Cricket

KKR vs RR Live Score: Royals' Batters Face Pressure to Revive Playoff HopesRajasthan Royals find themselves in a precarious position as they prepare to face Kolkata Knight Riders in a crucial match that could determine their playoff fate. After securing a playoff berth with 16 points, the Royals have stumbled in recent matches, losing four consecutive games.The Royals' batting has been a major concern, with the team failing to cross the 150-run mark in their last two outings. The absence of star opener Jos Buttler, who has returned home for national duty, has left a significant void in the batting lineup.Yashasvi Jaiswal, skipper Sanju Samson, and local hero Riyan Parag will need to step up and shoulder the responsibility of leading the Royals' batting charge. Jaiswal, in particular, has been in impressive form this season, scoring 250 runs in 13 matches. Samson, the team's captain, has also shown glimpses of his brilliance, but he will need to find consistency.Parag, known for his aggressive batting style, could be a key factor in the Royals' success. His ability to hit big shots and accelerate the scoring rate could prove invaluable in the middle overs.The Royals' bowling attack, led by Yuzvendra Chahal and Trent Boult, has been one of the most effective in the tournament. Chahal, the leg-spinner, has taken 27 wickets in 13 matches, while Boult, the left-arm pacer, has picked up 18 wickets.However, the Royals will need their bowlers to be at their best against a formidable Kolkata Knight Riders batting lineup that includes Andre Russell, Nitish Rana, and Shreyas Iyer.The match between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders is a must-win for the Royals if they want to finish in the top two and secure two chances to reach the final. The Royals will need to find their batting form and execute their plans flawlessly to overcome the challenge posed by the Knight Riders.

MS Dhoni's IPL Farewell: A Disappointing End to a Legendary Career?The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season has come to a close, and with it, the curtain may have fallen on the illustrious career of MS Dhoni in the tournament. The former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain's last match in the IPL was a heartbreaking loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Eliminator.Dhoni, who has been battling fitness issues throughout the season, was expected to go out with a bang. He had hit a six on the first ball of the final over, but RCB's Yash Dayal struck on the second delivery to dismiss him and seal the victory for his team.However, a video that has emerged on social media has raised questions about Dhoni's conduct after the match. The footage shows Dhoni skipping the handshake line with RCB players and returning to the dressing room.This incident has sparked criticism from some quarters, with former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeting, "Dhoni should learn how to handle loss with grace from Kohli. Handshake is one of the great things about our game."It is unclear if Dhoni later shook hands with RCB's playing XI, but his decision to leave the field without doing so has been met with disappointment by many fans.In another video, Virat Kohli is seen following Dhoni into the dressing room, presumably to shake hands with him. This gesture suggests that there was no animosity between the two players, but it does not excuse Dhoni's behavior.The Qualifier 2 and the final of this year's IPL are scheduled to be held at Chepauk, CSK's home ground. Fans had hoped to see Dhoni and his team lift the trophy in front of their home crowd, but the team's disappointing season has dashed those hopes.Dhoni's legacy in the IPL is undeniable. He led CSK to four titles and is widely regarded as one of the greatest captains in the tournament's history. However, his exit from the IPL has been marred by controversy, leaving a sour taste in the mouths of many fans.

MS Dhoni's Dismissal Cost Chennai Super Kings a Playoff Spot, Says Aakash ChopraFormer India cricketer and renowned analyst Aakash Chopra believes that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) could have secured a place in the IPL 2024 playoffs if MS Dhoni had not been dismissed by Yash Dayal's slower ball. CSK, the defending champions, were eliminated from the tournament after a 27-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Saturday.Reflecting on CSK's chase in his YouTube channel, Chopra highlighted the crucial impact of Dhoni's dismissal. "MS Dhoni was there along with Ravindra Jadeja. Dhoni kept them alive. Maybe this was the last time we saw Dhoni. He hit the longest six of this season - 110 meters. He also hit two fours on the leg side. If MS Dhoni hadn't gotten out to the back-of-the-hand ball, he would have won the game (taken CSK to the playoffs)," Chopra commented.Dhoni joined Jadeja when CSK required 72 runs off 30 balls, a daunting task that seemed almost impossible. However, the duo managed to narrow the gap, bringing the equation (for playoff qualification) down to 11 runs needed off the last five balls. Dhoni's presence kept the hope alive for CSK until he was caught at deep square leg off a slower ball from Dayal, effectively sealing CSK's fate."From where he started, it didn't seem like winning the game was possible. Not winning, you know I am talking about 201, winning the match was beyond them. Jadeja was hitting sixes off the first ball of every over. However, Yash Dayal bowled well in the last over. Only 17 runs were required. He saved them and RCB won with a decent margin and progressed," Chopra added.Dhoni’s valiant effort included the season’s longest six at 110 meters and some strategic boundaries, showcasing his enduring skill and resilience despite battling a knee injury throughout the season. His partnership with Jadeja brought CSK tantalizingly close to playoffs, emphasizing Dhoni’s critical role in the team’s performance.As Dhoni's future in the IPL remains uncertain, his potential final innings in the league was marked by characteristic determination and fighting spirit. The cricketing community now waits to see whether Dhoni will return next season or if this was the last of his legendary contributions to the IPL.

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) rollercoaster ride in IPL 2024 has taken a disappointing turn, with their playoff hopes dashed after a crucial loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Despite a promising start, CSK's campaign has been marred by injuries, a new captain, and the absence of their legendary leader, MS Dhoni.Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed concerns over CSK's leadership, suggesting that Ruturaj Gaikwad's captaincy could face a similar fate to Ravindra Jadeja's in 2022. Pathan emphasized the team's pedigree in winning crucial moments but highlighted their current struggles."CSK has a lot of issues at the moment," Pathan said. "Injury issues, new captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is no longer leading them. You might have seen him occasionally setting the field, but he is not the captain. You might have remembered what happened when [Ravindra] Jadeja led the side and it didn't end well, the same can happen again."Pathan also weighed in on Dhoni's future in the IPL, speculating that the CSK vs RCB match could be his last. However, he acknowledged that it remains uncertain.Ahead of the match, Pathan had predicted an advantage for RCB, which proved accurate as they emerged victorious by 27 runs. He emphasized the importance of momentum in the tournament."Nothing is easy. It's not going to be easy for both teams. RCB has the momentum, a solid momentum. And if they win as there is no more dangerous side than the one in strong momentum," Pathan concluded.

Despite Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) disappointing exit from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa and Australian all-rounder Shane Watson believe that MS Dhoni will return to the tournament next season.Dhoni, who played through a knee injury, showcased impressive form throughout the season, scoring 161 runs at an average of 53.66 and a strike rate of 220.54. However, his efforts were not enough to secure a playoff spot for CSK, as they lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a crucial game.Uthappa expressed his confidence in Dhoni's return, stating, "I don't think we have seen the last of MS. He is not someone who takes these things lightly. He will come back roaring for sure." He also shed light on Dhoni's injury, explaining that the veteran cricketer had been managing a calf injury that was more serious than initially thought.Watson echoed Uthappa's sentiments, expressing his hope to see Dhoni continue in the IPL for at least another one or two years. "He batted beautifully again. There is no doubt that he can fulfill a very important role for CSK, even if it's coming in and facing 13-15 balls each game and doing this. He played incredibly well. Fingers crossed, MSD can roll out again for at least one or two more years, fulfilling this role which is a little less demanding physically on him anyway," Watson said.Dhoni's commitment was evident in his last match, where he played a valiant knock of 25 off 13 deliveries, falling in the final over of the chase. His ability to adapt and still contribute significantly underlines his importance to the team.Dhoni had stepped down as CSK captain ahead of the 2024 season, handing over the reins to Ruturaj Gaikwad after leading the team to five IPL titles. His presence, both on and off the field, continues to be a cornerstone for CSK, and fans, along with cricketing greats, are hopeful to see him in action again next season.

Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders Set for Thrilling Clash in GuwahatiMatch 70 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 promises an exciting encounter between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on May 19.Team Standings and Recent PerformancesRR, currently ranked second on the points table with 16 points, will be eager to maintain their momentum. They recently lost to Punjab Kings, with Riyan Parag emerging as their top fantasy player with 80 points.KKR, on the other hand, hold the top spot with 19 points. They secured a victory over Mumbai Indians in their last match, with Andre Russell scoring 86 fantasy points.Pitch Conditions and Weather ForecastThe Barsapara Cricket Stadium offers a batting-friendly surface, with an average first-innings score of 151 runs. Both pacers and spinners are expected to find success on this pitch.The weather forecast predicts a temperature of around 25 degrees Celsius with 77% humidity. Light rain is possible, which could impact playing conditions.Head-to-Head RecordIn the 29 previous encounters between these two teams, KKR's batters have earned the most fantasy points, while RR's bowlers have been the most successful.Dream11 Captain and Vice-Captain PicksCaptain: Sunil Narine (KKR) - All-rounder with an average of 106 fantasy points in the last 10 games.Vice-Captain: Sanju Samson (RR) - Consistent batter with an average of 59 fantasy points in the last 10 games.Other Top Fantasy Picks* Andre Russell (KKR) - All-rounder with an average of 54 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Riyan Parag (RR) - Consistent batter with an average of 54 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Varun Chakravarthy (KKR) - Bowler with an average of 52 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Sandeep Sharma (RR) - Bowler with an average of 41 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Yuzvendra Chahal (RR) - Bowler with an average of 33 fantasy points in the last 10 games.SquadsRajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson (c), Trent Boult, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jos Buttler, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sandeep Sharma, Donovan Ferreira, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Navdeep Saini, Avesh Khan, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Nandre Burger, Riyan Parag, Tanush Kotian, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kuldeep Sen, Dhruv Jurel, Abid Mushtaq, Shubham Dubey, Kunal Singh Rathore.Kolkata Knight Riders: Shreyas Iyer (c), Manish Pandey, Mitchell Starc, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Dushmantha Chameera, KS Bharat, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Phil Salt, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Sherfane Rutherford, Varun Chakravarthy, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Chetan Sakariya, Vaibhav Arora, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Harshit Rana, Sakib Hussain, Suyash Sharma.ConclusionThe clash between RR and KKR promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams looking to secure a crucial victory. The batting-friendly pitch and the possibility of rain add an element of uncertainty to the match. Fantasy cricket enthusiasts will have plenty of options to choose from when selecting their Dream11 teams.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have defied all odds to qualify for the playoffs of IPL 2024, despite a dismal start to their campaign. After losing seven of their first eight games, RCB have staged a remarkable turnaround, winning their last six matches.Their most crucial victory came on Saturday night against five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK). A video of Virat Kohli's motivational speech to a group of youngsters has gone viral, in which he emphasized the importance of believing in even a one percent chance.Kohli's words have proven prophetic for RCB, as they have clawed their way back into contention. Kohli himself has been instrumental in their resurgence, leading the league in runs scored with a staggering 708 in 14 innings.In their match against CSK, RCB posted a competitive 218 for 5 on a challenging track. Skipper Faf du Plessis led the way with a 39-ball 54. The hosts then restricted CSK to 191 for 7, securing a 27-run victory.However, CSK could have still qualified for the playoffs if they had reached the 201-run mark. But RCB paceman Yash Dayal held his nerve in the final over to deny the five-time champions.RCB's victory propelled them to 14 points, level with CSK. However, RCB's superior net run rate earned them the fourth spot in the standings.The top four teams at the end of the league stage qualify for the playoffs. Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad have already secured their spots. RCB's qualification is a testament to their resilience and determination.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad expressed disappointment after his team's 27-run defeat against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The loss eliminated CSK from the playoffs contention.Gaikwad, who was dismissed for a golden duck in the second innings, acknowledged the challenges faced by his team throughout the season. "We had a lot of injuries, and not having Devon Conway made a big difference," he said. "Pathirana got injured, and we missed Mustafizur Rahman as well. When you have injuries, it's difficult to balance the squad."Despite the setbacks, Gaikwad praised the team's performance in seven out of 14 games. "I'm pretty happy with that," he said. "But I'm slightly disappointed that we couldn't make the playoffs."Gaikwad also highlighted the difficulty of the wicket in Bengaluru. "It was turning and gripping a little bit," he said. "I was happy with the target we set, but we couldn't get over the line."In the match, RCB posted a formidable 218/5 on the board, with Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Cameron Green contributing significant runs. CSK, in response, lost early wickets but fought back through Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane. However, a late collapse saw them fall short of the target.RCB's victory secured their place in the playoffs, while CSK finished fifth in the standings.

A year after being subjected to online abuse for conceding five sixes in an over, fast bowler Yash Dayal has redeemed himself in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 2024 edition, Dayal held his nerve in the crucial last over against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to prevent them from reaching the 201-run mark and secure a crucial victory for his team.Dayal's performance was particularly poignant given his struggles last year, when he fell ill after receiving online abuse for his performance against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). However, he has shown remarkable resilience and determination to bounce back from that setback.In the match against CSK, RCB posted a commendable 218 for 5, thanks in part to skipper Faf du Plessis' 39-ball 54. CSK, needing to reach 201 to qualify for the playoffs, fell short by 27 runs, with Dayal playing a pivotal role in their downfall.Dayal's performance was praised by du Plessis, who dedicated his 'Player of the Match' award to the young pacer. "He has a golden heart," du Plessis said.Dayal's redemption story is a testament to his character and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. It also highlights the need for responsible online behavior and the detrimental effects that cyberbullying can have on individuals.