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Sri Lanka Cricket Expands Central Contracts to 41 Players, Emphasizing Red-Ball Cricket

Sri Lanka Cricket Expands Central Contracts to 41 Players, Emphasizing Red-Ball Cricket

By May 10, 2024 0

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has significantly expanded its central contract list, awarding deals to 41 male players, a substantial increase from the previous 29. The contracts are divided into six categories: A1, A2, B2, C1, C2, and ‘A’ Team, with performance-based clauses incorporated.

SLC has opted not to disclose the specific categories assigned to each player, aiming to maintain player morale. The expanded list includes several new faces, such as Shevon Daniel, Dushan Hemantha, Nuwanidu Fernando, and Sahan Arachchige, despite their limited national team appearances.

In total, 18 new players have been added, while six have been dropped, including notable absentees Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Danushka Gunathilaka. Lahiru Thirimanne, Nuwan Pradeep, Minod Bhanuka, and Lakshan Sandakan are the other four players who have not been retained from the previous contract cycle.

A key aspect of the new contracts is the emphasis on red-ball cricket. Test match fees have been increased by 100%, incentivizing players to prioritize the longer format. However, payments will be merit-based, with varying structures depending on results. ODI and T20I match fees have received a flat 25% increase.

In addition to enhanced daily allowances, players will receive one-time payments for topping the ICC player rankings as a batter, bowler, or allrounder. Players who make it into the top ten but do not reach the summit will also be rewarded.

The full list of centrally contracted Sri Lankan men’s players includes:

* Dimuth Karunaratne
* Dinesh Chandimal
* Wanindu Hasaranga
* Angelo Mathews
* Kusal Mendis
* Dhananjaya De Silva
* Charith Asalanka
* Pathum Nissanka
* Dasun Shanaka
* Maheesh Theekshana
* Kasun Rajitha
* Prabath Jayasuriya
* Dushmantha Chameera
* Dilshan Madushanka
* Asitha Fernando
* Sadeera Samarawickrama
* Ramesh Mendis
* Kamindu Mendis
* Chamika Karunaratne
* Dunith Wellalage
* Lahiru Kumara
* Nishan Madushka
* Matheesha Pathirana
* Kusal Janith Perera
* Vishwa Fernando
* Jeffrey Vandersay
* Pramod Madushan
* Janith Liyanage
* Akila Dananjaya
* Praveen Jayawickrama
* Nuwan Thushara
* Sahan Arachchige
* Nuwanidu Fernando
* Dushan Hemantha
* Lasith Embuldeniya
* Binura Fernando
* Shevon Daniel
* Niroshan Dickwella
* Ashen Bandara
* Oshada Fernando
* Avishka Fernando

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Namibia Names 16-Member Squad for 2024 T20 World Cup, Loftie-Eaton Omitted

Namibia Names 16-Member Squad for 2024 T20 World Cup, Loftie-Eaton Omitted

By May 10, 2024 0

Namibia has named a 16-member squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup, with Gerhard Erasmus leading the charge. However, the team will be without Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, who is currently facing disciplinary proceedings.

Loftie-Eaton, who holds the record for the fastest T20I century, was sent back from Namibia’s African Games squad in March due to disciplinary issues. Cricket Namibia has declined to comment on the matter until it is resolved.

Another notable omission from the squad is batter Pikky Ya France. The squad includes experienced players such as David Wiese, Ruben Trumpelmann, and JJ Smit.

Namibia has opted for a 16-member squad to accommodate the need for a larger player base during the four warm-up fixtures in the West Indies before the tournament.

Namibia Squad for 2024 T20 World Cup:

* Gerhard Erasmus (c)
* Zane Green
* Michael Van Lingen
* Dylan Leicher
* Ruben Trumpelmann
* Jack Brassell
* Ben Shikongo
* Tangeni Lungameni
* Niko Davin
* JJ Smit
* Jan Frylinck
* JP Kotze
* David Wiese
* Bernard Scholtz
* Malan Kruger
* PD Blignaut

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KKR Aim to Extend Dominance Over MI in Crucial IPL Clash

KKR Aim to Extend Dominance Over MI in Crucial IPL Clash

By May 10, 2024 0

Kolkata Knight Riders Aim to Extend Dominance Over Mumbai Indians

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will face Mumbai Indians (MI) in a crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday. KKR, currently sitting atop the standings, will be looking to secure a fifth consecutive victory and solidify their playoff berth. MI, on the other hand, have been eliminated from contention but will be eager to end their disappointing season on a high note.

Historically, MI has held a significant advantage over KKR, boasting a 23-10 overall record and a 7-3 advantage at the Eden Gardens. However, KKR’s recent resurgence and their victory over MI at the Wankhede Stadium last week have shifted the balance in their favor.

KKR’s success has been built on their aggressive batting approach, led by Venkatesh Iyer and Manish Pandey. Their bowling attack, featuring Mitchell Starc, Andre Russell, and Varun Chakravarthy, has also been impressive. MI, meanwhile, has struggled to find consistency, with their overseas players underperforming and their Indian stars failing to deliver consistently.

Team News and Impact Player Strategy

KKR is unlikely to make any significant changes to their winning combination. Nitish Rana could potentially replace Angkrish Raghuvanshi, but the team may opt to maintain their left-handed batting balance. Vaibhav Arora is the most likely impact player swap for a batter.

MI may consider resting key players like Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya, but no official announcements have been made. Akash Madhwal is the likely replacement for Bumrah, while Anshul Kamboj is expected to retain his place in the all-rounder role. Piyush Chawla or Shreyas Gopal could be used as an impact player swap for a batter if needed.

Players in the Spotlight

Mitchell Starc’s experience and tournament-winning mentality will be crucial for KKR as they approach the playoffs. His ability to bowl at the death and provide breakthroughs will be key.

Rohit Sharma, India’s T20 World Cup opener, has been struggling for form in recent matches. His low average and strike rate in the powerplay are a concern, and he will be looking to rediscover his touch against KKR.

Stats that Matter

* MI has lost nine of their last 13 away games, with the lowest away win percentage (30.7) among all teams.
* MI’s overseas players have the second-poorest bowling average (43.6), economy rate (11.04), and batting average (21.1) in IPL 2024.
* Rohit Sharma has been dismissed by Sunil Narine ten times in 25 T20s, averaging 18.7 against the spinner.
* Narine has a batting strike rate of 117 between overs 1-3 in the powerplay, but it shoots up to 245 between overs 4-6.

Pitch and Conditions

The Eden Gardens pitch is expected to be batting-friendly, but recent rain in Kolkata may make the outfield sluggish. There is a possibility of rain on Saturday, which could affect the match.

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LSG Owner Confronts Rahul After Disastrous Defeat

LSG Owner Confronts Rahul After Disastrous Defeat

By May 10, 2024 0

Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) dismal performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has raised serious concerns about their playoff hopes. The 10-wicket defeat, achieved by SRH in just 9.4 overs, exposed LSG’s lackluster approach and prompted a heated confrontation between the team owner and skipper KL Rahul.

According to a report in the Indian Express, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka was particularly displeased with the team’s conservative batting strategy. Despite playing on a pitch that offered little assistance to bowlers, LSG managed to score only 165 runs. In contrast, SRH’s openers, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, played with an aggressive intent, scoring at strike rates of 296.66 and 267.85 respectively.

Goenka confronted Rahul, questioning his team’s style of play and lack of intent. Rahul, who scored a sluggish 29 runs from 33 balls, reportedly remained composed during the conversation. However, behind closed doors, there were discussions about Rahul’s role as captain.

Rahul is the highest-paid player at LSG, earning INR 17 crore annually. Under his leadership, the team finished 2nd and 3rd in previous seasons. However, their performance this season has been disappointing, and they may fail to qualify for the playoffs.

While there is no immediate talk of sacking Rahul as captain, Goenka has a history of making such decisions. As the owner of the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants, he removed MS Dhoni as captain and appointed Steve Smith in his place.

The confrontation between Goenka and Rahul highlights the growing pressure on LSG to improve their performance. With only a few matches remaining in the season, the team needs to find a way to rediscover their winning ways and secure a playoff berth.

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Gerald Coetzee Praises Hardik Pandya's Leadership Despite Mumbai Indians' Struggles

Gerald Coetzee Praises Hardik Pandya’s Leadership Despite Mumbai Indians’ Struggles

By May 10, 2024 0

Hardik Pandya’s leadership of the Mumbai Indians (MI) has been a subject of scrutiny, with some questioning his decisions. However, South African pacer Gerald Coetzee, who made his IPL debut for MI this season, has come to Pandya’s defense, describing him as an “exceptional” captain.

Pandya took over the captaincy of MI from the highly successful Rohit Sharma, but the five-time IPL champions failed to make the playoffs under his leadership. This led to criticism from MI fans, who had high expectations after Pandya’s success with the Gujarat Titans, which he led to the IPL title in its inaugural season.

Despite the criticism, Coetzee believes Pandya has been a strong leader for MI. “I think he’s been a really good captain,” Coetzee said. “Every captain has a unique style and no captain is the same. He’s (Hardik) been really good, he’s been really motivational to the guys, he’s been really clear with the plans, I think he’s an exceptional captain.”

Coetzee also praised the atmosphere in the MI dressing room under Pandya’s leadership. “I think the mood in the dressing room has been really good,” he said. “We’ve done our best every game, we’ve prepared well. We’ve made some mistakes and sometimes we’ve been outplayed.”

“It’s still really good. And we’ve got strong leaders, we’ve got really good players. I think there’s not much to look into that. I think it’s been in a good mood consistently, right throughout,” he added.

Despite Coetzee’s positive assessment, MI’s season ended in disappointment as they became the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention. However, Pandya’s leadership will likely be under further scrutiny next season as MI looks to rebuild and return to its former glory.

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CSK Opt to Bowl First Against GT in Crucial IPL Encounter

CSK Opt to Bowl First Against GT in Crucial IPL Encounter

By May 10, 2024 0

Chennai Super Kings Opt to Bowl First Against Gujarat Titans in IPL Clash

In the 59th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and elected to bowl first against Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 10, 2024.

CSK, currently placed fourth in the standings with 12 points, made one change to their playing XI, bringing in Rachin Ravindra for Richard Gleeson. GT, who have lost seven matches in 11 outings and are languishing at the 10th spot, also made a single alteration, with Kartik Tyagi replacing Joshua Little.

Speaking at the toss, Gaikwad expressed confidence in his team’s ability to chase down any target. “We will bowl first. Looks a good wicket, to be honest. It’s been a chasing ground, so we will look to chase. Pretty much similar to Chennai. We didn’t like a red solid wicket much. Pretty relaxed. You tend to lose many games in IPL, you have to back everyone and make sure everyone is in a good head space. We had injuries in between, but happy. Rachin comes in for Gleeson,” said Gaikwad.

GT captain Shubman Gill admitted that his team’s chances of qualifying for the playoffs are slim but vowed to fight hard. “Would have bowled first as well, looks a good wicket. There’s a 1% chance of qualifying, so we are going to try hard for that. The mood is like any other match, we as a team believe in doing the best we can. Will be a good surface to bat on. Will score runs and try to restrict them. Wade comes in for Saha who has a niggle. In order to balance the team combination Kartik Tyagi comes in for Jos Little,” said Gill.

Teams:

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI):

* Ruturaj Gaikwad (C)
* Rachin Ravindra
* Daryl Mitchell
* Shivam Dube
* Moeen Ali
* Ravindra Jadeja
* MS Dhoni (Wk)
* Mitchell Santner
* Shardul Thakur
* Tushar Deshpande
* Simarjeet Singh

Gujarat Titans (Playing XI):

* Shubman Gill (C)
* Sai Sudharsan
* Shahrukh Khan
* David Miller
* Matthew Wade (Wk)
* Rahul Tewatia
* Rashid Khan
* Noor Ahmad
* Umesh Yadav
* Mohit Sharma
* Kartik Tyagi

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Gujarat Titans Cling to Playoff Hopes Despite Slim Chances

Gujarat Titans Cling to Playoff Hopes Despite Slim Chances

By May 10, 2024 0

Gujarat Titans’ skipper Shubman Gill clings to a glimmer of hope as his team faces an uphill battle to qualify for the IPL playoffs. Despite languishing at the bottom of the table, the Titans are mathematically still alive, with a mere one percent chance of making the top four.

Gill expressed his optimism at the toss against Chennai Super Kings on Friday, stating, “There’s 1 percent chance of qualifying, so we are going to try hard for that.” He acknowledged that the mood in the dressing room is positive, with the team determined to perform to the best of their abilities.

Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and elected to bowl first. CSK made one change to their lineup, bringing in Rachin Ravindra for Richard Gleeson. GT made several changes, with Matthew Wade replacing the injured Wriddhiman Saha and Kartik Tyagi making his debut in place of Joshua Little.

The Titans’ chances of making the playoffs are slim, but they are not yet mathematically eliminated. They will need to win their remaining matches and hope that other results go their way. Gill’s positive attitude and the team’s determination could potentially inspire them to overcome the odds and secure a spot in the top four.

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Bajrang Punia Refutes Doping Refusal Allegations, Cites NADA Lapses

Bajrang Punia Refutes Doping Refusal Allegations, Cites NADA Lapses

By May 10, 2024 0

Olympic medalist wrestler Bajrang Punia has refuted allegations that he refused to provide urine samples during selection trials in Sonepat in March. He claims that he merely requested an explanation from the dope control officials after they failed to provide adequate proof of carrying proper equipment.

Punia, who won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, stated that he had previously encountered issues with NADA officials. On two separate occasions, they had arrived with expired kits and only one testing kit instead of the mandatory three.

On March 10, when approached by alleged doping control officials, Punia sought an explanation for these previous lapses. However, he received no response. He then informed the officials that he would provide a sample upon receiving an explanation.

Instead of providing an explanation, the officials left the venue, claiming it to be a refusal from Punia’s end. He emphasized that he remained at the venue for an hour after the incident and met with the SAI doctor for treatment of a knee injury.

Punia also alleged that the DCOs did not follow protocol by leaving before he submitted his medical report to the competition manager. He believes that his actions were justified due to NADA’s past actions and the need to ensure compliance with doping control protocols.

“It is my moral obligation towards the wrestling community and particularly the younger wrestlers, that I exercised here,” Punia stated.

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Sciver-Brunt Out of England's T20I Opener Against Pakistan

Sciver-Brunt Out of England’s T20I Opener Against Pakistan

By May 10, 2024 0

England’s T20I opener against Pakistan on Saturday will be without all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt, who has undergone a minor medical procedure. Captain Heather Knight confirmed the news on the eve of the match, revealing that left-hander Freya Kemp will take Sciver-Brunt’s place at No. 5 in the batting order.

Sciver-Brunt’s absence provides an opportunity for Kemp, who is in the squad solely as a batter while recovering from a back injury. Knight praised Kemp’s clean ball-striking and left-handedness, which is a rarity in the England team.

Knight also highlighted the emergence of young all-rounders like Dani Gibson and Maia Bouchier, who impressed during England’s recent tour of New Zealand. She emphasized the importance of guiding these players and helping them fulfill their potential.

The New Zealand tour was a crucial step in England’s preparation for the T20 Women’s World Cup in Bangladesh in October. Knight believes the team has evolved its T20 game, adapting to different pitch conditions and becoming more strategic in their approach.

Meanwhile, Pakistan arrives in England after a disappointing tour by West Indies. However, Knight warned against complacency, citing Pakistan’s recent series win in New Zealand and the energy that often comes with a new captain and retirements.

The match in Birmingham is the first of three T20Is between the sides, followed by games in Northampton and Leeds. A three-match ODI series will conclude the tour.

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KKR's Chakravarthy Praises Shah Rukh Khan's Motivational Impact

KKR’s Chakravarthy Praises Shah Rukh Khan’s Motivational Impact

By May 10, 2024 0

Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) wrist spinner Varun Chakravarthy has lauded team owner Shah Rukh Khan’s motivational speeches for their positive impact on the team during challenging moments in the ongoing IPL season.

Chakravarthy’s remarks come in contrast to the criticism faced by Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka for publicly reprimanding skipper KL Rahul after a record defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad.

KKR also experienced a tough loss at Eden Gardens on April 26, when Punjab Kings achieved a world record chase of 262 in just 18.4 overs. However, Chakravarthy revealed that Khan’s presence and words of encouragement had a significant impact on the team.

“SRK has been present in almost all matches in Kolkata. Even in the match where we didn’t do well, he came to the dressing room and spoke to every player for an hour and hugged everyone,” Chakravarthy said.

“He said ‘it’s just a match, cricket is changing, just try to be better in the next match’. This time, I see a massive difference because the way he has been very understanding, he’s been very approachable, it has made a huge impact. I also got to meet him for the first time.”

KKR currently sits atop the IPL standings, and a win against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Saturday will secure their playoff spot with two games remaining. Chakravarthy emphasized that despite MI’s elimination from the playoff race, they remain a formidable opponent.

“We don’t have any edge over MI because they are out of the tournament. They are a champion side,” Chakravarthy said. “They are full of stars and match winners, and a very dangerous team anywhere. Even if we have to win one match to qualify, we have to be well-prepared and on our toes and look to finish in top-two.”

Despite facing some challenges, KKR has managed to win eight of their 11 matches. Chakravarthy believes that consistency is key to their success.

“When you’re on top of the table, it gives you more responsibility,” he said. “The best thing we can do right now is being consistent which is tougher than trying to find out something and improve on it. It’s about doing the basics right.”

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