JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League after the wicketkeeper-batter was sold for $3.2 million to Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday.
The former Delhi Capitals captain overtook Shreyas Iyer, who went to Punjab Kings for $3.18 million on the first day of the cricket mega auction, which was held for the first time in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Both players are likely to lead their franchises in the world’s richest domestic Twenty20 league which is set to start on March 14 next year with the final scheduled for May 25.
Delhi could hand the captaincy to former Lucknow skipper Lokesh Rahul, who they bought for $1.67 million. The biggest surprise of the day was all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, who was eventually sold to Kolkata Knight Riders for $2.83 million after fierce bidding between his former franchise Kolkata and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Gujarat Titans got Jos Buttler for $1.88 million after Rajasthan Royals couldn’t buy back the England captain, who is expected to open with Shubman Gill. Gujarat also succeeded in buying South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada for $1.28 million.
There was a huge drop when Delhi bought Mitchell Starc for $1.40 million, after last year’s record $2.98 million by Kolkata for the Australian left-arm fast bowler.
Starc’s countryman David Warner and Jonny Bairstow of England remained unsold on the opening day after none of the 10 franchises showed interest.
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will return to Chennai Super Kings for the first time since 2015. He was sold for $1.16 million – the highest he has ever got in an IPL auction.
The auction finishes Monday.
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
India's Rishabh Pant loses his balance after hitting a six during play in the first cricket test between India and Australia in Perth, Australia, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Trevor Collens)
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida players eager to celebrate their latest victory, the one that made them bowl eligible for the first time in two years, found a suitable prop on the sideline.
Ole Miss left behind its basketball hoop, which the Rebels use to salute big plays during games.
The Gators set it up, grabbed some footballs and held their own dunk contest near the end zone. It provided an apt stage — perfect for showcasing finishing moves — after they closed out another ranked opponent.
Florida (6-5, 4-4 Southeastern Conference) dominated the second half for the second consecutive week and got to party in the Swamp following a 24-17 victory over then-ninth-ranked Mississippi on Saturday.
Not only did the Gators knock the Rebels (8-3, 4-3) out of the College Football Playoff picture, they won their fourth consecutive home game and raised expectations for coach Billy Napier’s fourth season in Gainesville.
And the manner in which they accomplished it mattered. Napier has been preaching about “finishing," something that had mostly eluded the Gators in the past two years.
Florida lost four games in 2023 after leading in the second half, including three — against Arkansas, Missouri and Florida State — in the fourth quarter.
And no one following the program has forgotten how close the Gators were to upsetting Tennessee and Georgia earlier this season, losing 23-17 to the Volunteers in overtime and fading against the Bulldogs after being tied at 20 with five minutes to play.
Napier hoped all those gut punches would ultimately lead to something better, and they finally did — with late-game knockouts against LSU and Mississippi.
“Eventually you get sick of that,” receiver Chimere Dike said. “To be able to get these last two wins is huge for our team and our program. I’m proud of the resilience the guys showed, the way that we performed.”
Florida held Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin's high-scoring offense to three points in the second half. The Rebels turned the ball over twice — interceptions by Bryce Thornton on the final two drives — punted twice and got stuffed on another fourth-down run.
“I thought we were better on both sides up front, and short-yardage defense is a big component,” Napier said. “Those are identity plays. I think we had guys step up and make plays.”
Added defensive tackle Cam Jackson said: “Everybody just pinned their ears back. That was great.”
It was reminiscent of the previous week against then-No. 21 LSU. Florida held the Tigers to six points in the second half and forced a fumble, a punt and a turnover on downs in a 27-16 victory.
“We just all came together and wanted to change how Florida was looked at,” Thornton said. “That’s the biggest thing with us, just trying to show everybody that we can do it.”
The Gators ended the afternoon showing off their basketball moves.
Cornerback Trikweze Bridges, receiver Marcus Burke, defensive end Justus Boone, tight end Tony Livingston and linebacker Shemar James delivered monster dunks. Aidan Mizell passed a football between his leg in midair before his slam, and fellow receiver Elijhah Badger bounced it off the backboard before rousing teammates and fans with his finish.
“Belief is the most powerful thing in the world,” Napier said. “At some point there, midseason, we figured (that) out and we started to believe. Look, we can play with any team in the country.”
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Florida wide receiver Aidan Mizell (11) performs a celebratory dunk using a basketball backboard placed on the Mississippi sideline after their 24-17 win in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
