Cricket

SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) will face off in Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Friday, with a berth in the final at stake. SRH suffered a setback in Qualifier 1, losing to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), while RR emerged victorious over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Eliminator.To ensure that weather does not disrupt the crucial match, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has implemented contingency plans. Unlike last season, where only the final had a reserve day, all playoff matches, including Qualifier 2, now have a designated reserve day.If rain interrupts the match on the scheduled day, it will resume from the start on the reserve day. To accommodate potential delays, an additional 120 minutes will be added to the cut-off time.However, if rain persists and Qualifier 2 is washed out on both the scheduled and reserve days, the winner will be determined based on the league standings. In this scenario, SRH would advance to the final as they finished second in the league, while RR placed third. Both teams had identical points (17), but SRH held a superior net run rate (+0.414) compared to RR (+0.273).According to Accuweather, the probability of rain in Chennai on Friday is minimal (5%), with a slightly higher chance (10%) on the reserve day. Therefore, it is unlikely that weather will interfere with the Qualifier 2 clash between SRH and RR.

Virat Kohli's elusive quest for an IPL title continues as Rajasthan Royals extinguished Royal Challengers Bengaluru's playoff hopes in the 2024 edition. Despite a remarkable comeback and a six-match winning streak, RCB's resurgence was cut short by RR's four-wicket victory in the Eliminator.Kohli, who became the first player to amass 8000 IPL runs, witnessed his team's downfall as RR chased down a 173-run target with ease. The Indian star's frustration was evident as he was seen shouting from the boundary line, prompting speculation that he was directing his anger towards his teammates.Rajasthan Royals, after a topsy-turvy chase, broke their five-match losing streak and set up a Qualifier 2 clash with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Avesh Khan and Ravichandran Ashwin's disciplined bowling restricted RCB to 172/8, while Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Rovman Powell guided RR to victory.Jaiswal's 45, Parag's 36, and Hetmyer's 26 laid the foundation for RR's chase. Despite some setbacks, Powell's unbeaten 16 ensured RR's triumph. RCB's hopes were dashed as they failed to capitalize on their recent resurgence.The result sets up an intriguing Qualifier 2 clash between RR and SRH, with the winner facing Kolkata Knight Riders in the final. Kohli's wait for an IPL title extends, while RR remains in contention for their second championship.

Sunrisers Hyderabad's (SRH) hopes of reaching the IPL 2024 final hinge heavily on the performance of their star opener, Travis Head, according to former India cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra. SRH will face Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 in Chennai on Friday, and Head's recent struggles have raised concerns.Head has been a standout performer for SRH this season, amassing 533 runs at a phenomenal strike rate of 199.62 in 13 innings. However, he has fallen for ducks in his last two outings against left-arm seamers. With Trent Boult and potentially Nandre Burger in Rajasthan's lineup, Head faces a stern test.Chopra emphasized the critical role of SRH's opening pair, Head and Abhishek Sharma, in their success. "Their strength is their two openers. If these two openers start firing, no one is able to stop them. They turn the match in their favor in the first eight to 10 overs. Travis Head has gone down a little, gotten out two successive times, but you expect him to play well," Chopra stated.Chopra noted that while Head's overall numbers are impressive, his recent vulnerability against left-arm seamers could be exploited by Rajasthan. "Trent Boult hasn't troubled him that much, although he could have got out last time. Riyan Parag dropped a catch. So they might try to trap Travis Head in the same way once again. However, he scored a fifty against this team last time. This team cannot progress without Travis Head scoring runs," Chopra added.Abhishek Sharma, SRH's second-highest run-scorer this season with 470 runs at a strike rate of 207.04, also received praise from Chopra. "My second player is Abhishek Sharma because he is batting very well. If Travis Head is scoring runs in the first innings, Abhishek Sharma is scoring runs in the second innings. If he keeps batting like this, you never know, he might play for India soon. Times are changing, the Indian selectors have already started focusing on the next generation," he elaborated.Chopra emphasized the importance of SRH maintaining their momentum, pointing out other key players who could make a difference. "The thing that goes in favor of this team is that, because of the type of cricket they have played, if they get on a roll, it's very difficult to bring them down. Rahul Tripathi is batting well now. Nitish Reddy plays very well against spin, scored 70-odd runs against this team last time, and hit massive sixes," he said.However, Chopra also highlighted SRH's potential weaknesses in the middle order. "After that, they have Heinrich Klaasen. So Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, the two openers, then Heinrich Klaasen and two Indians in the middle. This is both a strength and a weakness because only Abdul Samad and Shahbaz Ahmed are left after that. So they are seen slightly stumbling there," he observed.

Glenn Maxwell's dismal IPL 2024 campaign ended with a disappointing duck, leaving him with a meager 52 runs from nine innings. This slump has raised concerns about his form ahead of the T20 World Cup, where he is expected to play a pivotal role for Australia.Maxwell's struggles have been attributed to a combination of factors, including a lack of match practice due to off-field commitments and the ongoing management of a leg injury. Despite his poor batting performance, his bowling has remained a highlight, making him a valuable asset to Australia's white-ball plans.While some experts believe Maxwell's form will improve in the World Cup, others have expressed concern about his recent slump. Former Australia captain Aaron Finch suggested that Maxwell may have been nearing the end of his IPL career, while former batter Callum Ferguson expressed confidence in his ability to bounce back.Maxwell's future in the IPL is also uncertain, with a mega auction on the horizon. He has previously stated that the IPL will likely be his last tournament, but it remains to be seen whether he will continue with Royal Challengers Bengaluru or explore other options.Despite his recent struggles, Maxwell remains a highly skilled player capable of extraordinary performances. His ability to marshal the middle order and dominate the phase after the powerplay will be crucial for Australia's success in the T20 World Cup.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made a significant decision ahead of the IPL 2024 season by appointing Ruturaj Gaikwad as their new captain, replacing the legendary MS Dhoni. This move was met with widespread approval from CSK fans, who were confident in Gaikwad's leadership abilities.CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan explained the rationale behind the decision, stating that Gaikwad had been identified as a potential captain for several years. Both head coach Stephen Fleming and Dhoni had recognized his leadership qualities and had been grooming him for the role.Viswanathan praised Gaikwad's performance as captain, noting that he had led the side comfortably and had not allowed the pressure to affect his batting. He also highlighted the support provided by the senior players, which had helped Gaikwad settle into his new role.The CSK CEO emphasized the importance of fan acceptance in Gaikwad's success. He pointed out that Dhoni's endorsement of Gaikwad had played a crucial role in the fans' willingness to embrace him as their new leader.Viswanathan also credited the CSK management's hands-off approach to cricketing matters for facilitating the smooth transition. He stated that the management had given Gaikwad the freedom to make decisions and had not interfered with his captaincy.In conclusion, the decision to appoint Ruturaj Gaikwad as CSK captain was a well-thought-out move that was supported by the team management, senior players, and fans. Gaikwad's leadership skills and the support he received from all quarters enabled him to make a successful transition into the role.

RCB's Premature Celebrations Cost Them Dear, Says SrikkanthLegendary Indian cricketer Kris Srikkanth has criticized Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for their excessive celebrations after their victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Srikkanth believes that RCB's complacency led to their downfall in the Eliminator against Rajasthan Royals (RR).RR defeated RCB by four wickets, ending their impressive comeback campaign. RCB had won six consecutive matches after a poor start, including a thrilling victory over CSK in their final league game. However, Srikkanth believes that RCB's celebrations after the CSK win were premature."In life when you are doing well, keep your mouth shut and keep going," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel. "When you make noise out of something you are doing, you cannot do that work."Srikkanth criticized RCB for posting "unnecessary videos" and "showing off too much" after their win against CSK. He believes that this complacency allowed RR to exploit their weaknesses."That's why they came and destroyed them," Srikkanth said. "That's why in cricket you need to shut your mouth and play."Srikkanth also pointed out that RCB's six-match winning streak was not as impressive as the comebacks achieved by CSK and Mumbai Indians (MI) in the past."CSK and MI have done this so many more times," Srikkanth said. "CSK and Mumbai have both come from nowhere and won titles. These guys won six matches and as soon as they qualified, they got knocked out."RCB captain Faf Du Plessis admitted that his team was short with the bat against RR."With the dew coming, we felt we were short with the bat," Du Plessis said. "Did think we were 20 runs shy of what was a good score."Du Plessis praised his team's fighting spirit but acknowledged that they were not special enough with the bat in the Eliminator."Extremely proud," Du Plessis said. "Lot of teams - their wheels would've fallen off after 1 from 9. To come back like that, six games in a row, takes a lot of heart and character. We weren't special tonight in terms of pushing that extra 20 runs with the bat."

Qualifier 2: Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad - A Clash of Batting and Bowling ProwessThe stage is set for a thrilling Qualifier 2 encounter between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The match, scheduled for 19:30 IST (14:00 GMT), promises an intriguing battle between SRH's explosive batting lineup and RR's formidable bowling unit.SRH's Batting Juggernaut vs RR's Bowling ArsenalSRH has shattered IPL batting records this season, boasting the highest team total of 263/5. Their destructive opening pair, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, has been instrumental in their success, scoring over 100 runs in the powerplay twice. Heinrich Klaasen, the in-form T20 batter, adds further firepower to their lineup.RR, on the other hand, possesses one of the most potent bowling attacks in the tournament. Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, and Sandeep Sharma provide early breakthroughs, while R Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal form a formidable spin duo. The battle between SRH's batters and RR's bowlers will be crucial in determining the outcome of the match.Form and Previous MeetingBoth teams have struggled in their recent outings in Chennai. SRH lost heavily to Chennai Super Kings, while RR fell short against the same opposition. However, their previous encounter was a nail-biting affair, with RR narrowly losing by 2 runs.Team News and Impact Player StrategyRR may consider including Keshav Maharaj as a third spinner on the slow Chepauk pitch. However, they may need to adjust their overseas combination if they bowl first. SRH could bring in Aiden Markram or Glenn Phillips to strengthen their batting, with Mayank Markande replacing Sanvir Singh as their legspinner.Players in the SpotlightR Ashwin has regained his form in recent games, picking up seven wickets in his last four outings. He will be eager to continue his impressive run on his home ground. Travis Head, SRH's MVP, has been dismissed twice by left-arm seamers in his last two matches. RR's Trent Boult will be looking to exploit this weakness.Stats that Matter* Ashwin has never dismissed Head but has kept him quiet, conceding only 10 runs in 17 balls.* Klaasen has dominated his match-up against Chahal, scoring 108 runs off 46 balls.* Jaiswal has an impressive record against Bhuvneshwar and Cummins, having never been dismissed by either bowler.Pitch and ConditionsThe Chennai pitch is expected to be hot and humid, with dew likely in the second innings. Teams may prefer to bowl first on winning the toss, as chasing teams have won five of the seven games played here this season.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) enjoyed a remarkable run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, winning six consecutive matches to secure a playoff berth. In a crucial encounter against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), RCB's nerves held firm, with pacer Yash Dayal delivering a stellar performance in the final over to secure a fourth-place finish for the team.The victory sparked jubilation within the RCB camp, with the entire team reportedly celebrating until 5 AM. However, their joy was short-lived as RCB was eliminated in the Eliminator clash against Rajasthan Royals.Yash Dayal emerged as one of RCB's heroes in the match against CSK. His father revealed that the players celebrated their progression to the next round with an after-match party that lasted until 5 AM. "Yash told his mother that the after-match party lasted till 5 AM (after beating CSK). He was so happy. Also, he said that when he got hit for a six in the first ball by Dhoni, he controlled himself to focus on bowling, not thinking about who was there on the crease, whether it was Dhoni or Jadeja," Yash's father, Chanderpal Dayal, told IANS.Despite being hit for a six by MS Dhoni on the first ball of the final over, Yash made a remarkable comeback, conceding only seven runs in the over. However, the left-arm pacer failed to maintain his form in the Eliminator clash against Rajasthan.Dayal conceded 37 runs in the match against RR, bowling just three overs without picking up a wicket. He was the most expensive bowler for RCB on the day, conceding at 12.30 per over.RCB remains one of the few franchises yet to win an IPL title, having participated in all 17 seasons of the T20 league. With the loss against the Royals, the Bengaluru side registered an unwanted record of losing the most number of playoffs matches in IPL history.

Trent Boult, the star pacer for Rajasthan Royals, has emerged as a pivotal figure in the team's quest for the IPL 2024 title. Beyond his exceptional on-field performances, Boult has also embraced Indian culture, immersing himself in the vibrant festival of Holi."My first time celebrating Holi was an amazing experience," Boult remarked. "It's always fun to experience the culture in India."Boult's surname, with its cricketing connection, has also garnered attention. "My parents chose my name, and I chose my career," he said. "I'm fortunate to have a name like Boult when it comes to bowling. It's always a funny pun when 'Lightning Boult' comes out."On the field, Boult has been instrumental in Rajasthan's success. In a crucial play-off match against Bengaluru, he restricted the opposition to 172-8, paving the way for Rajasthan's victory.Bengaluru's title drought continues, while Rajasthan advances to face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final play-off. The winner of that match will face Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL final on May 26.Rajasthan, under the guidance of Shane Warne, won the inaugural IPL edition in 2008. After a challenging start to the 2024 season, the team has rebounded with a series of impressive performances.Bengaluru's remarkable run came to an end after they surged from the bottom of the table to win six consecutive matches and secure a play-off berth.