Cricket

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has appointed James Franklin, the former New Zealand fast bowler, as their pace bowling coach for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Franklin replaces Dale Steyn, who has taken a break from the franchise due to personal reasons.Franklin, who played 31 Tests, 110 ODIs, and 38 T20Is for New Zealand from 2001 to 2013, brings a wealth of experience to the SRH coaching staff. He previously played for Mumbai Indians in the IPL during the 2011 and 2012 seasons.This will be Franklin's first coaching stint in the IPL, but he has previous coaching experience with Durham in English county cricket and Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League. At SRH, he will reunite with his former teammate Daniel Vettori, who was appointed as the team's head coach after IPL 2023.Franklin's appointment is part of a wider revamp of the SRH coaching staff. The franchise has also appointed Australian Pat Cummins as their new captain. SRH will begin their IPL 2024 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on March 23.Franklin's expertise in pace bowling is expected to be a valuable asset for SRH, which has struggled with its bowling in recent seasons. The franchise will be hoping that Franklin can help them develop a more potent bowling attack and challenge for the IPL title.

Gautam Gambhir's Stern Message to Kolkata Knight Riders: IPL is About Cricket, Not BollywoodAhead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir has issued a clear and unwavering message to his team: IPL is not about Bollywood or after-parties, but a golden opportunity for young players to showcase their talent in the world's most competitive cricket league.In an exclusive interview with Star Sports, Gambhir emphasized the importance of focusing on the game and delivering results on the field. "I made it very clear on Day 1 that IPL for me is serious cricket. It's not about Bollywood, it's not about you, it's not about after-party and stuff. It's about going out there and playing competitive cricket," he stated.Gambhir, who led KKR to IPL titles in 2012 and 2014 as captain, believes that the IPL is the closest league to international cricket in terms of intensity and pressure. "It is probably closest to international cricket as compared to any other league and if you want to be known as a successful franchise, you should be able to deliver on the cricket field," he added.KKR failed to reach the play-offs in the previous season, finishing seventh in the standings. Gambhir acknowledged the disappointment and urged the players to work harder for the passionate fanbase of the team. "I think there are very passionate fans. We need to be honest to them. We need to try and probably bring that happiness on their smiles because I've always believed I think the most loyal fans have been fans from Kolkata because they've gone through a lot in the first three years of the IPL," he said.Gambhir's message is a reminder that the IPL is not just about entertainment and glamour, but also about showcasing cricketing talent and delivering results for the fans. As the league enters its 17th season, KKR will be looking to bounce back and prove their worth under Gambhir's guidance.

Pat Cummins Appointed Captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2024Pat Cummins, the Australian Test and ODI captain, has been appointed as the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. Cummins replaces Aiden Markram, who led the team in the 2023 season.Cummins' appointment marks a significant shift for Sunrisers Hyderabad, as he has never captained a side in the IPL before. However, his impressive leadership credentials with the Australian national team have convinced the franchise to entrust him with the responsibility.Under Cummins' captaincy, Australia has achieved remarkable success in recent years. They won the World Test Championship in 2023, defeating India in the final. Cummins also led the team to victory in the 2023 ODI World Cup, cementing Australia's status as one of the top cricketing nations in the world.Cummins' leadership style is characterized by his calm demeanor, strategic acumen, and ability to inspire his teammates. He is known for his meticulous planning and attention to detail, which has been instrumental in Australia's recent triumphs.Sunrisers Hyderabad will be hoping that Cummins can replicate his success with the Australian team at the IPL level. The franchise has struggled in recent seasons, failing to qualify for the playoffs since 2019. Cummins' appointment is seen as a major step towards rebuilding the team and challenging for the title.Cummins will have a talented squad at his disposal, including the likes of Kane Williamson, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Umran Malik. With his leadership and the team's potential, Sunrisers Hyderabad will be one of the teams to watch in IPL 2024.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been dealt a major blow ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, with star batter Devon Conway set to miss at least the first half of the competition. The New Zealand international sustained a left thumb injury during the T20I series against Australia and will undergo surgery.New Zealand Cricket confirmed that Conway will require a minimum of eight weeks to recover from the surgery, ruling him out of the opening match of IPL 2024 against Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22. The statement from New Zealand Cricket read: "BLACKCAPS opener Devon Conway will this week undergo surgery on the left thumb he damaged during the KFC T20I series against Australia. Following several scans and specialist advice, the decision was made to operate on Conway with a likely recovery period of at least eight weeks."Meanwhile, speculation continues to swirl around the future of MS Dhoni in the IPL. The former Indian captain has not officially announced his retirement, but many experts and fans believe that IPL 2024 could be his final season. Dhoni has been one of the most successful skippers in the competition, leading CSK to five titles, the joint-most by any captain along with Rohit Sharma.However, Dhoni's childhood friend, Paramjit Singh, has provided a different perspective. "I do not think this will be his (Dhoni's) last season. He is still fit. I think he will play one or two more seasons. He will definitely play one more season. The reason is he is fit," Singh told OneCricket.If Dhoni does decide to retire after IPL 2024, it will mark the end of an era for CSK. The 41-year-old has been an integral part of the franchise since its inception in 2008, leading them to numerous titles and becoming one of the most iconic players in IPL history.

Veteran Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has predicted that his Rajasthan Royals teammates Jos Buttler or Yashasvi Jaiswal will win the Orange Cap in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Chahal expressed his belief that either Buttler or Jaiswal will emerge as the highest run-scorer in the tournament.Chahal's prediction is based on the impressive performances of both players in recent seasons. Buttler, the England wicketkeeper-batter, has been a consistent run-scorer in the IPL, having won the Orange Cap in 2022 with 863 runs. Jaiswal, on the other hand, has emerged as a rising star in Indian cricket, showcasing his batting prowess in the IPL and domestic tournaments.When asked about the leading wicket-taker in IPL 2024, Chahal confidently predicted that he would take the most wickets. He also named Gujarat Titans spinner Rashid Khan as the second-highest wicket-taker. Chahal's prediction reflects his own impressive record in the IPL, where he has consistently been among the top wicket-takers.Meanwhile, former India opener Aakash Chopra has expressed surprise over Chahal's exclusion from the BCCI's central contracts for this year. Chopra believes that Chahal's omission indicates that the selection committee is looking at other options for the Indian team.Chahal's exclusion from the central contracts has raised questions about his future with the Indian team. However, the veteran spinner remains optimistic and is determined to prove his worth in the upcoming IPL season.

Robin Minz, the 21-year-old tribal cricketer from Jharkhand, who made headlines at the IPL 2024 auction, has met with an accident, his father confirmed on Sunday. The promising left-handed batter, known for his big-hitting abilities, was bought by the Gujarat Titans for a whopping Rs 3.60 crore.According to reports, Minz was riding a Kawasaki superbike when he collided with another bike and lost control. The accident resulted in severe damage to the front half of his bike, and Minz sustained bruises on his right knee. He is currently under observation, but his father, Francis Minz, assured that his condition is not serious.Minz's cricketing journey has been guided by experienced coach Chanchal Bhattacharya, who also mentored former Indian captain MS Dhoni. Originally from Gumla district in Jharkhand, Minz came into the spotlight when he was noticed by the Mumbai Indians, who facilitated his training in the United Kingdom.Despite not yet representing Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy, Minz has been part of the state's U19 and U25 teams. He has also undergone trials with various IPL franchises, including Lucknow Supergiants, Delhi Capitals, and Kolkata Knight Riders.In the lead-up to the IPL 2024 auction, Minz garnered attention during the mock auction, with former India cricketer Robin Uthappa describing him as the "left-handed Kieron Pollard." His impressive performances in domestic tournaments and his potential as a big-hitter made him a sought-after player in the auction.Minz's accident is a setback, but his father expressed confidence that he will recover quickly and continue his cricketing journey. He is expected to make his IPL debut in the upcoming season, where he will likely compete with experienced Indian keeper Wriddhiman Saha for a spot in the playing XI.

South African cricket legend Lance Klusener has been appointed as the assistant coach of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. The announcement was made by LSG on Friday, adding Klusener to their already formidable coaching staff led by head coach Justin Langer and assistant coach S Sriram.Klusener brings a wealth of experience to the LSG dugout, having previously served as an assistant coach for the Mumbai Indians under Shaun Pollock in the early years of the IPL. He also has a successful track record as head coach of the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League, guiding them to their maiden CPL title.Beyond his IPL and CPL stints, Klusener has also held coaching roles with the Afghanistan national team, as well as the South Africa and Zimbabwe batting units. He has also worked in the Indian domestic circuit with Tripura.During his playing days, Klusener was renowned as one of the finest all-rounders in white-ball cricket. He was a key member of the South African team that reached the semi-finals of the 1999 World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament. Klusener's all-round abilities, including his explosive batting and accurate medium-pace bowling, made him a formidable force on the field.Klusener's appointment as assistant coach at LSG is expected to further strengthen the team's coaching setup. His experience and expertise will be invaluable to the players, particularly in the areas of batting and all-round development. LSG will be hoping to build on their impressive performance in the 2023 IPL season, where they reached the playoffs under the guidance of Langer and Sriram.

Rishabh Pant, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, is set to make a remarkable return to competitive cricket as the captain of Delhi Capitals in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. However, he will not be donning the wicketkeeping gloves in the initial phase of the tournament, as per the franchise co-owner Parth Jindal.Jindal, in a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo, expressed confidence in Pant's fitness and readiness for the IPL, subject to the BCCI's imminent clearance. He revealed that Pant has been undergoing rigorous rehabilitation and has started wicketkeeping drills, indicating his progress towards full recovery from the horrific car accident he suffered in December 2022.To ensure Pant's smooth transition back into competitive cricket, the Capitals management has decided to utilize him solely as a batter for the first seven games of the IPL. This cautious approach aims to minimize the strain on his recovering knee and allow him to regain his rhythm gradually.The IPL will mark Pant's first competitive appearance since the Test series in Bangladesh in December 2022. His return is highly anticipated, considering his exceptional batting skills and leadership qualities. The Capitals are optimistic that Pant's presence will provide the much-needed balance and stability to the team.In addition to Pant's return, the Capitals have bolstered their squad with several exciting acquisitions, including Tristan Stubbs, Mitchell Marsh, and Harry Brook. Jindal believes these additions have transformed the team into a well-rounded unit capable of challenging for the title.The franchise is also counting on the experience of David Warner and the explosive batting of Brook, who is expected to play a pivotal role in the lower middle order. Jindal expressed his confidence in Brook's ability to make a significant impact at number six.Furthermore, the Capitals have invested in a group of talented uncapped Indian players, scouted and recommended by team director Sourav Ganguly. These players, including Kumar Kushagra, Sumit Kumar, and Ricky Bhui, are expected to contribute to the team's success.With a strong blend of experience and youthful exuberance, the Delhi Capitals are poised for a successful campaign in IPL 2024. Pant's leadership, coupled with the team's overall strength, makes them a formidable contender for the coveted trophy.

The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to commence on March 22, 2024, with defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) facing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the opening match. This year's IPL will break the tradition of the opening match featuring the previous season's winners and runners-up.The tournament will kick off with 21 matches scheduled over the first 17 days, taking into account the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in India. The complete IPL schedule will be announced later, once the general election dates are finalized.During the initial 17-day period, 21 matches will be played across 10 cities, with each team playing a minimum of three and a maximum of five matches. The first weekend will feature two doubleheaders, with Punjab Kings hosting Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad.The action will then shift to Jaipur, where Rajasthan Royals will face Lucknow Super Giants, followed by Gujarat Titans, the reigning champions, facing five-time winners Mumbai Indians in Ahmedabad.Delhi Capitals, who have opted to play their first two home matches in Visakhapatnam, will host Chennai Super Kings on March 31 and Kolkata Knight Riders on April 3.The 10 teams are divided into two groups of five, with each team playing 14 games in the group stage. They will face the other four teams in their group twice (home and away), four teams in the other group once, and the remaining team twice.Despite the upcoming general elections, the tournament will be held entirely in India. The BCCI will work closely with government and security agencies to ensure all necessary protocols and advisories related to the elections are followed.The IPL was held entirely overseas only once, in 2009, in South Africa. In 2014, a portion of the tournament was held in the UAE due to elections. However, in 2019, the IPL took place in India despite the elections.Hardik Pandya will make his debut as the captain for Mumbai Indians, taking over from Rohit Sharma. New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra will make his maiden IPL appearance after a notable performance in the ODI World Cup last year.Meanwhile, CSK's iconic figure MS Dhoni, who led the team to five IPL titles, has been out of competitive cricket since their victorious campaign in the previous season.The IPL players' auction for the 2024 season took place in December last year, with Australian pacer Mitchell Starc becoming the most expensive player in IPL history after being bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 24.75 crore.