Cricket

Rinku Singh's life took a dramatic turn after his extraordinary feat of hitting five consecutive sixes against Gujarat Titans' Yash Dayal in an IPL 2023 match. This remarkable performance not only propelled him to international fame but also earned him a lucrative contract renewal with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a staggering Rs 13 crore.Born into a humble family in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Singh's journey to the pinnacle of cricket is a testament to his unwavering determination and resilience. Despite facing financial hardships, his passion for the sport and his desire to support his family drove him to pursue cricket professionally.Singh's rise through the ranks was marked by hard work and exceptional talent. He honed his skills at the local level before making his mark in the domestic circuit. His fearless batting and exceptional finishing abilities caught the attention of KKR, who signed him in 2022.In the 2023 IPL season, Singh's star shone brightly. His unforgettable performance against Gujarat Titans, where he smashed five sixes in an over, cemented his place as a key player for KKR. This incredible feat earned him widespread recognition and admiration from cricket fans across the country.With his recent contract renewal, Singh has decided to invest in his dream home in his hometown of Aligarh. The luxurious bungalow, located in The Golden Estate of Ozone City, is a symbol of his achievements and gratitude towards his roots. The 500-square-yard property boasts a rooftop bar, private pool, and a special space dedicated to the bat with which he hit those five historic sixes.Singh's journey is an inspiration to aspiring cricketers and a testament to the power of hard work and dedication. His success story highlights the importance of perseverance, resilience, and the unwavering belief in one's dreams.

KL Rahul Reflects on Intense Exchange with LSG Owner After Humiliating IPL LossIndia wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul has shed light on the heated conversation he had with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka following the team's crushing 10-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 2024 IPL.The loss shattered LSG's playoff hopes, and Goenka's visible displeasure after the match led to an animated exchange with Rahul along the boundary line. Rahul admitted that the incident was "not the nicest thing to be part of" and acknowledged its impact on the team."We were all in shock because every game was crucial at that stage," Rahul said. "We had to win three out of five or two out of the last four games. When this happened, it was a big shock for us."Rahul emphasized that the conversation was not constructive and should have been held in private. "It did affect the entire group," he said. "We still had a chance to make the playoffs, but unfortunately, our best wasn't good enough."The exchange between Goenka and Rahul sparked controversy, with experts and fans criticizing the public nature of the discussion. Rahul acknowledged the criticism and expressed regret over the incident."I don't know how much was made outside, but it was probably one of the worst games I've been part of," Rahul said. "We watched on TV how dominating Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma were, but to see it from up close was ridiculous."LSG's batting performance in the match was particularly disappointing, with Rahul scoring a sluggish 29 off 33. SRH's openers, Head and Sharma, then tore into the LSG bowlers, chasing down the target of 166 runs in just 9.4 overs without losing a wicket.Notably, LSG released Rahul in the IPL 2025 retentions day, ending their three-year association with the batter. Pooran became their biggest retention at Rs 21 crore, followed by Ravi Bishnoi and Mayank Yadav at Rs 11 crore each.

Ramandeep Singh, a 27-year-old cricketer from Punjab, India, has earned his maiden call-up to the Indian T20 cricket team. The all-rounder was presented with his first Indian cap by Hardik Pandya and will join the team for the third and final match against South Africa.Singh's selection is a testament to his impressive performances in recent tournaments. In the ACC Men's T20 Asia Cup for India A, he showcased his batting prowess with a blistering 64 runs off 34 balls in the semi-final against Afghanistan. His consistent performances in first-class cricket have also caught the attention of the selectors.Singh has played for two Indian Premier League (IPL) teams: Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders. He is currently on the roster of Kolkata Knight Riders for the 2025 IPL season. During the 2024 IPL season, he played in nine games for Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring 125 runs at a strike rate of 201.61.Singh's inclusion in the Indian team comes as a replacement for Avesh Khan. He will be expected to contribute with both bat and ball, given his all-round abilities.In the recent Emerging Teams Asia Cup tournament, Singh represented India's A team in four matches, scoring 94 runs and taking three wickets. His quickfire 66 runs in the semi-final against Afghanistan was a standout performance. He also contributed with 13 runs against Oman and 17 runs against Shaheen. As a bowler, he claimed three wickets over three innings.Singh's selection is a recognition of his hard work and dedication. He has consistently performed at the domestic level and has now earned his chance to represent his country at the highest level.

Gujarat Titans have appointed former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel as their assistant and batting coach for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Patel brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Titans, having played 17 years of international cricket for India.As assistant coach, Patel will work closely with head coach Ashish Nehra to provide strategic guidance and support to the team. His insights into batting techniques and strategies will be invaluable in enhancing the players' skills and performance.Patel's appointment is a significant boost for the Titans, who are looking to build on their impressive debut season in the IPL. The franchise reached the playoffs in their first year, and they will be hoping to challenge for the title in 2023.Patel's experience as a mentor and talent scout will also be beneficial to the Titans. He has a proven track record of developing young players and helping them reach their full potential.This is Patel's first coaching role in the IPL, but he has a strong understanding of the game and the league. He will be a valuable asset to the Titans as they look to make a deep run in the tournament.

KL Rahul, the former captain of Lucknow Super Giants, is actively seeking a new franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). While a return to Royal Challengers Bangalore has been widely speculated, Rahul has hinted at considering other options.In an interview with Star Sports, Rahul revealed his reasons for leaving LSG. He expressed a desire for a more positive and relaxed team atmosphere, citing Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings as examples."I wanted to start fresh and explore my options. I wanted to go and play where I could find freedom and the team atmosphere would be lighter," Rahul said. "The pressure is already high in the IPL, but you see teams like Gujarat and CSK, and you see when they win or lose, they seem really balanced, and the dressing room is really calm. That is something very important for me as a player."Rahul also praised the culture fostered by Mumbai Indians under Rohit Sharma's leadership. "People do not know what happens inside the dressing room. The last 2-3 years I have been part of the Indian dressing room has so much clarity and calmness among players. There has been lot of friendship, we are like a family. The coaches are like your older brother. If teams could recreate that kind of environment, they will find themselves in a good position."Rahul's comments suggest that he is seeking a franchise that values a positive and supportive team environment, where players feel comfortable and empowered to perform at their best.

KL Rahul, the enigmatic Indian cricketer, recently faced a perplexing dilemma during an interview on Star Sports. Asked to choose his preferred IPL 2025 teammate from the legendary trio of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni, Rahul found himself in a pickle."It's a tough one," Rahul confessed. "I've enjoyed playing with all of them. It's very tough to answer."Rahul's predicament highlights the exceptional talent pool available in Indian cricket. Rohit Sharma, the current Indian captain, is renowned for his aggressive batting and astute leadership. Virat Kohli, the former Indian captain, is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. MS Dhoni, the former Indian captain and wicketkeeper, is known for his calm demeanor and strategic brilliance.In addition to his teammate selection dilemma, Rahul also revealed his preferred batting position. "I would pick 'floater' instead of opener or finisher," he said. "I like to bat at different positions and adapt to the situation."Rahul's versatility and adaptability make him a valuable asset to any IPL team. He has consistently performed well at the top of the order, but he is also capable of batting in the middle order and finishing innings.After being released by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Rahul is set to enter the upcoming IPL mega auction with a base price of Rs 2 crore, the highest possible. As captain of LSG for three seasons, Rahul guided the team to the playoffs in 2022 and 2023. However, the team's performance dipped in 2024, leading to a seventh-place finish.Despite his departure from LSG, Rahul clarified that he is open to taking on the captaincy role again if presented with the opportunity. "I would never go and ask someone for it," he said. "But if you feel that my leadership skills are good enough... I am happy to do it."Rahul's primary focus is to be part of a team with a positive and supportive environment. He believes that a collective and unified approach is crucial for success in a tournament as competitive as the IPL.The upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction will be a significant event for both Rahul and the franchises. His experience, batting prowess, and leadership qualities make him a valuable asset.

Rahul Dravid, the former Indian cricket team coach, has taken on a new role as the head coach of the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Ahead of the upcoming IPL auction, Dravid participated in the Girls Cup organized by the franchise, showcasing his batting skills and inspiring young players.Dravid's involvement in the Girls Cup was a testament to his commitment to fostering cricket at all levels. He spent considerable time at the crease, facing deliveries from young girls and even applauding their efforts. A video of Dravid's gesture was widely shared on social media, highlighting his humility and support for aspiring cricketers.In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Dravid has been actively involved in the Rajasthan Royals' retention strategy for the IPL 2025 season. He revealed that captain Sanju Samson played a key role in the decision-making process."We have decided to do six out of six retentions. We will retain Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sandeep Sharma," Dravid said. "We came to this decision because we trust our talent. We also trust that we want to maintain and build with that core."Dravid emphasized Samson's importance to the team, stating that he was an automatic choice for retention as captain and wicketkeeper-batter. "Sanju Samson is our batsman, wicketkeeper, and captain. He has been the captain of this team for many years. So, it was a no-brainer for us to retain him as he will be our captain in the future too," Dravid explained.With Dravid's guidance and Samson's leadership, the Rajasthan Royals aim to build a strong team for the upcoming IPL season. Their focus on retaining core players and fostering young talent bodes well for their future success.

Shah Rukh Khan, the iconic Bollywood superstar and co-owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has been a constant presence at KKR matches, cheering on his team and inspiring fans. Under his ownership, KKR has experienced both triumphs and setbacks, but Khan's unwavering support has made him a symbol of loyalty for the franchise.Khan's global fame has also drawn a vast international fan base to KKR. Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins, who played for KKR from 2014 to 2022, recently revealed in a podcast that he was initially unaware of Khan's celebrity status."The first time I met Shah Rukh Khan, I had no idea who he was," Cummins admitted. "I had never watched a Bollywood film. But I could sense his aura and the respect he commanded from the other players."Cummins praised Khan's leadership style, describing him as "very funny, very cute, and always encouraging us to enjoy ourselves and play with freedom." He contrasted this with other owners who put pressure on their players.Despite his commitment to KKR, Cummins opted out of the 2023 IPL season to focus on national duties and manage his workload. However, he returned to the IPL in 2024, joining the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for a record-breaking Rs 20.5 crore.Under Cummins' leadership, SRH reached the final of the 2024 IPL, ultimately losing to KKR. Despite the defeat, Cummins' performance and the team's success showcased his value as a player and leader.Shah Rukh Khan's passion for KKR and his unwavering support for his players have made him an integral part of the franchise. His presence has not only inspired the team but has also drawn a global audience to the IPL, further solidifying the league's status as one of the most popular sporting events in the world.