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Sandeep Sharma Shines as Rajasthan Royals Triumph in IPL Opener

Sandeep Sharma Shines as Rajasthan Royals Triumph in IPL Opener

By March 27, 2024 0

Rajasthan Royals (RR) spinner Ravichandran Ashwin heaped praise on right-arm seamer Sandeep Sharma for his exceptional performance in their IPL 2024 opener against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Sharma’s economical spell of 3 overs for 22 runs, including a wicket, played a crucial role in RR’s 20-run victory at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

Ashwin highlighted the impact of Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag’s 93-run partnership, which laid the foundation for RR’s competitive total of 193/4. Samson’s unbeaten 82 off 52 balls, studded with six maximums and three fours, was a standout performance. Parag contributed a valuable 43 off 29 balls, including three sixes.

“Sanju and Riyan batted really well,” Ashwin said. “But I felt we were 10 runs short, with so many impact players coming up in the form of Hetmyer and Jurel.”

Ashwin also praised Sharma’s consistency and work ethic. “Sandy has been a top-5 bowler (in the IPL),” Ashwin said. “He’s a character, does the dirty work for us, did a lot to cover for Prasidh in the last season as well. I see him as a fighter.”

In the chase, LSG was reduced to 11/3 before Deepak Hooda and KL Rahul steadied the innings. However, RR bowlers Trent Boult, Sandeep, Ashwin, Nandre Burger, and Yuzvendra Chahal combined to restrict LSG to 173/6, with Nicholas Pooran’s 64 off 41 balls proving insufficient.

Boult was the pick of the bowlers with 2/35, while Sandeep, Ashwin, Burger, and Chahal took a wicket each. Samson was adjudged ‘Player of the Match’ for his match-winning half-century.

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CSK's Smooth Transition Under Gaikwad's Leadership

CSK’s Smooth Transition Under Gaikwad’s Leadership

By March 27, 2024 0

Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) transition under new captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has begun smoothly, with the team securing consecutive victories in IPL 2024. Gaikwad has demonstrated exceptional leadership, collaborating closely with former captain MS Dhoni and head coach Stephen Fleming.

Michael Hussey, CSK’s batting coach, has praised Gaikwad’s tactical acumen and field management. “He’s very well prepared,” Hussey said. “He changes the bowlers around effectively, and his messaging to them is clear.”

Gaikwad’s new opening partner, Rachin Ravindra, has also impressed, seamlessly slotting into the team in Devon Conway’s absence. Ravindra’s aggressive batting has contributed to CSK’s strong starts.

Another standout performer for CSK has been Sameer Rizvi, who made a sparkling cameo against Gujarat Titans. Rizvi’s raw power and fearless approach have caught the attention of the team management.

CSK’s batting depth and the Impact Player rule have encouraged the team to adopt a hyper-aggressive approach, aiming for above-par totals. Hussey emphasized that players will not be criticized for taking risks while pursuing this strategy.

“We want to keep playing fast,” Hussey said. “With the Impact Player rule, we have an extra batsman and bowler throughout the game. So the batting order keeps lengthening. We have MSD at No.8, which is crazy.”

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Maia Bouchier's 91 Powers England to T20I Series Victory

Maia Bouchier’s 91 Powers England to T20I Series Victory

By March 27, 2024 0

England’s Maia Bouchier emerged as a batting sensation, guiding her team to a commanding 47-run victory over New Zealand in the third T20I in Wellington. Bouchier’s blistering 91 propelled England to a formidable 177 for 3, setting an insurmountable target for the hosts.

Bouchier, promoted to open the innings, seized the opportunity with aplomb. Despite an early reprieve on 5, she unleashed a destructive display, reaching her maiden T20I half-century in just 33 balls. Her innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, featuring a magnificent straight six off Hannah Rowe.

Bouchier’s dominance continued as she forged a 75-run partnership with Alice Capsey. Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight provided the late fireworks, adding 34 runs off just 14 balls. England’s aggressive approach saw them amass 65 runs in the final five overs, leaving New Zealand with a daunting chase.

New Zealand’s hopes were dealt a major blow when captain Sophie Devine suffered a quad strain while bowling. Her absence was keenly felt as the hosts struggled to keep pace with England’s imposing total. Bernadine Bezuidenhout and Amelia Kerr provided some resistance, but Charlie Dean’s four-wicket haul extinguished any hopes of a comeback.

Dean’s impressive performance highlighted England’s bowling strength. Sophie Ecclestone, returning to international duty, was typically economical, despite a rare fielding lapse. Lauren Bell’s early strike on Suzie Bates further weakened New Zealand’s batting lineup.

Bouchier’s outstanding innings and England’s collective dominance secured a series-clinching victory. The visitors’ aggressive approach and clinical execution proved too much for a depleted New Zealand side.

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Danielle Collins Favored to Advance at Miami Open Despite Garcia's Recent Success

Danielle Collins Favored to Advance at Miami Open Despite Garcia’s Recent Success

By March 27, 2024 0

Danielle Collins, the 53rd-ranked player in the world, has been making waves at the Miami Open, showcasing her exceptional form and determination. Despite announcing her retirement from the WTA Tour at the end of the season, Collins remains a formidable opponent, as evidenced by her impressive victories over Anastasia Potapova, Elina Avanesyan, and Sorana Cirstea.

Collins’ next challenge comes in the form of Caroline Garcia, who has also been in impressive form, defeating Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff in her previous matches. However, Garcia’s season-long statistics raise concerns, particularly her subpar hold percentage and career-low break percentage. Her unreliable serving has been a major factor in her recent struggles.

In contrast, Collins has been breaking at an impressive 41.6% this year, a career-high mark. Her elite returning skills will pose a significant threat to Garcia’s serve. Additionally, Collins thrives in the Florida atmosphere, having grown up and trained in the state. She will also enjoy the support of the home crowd.

Collins holds a 3-0 record against Garcia, never dropping a set in their previous encounters. This psychological advantage, combined with her current form and the favorable conditions, gives Collins a strong edge in this matchup.

Categories: Tennis
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PBKS Skipper Dhawan Blames Slow Start and Dropped Catch for Defeat

PBKS Skipper Dhawan Blames Slow Start and Dropped Catch for Defeat

By March 27, 2024 0

Punjab Kings skipper Shikhar Dhawan expressed his disappointment after his team’s four-wicket defeat against Royal Challengers Bangalore, attributing it to a slow start and a crucial dropped catch.

Batting first, PBKS struggled to gain momentum, scoring only 40 runs in the powerplay. Dhawan admitted to playing slowly in the initial overs, costing his team valuable runs. The dismissal of Jonny Bairstow further hindered their progress.

In the second innings, Virat Kohli’s dropped catch proved costly as the RCB batter went on to score a match-winning 77. Dhawan lamented the missed opportunity, believing it could have shifted the momentum in PBKS’s favor.

Despite the loss, Dhawan praised Harpreet Brar’s performance, who emerged as a game-changer with his economical bowling and crucial wickets.

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Sidhu: Rohit Sharma's Stature Unchanged Despite Hardik Pandya's MI Captaincy

Sidhu: Rohit Sharma’s Stature Unchanged Despite Hardik Pandya’s MI Captaincy

By March 27, 2024 0

Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has weighed in on the recent captaincy change in the Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise, where Rohit Sharma has been replaced by Hardik Pandya ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season.

Sidhu believes that the change in captaincy does not diminish the stature of Rohit Sharma or MS Dhoni, who has also passed on the captaincy baton in the past. He emphasized that great players remain great regardless of their position in a team.

“I have played in an Indian team where five captains used to play together. There were no issues because they were playing for their nation. The motivation was to play for your country. So, playing under Hardik does not make Rohit smaller,” Sidhu said.

He further stated that franchise teams make decisions based on performance, and the change in captaincy at MI was a result of the team’s struggles in recent seasons.

“But this is a franchise and they look at the performances. They gave it three years and when it did not work, they got a new person for the job. You need to accept it. But Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni are great players. A dwarf is a dwarf even if he is standing at the top of a mountain and a God is a God even if they are standing at the bottom of a well,” Sidhu added.

Meanwhile, MI’s batting coach Kieron Pollard has defended the team’s decision to open the bowling with Hardik Pandya instead of Jasprit Bumrah in their IPL opener against Gujarat Titans. He explained that it was a collective decision based on Pandya’s recent success with the new ball for Gujarat Titans.

“You have to plan and decide what you want to do as a team. Hardik (Pandya) has also bowled with the new ball for Gujarat over the last couple of years. He swung the new ball and bowled it well, which was nothing new to us,” Pollard said.

Despite the change in captaincy and bowling strategy, MI lost their opening match of the IPL 2024 season by six runs to Gujarat Titans.

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Wales' Euro 2024 Hopes Dashed by Poland in Penalty Shootout

Wales’ Euro 2024 Hopes Dashed by Poland in Penalty Shootout

By March 27, 2024 0

Wales’ Euro 2024 hopes were dashed in heartbreaking fashion as Poland edged them out 5-4 on penalties in Cardiff. After a tense 0-0 draw, Leeds winger Dan James was the only player to miss in the shootout, sending Poland to Germany this summer.

Despite the presence of Barcelona star Robert Lewandowski, Poland failed to register a single shot on target in 120 minutes. However, they found their range from the spot, with Lewandowski, Sebastian Szymanski, Przemyslaw Frankowski, Nicola Zalewski, and Krzysztof Piatek all converting confidently.

Wales, missing the talismanic Gareth Bale, created a good game but lacked the creative spark to break down a resolute Polish defense. Kieffer Moore provided a physical presence up front, but his header was spectacularly saved by Wojciech Szczesny.

The home side finished the 90 minutes in the ascendency but could not find the breakthrough. In extra time, Poland came closest to winning the game, but Jakub Piotrowski’s effort flew inches past the far post.

Wales saw out the final few seconds with 10 men after Chris Mepham was shown a second yellow card. But their first experience of penalties was a sour one, with James’ miss proving costly.

“It’s a cruel game,” said Wales boss Rob Page. “We’ll be bigger and stronger for having gone through this horrible experience. This group is going somewhere. There is a lot more to come, there are good times ahead.”

Poland coach Michal Probierz praised his team’s performance: “We created a good, emotional game. This is a very important day for us.”

Categories: Football
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Power Outage Halts Azarenka's Miami Open Quarterfinal

Power Outage Halts Azarenka’s Miami Open Quarterfinal

By March 27, 2024 0

Tennis Interrupted: Azarenka’s Patience Tested by Miami Open Power Outage

In a bizarre turn of events at the Miami Open, Victoria Azarenka’s quarterfinal clash with Yulia Putintseva was halted for nearly an hour due to a power outage. The incident, which occurred just three games into the match, left Azarenka grappling with frustration and uncertainty.

“It’s definitely a frustration,” Azarenka said after the match. “I’m not sure it’s my years of experience (on tour) rather than being a parent that helped me with that.”

With Putintseva leading 2-1, 30-0, the lights and advertising boards lining the Stadium court suddenly went dark. More importantly, Hawkeye Live, tennis’ automated line calling system, went down too. Without linespeople at the Miami Open, play could not continue.

“In that moment where you’re playing a match, you’re like, Okay, you need to stop. How long you need to stop for? I have no idea. It’s (definitely) not an easy thing to handle,” Azarenka said.

The outage presented a unique challenge for both players. “It’s quite challenging… Do you wait, do you warm up, do you sit on the court? No one knows what’s happening,” Azarenka said. “I think that was probably the most confusing part… It was just a very uncertain situation.”

After the power was restored 52 minutes later, Azarenka was able to regroup and take the opening set in a tiebreak. However, Putintseva fought back to win the second set 6-1. Azarenka ultimately prevailed in the third set, sealing the victory after exactly three hours.

The victory sent Azarenka back into the semifinals in Miami for the fifth time, and into her first at the WTA 1000 level since Indian Wells in 2021. She now awaits the winner of the match between No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina and No. 8 seed Maria Sakkari.

Categories: Tennis
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Brazil and Spain Share Thrilling 3-3 Draw in Friendly Clash

Brazil and Spain Share Thrilling 3-3 Draw in Friendly Clash

By March 27, 2024 0

Brazil and Spain played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in a friendly match at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, with both teams showcasing their attacking prowess and resilience.

The match, organized to combat racism, saw Brazil captain Vinicius Junior largely kept quiet, while his teenage compatriot Endrick continued to impress. Spain’s Lamine Yamal also shone, winning the penalty that Rodri converted for the opening goal.

Spain dominated the first half, with Dani Olmo doubling their lead with a fine individual effort. However, Brazil pulled one back before the break when Unai Simon gifted Rodrygo a goal.

Endrick equalized for Brazil early in the second half, but Rodri restored Spain’s lead from the spot after Dani Carvajal was fouled. Brazil refused to give up and earned a late penalty when Carvajal cynically pulled back Galeno. Lucas Paqueta converted the spot-kick to snatch a draw in stoppage time.

Despite the friendly nature of the match, the intensity was high, with both teams eager to prove their worth. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente fielded a strong side, while Brazil coach Dorival Junior gave Endrick his first appearance at the home of his future club, Real Madrid.

The match was a testament to the quality and competitiveness of both teams, and it served as a reminder of the importance of combating racism in football.

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Virat Kohli Unleashes Aggression, Leads RCB to Victory

Virat Kohli Unleashes Aggression, Leads RCB to Victory

By March 27, 2024 0

Virat Kohli’s resurgence in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a sight to behold. The former India captain has shed his conservative approach and embraced an aggressive style of play, leading Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to a thrilling victory over Punjab Kings.

In a match-winning 49-ball 77 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Kohli showcased his dominance from the outset. He smashed five fours in the first eight balls he faced, a departure from his usual cautious start. His willingness to take advantage of the field restrictions was evident as he charged down the track to pacers, including Kagiso Rabada, and dispatched them over extra cover.

Kohli’s intent was unwavering even after the Powerplay. He scored 42 runs off 28 balls, including three fours and two sixes, while wickets fell around him. His ability to maintain a high strike rate against Punjab’s economical left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar was particularly impressive.

Kohli’s recent knock suggests that he is willing to adapt to the attacking brand of cricket that has become synonymous with young India in the T20 circuit. However, the challenge lies in consistently scoring at a higher strike rate.

RCB skipper Faf du Plessis praised Kohli’s innings, saying, “Virat was important in the way he tempered his innings. It was not a normal Chinnaswamy pitch, where you could just hit through the line. Good to see him, he’s always smiling and enjoying himself. Still very passionate about playing cricket.”

With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, the IPL provides Kohli with an opportunity to showcase his ability to play in fifth gear throughout. His recent performance is a testament to his determination to remain a force in the shortest format of the game.

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