Cricket

Nitish Kumar Reddy, the rising star of Sunrisers Hyderabad, has emerged as a formidable all-rounder in the Indian Premier League (IPL). His impressive performance in the 2024 season has not only solidified his position within the franchise but has also garnered recognition from cricketing legends.Reddy's batting prowess was evident throughout the tournament, as he amassed 303 runs in 13 matches. His ability to adapt to different situations and contribute with both power-hitting and sensible batting showcased his versatility. Moreover, his bowling contributions, which yielded three wickets, further highlighted his all-round capabilities.Beyond his on-field achievements, Reddy's journey is marked by his deep admiration for cricketing icons. He has openly expressed his reverence for Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, citing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as his favorite team for the past decade. Reddy's dream of meeting Kohli was realized in 2023, and he cherishes the moment when Kohli remembered his name during a post-match handshake in 2024.Reddy's commitment to the game has also earned him recognition from other prominent figures in the cricketing world. T20 World Cup-winning all-rounder Hardik Pandya reached out to Reddy after the IPL, praising his on-field intent and energy. Pandya's message of encouragement and inspiration has further motivated Reddy to excel as an all-rounder.Reddy's performance in the IPL has not only garnered praise from his idols but has also marked a turning point in his career. His consistent contributions have solidified his position as a key player for Sunrisers Hyderabad and have opened doors to potential opportunities in the future.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season was marred by a controversial incident involving Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjeev Goenka and skipper KL Rahul. Following LSG's humiliating 10-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Goenka was caught on camera having a heated confrontation with Rahul.LSG spinner Amit Mishra, in an interview with YouTuber Shubhankar Mishra, shed light on the incident. Mishra revealed that Goenka's anger stemmed from LSG's consecutive heavy defeats. "He was disappointed. We lost two back-to-back matches very badly," Mishra said. "It felt like we were bowling them during a net practice session."Mishra clarified that Goenka's criticism was directed at the team's lack of fight and poor bowling performance. "He said that the bowling was very bad and the team should have shown some fight," Mishra explained. "It looked like you have completely surrendered."However, Mishra downplayed the severity of the incident, attributing it to the media's sensationalism. "It was not a huge deal," he said. "But I later came to know that he said that the bowling was very bad and the team should have shown some fight. It looked like you have completely surrendered. But I feel people and media hyped it up a bit."Amidst rumors of Rahul's potential departure from LSG, Mishra expressed his belief that the team should prioritize a captain with a strong T20 mentality and a commitment to the team's success. "It does not matter if he is in the Indian team or not," Mishra said. "But a person who has the right mentality for T20s should be the captain. Someone who plays for the team should be captain. I am sure LSG will look for a better captain."

Mitchell Starc, the Australian pace spearhead, played a pivotal role in Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) third Indian Premier League (IPL) title triumph in 2024. Acquired for a record-breaking Rs 24.75 crore in the players' auction, Starc lived up to his billing, delivering match-winning performances throughout the tournament.In the grand finale against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Starc was at his devastating best, claiming figures of 2-14. His fiery spell helped KKR bowl out Sunrisers for a paltry 113, the lowest total in an IPL final. Starc's performance earned him the Man of the Match award, cementing his status as one of the world's premier T20 bowlers.Starc's impact extended beyond the final. In the first playoff against Sunrisers, he produced a match-winning 3-34, once again showcasing his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. His consistent brilliance throughout the tournament played a crucial role in KKR's title triumph.However, a recent video has emerged where Starc expresses his disappointment over the prize money distribution for the IPL title. In a talk show, Starc revealed that KKR received a prize of Rs 20 crore for winning the tournament, which was less than the amount he had earned at the auction."The IPL Final presentation didn't start until midnight & basically killed the vibe. Then cheques for winning team came over, it had INR 20CR price. Angkrish (Raghuvanshi) looked at that and said - Huh! it's not even what you got paid," Starc said in the video.Despite the prize money discrepancy, Starc's contribution to KKR's title victory cannot be overstated. His exceptional bowling performances were instrumental in the team's success, and he will undoubtedly remain a key figure for KKR in the years to come.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 witnessed a heartwarming display of camaraderie between former rivals Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli. The two, who had a heated on-field altercation in IPL 2023, were seen embracing and joking about their past feuds.Gambhir's recent appointment as the head coach of the Indian national cricket team has reignited the spotlight on his relationship with Kohli, a senior player and former captain. Reports suggest that Kohli was not consulted before Gambhir's appointment, raising questions about the dynamics between the two.However, a BCCI official has stated that there is ample time for discussions between Gambhir and Kohli. The official emphasized the need to focus on the bigger picture, as the team prepares to integrate young talents in the coming years.The decision to appoint Gambhir was made by the BCCI's Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), which consulted several players, including Hardik Pandya. The CAC unanimously recommended Gambhir for his aggressive approach and strategic mindset, which they believe will benefit the team's future.Gambhir's appointment is seen as a forward-looking move by the BCCI, aimed at fostering a competitive and aggressive playing style. His tenure as head coach will be crucial in shaping the future of Indian cricket, particularly with the integration of many young talents into the national squad.

Nitish Kumar Reddy, the breakout star of IPL 2024, has set his sights on emulating the iconic role of Hardik Pandya in the Indian cricket team. After a stellar season with Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he amassed 303 runs at a blistering strike rate of 142, Reddy was poised to make his India debut on the post-T20 World Cup tour to Zimbabwe. However, an untimely injury forced him to withdraw at the last moment.Undeterred, Reddy remains confident that his India debut is imminent. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, he revealed his aspirations to fill the void left by Pandya in the national setup. "There's a chance I'll get to play at no. 7 or no. 6, most likely a Hardik Pandya role," Reddy said. "I'm flexible to bat wherever I'm asked to, but as of now I'm preparing for the role that Hardik Pandya is playing."Reddy's versatility extends beyond his batting prowess. He has also showcased his skills as a handy pace bowler, recently becoming the most expensive player in the Andhra Premier League. This adaptability has made him a valuable asset for Sunrisers Hyderabad and has caught the attention of the Indian selectors.Despite his meteoric rise, Reddy remains grounded and realistic about his chances in the India setup. "If you ask me to open, I'll open as well," he said. "In the near future, I won't be getting the chance at the top order because there are more experienced players. I have to adapt to whatever role I'll get, and I've been prepared to adapt this way by domestic cricket."Reddy's selection for the Zimbabwe tour alongside a host of young players is a testament to the growing opportunities for emerging talent in Indian cricket. "I'm happy that there is a progression for youngsters who are performing well," he said. "After Rohit bhai (Rohit Sharma), Virat bhai (Virat Kohli) and Jaddu bhai (Ravindra Jadeja)'s retirements, there will be opportunities for youngsters. We need to grab them."At just 21, Reddy has already achieved significant milestones in his career. He is now a brand ambassador for Puma, the same brand as his idol, Virat Kohli. "My inspiration is Virat Kohli, so I'm really proud to be a part of Puma," Reddy said. "Puma really supported me through the IPL, and the greatest thing is that they're providing opportunities to youngsters like myself and Riyan Parag."With his exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and the support of a major brand, Nitish Kumar Reddy is poised to become a mainstay in the Indian cricket team for years to come.

Riyan Parag's impressive performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has earned him a call-up to the Indian cricket team for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe. Parag, who was the third-highest run-scorer in IPL 2024 with 573 runs in 16 matches, had expressed his disappointment at not being selected for the T20 World Cup, which India won after defeating South Africa in the final.Despite his disappointment, Parag has remained focused on his cricket and has been rewarded with a place in the Indian squad for the Zimbabwe series. Former India pacer S Sreesanth has criticized Parag for his earlier remarks, stating that young players should prioritize patriotism and support the team regardless of their selection.Meanwhile, Shubman Gill will lead the Indian cricket team in the absence of Rohit Sharma for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe. The team traveled to Zimbabwe right after the T20 World Cup 2024, where they will play five T20I encounters between July 6-14.India's squad for the T20I series against Zimbabwe:* Shubman Gill (Captain)* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Ruturaj Gaikwad* Abhishek Sharma* Rinku Singh* Sanju Samson* Dhruv Jurel* Nitish Reddy* Riyan Parag* Washington Sundar* Ravi Bishnoi* Avesh Khan* Khaleel Ahmed* Mukesh Kumar* Tushar Deshpande

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, has unveiled a new hairstyle that has sent social media into a frenzy. The iconic wicketkeeper-batsman's latest cut, revealed by renowned hair stylist Aalim Hakim, has garnered over 50,000 likes on Instagram within the first hour.Dhoni's previous long hairstyle, which he sported during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, has been replaced by a shorter, more wavy version. The Chennai Super Kings star, known for his low-key profile outside of the IPL, has given his fans a rare glimpse into his personal life."Our Young, Dynamic and Handsome Mahendra Singh Dhoni," wrote Hakim in the caption to the post. "It's a pure joy to cut and style our Thala's hair and he is always courteous enough to let me click his pictures."Dhoni, affectionately known as 'Thala' (leader) by Chennai Super Kings fans, has been out of the limelight since the conclusion of IPL 2024. However, this new haircut comes just weeks after a video of Dhoni relaxing at his farmhouse in Ranchi went viral.In that video, Dhoni was still sporting his long hairstyle. However, this time, India's iconic No. 7 is flaunting a shorter cut, styled with different shades of brown.Fans of Dhoni are eagerly anticipating his return to the IPL in 2025. Having relinquished the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad and with a mega auction on the horizon, it remains uncertain whether Dhoni will continue playing.However, his impressive form in IPL 2024 suggests that he should certainly consider continuing his career. Dhoni scored 161 runs at a strike rate of 220, often batting at a lowly no. 8 position.Presently, Team India is focused on winning the 2024 T20 World Cup, a tournament that Dhoni first won in 2007 with a young Indian unit. Dhoni's experience and leadership could prove invaluable as India looks to reclaim the coveted trophy.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer and current mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders, has offered valuable advice to Hardik Pandya, the captain of the Mumbai Indians, following the team's disappointing performance in IPL 2024.Gambhir, who has won the IPL twice as captain of KKR, emphasized the importance of treating all team members equally, regardless of their experience or stature. "First and foremost, treat Rohit Sharma and the youngest member of the team in exactly the same way," he said. "It is a tough job, but leaders are bound to take tough decisions. Otherwise, you will become a follower."Gambhir believes that a true leader must have courage and self-belief. "If you're a leader, you're a leader for everyone in that dressing room," he said. "To do that, you need to have a lot of courage and self-belief."The removal of Rohit Sharma as captain of the Mumbai Indians was met with criticism from many quarters. However, Gambhir believes that it is essential for a leader to treat all players equally. "You cannot have different things for different individuals looking at their profile," he said. "If you want to become a leader, profiles do not matter."Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have put their Mumbai Indians struggles behind them and are now focused on helping India win the T20 World Cup. Under Rohit's leadership, Pandya has made significant contributions with both bat and ball.India will face Bangladesh on June 22 and Australia on June 24 in the Super 8 stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Kolkata Knight Riders' triumph in the IPL 2024 season has been attributed to the astute guidance of mentor Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir, a former KKR captain who led the team to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, returned to the franchise as a mentor ahead of the 2024 season. His partnership with head coach Chandrakant Pandit proved to be a winning formula.KKR fast bowler Harshit Rana recently defended Gambhir's role in the team's success, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to the franchise. Rana highlighted that Gambhir had sacrificed his political career to focus solely on KKR's victory."Gambhir Bhaiya left his political career and everything behind for KKR. He left politics and came back to KKR, and he worked day and night hard just to make KKR win the trophy. He is so involved in KKR. I am genuinely telling you that he did his best to win this trophy. He left everything just to win the KKR trophy. So, sir, why shouldn't he get this honour?" Rana said in an interview with Shubhankar Mishra on YouTube.Gambhir's influence extends beyond the KKR dressing room. He is reportedly the frontrunner to succeed Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. Dravid's tenure will conclude after the T20 World Cup 2024, and media reports suggest that Gambhir has agreed to take over the role after the BCCI accommodated his requests."We have held talks with Gambhir to become the head coach of the Indian team. He will replace the outgoing Rahul Dravid after the T20 World Cup," a BCCI source told Dainik Bhaskar.KKR's success in IPL 2024 was built on a strong foundation in the league stage, where they topped the standings. They capped off their impressive campaign with a victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final.