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Bhuvneshwar Kumar on Verge of 150 Wickets for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Shreyas Iyer Returns for Kolkata Knight Riders

Bhuvneshwar Kumar on Verge of 150 Wickets for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Shreyas Iyer Returns for Kolkata Knight Riders

By March 23, 2024 0

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the spearhead of Sunrisers Hyderabad, is on the cusp of a remarkable milestone as he prepares to face Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening match of IPL 2024. The seasoned fast bowler is just four wickets away from becoming the first Indian bowler to claim 150 wickets for a single franchise in the league. Only two other bowlers, Lasith Malinga (Mumbai Indians) and Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders), have achieved this feat in the IPL’s history.

Meanwhile, the spotlight will also be on Shreyas Iyer’s return from a lengthy injury layoff. The Indian batter, who missed the entire 2023 season due to a back injury, will lead Kolkata Knight Riders, who have made some strategic additions while retaining the core of their team. Iyer recently impressed with a 95 in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy triumph, but his availability for all matches remains uncertain due to fitness concerns.

Kolkata Knight Riders have welcomed back their most successful captain, Gautam Gambhir, as a mentor. His partnership with head coach Chandrakant Pandit, a renowned tactician in the domestic circuit, will be crucial to their revival. Team principal owner Shah Rukh Khan has emphasized the importance of ownership and accountability, urging Gambhir to lead the franchise to success.

Under Gambhir’s captaincy, Kolkata Knight Riders enjoyed a golden era from 2011 to 2017, winning two IPL titles, reaching five playoffs, and finishing as runners-up in the Champions League T20 tournament.

The biggest signing of this IPL season is Kolkata Knight Riders’ acquisition of Australian pacer Mitchell Starc for a record sum of Rs 24.75 crore. The left-arm quick will face immense pressure to perform, especially in the power-play and death overs. Starc and Andre Russell are the only experienced pacers in Kolkata Knight Riders’ ranks, making their workload management a critical factor.

Categories: Cricket
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Hardik Pandya to Lead Mumbai Indians in IPL Opener Against Former Team Gujarat Titans

Hardik Pandya to Lead Mumbai Indians in IPL Opener Against Former Team Gujarat Titans

By March 23, 2024 0

Hardik Pandya, the dynamic all-rounder, will embark on a new chapter in his illustrious career as he takes over the captaincy of the Mumbai Indians in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The tournament, which commences on March 24, will mark Pandya’s return to the Mumbai franchise after a successful stint with the Gujarat Titans, where he led the team to the title in 2022.

Pandya’s appointment as captain is a testament to his leadership qualities and the high regard in which he is held by the Mumbai Indians management. He will be tasked with continuing the legacy of Rohit Sharma, who led the team to five IPL titles during his tenure.

The Mumbai Indians will face a stern test in their opening match against the Gujarat Titans, a team that Pandya himself marshaled over the last two seasons. The Titans, under the leadership of Shubman Gill, will be eager to prove that they are not a one-season wonder and will be looking to make a strong statement in their second IPL campaign.

The Mumbai Indians have been grappling with fitness issues to some of their key players, including star batter Suryakumar Yadav. However, the return of India skipper Rohit Sharma, who will be turning up as a player this season, will provide a much-needed boost to the team.

Another player whose performance will be closely scrutinized is Ishan Kishan, who will have a point to prove after losing his BCCI central contract for defying the Board’s diktat on domestic cricket. The southpaw will be looking to cement his place in the Indian team ahead of the T20 World Cup in the USA and Caribbean.

Besides Pandya, Mohammad Nabi and Romario Shepherd are the other quality all-round options Mumbai possess. Domestic players like Akash Madhwal and Nehal Wadhera will be looking to build on their performances of the previous season.

On the Titans’ front, Gill has been tasked with ensuring that the team maintains the remarkable consistency it showed in its first two seasons. Gill could be one of the future leaders for India, but for that to happen, he must prove himself on the IPL stage. He was the leading run-getter last season, and the franchise would be hoping that captaincy doesn’t impact his batting in any way.

The Titans will miss the services of Mohammed Shami, who recently underwent surgery to repair an Achilles tendon and will be back only in the second half of the year. However, the return of trump card Rashid Khan from a back surgery is a massive boost for Titans. The Afghanistan spinner made his comeback in the series against Ireland last week.

Among the new joinees, left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson and Azmatullah Omarazai will be looking to make a mark in the world’s biggest T20 league.

Categories: Cricket
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Dube Credits Dhoni for Finishing Skills, Guides CSK to IPL Opener Triumph

Dube Credits Dhoni for Finishing Skills, Guides CSK to IPL Opener Triumph

By March 23, 2024 0

Shivam Dube Credits MS Dhoni for His Finishing Prowess, Guides CSK to Thrilling IPL Opener Victory

Shivam Dube, the dynamic all-rounder for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has attributed his ability to finish crucial games to the invaluable guidance of his legendary teammate, MS Dhoni. Dhoni, renowned as one of the greatest finishers in cricket history, has served as a mentor for Dube, who played a pivotal role in CSK’s thrilling six-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL opener on Friday.

Reflecting on his match-winning performance, Dube expressed his elation at contributing to CSK’s triumph. “Finishing the game for Chennai is always something that amazes me. That’s what I have learnt from Mahi bhai, and I try to do it every game,” he stated.

Dube’s crucial 34-run cameo, coupled with an unbeaten 66-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, guided CSK to chase down RCB’s target of 174 runs with confidence and composure. Acknowledging his partnership with CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dube praised Gaikwad’s composed approach to the chase, highlighting the calming presence he brought to the team. “It was nice to have a partnership with Rutu. Obviously, he’s done this for a long period for Chennai,” he noted.

Dube also commended the unwavering support from the Chepauk crowd, describing it as “incredible” and among the loudest he has ever experienced. “It was crazy; the crowd was incredible, one of the loudest I have ever experienced. It was unbelievable,” he added.

Looking ahead, CSK will face last season’s runner-up, Gujarat Titans, in their next game, with Dube aiming to continue his impactful performances and keep the Chepauk crowd entertained with more victories.

Categories: Cricket
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KL Rahul's Return to LSG: Fitness and Form Under Scrutiny in IPL Opener

KL Rahul’s Return to LSG: Fitness and Form Under Scrutiny in IPL Opener

By March 23, 2024 0

KL Rahul’s return to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) opener against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on March 24 will be a crucial test of his form and fitness. Rahul missed the last four Tests against England due to a quadriceps injury and was out for four months last year after undergoing thigh surgery.

As LSG captain, Rahul will aim to lead the team to a strong start, especially after guiding them to successive playoffs in the first two seasons. He is likely to play purely as a batter, at least initially, but the additional burden of keeping could strengthen his chances of making the T20 World Cup squad.

RR’s Sanju Samson, Rahul’s opposite number on March 24, is also a candidate for the wicket-keepers’ role in the India squad for the ICC event. Samson will be keen to find his rhythm right from the start. RR came tantalizingly close to clinching a second title before Gujarat Titans broke their heart in the final in 2022.

Both teams face tough decisions in selecting their best XI. RR boasts a solid batting line-up, including in-form Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, and skipper Samson. They also have a finisher in Dhruv Jurel, who made an impressive India debut in the recent five-match Test series against England. Samson may consider strengthening the middle-order by bringing in West Indies’ Rovman Powell to join countryman Shimron Hetmyer.

LSG, on the other hand, will rely on Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stonis, and Nicholas Pooran to do the bulk of the scoring alongside skipper Rahul. The team will have to contend with spin wizards Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, who can run through any batting line-up on a given day.

Lucknow also has a shrewd customer in leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who will be eager to put up a good show to put himself in line for a place in the T20 World Cup squad. Veteran leg-break bowler Amit Mishra is also a threat. However, their pace battery looks dim after foreign recruits Mark Wood and David Willey were ruled out and Indian talents Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan are plagued by fitness issues.

The inexperience of pacer Yash Thakur and lack of game time for Shivam Mavi mean LSG might hand the responsibility to experienced Naveen ul Haq and West Indies sensation Shamar Joseph. It will be interesting to see how Justin Langer goes about his business in his first IPL assignment as coach of LSG.

Categories: Cricket
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KKR Vice-Captain Rana Hopes Iyer Leads Team in IPL 2024

KKR Vice-Captain Rana Hopes Iyer Leads Team in IPL 2024

By March 23, 2024 0

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vice-captain Nitish Rana expressed optimism about star batter Shreyas Iyer’s fitness and leadership role in the upcoming IPL 2024 season. Iyer, who missed the previous season due to injury, has returned to the KKR camp with a back issue.

Rana, who led KKR in Iyer’s absence, acknowledged the challenges faced by the team last year. “We did not achieve everything we wanted, yet it was the greatest experience for me,” he said. Despite finishing seventh in the points table, Rana believes there is a renewed sense of determination within the team.

“This time, our team is very positive and you can feel it in the dressing room. There is a determination to win, which wasn’t so strong last year. Everyone is thinking about the trophy,” Rana added.

Regarding Iyer’s fitness, Rana expressed hope that he would be able to lead the team throughout the season. “Shreyas is back with the team and is quite fit. Of course, he had fitness issues in the past, but I hope I do not have to take up this responsibility again,” Rana said.

Rana also highlighted the strength of the KKR squad, which includes experienced players like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Venkatesh Iyer, as well as promising youngsters like Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rinku Singh.

“We have a good mix of experience and youth. We have a lot of match-winners in our team. We are confident that we can go all the way this time,” Rana concluded.

Categories: Cricket
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Verstappen Grabs Pole in Melbourne, Targets Record 10th Consecutive Win

Verstappen Grabs Pole in Melbourne, Targets Record 10th Consecutive Win

By March 23, 2024 0

Max Verstappen, the reigning three-time world champion, continued his dominance by securing his third consecutive pole position of the season at the Australian Grand Prix. The Dutch driver’s blistering lap time of 1 minute 15.915 seconds at Melbourne’s Albert Park circuit put him 0.270 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.

Sainz, who returned to the cockpit just two weeks after undergoing appendicitis surgery, put in a valiant effort to secure second place on the grid. He will join Verstappen on the front row, setting the stage for an intense battle on Sunday.

“A bit unexpected today, but very happy — both (Q3) laps felt very nice,” said Verstappen, who is aiming to repeat his 2022 victory in Australia. “A bit of a tricky weekend so far, Ferrari seem very quick in the long runs so that makes tomorrow exciting.”

Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate, will start third, while Lando Norris of McLaren surprised with a fourth-place finish. Charles Leclerc, the 2022 Melbourne winner, qualified fifth in the second Ferrari, followed by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in sixth.

Mercedes’ George Russell secured seventh place, ahead of Yuki Tsunoda of Red Bull and the Aston Martin duo of Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso. However, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton suffered a setback, failing to make it into Q3 and starting in 11th position.

“It’s been a tough couple of weeks, a lot of days in bed waiting to see if I could be here today,” said Sainz, expressing relief at his performance. “To put it on the front row after leading through qualifying, I was almost not believing it.”

Despite Sainz’s efforts, Verstappen remains the favorite for victory. The Dutchman has won the opening two races of the season and is chasing a record-breaking 10th consecutive win. Red Bull, meanwhile, is aiming for its third straight 1-2 finish.

Sainz topped Q2 ahead of Verstappen and Leclerc, while Hamilton’s elimination was a major upset. Tsunoda, the only driver outside the top five teams to make it into Q3, benefited from Hamilton’s misfortune.

Haas’ Kevin Magnussen and Valtteri Bottas of Sauber also missed out in Q2, along with Esteban Ocon of Alpine and Alex Albon of Williams. Sainz was also fastest in Q1, followed by Perez and Verstappen.

Zhou Guanyu of Sauber finished last, while Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull, Pierre Gasly of Alpine, and Nico Hulkenberg of Haas failed to progress beyond Q1. Logan Sargeant was absent after his Williams was given to teammate Albon, who crashed on Saturday. With no spare chassis available, Williams opted to field only one car.

Categories: Others
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Rishabh Pant Set for Special Return in Delhi Capitals' IPL Opener

Rishabh Pant Set for Special Return in Delhi Capitals’ IPL Opener

By March 23, 2024 0

Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach Ricky Ponting has expressed immense confidence in captain Rishabh Pant’s ability to make a remarkable return to competitive cricket in their opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season against Punjab Kings (PBKS).

Pant, who suffered a life-threatening car crash in December 2022, has been out of action since then. However, the 26-year-old has undergone an impressive recovery during his rehab process.

Ahead of the game against PBKS, Ponting revealed that he had to forcefully drag Pant out of the nets on several occasions, indicating the skipper’s eagerness to return to the field. “We had a week’s training in Vizag before coming here and trust me Rishabh is back and ready to play. He is batting and moving behind the stumps beautifully. Sometimes he bats too much and I have to drag him out of nets,” Ponting said.

Ponting believes that Pant is capable of producing something special in the opening match. “I’ve seen where his game is at, and don’t be surprised if something special happens tomorrow. His attitude and smile and what he wants to do for the team is infectious. Everyone wants to be like Rishabh,” he added.

Pant, who is making his comeback after a long and arduous rehab, expressed his gratitude for being able to return to the field. “Jittery, nervous, excited…all of it, but at the same time, just happy, being able to come back to professional cricket. I’m just looking forward to playing my first game tomorrow,” Pant said.

However, Pant acknowledged that it will take time to regain his previous form and is taking a cautious approach. “Every time I take the field, it’s a different feeling altogether. I think, as a batter, as long as I can bat. It is better because the more I bat, I will be in a better position to execute shots, muscle memory is intact even though I haven’t played for nearly a year and half,” the swashbuckling batter said.

“But I have been playing since childhood, so it doesn’t go away that easily. So, the more I practice, the better chance I will give myself as a cricketer,” he added.

With Pant’s return, DC will be hoping to make a strong start to their IPL 2024 campaign. The team will be looking to Pant to provide stability and leadership as they aim to challenge for the title.

Categories: Cricket
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Kidambi Srikanth Reaches Swiss Open Semifinals, Lone Indian Survivor

Kidambi Srikanth Reaches Swiss Open Semifinals, Lone Indian Survivor

By March 23, 2024 0

Star Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth has emerged as the lone Indian survivor at the Swiss Open Super 300 badminton tournament, advancing to the semifinals with a convincing straight-game victory over Chinese Taipei’s Chia Hao Lee in Basel.

Srikanth, who has been struggling for form this season, finally found his rhythm in the quarterfinals, dominating Lee 21-10, 21-14 in just 35 minutes. This marks his first semifinal appearance in 16 months, since the Hylo Open in November 2022.

The 2021 world championships silver medalist will now face Chinese Taipei’s world no. 22 Lin Chun-Yi in the semifinals on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Kiran George’s valiant effort came to a heartbreaking end in the quarterfinals, as he narrowly lost to Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke 23-21, 17-21, 15-21. Another promising Indian, Priyanshu Rajawat, also bowed out in the quarterfinals, falling to Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei 15-21, 19-21.

Srikanth’s victory is a much-needed boost for Indian badminton, which has been facing a slump in recent months. The shuttler will be hoping to continue his momentum and secure a spot in the final, where he could potentially face world no. 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.

Categories: Badminton
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England's Kane Out of Brazil Friendly, Doubtful for Belgium

England’s Kane Out of Brazil Friendly, Doubtful for Belgium

By March 23, 2024 0

England’s captain, Harry Kane, will miss the upcoming friendly match against Brazil on Saturday due to an ankle injury sustained during Bayern Munich’s victory over Darmstadt last weekend. Kane’s absence extends to the potential match against Belgium next week, leaving him “extremely doubtful” for participation.

The injury setback comes at a crucial time for Kane, as England manager Gareth Southgate prepares to announce his squad for Euro 2024 in June. However, Kane remains confident in his place on the team despite the injury.

Other notable absentees from the England squad include Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson and Chelsea forward Cole Palmer, who are also sidelined with injuries. Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka withdrew from the squad on Thursday due to an injury.

Southgate expressed concern over Kane’s injury, stating that he would be “extremely doubtful” for the Belgium match. However, he acknowledged the opportunity for Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney to prove their worth as potential understudies to Kane at the Euros.

Watkins has scored three goals in nine international appearances, while Toney made his England debut as a substitute against Ukraine last year. Southgate emphasized the importance of versatility in his squad, hinting at the possibility of selecting players who can fulfill multiple roles.

Despite the absences, England remain favorites to defeat Brazil in their first match under new head coach Dorival Junior. The Selecao have won 10 of their last 11 friendlies against European opposition but will be eager to avoid a fourth consecutive loss since 2001.

Southgate acknowledged England’s poor record against Brazil but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to create history and test themselves against a formidable opponent.

Categories: Football
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Nicholas Pooran's Support Bolsters Rishabh Pant's Comeback

Nicholas Pooran’s Support Bolsters Rishabh Pant’s Comeback

By March 23, 2024 0

Rishabh Pant’s much-anticipated return to competitive cricket in the IPL 2024 clash between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings has garnered immense support and encouragement from fellow cricketer Nicholas Pooran. Pooran, who himself faced adversity after surviving a car crash, empathized with Pant’s struggle to return to the cricket field after a life-threatening car accident in December 2022.

Expressing his joy for Pant’s comeback, Pooran remarked in an exclusive conversation with IANS, “I think everyone is looking forward to seeing how he goes, and I am really excited and very happy for him.” Recognizing the challenges Pant faced during his recovery, Pooran reached out to him to provide moral support and guidance. He emphasized the importance of having a supportive network during tough times, stating, “You just need people to be there to support you, and I was trying to do exactly that.”

Throughout their conversations, Pooran offered words of encouragement and shared his own experiences of overcoming adversity. He recalled reassuring Pant that he would eventually return to cricket, emphasizing the importance of staying positive during challenging moments. Pant’s journey to recovery demanded patience and resilience, traits that Pooran admired in him. He noted, “He handled the recovery process admirably like a champ, so well done to him.”

Witnessing Pant’s progress, including moments like being crutches free and returning to the nets, brought immense joy to Pooran. He emphasized the significance of these small victories in the recovery journey, stating, “Those little victorious moments mean a lot.” As Pant prepares to resume his role on the cricket field, Pooran believes that embracing every moment and having fun will be key to his success. He expressed confidence in Pant’s ability to thrive in his multiple roles, including batting, wicketkeeping, and captaining Delhi Capitals.

Pant’s resilience and determination serve as an inspiration to many, and his return to cricket symbolizes his unwavering belief in himself. With the support of friends like Pooran, Pant’s journey from adversity to triumph exemplifies the power of perseverance and faith.

Categories: Cricket
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