Cricket

Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) talismanic batter Virat Kohli has expressed his pride in securing the Orange Cap for the highest run-scorer in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season. Despite RCB's elimination in the Eliminator, Kohli's exceptional performance in the latter half of the tournament has earned him the prestigious award.RCB faced an uphill battle to qualify for the playoffs, needing to win all their remaining six group-stage matches and rely on favorable results from other teams. Led by Kohli's batting brilliance, the Challengers achieved this remarkable feat, eliminating Chennai Super Kings from title contention and securing their place in the playoffs.Kohli's outstanding performance earned him the Orange Cap, having amassed 741 runs in 15 matches at an impressive average of 61.75. His tally included a century and five half-centuries, with his highest score being an unbeaten 113. Kohli also maintained a strike rate of 154.69, the highest in his IPL career."Extremely honored to win the orange cap this season. It was a rollercoaster of a ride. I was really pleased with the way I performed for the team, especially in the latter half, where we needed to win every game to qualify. Thank you everyone for your support," Kohli remarked during the post-match presentation.While Kohli claimed the Orange Cap, his former teammate and Punjab Kings pacer Harshal Patel secured his second Purple Cap for the highest wicket-taker. Patel finished the tournament with 24 wickets in 14 matches, maintaining an economy rate of 9.73 and an average of 19.87.This achievement marked Patel's second Purple Cap, following his impressive 32-wicket haul in the 2021 season while representing Royal Challengers Bangalore. Patel became only the third pacer, alongside Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Dwayne Bravo, to win the Purple Cap twice in IPL history."Deeply honored to be presented with the purple cap. It's been a rewarding journey. I want to thank my teammates, coaches, and my family. I look forward to the 2025 season," Patel stated.In the final match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Chepauk, Kolkata Knight Riders' mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy had the chance to overtake Patel in the leading wicket-takers list, requiring a five-wicket haul. However, he managed to dismiss only Shahbaz Ahmed as the Riders went on to clinch their third IPL title.

Kolkata Knight Riders Celebrate IPL Triumph with Shreyas Iyer and FansThe Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) celebrated their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title in style, with skipper Shreyas Iyer leading the revelry. After a dominant eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final, the party continued well into the night.In a video shared by KKR on social media, Iyer was seen dancing with the coveted trophy alongside fans. The team's official caption aptly described the moment: "Shreyas Bhai with the trophy is a vibe!"Iyer, who guided KKR to their first IPL title since 2014, expressed his pride in the team's performance. "We played like invincibles throughout the season," he said. "There's so much to cherish right now."The Knight Riders dominated SRH in the final, showcasing their exceptional bowling and strategic execution. SRH captain Pat Cummins acknowledged KKR's superiority, saying, "They bowled fantastically. We were outplayed."Iyer's special moments with the trophy and fans epitomized the joy and camaraderie of a team that truly played like invincibles. The victory was a testament to the team's unity and resilience throughout the tournament.As KKR celebrates their third IPL triumph, Iyer's leadership and the team's unwavering spirit will be remembered as key factors in their success. The party may have ended, but the memories of this unforgettable season will live on for years to come.

KKR Secures Direct Final Berth with Qualifier 1 Victory over SRHKolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have stormed into the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 final with a commanding victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Qualifier 1. The triumph marks a remarkable achievement for KKR, who topped the league stage with an impressive record of nine wins, three losses, and two no results.KKR's dominance throughout the tournament was evident in their clinical performance against SRH. Batting first, they posted a formidable total of 187/6, thanks to a blistering half-century from Andre Russell (54 off 22 balls). The SRH bowlers struggled to contain Russell's onslaught, as he smashed four sixes and three fours in his whirlwind knock.In response, SRH's chase faltered from the outset. They lost wickets at regular intervals and were never able to build any momentum. Aiden Markram (32) and Nicholas Pooran (34) offered some resistance, but KKR's bowlers maintained a tight grip on the game.Sunil Narine was the pick of the KKR bowlers, claiming three wickets for just 22 runs in his four overs. Umesh Yadav and Andre Russell also chipped in with two wickets each, as SRH were restricted to 123/8 in their allotted 20 overs.KKR's victory was a testament to their all-round strength. Their batting lineup has been firing on all cylinders throughout the tournament, with Russell, Nitish Rana, and Shreyas Iyer leading the charge. Their bowling attack has also been impressive, with Narine, Yadav, and Russell forming a formidable trio.With their direct entry into the final, KKR will have a chance to lift their third IPL title. They will face the winner of Qualifier 2 between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Sunrisers Hyderabad's remarkable turnaround under Pat Cummins culminated in a thrilling 36-run victory over Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. The triumph propelled SRH to the final, a stark contrast to their dismal performance in the previous season.Cummins, acquired for a staggering Rs 20.50 crore, orchestrated a sensational revival for the franchise. He attributed the team's success to the positive atmosphere within the squad and their unwavering determination to reach the final.SRH's batting lineup, led by Heinrich Klaasen's brisk 50, posted a competitive total of 175 for nine. Travis Head and Rahul Tripathi also made valuable contributions.The spin contingent then took center stage, with Shahbaz Ahmed claiming three wickets and Abhishek Sharma chipping in with two. Their efforts restricted RR to a modest 139 for 7, with Cummins and T Natarajan also securing wickets.Cummins praised the bowling performance, particularly Abhishek's surprise inclusion. He acknowledged that the team's strength lay in their batting but emphasized the experience of their bowlers, including Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Natarajan, and Unadkat.Rajasthan captain Sanju Samson expressed disappointment that his batters struggled against the spinners. He admitted that the team lacked options in the middle overs and that the wicket behaved differently in the second innings, favoring the spinners.Samson also highlighted the need for his batters to adapt their approach against left-arm spin, suggesting they could have employed more reverse-sweeps or used the crease more effectively.Despite the defeat, Samson praised the young players in his side, including Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel, who have shown great potential for both RR and the Indian cricket team.

Riyan Parag, the young batting sensation from the Rajasthan Royals (RR), has etched his name in the record books of the Indian Premier League (IPL) by becoming the third-highest run-scorer among uncapped players in a single season. With his crucial 36-run knock in the Eliminator against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Parag has amassed a total of 567 runs in the ongoing IPL 2023.Parag's impressive performance has been marked by a strike rate of 151.60 and an average of 56.70. He has notched up four half-centuries, with his highest score being an unbeaten 84. His consistent run-scoring has propelled him to the third spot on the list of uncapped players with the most runs in an IPL season.The record for the most runs by an uncapped batsman in an IPL season is held by Yashasvi Jaiswal, also from RR. In the 2023 season, Jaiswal amassed a staggering 625 runs in 14 games, setting a new benchmark for uncapped players. His tally included a century and five fifties, with a career-best score of 124.Australian batsman Shaun Marsh, who was uncapped in 2008, ranks second on the list with 616 runs scored in 11 matches. Marsh's impressive performance included five half-centuries and a century, with his highest score being 115.Parag's remarkable run-scoring has not only established him as a rising star in the IPL but has also placed him among the top run-getters for RR in a single season. In 2022, Jos Buttler set a record for the most runs scored by a right-handed RR batsman in a single season with 863 runs. Jaiswal's 625 runs in the 2023 season currently hold the second position.Parag also holds the record for the most runs scored by a batter batting fourth or lower in an IPL season. The previous record was held by Rishabh Pant of the Delhi Capitals (DC), who amassed 579 runs while batting in the middle order during the 2018 season.The Rajasthan Royals will now face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Qualifier 2 on Friday in Chennai. The winner of this match will advance to the final on Sunday, where they will face the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Rajasthan Royals emerged victorious in a thrilling Eliminator match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, securing a spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) Qualifier 2. After restricting RCB to 172/8, RR's batters faced a mid-innings slump, allowing RCB to regain momentum. However, the 2008 champions rallied to secure a four-wicket win with an over to spare.Chasing 173, RR's innings was anchored by Riyan Parag (36 off 26), who showcased resilience in a challenging situation. Shimron Hetmyer (26 off 14) also played a crucial role, while Rovman Powell (16 not out) provided the finishing touches in a tense finish.Earlier, Yashasvi Jaiswal (45 off 30) provided RR with a solid start, hitting four fours in the third over. However, Lockie Ferguson dismissed Tom Kohler-Cadmore (20) to give RCB their first breakthrough. Jaiswal's innings was cut short due to the extreme heat, and Karn Sharma dealt a further blow by stumping Sanju Samson (17).RCB continued to make inroads, with Dhruv Jurel (8) being run out after a brilliant effort from Virat Kohli and Cameron Green. RR's pressure intensified in the 15th over, but Hetmyer and Parag responded with a six each and a four to collect 17 runs.Rajasthan Royals' bowling effort was equally impressive. Trent Boult (4-0-16-1) produced an economical opening spell, while Ravichandran Ashwin (4-0-19-2) claimed the wickets of Green and Glenn Maxwell on consecutive deliveries. Avesh Khan (3/44) also contributed with three wickets.RR's fielders provided excellent support, particularly Rovman Powell, who took two stunning catches to halt RCB's progress.

Gautam Gambhir, the outspoken former Indian cricketer, has shared his candid views on the spirit of cricket and gentlemanly behavior in a recent interview with Ravichandran Ashwin.According to Gambhir, the spirit of the game lies within the rules and regulations. As long as players adhere to these rules, they have the right to play hard and win within the boundaries of fair play. He believes that match-fixing and ball-tampering are the only actions that violate the spirit of the game.Gambhir's comments come in response to a specific incident during the IPL 2023 match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore. In that match, RCB's Harshal Patel attempted to run out LSG's Ravi Bishnoi at the non-striker's end.Gambhir stated that he would have been fine with Bishnoi being run out, as it was the non-striker's responsibility to stay within his crease. He emphasized that the spirit of the game does not require players to show mercy or compassion in such situations.Gambhir's views on the spirit of cricket have sparked a debate among cricket enthusiasts. Some argue that his interpretation is too narrow and that the game should also be played with a sense of sportsmanship and fair play. Others support Gambhir's stance, believing that the rules should be strictly enforced to maintain the integrity of the game.Regardless of one's perspective, Gambhir's comments have highlighted the importance of adhering to the rules and regulations of cricket. By doing so, players can ensure that the game is played fairly and competitively, while also preserving its spirit and integrity.

Former Indian cricketer and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir has expressed his amusement over his team's low ranking in the Fair Play award standings. During an appearance on spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's YouTube channel, Gambhir humorously attributed KKR's poor position to his presence in the dugout.Known for his aggressive on-field demeanor, Gambhir joked that KKR's low rank was a result of his fiery nature. "Honestly, I thought we would be at the top of the Fair Play Award table because of what happened in Chinnaswamy [the hug between him and Virat Kohli]. There is no competition; irrespective of where we are on the points table, we should be at the top of the fair play award. But still, we are at the bottom," Gambhir said.Gambhir's comments stem from his on-field hug with Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli, with whom he has had several verbal spats throughout his career. The gesture of reconciliation was widely praised as a sign of sportsmanship.However, Gambhir's humor belies a deeper concern. He questioned the criteria used to determine the Fair Play standings, suggesting that KKR had not engaged in any unsportsmanlike conduct. "Someone sent me a message a couple of days back: 'KKR is where KKR is at the moment.' I said, yeah. In the top, no. In fair play, at number 10 (currently number nine). Is there a trophy? I said, no. And I still do not understand. We played pretty fair. What wrong have we done in the last five games? I do not think so we have done anything wrong. And still, we are number 10. Probably it is just because I am sitting in that dugout," Gambhir said.KKR is set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Qualifier 1 match at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday. The game promises to be a high-scoring affair, with both teams known for their explosive batting line-ups. KKR finished the league stage at the top with nine wins, three losses, and two no results, totaling 20 points. SRH, on the other hand, finished second with eight wins, five losses, and one no result, giving them 17 points.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Faf du Plessis has led his team to a remarkable turnaround in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. After a dismal start, RCB won their last six league matches to secure a place in the playoffs.Du Plessis attributes the team's success to a collective effort and a shift in mindset. He emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes and adapting to the high-pressure environment of the IPL.The South African veteran also highlighted the support of the coaching staff, led by Andy Flower and Mo Bobat, who remained optimistic and provided valuable guidance.Du Plessis praised the contributions of individual players, including Will Jacks, who made a significant impact despite the absence of all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. He also commended the bowlers, particularly Yash Dayal, for their consistent performances.The captain's leadership and experience played a crucial role in keeping the team together during challenging times. He emphasized the importance of staying calm and positive, even when faced with setbacks.Despite approaching 40 years of age, du Plessis remains highly motivated and dedicated to the game. He attributes his fitness and electric presence on the field to a rigorous training regimen.Regardless of the outcome of the Eliminator against Rajasthan Royals, du Plessis expressed immense pride in his team. He praised the players' resilience and the positive atmosphere within the group.