The Indian Premier League (IPL) teams announced their lists of retained players ahead of the mini auction to be held next month, and the Rajasthan Royals have bid farewell to their captain Steve Smith.

Smith, one of the best contemporary batsmen in the world, came under flak following his team’s dismal showing in the 2020 edition of the tournament. He has now been released by the Royals, who have named Sanju Samson as captain for the new season.

Among the other big releases was Glenn Maxwell by Kings XI Punjab. One of the most expensive players in last year’s IPL, Maxwell had to pay for an ordinary season. The Chennai Super Kings, meanwhile, let go spinners Harbhajan Singh and Piyush Chawla as well as opener Shane Watson. Suresh Raina, who had opted out of IPL 2020, was retained by the franchise.

The Mumbai Indians will be without Lasith Malinga, after the talismanic pacer announced his retirement from franchise cricket, thus ending a stellar IPL career. Malinga is the highest wicket-taker in IPL history, with 170 scalps. The Royal Challengers Bangalore sprung a surprise by releasing all-rounders Chris Morris and Shivam Dube.

Here’s a look at all the retentions and releases by the teams.

Chennai Super Kings

Retained: MS Dhoni (captain), Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Dwayne Bravo, Josh Hazlewood, Sam Curran, KM Asif, Deepak Chahar, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, N Jagadeesan, Karn Sharma, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Santner, Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shardul Thakur, R Sai Kishore.

Released: Piyush Chawla, Harbhajan Singh, Kedar Jadhav, Murali Vijay, Monu Singh, Shane Watson.

Thank you for all the #Yellove outings, Bhajju pa! Keep spreading the Pulamai, everywhere you go! #WhistlePodu 💛🦁@harbhajan_singh pic.twitter.com/J4xu8dnVZ8

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 20, 2021

Delhi Capitals

Retained: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Ishant Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, Prithvi Shaw, R Ashwin, Rishabh Pant, Shikhar Dhawan, Lalit Yadav, Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Daniels Sams, Anrich Nortje.

Released: Alex Carey, Keemo Paul, Sandeep Lamichhane, Tushar Deshpande, Mohit Sharma.

🚨 RETAINED PLAYERS 🚨

Back where they belong 😌

Here is the list of all the DC Stars who’ll ROAR with us in #IPL2021 as well 🔥#YehHaiNayiDilli #IPLRetention pic.twitter.com/4Z3HusQwaD

— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) January 20, 2021

Kings XI Punjab

Retained: KL Rahul (captain), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda, Prabhsimran Singh, Mohammed Shami, Chris Jordan, Darshan Nalkande, Ravi Bishnoi, Murugan Ashwin, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, Ishan Porel.

Released: Glenn Maxwell, Karun Nair, Hardus Viljoen, Jagadeesha Suchith, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Sheldon Cottrell, Jimmy Neesham, Krishnappa Gowtham, Tajinder Singh.

“The plan was to retain the core” – Head Coach @anilkumble1074 on the players retained, released and more… 🗣#IPL2021 #SaddaPunjab pic.twitter.com/1dGj79pum9

— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) January 20, 2021

Kolkata Knight Riders

Retained: Eoin Morgan (captain), Dinesh Karthik, Andre Russell, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Kuldeep Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Nitish Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Rinku Singh, Sandeep Warrier, Shivam Mavi, Shubman Gill, Sunil Narine, Pat Cummins, Rahul Tripathi, Tom Banton, Varun Chakravarthy.

Released: M Siddharth, Nikhil Naik, Siddhesh Lad, Chris Green, Tom Banton.

📣 Meet the Retained Knights for #IPL2021#KKR #Cricket pic.twitter.com/dkW857CWX8

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) January 20, 2021

Mumbai Indians

Retained: Rohit Sharma (captain), Quinton de Kock, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Chris Lynn, Anmolpreet Singh, Saurabh Tiwary, Aditya Tare, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Anukul Roy, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Rahul Chahar, Jayant Yadav, Dhawal Kulkarni, Mohsin Khan.

Released: Lasith Malinga, Mitch McClenaghan, James Pattinson, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Sherfane Rutherford, Prince Balwant Rai, Digivijay Deshmukh.

You gave us 170 moments to celebrate. But the most memorable ones came on the final ball of the match. You smiled, you bowled, you won and for that we say #ThankYouMalinga 💙

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) January 20, 2021

Rajasthan Royals

Retained: Sanju Samson (captain), Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Riyan Parag, Shreyas Gopal, Rahul Tewatia, Mahipal Lomror, Kartik Tyagi, Andrew Tye, Jaydev Unadkat, Mayank Markande, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Anuj Rawat, David Miller, Manan Vohra, Robin Uthappa.

Released: Steve Smith, Ankit Rajpoot, Oshane Thomas, Akash Singh, Varun Aaron, Tom Curran, Anirudha Joshi, Shashank Singh.

Forever a Royal…💗

Some special memories Smudge. 🤝#RoyalsFamily | @stevesmith49 pic.twitter.com/esOSQVtAtP

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) January 20, 2021

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Retained: Virat Kohli (captain), AB de Villiers, Devdutt Padikkal, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Joshua Philippe, Pavan Deshpande, Shahbaz Ahamad, Adam Zampa.

Released: Chris Morris, Aaron Finch, Moeen Ali, Isuru Udana, Dale Steyn, Shivam Dube, Umesh Yadav, Pawan Negi, Gurkeerat Mann, Parthiv Patel.

Retained Royal Challengers

They are back! Introducing the 1️⃣2️⃣ Royal Challengers who will be donning the RCB Red and Gold to #PlayBold again in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣. 🌟 #WeAreChallengers #IPLRetention #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/3p9qAJGAsK

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) January 20, 2021

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Retained: David Warner (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Basil Thampi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jonny Bairstow, Kane Williamson, Manish Pandey, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Shahbaz Nadeem, Shreevats Goswami, Siddarth Kaul, Khaleel Ahmed, T Natarajan, Vijay Shankar, Wriddhiman Saha, Abdul Samad, Mitchell Marsh, Priyam Garg, Virat Singh.

Released: Sanjay Yadav, B Sandeep, Billy Stanlake, Fabian Allen, Prithviraj Yarra.

Our full list of retained players for #IPL2021!#RisersRetained #IPLRetention #OrangeArmy pic.twitter.com/JmzYoM2Zvn

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) January 20, 2021

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We’re still hungover from yesterday’s events at the Gabba. On a ground that is Australia’s fortress, India pulled off the improbable to register a test series win for the ages.

The highlight of this series was India’s youngsters punching above their weight and showing their mettle. With so many key players lost to injury, the team management was compelled to throw a lot of newcomers into the deep end. The series saw as many as five debutants for India, and none disappointed.

This surplus of young talent, however, isn’t something that was achieved overnight. It is the result of an elaborate process put in place by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and one man has played a key role in it all. Rahul Dravid has been instrumental in shaping the careers of young cricketers and grooming them for the big stage.

After drawing curtains to a glittering international career in 2012, the legendary batsman has remained deeply involved in Indian cricket. He enjoyed an immensely fruitful stint as the coach of India’s under-19 and A teams, and now helms the National Cricket Academy (NCA). It would be unfair to credit Dravid alone for the supply chain of young cricketers that India enjoys today. Indian cricket, after all, has an admirable structure for domestic cricket that regularly throws up new talent. Dravid, however, has been responsible for the effective transition of these talents from domestic to international cricket. All of the young heroes of the Australia series, be it Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur or Mohammed Siraj, have graduated from Dravid’s finishing school.

After the series win yesterday, Indian fans took to Twitter to express their gratitude to Dravid..

He is NOT on Twitter but #RahulDravid is the man behind the rise of all these players at National Cricket Academy and India `A’ : Gill, Shardul, Sundar, Siraj, Saini, Pant…Let us hail Dravid the astute cricket mind even as we celebrate the feat Down Under🙏🙏🙏🙏

— Vijay Lokapally (@vijaylokapally) January 19, 2021

Real man of the series – Rahul Dravid. Building such a great bench strength through India A. Moulded in his personality – grit, resilience and immense self belief!!

— Mandar Dandekar (@MandarDandekar) January 19, 2021

Goes to show nice guys do finish first! https://t.co/JI4YxWAVMI

— Chandra R. Srikanth (@chandrarsrikant) January 19, 2021

In an office at the NCA in Bangalore, Rahul Dravid must be watching and feeling proud of the India A and India U19 programs he’s developed, which gave India their depth.

Then, he’ll quietly get back to work planning the next series.

— Snehal Pradhan (@SnehalPradhan) January 19, 2021

“Because he’s not our hero. He’s a silent guardian, a watchful protector. A dark knight”

Congratulations India. #AUSvsIND #RahulDravid pic.twitter.com/k56tYtJw91

— Priyangshu Gogoi (@PriyangshuG) January 19, 2021

Can we take a moment to thank Rahul Dravid for all that he’s doing for Indian Cricket? The resilience that the youngsters have shown had shades of The Wall. #AUSvIND #AUSvsIND #AUSvINDtest #dravid

— Dr. Smriti (@dentist_chick) January 19, 2021

Rahul Dravid!❤️#AUSvIND #GabbaTest #TestCricket pic.twitter.com/NB6J0q8JAJ

— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) January 19, 2021

We just cannot forget what Rahul Dravid has done with our younger players. We’re wondering how can they be so resilient in their 1st or 2nd matches! Let’s not forget they’ve been trained & mentored by Dravid. Who’s still serving Indian cricket like none other! 🇮🇳🏏 https://t.co/sz5RPfPQF9

— Sohini (@Mittermaniac) January 17, 2021

In the end, Rahul Dravid will be known as India’s greatest cricketer. His legacy will far outstrip the rest of the greats.

Cricket is not an individual sport. It’s a team game and there has never been a team man and team builder like Dravid in Indian cricket.

— Srivatsa (@srivatsayb) January 19, 2021

Another special day to thank the dynamic and enduring mentorship given to India youngsters by the great #RahulDravid. What a man! #INDvsAUS

— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) January 17, 2021

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What a riveting final day it was to mark the end of a magnificent test series. The series decider was played at Brisbane, where Australia hadn’t lost a test match since 1988 and where India had never won one. Injuries had forced the Indian side to field a highly inexperienced bowling attack. The odds were firmly stacked against us, but on day five the team engineered a herculean chase to register not only their first ever win at the Gabba, but also clinch their second consecutive series win on Australian soil. To think that this was a team that was bowled out for 36 at the start of the series. With true grit and determination, they’ve orchestrated one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent history.

The series proved that the Indian team isn’t just about the Virats, the Pujaras, the Ashwins and the Bumrahs. A Hanuma Vihari, a Mohammed Siraj, a Shardul Thakur and a Rishabh Pant also put their hands up when the team needed it.

And what do we say about Ajinkya Rahane’s calm and composed leadership? Not one who finds himself in the limelight too often, Rahane took his chance to show the world what an able leader he is. He will continue to live in Kohli’s shadow once the latter returns to the side, but boy are we glad to have him in our ranks.

Here’s how social media celebrated India’s win…

For all of us in 🇮🇳 & across the world, if you ever score 36 or lesser in life, remember: it isn’t end of the world. The spring stretches backward only to propel you forward. And once you succeed, don’t forget to celebrate with those who stood by you when the world wrote you off. pic.twitter.com/qqaTTAg9uW

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 19, 2021

Khushi ke maare pagal. This is the new India. Ghar mein ghuskar maarta hai. From what happened in Adelaide to this, these young guys have given us a joy of a lifetime. There have been World Cup wins but this is special. And yes,there is a reason Pant is extra special . pic.twitter.com/3CAQIkAuwq

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 19, 2021

The greatest test win. The Pants, Gills, Washingtons, Sirajs….just different

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 19, 2021

I know Rahul and VVS and 2001 but how do you top this series…..Greatest I have seen.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 19, 2021

Pant took India home brilliantly! What a star! But let’s not forget, the road to the win was constructed by Nats, Siraj, Shardul, Gill, Pujara and Washington. Hats off a million times! #AUSvINDtest

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 19, 2021

India is at the cusp of the beginning of world dominance in Test cricket. This series will be that one pivotal moment. The grit. The resilience. The resolve. Add to that…Kohli, Bumrah, Ashwin, Jadeja, Shami, Ishant, Rahul. Wow. Just wow. #IndvAus

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 19, 2021

Remarkable. Injuries galore, absent players, & beating Australia at their fortress at the Gabba. This has been the most remarkable test series victory I’ve watched in my experience. India’s depth of talent, heart and character must forever lift an entire nation. Congratulations.

— Ian bishop (@irbishi) January 19, 2021

Every Indian cricket fan going into work today !! In such adversity that was truly amazing India !! 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/eQlo1BotLU

— Nasser Hussain (@nassercricket) January 19, 2021

The Greatest Test series win of all time … Well done #India you have just shown the way for England to get back those Ashes back later in the year … 👍 https://t.co/eWKaKFfJ41

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 19, 2021

WHAT A WIN!!! Yessssss. To everyone who doubted us after Adelaide, stand up and take notice. Exemplary performance but the grit and determination was the standout for us the whole way. Well done to all the boys and the management. Enjoy this historic feat lads. Cheers 👏🏼🇮🇳 @BCCI pic.twitter.com/CgWElgOOO1

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 19, 2021

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This Indian team is made of steely resolve. Weakened by injuries, and playing on a ground where it has traditionally struggled, the side has fought tooth and nail to give the Aussies a run for their money in the series decider.

The growing list of injuries forced the Indian management to field two more newcomers in the Brisbane test, taking the total number of debutants in this series for India to five. The team’s five bowlers had played a grand total of four tests between them before the start of this game. The mighty Aussies would steamroll such an inexperienced side, everyone thought. But it wasn’t meant to be.

As has happened so often in the series, someone put their hand up and bailed the side when the chips were down. When India were at a precarious 186 for 6 in the first innings, debutant Washington Sundar and one-test-old Shardul Thakur dug in and hit half centuries, thereby ensuring that Australia didn’t enjoy a strong first innings lead. Thakur in particular has been exceptional, with a tally of 67 runs and 7 wickets in the match.

And what a series it’s been for young Mohammed Siraj. The 26-year-old lost his father at the start of the tour but chose to stay back with the team. He then went on to make his test debut at Melbourne, and two tests later was tasked with leading the bowling attack. How did he respond? By bagging a five-wicket haul in the second innings.

Social media heaped praise on the Indian team’s performance…

Just when you thought India’s resistance had finally broken, comes a fightback as stirring as it is unexpected. Irrespective of what happens in this Test, this team has shown itself to be the toughest-ever Indian team #INDvAUS

— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) January 17, 2021

From Net bowlers arrived for practice to highest scorers in the innings. We have to stand up and appreciate one of the greatest fightbacks on Australian land. #INDvAUS#GabbaTest pic.twitter.com/35g1rSugRL

— Aniruddh Singh (@Anirudd22527427) January 17, 2021

Extremely impressed with the fighting attitude shown by @Sundarwashi5 and @imShard. They have symbolised what India has been in this series, consistently punching above their weight. It is so satisfying to see.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 17, 2021

This was not just cricket, it was gallantry excellence on a sports field. Hats off! pic.twitter.com/bP6c4QXRWr

— Vijay Shankar (@vijayshankar260) January 17, 2021

Sundar and Shardul have epitomized India’s never say die spirit on this fascinating series. Next man up mentality should inspire many other teams never to give in or up.

— Ian bishop (@irbishi) January 17, 2021

Outstanding application and belief by @Sundarwashi5 and @imShard. This is what test cricket is all about. Washy top composure on debut and tula parat maanla re Thakur! 👏👌

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 17, 2021

Lost his father. But chose to stay in Australia. Got racially abused….but didn’t let that affect him. Became the leader of the attack in only his third Test. And he’s taken a five-for. Love and respect for you Siraj. 👏👏 #AusvInd

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 18, 2021

Well done Mohd. Siraj on your 1st fifer and @imShard on your important all round performance which has kept the Test rather interesting so far and more importantly, the Test series alive. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/tXmLP2c9FN

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 18, 2021

The boy has become a man on this tour. Siraj, Leader of the attack in his first Test series and he has led from.the front. The way newcomers have performed for India on this tour will be etched in memories for a long long time. Will be fitting if they retain the trophy. pic.twitter.com/8bRvMI1iwR

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 18, 2021

“You’ll end up with a five-wicket haul in this Test series. Your father’s dua (blessing) is with you,” is what the two head coaches had told Mohammad Siraj when he went for practice following his dad’s passing. Two months later. A Star is Born #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/juxfZEJUe9

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 18, 2021

One of the many incredible stories of Team India is that of Mohd Siraj.. To lose your father, stay back in Aus, make your India debut, pick up 5 wickets.. and do it with a smile all through.. super stuff! Well done Siraj! #INDvsAUS

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) January 18, 2021

India either need to chase down 328, or bat out the entire fifth day to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy. The ask is tall, but this team has made a habit of defying odds in this series. Of course, there is also a chance that the rain gods might offer some help. Tomorrow promises to be a mouth-watering final day of the series.

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Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Brett Lee are gearing up to return to the cricket field. The Road Safety World Series is set to resume after nearly a year.

Organised by the Road Safety cell of Maharashtra to create awareness about road safety, the series is a T20 competition featuring retired cricketers from India, Australia, West Indies, South Africa and Sri Lanka. The India Legends side is led by Sachin Tendulkar and boasts of other retired stars like Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Irfan Pathan and Zaheer Khan. Foreign stars featuring in the tournament include West Indies’ Brian Lara, South Africa’s Jonty Rhodes, Australia’s Brett Lee and Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan among others.

The series began in March last year, but after just four games was called off indefinitely due to the global coronavirus pandemic. The organisers had issued a statement saying the remaining games would be played when the situation is conducive to holding public events.

Now, with the world slowly returning to normalcy, the tournament is finally set to resume, according to a 45-second promo released by Voot, one of its telecast partners. The clip makes no mention of dates but indicates that live action isn’t far away.

Viewers will be able to watch the Road Safety World Series live on Colors Cineplex and Rishtey Cineplex, or live-stream it on Voot.

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