Cricket

Delhi Capitals' Stubbs and Fraser-McGurk: A Bond Forged on Golf and AggressionTristan Stubbs and Jake Fraser-McGurk, two rising stars of the Delhi Capitals (DC), have forged a close friendship on and off the field. In a recent interview, the duo opened up about their bond, their experiences in the IPL, and their aspirations for the future.Their friendship began over a shared love of golf. "I didn't know anything about him, but he knew my life story," said Stubbs. Fraser-McGurk added, "I thought he would be a bit smaller, but he's a pretty big unit."Their competitive spirit extends beyond the golf course. "We play for caps. Whoever loses has to buy the other person a cap," said Fraser-McGurk. "He's a better golfer," admitted Stubbs. "He should beat me by five shots every time."Their friendship has also blossomed on the cricket field. Fraser-McGurk praised DC opener David Warner for his mentorship and support. "He's one of the most unselfish people I've ever met," he said. "He always has time for everyone."Both Stubbs and Fraser-McGurk have embraced the challenges and opportunities of the IPL. "The differences of actually being in it and seeing it from an outside point of view have sort of married up quite nicely," said Fraser-McGurk. "I just didn't have any expectation to play a game, but to be able to play now is great."Stubbs echoed his teammate's sentiments. "It took me a while to get used to the hype and pressure," he said. "I've really enjoyed this year. It's been nice to get an extensive run in a team playing."As they look ahead, both players have ambitious goals. Stubbs aims to become a "world-class cricketer" and represent South Africa in all formats. Fraser-McGurk aspires to "play for Australia and win a World Cup."Their friendship and shared experiences in the IPL have laid the foundation for their future success. As they continue to grow and develop, Stubbs and Fraser-McGurk are poised to make a significant impact on the world of cricket.

MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer and former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain, has a reputation for nurturing young talent and transforming them into exceptional performers. Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana is the latest beneficiary of Dhoni's mentorship, experiencing a meteoric rise in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season.Pathirana, known for his slingy action reminiscent of Sri Lankan fast-bowling legend Lasith Malinga, has emerged as one of the most potent bowlers in the IPL. With 13 wickets in just six matches, he currently ranks fifth among the tournament's top wicket-takers. His impressive performance in the 2023 season, where he finished among the top 10 bowlers, further underscores his talent.Pathirana attributes his success to the unwavering confidence Dhoni has placed in him. Despite handing over the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the 2024 season, Dhoni continues to play a pivotal role in Pathirana's development."After my father, in my cricket life, mostly he (Dhoni) is playing my father's role because he is always taking care of me, giving me advice, what I have to do, similar to my father when I am at home," Pathirana said in a recent episode of 'Lions Upclose'.Dhoni's guidance extends beyond technical aspects of bowling. He emphasizes the importance of enjoying the game and maintaining physical fitness. "He's not telling a lot of things when I am on the field and off the field. He tells just small things, but it makes a lot of difference. So those little things, I take a lot of confidence (from)," Pathirana explained.Off the field, Dhoni remains a trusted confidant for Pathirana. "If I have to ask something from him, definitely I would go to him and ask. Every time he is telling me 'enjoy your game and take care of your body'," Pathirana said.The Sri Lankan pacer, who hails from Trinity College in Kandy, expressed his heartfelt desire to see Dhoni continue playing for CSK. "Mahi bhai, if you can play one more season, please play with us. If I'm here (laughs)," Pathirana said.Pathirana's rapid ascent under Dhoni's mentorship is a testament to the former Indian captain's ability to identify and nurture young talent. As CSK continues its quest for a fifth IPL title, Pathirana is poised to play a pivotal role, inspired by the unwavering support and guidance of his cricketing mentor.

Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) star batter Virat Kohli has been a consistent run-scorer in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season, despite facing criticism over his strike rate. Kohli currently sits second in the scoring charts with 500 runs in 10 matches, just nine runs behind Orange Cap holder Ruturaj Gaikwad. However, his innings have often been overshadowed by his debatable strike rate.Amidst the criticism, Kohli has found support from former India cricketers Irfan Pathan and Mohammad Kaif. They have slammed his critics for double standards, citing the example of SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) batter Travis Head.Head has been in impressive form in the IPL, scoring 396 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of over 194. However, during SRH's match against Rajasthan Royals (RR), Head struggled to time the ball, scoring 58 off 44 balls with a strike rate of 131.8.Irfan and Kaif argued that if Kohli had played a similar knock, his strike rate would have been heavily criticized. "According to his ability, you have never seen him play like this. No matter what you say that there was good bowling and everything, but every cricketer should be treated equally," said Irfan.Kaif echoed his sentiments, adding, "If this was Virat Kohli, I can guarantee that people would have said only 58 runs in 44 balls? What is this? They would say it is low and there would have debates about his strike rate. But I believe that this was a good innings by Head."Irfan further highlighted Kohli's importance to RCB, especially considering the team's struggles in the tournament. "But if there was Virat Kohli instead, people would have stuck to the strike rate but here we are talking about taking responsibility for team's victory, so please treat everyone equally," he added.Kohli himself has addressed the debate surrounding his strike rate, taking a swipe at his critics after the match against Gujarat Titans. "All the people who talk about [my] strike rate and me not playing spin well are the ones who love to talk about these things. But for me, it is just about winning the game. There's a reason why you do it for 15 years. Because you do this day in and day out and won games for your team," said Kohli.Kohli will have the opportunity to reclaim the Orange Cap when RCB face Gujarat Titans on Saturday.

Cricket's Batting Bonanza: A Tale of Pampered Batters and Endangered BowlersIn the golden age of cricket, the game was known as a "Gentleman's Game." However, in the modern era of Twenty20 cricket, it has transformed into a "Batter's Game." The dominance of batters has become so pronounced that bowlers are facing an existential crisis.During childhood, cricket was a game of skill and strategy. The boy with the bat could not simply dismiss himself at will. However, in the current IPL, batters are pampered with fielding restrictions that make it virtually impossible for bowlers to contain them.The Indian Premier League (IPL) has become a showcase for the batting carnage that has engulfed cricket. In the ongoing edition, batters have been smashing records with impunity. Will Jacks' 41-ball century for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is just one example of the batting frenzy that has gripped the tournament.The strike rates of batters have skyrocketed. Veteran M.S. Dhoni's 229.16 may be an outlier, but even top-order batters are clocking strike rates that would make a Mumbai skyscraper blush. Travis Head, for instance, has a strike rate of 193.62.This batting dominance is not a recent phenomenon. It has been a gradual process that began with Kerry Packer's introduction of pyjama cricket under lights in Australia in the late 1970s. Cricket was no longer just about its classical avatar of Tests, as limited-overs cricket, offering floodlit instant gratification, blended entertainment into sport.As marketing departments realized the appeal of cricket and its ability to attract a new generation of fans, corporates jumped in. This led to a surge in money and celebrity status for cricketers. The over-sized sunshades, low-slung caps, and wave of the hand became synonymous with the game.Branding became an integral part of cricket, and the game played along. Tests continue to exist, but ODIs and T20s have become the cash cows. The shorter the game, the more difficult it is to target a batter's weaknesses. In Tests, bowlers can use a variety of tactics, but in ODIs and T20s, they are severely restricted.The IPL has further emboldened batting units with its impact-player substitution rule. There is always one extra player to fall back upon, giving batters even more freedom to swing for the fences.The result of this batting dominance is a decline in the art of bowling. Bowlers are no longer able to express their skills and are reduced to mere cannon fodder. R. Ashwin's recent social media post about the need to save bowlers is a testament to the crisis that the bowling fraternity is facing.The IPL and other T20 leagues have created a spectacle that is entertaining but ultimately unsustainable. The constant barrage of sixes and fours may provide instant gratification, but it is eroding the fundamental principles of cricket.The game is losing its balance, and it is time for a course correction. Cricket needs to find a way to restore the equilibrium between batters and bowlers. Otherwise, the game we love will become a mere shadow of its former self.

Piyush Chawla Ascends to Second Place in IPL Wicket-Taking HistoryMumbai Indians' seasoned spinner Piyush Chawla etched his name in the annals of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Friday, becoming the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament's history. The 35-year-old achieved this remarkable feat during the IPL 2024 match against Kolkata Knight Riders at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.Chawla's historic moment came when he dismissed Rinku Singh, claiming his 184th IPL wicket. This achievement propelled him past former Chennai Super Kings and West Indies pace legend Dwayne Bravo, who had previously held the second spot with 183 wickets.At the pinnacle of the all-time wicket-takers list stands Rajasthan Royals' spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who has amassed an impressive 200 wickets. Sunrisers Hyderabad's Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Lucknow Super Giants' Amit Mishra complete the top five, with 178 and 174 wickets, respectively.Chawla's journey to this milestone has been marked by consistency and longevity. The leg-spinner has played for several franchises over the years, including Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab, and Chennai Super Kings, before joining Mumbai Indians in 2023.Known for his guile and variations, Chawla has been a key contributor to his teams' success. His ability to bowl economically and pick up crucial wickets has made him a valuable asset in the T20 format.Chawla's achievement is a testament to his skill, dedication, and unwavering determination. It is a fitting tribute to a player who has played a significant role in the growth and popularity of the IPL.

Jasprit Bumrah Extends Record with Three-Wicket Haul in IPLMumbai Indians' pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has further cemented his dominance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) by extending his record for the most three-wicket hauls in the tournament's history. In a match against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Bumrah returned impressive figures of 3/18, taking his tally to 23 three-wicket hauls in just 131 innings.Bumrah's precision and ability to deliver under pressure have made him a formidable force in the IPL. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace and bounce has consistently troubled batsmen. Not far behind Bumrah is Yuzvendra Chahal, the crafty leg-spinner, who has claimed 20 such hauls in 154 innings. Chahal's knack for outfoxing batsmen with his guile and variations has been crucial for his teams over the years.Sri Lankan yorker specialist Lasith Malinga has also left an indelible mark on the league with 19 hauls of 3 wickets or more in 122 innings. Malinga's lethal death bowling and ability to clinch wickets at crucial junctures have made him a legend in the IPL. Veteran leg-spinner Amit Mishra rounds off this elite list with 17 hauls in 162 innings. Known for his flight and turn, Mishra has been a consistent wicket-taker, proving time and again the value of spin in the shortest format of the game.In the match against Kolkata Knight Riders, Bumrah's astonishing spell helped Mumbai Indians bowl out their opponents for a modest 169. Sri Lankan medium pacer Nuwan Thushara (3/42) blew away the top-order, while Bumrah was menacing at the back end. Skipper Hardik Pandya (2/44) also chipped in with a couple of wickets.For KKR, Venkatesh Iyer (70 off 52) and Manish Pandey (42 off 31) made significant contributions, but their efforts were not enough to propel the team to a competitive total. Mumbai Indians ultimately chased down the target with ease, thanks to a solid batting performance led by Ishan Kishan (51 off 43) and Suryakumar Yadav (43 off 30).

Justin Langer's Competitive Spirit Shines in Push-Up Challenge with Lucknow Super Giants PacerAt 53 years old, Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer proved that age is just a number when he engaged in a push-up challenge with his 24-year-old pacer, Naveen-ul-Haq. During a training session ahead of their clash against Kolkata Knight Riders, Langer showcased his unwavering competitive spirit and desire to win.In a video shared by the franchise on social media, Langer and Naveen were seen in an intense push-up battle. Despite being less than half of Langer's age, Naveen struggled to keep up with his head coach's relentless pace. Langer emerged as the clear winner, demonstrating his exceptional fitness and determination.Langer's competitive nature has been evident throughout his first season as head coach of LSG. Under his guidance, the team has secured a top-four position in the IPL points table with six wins and four losses. However, the likes of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings, and Delhi Capitals are hot on their heels as the season approaches its climax.In the past two editions of the IPL, LSG has reached the play-offs but failed to advance to the finals. Langer's experience and leadership will be crucial as the team aims to break this trend and make a deep run in the tournament.

Dhoni's Heartwarming Gesture: Jersey Presentation to CSK and MustafizurIn a touching display of camaraderie, legendary cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni presented his signed jersey to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and pacer Mustafizur Rahman. The gesture was met with immense gratitude from Mustafizur, who shared the special moment on social media."Thanks for everything Mahi bhai. It was a special feeling to share the same dressing room with a legend like you. Thanks for keeping faith in me everytime. Appreciating your valuable tips, I will remember those things," Mustafizur wrote on Twitter.The left-arm pacer expressed his eagerness to reunite with Dhoni in the future, saying, "Looking forward to meeting and playing with you again soon."Mustafizur's departure from the CSK camp for international duty has left a void in the team. CSK currently sits in fifth place on the points tally, with five wins and five losses in 10 matches.CSK head coach Stephen Fleming expressed disappointment over Mustafizur's absence, stating, "Losing Fizz (Mustafizur Rahman) is disappointing."Despite the setback, Fleming praised the performance of English pacer Richard Gleeson, who filled in for Mustafizur. "Richard Gleeson was good, and it was a positive," Fleming said.Fleming acknowledged the challenges faced by the team due to injuries and roster changes. "We've had to make a few changes, which is unusual. Again, that's part of it, and we have got the resources," he said."Just they haven't had the game time to be really comfortable with their roles and us to be comfortable with a game plan, which we're struggling a little."

Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) rising star Will Jacks experienced an unforgettable moment when batting legend Virat Kohli celebrated his match-winning century against the Gujarat Titans. Jacks' blistering knock of 100 off just 41 deliveries propelled RCB to the fastest successful chase of a 200-plus target in IPL history.Jacks' innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, with six sixes and two fours coming off the last ten deliveries he faced. His unbeaten 166-run partnership with Kohli solidified RCB's position in the playoffs race."It was quite surreal for me," Jacks said. "Having seen him do as many things as he has and to him have been celebrating for me. It was quite an amazing feeling."Kohli, who scored 70 off 44, was equally impressed with Jacks' performance. "You got your next 50 in 10 balls, 31 (ball) 50, 41 (ball) 100. Second half was your day at the golf course," Kohli said.Jacks revealed that Kohli provided valuable guidance during the initial phase of his innings. "Virat kind of helped me through my first 15 balls where I was struggling and he showed good intent which is what we had spoken about," Jacks said.Jacks' century was a testament to his exceptional talent and the growing confidence he has gained in the IPL. His partnership with Kohli showcased the depth and firepower of RCB's batting lineup, making them a formidable contender for the title.