Cricket

Marcus Stoinis' blistering unbeaten century propelled Lucknow Super Giants to a stunning six-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings in their IPL encounter on Tuesday. The Australian all-rounder's 124-run knock, studded with 13 fours and six sixes, helped LSG chase down a daunting target of 211 at the Chepauk.Stoinis' innings was a stark contrast to the elegant century scored by CSK opener Ruturaj Gaikwad. The Indian batter's 108-run knock, featuring 12 fours and three sixes, laid the foundation for CSK's competitive total. Shivam Dube's 66-run cameo further boosted the Super Kings' innings.Stoinis' power-hitting was on full display as he effortlessly dispatched the CSK bowlers to all parts of the ground. His six off Mustafizur Rahman, a straight drive over the bowler's head, was a testament to his brute force.At the other end, Nicholas Pooran provided valuable support with a 34-ball 51. The West Indian batter's quickfire innings, including two sixes and a four off Shardul Thakur in the 16th over, kept LSG in the hunt.Pooran's dismissal left Stoinis with the responsibility of guiding LSG home. The Australian responded with a flurry of boundaries in the 19th over, reducing the equation to 17 runs off the final over.Stoinis then smashed Mustafizur Rahman for three fours and a six in the last over, sealing the victory with three balls to spare.Earlier, Gaikwad and Dube had provided the impetus to CSK's innings after a slow start. Gaikwad's classic strokeplay, characterized by precise timing and gap placement, was a delight to watch. He reached his fifty off just 28 balls and went on to score his second IPL century.Dube's power-hitting added further momentum to the CSK innings. The left-hander smashed three consecutive sixes off Yash Thakur, helping CSK post a challenging total.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, the young and dynamic captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has etched his name in the franchise's history books by becoming the first skipper to score a century in the Indian Premier League (IPL). His magnificent innings of 108 not out against Lucknow Super Giants on Thursday showcased his exceptional batting prowess and leadership qualities.Gaikwad's century was a testament to his class and determination. He paced his innings beautifully, reaching his second IPL century off just 56 deliveries. His knock was studded with 12 boundaries and three towering sixes, highlighting his ability to score runs all around the wicket.The right-handed opener played a crucial role in guiding CSK to a massive total of 210/4. He shared a crucial 104-run partnership with Shivam Dube, who played a blistering cameo of 66 off 27 balls. Gaikwad's innings was particularly impressive considering the subdued start CSK had in the Power Play.Gaikwad's century not only showcased his exceptional batting skills but also underscored his growing stature within the team. He has emerged as a key player for CSK, leading from the front and inspiring his teammates. His milestone achievement has further elevated his reputation as one of the brightest talents in the IPL circuit.The 25-year-old's innings was a masterclass in timing and placement. He eschewed the big-hitting approach that has become prevalent in modern-day T20 cricket, instead opting to time the ball through the gaps for boundaries. His first fifty came off just 28 balls, highlighting his ability to rotate the strike and keep the scoreboard ticking.One of the most spectacular shots Gaikwad played on the night was a slice-cut off pacer Mohsin Khan that beat the point fielder for a boundary. It was a testament to his hand-eye coordination and ability to play unconventional shots.Gaikwad's century has given CSK a much-needed boost in the ongoing IPL season. The defending champions have struggled for consistency in the tournament so far, but Gaikwad's leadership and batting prowess could inspire them to turn their fortunes around.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul opted to field first against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter on Tuesday. Rahul cited the presence of dew as the reason behind his decision to chase.CSK made one change to their lineup, bringing in Daryll Mitchell for Rachin Ravindra, who has been struggling for form. LSG, on the other hand, retained the same eleven that played in their previous match.Teams:* Lucknow Super Giants: Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul (wk/c), Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Matt Henry, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Yash Thakur.* Chennai Super Kings: Ajinkya Rahane, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Daryl Mitchell, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Mustafizur Rahman, Matheesha Pathirana.Match Summary:The match began with CSK posting a competitive total of 169/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Ruturaj Gaikwad top-scored for CSK with a fluent 53, while Moeen Ali contributed a valuable 35. For LSG, Ravi Bishnoi and Mohsin Khan picked up two wickets each.In reply, LSG chased down the target with relative ease, reaching 170/3 in 19.3 overs. Quinton de Kock led the charge with an unbeaten 61, while KL Rahul chipped in with 40. Deepak Chahar and Tushar Deshpande took one wicket each for CSK.Key Points:* LSG won the toss and elected to field first due to dew.* CSK made one change to their lineup, bringing in Daryll Mitchell.* Ruturaj Gaikwad top-scored for CSK with 53.* Ravi Bishnoi and Mohsin Khan picked up two wickets each for LSG.* Quinton de Kock's unbeaten 61 helped LSG chase down the target.

MS Dhoni, the legendary former Chennai Super Kings captain, has defied the aging process with his exceptional batting performances in the ongoing IPL season. Despite being 42 years old, Dhoni has showcased his mastery by dismantling opposition bowlers and delivering breathtaking cameos to provide a late flourish for CSK while batting lower down the order.Dhoni's batting prowess has left many in awe, including former South Africa captain AB de Villiers. De Villiers believes that Dhoni's form warrants a promotion up the order in the upcoming games, which would also benefit CSK."Stats like these, it's very difficult for me to agree with that. 28 not out off 9, 20 no off 4... Look at all the not outs, it's ridiculous. At what point do we think that maybe he is in good enough form to maybe just go to number 5 or 6. I'm not saying go and bat at number 3 but just give yourself a few more deliveries. You are so destructive as a batter and you win games for CSK, you have done so for many many years. I think everyone would love to see him bat a little bit higher," De Villiers said on his YouTube channel.De Villiers emphasized that despite serving the team for so long, Dhoni remains CSK's most destructive player. "I would say over anything after over 12 to 14 somewhere their wicket falls, no matter if they one down or five down, you should go in, maybe they should do a strategy like that. I think it will be very effective for CSK. He is the most destructive player in the team after all these years. I think he is the best finisher in the entire IPL at the moment," he added.Dhoni's exceptional batting performances have not only impressed De Villiers but have also raised questions about his batting position. With his ability to win games for CSK, many believe that he should be promoted up the order to maximize his impact on the team's performance.

Deepu Ojha, a class 8 dropout from Bihar's Arrah district, has become an overnight millionaire after winning a staggering Rs 1.5 crore in an IPL fantasy gaming contest. The 25-year-old, who works as a car mechanic in a garage, struck gold by picking Andre Russell as his captain in the KKR vs RCB match on Sunday.Ojha, who confessed to having no knowledge about cricket, stumbled upon the winning combination by sheer luck. "I had no work and made the team. I saw it was a match between KKR and RCB. I had little knowledge about the players," he told PTI.Despite his lack of cricket expertise, Ojha's team performed exceptionally well, with Russell scoring a match-winning 70 runs off just 31 balls. The victory earned Ojha the top prize of Rs 1.5 crore, a life-changing amount for the young man.Ojha is yet to decide how he will use the windfall, but he is considering investing in his future and helping his family. "I am very happy. I never thought I would win such a big amount," he said.The KKR vs RCB match was a thrilling encounter, with KKR emerging victorious by a narrow margin of 1 run. However, the major talking point from the match was the controversial no-ball decision that led to the dismissal of Virat Kohli.The new Hawk-Eye technology to determine no-balls for height was used when TV umpire Michael Gough deemed a waist-high delivery from KKR's Harshit Rana fair. Kohli, who was in fine form, was caught off the very next ball, a pivotal moment in RCB's narrow loss.The no-ball decision sparked a debate about the use of technology in cricket. Some experts argued that the decision was correct, while others felt that it was a harsh call.Despite the controversy, the use of technology in cricket is generally seen as a positive development. It helps to ensure that decisions are made more accurately and consistently, which ultimately benefits the game.

Dwayne Bravo: Yorkers, Fast Bowlers, and CSK's Bowling DominanceIn the lead-up to the Indian Premier League (IPL) match against the Lucknow Super Giants, Chennai Super Kings' bowling coach Dwayne Bravo shared his insights on the significance of yorkers, his preferred fast bowlers within the squad, and the team's unwavering commitment to being the most astute bowling unit in the tournament.The Importance of YorkersBravo emphasized the pivotal role of the yorker as the primary weapon for pacers, stressing that sustained success in the T20 format hinges on mastering this delivery. He highlighted the consistent use of yorkers and their diverse variations by some of T20 cricket's most accomplished bowlers, including himself, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga, and Matheesha Pathirana."You cannot last long without a yorker. If you look at players who have had most of the success in T20 cricket, Lasith Malinga, Bumrah or Pathirana, myself when I played, we had a similar plan, try to bowl as many yorkers as possible, with our variations," said Pathirana.CSK's Preferred Fast BowlersBravo praised the young Pathirana, who shot to fame with his slingy, Malinga-like action. During the last season, he took 19 wickets in 12 matches for CSK. Currently, he has nine wickets in four games of IPL 2024."Pathirana is very special. I call him Baby Malinga. I also call him Baby GOAT (Greatest of All Time). He is not someone you try to coach because he has a natural ability and skill," Bravo said.Bravo also pointed out that Bangladesh veteran Mustafizur Rahman is also very special to him. He has taken 11 wickets in six games in the ongoing season."He has the reputation of having one of the best slower balls in the world. You don't try to over-coach these players. You just empower them with knowledge, and information and try to keep it simple," he added.CSK's Bowling PhilosophyThe West Indies legend is also impressed with pacer Tushar Deshpade, who made a name for himself with a breakthrough IPL 2023. He took 21 wickets in 16 games to guide CSK to their fifth title win.Bravo said that during the team meetings, CSK asserts its resolve to be the "smartest bowling team in the competition" and prepares for all possible scenarios and does not look to repeat its mistakes."We do drills, especially by keeping in mind the ground dimension. We practice with vision, with a purpose. When people look at us, they should see a plan, sometimes it does not work, but most times, it will," Bravo added.

RCB's Decision to Release Chahal: A Strategic Gamble with Mixed ResultsFormer Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) director of cricket, Mike Hesson, has shed light on the franchise's decision to release leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal ahead of the IPL 2022 season auction. Chahal, who recently achieved the historic milestone of 200 IPL wickets, was a key member of RCB for eight seasons.Hesson explained that the decision to not retain Chahal was primarily driven by financial considerations. By retaining only three players, RCB gained an additional four crore rupees to spend in the auction, which they hoped to use to acquire both Chahal and pacer Harshal Patel.However, RCB's plans were disrupted when Chahal's name emerged late in the auction, coinciding with their pursuit of Sri Lankan spin all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga. RCB prioritized Hasaranga, who was available earlier in the auction, and inadvertently missed out on Chahal."Yuzi (Chahal) is one I will be frustrated with until I have finished my career and probably beyond. He is an outstanding bowler," Hesson admitted.Chahal's departure from RCB has been a mixed bag for both the player and the franchise. Chahal has continued to excel with the Rajasthan Royals, claiming 61 wickets in 39 matches. RCB, on the other hand, have struggled to find a consistent replacement for Chahal, with their spin attack often proving to be a weak link.Despite the strategic rationale behind Chahal's release, Hesson acknowledged that it was a difficult decision to make. "It's a tough one because you're losing a quality player," he said. "But at the end of the day, you have to make decisions that you think are best for the team."

Dinesh Karthik's Missed Singles Cost RCB Dearly in Narrow IPL Defeat, Says Harbhajan SinghFormer India spinner Harbhajan Singh has criticized Dinesh Karthik's decision to decline singles in the final over of Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) narrow one-run defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).RCB appeared poised for victory after Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar forged a century partnership. However, Karthik's reluctance to take singles proved costly, as he ultimately fell to Andre Russell on the final ball of the over."I feel DK was a very important player in this match," Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel. "Karn (Sharma) came in and struck three sixes, while they were batting Karthik missed two to three singles and I feel that it proved costly for RCB."Harbhajan believes that Karthik's missed singles could have made a significant difference in the outcome of the match. "If he had taken those singles then maybe this situation wouldn't have unfolded," he said. "They only needed one run, small things matter."RCB skipper Faf du Plessis had won the toss and elected to field first. Phil Salt's explosive 48 in 14 balls gave KKR a strong start, but wickets fell regularly at the other end. Shreyas Iyer (50), Rinku Singh (24), Andre Russell (27*), and Ramandeep Singh (24*) contributed valuable runs to take KKR to 222/6.RCB lost Virat Kohli (18) and du Plessis (7) early, but Jacks (55) and Patidar (52) revived their hopes with a 102-run partnership. However, their efforts proved insufficient as Karthik's missed singles ultimately cost RCB the match.

Sunil Narine, the enigmatic West Indian all-rounder, has unequivocally ruled out a return to international cricket, despite his exceptional form for Kolkata Knight Riders in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Narine, 35, has been in scintillating form, leading the tournament's MVP standings with a remarkable 109 not out from 56 balls against Rajasthan Royals last week, his maiden T20 century. He is also KKR's joint-leading wicket-taker, with nine scalps at an impressive economy rate of 7.10.Narine's resurgence has sparked calls for his recall to the West Indies squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be hosted in the Caribbean and USA. West Indies' T20I captain, Rovman Powell, has openly expressed his desire to have Narine back in the fold, but the off-spinner has remained adamant in his decision to stay retired.In a statement issued by KKR, Narine expressed his gratitude for the support and well wishes he has received but reiterated his decision to remain retired from international cricket. "I'm truly flattered and humbled that my performances recently have moved many people to publicly express their wish for me to come out of retirement and play in the upcoming T20 World Cup," Narine wrote. "I have made peace with that decision and whilst I never wish to disappoint, that door is now closed and I will be supporting the guys who take the field in June for West Indies."Narine's decision is a blow to West Indies' hopes of winning their third T20 World Cup title. The Caribbean side has struggled in recent years, failing to qualify for the Super 12 stage of the last two tournaments. Narine's experience and skill would have been invaluable to a team looking to make a deep run in their home tournament.However, Narine's decision is understandable. He has been plagued by injuries throughout his career and has expressed a desire to spend more time with his family. He has also been critical of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) in the past, accusing them of mismanagement and a lack of support for players.Despite his absence from international cricket, Narine remains one of the most respected and feared players in the world. His performances in the IPL have shown that he is still capable of producing match-winning performances at the highest level.