Cricket

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) recently shared a viral image on social media featuring their iconic duo, MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja, enjoying a moment at a farm. The image has sparked excitement among fans, who have been speculating about the future of these two stalwarts in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Dhoni, widely regarded as one of the greatest captains in IPL history, has led CSK to a record-equalling five titles. Jadeja, on the other hand, has been a consistent performer for the franchise, known for his all-around abilities. Both players have been integral to CSK's success over the years.The image shared by CSK shows Jadeja taking a selfie with Dhoni standing in the background. The caption reads, "Imagine Thala & Thalapathy in this field together!" Thala and Thalapathy are affectionate nicknames given to Dhoni and Jadeja, respectively.The original picture was shared by Jadeja on Instagram earlier this month, with the caption "Homeland." The image was taken at his farm, showcasing the bond between the two players.Dhoni has captained CSK to ten finals in their first 14 IPL seasons, winning five titles. He has played in every single edition for CSK, except for two seasons when the franchise was banned from the IPL. While Dhoni's future in the IPL remains uncertain, there is no doubt that he still has a few seasons left in him.Jadeja, on the other hand, has pulled out of the upcoming edition of the Duleep Trophy, where he was set to be part of Team 'B'. This decision has raised questions about his availability for the next IPL season.The image shared by CSK has reignited speculation about the future of Dhoni and Jadeja with the franchise. Fans are eager to see the duo continue their successful partnership in the IPL. However, with both players nearing the end of their careers, it remains to be seen how long they will continue to play at the highest level.

Ramiz Raja Warns Fans of Fake Instagram Accounts Impersonating HimFormer Pakistan cricket captain Ramiz Raja has issued a warning to his fans about multiple fake Instagram accounts claiming to represent him. In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Raja shared screenshots of these accounts and urged his followers to be cautious."I had to make this video in an emergency," Raja said. "There are many fake accounts on Instagram in my name. One or two are even claiming to be my managers."Raja emphasized that he does not have any managers and directed his fans to follow only his official Instagram account. "Please follow this only," he said. "Whatever activities you may be planning to do on Instagram through those (fake) accounts, please don't do that because I have come to know about frauds happening."Raja's warning comes amid a growing trend of fake accounts impersonating celebrities and public figures on social media. These accounts often engage in fraudulent activities, such as soliciting money or personal information from unsuspecting followers.Raja, who played a pivotal role in Pakistan's 1992 World Cup victory, has a significant following on social media. His YouTube channel has over 1.5 million subscribers, while his Instagram account has over 1 million followers.The former cricketer's warning highlights the importance of being vigilant on social media and verifying the authenticity of accounts before engaging with them. Fans are advised to be cautious of any requests for personal information or financial transactions from accounts claiming to represent public figures.

Joe Root's record-equalling 33rd Test century propelled England to a commanding position on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's.After Sri Lanka opted to field first, England's openers Ben Duckett and Dan Lawrence fell cheaply. Ollie Pope, captaining the side in place of the injured Ben Stokes, also struggled, dismissed for just one.However, Root, batting at number four, steadied the innings with a masterful display of batting. He shared partnerships of 48 with Harry Brook, 62 with Jamie Smith, and 92 with Gus Atkinson.Root reached his century in 162 balls, with 13 fours, moving into joint-tenth place in the all-time list of Test century-makers. He also tied Alastair Cook's record of 33 Test centuries, becoming the only active cricketer in the top ranks of Test century-makers.Atkinson provided valuable support to Root, scoring an unbeaten 74 in a seventh-wicket partnership of 92 runs. The 26-year-old hit two sixes off Prabath Jayasuriya and pulled Lahiru Kumara for another six over midwicket.England ended the day on 358 for 7, with Atkinson and Jack Leach at the crease. Root's century and Atkinson's aggressive batting have put England in a strong position to build a substantial first-innings lead.

The Vitality County Championship Second Division match between Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire was abandoned due to safety concerns over the hybrid pitch. Umpires Chris Watts and Sue Redfern halted the game after Northants batters Ricardo Vasconcelos and Rob Keogh were struck on the hand by Gloucestershire paceman Ajeet Singh Dale.Northants were 116 for 2 in reply to Gloucestershire's 125 when the contest was abandoned at 5pm. The umpires consulted with both captains and groundstaff before making the decision. They then sought advice from ECB pitch inspectors at Lord's, who concurred with the abandonment.Gloucestershire had scored over 500 runs on a neighboring pitch against Leicestershire earlier in the week, but were dismissed for just 125 on this occasion. The county had previously used a hybrid pitch for their home Championship match against Middlesex without incident. However, this pitch presented different challenges, resulting in Vasconcelos being taken to hospital with a suspected broken finger.When Keogh was struck during the final session, the umpires intervened due to concerns for the batters' safety. Northants will receive 11 points for a draw, including three bowling bonus points, while Gloucestershire will receive none. The matter has been referred to the Cricket Regulator for investigation.The umpires issued a statement explaining that the match was abandoned due to a foreseeable risk to the batters. Gloucestershire declined to comment, but later issued a statement anticipating further action.Justin Broad had a career-best bowling performance for Northants, taking 7 for 33 in 15.1 overs. Only Ollie Price managed to cope with the exaggerated nip and seam off the pitch, scoring 52 for Gloucestershire.Despite fielding a weakened attack, Northants captain Procter chose to bowl first on a green-tinged surface. Broad and Procter dismissed Gloucestershire's openers inside six overs. Miles Hammond and James Bracey also fell cheaply, leaving Gloucestershire struggling at 16 for 3.Price and van Buuren provided some resistance, but van Buuren's dismissal for 40 sparked a collapse. Tom Price, Zafar Gohar, and Ollie Price all fell to Broad, who registered his maiden five-wicket haul. Broad then accounted for tailenders Dom Goodman and Zaman Akhter to achieve the best figures of any Northants bowler in matches at Bristol since 1910.Northants' reply was also affected by the pitch conditions. Vasconcelos retired hurt after being struck on the hand, while Keogh was also hit. Procter and Keogh added an unbeaten 49 for the third wicket before the match was abandoned.

Yorkshire's promotion hopes received a significant boost on the opening day of their County Championship clash with Middlesex at Headingley, thanks to a century from Jonny Bairstow.Bairstow, who has struggled for form in recent months, struck an unbeaten 107 off 130 balls, his first first-class century in over two years. The 34-year-old was dropped from all England sides within the last two months, but he responded with a defiant knock that underlined his determination to regain his best form.Bairstow's innings was the cornerstone of Yorkshire's impressive 372 for 5 from 96 overs. He received support from Adam Lyth (61) and George Hill (58 not out), who both contributed half-centuries. Luke Hollman was the pick of the Middlesex bowlers, returning figures of 3 for 99 from 27 overs of legspin.Yorkshire started the game in third place in Division Two, three points behind Middlesex in second. A win in this match would give Middlesex a significant advantage in the race for promotion, but they face an uphill task after Yorkshire's dominant display on day one.Bairstow's innings was particularly impressive given the challenges he has faced in recent times. He was dropped from the England squad for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against Australia, and he has been under pressure to prove his worth. However, he responded with a determined and focused performance that suggests he is not ready to give up on his international ambitions.Yorkshire's other batters also played their part in the team's strong start. Lyth and Fin Bean shared an opening stand of 68, while Hill and Bairstow put on an unbroken 130 for the sixth wicket.Middlesex will need to find a way to break through Yorkshire's batting order on day two if they are to have any chance of winning the match. However, with Bairstow in such impressive form, Yorkshire will be confident of extending their lead and putting themselves in a strong position to secure promotion.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing concerns over the prolonged recovery of young fast bowler Ihsanullah from an elbow injury that has sidelined him for over a year. The 21-year-old's recent behavior has raised questions about his commitment to his rehabilitation program.According to a reliable PCB source, senior officials are frustrated with Ihsanullah's actions, particularly his contradiction of a statement made by his father. Ihsanullah's father had visited Lahore to request that his son continue his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) rather than in his hometown of Swat. He also informed the media that Ihsanullah preferred to continue his rehab at the NCA.However, the next day, Ihsanullah tweeted that he was comfortable with continuing his rehabilitation in Swat and did not see the need to travel to Lahore. This directly contradicted his father's statement."The board officials are worried with the sincerity and hard work Ihsan is putting into his rehab program which was designed for him by experts after he was sent to the UK for an appointment with a specialist," the source said.The PCB had appointed an independent medical panel to review Ihsanullah's diagnosis and treatment. The panel recommended that he continue his rehab in Swat under the supervision of an assigned trainer.However, with fitness tests approaching before the Champions Cup domestic event, there are growing concerns about whether Ihsanullah is taking his rehab process seriously.Ihsanullah emerged as a promising talent for Pakistan during last year's Pakistan Super League. He was quickly integrated into the national white-ball squad for T20 and ODI matches before suffering his elbow injury.The handling of Ihsanullah's injury also led to the resignation of the PCB's head of the medical panel, Dr. Sohail Saleem.

TNCA XI tightened their grip on the Buchi Babu tournament, piling on the misery for Mumbai in the third round match at the Sri Ramakrishna College Cricket Ground. After dismissing Mumbai for a paltry 156 in the first innings, TNCA XI piled up a mammoth 286 in their second essay, leaving Mumbai with an improbable target of 510.Mumbai's batting woes continued in their second innings, as they stumbled to six for no loss at stumps on day three. The home team is now on the cusp of a semifinal berth, having virtually sealed three points from this match.TNCA XI's dominance began with their bowlers, led by Sai Kishore's five-wicket haul. Mumbai captain Sarfaraz Khan, who missed the second day due to illness, returned to bat at No. 10 but was dismissed by Kishore along with Divyansh Saxena (70).Undeterred, TNCA XI opted to bat again and established a solid opening partnership of 142 runs between S.R. Athish (57) and S. Lokeshwar (73). Despite a spirited fightback from Mumbai's tweakers Shams Mulani (four for 73) and Tanush Kotian (five for 91), the damage had already been done in the first innings.Suryakumar Yadav, who had bowled the final over before lunch, did not field in the later part of the innings after suffering a blow to his hand while fielding in the slips.Mumbai's hopes now rest on a miracle, as they need a win to secure a place in the next stage. The scores at the end of day three stand as follows:TNCA XI 379 & 286 in 79.2 overs (Athish 57, Lokeshwar 73, Mokit 52, Mulani 4/73, Kotian 5/91) vs Mumbai 156 in 63.2 overs (Divyansh 70, Sai Kishore 5/36) & 6/0 in two overs.

R. Sai Kishore, the left-arm spinner from Tamil Nadu, is determined to enhance his red-ball skills to seize opportunities that come his way. His impressive performances in the previous Ranji Trophy (53 wickets) and the ongoing Buchi Babu tournament (14 wickets so far) are a testament to his dedication and talent.Sai Kishore believes that being prepared will increase his chances of selection. "If I am ready for something, the opportunity will come my way. In terms of confidence, I think that I am ready. I consider myself a tool, the tool is doing its best to be ready. If there is an opportunity somewhere, they could call me," he said after the third day's play against Mumbai in the Buchi Babu tournament.The Tamil Nadu player will have a significant role in the upcoming Duleep Trophy for India-B, as fellow left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja will not be participating. Sai Kishore expressed his satisfaction with his decision to play in the Buchi Babu tournament before the more challenging assignments."There was an option to go to the NCA in Bengaluru for a spinners camp. I felt ‘if I cannot handle the pressure in Buchi Babu, how will I handle it in Duleep Trophy’. So I looked at Buchi Babu as a good preparation. No practice is equal to playing a match. Luckily, it has panned out very well," he said.Sai Kishore's determination and hard work are paying off. He is eager to prove his worth and contribute to his team's success. With his impressive performances and unwavering focus, he is well-positioned to make a mark in the upcoming Duleep Trophy and beyond.

Deandra Dottin, the West Indies' explosive all-rounder, has made a sensational return to the national team after a two-year hiatus. Dottin, who holds the record for the fastest century in women's T20Is, had abruptly announced her retirement in 2022, citing a challenging environment within the West Indies setup.However, the 32-year-old has now reversed her decision, with her sights set on the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Dottin's return is a major boost for the West Indies, who are looking to regain their status as one of the top teams in the world.Dottin's decision to retire had come as a shock to many, as she was at the peak of her powers. She had been a key member of the West Indies team that won the T20 World Cup in 2016 and had also played a starring role in the team's run to the final of the 2018 tournament.However, Dottin had been vocal about her frustrations with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and had accused the board of not providing adequate support to the women's team. She had also criticized the WICB for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had led to the cancellation of several women's tournaments.Dottin's return to the West Indies team is a sign that the WICB is taking steps to address the concerns of its female players. The board has recently appointed a new director of women's cricket, and it is hoped that this will lead to improved communication and support for the women's team.Dottin's return is also a major boost for the West Indies' chances of success at the upcoming T20 World Cup. The tournament will be held in the UAE from February 10 to 26, and the West Indies will be looking to make a strong impression.With Dottin back in the fold, the West Indies will have one of the most dangerous batting lineups in the tournament. Dottin is a powerful hitter who can clear the boundary with ease, and she will be a major threat to opposing bowlers.The West Indies will also be hoping that Dottin can contribute with the ball. She is a handy off-spinner who can bowl at a good pace, and she will be a valuable asset to the team's bowling attack.Dottin's return is a major boost for the West Indies, and it will be interesting to see how she performs in the upcoming T20 World Cup.