Tag Archives: availability

3 reasons why DC retaining T Natarajan ahead of IPL 2026 Auction was the right move despite heavy price tag

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Ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi, the Delhi Capitals (DC) announced their retention list on November 15. The franchise held on to 17 players, including seamer T Natarajan, and also brought in Nitish Rana through a trade with the Rajasthan Royals (RR). Although most of the retentions were expected, Natarajan’s name surprised many, especially since he bowled only three overs in the 2025 season despite being signed for ₹10. 75 crore at the mega auction. Speaking to Star Sports, DC head coach Hemang Badani clarified that the Tamil Nadu pacer missed the majority of the last season due to injury, explaining that: “Last year, what happened with Nattu (Natarajan) was something many people didn’t know. Many were questioning why he wasn’t being played and saying he is such a good bowler and yet was not played despite costing ₹11 crore. But people need to understand that we have also played enough cricket ourselves. If I am paying someone ₹11 crore, I wouldn’t keep him on the bench without a reason. The real reason was that Nattu wasn’t fit. He was injured for a long time, and even when he became ready to return, he got injured again. Because of that, his entire season kept getting delayed, and we couldn’t play him.” As Delhi Capitals once again placed their trust in the 34-year-old, here are three reasons why retaining T Natarajan ahead of the IPL 2026 auction was the right call despite the hefty price tag. #1 Strengthens DC’s death-overs blueprint alongside Mitchell Starc As Delhi Capitals retained T Natarajan, a fully fit Tamil Nadu pacer could form a formidable death-overs partnership with Australia’s Mitchell Starc. In the 2025 season, Starc claimed 14 wickets in 11 matches, including a five-wicket haul, but his economy rate of 10. 16 is something he will aim to improve in the upcoming edition. Looking at their death-overs numbers, Natarajan has taken 38 wickets in 54 IPL innings at an economy of 10. 38, while Starc has 29 wickets in 35 innings with an economy of 9. 05. If both left-arm seamers operate together, combining their yorkers and variations, DC could finally have a reliable and potent death-overs bowling unit. #2 Limited Indian fast-bowling options make retaining him essential Another reason Delhi Capitals chose to retain the 34-year-old is the limited availability of Indian fast bowlers in the upcoming auction. Since the 2026 auction will be a mini auction, most teams have held on to their key players, including their core group of Indian seamers. With only a small pool of quality Indian pacers expected to be available, retaining Natarajan was a smart decision. His extensive IPL experience, along with his appearances for India across formats, makes him a valuable asset and a difficult player for DC to release, even at a price of ₹10. 75 crore #3 TNPL 2025 performances suggest he remains an impactful T20 bowler Although T Natarajan missed almost the entire IPL season, he delivered an impressive performance in the 2025 Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). Representing Idream Tiruppur Tamizhans, he played a key role in their title-winning campaign, claiming 10 wickets in nine matches at an average of 19. 60, a strike rate of 17. 90, and an excellent economy of 6. 56. With Natarajan still demonstrating his quality, and if he stays fit for the 2026 edition, he could be a major asset as DC push for their maiden title.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/3-reasons-dc-retaining-t-natarajan-ahead-ipl-2026-auction-right-move-despite-heavy-price-tag

“They will need a good internet connection” – Former India opener’s hilarious take on Mumbai Indians’ requirements at the IPL 2026 auction

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Former India opener Aakash Chopra has opined that the Mumbai Indians (MI) would just relax at the IPL 2026 auction. He highlighted that the five-time champions don’t have much money left in their purse and don’t need too many players either. Ad MI have a 20-member squad, including seven overseas players, heading into the IPL 2026 auction. They have an available budget of ₹2. 75 crore and can buy at most five players, including one overseas. In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ the cricketer-turned-commentator stated light-heartedly that the Mumbai Indians would need a good internet connection at the auction. “What all will Mumbai need? Firstly, they don’t have much money. They have only ₹2. 75 crore left with them. I feel, on the auction day, they will need a good internet connection. They will need a good playlist. You can make a good group with friends, where you can chat,” he said. (4: 30) Ad Trending Ad Chopra added that the MI think tank would sit leisurely and watch the other franchises buy their players. “After that, you can check out a few reels on Instagram. They will need only these three or four things. Good coffee, good water, good food, and keep one leg over the other and watch everyone else because Mumbai don’t need anything. Mumbai is ready,” he observed. Ad The Mumbai Indians traded in Sherfane Rutherford, Shardul Thakur and Mayank Markande and traded out Arjun Tendulkar ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. They released eight players, with Mujeeb Ur Rahman (₹2 crore) being the most expensive among them. “They needed a guy who could bat down the order” Aakash Chopra on Mumbai Indians’ acquisition of Sherfane Rutherford ahead of IPL 2026 auction In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that the Mumbai Indians addressed their middle-order concerns by trading in Sherfane Rutherford. Ad “They don’t have a lot of money, but they don’t need to shop. This is a very happy place to be. The entire team is already ready. They needed a guy who could bat down the order and they got that by acquiring Sherfane Rutherford. If they want anyone up the order, you find Will Jacks with Ryan Rickelton there,” he said. Ad The former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) player added that Shardul Thakur’s acquisition gives MI an ideal backup for the injury-prone Deepak Chahar. “At times, it seemed like Deepak Chahar has an injury issue and if they could get another senior fast bowler, so they said Shardul Thakur has come. Palghar Express has come for ₹2 crore. So you get him as an option and he knows these conditions,” Chopra observed. Aakash Chopra highlighted that the Mumbai Indians might have let Karn Sharma go, but have acquired Mayank Markande, with Mujeeb Ur Rahman being released, considering Allah Ghazanfar’s likely availability. To conclude, the analyst noted that MI would rely on their scouting team to onboard some relatively unknown players at the auction. × Feedback Why did you not like this content? Clickbait / Misleading Factually Incorrect Hateful or Abusive Baseless Opinion Too Many Ads Other Was this article helpful? Thank You for feedback Get real-time updates on IPL 2025, live scores, IPL Prediction, match schedule, points table, Result & squad -CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS Edited by Kartik Iyer.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/news-they-will-need-good-internet-connection-former-india-opener-s-hilarious-take-mumbai-indians-requirements-ipl-2026-auction

Bears Get Brutal News on LB T.J. Edwards After 2 Missed Practices

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Chicago Bears’ T.J. Edwards Faces Injury Concerns Ahead of Week 10 vs. New York Giants

The Chicago Bears don’t sound too optimistic about starting linebacker T.J. Edwards playing against the New York Giants in Week 10’s home game. After missing the first two practices of the week due to hand and hamstring injuries, Bears head coach Ben Johnson revealed on Friday that the 29-year-old recently underwent surgery to repair a hand fracture and will be wearing a cast if he plays.

Unfortunately, Johnson also disclosed that the hamstring injury, which landed Edwards on the injury report this week, is the same one that kept him out of three of the Bears’ first four games. This injury could threaten his availability on Sunday even more than his hand.

> “He got surgery on that [hand], and the hand’s not going to hold him back,” Johnson told reporters before Friday’s practice. “That’s something I think we’ll be able to cast up and he’ll be OK. But between that and he had a hamstring as well, we’re working through both of those things to get him back.”

On the bright side, Johnson indicated that Edwards likely won’t need to spend time on the injured reserve list due to his broken hand and ongoing hamstring issues. Still, the Bears are continuing to evaluate his status ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Giants.

The Bears (5-3) will face the Giants (2-7) at Soldier Field at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Will the Bears Increase Rookie Ruben Hyppolite II’s Playing Time?

Johnson’s indication that Edwards will avoid injured reserve is a positive sign that the Bears won’t be without him for long. However, could the team look to give more snaps at linebacker to fourth-round rookie Ruben Hyppolite II during Edwards’ recovery?

Early in the season, the Bears appeared eager to get Hyppolite on the field defensively when Edwards was first dealing with his hamstring issue. Hyppolite saw eight defensive snaps in each of the first two games, but his playing time sharply dropped to just two snaps in Week 3. Since then, he has not played on defense and has been a healthy scratch for four straight games.

It is important to note that Edwards returned to the lineup after the Week 6 bye, allowing the Bears to utilize Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds, and Noah Sewell as their primary linebacker trio. Even so, when Sewell missed Week 7’s game against the New Orleans Saints, the Bears turned to veteran backup D’Marco Jackson rather than the rookie Hyppolite.

Perhaps the Bears believe Hyppolite needs additional time learning Dennis Allen’s defensive system before seeing significant game-day action. However, keeping him inactive again at home in Week 10 may raise some questions about the team’s development plans for the rookie.

Bears Activate Linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga From Injured Reserve

While the Bears could decide to increase Hyppolite’s playing time against the Giants, they will also bolster linebacker depth with the return of Amen Ogbongbemiga.

The Bears officially activated Ogbongbemiga on Thursday from the injured reserve list, clearing a roster spot on the final day of his 21-day practice window. This move sets the stage for him to make his 2024 season debut against the Giants on Sunday.

Ogbongbemiga, a valuable special teams contributor, signed a two-year contract extension in the offseason that keeps him with the Bears through the 2026 season. He suffered a shoulder injury in training camp that landed him on IR with a return designation during the team’s 53-man roster cutdown at the end of August.

Though primarily a special teams player—appearing in all 17 games and playing 364 special teams snaps this season—Ogbongbemiga has played just 15 total defensive snaps in 2024. With Edwards dealing with injuries, the Bears could consider increasing Ogbongbemiga’s defensive role against the Giants.

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As the Bears prepare for their Week 10 home game, the status of Edwards remains a key storyline, while the team’s linebacker depth gets a timely boost with Ogbongbemiga’s return. Fans will be watching closely to see how the Bears manage their linebacking corps against the struggling Giants.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/chicago-bears/tj-edwards-hand-surgery-injury-update/

Houston Rockets Injury Report (Nov. 5): Steven Adams and Key Player Face Race to Be Fit for Grizzlies Clash

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The Houston Rockets’ renaissance continues on Wednesday as they face the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. The major talking point ahead of the game is the availability of Jabari Smith Jr. and Steven Adams, both carrying questionable tags.

Smith suffered an ankle sprain during the Rockets’ 128-101 win over the Boston Celtics on Saturday. The 22-year-old forward, an instrumental figure in Houston’s recent upturn, tied his career high with four blocked shots, along with 12 points and six rebounds against the Celtics. He missed Monday’s game against the Mavericks, but Tari Eason stepped up impressively to help lessen the blow of his absence.

Smith’s status for the trip to Memphis remains in doubt, but coach Ime Udoke has not yet ruled him out. When asked if Smith could miss more games, the Nigerian-American said, “Doubt it, but we’ll see.”

Steven Adams also faces a late fitness test ahead of the game. Listed as questionable with a hip issue, Adams did play against the Mavericks on Monday. The Rockets’ big man contributed four points, nine rebounds, and two blocks off the bench in that win.

Meanwhile, Dorian Finney-Smith remains sidelined, nursing an ankle injury sustained during the offseason. However, the veteran forward has recently been seen at shootaround, boosting hopes for an earlier return.

### What to Expect: Houston Rockets vs. Memphis Grizzlies

After losing their first two games of the season, the Rockets have rebounded strongly, winning four straight to improve to 4-2 overall. There’s a growing sense that this could be a highly productive season for Houston, especially after acquiring superstar forward Kevin Durant. Durant is currently leading the team with 25.2 points per game.

While it may take some time for the Rockets to fully click without a true point guard, the foundation is clearly in place for them to flourish.

On the other side, the Grizzlies are going through a rough stretch, having lost their last three games. Tensions between Ja Morant and the coaching staff flared after Friday’s defeat to the Lakers, with their relationship reportedly at an all-time low.

Beyond the internal issues, the roster clearly needs a boost in confidence. Right now, the team looks flat, but a couple of wins could be enough to restore belief among fans.

This matchup presents an intriguing contrast: the Rockets riding a wave of momentum against the struggling Grizzlies looking to regain their form and cohesion. Fans should expect a competitive game at FedExForum as both teams strive to assert themselves early in the season.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-houston-rockets-injury-report-nov-5-steven-adams-key-player-face-race-be-fit-grizzlies-clash

Flight Attendant Fight Delays United Flight By 4 Hours

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There are a myriad of reasons why an airline might postpone a flight, ranging from aircraft mechanical issues to severe weather. However, United Airlines was forced to delay a flight on Monday due to an unusual cause: a fight between two flight attendants.

The 90-minute service from Des Moines, Iowa to Chicago O’Hare International Airport was delayed by just under four hours as the carrier scrambled to find an entirely new cabin crew. One can only hope that no passengers had tight connections waiting for them in the Windy City.

United Flight 2138 was originally scheduled to depart at 11:26 a.m. However, the passengers were deplaned at 12:08 p.m. According to One Mile at a Time, the airline’s internal system listed the delay’s cause as:
“Crew Availability Flight Attendant: Disagreement on 2 of the FAs. IFDM pulling all crew and will need to recrew flight.”

The In-Flight Duty Manager (IFDM), who is responsible for assigning flight crews and overseeing flight attendants, pulled the entire crew and had to assign a new one. This explanation, however, was not displayed publicly on United’s website or mobile app.

Details about the altercation remain unclear, as there was no blow-by-blow report on what happened before passengers were deplaned. Ultimately, the United Airlines Airbus A320 landed in Chicago at 5:09 p.m.—a frustrating outcome for passengers who expected to arrive four hours earlier.

Typically, when flight attendants have disagreements, it’s with passengers rather than each other. Yet, in 2024, Air Canada faced a different kind of incident. On a long-haul flight between Casablanca, Morocco and Montreal, a passenger requested a blanket while the plane was taxiing to the runway. A flight attendant responded by screaming at the passenger, yelling, “You will behave or we will get off!” The plane returned to the gate, and the police removed the attendant. In solidarity, the rest of the passengers disembarked as well, leading Air Canada to cancel the flight.

Being a flight attendant is far from an easy or relaxing job. They are tasked with serving the public with a smile while ensuring safety during the flight. Adding to the challenge is that flight attendants are often severely underpaid. For example, last year American Airlines cabin crew earned as little as $27,315 annually, despite requirements to live in major cities that host the airline’s hubs.

These situations highlight the high-pressure environment flight attendants operate in, and the complex dynamics that can sometimes lead to unexpected disruptions in air travel.
https://www.jalopnik.com/2013213/flight-attendant-fight-delays-united-flight/

You can now use Nano Banana in Google’s Search, Lens

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**You Can Now Use Nano Banana in Google’s Search and Lens**

*By Dwaipayan Roy | Oct 12, 2025, 06:20 pm*

**What’s the story?**

Google is expanding the capabilities of its Gemini 2.5 Flash Image model by integrating it into AI Mode in Search and Google Lens. This update brings the quirky yet powerful Nano Banana model—known for its lifelike image generation in the Gemini app—directly into Google’s ecosystem.

Now, users can access advanced AI image editing and creation tools without leaving their favorite apps, making creative processes more seamless and intuitive.

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**Enhanced Functionality: How to Access the New Image Creation Tools in Search**

With the latest update, a new ‘plus’ icon appears in the bottom-left corner of the prompt box in Google Search’s AI Mode. Tapping this icon reveals three options:

– **Gallery**
– **Camera**
– **Create Images** (marked with a banana emoji 🍌)

Selecting *Create Images* lets users either generate new visuals from scratch or upload existing images for AI-driven editing, offering a versatile creative experience right within Search.

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**Google Lens Upgrade: A Dedicated ‘Create’ Tab**

Google Lens is also receiving a significant AI upgrade with the addition of a new *Create* tab. This follows recent integrations like Search Live and the Homework filter.

The Create tab is marked by a banana emoji 🍌 on the shutter button and encourages users to capture, create, and share images effortlessly. Unlike other filters, it opens directly to the front-facing camera for easy selfies and creative image generation.

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**Rollout Details: Availability and Language Expansion**

The Nano Banana experience in Search and Lens is currently rolling out on Android devices in the US for accounts enrolled in the AI Mode Search Lab.

Additionally, Google has expanded AI Mode to support 35 new languages and over 40 new countries and territories, bringing the total coverage to 200 countries globally.

This update underscores Google’s ongoing effort to integrate generative AI capabilities deeply into its ecosystem, enhancing user creativity and productivity.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/google-s-nano-banana-now-available-in-search-and-lens/story

Tennessee Titans activate Tyjae Spears, elevate two for Week 5 matchup with Arizona

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The Tennessee Titans are heading to Arizona for their Week 5 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, and they’ve made a series of roster moves in preparation for the game.

Tennessee started by adding some spark to their backfield, activating running back Tyjae Spears from injured reserve. This is a significant boost for an offense that has struggled to find explosive plays through the first four weeks of the season. With no other running backs elevated for the week, Spears is expected to suit up and serve as the primary backup to Tony Pollard.

This will mark Spears’ first action of 2025 after he suffered an ankle injury in the preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which led to his placement on injured reserve.

To make room for Spears on the active roster, the Titans placed safety Mike Brown on injured reserve due to a knee injury. Brown is now set to miss at least the next four weeks as he recovers.

In addition to these moves, Tennessee also dipped into its practice squad to bolster the lineup ahead of Sunday’s game. The Titans used standard elevations to make safety Kendell Brooks and wide receiver James Proche eligible.

The elevation of Proche brings added attention to the availability of Calvin Ridley for Sunday’s contest. Ridley was limited in practice on Friday after missing the first two sessions of the week and remains questionable on the injury report heading into the weekend.

Brooks’ elevation aligns with the team’s decision to place Mike Brown on injured reserve. Recently added to the practice squad, Brooks had a solid preseason showing and is known as a special-teams standout.

The Tennessee Titans will face the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon in Glendale, Arizona, eager to bring renewed energy to their offense and defense alike.
https://titanswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2025/10/04/tennessee-titans-activate-tyjae-spears-elevate-two-for-week-5-arizona-cardinals/86528567007/

Mohsin Naqvi to receive honor amid Asia Cup trophy row

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**Mohsin Naqvi to Receive Honor Amid Asia Cup Trophy Row**
*By Gaurav Tripathi | Oct 04, 2025, 10:32 AM*

Mohsin Naqvi, President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), is set to be honored with the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Excellence Gold Medal, according to a report by The President. This prestigious award acknowledges Naqvi’s principled stance during the controversial Asia Cup final trophy handover, where he retained the trophy after Indian players refused to accept it.

### Award Justification: Restoring National Pride

Advocate Ghulam Abbas Jamal, announcing the decision on behalf of the Sindh and Karachi Basketball Associations, emphasized that Naqvi’s actions had “restored national pride” amid heightened political and sporting tensions between Pakistan and India. The move to honor Naqvi has garnered widespread support across Pakistan’s political and sports communities.

Organizers view this award not only as a gesture of respect but also as a symbolic message affirming national dignity.

### Upcoming Award Ceremony

A formal ceremony to present the award is being planned in Karachi, with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expected to attend as the chief guest. The exact date will be finalized once Bhutto confirms his availability.

To oversee the event, a special committee has been formed, led by Sindh Basketball Association Chairman Khalid Jameel Shamsi, with Director Sports Commissioner Karachi Ghulam Muhammad Khan acting as secretary.

### Naqvi’s Response to the Trophy Controversy

Following the incident, Mohsin Naqvi retained the Asia Cup trophy and took to social media to state that the Indian team was “welcome” to collect it from the ACC headquarters if they wished.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Naqvi asserted, “I did nothing wrong, and I did not—and will not—apologize to BCCI,” responding to reports that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took offense at his actions.

### Context of the Asia Cup Final Controversy

The Asia Cup final was overshadowed by political tensions, with India enforcing a strict “no handshake” policy with Pakistani players. Despite winning the match, the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, igniting a diplomatic stir.

The BCCI has raised the matter at the ACC’s annual meeting and is expected to escalate the issue further at the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) session scheduled for November.

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This development highlights the ongoing complex relationship between cricket and politics in the region, drawing attention to how sporting events often reflect broader diplomatic challenges.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/mohsin-naqvi-to-receive-top-national-honor-for-this-reason/story