Cricket

Virat Kohli's performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has sparked a heated debate over his strike rate and perceived lack of aggression. Critics have questioned whether he deserves a place in India's T20 World Cup team based on his recent performances.However, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has vehemently defended Kohli, calling the question of his World Cup selection "disappointing." Pathan emphasized the importance of experienced players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the team, especially on slow and two-paced pitches."This question that is being raised is very disappointing. How can the question be raised whether or not Virat Kohli will get a place in the World Cup?" Pathan said on Star Sports. "We are talking about the Indian selection here, not the strike rate of IPL."Pathan acknowledged Kohli's struggles to accelerate in the middle overs but praised his ability to adapt to the situation and win games for his team. He pointed to Kohli's recent innings against the Gujarat Titans, where he scored a 44-ball 70 and helped RCB secure a victory."He wants his team to win, and that's why sometimes he's going to play slow, but he always wants to play according to the situation," Pathan said. "It's good news for Virat Kohli, good news for RCB, but in long-term, great news for Team India."Pathan expressed his disappointment with the focus on Kohli's strike rate, arguing that it overlooks his overall contributions to the team. "I've been actually talking about it from day one. Don't question that because he's a big-match player. He always wins you games," Pathan said.

Sanju Samson's stellar performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has propelled him to the forefront of India's wicket-keeping options for the T20 World Cup 2024. According to ESPNCricinfo, Samson has emerged as the selectors' preferred choice behind the stumps, surpassing Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul.Samson's consistent batting in the middle order has been a key factor in his selection. With the top four of Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav likely to be set, Samson is the leading contender for the No. 5 role.While Pant has also impressed with his batting, his wicket-keeping has been inconsistent. Rahul, on the other hand, has struggled with the bat, raising doubts about his place in the team.In the middle order, Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube are also in contention. However, Samson's form has given him a significant edge.Hardik Pandya remains a near-certain pick despite his underwhelming performance as Mumbai Indians captain. The lack of viable alternatives makes him an almost automatic selection.In terms of spin-bowling all-rounders, Axar Patel has impressed, but Ravindra Jadeja is still expected to be preferred.The T20 World Cup 2024 squad is expected to be announced in the coming months, and Samson's inclusion as the primary wicket-keeper is a strong possibility. His IPL form has demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level, making him a valuable asset for the Indian team.

Delhi Capitals' Gamble Backfires at Eden GardensDelhi Capitals' decision to bat first against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on Monday proved to be a costly one, as they posted a below-par total of 153/9. KKR comfortably chased down the target with seven wickets in hand and 21 deliveries to spare, solidifying their second spot in the IPL points table.Former India cricketer and renowned analyst Aakash Chopra expressed surprise at DC's decision to bat first after winning the toss. He highlighted the historical trend at Eden Gardens, where teams batting first have struggled to secure victories in recent matches."Who bats first after winning the toss? I am not being too critical but I have to talk about it if it's the truth," Chopra remarked. He pointed out that the team winning the toss has opted to bat first only twice in the last 30 matches at Eden Gardens, both resulting in losses for the batting side.Chopra emphasized that while chasing doesn't always guarantee victory, the reluctance to bat first in Kolkata has become a noticeable trend. Despite DC's recent successes while batting first in Delhi, Chopra questioned the decision to replicate the strategy at Eden Gardens."Whatever happens, the batting becomes slightly easier later but Delhi said they would bat first. I was surprised. If Sourav Ganguly couldn't read this pitch, who could have? This pitch is like the back of his palm. You know all of it, so it wasn't understandable," he remarked, suggesting that even DC's mentor Sourav Ganguly, with his intimate knowledge of the pitch, may have misjudged the conditions.Chopra's critique sheds light on the strategic nuances of IPL cricket, highlighting the importance of adaptability and tactical awareness in decision-making.

Amidst the high-scoring extravaganza of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Varun Chakravarthy has proposed a novel suggestion to alleviate the workload of cheerleaders. With boundaries becoming increasingly common in IPL 2024, cheerleaders have been facing an overwhelming demand for their services.Chakravarthy's tongue-in-cheek remark came after KKR's victory over Delhi Capitals, where the boundary count reached unprecedented levels. "Unfortunately, that has become the trend, and maybe they should dance only for the sixes and not for fours," he quipped after receiving the 'Man of the Match' award.Chakravarthy's suggestion stems from the sheer volume of boundaries being hit this season. With scores of 250+ becoming commonplace, the number of boundaries has skyrocketed, leading to an overload of work for cheerleaders.Despite the lighthearted nature of his comment, Chakravarthy's observation highlights the changing dynamics of the IPL. The emphasis on boundary hitting has shifted the focus away from traditional cricket skills, resulting in a proliferation of boundaries and a corresponding increase in the workload for cheerleaders.Chakravarthy's performance against Delhi Capitals was a testament to his adaptability to the new demands of the IPL. He registered impressive figures of 3/16 in his four overs, restricting DC to a manageable total of 153/9.In the chase, Phil Salt led the charge for KKR with a blistering 68 off just 33 deliveries. Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer then guided the team to victory, completing the chase in 16.3 overs.Reflecting on his performance, Chakravarthy acknowledged the challenges he faced in the previous match against Punjab Kings, who pulled off a record IPL chase of 263. "It was nice to get some wickets after a difficult outing last time," he said.Chakravarthy also praised the support he received from his teammates and coaching staff after his disappointing performance in the previous match. "Everyone, including Abhishek Nayar and Shahrukh Khan, spoke to me, and that was nice," he added.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's net bowler, Mukesh Kumar, has become an internet sensation after a video of his uncanny resemblance to Indian cricket star Jasprit Bumrah went viral on social media. Kumar's bowling action is strikingly similar to Bumrah's, leaving fans in awe of the young bowler's potential.Kumar, who played for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022, was seen bowling at the nets with an action that perfectly mirrored Bumrah's. Fans were quick to notice the similarities and expressed their excitement for Kumar's future prospects.Despite RCB's struggles in IPL 2024, the team has kept their playoff hopes alive with recent victories. Virat Kohli has been their standout performer with the bat, providing crucial support to Will Jacks, who scored a sensational century against Gujarat Titans.After the match, Kohli hit back at critics who questioned his strike rate, despite being the tournament's leading run-scorer. "For me, it's about winning games for the team," Kohli said. "People can talk about their assumptions, but those who have played the game know what's happening."Kumar's emergence as a potential Bumrah-like bowler has added another layer of intrigue to the IPL 2024 season. With his impressive action and the support of RCB, Kumar could be poised for a breakout performance in the coming matches.

Phil Salt's blistering half-century propelled Kolkata Knight Riders to a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Salt's 68 off 33 balls, including seven fours and four sixes, laid the foundation for KKR's successful chase of 154.Salt's aggressive approach in the powerplay, where he scored 60 runs, set the tone for KKR's dominant performance. He targeted Lizaad Williams and Khaleel Ahmed, plundering runs at a rapid pace. His opening partner, Sunil Narine, played a supporting role, allowing Salt to take the lead.The Salt-Narine duo has been a revelation for KKR this season, forming a formidable opening partnership. They have amassed 485 runs in nine innings, the highest by any opening pair in the IPL. Their run rate of 12.43 is also the second-highest for any pair to have opened the batting at least five times.Salt attributed their success to their complementary styles and open communication. "We've dovetailed nicely," he said. "If one of us gets going, we feed the strike to that person. We normally do all the talking the day before. Sunil keeps it very simple, but he's a deep thinker of the game."KKR captain Shreyas Iyer praised Salt's involvement and consistency. "Phil comes for team meetings and gives his inputs," Iyer said. "He's completely engrossed in the game. It's just pure bliss to see him coming and performing the way he has been."Salt's performance against DC showcased his ability to take risks and put pressure on the opposition. His aggressive batting style has been a key factor in KKR's success this season, and he will be looking to continue his impressive form in the upcoming matches.

Virat Kohli's strike rate has been a topic of debate throughout IPL 2024, despite the fact that he is the tournament's leading run-scorer. While Kohli has consistently delivered for Royal Challengers Bangalore, his approach and run-scoring pace after the powerplay have drawn criticism from fans and experts alike.Following another half-century in RCB's victory over Gujarat Titans, Kohli launched a fiery defense of his strike rate. Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan expressed disappointment over the ongoing discussion, emphasizing Kohli's status as a "big-match player" who consistently wins games."I don't understand where all the talks of strike rate come in. It actually disappoints me," Pathan said. "He's a big-match player. He always wins you games. And today look what he did. Look, it was a slow start. He played down the ground really well. He played the slog sweep really well as well. And this shot sweep shot. He doesn't play that much, but he played all around today, and that is why he's able to get that success."Pathan also highlighted Kohli's impressive form as a positive sign for India ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. He urged critics to consider Kohli's average in addition to his strike rate."It's good news for Virat Kohli, good news for RCB, but in long term, great news for Team India because you know a lot of chatter has been there around for Virat Kohli's strike rate and his form. You have to just make it strike-rate plus average. He's got an orange cap on his hand, 500 runs, outstanding," Pathan added.Kohli's performance in IPL 2024 has silenced some of his critics, but the debate over his strike rate is likely to continue. However, Pathan's comments serve as a reminder of Kohli's match-winning abilities and the importance of considering his overall contribution to the team.

Lucknow Super Giants Aim to Strengthen Playoff Hopes Against Struggling Mumbai IndiansLucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Mumbai Indians (MI) will face off in a crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter on Tuesday, with both teams seeking to bolster their playoff aspirations.LSG, currently fifth in the standings, will be buoyed by the return of Mayank Yadav, who has recovered from injury. The team's bowling attack, led by Ravi Bishnoi and Mohsin Khan, has been impressive, and they will be confident of restricting MI's batting lineup.MI, on the other hand, have endured a disappointing campaign, languishing in ninth place. Their overseas fast bowlers have struggled to make an impact, leaving Jasprit Bumrah with an excessive workload. The team's batting has also been inconsistent, with Suryakumar Yadav yet to fully rediscover his form.Key Players to Watch:* Quinton de Kock (LSG): The South African opener has been inconsistent this season, but his explosive potential could prove decisive.* Suryakumar Yadav (MI): The Indian batter is MI's key run-scorer, and his return to form is crucial for their playoff hopes.* Jasprit Bumrah (MI): The Indian pace spearhead has been MI's most reliable performer, but he needs support from his teammates.Pitch and Conditions:The match will be played at the Lucknow stadium, where no team has scored over 200 runs in five games so far. The pitch is expected to be on the slower side, favoring the spinners.Quotes:* LSG bowling coach Morne Morkel on de Kock's form: "We need to back him in that position."* MI spinner Kumar Kartikeya on their game plan: "We want to keep things as simple as possible - restrict runs and try to take wickets."

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has emphasized the importance of considering a player's past contributions to the Indian team when selecting the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Pathan believes that standout performances in the ongoing IPL 2024 season should not automatically guarantee a spot in the team.Pathan draws on his own experience as an example. Despite being injured and dropped from the team, he was eventually recalled due to his past contributions. He argues that the selection committee should adopt a similar approach, acknowledging the value of experience and not solely relying on recent IPL performances.Pathan highlights the challenges of international cricket, where players face top-quality bowlers like Mitchell Starc and Pathirana. He believes that experienced bowlers with a proven track record should be prioritized over uncapped bowlers who may perform well in the IPL's smaller grounds and flatter pitches.While acknowledging the potential of young players, Pathan cautions against overlooking the importance of experience, especially in the slow conditions of the West Indies and the unknown element of the USA pitches. He cites the 2007 T20 World Cup victory as an example, where India's success was built on a core of experienced players.Pathan concludes by emphasizing the need for vigilance in selecting the squad for the upcoming World Cup. He believes that the slowness of the game in the West Indies demands experienced players who can handle the pressure and adapt to the conditions.