Cricket

Despite their disappointing seven-wicket defeat against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans found solace in the remarkable knock by Dinesh Karthik.Karthik's late blitz, an unbeaten 23-ball 53, propelled RCB to a respectable total of 196/8. His explosive innings, featuring four sixes and five fours, provided a glimmer of hope for the struggling franchise.The RCB faithful expressed their gratitude towards Karthik in a video shared by the official RCB X handle. "We are grateful that Dinesh Karthik plays for RCB," exclaimed one fan. Another fan expressed their desire for Karthik to continue playing for the team, saying, "If this is DK's last season, we don't want it to be his last season."A highlight of Karthik's knock was his exceptional strokeplay towards the third man fence. He executed four ramp-like scoop shots for boundaries in the same over by Akash Madhwal.Karthik's impressive performance even caught the attention of Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma, who was heard teasing him on the stump mic. "He's trying to push for World Cup selection, it's on his mind, it's on his mind, World Cup, World Cup," Sharma remarked.Despite Karthik's heroics, RCB's struggles continued as they suffered their fifth defeat in six games. The team currently languishes at the ninth spot in the points table.

Ishan Kishan, the wicketkeeper-batter for Mumbai Indians, has undergone a significant transformation since his break from cricket. Prioritizing personal growth and team success over individual accolades, Kishan is determined to help Mumbai Indians excel in the IPL 2024.During his recent break, Kishan focused on developing his cricketing skills and mindset. He practiced diligently and trained with MI skipper Hardik Pandya. This newfound approach has been evident in his performances this IPL, where he is currently the leading run-getter for MI with 161 runs from five matches.Kishan's mindset shift has also been crucial. He has learned to manage pressure and focus on what he can control. This has allowed him to play with greater freedom and confidence."I have learned that you do not have to add pressure on yourself about these things which are not in your hand," Kishan said. "You have to figure out what are controllables and what are uncontrollables."Kishan's empathy and understanding of his teammates' struggles have also contributed to his growth. He believes in supporting and motivating his fellow players, recognizing that everyone goes through ups and downs."I also know when someone is not doing well, how they feel like," Kishan said. "I also felt it changed for me, that if someone is not doing well then let's talk to them and find their mindset."Kishan's transformation has been a positive development for Mumbai Indians. His leadership and contributions on and off the field have helped the team navigate a challenging start to the IPL.While Kishan acknowledges that a berth in India's T20 World Cup squad is not in his hands, he remains focused on improving himself and helping Mumbai Indians succeed."It's a very big tournament and you do not want to overstep," Kishan said. "I am just taking one game at a time and however I can help the team, let's do it."

Indian cricket fans breathed a collective sigh of relief as Suryakumar Yadav, the top-ranked batter in T20 Internationals, made a triumphant return to action in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Thursday. After missing Mumbai Indians' opening three games due to a sports hernia and ankle injury, Suryakumar showcased his exceptional skills with a blistering half-century against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.In a match where Mumbai Indians emerged victorious by seven wickets, Suryakumar's 52 off 19 balls proved to be a game-changer. His innings was a testament to his remarkable shot-making ability, featuring four towering sixes. The 33-year-old's return to form is a major boost for India ahead of the T20 World Cup in June.Despite being dismissed for a duck in his opening game of the season, Suryakumar displayed his resilience and determination against Bengaluru. His partnership with Ishan Kishan (69) and Rohit Sharma (38) laid the foundation for Mumbai's victory.Speaking after the match, Suryakumar emphasized the importance of assessing the dew factor when chasing a target at the Wankhede Stadium. He also acknowledged the contributions of his teammates, particularly Jasprit Bumrah, who claimed 5-21 to restrict Bengaluru to 196-8.Suryakumar's unconventional shot-making, including a sliced six over deep point and a scooped boundary to fine leg, showcased his unique batting style. He attributed his success to consistent practice and muscle memory.The Mumbai Indians batter expressed his gratitude for having Bumrah as a teammate, acknowledging the challenges of facing his exceptional bowling in the nets.Suryakumar's return to form is a positive sign for India as they prepare for the T20 World Cup. His ability to score runs quickly and consistently will be crucial for the team's success in the tournament.

In a thrilling encounter at their home ground in Mumbai, Mumbai Indians emerged victorious over Royal Challengers Bengaluru by a comfortable seven-wicket margin, thanks to a stellar bowling performance led by Jasprit Bumrah.Bumrah's exceptional display saw him claim a five-wicket haul, dismantling RCB's batting lineup and restricting them to a total of 196-8. His remarkable figures of 5 for 21 earned him the player-of-the-match award.After winning the toss, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya opted to field first, a decision that proved to be a wise one. Bumrah's brilliance with the ball set the tone for the match, as he dismissed key RCB batsmen including Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Dinesh Karthik.In response, Mumbai Indians' batting duo of Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav played crucial roles in guiding their team to victory. Kishan scored a quickfire 54 off 32 deliveries, while Yadav anchored the innings with a composed 68 off 42 balls.Hardik Pandya praised his team's performance, particularly highlighting Bumrah's bowling and the contributions of Kishan and Yadav. He also acknowledged the impact of the new "impact player" rule, which allowed him to field an extra bowler."Always good to win. The way we have won - it's quite impressive. Impact player has given the opportunity to use an extra bowler if required. It gives me a cushion as well. The way Ro and Kishan batted, giving the platform, it was important for us to finish it early. We didn't speak about it. That's the beauty of this team, players know what to do," Pandya said.Pandya also lauded Bumrah for his superb bowling display and Surya for his breathtaking shots."Blessed to have Bumrah in my side. He does it over and over again. He practices a lot. The amount of experience and confidence he has is tremendous. (Surya) I did tell him when he scored the fifty that welcome back. I've been the opposition captain as well against him, it's tough to put a field for him. Whatever the situation requires - last game I had to take some time, and this game's scenario was different," Pandya added.

Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami, two contrasting personalities, share an unwavering mental fortitude that has propelled Team India to remarkable success.Kohli, the aggressive batsman, and Shami, the composed bowler, topped the batting and bowling charts at the 2019 ODI World Cup, leading India to a runner-up finish. Their mental strength, according to bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, is a key factor in their achievements."Both are different personalities altogether, but in terms of mental strength, both are up there," Mhambrey said. "Virat is purely aggressive, on the face all the time. Shami is complete in contrast, never on his own."Despite their contrasting approaches, Kohli and Shami share a deep understanding of their roles and a relentless work ethic."Virat is one of the best in chasing," Mhambrey said. "He's the prime reason why India have chased mammoth scores."Shami, on the other hand, is a master of his craft. "He knows what's expected of him," Mhambrey said. "He's completely different in terms of training and he will do something that suits him."Kohli's dedication has inspired the younger players in the Indian team. "To be able to see the work put in by Virat day in and day out is an eye opener," Mhambrey said. "You see youngsters talking to him and trying to learn from him."Mhambrey believes that becoming a GOAT (Greatest of All Time) requires a combination of innate talent, hard work, and a relentless pursuit of excellence."I think you're born with certain skills," he said. "Skills that Shami has cannot be replicated unless you have it... Same with (Jasprit) Bumrah. These are guys who are born with that skill.""You become GOAT with the attitude that you have, the work that you put in, the vision that you had about yourself, the inspiration that you want to be. These combinations with other factors will make you a GOAT."

Hardik Pandya Silences Boos with Six-Hitting Display as Mumbai Indians Crush Royal Challengers BangaloreDespite previous incidents of unruly behavior towards Hardik Pandya, the Mumbai Indians skipper once again faced backlash from fans during their clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Wankhede Stadium. However, this time, Pandya's teammates and even opposition captain Virat Kohli came to his defense, urging the crowd to show him respect.As Pandya walked out to bat amidst the boos, a section of the crowd began chanting his name, with Kohli promptly encouraging fans to support the Indian all-rounder. Pandya responded with a blistering knock, smashing three sixes in his quickfire 21 not out off just 6 balls, silencing the detractors.The match itself was a dominant performance by Mumbai Indians, with Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan providing the fireworks with the bat after Jasprit Bumrah's magical five-wicket haul. Kishan went ballistic to make 69 off just 34 balls, while Suryakumar dazzled with a 19-ball 52, as Mumbai overhauled RCB's 197-run target in just 15.3 overs.Pandya's performance was particularly impressive given the hostile atmosphere he faced. His ability to rise above the adversity and deliver a match-winning contribution highlights his mental toughness and determination.The incident also raises questions about the role of fans in sports. While passion and support are essential, it is important to remember that players deserve respect, regardless of their performance or past actions. The booing of Pandya was unsportsmanlike and disrespectful, and it is encouraging to see that his teammates and even opposition players stood up for him.

In a thrilling climax to the Inter-zonal Multi-Day Trophy, East Zone snatched a dramatic one-wicket victory over South Zone at the Maharashtra Cricket Stadium. With just six runs needed for victory, East Zone found themselves on the brink of defeat as South Zone's Minnu Mani bowled with precision, exploiting the cracks in the surface.Titas Sadhu and Annapurna Das, the last two East Zone batters, faced an anxious wait as Mani's deliveries tested their resolve. After 12 tense balls, Sadhu managed to find the boundary, securing the winning runs and sparking jubilation among the East Zone camp.The match had been a closely fought affair throughout, with both teams displaying resilience and determination. South Zone had posted a modest 133 in their first innings, but their bowlers kept them in the game by restricting East Zone to 129. In the second innings, South Zone improved their batting performance, scoring 179, setting East Zone a target of 184.East Zone's chase got off to a shaky start, but Deepti Sharma's 46 and Richa Ghosh's 33 provided some stability. However, South Zone's bowlers fought back, reducing East Zone to 178/9. With just one wicket remaining, the pendulum swung in East Zone's favor as Sadhu and Das held their nerve to secure the victory.Former India captain Shubhangi Kulkarni was present to felicitate the winners, with East Zone receiving a cheque for ₹50 lakh, while South Zone received ₹20 lakh. Minnu Mani was named Player of the Match for her impressive bowling performance, while Deepti Sharma was awarded Player of the Tournament.The victory marked a significant achievement for East Zone, who had not won the Inter-zonal Multi-Day Trophy since 2016. The tournament showcased the depth of talent in Indian women's cricket, with several players putting in standout performances.

Jason Roy, the explosive English opener, has opted out of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to prioritize his mental and physical well-being. Roy, who joined KKR in 2023 as an injury replacement, had a successful stint with the franchise, scoring 285 runs at an average of 35.62 and a strike rate of 151.59. However, he withdrew from this season's IPL at the start of March, citing personal reasons.Roy's decision to sit out the IPL stems from a challenging 18 months. After missing out on selection for England's T20 World Cup squad in 2022 and the 50-over World Cup squad in 2023, he went undrafted for this year's Hundred. Last May, he terminated his ECB incremental contract to play in the inaugural season of Major League Cricket (MLC).The taxing schedule of the past few months, coupled with a desire to spend quality time with his family, led Roy to make the difficult decision to withdraw from the IPL. "Missing this year's IPL was a huge decision," Roy said. "I felt like I owed KKR a huge amount, but I had to put myself first, you know, just mindset and body."Roy's withdrawal is also informed by a period two years ago when he found himself "in a dark place," which resulted in him taking an indefinite break from the game and missing IPL 2022 with Gujarat Titans. "I went through an extremely bad patch with my mindset," he said. "I was in a shocking headspace, and I ended up shooting myself in the foot."Since then, Roy has prioritized his mental health and has learned to listen to his body and mind. "It's nothing to do with anyone else," he said. "I've got a young family, I'm a grown man, and I've made the decision off the back of a lot of thoughts."Roy's decision to prioritize his well-being is a reminder of the importance of mental health in sports. It is a courageous step that will hopefully inspire others to seek help when they need it.

Joe Root, England's Test captain, is set to make his long-awaited return to red-ball cricket for Yorkshire in the County Championship. Root, who last played for his county in May 2022, will line up against Gloucestershire in the second round of the competition.Root's return is a major boost for Yorkshire, who are aiming to return to Division One after suffering relegation in 2022. The 33-year-old is one of the most experienced and successful batsmen in the world, and his presence in the team will be a huge asset.Root's last appearance for Yorkshire came in a T20 Blast match in June 2022. He has since played in the Hundred for Trent Rockets and for England in the Ashes and India series.Root's return to Yorkshire will also be a welcome boost for England, who have a busy summer ahead of them. England will host West Indies and Sri Lanka for three-Test series, and will then travel to Pakistan and New Zealand before the end of the year.Root will be hoping to use the next month to tune up ahead of a bumper six months. He will be looking to regain his form after a disappointing tour of India, during which he scored 320 runs at 35.55.Yorkshire will be hoping to make the most of the availability of both Root and Harry Brook, who returned to action last week after missing the opening fixture against Leicestershire. Brook, who had not played since England's white-ball tour of the West Indies in December, returned to action with a crisp unbeaten 100 off just 69 deliveries.Brook's last fixture will be against Glamorgan at home, starting May 3, before taking a break ahead of England's T20 series against Pakistan that leads into the T20 World Cup.