Cricket

Virat Kohli, the former Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper, silenced critics and proved his T20 prowess in the 2024 Indian Premier League season, securing the Orange Cap and leading RCB to the playoffs.Despite facing criticism for his strike rate, Kohli emerged as the tournament's top run-scorer, amassing 741 runs in 15 innings at an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.69. His tally included one century and five fifties, marking the second time he has claimed the Orange Cap after his record-breaking 973 runs in 2016.Kohli's performances were a timely reminder of his T20 dominance. He faced scrutiny over his strike rate throughout the league phase, but he addressed the criticism head-on after a stellar knock against Gujarat Titans. Former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull advised Kohli to disregard the "rubbish" criticism, while batting legend Sunil Gavaskar criticized broadcasters for repeatedly airing Kohli's on-air rant against pundits.RCB icon Dinesh Karthik credited Doull for motivating Kohli. "He started okay but thanks to people like Simon (Doull) and a few others, they just really spurred him on," Karthik said. "He is someone who inadvertently wants to hold on to certain things to do well."Kohli's fierce determination and ability to prove his detractors wrong have been central to his success. "He loves proving people wrong, and even though he might not come out and say it, it really fuels his passion," Karthik added.Kohli's remarkable form and ability to perform under pressure make him a key player for India as they aim for World Cup glory. His performances in the IPL have silenced critics and underlined his status as one of the greatest T20 batsmen of all time.

Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) triumph in the 2024 IPL Final has brought accolades to the likes of Gautam Gambhir, Shah Rukh Khan, Sunil Narine, and Andre Russell. However, amidst the fanfare, one unsung hero has emerged: assistant coach Abhishek Nayar.Nayar's role in KKR's success was acknowledged by players Varun Chakravarthy and Venkatesh Iyer during an interview with Harsha Bhogle. Chakravarthy hailed Nayar as "the main guy behind" the team's Indian core, which has been instrumental in their victory.This Indian core has been a force to reckon with. Chakravarthy claimed 21 wickets, while Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora contributed 19 and 11 wickets, respectively. Venkatesh Iyer amassed 370 runs, and teenage sensation Angkrish Raghuvanshi made a memorable debut with a half-century. Ramandeep Singh also impressed with his contributions lower down the order.Iyer, who played a crucial role in the IPL Final with a 26-ball 52, echoed Chakravarthy's sentiments. "Abhishek Nayar deserves all the credit in the world," he said. "Some of his contributions go unnoticed, I want to make sure it doesn't."Nayar's influence extends beyond the assistant coach role. He has also been a mentor and head coach of the KKR Academy, where he has nurtured young talents like Raghuvanshi. Raghuvanshi's father, Avneesh, expressed his gratitude to Nayar on Instagram, acknowledging his commitment to developing Angkrish as both a cricketer and a person.While the spotlight may shine brightly on Gambhir and the star-studded KKR backroom, the players have ensured that unsung heroes like Nayar receive their due recognition. Their contributions have been pivotal in KKR's third IPL title victory.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 concluded with the Kolkata Knight Riders emerging victorious, claiming their third title after defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai. However, the absence of Team India players in the final has sparked commentary from Pakistan legend Wasim Akram, who views it as a "blessing in disguise" for Indian cricket ahead of the T20 World Cup.Akram, speaking to Sportskeeda, emphasized that the lack of Indian players in the IPL final allows them to concentrate solely on their preparations for the World Cup, without the additional strain of a prolonged tournament. "Now, at least none of them will have to claim fatigue. They were thinking ahead, prioritizing India over reaching the final. It could be a blessing in disguise for India," Akram stated.Akram, who had previously expressed concerns about player fatigue due to the demanding IPL schedule, noted that the Indian contingent would benefit from the additional rest and preparation time. "We discussed in the previous show that I was worried about their potential fatigue, and they will be tired, no doubt. Even America is not their home ground. I think Pakistan's first match is in Dallas. Now they will go and play there, with one or two practice matches. It will be okay, I suppose. It is T20, the boys will recover, and nowadays fitness levels are very high," he added.The Indian squad has already arrived in New York to prepare for the T20 World Cup. They will play a warm-up match against Bangladesh on June 1 at Nassau County, providing crucial practice time before the tournament begins. The early focus on preparation is expected to give India a better chance this time around.The T20 World Cup is set to start on June 2, with Rohit Sharma's Team India beginning their campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York. The absence of Indian players in the IPL final ensures they are well-rested and focused, an advantage that Akram believes could be pivotal.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious in the IPL 2024, claiming their third title with an emphatic eight-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad. The triumph marked a remarkable turnaround for KKR, who had endured a decade-long trophy drought.The team's success was largely attributed to their bowling prowess, as they restricted SRH to a mere 113 runs. Sunil Narine, the in-form all-rounder, played a pivotal role, opening the batting and contributing with both bat and ball.KKR's mentor, Gautam Gambhir, who had returned to the franchise with the aim of ending their title drought, was overjoyed with the victory. He had previously expressed his desire to lift the trophy with the team, and his words proved prophetic.Nitish Rana, who played a crucial role in the chase, revealed that Gambhir had sent him a message expressing his belief in the team's potential. "I want to share one short story that when GG bhaiya was named the mentor, I sent him a long message as I was really happy. But he replied saying, 'Thank you but I would be happy if we stand at the podium with the trophy in our hands.' Today is that day and I will never forget that message," Rana said.Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, who joined the team at the behest of leg-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, was equally ecstatic. "It means everything. I started playing IPL in the first season and it has taken me 16 years for the first title after two finals. I am really happy for the boys. I cannot express how happy I am," Nayar said.Venkatesh Iyer, who top-scored in the chase with an unbeaten 52, praised Nayar's contributions. "Really happy with it. As Varun mentioned, Abhishek Nayar deserves all the credit in the world," Iyer said.Andre Russell, who had faced criticism in the previous season, proved to be a vital cog in KKR's triumph. "No words to describe. It means so much. I am happy that all of us were very disciplined and worked towards one goal. This franchise has done a lot for me. It's a big gift from all of us to them," Russell said.Rinku Singh, who had been with KKR for seven years, was overjoyed to finally lift the trophy. "Outstanding feeling right now. My dream of seven years is complete. Finally I will lift the trophy. I am proud of my whole team and GG sir. It was God's plan," Singh said.Pacer Vaibhav Arora, who impressed alongside Harshit Rana, was happy to contribute to the team's success. "My role is to take wickets with the new ball. After that the spinners were doing their jobs. So today also the aim was to take wickets in the powerplay, which happened as well," Arora said.Bowling coach Bharat Arun praised the team's resilience and highlighted the impact of Mitchell Starc's inclusion. "I think it was pretty tough, the last two years. It was touch and go - we didn't qualify. It needed a lot of introspection and now we can savour this moment. He (Harshit Rana) has been outstanding. It's about backing your strengths," Arun said.Arun also lauded the decision to open with Narine, which was proposed by Gambhir. "Spinners mature with age, and with Sunny and Varun bowling in tandem, it was superb. He (Narine) brought a totally different dimension to our batting. It was Gautam who insisted that he opened and it paid dividends," Arun said.Opener-keeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who joined KKR late in the season, was delighted to be part of the winning team. "My mom is watching from the home. She is feeling good now. I asked mom before the match if she wanted anything. She said just the win. When Salt was playing, I wasn't expecting to get a chance but I knew it's a long tournament and I needed to be ready. Once I got the chance, I was well prepared," Gurbaz said.The KKR camp was abuzz with excitement and plans for celebrations. "I cannot tell how happy I am," said Harshit Rana. "It's yet to sink in yet. Maybe it will after the party at night," added Angkrish Raghuvanshi.All-rounder Ramandeep Singh said he would be busy selecting songs for the party. "I am really happy. We worked really hard for it, so feeling really happy. It's a great environment. Poora gaah payeya hoeya hai (We have had a ball). I am the DJ, I play the song people demand," Singh said.

Shah Rukh Khan's Heartwarming Gesture Wins Chennai Crowd's HeartsBollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan stole the hearts of Chennai fans after his team's emphatic victory in the IPL 2024 final. Despite KKR's dominant performance, Khan made a special effort to acknowledge the home crowd of five-time champions Chennai Super Kings.After KKR's comprehensive 113-run victory over SunRisers Hyderabad, Khan joined the Chennai crowd in chanting "CSK, CSK." The gesture was a heartwarming tribute to the city that has hosted numerous memorable IPL matches."It was a beautiful gesture by SRK," said Chennai fan John Abraham. "It showed that he understands the passion of the Chennai crowd and that he respects their team."Khan's gesture was not only a moment of sportsmanship but also a reflection of his deep connection with his fans. Despite being a co-owner of a rival team, Khan has always maintained a close relationship with the people of Chennai."Shah Rukh Khan is a true superstar," said Chennai resident Priya Sharma. "He knows how to make people happy, even when they're not supporting his team."KKR's victory was a culmination of a remarkable season for the team. After a long trophy drought, KKR finally lifted their third IPL title, thanks to a dominant performance throughout the tournament."We played like invincibles throughout the season," said KKR captain Shreyas Iyer. "There's so much to cherish right now. It is pleasing, the performance has been flawless throughout."SRH, who had a superb IPL 2024, were unable to replicate their form in the final. KKR's bowlers restricted SRH to a paltry 113, which the Kolkata batters chased down in just 10.3 overs."We were lucky to bowl first and every situation went in our favor," said Iyer. "We have been tremendous from game one, we stepped up today."Khan's heartwarming gesture and KKR's emphatic victory made the IPL 2024 final a memorable night for both Kolkata and Chennai fans.

Ambati Rayudu's Waistcoat Switch Draws Amusement from CommentatorsKolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) emphatic eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2024 final on Sunday sparked a moment of lighthearted banter among commentators Kevin Pietersen and Matthew Hayden.Rayudu, who was initially seen supporting SRH in an orange waistcoat, swiftly switched to a blue one after KKR's triumph. This wardrobe change did not escape the notice of Pietersen and Hayden, who couldn't resist teasing the former Indian batsman."Thank you for bringing out the fact that he changed from orange to blue," said host Mayanti Langer."I've at least held firm. I wore it and I owned it," said Pietersen, referring to his own purple attire. "You are a joker, always a joker," he added, addressing Rayudu.Rayudu responded with a diplomatic answer: "I am supporting both the teams. I am supporting good cricket."KKR's victory was a comprehensive one, as they restricted SRH to a paltry 113, the lowest total in an IPL final. Venkatesh Iyer's unbeaten 52 off 26 balls led KKR's chase, which they completed with 57 balls to spare.Mitchell Starc, Andre Russell, and Harshit Rana were the standout bowlers for KKR, as SRH failed to put up a competitive total.Rayudu's waistcoat switch may have been a minor incident, but it provided a moment of amusement amidst the excitement of the IPL final. It also highlighted the camaraderie and banter that often exists among commentators and players in the world of cricket.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) assistant coach Simon Helmot expressed optimism for the team's future despite their 8-wicket defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final.Helmot acknowledged the team's shortcomings in the middle order, which failed to contribute significant runs. He also praised KKR for their aggressive approach throughout the tournament."We had a lot of good games when Abhishek and Head scored runs, but we didn't get as much from the middle order as we would have liked," Helmot said. "Credit to KKR, they had a great season and played an aggressive brand of cricket."Helmot emphasized that SRH would not alter their approach or brand of cricket. "We played in a really positive way," he said. "The two wickets at the start put us on the back foot, we just lacked those partnerships."He commended the opponents for their aggressive style and expressed pride in his players. "They are a very aggressive team," Helmot said. "We could have played a little bit better, but I am tremendously proud of the players."Helmot highlighted the support provided by captain Pat Cummins and head coach Daniel Vettori. "Pat and Daniel are really supportive of the players," he said. "They want to give people the encouragement to go out and express themselves. Tonight will be a big learning curve for the individuals."KKR's victory marked their third IPL title, with their first coming in 2012 under Gautam Gambhir. Their bowlers restricted SRH to a mere 113 runs, while their batsmen chased down the target in just 10.3 overs with eight wickets in hand.

Kolkata Knight Riders Triumph in IPL 2024, Shah Rukh Khan Celebrates with TeamAfter a decade-long wait, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and his Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team emerged victorious in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final. The Knights crushed Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets in Chennai on Sunday, claiming their second IPL title.Mitchell Starc, the Australian left-arm quick, played a pivotal role in KKR's triumph. He bowled a sensational opening spell, dismissing Sunrisers Hyderabad for a mere 113 runs, the lowest total in an IPL final. Starc's figures of 2-14 justified his status as one of the world's top T20 bowlers.KKR's victory was a testament to their resilience and determination. Despite Shah Rukh Khan's health issues, which forced him to be hospitalized before the final, the team rallied together and delivered a dominant performance.After the match, Khan celebrated with his team, hugging each member and lifting the trophy with them on the podium. His celebrations were tempered by his recent health concerns, but he still managed to share his joy with the fans.KKR's victory was a special moment for the franchise and its supporters. It marked their second IPL title triumph at the Chepauk stadium, where they had won their first trophy in 2012. The near-capacity crowd cheered on the Knights, creating an electric atmosphere.

Ambati Rayudu's Relentless Swipe at Royal Challengers Bengaluru Continues After KKR's IPL TriumphFormer Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians batter Ambati Rayudu has reignited his feud with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) following Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Rayudu, who has been relentlessly trolling the Bengaluru franchise since their IPL 2024 exit, took another swipe, emphasizing the importance of collective performances over individual accolades.Rayudu's criticism stems from Virat Kohli's impressive performance this season, where he emerged as the top-scorer with over 700 runs. However, despite Kohli's individual brilliance, RCB was eliminated in the Eliminator by Rajasthan Royals."Congratulations to the KKR team for really standing up for stalwarts like Narine, Russell, and Starc and also contributing their share in the team's win. That's how a team wins the IPL. We have seen this over the years. It's not the Orange Cap that wins you the IPL, but it is the contributions like 300 runs each (of many players)," Rayudu said in a chat on Star Sports.Rayudu went on to suggest that Kohli should lower his standards to reduce the pressure on younger players in the team. "Virat Kohli is a stalwart and a legend there in the team. He sets so high standards which puts pressure on the youngsters to emulate him. So, Virat needs to lower his standards a bit so that the youngsters can be in a good state of mind in the dressing room," Rayudu stressed.Rayudu's criticism extends beyond Kohli's individual performance. He has also called out the poor management by RCB's bosses, accusing them of prioritizing individual milestones over team titles. "My heart truly goes out to all the RCB supporters who have passionately supported the team over the years. If only the management and the leaders had the team's interests ahead of individual milestones... RCB would have won multiple titles," Rayudu said in a social media post.While Kohli has consistently delivered runs for RCB, he has lacked the necessary support from his teammates. The franchise's bowling department has also struggled to produce consistency. Rayudu's criticism highlights the need for a more balanced approach and a greater emphasis on team cohesion if RCB is to break their title drought.