Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to kick off its 17th season on March 22, with defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Chennai. Ahead of the tournament, former India and CSK batsman Ambati Rayudu has shared his thoughts on the upcoming extravaganza.Rayudu, who has played for both Mumbai Indians and CSK, believes that it will be a challenging task for Hardik Pandya to lead Mumbai Indians, given the different setups of Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians. He suggests that Pandya should have played for Mumbai Indians for a year before taking over the captaincy, especially considering Rohit Sharma's continued role as India's captain.Rayudu also expressed his admiration for Rohit Sharma, stating that he believes Sharma can continue playing in the IPL for the next 5-6 years. He added that if Sharma desires to captain a team, he has ample opportunities available to him.Rayudu went on to express his desire to see Rohit Sharma play for CSK in the future. He said, "I want Rohit Sharma to play for CSK in 2025. If MS (Dhoni) retires, then Rohit can lead as well."Rohit Sharma is the fourth-highest run-getter in IPL history, with 6211 runs from 243 matches. Mumbai Indians will begin their IPL campaign against Gujarat Titans on March 24.

Delhi Capitals (DC) coach Ricky Ponting has shed light on the team's plans for the highly anticipated return of star player Rishabh Pant in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Pant, who has been recovering from a severe car accident in December 2022, is expected to make his comeback to professional cricket later this month.Ponting revealed the team's perspective, stating, "It's a big decision we'll have to make because if he is fit, you'd think he'd step straight back into that captaincy role." However, he added, "If he's not entirely fit and we have to use him in a slightly different role, then we've got some decisions to make there."Assessing Pant's progress, Ponting noted, "He's actually played some practice matches over the last couple of weeks, which has been really encouraging for us." He expressed confidence in Pant's physical readiness, asserting, "He's kept in one of those games, he's fielded in these games and the batting hasn't seemingly been an issue for him so far."Reflecting on Pant's journey, Ponting acknowledged the challenges the player has faced, stating, "We've obviously had worries and concerns that he might not have made it in time to be ready for the IPL this year." He added, "I mean, he was a huge loss for us last year and what he went through, we can't even begin to describe what he's been through the last 12 or 14 months."Expressing anticipation for Pant's return, Ponting remarked, "I want to see him back playing cricket again. I think the whole world wants to see him back playing cricket again and just playing with that youthful exuberance that he has." Ponting highlighted Pant's natural talent, stating, "Knowing Rishabh, it probably won't (take time to adjust) because he's such a natural talent."Ponting emphasized the importance of Pant maintaining his aggressive style of play, asserting, "I think he'll just go out there and certainly, that's my job anyway - I'll be telling him to go back out and play the way that he's always played."As cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate Pant's return, Ponting's insights offer a glimpse into the team's approach and expectations for the dynamic player in the IPL season.

The IPL 2023 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants witnessed a heated on-field spat between Virat Kohli, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Gautam Gambhir. The incident, which became a major talking point, has been the subject of much discussion and speculation.According to Naveen, the altercation began in Bengaluru during the away match between the two teams. After Avesh Khan's winning runs, Naveen claims that Kohli expressed displeasure with the helmet throw. In the return match in Lucknow, Naveen was sledged by Kohli and Mohammed Siraj despite the game being virtually lost.The spat escalated after the match during the handshake, with Gambhir intervening in support of Naveen. Naveen believes that Gambhir's involvement stemmed from an incident in the previous game where a KKR bowler attempted to run out the non-striker in the final over.Kohli and Gambhir have a history of heated moments in the IPL, including a previous altercation in 2013. Naveen suggests that Gambhir's "shush" gesture was a response to the crowd's reaction to the run-out attempt.Despite the on-field tension, Kohli and Naveen later resolved their differences during the ODI World Cup in October, embracing each other in a show of reconciliation.

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra believes that the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) presents a golden opportunity for Ishan Kishan to reignite his career after being omitted from the BCCI's central contract list for 2023-2024.Kishan, 25, has been absent from the domestic circuit, citing personal reasons, despite not being on national duty since the tour of South Africa in December 2022. Chopra believes that this absence has fueled Kishan's hunger to prove himself."Ishan Kishan will be hungry, as he has not got a central contract. This is the only thing he is playing. What else is he playing?" Chopra said in a YouTube video.Chopra also highlighted Kishan's absence from the recent Test series against England, emphasizing that the IPL provides him with a platform to showcase his abilities and potentially earn a recall to the national team."Either he has himself opted not to play, or he won't be selected now. So this is his chance. If you make the IPL your own, you have chances of going forward. Then there is, of course, Wankhede's flat pitch. The ball will come nicely onto the bat and go far," Chopra added.The BCCI's decision to exclude Kishan from the central contract list has raised questions about his future prospects. However, Chopra believes that the IPL can serve as a catalyst for Kishan's resurgence."This is a big opportunity for Ishan Kishan. He has to make the most of it. He has to score runs, win matches, and show that he is still a force to be reckoned with," Chopra concluded.

Pakistan cricket star Agha Salman has revealed that he sent a text message to Indian batting legend Virat Kohli after a heated on-field exchange between Kohli and former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season. This text message later became a viral moment during the Asia Cup 2023.In a recent interview with Islamabad United, Salman shared that he sent a direct message (DM) to Kohli after the incident, expressing his respect for the Indian star. While he declined to disclose the exact contents of the message, Salman emphasized that he holds Kohli in high regard."I have so much respect for Virat Kohli," Salman said. "I don't think there is any cricket fan in the world who doesn't respect him. I texted him, I am not going to tell you the complete details but will just tell you the start. It started with 'Virat Bhai'."Salman explained that he sent the message while watching a match with teammates Abdullah Shafique and Usama Mir. He clarified that the message contained no negative or offensive content."There was nothing [negative] in that message that would make people think I said something bad," Salman said.Unbeknownst to Salman, his text message would later become a viral moment during the Asia Cup 2023. Before Pakistan's match against India, Kohli visited the Pakistan dressing room, where he was greeted by Salman and other players. During the interaction, Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan mentioned Salman's text message to Kohli, leading to a humorous exchange between the two players."I mistakenly told Shadab Khan about texting Virat," Salman said. "You have watched the video of me, Shadab and Virat standing together [during Asia Cup 2023], actually, at that time, he [Shadab] had told him [Virat] that he [I] texted him.""We had a bit of laughter after I told Virat that I texted you this, he then told me he may have missed the message as he receives thousands of messages every day. It was all Shadab's doing [telling Kohli]."Salman's text message to Kohli and the subsequent interaction during the Asia Cup 2023 highlighted the camaraderie and mutual respect between the two players, despite their on-field rivalry.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to witness a new era as Hardik Pandya takes over the captaincy of the Mumbai Indians, succeeding the legendary Rohit Sharma. This decision has sparked discussions among cricket enthusiasts, with many wondering how Pandya will fare in his new role.Former Indian wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel believes that Pandya will face immense pressure while leading the Mumbai Indians. He acknowledges that Pandya's captaincy stint with the Gujarat Titans was successful, leading them to the championship in their inaugural season. However, Patel emphasizes that replacing a five-time title-winning captain like Rohit Sharma, who has been at the helm of Mumbai Indians for 10 years, will be a challenging task.Patel highlights that Mumbai Indians fans have high expectations from their team, and qualifying for the playoffs is not considered a success; winning championships is the ultimate goal. He believes that the decision to appoint Pandya as captain is well-thought-out, considering the franchise's transitional phase.Former India player Wasim Jaffer shares similar sentiments, stating that Hardik Pandya's return to Mumbai Indians as captain will evoke mixed emotions among the fans. He anticipates a full house at the stadium for the opening match against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on March 24. Jaffer believes that Pandya will aim to make a strong statement in his first game as captain and set an example for the team.The decision to remove Rohit Sharma from the captaincy may have been met with mixed reactions, but it was made with the intention of ushering in a new era for Mumbai Indians. The franchise is looking to transition smoothly and build a team that can continue their legacy of success.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, has been dealt a major setback as he is set to miss the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) due to a persistent left ankle injury. The 33-year-old pacer, who has been battling this issue for some time now, will undergo surgery in the United Kingdom to address the problem.Shami's absence from the IPL, which is scheduled to commence on March 22, is a significant blow to his franchise, the Gujarat Titans, who were hoping to retain their title with the services of their star bowler. The right-arm pacer has been a key figure in India's recent success in limited-overs cricket, playing a pivotal role in their run to the final of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia.The injury concerns surrounding Shami have raised questions about the injury rehabilitation management program planned by the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Some experts believe that a more aggressive approach, such as opting for surgery earlier, could have potentially accelerated his recovery and allowed him to participate in the IPL.Shami's absence from the IPL is not only a setback for his franchise but also for the Indian team, as he is a vital cog in their bowling attack. With a packed schedule of international fixtures in the coming months, including Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, as well as the marquee away series against Australia, Shami's availability will be crucial for India's success.The injury to Shami highlights the importance of effective injury management and rehabilitation programs for athletes. With the increasing demands of modern-day cricket, players are often pushed to their limits, making it essential for teams and support staff to prioritize player welfare and ensure that injuries are addressed promptly and appropriately.

Rishabh Pant, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, is poised for a much-anticipated comeback in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). After a near-fatal car accident in 2022, Pant has made significant strides in his rehabilitation journey and was recently spotted in a warm-up game in Alur, according to a Cricbuzz report.This marks the first time Pant has featured in a warm-up game since his accident, signaling his progress towards a return to competitive cricket. He will lead the Delhi Capitals in the upcoming IPL edition, solely focusing on his batting prowess, as per sources cited by Cricbuzz.Sources have confirmed that Pant's running and batting abilities have returned to the same levels as before his unfortunate accident. An NCA source, referring to the intra-squad game in Alur near Bengaluru, stated, "The match was part of assessing his mobility basically. He has been batting at nets for a while and playing in a practice game was more like an extension of it."Pant has undergone extensive rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and received treatment in London, arranged by the Indian cricket board. His return to a warm-up game after nearly 15 months away from cricket is a welcome development for the Indian team, his franchise, and his fans.Earlier this month, Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting expressed optimism about Pant's return to the IPL. He said, "Rishabh is very confident that he's going to be right to play. In what capacity we're not quite sure yet." Ponting acknowledged that Pant's wicketkeeping role might be limited this year, but praised his determination to play every game and bat at his preferred position.The 17th edition of the IPL is set to commence on March 22 and will be held entirely in India, despite coinciding with the general elections, as confirmed by league chairman Arun Dhumal. The schedule for the IPL's 17th edition has yet to be unveiled due to the elections, which are expected to take place in April and May.Rishabh Pant, at the age of 26, has already made a significant impact on Indian cricket, having played 33 Tests, 30 ODIs, and 66 T20s. His return to the field is eagerly awaited by fans and cricket enthusiasts alike.