Cricket

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have been heavily reliant on Virat Kohli's batting prowess this IPL season, but former India pacer Varun Aaron believes it's time for the team's domestic players to step up and lessen the burden on their star batsman.Kohli has been in scintillating form, leading the batting charts with 361 runs in 7 innings and donning the Orange Cap. However, Aaron feels that RCB's domestic players need to contribute more to the team's success."It's just that RCB are not finding the rhythm, the domestic players are just not stepping up," Aaron said on Star Sports. "If you have to be anywhere at the top of the table or the middle of the table at this point, you have to have domestic players who are firing and you cannot always rely on Virat Kohli."Aaron, who played for RCB in the past, emphasized the importance of having domestic players perform well to balance the team's performance. "The other guys have to step up and also all their money is sitting in the dug-out. You can't spend that much cash on players and not have them play," he said.Former Australia captain Aaron Finch echoed Aaron's sentiments, suggesting that RCB needs a dynamic middle-order batsman to support Kohli effectively. "He's (Kohli) scored a lot of runs everywhere. He's a modern-day great. And I think the fact that he's getting runs and RCB are still not making it is a positive sign in one degree," Finch said. "It's that when Virat is playing well, that genuinely carries the rest of the players with him."Finch believes that RCB needs to find a consistent partnership with Kohli and an explosive middle-order player who can provide support. "They just need to find a partnership with him, they need to find an explosive middle-order player who is in form," he said.RCB will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens on Sunday, and Finch believes that the match has the potential to be an epic encounter. "It (KKR vs RCB) has got all the makings of an epic game," he said.

Suresh Raina, a former Indian cricketer renowned for his middle-order batting prowess, has expressed his disapproval of Mumbai Indians' decision to remove Rohit Sharma as captain and appoint Hardik Pandya in his place. Raina believes that Rohit should have retained the captaincy, citing his experience and leadership qualities."I don't know why he was removed as captain," Raina said. "But, MI are doing well now, they won the last match." However, upon being corrected by the interviewer, Raina acknowledged that Mumbai Indians have not been performing well in the ongoing IPL season.Raina speculates that the management's decision to appoint a younger captain may have influenced the change. "Rohit, I think is now 36 or 37," he said. "The management is looking to have a leader who is younger."Raina also suggests that the decision to name Hardik Pandya as captain could be reversed if Mumbai Indians continue to struggle. "If MI fail in 3-4 more matches, Rohit could be re-appointed as captain," he said.Raina expressed concern over the negative reactions from fans towards Hardik Pandya, who has been booed and jeered during matches. "This is not right," Raina said. "Saying such things about him, his family isn't correct. But, you can't do much, everyone has the right to say things. You have to learn to avoid it."Despite his criticism of the captaincy change, Raina acknowledged that Mumbai Indians have shown signs of improvement in their recent match. "They won the last match," he said. "So, let's see how they perform in the upcoming matches."

Shivam Dube, the enigmatic all-rounder from Mumbai, has emerged as a captivating dark horse candidate for India's T20 World Cup squad. His stellar performances for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 have not only propelled his team but also caught the attention of cricket pundits and former players.Dube's impact for CSK this season has been undeniable. As the side's star batter, he has amassed an impressive tally of 245 runs in seven matches, emerging as their highest run-scorer with a staggering strike rate of 157.05. With notable contributions including two half-centuries and a highest score of 66*, Dube's consistency and power-hitting prowess have been key factors in CSK's campaign.Former Australian cricketer and wicketkeeping maestro Adam Gilchrist recently endorsed Dube as his dark horse pick for India's T20 World Cup squad during an interview with Cricbuzz. Gilchrist praised Dube's irresistible form and highlighted his ability to take on both spin and pace bowling with confidence and finesse."Shivam Dube, I think his form is irresistible," Gilchrist remarked. "He's taken on spin bowling, which we've known and witnessed for a while. But he's taking on the quick bowlers. He seems to be confident in his shot selection all around the ground."Gilchrist further emphasized Dube's all-round talent, suggesting that his bowling skills could add depth to the Indian team if utilized effectively. Despite limited bowling opportunities, Gilchrist expressed optimism about Dube's potential impact in the T20 World Cup, urging the team management to consider maximizing his bowling contributions in the nets."If they get the message to him, to make sure he is at least bowling a lot in the nets...he is too irresistible as a talent, an all-round talent to not take to the World Cup," Gilchrist added.With the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee facing mounting pressure to assemble a formidable squad for the showpiece event, the inclusion of Shivam Dube as a dark horse candidate adds an intriguing dimension to the selection process. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball could prove invaluable in the high-pressure environment of the T20 World Cup.

Sunrisers Hyderabad's Abhishek Sharma Blazes Trail with Explosive Batting PerformanceIn a scintillating display of power-packed batting, young Abhishek Sharma spearheaded Sunrisers Hyderabad's onslaught against Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter. Partnering with Travis Head, Sharma showcased sheer dominance in the powerplay overs, unleashing a barrage of boundaries that left DC's bowlers reeling.Sharma's explosive performance was a testament to the confidence instilled in him by the team management. "It was a pretty easy message from the coaches and captain. They were pretty much clear with all the batters to go out and express yourself," remarked Sharma in the post-match press conference.His partnership with Head, who was equally formidable with the bat, proved to be a game-changer for SRH. Sharma's admiration for Head's batting prowess was evident, emphasizing the joy of batting alongside him and the insightful conversations they shared off the field. "I hope there's more than this going to come in future. Batting with Travis is very joyful, and I have been talking a lot with him off the field," expressed Sharma.Sharma's preparation ahead of facing DC's bowlers, particularly Kuldeep Yadav, showcased his meticulous approach to the game. Drawing from his experience as the Player of the Tournament in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Sharma's disciplined training regimen and clarity of mindset were instrumental in his stellar performance. "Personally, I always try to plan well for the spinners and main bowlers of the other team," shared Sharma, underscoring the importance of preparation in facing key opponents.As SRH continue their quest for IPL glory, Sharma's scintillating form and unwavering focus serve as a potent asset for the team, signaling brighter prospects on the horizon.

Virat Kohli's Bat-Breaking Woes Continue as Rinku Singh Shatters GiftAhead of the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), KKR batter Rinku Singh delivered some unfortunate news to RCB superstar Virat Kohli. Singh revealed that he had broken the bat gifted to him by Kohli after their previous encounter.During a pre-match meeting, Singh approached Kohli and sheepishly admitted, "Virat bhai, I broke the bat you gave me." Kohli, known for his generosity, initially inquired about the circumstances surrounding the breakage. Singh explained that he had broken the bat while facing a spinner.Kohli, however, was not amused by Singh's explanation. "You broke it against a spinner? Where did you break it from?" he asked. Singh replied that he had broken it from the middle. Kohli's frustration was evident as he exclaimed, "What should I do then?"Singh attempted to lighten the mood by informing Kohli that he was merely providing an update. However, Kohli remained unmoved. "No problem. Good that you told me. But I don't need information," he said.Despite Kohli's reluctance to provide another bat, Singh persisted. He began knocking the ball on two of Kohli's bats, prompting Kohli to remark, "This bat is no good." Singh then asked if Kohli would send him a new one.Kohli, still smarting from the broken bat incident, replied, "To whom am I sending? You took a bat from me previously. Now you want a second bat in the second game? Because of you, I face consequences later."Singh, sensing Kohli's annoyance, quickly returned the bats to him. Kohli, with a hint of resignation, said, "I swear on you, don't break the bat again. I can show you the broken bat."While Kohli refused to give Singh a new bat in the video, it remains to be seen if he will change his mind after the match between the two teams on Sunday.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) continued their impressive start to IPL 2024 with a convincing eight-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Lucknow on Friday.CSK, batting first, posted a competitive 176/6 in 20 overs, thanks to an unbeaten 57 from Ravindra Jadeja and a quickfire 28* off just 9 balls from MS Dhoni. However, LSG's openers, KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock, put on a dominant display to chase down the target with ease.Rahul, who has faced criticism for his slow strike rate in recent times, silenced his detractors with a brilliant 82 off 53 balls, including nine boundaries and three sixes. De Kock also played a crucial role, scoring 54 runs to provide LSG with a solid foundation.The LSG skipper's performance was particularly impressive given that he is vying for a spot in India's squad for the upcoming World Cup. Former India star Robin Uthappa believes that Rahul's chances of making the team are "50-50," but praised his recent form."The last 3-4 games, the way he has batted, was phenomenal to watch," Uthappa said. "When he is on song, when he is playing on the merit of the ball, he's class. He makes batting look so good."Rahul acknowledged the importance of de Kock's contribution to LSG's victory. "Quinton batted well as well. Made life easy for both," he said. "Different ball game playing in Chennai. Was playing in front of mini Chennai crowd. We are a young team and happy to play in front of such a crowd."With this win, LSG moved up to fourth place in the IPL 2024 standings, while CSK remained in eighth place.

Delhi Capitals' hopes of securing a playoff berth in IPL 2024 suffered a major setback after their disappointing defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday. The loss dropped them to seventh place in the points table, with only three wins in eight games.Chasing a challenging target of 267, Delhi Capitals' captain Rishabh Pant failed to provide the impetus, scoring a slow-paced 44 off 35 balls. His lackluster performance drew criticism from fans, who questioned his decision to bat at No. 6 instead of his usual No. 4 position.Despite spirited contributions from Jake Fraser McGurk (65 off 18) and Abhishek Porel (42 off 22), Delhi Capitals struggled to maintain momentum after losing their openers. The team's inability to accelerate the run chase effectively raised concerns about Pant's leadership decisions.Sunrisers Hyderabad, on the other hand, set a formidable tone with their batting display. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma amassed a record-breaking 125 runs in the first six overs, laying the groundwork for their team's imposing total of 266/7.Following the disappointing loss, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar offered words of consolation to Pant during the post-match presentation. "I never want your head down, there are lots of games so keep a smile always," Gavaskar told Pant, who responded, "I will try my best, sir."As Delhi Capitals aim to recover from this setback, the scrutiny on Pant's form and leadership decisions intensifies. The team faces challenges in regaining momentum in the remainder of the IPL season.

Punjab Kings Eye Victory Against Gujarat Titans Amidst Dhawan's Injury ConcernsAhead of their crucial IPL encounter against Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings assistant coach Brad Haddin addressed the team's strategy and provided updates on captain Shikhar Dhawan's injury.Dhawan's absence has left a significant void in the Punjab Kings lineup. "It's difficult to replace someone like Shikhar," Haddin acknowledged. "He's one of the most successful openers in the IPL and has been in great form this season."Despite the setback, Haddin expressed optimism about Dhawan's recovery. "He has started to progress well," he said. "We will decide on Sunday morning whether he's available for selection."In Dhawan's absence, Punjab Kings will rely on their bowlers, particularly their seamers. "Our fast bowlers have the most wickets in IPL 2024," Haddin noted. "If we can find the runs, our spinners and pacers could find some much-needed support."Haddin also highlighted the team's need to convert close matches into wins. "We have got to find a way to get a result in this game," he emphasized. "The last three games were very close."The Punjab Kings batsmen, including Ashutosh Sharma and Shashank Singh, have shown promise in recent matches. "The way they have been performing, we want to give them more time on the pitch," Haddin said.Facing Gujarat Titans presents a formidable challenge, but Haddin believes his team is up to the task. "We have a good team," he said. "We just need to find a way to put it all together and get a win."

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma has revealed that he has opted to stay at home during Mumbai Indians' home matches in the ongoing IPL 2024. This decision marks a departure from his previous practice of staying with his teammates at the team hotel.In a recent interview, Rohit explained that he prefers to stay at home when matches are held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. He arrives at the stadium an hour before team meetings and spends the rest of his time with his family."I am staying at home actually. The last four matches Mumbai Indians played here (Wankhede), I was staying at home. Just going an hour before when we have the team meeting. It's been good, a little different but good," Rohit said on the Club Prairie Fire podcast.Rohit also shared his views on the Impact Player Rule introduced in the IPL this season. He expressed concerns that it could hinder the development of young all-rounders."I genuinely feel it is going to hold back the development of all-rounders because eventually cricket is played by 11 players, not 12. So I am not a big fan of the Impact Player Rule because you are taking so much from the game just to make it a little more entertaining for the people around you. But just in the cricketing aspect of it, I feel guys like Washington Sundar, and Shivam Dube are not getting to bowl, which is not a good thing for us (India)," Rohit said.While acknowledging the entertainment value of the rule, Rohit emphasized that it could compromise the integrity of the game."It is entertaining though, as there are 12 players to select from and whoever that Impact player is, can see how the game is going and change it based on what you need, and how the pitch is behaving. If you bat well and don't lose too many wickets, you can add a bowler, which gives you the option of having 6-7 bowlers. You don't need that extra batter because a lot of the teams upfront are batting well and you hardly see No. 7 or 8 coming to bat," he added.