Cricket

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has extended Mustafizur Rahman's No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by one day, allowing him to participate in the team's match against Punjab Kings on May 1.Mustafizur's extended NOC means he will be available for CSK's back-to-back matches against Lucknow Super Giants on April 19 and 23, Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 28, and Punjab Kings on May 1. After these matches, he will return to Bangladesh for the home T20I series against Zimbabwe from May 3 to 12, followed by the T20I series against USA in Texas from May 21."We had given Mustafizur a leave to play in the IPL till April 30, but since Chennai has a match on May 1, we have extended his leave by a day upon receiving a request from Chennai and the BCCI," said Shahriar Nafees, BCB's deputy manager of cricket operations.Mustafizur has been in impressive form for CSK, taking ten wickets at an average of 18.30 in five matches, including his maiden four-wicket haul in the competition. This is his best performance in the IPL since the 2021 season when he played for the Rajasthan Royals.The wickets have come at a crucial time for the left-arm quick, who had lost his place in the Bangladesh ODI side after taking just two wickets in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. However, Mustafizur remains Bangladesh's most successful bowler in T20Is and has a confirmed place in the T20 World Cup squad.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul has acknowledged the need for introspection after his team's second consecutive defeat in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite a promising start to the season, LSG has now slipped to fifth place on the points table."We're not panicking, but we can't afford to be complacent," Rahul said after the eight-wicket loss to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). "We need to identify our mistakes and have some tough conversations."LSG's batting has been a concern, with the team failing to cross 160 in their last two matches. "We need to figure out how to get to the 180-200 run mark," Rahul emphasized.Against KKR, LSG lost wickets in clusters, leaving them with a below-par total. "We kept losing wickets in bunches, and we left about 30 runs out there," Rahul lamented. "If we had kept wickets in hand, we could have gotten a lot more runs."KKR captain Shreyas Iyer praised his bowlers for their performance. "We bowled well under pressure," Iyer said. "We wanted to minimize the half-volleys and force the batters to use their power."The unbeaten 120-run partnership between Iyer and Phil Salt proved decisive for KKR. Salt credited Iyer for his support and praised the Eden Gardens wicket for its similarity to home conditions in England."Shreyas was good in the middle and kept me on task," Salt said. "The ball bounces a bit more here, and you can aim squarer."LSG will need to address their batting woes and find a way to post more competitive totals if they want to regain their winning ways. KKR, on the other hand, will look to build on their momentum and maintain their position near the top of the table.

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has faced relentless booing from fans at the Wankhede Stadium, raising concerns about its impact on his performance. The hostile reception began during Mumbai's first match and has continued throughout the tournament.Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen expressed his worry, stating that the negative atmosphere is affecting Pandya's game. "He's trying to act like he is so happy. He is not happy. I have been there. I have been in the firing line. And I can tell you now, it affects you," Pietersen said.Pandya's struggles were evident in Sunday's match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He conceded 43 runs in his three overs and scored only 2 runs off 6 balls with the bat. CSK ultimately defeated Mumbai by 20 runs.Pietersen believes that the booing is hurting Pandya's emotions and affecting his cricket. "He has emotions. And he is an Indian player and he doesn't want to be treated like this. So when this is happening, it's affecting him, it's affecting his cricket and something needs to happen," he said.Pandya's poor form has been a major concern for Mumbai Indians, who have lost four of their first six matches. The team's batting has been inconsistent, and Pandya's failure to contribute with both bat and ball has exacerbated their problems.The booing of Pandya has also raised questions about the behavior of fans. While it is understandable for fans to express their disappointment, the relentless and personal nature of the booing has been criticized by some.It remains to be seen how Pandya and Mumbai Indians will respond to the ongoing criticism. The team will need to find a way to improve their performances and silence the booing if they want to turn their season around.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pulled off a stunning 20-run victory over Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium, defying expectations and successfully defending a modest total of 206.CSK's innings was propelled by a late surge from Shivam Dube, who smashed an unbeaten 64 off 38 deliveries. MS Dhoni then provided a final flourish with a 20-run cameo off the last four balls. However, it was the team's disciplined bowling that ultimately sealed the victory.Mumbai's chase began promisingly, with Rohit Sharma anchoring the innings with a century. However, Matheesha Pathirana's introduction turned the tide. The Sri Lankan pacer claimed two wickets in his first over, including the crucial dismissal of Ishan Kishan.As the required run rate climbed, Mumbai's batters struggled to keep up. Pathirana continued to impress, executing his plans to perfection and restricting the opposition to the larger boundaries. Despite Sharma's late flurry, Mumbai fell short by 20 runs.CSK's victory was a testament to their resilience and adaptability. Despite facing a formidable opponent on their home ground, they managed to control the game through disciplined bowling and smart fielding.

Cheteshwar Pujara, the renowned Indian Test batsman, has sparked speculation about a potential return to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise ahead of their highly anticipated clash against the Mumbai Indians. Despite being a member of the CSK squad in 2021 but not featuring in any games, Pujara's cryptic social media post has ignited excitement among fans.Pujara's post on Twitter read, "#SupperKings looking forward to join you guys this season!" This message has sent the internet into a frenzy, with fans eagerly anticipating the possibility of the Test stalwart donning the Yellow jersey once again.Pujara's IPL journey began in 2010 with the Kolkata Knight Riders. He then represented the Royal Challengers Bangalore from 2011 to 2013, followed by a stint with the Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab) in 2014. In 2021, he joined CSK for one season.During his IPL career, Pujara has featured in 30 matches, scoring 390 runs with one half-century to his name. While he is primarily known for his exceptional batting skills in Test cricket, Pujara has also demonstrated his ability to adapt to the shorter format of the game.If Pujara does indeed return to CSK, he will add valuable experience and stability to the team's batting lineup. His presence will bolster the middle order and provide a calming influence in pressure situations.The prospect of Pujara playing alongside CSK's star-studded roster, including MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, has fans eagerly awaiting the upcoming clash against the Mumbai Indians. The match promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with both teams looking to secure a crucial victory in the ongoing IPL season.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir has defended Mitchell Starc's underwhelming performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), emphasizing the team's success over individual brilliance. Despite being acquired for a hefty ₹24.75 crore, the Australian left-arm pacer has managed only two wickets at an average of 77 and an economy rate of 11 runs per over in four matches.Gambhir, however, remains unfazed by Starc's struggles, stating, "It doesn't matter, T20 cricket is all about bowlers getting smashed. We've got three wins out of four." He believes that Starc's impact will be felt in the tournament's later stages."Four games doesn't make him a bad bowler. And four good games doesn't make him a brilliant bowler either. So I know that what impact he can create and what impact he will create in the competition," Gambhir said.Gambhir's comments come ahead of KKR's match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), a team he mentored for the past two seasons. Despite KKR's inability to defeat LSG in three previous encounters, Gambhir insists that it's a new start."It's a new day, new start. What difference does it make that what has happened in the last two years? It really makes no difference. We start from scratch," he said.Gambhir also addressed criticism of KKR head coach Chandrakant Pandit's "militant style" of functioning. "My working relationship with him has been really, really good and hopefully it continues that way," he said.

The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai holds a special place in Indian cricket history, etched into the annals of time by MS Dhoni's iconic six that sealed India's victory in the 2011 ODI World Cup final. Fourteen years later, on April 14, 2023, Dhoni, now 42, could be gracing the hallowed turf for the last time as a player in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are set to face five-time champions Mumbai Indians in Mumbai on Sunday, and the spotlight will undoubtedly be on Dhoni. Having relinquished the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad at the start of the season, Dhoni's decision has hinted at a possible farewell to the cash-rich league.Despite his age, Dhoni remains an ageless wonder, showcasing his exceptional glovework and blistering batting skills. In his first outing this season against Delhi Capitals, he hammered 37 runs off just 16 deliveries, including three sixes and four fours. He also became the first wicketkeeper to claim 300 dismissals in T20 history during the same match.The Wankhede Stadium holds a special significance for Dhoni, as it was where he led India to World Cup glory in 2011. The Mumbai Cricket Association has even given special status to the two seats where Dhoni's winning six landed.With the playoffs this season being held in Ahmedabad and Chennai, Sunday's match could be Dhoni's last appearance at the Wankhede Stadium. The possibility of witnessing the legendary cricketer play on this hallowed ground for the final time has added an emotional dimension to the game.

Riyan Parag's remarkable resurgence in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) has turned heads and silenced critics. The Rajasthan Royals' young batter has emerged as a sensational player, showcasing consistent performances that have propelled him to the forefront of the tournament.Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has expressed admiration for Parag's transformation, suggesting that he could be on the radar for the upcoming T20 World Cup squad. "Riyan Parag is emerging to be a sensational player in this IPL. It's pretty refreshing to see a young player performing like this," remarked Jaffer.Parag's journey has been marked by hard work and dedication. He has worked tirelessly to improve his fitness and composure, and the results are evident in his performances. "The hard work is showing. He is fitter, and he looks composed. His shot selection is good; he has faced significant trolling over the past few years," Jaffer said.Parag's resurgence has been evident throughout the IPL season. He started with a blistering 43 against Lucknow Super Giants, followed by unbeaten half-centuries against Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians. His latest knock of 76 against Gujarat Titans showcased his growing prowess and determination.Despite a recent defeat, Rajasthan Royals remain strong contenders, with Parag's resurgence adding firepower to their lineup. His consistent performances have not only silenced critics but also raised hopes of a potential T20 World Cup call-up.Parag's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and hard work. He has overcome criticism and adversity to emerge as a key player for his team. His performances in the IPL have not only earned him praise but also put him in contention for a place in the Indian national team.

Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Rishabh Pant narrowly escaped a one-match ban in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season after his team avoided a third over-rate infringement during their victory over the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Friday.Pant had previously been fined twice for slow over rates, and a third offense would have resulted in an automatic suspension. However, DC managed to make up for lost time in the final overs of their match against LSG, ensuring that Pant remained eligible to play.According to IPL regulations, teams that fall behind the over rate are penalized and restricted to fielding only four players outside the inner circle instead of the usual five. For the first offense, the captain is fined Rs 12 lakh, while the second offense doubles the fine to Rs 24 lakh and imposes a Rs 6 lakh or 25% match fee penalty on each player in the playing XI. A third offense incurs a Rs 30 lakh fine and a one-match ban for the captain.Pant's impressive performance in DC's victory over LSG, in which he scored a quickfire 41, helped his team secure their second win of the campaign. Jake Fraser-McGurk also made a significant contribution on his debut, smashing 55 off 35 balls.With this victory, DC moved up to ninth place in the 10-team standings, while Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) dropped to the bottom. Pant and his team will next face the Gujarat Titans in an away match.