Cricket

Shimron Hetmyer Fined for Code of Conduct Breach in IPL Qualifier 2Rajasthan Royals batsman Shimron Hetmyer has been fined 10% of his match fee for breaching the Indian Premier League (IPL) Code of Conduct during Qualifier 2 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The incident occurred in Chennai on Friday, where SRH emerged victorious by 36 runs.Hetmyer's offense was not explicitly stated by the organizers, but it is believed to stem from his reaction after being dismissed in the 14th over of the chase. Following his dismissal by Abhishek Sharma, Hetmyer attempted to smash the stumps in frustration.The IPL issued a statement confirming the fine: "Shimron Hetmyer of the Rajasthan Royals has been fined 10% of his match fees for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during the Qualifier 2 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on May 24.""Hetmyer committed a Level 1 offense under Article 2.2 of the IPL Code of Conduct. He admitted to the offense and accepted the Match Referee's sanction. For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Match Referee's decision is final and binding."In the match, Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a competitive total of 175 for nine, thanks to Heinrich Klaasen's 34-ball 50 and contributions from Travis Head (34) and Rahul Tripathi (37). The Rajasthan Royals' chase was derailed by the SRH spinners, with Shahbaz Ahmed (3/23) and Abhishek Sharma (2/24) sharing five wickets. Pat Cummins (1/30) and T Natarajan (1/13) also chipped in with wickets.Hetmyer's fine serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining composure and adhering to the IPL's Code of Conduct. As the tournament progresses, players must remain mindful of their actions and avoid any behavior that could result in disciplinary action.

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson has hailed pacer Sandeep Sharma as the "next guy" after Jasprit Bumrah, following his standout performance in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2024. Despite the Royals' heartbreaking 36-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Sandeep's precise swinging deliveries shone through on a night dominated by spinners.The 31-year-old speedster delivered an impressive spell, capturing the wickets of SRH's power-hitting duo, Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen, finishing with figures of 2/25 in his four-over spell. Samson, who has closely followed Sandeep's progress throughout the season, praised him as a consistent performer who deserves recognition at the national level."I am happy for him. By not being picked in the auctions and coming back as a replacement, the way he bowled, he has delivered. If we look at the numbers, Sandeep Sharma in the last two years, he will be the next guy after Bumrah. He has done a great job," Samson remarked post-match.Sandeep's journey this season has been noteworthy. After going unsold in the previous IPL auction, he was signed by the Royals as a replacement for Prasidh Krishna. From that moment, he emerged as a crucial figure in Rajasthan's pace bowling setup. Sandeep ended the season with 13 wickets in 11 matches, maintaining an economy of 8.18 and a strike rate of 17.54.Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, during his commentary, urged the BCCI selectors to consider Sandeep for the national team. He highlighted the often-overlooked consistency of the pacer's performances, despite the focus on express fast bowlers. "Whenever someone bowls over 140kmph, we begin salivating, but no one talks about him as an India prospect. Look at the slower bowls, it shows cleverness," Gavaskar noted.Sandeep's performance in Qualifier 2 further cemented his status as a reliable and effective bowler. His ability to swing the ball both ways and control the pace makes him a valuable asset to any team. With the IPL season now concluded, Sandeep will hope to continue his impressive form and earn a call-up to the Indian national team.

Sunrisers Hyderabad's remarkable turnaround under Pat Cummins culminated in a thrilling 36-run victory over Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. The triumph propelled SRH to the final, a stark contrast to their dismal performance in the previous season.Cummins, acquired for a staggering Rs 20.50 crore, orchestrated a sensational revival for the franchise. He attributed the team's success to the positive atmosphere within the squad and their unwavering determination to reach the final.SRH's batting lineup, led by Heinrich Klaasen's brisk 50, posted a competitive total of 175 for nine. Travis Head and Rahul Tripathi also made valuable contributions.The spin contingent then took center stage, with Shahbaz Ahmed claiming three wickets and Abhishek Sharma chipping in with two. Their efforts restricted RR to a modest 139 for 7, with Cummins and T Natarajan also securing wickets.Cummins praised the bowling performance, particularly Abhishek's surprise inclusion. He acknowledged that the team's strength lay in their batting but emphasized the experience of their bowlers, including Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Natarajan, and Unadkat.Rajasthan captain Sanju Samson expressed disappointment that his batters struggled against the spinners. He admitted that the team lacked options in the middle overs and that the wicket behaved differently in the second innings, favoring the spinners.Samson also highlighted the need for his batters to adapt their approach against left-arm spin, suggesting they could have employed more reverse-sweeps or used the crease more effectively.Despite the defeat, Samson praised the young players in his side, including Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel, who have shown great potential for both RR and the Indian cricket team.

Navjot Singh Sidhu, the former cricketer and commentator, has praised Abhishek Sharma's performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Sidhu believes that Sharma has the potential to make a significant impact on the international stage.In Qualifier 2 of the IPL 2024, Sharma played a crucial role in Sunrisers Hyderabad's victory over Rajasthan Royals. The left-arm spin all-rounder took two wickets for 24 runs in four overs, helping to restrict Rajasthan to 164/7.Sharma's performance was particularly impressive considering that he had only bowled three overs in the entire tournament prior to the match. However, he showed remarkable control and accuracy, generating significant dip and turn with his deliveries.Sidhu was full of praise for Sharma after the match. "Yeh baccha taiyaar hai," he said on Star Sports. "He has the temperament to play in international cricket and he feels he belongs to the area. He is ready to make India proud."Sharma's performance in the IPL has been a breakout season for the 22-year-old. He has scored three fifties and amassed 482 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 207.76. He has also taken seven wickets with his left-arm spin.Sharma's all-round ability has made him a valuable asset for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He has been used as a floater in the batting order, and his ability to bowl both spin and medium pace gives the team flexibility.If Sharma continues to perform at this level, he could soon be in contention for a place in the Indian team. He has the potential to be a valuable all-rounder for India in all three formats of the game.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) stormed into the final of IPL 2024 with a commanding 36-run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) on the back of a remarkable bowling performance.Despite winning the toss and opting to chase, RR found themselves in a precarious position as SRH's bowlers turned the match on its head. The pitch, which initially appeared favorable for batting, transformed into a spinner's paradise, allowing SRH to exploit the conditions to their advantage.Shahbaz Ahmed, who was brought in as an Impact Player, played a pivotal role in SRH's resurgence. Bowling into the left-hander's hitting arc, he dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had raced to 41 off 19 balls. This dismissal sparked a collapse in the RR batting lineup.Abhishek Sharma, who had rarely bowled this season, was also brought into the attack and delivered with two crucial wickets. Aiden Markram, known primarily as a batter, also chipped in with an over, highlighting the versatility of SRH's bowling unit.Over a 33-ball period, SRH bowlers conceded no boundaries and claimed four wickets, effectively snuffing out RR's chase. Shahbaz Ahmed emerged as the star performer, finishing with impressive figures of 4-0-23-3.Heinrich Klaasen top-scored for SRH with a gritty 50, while Avesh Khan and Trent Boult were the pick of the RR bowlers with three wickets each.SRH's victory was a testament to their adaptability and the effectiveness of their bowling attack. They have now earned the right to face the winner of the other semi-final between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final.

Sanju Samson's Playoff Woes Continue as Rajasthan Royals Fall to Sunrisers HyderabadRajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson's dismal record in IPL playoffs extended on Friday as his team suffered a Qualifier 2 defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai. Samson's underwhelming performance, scoring just 10 runs off 11 deliveries, drew sharp criticism from fans on social media.Samson's struggles in the knockouts have been a recurring theme throughout his IPL career. Since 2013, he has managed just a single half-century in nine playoff matches, with six scores below 20. His latest failure against SRH added to his poor record, leaving his side in a precarious position in their pursuit of 176.The Royals' chase got off to a shaky start as Samson fell in the ninth over, leaving his team in disarray. His dismissal followed a disappointing performance in the Eliminator against Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he scored only 17 runs.Samson's poor form in the playoffs has raised questions about his leadership and ability to perform under pressure. Fans took to social media to express their frustration, with many calling for a change in captaincy.Despite Samson's struggles, the Royals bowlers put up a valiant effort, with Trent Boult and Avesh Khan claiming three wickets each. However, SRH managed to post a competitive total of 175 for nine, thanks to Heinrich Klaasen's 34-ball 50 and contributions from Travis Head and Rahul Tripathi.The defeat marks the end of the Royals' IPL campaign, while SRH will face Chennai Super Kings in the final on Sunday. Samson's playoff woes will continue to be a talking point as he looks to improve his record in future tournaments.

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson won the toss and elected to bowl first in the Indian Premier League (IPL) Qualifier 2 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai on May 24. The winner of this match will face Kolkata Knight Riders in the final in Chennai on May 26.Samson explained his decision, stating that the team was recovering from a recent illness and felt better. He also confirmed that the Royals would field the same XI that played in their previous match.Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins acknowledged that his team had underperformed in their last match. He announced two changes to the lineup, with Jaydev Unadkat and Aiden Markram replacing Shreyas Gopal and Romario Shepherd.The Royals' batting lineup features Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Rovman Powell, R Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma, and Yuzvendra Chahal. Their impact players include Simron Hetmyer, Nandre Burger, Shubham Dubey, Donovan Ferreira, and Kuldeep Sen.The Sunrisers' batting lineup includes Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Abdul Samad, Pat Cummins, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, and T Natarajan. Their impact players are Shahbaz Ahmed, Mayank Markande, Glenn Phillips, Sanvir Singh, and Umran Malik.The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams having a strong chance of reaching the final. The Royals have been in impressive form throughout the tournament, while the Sunrisers have shown resilience in bouncing back from setbacks.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) stands as a testament to the unparalleled competitiveness of T20 cricket, with the margin between the top and bottom teams being remarkably narrow. This is what sets the IPL apart as the toughest league in the world, according to Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir.Under Gambhir's guidance, KKR emerged as the table-toppers despite Rajasthan Royals holding the lead for much of the season. However, a string of four defeats and a washout relegated RR to third place, while five-time champions Mumbai Indians languished at the bottom.Gambhir emphasized the exceptional strength of all IPL teams, highlighting that any team can triumph over another on any given day. "The difference between the team that finished first and the team that finished tenth is not significant," he said. "If you played a five-match series between these teams, I wouldn't be surprised if the bottom team defeated the top team."This unpredictability is what makes the IPL so captivating, according to Gambhir. "That's why we say that the IPL is the toughest league in the world," he stated. "It's as big as any T20 World Cup because the margin between teams is so small. It's impossible to predict who will win."Gambhir, who previously mentored the Lucknow Super Giants for two years, returned to KKR ahead of IPL 2024. The 42-year-old led KKR to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.While expressing his admiration for the IPL's quality of cricket, Gambhir expressed concern about the potential impact on young players' aspirations to play Test cricket for India. "I hope the IPL doesn't become a shortcut to playing for India," he said.Gambhir believes that the IPL's competitiveness has surpassed that of international T20 cricket. "Apart from a few teams, I don't see enough competition when it comes to playing for India," he said. "Not many teams can match the quality that India has."He attributed this to the exceptional quality of domestic players and their focus on T20 cricket. "Most of their focus is on playing T20 cricket," he said.

IPL 2024: Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma Face Spin Challenge in Qualifier 2In a highly anticipated Qualifier 2 clash, Sunrisers Hyderabad will face Rajasthan Royals on Friday, with the IPL's top power-hitters, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, set to encounter a formidable spin challenge from Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin.Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson won the toss and elected to bowl first, citing the conditions at the Chepauk stadium. The pitch is expected to be sticky, posing a different challenge for the Hyderabad batsmen.Head and Sharma, known as "Travishek," have been in scintillating form this season, amassing 72 sixes and 96 boundaries between them. However, they will need to adapt their power-hitting against the wily spin of Chahal and Ashwin.Hyderabad have made two changes to their playing XI, bringing in Aiden Markram and Jaydev Unadkat for Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Shahbaz Ahmed. Rajasthan remains unchanged.Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins expressed confidence in his team's batting despite their below-par performance in the previous game. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening their bowling with the inclusion of Unadkat.Samson, on the other hand, acknowledged that his team is still recovering from a recent illness but believes they can cross the line despite playing at 70% of their potential.The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams. Hyderabad's power-hitting duo will be tested by Rajasthan's spin twins, while the Royals will need to contain the dangerous Hyderabad batting lineup.