hardik himanshu pandya

IPL 2024: Why MI’s Loss Is Good News For RCBs Playoff Chances?

Danijones8 months ago07 mins

With more than 50 games done in IPL 2024, no team has qualified for the playoffs and – no team is out of the race yet. Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) playoff chances are hanging by a thread after Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Rajasthan Royals by one run on Thursday. Furthermore, MI have continued their dismal IPL 2024 campaign after suffering a 24-run defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday at home. After their eighth loss in 11 games, the five-time champions MI are now on the brink of elimination. The Hardik Pandya-led outfit will need plenty of results to go their way to finish in the top four. Meanwhile, MI’s heartbreaking loss has brought some confidence into the RCB camp considering Mumbai can go up to a maximum of 12 points if they win their remaining three matches, which is daunting. Remaining fixtures of MI May 6: vs SRH, Wankhede Stadium May 11: vs KKR, Eden Gardens May 17: vs LSG, Wankhede Stadium Mathematically, MI are not eliminated from the competition yet and also have an outside chance of qualifying. First things first, Mumbai need to win all their remaining fixtures to stay in the hunt. RR and KKR are already placed at the top with 16 and 14 points respectively and are far from MI’s reach. Technically, MI would need RR and KKR to win all their remaining fixtures to make way for them. The winner of the SRH v LSG clash on May 8 will move to 14 points from the current 12. The winner of the SRH vs LSG game will need to win their remaining three matches and get at least 16 points. The winner of this fixture will also need to win their remaining three fixtures. Whereas, the loser of the game should also lose their next three fixtures and end their season with 12 points. Lastly, none of the teams residing outside of the top four should go past 12 points. In such a scenario, Mumbai might get tied with the other five teams at 12 points each and would need a significant NRR boost to climb up the ladder and seal the fourth spot on the standings. RCB, on the other hand, are currently reeling at the bottom of the IPL 2024 points table with only three wins out of 10 games. However, they have looked in a better position than MI after winning two consecutive away games against SRH and GT. Despite early setbacks this season, RCB still have a mathematical chance to make the playoffs. Their recovery work begins at home against a struggling GT on Saturday and RCB would need to make the most out of the game. Remaining fixtures of RCB May 4: vs GT, Bengaluru May 9: vs PBKS, Dharamsala May 12: vs DC, Bengaluru May 18: vs CSK, Bengaluru Like any other side, who are placed in the bottom half of the points table, RCB also need to win their remaining four fixtures and hopefully, they will make use of the home advantage with three more fixtures to be played at Chinnaswamy. However, for RCB to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs, the simple math is to back the top three (RR, KKR, and either one of SRH/ LSG) to win as many games as possible while the next six sides above them lose just as many so that RCB can finish above them in the standings. Here are a few of the possible ways in which this can be achieved. RCB would want the winner of the SRH v LSG clash on May 8 to win all their remaining matches to cement their spot at three at least. They also want the loser of the SRH vs LSG game to lose their next three fixtures and get stuck on 12 points. MI should win no more than two out of their remaining four league games. GT and PBKS should win no more than two of their remaining four league games. CSK and DC should win no more than one of their remaining league games. RR and KKR should win at least three of their remaining four league games. To sum up, RCB must hope that all the above permutations go their way with the six teams above them suffering heavy defeats while the Royal Challengers themselves must earn handsome wins to grab the fourth spot for IPL 2024 playoffs qualification. Topics mentioned in this article

How Hardik Pandya’s Mumbai Indians Can Still Qualify For IPL 2024 Playoffs

Danijones8 months ago04 mins

In the ongoing IPL, Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians (MI) stand in ninth place with six points and a net run rate of -0356 after winning just 3 of 11 matches in the tournament. After displaying a poor performance in the 17th season of the tournament, MI’s chance to finish the league in the top three has ended, but still, they can qualify for the playoffs. On Friday, the Mumbai-based franchise suffered a 24-run defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2024 at the Wankhede Stadium. Currently, Pandya’s side have six points after playing 11 matches and need to win their upcoming three matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and Lucknow Super Giants to bag six points from these games. 12 points after playing 14 matches will be enough for them to qualify for the playoffs only if the results of other franchises go in MI’s favour. MI can’t end their IPL 2024 run above Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the standings since they already have 16 and 14 points respectively after playing 10 matches. While the Mumbai-based franchise will remain below Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) since they have already bagged 12 points. So, they can only finish in the fourth place only if LSG concede defeat in their remaining four matches against KKR, SRH, Delhi Capitals (DC), and MI. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya’s side will also keep an eye on Chennai Super Kings (CSK), DC, Gujarat Titans (GT), Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and hope that they don’t cross the 12-point mark and have a lower net run rate in IPL 2024. Recapping the match between MI and KKR, Mumbai put Kolkata to bat first, a solid partnership stand of 83 runs between Venkatesh Iyer (70 off 52) and Manish Pandey (42 off 31) guided KKR to 169. For MI, Jasprit Bumrah returned with a double-wicket over before returning with a spell of 3 for 18 in 3.5 overs. In reply, MI were bundled out for 145. Starc made a terrific comeback in the tournament returning with a figure of 4-33 in just 3.5 spells, handing KKR a 24-run victory. Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine both finished with identical figures of 2/22, including some big wickets in the first half of the chase which put KKR on top in the match. Following the win, KKR stand in second place on IPL 2024 standings with 14 points. While MI hold ninth place with 6 points. MI will take on SRH in their forthcoming match on Monday at the Wankhede Stadium. (This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article

Hardik Pandya Has "Lot Of Questions" With MI All But Out Of IPL, Puts Blame On...

Hardik Pandya’s Decisions ‘Baffling, KKR Had No Right To Win’: Ex-IPL Champion Shreds MI’s Dismal Show

Danijones8 months ago05 mins

After the clash between Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, Australia’s World Cup-winner allrounder Shane Watson said that the Kolkata-based franchise didn’t deserve to win the match as they lost the first five wickets very quickly. Riding on an 83-run stand between Venkatesh Iyer-Manish Pandey followed by Mitchell Starc’s pure pace magic KKR registered a 24-run victory against MI at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday. Starc made an extraordinary comeback in the tournament returning with a figure of 4-33. The Knight Riders ended their 12-year wait for a victory at the Wankhede stadium with a 24-run win to edge closer to the playoff spots. Former Australian cricketer asserted that the Knight Riders had no right to win the match after losing the first five wickets so early in the clash against the five-time champion MI. “KKR had no right to win that game tonight after the position they were in five wickets down. It just shows the fight that they have and also just some of the things that happened. Some of the decisions that were made whether that was bowling changes or batting lineup deployment, some of those decisions were very baffling just to really give KKR the upper hand in a game that was just on a knife’s edge at certain times,” Watson, a former IPL champion with Chennai Super Kings, said on Jio Cinema. The 42-year-old further stated that this victory will give the Shreyas Iyer-led side a lot of confidence. “Look that will give KKR so much confidence to know that they don’t have to be at their very best and be in a position where the game was nearly done and they’ve got the fight and determination to find their way to actually get on the right side of the result,” the two-time IPL champion added. Coming to the match, put to bat first, a solid partnership stand of 83 runs between Venkatesh Iyer (70 off 52) and Manish Pandey (42 off 31) guided KKR to 169. For MI, Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers at 3 for 18 in 3.5 overs with two wickets in one over. In reply, MI were bundled out for 145. Starc made a terrific comeback in the tournament returning with a figure of 4-33 in just 3.5 spells, handing KKR a 24-run victory. Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine both finished with identical figures of 2/22, including some big wickets in the first half of the chase which put KKR on top in the match. Following the win, KKR stand in second place on IPL 2024 standings with 14 points. Meanwhile, MI hold ninth place with 6 points by their name. KKR will next take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Sunday. Topics mentioned in this article

“Are Hardik Pandya, Tim David That Bad?”: Virender Sehwag Fumes At MI, Demands Serious Actions

Danijones8 months ago04 mins

Former India batter Virender Sehwag questioned Mumbai Indians (MI)’s tactics during the 24-run defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their IPL 2024 match on Friday. Chasing a below-par 170, Mumbai lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bowled out for 145 off 18.5 overs at the Wankhede Stadium. While analysing the match, Sehwag said he was “baffled” with captain Hardik Pandya and Tim David arriving at No.7 and 8 in the lineup, respectively. Sehwag also posed a similar question for KKR after star all-rounder Andre Russell batted down the order. “KKR saved Andre Russell; he played only two balls. Mumbai Indians saved Hardik Pandya and Tim David. What did you achieve by doing that? There were many deliveries left, and they all got out. You could’ve come earlier, or maybe you could’ve finished the game earlier, too. I don’t know what happens to them when they chase… Hardik Pandya at seven and Tim David at 8. I just don’t understand what they did. Are these players that bad that they will get out if they come earlier?” Sehwag told Cricbuzz. Sehwag also slammed Hardik for batting down the order for MI, and pointed out how the all-rounder used to bat in the top order for Gujarat Titans. He added that the MI owners should take serious actions against the players and management. “Hardik Pandya batted at 4 consistently when he was the GT captain. What has happened here? It baffles me that the experienced players are coming so low. “I’m baffled by this. Management needs to take severe action on players and ask them what’s happening. Or, players should speak up about why their batting positions are changed. The captain, batting coach, bowling coach, and support staff are at fault here. Owners need to ask strict questions,” he added. Speaking on the loss, Hardik said after the game that his team failed to form any needed partnerships, and there are a lot of questions that will take time to answer, but he has not much to say at the moment. “I mean obviously in the batting inning, we couldn’t form partnerships and kept losing wickets, in T20s if you don’t form partnerships, it will cost you. Not much, there are a lot of questions that will take some time to answer but for now, not much to say,” Pandya said in a post-match presentation. Topics mentioned in this article

Irfan Pathan’s Epic Rant Goes Viral. Conclusion: “MI’s Story Ends Here”

Danijones8 months ago04 mins

Following Mumbai Indians’ (MI) loss to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan suggested that there is a lack of respect in the dressing room for captain Hardik Pandya. With eight defeats in 11 matches, Hardik has endured a disastrous first season in IPL as MI captain. Irfan, who has been critical of Hardik since the start of the season, once again questioned the tactics of the MI captain. He pointed out how Hardik gave the ball to Naman Dhir when KKR were tottering at 57/5. Irfan said that Hardik’s decision allowed KKR to rebuild their innings with the help of Venkatesh Iyer and Manish Pandey, who was playing his first game of the season. “Mumbai Indians’ story ends here. This team was so good on paper, but it wasn’t managed. The questions that were raised on Hardik Pandya’s captaincy were absolutely right. When you’ve restricted KKR to 57/5, you didn’t have to give Naman Dhir three successive overs. You had to bring your main bowlers, and you gave your sixth bowler three overs. Manish Pandey and Venkatesh Iyer posted a strong partnership. You could’ve bowled them out on 150 instead you let them score 170,” Irfan said in a viral video. Irfan Pathan exposes Hardik Pandya Captaincy – “Mumbai Indians solid team on paper not managed well by their captain again. This Complete team failure on this loss.” pic.twitter.com/oIdW97Chao — (@rushiii_12) May 3, 2024 Irfan further suggested that the MI players don’t respect Hardik as captain, which has further hampered the team this season. “Captaincy has a big impact in the game. Mumbai Indians don’t look like a united team, and management needs to consider this. Players need to respect and accept the captain, and we didn’t see that on-field. They have to improve in that aspect,” he added. The win helped KKR retain their second position in the table but now with 14 points to their credit from 10 games. Meanwhile, MI remained at the 9th spot with 6 points after playing 11 games. However, mathematically Mumbai Indians are still alive in the race to playoffs. They need to win their remaining three matches and hope for favourable results from other games to end at top 4. MI remaining games are against SRH, KKR and LSG on May 6, 11 and 17, respectively. Topics mentioned in this article

“Virat Kohli Should Open, Rohit Sharma Goes Back”: Ex-India Star On T20 World Cup Combination

Danijones8 months ago03 mins

Ajay Jadeja believes Rohit Sharma should bat at no. 3 and promote Virat Kohli.© BCCI Former all-rounder Ajay Jadeja believes that India skipper Rohit Sharma should push himself to the number three spot and promote Virat Kohli to the opening position during next month’s T20 World Cup in the Americas. India announced their 15 for the marquee tournament earlier this week and will open their campaign against Ireland on June 5. “For me, Virat Kohli opens. Who goes back? Rohit Sharma bats at three. He gets a little cushion and gets to understand the game, he has so much going on, in his mind as a captain,” Jadeja told Jio Cinema. “If you have Virat in your side, you know consistency is the one thing you will get, so, might as well use him. He’s best at the top and the powerplay allows him to settle in,” he added. Jadeja backed the selection of a currently off-colour Hardik Pandya in the squad, describing him as special. “The spotlight is on him for obvious reasons. He’s a special player, a rare commodity you find in our country where somebody bowls seam-up and can make it to the side with his batting,” he said referring to the furore caused by his elevation to Mumbai Indians captaincy replacing Rohit. Pandya, who is enduring a poor run in the IPL, will be Rohit’s deputy during the T20 World Cup. “The selection has not been on form, there’s no doubt about it. It depends on how you want to play. It’s one of the things I look at this team and think they don’t have many options. “You have established players in the side, everybody is so solid with the numbers that they play at, and what stage they play. It will all depend on what Rohit thinks,” Jadeja said. (This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article

Hardik Pandya Has “Lot Of Questions” With MI All But Out Of IPL, Puts Blame On…

Danijones8 months ago04 mins

All but out of play-off contention after eighth defeat in 11 games, Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya seemed as if he was groping in the dark for replies to all the unanswered questions hounding the five-time champions in yet another disastrous IPL season. Pandya was handed over the captaincy after the franchise removed national captain Rohit Sharma, something that the fans didn’t really embrace with the colourful Baroda all-rounder being booed every time he entered the pitch. “There are a lot of questions that will take time to answer. But for now, not much to say. Obviously, we couldn’t form partnerships and kept losing wickets. Bowlers did a fantastic job on this track,” Pandya said after his team failed to score 170, losing to KKR at home for the first time in 12 years. Pandya felt that it was better to bat late evening once dew set in but MI failed to capitalise. “The wicket got better if I’m not wrong. Dew came in the second innings. Will go through the game and see what we can do better,” he said. Pandya tried to put up a brave front as he spoke about fighting till the last match. “You keep fighting, that’s what I keep telling myself. It’s challenging, but you take the challenges.” His opposite number Shreyas Iyer was delighted that his team is on the cusp of a play-off berth. “We are (knocking at the door) at the moment. Lot of thinking would have gone behind that (had we lost today). Just got to know about the stat (of KKR not winning at Wankhede for 12 years)… ” The “Impact Player” rule did help KKR as Manish Pandey, who came in at the fall of the fifth wicket, contributed 42 priceless runs. “This Impact Player rule specifically helped us in this game. Manish has being eyeing an opportunity from the first game. We got to a commendable total. I told the boys that if we have got here, we can defend it,” Iyer said. He was all praise for the performances from spin twins Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine, both of whom returning with identical figures of 2 for 22. “Spinners were unreal, absolutely spot on in executing their lines and lengths as discussed in team meetings. Kudos to them,” Iyer said. (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 Squad Press Conference Live Updates: Ajit Agarkar To Face Tough Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh Questions

Danijones8 months ago01 mins

India T20 World Cup squad selection: Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar in press conference© X (Twitter) India T20 World Cup squad press conference Live Updates: Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar will address the media at 4:00 PM IST 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, picking the 15-member roster for the T20 World Cup 2024. Along with the 15-player list, the BCCI also named a reserve list consisting of 4 players. India T20 World Squad Selection Press Conference: Topics mentioned in this article

“Not The Right Time To…”: Hardik Pandya’s Intriguing Captaincy Take On MI Loss

Danijones8 months ago04 mins

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya was once again at the losing end as Rajasthan Royals all but secured their progression into the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs with a thumping 9-wicket win. Hardik, who has been in the spotlight ever since he took over the franchise’s reins from Rohit Sharma, admitted that the team hasn’t been good enough in any of the three departments of the game. As mistakes as a batting unit, bowling unit, and in the field continue to cost Mumbai Indians important games, Hardik admitted it’s time to accept flaws and work on them. (IPL 2024 Points Table) “We put ourselves in trouble early on. The way Tilak and Nehal batted – that was fantastic. I don’t think that when we lost a couple of wickets early we thought we would even reach 180. We didn’t finish well and that’s why we were 10-15 runs short. We had to keep it within the stumps (while bowling). Early on in the powerplay, we gave a lot of width and I don’t think it was our best day in the field as well. Overall, we did not put the right foot in the park and eventually, they outplayed us,” Hardik said in the post-match presentation ceremony. There remain certain individuals in the game who are yet to fire this season. But, Hardik doesn’t believe in singling out players and talking to them individually. The MI skipper continues to believe in the professionalism that the players have and is hoping to see them rectify their mistakes themselves. “After the game, it’s not the right time to go to the players, everyone is professional, they know their roles. What we can do is learn from this game and the mistakes which we have made, rectify it and make sure that we don’t make it. Progression is very important. Within the team, individually, we will have to accept our flaws and maybe work on those,” he explained. Though Mumbai have lost their 5th game in 8 matches, Hardik continues to believe in the team that has been picked. He all but ruled out making big changes in the playing XI as the franchise enters a do-or-die stage in the campaign. “I don’t believe much in chip and chop, I like to back players and the focus would always be to play good cricket, sticking to our plans and making sure that we don’t make the basic errors. Cricket is simple, as long as we keep it simple, it’s nice,” he concluded. Topics mentioned in this article

“Lack Of Faith, Lack Of Skill”: Irfan Pathan Tears Into Hardik Pandya’s Captaincy

Danijones8 months ago8 months ago07 mins

Mumbai Indians captain and all-rounder Hardik Pandya was put to sword by fans and former cricketers after yet another underwhelming show in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Hardik faced brutal criticism from prominent former players lost the high-profile encounter against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday. Hardik, who bowled the last over the innings, was ripped apart by the 42-year-old MS Dhoni, conceding 20 runs in the final 4 balls. His decision to bowl at the absolute end has been questioned by many, including former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan. (IPL 2024 Points Table) Booed and heckled by fans ever since he took over MI’s captaincy, Pandya found himself in the line of fire. Hardik was openly criticised by Irfan who put big question marks on the decision-making that the former Gujarat Titans skipper brings to the ground. It was the 26 runs that Pandya conceded in the final over with Mahendra Singh Dhoni going hammer and tongs, which proved to be decisive as Chennai Super Kings notched up a 20-run win over MI. Irfan feels the decision to bowl himself over Akash Madhwal shows lack of faith on the latter. Hardik Pandya bowling the last over showed the lack of faith on Akash madhwal’s bowling and his own lack of skill as a death over bowler. — Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 14, 2024 The likes of Sunil Gavaskar and Kevin Pietersen also questioned Hardik’s captaincy in the match. “Oh, absolutely ordinary bowling, ordinary captaincy. They should have been restricted despite the fact that Ruturaj Gaikwad had batted so well along with Shivam Dube. I do believe that they should have been restricted to 185-190,” Gavaskar said. “Probably the worst kind of bowling that I’ve seen for a long, long time,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports during the innings break after CSK posted 206 for 4. “It almost looks like I’ve had this embrace with my hero. I’ve got the kind of deliveries that he’s gonna hit for sixes. One six is fine. The next one is a length ball when you know this batter is hunting for a length ball that he wants to hit. “Third ball is again a full toss on the legs when you know he (Dhoni) is looking for a six.” Pandya finished with figures of 2 for 43 from his four overs and also had a tough time with the bat, managing a mere two runs off six balls at a crucial juncture of the game as MI ended at 186 for six despite a fine 63-ball 105 by former skipper Rohit Sharma. Pandya has faced fans’ ire right from the first match and even at the Wankhede Stadium, boos have followed him, forcing Rohit (against Rajasthan Royals) and Virat Kohli (in MI’s game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru) to ask the crowd to calm down a bit. Pietersen feels the outside noise is taking a toll on the flamboyant all-rounder. “I actually think, with Hardik Pandya, everything away from the game is affecting him so much. He’s smiling too much when he does the toss. He’s trying to act like he is so happy. He is not happy. I have been there. I have been in the firing line. And I can tell you now, it affects you. “The boos we have been hearing just now and I know they are happy to see former CSK captain (Dhoni), the lion, smacking him (Hardik) all over the park, it hurts you. Because he has emotions. And he is an Indian player and he doesn’t want to be treated like this. So when this is happening, it’s affecting him, it’s affecting his cricket and something needs to happen.” The 43-year-old former batter also wondered why Pandya didn’t use his spinners when the pacers were being targeted by CSK batters. “What I saw this evening wasn’t good enough. I saw a captain that had plan A from a team meeting that was five hours ago and a captain that didn’t want to go to plan B when he should have gone to plan B. “Like how on this Earth have you not bowled a spinner when your seamers are going for 20. Brian Lara said can we please bowl a spinner? Somebody needs to bowl here. You need to change the pace of the game.” MI will next take on Punjab Kings on April 18 in Chandigarh.