhinos' have retained most of the players.
Veteran Karnataka medium pacer R Vinay Kumar, who also represented India and led his state team to successive Ranji Trophy titles, on Friday announced his retirement from international and first-class cricket.
Continuity is an important aspect of squad building, said Fleming.
The cricketing world on Thursday gave Indian batsman Rohit Sharma's outstanding knock of 264 against Sri Lanka a standing ovation, with the Mumbai lad's innings propelling his team to a 153-run win.
IPL 2021 had many moments that made the tournament more special and fans asking for more.
With Yuvraj Singh's injury-forced ouster disturbing their settled line-up, India have been left with a selection dilemma to handle as they gear up to take on the flamboyant and unpredictable West Indies in what promises to be a battle of nerves in the World Twenty20 semifinal in Mumbai on Thursday. Yuvraj, who has not got big runs but was involved in crucial stands with top performer Virat Kohli during the group stage matches, has been ruled out owing to an ankle injury that he sustained in the must-win game against Australia. Manish Pandey, not in the original 15, has been penciled in to replace the all-rounder in the squad although Ajinkya Rahane is also present as a viable alternative. But it remains to be seen whether skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni chooses between the two or decides to go with rookie all-rounder Pawan Negi.
The second World Twenty20 semi-final is likely to hinge on who emerges on top in the battle between the big-hitting West Indian batsmen and India's wily spinners when the former champions clash at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.
Former India left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha, who recently drew curtains on his international career, is keen to compete in T20 Leagues abroad and will seek the Board of Control for Cricket in India's permission for exploring the options.
'If you bowl a no ball and get a wicket off that no ball, then there is no one else to blame.'
'I know that the CSK squad is deep, they've got a lot of options at the top, but I also believe that as much as the pressure is now on to find that No. 3, it's just probably the most challenging time that I can look for anyway for CSK.'
A potential conflict of interest situation could have played in Dhoni's mind when he decided to quit, report Sai Manish and N Sundaresha Subramanian.
This year's IPL was action-packed and Redifff.com reloads some of the memorable moments, in pictures, from this year's competition.
Coach Stephen Fleming said that the planning for next season will start after Mahendra Singh Dhoni is back from the World Cup.
Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming has pointed out that six final appearances from the eight seasons speak of his side's consistency, and their loss to Mumbai Indians in the final of the Indian Premier League is not down to the mind.
Three different invitations were sent out for the wedding and the receptions with top-run guests being sent a large red box that contained an intricate chest incorporating a mini silver temple featuring gold idols of various Hindu deities, including Lord Ganesh, Radha-Krishna, and Goddess Durga.
After winning the hearts of Indian cricket fans, Virat Kohli seems to be the new talking point in tinsel town as well now. Ace Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan seems to be in awe of the Indian batting sensation. Talking about Kohli's ever-growing popularity, Abhishek said, "He is doing great things for the country. He is super-fit and is currently doing more advertisements than all of us combined." Kohli and Abhishek shared the stage with India batsman Ajkinkya Rahane and actor Arjun Kapoor to announce the charity football match to be played between cricket stars and Bollywood personalities on June 4 in Andheri Sports Complex, suburban Mumbai.
'He has led India to wins in the World T20, the World Cup and the Champions Trophy. Which other captain in the world can boast of such a record?' 'And if it is about form, then Virat Kohli isn't in the best of form. Neither is Shikhar Dhawan. So what do you do? Drop them all?'
Rising Pune Supergiant look to build on gains against Kings XI Punjab.
India opener Rohit Sharma, who hit 441 runs in five matches with two centuries, is the MVP of the recently-concluded ODI series against Australia, ahead of Virat Kohli and Steve Smith.
The Indian cricket team, led by Virat Kohli, departed from Mumbai on Sunday for the Asia Cup competition to be played in Bangladesh starting on February 25.
Once again harping on the "process" after India's embarrassing 214-run loss against South Africa in the fifth and final ODI, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni insisted that issues need to be addressed soon to get the national cricket team in order.
Former captain Sunil Gavaskar gave a thumbs up to the selection committee's decision to reward the domestic players while naming a new-look India squad for the upcoming limited overs series in Zimbabwe.
The cricketing fraternity took to Twitter to react to the roller coaster finale following an eventful IPL season which produced some unprecedented moments on the field.
Former opener Virender Sehwag on Saturday questioned the Indian team's decision to bench Rishabh Pant during the ongoing five-match T20 International series in New Zealand and wondered if skipper Virat Kohli is properly communicating with the youngster. The 22-year-old Pant has not featured in any match for India since being concussed by a Pat Cummins bouncer during the Mumbai ODI against Australia in January.
An incredible innings of 95 not out from Jos Buttler kept Rajasthan Royals's play-off hopes alive as they edged past Chennai Super Kings by four wickets.
Bollywood didn't have a good IPL season.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is a stickler for processes and there are a few basic rules that he follows while preparing for big matches.
Chennaiyin FC produced a clinical performance and pumped in goals in the second half to thrash Mumbai City FC 3-0 to consolidate their position at the top of the table in Indian Super League at the DY Patil Stadium.
'I don't see him as a shrewd captain. I don't see him as a tactful captain (tactician). And he hasn't won the IPL. So ultimately, a captain is only as good as his record'
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