Cricket

Travis Head's blistering 89 off 32 balls propelled Sunrisers Hyderabad to a mammoth 266/7 against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Abhishek Sharma's 12-ball 46 and Shahbaz Ahmed's unbeaten 29-ball 59 further bolstered SRH's total.Head's onslaught began from the second ball of the match, as he dispatched Khaleel Ahmed over mid-wicket for a six. He continued to torment the Capitals bowlers, reaching his half-century in just three overs. Abhishek joined the party, taking on Kuldeep Yadav with three sixes.Capitals' bowling attack, including Anrich Nortje, Khaleel, Mukesh, and Lalit Yadav, struggled to contain the SRH openers. They pitched the ball too short on a pitch that resembled a concrete strip.Kuldeep eventually broke the partnership, dismissing Head, Abhishek, and Aiden Markram. However, his efforts were overshadowed by the carnage inflicted by Head and Abhishek.In reply, Jack Fraser-McGurk and Abhishek Porel tried to match SRH's aggression with a 109-run partnership. But once McGurk departed, the Capitals' chase faltered.SRH captain Pat Cummins and T Natarajan bowled with accuracy and precision, restricting the Capitals to 199/10. Natarajan claimed four wickets for 19 runs, while Cummins conceded just 35 runs in his four overs.Head's dominance has been a recurring theme in the ongoing IPL. He has been in scintillating form since the ODI World Cup, winning over Indian fans with his marauding batting.

In a breathtaking display of power-hitting, Jake Fraser-McGurk of the Delhi Capitals etched his name in Indian Premier League (IPL) record books on Saturday. The Australian batter smashed the fastest fifty for his franchise and secured the third joint-fastest fifty in the history of the tournament.Fraser-McGurk's explosive innings showcased his prowess and batting acumen as he reached the milestone in a whirlwind fashion, leaving spectators in awe of his talent. His blistering fifty came in a mere 15 deliveries, underlining his ability to accelerate the scoring rate and dismantle opposition bowlers with ease.Chasing a mammoth 267 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Fraser-McGurk finally perished after a scintillating 18-ball 65 runs knock which included five fours and seven thunderous sixes. Fraser-McGurk's 15-ball fifty has also become the third joint-fastest fifty of the IPL after Yashasvi Jaiswal (13 balls), who sits at the top of the pile followed by KL Rahul and Pat Cummins (14 balls each).He shared the record with Yusuf Pathan, Sunil Narine, and Nicholas Pooran, who had scored their half-centuries in 15 balls. The young Australian batter surpassed Chris Morris's 17-ball fifty against Gujarat Lions way back in 2016.Fraser-McGurk's achievement will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the standout moments of the IPL season, serving as a testament to his talent and potential as a future star of the game. As he continues to hone his skills and make significant contributions to his team's success, cricket fans eagerly anticipate witnessing more electrifying performances from this promising young cricketer.

Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant has once again lived up to the "babysitter" tag given to him by former Australia skipper Tim Paine. In a heartwarming video posted by DC on their official Instagram handle, Pant can be seen sharing a special moment with the children of the team's overseas players during the ongoing IPL 2024.The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows Pant interacting with the kids, playing with them, and even feeding them. The incident has reminded many cricket fans of the time when Paine asked Pant if he could babysit for him and his wife after the 2019 India-Australia series.Paine later revealed that the "babysitter" sledge was a strategy agreed upon by the team to distract Pant and break his concentration. However, the incident ended on a positive note when Paine's wife posted a picture on social media showing Pant with their children.On the field, Pant has been in impressive form for Delhi Capitals, leading the team to a six-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in their last match. Pant played a crucial role in the victory, both as a batter and a wicket-keeper.After the match, Pant expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, saying, "Lots of things to be pleased about. We talked about the champion thought process and our team showed today that we can play like that and really happy to see that."Pant also praised the team's bowling attack, saying, "Definitely one of the best, it's early on in the tournament, can't say much as we can improve individually."The Delhi Capitals skipper emphasized the importance of taking one game at a time, saying, "We just want to enjoy our win, one at a time and move forward learning from it."

Sunrisers Hyderabad Unleash Batting Onslaught, Smash Records in IPL HistoryNew Delhi, April 22: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma unleashed an unprecedented batting rampage against Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Saturday, setting multiple records and leaving the opposition bowlers in awe.Head, in the form of his life, blazed to a joint-fastest half-century in IPL history, equaling his partner Abhishek's feat of reaching the milestone in just 16 deliveries. The duo's relentless assault saw boundaries raining down at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.SRH's blistering start propelled them to 100 runs in a record-breaking 5 overs, becoming the fastest team to reach the three-figure mark in T20 cricket. The previous record was held by Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who achieved the feat in 6 overs against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 2014.Head and Abhishek continued their onslaught, smashing 13 fours and 11 sixes in the first 6 overs. Their combined 125-run partnership in the Powerplay was the highest ever recorded in IPL history, surpassing the previous mark of 105/0 set by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2017.The SRH openers' record-breaking performance also marked the highest powerplay score in T20 cricket, eclipsing the previous record of 124/0 set by CSK against Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2015.DC's bowlers were left helpless as Head and Abhishek tore into their attack. The duo's relentless hitting propelled SRH to a massive total of 219/2, the highest score ever recorded in T20 cricket.

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.

Rishabh Pant Embraces Dhoni's Mantra of Focusing on Controllables Amidst CriticismAhead of the crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant has revealed the invaluable advice he received from legendary cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Pant emphasized the importance of focusing on aspects within his control, rather than dwelling on external criticism."Mahi bhai always says one thing, 'focus on controllables.' You should always focus on the thought process, the practice, and its implementation in the match rather than if someone is criticizing you from the outside," Pant said on Star Sports.Pant's approach to batting has often been described as high-risk, high-reward. However, the wicket-keeper batsman insists that he calculates his shots carefully and plays according to the situation. "I feel I am not playing any risky shots. I calculate everything as per my understanding of the game. It's important to play the situation. Criticism toh hoga (criticism will be there), but not paying heed to that, I am giving my hundred percent on the field. And that's important for me," he added.Under Pant's leadership, Delhi Capitals have had a mixed bag of results, winning three and losing four of their seven matches. However, thanks to a favorable net run rate, DC currently occupies the sixth position on the points table.Individually, Pant has been a beacon of inspiration since returning from injuries sustained in a car accident in December 2022. The left-handed batsman has amassed 210 runs in seven games, including two half-centuries.Pant's resilience and determination have been lauded by fans and experts alike. He has shown that he is not afraid to take risks and play his natural game, even amidst criticism. As Delhi Capitals prepare for their upcoming match, Pant's focus on controllables and his unwavering belief in his abilities will be crucial to their success.

The Impact Player rule, introduced in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, has sparked mixed reactions among coaches and players. While some welcome the tactical flexibility it offers, others, including Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting, have expressed concerns.Ponting acknowledges that the rule has led to higher scores and more explosive batting, as teams can bring in a 12th player as a substitute. However, he admits that it can be a "nightmare" for coaches who must now select two teams and consider various combinations.Ponting agrees with India captain Rohit Sharma's assessment that the Impact Player rule may hinder the development of all-rounders. He believes that it would be easier for coaches to simply select their best XI and avoid the complexities of the rule.Despite his reservations, Ponting recognizes that the Impact Player has made the IPL a more entertaining spectacle for viewers. He points to the record-breaking match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore, where 549 runs were scored."If the Impact Player is making it a better spectacle, then it should stay," Ponting said. "More runs are being scored, and people are mesmerized by the cricket."However, Ponting emphasizes that the rule should be evaluated based on public feedback. If viewers find it confusing or detrimental to the overall quality of the game, it may need to be reconsidered.

Delhi Capitals Host Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL ClashDelhi Capitals return to their home ground, the Arun Jaitley Stadium, for the first time this season as they face a formidable Sunrisers Hyderabad side on Saturday. The Capitals, currently sixth in the standings, will be eager to improve their record at home, having lost five of their seven matches there last year.Sunrisers, on the other hand, have been in scintillating form, setting two IPL records for the highest total. Their explosive left-handed opening duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma has been a major factor in their success, with both players striking at over 200 in the powerplay.Delhi Capitals will need to rely on their experienced bowlers, including Ishant Sharma and Khaleel Ahmed, to contain the Sunrisers' batting onslaught. Kuldeep Yadav, with his left-arm wristspin, could be particularly effective against the likes of Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen, who are both strong spin-hitters.The Capitals' batting lineup, led by Rishabh Pant, has also been in good form. Pant has scored 210 runs in seven games, while David Warner, if fit, will provide a significant boost to the top order.The pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium is expected to play better than it did last year, with more grass cover on the square. This could favor the Capitals' bowlers, who have struggled on slower surfaces.

Rishabh Pant Embraces 'Babysitter' Role for Delhi Capitals TeammatesRishabh Pant, the enigmatic wicketkeeper-batter, has once again taken on the mantle of 'babysitter,' this time for his Delhi Capitals (DC) teammates. In a heartwarming video released by the IPL franchise, Pant was seen engaging with the children of his fellow players, bringing joy and laughter to the team environment.The video, which has gone viral on social media, captures Pant's playful interactions with David Warner's daughters and head coach Ricky Ponting's son. As the clip unfolds, the familiar chant of "Pant, Pant" can be heard in the background, adding to the lighthearted atmosphere.Throughout the video, Pant exudes genuine enthusiasm and joy, highlighting his delight in being back in the IPL environment, surrounded by his teammates and their families. His infectious energy and playful spirit create a sense of camaraderie and warmth within the team.Pant's role as a 'babysitter' has become synonymous with his character both on and off the field. During India's 2018 tour of Australia, he earned the nickname from then-Australian captain Tim Paine, who jokingly asked if Pant would be interested in babysitting his children.However, the term has taken on a more positive connotation, representing Pant's nurturing and caring nature. His interactions with the children of his teammates showcase his genuine love for the game and his desire to create a positive and supportive environment for everyone involved.As the IPL season progresses, Pant's 'babysitter' role is likely to continue, bringing smiles to the faces of his teammates and their families. His ability to balance his on-field brilliance with his off-field warmth and camaraderie makes him a true asset to the Delhi Capitals franchise.