Cricket

A disappointing Rajasthan Royals will face a highly inconsistent yet capable Punjab Kings in their Indian Premier League match on April 13. The Royals had an excellent chance to register their fifth win on the trot and consolidate their totem pole position, but Rashid Khan's daring assault helped Gujarat Titans snatch a last-ball victory on Wednesday.The Royals lost to the Titans because of the below-par effort from Kuldip Sen (19th over) and Avesh Khan (20th over) at a vital passage, when they conceded 35 runs across 12 balls. Here, the Royals made a slight tactical error by not letting Trent Boult complete his quota in that match as the veteran left-arm pacer ended the match at 2-0-8-0.The Shikhar Dhawan-captained Punjab side has blown hot and cold so far in the tournament, winning two and losing three out of five matches. The primary reason for their middling run this year is the patchy form of their fancied batsmen as Punjab relied on cameos by uncapped Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma to boost their batting.Opener Jonny Bairstow (5 matches, 81 runs) and middle-order batter Jitesh Sharma (5 matches, 77 runs) are the most underwhelming of the lot, and it has robbed them of momentum upfront and in the business end of their innings. Sam Curran has been above average with the ball, taking six wickets from five matches but the England all-rounder's needle has fallen behind from the halfway mark with the bat, despite scoring a 63.The absence of injured Liam Livingstone from the middle-order too has reduced their firepower, and Kings will hope to have the Englishman back in their ranks at the earliest. On the contrary, the Punjab bowlers have done marginally better, but their propensity to concede big runs while bowling first will be a concern. A group consisting of bowlers such as Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh has given away 199, 199 and 182 runs in their last three matches and they will have to break the pattern against the Royals.It's easier said than done as the Royals' batting unit has been in good shape as 185 is the lowest total it posted while batting first. Outside the match calculations, the Royals will have another bigger worry to nullify. Over the last few editions of the IPL, the Royals had begun strongly, just as they did this year, before tapering off after the mid-season. As a result, they have managed to qualify for the play-offs only twice across the last six seasons. Royals would dearly hope that the defeat against GT was not the beginning of another meltdown.

Riyan Parag, the young all-rounder from Assam, has emerged as a breakout star in the ongoing IPL 2024. After a disappointing run of form in recent years, Parag has rediscovered his touch, amassing three half-centuries in his last four matches. His impressive performances have caught the attention of cricket pundits and fans alike, with many speculating about his potential inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad.Parag's resurgence began in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, where he consistently scored half-centuries. He has carried that form into the IPL, where he has emerged as a key player for the Rajasthan Royals. His ability to score runs quickly and consistently has made him a valuable asset to the team.On Wednesday, Parag scored a blistering 76 off 48 balls against the Gujarat Titans. His innings helped the Royals post a formidable total of 196, but it ultimately proved insufficient as the Titans chased down the target with just one ball to spare.Despite the loss, Parag's performance drew praise from legendary commentator Sunil Gavaskar, who suggested that the BCCI was keeping a close eye on him for the T20 World Cup. In the last 15 T20 innings, Parag has scored 10 half-centuries at a strike rate of over 170, a testament to his exceptional batting skills.However, Rajasthan Royals director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara has urged Parag to remain focused on the present and not get carried away by the hype surrounding his potential World Cup selection. Sangakkara believes that Parag should concentrate on performing well for the Royals and let the rest take care of itself."I think his (Parag's) potential is there for everyone to see," said Sangakkara. "I think for Riyan it's really about concentrating on Rajasthan and this season, and whatever happens (being considered for T20 World Cup) will happen after that."Parag's impressive performances have not gone unnoticed by the Indian selectors. He is currently second only to Virat Kohli in the leading run-getter's list this IPL season, having scored 261 runs with a top score of 84 not out. If he continues to perform at this level, he could well find himself in contention for a place in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup later this year.

Rajasthan Royals' director of cricket, Kumar Sangakkara, has lauded the exceptional form of Riyan Parag, while refraining from confirming his spot in India's T20 World Cup squad.Parag has been a revelation for the Royals this season, ranking second in the IPL's leading run-scorers' list with 261 runs. His impactful contributions have been crucial for the team's success.Sangakkara praised Parag's potential, stating, "I think his (Parag's) potential is there for everyone to see." He emphasized the importance of Parag focusing on the present IPL campaign, rather than speculating about his inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad."For Riyan it's really about concentrating on Rajasthan and this season, and whatever happens (being considered for T20 World Cup) will happen after that," Sangakkara said.Sangakkara expressed confidence in Parag's abilities, highlighting his dedication and hard work. "As long as he keeps his head down, he is working hard, he is batting well, he is very organized, he's worked hard in the off-season, he just needs to keep doing those good things and, if he does all that, good things will happen," he said.Despite the Royals' recent defeat against Gujarat Titans, Sangakkara defended star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, asserting, "Ash (Ashwin) is one of the greatest spinners to play the game." He anticipated a strong comeback from Ashwin, emphasizing that occasional setbacks are part of the game.Reflecting on the match, Sangakkara identified crucial moments where the Royals faltered, particularly in the last two overs. Despite a commendable effort from Kuldeep Sen, pinch-hitters Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan's contributions tilted the game in favor of Gujarat Titans.As the IPL season progresses, Sangakkara and the Rajasthan Royals remain focused on regaining momentum and securing victories in their quest for success in the tournament.

Former Australia cricketer Tom Moody has raised concerns over Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Sanju Samson's captaincy decisions during their defeat to Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2024. RR suffered their first loss of the season on Wednesday after four consecutive wins.Moody questioned Samson's decision to underutilize pacer Trent Boult, who bowled only two overs and conceded eight runs in his first spell. However, Samson opted to bowl veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin at the death instead of completing Boult's quota of overs."You had to use Trent Boult at the back end. He's certainly been used at the death before, and he's got a huge amount of experience. So when it comes to pressure, he's used to absorbing that pressure and taking on those challenges. So I was really surprised that he wasn't spent today. He left the park with two overs left in the bank, which doesn't make any sense whatsoever," Moody said on ESPNcricinfo.Former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta also echoed Moody's sentiments, questioning Samson's decision to use Ashwin over Boult in the 17th over. "I can understand Ashwin bowling the 15th over, but the 17th? If you look at the bowling unit, Boult is the most experienced fast bowler there. Irrespective of whether it's his strength or not, you're still going to bowl him at the back-end. If he's got overs left, you've got to bowl him," Dasgupta said.Former India opener Aakash Chopra also criticized Samson's decision, stating that Boult should have been utilized in the middle overs. "If you are bowling with a dry ball, then if you have scored enough runs, you should have the bowling to defend it. The truth is that Rajasthan have the bowling. They didn't play Nandre Burger, but despite that, they have the bowling. Keshav Maharaj made his debut, and they got him to bowl only two overs," Chopra said."Why did Trent Boult bowl only two overs? I didn't understand that. Two overs, eight runs, and he bowled only two overs. Why? Keshav gave 16 runs in his two overs, so totally only 24 runs went in those four overs. Trent Boult could have been given overs in the middle, but you didn't do that. You went towards spinners," he added.Despite the defeat, RR remain atop the table after five games. They will next face Punjab Kings on Saturday.

Rajasthan Royals Skipper Sanju Samson Fined Rs 12 Lakh for Slow Over RateRajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson has been penalized with a hefty fine of Rs 12 lakh for his team's sluggish over rate during their thrilling encounter against Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Wednesday. The Titans, led by Shubman Gill, emerged victorious in a nail-biting last-ball finish, snapping the Royals' four-match winning streak.According to an official IPL statement, Samson was fined as it was his team's first offense of the season under the IPL's Code of Conduct relating to minimum over rate offenses. The statement emphasized that teams must adhere to the required over rate standards to ensure smooth and timely completion of matches.In the match, Samson played a valiant unbeaten knock of 68 off 38 deliveries, while Riyan Parag's blistering 78 helped the Royals post a formidable total of 196 for 3. However, the Gujarat Titans, propelled by Gill's fine 72 and Rashid Khan's crucial cameo innings of 24 off 11 deliveries, successfully chased down the target on the final delivery of the match.The fine serves as a reminder to all IPL teams to maintain the required over rate standards. The IPL's regulations aim to ensure that matches are completed within the stipulated time frame, providing a fair and consistent playing field for all teams.

Adam Zampa, Australia's premier leg-spinner, has opted out of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season to prioritize his mental and physical well-being ahead of the T20 World Cup in June.Zampa, who was set to join Rajasthan Royals, withdrew on the eve of the season after a grueling 12 months that included the ODI World Cup, T20I series against India, and the Big Bash League (BBL)."I'm completely drained from 2023," Zampa explained on the Willow Talk podcast. "I did the full IPL last year, and the World Cup was three months in India as well."Despite his initial intentions to play in the IPL, Zampa realized he couldn't offer his best to the Royals. "I felt like I just couldn't really offer the Rajasthan Royals the best version of myself," he said.Another factor in Zampa's decision was the uncertainty surrounding his playing time. With Indian spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and R Ashwin in the Royals' squad, Zampa wasn't sure how many games he would get."It came down to my decision being I probably need to put my body and my mental health first," he said. "I've got a young family, and it's not easy to spend nine weeks in India."Zampa's absence from the IPL is a significant blow to the Royals, but it's a necessary step for the 30-year-old as he looks to maintain his peak form for the T20 World Cup."Looking forward to the World Cup, that's what's more important to me, that's for sure," Zampa said.Zampa will be a key figure in Australia's quest to win the T20 World Cup and complete the trifecta of men's world titles. He is expected to form a spin partnership with Ashton Agar, who is in contention for a recall to the squad.

In a thrilling Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter at Jaipur, Gujarat Titans emerged victorious against Rajasthan Royals in a nail-biting last-ball finish. Skipper Shubman Gill's fine half-century set the stage for an exhilarating chase, ultimately sealed by the heroics of Rashid Khan and Rahul Tewatia.Gill, speaking in the post-match presentation, expressed his admiration for Rashid Khan's competitiveness, stating, "I would have loved to finish the game but very happy with the way Rashid bhai and Rahul bhai finished the game. Last game also, we dominated more than 50 per cent but our bad phases were very bad. He (Rashid) is such a fantastic player, someone you always want in your team. When GT is playing, do not think that (ruling the team out of the game)."The thrilling chase began with a solid partnership between Sai Sudarshan and Gill, laying the foundation for Gujarat's pursuit of Rajasthan's imposing total. Despite losing wickets at crucial junctures, Gill's valiant 72-run innings kept Gujarat in the hunt until his dismissal in the 16th over.A brief cameo by Shahrukh Khan and a resilient partnership between Tewatia and Rashid injected new life into the chase. Tewatia's quick-fire 22 and Rashid's unbeaten 24 ensured Gujarat Titans reached the target of 197 runs off the last ball, culminating in a euphoric victory for the Titans.Reflecting on the team's strategy, Gill revealed, "We were targeting 45 in three overs and that is very much gettable, and that was the mindset. Mathematically, it is like both batters need to score 9-ball 22 runs or so and if one of the batters goes berserk, it will get over two-three balls prior." He praised the relentless efforts of his teammates, stating, "Winning the game off the last ball is a wonderful feeling."In a high-scoring encounter, Rajasthan Royals had posted a formidable total of 196/3, courtesy of a magnificent partnership between skipper Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag. Despite their efforts, Rajasthan suffered their first loss of the season, but retained their position at the top of the IPL table with eight points.With this victory, Gujarat Titans climb to the sixth spot in the IPL standings, with three wins and three losses.

Shubman Gill's Gujarat Titans faced a setback on Wednesday as they succumbed to a 196-run target set by Rajasthan Royals. The Titans' bowlers struggled to contain the Royals' batsmen, particularly Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag, who played aggressive innings to propel their team to a formidable total.Gill's frustration was evident during the 17th over when umpire Vinod Seshan ruled a delivery from Mohit Sharma as a wide. Gill, who had initially challenged the decision through DRS, was visibly upset with the outcome. The third umpire initially deemed the delivery fair but later reversed the decision, leaving Gill visibly frustrated.Despite the setback, Gill has shown growth as a leader. His animated discussion with the umpire demonstrated his passion and determination to improve.The Royals' innings was characterized by the brilliance of Samson and Parag. Samson, who remained unbeaten on 68 off 38 deliveries, played a crucial role in setting the platform for his team's victory. Parag, batting at number four, continued his impressive form with a blistering 76 off 48 balls, including five sixes.The Titans' fielding also proved to be a liability, with Matthew Wade dropping Parag twice. These missed opportunities allowed Parag to capitalize and inflict further damage on the Titans.The Royals' victory was a testament to the team's aggressive approach and the brilliance of Samson and Parag. The Titans, on the other hand, will need to address their bowling and fielding concerns if they hope to improve their performance in the tournament.

Yuzvendra Chahal, the veteran leg-spinner, reached a significant milestone in his illustrious IPL career as he played his 150th match in the tournament. The match between Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans in Jaipur on Wednesday marked this special occasion for Chahal.Chahal, who has been a key player for Rajasthan Royals since joining the team in 2022, received a heartfelt message from his wife, Dhanashree Verma, ahead of his 150th IPL game. Verma expressed her pride in Chahal's achievements and praised his contributions to both his previous team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Rajasthan Royals.In the match, Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill opted to field first after winning the toss. Rajasthan Royals, who have been in impressive form this season, are currently at the top of the IPL points table with four wins from four matches. Gujarat Titans, on the other hand, have won two and lost three of their five matches so far.The Royals made two changes to their playing XI, bringing in Matthew Wade and Abhinav Manohar in place of Kane Williamson and BR Sharath. Speaking at the toss, Gill explained that they wanted to bowl first due to the possibility of rain and the need to chase down a target in such conditions.Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson also expressed his preference for bowling first. He acknowledged the challenges of leading a team but expressed gratitude for the support he has received from the team management.The match between Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans promises to be an exciting contest between two evenly matched teams. Chahal's experience and skill will be crucial for the Royals as they aim to maintain their winning streak.