Cricket

Ricky Ponting, the head coach of Delhi Capitals and former Australian captain, believes that high-scoring games will remain a norm in the Indian Premier League (IPL) even if the controversial 'Impact Player' rule is discontinued. The rule allows teams to replace one of the original XI announced at the toss at any point during the match.Ponting's comments come amidst a debate about the rule, with some like India captain Rohit Sharma criticizing it for limiting the opportunities for all-rounders. However, others like Sourav Ganguly have praised it as an innovative addition."There is a talk if the impact player remains in the IPL, if it doesn't, will the scores come down again? I am interested to see that. I am not sure they will," Ponting said.He explained that the rule provides a cushion for top-order batters, but they are already accustomed to playing aggressively. "The guys at the top are so used to going out and playing a certain way," he said.This season, the 200-run mark has been breached 36 times in the IPL, compared to 37 in the previous edition. BCCI secretary Jay Shah has indicated that the rule could be reconsidered based on feedback from stakeholders.Ponting also highlighted the challenges of coaching a franchise team, which he believes is more difficult than coaching a national team. He cited the diverse nationalities involved and the limited time available to build team culture."It's really hard to do that, it is also hard to make big skill changes in such a short period of time," he said.Ponting also discussed the evolution of the game in recent years, noting that the space for batters with "classical technique" is shrinking. He pointed to England's aggressive approach and the rise of players who have grown up playing limited-overs cricket."There still is room for purist batsmen in Test match cricket, but that's going to be less and less," he said.Ponting identified Virat Kohli and Joe Root as among the few top batters with a classical technique. "In the last 10 years there is not a lot of classical technique in the modern day batters," he said.

The Delhi Capitals' playoff hopes suffered a major setback as they succumbed to a 47-run defeat against Royal Challengers Bangalore in a crucial encounter. The match was marred by the absence of regular skipper Rishabh Pant, who was suspended for one match due to a slow over-rate offense.In Pant's absence, Axar Patel took over the captaincy reins, but the team struggled to find its rhythm. RCB posted a competitive total of 189/5, thanks to a blistering 66 from Rajat Patidar and a crucial 58 from Glenn Maxwell.DC's chase got off to a disastrous start as they lost four wickets in the powerplay. Jake Fraser-McGurk and Tristan Stubbs were both run out in unfortunate circumstances, further compounding the team's woes.Despite a valiant effort from Mitchell Marsh (55), DC never truly recovered from their early setbacks. They were eventually bowled out for 142, handing RCB a comfortable victory.The defeat leaves DC's playoff hopes hanging by a thread. They are currently fifth in the standings with 12 points, but their net run rate of -0.482 is significantly lower than RCB's 0.387.Axar Patel, who stood in as captain for the match, expressed his disappointment with the team's performance. "Dropped catches hurt us. We could have restricted them to 150. Also when you lose four wickets in powerplay, you are always chasing the game," he said.Pant, who has been a key figure for DC this season, did not directly address his suspension but shared a cryptic post on Instagram. "The only thing we have power over in the universe is our own thoughts. Can't say much," he wrote.With just one match remaining in the league stage, DC's chances of reaching the playoffs appear slim. However, they will be hoping for a miracle and will need to win their final game against Mumbai Indians while also relying on other results going their way.

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs fast approaching, the race for the top four intensifies with only seven league-stage matches remaining. After the rain-abandoned match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans, KKR has secured a top-two finish, while Gujarat, Punjab Kings, and Mumbai Indians have been eliminated.Six teams remain in contention for the playoffs:* Kolkata Knight Riders (19 points, 1 match left)* Rajasthan Royals (18 points, 2 matches left)* Chennai Super Kings (18 points, 2 matches left)* Royal Challengers Bangalore (12 points, 1 match left)* Delhi Capitals (12 points, 1 match left)* Lucknow Super Giants (12 points, 1 match left)On Tuesday, Delhi Capitals host Lucknow Super Giants in a crucial match that could significantly impact the playoff race.If Lucknow Super Giants Win:* Delhi Capitals will be eliminated from playoff contention.* Lucknow's chances of qualifying will improve, but they will need to beat Mumbai Indians in their last match and hope that Sunrisers Hyderabad lose both their remaining matches.If Delhi Capitals Win:* Delhi will remain in the playoff race, but their hopes will depend on results in other matches.* They will need Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants to lose their remaining matches.* Sunrisers Hyderabad will also need to lose their last two games with big margins for Delhi to qualify.The remaining matches will be crucial in determining the final four teams that will advance to the playoffs. With every win and loss, the playoff scenarios continue to change, making the race for the top four an exciting and unpredictable affair.

Delhi Capitals Rue Lack of Depth in Batting After Defeat to Royal Challengers BengaluruIn the wake of Delhi Capitals' disappointing loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League 2024, assistant coach Pravin Amre has highlighted the team's lack of depth in batting, particularly the absence of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant.Amre acknowledged that Pant's absence due to suspension has significantly impacted the team's batting lineup. "We missed him because of the rule. It affected our batting line up and sure tomorrow, he will be there, and we will finish well," Amre said.The 55-year-old coach also expressed surprise at the high-scoring nature of the tournament, with teams amassing 500 runs in a single T20 match. "I feel IPL's governing body will look into it. It is also important to know that for the crowd it was surprising to see teams scoring 500 runs in a T20 match. That's happened in IPL. So, the committee will decide what is better for IPL," Amre added.In the match against RCB, Delhi found themselves in trouble at 30/4 before a 56-run partnership between Shai Hope and stand-in captain Axar Patel brought them back into the game. However, RCB's bowlers, led by Yash Dayal and Lockie Ferguson, restricted DC to 140 runs in 19.1 overs, securing a 47-run victory.Amre believes that Pant's return in the next match will provide a much-needed boost to the team's batting. "The way he is playing this year he is the highest run gutter during the year but rules are rules. We missed him because of the rule. It affected our batting line up and sure tomorrow, he will be there, and we will finish well," Amre said.

Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants face off in a crucial encounter on Tuesday, with both teams vying for a playoff berth. DC's hopes are slim, requiring a resounding victory and a series of favorable results. LSG, on the other hand, has a better chance but needs to improve their net run rate.LSG's batting has been sluggish, averaging 8.35 runs per over, while their bowlers have taken the fewest wickets in IPL 2024. They face a formidable challenge in Jake Fraser-McGurk, DC's explosive opener who boasts an impressive boundary percentage and strike rate.DC welcomes back Rishabh Pant after his suspension, likely replacing Kumar Kushagra. LSG may introduce Mohsin Khan, who missed the previous game due to injury.Fraser-McGurk and KL Rahul are key players to watch. Fraser-McGurk has been a revelation, while Rahul needs to rediscover his form to lead LSG to the playoffs.Statistically, DC has a slight edge over LSG, having won their most recent encounter. Pant has a strong record against Krunal Pandya but struggles against Ravi Bishnoi. Axar Patel could be a valuable asset against Rahul and Stoinis.The Arun Jaitley Stadium has been a high-scoring venue, with teams batting first averaging over 250 runs. The forecast predicts a warm evening, providing favorable conditions for batting.

Sourav Ganguly's Respectful Gesture Towards Virat Kohli Mends Past DifferencesIn a heartwarming display of reconciliation, former India captains Sourav Ganguly and Virat Kohli put aside their past differences during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals.After RCB's 35-run victory, Ganguly, the Delhi Capitals mentor, approached Kohli to shake his hand. However, in a gesture that left fans on social media impressed, Ganguly removed his cap as a mark of respect.This gesture was a stark contrast to the strained relationship between the two icons in recent years. Last year, reports emerged of a rift between them, fueled by on-field incidents during the IPL.However, the handshake and Ganguly's respectful gesture suggest that the hatchet has been buried. Fans on social media praised Ganguly's actions, highlighting the respect Kohli commands."Sourav Ganguly took his cap off before meeting Virat Kohli. That's the respect Kohli has," tweeted one user."Good to see them meeting each other after the issues they had in the past," added another.The reconciliation between Ganguly and Kohli is a positive sign for Indian cricket. It shows that even the greatest players can overcome differences and work together for the betterment of the sport.In the match itself, RCB's victory boosted their playoff qualification hopes. Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, saw their chances of reaching the playoffs diminish with the defeat.DC stand-in captain Axar Patel lamented the dropped catches that cost his team dearly. "Dropped catches hurt us. Could've restricted them to 150. When you lose four wickets in powerplay, you're always chasing the game," he said.With the defeat, DC's playoff hopes are all but over. RCB, meanwhile, will look to continue their winning ways in their remaining matches to secure a spot in the playoffs.

RCB's Resurgence: Du Plessis Emphasizes Self-Belief After Thrashing Delhi CapitalsRoyal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Faf du Plessis hailed his team's newfound confidence after their emphatic 47-run victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The win marked RCB's fifth consecutive triumph, bolstering their playoff aspirations.Rajat Patidar's blistering half-century and inspired bowling performance laid the foundation for RCB's success. Patidar's 52 off 32 deliveries propelled Bangalore to a competitive 187-9, while the bowlers restricted Delhi to a mere 140 in 19.1 overs.Du Plessis lauded his team's collective effort, highlighting their resilience and unity. "We have put up a great performance. It's just confidence," he said. "First half of the season, we were just fighting for it. Now, we have bowled opposition out three times or so."The RCB skipper attributed their bowling prowess to the variety of options at his disposal. "I feel there is a lot of variety in bowling as a skipper, six-seven options," he explained. "Yash [Dhawal Kulkarni] has been an exception. Lockie [Ferguson] has been brilliant."Du Plessis emphasized the importance of taking risks and playing aggressively. "We want to be bold," he said. "Even today, we played swing up front and bounce upfront, we had 60-odd in powerplay, guys are pushing."RCB's resurgence has been a testament to their hard work and determination behind closed doors. "Lot of work has gone behind the scenes," Du Plessis said. "I feel like behind closed doors, we are getting it right, we are talking about our process and what we need to achieve."With their playoff hopes firmly in sight, RCB will look to continue their winning streak in their upcoming matches. Their newfound self-belief and collective spirit will be crucial as they aim to secure a berth in the IPL playoffs.

RCB vs DC Live Score: RCB's Winning Streak Faces a Tough Test Against Pant-less Delhi CapitalsRoyal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have been on a roll lately, winning four consecutive matches to keep their playoff hopes alive. However, their next challenge comes in the form of Delhi Capitals (DC), who will be without their suspended skipper Rishabh Pant.Pant's absence is a significant blow to DC, as he is one of the most dangerous batsmen in the IPL. However, RCB cannot afford to become complacent, as DC still boasts a formidable lineup.RCB's recent victories have come against weaker opponents, such as Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. DC, on the other hand, is a much tougher test. They have a well-balanced team with experienced players like David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, and Axar Patel.RCB's batting has been in good form, with Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Glenn Maxwell all contributing. However, their bowling has been a concern, with Harshal Patel and Josh Hazlewood struggling for consistency.DC's bowling attack is led by the experienced Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje. They also have a strong spin department, with Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel.The match between RCB and DC is expected to be a close contest. RCB will be looking to continue their winning streak, while DC will be determined to bounce back from their recent losses.

Tristan Stubbs, the dynamic all-rounder for Delhi Capitals, has revealed an intriguing secret about his relationship with India's star left-arm spinner, Kuldeep Yadav. In a recent interview with The Grade Cricketer podcast, Stubbs disclosed that Yadav has consistently refused to bowl to him in the nets."He won't bowl to me. I have tried a few times to go face him, but he won't bowl to me," Stubbs said.This revelation has sparked speculation about Yadav's motives. Stubbs believes that Yadav is intentionally keeping his wrong-un delivery a mystery, preventing him from gaining an advantage in potential future encounters."I think he's trying to keep it a mystery, so I can't tell you," Stubbs said. "I have tried to face him, but he's not having it."Stubbs's comments have raised questions about whether Yadav's refusal to bowl to him is a strategic move or a sign of respect. Some believe that Yadav is simply trying to protect his secret weapon, while others suggest that he may be acknowledging Stubbs's potential as a dangerous batsman.Stubbs, who has been a key contributor to Delhi Capitals' recent resurgence, has expressed a desire to face Yadav in order to prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup. However, he understands Yadav's decision to keep his delivery under wraps."I think it's quietly not been said, but I think so, yeah," Stubbs said when asked if he wanted to face Yadav in preparation for the World Cup. "I think he's smart to do so. We're on the same page."Meanwhile, Yadav has been in impressive form for Delhi Capitals, picking up 14 wickets in nine matches. His performances have helped the team climb to fifth place in the points table.As the IPL season progresses, it remains to be seen whether Yadav will change his stance and bowl to Stubbs in the nets. However, the mystery surrounding their relationship has added an intriguing subplot to the tournament.