Cricket

Abishek Porel's remarkable journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is a testament to his resilience and talent. Despite initially sleeping through his call-up to the Delhi Capitals, Porel has emerged as a key player for the franchise.After a disappointing debut season in 2023, Porel was retained for 2024 and has repaid the faith with a stellar performance. Batting from various positions in the order, he has amassed 360 runs at a strike rate of 152.54, hitting 36 boundaries.Porel's versatility has been a major asset for the Capitals. He has opened the batting, played in the middle order, and even served as an Impact Player. His ability to play the new ball well and provide a left-right combination has earned him a place at the top of the order.Hailing from a cricketing family, Porel made his first-class debut in 2022 and impressed with his clean takes and hand-eye coordination. He has also opened in List A and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.Delhi Capitals' director of cricket, Sourav Ganguly, played a crucial role in Porel's selection. Head coach Ricky Ponting has been highly impressed with Porel's growth and believes he has a bright future.Porel's strength lies in his uncomplicated technique and ability to stay tall against pace. He has a strong heart and a determination to overcome challenges.Despite the presence of established hitters in the Capitals' lineup, Porel has carved out a niche for himself. His performances have proven that there is a place for him in the IPL.

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) disappointing exit from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has sparked controversy over the alleged lack of respect shown to MS Dhoni by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) players.Following CSK's elimination, Dhoni's future in the IPL remains uncertain. However, the incident involving RCB players has drawn criticism from former cricketers and experts. It was initially claimed that RCB players "over-celebrated" their playoff progression, prompting Dhoni to return to the dressing room without shaking hands.However, a video has emerged on social media contradicting this narrative. A fan claimed that Dhoni did not wait long before deciding to return to the dressing room, refuting accusations that RCB players were disrespectful.The incident has sparked a debate about the importance of sportsmanship and respect in the game. Harsha Bhogle and Michael Vaughan, renowned commentators, expressed their disappointment with RCB players' behavior."If there ever was a time for a group of players to show awareness... We don't know but if that was MS Dhoni's last game and those players have run around the ground doing handstands when all they need is to wait and meet the legend. We have to just go and shake his hands and then we can do a few cartwheels and handstands. That's absolutely fine," said Vaughan.Bhogle emphasized the significance of the post-match handshake as a symbol of respect and sportsmanship. "It doesn't matter. You win a World Cup final, you display your emotions, but you still shake hands with the opposition. That handshake is symbolic of the fact that (two teams are saying) 'now, our antagonism is over. We did not give an inch to each other. Now it's over,'" he said.While some fans have defended RCB players, arguing that they were caught up in the moment, others have condemned their actions as disrespectful. The incident has highlighted the importance of maintaining sportsmanship and respect in the competitive world of professional sports.

The Mumbai Indians' dismal performance in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season has left owner Nita Ambani deeply disappointed. The team finished at the bottom of the 10-team points table, winning only 4 out of 10 matches.Ambani, who is also a passionate fan of the Mumbai Indians, expressed her disappointment in a video shared on social media. "Disappointing season for all of us. Things didn't go the way we wanted them to," she said.The season was marked by a change in captaincy, with Hardik Pandya taking over from Rohit Sharma. However, the move failed to yield the desired results. Ambani acknowledged that the team needs to review its performance and identify areas for improvement."I think to wear the Mumbai Indians jersey is a huge honor and a privilege, and to be associated with Mumbai Indians, for me, is an honor and a privilege. I think, we will go back, review and think about it," she said.Ambani also extended her best wishes to the Indian quartet of Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah, who will now represent India in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024."To Rohit, Hardik, Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) and (Jasprit) Bumrah, I think, all Indians are cheering for you. We wish you all the best," she added.The T20 World Cup 2024 campaign begins for the Indian team on June 05, with the first match against Ireland. India will also take on Bangladesh in a warm-up clash on June 01.

RCB Snatch Victory from CSK in Thrilling IPL 2024 Playoff RaceIn a nail-biting encounter at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emerged victorious over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 27 runs, securing their spot in the playoffs of IPL 2024.Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal played a pivotal role in RCB's triumph, holding his nerve in the final over to deny CSK a crucial win. With CSK needing 17 runs off the last six deliveries, Dayal conceded only 10 runs, including a crucial wicket of MS Dhoni.Earlier, CSK had set a challenging target of 209 for RCB, thanks to a blistering 93-run partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Dhoni. Jadeja smashed 62 off 45 balls, while Dhoni contributed 54 off 38 deliveries.RCB's chase got off to a shaky start, losing three wickets in the powerplay. However, a 66-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell steadied the innings. Kohli top-scored with 56 off 42 balls, while Maxwell chipped in with 32 off 24 deliveries.With RCB needing 34 runs off the last three overs, Dhoni's towering six off Dayal in the penultimate over brought CSK back into the game. However, Dayal's composure under pressure proved decisive, as he dismissed Dhoni in the final over and sealed the victory for RCB.Dayal's heroics earned him the Player of the Match award, while Kohli's tactical instructions to bowl a slower ball to Dhoni became a viral moment on social media.RCB's victory eliminated CSK from the tournament, while RCB will now face Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

In a thrilling encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) surpassed Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to become the team with the most sixes in T20 history. Led by Pat Cummins, SRH chased down a formidable 215-run target set by Punjab Kings (PBKS) with five balls to spare.Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen were the architects of SRH's victory, smashing 66 and 42 runs respectively. Sharma's blistering knock included five fours and six sixes, while Klaasen contributed three fours and two sixes. Nitish Kumar Reddy also chipped in with a valuable 37.PBKS had earlier posted a challenging total of 214/5, thanks to a half-century from Prabhsimran Singh (71) and significant contributions from Rilee Rossouw (49) and Atharva Taide (46). T Natarajan was the pick of the SRH bowlers, claiming two wickets for 33 runs.With this victory, SRH equaled the record for scoring the most 200-plus totals in a single IPL edition, joining the likes of Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, and RCB. They now have eight wins and five losses in the ongoing IPL 2024, placing them second in the points table.PBKS, on the other hand, remain in ninth place with five wins and nine losses. Arshdeep Singh was their most impressive bowler, taking two wickets for 37 runs.Abhishek Sharma was adjudged the Player of the Match for his match-winning fifty.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's illustrious IPL career came to a disappointing end as his Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were eliminated from the 2024 season after a 27-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).CSK needed to score over 201 to qualify for the playoffs and came tantalizingly close, with Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja launching a fierce assault towards the end. However, RCB pacer Yash Dayal, who had been hit for five consecutive sixes by KKR's Rinku Singh in IPL 2023, held his nerve and sealed the thrilling win for RCB.Dhoni, who has guided CSK to five IPL titles, was visibly dejected after the match. Coming in at No. 8, he scored 25 runs off 13 balls, including three fours and a six, but Dayal's dismissal of Dhoni crushed CSK's hopes of progressing to the playoffs.Despite the disappointing end to the season, Dhoni's performance in IPL 2024 was commendable. He scored 161 runs at a strike rate of 220.54, showcasing his ability to adapt to the demands of the T20 format.After the match, RCB's young spinner Mayank Dagar approached Dhoni with a bat, requesting an autograph. Dhoni happily obliged, and Dagar shared the heartwarming video on his social media account.The defeat marked the end of an era for CSK, as Dhoni's future in the IPL remains uncertain. However, his legacy as one of the greatest cricketers of all time will endure.

Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad Clash in Qualifier 1Two of the IPL's most explosive batting lineups, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad, will face off in the first qualifier in Ahmedabad. The match promises to be a high-scoring affair, especially if the pitch offers a bouncy surface.KKR boasts a formidable batting lineup led by Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Rinku Singh. SRH, on the other hand, has found a reliable No. 3 option in Rahul Tripathi, who has strengthened their top order.However, the nature of the pitch will play a crucial role in the outcome. If the surface is slow and favors spinners, SRH's Varun Chakravarthy and Narine could pose a significant threat. KKR, on the other hand, will need to adapt quickly after enduring washouts in their last two league matches.KKR's Nitish Rana is expected to return as an Impact Player option, while SRH may consider bringing back Aiden Markram for his steady batting and offspin.Key Players to Watch:* Rinku Singh (KKR): The finisher has been in impressive form this season, despite limited opportunities.* T Natarajan (SRH): The left-arm pacer has developed a deceptive slower bouncer to complement his yorkers.Stats to Note:* Bhuvneshwar Kumar has a favorable match-up against Narine, dismissing him twice in 25 balls.* Varun Chakravarthy has taken the most wickets (38) by a spinner in the IPL since 2023.* Narine is four hits away from 100 IPL sixes.* Bhuvneshwar Kumar has bowled the most yorkers (31) in IPL 2024.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured a thrilling victory over the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, booking their spot in the playoffs. The match was marked by intense competition and a controversial incident involving Virat Kohli.RCB, led by Faf du Plessis, displayed exceptional aggression throughout the CSK innings. Each wicket was celebrated with fervor, and the fielding efforts were commendable. However, a moment of contention arose when RCB players questioned the umpire's decision regarding a no-ball by Lockie Ferguson to Rachin Ravindra. Du Plessis and Kohli argued that the slippery ball was the cause, a complaint they had raised earlier.Despite du Plessis' departure, Kohli continued to engage with the umpire, prompting criticism from former CSK player Matthew Hayden. "There's way too much interjection from Virat Kohli. He is not the captain and he should not be in those conversations with the umpire," Hayden remarked.Meanwhile, former India batter Ambati Rayudu expressed his belief that RCB are the favorites in the upcoming Eliminator against the Rajasthan Royals. He cited RCB's six-match winning streak and clinical performance against CSK as reasons for his prediction."I think RCB are clear favorites for me, because of the way they are playing and they've had a clinical game against CSK," Rayudu said. "For RR, I don't know if this gap in play will help. This washout would help them in going into an eliminator against RCB who I feel right now are a matured side and every player over there knows his role."

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has made a bold prediction that Virat Kohli could surpass his legendary 2016 IPL season, where he amassed 973 runs and led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to the final. Hayden believes that Kohli's current form and determination could lead him to even greater heights.Kohli has already scored 708 runs in 14 games this season, putting him on track to eclipse his previous record. Hayden praised Kohli's intensity and passion for the game, noting his ability to rally the crowd and silence opposition supporters.RCB's remarkable turnaround from a disappointing first half of the season, where they won only one of eight games, to winning six consecutive matches to reach the playoffs, has been a testament to the team's resilience. RCB finished the league stage in fourth place with seven wins, seven losses, and a higher net-run-rate than CSK, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Super Giants.RCB will face Rajasthan Royals in the eliminator clash at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on May 22. The winner of this match will advance to Qualifier 2, set to take place in Chennai on May 24, for a chance to reach the final on May 26.With Kohli in scintillating form and the team showing remarkable grit, RCB fans are hopeful that this could be the year their team finally clinches the elusive IPL title.