Bajrang Punia Suspended for 4 Years by NADA for Refusing to give a sample for ‘Dope Test’
Bajrang Punia, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist, has been handed a four-year suspension by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for refusing to provide a urine sample during the national selection trials on March 10, 2024. The suspension follows a violation of NADA’s Anti-Doping Rules. While Bajrang argued that his refusal was due to concerns over expired testing kits and a lack of trust in NADA's processes, the agency maintains that his actions were intentional and a clear disregard for anti-doping regulations. This decision also disqualifies Bajrang from competing and may prevent him from taking up international coaching roles during the suspension period.
RCB’s auction strategy ripped apart after they miss out on Will Jacks: ‘…went from bad to worse’
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) faced sharp criticism after failing to use their Right to Match (RTM) card on Will Jacks during the IPL 2025 auction, despite his key contributions in IPL 2024. Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif slammed the franchise for letting go of Jacks, who had played a pivotal role in RCB's playoff qualification last season. Jacks, who scored a century and a fifty while also impressing with the ball, was bought by Mumbai Indians for ₹5.25 crore, leaving RCB fans disappointed. Kaif called the decision "a massive miss," highlighting RCB's poor auction strategy.
IPL 2025 Mega Auction: 13-Year-Old Vaibhav Suryavanshi Joins Rajasthan Royals at Rs 1.1 cr
In a stunning development at the IPL mega auction in Jeddah, 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi secured a ₹1.10 crore contract with Rajasthan Royals. The young prodigy, who made his T20 debut for Bihar in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, has been breaking records since his debut at just 12 years and 284 days. Suryavanshi became the youngest centurion in competitive cricket history during the Youth Test series against Australia, scoring a blazing 104 off 62 balls. His rapid rise has captivated the cricketing world, with fans now eagerly awaiting his IPL debut.
Rishabh Pant Becomes most expensive Indian player in IPL history, Breaks Shreyas Iyer’s record within minutes
Rishabh Pant set a new benchmark in IPL history, becoming the most expensive player ever sold at an auction with a record-breaking INR 27 crore bid from Lucknow Super Giants for the 2025 season. The bidding war saw Pant surpass Shreyas Iyer, who was acquired by Punjab Kings for INR 26.75 crore. Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh was retained by Punjab after a fierce bidding battle, and South Africa's Kagiso Rabada was snapped up by Gujarat Titans for INR 10.75 crore. The auction highlighted the fierce competition among IPL franchises to secure top players for the upcoming season.
Hardik Pandya Becomes First Indian to Achieve Elite T20 Double of 5000 Runs and 100+ Wickets
Hardik Pandya made history by becoming the first Indian cricketer to achieve the rare T20 double of 5000 runs and 100-plus wickets. He reached the milestone during Baroda's five-wicket victory over Gujarat in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Pandya's unbeaten 74 off 35 balls, including six boundaries and five sixes, propelled his career tally to 5067 runs and 180 wickets. This achievement further cements his status as one of the game's premier all-rounders. Pandya’s match-winning performance, including a rapid fifty and crucial late hitting, guided Baroda to a thrilling win with three balls to spare.
