Cricket

Ashutosh Sharma, the 25-year-old Punjab Kings batter, has emerged as a rising star in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Despite his team's loss against Mumbai Indians, Sharma's sensational 28-ball-61 showcased his exceptional talent.Sharma's knock, which included 2 fours and 7 sixes at a strike rate of 217.86, brought Punjab Kings close to victory despite losing four early wickets. His performance adds to his impressive tournament tally of 156 runs in just 4 matches.Sharma's journey to the IPL has been marked by both triumph and adversity. From 2020 to 2022, he faced a challenging period where his career seemed uncertain. "There was a time when I wasn't even allowed to get a feel of the cricket ground," Sharma revealed.An alleged falling out with then Madhya Pradesh head coach Chandrakant Pandit left Sharma feeling depressed and isolated. "I would go to the gym and retire to my hotel room. I was sinking into depression and no one told me what my fault was," he said.Despite his struggles, Sharma's determination remained unwavering. A job offer from Railways proved to be a lifeline, and in the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he equaled Yuvraj Singh's record for the fastest T20 half-century, scoring 50 in just 11 deliveries.Sharma's exceptional performance caught the attention of Punjab Kings batting coach Sanjay Bangar, and he was picked up by the franchise in the IPL 2024 auction for the base price of Rs 20 lakh.Sharma's recent knock against Mumbai Indians is a testament to his resilience and talent. His ability to play explosive innings and contribute to his team's success has made him a valuable asset for Punjab Kings. As the IPL 2024 continues, Sharma is poised to make a significant impact on the tournament and further cement his status as a rising star in Indian cricket.

Lucknow Super Giants Face Chennai Super Kings in Crucial ClashLucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will lock horns in a pivotal Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 encounter at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Friday.LSG, who had won three consecutive games, have suffered back-to-back defeats against Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders. Their batting has been a concern, with Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul, and Marcus Stoinis struggling for consistency.CSK, on the other hand, have regained their winning ways with two consecutive victories after two losses. Their fast bowlers have been impressive, while their batters have contributed in high-scoring matches.The pitch in Lucknow is expected to favor pace and bounce, which could benefit both teams' fast bowlers. LSG will be keen to utilize Ravi Bishnoi and Krunal Pandya effectively against the in-form Shivam Dube.LSG may consider bringing in Mayank Yadav as an Impact sub for de Kock, while CSK could opt for Moeen Ali in place of Daryl Mitchell.Deepak Hooda, who has struggled for form this season, will be under pressure to perform at No. 3 for LSG. Mitchell, who has yet to make a significant impact for CSK, will be eager to prove his worth.CSK's bowlers have been exceptional in the middle overs, conceding just 7.03 runs per over. Matheesha Pathirana has dismissed Nicholas Pooran three times in three T20 meetings, which could be a key factor in the match.LSG assistant coach Lance Klusener has urged his team to show more intent with the bat, while CSK head coach Stephen Fleming has emphasized the importance of backing players despite fluctuations in form.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has been marred by allegations of toss tampering, with fans claiming that match referee Javagal Srinath manipulated the coin toss result during the Mumbai Indians vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru match. However, these claims have been debunked by social media users who provided video evidence to the contrary.Despite the debunking, the issue resurfaced during Mumbai Indians' match against Punjab Kings on Thursday. After the coin toss, Punjab Kings stand-in skipper Sam Curran checked the result himself before the coin was picked up by the match referee. The broadcasters also zoomed in on the result, clearly showing that Punjab Kings had won the toss and elected to field.This is not the first time toss tampering claims have made headlines. A video showing a conversation between Faf du Plessis and Pat Cummins had fans convinced that they were discussing the coin flip.The Punjab Kings vs. Mumbai Indians match featured several notable moments. Punjab Kings won the toss and elected to bowl, with Rilee Rossouw replacing the injured Shikhar Dhawan. Mumbai Indians made a few tactical changes, dropping Atharva Taide and bringing in Piyush Chawla.The match itself was a close contest, with both teams fighting hard for victory. In the end, Punjab Kings emerged victorious by a narrow margin, thanks to a brilliant all-round performance from Sam Curran.

MS Dhoni's Unwavering Popularity Grips Lucknow Ahead of CSK-LSG ClashMahendra Singh Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, continues to captivate fans worldwide with his exceptional skills and charismatic leadership. As the Chennai Super Kings prepare to face the Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow, the city has been swept by a wave of Dhoni fever.Hoardings featuring Dhoni's image and witty slogans have gone viral on social media, reflecting the immense admiration and affection he holds among his supporters. One such hoarding, shared by the Lucknow Super Giants, reads, "We want Dhoni to hit a six on the last ball, but only if we need 12 runs to win."The hoardings also highlight the significance of the upcoming match, which is the 34th game of the IPL 2024 season. The equation "3+4 = 7" prominently displayed on the hoardings represents Dhoni's iconic jersey number.The Lucknow Super Giants will face a stern test against the Chennai Super Kings' formidable bowling unit, led by the astute captaincy of Dhoni. The two teams have experienced contrasting fortunes in their recent matches, with CSK securing back-to-back victories while LSG has suffered successive defeats.The Ekana Stadium track is expected to provide a two-paced surface, which will favor the variations and skills of CSK's bowlers. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams, with the added excitement of Dhoni's presence on the field.

Virat Kohli, the enigmatic Indian cricketer, is renowned not only for his exceptional batting skills but also for his infectious energy and captivating presence on the field. His ability to entertain and enthrall spectators transcends the boundaries of cricket, making him a true icon of the sport.Beyond his prowess with the bat, Kohli's charisma shines through in his lively on-field antics and engaging interactions with fans. One such unforgettable moment occurred during the IPL 2024 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad at Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.As Kohli took his fielding position at the boundary ropes, the crowd erupted in chants of "Chiku Chiku," a nickname bestowed upon him by a coach during his Ranji Trophy days. With his trademark exuberance, Kohli responded by breaking into an impromptu dance, his body moving in perfect harmony with the rhythm of the crowd's cheers.This moment perfectly encapsulates Kohli's ability to connect with fans on a personal level. His infectious energy and willingness to embrace the entertainment aspect of the game make him a beloved figure both on and off the field.However, despite Kohli's individual brilliance, RCB has struggled in the ongoing IPL season, languishing at the bottom of the table with just one win in seven matches. Their next challenge will be against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday, where they will hope to turn their fortunes around and reignite their title hopes.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has witnessed an unprecedented batting onslaught, with nine 200+ totals already recorded. This has prompted calls for a change in the ball manufacturer, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir echoing commentator Harsha Bhogle's suggestion.Gambhir believes that if the current manufacturer, Kookaburra, cannot produce a ball that lasts for 50 overs, it should be replaced. "There's nothing wrong with changing the manufacturer," he said. "What is this compulsion with only using the Kookaburra?"Bhogle had earlier suggested using a Duke ball, which has a more pronounced seam and allows for greater lateral movement. This, he believes, would restore the balance between bat and ball.The lopsided nature of the contest between batters and bowlers is evident in the record-breaking totals posted by Sunrisers Hyderabad. They have scored 277 against Mumbai Indians and 287 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Rajasthan Royals also chased down a target of 224 against KKR, setting a new record for successful chases in the IPL.The dominance of batters has raised concerns about the fairness of the competition. With the pitches not providing much assistance to bowlers, the ball needs to do more in the air to create a level playing field.The IPL's high-scoring matches have been entertaining for fans, but they also highlight the need for a more balanced contest between bat and ball. A change in the ball manufacturer could be one way to address this issue and ensure that the IPL remains a thrilling spectacle for years to come.

Ahead of their clash against Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma shared a lighthearted moment with teammate Romario Shepherd. The incident occurred when Rohit stumbled upon a picture of himself at 20 years old, just starting out for the Indian team.The Mumbai Indians took to social media to post a video of the encounter, captioning it, "Bholi si surat, aankhon mein masti... Jab Hitman met 20-year-old Ro today." In the video, Rohit reacts to the picture, remarking that he was a "small boy" and struggling to grow a beard.The Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians are currently eighth in the IPL 2024 points table with just four points, having won only two of their six matches. The five-time champions have a net run rate of -0.234 in the 17th edition of the IPL.In their previous match against Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians won the toss and elected to field first. After a slow start, Ruturaj Gaikwad (69) and Shivam Dube (66*) stitched a 90-run partnership to propel CSK to a formidable 206/4.In response, Mumbai Indians got off to a solid start with Ishan Kishan (23) and Rohit Sharma (101) putting on a 70-run opening stand. However, Rohit's century was not enough to carry the team to victory as they fell short by 20 runs, ending with 186/6.Matheesha Pathirana (4/28) was the standout bowler for CSK, while Hardik Pandya (2/43) was the pick of the bowlers for Mumbai Indians.

Devon Conway Ruled Out of IPL 2024, Richard Gleeson Named ReplacementChennai Super Kings (CSK) have suffered a major setback with the news that star batter Devon Conway has been ruled out of the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 due to an injury. The New Zealand international had missed the first six games of the tournament due to the injury, and his absence will be a significant blow to CSK's title hopes.Conway has been a key player for CSK in recent seasons, helping them win the title in 2023. In 23 matches for the franchise, he has scored 924 runs, including nine half-centuries and a highest score of 92 not out. His ability to anchor the innings and provide stability at the top of the order will be sorely missed.To replace Conway, CSK have signed veteran England pacer Richard Gleeson. The 36-year-old has yet to make his IPL debut, but he has impressed for England in T20Is, taking nine wickets in six matches. He is known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace, which could be a valuable asset for CSK in the middle overs.Gleeson has played 90 T20s in his career, taking 101 wickets. He will join CSK for his reserve price of Rs 50 lakh.CSK are currently third in the IPL 2024 points table with four wins from six matches. They will be hoping that Gleeson can make a quick impact and help them maintain their title challenge.

Mumbai Indians' decision to replace Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as captain ahead of IPL 2024 proved disastrous, with fans expressing their disapproval through booing and the team losing its first three matches. However, the franchise managed to salvage some pride by winning two consecutive matches before succumbing to Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede.Rohit Sharma, who led Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles during his tenure as captain, recently shared his insights on the team's journey in a podcast with Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan. He emphasized the importance of adapting to the unique conditions of the Wankhede Stadium and working closely with overseas and domestic players to create a cohesive unit."In 2013, when I took over, we had Malinga, Mitchell Johnson, and Bumrah in the squad. We had to work around their strengths and weaknesses. For example, Mitchell Johnson likes to bang it hard on the deck, but I knew that wouldn't work at Wankhede. We had to convince him to pitch it slightly fuller and get the ball to swing," Rohit explained.He also highlighted the importance of communication and collaboration with the support staff, including Ricky Ponting, Mahela Jayawardene, and Mark Boucher. "It's not just one person's job to make it through. I needed the support of my support staff to make sure that we align to the same thought process," Rohit said.Rohit Sharma is set to become the second player after MS Dhoni to play 250 IPL games when Mumbai Indians face Punjab Kings on Thursday. His experience and leadership will be crucial as the team looks to turn its fortunes around in the remaining matches of the season.