Cricket

MS Dhoni, the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman, continues to captivate fans with his presence on the cricket field. Ahead of the crucial clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), a video emerged on CSK's social media handle, showcasing Dhoni bowling during the practice session.The footage captured Dhoni bowling leg-breaks during the team's net session, raising speculation that he might showcase his bowling skills against RCB on Saturday. CSK's social media handle aptly captioned the video, "When he bowls, just ADORABOWL!"Dhoni's bowling prowess has been a subject of fascination for fans, who have witnessed him bowl occasionally in the past. His ability to bowl leg-breaks adds another dimension to his already impressive skillset.Meanwhile, CSK batting coach Michael Hussey expressed his hope that Dhoni would continue with the team for a few more years. He praised Dhoni's batting form and preparation, stating that he has been in good touch throughout the season."We are hoping he does keep going. He is still batting so well. He does prepare well - he gets into the camp very early and hits a lot of balls," Hussey said.Dhoni's decision to step down as CSK captain just before the start of the 2024 season surprised many. However, Hussey believes that Dhoni is still a valuable asset to the team and hopes he will continue playing for a few more years."I guess we just got to try to manage him from the body side of things. He had a knee surgery after the last season. So, he has been managing that from the initial stage of the tournament," Hussey added."I hope he keeps going for another couple of years. But we will just have to wait and see. He is the only one who will make that call. And, he likes to sort of build the drama a little bit as well. So, I wouldn't expect a decision anytime soon."Dhoni's leadership and experience have been instrumental in CSK's success, leading them to five IPL titles. His continued presence on the team would be a major boost for CSK as they aim to add to their trophy cabinet.

Calvin Harrison's Unorthodox Bowling Action Captivates County CricketIn the ever-evolving landscape of cricket, where batsmen have mastered innovative shots, it's refreshing to witness a bowler who defies convention with a unique and enigmatic bowling action. Calvin Harrison, a young English cricketer, has emerged as a captivating figure in county cricket with his unorthodox leg-spin delivery.Harrison's bowling action is a sight to behold. He begins his run-up from the right of the umpire, then darts through the gap between the umpire and the stumps like a left-arm spinner. However, instead of delivering a traditional left-arm leg-break, he releases a deceptive leg-break googly.This unusual approach has caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts worldwide. A video shared by Vitality County Championship on Twitter showcases Harrison's peculiar bowling style, leaving viewers both intrigued and amused.Born in South Africa, Harrison signed a three-month contract with Nottinghamshire in June 2021. His impressive performances earned him a contract with the Manchester Originals for the 2022 season of The Hundred.Harrison made his Twenty20 debut for Hampshire in the 2020 T20 Blast. His unique bowling action has become a talking point in the cricketing world, with many speculating about its effectiveness and potential impact on the game.As cricket continues to evolve, it's encouraging to see young bowlers like Calvin Harrison pushing the boundaries of innovation. His unorthodox bowling action not only adds an element of surprise to the game but also serves as a reminder that creativity and experimentation can thrive even in the most traditional of sports.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have suffered a major setback with the departure of their star pacer Matheesha Pathirana due to a hamstring injury. The Sri Lankan speedster has been a key performer for CSK this season, taking 13 wickets in six matches with an impressive economy rate of 7.68.Pathirana's absence is a significant blow to CSK's bowling attack, which has already been depleted by the injuries to Deepak Chahar and Maheesh Theekshana. Chahar, a pace-bowling all-rounder, is expected to miss the remainder of the IPL after sustaining a niggle during the match against Punjab Kings. Theekshana, a Sri Lankan spinner, is also set to miss a few more matches as he returns to Sri Lanka to complete his USA visa process ahead of the T20 World Cup in the Americas.Pathirana's last game for CSK was during their 78-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he bowled two overs and dismissed Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen. He missed the match against Punjab Kings in Chennai on May 1, with England pacer Richard Gleeson stepping in as his replacement.In a heartfelt message on social media, Pathirana expressed his gratitude to the CSK team and his teammates. "A hard goodbye with my only wish to see the 2024 IPL champion trophy in CSK's room soon! Grateful to the CSK team for all the blessings and love from Chennai," he wrote.CSK's bowling options have been severely weakened by the injuries to Pathirana, Chahar, and Theekshana. The team will need to find replacements quickly to maintain their competitiveness in the tournament.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have shown signs of improvement in their bowling department, but they still have a long way to go before they can be considered playoff contenders, according to former India all-rounder Ajay Jadeja.RCB's bowlers played a crucial role in their four-wicket win over Gujarat Titans on Saturday, restricting the opposition to a paltry 148. However, the team's batting lineup once again faltered, losing six wickets in quick succession after a solid start by Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli."The chinks in the armor are visible, what happened at the end," Jadeja said. "But the chance is there. They're off the ventilator but they're still in the ICU."Jadeja praised the bowlers for their performance, saying that it was the "real work" that set up the win. He believes that the bowling department has started to click for RCB, which is crucial for their chances of success in the business end of the season.However, Jadeja cautioned that qualifying for the playoffs remains a "very tough ask" for RCB. He said that the team needs to develop a mentality where they can rely on someone to bail them out of difficult situations.Despite the team's struggles, Jadeja was impressed with RCB's aggressive approach with the bat in the small chase. He said that the team's decision to start the game with two sixes in the first over showed a different mindset."What Faf did, he was operating at a different pace," Jadeja said. "Later, there was some excitement in the match but at no point did it seem like this was (GT win) going to be successful."

Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) young pacer Harshit Rana has emerged as a breakout star in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The 22-year-old has impressed with his exceptional bowling performances, claiming 11 wickets in the tournament so far. His stellar show has caught the attention of experts and veteran cricketers, earning him a potential spot in the T20 World Cup squad.However, Rana's performances have been overshadowed by a few controversial incidents. Earlier in the season, he was criticized for giving a flying-kiss send-off to Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Mayank Agarwal. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) docked 60% of his match fees for the gesture, which was widely condemned by former India captain Sunil Gavaskar.On Monday, Rana was involved in another incident that could have landed him in hot water. After dismissing Delhi Capitals' Abishek Porel in the seventh over, Rana gestured towards the batter, indicating the way to the dugout. However, he quickly realized the potential consequences and refrained from crossing the line.Despite these controversies, Rana's bowling has been a major factor in KKR's success this season. In the match against Delhi Capitals, he played a crucial role in restricting the opposition to a modest total of 153/9.In the run-chase, Phil Salt's blistering knock of 68 runs off 33 balls propelled KKR to a comfortable seven-wicket victory. Skipper Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer also made significant contributions, ensuring that KKR sealed the win with 21 balls to spare.Rana's performances have not only earned him praise but also raised questions about his temperament. While his talent is undeniable, he needs to learn to control his emotions and avoid unnecessary controversies. If he can do that, he has the potential to become a top-class bowler for both KKR and the Indian national team.

Mayank Yadav Returns to Fitness, Set to Boost Lucknow Super Giants Against Mumbai IndiansLucknow Super Giants have received a major boost ahead of their crucial clash against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday, with young pace sensation Mayank Yadav passing all fitness tests and being declared available for selection.Yadav, who suffered a soreness in the lower abdominal area during the match against Gujarat Titans, has been sidelined for the past few games. However, the 21-year-old has now recovered and is eager to make his return to the field."Regarding Mayank Yadav, he has passed all the fitness tests and is in the probable XII for the match against Mumbai Indians. He is looking good and is ready to bowl again," confirmed LSG bowling coach Morne Morkel in the pre-match press conference.Yadav's return is a timely one for Lucknow, who have struggled with their bowling in recent matches. The pacer has been one of the team's most impressive performers this season, claiming six wickets in just three appearances.His ability to generate pace and swing the ball will be a valuable asset against a strong Mumbai Indians batting lineup. Yadav's return will also provide some much-needed depth to the LSG bowling attack, which has been heavily reliant on Avesh Khan and Dushmantha Chameera.With Yadav back in the mix, Lucknow will be confident of putting up a strong performance against Mumbai Indians and continuing their push for a playoff spot. The match will be played at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday.

Virender Sehwag has launched a scathing attack on Ravichandran Ashwin for his recent statement that strike rate doesn't matter for bowlers. Sehwag, known for his outspoken nature, pointed out Ashwin's poor wicket-taking record in the ongoing IPL 2024 and suggested that the off-spinner might not find a place in the playing XI of a team coached by him."This is the same as when KL Rahul had said that the strike rate doesn't matter. Same thing. He said it for batting, Ashwin has said it for bowling that it doesn't matter if you get the wickets. If his stats aren't good, then he may not even get picked in the auction next year. When you pick a bowler, do you expect him to give away 25-30 runs or do you expect him to give you wickets and become man of the match twice or thrice?" Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.Sehwag further criticized Ashwin's bowling style, suggesting that the off-spinner is not getting wickets because he is not bowling his best deliveries. "All his competitors - Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav or anyone else - are getting the wickets. He thinks if he bowls off spin then anyone will hit him. Which is why he bowls his carrom bowl, which is why he is not getting any wickets. Maybe if he believes in his off spin or doosra, he can bag more wickets. But that's his mindset. But if I were a mentor or a coach of a franchise, I wouldn't think like that. If my bowler is thinking about saving runs and not taking wickets, he won't find a place in the team."Despite Ashwin's poor form, Rajasthan Royals have continued to support him by featuring him regularly in their playing XI. However, his spin-bowling teammate at RR, Yuzvendra Chahal, has been more prolific with 13 wickets in 9 matches and has maintained an economy rate of 9.Earlier, Ashwin had made an appeal after bowlers getting hammered in the current IPL season saying "Save the bowlers someone plsss SOS SOS SOS".

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed a paradigm shift in batting strategies, with teams consistently posting mammoth totals. This has forced bowlers to adapt and adopt unconventional tactics to counter the aggressive approach of batsmen.Ryan ten Doeschate, assistant coach of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), emphasized the need for bowlers to employ "anti-skill" tactics. He believes that bowlers can no longer rely on traditional methods and must find innovative ways to challenge batsmen."When you get past 160, you can almost pack your bag and feel you're going to win the game. Now, you need 160 before the 13th over to have a chance to get a big score," Doeschate said.He cited the example of Sam Curran's dismissal of Phil Salt, where Curran bowled a slower ball that deceived the batsman. Doeschate believes that bowlers must come up with such innovative strategies to stay ahead of the curve."We have to come up with innovative ways... I feel sorry for the bowlers, but those are the realities," he added.Doeschate also urged KKR's bowlers to embrace the challenge and find new ways to restrict batsmen. He revealed that Mitchell Starc is set to return soon, which will provide depth to KKR's bowling attack.Meanwhile, Punjab Kings' Prabhsimran Singh praised the Impact Substitute rule, which allows teams to replace a player during the match. He believes that it provides opportunities for youngsters to showcase their talent.Singh played a crucial role in Punjab Kings' record chase against KKR, scoring 25 runs off 12 balls. He highlighted the team's strategy to capitalize on the powerplay and praised Jonny Bairstow's match-winning century."We had a plan to go after the bowlers in the powerplay and it worked out well for us. Jonny Bairstow played a brilliant innings and took the game away from KKR," Singh said.The IPL has become a breeding ground for innovative tactics and strategies, with teams constantly pushing the boundaries of the game. As batting continues to dominate, bowlers must adapt and find new ways to counter the onslaught.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), once a formidable force in the Indian Premier League (IPL), have endured a dismal season, languishing at the bottom of the points table with just 4 points from 9 matches. Their hopes of reaching the playoffs are fading fast, prompting calls for a major overhaul within the franchise.The team's struggles have been attributed to a combination of factors, including an underperforming batting lineup and a weak bowling unit. Despite boasting star-studded batsmen like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Glenn Maxwell, RCB have failed to consistently post competitive totals. Their bowling attack, too, has been ineffective, conceding runs at an alarming rate.Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has been vocal in his criticism of RCB's management, emphasizing the need for a balanced team with a strong bowling unit. He believes that the franchise's focus on acquiring big-name batsmen has come at the expense of quality bowlers."Batting heavy side will not always win you matches. Till the time you do not pick good bowlers, you are not going to win titles," Harbhajan said.He also suggested that RCB should appoint an Indian in the management who understands the domestic cricket landscape and can identify talented young bowlers."From RCB management's perspective, they should have an Indian in the management, who understands Indian youngsters. He should go and see their performances (Indian talents) in domestic cricket and make sure they are picked," Harbhajan added.RCB's current predicament is a far cry from their previous seasons, where they were perennial contenders for the title. The franchise has won the IPL once, in 2016, but has failed to replicate that success since.With the playoffs race slipping away, RCB must now focus on rebuilding their team for the future. They will need to address their bowling deficiencies and find a way to get their star batsmen firing consistently. Only then can they hope to return to their former glory and challenge for the IPL trophy once again.