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Sanju Samson's Rajasthan Royals Eye Playoffs Berth with Win over CSK

Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals Eye Playoffs Berth with Win over CSK

By May 12, 2024 0

Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals have emerged as a formidable force in IPL 2024, currently occupying the second spot in the points table under his astute leadership. Samson’s exceptional captaincy has been complemented by his impressive batting form, with 471 runs in 11 matches, placing him fifth in the list of top run-scorers.

Samson’s current tally is just 14 runs shy of his highest IPL season total (484 runs in 2021). His remarkable average (67.29) and strike rate (163.54) this year are also his best in a single edition.

As the Royals prepare to face defending champions Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk on Sunday, a victory would secure their place in the playoffs. Ahead of the crucial match, Samson shared his insights on the intense competition in the IPL and the importance of staying present.

“I don’t dwell on winning or losing,” Samson said. “Every team has the potential to win the IPL. We respect our opponents and ourselves, and we focus on playing our best cricket.”

Samson emphasized the unpredictable nature of the IPL, recalling how the Royals won five out of six matches last season but still failed to qualify. “It’s crucial to stay humble and focus on the present,” he added.

The Royals have a strong record against CSK, having won six of their last seven encounters, including the last four. Ravichandran Ashwin was the standout performer in last year’s match at Chepauk, where the Royals emerged victorious by a narrow three-run margin.

With Samson’s leadership and the team’s impressive form, the Royals are poised to make a strong push for the IPL title. Their match against CSK on Sunday will be a crucial test of their mettle and could determine their fate in the playoffs.

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Hardik Pandya's Captaincy Style Questioned by AB de Villiers

Hardik Pandya’s Captaincy Style Questioned by AB de Villiers

By May 12, 2024 0

Hardik Pandya’s captaincy style has come under scrutiny after his unsuccessful stint leading the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers believes that Pandya’s “ego-driven, chest out” approach lacks authenticity and fails to inspire experienced teammates.

De Villiers, an IPL legend himself, observed that Pandya’s attempt to project a confident demeanor is unconvincing. He noted that Pandya’s style worked in the younger Gujarat Titans team, where he led them to the IPL title in their inaugural season. However, the same approach proved ineffective in Mumbai, where the team failed to reach the playoffs.

De Villiers attributed this discrepancy to the presence of experienced players in the Mumbai Indians squad. He explained that such players are less likely to be swayed by Pandya’s bravado and prefer a more composed and collective leadership style.

De Villiers advised Pandya to abandon his “bravado” and adopt a more humble approach. He recalled his own experience playing under Graeme Smith, who led the South African team with a calm and confident demeanor. De Villiers emphasized that Pandya should focus on providing guidance and support to his teammates rather than relying on outward displays of confidence.

Despite his criticism, De Villiers clarified that he respects Pandya as a player and enjoys watching him perform. He believes that Pandya has the potential to be a successful captain if he can adjust his leadership style to suit the team’s needs.

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Zimbabwe Opt to Bowl First in Fifth T20I Against Bangladesh

Zimbabwe Opt to Bowl First in Fifth T20I Against Bangladesh

By May 12, 2024 0

Zimbabwe’s captain, Sikandar Raza, opted to field first against Bangladesh in the fifth and final T20I match in Dhaka. The visitors made one change to their lineup, bringing in Sean Williams for Richard Ngarava.

Bangladesh, who have already secured the series 4-0, made three changes to their team. Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, and Mohammad Saifuddin replaced Taskin Ahmed, Tanvir Islam, and Tanzim Hasan.

Bangladesh XI:

1. Tanzid Hasan
2. Soumya Sarkar
3. Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt)
4. Towhid Hridoy
5. Shakib Al Hasan
6. Mahmudullah
7. Jaker Ali (wk)
8. Mahedi Hasan
9. Rishad Hossain
10. Mohammad Saifuddin
11. Mustafizur Rahman

Zimbabwe XI:

1. Brian Bennett
2. Tadiawanashe Marumani
3. Sikandar Raza (capt)
4. Sean Williams
5. Clive Madande (wk)
6. Ryan Burl
7. Johnathan Campbell
8. Luke Jongwe
9. Wellington Masakadza
10. Faraz Akram
11. Blessing Muzarabani

The match marks the end of a successful tour for Bangladesh, who have dominated Zimbabwe throughout the series. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will be looking to salvage some pride and end the tour on a positive note.

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Ireland's Stirling Takes Dig at Pakistan's 'Flattest Decks' After T20I Victory

Ireland’s Stirling Takes Dig at Pakistan’s ‘Flattest Decks’ After T20I Victory

By May 12, 2024 0

Ireland’s captain, Paul Stirling, took a playful jab at Pakistan after his team’s triumph in the first T20I of a three-match series in Dublin on Friday. Former captain Andrew Balbirnie’s impressive 77 guided Ireland to their first victory over Pakistan in 17 years. This was only Ireland’s second win against Pakistan, following their surprising triumph at the 2007 50-over World Cup in the West Indies.

In a post-match interview, Stirling took a swipe at the pitches in Pakistan, describing them as the “flattest decks in the world.” He elaborated, “When you come here, especially from Pakistan, the flattest pitches in the world, ask them to bat first and see what they can get. We were happy to chase 180.”

After Ireland elected to bowl, Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam and opener Saim Ayub formed a solid partnership, adding 85 runs for the second wicket. Babar top-scored for the tourists with 57, while Ayub contributed 45. Iftikhar Ahmed (37) and Shadab Khan (14) made valuable contributions down the order, helping Pakistan reach a total of 182/6.

In response, Ireland chased down the target of 183 with a ball to spare. Ireland needed 40 runs from the last four overs, and Abbas Afridi dismissed George Dockrell for 24. With Ireland requiring 11 runs from the final over, Curtis Campher under-edged a boundary off Abbas and sealed the victory with a leg bye.

“I didn’t watch the last over. (I) went to the tent and put a towel over my head. I felt it was my job to get the team over the line… Harry said if we could bat normally till the 13th over, we could get the runs. That was a partnership which set it up,” said Balbirnie, who was dismissed in the 19th over.

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KKR Secures Playoff Spot with Chakravarthy's Stellar Spin

KKR Secures Playoff Spot with Chakravarthy’s Stellar Spin

By May 12, 2024 0

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured a pivotal victory against Mumbai Indians (MI) in a rain-curtailed match at Eden Gardens, earning a coveted spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy emerged as the hero, delivering a stellar performance that left a lasting impact on KKR’s playoff journey.

Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag lauded KKR’s decision to allow Chakravarthy to bowl the maximum four overs, despite having established international bowlers like Sunil Narine and Mitchell Starc at their disposal. Sehwag praised KKR’s understanding of Chakravarthy’s effectiveness and their ability to capitalize on it.

Chakravarthy’s brilliance was evident in his figures of 2-17, which stifled Mumbai’s chase. His variations, including his leg-spin and googly, proved too difficult for the Mumbai batters to handle. Sehwag drew parallels between Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine’s partnership, likening it to the famed ‘KulCha’ duo.

Another former India cricketer, Manoj Tiwary, echoed Sehwag’s sentiments, describing Chakravarthy’s spell as a “dream spell” that every bowler aspires to bowl. Tiwary highlighted the speed and mystery of Chakravarthy’s deliveries, which made it extremely challenging for the batters.

KKR’s bowling unit, led by Chakravarthy, complemented the explosive batting of Venkatesh Iyer and the crucial contributions of Harshit Rana. This combination proved too strong for Mumbai, as KKR became the first team to secure a spot in the IPL playoffs.

Sehwag expressed regret that Chakravarthy’s stellar performances came too late for consideration in the T20 World Cup squad. He believes that if Chakravarthy had showcased his abilities earlier, he would have been a strong contender for a place in the team.

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MS Dhoni's Cameo Fails to Save CSK from Defeat Against GT

MS Dhoni’s Cameo Fails to Save CSK from Defeat Against GT

By May 12, 2024 0

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered a narrow defeat against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, despite a valiant cameo from MS Dhoni. The match witnessed a high-scoring affair, with GT posting a formidable total of 232 runs.

CSK’s chase got off to a shaky start, but Dhoni’s arrival at the crease brought a glimmer of hope. The veteran wicketkeeper-batsman unleashed his trademark helicopter shot against GT’s star spinner Rashid Khan, sending the ball soaring over the boundary.

Despite Dhoni’s heroics, CSK fell short of the target, losing by 16 runs. However, the team’s focus remains on securing a spot in the playoffs, where the Net Run Rate (NRR) plays a crucial role.

Rashid Khan, who was on the receiving end of Dhoni’s onslaught, expressed his admiration for the Indian legend. “Once Dhoni comes into the stadium, it’s a different kind of love. We’re so lucky to be playing with him,” said Khan.

The Afghan spinner also praised his teammates Shubman Gill and Said Sudharsan, who both scored centuries in the match. “They were amazing, we love to see them batting,” said Khan.

CSK’s defeat leaves them in a precarious position in the playoffs race. With six wins and six defeats in 12 matches, the team occupies fourth place in the points table. They can ill afford to drop any more points if they want to secure a berth in the knockout stages.

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Rohit Sharma's IPL Slump Continues, Raises Concerns for India

Rohit Sharma’s IPL Slump Continues, Raises Concerns for India

By May 12, 2024 0

Rohit Sharma’s IPL 2024 campaign has taken a dismal turn, with the Indian skipper enduring a prolonged batting slump. In the latest setback, Sharma failed to deliver against Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring a meager 19 runs off 24 balls. This marked his sixth consecutive innings without a substantial contribution, with his recent scores reading 4, 11, 4, 8, and 6.

Chasing a revised target of 158 in 16 overs, Mumbai Indians had a platform for Sharma to make an impact. However, he failed to capitalize on the opportunity, his dismissal proving a major blow to MI’s hopes. The team ultimately fell short by 18 runs.

Sharma’s struggles have raised concerns among cricket experts. Former South Africa star Shaun Pollock expressed worry over the manner in which the Indian captain has been getting out. Pollock noted that Sharma’s attempts to introduce unorthodox shots into his game have led to soft dismissals.

Pollock also suggested that the stress of selecting the Indian team for the T20 World Cup may have contributed to Sharma’s poor form. He speculated that the pressure of finding the right balance and explaining team selections could have added to the skipper’s burden.

The reaction to Sharma’s dismissal was one of shock from the rival camp. KKR co-owner Juhi Chawla, Suhana Khan (daughter of another KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan), and Ananya Pandey were visibly stunned.

Despite Sharma’s struggles, Mumbai Indians remain hopeful of a turnaround. The team has shown resilience in the past and will be looking to regroup and find their winning ways. However, Sharma’s form remains a major concern, and his ability to rediscover his touch will be crucial to MI’s chances of success in the remainder of the tournament.

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MI Skipper Pandya Admits Momentum Loss in Defeat to KKR

MI Skipper Pandya Admits Momentum Loss in Defeat to KKR

By May 12, 2024 0

Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya expressed disappointment after his team’s 18-run loss to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Saturday. Pandya acknowledged that MI failed to capitalize on the momentum provided by openers Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma on a challenging wicket.

“As a batting unit, the foundation was there, but we could not capitalize after that and keep the momentum up,” Pandya said at the post-match presentation. “The wicket was a little up and down and a little tacky, so momentum was very important.”

KKR became the first team to qualify for the IPL playoffs with the victory. Venkatesh Iyer’s solid knock of 42 off 21 balls and Andre Russell’s all-round performance, including 24 runs off 14 balls and two wickets, played a crucial role in their success.

Pandya praised the KKR bowlers for their performance, noting that the wet conditions made it difficult for the batsmen. “Every ball that came back from the boundary came back wet,” he said. “The bowlers made sure they kept taking wickets.”

Despite the loss, Pandya remained optimistic about MI’s remaining matches. “Nothing, just to go and enjoy as much as we can and play good cricket, that’s been my motto from the start,” he said. “I do not think we have played enough good cricket this season.”

In the match, KKR opted to bat first after winning the toss. Despite losing early wickets, they managed to post a competitive total of 157/7 in 16 overs, thanks to contributions from Iyer, Nitish Rana, Russell, and Rinku Singh.

MI’s chase got off to a promising start with Kishan and Sharma putting on a 65-run opening stand. However, KKR’s bowlers tightened their grip, restricting the run flow and taking wickets. Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir fought back with valuable knocks, but MI ultimately fell short by 18 runs.

Varun Chakravarthy was the standout bowler for KKR, claiming 2/17. Russell and Harshit Rana also chipped in with two wickets each.

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Wilson Unveils Exclusive Paris-Themed Gear for Roland Garros 2024

Wilson Unveils Exclusive Paris-Themed Gear for Roland Garros 2024

By May 12, 2024 0

Wilson, the official ball and racquet stringer of Roland Garros since 2020, has unveiled an exclusive collection of Paris-themed gear and fashion for the 2024 tournament.

The centerpiece of the collection is a quartet of special-edition racquets: the Blade 98 (16×19) V9, Clash 100 V2, and a special “Session de Soiree” Shift 99 V1. The Roland Garros Shift’s dark cosmetic, a departure from its usual icy appearance, evokes the tournament’s late-night matches. Despite their unique exteriors, the racquets retain the same specifications and playability as their standard counterparts.

Complementing the frames is a range of bags in similar colorways, offering varying capacities from 3 to 9 racquets. Three backpacks provide smaller storage options. Balls, overgrip, strings, and dampeners complete the equipment offerings.

Wilson has also collaborated with Sports Professionals to create a clothing line inspired by the clay season. The lineup features jackets, polos, and dresses that blend on-court performance with off-court style.

The entire collection is available at wilson.com, on-site at Roland Garros during the tournament, and at specialty tennis retailers.

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IPL 2024 Mid-Table Muddle Intensifies as Gujarat Titans Upset Chennai Super Kings

IPL 2024 Mid-Table Muddle Intensifies as Gujarat Titans Upset Chennai Super Kings

By May 12, 2024 0

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season has reached a thrilling stage, with the mid-table battle intensifying after Gujarat Titans’ victory over Chennai Super Kings. With only one team, Kolkata Knight Riders, securing a playoff berth, the remaining nine teams are vying for the remaining three spots.

Gujarat Titans’ morale-boosting win has opened up the tournament, with Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Gujarat Titans still in contention for the top four. Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals are currently tied on 12 points, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru have kept their hopes alive with four consecutive wins.

Chennai Super Kings:

Defending champions Chennai Super Kings are in a comfortable position, sitting fourth on the points table with a superior net run rate (+0.491). They face Rajasthan Royals at home on Sunday and play their final league game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 18.

If CSK wins both their remaining games, they will likely qualify for the playoffs due to their superior NRR. However, if they win only one, they will need the winner of the Delhi Capitals vs. Lucknow Super Giants game to lose their other fixture. If CSK loses both games, they will be eliminated from the tournament.

Delhi Capitals:

Delhi Capitals are currently fifth on the standings with 12 points and a NRR of (-0.316). They face Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants in their remaining two games.

To qualify directly, DC must win both their games and hope that CSK loses at least one of their remaining games. If they tie with CSK at 16 points, NRR will come into play, which currently favors CSK. If Delhi wins one game and gets stuck at 14 points, they will hope CSK loses both their matches and LSG loses at least one to squeeze into the playoffs.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have an outside shot at a playoff berth. They can reach a maximum of 14 points if they win their remaining two games. However, they need other results to go their way to finish in the top four.

If RCB wins their last two matches and reaches 14 points, they would need CSK to lose against RR, DC to go down against LSG, LSG to suffer defeat against MI, and GT to lose at least one of their remaining games. With this, RCB and LSG would be tied at 14 points, and the team with the superior NRR will go through.

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