IPL 2024

IPL 2024 | Sunil Narine happy with my KKR return and his IPL 2024 performances: Gautam Gambhir

Danijones7 months ago01 mins

It was a rather starry affair with VVIPs and celebs at Diljit Dosanjh’s Mumbai concert on April 13. Isha Ambani’s husband Anand Piramal arrived, surrounded by an entourage of security. Apart from him, Tamannaah Bhatia-Vijay Varma, Rajkummar Rao-Patralekhaa, Arpita Khan Sharma, Shura Khan, Iulia Vantur, Taapsee Pannu, Kriti Sanon with sister Nupur Sanon, Ram Kapoor-Gautami Kapoor, Munawar Faruqui, Avneet Kaur, Maniesh Paul, Tejasswi Prakash-Karan Kundrra, Boney Kapoor, and others were present at the event.

Watch – ‘And then you die and…’: Virat Kohli on sticking to RCB despite multiple offers | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago07 mins

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are synonymous to each other in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Virat has played for RCB since IPL’s inaugural season in 2008 and stuck to it.IPL ORANGE CAP | IPL PURPLE CAP | IPL POINTS TABLEVirat has been the captain of RCB for several seasons, bringing his aggressive and passionate style of leadership to the team. Under his captaincy, RCB has seen both highs and lows, including reaching the IPL finals in 2016.But Kohli has stuck with the team even though RCB still haven’t won the IPL trophy.In a viral video, Kohli explains in a podcast what RCB means to him and why he has not joined any other team.The host asks, “Virat I know you love RCB just as much as RCB loves you. Even for a moment, for a second, while playing this IPL, have you ever wondered is the grass greener on the other side?”Virat answers, “To be very honest I have thought about it, yes I won’t shy away from it and I’ve been approached many times as well to come into the auction somehow, put my name in there and stuff. And then I thought about it I was like at the end of the day everyone has X number of years they live right and then you die and then life moves on. And there would have been many great people who want trophies and this that blah blah blah but no one addresses you in the room like “Oh he’s an IPL champion” or “he’s a World Cup champion”. “And it’s like if you’re a good person, people like you and if you’re a bad guy, they stay away from you and eventually that’s what life is all about so for me the understanding that the loyalty with RCB is like how I follow my life is far greater for me than the fact that yes five people in the room would say, “Oh finally you’ve won the IPL with whoever XYZ and yeah you feel good for five minutes but then the sixth minute you could be miserable with some other issue in life, so it is not the end of the world for me,” Kohli adds.Kohli goes on to say, “What this franchise (RCB) has given me in terms of opportunity in the first three years and believed in me, that is the most special thing because as I said there were many teams who had the opportunity but they didn’t back me, they didn’t believe in me so now when I’m successful and I should fall to the opinion of people saying “but the IPL”. This was the case with me till 2018 England tour happened. For four years of my life I was doing well everywhere in the world, the only thing was but “England”. So there’s always going to be buts, you literally can’t live your life like that and I just carry on my own thing and I actually honestly don’t even bother about a third person beyond myself, Anushka discussing things and just being true to ourselves. And that’s it for me, nothing else and no one else’s opinion matters at all.” Overall, Virat Kohli’s journey with RCB has been marked by exceptional batting displays, leadership challenges, and a strong connection with the team’s fan base, making him a central figure in the franchise’s history.Despite Kohli’s individual brilliance, RCB has often struggled to clinch the IPL title. They have reached the playoffs on multiple occasions but have faced challenges in converting those opportunities into championships.Unlike many other players who have switched teams over the years, Kohli has remained loyal to RCB throughout his IPL career. His commitment to the franchise has made him a beloved figure among RCB fans.Kohli’s personal achievements, including multiple centuries and accolades like the Orange Cap, highlight his impact on the team.

Watch – MI vs CSK: Rivals on the field, friends off it | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago04 mins

NEW DELHI: There’s no bigger clash in the Indian Premier League (IPL) than the one between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. It’s a classic rivalry to say the least.Both Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings are powerhouse teams, each having won the trophy five times. Whenever they clash, it’s not just a cricket match, but a showdown of talent, strategy, and nerves. Their matches are always highly anticipated and fiercely contested, with fans from both sides eagerly watching every ball.The MI vs CSK rivalry is characterized by competitiveness, high-quality cricket, and memorable moments, making it one of the most captivating matchups in the IPL.But regardless of the rivalry, the players of both the teams are friends and have mutual admiration for each other.On the eve of the clash between the two teams at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, the official X handle of CSK shared a video of players both the teams meeting and greeting each other.Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur who are from Mumbai play for CSK.In the video, Rohit Sharma was seen talking to Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja interacting with Tilak Verma. And the friends from the Caribbean, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard were seen talking to CSK head coach Stephen Fleming.Bravo and Pollard have had numerous and memorable on-field clashes but their friendship has only grown stronger over the years.Shardul Thakur was also seen talking to Ishan Kishan, whose idol is the great Mahendra Singh Dhoni.The MI-CSK rivalry began in the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008. Since then, MI and CSK have faced each other numerous times in the league stage, playoffs, and finals, adding to the intensity of their rivalry.Both teams have had their moments of dominance. However, CSK has historically had a slight edge in head-to-head matches, particularly in the earlier seasons of the IPL. In recent years, MI have balanced the scales, making the rivalry even more compelling. MI and CSK have often met in crucial playoff matches and finals, elevating the stakes of their encounters. These matches have produced some thrilling moments and have been highly anticipated by fans of both teams.The rivalry is also fueled by the presence of star players in both teams. Players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard, Jasprit Bumrah (MI) and MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja (CSK) have played key roles in shaping the outcomes of matches between these teams over the years.MI and CSK have large and passionate fan bases, adding to the atmosphere and excitement whenever they face each other on the field. The support from fans further intensifies the rivalry.

Sanju Samson: ‘Happy that everyone is eager to go…’: Sanju Samson lightens mood after catch mishaps | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals found themselves in a familiar yet comical situation as fielders collided while attempting to take a catch during their Indian Premier League match against Punjab Kings, reminiscent of a memorable incident from IPL 2023. Captain Sanju Samson, while acknowledging the amusing nature of the recurring mishaps, also issued a reminder to his team regarding the importance of fielding.IPL 2024: POINTS TABLE | ORANGE CAP | PURPLE CAPDuring the penultimate over of the first innings of Punjab Kings, a miscued shot from Ashutosh Sharma off a delivery from fast bowler Avesh Khan led to a collision between Samson and Avesh as they both attempted to claim the catch. However, neither managed to complete the dismissal, allowing the batsman to capitalize and score valuable runs for Punjab Kings.Reflecting on the incident during the post-match presentation, Samson lightened the mood by remarking on Rajasthan’s tendency for such high-catch instances. “We had a few funny instances from last year and this year. But I am really happy that everyone is eager to go and catch it. I would be very sad if people are just staying away and not catching it,” he quipped, eliciting laughter from the presenter and the audience. While acknowledging the challenges posed by noisy crowds and the difficulty in communication during such moments, Samson emphasized the importance of fielders maintaining focus. He directed a firm message to his fast bowlers, highlighting that such catches are easier for wicketkeepers like himself than for fielders.“It gets a bit tough actually – the stadium is full of noise and when people call, we are looking at the ball, we can’t see who is coming. I need to tell my fast bowlers that it’s a bit easier to catch with the gloves instead of hands,” he emphasized, underlining the significance of fielding in the team’s overall performance.Samson’s light-hearted yet firm approach underscores the Royals’ commitment to improving their fielding standards while maintaining a positive spirit amidst the occasional mishaps on the field.

IPL 2024, MI vs CSK: Bowling as an off-spinner at Wankhede is really tough, says Mohammad Nabi

Danijones7 months ago01 mins

It’s time for the IPL Clasico and all eyes will be on MS Dhoni as CSK head to the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai for the mouth-watering clash against MI. In the first match on April 14, Sunday, KKR will be hoping to break their LSG jinx and secure their second home win of the campaign.

Shikhar Dhawan out of action for ‘at least seven-ten days’, set to miss next two games for Punjab Kings – India TV

Danijones7 months ago05 mins

Image Source : PTI Shikhar Dhawan. Punjab Kings have suffered a major blow mid-season as their skipper Shikhar Dhawan is set to miss the two upcoming fixtures against Mumbai Indians (April 18) and Gujarat Titans (April 21) with a shoulder injury. The Head of Cricket Development at Punjab Kings, Sanjay Bangar, revealed that Shikhar “could be out of action for at least seven-ten days”. Shikhar missed PBKS’ sixth fixture of the season on Saturday (April 13) when they took on table-toppers Rajasthan Royals on their home turf at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. Punjab’s star overseas allrounder Sam Curran stepped in for Shikhar and was the stand-in captain during the clash against Rajasthan. Speaking after the three-wicket loss to Rajasthan, Bangar first mentioned that Shikhar could be “out of action for at least a couple of days” but later added that the injury may put him on the sidelines for “at least seven-ten days”. “He’s having a shoulder injury, so he is likely to be out for at least a couple of days, I would say,” Bangar said during the post-match conference. “Having an experienced opener, somebody like Shikhar, who has experience of playing on such wickets, becomes extremely crucial (for the squad). “We have to wait and see how he responds to the treatment. At the moment, it seems that he could be out of action for at least seven-ten days.” Punjab missed Dhawan badly against Rajasthan as their batting order failed to put up a winning score on the board. The consistent batting failure is ailing Punjab and Bangar admitted that it is a cause of concern for the team management. “Certainly is a cause for concern that the top order is not making enough runs for us,” Bangar said. “They are trying hard – I am not saying that they are not applying themselves – but it’s just not coming. Low-scoring games, especially at Mullanpur, the way the wicket is… that also has a factor. Because if you see, some of the scores have been pretty low. “All the three games that we have played here, in the first six overs, with the new ball, the wicket tends to just jag a little bit, and uneven bounce as well. So maybe that is also a contributing factor because, not only us, the visiting teams and their top order are facing issues,” Bangar added. Punjab Kings IPL 2024 squad Jonny Bairstow, Atharva Taide, Prabhsimran Singh, Sam Curran (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Ashutosh Sharma, Vidhwath Kaverappa, Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Nathan Ellis, Shikhar Dhawan, Sikandar Raza, Tanay Thyagarajan, Rishi Dhawan, Rilee Rossouw, Chris Woakes, Shivam Singh, Prince Choudhary, Vishwanath Singh

IPL 2024: MI-CSK renew high-octane rivalry under new skippers | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago05 mins

MUMBAI: When you see top corporate bigwigs, cricket officials and even players struggle to get tickets, you know that it’s here-the El Clasico of the IPL.On Sunday night, two of the most decorated clubs of the IPL, with five titles each, will resume their famed rivalry when the Mumbai Indians face off against the Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium.IPL ORANGE CAP | IPL PURPLE CAP | IPL POINTS TABLEWhat adds allure is the fact that this could be the last IPL outing for MS Dhoni at a venue where he lifted the ODI World Cup trophy in 2011.Since the ‘Impact Player’ rule came into existence, the 42-year-old has hardly come out to bat, unless needed. Going by the trend in IPL 2024, the Wankhede crowd is likely to cheer vociferously for him even if he pulls off a catch or stumping or makes a fleeting appearance with the bat.Having undergone a contrasting transition in leadership-MI are now led by Hardik Pandya while CSK are captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad-both the teams have blown hot and cold so far.MI lost their first three games before bouncing back with wins at home against Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. CSK started off with wins against RCB and Gujarat Titans at home, but stumbled to two defeats on the road and then recovered by beating Kolkata Knight Riders at home. Of late, CSK have had the wood on MI, beating them four times in their last five encounters. Ironically, CSK will bank on the four Mumbai aces in their pack-inform Shivam Dube, Ajinkya Rahane, Shardul Thakur and Tushar Deshpande. Each of these four must know the Wankhede track like the back of their hand, with three of them-Rahane, Thakur and Deshpande being a part of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy winning side last month.When MI and CSK met at the Wankhede last year, Rahane had smashed a breathtaking 27-ball 61 to star in CSK’s seven-wicket win.The match will also pit two contenders for the allrounder’s position in Team India for the T20 World Cup in June. With 176 runs in five games @44.00 and a strike rate of 160, Dube, playing in the role of an Impact Player, is CSK’s top run-getter.Having smashed 13 sixes so far, the 30-year-old has won the heart of someone he’s often compared with, India’s 2011 World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh, who feels that the Mumbaikar must surely be a part of India’s T20 WC squad. As if being booed by his home crowd wasn’t enough, Dube’s sizzling performances has put pressure on Pandya (84 runs in five matches @32.25 & 1-89 in eight overs) to raise his game too. Struggling to find his groove while batting too low down the order, Pandya showed signs of finding his mojo during his six-ball 21 not out cameo against RCB on Thursday.With their rest of the bowling floundering, MI will once again rely heavily on the magic of Jasprit Bumrah, who took a match-winning haul of five for 21 against RCB, to bail them out against a strong CSK batting line-up.Where this battle could be decided is how MI’s rampaging batting line-up, currently looking destructive at full strength with the return of Suryakumar Yadav, tackles CSK’s top-class spinners Ravindra Jadeja (3-18 in four overs in the last match) and Maheesh Theekshana.

IPL 2024 , MI vs CSK: MS Dhoni set for potential Wankhede Stadium farewell

Danijones7 months ago07 mins

There will be a sea of yellow at the Wankhede Stadium when MI host CSK in the first and only El Clasico of IPL 2024 league stage on Sunday. It might turn out to be a momentous occasion at the iconic venue as MS Dhoni is set to likely walk out for one last time at the Wankhede Stadium as a professional cricketer. CSK and MI only meet once in the league stage of IPL 2024 and the playoffs and the final have also not been scheduled in Mumbai. The man, who oversaw one of the most glorious chapters of Indian cricket history when he hit the World Cup-winning six on April 2, 2011, has enjoyed incredible support nationwide over the last two seasons even as speculation about his IPL future has been rife. And Mumbai will roar for the former India captain for probably one last time in what promises to be a blockbuster contest on Sunday, April 14. Memories must have gushed back when MS Dhoni was spotted posing with the World Cup 2011 trophy on the eve of the IPL 2024 match. As the former India captain walked out for training, he made sure he got a glimpse of the World Cup trophy at the BCCI headquarters at the Wankhede Stadium. Dhoni was even seen presumably adjusting the position of the trophy on the trophy cabinet in his own inimitable style. IPL 2024 Full Coverage | IPL 2024 Points Table and Standings | 2024 IPL Full Schedule Dhoni has played 13 matches for India at the Wankhede Stadium, the most by any player from the country. And the one that stands out is the big World Cup final 13 years ago. Promoting himself to No. 4, one of his many masterstrokes as captain, Dhoni hit a match-winning 91 off 79 balls in a sensational partnership with Gautam Gambhir to help India chase down 275 against Sri Lanka. And he finished it with that iconic six. Dhoni has seats named after him as the Mumbai Cricket Association, in 2023, immortalised the part of the Wankhede Stadium where his winning six landed on that fateful evening. In the IPL, Dhoni has played 27 matches at the Wankhede Stadium, hitting 392 runs with a fifty. He has hit 17 sixes at the iconic venue and has struck at 116.37 for the Super Kings. LAST DANCE AT WANKHEDE? MS Dhoni might be calm and composed on the outside, but the CSK superstar will have trouble handling his emotions if he gets an opportunity to walk out to the middle at the Wankhede Stadium with the bat on Sunday. Regardless, the decibel levels are going to go through the roof whenever he is spotted before, during and after the IPL 2024 contest.\ MS Dhoni has not yet opened up about his future in the IPL. Even when he spoke after lifting the trophy last year, the 42-year-old said he would want to return to play the IPL for “at least one more season” as a return gift to his fans. However, there are enough suggestions that IPL 2024 might be his last as a player in the league. The 5-time champion handover of captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad on the eve of their opening match in Chennai, hinting at the start of a transition period. Also, the vintage long hair does hint at an imminent big call from the superstar cricketer. Dhoni has looked fitter and leaner when compared to last year. The wicketkeeper-batter underwent surgery to treat a long-standing knee issue after having managed throughout last season. Dhoni has been nearly flawless with the gloves. Dhoni has gotten opportunities to bat only thrice in the season and he took fans down memory lane during his whirlwind knock of 37 off 16 balls in Visakhapatnam. CSK fans cheered even when the team lost as they were thrilled at the sight of Dhoni smashing them into the stands. Will it be MS Dhoni’s Last Dance at the Wankhede on Sunday? If yes, not many will complain if there’s another promotion in the batting order. There’s a lot to look forward to in the clash of the 5-time champions. Published On: Apr 14, 2024

Preity Zinta goes from elation to heartbreak as Hetmyer clobbers 6, 2, 6 to crush PBKS hopes in last-over thriller | Cricket

Danijones7 months ago05 mins

Celebrations had begun among the Punjab Kings spectators at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, in Chandigarh, with franchise co-owner Preity Zinta, who was present at the venue, leading the proceedings. The Bollywood actress was elated as stand-in skipper Sam Curran picked two wickets in his penultimate over of the match to send Rajasthan Royals seven down before the start of the final over. However, Zinta’s celebrations were cut short in a span of just five deliveries as Shimron Hetmyer clobbered two sixes in three balls to crush PBKS’ hopes in the thriller. Preity Zinta’s reaction changes in a span of five deliveries as PBKS lose thriller against RR Rajasthan were always the firm favourites in the run chase despite Ashutosh Sharma, who came in as an Impact Player at No. 8, smashing 31 off just 16 balls to take the team’s total close to 150. In response, the visitors never lost a wicket in the powerplay, but managed only 38 runs in that phase with Tanush Kotian, primarily a tailender who was promoted as an opener, visibly struggling with the bat. Unlock exclusive access to the story of India’s general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! Rajasthan managed to get the asking rate under check after Kotian’s dismissal in the ninth over before Kagiso Rabada picked two quick wickets to help Punjab fight back valiantly. Rajasthan was never allowed to settle in therafter as wickets kept tumbling at both ends, leaving the table-toppers with 33 to chase in the last 16 balls, with five wickets in hand. Hetmyer and Rovman Powell then smashed 18 runs in four balls to reduce the equation to 12 off 10 before Curran struck in the 19th over with two wickets, leaving Zinta ecstatic. And she looked confident that her team would claim a third win in the ongoing season as Arshdeep Singh geared up for the final over against Hetmyer. The left-armer raised Zinta’s hopes after bowling two back-to-back yorkers for no run, but the celebrations ended after Hetmyer shimmied down the track to clobber the half-volley for a flat six over long-on. A fumble from Curran in the deep, handed Hetmyer to sneak two runs on the next ball before the West Indies batter whipped the high full toss over fine leg for a six in the penultimate ball of the over to get RR past the finish line. Zinta was left tensed before that last ball was bowled and later heartbroken as PBKS incurred their fourth loss in the ongoing season, which left them eighth in the points table. “The wicket was slightly slow, but we didn’t start well with the bat and didn’t finish well in the end. It was a good effort from the lower order, getting (close) to 150 was excellent, the bowling was good, we kept them down, unfortunately another close loss. We stuck to our plans, bowled and fielded well, but I’m confident we’ll bounce back in the next game,” Curran said after the match.

Gautam Gambhir: KKR vs LSG: Gautam Gambhir goes from planning Lucknow Super Giants’ rise to plotting their doom | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago03 mins

KOLKATA: Gautam Gambhir finds himself in a situation that makes him grin. He had mentored Lucknow Super Giants till last season with a fair amount of success, a period which included three wins over Kolkata Knight Riders. On Sunday, he will be there in the KKR dugout, hoping to mentor the purple brigade to their first win over LSG.IPL 2024: POINTS TABLE | ORANGE CAP | PURPLE CAPIs the boot on the other foot now? “Just a new day,” Gambhir quipped on match eve.”I might know them well, but they know me pretty well too. In fact everyone knows each other quite well and plans accordingly. It doesn’t make a difference (that I am on the other side now). I had planned for KKR while I had been with LSG and now I am planning on behalf of KKR. It’s not as if I’m going to plan something different for them. Eventually, the team that plays better wins, and not the team that plans better.” Gambhir perhaps knows KKR better than anyone else, having led the team to two IPL titles. There are players like Sunil Narine, whom Gambhir had groomed during his stint at KKR and who are flourishing now. “He (Narine) was very happy to see me back. We have spent so much time together. Sometimes relationships are more about the emotion which you carry for each other than the time spent. Happy to see him doing well.”Gambhir remains as aggressive as ever and will not count Mayank Yadav’s absence as a relief. “We would always want our opponents to play with their best team,” he said. Neither is he worried that Mitchell Starc might buckle under pressure. “I know what impact he can have,” he said.