Scenes of absolute comedy ensued when Sarfaraz dropped a simple catch during the first day of India's pre-match ahead of the first Test. Sarfaraz was accompanied by Virat Kohli, Rishab Pant, and Dhruv Jurel who were all in close proximity to him. The group was in the midst of a routine fielding drill when this incident occured. 

Sarfaraz made a simple catch look too difficult when he attempted to gobble the ball with his palms out next to his face triggering an instant reaction from Virat, Pant, and Jurel who were left in splits. 

Here is how the incident unfolded 

The ball flew to the left of Sarfaraz at a very catchable height. What was supposed to be regulation catch turned out to be a moment of absolute comedy. Once the catch went down, players next to him could not hold their emoitions and immediately burst into laughter. 

What did Sarfaraz do? 🤪🤪 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/P2PgQ5KAJX

— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) November 19, 2024

That moment immideatly triggered a funny response from Kohli and Jurel who were seen covering their mouth whilst laughing whereas Pant couldn't stop laughing either and was left floored by the hilarious moment.  

How are they gearing up for the Perth showdown?

As per emerging reports, it is believed that Sarfaraz Khan may not get to feature in the playing Xl for the Perth Test. However, his wicket-keeping counter part Rishab Pant is set to play the first test as a wicket-keeper batsman in all likelihood. Moreover, with Gill ruled out due to a thumb injury, Devdutt Padikkal gets an opportunity to open the batting for India in the upcoming Test while Jurel is likely to play as frontline batter. All eyes will be on king Kohli and his deteoriating form and whether or not he will be able to reclaim his lost glory in Australia in his dying phase of his Test career. 

See also: Watch: Virat Kohli reveals his best Test knock in Australia
   

Indian cricketers KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel have been added to the India A squad ahead of the second unofficial Test against the hosts Australia A.

Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will host the Australia A vs India A second unofficial Test match, starting on Thursday (November 7). KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel, the senior Indian squad members for the upcoming Australia tour for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, were sent earlier than the other members to get proper match practice.  

Australia A won the first unofficial Test against India A by seven wickets. While India A were all out for only 107 runs in the first innings of the match, they fought bravely in their second innings. Sai Sudharsan (103) and Devdutt Padikkal (88) performed well in the second innings but India A were all out for 312 runs as they set up a fourth innings target of 225 runs. 

SEE ALSO: Virat Kohli slips lowest Test batting rankings in last 10 years

Rahul and Easwaran have the chance to earn an opportunity  

As Rahul and Jurel have officially joined the India A team, both are expected to play the second unofficial Test against Australia A. Rahul is expected to open for India A along with the vice-captain uncapped Abhimanyu Easwaran. Both are in the senior Indian full-member Test squad. 

As captain Rohit Sharma is doubtful for the five-match Test series opener against the hosts Australia, Rahul and Easwaran both have great opportunities to perform well and earn the other spot of Yashasvi Jaiswal's opening partner. As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 will be a five-match Test series, starting on November 22, they can get more opportunities. 

Prasidh Krishna already replaced Yash Dayal

Meanwhile, Prasidh Krishna was earlier added to the India A squad as a replacement for Yash Dayal. Dayal is in the Indian T20I squad that will play a four-match T20I series against the hosts South Africa, starting on November 8. On the other hand, Prasidh Krishna has already been selected in the full-member Indian squad for the upcoming Test series against the hosts Australia. 

India A updated squad for the Australia tour

Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Abhimanyu Easwaran (vc), Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Devdutt Padikkal, Ricky Bhui, Baba Indrajith, Ishan Kishan (wk), Abishek Porel (wk), Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Navdeep Saini, Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Prasidh Krishna, KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel (wk).

The upcoming 2025 IPL edition will see a Mega Auction with all ten franchises undergoing a significant restructuring. The recent announcement of the retention lists has been a talking point amongst several cricket fanatics, as there has been a mix of both expected and unexpected names getting released.

As it implies, there have been many critics who have got a mixed bag of opinions pertaining to the retained names across all the teams, be it relating to the amount paid for its retention or some shocking releases. That said, here are the five worst retentions made by the teams before the 2025 IPL Mega Auction, based on their performance and price point.

Shimron Hetmyer (Rajasthan Royals- INR 11 Crore)

Shimron Hetmyer, the Caribbean swashbuckling bat for the Rajasthan Royals, made another, despite having international talents like Jos Buttler, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Trent Boult on their roster. This is one of the most perplexing retentions by the inaugural champions, considering whether his INR 11 Crore price tag justifies his cricketing abilities.

With colossal options and no Right-to-Match cards available now, it is one of the worst retentions that hasn't given its reasons for staying with the team. In his 2024 stint, he has made just 113 runs in 12 matches, averaging a mediocre 23. 

Dhruv Jurel (Rajasthan Royals- INR 14 Crore)

The Rajasthan Royals took an unusual yet brave step by keeping uncapped wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel for a whopping INR 14 crore ahead of the IPL 2025. Just to Shimron Hetmyer's retention dilemma, the Royals had a plethora of seasoned and superior combatants at their disposal.

Various critics have questioned Jurel's retention. Though the batter has played an essential part in fortifying his middle order, his price does not appear justified. He has scored just 195 runs in 14 matches for the Rajasthan Royals in 2024, with an average of more than 25.  

Mayank Yadav (Lucknow Super Giants- INR 11 Crore)

Mayank Yadav demonstrated his abilities in his first IPL season, becoming a budding star with Lucknow SuperGiants. So, given his quick bowling, the SuperGiants kept him for a staggering INR 11 crore. Typically, if a team pays such a large sum to a fast bowler, it expects him to lead the bowling department. Mayank has all the potential to spearhead LSG's pace battery, but as a hit-the-deck bowler, he is prone to back injuries.

Also, he recently returned from an injury that kept him out of the IPL 2024. With so many possibilities in the big auction pool, the Super Giants might have dragged him back at a lesser price. This deal appears to be motivated by desperation and might have been done more effectively. In his 2024 stint, he has scalped seven wickets at an impeccable economy of less than seven in just four appearances.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Top 5 Best Retentions during the 2025 IPL Mega Auction

Ravindra Jadeja (Chennai Super Kings- INR 18 Crore)

Ravindra Jadeja, the dependable Indian all-rounder, has been a part of every aspect of the Chennai Super Kings' journey, demonstrating his importance to the Yellove Army. However, given his age and athleticism, his INR 18 crore price tag is quite surprising. Jadeja, a true all-rounder, has recently been sidelined by a problematic knee, which the Super Kings must have known about.

The franchise could have paid Jadeja less, conserving money for the big auction or investing in other youngsters or other promising players on the roster, especially with the likes of Rachin Ravindran, Maheesh Theekshana and Devon Conway. During his 2024 edition spell, he played 14 matches, scoring 267 runs and taking eight wickets.

Yash Dayal (Royal Challengers Bengaluru- INR 5 Crore)

Yash Dayal, the fast-paced player, has been retained by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for INR 5 crore ahead of the 2025 IPL season. This move created news, especially since the club released its quick stalwart, Mohammed Siraj, making him one of the franchise's mediocre retention choices. The left-arm pacer has experienced a roller coaster ride in the cash-rich league thus far.

Many people believed his career would never recover after Rinku Singh smacked him for five consecutive sixes in the IPL 2023. However, RCB's trust in the left-arm bowler throughout the 2024 season, notably in a vital match against Chennai Super Kings, led to his breakout moment. In the 2024 edition, he took 15 wickets in 14 games. 

India’s KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel are scheduled to fly to Australia ahead of the main squad to secure valuable match practice before India’s five-Test series against Australia, set to commence on November 22 in Perth. Both batters will feature in the India A team for their second and final four-day match against Australia A, which will take place at the MCG starting on November 7. The India A squad, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, aims to make a strong comeback after a seven-wicket loss in the first match in Mackay, which ended controversially due to a ball-change issue. This additional game will allow Rahul and Jurel to get familiar with the challenging Australian conditions before joining the senior team for the main series.

Rahul and Jurel head to Australia early for crucial practice

Rahul, who has struggled to find form in recent Test outings, is looking to regain his confidence after being left out of India's XI for the second and third Tests against New Zealand. He was replaced by Shubman Gill, with whom the management seems keen to experiment following a 3-0 defeat at home. For Jurel, this early opportunity is equally crucial as he attempts to establish his place in India’s Test plans. Having last played in the Test series against England, Jurel has not featured in the five home Tests since Rishabh Pant’s return. With limited red-ball exposure, Jurel's recent outings have included a Duleep Trophy match and a notable 93-run innings in the Irani Cup, showcasing his potential to make a comeback.

India's preparations under Rohit’s strategic approach

Sending Rahul and Jurel ahead signifies India’s intent to maximize match practice. Originally, the Indian team had planned an intra-squad warm-up fixture in Perth to acclimate, but captain Rohit Sharma explained the change in plans, emphasizing the need for focused match simulations instead. The team, he reasoned, would benefit more from these dedicated simulations than a conventional practice game. "We’re traveling with a 19-man squad and have just three days. A practice game won’t offer everyone adequate time," Rohit noted, adding that simulation sessions allow batters and bowlers to gain the middle time they need to prepare rigorously.

See Also: Australian Summer Kicks off with Starc’s fiery spell against Pakistan

The Indian squad, departing on November 10, will train at Perth’s iconic WACA ground ahead of the Test series opener at Optus Stadium, a venue where they last played in 2018-19, securing a memorable 2-1 series win. Notably, captain Rohit Sharma may be unavailable for the opening match due to personal reasons, leaving Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has been in excellent domestic form, as a potential opener. Easwaran, who was drafted as Rohit's replacement, has already had a taste of Australian conditions but managed only modest scores in the first A game.

India’s five-Test series in Australia marks a significant challenge, and with star players joining early and meticulous training plans, the team is working to be well-prepared for this high-stakes tour.

During the first game of the Duleep Trophy 2024/25, the 23-year-old Indian wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel equalled Indian wicketkeeper MS Dhoni’s 19-year-old Duleep Trophy record.

Abhimanyu Easwaran-led India B started the Duleep Trophy 2024/25 campaign with a 76-run victory against Shubman Gill-led India A. Sarfaraz Khan’s brother the 19-year-old Musheer Khan was the Player of the Match for his heroic knock of 181 runs, which rescued India B in the first innings from 94/7.  

During the third innings of the India A vs India B match, while India B were all out for 184 runs and set a 275-run target for India A, India A wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel shined behind the wickets. He took seven catches in the third innings, which equalled the record for most catches by a wicketkeeper in an innings of the Duleep Trophy. 

Watch: ‘Bhaut Tagda Plan Banaya Hai’ – Rishabh Pant’s epic banter with Kuldeep Yadav

MS Dhoni recorded seven catches in an innings during a match in Duleep Trophy 2004/05

During the Duleep Trophy 2004/05 match against Central Zone, East Zone wicketkeeper MS Dhoni was the first wicketkeeper to record seven catches in a Duleep Trophy innings. Now, Jurel also put his name in this record book.

Although Sunil Benjamin of Central Zone was the first wicketkeeper to record seven dismissals as a wicketkeeper in a Duleep Trophy innings during the 1973/74 season against North Zone, he recorded six catches and one stumping in that innings. 

Dhruv Jurel has played three Tests and two T20Is

Dhruv Jurel has already played three Tests and two T20Is for India. During the last home Test series against England in early 2024, Jurel made his Test debut. On his second Test at Ranchi, the wicketkeeper-batter Jurel scored 90 runs before a calm match-winning 39 not out in the fourth innings to successfully chase the 192-run target. While India won that match by five wickets to seal the series with a 3-1 lead, Jurel won the Player of the Match award. 

During India's tour of Zimbabwe last July, Jurel made his T20I debut. 

During the match against India B, Jurel took a total of eight catches. However, the right-handed batter scored 2 and a duck in the match.

While India B started with a 76-run win against India A in the first game of the Duleep Trophy 2024/25, Ruturaj Gaikwad-led India C won the other fixture against Shreyas Iyer-led India D by four wickets. 

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Qualifier 2 at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium was a gripping contest between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). Despite Dhruv Jurel’s valiant effort, scoring an unbeaten 56 off 35 balls, RR fell short by 36 runs. This win propelled SRH, led by Pat Cummins, to the final, where they will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday.

RR won the toss and opted to bowl first, aiming to utilize the dew factor later in the match. SRH set a target of 176 runs, scoring 175/9 in their 20 overs. RR’s chase ended at 139/7, leaving them 36 runs short.

Dhruv Jurel’s Valiant Effort

Dhruv Jurel’s unbeaten 56 off 35 balls was the highlight of RR’s innings. His resilient performance kept RR’s hopes alive, but the lack of support from other batters proved costly. Jurel smashed seven fours and one six in a spirited knock.

See Also: ICC reveals Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 ambassador’s name

Jurel and Powell’s Partnership

Rovman Powell and Dhruv Jurel tried to rebuild the innings with a 32-run partnership. However, Powell’s dismissal in the 18th over left Jurel with too much to do.

T Natarajan dealt him the blow as he bowled a slower bouncer to Jurel, who went for an early pull, which cost him badly. He was in so much pain and no wonder he was down immediately. The RR physiotherapist checked him, and after a few minutes, Jurel stood up and kept playing until the end.

Fan Reactions

Jurel’s fighting spirit earned him praise on social media. Fans and cricket pundits lauded his resilience and determination.

RR’s Run Chase

Yashasvi Jaiswal gave RR a promising start, scoring 42 off 21 balls. However, the momentum shifted when Shahbaz Ahmed dismissed him. RR’s middle order crumbled under pressure. Shahbaz Ahmed’s three-wicket haul, including the crucial wickets of Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag, put RR in a precarious position.

In the high-stakes clash between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2024 Eliminator, Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel found themselves in a precarious situation. But run-out from Kohli of Jurel left everyone stunned. With RR chasing a target of 173 runs, the pressure was on the batters to deliver a solid performance.

The Crucial Run-Out

The partnership between Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel faced a setback due to a lapse in communication and poor running between the wickets. Despite the opportunity for an easy single, hesitation and lack of urgency led to Jurel’s downfall.

Virat Kohli’s Stellar Effort

Virat Kohli showcased his brilliance on the field with a sensational run-out that caught Dhruv Jurel short of his crease. His lightning-fast reflexes and accurate throw stunned Jurel and the RR camp, emphasizing the importance of sharp fielding in tight matches.

See Also: IPL 2024 Eliminator: Major breakthroughs for RCB after good start from RR

Jurel’s dismissal shifted the momentum in favour of RCB, putting additional pressure on the RR batting lineup. As the required run rate escalated, the need for a substantial partnership became even more critical.

Change in Dynamics

With Shimron Hetmeyer stepping in as the new batter, RR’s strategy had to adapt to accommodate Jurel’s loss. The pressure was on Hetmeyer to stabilize the innings and build a partnership with Parag.

As the match progressed, the mounting pressure on RR was evident. Despite Parag’s valiant efforts, the team needed significant contributions from the lower order to secure victory against a formidable RCB bowling attack.

Karn Sharma’s Missed Opportunity

A crucial moment arrived when RCB spinner Karn Sharma missed a run-out chance, highlighting the significance of maintaining focus and awareness in high-pressure situations. The missed opportunity could have altered the course of the match.

RCB’s Batting Performance

RCB’s batting performance set the tone for the match, with contributions from key players like Rajat Patidar and Virat Kohli. Despite facing challenges from the RR bowlers, RCB managed to post a competitive total.

Virat Kohli becomes 1st batter to smash 8,000 runs in IPL

The unstoppable Virat Kohli achieved a remarkable milestone during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) showdown with Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Eliminator at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Kohli etched his name in history by becoming the first player ever to amass a staggering 8,000 runs in IPL history. Kohli accomplished this extraordinary feat in his 244th innings while donning the RCB jersey.

Previously, Kohli had equaled the legendary Chris Gayle’s record by surpassing the 700-run mark in a single IPL season. Gayle had achieved this remarkable feat twice for RCB in 2012 and 2013, showcasing his sheer dominance with the bat. However, Kohli’s consistency and prowess saw him breach this landmark for the first time back in 2016 and now in 2024.

In a thrilling encounter, Rajasthan Royals secured a victory over Lucknow Super Giants by 20 runs in their opening match of the IPL 2024, showcasing stellar performances from key players and delivering an exciting start to the season.

KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran exhibited formidable batting prowess for Lucknow Super Giants, with both players scoring fifties and posing a significant threat to the Rajasthan Royals’ bowling attack, but wasn’t enough to clinch the victory against RR.

Bowling Brilliance: Sandeep Sharma’s Crucial Dismissal

Veteran bowler Sandeep Sharma played a pivotal role for Rajasthan Royals, delivering a crucial blow by dismissing the LSG captain, adding pressure on the opposition and swinging the momentum in his team’s favor. In his spell of 3 overs, he bagged one important wicket of skipper KL Rahul and only conceded 22 runs.

See Also: Mohammad Amir makes himself available for T20 WC 2024

Rajasthan’s Innings: Samson’s Heroics

Captain Sanju Samson led from the front with an unbeaten innings of 82 runs, steering Rajasthan Royals to a challenging total of 193/4 in 20 overs, laying a solid foundation for his team’s victory. Meanwhile, Riyan Parag also made a valuable 43-run contribution to set up the foundation of a big total. Rajasthan Royals lost their star openers Yashasi Jaiswal (24) and Jos Buttler (11) cheaply inside the powerplay.

Boult’s Impact: Wickets and Pressure

Lucknow Super Giants faced an uphill battle while chasing the formidable target set by Rajasthan Royals, with early setbacks in the form of critical wickets falling rapidly, hindering their momentum and putting them under pressure.

Trent Boult’s proficient bowling proved a formidable challenge for Lucknow Super Giants, as he claimed crucial wickets and maintained consistent pressure on the opposition throughout the match.

KL Rahul’s comeback to competitive cricket after a period of injury was a focal point of the match, sparking discussions and anticipation among fans and pundits alike as he showcased his batting prowess with a commendable performance.

With the loss of key wickets, the onus was heavily upon the seasoned shoulders of KL Rahul, the skipper of LSG. And he didn’t disappoint. Rahul scored a 58 off 44 deliveries.Nicholas Pooran’s unbeaten 64 off 41 deliveries kept the hopes alive for guests but weren’t successful in his mission, and RR bowlers clinched the game from the LSG batter’s jab.

The inaugural IPL champions, Rajasthan Royals, would aim for their second title, as they have made a well-balanced squad of power hitters and bowlers who can take the game deeper. Under the leadership of wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson, the team is all set to display their top-notch cricketing calibre and aim for the high. With the team retaining most of the squad, the Royals management has made sensible picks to bolster the middle-order batters and the pacers department. Here are the top four players from the Men in Pink squad to check out. 

Yashasvi Jaiswal

Yashasvi Jaiswal has proved to be the epitome of the Indian cricket team’s rising future. Jaiswal is touted as the next big thing in the cricketing fraternity with his stellar left-hand batting performance. With a shaky start in his IPL stint, the Rajasthan Royals franchise remained confident in his abilities. It retained him ahead of the big auction, making him the second youngest player.

Jaiswal’s form improved in the following years, and he scored many runs on the domestic circuit, where he had the 5th highest run score (625 Runs in 14 Matches) of the previous edition. And not to forget his memorable debut for the Indian squad, where his IPL performance gave him the kickstart.

Dhruv Jurel

Came into the limelight as an Impact Player, Dhruv Jurel’s calibre has been the talking point amongst the cricket fanatics in the previous edition. Dhruv knows no limitations, is employed as a finisher, and has thrived in this capacity. He has 152 runs scored and a strike rate of over 170 in 11 innings of batting.

Numbers only tell part of the story since making an impact as a finisher is one of the most challenging challenges in limited-overs cricket. His potential is terrific, and he is one of the most impactful players in this year’s IPL. 

See also: IPL 2024: SWOT Analysis of Rajasthan Royals

Rovman Powell

The inaugural edition champions have acquired the services of Rovman Powell, a hard-hitting batsman from West Indies, for INR 7.4 crore. The Caribbean will provide a lot of diversity to RR’s hitting lineup. Notably, he has been a prominent player in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), making critical contributions to his clubs & giving him a window of opportunities.

The 30-year-old has been a part of the IPL since 2022, where he played 17 games and accumulated 257 runs, including a fifty. However, the star signing is looking forward to putting out his best this time as a role of power-hitter.

Nandre Burger 

After making his debut last year, Nandre Burger began to feel at ease in international cricket. Since then, he has wowed the cricket fraternity by demonstrating his ability to swing the ball, making him an effective bowling weapon. While the 28-year-old is not a household name, he does have the necessary talents and ingredients to achieve quickly.

The Rajasthan Royals are excited to discover the latent potential of South African internationals, where the left-arm speedster can threaten batters in seam-friendly circumstances and is undoubtedly one of the pacers to watch in the upcoming season and have bid him for his base price of INR 50 lakh during the auction.

The excitement surrounding the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is palpable as it gears to kick off on March 22nd. The opening match will see the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) squaring off against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the iconic M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

The Indian Premier League is around the corner, and the stage is set for the young guns to showcase their talent on the big stage. The cash-rich league has provided a platform for several rookie players to make a name for themselves and acts as a bridge to international cricket.

See Also: IPL 2024: Is CSK getting a new captain in place of Dhoni?

Star India players like Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah first got significant attention through the Indian Premier League. Meanwhile, last season, Rinku Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Jitesh Sharma knocked on the national team’s doors with their supreme performances in the franchise league.

The youngsters will be all geared up to get some attention in the upcoming season of IPL. For years, the IPL has served as a prime stage for Indian cricketers to showcase their skills, catching the eye of selectors and fans alike. This season holds particular significance for many players, as it presents an opportunity to solidify their positions ahead of the upcoming mega auctions.

Here are the five exceptional talents to watch out for in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League.

Rinku Singh- KKR

This season, Rinku Singh emerges as a critical figure for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), riding on his impressive form in recent months. With the T20 World Cup looming, Singh’s performance holds added importance. His remarkable 474 runs in the IPL 2023, boasting a strike rate exceeding 149, underscores his prowess with the bat. Often found batting at number five or six, Singh’s ability to power the ball from the outset and his adept finishing skills make him a player to watch out for this season.

Yashasvi Jaiswal- RR

The Rajasthan Royals opener, Yashasvi Jaiswal, enters the IPL 2024 season after a stellar performance in IPL 2023, where he amassed 623 runs at a strike rate shy of 164. Jaiswal’s aggressive style of play, reminiscent of Virender Sehwag, combined with his proficiency against both pace and spin, positions him as a formidable force at the top of the order. Fresh from a memorable Test series against England, Jaiswal will likely find his name inked on the team sheet even before the skipper, Sanju Samson.

Shivam Dube- CSK

Having enjoyed a stellar IPL campaign last year, Shivam Dube returns with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) following his impressive 418 runs at a strike rate exceeding 158. Often entrusted with batting at the top, Dube’s strike rate soared even higher against spinners, reaching 176.47. With his ability to clear the boundary ropes at will, CSK will once again rely on Dube to maintain a brisk scoring rate, particularly on slower tracks.

Dhruv Jurel- RR

A promising young wicketkeeper-batter, Dhruv Jurel made a mark in his IPL debut with the Rajasthan Royals last season. Impressively, he amassed 152 runs off just 88 balls at a blistering strike rate of 172.72, often batting towards the latter stages of the innings. Jurel’s adeptness against both spin and pace, evidenced by his strike rate of nearly 191 against pacers last season, positions him as a valuable asset in the Royals’ lineup. With another season under his belt, Jurel is poised to continue his role as a finisher, which could significantly impact Rajasthan’s campaign.

Shahrukh Khan- SRH

Despite commanding hefty sums in recent IPL auctions, Shahrukh Khan is yet to leave a significant mark in the league. However, the Gujarat Titans exhibited faith in his abilities by securing him with a substantial bid of INR 7.4 crore to bolster their batting lineup following Hardik Pandya’s departure. Khan’s role as a finisher alongside seasoned campaigner David Miller will be pivotal for the Titans this season.

As the IPL 2024 season unfolds, these players, among others, will strive to leave an indelible mark, not only for their respective franchises but also in the broader context of Indian cricket. With the stakes higher than ever, fans can expect nothing short of exhilarating cricketing action in the coming days.

How these talented players will fare in the upcoming season remains to be seen. Still, one thing is sure – the IPL 17th edition promises to be a spectacle filled with drama, excitement, and exceptional cricketing talent.