Cricket

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Faf du Plessis has addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding MS Dhoni's retirement, stating that it has been a topic of discussion for several years. Ahead of RCB's crucial match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday, du Plessis emphasized the importance of focusing on their own team's performance.In the ongoing IPL 2024 season, Dhoni has played 13 matches and scored 136 runs at a strike rate of 226.67. Despite his age, the 42-year-old has displayed his trademark power-hitting, smashing 11 fours and 12 sixes.Du Plessis acknowledged the excitement surrounding the Southern derby, which will be played in front of a passionate home crowd at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. He expressed his anticipation for the match, despite the presence of numerous CSK supporters."It'd be a great occasion, honestly, at home, in front of our fans, there will also be a lot of yellow fans but it's gonna be a great occasion. But yeah, we are just nice and calm and relaxed and looking forward to the game," du Plessis said.Currently, RCB stands in seventh place in the IPL 2024 standings with 12 points and a net run rate of +0.387. To qualify for the playoffs, they need to defeat CSK by at least 18 runs if they score a minimum of 200 runs batting first or win in 18.1 overs if they are chasing 200.Meanwhile, CSK holds fourth place with 14 points and a net run rate of +0.528. They have won 7 of their 13 matches and will be looking to consolidate their position in the top four.The match between RCB and CSK promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams vying for a crucial victory. The outcome could have significant implications for their respective playoff hopes.

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.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Faf du Plessis has expressed concerns despite his team's fourth consecutive win in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. While acknowledging the team's recent success, du Plessis emphasized the need for improvement and learning from recurring mistakes.RCB's latest victory came against Punjab Kings at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Thursday. Virat Kohli's spectacular 92 off 47 deliveries, combined with a united bowling performance, propelled RCB to a commanding 60-run victory. This crucial win keeps RCB's playoff aspirations alive, marking their fourth successive triumph.However, du Plessis is not satisfied with the team's performance and believes there is room for improvement. "We have scored 200-plus in the last 5-6 games, but we have been making the same mistakes over and over again," he said after the match. "We need more aggression with the bat and we need to take more wickets."Du Plessis highlighted the importance of addressing these concerns promptly. "We have 6-7 options in the bowling department, and we need some form in our side," he said. "We also need a bit of luck, but the boys have shown character to turn it around."The RCB captain is confident that the team can overcome its challenges and perform well in the remaining matches. "We want to stick to the style of play that we want to do," he said. "If we do that, it'll prove that we are a really good team."

PBKS vs RCB: A Battle for Survival in the IPLThe Indian Premier League (IPL) is nearing its climax, and the race for the playoffs is heating up. Two teams desperately vying for a spot in the postseason are the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). They will face off on Thursday in a crucial encounter that could determine their fate in the tournament.RCB has endured a rollercoaster season, starting with a dismal run but recently finding their rhythm. They have won their last three matches convincingly, boosting their morale and propelling them to seventh place in the standings. With eight points from 11 games, they still have a mathematical chance of reaching the playoffs if they win their remaining three fixtures.PBKS finds themselves in a similar predicament. They occupy eighth place with eight points from 11 games. However, only one team between the two can reach the coveted 14-point mark.RCB will enter the clash with more confidence, having defeated PBKS earlier in the season and riding a three-match winning streak. Virat Kohli remains a consistent force at the top of the order, while skipper Faf du Plessis has rediscovered his form with a belligerent knock in the last game.Will Jacks has also impressed with a match-winning century against Gujarat Titans, and Cameron Green has showcased his all-round abilities with crucial contributions in runs and wickets against Sunrisers Hyderabad.PBKS, on the other hand, will need to find their consistency. They have shown flashes of brilliance, but they have also been plagued by inconsistency. Shikhar Dhawan and Jonny Bairstow have been their most reliable batters, while Kagiso Rabada has been their standout bowler.The match promises to be a thrilling contest between two teams desperate to keep their playoff hopes alive. RCB will be the slight favorites, but PBKS has the potential to upset the odds.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Faf du Plessis and batting legend Virat Kohli have forged an unbreakable bond both on and off the field. Their friendship has blossomed since Du Plessis joined RCB and they began opening the batting together in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Du Plessis recently shared insights into their close relationship on the 'Captains Speak' segment of Star Sports. He revealed that they share a common passion for food and fashion, often discussing their outfits and exchanging pictures."We both love food. We both are really into our fashion. That's another thing we spend a lot of time talking about. The way we dress, what style of clothes. We would send each other pictures of outfits and stuff like that," said Du Plessis.Kohli's love for watches has also rubbed off on Du Plessis. "He's been a terrible influence on me when it comes to watches, but he's got a real passion for watches," said the former South African captain with a smile.Beyond their shared interests, Du Plessis and Kohli have connected on a personal level. They are both fathers and their families have bonded over their similar ages."He's got a daughter, I've got two daughters. He's got his second child now as well. Our wives and kids, having them at similar ages, (we) really connected at that front as well," said Du Plessis.Their friendship has translated into success on the field. RCB has been a formidable force in the IPL, with Du Plessis and Kohli forming a formidable opening partnership. Their strong bond has created a positive atmosphere within the team, contributing to their consistent performances.As RCB prepares for their crucial match against Punjab Kings, Du Plessis and Kohli will be looking to continue their impressive partnership. Their friendship and mutual respect have become a cornerstone of RCB's success, and they will be determined to lead the team to victory.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) showcased their resilience and depth in a thrilling encounter against Gujarat Titans, successfully chasing down a 147-run target with 38 balls to spare. The victory was set up by an explosive start from Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli, who registered the franchise's second-fastest fifty off 18 balls.Du Plessis, known for his aggressive batting, smashed the ball to all corners of the ground, while Kohli provided crucial support. Together, they propelled RCB to their highest Powerplay score of 92 in IPL history. However, a dramatic turn of events saw RCB lose momentum, slipping from 92/1 to 111/5.Undeterred, Kohli anchored the innings, losing partners but holding one end firmly. Dinesh Karthik's arrival provided much-needed support, and despite Kohli's dismissal, Karthik kept his calm and targeted Rashid Khan to regain control.With Swapnil Singh also contributing crucial runs, RCB's resilience shone through as they successfully chased down the target. Veteran batter Karthik, who initially thought he wouldn't bat, gave full credit to Kohli and du Plessis for the victory."I started with a cup of tea, then after four overs I had a cappuccino and thought I wouldn't be batting," Karthik said. "Things happened, and then I had to have a bat."Karthik highlighted the importance of basic cricketing skills and backed himself to get the job done. He also praised the bowlers for their performance and advised Swapnil Singh to play for the one that comes in and commit to his shots.RCB's victory showcased their ability to overcome adversity and the depth of their batting lineup. The team's resilience and determination will be crucial as they aim to make a strong run in the IPL.

Faf Du Plessis's Powerplay Masterclass Propels RCB to VictoryIn a thrilling encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Faf Du Plessis unleashed a blistering performance against the Gujarat Titans, leading the Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a crucial victory.After the RCB bowlers restricted the Titans to a modest total of 147, Du Plessis took center stage, launching a devastating assault on the opposition bowlers. The South African opener smashed a remarkable 64 runs off just 23 deliveries, setting a new record for the most runs scored by an RCB batter in the Powerplay.Du Plessis's innings was a whirlwind of boundaries, with the right-hander dispatching the ball to all corners of the ground. He reached his half-century in a mere 18 balls, surpassing the previous record held by Chris Gayle.Gayle had achieved the feat of scoring 50 runs in the Powerplay on three separate occasions while playing for RCB. However, Du Plessis's blistering knock eclipsed Gayle's mark, showcasing his exceptional power-hitting abilities.Du Plessis's onslaught laid the foundation for RCB's victory. He forged a formidable opening partnership with Virat Kohli, who contributed a valuable 42 runs off 27 deliveries. The duo put on a 92-run stand before Du Plessis was dismissed by Joshua Little.Despite the loss of Du Plessis, RCB maintained their momentum and chased down the target with four wickets to spare. The victory propelled them to seventh position in the points table, keeping their playoff hopes alive.Du Plessis's performance was a testament to his class and experience. The 38-year-old has been a consistent performer throughout his career, and his latest innings proved that he remains a force to be reckoned with.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Faf du Plessis opted to field first against Gujarat Titans (GT) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter in Ahmedabad on April 28. RCB welcomed back Glenn Maxwell to their lineup after the Australian all-rounder took a break from the tournament due to mental and physical exhaustion. GT, on the other hand, retained their playing XI from their previous match.RCB's batting lineup boasts the likes of Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik, Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal, and Swapnil Singh. GT, led by Shubman Gill, features Wriddhiman Saha, Sai Sudharsan, David Miller, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Noor Ahmad, and Mohit Sharma.The match promises to be an exciting contest between two evenly matched teams. RCB will be looking to bounce back from their recent defeat to Chennai Super Kings, while GT will aim to continue their winning streak. The presence of star players like Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Rashid Khan adds to the anticipation surrounding this clash.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Faf du Plessis breathed a sigh of relief after his team snapped a six-match losing streak with a convincing 35-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Thursday."The last two games, we've shown great signs of fight. The SRH game was 270 plus, we got 260. The KKR game as well - 1 run. We've been close for a while, but you need to win matches to get confidence as a group. Will sleep easier tonight," du Plessis said at the post-match presentation ceremony.The RCB captain emphasized the importance of performances in building confidence within the team. "You can't speak confidence into the group, can't fake confidence into the group. Only thing that gives confidence is performances," he said.While Virat Kohli has been the leading run-scorer for RCB, du Plessis expressed satisfaction that other batters are also contributing. "The competition is so strong, the teams are so strong that you'll get hurt if you're not at 100 percent. More guys are scoring runs now. First half of the tournament only Virat was scoring runs. Greeny scoring runs now will be massive for him," he said.Chasing 207, SRH's aggressive approach with the bat backfired as they found themselves at 69-5 in the 8th over. They were unable to recover from that early setback and eventually fell short of the target.RCB's victory was a much-needed boost for the team, which had been struggling for form in recent matches. The win will give them confidence as they look to climb up the IPL standings.