Faf du Plessis has pulled out of the IPL auction ahead of the 2026 season. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

Former South Africa captain and long-time IPL stalwart Faf du Plessis has confirmed he will not enter his name in the upcoming IPL auction, choosing instead to participate in the Pakistan Super League. The announcement came on Sunday, 29 November — barely two weeks before the 15 December auction in Abu Dhabi, thereby marking a notable shift for one of the most reliable overseas performers the IPL has seen.

Du Plessis, who first joined Chennai Super Kings in 2013, became part of the franchise’s core almost instantly, admired for his consistency, athleticism and composure in high-pressure games. He spent seven seasons with CSK and reunited with MS Dhoni during the Rising Pune Supergiant stint in 2016 and 2017. His finest IPL campaign arrived during CSK’s title run in 2021, scoring 633 runs and finishing just 2 runs behind Ruturaj Gaikwad in the Orange Cap tally. Yet, CSK released him before the 2022 mega auction, allowing Royal Challengers Bengaluru to sign him and hand him the captaincy for the 2022–24 seasons. He thrived in the role. His 730-run effort in 2023 remains among the standout seasons by an RCB captain. In 2025, he turned out for Delhi Capitals, scoring 202 runs in nine matches before injury cut his tournament short.

Faf du Plessis’ post on Instagram

Across 14 seasons, du Plessis built an IPL record few overseas players can match: 4,773 runs in 154 matches at an average of 35.10 and a strike rate of 135.79. “After 14 seasons in the IPL, I’ve decided not to put my name into the auction this year,” he wrote, thanking franchises, teammates and fans for shaping his journey. He stressed this decision is not a farewell to India, saying, “India has a special place in my heart… this certainly isn’t goodbye.” Du Plessis will now shift his focus to the PSL, where he previously represented Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators. “A new country. A new environment. A new challenge,” he said, looking forward to the return.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has announced that investments made by Mutual Funds (MFs) and Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) will be treated as equity-related instruments from January 1, 2026. The move is aimed at encouraging greater participation in the REIT market, reported news agency ANI.Sebi said it had amended the Sebi (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996, to enable this shift in classification. In a circular issued on November 28, the regulator stated, “With effect from January 01, 2026, any investment made by Mutual Funds and SIFs in REITs shall be considered as an investment in equity-related instruments.”The regulator clarified that REITs will be eligible for inclusion in equity indices from July 1, 2026, allowing for a six-month transition period. Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), however, will continue to be categorised as hybrid instruments for MFs and SIFs.Sebi also said existing REIT investments held by debt schemes of Mutual Funds and SIF strategies as of December 31, 2025, will be “grandfathered,” ensuring current portfolios are not forced to comply with the new classification immediately. Grandfathering typically shields ongoing investments or policies from updated rules.Despite this protection, Sebi has encouraged Asset Management Companies (AMCs) to gradually divest REIT holdings from debt schemes, considering market liquidity and investor interests.The regulator said the changes have been introduced “to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate the securities market”.

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File photo: US President Donald Trump (Picture credit: AP)

US President Donald Trump on Saturday defended his sweeping tariff regime, saying the duties had made the country “Rich, Strong, Powerful, and Safe,” in a post on his Truth Social account. Trump argued that because of the tariff framework he “set in place,” the United States now holds “all the cards,” asserting that the measures had stopped wars, strengthened alliances and prevented other nations from “ripping off the United States anymore.”

He claimed the stock market and retirement savings had surged, adding that “Inflation, Prices and Taxes are down,” and that education was “being brought back to the States.” Trump also said the US military and southern border were “the strongest they have ever been,” contending that the country is “respected again, respected like never before.”He attributed these outcomes to what he described as “Strong leadership and tariffs.”The president’s remarks come at a sensitive moment, as the Supreme Court is preparing to rule on the extent of presidential authority to impose duties without congressional approval. Tariff revenues have climbed sharply in recent months, as per Fox Business, reaching a record $34.2 billion in October. Total duty collections were $215.2 billion in fiscal year 2025, and the Treasury has reported $41.6 billion in revenue so far in fiscal 2026.Since Trump unveiled his “Liberation Day” tariffs in April, collections jumped from $23.9 billion in May to $29 billion in July, with August and September together bringing in $62.6 billion, reported Fox Business. US businesses pay these import taxes but often pass on the costs to consumers, though Trump has recently lifted some duties to ease price pressures.Trump has pledged that tariff revenues could finance a one-time $2,000 dividend for low- and middle-income households. As per Fox Business, US trade representative Jamieson Greer recently said that the payments would not fuel inflation, stressing they would provide “welcome relief” without altering the broader economic outlook. Trump ended his post by urging Americans to “pray to God” that the Supreme Court “do the right thing for America.”

The Indian rupee, which has been under persistent pressure through 2025, is unlikely to witness any sharp fall in the immediate term as its recent weakness has already played out, Union Bank of India said in a recent assessment. The bank noted that the currency has already slipped about 4 per cent this year and is currently stuck in a narrow band, weighed down by firm US dollar strength, capital outflows and uncertainty linked to the delayed first tranche of the India–US BTA.The rupee has been trading close to record lows, briefly touching 89.4950 in recent sessions, as foreign institutional investors have withdrawn over $14 billion since January, as per ANI. The bank said easing inflation and GST-related reforms were helping cushion some of the external strain. “Given that the rupee has already weakened by roughly 4 per cent this year, we do not expect significant further depreciation in the near term,” the report stated. It added that once clarity emerges on the trade agreement, “the appreciation threshold for the currency should shift”.Union Bank expects the rupee to remain range-bound between 88.80 and 89.50 through December, with strength likely only if there is sustained domestic equity inflow or “tangible progress” on the BTA, which could pull the currency toward 88.50 per dollar. If the pact is finalised alongside an RBI rate cut, improved FII sentiment and an anticipated US Fed easing cycle, the bank said the rupee could strengthen meaningfully. Any bearish turn, however, is expected to meet strong resistance near 89.50, with a breach opening the door to 89.90.Recently, the rupee settled at 89.45 on Friday, slipping 9 paise as a stronger greenback, firmer crude and weak equities dragged sentiment. Traders stayed cautious ahead of GDP data, which later showed the economy growing 8.2 per cent — the highest in six quarters. Forex analysts quoted by PTI said that month-end dollar demand and continued outflows were keeping the rupee pinned, even as the USD-INR pair faces resistance at 89.70 and finds support at 88.80.The rupee closed at 89.4575 in the latest session, just shy of its record low of 89.49 hit a week ago, with markets watching geopolitical developments, US tariffs and progress on the India–US deal for fresh direction.

India welcome South Africa for the opening ODI of their three-match series at JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on November 30, 2025. KL Rahul leads the hosts in Shubman Gill‘s absence due to injury, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning to bolster the lineup after solid Australia performances. South Africa, under Temba Bavuma, aim to extend momentum from their rare Test series win in India, shifting focus to white-ball strengths without Kagiso Rabada.​

India’s squad emphasizes batting depth with Rohit nearing 20,000 international runs, Kohli’s proven record against South Africa (1,504 ODI runs at 65.39 average), and all-round options like Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Rishabh Pant and Tilak Varma add middle-order firepower, while spinners Kuldeep Yadav and pacers Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna provide variety.​

South Africa’s group blends experience from Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram with emerging pace like Corbin Bosch, Nandre Burger, and Ottneil Baartman, plus spin control via Keshav Maharaj and Prenelan Subrayen. Dewald Brevis and Ryan Rickelton offer aggressive batting potential in the middle order.

JSCA International Stadium Complex Pitch Report

The JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi presents a balanced pitch for the India vs South Africa 1st ODI, blending opportunities for batters and bowlers on its black-soil surface. Early overs favor pacers with swing and bounce, transitioning to spin-friendly conditions mid-game as the track slows, offering grip for tweakers like Kuldeep and Maharaj. Across nine ODIs, teams chasing won five times, with an average first-innings score of 235-265 and a healthy 5.94 runs-per-over rate, including highs like 348/6 by India. Dew may aid evening pursuits, likely prompting captains to bowl first under clear skies. Expect a tactical contest where spinners dominate the middle overs on this containing venue.

Also READ: Sunil Gavaskar slams Gautam Gambhir’s critics following India’s home Test whitewash vs South Africa

JSCA International Stadium Complex ODI Stats and Records 

• Total Matches: 09
• Matches won batting first: 03
• Matches won bowling first: 05
• Average 1st innings score: 235
• Average 2nd innings score: 189
• Highest total recorded: 313/5 (50 Ovs) by Australia vs India
• Lowest total recorded: 112/10 (38.2 Ovs) By Sri Lanka vs India
• Highest score chased: 288/7 (48.4 Ovs) By India vs Sri Lanka
• Lowest score defended: 260/7 (50 Ovs) By New Zealand vs India

Also WATCH: Indian supporters taunt head coach with ‘Gautam Gambhir haaye haaye’ chants following devastating 2-0 series loss to South Africa

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