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Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson is still not over Jos Buttler no longer being part of the team, and if he had his way, he would do away with the rule of releasing players in the IPL. Samson and Buttler opened batting for Royals for seven years but they did not retain the Englishman ahead of the mega auction last year. Buttler will play for Gujarat Titans in the upcoming IPL. "The IPL gives you the opportunity to lead a team and play at the highest level, and it also allows you to build close friendships," Samson told Jiostar. "Jos Buttler is one of my closest friends. We played together for seven years. During this time, our batting partnership time itself is so long that we got to know each other so well. "He has been like an elder brother to me. Whenever I had a doubt, I would talk to him. When I became captain [in 2021], he was my vice-captain and helped me become a good captain." Samson said letting go of Buttler was one of the hardest decision he has had to make. Royal
Gujarat Titans have named former Australia wicketkeeper Matthew Wade as the team's assistant coach ahead of the IPL 2025. Wade was with GT for two seasons as a player-- in 2022 and in 2024 -- but was not part of the IPL mega auction following his retirement from international cricket. "Champion. Fighter. Now our Assistant Coach! Welcome back to the GT Dugout, Matthew Wade!," Gujarat Titans wrote on X. Wade, who had a short career of 15 matches in the IPL, played 12 of them for GT and was part of the title-winning squad in 2022 under Hardik Pandya's leadership. Wade will join head coach Ashish Nehra, batting coach Parthiv Patel, and assistant coaches Aashish Kapoor and Narender Negi in GT's coaching staff.
All-rounder Venkatesh Iyer says he is prepared to lead Kolkata Knight Riders if given the opportunity in the IPL 2025 despite having no captaincy experience at any levels in competitive cricket. The reigning champions, who will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening game this season at the Eden Gardens, are yet to announce their captain. Shreyas Iyer had led them to the title win in IPL 2024, but he was acquired by Punjab Kings in the mega auction and later named him as their skipper. Definitely, I'm ready. Again, I've always said this: captaincy is just a tag. I believe in leadership. That is a bigger role to play, being a leader, Venkatesh told ESPNcricinfo. There's no ambiguity surrounding this. I'll definitely do it, if it comes my way. There is no reason not to do it, he added. Iyer said the captain needs to set an example by being a good role model". "You don't necessarily need the tag of a captain to be a leader in your dressing room. You need to set examples.
The Competition Commission of India has cleared healthcare and energy conglomerate Torrent Group's proposal to acquire a majority stake in IPL franchisee Gujarat Titans. "The proposed combination relates to the purchase of 67 per cent of the shareholding (on a fully diluted basis) of the target (Irelia Sports India Pvt Ltd) and control by the acquirer (Torrent Investments)," a notice submitted to the CCI said on Wednesday. Torrent Investments is the ultimate holding company of the Torrent Group. Irelia Sports India operates the Ahmedabad franchisee of the Indian Premier League Gujarat Titans. "The parties' (Irelia Sports India and Torrent Investments) and activities do not exhibit any horizontal overlap, actual/potential vertical relationship or complementary linkages. "Accordingly, the proposed combination is being notified under section 6(4) of the competition act," the notice said. Last week, Torrent Group announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Gujarat Titans for an
It has been nearly six years since he walked away from international cricket but retirement from the Indian Premier League might not be imminent for the legendary MS Dhoni, who wants to enjoy playing cricket like a child. The 43-year-old former captain, who led India to World Cup wins in 2011 (ODI) and 2007 (T20) along with the Champions Trophy triumph in 2013, last made his international appearance for the country in June 2019. While Dhoni called time to his international career in August 2019, he continues to feature in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings who retained him ahead of the mega auction last year. He will now play as an uncapped player, having spent more than five years as a retired player from international cricket. I've retired since 2019, so it will be quite some time. What I've been doing in the meantime is I just want to enjoy cricket for the last, whatever few years, you know, I will be able to play, Dhoni's said on Wednesday during the launch of his app powered by .
Healthcare and energy conglomerate Torrent Group on Wednesday announced the acquisition of a majority stake in IPL franchisee, Gujarat Titans, for an undisclosed sum, marking the Ahmedabad-based firm's foray into the sports sector. Torrent Group "through its holding company Torrent Investments Private Limited (TIPL) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake of 67 per cent in the renowned Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Gujarat Titans", it said in a statement. The conglomerate is buying a majority stake in Gujarat Titans (Irelia Sports India Private Limited) from Irelia Company Pte Ltd currently fully owned by funds managed or advised by CVC. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and approvals (including from BCCI). As part of the deal, Irelia will retain a substantial minority stake of 33 per cent in the franchise. The acquisition marks Torrent Group's foray into India's rapidly growing sports sector. Speaking on the occasion