Category: Sports

India and Pakistan will face off next month in a group match at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 on June 9.

India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series of any sorts in over a decade. Since the two teams only meet each other at ICC and ACC events, the India-Pakistan matches are undeniably the most anticipated clashes in world cricket. India and Pakistan will face off next month in a group match at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 on June 9. Ahead of much anticipated game, former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has made a big claim that that ICC wants India and Pakistan to face off twice in the tournament. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit said that the ICC has planned the schedule in such a way that India and Pakistan can meet once again in the semi-final or final, in addition to their match in New York on June 9.

Charges against Scottie Scheffler from his incident with Louisville Police at the PGA Championship have been dropped.

But, while talking about that on Wednesday, Scheffler’s lawyer had a heated exchange with a reporter asking questions about footage of the golf star’s exchange with a police officer.

Steve Romines held a press conference after charges against his clients had been dropped — reports side both sides sought to resolve the matter “amicably” — and he criticized Louisville Police for how they treated Scheffler while he was being arrested.

That led to a question from reporter Natalia Martinez of WAVE News, who suggested Scheffler’s reflection on what happened didn’t align with what he said in the bodycam footage that was released.

She said Scheffler agreed with the police officer after he mentioned his counterpart being “dragged” by Scheffler’s vehicle after being read his Miranda rights, indicating he was aware that his words could be used in a court of law.

“No, here’s what happened,” Romines answered quickly. “He is being interrogated after the most stressful situation of his life. And an officer is actually asking him leading questions and trying to get him to agree with them. And that’s why you don’t talk to the police because they are going to try to put words in your mouth! That’s exactly what they did.

“He didn’t have to speak, but again, he asked to talk to the officer. He wanted to explain to him what happened. However, they are trying to get him to confess to something that he didn’t do, and the video evidence shows he didn’t do it.”

The bodycam footage shows Scheffler sitting handcuffed in a police vehicle with an officer talking to him about what happened. Scheffler began explaining the situation, saying he had to “loop all the way around” the traffic in the road, which was due to the death of a volunteer at Valhalla Golf Club for the tournament after he was struck by a shuttle bus.

Scheffler said a police officer told him to go in the way he did, going the opposite way of traffic. He goes on to say the officer had told him to stop, but he thought it was a security guard who was mistaken about why he was going that way. The officer suggests Scheffler should’ve stopped his vehicle no matter the case.

“You’re right, I should have stopped,” Scheffler responded. “I did get a little impatient because I’m quite late for my tee time. As he was reaching into the car, he grabbed my shoulder and hit me. It seemed to be a little overaggressive because the entrance was open, and I pulled up a little bit because I was afraid he was going to start hitting me. I didn’t know who he was. He didn’t tell me he was a police officer.”

“He just hit me with his flashlight and yelled, ‘Get out of the car,’” Scheffler added.

“You actually hurt him, and he’s a police officer,” the officer speaking to Scheffler says later in the video. “He’s got a huge scrape on his knee. He’s getting checked by EMS — big bruise. So, I don’t know.”

The officer said it would be up to Det. Bryan Gillis whether Scheffler would go to jail. Scheffler was booked and charged with four different counts, including felony assault over injuries to Gillis.

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/scottie-schefflers-attorney-gets-heated-reporters-question-after-charges-dropped-against-golf-star

Defending champion Novak Djokovic shrugged off his recent troubles to sweep to his 93rd career win at the French Open.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic shrugged off his recent troubles to sweep to his 93rd career win at the French Open on Tuesday, extending his run of first round Roland Garros victories to a perfect 20. Djokovic, chasing a fourth title in Paris and record 25th Grand Slam triumph, came through against 142nd-ranked French wildcard Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4. The 37-year-old, who saw career-long rival and 14-time champion Rafael Nadal exit the tournament on Monday, had arrived under a cloud. For the first time since 2018, he is without a title and has yet to reach a final this season. He has also endured recent misfortunes being accidentally hit on the head by a metal water bottle in Rome and then suffering stomach problems in Geneva.

“It was a solid performance,” said Djokovic. “I could have done better, especially on the return, but bravo to him for serving well.

“It’s a victory in three sets, that’s what matters at this moment. I felt better compared to the last few weeks. I was focused. I encouraged myself, I am satisfied with my state of mind.”

Djokovic, who has advanced to the French Open quarter-finals or better every year since 2010, will face Spain’s 63rd-ranked Roberto Carballes Baena for a place in the last 32.

Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, a semi-finalist in 2023, over-powered Russian teenager Erika Andreeva 6-1, 6-2 in just 68 minutes under the roof of Court Philippe Chatrier as heavy rain caused a five-hour delay to action around the grounds.

World number two Sabalenka fired 27 winners past the 100th-ranked Andreeva and broke serve five times in a dominant display.

“I’m trying to do well on clay, it is tough conditions here but I enjoy playing here and I’m just trying to bring my best tennis every time — whatever the surface,” said Sabalenka.

The Belarusian has made at least the last-four at her past six Grand Slams and is expected to be Iga Swiatek’s toughest rival in the Pole’s bid for a fourth French Open title.

There was better luck for Andreeva’s younger sister Mirra, who went to the fourth round as a 16-year-old in 2023.

She swept past Emina Bektas of the United States in straights sets.

Two-time runner-up Casper Ruud, who won clay-court titles in Barcelona and Geneva in the build-up to Roland Garros, cruised to a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Brazilian qualifier Felipe Meligeni Alves.

“It’s great to be back here at Roland Garros,” he said. “Hopefully I can make it another good year here.”

Ruud was beaten in straight sets by Djokovic in last year’s final following a one-sided loss to Nadal in the 2022 showpiece.

Frenchwoman Alize Cornet’s career ended with a straight-sets defeat by Zheng Qinwen in her record-extending 69th consecutive Grand Slam appearance.

Cornet was no match for China’s Australian Open runner-up Zheng, losing 6-2, 6-1.

She made her debut at Roland Garros as a 15-year-old in 2005 and had not missed a Grand Slam tournament since the 2006 US Open.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/novak-djokovic-shrugs-off-troubles-in-winning-start-at-french-open-5768560

BCCI secretary Jay Shah made it clear that the Board is looking at someone who has risen through the ranks and knows the domestic structure

The deadline for applying for the post of Indian men’s cricket team chief coach ended on Monday but both the BCCI and the top name in its wishlist, Gautam Gambhir chose to keep mum on the development. After guiding Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL trophy on Sunday, it is but natural that Gambhir’s name is getting more momentum. While both interested parties haven’t said anything on record, the BCCI, it seems, doesn’t have too many quality options available at the moment.

It is understood that no notable foreign name has applied for the post, especially after BCCI secretary Jay Shah made it clear that the Board is looking at someone who has risen through the ranks and knows the domestic structure.

It could be safely said that the BCCI’s primary target was VVS Laxman, the National Cricket Academy head, but the stylish Hyderabadi seems not interested in a full time position which requires him to available for 10 months a year.

“The deadline is fine, but the BCCI brass wouldn’t mind taking some more time before reaching a decision. Right now, the team will be busy with World T20 for the better part of the month of June. After that seniors will be rested from tours of Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe where any of the NCA-based senior coaches can accompany the team. So what’s the hurry,” a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

Also, KKR principal owner Shah Rukh Khan shares a deep bond with Gambhir and it is not easy to leave an IPL team which has been a part of identity for the former India opener.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/india-coach-application-deadline-ends-no-top-foreign-names-apply-vvs-laxman-not-interested-gautam-gambhir-5758443

Rafael Nadal’s record-breaking French Open career came to its likely end on Monday when the 14-time champion slumped to a demoralising first round defeat against Alexander Zverev

Rafael Nadal’s record-breaking French Open career came to its likely end on Monday when the 14-time champion slumped to a demoralising first round defeat against Alexander Zverev. Nadal, who turns 38 on June 3, went down 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to world number four Zverev, suffering only his fourth loss in 116 matches at Roland Garros since his 2005 title-winning debut. It was the first time he had been defeated in Paris in the opening round and will again lead to questions over his long-term future in the sport.

“I don’t know if this is the last time I will be here, I am not 100% sure but if it is then I wanted to enjoy it,” said Nadal. “The feelings today are difficult to describe in words.”

Plagued by injuries, which had limited him to just four events since January last year, former world number one Nadal is now 275 in the rankings and was unseeded in Paris.

However, he insisted on the eve of the tournament that he was “100% keeping the door open” on his future in a sport which has brought him 22 Grand Slam titles.

In a repeat of the 2022 semi-final, which Nadal won when Zverev quit with ankle ligament damage, the Spaniard had his chances.

He was a break of serve up in the second and third sets, only to be pinned back on both occasions by his in-form 27-year-old opponent.

Chants of “Rafa, Rafa” had loudly echoed under the roof of Court Philippe Chatrier which was shut tight against the torrential rain sweeping across the grounds and bringing havoc to the schedule.

They subsided to silence when Nadal was broken to love in his opening service game and he was left to regret his inability to convert two break points in the fourth game.

Nadal saved two set points in the ninth game but surrendered the opener after 50 minutes when he buried a loose forehand into the net.

It was only the fourth opening set he had lost at Roland Garros.

Nadal broke for the first time in the match to lead 3-2 in the second set but couldn’t back up the advantage and handed the break back to three-time semi-finalist Zverev as he served for the set.

A tense tie-breaker followed which the German claimed, buoyed by stretching to 5/3 on the back of a gruelling 19-shot rally.

Nadal dug deep and with the likes of Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek having watched from the packed stands, he broke and held for 2-0 in the third set.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/rafael-nadal-knocked-out-of-french-open-round-1-by-fourth-seed-alexander-zverev-5758670

The organisers had reserved a total of Rs 46.5 crore for the IPL 2024 season. Here’s the full list of award winners and prize money.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 concluded on an extraordinary note, with the Kolkata Knight Riders clinching their 3rd title while the Sunrisers Hyderabad could only settle for the runners-up medal. With the win, KKR also bagged a whopping prize money of INR 20 crore, while SRH were give Rs 12.5 crore. The total prize money IPL had reserved for the occasion was INR 46.5 crore, which wasn’t only distributed among the winners and the runners-up.

Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who finished 3rd and 4th in the points table respectively, also took home a fair amount of prize money. Sanju Samson’s side were given Rs 7 crore for finishing third while Faf du Plessis’ team got INR 6.5 crore.

RCB’s talisman Virat Kohli won the Orange Cap while the Purple Cap went to Punjab Kings pacer Harshal Patel. Both fetched a prize money of Rs 10 lakh each for their accomplishments this season.

Kohli scored 741 runs in 15 matches at an average of 61.75, with a century and five fifties. His best score was 113* and his strike rate stood at 154.69, the highest it has ever been for Kohli in a single IPL season.

The crafty pacer concluded the tournament with 24 wickets in 14 matches at an economy of 9.73 and an average of 19.87.

Sunrisers’ Nitish Kumar Reddy was named the Emerging Player of the Season for his all-round show while KKR veteran Suil Narine got the Most Valuable Player of the Year award.

Full List Of Prize Winners In IPL 2024:

Orange Cap: Virat Kohli – 741 runs (Rs 10 lakh)

Purple Cap: Harshal Patel – 24 wickets (Rs 10 lakh)

Most Valuable Player of the season: Sunil Narine (Rs 12 lakh)

Ultimate Fantasy Player of The Season: Sunil Narine

Most 4s: Travis Head (64)

Most 6s: Abhishek Sharma (42)

Striker of the season: Jake Fraser-McGurk (234.04)

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/ipl-2024-prize-money-kkr-get-rs-20-crore-srh-rs-12-5-crore-rr-and-rcb-earned-5753558

When the entire KKR franchise gathered to click for a picture with the IPL trophy, co-owner and Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan asked the team to pose with Harshit Rana’s flying kiss celebration.

The entire Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise signed off IPL 2024 with Harshit Rana’s infamous ‘flying kiss’ celebration after winning the Final against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, May 26.

Kolkata Knight Riders lifted their third IPL trophy with a eight-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the ultimate title clash. With a target of mere 114, KKR chased it down in 10.3 overs. Venkatesh Iyer led the batting with an unbeaten match-winning knock of 52 off 26 balls, including 4 fours and 3 sixes, at a strike rate of 200.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz contributed with an innings of 39 off 32 balls in KKR’s run-chase. KKR bowlers, including Andre Russell (3/19), Mitchell Starc (2/14) and Harshit Rana (2/24) ripped through SRH’s batting line-up to bundle them out for 113, the lowest total in the history of IPL final.

The celebrations in Kolkata Knight Riders’ camp were high as they finally get hold of the coveted 10 long years. The last time KKR won the elusive IPL title was in the 2014, defeating Punjab Kings.

However, Kolkata Knight Riders players and management did a unique celebration in order to sign off the IPL season. When the entire KKR franchise gathered to click for a picture with the IPL trophy, co-owner and Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan asked the team to pose with Harshit Rana’s flying kiss celebration. The video of the same went viral on social media.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/video-entire-kkr-franchise-signs-off-with-harshit-ranas-infamous-flying-kiss-celebration-on-srks-idea-after-ipl-2024-triumph

In a statement, his parents Eric and Terry Murray said “life wasn’t always easy” for their son and “although he took his own life, we know he rests peacefully now”.

PGA Tour golfer Grayson Murray took his own life, his parents have said, as they urged people to be “kind to one another”.

The 30-year-old American withdrew from a competition in Texas with two holes remaining of his second round on Friday citing an illness, a day before he died.

In their statement, Eric and Terry Murray said “life wasn’t always easy” for their son and “although he took his own life, we know he rests peacefully now”.

The couple said that losing him was a “nightmare” and they have “so many questions that have no answers… but one”.

“Was Grayson loved? The answer is yes,” they said. “By us, his brother Cameron, his sister Erica, all of his extended family, by his friends, by his fellow players and – it seems – by many of you who are reading this. He was loved and he will be missed.”

The pair thanked the PGA Tour and “the entire world of golf for the outpouring of support”.

They ended their statement by saying: “Please honour Grayson by being kind to one another. If that becomes his legacy, we could ask for nothing else.”

Murray – a two-time winner on the PGA Tour – pulled out of the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, on Friday.

His death on Saturday was announced by PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, who said Murray’s parents had asked for the event to continue.

‘I wanted to give up on life at times’

Murray spoke in January about his battles with anxiety and depression and revealed he had sought treatment in the past few years for alcohol abuse but had been sober for several months.

Following his tour victory at the start of this year in Hawaii, he explained how much the win meant to him after what he had been through, saying: “It’s not easy… I wanted to give up a lot of times, give up on myself, give up on the game of golf, give up on life at times, and you just persevere.

“When you get tired of fighting, let someone else fight for you and that’s what happened.”

Golfers pay tribute to Murray

World number one Scottie Scheffler led the tributes to him. The American golfer said: “Obviously, the news hasn’t really sunk in quite yet, but I’m thinking about his family and praying hard for all of them.

“I can’t imagine how difficult of a time this is. I got to know Grayson a bit better over the last six months or so. There’s not really a way to put into words how sad and tragic it is, but I’m thinking about his family.”

Murray’s long-time caddie Jay Green hailed him as “the absolute best”.

“Not only was he an incredible, thoughtful and generous boss, he was an even better friend,” he said in a statement.

“He truly would do anything for anyone. He has the best family and my heart goes out to them. We will all miss him deeply.”

English golfer Luke Donald wrote on X: “Truly devastating news that Grayson Murray has passed away. He asked me for some advice on how to play Augusta a few months ago, last week I saw him at the PGA Championship, life truly is precious. My condolences and prayers to his whole family that they may find some peace.”

Fellow golf star Justin Rose wrote: “I had the opportunity to spend a few rounds of golf alongside Grayson in recent weeks at Hilton Head, Quail Hollow and Valhalla.

“I will always remember that and use it to remind myself that you never know what challenges people have going on in their lives and how they may be internalising things. RIP Grayson and love and strength to your family and friends.”

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/grayson-murray-pga-tour-golfer-who-died-aged-30-took-his-own-life-parents-say-13143401

Hardik Pandya wasn’t spotted among the first batch of Indian players who left for the T20 World Cup 2024 in USA and West Indies on Saturday.

Hardik Pandya’s troubles just don’t seem to be ending. The India all-rounder had a torrid Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season where he was constantly abused and booed for replacing Rohit Sharma as the Mumbai Indians captain. Hardik’s performances with the bat and the ball on the field also left much to desire. As the veteran cricketer now prepares for the T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, he couldn’t be spotted among the first batch of players that left for the campaign in the USA and West Indies.

Indian cricketers, led by skipper Rohit, were spotted at the airport as they arrived to fly to the USA and West Indies for the showpiece event. Rohit Sharma, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant were among the players spotted. but Hardik couldn’t be seen.

In the pictures shared by the BCCI on social media, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj could also be spotted, along with Hardik’s Mumbai Indians teammate Suryakumar Yadav. But, the MI skipper was nowhere to be found.

The BCCI decided to send the first batch of players, who weren’t involved in the IPL 2024 playoffs, early on Saturday while the others would leave later after the final. Hardik, technically, should’ve been a part of the group. But, he wasn’t there.

Fans on social media have been wondering whether Hardik’s absence from the first-batch departures has anything to do with the rumours floating about his personal life.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/t20-world-cup-2024/amid-divorce-rumours-hardik-pandya-absent-from-team-indias-t20-world-cup-2024-departure-5747111

IPL Final Preview: An in-form KKR stand between SRH and Pat Cummins from winning the IPL 2024 title in Chennai. Can Shreyas Iyer and Gautam Gambhir conclude their dream run with the third title win for the franchise?

The Indian Premier League 2024 has reached its final stop. After 73 matches, multiple thrilling games and a record number of sixes, SRH and KKR have deservedly put their names in the final of the tournament. KKR, guided by mentor Gautam Gambhir, have been head and shoulders above the rest of the teams, so much so that, they not only finished the group-stage at the top of the table, but also beat SRH with ease in the Qualifier 1 to book their place in the final of the tournament. SRH on the other hand, blew hot and cold in parts, but put in a resilient show in the knockouts against RR to set up the final vs KKR.

SRH, who have found themselves at the bottom half of the table in the last three seasons of the tournament were completely changed by the duo of Pat Cummins and Daniel Vettori, who are spending their first season together in the tournament. Cummins’ rub of green has helped SRH grab some magnificent victories this season to the point that teams have looked worried while playing against the Hyderabad-based side.

THE PAT CUMMINS EFFECT

SunRisers Hyderabad defeated Rajasthan Royals by 36 runs in Qualifer 2 game of IPL 2024 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Friday.

SunRisers Hyderabad defeated Rajasthan Royals by 36 runs in Qualifer 2 game of IPL 2024 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Friday. SRH thus set up a final clash with Kolkata Knight Riders at the same venue. The summit clash will take place on May 26. Talking about the game on Friday, pace duo of Trent Boult and Avesh Khan picked three wickets each but SRH still managed to post a competitive 175 for 9 in 20 overs. Apart from Boult (3/45) and Avesh Khan (3/27), Sandeep Sharma (2/25) also found registered his name among wicket-takers after RR won the toss and opted to bowl.

For SRH, Heinrich Klaasen was the top-scorer with a 34-ball 50, while Travis Head (34), Rahul Tripathi (37) got starts but couldn’t stay longer. In reply, RR were restricted to 139 for 7 in 20 overs, thanks to Shahbaz Ahmed’s 3 for 23.

SRH owner Kavya Maran was ecstatic as the side made it to IPL final after 6 years. She was spotted sharing a warm hug with father Kalanithi Maran as soon as SRH registered a victory over RR in the Qualifier 2 game.

Shahbaz Ahmed, who bagged the Player of the Match award said: “The captain and coach told me depending on the situation we will use you, my role was to bat lower down the order and they said if we collapse we will send you.”

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It is worth noting that Shahbaz was brought in as an Impact Player in the game after SRH went six down in the game.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/kavya-marans-reaction-viral-after-srh-beat-rr-to-enter-first-ipl-final-in-six-years-watch-5738893

The IPL has seen several tearaway quicks, who fizzled out after short duration. Sunil Gavaskar raised a pertinent point on the love for speed

When the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 started, Lucknow Super Giants’ Mayank Yadav was being hailed as the breakaway star of this edition. His speed generated awe as he regularly clocked over 150kmph. His case was almost same as Umran Malik, a couple of seasons back, who broke fast bowling record in the IPL. Umran Malik has been in the shadows in the IPL 2024. Mayank also did not look the same after an injury cut kept him out for considerable time.

In the midst of such youngsters, one bowler who made a brilliant comeback was Rajasthan Royals’ Sandeep Sharma. He went unsold in the auction and was inducted in the team as a replacement for injured Prasidh Krishna. But he did not let that deter him. He took a five-wicket haul against Mumbai Indians and has so far taken 13 wickets. His economy is 8.18.

Against SunRisers Hyderabad in the Qualifier 2 on Friday, Sharma returned with figures of 2/25 in four overs. He took the wickets of SRH top-scorer Heinrich Klaasen and opener Travis Head.

Sunil Gavaskar was effusive in his praise of Sandeep and also blasted those who get impressed by express-pace in Indian cricket.

“In India, we start salivating whenever anyone bowls over 145. We say he’s the next big thing. But bowlers need cleverness which Sandeep Sharma has. No one talks about it from the India aspect. He has been delivering consistently,” Sunil Gavaskar said on air.

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Though Sandeep has consistently performed in the IPL for various franchises, he has never been given a consistent run in the national team.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/in-india-we-start-salivating-sunil-gavaskar-rips-into-pace-hype-advocates-for-ignored-star-5738530

Royal Challengers Bengaluru wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik said goodbye to IPL, with the Eliminator match against Rajasthan Royals being his last.

One of the finest servants of Indian cricket, Dinesh Karthik said goodbye to the Indian Premier League (IPL) as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were knocked out from the competition on Wednesday. RCB’s defeat against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Eliminator was Karthik’s final game in the T20 league, with the veteran wicket-keeper batter deciding to move on. RCB players also gave Karthik a guard of honour after the team’s elimination from the tournament, before sharing a beautiful video in which Karthik’s wife Deepika Pallikal was also interviewed. (SRH vs RR Live Updates | Live Scorecard)

The video shared by RCB starts with an interview with Virat Kohli where the franchise’s former skipper recalls his first interaction with Karthik in 2009.

“First time I met DK, I remember we were playing in South Africa if I am not wrong in the Champions Trophy 2009. It was the first time I shared the change-room with Dinesh and I found him to be very amusing, I would say hyper-active, confused person, most of the times he was moving all over the place, never stopping. That was my first impression of Dinesh,” Kohli said in the video.

“Outstanding talent, brilliant batter to watch and my first impression and present day impression are not far apart. Just that he has become wiser and calmed down a lot,” he added.

Virat also lauded Karthik’s honest and courage as he shared an interesting anecdote from 2022 when the former didn’t have the best of IPL. It was the wicket-keeper batter who sat him down and given an honest perspective about what could be going wrong.

“Off the field, I have had some really nice and interesting conversations with him. He is wise man, has great knowledge about a lot of things, not just cricket. I have thoroughly enjoyed my conversations with him. Even in that phase in 2022 when I did not have a great IPL season, I was really struggling for confidence, he sat me down a couple of times and gave me a very honest explanation of how he is seeing things and maybe I am not able to see them myself,” Kohli said.

“So, I just like his honesty and courage to go and speak to anyone about things that he dearly feels about. And that I think is the most special thing for me when it comes to Dinesh and that’s one thing I have always cherished about him. That’s why we get along really really well,” Kohli added.

Later in the video, Karthik’s wife Deepika Pallikal shared some memorable moments from the cricketer’s career, while admitting that it would be tough for him to move on from the game. As Deepika shared the moments, she broke down on camera.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/dinesh-karthiks-wife-deepika-breaks-down-virat-kohli-pays-emotional-tribute-in-rcb-video-5733652

The officer who arrested world number one golfer Scottie Scheffler last week has been disciplined for not activating his body-worn camera during the incident, Louisville police said on Thursday.
Scheffler was arrested ahead of the second round of the PGA Championship on Friday in Louisville, Kentucky after he tried to drive around traffic congestion outside Valhalla Golf Club which was caused by a fatal accident in the area that morning.

Former Australian cricket team batter Justin Langer was one of the names that were being considered to be frontrunners in the race to become India’s next head coach.

Former Australian cricket team batter Justin Langer was one of the names that were being considered to be frontrunners in the race to become India’s next head coach. The BCCI were reportedly looking at several options to replace Rahul Dravid as his contract will end after the upcoming T20 World Cup. However, Langer has opted out of the race as he said that these kinds of jobs can be ‘exhausting’ and he also mentioned a conversation with KL Rahul during their time with Lucknow Super Giants during IPL 2024. Langer revealed that Rahul told him that the ‘politics and pressure’ faced by the Indian cricket team head coach is almost ‘a thousand times’ that of any IPL coach.

“I know that it’s an all-encompassing role and having done it for four years with the Australian team, it’s exhausting,” Langer said during his interaction on BBC Stumped.

“I was talking to KL Rahul and he said, ‘You know, if you think there’s pressure and politics in an IPL team, multiply that by a thousand, [that’s] coaching India. That was a good bit of advice, I guess.”

Earlier, Langer’s former teammate Ricky Ponting also somewhat distanced himself from the job.

“I’ve seen a lot of reports about it,” Ponting told the ICC Review. “Normally these things pop up on social media before you even know about them, but there were a few little one-on-one conversations during the IPL, just to get a level of interest from me as to whether I would do it.”

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/kl-rahuls-india-coach-faces-1000-times-more-politics-than-ipl-remark-sees-justin-langer-opt-out-of-race-5731380

One team between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will get knocked out of the IPL 2024 on Wednesday

One team between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will get knocked out of the IPL 2024 on Wednesday. The two sides face off in the Eliminator in Ahmedabad. The winner will go on to face SunRisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2 on Friday, while for the lose it will be the end of the road. If Rajasthan Royals are coming off four losses and a rained-off game, RCB have notched up six consecutive wins to sound a warning to their rivals that they mean business in the playoffs. RR, the 2008 IPL winners, suddenly find themselves as the underdogs, when a couple of weeks ago they were red-hot favourites.

When on song, Rajasthan Royals have shown they are unbeatable, but the last four games have exposed frailties in their batting and bowling. The exit of Jos Buttler has taken a lot of firepower out of their batting and a lot will depend on Yashasvi Jaiswal (348 runs), skipper Samson (504) and Riyan Parag (531) to halt the slide.

Former Indian cricket team batter Sunil Gavaskar said that it might be an one-sided contest.

“What RCB has done is nothing short of phenomenal. Firstly, to believe that they can bounce back. That requires something special. You have to say that their leading players Faf du Plessis, Virat KOhli, their senior players, they are the guys who are most encouraging the other players. Other team members can quickly get into a situation like , ‘Oh we have lost everything’. Both of them have played extraordinary cricket,” Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/sunil-gavaskar-predicts-rcb-vs-rr-ipl-eliminator-to-be-one-sided-says-this-team-will-walk-all-over-5715949#pfrom=home-ndtv_trending

In the latest development sources privy to information said MS Dhoni would be deciding about his retirement only after having surgery in London.

With questions flying thick and fast about his retirement, former India and Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is planning a visit to London for treatment of a muscle tear injury, CSK sources have said. Dhoni will take a call on his future course of action post-recovery, the sources said. CSK got eliminated from the Playoffs race of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 after a heart-wrenching defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a do-or-die match on Saturday.

It will be only the third time that the five-time champion won’t feature in the IPL playoffs. The defending champions suffered a 27-run defeat at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and as soon as M.S. Dhoni walked out of the ground scoring 25 off 13 deliveries, the speculation grew regarding his future.

However, in the latest development sources privy to information told IANS that Dhoni would be deciding about his retirement only after having surgery in London.

“Dhoni might head to London for his muscle tear surgery which saw him struggling during the IPL. He is not fully fit but wants to continue to play cricket and he will only decide about his future after treatment which will take him five to six months to recover,” sources told IANS.

Chasing 219, CSK faltered in the middle overs after recovering from the sloppy start. Rachin Ravindra’s 61-run and Ravindra Jadeja’s unbeaten 42 failed to guide the defending champion over the line.

Despite finishing the campaign with 14 points same as RCB in the league stage, CSK failed to seal the berth due to the latter’s superior net run-rate.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/ms-dhoni-injury-update-csk-great-may-undergo-surgery-recovery-will-decide-call-on-retirement-5705311

Argentina on Monday named a 29-man squad led by Lionel Messi for their final friendlies before the Copa America but there was no place for forward Paulo Dybala who has struggled with injuries.
Argentina will face Ecuador on June 9 at Soldier Field Stadium in Chicago and five days later play Guatemala at Commanders Field in Washington.
Coach Lionel Scaloni will have to cut three players from the list to meet the limit of 26 allowed by CONMEBOL for the Copa America, which starts on June 20.
In addition to Messi, Angel Di Maria, Nicolas Otamendi and other players who won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Scaloni has included youngsters Leonardo Balerdi, Valentin Barco, Alejandro Garnacho and Valentin Carboni.
AS Roma forward Dybala is the big absentee after several injuries that have ruled him out of previous internationals.
Argentina kick off their Copa America campaign against Canada on June 20, face Chile five days later and Peru on June 29. The tournament in the United States runs until July 14.

Gautam Gambhir is known for his stoic countenance and has been often criticised for ‘not smiling’. The former 2011 World Cup-winning star, in a chat with Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel, said that he does not want to please everyone.

“I don’t see I cannot please everyone in this country and I don’t even intend to please everyone. I don’t even want everyone to know me the kind of person I am. For me people who matter to me, they should know the kind of person I am the kind of thoughts I have, what kind of a human being whether I’m emotional, whether sometimes I’m restless, as well, but that’s the kind of person I am. And so, I have never ever thought about what people are talking about me. Or that misconception or perception. It’s up to them. They can talk whatever they want to unless you don’t know me, you should not. If I don’t know someone, I’d never make a perception about someone so they have all the right to do whatever they want,” Gambhir told Ashwin on his YouTube chat show ‘Kutti Stories with Ash’.

Ashwin countered saying if that can be called ‘the white line syndrome’, as one of his Tamil Nadu senior had explained to him.

The off-spinner explained that he was told that whenever one crosses the boundary ropes to onto the field of play, they should give it their all.

Gambhir clarified that there is nothing wrong with that attitude, adding that fans don’t come to watch him smile but rather win on the cricket field.

“Sometimes when people talk about – he doesn’t smile. He doesn’t love. He’s always intense. He’s always grumpy. He’s always walking on the edge. He’s old. He always has his game face on. People don’t come to watch me smile. Unfortunately, people come to watch me win. That’s the kind of profession we guys are in. I can’t help it,” Gambhir said.

Source: https://www.news18.com/cricket/gautam-gambhir-opens-up-on-being-serious-people-dont-come-to-see-me-smile-they-come-to-see-me-win-8897801.html

Virat Kohli’s RCB barely managed to remain in the IPL 2024 playoffs race before marking a resounding comeback to finish 4th.

As someone who believe in his own abilities and his teams, Virat Kohli is the sort of a person who doesn’t believe in leaving things in the hands of fate. A talismanic cricketer, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru stalwart continued to believe in himself and his teammates when the franchise incurred 7 defeats in its first 8 matches of the league campaign of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. However, RCB then secured 6 consecutive victories to go through to the playoffs based on a healthier Net Run Rate than their opponents Chennai Super Kings. As fans rejoiced RCB’s progression, a video surfaced on social media in which Kohli could be seen talking about his ‘1 percent theory’ that turned into a reality on Saturday.

In the video, Kohli could be heard talking to a group of youngsters about the power of belief, even if the chance of success is just 1 percent. In the IPL 2024 campaign, RCB’s chances of finishing among the top 4 sides were similar but step-by-step, the Faf du Plessis-led side turned the ‘extreme odds’ in their favour.

“There is a one percent chance, and sometimes that chance is good enough. But what matters is what you think about that one percent. Are you willing to give absolutely everything that you have to make that one into 10 and then grow that 10 into 30? Eventually, something magical might come out of it,” Virat said in the video.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/as-rcb-beat-csk-virat-kohils-1-percent-chance-theory-turns-into-reality-5695976

Karthik revealed that he called 26 members of his family for the CSK game as he thought it could be his last game in IPL.

Veteran Royal Challengers Bengaluru wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has hinted at retirement after the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League. The 38-year-old has been in staggering form this season and has done extremely well as RCB’s finisher, qualifying for the playoffs and finishing the league stage in fourth position. He also played an impactful cameo (14 off 6 balls) in the do-or-die clash against Chennai Super Kings on Saturday night where they emerged victorious by 27 runs and sealed the playoffs berth.

Karthik revealed that he called 26 members of his family for the CSK game as he thought it could be his last game in IPL.

“Three weeks ago I made this decision that okay seven losses from eight games so this (May 18) will be my last day. I called 26 members of my family and I thought it will be my last day. But they ended up realizing that I maybe playing a few more games,” Karthik said in a video uploaded by RCB.

RCB made a sensational turnaround in this season and won six matches on a trot after losing seven of their first eight to reach the playoffs.

Karthik feels that RCB’s remarkable turnaround in winning six games on the trot and barging into the playoffs this year will inspire other teams in the future.

“People will always remember certain journeys. The way we have come back after eight games, we needed to win six, people will remember this team,” Karthik was quoted as saying in a RCB release.

The veteran star said that it was not an easy job but RCB kept believing in themselves to produce something special.

“Every year in this tournament, when you hit the seven-game mark, there will be one or two teams which would have probably won one or two and they will look to us and say, ‘RCB did it. That was special. We are going to try and repeat what RCB did. That is what we all play cricket for, sport for, where people follow us and believe us that they can do something special. It is hard. It is not going to be easy, I can tell any team that. What we have achieved today is very, very special,” Karthik said.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/dinesh-karthik-drops-last-match-hint-over-potential-ipl-retirement-after-win-over-csk-i-called-26-family-members-101716130332824.html

IPL 2024: Nita Ambani addressed Mumbai Indians players. She shared a special message for Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav.

Mumbai Indians (MI) owner Nita Ambani addressed the team in the dressing room on Friday after they finished the ongoing IPL 2024 season at the bottom of the points table after playing against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). She said that it was a “disappointing season” but that she is still a huge fan of Mumbai Indians and that it is a privilege to wear the team’s jersey. She also made a special mention of opener Rohit Sharma, skipper Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah.

“Disappointing season for all of us. Things didn’t go the way we wanted them to, but I’m still a huge Mumbai Indians fan. Not just an owner. I think to wear the Mumbai Indians jersey is a huge honour and a privilege, and to be associated with Mumbai Indians, for me, is an honour and a privilege. I think, we will go back, review and think about it,” Nita Ambani said.

Ambani wished the international players the best ahead of the T20 World Cup next month.

“To Rohit, Hardik, Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) and (Jasprit) Bumrah, I think, all Indians are cheering for you. We wish you all the best,” she said.

Watch Nita Ambani addressing Mumbai Indians:

Ambani also presented Rohit Sharma, who is the captain of Team India, with a special medal after playing an explosive knock of 68 runs in Friday’s IPL match at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Friday’s match saw Mumbai Indians’ 10th loss in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL).

After Hardik Pandya replaced Rohit Sharma as MI’s new skipper, there has been speculation that IPL 2024 would be the last season for the 37-year-old with the Mumbai-based franchise.

Rohit Sharma, as Mumbai Indians captain, had led the franchise to five IPL titles since starting his reign in 2013.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/nita-ambani-gives-pep-talk-in-mumbai-indians-dressing-room-mentions-rohit-sharma-hardik-pandya-we-will-review-101716139998677.html

The win means Hayes has ended her 12-year tenure in style – having won seven Women’s Super League titles and five FA cups.

Chelsea have won the Women’s Super League for the fifth time in a row after thrashing Manchester United 6-0 in Emma Hayes’ last match as manager.

The win means Hayes has ended her highly successful 12-year tenure with the Blues in style after what started out as a nerve-wracking afternoon.

Chelsea had the same amount of points as title race rivals Manchester City this morning – meaning if both teams won on Saturday then goal difference would be the deciding factor.

Manchester City’s 2 – 1 win over Aston Villa was not enough to secure them the title on a historic afternoon for Hayes and her west London side.

The 47-year-old Chelsea boss will leave the club having won seven Women’s Super League (WSL) titles, five FA Cups, two Continental Cups, the Spring Series and a Community Shield. She also led the team to the UEFA Women’s Champions League final in 2020.

This afternoon’s victory also marks the first time a team has won the WSL five years in a row.

Hayes is due to take over as manager of the USA football team this summer.

Her final Chelsea game looked set to be a comfortable afternoon early on, as Colombian striker Mayra Ramirez scored after two minutes before her teammate Johanna Rytting Kaneryd found the net six minutes later.

German midfielder Sjoeke Nüsken put the Blues three goals up at 44 minutes before Ramirez all-but secured victory with another goal before half time.

Melanie Leupolz and Fran Kirby, making her last appearance for the club, added to the scoreline in the second half.

Chelsea had started the afternoon with a goal difference superior by two.

The Blues have said their title win is a “fitting farewell to club legends Kirby and Maren Mjelde” who will now the leave the side after “nine and seven years of stellar and trophy-laden service respectively”.

Source : https://news.sky.com/story/chelsea-win-womens-super-league-after-beating-manchester-united-6-0-in-emma-hayes-last-match-13138668

Fury came under early pressure, with Usyk mounting an aggressive offensive from the start. The “Gypsy King” looked relaxed as he moved around the ring in the early rounds. But after Usyk landed a right hook in the ninth round it looked as if Fury was in serious trouble.

Oleksandr Usyk has become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world after defeating British boxing star Tyson Fury.

The Ukrainian won on a split decision following the match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Usyk had 115-112 and 114-113 on two cards, while Fury took the other 114-113.

Fury disputed his loss after the match, saying: “I believe I won that fight. I think he won a few rounds but I won the majority of them.

“His country is at war, so people are siding with the country at war. Make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion.

In response Usyk said he was “ready for rematch,” but later added: “I don’t think about rematch now, I want to rest.”

Fury came under early pressure, with Usyk taking the centre of the ring with an aggressive offensive from the start.

At one point Fury was pushed against the ropes and started laughing as Usyk applied pressure.

The “Gypsy King” looked relaxed as he moved around the ring in the early rounds and picked his shots.

But after Usyk landed a right hook in the ninth round it looked as if Fury was in serious trouble.

The Ukrainian followed up by unloading freely but somehow the bookmakers’ favourite stayed on his feet and was given a standing 10-second count saved by the bell.

It left Fury struggling through the final three rounds as Usyk chased him around the ring.

Source : https://news.sky.com/story/oleksandr-usyk-defeats-tyson-fury-to-become-heavyweight-champion-of-the-world-13139018

The RCB team was left in awe by Faf du Plessis’s catch and the Bengaluru crowd erupted in joy.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Faf du Plessis pulled off an incredible one-handed catch to dismiss Mitchell Santner during the IPL 2024 clash against Chennai Super Kings at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, May 18.

The dismissal took place on the last ball of the 15th over when Mitchell Santner back lofted a low full toss delivery off Mohammed Siraj’s delivery and Faf du Plessis, who stationed himself at mid-off, leapt into action. With precision timing, RCB skipper overstretched his right to snatch the ball in air.

Virat Kohli, Mohammed Siraj, Cameron Green and other RCB players rushed towards du Plessis to celebrate the sensational catch. The entire team was left in awe by Plessis’s catch and the Bengaluru crowd erupted in joy.

Chennai Super Kings were at 129/6 after Santner’s dismissal and Ravindra Jadeja was joined by MS Dhoni at the crease to carry on the visitors’ innings.

Although CSK were in a tough spot, needing 90 runs off 30 balls to win, they aimed to ensure that RCB won by 17 or fewer runs to secure a top-four finish based on their net run-rate (NRR) and qualify for the playoffs.

Jadeja and Dhoni put the best of their efforts to accumulate runs and maintain higher run rate than RCB. The pair formed a 71-run stand for the seventh wicket until MS Dhoni was dismissed for 25 off 13 balls.

MS Dhoni’s dismissal shifted the momentum of the game towards RCB. When Royal Challengers Bengaluru needing to defend 10 runs off the last 2 balls to surpass Chennai Super Kings’ NRR, Yash Dayal bowled two dot ball deliveries to help team successfully qualify for the playoffs.

Chennai Super Kings were restricted to 191/7 in 20 overs, with Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten on 42 off 22 balls. Rachin Ravindra played a brilliant innings of 61 off 27 balls but ultimately his effort went in vain.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/video-faf-du-plessis-takes-sensational-one-handed-blinder-to-dismiss-mitchell-santner-during-rcb-vs-csk-ipl-2024-clash

Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated defending champions Chennai Super Kings by 27 runs to secure the fourth and final play-off spot in the Indian Premier League

Royal Challengers Bengaluru rose like a phoenix and earned themselves a playoff spot in style on Saturday night. In a match which went past midnight, RCB held their calm against the defending champions and came out victorious. Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated defending champions Chennai Super Kings by 27 runs to secure the fourth and final play-off spot in the Indian Premier League on Saturday. Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad had already qualified for the play-offs. Sent into bat, RCB posted a challenging 218 for five against CSK in their must-win.

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya’s IPL 2024 ended on a disappointing note with his team suffering a 10th defeat on Friday night. Additionally, Pandya has been ‘banned’ from playing his team’s next match after MI were found guilty of an over-rate offence during their 14th and final match of the season where they faced Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium.

Pandya has also been fined Rs 30 lakh for MI maintaining a slow over-rate against LSG.

“As it was his team’s third offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over rate offences, Pandya was fined INR 30 lakh and banned from playing the team’s next match,” the IPL said in a statement after LSG beat MI by 18 runs.

The rest of the members of the MI’s playing XI, including the Impact Player, were each individually fined either Rs 12 lakh or 50 percent of their respective match fees, whichever lesser.

Pandya is the second player to have received a one-match suspension in IPL 2024 for an over-rate offense. Earlier this week, Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant had to sit out from his team’s vital contest against Royal Challengers Bengaluru as he was suspended for his team not adhering to the over-rate offense for the third time.

DC had lodged an appeal against the ruling citing various reasons behind the delay but it was upheld. Later, Axar Patel, who led the team against RCB, revealed Pant wasn’t happy with the verdict.

Source: https://www.news18.com/cricket/ipl-2024-hardik-pandya-suspended-for-one-match-and-fined-rs-30-lakh-after-mi-finish-bottom-8894791.html

Following Sunil Chhetri’s official announcement in which the striker announced that he will be playing his last game for India against Kuwait on June 6, many boards, teams and players have come out pay tribute to the Indian captain’s stellar career.

Following Sunil Chhetri’s official announcement in which the striker announced that he will be playing his last game for India against Kuwait on June 6, many boards, teams and players have come out pay tribute to the Indian captain’s stellar career. The official handle for the FIFA World Cup has posted a tribute for Chhetri as well which included the iconic photo of him standing with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on a podium, which signifies the top three active international goal scorers.

The picture was coupled with a caption, “Retiring as a legend”.

“Sunil Chhetri, the world’s third-highest active international goalscorer, will play his final game for Indian Football in next month’s FIFA WorldCup qualifiers,” added the official account for the FIFA World Cup on X (formerly known as Twitter).

The 39-year old played his 150th game for his country against Afghanistan last month. He has scored 94 goals so far in his international career with fans hoping he finds the back of the net at least one more time in the blue tigers jersey during the game vs Kuwait at Salt Lake Stadium.

FIFA World Cup’s official account also posted a video of Chhetri’s previous interview in which he talked about the comparisons made between him, Messi and Ronaldo.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/football/retiring-as-a-legend-fifa-pay-tribute-to-sunil-chhetri-with-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-comparison-5676643

Virat Kohli is a crucial player in India’s scheme of things for the T20 World Cup 2024

Just over a week remains for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The last spots for the IPL 2024 playoffs are being filled with top teams like Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the race. It will be followed by IPL playoffs with the final on May 26. After a brief break, the Indian cricket team will then embark on a mission to win the 2024 T20 World Cup in West Indies and USA. Under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, this will be a chance for the side to achieve redemption post the heart-break of the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Virat Kohli is a crucial player in India’s scheme of things. upon him will be the responsibility of giving the side a great start. The former Indian cricket team captain is in great form the IPL 2024, leading the run charts with a tally of 661 in 13 games.

Ahead of the IPL, his new hairstyle made quite the news. Now, the star has got another hairstyle ahead of the T20 World Cup. The video of the haircut has gone viral.

Apart from being a star cricketer, Virat Kohli is known to be one of the most stylish Indian cricketers. His clothing sense and hairstyle often is the talk of the town. Ahead of the IPL 2024, Kohli’s new hairstyle, done by celebrity hairdresser Aalim Hakim, became quite a rage. Not only Kohli, Hakim also does hairstyling for MS Dhoni too. The celebrity hairdresser recently opened up on his charges.
While not revealing directly, how much he charged for Virat Kohli’s hairstyle, Hakim gave an idea. “My fee is very simple which everybody knows how much I charge. So, it starts from Rs 1 lakh. That’s the minimum,” he said on Brut India.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/t20-world-cup-2024/virat-kohli-gets-new-hairstyle-ahead-of-t20-world-cup-video-viral-watch-5677859

The former India player didn’t mince his words as he talked about Gautam Gambhir’s controversial take on AB de Villiers and Kevin Pietersen’s captaincy.

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir made headlines earlier this week when he criticised former cricketers AB de Villiers and Kevin Pietersen. The duo had been critical of Hardik Pandya’s leadership in the ongoing IPL season, as Mumbai Indians became the first team to get knocked out of the race for playoffs last week. Hardik’s MI are reeling at the bottom of the table with four wins in 13 matches.

“(AB) de Villiers and Pietersen’s records as captain are also not impressive,” Gambhir said in a chat with Sportskeeda. Except for his own scores, De Villiers has achieved nothing in the IPL.

“What was their own performance like when they were the captain? I don’t think, be it Kevin Pietersen or AB de Villiers, they had any performance in their career with leadership. Nothing. If you pick and see their records, I think they are worse than any other leader. I don’t think AB de Villiers has achieved anything in the IPL apart from his own scores.

“I don’t think he has achieved anything from a team’s point of view, Hardik Pandya is still an IPL-winning captain. So you should only compare oranges to oranges. Not apple to oranges,” Gambhir had said.

However, former India cricketer Atul Wassan has reacted rather strongly to the comment. While he didn’t make a detailed remark on Gambhir’s comments on the two international superstars, Wassan accused Gambhir of trying to stir a controversy.

“What are you saying? He is trying to create a controversy and he has a habit of it. I don’t take Gautam Gambhir seriously,” Wassan told India News, as quoted by CricTracker.

In 2017, Gambhir told the Indian Express that he wasn’t informed when the Atul Wassan-led selection committee removed him as captain of the Delhi state team. Things have seemingly been tense between the two ex-cricketers.

Gambhir currently with KKR
Gautam Gambhir is currently part of the Kolkata Knight Riders’ dugout, where he is the mentor of the side. Gambhir’s return has been a successful one so far, with the side comfortably placed at the top of the league table in the season. KKR became the first team to qualify for the playoffs last week.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/gautam-gambhir-trying-to-create-controversy-ex-cricketer-says-he-doesnt-take-kkr-great-seriously-in-sharp-remark-101715870304834.html

Virat Kohli spoke about his retirement plans and said once he is done with cricket, people won’t see him for a while. Kohli shared his views in a video posted by the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Kohli, who will play for India in T20 World Cup 2024, could retire from white-ball cricket after the gala event in the USA and West Indies.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli, 35, might not hang around for long. It is speculated that Virat will hang his boots from limited overs cricket after the T20 World Cup to prolong his Test career and give more time to family. Given his fitness standards, cricket pundits feel Kohli can go on for a few more years in Test cricket. However, there will be a time when Kohli will have to draw curtains on his illustrious career. Kohli has generally stayed tight lipped about his retirement, however, he recently made a massive remark. Kohli said he wants to end his career without having any regrets and wants to give his best till the time he is playing cricket, adding that once he is gone, people won’t see him for a while.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/virat-kohli-drops-bombshell-retirement-remark-once-i-am-done-with-cricket-you-wont-se-me-article-110161441

A look at how Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad can end up reaching the IPL 2024 playoffs.

The IPL 2024 playoffs race is well and truly on with Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings being the top contenders. Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants also have an outside chance but their Net Run Rate (NRR) will make it slightly difficult for the two sides. Kolkata Knight Riders are the only side who are guaranteed a Top 2 spot with SRH also looking to challenge Rajasthan Royals for a spot in Qualifier 1. RR lost to Punjab Kings by 5 wickets on Wednesday and that means SRH still remain in the fight to potentially grab a Top 2 spot.

A look at how SRH, CSK and RCB can book their spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs –

Chennai Super Kings – 14 points in 13 matches (NRR +0.528)

Matches remaining – 1 (vs RCB)

CSK have a great chance of qualifying as they have 14 points from 13 matches with a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +0.528. A win against RCB in their final league game will guarantee their spot in the IPL playoffs. However, even if they are beaten by RCB, they can still qualify. They will hope that even if they are defeated by RCB, the Faf Du Plessis-led side does not go ahead on NRR. If LSG win their last game (and reach 14), CSK will still be favourites to go through due to a much superior NRR. They would also hope SRH (14 from 12 games) lose both their matches, so that they have it easy.

Sunrisers Hyderabad – 14 points in 12 matches (NRR +0.406)

Matches remaining – 2 (vs GT and PBKS)

Wins in the remaining two matches will guarantee a playoff spot for SRH. Even if they lose one of their matches, they will still go through. If they lose both their game, then it will all come down to NRR. If SRH lose both of their remaining matches while LSG and RCB win their last games, the Pat Cummins-led side will have to depend on the NRR to be in the top 4. If CSK beat RCB, and SRH lose both their games, they will hope to keep better run-rate than LSG and DC to grab that last play-off spots.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/how-can-rcb-srh-and-csk-reach-ipl-2024-playoffs-all-scenarios-explained-5671999

Chopra finished on top with a best throw of 82.27m. This is Chopra’s first competition on home soil since 2021.

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra won the gold medal in men’s javelin throw event of the Federation Cup here, his spear shimmering through the balmy Wednesday evening sky after an unusually slow start in his first competitive outing on Indian soil in three years.

The 26-year-old superstar struggled to get going in the competition and he was second after three rounds.

He took the lead in fourth round with an effort of 82.27m and he did not take the final round as he was leading after DP Manu, who settled for silver, had finished his final round throw.

Chopra last took part in a domestic competition at the same event on March 17, 2021, when he won a gold with a throw of 87.80m.

Since then, Chopra has won a historic gold in the Tokyo Olympics, became Diamond League champion in 2022, world champion in 2023 and defended Asian Games gold in China.

He also won three individual legs of Diamond League and claimed a silver in the 2022 World Championships.

He is, however, yet to touch the 90m mark. His personal best and national record is 89.94m.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/video-olympic-champion-neeraj-chopra-wins-gold-in-at-federation-cup-2024-with-javelin-throw-of-8227m

After the BCCI invited applications for the post of India head coach, reports of possible successors to Rahul Dravid started flowing in, and CSK head coach Stephen Fleming’s name has to come first. Former Australia coach and current LSG head coach Justin Langer has also expressed his curiosity. The BCCI’s job description for the post of India head coach is as detailed as it can get. Being such a high-profile and well-paying job, there will be no shortage of applicants. But who will be the right fit to take over the reins from Rahul Dravid?

Let’s take a look at the five possible contenders:

Gautam Gambhir

The phrase ‘a storm in a teacup’ is the trend these days, and Gautam Gambhir, in many ways, personifies that. But aside from Gambhir’s no-nonsense straight talk, he has an astute cricketing mind, and after leading Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles, he has transformed KKR in IPL 2024 as a team to beat. There is no doubting Gambhir’s credentials as a mentor, and going by some of the requirements BCCI had listed out in their JD for the post of head coach, it will be fair to say the former India international is probably the best candidate that fulfills those requirements.

For instance, one of the critical competencies that BCCI has listed is the ‘Head Coach will be responsible for reviewing, maintaining, and enforcing the disciplinary codes within the Indian Men’s team’. Well, isn’t Gambhir the man for that? There’s also a requirement of being an ‘accomplished strategist’, and Gambhir, who was the mentor for LSG in 2022 and 2023 before taking up the mentor role with KKR this year, has shown what a master tactician he is by taking KKR to the top of the points table in IPL 2024. And if you need more convincing, here is another point from BCCI’s job description that may be Gambhir’s cup of tea, and only his – ‘Must be willing to meet work expectations and pressures associated with handling marquee athletes’. What say?

Stephen Fleming

Stephen Fleming has a wealth of experience as a coach and fits the bill per BCCI’s job description. The former New Zealand captain has been the most consistent coach in the IPL history, guiding CSK to 5 titles and a couple of Champions League trophies. Besides the Chennai-based franchise, the former Kiwi skipper is also the head coach of Joburg Super Kings in SA20 and Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket – both of which are sister franchises of CSK. Fleming has coached Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash for four years and is also associated with the Southern Brave in The Hundred. However, his long-time association with CSK and his role with the franchise in leagues will probably prove to be the biggest obstacle for BCCI in hiring the Kiwi.

Justin Langer

A challenging taskmaster, Justin Langer was Australia men’s head coach for nearly four years after being appointed to the job in May 2018 in the aftermath of the ball-tampering scandal (sandpaper gate), taking over from Dareen Lehmann. Under his tenure, Australia lost two home Test series to India, but he marshalled the team to the 2021 T20 World Cup win in the UAE and oversaw two Ashes series victories – in 2019 and 2021. Under the former opener, Australia claimed the No.1 ranking in Tests and T20Is in 2020. But Langer had an embarrassing exit as the Australian coach, with the players allegedly revolting against Langer’s intense management style. Despite holding marathon talks for a contract extension, Langer resigned in 2022. Currently the coach of LSG, Langer could bring in his wealth of man-management skills and the ability to handle the ‘marquee athletes’. It will be exciting if BCCI thinks of hiring an Australian as their head coach, though. Does anyone remember the Chappell era?

VVS Laxman

The most obvious choice and probably the safest, considering he is the current head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) – a position Dravid had held before taking charge of the senior men’s team. Laxman has also stepped in as the stand-in coach for the senior squad in Dravid’s absence, but various media reports suggest that Laxman is not keen to take up the role.

Andy Flower

Flower was appointed England’s assistant coach way back in 2007 and went on to become the time director two years later. Under him, England won the Ashes in 2009, the T20 World Cup in 2010, an away Ashes series in 2010-11, and England took to No.1 rankings in Test in 2011. After his spell with the England team ended, he continued his association with the ECB as part of the technical director for the England Lions for nearly five years. He also took up franchise coaching with PSL and CPL, helping Peshawar Zalmi to top the PSL points table in 2016, taking Multan Sultans to their first-ever playoff in 2020 and the title in 2021. In 2022 and 2023, Multan made the finals. He took the CPL team, St Lucia Zouks, to two back-to-back finals in 2020 and 2021. In the IPL, he was the coach of Punjab Kings in 2020 and 2021 and then took over the role at LSG, taking them to two back-to-back playoffs. Flower has also won trophies in the ILT20 (Gulf Giants), The Hundred (Trent Rockets) and the Abu Dhabi T10 (Maratha Arabians). Currently, Flower is the head coach of RCB in the IPL.

Source : https://www.news18.com/cricket/2-ipl-coaches-running-india-head-coach-job-rahul-dravid-vvs-laxman-refuse-andy-flower-justin-langer-stephen-fleming-8891298.html

In a video shared by RCB, Virat Kohli was seen pulling Mohammed Siraj’s leg for a comment the latter made.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) dressing room was in a fun mood after the team secured a thumping victory against Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 on Sunday. The 47-run victory didn’t just give RCB the valuable 2 points but also gave their Net Run Rate a positive boost in the hunt for a top 4 spot. As a result, the atmosphere in the dressing room was truly jubilant, with jokes being cracked by players on their teammates. Banter Virat Kohli and Mohammed Siraj also joined was arguably the highlight of the dressing room scenes.

In a video shared by RCB on social media, Kohli and Siraj were engaged in a fun conversation, with RCB spinner Karn Sharma also getting involved. Here’s how the conversation went:

Siraj: What a comeback! We only wanted to take it one game at a time. Qualification or the playoffs is not in our control. What is in our control is, fast bowlers have the balls, batters have the bat. All we have to do is attack. If we qualify, it’s very good. But we just want to continue playing this brand of cricket.

Kohli: (laughs) He is saying batter has a bat and bowler has a ball

Siraj: The mindset is to take wickets, right?

Kohli: (laughs) Alag cricket chal rahi hai (he is playing different cricket). Just say, “All I can see are stumps”

Siraj: Siuuuuuu…

Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com

Kohli: (laughs) He is saying see you.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/virat-kohli-trolls-mohammed-siraj-for-batter-has-bat-bowler-has-ball-remark-on-camera-watch-5652234

Facing fellow play-offs chasers Delhi Capitals (DC) in a must-win game at a sold-out M Chinnaswamy Stadium, the Royal Challengers defended a par target of 188 in exemplary fashion to soar to the fifth spot in the table with 12 points from 13 games.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/ipl-2024-royal-challengers-bengaluru-stay-in-playoffs-hunt-after-47-run-victory-over-delhi-capitals-3019482 

The world number one has been knocked out of the tournament in the third round, losing to 29th seed Alejandro Tabilo of Chile.

Novak Djokovic says he will have medical tests after being struck on the head by a metal water bottle and then suffering a shock exit at the Italian Open.

The world number one said how he felt on court on Sunday was “completely like a different player entered into my shoes. Just no rhythm, no tempo, no balance whatsoever on any shot”.

“It’s a bit concerning,” he added.

Djokovic, a 24-time grand slam champion, was beaten in round three in Rome by 26-year-old Chilean Alejandro Tabilo, who won the match 6-2 6-3 in just 67 minutes. It was one of the Serbian’s worst displays at one of his favourite tournaments.

The 36-year-old sports star was signing autographs on Friday following an earlier win when he collapsed on to the ground after the container, which fell out of a spectator’s rucksack, struck him from above.

Speaking on Sunday about the incident, Djokovic said: “It was unexpected obviously. I wasn’t even looking up. Then I felt a very strong hit in the head. That has, yeah, really impacted me a lot. Been through half an hour, an hour of nausea, dizziness, blood, a lot of different things.

“I managed to sleep okay. I had headaches. The next day was pretty fine, so I thought it’s okay. Maybe it is okay. Maybe it’s not.”

The top seed added: “I didn’t do any scans or any tests. Right now, I feel like I should do it, so I will do it and let’s see. Let’s see what’s happening.”

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/novak-djokovic-to-have-medical-tests-after-bottle-strike-and-shock-loss-in-italian-open-13134842

CSK, DC, and RCB are under the scanner as the battle for the top-four spot intensifies.

The IPL 2024 mid-table muddle has become more intriguing as struggling Gujarat Titans beat a much-settled Chennai Super Kings by 35 runs in Ahmedabad on Friday, May 10. Even after almost 60 matches in IPL 2024, only one of the 10 teams have secured playoffs berths, and it’s Kolkata Knight Riders. In contrast, Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings have been eliminated from the race after a disappointing show this year. After Gujarat’s morale-boosting win in match 59, the tournament is now wide open as teams like Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Gujarat Titans still have the opportunity to finish in the top four. (IPL 2024 Points Table)

CSK and DC who are sitting on 12 points each after as many games are separated only by NRR. Whereas, RCB have been in scintillating form with four consecutive wins to keep their playoff hopes alive. After seven losses out of eight games in the first half of the tournament, the Faf du Plessis-led side has made an impressive comeback to register five wins in 12 games so far.

As CSK, DC, and RCB prepare to play their 13th league game on Sunday’s double-header, let’s have a look at what these three sides need to do to make the IPL 2024 Playoffs.

IPL 2024 Qualification Scenarios for CSK, DC and RCB:

Chennai Super Kings

Defending champions CSK are most comfortably placed fourth on the points table with NRR (+0.491). Ruturaj Gaikward’s men are scheduled to face RR at home on Sunday, and will play their final league stage game against RCB at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, May 18. Let’s have a closer look at CSK’s playoff scenarios.

CSK can reach a maximum of 16 points now. If they win both their remaining games, they will be overwhelming favourites to qualify owing to a superior NRR than DC and LSG.

If they win only one, they can still qualify hoping that the winner of the DC v LSG game loses their other remaining fixture.

If Chennai lose both their games, they’ll be knocked out of the tournament as they will be stranded on 12 points and the winner of LSG and DC will move to 14 points and surpass them.

Delhi Capitals

Rishabh Pant’s DC are currently placed fifth on the standings with 12 points and a NRR of (-0.316). Their remaining two games are against RCB and LSG. Here’s DC’s playoff scenarios –

DC can reach a maximum of 16 points now and hence need to win both their games. They also need to hope that CSK lose at least one of their remaining games to secure a direct qualification.

If they tie with CSK at 16 points, NRR will come into play, which at the moment favours the five-time IPL champions.

If Delhi win one of the two games and get stuck at 14 points, they’ll hope CSK lose both their matches and LSG lose at least one to squeeze into the playoffs.

Lastly, If the Capitals lose both their matches, they’ll be eliminated as LSG will surpass them irrespective of CSK’s results.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

RCB are one of the sides with only an outside shot at IPL 2024 playoff berth. Here are RCB’s playoff scenarios –

The Faf du Plessis-led RCB can reach a maximum of 14 points if they manage to win their remaining two games. However, they also need other results to go their way to finish in the top four.

Given RCB win their last two matches and reach 14 points, they would need CSK to lose against RR, DC to go down against LSG, LSG to suffer defeat against MI and GT to lose at least one of their remaining games.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/ipl-2024-playoffs-csk-rcb-dcs-scenarios-explained-5640104

Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant was banned for one match and fined Rs 30 lakh for his team third slow over-rate offence in the IPL 2024.

On Saturday, Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant was banned for one match and fined Rs 30 lakh for his team third slow over-rate offence in the IPL 2024. The development will see the Ricky Ponting coached-side miss Pant’s services against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday in a crucial match as race for play-offs heats up. DC’s third slow over-rate offence happened in the match against Rajasthan Royals. In that match, RR skipper Sanju Samson’s controversial dismissal, which saw him get caught by DC’s Shai Hope very close to the boundary, became the talking point.

The cricket world was divided on whether it was out or not. Interestingly, that dismissal made it way into DC’s appeal against Pant’s ban.

In a document, where the decision of the BCCI Ombudsman can be found, the details DC’s appeal can be found.

“Mr. Rishabh Pant, Mr. Sourav Ganguly and Mr. Ricky Ponting have appeared on behalf of the Delhi Capitals along with Mr. Sunil Gupta, CEO of Delhi Capitals. Mr. Hemang Amin, BCCI CEO has appeared on behalf of BCCI. Mr. Daniel Manohar, the concerned Match Referee, has also appeared,” read the document.

The document further stated the argument of Ganguly, DC Director of Cricket, regarding the case.

“Mr. Sourav Ganguly, appearing for the Appellant, has submitted that during the course of the innings of Rajasthan Royals, 13 sixes were hit by their batters but the consequential Ball Retrieval Allowance of 0.30 minutes has only been granted on three (3) occasions to the Appellant. Further, it has been submitted that the 3.0 minutes allowance granted for the review of the dismissal of Mr. Sanju Samson (batter of Rajasthan Royals) was insufficient as Mr. Samson had protested, which consumed extra time, and the dismissal involved a review time of more than 3 minutes.

“Mr. Ricky Ponting, also appearing for the Appellant has further submitted that owing to delivery of multiple wide deliveries towards the late end of the innings by the bowlers of the Delhi Capitals, there remained no time with the Appellant to compensate for the delay caused, as there remained no overs to help boost the over rate by the use of spinners. Mr. Ponting has also submitted that the Appellant, who is the Captain of the Delhi Capitals and is a wicket-keeper batsman, should not be held responsible for the delay caused by the bowlers in the match.”

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/how-sourav-ganguly-tried-using-sanju-samsons-controversial-dismissal-to-save-rishabh-pant-from-ban-5642095#pfrom=home-ndtv_topstories

Kishore Jena’s Diamond League debut ended in disappointment as he was eliminated after three rounds of throws, with 76.31m being his best.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/other-sports/neeraj-chopra-finishes-second-in-doha-diamond-league-3017875

Mumbai Indians have had a dismal campaign as they were the first team to be officially knocked out of the tournament.

The situation in Mumbai Indians (MI) camp has once again caught the eyeballs of the fans after the video of the chat between the former captain Rohit Sharma and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) assistant coach Abhishek Nayar ahead of their IPL 2024 clash at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday, May 11.

Mumbai Indians have had a dismal campaign as they were the first team to be officially knocked out of the tournament. A change in captaincy in MI sparked a lot of debate as the majority of the fans were unhappy with management’s decision to sack their most successful captain Rohit Sharma and replace him with Hardik Pandya ahead of the IPL 2024.

The support for Rohit Sharma has been growing day by day while Hardik Pandya has been receiving hostile reception from the crowd with boos and derogatory remarks. The majority of the Mumbai Indians’ fans are completely sided with Rohit while they continue to express their anger towards the franchise’s decision to unceremoniously sack five-time IPL-winning captain.

The reports emerged that the senior players in Mumbai Indians squad are unhappy with Hardik Pandya’s way of captaining the team.

Rohit Sharma’s conversation with Abhishek Nayar

In a viral video, Rohit Sharma was seen having a serious conversation with his former Mumbai teammate Abhishek Nayar. He said that one by one is changing in the MI, added that he doesn’t care about it as it depends on the management.

“Ek ek cheez change ho raha hai. Woh unke haath mein hai, main ye sab pe dhyaan nahi deta.” Ex MI skipper could be heard telling to Abhishek on the backdrop of constant chanting by the fans at the stadium.

Rohit Sharma further said that whatever may be the situation, it’s my home and the temple that I’ve built.

“Jo bhi hai woh mera ghar hai bhai, woh temple jo hai na maine banwaya hai.” Sharma told Abhishek in the video.

The video of the chat between Rohit Sharma and Abhishek Nayar was shared by the Kolkata Knight Riders on its X handle (formerly Twitter) but it was deleted later.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/ek-ek-cheez-change-ho-raha-hai-rohit-sharmas-chat-with-abhishek-nayar-sparks-debate-on-situation-in-mi-camp-ahead-of-ipl-2024-clash-vs-kkr-video

In a video shared on social media, Mumbai Indians batter Rohit Sharma could be seen indulging in an intense chat with KKR assistant coach Abhishek Nayar. The video was deleted later on but that couldn’t stop it from going viral.

As the Mumbai Indians prepare to take on the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 clash on Saturday, an intriguing video surfaced on social media where Rohit Sharma could be seen being involved in an intense chat with KKR’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar. Though there was plenty of background noise, it didn’t take long for fans to find out what exactly was spoken between Rohit and Nayar on the eve of the KKR vs MI clash at Eden Gardens.

In the video, Rohit and Nayar could be heard talking about ‘things changing’. At the end of the video, the former Mumbai Indians skipper also said that “it’s his last”. Though the context of the conversation isn’t known, fans suggested that the two could’ve talked about the current situation at Mumbai Indians, especially Hardik Pandya’s appointment as skipper.

“Ek ek cheez change ho raha hai…Woh unke upar hai…Jo bhi hai woh mera ghar hai bhai, woh temple jo hai na maine banwaya hai(Everything is changing one by one… It’s on them… Whatever, but it’s my home brother, it’s the temple that I constructed).”

The last line that could be heard in the video was: “Bhai mera kya mera to ye last hai (brother, this is my last anyway)”.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/wo-mera-ghar-hai-wo-temple-rohit-sharma-tells-kkr-coach-as-viral-video-storms-internet-5637181

The Titans are now eighth on the points table with 10 points from 12 matches, and CSK held on to their fourth place despite the defeat with 12 points from as many games.

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill has been fined Rs 24 lakh for maintaining slow over rate during the IPL match against Chennai Super Kings. It was his side’s second over rate offence of the season, and subsequently rest of the playing 11 members, including the Impact Player, were individually fined either Rs 6 lakh or 25 per cent of their respective match fees, whichever is lesser. On Friday, GT defeated defending champions CSK by 35 runs to stay alive in the IPL.

Gill and B Sai Sudharsan made hundreds in GT’s total of 231 for three before restricting CSK to 196 for eight.

The Titans are now eighth on the points table with 10 points from 12 matches, and CSK held on to their fourth place despite the defeat with 12 points from as many games.

Gill, who scored 104 off 55 balls, shared a 210-run opening stand with fellow centurion B Sai Sudharsan (103 off 51 balls) in Gujarat’s total of 231 for 3 which could have easily breached the 260-run mark.

In the end, CSK scored 196 and Gujarat’s NRR of improved to -1.063. They have 10 points from 12 games with maximum chance of getting up to 14, which might not be enough for play-off qualification.

“Honestly at one point 250 was for the taking and we fell short. In the last two-three overs they bowled well. I thought we were 10-15 short, not in terms of the match but in terms of net run rate,” Gill said at post-match presentation ceremony.

He left the field early during CSK chase as Rahul Tewatia led the side but he assured one and all that it was mere cramps.

“It’s just a cramp, nothing more.” About his 210 run opening stand with Sudharsan, Gill said that he loved the freedom with which they executed their shots. Gill hit six maximums while Sudharsan had one more to his credit.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/ipl-2024-entire-gujarat-titans-team-penalised-after-match-vs-csk-shubman-gill-handed-biggest-fine-5637545

French soccer star Kylian Mbappe said in a video on social media platform X on Friday that he would leave Paris Saint Germain and end his ‘adventure’ with the club in a few weeks time.
“This is my last year at Paris Saint Germain. I will not stay on and I will end my adventure in a few weeks time. I will play my last match at the Parc des Princes this Sunday,” said the 25-year old in his video address.

There has been widespread media speculation that Mbappe will move to Real Madrid. Mbappe did not mention the Spanish champions in his video but confirmed he would leave France.
“It’s hard, it’s hard. I did not think it would be as hard as it was to announce this, to leave my country, Ligue 1 – a championship which I have always known. But I think I needed this, the need for a new challenge after this year,” he said.

Earlier this week, Borussia Dortmund beat PSG in the Champions League semi-final.
Qatar’s state-run Qatar Sports Investment firm bought a majority stake in PSG in 2011. Since then, PSG has won nine Ligue 1 titles, but it has failed to win the Champions League – a key goal for its Qatari owners.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/french-soccer-star-mbappe-confirms-he-will-leave-paris-saint-germain-2024-05-10/

World number one Novak Djokovic required medical attention after being struck in the head by a water bottle following his second-round win against France’s Corentin Moutet at the Italian Open on Friday.
The Serbian was signing autographs after his easy 6-3 6-1 victory against the lucky loser when he was hit in the head by the bottle and he immediately clutched his head as fell to his knees. He remained crouched on the ground for several seconds as staff ran to his aid and was eventually helped off court.

Tournament organisers said there was no cause for concern over his condition.
“Novak Djokovic on leaving the Central Court at the end of his match was hit on the head by a water bottle while signing autographs (for) spectators,” the tournament said in a statement posted on social media.

“He underwent appropriate medication and has already left the Foro Italico to return to his hotel.”
Footage posted to social media showed the bottle had slipped out of a fan’s backpack and hit him. Reuters was not immediately able to independently verify the footage.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/sports/tennis/djokovic-struck-head-by-water-bottle-while-signing-autographs-2024-05-10/

BCCI secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that the board is set to send out an advertisement to hire a new head coach, with Rahul Dravid’s tenure ending in June.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that an advertisement to hire a new head coach will be released soon. Rahul Dravid, who has been Team India’s head coach since November 2021 and saw his contract being extended after the conclusion of the 2023 ODI World Cup. But, it doesn’t look like Dravid is going to be handed an extension, with the board rolling out the advertisement for a new coach soon. Dravid’s current contract with the BCCI, as the head coach of the Indian team, runs out in June, when the Indian team will also be involved in a T20 World Cup campaign.

Dravid put pen to paper on an extension as the head coach of the Indian team, along with his support staff, in November 2023. But, the new contract was only valid till the end of June 2024.

Jay Shah has confirmed that Dravid can apply for the role if he wants to but there will be no automatic extension like before.

“Rahul’s tenure is only up to June. So if he wants to apply, he is free to do so,” the BCCI secretary told Cricbuzzand also refused to rule out the possibility of hiring a foreign coach.

“We cannot determine whether the new coach will be Indian or foreign. It will be up to the CAC, and we are a global body,” the BCCI official said.

Shah all but ruled out the possibility of hiring different coaches for different formats, like some of the other international boards.

“That decision will also be made by the CAC. There are many all-format players, like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant, among others. Moreover, there is no precedent for such a situation in India.”

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/no-extension-for-rahul-dravid-jay-shah-confirms-bcci-to-advertise-for-new-head-coach-5630173

Global players’ union FIFPRO and the World Leagues Association have written to the FIFA president demanding the competition is not played as planned in June and July 2025.

FIFA has been warned of a threatened mass revolt and legal action by the world’s footballers and leagues over its new men’s Club World Cup amid welfare concerns.

A letter has been sent by global players’ union FIFPRO and the World Leagues Association to FIFA president Gianni Infantino demanding the 32-team competition is not played as planned in June and July next year.

Chelsea and Manchester City have qualified for the event, lined up for the United States as part of Mr Infantino’s expansion of FIFA competitions. The union fears this has congested the calendar and endangered the health of players.

The leagues and players’ union claims FIFA is being “inherently abusive” in adding games and urges Mr Infantino to use a council meeting next week to back down from its plans.

Sky News revealed in December concerns from players in England that they are being asked to play too many games with a threat of legal action against football authorities.

That has now been stepped up to the global level ahead of key FIFA meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, next week.

FIFPRO Acting General Secretary Stephane Burchkalter and WLA counterpart Jerome Perlemuter wrote to Mr Infantino last week to warn legal advice has been commissioned ahead of potential action against FIFA to force them to resolve concerns.

In a letter obtained by Sky News, they wrote: “We shall be compelled to advise our members on the options available to them, both individually and collectively, to proactively safeguard their interests.”

FIFA, the governing body for world football, has also expanded the World Cup for national teams – growing from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 edition in North America.

The FIFPRO and WLF letter added: “FIFA has continually and consistently made unilateral decisions that benefit its own competitions and commercial interests, while negatively affecting national leagues and players.

“Over a significant period, FIFA has ignored repeated attempts by leagues and unions to engage on this issue.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/club-world-cup-fifa-threatened-with-legal-action-by-players-and-leagues-over-new-mens-competition-13132331

Japanese baseball great Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges he fraudulently wired nearly $17 million stolen from the athlete’s bank account to pay off his own gambling debts, court records showed on Wednesday.
The plea agreement between federal prosecutors and Ippei Mizuhara, the onetime translator and de facto manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ power-hitting pitcher, was announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in L.A., where the case was first brought last month.

A 33-page record of the deal, in which Mizuhara, 39, agreed to plead guilty to one count of felony bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return, was filed on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
A federal bank fraud conviction carries a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, with the tax offense punishable by up to three years behind bars. The tax charge was added to the case in conjunction with the plea deal.

Mizuhara is due to appear at a formal arraignment before a U.S. magistrate on May 14. He would likely enter his plea at a subsequent hearing before a federal district judge and be sentenced sometime after that, according to a U.S. attorney spokesperson.
In the meantime, Mizuhara remains free on $25,000 bond on condition he complies with a judge’s order last month requiring him to undergo gambling addiction treatment and refrain from any contact with bookmakers, gambling establishments or Ohtani.

Mizuhara was accused of embezzling nearly $17 million from a bank account of Ohtani’s that Mizuhara had helped open in Phoenix in 2018, and transferring the funds without the ballplayer’s knowledge to an illegal bookmaking operation to cover Mizuhara’s gambling debts.

Announcing the original bank fraud charge on April 11, U.S. Attorney E. Martin Estrada stressed there was nothing to suggest wrongdoing by Ohtani, who signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract to join the Dodgers this season, becoming the highest paid player in Major League Baseball.
Ohtani, 29, whose talents as a slugger and a pitcher have earned him comparisons to Babe Ruth, has said he was an unwitting victim of theft and has never bet on baseball or knowingly paid a bookmaker.
The allegations against Mizuhara, stemming from a wider federal probe of illegal sports gambling, surfaced during the Dodgers’ season-opening series in Seoul, South Korea.
The outcome spared the Dodgers and the league a potential scandal of epic proportions, recalling the uproar stirred 35 years ago when Pete Rose was accused of gambling on baseball while he played for and managed the Cincinnati Reds. Rose, who later admitted to wagering on MLB games but not against his own team, ended up permanently banned from baseball in 1989.
According to prosecutors, Mizuhara began gambling with an illegal sports book in late 2021 and lost substantial sums.
To cover his debts, Mizuhara impersonated Ohtani over the phone on more than two dozen occasions to deceive bank employees into authorizing wire transfers from Ohtani’s account, where the player’s baseball salary was deposited, prosecutors said.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/baseball-star-ohtanis-ex-interpreter-agrees-plead-guilty-federal-charges-2024-05-08/

Lucknow Super Giants were practically obliterated as Sunrisers Hyderabad produced a show of pure explosive batting to march to a 10-wicket victory in their IPL 2024 match.

Lucknow Super Giants were practically obliterated as Sunrisers Hyderabad produced a show of pure explosive batting to march to a 10-wicket victory in their IPL 2024 match on Wednesday. Chasing a target of 166, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma produced stunning performances to end the match in just 9.4 overs – the fastest ever in an 100+ run chase. After the end of the match, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka was caught on camera having an animated conversation with Rahul – something that has left the internet fuming. Experts also weighed in on the topic on Jio Cinema with the opinion that such conversations should happen behind closed doors and these images are never helpful for any team.

“You always feel these conversations should be happening behind closed doors. There are so many cameras around the stadium and they miss nothing. You know KL Rahul is now gonna go to press conferences and other things and potentially explain what’s been discussed here,” an expert said on Jio Cinema.

“He has done well to keep his cool here. I think you are bang on,” Styris added.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/so-many-cameras-experts-on-lucknow-super-giants-owners-animated-chat-with-kl-rahul-5621970

Sanjiv Goenka wasn’t too pleased with KL Rahul and didn’t shy from expressing his emotions publicly following LSG’s loss to SRH on Wednesday.

Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma orchestrated a spectacular batting masterclass as they propelled Sunrisers Hyderabad to a resounding 10-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2024 on Wednesday. The duo’s remorseless onslaught saw them chase down a target of 166 with remarkable ease, mounting the fastest chase of a 160-plus target in IPL history.

Head’s blistering unbeaten 89 off just 30 balls, accompanied by Sharma’s explosive 75 not out from 28 deliveries, left the LSG bowlers reeling as boundaries and sixes flowed freely.

This emphatic win catapulted Sunrisers Hyderabad to the third position in the IPL standings, firmly establishing their credentials as playoff contenders with 14 points from 12 games. Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants find themselves languishing at the sixth spot with the same number of points from an equal number of matches.

The visuals following the match showed a sorry state for LSG captain KL Rahul, who was at a “loss for words” after the incredible onslaught from the SRH opening duo. However, a post-match visual that went viral on social media platforms was that of Rahul conversing with LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka following the loss.

Goenka was visibly displeased and had an animated chat with Rahul with rather exaggerated hand movements, signifying his anger at the disappointing defeat against the Sunrisers.

The fans, however, were not too pleased with Goenka choosing to lash out at Rahul publicly. Many fans believed the LSG owner could have waited for the players to return to the dressing room or a more private place to converse. They also urged Rahul to leave LSG, claiming disrespect from the franchise’s owner.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/kl-rahul-urged-to-leave-lsg-for-sake-of-self-respect-after-owner-sanjiv-goenkas-manic-on-field-outburst-post-srh-loss-101715219318328.html#google_vignette

A report has revealed that MS Dhoni is carrying a muscle tear in his leg which prevents him from running too long on the field

Since the start of IPL 2024, Chennai Super Kings fans have been going gung-ho over watching ‘Thala’ MS Dhoni. The former Indian cricket team captain has long retired from international cricket and the only time fans get to see him in action is during the IPL. This IPL too, Dhoni has been dealing in boundaries in the cameos that he has been delivering. However, his batting order has left a lot to be desired among the fans.

In CSK’s last match, he came to bat No. 9. In earlier matches, Dhoni came to bat in the second last or last overs. It made everyone wonder why Dhoni was coming so low in the order despite being such a good hitter.

A report, in the Times of India, has revealed that Dhoni is carrying a muscle tear in his leg which prevents him from running too long on the field. Hence, the veteran cricketer isn’t keen in coming out to bat too early for CSK, as running between the wickets is an issue for him.

After the report came to light, former Kolkata Knight Riders Team Director presented a grim ‘theory’ which predicts that Dhoni is playing this season to prepare the side for life after him. In other words, he might be retiring at the end of this season.

“Here’s my Dhoni theory. He’s playing on with his muscle tear for his two most important constituencies, his fans and his team. The part about saying goodbye to his fans around the country is obvious. What we might be missing is why he chooses to play on for the team,” Joy Bhattacharjya wrote in a long post on X.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/why-is-ms-dhoni-playing-for-csk-with-muscle-tear-ex-ipl-team-officials-theory-paints-grim-picture-5611332

IPL 2024, MI vs SRH: Suryakumar Yadav hit peak form when he smashed 102 not out in just 51 balls on a not-so-easy pitch for batters at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday. The World No. 1 T20I batter steered MI out of trouble against high-quality pace before making light work of a 174-run chase.

Suryakumar Yadav came up with a statement of sorts on Monday at the Wankhede Stadium. His IPL 2024 form before MI’s home game against SRH was likened to the keys on a piano — up and down, as his scores read 0, 52, 0, 78, 10, 26, 10, 56. However, the World No. 1 T20I batter showed why he is rated the best in the world with a 51-ball 102 not out that helped MI comfortably outclass the in-form SunRisers.

Suryakumar, who returned to the IPL 2024 season after a long injury layoff, battled tiredness during his whirlwind knock, not throwing in the towel even though he found it hard to run between wickets comfortably. “I felt it was the need of the hour for me,” Suryakumar Yadav said after winning the Player of the Match award. The Mumbai star acknowledged the value and the timing of his second IPL hundred. He proved his naysayers and detractors wrong. He never had to justify his spot in the T20 World Cup squad, but he needed self-assurance that everything was going right.

It’s not easy returning from a long injury layoff, which involved surgery in treating sports hernia, and straightaway finding peak form in a tournament like the IPL. And Suryakumar was under pressure straight away as MI’s campaign, under their new captain Hardik Pandya, was floundering. Their captain was booed and the atmosphere in the dug-out looked tense. It was not as if Suryakumar was struggling to put bat to ball, but the seasoned campaigner was not able to live up to his own high standards.

However, on Monday, Suryakumar was a different beast. Building on a fifty he scored against KKR earlier in the month, Suryakumar showcased his ability to soak in pressure and play the situation in his imitable style. Suryakumar and Tilak Varma joined hands when Mumbai were reeling at 31 for 3 while chasing 174. SRH captain Pat Cummins greeted Suryakumar in the middle with a wicket maiden over. Suryakumar was beaten 4 times on the trot by Cummins, who bowled a Test match line on the Wankhede Stadium pitch that was assisting swing and seam bowling under the night sky.

“Initially it was really tough. We were struggling and decided to play with the straight bat. Play it like Tests or ODI knowing we have a 360-degree batter,” Tilak Varma said after their unbeaten 143-run partnership — the highest for Mumbai for the 4th wicket of below in the history of IPL.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/ipl-2024-suryakumar-yadav-hundred-vs-srh-t20-world-cup-india-form-2536051-2024-05-07

Kolkata Knight Riders grabbed the top spot in the IPL 2024 points table with a huge 98-run win over Lucknow Super Giants.

Kolkata Knight Riders grabbed the top spot in the IPL 2024 points table with a huge 98-run win over Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday. The victory took the Shreyas Iyer-led side to 16 points and they are one win away from booking their playoff berth. Lucknow Super Giants went down to the fifth spot with 12 points – the same as Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad – but an inferior Net Run Rate (NRR). In the other match of the day, Chennai Super Kings remained third with a win over Punjab Kings that took them to 12 points. PBKS are eighth with 8 points from 11 matches.

IPL 2024 Points Table: Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings Take Massive Steps Towards Playoffs
Kolkata Knight Riders grabbed the top spot in the IPL 2024 points table with a huge 98-run win over Lucknow Super Giants.

Proving his worth with the willow once again, Narine (81 off 38 balls) went on a six-hitting spree, blasting seven maximums and six fours to take the visitors to 235/6.

Chasing an imposing total, LSG batters had to go from the word go but the hosts found it hard to get the big shots and were eventually bundled out for 137 in 16.1 overs.

Within the first 10 overs, LSG had lost half the side including skipper KL Rahul (25), Arshin Kulkarni (9), Deepak Hooda (5) and big hitters Marcus Stoinis (36) and Nicholas Pooran (10).

Ashton Turner hit some lusty blows and looked in mood to showcase his batting prowess but the Australian was supremely unlucky as an inside edge deflected off his boot with Varun Chakravarthy completing a caught and bowled.

With the win KKR moved to the top of the table. They have 16 points, the same as Rajasthan Royals but have played one game more.

LSG, on the other hand, dropped out of the top four to the fifth spot with 12 points from 11 games. Their Net Run Rate also took a massive hit going down from 0.094 to -0.371.

Ravindra Jadeja produced an all-round effort to help Chennai Super Kings beat Punjab Kings by 28 runs. Sent into bat, Jadeja made 43 runs off 26 balls and then picked up 3 for 20 to ensure a win for CSK.

Chasing a modest 168, PBKS faltered from the word go with only Prabhsimran Singh (30) and Shashank Singh (27) making significant contributions with the bat before being restricted to 139 for 9 in 20 overs.

Besides Jadeja, Simarjeet Singh (2/16) and Tushar Deshpande (2/35) picked up two wickets each for CSK.

Earlier, leg-spinner Rahul Chahar and pacer Harshal Patel picked up three wickets apiece as PBKS dished out a disciplined bowling effort to restrict CSK to 167 for nine.

Jadeja, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (32) and Daryl Mitchell (30) got starts for CSK but failed to transform their knocks into big scores.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/ipl-2024-points-table-kolkata-knight-riders-chennai-super-kings-take-massive-steps-towards-playoffs-5596300

Sunil Narine was the star of the show as the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) thrashed the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Narine is the third-highest run-getter and sixth-highest wicket-taker in the 2024 IPL, with a stunning tally of 451 runs and 14 wickets in the season so far.

Sunil Narine continued his red-hot form in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) as he and Phil Salt gave the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) another quick start on Sunday (May 5) in a clash against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

Narine and Salt put up a partnership of 61 runs in 26 balls; the latter departed for a knock of 32 in 14 balls. However, Narine continued his onslaught and took the game away from the hands of the home team with an incredible knock of 81 runs in 39 balls with six boundaries and seven sixes.

The KKR star has been in incredible form this season with an incredible tally of 452 runs and 14 wickets, which sees him occupy the third spot on the orange cap list and sixth on the purple cap tally. Narine is only the fourth cricketer in history to score more than 450 runs and take 10+ wickets in the same season after Jacques Kallis, Shane Watson, and Andre Russell.

Sunil Narine Creates History

Through his brilliant knock of 81, Narine crossed the 1500-run mark as far as his IPL career is concerned. The West Indies legend has 1507 runs in 173 matches (107 innings) at an average of 17.32 and a strike rate of 166.33. Meanwhile, he is the fifth-highest wicket-taker in history with 176 wickets.

Through his incredible feat, Narine has become only the third player in history after Chennai Super Kings (CSK) legends Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja. However, , having been associated with the Knight Riders since his IPL debut in 2012 and not playing for any other team.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/sunil-narine-creates-history-becomes-first-player-in-the-world-to-score-1500-runs-take-15-wickets-in-ipl-history-for-one-team-article-109863572

Sunil Gavaskar has responded to Virat Kohli taking a dig at commentators for being critical of his strike-rate in the ongoing IPL 2024, asking the Royal Challengers Bengaluru opener if the players don’t listen to ‘outside noise’ then why are they replying to it?

Last week, following RCB’s 9-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, Kohli had launched a verbal attack on his critics for questioning his strike-rate compared to other openers in IPL.

Gavaskar has justified the criticism and wondered if a batter wants to be applauded for scoring at a strike-rate of 118.

“Commentators questioned only when his strike-rate was 118,” Gavaskar said ahead of RCB’s second match against GT in IPL 2024 on Saturday evening. “I’m not too sure. I don’t watch too many matches, so I don’t know what the other commentators have said otherwise. But if you come and open and then have a strike of 118 when you get out in the 14th or the 15th over, I mean, if you want applause for that, that’s a little bit different. That’s different.”

“All these guys talk about, ‘oh we don’t care about outside noise’. Accha? Then why are you replying to any outside noise or whatever it is. We all played a bit of cricket, not a lot of cricket. We don’t have agendas. We speak about what we see. We don’t necessarily have any likes and dislikes. Even if we have likes and dislikes, we actually speak on what is happening,” he added.

The batting legend also took an aim at the broadcaster for repeatedly airing the clip of Kohli criticising their ‘own commentators’ and added it will be a disappointing if they continue to do so.

Source : https://www.news18.com/cricket/sunil-gavaskar-virat-kohli-furious-takedown-outside-noise-strike-rate-rcb-batter-commentator-ipl-2024-8878366.html

The spinner, a former England under-19 international, was described as “the life and soul of the dressing room” and was playing for the county’s second team the day before his death was announced.

Worcestershire County Cricket Club have announced that one of their players, 20-year-old Josh Baker, has died.

The spin bowler made 47 appearances across all formats for his county club, taking 70 wickets and was playing for the second team on Wednesday, less than 24 hours before the news was announced.

No details about the circumstances of his death have been published and Worcestershire, who said they were “heartbroken” at the loss, have asked for his family to be shown “privacy and respect”.

Baker, a former England under-19 international, took three wickets against Somerset at Bromsgrove on Wednesday, with the game abandoned as a draw on Thursday, and also played in two Vitality County Championship games last month.

Worcestershire said in a statement they were “heartbroken to announce the untimely passing of Josh Baker, who was aged only 20 years old.

“During this profoundly difficult time, the club is dedicated to supporting Josh’s family, friends, and colleagues. We are united in our grief and committed to honouring his memory in a manner befitting the remarkable person he was.

“It was his vibrant spirit and infectious enthusiasm that endeared him to everyone he met. His warmth, kindness, and professionalism were remarkable, making him a true credit to his family and a loved member of our team.

“Plans to pay tribute to Josh will be made in consultation with his family and will remain private at this time. The club, along with Josh’s family, requests the respect of privacy as we mourn this immense loss. Further comments will not be provided during this sensitive period.”

Worcestershire chief executive, the former England spinner Ashley Giles, offered a personal message.

“The news of Josh’s passing has left us all devastated. Josh was much more than a team-mate; he was an integral part of our cricket family. We will all miss him terribly. All our love and prayers go out to Josh’s family and friends,” Giles said.

Baker turned professional in 2021, taking 43 wickets in 22 first-class appearances, the last of which came against Durham less than a fortnight ago.

Source : https://news.sky.com/story/josh-baker-worcestershire-heartbroken-at-death-of-vibrant-20-year-old-cricketer-13127612

Shafali got out after a 38-ball 51, hitting eight fours, while Mandhana found form as she struck 47 off 42 balls.

A dominant India grabbed an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match women’s T20I series as they pummelled Bangladesh by seven wickets in the third match in Sylhet on May 02.

After their skipper Harmanpreet Kaur opted to field first looking at the cloud cover and a mild breeze, India’s bowlers dished out another disciplined performance to restrict Bangladesh to 117/8, which the visitors overhauled with nine balls to spare.

When they came to bat, openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma put on 91 runs in just 12.1 overs to take India closer to a series win.

Shafali got out after a 38-ball 51, hitting eight fours, while Mandhana found form as she struck 47 off 42 balls with the help of five boundaries and a six.

Ritu Moni took a blinder off her bowling to dismiss Shafali while Nahida Akter accounted for Mandhana. But the damage was done.

Earlier, the decision to bowl first did not yield the desired result immediately, as Bangladesh raced to 44 for no loss in the six powerplay overs. However, the Indian bowlers tightened the screws on the home team batters after the dismissal of Dilara Akter, who blazed away to 39 off 25 balls.

The hosts’ brisk start was largely due to the batting of Dilara Akter who struck a few boundaries and negotiated the Indian bowlers without much difficulty early on at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Trailing 0-2 in the five-match series, Bangladesh looked determined to give a better account of themselves and keep the rubber alive, two days after being shot out for 119 at the same venue.

With the T20 World Cup around the corner, the objective is to finalise their middle-order, which has been having some difficulty.

Even as Dilara kept the scoreboard moving at a fair clip, Bangladesh lost their first wicket when Murshida Khatun (9) was run out by the Deepti Sharma-Richa Ghosh combo.

The star performer of the series opener, medium pacer Renuka Singh dealt a big blow on Bangladesh when her slower delivery on the leg side made contact with Dilara’s gloves on its way to Ghosh, even as the batter looked to hit it hard over the square leg region. The soft dismissal hurt the home team as the India bowlers looked to settle into a nice rhythm.

At the end of the 10th over, Bangladesh were 66 for two, with their captain Nigar Sultana and Sobhana Mostary in the middle.

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/bangladesh-vs-india-womens-cricket-t20i-in-sylhet/article68132182.ece

Nitish Reddy starred with the bat for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the two teams’ Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match on Thursday, May 2.

The right-handed batter smashed an unbeaten 76 runs off 42 balls at a strike rate of 180.95, including three boundaries and eight maximums. During his knock, he smashed 20 runs off leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in one over.

Reddy also added 96 runs with Travis Head and shared an unbeaten 70-run stand with Heinrich Klaasen for the third and fourth wickets, to help the host post 201 runs on the board.

The 20-year-old Andhra batter has been exceptional with the bat in IPL 2024. He has amassed 219 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 154.22, comprising two half-centuries.

Fans on X (formerly Twitter) lauded Nitish Reddy for his exploits against table toppers RR. One user wrote.

“We have a star in Nitish Kumar Reddy. The future is here.”

Another user shared similar sentiments, writing.

“Nitish Kumar Reddy should be groomed well. A potential seam bowling all rounder.”

One user pointed out Reddy’s carnage against Chahal and wrote.

Source : https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/news-the-future-here-fans-react-nitish-reddy-s-unbeaten-76-42-balls-srh-vs-rr-ipl-2024-clash

Rohit Sharma reflected on a whirlwind last few months during which he lost his IPL captaincy to Hardik Pandya before finding him as his deputy for next month’s T20 World Cup.

“Not everything goes your way,” acknowledged Rohit Sharma on Thursday as he reflected on a whirlwind last few months during which he lost his IPL captaincy to Hardik Pandya before finding him as his deputy for next month’s T20 World Cup. One of India’s most admired cricketers, Rohit’s removal as captain of Mumbai Indians surprised many in the fraternity and was a bitter pill to swallow for his legion of fans, many of whom also booed Hardik while he led the team out in the first few matches this IPL season.

“See, it is part of life. Not everything will go your way. It has been a great experience,” the Indian skipper said during a media interaction where he was asked about his experience of playing under Pandya in the ongoing Indian Premier League.

There has been a lot of conjecture about Rohit’s relationship with Pandya and how Mumbai Indians as a franchise handled the leadership issue, which many believe wasn’t done in the best way, especially when it involved someone who has led the franchise to five IPL title triumphs.

Rohit is a tough cookie and the genial exterior concealed his real feelings as he said that playing under Pandya is no different from playing under any other captain.

“Before (also), I have not been captain and I have played under a lot of captains. It is no different or new to me,” said Rohit, who has played under Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virender Sehwag and Virat Kohli for India apart from being led by Adam Gilchrist, Harbhajan Singh and Ricky Ponting in franchise cricket.

The 37-year-old received his share of flak for not scoring enough runs with the willow during the previous three seasons but he looked a different deal altogether in the 17th edition of the tournament.

“Whatever is there and you go by it and then try and do what is required from you as a player. I have only tried to do that in the last one month or so,” Rohit doused any fire that the question would have ignited.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/rohit-sharma-finally-breaks-long-silence-on-losing-mumbai-indians-captaincy-controversy-5575309

Punjab Kings mounted a pragmatic chase to consign Chennai Super Kings to a demoralising seven-wicket defeat at their own den.

Punjab Kings mounted a pragmatic chase to consign Chennai Super Kings to a demoralising seven-wicket defeat at their own den in their IPL match at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday. Punjab rode on quick 40s by Jonny Bairstow (46, 30b, 7×4, 1×6) and Rilee Rossouw (43, 23b, 5×4, 2×6) to move past Chennai’s modest 162 for seven, which was built around skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s solid 62 (48b, 5×4, 2×6). The win took PBKS to seventh place on the points table with eight points, while CSK stayed on fourth with 10 points.

The Super Kings’ defence of 163 faced multiple barricades as their spinners – Moeen Ali and Ravindra Jadeja – were rendered ineffective because of dew and pacer Deepak Chahar walked off the field with a niggle after bowling just two balls.

But that should not take the sheen out of PBKS’ effort with the bat on the night.

After the early departure of opener Prabhsimran Singh, who played two convincing strokes, Bairstow and Rossouw kept the visitors in the hunt with a handy 64-run alliance as they also went past 50 in the Power Play segment.

Bairstow treated spinners Jadeja and Moeen with disdain taking three boundaries and a six off them. In stark contrast to their Punjab counterparts, the CSK spinners gave away 44 runs in five overs without any return.

But Bairstow’s attempt to be too cheeky ended his stay. The England batter went for a cute ramp shot off Shivam Dube, but could only manage to feather it to MS Dhoni behind the stumps.

However, Rossouw and Shashank Singh (25 not out, 26b) made 44 runs in quick time as PBKS remained ahead in the game.

Rossouw, who pummelled Dube and Thakur for a six each, had a brilliant chance to make a fifty. But his attempt to smash Thakur’s low full-toss out of ground resulted in his stumps getting rearranged.

But those were minor irritants in an otherwise polished effort as Shashank and skipper Sam Curran (26 not out, 20b) knocked off the remaining runs without much fuss during their unbroken 50-run alliance.

Earlier, Gaikwad braved a sluggish Chepauk pitch to make a solid fifty, but CSK struggled massively against Punjab spinners – Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar.

Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane (29, 24b) added 61 runs for the opening wicket but they consumed 49 balls.

There were flashes of intent too. Gaikwad played a fine upper cut off pacer Arshdeep Singh for a boundary and Rahane creamed three fours in a row off Curran, including a lovely cover drive.

The slide of CSK began once PBKS brought their spinners on immediately after the Power Play that yielded a satisfactory 55 runs.

Rahane tried to slog sweep Brar but his skier ended in the hands of Rossouw in the deep.

CSK vs PBKS, IPL 2024: Gritty Punjab Kings Floor Chennai Super Kings By Seven WicketsPunjab Kings mounted a pragmatic chase to consign Chennai Super Kings to a demoralising seven-wicket defeat at their own den.Press Trust of IndiaUpdated: May 01, 2024 11:50 PM ISTRead Time:3 min

CSK vs PBKS, IPL 2024: Gritty Punjab Kings Floor Chennai Super Kings By Seven Wickets
IPL 2024: PBKS beat CSK by 7 wickets at Chepauk on Wednesday.© BCCI
Punjab Kings mounted a pragmatic chase to consign Chennai Super Kings to a demoralising seven-wicket defeat at their own den in their IPL match at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday. Punjab rode on quick 40s by Jonny Bairstow (46, 30b, 7×4, 1×6) and Rilee Rossouw (43, 23b, 5×4, 2×6) to move past Chennai’s modest 162 for seven, which was built around skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s solid 62 (48b, 5×4, 2×6). The win took PBKS to seventh place on the points table with eight points, while CSK stayed on fourth with 10 points.

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The Super Kings’ defence of 163 faced multiple barricades as their spinners – Moeen Ali and Ravindra Jadeja – were rendered ineffective because of dew and pacer Deepak Chahar walked off the field with a niggle after bowling just two balls.

But that should not take the sheen out of PBKS’ effort with the bat on the night.

After the early departure of opener Prabhsimran Singh, who played two convincing strokes, Bairstow and Rossouw kept the visitors in the hunt with a handy 64-run alliance as they also went past 50 in the Power Play segment.

Bairstow treated spinners Jadeja and Moeen with disdain taking three boundaries and a six off them. In stark contrast to their Punjab counterparts, the CSK spinners gave away 44 runs in five overs without any return.

But Bairstow’s attempt to be too cheeky ended his stay. The England batter went for a cute ramp shot off Shivam Dube, but could only manage to feather it to MS Dhoni behind the stumps.

However, Rossouw and Shashank Singh (25 not out, 26b) made 44 runs in quick time as PBKS remained ahead in the game.

Rossouw, who pummelled Dube and Thakur for a six each, had a brilliant chance to make a fifty. But his attempt to smash Thakur’s low full-toss out of ground resulted in his stumps getting rearranged.

But those were minor irritants in an otherwise polished effort as Shashank and skipper Sam Curran (26 not out, 20b) knocked off the remaining runs without much fuss during their unbroken 50-run alliance.

Earlier, Gaikwad braved a sluggish Chepauk pitch to make a solid fifty, but CSK struggled massively against Punjab spinners – Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar.

Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane (29, 24b) added 61 runs for the opening wicket but they consumed 49 balls.

There were flashes of intent too. Gaikwad played a fine upper cut off pacer Arshdeep Singh for a boundary and Rahane creamed three fours in a row off Curran, including a lovely cover drive.

The slide of CSK began once PBKS brought their spinners on immediately after the Power Play that yielded a satisfactory 55 runs.

Rahane tried to slog sweep Brar but his skier ended in the hands of Rossouw in the deep.

But the left-arm spinner inflicted a bigger blow in the next delivery, trapping Dube, who was named in India’s T20 World Cup squad, leg before for a first-ball duck.

Dube, promoted to No. 3 to counter spin, failed to connect an almighty heave off a fuller ball on the middle-stump by Brar, and he had to walk back despite seeking help from DRS.

In the next over, leg-spinner Chahar got rid of Ravindra Jadeja, who was deceived by a delivery that turned into him a whisker to beat his prod.

It was a total shutdown for CSK between sixth and 10th over, losing three wickets for just 16 runs.

For a team that generally bosses the middle passage between the seventh and 15th over making runs at a rate of 10.6, the CSK was a shadow of their marauding self, managing just 47 runs against PBKS.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/csk-vs-pbks-ipl-2024-gritty-punjab-kings-floor-chennai-super-kings-by-seven-wickets-5567382

Mumbai Indians’ playoff hopes were dealt a massive blow following their four-wicket loss against Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2024 on Tuesday. Marcus Stoinis slammed a gritty half-century after a solid bowling performance from the LSG bowlers to guide his team to victory. As a result, LSG moved up to the third position in the IPL 2024 Points Table with six wins and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +0.094. However, MI’s situation got worse as they remained ninth in the table with just 6 points from 10 matches. This means that MI will have to win all of their remaining four matches and they will have to depend of other results to go their way as wins in every match will only take them to 14 points.

Rajasthan Royals (Played 9, Won 8, Lost 1, Total Points 16, NRR +0.694)

Inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals (RR) have been the most dominant team in IPL 2024. The Royals have won eight of their nine matches this season and are currently placed at the top of the IPL 2024 standings with 16 points. With five games in hand, the Royals should qualify for IPL 2024 playoffs with games to spare. Led by Sanju Samson, they are one of the favourites to clinch the coveted title this season.

Kolkata Knight Riders (Played 9, Won 6, Lost 3, Total Points 12, NRR +1.096)

Two-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been one of the most impressive sides this season. Under mentor and former captain Gautam Gambhir, the Knight Riders have registered six wins and suffered three losses so far. The Shreyas Iyer-led side has been one of the standout teams with the bat and have the best net run-rate of +1.096 in the ongoing tournament. KKR need to win at least two of their remaining five games to book their spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs. Going by recent form, KKR will be overwhelming favourites to qualify for the playoffs and finish in the top two.

Lucknow Super Giants (Played 10, Won 6, Lost 4, Total Points 12, NRR +0.094)

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will be one of the strong contenders to pip either CSK or SRH to finish in the top four this season. Led by star wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, the Super Giants have already secured two playoff qualifications in as many seasons. Having already accumulated 12 points from 10 matches, LSG will need two more wins as they aim to make it three out of three in the IPL playoffs. Their next match against Kolkata Knight Riders will be extremely crucial for their IPL 2024 playoffs qualification.

Chennai Super Kings (Played 9, Won 5, Lost 4, Total Points 10, NRR +0.810)

Defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have struggled away from home in IPL 2024. The five-time IPL winners, CSK, have registered just a solitary away victory over MI at the Wankhede Stadium, while winning four of their five games at Chepauk this season. Led by new captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK have 10 points from nine matches and need to win three of their remaining five games to seal an IPL 2024 playoff berth. With two more matches still to be played at home, CSK will be one of the favourites to qualify for IPL 2024 playoffs.

SunRisers Hyderabad (Played 9, Won 5, Lost 4, Total Points 10, NRR +0.075)

SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) started their IPL 2024 campaign in an emphatic fashion as they won five of their first seven matches. The SunRisers later lost their winning momentum as they suffered defeats in their previous two fixtures. The Pat Cummins-led outfit has been overly reliant on their opening batters – Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma – who have produced blitzkrieg starts in most matches. Just like CSK, SRH have 10 points from nine matches and need to win three of their remaining five games to finish in the top four. With four home games still to go, the SunRisers should qualify for IPL 2024 playoffs.

Delhi Capitals (Played 11, Won 5, Lost 6, Total Points 10, NRR -0.442)

Delhi Capitals (DC) have won five of their 11 matches this season so far. While the Rishabh Pant-led Capitals are currently placed sixth in the IPL 2024 standings with 10 points, they have played the most number of matches at this juncture of the league. Having won three of their last five matches, the Capitals have still kept themselves in the hunt for a playoffs spot. With a net run-rate of -0.442, DC will need to win all their remaining three games with a good margin, if they are to have any hopes for IPL 2024 playoffs qualification.

Gujarat Titans (Played 10, Won 4, Lost 6, Total Points 8, NRR -1.113)

Last season’s finalist Gujarat Titans (GT) have had a disappointing IPL 2024 campaign so far. Under new captain Shubman Gill, the Titans have registered four victories and suffered six defeats this season. With eight points from 10 matches, GT’s IPL 2024 playoffs qualification chances looks bleak. With a net run-rate of -1.113, the Titans not only need to win their remaining four matches with a huge margin, but they will also need favours from other teams to have any chance of securing qualification in the IPL 2024 playoffs.

Punjab Kings (Played 9, Won 3, Lost 6, Total Points 6, NRR -0.187)

Punjab Kings’ record-breaking eight-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders have kept them alive in IPL 2024. Having registered three wins and suffered six losses, the Kings are languishing eighth in the IPL 2024 standings with six points from nine games. Interestingly, the Kings have not qualified for IPL playoffs since reaching the finals in 2014. Considering their negative NRR, PBKS need to win all their remaining five games with a good margin and also hope other results go their way if they are to make the IPL 2024 playoffs.

Mumbai Indians (Played 10, Won 3, Lost 7, Total Points 6, NRR -0.272)

Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have had a dismal campaign this season. Under newly-appointed captain Hardik Pandya, MI have secured just three wins in 10 matches in IPL 2024. With just six points on the board, MI are languishing ninth in the IPL 2024 standings and almost need another miracle to finish in the top four. As a result, Hardik Pandya’s men need to win all their remaining four games to finish with 14 points and hope other results go their way to squeeze into the IPL 2024 playoffs.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/ipl-2024-playoff-qualification-scenarios-after-mumbai-indians-defeat-against-lucknow-super-giants-5556168

Sunil Gavaskar was fuming over a decision by KKR player Vaibhav Arora vs DC in an IPL 2024 match

Kolkata Knight Riders maintained their good show in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 by beating Delhi Capitals to consolidate the second spot in the IPL points table. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy worked his magic to claim three important wickets before Phil Salt’s scintillating half-century as Kolkata Knight Riders secured a convincing seven-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in the IPL on Monday. Chakravarthy (3/16) shone in the middle overs following Vaibhav Arora’s fine start (2/29) that limited Delhi to a modest 153/9 after Rishabh Pant opted to bat.

Spinner Varun Chakravarthy worked his magic to claim three important wickets before Phil Salt’s scintillating half-century as Kolkata Knight Riders secured a convincing seven-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in the IPL here on Monday.

There was a point in the match, when Sunil Gavaskar was fuming over a decision by KKR player Vaibhav Arora. It happened on the final delivery of the 18th over. he was convinced that Kuldeep Yadav was LBW, though by the looks of it, the ball was seemingly going down leg. He forced KKR captain Shreyas Iyer to go for the review. The DRS clearly showed that the ball was missing the stumps.

It left Gavaskar an angry man. “Shocking review. Absolute shocker. What a waste of a review. Should have thought about this team. Look that there are 11 balls left. Kuldeep Yadav is playing well. It’s a 29-run partnership,” Sunil Gavaskar said on air during the match.

Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders’ Sunil Narine eclipsed Lasith Malinga’s record for most wickets at a particular venue in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Monday.

Narine impressed with the ball during KKR’s win over Delhi Capitals with figures of 1/24 in his four-over spell.

He claimed Axar Patel’s wicket in the first innings which marked his 69th wicket at the iconic Eden Gardens in the IPL which is most by a bowler at a particular venue in the cash-rich league.

Before him Malinga held the record with a whopping 68 scalps at Wankhede which he took during his prolific career.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/absolute-shocker-sunil-gavaskar-blasts-kkr-star-mid-match-vs-dc-this-is-the-reason-5552524

Tom Moody was not impressed by Ravindra Jadeja’s batting for Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing IPL 2024 and he said that although the all-rounder is a top spin option, he is not ‘good enough’ to bat at No. 7 for India in the T20 World Cup 2024.

Former Australian cricket team star Tom Moody was not impressed by Ravindra Jadeja’s batting for Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing IPL 2024 and he said that although the all-rounder is a top spin option, he is not ‘good enough’ to bat at No. 7 for India in the T20 World Cup 2024. Jadeja is being considered as one of the sure-shot picks for the World Cup squad but the decision taken by CSK to promote him up the order has not worked out for them till now. He has scored 157 runs in 9 matches till now and his strike rate of 131.93 has not helped his case.

“I’d be taking Jadeja purely because I’m looking for the best left-arm spinning option. He’s the best left-arm spinner in the country. In my eleven, he’s not batting at No.7. I don’t think he’s good enough to bat seven in a World Cup side. He’s proven that with his strike rate. You need an impact-type player batting at seven,” he told Star Sports.

Former India star Irfan Pathan, who was a part of the discussion panel, also echoed similar sentiments and said that playing Jadeja at No. 7 means that the Rohit Sharma-led side will have to play a proper finisher in their ranks.

“This is what I’m really scared about when it comes to World Cup. Look, my worry is with T20 World Cup, we pretty much sorted as far as the top-order batting is concerned. We pretty much sorted in the middle overs as well. If we’re thinking Ravindra Jadeja is a number seven batter, you need a good finisher. His numbers are not that great as far as the strike rate is concerned at the international level,” he explained.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/dont-think-hes-good-enough-india-selectors-sent-huge-ravindra-jadeja-warning-5550598

IPL 2024, CSK vs SRH: MS Dhoni became the first player to be part of 150 victories in the IPL. The Super Kings hammered SunRisers by 78 runs to return to the top 4 in the points table.

MS Dhoni scripted a new IPL record on Sunday, April 28 as he became the first player in the history of the T20 tournament to be part of 150 victories. Dhoni achieved the feat after the Super Kings hammered SunRisers by 78 runs, bowling out the batting powerhouses for just 134 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

MS Dhoni has played 259 matches in the IPL, having been a part of the T20 league since the inaugural edition in 2008. The 42-year-old is the joint-most successful captain in the IPL with 5 titles. Dhoni handed over the reins of the Super Kings to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the ongoing season.

1. MS Dhoni – 150

2. Ravindra Jadeja – 133

3. Rohit Sharma – 133

4. Dinesh Karthik – 125

5. Suresh Raina – 122

MS Dhoni already holds the record of the most successful captain in the IPL with 133 wins. Rohit Sharma is in second spot with 87 victories.

On Sunday, MS Dhoni reserved another cameo appearance for the Chepauk crowd as he walked into bat in the final over of the CSK innings after Ruturaj Gaikwad was dismissed for 98. Dhoni hit a boundary on the first delivery he faced and took a single off the next to remain unbeaten on 5 off 2 as CSK posted a mammoth total of 212.

Dhoni also took a catch with the gloves on a day when the Super Kings dominated SunRisers in all three departments. Daryl Mitchell returned to form with a quickfire fifty and also took 5 outfield catches to equal an IPL record.

Dhoni has been sensational with the bat in his cameo appearances. The wicketkeeper-batter has hit 96 runs in just 37 balls at a strike rate of 257. Dhoni’s late-overs specials have proved to be defining knocks on more than one occasion. His onslaught against Hardik Pandya at the Wankhede Stadium was special as the former captain hammered 3 sixes in a row and finished with 4-ball 20, which proved to be the difference between CSK and MI in the El Clasico.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/ipl-2024-csk-vs-srh-ms-dhoni-record-150-wins-player-chennai-2532850-2024-04-29

Had Virat Kohli hit that six, teammate Will Jacks would not have been able to complete his century.

Will Jacks’ sensational hundred made a mockery of the 201-run target set by Gujarat Titans as Royal Challengers Bengaluru registered a comfortable 9-wicket win in Ahmedabad in the 45th match of IPL 2024 game on Sunday. Chasing the target, RCB reached home with as many as four overs to spare. Jacks scored his half-century in 31 balls and took only 10 balls from there to smash his maiden IPL century in only his fifth match. With RCB needing one run to win, Jacks hit a six to reach the three-figure mark and remained unbeaten on 100 off 41 balls.

Jacks stitched 166 runs with Virat Kohli, who scored 70 not out off 44, for the second wicket to help RCB win the game easily.

A conversation between the RCB batters after the side’s thrilling win over Gujarat Titans has gone viral on social media. In the clip shared by RCB through their official social media handle, Kohli could be heard saying to Jacks, “I was pissed off, I didn’t smash the first ball for six but when I saw you at 94 with one to get, I was like ‘Thank god! I didn’t smash it’.”

After his match-winning fifty, Kohli hit back at his critics. It is worth noting that Kohli’s strike rate in the shortest format has been the talk of the town. His batting against spin has been just another talking point.

“Not really, all the people who talk about strike-rates and me not playing spin well are the ones talking about this stuff. For me, it’s about winning the games for the team and there’s a reason why you’ve done it for 15 years, you’ve done this day in and day out, you’ve won games for your teams, I’m not quite sure that if you haven’t been in that situation yourself, to sit and talk about the game in the box,” said Kohli.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/was-pissed-off-virat-kohlis-admission-in-candid-dressing-room-conversation-with-will-jacks-5544678

The New Zealand Cricket Board found a unique way to announce their T20 World Cup 2024 squad.

Two days before the deadline set by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC) announced the 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. With Kane Williamson leading the side, the Kiwis picked a star-studded team, consisting of the likes of Fin Allen, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, etc. While the squad was highly anticipated by the cricketing fraternity, it was the manner of the announcement that left the cricket and social media world astonished.

In a video shared on social media, the New Zealand Cricket Board shared that they sent two children for the press conference to announce the squad. A boy, by the name of Angus, and a girl, by the name of Matilda named all the players that have been picked for the T20 World Cup.

Here’s the video of New Zealand’s viral squad announcement:

“I’d like to congratulate everyone named today. It’s a special time representing your country at a world tournament,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said on the occasion.

“We expect the venues in the West Indies to offer quite varied conditions and feel we’ve selected a squad with the scope to adapt to those conditions.”

“Matt has worked exceptionally hard on his skills across the phases of a T20 game to come back into selection consideration,” Stead added.

Rachin Ravindra, who has impressed everyone with his performances quite early into his international career, will feature for the Kiwis in a T20 World Cup for the first time ever.

“Rachin has made every post a winner in the past 12 months and it was exciting to see him continue that trajectory over the summer in the T20 format against Australia.”

New Zealand Squad:Kane Williamson (C), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee. Travelling Reserve: Ben Sears

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/t20-world-cup-2024/new-zealand-board-sends-two-kids-to-announce-t20-world-cup-2024-squad-video-goes-viral-5546564

Chennai Super Kings bounced back in the IPL 2024 playoffs race by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by 78 runs in their IPL 2024 match.

Chennai Super Kings bounced back in the IPL 2024 playoffs race by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by 78 runs in their IPL 2024 match on Sunday. It was their first win after two consecutive losses in the competition and it took them to the third spot from sixth in the IPL 2024 points table. Veteran wicket-keeper batter MS Dhoni’s wife Sakshi Dhoni was in attendance at the M Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai and her Instagram story during the game has gone viral. “Please finish the game fast today @chennaiipl baby is on the way…contractions have begun Request from – to be Bua,” she wrote.

Coming to the match, Ruturaj Gaikwad scored a brilliant 98 and fast bowler Tushar Deshpande took a four-wicket haul to guide CSK to a comprehensive victory. With the win, CSK put themselves back in the top 4, boosting their playoffs chances while SRH suffered their second successive defeat of the campaign.

“Feeling pretty good. Tough to play in such wet conditions, and to be able to win by 70-odd runs is a clinical performance. Was a blessing in disguise at the toss. Everything is good (injury concern?). Too hot and humid conditions. Even the last game, was there batting for 20 overs and fielding for 20 overs,” CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad said after the match.

“Some loose balls here and there. Today we were outstanding in the field. Stuck to the plans and knew what the conditions were. With impact player rule, you always want the extra 20 runs. Never know what par score is. That was one area – not getting wickets in powerplay. That’s the only way it can put opposition in back foot. He’s bowling really well (Deshpande). His hard work is paying off.”

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/baby-is-on-the-way-sakshi-dhonis-post-during-csks-win-over-srh-goes-viral-5544785

Hardik Pandya was unimpressed and was spotted yelling at a the umpire amid IPL 2024 game vs DC

Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya was spotted getting furious amid the ongoing IPL 2024 clash against the Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday. In a video emerged on social media, the 30-year-old could not keep his cool due to the threat of slow over-rate as Rishabh Pant supposedly took excessive time to mark his guard.

Hardik Pandya has been under immense pressure since taking over as the captain of the Mumbai Indians, largely due to the lack of fans’ support as they have been agitated by the decision to oust Rohit Sharma from the role. The seam-bowling all-rounder’s form has also taken a hit, managing only 151 runs in 8 matches at 21.57 alongside 4 wickets, averaging over 40.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/viral-video-hardik-pandya-gets-furious-at-mi-player-amid-ipl-2024-match-vs-dc

The former Indian cricket team star had an interesting suggestion regarding Virat Kohli’s batting order, depending on situation

In less than one week’s time, India’s T20 World Cup squad will be out. For a team, that last won an ICC trophy back in 2013, the 2024 T20 World Cup is a great opportunity for Rohit Sharma and Co. to end a long drought. Several experts have been giving their opinion on what the ideal 15-member India squad should look like. There is also 100 per cent consensus about two players who should be in the playing XI – Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah.

Former Indian cricket team star spinner Harbhajan Singh had an interesting suggestion regarding Virat Kohli’s batting order, depending on situation.

“I believe Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma should open for India, and Virat Kohli should come at no.3,” Harbhajan Singh told Star Sports.

“I would like to see a left-right combination at the top. If 6-7 overs are played, and if we have a player like Shivam Dube, he can walk in at no.3. Kohli can then walk in at 4. We have to take the horses-for-courses approach here, and there’s no disrespect in that. Kohli is a great player, whether he plays at no.3 or 4, the team comes first. Even if you ask him this question, he will say the team comes first.”

Another former India star Navjot Singh Sidhu advised Indian cricket team coach Rahul Dravid and the BCCI selectors to pick three spinners and as many quality fast bowlers.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/t20-world-cup-2024/virat-kohli-served-no-disrespect-message-india-great-wants-star-to-sacrifice-batting-spot-in-t20-world-cup-5530398

The last six months have been a roller-coaster ride for Shubman Gill across formats. From the bout with dengue during the 2023 ODI World Cup to cement his place as India’s new No.3 in Tests to now taking charge as Gujarat Titans captain in the IPL, the 24-year-old has experienced a lot of highs and lows in a short time span but it has only helped shape his character and personality as a player.

With India’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup set to be picked in a few days, Gill has presented a strong case for himself with 304 runs in nine innings, including two half-centuries, at the top of the order for GT. It’s natural for a player to think in that direction and complicate matters but for Gill, it hasn’t been that “difficult” as he continues to focus on scoring runs and winning.

In an exclusive conversation with the Network18 Group, the elegant right-hander opens up on his captaincy stint, the challenging last six-eight months, T20 World Cup selection and more.

It has been a mixed season for you as Gujarat Titans captain. So how do you reflect on the season gone by and what do you look forward to as captain and as a player?

As a captain, and as a player, I think now we are approaching the business end of the tournament and I think as a team we are in a very balanced shape. We are much more composed in comparison to what we were in the beginning of the IPL and I think the way that we’ve been playing cricket in the past couple of matches has been very pleasing to see and I’m very happy with that.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Faf du Plessis admitted that his team’s batting unit hasn’t fired much with the bat in IPL 2024 but is glad to see them clicking as a unit against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Faf du Plessis was a relieved man after his team snapped a six-game losing streak with a 35-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL here on Thursday. “Last two games, we’ve shown great signs of fight. SRH game was 270 plus, we got 260. KKR game as well – 1 run. We’ve been close for a while, but you need to win matches to get confidence as a group. Will sleep easier tonight. You can’t speak confidence into the group, can’t fake confidence into the group. Only thing that gives confidence is performances,” he said at the post match presentation ceremony.

While Virat Kohli has been the top-scorer for them, Du Plessis is happy that other batters are too getting back amongst runs.

“The competition is so strong, the teams are so strong that you’ll get hurt if you’re not at 100 percent. More guys are scoring runs now. First half of the tournament only Virat was scoring runs. Greeny scoring runs now will be massive for him.”

Chasing 207, SRH’s ultra aggressive approach with the bat backfired as they were 69-5 in 8th over and couldn’t recover thereafter.

“Not an ideal night. Few over par with the ball and unfortunately lost a few wickets throughout our innings. We were gonna bat first, it seems to be working for us. Before the last few wins, we were thinking that we were a bowl-first team,” Pat Cummins, SRH captain, said.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/faf-du-plessis-honest-virat-kohli-admission-on-rcb-batting-units-performance-5523944

The ongoing IPL season saw its 12th 200 plus score as Delhi Capitals piled on 224 for 4 against Gujarat Titans on Wednesday

The Impact Player has a bit of role to play in making the matches high scoring as he provides the extra cushion for batters to keep going hard at the bowlers, feels Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill. The ongoing IPL season saw its 12th 200 plus score as Delhi Capitals piled on 224 for 4 against Gujarat Titans on Wednesday. “I think impact player has a bit of a role (in making the matches high scoring), even if you lose extra wickets, extra cushion is there for the batters to keep going and it gives the license for the batters to keep going till the end,” Gill said after GT’s four-run loss.

“I think we played some really good cricket, disappointing to lose in the end, but great character shown by everyone. Great fight till the end and we never thought we were out of the game at any point. When you’re chasing 224, there’s no point in talking about plans, just go out and score runs.”

Despite starting strong, GT bowlers allowed DC to make a comeback as Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel stitched a 113 run-stand and Gill felt his side was guilty of giving away a few extra runs.

“At one stage we thought we will be able to restrict them around 200-210. We gave away a few extra runs in the last couple of overs,” Gill said.

“But the good thing about chasing is that you know what you are chasing. It’s a small ground, and it’s chaseable. Execution becomes very important [for bowlers]. If there’s nothing in the wicket for the bowlers, then you have to execute your plans – or your yorkers.”

Winning skipper Pant was back to his destructive best as he smashed 88 not out of 43 balls. He was adjudged the player of the match for his scintillating knock.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/no-point-in-talking-shubman-gills-blunt-response-after-gts-third-loss-in-five-ipl-2024-games-5516214

D Gukesh is the first Indian after the great Viswanathan Anand to win the Candidates Tournament.

Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh became the youngest challenger to the world title following his triumph at the prestigious Candidates Chess Tournament in Toronto earlier this week. The 17-year-old is the first Indian after the great Viswanathan Anand to win the Candidates Tournament. Speaking to NDTV, Gukesh’s father, Dr Rajinikanth said his decision to quit medicine practice has finally paid off. Rajnikanth, who is a surgeon, had quit his practice to help his son achieve his dreams.

“Initially it was a risky decision and the move was opposed by my family. But, in order to achieve something, we have to make such decisions. Looking back, i think it was the right decision. It could’ve been seen as a double-edged decision but luckily it helped us,” Rajnikanth told NDTV at Chennai airport on Wednesday night.

Recalling the moment of the decisive tie, Rajnikanth revealed that Gukesh had shifted his focus towards the tiebreaks as nobody was sure about the result due to the delay in broadcast.

“It was a tense moment as the game was fluctuating. We were not sure about the result and felt that he should better prepare for the tiebreaks next day. They wanted to have a walk and suddenly the organiser told me that the match was over. There was 15-min delay in broadcast so we weren’t aware of the situation,” he added.

Lastly, Rajnikanth credited the legendary Viswanathan Anand for inspiring young chess players in Tamil Nadu.

On Wednesday night, Gukesh received a rousing reception from fans at the Chennai airport upon his return from Toronto.

Hundreds of students from the Velammal Vidyalaya, the school where Gukesh studies, lined up at the airport at least one hour before his flight landed to greet the Candidates Chess Tournament winner.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/chess/ndtv-exclusive-behind-d-gukeshs-rise-a-risky-decision-opposed-by-family-5517611

The 38th match of IPL 2024 witnessed this monumental achievement as Chahal snared Mohammad Nabi of Mumbai Indians as his 200th T20 scalp, showcasing his brilliance with a catch and bowled manoeuver.

As the cricketing world erupted in applause, the celebrations weren’t confined to the field alone. Dhanashree Verma, Chahal’s wife and a prominent figure in her own right as a choreographer and actress, took to Instagram to express her pride and admiration.

Her Instagram story resonated with affection and respect as she hailed her husband’s accomplishment, affirming, “Well deserved @yuzi_Chahal21 Many more to come. Legend h ye m toh pehle se bol rahi hu” (He is a legend, I have been saying this from the beginning).

The duo, Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma, stands as a testament to love and support in the world of cricket. Their journey from courtship to marriage in 2020 has been followed by fans with fervor and adoration.

Source: https://cricket.one/cricket-news/check-how-loving-wife-dhanashree-celebrated-chahals-200-ipl-wickets/6627a08dbc455860e39053f7

CSK skipper Gaikwad, whose century went in vain felt that dew played a big role towards the latter half of the match vs LSG

Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul was all praise for Marcus Stoinis’ match-winning 63-ball-124 not out against Chennai Super Kings as he felt that the home team’s score of 210 for 4 was at least 30 runs above-par on that particular Chepauk track. Stoinis’ special effort overshadowed a classy century by CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad in their IPL match on Tuesday as LSG won by six wickets. Meanwhile, CSK skipper Gaikwad, whose century went in vain felt that dew played a big role towards the latter half of the match. “Tough pill to swallow but LSG played a good game at the end. We had the game in hand around the 13th over, but hats off to Stoinis.

“There was a huge part that the dew played. It took the spinners away from the game. We could have taken the game deeper. But it is a part of the game, you can’t control the uncontrollable.”

Player of the match Stoinis said: “It is not just a go go. It was ebb and flow. There were some bowlers we targeted, some against whom we were cautious. Nicky Pooran played a good innings, Hooda also.

“It ebbed and flowed. From the inside, you are always structuring. You are liking some bowlers, not liking others much.”

Rahul, who once said strike-rates are over-rated in T20s, admitted that a total like 180 which was considered challenging might not be enough in the day and age of ‘Impact Player’.

“Very special (win), especially when it is a game like that. It felt like we were way behind the game in the chase. Just to pull off a victory feels special,” Rahul said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Rahul said their win against CSK in Lucknow had little context on a very different Chennai deck.

“These were different conditions. They got off to a good start and put pressure on the bowlers. I didn’t think it was a 210 wicket.

“They batted really well. All credits to Stoinis. He was phenomenal to watch. It was not just power hitting, but was smart batting.”

Sending Stoinis at No. 3 was a smart move by LSG management and Rahul feels they had to take a “brave” call.

“We wanted to be a lot braver as a team. We had three games, a couple at home, and some away where we couldn’t go past 170. We needed one power hitter in the top three. That was the thought process.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/had-the-game-in-hand-but-ruturaj-gaikwad-on-reason-behind-csks-1st-home-loss-in-ipl-2024-5508539

The Saudi Pro League’s attendances have hit a new low – as just 560 fans watched Al-Okhdood and Damac FC battle it out at the bottom of the top flight in the gulf state

The Saudi Pro League has suffered its latest embarrassment with another low attendances for a top tier match.

Footballers flocked to the Middle Eastern riches over the summer as they followed in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo – who made the switch last winter. However, the influx of talent hasn’t quite produced the ticket sales many expected it would.

There was only 560 fans at the Prince Hathloul Sports City to see Al-Okhdood sink to a 2-1 loss to Damac FC. Romanian international Nicolae Stanciu was the pick of the performers, and he netted Damac’s opener on Saturday afternoon.

Domagoj Antolic doubled their lead before Saeed Al-Rabiei pulled one back for the home side, in front of the tiny attendance.

Al Okhdood are relative new boys to the Saudi top flight and they don’t boast many foreign superstars after only being promoted to the Pro League in 2021. Last month, just 294 rocked up to the King Salman Sport City Stadium to see them lose to Al-Fayha.

Source: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/saudi-pro-league-low-attendances-32653733

After suffering a 9-wicket defeat at the hand of Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya admitted that there remain flaws in the team.

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya was once again at the losing end as Rajasthan Royals all but secured their progression into the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs with a thumping 9-wicket win. Hardik, who has been in the spotlight ever since he took over the franchise’s reins from Rohit Sharma, admitted that the team hasn’t been good enough in any of the three departments of the game. As mistakes as a batting unit, bowling unit, and in the field continue to cost Mumbai Indians important games, Hardik admitted it’s time to accept flaws and work on them. (IPL 2024 Points Table)

“We put ourselves in trouble early on. The way Tilak and Nehal batted – that was fantastic. I don’t think that when we lost a couple of wickets early we thought we would even reach 180. We didn’t finish well and that’s why we were 10-15 runs short. We had to keep it within the stumps (while bowling). Early on in the powerplay, we gave a lot of width and I don’t think it was our best day in the field as well. Overall, we did not put the right foot in the park and eventually, they outplayed us,” Hardik said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

There remain certain individuals in the game who are yet to fire this season. But, Hardik doesn’t believe in singling out players and talking to them individually. The MI skipper continues to believe in the professionalism that the players have and is hoping to see them rectify their mistakes themselves.

“After the game, it’s not the right time to go to the players, everyone is professional, they know their roles. What we can do is learn from this game and the mistakes which we have made, rectify it and make sure that we don’t make it. Progression is very important. Within the team, individually, we will have to accept our flaws and maybe work on those,” he explained.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/individually-we-will-have-to-accept-hardik-pandyas-bold-admission-after-thrashing-against-rr-5502131

Grandmaster D Gukesh scripted history for India as he became the youngest man in the world to win the Candidates tournament. The 17-year-old will challenge Ding Liren for the World Championship crown later in 2024.

17-year-old Grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju scripted history by becoming the youngest man to win the prestigious Candidates tournament and earn the right to challenge for the World Championships crown later this year. The teenager from India finished as the sole leader at the end of a gripping 14-round Candidates tournament in Toronto, Canada. Gukesh will face Ding Liren, the reigning world champion, for the world title later in the year.

D Gukesh drew his final-round match in black pieces against Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura of the USA on Sunday. Gukesh needed just that on the final day to secure the Candidates title as the game between Grandmasters Fabiano Caruana and Ian Nepomniachtchi ended in a thrilling draw. Soon after the final match of the Candidates ended, loud cheers were heard at the Great Hall in Toronto as the crowd was up on its feet, lauding the extraordinary feat of the newest world title challenger. .

Gukesh will have the opportunity to become the youngest world champion when he challenges Ding Liren later this year. Magnus Carlsen and Garry Kasparov were 22 when they became the world champions.

Gukesh also became the 2nd Indian after Viswanathan Anand to win Candidates Chess and the first since his mentor to emerge victorious after a decade.

As expected, legendary Viswanathan Anand, Gukesh’s mentor, took to social media to congratulate the teenager for winning the Candidates. Anand noted how Gukesh was able to handle tough situations throughout the tournament – a trait that was evident in his final-round draw against the seasoned Nakamura.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/other-sports/story/fide-chess-candidates-2024-d-gukesh-history-youngest-winner-world-championships-2529994-2024-04-22

RCB batter Virat Kohli’s dismissal against KKR triggered a huge debate about the waist-high no-ball rule in the game.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru superstar Virat Kohli found himself being dismissed in a manner that triggered a huge debate on social media as well as the cricketing fraternity. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) pacer Harshit Rana bowled a full-toss that Kohli connected a little above his waist height and ended up giving a catch into the hands of the bowler. Yet, the umpires deemed Kohli out. The RCB star decided to review the matter but even that went in the favour of the bowling team. Though all the decisions went against RCB in that instance, not everyone is convinced that Virat deserved to be dismissed.

While many have blamed the umpires over Kohli’s dismissal, first that has to be understood that the decision was purely from the technological standpoint as the RCB batter had decided to review the dismissal.

Why was Virat Kohli given out?
First of all, it has to be understood that an above waist height no-ball is only given when the ball reaches the batter, at the popping crease, above the height of the waist. In Virat’s case, however, this wasn’t the case.

Upon assessment, the third umpire deemed the delivery from Harshit Rana a fair delivery as Kohli was standing outside his crease. Even the impact between the ball and the bat was quite ahead of the body.

Virat Kohli’s waist was measured at 1.04 meters by the technology in upright position. But, technological assessment showed that had Kohli stayed inside the crease, the ball would’ve reached him at a height of 0.92 meters. Hence, the delivery cannot be called a no-ball.

What does the Rule Book say?
According to rule 41.7 of ICC regulations ‘Bowling of dangerous and unfair non-pitching deliveries’: Any delivery, which passes or would have passed, without pitching, above waist height of the striker standing upright at the popping crease, is to be deemed to be unfair, whether or not it is likely to inflict physical injury on the striker. If the bowler bowls such a delivery the umpire shall immediately call and signal No ball.

Hence, the rule couldn’t come to Kohli’s rescue in this specific case.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/explained-why-virat-kohlis-dismissal-against-kkr-wasnt-a-no-ball-5494589

The deadline for announcing the provisional squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA is fast approaching and the Indian think tank has some tough decisions to make before finalising India’s 15-member squad. While few media reports have claimed that India will go ahead with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as the openers for the T20 World Cup 2024, we are still not certain whether that will be the case. But will that be the best-case scenario for India going into the World Cup?

Based on current form you would argue in favour of India’s two best white-ball players combining up top could be the way forward. That essentially opens up the middle order and India can have the luxury of Suryakumar Yadav batting at No.3, Rishabh Pant at No.4, Hardik Pandya at No.5, and two finishers in No.s 6 and 7 before the tail starts.

However, if that is the case, young players – who have regularly featured in India’s T20I scheme of things – will feel hard done by, namely: Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and more importantly Ishan Kishan. In the list of openers missing out, you could also add the name of KL Rahul.

Stay updated with the latest from IPL 2024, including top contenders for the IPL 2024 Orange Cap and IPL 2024 Purple Cap. Explore the complete IPL 2024 Schedule, IPL 2024 Points Table and players with the Most Sixes, Most Fours and Most Fifties in IPL 2024

But such is the fickle nature of batting forms and the complexities of selecting one of the most competitive cricket teams in the world that there are bound to be some heartbreaks. However, the question to ask is, does the Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli combo up top make sense?

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma are in good form as openers in IPL 2024

First and foremost, the recent form of both batters is better than the other contenders we listed earlier. Kohli is opening the innings for his franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru this season, similar to what he did the previous year as well, and currently leads the Orange Cap list for most runs in IPL 2024 with 361 runs striking at 147.34. How can you not play him as an opener if he is picked in India’s 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup?

Over to Rohit Sharma now and he is currently sitting at the 3rd spot with 297 runs in 7 matches striking at 164.08, including a hundred to his name. By the way, Kohli too has registered a hundred this season. Going by these individual numbers there is hardly any argument you can make against the Kohli-Sharma duo opening for India at the T20 World Cup 2024.

Giving chances to youngsters could be one of those arguments, You can take that ahead and say, ‘Well it is time youngsters are given the opportunity on the big stage. They are primed to be in their spotlight now.’ But, then again how have their forms been recently? Let’s take a look.

Source: https://www.news18.com/cricket/indias-t20-world-cup-squad-update-virat-kohli-rohit-sharma-openers-confirmed-axe-on-ipl-2024-stars-rahul-shubman-kishan-jaiswal-selection-8858736.html

Sunil Gavaskar’s motivational words to Rishabh Pant was absolute gold after Sunrisers Hyderabad decimated Delhi Capitals in Saturday’s IPL match.

Delhi Capitals were in for a rough evening as Sunrisers Hyderabad feasted on their bowling attack en route to scoring 266/7 – their third 250-plus total of the season – and setting the stage for a handsome 67 run win. Once again, the dynamic duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma smashed all sorts of records, including the highest Powerplay score in the history of IPL – 125/0 – and many more, leaving a distraught DC captain Rishabh Pant short of answers. The Capitals tried, but how often do you see a total as humongous as 267 chased down? Despite their efforts, DC were all out for 199, with Jake Fraser-McGurk’s 65 off 18 and a couple of 40s from captain Pant himself and Abhishek Porel not enough to save them the blushes.

After the match, as Pant cut a disappointed figure during the post-match interview explaining what went wrong, Sunil Gavaskar asked the India youngster to keep his chin up in a brilliant show of motivation. Pant was replying to Ian Bishop with the nuances of the game, talking about how he expected dew to play a part, only to be proven wrong when the legendary Gavaskar chipped in the following.

“Rishabh, Sunil here. I have never seen you down, I don’t ever want to see you down. I want to just see a smile on your face. Never mind the result. Go ahead, because there are plenty of matches to come.”

Watch the clip below:

As intended, Gavaskar’s words brought a smile on Pant’s face as he promised to roar back: “Definitely sir, I will try my level best. Hopefully we will come up with more thought-process and a clear mindset,” said the India wicketkeeper.

The defeat was Delhi’s fifth of the season, which places them 7th on the points-table, while SRH surged to second with 10 points. Coming back to the decision to bowl first after winning the toss, Pant admitted it was an error on his part as he failing to read the conditions properly.

“The only thought process behind that was we thought there would be some dew but it didn’t come. I thought if we could restrict them to 220-230 we would be in with a chance. I think powerplay was the difference. We were just catching up throughout the match. That was the massive difference,” he said.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/gavaskar-to-rishabh-pant-on-live-tv-after-sunrisers-hyderabad-smash-delhi-capitals-i-dont-ever-want-to-see-you-down-101713669414166.html

Vinesh Phogat defeated Kazakhstan’s Laura Ganikyzy 10-0 in the women’s 50kg semifinals at the Asian Olympic qualification on Saturday, clinching the Paris 2024 quota.

Commonwealth and Asian Games champion Vinesh Phogat earned an Olympic quota in the women’s 50kg category by defeating Kazakhstan’s Laura Ganikyzy 10-0 in the women’s 50kg semifinal at the Asian Olympic qualifiers. Phogat, a Commonwealth and Asian Games champion, won the battle in 4:18 minutes thanks to technical superiority over the Kazakh wrestler. She will now face Aktenge Keunimjaeva of Uzbekistan, who defeated Chinese Taipei’s Meng Hsuan Hsieh 4-2. Vinesh was out of action and was protesting against former WFI president Brij Bhushan Saran Singh for almost two years. She participated in the trials in two weight categories and won a 50 kg trial to participate in the Asian Olympics qualifications.

Vinesh showcased her prowess in the wrestling arena with a flawless performance in her first match, overwhelming South Korea’s Cheon Miran with a commanding 10-0 victory in the round of 16. Her quarter-final match against Cambodia’s Dit Samnang saw her clinch another swift win, securing victory by fall (VFA) in under a minute. It’s worth noting that Vinesh competed in the 50kg category, which differs from her usual preference of 53kg. Despite this, her exceptional skill shone through.

Although she had previously claimed two bronze medals at the World Championships in the 53kg category, Antim Panghal’s prior qualification in the 50kg division, from her bronze triumph in the 2023 World Championships, led Vinesh to participate in both categories during the National trials on March 11. While she faced defeat in the 53kg category against Railways’ Anju, Vinesh emerged victorious in the 50kg category, defeating Shivani with a score of 11-6.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/other-sports/story/vinesh-phogat-secures-paris-2024-quota-in-womens-50kg-event-2529646-2024-04-20

He Jie won the Beijing half marathon held last Sunday in a time of 1:03:44, a second ahead of Ethiopian Dejene Hailu Bikila, and Kenyans Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat, who tied for second place.

China’s top long-distance runner has been stripped of his first-place finish in the Beijing half marathon.

An investigation has confirmed that three African runners slowed down to let Hi Jie win the race that took place last weekend.

Questions were raised when footage of the end of the race emerged on social media, showing three of the runners reducing their speed to allow China’s top long-distance runner to move ahead of them.

Mr Jie finished first in a time of 1:03:44, a second ahead of Ethiopian Dejene Hailu Bikila, and Kenyans Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat, who tied for second place.

Now all four runners have been disqualified and made to return their medals and prize money.

According to a statement from a committee set up to investigate the race, the three African runners “actively slowed down in the last 2 kilometres and as a result He Jie won the men’s championship”.

The special committee added that four runners had been originally hired as pacemakers by a sponsor, Xiamen Xtep Investment, but the main organisers of the race had not been told this.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/beijing-half-marathon-champion-loses-medal-after-competitors-slowed-down-to-let-him-win-13118674

MS Dhoni was crucial in CSK scoring 176/6 in 20 overs. The short but entertaining knock had the Lucknow crowd on its feet.

MS Dhoni fans on Friday got treated with a vintage innings from the Chennai Super Kings former captain. Facing Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow and with his team down by six wickets, MS Dhoni came at the crease late and made an instant impact. The World Cup-winning captain hit two sixes and three fours to score a nine-ball 28*. The late cameo was crucial in CSK scoring 176/6 in 20 overs. The short but entertaining knock had the Lucknow crowd on its feet.

Though the match was played in Lucknow, the support was immense for CSK and especially Dhoni. LSG star opener Quinton de Kock’s wife Sasha was at the stands where the crowd at the Ekana Stadium burst into a loud cheer for MS Dhoni as decibel levels rose.

Sasha posted an image on Instagram stories with the captain, “When MS Dhoni comes out to bat.” Along with the caption she posted an image of a notification on her smartwatch saying, “Loud environment – Sound level hits 95 decibels. Just 10 minutes at this level can cause temporary hearing loss.”

LSG had checked CSK’s run flow until Moeen Ali (30 off 20 balls) and MS Dhoni (28 off 9) went berserk to take CSK to a fighting 176 for six.

“Halfway stage, I would have been happy with 160. Felt the wicket was slow, a bit of grip but not too much. 160-165 would have been ideal,” LSG captain KL Rahul said.

“But MSD walks in and the bowlers feel intimidated. He walks in and bowlers were under pressure, the crowd was really loud, he has done it in the past.”

Chasing 177, Rahul (82) and De Kock (54) batted with authority during their match-winning alliance of 134, the highest partnership for any wicket at the Ekana Stadium, as LSG scored 180 for 2 in 19 overs.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/on-ms-dhonis-thunderous-entry-lsg-stars-wife-issued-temporary-hearing-loss-warning-5480487

Emma Raducanu has been knocked out of the Stuttgart Open despite a spirited quarter-final display against world number one Iga Swiatek.

Britain’s Raducanu, who is continuing her comeback from an injury-hit 2023 season, lost 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 against the clay-court specialist from Poland.

Swiatek is on a 10-match winning run in Stuttgart, having won the last two editions of the WTA 500 tournament.

She will face Kazakhstan’s fourth seed Elena Rybakina next.

Raducanu, 21, has enjoyed a return to form over the past week, helping Britain beat France in the Billie Jean King Cup at the weekend before wins against three-time major winner Angelique Kerber and Linda Noskova.

Her run to the quarter-finals in Stuttgart will see her rise up the world rankings after dropping to 303rd following wrist and ankle operations in 2023.

Asked if she thought Raducanu can return to the top level of the sport, Swiatek said: “I hope she will be able to do it because for sure she has the game for it.”

Raducanu enjoyed a dream start against Swiatek, 22, fighting back from 40-0 down to break the defending champion’s opening service game.

The four-time major winner broke back immediately and continued to threaten Raducanu’s serve throughout the first set, but the Briton held firm to force a tie-break.

Swiatek raced through the tie-break before striking the first blow in the second set on her way to a 3-1 lead as a tumble onto the clay floor seemed to momentarily dent Raducanu’s confidence.

The 2021 US Open champion regained her composure to divert three break points in the fifth game, but the single break of serve in the second set proved enough for Swiatek to wrap up the win after a gruelling two hours and four minutes on court.

“It was a pretty intense match so I am happy I was able to keep the intensity even though we played tough games for over two hours,” Swiatek said.

“It wasn’t easy, I had a lot of break points that I couldn’t convert.”

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/68859394

Hardik Pandya was fined by the BCCI for Code of Conduct breach after Mumbai Indians failed to finish their quota of 12 overs in the stipulated time against Punjab Kings.

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has been handed a fine for Code of Conduct breach in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match against Punjab Kings on Thursday. Hardik, captaining the Mumbai franchise, failed to complete the 20 overs of bowling in the stipulated time, and hence, has been handed a fine of INR 12 lakh. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), in a statement, confirmed the same. With this being only the first instance where Hardik failed to match the over-rate criteria, only Rs. 12 lakh fine was imposed.

“Hardik Pandya, the Mumbai Indians captain, has been fined after his team maintained a slow over rate during their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match against Punjab Kings at the PCA New International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur on April 18,” BCCI statement said after the match.

A repeat of the offence could find Hardik and other Mumbai Indians players in a bigger trouble.

As for the match, MI held onto their nerves to secure their third win of the IPL 2024 campaign.

Chasing a mammoth total of 193 runs, PBKS didn’t have the start they wanted as they lost the wicket of opener Prabhsimran Singh, who was sent back to the dressing room without opening his account in the first over of the second innings when the team score was 10.

The Kings lost their second wicket at the score of 13 when Rossouw was dismissed after scoring just 1 run, and the third wicket fell at 14 when Curran was sent back to the pavilion after scoring six runs.

At the score of 14, the Punjab side lost the fourth wicket as Liam Livingstone was dismissed after scoring just 1 run, courtesy of Gerald Coetzee’s bowling.

After the fall of four wickets, the impact player Harpreet Singh Bhatia came out to the crease. Bhatia, along with Shashank Singh, built a small partnership of 35 runs as the hosts lost half of their side at the score of 49, with Bhatia being dismissed after scoring 13 runs.

After the fall of the fifth wicket, PBKS wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma came out to bat along with Shashank. Both batters were able to put on 28 runs before Jitesh was dismissed after scoring just nine runs.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/hardik-pandya-slapped-with-fine-bcci-penalises-mi-captain-for-code-of-conduct-breach-5474094

When Indian selectors meet later in April to pick a 15-man squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, they will reportedly be debating over five spots as 10 players are all but confirmed to make the cut.

Performances in the ongoing IPL 2024 will play a vital role in finalising who fills the vacant five slots but it’s not going to be an easy task for the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar. The reason being there are too many claimants for the limited vacancies with as many as four claimants for the spot of second wicketkeeper alone.

According to a report by news agency PTI, besides captain Rohit Sharma, the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav have a confirmed berth.

However, there’s a battle brewing between several top IPL performers for the remaining positions especially for the second wicketkeeper. Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, Jitesh Sharma and Dhruv Jurel are among the contenders to be Pant’s backup.

Source: https://www.news18.com/cricket/indias-t20-world-cup-squad-update-confirmed-10-players-kohli-rohit-pandya-bumrah-pant-arshdeep-siraj-8856497.html

It was not too long ago that Rishabh Pant’s Delhi Capitals were struggling to get the bowling unit to click. But in a sudden change of fortunes, they have put up an all-round performance as they came together to run riot at Ahmedabad and dismiss Gujarat Titans for a mere 89 runs in the first innings.

Pant was not too far away from the action. He was active behind the stumps, taking some fine catches and showing off his quick glovework as well. The DC skipper had the toss on his side as he chose to bowl first at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Many might have thought that they might be missing out big time with the loss of David Warner. GT also had the added boost of both Wriddhiman Saha and David Miller returning to the side to bolster the batting order.

But in an unexpected turn of events, it was a dominant bowling performance by DC. It started with Ishant Sharma taking the wicket of Gill in the second over of the powerplay. This was followed by that of Saha where Mukesh Kunar had rattled the middle stump in a show of dominance.

Source: https://www.news18.com/cricket/ipl-2024-delhi-capitals-breeze-past-gujarat-titans-to-win-by-six-wickets-after-a-dominant-bowling-performance-at-ahmedabad-8856218.html

Sports YouTuber Abhradeep Saha, popularly known as Angry Rantman passed away at the age of 27 after a multi-organ failure in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Known for his unique commentary style on football, cricket, and other sports, Saha was undergoing treatment at Narayana Cardiac Hospital in Bengaluru for serious health complications. The social media influencer was inactive on social media for over a month after he underwent heart surgery.

Over a week ago Saha’s father took to social media to share that he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and was recovering. According to reports, Saha’s health deteriorated a few days ago and he was put on ventilation. He had allegedly stopped responding to treatment two days ago.

Though his family has not commented on the cause of his death, media reports said he passed away due to multi-organ failure.

Saha was born on February 19, 1996, in Kolkata. He had a huge fan base on social media. On YouTube, his channel ‘Angry Rantman’ has 481k subscribers and 119k followers on Instagram.

The news of Angry Rantman’s untimely demise came as a big shocker for his fans.

“With profound grief and sorrow, we hereby declare the sad and untimely demise of Abhradeep Saha AKA #AngryRantman today at 10:18 hrs IST,” a post on Saha’s social media handles read.

“He touched the lives of millions with his Honesty, humour and unwavering spirit. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. As we mourn his loss, let us remember the joy he brought to our lives and hold on to the cherished memories we share together. Inspiring change one rant at a time. 17.04.2024 Saha Family”

Saha’s death was condoled by several sports and fan clubs on social media. “The BFC family is saddened to learn about the passing of #IndianFootball faithful Abhradeep Saha. A West Block Blue through and through, Abhradeep’s love for the game knew no bounds and the passion in his rants will be missed. Rest in peace. #WeAreBFC #ForeverBlue,” Bengaluru FC posted on X.

Source: https://www.news18.com/viral/abhradeep-saha-angry-rantman-sports-youtuber-instagram-dies-27-bengaluru-football-cricket-multi-organ-failure-8856048.html

As things stand, Hardik Pandya might not get a straightforward entry into the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2024.

An already-troubled Hardik Pandya could be in for a big setback if things don’t go his way in the ongoing Indian Premier League (PL) 2024. While the batter Hardik is yet to fire, having only scored 131 runs in 6 matches at an average of 26.20 this season. With the ball, Hardik has been fairly inconsistent to even take up the responsibility. He has barely bowled in the last 4 matches, and when he has, the opponent team’s batters have ripped him apart. With a place in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad, Pandya has reportedly been sent a clear message from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee.

As per a report in the Indian Express, a meeting was held between India head coach Rahul Dravid, chairman of the selection committee Ajit Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai last week. In the meeting, the topic of Hardik’s selection came up, with the management asserting the need for him to bowl regularly in order to be selected.

Hardik has bowled in different phases this season but is yet to leave a positive mark. As a powerplay bowler, he has conceded 44 runs in 4 overs, while in the middle-overs, he has gone for 62 runs in 6 overs. As a death bowler, he has given away 26 runs in just 1 over.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/t20-world-cup-2024/in-rohit-sharma-meeting-bcci-sets-strict-hardik-pandya-t20-world-cup-selection-condition-report-5453994

Rafael Nadal has seen his ranking slip to 644 after missing all of the 2023 season following the Australian Open.

Rafael Nadal said he had limited expectations at the Barcelona Open as he made a triumphant return from injury on Tuesday, beating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 6-3. The 22-time Grand Slam champion had not played a competitive match since January but eased past the 62nd-ranked Cobolli in 85 minutes to reach the second round. The former world number one has seen his ranking slip to 644 after missing all of the 2023 season following the Australian Open. His comeback at the start of this year hit a stumbling block when he felt a hip injury flare up in Brisbane.

For Nadal, a 12-time winner in Barcelona, it was his first appearance on clay since he won the French Open almost two years ago, but the Spaniard was keen not to get ahead of himself.

Stefanos Tsitsipas, last week’s Monte Carlo Masters champion, said earlier this week he wouldn’t be surprised to see Nadal to reach the final on a court named after him.

“Today to say that I am favourite I think is stupidity, Tsitsipas knows that it’s not the case,” said Nadal, who turns 38 in June.

“I understand what he says as respect for what I have done in this tournament. Everybody knows I am not favourite to win a tournament.”

“I didn’t have the slightest idea if I was favourite today, I know tomorrow I will not be,” added Nadal, who plays fourth seed Alex de Minaur on Wednesday for a place in the last 16.

“But it doesn’t matter, I will go out and play and it will be an experience against a top level player.”

After a double fault to fall 30-0 behind Nadal found his rhythm, with Cobolli intimidated by the fervent support for the Spaniard on the court named after him.

Nadal converted his third break point in the fourth game for a 3-1 lead, with Cobolli surviving four more to hold at 4-2 down.

The Spaniard broke again to claim the set in 43 minutes, clenching his fist in celebration.

Cobolli handed Nadal a break for 2-0 in the second set with two more unforced errors but finally put some pressure on Nadal’s serve in the third game to break back.

However Nadal broke again for 3-1 after Cobolli’s third double fault and served it out to triumph.

“It was a good start — when you return you can’t get rid of the doubts in one day, above all, on a physical level,” Nadal told TVE.

“Within what it could be, it was a good first round. He made mistakes and I think I played the game that I had to play.”

Brandon Nakashima dumped a raging Andrey Rublev out in the first round with a 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) victory.

The American, ranked 87th, ousted the world number eight, who made five double faults and only forced one break point in the match.

Nakashima edged the first set by breaking the Russian in the ninth game for 5-4 and then surviving a break point before serving out.

Rublev, second seed at the tournament, saved four second-set break points but tumbled to defeat in the tie-break after sending a backhand long.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/rafael-nadal-cool-on-expectations-after-winning-injury-return-5459716

Ricky Ponting admitted that while India spolit for choices when it comes to picking the wicketkeeper-batter for the T20 World Cup, he threw his weight behind…

BCCI can pick one or at the most two wicketkeeper-batters in the T20 World Cup squad, and it has increasingly become the most hotly-contested spot in the Indian team. When IPL 2024 kicked off, as many as six players – Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, Jitesh Sharma and Dhruv Jurel – were in the fray for the positions. Midway through the opening half of the league, three players – Pant, Samson and Ishan – emerged as frontrunners. As the season nears the halfway mark, Dinesh Karthik seems to have thrown his name into the discussion, adding a fresh dimension to the battle. Amid a host of options, former Australia cricketer Rick Ponting gave a blunt verdict on the race.

Speaking to PTI head of Delhi Capitals’ match against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Ponting admitted that while India spoilt for choices when it comes to picking the wicketkeeper-batter for the T20 World Cup, he threw his weight behind Pant.

The DC head coach insisted that with Pant returning to his best in IPL 2024, where he smashed two fifties, he would pick him ahead of any other in-form batters.

“Do I believe whether Rishabh should be there in the World Cup squad? Absolutely I do. He deserves to be in that WT20 squad by the end of the IPL, I think we have seen Rishabh play the way we have seen him play in the last six seasons of IPL and now back playing for India.

“One thing we certainly know is that there is a lot of depth around Indian cricket, with keeper batters and I feel some guys are in really good form at the moment. Kishan is playing well, Samson is playing well and KL Rahul is playing well, there’s a lot of options there but if I was picking a team, I would have Rishabh Pant in it every day of the week,” Ponting said.

When it comes to run-scoring, Samson leads the chart with 276 runs in seven matches in IPL 2024, laced with three fifties, followed by Karthik, who clobbered 83 runs from just 37 balls for RCB in the match against SRH. The veteran India star amassed 226 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 205.45 with two fifties. Pant stands third in the race with his tally of 194 runs in six matches, followed by Ishan, who scored 184 runs in as many games for Mumbai Indians.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/ricky-ponting-t20-world-cup-verdict-dinesh-karthik-rishabh-pant-ishan-kishan-sanju-samson-pick-rishabh-every-day-of-week-101713282257153.html

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has decided to take an indefinite break from IPL 2024 over ‘mental and physical fatigue’.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has decided to take an indefinite break from the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign. Maxwell revealed the news as he spoke to media during the press conference after RCB’s bitter defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday night. Maxwell, who has courted plenty of criticism owing to his poor form with the bat, wasn’t part of the XI against SRH, with Will Jacks taking his place. After the game, Maxwell explained that he asked skipper Faf du Plessis to try someone else himself.

In the press conference, Maxwell said that he isn’t in a good ‘mental and physical space’ at the moment. Hence, decided to take a break. The Australian all-rounder didn’t specify the length for which he decides to sit out.

“For me, personally, it was a pretty easy decision,” Maxwell said after RCB’s sixth defeat in seven matches. “I went to Faf [du Plessis] and the coaches after the last game and said I felt it was probably time we tried someone else. I have been in this situation in the past where you can keep playing and get yourself deeper into a hole. I think now is actually a good time for me to give myself a bit of a mental and physical break, get my body right. If I’m required to get in during the tournament, I can hopefully get back into a really solid mental and physical space where I can still have an impact.

“We have had a pretty big deficiency straight after the powerplay, which has been my area of strength over the last couple of seasons. I felt like I wasn’t contributing in a positive way with the bat, and with the results and the position we find ourselves on the table, I think it’s a good time to give someone else an opportunity to show their wares, and hopefully, someone can make that spot their own.”

It isn’t the first time Maxwell has taken a break from the game over mental fatigue. With things not going right for the veteran cricketer, he decided it’s best for the franchise to use other options while he rejuvinates and looks to bounce back with strength.

“T20 cricket can be like that sometimes – it’s a pretty fickle game,” he said. “Even if you look at the first game, I ran one off the middle of the bat to the keeper. I picked up the length really well, saw a scoring opportunity, but opened the face a little bit too much. When you are going well, that goes wide of the gloves, you get a boundary, you are 4 off 1, and you are away for the tournament.

S0urce: https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/glenn-maxwell-takes-indefinite-break-from-ipl-2024-explains-decision-to-rcb-5451554

World number three Carlos Alcaraz has cast doubt on his Madrid Open title defence later this month as the Spaniard nurses a right arm injury that has forced him to miss key tune-up events for the French Open.

The 20-year-old successfully defended his Indian Wells title last month and then reached the Miami Open quarter-finals before sustaining the injury in his first practise session for the Monte Carlo Masters.

The two-times Grand Slam champion was unable to play in Monaco and then had to pull out of the Barcelona Open.

“My feeling isn’t right, but it is what it is. Now I’m fully focused on recovery and I have a little more time,” Alcaraz told reporters in Barcelona on Monday, a day after he decided not to defend his title.

“My goal is to try and go to the Madrid Open, but at the moment nothing is certain. I was given specific recovery times and I’ve respected them, but I haven’t felt good. I don’t want to get ahead of myself.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/alcaraz-uncertain-about-madrid-title-defence-due-arm-injury-4268446

After Dhoni hammered three consecutive sixes in the final over bowled by Hardik Pandya to race to 20 not out off just four balls to propel CSK to a huge 206 for four, Pathirana grabbed 4 for 28 to halt the chase of MI at 186 for six.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/pathirana-grabs-four-wickets-as-csk-beat-mi-by-20-runs-2978029

Chennai Super Kings put up a total of 206 for the loss of 4 wickets in their 20 overs against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday in the 2024 edition of the IPL.

Fifties from Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube solidified CSK’s innings after a rather slow start, but the side from Tamil Nadu were carried over the 200-run mark thanks to MS Dhoni’s three sixers on the trot off the last four deliveries in the innings.

Dhoni walked in to bat with Chennai at 186/4 in 19.2 overs after Daryl Mitchell fell prey to Hardik Pandya and went on to smash three sixers off the first three deliveries he faced. The World Cup winner picked up a double off the last ball to finish unbeaten at 20 off just 4 deliveries.

MI skipper Pandya won the toss and opted to put Chennai to bat first as the visitors opened with Ajinkya Rahane and Rachin Ravindra. Rahane fell cheaply for just 5 off 8 deliveries to Gerald Coetzee. Ravindra and Gaikwad put up a 52-run stand to steady the innings before the Kiwi departed for 21 off 16.

Source: https://www.news18.com/cricket/ipl-2024-mi-vs-csk-ms-dhoni-hat-trick-sixes-sends-wankhede-crowd-into-frenzy-watch-8851514.html

Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir said on Saturday spokes on Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc’s poor returns with the ball this IPL “does not make him a bad bowler”, Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir said on Saturday while laying emphasis on the team’s success over individual brilliance. The Australian left-arm quick, who was bought by the franchise for a whopping sum of Rs 24.75 crore, has so far taken just two wickets at an average of 77 and has leaked 11 runs per over across four matches.

But Starc found support from KKR mentor Gambhir, who said: “It (his poor stats) doesn’t matter, T20 cricket is all about bowlers getting smashed. We’ve got three wins out of four.” Ahead of their match against Lucknow Super Giants here, Gambhir added, “In a team sport, it’s the wins that matter. We have got three wins out of four. Why should I not be happy with anyone’s performance? See, people have bad and good days, ultimately, it’s the team that needs to win.

“And we’ve got decent results in the first four games of the competition. And we all know that how big a threat Mitchell Starc is. Four games don’t make him a bad bowler.

“And four good games don’t make him a brilliant bowler either. So I know that what impact he can create and what impact he will create in the competition.” Gambhir further said the Aussie will create an “impact” going forward.

“Tomorrow it might be a completely different day. Or probably going forward, it could be a completely different day. An individual can have a brilliant performance and the team doesn’t end up winning.

“There’s no reason why you should talk about individual performance. I feel that Mitchell Starc has done reasonably okay. I think he’s bowled some tough overs. And he will create an impact, what he’s been picked for,” he said.

A new start

Gambhir, who was Lucknow Super Giants’ mentor in last two seasons, has returned to his former team that won two titles (2012 and 2014) during his previous stint at KKR from 2011-17.

KKR could never win against LSG in three attempts while Gambhir was at the opposition dugout.

Gambhir said it’s a new day and they would start from scratch.

“It’s a new day, new start. What difference does it make that what has happened in the last two years? It really makes no difference. We start from scratch.

“All of us are really looking forward to the game tomorrow. You know, it’s a quality side. But we are a quality side as well,” he said.

Gambhir further reacted to criticism about their head coach Chandrakant Pandit’s “militant style” of functioning.

“I don’t read a lot about what has been said and stuff, but it’s been early days. My working relationship with him has been really, really good and hopefully it continues that way.

Source : https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2024/gautam-gambhir-breaks-silence-on-rs-24-75-crore-mitchell-starc-taking-2-wickets-in-4-games-5436009

Hardik Pandya, known for his explosive batting, lodged a complaint against his stepbrother, accusing him of fraud and deceitful practices.

Vaibhav Pandya, the stepbrother of Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya, has been sent to the custody of the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) on charges of fraud amounting to ₹ 4.3 crore. The case was filed against him by his brothers Hardik and Krunal Pandya.
Hardik Pandya, known for his explosive batting and all-round abilities, lodged a complaint against his stepbrother, accusing him of fraud and deceitful practices. The allegations revolve around financial discrepancies within a partnership firm established by the trio in 2021.

According to the complaint, the Pandya brothers, along with Vaibhav, ventured into the polymer business, with each sibling having a defined stake in the enterprise. Hardik and Krunal were to contribute 40 per cent each to the capital, while Vaibhav’s share stood at 20 per cent. The arrangement stipulated that profits would be distributed among the partners in proportion to their investments.

However, it has come to light that Vaibhav allegedly diverted profits from the partnership firm into his personal accounts, thereby diminishing the returns due to Hardik and Krunal. He also increased his profit share to 33.3 per cent secretly, resulting in substantial losses for the other Pandya brothers.

The situation escalated when Vaibhav allegedly transferred funds from the partnership account to another company without the knowledge or consent of his brothers, exacerbating the financial strain on Hardik and Krunal’s business interests. They suffered a loss of nearly ₹ 4.3 crore.

Upon discovering these discrepancies, Hardik and Krunal confronted Vaibhav, only to be met with threats of defamation should they pursue legal action against him.

In response, the Pandya brothers’ accountant lodged a First Information Report (FIR) at Khar police station, prompting an investigation by the authorities. Subsequently, the case was transferred to the Economic Offences Wing for further scrutiny.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/explained-hardik-pandya-rs-4-crore-fraud-case-against-stepbrother-that-landed-him-in-jail-5426794