Cricket

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans were left bewildered on Sunday as MS Dhoni, the team's iconic captain, batted at an unprecedented No. 9 position against Punjab Kings (PBKS). The decision raised eyebrows, as Dhoni has traditionally been a middle-order mainstay throughout his illustrious career.The bizarre move came after CSK suffered a dramatic middle-order collapse, losing four wickets in quick succession. Shardul Thakur was sent in ahead of Dhoni, remaining at the crease for 11 balls before being dismissed in the penultimate over.Dhoni's eventual appearance at No. 9 marked the first time he had batted so low in his T20 career. However, his stay was brief, lasting just one ball. PBKS pacer Harshal Patel deceived Dhoni with a slow yorker, clean bowling the veteran batter for a golden duck.It was the first time Dhoni had been dismissed by a bowler in this IPL season, his only previous dismissal coming via a run-out. The bizarre batting order decision sparked a flurry of memes on social media, with fans expressing their amusement and bewilderment.Dhoni's struggles against Harshal Patel continued, with the pacer dismissing him three times in 33 deliveries. Patel's off-cutter on the final ball of the penultimate over proved too much for Dhoni, who failed to connect with the ball and saw his off-stump shattered.Despite Dhoni's early dismissal, CSK managed to post a competitive total of 167/9, thanks to a 43-run knock from Ravindra Jadeja. The visitors ultimately clinched a 28-run victory, moving up to third place in the points table.The decision to bat Dhoni at No. 9 remains a mystery, with many fans questioning the CSK management's strategy. However, the team's victory suggests that the move may have been a calculated risk that ultimately paid off.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ascended to the summit of the IPL 2024 standings with a resounding 98-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Sunday. The triumph propelled the Shreyas Iyer-led outfit to 16 points, placing them on the cusp of securing a playoff berth. LSG, on the other hand, slipped to fifth position with 12 points, level with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad but with an inferior Net Run Rate (NRR).In the other match of the day, CSK maintained their third position with a 28-run win over Punjab Kings (PBKS), taking their tally to 12 points. PBKS languish in eighth place with 8 points from 11 matches.Sunil Narine's scintillating half-century and a collective bowling effort orchestrated KKR's comprehensive victory over LSG. Opting to bat first, KKR became the first team to breach the 200-run mark at the Ekana stadium.Narine, once again proving his batting prowess, unleashed a six-hitting spree, smashing seven maximums and six fours to propel the visitors to a formidable 235/6.Chasing the imposing total, LSG batters struggled to find their rhythm and were eventually dismissed for a paltry 137 in 16.1 overs. Within the first 10 overs, LSG had lost half their side, including skipper KL Rahul (25), Arshin Kulkarni (9), Deepak Hooda (5), Marcus Stoinis (36), and Nicholas Pooran (10).Ashton Turner's lusty blows hinted at a potential fightback, but the Australian was unfortunate to be dismissed by a caught and bowled off Varun Chakravarthy after an inside edge deflected off his boot.With the victory, KKR moved to the top of the table, level on points with Rajasthan Royals but having played one game more. LSG, on the other hand, dropped out of the top four to the fifth spot with 12 points from 11 games. Their NRR also took a significant hit, dropping from 0.094 to -0.371.In the other match, Ravindra Jadeja produced an all-round performance to guide CSK to a 28-run victory over PBKS. Sent into bat, Jadeja contributed 43 runs off 26 balls and then claimed 3 for 20 to seal the win for CSK.Chasing a modest 168, PBKS faltered from the outset, with only Prabhsimran Singh (30) and Shashank Singh (27) making notable contributions before being restricted to 139 for 9 in 20 overs.Besides Jadeja, Simarjeet Singh (2/16) and Tushar Deshpande (2/35) picked up two wickets each for CSK.Earlier, leg-spinner Rahul Chahar and pacer Harshal Patel claimed three wickets apiece as PBKS restricted CSK to 167 for nine. Jadeja, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (32), and Daryl Mitchell (30) got starts for CSK but failed to convert them into substantial scores.Chahar (3/23) and Harshal (4/24) were the standout bowlers for PBKS, while stand-in captain Sam Curran (1/34) and Arshdeep Singh (2/42) also contributed to the wicket tally.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has witnessed a significant slowdown in scoring, with only one match producing a total of 200 or more runs in the last six games. This has raised concerns about the condition of the pitches and the impact on par scores.In the recent match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), CSK managed to score only 167 for 9, which proved to be sufficient to secure a 28-run victory. CSK opener Ruturaj Gaikwad attributed the low score to the slow and sluggish nature of the wicket."The way the wicket played in the second innings, definitely I'd say par score," Gaikwad said. "Everyone believed the wicket was slow, it was coming slow off the wicket, even low bounce."Ravindra Jadeja, who played a crucial role in CSK's victory with both bat and ball, echoed Gaikwad's sentiments. "It was a day game, so the wicket was slow, which we expected," he said. "We did well in the [batting] powerplay, but then we couldn't build partnerships."The slowdown in scoring has been attributed to the aging of the pitches and the lack of partnerships. Teams have struggled to maintain momentum and build substantial totals.Despite the challenges, CSK has managed to navigate the difficult conditions and climb to third place in the points table. Gaikwad praised the team's bowling unit, particularly Tushar Deshpande, Mitch Santner, and Simarjeet Singh, for their contributions."We bowled well in the powerplay and middle overs, didn't bowl loose balls," Gaikwad said. "Simarjeet Singh, playing his first game of the season, did well, his three overs giving him 2 for 16."CSK has faced some setbacks with injuries to key players, but they have shown resilience and determination to overcome these challenges. Gaikwad acknowledged the difficulties but expressed relief at the team's performance."Sigh of relief with the things that were happening... the previous night, or the night of the match, Pathirana slightly here and there, then some of the guys struggling with the flu as well, so not really sure till gameday morning who is playing and who is not," Gaikwad said.

MS Dhoni's golden duck in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala left the crowd in disbelief. The legendary cricketer, known for his explosive batting, was dismissed for a golden duck by Harshal Patel's slower yorker.Dhoni's dismissal came at a crucial juncture in the match, with CSK struggling at 167/8. The crowd had erupted in anticipation of Dhoni's arrival at the crease, expecting him to guide the team to a competitive total. However, Patel's delivery caught Dhoni off guard, uprooting the stumps.This was the first time Dhoni had been dismissed for a golden duck in IPL 2024. In his previous match against PBKS at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, he was run out on the final ball of the innings.Despite his recent struggles, Dhoni remains a respected figure in the IPL. He has guided CSK to five IPL titles and is considered one of the greatest finishers in the history of the game.After the match, Patel expressed his respect for Dhoni, saying, "I have too much respect for him to celebrate when I get him out." He also explained the strategy behind his slower yorker, saying, "It's all about the feel of that delivery. More you bowl the better you get. Most batters don't pick it."Dhoni's dismissal was a major setback for CSK, who eventually lost the match by 11 runs. The team will be hoping for a better performance in their next match against the Kolkata Knight Riders on April 29.

IPL 2024: Gujarat Titans Dominate with Lowest Powerplay TotalsIn a season marked by high-scoring affairs, Gujarat Titans have adopted a contrasting approach, registering the lowest powerplay totals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.Lowest Powerplay Totals in IPL 2024* 23/3 - GT vs RCB, Bengaluru* 27/3 - PBKS vs SRH, Mullanpur* 28/4 - MI vs LSG, Lucknow* 30/4 - GT vs DC, Ahmedabad* 31/2 - RR vs DC, JaipurGujarat Titans' StrugglesGujarat Titans have consistently struggled in the powerplay, with their lowest total coming against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Bengaluru. They managed a mere 23 runs while losing three wickets, their lowest-ever powerplay total in IPL history.In their match against Delhi Capitals in Ahmedabad, GT again found themselves in trouble, scoring only 30 runs and losing four wickets. This hindered their batting strategy and affected their overall score.Other Teams' WoesPunjab Kings also faced difficulties in the powerplay, scoring 27 runs and losing three wickets against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Mullanpur. This setback hindered their momentum and made it challenging to build a substantial innings.Mumbai Indians had a tough time against Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow, mustering only 28 runs and losing four crucial wickets during the powerplay.Rajasthan Royals had a disappointing start against DC in Jaipur, scoring 31 runs and losing two wickets, which was a setback for them early in the game.RCB's DominanceIn the match against Gujarat Titans, RCB captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and elected to bowl. RCB remained unchanged for the match, while GT made two changes, bringing in left-arm spinner Manav Suthar and left-arm pacer Joshua Little.ConclusionGujarat Titans' contrasting approach in the powerplay has been a key factor in their performances in IPL 2024. While other teams have struggled to find their footing in the early overs, GT has consistently registered low totals, highlighting the importance of a solid start in the shortest format of the game.

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed concerns over MS Dhoni's decision-making during Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) recent clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Pathan criticized Dhoni's approach towards strike rotation and his struggles against spin bowling.In a match where CSK set PBKS a below-par target of 163 runs, Dhoni's contribution of 14 off 11 balls came under scrutiny. Pathan highlighted Dhoni's reluctance to take singles, which he believes hindered the team's progress."He shouldn't have done that (refusing a single). This is a team game. Don't do that in a team game. The other guy [Daryl Mitchell] is also an international player. If he had been a bowler, I would have understood it for sure," Pathan said.Pathan also criticized Dhoni's treatment of New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell, who was denied singles by the former India captain. "You have done that with (Ravindra) Jadeja and with Mitchell as well. You don't need to do that. He could have avoided it," Pathan added.Pathan praised PBKS skipper Sam Curran's tactical acumen, particularly his decision to introduce spinner Rahul Chahar in the 19th over against Dhoni. "Curran getting a spinner to bowl the 19th over was a masterstroke because considering the form MS Dhoni is in, he could have taken the game way forward in those two overs. He could have scored 30 runs in two overs but they didn't allow him to do that," Pathan acknowledged.Reflecting on Dhoni's struggles against spin bowling, Pathan noted, "You bowled to him with excellent planning. Although a six was hit for sure in Arshdeep's over, he also bowled well. He (Dhoni) has been unable to score runs against spinners in the last few years, which is why he is bringing himself down the order. He is scoring runs in the last over when the fast bowlers are thinking of bowling yorkers."Pathan's critique highlights the tactical intricacies and strategic decisions that unfolded during the CSK vs PBKS encounter.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) have etched their name in the Indian Premier League (IPL) record books by equaling Mumbai Indians' (MI) feat of five consecutive victories over Chennai Super Kings (CSK). This remarkable achievement was secured after a dominant 7-wicket win at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday.PBKS's winning streak against CSK commenced in the 2021 IPL season and has continued unabated. Prior to this, MI held the record for the most successive wins against CSK, which they achieved between the 2018 and 2019 seasons.In addition to matching MI's record, PBKS also became the second franchise to record the most wins by a visiting team against CSK at Chepauk in the IPL. Mumbai Indians lead the way with five wins, while Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have three victories.The match itself was a one-sided affair, with PBKS effortlessly chasing down CSK's total of 163 with more than two overs to spare. Stand-in skipper Sam Curran's decision to bat first proved to be a masterstroke, as the dew factor made bowling difficult for CSK in the second half.Ruturaj Gaikwad top-scored for CSK with 62 off 48 deliveries, while MS Dhoni provided a late flourish with a quickfire 28. However, PBKS's batting lineup proved too strong, with Jonny Bairstow and Rilee Rossouw putting on a 64-run partnership to set the platform for victory.Curran and Shashank Singh then applied the finishing touches to seal a comprehensive 7-wicket win for PBKS. This victory not only extends their winning streak against CSK but also strengthens their position in the IPL standings.

Chennai Super Kings Aim to Capitalize on Home Advantage Against Punjab KingsThe Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be looking to make the most of their home comfort when they host the unpredictable Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 49 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Chepauk Stadium.CSK, the defending champions, have had an inconsistent campaign so far, winning five and losing four of their nine matches. They currently sit in the middle of the table with 10 points, alongside Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Delhi Capitals. A win against PBKS would be crucial for CSK to break away from this gridlock.The Chepauk deck has been a different beast this season, offering some assistance to the bowlers. This was evident in CSK's impressive 78-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in their previous match. The CSK bowlers, led by Mukesh Choudhary and Dwayne Bravo, defanged SRH's potent batting unit with their accuracy and variations.However, CSK will face a stern test against PBKS, who are coming into this match on the back of a remarkable victory. They chased down a mammoth 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders, the highest chase in the history of T20 cricket.PBKS have been unpredictable this season, but they have shown glimpses of their potential. Shikhar Dhawan and Bhanuka Rajapaksa have been in good form with the bat, while Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh have been impressive with the ball.The match promises to be a close contest between two evenly matched teams. CSK will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage and the Chepauk deck, while PBKS will be aiming to continue their momentum and upset the defending champions.

Punjab Kings' skipper Shikhar Dhawan, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury, will miss the team's match against Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday. The team hopes to have him back for their next game against Chennai Super Kings on May 1.Dhawan last played against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 9 and has missed three matches since then. Sam Curran has stepped in as captain in his absence.PBKS spin bowling coach Sunil Joshi said Dhawan is recovering and could return for the team's next game in Chennai."He was in form and we really missed his batting services. We saw him batting yesterday, going through the nets and everything," Joshi said on the eve of their match against KKR."He is on the road to recovery. Hopefully, he should be fit for the next game (against CSK)," he said.PBKS have struggled as a batting unit and are ninth on the table with four points from eight matches.Jitesh Sharma's StrugglesWicket-keeper batter Jitesh Sharma has been a disappointment for PBKS in the ongoing IPL. Once considered a contender for India's first-choice wicketkeeper, Sharma has scored just 128 runs from eight innings at an average of 16.00 and a strike rate of 125.49.Joshi attributed Sharma's struggles to the pressure of meeting expectations."Jitesh is a quality batter and we all know that the time has come for him to fire tomorrow. And yes, of course, there are multiple players in the whole IPL," Joshi said."They are all eager to be in the T20 World Cup squad. But at times, most of the players are in that phase that (the thought of) making it to the Indian team will always keep haunting. So, it's about focusing on basic, right things."Joshi said Sharma needs to focus on performing one ball at a time and not worry about the Indian team selection.Pressure on KKRJoshi believes the pressure will be on KKR to perform and win at home."We've come out of home. The pressure should be on the home team now so we can play freely and get runs," he said.