Cricket

Dinesh Karthik Predicts 300-Run Mark to Fall in IPL, Highlights Evolving Batting StandardsVeteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has expressed his belief that the 300-run barrier will be breached in the Indian Premier League (IPL) sooner rather than later. Karthik's prediction comes amidst the ongoing 17th edition of the IPL, which has witnessed a surge in high-scoring matches.The current highest total in the IPL stands at 287/3, set by Sunrisers Hyderabad against Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, Karthik believes that this record will be surpassed soon, citing the evolving batting standards in the league."The ceiling is constantly getting reworked and they're pushing it much higher," Karthik said. "The number of 250s in the first 32 matches of the tournament has been the highest ever in the history of any tournament that's played across the world in this format."Karthik attributes this batting resurgence to the impact player rule, which has allowed teams to bolster their batting depth. "You're batting much deeper, which puts that much more pressure on the bowlers," he explained. "The freedom to keep playing shots has liberated a lot of the young boys who are out there and they're all playing some phenomenal shots."The standard of batting in the IPL has grown exponentially over the past 17 years, according to Karthik. "It is unreal how well it's grown," he said.Despite Royal Challengers Bangalore's recent struggles, Karthik remains optimistic about their playoff chances. "The belief is definitely there," he said. "If there's no belief there is no point playing a tournament like IPL."Karthik emphasized the importance of finding form for the team's batters. "You need a lot of characters and players who are consistently doing well and the players who have not started doing well to find form," he said. "And when you get a few players firing then the sky is the limit for you."Despite their string of defeats, Karthik believes that Royal Challengers Bangalore remains a close-knit unit. "The team is very closely knit as a unit," he said. "The best part about it is that Virat is such a good leader that he's doing all that he can to propel the team, keep it in good spirits."

Virat Kohli, the enigmatic Indian batsman, has achieved unparalleled success in his illustrious career. However, he believes that the terms "struggle" and "sacrifice" do not accurately describe his journey to the top.In a recent interview, Kohli shared his perspective on the challenges he has faced. "Honestly, sitting in my position, I cannot use words like struggle and sacrifice," he said. "For me, there has been no struggle and no sacrifice. I am doing what I love."Kohli emphasized that true struggle is experienced by those who lack basic necessities. "Struggle uski hoti hai jisko do waqt ki roti nahi milti hai (The one who doesn't get two square meals in a day, he's the one who's struggling)," he explained.He acknowledged that hard work is an essential ingredient for success, but he believes it should not be glorified as a struggle. "You can glorify your hard work by calling it a struggle, you can put a cherry on top, no one is asking you to go the gym, but you have to feed your family."Kohli expressed gratitude for his privileged position as a professional cricketer. "I am just grateful, actually, I am in a privileged position as I am getting to do what I have always loved to do. I play a sport, which is my profession."He urged people to put their own challenges into perspective. "If you really think about the real problems that people face in life, it's not done. You can't compare getting out in a Test series to someone who doesn't have a roof in his house."Kohli's words resonated with the audience, who erupted in applause. His message highlights the importance of recognizing the true struggles faced by many and appreciating the opportunities we have.Despite his team Royal Challengers Bengaluru's struggles in the ongoing IPL, Kohli remains the tournament's leading run-scorer with 361 runs in 7 matches. His unwavering determination and passion for the game continue to inspire millions of fans around the world.

Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, who has been in phenomenal form in this IPL, has not given up on his dream to play for India again and would do "everything he can to be in that flight" to the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies next month. Karthik, who will turn 39 by the time the World Cup kickstarts on June 1, was also part of the last edition of the T20I World Cup in Australia in 2022, which was also his last appearance for Team India. Since then he has become an off-the-field cricket expert, involved in commentary stints.Returning to IPL this season, he has taken his batting to a new level and displayed some astonishing power-hitting to strike at a rate of 205-plus. He is also the third leading run-getter for RCB with 226 runs, behind Virat Kohli (361) and skipper Faf du Plessis (232)."At this stage in my life, it would be the greatest feeling for me to represent India. I'm very, very keen to do so. There is nothing bigger in my life other than representing India in this T20 World Cup," the RCB wicketkeeper-batters said ahead of clash against KKR.With Karthik's also emerging as a contender, the wicketkeeper slot will be a hotly-contested one for which the Team India think tank may pick two at the most. Making a comeback from a near-fatal accident, Rishabh Pant has also showed positive intent while captaining Delhi Capitals, and Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals), Ishan Kishan (Mumbai Indians), KL Rahul (Lucknow Super Giants) are also in the fray.Karthik said he would respect whatever the Big Three -- coach Rahul Dravid, captain Rohit Sharma and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar -- decide. "I also feel there are three very, very stable, honest people who are at the helm to decide what should be the best Indian team for the World Cup -- Rahul Dravid, Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar. And I'm completely with them. I respect any decision that they take. But all I can say is I'm 100 per cent ready, and I'll do everything I can to be on that flight to the World Cup."

Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Gujarat Titans (GT), both struggling in the Indian Premier League (IPL), will face off in a crucial match on April 21 in Mullanpur. PBKS, currently in ninth place, has lost five of their seven matches, while GT, ranked eighth, has suffered four defeats in seven outings.PBKS's woes stem from the absence of skipper Shikhar Dhawan, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury. The team's specialist batters, including Prabhsimran Singh, Liam Livingstone, and Rilee Rossouw, have failed to live up to expectations. However, young Indian players Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma have shown promise, providing some respite for the team.GT, on the other hand, has been let down by its batting, particularly in their recent loss to Delhi Capitals. Despite boasting quality players like Shubman Gill, David Miller, and Rashid Khan, GT's batting lineup has struggled to find consistency. The absence of Mohammad Shami has also hurt the team's bowling attack, while Umesh Yadav has been expensive.Both teams will be desperate to turn their fortunes around in this match. PBKS will need their batters to step up and provide a solid foundation, while GT will need to find a way to overcome their batting woes. The match promises to be a close contest, with both teams having the potential to emerge victorious.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer and current mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), is renowned for his serious demeanor on and off the field. However, in a recent video shared by KKR, Gambhir revealed a rare glimpse of his lighter side.When host Cyrus Broacha playfully remarked about Gambhir's "lovely smile," the usually stern-faced mentor responded with a genuine smile and a touch of humor. "Lovely! Thank you," Gambhir said. "Even my wife never said that. Thank you very much."Gambhir's response highlighted the disconnect between public perception and reality. "In this country, if there's one thing that's the most difficult to beat, it's perception," he said. "Someone who doesn't even know me has a perception about me that he is intense. And why should I not have a game face? Because people don't come to watch me smile. People come to watch KKR win."Gambhir's leadership qualities were instrumental in KKR's two IPL title victories in 2012 and 2014. Under his captaincy, the team displayed a relentless fighting spirit and a never-say-die attitude.Despite his serious demeanor, Gambhir is known for his unwavering commitment to his team and his players. He is a respected figure in the cricketing world, admired for his strategic acumen and his ability to inspire his team to perform at their best.

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has expressed his disappointment with Punjab Kings' (PBKS) approach in their recent loss to Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Chopra criticized the team's decision to not utilize in-form batter Shashank Singh effectively.Chasing a target of 193, PBKS lost four early wickets, leaving them in a precarious position. Despite an explosive knock from Ashutosh Sharma, who brought them close to victory, they ultimately fell short by nine runs. Chopra believes that PBKS's decision to treat Singh as a finisher, rather than playing him in the top order, was a major factor in their defeat."When your team is 14/4, it seems like the match can't be won because you are too far behind, and your four main players', whom you consider your main players, innings' have ended. Shashank comes in such a situation and Jitesh (Sharma) was there with him," Chopra said on his YouTube channel."I would want to say one thing about Shashank. The way he is batting, how did you decide that he is your finisher only, that even though he is batting well, you won't send him up the order? What is the point? Someone who is batting well and has the temperament is not a finisher only. He plays red-ball cricket and is an experienced player," he added.Stand-in skipper San Curran praised Shashank and Ashutosh for their performances but acknowledged the disappointment of losing such close matches. "Another close one, I think this team likes a close one, but unfortunately another loss. Another incredible knock from the young guy (on Ashutosh), but another close loss. It's very tough, you want to lose close games rather than getting absolutely thumped, but we've lost a lot of wickets at the start, the way the younger guys have taken the team so close is heartening (on Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma)," Curran said."They have incredible confidence, you see a guy like Ashutosh having the confidence to play the sweeps and the big hits against pacers, it's so great to watch them in action. It's disheartening to lose close games, but there are a lot of positives in this team. We still have the belief in us, we believe we can turn this around, the sun will come up tomorrow and we will hopefully get on a winning run," Curran added.

Rishabh Pant Embraces Dhoni's Mantra of Focusing on Controllables Amidst CriticismAhead of the crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant has revealed the invaluable advice he received from legendary cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Pant emphasized the importance of focusing on aspects within his control, rather than dwelling on external criticism."Mahi bhai always says one thing, 'focus on controllables.' You should always focus on the thought process, the practice, and its implementation in the match rather than if someone is criticizing you from the outside," Pant said on Star Sports.Pant's approach to batting has often been described as high-risk, high-reward. However, the wicket-keeper batsman insists that he calculates his shots carefully and plays according to the situation. "I feel I am not playing any risky shots. I calculate everything as per my understanding of the game. It's important to play the situation. Criticism toh hoga (criticism will be there), but not paying heed to that, I am giving my hundred percent on the field. And that's important for me," he added.Under Pant's leadership, Delhi Capitals have had a mixed bag of results, winning three and losing four of their seven matches. However, thanks to a favorable net run rate, DC currently occupies the sixth position on the points table.Individually, Pant has been a beacon of inspiration since returning from injuries sustained in a car accident in December 2022. The left-handed batsman has amassed 210 runs in seven games, including two half-centuries.Pant's resilience and determination have been lauded by fans and experts alike. He has shown that he is not afraid to take risks and play his natural game, even amidst criticism. As Delhi Capitals prepare for their upcoming match, Pant's focus on controllables and his unwavering belief in his abilities will be crucial to their success.

Despite his impressive form, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) coach Stephen Fleming has revealed that Mahendra Singh Dhoni cannot be promoted in the batting order due to his ongoing recovery from a knee injury.Fleming, who affectionately refers to Dhoni as CSK's "heartbeat," praised the 42-year-old's recent contributions, including a nine-ball 28 against Lucknow Super Giants. However, he emphasized that Dhoni's physical limitations restrict his ability to bat for extended periods."Other years he has obviously had problems with his knee and he is sort of recovering from that which is why there is only a certain amount of balls he can function well," Fleming explained.To compensate for Dhoni's limited batting time, Fleming has devised a "two-three over" approach. "I think everyone wants to see him for longer as we do but that amount of time is about right. We need him for the tournament and that 2-3 over cameo he is owning that space," he said.Fleming believes that the rest of the batting unit must step up and provide a solid foundation for Dhoni to finish the innings. "It's up to the rest of the batting unit to get us to a good position where he can push us over the top. He is doing that pretty much every time at the moment which is great to watch," he added.Despite the challenges, Fleming remains proud of Dhoni's contributions and the love he receives from fans. "We are incredibly proud of what he has achieved. We marvel at the amount of love that he gets. It's no surprise with what he has done with Indian cricket and with CSK with us. We are incredibly proud that he is a part of our side and is pretty much the heartbeat of the side. We thoroughly enjoy it," he said.

MS Dhoni's Heartwarming Gesture Inspires Young Aspiring CricketerIn a heartwarming moment captured during the Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI), legendary cricketer MS Dhoni gifted a cricket ball to a young girl named Meher. The gesture has touched hearts across the nation, inspiring a young aspiring cricketer to dream big.As Dhoni walked towards the dressing room after playing a cameo during the match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, he noticed Meher standing with her father. Dhoni paused at the stairs and picked up a ball from the ground, handing it to the little girl.Meher, overwhelmed with joy, expressed her gratitude to Dhoni and shared her aspirations to play for India one day. She vowed that once she fulfills her dream, she will pass on the ball to another aspiring cricketer, continuing the legacy of inspiration.Dhoni's gesture not only made Meher's day but also sent a powerful message to young athletes across the country. It demonstrated the importance of supporting and encouraging future generations of sportspersons.Meanwhile, Dhoni's on-field performance continued to impress in CSK's subsequent match against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Despite a brief cameo in the previous game, Dhoni smashed an unbeaten 28 off just nine balls, including two sixes and three fours.His brisk knock, along with Ravindra Jadeja's 57* off 40 balls, propelled CSK to a respectable total of 176 for 6. However, half-centuries from LSG openers KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock ensured a comfortable eight-wicket victory for the home team.Dhoni's heartwarming gesture and continued on-field brilliance have once again highlighted his enduring legacy as a role model and inspiration for aspiring athletes.