Cricket

Lucknow Super Giants' promising fast bowler Mayank Yadav's impressive IPL debut was cut short by an injury during the match against Gujarat Titans. The young pacer, who had taken three wickets in each of his first two matches, missed the subsequent game against Delhi Capitals due to a minor swelling at the top of his hip.Following LSG's loss to Delhi Capitals, skipper KL Rahul provided an update on Mayank's condition. "Mayank is not too bad, he looks good, feeling good, but we also want to make sure we don't rush him back in too early," Rahul said. "He's young, we need to protect his body. He's itching to go, we just have to pull him back a little, maybe a couple of more games, before he comes back."LSG head coach Justin Langer revealed the extent of Mayank's injury. "He felt a little bit of tightness at the top of his hip leading into the last game, but that was about a one-out-of-ten pain, and we thought that they were clinical signs," Langer said. "Everything through the doctors and the physios seemed perfectly okay. He bowled that first over (against Titans) and started feeling something in his hip. But we had an MRI scan, and there is a very, very small swelling in there. So we are very hopeful he'll start building himself up and be back bowling again soon."Mayank's injury is a setback for LSG, who have relied heavily on his pace and control in the early stages of the tournament. The 21-year-old has already made a name for himself by bowling the fastest delivery of IPL 2024 at 156.7 kmph.The LSG management is taking a cautious approach with Mayank's recovery, recognizing the importance of protecting his long-term health. The team is hopeful that he will be back in action soon and continue to make a significant contribution to their campaign.

Delhi Capitals' Pant Engages in Heated Exchange with Umpire Over Wide CallEmotions flared high at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Friday as Delhi Capitals' skipper Rishabh Pant clashed with the on-field umpire during a tense encounter against the Lucknow Super Giants.The incident unfolded during the fourth over of the match, when Ishant Sharma bowled a delivery down the leg side to Devdutt Padikkal. The umpire promptly signaled it as a wide, sparking a heated exchange between Pant and the official.Pant's frustration was palpable as he engaged in a verbal altercation with the umpire, culminating in a review being called by the Delhi Capitals. However, confusion ensued as replays confirmed the delivery as a wide, but Pant continued to express his displeasure towards the umpire.Initially, commentators speculated that Pant may have been reluctant to take the review, but subsequent replays showed the wicketkeeper signaling for the referral. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar suggested that Pant's gesture may have been directed towards a fielder seeking advice on whether to review.However, clarity emerged from former cricketers Pommie Mbangwa and Deep Dasgupta, who revealed that Pant's frustration stemmed from the lack of utilization of the snickometer to determine if there was an outside edge. Pant's gestures towards the umpire, with gloves pressed against his ears, indicated his belief that there was a sound from the bat.Despite the controversy, it was clarified that the on-field umpire's decision was upheld, resulting in Delhi Capitals losing the review. The drama on the field mirrored the intensity of the competition, showcasing the unpredictable nature of cricket and keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Mumbai Indians (MI) have finally found their winning rhythm in the ongoing IPL 2024, registering their second consecutive victory with a comfortable triumph over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Thursday. This win comes as a much-needed respite for the team, which had endured a disappointing start to the tournament, losing their first three matches.The victory was orchestrated by a collective effort from the MI squad, with several players stepping up to make significant contributions. Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian pace spearhead, once again proved his mettle, claiming his second five-wicket haul in the IPL. His exceptional bowling performance restricted RCB to a total of 196/8, despite impressive batting displays from Faf du Plessis and Dinesh Karthik.In response, MI openers Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan provided a solid foundation for the run chase, setting the tone for a successful pursuit. Suryakumar Yadav, returning from injury, played a pivotal role in the middle order, smashing an explosive half-century to propel MI towards victory.Hardik Pandya, the MI skipper, played a crucial role in finishing off the game in style, earning praise from team mentor Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar took to social media to express his delight at the team's turnaround, highlighting the contributions of Bumrah, Sharma, Kishan, Yadav, and Pandya."Two wins on the trot now for @mipaltan after a tricky start to the tournament," Tendulkar wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "It was good to see @surya_14kumar hitting the ball so sweetly after his injury layoff. Lovely to have him back in the team, playing in top gear. @hardikpandya7 finishing the game off in style was the icing on the cake."This victory marks a significant turning point for MI, who have now won two consecutive matches after a disappointing start. The team's performance against RCB showcased their resilience and determination, and they will be looking to build on this momentum in their upcoming matches.

Ishan Kishan's blistering 69 off 34 balls for Mumbai Indians (MI) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has reignited his hopes of a T20 World Cup berth. Prior to this match, Kishan had struggled with just 92 runs in four innings, but his explosive knock has boosted his confidence.However, a fan's question to former SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) head coach Tom Moody raised an intriguing auction-related query. The fan asked if Moody regretted not bidding more than 15 crore for Kishan during the IPL 2022 mega auction.MI had released Kishan ahead of the auction, but they reacquired him for a staggering Rs 15.25 crore. SRH engaged in a bidding war with MI, but they withdrew once the price exceeded Rs 15 crore.Moody's response to the fan's question was humorous: "Gentleman, I wasn't holding the paddle."Kishan's performance in this IPL season is crucial for his World Cup aspirations. He was recently dropped from the BCCI's central contract due to his reluctance to play in the Ranji Trophy. This followed his withdrawal from the South Africa Tests last year, citing fatigue.The 25-year-old has not been considered for any subsequent national assignments, and India head coach Rahul Dravid has advised him to play domestic cricket to earn a recall.Regarding his World Cup chances, Kishan said, "It is not in my hands and I am taking things very easy right now. You have to take one match at a time. One needs to understand that a lot is not in the hands of the players."Kishan's resurgence in the IPL has put him back in contention for the World Cup squad. His ability to score quickly and consistently makes him a valuable asset to any team.

Kuldeep Yadav's Three-Wicket Haul Powers Delhi Capitals to Victory Over Lucknow Super GiantsDelhi Capitals' wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav made a triumphant return to the side after a three-match absence due to a groin injury, claiming three crucial wickets in the IPL 2024 match against Lucknow Super Giants.Yadav's economical spell of 4-0-20-3 proved instrumental in restricting Lucknow to a modest total of 167/7. The left-arm spinner struck twice in his opening over, dismissing Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran on consecutive deliveries.Stoinis' dismissal came off a well-flighted delivery that induced a leading edge, while Pooran was bamboozled by a straighter delivery that uprooted his off stump. Yadav's third wicket came in the form of KL Rahul, who was caught off guard by a quicker delivery and departed for 39.Despite Yadav's early strikes, Lucknow fought back valiantly, led by Ayush Badoni's quick-fire unbeaten half-century. Badoni smashed 55 runs off just 35 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes, to help his team recover from a precarious position.However, Delhi's bowlers held their nerve in the face of Badoni's onslaught, with Shardul Thakur and Mustafizur Rahman claiming two wickets each. The Capitals' fielding was also sharp, with Rishabh Pant taking a stunning catch to dismiss Deepak Hooda.In the end, Delhi's disciplined bowling and fielding proved too much for Lucknow, who fell short of their target by 10 runs. The victory was a crucial one for the Capitals, who moved up to third place in the IPL standings.

MS Dhoni's enduring popularity among cricket fans was once again evident in the recently concluded IPL 2024, where the former Chennai Super Kings skipper's presence generated the loudest crowd cheers.Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the IPL, introduced a new feature to measure the excitement level of players and match moments by quantifying the decibel level of crowd cheers. Dhoni's arrival for the toss against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chepauk in the season opener topped the chart with a decibel level of 130.Another moment that sent the crowd into a frenzy was when Dhoni smashed a boundary in the 17th over against Delhi Capitals during his unbeaten 16-ball 37 cameo. This marked Dhoni's first innings with the bat since the IPL 2023 final against Gujarat Titans. The decibel level for this moment reached 128.Despite Dhoni's heroics, CSK ultimately lost both matches. However, his performances and the overwhelming crowd support demonstrated his enduring popularity.Ranked third on the list was Dinesh Karthik's pre-planned scoop shot off Arshdeep Khan during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's chase against Punjab Kings.Dhoni's decision to hand over the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the season surprised many. However, his presence on the field continues to captivate fans and generate the loudest cheers.

Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull has raised concerns about the fitness of Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, suggesting that he may be suffering from an undisclosed injury. Doull's comments stem from Pandya's limited bowling appearances for Mumbai Indians in the ongoing IPL 2024 season.After opening the bowling in the first two matches, Pandya has refrained from bowling in the subsequent two encounters. In the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he bowled a single over but did not return to the attack after conceding 13 runs.Doull believes that Pandya's reluctance to bowl is indicative of an underlying injury. "You go out and make a statement by opening the bowling in game no. 1, and suddenly, you are not required. He's injured. I'm telling you there is something wrong with him. He is not admitting it. But there is something wrong with him for sure. That is my gut feeling," Doull said on Cricbuzz.Pandya's injury concerns are particularly troubling given his recent return from an ankle injury sustained during the Cricket World Cup 2023. He has only played a handful of matches since then, and an injury setback could jeopardize his participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.When asked about his decision to not bowl against Delhi Capitals, Pandya stated that he would bowl at the "right time." However, his limited bowling appearances have raised questions about his fitness.The issue has also sparked controversy among fans, with some booing Pandya during Mumbai Indians games. However, Virat Kohli has defended the all-rounder, urging the crowd to cheer him on.

Mumbai Indians (MI) have finally broken their losing streak in the ongoing IPL 2024 season, securing a much-needed 29-run victory over the Delhi Capitals. After three consecutive defeats, the win has instilled a sense of relief and renewed confidence within the team.Explosive batter Tim David, who played a crucial role in MI's triumph, expressed his thoughts on the team's recent struggles and the significance of their victory. "After three defeats, it's frustrating because everyone feels like they're trying their best," David said. "We sat down as a team and told ourselves it was time to challenge ourselves. We don't have any more chances here to keep playing below our best."David emphasized the importance of starting afresh and building momentum. "It's essential to start from here," he said. "We have the squad to push through the finals and will be up there at the end."MI's next challenge will be against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who have also faced their share of setbacks this season. However, David remains focused on his team's performance rather than their opponents. "To be honest, we're most focused on ourselves," he said. "We didn't play our best cricket in the first three matches, and as we gain momentum, this team can go on a real winning run."David also shared his thoughts on his former MI teammate Cameron Green, who was traded to the team ahead of the season. "I went to the same school as Cam, so it's obviously about bragging rights," David said. "You are playing against your mates, but they're the opposition."With the win over Delhi Capitals, MI has reignited their playoff hopes. David's positive outlook and the team's determination to improve suggest that they are ready to embark on a winning streak and challenge for the title.

Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals Clash in Mullanpur's Pace-Friendly ArenaThe Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) will face off in a highly anticipated match at the Mullanpur Cricket Stadium on Saturday. The venue has emerged as a haven for fast bowlers, with 23 of the 27 wickets falling to quicks in the two matches played there so far.Pace Battle in the PowerplayBoth teams possess formidable pace attacks, with RR boasting the best powerplay record in the tournament. They have claimed nine wickets at an average of 24.3, while PBKS is not far behind with an average of 26.6. This matchup promises an intriguing battle in the opening overs.Royals Aim to Avoid History RepeatingRR will be eager to avoid a repeat of their disappointing 2023 campaign, where they started strongly but failed to qualify for the playoffs. They have lost just one of their first five games this season, but will need to maintain their momentum to avoid a similar fate.Team News and Impact Player StrategyPBKS may welcome back Liam Livingstone, who missed their last game due to injury. If available, he could replace Sikandar Raza. RR, on the other hand, will monitor the fitness of Nandre Burger and Trent Boult. Keshav Maharaj could be an Impact sub option for Yashasvi Jaiswal, depending on the surface conditions.Spotlight on Shashank Singh and Yuzvendra ChahalShashank Singh has emerged as a reliable finisher for PBKS, showcasing his ability to accelerate in the death overs. Yuzvendra Chahal, meanwhile, is on the cusp of becoming the first bowler in IPL history to reach 200 wickets. He has been a key wicket-taker for RR, especially in the middle phase.Stats to Watch* Jonny Bairstow averages 17.33 against Chahal in T20s.* R Ashwin has dismissed Shikhar Dhawan four times in 14 T20 innings.* Arshdeep Singh has dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal twice in 15 T20 balls.* Shimron Hetmyer has scored 45 runs off 18 balls against Sam Curran in T20 cricket.* Jos Buttler strikes at 157.35 against Kagiso Rabada in T20s.Pitch and ConditionsThe Mullanpur pitch is expected to continue favoring pace bowlers. The temperature is forecast to be in the mid-20s, with a 90% cloud cover and a slight chance of rain.