Cricket

South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has expressed his admiration for Indian T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav, describing him as the "GOAT" of the format. Klaasen, known for his explosive batting style, revealed his thoughts on T20 cricket, his memorable innings, and his personal favorites in an interview with JioCinema's Q20s show.Klaasen described his batting style as "explosive" and named Suryakumar Yadav as the greatest T20 player of all time. He praised Yadav's ability to hit fine leg off straight balls, a technique he would like to incorporate into his own game.Reflecting on his T20 career, Klaasen recalled two standout performances against India: his 81 in 2022 and 69 in 2018. He chose the former as his favorite, citing the tougher conditions in which it was scored.Klaasen also shared his admiration for other players, naming Jasprit Bumrah as the "toughest bowler to hit out in T20s" and Yuzvendra Chahal as "the funniest non-South African player" he has played with. He expressed his love for butter chicken as his favorite Indian dish.For inspiration from other sports, Klaasen named Formula 1 World Drivers Championship winner Lewis Hamilton, saying, "I wish I had the ability to drive cars like him." He also suggested that Nicholas Pooran is the one batter who could potentially score a double hundred in T20 cricket.When asked who he would trust to bat for his life, Klaasen replied, "Probably Hashim Amla." He admitted that he hesitates to try Suryakumar Yadav's "Supla Shot" over fine leg, as he prefers not to get into line too much.Klaasen's insights provide a glimpse into the mindset of a modern-day T20 cricketer, who values explosive batting, innovation, and a competitive spirit.

Abhishek Sharma, the explosive left-handed batsman from Punjab, has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. His blistering batting has earned him high praise from none other than premier pacer Pat Cummins, who admitted that he would be reluctant to bowl to Sharma due to his intimidating presence at the crease.Sharma's exceptional performance this season has been a revelation. Batting at a strike rate of 209.41, he has amassed 467 runs from 13 matches, including 39 sixes and 35 fours. His ability to dominate both pacers and spinners has made him a nightmare for bowlers.In Sunrisers Hyderabad's recent four-wicket victory over Punjab Kings, Sharma blazed away to a 28-ball 66, hitting six sixes and five fours. His innings played a crucial role in SRH's successful chase of Punjab's target of 215.Cummins, Sharma's skipper at SRH, was full of admiration for his young teammate. "He (Abhishek) is amazing. I wouldn't want to bowl to him. It's scary as he plays with freedom, not only against pacers but also against spinners," Cummins said.Sharma's success this season can be attributed in part to his work with batting great Brian Lara, who was involved with the SRH franchise in the past. "I have done some work with him, he's in touch. That's helping me now," Sharma revealed.Sharma's aggressive approach at the crease is a reflection of his determination to make a mark in the IPL. "During Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, I was clear how I was going to play and dominate in the IPL," he said. "I'm just waiting for the loose balls, I am going hard against them and trying to put them (bowlers) under pressure."With SRH on course for a top-two finish, Sharma's contributions will be crucial in their quest for the IPL title. His fearless batting and ability to take on the opposition's best bowlers make him a valuable asset for his team.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed a remarkable feat in its 2024 edition, with players hitting over 1000 sixes, marking the third time this milestone has been achieved in the tournament's history. The 1000th six was struck during the Sunrisers Hyderabad-Lucknow Super Giants encounter in Hyderabad.This season, the 1000 sixes were scored in just 13079 balls, setting a new record for the fastest time to reach this milestone. The previous records were set in the 2023 and 2022 seasons, with 1124 and 1062 sixes respectively. In 2023, it took 15390 balls to hit 1000 sixes, while in 2022, the same number of sixes was reached in 16269 balls.The reduction in the number of balls to reach 1000 sixes from the past two seasons indicates an increase in the scoring rate and a shift towards a more explosive form of cricket in the league. The IPL has consistently been a platform for high-scoring games, with teams and players pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the T20 format. The trend of hitting sixes has been on the rise, and the 2024 season has continued this trend, much to the delight of cricket fans who relish the excitement of big hits and high scores.This statistical milestone is a testament to the evolving nature of the game and the skills of the batsmen who participate in the IPL. It also reflects the competitive spirit of the league, where every ball is an opportunity for a big score. The IPL continues to set new benchmarks in the cricketing world, and the 2024 season has certainly lived up to its reputation as one of the most thrilling T20 leagues globally.

Ashutosh Sharma, the 25-year-old Punjab Kings batter, has emerged as a rising star in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Despite his team's loss against Mumbai Indians, Sharma's sensational 28-ball-61 showcased his exceptional talent.Sharma's knock, which included 2 fours and 7 sixes at a strike rate of 217.86, brought Punjab Kings close to victory despite losing four early wickets. His performance adds to his impressive tournament tally of 156 runs in just 4 matches.Sharma's journey to the IPL has been marked by both triumph and adversity. From 2020 to 2022, he faced a challenging period where his career seemed uncertain. "There was a time when I wasn't even allowed to get a feel of the cricket ground," Sharma revealed.An alleged falling out with then Madhya Pradesh head coach Chandrakant Pandit left Sharma feeling depressed and isolated. "I would go to the gym and retire to my hotel room. I was sinking into depression and no one told me what my fault was," he said.Despite his struggles, Sharma's determination remained unwavering. A job offer from Railways proved to be a lifeline, and in the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he equaled Yuvraj Singh's record for the fastest T20 half-century, scoring 50 in just 11 deliveries.Sharma's exceptional performance caught the attention of Punjab Kings batting coach Sanjay Bangar, and he was picked up by the franchise in the IPL 2024 auction for the base price of Rs 20 lakh.Sharma's recent knock against Mumbai Indians is a testament to his resilience and talent. His ability to play explosive innings and contribute to his team's success has made him a valuable asset for Punjab Kings. As the IPL 2024 continues, Sharma is poised to make a significant impact on the tournament and further cement his status as a rising star in Indian cricket.