Cricket

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first team to defeat the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at their home ground in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. This victory marks a rare double for LSG, who had previously triumphed over CSK in their own backyard.The absence of key players has forced CSK to make significant changes to their strategy this season. Coach Stephen Fleming acknowledged that the team is "trying to find the right combination" due to unavoidable circumstances, including injuries to Matheesha Pathirana and Rahane, as well as Mustafizur Rahman's absence for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Despite the home crowd's support, CSK's equilibrium has been disrupted by these setbacks. The decision to drop Rachin Ravindra and the inconsistency of Daryl Mitchell's inclusion, along with changes in the batting order, have failed to yield the desired results."We're a little bit uncomfortable with some areas. We're trying to find not a quick fix, but players who will contribute for the back end of this tournament," Fleming said. "We've got another change coming up with Mustafizur (leaving) in a couple of games."In Tuesday's match, Mitchell and Rahane fell cheaply, while Sameer Rizvi also failed to make an impact. Mitchell, who was acquired by CSK for a hefty sum, has struggled to find his form, accumulating only 146 runs in seven innings.Fleming believes that moving Mitchell up the batting order will provide him with more comfort, as he has performed well for New Zealand at the no. 3 position. "Getting up the order is more comfortable for him," Fleming said. "We've looked to rectify that and get him up the order where he has had his best performances internationally."Despite their struggles, CSK remains competitive, as evidenced by their narrow defeat to LSG. Fleming expressed confidence that the team can improve and make a strong run in the tournament. "We're not firing on all cylinders by any means, but we're in each game and we're asking teams to play well to beat us," he said. "We just got to get a little bit better."

Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden has hailed Nicholas Pooran as the "cleanest hitter in the world" after the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) wicketkeeper-batter's blistering cameo in a stunning chase of 211 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).Pooran's 15-ball 34, alongside Marcus Stoinis' sensational maiden century (124 off 63), powered LSG to the highest run chase at Chepauk. Hayden, who played with MS Dhoni in CSK, praised Pooran's exceptional hitting ability."Nicholas Pooran is the cleanest hitter in the world, I think, in this IPL," Hayden said on Star Sports Cricket Live. "Such a talented free hitter of the ball. Got great options against both pace and spin."Hayden suggested that LSG could utilize Pooran more effectively by moving him up the order to bat alongside Stoinis, similar to his role for the West Indies."There's two schools of thought. There's a school of thought that says, we need someone batting in that 5 and 6 position that can bring a game home. And Nicholas Pooran can do exactly that," Hayden said."But then you look at, you know, someone like Devdutt Padikkal, who hasn't had the tournament that you'd expect him to have. And you've got a world-class player in Nicky P who can come up the order with the Stoinis and in combination at 4 and can bat longer."Hayden believes that Pooran's experience and international pedigree could be invaluable for LSG as the tournament progresses."There's still, I think, room as the tournament gets a little tighter and scoreboard pressure becomes an option. You want an experienced international player there to take it forward for the team," he concluded.

MS Dhoni's Enduring Legacy: A Testament to His Unwavering Fanbase and Exceptional Cricketing ProwessDespite his retirement from international cricket four years ago, the legendary MS Dhoni remains an icon in the hearts of countless fans worldwide. This season, the former World Cup-winning captain has been showcasing his vintage form, hitting sixes and fours with the same abandon that characterized his prime.Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has witnessed firsthand the unparalleled adoration that fans have for Dhoni. "It's an experience you like to have in the stadium every time he plays," Fleming said. "It's been lucky for me to have this magical experience for 16-17 years."Dhoni's global popularity is a testament to his exceptional cricketing abilities and his unique personality. "People talk about MS as a person, but he is also a great player, and he has done some great things for India and Chennai (Super Kings)," Fleming added.From leading the team to five IPL titles to becoming one of the most iconic figures in the league, Dhoni has left an indelible mark on the IPL. His calm demeanor, exceptional leadership skills, and remarkable cricketing abilities have made him an icon in the IPL, particularly with CSK.Dhoni's aura with CSK is legendary. His ability to handle pressure situations with composure, his tactical acumen on the field, and his knack for bringing out the best in his team members have all contributed to his iconic status. It's not just about his cricketing prowess but also about the respect and admiration he commands from fans, teammates, and opponents alike.Dhoni's enduring legacy is a testament to his unwavering fanbase and his exceptional cricketing prowess. He remains a beloved figure in the world of cricket, and his impact on the game will continue to be felt for years to come.

MS Dhoni's enduring legacy in Chennai cricket was once again on display during Chennai Super Kings' match against Lucknow Super Giants. The iconic wicketkeeper-batsman's presence at the MA Chidambaram Stadium ignited the city, with fans erupting in cheers as he took to the crease in the final over.Dhoni's impact extended beyond his batting performance, as he played a crucial role in a controversial umpiring decision. On the last ball of the 13th over, the umpire signaled a wide on a delivery to Marcus Stoinis. However, Dhoni, with his astute cricketing instincts, challenged the call through the Decision Review System (DRS).To the delight of the crowd, Dhoni's decision proved correct, and the wide call was reversed. The moment sparked a frenzy on social media, with fans coining the term "Dhoni Review System" to celebrate his uncanny ability to overturn umpiring decisions.Despite his limited batting opportunities in recent years, Dhoni has consistently delivered impactful performances for CSK. In five IPL innings this season, he has scored 87 runs, remaining unbeaten each time. His strike rate of 255.88 and impressive record in the final over of innings have made him a formidable force.Dhoni's mastery of the death overs is evident in his career statistics. He has scored 772 runs in 313 balls in the 20th over, with a strike rate of over 246. This season, he has scored 57 off 16 balls in the final overs, with a strike rate of 356.25.Among batters who have played at least 30 balls in overs 16-20 this tournament, Dhoni has the highest strike rate of almost 256 runs. Even young T20 specialists like Tristan Stubbs and Riyan Parag, as well as experienced finishers like Dinesh Karthik and Heinrich Klaasen, trail behind Dhoni.Remarkably, Dhoni has achieved these impressive numbers while playing just 34 balls in this tournament, all during death overs. His boundary percentage of 87.30 per cent in overs 16-20 is also the highest, surpassing Dinesh Karthik and Andre Russell.Dhoni's presence in the CSK lineup continues to inspire fans and ignite the passion for cricket in Chennai. His ability to make a significant impact despite his limited playing time is a testament to his enduring greatness and the unwavering love and respect he commands from the city's cricket enthusiasts.

Marcus Stoinis' blistering unbeaten century propelled Lucknow Super Giants to a stunning six-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings in their IPL encounter on Tuesday. The Australian all-rounder's 124-run knock, studded with 13 fours and six sixes, helped LSG chase down a daunting target of 211 at the Chepauk.Stoinis' innings was a stark contrast to the elegant century scored by CSK opener Ruturaj Gaikwad. The Indian batter's 108-run knock, featuring 12 fours and three sixes, laid the foundation for CSK's competitive total. Shivam Dube's 66-run cameo further boosted the Super Kings' innings.Stoinis' power-hitting was on full display as he effortlessly dispatched the CSK bowlers to all parts of the ground. His six off Mustafizur Rahman, a straight drive over the bowler's head, was a testament to his brute force.At the other end, Nicholas Pooran provided valuable support with a 34-ball 51. The West Indian batter's quickfire innings, including two sixes and a four off Shardul Thakur in the 16th over, kept LSG in the hunt.Pooran's dismissal left Stoinis with the responsibility of guiding LSG home. The Australian responded with a flurry of boundaries in the 19th over, reducing the equation to 17 runs off the final over.Stoinis then smashed Mustafizur Rahman for three fours and a six in the last over, sealing the victory with three balls to spare.Earlier, Gaikwad and Dube had provided the impetus to CSK's innings after a slow start. Gaikwad's classic strokeplay, characterized by precise timing and gap placement, was a delight to watch. He reached his fifty off just 28 balls and went on to score his second IPL century.Dube's power-hitting added further momentum to the CSK innings. The left-hander smashed three consecutive sixes off Yash Thakur, helping CSK post a challenging total.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul opted to field first against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter on Tuesday. Rahul cited the presence of dew as the reason behind his decision to chase.CSK made one change to their lineup, bringing in Daryll Mitchell for Rachin Ravindra, who has been struggling for form. LSG, on the other hand, retained the same eleven that played in their previous match.Teams:* Lucknow Super Giants: Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul (wk/c), Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Matt Henry, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Yash Thakur.* Chennai Super Kings: Ajinkya Rahane, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Daryl Mitchell, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Mustafizur Rahman, Matheesha Pathirana.Match Summary:The match began with CSK posting a competitive total of 169/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Ruturaj Gaikwad top-scored for CSK with a fluent 53, while Moeen Ali contributed a valuable 35. For LSG, Ravi Bishnoi and Mohsin Khan picked up two wickets each.In reply, LSG chased down the target with relative ease, reaching 170/3 in 19.3 overs. Quinton de Kock led the charge with an unbeaten 61, while KL Rahul chipped in with 40. Deepak Chahar and Tushar Deshpande took one wicket each for CSK.Key Points:* LSG won the toss and elected to field first due to dew.* CSK made one change to their lineup, bringing in Daryll Mitchell.* Ruturaj Gaikwad top-scored for CSK with 53.* Ravi Bishnoi and Mohsin Khan picked up two wickets each for LSG.* Quinton de Kock's unbeaten 61 helped LSG chase down the target.

Defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will face off against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in a highly anticipated clash in Match 39 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The match will take place at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday, April 23.Both teams have had similar starts to the season, with CSK winning four out of seven games and LSG winning four out of seven games. CSK currently sits fourth in the standings, while LSG is ranked fifth.In their previous encounter at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on April 19, LSG emerged victorious by a comfortable margin of eight wickets.Predicted XIs:Chennai Super Kings:* Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain)* Rachin Ravindra* Ajinkya Rahane* Shivam Dube* Ravindra Jadeja* Sameer Rizvi* MS Dhoni (wicketkeeper)* Deepak Chahar* Maheesh Theekshana* Mustafizur Rahman* Matheesha PathiranaLucknow Super Giants:* Quinton de Kock* KL Rahul (captain and wicketkeeper)* Deepak Hooda* Marcus Stoinis* Nicholas Pooran* Ayush Badoni* Krunal Pandya* Mohsin Khan* Ravi Bishnoi* Naveen-ul-Haq* Yash ThakurKey Players to Watch:* Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK): The CSK skipper has been in impressive form this season, scoring 241 runs in seven matches.* KL Rahul (LSG): The LSG captain and wicketkeeper is the team's leading run-scorer with 286 runs in seven matches.* Shivam Dube (CSK): The all-rounder has been a consistent performer for CSK, scoring 245 runs in seven matches.* Nicholas Pooran (LSG): The Caribbean hard-hitter is the second-highest run-scorer for LSG with 246 runs in seven matches.* Mustafizur Rahman (CSK): The Bangladeshi pacer is the leading wicket-taker for CSK this season with 11 wickets in six matches.Match Preview:The match promises to be a thrilling contest between two evenly matched teams. CSK will be looking to avenge their defeat in the previous encounter, while LSG will be aiming to continue their winning momentum.The slow and low track at the Chepauk Stadium is expected to favor the spinners, so both teams will be relying heavily on their spin departments. The match could also be decided by the performance of the top-order batsmen, who will need to provide a solid foundation for their teams.

Dwayne Bravo: Yorkers, Fast Bowlers, and CSK's Bowling DominanceIn the lead-up to the Indian Premier League (IPL) match against the Lucknow Super Giants, Chennai Super Kings' bowling coach Dwayne Bravo shared his insights on the significance of yorkers, his preferred fast bowlers within the squad, and the team's unwavering commitment to being the most astute bowling unit in the tournament.The Importance of YorkersBravo emphasized the pivotal role of the yorker as the primary weapon for pacers, stressing that sustained success in the T20 format hinges on mastering this delivery. He highlighted the consistent use of yorkers and their diverse variations by some of T20 cricket's most accomplished bowlers, including himself, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga, and Matheesha Pathirana."You cannot last long without a yorker. If you look at players who have had most of the success in T20 cricket, Lasith Malinga, Bumrah or Pathirana, myself when I played, we had a similar plan, try to bowl as many yorkers as possible, with our variations," said Pathirana.CSK's Preferred Fast BowlersBravo praised the young Pathirana, who shot to fame with his slingy, Malinga-like action. During the last season, he took 19 wickets in 12 matches for CSK. Currently, he has nine wickets in four games of IPL 2024."Pathirana is very special. I call him Baby Malinga. I also call him Baby GOAT (Greatest of All Time). He is not someone you try to coach because he has a natural ability and skill," Bravo said.Bravo also pointed out that Bangladesh veteran Mustafizur Rahman is also very special to him. He has taken 11 wickets in six games in the ongoing season."He has the reputation of having one of the best slower balls in the world. You don't try to over-coach these players. You just empower them with knowledge, and information and try to keep it simple," he added.CSK's Bowling PhilosophyThe West Indies legend is also impressed with pacer Tushar Deshpade, who made a name for himself with a breakthrough IPL 2023. He took 21 wickets in 16 games to guide CSK to their fifth title win.Bravo said that during the team meetings, CSK asserts its resolve to be the "smartest bowling team in the competition" and prepares for all possible scenarios and does not look to repeat its mistakes."We do drills, especially by keeping in mind the ground dimension. We practice with vision, with a purpose. When people look at us, they should see a plan, sometimes it does not work, but most times, it will," Bravo added.

Chennai Super Kings Seek Redemption Against Lucknow Super Giants in Home StretchThe defending champions, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), are eager to avenge their recent defeat when they host the unpredictable Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their reverse IPL fixture in Chennai. Both teams are desperate to break out of the mid-table logjam and secure a playoff berth.In their previous encounter in Lucknow, LSG's opening duo of KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock put up a record-breaking partnership, leading their team to victory. CSK's bowling unit struggled to contain the rampaging duo, and the onus will be on pacers Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, and Mustafizur Rahman to deliver a better performance in the rematch. Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja also had a disappointing outing and will need to step up on his home turf.CSK's top-order has been inconsistent, with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube doing the bulk of the scoring. The failure of opener Rachin Ravindra is a concern, and the team has experimented with promoting Ajinkya Rahane as an opener, pushing Gaikwad down to number three. Gaikwad will have to decide whether to stick with this shuffle or return to his preferred opening position.Despite the top-order struggles, Jadeja's composed fifty in the previous match allowed Moeen Ali and MS Dhoni to produce late fireworks and give CSK a fighting total. However, the team will hope for a more consistent performance from their top-order in the upcoming fixture.CSK has been a formidable force at home, and they will look to set the record straight after their away loss. With three consecutive home ties coming up, the Super Kings have an opportunity to march towards the playoffs. Revenge will be on their minds as they seek to avenge their defeat against LSG and secure a crucial victory.