As we savor the Black Friday deals we’ve snagged, the cricketing world offers its own feast of excitement, with India eyeing WTC glory and IPL 2025 promising a rich season
Archan Mehta
San Jose, CA
The US just celebrated Black Friday, ushering in the holiday spirit with its annual shopping frenzy. Black Friday feels like a high-stakes game, much like cricket, where you need sharp focus, quick decision-making, and the ability to adapt under pressure. Whether it’s snagging deals or strategizing on the cricket field, both require planning and bring immense excitement when you succeed. Similarly, the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) race and the recent 2025 IPL auction mirror the thrill of competition, demanding smart moves and resilience.
India holds a strong position to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, leading the standings with 61.11% points. Their commanding win over Australia in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has further boosted their chances. However, to ensure direct qualification without relying on other teams, India needs to secure a 4-0 or 5-0 series victory against Australia.
The task is far from easy, as Australia boasts a resilient lineup featuring stars like Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, and Pat Cummins, capable of reversing their fortunes. For India, consistent contributions from Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah will be critical. To dominate, India must deliver top-notch performances in batting, bowling, and fielding, leaving no room for errors against a quality opponent.
Adding to the intensity is the competition from other teams. South Africa, second with 59.26% points, could leapfrog India even with a 4-1 or 3-1 series win for India if they win their remaining games. Australia, with 57.69%, also remains a strong contender, needing wins in this series and their upcoming matches against Sri Lanka. While Sri Lanka and New Zealand are still mathematically in the race, their chances hinge on near-perfect results.
India enters the Adelaide Test with renewed confidence after their Perth win starting on Dec 6. The addition of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill strengthens their batting. A left field suggestion from Pujara talks about retaining the opening pair, accommodating Rohit at No. 3, and placing Gill at No. 5 to shield Pant. Although that seems unlikely, KL Rahul will be seen on his familiar spot of batting at No. 6 taking Dhruv Jurel’s spot. The bowling attack, led by Bumrah, Rana and Siraj, is expected to remain unchanged, with Sundar providing both batting and spin options. India aims to maintain momentum and adapt to the pink-ball challenge, despite potential selection dilemmas.
While the Test series unfolds with pink ball, the colorful 2025 IPL auction brought its own drama. For the first time in over ten years, the top five most expensive players were all Indians. Rishabh Pant became the highest-paid player ever, going for INR 27 crore, followed by Shreyas Iyer at INR 26.75 crore and Arshdeep Singh at INR 18 crore. This was a big change from previous auctions where overseas players usually got the highest bids. Punjab Kings (PBKS) were very active as they had the biggest bank, snapping up three of the top five players, including Shreyas, Arshdeep and Yuzvendra Chahal, who became the costliest spinner at INR 18 crore.
Specialist players were in high demand, partly because of the Impact Player rule. Teams spent over INR 280 crore on bowlers, while also investing heavily in young talent. One standout was 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the youngest player ever bought at an IPL auction, showing the league’s commitment to nurturing future stars. At the same time, experienced players like R Ashwin still attracted high prices, as teams tried to balance youth with experience. All-rounders, however, saw lower average bids compared to specialist batters, bowlers, and wicketkeepers, reflecting a shift in team strategies.
Teams approached the auction in different ways. Mumbai Indians, working with the smallest budget, focused on securing good value deals. Big names like Sam Curran and Mitchell Starc had to accept lower bids compared to previous years, although Starc still surpassed INR 50 crore in career earnings. The Iyers—Shreyas and Venkatesh—saw significant pay raises, reflecting their growing significance in the game. Overall, with INR 383 crore spent on Indian players and a strong focus on youth, this auction underscored the IPL’s shift towards prioritizing local talent and planning for the future.
As we savor the Black Friday deals we’ve snagged, the cricketing world offers its own feast of excitement, with India eyeing WTC glory and IPL 2025 promising a season rich in talent and competition. It’s the perfect time to sit back, reflect on the action, and look forward to what lies ahead in this thrilling cricketing journey.
Archan Mehta is a writer dedicated to telling compelling stories about athletes, teams, and the world of cricket
