Latest News
IPL 2026 auction likely around December 15, retention deadline on November 15
The IPL 2026 auction is likely to be held in the second or third week of December, with December 13-15 emerging as the probable window. Franchise officials, who have spoken to the BCCI authorities, have disclosed to Cricbuzz that discussions are centred on those dates, although the Governing Council of the league is yet to firm up the schedule.
Additionally, there is no indication, at this stage, of the auction being taken overseas, as was the case in the last two editions – first in Dubai (2023) and then in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (2024). Franchise sources suggest that it would not be a surprise if the BCCI decides to hold the mini-auction in India itself. Again, that decision is yet to be concretised.
What, however, can be said with a fair degree of certainty is that the retention deadline is November 15. By then, franchises will have to submit the names of the players they plan to release ahead of the auction. There are, though, no indications of a large-scale churn, except perhaps from Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, who finished at the bottom last season.
Among the players reportedly on the release list are Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tripathi, Sam Curran, and even Devon Conway from Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The five-time champions already have INR 9.75 crore added to their purse following Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement from the IPL.
At the top of the Royals’ list will be Sanju Samson, unless the franchise manages to pull off a trade for the skipper. There had also been some talk of the Royals’ plans to release their two Sri Lankan spinners – Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana – but with Kumar Sangakkara set for return as head coach, that thinking may well change.
Players such as T Natarajan, Mitchell Starc, Akash Deep, Mayank Yadav and David Miller among others, may have to look for new franchises, although there is no confirmation as yet – just as in the case of Venkatesh Iyer, the third most expensive buy at the last auction, picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 23.75 crore.
Going by the buzz among franchises, Cameron Green is expected to be one of the hottest names at the auction. The Australian all-rounder, who missed the previous auction due to injury, has already attracted interest from several teams and he is sure to be hotly pursued.
Business
Cqb8net approves restructuring of the Sri Lanka Housing Development Finance Corporation Bank and the State Mortgage and Investment Bank
The Sri Lanka Housing Development Finance Corporation Bank, incorporated under the Sri Lanka Housing Development Finance Corporation Bank Act No. 7 of 1997, is a licensed specialized bank listed on the Stock Exchange.
The prime objective is to provide housing finance and other related services. The State Mortgage and Investment Bank, established under the State Mortgage and Investment Bank Act No. 13 of 1975, is a fully state-owned licensed specialized bank that provides housing-related mortgage credit facilities. Both of these banks are relatively small financial institutions with a small market share.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has indicated that the current business models of these banks are unsustainable due to their limited deposit-raising capacity, poor profitability, and inability to meet minimum capital adequacy requirements.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, to take necessary steps to transfer all the shares of the Government of the Sri Lanka Housing Development Finance Corporation Bank to the Bank of Ceylon and to continue operations as a subsidiary bank of the BOC Bank, and to acquire all the shares of the State Mortgage and Investment Bank for the People’s Bank and to continue operations as a subsidiary bank of the People’s Bank, with the objective of ensuring the stability of the entire banking
sector and protecting the requirements of the depositors.
Business
Cabinet approves establishment of Information Technology Services subsidiary for Bank of Ceylon
The Bank of Ceylon has identified the necessity of strengthening its digitalization capabilities in order to respond to changing customer demands and maintain the competitiveness of the banking sector.
Therefore, it has been planned to establish an Information Technology Institute affiliated with the bank that comprises IT
professionals to support the optimization of IT operations of the Bank of Ceylon and provide information and communication technology solutions and services that facilitate digital transformations.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, for the BOC Management and Support Services (Pvt) Ltd, which was established in 1992 to meet the manpower requirements of the Bank of Ceylon and seized operations in 2007, to be reestablished under the name of BOC IT Solutions (Pvt) Ltd, as a fully associated institute of the Bank of Ceylon.
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first in the first ODI in Rawalpindi. This will be Sri Lanka’s first bilateral series in Pakistan since 2019, with Pakistan holding an 18-12 win-loss record on home soil.
Charith Asalanka the possibility of dew later on was a driving factor in his decision to bowl first, while Shaheen Shah Afridi said he would also liked to have bowled first adding that he’s expecting a high-scoring game.
In team news, one change for the hosts from the side that won their last ODI against South Africa, with Abrar Ahmed missing out due to illness and Naseem Shah replacing him. Sri Lanka meanwhile have handed out an ODI debut to Kamil Mishara, while Wanindu Hasaranga also comes in. Making way are Janith Liyanage and the injured Dilshan Madushanka.
As mentioned earlier, the pitch at Rawalpindi is expected to be high-scoring, with chasing sides coming out victorious in the past three games; a score in excess of 300 will likely be needed for the side batting first, particularly with dew expected under lights. The over head conditions are bright and warm.
Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando
Pakistan XI: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayu, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah
(Cricinfo)
Cqb8net approves restructuring of the Sri Lanka Housing Development Finance Corporation Bank and the State Mortgage and Investment Bank
Cabinet approves establishment of Information Technology Services subsidiary for Bank of Ceylon
Sri Lanka bowl first in ODI series opener; Mishara on debut
Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in Uva, Southern, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts
NPP govt. urged to reconsider decision to abolish concession granted to military families
India training civil service officers in support of AKD’s project
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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