Cricket

Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) Rinku Singh, fresh off his maiden IPL triumph, has set his sights on replicating the success at the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA. KKR's emphatic eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL final marked their third title triumph.Rinku, who is part of the Indian team squad as a reserve, expressed his confidence in lifting the World Cup. "I am headed to Noida first and then I will be going to the United States of America. You guys watch, I will also be lifting the World Cup," he declared.Despite limited opportunities in the IPL season, Rinku made a significant contribution with 168 runs at a strike rate of 148.67. He attributed KKR's success to collective effort. "You can't credit just one person because everyone has worked hard. Since GG (Gautam Gambhir) sir came, a lot of things have changed," he said.In the final, KKR's bowlers restricted Hyderabad to a paltry 113, with Andre Russell claiming three wickets. Venkatesh Iyer's unbeaten 52* and Rahmanullah Gurbaz's 39 propelled KKR to victory in just 10.3 overs.Russell, who played a crucial role in the triumph, praised the team's adaptability. "As professionals, we always have to be up to the task to play on whatever surface we get," he said. He also shared insights into his batting technique, emphasizing the importance of minimizing front leg movement.Rinku's determination and KKR's collective spirit bode well for India's chances at the T20 World Cup. The team's ability to adapt and perform under pressure will be key to their success on the global stage.

Chandrakant Pandit, the mastermind behind Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) maiden IPL triumph, has revealed the secrets to his coaching success. After guiding Mumbai, Vidarbha, and Madhya Pradesh to Ranji titles, Pandit has now etched his name in IPL history.In an exclusive interview, Pandit emphasized the importance of discipline and respect for the game. "I always believe in discipline. There's a routine that I always follow. Respecting the game is most important. I don't go above the game, and never allow the others to do that," he said.Despite facing criticism from some players for his "dictatorial" style, Pandit remained steadfast in his approach. "I always stick to my style of working. I don't get distracted or react to that because you cannot keep everyone happy," he explained.Pandit acknowledged the role of mentor Gautam Gambhir in KKR's victory. "His presence in the dugout was a great motivation for everyone. It was a great boost for us. He came in with a lot of cricketing experience. He's been a part of the IPL for so many years. We took all the decisions collectively," he said.Pandit praised KKR captain Shreyas Iyer for his leadership qualities. "I would give a lot of credit to Shreyas. He's been a fantastic captain, very calm and cool. He was receptive to our suggestions and handled the team well on and off the field. With KKR, he showed the qualities which make him worthy for India captaincy in the future," he said.Pandit also highlighted the contributions of assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, bowling coach Bharat Arun, and spin-bowling coach Carl Crowe. "Nayar's contribution was huge, while Arun and Crowe deserve credit for the bowlers' fine show," he said.Pandit's coaching philosophy revolves around creating a positive and supportive environment for his players. "I always try to create a good atmosphere in the team. I want the players to feel comfortable and confident. I believe in giving them the freedom to express themselves," he said.Pandit's success as a coach is a testament to his unwavering belief in discipline, respect, and teamwork. His ability to motivate and inspire his players has made him one of the most sought-after coaches in Indian cricket.

Gautam Gambhir's move from Lucknow Super Giants to Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024 was not a sudden decision, but rather the culmination of years of discussions between Gambhir and KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan. According to a report in Dainik Jagaran, Gambhir and Khan had been meeting regularly at Khan's residence since 2018.During these meetings, Khan reportedly offered Gambhir a "blank cheque" to join KKR for the next 10 years. Gambhir, who had led KKR to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, was enticed by the offer and decided to leave Lucknow despite having spent two successful seasons with the franchise.Gambhir's departure from Lucknow came as a surprise to owner Sanjeev Goenka, who was unaware of the ongoing discussions between Gambhir and Khan. However, Gambhir's decision to join KKR was a strategic move that has paid off handsomely.In his first season with KKR, Gambhir guided the team to a remarkable IPL triumph. His leadership and tactical acumen were instrumental in KKR's success, and he has quickly become a fan favorite in Kolkata.Now, Gambhir faces a crossroads in his career. He is reportedly on the BCCI's shortlist to replace Rahul Dravid as India head coach. However, he has also committed to KKR for the next 10 years.If Gambhir accepts the India head coach job, he will have to step down from his role at KKR. This would be a significant loss for KKR, who have benefited greatly from Gambhir's leadership and experience.The BCCI is eager to secure Gambhir's services as India head coach, but they may face competition from KKR. Khan is determined to keep Gambhir at KKR for the long term, and he may offer him a lucrative contract extension to persuade him to stay.Ultimately, the decision of whether to accept the India head coach job or remain at KKR is up to Gambhir. He will need to weigh the pros and cons of each option carefully before making a decision.

Rishabh Pant's remarkable return to cricket after a horrific car crash has left Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting in awe. The dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman has silenced doubters with his impressive performance in the recent IPL season, amassing 446 runs at an average of 40.54 and a strike rate of 155.40. He also claimed 16 dismissals behind the stumps, tied for the most in the tournament.Ponting, who initially had doubts about Pant's ability to play again, has been blown away by his determination and recovery. "It's been nothing short of spectacular," Ponting told The ICC Review. "I had grave fears that he would never play the game again."Pant's dedication to his recovery, supported by the Delhi Capitals franchise and physio Patrick Farhart, has been instrumental in his comeback. Despite concerns about his ability to handle the physical demands of wicketkeeping, Pant has proven his mettle, earning him a spot in India's T20 World Cup squad."No one had real concerns about his batting, but with his wicket-keeping, there were certainly some concerns," Ponting said. "But he's looked after himself incredibly well."Pant's exceptional performance has not only impressed Ponting but also earned him widespread praise. His return to form is a testament to his resilience and the support he has received from his team and loved ones.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has consistently defied conventions in the Indian Premier League (IPL). They were among the first teams to prioritize boundary-hitting, relying on mystery spinners like Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy. They even experimented with Narine's batting as an opener, trusted wrist spinners like Kuldeep Yadav, unearthed gems like Suyash Sharma, and revitalized careers like Rahul Tripathi's.KKR is also renowned for its unwavering support of talent. Narine and Andre Russell have been with the franchise for over a decade, and Rinku Singh since 2018. Kuldeep stayed for five years, even when he was far from fully developed.KKR's IPL-17 campaign, which culminated in a resounding eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad and a third title, was a perfect embodiment of these qualities. The team lost only three matches, playing with a free-spirited approach, trusting its experienced stars, and reaping the rewards of integrating young players.KKR scored 200 or more six times this IPL, with Phil Salt's 435 runs at a strike rate of 182.01 playing a crucial role. Narine claimed 17 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 6.69 and scored 488 runs at a strike rate of 180.74.Russell, who had appeared to be a spent force last year, contributed with 19 wickets, while speedsters Harshit Rana (19 wickets) and Vaibhav Arora (11) had breakout seasons. Even 18-year-old Angkrish Raghuvanshi had his moments in the spotlight.Another strength of KKR was its solid Indian core. Along with Harshit and Arora, Venkatesh Iyer played a stellar role, highlighted by two match-winning half-centuries in Qualifier 1 and the final. Varun, with 21 wickets, was second only to Harshal Patel (24) in the top wicket-takers' list.The tournament also showcased Shreyas Iyer's astute leadership and his own redemption arc. His captaincy skills were never in doubt, having led Delhi Capitals to the final in 2020. However, Shreyas was not in the T20 scheme of things for India and even lost out on a central contract amidst injury setbacks and signs of mistrust between him and the cricketing establishment."He is pretty level-headed," said Mitchell Starc, the Player-of-the-Match in both Qualifier 1 and the final, about Shreyas. "Pretty calm in most situations, more so when things haven't gone our way. To be part of the group with him leading... there have been moments through the year where he has seen the game a certain way and gone with his instinct and that has paid off. He thoroughly deserves his success."It is unfortunate that such a dominant group, meticulously mentored and coached by Gautam Gambhir and Chandrakant Pandit, will likely be dismantled before the mega auction ahead of IPL-18. However, KKR's T20 blueprint is sure to stand the test of time and shape many a future outfit.

Will Jacks, the rising star of English cricket, is eager to put the valuable lessons he learned from batting alongside Virat Kohli in the Indian Premier League (IPL) to good use when England defends its T20 World Cup title next month.Jacks, who has played in two Tests, seven ODIs, and 12 T20Is for England, made a significant impact in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He struck a blistering century off just 41 balls against Gujarat Titans, showcasing his power-hitting abilities.During his time with RCB, Jacks had the privilege of batting alongside Kohli, one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He described Kohli as a "very good role model" who taught him valuable lessons about training, intensity, and the importance of maintaining focus."He's done it for such a long time and I can appreciate that as a young guy who often doesn't want to do the hard yards, but you see him doing it and want to copy that," Jacks said.Jacks also highlighted the importance of "pacing the game" and staying in partnerships, lessons he learned from Kohli during their time together at the crease."When we were batting together, he was coaching me through there. I learned some valuable things about chasing in that innings and pacing the game, which was really helpful," Jacks said.Now, Jacks is looking forward to applying these lessons in the upcoming T20 World Cup. He is excited to play in a major global tournament and believes that England is building in the right direction."Playing in a World Cup is something I've dreamed of since I was a little kid. I'm really excited to do it," he said. "It's getting closer now and we're building in the right direction."Jacks acknowledged that his T20 record for England is a "mixed bag," but he is determined to improve his consistency and become a match-winner."I've been getting starts every game and it's about how do I change those into match-winning scores. That's more of a mindset thing. It doesn't matter what I'm averaging: if the team's winning, then it's good," Jacks said.

Pat Cummins, the Australian fast bowler and current captain of the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has come a long way since his IPL debut in 2014.Cummins made his IPL debut for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) under the captaincy of Gautam Gambhir. Despite playing only one match that season, he was part of KKR's title-winning campaign. In that match against the Chennai Super Kings, Cummins bowled four overs, conceding 29 runs, and claimed the wicket of Dwayne Smith.After his debut, Cummins spent much of the season on the bench, carrying drinks and bats for his teammates. However, he remained a valuable member of the team, cheering from the dugout and contributing to the team's success.In 2014, a video surfaced on social media showing Cummins dancing to KKR's anthem 'Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo Re'. This video resurfaced after Sunrisers Hyderabad's defeat in the 2024 IPL final, where Cummins was the captain.Since his debut in 2014, Cummins has played 58 IPL matches, taking 63 wickets and scoring 515 runs. He has played for KKR, the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), and Sunrisers Hyderabad.In the IPL 2024 Auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad acquired Cummins for a record Rs 20.50 crore, making him the second-most expensive player in IPL history. Cummins was appointed captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad for the 2024 season, and under his leadership, the team reached the final, finishing as runners-up after losing to KKR in Chennai.Cummins' journey in the IPL is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and talent. From carrying drinks and bats to becoming one of the most expensive players in the league, Cummins has come a long way. He is a valuable asset to any team he plays for, and his leadership skills have been instrumental in Sunrisers Hyderabad's success in recent years.

When Shreyas Iyer recreated Lionel Messi's iconic World Cup celebration after lifting the IPL Trophy as Kolkata Knight Riders captain in Chennai, it was a moment of triumph and vindication for the embattled Indian cricketer.Just weeks before the IPL, Iyer's central contract was torn up, and a recurring back injury threatened to derail his season. However, he found redemption in this victory, much like Messi did after exorcising the ghosts of losing the 2014 final and winning the trophy for his country after a 36-year wait.For the two-time IPL champions, the wait lasted 10 years as Iyer sang a redemption song following a topsy-turvy start to the year. It was no wonder then that he chose to imitate the man who knows all about rising from setbacks.So, with the trophy in his hands, Iyer took a playful walk towards his teammates, similar to Messi's actions after the final against France in Doha, and handed them the big prize."I am hearing a lot about Gautam Gambhir, who has created a magnificent culture in the KKR team. But this guy (Iyer), I don't think he is getting enough credit. Shreyas Iyer needs some credit," said legendary commentator Ian Bishop on Sunday as KKR defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets in a completely one-sided final to win their third IPL title.KKR may have gotten most of their runs from openers Sunil Narine and Phil Salt, but they played as a team and managed to come out winners in a dominant season, topping the table with two rounds to spare and enduring just three losses in between."It is hard to express how we are feeling right now. The wait was so long. We played like invincibles throughout the season. There is so much to cherish right now," said Iyer.It was a special feeling for his childhood and Mumbai coach Pravin Amre, who first tested his character by promoting Iyer to No.3 from No.7 in his maiden Ranji season in 2014-15. Iyer returned with 153, his maiden first-class hundred in their match against Bengal at Eden Gardens in December 2014."I challenged him in his entire career (in Mumbai)...I knew how strong-willed he's and it was my job as a coach to challenge him. He always liked to take the challenge in a good stride. he is a good team man. In the last world cup, he scored 530 runs," Amre said."I always told him you just do whatever is in your hands, let the other people do their job, you just remain focus on what's in your hands," added Amre who first took him under his wings at the Shivaji Park Gymkhana.By leading KKR into the final, Iyer achieved the rare feat of playing the summit clash as captain of two different franchises in the IPL. The KKR skipper missed the last season because of a back injury that required surgery in London last year. He made a comeback in the Asia Cup and went on to become India's third leading run-getter after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the last year's ODI World Cup.The year didn't start well for him though as he had a difficult outing in the home Test series against England and looked patchy scoring 140 runs in the first two matches before being left out for the final three Tests. It was learnt that he developed the recurring back problem, even though he was cleared by the Board medical staff.Iyer then became the center of a controversy when he missed the Ranji Trophy for his home state Mumbai and went on to attend KKR's pre-season camp. Iyer, however, returned to play for Mumbai in the semifinal and final against Vidarbha where he scored a resolute 95 in the second innings of their 42nd Ranji triumph.The Board omitted him from the Grade B contract and BCCI secretary Jay Shah issued a stern warning asking players not to prioritize IPL over domestic cricket. Under intense scrutiny, Iyer looked rusty at the start of the IPL and got out for a two-ball duck in their opener against SRH. He had some significant contributions later on but his efforts were all overshadowed by Narine and Salt's explosive batting.However, Iyer personified "Captain Cool" and held the team's cause ahead of his individual milestones. He went on to become the fourth leading run-getter for KKR this season with 351 runs and two fifties. His best came against the crucial first qualifier against SRH when he anchored their tricky chase of 160 with an unbeaten 58."The way he handled the team as a player is commendable. More than that, he is improving as a leader and the experts in the game are also appreciating his leadership qualities," Amre said."I personally believe success is not an accident he has worked hard for this, handling the team. Yes, he had a good team under him but bringing the best out of everyone is important," he added.

England's IPL Departure: A Missed Opportunity for T20 World Cup PreparationThe premature departure of English players from the Indian Premier League (IPL) ahead of the playoffs has raised concerns about their readiness for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024. Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes that the decision to recall players for a series against Pakistan may have hindered their development.Vaughan argues that players like Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, and Will Jacks would have benefited significantly from the high-pressure environment of the IPL playoffs. He emphasizes the importance of playing under intense scrutiny from fans, owners, and social media, which he believes is more valuable preparation than a T20 match against Pakistan."I think you're going to miss the trick by sending all their players home," Vaughan said. "Playing in the IPL in the eliminators, pressure, crowd, expectation. I would argue that playing here is better preparation than playing a T20 game against Pakistan."Vaughan acknowledges the priority of international cricket but believes that the IPL offers a unique opportunity for players to enhance their skills in a competitive and demanding environment. He particularly highlights the potential benefits for Jacks and Salt, who have limited experience at the international level."But Will Jacks and Phil Salt, I think they'd have been better prepared staying here playing in the IPL, then going back to head and let's play a game," Vaughan concluded.While England secured a comfortable victory in the first T20I against Pakistan, Buttler, Jacks, and Salt failed to make significant contributions with the bat. This performance raises questions about their readiness for the challenges of the T20 World Cup.Vaughan's comments underscore the importance of balancing international commitments with opportunities for players to develop their skills in high-pressure environments. The IPL provides a platform for players to test their abilities against the world's best and gain valuable experience that can translate into success at the international level.