Indian Premier League

IPL 2024: Guarded Lucknow Super Giants look to subdue dominant Kolkata Knight Riders | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago04 mins

Coach Langer confirms Mayank unlikely to play in rest of seasonLUCKNOW: Playing their last match on home turf, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will have to give it their best shot to edge past Kolkata Knight Riders at the Ekana cricket stadium on Sunday. KKR are a step away from a berth in the Playoffs with 14 spots.IPL ORANGE CAP | IPL PURPLE CAP | IPL POINTS TABLEIn their previous match against Mumbai Indians, LSG were far from convincing as they had to toil hard to chase the modest 145-run target.On the batting side, LSG skipper KL Rahul is in form up the order and has played some fine knocks, smashing fifties against Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings.Allrounder Marcus Stoinis also played well against MI, scoring 62 runs, and had also played a spectacular match-winning innings against CSK. Deepak Hooda has also played some decent knocks. Wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran has not been able to make his mark in the last 2-3 matches and it is time for him to put his best foot forward. Top-order batter Quinton de Kock missed the last match against MI and he was back early to the pavilion against Rajasthan Royals. On the bowling side, LSG’s bowlers will also face a harsh test with none of them making a real dent with individual brilliance. In the last match, Mohsin Khan, Marcus Stoinis, Naveen-ul-Haq and Mayank Yadav did well against MI. LSG will now have to go without pace sensation Mayank, who had walked out of the last match against MI due to his side strain acting up.Mayank is unlikely to play in the remainder of the IPL. LSG head coach Justin Langer said, “We’ll be praying that he can play hopefully in the play-offs but I am a realist as well. It will probably be difficult for him to get up for the back end of the tournament. He’s (Mayank) had a scan. He’s got a small tear in a similar area to where his last one (injury) was. So, it’s very unfortunate. We saw the impact he had when he came back into the game.” As for KKR, their bowlers were in excellent form against MI on Friday. All the bowlers, especially spinners Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine.

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

Danijones6 months ago04 mins

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

‘Brutal!’ Fans react to Sunil Gavaskar’s scathing response to Virat Kohli on strike-rate talks | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago05 mins

After Sunil Gavaskar‘s scathing response to fellow batting legend Virat Kohli for his comment on cricket experts debating his strike rate in T20s, fans came out in huge numbers on social media to voice their opinion on the controversy. Prior to the announcement of India’s squad for the T20 World Cup, there were talks about Kohli not scoring quickly enough to match the standards of T20 strike rate these days despite the Royal Challengers Bengaluru icon topping the list of run-getters in the ongoing Indian Premier League Season. But Kohli remained in almost ever expert’s list of India’s 15-member T20 World Cup squad and also made it to the official squad announced by the BCCI earlier in the week. Kohli, who has scored 542 runs in 11 matches so far in IPL 2024, reacted to the comments.WHAT KOHLI SAID“Not really, all the people who talk about strike-rates and me not playing spin well are the ones talking about this stuff. For me, it’s about winning the games for the team and there’s a reason why you’ve done it for 15 years, you’ve done this day in and day out, you’ve won games for your teams, I’m not quite sure that if you haven’t been in that situation yourself, to sit and talk about the game in the box.”“For me, people can talk about their assumptions day in and day out, but those who have done it day in and day out, they know what’s happening and it’s a kind of muscle memory for me now.”GAVASKAR’S RESPONSE“Commentators questioned only when his strike rate was 118. I’m not too sure. I don’t watch too many matches, so I don’t know what the other commentators have said otherwise. But if you come and open and then have a strike of 118 when you get out in the 14th or the 15th over, I mean, if you want applause for that, that’s a little bit different.”“All these guys talk about, ‘oh we don’t care about outside noise’. Accha! Then why are you replying to any outside noise or whatever it is? We all played a bit of cricket, not a lot of cricket. We don’t have agendas. We speak about what we see. We don’t necessarily have any likes and dislikes. Even if we have likes and dislikes, we actually speak on what is happening.” “I hope Star Sports realises that when that clip is shown, questioning the critics, the critics are your own commentators. For you to show the person belittling your own commentators, I’m not sure that’s a great thing. You need to realise you have shown it enough times, everybody’s got the message. I would be very disappointed if you show it once more.”HOW THE FANS HAVE REACTED

Watch: What Virat Kohli did after receiving the Orange Cap from Dinesh Karthik | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago03 mins

Virat Kohli, who had lost the Orange Cap as IPL 2024‘s top scorer to Chennai Super Kings’ captain Ruturaj Gaikwad earlier this week, reclaimed it with his 42-run knock for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their victory over Gujarat Titans in Bengaluru on Saturday. But it was not just his breezy knock but also his cheeky gesture after receiving the cap from teammate Dinesh Karthik that broke the internet.IPL 2024 STANDINGS: Points Table | Orange Cap | Purple CapKohli’s 42 came off just 27 balls at a strike rate of 155.56, while he put up an opening partnership of 92 runs with RCB skipper and top-scorer Faf du PLessis who struck a sublime 23-ball 62, which included 10 four and 3 sixes.However, RCB’s middle order caved in against Joshua Litle (4/42) while chasing Gujarat Titans’s below-par 147. But the Kohli-Du Plessis partnership had done enough damage at the top, as veteran finisher Karthik (21* off 12 balls) and Swapil Singh (15* off 9) took the team home in 13.4 overs for a four-wicket win.WATCH VIDEO Kohli’s knock took him past Gaikwad in the Orange Cap standings. CSK’s Gaikwad was nine runs ahead before the start of Friday’s match. Kohli now has 542 runs in 11 matches so far this season. After the game, Kohli received the Orange Cap from Karthik, who put it on Virat’s head. In a cheeky gesture, Kohli bowed to Karthik after receiving it, as both smiled. RCB bowlers, led by two wickets each from Yash Dayal, Vijaykumar Vyshak and Mohammed Siraj, bowled out Gujarat Titans for just 147 after the hosts won the toss and opted to bowl first. The victory took RCB to the seventh spot in the points table, but their chances of reaching the playoffs continue to hang by a thread.

‘Start from zero…’: Shubman Gill after Gujarat Titans slump to third loss in a row | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a dominant four-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans for their third consecutive IPL 2024 win on Saturday. This was RCB’s fourth win in 11 matches, which propelled them from last place to seventh, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive.Chasing a modest target of 148, Du Plessis (64) and Kohli (42) provided a strong start with a 92-run partnership in 35 balls, securing the win with 6.2 overs to spare at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.Du Plessis’s departure triggered a mini-collapse, as Gujarat struck back with wickets from Joshua Little and Noor Ahmad, leaving RCB at 117-6 when Kohli fell. Wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik (21) and Swapnil Singh (15) then ensured a smooth finish with an unbroken 35-run stand, guiding the team home without further trouble.Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans’s situation remains precarious, as they suffered their seventh loss in 11 matches.After the defeat, Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill rued not having an extra bowling option in the side.“It all depends on the wicket, you see the first couple of overs. You get an idea and you play according to that. I think 170-180 on this wicket would have been a good total,” Gill said.“I think how we batted in the powerplay and how we bowled in the powerplay, that made a difference. We would have an extra bowling option (had we not lost early wickets.) Never easy. It’s important for us to start from zero (in the next game), need to move on,” he said.“Many positives to take from this game, need to make sure we don’t repeat our mistakes. It’s all about winning everything we can from here on,” Gill added.

‘Don’t look at the scoreboard and…’: Skipper Faf du Plessis explains RCB’s batting approach | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru‘s emphatic four-wicket victory over the Gujarat Titans marked their third consecutive win in the IPL. Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli spearheaded the successful chase of a modest 148-run target, forming a formidable partnership of 92 runs in just 35 balls.Their commanding performance laid a solid foundation for the team’s triumph, achieved with 6.2 overs to spare at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.However, du Plessis’ departure triggered a brief collapse, with Gujarat Titans striking back with quick wickets. The team found itself in a precarious position at 117-6 following Kohli’s dismissal.Yet, wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik, alongside Swapnil Singh, displayed composure and determination, guiding Bangalore to victory with an unbeaten partnership of 35 runs. Their collective effort ensured there was no further drama as they successfully steered the team home.Skipper du Plessis, however, clearly stated that the team’s mantra is to not look at the scoreboard and play the way we want to play.“Been really good the last few games, the way we’ve played with bat and ball. Aggressive with the bat, unbelievable in the field. [Assessment of conditions] There was more bounce in the wicket, we got that information and the bowlers were consistently really good. We dropped a catch but have been really consistent. Something around 180-90 would have been a good score, but we’ve seen the way the game has changed,” Du Plessis said after the match.“Don’t look at the scoreboard and play the way that we want to play. It was a bit nerve-racking, another wicket, another wicket. Probably not the best but you’re trying to be positive, get your NRR up. It makes sense from that point of view but it gets to the point when you need to show a bit of calmness and composure – probably around four down, so some lessons to be learned from that,” Du Plessis added.

‘Had a cappuccino and thought I…’: Dinesh Karthik sums up RCB’s batting collapse | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru‘s explosive start, led by Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli, set the tone for a thrilling encounter. Du Plessis, in particular, showcased his aggressive intent, smashing the ball to all corners and registering the franchise’s second-fastest fifty off 18 balls against Gujarat Titans in the IPL match in Bengaluru.While du Plessis took on the aggressor role, Kohli provided crucial support, resulting in their highest Powerplay score of 92 in the history of the IPL.However, a dramatic turn of events saw Bengaluru lose momentum, slipping from 92/1 to 111/5. Kohli, undeterred by the falling wickets, anchored the innings, losing partners but holding one end firmly.Dinesh Karthik‘s arrival provided much-needed support, and despite Kohli’s dismissal, Karthik kept his calm and targeted Rashid Khan to get things back under control.With Swapnil Singh also contributing crucial runs, Bengaluru’s resilience shone through as they successfully chased down the 147-run target with 38 balls to spare, showcasing the team’s depth and determination in overcoming adversity.Veteran RCB batter Karthik, who hadn’t thought of coming to bat with the way their openers started the chase, gave full credit to Kohli and du Plessis for the four-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans.“I started with a cup of tea, then after four overs I had a cappuccino and thought I wouldn’t be batting.” Things happened, and then I had to have a bat,” Karthik said after the match.“[Approach] How to hit boundaries, basic cricketing skills come through. I backed myself to get the job done. The pitch was good to bowl on, having been under the covers there was a bit of moisture.Good toss to win but the bowlers did the job beautifully. The way Faf and Virat batted, I don’t think they would have played the same shots batting first! [Advice to Swapnil] Play for the one that comes in. If you feel sweep is a good option, back yourself to do it but commit to the shot, don’t be half-hearted,” Karthik added.

angry sunil gavaskar launches never seen attack on virat kohli, says ‘why are you replying to any outside noise’ | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago02 mins

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RCB vs GT, IPL 2024 Highlights: Faf Du Plessis fifty, bowlers carry Royal Challengers Bengaluru to four-wicket win over Gujarat Titans | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago07 mins

NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru seemed to falter midway through the chase, but a blazing half-century from captain Faf du Plessis provided the momentum needed to secure a four-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in their IPL match on Saturday.Du Plessis (64 off 23 balls, 10 fours, 3 sixes) and Virat Kohli (42 off 27 balls, 2 fours, 4 sixes) showcased their prowess as they put up 92 runs in just 35 balls for the opening wicket, guiding Royal Challengers past a modest target of 148 despite a few tense moments, mostly self-inflicted. The win propelled RCB to seventh place on the table with eight points from 11 matches, keeping their hopes of making it to the playoffs mathematically alive.Du Plessis and Kohli dealt in boundaries as the home side racked in 92 runs in Power Play, that contained 10 fours and seven maximums.Both Du Plessis and Kohli were severe on all GT bowlers, as the latter began the butchering with two sixes off pacer Mohit Sharma in the first over. Du Plessis was in no mood to play the role of a sidekick as he waded into left-arm pacer Josh Little with a sequence of 4, 6, 4, 4 in the second over that produced a total of 20 runs.The Titans introduced IPL debutant left-arm spinner Manav Suthar in the hope of containing Kohli at least, but the ploy was foiled spectacularly.The RCB talisman showed his increasing comfort against spin, clobbering Suthar for two successive sixes.Du Plessis reserved his punitive blade for Mohit, whom he carted around for four fours in the fifth over, as the South African reached fifty in just 18 balls before falling to Little.RCB entered a phase of struggle from there as they lost last match centurion Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green between the sixth and 10th overs for just 20 runs. Little (4/45) and spinner Noor Ahmad (2/23) were the chief perpetrators as RCB slipped from 92 for 1 to 112 for five.Ahmad soon ousted Kohli as RCB were 117 for six but Dinesh Karthik (21 not out, 12b) was cool under pressure as RCB notched their overall fourth and third win in a row of this season.Before RCB batsmen joined the party, their bowlers came up with an immaculate effort on a supportive pitch to bowl GT to a modest 147.There were a couple of good partnerships – 61 between David Miller and Shahrukh Khan and 44 by Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan – but the Titans lacked that one big innings or a stand that could have given them a firmer grip on the match.In fact, they seemed distinctly incapable of accelerating even in the Power Play as their top-order batters struggled against RCB pacers, Mohammed Siraj (2/29) and Yash Dayal (2/21) who stuck to a wonderful length. That GT managed to strike just two fours in Power Play offered ample evidence to their struggle and RCB bowlers’ accuracy.The Gujarat side’s Power Play score of 23 for three was the lowest in the segment this season, and it was mainly due to Siraj’s domination upfront.He consumed an out-of-form Wriddhiman Saha with a fine outswinger which the GT opener wafted to Dinesh Karthik behind the stumps.Shubman Gill followed soon as his attempted swat to the on-side off Siraj took a leading edge and ended in the hands of Vysakh Vijayakumar at deep point.Green fetched the third wicket for RCB in the Power Play when he jettisoned in-form B Sai Sudharsan, whose feeble pull close to the body was snaffled by Kohli at mid-off.Miller (30, 20b) and Shahrukh (37, 24b) tried their best to drag GT out of the woods with a well-paced 61-run alliance off 37 balls for the fourth wicket.Miller, who was fortunate to get dropped on 23 off Green by Karn Sharma, played archetypal power shots.He punished leg-spinner Karn for a couple of sixes – a pull and a loft over extra cover – but fell to the same bowler when a miscued heave was grabbed by Maxwell at deep.But a bigger misfortune was in store for the visitors as Shahrukh, who backed up a tad too far to Rahul Tewatia’s soft drop, could not beat a throw from Kohli to the non-striker’s end.For the sixth-wicket, Tewatia (35, 21b) and Rashid (18, 14b) added 44 off 29 balls, but the latter’s desire to be innovative against Yash Dayal saw the ball crashing onto the stumps.Tewatia, who punished Karn for 18 runs (4, 6, 4, 4) in the 16th over, departed soon. (With inputs from PTI)

In IPL wins, Virat Kohli becomes the first player to score… | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli has once again made headlines by setting a new record in the Indian Premier League history. Royal Challengers Bengaluru‘s star batter continues to impress fans with his exceptional performance on the field. Kohli’s latest achievement adds to his long list of accolades in the sport.The former RCB captain now became the first player to score 4000 runs in IPL wins.He achieved the milestone during RCB’s four-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans on Saturday. He has amassed an impressive total of 4039 runs so far.Kohli achieved another milestone by becoming the first Indian batter to reach 12,500 runs in T20 cricket. He was just six runs shy of this mark and reached it with a massive hit off Mohit Sharma on the second ball of the chase.Following closely behind is the left-handed batsman Shikhar Dhawan, with a tally of 3945 runs. Dhawan’s ability to score quickly and steadily has made him a valuable player in the IPL.Most runs in IPL wins Virat Kohli (4039 runs) Shikhar Dhawan (3945 runs) Rohit Sharma (3918 runs) David Warner (3710 runs) Suresh Raina (3559 runs) The third position is held by former Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma, who has scored 3918 runs. Rohit’s leadership and batting contributions have been pivotal to his team’s performance in the league.Australian cricketer David Warner, known for his aggressive batting style, has made 3710 runs in the IPL wins. Warner’s role as an opener has often given his team a solid start in matches.Suresh Raina, with 3559 runs, rounds off the top five run-scorers in the IPL. Raina’s consistency and experience have been his strong suits throughout his IPL career.