While the return of pace spearhead Anrich Nortje, who had been nursing an injury, bolstered the bowling unit, the South African, who hasn't bowled since the T20 World Cup in November, looked understandably rusty.
Ahead of Saturday's event, here's a lowdown of ready references for the auction.
IPL can be truly said to have come of age. It is now more Indian than ever before. Teams often fielded fewer than the four allowed foreign players. Indian batters and bowlers were simply better in performance, consistency and reliability, points out Shreekant Sambrani.
Mumbai produced an incisive bowling display to bundle out Uttar Pradesh for a paltry 180 and take the crucial first-innings lead on the third day of their Ranji Trophy semi-final, in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Mumbai, Punjab, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Bengal advance to QFs
A compilation of results from the Vijay Hazare Trophy matches played on Saturday.
Kolkata Knight Riders are expected to continue with their risk-taking approach despite mixed returns when they on Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League, at the Wankhede stadium, in Mumbai on Friday.
It was a day dominated by record-breaking performances from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Yuzvendra Chahal as Rajasthan Royals pummelled Kolkata Knight Riders into submission.
SunRisers Hyderabad has the biggest purse while Kolkata Knight Riders has the slimmest purse.
Kolkata Knight Riders will have their task cut out as they take on a determined Royal Challengers Bangalore in their IPL 2022 league match on Wednesday.
The 11th edition of the Indian Premier League will commence, on Saturday, April 7 and will end on 27th May
With 10 points from 11 games, it is a must-win encounter for Dinesh Karthik and his men if they want to keep their play-off chances alive.
West Zone will boast of a power-packed batting line-up in Cheteshwar Pujara, Prithvi Shaw, Suryakumar Yadav and Sarfaraz Khan for the Duleep Trophy semi-final against Central Zone.
Gujarat Titans have been firing on all cylinders, with their batting prowess and bowling might.
Their confidence severely dented after two comprehensive defeats, last edition's runners-up side Kolkata Knight Riders will be looking to get their inconsistent campaign back on track when they face Rajasthan Royals in the IPL match in Mumbai on Monday.
Kolkata Knight Riders would look to usher in a fresh era under new captain Dinesh Karthik with a victory when they open their Indian Premier League campaign against heavyweights Royal Challengers Bangalore, in Kolkata, on Sunday.
Back to winning ways, a resurgent Sunrisers Hyderabad will be forced to tinker their successful combination following all-rounder Washington Sundar's injury as they face Kolkata Knight Riders.
Sumit Antil clinched a gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games javelin throw F64 event with a world record effort of 73.29m.
Rajasthan Royals cruised to a nine-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders to resurrect their play-off hopes.
Kolkata Knight Riders bounced back from a four-match losing streak as they outclassed Royal Challengers Bangalore by 21 runs.
The letter narrates the incidents of July 7-8 when some people allegedly associated with Sengar, the sitting BJP legislator, threatened the victim's family with dire consequences.
All India Rank achieves a fine balance of authenticity and sensitivity in the fine portrayals of its young actors and old.
Captain KL Rahul has been one of the few consistent performers in the formidable-looking Punjab batting unit and he once again led by example against MI
Kolkata Knight Riders batsman Rinku Singh believes no one can match the big-hitting prowess of the explosive Andre Russell, whom he termed as the 'world's best all-rounder'.
Mumbai Indians have so far looked like anything but IPL's five-time champions, losing both their opening games - against Delhi Capitals by four wickets, followed by a 23-run defeat at the hands of Rajasthan Royals.
Shamita Shetty turns 44 and Shilpa Shetty hosts a party for her sister.
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji present Rediff.com's Most Valuable Player Index of IPL 2023 after Game 33.
Karthik will be surrounded by cricketing brains all around him with the 2019 England World Cup winning skipper as his deputy, and New Zealand great Brendon McCullum as the head coach.
A round-up of Day 3 of the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal matches played on Tuesday
KKR are placed at the sixth spot with 12 points and they will not only have to win but do it with a big margin
The onus would be on their famed batting line-up of Kohli, AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell to start firing once again and put pressure on the KKR batsmen.
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.
The BCCI senior selection committee on Saturday announced the India A squad for the five one-dayers against the Lions.
The SIT headed by Monika Bhardwaj submitted the charge sheet on Friday.
KKR have so far failed to come together as a unit and slipped to sixth in the table after starting the tournament on a high against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Morgan's astute captaincy in using his bowling resources was the highlight as KKR had bowled out MI for a modest 152.
Kolkata Knight Riders players and support staff had their first hangout at the team hotel in Abu Dhabi on Monday evening after spending more than a week in quarantine in their hotel rooms.
Compulsory retirement is part of a half-yearly exercise now for cases where government wants to weed out officers, but without taking the disciplinary proceedings route.
Soon after the verdict, a team of policemen reached a private resort where Narain is staying and took him to the Police Line amid heavy security.
To match or even surpass the Royals, KKR have the biggest stars in Andre Russell to go along with reigning World Cup winning English skipper Eoin Morgan
