Danijones

Watch – MI vs CSK: Rivals on the field, friends off it | Cricket News

Danijones8 months ago04 mins

NEW DELHI: There’s no bigger clash in the Indian Premier League (IPL) than the one between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. It’s a classic rivalry to say the least.Both Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings are powerhouse teams, each having won the trophy five times. Whenever they clash, it’s not just a cricket match, but a showdown of talent, strategy, and nerves. Their matches are always highly anticipated and fiercely contested, with fans from both sides eagerly watching every ball.The MI vs CSK rivalry is characterized by competitiveness, high-quality cricket, and memorable moments, making it one of the most captivating matchups in the IPL.But regardless of the rivalry, the players of both the teams are friends and have mutual admiration for each other.On the eve of the clash between the two teams at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, the official X handle of CSK shared a video of players both the teams meeting and greeting each other.Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur who are from Mumbai play for CSK.In the video, Rohit Sharma was seen talking to Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja interacting with Tilak Verma. And the friends from the Caribbean, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard were seen talking to CSK head coach Stephen Fleming.Bravo and Pollard have had numerous and memorable on-field clashes but their friendship has only grown stronger over the years.Shardul Thakur was also seen talking to Ishan Kishan, whose idol is the great Mahendra Singh Dhoni.The MI-CSK rivalry began in the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008. Since then, MI and CSK have faced each other numerous times in the league stage, playoffs, and finals, adding to the intensity of their rivalry.Both teams have had their moments of dominance. However, CSK has historically had a slight edge in head-to-head matches, particularly in the earlier seasons of the IPL. In recent years, MI have balanced the scales, making the rivalry even more compelling. MI and CSK have often met in crucial playoff matches and finals, elevating the stakes of their encounters. These matches have produced some thrilling moments and have been highly anticipated by fans of both teams.The rivalry is also fueled by the presence of star players in both teams. Players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard, Jasprit Bumrah (MI) and MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja (CSK) have played key roles in shaping the outcomes of matches between these teams over the years.MI and CSK have large and passionate fan bases, adding to the atmosphere and excitement whenever they face each other on the field. The support from fans further intensifies the rivalry.

Sanju Samson: ‘Happy that everyone is eager to go…’: Sanju Samson lightens mood after catch mishaps | Cricket News

Danijones8 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals found themselves in a familiar yet comical situation as fielders collided while attempting to take a catch during their Indian Premier League match against Punjab Kings, reminiscent of a memorable incident from IPL 2023. Captain Sanju Samson, while acknowledging the amusing nature of the recurring mishaps, also issued a reminder to his team regarding the importance of fielding.IPL 2024: POINTS TABLE | ORANGE CAP | PURPLE CAPDuring the penultimate over of the first innings of Punjab Kings, a miscued shot from Ashutosh Sharma off a delivery from fast bowler Avesh Khan led to a collision between Samson and Avesh as they both attempted to claim the catch. However, neither managed to complete the dismissal, allowing the batsman to capitalize and score valuable runs for Punjab Kings.Reflecting on the incident during the post-match presentation, Samson lightened the mood by remarking on Rajasthan’s tendency for such high-catch instances. “We had a few funny instances from last year and this year. But I am really happy that everyone is eager to go and catch it. I would be very sad if people are just staying away and not catching it,” he quipped, eliciting laughter from the presenter and the audience. While acknowledging the challenges posed by noisy crowds and the difficulty in communication during such moments, Samson emphasized the importance of fielders maintaining focus. He directed a firm message to his fast bowlers, highlighting that such catches are easier for wicketkeepers like himself than for fielders.“It gets a bit tough actually – the stadium is full of noise and when people call, we are looking at the ball, we can’t see who is coming. I need to tell my fast bowlers that it’s a bit easier to catch with the gloves instead of hands,” he emphasized, underlining the significance of fielding in the team’s overall performance.Samson’s light-hearted yet firm approach underscores the Royals’ commitment to improving their fielding standards while maintaining a positive spirit amidst the occasional mishaps on the field.

IPL 2024, MI vs CSK: Bowling as an off-spinner at Wankhede is really tough, says Mohammad Nabi

Danijones8 months ago01 mins

It’s time for the IPL Clasico and all eyes will be on MS Dhoni as CSK head to the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai for the mouth-watering clash against MI. In the first match on April 14, Sunday, KKR will be hoping to break their LSG jinx and secure their second home win of the campaign.

"It's good news for Punjab as well as India": Aakash Chopra on Arsdeep Singh's performance | Cricket

“He will likely be back by then”: Rovman Powell gives update on Buttler’s return | Cricket

Danijones8 months ago04 mins

Mullanpur [India], : Following the win against Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League 2024, Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Rovman Powell provided an update on Jos Buttler saying that he will be back for the franchise’s next game against Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday. HT Image A determined and entertaining knock by Shimron Hetmyer helped RR secure a three-wicket win over PBKS in a last-over thriller during the IPL 2024) at Mullanpur Stadium on Saturday. It was the Punjab franchise’s second defeat on their home turf. Unlock exclusive access to the story of India’s general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! The right-hand batter spoke about the partnership that he built along with Hetmyer during the chase. He asserted that both of us were calm and discussed that we had to finish the game early. “Definitely, it’s important for us to get two points, the guys are keeping up, and credit to the guys. The good thing is we both are calm, we talked that we should run fast, we are West Indians, and we are boundary-hitters. It’s a challenge but we are professional cricketers,” Powell said in the post-match interview. The 30-year-old player further stated that whenever he get’s an opportunity, he tries to give his best. “I think they are doing some very good work with him, I think he would be out for another day or two but it’s good that we have a game in 3-4 days, so he will likely be back by then. I am a good player, if I not getting games then it means the team is doing well. Whenever I get an opportunity, I will give my best,” the West Indian cricketer added. Coming to the game, PBKS was put to bat first. None of the batters could score big as knocks from Ashutosh Sharma and Jitesh Sharma helped PBKS reach 147/8 in their 20 overs. Keshav Maharaj and Avesh Khan were the pick of the bowlers for RR. In the run chase, Yashasvi Jaiswal had a 56-run stand with Tanush Kotian . After that, RR lost some quick wickets. But a quick cameo from Shimron Hetmyer helped the side chase down the target with a ball to go. Kagiso Rabada and Sam Curran were the top bowlers for PBKS. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

Shikhar Dhawan out of action for ‘at least seven-ten days’, set to miss next two games for Punjab Kings – India TV

Danijones8 months ago05 mins

Image Source : PTI Shikhar Dhawan. Punjab Kings have suffered a major blow mid-season as their skipper Shikhar Dhawan is set to miss the two upcoming fixtures against Mumbai Indians (April 18) and Gujarat Titans (April 21) with a shoulder injury. The Head of Cricket Development at Punjab Kings, Sanjay Bangar, revealed that Shikhar “could be out of action for at least seven-ten days”. Shikhar missed PBKS’ sixth fixture of the season on Saturday (April 13) when they took on table-toppers Rajasthan Royals on their home turf at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. Punjab’s star overseas allrounder Sam Curran stepped in for Shikhar and was the stand-in captain during the clash against Rajasthan. Speaking after the three-wicket loss to Rajasthan, Bangar first mentioned that Shikhar could be “out of action for at least a couple of days” but later added that the injury may put him on the sidelines for “at least seven-ten days”. “He’s having a shoulder injury, so he is likely to be out for at least a couple of days, I would say,” Bangar said during the post-match conference. “Having an experienced opener, somebody like Shikhar, who has experience of playing on such wickets, becomes extremely crucial (for the squad). “We have to wait and see how he responds to the treatment. At the moment, it seems that he could be out of action for at least seven-ten days.” Punjab missed Dhawan badly against Rajasthan as their batting order failed to put up a winning score on the board. The consistent batting failure is ailing Punjab and Bangar admitted that it is a cause of concern for the team management. “Certainly is a cause for concern that the top order is not making enough runs for us,” Bangar said. “They are trying hard – I am not saying that they are not applying themselves – but it’s just not coming. Low-scoring games, especially at Mullanpur, the way the wicket is… that also has a factor. Because if you see, some of the scores have been pretty low. “All the three games that we have played here, in the first six overs, with the new ball, the wicket tends to just jag a little bit, and uneven bounce as well. So maybe that is also a contributing factor because, not only us, the visiting teams and their top order are facing issues,” Bangar added. Punjab Kings IPL 2024 squad Jonny Bairstow, Atharva Taide, Prabhsimran Singh, Sam Curran (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Ashutosh Sharma, Vidhwath Kaverappa, Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Nathan Ellis, Shikhar Dhawan, Sikandar Raza, Tanay Thyagarajan, Rishi Dhawan, Rilee Rossouw, Chris Woakes, Shivam Singh, Prince Choudhary, Vishwanath Singh

Is ‘Vice-Captain’ Pandya Really A Certainty For T20 World Cup 2024?

Danijones8 months ago08 mins

Hardik Pandya’s possible inclusion in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad has sparked debate among cricket experts and fans of late. The 30-year-old has been a major talking point during the first three weeks of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Ever since Pandya was announced as Mumbai Indians’ new captain in place of India’s all-format skipper Rohit Sharma ahead of IPL 2024, the controversial decision has received widespread disappointment from fans. MI’s newly-appointed captain has been booed heavily at various stadiums, including at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad as well at Mumbai’s home ground – the Wankhede Stadium. Furthermore, MI started their IPL 2024 campaign with three consecutive losses under Hardik’s leadership although the five-time IPL winners have bounced back with back-to-back wins in their next two games. Fitness and finishing ability concerns Apart from Hardik’s captaincy, his all-round form and finishing ability have been under scanner in the ongoing IPL. Indian cricket team’s limited-overs vice-captain, Hardik has scored 129 runs in five matches for MI this season. The hard-hitting batter showed glimpses of regaining form after he slammed an unbeaten 21 runs off just six balls against Royals Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to help MI chase down 197 in just 15.3 overs at the Wankhede on Thursday. Additionally, there have been questions about Hardik’s fitness for ICC’s marquee T20 tournament. The Indian all-rounder has endured his fair share of fitness concerns over the years and has cut down on his workload with the ball to get the best out of him from an all-round perspective. The Gujarat-born cricketer has bowled just eight overs in five matches in IPL 2024, picking just a solitary wicket at an economy of 11.13. Hardik recently made a comeback in IPL 2024 after he was ruled out of ICC ODI World Cup 2023 having sustained an ankle injury against Bangladesh in October. The Rohit Sharma-led India, of course, will need a fully-fit Hardik at the T20 World Cup 2024 to be held in the West Indies and the United States. In-form Shivam Dube could pip Hardik Pandya While Hardik’s all-round capabilities provide Team India great balance in the T20 format, if he’s not fully fit then the likes of Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh could be better picks as finishers in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad. Former India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad has voiced support for Shivam Dube’s inclusion in the upcoming T20 World Cup squad. “Shivam Dube for his striking ability against spinners, Surya for being the best T20 international batter and Rinku Singh for his exceptional finishing ability. It will be great if India finds a way to have these 3 in the 11 in the T20 WC. With Virat and Rohit, this will leave a spot for just a keeper batsman. Interesting to see how it pans out,” Prasad posted on X (formerly Twitter). Chennai Super Kings’ Shivam Dube has been in impressive form in IPL 2024. Batting in the middle-order, Dube has amassed 176 runs in five matches at an average of 44 and a strike rate of 160. He has hit 10 fours and 13 sixes so far. Apart from Prasad, former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has stated that Dube must be included in India’s T20 World Cup squad. “Good to watch@IamShivamDube clearing the field with ease!! I feel he has to be in the World Cup squad. Has got the skill to be the #gamechanger,” Yuvraj wrote on X. Earlier, India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin urged India to pick Dube in the T20 World Cup squad after his brilliant performances against Afghanistan in a three-match series in January. “Hardik Pandya is an indispensable member of the Indian team. However, with Shivam Dube’s emergence, especially in conditions similar to CSK in the West Indies, he becomes a spin-hitting monster,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. “I can proudly call him a ‘Yuvraj Singh lite’ package. There are so many facets of Yuvraj Singh that I see in his game – the downswing, the height, and the reach. I’m not saying he’s exactly like Yuvraj Singh, but he reminds me a lot of him. The beauty here is that he hits spin straight down the ground,” Ashwin added. With Hardik facing strong competition from Shivam Dube, he will need to prove his fitness as well as impress the selectors with his all-round game in the remaining games for MI before the squad is finalised. The Indian cricket team’s 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup is likely to be announced in the last week of April and vice-captain Hardik’s spot still remains uncertain as of now. While a return to form and maintaining his fitness will most likely see Hardik make the cut for the T20 World Cup, judging by the all-rounder’s recent form when batting in death overs as well as his fitness issues, it’s safe to say that the 30-year-old’s inclusion in the squad is certainly not a given. Topics mentioned in this article

Hardik Pandya: ‘If he is not bowling, does Hardik Pandya make the T20 World Cup squad?’ | Cricket News

Danijones8 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Renowned cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle has sparked debate over the inclusion of India all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in June. Bhogle’s comments come in light of Pandya’s recent struggles with fitness and his limited bowling contribution in the IPL 2024 season.Pandya, who captains the Mumbai Indians in this year’s IPL, made a comeback to cricket after a five-month hiatus due to an ankle injury sustained during the ODI World Cup last year.While Pandya initially bowled a few overs in his return matches, his bowling workload has been sporadic, raising doubts over his ability to contribute as an all-rounder.Bhogle pointed out Pandya’s waning power-hitting skills and questioned whether he still merits a place in the T20 World Cup squad solely as a batsman if he is unable to bowl consistently.“If Hardik is not bowling, does Hardik make the T20 World Cup squad?” Bhogle questioned, while speaking on Cricbuzz. “Is he among the top six batters in India if he is not bowling? I’m not totally convinced of that because if he is not bowling and he is not finishing as powerfully, he needs to bat up, where all the competition is.”Bhogle emphasized the importance of Pandya’s all-round abilities in balancing India’s playing XI, particularly in the absence of regular bowling options among the top-order batsmen. Pandya’s ability to bowl four overs provides a crucial additional bowling option for the team and ensures the presence of at least two all-rounders, with Ravindra Jadeja also in contention.However, with Pandya’s fitness and bowling form under scrutiny, his selection for the T20 World Cup could hinge on his ability to regain full fitness and contribute effectively with both bat and ball.

“CSK Will Be Responsible If Dube Is Not Selected For T20 WC”: Ex-India Star’s Brutal Warning

Danijones8 months ago04 mins

Former India batter Manoj Tiwary has backed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Shivam Dube for a place in the T20 World Cup squad, ahead of Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya. Tiwary questioned Hardik’s role as a bowler so far this season in IPL, with the MI captain bowling only one over in the last three matches. The former Bengal captain feels if Hardik wants to seal his place in the squad for the T20 World Cup, then he’ll have to prove his bowling credentials. Read here: IPL 2024 Points Table Tiwary also highlighted that Hardik has been a tad bit expensive for MI with the bowl, conceding over 11 runs per over. “If he wants to play in the Indian T20 World Cup team as an all-rounder, he has to bowl. Look at his economy rate. It’s almost 11. He is not performing this season,” Tiwary said during a discussion on Cricbuzz. Tiwary also asserted that if Dube fails to make the T20 World Cup squad, his IPL franchise will be responsible for his exclusion as CSK have been using him as an impact sub so far this season. “With this form, Hardik won’t be picked in the T20 World Cup. See, Agarkar is a strong character and hence can take those bold decisions. And if Dube is not picked in the T20 World Cup, CSK will be responsible for it, because they are not allowing him to bowl. I have been saying this for a long time, if you want a replacement for Hardik, get Dube ready,” he added. Tiwary labelled Dube as a “clever” bowler, pointing out his exploits in the T20I series against Afghanistan earlier this year. “At one time we also had Venkatesh Iyer. Suddenly, both of them stopped bowling. We should be looking at the bigger goal. We are talking about the World Cup here and India haven’t been able to lift that trophy for a long time. So we have to plan for that ahead of time. Now Hardik is not in form and if you pick Dube in the squad, how much he can perform as a bowler is not known. But as far as I know, Dube is a clever bowler. Remember that T20I series at home against Afghanistan,” he further explained. Topics mentioned in this article

IPL 2024: MI-CSK renew high-octane rivalry under new skippers | Cricket News

Danijones8 months ago05 mins

MUMBAI: When you see top corporate bigwigs, cricket officials and even players struggle to get tickets, you know that it’s here-the El Clasico of the IPL.On Sunday night, two of the most decorated clubs of the IPL, with five titles each, will resume their famed rivalry when the Mumbai Indians face off against the Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium.IPL ORANGE CAP | IPL PURPLE CAP | IPL POINTS TABLEWhat adds allure is the fact that this could be the last IPL outing for MS Dhoni at a venue where he lifted the ODI World Cup trophy in 2011.Since the ‘Impact Player’ rule came into existence, the 42-year-old has hardly come out to bat, unless needed. Going by the trend in IPL 2024, the Wankhede crowd is likely to cheer vociferously for him even if he pulls off a catch or stumping or makes a fleeting appearance with the bat.Having undergone a contrasting transition in leadership-MI are now led by Hardik Pandya while CSK are captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad-both the teams have blown hot and cold so far.MI lost their first three games before bouncing back with wins at home against Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. CSK started off with wins against RCB and Gujarat Titans at home, but stumbled to two defeats on the road and then recovered by beating Kolkata Knight Riders at home. Of late, CSK have had the wood on MI, beating them four times in their last five encounters. Ironically, CSK will bank on the four Mumbai aces in their pack-inform Shivam Dube, Ajinkya Rahane, Shardul Thakur and Tushar Deshpande. Each of these four must know the Wankhede track like the back of their hand, with three of them-Rahane, Thakur and Deshpande being a part of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy winning side last month.When MI and CSK met at the Wankhede last year, Rahane had smashed a breathtaking 27-ball 61 to star in CSK’s seven-wicket win.The match will also pit two contenders for the allrounder’s position in Team India for the T20 World Cup in June. With 176 runs in five games @44.00 and a strike rate of 160, Dube, playing in the role of an Impact Player, is CSK’s top run-getter.Having smashed 13 sixes so far, the 30-year-old has won the heart of someone he’s often compared with, India’s 2011 World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh, who feels that the Mumbaikar must surely be a part of India’s T20 WC squad. As if being booed by his home crowd wasn’t enough, Dube’s sizzling performances has put pressure on Pandya (84 runs in five matches @32.25 & 1-89 in eight overs) to raise his game too. Struggling to find his groove while batting too low down the order, Pandya showed signs of finding his mojo during his six-ball 21 not out cameo against RCB on Thursday.With their rest of the bowling floundering, MI will once again rely heavily on the magic of Jasprit Bumrah, who took a match-winning haul of five for 21 against RCB, to bail them out against a strong CSK batting line-up.Where this battle could be decided is how MI’s rampaging batting line-up, currently looking destructive at full strength with the return of Suryakumar Yadav, tackles CSK’s top-class spinners Ravindra Jadeja (3-18 in four overs in the last match) and Maheesh Theekshana.

IPL 2024 , MI vs CSK: MS Dhoni set for potential Wankhede Stadium farewell

Danijones8 months ago07 mins

There will be a sea of yellow at the Wankhede Stadium when MI host CSK in the first and only El Clasico of IPL 2024 league stage on Sunday. It might turn out to be a momentous occasion at the iconic venue as MS Dhoni is set to likely walk out for one last time at the Wankhede Stadium as a professional cricketer. CSK and MI only meet once in the league stage of IPL 2024 and the playoffs and the final have also not been scheduled in Mumbai. The man, who oversaw one of the most glorious chapters of Indian cricket history when he hit the World Cup-winning six on April 2, 2011, has enjoyed incredible support nationwide over the last two seasons even as speculation about his IPL future has been rife. And Mumbai will roar for the former India captain for probably one last time in what promises to be a blockbuster contest on Sunday, April 14. Memories must have gushed back when MS Dhoni was spotted posing with the World Cup 2011 trophy on the eve of the IPL 2024 match. As the former India captain walked out for training, he made sure he got a glimpse of the World Cup trophy at the BCCI headquarters at the Wankhede Stadium. Dhoni was even seen presumably adjusting the position of the trophy on the trophy cabinet in his own inimitable style. IPL 2024 Full Coverage | IPL 2024 Points Table and Standings | 2024 IPL Full Schedule Dhoni has played 13 matches for India at the Wankhede Stadium, the most by any player from the country. And the one that stands out is the big World Cup final 13 years ago. Promoting himself to No. 4, one of his many masterstrokes as captain, Dhoni hit a match-winning 91 off 79 balls in a sensational partnership with Gautam Gambhir to help India chase down 275 against Sri Lanka. And he finished it with that iconic six. Dhoni has seats named after him as the Mumbai Cricket Association, in 2023, immortalised the part of the Wankhede Stadium where his winning six landed on that fateful evening. In the IPL, Dhoni has played 27 matches at the Wankhede Stadium, hitting 392 runs with a fifty. He has hit 17 sixes at the iconic venue and has struck at 116.37 for the Super Kings. LAST DANCE AT WANKHEDE? MS Dhoni might be calm and composed on the outside, but the CSK superstar will have trouble handling his emotions if he gets an opportunity to walk out to the middle at the Wankhede Stadium with the bat on Sunday. Regardless, the decibel levels are going to go through the roof whenever he is spotted before, during and after the IPL 2024 contest.\ MS Dhoni has not yet opened up about his future in the IPL. Even when he spoke after lifting the trophy last year, the 42-year-old said he would want to return to play the IPL for “at least one more season” as a return gift to his fans. However, there are enough suggestions that IPL 2024 might be his last as a player in the league. The 5-time champion handover of captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad on the eve of their opening match in Chennai, hinting at the start of a transition period. Also, the vintage long hair does hint at an imminent big call from the superstar cricketer. Dhoni has looked fitter and leaner when compared to last year. The wicketkeeper-batter underwent surgery to treat a long-standing knee issue after having managed throughout last season. Dhoni has been nearly flawless with the gloves. Dhoni has gotten opportunities to bat only thrice in the season and he took fans down memory lane during his whirlwind knock of 37 off 16 balls in Visakhapatnam. CSK fans cheered even when the team lost as they were thrilled at the sight of Dhoni smashing them into the stands. Will it be MS Dhoni’s Last Dance at the Wankhede on Sunday? If yes, not many will complain if there’s another promotion in the batting order. There’s a lot to look forward to in the clash of the 5-time champions. Published On: Apr 14, 2024