Cricket

Former SunRisers Hyderabad head coach Tom Moody heaped praise on Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill after his match-winning century against Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2024 clash. Gill's blistering knock of 104 off just 55 balls, along with Sai Sudharsan's 103 off 51 balls, powered GT to a record-breaking opening stand and a crucial victory.Moody emphasized the significance of Gill's century, particularly after his omission from India's T20 World Cup squad. "It reaffirms his status as a world-class batter," Moody said. "He's obviously gutted about not being part of India's World Cup team, but this knock shows that he's still a force to be reckoned with."Moody also highlighted the impact of GT's fielding effort, which he believes was crucial in separating the two sides. "Gujarat was very good in the field, they took all their catches, some really good catches," he said. "CSK were unlike CSK, just a little sloppy in their performance out there."The win keeps GT's playoff hopes alive, while CSK remains in fourth place despite the defeat. Moody believes that GT's fielding effort was a key factor in their victory. "It's important for the bowlers when the conditions are difficult for them to survive," he said. "The fielding effort today was a big difference."

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.

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.

Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Donovan Ferreira expressed confidence in his team's ability to secure a top-two finish in IPL 2024 despite recent setbacks. The Royals, who led the table until recently, have slipped to second place after two consecutive defeats. However, Ferreira believes they have the potential to bounce back and qualify for the playoffs."We should have already qualified for the playoffs by now," Ferreira said during a pre-match press conference. "But the IPL is a long tournament, and obviously, the second half is important."The Royals are currently tied on 16 points with the leaders Kolkata Knight Riders, but Kolkata holds a significantly better net run rate. Ferreira acknowledged the importance of winning their remaining three matches to improve their chances of finishing in the top two."We had set out nicely by winning most of the games in the first half, and this game (against CSK) is quite important," he said. "We have three games left, but we don't want to leave it too late and put pressure on ourselves."Ferreira also addressed concerns about the Royals' middle order, which has not been tested much this season. However, he expressed confidence in the team's batting depth."It's (middle order) not much of a concern," Ferreira said. "We are grateful that our top order has put us in good positions and got us over the line. But, we have got capable batters and a deep batting line-up to pull us through."Sunday's fixture against defending champions Chennai Super Kings will be the first afternoon game at Chepauk this season. Ferreira expects spin to play a crucial role, especially with R. Ashwin returning at his home venue."Obviously, this is a turning track. So, Ashwin will play a big role with (Yuzvendra) Chahal tomorrow," he said.Despite the intense heat wave in Chennai, Ferreira said the Royals are prepared for the conditions."Fortunately, most of our training schedule has been in the afternoon, so we are kind of used to the heat," he said.The Royals will be looking to bounce back from their recent defeats and secure a top-two finish in IPL 2024. With three matches remaining, they have the opportunity to prove their mettle and qualify for the playoffs.

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) dismal performance continued on Friday as they succumbed to a 35-run defeat against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad. The loss marked CSK's sixth setback of the season, leaving them languishing at the bottom of the points table.GT's batting prowess was on full display as Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan notched up magnificent centuries. Gill's 112 off 57 deliveries and Sudharsan's unbeaten 100 off 56 balls propelled GT to a formidable total of 231/3.CSK's chase faltered from the outset, with the top order failing to provide a solid foundation. Despite a valiant effort from MS Dhoni, who smashed three towering sixes in the final over, CSK could only muster 196/8.Dhoni's batting position has been a subject of intense debate throughout IPL 2024. Former cricketer Virender Sehwag believes it's time to end the discussion, emphasizing that Dhoni knows his role and is capable of delivering when it matters most."We should end the debate around MS Dhoni's batting position. He knows what he wants to do. It's his wish. But if you want to win the match, the form he is in, and the strike rate that he's batting at... the other batters need to play at a similar level," Sehwag said.CSK head coach Stephen Fleming defended Dhoni's position, highlighting his influence on the team and the need to manage his workload."Don't underestimate his influence on the team just because he comes in at No. 9. There's a timing aspect, but we're very wary of what he can give us. And we'll max that out," Fleming asserted.Despite Dhoni's heroics, CSK's batting woes continue to haunt them. The team's inability to build partnerships and score consistently has been a major factor in their struggles.

In a crucial IPL encounter, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will face off against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Sunday, with both teams desperate for a victory to secure their playoff spots.CSK, currently fourth in the standings with 12 points, suffered a setback in their previous match against Gujarat Titans. They now need to win their remaining two games to solidify their position. RR, on the other hand, are second with 16 points but have lost their last two matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals.CSK's top-order has been a concern, with Ajinkya Rahane, Rachin Ravindra, and Ruturaj Gaikwad struggling for form. Ravindra may get another chance against RR, but it could be a make-or-break situation for him. Daryl Mitchell and Moeen Ali have shown promise, but Shivam Dube, CSK's bulwark this season, has been quiet since his selection to the Indian team for the upcoming T20 World Cup.CSK's bowling has been a bright spot, with Tushar Deshpande and Shardul Thakur impressing. However, they will need to step up their game at home, where the low amount of dew could favor their spinners.RR, eager to end their losing streak, will be confident against an unsteady CSK. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has been out of form, will be determined to prove his worth before traveling to the Americas for the T20 World Cup. Skipper Sanju Samson will be under pressure to perform, given his World Cup aspirations, and he will seek support from Riyan Parag, Shubham Dubey, and Rovman Powell.Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who took three wickets in the last tie against DC, will fancy his chances on his home track. The presence of experienced Yuzvendra Chahal will add strength to RR's bowling unit. However, Avesh Khan, who was unimpressive against Delhi, may still get another chance to gain confidence before the World Cup.

Chennai Super Kings' Opening Conundrum: Aakash Chopra Questions Ajinkya Rahane's RoleFormer Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has raised concerns over Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) decision to persist with Ajinkya Rahane as an opening batsman in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite Rahane's experience, his recent performances have been underwhelming, contributing to CSK's 35-run loss against the Gujarat Titans.Analyzing the match, Chopra highlighted CSK's questionable batting lineup choices. "They didn't play Richard Gleeson, opting for Rachin Ravindra instead. They strengthened the batting by sending Ravindra to open, but Rahane accompanied him," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.Chopra further dissected the situation, emphasizing Rahane's early dismissal and its impact on the team's performance. "Rahane got out to the first ball of the next over. Two wickets had fallen, and when Ruturaj Gaikwad was dismissed for zero, the match was almost decided as the score became 10/3," Chopra elaborated.Expressing concern over Rahane's continued inclusion in the opening position, Chopra questioned the rationale behind the decision. "There is no clear idea about Rahane's role. Why are they persisting with him for so long? Sameer Rizvi could have played in this match," he added.Amidst the analysis of CSK's performance, Chopra acknowledged the significant contribution of Mohit Sharma, who clinched three crucial wickets in quick succession, tilting the game in favor of the Titans.In the closing stages of the match, MS Dhoni's entry injected excitement into the proceedings as he showcased his trademark batting prowess with a helicopter-style six and two one-handed hits.Chopra's critique underscores the importance of strategic decision-making and player roles in the IPL. CSK's continued reliance on Rahane as an opener, despite his recent struggles, raises questions about the team's overall batting strategy.

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill has been fined 25% of his match fees for maintaining a slow over rate during their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 encounter against the Chennai Super Kings. This was the team's second offense of the season under the IPL's Code of Conduct concerning minimum over rate violations.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and IPL issued a statement confirming the penalty, highlighting that Gill was fined INR 24 lakh. The remaining members of the Playing XI, including the Impact Player, faced individual fines of either INR 6 lakh or 25% of their respective match fees, depending on which amount was lesser.The disciplinary action against Gill underscores the importance of adhering to over rate regulations. However, the Titans' performance on the field showcased their formidable prowess. Gill, alongside B Sai Sudharsan, spearheaded an extraordinary assault on the Chennai Super Kings' bowling attack, with both players notching centuries.Their stellar batting display powered the Gujarat Titans to a commanding 35-run victory over the Chennai Super Kings. Despite the setback of the over rate penalty, the Titans' emphatic win kept their slim playoff chances alive.The Titans' victory was a testament to their resilience and determination. Despite facing a slow over rate penalty, they remained focused on their goal and executed their game plan with precision. Gill's leadership and the team's overall performance were commendable.The IPL is known for its competitive nature and strict adherence to rules and regulations. The over rate penalty serves as a reminder to all teams of the importance of maintaining a brisk pace of play. It also highlights the BCCI's commitment to ensuring fair play and maintaining the integrity of the tournament.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the legendary former captain of Chennai Super Kings, continues to etch his name in the annals of Indian Premier League (IPL) history with his remarkable batting prowess. In a recent match against the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Dhoni showcased his big-hitting abilities, despite CSK's eventual loss.During his unbeaten 11-ball 26, Dhoni unleashed three towering sixes, taking his overall tally of IPL sixes to an impressive 251. This milestone places him on par with the South African cricketing maestro, AB de Villiers. Dhoni achieved this feat in his 228 IPL innings, while de Villiers accomplished the feat in 170 innings.By joining this elite club, Dhoni also becomes only the third Indian cricketer to breach the 250 sixes mark in the IPL. He follows in the footsteps of fellow stalwarts Rohit Sharma, who boasts 276 sixes in 250 innings, and Virat Kohli, with 264 sixes in 241 innings.Dhoni's achievement is a testament to his enduring power and ability to adapt to the demands of T20 cricket. Despite being in the twilight of his career, he continues to display the same explosive batting that made him one of the most feared batsmen in the world.However, despite Dhoni's individual brilliance, CSK fell short in their pursuit of a mammoth target of 232 set by the Gujarat Titans, eventually losing the contest by 35 runs. As the IPL season unfolds, Dhoni's milestone achievement adds another chapter to his illustrious career, reaffirming his status as one of the most revered figures in the history of Indian cricket.With records tumbling and boundaries flying, cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate further displays of Dhoni's masterclass in the matches to come. The record for the most sixes in the IPL is held by West Indian batting powerhouse, Chris Gayle, who has smashed a staggering 357 maximums in just 141 innings.