Despite the ongoing lackluster performance of the five-time IPL champions this season, the debate over the MI captaincy has quieted down. Hardik now eagerly anticipates the announcement of India's T20 World Cup squad, as he prepares to lead MI in their upcoming IPL match against the Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday.
Kolkata Knight Riders' spinner Varun Chakaravarthy advocates adapting to the impact player rule in IPL rather than complaining. He acknowledged its influence on high scores this season, emphasizing teams' improved understanding in utilizing it effectively. Chakaravarthy, who claimed three wickets against Delhi Capitals, underscored the need for bowlers to embrace the challenge. Kolkata's win keeps them on track for a playoff spot.
Rishabh Pant, Delhi Capitals captain, refines unorthodox shots like the helicopter shot through practice and anticipation. By building muscle memory, he executes instinctive shots in matches for successful outcomes, aiming to improve the team's position. With five wins and five defeats from ten games, Delhi Capitals are at the sixth spot in the points table.
Legendary West Indian cricketer Brian Lara has shared his ideal 15-member squad for India's T20 World Cup 2024. In a social media post by Star Sports, Lara revealed his dream roster, captained by Rohit Sharma. The lineup boasts a mix of experienced campaigners like Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah, alongside emerging talents including Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mayank Yadav.
In Indian cricket, Shubman Gill is poised to follow in Virat Kohli's footsteps. As Gujarat Titans face Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gill reflects on Kohli's advice to strive for excellence from the beginning, showcasing unwavering belief in one's abilities. With 4 wins and 5 defeats, Gujarat Titans are at the seventh spot in the points table while RCB are at the bottom.
Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson's impressive performance against Lucknow Super Giants has sparked discussions about his inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad. Kevin Pietersen emphasized Samson's talent and ability to thrive under pressure, urging him to be part of the squad. Samson's performance secured a crucial victory for Rajasthan Royals.
Kolkata Knight Riders' assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate emphasized the importance of bowlers using unconventional tactics in the IPL, citing the game's evolution and the need for batters to reach 160 before the 13th over. He emphasized the need for "anti-skill" tactics to challenge batsmen, stating it is in the batter's favor.
Virat Kohli's approach in the IPL match against Sunrisers Hyderabad contrasted with Rajat Patidar's explosive innings. Kohli, who scored 51 off 43 balls, primarily rotated the strike to his partner, a strategy that drew criticism from Sunil Gavaskar. Kohli's strike rate analysis in IPL 2024 has sparked a discussion on Jio Cinema, involving former cricketers Ajay Jadeja and RP Singh.
Kolkata Knight Riders captain Shreyas Iyer, ahead of their IPL 2024 match against Punjab Kings, emphasized his affinity for pressure, stating, "I personally love and thrive on the pressure to deliver." With the match set at Eden Gardens, KKR aim to maintain their winning momentum, while struggling Punjab Kings seek a turnaround.
Delhi Capitals' skipper Rishabh Pant rejoiced returning to cricket with an unbeaten 88 off 43 balls, securing a narrow 4-run victory against Gujarat Titans. Pant, alongside Axar Patel, formed a crucial 113-run partnership, propelling Delhi to 224/4. Pant emphasized time on the field boosts his form, praising Rasikh Salam's bowling choice in the tense encounter.
Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh, 17, received a hero's welcome upon his return from the Candidates Chess Tournament in Toronto. Hundreds awaited him at the airport, including students from Velammal Vidyalaya. Gukesh thanked his supporters, including his parents, coach, and school. He acknowledged Viswanathan Anand's influence and will challenge world champion Ding Liren. Gukesh holds multiple accolades, including India's youngest Grandmaster.
D Gukesh won the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Candidates Chess Tournament 2024 in Toronto, Canada. He became the youngest-ever challenger to the world title and secured his place in chess history. Gukesh's victory marks a significant milestone for Indian chess, becoming the second Indian player, after Viswanathan Anand, to win the prestigious tournament.
Former RCB player Aaron Finch has criticized the team's IPL 2024 campaign, highlighting the importance of strategic planning, especially during the auction. Finch attributed the team's struggles to a focus on the batting group, which has not allowed enough room for the team's bowling potential, highlighting the need for better planning and execution.
Following Rajasthan Royals' dominant nine-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024, Harbhajan Singh advocated for Sanju Samson's grooming as India's next T20 captain, lauding his leadership and performance. Samson's unbeaten 38 and Yashasvi Jaiswal's stellar 104-run knock garnered praise from Harbhajan, who emphasized Samson's inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad.
David Warner anticipates lower scores in the T20 World Cup co-hosted by the US and West Indies compared to the high-scoring IPL matches on flat pitches. Sunrisers Hyderabad's T20 scoring tactics may not be successful if replicated by international teams at the T20 World Cup that is scheduled to run from June 2 to 29.
The IPL imposed financial penalties on RCB and PBKS captains for separate offenses. Faf du Plessis of RCB was fined Rs 12 lakh for a slow over-rate in their narrow loss to KKR. PBKS's Sam Curran was penalized 50% of his match fees for dissent against Gujarat Titans. This loss marked PBKS's fourth consecutive defeat, placing them ninth in the points table.
Virat Kohli has been the standout performer for RCB this IPL season and is the current Orange Cap holder with 361 runs in 7 innings. But Aaron believes it's high time India's domestic players step up for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and reduce the dependence on Kohli. RCB are scheduled to play KKR at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.
Shivam Dube, an all-rounder for CSK in IPL 2024, has been a key player in India's T20 World Cup squad. His impressive performances, including 245 runs in seven matches, two half-centuries, and a highest score of 66*, have attracted attention from cricket pundits and former players, who view him as a potential game-changer.
Abhishek Sharma led Sunrisers Hyderabad to a thrilling IPL victory against Delhi Capitals, showcasing his power-packed batting. He partnered Travis Head and unleashed boundaries, leaving DC's bowlers reeling. Sharma credited the team management for instilling confidence and clarity, allowing him to express his batting prowess without inhibitions.
Former India batter Robin Uthappa praises Mahendra Singh Dhoni's consistency, highlighting that only his physical fitness could hinder his remarkable career. Uthappa commended Dhoni's recent explosive cameo in the IPL, emphasizing his passion for the game. He expressed confidence in KL Rahul's prospects for the T20 World Cup squad, acknowledging his disciplined batting approach and leadership qualities.
It's almost a month now since the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League took off on March 22, and continuing our analysis after every week to shortlist the 'TOI Team of the Week', here are the names that made the cut in week four of this season, with Delhi Capitals' Ricky Ponting as the coach and Sunrisers Hyderabad's Heinrich Klaasen as the impact substitute.
The stage is set for a clash between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Former cricketer Wasim Jaffer emphasized LSG's need for runs from KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock. Jaffer proposed a reshuffle, suggesting Marcus Stoinis bat at No. 3 and Nicholas Pooran at No. 5. LSG aim to break their two-game losing streak.
KL Rahul celebrates 33rd birthday with LSG fans at Ekana. Thakur apologizes for missing it. LSG faces campaign threats, while CSK shows strength. No 200-run scores at Ekana, LSG cautious.
Stuart Law, a former Australian cricketer and member of 1996 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup runner-up, has been appointed as the new head coach of the USA cricket team. With a successful coaching career, Law will lead the team in their upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
MS Dhoni, retired from international cricket, continues to shine in the IPL for CSK. His impactful unbeaten knocks secure victories. Adam Gilchrist praises young keepers Karthik and MSD for their promising future. Rohit Sharma discusses the challenges of convincing MSD and highlights Karthik's stellar IPL performance. Dhoni's unbeaten 20-run knock against MI proved to be decisive as CSK won the match by 20 runs.
Sunil Narine, the opener for Kolkata Knight Riders, has shown impressive performance this season, scoring 276 runs in six games, a significant improvement from his previous three seasons where he scored only 154 runs while batting lower. Narine acknowledged Gambhir's role in opening him for the first time since 2017.
Dinesh Karthik, a veteran wicketkeeper and batsman, showcased his exceptional batting prowess in a thrilling match between RCB and SRH. He hit an 83-run knock off 35 balls, including five fours and seven sixes, and the longest six of the IPL 2024 season, measuring 108 meters.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru made headlines by benching four star players during their IPL match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. With a combined value of Rs 47 crore, players like Cameron Green, Alzarri Joseph, Glenn Maxwell, and Mohammed Siraj remained sidelined, prompting debate. Travis Head's century led SRH to a record total, despite efforts from Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis for RCB.
Hardik Pandya's post-match remarks following Mumbai Indians' loss to Chennai Super Kings hinted at underlying team dynamics and support issues. Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist suggested Pandya might feel isolated, citing his observations on MS Dhoni's influence and lack of credit to captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Simon Doull echoed concerns about team cohesion, noting differences in support dynamics.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru languish at the bottom of the IPL 2024 table with one win in six matches. Skipper Faf du Plessis acknowledges widespread support for RCB, even from his daughter. Despite Virat Kohli's Orange Cap-worthy performance, RCB need a collective effort as they face Sunrisers Hyderabad next, aiming for their maiden IPL title.
Shreyas Iyer, KKR's captain, lauded co-owner Shah Rukh Khan's magnetic presence, emphasizing his aura and energy. "When he walks, he has got that aura... Bohot hi alag feeling hota hai unke saath," said Iyer, expressing his admiration for Khan's charisma. Despite a recent defeat, KKR remains in strong form, poised for their upcoming clash with Lucknow Super Giants.
Riyan Parag, a young cricketer for Rajasthan Royals, has been praised by former India opener Wasim Jaffer for his resurgence in the Indian Premier League. Jaffer suggested Parag might be on the T20 World Cup squad due to his fitness, composed appearance, and good shot selection, despite facing criticism in recent years.
Preity Zinta, the enthusiastic co-owner of Punjab Kings in the IPL, actively supports the team by engaging with fans, making aloo parathas for cricketers, and adding glamour to the franchise. Despite not winning, her dedication shines through.
Mumbai Indians' recent victories, fueled by standout performances from Romario Shepherd and team camaraderie, have elevated them to the seventh position in the IPL standings. The team's resilience and dynamic gameplay shine through.
During his recent sabbatical from cricket, Ishan Kishan highlighted his rampaging 34-ball 69 against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru as an indicator of his renewed approach. Kishan has been the subject of controversy after he asked for a vacation during India's December tour of South Africa. Kishan's last performance for India was in the T20I series against Australia in November 2023.
Glenn Maxwell has set a record for the most ducks in IPL history, with 17 ducks in the tournament. In a seven-wicket defeat to Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter was dismissed for a duck, joining the unwanted list with Dinesh Karthik and Rohit Sharma. Maxwell's form struggles in the IPL contrast with his performance in the ODI World Cup last year.
Rajasthan Royals' director of cricket, Kumar Sangakkara, has praised Riyan Parag's impressive performance, ranking second in the IPL's leading run-scorers' list with 261 runs. Sangakkara urges focus on the current IPL campaign for Parag, stating that his future considerations, like being part of T20 World Cup squad, will be determined after the tournament.
The son of Afghanistan cricket icon Mohammad Nabi is making waves on social media with his cricketing prowess. In a viral video, he impressed with a reverse-sweep, cheered on by RCB's Glenn Maxwell. This follows another clip of him emulating MS Dhoni's 'helicopter shot.' Both MI and RCB are gearing up for a crucial IPL match.
Indian cricketer Ashutosh Sharma broke Yuvraj Singh's record of hitting the fastest fifty in T20 cricket by hitting an 11-ball half-century against Arunachal Pradesh at the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament. Sharma's IPL success came with two consecutive lion-hearted knocks for Punjab Kings. Born in Ratlam, Sharma played age-group cricket for Madhya Pradesh.
Mumbai Indians star trio Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Piyush Chawla recently showcased their playful side in remote-controlled car racing, leaving fans in stitches with their humorous antics. The trio attempted to navigate miniature cars with varying degrees of success, accompanied by playful banter and amusing remarks.
Nikhat Zareen aims for Paris Olympics success, Lovlina Borgohain shifts to 75kg. Fernandez praises Zareen's ring tactics. Men's boxers aim for Paris quotas. India secures four women's boxing spots.
Dinesh Karthik, the wicketkeeper-batter for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, impressed in the Indian Premier League 2024 with an unbeaten 28 from just 10 balls and an outstanding strike rate of 280. Former England skipper Nasser Hussain praised Karthik's performance and even tipped him for India's T20 World Cup squad, but Karthik denied his trustworthiness.
In this edition of the IPL Rashid is clearly still getting into his groove after having undergone a back surgery that kept him out of the game for long time and is enduring dwindling returns for the Gujarat Titans. In five matches so far this season, the 25-year-old legspinner has taken just five wickets at an average of 34.60 with an economy rate of 8.65.
Delhi Capitals suffered a 29-run defeat against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024 despite Stubbs's valiant 71. Assistant coach Pravin Amre acknowledged the challenge, citing critical last five overs. He addressed injury woes impacting performance. Amre expressed IPL's competitive nature and stressed bowling improvement. Delhi faces Lucknow Super Giants next at Ekana Stadium on Friday.
Virat Kohli, the former RCB captain, is now into his 17th season with the team, still yearning for that coveted IPL victory. For 16 consecutive seasons, RCB have strived to win the Indian Premier League title, but despite boasting cricketing icons such as Chris Gayle & AB de Villiers in the past and Kohli among its ranks since 2008, the wait continues.
South African pace sensation Lizaad Williams has joined Delhi Capitals, replacing England's Harry Brook for IPL 2024. With an impressive international record, including Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, Williams strengthens the Capitals' bowling lineup. Signed at his base price of INR 50 lakh, Williams' inclusion is expected to boost the team's performance, bringing depth and dynamism.
Rajasthan Royals showcased dominance, securing a six-wicket victory against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL. Assistant coach Shane Bond praised Jos Buttler's century despite illness. Bond acknowledged RR's resilient bowling effort and hailed Virat Kohli's prowess while reflecting on the match. Buttler's outstanding performance earned him 'Player of the Match' as RR top the table with eight points.
Despite Virat Kohli's exceptional form, Royal Challengers Bangaluru's struggles persist in the IPL. Head coach Andy Flower voiced concern over batting issues and confidence after their fourth loss in five games. Flower emphasized the need to bolster morale. Meanwhile, Jos Buttler's comeback and contrasting centuries with Kohli drew praise from RCB's bowling coach Shane Bond for their distinct batting styles.
Kumar Sangakkara commends Yashasvi Jaiswal's potential post Rajasthan Royals' victory. Jaiswal, known for his Test series success, strives for consistency in IPL 2023. Buttler's century shines, overshadowing Kohli's performance for RCB. Jaiswal emerges as fifth top run-getter.
The Basque side lifted the trophy for the 24th time, behind only 31-time winners Barcelona, as they edged underdogs Mallorca at La Cartuja stadium in Seville following a 1-1 draw after extra time.