Cricket

Kuldeep Yadav, the left-arm wrist-spinner, is set to join India's T20 World Cup squad in the US, buoyed by a successful Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Despite Delhi Capitals' failure to reach the playoffs, Yadav's personal performance has given him the rhythm and confidence to excel in the upcoming ICC event.In a recent interview with Robin Uthappa, Yadav revealed a technical change he has implemented in his bowling to regain his peak form. "I have changed my rhythm," he explained. "Now that I have an aggressive rhythm, my ball is not dropping in a loop. It will go when I want it to; when I try to deliver like that, it will go, otherwise not."This adjustment has allowed Yadav to reduce the height of his deliveries while maintaining their effectiveness. "The rhythm that I have now, if I can turn that much in this rhythm, then I don't need to flight it that much," he said. "You can do that at times to trap the batsman, but can't deliver that way consistently."Yadav's 16 wickets in 11 innings for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024, with an economy rate of 8.65 and strike rate of 16.12, demonstrate his improved form. He will join fellow wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup, where the pitches are expected to favor slow bowlers.India's campaign begins against Ireland on June 5, followed by the highly anticipated clash with Pakistan on June 9. USA and Canada are the other teams in India's group. Yadav's aggressive rhythm and newfound control will be crucial for India's success in the tournament.

Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) IPL 2024 campaign ended in heartbreak as they succumbed to a four-wicket defeat against Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator. Despite Virat Kohli's consistent performances, RCB's elusive quest for an IPL title remains unfulfilled.Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen believes it may be time for Kohli to consider a move to another franchise to fulfill his dream of winning an IPL trophy. Pietersen cited examples of great athletes in other sports who have changed teams to achieve their goals."Virat Kohli deserves a trophy. He deserves to play in a team that could help him to get that trophy," Pietersen said.Pietersen suggested that Kohli should consider joining Delhi Capitals, his hometown team. He drew parallels with sports icons like David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Harry Kane, who switched teams to achieve greater success."Delhi is the place where Virat needs to go. He can go away and stay at home most of the time. He has a young family. He can spend more time there. He is a Delhi boy. Why can't he go back?" Pietersen added.With this victory, Rajasthan Royals advance to Qualifier 2, where they will face Sunrisers Hyderabad for a spot in the IPL 2024 final against Kolkata Knight Riders. Meanwhile, RCB and Kohli are left to reflect on yet another season that ended in disappointment, despite flashes of brilliance from their star player.

Ricky Ponting, the legendary Australian cricketer, has revealed that he was approached to become India's next head coach. However, despite expressing interest in the role, Ponting has stated that it is an "unlikely" option for him at present due to the significant time commitment it would require.Ponting, who is currently the head coach of Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and a television commentator in Australia, said that he has ambitions to coach a national team in the future. However, he emphasized that the timing is not right for him to take on the India job, given his other commitments."I'd love to be a senior coach of a national team, but with the other things that I have in my life and wanting to have a bit of time at home…everyone knows if you take a job working with the Indian team you can't be involved in an IPL team, so it would take that out of it as well," Ponting explained.He added that the role of a national head coach requires a significant time commitment, which does not align with his current lifestyle. "Also, a national head coach is a 10 or 11-month of the year job, and as much as I'd like to do it, it just doesn't fit into my lifestyle right now and the things that I really enjoy doing," Ponting said.Despite his initial reluctance, Ponting did leave the door slightly open to the possibility of taking on the India job in the future. He revealed that his young son, Fletcher, had expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of moving to India."My family and my kids have spent the last five weeks over at the IPL with me and they come over every year and I had a whisper to my son about it, and I said, 'Dad's been offered the Indian coaching job' and he said, 'Just take it dad, we would love to move over there for the next couple of years,'" Ponting said.However, Ponting emphasized that his current lifestyle and commitments make it unlikely that he will accept the India job at this time. He is currently the head of strategy at Hobart Hurricanes in Australia's Big Bash League and the head coach of Washington Freedom in the MLC tournament in the United States.The BCCI has set a deadline of May 27 for applications for the India head coach role, which will cover all three formats of the game for a period of three and a half years, starting from July 2024.

Abishek Porel's remarkable journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is a testament to his resilience and talent. Despite initially sleeping through his call-up to the Delhi Capitals, Porel has emerged as a key player for the franchise.After a disappointing debut season in 2023, Porel was retained for 2024 and has repaid the faith with a stellar performance. Batting from various positions in the order, he has amassed 360 runs at a strike rate of 152.54, hitting 36 boundaries.Porel's versatility has been a major asset for the Capitals. He has opened the batting, played in the middle order, and even served as an Impact Player. His ability to play the new ball well and provide a left-right combination has earned him a place at the top of the order.Hailing from a cricketing family, Porel made his first-class debut in 2022 and impressed with his clean takes and hand-eye coordination. He has also opened in List A and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.Delhi Capitals' director of cricket, Sourav Ganguly, played a crucial role in Porel's selection. Head coach Ricky Ponting has been highly impressed with Porel's growth and believes he has a bright future.Porel's strength lies in his uncomplicated technique and ability to stay tall against pace. He has a strong heart and a determination to overcome challenges.Despite the presence of established hitters in the Capitals' lineup, Porel has carved out a niche for himself. His performances have proven that there is a place for him in the IPL.

Jake Fraser-McGurk's exceptional performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has sparked discussions among Australian selectors about potential changes to their T20 World Cup squad. However, despite his impressive run, Fraser-McGurk has not been included in the final 15-man squad and will instead serve as one of two traveling reserves alongside Matthew Short.Fraser-McGurk's IPL campaign was nothing short of remarkable. As a replacement player for Delhi Capitals, he amassed 330 runs at a staggering strike rate of 234.04, including two blistering 15-ball half-centuries. His performances raised eyebrows and prompted selectors to consider his inclusion in the World Cup squad.However, Australia's well-established top three of David Warner, Travis Head, and Mitchell Marsh, along with the lack of an all-round option, ultimately led to Fraser-McGurk's exclusion. Head coach Andrew McDonald acknowledged Fraser-McGurk's impact but emphasized the need to cover all bases in the squad's composition.Despite the setback, Fraser-McGurk remains optimistic about his future prospects. He has expressed his understanding of the decision and believes that his time will come. The 23-year-old is expected to feature prominently in Australia's white-ball sides after the T20 World Cup, potentially partnering Head as an opening batsman in the post-Warner era.McDonald hinted at this possibility, stating that Fraser-McGurk could play a role in the top three or even the middle order. Matthew Short is also in contention for these positions, highlighting the depth of talent within Australia's batting lineup.Meanwhile, David Warner, who will retire from international cricket after the T20 World Cup, has recovered from a hand injury sustained during the IPL. McDonald confirmed that Warner is fully fit and ready to play. However, Mitchell Marsh is unlikely to bowl early in the tournament due to a hamstring injury.Australia will have only 10 players available for their warm-up matches in Trinidad, with the five players participating in the IPL finals joining the squad in Barbados before the opening match against Oman on June 5.

Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant expressed his gratitude to the home fans after the team's elimination from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs. Despite a valiant effort, Delhi Capitals fell short of qualifying for the knockout stages, finishing fifth in the points table with seven wins and seven losses.Pant, who made a remarkable return to cricket after a 14-month recovery from a horrific car accident, was one of the standout performers for Delhi Capitals. The 26-year-old amassed 446 runs in 13 matches, showcasing his exceptional batting prowess. His impressive form earned him a spot in India's main 15-man squad for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup.In a heartfelt message on Instagram, Pant thanked the fans for their unwavering support throughout the season. "Felt amazing to be back on the pitch after so long! Cannot be grateful enough for everyone who played a part in this! None of this would be possible without the constant love and affection from the fans," he wrote."The energy was unreal, and I'm thrilled to be doing what I love again. Excited for what's ahead and looking forward to giving my best and making more memories," Pant added.Despite the disappointment of missing out on the playoffs, Delhi Capitals showed resilience and determination throughout the season. The team's final league game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) was a testament to their fighting spirit, as they secured a thrilling victory.The Delhi Capitals squad featured a mix of experienced and emerging players, including David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. The team's performance was a reflection of their collective efforts and the guidance of head coach Ricky Ponting.As the IPL 2024 season draws to a close, Rishabh Pant and the Delhi Capitals will look to build on their positive performances and return stronger next year. The team's passionate fan base will undoubtedly continue to provide unwavering support as they strive for success in the future.

Delhi Capitals' assistant coach Pravin Amre has shed light on the exclusion of Prithvi Shaw from the playing XI in recent matches, citing the team's need to prioritize form and performance. Shaw, a retained player for the Capitals, initially impressed with a 43-run knock against Chennai Super Kings and a 66-run innings against Mumbai Indians. However, his form subsequently declined.In contrast, Abhishek Porel has seized the opportunity, amassing 327 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 159.51. Porel's standout performance came in the Capitals' final group stage match against Lucknow Super Giants, where he smashed 58 runs off 33 deliveries, contributing to the team's 19-run victory."Shaw was our retained player, but if you're not in form, you can't keep your place," Amre explained. "We had to win games, and Porel grabbed the opportunities."Shaw has made eight appearances for the Capitals this season, scoring 198 runs at an average of 24.75 and a strike rate of 163.64. Porel, on the other hand, has played in various positions, including opener, where he has accumulated 159 runs at a strike rate of 165.62 in three matches.Amre's comments highlight the competitive nature of the Indian Premier League, where players must consistently perform to retain their place in the team. The Capitals' decision to bench Shaw and promote Porel demonstrates their commitment to fielding the strongest possible lineup to secure victories.

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has launched a scathing attack on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain KL Rahul following their defeat to Delhi Capitals (DC) in their IPL 2024 match. Kaif criticized Rahul's decision to bowl first on a pitch where teams batting second have yet to win this season."Take the video analyst's computer and put it away. They didn't go with any numbers. 200 has not been chased here at all. I am telling you this year's numbers. In all four matches, the team batting first has won. You won the toss and said you would field first," Kaif said on Star Sports.Kaif also questioned the role of LSG's video analysts, suggesting that they failed to provide accurate information about the pitch conditions."You checked the pitch and felt that it had moisture. There was no moisture - 200 is scored here. The biggest mistake was the decision at the toss," he added.Kaif praised all-rounder Arshad Khan for his valiant effort, but lamented the overall performance of the LSG team."If you leave aside Arshad Khan's knock, it was a very bad defeat. Arshad saved your pride a little. I believe it was a horrible decision not to bat first here. KL Rahul disappointed a lot as a captain. You said you would play positive but you need to make positive decisions as well," he said.Kaif also pointed out that LSG missed a golden opportunity to boost their playoff hopes."You had everything to gain from this match. They had to lose or gain. If they had won, they could have reached 16 points. I believe it was an absolute flop show from Lucknow," he added.LSG's playoff hopes are now hanging by a thread. They need to win their last match by a significant margin and hope that two of CSK, SRH, and RCB lose their games by large margins.

Ishant Sharma and Ricky Ponting: A Bond Beyond Coach and PlayerFollowing Delhi Capitals' (DC) crucial victory against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), pacer Ishant Sharma expressed his deep admiration for head coach Ricky Ponting, describing him as an elder brother. Sharma's stellar performance, with figures of 3/34, played a pivotal role in DC's 19-run triumph, keeping their playoff hopes alive.Sharma's bond with Ponting extends beyond the coach-player relationship. "He's always there whenever I need him, I can call him anytime," said Sharma. "It's very great to have him as a coach. He pushes you to try new things and not be afraid if you don't do well."Ponting reciprocated the sentiment, acknowledging their fierce rivalry on the field in the past. "It's been a pleasure to coach and work with him," said Ponting. "He's a great guy, and we've become very close. We've got great respect for one another."Sharma's leadership has been instrumental in DC's bowling attack over the past few years. With 14 points in 14 matches, DC currently sits fifth in the points table, awaiting the outcome of remaining matches to determine their playoff fate.