Cricket

Hardik Pandya, the star all-rounder, is set to make his 100th appearance for the Mumbai Indians (MI) when they face the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Monday. This highly anticipated clash between two batting powerhouses marks the Royals' fifth and final home match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season.The Royals are currently riding high at the top of the IPL standings with 12 points and a net run rate of 0.677, having won six matches and lost just one. Meanwhile, the Mumbai Indians have played seven games, winning three and losing four, placing them sixth in the standings with six points and an NRR of -0.133.Pandya's return to the Blue and Gold franchise this season has been a significant moment for both the player and the team. After two successful years with the Gujarat Titans, where he led them to the title in their debut season, Pandya has once again donned the prestigious MI colors.In his previous 99 matches for MI, Pandya has amassed 1,617 runs at an average of 26.95 and a strike rate of 153.27, including four half-centuries. His best score for the franchise is 91*. He has also taken 46 wickets with the best figures of 3/20.This season, however, has been a bit underwhelming for Pandya. In seven matches, he has scored 141 runs at an average of 23.50 and a strike rate of 146.88, with the best score of 39. He has also taken just four wickets.Despite his recent struggles, Pandya remains a key player for MI. His all-round abilities and leadership qualities make him a valuable asset to the team. As he prepares to make his 100th appearance for the franchise, Pandya will be looking to make a significant contribution and help MI improve their fortunes in the tournament.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) suffered a heartbreaking one-run defeat to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens on Sunday, but the match was marred by two controversial umpiring decisions that have sparked outrage among fans and experts alike.The first incident occurred in the 13th over when Virat Kohli was given out caught behind off the bowling of Umesh Yadav. Replays showed that the ball appeared to be above waist height, but the on-field umpires upheld the decision. The broadcaster's Hawk-Eye technology also confirmed that the ball was indeed above waist height, but the third umpire was not consulted.The second controversy arose in the 17th over when Suyash Prabhudesai smashed a shot towards the fine-leg boundary. The umpires initially signaled four runs, but fans and commentators alike felt that the ball had crossed the boundary rope. A zoomed-in video of the incident later emerged, seemingly confirming that the ball had indeed gone for a six.However, the on-field umpires did not consult the third umpire and the decision stood as a four. This decision proved costly for RCB, as they eventually lost the match by a narrow margin of one run.Fans and experts have taken to social media to express their outrage over the umpiring decisions. Many have questioned why the third umpire was not consulted in both instances, especially given the close nature of the calls.The match officials and the IPL management have yet to comment on the matter, but the controversy is likely to continue for some time. The incidents have raised questions about the accuracy and consistency of umpiring in the IPL, and have highlighted the need for a more robust review system.

Rajat Patidar, the Madhya Pradesh batsman, has emerged as a key player for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2024. His two half-centuries, including a match-winning 112 in the eliminator last year, have showcased his talent and determination.In RCB's recent match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Patidar's 52 off 23 balls almost guided his team to victory. Chasing KKR's 222 for 6, Patidar and Will Jacks (55 off 32) put on a 102-run partnership to put RCB in a strong position. However, their dismissals in the 12th over halted RCB's momentum.Despite a late blitz by Dinesh Karthik (25 off 18) and Karn Sharma (20 off 7), RCB fell just one run short of their target, losing by a heartbreaking margin. Patidar's performance in the match highlighted his ability to play under pressure and contribute to his team's success.Patidar's journey with RCB began in 2021, but he was released after playing only four matches. He returned in 2022 as a replacement player and became the third-highest run-getter for his team with 333 runs. His unbeaten 112 against Lucknow Super Giants in the eliminator was a testament to his batting prowess.Patidar's success in IPL 2024 is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He has overcome injuries and setbacks to establish himself as a valuable asset for RCB. His ability to play match-winning innings and contribute to his team's success makes him a player to watch in the upcoming matches of IPL 2024.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Faf du Plessis has been fined a hefty Rs 12 lakh, while Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Sam Curran has been penalized 50% of his match fees for their respective offenses during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season.Du Plessis' fine stems from his team's slow over rate during RCB's thrilling one-run loss to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens on Sunday. It was RCB's first over-rate offense of the season.The IPL statement read, "Mr Faf du Plessis, Captain, Royal Challengers Bengaluru has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during Match 36 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on April 21, 2024."Curran, on the other hand, was fined for showing dissent towards an umpire's decision during PBKS' three-wicket loss to Gujarat Titans (GT) in Mullanpur on Sunday. The offense falls under Article 2.8 of the IPL's Code of Conduct, which prohibits "showing dissent at an umpire's decision.""Curran committed a Level 1 offense under Article 2.8 of the IPL's Code of Conduct. He admitted to the offense and accepted the Match Referee's sanction. For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Match Referee's decision is final and binding," an IPL media release stated.The loss against GT was Punjab's fourth on the trot, leaving them languishing in ninth place in the points table.

Punjab Kings' woes continue in IPL 2024 as they suffer a fourth consecutive defeat, this time at the hands of Gujarat Titans by a narrow three-wicket margin. The loss leaves the Preity Zinta co-owned franchise languishing in ninth place in the standings, exacerbating their struggles in the absence of star player Shikhar Dhawan due to injury.With Dhawan sidelined, all-rounder Sam Curran has assumed the captaincy role, but his performances with both bat and ball have failed to impress. India cricket legend Virender Sehwag has been particularly critical of Punjab Kings' approach, questioning their decision-making regarding player roles and lineup adjustments."If I was in the PBKS dugout, I would not even pick him in my team, neither as a batting all-rounder nor as a bowling all-rounder. I wouldn't pick him," Sehwag remarked on Cricbuzz, highlighting Curran's underwhelming contributions.Sehwag further emphasized his point, stating, "A player is not of any use if he can bowl a bit and bat a bit. You either bat properly and win us the match, or you bowl and win us the game. This bits and pieces part I don't understand."Statistically, Curran's performance this season has been lackluster, managing only 152 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 116.03, with just one half-century to his name. Despite taking 11 wickets for Punjab Kings, his overall impact has been questioned amidst the team's struggles.Punjab Kings' batting has also been inconsistent, with only Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone consistently delivering substantial contributions. The middle order has failed to provide adequate support, with the likes of Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Shahrukh Khan, and Jitesh Sharma failing to live up to expectations.The bowling attack has also been underwhelming, with Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh failing to replicate their previous performances. The absence of Dhawan has also deprived Punjab Kings of a reliable opening batsman, putting additional pressure on the other batters.As the IPL 2024 season progresses, Punjab Kings find themselves at a crossroads, facing mounting pressure to arrest their slide and salvage their campaign without the services of key player Shikhar Dhawan.

Hardik Pandya's return to Mumbai Indians (MI) as captain has been met with mixed reactions. While some fans have welcomed his leadership, others have expressed their disappointment, leading to booing on the field. Despite these challenges, Pandya remains determined to prove his worth and push his boundaries.Pandya's transfer from Gujarat Titans to MI was a significant move, as he replaced Rohit Sharma as the team's skipper. However, the all-rounder has faced criticism for his performances in the first seven matches of the season, with MI losing four games and languishing in seventh place on the points table.Despite the setbacks, Pandya remains optimistic and views the challenges as opportunities for growth. "Challenges are fun," he said. "The expectations of the franchise and the fans don't bother me because it means I'm doing something productive."Pandya's return to MI has been an emotional experience for him. "It's a family," he said. "I've been an MI boy throughout. When I wore the jersey, it felt very emotional. It was a sigh of relief saying 'finally I am home'."Despite the current struggles, Pandya is confident that MI can turn things around. "No matter what, we never give up," he said. "For me, it's more exciting that I'm pushing my boundaries and accepting challenges that will make me grow even further."Pandya's determination and resilience will be crucial for MI's success in the remaining matches of the season. If he can lead the team to victory, he will silence his critics and prove that he is a worthy captain.

Riyan Parag, the young batting sensation from Assam, is finally showcasing his true potential in the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season. After years of underperforming, Parag has adopted a simpler mindset, replicating the approach that has brought him success in domestic cricket.With three half-centuries and a strike rate of 161.42, Parag has amassed 318 runs in seven matches, placing him third on the list of top run-getters in IPL 2024. "I'm trying to keep it as simple as possible," Parag explained to Star Sports. "I used to overthink when I didn't perform, but I realized that in domestic cricket, I don't dwell on it. So, I decided to do the same here."Parag's confidence has also been boosted by batting at his preferred number four position. "That's my favorite spot," he said. "It's helped me a lot. I believe in myself, no matter the situation or bowler. I'm glad it's starting to show."Parag's resurgence has been a major factor in Rajasthan Royals' impressive start to the season. The team currently sits in the top four of the points table, with Parag playing a key role in their victories.Ahead of Parag in the run-scoring charts are Travis Head of Sunrisers Hyderabad (324 runs) and Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bangalore (379 runs). Rajasthan Royals will face Mumbai Indians in their next match on April 22, where Parag will look to continue his impressive form.

KKR Mentor Gambhir Lauds RCB's Character in Thrilling IPL EncounterKolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir has praised Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for their resilience and character in their narrow one-run defeat to KKR at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.In a match that ebbed and flowed, RCB displayed a fighting spirit despite losing early wickets. Phil Salt's blistering 48 off 14 balls gave them a solid start, while skipper Shreyas Iyer (50), Rinku Singh (24), Andre Russell (27*), and Ramandeep Singh (24*) contributed valuable runs.However, KKR's bowlers, led by Cameron Green (2/35), kept the pressure on, restricting RCB to 222/6.In the chase, RCB lost Virat Kohli and Faf Du Plessis cheaply. But a century partnership between Will Jacks (55) and Rajat Patidar (52) put them back in contention.Russell and Sunil Narine then turned the tide with their economical spells, taking three and two wickets, respectively. Karn Sharma's late heroics with three sixes in the final over proved futile as RCB fell short by a single run.Gambhir took to social media to commend RCB's performance. "Phenomenal display of character by RCB today," he wrote on his official X account.Russell was named Player of the Match for his all-round contribution. With this victory, KKR moved up to second place in the standings, while RCB remained at the bottom.

Mumbai Indians, the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, have regained their confidence after a dismal start to the 2024 season. Winning three of their last four matches, the team has shed the shadow of their initial hat-trick of defeats. This newfound confidence is evident in the light-hearted moments shared during practice sessions.In a recent video posted on social media, MI captain Hardik Pandya transformed into a cameraman, capturing candid shots of his teammates and even the Rajasthan Royals players. With a DSLR camera in hand, Hardik called out the names of players, ensuring they were in focus for his lens.This playful moment highlights the camaraderie within the MI camp, which has been instrumental in their recent resurgence. Hardik, who replaced Rohit Sharma as captain this season, has brought a fresh perspective to the team.MI's recent victories against Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings have propelled them to seventh place in the IPL standings. With six points from three wins in seven matches, the team needs to maintain consistency to secure a playoff berth.Their upcoming match against the Rajasthan Royals on Monday at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur will be a crucial test. A win would further boost MI's confidence and strengthen their playoff aspirations.