Cricket

Former Australia batter Tom Moody has criticized Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson for his tactical decision-making in the IPL 2024 Qualifier 2 match against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH). RR's 36-run defeat ended their hopes of reaching the final, which will now be contested between SRH and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).Chasing 176, RR struggled to keep up with the required run rate, eventually finishing on 139/7. Moody believes that Samson's decision to send Dhruv Jurel ahead of Shimron Hetmyer was a "tactical blunder.""Hetmyer had to go in ahead of Dhruv Jurel, regardless of whether he played very nicely," Moody said on ESPNcricinfo. "They needed to negate the two left-arm spinners, right at the outset. That was the hole, Sunrisers had in their attack and they needed to negate that."Moody argued that Hetmyer's ability to play spin would have been crucial in countering SRH's left-arm spinners, Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek Sharma, who shared five wickets between them."They should have sent Hetmyer in and said just play your game. Take it down in your zone, let's get ahead in this game, do not allow these left-arm spinners to take control of the game," Moody added.Former India batter Virender Sehwag echoed Moody's sentiments, stating that Hetmyer's inclusion earlier in the innings would have been beneficial."I was surprised by their decision to bring in Hetmyer so late. They should have bought him earlier, because there were two left-arm spinners. The quicker a left-arm batters comes, it would have been better," Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.RR's defeat highlights the importance of tactical decision-making in high-pressure matches. Samson's decision to hold back Hetmyer proved costly, as SRH's left-arm spinners exploited the weakness in RR's batting lineup.

Multiple Grammy-winning rapper Drake has made a significant bet on the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to emerge victorious in the IPL 2024 final against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The Canadian musician, known for his frequent bets on sporting events, shared a picture of the receipt on Instagram, revealing a massive wager of USD 250,000 (approximately Rs 2.07 Crore). This marks Drake's first bet on a cricket match.Drake's betting history has been a mixed bag. He has lost substantial sums, including a USD 2 million bet on the UFC fight between Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira in 2022. However, he accurately predicted the outcome of Super Bowl 2024, with the Kansas City Chiefs triumphing over the San Francisco 49ers.KKR topped the league stages with 19 points and secured a spot in the final after defeating SRH in Qualifier 1. SRH, on the other hand, finished third in the points table but fought their way to the final through the Eliminator and Qualifier 2.After the match, KKR captain Pat Cummins expressed his delight at the team's performance. "The boys have been fantastic all season," he said. "We knew our strength was our batting and we wouldn't underestimate the experience we have in this squad."SRH captain Kane Williamson acknowledged the challenge of facing KKR in the final. "170 was a tough chase and had we got a couple of wickets we knew we had a chance," he said. "It is for the whole franchise, probably 60 or 70 of them who put their heart and soul into this and hopefully one more left."Drake's bet has garnered significant attention on social media, with users commenting on his betting record and the potential impact of his wager on the match. The outcome of the IPL 2024 final remains uncertain, but Drake's bet has undoubtedly added an extra layer of excitement to the highly anticipated clash.

Toss Significance in IPL 2024 Final: Mindset and Confidence Key, Says Kevin PietersenThe toss plays a crucial role in determining the outcome of cricket matches, but former England star Kevin Pietersen believes that mindset and confidence are paramount in the upcoming IPL 2024 final between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).Pietersen acknowledges that winning the toss can provide an advantage, but emphasizes that it is the team's mental preparedness and self-assurance that will ultimately shape their performance in the championship game. He highlights KKR's positive mindset as a key factor that will give them an edge over SRH."The toss is 50-50. I actually think that you have to consider the possibility of dew and also be prepared if it doesn't come. It's all about the mindset and confidence coming into this fixture," Pietersen said.He further adds, "That's where I think KKR have an advantage, given the way they've played, their convincing win in qualifier one, and their preparation over the last three or four days."Pietersen expresses disappointment with SRH's performance in their previous match, stating that their lack of fight could put them at a disadvantage in the final."I didn't like the way the Sunrisers threw in the towel the other evening in Ahmedabad, and I think it's going to put them on the back foot for the start on Sunday," Pietersen said.However, he acknowledges that SRH's recent success in the SA20 tournament demonstrates their ability to win under pressure."They've got a structure that knows how to win, and when you've got that belief within the franchise, that belief within the ownership, then momentum has its own way," Pietersen said.Ultimately, Pietersen believes that the team with the stronger mindset and confidence will emerge victorious in the IPL 2024 final.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have opted to cancel their practice session ahead of their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday. The decision was made to prioritize player fitness amidst the scorching temperatures and humidity in Chennai.SRH secured their place in the summit clash after defeating Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 on Friday. The team opted for a rest day to recover from their previous match. In contrast, KKR, who defeated SRH in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday, have had a longer break and held a practice session on Friday. They are expected to have another net session on Saturday evening.KKR's lack of match practice could be a concern, as their last two league matches against Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals were abandoned due to rain. However, SRH captain Pat Cummins expressed confidence in his team's batting strength and the experience of his bowlers.Cummins praised the team's performance in Qualifier 2, highlighting the contributions of Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek Sharma. He also acknowledged the role of left-arm orthodox bowlers in the team's success."The boys have been fantastic all season. There's a great vibe in the squad... We knew our strength was our batting and we wouldn't underestimate the experience we have in this squad," Cummins said.The IPL 2024 final promises to be an exciting encounter between two evenly matched teams. SRH will be looking to lift their second IPL trophy, while KKR will be aiming for their third title.

Hardik Pandya and Natasa Stankovic: Rumors of Separation Swirl Amidst Social Media SpeculationIn recent days, rumors have circulated on social media alleging a separation between Indian cricket all-rounder Hardik Pandya and his wife, Natasa Stankovic. The speculations arose after Natasa removed the "Pandya" surname from her Instagram handle.The rumors gained traction when a post on Reddit claimed that Natasa had been absent from Pandya's IPL 2024 matches and had not posted any recent photos with him. The post also noted that she had not wished him on his birthday."This is just speculation. But both of them aren't posting each other on stories (Instagram Stories). Earlier, Natasa used to have Natasa Stankovic Pandya on her Instagram, but now she completely removed his name," the post stated."Her birthday was on 4th March, and there was no post from Hardik on that day; she also removed all recent posts of her and Hardik except the one where Agastya was with them. Also, she isn't seen in stands this IPL or post stories regarding the team. While Krunal and Pankhuri still comment on her posts, something is definitely off between both of them," it added.However, it is important to note that these rumors remain unconfirmed by either Hardik or Natasa. As of now, they are merely speculations based on social media observations.Upon examining Natasa's Instagram page, it is evident that she still has photos of herself with Hardik and their family. Therefore, the reports of her deleting all pictures with him are inaccurate.Despite a disappointing IPL 2024 season with Mumbai Indians, Hardik Pandya is preparing for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, where he will serve as the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team.

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) IPL 2024 campaign ended in disappointment after their elimination against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The loss sparked speculation about the future of MS Dhoni, the 42-year-old wicketkeeper-batter who has been battling a knee injury.Dhoni's future remains uncertain, as he has not yet confirmed his retirement plans. However, his recent actions suggest that he is taking a break from cricket. After the elimination, Dhoni boarded an economy class flight from Bengaluru to Ranchi, surprising his fellow passengers.A video of Dhoni placing his luggage in the overhead compartment and taking his seat went viral on social media. Co-passengers captured the moment and gave Dhoni a round of applause. The video showcased Dhoni's simplicity and humility, earning him praise from fans.Earlier, Dhoni emphasized the importance of recruiting the right players for CSK, rather than big names. He stressed the need for players to align with the team's goals and contribute to its success."Fear is very important. You need to have that fear because unless, if I don't have fear, I can never be brave. I can never be courageous, you know. So I always felt that fear is important, that the pressure is important because that helps me take the right decision, keeping everything in mind," Dhoni said in a video uploaded by CSK."We get a very good player on our team, but he's drastically different from our environment. So what do we look for? We want him to take that one step towards the team's goal and we are happy to take three steps towards him. But let's say that's not the case. The second best thing is you keep doing what you are doing but don't disrupt us. That's the second-best option. The third is you have to let him go. Whether it's business or sports, you want to do well at the end of the day. The think tank's goal is to get the most out of the individual. If he's very good for the team, I will try whatever ways to ensure he becomes an asset," he added.Dhoni's future with CSK remains uncertain, but his recent actions suggest that he is taking a break from cricket. Whether he decides to retire or continue playing, Dhoni's legacy as one of the greatest cricketers of all time is secure.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his disappointment over Rajasthan Royals (RR) youngster Riyan Parag's reckless dismissal in the crucial IPL 2024 Qualifier 2 match against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH). Parag's dismissal proved to be a turning point in the match, as SRH went on to win by 36 runs and advance to the final.Chasing 176, RR struggled to score boundaries, and Parag's dismissal in the 13th over was a major setback. Parag scored just six runs off 10 balls before being dismissed by SRH's impact substitute Shahbaz Ahmed.Gavaskar, who was on commentary duties, was critical of Parag's approach, saying, "Seriously, seriously? What's the use of all the talent if you are not going to think? What kind of shot is that, seriously? So much talent. If you don't have the temperament, it won't work. So what if you had a few dot balls? You can still make up for it."Parag's dismissal sparked an RR collapse, as SRH took three wickets in the space of 15 balls. RR could not recover from the setbacks and eventually lost by a significant margin.Shahbaz was the star of the show for SRH, scoring 18 runs and taking 3-23. He was named player of the match, and SRH skipper Pat Cummins credited coach Daniel Vettori for the decision to bring Ahmed in as an impact substitute.Earlier, Sunrisers, who had racked up record IPL totals of 277 and 287 this season, lacked firepower in their batting until Heinrich Klaasen boosted the score with his fourth fifty of the season.Rajasthan's Trent Boult made early inroads, but Avesh Khan's two wickets in two balls put Hyderabad in a difficult position. However, Klaasen's 50 off 34 balls helped SRH reach a respectable total of 175/6.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season culminates in a thrilling final between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Sunday. KKR, the league stage toppers, defeated SRH in Qualifier 1, while SRH overcame Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Qualifier 2 to secure their place in the final.Four Intriguing Facts About the IPL 2024 Final:1. Cummins' Potential Hat-Trick: If SRH emerges victorious, Pat Cummins will become the third Australian captain to lead a Hyderabad-based franchise to an IPL title. Adam Gilchrist (Deccan Chargers, 2009) and David Warner (SRH, 2016) have previously achieved this feat.2. Costliest Players in IPL History: The 2024 IPL auction witnessed record-breaking deals for SRH's Nicholas Pooran (INR 20.50 crore) and KKR's Mitchell Starc (INR 24.75 crore). Both players will showcase their skills in the final.3. Absence of Indian T20 World Cup Squad Members: Unlike previous years, the IPL final will not feature any players from India's 15-member T20 World Cup squad. KKR and SRH do not have any representatives in the Indian team for the tournament scheduled from June 2 to 29.4. No New Champion: The IPL will not crown a new champion this year. Both KKR (2012, 2014) and SRH (2016) have previously won the title. Among the four playoff teams, only RCB remained without an IPL triumph.The final promises an exciting clash between two former champions, with both teams eager to add another trophy to their cabinet. The presence of star players like Cummins, Starc, and Pooran adds to the anticipation of a thrilling encounter.

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson has hailed pacer Sandeep Sharma as the "next guy" after Jasprit Bumrah, following his standout performance in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2024. Despite the Royals' heartbreaking 36-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Sandeep's precise swinging deliveries shone through on a night dominated by spinners.The 31-year-old speedster delivered an impressive spell, capturing the wickets of SRH's power-hitting duo, Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen, finishing with figures of 2/25 in his four-over spell. Samson, who has closely followed Sandeep's progress throughout the season, praised him as a consistent performer who deserves recognition at the national level."I am happy for him. By not being picked in the auctions and coming back as a replacement, the way he bowled, he has delivered. If we look at the numbers, Sandeep Sharma in the last two years, he will be the next guy after Bumrah. He has done a great job," Samson remarked post-match.Sandeep's journey this season has been noteworthy. After going unsold in the previous IPL auction, he was signed by the Royals as a replacement for Prasidh Krishna. From that moment, he emerged as a crucial figure in Rajasthan's pace bowling setup. Sandeep ended the season with 13 wickets in 11 matches, maintaining an economy of 8.18 and a strike rate of 17.54.Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, during his commentary, urged the BCCI selectors to consider Sandeep for the national team. He highlighted the often-overlooked consistency of the pacer's performances, despite the focus on express fast bowlers. "Whenever someone bowls over 140kmph, we begin salivating, but no one talks about him as an India prospect. Look at the slower bowls, it shows cleverness," Gavaskar noted.Sandeep's performance in Qualifier 2 further cemented his status as a reliable and effective bowler. His ability to swing the ball both ways and control the pace makes him a valuable asset to any team. With the IPL season now concluded, Sandeep will hope to continue his impressive form and earn a call-up to the Indian national team.