New Delhi, March 13: Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that Ishan Kishan has the biggest opportunity to revive his career in the upcoming IPL 2025 after being picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the mega auction.

Chopra expressed his surprise at how Kishan has completely disappeared from the national selectors’ radar, despite his proven ability with the bat.

“For whatever reason, he has completely disappeared from the radar. It seems like no one is talking about him or understanding his importance. He even played in the Ranji Trophy and scored runs there, he is doing everything, but no one is even talking about him,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Kishan, who was released by Mumbai Indians (MI), was bought by SRH for Rs 11.25 crore in the IPL auction last November. However, SRH already has a strong opening combination in Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, who were among the most explosive openers last season. This means Kishan could be slotted into the No. 3 position, a role he has played occasionally but is not his natural position.

Despite scoring a record-breaking ODI double century (210 off 131 balls) against Bangladesh in December 2022, Kishan was dropped from the playing XI, with Shubman Gill preferred as the opener. Since then, he has struggled to find a place in the squad across all formats.

In the wicketkeeper-batter category, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Sanju Samson have been preferred over him in international cricket. Kishan also lost his BCCI central contract last year.

“You can come in reckoning once again. A keeper-batter who can open or bat in the top order, that is beautiful. Gautam (Gambhir) is anyway saying that they are all bogeys in a train; everyone has to go to the same destination, and it doesn’t make a difference whether a bogey is in front or at the back. That basically means batting order does not exist in Indian cricket anymore,” Chopra elaborated.

Mumbai, March 13: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday condoles the demise of former India all-rounder Syed Abid Ali, who breathed his last on March 12. A celebrated cricketer, Syed Abid Ali was a pivotal figure in Indian cricket during the 1960s and 70s, renowned for his versatile skills.

He represented India in 29 Test matches and five ODIs, leaving a mark with his all-round capabilities. His contributions were instrumental in India’s historic Test series victories in England and the West Indies in 1971, where his fielding, bowling and batting proved invaluable. His lion-hearted approach and dedication made him a respected figure in the Indian cricketing fraternity.

BCCI president Roger Binny remembered the contributions of the former player and extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved family.

“Shri Syed Abid Ali was a true all-rounder, a cricketer who embodied the spirit of the game. His contributions to India’s historic victories in the 1970s will always be remembered. His dedication and versatility made him stand out. My deepest condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time,” he said in a BCCI statement.

Devajit Saikia, secretary, BCCI added, “Shri Syed Abid Ali’s all-round skills and his contribution to Indian cricket are quite valued. He was a true gentleman of the game. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.”

Abid Ali made his Test debut against Australia on December 23, 1967, and played his last Test against West Indies starting December 15, 1974. In 29 Tests, he scored 1,018 runs at an average of 20.36, scoring six half-centuries. His highest score was 81.

Abid Ali also claimed 47 wickets at an average of 42.12 with a best haul of 6/55. He scored 93 runs in five ODIs with a top score of 70. He claimed seven wickets at 26.71.

Abid Ali was a stalwart of first-class cricket, scoring 8,732 runs in 212 matches, playing mostly for Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy. He scored 13 centuries and 31 fifties in FC with a top score of 173 not out. In these 212 matches, Abid Ali claimed 397 wickets, bagging five wickets in an innings on 14 occasions. He also scored 169 runs in 12 List A matches and took 19 wickets.

After retiring from cricket, Abid Ali shifted to the United States making a home in California.

Jaipur, March 12: Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid will join the team’s preparatory camp in Jaipur on Wednesday, a week after suffering an injury on his left leg during a club match in Bengaluru. The IPL franchise shared a photo on social media on Wednesday, in which Dravid is seen wearing a cast on his left leg, and captioned the post, “Head Coach Rahul Dravid, who picked up an injury while playing Cricket in Bangalore, is recovering well and will join us today in Jaipur.”

The former Royals’ captain spent five seasons with the franchise from 2011 to 2015. He began his coaching career with the Royals back in 2014 when he transitioned from serving as the captain to being the team’s mentor. Former India head coach Dravid made a surprise return to the cricket field by playing alongside his younger son Anvay in a KSCA Group I, Division III league match in the Nassur Memorial Shield on February 22.

Rahul Dravid and his son Anvay represented the Vijaya Cricket Club (Malur) in a 50-over match against the Young Lions Club at the SLS Kreedangana cricket ground in Bengaluru.

The Indian cricket legend came into bat at No. 6 and made an eight-ball 10 in the match before being dismissed by spinner AR Ullas as the father-son duo forged a brief 17-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Dravid played his second match of the tournament in the semifinal against the Jayanagar Cricketers. When the Vijaya Cricket Club were battling at 12/3 in the seventh over, Rahul joined his son Anvay at the crease. Two deliveries into his stay, the 52-year-old appeared in discomfort, his leg troubling him, but he continued to play and stitched a 66-ball 43-run partnership with Anvay for the fourth wicket.

The Indian legend battled injury and played until he had to be helped off the field. Still, his courage failed to lift the fortunes of the Vijaya Cricket Club, Malur, in the semifinal of the KSCA Group III league tournament.

Dravid, who was in Guwahati for the Rajasthan Royals’ recent pre-season camp before coming to Jaipur, will be seen in the dugout in the team’s IPL 2025 opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on March 23.

The Rajasthan Royals won the title in the inaugural year in 2008 and reached the final again in 2022. The Sanju Samson-led franchise finished third in the league stage in 2024 and lost out to eventual runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2.