Not Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma; Suresh Raina picks player with 21 T20I caps to be India's X factor in T20 WC – India TV

Not Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma; Suresh Raina picks player with 21 T20I caps to be India’s X factor in T20 WC – India TV

Image Source : PTI Indian cricket team. India’s charge in the T20 World Cup is set to begin on June 5 with their opening clash against Ireland in New York. The team that lifted the trophy in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2007, is in the hunt for another title in the West Indies and the USA. The Indian team will bank on bigwigs like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah to come well but former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has picked a player with 21 T20I caps to be the team’s X-factor for the tournament.  While speaking at the launch of the World Championship of Leagues, the left-handed star said that Shivam Dube can be the X-factor India need in the World Cup. “He has to play in the World Cup. See, the ability to stand still while hitting those big sixes is very rare. Shivam Dube can be the x-factor for India to win the World Cup. So Rohit will have to take the call whether he wants to play Virat (Kohli) up the top, but then Yashasvi is also batting with a different kind of flair. If the situation arises, Shivam can also bowl for the side,” Rainsa said at the launch ceremony.  Dube has the special ability to hit sixes while not moving his feet much and staying still. He was in sublime form during the most of IPL 2024, hitting 396 runs at an average of 36 and a strike rate of 162.30.  Along with spin, the left-handed batter showed his improved game against pacers too in IPL 2024. Out of his 396 runs, 309 have come against pacers in 12 innings at a strike rate of 164.36. Notably, Dube had two consecutive golden ducks in the latter half of the tournament. In the last three IPL outings, he managed 21, 18 and 7 to his name. The 30-year-old bowled in only one game and picked up a wicket in that match against Punjab Kings. Dube will need to bounce back from the under par latter part of the tournament for the 20-over World Cup.

Read More
'It's all good, these things happen': Shahid Afridi clears the air with Suresh Raina over social media banter | Cricket News

‘It’s all good, these things happen’: Shahid Afridi clears the air with Suresh Raina over social media banter | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has clarified his recent interaction with former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina over a social media post, which led to Raina deleting his comment.The incident began when Afridi was announced as an ambassador for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. In response to this announcement, an X user taunted Raina by saying, “ICC has named Shahid Afridi as ambassador for ICC T20 World Cup 2024.Hello Suresh Raina.”Raina quickly responded with a post that read, “I’m not an ICC ambassador, but I have the 2011 World Cup at my house. Remember the game at Mohali? Hope it brings back some unforgettable memories for you.”Afridi addressed the situation on his YouTube channel, revealing that he had a conversation with Raina about the post. “Suresh Raina and I have shared many cricketing moments, and he’s a good person,” Afridi said. “Sometimes, lighthearted banter happens. After seeing his post on social media, I spoke with him, and he understood the situation like a younger brother. He agreed to delete the tweet. It’s all good; these things happen. Great individuals acknowledge and rectify their mistakes.” This isn’t the first time Raina has taken a playful jab at Afridi. During the IPL 2024, while answering a question from Aakash Chopra on commentary about reversing his retirement decision, Raina quipped, “I am Suresh Raina, not Shahid Afridi.” Afridi has recently joined an illustrious group of T20 World Cup ambassadors, including Yuvraj Singh, the ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle, and the fastest man on earth, Usain Bolt.

Read More
Sanju Samson achieves huge milestone in IPL, joins Suresh Raina in elite list – India TV

Sanju Samson achieves huge milestone in IPL, joins Suresh Raina in elite list – India TV

Image Source : AP Sanju Samson may have scored just 18 runs against Punjab Kings but he achieved a huge milestone in the IPL Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson is having his best IPL season yet as he notched up 500 runs in the ongoing edition. Even though he scored just 18 runs against the Punjab Kings on Wednesday, May 15 in Guwahati, Samson became only the second batter in IPL to score 3000 runs batting at No 3 after Suresh Raina as he notched up the feat after scoring his 10th run against Punjab. While Raina is still more than 1900 runs away, Samson too has made distance with the likes of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, who are No 3 and 4 on the list. Most runs at No 3 in IPL Suresh Raina (CSK, GL) – 4,934 runs in 171 innings Sanju Samson (RR, DD) – 3,008 runs in 90 inningsVirat Kohli (RCB) – 2,815 runs in 93 inningsAB de Villiers (DD, RCB) – 2,188 runs in 58 inningsManish Pandey (KKR, DC, MI, RCB, LSG, PWI, SRH) – 1,942 runs in 72 innings Samson’s performance with the bat has been one of the key reasons behind Rajasthan Royals’s impressive run in the 2024 edition of the IPL apart from Riyan Parag’s emergence. Yes, the Royals have suffered a hiccup in the last few matches with three successive losses, however, they still are a quality side and with playoffs confirmed, Samson would eye a 600-plus season with the T20 World Cup coming. As far as the match is concerned, the Punjab Kings read the conditions well and the likes of Sam Curran, Nathan Ellis and Harshal Patel deployed their slower deliveries efficiently and the Royals, who wanted to post a big total after choosing to bat first, failed to read the conditions and ended up with a below-par score. Local boy Riyan Parag did score a few in the end to take them to 140-plus but they will have to bowl out of their skins to defend that.

Read More
'Maaro bhai, dono maarenge...': Rishabh Pant recalls special IPL moment with Sanju Samson | Cricket News

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

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

Read More
MS Dhoni becomes first player to achieve this massive record in IPL | Cricket News

MS Dhoni becomes first player to achieve this massive record in IPL | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: In a historic feat, Chennai Super Kings legend MS Dhoni on Sunday etched his name in IPL annals as the first player to take 150 catches in the history of the tournament.Dhoni, who had 149 wickets to his name before this match, accomplished the feat during the IPL match against Punjab Kings at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.Known for his lightning reflexes and astute wicketkeeping, Dhoni’s achievement underscores his exceptional skill and longevity in the cricketing world.Dhoni’s milestone as a CSK franchise stalwart exemplifies his enduring impact on the game, inspiring generations of cricketers. Dinesh Karthik of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who has taken 144 catches, is second on the list, followed by former RCB stalwart AB de Villiers, renowned for his versatile fielding and athleticism, who took an impressive 118 catches during his career, while his teammate Virat Kohli, who has 113 catches to his name, occupies the fourth spot, and former CSK player Suresh Raina, known for his sharp fielding, rounds off the top-5 list with 109 catches.Most catches by a player in IPL MS Dhoni – CSK – 150 Dinesh Karthik – RCB – 144 AB de Villiers – RCB – 118* Virat Kohli – RCB – 113 Suresh Raina – CSK – 109* (* Players who are no longer playing in IPL)These players have shown exceptional fielding skills throughout their IPL careers, contributing significantly to their teams’ defences. These statistics not only highlight the individual talents of these cricketers, but they also emphasize the importance of fielding in the shorter format of the game.As a high-octane tournament, the IPL frequently sees matches decided by the narrowest of margins, where every catch has the potential to turn the game. These players’ contributions in the field have been as crucial as their performances with the bat or ball, making them integral to their respective teams in the IPL.

Read More