IPL

‘Don’t think he needs advice from anyone’, skipper Sanju Samson hails centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal struck form with a dazzling, unbeaten 104 as Rajasthan Royals blew away five-time champions Mumbai Indians by nine wickets on Monday to consolidated their position at the top of the IPL table.Jaiswal, whose previous best this season was 39, ended a barren run by his lofty standards with his second IPL ton as Royals’ juggernaut this season continued.Skipper Sanju Samson, who himself has been pretty fluent this season also scored a handy unbeaten 28-ball 38 in Royals’ mauling of Mumbai. Samson shared an unbeaten 109-run stand with Jaiswal as the duo took the hosts across the finish line with 8 balls to spare. After the win, Samson said he was pleased with Jaiswal returning to form and pointed out the team knew it was only a matter of one game before Jaiswal found his mojo back. “I don’t think he (Jaiswal) needs (any advice from) anyone. He’s very confident. (It) was about one game,” Samson said in the post-match presentation.Samson credited Sandeep Sharma (5/18) and Avesh Khan for Rajasthan’s comeback in the game, as a 99-run fifth-wicket stand between Tilak Varma (65) and Nehal Wadhera (49) had lifted Mumbai Indians from a difficult position.“We started well in the powerplay and then the left-handers played (Yuzvendra) Chahal and (Ravichandran) Ashwin well. But the way Sandeep and Avesh came back, that’s why we won the game,” he said.“The wicket was dry but when the lights came on, the wicket gets better to bat. The way Jos (Buttler) and Yashasvi batted, we knew we had to reset and go again. People are professionals, we backed them to do well,” Samson added.Rajasthan, who won the inaugural IPL in 2008 under late Australian hero Shane Warne, registered their seventh win in eight matches.

‘MS Dhoni still leading the side, not Ruturaj Gaikwad’: Navjot Singh Sidhu makes a big statement on CSK captaincy | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago04 mins

NEW DELHI: Former Indian opener Navjot Singh Sidhu firmly expressed his opinion regarding the leadership dynamics within the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) team, stating that despite Ruturaj Gaikwad‘s presence as the official captain, it is still the legendary MS Dhoni who is effectively leading the team.Sidhu’s observation emphasises the enduring influence and leadership prowess of Dhoni, who is widely regarded as one of the most successful captains in the history of Indian cricket.Sidhu, known for his outright comments, shared his viewpoint when asked who has impressed him the most, as per strategic point of view, among the current crop of young and new captains in the IPL so far.“If you talk about Ruturaj, he is still under the shadow of Dhoni. You can say as many times that Dhoni is not captaining, but ultimately he is leading the side. ‘Bargad ke neeche kya uga hai, uga kar dikhao. When Dhoni leaves, there might be no shadow of him,” said Sidhu, who is doing commentary in the ongoing IPL, on the #AskStar show on Star Sports. Sidhu also stated that one can only evaluate a captain after he has guided the team through nearly 50 matches.Sidhu praised Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson for his maturity and skillful resource management. And when it comes to the best leadership, the cricketer-turned commentator named Australian skipper Pat Cummins, currently leading Sunrisers Hyderabad, as the best captain.Dhoni’s tenure as captain of CSK has been marked by remarkable achievements, including five Indian Premier League (IPL) titles, which have solidified his reputation as a shrewd tactician and an astute leader. Despite stepping down from the captaincy role before the start of IPL 2024, Dhoni continues to exert a significant influence on the team’s strategy and decision-making, both on and off the field.Ruturaj, while assuming the formal captaincy position, may still be in the process of growing into his leadership role within the team. Dhoni’s experience, tactical acumen, and ability to mentor younger players likely play a crucial role in guiding Gaikwad and the rest of the team during matches and training sessions.Sidhu’s remarks highlight the intricate dynamics of leadership within cricket teams, where the presence of a seasoned veteran like Dhoni can continue to shape the team’s performance and direction, even as newer leaders emerge. Dhoni’s leadership legacy at CSK remains a cornerstone of the team’s identity, with his influence extending far beyond his official title.

Watch: After getting a ball as gift from MS Dhoni, little Meher warms hearts with her promise | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago02 mins

The little girl, Meher, who received a cricket ball as a surprise gift from MS Dhoni, has made a promise that warmed hearts as the video was shared by Star Sports on social media on Friday. IPL 2024: POINTS TABLE | RESULTSWhile walking up to the dressing room after playing a cameo during the IPL match between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Dhoni paused at the stairs after seeing the little Meher with her father and gifted the ball to her after picking it up from the stairs. Talking about the cherished gift from the Indian legend, Meher said she aspires to play for India one day; and after fulfilling her wish, she will gift that ball to someone else.WATCH VIDEO After his cameo of 4-ball 20 against Mumbai, Dhoni’s bat continued to breathe fire when CSK visited the Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday. The former CSK and India captain smashed 28 not out off just nine balls, including 2 sixes and 3 fours. ALSO READ: How to watch IPL in USADhoni’s brisk knock and Ravindra Jadeja’s 57* off 40 balls propelled CSK to 176 for 6 runs in their allotted overs. However half-centuries by LSG openers KL Rahul (82 off 53 balls) and Quinton de Kock (54 off 43 balls) ensured a comfortable eight-wicket win for the home team.

Ravindra Jadeja turns Superman to pull off a one-handed blinder, leaves skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad in total disbelief. Watch | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja pulled off a miraculous one-handed stunner to send Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul packing for 82 in Lucknow in Indian Premier League match on Friday.Often regarded as a live wire on the field and one of the greatest fielders of his time, Jadeja showcased sensational hand-eye co-ordination to pluck a blinder out of thin air.The incident took place on the first ball of the 18th over when Matheesha Pathirana threw a back of length delivery wide outside off. As Rahul saw room, he threw his bat at it middled. The ball flew straight to backward-point, close to where Jadeja was positioned. As the ball travelled to him in a blink of an eye, Jadeja leaped to his left, putting out his hand and the ball just stuck. Seeing the superhuman effort, a stunned CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad could only manage to put his hand on the mouth. “Ohh! What a catch. Is that the catch of the IPL? Wow! That (ball) was flying like a tracer bullet and he has just plucked it out of thin air as if its nothing,” said a highly excited Ravi Shastri on-air. Despite Jadeja blinder that ended Rahul’s knock, his 53-ball 82 powered Lucknow to a solid eight-wicket win over CSK.Chasing a tricky 177, Rahul and Quinton de Kock (54) smashed superb fifties as LSG crossed the finish line with 6 balls to spare. With the comfortable victory, Lucknow returned to winning ways after suffering two back-to-back defeats.

Ashutosh Sharma was unbelievable, our nerves were tested: MI skipper Hardik

Danijones7 months ago06 mins

Mumbai Indians’ captain Hardik Pandya and Punjab Kings’ stand-in captain Sam Curran during the toss ceremony before an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 cricket match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, in Mohali, on April 18, 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI Punjab Kings’ cricketer Ashutosh Sharma’s exploits with the willow drew enormous praise from Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya as well as his team’s stand-in captain Sam Curran, with the former terming it an “unbelievable” display. Ashutosh and Shashank Singh have emerged as the unlikely heroes for Punjab Kings this IPL season but the failure of the top-order has seen the team slump to ninth spot in the IPL table despite the some breathtaking performances from the duo. On Thursday, Ashutosh virtually took the game away from Mumbai Indians with his 28-ball 61 before PBKS lost by nine runs chasing 193. Ashutosh also executed a stunning sweep shot against pacer Jasprit Bumrah, something which has not been done quite often against India’s pace spearhead. “Unbelievable, playing the way he (Ashutosh) did and hitting the ball off the middle. (It is) great for his future. We did speak in the timeout about it, not about how we look, we will keep fighting and make sure (that) we don’t bowl the soft balls. Batsmen played good shots but we were soft in certain overs,” Mr.Pandya said at the post-match presentation ceremony. The MI skipper heaved a huge sigh of relief with a close win, stating that every player’s nerves got tested in the game. “(It was a) very good game. Everyone’s nerves got tested. We spoke that the characters will be checked in this game. But (it is) natural (that) you (would) think you are ahead but IPL has a tendency to show that oppositions can come back and how,” Pandya added. Punjab Kings’ stand-in captain Sam Curran said it was heartening to see youngsters like Ashutosh and Shashank rising to the occasion, despite losing some close matches in the recent past. “Another close one, I think this team likes a close one, but unfortunately another loss. Another incredible knock from the young guy (Ashutosh), but another close loss,” he said. “It’s very tough. We have lost a lot of wickets at the start, the way the younger guys have taken the team so close is heartening.” “They have incredible confidence, you see a guy like Ashutosh having the confidence to play the sweeps and the big hits against pacers, it’s so great to watch them in action,” Curran said. The Englishman said there were a lot of positives to take from such close defeats. “It’s disheartening to lose close games, but there are a lot of positives in this team. We still have the belief in us, we believe we can turn this around, the sun will come up tomorrow and we will hopefully get on a winning run,” Curran said. The player of the match Jasprit Bumrah, who bowled a brilliant spell of 3/21 said it was a much closer game than he anticipated. “(It was a) much closer game than what we thought. (I) want to make an impact early on. In this format, ball swings for two overs, and you want to make use of that,” he said. Bumrah said the T20 format is cruel for bowlers and is tilted in favour of batters. “This format is a little difficult for the bowlers because the batsmanship is going over, plus the time restrictions and the Impact Player rule. What you can do is prepare your best and back yourself,” he said. “Go out there and give your best. I try to relay messages from wherever I am on the field. You don’t want to give too many messages,” Bumrah added.

‘Bholi si surat’: Rohit Sharma laughs at 20-year-old self for ‘struggling’ to get a beard. Watch | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma engaged in a humorous conversation with teammate Romario Shepherd in the MI’s dressing room, where images of the 2007 T20 World Cup final adorned the walls. That was the time when Indian captain Rohit burst onto the international arena. Upon seeing the images, the West Indian all-rounder Shepherd joyfully teased him by saying “Young Ro”.“Small Boy, No Beard. I was struggling to get beard,” Rohit replied.“How old were you there?” Romario asked. “I was twenty”, Rohit answered. In six matches this IPL season so far, Rohit has scored 261 runs at an average of 52.20 and a strike rate of over 167, with a century.Rohit was at his vintage best in the match against CSK, scoring 105* in 63 balls but MI fell short by 20 runs. His knock was studded with 11 boundaries and five sixes.Amid the fall of wickets around him, the former skipper held the fort at one end, blazing away at a strike rate of 166.67. He also became the first Indian to smash 500 sixes in T20 cricket during the match.IPL: Points Table | Orange Cap | Purple CapRohit recently expressed his intention to “extend his career for a few more years,” driven by a strong desire to clinch the 2027 ODI World Cup.Reflecting on the disappointment of the 2023 edition, where victory eluded him due to “just one bad day,” he is determined to seize the trophy in the upcoming tournament.“I haven’t really thought about retirement. But, I don’t know where life takes you. I am playing well at the moment and I am thinking of continuing for a few more years. I really want to win that World Cup,” he said in a YouTube chat show ‘Breakfast With Champions’ that was also attended by British pop singer Ed Sheeran.

Watch: Match referee Javagal Srinath and umpire Nitin Menon explain ‘Smart Replay System’ in IPL | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Javagal Srinath, former Indian cricketer and current match referee for the Indian Premier League (IPL), has hailed the introduction of the innovative ‘Smart Replay System‘ as a game-changer, emphasizing its significant impact on speeding up match proceedings.“Literally we are saving 8-9 minutes per innings. Which is sometimes almost 20 minutes per game,” Srinath remarked, highlighting the efficiency brought about by the new technology.IPL 2024: POINTS TABLE | ORANGE CAP | PURPLE CAPOne of the key issues the system addresses is the contentious decision-making around waist-height full tosses.Srinath explained how the Smart Replay System has provided a solution to this long-standing challenge, enhancing both speed and accuracy in umpiring decisions.Contrary to concerns about technology overshadowing umpires, umpire Nitin Menon emphasized that the system does not render umpires redundant. “Technology is not stopping the umpires from making decisions. They still have to make the decisions,” Menon affirmed, underlining the continued importance of umpires in the decision-making process.WATCH: The Smart Replay System, implemented in the ongoing IPL season, operates by providing TV umpires with direct inputs from two operators of the Hawk-Eye system. These operators, stationed in the same room as the TV umpire, utilize images captured from eight high-speed cameras strategically positioned around the ground.One notable change brought about by the new system is the elimination of the TV broadcast director’s role as a mediator between the umpire and the Hawk-Eye operators. Instead, the TV umpire now directly interacts with the operators, streamlining the decision-making process.Furthermore, the Smart Replay System allows the TV umpire to analyze a wider range of visuals, including split-screen images. Live broadcasts of the TV umpire’s interactions with the Hawk-Eye operators provide viewers with transparent insights into the decision-making process.The enhanced system enables umpires to make more informed decisions, particularly in scenarios such as judging catches near boundary ropes, determining caught behind, leg-before, stumping, or low catches taken inches off the turf. With clearer visuals from multiple angles, the Smart Replay System promises to elevate the standard of umpiring in the IPL and beyond.(With inputs from PTI)

‘Please stop wearing that shirt immediately’: AB de Villiers asks RCB’s ‘bad omen’ | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Former South African and Royal Challengers Bengaluru cricketer AB de Villiers has requested former New Zealand and Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Scott Styris to stop wearing the RCB jersey. The Bengaluru-based franchise has been struggling in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, with only two points from seven games, placing them at the bottom of the table. Styris, who has been seen sporting the RCB jersey on match days, is now considered a bad omen for the team. In response to Styris’ post, De Villiers commented, “Please stop wearing that shirt immediately!!!!” Styris, however, has thrown down the gauntlet to De Villiers, declaring that he will stop wearing the RCB shirt for the team’s upcoming matches if the South African legend agrees to wear a Chennai Super Kings shirt once. The former New Zealand all-rounder stated, “I said I would wear the shirt. It has been a bad omen. I am a bad mascot for RCB, which is pleasing from my perspective. So I am prepared to put out a challenge back to AB de Villiers because he says it’s time for me to stop wearing the shirt. I will stop wearing the shirt for RCB matches moving forward if De Villiers wears the CSK shirt once. He is coming back for The Insiders (Jio Cinema’s programme) for the last week of the playoffs.” Former England captain Eoin Morgan, who was part of the show, agreed with Styris that the counter-challenge to De Villiers was ‘fair’.RCB’s latest setback came against Sunrisers Hyderabad, who set a new IPL record for the highest total, amassing 287-3 on Monday. The match also witnessed the highest aggregate for a T20 game, with a combined total of 549 runs. ALSO SEE: IPL 2024 POINTS TABLEDespite valiant efforts from Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Dinesh Karthik, RCB fell short by 25 runs, resulting in their sixth defeat of the season.

Hardik Pandya: Hardik Pandya’s inclusion in T20 World Cup squad depends on IPL bowling performance: Report | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: India captain Rohit Sharma recently held a meeting with head coach Rahul Dravid and chief selector Ajit Agarkar in Mumbai during the ongoing IPL 2024 season, according to a media report. The primary agenda of the meeting, which took place at the BCCI headquarters, was to discuss the squad composition for the upcoming T20 World Cup.According to a report by The Indian Express, a crucial decision was made regarding Hardik Pandya‘s inclusion in the team.The trio decided that bowling regularly during the IPL 2024 will be key to Pandya’s chances of making the cut in the squad.IPL 2024: POINTS TABLE | ORANGE CAP | PURPLE CAPThe meeting focused significantly on the selection of fast bowling all-rounders for the T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the USA and Caribbean islands in June. However, the selectors face a challenge due to the limited quality options available. Despite this, they are closely monitoring Shivam Dube, who has been impressive with the bat but has only been utilized as an Impact Player by his franchise, Chennai Super Kings, due to their abundant bowling resources. Hardik Pandya, who is also leading the Mumbai Indians this season, has been struggling with his bowling form. In six games, he has bowled 11 overs, taking three wickets but conceding runs at an alarming economy rate of 12 per over. The Indian team management hopes that Pandya can find his rhythm, as his seam bowling adds balance to the playing XI, and his powerful hitting provides depth to the batting lineup.Reports suggest that the Indian selection committee is set to meet later this month to finalize the squad for the T20 World Cup, with the performance of the hopefuls in the ongoing IPL expected to play a significant role in their decision-making process.

‘There is no one to actually support…’: Brian Lara slams Mumbai Indians’ bowling | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: West Indian cricket legend Brian Lara and former England captain Kevin Pietersen offered insightful analysis after Chennai Super Kings (CSK) defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) by 20 runs in their IPL encounter.Lara pointed out MI’s bowling deficiencies, beyond the formidable Jasprit Bumrah. He emphasized the lack of support for Bumrah, stating, “Their bowling is poor. Beyond Jasprit Bumrah, there is no one to actually support them in that bowling attack, and the CSK batters took them apart.” The batting maestro highlighted MI’s reluctance to utilize spinners against Shivam Dube and emphasized the need for MI to strengthen their bowling lineup. He emphasized, “The spinners, they only bowled 4 overs after around 7 runs an over, but they weren’t trusted with Shivam Dube out there. So, MI will have to improve in that area, they’ve got to find a couple of bowlers, match-winning bowlers.” Meanwhile, Pietersen lauded Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana‘s exceptional performance, describing him as “very unorthodox.” Drawing comparisons with legendary bowler Lasith Malinga, Pietersen added, “It was something that Malinga had as well, it was reverse, but it wasn’t reverse in, it was reverse down, and that’s always going away from the angle of where you’re trying to hit the ball.”ALSO CHECK: IPL SCHEDULEPietersen emphasized the challenge posed by Pathirana’s deliveries, noting, “When you’ve got a bowler that’s coming at an angle, but it’s not coming on at a natural angle, it’s coming on at an angle that actually starts to dip on you, then you can’t actually play the sweep, you can’t play the ramp, because it’s going to get under your bat, and then it also makes it really hard to hit down the ground. It’s a gem for CSK, what a bowler.”(Inputs from PTI)