Cricket

Will former MI captain play as impact player again vs SRH? – India TV

Danijones6 months ago04 mins

Image Source : PTI Rohit Sharma Mumbai Indians are set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 55th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) today on May 6 (Monday) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The five-time champions are virtually out of the playoffs race but they can certainly spoil the party for the Pat Cummins-led SRH side. Meanwhile, MI’s former captain Rohit Sharma played the previous game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as an impact player due to back spasms. Will he be part of the playing XI for the clash against SRH? Well, the latest update coming from the MI camp is that Rohit is ‘fit and fine’ but it remains to be seen if the management takes precautionary measure keeping in mind the upcoming T20 World Cup. In the pre-match press confernce on Sunday (May 5), Naman Dhir confirmed that the opening batter is fit. Moreover, Rohit Sharma also batted in the nets on Saturday and Sunday and didn’t seem to be in any visible discomfort. If he is fully fit, then the 37-year-old should make it back to the playing XI. Having said that, it also remains to be seen if Jasprit Bumrah, the purple cap holder of IPL 2024, is rested keeping his workload in mind given that MI are only mathematically in race to make it to top four. Interestingly, Hardik Pandya and his men fielded only three overseas players against KKR and even then, they couldn’t make full use of Mohammad Nabi. Squads Sunrisers Hyderabad Squad: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Anmolpreet Singh, Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen(w), Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Marco Jansen, Pat Cummins(c), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan, Jaydev Unadkat, Umran Malik, Mayank Markande, Aiden Markram, Sanvir Singh, Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tripathi, Mayank Agarwal, Upendra Yadav, Jhatavedh Subramanyan, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Akash Maharaj Singh Mumbai Indians Squad: Ishan Kishan(w), Rohit Sharma, Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Nehal Wadhera, Hardik Pandya(c), Tim David, Gerald Coetzee, Piyush Chawla, Jasprit Bumrah, Nuwan Thushara, Shams Mulani, Shivalik Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Romario Shepherd, Mohammad Nabi, Kumar Kartikeya, Luke Wood, Shreyas Gopal, Harvik Desai, Arjun Tendulkar, Anshul Kamboj, Akash Madhwal, Kwena Maphaka

We are focused on following template set by Gambhir: KKR’s Harshit Rana

Danijones6 months ago07 mins

Young pacer Harshit Rana feels Kolkata Knight Riders are reaping the rewards by following the winning template set by two-time IPL winner. File picture | Photo Credit: Deepak K R Young pacer Harshit Rana feels Kolkata Knight Riders are reaping the rewards by following the winning template set by two-time IPL winner and current mentor Gautam Gambhir as they continued their sensational run to grab the top position in the IPL points table. Gambhir had led KKR to the IPL crown twice with the team also qualifying for the playoffs five times during his stint from 2011 to 2017. He had also guided KKR to the finals of the now-defunct Champions League T20 in 2014. However, in the last seven years, KKR could reach the playoffs only twice. Gambhir’s return to the KKR camp as a mentor this year turned things around as the Kolkata-based franchise moved to the top of the table with 16 points following a dominating 98-run over Lucknow Super Giants – 8th win in 11 games – on May 6 “Not only this match, this entire season we have been focussing a lot on the style of cricket that Gautam Gambhir wants us to play. He has a lot of knowledge on how to turn games in our favour and it helps us a lot in the middle,” Rana said during the press conference. “Like today he gave the bowlers a free hand, to find the length to bowl depending on the wicket, and not to try too many things,” he added. Rana (3/24 in 3.1 overs) played a crucial role in the win by taking three wickets while defending a target of 235. “KKR read the wicket very well. The areas we had to bowl, we targeted the right places,” Rana said. IPL’s biggest buy Mitchell Starc has proved expensive this season but Rana said the team management is not at all bothered about his economy rate and has faith on the Australian speedstar. “We have not cared even for a bit on how expensive Mitchell Starc has been in IPL 2024. He have full faith in him and he won us the last game and we have no doubts on him whatsoever. “He has such a great influence on the younger players, he has such a huge wealth of knowledge,” Rana said. Rana said his dream is to play for India and is focussing on his performance. “My aim is to play for India but whatever franchise I play for I try to give my best on the day of the match. I will be selected based on my performance and performance alone,” Rana said. We’d our plans but everything went Narine’s way: Naveen It was yet another sparkling fifty by Sunil Narine (81 off 39) which helped KKR post a massive 235 for six and LSG fast bowler Naveen Ul Haq conceded that all their plans failed against the star West Indian allrounder. “I think he played quite well. We had a plan of bowling bouncers and yorkers and mixing it up and not being predictable against him. We did that but he played quite a brilliant innings to be honest,” he said. “It wasn’t like he was slogging and everything was going top edge or anything like slicing the ball. He was properly middling it and that’s the case like from the beginning of the season. “He’s been middling it. Everything going his way. So yeah, it was a great knock by him.” The Afghan seamer said LSG could have produced a better show with the bat but they can’t dwell on defeat too much as they need to focus on the next game. “The amount of games that we have played in Lucknow, I think this was the best wicket to bat on. We did not do the things in the chase that we did – say in the game at Chepauk, where the target was very high. It was not like bad or anything, there was nothing for the bowlers,” Naveen said. “Pressure is always there on whatever score you are chasing. Every team has a bad day, and we cannot keep focusing on that, we have to move on.”

There’s terror threat to T20 World Cup, reveals Trinidad PM

Danijones6 months ago05 mins

Rohit Sharma was declared the captain while Hardik Pandya will be the vice-captain of India’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. The T20 World Cup, to be co-hosted by the USA and West Indies, has received a terror threat, Trinidad’s Prime Minister said. The tournament features 20 teams, including India. | Photo Credit: PTI The T20 World Cup, to be co-hosted by the USA and West Indies, has received a terror threat, Trinidad’s Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has revealed but asserted that “extra effort in national security preparations and response readiness” will be put in to neutralise the danger. The tournament— featuring 20 teams, including India— is due to start on June 1. As of now, the threat, according to media reports, is specific to the West Indies, which aside from some preliminary matches, will be hosting the entire Super 8 stage along with the semifinals and the final on June 29. “Unfortunately, the threat of terrorism in its many and varied expressions is an ever-present danger in the world of the 21st century,” Mr. Rowley was quoted as saying by ‘Trinidad Daily Express’ here. Mr. Rowley did not specifically name any organisation but reports here stated that the Islamic State made the threat through its propaganda channel. “It is against this backdrop that all nations, like our region, when hosting large or vulnerable gatherings, make an extra effort in national security preparations and response readiness to take seriously, all threats, expressed or implied,” he added. Mr. Rowley said the event, which is scattered across nine venues, six of them in the West Indies, will be closely monitored throughout its duration to ensure there is no security breach. “Given the fact that bad actors can choose to misbehave in any way possible, it makes it virtually impossible to completely seal off all opportunities,” he said. “However, in order to ameliorate these dangers, we at the local and regional levels have remained alert to many threats and singularly or together have our intelligence and other security agencies working to protect the population in countries and at venues throughout the tournament,” he added. The World Cup matches in the West Indies will be held in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago. The U.S. leg will feature games in Florida, New York and Texas. New York will host the marquee India-Pakistan clash on June 9. Reacting to the development, Cricket West Indies said everything is being done to ensure foolproof security at the mega-event. “We work closely with authorities in the host countries and cities, and continually monitor and evaluate the global landscape to ensure appropriate plans are in place to mitigate any risks identified to our event,” CWI CEO Jonny Graves told ‘Cricbuzz’. “We want to assure all stakeholders that safety and security of everyone at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is our number one priority and we have a comprehensive and robust security plan in place,” he added. When the ICC was contacted for a response, its representatives said that their stand is similar to CWI.

T Natarajan to make India comeback? SRH coach makes sizzling prediction after pacer misses out on T20 World Cup squad

Danijones6 months ago04 mins

T Natarajan has been simply sensational in IPL 2024. He is currently Sunrisers Hyderabad’s highest wickettaker this season and is also fourth in the Orange Cap race with 15 dismissals in eight matches. Despite his form, he missed out on a berth in India’s T20 World Cup squad, which surprised plenty of fans. But SRH bowling coach James Franklin feels that the 33-year-old is close to making his India comeback. Sunrisers Hyderabad’s T Natarajan collects a throw.(AFP) Speaking ahead of SRH’s fixture vs MI in Mumbai, Franklin said, “There are just so many quality players in India. He can only control what he can. His great strength is obviously his yorker bowling. That is where he is a huge asset for us as a team.” Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India’s general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! Download Now! “If he keeps going the way he is going and can hold his form throughout the rest of this IPL, those sorts of conversations around India, they tend to take care of themselves. If he keeps performing, then getting back in that Indian side won’t be too far away from it,” he added. Natarajan made his India debut during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He last represented India in a home series vs England in March 2021. He has been in good form this year, and has been injury-free. So the decision to snub him was a huge shock for many fans. The BCCI have also been accused by selection bias for not naming Natarajan in the 15-member squad. Earlier, even former India cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath echoed similar sentiments. “Why do some Cricketers from Tamil Nadu have to perform double time more to get into? They are not getting the extra backing. T. Natarajan should definitely be included in the Indian team for the World Cup,” he said on Star Sports. The pacers to assist Jasprit Bumrah in the T20 World Cup are Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj. Meanwhile, Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed have been named in the reserves. News / Cricket News / T Natarajan to make India comeback? SRH coach makes sizzling prediction after pacer misses out on T20 World Cup squad

On top of IPL standings: Kolkata Knight Riders credit Gautam Gambhir’s winning formula | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago04 mins

NEW DELHI: Young pacer Harshit Rana attributed Kolkata Knight Riders’ surge to the top of the IPL points table to the winning blueprint laid down by former captain Gautam Gambhir, now serving as the team’s mentor. Gambhir’s strategic insights, derived from his successful tenure as KKR skipper, have revitalized the franchise’s performance, leading them to reclaim their dominant form in the tournament.Under Gambhir’s leadership, KKR clinched the IPL title twice and secured playoff berths on five occasions between 2011 and 2017.Rana acknowledged Gambhir’s profound understanding of the game, stating, “He has a lot of knowledge on how to turn games in our favor, and it helps us a lot in the middle.”Rana emphasized the team’s adherence to Gambhir’s preferred style of cricket, which focuses on strategic discipline and adaptability. “Not only this match, this entire season we have been focusing a lot on the style of cricket that Gautam Gambhir wants us to play,” Rana remarked during a press conference following KKR’s commanding victory over Lucknow Super Giants.In the latest triumph, KKR showcased their astute reading of the conditions, with Rana playing a pivotal role in restricting the opposition with figures of 3/24. Despite concerns over Mitchell Starc’s economy rate, Rana expressed unwavering faith in the Australian speedster, highlighting his influential presence within the team. Reflecting on his aspirations, Rana expressed his ambition to represent India while maintaining a steadfast focus on delivering consistent performances for his franchise. “My aim is to play for India, but whatever franchise I play for, I try to give my best on the day of the match,” he affirmed.Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants’ Naveen Ul Haq conceded defeat against the brilliance of Sunil Narine‘s explosive innings, which propelled KKR to a daunting total. Naveen acknowledged Narine’s exceptional batting display, lamenting the failure of their bowling plans to contain the West Indian all-rounder.Despite the setback, Naveen remained pragmatic, acknowledging the need to regroup and refocus for their upcoming fixtures. “Every team has a bad day, and we cannot keep focusing on that, we have to move on,” he concluded, echoing the sentiment of resilience required in the demanding landscape of the IPL.(With inputs from PTI)

“There’s Terror Threat To T20 World Cup”: Trinidad And Tobago PM Reveals; ICC Reacts

Danijones6 months ago05 mins

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has said it is working closely with Men’s T20 World Cup host countries – the West Indies and the USA – to ensure appropriate plans are in place amidst a terror threat to the showpiece event. The men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place in the West Indies and the USA from June 1-29. Reports emerged from various sections in the Caribbean media that the World Cup hosting islands in the region received terror threats from an organisation in North Pakistan. “ICC is working closely with the host countries to ensure appropriate plans are in place. We immediately spoke to the authorities as the reports emerged, and the Cricket West Indies has assured everyone that a comprehensive security plan is in place to address any risk,” an ICC official told IANS when asked about the terror threat to the Men’s T20 World Cup. Dr Keith Rowley, the Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, said to Daily Express that the security agencies are working to combat terror threats to the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. “Unfortunately, the threat of terrorism in its many and varied expressions is an ever-present danger in the world of the 21st century. It is against this backdrop that all nations, like our region, when hosting large or vulnerable gatherings, make an extra effort in national security preparations and response readiness to take seriously, all threats, expressed or implied. “Given the fact that bad actors can choose to misbehave in any way possible it makes it virtually impossible to completely seal off all opportunities. However, in order to ameliorate these dangers, we at the local and regional levels have remained alert to many threats and singularly or together have our intelligence and other security agencies working to protect the population in countries and at venues throughout the tournament,” said Rowley. In the Caribbean, Kensington Oval in Barbados, Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad, Providence Stadium in Guyana, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia and Arnos Vale Stadium, St Vincent will be the hosts for matches of T20 World Cup. In the USA, Eisenhower Park in New York; Broward County in Lauderhill, Florida and Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas, will be the venues. 20 teams will be divided into four groups of five each for the first round. Top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super eight stage. In Super Eight, teams will be split into two groups of four each. Teams seeded first and second in their groups in the first round will retain that seeding in the Super Eight, provided they qualify. A1, B2, C1 and D2 finishers will be in one group, while A2, B1, C2 and D1 will be slotted in the other group. Top two sides from two groups of the Super eight will advance for the semi-finals. The semi-finals will be held in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago on June 26 and 27 respectively. The final will be held in Barbados on June 29. Reserve days are in place for both semi-finals and the final. (This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article

IPL 2024 Playoffs: Exact Results Mumbai Indians Need For Top 4 Finish

Danijones6 months ago04 mins

Hardik Pandya’s MI have 3 wins in 11 matches to their name© BCCI/Sportzpics The Mumbai Indians stare at an early elimination from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, with a solitary defeat keeping them from becoming the first team to exit the playoffs race this campaign. Under Hardik Pandya’s captaincy, the Mumbai Indians have barely clicked as a unit, with below-par performances from established stars, as well as poor leadership costing the team crucial moments in the season so far. With just three more games to go in the league stage of the campaign for MI, all hope is not entirely lost. Mumbai Indians are still within the shout to qualify for the playoffs, though the chances of them finishing as one of the top 4 teams are minuscule. How Can Mumbai Indians Qualify For IPL 2024 Playoffs? Condition 1:First and foremost, the Hardik Pandy-led side has to win all of its remaining three matches in the IPL 2024 league campaign. MI are scheduled to take on the mighty Sunrisers Hyderabad next, with matches against Kolkata Knight Rider and Lucknow Super Giants to follow. All eyes on @KKRiders and the Points Table At the end of Match of #TATAIPL 2024, this is how all teams stand! Predict the final standings after matches of your team pic.twitter.com/LfIvptd6u3 — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 5, 2024 Condition 2: Hope that no other team crosses the 12-point mark in IPL 2024 standings. At present, SRH, LSG and CSK already have 12 points to their name. Hence, at least two of these franchises would need to lose their remaining matches in the league campaign. With KKR and RR already sitting at the No. 1 and No. 2 spots with 16 points each, it is impossible for Mumbai to topple them. In fact, big wins against other teams for KKR and RR would only benefit MI. Condition 3: Mumbai Indians have a Net Run Rate of -0.356 at present. Even if MI win all of their remaining matches, they would need to do that by big margins in order to get into a positive NRR. But, that might not be enough if the NRR of other teams at 12 points is better than MI. Though you never say never in a sport like cricket, it’s fair to assert that Mumbai Indians’ chances of IPL 2024 playoffs qualification don’t instill much hope in the hearts of their fans. Topics mentioned in this article

Virat Kohli: ‘Strike rate is trending in the right direction’: Matthew Hayden on Virat Kohli’s role for T20 World Cup | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago04 mins

NEW DELHI: Australian cricket legend Matthew Hayden has reignited the debate over Virat Kohli‘s batting position, particularly in the context of the upcoming T20 World Cup.Hayden’s comments came in the wake of former India captain Sunil Gavaskar‘s criticism of Kohli’s explosive response to critics questioning his scoring rate in IPL 2024.Kohli played a scintillating performance against Gujarat Titans, where he scored an unbeaten 70 off 44 balls, including a blistering display against spinners.Kohli’s response to criticism regarding his scoring intent in the middle overs has sparked intense debate within the cricketing fraternity.In evaluating Kohli’s potential role as an opener for India in the T20 World Cup, Hayden emphasized the significant improvement in Kohli’s strike rate over the past four IPL seasons. “That strike rate is trending in the right direction, it’s trending up,” Hayden commented on Star Sports. “So 150 for me is kind of that sweet spot that starts in and everyone having conversation well where you bat? Is it three, is it open? You know those first six overs, it doesn’t matter if Kohli is in those first six overs. You know that there’s going to be fireworks.” Hayden highlighted Kohli’s adaptability and aggressive approach regardless of his batting position, particularly in the context of the explosive nature of the first six overs in T20 cricket. He expressed confidence in Kohli’s ability to deliver fireworks irrespective of where he bats in the lineup.Reflecting on the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies, Hayden emphasized the favorable batting conditions and Kohli’s proficiency in capitalizing on such surfaces. He cited Kohli’s outstanding record as an opener in T20Is, including his sensational century in the Asia Cup last year, as evidence of his capability to excel in the role.However, Hayden also acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the conditions in New York, one of the venues for the T20 World Cup, while expressing confidence in Kohli’s adaptability and the firepower of India’s batting lineup.“They’re not so sure about those conditions in New York. I’ve seen that overlaid venue and it looks magnificent. But certainly through the West Indies, they’re going to be benign conditions and Kohli is going to come in and look to strike away knowing that he has a superb batting side that also has a great strike rate,” Hayden added.

Terror threat to T20 World Cup from Pakistan, hosts West Indies assure safety

Danijones6 months ago04 mins

The West Indies, co-hosts of the T20 World Cup, have reportedly received a terror threat from North Pakistan. However, West Indies (CWI), informed the public that all safety precautions have been taken. According to a reliable source familiar with the situation, the Caribbean islands have been alerted to potential terror risks originating from North Pakistan. The T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place in the West Indies and the US from June 1 to 29. The West Indies will host World Cup matches in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. There are also matches in the US cities of Florida, New York, and Texas, although there is no sign of a threat to the games in the United States. The two semifinals will take place in Trinidad and Guyana, with the final scheduled for Barbados. “We are closely monitoring the situation and maintaining close communication with relevant authorities,” stated the source. “Continuous evaluation of security measures is underway to ensure appropriate plans are in place to mitigate any identified risks.” The threat has been attributed to IS Khorasan, adding to the gravity of the situation. The ‘Daily Express’ quoted Trinidad Prime Minister Keith Rowley as saying that security services had procedures in place to deal with any threats to matches. According to the article, “the Barbados regional security officials are monitoring potential threats to the ICC event” as well as that “intelligence of a potential threat to the World Cup has been received through Pro-Islamic State (Daesh) through the media group ‘Nashir Pakistan’.” INDIA’s CT2025 PARTICIPATION? A pivotal question looms over India’s potential involvement in the forthcoming Champions Trophy, set to take place in Pakistan in 2025. Given the heightened security concerns stemming from the northern regions of Pakistan, there arises uncertainty regarding India’s willingness to travel to the host nation. Reports indicate that the threat extends even to the T20 World Cup. In response, the ICC is slated to convene for its Annual General Meeting in July, hosted in Sri Lanka this year. Among the agenda items, deliberations will center on the feasibility of holding the Champions Trophy in Pakistan or relocating it to a neutral venue, with paramount consideration for the safety and security of players. Recently, PCB officials convened with ICC’s General Manager, Wasim Khan, to deliberate on the scheduling nuances of the Champions Trophy, particularly concerning India’s fixtures. As per the proposed itinerary drafted by PCB, all of India’s matches are slated to unfold in Lahore. The rationale behind this concentrated venue allocation is to streamline security measures and logistical arrangements, thereby mitigating potential challenges. Published By: Saurabh Kumar Published On: May 6, 2024

Team India’s ‘leaked’ T20 World Cup jersey sparks massive social media furore

Danijones6 months ago04 mins

With the T20 World Cup scheduled for next month, and fans will be gearing up for a proper cricket extravaganza. The tournament is being co-hosted by the West Indies and US. The BCCI have already announced Team India’s 15-member squad, and there were some surprises. The Team India jersey has been leaked allegedly. Meanwhile, cricket fans are also waiting for the unveiling of India’s official T20 World Cup jersey. Adidas is BCCI’s official kit sponsor, and they have been making different kits for ODIs and T20Is. The ODI jersey is collared, and shows the tiger’s stripes. Meanwhile, the T20I jersey symbolises the Ashoka Chakra, which is in the Indian flat. Both jerseys have stripes on the shoulder. Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India’s general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! Download Now! Recently, a photo went viral on social media, which allegedly showed India’s jersey for the upcoming ICC showpiece event. The alleged leak shows the jersey with tri-colour stripes on a v-shaped neck, and the traditional Adidas stripes on saffron sleeves. Here is the alleged leaked jersey photo: If this is actually the jersey, this will be then considered a huge mishap on BCCI and Adidas’ side, as jersey unveilings are usually filled with suspense. It left social media in a state of meltdown. Reacting to the photo, one fan said, “Not goodd.” Meanwhile, another fan calle it a ‘training kit’. Another fan called it “worst”. Rohit Sharma will be leading the Indian squad in the ICC tournament, and we will also see Rishabh Pant make his international return. The DC skipper has been included in the 15-member squad, having missed more than a year of cricket due to a freak car accident. Sanju Samson is the other wicketkeeper-batter in the squad, with KL Rhaul getting snubbed. Meanwhile, Shivam Dube’s IPL form has made it impossible to ignore him and he is expected to play a key role. The spin department consists of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, who will be assisted by the pace battery consisting of Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj and Hardik Pandya. Also, the reserves list consists of Shubman Gill, Rinky Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan. The Indian batting line-up is also well-equipped, consisting of the likes of Rohit, Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav.