Cricket

Delhi Capitals Rue Lack of Depth in Batting After Defeat to Royal Challengers BengaluruIn the wake of Delhi Capitals' disappointing loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League 2024, assistant coach Pravin Amre has highlighted the team's lack of depth in batting, particularly the absence of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant.Amre acknowledged that Pant's absence due to suspension has significantly impacted the team's batting lineup. "We missed him because of the rule. It affected our batting line up and sure tomorrow, he will be there, and we will finish well," Amre said.The 55-year-old coach also expressed surprise at the high-scoring nature of the tournament, with teams amassing 500 runs in a single T20 match. "I feel IPL's governing body will look into it. It is also important to know that for the crowd it was surprising to see teams scoring 500 runs in a T20 match. That's happened in IPL. So, the committee will decide what is better for IPL," Amre added.In the match against RCB, Delhi found themselves in trouble at 30/4 before a 56-run partnership between Shai Hope and stand-in captain Axar Patel brought them back into the game. However, RCB's bowlers, led by Yash Dayal and Lockie Ferguson, restricted DC to 140 runs in 19.1 overs, securing a 47-run victory.Amre believes that Pant's return in the next match will provide a much-needed boost to the team's batting. "The way he is playing this year he is the highest run gutter during the year but rules are rules. We missed him because of the rule. It affected our batting line up and sure tomorrow, he will be there, and we will finish well," Amre said.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured a top-two finish in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign after their match against the Gujarat Titans (GT) was washed out due to rain. This result guarantees KKR two chances to reach the final.Despite the match being abandoned, the focus shifted to KKR star Nitish Rana's hilarious conversation with commentator Harsha Bhogle. Rana, who has been sidelined with injuries this season, made a witty remark when Bhogle commented on his hands."Yeah, it's fine now, but I can't show it here on camera because it's the middle finger (chuckles)," Rana said. "I'm happy to be back in the team after missing 10 matches. It was a challenging period for me, as I've never sat out for so many games in the IPL. I'm grateful to the KKR management for their faith in me and their belief that I can still make an impact in the game."Rana's return to the team was a welcome sight for KKR, who have struggled with injuries this season. The all-rounder missed 10 games after injuring himself in the first match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Youngster Angrish Raghuvanshi filled in for Rana during his absence and impressed with his batting performances.Rana made his comeback against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Saturday (May 11) in Kolkata and scored 33 runs in 23 balls. However, the match against GT was abandoned due to rain, with no ball being bowled. The points were shared, strengthening KKR's position at the top of the points table and officially eliminating Gujarat Titans from the playoffs race.KKR's top-two finish ensures that they will have two opportunities to reach the final. The team has been in impressive form this season, led by the likes of Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Pat Cummins. They will be looking to capitalize on their momentum and secure a spot in the championship match.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) concluded their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 league campaign with a resounding victory over Rajasthan Royals at Chepauk on Sunday. The triumph not only boosted their playoff hopes but also provided a heartwarming moment for fans.After the match, CSK players and support staff embarked on a victory lap, expressing their gratitude to the loyal supporters who have stood by them over the years. Captain MS Dhoni, known for his enigmatic nature, surprised the crowd by smashing tennis balls into the stands using a racquet.Amidst the celebrations, a commentator posed a question that had been on the minds of many: would this be Dhoni's final game in Chennai? Suresh Raina, former India and CSK star, responded with a resounding "Definitely Not."CSK's post-match gesture further endeared them to their fans. Several supporters were invited to present medals to the players, creating a memorable and emotional moment.Despite being their final league game at home, Chepauk will host two more crucial matches this season: Qualifier 2 and the Final. Whether CSK will qualify for these matches remains to be seen.In the match against Rajasthan Royals, CSK chased down a target of 142 runs with 11 balls to spare. Pacer Simarjeet Singh was adjudged Player of the Match for his impressive performance.CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad expressed his delight after the victory: "It's a wonderful feeling, especially winning the final game of the league stage. We had a few hiccups, but we had the batters to finish the job. We prefer pitches that keep our bowlers in the game, especially the spinners."

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) celebrated their emphatic 47-run victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 with a jubilant atmosphere in the dressing room. The triumph not only secured two crucial points but also boosted their Net Run Rate, enhancing their chances of securing a top-four finish.The dressing room was filled with laughter and banter, with Virat Kohli and Mohammed Siraj engaging in a hilarious conversation. In a video shared by RCB, Siraj emphasized the team's focus on taking one game at a time, highlighting the importance of bowlers and batters executing their roles effectively.Kohli, known for his witty remarks, couldn't resist teasing Siraj, playfully mocking his choice of words. The conversation continued with Siraj exclaiming "Siuuuuuu," a popular celebration phrase, which Kohli interpreted as "see you."In another video, RCB players celebrated their fifth consecutive victory of the season with wild enthusiasm. Despite their impressive run, RCB's playoff qualification remains uncertain. They must defeat Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their final league match and rely on favorable results from other matches.RCB's resurgence has been remarkable, with the team showcasing resilience and determination. Their victory over DC was a testament to their newfound confidence and ability to overcome adversity. The dressing room atmosphere reflects the team's positive mindset and their unwavering belief in their abilities.As the IPL season draws to a close, RCB's fate hangs in the balance. However, the team's recent performances have instilled hope among their fans and demonstrated their potential to make a deep run in the tournament.

Mumbai Indians' IPL 2024 campaign has come to an abrupt end, making them the first team to be eliminated from the tournament. The Hardik Pandya-led side has struggled throughout the season, with a lack of consistency and a series of setbacks.Before the tournament began, the Mumbai Indians camp was already facing turmoil with the removal of Rohit Sharma as captain. The team's performance has not improved since then, with the side failing to find a winning formula.Adding to the team's woes, four of its key players - Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah - are currently representing India in the 2024 T20 World Cup. This has further depleted the Mumbai Indians' squad and made it difficult for them to compete.According to reports, the Mumbai Indians camp was expected to settle down over time, but this has not been the case. Sources have claimed that skipper Rohit Sharma and some BCCI selectors, including Ajit Agarkar, were not in favor of Hardik Pandya's inclusion in the 15-member T20 World Cup squad.Pandya's performance in the IPL 2024 has been inconsistent. In 13 games, he has scored 200 runs at a strike rate of 144.93 and taken 11 wickets at an economy of 10.59. However, most of his good bowling performances have come in the latter half of the tournament.The report also suggests that Pandya's selection for the T20 World Cup was made "under pressure." It further claims that Rohit Sharma may consider retiring from the T20 format after the World Cup.When Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar were asked about Hardik Pandya's inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad despite his poor form, Agarkar explained that the selection committee had no choice as there was no suitable replacement available.The Mumbai Indians' elimination from the IPL 2024 is a major disappointment for the team and its fans. The side will now have to regroup and rebuild for the next season.

Gujarat Titans' Playoff Hopes Dashed as Rain Abandons Match Against Kolkata Knight RidersThe first abandoned match of IPL 2024 occurred in Ahmedabad on Monday due to a combination of lightning and heavy rain, confirming two crucial outcomes: Kolkata Knight Riders' top-two finish in the league stage and Gujarat Titans' elimination from playoff contention.Gujarat Titans, languishing in eighth place, needed a victory to remain in the hunt, but the relentless rain prevented even a toss from taking place. The storm's intensity was such that it affected some floodlights, and torn stadium banners wrapped around them, necessitating manual removal.Gujarat Titans' task was already daunting, with the season's lowest net run-rate of -1.063. Even two substantial victories in their remaining two games could have left them short. Kolkata Knight Riders, on the other hand, were virtually assured of a top-two finish thanks to their dominant net run-rate of 1.428 after 12 games, which was solidified by their 19th point in the tally.This marks the first time Gujarat Titans have failed to qualify for the IPL playoffs since joining the competition in 2022. They will play a consolation match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 16.The abandoned match could have provided Kolkata Knight Riders with an opportunity to integrate wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz into their starting lineup. Gurbaz is expected to replace Phil Salt, who will depart to join his national team camp.Kolkata Knight Riders' next goal is to finish the league stage at the top, a feat they have never achieved before. A victory over Rajasthan Royals in their final league game on Sunday will guarantee them the top spot. They will also secure the top position if Rajasthan Royals fail to secure two wins in their remaining two matches, including the KKR fixture.Even if Kolkata Knight Riders do not finish first, they will not be overly concerned. In the two previous seasons they finished second in the IPL points table (2012 and 2014), they emerged as IPL champions.

Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants face off in a crucial encounter on Tuesday, with both teams vying for a playoff berth. DC's hopes are slim, requiring a resounding victory and a series of favorable results. LSG, on the other hand, has a better chance but needs to improve their net run rate.LSG's batting has been sluggish, averaging 8.35 runs per over, while their bowlers have taken the fewest wickets in IPL 2024. They face a formidable challenge in Jake Fraser-McGurk, DC's explosive opener who boasts an impressive boundary percentage and strike rate.DC welcomes back Rishabh Pant after his suspension, likely replacing Kumar Kushagra. LSG may introduce Mohsin Khan, who missed the previous game due to injury.Fraser-McGurk and KL Rahul are key players to watch. Fraser-McGurk has been a revelation, while Rahul needs to rediscover his form to lead LSG to the playoffs.Statistically, DC has a slight edge over LSG, having won their most recent encounter. Pant has a strong record against Krunal Pandya but struggles against Ravi Bishnoi. Axar Patel could be a valuable asset against Rahul and Stoinis.The Arun Jaitley Stadium has been a high-scoring venue, with teams batting first averaging over 250 runs. The forecast predicts a warm evening, providing favorable conditions for batting.

Jos Buttler, the dynamic wicket-keeper batsman, has bid farewell to the Indian Premier League (IPL) to join the England squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Buttler's departure comes as England prepares for a crucial four-match T20I series against Pakistan, starting May 22, where he will lead the Three Lions.Buttler's leadership will be instrumental in England's quest to retain their T20 World Cup title. His ability to inspire and lead by example has been evident throughout his career, and he will be expected to play a pivotal role in the team's success on the global stage.In the ongoing IPL 2024 season, Buttler has been in exceptional form, amassing 359 runs in just 11 matches, including two centuries. His contributions have been crucial for Rajasthan Royals, who currently sit second in the 10-team table.Rajasthan Royals bid an emotional farewell to their star player through a heartfelt video shared on social media. "We'll miss you, Jos bhai!," the team wrote, expressing their gratitude for his contributions.Buttler's departure leaves a void in the Rajasthan Royals lineup, but the team remains in contention for a playoff berth. The top four teams will qualify for the playoffs, with the final scheduled for May 26 in Chennai.Rajasthan Royals last won the IPL title in 2008 under the legendary Shane Warne's captaincy. The team will be hoping to replicate that success this season, but they will need to overcome the absence of their star wicket-keeper batsman.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have staged a remarkable turnaround in the ongoing IPL 2024 season, securing five consecutive wins after a dismal start that saw them lose six matches in a row. This resurgence has reignited their playoff hopes and made them a formidable threat to other teams vying for the third and fourth spots.Former India pacer Zaheer Khan has lauded RCB's impressive turnaround, attributing it to their passion and determination. He emphasized that such drastic changes in fortunes are rare and that the franchise deserves full credit for bouncing back from a horrid start.On Sunday, RCB continued their winning streak with a convincing 47-run victory over Delhi Capitals at their home ground, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. This victory further solidified their position in the playoff race."They lost six in a row and have now picked up five consecutive wins. This does not happen without passion, so you have to appreciate that," said Zaheer on Jio Cinema. "We do not usually see a team revive its season like this after so many losses, so RCB gets full marks."RCB's resurgence has been fueled by a combination of factors, including improved batting performances from Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Dinesh Karthik. The bowling unit, led by Josh Hazlewood and Harshal Patel, has also been in excellent form, providing consistent breakthroughs and restricting opposition batters.With one match remaining in the league stage, RCB is currently fifth in the points table with 12 points. They have a potential to reach 14 points when they play Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their final league game. CSK currently has 14 points, and a win in this game could offer RCB a chance to enter the playoffs due to their superior run rate.However, RCB's playoff hopes also depend on other results. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who are also on 12 points, have two games left and can reach 16 points. Therefore, RCB will need to rely on favorable results from other matches to secure a top-four finish.