Cricket

Jason Roy, the explosive English opener, has opted out of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to prioritize his mental and physical well-being. Roy, who joined KKR in 2023 as an injury replacement, had a successful stint with the franchise, scoring 285 runs at an average of 35.62 and a strike rate of 151.59. However, he withdrew from this season's IPL at the start of March, citing personal reasons.Roy's decision to sit out the IPL stems from a challenging 18 months. After missing out on selection for England's T20 World Cup squad in 2022 and the 50-over World Cup squad in 2023, he went undrafted for this year's Hundred. Last May, he terminated his ECB incremental contract to play in the inaugural season of Major League Cricket (MLC).The taxing schedule of the past few months, coupled with a desire to spend quality time with his family, led Roy to make the difficult decision to withdraw from the IPL. "Missing this year's IPL was a huge decision," Roy said. "I felt like I owed KKR a huge amount, but I had to put myself first, you know, just mindset and body."Roy's withdrawal is also informed by a period two years ago when he found himself "in a dark place," which resulted in him taking an indefinite break from the game and missing IPL 2022 with Gujarat Titans. "I went through an extremely bad patch with my mindset," he said. "I was in a shocking headspace, and I ended up shooting myself in the foot."Since then, Roy has prioritized his mental health and has learned to listen to his body and mind. "It's nothing to do with anyone else," he said. "I've got a young family, I'm a grown man, and I've made the decision off the back of a lot of thoughts."Roy's decision to prioritize his well-being is a reminder of the importance of mental health in sports. It is a courageous step that will hopefully inspire others to seek help when they need it.

Virat Kohli's Rare Failure Against Jasprit Bumrah in IPL 2024Royal Challengers Bengaluru's star batter Virat Kohli faced a rare setback in the IPL 2024 when he was dismissed for just 3 runs by Mumbai Indians' pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. The incident occurred during an away game at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.Despite the crowd's enthusiastic chants of his name, Kohli's innings was cut short after facing only 9 balls. Bumrah's delivery found the edge of Kohli's bat and was caught behind by wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan.This dismissal marked a rare failure for Kohli in the ongoing IPL season. Prior to this match, he had been in exceptional form, leading the tournament in runs scored. In six matches, he had amassed 319 runs at an average of 106.33 and a strike rate of over 143.69.However, Bumrah has a history of dismissing Kohli in the IPL. Out of the 15 times they have faced each other, Bumrah has dismissed Kohli four times. Despite this, Kohli holds the upper hand in their overall head-to-head record. In 92 balls faced against Bumrah, Kohli has scored 140 runs at an average of 35.00 and a strike rate of 152.17.Kohli's dismissal against Bumrah highlights the competitive nature of the IPL and the challenges faced by even the most experienced batters. Despite his rare failure, Kohli remains one of the most prolific run-scorers in the tournament's history.

Riyan Parag, the young all-rounder from Assam, has emerged as a breakout star in the ongoing IPL 2024. After a disappointing run of form in recent years, Parag has rediscovered his touch, amassing three half-centuries in his last four matches. His impressive performances have caught the attention of cricket pundits and fans alike, with many speculating about his potential inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad.Parag's resurgence began in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, where he consistently scored half-centuries. He has carried that form into the IPL, where he has emerged as a key player for the Rajasthan Royals. His ability to score runs quickly and consistently has made him a valuable asset to the team.On Wednesday, Parag scored a blistering 76 off 48 balls against the Gujarat Titans. His innings helped the Royals post a formidable total of 196, but it ultimately proved insufficient as the Titans chased down the target with just one ball to spare.Despite the loss, Parag's performance drew praise from legendary commentator Sunil Gavaskar, who suggested that the BCCI was keeping a close eye on him for the T20 World Cup. In the last 15 T20 innings, Parag has scored 10 half-centuries at a strike rate of over 170, a testament to his exceptional batting skills.However, Rajasthan Royals director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara has urged Parag to remain focused on the present and not get carried away by the hype surrounding his potential World Cup selection. Sangakkara believes that Parag should concentrate on performing well for the Royals and let the rest take care of itself."I think his (Parag's) potential is there for everyone to see," said Sangakkara. "I think for Riyan it's really about concentrating on Rajasthan and this season, and whatever happens (being considered for T20 World Cup) will happen after that."Parag's impressive performances have not gone unnoticed by the Indian selectors. He is currently second only to Virat Kohli in the leading run-getter's list this IPL season, having scored 261 runs with a top score of 84 not out. If he continues to perform at this level, he could well find himself in contention for a place in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup later this year.

MS Dhoni's Farewell Tour: A Blessing or a Burden for Chennai Super Kings?Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) triumph in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 was a fitting tribute to the legendary MS Dhoni. However, his decision to continue playing in 2024 has raised questions about its impact on the team.Dhoni's presence as a mentor and strategist is invaluable, but his role as a batter has been puzzling. In 2023, he excelled as a finisher, but in 2024, he has often batted lower down the order, limiting his impact.This has led to concerns about CSK's batting depth. While Ruturaj Gaikwad has taken over as captain, the team lacks a reliable wicket-keeper batsman other than Dhoni. An injury to him could be catastrophic.Moreover, Dhoni's influence on the field has been a topic of debate. Some experts believe that his presence may overshadow Gaikwad's authority as captain. This could create a power struggle within the team.The farewell tour has also been marred by Dhoni's uncharacteristic errors. A dropped catch against Kolkata Knight Riders raised concerns about his declining physical abilities.While Dhoni's presence is a blessing for CSK, it is crucial to find a balance between his mentorship and his on-field contributions. The team must ensure that his farewell tour does not become a hindrance to their success.

Hardik Pandya's return to the Mumbai Indians (MI) as captain in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has been met with mixed results. Despite being touted as India's future leader, Pandya's MI side has struggled, currently languishing at eighth place in the points table with only one win in four matches.Pandya, who led the Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in their debut season, faces the challenge of rebuilding MI's momentum. His IPL captaincy is seen as a crucial step in his development as a leader, with former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu labeling him "the future" of Indian cricket.Sidhu believes Pandya's experience as India's T20I vice-captain makes him a natural choice for leadership roles. He also backs pacer Jasprit Bumrah for Test cricket captaincy, citing his performance and resilience.MI's upcoming fixture against Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be a crucial test for Pandya's captaincy. A win could revive their IPL 2024 campaign and boost Pandya's credentials as a future leader.

Virat Kohli's Hugs Spark Reactions: From Disappointment to AppreciationDuring the IPL 2024 opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders, a viral photo of Virat Kohli embracing Gautam Gambhir caught the attention of fans. The gesture marked a significant shift from their heated altercation during the IPL 2023 clash between RCB and Lucknow Super Giants, where Gambhir served as mentor.Kohli's subsequent hug with Naveen-ul-Haq, the LSG pacer involved in the previous tiff, further fueled speculation about his intentions. However, Kohli has since expressed his disappointment with the public's reaction to his actions."People are disappointed by my behavior. I hugged Naveen. Then the other day, Gauti bhai came and hugged me. Because your masala got over, you are doing 'wooh wooh'," Kohli remarked at an event.Despite Kohli's perceived disappointment, former Indian cricket stars have lauded his gestures. Ravi Shastri praised the move, while Irfan Pathan, who has played alongside both Gambhir and Kohli, commented, "Gautam Gambhir, the senior guy, actually came forward. Sometimes you cross the line, but when you meet in the future, you meet nicely."Gambhir, known for his competitive spirit, has previously expressed his desire to defeat RCB at every opportunity. "One team which I wanted to beat every time, probably even in my dreams, was RCB. They had a flamboyant team with Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, and AB de Villiers, but they hadn't won anything. That kind of attitude, I can't take," Gambhir said.Despite the past rivalry, Kohli's recent gestures suggest a willingness to move forward. As the IPL season progresses, it remains to be seen whether the spirit of sportsmanship will prevail over the competitive intensity that defines the tournament.

Virat Kohli's record-breaking eighth IPL century has sparked a heated debate over his selection for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Despite leading the IPL 2024 run-scoring charts with 316 runs in five matches, Kohli's slow strike rate of 146.30 has raised concerns among critics.However, Kohli's Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) teammate Glenn Maxwell has come to his defense, dismissing the doubts surrounding his T20 World Cup fate. Maxwell praised Kohli's exceptional batting skills, particularly his ability to perform under pressure."Virat Kohli is the most clutch player I have ever played against," Maxwell said. "The innings he played against us in Mohali during the 2016 T20 World Cup is still the best innings I have ever seen been played against me. His awareness of what he needs to do to win the game is just phenomenal."Maxwell's comments highlight the importance of Kohli's experience and big-match temperament. Despite his recent struggles with strike rate, Kohli remains a proven match-winner with a remarkable track record in international cricket.Kohli's T20 international career has seen him play 117 matches for India, scoring 4037 runs at a strike rate of 138.16. He has scored one hundred and 37 fifties, demonstrating his consistency and ability to adapt to different conditions.While the debate over Kohli's selection for the T20 World Cup is likely to continue, Maxwell's support serves as a reminder of his immense talent and potential. With the tournament just months away, Kohli will be eager to prove his critics wrong and cement his place in India's squad.

Virat Kohli's Unexpected Fear: Turbulence on FlightsRoyal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) opener Virat Kohli has revealed an unexpected fear that has been a constant companion during his travels: turbulence. In a viral video from the RCB Podcast Trailer, Kohli candidly shared his apprehension about flying, particularly when encountering bad turbulence."I am very scared of turbulence. Oh my god, I look so stupid and like a fool. Whenever there is bad turbulence, I am the first guy to hold the sides of the seat. So I feel like, I am the gone," Kohli confessed.Despite his fear of air travel, Kohli has been in exceptional form in the ongoing IPL 2024. The prolific right-hand batter has already notched up a century and amassed 316 runs in just five matches, boasting an impressive average of 105.33.However, Kohli's stellar performances have not translated into team success for RCB this season. With only one win from their first five matches, RCB find themselves languishing at the bottom of the points table.As they prepare to face the five-time champions Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, Kohli and his team will be eager to turn their fortunes around and secure a crucial victory in the tournament.Kohli's fear of turbulence is a reminder that even the most accomplished athletes have their own personal challenges. Despite his apprehension, Kohli continues to perform at the highest level, showcasing his resilience and determination.

Former Australia cricketer Tom Moody has raised concerns over Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Sanju Samson's captaincy decisions during their defeat to Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2024. RR suffered their first loss of the season on Wednesday after four consecutive wins.Moody questioned Samson's decision to underutilize pacer Trent Boult, who bowled only two overs and conceded eight runs in his first spell. However, Samson opted to bowl veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin at the death instead of completing Boult's quota of overs."You had to use Trent Boult at the back end. He's certainly been used at the death before, and he's got a huge amount of experience. So when it comes to pressure, he's used to absorbing that pressure and taking on those challenges. So I was really surprised that he wasn't spent today. He left the park with two overs left in the bank, which doesn't make any sense whatsoever," Moody said on ESPNcricinfo.Former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta also echoed Moody's sentiments, questioning Samson's decision to use Ashwin over Boult in the 17th over. "I can understand Ashwin bowling the 15th over, but the 17th? If you look at the bowling unit, Boult is the most experienced fast bowler there. Irrespective of whether it's his strength or not, you're still going to bowl him at the back-end. If he's got overs left, you've got to bowl him," Dasgupta said.Former India opener Aakash Chopra also criticized Samson's decision, stating that Boult should have been utilized in the middle overs. "If you are bowling with a dry ball, then if you have scored enough runs, you should have the bowling to defend it. The truth is that Rajasthan have the bowling. They didn't play Nandre Burger, but despite that, they have the bowling. Keshav Maharaj made his debut, and they got him to bowl only two overs," Chopra said."Why did Trent Boult bowl only two overs? I didn't understand that. Two overs, eight runs, and he bowled only two overs. Why? Keshav gave 16 runs in his two overs, so totally only 24 runs went in those four overs. Trent Boult could have been given overs in the middle, but you didn't do that. You went towards spinners," he added.Despite the defeat, RR remain atop the table after five games. They will next face Punjab Kings on Saturday.