Cricket

Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has weighed in on the recent captaincy change in the Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise, where Rohit Sharma has been replaced by Hardik Pandya ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season.Sidhu believes that the change in captaincy does not diminish the stature of Rohit Sharma or MS Dhoni, who has also passed on the captaincy baton in the past. He emphasized that great players remain great regardless of their position in a team."I have played in an Indian team where five captains used to play together. There were no issues because they were playing for their nation. The motivation was to play for your country. So, playing under Hardik does not make Rohit smaller," Sidhu said.He further stated that franchise teams make decisions based on performance, and the change in captaincy at MI was a result of the team's struggles in recent seasons."But this is a franchise and they look at the performances. They gave it three years and when it did not work, they got a new person for the job. You need to accept it. But Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni are great players. A dwarf is a dwarf even if he is standing at the top of a mountain and a God is a God even if they are standing at the bottom of a well," Sidhu added.Meanwhile, MI's batting coach Kieron Pollard has defended the team's decision to open the bowling with Hardik Pandya instead of Jasprit Bumrah in their IPL opener against Gujarat Titans. He explained that it was a collective decision based on Pandya's recent success with the new ball for Gujarat Titans."You have to plan and decide what you want to do as a team. Hardik (Pandya) has also bowled with the new ball for Gujarat over the last couple of years. He swung the new ball and bowled it well, which was nothing new to us," Pollard said.Despite the change in captaincy and bowling strategy, MI lost their opening match of the IPL 2024 season by six runs to Gujarat Titans.

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) unleashed a batting onslaught to post a formidable total of 206/6 against the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.CSK's innings got off to a blistering start, with Rachin Ravindra continuing his impressive form in the powerplay. The young New Zealand opener amassed 46 off just 20 deliveries, including six fours and three maximums. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad provided solid support, helping CSK reach 69/1 before Ravindra's dismissal.Ajinkya Rahane failed to make an impact, but Shivam Dube wasted no time in taking the attack to GT. Dube sent the ball soaring into the stands on two consecutive deliveries, setting the tone for a middle-order onslaught. Gaikwad (46) fell just short of his half-century, but Daryl Mitchell picked up the pace with a quickfire 50 off 22 deliveries.GT skipper Shubman Gill brought Rashid Khan back into the attack, but the Afghanistan spinner could only remove Dube on the second ball of the 19th over. Sameer Rizvi made an immediate impact, smashing two sixes in his first over in the IPL. Rizvi's cameo helped CSK reach a massive total of 206/6.GT now faces a daunting task in chasing down the target at Chepauk, where CSK has a formidable record. The Titans will need to pull off a record chase to secure victory.

Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan's Heartfelt Reunion After RCB's IPL VictoryFormer Delhi teammates and Indian cricket stalwarts Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan shared a poignant moment after Royal Challengers Bangalore's triumph over Punjab Kings in the IPL 2024 season opener.Following RCB's victory at home, Kohli was seen consoling Dhawan, who is currently captaining the Punjab Kings side. The two shared warm embraces and laughter, capturing the depth of their bond both on and off the field.Dhawan's recent struggles to meet his son Zoravar have been well-documented. In December 2023, he revealed that he had been blocked from contacting his nine-year-old son for the past five to six months.In an emotional Instagram post on his son's birthday, Dhawan shed light on the challenges he faced following his unsuccessful marriage with Aesha Mukerji. In October 2023, a Delhi court granted divorce to Dhawan, citing "cruelty" inflicted by his estranged wife.Despite his personal challenges, Dhawan has remained a formidable force on the cricket field. He has played a key role in Punjab Kings' early success in the IPL 2024 season, leading the team to one victory and one defeat in their first two matches.Kohli's gesture of support towards Dhawan highlights the camaraderie and empathy that exists within the Indian cricket fraternity. The two players have shared countless memorable moments on the field, and their friendship continues to endure off the field as well.

Former Indian fast bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji has expressed his belief that Hardik Pandya will need time to establish himself as the Mumbai Indians skipper after taking over from Rohit Sharma ahead of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL).Balaji acknowledged that Hardik's appointment has been met with mixed reactions, but he believes the all-rounder has the potential to handle the responsibility. However, he cautioned that if the team struggles, Hardik could face significant challenges."It's not something you see normally," Balaji said. "But in a professional field, you have to accept that one side is emotional and one side is something very big. When you come to replace a personality like Rohit Sharma, who is already a phenomenal achiever when it comes to Mumbai Indians, definitely it will take some time."Balaji emphasized the importance of Hardik gaining the trust of his teammates and adapting to his new role. He also noted that the team's performance will play a crucial role in shaping the perception of Hardik's captaincy."For Hardik to win the whole dressing room is very important as a player and as a human," Balaji said. "When they start winning, the emotions will be different. If they start losing, then you have problems to face."Meanwhile, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has criticized Hardik's captaincy after Mumbai Indians' loss to Gujarat Titans in their IPL 2024 opener. Pathan believes Hardik made several mistakes, including opening the bowling himself and conceding 20 runs in the first over."He should have gone with an experienced asset like Jasprit Bumrah instead," Pathan said.

Virender Sehwag, the former Indian opener known for his witty remarks, recently made headlines with his hilarious commentary during the IPL 2024 match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. In a video that went viral on social media, Sehwag took a humorous jab at his former IPL team, Punjab Kings."When I joined Punjab, my strike rate dropped," Sehwag said on Star Sports. "They say you behave like the company you keep. And the company there was like that. They didn't win, they didn't play well, so my game also suffered."Sehwag played for Punjab Kings for two seasons before retiring after IPL 2015. During his IPL career, he scored 2728 runs in 104 matches at an impressive strike rate of 155.44. He was part of the Punjab team that finished runners-up in 2014 under the captaincy of George Bailey. Sehwag also served as Punjab's mentor from 2016 to 2018.Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and RCB are the only teams in IPL history yet to win the title. In their second match of the season, Punjab suffered a four-wicket defeat against RCB in Bengaluru, with Virat Kohli scoring a match-winning 77 off 49 balls.Sehwag's comments sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with many fans praising his wit and humor. The video has been widely shared and has become a talking point among cricket enthusiasts.

Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans Set for Clash of Captains in IPL 2024The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 is set to witness a captivating encounter between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT) on Tuesday, March 26. The match, scheduled for 7:30 PM IST at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, will pit two new captains against each other: Shubman Gill of GT and Ruturaj Gaikwad of CSK.Both Gill and Gaikwad are renowned for their elegant shot-making and tactical acumen. Gill, who took over the Titans' captaincy after Hardik Pandya's departure, has already proven his leadership abilities. Gaikwad, on the other hand, was recently appointed as CSK's captain following the retirement of legendary skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.The match will be a test of wits between these two young captains as they seek to maintain their teams' momentum after impressive victories in their previous outings. CSK defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore in their opener, while GT emerged victorious against Sunrisers Hyderabad.The CSK-GT clash promises to be a high-scoring affair, with both teams boasting formidable batting lineups. CSK will rely on the experience of Devon Conway, Ambati Rayudu, and Shivam Dube, while GT will look to their explosive openers Gill and Wriddhiman Saha.The bowling departments of both teams are equally impressive. CSK has the services of experienced campaigners like Dwayne Bravo, Mukesh Choudhary, and Maheesh Theekshana. GT, on the other hand, will be led by the pace duo of Lockie Ferguson and Mohammed Shami, supported by the spin of Rashid Khan.The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and streamed for free on Jio Cinema. Fans can expect a thrilling contest between two evenly matched teams, with the outcome likely to have a significant impact on the standings in the IPL 2024 season.

CSK vs GT: Tamil Nadu Trio Set to Shine for Gujarat TitansIn a unique twist of fate, the Gujarat Titans will field three Tamil Nadu players in their starting XI when they face the Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday. B Sai Sudharsan, Vijay Shankar, and R Sai Kishore, who all played a crucial role in the Titans' thrilling victory over Mumbai Indians on Sunday, are expected to retain their places.While the Titans boast a strong Tamil Nadu contingent, the Super Kings, despite being the only IPL team from the state, do not have a single homegrown player in their squad. This anomaly highlights the beauty of franchise cricket, where players from different regions can come together to form formidable teams.For the Titans, the MA Chidambaram Stadium holds a special significance. With five Tamil Nadu players in their ranks, they can rely on their local knowledge to navigate the Chepauk pitches effectively. This advantage could prove invaluable against the reigning champions, who are familiar with the conditions at their home ground.The Titans' Tamil Nadu trio has been in impressive form this season. Sudharsan has emerged as a reliable middle-order batsman, while Shankar has contributed with both bat and ball. Kishore, a left-arm spinner, has been economical and has picked up crucial wickets.The Super Kings, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to the Titans in the season opener. They will be led by MS Dhoni, who is making his return to the IPL after a one-year hiatus. The Super Kings have a strong squad on paper, but they will need to find their rhythm quickly to challenge the Titans.The match between the Super Kings and the Titans promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams eager to secure their first win of the season. The Tamil Nadu trio in the Titans' squad will be a key factor to watch, as they look to make their mark on their home ground.

Murali Kartik's Controversial Remarks on Yash Dayal Spark Social Media OutrageFormer Indian left-arm spinner Murali Kartik has found himself at the center of a controversy after his remarks on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pacer Yash Dayal during the ongoing IPL 2024.During commentary for the RCB vs Punjab Kings match, Kartik referred to Dayal as "trash," drawing widespread criticism on social media. The comment stemmed from Dayal's infamous performance last year with the Gujarat Titans, where he was hit for five consecutive sixes by Kolkata Knight Riders' Rinku Singh.Despite this setback, Dayal was acquired by RCB for a hefty Rs 5 crore at the IPL 2024 auction. Kartik's remark was seen as insensitive and disrespectful, especially considering Dayal's potential and the support he has received from RCB.In response, RCB posted a defiant message on social media, declaring, "He's treasure. Period." The post featured a picture of Dayal and served as a strong rebuttal to Kartik's comments.The controversy has highlighted the importance of respecting players, regardless of their past performances. Dayal has shown resilience and determination in bouncing back from his previous struggles, and his acquisition by RCB is a testament to his talent and potential.Kartik's remarks have also raised questions about the role of commentators in sports. While commentators are expected to provide insights and analysis, they must also maintain a level of professionalism and respect for the players they are discussing.The incident serves as a reminder that words can have a significant impact on individuals, both on and off the field. It is essential for commentators and all those involved in sports to promote a positive and supportive environment for athletes.

Mumbai Indians: Rumors of Discord Surface Amidst Hardik Pandya's Captaincy DebutThe Mumbai Indians' (MI) camp has been shrouded in speculation following Hardik Pandya's appointment as captain, replacing Rohit Sharma. After MI's 6-run defeat to Gujarat Titans, Hardik's leadership and rapport with the team have come under scrutiny.A video circulating on social media has fueled rumors of a divide within the squad. It shows Jasprit Bumrah and Rohit Sharma engaged in an intense conversation after the match. Bumrah appeared visibly upset, pointing out something to Rohit.Meanwhile, Hardik was seen interacting with his former Gujarat Titans teammate Shubman Gill, who succeeded him as captain. Ishan Kishan was also present during this exchange.Fans have expressed concern over the videos, questioning the harmony within the MI camp. Earlier reports suggested that some players were disappointed with Hardik's appointment as captain.Hardik's on-field decisions have also drawn criticism. His choice to not give Bumrah the new ball and his decision to bat at No. 7 have been questioned.Despite leading Gujarat Titans to two consecutive IPL finals, Hardik has yet to win over Mumbai Indians fans. He faced boos and jeers from the Ahmedabad crowd during the match against his former team.Sources close to the team have indicated that there may be a sense of disappointment among players over the decision to replace Rohit with Hardik. However, the extent of any discord remains unclear.The Mumbai Indians will need to address these rumors and ensure a cohesive team environment if they want to succeed in the ongoing IPL season.