Cricket

The Gujarat Titans, under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, achieved remarkable success in the Indian Premier League (IPL), reaching consecutive finals in 2022 and 2023. However, the team's fortunes have taken a downturn under the captaincy of Shubman Gill this season, as they find themselves at the bottom of the table with seven losses and only four wins in 11 games.A significant challenge for the Titans has been the lack of runs from Gill. In the last five outings, Gill has struggled to make an impact with the bat, registering three single-digit scores and a highest score of only 35. This dip in form has added to the team's woes and contributed to their disappointing performance this season.Gujarat Titans batting coach Gary Kirsten, however, felt that Gill has enjoyed the leadership role, but captaincy is something that takes time to master. "I think he's enjoyed the captaincy, it's something that takes time to really master, but I think he's enjoyed it this season," Kirsten said. "He's a world-class player, I have no doubt that in the next three games he's going to put in one or two really good performances."Kirsten also acknowledged the challenge of replacing the injured Mohammed Shami, who has been a pivotal pace weapon for the team, particularly during the powerplay overs, over the past two seasons. "I think you do miss players. Obviously someone like a Shami who was big for us in the last two years, that kind of a player is difficult to replace. You can't replace world-class bowlers like that.""There are some talented young bowlers in our group, but it takes time to find your feet against guys that are wanting to trade every ball for six."The South African said the Powerplay has exposed the bowling of many teams this season. "That's an area where I think all the teams have been exposed. The powerplay has been a tough place to bowl this season. But saying that, a little bit in the wicket, you nick a few batters off and anything can happen.""Ahmedabad is traditionally a wicket that does a little bit up-front. So, tomorrow it could turn around and the seamers can get some wickets for us and we can get 2-3 wickets quite quickly and then the whole game changes."GT are technically still in the mix though with a maximum tally of 14 points, it would be very difficult for them to qualify. Kirsten wants his team to produce a "solid" show in the last 3 games. "We haven't played the kind of cricket we know that we can play. There are certain components of our game that haven't been as consistent as in the past. So for the last three games, we just want to play solid cricket in all departments of the game, because if you don't, you'll get exposed.""So hopefully one or two guys put in some match-winning performances tomorrow and we can play a good game of cricket."Kirsten said his team will need to find a way to take wickets in the Powerplay so that spinners can come into the picture. "If we bowl reasonably well in the power play, it helps our spinners big time because then the spinners can bowl to new batters, which makes a big difference."As a purist who values the balance between bat and ball, Kirsten is concerned about the overwhelming dominance of batters in the current IPL season. He urges the BCCI to explore ways to restore equilibrium between batting and bowling in the league.This season has been particularly challenging for bowlers, with IPL teams achieving 250-plus totals on eight occasions, indicating a significant advantage for the batsmen. Kirsten's sentiments reflect a broader concern within the cricketing community regarding the need to maintain the integrity and competitiveness of the game by ensuring a fair balance between batting and bowling prowess in T20 cricket.

Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings Face Off in Crucial ClashGujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings, two teams with contrasting fortunes this season, will lock horns in a pivotal match in Ahmedabad on Friday.Gujarat Titans' Bowling WoesGujarat Titans have struggled to find a reliable pace attack in the absence of Mohammed Shami. Azmatullah Omarzai, Spencer Johnson, and Josh Little have failed to fill the void, leaving the team vulnerable.Chennai Super Kings' Playoff HopesChennai Super Kings, on the other hand, are in a better position to make a run at the playoffs. They have lost key pace bowlers, but their experienced batting lineup and all-rounders provide stability.Form Guide and Previous MeetingGujarat Titans have lost their last three matches, while Chennai Super Kings have won two of their last five. In their previous meeting, CSK emerged victorious with Shivam Dube's half-century and impressive bowling.Team News and Impact Player StrategyGujarat Titans may swap Sai Sudharsan for Sai Kishore or Sandeep Warrier as their impact player. Chennai Super Kings are likely to rotate Ajinkya Rahane with Simarjeet Singh.Players in the SpotlightRashid Khan, once known for his miserly economy, has struggled in recent seasons. He will be eager to prove his worth against CSK. Simarjeet Singh has shown promise with his increased pace, but he needs to prove his consistency.Stats that MatterBoth Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings have struggled with their batting, scoring slowly in the powerplay and middle overs. Rahane and Wriddhiman Saha have been particularly ineffective.Pitch and ConditionsIn Ahmedabad, chasing is preferred as conditions improve for batting in the evening. The average first-innings total is 188.QuotesGujarat Titans batting coach Gary Kirsten believes captaincy has not affected Shubman Gill's batting, despite his recent struggles.

Gujarat Titans' star spinner Rashid Khan has revealed the arduous journey he endured after undergoing back surgery following the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Despite being advised by doctors to undergo surgery before the tournament, Khan opted to delay it to represent his country."I had to play in the World Cup. I cannot say no to the World Cup," Khan said.To manage the pain, Khan took injections before the tournament. However, his condition worsened after Afghanistan's victory over Pakistan."I could not sleep. I would sleep only at four or five in the morning at times. The only way I could sleep was by taking sleeping tablets and painkillers," he recalled.During the final three matches of the World Cup, Khan played at a mere 40% fitness, relying on painkillers to keep going. His back issues affected his bending and caused pain down to his shins.After the tournament, Khan underwent surgery. The doctor informed him that a failed surgery could end his career, leaving him anxious."I was so tense the whole night before the surgery. I didn't tell my family that I was having surgery," he said.Following the surgery, Khan experienced relief from pain but was eager to return to the game. He thanked the Gujarat Titans staff, particularly Ashish Nehra and Naeem Amin, for their support during his recovery.However, the surgery has impacted his bowling, particularly his wrong'un. Khan consulted with the franchise's video analyst, Sandeep Raju, who identified that he was not hitting his lengths correctly."I am just using the fingers. There is nothing wrong with my back, but I only had this fear in my mind: what if the injury resurfaced?" Khan explained.After spot bowling sessions, Khan regained confidence in his back and has since performed well for Gujarat Titans in the IPL.

Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) talismanic batter Virat Kohli has reclaimed the coveted IPL 2024 Orange Cap, awarded to the tournament's leading run-scorer. Kohli, who had been trailing Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad by nine runs, surged ahead with a blistering 42 off 27 deliveries against Gujarat Titans (GT).Kohli's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, featuring two boundaries and four maximums. However, his stay at the crease was cut short by a clever googly from GT's young spinner Noor Ahmad. The Afghanistan youngster induced an outside edge from Kohli, which was safely pouched by Wriddhiman Saha behind the stumps.In a heartwarming gesture, Kohli acknowledged Noor's brilliance by gifting him his signed matchworn jersey after the game. Noor expressed his gratitude on Instagram, calling Kohli "one of my fav."GT's innings got off to a shaky start, losing three wickets for just 19 runs within the first six overs. However, big-hitter Shahrukh Khan (37) and David Miller (30) steadied the ship with a 61-run partnership. Rahul Tewatia's quickfire 35 off 21 balls and a crucial stand with Rashid Khan helped GT post a respectable total of 147.Mohammed Siraj, who dismissed both GT openers, was named man of the match for his impressive figures of 2-29. However, the pacer revealed that he almost missed the game due to illness.In reply, RCB openers Faf du Plessis (64) and Kohli laid the foundation with a 92-run stand in just 35 balls. Despite a mid-innings collapse that saw RCB lose four wickets in quick succession, Dinesh Karthik (21) and Swapnil Singh (15) ensured a comfortable victory with 6.2 overs to spare.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pacer Mohammed Siraj played through severe stomach pain in their IPL match against Gujarat Titans (GT) on Saturday, driven by the desire to prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Despite his discomfort, Siraj delivered a crucial performance, taking 2/29 and helping RCB secure a four-wicket victory.Siraj revealed that he experienced intense stomach pain and loose motions before the game, but the thought of the World Cup and the "power of the almighty" motivated him to take the field. He acknowledged that he lacked the energy to bowl at his usual intensity, but he credited divine intervention for his performance.In 10 IPL 2024 matches, Siraj has claimed eight wickets at an average of 44.00, with a best of 2/26. He also discussed his close bond with Virat Kohli, emphasizing how Kohli's guidance and communication help him as a bowler."Virat has known me for eight years now and he always gives handy advice on what to do in a particular situation," Siraj said. "When you have good communication with such a legend of the game then half the difficulty gets reduced straightaway as a bowler."Siraj praised teammate Yash Dayal for his impressive bowling with the new ball, noting that his performance will boost his confidence. Dayal has taken 10 wickets in 10 IPL 2024 matches, with a best of 2/21.In the match, RCB elected to field first and restricted GT to 148 runs, with Siraj, Dayal, and Vijaykumar Vyshak taking two wickets each. RCB then chased down the target with 38 balls to spare, thanks to a 92-run opening partnership between Faf Du Plessis and Virat Kohli.Despite a late fightback from GT's Joshua Little and Noor Ahmed, RCB held on for the victory, with Dinesh Karthik and Swapnil Singh guiding the team home.

Shubman Gill, the promising Indian batter and captain of Gujarat Titans, has faced a dip in form in the ongoing IPL 2024 season. Despite a strong start, Gill has struggled to maintain consistency, with his last significant score of 50+ runs coming on April 10 against Rajasthan Royals. Since then, he has been dismissed for single-digit scores on three occasions.Gill's struggles have raised concerns, especially considering his omission from the T20 World Cup squad. However, former India opener Virender Sehwag has expressed confidence in Gill's ability to bounce back. Sehwag believes that Gill should draw inspiration from legendary batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, and VVS Laxman, who never allowed a dip in form to derail their careers."He should focus on scoring runs at a good strike-rate so he doesn't get replaced," Sehwag advised. "He has to learn from the greats who never gave a reason to get dropped."Gill's struggles have coincided with Gujarat Titans' poor performance in IPL 2024. The team, which won the title in 2022 and finished runners-up last year, currently languishes at the ninth spot in the table with just four wins from 11 games.One of the Titans' major weaknesses has been their performance during the Powerplay, particularly with the bat. Against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Saturday, they posted the lowest Powerplay total of any team this season, scoring only 23 runs. Their Powerplay run-rate of 7.54 and strike-rate of 118.43 are the lowest among all teams in IPL 2024.Addressing their underwhelming performance in the Powerplay will be crucial for the Titans if they are to salvage their season and make a late push for a playoff spot.

In a comical exchange during the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) vs. Gujarat Titans (GT) match on Saturday, Virat Kohli delivered a witty response to Gujarat Titans' wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha's attempt to rally his team.As RCB chased a modest target of 148, skipper Faf du Plessis' blistering 64 gave them a strong start. The Titans, on the other hand, struggled to contain RCB's onslaught.At the end of the 7th over, with RCB reaching the 100-run mark, Saha was overheard urging his teammates, "Chalo, chalo runs roko, match kheecho" (Let's stop the runs and extend the match).Kohli, who overheard Saha's plea, retorted with a humorous quip, "B*, aise kaise match kheech lega!" (Nonsense, how can you extend the match like that!).Kohli's response drew laughter from the commentators and fans alike. He went on to score a quickfire 42 off 27 balls before being dismissed in the 10th over.Despite Kohli's dismissal, RCB continued their dominance, chasing down the target with ease in just 14 overs. The victory kept their slim playoff hopes alive.The exchange between Kohli and Saha highlighted the competitive spirit and camaraderie that exists within the IPL. It also showcased Kohli's quick wit and ability to lighten the mood even in tense situations.

Virat Kohli's animated gestures towards his wife Anushka Sharma during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's match against Gujarat Titans on Saturday have become the talk of the town. The former RCB captain's playful actions, such as pretending to carry an aarti ki thali upon his arrival, were met with enthusiasm and appreciation from the audience.This was Anushka's first public appearance since the birth of their son, Akaay. Prior to this, she was seen during her birthday festivities, where she celebrated with Virat and his RCB colleagues in a private gathering.Kohli's lighthearted demeanor and deep connection with Anushka were evident in his gestures. The endearing interaction between the couple rapidly spread across social media platforms.Meanwhile, RCB kept alive their slim playoff hopes in the Indian Premier League with a four-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in a low-scoring thriller. Bengaluru pacers came to the party as Gujarat was put into bat and bowled out for 147 runs in 19.3 overs.Bengaluru skipper Faf du Plessis then led the way with 64 off 23 balls, as the hosts finished with 152-6 in only 13.4 overs. Kohli scored 42 runs in 27 balls and shared an opening partnership of 92 with du Plessis in 5.5 overs.RCB's victory keeps them in contention for a playoff spot, while Gujarat Titans' hopes of securing a top-two finish have taken a hit.

Virat Kohli, the talismanic batter of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), has reclaimed the Orange Cap as the leading run-scorer in IPL 2024. His 42-run knock against Gujarat Titans on Saturday propelled him past Chennai Super Kings' Ruturaj Gaikwad, who had briefly held the coveted cap.Kohli's innings came off just 27 deliveries, showcasing his exceptional strokeplay. He formed a formidable opening partnership with RCB skipper Faf du Plessis, who struck a blistering 62 off 23 balls. The duo put up a 92-run stand, laying the foundation for RCB's eventual four-wicket victory.However, RCB's middle order faltered against the impressive bowling of Joshua Litle, who claimed four wickets. But the damage had already been done by Kohli and du Plessis, and veteran finisher Dinesh Karthik (21* off 12) and Swapil Singh (15* off 9) guided the team home in the 14th over.Kohli's knock not only earned him the Orange Cap but also sparked a moment of camaraderie with Karthik. After receiving the cap from his teammate, Kohli playfully bowed to him, eliciting smiles from both players.RCB's bowlers also played a crucial role in the victory, restricting Gujarat Titans to a below-par 147. Yash Dayal, Vijaykumar Vyshak, and Mohammed Siraj picked up two wickets each.Despite the win, RCB's playoff hopes remain uncertain. They currently sit seventh in the points table, with their qualification chances hanging in the balance. However, Kohli's return to form and the team's overall performance in recent matches provide a glimmer of hope for their fans.