AB de Villiers

MS Dhoni becomes first player to achieve this massive record in IPL | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: In a historic feat, Chennai Super Kings legend MS Dhoni on Sunday etched his name in IPL annals as the first player to take 150 catches in the history of the tournament.Dhoni, who had 149 wickets to his name before this match, accomplished the feat during the IPL match against Punjab Kings at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.Known for his lightning reflexes and astute wicketkeeping, Dhoni’s achievement underscores his exceptional skill and longevity in the cricketing world.Dhoni’s milestone as a CSK franchise stalwart exemplifies his enduring impact on the game, inspiring generations of cricketers. Dinesh Karthik of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who has taken 144 catches, is second on the list, followed by former RCB stalwart AB de Villiers, renowned for his versatile fielding and athleticism, who took an impressive 118 catches during his career, while his teammate Virat Kohli, who has 113 catches to his name, occupies the fourth spot, and former CSK player Suresh Raina, known for his sharp fielding, rounds off the top-5 list with 109 catches.Most catches by a player in IPL MS Dhoni – CSK – 150 Dinesh Karthik – RCB – 144 AB de Villiers – RCB – 118* Virat Kohli – RCB – 113 Suresh Raina – CSK – 109* (* Players who are no longer playing in IPL)These players have shown exceptional fielding skills throughout their IPL careers, contributing significantly to their teams’ defences. These statistics not only highlight the individual talents of these cricketers, but they also emphasize the importance of fielding in the shorter format of the game.As a high-octane tournament, the IPL frequently sees matches decided by the narrowest of margins, where every catch has the potential to turn the game. These players’ contributions in the field have been as crucial as their performances with the bat or ball, making them integral to their respective teams in the IPL.

“How many IPL hund’How many IPL hundreds you scored’: AB de Villiers slams data-driven pundits for criticising Virat Kohli’s IPL strike ratereds you scored’: AB de Villiers slams data-driven pundits for criticising Virat Kohli’s IPL strike rate | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago06 mins

NEW DELHI: Former South Africa AB de Villiers has strongly criticized cricket analysts who rely heavily on data for their assessment of players. He particularly targeted their criticism of Virat Kohli‘s strike rate outside the powerplay during the ongoing Indian Premier League.Kohli has been in exceptional form this season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, amassing 500 runs at a strike rate of 147 and an impressive average of 77, placing him second on the list of top scorers.Despite Kohli’s stellar performance, he has faced consistent scrutiny for his strike rate against spinners, particularly in the middle overs. However, de Villiers, who previously played alongside Kohli for RCB, disagrees with this assessment.De Villiers hailed Kohli as one of the game’s finest players, emphasizing that it’s unwise for data-driven pundits to critique such a stalwart.“Virat Kohli catching criticism about his strike rate it’s been going on for too long and I am sort of fed up with that now. I am frustrated to say the least. This guy is one of the best players to have ever played the game of cricket. He is incredible in the IPL, he plays a certain role for RCB,” the South African said on his YouTube channel.“I have pretty much enough of data-driven pundits who keep criticising this man (Kohli) when you don’t have the knowledge of the game. How many games you played? How many IPL hundreds you scored?“All the people who talk about strike rates and not playing spin well are the ones talking about this stuff. For me, it’s about winning the games for the team and there is a reason why you have done it for 15 years, you have done this day in and day out, you have won games for your teams.”De Villiers feel Kohli has nothing to prove to anyone, and should just concentrate on his game.“I am quite sure that if you haven’t been been in that situation yourself, to sit and talk about the game, it’s not quite the same thing. For me, people can talk about their assumptions day in and day out but those who have done day in and day out, they know what’s happening and it’s a kind of muscle memory for me now.“His strike rate, by the way, this season is even better than the record-breaking season he had not so long ago (2016 season). So, I don’t know where the criticism is coming from. He is batting like a dream at the moment,” he said.De Villiers’ support came after Kohli had lashed out at his critics following his 44-ball unbeaten 70 in RCB’s nine-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad in their previous game.The former South African batter, however, feels Kohli is best suited at the No.3 position for RCB.“Virat has successfully batted with a proven formula that has brought victories for the team. The rest of the squad — including the coach and captain — need to strategise around Virat’s successful approach. Personally, I still believe Virat is best suited for number three in the batting order.“Though he loves opening and has an incredible record doing so, batting him at three would optimise this team’s lineup with Will Jacks and Faf (du Plessis) opening. Putting Virat at three would give the openers the best opportunity to get off to a fast start,” he added.(With PTI inputs)

Pakistan targets right T20 combination against understrength New Zealand | Cricket

De Villiers slams data-driven pundits for criticising Kohli’s IPL strike rate | Crickit

Danijones6 months ago06 mins

New Delhi, Former South Africa great AB de Villiers has slammed the “data-driven” cricket pundits for criticising Virat Kohli for his strike rate outside powerplay in the ongoing Indian Premier League. De Villiers slams data-driven pundits for criticising Kohli’s IPL strike rate Kohli has been in top form this season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, scoring 500 runs at a strike rate of 147 and an average of 77. He is second in the top-scorers’ list. Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India’s general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! Download Now! Despite that, the former India captain has often been criticised for his inability to take charge against the spinners, especially in the middle overs, something which Kohli’s former RCB teammate de Villiers disagrees. De Villiers termed Kohli as one of the best players to have played the game, saying it was not wise for data-driven pundits to comment on the stalwart. “Virat Kohli catching criticism about his strike rate it’s been going on for too long and I am sort of fed up with that now. I am frustrated to say the least. This guy is one of the best players to have ever played the game of cricket. He is incredible in the IPL, he plays a certain role for RCB,” the South African said on his YouTube channel. “I have pretty much enough of data-driven pundits who keep criticising this man when you don’t have the knowledge of the game. How many games you played? How many IPL hundreds you scored? “All the people who talk about strike rates and not playing spin well are the ones talking about this stuff. For me, it’s about winning the games for the team and there is a reason why you have done it for 15 years, you have done this day in and day out, you have won games for your teams.” De Villiers feel Kohli has nothing to prove to anyone, and should just concentrate on his game. “I am quite sure that if you haven’t been been in that situation yourself, to sit and talk about the game, it’s not quite the same thing. For me, people can talk about their assumptions day in and day out but those who have done day in and day out, they know what’s happening and it’s a kind of muscle memory for me now. “His strike rate, by the way, this season is even better than the record-breaking season he had not so long ago . So, I don’t know where the criticism is coming from. He is batting like a dream at the moment,” he said. De Villiers’ support came after Kohli had lashed out at his critics following his 44-ball unbeaten 70 in RCB’s nine-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad in their previous game. The former South African batter, however, feels Kohli is best suited at the No.3 position for RCB. “Virat has successfully batted with a proven formula that has brought victories for the team. The rest of the squad including the coach and captain need to strategise around Virat’s successful approach. Personally, I still believe Virat is best suited for number three in the batting order. “Though he loves opening and has an incredible record doing so, batting him at three would optimise this team’s lineup with Will Jacks and Faf opening. Putting Virat at three would give the openers the best opportunity to get off to a fast start,” he added. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

Virat Kohli one of the best to ever play cricket: AB de Villiers | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers praised India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batsman Virat Kohli, calling him one of the greatest players in history.In IPL 2024, Kohli is the second-highest run scorer. He played in ten matches and amassed 500 runs at a strike rate of 147.49. In the current T20 tournament, he hit 20 sixes and 46 fours.IPL ORANGE CAP | IPL PURPLE CAP | IPL POINTS TABLEWhile speaking on his official YouTube channel, De Villiers said he is fed up with seeing “data-driven pundits” criticizing Kohli’s strike rate.The legendary Indian batsman was praised by the former Proteas cricket player, who called him “incredible” at the IPL.“Virat Kohli, catching criticism about his strike rate. It’s been going on for way too long and I am sort of fed up with that now. I’m frustrated to say the least. This guy is one of the best players to ever play the game of cricket. He’s incredible in the IPL, he plays a certain role for RCB, and I’ve pretty much had enough of data-driven pundits who keep criticising this man. When you don’t really have knowledge of the game. How many games of cricket have you played, how many IPL hundreds have you scored?,” De Villiers said.In the last game between RCB and GT, Kohli made an impression with his blistering 70*. He was a major factor in Bengaluru’s victory and dismissed the recent discussion regarding his strike rate.During the game, ‘chase master’ Virat Kohli achieved a landmark feat during RCB’s clash against GT.Kohli now stands second in the list after his undefeated performance of 70 runs off 44 balls, struck at a strike rate of 159.09. Kohli achieved 24 half-centuries when chasing a target. Dhawan, with 23 scores of fifty or above, is in third position. While chasing a target, David Warner holds the top spot with 35 half-centuries.The 35-year-old also tied David Warner’s record for the most IPL seasons with 500 or more runs. In an IPL season, Warner and Kohli have both scored 500 runs or more seven times.(With ANI inputs)

‘Please stop wearing that shirt immediately’: AB de Villiers asks RCB’s ‘bad omen’ | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Former South African and Royal Challengers Bengaluru cricketer AB de Villiers has requested former New Zealand and Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Scott Styris to stop wearing the RCB jersey. The Bengaluru-based franchise has been struggling in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, with only two points from seven games, placing them at the bottom of the table. Styris, who has been seen sporting the RCB jersey on match days, is now considered a bad omen for the team. In response to Styris’ post, De Villiers commented, “Please stop wearing that shirt immediately!!!!” Styris, however, has thrown down the gauntlet to De Villiers, declaring that he will stop wearing the RCB shirt for the team’s upcoming matches if the South African legend agrees to wear a Chennai Super Kings shirt once. The former New Zealand all-rounder stated, “I said I would wear the shirt. It has been a bad omen. I am a bad mascot for RCB, which is pleasing from my perspective. So I am prepared to put out a challenge back to AB de Villiers because he says it’s time for me to stop wearing the shirt. I will stop wearing the shirt for RCB matches moving forward if De Villiers wears the CSK shirt once. He is coming back for The Insiders (Jio Cinema’s programme) for the last week of the playoffs.” Former England captain Eoin Morgan, who was part of the show, agreed with Styris that the counter-challenge to De Villiers was ‘fair’.RCB’s latest setback came against Sunrisers Hyderabad, who set a new IPL record for the highest total, amassing 287-3 on Monday. The match also witnessed the highest aggregate for a T20 game, with a combined total of 549 runs. ALSO SEE: IPL 2024 POINTS TABLEDespite valiant efforts from Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Dinesh Karthik, RCB fell short by 25 runs, resulting in their sixth defeat of the season.