News Archives

Playoff Race Heats Up as MI and RCB Face Elimination

By Nilay May 4, 2024 0

With over half of the IPL 2024 season completed, the playoff race remains wide open, with no team yet securing a berth and no team eliminated. However, the chances of Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) reaching the postseason are dwindling.

MI’s playoff hopes took a significant blow after their 24-run defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday. The five-time champions have now lost eight of their 11 matches and are on the verge of elimination. To qualify, MI must win all their remaining three games and hope for a series of favorable results from other teams.

RCB’s playoff chances are also hanging by a thread. The team is currently at the bottom of the standings with only three wins from 10 games. However, they have shown signs of improvement in recent matches, winning two consecutive away games against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans.

For RCB to qualify, they must win their remaining four fixtures and hope that the teams above them in the standings lose several games. The team’s chances will be boosted if the winner of the upcoming SRH vs. LSG clash wins all their remaining matches, while the loser loses all three.

The remaining fixtures for MI and RCB are as follows:

MI:

* May 6: vs SRH, Wankhede Stadium
* May 11: vs KKR, Eden Gardens
* May 17: vs LSG, Wankhede Stadium

RCB:

* May 4: vs GT, Bengaluru
* May 9: vs PBKS, Dharamsala
* May 12: vs DC, Bengaluru
* May 18: vs CSK, Bengaluru

While both MI and RCB have a mathematical chance of qualifying for the playoffs, their chances are slim. They will need to win all their remaining games and hope for a series of favorable results from other teams.

Categories: Cricket

Mayank Yadav Ruled Out of IPL 2024 with Abdominal Tear

By Nilay May 4, 2024 0

Mayank Yadav, the promising fast bowler for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has suffered a setback that will likely rule him out for the remainder of IPL 2024. The injury, a small tear in his abdomen, is similar to the one that sidelined him earlier in the season.

Head coach Justin Langer expressed optimism that Yadav could potentially return for the playoffs if LSG qualifies, but acknowledged the challenges of his recovery. “We’ll be praying that he can play, hopefully, in the playoffs, but I’m a realist as well. It’ll be probably difficult for him to get up for the back-end of the tournament,” Langer said.

Yadav’s absence is a significant blow to LSG, who have relied on his pace and wicket-taking ability. In his three appearances this season, he has claimed 9 wickets at an impressive average of 11.11 and an economy rate of 6.78.

The 21-year-old’s injury highlights the challenges faced by young fast bowlers, who are prone to various injuries as they develop. Langer emphasized the importance of patience and rehabilitation, noting that Yadav’s previous recovery was successful.

“He’s got huge potential. But his rehabilitation was excellent. He went into the game [against MI], had a couple of bowls before the game. He was completely pain free. So it’s very sad for him and it’s disappointing for LSG as well that he might [not[ play the rest of the tournament,” Langer said.

Yadav’s injury raises questions about whether he was rushed back into action too soon. However, Langer defended the decision, stating that Yadav’s rehabilitation had been thorough and he had been pain-free in the lead-up to the match against Mumbai Indians.

Despite the setback, LSG remains hopeful that Yadav can make a full recovery and return to the team in the future. His potential and impact on the team have been evident in his brief appearances this season, and his absence will be felt in the upcoming matches.

Categories: Cricket

Vegas Golden Knights’ LTIR Usage Raises Questions About Salary Cap Manipulation

By Nilay May 4, 2024 0

The use of long-term injured reserve (LTIR) has become a contentious issue in the NHL, with teams like the Vegas Golden Knights facing scrutiny for their perceived manipulation of the salary cap.

Vegas has placed captain Mark Stone on LTIR each of the past three seasons, allowing them to exceed the cap by his salary until the playoffs begin. This has enabled them to acquire key players like Jack Eichel and Tomas Hertl.

Critics argue that this practice gives Vegas an unfair advantage, as they can essentially add players to their roster without having to shed salary. The NHL, however, maintains that it closely monitors LTIR usage and ensures that teams are not abusing the system.

General manager Kelly McCrimmon insists that the league is fully involved in all LTIR decisions and has access to players’ medical information. He argues that the system is legitimate and that injuries are thoroughly scrutinized.

However, some experts believe that the LTIR rules are open to interpretation and that teams may be exploiting loopholes. Hart Levine of PuckPedia notes that the timing of Stone’s recovery from a lacerated spleen this season raised eyebrows, as he was activated off LTIR just in time for the playoffs.

Other teams have also used LTIR to their advantage. The Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2015 after adding players at the trade deadline while Patrick Kane was on LTIR. The Tampa Bay Lightning repeated as champions in 2021 with Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos on LTIR.

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association have not yet discussed potential changes to the LTIR rules, but it remains a topic of debate. Some possible solutions include limiting teams to replacing only a percentage of the lost salary or simplifying the formula for calculating cap relief.

Categories: Others

Rohit Sharma Consoles Rinku Singh After T20 World Cup Snub

By Nilay May 4, 2024 0

After India’s T20 World Cup squad announcement, captain Rohit Sharma engaged in a conversation with Rinku Singh, who was omitted from the 15-man roster. The encounter occurred at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, prior to the Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders match.

Despite his exclusion, Rinku appeared cheerful during his chat with Sharma, who arrived at the stadium after a press conference with BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar. Former SunRisers Hyderabad coach Tom Moody commended Sharma’s leadership and communication skills, highlighting his honesty and upfront approach with Rinku.

“That’s great leadership right there. Making sure you’re upfront and honest. It’s easier to speak to someone when they’re included in the squad, it’s always hard to speak to someone who has been left out. That’s why Rohit Sharma is so highly-regarded around the playing group. He is a very good leader. He’s got those soft skills, which is so important around communication,” Moody said.

Agarkar acknowledged the difficulty in selecting the squad, particularly regarding Rinku’s omission. “It’s probably the toughest thing that we have had to discuss, frankly. I mean, he has done nothing wrong, nor a Shubman Gill, for that matter. You know, it’s again, the combinations. We are not quite sure what conditions we’ll get, so we wanted to try and have enough options,” he explained.

Agarkar emphasized that the decision was not a reflection of Rinku’s abilities but rather a matter of selecting the best possible combination for the team. “It’s just unfortunate. I don’t think it’s anything to do with Rinku Singh. It’s not his fault that he has missed out. It’s more the 15 that we felt gives (India the best chance). With two keepers who are both terrific batters, there is already an extra batter sitting out,” he said.

Categories: Cricket

Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team Prepares for European Tour with Rohit as Captain

By Nilay May 4, 2024 0

Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team Embarks on European Tour with Rohit as Captain

The Indian junior men’s hockey team, under the leadership of defender Rohit, is set to embark on a European tour from May 20-29. The 20-member squad will play five matches across three nations—Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands—as part of Hockey India’s initiative to provide the team with valuable exposure and experience.

Rohit, who has been a key member of the Indian junior team for the past two years, expressed his excitement about the upcoming tour. “We have been training hard at our camp and have developed an understanding of each other’s gameplay,” he said. “It will be wonderful to play together against teams from other nations to help us build on our game and get better through this kind of exposure.”

The team’s vice-captain, Shardanand Tiwari, echoed Rohit’s sentiments. “This will be a wonderful experience and will go a long way in evaluating where we stand as a team and as individual players,” he said. “It will be a great way to figure out our strengths and what areas we would need to touch upon.”

The Indian team will face a tough challenge during their tour, as they will be playing against some of the top junior teams in Europe. However, the players are confident that they can perform well and gain valuable experience.

“We are all very excited about this tour,” said midfielder Ankit Pal. “We have been working hard in training and we are ready to give our best on the field. We know that the competition will be tough, but we are confident that we can perform well and make our country proud.”

The Indian team will play their first match on May 20 against Belgium in Antwerp, before playing the same opponents in Breda, Netherlands on May 22. India will then play the Netherlands’ Club team Bredase Hockey Vereniging Push in Breda on May 23, followed by a game against Germany on May 28 in Germany. They will then return to Breda to play Germany once again on 29th May in their final match of the tour.

Categories: Others

Gujarat Titans Back Mohit Sharma Despite Poor IPL 2024 Performances

By Nilay May 4, 2024 0

Ahead of their crucial clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Gujarat Titans Director of Cricket Vikram Solanki has expressed unwavering support for right-arm seamer Mohit Sharma, despite his underwhelming performances in the ongoing edition.

Mohit Sharma, who emerged as the joint second-highest wicket-taker in IPL 2023 with 27 scalps, has struggled to replicate his success this season. In 10 innings, he has managed only 10 wickets at an average of 36.20 and an economy of 10.96.

However, Solanki remains confident in Mohit’s abilities, attributing his recent struggles to the fearless approach of batters and the placid nature of the wickets. “Mohit is a world-class bowler and a phenomenally hardworking cricketer,” Solanki said. “We believe in him and are backing him to turn things around.”

Solanki’s unwavering support comes despite Mohit’s record-breaking performance against Delhi Capitals, where he conceded 73 runs in four overs, the worst spell in IPL history. The Gujarat-based franchise currently sits in seventh place with 8 points after winning four of 10 matches.

The Gujarat Titans squad for IPL 2024 includes:

* Shubman Gill (C)
* David Miller
* Wriddhiman Saha
* Sai Sudharsan
* Shahrukh Khan
* Matthew Wade
* Kane Williamson
* Azmatullah Omarzai
* Abhinav Manohar
* Rashid Khan
* Vijay Shankar
* Rahul Tewatia
* Spencer Johnson
* Kartik Tyagi
* Joshua Little
* Darshan Nalkande
* Noor Ahmad
* Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore
* Mohit Sharma
* Jayant Yadav
* Umesh Yadav
* Sushant Mishra
* Sandeep Warrier
* Sharath BR
* Manav Suthar

Categories: Cricket

Aakash Chopra Slams ‘Fan-Armies’ for Fake Rohit Sharma Quote

By Nilay May 4, 2024 0

Aakash Chopra Slams ‘Fan-Armies’ for Spreading Fake News About Rohit Sharma

Former India batter Aakash Chopra has vehemently condemned “fan-armies” for attributing a fabricated quote regarding India captain Rohit Sharma to him. In a viral post, a fan account falsely claimed that Chopra had advocated for Rohit’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad. However, Chopra has vehemently denied making any such comments and has expressed outrage at the user for misquoting him.

“Aakash Chopra said Rohit Sharma shouldn’t have selected for T20 World Cup. He’s now even failing in powerplay,” the post on X claimed.

Chopra took to social media to express his fury at fan-armies for spreading fake news and questioned whether views and engagement were more important than morals.

“IPL is the best time to spread hate, fake news…and all sorts of rubbish. Fan-armies are there to lap it up always. I often wonder if views/engagement is more important than the morals,” Chopra posted on X.

Chopra’s comments come amidst a time when fake news and misinformation are rampant on social media, particularly during major sporting events like the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has urged fans to be more discerning and to not blindly believe everything they read online.

Meanwhile, Rohit will lead India’s 15-man squad at the T20 World Cup, which also includes four traveling reserves. After skipping T20Is for over a year, Rohit made his return to the T20I side earlier this year during the series against Afghanistan.

Speaking at a press conference earlier this week, Rohit opened up about his break from T20Is, saying that he wanted to focus on the longer formats.

“When T20 World Cup was happening, we missed a lot of T20Is. Test cricket is a format that you don’t want to miss and give priority to. That’s what we discussed with the players and the coaches too. Ajit came later. He doesn’t know what was discussed. Whichever format happens, we give priority to that format. As 50 over World Cup was happening, we missed a lot of T20Is,” Rohit said on missing T20Is after the T20 World Cup 2022.

Categories: Cricket

RCB vs GT: Must-Win Clash for Playoff Hopes

By Nilay May 4, 2024 0

RCB vs GT: A Must-Win Clash for Playoff Hopes

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) face off in a crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 encounter on Saturday, with both teams desperate for a victory to keep their playoff aspirations alive.

RCB, currently languishing at the bottom of the standings with six points from 10 matches, must overcome their recent struggles to secure a win. The Titans, sitting eighth with eight points from 10 matches, are also in need of a positive result to boost their playoff chances.

From a mathematical standpoint, both teams can still reach the playoffs, but they must overcome their own internal challenges to do so. RCB has been plagued by inconsistent performances, while GT has struggled to find consistency in their batting lineup.

RCB’s batting has been heavily reliant on captain Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli, but the rest of the lineup has failed to provide consistent support. GT, on the other hand, has a strong top order led by Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha, but their middle order has been vulnerable.

The bowling departments of both teams have also been inconsistent. RCB’s pace attack, led by Josh Hazlewood and Harshal Patel, has shown flashes of brilliance but has also been prone to leaking runs. GT’s bowling unit, featuring Rashid Khan and Lockie Ferguson, has been more reliable but has also had its off days.

The match promises to be a close and exciting affair, with both teams desperate for a win. RCB will be looking to break their losing streak and reignite their playoff hopes, while GT will be aiming to consolidate their position in the top eight.

Categories: Cricket

India Announces 26 Probables for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Camp

By Nilay May 4, 2024 0

Indian football’s quest for a berth in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 faces a crucial juncture as head coach Igor Stimac unveils his first list of 26 probables for the upcoming Bhubaneswar camp. The Blue Tigers are set to face Kuwait and Qatar in their final two matches of Group A in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2.

India currently sits second in the group with four points from four matches, trailing group leaders Qatar by five points. The top two teams in the group will advance to Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and secure a spot at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.

Stimac’s first list of probables includes a mix of experienced veterans and promising youngsters. Goalkeepers Amrinder Singh and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu will provide stability between the posts, while defenders Amey Ganesh Ranawade, Jay Gupta, and Lalchungnunga will form the backbone of the defense.

Midfielders Brandon Fernandes, Edmund Lalrindika, and Jeakson Singh Thounaojam will be tasked with controlling the tempo of the game, while forwards David Lalhlansanga, Jithin Madathil Subran, and Sunil Chhetri will lead the attack.

India’s hopes of qualifying for the third round hinge on their ability to secure positive results in their remaining matches. While defeating Qatar in Doha will be a daunting task, the Blue Tigers will be determined to overcome Kuwait on home soil on June 6.

However, Afghanistan’s recent victory over India has cast a shadow over the team’s qualification hopes. Afghanistan now has four points from four matches and could potentially overtake India in the standings.

The Bhubaneswar camp will provide Stimac with an opportunity to assess the fitness and form of his players and finalize his squad for the crucial matches against Kuwait and Qatar. The Blue Tigers will need to perform at their best to keep their World Cup and Asian Cup dreams alive.

Categories: Football

Mumbai Indians’ Playoff Hopes Dwindle After KKR Defeat

By Nilay May 4, 2024 0

Mumbai Indians (MI), led by Hardik Pandya, are facing an uphill battle in the ongoing IPL 2024 season. Currently languishing in ninth place with six points and a net run rate of -0.356, their chances of finishing in the top three are slim. However, they still have a mathematical chance of qualifying for the playoffs.

In their recent encounter against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium, MI suffered a disappointing 24-run defeat. To secure a playoff berth, Pandya’s team must win their remaining three matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), KKR, and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), accumulating 12 points from 14 matches.

However, their qualification also hinges on the results of other teams. MI cannot surpass Rajasthan Royals (RR) and KKR in the standings, as they have already amassed 16 and 14 points respectively after playing 10 matches each. Similarly, they will remain below SRH and LSG, who have already secured 12 points. MI’s only chance of finishing fourth is if LSG loses all their remaining four matches against KKR, SRH, Delhi Capitals (DC), and MI.

Furthermore, MI will closely monitor the performance of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), DC, Gujarat Titans (GT), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), hoping that they do not exceed the 12-point mark and maintain a lower net run rate in IPL 2024.

In the match between MI and KKR, Mumbai opted to field first. A strong partnership of 83 runs between Venkatesh Iyer (70 off 52) and Manish Pandey (42 off 31) propelled KKR to a total of 169. Jasprit Bumrah’s impressive spell of 3 for 18 in 3.5 overs, including a double-wicket over, was a highlight for MI.

In response, MI were bowled out for 145. Starc made a remarkable comeback, claiming 4 wickets for 33 runs in just 3.5 overs, leading KKR to a 24-run victory. Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine also contributed with identical figures of 2/22, taking crucial wickets in the first half of the chase, which put KKR in a commanding position.

Following their victory, KKR now hold the second position in the IPL 2024 standings with 14 points, while MI remain in ninth place with 6 points. MI’s next match is against SRH on Monday at the Wankhede Stadium.

Categories: Cricket

Playoff Race Heats Up as MI and RCB Face Elimination

Mayank Yadav Ruled Out of IPL 2024 with Abdominal Tear

Vegas Golden Knights’ LTIR Usage Raises Questions About Salary Cap Manipulation

Rohit Sharma Consoles Rinku Singh After T20 World Cup Snub

Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team Prepares for European Tour with Rohit as Captain

Gujarat Titans Back Mohit Sharma Despite Poor IPL 2024 Performances

Aakash Chopra Slams ‘Fan-Armies’ for Fake Rohit Sharma Quote

RCB vs GT: Must-Win Clash for Playoff Hopes

India Announces 26 Probables for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Camp

Mumbai Indians’ Playoff Hopes Dwindle After KKR Defeat

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