Cricket

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered a narrow defeat against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, despite a valiant cameo from MS Dhoni. The match witnessed a high-scoring affair, with GT posting a formidable total of 232 runs.CSK's chase got off to a shaky start, but Dhoni's arrival at the crease brought a glimmer of hope. The veteran wicketkeeper-batsman unleashed his trademark helicopter shot against GT's star spinner Rashid Khan, sending the ball soaring over the boundary.Despite Dhoni's heroics, CSK fell short of the target, losing by 16 runs. However, the team's focus remains on securing a spot in the playoffs, where the Net Run Rate (NRR) plays a crucial role.Rashid Khan, who was on the receiving end of Dhoni's onslaught, expressed his admiration for the Indian legend. "Once Dhoni comes into the stadium, it's a different kind of love. We're so lucky to be playing with him," said Khan.The Afghan spinner also praised his teammates Shubman Gill and Said Sudharsan, who both scored centuries in the match. "They were amazing, we love to see them batting," said Khan.CSK's defeat leaves them in a precarious position in the playoffs race. With six wins and six defeats in 12 matches, the team occupies fourth place in the points table. They can ill afford to drop any more points if they want to secure a berth in the knockout stages.

Rohit Sharma's IPL 2024 campaign has taken a dismal turn, with the Indian skipper enduring a prolonged batting slump. In the latest setback, Sharma failed to deliver against Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring a meager 19 runs off 24 balls. This marked his sixth consecutive innings without a substantial contribution, with his recent scores reading 4, 11, 4, 8, and 6.Chasing a revised target of 158 in 16 overs, Mumbai Indians had a platform for Sharma to make an impact. However, he failed to capitalize on the opportunity, his dismissal proving a major blow to MI's hopes. The team ultimately fell short by 18 runs.Sharma's struggles have raised concerns among cricket experts. Former South Africa star Shaun Pollock expressed worry over the manner in which the Indian captain has been getting out. Pollock noted that Sharma's attempts to introduce unorthodox shots into his game have led to soft dismissals.Pollock also suggested that the stress of selecting the Indian team for the T20 World Cup may have contributed to Sharma's poor form. He speculated that the pressure of finding the right balance and explaining team selections could have added to the skipper's burden.The reaction to Sharma's dismissal was one of shock from the rival camp. KKR co-owner Juhi Chawla, Suhana Khan (daughter of another KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan), and Ananya Pandey were visibly stunned.Despite Sharma's struggles, Mumbai Indians remain hopeful of a turnaround. The team has shown resilience in the past and will be looking to regroup and find their winning ways. However, Sharma's form remains a major concern, and his ability to rediscover his touch will be crucial to MI's chances of success in the remainder of the tournament.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season has reached a thrilling stage, with the mid-table battle intensifying after Gujarat Titans' victory over Chennai Super Kings. With only one team, Kolkata Knight Riders, securing a playoff berth, the remaining nine teams are vying for the remaining three spots.Gujarat Titans' morale-boosting win has opened up the tournament, with Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Gujarat Titans still in contention for the top four. Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals are currently tied on 12 points, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru have kept their hopes alive with four consecutive wins.Chennai Super Kings:Defending champions Chennai Super Kings are in a comfortable position, sitting fourth on the points table with a superior net run rate (+0.491). They face Rajasthan Royals at home on Sunday and play their final league game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 18.If CSK wins both their remaining games, they will likely qualify for the playoffs due to their superior NRR. However, if they win only one, they will need the winner of the Delhi Capitals vs. Lucknow Super Giants game to lose their other fixture. If CSK loses both games, they will be eliminated from the tournament.Delhi Capitals:Delhi Capitals are currently fifth on the standings with 12 points and a NRR of (-0.316). They face Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants in their remaining two games.To qualify directly, DC must win both their games and hope that CSK loses at least one of their remaining games. If they tie with CSK at 16 points, NRR will come into play, which currently favors CSK. If Delhi wins one game and gets stuck at 14 points, they will hope CSK loses both their matches and LSG loses at least one to squeeze into the playoffs.Royal Challengers Bengaluru:Royal Challengers Bengaluru have an outside shot at a playoff berth. They can reach a maximum of 14 points if they win their remaining two games. However, they need other results to go their way to finish in the top four.If RCB wins their last two matches and reaches 14 points, they would need CSK to lose against RR, DC to go down against LSG, LSG to suffer defeat against MI, and GT to lose at least one of their remaining games. With this, RCB and LSG would be tied at 14 points, and the team with the superior NRR will go through.

Mumbai Indians' Rohit Sharma Continues to Lead with Pride Despite Season's ChallengesFive-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI) may have crashed out of the 2024 playoffs race, but their legendary captain Rohit Sharma remains a beacon of leadership and camaraderie within the team. Despite the controversial decision to replace him with Hardik Pandya as captain, Rohit has continued to support his successor and mentor the younger players.Rohit's unwavering commitment to the team is evident in his interactions with the youngsters. In a recent lighthearted moment, he was seen teasing MI and India all-rounder Tilak Varma for wearing sliders on the eve of their match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens."Aye hero, kya kar raha hai bhai? Chappal mein ghum raha hai, garden me aaya hai kya?" (Aye hero, what are you doing? Wearing sliders, are you wandering in a garden?)," Rohit said in a video uploaded by MI.Tilak's quick-witted response caught Rohit off guard. "Hai na bhaiya, Eden Gardens (Yes, it's Eden Gardens!)," he replied.Rohit's ability to connect with the younger players is a testament to his leadership style. He understands the importance of creating a positive and supportive environment where players can thrive.Despite his recent struggles with form, Rohit remains a key figure in Indian cricket. He will lead the team at the upcoming T20 World Cup, where his experience and leadership will be crucial.

Jasprit Bumrah's Inswinging Yorker Stuns Sunil Narine, Leaving KKR Opener DumbfoundedIn a pivotal moment during the IPL 2024 match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata, MI's star pacer Jasprit Bumrah delivered a remarkable inswinging yorker that left KKR opener Sunil Narine stunned and dismissed for a duck.Bowling his first over of the match, Bumrah unleashed a deceptive inswinging yorker that Narine initially misjudged, opting to let it pass. However, the ball's late inswing caught Narine off guard, shattering his off-stump and leaving him in disbelief.Narine's dismissal marked his 16th instance of departing for a duck in the IPL, a testament to the bowler's dominance over the batsman. It also extended Narine's record as the most dismissed batsman in men's T20 cricket, with 44 dismissals without contributing to the scoreboard.Despite this setback, Narine's performance in IPL 2024 has been exceptional. He is the highest run-scorer for KKR this season, amassing 461 runs in 12 matches at an impressive average of 38.42. His contributions have been crucial to KKR's success in the tournament.Bumrah's dismissal of Narine was a significant moment in the match, as it gave MI an early advantage. The pacer celebrated his achievement in his signature style, showcasing his confidence and dominance on the field.The dismissal also highlighted the intense rivalry between KKR and MI, two of the most successful teams in IPL history. The match was a thrilling contest, with both teams showcasing their skills and determination.

Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting has heaped praise on Abishek Porel, the left-handed batter who has impressed in multiple roles during IPL 2024. Ponting has indicated that Porel will don the keeping gloves against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Sunday in the absence of the suspended Rishabh Pant.Porel, signed by Capitals in 2023 as a replacement for Pant, has scored 267 runs in 10 innings this season at a strike rate of 157.98. He began the campaign batting at No. 9 against Punjab Kings, coming in as an Impact Player and smacking an unbeaten 31 off just 10 balls. Since then, he has been promoted to a top-four role, and in DC's last game against Rajasthan Royals, he opened the batting and put on 60 in just 4.2 overs with Jake Fraser-McGurk. Porel went on to score 65 off 36, his first IPL half-century, studded with seven fours and three sixes."I've seen extreme growth in Abishek Porel in this IPL," Ponting said in Bengaluru ahead of the match against RCB. "He's a very special talent. He's starting to work out what IPL cricket is all about. He's had a couple of different roles as well. He's made [31] off 10 balls as a No. 9 batsman, and now we see him opening the batting and he's got better and better every game.""I've got huge raps on him. I think he's a very, very good young player, obviously we'll probably get to see him with the keeping gloves on tomorrow as well, with Rishabh not being there. And then we'll work out, when we finalise our team, with the batting order and stuff, but I'll be surprised if he's not at the top of the order again, because he has played really well, and he's someone that I think has got a really bright future."Ponting also hailed Jake Fraser-McGurk, the swashbuckling 22-year-old batter who has taken this IPL by storm. Fraser-McGurk, picked by DC as a replacement player after Lungi Ngidi was ruled out, has reset the T20 batting template in the powerplay, just like Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma have while batting for Sunrisers Hyderabad this season. Fraser-McGurk has scored his 309 runs while striking at 235.87 and averaging 44.14, with the help of four half-centuries."Some of the things he's done - I think he's made three 20-ball fifties in this tournament, so he along with Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma have been the stand-out powerplay batsmen in this entire tournament," Ponting said. "He's focused now, like all of us, he's making sure that we're ready to go tomorrow. For us, it's not about what happened yesterday, it's about what we can do today to get better, and then make sure that we're ready to play our best game of cricket tomorrow."

Delhi Capitals Aim to Maintain Momentum Against Royal Challengers BengaluruWith the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs looming, Delhi Capitals will face a crucial test against the in-form Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their penultimate league stage match on Sunday. The Capitals, who secured a vital victory in their previous outing, will be determined to keep their momentum going and secure a top-four finish.However, Delhi will be without their skipper Rishabh Pant, who has been suspended for slow over rate. In Pant's absence, Axar Patel will lead the team, bringing his experience and leadership qualities to the fore.Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Delhi Capitals Head Coach Ricky Ponting expressed confidence in Patel's ability to lead the team. "He's been Vice-Captain at this franchise for the last couple of seasons. He's a very experienced IPL player, an experienced international player, a sensible guy, understands the game really well," Ponting said.Ponting acknowledged the challenge posed by RCB, who have won their last four matches. However, he emphasized the Capitals' impressive form in recent games. "We've won five of our last seven, and we've made some huge scores along the way. There are no excuses from us tomorrow, regardless of Pant not being in the lineup," he said.Regarding team selection, Ponting provided an update on David Warner's fitness. "David Warner missed the last game, he got that nasty knock on his hand about a month ago now and hasn't played a game since. He trained really strongly yesterday, he'll be out hitting balls in the middle now, so he'll be doing some more batting today. Hopefully, he's available for selection for tomorrow," Ponting said.The Delhi Capitals will be eager to put in a strong performance against RCB and secure a crucial victory that could boost their chances of reaching the playoffs. The match promises to be an exciting contest between two evenly matched teams.

Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Donovan Ferreira expressed confidence in his team's ability to secure a top-two finish in IPL 2024 despite recent setbacks. The Royals, who led the table until recently, have slipped to second place after two consecutive defeats. However, Ferreira believes they have the potential to bounce back and qualify for the playoffs."We should have already qualified for the playoffs by now," Ferreira said during a pre-match press conference. "But the IPL is a long tournament, and obviously, the second half is important."The Royals are currently tied on 16 points with the leaders Kolkata Knight Riders, but Kolkata holds a significantly better net run rate. Ferreira acknowledged the importance of winning their remaining three matches to improve their chances of finishing in the top two."We had set out nicely by winning most of the games in the first half, and this game (against CSK) is quite important," he said. "We have three games left, but we don't want to leave it too late and put pressure on ourselves."Ferreira also addressed concerns about the Royals' middle order, which has not been tested much this season. However, he expressed confidence in the team's batting depth."It's (middle order) not much of a concern," Ferreira said. "We are grateful that our top order has put us in good positions and got us over the line. But, we have got capable batters and a deep batting line-up to pull us through."Sunday's fixture against defending champions Chennai Super Kings will be the first afternoon game at Chepauk this season. Ferreira expects spin to play a crucial role, especially with R. Ashwin returning at his home venue."Obviously, this is a turning track. So, Ashwin will play a big role with (Yuzvendra) Chahal tomorrow," he said.Despite the intense heat wave in Chennai, Ferreira said the Royals are prepared for the conditions."Fortunately, most of our training schedule has been in the afternoon, so we are kind of used to the heat," he said.The Royals will be looking to bounce back from their recent defeats and secure a top-two finish in IPL 2024. With three matches remaining, they have the opportunity to prove their mettle and qualify for the playoffs.

KKR vs MI Live Score: Narine's Exploits and Gambhir's Masterstroke Propel KKR Towards PlayoffsKolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are on the cusp of securing a playoff berth in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 after a remarkable turnaround under the guidance of former skipper Gautam Gambhir as team mentor. With eight wins from 11 matches, KKR will seal their place in the top four with a victory over Mumbai Indians (MI) in their final home game of the season.The resurgence of Sunil Narine has been a key factor in KKR's success. The Trinidadian all-rounder has emerged as their leading run-getter, amassing 461 runs at a blistering strike rate of 183.66. His century and three fifties have provided KKR with a solid foundation in the power-plays.Alongside Narine, Englishman Phil Salt has also been in impressive form, scoring 429 runs at a strike rate of 183.33. The duo's explosive batting has allowed KKR to post six 200-plus totals from eight matches batting first. Narine's consistency has been particularly remarkable, with 32 sixes to his name, second only to Abhishek Sharma (35).Gambhir's decision to promote Narine as an opener alongside Salt has proven to be a masterstroke. The duo has given KKR the perfect platform to dominate the early overs, setting the stage for their middle-order to capitalize.Despite their batting prowess, KKR's bowling has been somewhat inconsistent, particularly that of Mitchell Starc. However, the emergence of young Angkrish Raghuvanshi at No. 3 and the impressive death bowling of Ramandeep Singh have helped to cover up for Starc's struggles.MI, on the other hand, have endured a disappointing season, languishing at the bottom of the standings with just three wins from 11 matches. They will be looking to end their campaign on a positive note, but face a daunting task against an in-form KKR side.