Cricket

MS Dhoni's Farewell Tour: A Blessing or a Burden for Chennai Super Kings?Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) triumph in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 was a fitting tribute to the legendary MS Dhoni. However, his decision to continue playing in 2024 has raised questions about its impact on the team.Dhoni's presence as a mentor and strategist is invaluable, but his role as a batter has been puzzling. In 2023, he excelled as a finisher, but in 2024, he has often batted lower down the order, limiting his impact.This has led to concerns about CSK's batting depth. While Ruturaj Gaikwad has taken over as captain, the team lacks a reliable wicket-keeper batsman other than Dhoni. An injury to him could be catastrophic.Moreover, Dhoni's influence on the field has been a topic of debate. Some experts believe that his presence may overshadow Gaikwad's authority as captain. This could create a power struggle within the team.The farewell tour has also been marred by Dhoni's uncharacteristic errors. A dropped catch against Kolkata Knight Riders raised concerns about his declining physical abilities.While Dhoni's presence is a blessing for CSK, it is crucial to find a balance between his mentorship and his on-field contributions. The team must ensure that his farewell tour does not become a hindrance to their success.

Steven Smith, the former Australian captain, has officially signed with the Washington Freedom franchise for the upcoming season of Major League Cricket (MLC). The move was widely anticipated, as Smith had previously signed as a brand ambassador for Freedom and Australia's international schedule allows him to participate in the tournament through July.Smith's signing is a significant boost for Freedom, who have a high-performance partnership with Smith's domestic team in Australia, New South Wales (NSW). In 2023, several NSW players, including Moises Henriques, Tanveer Sangha, and Ben Dwarshuis, were part of Freedom's squad.Smith, who owns an apartment in New York, has expressed his excitement about playing in the USA. However, he faces a challenge in earning a spot in Australia's final 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup in June, as he has not played much T20 cricket recently.Despite his limited T20 appearances, Smith remains a highly respected and experienced player. He has a prolific record in the Big Bash League (BBL) for the Sydney Sixers, where he made 346 runs at a strike rate of 174.74 in the 2022-23 season.Smith's signing joins a growing list of Australian players who have committed to MLC, including Adam Zampa (Los Angeles Knight Riders), Spencer Johnson (Knight Riders), and Tim David (MI New York). The tournament is expected to attract more Australian players after the T20 World Cup ends on June 29.

OYO's Free Stays League: Cricket Fans to Win Free Stays and PrizesAs the cricket season heats up, OYO, the global travel technology company, is offering an exclusive treat to cricket enthusiasts: 6,000 free stays at its premium properties across India. The "Free Stays League" campaign invites fans to participate in a daily prediction challenge, with 100 winners each day.To participate, fans must correctly predict the winner of each match in the ongoing T20 tournament. Each correct prediction earns participants OYO Rupee worth INR 100, redeemable for future bookings. Additionally, participants are entered into a daily draw, with 100 individuals winning free stays at premium OYO properties like SUNDAY Hotels, Palette Hotels, and OYO Townhouses. The winners also receive Amazon vouchers worth up to Rs 5,000.The participant with the most accurate predictions throughout the tournament will win the grand prize: an iPhone 15.To promote the campaign, OYO has launched a humorous ad film that playfully addresses those who might try to leverage personal connections for a free stay. The ad features characters boasting about their (fictitious) connections with OYO founder and CEO Ritesh Agarwal."Cricket holds a special place in the hearts of millions of Indians," said Ritesh Agarwal, Founder and Group CEO of OYO. "Our special offer not only adds excitement to the cricket matches but also underscores our commitment to providing unique experiences for our guests."Nikhil Chaudhary, founder and CEO of Blank The Agency, added, "We wanted to take it away from the typical cricket ad and make it about regular people. The insight that people never truly say that they got something for free, but rather brag about getting it in different ways, hit home for us."OYO's Free Stays League campaign reaffirms the company's dedication to creating memorable moments for its guests. By offering free stays and prizes, OYO is adding to the excitement of the cricket season and providing fans with a chance to experience its premium hospitality services.

Ahead of Mumbai Indians' (MI) crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), star batter Suryakumar Yadav has opened up about his arduous rehabilitation journey after sustaining multiple injuries last December.Yadav, who missed the first three matches of MI's IPL campaign, made his return against Delhi Capitals but was dismissed for a duck. However, he is determined to make an impact against RCB, a match that pits two of Indian cricket's biggest superstars, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, against each other.Speaking in a video released by the IPL's official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Yadav revealed that he was battling three niggles simultaneously: an ankle injury, a sports hernia, and an injury to his right knee. "It was difficult, the first two-three weeks, because I felt it was very boring doing the same things again and again in the rehab," he said.However, Yadav realized the importance of rehabilitation and made significant lifestyle changes to aid his recovery. He started sleeping on time, followed a strict diet, and even picked up reading, something he had never done before."I had never read a book in my life and I started doing that as well. Getting up in the morning, spending a good quality time at the rehab center and focusing on everything, connecting myself, my brain and my body with the rehab and it helped me well to recover a little faster," he said.Yadav also credited the staff at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for their support during his rehabilitation. "When I spoke to my wife and all the people at NCA, they said it has to be a second version of yourself, you have to be a little different when you come back on the field," he said.The 32-year-old is eager to make a positive contribution to MI's campaign and is excited to be back at his home ground, the Wankhede Stadium. "My whole cricketing journey started from here and when I entered the hotel and the ground, it never felt (like) that I (had) left this place," he said.

Former New Zealand leg-spinner Jack Alabaster, a legendary figure in the country's cricketing history, passed away at the age of 93 on Tuesday night in Cromwell, U.K. Alabaster's demise has left a void in the cricketing fraternity, as he was widely regarded as one of the finest spinners to emerge from New Zealand.Alabaster's cricketing journey began with Otago in domestic cricket, where he made a significant impact with his exceptional leg-spin bowling. His impressive performances earned him a call-up to the national team in 1955, and he went on to represent New Zealand in 21 Test matches over the next 17 years.During his Test career, Alabaster claimed 49 wickets at an average of 38.02, showcasing his ability to deceive batsmen with his subtle variations and accurate line and length. He played a pivotal role in New Zealand's first four Test victories, including a historic maiden Test win against South Africa in 1961-62.In that memorable Test, Alabaster produced a match-winning performance, claiming 8/180 in the third innings. His exceptional bowling helped New Zealand overcome a 30-run deficit in the first innings and secure a famous victory. Alabaster's contribution to New Zealand's cricketing success cannot be overstated.Apart from his Test exploits, Alabaster also represented New Zealand in numerous other international matches, including tours of India, Pakistan, England, South Africa, and the West Indies. He was a key member of the New Zealand team that toured the West Indies in 1971-72, where he had the privilege of bowling to the legendary Garry Sobers.Alabaster's legacy extends beyond his on-field achievements. He was a respected figure in the cricketing community, known for his humility, sportsmanship, and unwavering dedication to the game. His passing has been met with heartfelt tributes from former teammates, opponents, and cricket enthusiasts alike.

Ashutosh Sharma, the rising star of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has had a remarkable journey to the top. Before his recent exploits for Punjab Kings, he made headlines by breaking Yuvraj Singh's record for the fastest fifty in T20 cricket by an Indian.Born in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, Sharma's cricketing dreams took flight in Indore. Despite facing financial hardships, he persevered, earning money through umpiring and washing clothes. His childhood coach, Amay Khurasiya, played a pivotal role in his development, providing guidance and support.Sharma's breakthrough came in the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament, where he smashed an 11-ball half-century for Railways. This feat earned him a spot in the Punjab Kings squad for the IPL.In the IPL, Sharma has showcased his explosive batting, scoring crucial runs in pressure situations. His innings of 31 off 17 balls against Gujarat Titans and 33* off 15 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad were instrumental in Punjab's victories.However, Sharma's path to success was not without its challenges. In 2020, he fell out of favor with Madhya Pradesh head coach Chandrakant Pandit, who dropped him from the team despite his strong performances. This setback left Sharma depressed and questioning his abilities.Fortunately, Sharma found solace in a job with the Railways, which provided him with financial stability and an opportunity to continue playing cricket. In the 2023 Mushtaq Ali tournament, he excelled for Railways, earning him a recall to the Punjab Kings squad.Sharma's story is a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite facing adversity, he never gave up on his dream of playing cricket at the highest level. His recent performances in the IPL have not only showcased his talent but also inspired countless young cricketers who aspire to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

Sunrisers Hyderabad's Abdul Samad has lauded Nitish Kumar Reddy's remarkable transformation in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Reddy's batting has evolved significantly, showcasing a more aggressive and unconventional approach compared to last year.In Sunrisers' two-run victory over Punjab Kings, Reddy played a pivotal role with a maiden IPL fifty (64 off 37 balls), featuring four boundaries and five sixes. Samad attributed Reddy's success to his improved practice performances and the team's confidence in his abilities."Last year, Nitish was not batting like this. He used to play conventional shots. This time, he has become completely different," Samad said at the post-match press conference. "I think he has practiced very well. And he had a very good impact in our practice matches as well. So, everyone was very impressed with him. That's why we are backing him."Samad also highlighted the importance of Reddy's promotion to the No. 4 batting position, which allowed him to carry the momentum from his previous match against Chennai Super Kings."I think he has been promoted (from No. 6 to No. 4) today (on Tuesday) to carry the confidence of the last game (vs. Chennai Super Kings). And everyone had confidence in him that he will deliver today."Despite the close finish, Samad believes that Sunrisers could have won more comfortably had they held onto two crucial catches in the final over."We thought the match was a bit close because we missed two catches. Otherwise, we would have won the match by 15 runs or so."Samad also acknowledged the contributions of openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, who have consistently provided Sunrisers with solid starts."When you get a start of 70-80 runs in the PowerPlay, then it becomes easy for you. So, that is helping us a lot in winning the match."

Virat Kohli's scintillating half-century propelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a thrilling four-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday.Kohli, continuing his impressive form in the tournament, crafted a masterful innings amidst a flurry of wickets at the other end. His exquisite flick off KKR's star acquisition Mitchell Starc in the third over, resulting in a towering six, left commentators Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Kishan in awe."What a shot. Look at that bottom hand," exclaimed Gavaskar.RCB skipper Faf du Plessis opted to bat first after winning the toss, recognizing the fresh wicket's potential. However, KKR's bowlers made early inroads, dismissing Cameron Green and Rajat Patidar cheaply.Undeterred, Kohli anchored the innings with his trademark composure, finding boundaries and rotating the strike with ease. He received support from Glenn Maxwell, who contributed a valuable 32, and Anuj Rawat, who chipped in with 24.KKR's bowling attack, led by Starc and Varun Chakaravarthy, kept RCB in check, but Kohli's resilience proved too much to handle. He reached his half-century off 38 deliveries, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.With RCB needing 15 runs off the final over, Dinesh Karthik stepped up to the plate. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter smashed two boundaries off Harshit Rana to seal the victory with two balls to spare.KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer, who won the toss and elected to bowl first, admitted that the wicket offered assistance to spinners. He praised his team's bowling performance but acknowledged the need to capitalize on starts."It is important to stay in the present. We have to see to it that we capitalize on the start," said Iyer.RCB's victory marked their second consecutive win of the season, while KKR suffered their first defeat. Both teams will be eager to maintain their momentum in the upcoming matches.

Alan Wilkins, the renowned broadcaster and former Glamorgan cricketer, has been appointed as the club's new president for a three-year term. Wilkins, who played for Glamorgan from 1976 to 1983, is a highly respected figure in the cricketing world.As a left-arm seamer, Wilkins claimed 243 first-class wickets and 130 List A wickets for Glamorgan. He was instrumental in the club's run to the Gillette Cup final in 1977. After retiring from playing, Wilkins embarked on a successful broadcasting career, becoming a familiar face and voice on BBC Wales' sports coverage. He currently works for Star Sports India.Wilkins expressed his delight at being appointed president, saying, "I am thrilled and honored to have been considered for this role. I have come full circle back to where my cricketing journey began." He emphasized his desire to make a positive impact on the club, both on and off the field.Glamorgan CCC Chair, Mark Rhydderch-Roberts, praised Wilkins' appointment, stating, "Alan will add huge value as we move forward into a period of potential change. His cricket expertise and global connections will be invaluable."Wilkins' appointment comes at a time of transition for Glamorgan, with the club recently appointing Grant Bradburn as their new head coach. Wilkins expressed his excitement about working with Bradburn, saying, "I know our new Head Coach well from my travels with Pakistan, and I cannot wait to see his brand of cricket out on the hallowed turf of Sophia Gardens."Wilkins' passion for Glamorgan is evident in his words, "I honestly feel good things are coming here. I still get goosebumps and butterflies looking out onto that field, and wish I could still play!" His appointment is a testament to his dedication to the club and his desire to see it succeed.