‘Asia Cup ho jaye bas…’ quips Rashid Latif

New Delhi, May 27 (IANS) South Africa’s Dewald Brevis has thanked the Chennai Super Kings franchise and fans after completing a short but impressive stint in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

Brevis, who joined CSK as an injury replacement midway through the season, scored 225 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 180 and an average of 37.50. His performances were one of the few positives in what was otherwise a disappointing season for the five-time champions, who finished last on the points table for the first time in their history.

Taking to social media on Tuesday, two days after CSK ended their campaign with a win against Gujarat Titans, the 22-year-old Brevis posted an emotional note. He expressed gratitude towards the team management, support staff and his teammates for welcoming him warmly and giving him an opportunity to contribute.

“Thank you to Chennai management, coaches, and everyone involved for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to do what I love – PLAYING CRICKET,” Brevis wrote on Instagram.

“A special thank you to my teammates for making me feel welcome from day one. And to all our incredible fans in India, you were amazing. The atmosphere and support at Chepauk were unforgettable. I hope to be back soon.”

He also shared a photograph with MS Dhoni, who returned to lead the team in the latter part of the season after regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out with an injury.

Brevis had previously played for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2022 and 2024 went unsold in the 2025 auction. His strong showing in SA20 this year, where he scored 291 runs for MI Cape Town, earned him a call-up by CSK to replace the injured Gurjapneet Singh.

With the mini-auction scheduled for later this year, CSK now have the option to retain Brevis. The franchise will also assess the futures of Ayush Mhatre and Urvil Patel, two other replacements who made an impact in the second half of the season.

–IANS

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Mumbai, Oct 9 (IANS) The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Thursday announced that elections for the office bearers, Apex Council members and T20 Mumbai League Governing Council members will be held on November 12.

The Apex Council has re-appointed J. S. Saharia, former Chief Secretary and former State Election Commissioner of Maharashtra, as the Electoral Officer to oversee the elections for a second consecutive year.

“The election was originally scheduled for October 23 but due to the festive season, it was decided that we would conduct it on November 12 so that nobody’s festivities are disturbed,” an MCA official told IANS.

In July last year, the association appointed incumbent secretary Ajinkya Naik as the president. He became the youngest ever to hold the position and replaced the late Amol Kale after the latter’s sudden demise in June 2024 in New York.

Naik, who was 37 when elected, won by defeating Vice-President Sanjay Naik, backed by Mumbai BJP chief and BCCI Treasurer Ashish Shelar, by 107 votes in the election held on Tuesday. He received 221 votes, while Sanjay got 114, making it a largely one-sided contest.

During the Apex Council meeting held on Wednesday, the MCA decided to install a life-sized statue of former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.

Notably, Vengsarkar has also served as the association’s vice-president and was conferred with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the MCA earlier this year in March.

The MCA also decided to set up academies across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to provide world-class training and infrastructure to promising young players.

Recently, the association unveiled a statue of Sunil Gavaskar inside the Wankhede premises. The stadium also already features a statue of legend Sachin Tendulkar.

It had also inaugurated the Sharad Pawar Museum at the Wankhede Stadium as a tribute to Mumbai’s unparalleled contribution to Indian and global cricket in August this year.

— IANS

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Bournemouth, Sep 6 (IANS) AFC Bournemouth confirmed that Marcus Tavernier has signed a contract extension with the club, keeping him at Vitality Stadium until 2029.

The 26-year-old joined the club in the summer of 2022 and has made 93 appearances for the Cherries in all competitions.

His standout moments include netting the winner from 25 yards against Fulham in April 2023, while also scoring in last season’s fixture away at Southampton, which saw the Cherries rise to fifth in the Premier League and achieve a record unbeaten run in the top flight.

Most recently, Tavernier scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Wolves at Vitality Stadium, opening his account for the 2025/26 season and helping the Cherries to their first victory of the new campaign.

Following the extension, AFC Bournemouth’s President of Football Operations, Tiago Pinto, shared his delight, saying, “Marcus is a player who always gives his all whenever he wears the shirt and is someone that we thoroughly enjoy working with.

“He is a popular character within the dressing room and I’m looking forward to seeing his leadership shine through over the next few seasons at AFC Bournemouth, as the demands and challenges of the Premier League remain high.”

Tavernier added, “I’m very grateful for everything Bournemouth have given me over the past few years. I’m just delighted that they’ve shown their appreciation of me to sign a new extension and to stay at this club where I’m having such a great time.

“It’s a place that I’ve come to love and it’s my home away from home, so it’s a really good feeling, not just for myself but my family as well. We’ve started the season off very well, even in the first game where we gave a good showing against last season’s champions.

“Ever since then, we’ve shown the capabilities that we showed last season, so hopefully, it can long continue.”

Tavernier has started all three of the club’s league fixtures this season so far.

–IANS