Cricket

The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has kicked off with a record-breaking opening day, attracting an unprecedented number of viewers. According to the host broadcaster, Disney Star, the opening ceremony and the first match drew a massive 16.8 crore viewers.The opening day also witnessed the highest-ever watch-time of 1276 crore minutes, surpassing all previous seasons. Additionally, the peak TV concurrency for an opening day reached a staggering 6.1 crore viewers, indicating the immense popularity of the tournament.Defending champions Chennai Super Kings emerged victorious in the opening match, defeating Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six wickets. The match was played in front of a packed crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.The record-breaking viewership is a testament to the growing popularity of the IPL, which has become one of the most-watched sporting events in the world. The tournament has attracted a global audience, with fans tuning in from over 200 countries.The IPL's success can be attributed to several factors, including the high level of competition, the presence of world-class players, and the exciting format of the tournament. The IPL has also benefited from the rise of digital platforms, which have made it easier for fans to watch the matches live and on-demand.The record-breaking opening day viewership is a positive sign for the IPL, which is expected to continue to grow in popularity in the years to come. The tournament is a major revenue generator for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and has helped to promote the sport of cricket in India and around the world.

Tilak Varma, the rising star of Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Indian cricket team, recently expressed his gratitude for the support of his family and coach during the Indian Premier League (IPL) clash between MI and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Despite MI's 31-run loss, Varma took to social media to share his appreciation and optimism for the future.Since his IPL debut in 2022, Varma has established himself as a formidable force for MI, amassing 829 runs in 27 matches at an impressive average of 39.48 and a strike rate exceeding 146. In the current season, he has showcased his prowess with the bat, scoring 89 runs in two matches at an average of 44.50, including a fifty.Varma's remarkable performances have solidified his position as a key player for MI, alongside stalwarts like Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Dewald Brevis, Tim David, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah. His standout performance in the previous IPL season, where MI reached the playoffs, further cemented his reputation as a rising talent.In his international T20 career, Varma has impressed with his batting prowess, amassing 336 runs in 16 matches at an average of 33.60 and a strike rate of 139.41. With two half-centuries to his name, including an unbeaten 55*, Varma continues to showcase his potential on the global stage.Reflecting on his debut IPL season, Varma made a significant impact, scoring 397 runs in 14 matches at an average of 36.09 and a strike rate of 131.02, including two fifties.Varma's talent and determination have earned him recognition and praise from cricket experts and fans alike. He is widely regarded as one of the future batting stars of Indian cricket, and his performances in the IPL and for Team India have only reinforced this belief.

Rishabh Pant, the dynamic skipper of Delhi Capitals, is on the cusp of creating history in the Indian Premier League (IPL). As the Capitals take on Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Thursday, Pant is poised to become the first cricketer in the world to play 100 IPL matches for a single franchise.Pant, 26, returns to the IPL arena after missing last year's edition due to injuries sustained in a road accident. With 99 appearances under his belt, he stands shoulder to shoulder with Amit Mishra as the most-capped players for Delhi. However, this match will see Pant surpass Mishra's record and complete a century of IPL appearances for the franchise.Since assuming the captaincy in 2021 following Shreyas Iyer's injury, Pant has been a stalwart for Delhi. In 98 innings, he has amassed 2856 runs, emerging as the franchise's leading run-scorer ahead of David Warner. His tally includes one century and 15 fifties, making him a formidable force at the crease.Pant boasts an impressive record of 262 fours and 129 sixes, making him the only player to surpass the century mark in maximums for Delhi. Furthermore, he holds the distinction of the highest individual score in IPL by a Delhi Capitals batter.Beyond his batting prowess, Pant has also taken 62 catches and effected 19 stumpings, proving his worth with the keeping gloves. Despite a setback in their opening fixture against Punjab Kings, where Pant managed 18 runs from 13 balls, his return as captain has injected renewed energy into the Delhi Capitals' camp.Eager to bounce back and secure their first points in IPL 2024, Pant will be eager to deliver a commanding performance against Rajasthan Royals on a historic night for the wicket-keeping batsman.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, continues to inspire and guide the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Since the inception of the IPL in 2008, Dhoni has been an integral part of CSK, leading them to four IPL titles and establishing the team as one of the most successful in the league's history.Under Dhoni's leadership, CSK has consistently performed at the highest level, earning them the reputation as the "Yellow Army." Dhoni's astute captaincy, strategic decision-making, and ability to motivate his players have been key factors in CSK's success. His calm demeanor and unwavering determination have made him a role model for both his teammates and fans alike.Despite relinquishing his captaincy ahead of the 2024 season, Dhoni remains a pivotal figure within the CSK setup. His presence on the field continues to inspire the players, as evidenced by the heartwarming gesture of Sri Lankan bowler Matheesha Pathirana touching Dhoni's feet before starting his bowling spell in CSK's match against Gujarat Titans.Dhoni's influence extends beyond the field as well. Young players like Sameer Rizvi have credited Dhoni for their success. Rizvi, who made his IPL debut for CSK in 2024, praised Dhoni for his guidance and advice, which helped him play with confidence and make an immediate impact.Rizvi's comments highlight the positive atmosphere and camaraderie within the CSK dressing room, which Dhoni has fostered over the years. The team's success is not only attributed to individual brilliance but also to the collective spirit and unity that Dhoni has instilled in his players.As CSK continues its journey in the IPL, Dhoni's legacy will undoubtedly continue to shape the team's identity and inspire future generations of cricketers. His contributions to the franchise and the sport of cricket as a whole have cemented his status as one of the greatest players and leaders in the history of the game.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) continued their winning streak in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, securing a comprehensive 63-run victory over the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the iconic Chepauk Stadium. The triumph was a testament to the team's strategic brilliance and the exceptional performances of their key players.CSK's batting lineup fired on all cylinders, with Rachin Ravindra (46 off 20 balls) and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (46 off 36 balls) providing a blistering start. Shivam Dube (51 off 23 balls) then unleashed a whirlwind knock, propelling CSK to a formidable total of 206/6 in their allotted 20 overs.GT's bowlers struggled to contain CSK's onslaught, with Rashid Khan (2/49) and Spencer Johnson (1/35) being the only ones to make any significant impact.In the chase, GT's batting faltered under the pressure of the target. Sai Sudharsan (37 off 31 balls), Wriddhiman Saha (21 off 17 balls), and David Miller (21 off 16 balls) showed glimpses of resistance, but it was not enough to prevent a collapse.CSK's bowlers were relentless, with Tushar Deshpande (2/21), Deepak Chahar (2/28), and Mustafizur Rahman (2/30) leading the charge. GT were eventually restricted to 143/8, handing CSK a comfortable victory.CSK's batting coach, Michael Hussey, praised Gaikwad's leadership and tactical acumen. He highlighted the skipper's ability to rotate bowlers effectively and set intelligent fields. Hussey also lauded the contributions of Ravindra, who has provided explosive starts to the team.Hussey further commended the performance of 20-year-old Sameer Rizwi, who made a cameo of 14 off six balls, including two sixes. He praised Rizwi's natural hitting ability, especially against spinners.The victory was a significant boost for CSK, who have now won two of their first three matches in the IPL 2024. The team's depth and versatility were on full display, with players from all departments contributing to the success.

The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) is investigating whether Usman Khan's decision to declare his intention to play for Pakistan constitutes a breach of his contract with the UAE board. The ECB is reviewing the case to assess potential breaches of contract with the board, as well as with white-ball leagues in the UAE where Khan has played as a local player, including the ILT20 and the T10.The outcome of the review, which ECB sources say will be finalized in the next fortnight, could have significant ramifications for Khan. He could face a ban from league cricket in the UAE, depriving him of the most lucrative cricket he has played in his career. If a breach of contract is found, it could also affect his work permit, under which he has been living in the UAE to complete the residency requirement to qualify for international cricket for the UAE. Khan still has 14 months to go before meeting this criteria.Khan believes he has not breached any contract, claiming that his contract includes an exit clause with a 30-day notice period. He is reportedly resigned to whatever sanction the ECB imposes, but the allure of playing for Pakistan was too strong to resist when the PCB approached him after the PSL.The PCB asked Khan if he still wished to play for Pakistan, and he responded affirmatively. On Monday, he was named in the Pakistan camp that is currently training with the Pakistan military in a PCB initiative to boost player fitness. He joined the camp on Sunday evening, and the PCB is reportedly looking to fast-track him into the Pakistan side ahead of a five-match T20I series against New Zealand next month.In an interview with ESPNcricinfo on the eve of the PSL final, Khan downplayed his chances of playing for Pakistan, emphasizing the ease of obtaining NOCs to play in leagues around the world as a UAE player and the advantages of being considered a local player in the UAE's limited-overs leagues. However, events have moved swiftly since then.As Khan has not yet played international cricket for either nation, a tug of war has broken out for a player who is at the peak of his prowess. The ECB's decision to announce an immediate review indicates their unwillingness to let Khan be poached by the PCB.For Khan, the decision comes down to the attraction of playing in major tournaments like the T20 World Cup in June, which he appears to be a shoo-in for with Pakistan, versus the lucrative nature of being a freelance T20 specialist affiliated with the UAE. While he appears to have chosen the former for now, much may depend on the outcome of the ECB's review.

Karnataka's historic Ranji Trophy triumph in 1973-74, which broke Bombay's 15-year dominance, was celebrated with a grand felicitation ceremony at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The event honored the victorious team members, who shared their memories and anecdotes from that unforgettable season.Led by the legendary off-spin wizard EAS Prasanna, Karnataka defeated a formidable Rajasthan side captained by Hanumant Singh by 185 runs in Jaipur on March 27, 1974. The victory marked the first of eight Ranji Trophy titles for the state.The nostalgia-filled event was graced by Prasanna, G.R. Viswanath, B.S. Chandrasekhar, Brijesh Patel, Syed Kirmani, A.V. Jayaprakash, B. Sudhakar Rao, Sanjay Desai, S. Vijayprakash, B. Siddaramu, R. Arunkumar, and B. Raghunath. Tributes were also paid to the three departed souls: V.S. Vijay Kumar, B. Vijayakrishna, and K. Lakshman."The win was very satisfying," recalled Prasanna. "The likes of Kirmani, Jayaprakash, and Vijayakrishna lifted their games and scored on a wicket that was conducive to our kind of bowling. The Karnataka team may not have looked very good on paper, but we were very effective on the pitch."However, the victory was not without its share of drama. On the rest day between the third and fourth days, the team members had partaken in Holi festivities and ingested Bhang, unknowingly."It took us two days to come down to earth [from the high]," said Viswanath, as the audience guffawed. "Everybody in the team was just laughing. But I had become very serious. The England tour was coming up, and I was a bit worried about that. I didn't get runs in the final.""But the important thing was that we won," Viswanath added. "The train journey back to Bangalore, which was supposed to be for two days, took nearly 3.5 days as the train stopped everywhere. But not a single passenger complained that the train was late."One of the highlights of the triumphant campaign was Karnataka's victory over Bombay in the semifinal, and Prasanna's dismissal of Sunil Gavaskar."It is one of the greatest deliveries I have ever seen," said Viswanath. "I was standing at first slip. It wasn't a doosra, teesra, or leg-cutter. Just a proper off-spinner that left the batter slightly. Sunil had covered everything, but may have just left a millimetre open. And Pras got him."The golden jubilee celebration was a fitting tribute to the Karnataka team that broke Bombay's stranglehold on the Ranji Trophy and etched their names in the annals of Indian cricket history.

Rohit Sharma, the enigmatic captain of the Mumbai Indians, has etched his name in the annals of the Indian Premier League (IPL) by becoming the first player to feature in 200 matches for a single franchise. This remarkable milestone solidifies his status as one of the most iconic figures in the history of the tournament.Sharma's journey with the Mumbai Indians began in 2011, and since then, he has been an indispensable part of the team's success. In his 200 appearances for the franchise, he has amassed over 5000 runs, making him the all-time leading run-scorer for Mumbai Indians. His batting prowess is further exemplified by his century for the franchise, a rare feat achieved by only two Indians, including the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.Beyond his batting exploits, Sharma's leadership has been instrumental in Mumbai Indians' dominance in the IPL. Under his captaincy, the team has emerged victorious in 87 matches, setting a new benchmark for leadership excellence. His ability to inspire his teammates and deliver under pressure has been a key factor in Mumbai Indians' success.Sharma's impact on the Mumbai Indians is not limited to his on-field performances. His unwavering commitment to the franchise is evident in the fact that he has missed only six matches in 14 IPL editions. This loyalty and dedication have made him a beloved figure among Mumbai Indians fans.As Sharma continues to lead the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, his legacy as one of the greatest players in the tournament's history is secure. His 200th appearance for the franchise is a testament to his enduring presence and impact on the game of cricket.

Sachin Tendulkar's Rebirth: The Day He Opened for IndiaMarch 27, 1994, marked a pivotal moment in the illustrious career of Sachin Tendulkar. On this day, 30 years ago, the legendary batter accidentally opened for Team India in an ODI against New Zealand in Auckland. The decision by skipper Mohammad Azharuddin to send Tendulkar to the top of the order proved to be a game-changer.Tendulkar, who had previously played 69 ODIs and scored 1758 runs at an average of 30.84, grabbed the opportunity with both hands. He smashed 82 runs off just 49 balls, hitting 15 fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 167.35. His blistering knock helped India chase down New Zealand's target of 143 in just 24 overs, winning by 7 wickets.This match marked the beginning of Tendulkar's dominance as an opener. He went on to open the innings in 344 ODIs, amassing 15,310 runs at an average of 48.29. A staggering 45 of his 49 ODI centuries came while opening the batting.Tendulkar's partnership with Sourav Ganguly became one of the most formidable opening pairs in ODI cricket history. Between 1996 and 2007, they shared the crease in 136 innings, remaining undefeated twice. They amassed a staggering 6,609 runs at an impressive average of 49.32, with the highest partnership of 258 runs. Their partnership included 21 century stands and 23 fifty-plus partnerships, solidifying their status as one of the most prolific opening pairs in the game.Tendulkar's opening exploits not only transformed his own career but also had a profound impact on Indian cricket. He became a symbol of hope and inspiration for a nation that was hungry for success on the international stage. His ability to dominate the opposition from the very first ball set the tone for India's aggressive approach to ODI cricket.