Cricket

The Indian cricket team's provisional squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 is set to be announced at the end of April. While some players are automatic picks, their form in the ongoing IPL 2024 provides valuable insights into their potential performance at the global tournament.One player whose form has raised concerns is Hardik Pandya, India's premier fast-bowling all-rounder. As a key member of the limited-overs side, Pandya's struggles in the IPL have been a cause for worry.In eight matches for the Mumbai Indians, Pandya has scored only 151 runs at a strike rate of 142.45. These numbers are far from impressive for a middle-order batter in T20 cricket. With the ball, he has managed just four wickets.Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan, a member of the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning team, expressed his concerns about Pandya's form. "Hardik Pandya's hitting ability is going down. That's a big worry on a larger picture," Pathan wrote on social media.Another former Indian cricketer, Robin Uthappa, also a member of the 2007 T20 World Cup team, spoke about Pandya's struggles on The Ranveer Show. Uthappa highlighted the mental health challenges that Pandya may be facing due to the constant criticism and trolling he has received."He is a guy who has got the caliber and potential to be an all-time great for the Indian team," Uthappa said. "But it is not right to impose this kind of treatment on any human being. It is unbecoming as a society for us to do that to someone and be okay with it."Pandya's poor form in the IPL has raised questions about his place in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup. The selectors will have a tough decision to make, balancing his potential with his current struggles.

Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans Clash in Crucial IPL EncounterMatch 37 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 pits Punjab Kings against Gujarat Titans at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Mohali. Both teams are vying for a playoff berth, with Punjab currently ninth and Gujarat eighth in the standings.Punjab's recent loss to Mumbai Indians has put them in a precarious position. Ashutosh Sharma emerged as their top fantasy performer with 95 points, followed by Harshal Patel (94) and Shashank Singh (69). Gujarat, on the other hand, suffered a setback against Delhi Capitals, with Rashid Khan scoring 70 fantasy points.The pitch at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium is expected to favor batters, with pacers likely to have the upper hand. The average first-innings score at this venue is 154 runs.Punjab's bowlers have been their most consistent fantasy performers, while Gujarat's batters have been their top point-getters. In their previous encounter, Shashank Singh was the Man of the Match for Punjab, while Shubman Gill led the fantasy points tally for Gujarat.Top Captain and Vice-Captain Picks:* Samuel Curran (Punjab Kings): All-rounder with an average of 67 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Rashid Khan (Gujarat Titans): Leg-break googly bowler with an average of 63 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Ashutosh Sharma (Punjab Kings): Batter with an average of 54 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Harshal Patel (Gujarat Titans): Right-arm medium bowler with an average of 52 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Shashank Singh (Punjab Kings): Batter with an average of 50 fantasy points in the last 10 games.Fantasy Team:* Wicket-Keepers: Jitesh Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha* Batters: Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma* All-Rounder: Sam Curran* Bowlers: Mohit Sharma, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Harshal Patel* Captain: Sam Curran* Vice-Captain: Ashutosh Sharma

Kolkata Knight Riders Face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Crucial IPL ClashKolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will lock horns in a highly anticipated match 36 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.KKR, currently ranked second on the points table, will be looking to maintain their winning momentum after a narrow defeat to Rajasthan Royals in their previous outing. Sunil Narine emerged as the top fantasy performer for KKR in that match, amassing 234 fantasy points.RCB, on the other hand, will be eager to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Dinesh Karthik was the standout performer for RCB in that match, scoring 120 fantasy points.Pitch and Weather ConditionsThe Eden Gardens pitch is expected to favor batters, with a balanced surface offering assistance to both pacers and spinners. The average first-innings score at this venue in recent matches is 177 runs. The weather forecast predicts a temperature of around 35 degrees Celsius with moderate humidity.Head-to-Head RecordIn the 34 previous encounters between these two teams, RCB's bowlers have earned the most fantasy points, while KKR's all-rounders have been the most productive for their side.Fantasy PicksTop Captain and Vice-Captain Picks:* Sunil Narine (KKR): An all-rounder with a high fantasy rating and a proven track record of delivering match-winning performances.* Virat Kohli (RCB): A consistent batter with a high fantasy rating and the ability to score big runs.Other Top Fantasy Picks:* Andre Russell (KKR): A versatile all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball.* Lockie Ferguson (KKR): A fast bowler with a knack for taking wickets.* Phil Salt (RCB): A wicketkeeper-batter who can provide valuable fantasy points.* Rajat Patidar (RCB): A young batter who has shown promise in recent matches.* Varun Chakravarthy (KKR): A leg-spinner who can be a wicket-taking threat.* Harshit Rana (RCB): A medium-fast bowler who can provide economical overs.Fantasy Team:* Wicket-Keepers: Phil Salt, Dinesh Karthik* Batters: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Shreyas Iyer* All-Rounders: Andre Russell, Cameron Green* Bowlers: Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, Yash Dayal, Mohammed Siraj* Captain: Andre Russell* Vice-Captain: Virat Kohli

Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad Set for Thrilling Clash in IPL 2024Delhi Capitals (DC) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are poised for an exciting encounter in Match 35 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The match will take place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday.Team Standings and Recent PerformancesDelhi Capitals currently sit sixth in the points table with six points from seven matches. They recently defeated Gujarat Titans by six wickets, with Mukesh Kumar emerging as the top fantasy player with 103 points.Sunrisers Hyderabad, on the other hand, are ranked fourth with eight points from six matches. They secured a 25-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their last outing, with Travis Head scoring a match-high 153 fantasy points.Pitch and Weather ConditionsThe pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium is expected to favor batters, with a lack of assistance for bowlers. The average first-innings score at this venue is 150 runs. The team winning the toss may opt to bowl first, as the majority of matches played here have been won by the chasing side.Head-to-Head RecordIn the 23 previous encounters between these two teams, Delhi Capitals' all-rounders have accumulated the most fantasy points, while Sunrisers Hyderabad's bowlers have been the top performers.Fantasy PicksTop Captain and Vice-Captain Picks:* Heinrich Klaasen (SRH)* Travis Head (SRH)Other Top Fantasy Picks:* Abhishek Sharma (SRH)* Tristan Stubbs (DC)* Aiden Markram (SRH)* Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH)* Patrick Cummins (SRH)* Axar Patel (DC)* Khaleel Ahmed (DC)Fantasy Team:* Wicket-Keepers: Abhishek Sharma, Rishabh Pant* Batters: Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Warner* All-Rounders: Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Pat Cummins* Bowlers: T Natarajan, Khaleel Ahmed* Captain: Travis Head* Vice-Captain: Pat CumminsConclusionThe clash between Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad promises to be a thrilling encounter. With both teams boasting talented players and a favorable pitch, fans can expect a high-scoring and competitive match.

Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians Set for Clash in IPL 2024Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI) will face off in a crucial encounter in Match 33 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The match will take place at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Mohali, on Thursday.Both teams have struggled in the tournament so far, with PBKS sitting seventh and MI eighth in the points table after six matches. PBKS lost their previous match to Rajasthan Royals by three wickets, while MI suffered a 20-run defeat against Chennai Super Kings.Pitch and Weather ConditionsThe pitch at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium is expected to favor batters, with good stroke play possible. The surface will not provide much assistance to bowlers, making wicket-taking challenging. The average first-innings score at this venue in the last 20 matches is 151 runs.The weather forecast predicts a temperature of around 28 degrees Celsius, humidity of 28%, and winds at a speed of 1.73 m/s. Cloudy weather is expected during the match, which could aid pacers with movement.Head-to-HeadIn the 31 matches played between these two teams, PBKS' bowlers have earned the most fantasy points, while MI's batters have been the top fantasy point-getters.Fantasy PicksCaptain and Vice-Captain:* Captain: Sam Curran (PBKS)* Vice-Captain: Romario Shepherd (PBKS)Wicket-Keeper: Ishan Kishan (MI)Batters:* Suryakumar Yadav (MI)* Shikhar Dhawan (PBKS)* Shashank Singh (PBKS)* Rohit Sharma (MI)All-Rounders:* Sam Curran (PBKS)* Hardik Pandya (MI)* Romario Shepherd (PBKS)Bowlers:* Jasprit Bumrah (MI)* Gerald Coetzee (PBKS)* Arshdeep Singh (PBKS)* Kagiso Rabada (PBKS)ConclusionThe clash between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians promises to be an exciting encounter. Both teams will be desperate for a win to improve their standings in the IPL 2024 points table. With a balanced team and a favorable pitch, PBKS will be the slight favorites, but MI will be determined to prove their worth and secure a much-needed victory.

PBKS vs RR: A Clash of Titans in the IPLPunjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) are set to face off in a highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mohali. Both teams have had contrasting fortunes in the tournament so far, with PBKS languishing in eighth place and RR holding onto the top spot.PBKS's Recent FormPBKS has endured a disappointing start to the IPL, losing four of their five matches. Their only victory came against the Chennai Super Kings, but they suffered a narrow two-run defeat to the Sunrisers Hyderabad in their previous encounter. Arshdeep Singh has been their standout performer, scoring 112 fantasy points in the last match.RR's DominanceIn contrast, RR has been in impressive form, winning four of their five matches. They suffered a setback against the Gujarat Titans in their last outing, but they remain the team to beat. Sanju Samson has been their key player, scoring 109 fantasy points in the previous match.Pitch and Weather ConditionsThe pitch at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium is expected to favor batters, with a good bounce and pace. The average first-innings score at this venue is 148 runs. The weather forecast predicts a cloudy day with temperatures around 29 degrees Celsius and humidity at 28%.Head-to-Head RecordIn the 26 matches played between these two teams, PBKS's bowlers have earned the most fantasy points, while RR's batters have been the most productive. In their last encounter, Sam Curran and Navdeep Saini topped the fantasy points leaderboard for their respective teams.Fantasy XI PicksCaptain and Vice-Captain:* Captain: Riyan Parag* Vice-Captain: Sanju SamsonWicket-Keeper:* Jos ButtlerBatters:* Shashank Singh* Shikhar Dhawan* Yashasvi JaiswalAll-Rounders:* Riyan Parag* Sam CurranBowlers:* Yuzvendra Chahal* Nandre Burger* Arshdeep Singh

Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face off in a crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 encounter at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. Both teams are looking to improve their standings in the points table, with Mumbai currently eighth and Royal Challengers ninth.Mumbai Indians have shown signs of improvement in their recent matches, securing a 29-run victory over Delhi Capitals in their previous outing. Gerald Coetzee emerged as the top fantasy performer for Mumbai with 112 points, while Rohit Sharma and Tim David also contributed significantly.Royal Challengers Bengaluru, on the other hand, suffered a six-wicket defeat to Rajasthan Royals in their last match. Virat Kohli was the standout performer for Royal Challengers, amassing 165 fantasy points. Faf du Plessis and Reece Topley also made notable contributions.The pitch at the Wankhede Stadium is expected to favor pacers, with 75% of wickets taken by fast bowlers in the past 20 matches. The weather forecast predicts cloudy conditions, which could further assist the pacers.In terms of head-to-head records, Royal Challengers Bengaluru's all-rounders have been the most consistent fantasy point earners, while Mumbai Indians' batters have been the most productive.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the schedule for Pakistan's three-match T20I tour of Ireland. The matches will be played at Castle Avenue in Dublin on May 10, 12, and 14. This series is part of Pakistan's 12-match preparation for the T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies.Before heading to Ireland, Pakistan will host New Zealand for five T20Is in April, with the first match scheduled for April 18. The final game of the series will take place on April 27. Following the New Zealand series, Pakistan will embark on a tour of England, where they will play four T20Is starting May 22.Pakistan's last T20I outing was against New Zealand in January, where they played a five-match series in New Zealand. Ireland, on the other hand, recently faced Afghanistan in the UAE, losing both the ODI and T20I series. However, they secured a historic first Test win in Abu Dhabi.The T20I series against Pakistan will be Ireland's first international matches since their tour of the UAE. Pakistan was initially scheduled to play three T20Is against the Netherlands in May, but the series was postponed indefinitely due to scheduling conflicts and concerns about player workload.The PCB is actively seeking an alternative window to reschedule the Netherlands series. The upcoming T20I series against Ireland will provide Pakistan with valuable preparation for the T20 World Cup. The team will be looking to fine-tune their skills and build momentum ahead of the global tournament.

South African speedster Anrich Nortje has joined the Delhi Capitals (DC) squad for the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Nortje's arrival comes after DC's disappointing 4-wicket loss to the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their tournament opener.Nortje, known for his express pace and ability to generate steep bounce, is expected to bolster DC's bowling attack. The 30-year-old has been in impressive form for South Africa, claiming 10 wickets in his last five T20I appearances.In DC's first match against PBKS, the team struggled to post a competitive total, managing only 174/9 in 20 overs. David Warner and Mitchell Marsh provided a solid start, but the middle order failed to capitalize. Abhishek Porel's late cameo helped DC reach a respectable score.In response, PBKS chased down the target with relative ease, thanks to a 67-run partnership between Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone. Curran was named 'Player of the Match' for his match-winning knock of 63 runs.Nortje's addition to the DC squad is a significant boost for the team. His pace and accuracy will provide much-needed support to the likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Khaleel Ahmed. DC will be hoping that Nortje can help them turn their fortunes around and secure their first win of the season.