Tag: Cricket

RCB Vs SRH IPL 2024: Do or die situation for Virat Kohli today as RCB’s playoff chances dwindle

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Batting powerhouse Sunrisers Hyderabad will aim to breach the 300-mark for the first time in IPL when they face Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday (April 25).

When the two teams locked horns earlier this season, Pat Cummins led-SRH scored the highest total in the history of IPL as they powered their way to 287/3. SRH’s record total came on the back of Head’s whirlwind knock of 121 off 41 balls and Heinrich Klaasen’s 67 in 31 deliveries. As SRH scored 287, they bettered the previous record of the highest IPL total of 277, which they achieved against Mumbai Indians earlier this season.

Meanwhile, RCB have endured a poor run this season and the team is at the bottom of the points table with just one win from eight games. The chances of RCB qualifying for the playoffs are slim and the team will be playing for pride for the rest of the season, if they lose today’s game.

RCB’s only victory came against Punjab Kings a month ago. Since then the team has suffered six straight losses.

SRH are in good batting form this season. The team followed the record score of 287/3 with a total of 266/7 against Delhi Capitals.

Also read: What are RCB’s chances of qualifying IPL 2024 playoffs?

After demolitioning RCB,  Head hinted that the team is aiming to breach the 300-mark in the IPL.

“(Our total) needs a three in front of it, does it now?” Head had said.

SRH are on a winning streak of four matches and currently sits at third place on the IPL points table. A win against RCB will take SRH a step closer to the playoff spot.

RCB’s disastrous run can be attributed to poor form of its batters. Virat Kohli is the leading run-scored this season with 379 runs.  But the likes of Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell have failed to deliver with the bat.

Maxwell is no longer available for selection as he has opted for a “mental and physical” break.

Bowlers too have been in wretched form. Yash Dayal is the team’s leading wicket-taker with 7 scalps from 7 matches. Mohammed Siraj’s the team’s leading pacer for many years was dropped for RCB’s match against Kolkata Knight Riders.

The form of two teams suggest that SRH should have little problem in defeating RCB yet again.

Players to watch out for

Travis Head

Travis Head has been in blistering form this season. The Aussie all-rounder has hammered the first hundred of this season and also scored two half-centuries. Head’s batting at the top of the order helps SRH to get to big scores. Head will be excited to punish RCB bowlers once more.

Virat Kohli (RCB)

Virat Kohli has been the only saving grace for RCB this season. The former RCB skipper is the leading run scorer this year. Kohli hit the first hundred of IPL 2024 and has scored two more fifties. If there is one player who can help RCB turn the tide around is Kohli.

Pitch:

The pitch in Hyderabad is fast and bouncy. The ball comes onto the bat nicely which helps the batters. Expect another high-scoring fixture.

SRH vs RCB Head to Head 

Matches played: 24

SRH wins: 13

RCB wins: 11

No Result: 1

Expected playing XIs

SRH: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Abdul Samad, Nitish Reddy, Shahbaz Ahmed, Pat Cummins (c), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mayank Markande, T Natarajan

RCB: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Lockie Ferguson, Yash Dayal, Mohammed Siraj

Match time and where to watch: 

The match gets underway at 7.30 PM IST.  The match will be broadcast live on the JioCinema app and on Start Sports network

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

DC vs GT: Mohit Sharma bowls the worst spell in IPL history

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Gujarat Titans fast bowler Mohit Sharma on Wednesday bowled the most expensive over of the IPL. Sharma became part of the dubious record after he conceded 77 runs from his 4 overs during his team’s match against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley stadium.

Off the 77 runs, 31 runs came the final over of his spell as Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant hit the medium pacer for four sixes and a four.  Mohit failed to pick even one wicket in his spell.

The previous record for the most expensive bowling returns in IPL history was against Basil Thampi. Thampi, during IPL 2018,  while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in a match against Royal Challengers Benglauru conceded 70 runs without picking up a wicket.

The two other spells, which are part of the top-5 most expensive spells in IPL history are Yash Dayal’s 0/69 for Gujarat Titans vs Kolkata Knight Riders and Reece Topley’s 0/68 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Mohit was the second-highest wicket taker in IPL 2023 as he claimed 27 scalps in 14 matches.

Thanks to the fifties from Pant and Axar Patel Delhi Capitals posted a total of 224/4 after 20 overs.

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Rishabh Pant thunderous 88 takes Delhi Capitals to 224/4 vs Gujarat Titans

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant played the best knock since his comeback as he blasted 88 against Gujarat Titans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Wednesday.

Pant, who is on his comeback trail after a fatal car accident in December 2022, showed no mercy on Gujarat Titans bowlers as he hammered 5 fours and 8 sixes during his unbeaten knock.

The wicket-keeper batter got good support from Axar Patel who hit 66 in 43 balls.

The two half-centuries helped Delhi Capitals to a massive total of 224/4 in 20 overs.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Usain Bolt is the ambassador of the T20 World Cup

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday named sprint legend Usain Bolt as the ambassador of the upcoming T20 World Cup to be played in the West Indies and USA from June 1 to 29.

Jamaica-born Bolt had created history at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing where he won the 100m, 200m and 4x100m races in world record times.

Bolt currently holds world records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m with times of 9.58 secs, 19.19 secs and 36.84 secs.

Bolt was delighted about his new role as the World Cup comes to his home.

“I am thrilled to be an ambassador for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Coming from the Caribbean where cricket is a part of life, the sport has always held a special place in my heart,” Bolt said in an ICC media release.

Bolt said it will be massive for cricket to find a market in the USA.

“While I will be supporting West Indies at the WC, getting the sport into the US is big for cricket. It’s the biggest sports market in the world.

“The energy that we will bring for the T20 World Cup is a huge opportunity leading towards cricket’s inclusion in the LA Olympics in 2028,” he said.

As an ambassador, Bolt will play a key role in promoting the event, starting with a cameo appearance in next week’s release of the event’s official anthem alongside iconic artists Sean Paul and Kes.

ICC Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Allardice said: “Usain Bolt is a global icon, we are thrilled to have him on board as an Ambassador for the T20 World Cup. His passion for cricket is well known, making him the perfect fit for this role.”

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

What are top-5 highest individual scores in IPL in run-chases?

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Marcus Stoinis’ century canceled out Ruturaj Gaikwad’s hundred as Lucknow Super Giants beat Chennai Super Kings by six wickets in the Indian Premier League on Tuesday.

Stoinis scored 124 not out off 63 balls, including 13 fours and six sixes, as Lucknow put dewy conditions to good use to successfully chase down the highest IPL total at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.

Stoinis’s unbeaten 124 is now the highest individual score in the IPL in a run chase. Here are the top-5 scores individual scores in the IPL in run chases. 

124* – Marcus Stoinis (LSG) vs CSK, Chennai, 2024
120* – Paul Valthaty (PBKS) vs CSK, Mohali, 2011
119 – Virender Sehwag (DC) vs Deccan Chargers, Hyderabad, 2011
119 – Sanju Samson (RR) vs PBKS, Mumbai WS, 2021
117* – Shane Watson (CSK) vs SRH, Mumbai WS, 2018 final

Rituraj Gaikwad was 108 not out as the hosts finished with 210-4 in 20 overs. Lucknow finished with 213-4 with three balls to spare.

Stoinis’ maiden hundred spearheaded the chase for the Super Giants after their openers fell cheaply — Quinton de Kock was out bowled for a three-ball duck, while Lokesh Rahul scored 16 runs.

Stoinis then countered with 50 off 26 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes. Impact player Devdutt Padikkal was a spectator at the other end, contributing only 13 runs in a 55-run partnership for the third wicket.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Where does Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 108 vs LSG stands among the highest individual scores for CSK?

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad blasted an unbeaten 108 against Lucknow Super Giants at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday.

Gaikwad hit 12 fours and three sixes as he completed his second IPL hundred. The century made Gaikwad the first CSK captain to notch a century in the T20 league.

Gaikwad’s unbeaten century and Dube’s thrilling cameo of 66 in 27 balls propelled the five-time champions to the score of 210/4 after 20 overs.

Dube’s 108 is now the fifth highest individual score by a CSK batter in the IPL.

Here are the top-5 highest individual scores for CSK (IPL)

127 – Murali Vijay vs RR, Chennai, 2010
117* – Shane Watson vs SRH, Mumbai WS, 2018 final
116* – Michael Hussey vs PBKS, Mohali, 2008
113 – Murali Vijay vs DC, Chennai, 2012 Q2
108* – Ruturaj Gaikwad vs LSG, Chennai, 2024

Gaikwad scored his first IPL century in 2021 against Rajasthan Royals.  Ahead of the start of this season he was elevated as the team’s captain after long-term captain stepped down from the role.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad punishes LSG bowlers en route his second IPL hundred

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad showed no mercy to Lucknow Super Giants bowlers as he hit his second IPL hundred. Gaikwad completed the century during the two team’s encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.

This is 27-year-old’s second century in the IPL. Gaikwad’s first hundred was against Rajasthan Royals during the 2021 season of the IPL.

Gaikwad reached three-figure mark in deliveries and hit 11 fours and 3 sixes along the way. The right-handed batter remained unbeaten and finished on 108 in 60 balls.

The Pune based batter made his IPL debut in 2020 when he was selected to for CSK for a match against Rajasthan Royals.

Ahead of the start of the 2024 season of the IPL, Gaikwad was elevated as CSK captain after MS Dhoni stepped down from the role.

Gaikwad built a 104-run partnership with Shivam Dube. Dube played an entertaining cameo of 66 which he scored in only 27 balls.

Thanks to Gaikwad’s hundred and Dube’s fifty CSK finished on 210/4 after 20 overs.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

IPL 2024: Why Kuldeep Yadav regrets his time with KKR?

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Delhi Capitals spinner Kuldeep Yadav has said that he regrets the time he spent with Kolkata Knight Riders.

The left-arm wrist spinner made his IPL debut for KKR and spent five seasons with the Kolkata based IPL franchise. However Kuldeep could not find much success with the team and he joined Delhi Capitals ahead of the 2021 season of the IPL.

“I still regret my time in KKR (from 2016-2020) and feel whatever I am doing now, wish I could have done it back then.

“It still hurts me that had I worked on those skills back then, I could have dominated even more,” Kuldeep said during a select media interaction.

Since  joining Delhi Capitals, Kuldeep has found his mojo back and taken 41 wickets in 33 matches for the Delhi team.

“In KKR, I needed guidance but now I don’t need it, as now I dictate terms. In 2019, Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni, his national team mentor) had retired that year and I needed guidance. The idea that I have now, has come with experience,” Kuldeep said about his success in the last one and half years.” Kuldeep added further.

Kuldeep had an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) surgery in 2020.

Post surgery, Kuldeep changed his run-up from diagonal to a much straighter one and also increased the pace on his delivery with more drift and prodigious turn in his break-backs.

“The difficult part was before I got that knee injury (surgery for ACL), I wasn’t bowling well. It is very important that there is someone in your life who supports you.” It was at that time he went back to the drawing board and worked with his early coach Pandey.

“It could be your coach or your parents, and my coach supported me and reminded me that you shouldn’t back-track.

“It is because you can be out of sight. During injury time, I was relaxed. I was thinking how can I get better? There were apprehensions about how things can go astray when one tries to add new things into his armoury.

“If I introduce new things in my bowling, there is fear of it affecting the turn and drift. Those aspects can get reduced while bringing a new facet.

“I did try it earlier but perhaps didn’t try in the correct manner. I tried increasing the pace in my deliveries but it didn’t work.

“Then my NCA physio gave me some tips and in a practice game, I tried to bowl with increased pace and did long sessions with Pandey sir,” he said.

Kuldeep also thanked head coach Ricky Ponting and former DC assistant coach Shane Watson for helping him when his rhythm was a bit off.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

When will Mayank Yadav play next? — LSG bowling coach provides an update

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Lucknow Super Giants are planning to bring back pace sensation Mayank Yadav in their next IPL fixture at home against Rajasthan Royals on April 27, bowling coach Morne Morkel revealed here on Monday. Following a spectacular start to IPL with three-fors against each of Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mayank was sidelined by “soreness in lower abdominal area” since April 7.

On the eve of their return leg clash against Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday, Morkel said Mayank had stayed back in Lucknow and is set to return against Rajasthan Royals. “He stayed behind in Lucknow just to give him that extra two-three days without travelling,” Morkel told reporters here.

“He is with (assistant coach) Lance Klusener and the rest of the guys in Lucknow, training and getting ready. So I think, anything from the next game onwards, we’ll look to bring him back in,” he added. Morkel said Mayank’s recent start in bowling shows promising progress, with efforts now directed towards hitting the 150 kmph mark consistently.

“He’s coming along very nicely. We’re very happy with his progression. He started bowling three-four days ago, so for him it’s just a matter now, of course of him, the expectation is greater, (given) that he bowls every ball at 150 kmph. “It’s just to really get his body and his mind in that sort of state where he’s confident, running and bowling all four overs at a tight pace.” The defending champions Chennai Super Kings suffered an eight-wicket defeat at Lucknow in their previous outing.

Morkel is aware that the IPL heavyweights will hope to get their record straight after returning home. “They plan well, and they’ve got a coach and they’ve got the experience of MS (Dhoni) and all the international players.

“It is definitely a team that you need to be on the money from ball one. You can’t afford to give them that momentum, because once you give that momentum away from them, or once they have momentum, it’s very hard to pull the game back. “We’ll have to be confident, especially after beating them with eight wickets in the last game. It’s a team that you can’t afford to be in a back foot, so from a mental point of view, we’ll have to stand up in all the battles, in all departments, with bat, ball and field,” Morkel added.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

These 4 players have condemned IPL’s Impact Player rule

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Indian Premier League’s “Impact Player” rule is not finding much favour from some of the cricketers who are playing in the league season. The most prominent player who has disapproved the rule is former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma.

“I’m not a big fan… It’s going to hold back all-rounders. Cricket is played by 11, not 12.” Rohit has said in the one of the recent episodes of the ‘Club Prairie Fire Podcast’.

Rohit got support from his India teammate Mohammed Siraj who has appealed the authorities to do away with the “Impact Player” rule.

“Please remove this Impact Sub thing (laughs), the wickets are already flat and there’s nothing for the bowlers in it, previously, it used to be slow at times, but the batters now come out swinging at absolutely everything,” Siraj said ahead of RCB’s IPL 2024 match against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens.

After Rohit and Siraj, two Delhi Capitals players have also spoken against the rule.  DC’s all-rounder Axar Patel and fast bowler Mukesh Kumar are the latest cricketers who are not in the favour of the rule.

While Axar believes that the rule is hampering his role as an all-rounder, Mukesh feels that the rule is affecting the bowlers.

“Whosoever is making the rules, they are thinking that everything will work as per batter’s convenience. Obviously, it has been difficult (for the bowlers). According to me, it’s difficult but obviously you will have the opportunity as well that you can perform well in that situation, if you have the skills then how you can use them,” Axar has said.

“If 12 players are not playing at the international level, then what is the need for it in IPL? With 12 players, even if four wickets are down, the next player is not scared of getting out or making the team stable, they come and play their shots. So either the nature of tracks should be changed or 12 players should not be allowed,” Mukesh told ESPNcricinfo.

The ‘Impact Player’ rule, introduced in 2023, allows all IPL teams to substitute a player — batter or bowler — during their respective innings as per the demands of the match

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow