India's batting ace Yuvraj Singh commanded the highest price, Royal Challengers Bangalore paying a massive 14 crore for him, while Dinesh Karthik was a surprise pick at 12.5 crore by Delhi Daredevils.
The series is out of bounds but Indian cricket is all set to enter a new era under the feisty Virat Kohli, whose leadership would be put through a trial by fire when the visitors seek redemption in the fourth and final Test against Australia starting in Sydney on Tuesday.
The top order failed to fire in difficult conditions, but the bowlers stood out, not only performing with the ball but scoring vital runs as well.
A Delhi court on Friday extended till July 24 the judicial custody of nine accused, including former Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal's nephew Vijay Singla, who have been arrested in connection with the Rs 10 crore railway bribery case.
A clutch of Indian stars led by India and Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli are either sidelined or ruled out of this edition of the tournament, lessening the wow factor of the IPL.
India skipper Virat Kohli said critics cannot now question his team's ability to force a draw from tough situations as he dug his heels and led the side to a draw in the series-opener, in Rajkot on Sunday.
Ravindra Jadeja, who was ignored for the ODI series against New Zealand, made a statement with an unbeaten 150 for Saurashtra on the first day of their Group B match against Jammu and Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy.
Former India opener Virender Sehwag offers a straight bat on the best batsmen in contemporary cricket, IPL team Kings XI Punjab, of which he is mentor, and why he is comfortable doing cricket commentary. Harish Kotian/Rediff.com listens in.
The result in the first Test against Australia was expected, if one takes a look at India's recent, or overall, record overseas. What was unexpected, though, says Bikash Mohapatra, was the Virat Kohli-led side's change of attitude.
Captain Virat Kohli on Saturday made it clear that fighting spirit alone cannot make up for India's poor bowling, which needs to improve 'big time'.
'With India's bowling so poor, there will be extra pressure on the batsmen to score more runs. The Indian team, which nonchalantly scores 300/350 runs in ODIs at home, has had problems making even 200/250 runs in Australia.'
England's James Anderson is the first fast bowler to take 600 Test wickets.
From Rohit Sharma's record breaking double century in One-Day Internationals, the team's never-ending woes in overseas Tests, to the controversy surrounding Board of Control for Cricket in India's president-in-exile Narayanswami Srinivasan over the Indian Premier League spot-fixing scandal, Indian cricket had the good, bad and ugly in equal measure in 2014.
On paper, Kolkata Knight Riders are overwhelming favourites against King's XI Punjab.
It was batters who mostly lead their teams to victories and some into the knock-outs. While Mumbai trailblazer Sarfaraz Khan continues to find the big runs, Baba Indrajith's consistency wasn't enough for Tamil Nadu to make even the top two in Group H.
'It definitely got more difficult to bat -- I think from day one to day three, it got progressively worse. That's just what it was'
The reasons for India's poor show in England lie between a very demanding captain, a very smug coach and inadequate coaching staff, says Sudhir Bisht.
Presenting a fair idea of his leadership style in the role of India coach, Anil Kumble said he will try to inculcate self-belief in his bowlers as he wants them to develop as leaders.
Rahane's game is a judicious mix of caution and aggression, which enables him to adjust splendidly to any situation, says Haresh Pandya.
Rohit Sharma was unbeaten on 127 and Ravichandran Ashwin on 92 as India ended Day 2 in the first Test against the West Indies on 354 for 6 (from 102 overs), leading the visitors by 120 runs.
A summary of the day's matches in the Vijay Hazare One-day tournament.
RBI, Enforcement Directorate to see if money was sent to tax haven
Shaun Marsh's sensational strokeplay helped Kings XI Punjab edge past Rajasthan Royals via the Super Over after the match had finished in a tie in the Indian Premier League, in Ahmedabad, on Tuesday.
His songs were the anchor, the substratum, if you will, upon which life unfolded day after day, decade after decade -- across villages, towns, cities, and regions. Siva Sankar pays tribute to S P Balasubrahmanyam, the legendary singer who passed into the ages on Friday.
Former Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal's nephew Vijay Singla and nine others, arrested in the Rs 10-crore cash-for-post railway bribery case, were on Tuesday put on trial by a special court on charges of conspiracy and corruption.
Delhi lost their second game in a row after their star studded batting line-up, including the likes of Shikhar Dhawan and Gautam Gambhir, failed to fire against Himachal Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament.