Cricket

Kolkata Knight Riders Fan Tries to Hide Match Ball, Faces Police WrathIn an unusual incident during the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs. Mumbai Indians match in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, a young fan attempted to conceal a match ball that had landed in the stands, resulting in a confrontation with a police officer.The incident occurred on May 11 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata during a rain-shortened 16-overs-a-side match. As a six sailed into the stands, the fan, identified as a young boy, tried to hide the ball under his clothes.However, his attempt was thwarted by a vigilant police officer who retrieved the ball and escorted the boy towards the exit gate. A video of the incident, captured by a spectator, has gone viral on social media.The incident sparked a debate on social media, with some users criticizing the fan's behavior while others questioned the police officer's excessive force.KKR emerged victorious in the match, defeating Mumbai by 18 runs. The win secured a playoff berth for KKR while eliminating Mumbai from the tournament.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir expressed immense relief after the team secured a berth in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs with a thrilling victory over Mumbai Indians (MI) on Saturday.KKR's resurgence this season has been attributed to Gambhir's astute guidance. After finishing seventh in the previous two seasons, the team has displayed remarkable improvement under his leadership.Former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu lauded Gambhir's impact on KKR's turnaround. "Gautam Gambhir gets inspired when the situation gets tough. He starts advising, and that's how it should be," Sidhu said.Sidhu highlighted KKR's exceptional bowling performance, with five players claiming 10 or more wickets. "KKR is the only team with six bowlers who have taken 60 wickets between them," he emphasized.Sidhu questioned the decision to acquire Australian pacer Mitchell Starc for a hefty sum, instead praising Sunil Narine as the "MVP" of the tournament. "The most valuable player is Sunil Narine. Who got Starc? Everybody was talking about Rs 23 crore. The cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. It is the value addition, boss!" Sidhu exclaimed.KKR's victory over MI was a testament to their newfound resilience. Despite MI's aggressive chase, Harshit Rana's dismissal of Tilak Varma in the final over sealed the deal for KKR.Gambhir's presence in the dugout has instilled a sense of belief and determination in the team. With KKR sitting atop the standings with 19 points from 13 matches, they are poised to make a strong run in the playoffs.

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs fast approaching, the race for the top four intensifies with only seven league-stage matches remaining. After the rain-abandoned match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans, KKR has secured a top-two finish, while Gujarat, Punjab Kings, and Mumbai Indians have been eliminated.Six teams remain in contention for the playoffs:* Kolkata Knight Riders (19 points, 1 match left)* Rajasthan Royals (18 points, 2 matches left)* Chennai Super Kings (18 points, 2 matches left)* Royal Challengers Bangalore (12 points, 1 match left)* Delhi Capitals (12 points, 1 match left)* Lucknow Super Giants (12 points, 1 match left)On Tuesday, Delhi Capitals host Lucknow Super Giants in a crucial match that could significantly impact the playoff race.If Lucknow Super Giants Win:* Delhi Capitals will be eliminated from playoff contention.* Lucknow's chances of qualifying will improve, but they will need to beat Mumbai Indians in their last match and hope that Sunrisers Hyderabad lose both their remaining matches.If Delhi Capitals Win:* Delhi will remain in the playoff race, but their hopes will depend on results in other matches.* They will need Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants to lose their remaining matches.* Sunrisers Hyderabad will also need to lose their last two games with big margins for Delhi to qualify.The remaining matches will be crucial in determining the final four teams that will advance to the playoffs. With every win and loss, the playoff scenarios continue to change, making the race for the top four an exciting and unpredictable affair.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured a top-two finish in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign after their match against the Gujarat Titans (GT) was washed out due to rain. This result guarantees KKR two chances to reach the final.Despite the match being abandoned, the focus shifted to KKR star Nitish Rana's hilarious conversation with commentator Harsha Bhogle. Rana, who has been sidelined with injuries this season, made a witty remark when Bhogle commented on his hands."Yeah, it's fine now, but I can't show it here on camera because it's the middle finger (chuckles)," Rana said. "I'm happy to be back in the team after missing 10 matches. It was a challenging period for me, as I've never sat out for so many games in the IPL. I'm grateful to the KKR management for their faith in me and their belief that I can still make an impact in the game."Rana's return to the team was a welcome sight for KKR, who have struggled with injuries this season. The all-rounder missed 10 games after injuring himself in the first match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Youngster Angrish Raghuvanshi filled in for Rana during his absence and impressed with his batting performances.Rana made his comeback against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Saturday (May 11) in Kolkata and scored 33 runs in 23 balls. However, the match against GT was abandoned due to rain, with no ball being bowled. The points were shared, strengthening KKR's position at the top of the points table and officially eliminating Gujarat Titans from the playoffs race.KKR's top-two finish ensures that they will have two opportunities to reach the final. The team has been in impressive form this season, led by the likes of Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Pat Cummins. They will be looking to capitalize on their momentum and secure a spot in the championship match.

Kolkata Knight Riders' Rinku Singh has endured a challenging season in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), scoring only 168 runs in 12 matches compared to his impressive 474-run tally last year. Despite being touted as a potential candidate for India's T20 World Cup squad, Rinku was only selected as one of four traveling reserves.Reflecting on his form, Rinku acknowledged, "I haven't had enough opportunities to bat, and even when I did, I couldn't perform as well as I wanted for the team. I've been experiencing some ups and downs, but I'm trying to stay mentally strong and calm. I keep believing in myself and hope to improve in the next match. I don't dwell on the past and focus on the present."In KKR's recent match against Mumbai Indians (MI), Rinku played a brief but impactful innings of 20 runs off 12 balls, contributing to his team's 18-run victory in a rain-affected encounter. After rain delayed the toss and start of play, the game was reduced to 16 overs per side. KKR posted 157-7, with Venkatesh Iyer top-scoring with 42 off 21 balls.In response, MI finished on 139-8, with Tilak Varma scoring a quickfire 32 off 17 balls before falling to fast bowler Harshit Rana, who took two wickets in the final over. Varun Chakravarthy and Andre Russell also claimed two wickets each, securing KKR's playoff berth.KKR captain Shreyas Iyer praised his team's performance, saying, "We were playing fantastic cricket, and the boys have taken responsibility. There have been many game-changers. The boys have shown great attitude, and it was on display today. We have a mindset to win from any situation."With their victory, KKR secured a top-two finish, giving them two chances to qualify for the playoffs.

Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) all-rounder Sunil Narine etched his name in the history books of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Saturday during their clash against Mumbai Indians (MI). Narine became the third cricketer to achieve the remarkable feat of scoring 400 runs and claiming 15 wickets in a single season of the cash-rich league, joining the elite company of Shane Watson and Jacques Kallis.The match at Eden Gardens was reduced to a 16-over contest due to rain, and Narine played a crucial role in KKR's victory. He dismissed opener Ishan Kishan in his three-over spell, taking his tally to 15 wickets for the season. With 461 runs already under his belt, Narine became the third player to achieve the unique double of 400 runs and 15 wickets in an IPL season.Watson had achieved this feat for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2008, scoring 472 runs and taking 17 wickets. Kallis had also accomplished the same for KKR in IPL 2012, with 409 runs and 15 wickets.KKR's victory was largely due to a collective effort from their spinners. Varun Chakravarthy, Andre Russell, and Harshit Rana combined to restrict MI to 139/8 in their 16 overs, despite a valiant effort from Ishan Kishan (40) and Tilak Varma (32).KKR's top-order batsmen also played their part, with Venkatesh Iyer (42), Nitish Rana (33), and Andre Russell (24) contributing valuable runs. Rinku Singh's quickfire 20 off 12 balls helped KKR reach a competitive total of 157/7.With this victory, KKR cemented their position at the top of the points table, while MI remained rooted to the bottom. KKR's impressive performance has been built on the all-round contributions of players like Narine, who continue to make significant impacts on the game.

Rohit Sharma's KKR Meet-Up Fuels Transfer Rumors Amidst Mumbai Indians Exit SpeculationsFormer Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma's recent meeting with Kolkata Knight Riders coaches and support staff has ignited rumors of his potential departure from the five-time IPL champions. During a rain delay ahead of the MI vs KKR match at Eden Gardens, Rohit was spotted in the KKR dressing room, engaging in an animated conversation with assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, bowling coach Bharat Arun, and players Manish Pandey and KS Bharat.These rumors have been circulating since Hardik Pandya controversially took over the captaincy from Rohit, reportedly leaving the opener unhappy with the franchise. Social media has been abuzz with speculation that Rohit may leave MI after this season.Rohit's meeting with KKR coaches on Saturday has further fueled the transfer talks. Earlier, a now-deleted video of Rohit and Nayar posted by KKR went viral on social media. In the clip, Rohit appeared to express dissatisfaction with the current situation at MI. The video was later removed by KKR from its social media handles.KKR's 18-run victory over MI in a rain-shortened game on Saturday marked their qualification for the IPL 2024 playoffs. MI, on the other hand, have been eliminated from the playoffs race, having suffered 9 losses in 13 games under Hardik's leadership.

Kolkata Knight Riders' Ramandeep Singh Fined for Code of Conduct BreachKolkata Knight Riders' medium pacer Ramandeep Singh has been penalized for violating the Indian Premier League (IPL) Code of Conduct during their match against Mumbai Indians at the Eden Gardens. The 27-year-old was found guilty of a Level 1 offense under Article 2.20 of the Code of Conduct.Singh acknowledged his wrongdoing and accepted the Match Referee's sanction. As per the IPL Code of Conduct, the Match Referee's decision for Level 1 breaches is final and binding.The incident occurred during the rain-affected match between KKR and Mumbai Indians on Saturday. KKR emerged victorious by 18 runs, securing their place in the playoffs as the first team this season.Singh contributed 17 runs off 8 balls in the match. However, his actions on the field led to the disciplinary action. The specific details of the offense have not been disclosed.The IPL Code of Conduct aims to maintain fair play and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. It outlines various offenses and corresponding penalties, ranging from fines to suspensions.By adhering to the Code of Conduct, players and teams ensure a level playing field and uphold the integrity of the IPL.

Kolkata Knight Riders Equal Mumbai Indians' Record for Most Wins at a Single Venue in IPL HistoryKolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have etched their name in the Indian Premier League (IPL) record books by equaling the feat of five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) for the most wins at a single venue. With their thrilling victory over MI at Eden Gardens on Saturday, KKR now boast 52 wins at their home ground, matching MI's tally at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.The match, which was initially affected by rain and reduced to a 16-over contest, witnessed a remarkable comeback from KKR. After posting a modest total of 158, the two-time champions restricted MI to 139/8, securing their spot in the playoffs of IPL 2024.KKR's spinners played a pivotal role in the victory, with Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine claiming three wickets each. Andre Russell also chipped in with two wickets, while Pat Cummins and Tim Southee picked up one wicket apiece.This triumph marks a significant milestone in the IPL's history, as KKR become the first team to equal MI's record of 52 wins at a single venue. Other IPL teams with impressive home records include Chennai Super Kings (49 wins at MA Chidambaram Stadium), Royal Challengers Bangalore (42 wins at M Chinnaswamy Stadium), and Rajasthan Royals (37 wins at Sawai Mansingh Stadium).Currently, KKR occupy the top position on the points table with nine wins and three losses, while MI languish at the bottom with four wins and nine losses. This victory further highlights the contrasting fortunes of the two franchises in IPL 2024.