Cricket

Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant expressed his gratitude to the home fans after the team's elimination from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs. Despite a valiant effort, Delhi Capitals fell short of qualifying for the knockout stages, finishing fifth in the points table with seven wins and seven losses.Pant, who made a remarkable return to cricket after a 14-month recovery from a horrific car accident, was one of the standout performers for Delhi Capitals. The 26-year-old amassed 446 runs in 13 matches, showcasing his exceptional batting prowess. His impressive form earned him a spot in India's main 15-man squad for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup.In a heartfelt message on Instagram, Pant thanked the fans for their unwavering support throughout the season. "Felt amazing to be back on the pitch after so long! Cannot be grateful enough for everyone who played a part in this! None of this would be possible without the constant love and affection from the fans," he wrote."The energy was unreal, and I'm thrilled to be doing what I love again. Excited for what's ahead and looking forward to giving my best and making more memories," Pant added.Despite the disappointment of missing out on the playoffs, Delhi Capitals showed resilience and determination throughout the season. The team's final league game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) was a testament to their fighting spirit, as they secured a thrilling victory.The Delhi Capitals squad featured a mix of experienced and emerging players, including David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. The team's performance was a reflection of their collective efforts and the guidance of head coach Ricky Ponting.As the IPL 2024 season draws to a close, Rishabh Pant and the Delhi Capitals will look to build on their positive performances and return stronger next year. The team's passionate fan base will undoubtedly continue to provide unwavering support as they strive for success in the future.

Virat Kohli, the talismanic batsman of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), has been in scintillating form in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The prolific run-scorer currently holds the Orange Cap with a staggering 661 runs in 13 matches, boasting an impressive average of 66.10. Kohli's remarkable consistency, coupled with his aggressive batting style, has been instrumental in RCB's resurgence this season.Ahead of the crucial match against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday, May 18, Kohli was taken by surprise during the latest episode of the RCB Insider Show with Mr. Nags. The conversation took a humorous turn when host Mr. Nags mentioned the name "Sunil," which initially caught Kohli off guard. However, Mr. Nags quickly clarified with "Chhetri," referring to Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri, causing both Kohli and the host to burst into laughter.Kohli revealed that Chhetri had personally informed him about his decision to retire from international football. "He (Chhetri) actually messaged me as well, informing me that he is going to do it. But I would say that it felt like he is at peace with the decision. Over the years, I have become really close with him. I wish him nothing but the best. He is a lovely lovely guy," Kohli said.The conversation between Kohli and Mr. Nags humorously referenced the recent Sunil Gavaskar-Virat saga, which had taken social media by storm. Gavaskar had criticized Kohli's strike rate, prompting a cheeky response from the RCB skipper in the next match. Kohli's 92 off 47 balls against Punjab Kings, for which he was awarded Man of the Match, was seen as a subtle dig at Gavaskar's comments.Kohli's impressive form in IPL 2024 has silenced his critics and underlined his status as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. His ability to adapt to different conditions and situations, coupled with his unwavering determination, makes him a formidable force in the game. As RCB gears up for the crucial clash against CSK, Kohli will be looking to continue his rich vein of form and guide his team to victory.

Mumbai Indians' Season Marred by Captaincy Debate and Collective FailuresMumbai Indians' dismal performance in the ongoing IPL season has been attributed to a combination of factors, including a controversial captaincy change and collective batting failures.Prior to the season, the decision to replace Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as captain sparked outrage among fans. This move seemed to have a negative impact on the team's morale and unity.Compounding the captaincy issue, Mumbai Indians' batting lineup has struggled throughout the season. Despite the presence of experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, the team has failed to consistently post competitive totals.While Jasprit Bumrah has been a standout performer with the ball, taking 20 wickets in 13 matches, his individual brilliance has not been enough to inspire the other bowlers. The team's bowling attack has lacked consistency and has been unable to provide adequate support to Bumrah.The focus of the upcoming match against Lucknow Super Giants will be on the performances of T20 World Cup-bound players such as Pandya, Sharma, Bumrah, and Yadav. Their performances will be crucial to India's hopes of winning the elusive trophy.Despite their struggles, Mumbai Indians can still avoid a last-place finish if they win their remaining match. However, their chances of making the playoffs are virtually non-existent.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) star batter Virat Kohli has shed light on the team's struggles and subsequent resurgence in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season.In April, RCB's campaign hit a roadblock, with the team suffering five defeats in seven games. They languished at the bottom of the table for much of the month. However, a remarkable turnaround saw them win five consecutive matches, reigniting their playoff hopes.Kohli revealed his mindset during the challenging period in April. "We were going into a very dark place," he said. "But in May, we found a ray of sunlight. We're glad we made the fans happy again."Kohli's own form has been exceptional this season. He currently leads the race for the Orange Cap with 661 runs in 13 innings, boasting an impressive strike rate of 155.16 and an average of 66.10. His tally includes five half-centuries and a century.RCB currently sit sixth in the IPL standings with 12 points from 13 matches. They face a crucial clash against fourth-placed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday. To stay in contention for the playoffs, RCB must secure a victory and improve their net run rate (NRR) of 0.387, which is currently lower than CSK's 0.528.A win at their home stadium on Saturday could prove pivotal for RCB's season. After the IPL, Kohli will turn his attention to the T20 World Cup, which will be held in the USA and West Indies in June. India are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and co-hosts USA.

Mumbai Indians' dismal IPL 2024 campaign has come to an end, with the team set to face Lucknow Super Giants in their final league game on Friday. The season has been a forgettable one for the five-time champions, who have struggled under the leadership of Hardik Pandya.Pandya's appointment as captain, replacing Rohit Sharma, has been met with criticism. The team's poor form, marked by a string of losses, has only intensified the scrutiny on Pandya. He has faced criticism for his inconsistent on-field performances, including his batting and bowling.Despite the criticism, Pandya has received support from some quarters. Virat Kohli, in particular, has defended Pandya, asking the crowd to refrain from booing him. A recent video shows Kohli telling the crowd that Pandya is an Indian player and deserves respect.Pandya's performance this season has been underwhelming. In 13 games, he has scored 200 runs at a strike rate of 144.93 and taken 11 wickets at an economy rate of 10.59. While his bowling has improved in the latter half of the tournament, his overall performance has fallen short of expectations.Despite his struggles, Pandya has been selected in the 15-man squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Americas. Reports suggest that neither Rohit Sharma nor the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, were in favor of Pandya's selection. However, it is believed that he was picked under "pressure."The report also claims that Rohit Sharma may retire from the T20 format after the World Cup.

Virat Kohli's exceptional form in IPL 2024 has drawn high praise from former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif, who believes the RCB opener has achieved a state of focus where no bowling match-up can disrupt him.Kohli has been in scintillating form this season, amassing 661 runs at a strike rate of 155.16 in 13 games, making him the highest run-getter in the tournament. Kaif attributes Kohli's success to his unwavering determination and ability to block out distractions."When a hermit goes to the Himalayas, he is in a different zone when he is meditating. Nothing distracts him. Whether there is a loud noise, someone shouts or cries, it doesn't make a difference. Virat Kohli has reached that zone," Kaif said on Star Sports."He is not seeing the scorecard and is just in his zone and concentrating. He knows the intent with which he needs to play no matter which bowler, whether it's a fast bowler or a spinner, is in front of him. No matter which bowler comes, he has reached a zone where there is no match-up," the former India batter added.Kaif believes Kohli's primary motivation is to lead RCB to victory. "He has come just to dominate. He has come with the passion that he will only be satisfied once he makes his team win, and that has been seen from the second match," he observed."From the second match against Punjab, he came determined. He was jumping down the track and hitting (Kagiso) Rabada and playing slog sweeps against spinners. You talk about the fourth or fifth gear but he has reached the 15th gear. No one will reach that level," the cricketer-turned-commentator added.As RCB prepare for their crucial match against CSK, Kohli's form and focus will be pivotal in determining the team's chances of making it to the playoffs.

Delhi Capitals' assistant coach Pravin Amre has shed light on the exclusion of Prithvi Shaw from the playing XI in recent matches, citing the team's need to prioritize form and performance. Shaw, a retained player for the Capitals, initially impressed with a 43-run knock against Chennai Super Kings and a 66-run innings against Mumbai Indians. However, his form subsequently declined.In contrast, Abhishek Porel has seized the opportunity, amassing 327 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 159.51. Porel's standout performance came in the Capitals' final group stage match against Lucknow Super Giants, where he smashed 58 runs off 33 deliveries, contributing to the team's 19-run victory."Shaw was our retained player, but if you're not in form, you can't keep your place," Amre explained. "We had to win games, and Porel grabbed the opportunities."Shaw has made eight appearances for the Capitals this season, scoring 198 runs at an average of 24.75 and a strike rate of 163.64. Porel, on the other hand, has played in various positions, including opener, where he has accumulated 159 runs at a strike rate of 165.62 in three matches.Amre's comments highlight the competitive nature of the Indian Premier League, where players must consistently perform to retain their place in the team. The Capitals' decision to bench Shaw and promote Porel demonstrates their commitment to fielding the strongest possible lineup to secure victories.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) face off in a crucial match on Saturday, May 18, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The winner of this match will secure the fourth and final playoff spot in IPL 2024.RCB currently sits in sixth place with 12 points, while CSK is in fifth place with 14 points. However, RCB has a superior net run rate (+0.387) compared to CSK (+0.528). This means that RCB needs to win by a significant margin to overtake CSK in the standings.The weather forecast for Saturday's match is cloudy with a thunderstorm in parts of the area. There is a 100% chance of cloud cover and 7.2 mm of rain is expected. This could potentially impact the match and force a delay or even a cancellation.If RCB bats first and sets CSK a target of 200 to win, then CSK will need to win by a minimum of 18 runs to go past RCB's net run rate. If RCB chases a target of 201 or more, then they will need to win by a minimum of 11 balls to spare.For CSK, a win will guarantee them a playoff spot. However, even a narrow defeat could be enough to see them through, provided their net run rate remains superior to RCB's. In the event of a washout or no-result, both teams will receive one point, which will be enough for CSK to qualify for the playoffs.The match between RCB and CSK is expected to be a close and exciting affair. Both teams have a lot to play for, and the winner will secure a spot in the playoffs.

The stage is set for a thrilling encounter between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. This match holds immense significance as it could potentially be the last IPL match for legendary cricketer MS Dhoni if CSK loses.CSK currently holds the advantage in the race for the fourth playoff spot. A victory against RCB would secure their place in the playoffs. However, if Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) lose their respective matches against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings, CSK could even finish in the top two with a superior net run rate.Even if CSK loses to RCB, they can still qualify for the playoffs if the margin of defeat is not significant. This would ensure that their net run rate remains better than RCB's, allowing them to finish above their rivals in the final points table.Adding to the intrigue, Dhoni holds two impressive statistical records against RCB. He has hit the most sixes (43) against any opponent in the IPL, and his highest IPL score of 84* also came against RCB in 2019.Former Indian pacer Varun Aaron believes that Dhoni will be the star of the show on Saturday. "I have a feeling it's going to be the MS show this game," Aaron said. "He loves the Chinnaswamy Stadium and has played some epic innings there."Aaron also highlighted Dhoni's resilience and determination. "He's one of those guys who has a really high pain threshold and bites the bullet to make sure he forgets about his injury," Aaron added.With the stakes high and the emotions running deep, the RCB vs CSK clash promises to be a captivating spectacle that will keep cricket fans on the edge of their seats.