Cricket

The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has called for collaboration among franchise leagues to address the global scheduling crisis in cricket. Pete Russell, CPL's CEO, believes that overlaps between leagues are "a nonsense" and that regular meetings should be held to minimize clashes.Russell highlighted the recent avoidance of a clash with the Hundred as an example of successful collaboration. He emphasized that it is detrimental to players and leagues when star players have to rush between tournaments.The CPL's stance is supported by the precedent set by the ILT20 and PSL, which negotiated to manage potential clashes. However, the scheduling landscape remains complex, with multiple leagues running simultaneously in early 2024 and the ICC Champions Trophy expected to further complicate matters in 2025.The Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) has also expressed support for global scheduling windows to minimize overlap between franchise leagues and international cricket. A recent FICA player survey revealed that 84% of respondents support introducing windows.Russell believes that a forum for franchise league owners and administrators to discuss scheduling is essential. He pointed to the recent release of Major League Cricket's 2024 fixture list, which overlaps with the Hundred, as evidence of a lack of "joined-up thinking."Russell also highlighted the perverse incentives that emerged for players earlier this year, where players could earn more money by leaving a tournament before the finals to join another league. He believes that such situations should be addressed.The CPL's call for collaboration and the support from FICA and players indicate a growing recognition of the need for a coordinated approach to scheduling in cricket. By working together, leagues and administrators can ensure that the sport's global calendar is optimized for the benefit of players, fans, and the game itself.

India's quest for an ICC trophy has been elusive since their 2013 Champions Trophy triumph. Despite coming close at the 2019 ODI World Cup, they fell short in the final against Australia. Former opener Virender Sehwag believes that India's lack of fearlessness contributed to their defeat.In the 2019 World Cup final, India's batting faltered after a promising start by Rohit Sharma. Sehwag emphasizes that India needs to adopt a fearless approach, especially between the 11th and 40th overs. He cites his own experience from 2007-08 to 2011, where India treated every match as a knockout game."We used to treat every match as a knockout match, a World Cup semifinal; if we lose, we are out (of the tournament)," Sehwag explains. "So from 2007-08 to 2011, we won a lot of tournaments and prepared for the World Cup."Sehwag believes that India should adopt this mindset and play every match as if it were a knockout game. "That mindset is needed in that (Indian) dressing room when you go into a knockout match, you play fearlessly, with bravery, play with some risk. That, I think is lacking."India's bowlers started well in the 2019 World Cup final, but Travis Head's match-winning century turned the tide in Australia's favor. Sehwag believes that India needs to be more aggressive in their approach and take calculated risks."I think that mindset is needed in that (Indian) dressing room when you go into a knockout match, you play fearlessly, with bravery, play with some risk. That, I think is lacking."

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) will face off in a crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) clash on Thursday in Dharamsala. Both teams are fighting for survival in the tournament, with RCB sitting in seventh place with eight points from 11 games and PBKS in eighth place with the same number of points.RCB has shown signs of resurgence in recent games, winning their last three matches comprehensively. Virat Kohli has been consistent at the top of the order, while skipper Faf du Plessis has found his form with a belligerent knock in the last game. Will Jacks has also impressed with a match-winning century against Gujarat Titans, and Cameron Green has showcased his all-round skills with crucial contributions in runs and wickets.PBKS, on the other hand, has been inconsistent throughout the season. They have showcased their potential with away wins over Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings but have struggled at home. They have won just one out of five games in Mullanpur, their main home ground.The match will be a battle of contrasting styles. RCB has a strong batting lineup but a relatively weaker bowling attack, while PBKS has a more balanced team with a solid bowling unit led by Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh.The outcome of the match could have a significant impact on the playoff race. RCB can still make the playoffs if they win all their remaining three fixtures, while PBKS needs to win at least two of their remaining three games to have a chance of qualifying.

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has heaped praise on Sanju Samson's impressive performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL), lauding the T20 World Cup-bound power-hitter for his exceptional handling of both spin and pace bowling.Samson's scintillating knock of 86 runs off just 46 balls against the Delhi Capitals on Tuesday showcased his remarkable batting prowess. Despite Rajasthan Royals' eventual defeat by 20 runs, Samson's innings propelled him to third place on the IPL's top-scorers chart with 471 runs in 11 matches.Hayden, a renowned cricket commentator, was particularly impressed by Samson's ability to adapt to different bowling styles. "Sanju Samson was batting like a dream, scoring 86 off 46 balls. He's proven his worth time and again...Throughout the tournament, he's been a master blaster, handling both spin and pace with finesse," Hayden remarked.Samson's timing and power were evident throughout his innings. "He times his innings well. He's got the power. And the power is a big thing in T20 cricket. Yet, what stands out is his commitment to his team. He just needed a bit of luck, especially towards the end of the match," Hayden added.Samson's performance has also caught the attention of former India cricketer Varun Aaron. "I think Sanju Samson has been batting really well. Bowlers are keen on dismissing him, evident from their reluctance to bowl bouncers despite being allowed two per over in this IPL," Aaron observed.Aaron noted that Samson's dismissal in the match against Delhi Capitals came after he was bowled a bouncer for the first time. "Interestingly, the over he got out, Khaleel Ahmed bowled the first bouncer to him in the match. This seemed to disrupt his footwork, as the subsequent wide slow ball, which he typically dispatches for six over covers, resulted in his dismissal," Aaron explained.Samson's impressive form has earned him a place in the Indian team for the upcoming T20 World Cup, where he will serve as the second wicketkeeper behind Rishabh Pant. His ability to handle both spin and pace bowling will be a valuable asset to the Indian team as they aim to lift the coveted trophy.

Pat Cummins, the current captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad, has been a force to reckon with in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. With 13 wickets in 11 matches, Cummins has played a pivotal role in SRH's success, leading them to the fourth spot in the points table.Cummins' journey in the IPL began with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where he was part of the title-winning team in 2014. In a recent video that has gone viral, Cummins reminisces about the unforgettable experience of winning the IPL with KKR."We won in 2014. A couple of days after the final, we went back to Kolkata, went to the stadium, just to do a kind of a walking fanfare. And the stadium was packed. It was about 80-90 thousand people just waving back at the team and the streets were lined with a few hundred thousand people just to get a glimpse of the team," Cummins recalls.He adds, "And then you know you back home and your missus doesn't even look at you. It's like hang on, I had half a million people two days ago."Cummins' words paint a vivid picture of the immense adulation and support that IPL teams receive in India. The IPL has become a cultural phenomenon, capturing the hearts and minds of millions of fans across the country.Cummins' leadership has been instrumental in SRH's resurgence this season. The team has won six of their 11 matches and is well-positioned to qualify for the playoffs. Cummins' ability to inspire his teammates and create a winning environment has been crucial to SRH's success.As SRH prepares to face Lucknow Super Giants in their next match, Cummins will be looking to continue his impressive form and guide his team to another victory. With his experience, skill, and determination, Cummins is poised to play a major role in SRH's quest for the IPL title.

Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu led her team to a resounding 68-run victory over Scotland in the final of the Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier in Abu Dhabi, securing their place in Group A of the World Cup proper.Athapaththu's blistering 102 off 63 balls, studded with 13 fours and four sixes, propelled Sri Lanka to a formidable total of 169 for 5. She shared a crucial 106-run partnership with Nilakshika Silva (26*).Scotland's chase faltered early as they lost opener Saskia Horley to a run-out in the third over. Left-arm medium pacer Udeshika Prabodhani then struck twice in the fourth over, dismissing Sarah Bryce and Katherine Fraser to leave Scotland reeling at 13 for 3.Sri Lanka's spinners tightened the screws, with Priyanaz Chatterji (30) offering the only resistance. However, the Scottish batters struggled to keep up with the required run rate, eventually falling 68 runs short.Prabodhani finished with impressive figures of 3 for 13, while fellow spinner Inoka Ranaweera claimed 1 for 13.The victory marks a significant achievement for Sri Lanka, who will now face the likes of Australia, India, New Zealand, and Pakistan in Group A of the World Cup. Scotland, on the other hand, will be part of Group B alongside South Africa, England, West Indies, and Bangladesh.Both Sri Lanka and Scotland had already secured their spots in the T20 World Cup proper after defeating UAE and Ireland, respectively, in the semifinals.

Rajasthan Royals Opt to Field Against Delhi Capitals in IPL ClashIn a thrilling encounter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on May 7, the Rajasthan Royals elected to field first against the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Royals made two changes to their playing XI, bringing in South African all-rounder Donovan Ferreira and batter Shubham Dubey.The Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, welcomed Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib and veteran pacer Ishant Sharma into their lineup. The match marked the return of Ishant Sharma to the IPL after a two-year absence.Delhi Capitals' InningsThe Delhi Capitals openers, Rishabh Pant and Jake Fraser-McGurk, got off to a solid start, putting on 35 runs for the first wicket. However, the Royals bowlers struck back with quick wickets, including the prized scalp of Pant for 19.Abishek Porel and Shai Hope steadied the innings with a 43-run partnership, but the Royals continued to chip away at the Delhi batting lineup. Tristan Stubbs and Gulbadin Naib made brief contributions, but it was Axar Patel who provided the late impetus with a quickfire 24 off 17 balls.Rajasthan Royals' InningsChasing a modest target of 148, the Rajasthan Royals got off to a shaky start, losing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag cheaply. Donovan Ferreira and Rovman Powell then put on a 40-run partnership to revive the innings.However, the Delhi Capitals bowlers fought back, with Khaleel Ahmed dismissing both Ferreira and Powell in quick succession. Shubham Dubey and Ravichandran Ashwin then steadied the ship with a 35-run stand.In the end, it was Trent Boult who sealed the victory for the Royals with a six off the final ball of the match. The Royals won by 3 wickets, with Boult remaining unbeaten on 17.Key Players* Trent Boult (Rajasthan Royals): The New Zealand pacer was the star of the show for the Royals, taking 3 wickets for 24 runs and hitting the winning six.* Axar Patel (Delhi Capitals): The all-rounder provided a late boost to the Delhi innings with his quickfire 24, but it wasn't enough to secure victory.* Donovan Ferreira (Rajasthan Royals): The South African all-rounder made a solid contribution with the bat, scoring 25 runs and forming a crucial partnership with Rovman Powell.ConclusionThe Rajasthan Royals' victory over the Delhi Capitals was a hard-fought battle that went down to the wire. The Royals' bowlers kept the Delhi batsmen in check, while their batsmen showed resilience in chasing down the target. The win keeps the Royals in contention for a playoff spot, while the Delhi Capitals will need to regroup and find their winning ways.

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season nears its climax, the race for the top four playoff spots intensifies. With 16 points typically required for qualification, several teams are vying for a place in the postseason.Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)KKR, currently atop the standings, can secure their playoff berth with one more victory in their remaining three games. They will reach 18 points, a total that only three other teams can match.Rajasthan Royals (RR)RR, sitting second, can confirm their playoff spot with one more win from their four remaining games. They will also reach 18 points, putting them in contention with KKR and three other teams.Chennai Super Kings (CSK)CSK, in third place, needs three wins in their final three matches to guarantee a playoff berth. They will reach 18 points, but other teams could also reach that mark. However, CSK can also qualify with two wins or even one win, depending on net run rate (NRR) and other results.Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)SRH, currently fourth, can secure their playoff spot with three wins in their remaining three games. They will reach 18 points, but other teams could also reach that mark. SRH can also qualify with two wins or even one win, depending on NRR and other results.Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)LSG, in fifth place, can confirm their playoff berth with three wins in their remaining three games. They will reach 18 points, but other teams could also reach that mark. LSG can also qualify with two wins or even one win, depending on NRR and other results.Delhi Capitals (DC)DC, in sixth place, can reach a maximum of 16 points if they win all their remaining three matches. However, even that may not guarantee them a playoff spot, as CSK, SRH, and LSG can also reach 16 points.Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Gujarat Titans (GT)These three teams are in a similar situation, with three remaining matches. Any of them can reach the playoffs with three wins. However, only one of RCB and PBKS can reach 14 points, as they face each other in their upcoming clash.Mumbai Indians (MI)MI, in ninth place, needs to win both their remaining matches to have any hope of qualifying for the playoffs. However, they will also need other results to go their way, including SRH winning at least two games and LSG losing all their games.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), despite being a contender for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs, faces challenges within the franchise. Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has rescued LSG in crucial moments, but the top-order, particularly skipper KL Rahul, has underperformed.In the match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), LSG chased a target of 236, with Rahul scoring a sluggish 25 off 21. Cricket legend Brett Lee criticized Rahul's approach, stating that it puts immense pressure on the middle-order."KKR's openers start quickly and score runs, while Rahul gets a run a ball, pressurizing the back end," Lee said. "Rahul's strike rate has declined, and he's under pressure because he hasn't scored the runs he should."Rahul acknowledged LSG's poor performance in all aspects of the game. "We failed in batting, bowling, and fielding," he said. "We couldn't handle the pressure from Sunil Narine and Phil Salt, and our young bowlers struggled."LSG's struggles extend beyond Rahul's form. The team's bowling has been inconsistent, and the fielding has been error-prone. The franchise needs to address these issues to maintain its playoff aspirations.