Cricket

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming has provided an update on the injury status of frontline pacer Deepak Chahar, stating that he is recovering from a minor niggle and will return to action soon.Chahar has been sidelined for the past few matches due to the injury, but Fleming assured that he is on the mend and undergoing rehabilitation. The coach emphasized that Chahar's absence has been well-covered by Shardul Thakur, who has performed admirably in his place."He is doing his rehabs well. It was a minor injury, nothing to worry about. Shardul Thakur bowled well in the last match against Mumbai, so we opted to give time to Chahar to recover well," Fleming said at a pre-match press conference.Thakur, who replaced Chahar in the playing XI against Mumbai Indians, conceded just 35 runs in his four overs without taking any wickets. CSK went on to win the match by 20 runs, thanks to a brilliant performance by Ruturaj Gaikwad.With Chahar's return imminent, CSK will have a stronger bowling attack at their disposal. The team currently sits third in the IPL 2024 standings with 8 points from 6 games.

Mumbai Indians' Captaincy Decisions Questioned After Viral Social Media PostAfter Mumbai Indians' narrow victory over Punjab Kings on Thursday, a cryptic social media post has sparked speculation about internal tensions within the team. The post, allegedly re-shared by MI all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, criticized the team's captaincy decisions, particularly the omission of Nabi from the bowling attack.The Instagram story, attributed to a user named ijaz.azizi07, read: "@mumbaiindians some of you captain's decision is very strange and surprise people!? Nabi didn't bowl today." It also praised Nabi's fielding contributions, noting his two catches and one run out.Nabi, a veteran Afghan spin allrounder, was acquired by MI in the IPL 2024 auction. In the match against Punjab Kings, he was dismissed for a duck but played a crucial role in the field, taking the catches of Ashutosh Sharma and Shashank Singh and participating in the run out of Kagiso Rabada.However, the Instagram story post, which social media users claimed had been re-shared by Nabi, was not present on his profile on Friday afternoon. The original post by ijaz.azizi07 remains on the user's handle, but it is unclear if Nabi actually re-shared it.The viral screenshot has raised questions about the atmosphere within the MI camp, but the team has not issued any official statement regarding the incident. Meanwhile, MI captain Hardik Pandya has been fined for the team's slow over-rate in the match against Punjab Kings.

Ahead of their crucial match against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain KL Rahul was spotted engaging in a heartwarming conversation with his wife, Bollywood actress Athiya Shetty, at the Ekana Stadium. The couple, who tied the knot last year, shared a tender moment on the eve of the game.In a viral video, Rahul, clad in his training gear, and Athiya, sporting an LSG matchday jersey, were seen chatting animatedly. The video captured the love and support they share, adding a touch of warmth to the intense atmosphere of the IPL.Rahul's 32nd birthday was celebrated with Athiya and the LSG team on Thursday. Athiya took to Instagram to express her love for her husband, posting a heartfelt message along with a photo of them together. "My whole heart for my whole life, happy birthday, my everything," she wrote.Beyond the personal moments, Rahul has also shared insights into his cricketing journey. In a recent interview, he revealed how he signed his first IPL contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). It was Virat Kohli who approached Rahul after being impressed by his performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy."Virat asked me if I would like to play for RCB," Rahul recalled. "I was thrilled and signed the contract immediately. Virat said it would be a crazy ride, and he was right. I gained invaluable knowledge and experience in those two months at RCB."Under Rahul's leadership, LSG has made a strong impact in the IPL, qualifying for the playoffs in both of their seasons. His calm demeanor and strategic decision-making have been instrumental in the team's success.As LSG prepares to face CSK, the presence of Athiya Shetty at the stadium provides a source of inspiration and support for Rahul. The couple's bond serves as a reminder that even in the midst of intense competition, love and family remain paramount.

The Mumbai Indians' captaincy saga has taken a positive turn with a heartwarming moment between Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma following their thrilling victory over the Punjab Kings. The win marked a resurgence for the five-time champions, who had endured a difficult start to the IPL 2024 season.Despite initial skepticism over Pandya's appointment as captain, the team has shown signs of improvement in recent matches. The victory against Punjab Kings was particularly significant, as it came after a string of losses and amidst rumors of a rift between Pandya and Sharma.The match itself was a rollercoaster of emotions. Punjab Kings' Ashutosh Sharma gave them a glimmer of hope with an explosive knock, but Mumbai Indians' bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Gerald Coetzee, held their nerve to secure a close-fought victory.After the match, Pandya and Sharma shared a moment that delighted Mumbai Indians fans. As the stadium erupted in celebration, Sharma congratulated Pandya before they joined their teammates. Pandya acknowledged the team's character and resilience, saying, "We did speak about before the game that the character will be checked in this game."The win against Punjab Kings has given Mumbai Indians a much-needed boost of confidence. Pandya's leadership and Sharma's support have created a positive atmosphere within the team. As the season progresses, the Mumbai Indians will be looking to build on this momentum and challenge for the IPL title once again.

Mumbai Indians' disappointing IPL 2024 campaign has drawn criticism from former Australian skipper Aaron Finch. The five-time champions have struggled to find consistency, losing three of their first five matches.Finch believes that captain Hardik Pandya needs to improve his form with both bat and ball. "First and foremost, I think the captain needs to find some form and consistency with bat and ball," Finch said. "We've seen him bowl in some games and not in others, so ideally, some form with both bat and ball. I think that will go a long way."Finch also pointed out the lack of depth in Mumbai's bowling attack outside of Jasprit Bumrah. "Their bowling outside of Jasprit Bumrah has lacked depth of quality and consistency," Finch said.Despite their struggles, Mumbai Indians managed to secure a narrow nine-run victory over Punjab Kings in their most recent match. Suryakumar Yadav's brilliant knock of 68 runs off 36 balls set the platform for the win, while Jasprit Bumrah and Gerald Coetzee took three wickets each.After the match, Pandya acknowledged the team's character and resilience. "Very good game of cricket. Everyone's nerve got tested," Pandya said. "We did speak about before the game that the character will be checked in this game. Naturally you think you're ahead in the game. But we knew IPL has a tendency to produce these games."Despite the win, Mumbai Indians remain in a precarious position in the IPL standings. They will need to find a way to improve their consistency and depth if they want to challenge for a playoff spot.

Suryakumar Yadav, the Mumbai Indians' star batter, has provided an update on his fitness following his impressive performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. After recovering from ankle surgery earlier this year, Yadav made a comeback in the Delhi Capitals game.Yadav, who had a sports hernia and an ankle that required surgery, was ruled out of India's penultimate T20I bilateral series before the World Cup in June, a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan at home.Speaking during the mid-innings interview after playing a crucial role in Mumbai Indians' victory over Punjab Kings, Yadav said, "It is going really well. I am almost there. I have started fielding. I am also training well. So slow and steady, hoping that all 40 overs I will be on the ground."Since his return, Yadav has registered a duck, fifty, then another duck, followed by another half-century. "That teaches you there are ups and downs in life," Yadav said while talking about his performance.Instead of taking the usual slam-bang approach, Yadav took his time and opened his arms. The explosive right-handed batter discussed his strategy and whether the management had given him any specific instructions."Nothing as much there was a talk going on. Last day we had a batters meeting that there will be a batter who will have to bat at least 15 to 17 overs because when we had a net session we felt that wicket will be a little difficult to get big runs on the board. But I just wanted to be myself. I took a little bit of more time today and after Rohit got out there had to be a batter who batted a little more. I just continued the way I bat," Yadav said.Jasprit Bumrah (3/21) and Coetzee's (3/32) influential spells, along with a scintillating 78-run knock from Yadav, helped the Mumbai Indians defeat the Punjab Kings by nine runs.

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has been fined INR 12 lakh for a Code of Conduct breach in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match against Punjab Kings. The incident occurred on Thursday, April 18, at the PCA New International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Pandya failed to complete the 20 overs of bowling within the stipulated time. This is the first instance of such an offense by Pandya, which resulted in a fine of INR 12 lakh.The BCCI statement confirmed the fine, stating that "Hardik Pandya, the Mumbai Indians captain, has been fined after his team maintained a slow over rate during their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match against Punjab Kings."A repeat of the offense could lead to more severe penalties for Pandya and other Mumbai Indians players.In the match itself, Mumbai Indians emerged victorious, securing their third win of the IPL 2024 campaign. Chasing a target of 193 runs, Punjab Kings struggled to gain momentum, losing wickets at regular intervals.Despite a valiant effort from Ashutosh Sharma, who scored 61 runs off 28 balls, and Harpreet Brar, who contributed 21 runs off 20 balls, Punjab Kings fell short of the target, being bowled out for 183 runs in the last over.

Mayank Yadav, the young fast bowler for Lucknow Super Giants, has made a remarkable impact in the ongoing IPL 2024. His sensational debut performance, where he bowled the fastest delivery of the competition at 156.7 Kmph and claimed three wickets, propelled his team to victory against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. However, a side strain during the match against Gujarat Titans has sidelined him since.Ahead of LSG's crucial game against Chennai Super Kings, assistant coach Lance Klusener provided an update on Mayank's fitness and potential return. "I am not sure regarding his participation in tomorrow's match against Chennai. He has been bowling in the nets, but his fitness is our priority. We can't say anything regarding his participation," Klusener stated.LSG's official Twitter account shared a video of Mayank bowling in the nets, hinting at his possible return. Former Australian cricketer Tom Moody believes Mayank is in contention for a spot in India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad. "He is definitely in the conversation. Whether you take that risk punting on him or not is another conversation," Moody said.Former New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan echoed Moody's sentiments. "If his form continues throughout this tournament, the World Cup starts six days after the IPL, I think it would be crazy not to look at the players who are in form going into that tournament," McClenaghan said.Mayank's impressive performances have caught the attention of experts and fans alike. His ability to bowl at high speeds and his wicket-taking prowess make him a valuable asset for any team. If he can maintain his form and fitness, he could potentially earn a spot in the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Mumbai Indians Snatch Thrilling Victory from Punjab Kings in IPL 2024In a nail-biting encounter at Mullanpur on Thursday, Mumbai Indians (MI) narrowly escaped a late onslaught from Punjab Kings (PBKS) to secure a thrilling 9-run victory in the IPL 2024 match.PBKS, chasing a challenging target of 193, found themselves in a precarious position at 77/6, with their top order back in the pavilion. However, Ashutosh Sharma's remarkable innings of 61 runs off just 28 balls ignited their hopes.Sharma displayed audacious strokeplay, executing helicopter pulls and dispatching Jasprit Bumrah for a six with a sweeping shot. He punished Akash Madhwal's bowling, leaving MI stunned for a moment.However, Sharma's dismissal in the deep when PBKS were just 25 runs away from victory halted their momentum. The lower-order batsmen failed to carry them across the finish line.Bumrah once again emerged as the standout performer for MI, claiming crucial wickets with the new ball and later breaking a threatening partnership by dismissing Shashank Singh. Despite the onslaught from the opposition batsmen, Bumrah remained economical and showcased his brilliance yet again.Another MI pacer, Gerald Coetzee, made a significant contribution with figures of 3/32, shifting the momentum in MI's favor by dismissing Sharma at a crucial juncture.MI captain Rohit Sharma described the match as a see-saw battle, noting that both teams had opportunities to clinch victory until the final over."What a game! We got a good total on the board, we started really well (with the ball), we thought we had it.. cricket is a funny game and they batted really well, it was like a seesaw and couldn't decide who would win the game," said Rohit."I saw the ball land and knew it would spin, so I got my body behind, I didn't care how I stopped it as long as I stopped it (16.3). It is incredible, it is completely different to whatever I have experienced and even the fan experience, just incredible," he added.