Cricket

MS Dhoni's future with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) remains uncertain, but legendary South African batsman AB de Villiers believes that the former Indian captain should continue leading the team if he decides to play another season in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Dhoni has been an integral part of CSK since the inception of the IPL in 2008, leading the franchise to five titles. However, he handed over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the 2023 season. While Gaikwad performed admirably as both captain and batter, CSK failed to qualify for the playoffs.De Villiers, who played against Dhoni for many years, believes that his presence as captain is a significant advantage for CSK. "With MS Dhoni around, playing against MS for so many years, that is the most intimidating sight to have him as an opposing captain," he said.The South African legend believes that Dhoni's absence as captain diminished CSK's intimidation factor. "They took away quite a bit of intimidation factor from CSK with not having him as captain," he added.De Villiers emphasized that his comments were not a criticism of Gaikwad's captaincy, but rather a reflection of Dhoni's unique leadership qualities. "I actually think he's got a very bright future and he captained extremely well," he said.However, de Villiers believes that Dhoni's experience and presence on the field make him the ideal captain for CSK. "But just having MS around, I always felt like it's going to be a waste not having him as captain," he said.Dhoni's future in the IPL remains unclear, but de Villiers' comments highlight the importance of his leadership to CSK. If Dhoni decides to play another season, it is likely that he will resume his role as captain, given his immense experience and the respect he commands within the team.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has consistently proven to be a breeding ground for exceptional cricketing talent in India. This season, the spotlight has shone brightly on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) star Swapnil Singh and Lucknow Super Giants' Deepak Hooda, both of whom have faced significant challenges in their domestic careers.Swapnil and Hooda, who represent Baroda in domestic cricket, have reportedly endured numerous issues within the team, particularly with skipper Krunal Pandya. Hooda's struggles with the captain have been well-documented in the Indian cricketing fraternity.However, the duo's impressive performances in the IPL have caught the attention of fans and former players alike. A social media user recently expressed gratitude to former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan for his support during their cricketing crisis at Baroda."Thank you so much @IrfanPathan saab, for helping players like Deepak Hooda and Swapnil Singh who were facing so many problems in Baroda cricket team because of their Captain - Krunal Pandya. The fans of Indian Cricket will not forget your contributions," the fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).Pathan responded to the post, acknowledging the players' hard work and determination. "They were working hard when no one was watching. It's their positive attitude and persistence took them where they are," he said.This season, Swapnil has emerged as a reliable bowler for RCB, claiming 6 wickets in 6 matches while also contributing as a handy lower-order batter. Hooda, on the other hand, had a slow start to the 17th edition of the IPL but has since found his rhythm, scoring 145 runs in 9 innings at an average of 18.13.Pathan's role as a mentor and guide in Indian cricket has been instrumental in the development of young players. He has consistently provided support and guidance to emerging cricketers, helping them unlock their true potential.

The question of MS Dhoni's future as a player in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a topic of speculation for some time. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan has addressed the issue, stating that the decision ultimately lies with Dhoni himself.Viswanathan emphasized that CSK respects Dhoni's decisions and has always given him the space to make them on his own terms. He expressed hope that Dhoni will continue to play for CSK next year, acknowledging the expectations of both fans and the franchise.Despite repeated inquiries from broadcasters, Dhoni has remained silent on his plans. However, his decision to hand over the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the 2024 IPL season has raised questions about his future as a player.At 42 years old, Dhoni's age and the upcoming mega auction in 2025 have prompted CSK to consider their plans for the future. Viswanathan indicated that Dhoni's performance this season, where he scored 161 runs at a strike rate of 220.55 and kept competently, suggests that he is still capable of contributing to the team.Regarding Stephen Fleming, CSK's long-time coach, Viswanathan dismissed rumors linking him to the India head coach role. He stated that Fleming is not interested in a coaching role that requires a long-term commitment.Viswanathan also highlighted that CSK's retention plans for the 2025 IPL season will depend on the guidelines provided by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He emphasized the need for clarity from the BCCI before the franchise can make any decisions.Despite finishing fifth in the 2024 IPL season, CSK remains a formidable team. They have won the IPL title five times and have a history of bouncing back from setbacks. Viswanathan expressed confidence that CSK will be competitive in the upcoming seasons.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier spinner, believes that the evolution of batters, rather than the impact player rule, is the primary reason for the high scores witnessed in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Ashwin also emphasized the need for bowlers to develop their batting skills to meet the demands of modern cricket.Despite the introduction of the impact player rule, which allows teams to substitute a player during the match, Ashwin maintains that the high scores are a result of batters becoming more confident and pitches being standardized across venues. He believes that the game is moving towards a point where all bowlers will need to be capable batters.While some critics, including Indian captain Rohit Sharma, have argued that the impact player rule hinders the development of all-rounders, Ashwin believes that it is a necessary adaptation to the changing landscape of the game. He points out that bowlers need to be able to contribute with the bat, regardless of how well they bowl.Ashwin, who recently recovered from an abdominal injury, has been in impressive form in the latter stages of the IPL. He was adjudged man-of-the-match in the Eliminator against Royal Challengers Bangalore, where his miserly 2/19 restricted the opposition to 172/8.Ashwin also praised the maturity of Riyan Parag, who has emerged as a key player for Rajasthan Royals this season. He believes that Parag has come a long way since his debut as an 18-year-old in 2019 and has the potential to achieve great things in the future.

IPL's most formidable power-hitters, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, will face a formidable challenge in the form of seasoned spin twins Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin when Sunrisers Hyderabad takes on Rajasthan Royals in a high-stakes second Qualifier on Friday.Head and Sharma, affectionately known as "Travishek" by fans, have redefined power-hitting with their exceptional performances. Head has amassed 533 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 199.62, while Sharma has contributed 470 runs at an equally impressive strike rate of 207.04. Together, they have unleashed a barrage of 72 sixes and 96 boundaries.However, the Chepauk pitch, known for its slow and sticky nature, poses a different challenge for the power-hitters. The ball tends to stop and stroke-makers face difficulties in hitting through the line.Ashwin, a master of his craft at this ground, has an intimate understanding of the pitch's behavior. His form has also improved significantly towards the latter stages of the tournament. With the country's premier leg-spinner, Chahal, as his partner, Royals will be hoping to neutralize Head, Sharma, and their explosive teammate Heinrich Klaasen (413 runs at 180) early on.SRH's bowling attack will once again rely heavily on T Natarajan, their leading wicket-taker this season. Playing on his home turf, he will be eager to exploit the conditions. The experienced duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Pat Cummins also have a crucial role to play, especially since Kumar has been wicketless in his last two outings.SRH's weakness lies in their lack of quality spinners. Mayank Markande is considered mediocre at best, while Shahbaz Ahmed's primary skill is batting rather than bowling.In contrast, RR has found its rhythm after a five-game winless streak, thanks to a comprehensive performance against RCB. The top-order, particularly Yashasvi Jaiswal, displayed positive signs and will be keen to continue their form ahead of the T20 World Cup in the Americas.However, skipper Sanju Samson needs to improve his performance, having failed to cross the 20-run mark in his last three contests. Dhruv Jurel, in the middle order, will be under pressure after failing to reach double digits in his last two outings.The side will also rely on its Caribbean game-changers, Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell, for some of the power-hitting they showcased against RCB. Riyan Parag, who has been in impressive form this season, is another bankable batter for RR.

Avesh Khan's mantra of "eat, sleep, bowl, and repeat" has propelled him to success in this year's IPL. With 16 wickets in 15 matches, an economy rate of 9.81, and exceptional control at the death, Khan has emerged as a formidable bowler.Khan attributes his success to simplifying his approach to cricket. "I have to sleep well, eat well, and bowl well. There's nothing else to it," he said. By focusing on the basics and minimizing distractions, Khan has found a winning formula.After a demanding domestic season and IPL last year, Khan realized the importance of analyzing his strengths and weaknesses. He worked with his coach, Anand Rajan, to refine his bowling action and establish effective training and recovery routines.Khan's move from Lucknow Super Giants to Rajasthan Royals has also benefited him. The larger ground and supportive team environment have provided him with the margins he needs as a bowler.While acknowledging the value of mental toughness, Khan believes that nothing beats the experience of facing challenges repeatedly. "You can do whatever you can to build mental toughness, but until you're in a position to have faced the challenges repeatedly, you cannot overcome them," he said.In the Eliminator against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Khan witnessed the tense atmosphere in the Rajasthan Royals dugout. However, he recalled head coach Kumar Sangakkara's message before the game: "Either we win or go back home. We had to give it our all."Khan's performance in key games for Rajasthan Royals has earned him a spot among India's reserve players for the upcoming T20 World Cup. His simplified approach, technical improvements, and unwavering determination have made him a valuable asset to both his team and the national squad.

Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) remarkable Indian Premier League (IPL) journey came to an end on Wednesday with a four-wicket loss to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Eliminator. Despite a disappointing start, RCB's resurgence in the second half of the season had raised hopes of a title triumph.After winning just one of their first eight games, RCB faced the prospect of elimination. However, they rallied with six consecutive victories, including a crucial win over defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK). This remarkable turnaround secured them the final playoff spot based on net run rate.Reflecting on the season, Virat Kohli acknowledged the team's struggles in the first half. "We were not able to live up to our standards as cricketers," he said. "But we started expressing ourselves, played for our own self-respect. Our confidence came back."Skipper Faf Du Plessis praised the team's resilience. "The last six games were special for the way we turned things around," he said. "We fell short by around 15 runs, but we are extremely grateful for the fans' support."Wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, who may have played his last IPL season, expressed pride in the team's achievements. "We felt this could be the year we lift the trophy," he said. "But it was not to be. We should be proud of the fight we put up."Despite the disappointment of the Eliminator loss, RCB players and fans alike celebrated the team's remarkable turnaround. The team's ability to overcome adversity and qualify for the playoffs was a testament to their character and determination.

Ricky Ponting, the legendary Australian cricketer, has revealed that he was approached to become India's next head coach. However, despite expressing interest in the role, Ponting has stated that it is an "unlikely" option for him at present due to the significant time commitment it would require.Ponting, who is currently the head coach of Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and a television commentator in Australia, said that he has ambitions to coach a national team in the future. However, he emphasized that the timing is not right for him to take on the India job, given his other commitments."I'd love to be a senior coach of a national team, but with the other things that I have in my life and wanting to have a bit of time at home…everyone knows if you take a job working with the Indian team you can't be involved in an IPL team, so it would take that out of it as well," Ponting explained.He added that the role of a national head coach requires a significant time commitment, which does not align with his current lifestyle. "Also, a national head coach is a 10 or 11-month of the year job, and as much as I'd like to do it, it just doesn't fit into my lifestyle right now and the things that I really enjoy doing," Ponting said.Despite his initial reluctance, Ponting did leave the door slightly open to the possibility of taking on the India job in the future. He revealed that his young son, Fletcher, had expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of moving to India."My family and my kids have spent the last five weeks over at the IPL with me and they come over every year and I had a whisper to my son about it, and I said, 'Dad's been offered the Indian coaching job' and he said, 'Just take it dad, we would love to move over there for the next couple of years,'" Ponting said.However, Ponting emphasized that his current lifestyle and commitments make it unlikely that he will accept the India job at this time. He is currently the head of strategy at Hobart Hurricanes in Australia's Big Bash League and the head coach of Washington Freedom in the MLC tournament in the United States.The BCCI has set a deadline of May 27 for applications for the India head coach role, which will cover all three formats of the game for a period of three and a half years, starting from July 2024.

MS Dhoni's IPL Future Uncertain as Experts Predict RetirementFormer Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni's future in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has become a subject of intense speculation following Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) elimination from the 2024 playoffs. Dhoni, who has been a key figure for CSK since the tournament's inception, has faced questions about his longevity due to a reported knee injury and his team's recent struggles.Legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram has expressed his belief that Dhoni may not return to the IPL next season. "I have a gut feeling he'll be done after this," Akram said on Sportskeeda. "Players like him come in a lifetime, it all depends on him."Akram's sentiments were echoed by former Australian batter Matthew Hayden, who stated, "I think this is it. I do believe that this will be the last time that Dhoni will play." Hayden added that he expects Dhoni to remain involved with CSK in an official capacity, possibly as a mentor.Dhoni's performance in the 2024 IPL season has been a topic of discussion. While he has not been as prolific as in previous years, he has still made valuable contributions to CSK's batting lineup. However, his struggles with the bat and his team's overall performance have raised questions about his ability to continue playing at the highest level.Dhoni's leadership and experience have been invaluable to CSK, but the team's recent struggles have put pressure on him to deliver. The franchise has not won an IPL title since 2021 and has failed to reach the playoffs in two of the last three seasons.As Dhoni approaches the twilight of his career, it remains to be seen whether he will continue playing in the IPL. His decision will likely depend on his physical condition, his team's performance, and his own personal aspirations.