Cricket

MS Dhoni mania takes over South Africa: Dale Steyn wants CSK star to keep playing IPL

Danijones7 months ago04 mins

Former South Africa pace bowler Dale Steyn suggests that the fervor surrounding MS Dhoni extends beyond the Indian Premier League (IPL), surpassing the cricketing landscape of South Africa and captivating enthusiasts like himself. Steyn is in awe of Dhoni’s batting and said that watching the former CSK captain out in the field lifts his mood. Notably, Dhoni continues to be a crowd-favorite in the Indian Premier League, and at 42, he is still turning back the clock to demonstrate his six-hitting skills. Dhoni’s job has altered this season because he is no longer captain, but on the pitch, he remains the one who controls the game for the Super Kings. The legendary skipper has decided to bat lower down the order to give young players an opportunity as the franchise enters a transitional period. Despite this, Dhoni has still managed to make an impression with the bat this season. However, the speculations are rife that the ongoing season will be Dhoni’s last in the IPL as he also handed over the captaincy charge to Ruturaj Gaikwad this year. Steyn also said that he wants MS Dhoni to continue playing the Indian Premier League. IPL 2024 Full Coverage | IPL 2024 Points Table and Standings | 2024 IPL Full Schedule “Not only has it engulfed the IPL. That’s engulfed many South Africa and myself, to be honest with you, I don’t watch a lot of TV, but I seem to be glued to the seat when the IPL is on my girlfriend says that my TV is broken, it’s stuck on cricket right now IPL and watching MS the other night. That’s exactly what we want to do. You know, I’ve been on the receiving end of it before. I’ve watched it from a fan’s point of view, I loved it. I mean, I am a much better mood because of what I’ve just seen. So can we get more of MS Dhoni out in the middle? That would be great,” Dale Steyn said while speaking on Star Sports ahead of the MI vs PBKS match. Dhoni’s biggest issue this year has been his struggle with a knee ailment. The renowned wicketkeeper-batsman has been observed limping on multiple occasions this season, and he also had knee surgery following last season’s IPL. Recently, CSK bowling consultant Eric Simmons confessed Dhoni has been fighting with his knee ailment, but he has battled it heroically and without displaying any pain. Published By: Diya Kakkar Published On: Apr 19, 2024

Mumbai Indians return to winning ways with thrilling victory over Punjab Kings – India TV

Danijones7 months ago04 mins

Image Source : BCCI/IPL Mumbai Indians players against Punjab Kings in the IPL game on April 18, 2024 Mumbai Indians recorded a thrilling nine-run victory over Punjab Kings to register their only third win of the IPL 2024 season on Thursday, April 18. Punjab Kings made a late comeback while chasing a 193-run target but Mumbai avoided a late scare to return to the winning ways at Mullanpur’s Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. Coming into this game after a heavy loss against Chennai Super Kings, Hardik Pandy-led produced an impressive all-round performance. Suryakumar Yadav smashed 78 runs off 53 balls to help Mumbai post 192 total while batting first and pacers Gerald Coetzee and Jasprit Bumrah took early wickets to stumble Punjab to 14 for 4. But Punjab made a sensational comeback through Shashank Singh’s 41 off 25 balls and Ashutosh Sharma’s valiant 61 off just 28 balls. Mumbai managed to avoid a late scare by defending 12 runs in the last over and jumped to seventh place in the points table. Meanwhile, Suryakumar’s second fifty of the season put Mumbai on track for a big total but the likes of Hardik Pandya and Tim David failed to finish. Tilak Varma smashed a crucial 34* off 18 balls and Rohit contributed with 36 runs. Harshal Patel took three wickets for 31 and stand-in skipper Sam Curran bagged two for Punjab Kings. Chasing a big total, Punjab suffered a disastrous start to their innings with top-four batters returning to the pavilion inside 2.1 overs. Both Coetzee and Bumrah took two wickets each in their powerplay spells to put Mumbai in favourites position to record a huge win. But Ashutosh Sharma and Harpreet Brar pulled off 57 runs for the eighth wicket to take the game to the wire. Ashutosh recorded his first fifty of the season by smashing 61 off 28 balls with the help of two fours and seven sixes. Punjab Kings Playing XI: Rilee Rossouw, Prabhsimran Singh, Sam Curran (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Liam Livingstone, Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh (substituted by Harpreet Bhatia). Mumbai Indians Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (substituted by Akash Madhwal), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Mohammad Nabi, Gerald Coetzee, Shreyas Gopal, Jasprit Bumrah.

Pakistan targets right T20 combination against understrength New Zealand | Cricket

World Championship of Legends: Veterans to represent their country in fresh format | Cricket

Danijones7 months ago05 mins

Birmingham [UK], : Cricket enthusiasts worldwide are witnessing a groundbreaking shift in the legendary game of cricket through the World Championship of Legends. Here’s why this championship is reshaping the cricketing landscape. World Championship of Legends: Veterans to represent their country in fresh format Firstly, it stands out as the only league in its category approved by a Test Playing Nation. This validation brings a new level of prestige and authenticity to the championship. HT launches Crick-it, a one stop destination to catch Cricket, anytime, anywhere. Explore now! Secondly, the matches are set to unfold on the iconic grounds of Edgbaston. These hallowed cricketing grounds hold a rich history and add an aura of grandeur to the championship. One of the distinctive features of this league is that players will proudly don their country’s colors while competing. This patriotic display adds a layer of pride and passion to the matches, fostering a deeper connection with fans. A highlight of the championship is the India versus Pakistan clash, a rivalry steeped in cricketing lore. This showdown not only ignites the competitive spirit but also captures the imagination of fans worldwide. Moreover, the championship boasts an extensive pool of cricketers, including legends like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Kamran Akmal, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Jacques Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs, and many others. This diverse lineup ensures fierce competition and thrilling performances on the field. Cricketing legend Kevin Pietersen current player for England Champions at WCL, shares, “I can’t wait to feel the energy of Edgbaston. It is truly one of the exciting atmospheres to be in, especially when you are playing for England at one of the prestigious venues of cricket. Edgbaston is known to have one of the most passionate crowds, and I am excited to be in action.” Cricketing icon Brett Lee, playing for Australia Champions, shares, ‘I am beyond proud to be a part of World Championship of Legends. Putting on my country’s colors back again and playing on one of the leading venues of world cricket, Edgbaston, is about representing the pride and passion of millions of fans while giving it my all on the field.’ Sharing more on playing for Australia Champions, Brett Lee shares, “Playing for the World Championship of Legends is not just a privilege, it’s a reminder of the honor and passion that fuels the game.” What sets this league apart is its inclusion of not just retired players but also those who are not currently signed with their respective cricket boards. This inclusion of free agents adds an element of unpredictability and toughness to the competition, making every match a must-watch spectacle. Adding to the league’s allure is Bollywood megastar Ajay Devgn, who has invested in the championship, further elevating its profile and appeal. This partnership has garnered significant interest, evident in the sale of tickets worth 125K USD on the very first day. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

Joshua Kimmich Heads Bayern Munich Past Arsenal Into Champions League Semi-Finals

Danijones7 months ago06 mins

A 63rd-minute Joshua Kimmich header gave Bayern Munich a 1-0 win over Arsenal and a place in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday. The 3-2 aggregate quarter-final victory means Bayern return to the last-four for the first time since winning the title in 2020. Bayern will face Real Madrid for a place in the final after the 14-time champions overcame holder Manchester City on penalties. The result continues a poor week for Arsenal, who conceded top spot in the Premier League table on Sunday with their first league loss of 2024. “We can enjoy this one. The first half was cagey and then we upped the tempo,” Bayern striker Harry Kane told TNT. “These games are tough and we had to find our way through them. “It’s going to be a tough semi final whoever we play.” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said his side had “wanted it so badly”. “However, you can see with many other clubs that sometimes it takes six or seven years to get to that stage. We were very close, that is the reality.” Unlike last week’s four-goal spectacle in London, Wednesday’s match was a cagey affair, with few clear chances for either side in a testy opening half. Midway through the second-half and with extra-time on the horizon, Kimmich burst through the Arsenal box and headed in a perfect Raphael Guerreiro chip. Guerreiro, pushed from wing-back to the forwards due to Bayern’s injury woes, impressed as a creative presence when freed up from his usual defensive duties. Six-time Champions League winners Bayern join fellow Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, who face Paris Saint-Germain, in the semi-finals. Hit by injuries to several first-team attackers including former Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry — who scored along with Kane in the first leg — and Kingsley Coman, Tuchel pushed Guerreiro into an unfamiliar advanced role. The move worked early, with the Portuguese finding space down the left flank and linking well with Jamal Musiala in the centre. Arteta opted for the defensive stability of Takehiro Tomiyasu in place of Jakub Kiwior at left-back to neutralise Leroy Sane but the Japanese, who was making his first start since December, notably lacked rythym. Tomiyasu completely misjudged a Musiala pass early, allowing Sane to stroll through the Arsenal box and force a corner. Gabriel Martinelli was the visitors’ most dangerous player in the opening half. He scuffed a curling ball just wide of the post after seven minutes and then shot directly at Manuel Neuer with the goal beckoning on the half-hour mark. Bayern were the better team after the break and went close immediately, Leon Goretzka heading a clever Kimmich cross onto the woodwork. The pressure began to tell and Bayern broke through after 63 minutes when Kimmich, among the shortest players on the pitch, was allowed to slip through a crowded Arsenal box and head in a Guerreiro chip. The hosts almost doubled the tally moments after when Kane found an unmarked Sane in the box, but the Germany winger blasted his shot skywards. Arsenal pushed for an equaliser and went close in stoppage time when Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka lashed at a bouncing ball in the box but could not break through, ending the visitors’ hopes of a return to the Champions League semis for the first time since 2009. (This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article

IPL 2024 Points Table, Orange Cap, Purple Cap: Delhi Capitals Gain Big With Win Over Gujarat Titans

Danijones7 months ago04 mins

Sharp glovework by skipper Rishabh Pant and some inspired bowling set up a crushing six-wicket win for Delhi Capitals after Gujarat Titans fell to their IPL lowest of 89 on Wednesday. Medium-pace bowler Mukesh Kumar stood out with figures of 3-14 to help bundle out Gujarat in 17.3 overs and Delhi raced to their target in 8.5 overs in Ahmedabad. Delhi, who were without injured David Warner, registered just their third win of this season to jump three places to sixth in the 10-team table. Meanwhile, GT, Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians lost a place each to slip to the seventh, eighth and ninth spots, respectively. Rest of the points table remained unchanged with Rajasthan Royals holding the top spot. Here is the updated IPL 2024 points table: Virat Kohli led the run-scorers’ chart with 361 runs from 7 matches, while Yuzvendra Chahal was on top of wicket-takers’ list with 12 scalps from 7 games. Talking about the Gt vs DC game, Pant, who returned to this year’s IPL after surviving a horror car crash, stood unbeaten on 16 after Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk made a brisk 20. The 26-year-old Pant, a left-hand batsman, has scored 210 runs, including two half-centuries, in a boost to his chances of a return to the T20 World Cup in June. India fast bowler Ishant Sharma dismissed captain Shubman Gill for eight in the second over of the match and Gujarat kept losing wickets to some disciplined bowling. The fielding remained impressive after Sumit Kumar sent back Sai Sudarshan for 12 with a direct throw at the non-striker’s end. Pant was nimble behind the stumps and started with a diving catch to dismiss David Miller off Ishant. The wicketkeeper affected two stumpings when his quick work sent back Abhinav Manohar, for eight, and Shahrukh Khan, for a duck in th espace of three balls off South African spinner Tristan Stubbs. Gujarat slipped to 66-7, but Rashid Khan resisted from one end with his gritty 31 off 24 balls before he fell caught behind with Pant taking a regulation catch behind the stumps. Gujarat’s total is the lowest this season in a contrast to some big scores including two record highs of 277 and then 287 by Sunrisers Hyderabad. (With AFP Inputs) Topics mentioned in this article

‘Bholi si surat’: Rohit Sharma laughs at 20-year-old self for ‘struggling’ to get a beard. Watch | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma engaged in a humorous conversation with teammate Romario Shepherd in the MI’s dressing room, where images of the 2007 T20 World Cup final adorned the walls. That was the time when Indian captain Rohit burst onto the international arena. Upon seeing the images, the West Indian all-rounder Shepherd joyfully teased him by saying “Young Ro”.“Small Boy, No Beard. I was struggling to get beard,” Rohit replied.“How old were you there?” Romario asked. “I was twenty”, Rohit answered. In six matches this IPL season so far, Rohit has scored 261 runs at an average of 52.20 and a strike rate of over 167, with a century.Rohit was at his vintage best in the match against CSK, scoring 105* in 63 balls but MI fell short by 20 runs. His knock was studded with 11 boundaries and five sixes.Amid the fall of wickets around him, the former skipper held the fort at one end, blazing away at a strike rate of 166.67. He also became the first Indian to smash 500 sixes in T20 cricket during the match.IPL: Points Table | Orange Cap | Purple CapRohit recently expressed his intention to “extend his career for a few more years,” driven by a strong desire to clinch the 2027 ODI World Cup.Reflecting on the disappointment of the 2023 edition, where victory eluded him due to “just one bad day,” he is determined to seize the trophy in the upcoming tournament.“I haven’t really thought about retirement. But, I don’t know where life takes you. I am playing well at the moment and I am thinking of continuing for a few more years. I really want to win that World Cup,” he said in a YouTube chat show ‘Breakfast With Champions’ that was also attended by British pop singer Ed Sheeran.

Watch: Match referee Javagal Srinath and umpire Nitin Menon explain ‘Smart Replay System’ in IPL | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Javagal Srinath, former Indian cricketer and current match referee for the Indian Premier League (IPL), has hailed the introduction of the innovative ‘Smart Replay System‘ as a game-changer, emphasizing its significant impact on speeding up match proceedings.“Literally we are saving 8-9 minutes per innings. Which is sometimes almost 20 minutes per game,” Srinath remarked, highlighting the efficiency brought about by the new technology.IPL 2024: POINTS TABLE | ORANGE CAP | PURPLE CAPOne of the key issues the system addresses is the contentious decision-making around waist-height full tosses.Srinath explained how the Smart Replay System has provided a solution to this long-standing challenge, enhancing both speed and accuracy in umpiring decisions.Contrary to concerns about technology overshadowing umpires, umpire Nitin Menon emphasized that the system does not render umpires redundant. “Technology is not stopping the umpires from making decisions. They still have to make the decisions,” Menon affirmed, underlining the continued importance of umpires in the decision-making process.WATCH: The Smart Replay System, implemented in the ongoing IPL season, operates by providing TV umpires with direct inputs from two operators of the Hawk-Eye system. These operators, stationed in the same room as the TV umpire, utilize images captured from eight high-speed cameras strategically positioned around the ground.One notable change brought about by the new system is the elimination of the TV broadcast director’s role as a mediator between the umpire and the Hawk-Eye operators. Instead, the TV umpire now directly interacts with the operators, streamlining the decision-making process.Furthermore, the Smart Replay System allows the TV umpire to analyze a wider range of visuals, including split-screen images. Live broadcasts of the TV umpire’s interactions with the Hawk-Eye operators provide viewers with transparent insights into the decision-making process.The enhanced system enables umpires to make more informed decisions, particularly in scenarios such as judging catches near boundary ropes, determining caught behind, leg-before, stumping, or low catches taken inches off the turf. With clearer visuals from multiple angles, the Smart Replay System promises to elevate the standard of umpiring in the IPL and beyond.(With inputs from PTI)

IPL 2024, KKR vs RR: Shreyas Iyer fined Rs 12 lakh for over-rate offence

Danijones7 months ago04 mins

The IPL organisers fined Kolkata captain Shreyas Iyer Rs 12 lakh for maintaining a slow over-rate during their last-ball thriller against Rajasthan at Eden Gardens on Tuesday. Iyer has copped the penalty for the team’s first over-rate offence of the IPL 2024 season. “As it was his team’s first offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to a minimum over-rate offences, Iyer was fined Rs 12 lakhs,” the IPL said in a release. The IPL 2024 match between KKR and RR ended at around 11:35 pm, well past the scheduled finish time. The hot and humid conditions in Kolkata on Tuesday evening did not make it easy and both teams took time because of the thrilling nature of RR’s chase. Jos Buttler battled cramps to hit a match-winning hundred, which is being dubbed as one of the greatest in IPL history. It was not easy for Shreyas Iyer to marshal his troops as Jos Buttler’s threat remained even as the England opener did not fire from the word go. However, Buttler switched to 6th gear in the end overs, single-handedly helping RR chase down 48 runs in the last 3 overs. Buttler remained unbeaten on 107 off 60 balls as RR equalled their own record for the highest-successful chase in IPL history, gunning down 224. IPL 2024 Full Coverage | IPL 2024 Points Table and Standings | 2024 IPL Full Schedule Sunil Narine’s maiden IPL hundred and his heroics with the ball went in vain for the Knight Riders, who missed out on an opportunity to top the IPL 2024 points table. WHAT IS THE OPTIMUM OVER RATE? “The minimum over rate to be achieved in IPL Matches shall be 14 overs per hour (ignoring the time taken by time-outs). In uninterrupted matches, this means that the 20th over should finish within 90 minutes (being 85 minutes of playing time plus 5 minutes of time-out) of the start of the innings. For delayed or interrupted matches where an innings is scheduled to be less than 20 overs, the maximum time of 90 minutes shall be reduced by 4 minutes 15 seconds for every over by which the innings is reduced,” according to the rulebook of the IPL. Notably, Delhi captain Rishabh Pant was fined Rs 24 lakh earlier in the month for two successive over-rate offences. The rest of his teammates were also fined 25 percent of their match fee. Pant is in danger of facing a one-match ban as captains are penalised with a ban for a 3rd over-rate offence in a season. Published By: Akshay Ramesh Published On: Apr 17, 2024 Tune In

When and where to watch Pakistan vs West Indies on TV and online? – India TV

Danijones7 months ago03 mins

Image Source : GETTY IMAGES PAK-W vs WI-W. Pakistan’s quest to remain in the top five of the ICC Women’s Championships 2022-25 brings them against West Indies as the two teams prepare to battle it out in a three-match ODI series starting April 18 (Thursday). Pakistan are fifth on the table and are just above India with 18 points and a net run rate (NRR) of 0.392. Leg-spinner Ghulam Fatima who was involved in a car accident recently has been rested for the series as she continues to recover from minor injuries whereas former skipper Bismah Maroof’s participation is subject to fitness clearance. On the other hand, the West Indies are ninth, having played 12 games in the cycle. The Women in Maroon have only managed to win three of their 12 games and lost seven. Two of their fixtures couldn’t yield a result. Wicketkeeper-batter Sidra Nawaz has been recalled to the ODI squad. She last played in the 50-overs format during South Africa’s tour of Pakistan in September 2023. Where to watch the Pakistan women vs West Indies women ODI series online? The Pakistan women and the West Indies women ODI series will be streamed live on the FanCode app and website. Pakistan women vs West Indies women ODI series schedule: Date Match Venue April 18, Thursday 1st ODI National Bank Stadium, Karachi April 21, Sunday 2nd ODI National Bank Stadium, Karachi April 23, Tuesday 3rd ODI National Bank Stadium, Karachi Pakistan squad for ODI series: Nida Dar (captain), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar West Indies squad for Pakistan tour: Hayley Matthews (captain), Shemaine Campbelle (vice-captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Jannillea Glasgow, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor, Rashada Williams, Kate Wilmott

Pakistan targets right T20 combination against understrength New Zealand | Cricket

Danijones7 months ago07 mins

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan — The 2009 champion Pakistan is aiming to tick all the right boxes in its preparation phase ahead of the Twenty20 Cricket World Cup as it gears up for the five-match series under comeback captain Babar Azam against an understrength New Zealand. Pakistan targets right T20 combination against understrength New Zealand Rawalpindi will host the first three games from Thursday. The remaining two games will be staged at Lahore on April 25 and 27 as both squads build up to the world tournament being staged in the United States and Caribbean in June. HT launches Crick-it, a one stop destination to catch Cricket, anytime, anywhere. Explore now! Babar returns as white-ball captain and will lead the squad for the third successive T20 World Cup. He replaces Shaheen Shah Afridi, who lost to the Black Caps 4-1 earlier this year in his maiden series as Pakistan’s T20 skipper. Babar led Pakistan to the semifinals of the T20 World Cup in 2021 in the United Arab Emirates, where it lost to eventual champion Australia, and also skippered the side beaten by England at Melbourne in the 2022 edition. Fast bowler Mohammad Amir and allrounder Imad Wasim have come out of retirements to give Pakistan plenty of selection options after express fast bowler Haris Rauf was ruled out of the series due to shoulder injury and Mohammad Nawaz was dropped. Selectors rewarded several performers from the Pakistan Super League, including uncapped Usman Khan and Irfan Khan. Usman was banned by the UAE for five years after switching allegiance to his country of birth. He came into contention for Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad after smashing back-to-back centuries for Multan Sultans in the PSL. “We have a very balanced side and we have covered all the aspects of the game in this squad,” said Azhar Mahmood, head coach for the series against New Zealand. “Definitely, with the comeback of Amir and Imad we have an edge and we can use them any time.” Mahmood was appointed on ad-hoc basis as Pakistan is still searching for a long-term head coach ahead of the T20 World Cup. Pakistan is also scheduled to play a three-match T20 series in Ireland next month and another four matches against England are lined up before the team flies out to America. Mahmood said he wants to give clarity of roles to the players during the series against New Zealand and could also rest key players, including Babar, to test the depth of the squad. “Definitely, it is quite possible we might give rest to Babar,” Mahmood said. “It’s the best available talent we have picked. We will see how the series goes and what the conditions are.” The core of New Zealand’s World Cup-bound squad, including captain Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell and Lockie Ferguson, is playing in the Indian Premier League. Also missing from the Pakistan tour will be veteran Tim Southee, who was rested, and Tom Latham was given paternity leave. New Zealand’s squad was further depleted when power-hitter Finn Allen and fast bowler Adam Milne were ruled out because of injuries sustained during a training camp last week. The Black Caps will be led by Michael Bracewell, who hasn’t played an international game since March 2023 after rupturing his right Achilles during the T20 Blast and then breaking a finger. Mark Chapman, who scored 290 runs in a drawn T20 series in Pakistan last year, hoped players such as fast bowler Will O’Rourke and power-hitter Tim Robertson will do well. “Any team that plays for New Zealand is a team that’s extremely proud to be representing our country,” Chapman said. “It’s an amazing opportunity to show the depth that we’re building. Obviously the team generally has been pretty settled, but behind the scenes, there’s a lot of talent. “The young guys like Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke have played this year in test cricket and really impressed. Also, Tim Robertson was outstanding this year in the Super Smash and the guys are really excited because they know that a full-strength Pakistan team.” cricket: /hub/cricket This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.