Cricket

Riyan Parag, the rising star of Rajasthan Royals, has been a standout performer this season. However, in the team's recent one-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad, Parag acknowledged areas for improvement."I have a lot of areas to improve. I am not in my best form, I would have finished the game otherwise... I try to learn from my mistakes and not repeat them," Parag said after the match.In their chase of Sunrisers' 202, Parag and Yashasvi Jaiswal put up a spirited fightback. However, Pat Cummins and Bhuvneshwar Kumar's death bowling brilliance proved too much for the Royals."It is never good to end on the losing side. We did a lot of things right. We will focus on more rather than dwelling on our mistakes... We made a few errors in two-three overs and it cost us the game. That is how T20 is, IPL is," Parag reflected.Parag's shift to batting at number four has paid dividends this season, with 409 runs in 10 matches, including four half-centuries. He attributed his dismissal and Jaiswal's to execution errors against SRH's formidable bowling attack."I do not think any of us threw our wickets... Probably an error in execution. We would have liked to stay till the end," Parag said.He praised SRH's bowling, particularly Cummins' pivotal 19th over, and lauded Nitish Kumar Reddy's standout performance, labeling his sixes against Yuzvendra Chahal as "pure skill."Despite the defeat, Parag remains optimistic about the Royals' prospects. "We have a good team. We have a lot of potential. We just need to keep working hard and keep improving," he said.

SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) are set to face off in a highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) match. Both teams have had contrasting fortunes in the tournament so far, with SRH struggling to find consistency while RR has emerged as a title contender.SRH, currently ranked fifth on the points table, has won four of their nine matches. Their recent loss to Chennai Super Kings by 78 runs exposed their batting frailties. Aiden Markram, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were the top fantasy point-getters for SRH in that match.On the other hand, RR has been in impressive form, winning six of their nine matches. They are currently at the top of the table with 16 points. In their last match against Lucknow Super Giants, Sanju Samson, Dhruv Jurel, and Sandeep Sharma were the standout performers in terms of fantasy points.The match will be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, which is known for its batting-friendly pitch. The average first-innings score at this venue in the last 20 matches is 174 runs. The temperature is expected to be around 37 degrees Celsius, with low humidity and moderate winds.In terms of head-to-head records, RR has a slight edge over SRH, having won 10 of the 18 matches played between the two teams. However, SRH has won the last two encounters.For SRH, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Joseph Buttler are the top captaincy and vice-captaincy picks for fantasy teams. Other players to watch out for include Riyan Parag, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.RR, on the other hand, has a strong fantasy XI team with Jos Buttler, Sandeep Sharma, Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Yashasvi Jaiswal as potential high-point scorers.The match promises to be a thrilling contest between two teams with contrasting strengths and weaknesses. SRH will be looking to bounce back from their recent loss and strengthen their playoff hopes, while RR will aim to consolidate their position at the top of the table.

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) new skipper, Ruturaj Gaikwad, has been enduring a dismal run of luck in coin tosses this Indian Premier League (IPL) season. In Wednesday's match against Punjab Kings, Gaikwad lost his ninth coin flip in 10 matches, a streak that has become a source of frustration for the team.Punjab Kings capitalized on the toss advantage and the conditions at Chepauk, exploiting the opportunity to hand CSK a seven-wicket defeat on their home ground. Gaikwad acknowledged the pressure he feels during coin tosses and revealed that he has even been practicing them before matches."I've practiced the tosses (during the practice sessions), it's not going well in the match, not sure what to do. To be truthful, I'm under pressure when I go to the middle (for the toss), not at the game," Gaikwad said after the match.CSK's batting performance was lackluster, managing only 162 runs after being put into bat. Punjab Kings chased down the target with 13 balls to spare, thanks in part to the dew factor that aided their chase.Gaikwad admitted that his side was around 50-60 runs short and that the dew factor played a significant role in Punjab's victory. "Probably 50-60 runs short, the pitch wasn't great when we batted, it got better later on. With the impact rule as well, we were well short.""Very difficult (on defending 162 in dew). Even in the last game, we were quite surprised that we would win by that much margin. This is something we can't control. We can slightly bat better in the first innings. In the last 2 games, we tried our best to get 200-210. This pitch it was tough to get 180," Gaikwad added.With 5 wins and 5 defeats in 10 matches, defending champions CSK sit at the fourth spot on the points table. Punjab Kings, on the other hand, have 4 wins in 10 outings and are on the 7th spot.

Hyderabad, India - The Sunrisers Hyderabad, after a string of disappointing performances, will face the formidable Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League on Thursday. The match holds immense significance for the Sunrisers, who are desperate to regain their footing in the tournament.The Sunrisers have struggled to chase down targets, losing consecutive matches against the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings. Their top and middle-order batters have failed to deliver consistently, prompting head coach Daniel Vettori to question their aggressive approach in the second innings.In contrast, the Rajasthan Royals have been in scintillating form, sitting atop the points table with 16 points. Their top order, led by Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Sanju Samson, has been in exceptional form. The West Indian duo of Shimron Hetymer and Rovman Powell, along with Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel, have also contributed significantly.The Royals' bowling attack is equally impressive, featuring Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, and Sandeep Sharma. Their ability to adapt to different conditions and outplay opponents has been a key factor in their success.The Sunrisers will need to address their chasing woes and find a way to rebuild their innings when their openers fail. Aiden Markram, in particular, will need to step up and justify his place in the team.The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two teams with contrasting fortunes. The Sunrisers will be eager to prove their mettle, while the Royals will aim to continue their dominance.

Sanju Samson's consistent performances in the ongoing IPL have reignited hopes of his inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad. The Rajasthan Royals skipper has led his team to the top of the points table, showcasing his leadership skills and batting prowess.Samson's batting has undergone a transformation this season. He has adopted a more consistent approach, anchoring the Royals' batting lineup at number three. His match-winning 71 against Lucknow Super Giants was a testament to his improved mental fortitude and technical adjustments.Personal coach Bijumon N attributes Samson's success to eight months of rigorous training focused on the T20 World Cup. They have worked on his mental preparation, batting technique, and ability to handle spinners. Samson has become more adept at using his feet and has added new strokes to his repertoire against slow bowlers.Despite his impressive form, Samson faces stiff competition for a spot in the Indian team. Rishabh Pant is likely to be the first-choice wicketkeeper, leaving Samson with a limited chance to play. However, his consistent performances in the IPL have put him in contention for a backup role.Samson's inclusion in the Indian team would be a significant moment for Kerala cricket. The state has a rich cricketing history, and Samson's success could inspire future generations of players. With the T20 World Cup approaching, Samson's form and experience could prove invaluable to Team India.

Hardik Pandya's Golden Duck Disappoints in First Game as India T20 Vice-CaptainMumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya's disappointing IPL season continued on Tuesday as he fell for a golden duck in his first game after being named India's vice-captain for the T20 World Cup.Pandya, who was appointed Rohit Sharma's deputy for the upcoming cricketing extravaganza in the Americas, failed to make an impact against Lucknow Super Giants. He was caught behind the stumps by KL Rahul off LSG pacer Naveen-ul-Haq, leaving MI reeling at 28 for 4 at the end of the Powerplay.The 30-year-old's dismissal highlighted his struggles in the ongoing IPL, where he has underperformed with both bat and ball. In nine matches so far, Pandya has scored a meager 197 runs, including 10 sixes, and taken only four wickets at an economy of 11.95.Pandya's poor form has contributed to MI's dismal performance this season. Under his leadership, the team has managed only three wins and six losses in nine matches, leaving them languishing at the ninth spot on the points table.The all-rounder's appointment as MI captain was met with controversy, with many questioning his experience and leadership abilities. His struggles on the field have further fueled criticism, raising concerns about his suitability for the role.As India prepares for the T20 World Cup, Pandya's poor form is a cause for concern. The vice-captaincy is a significant responsibility, and his performances in the IPL have not inspired confidence.Pandya will need to rediscover his form and prove his worthiness for the role if he wants to lead India to success in the upcoming tournament.

Mumbai Indians' Struggles Stem from Internal Divisions, Says Michael ClarkeFormer Australian captain Michael Clarke has expressed his doubts about the Mumbai Indians' chances of reaching the playoffs in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Clarke believes that the team's inconsistent performances are a result of internal divisions and a lack of teamwork."I think there's a lot more going on than what we are seeing on the outside," Clarke said on Star Sports Cricket Live. "You can't have that many good players and perform this inconsistently."Clarke's comments come after the Mumbai Indians suffered a disappointing start to the season, winning only three of their first nine matches. The team has been plagued by injuries and a lack of form from key players, including captain Rohit Sharma.Clarke believes that the abrupt change in captaincy, with Hardik Pandya replacing Sharma, has further disrupted the team's chemistry. "Something is not working, they are not gelling together, they are not playing as a team," he said.Despite having match-winners like Jasprit Bumrah and Romario Shepherd in their squad, the Mumbai Indians have struggled to find consistency. Clarke acknowledged that individual brilliance can sometimes carry a team over the line, but he emphasized the importance of teamwork in winning big tournaments."I think to win big tournaments you need to be a team and not just have individual performances," Clarke said. "Unfortunately, they haven't played well as a team so I hope they turn it around, but I can't see them winning this game."The Mumbai Indians are currently second-to-last on the points table and face an uphill battle to qualify for the playoffs. They will need to win all of their remaining five matches and hope that other results go their way.

Aakash Chopra Slams Rishabh Pant's Reckless Batting Approach in Delhi Capitals' LossFormer India cricketer Aakash Chopra has expressed his disappointment with Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant's batting approach during the team's encounter against Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra criticized Pant's reckless shot selection, which ultimately led to his dismissal and contributed to Delhi's defeat."Four wickets fell quickly, and then you hoped captain Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel would take their team out of troubled waters. However, I was very surprised. Rishabh - you cannot bat like that. It seemed like he was trying to do something different off every ball. He tried to play the same shot multiple times," Chopra remarked, highlighting Pant's erratic approach at the crease.Pant's innings was marred by a significant missed opportunity when he was dropped by Harshit Rana at short third man after attempting a risky shot off Varun Chakaravarthy's bowling. Despite the reprieve, Pant persisted with the same high-risk strategy, leading to his eventual dismissal when he was caught by Shreyas Iyer at extra cover off Chakaravarthy's bowling."A catch was dropped, it didn't hit his bat once, but he said that he wouldn't even listen to himself once he had committed, and he got out. He has gotten out to Varun Chakaravarthy twice in two games. Very, very surprising, the way he was batting. We have seen Pant playing much better than that," Chopra added, expressing his disappointment with Pant's failure to capitalize on the opportunity to stabilize the innings.Delhi Capitals' below-par total of 153/9, compounded by Pant's dismissal, proved to be insufficient as Kolkata Knight Riders comfortably chased down the target with seven wickets in hand and 21 deliveries to spare. The defeat dented DC's hopes of further consolidating their position in the IPL points table, prompting scrutiny of Pant's decision-making and batting approach by pundits and fans alike.

Mayank Yadav Returns to Fitness, Set to Boost Lucknow Super Giants Against Mumbai IndiansLucknow Super Giants have received a major boost ahead of their crucial clash against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday, with young pace sensation Mayank Yadav passing all fitness tests and being declared available for selection.Yadav, who suffered a soreness in the lower abdominal area during the match against Gujarat Titans, has been sidelined for the past few games. However, the 21-year-old has now recovered and is eager to make his return to the field."Regarding Mayank Yadav, he has passed all the fitness tests and is in the probable XII for the match against Mumbai Indians. He is looking good and is ready to bowl again," confirmed LSG bowling coach Morne Morkel in the pre-match press conference.Yadav's return is a timely one for Lucknow, who have struggled with their bowling in recent matches. The pacer has been one of the team's most impressive performers this season, claiming six wickets in just three appearances.His ability to generate pace and swing the ball will be a valuable asset against a strong Mumbai Indians batting lineup. Yadav's return will also provide some much-needed depth to the LSG bowling attack, which has been heavily reliant on Avesh Khan and Dushmantha Chameera.With Yadav back in the mix, Lucknow will be confident of putting up a strong performance against Mumbai Indians and continuing their push for a playoff spot. The match will be played at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday.