Cricket

RCB Urged to Prioritize Indian Players for IPL SuccessFormer Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has advised Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to invest heavily in Indian players if they aspire to win the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy. Kaif's comments come after RCB's recent resurgence in the tournament, despite a dismal start that saw them lose six consecutive matches.Kaif praised RCB's comeback but cautioned that their chances of making the playoffs are slim. He emphasized the need for the franchise to learn from their experiences and prioritize investing in Indian talent."This is a lesson for RCB for next year. You have to back Indian players," Kaif said. "KKR have invested in Indian players and they are on top, so are Rajasthan Royals."Kaif urged RCB to shift their focus towards nurturing Indian talent, stating, "RCB should bring in Indian players. Do scouting, bring them in and back them."He cautioned against RCB's reliance on foreign players, stating, "They have an obsession about foreign players...RCB now have learnt how to win without stars like Maxwell. It should serve as a lesson for them."Kaif stressed the need for RCB to adopt a proactive approach in grooming Indian talent, emphasizing, "They should invest in them, they will win them the trophy. KKR did it, RR did it. Take examples of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel. And Sanju Samson - RR invested a lot on him and now they are reaping the rewards. So, RCB should identify Indian players and back them."

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has found a new batting hero in Rajat Patidar, who has transformed the team's fortunes in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. After a dismal start, RCB has won five consecutive matches, largely due to Patidar's explosive batting at No. 4.Patidar's rise has been a revelation for RCB, which has long struggled with a weak middle order. In the past, the team relied heavily on its star-studded top order of Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, and A.B. de Villiers. However, with these players no longer in the lineup, RCB needed a new source of runs.Patidar has stepped up to the plate in spectacular fashion. In his five half-centuries this season, he has displayed a combination of power and elegance. He has also shown a remarkable ability to handle spin bowling, which has been a major weakness for RCB in the past.In Sunday's win over Delhi Capitals, Patidar scored 52 runs from 32 balls, including three sixes against India's frontline spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel. His innings was a testament to his ability to read spinners off the hand and pick the length early.Patidar's success has been a result of hard work and determination. After missing the entire 2023 IPL season due to injury, he returned this year with a renewed sense of purpose. He has also benefited from the guidance of RCB's coaching staff, which has helped him develop his game.Patidar's resurgence has been a major boost for RCB, which is now in contention for a playoff spot. His ability to score runs consistently at a high strike rate has given the team a much-needed boost in confidence.

Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant Engage in Playful Banter During IPL 2024 MatchIn a lighthearted moment amidst the intense rivalry between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC), batting maestro Virat Kohli and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant engaged in some playful banter during the IPL 2024 match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday.Pant, who was serving a one-match suspension for a slow over-rate violation, watched the game from the sidelines. Despite the competitive nature of the match, Kohli and Pant's friendly interaction showcased the camaraderie that exists among players off the field.While at the crease, Kohli noticed Pant standing in the dressing room just over the sightscreen. In a playful gesture, the RCB batsman pointed at Pant that he would hit him with the bat, signaling him to take a seat. This unexpected interaction from Kohli elicited an amusing response from the DC captain, who couldn't help but react with laughter at the situation.The banter between Kohli and Pant added an entertaining element to the match, highlighting the friendly rivalry between the two players. Despite the competitive nature of the IPL, it's refreshing to see players engaging in lighthearted moments that showcase the camaraderie and sportsmanship that exists within the game.RCB continued their momentum with a 47-run thrashing of DC, extending their winning streak to five games and bolstering their chances of securing a playoffs berth. The victory propelled RCB to the fifth position in the points table, surpassing DC. Although both teams have accumulated an equal number of points, RCB hold the advantage due to a superior net run rate.

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has lauded Virat Kohli's resilience in the face of criticism over his strike rate in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Despite leading the run-scoring charts, Kohli has faced scrutiny for his batting approach, particularly against spinners. However, the RCB icon has silenced his critics in recent matches by taking on the spinners and maintaining a healthy strike rate.Hayden believes that the criticism has motivated Kohli to improve his game. "He's a very conventional cricketer, which makes him great across all three formats," Hayden said. "But one of the big concerns that we've all had is through the middle. And so, like all great champions, if there is something out there in the media or there's something where you can feel yourself to improve, then you get about making your business to do so."Hayden pointed out that Kohli's strike rate against spin has improved significantly in the middle overs. "That's critical for India because international sides they'll line up with spin. Every side will have two, sometimes three spinners as their resource, and they'll use it to slow down a Kohli who, inside that powerplay has got such a huge energy and momentum and creates great pressure on opposition."Hayden also noted that top players often respond positively to criticism. "A dangerous athlete is one that's been wounded," he said. "Steve Waugh never used to have a word to him. Kevin Pietersen, he used to love the pressure. Brian Lara, Don't talk to him. Why would you do that? He'll just smash you. So, guys that are of that kind of quality, if you try and needle them, all they do is get better."Kohli's recent performances have vindicated Hayden's assessment. The RCB skipper has scored 634 runs in 12 matches, including three centuries, and is currently the Orange Cap holder. His improved strike rate against spin has been a key factor in RCB's success this season.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) celebrated their emphatic 47-run victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 with a jubilant atmosphere in the dressing room. The triumph not only secured two crucial points but also boosted their Net Run Rate, enhancing their chances of securing a top-four finish.The dressing room was filled with laughter and banter, with Virat Kohli and Mohammed Siraj engaging in a hilarious conversation. In a video shared by RCB, Siraj emphasized the team's focus on taking one game at a time, highlighting the importance of bowlers and batters executing their roles effectively.Kohli, known for his witty remarks, couldn't resist teasing Siraj, playfully mocking his choice of words. The conversation continued with Siraj exclaiming "Siuuuuuu," a popular celebration phrase, which Kohli interpreted as "see you."In another video, RCB players celebrated their fifth consecutive victory of the season with wild enthusiasm. Despite their impressive run, RCB's playoff qualification remains uncertain. They must defeat Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their final league match and rely on favorable results from other matches.RCB's resurgence has been remarkable, with the team showcasing resilience and determination. Their victory over DC was a testament to their newfound confidence and ability to overcome adversity. The dressing room atmosphere reflects the team's positive mindset and their unwavering belief in their abilities.As the IPL season draws to a close, RCB's fate hangs in the balance. However, the team's recent performances have instilled hope among their fans and demonstrated their potential to make a deep run in the tournament.

Virat Kohli, the star batter for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and India, continues to prove his exceptional T20 prowess, silencing critics and boosting India's hopes ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.Kohli's recent performances have showcased his ability to strike big from the outset. In a match against Delhi Capitals, he smashed 27 runs off just 13 balls, including three massive sixes. This knock highlighted his aggressive approach and his willingness to take risks.Throughout the ongoing season, Kohli has been the Orange Cap holder, amassing 661 runs at an impressive average of 66.10 and a strike rate of 155.16. His century and five fifties have been instrumental in RCB's remarkable comeback after a poor start.Kohli's strike rate has been a subject of debate, but he has responded to criticism by ditching boundaries in favor of sixes. In the first six games of the tournament, he scored at a healthy strike rate of 141.77. However, a switch flipped in his batting after a match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he scored 42 off 20 balls at a strike rate of 210.00.Since then, Kohli has scored 342 runs in just 201 balls, with a strike rate of 170.14. His six-hitting has been particularly impressive, with 33 sixes so far, second only to Abhishek Sharma of SRH.Kohli's strike rate against spin, once considered a weakness, has also improved significantly. In his first six innings, he scored at a strike rate of 130.61 against spin. However, since the SRH game, he has smashed 132 runs in 90 balls against spin, with a strike rate of 146.66.Kohli's recent performances have been a testament to his adaptability and his desire to improve. He has embraced new shots, such as the slog-sweep against spinners, to enhance his scoring options.This refreshed approach could prove invaluable for India in the slow conditions of the Caribbean during the T20 World Cup. Kohli's ability to score quickly and aggressively against spin could be a game-changer on those surfaces.

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has advocated for the reinstatement of Virat Kohli as the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for the upcoming seasons. Harbhajan believes that Kohli's leadership qualities, coupled with his exceptional performance on the field, make him the ideal candidate to lead the team forward.Kohli, who is currently the leading run-scorer in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), has amassed 661 runs from 13 innings at an impressive strike rate of 155.16. Despite RCB's fifth position in the table with 12 points, they remain in contention for the playoffs.Harbhajan's endorsement of Kohli's leadership stems from his belief that Kohli possesses the perfect blend of intent, commitment, and aggression to lead the team. He also highlighted Kohli's ability to inspire his teammates and create a positive team environment."If they don't qualify, they should look to get some Indian guy. Why not bring Virat Kohli back as captain. As Dhoni has a lot of impact in Chennai, Virat Kohli is a big leader, he knows the kind of cricket they need to play," Harbhajan said in the latest episode of the Star Sports' Press Room.Harbhajan also expressed his concern over the recent outburst of Lucknow Super Giants team owner Sajeev Goenka towards skipper KL Rahul following the team's 10-wicket defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He believes that such incidents can be detrimental to the team environment and disrupt team morale."There can be differences between captain and the management but the talks should be behind doors which is better for everyone. The talks should have been inside the dressing room. Whatever talks are going on, it is not good for the team's atmosphere," he said.Harbhajan cited the example of Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan, who he praised for his hands-off approach to cricket matters. He believes that Khan's approach has created a secure and positive dressing room environment, which has contributed to the team's success.Harbhajan also commented on the change of captaincy in Mumbai Indians, which he believes did not augur well for the team. He highlighted the importance of collective performance and expressed his belief that the team did not play well as a unit under Hardik Pandya's captaincy."Cricket is a team game, we win together we lose together, not a single individual can win you a tournament. You have to do well collectively and that didn't happen. Of course, there were a lot of issues with captaincy change, we heard people were not willing to accept Hardik Pandya as captain," he said.Harbhajan also praised leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal's performance in the ongoing IPL, highlighting his ability to spin the ball, control flight, and use variations effectively. He also emphasized the significance of Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the Chennai Super Kings side, citing his ability to deliver when it matters most.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have staged a remarkable turnaround in the ongoing IPL 2024 season, securing five consecutive wins after a dismal start that saw them lose six matches in a row. This resurgence has reignited their playoff hopes and made them a formidable threat to other teams vying for the third and fourth spots.Former India pacer Zaheer Khan has lauded RCB's impressive turnaround, attributing it to their passion and determination. He emphasized that such drastic changes in fortunes are rare and that the franchise deserves full credit for bouncing back from a horrid start.On Sunday, RCB continued their winning streak with a convincing 47-run victory over Delhi Capitals at their home ground, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. This victory further solidified their position in the playoff race."They lost six in a row and have now picked up five consecutive wins. This does not happen without passion, so you have to appreciate that," said Zaheer on Jio Cinema. "We do not usually see a team revive its season like this after so many losses, so RCB gets full marks."RCB's resurgence has been fueled by a combination of factors, including improved batting performances from Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Dinesh Karthik. The bowling unit, led by Josh Hazlewood and Harshal Patel, has also been in excellent form, providing consistent breakthroughs and restricting opposition batters.With one match remaining in the league stage, RCB is currently fifth in the points table with 12 points. They have a potential to reach 14 points when they play Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their final league game. CSK currently has 14 points, and a win in this game could offer RCB a chance to enter the playoffs due to their superior run rate.However, RCB's playoff hopes also depend on other results. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who are also on 12 points, have two games left and can reach 16 points. Therefore, RCB will need to rely on favorable results from other matches to secure a top-four finish.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) kept their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoff hopes alive with a resounding victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) on Sunday. The win was largely attributed to the dismissal of DC's in-form star Jake Fraser-McGurk, who fell victim to an unlucky run-out.The incident occurred when Cameron Green, bowling his own delivery, touched a straight drive from Shai Hope. The ball hit the stumps at the non-striker's end, catching Fraser-McGurk off guard as he had only just started to advance towards the striker's end.Virat Kohli, known for his passionate celebrations, led the RCB team in jubilation over the prized wicket. The dismissal proved to be a turning point in the match, as RCB went on to restrict DC to a mere 140 runs.RCB pace bowler Yash Dayal credited the team's resurgence in the second half of the IPL to their newfound "attacking mode." After a string of six consecutive defeats, RCB has won five matches on the bounce, keeping their playoff hopes alive."Our performances have markedly improved in the last few matches. I think we have switched on that attacking mode in the last few matches. It has been a big positive for us," said Dayal, who took three wickets for 20 runs against DC.Despite their earlier losing streak, Dayal emphasized that the RCB dressing room remained united. "When you lose matches continuously, like it happened with us, morale will come down a bit. But we took it in our stride and bounced back well," he said."But even when we were losing, fingers were not pointed at anyone. We have remained positive throughout the season," he added.