Cricket

Rajasthan Royals Host Gujarat Titans in Top-of-the-Table ClashIn a highly anticipated match-up, table-toppers Rajasthan Royals will face off against Gujarat Titans at their home ground. Both teams have been in impressive form this season, with the Royals boasting a perfect 4-0 record and the Titans sitting just behind with three wins and one loss.The Royals have been led by the brilliance of Jos Buttler, who has scored 278 runs in four innings, including two centuries. Sanju Samson has also been in fine touch, contributing 189 runs. The bowling attack has been equally impressive, with Yuzvendra Chahal and Trent Boult leading the way with 10 and 9 wickets respectively.The Titans, on the other hand, have relied on a more balanced approach. Shubman Gill has been their leading run-scorer with 228 runs, while Hardik Pandya has chipped in with 196 runs and 6 wickets. The bowling attack has been led by Mohammed Shami, who has taken 8 wickets in four matches.The match promises to be a close and exciting contest, with both teams eager to maintain their winning ways. The Royals will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak, while the Titans will be determined to close the gap at the top of the table.

Delhi Capitals Skipper Rishabh Pant Fumes After Second Consecutive IPL LossDelhi Capitals (DC) skipper Rishabh Pant's frustration was palpable after his team's second consecutive loss in the ongoing IPL 2024 season. The Capitals fell short by 12 runs against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a thrilling last-over finish on Thursday, further dampening Pant's return to competitive cricket since his horrific car accident in December 2022.Chasing a challenging 186 to win, Pant struggled to find his rhythm, scoring 28 runs off 26 balls. The pressure mounted on the DC skipper, who attempted to break the shackles with a cut shot against leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. However, the ball edged into the gloves of wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, giving RR a crucial breakthrough.Pant's dismissal handed RR control of the proceedings, and the DC skipper's frustration boiled over. As he made his way to the dressing room, Pant smashed his bat in anger, reflecting his disappointment with the team's performance.The loss against RR was particularly disappointing for DC, as it came on the heels of their defeat to Lucknow Super Giants in their season opener. The Capitals' batting has been a major concern, with Pant and his teammates failing to fire consistently.DC will now host defending champions Chennai Super Kings on March 31, hoping to turn their fortunes around. However, they will need to address their batting woes and find a way to support Pant, who is still regaining his form after his injury.

Riyan Parag's heroics propelled Rajasthan Royals to a thrilling 12-run victory over Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Thursday. Despite battling illness for the past three days, Parag's remarkable innings of 84 not out off 45 balls spearheaded Rajasthan Royals to a formidable total of 185 for 5.The 22-year-old from Assam showcased maturity beyond his years, anchoring the Rajasthan Royals innings after they found themselves at 36 for 3 in the eighth over. Parag's exceptional performance earned him the Player of the Match award, marking a significant breakthrough in his cricketing journey.Reflecting on his journey and the support of his family, Parag expressed gratitude, stating, "(Emotions) They are settled, mom is here, she has seen the struggle, the last 3-4 years."Despite facing scrutiny in previous seasons, Parag's perseverance and dedication finally paid off, with his elevated role at No. 4 proving instrumental in Rajasthan Royals' success. His stellar domestic form preceding the IPL season further bolstered his confidence and performance on the field.Rajasthan Royals' captain, Sanju Samson, commended Parag's talent, remarking, "Riyan Parag has been a big name in the last few years. Wherever I go, people ask me about him. There is something very special he can give to Indian cricket."The match witnessed a remarkable turnaround for Rajasthan Royals, who found themselves at 36 for 3 in the eighth over. However, Parag's composed innings and strategic partnerships propelled the team to a competitive total.Also Read: How to watch IPL 2024 live in USA, Canada and MENA regionFurthermore, RR's decision to include Nandre Burger as an impact player proved astute, with the South African pacer making crucial breakthroughs. Samson highlighted the importance of utilizing all 15 players effectively in the evolving dynamics of the IPL.In the final over, Avesh Khan's impeccable execution under pressure sealed the victory for Rajasthan Royals. Reflecting on his strategy, Avesh emphasized the importance of clear planning and execution, saying, "I try to improve myself everytime. In T20s I try to reinvent myself. I never think about selection and only practice what I want to bowl."(Inputs from PTI)

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) witnessed a controversial interruption due to a misunderstanding regarding the tournament's rules on foreign player substitutions.The incident occurred when RR decided to field Rovman Powell as a substitute fielder after starting the match with three overseas players: Jos Buttler, Shimron Hetmyer, and Trent Boult. They had earlier brought in Nandre Burger as their impact player in place of Hetmyer.However, the DC camp raised concerns, pointing out that RR would be fielding five overseas players if Powell entered the field. This prompted a discussion between DC head coach Ricky Ponting, director of cricket Sourav Ganguly, and the fourth umpire.According to IPL rules, a team cannot have more than four overseas players on the field at any time. If a team fields four overseas players in its starting XI, an overseas player can only substitute another overseas player. If a team fields less than four overseas players in its starting XI, overseas players can enter the field as substitutes only if the total number of overseas players on the field does not exceed four.In this case, RR had already fielded three overseas players in their starting XI. By bringing in Powell as a substitute fielder, they would have exceeded the permissible limit of four overseas players on the field.The confusion stemmed from the fact that RR had initially named only three overseas players in their starting XI. However, they later decided to bring in Burger as an impact player, which effectively increased the number of overseas players in their starting XI to four.The issue was eventually resolved, and RR was allowed to field Powell as a substitute fielder. However, the incident highlighted the importance of clear understanding and adherence to tournament rules.Despite the controversy, RR went on to defeat DC by 12 runs. Riyan Parag smashed an unbeaten 84 off 45 balls, while Nandre Burger and Yuzvendra Chahal picked up two wickets each.

Riyan Parag's resurgence in IPL 2023 has been a testament to his hard work and dedication. After a disappointing campaign last year, where he managed only 78 runs in seven innings, Parag has bounced back with a vengeance, scoring 127 runs in just two innings this season.Parag's success can be attributed to his meticulous preparation during the off-season. He emerged as the top-scorer in the 2023-24 Syed Mustaq Ali Trophy, amassing 510 runs in ten innings at an average of 85 and a strike rate of nearly 183. This included a record-breaking sequence of seven consecutive half-centuries.Parag's partnership with Zubin Bharucha, the former Mumbai player and director of high performance at Rajasthan Royals, has also played a crucial role in his development. Bharucha has helped Parag fine-tune his T20 game, focusing on specific shot selection and execution.Parag's recent exploits have showcased his ability to adapt to different situations. Against Delhi Capitals, he played a patient innings, rebuilding the innings with R Ashwin. However, in the final over, he unleashed his power-hitting prowess, taking Anrich Nortje for 24 runs.Parag's confidence stems from his belief in his abilities. "I know I've got the power and the strength to dig out yorker balls or even hit sixes off the short balls," he said. "So, I'm just backing myself and whenever it comes, I'm going to hit a boundary."Parag's resurgence is a positive sign for Rajasthan Royals, who will be hoping for him to continue his good form throughout the season. His ability to score runs quickly and consistently will be crucial to the team's success.

Riyan Parag's scintillating 84 not out off 45 balls propelled Rajasthan Royals to a competitive 185 for 5 against Delhi Capitals in their Indian Premier League encounter on Thursday. Parag, who had impressed with a 43 in the Royals' previous match, unleashed a whirlwind assault on veteran South African pacer Anrich Nortje in the final over, plundering 25 runs with a barrage of boundaries and sixes.The 21-year-old's knock, studded with seven fours and six maximums, was the cornerstone of the Royals' innings after they were invited to bat first. He forged crucial partnerships with Ravichandran Ashwin (29) and Dhruv Jurel (20) to steady the ship after a shaky start.Royals captain Sanju Samson threatened to explode with another destructive innings following his unbeaten 82 against Lucknow Super Giants, but his stay was cut short by Khaleel Ahmed. The wicketkeeper-batter nicked a delivery to Rishabh Pant, leaving RR at 30 for 2.Wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav then forced Pant to review a leg before wicket decision, which proved successful, dismissing Jos Buttler. Ashwin came to the crease and provided some impetus with two sixes off Kuldeep, but he was eventually caught by Tristan Stubbs for 29.Parag took center stage, showcasing his power-hitting prowess. He smashed two boundaries and a six off Ahmed to take RR past 100 in the 15th over. The youngster reached his maiden IPL fifty in style with a boundary off Mukesh Kumar in the next over.Parag continued to torment the Delhi bowlers, sending a Kuldeep delivery over the midwicket boundary. After Jurel's dismissal, Parag went on a rampage, entertaining the home crowd with a flurry of boundaries.Nortje, who had been economical until then, was taken for 25 runs in the final over as Parag sealed his highest T20 score. The Royals' total of 185 for 5 proved to be a challenging target for the Delhi Capitals.

IPL 2024: Mujeeb Ur Rahman Out, Allah Ghazanfar In for Kolkata Knight Riders; Keshav Maharaj Joins Rajasthan RoyalsThe Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has witnessed a flurry of roster changes as teams bolster their squads for the upcoming season. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) have made significant additions to their bowling departments, with the former replacing injured spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman with his Afghan compatriot Allah Ghazanfar, while the latter has signed South African veteran Keshav Maharaj.KKR's Ghazanfar ReplacementMujeeb Ur Rahman, KKR's mystery spinner, has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. In his place, the franchise has acquired the services of 16-year-old Allah Ghazanfar, a rising star in Afghan cricket. Ghazanfar made his international debut earlier this month in the ODI series against Ireland, although he failed to pick up any wickets in the two matches he played.However, Ghazanfar's impressive performance at the recently concluded Under-19 World Cup has caught the attention of KKR. He was Afghanistan's second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament, claiming eight wickets at an average of 16.75. Ghazanfar has also played six List A matches and three T20s, showcasing his versatility as a bowler. He joins KKR for his base price of INR 20 lakhs.RR's Maharaj AcquisitionRajasthan Royals have signed South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj as a replacement for fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, who is currently recovering from surgery. Maharaj, a seasoned campaigner, has played 50 Tests, 44 ODIs, and 27 T20Is for South Africa, amassing a total of 237 wickets in international cricket.Maharaj has also gained valuable experience in T20 leagues around the world, including stints with Durban's Super Giants in the SA20 and Fortune Barishal in the BPL. In this year's SA20, Maharaj claimed 15 wickets from 13 matches, demonstrating his ability to make an impact in the shortest format of the game.

Rishabh Pant, the dynamic skipper of Delhi Capitals, is on the cusp of creating history in the Indian Premier League (IPL). As the Capitals take on Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Thursday, Pant is poised to become the first cricketer in the world to play 100 IPL matches for a single franchise.Pant, 26, returns to the IPL arena after missing last year's edition due to injuries sustained in a road accident. With 99 appearances under his belt, he stands shoulder to shoulder with Amit Mishra as the most-capped players for Delhi. However, this match will see Pant surpass Mishra's record and complete a century of IPL appearances for the franchise.Since assuming the captaincy in 2021 following Shreyas Iyer's injury, Pant has been a stalwart for Delhi. In 98 innings, he has amassed 2856 runs, emerging as the franchise's leading run-scorer ahead of David Warner. His tally includes one century and 15 fifties, making him a formidable force at the crease.Pant boasts an impressive record of 262 fours and 129 sixes, making him the only player to surpass the century mark in maximums for Delhi. Furthermore, he holds the distinction of the highest individual score in IPL by a Delhi Capitals batter.Beyond his batting prowess, Pant has also taken 62 catches and effected 19 stumpings, proving his worth with the keeping gloves. Despite a setback in their opening fixture against Punjab Kings, where Pant managed 18 runs from 13 balls, his return as captain has injected renewed energy into the Delhi Capitals' camp.Eager to bounce back and secure their first points in IPL 2024, Pant will be eager to deliver a commanding performance against Rajasthan Royals on a historic night for the wicket-keeping batsman.

Rajasthan Royals' decision to promote Riyan Parag to the No. 4 batting position in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Lucknow Super Giants has paid off handsomely. Parag's blistering 29-ball 43 was instrumental in the Royals' victory, and it has also raised questions about why he was not given this opportunity earlier.Royals coach Kumar Sangakkara explained that the team had been considering this move for some time, based on Parag's impressive performances in domestic cricket. "We looked at how Riyan performed over the years," Sangakkara said. "It is a difficult thing for someone like Riyan who has an overall game to only get the toughest parts of the game, where he has to come in and up the run rate at the death."Parag's promotion to No. 4 allowed him to play with more freedom and express his natural attacking instincts. He hit four boundaries and two sixes in his innings, and his strike rate of 148.28 was the highest among all Royals batsmen.Sangakkara praised Parag's versatility and his ability to play against both pace and spin. "He is good against pace and spin, and that number is ideal for him," Sangakkara said. "And Riyan is off to a great start."Parag's performance has also given the Royals a much-needed boost in the batting department. The team has struggled to score runs consistently this season, but Parag's innings has shown that they have the potential to be a dangerous batting unit.Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals director of cricket Sourav Ganguly admitted that his team needs to improve its batting. "With Rishabh Pant back, the batting is stronger," Ganguly said. "If we bat well, we will win a lot of matches because we have the bowling."The Capitals have won just one of their first three matches this season, and they will be looking to turn things around when they face the Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday.