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IPL 2024: Hardik Pandya’s Mumbai Indians can still qualify for playoffs – Here is how | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago04 mins

NEW DELHI: Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians (MI) are currently struggling in the IPL 2024 standings, occupying the ninth position with six points and a net run rate of -0.356 after winning only three out of their eleven matches. Although their chances of finishing in the top three have diminished, they still have an opportunity to qualify for the playoffs.In their recent encounter against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday, MI suffered a 24-run defeat.To secure a playoff berth, Pandya’s team must win their remaining three matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), KKR, and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), accumulating 12 points from 14 matches.However, their qualification also depends on the results of other teams. MI cannot surpass Rajasthan Royals (RR) and KKR in the standings, as they have already amassed 16 and 14 points respectively after playing 10 matches each. Similarly, they will remain below SRH and LSG, who have already secured 12 points. MI’s only chance of finishing fourth is if LSG loses all their remaining four matches against KKR, SRH, Delhi Capitals (DC), and MI.Furthermore, MI will closely monitor the performance of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), DC, Gujarat Titans (GT), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), hoping that they do not exceed the 12-point mark and maintain a lower net run rate in IPL 2024.In the match between MI and KKR, Mumbai opted to field first. A strong partnership of 83 runs between Venkatesh Iyer (70 off 52) and Manish Pandey (42 off 31) propelled KKR to a total of 169. Jasprit Bumrah’s impressive spell of 3 for 18 in 3.5 overs, including a double-wicket over, was a highlight for MI. In response, MI were bowled out for 145. Starc made a remarkable comeback, claiming 4 wickets for 33 runs in just 3.5 overs, leading KKR to a 24-run victory. Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine also contributed with identical figures of 2/22, taking crucial wickets in the first half of the chase, which put KKR in a commanding position.Following their victory, KKR now hold the second position in the IPL 2024 standings with 14 points, while MI remain in ninth place with 6 points. MI’s next match is against SRH on Monday at the Wankhede Stadium.(Inputs from ANI)

‘It will be tough to refuse ICC events’: Rashid Latif warns India amid doubts over visit to Pakistan for Champions Trophy | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has stated that India will need to provide a “logical answer” to the ICC if they choose not to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy next year. He believes that refusing to participate in an ICC event can have negative consequences for the team. Sources have indicated that Team India may not take part in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, with discussions about potentially changing the venue or adopting a hybrid model. “You can refuse the bilateral series. But it will be tough to refuse ICC events. When ICC chalk out its plan, the teams know where they have to play, like Pakistan knew that they have to go to India to play the World Cup, and contracts are signed accordingly for cricket boards,” Latif said.He further added, “It seems a bit tough to refuse ICC events… In the 1996 World Cup, Australia and West Indies refused to go to Sri Lanka and the entire group changed and Sri Lanka became the champion. This was a very big mistake… If India or Pakistan has signed in, they will have to go for that event. If any circumstances occur on a government level, then you have to provide a logical answer as to why not coming. You can refuse the bilateral series citing the conditions in Pakistan are not right etc etc… In my opinion, refusing an ICC event can backfire.”According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board has suggested to the ICC that India’s qualifying round matches during the Champions Trophy be held in a single city. The PCB has selected Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore as the tournament venues, with Lahore hosting the final match.(Inputs from IANS)

‘Badi jaldi aaya…’: Virat Kohli pulls Shubman Gill’s leg as GT captain visits RCB dressing room before IPL 2024 clash

Danijones6 months ago04 mins

In patchy form currently, Shubman Gill missed out on a spot in the 15-member Team India squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The Gujarat Titans captain was named in the reserves list, losing his spot in the 15-member squad to Rajasthan Royals’ Yashasvi Jaiswal. Virat Kohli makes fun of Shubman Gill. Gearing up for GT’s upcoming fixture against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gill surprised India teammate Virat Kohli, as he appeared early for practice. In a viral video, shared by GT on X, Gill can be seen greeting Kohli and the RCB star jokes, “Badi jaldi aaya practice mei (You came so early for practice)!’ Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India’s general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! Download Now! Their camaraderie and friendship was perfectly visible in the video as Kohli donned the senior role and joked with Gill, who is his junior. Here is the video: In IPL 2024, Gill has managed 320 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 140.96. He is 15th in the Orange Cap race and is not expected to retain it this season. Last year, he won the Orange Cap with 890 runs in 17 matches as GT finished as runners-up. It was a season to remember for Gill as he also smacked three tons and four fifties. But this season, he has only registered two half-centuries and was dismissed for 16 off 19 balls in his side’s previous fixture, which was also against RCB. Kohli’s funny approach could also be an indication as to why Gill was ignored by the selectors for the 15-member roster. Since suffering a bout of dengue in the early stages of the ODI World Cup last year, the opener hasn’t been the same and his captaincy with GT also needs maturity. He was handed the role after Hardik Pandya rejoined Mumbai Indians in a shock transfer prior to the auction last year. Pandya was released by MI in 2022 and joined GT, and he was made captain. He led them to the title in their debut season, followed by a runners-up finish. So, pressure was plenty on Gill, when he took up the responsibility. But he will be disappointed with himself, as GT are currently eighth in the IPL 2024 points table with eight points in 10 games. With time running out, they will be looking to bounce back to winning ways and are currently in a two-match losing streak.

SRH vs RR, IPL 2024: SunRisers Hyderabad Script Nervy One-Run Win Over Rajasthan Royals In Last-Ball Thriller

Danijones6 months ago07 mins

Bhuvneshwar Kumar did the star turn with a sensational final over as Sunrisers Hyderabad pulled off a heist, stunning Rajasthan Royals by just one run in a last-ball thriller to keep their IPL playoff hopes alive on Thursday. Needing two to win off the last delivery, Bhuvneshwar (3/41) trapped Rovman Powell (27) with a full toss to leave RR stranded at 200 for seven while chasing a target of 202. Opting to bat, Nitish Reddy (76 not out) and Travis Head (58) produced explosive fifties, while Heinrich Klassen made an unbeaten 19-ball 42 to power Sunrisers Hyderabad to 201 for three. Things were looking up when Bhuvneshwar removed Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson for ducks in the opening over to leave RR at 1 for 2. However, youngsters Yashasvi Jaiswal (67) and Riyan Parag (77) came up with counterattacking fifties on way to a massive 134-run partnership to lay the foundation of the runchase. But once the duo was back in the hut, Shimron Hetmyar (13) hit a four and a six as it seemed like a regulation chase but T Natarajan got rid off Hetmyar, who perished at long-on and then skipper Pat Cummins removed Dhruv Jurel, who was caught at deep square leg in the 19th over. The sudden loss of wickets gave SRH hope of a turnaround but Powell produced a six in the last ball of the 19th over to bring the equation down to 13 off six balls. The West Indian kept a calm head to bring it down to 2 off the last ball but Bhuvneshwar denied him the glory. Following the win, SRH snapped their two-game losing streak and moved to the fourth spot with 12 points, same as Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, while RR stayed at the top with 16 points. Chasing the total, Jaiswal and Parag were dropped early in their innings and they capitalised on the reprieves to script a quick recovery. Parag broke the shackles in third over when he carted Bhuvneshwar for two fours and a six. Jaiswal then blasted Marco Jansen for two boundaries after Cummins spilled a straight forward catch. Parag, who was dropped on 24 by Abhishek Sharma, hammered Cummins for another maximum, before carting Jansen for two more fours. Cummins finally introduced spin into the attack but Jaiswal smashed Shahbaz Ahmed for a four to complete his fifty. Three balls later, Parag produced a reverse sweep four to reach his milestone in 32 balls. Jaiwal then played a T Natarajan delivery onto the stumps, while two overs later Parag was holed out at long-on. Earlier, Head forged a 96-run stand off 57 balls for the third wicket with Nitish, who also added another 70 off 32 balls with Klassen to take SRH across the 200-mark for the fifth time this season. Head, who was dropped by Parag in the first ball of the innings, hit six fours and three sixes, while Nitish smashed eight maximums and three fours during his brutal assault. Playing his 300th game, Yuzvendra Chahal, who has been picked for the T20 World Cup, was on the firing line as he conceded 62 in his quota of four overs. Avesh Khan (2/39) produced the first breakthrough, having Abhishek (12) caught at deep midwicket. Sandeep Sharma (1/31) then claimed a first-ball wicket, removing Anmolpreet Singh (5) as SRH scored 37 for 2 in the powerplay, their lowest this IPL. The spin duo of Chahal and R Ashwin (0/36), however, disappointed as the batters milked them for runs to set SRH on the road to recovery. Chahal had a horrible night as Head smashed him for two sixes and a four during an 18-run over after he came on to bowl immediately following the powerplay. The leg-spinner was then taken apart by Nitish, who plundered him for two sixes and two fours to accumulate 21 runs. Nitish, who also clobbered Ashwin and Avesh for two maximums, then sent Sandeep sailing over extra cover, while Head pulled Avesh for another six in the 15th over. The Australian, however, played the pacer onto his middle stump as SRH slipped to 131/3. New man Klassen then joined the party, sending Chahal into the orbit with back-to-back sixes. When Trent Boult was back, Klassen picked him for two fours, while blasting another six off Sandeep. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article

Mitchell Marsh Gives Update On His Recovery From Hamstring

Danijones6 months ago06 mins

Australia’s new men’s T20I captain Mitchell Marsh said he hopes to get things right in the next three weeks to recover from hamstring injury and achieve full fitness to be ready in time for the World Cup in the USA and the West Indies, when Australia play their first game against Oman on June 6 in Barbados. Marsh has been out of action since April 3 clash for Delhi Capitals due to a right hamstring strain. He flew back home to Perth from IPL 2024 in India to begin his recovery, with Cricket Australia taking charge of it. Eventually, Marsh was ruled out of DC’s campaign, with them drafting Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib as his replacement. “If we had to play tomorrow, I’d be in a bit of trouble. Still a couple of weeks away (from full fitness). The timing probably sits perfectly, barring no setbacks. I’ll be on the plane, ready to go.” “The hammy is good, it’s coming along really well. It’s pretty much exactly where we want it to be. It’s one of those things. Just got to get it right over the next three weeks and get on the plane,” said Marsh to reporters in Perth on Thursday. The 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup will be Marsh’s first full-time event as Australia’s skipper in the shortest format, after holding the position in an interim capacity. “Just really proud. It’s not every day you get to captain Australia and lead them to a World Cup. That’s very exciting. But I think one of the best things about our team is that there’s a lot of great leaders in our group.” “One of the biggest things I’ve learned is to not change too much. There’s a lot of preparation and planning that goes into a World Cup, and that’ll happen over the next month. But once we get there, it’s keeping everything nice and relaxed, keeping the environment good, and making sure we go out there and give it our all,” he added. Marsh also revealed he’s in constant communication with ODI and Test skipper Pat Cummins, who captained Australia to World Test Championship and ODI World Cup triumphs last year. For the T20 World Cup, Cummins will be playing under Marsh’s captaincy. “We’re always in communication as mates and, I guess, as leaders. But no real conversations around the cricket side of things, just always checking in on each other. We’re great mates so I’m looking forward to working with him over the next period of time.” Marsh signed off by backing the veteran David Warner to come good in Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign in what will also be his event as an international cricketer after retiring from Tests and ODIs earlier this year. Warner is currently recovering from a hand injury while batting in DC’s match against Lucknow Super Giants on April 12. Though he played in the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 20, Warner has been out of action since then. “It’s been a long last hurrah, hasn’t it for Davey? We’re always really excited to have him in the team. Just the experience that he brings.” “I think if we look back at his career. There’s been so many big moments that you need your big experienced players to stand up and Davey has always been one of those. So we’re lucky to have him.” (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article

India’s T20 World Cup 2024 Squad Press Conference Live Streaming: When And Where To Watch?

Danijones6 months ago03 mins

File photo of Rohit Sharma (left) and Ajit Agarkar.© AFP Rohit Sharma, captain of the Indian cricket team, and Ajit Agarkar, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee chief, will address the media on Thursday in a press conference. The captain and chief selector are expected to shed light on the squad selection that the BCCI announced on Tuesday. The apex cricket board of India picked the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, starting June 1. Along with the 15-player list, the BCCI also named a reserve list consisting of 4 players. Hardik Pandya’s selection and appointment as vice-captain is one major topic Rohit and Agarkar will have to reflect on. Press Conference Live Updates Here are the details of the press conference – Watch live here: When will India’s T20 World Cup press conference take place? India’s T20 World Cup press conference will take place on Thursday, May 2, 2024. Where will India’s T20 World Cup press conference be held? India’s T20 World Cup press conference will be held at the BCCI headquarter in Mumbai. What time will India’s T20 World Cup press conference start? India’s T20 World Cup press conference will start at 4:30 PM IST. Which TV channels will telecast India’s T20 World Cup press conference? India’s T20 World Cup press conference will be telecast live on Star Sports. Where to follow the live streaming of India’s T20 World Cup press conference? India’s T20 World Cup press conference will be streamed live on Star Sports’ YouTube page. (All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster) Topics mentioned in this article

Watch: Former Pakistan pacer Umar Gul breaks down revealing retirement reason he didn’t even tell his wife about | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago02 mins

Pakistan‘s former fast bowler Umar Gul broke down while appearing on a TV show when the anchor asked him if there was any such instance in his life that tore him apart.“Yes, it has happened,” said the 41-year-old who played 47 Tests, 130 ODIs and 60 T20Is for Pakistan. He retired from all forms of cricket in October 2020. However, he said that besides being overlooked by the national selectors, there was another reason behind his decision to retire, which he never told even his wife about.WATCH VIDEO “First reason was that I did not get any contract and the second, (which) honestly I haven’t even told my wife about, was one of my friends,” said Gul as his eyes started welling up and voice choked. “We became friends in 2004. (Then) Covid first year (wave), two days before Eid, he was coming from Karachi and had an accident…When he was longer there, I felt I should take retirement,” said Gul, breaking into tears.Gul was a member of the Pakistan team that won the 2009 T20 World Cup. Gul, along with former Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, serves as the bowling coach of the Pakistan men’s team.

‘Some Players Going To T20 World Cup On Reputation’: Ex-India Stars Unhappy Over Rinku Singh’s Snub

Danijones6 months ago03 mins

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on April 30 announced the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup set to be played in USA and West Indies. Among the major snubs from the team was Rinku Singh. The swashbuckling finisher was not picked in the 15-member India squad while he was kept in the list of reserves alongside Shubman Gill, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan. The idea of the selectors dropping Rinku surprised many former cricketers and experts of the game. Rinku made his India debut in a T20I match against Ireland in 2023. So far, he has played 15 matches in the format scoring 356 runs at a strike rate of 176.24. The southpaw played his last T20I match for India in January 2024, against Afghanistan. Former India cricketer Rohan Gavaskar was unhappy with the selection committee’s decision of dropping Rinku, while another ex-India player Virender Sehwag tried to understand the rationale behind the call. “If IPL 2024 is the metric, where has Mohammed Siraj picked wickets for RCB? Suryakumar Yadav… he was always in my team, and he should be there in T20 World Cup too. But even he hasn’t performed (for MI),” said Rohan Gavaskar on Cricbuzz. “Some players are going there on reputation. Like Suryakumar, his reputation is that he is an explosive hitter. Yes, he can have bad days. Rinku Singh is also like him, the difference is that he is young and Suryakumar is experienced. And Indian selectors have preferred experience. Rinku is young, he can play later too,” said Virender Sehwag. “We said after the previous World Cup that Rohit and Virat won’t play in 2024, but this time, I’m sure they won’t play the next,” said Sehwag. India squad for T20 World Cup 2024: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Hardik Pandya (Vice Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj. Reserves –Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan Topics mentioned in this article

‘The carrot’s there…’: Mitchell Marsh on leading Australia to an incredible treble | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Mitchell Marsh, who will lead Australia in their quest for an unprecedented treble of major global titles in the T20 World Cup in June, takes great pride in being the team’s captain.With the squad announced on Wednesday, Marsh was officially named captain, capping an incredible recovery for the reserved all-rounder since his recall in the Ashes last season.Leading the squad to series victories over New Zealand and the co-hosts of the Twenty20 World Cup, the West Indies, the 32-year-old has already proven to be a popular and effective captain.His easygoing style fits in well with an Australian team that has accomplished remarkable things since losing fiery head coach Justin Langer.Marsh claimed that his leadership will not significantly alter despite the selectors’ faith in him.“One of the biggest things I’ve learnt is to not change too much,” he told reporters on Wednesday.“Obviously, there’s a lot of preparation and planning that goes into a World Cup and that’ll happen over the next month.“But once we get there it’s (about) keeping everything nice and relaxed, keeping the environment good.”As a result of his outstanding performances in the Ashes and Australia’s sixth one-day World Cup victory in India last year, Marsh was awarded Australia’s highest cricket accolade in January-the Allan Border medal.With another victory in the United States and the Caribbean, Australia hopes to make history once more by becoming the first country to hold the worldwide T20, one-day, and Test championships simultaneously.Despite being lighthearted during the news conference on Wednesday, Marsh donned a somber captain’s hat in response to a question regarding the triple bid.“It’s not something we necessarily focus on as a group,” he said.“It would never have been done before so that will be special but there’s so many things you’ve got to get through at a World Cup before you can even get a crack at that.“That’s probably for the external noise … but I guess the carrot’s there.”(With Reuters inputs)

Watch: Virat Kohli spotted shopping in Lahore during his U-19 days | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago02 mins

Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) draft schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy reportedly lists Lahore as the venue for all matches of Team India, and while it remains uncertain if the BCCI will get permission to travel across the border for the tournament, fans in Pakistan are already excited about it, especially in anticipation of watching batting legend Virat Kohli play on Pakistan soil. The three venues where PCB is planning to host the two-week tournament are Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.Since the news broke, a video of Virat shopping in Lahore during his under-19 days has resurfaced on social media. Watch Video The video clip dates back to 2006 when the India U-19 team travelled for a bilateral series in Pakistan.Ravindra Jadeja, Cheteshwar Pujara and Piyush Chawla, who can be seen in the video, were also part of the team. If the Indian government allows the team to travel for the 2025 Champions Trophy, it will the first visit by an Indian team to Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup.There is also possiblity of BCCI demanding a hybrid model, which was followed for the Asia Cup hosted by Pakistan last year, when India played all their matches in Sri Lanka.