December 23, 2024
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Former Pak cricketer endorses Michael Vaughan's comment of 'IPL better than playing Pakistan' | Cricket News

Former Pak cricketer endorses Michael Vaughan’s comment of ‘IPL better than playing Pakistan’ | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has endorsed Michael Vaughan‘s controversial remark that the Indian Premier League (IPL) is preferable to playing against Pakistan given the team’s performance in the recent past.Vaughan’s statement stirred debate, with the ex-Pakistan player aligning with his sentiment. While Vaughan’s comment drew criticism for its insensitivity towards international cricket, it also reflects the IPL’s stature as a premier T20 league.Former England skipper Vaughan’s comment was made in relation to the ongoing T20I series between Pakistan and England.He suggested that the England Cricket Board (ECB) should have permitted its players to participate in the IPL rather than returning for the Pakistan series.Vaughan argued that playing in the IPL would have provided better preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup. This perspective underscores the growing significance of franchise-based leagues like the IPL in shaping players’ skills and readiness for international tournaments, sparking discussions about the balance between league commitments and national team duties. In a recent video on his YouTube channel ‘Catch And Bat with Kamran Akmal’, he echoed Vaughan’s sentiments, expressing agreement with the notion that Pakistan’s recent performances have been disappointing. He went on to describe the IPL as “tough and quality cricket,” emphasising the competitive nature of the tournament.Akmal’s endorsement of Vaughan’s viewpoint further underscores the acknowledgment within the cricketing community of the IPL’s prominence and the challenges it presents.“Over the past few days, I have wondered why a former England captain is commenting and taking Pakistan cricket non-seriously. It has been a painful thought, but I think he was correct in his assessment,” Akmal said.“Everybody knows the level of Pakistan cricket. We are losing against smaller teams like Ireland and in that sense Vaughan said that it is not a tough series. So the fault is ours. Had it been any other team like New Zealand, South Africa and India then Vaughan would not have said it.We need to understand that in IPL, the best bowlers and batters are participating with crowds of 40 to 50,000. So it is tough cricket and quality cricket,” Akmal explained. Michael Vaughan Ki Statement se Mein Agree Karta Hon | Kamran Akmal Akmal additionally suggested that Pakistan should leverage Vaughan’s comments as ‘motivation’ heading into the T20 World Cup.“The state of Pakistan cricket may be in need of a revamp, but this also presents an opportunity for growth. How do we respond to Vaughan’s critique? By showing our mettle in the upcoming T20 series against England. Let’s use this as a catalyst to regain our confidence and competitiveness, lest even teams like the USA start to see us as an easy target.”“The Pakistan cricket Chairman is to blame for all of this as he has completely ruffled the system. For now it remains to be seen if Pakistan team rises to the situation or keeps playing in the same zone as they have done till now,” he concluded.

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Ricky Ponting predicts these two players as leading wicket-taker and run-getter in T20 World Cup | Cricket News

Ricky Ponting predicts these two players as leading wicket-taker and run-getter in T20 World Cup | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has predicted India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and Aussie batting sensation Travis Head to emerge as the leading wicket-taker and run-getter, respectively, in the upcoming T20 World Cup.Ponting, renowned for his cricketing acumen, believes Bumrah’s exceptional pace and skill in delivering crucial breakthroughs will make him the tournament’s top wicket-taker.On the batting front, he expects Head’s aggressive and consistent performances to earn him the most runs.Both players have shown remarkable prowess in T20 cricket, and Ponting’s prediction underscores their potential to shine on the world stage, setting high expectations for their contributions in the tournament.Bumrah is coming off a sensational IPL season, where he took 20 wickets in 13 games and maintained an impressive economy rate of 6.48, despite the high-scoring nature of the tournament.“My leading wicket-taker for the tournament will be Jasprit Bumrah,” Ponting told The ICC Review.“I just think an outstanding performer, contributor for a number of years now. He’s just come off an outstanding IPL.“What he can do with the new ball, he swings the new ball, he has the seam up. But at the end, his economy rate at the end of the IPL was less than seven runs an over.“He takes wickets. He does bowl a lot of the hard overs too. When you bowl the hard overs in T20 cricket, it gives you a chance to pick up a lot of wickets along the way. So, I’m going with him,” added Ponting.Ponting selected fellow Australian Head as his pick for the top run-scorer in the upcoming tournament.“My prediction for the leading run-scorer will be Travis Head,” Ponting said.“I just think everything he’s done, whether it be red-ball or white-ball in the last couple of years, has been of the highest quality. I think he’s playing fearless cricket at the moment.”Head suffered an injury at the beginning of the ICC World Cup last year. However, Australia‘s belief in his abilities was so strong that they kept him with the squad until he recovered.In his return match against New Zealand during the tournament, Head repaid the team’s trust with a blistering century. He concluded the World Cup with an impressive record, scoring two hundreds and a fifty, maintaining an average above 50, and striking at a remarkable rate of 127.52.Head’s exceptional form persisted in the current IPL 2024 season, where he played a crucial role as an opener in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s journey to the final. Throughout the tournament, he amassed 567 runs in 15 matches, maintaining an extraordinary strike rate of 191.55.Despite Head’s underwhelming conclusion to the IPL season, Ponting anticipates that he will continue to display his explosive batting prowess during the upcoming matches in the Caribbean and the United States.“His IPL had its ups and downs, but when it’s been good, it’s been very good. And it has won games of cricket for his team,” Ponting noted.“And it’ll be exactly the same for Australia. So, look, he might not be the most consistent on the way through this tournament, but he’ll be right up there, I’m sure, with the leading run scorers. And as I’ve said, if he spends any amount of time at the wicket for Australia, he’ll win more games than ever,” Ponting concluded.The T20 World Cup 2024 will begin on June 1 in the West Indies and USA.

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'MS Dhoni has opposite intensity to Virat Kohli': Former Australian all-rounder compares the two Indian cricket icons | Cricket News

‘MS Dhoni has opposite intensity to Virat Kohli’: Former Australian all-rounder compares the two Indian cricket icons | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has identified Indian cricket icons Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni as the most mentally resilient players he has encountered throughout his extensive career. Watson, who has had a prolific career himself, highlighted Kohli’s mental toughness and unparalleled intensity on the field. Kohli, a right-handed batsman, recently topped the scoring charts in the IPL 2024, amassing 741 runs for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. “There’s only really a couple of other people that I’ve played with or played against who had that consistent intensity every moment of every game. So that’s something about Virat, that we’ve seen in this IPL, just how engaged he is. That’s why he’s been able to sustain such high performances for such a long period of time,” said Watson.On the other side, former Indian captain MS Dhoni is praised for his different approach to the game. Despite a lower intensity level compared to Kohli, Dhoni’s ability to trust his intuition and simplify complex situations into manageable concepts stands out. Even at 42, Dhoni’s strategic acumen and leadership qualities continue to shine.“But then you’ve got on the other side of the fence is MS Dhoni, who is opposite of that intensity from Virat. He doesn’t need to be like nine out of 10 with his intensity level; he needs to be at around six. Even at the ripe of age of 42, he still knows how to be able to let his mind be free to be able to access his skills that are so deeply ingrained,” praised the former Austalia international.Watson also discussed the mental preparation necessary for players transitioning from IPL conditions to international tournaments, such as the Men’s T20 World Cup. He commented, “These are world-class cricketers who are going from an IPL, for example, and they’re gonna have to make little adjustments to the conditions and pitches that they’re gonna be facing. Also, whether it’s temperature, and a new team environment as well. That’s where by understanding these mental skills deeply and applying those into just who you are, you build a really strong, like a bulletproof cocoon around you.”Furthermore, Watson commended Australian captain Pat Cummins for his leadership qualities, particularly his ability to foster an environment where players can express themselves freely and perform without fear of failure. “He gives you the right information to be able to clear your mind so you can, and are getting the best chance of executing your skills. That’s what Pat Cummins does so incredibly well. The reason why in my mind, he’s had so much success is that it’s just natural, which is who he is, how he is and he’s not trying to be someone else,” said Cummins’s compatriot.(Inputs from IANS)

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Indo-Pak fans spar online over video showing Pakistan players walking past IPL final playing on TV | Cricket News

Indo-Pak fans spar online over video showing Pakistan players walking past IPL final playing on TV | Cricket News

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The Pakistan team is currently in England, involved in a four-match T20I series; and when a video emerging from the tour showed the players walking past a TV playing the Indian Premier League (IPL) final, fans from India and Pakistan got involved in a war of words online — for and against the IPL.Strained relations between the two countires has kept Pakistan players out of the cash-rich league over the past several editions, which has often led to resentment across the border. In the video circulating on social media, Pakistan players could be seen walking through what appears to be a lounge as the television in the background could be seen airing the IPL final between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad.Soon after the video went viral, response from Pakistan fans started saying their players “ignored IPL final”, leading to a war of words between fans from the two neighbouring countries that are traditional rivals in cricket. WATCH VIDEO Some members of the Pakistan media also got involved in poking fun at the league that has gone on to become the best and the most fiercely-contested T20 league in the world ever since its inception in 2007.Pakistan rivaled it by establishing their T20 franchise tournament, the Pakistan Super League. However, the IPL’s popularity remains unmatched across the world. Here are some of the response to the video on microblogging platform ‘X’:

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'Can I bring my girlfriend?': Gautam Gambhir reveals first conversation with 'KKR's MVP and brother' Sunil Narine | Cricket News

‘Can I bring my girlfriend?’: Gautam Gambhir reveals first conversation with ‘KKR’s MVP and brother’ Sunil Narine | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir has heaped praise on star all-rounder Sunil Narine, who played a pivotal role in KKR’s third Indian Premier League title this year. Narine was named the ‘Most Valuable Player’ of IPL 2024. Narine regained his magical touch this season, scoring 488 runs and taking 17 wickets throughout the tournament.In a recent interaction with Sportskeeda, Gambhir spoke about his camaraderie with Narine and reminisced about the latter’s early days in the KKR camp.Gambhir, who captained KKR to their IPL victories in 2012 and 2014, highlighted Narine’s crucial role in those triumphs.”Me and Narine are similar characters, and so are our emotions. I still remember that when Narine first came into the IPL in 2012, it was in Jaipur, and we were going for practice, and I told him to come join for lunch. He was so shy that he did not say a single word during lunch, and the first question that he eventually asked was, ‘Can I bring my girlfriend to the IPL?’,” Gambhir recalled.Gambhir suggested that he and Narine share a special bond, describing the all-rounder as a brother. “He was so quiet that first season, but now, we can talk about anything. He is like a brother to me. I don’t see him as a friend, I don’t see him as a teammate, I see him as a brother. If I need him or he needs me, I think we are just one call away, that is the sort of relationship that we have built. We do not get excited much, we do not show too many emotions, we are not flamboyant, we just do the job and come back,” he added.Gambhir also emphasized Narine’s consistent value to KKR, asserting that he has always been the team’s ‘MVP’. “What can I say about him? Even if he didn’t win the ‘most valuable player award’ he would have still been the MVP. You are looking at his stats but he was KKR’s MVP even before the season got underway. The world has seen his talent as an all-rounder and I’m sure that Narine still has plenty to give to KKR and world cricket,” Gambhir explained.

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'This is one thing I missed a lot': Rishabh Pant welcomes return to Indian cricket team for T20 World Cup after 16 months | Cricket News

‘This is one thing I missed a lot’: Rishabh Pant welcomes return to Indian cricket team for T20 World Cup after 16 months | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: Star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant recently resumed training with the Indian cricket team after a hiatus of over 16 months, in preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup‘s opening match against Ireland on June 5. The tournament is set to take place across the West Indies and the USA from June 1 to June 29. India’s pre-tournament preparations include a solitary warm-up fixture against Bangladesh on June 1 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. ALSO SEE: T20 World Cup Schedule Pant’s comeback to competitive cricket occurred during this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL), following a severe road accident in December 2022. His return marks a significant moment as he dons the Indian jersey once again. In the IPL 2024 season, Pant played for the Delhi Capitals, who finished sixth in the standings. Despite the team’s failure to advance to the playoffs, Pant was a standout performer, accumulating 446 runs in 13 matches, including three half-centuries, and finishing as the team’s leading run-scorer. Ahead of the World Cup, Pant has visibly slimmed down and appears in excellent physical condition. A video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) featured Pant expressing his enthusiasm for rejoining the national team and the unique experience of playing in the USA.“This is one thing I missed a lot (practicing with the Indian team and playing for them). Getting back on the field with the Indian jersey on, it is a different feel altogether and this is something I missed a lot. I think seeing the teammates and meeting them again, spending time, having fun with them, enjoying having conversations, really enjoying it,” said Pant. “We are used to playing in certain countries but this is a different prospect. It has opened up a different channel for sport because I feel cricket is growing around the world and getting in a country like the US and getting the exposure here would be nice for cricket as well as USA cricket I guess. So just getting used to conditions over here and let us see how it goes. Hopefully, I make it count and make it more better from here,” he added.Pant’s performance in T20 World Cups to date includes participation in the 2021 and 2022 editions, where he scored a total of 87 runs across five innings, with a top score of 39. The upcoming World Cup presents an opportunity for Pant and the Indian team to strive for their first ICC trophy since winning the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. Despite reaching the finals and semifinals of various ICC tournaments in recent years, including the 50-over World Cup and the World Test Championship, India has not clinched an ICC trophy since their 2013 victory.India’s campaign in the T20 World Cup will commence against Ireland, followed by matches against Pakistan, the USA, and Canada in Group A. The team aims to secure their first T20 World Cup title since the inaugural tournament in 2007. In the previous edition held in Australia in 2022, India was eliminated in the semifinals by England.(Inputs from ANI)

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'Thoda improve hogaya lag raha hai': When Hardik Pandya sledged Dinesh Karthik | Cricket News

‘Thoda improve hogaya lag raha hai’: When Hardik Pandya sledged Dinesh Karthik | Cricket News

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Dinesh Karthik announced his retirement after Royal Challengers Bengaluru‘s (RCB) exit from IPL 2024, following their loss to Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator; and while looking back at his playing days, the former wicketkeeper-batsman shared some interesting moments from on-field banter with his India teammates during his IPL career. “Every time I played against RCB and Virat Kohli caught my catch, ‘Ben Stokes’ came out of his mouth for sure,” said Karthik on a lighter note in an interview with Cricbuzz.”But that was a send-off.”Besides RCB, where he joined Virat, the 38-year-old veteran previously played for Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) and erstwhile Gujarat Lions.He then went on to share the words Hardik Pandya, who is now Mumbai Indians’ skipper, once shot at him while he was batting. “Hardik Pandya sledged me saying ‘abhi legspinner aaya, iska thank you hi hai’ (a legspinner will come and it is Thank You time]. Then I had to play a couple of shots and then he was like ‘theek hai, thoda improve hogaya lag raha hai’ (okay, looks like he has improved a little]. That was good. He’s a good friend. He was also like ‘Commentator banke bhi thoda kaam kar raha hai’ (Even after becoming a commentator he’s working on his game) That was fun,” Karthik said. Karthik, who played 257 IPL matches and 60 T20Is, also mentioned he moment when former Mumbai Indians’ captain Rohit Sharma teased him with “isko World Cup khelna hai” comment on the field in the just-concluded season. “Rohit this year taunting me… unnecessarily giving me hopes,” said Karthik.Besides playing 60 T20Is, Karthik, who also does commentary, featured in 26 Tests and 94 ODIs for India.

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Virat Kohli: T20 World Cup: Uncertainty looms over Virat Kohli's participation in warm-up match | Cricket News

Virat Kohli: T20 World Cup: Uncertainty looms over Virat Kohli’s participation in warm-up match | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: Star batter Virat Kohli remains the only player from India’s T20 World Cup squad who has yet to arrive in the USA. While the other 18 cricketers, including four reserves, began their training session in New York on Wednesday, Kohli’s arrival is still pending.Kohli was recently seen in Mumbai with his wife Anushka Sharma and former India cricketer Zaheer Khan and he has reportedly requested an extended break after the grueling two-month-long Indian Premier League. “There has been no update on his travel status from the BCCI yet,” reported ESPNCricinfo. Kohli last played on May 22 in the IPL Eliminator, where his team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, was knocked out by Rajasthan Royals.According to PTI, Kohli is expected to reach New York on Friday. “Kohli took a break for personal work after RCB’s IPL ouster and in all likelihood, he will join the squad by Friday,” the news agency stated.However, doubts remain about Kohli’s availability for India’s only warm-up match against Bangladesh on Sunday, June 1. “It is not clear if he would be able to take part in the only warm-up game against Bangladesh on Saturday after a long flight,” PTI wrote.Kohli had a stellar IPL season, winning the Orange Cap for the second time with 741 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 154.70.India will start their campaign on June 5 against Ireland in New York, followed by a highly anticipated match against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 9. They will face hosts USA on June 12 before moving to Lauderhill, Florida, for a game against Canada on June 15.

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'Chalo ho jayega Dinesh bhai': Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra encourages as Dinesh Karthik tries javelin throw - Watch | Cricket News

‘Chalo ho jayega Dinesh bhai’: Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra encourages as Dinesh Karthik tries javelin throw – Watch | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: Following his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) after Royal Challengers Bengaluru‘s elimination from the tournament, veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik ventured into a new sport, javelin throw, in a viral video shared on social media platforms.In the video, Karthik was seen trying his hand at javelin throw alongside Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra.The clip captured a light-hearted moment between the two athletes, with Karthik gearing up for his throw while Chopra offered encouragement.As Karthik prepared for his attempt, Chopra can be heard motivating him, saying, “Chalo ho jayega Dinesh bhai,” instilling confidence in the cricketer. Karthik then executed what appeared to be a commendable javelin throw.WATCH: Prior to his foray into javelin throw, Karthik reflected on his decision to retire from the IPL, citing mental challenges as a significant factor. Despite being physically fit to continue playing professional cricket for another three years, Karthik emphasized the mental demands of the game as a determining factor in his retirement. Speaking to Cricbuzz, Karthik highlighted his robust physical condition throughout his cricketing career, expressing gratitude for never missing a game due to injury. However, he acknowledged the mental aspect of the sport as more challenging, particularly concerning his ability to maintain motivation and adapt to fluctuating playing opportunities.“It was all about the mental side of things, whether I’ll be able to push as much in the lead-up to the tournament, whether if I don’t play as many matches, will I be okay with it,” Karthik elaborated on the mental challenges he faced.

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My relation with Virat Kohli is not to give masala to the public: Gautam Gambhir | Cricket News

My relation with Virat Kohli is not to give masala to the public: Gautam Gambhir | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir shared a warm embrace during the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League. It was one of the heartwarming moments of the just concluded season. The long-standing alleged hostility between the two former teammates seemed to dissolve as they demonstrated mutual respect and camaraderie. Kohli, the face of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Gambhir, mentor the Kolkata Knight Riders, showed that their past differences were behind them. Gambhir’s return to KKR as a mentor proved to be a masterstroke, as he guided Shreyas Iyer‘s team to their third IPL title. KKR dominated the final, thrashing Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai. This victory ended KKR’s 10-year title drought. Addressing the perceived rift with Kohli, Gambhir told Sportskeeda, “The perception is far away from the reality. My relation with Virat Kohli is something this country doesn’t need to know. He has as much right as I do to express himself and help our respective teams win. Our relation is not to give masala to the public.” Gambhir also praised Kohli’s six-hitting prowess, acknowledging RCB batter’s batting excellence.Kohli had a stellar IPL 2024 season, topping the batting charts with 741 runs in 15 games and winning the prestigious Orange Cap. Earlier, Kohli also reflected on the moment with Gambhir during an event. “People are very disappointed with my behaviour. I hugged Naveen, and then the other day, Gauti bhai (Gautam Gambhir) came and hugged me. Your masala is over so you’re booing. We’re not kids anymore,” Kohli remarked.

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