Cricket

Controversial LBW Decision Sparks Outrage in Women's Premier LeagueIn a bizarre turn of events during the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 match between UP Warriorz and Royal Challengers Bangalore, UP Warriorz' Chamari Athapaththu was controversially dismissed LBW. The incident has raised questions about the accuracy of the Decision Review System (DRS).Facing a delivery from Georgia Wareham, Athapaththu was initially given not out by the on-field umpire. However, RCB captain Smriti Mandhana opted for a review. To the astonishment of the players and spectators, the ball-tracking technology showed that the delivery would have hit the stumps, suggesting it was a googly and not a leg-spinner as initially perceived.The decision left Athapaththu and her non-striking partner Alyssa Healy perplexed. Healy was caught on camera exclaiming "no way, no way" in disbelief. The dismissal proved to be a turning point in the match, as UP Warriorz went on to lose by 23 runs.UP Warriorz coach Simon Lewis expressed his frustration with the decision. "You watch the ball with the naked eye, and you think it might pitch in line, just maybe," Lewis said. "Then you look at the ball rotating, and well, it's rotating like a legspinner. There are not many legspinners that go towards that [other] side. It was a fascinating dismissal and a massive turning point for us in that game."Lewis believes that if Athapaththu had remained at the crease for a longer period, the outcome of the match could have been different. "Chamari is an amazing player and you saw how difficult it was when a left-hander and a right-hander were batting together, of the quality of Smriti [Mandhana] and Ellyse Perry," Lewis said. "To lose her in that way was incredibly frustrating."The incident has sparked concerns about the reliability of DRS. Cricket experts and fans have questioned whether the technology is accurate enough to make such crucial decisions. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has yet to comment on the matter.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a highly anticipated cricket tournament that brings together players from around the world. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni recently shared his thoughts on the IPL's unique appeal and how it has enriched his understanding of the game.Dhoni highlighted the 2008 CSK team as an example of the IPL's diverse and talented rosters. The team featured international stars like Matthew Hayden, Mike Hussey, Muttiah Muralitharan, Makhaya Ntini, and Jacob Oram. Dhoni emphasized the importance of understanding each player's strengths and weaknesses to lead a successful team."When you're leading a team, it is important to make sure you understand each other," Dhoni said. "Once you know the individual, you know his strength, his weaknesses, it becomes easier as a team to move in the right direction."Dhoni believes that the IPL has provided him with an invaluable opportunity to interact with foreign players and learn about their perspectives on cricket. "IPL gave me an opportunity to understand a lot of foreign players," he said. "I wasn't somebody who talked a lot to the opposition players, but IPL provided an opportunity to know about other players, to know what they think about cricket, to know their culture. All of that made IPL very interesting."Dhoni's leadership has been instrumental in CSK's success, guiding the team to five IPL titles and two Champions League T20 titles. His ability to foster a cohesive team environment and adapt to the challenges of the IPL has made him one of the most respected captains in the tournament's history.

Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has opened up about the emotional turmoil he endured during the India tour last year, as he grappled with the impending loss of his mother to cancer.Cummins, who was in India for a Test series, made the difficult decision to return home to be by his mother's side as she received palliative care. "Flying away... That's the hardest time of my life, easily," Cummins said in an interview for the Imperfects podcast.The captaincy weighed heavily on Cummins' mind during that period. "I remember my manager and a couple of other people around me who I normally listen to were calling me and being like, 'I think we need to give a little bit of a reason why you've gone home', and I'm like, 'Nah, don't care'," he recalled.Cummins' mother, Maria, passed away last year. The cricketer said he tried to keep her final days as private as possible and didn't explain to her why he flew home after playing in two Tests in India."But that time in particular – because we knew roughly the timeline, and knowing Mum and Dad as well; how much joy they get, sitting together, watching me play – that gave me enough confidence to go and play, and they were desperate for me to go and play, and I knew I could hop on a flight at any time and come back," Cummins said.Despite his determination to play, Cummins admitted that his mind was not fully on the game. "But for those couple of weeks I was in India, especially now I look back on it, my mind was not in India, it was back home the whole time," he said.Cummins even considered quitting as Australia captain at one point, as his desire to be with his mother intensified. "I honestly do not care what people think," he said. "After about six or seven days when I knew I wasn't going to come back to India, we said Mum's in palliative care. But I literally could not have cared less what people were saying about me."Cummins' decision to prioritize his family over cricket was met with understanding and support from his teammates and Cricket Australia. The captain's resilience and determination to balance his personal and professional life serves as an inspiration to many.

Tom Hartley, England's rising star spinner, is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to learn from Nathan Lyon, Australia's legendary off-spinner, during their time together at Lancashire in the 2024 season. Hartley, who has impressed with his performances in India, believes Lyon's guidance will be invaluable in his development.Despite Lyon's arrival, Hartley remains confident in his abilities. He acknowledges the need to improve his seam presentation, particularly in English conditions, and sees Lyon as the ideal mentor to help him achieve this. Hartley also recognizes the importance of developing his batting skills to become a more versatile all-rounder.Hartley's batting prowess has been evident in India, where he has scored 159 runs, including a crucial 34 in the second innings of the first Test. He believes that improving his batting will make him a more valuable asset to both Lancashire and England.Hartley's six-hitting exploits have also caught the attention of England's management. He has struck more sixes than any other England player in the series, a feat that has earned him praise from head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.Hartley is determined to continue his impressive form in the remaining two Tests against India. He hopes to add to his tally of 20 wickets and potentially surpass R Ashwin's record of five sixes conceded in a single series.

In a thrilling opening Twenty20 international of a three-match series in Sylhet on Monday, Sri Lanka emerged victorious over Bangladesh by a narrow margin of three runs. Chasing a challenging target of 207 runs, Bangladesh's lower middle-order batsman Jaker Ali played a valiant innings, scoring a maiden fifty and bringing his team close to victory. However, Sri Lanka's captain Dasun Shanaka displayed nerves of steel in the final over, claiming two crucial wickets to secure the win.Bangladesh's pursuit of the target began with a solid start, but former Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews made an early impact by dismissing two key batsmen. Mahmudullah Riyad then played a crucial role, striking a quickfire 54 off 31 balls to revive the home side's hopes. However, Shanaka's heroics in the final over proved decisive.Earlier, Sri Lanka had set a formidable total of 206-3 after being sent in to bat. Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kusal Mendis played key roles, scoring fifties and sharing a 96-run partnership for the third wicket. Stand-in skipper Charith Asalanka also contributed with an unbeaten 44 from 21 balls.The series marks the start of Sri Lanka's month-long tour of Bangladesh, which will also include three one-day internationals and two Tests.

Ellyse Perry's Colossal Strike Shatters Car Window in WPL ClashIn an extraordinary turn of events, Royal Challengers Bangalore batter Ellyse Perry unleashed a thunderous strike that shattered the window of a display car during the Women's Premier League (WPL) match against UP Warriorz at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.Perry's colossal blow came in the penultimate over bowled by Deepti Sharma. The Australian all-rounder muscled the ball over the deep mid-wicket fence, sending it hurtling towards a car parked on a podium. The ball struck the rear door window with such force that it shattered into pieces.A stunned Perry immediately reacted by placing her hand on her head as the packed crowd at the Chinnaswamy erupted in a mix of awe and disbelief. The incident was captured on camera and shared widely on social media.Despite the unusual occurrence, Perry continued her blistering innings, scoring a rapid 58 runs off just 37 deliveries. Her knock, along with a half-century from skipper Smriti Mandhana (80 off 50 balls), propelled RCB to a formidable total of 198 for 3 against the Warriorz.The incident highlights the immense power and skill of Perry, who is widely regarded as one of the best all-rounders in women's cricket. Her ability to generate such force with her batting is a testament to her exceptional technique and athleticism.The shattered car window also serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports and the potential for unexpected events to occur. While such incidents are rare, they add an element of excitement and unpredictability to the game.

Mumbai's lower-order batters have been instrumental in the team's success this season, despite the top-order's struggles. Tanush Kotian, a 25-year-old all-rounder, has been a key contributor, bailing out the 41-time champions on several occasions.In the semifinals against Tamil Nadu, Kotian's unbeaten 89 rescued Mumbai from a precarious position of 211 for eight. His chanceless knock propelled the team to a comfortable victory.Kotian's performance is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He has set specific targets for himself, aiming to score 500 runs and take 30 wickets this season. With one game remaining, he has already amassed 481 runs and 22 wickets.Kotian credits the team's deep batting order for their success. Even when the top order fails, the lower order has consistently stepped up to contribute valuable runs."We have a deep batting order," Kotian said. "Even when our team was 100 for 5, we reached 400 or 450 because the lower order had made runs. We have the confidence that we can bat session by session and put up as many runs as possible."The presence of Shardul Thakur at number eight further bolsters Mumbai's batting depth. Thakur's experience and ability to score quick runs provide the team with a sense of security.Kotian's contributions have been crucial for Mumbai's success this season. His ability to bat down the order and deliver under pressure has been a major asset for the team. As Mumbai prepares for the final game of the season, Kotian will be looking to continue his impressive form and help the team secure another title.

During the 2023 ODI World Cup, a controversial dismissal of Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews sparked a heated debate. Mathews was ruled "timed out" in a crucial match against Bangladesh, igniting a storm of controversy.The incident occurred in the 25th over when Mathews arrived at the crease after Sadeera Samarawickrama's dismissal. However, he realized he had the wrong helmet and attempted to rectify the situation with the Bangladesh players and umpires.Mathews indicated that the helmet strap had come off, but the damage had been done. Bangladesh appealed for a "timed out," and despite Mathews' animated protests, the appeal was not withdrawn.Mathews' frustration was evident as he threw his helmet in anger after leaving the field. Later, while bowling, he took the wicket of Bangladesh captain Shakib al Hasan and gestured towards his watch, a symbolic reference to the controversial dismissal.The incident resurfaced during a T20I match between the two teams in Sylhet, where Shoriful Islam mimicked Mathews' gesture after dismissing Sri Lanka's Avishka Fernando.The series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka is seen as crucial preparation for the upcoming World Cup in June. Bangladesh has never defeated Sri Lanka in a T20 series, adding to the significance of this encounter.

MS Dhoni Hints at 'New Role' in Upcoming IPL SeasonChennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni has sent shockwaves through the cricket world with a cryptic social media post hinting at a "new role" in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.On Monday, Dhoni took to Facebook to share a brief message that has sparked widespread speculation among his fans. "Can't wait for the new season and the new 'role'. Stay tuned!," he wrote.While the post did not provide any specific details about the nature of his new role, it has ignited a flurry of theories and discussions online. Some speculate that Dhoni may be stepping down as CSK captain, while others believe he could be taking on a coaching or mentoring role within the franchise.Dhoni's enigmatic message has left fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming IPL season, which is set to begin on March 22. CSK will open their campaign against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Chennai.The 41-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has been an integral part of CSK since the inception of the IPL in 2008. He has led the team to four IPL titles, making him one of the most successful captains in the tournament's history.Dhoni's decision to step away from the captaincy would be a significant development for CSK. However, it is also possible that he could remain as captain while taking on a more advisory role, similar to what he did with the Indian national team in recent years.Whatever the nature of Dhoni's new role, it is clear that he remains a key figure in the CSK setup. His experience and leadership will be invaluable to the team as they look to reclaim the IPL trophy in 2024.