SPORTS

Cheteshwar Pujara is making his Indian Premier League (IPL) comeback in the upcoming edition after a gap of seven years. The 'Test expert' last featured in IPL in 2014 when he played for the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings).

After repetitively going unsold in the auctions, Pujara was snapped up by MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 2021 auction for his base price of Rs 50 lakh.

The Indian cricketer is delighted on being given the opportunity to return to the IPL.

"To make a comeback to the IPL means a lot to me. It is the best league in the world and I have missed out on being part of it for quite some time," Pujara told Cricbuzz.

Rishabh Pant has been named the captain of Delhi Capitals for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League on Tuesday after Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out for the season with a shoulder injury. Saying that it is like a dream come true, Pant promised he would give his absolute best. 

On his new role, Rishabh Pant said, “Delhi is where I grew up, and where my IPL journey began six years ago. To lead this team one day is a dream I’ve always harboured. And today, as that dream comes true, I feel humbled. I am truly grateful, especially to our team owners, who considered me capable enough for this role. With an amazing coaching staff, and a plethora of accomplished seniors around me, I can’t wait to give my absolute best for Delhi Capitals.” 

England's Sam Curran on Monday congratulated India on winning the ODI series and said it was a "great series" to be a part of.

Curran displayed a brilliant performance in the series decider on Sunday, playing an unbeaten knock of 95 runs.

At one stage, England -- chasing 330 -- was down and out at 200/7, but Curran changed the game with his brilliant batting. Curran's innings, however, went in vain as India registered a seven-run win in the third ODI to clinch the three-match series 2-1.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar gave India a strong start, claiming two early wickets (Jason Roy, Bairstow) to send England on the back foot in their chase of 330. Natarajan next joined in with the important wicket of Ben Stokes. However, it was Shardul Thakur’s efforts that could prove to be a gamechanger with his three crucial wickets of Livingstone, Malan and Butler.

Earlier, fifties from Hardik Pandya, Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant once again propelled India past the 300 mark as they finished with 329 (48.2) at the end of their innings. England needs 330 to win the decider and seal the series. 

India batsman KL Rahul roared back to form as he smashed his 5th ODI hundred in the 2nd ODI against England in Pune on Friday. Rahul took 108 balls to reach the mark. He reached the mark after running a single in the 44th over as he tucked a delivery off pacer Sam Curran towards mid-wicket to steal the run.

The right-hander had faced criticism after a string of poor performances in the T20Is, registering figures of 1, 0, 0, and 14 in four games. He was left out of the 5th T20I.

But he smashed a game-changing half century in the 1st ODI earlier this week, scoring 62 runs in 43 balls. And on Friday, he has followed it up with a scintillating century.