Rishabh Pant has set a new record by being sold for ₹27.00 crore, making him the most expensive player in IPL auction history, surpassing the previous record held by Mitchell Starc at ₹24.75 crore.

Teams with their Purchase

1. Chennai Super Kings

2. Delhi Capitals

3. Gujarat Titans

4. Kolkata Knight Riders

5. Lucknow Super Giants

6. Mumbai Indians

7. Punjab Kings

8. Rajasthan Royals

9. Royal Challengers Bengaluru

10. Sunrisers Hydrabad

The auction saw a total expenditure of ₹467.95 crore, with 72 players securing contracts. This year’s auction promises to be an exciting event as franchises aim to build competitive squads ahead of the upcoming season.

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The following players have recorded the most fifty-plus scores in Test cricket during 2024:

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal – Yashasvi Jaiswal has indeed had an exceptional Test cricket year in 2024, with 11 fifty-plus score in his Test career this year, including two-centuries. He has accumulated 1,209 runs in 12 Tests during 2024, averaging an impressive 47 with a strike rate of 73.10. As seen in his recent innings where he scored an unbeaten 90 against Australia.
2. Joe Root – Root has scored 9 fifty-plus scores in 14 matches, which includes 5 centuries His ability to convert starts into significant scores has been a key aspect of his performance this year. He has accumulated a total of 696 runs in these matches, averaging approximately 38.66.
3. Kamindu Mendis – Mendis has recorded 8 fifty-plus scores in 14 matches, which included 5 centuries. His consistent performance has established him as a key player for Sri Lanka. He has scored a total of 1,004 runs in these matches, boasting an impressive average of approximately 27. Mendis became the first player in Test cricket history to score fifty or more in each of his first eight matches.
4. Ben Duckeet – Duckett has recorded 7 fifty-plus scores in 19 matches. He smashed 3 centuries also his ability to score consistently has been crucial for England’s batting lineup. He has accumulated a total of 706 runs in these matches, averaging approximately 05. Duckett’s aggressive batting style has contributed significantly to his team’s success, particularly in challenging conditions.

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In an interesting twist, Khawaja’s wife, Rachel McLellan, will be providing commentary during the matches. This unique arrangement adds a personal touch to the series, as she will be sharing insights and observations from the commentary box while her husband competes on the field.

Khawaja has expressed his focus on scoring runs against India’s formidable bowling attack, which includes not just Jasprit Bumrah but also other skilled bowlers like Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami.

Also Read: Most Runs in a Border-Gavaskar Trophy-BGT Series

He emphasizes a strategy of concentrating on his batting rather than fearing dismissal. The series promises to be competitive, with both teams aiming for success in this prestigious contest.

The post Usman Khawaja will play the BGT and his Wife will do Commentary appeared first on sportsbignews.

Overall Record against India

. Matches Played – 18

. Innings – 35

. Runs Scored – 1,887

. Batting Average – 65.06

. Strike-rate – 52.79

. Half-centuries and centuries – 5/8

. Highest Score – 192

Smith’s average of 67.63 against India highlights his dominance, and his ability to perform both at home and in Indian conditions makes him a key player in any series.

Key Indian Bowlers Faced

1. Jasprit Bumrah – Smith has been dismissed by Bumrah only once in Test cricket.

. Total Runs – 52 runs from 114 balls faced.

. Average against Bumrah – 52.0, indicating that while Bumrah has had some success, Smith has generally managed to score well against him.

2. Ravichandran Ashwin – Smith has a strong record against the Ravichandran Ashwin, although ashwin have managed to trouble him occasionally with sharp turn and bounce. Ashwin’s bowling style presents a unique challenge for Smith, who has faced him numerous times. However, specific statistics detailing Smith’s performance against Ashwin are less frequently highlighted compared to Bumrah.
3. Other Notable Bowlers – Smith has also faced other Indian bowlers like Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma, both of whom have had varying degrees of success against him.

Recent Context

As the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaches, Smith is not only aiming to maintain his high average but also to reach significant milestones:

. He needs 315 runs to become the fourth Australian player to score 10,000 Test runs.

. He is close to breaking records for the most runs scored by an Australian against India, currently held by Ricky Ponting with 2,555.

Also Read: Border-Gavaskar Trophy Winners (since 1996-97)

Conclusion

Steve Smith’s record against Indian bowlers in Test matches showcases his prowess and adaptability. His ability to score heavily, combined with his strategic approach to facing top bowlers like Bumrah and Ashwin, positions him as a crucial player for Australia in the upcoming series. The ongoing rivalry will likely intensify as both teams compete for supremacy in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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Indian Cricketers and their Instagram Followers

Observations

. Virat Kohli and his Wife Anushka Sharma are among the most followed couples, with Kohli having approximately 268 million followers, while Sharma has around 271 million.

. Other cricketers like MS Dhoni, despite having a significant following of 48.6 million, have wives with much lower follower counts, such as Sakshi Singh with 12 million.

Also Read: Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith: Batting Records In BGT

This comparison illustrates not only the cricketers’ popularity but also highlights the social media presence of their spouses, reflecting their influence in the digital space as well.

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