Cricket

Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) faced off in their final Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter in Mumbai on May 17. MI opted to field first, with a notable change in their playing eleven: the inclusion of young seamer Arjun Tendulkar. Premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah was rested ahead of the T20 World Cup, while the injured Tilak Varma was replaced by Dewald Brevis.LSG also made a single change, bringing in Devdutt Padikkal for Quinton de Kock. The teams took to the field with the following lineups:Mumbai Indians:* Ishan Kishan (wk)* Naman Dhir* Suryakumar Yadav* Dewald Brevis* Hardik Pandya (c)* Nehal Wadhera* Romario Shepherd* Anshul Kamboj* Piyush Chawla* Arjun Tendulkar* Nuwan ThusharaLucknow Super Giants:* KL Rahul (c & wk)* Devdutt Padikkal* Marcus Stoinis* Deepak Hooda* Nicholas Pooran* Ayush Badoni* Krunal Pandya* Arshad Khan* Matt Henry* Ravi Bishnoi* Mohsin KhanThe match began with LSG posting a competitive total of 168/6 in their allotted 20 overs. KL Rahul led the charge with a brilliant 60 off 45 deliveries, while Marcus Stoinis contributed a valuable 38. For MI, Arjun Tendulkar made an impressive debut, picking up the wicket of Deepak Hooda in his first over.In response, MI struggled to chase down the target, eventually falling short by 36 runs. Ishan Kishan top-scored for MI with 26, while Suryakumar Yadav added 24. LSG's bowlers were in top form, with Ravi Bishnoi and Mohsin Khan claiming three wickets each.The victory secured LSG's place in the playoffs, while MI's hopes of reaching the knockout stage were dashed.

Former South African skipper AB de Villiers has heaped praise on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Shreyas Iyer, hailing him as "absolutely incredible" in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.In the 17th season of the IPL, Iyer has led KKR to the top of the points table, becoming the first skipper in the franchise's history to achieve this feat. In 12 matches, he has amassed 287 runs at a strike rate of 135.38.Speaking on his YouTube channel, De Villiers lauded Iyer's composure and intelligence as a captain. "Shreyas Iyer has been absolutely incredible. There have been a lot of doubts and talks about him as captain. I punted him from the start of the tournament. He is a wise guy, a smart cricketer, and I love the way he is calm and composed as a captain. He never seems to get rushed, never seems to panic even though you know deep down that you feel some panic, especially playing at the Eden Gardens," De Villiers said.De Villiers also acknowledged the challenges of captaining a team with senior players like Sunil Narine and Andre Russell. "It's not easy to captain senior players who have been around for ages, especially Narine and Russell. We know that the West Indies have got different personalities, they are outgoing and can be outspoken sometimes. It must be sometimes difficult with a difference in culture to communicate properly with some of these experienced players," he added.KKR have won 9 of their 13 matches so far, losing only to Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Punjab Kings (PBKS). They currently have 19 points and a net run rate of 1.428.In their upcoming match, KKR will face Rajasthan Royals on Sunday at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati.

Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant expressed his gratitude to the home fans after the team's elimination from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs. Despite a valiant effort, Delhi Capitals fell short of qualifying for the knockout stages, finishing fifth in the points table with seven wins and seven losses.Pant, who made a remarkable return to cricket after a 14-month recovery from a horrific car accident, was one of the standout performers for Delhi Capitals. The 26-year-old amassed 446 runs in 13 matches, showcasing his exceptional batting prowess. His impressive form earned him a spot in India's main 15-man squad for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup.In a heartfelt message on Instagram, Pant thanked the fans for their unwavering support throughout the season. "Felt amazing to be back on the pitch after so long! Cannot be grateful enough for everyone who played a part in this! None of this would be possible without the constant love and affection from the fans," he wrote."The energy was unreal, and I'm thrilled to be doing what I love again. Excited for what's ahead and looking forward to giving my best and making more memories," Pant added.Despite the disappointment of missing out on the playoffs, Delhi Capitals showed resilience and determination throughout the season. The team's final league game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) was a testament to their fighting spirit, as they secured a thrilling victory.The Delhi Capitals squad featured a mix of experienced and emerging players, including David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. The team's performance was a reflection of their collective efforts and the guidance of head coach Ricky Ponting.As the IPL 2024 season draws to a close, Rishabh Pant and the Delhi Capitals will look to build on their positive performances and return stronger next year. The team's passionate fan base will undoubtedly continue to provide unwavering support as they strive for success in the future.

Legendary fast-bowler Curtly Ambrose believes the Rovman Powell-led co-hosts West Indies have a formidable squad capable of capturing an unprecedented third ICC Men's T20 World Cup title when the tournament commences on June 1.West Indies have etched their name in history as two-time T20 World Cup champions, triumphing in 2012 and 2016. However, their recent performances in the tournament have been lackluster. In 2021, under Kieron Pollard's leadership, they failed to advance to the knockout stage, winning only one match in the group phase.A year later, with Nicholas Pooran at the helm in Australia, they were unable to qualify for the Super ten stage. West Indies also missed out on the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup in India after failing to secure a top-two finish in the qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe.Despite these setbacks, West Indies have shown encouraging form in T20Is, registering series victories over South Africa, India, and England at home in the past 14 months. Ambrose believes this recent success bodes well for their chances in the upcoming World Cup."We have a very, very good team," Ambrose said. "As we speak, they are in Antigua at a camp preparing themselves for the start of the T20 World Cup, which is a couple of weeks away.""I believe once the guys start playing consistent cricket and smart cricket, I believe we can take the trophy. It is not going to be easy, but we are one of only two nations to have won it twice, so we are going to try and make it three. And no other nation has ever won it on home soil, so all that is motivation for the guys to do well, and I am hoping they can do it."West Indies are placed in Group C of the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup and will face Papua New Guinea in their opening match in Guyana on June 2. They will then play against Uganda, New Zealand, and Afghanistan in their remaining group stage games.Ambrose anticipates some unexpected results at the upcoming tournament due to the abundance of talented players across all teams. "I admire a lot of cricketers (at the T20 World Cup), and I am looking forward to them doing well," he said."As a proud Antiguan and being from the West Indies, I want the West Indies to win. It is not going to be easy because in T20 cricket, every team has an equal chance of beating any other team, and that is just the nature of T20 cricket. It is going to be exciting, but I am going to be rooting for the West Indies."

Pat Cummins: A Beloved Aussie Captain in IndiaAustralian cricketers have long held a special place in the hearts of Indian fans. From Steve Waugh to David Warner, many Aussie stars have expressed their fondness for India, with some even calling it their second home. Among them, current Australian captain Pat Cummins stands out as a particularly popular figure.Cummins' popularity in India soared after he led his team to a memorable ODI World Cup victory on Indian soil, breaking the hearts of a billion home fans. His exceptional skills with both bat and ball made him a highly sought-after player in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he was acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad for a staggering Rs 20.5 crore.Living up to his reputation as a world-class captain, Cummins has guided Sunrisers Hyderabad to the playoffs in the 2024 season. His leadership qualities have been evident both on and off the field, inspiring his teammates and earning the respect of opponents.Beyond his cricketing achievements, Cummins has also shown a genuine love for India and its people. A recent video circulating on social media captures him playing cricket with children at a Zilla Parishad High School in Hyderabad. The video showcases Cummins' humility and his willingness to connect with the local community.Cummins' popularity in India is a testament to his exceptional cricketing abilities, his leadership skills, and his genuine affection for the country. He has become a role model for young Indian cricketers and a symbol of the strong bond between Australia and India.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) star batter Virat Kohli has shed light on the team's struggles and subsequent resurgence in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season.In April, RCB's campaign hit a roadblock, with the team suffering five defeats in seven games. They languished at the bottom of the table for much of the month. However, a remarkable turnaround saw them win five consecutive matches, reigniting their playoff hopes.Kohli revealed his mindset during the challenging period in April. "We were going into a very dark place," he said. "But in May, we found a ray of sunlight. We're glad we made the fans happy again."Kohli's own form has been exceptional this season. He currently leads the race for the Orange Cap with 661 runs in 13 innings, boasting an impressive strike rate of 155.16 and an average of 66.10. His tally includes five half-centuries and a century.RCB currently sit sixth in the IPL standings with 12 points from 13 matches. They face a crucial clash against fourth-placed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday. To stay in contention for the playoffs, RCB must secure a victory and improve their net run rate (NRR) of 0.387, which is currently lower than CSK's 0.528.A win at their home stadium on Saturday could prove pivotal for RCB's season. After the IPL, Kohli will turn his attention to the T20 World Cup, which will be held in the USA and West Indies in June. India are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and co-hosts USA.

England all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt has shed light on her absence from the first T20I against Pakistan, revealing that she underwent egg freezing to preserve her fertility for future family planning.Sciver-Brunt, 31, explained that she seized the opportunity between England's tour of New Zealand and the Pakistan series to undergo the procedure, which involves creating embryos for later use. She emphasized her desire to balance her cricket career with starting a family."Katherine and I would love to start a family, but I'd also like to continue playing cricket," Sciver-Brunt said. "We're lucky to have options, and we're figuring out the best path for us. I'd like to carry a baby when I finish playing, and Katherine wants to as well."England's support staff has been instrumental in facilitating Sciver-Brunt's recovery from the procedure. "The sports science and medical department have been incredibly supportive," she said. "They've ensured a smooth transition back to cricket."Sciver-Brunt missed the first T20I due to the physical toll of the procedure. "I'd just started exercising again, so I wasn't quite ready to play," she explained. However, she is expected to feature in the second match on Friday.Katherine Sciver-Brunt, who retired from cricket last year, highlighted the importance of egg freezing for women who wish to pursue both a career and family. "There's a timeframe on fertility," she said. "Freezing eggs now gives us healthy options in the future. It's a great choice to have, even though it's not cheap or easy."Sciver-Brunt's decision to prioritize her fertility while continuing her cricket career is a testament to the changing landscape for female athletes. It underscores the growing recognition of the need for flexibility and support for women who wish to balance their sporting and personal aspirations.

Virat Kohli's exceptional form in IPL 2024 has drawn high praise from former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif, who believes the RCB opener has achieved a state of focus where no bowling match-up can disrupt him.Kohli has been in scintillating form this season, amassing 661 runs at a strike rate of 155.16 in 13 games, making him the highest run-getter in the tournament. Kaif attributes Kohli's success to his unwavering determination and ability to block out distractions."When a hermit goes to the Himalayas, he is in a different zone when he is meditating. Nothing distracts him. Whether there is a loud noise, someone shouts or cries, it doesn't make a difference. Virat Kohli has reached that zone," Kaif said on Star Sports."He is not seeing the scorecard and is just in his zone and concentrating. He knows the intent with which he needs to play no matter which bowler, whether it's a fast bowler or a spinner, is in front of him. No matter which bowler comes, he has reached a zone where there is no match-up," the former India batter added.Kaif believes Kohli's primary motivation is to lead RCB to victory. "He has come just to dominate. He has come with the passion that he will only be satisfied once he makes his team win, and that has been seen from the second match," he observed."From the second match against Punjab, he came determined. He was jumping down the track and hitting (Kagiso) Rabada and playing slog sweeps against spinners. You talk about the fourth or fifth gear but he has reached the 15th gear. No one will reach that level," the cricketer-turned-commentator added.As RCB prepare for their crucial match against CSK, Kohli's form and focus will be pivotal in determining the team's chances of making it to the playoffs.

Mumbai Indians (MI) will conclude their disappointing Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign with a home fixture against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday. The five-time champions have endured a dismal season, winning only four of their 13 matches, and will be eager to end on a high note.One of the major talking points of MI's struggles has been the captaincy of Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder took over the reins from Rohit Sharma ahead of the season but has failed to replicate the success he enjoyed with Gujarat Titans in 2022. Pandya has led MI to just four wins in 13 matches, resulting in the team's elimination from playoff contention.Ahead of Friday's match, Pandya reflected on his leadership style. "My captaincy is simple," he said. "It's just Hardik Pandya playing with 10 other of his teammates. The mantra is simple. Looking after the players, you give them the confidence, you give them the belief, you give them the love. They will go out and give more than 100 percent and that's something I ask for."On a personal level, Pandya has also had a forgettable IPL. The India vice-captain has scored only 200 runs in 12 innings at an average of just 18.18. He has bowled in 11 matches, taking 11 wickets with a best of 3 for 31."I am not someone who is result-oriented, but I am definitely approach-oriented," Pandya said. "I see what kind of approach they (players) are showing, and if I feel that is suiting the team, I think somewhere down the line it helps the team..."While MI's season is effectively over, LSG still have a mathematical chance of reaching the playoffs. However, they will need to win their final game and hope for other results to go their way.