Cricket

Punjab Kings' skipper Shikhar Dhawan, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury, will miss the team's match against Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday. The team hopes to have him back for their next game against Chennai Super Kings on May 1.Dhawan last played against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 9 and has missed three matches since then. Sam Curran has stepped in as captain in his absence.PBKS spin bowling coach Sunil Joshi said Dhawan is recovering and could return for the team's next game in Chennai."He was in form and we really missed his batting services. We saw him batting yesterday, going through the nets and everything," Joshi said on the eve of their match against KKR."He is on the road to recovery. Hopefully, he should be fit for the next game (against CSK)," he said.PBKS have struggled as a batting unit and are ninth on the table with four points from eight matches.Jitesh Sharma's StrugglesWicket-keeper batter Jitesh Sharma has been a disappointment for PBKS in the ongoing IPL. Once considered a contender for India's first-choice wicketkeeper, Sharma has scored just 128 runs from eight innings at an average of 16.00 and a strike rate of 125.49.Joshi attributed Sharma's struggles to the pressure of meeting expectations."Jitesh is a quality batter and we all know that the time has come for him to fire tomorrow. And yes, of course, there are multiple players in the whole IPL," Joshi said."They are all eager to be in the T20 World Cup squad. But at times, most of the players are in that phase that (the thought of) making it to the Indian team will always keep haunting. So, it's about focusing on basic, right things."Joshi said Sharma needs to focus on performing one ball at a time and not worry about the Indian team selection.Pressure on KKRJoshi believes the pressure will be on KKR to perform and win at home."We've come out of home. The pressure should be on the home team now so we can play freely and get runs," he said.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) emerged victorious in their clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Hyderabad, breaking their six-game losing streak and reigniting their playoff hopes.RCB's spinners played a pivotal role in the victory, with part-time offspinner Will Jacks dismissing Travis Head in the opening over. Swapnil Singh and Karn Sharma continued the onslaught, leaving SRH reeling at 85 for 6 after 10 overs.SRH's chase of 207 was further hampered by Cameron Green and Faf du Plessis' quick-fire cameos. Virat Kohli also contributed with a 51, but his innings lacked the usual explosiveness.Earlier, RCB had posted a competitive 206 for 7, thanks to Rajat Patidar's blistering 19-ball half-century. Patidar's innings set the tone for RCB's batting, with Kohli and du Plessis providing valuable support.SRH's bowlers, led by Jaydev Unadkat and T. Natarajan, fought back with some late wickets, but it was not enough to prevent RCB from securing a much-needed victory.The win keeps RCB's playoff hopes alive, while SRH's chances of reaching the knockout stages have taken a significant hit.

Rajat Patidar's Consecutive Sixes Stun Sunrisers HyderabadRoyal Challengers Bangalore's Rajat Patidar unleashed a breathtaking display of power hitting in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday. The left-handed batter smashed four consecutive sixes off the bowling of Mayank Markande, leaving the opposition stunned and igniting a frenzy among spectators.Patidar's onslaught began in the 11th over of the innings. Markande's first delivery was dispatched over long off, followed by another one in the same area. The leg-spinner then tried a googly, but Patidar stayed in his crease and heaved it over deep midwicket for the third six. The fourth and final six sailed over extra cover, leaving Markande and the Sunrisers reeling.Patidar's blistering knock of 19-ball 50, which included two fours and five sixes, was the joint-second fastest fifty for RCB in the IPL. He equaled Robin Uthappa's record, set against Punjab Kings in 2010.Patidar's fearless approach and unwavering focus enabled him to dominate the bowler with remarkable ease. His innings was a testament to his exceptional talent and growing maturity as a batsman.The 29-year-old has been in impressive form for RCB this season, scoring 276 runs in eight matches at an average of 39.43 and a strike rate of 154.95. His ability to play big shots and anchor the innings has been crucial for RCB's success in the tournament.Patidar's consecutive sixes will go down as one of the most memorable moments of the IPL 2023 season. His performance has not only boosted RCB's chances of reaching the playoffs but has also cemented his reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in Indian cricket.

SRH Hold Edge Over RCB in Crucial IPL ClashRoyal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) face an uphill battle to qualify for the IPL playoffs after Delhi Capitals' victory over Gujarat Titans. However, a glimmer of hope remains for RCB, who must win their remaining six matches to secure a spot in the final four.SRH, on the other hand, are comfortably placed in third position with 10 points from seven matches. Their batting prowess has been a key factor in their success, with Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Heinrich Klaasen all contributing heavily.RCB's bowling has been a major concern, with the team conceding at least 180 runs in their last five matches. Despite the efforts of their batters, the lopsided squad balance makes it difficult for RCB to produce all-round performances.In their previous encounter, SRH posted a mammoth 287/3 against RCB, the highest total in IPL history. SRH's aggressive batting approach has seen them breach the 250-run mark thrice this season.RCB's best hope lies in their opening duo of Virat Kohli and Abhishek Sharma. Kohli remains their leading run-scorer with 379 runs, while Sharma has flourished in Head's company.SRH will be looking to continue their batting dominance and potentially breach the 300-run mark for the first time in IPL history. RCB, meanwhile, must find a way to contain SRH's batting firepower and improve their bowling performance if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore, two teams with contrasting strengths and weaknesses, will face off in a crucial IPL encounter in Hyderabad.Sunrisers Hyderabad, currently third in the standings, boast a formidable batting lineup led by Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Heinrich Klaasen. Their bowlers, while not as impressive, have shown signs of improvement, with T Natarajan and Pat Cummins playing key roles.Royal Challengers Bangalore, on the other hand, have struggled with their bowling, but their batters have compensated with some exceptional performances. Despite two consecutive losses, they have shown resilience in chasing large totals. However, they miss the services of Glenn Maxwell, who could make a significant impact if he returns to form.In their previous meeting, Sunrisers Hyderabad set a record total of 287 for 3, with Head and Klaasen leading the charge. RCB responded with a valiant 262 for 7, but fell short by 25 runs.Sunrisers Hyderabad are unlikely to make any changes to their XI, while RCB may consider bringing back Maxwell for Cameron Green. Abhishek Sharma, with his explosive starts, will be a key player for Sunrisers, while Rajat Patidar, who has found form in the last three matches, will be crucial for RCB.The match will be played on a high-scoring pitch, similar to the one used in the first game of the season at this ground. Virat Kohli, who has a strong record at this venue, will be a threat for RCB, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has dismissed Kohli four times in T20s, will be a key bowler for Sunrisers.Both teams will be eager to secure a victory to boost their playoff hopes. Sunrisers Hyderabad will look to continue their aggressive batting approach, while Royal Challengers Bangalore will need to find a way to contain their opponents and improve their bowling performance.

Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden has hailed Nicholas Pooran as the "cleanest hitter in the world" after the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) wicketkeeper-batter's blistering cameo in a stunning chase of 211 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).Pooran's 15-ball 34, alongside Marcus Stoinis' sensational maiden century (124 off 63), powered LSG to the highest run chase at Chepauk. Hayden, who played with MS Dhoni in CSK, praised Pooran's exceptional hitting ability."Nicholas Pooran is the cleanest hitter in the world, I think, in this IPL," Hayden said on Star Sports Cricket Live. "Such a talented free hitter of the ball. Got great options against both pace and spin."Hayden suggested that LSG could utilize Pooran more effectively by moving him up the order to bat alongside Stoinis, similar to his role for the West Indies."There's two schools of thought. There's a school of thought that says, we need someone batting in that 5 and 6 position that can bring a game home. And Nicholas Pooran can do exactly that," Hayden said."But then you look at, you know, someone like Devdutt Padikkal, who hasn't had the tournament that you'd expect him to have. And you've got a world-class player in Nicky P who can come up the order with the Stoinis and in combination at 4 and can bat longer."Hayden believes that Pooran's experience and international pedigree could be invaluable for LSG as the tournament progresses."There's still, I think, room as the tournament gets a little tighter and scoreboard pressure becomes an option. You want an experienced international player there to take it forward for the team," he concluded.

Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans: Fantasy XI Predictions and Match AnalysisDelhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans, two formidable teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), are set to face off in a crucial encounter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Both teams have played eight matches so far, with Delhi Capitals currently ranked eighth and Gujarat Titans sixth on the points table.Pitch Conditions:The pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium is known for its balance, with an average first innings score of 157 runs in the last 20 matches. The team batting first has won only 26% of matches at this venue, suggesting that the toss-winning captain may opt to bowl first.Pace vs Spin:The pitch is suitable for both pacers and spinners, providing opportunities for both types of bowlers to make an impact.Weather Forecast:The weather forecast predicts a temperature of around 37.15 degrees Celsius, humidity of 9%, and winds of 3.24 m/s. These conditions are expected to favor both batters and bowlers.Head-to-Head Record:In the four previous encounters between these two teams, bowlers have consistently earned the most fantasy points. In their most recent meeting, Rishabh Pant was named Man of the Match, while Mukesh Kumar and Rashid Khan topped the fantasy points leaderboard for Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans, respectively.Fantasy XI Predictions:Top Captain and Vice-Captain Picks:* Sai Sudharsan: A consistent top-order batter with an average of 40 match fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Axar Patel: An all-rounder who provides both batting and bowling fantasy points, with an average of 33 match fantasy points in the last 10 games.Other Key Players:* Tristan Stubbs: A wicket-keeper batter with an average of 51 match fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Mohit Sharma: A right-arm medium pacer with a good record against Gujarat Titans.* Sai Kishore: A slow left-arm orthodox bowler who has been successful at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.* Shahrukh Khan: An all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball.* Jake Fraser-McGurk: A top-order batter who can be a differential pick.* Khaleel Ahmed: A left-arm medium pacer with a good record against Gujarat Titans.* Azmatullah Omarzai: A top-order batter who can also bowl right-arm medium fast.Fantasy XI Team:* Wicket-Keeper: Wriddhiman Saha* Batters: Sai Sudharsan, Vijay Shankar* All-Rounders: Shahrukh Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Axar Patel, Rahul Tewatia* Bowlers: Mohit Sharma, Sai Kishore, Rashid Khan, Spencer Johnson* Captain: Sai Kishore* Vice-Captain: Axar PatelConclusion:The match between Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams looking to secure a crucial victory. The fantasy XI predictions provided above can help you build a strong team and maximize your chances of success in fantasy cricket contests.

As the Delhi Capitals (DC) team bus approached the Arun Jaitley Stadium for their scheduled practice session, a downpour forced a delay. The respite provided cooler conditions for the Rishabh Pant-led side, allowing Pant and head coach Ricky Ponting to engage in intense discussions with their fast bowlers: Khaleel Ahmed, Anrich Nortje, Mukesh Kumar, and Ishant Sharma.These talks stemmed from the alarming number of runs conceded by DC's bowlers in recent matches. Against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), they surrendered 272 runs, while Mumbai Indians (MI) amassed 234. In their latest encounter with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Delhi's bowlers were punished for 266 runs in 20 overs.The next challenge for DC's bowlers is the Gujarat Titans (GT), who will be playing on a pitch that has witnessed high-scoring matches in the past. GT captain Shubman Gill, coach Ashish Nehra, and Pant were seen examining the wicket, anticipating another run-fest.Amidst the batting-friendly conditions, Pant himself will be eager to capitalize. He is currently DC's leading scorer with 254 runs in eight innings, striking at an impressive 150.29. His fitness and wicketkeeping skills have also improved significantly.Pant's performances are crucial as he aims to secure a spot in India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. "His batting is getting better," said Ponting. "He is too good a player and can have too much of an impact on the game for India."However, Pant faces competition from Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, Jitesh Sharma, and Dinesh Karthik for the wicketkeeper-batter role. To strengthen his case, Pant needs to maintain his consistency and increase his tempo.The previous encounter between DC and GT in Ahmedabad resulted in a lopsided victory for Delhi, who bowled out Gujarat for a mere 89 runs and chased down the target in 8.5 overs. The Capitals will be hoping for a similar outcome in their upcoming match.

Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans Clash in Crucial Mid-Table BattleDelhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans, both hovering in the middle of the IPL standings, face off in a pivotal match that could shape their playoff aspirations.Capitals' Inconsistent FormThe Capitals have displayed both brilliance and inconsistency this season. While they boast some of the league's best powerplay bowling performances, they also have the second-highest economy rate in the first six overs. Their recent loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, despite dismissing Gujarat Titans for a record low last week, highlights their vulnerability.Titans' Spin ProwessThe Titans possess a formidable spin attack led by Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and R Sai Kishore. These spinners will pose a significant challenge to the Capitals' batting lineup, which has struggled against slow bowling this season.Capitals' Spin ResponseThe Capitals, however, have their own spin weapons in Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. Patel's economical spell in the high-scoring match against Sunrisers and Yadav's four-wicket haul against Gujarat Titans demonstrate their ability to counter spin.Venue FactorThe match will be played at the Kotla, a ground traditionally known for its short square boundaries and high-scoring matches. This will favor the batters, but the spinners on both sides will need to adapt to the conditions.Team News and Impact PlayersDelhi Capitals will miss Mitchell Marsh due to injury, while Ishant Kumar is doubtful. Prithvi Shaw could be brought in as an impact player, while Jharkhand's Kumar Kushagra is a potential option for extra batting depth.Gujarat Titans may swap Sai Sudharsan and Mohit Sharma as their Impact Player depending on the match situation. Mohit has an impressive economy rate in the death overs.Players in FocusDavid Warner's recent low scores have raised questions about his form, while Jake Fraser-McGurk's powerplay hitting has impressed. Shubman Gill, who had a stellar IPL 2023, has struggled this season, and his performance could be crucial for the Titans' playoff hopes.