Cricket

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

Ravichandran Ashwin, the Indian spin maestro, has expressed concerns over the bowling action of Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana, highlighting the potential risks to his physical well-being.Pathirana, who impressed for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their title-winning IPL campaign last year, has drawn comparisons to Lasith Malinga due to his slingy action. However, Ashwin believes that Pathirana's lower angle of release puts excessive strain on his back and front leg."His angle of release is much lower, which puts immense strain on his back," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. "His front leg literally collapses when he releases the ball; the core gets worked up too much, and it is very strenuous."In contrast, Ashwin praised Malinga's side-on action, which he described as "beautiful" and less taxing on the body. "Lasith Malinga goes for a beautiful side-on position. His back and feet will be parallel to the crease," Ashwin explained.Ashwin also noted that Pathirana's action is causing him to get into "dangerous positions and complications." He added, "I understand the complexity of facing him is different, but he is facing different problems now. This might be just his early stages, and his body needs to fill up more, but he is getting into some dangerous positions and complications."Pathirana's fitness is currently a concern after he suffered a hamstring injury during the second T20I against Bangladesh. His participation in the upcoming IPL season, which begins on March 22, remains uncertain.Ashwin's analysis highlights the importance of proper bowling technique to prevent injuries and ensure longevity in the sport. Pathirana's unique action may give him an advantage on the field, but it also raises questions about its long-term sustainability.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the most successful franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL), attributes its dominance to minimal external interference and a relaxed environment. Bowling coach Dwayne Bravo, a key figure in CSK's success, emphasizes the importance of allowing players to perform without undue pressure.CSK's consistent playoff appearances and five IPL titles are a testament to their unwavering success. Bravo highlights the franchise's unique approach, which empowers players to be themselves and focus on their game. This lack of external interference creates a positive and supportive atmosphere that fosters team unity and performance.Ahead of the upcoming IPL season, Bravo expresses confidence in CSK's squad. The team boasts a strong bowling attack, including the return of Shardul Thakur and the experience of Mustafizur Rahman. Bravo also praises young talents like Matheesha Pathirana and Tushar Deshpande, who impressed last season.Bravo, a former IPL star, retired from playing in 2022 but remains an integral part of CSK as bowling coach. He has replaced L Balaji, who took a break due to personal commitments. Bravo's experience and knowledge have been invaluable to the team's success.Bravo acknowledges the potential of young Indian players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad. He believes Jaiswal is an exciting talent to watch, while Verma is another promising prospect. Bravo also backs Gaikwad to perform well for CSK this season.CSK will begin their IPL campaign against Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22. The team's success is built on a foundation of minimal interference, a relaxed environment, and a talented squad. With Bravo's guidance, CSK aims to continue their dominance in the IPL.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is actively planning for the future, including the succession plan for the captaincy post MS Dhoni's tenure. While Dhoni will continue to lead CSK in IPL 2024, CEO Kasi Viswanathan has revealed that the franchise is leaving the decision of captaincy appointments to the coach and captain.Viswanathan emphasized that owner N Srinivasan has made it clear that the captain and coach will have the autonomy to make decisions regarding leadership. This approach was evident when CSK entrusted Ravindra Jadeja with the captaincy at the beginning of IPL 2022, only for Dhoni to reclaim the role after a string of poor results.Despite ongoing talks about Dhoni's future in the T20 tournament, the former Indian captain has dismissed retirement rumors and committed to playing for CSK for at least another season. Having recovered from a knee injury, Dhoni has been actively involved in leading CSK's training sessions ahead of the new IPL season.Viswanathan outlined that discussions about leadership succession are ongoing internally but emphasized Srinivasan's directive to let the captain and coach determine the course of action regarding captaincy appointments. He recalled that CSK had entrusted Ravindra Jadeja with the captaincy at the beginning of IPL 2022, only for Dhoni to reclaim the role after a string of poor results.Reflecting on CSK's objectives for IPL 2024, Viswanathan reiterated the franchise's focus on qualifying for the knockouts, a testament to their consistent performance over the years. "Before every season, MS Dhoni tells us 'first let us concentrate on league games. We will look to qualify for the knockouts'," added Viswanathan, highlighting Dhoni's approach to the upcoming season.As CSK gear up for the new season, all eyes will be on their performance on the field and the evolving leadership dynamics within the team, with Dhoni's guidance playing a pivotal role in shaping the franchise's campaign aspirations.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to kick off its 17th season on March 22, with defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Chennai. Ahead of the tournament, former India and CSK batsman Ambati Rayudu has shared his thoughts on the upcoming extravaganza.Rayudu, who has played for both Mumbai Indians and CSK, believes that it will be a challenging task for Hardik Pandya to lead Mumbai Indians, given the different setups of Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians. He suggests that Pandya should have played for Mumbai Indians for a year before taking over the captaincy, especially considering Rohit Sharma's continued role as India's captain.Rayudu also expressed his admiration for Rohit Sharma, stating that he believes Sharma can continue playing in the IPL for the next 5-6 years. He added that if Sharma desires to captain a team, he has ample opportunities available to him.Rayudu went on to express his desire to see Rohit Sharma play for CSK in the future. He said, "I want Rohit Sharma to play for CSK in 2025. If MS (Dhoni) retires, then Rohit can lead as well."Rohit Sharma is the fourth-highest run-getter in IPL history, with 6211 runs from 243 matches. Mumbai Indians will begin their IPL campaign against Gujarat Titans on March 24.

Virat Kohli, the prolific run-scorer in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has yet to conquer the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai while representing the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Despite amassing 7263 runs in 237 IPL matches, Kohli's average at the Chepauk is a modest 30, with a strike rate of 111.10.Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh believes Kohli needs to step up his performance at the Chepauk, especially against the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL opener on March 22. "The greatness of Virat has been reduced in terms of his overall performance at that venue," Harbhajan said. "It's a tricky venue to bat, especially as an opening batsman against a sort of weird tennis ball type bounce."Kohli has been dismissed in the Powerplays three times in his last five innings against CSK, and Harbhajan emphasized the importance of extending his time at the crease. "If he's actually prepared to bat about 20 overs, then he can put together a match-winning performance," he said.Kohli has yet to score an IPL century at Chepauk, and his record against CSK is also underwhelming. In 30 matches against CSK, he has scored 985 runs, with a highest score of 90. Harbhajan believes Kohli needs to rediscover his 2016 form for RCB to challenge for the IPL title. "It's important for him to have a season like 2016, because if Virat goes on to score runs, the team will go forward," he said.In 2016, Kohli had an exceptional IPL season, amassing 973 runs from 16 matches, featuring four centuries and seven fifties. This remarkable performance still stands as the highest run-aggregate in a single IPL season.

MS Dhoni Returns to CSK Training Camp, Hints at Final IPL SeasonLegendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni has officially joined the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) training camp in preparation for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The highly anticipated tournament kicks off on March 22, and Dhoni's presence has sent ripples of excitement through the CSK camp.In a viral video, Dhoni was spotted wearing CSK's training gear and carrying a couple of bats. The 42-year-old looked sharp and focused as he took part in the practice session at Chepauk on Thursday.Dhoni's return to the CSK camp has fueled speculation that this season could be his last as a player. The former India captain has been battling a knee injury, but he guided CSK to a record-equalling fifth IPL title last season.Despite undergoing knee surgery in Mumbai after the final, Dhoni is determined to lead CSK once again. This will be his 14th season as captain of the franchise, a testament to his enduring leadership qualities.Last week, Dhoni hinted at a "new role" in a cryptic Facebook post. "Can't wait for the new season and the new 'role'. Stay tuned!" he wrote.The post sparked rumors that Dhoni might be transitioning to a coaching role. However, he later clarified that the "new role" referred to a promotional campaign for the IPL."New season, double role!" Dhoni wrote in a subsequent Facebook post. "Excited to be back in action with @ChennaiIPL and also to be a part of the @IPL's new campaign. #DoubleRole #IPL2024."Dhoni's return to the CSK camp has boosted the team's morale and raised expectations for the upcoming season. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter remains a key figure in the CSK setup, both on and off the field.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni's return to the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has ignited a frenzy among the city's cricket enthusiasts. The streets erupted in jubilation as fans thronged to catch a glimpse of their cricketing hero.Dhoni's arrival was captured in a heartwarming video shared by CSK's official social media handle. The iconic CSK team bus, adorned in yellow hues, made its way through the bustling streets towards the hallowed grounds of the Chepauk Stadium, eliciting cheers from every corner. The sight of Dhoni, amidst the sea of faces, served as a poignant reminder of his enduring connection with the city and its people.The video also captured Dhoni sporting his vintage long-hair look during batting practice, evoking fond memories of his illustrious career and his indelible impact on the sport. The official handle captioned the post, "The vintage hair. The classic emotion. Mahi aara hai."Fresh from the pre-wedding festivities of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Jamnagar, Dhoni wasted no time in joining his teammates for the pre-season camp at Chepauk Stadium. The venue buzzed with activity as CSK's star players, including Ruturaj Gaikwad and Deepak Chahar, geared up for the upcoming IPL season.Dhoni, known for his dedication and commitment, displayed his characteristic enthusiasm as he hit the nets with fervor, signaling his readiness to excel once again in the highly anticipated league. With the 17th edition of the IPL drawing closer, excitement reached a fever pitch in Chennai. For Dhoni, the season holds added significance as it may potentially mark his farewell from the league. Nevertheless, the people of Chennai stand firmly behind their captain, ready to rally behind him as he prepares for what could be his last hurrah in the IPL.