Cricket

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will kick off the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season on March 23 in Kolkata. The match will feature the return of Shreyas Iyer, who missed the entire 2022 season due to a back injury. Iyer will lead KKR, who have made some tactical additions while keeping the nucleus of the side intact.KKR's most successful captain, Gautam Gambhir, is back as a mentor. His partnership with head coach Chandrakant Pandit, a shrewd tactician in the domestic circuit, will be key to their revival. The team's biggest signing is Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who will be under huge pressure to perform. His spell in power-play and the death overs will be crucial.SRH, under the leadership of Australian captain Pat Cummins, will also be looking to make a strong start. Cummins is the second-most expensive buy in this IPL and all eyes will be on him to revive the fortunes of the side that has had two wooden-spoon finishes in the last three seasons.On paper, KKR with a star-studded batting and spin-heavy attack to complement Starc's pace, will be overwhelming favorites. But SRH, under the shrewd captaincy of Cummins, will definitely fancy their chances. Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen's batting firepower in the power-play and death overs will be vital. Their bowling also looks balanced with the experienced Cummins and India's veteran death-overs specialist Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the lineup, while the likes of Washington Sundar and Wanindu Hasaranga will be crucial in the spin department.

Nitish Rana, the left-handed batter of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), is ready to lead the team again if required, despite the return of first-choice skipper Shreyas Iyer. Rana, who was appointed captain last year due to Iyer's unavailability, hopes that Iyer remains fit throughout the season."Shreyas is back with the team and is quite fit. Of course, he had fitness issues in the past, and we cannot take anything for granted. I hope I do not have to take up this responsibility again, as we are hoping Shreyas leads in all the matches," Rana said.However, Rana is prepared to step into the captain's role if necessary. "If a situation arises where I have to wear the captain's band again, I am ready for it. I was made the captain last year, and that was the biggest thing for me. Although we did not achieve everything we wanted, yet it was the greatest experience for me," he added.Despite last year's disappointing performance under his captaincy, Rana believes the team has a positive mindset this season. "This time, our team is very positive, and you can feel it in the dressing room. There is a determination to win, which wasn't so strong last year. Everyone is thinking about the trophy," he said.KKR has invested heavily in Mitchell Starc, the Australian fast bowler, who is expected to bolster the team's bowling attack. Rana believes Starc's experience will be invaluable. "Starc is too experienced to let the price tag affect him. We had been missing a death bowler, and he has filled up that spot. He knows what needs to be done. In fact, I feel he will be one of our main performers this time," Rana said.While Starc will be a key player, Rana also highlighted the potential of KKR's young pacers. "Last year, all our three young pacers (Chetan Sakariya, Vaibhav Arora, and Harshit Rana) did well in bits and pieces, and we expect them to do the same this time. This is a chance for them to learn from Starc," he said.Rana also expressed his desire to be selected for the upcoming World T20 squad. "Everyone wants to play for the country, and many players will have it in the back of their mind, but we have to stay in the present. I too want to get selected for the World T20 squad, but at this moment, I am thinking only about the IPL. I believe I can get 600 runs in this tournament, and I will be aiming for that," he said.

Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting has expressed his admiration for skipper Rishabh Pant's dedication and determination as he prepares for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Pant, who suffered a horrific car accident in December 2022, has been working tirelessly to regain his confidence and physical abilities."He (Pant) has probably batted more in the last week than he has ever batted leading into most of the IPLs," Ponting said. "I think from his point of view, he wants to get a bit of trust back in his body again."Ponting praised Pant's positive attitude and infectious energy, which he believes will inspire his teammates. "He has been putting himself through a few different paces and playing all the shots that he plays. He has been great, and more importantly, he has got a smile on his face, which is what all we love to see," Ponting added.Delhi Capitals director of cricket Sourav Ganguly echoed Ponting's sentiments, highlighting Pant's unconventional style of batting and leadership. "He is not the conservative type of batter, so you expect that character in his captaincy," Ganguly said. "Nobody comes as a ready-made captain. You learn as you go and I think captaincy is by instinct."Ganguly acknowledged the emotional challenges Pant has faced during his recovery. "I'm surprised with the improvements he has made. Hopefully, it's a good season for him because he has gone through a lot emotionally. It's never easy when you go through that sort of injury," Ganguly said.Delhi Capitals will kick off their IPL campaign against Punjab Kings on March 23. Pant's return to the field is highly anticipated, as he is considered one of the most exciting and talented players in Indian cricket.

Shardul Thakur, the Mumbai all-rounder who played a pivotal role in his team's 42nd Ranji Trophy triumph, is eagerly anticipating his upcoming stint with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Thakur, who has previously played for CSK, is excited to learn from the legendary MS Dhoni, who will be leading the team in the upcoming season.Thakur, who scored 255 runs and claimed 16 wickets in five Ranji matches this season, expressed his admiration for spin-bowling all-rounder Tanush Kotian, who was named 'Player of the Tournament' for his outstanding performances with both bat and ball."Dhoni sahab is there, he is one of the greatest cricketers ever in the world. I will play under him again and I have played under him before, so I will try to learn a lot of things and how he gets performance out of players," Thakur said.Thakur's return to CSK marks a significant moment in his career, as it was with this franchise that he first made a name for himself in the IPL. He is confident that he can contribute to the team's success and is eager to learn from Dhoni's leadership.The 17th edition of the IPL is set to kick off on March 22, with defending champions CSK taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the opening match. Thakur is expected to play a key role for CSK, both with his batting and bowling, as the team looks to retain its title.

MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, is set to embark on another season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). As the tournament approaches, speculation intensifies over whether this could be Dhoni's final campaign in the league.Dhoni's leadership and experience have been instrumental in CSK's success, guiding them to five IPL titles. His calm demeanor and strategic acumen have made him one of the most respected captains in the game. As the Yellow Brigade prepares for the upcoming season, all eyes are on Dhoni to lead them to another shot at glory.While questions linger about his future beyond this season, Dhoni remains focused on the task at hand. He aims to guide CSK to success, starting with the highly anticipated clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the season opener on March 22 at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium.South African legend AB de Villiers believes CSK will once again enter the tournament as title favorites. He praised Dhoni's leadership and the team's unwavering culture. "They are a very intimidating team to play against. They are never easy to beat," said de Villiers.De Villiers also credited Dhoni for creating a winning environment at CSK. "It's through their presence, it's through the leadership of MSD, a calm coach in Stephen Fleming, senior players in Ravi Jadeja, and others who have really set this incredible culture alive," he said.As CSK prepares to defend their title, they face a formidable challenge. However, with Dhoni at the helm, they remain a force to be reckoned with. His experience, leadership, and unwavering determination will be crucial in their quest for another IPL triumph.

The Indian Premier League (IPL), a cricketing extravaganza that has captivated audiences since its inception in 2008, is set to return with its 16th edition on March 22. Defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will kick off the tournament against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Chennai.This year's IPL features 10 formidable teams, including heavyweights like the Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. The tournament will follow a round-robin league format, with each team competing twice against each other. The top four teams will advance to the playoffs, which will comprise two Qualifier matches and an Eliminator. The grand finale will be held on May 28.One of the key innovations introduced in last year's IPL was the 'Impact Player' substitute rule. This rule allows teams to replace one player in their starting XI with a substitute player during the second innings. The substitute player can be used as a batter, bowler, or all-rounder. This innovation has added a new layer of excitement to the tournament, as teams can now make tactical changes based on the match situation.For cricket enthusiasts in Canada, Willow TV stands as the ultimate destination to catch all the IPL action. As the premier broadcaster for cricket in North America, Willow TV offers exclusive live telecasts of every match, ensuring fans don't miss a single moment of the excitement.The IPL has become a global phenomenon, attracting fans from all corners of the world. The tournament's high-octane action, star-studded lineups, and passionate fan base have made it one of the most popular sporting events in the world.Whether you're a die-hard cricket fan or simply looking for some thrilling entertainment, the IPL is sure to deliver. Tune in to Willow TV and be a part of cricketing history in the making.

England's Jonny Bairstow, despite recently returning from a grueling Test tour of India, will be available for the entirety of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which commences on March 22. During the Dharamsala Test, BCCI officials engaged in discussions with their ECB counterparts regarding the availability of English players for the IPL.While Test regulars Ben Stokes, Joe Root, and Mark Wood have opted out of the lucrative T20 league due to ECB's workload management strategy, Bairstow has confirmed his participation. "Bairstow is expected to arrive in India on March 18 or 19 and will be available for the team's first game against Delhi Capitals on March 23," revealed an IPL source.Bairstow, who reached the milestone of 100 Tests in Dharamsala, endured a disappointing batting performance in India. The IPL provides him with an opportunity to regain his form and contribute to his team's success.Meanwhile, Punjab Kings have made significant changes to their coaching staff. Sanjay Bangar, appointed as cricket director ahead of the 2024 edition, will also serve as the batting coach. Bangar's previous experience includes stints with RCB and as India's batting coach.Consequently, Wasim Jaffer, who held the position of batting consultant last season, has been released by the franchise. Punjab Kings, despite reaching the final in 2014, have consistently underperformed in the IPL. Head coach Trevor Bayliss' contract expires after the season, and the team must qualify for the play-offs for him to be considered for an extension.Dharamsala is expected to host Punjab's final two home games, as it did last season. The remaining five home games will be played at the new stadium in Mullanpur, Mohali.

Star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has expressed his excitement upon rejoining the Mumbai Indians (MI) camp ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Pandya, who captained the Gujarat Titans to victory in their debut season in 2022, has returned to his former franchise as part of a trade deal.In a heartfelt Instagram post, Pandya shared his emotions upon meeting his old MI teammates, including bowling coach Lasith Malinga. He expressed his eagerness to "get down to business" and contribute to the team's success.Pandya's return to MI marks a significant moment for the franchise, as he is set to take over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma in the 2024 season. The all-rounder has a proven track record with MI, having won four IPL titles with the team from 2015 to 2020.During his previous stint with MI, Pandya played 92 matches, scoring 1,476 runs at an average of 27.33 and a strike rate of over 153. He also took 42 wickets, with the best bowling figures of 3/20.Pandya's move to MI has generated a lot of hype, as he is expected to play a key role in the team's resurgence. The 17th season of the IPL will commence on March 22, with MI facing off against the Gujarat Titans in a highly anticipated clash on March 24.

India's star T20 batter Suryakumar Yadav is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru following ankle surgery. While his recovery is progressing well, it remains uncertain whether he will be available for the Mumbai Indians' first two matches in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL).The Mumbai Indians will kick off their campaign on March 24 against last year's runners-up Gujarat Titans. Yadav, the world's No. 1 T20 batter, is working diligently at the NCA to regain peak match fitness."Surya's rehabilitation is on track, and he will definitely return to play in the IPL," a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity. "However, it is still unclear whether the NCA's Sports Science and Medical Team will clear him to play in the first two away games against Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad (March 27)."Yadav's Instagram posts indicate that he has been engaging in extensive Strength and Conditioning (S&C) routines. However, he has yet to share any batting videos, which would provide a clearer indication of his progress."There are still 12 days to go before MI play their first game, but it could be a race against time to get fit by the first match itself," the source added.Yadav is a crucial player for both India and the Mumbai Indians. His exceptional strike rate of 171-plus and 2,141 runs in 60 T20 games make him a formidable force. He has also scored four T20I centuries.India's chances in the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Americas will heavily depend on Yadav's performance. Similarly, the Mumbai Indians' success in the IPL hinges on his availability from the start.Yadav last played for India in South Africa, where he led the national team in the T20 format.