Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed some exceptional performances from wicketkeepers this season, intensifying the competition for the second wicketkeeper's slot in the Indian team for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Former South African captain Graeme Smith believes that Sanju Samson and KL Rahul have emerged as strong contenders.Samson's unbeaten 71 off 33 balls for Rajasthan Royals and Rahul's 76 off 48 balls for Lucknow Super Giants have showcased their class. Smith praised Samson's partnership with Dhruv Jurel, who contributed an unbeaten 52 off 34 balls, saying, "They had an incredible partnership to get them over the line."Former Australian pacer Brett Lee lauded Jurel's contribution, describing him as a "quality batter" with "proper cricket shots." Lee noted Jurel's ability to "play all formats of the game" and his "classy" shots.Smith also highlighted the strength of Rajasthan Royals' squad, stating, "They had (Shimron) Hetmyer still to bat, so there was a lot in the tank, lots of match-winners with the bat and ball."The Indian squad for the T20 World Cup is expected to be announced soon, with Rishabh Pant likely to be the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter. However, the performances of Samson and Rahul have put pressure on the selectors to consider them for the second wicketkeeper's role.

Shubman Gill Recalls Virat Kohli's Inspiring Advice: 'You Can Score a 100 in Your First Innings'Ahead of the highly anticipated clash between Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League (IPL), rising star Shubman Gill has shared a memorable encounter with Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli.Gill, who is often hailed as the 'Prince' of Indian cricket, has long admired Kohli's batting prowess and leadership qualities. In a recent video shared by the host broadcaster, Gill revealed his first conversation with Kohli during a tour of New Zealand."When I spoke to him for the first time, he told me that every time a new kid comes, people say he needs a couple of chances, he needs some innings to get through," Gill recalled. "But he said, 'I think if you are good and capable, then you can start from your first innings, you can score a 100 in your first innings.'"Kohli's words left a lasting impression on Gill, who realized the importance of self-belief and seizing opportunities. "I came to know what kind of a person he is and I really liked it," Gill said. "He saw that capability in me and said I had to give it my 100%."Gill's admiration for Kohli extends beyond his batting skills. He also values Kohli's unwavering determination and competitive spirit. "He's a very competitive person, and he wants to win every game," Gill said. "He's a great leader, and he always puts the team first."As Gujarat Titans prepare to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gill is eager to put Kohli's advice into practice. With both teams looking to improve their standings in the IPL, the match promises to be a thrilling contest.

At 42 years young, MS Dhoni continues to defy age and dominate the Indian Premier League (IPL). With a remarkable batting strike rate of 260.00, Dhoni has yet to be dismissed in this edition, amassing 91 runs in 8 matches and 6 innings.As Chennai Super Kings prepare to face Sunrisers Hyderabad, Dhoni has revealed his secret to staying fresh and energized throughout the tournament. In a video shared by the host broadcaster, Dhoni explains his unconventional sleep schedule."Five to seven days before the IPL starts, I start thinking like that and training my mind," Dhoni says. "The plus point we had was that we used to try to catch the flight that was after 12."Dhoni's sleep schedule involves sleeping late and waking up late. "I would sleep very late because when the matches are on, from 8 to 11-11.30 is the schedule, after that post-match presentations then you would pack your kit bag, there would be late dinner," he explains."By the time you reach back to the hotel, it's almost 1-1:15. After that you have to pack your belongings in the hotel, leave the kit bag outside and by the time you do all of that, it's pretty late, let's say around 2:30," Dhoni adds."So instead of sleeping from 10 pm to 6 am or 11 pm to 7 am, I would sleep from 3 am to 11 am. So the minimum 8 hours sleep that I need, that I have to do for sure. I was always well-rested at night, never felt fatigued after the IPL got over."Dhoni's unique sleep schedule has allowed him to remain sharp and focused throughout the tournament. Coming in at the fag end of CSK innings, Dhoni has not only entertained the crowd but also scored crucial runs for his team.CSK currently sits at the sixth spot in the points table with 4 wins and 4 defeats in 8 matches. Dhoni's experience and leadership will be crucial as the team looks to improve its position and make a strong playoff push.

Mayank Yadav, the young pace sensation from India, has emerged as a standout performer for the Lucknow Super Giants in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. His raw pace and precision have impressed fans and experts alike, but his promising start was abruptly halted by an injury during the third game for the franchise.Former India pacer Varun Aaron has weighed in on the matter, suggesting that a minor flaw in Yadav's bowling action could be contributing to his injury risks. Aaron, known for his own pace and action, commended Yadav's technique but highlighted that his left arm gets stuck into his hip when it comes down."His action is really, really good, and I really love his action. The only place where I feel he could look is where his left arm is. When it comes down, it gets stuck into his hip," Aaron shared on Star Sports.Aaron suggested that allowing the left arm to flow through instead of getting stuck could alleviate some of the strain on Yadav's body, potentially reducing the risk of injury."So when you talk about generating force and then releasing that force. If you are generating so much force, force is not getting released in the same intensity. You're gonna have a blockage, there's gonna be injuries. So if he can get his left arm go through instead of getting stuck. That will definitely put a little less load on the body," Aaron elaborated.Despite the setback, there's hope on the horizon for the 21-year-old speedster. After a near three-week layoff due to a lower abdominal injury, Yadav has resumed bowling in the nets, indicating progress toward a return to action. Lucknow Super Giants' assistant coach Sridharan Sriram expressed optimism about Yadav's recovery, hinting that he is nearing a comeback.Yadav's electrifying performances in his maiden IPL stint, where he consistently breached the 150 km/h mark and impressed with his wicket-taking ability, have undoubtedly left a lasting impression. His return to action will be eagerly anticipated by fans and experts alike, who are keen to see him continue his promising journey in the world of cricket.

Mumbai Indians' Ishan Kishan Fined for Code of Conduct BreachMumbai Indians wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been reprimanded and fined 10% of his match fees for violating the Indian Premier League (IPL) Code of Conduct during their match against Delhi Capitals.The incident occurred at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. According to an IPL statement, Kishan committed a Level 1 offense under Article 2.2 of the Code of Conduct. The specific nature of the offense was not disclosed, but Article 2.2 encompasses actions outside the normal course of cricket, such as damaging equipment or fixtures.Kishan admitted to the offense and accepted the Match Referee's sanction. For Level 1 breaches, the Match Referee's decision is final and binding.The IPL Code of Conduct aims to maintain fair play and sportsmanship within the league. It outlines various offenses and corresponding penalties, ranging from reprimands to suspensions.Kishan's fine serves as a reminder to players of the importance of adhering to the Code of Conduct. It also highlights the IPL's commitment to upholding the integrity and reputation of the tournament.Despite the incident, Kishan remains a key player for Mumbai Indians. His aggressive batting and wicketkeeping skills have been instrumental in the team's success in recent seasons.

K.L. Rahul's resilient knock of 76 runs and a crucial partnership with Deepak Hooda propelled Lucknow Super Giants to a competitive total of 196 for five against Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium in Lucknow.Rahul's innings was a tale of recovery and determination. After losing Quinton de Kock and Marcus Stoinis early to Trent Boult and Sandeep Sharma, respectively, Rahul steadied the ship with a composed 48-ball knock. He overcame a shaky start, where he lost his balance and fell down while attempting a slog sweep, to anchor the Lucknow innings.Rahul's partnership with Hooda was the cornerstone of Lucknow's recovery. The duo combined for 115 runs for the third wicket, with Hooda contributing a brisk 48 off 30 deliveries. Hooda showcased his off-side range, punching Boult through covers and backward point with ease.Avesh Khan's 21-run eighth over proved to be a turning point in the match. Rahul started the over with a chip over mid-wicket before hooking a No Ball over the fine-leg fielder. He then dispatched a full toss on the Free Hit to bisect the boundary riders at deep mid-wicket and long on.However, Lucknow's momentum was halted by the dismissal of Hooda, who holed out at long on immediately after reaching his half-century. Nicholas Pooran failed to make an impact, while Ayush Badoni's late flourish was not enough to push Lucknow past the 200-run mark.In the end, Lucknow's total of 196 for five proved to be a challenging target for Rajasthan Royals, who eventually fell short by 24 runs.

Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant has raised concerns about the impact player rule, expressing that it is making it increasingly difficult for teams to defend high totals. This comes after Delhi Capitals' back-to-back high-scoring victories in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where chasing teams Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians came close to pulling off improbable wins.In their match against Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals posted a mammoth 257 for 4, their highest ever IPL total. However, despite some explosive hitting from Tilak Varma (63 off 32), Mumbai Indians managed to reach 247 for 9, falling just 10 runs short."We were pretty happy with 250 on the board, but with the impact sub, it is getting difficult each and every day," Pant said after the match.To counter the threat of Mumbai Indians' batters, Pant resorted to standing up to the stumps against medium pacers Mukesh Kumar and Rasikh Dar. "Definitely, I can keep up to the stumps, but the bowler also should be confident... with batters like Tim David walking down, and today it worked," he explained.Pant also praised Jake Fraser-McGurk, who has impressed with his aggressive batting in the IPL. "He has been amazing since the first day, and this is what you want from a younger player. He's getting better and better with each game," Pant said.Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya acknowledged his team's lack of game awareness, particularly in not attacking left-arm spinner Axar Patel more aggressively. "We could have taken a couple of more chances in the middle overs. The left-handers could have probably gone after Axar a little bit. It's something we missed out in terms of game awareness," Pandya said.He also expressed admiration for Fraser-McGurk's batting, saying, "It was quite amazing the way Fraser-McGurk batted. He took calculated risks, he played the field really well. It shows the fearlessness of youth."

Chennai Super Kings' batting coach Michael Hussey has attributed the team's recent struggles with spin bowling to the presence of dew on the ground at their home stadium. Hussey explained that the dew makes it difficult for the spinners to grip the ball and impart spin, rendering them less effective."In the last few matches, the dew has been a challenge for the bowlers," Hussey said. "Our game plan has been based around spin over many years. We have always had good spinners and spinning conditions here.""So, with the dew, then sometimes that takes the spinner out of the game. I mean, just the other night (against LSG), the spin bowlers were finding it very difficult to hold the ball. They couldn't get any spin on the ball. It was just getting on nicely under the bat. So, it makes it very challenging."Hussey emphasized that the dew is not an excuse for the team's poor performance, but rather a factor that they must adapt to. He believes that the team that manages to handle the dew conditions better will have an advantage."But again, it's no excuse," Hussey said. "We've just got to try and deal with it as best as we possibly can. It's hopefully the same for both the teams. And the team that just manages that situation the best, can hopefully come out on top."Despite the challenges posed by the dew, Hussey remains confident in the team's ability to perform well at home. He pointed out that the team still has a strong record at the stadium and that they are supported by a passionate crowd."Our record is still pretty good here at home," Hussey said. "We've still got a great crowd that supports us. We know the conditions pretty well. It's just that sometimes the dew factor makes it a bit more challenging."

In a breathtaking display of boundary-hitting, Delhi Capitals' Tristan Stubbs unleashed a barrage of shots against Mumbai Indians' Luke Wood in their IPL clash on Saturday. The Arun Jaitley Stadium witnessed a boundary-fest as Stubbs plundered 26 runs off Wood's 18th over, smashing five fours and a six.Stubbs' onslaught began with a scoop over wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan on the leg side, followed by another scoop to fine-leg. He then targeted the other side of the ground, hitting two reverse-scoops over the short-third fielder off yorker-length deliveries. The first reverse-scoop sailed over the fence for a six, while the second was a low full-toss that Stubbs connected with another perfect reverse-scoop for a four.With 18 runs already conceded off the first four balls, Wood attempted a slower bouncer on the penultimate delivery. However, Stubbs read it early and belted it to the deep mid-wicket fence. The final ball of the over was another slower off-cutter, which Stubbs dispatched to the same region.Stubbs' unbeaten 25-ball 48 powered DC to their highest IPL score ever of 257 for 4. Earlier, Jake Fraser-McGurk had set the tone for DC's batting onslaught with a blistering 27-ball 84. The 22-year-old opener equalled his own record for the fastest fifty this season, reaching the milestone off just 15 balls.