Cricket

High-flying Rajasthan Royals will face a resurgent Lucknow Super Giants in a crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) match in Lucknow on April 26. The Royals, who have won seven of their eight games, will be looking to continue their winning streak and consolidate their position at the top of the standings. The Super Giants, on the other hand, have won five of their eight games and are placed fourth.The Royals have been in ominous form this season, with Assam batter Riyan Parag emerging as their batting mainstay. The youngster has scored 318 runs in eight games, including a match-winning 104 against Mumbai Indians. Skipper Sanju Samson and West Indian Shimron Hetymer have also contributed significantly to the team's success.The Royals' bowling attack is equally impressive, featuring experienced pacers Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, and Sandeep Sharma. The spin department is led by Yuzvendra Chahal, who has taken 13 wickets in eight games.The Super Giants will be seeking revenge after losing to the Royals by 20 runs in their first encounter this season. They will be buoyed by the return to form of Marcus Stoinis, who smashed an unbeaten century in their last game against Chennai Super Kings.KL Rahul's side also boasts a strong batting lineup, with Quinton de Kock, Deepak Hooda, and Nicholas Pooran capable of scoring big runs. However, their bowling has been a concern, with Mayank Yadav missing the last few games due to a lower abdominal strain.The match promises to be a thrilling contest between two evenly matched teams. The Royals will be the slight favorites, but the Super Giants will be determined to prove their worth and climb up the leaderboard.

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram, renowned for his exceptional bowling prowess, recently reminisced about his time as the bowling coach of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) from 2010 to 2016. During a recent interaction, Akram shared a memorable anecdote involving a young Sanju Samson, who was then a shy 16-year-old.Akram recalled that due to a shortage of bowlers in the camp, he had the opportunity to bowl in the nets. As Samson came to bat, Akram noticed his quiet demeanor and impressive wicketkeeping skills. However, it was Samson's batting that caught Akram's attention.Akram began by testing Samson with a couple of outswingers, but the youngster remained unfazed. Determined to make an impact, Akram unleashed an inswinging delivery that rattled Samson's stumps. Akram couldn't resist giving Samson a playful send-off, recognizing his potential as a future star."At that time, he did not get a chance, but I felt that he had the potential to become a good player in the future," Akram said. "He was silent. He was a young kid. When big names are around you, you tend to come under pressure. I was with him for a short time only, but I got that feeling that he can become a good player."Samson's journey since then has been remarkable. He has emerged as a key player for Rajasthan Royals, leading the franchise to the top of the table in the ongoing IPL season. Akram's early assessment of Samson's talent has proven to be accurate, as the youngster has blossomed into a formidable batsman.

Former South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs has sparked a debate on the intricacies of batting in challenging conditions, following Sunrisers Hyderabad's loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Gibbs took to social media to express his perspective on the complexities of batting on slower pitches, highlighting the exceptional skill and composure required to chase a challenging target on such surfaces."I know Travis Head said he wants 300 but chasing 207 on a slower wicket would have been just as skillful," Gibbs remarked, referring to SRH opener Travis Head's earlier comments about wanting to score 300 runs in an innings.Gibbs' post served as a reminder that chasing a challenging target on a surface unsuitable for free-flowing batting requires exceptional skill and composure from the batters."Talking international cricket, I'm pretty sure 300 in T20s and 500 in ODIs will be scored but the beauty will always be in the chase," Gibbs later said in a separate post.The context of Gibbs' tweet stemmed from Head and his opening partner, Abhishek Sharma, jesting about their ambition to see a "3" at the start of the team's total, hinting at their desire to score 300 runs or more.However, the reality on the Hyderabad pitch proved to be a tough challenge for SRH's batting lineup, as they struggled to keep up with the required run rate, ultimately falling short by 36 runs against RCB.Despite the loss, SRH maintained a firm hold on the third position on the IPL 2024 league table, while RCB continued to strive for a comeback from the bottom spot.Gibbs' comments have sparked a debate among cricket enthusiasts, highlighting the importance of adaptability and skill in batting on different surfaces and conditions.

West Indies Stars Narine and Russell's Bizarre IPL Schedule: Staying Up All Night, Sleeping During the DayFormer Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram has shed light on the unusual sleep patterns of West Indies cricketers Sunil Narine and Andre Russell during the Indian Premier League (IPL). Akram, who coached Narine and Russell at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), revealed that the duo adheres to a nocturnal schedule while in India."When I was with KKR, I would wake up early for breakfast. Sunil Narine came for breakfast with swollen eyes. I asked him, 'Hey mate! What's happening?'" Akram recalled. "He said, 'I haven't slept.' I said, 'What do you mean you haven't slept?' He said, 'I am on West Indies time.'"Narine explained that he stays up all night and sleeps during the day in India, a practice that Russell also follows. This peculiar schedule stems from the significant time difference between India and the West Indies, which is 9 hours and 30 minutes.Despite their unconventional sleep habits, Narine and Russell have been instrumental in KKR's success. Narine has been a key contributor with both bat and ball, opening the batting and scoring 286 runs in the first seven matches. He has also taken nine wickets.Russell, on the other hand, has scored 155 runs and taken nine wickets in seven games. His explosive batting and all-round abilities have made him a valuable asset for KKR.Akram's revelation highlights the unique challenges faced by international cricketers who travel to different time zones for tournaments. While some players may struggle to adjust to the time difference, others, like Narine and Russell, have found ways to adapt and maintain their performance levels.

Virat Kohli, the former Indian captain and current Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) star, continues to captivate fans with his exceptional performances on and off the field. Despite RCB's struggles in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), Kohli remains the tournament's leading run-scorer, donning the coveted Orange Cap.In the recent match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Kohli once again showcased his brilliance, scoring a crucial 51 off 43 deliveries, including a six and four boundaries. His innings played a pivotal role in RCB's 35-run victory.Kohli's popularity extends beyond his team loyalties. During the match, fans from both RCB and SRH chanted his name, eager to witness his batting prowess. The official IPL Twitter handle shared a heartwarming video capturing Kohli's pre-match batting practice, where he interacted with fans and displayed his signature fielding skills.The video also highlights Kohli's infectious enthusiasm and camaraderie with his teammates. As RCB secured the victory, Kohli was seen laughing and celebrating with his fellow players, demonstrating his unwavering passion for the game.Kohli's contributions extend beyond his on-field performances. He is known for his dedication to fitness and his commitment to improving his craft. His unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of excellence have made him an inspiration to aspiring cricketers and fans alike.As RCB prepares for their next match against Gujarat Titans on Sunday, Kohli's presence will undoubtedly be a source of motivation for his team and a spectacle for fans. His ability to connect with the crowd and inspire his teammates makes him a true icon of the sport.

Virat Kohli's cautious approach in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has sparked a debate among cricket experts. In Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kohli's measured innings contrasted with Rajat Patidar's explosive knock.Kohli, known for his aggressive batting, played a more calculated game, scoring 51 off 43 balls. He focused on rotating the strike, allowing Patidar to take the lead in scoring. This strategy drew criticism from commentator Sunil Gavaskar, who questioned Kohli's low strike rate.Former cricketer Ajay Jadeja analyzed Kohli's innings, dividing it into two phases. He noted Kohli's aggressive start but questioned RCB's batting order, suggesting it limited adaptability. "When Virat Kohli started, he looked to be in a different mood altogether," Jadeja said. "But the main difference between SRH and RCB is that when RCB got ahead, they slowed down."RP Singh shared similar views, commending Kohli's assertiveness in the Powerplay but expressing concern about his subsequent slowdown. "He has transformed himself inside the Powerplay," Singh said. "But once the wicket fell, he got slow."Kohli's approach has raised questions about his role in the team and his preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup. While some argue that his cautious approach is a sign of maturity, others believe it could hinder RCB's chances of success.As the IPL season progresses, Kohli's batting will remain under scrutiny. His ability to adapt to different situations and strike a balance between aggression and caution will be crucial for RCB's success and his own performance in the T20 World Cup.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) head coach Daniel Vettori has identified the team's need to improve its chasing abilities as the Indian Premier League (IPL) enters its crucial stages. SRH currently sits third in the standings with five wins from eight games, but four of those victories have come while batting first."We have been successful setting totals and now we have to look at how well we are in chasing," Vettori said after SRH's 35-run loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Thursday.RCB posted a challenging 206 for 7 after opting to bat and then restricted SRH to 171 for 8. Despite breaching the 250-run mark thrice this season, SRH struggled to chase down the target due to a rare failure of its top and middle-order."Obviously, disappointing one where we have come from in the last four games; we played some really good cricket and even though we lost, you could see if we had some wickets at the back end, we could have still chased it down," Vettori said."Those early wickets broke everything. We were confident for the scores we were being able to put up. We though that 206 was a good score, we probably let a few runs in the field. But there was confidence in the group because of past performances."Vettori emphasized that there are no easy games in the IPL. "Unfortunately, we didn't get the support through the middle stages. It's a tough loss but we understand every team in the IPL can beat every team. There are no easy games at all," he said.The coach also downplayed the significance of an anchor role in high-scoring matches. "I think the wicket was still pretty good. The guys who came off said that it is a surface where you can score on. Anchor role when you are chasing 207 it is hard to come, you obviously need to be aggressive. For some to sit along and play anchor role is a little bit tricky."Meanwhile, RCB all-rounder Swapnil Singh expressed relief after his side snapped its six-match losing streak. "Experience was good but we won the game that was more important. When you win a game, the tempo in the team changes. It feels good. Last two games we missed by small difference but still long way to go," he said.Singh said they felt the target was achievable despite SRH's aggressive batting order. "The ball was stopping. Our main aim was to spin the ball and bowl slower as a fast bowler. It helped, we knew that they will come hard at us and obviously they did.""Yes, we felt so because the wicket was stopping when we were batting as well and dew was not there," he added.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Faf du Plessis breathed a sigh of relief after his team snapped a six-match losing streak with a convincing 35-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Thursday."The last two games, we've shown great signs of fight. The SRH game was 270 plus, we got 260. The KKR game as well - 1 run. We've been close for a while, but you need to win matches to get confidence as a group. Will sleep easier tonight," du Plessis said at the post-match presentation ceremony.The RCB captain emphasized the importance of performances in building confidence within the team. "You can't speak confidence into the group, can't fake confidence into the group. Only thing that gives confidence is performances," he said.While Virat Kohli has been the leading run-scorer for RCB, du Plessis expressed satisfaction that other batters are also contributing. "The competition is so strong, the teams are so strong that you'll get hurt if you're not at 100 percent. More guys are scoring runs now. First half of the tournament only Virat was scoring runs. Greeny scoring runs now will be massive for him," he said.Chasing 207, SRH's aggressive approach with the bat backfired as they found themselves at 69-5 in the 8th over. They were unable to recover from that early setback and eventually fell short of the target.RCB's victory was a much-needed boost for the team, which had been struggling for form in recent matches. The win will give them confidence as they look to climb up the IPL standings.

IPL Ticket Black Market Thrives in Chennai, PIL Seeks CrackdownA public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Madras High Court, alleging the rampant sale of Indian Premier League (IPL) tickets in the black market in Chennai. The petition, filed by advocate A. Sathiya Prakash, seeks stringent action against those involved in this illegal activity.The petitioner claims that the black market prevents genuine cricket fans from purchasing tickets at fair prices. He states that while the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) sells tickets online, they are quickly snapped up by scalpers who resell them at exorbitant rates.According to the PIL, tickets for the lower stand, which are priced at ₹1,000, are being sold for ₹14,000 to ₹16,000. The petitioner alleges that a "huge black market mafia" is operating behind the sale of IPL tickets in Chennai.The petitioner cites recent arrests made by the city police as evidence of the black market's prevalence. In March, five persons were arrested for selling eight tickets for the IPL match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at 10 times the actual price.On March 27, 24 persons were arrested for selling tickets in black for the CSK versus Gujarat Titans match. The police seized 83 tickets and ₹18,000 in cash from them.The petitioner argues that the black market deprives genuine fans of the opportunity to witness IPL matches. He urges the court to direct the Greater Chennai Commissioner of Police and TNCA to take stringent action against those involved in the illegal sale of tickets.The PIL is scheduled for admission before the first Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay V. Gangapurwala and Justice D. Bhratha Chakravarthy on Friday.