Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings, IPLT20, Today Match Prediction

Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings, IPLT20, Today Match Prediction

𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 :​​​​ Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 : March 30, Sunday 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 : 17:30 PM IST 𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐄 : Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, India 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 : Indian Premier League, 2025 Must-win game for Rajasthan Royals after back-to-back losses  Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings TV channels: The fans can watch the match live on Hotstar Live Streaming: Live streaming of the match will be available on the FAFA191 Cricket Exchange India and website. RR vs CSK Match Prediction & Analysis We are over with the first round of games in the Indian Premier League 2025. The Rajasthan Royals will be under immense pressure as they face the Chennai Super Kings in the 11th game of the season. In their last game, the Royals suffered a crushing defeat against the Kolkata Knight Riders. The Chennai Super Kings also went down against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the last game and shall look for a strong comeback.   The Rajasthan Royals’ bowling attack has been all over the place in two games. They haven’t troubled the batters, lowering their confidence in the camp. The side must get its acts together in this game. The Chennai Super Kings have a strong bowling attack and depth in the batting. The Royals must win here to regain their confidence, and it will be interesting to see if they are up for the task.  TEAMS PREVIEW Rajasthan Royals Preview Riyan Parag and his team will face the heat headlining into their 3rd game.  The team has suffered big losses in its two games and went down by 8 wickets against the Kolkata Knight Riders. The bowling attack looks rusty, and this will be a massive challenge for the team against the Super Kings’ batting depth. Parag must inspire confidence in his players and win here to earn their first points.    Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal didn’t look at their best in the last two games, and the onus will be on them to deliver a good start. The middle order packs a punch, and the team needs a good show from Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Nitish Rana. Wanindu Hasaranga, Dhruv Jurel, and Shubham Dubey can hit the ball cleanly, and they will look to add quick runs.   The bowling attack will be under pressure after ordinary performances in back-to-back games. Fazalhaq Farooqi, who replaces Jofra Archer, must bowl a good spell with Maheesh Theekshana. Hasaranga must bring his experience to play and do well in the middle overs with Parag and Sandeep Sharma. The side will also expect a good show in the supporting role from Nitish Rana and Tushar Deshpande. Chennai Super Kings Preview Ruturaj Gaikwad’s side suffered an uncharacteristic loss in their last game against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The team went down by 50 runs after their strong batting lineup failed to deliver the goods. Gaikwad would like to put this loss behind and come up with a strong show in this game. Their opponents are struggling, and CSK will look to exploit this weakness.   Rachin Ravindra and Rahul Tripathi will look to take on Rajasthan’s new-ball attack, which has struggled so far. The middle order failed in the last game, and the team expects partnerships between Ruturaj Gaikwad, Deepak Hooda, and Sam Curran. They have depth in the batting and shall expect quick runs from Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, and Ravichandran Ashwin in the lower middle order.   The bowling attack didn’t use the conditions well in the last game, and the team needs early strikes from Khaleel Ahmed and Ravichandran Ashwin. Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran must keep things in check in the middle overs. Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube, and Noor Ahmed add depth to the attack. Weather Conditions We expect clear skies over Guwahati. The batting surface will be flat, where batsmen can play their strokes. There is a hint of slowness on this track, which offers an advantage to the spinners. The average first-inning score has been around 173 runs, and the team batting first would be happy to have 190 runs on the board. RR vs CSK Pitch Report Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, is large and not the easiest venue for scoring big. Fast bowlers get assistance from the surface early in the game. Batsmen who build their innings have done well. Spinners, who turn the ball sharply, have done well at this venue. Toss: To Bowl The conditions are challenging for the batsmen in the first 10 overs but ease in the second half. The side chasing the score has won the last two games easily. Dew also plays a role in the evening when bowling gets tougher. The side winning the toss would look to bowl first on this track.

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Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, IPLT20, Today Match Prediction​

Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, IPLT20, Today Match Prediction​

𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 :​​​ Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 : March 28, Friday𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 : 19:30 PM IST𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐄 : M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, India​𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 : IPLT20 2025​ Chennai Super Kings have lost just one game out of nine against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Chepauk.  Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru TV channels: The fans can watch the match live on Hotstar Live Streaming: Live streaming of the match will be available on the FAFA191 Cricket Exchange India and website. CSK vs RCB Match Prediction & Analysis Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lock horns in what promises to be a thrilling battle at the MA Chidambaram Stadium for match eight of IPL 2025. Both teams head into this clash with confidence after securing wins in their opening games. While CSK have often had the upper hand in past encounters, RCB appear more well-rounded this season. Expect a high-intensity showdown with both sides pushing for an early edge in the tournament. TEAMS PREVIEW Chennai Super Kings Preview Chennai Super Kings (CSK) kicked off their IPL 2025 campaign with a solid win over long-time rivals Mumbai Indians. Playing on a typical slow Chepauk surface, their spinners kept MI in check, limiting them to 155-9. The chase wasn’t without hiccups, but CSK reached the target with four wickets in hand and five balls remaining. Rachin Ravindra anchored the innings with a composed 65 off 45 deliveries, while skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad provided early momentum with a brisk 53 off 26. Apart from their contributions, the batting lineup struggled, yet the team managed to get the job done. CSK will once again count on strong starts from Rachin and Gaikwad. Gaikwad, in particular, has a great record at Chepauk and will be counted on to deliver.  Shivam Dube is expected to take on RCB’s spinners in the middle phase, while Vijay Shankar could be considered in place of Deepak Hooda to stabilize the middle order. Royal Challengers Bengaluru Preview Royal Challengers Bengaluru made a strong statement in their season opener, pulling off a convincing win against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders on their own turf. They kept KKR to 174-8 and then chased it down comfortably in 16.2 overs, losing only three wickets along the way. Bengaluru delivered in all departments, with Philip Salt (56 off 31) and Virat Kohli (59* off 36) putting on a batting masterclass at the top to make things easy in the chase. Rajat Patidar played his part as well, smashing 34 off just 16 balls to seal the victory. Their top order looks solid with Kohli, Salt, Patidar, and Liam Livingstone, while Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, and Krunal Pandya provide depth in the middle and lower order. Josh Hazlewood could be a game-changer for RCB this season. The Australian pacer was outstanding against KKR, picking up 2-22, and will enjoy bowling at Chepauk. Krunal Pandya’s 3-29 played a decisive role in the previous match, making him a key asset on slower tracks. RCB will also count on Suyash Sharma, Livingstone, and Yash Dayal to pick up wickets in the middle overs. Weather Conditions Chepauk will offer a spin-friendly surface as we saw in the first game here, which becomes slower in the second innings. Batters will look to maximize the powerplay overs because once the ball loses its shine, it will start to turn and grip more. Spinners will have a field day and are likely to bowl the maximum number of overs.  The weather in Chennai will be hot and humid but clear. CSK vs RCB Pitch Report Chepauk’s average first-innings score is 159. In the first match of IPL 2025 played at the venue, MI scored 155-9 after batting first, and CSK chased the target down in 19.1 overs with four wickets in hand. Expect another slowish surface with plenty of assistance to spinners. The team batting first will target a score of around 170-180 to feel confident. Toss: To Bat Batting first is usually the better option at Chepauk, unless the team is bundled out for a below-par score. The wicket slows down over time, making it harder to chase later in the game.

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Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians, IPLT20, Today Match Prediction

Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians, IPLT20, Today Match Prediction

𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 :​ Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 : March 23, Sunday𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 : 19:30 PM IST𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐄 : M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, India 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 : 3rd IPLT20 2025 Mumbai Indians have struggled against Chennai Super Kings in recent matchups, losing four of their last five encounters.  Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians TV channels: The fans can watch the match live on Hotstar Live Streaming: Live streaming of the match will be available on the FAFA191 Cricket Exchange India and website. CSK vs MI Match Prediction & Analysis IPL’s 18th edition gets underway Saturday night amid growing fan enthusiasm. But the real fireworks start Sunday when Mumbai Indians clash with Chennai Super Kings in what many consider the marquee matchup of the early schedule. Each squad will be desperate to start strongly in this high-stakes rivalry match, as both cricket franchises are aiming to break new ground by securing what would be a record sixth IPL title for either organization. RECENT PERFORMANCE TEAMS PREVIEW Chennai Super Kings Preview Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will step into IPL 2025 with a revamped squad, a composed leader in Ruturaj Gaikwad, and a determination to get back to their best. The five-time champions fell short of a playoff spot last season and will be eager to turn things around. Gaikwad will anchor the batting lineup, bringing an impressive IPL track record—2380 runs in 65 innings at an average of 41.75 and a strike rate of 137. With two centuries and 18 half-centuries to his credit, he will be expected to set the tone at the top. Rachin Ravindra, who has been in excellent form, is likely to get the nod ahead of Devon Conway and open alongside Gaikwad. However, Gaikwad’s T20 strike rate of 131.90 compared to Ravindra’s 140.46 suggests a more measured approach early on, increasing the responsibility on the middle order to push the scoring rate. Mumbai Indians Preview Mumbai Indians, tied with Chennai Super Kings as the most decorated team in IPL history, head into the 2025 season determined to bounce back from a tough campaign last year. Led by Hardik Pandya, they will be chasing a record-extending sixth title with a squad that blends experienced names with exciting new additions. The team will be looking to put past struggles behind them and make a strong push for success. The franchise kept its core intact with Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Tilak Varma. They also made big moves in the Jeddah auction, bringing in Will Jacks from England, Trent Boult from New Zealand, South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton, and experienced spinner Mitchell Santner. For their opening fixture, MI will be without Pandya due to a slow over-rate suspension from last season. Suryakumar Yadav will step in as captain. Although his recent numbers haven’t been great—averaging under 30 in his last 17 T20 innings for India—his ability to turn games around remains unquestioned. A strong performance here could put him back in form. Weather Conditions Chepauk is usually known to be a spin-friendly surface which becomes slower in the second innings. However, looking at the last season here, the pitch tends to stay flat throughout, and dew probably won’t affect how the game unfolds. The weather in Chennai will be hot and humid but clear. We will get a full game.  CSK vs MI Pitch Report Chepauk’s average first-innings score is 159, but recent seasons have seen a shift toward higher totals. In IPL 2024 alone, four scores crossed the 200-run mark at this venue. With the pitch favoring batters more than before, teams setting a target will likely aim for a competitive total in the range of 190-200 runs to feel confident. Toss: To Bat At Chepauk, teams that win the toss often choose to bat first. The wicket slows down over time, making it harder to chase later in the game. By setting a competitive total early, teams can take advantage of the deteriorating conditions and make life difficult for their opponents.

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IPL valuation rises to $16.4 billion in 2024, Chennai Super Kings remain most valued franchise: Report | Cricket News

IPL valuation rises to $16.4 billion in 2024, Chennai Super Kings remain most valued franchise: Report | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: The value of the Indian Premier League (IPL) increased by 6.5 per cent, reaching USD 16.4 billion (approximately Rs 1,34,858 crore) in 2024, as reported by American investment bank Houlihan Lokey.The brand value of the lucrative T20 league saw a 6.3 per cent rise, climbing to USD 3.4 billion (around Rs 28,000 crore) year-on-year.The increase in IPL’s value is driven by a significant title sponsorship agreement with Tata Group, spanning five years from 2024 to 2028, worth roughly USD 300 million (Rs 2,500 crore). The Tata Group is paying about 50 per cent more than the previous deal of Rs 335 crore per season.“This significant investment, coupled with last year’s massive media rights auction, underscores the IPL’s status as a pivotal platform for esteemed brands seeking to enhance their value,” the report highlighted.Beyond major events like the Olympics, FIFA World Cup, and Cricket World Cup, the IPL is unique in its ability to engage over a billion people globally, extending its appeal beyond the Indian subcontinent.Brand value encompasses the monetary worth of intangible assets, including trade names and trademarks.Harsh Talikoti, Senior Vice President, Corporate Valuation Advisory Services, Houlihan Lokey, said “Today, the IPL commands widespread recognition, firmly entrenched as a household name with a robust brand recall among successive generations.” According to the report, IPL has been evaluated both as a legal business entity and as a brand. The assessment considered the standalone income and cash-generation potential of the IPL.The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) remain the most valued IPL franchise, while the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) experienced the highest annual growth.“There has been a significant increase in franchise revenue over the years, primarily driven by revenue from television rights, despite each team having sponsorship revenue ranging from USD 5-12 million. A major agreement was signed by Qatar Airways for around USD 9 million (Rs 75 crore) for a three-year contract with Royal Challengers Bengaluru,” the report said.Ranking second in terms of brand and business value is the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) with a worth of USD 227 million, followed by the Mumbai Indians (MI) with a brand value of USD 204 million.Rajasthan Royals (RR) secured the fifth position with a brand value of USD 133 million.“RR also had the majority of sponsors on their roster renewing their association, showcasing its attractiveness as one of the fastest-growing brands within the IPL ecosystem. These factors helped RR jump two places to the fifth spot,” it said.Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), with a brand value of USD 132 million, stands sixth on the list.“Having done exceptionally well at the auction and developing a new squad under the leadership of Pat Cummins, SRH managed to pick the stars of the recently concluded World Cup that contributed to the franchisees’ great performance,” the report said.Delhi Capitals, benefiting from the return of its captain and most marketable asset, Rishabh Pant, ranked seventh with a brand value of USD 131 million.The Gujarat Titans are ranked eighth with a brand value of USD 124 million. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings (PBKS) hold a brand value of USD 101 million, and Lucknow Super Giants have a brand value of USD 91.0 million, the report concluded.(With inputs from PTI)

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Rs 135, 000 Crore: Report Claims IPL's Business Value, Says MI Not Most Valued Team, It Is...

Rs 135, 000 Crore: Report Claims IPL’s Business Value, Says MI Not Most Valued Team, It Is…

The IPL 2024 was huge success for Kolkata Knight Riders, with the Shah Rukh Khan-owned franchise winning its third title. IPL, overall as an entity, has grown manifold financially too in the past one year. Houlihan Lokey, a global investment bank, in its latest report has said that IPL’s business value grew by 6.5 per cent while its brand value increased by 6.3 per cent over the past one year. The report also said revealed the IPL franchises’ brand value and surprisingly the star-studded Mumbai Indians or Royal Challengers Bengaluru are not the most valued team.    “Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI), the global investment bank, today issued the 2024 IPL Brand Valuation Study, its comprehensive report into the business enterprise and brand values of the Indian Premier League (IPL),” a press release from the bank said. “According to the report, the value of IPL as a business has surged to US$16.4 billion, up by 6.5% (INR 135,000 crores), reflecting the continued strength and global appeal of the league. The stand-alone brand value of the IPL has increased by 6.3% to US$3.4 billion (INR 28,000 crores), over the past year.  “The title sponsorship for the IPL has been secured by the Tata Group for a further five-year period, from 2024 until 2028, for approximately US$300 million (INR 2,500 crores), paying approximately 50% more than the previous deal of INR 335 crores per season. This, along with last year’s media rights auction, reinforces the IPL’s status as a pivotal platform for esteemed brands seeking to enhance their value.”  The Report added that the most valued IPL franchise is Chennai Super Kings.  “In terms of valuation, despite failing to make it to the playoffs in 2024, with a brand value of US$231.0 million, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) continues to be the most valued franchisee, achieving a growth of 9% from the previous year. IPL 2024 winners, Kolkata Knight Riders, saw the highest growth, with a 19.30% rise from 2023,” the release stated.  Five-time champions Mumbai Indians are not even in the top three, when it comes to brand value, the report added.  “Ranked second in brand and business value, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) boasts a staggering brand worth of US$227.0 million. Winners of the TATA IPL 2024, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has replaced Mumbai Indians to secure the third place in brand value with US$216.0 million. “Mumbai Indians (MI), which is another immensely successful and popular team, closely trails in fourth place on the table with a brand value of US$204.0 million. With the return of its legacy player and new captain Hardik Pandya, MI has solidified its status as one of the most evolving franchisees in IPL history, paving a path to player trades,” the report said.  Topics mentioned in this article

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T20 World Cup: India wait on Shivam Dube to deliver on big stage | Cricket News

T20 World Cup: India wait on Shivam Dube to deliver on big stage | Cricket News

Big-hitter has struggled to get going so farNEW YORK: There aren’t too many areas that may concern India as they go into their game against the United States, the form of Shivam Dube being an exception. T20 WORLD CUP: SCHEDULE | POINTS TABLEBut then, the pitch at the Nassau County Ground hasn’t been batter-friendly and the big Chennai Super Kings basher hasn’t exactly been brought into this World Cup to play sheet anchor.But what should be a real worry for the team management was the sitter that Dube dropped off Mohammed Rizwan on Sunday at fine-leg, a spill that came close to taking the game away from India.It smacked of self-doubt. Is there a lack of confidence that is hurting the 30-year-old, who has struck a bit of a lean patch since his name was announced for the T20 World Cup? He struggled in the back-end of the IPL and now with the World Cup moving into higher gear, the man with long levers has to step up.What exactly is prompting captain Rohit Sharma to persist with the Mumbai cricketer? From the few interactions that he had with the media in New York, it seems quite evident that the skipper, after the disappointment of the ODI World Cup final, has come here with some set plans.Prime on his agenda is “flexibility in the batting lineup”, whereby no one else other than Virat Kohli and Rohit himself, has a fixed slot. “I have told them that it will be a case of horses for courses. Barring the opening slot, anyone can come anywhere,” Rohit said.He walked the talk in the Pakistan game, when Axar Patel was sent ahead of Dube, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja. The move did pay dividends, to an extent.The two players who can replace Dube in the XI – Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson – are primarily top three batters and Rohit, probably, is a little reluctant to curtail his flexibility.The second important factor, which Rohit prefers to keep a secret, is his plan for the West Indies, where India will play from the Super-8s. As per the skipper’s calculations, the spinners will call the shots in some of the Caribbean venues and that’s where a batter like Dube might be the most dangerous.His monstrous hitting against slower bowlers was one of the talking points of the first phase of the IPL and Rohit, one feels, is trying his best to build Dube’s confidence.In India’s nets sessions at Cantiague Park, another important aspect is the amount of bowling that Dube has done. Owing to the ‘impact sub’ rule, he didn’t get too many chances to bowl his medium-pace in the IPL, but the team management wants to keep him ready as a back-up option for Hardik.“Four allrounders (Hardik, Axar and Jadeja being the three others) allows the team to have a lot of flexibility. I have a lot more options to choose from, which is very important in today’s T20 cricket,” Rohit had said.It’s this template that the skipper has set in his desperation for the elusive ICC silverware that is helping Dube’s cause for the time being.One feels he will get a little more time – specifically the games against USA and Canada – to hit some form so that India can stick to the plans and push for ultimate glory.

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Watch: After delivering just six balls in IPL 2024, Shivam Dube the bowler gets guidance from Rohit Sharma for T20 World Cup | Cricket News

Watch: After delivering just six balls in IPL 2024, Shivam Dube the bowler gets guidance from Rohit Sharma for T20 World Cup | Cricket News

He may have bowled just six deliveries for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the just-concluded season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), but India captain Rohit Sharma is probably looking to utilize all-rounder Shivam Dube‘s seam-up skills more often in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Team India had its first training session in the US on Thursday, ahead of their only warm-up fixture against Bangladesh on June 1 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, followed by the campaign-opener agaist Ireland on June 5 at the same venue. ALSO SEE: T20 World Cup Schedule An interesting note from India’s practice was the sight of Dube getting guidance from Rohit on the lengths to bowl, while the right-arm medium-pacer bowled to his skipper in the nets.Interestingly, Dube was asked to bowl just a solitary over by CSK in the 14 matches he played during IPL 2024, which concluded on May 26. Dube took wicket in the over while conceding 14 runs.WATCH VIDEO OF INDIA’S TRAINING SESSION CSK’s strategy for utilizing Dube revolved exclusively around his batting skills, asking the tall man, who bats left-handed, to go after spinners in the middle overs, which Dube did successfully. On the expectedly slow, spinning tracks in the West Indies, India may also be inclined to follow that. Dube scored 396 runs in 14 innings during IPL 2024 with a highest of 66 not out and strike rate of 162.30. He hit three half-centuries. However, Rohit may not be looking to use Dube as a batsman alone as India eye ending an 11-year wait for another ICC trophy.

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Ruturaj Gaikwad's Honest Revelation On Captaining MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja In IPL 2024

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Honest Revelation On Captaining MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja In IPL 2024

Ruturaj Gaikwad with MS Dhoni in IPL 2024© BCCI/Sportzpics It could become difficult for a young player to lead a team that has veterans like MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ajinkya Rahane. Yet Ruturaj Gaikad impressed many with his leadership qualities as he led the Chennai Super Kings squad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. It was right before the start of the tournament that CSK announced a captaincy change, with Dhoni passing on the baton to Gaikwad. When the CSK skipper was asked about the difficulty in leading such players, he gave an honest response. “I felt good right from the start (of the tournament). I am very approachable for all teammates whenever needed and they always support the team in whatever way the team requires,” Gaikwad said of the captaincy challenge, to Times of India. “I wouldn’t say it’s difficult as all of them are very understanding. All the senior players that are a part of the team are great to be with. Their experience always helps with match situations,” he added. Gaikwad also displayed a similar calm and composure on the field that people have seen from MS Dhoni for years. The CSK captain revealed that ‘being neutral’ is something he learned from Dhoni, and now he doesn’t get too excited about wins, or too low about losses. “Being neutral is something that I have learnt from Mahi bhai. Not getting too excited about anything or being down by anything is the right approach that I have picked up,” Ruturaj said. “While batting irrespective of being captain or not, my approach is always the same. Doesn’t really change a lot. You cannot plan to become leaders so being good team players and putting the team first will always stand a good chance to be one,” the CSK skipper explained. Topics mentioned in this article

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Did MS Dhoni's 110m Six End Up Costing CSK A Spot In IPL Playoffs - Explained

Did MS Dhoni’s 110m Six End Up Costing CSK A Spot In IPL Playoffs – Explained

Dinesh Karthik did admit that RCB got a bit lucky after MS Dhoni hit the ball outside the stadium.© BCCI Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) scripted one of the finest comeback stories ever in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Saturday, beating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a must-win game to qualify for the playoffs. The Faf du Plessis-led side were destined to finish at the bottom of the points table after losing seven of their first eight matches of the group phase. However, a run of six wins on the bounce sees them steal a playoffs spot from defending champions CSK. RCB had problems a plenty in the first half of the campaign but after six wins on trot, they head into the playoffs as the team to beat. On Saturday, Yash Dayal was the star of the show as he successfully defended 17 runs in the last over. Despite conceding a six off the very first ball, Dayal dismissed CSK icon MS Dhoni on the very next ball to switch the momentum back in RCB’s favour. He then conceded just one run off the next five balls, sparking massive celebrations inside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. RCB star Dinesh Karthik did admit that his side got a bit lucky after Dhoni hit Dayal for a six. For the unversed, Dhoni launched the ball outside the stadium and since it wasn’t retrieveable, the umpires had to get a replacement ball, which was much dryer and easier to grip. “The best thing to happened today was Dhoni hitting the six outside the ground. We got a new ball which was much better to bowl with,” Karthik during his dressing room speech. With their win over CSK, RCB joined Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the playoffs. While it was ecstasy for RCB, the legion of fans of Dhoni sank into despair as it could potentially be the last time they witnessed their ‘Thala’ perform on a cricket field. RCB head into the playoffs as the most in-form team with five wins on the bounce. No other team has managed to stitch as many wins on the bounce this season. They will either face RR or SRH in the Eliminator on Wednesday. Topics mentioned in this article

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Ambati Rayudu Says "CSK Should Give One IPL Trophy To RCB", Gets Brutal Reply. Watch

Ambati Rayudu Says “CSK Should Give One IPL Trophy To RCB”, Gets Brutal Reply. Watch

Ambati Rayudu and Varun Aaron discussing RCB’s win over CSK© Twitter Royal Challengers Bengaluru registered a massive victory over Chennai Super Kings to become the fourth team to book their spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs. RCB went into the match with a win needed to guarantee their Top 4 spot and the Faf Du Plessis-led side was able to clinch the game by 27 runs. Celebrations erupted in the stadium right after the victory with the players also taking part in them to the extent that MS Dhoni left without shaking hands after waiting for some time. Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu trolled RCB’s celebrations and joked that CSK should give them one of their trophies. “RCB have already won the IPL. The way they celebrated last night. There are on their way and the whole streets of Bengaluru is filled with RCB fans,” Rayudu said on Star Sports. Rayudu’s former teammate Varun Aaron came up with a hilarious taunt. “Just pure CSK. Just not able to digest the fact that they have lost,” Aaron interjected. However, Rayudu continued to speak about RCB’s celebrations after the match. “CSK should give one of their trophies to RCB and they can parade it around Bengaluru,” he countered. “He’s just not able to digest the fact that RCB knocked out CSK,” Aaron replied. Ambati Rayudu – RCB should win the IPL. We saw what was the reaction in the streets of Bengaluru, in fact CSK should give one of their trophies to RCB He also wants RCB to lose against SRH in Eliminator Varun Aaron – he’s just not able to digest the fact that RCB knocked out CSK pic.twitter.com/lZdBePSzPf — Sachin (@Sachin_1_0) May 19, 2024 Meanwhile, RCB captain Faf Du Plessis dedicated his Man of the Match award to pacer Yash Dayal. “I dedicate this Man of the Match to Yash Dayal. The way he bowled was unbelievable. For a man who’s fairly new, he deserves it. [on what he told Dayal before the last over] Pace off is the best option on this pitch and trust your skills and enjoy, this is what you trained for. The yorker did not work the 1st ball and he went back to pace off and it worked unbelievably well,” Faf said after the match. Topics mentioned in this article

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