Cricket

Shardul Thakur, the enigmatic all-rounder, has carved a niche for himself in Indian cricket with his unique blend of skills and unwavering determination. Known affectionately as "Lord" or "Beefy," he has earned a reputation as a match-winner and a cult hero.Growing up in a humble background in Palghar, Thakur's journey to the pinnacle of cricket was not without its challenges. Despite his passion for the sport, he initially aspired to become a cricketer like Sachin Tendulkar. However, it was only after being selected for the Ranji Trophy that he realized his true potential.Thakur's rise to prominence was marked by his ability to deliver under pressure. He credits his upbringing and the hardships he faced for instilling in him a resilience that has become his trademark. "I like to excel in tough situations," he says. "That's what brings the best out of me."One of Thakur's most memorable performances came in the 2019 ODI World Cup, where he emerged as India's highest wicket-taker among seamers. Despite his impressive contribution, he faced criticism and was often dropped from the team. However, Thakur remained unfazed, believing that he deserved a fair chance to prove his worth."I understand that competition is always good," he says. "But all I am saying is that you should be fair to everyone. Shouldn't be like one fellow has one bad game and he is dropped, whereas another fellow is persisted with despite having two or five bad games."Thakur's determination and self-belief have paid off. He has become a vital cog in the Chennai Super Kings franchise in the Indian Premier League and has earned a regular spot in the Indian Test team. His ability to swing the ball both ways and his aggressive batting style have made him a formidable all-rounder.Despite his success, Thakur remains grounded and grateful for the opportunities he has been given. He credits his coaches and mentors for shaping his career and helping him overcome challenges. "I have never thought about what I would have been had I not been a cricketer," he says. "I am just fortunate to be able to do what I love."

Rishabh Pant's remarkable return to cricket after a life-threatening car crash in December 2022 has become a testament to his resilience and determination. The star wicketkeeper-batter is set to lead Delhi Capitals in their IPL opener against Punjab Kings on March 23, marking a significant milestone in his recovery.Pant's miraculous escape from the accident has been followed by an accelerated rehabilitation process. He has been cleared to play as a keeper-batter and has taken on the additional responsibility of captaining the side, replacing David Warner.Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting expressed confidence in Pant's abilities, stating that he has "probably batted more in the last week than he has ever batted leading into most of the IPLs."The team's potent fast bowling arsenal, led by Anrich Nortje, will be complemented by an explosive batting lineup featuring Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Marsh, and Tristan Stubbs.Meanwhile, Punjab Kings, who have never won the IPL, will be looking to turn things around under the leadership of Shikhar Dhawan. The team boasts a strong all-rounder contingent, including Sikandar Raza, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, and Rishi Dhawan.However, Delhi Capitals are considered the favorites for the day game, given their overall strength and Pant's return. The match promises to be an exciting clash between two teams eager to make a statement in the new IPL season.

Alec Stewart, the legendary cricketer and former England Test captain, has announced his decision to step down as Surrey's director of cricket at the end of 2024. Stewart, 60, has been at the helm of Surrey for 11 years, overseeing a period of unprecedented success for the club.During his tenure, Surrey has won three County Championships (2018, 2022, 2023), establishing themselves as one of the dominant forces in English domestic cricket. Stewart's leadership has also fostered a strong dressing-room culture and a commitment to developing young talent, with nine Surrey players going on to represent England.However, Stewart's decision to step down is driven by a desire to prioritize his family. His wife, Lynn, has been battling cancer since 2013, and Stewart wants to dedicate more time to her and their family."This has been the toughest decision of my working career," Stewart said. "But after careful consideration, I will be stepping down from my role as Director of Cricket at the end of this calendar year."Stewart's departure will leave a significant void at Surrey, but he has expressed his commitment to supporting the club in any way he can. He will continue to be available for advice and guidance, and he remains passionate about the club's future."I am incredibly proud of what has been achieved over the last 11 years," Stewart said. "Supporting young talent to develop into top-quality players is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable parts of the job."Surrey's chairman, Oli Slipper, praised Stewart's leadership and legacy. "Alec has been an outstanding leader over the last 11 years," Slipper said. "He has built a club in his own image that is hard-working, dedicated, and humble."Surrey's CEO, Steve Elworthy, echoed Slipper's sentiments. "Alec has been one of the greatest servants this club has ever seen," Elworthy said. "His professionalism, work ethic, and commitment to the club have driven success in his playing days and even more so as Director of Cricket."The search for Stewart's successor is expected to be exhaustive, given Surrey's status as one of the leading clubs in English cricket. The club's aims for 2024 include strengthening ties with Oval Invincibles in the Hundred and growing the women's side of the game.

Jasprit Bumrah Returns to Mumbai Indians, Bolstering IPL Title HopesStar Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has made a triumphant return to the Mumbai Indians (MI) training camp, adding a formidable force to the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions. Bumrah's comeback marks a significant boost for MI ahead of the upcoming season, as he missed IPL 2023 due to a back stress injury.Since his IPL debut with MI in 2013, Bumrah has been an indispensable asset to the franchise. In 120 matches, he has claimed an impressive 145 wickets with an economical rate of 7.4. His return adds depth and experience to MI's bowling attack, bolstering their aspirations for another title.The official MI social media handle announced Bumrah's arrival with excitement, exclaiming, "Why fear? BOOM is here." This signals Bumrah's readiness to return to action with the franchise.As the countdown to IPL 2024 intensifies, MI prepares for their opening encounter against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. With high hopes and aspirations, MI aims to kickstart their campaign with a victory and set the tone for a successful season.In IPL 2023, MI had a commendable performance, reaching the knockout stages. Despite finishing fourth in the rankings, they fell short of clinching their sixth title, losing in Qualifier 2 to Gujarat Titans.With renewed determination and a formidable lineup, MI is poised to make a strong statement in IPL 2024. They aim for glory and redemption as they embark on their quest for another championship triumph.

Willow, the leading cricket broadcaster in North America, has joined forces with Cricbuzz, the world's largest cricket website and app, to create 'Willow by Cricbuzz.' This groundbreaking partnership establishes a comprehensive destination for cricket enthusiasts in the United States and Canada.'Willow by Cricbuzz' seamlessly integrates live streaming into Cricbuzz's renowned platform, offering a comprehensive cricket experience. Users can now enjoy live matches alongside Cricbuzz's expert commentary, news, and analysis. This integration marks a significant milestone for American cricket, coinciding with the launch of Major League Cricket and the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup Championship in the United States.The partnership between Willow and Cricbuzz is a testament to Times Internet's dominance in the global cricket landscape. As the digital arm of The Times of India Group, Times Internet holds a leading position in both India and North America.Todd Myers, COO of Willow, hailed the launch as a fusion of two industry leaders. He emphasized that the collaboration transcends a mere merger, representing an evolution in cricket broadcasting. Pankaj Chhaparwal, CEO of Cricbuzz, echoed this sentiment, expressing excitement about the harmonious blend of cricket heritage and cutting-edge analysis.'Willow by Cricbuzz' is available to customers through the Cricbuzz app and website. New users can sign up at cricbuzz.com/willow or download the Cricbuzz app. Existing Willow subscribers can continue to watch live cricket on Willow's digital platforms and on 'Willow by Cricbuzz.'The launch of 'Willow by Cricbuzz' coincides with the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the world's premier T20 cricket tournament. Cricket fans in North America can now enjoy the IPL and other major cricket events exclusively on 'Willow by Cricbuzz.'

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma is preparing for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season with a customized training program, which has kept him out of Mumbai Indians' practice games.Rohit, who led India to a historic Test victory over England recently, joined the Mumbai Indians squad on Monday but has not participated in any practice matches. According to a release from the franchise, Rohit is undergoing a "customized training program that involves simulated net sessions, mobility and strength and conditioning sessions" ahead of the new season."Rohit Sharma, who joined the squad on Monday, is on a customized training program that involves simulated net sessions, mobility and strength and conditioning sessions, for the past 3 days, hence stayed back in Mumbai to focus on his pre-season program. Rohit did not take part in the practice game," said MI in an official release.Rohit is expected to be available for Mumbai Indians' IPL opener against Gujarat Titans on Sunday. The star batter will join the team in Ahmedabad later this week.Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya, who has replaced Rohit as Mumbai Indians captain for the 2024 season, has been actively participating in practice sessions. Pandya, who led Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in 2022, is set to make his captaincy debut for Mumbai Indians this season.The Mumbai Indians played their first intra-squad practice game behind closed doors in Mumbai on Wednesday before departing for Ahmedabad. The team is looking to bounce back from a disappointing performance in the previous IPL season, where they finished last in the points table.

The opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the tournament's most successful teams, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The match will be played at the iconic M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on March 22.CSK, led by the newly appointed captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, will be eager to start their campaign on a positive note. The team has a strong batting lineup, with the likes of Devon Conway, Ambati Rayudu, and Shivam Dubey. However, they will miss the experience and leadership of M.S. Dhoni, who has retired from the IPL.RCB, on the other hand, will be looking to make a statement under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. The team has a formidable batting lineup, with Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Glenn Maxwell. However, their bowling attack has been a concern in recent seasons.The match is expected to be a battle of contrasting styles. CSK relies on its spinners to control the game, while RCB prefers to attack with its explosive batting lineup. The outcome of the match will likely depend on how well RCB's batters handle CSK's spin attack.RCB will be hoping that Kohli can hit the ground running after a two-month break from competitive cricket. The former India captain has been in excellent form in recent months, and his return will be a major boost for RCB.On the other hand, CSK will be confident of starting their campaign with a win. The team has a strong record at home, and they will be looking to make the most of the home advantage.The opening match of the IPL is always a special occasion, and this year's clash between CSK and RCB promises to be no different. Both teams will be eager to start their campaign on a positive note, and the match is sure to be a thrilling contest.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) legend MS Dhoni has been diligently preparing for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, showcasing his exceptional batting skills in a recent practice session. At the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Dhoni faced the CSK bowlers with unwavering determination.In a widely shared video, Dhoni effortlessly dispatched boundaries, including his signature helicopter shot off Deepak Chahar's delivery. Chahar's overpitched ball was met with Dhoni's precise footwork and timing, sending the ball soaring over the midwicket boundary.CSK batting coach Michael Hussey has heaped praise on Dhoni's preparation, comparing him to the ageless Benjamin Button. "He's preparing really well. His knee seems good at this stage. And he's batting extremely well at the moment. I must admit he's like Benjamin Button! He keeps getting better," Hussey remarked.However, Hussey acknowledged that Dhoni's age may affect his running between the wickets. "He's not as young as he used to be. So, the scampering between the wickets is going to be more difficult for him. But at the back end of the innings, where there's not as much sprinting, he can still hit the ball very cleanly," Hussey added.Despite facing knee issues throughout the previous season, Dhoni led CSK to their fifth IPL title. After the IPL 2023 final, he underwent successful knee surgery.The CSK squad for IPL 2024 includes:* MS Dhoni (c)* Moeen Ali* Deepak Chahar* Tushar Deshpande* Shivam Dube* Ruturaj Gaikwad* Rajvardhan Hangargekar* Ravindra Jadeja* Ajay Mandal* Mukesh Choudhary* Ajinkya Rahane* Shaik Rasheed* Mitchell Santner* Simarjeet Singh* Nishant Sindhu* Prashant Solanki* Maheesh Theekshana* Rachin Ravindra* Shardul Thakur* Daryl Mitchell* Sameer Rizvi* Mustafizur Rahman* Avanish Rao Aravelly

Dhawal Kulkarni, the veteran Mumbai pacer, bid farewell to his illustrious career on a high note, helping his team clinch the Ranji Trophy title with a memorable wicket.Kulkarni, who had expressed his desire to end his career on a high, was given the honor of bowling the final over by captain Ajinkya Rahane. With Vidarbha needing just 10 runs to win, Kulkarni rattled the stumps of Umesh Yadav, sparking wild celebrations among the Mumbai players.The emotional Kulkarni was hailed as a hero in the post-match ceremony, and his teammates hoisted him on their shoulders in front of the home crowd. It was a fitting tribute to a player who had given his all for Mumbai over the past 17 years.Kulkarni, who made his Mumbai debut in 2007, leaves the team after representing them in 208 matches across formats. He has taken 281 wickets in 95 first-class appearances, 223 wickets in 130 List-A games, and 154 wickets in 162 T20s.Despite his impressive domestic record, Kulkarni felt he could have had more opportunities to represent India. However, he refused to dwell on the past, saying, "What's gone is gone. I look at the future [rather] than what's happened in the past."Kulkarni's never-say-die attitude and longevity for Mumbai were lauded by his captain, Ajinkya Rahane. "Playing for 17 years for Mumbai is not easy. But the commitment and determination with which he has played day-in day-out every year has been amazing," Rahane said.Kulkarni's retirement marks the end of an era for Mumbai cricket. He was a key member of the team's golden generation, which won five Ranji Trophy titles in six years. His experience and leadership will be sorely missed by the team.However, Kulkarni is not done with cricket yet. He plans to give back to the sport that has given him so much, whether it be through coaching or another role. "I've not thought about it much but cricket has given me so much that I want to give it back to the game," Kulkarni said.