Rishabh Pant becomes IPL’s most expensive player at £2.54 million
Pant’s record-breaking bid came from Lucknow, surpassing the previous record set earlier in the day when Punjab acquired Shreyas Iyer for £2.52 million.
Pant returned to competitive cricket earlier this year after recovering from a serious car accident in December 2022. (Photo: Getty Images)
By EasternEyeNov 25, 2024
INDIAN wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in Indian Premier League (IPL) history on Sunday (24), fetching a record £2.54 million at the auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Teams competed fiercely over 577 players during the two-day event, with top international and domestic cricketers on offer.
Pant’s record-breaking bid came from the Lucknow Super Giants, surpassing the previous record set earlier in the day when the Punjab Kings acquired Shreyas Iyer for £2.52m. Iyer, who led the Kolkata Knight Riders to an IPL title this year, had previously held the record for the highest bid at the auction.
Punjab's new coach, Ricky Ponting, expressed his excitement about Iyer joining the team and hinted that he may be made captain. "I have worked with him three or four years at Delhi, and obviously he is a championship-winning captain from last season," Ponting said. "We are delighted to have him back."
Lucknow Super Giants owner Shashwat Goenka praised Pant’s cricketing pedigree, saying, "Rishabh's history in the IPL and in the sport of cricket is unparalleled in terms of his skill and what he brings to the table. We are very excited to have him as part of the squad."
Pant returned to competitive cricket earlier this year after recovering from a serious car accident in December 2022. He parted ways with the Delhi Capitals after captaining the team in the last IPL season.
The auction continued to break records, with Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer sold to Kolkata Knight Riders for £2.23m following a bidding war with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Other key sales:
Indian quick Arshdeep Singh started the auction with a bidding war, going to Punjab Kings for £1.69m.
Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, released by Kolkata Knight Riders, was bought by Delhi Capitals for £1.10m.
England white-ball captain Jos Buttler was picked up by Gujarat Titans for £1.48m.
Other notable buys included New Zealand’s Trent Boult (£1.17m to Mumbai Indians) and Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad (£0.94m to Chennai Super Kings).
Some players, like Australian David Warner and England’s Jonny Bairstow, went unsold in the first round but may be acquired later in the auction.
The IPL auction, held abroad for the second consecutive year, is part of efforts to expand the league's global profile. Last year’s auction took place in Dubai, and this year’s venue, Jeddah, aims to tap into Saudi Arabia's migrant worker fan base.
The IPL remains a major revenue source for Indian cricket, generating over £8.73 billion annually for the Indian economy.
Fans eagerly await announcement of a new Zelda game for the Nintendo Switch 2
Discussions centre around combining classic elements with modern open-world gameplay
Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom continue to set high expectations
Players want improved dungeons, deeper combat, and better weapon durability
Some fans suggest Wind Waker-inspired visuals and enhanced performance
Anticipation builds for first new Zelda game on Nintendo Switch 2
As Nintendo Switch 2 arrives in the hands of gamers across the world, fans of The Legend of Zelda series are already looking ahead to what the console’s first original Zelda title might offer. While a new Zelda game has yet to be officially announced for the next-generation system, the fanbase is actively discussing its hopes and expectations online.
The Legend of Zelda remains one of Nintendo’s most iconic franchises, with a legacy stretching back to its debut on the NES in 1986. With the success of recent entries like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, players are now speculating on how the next instalment can build upon those achievements.
Fans want a mix of tradition and innovation
A recent Reddit thread, started by user frewbrew, asked fans what they would like to see in a new Zelda game for the Nintendo Switch 2. The responses reflect a desire for both continuity and fresh ideas.
“I want everything Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom did right: open world, exploration, music, atmosphere,” wrote one user, 3ehsan. “With improvements upon everything the most recent entries fell short on, such as classic dungeons, story, and combat.”
Others shared similar thoughts, calling for a return to more structured dungeon design, a hallmark of older Zelda games. “I honestly like how they did dungeons in Tears of the Kingdom, or rather, the quests that include the dungeons,” added RegurgitatedMincer, suggesting the format could be expanded further.
Suggestions include better combat and weapon durability
While the franchise’s shift to open-world gameplay has been widely praised, some players are hoping for changes to mechanics such as weapon durability. “I wouldn't mind the durability system if the swords made of steel and various other metals didn't break after five hits,” noted user Fox_McCloud_Jr.
Combat also emerged as an area where fans would like to see refinement, with many calling for deeper mechanics and more memorable enemy encounters.
Visual upgrades and inspiration from Wind Waker
A number of fans expressed a wish for the next game to push the graphical capabilities of the new hardware. With the Nintendo Switch 2 offering upgraded performance, some are hoping the next Zelda title will be a technical showcase, both visually and in terms of framerate.
Others suggested inspiration could be drawn from The Wind Waker, with its bold art style and seafaring gameplay. Although no direction has been confirmed, fans remain optimistic that the next title will honour the series’ legacy while embracing new ideas.
Waiting for what’s next
Until Nintendo makes an official announcement, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom remain the definitive Zelda experiences available on the new system in enhanced form. But excitement around the next original entry continues to grow.
Whether it revisits familiar territory or charts a bold new path, the new Zelda game for Nintendo Switch 2 is already one of the most highly anticipated releases on the horizon.
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Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week
Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench London at the start of the week
Temperatures set to rise with highs of 31°C expected by Thursday
Heatwave could be declared by Friday if warm conditions persist
Night-time temperatures to remain high, increasing discomfort
UV and pollen levels forecast to be very high across the south
Thunderstorms soak London before summer heat returns
Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week as heavy rain and overnight thunderstorms swept through the capital. Monday morning saw widespread downpours, leaving commuters reaching for umbrellas and Wimbledon ticket hopefuls queuing in ponchos.
The unsettled conditions followed a burst of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and continued into the early hours of Monday, prompting caution across the city. The Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning for thunderstorms, but conditions remain unstable.
Temperatures expected to climb through the week
According to the Met Office, Monday will gradually clear, with sunny intervals forecast later in the day. Temperatures are expected to peak at around 23°C, before rising steadily through the week.
By Wednesday, temperatures could reach between 25°C and 28°C in parts of the country. However, for a heatwave to be officially declared, these thresholds must be met for three consecutive days.
Senior Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna explained: “Although the temperature will be reaching the criteria, we probably won’t actually reach an official heatwave until around Friday.”
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Heatwave likely by Friday, with weekend highs in low 30s
The mercury is forecast to hit 30°C or above by Friday and Saturday, with some areas potentially reaching the low 30s. Conditions are also expected to become more humid towards the weekend, making nights increasingly uncomfortable as temperatures are not likely to fall below 15°C.
Petagna noted that while it will be hot, the UK is expected to avoid the extreme heat experienced in southern Europe, where parts of Spain and Portugal have seen temperatures soar into the mid-40s.
UV and pollen levels also rising
In addition to the heat, very high UV and pollen levels are expected across southern parts of the UK later in the week. The Met Office has advised the public to take precautions during peak hours of sunlight.
The long-term outlook remains uncertain, with some forecasts suggesting the heat may ease early next week, while others predict it could persist into the following weekend.
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Garfield and Barbaro twin in Ralph Lauren for their most public appearance yet
Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro stepped out in matching Ralph Lauren looks at Wimbledon 2025.
The couple shared affectionate moments courtside, including hand-holding and a cheek kiss.
They were first linked romantically in February after being spotted at a London play.
The pair may reunite on screen in Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming film Artificial.
Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro made their most public appearance yet as a couple on Sunday, arriving hand-in-hand at Wimbledon 2025 in coordinated white ensembles and sharing subtle yet sweet moments of affection. The actors, who were first rumoured to be dating in February, looked completely in sync as they entered the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on 6 July. Dressed in matching Ralph Lauren outfits, the two smiled for cameras and appeared relaxed throughout the day.
Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro arrive hand in hand at Wimbledon in all whiteInstagram/voguemagazine
Stylish Wimbledon appearance draws attention
Garfield, known for The Amazing Spider-Man, and Top Gun: Maverick star Barbaro sat near Maude Apatow, Charithra Chandran, and Matthew Broome in the VIP area. Fans and onlookers caught glimpses of the pair laughing, chatting, and sharing a quiet kiss on the cheek, a rare public display from Garfield, who’s known for fiercely guarding his privacy.
While they’ve been spotted together multiple times since February, including Hollywood events and casual outings, Wimbledon marked the first time they appeared to fully embrace their couple status in front of the public eye.
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Romance rumours started earlier this year
The two were first linked after attending a theatre performance in London in February. A source later confirmed to People that they were indeed dating. Since then, they’ve kept their relationship largely under wraps, choosing not to comment publicly. In May, speculation intensified after both attended events in New York around the same time. While Barbaro walked the Met Gala red carpet solo, Garfield was reportedly waiting for her at The Mark Hotel nearby.
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Possible on-screen collaboration in Artificial
Adding to the buzz, Deadline recently reported that Garfield and Barbaro are in talks to star together in Artificial, a new film by Challengers director Luca Guadagnino. When asked about the project during the premiere of her Netflix action-comedy series FUBAR in June, Barbaro stayed tight-lipped but called Guadagnino “one of my favourite directors.”
Pressed specifically about working with Garfield, she laughed and added, “I’m excited to work with the whole cast. It’s going to be a great time.” The statement, while vague, only fuelled anticipation for a joint screen appearance.
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Garfield maintains stance on privacy
Despite the public display at Wimbledon, Garfield has consistently drawn boundaries around his personal life. In a 2024 interview, the Oscar-nominated actor reiterated his stance, saying, “I have never, and I won’t ever, speak about or confirm or deny anything about my personal life with anyone, ever.”
He echoed the same sentiment in a 2021 interview, where he spoke about protecting his “right to be ordinary… to get it wrong, to be stupid, to be a person.”
The Hollywood pair appear relaxed and close at Wimbledon 2025Instagram/voguemagazine
What’s next for the couple?
While the Wimbledon appearance suggests Garfield and Barbaro are growing more comfortable being seen together, they’re keeping things on their terms. Professionally, both have packed schedules. Garfield is set to return to the screen in After the Hunt, which hits cinemas on 10 October. Meanwhile, Barbaro will appear in the crime thriller Crime 101 alongside Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo, slated for release in February 2026.
Whether or not Artificial brings the real-life couple together on screen remains to be seen. But for now, Wimbledon has served as their soft launch, and fans are here for it.
ONE reason I watched the BBC documentary Amol Rajan Goes to the Ganges with particular interest was because I have been wondering what to do with the ashes of my uncle, who died in August last year. His funeral, like that of his wife, was half Christian and half Hindu, as he had wished. But he left no instructions about his ashes.
Sooner or later, this is a question that every Hindu family in the UK will have to face, since it has been more than half a century since the first generation of Indian immigrants began arriving in this country. Amol admits he found it difficult to cope with the loss of his father, who died aged 76 three years ago. His ashes were scattered in the Thames.
Amol, who is 41, was born in Calcutta and was brought to Britain when he was three.
“My dad was my hero, totally and utterly,” he declares.
He recalls: “Very suddenly, three years ago, he got pneumonia, went into hospital, spent five dreadful weeks in intensive care, and died. This was really shocking to me because it was the first time I’d ever lost someone I loved.” Watching the grand final of University Challenge, in which Christ’s College, Cambridge, beat Warwick 175–170 in an exciting finish, we saw Amol’s intellectual and secular side as a BBC TV presenter.
He says he is an atheist, but nevertheless undertook a pilgrimage to the Ganges to see if he could emancipate his father from the eternal cycle of birth, death and rebirth and help him gain moksha. He couldn’t get to the confluence of the Ganges and the Yamuna at the Kumbh Mela because of a stampede in which 30 people were trampled to death and hundreds injured. But he participated in pind daan and took a dip in the Ganges.
Rajan offers the pind daan in honour of his father and ancestors
He says: “I think that one of the things that I wanted to go to the Kumbh Mela to do, was to confront my grief, reconnect with my dad, but also to try and work out what the next 38 or 40 years of my life would have to do with the first half.”
Expressing grief on camera, as Amol does, is a little odd, but he explains: “I think there are three things I want people to take away from this documentary. One is about grief, the other is about faith, and the final one is about family. Every grief is different, and everyone grieves for somebody they’ve lost in a very unique way, but I do think there are certain rules about grief. I do think it does get easier over time, and I do think that sharing grief by talking about it, by connecting with other people that are aggrieved, is a really valuable thing. This documentary is a way of trying to grieve in public, not for vain reasons, but because I think there’s something that people could learn from that.”
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Gupta previously served as CEO of JioStar Sports, a role he took up following the $8.5 billion merger between Reliance Industries and Walt Disney’s Indian media assets in November last year. (Photo: X/@HomeOfCricket)
THE International Cricket Council (ICC) has named Sanjog Gupta as its new chief executive officer, replacing Geoff Allardice. The announcement was made on Monday.
Gupta previously served as CEO of JioStar Sports, a role he took up following the $8.5 billion merger between Reliance Industries and Walt Disney’s Indian media assets in November last year. He becomes the ICC’s seventh CEO.
Allardice, who was appointed in November 2021 after serving in an interim capacity for eight months following the suspension of Manu Sawhney, stepped down from the position earlier this year.
Gupta took charge on Monday and said, “These are exciting times for the sport as marquee events grow in stature, commercial avenues widen and opportunities such as the women's game scale in popularity. Cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and the rapid acceleration of technology deployment/adoption could act as force-multipliers for the cricket movement around the world.”
ICC chair Jay Shah said Gupta’s experience would support the organisation’s plans. “His deep understanding of the global sports as well as M&E landscape combined with his continued curiosity about the cricket fan’s perspective and passion for technology will prove essential in our ambition to grow the game in the coming years.”
The ICC said over 2,500 applications were received from 25 countries.