Cricket

In an unprecedented display of flair, Kolkata Knight Riders captain Shreyas Iyer introduced a novel twist to the coin toss ritual during the IPL Final against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai on Sunday. As Iyer prepared to flip the coin, he executed an unexpected pirouette, completing a full circular motion before the coin descended to the ground.The bizarre incident drew amused reactions from commentators and viewers alike, with Iyer himself sporting a wry smile. However, the unconventional toss did not favor the Knight Riders, as Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins emerged victorious and elected to bat first.The match marked the culmination of a thrilling IPL season, with both teams seeking to add to their trophy cabinets. Kolkata Knight Riders have previously won the title twice, while Sunrisers Hyderabad are aiming for their second IPL triumph.Sunrisers Hyderabad made a single change to their lineup, bringing in Shahbaz Ahmed in place of Abdul Samad. Kolkata Knight Riders, on the other hand, retained the same eleven that had secured their victory in Qualifier 1.The playing XIs for the Final were as follows:Sunrisers Hyderabad:* Pat Cummins (c)* Travis Head* Abhishek Sharma* Rahul Tripathi* Aiden Markram* Nitish Reddy* Heinrich Klaasen (w)* Shahbaz Ahmed* Bhuvneshwar Kumar* Jaydev Unadkat* T NatarajanKolkata Knight Riders:* Shreyas Iyer (c)* Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w)* Sunil Narine* Venkatesh Iyer* Rinku Singh* Andre Russell* Ramandeep Singh* Mitchell Starc* Vaibhav Arora* Harshit Rana* Varun ChakaravarthyThe match promised to be a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams. With the unique coin toss adding an element of intrigue, the IPL Final was set to provide a memorable conclusion to the tournament.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 grand finale is set to witness a thrilling clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.In their previous encounter in Qualifier 1, KKR's Mitchell Starc emerged as the Man of the Match with an impressive 99 fantasy points. For SRH, Rahul Tripathi was the standout performer, amassing 80 fantasy points.Over the 27 matches played between these two teams, KKR's all-rounders have consistently topped the fantasy points charts for their side. Conversely, SRH's batters have dominated the fantasy points charts for their team.KKR vs SRH: Standout Players to Watch1. Sunil Narine (KKR):An indispensable all-rounder for KKR, Sunil Narine has excelled with both bat and ball. He has scored 482 runs in 13 matches at an average of 37.1, including three half-centuries and one century. As a bowler, his off-break deliveries have yielded 16 wickets, averaging 22 per match.2. Travis Head (SRH):A formidable top-order left-handed batter for SRH, Travis Head has tallied 567 runs in 14 matches, averaging 43.6. His consistent performance includes four fifties and one century.3. Abhishek Sharma (SRH):A dependable top-order left-handed batter for SRH, Abhishek Sharma has scored 482 runs in 15 matches, with an average of 34.4.4. Andre Russell (KKR):Known for his explosive right-handed batting, Andre Russell has accumulated 222 runs in nine matches for KKR, averaging 31.7. His right-arm fast bowling has also been impressive, claiming 16 wickets with an average of 17.3 per match.5. Varun Chakaravarthy (KKR):A key leg-break googly bowler for KKR, Varun Chakaravarthy has taken 20 wickets in 13 matches, sporting an average of 19.7.6. Pat Cummins (SRH):The right-arm fast bowler for SRH has been a consistent performer, with 17 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 32.2.7. Mitchell Starc (KKR):A left-arm fast bowler for KKR, Mitchell Starc has claimed 15 wickets in 12 matches, averaging 28.7.8. Heinrich Klaasen (SRH):The right-handed batter and wicketkeeper for SRH, Heinrich Klaasen has scored 463 runs in 14 matches, averaging 42.1 per match.With such a star-studded lineup, the IPL 2024 grand finale promises to be an unforgettable spectacle of cricket.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) faces a potential rain threat due to Cyclone Remal's activity in the Bay of Bengal. Despite weather forecasts predicting no rain for Chennai on Sunday, the final day of the tournament could be affected by cloudy conditions and high humidity.On Saturday, KKR's final training session was disrupted by an unexpected downpour, forcing the players to seek shelter. The SRH team, on the other hand, enjoyed a rest day. However, the groundsmen at Chepauk Stadium swiftly covered the fourth pitch designated for the final, ensuring its protection from the intermittent rain.The final will be played on a red soil pitch, which is expected to offer better batting conditions compared to the black soil pitch used in the second qualifier. The IPL has a reserve day scheduled for Monday in case of a washout on Sunday, with favorable weather predicted.In the event of rain disrupting the match, the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method will be used to adjust the game. If persistent rain leads to a complete washout on both days, the IPL 2024 winner will be determined based on the points table standings. Under this scenario, KKR, currently at the top of the table, would be declared the champions.As both teams prepare for the final, all eyes are on the weather, hoping for clear skies to ensure an uninterrupted conclusion to the IPL 2024 season.

Suresh Raina's Witty Response to Retirement Query Sparks LaughterFormer Indian cricketer Suresh Raina showcased his quick wit during the Qualifier 1 match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. While providing Hindi commentary for Jio Cinema, former Indian opener Aakash Chopra inquired if Raina had any plans to reconsider his retirement, given his relatively young age of 37.Raina's response was met with laughter in the commentary box. "Suresh Raina hu, Shahid Afridi nahi" (I am Suresh Raina, not Shahid Afridi), he quipped, referencing the multiple retirements of former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi.Raina announced his retirement from international cricket alongside MS Dhoni in 2020 and from the IPL after the 2021 season, when CSK won their fourth title. Since then, he has been actively involved in commentary.Recently, Raina shared a heartwarming moment with former India teammate Virat Kohli during an interaction on JioCinema at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru ahead of an IPL 2024 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and CSK. The meeting recalled a pivotal moment in Kohli's early career during the 2008 Emerging Players Tournament in Australia.Initially left out of the playing XI by coach Pravin Amre, Kohli was recommended by Raina after witnessing his potential in the nets. Kohli recounted, "Raina saw me playing in the nets and asked Amre sir why I wasn't playing. Raina insisted I should be played, so I got a chance to open against New Zealand and scored 120 not out. This probably convinced Dilip Vengsarkar sir, the selector. I scored 120 not out, and he probably decided then and there that I should be given further opportunities," acknowledging Raina's role in his early career.Raina's witty response and his contribution to Virat Kohli's career highlight his enduring presence in the cricketing world, even after his retirement from playing.

In a thrilling Qualifier 1 encounter of IPL 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Eden Gardens.KKR captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to exploit the mixed-soil pitch. Mitchell Starc, the Australian pacer, delivered a fiery opening over, dismissing Travis Head for a duck with a full-length delivery that crashed into the stumps.Rahul Tripathi and Abhishek Sharma steadied the SRH innings, but Vaibhav Arora struck in the second over, trapping Sharma in front for 15. Tripathi, however, kept the scoreboard ticking, hitting a boundary off Starc in the third over.Nitish Kumar Reddy joined Tripathi at the crease and played a cautious innings, while Tripathi continued to find the boundaries. However, Starc's relentless pace and accuracy proved too much for Tripathi, who was caught by Andre Russell for 24.Reddy and Abdul Samad added 35 runs for the fourth wicket before Samad was dismissed by Harshit Rana for 18. Shahbaz Ahmed and Heinrich Klaasen then chipped in with valuable contributions, but KKR's bowlers kept the pressure on, restricting SRH to 158/6 in their allotted 20 overs.In response, KKR openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sunil Narine got off to a solid start, putting on 30 runs for the first wicket. However, Bhuvneshwar Kumar broke the partnership, dismissing Gurbaz for 16.Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer then steadied the innings, adding 45 runs for the second wicket. Iyer fell to Vijayakanth Viyaskanth for 25, but Rinku Singh and Andre Russell ensured KKR reached their target with ease.Russell, in particular, played a blistering knock of 42 off just 20 balls, hitting four boundaries and three sixes. He remained unbeaten alongside Rinku Singh (22*) as KKR chased down the target with 10 balls to spare.With this victory, KKR advanced to the Qualifier 2, where they will face the winner of the Eliminator between Lucknow Super Giants and Rajasthan Royals. SRH's campaign ended with this defeat, but they can take solace in their impressive performance throughout the season.

Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad Clash in Qualifier 1Two of the IPL's most explosive batting lineups, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad, will face off in the first qualifier in Ahmedabad. The match promises to be a high-scoring affair, especially if the pitch offers a bouncy surface.KKR boasts a formidable batting lineup led by Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Rinku Singh. SRH, on the other hand, has found a reliable No. 3 option in Rahul Tripathi, who has strengthened their top order.However, the nature of the pitch will play a crucial role in the outcome. If the surface is slow and favors spinners, SRH's Varun Chakravarthy and Narine could pose a significant threat. KKR, on the other hand, will need to adapt quickly after enduring washouts in their last two league matches.KKR's Nitish Rana is expected to return as an Impact Player option, while SRH may consider bringing back Aiden Markram for his steady batting and offspin.Key Players to Watch:* Rinku Singh (KKR): The finisher has been in impressive form this season, despite limited opportunities.* T Natarajan (SRH): The left-arm pacer has developed a deceptive slower bouncer to complement his yorkers.Stats to Note:* Bhuvneshwar Kumar has a favorable match-up against Narine, dismissing him twice in 25 balls.* Varun Chakravarthy has taken the most wickets (38) by a spinner in the IPL since 2023.* Narine is four hits away from 100 IPL sixes.* Bhuvneshwar Kumar has bowled the most yorkers (31) in IPL 2024.

Shah Rukh Khan's Smoking Controversy Overshadows KKR's Thrilling VictoryKolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) thrilling 4-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Eden Gardens on Saturday was marred by a controversy involving team owner Shah Rukh Khan. Social media posts alleged that Khan was smoking inside the stadium premises, sparking criticism and debate.The incident occurred during the IPL 2024 match, with pictures and videos circulating online suggesting that Khan was smoking in the VIP box. NDTV could not independently verify the authenticity of the claims. However, the incident drew widespread attention and condemnation from many users.The controversy comes amidst a similar incident during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final, where Imad Wasim was photographed smoking a cigarette inside the dressing room. Such incidents have raised concerns about the adherence to smoking regulations in sports venues.Meanwhile, on the field, Andre Russell's explosive half-century propelled KKR to a challenging total of 209. SRH's Heinrich Klaasen fought valiantly with a 29-ball 63, but his efforts ultimately fell short as KKR held on for a narrow victory.The match began with a blistering start from SRH openers Mayank Agarwal and Abhishek Sharma, who raced to 50 runs in just 4.3 overs. However, Harshit Rana dismissed Agarwal for 32, and Andre Russell claimed the wicket of Sharma for 32, leaving SRH at 71/2.Rahul Tripathi and Aiden Markram helped SRH cross 100 runs, but Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine struck to leave the visitors in trouble at 111/4. Heinrich Klaasen and Abdul Samad briefly threatened a comeback, but Russell dismissed the latter for 15.Klaasen and Shahbaz Ahmed then forged a 50-run partnership, giving SRH hope. Klaasen reached his half-century in just 25 balls, and the duo needed 13 runs off the final over. However, Rana dismissed both Klaasen and Ahmed in the final over, securing a thrilling victory for KKR.