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

Former Indian Captain Turned Ex-BCCI Chairman Sourav Ganguly Appointed Head Coach of Pretoria Capitals


Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

The “Maharaja of Indian Cricket”, Sourav Ganguly, has officially returned to frontline cricketโ€”this time as Head Coach of the Pretoria Capitals in the upcoming 2026 edition of SA20, South Africaโ€™s leading T20 cricket league.

At 53, Ganguly is proving once again that age is no barrier when it comes to passion and leadership. His appointment follows the exit of former England cricketer Jonathan Trott, who coached the Capitals in the 2023โ€“2025 seasons and is now the Head Coach of Afghanistanโ€™s national team.

Gangulyโ€™s cricket journey has spanned decadesโ€”captain of Team India, a powerful figure in world cricket as BCCI President, and now, a mentor and coach stepping into one of the sportโ€™s biggest franchise leagues. Prior to his BCCI role, he also served as a mentor with the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League and is currently the Director of JSW Sports, the parent company of Pretoria Capitals.

The 2026 edition of the SA20 tournament will be held from December 26, 2025 to January 25, 2026, to avoid a direct clash with the ICC Cricket World Cup.

Ganguly expressed his gratitude and optimism about the role:

โ€œAll the best and thank you for having me,โ€ he shared, signaling his commitment to lead the Capitals into a new era.

With Gangulyโ€™s proven tactical mind and inspirational leadership, Pretoria Capitals will be looking to rebuild and push for a strong finish in the upcoming season. His mentorship is expected to play a vital role in developing young talent and infusing the team with a winning mentality.

Spotlight

GM Rao: From Andhra Roots to Global Runways


GMR Group founder GM Rao has earned the moniker โ€œAirport Tycoon of Indiaโ€, and for good reason. Under his leadership, the GMR Group operates and manages Indiaโ€™s largest airports while also expanding its influence in Greece, the Philippines, and beyond.

Born in a small town in Andhra Pradesh, GM Rao began his entrepreneurial journey in 1978 with a jute mill. Over the years, that seed of ambition grew into a diversified empire comprising 28 companies across energy, transportation, aviation, and urban infrastructure.

With a net worth of โ‚น25,060 crore, Rao stands among Indiaโ€™s 100 richest individuals, as per Forbes.

๐Ÿข GMR Group at a Glance:

  • Revenue: โ‚น10,836 crore
  • Key Companies: GMR Airports, GMR Infrastructure, GMR Energy, GMR Enterprises
  • Airport Portfolio:
    • Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
    • Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad
    • Manohar International Airport, Goa
    • Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur (in collaboration with MIHAN India)

Internationally, GMR has active airport projects in Greece and the Philippines, making it the second-largest private airport operator globally.

In January 2024, GMR further cemented its commitment to aviation by launching the GMR School of Aviation in Hyderabad, in collaboration with Airbus. This initiative aims to nurture the next generation of aviation professionals.

Beyond infrastructure, GM Rao also owns a 50% stake in IPL team Delhi Capitals, blending business with the cricketing passion of millions.

๐Ÿ’ก Visionary in PPP Projects

One of Raoโ€™s lasting legacies is his effective use of the public-private partnership (PPP) model. Through this approach, GMR has led transformative projects that bridge gaps in critical infrastructure, fuel growth, and create sustainable models of development.

GM Rao’s story is a masterclass in vision, perseverance, and nation-building. From a single jute mill to shaping the future of air travel and infrastructure in India and abroad, he remains a monumental figure in the countryโ€™s economic landscape.