Cricket
WPL auction breakdown: Who bid most? Which city received the most bids?
The BCCI announced the winning bids for the five teams in the Women’s Premier League on Wednesday. The league will start in March. There were ten cities to choose from, and sixteen businesses, including the owners of seven IPL franchises, put in a total of 84 bids. The bids were for a ten-year period.
Adani Sportsline’s bid for five cities was the highest.
Adani Sportsline Private Limited, which is owned by Gautam Adani, one of the richest people in the world, put in the highest bids for Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Guwahati, and Kolkata. All of the bids were for the same amount: INR 1289 crore (approximately USD 158 million), which was the highest amount in the whole auction. According to the rules set by the BCCI, if the highest bid was made for more than one city, the entity could choose which city it wanted.
Adani Sportsline chose Ahmedabad because it has the Narendra Modi Stadium, which holds 132,000 people and is the world’s largest cricket stadium. There were six bids for Ahmedabad, which is also home to the Adani Group.
The Ahmedabad WPL team, which was named the Gujarat Giants right after the auction, will share the Motera stadium with the IPL’s defending champions, the Gujarat Titans. A global fund management company called CVC Capital Partners (Irelia Company Pte Ltd) bought the Titans franchise for INR 5625 crore in 2021. This made it the second most expensive franchise in the IPL. In fact, Adani Sportsline was outbid by CVC Capital, which bid INR 5100 crore.
The most-bid cities are Bengaluru and Chennai.
The most bids came from Bengaluru and Chennai, which are home to two of the most popular IPL teams. And if you think another big Indian city is in third place in the same category, you are wrong. The city of Indore in central India came in second with 11 bids. These were the only cities with more than 10 bids, and Kolkata was next with nine. There were only four bids for Mumbai.
The INR 1000-plus crore gap between highest and lowest bids
In 2008, the owners of the Rajasthan Royals paid $67 million (for ten years) to get the Jaipur IPL franchise. It was the least expensive of the first eight franchises. The Royals’ owners were praised for their “Moneyball” strategy, which was a big part of their fairy-tale victory in their first season, when Shane Warne was captain. Even though it’s been 15 years, the Royals’ owners haven’t changed their ways. Their bid for the WPL franchises was also the lowest of all the bids. The company that owns Royals now, Royal Multisport Private Limited, put in three bids: INR 176 crore (Indore), INR 178 crore (Dharamsala), and INR 180 crore (Guwahati). The huge difference between the low bid (INR 176 crore from Royals for Indore) and the high bid (INR 1289 crore from Adani Sportsline for five cities) was INR 1113 crore.
The strange plan of the owners of Mumbai
If figuring out how much to bid wasn’t hard enough, Indiawin Sports Private Limited, the company that owns the five-time IPL champion Mumbai Indians, took it to a whole new level with their strategy. The owner of the Mumbai Indians, Aakash Ambani, went to the auction and bid on eight cities for the team. Each bid was different by INR 0.03 crores, which caught people’s attention. The bid for Guwahati was INR 912.78 crores, for Indore it was INR 912.81 crores, for Lucknow it was INR 912.84 crores, for Kolkata it was INR 912.87 crores, for Chennai it was INR 912.90 crores, for Bengaluru it was INR 912.93 crores, for Delhi it was INR 912.96 crores, and for In the end, they chose Mumbai as their best option.
KKR is aggressive, but they come back empty-handed.
Kolkata Knight Riders has been one of the most important IPL groups. Besides the fact that they have a tremendous fan base, however Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan is likewise a co-proprietor. Knight Riders Sports Private Restricted, which claims Knight Riders establishments all over the planet, was the main bidder at the WPL closeout to offer for every one of the ten urban communities. In any case, they didn’t get an establishment this time. They bid a similar sum for every city, INR 666 crore, however it wasn’t sufficient.
Imperial Challengers Sports Private Restricted, which possesses the Illustrious Challengers Bangalore group, and Yadu Global Restricted, which is one of the nine bidders who are not IPL proprietors, both put in the most minimal number of offers, which was two. Yadu bid INR 305 crore for Delhi and INR 301 crore for Indore. Imperial Challengers bid INR 691 crore for Kolkata and INR 901 crore for Bengaluru, which they picked.
360 Slingshot Sports Adventures Private Restricted, which claims the Punjab Lords in the IPL, bid for nine urban communities; Indiawin Sports and KPH Dream Private Restricted, which possesses the Punjab Rulers in the WPL, bid for eight urban communities; Capri Worldwide Property Private Restricted, which won the Lucknow establishment in the WPL, bid for seven urban communities; Amrit Lila Endeavors Private Restricted and APL Sports Private Restricted, which own the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, bid for six urban communities; Adani Sports and (3 each).
On Thursday, November 2, Virat Kohli achieved an accomplishment. He became the batsman to surpass 1000 runs in ODIs in 2023, following in the footsteps of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma. Not that,. He also joined Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Pathum Nissanka as the fourth players to achieve this impressive record in the 50-over format within the same year.
Stepping into History with 1000 Runs in ODIs
Entering the realm of history, Kohli’s unwavering determination and exceptional skills were put on display during his match in 2023. Notably, the cricket maestro, now 34 years old, made an indelible impact by surpassing Sachin Tendulkar‘s record, securing the most number of years with 1000 runs in ODIs. Kohli’s consistent ability to perform at such an exceptional level has been a defining characteristic of his illustrious career, as he had previously achieved this monumental milestone in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019, before accomplishing it once again in the present year of 2023.
Sachin Tendulkar with god of cricket Virat Kohli pic.twitter.com/zmztejNBBB
— Kevin (@imkevin149) November 2, 2023
An Unforgettable Journey
In an intense World Cup 2023 clash against Sri Lanka at the renowned Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Virat Kohli’s pursuit of this historic milestone was realized with an impressive 34 runs. Despite facing challenges, including a rare duck against England at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, his overall performance throughout the year has been nothing short of spectacular.
Kohli’s memorable journey was highlighted by an unbeaten century during India’s triumphant seven-wicket victory against Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune. Adding to his illustrious record, he solidified his stature with a brilliant 95 runs, making a significant contribution to India’s thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand led by Tom Latham at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Pune.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, on Tuesday, October 31, achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the third fastest bowler to secure 100 wickets in ODIs. His outstanding performance during Pakistan’s World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh at the renowned Eden Gardens in Kolkata led to this historic accomplishment.
A Landmark Moment
In the thrilling encounter, Shaheen clinched his 100th wicket in only his 51st match, dismissing Tigers’ opening batter Tanzid Hasan Tamim. The left-arm fast bowler displayed exceptional skill as he struck Tamim on the pads, prompting the on-field umpire to raise his finger. Despite Tamim’s referral to the third umpire using the Decision Review System (DRS), the replays confirmed the ball crashing into the stumps, upholding the on-field decision. Bangladesh lost their first wicket with the scoreboard reading 0 in just 0.5 overs.
Shaheen Afridi soars high yet again with another feat to his name 🦅#CWC23 | #PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/IlQQ6P5xYK
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) October 31, 2023
Surpassing Preceding Records
Shaheen Shah Afridi not only secured this feat in record time but also outshone the accomplishments of esteemed bowlers preceding him. He surpassed the record of the fastest pacer, previously held by Mitchell Starc, who attained the milestone in August 2016 during an ODI against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Legacy of Excellence
Moreover, Shaheen shattered the long-standing record held by Saqlain Mushtaq, becoming the fastest Pakistani bowler to claim 100 wickets in ODIs. Saqlain had set this record on May 12, 1997, during an ODI against Sri Lanka in Gwalior. It is notable that among the Pakistani fast bowlers, the accomplished Shaheen Shah Afridi follows in the footsteps of the legendary Waqar Younis, who achieved the 100-wicket mark back in February 1993 against Zimbabwe in Sharjah.
Beyond ODIs
Demonstrating his prowess beyond ODIs, Shaheen has made significant contributions in Tests and T20Is as well. Since his debut in 2018, he has garnered 105 wickets in Tests and 64 wickets in T20Is. His exceptional journey began with a strong performance in the U19 World Cup in New Zealand. Notably, he played a pivotal role in Lahore Qalandars’ consecutive victories in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
A Testament to Talent and Dedication
Shaheen Shah Afridi’s rapid rise to 100 ODI wickets within 51 matches underlines his exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to the sport. As he continues to leave an indelible mark on the cricketing world, his journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring cricketers worldwide. With his remarkable achievements, Afridi has solidified his place in the annals of cricket history, etching his name as one of Pakistan’s most formidable and promising fast bowlers.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has recently expressed admiration for India’s dominant performance in the ongoing 2023 ICC World Cup. With India securing victories in all six matches, Akhtar highlighted the team’s exceptional display across various aspects of the game. Although the recent batting performance against England in Lucknow was relatively modest, India’s fierce bowling attack, led by Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, proved instrumental in securing a remarkable win. This triumph not only solidified India’s leading position on the points table but also exacerbated England’s struggles in the tournament, leaving them virtually eliminated.
India’s Remarkable Bowling Transformation
In his analysis, Akhtar emphasized the transformative impact of Shami’s inclusion in India’s playing eleven following Hardik Pandya’s injury. Acknowledging Shami’s outstanding performances against New Zealand and England, Akhtar credited India’s ability to win matches through their bowling prowess, showcasing a shift from their traditional reliance on batting strength. He commended the collective effort of the Indian bowling unit, particularly recognizing the strategic brilliance of fast bowler Bumrah.
India’s Path to World Cup Glory
Looking ahead, Akhtar voiced his confidence in India’s potential to secure their third ODI World Cup trophy, highlighting the team’s upcoming matches against Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the Netherlands. Expressing optimism, he emphasized the significance of maintaining their unbeaten streak en route to the final, setting the stage for a potential historic ICC World Cup victory. However, Akhtar cautioned against compromising the successful bowling unit once Pandya returns to full fitness, warning against the potential detriment of a partially fit Pandya’s inclusion at the expense of a bowler.
Akhtar’s Praise for India and its Response to Criticism
Addressing skepticism surrounding his praise for the Indian team, Akhtar reiterated the exceptional nature of India’s performance, particularly in their ability to defend a modest total with a significant margin of victory. Undeterred by criticism, Akhtar reaffirmed his admiration for India’s exceptional cricketing prowess, urging acknowledgment and appreciation of their commendable achievements.
Shoaib Akhtar’s Perspective on Virat Kohli
Shifting focus, Akhtar’s history of praise extends beyond team performances to individual players, notably including former Indian team captain Virat Kohli. Reminiscing on Kohli’s resilience during a challenging phase in his career, Akhtar highlighted the pivotal role played by Kohli’s consistent century-scoring performances, leading to India’s victories. Recognizing Kohli’s contribution to the team’s success, Akhtar emphasized the significance of Kohli’s monumental centuries during crucial chases, solidifying his status as a crucial asset for the Indian cricket team.
In a comparison between Kohli and the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, Akhtar acknowledged Tendulkar’s status as one of the greatest batsmen while highlighting the challenges Tendulkar faced as a captain. Drawing parallels, Akhtar expressed confidence in Kohli’s eventual resurgence, expecting him to return to his prolific scoring form once he finds his equilibrium.
In summary, Akhtar’s acknowledgment of India’s exceptional performance and his recognition of individual players’ contributions underscore the team’s formidable presence in the 2023 ICC World Cup, setting the stage for a potential historic triumph in the coming days.
1000 Runs in ODIs: Kohli’s Cricket Legacy
Shaheen Shah Afridi: Fastest to 100 ODI Wickets
ICC World Cup: Shoaib Akhtar says, ‘Mai India ki tareef kyu na karu’
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