Cricket

Hardik Pandya's maiden outing as Mumbai Indians captain proved to be a baptism of fire, as he faced a barrage of criticism from fans, commentators, and experts alike. The decision to replace Rohit Sharma with Pandya as skipper drew widespread disapproval, with fans expressing their dismay at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.Pandya's tactical decisions during MI's opening match against Gujarat Titans came under intense scrutiny. His choice to bowl the first over himself instead of Jasprit Bumrah raised eyebrows, with former England player Kevin Pietersen expressing disbelief at the crowd's reaction. "I have never seen any Indian player getting booed like they are booing Hardik Pandya here in Ahmedabad. This is a rare happening," Pietersen said.Pandya's decision to send Tim David ahead of him also drew criticism, with Irfan Pathan suggesting that the new MI skipper may have been trying to avoid facing Rashid Khan. Former India head coach Anil Kumble took a dig at Pandya for not revealing the names of the players when asked about the team combination at the toss.The criticism extended beyond the match itself, with fans taking to social media to express their disapproval. Videos of fans booing Pandya circulated widely, reflecting the sentiment of those who were unwilling to accept him as the Mumbai Indians skipper.Pandya's performance on the field did little to quell the criticism. He scored just 12 runs and conceded 30 runs in his two overs, failing to make a significant impact on the game. MI ultimately lost the match by 5 wickets, adding to the disappointment of the fans.The backlash against Pandya highlights the high expectations that come with captaining one of the most successful teams in the IPL. Rohit Sharma's legacy as a leader looms large, and Pandya will need to prove himself worthy of the role if he wants to win over the hearts of the Mumbai Indians faithful.

When the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) take on the Gujarat Titans (GT) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Tuesday, it will be a battle of wits between two new captains, Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad.Both openers, renowned for their elegant shot-making, will face off in a tactical battle as CSK and GT aim to build on their recent victories. Gaikwad took over as captain after the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni stepped down on the eve of CSK's opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while Gill had more time to prepare for his new role after Hardik Pandya left the Titans in November 2022.Gill, 24, is the IPL's youngest captain, but he showcased his leadership abilities against Mumbai Indians (MI). His position is aided by the presence of head coach Ashish Nehra, a tactically astute mind, the experienced David Miller, and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson.Gaikwad, on the other hand, impressed on his captaincy debut under the mentorship of Dhoni as CSK cruised to a six-wicket victory over RCB. However, the bowling unit, particularly pacer Tushar Deshpande, will be looking to improve their performance. Despite Mustafizur Rahman's four-wicket haul, the CSK bowlers allowed Anuj Rawat and Dinesh Karthik to put together a 95-run stand, enabling RCB to post a respectable score.Deshpande was guilty of leaking runs and will be wary of another subpar performance with veteran Shardul Thakur, who is also a capable batsman, and the uncapped Mukesh Choudhary vying for a spot in the playing XI. Sri Lankan bowler Matheesha Pathirana has also been declared fit to play after recovering from a hamstring injury. Rachin Ravindra, who has bowled well in the nets recently, may also be employed as a spin option.CSK is unlikely to make any changes to their batting lineup. Ravindra, who impressed with a 15-ball 37 on his IPL debut against RCB, will aim to maintain his form. Young Sameer Rizvi, who made his debut in the last game, did not get a chance to bat and will be eager to showcase his abilities. Dhoni did not bat against Bengaluru, and his legion of fans will be hoping to witness some fireworks from him.The Titans, on the other hand, will be hoping for a stronger batting effort after a disappointing performance at home against MI. The GT batters failed to convert their starts, and the former champions will rely on Gill and veteran wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha to provide them with a solid start. The middle-order batters, including Azmatullah Omarzai, David Miller, and Rahul Tewatia, will also need to step up.Meanwhile, GT's Chennai-born cricketer Sai Sudarshan, who has been in excellent form with the bat recently, could attract some attention from the fans. In the absence of star pacer Mohammad Shami, the Titans bowlers combined to secure a six-run victory over Mumbai. Spinners Rashid Khan and Sai Kishore will be crucial for them on the slow Chepauk track.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) kicked off their Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign with a hard-fought 20-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Jaipur. Led by Sanju Samson's unbeaten 82 off 52 balls, RR posted an imposing 193 for 4.LSG's chase got off to a disastrous start as Trent Boult and Nandre Burger reduced them to 11 for 3 within the first four overs. However, KL Rahul (58) and Nicholas Pooran (64*) put up a valiant fight with an 85-run partnership.Sandeep Sharma's crucial spell of death bowling, which included limiting Pooran to just two boundaries in the penultimate over, proved decisive. Avesh Khan then closed out the contest with ease, leaving LSG with too much to do.Samson's innings was the cornerstone of RR's total. He shared a 93-run stand with Riyan Parag (43), who also played a key role in the team's recovery from a slow start.LSG's spinners, particularly Krunal Pandya, found some purchase on the dry surface. However, Samson and Parag stepped up their intensity after the strategic time-out, hitting three sixes in a 21-run over.Boult's early wickets set the tone for LSG's batting collapse. He dismissed Quinton de Kock and Devdutt Padikkal in quick succession, while Burger accounted for Ayush Badoni.Despite Rahul and Pooran's efforts, LSG ultimately fell short of the target, handing RR a valuable victory in their opening match.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Face Punjab Kings in High-Scoring Chinnaswamy ClashRoyal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will host Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday, April 10, in a highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter.After a disappointing loss to Chennai Super Kings in their opening match, RCB will be eager to bounce back on their home turf. However, they face a formidable challenge in PBKS, who boast a powerful batting lineup and are brimming with confidence after their victory over Delhi Capitals.The Chinnaswamy Stadium is renowned for its flat pitches and high-scoring games, which suits PBKS's aggressive batting style. Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, and Liam Livingstone are all capable of explosive innings, while Sam Curran provides all-round balance.RCB's batting, on the other hand, struggled against CSK's left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman. PBKS also possess a left-arm seamer in Arshdeep Singh, who has developed an effective legcutter. However, the ball is unlikely to grip at the Chinnaswamy, especially under lights.Anuj Rawat's impressive performance against CSK provides a glimmer of hope for RCB. His ability to accelerate the scoring rate in the death overs could be crucial for the team's success.RCB may consider bringing in Reece Topley for Alzarri Joseph, while PBKS is expected to field an unchanged lineup.Impact Player Strategy:RCB will likely start with Dinesh Karthik if they bat first, with Yash Dayal coming in as Impact Player in the second innings. If they bowl first, Dayal will feature in the playing XI, with Karthik replacing him during the chase.PBKS will slot in Prabhsimran Singh if they bat first, with Arshdeep Singh replacing him in the second innings. Vice versa, if they bowl first.Key Stats:* Kagiso Rabada has a strong record against RCB batters, particularly Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, and Glenn Maxwell.* Harpreet Brar has been PBKS's most economical bowler in the middle overs, with a favorable matchup against Maxwell.* Jonny Bairstow has a high strike rate against Mohammed Siraj, Karn Sharma, and Maxwell.* Kohli has enjoyed success against Arshdeep and Harshal Patel, but Rahul Chahar has been able to contain him.* Karthik has a strong record against Sam Curran.Pitch and Conditions:The Chinnaswamy Stadium has the highest scoring rate of any IPL venue, with teams averaging 9.42 runs per over since 2018. The temperature on Monday is expected to be around 28C, with no dew anticipated.

Hardik Pandya's return to Ahmedabad as Mumbai Indians face Gujarat Titans, the franchise he led for two seasons, has set the stage for an intriguing encounter. After Pandya's departure for Mumbai, Gujarat promoted Shubman Gill as their skipper. On Sunday, Gill and Pandya will reunite as MI travel to Ahmedabad for their opening game of the season against GT.Gill acknowledged the dynamic shift in IPL dynamics and expressed excitement about facing Pandya at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Before the match, Gill shared his admiration for some of India's finest captains. While he hasn't played under MS Dhoni's captaincy, he has been inspired by the wicket-keeper batter's leadership. "I haven't played under Mahi Bhai (MS Dhoni) as such, but watching him as a kid go about things on the field, he is my inspiration," Gill said.Gill also looked up to Virat Kohli but has played most of his Team India career under Rohit Sharma. "I have played under Virat (Kohli) Bhai as well, but I have played most of my cricket under Rohit (Sharma) Bhai and there are a lot of qualities I will be picking personally from him," the 24-year-old added.Gill expressed confidence in Gujarat's home advantage against Mumbai Indians. "It is amazing to play against Mumbai Indians, who have won the title five times. But playing them in Ahmedabad, we haven't lost a match here against MI, so hopefully we are going to continue the streak," he explained.Regarding Pandya, under whom Gill has played both in the Indian team and Gujarat Titans, Gill anticipates an exciting challenge. "It is going to be exciting. Hardik (Pandya) bhai is someone, who I have played under in the Indian team as well as at GT. So it is going to be an exciting and fantastic dynamic," Gill asserted.Gill expressed his hope for a packed stadium and a thrilling atmosphere. "Hopefully it is going be a hundred and ten thousand people cheering for us and there is nothing better than that," he said.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 is set to culminate in a grand finale at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on May 26, according to sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The decision aligns with the tradition of hosting the opening and final matches at the home ground of the defending champions, which in this case is the Chennai Super Kings.The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will play host to one Qualifier and one Eliminator, while the other Qualifier will be held in Chennai. The BCCI has meticulously planned the schedule to avoid any clashes with the upcoming general elections.The knockout games in Chennai will be a special treat for fans of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is expected to play his final IPL season. The legendary wicketkeeper-batsman has a massive following in the city, and his presence on the field is sure to electrify the atmosphere.The BCCI has also finalized the schedule for the remainder of the IPL, taking into account the general election dates. The tournament will resume on March 31 with a match between the Chennai Super Kings and the Gujarat Titans in Chennai. The league stage will conclude on May 21, followed by the playoffs and the grand finale on May 26.The IPL is one of the most popular cricket tournaments in the world, attracting millions of viewers and generating significant revenue. The 2023 edition promises to be even more exciting with the return of some of the biggest names in the sport, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and David Warner.

Ahead of the highly anticipated clash between the Gujarat Titans (GT) and Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), MI's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has showcased his exceptional skills in the nets.Bumrah, who missed last year's tournament due to injury, is eager to make a strong comeback this season. In a video shared by MI on social media, Bumrah can be seen delivering a barrage of fiery yorkers and bouncers, leaving MI batters struggling to respond.The upcoming fixture has garnered significant attention due to the high-profile transfer of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya to his former franchise, MI. Pandya's return to MI has raised expectations among fans, who are eager to see him perform against his former team.Adding to the intrigue, Shubman Gill's appointment as the captain of GT has further intensified the excitement surrounding the match. Gill, known for his batting prowess and leadership abilities, will be under the spotlight as he leads his team into this crucial encounter.For MI, the return of Bumrah adds another layer of excitement to the fixture. With 148 wickets in 123 matches, Bumrah is on the verge of reaching a significant milestone of 150 IPL wickets, a feat he will be aiming to accomplish in this season.The clash between GT and MI promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with fans eagerly awaiting the battle between these two powerhouse teams. The match will take place at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, and anticipation is running high as both teams prepare to face off in what is expected to be a memorable encounter.

In a thrilling Indian Premier League (IPL) opener, Punjab Kings emerged victorious over Delhi Capitals by four wickets, thanks to a counterattacking half-century from English all-rounder Sam Curran.Chasing a target of 175, Punjab Kings got off to a solid start with Shikhar Dhawan and Prabhsimran Singh contributing valuable runs. However, the dismissal of Dhawan and Jonny Bairstow put Punjab under pressure. Curran then stepped up with a blistering 47-ball 63, ably supported by Liam Livingstone's unbeaten 38 off 21 balls.Earlier, Delhi Capitals had struggled to post a formidable total, with Abhishek Porel's unbeaten 32 off 10 balls proving to be the highest individual score. David Warner and Mitchell Marsh had provided a strong start, but their dismissals and the loss of wickets at regular intervals prevented Delhi from building a substantial partnership.Punjab Kings' bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh and Kagiso Rabada, kept the Delhi batsmen in check, with Harshal Patel claiming the crucial wicket of Warner.Rishabh Pant, making his comeback after a horrific car accident, received a warm welcome from the crowd but failed to make a significant impact, scoring only 18 runs.Punjab Kings' victory was a testament to their resilience and the brilliance of Curran, who played a match-winning knock under pressure.

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) debutant Rachin Ravindra made an immediate impact in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a stunning catch to dismiss Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Faf du Plessis, triggering a mini-collapse that halted RCB's early momentum.RCB had started strongly, reaching 41 for no loss in 4.2 overs, but Ravindra's athleticism changed the course of the match. Du Plessis, who had looked dangerous with 35 off 23 balls, attempted to hit another boundary off Mustafizur Rahman but found Ravindra running in from deep covers. The New Zealand allrounder lunged forward and took a spectacular catch, sending Du Plessis back to the pavilion.Mustafizur then struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Rajat Patidar for a duck and Glenn Maxwell for zero. Deepak Chahar added to RCB's woes by removing Virat Kohli for 21, caught by Ravindra. Cameron Green became Mustafizur's fourth victim, leaving RCB reeling at 78 for 5 in 11.4 overs.Kohli's dismissal marked a significant milestone in his career, as he reached 12,000 runs in T20 cricket. However, his innings was cut short by Mustafizur's brilliance.Ravindra's catch and Mustafizur's bowling prowess proved to be the turning point in the match, as RCB struggled to recover from the early setbacks. CSK's fielding and bowling efforts ultimately helped them secure a crucial victory over their rivals.