Ajinkya Rahane

KKR have themselves to blame for IPL 2025 elimination: Aaron Finch

Danijones3 weeks ago04 mins

Aaron Finch feels that Kolkata Knight Riders have themselves to blame for their exit from the IPL 2025 in the group stages. KKR, who came into the competition as the defending champions, struggled to find consistency, despite retaining most of their core from last season. KKR was in a do-or-die situation after their loss to CSK at home before IPL 2025 was halted for a week and needed a win against RCB at the Chinnaswamy stadium on Saturday, May 17. However, the match got washed out with a delivery being bowled, meaning that KKR’s title defence came to an end. Speaking on Kuhl Fans Match Centre Live on JioHotstar, Finch said that the campaign didn’t start well for KKR and they fumbled the entry point for Andre Russell. The former Aussie skipper felt that the all-rounder wasn’t given enough chances to influence games. “It didn’t start well for them. Andre Russell, being the match-winner that he is and has been for such a long time, was batting too far down the order for much of the tournament. He simply wasn’t given the opportunities to influence games the way he can. They’ve only got themselves to blame,” said Finch. ‘Too many moments where KKR didn’t click’ Finch also pointed out to the CSK loss, saying that it was a game KKR had in their bag before letting it slip away. Finch felt that throughout the campaign, Kolkata failed to click at various moments. They almost kicked themselves after that last game against CSK – it was theirs to win. The match was almost wrapped up, and they still couldn’t cross the line, which turned out to be an incredible win for Chennai. Throughout the season, there were too many moments where KKR just didn’t click,” said Finch. KKR have one match left against SRH on Sunday, May 25 in Delhi. Kolkata has 12 points from 13 matches and will aim to finish on a high. Stay updated on IPL 2025 with India Today! Get match schedules, team squads, live score, and the latest IPL points table for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Plus, keep track of the top contenders for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap. Don’t miss a moment! Published On: May 18, 2025 Tune In

IPL 2024: Must-win game for Chennai Super Kings against Punjab Kings | Cricket News

Danijones1 year ago04 mins

Pacers Pathirana, Deshpande back as Ruturaj’s boys eye revenge against PBKSChennai Super Kings have been far from comfortable playing away from home this season. The reigning champions have won just one of their four matches on the road so far and were outplayed by the opposition in each of the three losses. With time not on their side and the team playing catch-up in the intense playoff race, Ruturaj Gaikwad-led CSK will have to improve their away record, starting with the clash against Punjab Kings in Dharamshala on Sunday.IPL ORANGE CAP | IPL PURPLE CAP | IPL POINTS TABLESuper Kings (10 points from 10 matches) find themselves in must-win territory as they are two points behind Sunrisers Hyderabad (12 points from 10 matches), who occupy the fourth and final knockout spot.A slip-up against Punjab – four days after going down to the same opposition in Chennai – could mean that top-four qualification may no longer be in their hands.Moving into the most crucial phase of the league stage, Ruturaj’s form is a huge positive for CSK. The right-handed opener is on a dream run with five 50-plus scores in his last six outings. While Ruturaj is in glorious touch, he can still improve in certain areas – maintaining consistency away from home, making full use of the Powerplay at a time when his opening partner Ajinkya Rahane is struggling for runs. The fact that the pitches at the HPCA Stadium provide good assistance to the batters should please Ruturaj and Co. After being dominated by spinners Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar, the middle-order batters, especially Shivam Dube, will be eager to exact revenge.CSK are set to be bolstered by the availability of pacers Matheesha Pathirana and Tushar Deshpande, but will be without the services of Deepak Chahar. While Pathirana and Deshpande missed the last game with a niggle and flu respectively, Deepak limped off the field with a groin injury. “Deepak has pulled up with a problem in his leg and is not with us. The Sri Lankan boys (Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana) had to go to get their visas sorted. They did not train on Saturday. Once we see how the conditions are and the balance of the team, we will know (if they play). Tushar seems fine right now,” said CSK bowling consultant Eric Simons.Punjab, who are on a two-match winning streak, will look to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. The change of home venue from Mullanpur to Dharamshala could come as a welcome boost as the free-stroking PBKS batters may be better-suited to the HPCA Stadium pitch.

IPL 2024: Stephen Fleming hoping for a positive report from CSK medical team on Deepak Chahar | Cricket News

Danijones1 year ago07 mins

NEW DELHI: Although seamer Deepak Chahar‘s most recent injury “doesn’t look good,” Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming expressed optimism for a positive report from the team’s medical staff ahead of the ongoing IPL’s business phase.Fleming did not provide any information regarding Chahar’s recent injury, but in just the second ball of the Punjab Kings’ chase in Chennai on Wednesday night, the 31-year-old seamer was seen pulling off his run-up.IPL ORANGE CAP | IPL PURPLE CAP | IPL POINTS TABLEAfter speaking with the physiotherapist and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chahar appeared to be suffering from a hamstring injury. He did not bowl during the remainder of the match.Injuries have plagued Chahar’s career in the past few years, depriving him a berth on the Indian squad.“Yeah, the travelogue is pretty busy. There’s a lot of ins and outs. So, Deepak Chahar doesn’t look good,” said Fleming during the post-match presser.“The initial feeling wasn’t great. So, I’m hoping for a more positive report when the physio and the doctor have a look.”Due to Chahar’s injury, Gaikwad was compelled to insert Shivam Dube, who has mostly been employed as a batter this season, for one over.However, Fleming acknowledged that Dube is not fit for the role in the IPL due to the Impact Player rule after Dube went for 14 in the one over he bowled. Dube will have his opportunity under the right circumstances.“He (Dube) is ready to bowl and is working hard on it. He will play a role in the right conditions, and with the Impact Player rule, we have players who can fit the role better. Currently, his necessity to bowl is pretty much small,” the coach said.CSK suffered a seven-wicket defeat to PBKS, their second loss at home this season, managing a meagre 162 for 7, which was comfortably chased down with 13 balls to spare.Talking about the demanding wicket at Chepauk, Fleming said, “It’s difficult, and we have spoken on the unpredictability of the wickets here before. Batting first makes it difficult for us to judge as to what a good competitive score is.“We had a couple of 200s (before), which was in our minds today. But, the wicket was very sticky.“We also had a good start in the (first) six overs before things became difficult. We also tried a few lefties in the form of Dube and (Ravindra) Jadeja but we just couldn’t get anything through the middle. They bowled really well, they got good purchase and held onto it. We just got stifled through the middle, which prevented us from getting a score of 180,” he said.With a low score to defend, Fleming was impressed with the commitment and performance shown by English pacer Richard Gleeson, who made his debut last night.“Richard Gleeson was good, and it was a positive. Losing Fizz (Mustafizur Rahman) is disappointing.“Tushar (Deshpande) has a bit of flu going around as well. So, we’ve had to make a few changes, which is unusual. Again, that’s part of it, and we have got the resources,” he said.“Just they haven’t had the game time to be really comfortable with their roles and us to be comfortable with a game plan, which we’re struggling a little.”Ajinkya Rahane, the experienced opener, reached double figures despite struggling in the last four games, although he was only able to get a score of 29 off of 24 balls.“I thought he (Rahane) was good today. He’s been probably a bit too aggressive in what he wants to do,” Fleming observed.“Keep in mind, we’re batting on wickets here that we don’t know how they are gonna play. So, we got to take a bit of a pause to see what a good score is. If you are 3 for 30, the game is pretty much over.“His (Rahane) hitting that was so good last year, is more crisp. It’s not for lack of intent. He has doubled up on intent. We’re fine with Jinks and the role he plays.” (With PTI inputs)