The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may delay the much-anticipated announcement of IPL player retention rules, leaving franchise owners and officials speculating about its release. The retention policy, which is expected to influence the upcoming IPL auction, was originally slated for an earlier announcement but may now be postponed until after the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 29.

Delay in retention policy raises questions

Rumors have been circulating that the release of IPL's retention regulations will be pushed further. According to franchise owners, the BCCI could hold off until the end of September or longer. Though the AGM and IPL policies are unrelated, there’s speculation that the announcement might coincide with or follow the AGM. Despite earlier hints from BCCI officials that the retention policy would be revealed before the end of August, the timeline has shifted, leaving team executives frustrated.

See Also: South Africa head to Bangladesh for crucial two Test Series this October (cricketwinner.com)

Franchises eye retentions amid uncertainty

While the delay in announcing the retention policy causes uncertainty, franchises are moving forward with their plans. Teams may have until November 15 to decide their retentions, regardless of the policy announcement date. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are expected to retain MS Dhoni, even with the policy’s potential limitation to two retentions. Additionally, BCCI’s decision to classify retired international players as uncapped might impact players like Sunil Narine, further influencing franchise strategies in the upcoming auction.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title by defeating the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 8 wickets in the showdown at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This victory added another trophy to KKR’s cabinet and highlighted their dominance in the IPL 2024 season.

Chasing a modest target of 114 runs, the Shreyas Iyer-led side delivered a commanding performance, clinching victory in just 10.3 overs. The match showcased KKR’s balanced and powerful bowling and batting gameplay.

First Innings Highlights

SRH’s batting lineup, which had been formidable throughout the season, faltered spectacularly in the final. They were bowled out for just 113 runs in 18.3 overs, unable to build any substantial partnerships.

See Also: Has Starc delivered the ball of IPL 2024? Have a look!

Andre Russell was the star with the ball, claiming three wickets for just 19 runs. His aggressive and precise bowling dismantled the SRH middle order, preventing them from gaining momentum.

Mitchell Starc’s Performance

Mitchell Starc set the tone early with his lethal deliveries. He struck in the first over, removing Abhishek Sharma with a delivery that nipped away sharply to hit the off-stump. Starc finished with impressive figures of 2 for 14, showcasing his skill and justifying his hefty price tag.

Harshit Rana effectively supported the main bowlers, taking 2 crucial wickets for 24 runs. His ability to bowl in the right areas and extract movement off the pitch was instrumental in keeping the SRH batters in check.

SRH’s Struggle

The SRH batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of KKR’s disciplined bowling. Aiden Markram and Nitish Kumar Reddy tried to counter-attack but failed to convert their starts into significant scores. Pat Cummins’ brief resistance, scoring 24 runs, was the only highlight in an otherwise disappointing innings for SRH.

KKR’s Chase

KKR’s chase began steadily, with 5 runs from the opening over. However, they suffered a setback in the second over when opener Sunil Narine was caught by Shabaz off a delivery from Pat Cummins after hitting a maximum. Narine managed to score six runs from just two deliveries before his dismissal.

The Iyer-Gurbaz Partnership

Venkatesh Iyer and Rahmanullah Gurbaz forged a formidable partnership in the middle, amassing 91 runs off just 45 balls. Gurbaz played a supportive role, scoring 39 runs from 32 deliveries, before falling to Cummins.

Venkatesh Iyer’s aggressive and calculated approach saw him reach his fifty in just 24 balls. His powerful hitting and smart shot selection ensured that KKR stayed ahead of the required run rate.

Skipper Shreyas Iyer joined the chase with only 12 runs required off 67 balls. He opened his account with a boundary and guided the team to victory, displaying calm and decisive leadership.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is not just about thrilling matches and fierce competition; it’s also about recognizing individual brilliance through awards like the Orange and Purple Caps. Let’s take a closer look at the current standings for these prestigious awards in IPL 2024.

Orange Cap Holder in IPL 2024

The Orange Cap is a symbol of batting excellence in the IPL, and it was awarded to the tournament’s highest run-scorer. Throughout the season, players showcase their batting prowess and accumulate runs to claim this coveted title.

See Also: IPL 2024: Key points about the win of GT against SRH

After the recent match between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) Virat Kohli continues to dominate IPL 2024 with 181 runs. Kohli’s stellar performance, including an impressive knock of 83 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has propelled him to the top of the Orange Cap standings.

Heinrich Klaasen follows closely in second place with 167 runs, followed by Shikhar Dhawan of Punjab Kings (PBKS) with 137 runs. David Warner stands fourth with 130 runs. Riyan Parag completes the top five list of Orange Cap contenders in IPL 2024.

Most Runs in IPL 2024

Purple Cap Holder in IPL 2024

The Purple Cap, on the other hand, is awarded to the leading wicket-taker of the tournament, highlighting the bowlers’ skill and ability to claim crucial wickets for their teams.

Following the DC vs. CSK match, Mustafizur Rahman from CSK emerged as the Purple Cap holder in IPL 2024 with seven wickets, including the dismissal of David Warner. Rahman’s exceptional bowling performance has earned him this prestigious title.

Mohit Sharma of Gujarat Titans (GT) comes in second place after his impressive 3-wicket haul against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Harshit Rana of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) slid down to third position. Followed by Matheesha Pathirana and Pat Cummins in fourth and fifth positions, respectively.

Most Wickets in IPL 2024

Arun Dhumal informed that the BCCI is planning to start the IPL 2024 on March 22. He told the IANS that the plan is to announce the schedule for IPL 2024 in two halves.

Dhumal reveals BCCI plans

According to the Governing Council Chairman of the Indian Premier League, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is all set to start the 2024 edition of the IPL from March 22. “The plan is to start the tournament on March 22 in Chennai,” Dhumal said.

As reported earlier, the BCCI is going to announce the schedule in two halves due to the elections. Initially, the first fortnight’s schedule will be announced and then the second half will be decided based on the general election dates. Chennai Super Kings the defending champions will kickstart their campaign at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.

BCCI to work closely with Government

A source in the governing body had earlier said, “We have been discussing internally and have more or less figured out the schedule but a final announcement is likely to happen the moment we get clarity and necessary clearances from the Home Ministry and Election Commission of India on the polling schedule.”

He had also mentioned, “The schedule will be announced in phases. Like it happened in 2019. For the first few games of each team, we will release the schedule soon and then we get more clarity on the polling schedule and other important dates, we will announce the remainder.”