Sports

Mohit Sharma Announces Retirement from All Forms of Cricket


Fast bowler Mohit Sharma, known for his sharp variations and death-over mastery, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Wednesday, 3 December. The 37-year-old, who last appeared in the Indian Premier League 2025 season for Delhi Capitals, shared the news through an emotional Instagram post, closing a chapter that spanned more than a decade of professional cricket.

Mohit represented India in 26 ODIs and 8 T20Is between 2013 and 2015, forming a reliable seam option during his peak years. He earned widespread recognition for his ability to deliver under pressure, particularly in the death overs โ€” a skill that defined the latter part of his T20 career.

โ€œToday, with a full heart, I announce my retirement from all formats of cricket,โ€ Mohit wrote. โ€œFrom representing Haryana to wearing the India jersey and playing in the IPL, this journey has been nothing short of a blessing.โ€

Ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction scheduled for December 15 in Abu Dhabi, Delhi Capitals released the seasoned pacer. In the previous season, Mohit featured in eight games, picking up two wickets at an economy rate of 10.28 โ€” an uncharacteristic dip in form in an otherwise impressive late-career flourish.

Mohitโ€™s journey included standout years with Chennai Super Kings, where he emerged as a consistent wicket-taker and grew into a dependable T20 bowler. His story remains one of grit, reinvention and resilience โ€” a cricketer who made the most of every opportunity and left a notable imprint on Indiaโ€™s limited-overs cricket.

Sports

CSK Pulls Off Blockbuster Trade: Jadeja & Curran to RR, Sanju Samson Moves to Chennai


In one of the most dramatic pre-retention developments ahead of IPL 2026, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) finalized a sensational player swap on November 15, 2025, sending veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and England pacer Sam Curran to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in exchange for the Royalsโ€™ captain Sanju Samson.

The blockbuster deal, sealed just before the retention deadline, has sent shockwaves across the cricketing world.

A Homecoming for Ravindra Jadeja

The move marks an emotional return for Jadeja to the franchise where his IPL journey began. After spending 12 remarkable years with CSK, including leading the team to the 2023 IPL championship, Jadeja now joins RR with renewed expectations and a massive role in the leadership group.

Sam Curran Strengthens RRโ€™s Attack

RR also gain the advantage of Sam Curranโ€”one of the most dynamic T20 all-roundersโ€”who brings depth to both batting and bowling. His death-overs expertise will be a major asset as the Royals aim to strengthen their playoff prospects.

Sanju Samson: A New Era for CSK

For Chennai, the arrival of Sanju Samson represents a strategic shift as the franchise navigates the transition beyond MS Dhoniโ€™s legendary era. Samson, known for his explosive batting and calm leadership, is expected to anchor the middle order while contributing significantly to CSKโ€™s evolving leadership plans.

Both Teams Gear Up for Mega Auctions

This trade sets the stage for a high-voltage IPL 2026 auction. With major gaps filled and new strengths acquired, both CSK and RR are expected to enter the auctions with renewed confidence and a clear roadmap.

The swap will go down as one of the most impactful trades in IPL historyโ€”reshaping team dynamics and fan expectations months before the tournament begins.

Business

MS Dhoni Invests in House of Biryan, Joins the โ€˜Meri Wali Biryaniโ€™ Revolution


Former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni has announced his newest ventureโ€”and this time, itโ€™s all about food. On September 27, 2025, the iconic cricketer officially became an investor in House of Biryan (HOB), a fast-rising food brand known for its customizable biryani experience.

HOB is changing the way Indiaโ€™s most loved dish is served with its unique โ€œMeri Wali Biryaniโ€ concept, which allows customers to tweak spice levels, flavours, and ingredients to suit personal preferences. Whether you like it spicy or mild, vegetarian or with double chickenโ€”HOB makes biryani personal again.

Speaking about the investment, Dhoni shared,

โ€œHappy to join House of Biryan as an investor in a brand that’s redefining how we enjoy biryani. With their โ€˜Meri Wali Biryaniโ€™ concept, they allow you to customise flavours and spices, making every meal personal.โ€

But for Dhoni, itโ€™s about more than just taste. He emphasized the companyโ€™s broader vision:

โ€œWhat excites me most is their vision of blending authentic taste with modern technology to take Indiaโ€™s favourite dish global. Iโ€™m excited to be part of this journey.โ€

House of Biryan is not positioning itself as just another restaurant chain. The brand is using food-tech innovations to optimize delivery, consistency, and personalizationโ€”focusing on creating a scalable model that can introduce Indian biryani to a global audience without compromising its heritage.

The investment also reflects Dhoniโ€™s keen eye for innovation and impact. After building a legacy in cricket, his recent venturesโ€”ranging from organic farming to now biryaniโ€”show a deep commitment to Indiaโ€™s cultural and entrepreneurial growth.

Meanwhile, on the cricketing front, Dhoni recently confirmed Ruturaj Gaikwad will return as CSK captain for IPL 2026, following a tough 2025 season. While he hasnโ€™t yet confirmed if heโ€™ll play, Dhoni reiterated his โ€œlifelong bondโ€ with the Chennai Super Kings.

With this latest investment, Dhoni adds another dimension to his post-cricket careerโ€”bringing his leadership, trust, and global appeal to a brand aiming to put Indian biryani on the world map.

As HOB grows its presence and scales across new geographies, fans and foodies alike can look forward to one thing: a plate of biryani made exactly how you like itโ€”Meri Wali Biryani.

Sports

Indian Ace Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin Plans to Retire from IPL


Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

August 27, 2025: One of Indian cricketโ€™s most iconic spin bowlers, Ravichandran Ashwin, is contemplating retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 38-year-old veteran has hinted at stepping away from the league, marking the close of a glittering IPL journey that began in 2009.

Ashwin made his debut for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and quickly became a cornerstone of their bowling attack. He played a pivotal role in CSKโ€™s back-to-back title wins in 2010 and 2011, even earning Player of the Series in the Champions League T20 in 2010.

With 221 matches and 187 wickets, Ashwin currently ranks as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in IPL history. He featured in 16 of the 18 IPL seasons, representing a range of teams including:

  • Chennai Super Kings (2009โ€“2015)
  • Rising Pune Supergiant (2016โ€“2017)
  • Punjab Kings (2018โ€“2019, as captain)
  • Delhi Capitals (2020โ€“2021)
  • Rajasthan Royals (2022โ€“2025)

Ashwinโ€™s intelligent bowling, leadership, and ability to adapt made him one of the most respected figures in the league. Whether opening the bowling or bowling the death overs, his versatility was unmatched.

โ€œItโ€™s been on my mind for a while,โ€ Ashwin shared in a recent interview. โ€œThe IPL has given me everything. It may be time to pass the torch to the next generation.โ€

๐ŸŽฏ Career Highlights:

  • IPL titles with CSK (2010, 2011)
  • 187 wickets in 221 matches
  • Captaincy stint with Punjab Kings
  • Famous dismissal of Chris Gayle in IPL 2011 final

While Ashwin may be ready to exit IPL, he is expected to remain active in domestic cricket and coaching circles. His contributions to Indian cricket, both in IPL and international formats, continue to shape the next generation of players.