Cricket

Gujarat Titans' pace bowler Mohit Sharma expressed the difficulty of replacing a bowler of Mohammed Shami's caliber after his team's 63-run defeat to Chennai Super Kings. Shami, India's premier pacer, is recovering from ankle surgery and will miss the IPL and T20 World Cup."Any team would miss a bowler like Shami. You can't replace him with anyone," said Sharma, who played for CSK from 2013 to 2015. "But injuries are uncontrollable, and you must move ahead."Sharma acknowledged the inexperience of GT's new bowlers, Spencer Johnson and Azmatullah Omarzai. "They haven't played much cricket yet. We must be patient with them and not become too result-oriented."He emphasized the importance of focusing on execution rather than results. "We must not bother about the runs leaked or the result, but how successful we are with our plans and how we are working on it backstage."CSK posted a formidable 206 for six, with Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rachin Ravindra, and Shivam Dube contributing significantly. GT bowlers struggled, with Umesh Yadav conceding 27 in two overs and Rashid Khan going for 49 in four overs.Sharma attributed CSK's success to their aggressive approach in the powerplay. "They tried to get the maximum out of the powerplay overs," he said. "We failed to execute our plans properly and judge the width and length during our bowling."Despite the loss, Sharma defended GT's decision to bowl first, citing the potential for dew in night games. "We knew that the dew might play a factor later during the game," he said.However, Sharma praised CSK bowlers for their execution. "Deepak (Chahar) started well, and at the end of the day, it all boils down to the number of variations you possess and when and how to use them."He refused to blame GT's batters for the poor show. "I won't say we failed to score runs, but credit to the CSK bowlers for bowling brilliantly," he said. "The wickets that we lost initially, leading to lack of partnerships, followed by CSK bowlers bowling the right length, led to our inability to up the run rate."

Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary believes that Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya will face a "bit louder" booing during the team's first home IPL game on April 1. However, Tiwary also believes that Pandya has the composure to handle it.Before the season began, Pandya took over as captain of MI in lieu of Rohit Sharma. On Sunday, when the team played against his former team, Gujarat Titans, Ahmedabad supporters jeered him. MI were defeated by six runs in the contest, and they will play their first home game at Wankhede Stadium on Monday against Rajasthan Royals."You have to see how he gets welcomed here in Mumbai because I think he is going to get booed a bit louder here...Because as a fan, Mumbai fan or a Rohit Sharma fan, nobody expected that captaincy will be given to Hardik," Tiwary told PTI Videos in an interview."And despite Rohit giving five trophies to Mumbai Indians, he has to lose the captaincy. I don't know what are the reasons but I think it has not gone down well with the fans. And that is the reaction which you see on the field," he explained.Nonetheless, Tiwary finds Pandya's handling of the criticism from fans impressive."...knowing him, whatever I have been observing of late through television, that despite getting booed, he kept his calm, he kept his nerve, which is the sign of a good temperament," he said.The 38-year-old, West Bengal's minister of sports, stated that Pandya needs to tune out the distractions and concentrate on his game in order to be ready for the T20 World Cup, which gets underway in the Americas on June 1."I believe even if he was not booed, he has to perform well to get into the Indian team to play the World cup. Because it is important for all the players to perform well and be fit as well to be available for selection.""And him being the number one all-rounder...obviously he has to be in form and to be in form he has to perform," he said.Tiwary also commented on Rishabh Pant's comeback from a life-threatening car accident in 2022. He believes the big-hitter would be back to his devastating best very soon thanks to the unflinching support of the Delhi franchise."First of all, he's not going to be any burden. In fact, it's going to be more positive impact which he brings along with him because as a player, he's one of the most talented cricketers in India, in fact in the world cricket right now," he pointed out."Obviously in the first game, he did not look at his fluent best but that is obvious because it's not easy after coming back from injury...But the intent was good from him. With a few more matches, he will be back in his elements as a match-winner," Tiwary said.Tiwary said the backing of coach Ricky Ponting and mentor Sourav Ganguly has been a key factor in aiding Pant's comeback."From last year itself, the coach of the team, Ricky Ponting, brought him into the dugout...if we all can recollect, two months ago, Sourav Ganguly said that he's going to be the captain.""So when the mentor and the coach wants him in the team from very early, that means they are not thinking him as a burden. Even if he doesn't score runs, he is still their captain, he is their leader," he said.

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill has been penalized with a hefty fine of Rs 12 lakh for violating the Indian Premier League's (IPL) over-rate regulations during their match against Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday. This marks the first offense for the Gujarat Titans under the IPL's Code of Conduct for slow over rates.Gill's team suffered their maiden defeat in the ongoing IPL season, succumbing to a 63-run loss against the defending champions, Chennai Super Kings. Despite leading the Gujarat Titans to victory in their opening match against Mumbai Indians, Gill's side faced a setback in their second outing.The IPL's statement regarding the fine emphasized that it was Gill's team's first offense of the season under the relevant Code of Conduct. As a result, Gill was imposed with a fine of Rs 12 lakh.This incident highlights the importance of maintaining the prescribed over rate in IPL matches. The league's regulations aim to ensure a fair and consistent pace of play, preventing teams from intentionally delaying the game.Gill's fine serves as a reminder to all IPL captains and teams to adhere to the over-rate guidelines. Failure to do so can result in significant financial penalties and potential disciplinary action.

Virat Kohli's resurgence in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a sight to behold. The former India captain has shed his conservative approach and embraced an aggressive style of play, leading Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to a thrilling victory over Punjab Kings.In a match-winning 49-ball 77 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Kohli showcased his dominance from the outset. He smashed five fours in the first eight balls he faced, a departure from his usual cautious start. His willingness to take advantage of the field restrictions was evident as he charged down the track to pacers, including Kagiso Rabada, and dispatched them over extra cover.Kohli's intent was unwavering even after the Powerplay. He scored 42 runs off 28 balls, including three fours and two sixes, while wickets fell around him. His ability to maintain a high strike rate against Punjab's economical left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar was particularly impressive.Kohli's recent knock suggests that he is willing to adapt to the attacking brand of cricket that has become synonymous with young India in the T20 circuit. However, the challenge lies in consistently scoring at a higher strike rate.RCB skipper Faf du Plessis praised Kohli's innings, saying, "Virat was important in the way he tempered his innings. It was not a normal Chinnaswamy pitch, where you could just hit through the line. Good to see him, he's always smiling and enjoying himself. Still very passionate about playing cricket."With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, the IPL provides Kohli with an opportunity to showcase his ability to play in fifth gear throughout. His recent performance is a testament to his determination to remain a force in the shortest format of the game.

MS Dhoni's Age-Defying Brilliance Shines in CSK's Match Against Gujarat TitansAt 42 years of age, legendary wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni continues to defy the odds, showcasing his exceptional skills in Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) match against Gujarat Titans.During the match, CSK's Daryl Mitchell bowled a full delivery to Vijay Shankar, who attempted a straight drive but only managed to edge the ball. In a moment of brilliance, Dhoni dived to his right and pulled off a spectacular catch, sending Shankar back to the pavilion.The Chepauk crowd erupted in joy as they witnessed Dhoni's remarkable effort behind the stumps. His agility and quick reflexes belied his age, proving that he remains one of the finest wicketkeepers in the game.Dhoni's catch was not the only highlight of CSK's performance. Rachin Ravindra started with a bang, scoring 46 runs off 31 balls, while Shivam Dube finished with a flourish, hitting 49 runs off 26 balls. Together, they helped CSK post a commendable 206 for 6 against Gujarat Titans.As the defending champions, CSK are determined to retain their IPL title. Their victory over Gujarat Titans in the 2023 title clash is a testament to their resilience and determination. With Dhoni at the helm, CSK remains a formidable force in the IPL, capable of overcoming any challenge.

Animal Rights Activists Condemn Abuse of Dog at IPL MatchDuring an Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, a distressing incident occurred involving a dog that inadvertently entered the field. A video of the incident has sparked outrage among animal rights activists.The video shows the dog being chased by multiple individuals, including security personnel, as it attempts to evade them. The dog is seen being kicked and punched, causing it to react in self-defense.PETA India strongly condemned the incident, calling it "reprehensible and 100% unsportsmanlike." The organization stated that the dog was likely frightened and confused, and that the repeated kicking and punching inflicted unnecessary cruelty."The dog might have felt compelled to react in self-defense due to the repeated kicking by every individual [it] encountered, including a police officer, and being punched and knocked down by a man," PETA India said.The animal rights group emphasized that such treatment not only inflicts cruelty on the dog but also increases the risk of a tragic incident. They demanded that those involved face penalties or arrest, and that stadium authorities adopt humane methods for dealing with such situations.Keren Nazareth, senior director of Companion Animal and Engagement at Humane Society International/India, highlighted that this was not the first time a dog had entered a cricket or football stadium. She emphasized the need for training for field staff on how to humanely remove dogs from such situations without harming them or others."We could definitely learn from some football matches where dogs have had a field day! The fact that we have lived by them for thousands of years, it is only fair that we start being more serious about understanding their behavior and compassionately finding solutions," Nazareth said.Animal rights activists have called for accountability and a change in approach towards animals in such situations. They urge stadium authorities and law enforcement officials to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Shubman Gill's Toss Confusion Echoes Rohit Sharma's Brain Fade MomentGujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill experienced a moment of confusion during the toss against Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday, reminiscent of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma's infamous "brain fade" incident last year.After winning the toss at Chepauk, Gill initially declared that his team would bat first. However, he quickly corrected himself, announcing that they would bowl first instead. "Bat first, bowl bowl first, sorry bowl first," Gill said with a laugh.The incident drew comparisons to Rohit Sharma's forgetful moment during an ODI against New Zealand in January 2022. When asked by commentator Ravi Shastri what India would do after winning the toss, a puzzled Rohit hesitated for 15 seconds before finally deciding to bowl first."I forgot what we wanted to do, had plenty of discussions with the team about the toss decision, just wanted to challenge ourselves under difficult conditions, but we'll bowl first," Rohit said after the toss.Gill's confusion, while not as prolonged as Rohit's, still raised eyebrows. It highlighted the pressure and responsibility that comes with captaincy, especially for young players like Gill.Despite the initial slip-up, Gill led his team to a comfortable victory over Chennai Super Kings. The Titans bowled first, restricting CSK to 133/5. In response, Gujarat Titans chased down the target with ease, winning by 7 wickets.Gill's performance as captain has been impressive so far. In his first season as skipper, he has guided the Titans to the top of the IPL standings. His ability to lead by example and make quick decisions has been crucial to the team's success.While the toss confusion may have been a minor hiccup, it serves as a reminder of the challenges and pressures that come with captaincy. Both Gill and Rohit Sharma have shown that even the most experienced players can experience moments of forgetfulness. However, their ability to recover quickly and lead their teams to victory demonstrates their resilience and determination.

Wanindu Hasaranga, the Sri Lankan all-rounder, is facing an extended absence from the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad due to persistent pain in his left heel. Despite playing through discomfort in Sri Lanka's recent limited-overs series against Bangladesh, Hasaranga's condition has raised concerns among medical experts.Sri Lanka Cricket's medical staff suspect that the pain stems from wear and tear in the musculo-skeletal apparatus of Hasaranga's left heel. To determine the exact nature of the injury and devise an appropriate management plan, Hasaranga has been advised to seek further medical consultation overseas. He is expected to travel out of Sri Lanka next week for this purpose.As a result of his ongoing medical consultations, Hasaranga has yet to join the Sunrisers squad. The target for both the player and Sri Lanka Cricket is the T20 World Cup in June, where Hasaranga is slated to captain the national team. However, if his condition requires additional rest, treatment, or rehabilitation, his return to the IPL could be further delayed.Hasaranga's absence is a significant blow to the Sunrisers, who acquired him for INR 1.5 crore (approx. USD $181,000) at the recent auction. The all-rounder had a stellar IPL season with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2022, claiming 26 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 7.54.The Sunrisers will be hoping for a speedy recovery for Hasaranga, as his all-round abilities would be a valuable asset to their team. However, the player's health and long-term fitness remain the top priority, and the franchise will support him in his efforts to manage his injury effectively.

Ravindra Jadeja's witty response to his wife's Instagram post has become a viral sensation among cricket fans. Rivaba Jadeja posted a photo of herself wearing a t-shirt with "Hukum" (Hindi for "order") written on it, in front of her husband's picture at the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) team hotel in Chennai. Jadeja's prompt reply, "Mera hukum hai room aao jaldi (my order is come back to the room quickly)," has delighted his followers.The CSK players are permitted to bring their families during the Indian Premier League (IPL), which helps them cope with the intense pressure of the tournament. The defending champions, who have won the IPL five times, will face 2022 winners Gujarat Titans in a rematch of the 2023 final, where Jadeja's heroics led CSK to victory. The iconic moment of CSK captain MS Dhoni lifting Jadeja to celebrate the title win remains etched in the minds of cricket enthusiasts.Dhoni stepped down as CSK captain at the start of this season, and the team is now led by opening batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad. Gujarat also has a new captain in Shubman Gill, after Hardik Pandya was traded to Mumbai Indians ahead of the 2024 season.Both Chennai and Gujarat won their opening games of the season against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians, respectively. The upcoming match between these two teams promises to be an exciting contest, with both sides looking to maintain their winning momentum.