Indian Premier League

Gautam Gambhir regrets infamous ‘aggressive’ acts in his IPL career: ‘I’ve done some things I shouldn’t have done’

Danijones11 months ago11 months ago05 mins

Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir made some honest admissions while recalling his time as captain in the Indian Premier League. Gambhir led Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils) and Kolkata Knight Riders in the cash-rich league and won the two titles leading the Purple and Golden outfit. The former Indian star was known for his aggressive leadership and leading his team from the front. Gautam Gambhir led KKR to two IPL titles as captain.(PTI) Gambhir never shied away from arguing with opposition players and was involved in a few heated altercations, including one with Virat Kohli, which grabbed the limelight. The 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI WC finals hero reminisced his time as captain and admitted that he did some things during his career which some things he shouldn’t have done. “Sometimes you need to have an aggressive approach as a leader if you want your team to be aggressive. Sometimes you need to do things you didn’t want to. When I look back at my career, I have done some things I shouldn’t have done. But I believed if I didn’t get aggressive and didn’t lead by example, my team won’t play aggressively,” Gambhir told Sportskeeda. The two-time IPL-winning skipper further asserted that a player should be judged only for his on-the-field activities or behaviour, but everyone should keep in mind the player’s off-the-field things too. “I feel every player and every leader has the right to express themselves on the field. A player should not be judged just by how he is on the field, but how he is off it should also be looked at,” he added. Gambhir player for KKR in IPL from 2011 to 2017, which is considered the golden period of the franchise. During this period, the team won the IPL twice, qualified for the playoffs five times, and reached the finals of the Champions League T20 in 2014. He rejoined the franchise ahead of the 2024 edition as the team mentor, and his inclusion in the team management changed their fortunes once again, as KKR are currently sitting at the top of the points table with one foot in the playoffs. In a conversation on Star Sports, KKR co-owner and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan expressed his sheer joy at having Gambhir back in the KKR family, and how pivotal he is to the team’s success. “He’s trying to free him up a bit. He’s (Gambhir) been with us for 8 years, and God willing, for the next 20 years. The great thing about Gautam Gambhir being back with us is that I never felt like he left us. You know, there are some friendships that remain intact no matter what. Whether he’s in our team or mentoring someone else, there’s never any animosity or competition with him,” Shah Rukh said.

‘It’s for MS Dhoni…’: Preity Zinta speechless as Punjab Kings home venue turns yellow for CSK legend | Cricket News

Danijones11 months ago02 mins

NEW DELHI: There was a sea of yellow at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala as fans wore yellow jerseys to cheer for the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni during the Punjab Kings’ home game on Sunday.And when Shardul Thakur was cleaned up by Harshal Patel, the picturesque Dharamsala stadium seen buzzing with the chants of Dhoni, Dhoni as the talisman made his way to the middle. The crowd hoped for a thrilling display and powerful hits from the legendary cricketer, but their excitement was soon dashed when Dhoni was dismissed for a golden duck as Harshal’s slower yorker deceived Dhoni and knocked over his stumps.This marked the first time in IPL 2024 that Dhoni left the field without scoring.Chennai Super Kings secured a 28-run victory in the match. Following the game, Punjab Kings co-owner Preity Zinta held a question-and-answer session on social media that had an indifferent query from a fan. A fan asked: “Your franchise should conduct some activities to lure home fans more to the stadium because yesterday at Dharmasala is full of ?? yellow. #advice #pzchat”.To this, Preity replied: “It’s for Dhoni and what can I say … everyone loves him.” Chennai Super Kings are third in the points tally with 6 wins in 11 matches. They will next face Gujarat Titans on May 10.

‘100-200 zyada lelo par next IPL…’: Fan’s special request for CSK legend MS Dhoni | Cricket News

Danijones11 months ago02 mins

NEW DELHI: In what is rumoured to be his last Indian Premier League season, the MS Dhoni mania continues to grow along the length and breadth of the country.Whereever Dhoni has gone to play for Chennai Super Kings this season, his fans and supporters have gathered in huge numbers across stadiums to catch a glimpse of their cricketing idol. And to go with that, there have also been requests from fans, asking the 42-year-old to continue playing for another season.The requests have even spread to non-CSK matches, where Dhoni fans have showered love for him in different ways, using placards and slogans. One such unique request came from a fan during the Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders game. Playing their last game of the season, a LSG fan requested skipper KL Rahul to ask Dhoni to play another season. “Rahul bhai, Dhoni sir se kahdo, 100-200 zyada lelo par next IPL season khel lo,” the fan’s placard read. In the 11 matches played in the season thus far, Dhoni has delighted fans with quite a few incredible cameos at the death having hit the ball at a strike rate of over 224. Dhoni has only been dismissed a couple of times this IPL season. With 6 wins and 5 losses in 11 matches, the defending champions currently sit at the 3rd spot on the points table.

‘The one who completes me’: Jasprit Bumrah’s heartfelt birthday note to wife Sanjana Ganesan | Cricket News

Danijones11 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah took a break from the rigors of the IPL to celebrate a special occasion, penning a heartfelt note for his wife, Sanjana Ganesan, on her birthday.In a touching gesture shared on social media, Bumrah expressed his love and appreciation for his wife, emphasizing her role in completing him and making the world a wonderful place. “Happy Birthday to my person, the one who completes me and with her by my side the world is a wonderful place. Angad and I wish you have the best birthday, with lots of love and cuddles from us,” Bumrah wrote, accompanied by a beautiful photo. Amidst Bumrah’s personal celebration, the Mumbai Indians find themselves in a precarious position in the ongoing IPL 2024, battling to salvage their pride after a disappointing season. With eight defeats in eleven matches, including four consecutive losses, Mumbai Indians languish at the bottom of the tournament table, struggling to replicate their past successes.Despite the team’s struggles, Bumrah has been a standout performer, leading the Mumbai Indians’ bowling attack with distinction, claiming 17 wickets in 11 matches at an impressive average of 16.11. However, Mumbai Indians’ reliance on Bumrah underscores the collective underperformance of their star players, contributing to their dismal season.In contrast, Sunrisers Hyderabad, currently positioned at No. 4 with 12 points in 10 matches, are poised for a playoff berth, rejuvenating their campaign with promising performances. As they face off against Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad aim to further solidify their playoff aspirations, presenting a formidable challenge to their opponents.

‘Maaro bhai, dono maarenge…’: Rishabh Pant recalls special IPL moment with Sanju Samson | Cricket News

Danijones11 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant recalled an IPL 2017 moment with his former teammate Sanju Samson, who now leads the Rajasthan Royals. During an interaction on Jio Cinema, Pant shared a light-hearted moment from the past where Samson inquired about their game strategy while playing for the Delhi franchise together, against the Gujarat Lions, led by Suresh Raina at the time. Pant revealed their on-field chemistry by quoting what he told Samson, “We had a great chemistry together. Sanju came asked what would be the gameplan. I said, ‘Maaro bhai, dono maarenge (Let’s hit, brother; we’ll both strike).’” The two cricketers, Pant and Samson, have been in the limelight for their consistent performances in the ongoing IPL and have been selected for the upcoming T20 World Cup. There is a possibility of seeing them bat together for the national team, which would be an exciting prospect for cricket fans.ALSO SEE: IPL 2024 SCHEDULELooking ahead, the Delhi Capitals, under Pant’s leadership, are set to clash with Samson’s Rajasthan Royals in the 54th match of the ongoing IPL 2024 season in Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday. This encounter is crucial for both teams as they aim to secure their positions in the league standings. As of now, Rajasthan Royals have slipped to the second spot on the points table after a recent victory by Kolkata Knight Riders over Lucknow Super Giants. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals are placed sixth, having accumulated 10 points from 11 matches. Both teams are eager to improve their standings, and the upcoming match is expected to be a high-stakes battle.

MS Dhoni: ‘Come on mate, bat for four overs’: Irfan Pathan questions MS Dhoni’s batting position in IPL 2024 | Cricket News

Danijones11 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan expressed bewilderment at Chennai Super Kings’ decision to persistently utilize veteran batter MS Dhoni in a lower batting order position, despite his solid form and the team’s fluctuating match situations.During CSK’s encounter against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala, Pathan observed Dhoni entering the fray as low as No. 9, with just eight balls remaining in their innings, a move that left him perplexed.“I know that he is 42, but he is in solid form. He should be taking the responsibility of batting up the order. He should bat for at least four to five overs,” Pathan remarked on Star Sports.Pathan emphasized the need for Dhoni to assume a more prominent batting role, particularly earlier in the innings, rather than being confined to a brief cameo in the final overs. “He is batting for the last over or last 2 overs and that doesn’t serve the purpose for CSK for a long term,” Pathan added.Dhoni’s dismissal for a golden duck further underscored the questionable decision-making regarding his batting position. Pathan highlighted the significance of Dhoni’s contributions, especially in critical match scenarios, urging CSK to reassess their strategy and optimize Dhoni’s batting potential.Acknowledging Dhoni’s impact in previous matches, Pathan stressed the necessity for a proactive approach in utilizing his expertise, especially considering CSK’s playoff aspirations. “When the team needed him, you can’t send Shardul Thakur ahead of yourself. They need to work out something; someone has to tell Dhoni, ‘Come on mate, bat for four overs’,” Pathan added.

T Natarajan to make India comeback? SRH coach makes sizzling prediction after pacer misses out on T20 World Cup squad

Danijones11 months ago04 mins

T Natarajan has been simply sensational in IPL 2024. He is currently Sunrisers Hyderabad’s highest wickettaker this season and is also fourth in the Orange Cap race with 15 dismissals in eight matches. Despite his form, he missed out on a berth in India’s T20 World Cup squad, which surprised plenty of fans. But SRH bowling coach James Franklin feels that the 33-year-old is close to making his India comeback. Sunrisers Hyderabad’s T Natarajan collects a throw.(AFP) Speaking ahead of SRH’s fixture vs MI in Mumbai, Franklin said, “There are just so many quality players in India. He can only control what he can. His great strength is obviously his yorker bowling. That is where he is a huge asset for us as a team.” Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India’s general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! Download Now! “If he keeps going the way he is going and can hold his form throughout the rest of this IPL, those sorts of conversations around India, they tend to take care of themselves. If he keeps performing, then getting back in that Indian side won’t be too far away from it,” he added. Natarajan made his India debut during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He last represented India in a home series vs England in March 2021. He has been in good form this year, and has been injury-free. So the decision to snub him was a huge shock for many fans. The BCCI have also been accused by selection bias for not naming Natarajan in the 15-member squad. Earlier, even former India cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath echoed similar sentiments. “Why do some Cricketers from Tamil Nadu have to perform double time more to get into? They are not getting the extra backing. T. Natarajan should definitely be included in the Indian team for the World Cup,” he said on Star Sports. The pacers to assist Jasprit Bumrah in the T20 World Cup are Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj. Meanwhile, Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed have been named in the reserves. News / Cricket News / T Natarajan to make India comeback? SRH coach makes sizzling prediction after pacer misses out on T20 World Cup squad

On top of IPL standings: Kolkata Knight Riders credit Gautam Gambhir’s winning formula | Cricket News

Danijones11 months ago04 mins

NEW DELHI: Young pacer Harshit Rana attributed Kolkata Knight Riders’ surge to the top of the IPL points table to the winning blueprint laid down by former captain Gautam Gambhir, now serving as the team’s mentor. Gambhir’s strategic insights, derived from his successful tenure as KKR skipper, have revitalized the franchise’s performance, leading them to reclaim their dominant form in the tournament.Under Gambhir’s leadership, KKR clinched the IPL title twice and secured playoff berths on five occasions between 2011 and 2017.Rana acknowledged Gambhir’s profound understanding of the game, stating, “He has a lot of knowledge on how to turn games in our favor, and it helps us a lot in the middle.”Rana emphasized the team’s adherence to Gambhir’s preferred style of cricket, which focuses on strategic discipline and adaptability. “Not only this match, this entire season we have been focusing a lot on the style of cricket that Gautam Gambhir wants us to play,” Rana remarked during a press conference following KKR’s commanding victory over Lucknow Super Giants.In the latest triumph, KKR showcased their astute reading of the conditions, with Rana playing a pivotal role in restricting the opposition with figures of 3/24. Despite concerns over Mitchell Starc’s economy rate, Rana expressed unwavering faith in the Australian speedster, highlighting his influential presence within the team. Reflecting on his aspirations, Rana expressed his ambition to represent India while maintaining a steadfast focus on delivering consistent performances for his franchise. “My aim is to play for India, but whatever franchise I play for, I try to give my best on the day of the match,” he affirmed.Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants’ Naveen Ul Haq conceded defeat against the brilliance of Sunil Narine‘s explosive innings, which propelled KKR to a daunting total. Naveen acknowledged Narine’s exceptional batting display, lamenting the failure of their bowling plans to contain the West Indian all-rounder.Despite the setback, Naveen remained pragmatic, acknowledging the need to regroup and refocus for their upcoming fixtures. “Every team has a bad day, and we cannot keep focusing on that, we have to move on,” he concluded, echoing the sentiment of resilience required in the demanding landscape of the IPL.(With inputs from PTI)

Mohammed Siraj’s form crucial for RCB: Griffith | Cricket News

Danijones11 months ago05 mins

BENGALURU: It wasn’t a typical M Chinnaswamy stadium strip on Saturday night — the wicket was two-paced, and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru‘s bowling too wasn’t akin to their display in the Indian Premier League thus far.Their bowling attack, pace in particular, was characterised by discipline, lengths were rarely off the mark and the lines spot on.Most importantly, their lead bowler, Mohammed Siraj, was back in the groove, tormenting the hapless Gujarat Titans batters in the powerplay.Siraj was dropped for the run-fest against Sunrisers Hyderabad last month and the 10-day break seems to have rejuvenated the 30-year-old. The World Cup-bound pacer has found his rhythm and although RCB are seventh on the points table with three games in hand, it isn’t out of place for them to fancy an outside chance of making the playoffs.In the last two wins — both coming against Gujarat — the bowling in powerplay has been the key for Faf du Plessis and his men. Admitting that the team has been able to address the problem area, Adam Griffith, the RCB bowling coach, said, “The start of the tournament wasn’t great for us, especially in the powerplay and that is something we focused a lot on recently to make sure we work really hard to get better starts. It was good to see the hard work pay off.”Siraj, at the start of the day, was a doubtful starter.“I wasn’t feeling well. When I woke up in the morning, I thought I wouldn’t be able to play and should rest. But I manifested what I wanted to do and that’s exactly what happened,” he said after the four-wicket win.The Bengaluru-based franchise headed to Goa for a break after their nine-wicket win over the Titans in Ahmedabad last week and the rest seemed to have worked well for the team.Outlining the shift in the bowling approach, Griffith revealed, “We’ve swung the ball all tournament upfront. What we’ve done in the last couple of games is we’ve bowled a better line. We talked a lot about bowling straighter and attacking the stumps as much as we can to challenge the batters’ defence and make them play aggressive shots. If they want to come hard at us, it’s a challenge for them to do. The boys put it exactly where we wanted them.”While RCB’s spin attack is undercooked and the pacers have been under the pump, Griffith said Siraj’s form was crucial for the team.“He’s the leader of our group. He’s our most experienced bowler and played a lot for India over the last few years and done really well. It’s not just him bowling well but it’s his aggression, it’s his body language and it’s his taking the batters on to try and get wickets. He’s such an important part of what we’re trying to do. So, having him up and going, swinging the ball again, bowling with good pace is important,” pointed out the 46-year-old.

IPL: Rohit Sharma’s form a concern for India and Mumbai Indians ahead of Sunrisers Hyderabad clash | Cricket News

Danijones11 months ago05 mins

MUMBAI: In an IPL where arguments and counterarguments about Virat Kohli’s strike rate have hogged the limelight, the patchy form of Team India captain Rohit Sharma has flown under the radar.Going into the T20 World Cup next month, Rohit is aware that he could do with some runs and time in the middle under his belt, starting with Monday night’s tie for the Mumbai Indians against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium.When he was removed from MI captaincy before this season, head coach Mark Boucher had hoped that the decision would allow Rohit, who was in fine touch going into IPL, to “play more freely and take his team to the playoffs.”However, things haven’t exactly panned out the same way for the man who led MI to five IPL titles, but whose IPL form has been a concern for a few years now owing to his tendency to be over-aggressive from ball one. Since he slammed a century (105 not out off 63 balls) — his first in the IPL in more than a decade — against the Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on April 14 in a 20-run defeat — Rohit’s scores have been 36, 6, 8, 4 and 11. Before that, his sequence of scores in the tournament read 43, 26, 0, 49 & 38. Overall, the 37-year-old has managed 326 runs in 11 [email protected] so far in IPL-2024.In his last match against Kolkata Knight Riders, Rohit didn’t even field due to a mild back issue and only came to bat as an ‘Impact Player.’There is a fair chance that given that the T20 World Cup is around the corner, the veteran opener would again turn out for MI as an ‘Impact Player’- ironic since he himself has been critical of the rule!At the selection presser, India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar had made it clear that his committee pitched in for “experience” while picking the World Cup-bound squad, but Rohit’s poor IPL form does present a concern. If Rohit finds his form, it will help MI, down and knocked out of the competition, salvage some of their battered pride. Although they lost their first eight matches on the trot in 2022, this somehow feels the worst season for MI in their history. Having suffered as many as eight defeats — four on the trot going into this game — in 11 matches, they languish at the last spot in the 10-team tournament.While rumours and talk of their dressing room not being a happy place refuse to die, their big guns, barring pace ace Jasprit Bumrah (17 wickets in 11 [email protected]) have failed to fire right through.Placed far better at No 4 with 12 points in 10 matches (six wins and four defeats), the Sunrisers will eye another win which strengthens their playoff hopes.For perhaps the first time since they reached the final in 2018, SRH, the 2016 IPL winners, are looking impressive.Led astutely by Pat Cummins, they possess the tournament’s most dangerous batting line-up in openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, followed by Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy (smashed 76 not out off just 42 balls in the last match). Head’s contest with Bumrah has the potential to light up this game. Between them, Klaasen (31) and Abhishek (28) have smashed as many as 59 sixes in IPL-2024 so far-the maximum by anyone in the competition so far.