Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has consistently proven to be a breeding ground for exceptional cricketing talent in India. This season, the spotlight has shone brightly on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) star Swapnil Singh and Lucknow Super Giants' Deepak Hooda, both of whom have faced significant challenges in their domestic careers.Swapnil and Hooda, who represent Baroda in domestic cricket, have reportedly endured numerous issues within the team, particularly with skipper Krunal Pandya. Hooda's struggles with the captain have been well-documented in the Indian cricketing fraternity.However, the duo's impressive performances in the IPL have caught the attention of fans and former players alike. A social media user recently expressed gratitude to former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan for his support during their cricketing crisis at Baroda."Thank you so much @IrfanPathan saab, for helping players like Deepak Hooda and Swapnil Singh who were facing so many problems in Baroda cricket team because of their Captain - Krunal Pandya. The fans of Indian Cricket will not forget your contributions," the fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).Pathan responded to the post, acknowledging the players' hard work and determination. "They were working hard when no one was watching. It's their positive attitude and persistence took them where they are," he said.This season, Swapnil has emerged as a reliable bowler for RCB, claiming 6 wickets in 6 matches while also contributing as a handy lower-order batter. Hooda, on the other hand, had a slow start to the 17th edition of the IPL but has since found his rhythm, scoring 145 runs in 9 innings at an average of 18.13.Pathan's role as a mentor and guide in Indian cricket has been instrumental in the development of young players. He has consistently provided support and guidance to emerging cricketers, helping them unlock their true potential.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) enjoyed a remarkable run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, winning six consecutive matches to secure a playoff berth. In a crucial encounter against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), RCB's nerves held firm, with pacer Yash Dayal delivering a stellar performance in the final over to secure a fourth-place finish for the team.The victory sparked jubilation within the RCB camp, with the entire team reportedly celebrating until 5 AM. However, their joy was short-lived as RCB was eliminated in the Eliminator clash against Rajasthan Royals.Yash Dayal emerged as one of RCB's heroes in the match against CSK. His father revealed that the players celebrated their progression to the next round with an after-match party that lasted until 5 AM. "Yash told his mother that the after-match party lasted till 5 AM (after beating CSK). He was so happy. Also, he said that when he got hit for a six in the first ball by Dhoni, he controlled himself to focus on bowling, not thinking about who was there on the crease, whether it was Dhoni or Jadeja," Yash's father, Chanderpal Dayal, told IANS.Despite being hit for a six by MS Dhoni on the first ball of the final over, Yash made a remarkable comeback, conceding only seven runs in the over. However, the left-arm pacer failed to maintain his form in the Eliminator clash against Rajasthan.Dayal conceded 37 runs in the match against RR, bowling just three overs without picking up a wicket. He was the most expensive bowler for RCB on the day, conceding at 12.30 per over.RCB remains one of the few franchises yet to win an IPL title, having participated in all 17 seasons of the T20 league. With the loss against the Royals, the Bengaluru side registered an unwanted record of losing the most number of playoffs matches in IPL history.

Chennai Super Kings' Ambati Rayudu Mocks Royal Challengers Bangalore After IPL EliminationFormer Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Ambati Rayudu has taken a dig at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) following their elimination from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Rayudu's Instagram post, captioned "Just a kind reminder from the 5 time champions," featured CSK players gesturing the number 5, symbolizing their five IPL titles.Rayudu's post comes after RCB eliminated CSK from the tournament earlier in the season. However, the former India batter appeared to relish Bengaluru's exit from the competition.In a previous statement, Rayudu had criticized RCB's approach, saying, "If you talk about RCB, it shows that only passion and celebration don't win you trophies. You don't get the IPL trophy just by reaching the playoffs. Don't think you will win the trophy just by beating CSK."RCB skipper Faf du Plessis expressed pride in his team's effort despite their playoff exit. "With the dew coming, we felt we were short with the bat. Did think we were 20 runs shy of what was a good score. Credit to the boys - they fought really well. That's all you can ask for," du Plessis said."Also with the dew coming in. Extremely proud. Lot of teams - their wheels would've fallen off after 1 from 9. To come back like that, six games in a row, takes a lot of heart and character. We weren't special tonight in terms of pushing that extra 20 runs with the bat," he added.Rayudu's post has sparked a social media battle between fans of the two franchises. While some CSK supporters have praised Rayudu's humor, others have criticized him for being disrespectful.

Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) remarkable Indian Premier League (IPL) journey came to an end on Wednesday with a four-wicket loss to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Eliminator. Despite a disappointing start, RCB's resurgence in the second half of the season had raised hopes of a title triumph.After winning just one of their first eight games, RCB faced the prospect of elimination. However, they rallied with six consecutive victories, including a crucial win over defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK). This remarkable turnaround secured them the final playoff spot based on net run rate.Reflecting on the season, Virat Kohli acknowledged the team's struggles in the first half. "We were not able to live up to our standards as cricketers," he said. "But we started expressing ourselves, played for our own self-respect. Our confidence came back."Skipper Faf Du Plessis praised the team's resilience. "The last six games were special for the way we turned things around," he said. "We fell short by around 15 runs, but we are extremely grateful for the fans' support."Wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, who may have played his last IPL season, expressed pride in the team's achievements. "We felt this could be the year we lift the trophy," he said. "But it was not to be. We should be proud of the fight we put up."Despite the disappointment of the Eliminator loss, RCB players and fans alike celebrated the team's remarkable turnaround. The team's ability to overcome adversity and qualify for the playoffs was a testament to their character and determination.

The resurgence of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has been nothing short of remarkable. After a dismal start with seven defeats in eight matches, the Faf du Plessis-led side displayed unwavering determination and staged a stunning comeback, winning six consecutive games. This remarkable turnaround propelled RCB into the Playoffs, knocking out five-time champions Chennai Super Kings in the process.The RCB faithful are now eagerly anticipating their team's progress into the final, a stage they last graced in 2016. That heartbreaking loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad by a mere eight runs still lingers in the minds of many fans. Recently, former all-rounder Shane Watson, who was part of the 2016 RCB squad, expressed his remorse for his poor performance in the final.At a university event, Watson was greeted with chants of "RCB, RCB, RCB" from the crowd. His reaction was priceless, a testament to the extraordinary passion of the RCB fandom."To all the RCB fans here tonight, I need to profusely apologize," Watson told the students. "The reason is the 2016 IPL final at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.""I was as prepared as I could be, hoping to perform my very best, but I had one of the worst performances from a bowling perspective in the final. And I most probably cost RCB the IPL title," he added.Watson's expensive spell of 61 runs in just four overs proved costly for RCB, allowing SRH to post a formidable total of 208/7. Despite a blistering start from openers Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli, who stitched together a 114-run partnership, RCB's chase fell short as SRH bowlers restricted them to 200/7.Watson's disappointing performance extended to his batting as well, scoring only 11 runs off 9 balls.Looking ahead to IPL 2024, RCB will face Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator match on Wednesday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The team will be hoping to continue their resurgence and secure a berth in the final.

Glenn Maxwell's Golden Duck Disappoints Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL EliminatorRoyal Challengers Bengaluru's hopes of advancing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 were dashed after a disappointing performance by star player Glenn Maxwell in their Eliminator clash against Rajasthan Royals. Maxwell, known for his explosive batting, was dismissed for a golden duck, matching Dinesh Karthik's dubious record of 18 ducks in the IPL.The critical moment came in the 11th over, when veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin removed Maxwell with a deceptive delivery. After dismissing Cameron Green for 27 off 21 balls, Ashwin outsmarted Maxwell, leaving RCB reeling.Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan and ex-England skipper Kevin Pietersen were critical of Maxwell's shot selection. Pathan questioned Maxwell's decision-making, while Pietersen remarked that Maxwell's performance was "not good enough" in such a crucial game.Maxwell's failure was particularly disappointing given his reputation as a match-winner. His dismissal left RCB vulnerable, and they were unable to recover, eventually losing the match and their chance to advance in the tournament.With this dismissal, Maxwell joined Dinesh Karthik at the top of the unwanted leaderboard for the most ducks in IPL history, each having 18 to their name. They are followed by Indian skipper Rohit Sharma with 17 ducks, and Piyush Chawla, Mandeep Singh, and Sunil Narine, each with 15 ducks.Maxwell's golden duck will be remembered as a turning point in RCB's season. His failure to deliver when it mattered most contributed to their elimination from the tournament.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) must prioritize acquiring skilled bowlers who can navigate the compact boundaries of their home ground, the Chinnaswamy Stadium, according to head coach Andy Flower. This strategy is crucial for the team's success in the upcoming mega auction.Flower emphasized the need for bowlers with exceptional skills and intelligence, as mere pace will not suffice at the Chinnaswamy. He also highlighted the importance of recruiting batsmen with power-hitting capabilities to keep up with the evolving T20 landscape.RCB's struggles in the first half of the season, winning only one of seven games, were largely attributed to their bowling deficiencies. Captain Faf du Plessis acknowledged that the team lacked "as many weapons" in their bowling arsenal.Despite a remarkable six-match winning streak that propelled them into the playoffs, RCB's home record remained underwhelming, with only one victory in four games during the first half. However, they managed to turn things around, winning their last three home matches.Flower expressed concern about the impact of international commitments on T20 leagues, citing the example of Will Jacks, who was recalled by England for the T20 World Cup. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of competitions by ensuring that players are available for the playoffs and finals.Despite the absence of Jacks, Cameron Green stepped up and performed admirably in the middle order. Flower acknowledged the challenges posed by the busy cricket calendar but expressed his understanding of England's decision to recall their players.

Dinesh Karthik, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter, has hinted at a potential retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) after Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) elimination from the tournament.RCB's hopes of a fairytale season were shattered on Wednesday when they lost to Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator. Karthik, who has been a key player for RCB, was visibly emotional after the match.During the post-match presentation, Karthik thanked the fans for their support and hinted at his retirement. "I'm not sure if I'll be back next year," he said. "I've had a great time here, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have played for RCB."Karthik's teammates gave him a guard of honor as he walked back to the dressing room. Virat Kohli, the former RCB captain, hugged Karthik while he was fighting back tears.If this proves to be Karthik's final IPL season, he will have finished his career with an impressive record. He has scored 4,842 runs in 257 matches, including 22 fifties. He has played for six different teams during his 17-year IPL career, including Delhi Daredevils, Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions, Kolkata Knight Riders, and RCB.Karthik has been a valuable asset for RCB, especially in the death overs. His ability to hit big shots and finish matches has been crucial for the team's success.Should Karthik retire from the IPL, it will mark the end of an era for the tournament. He is one of the most experienced and respected players in the league, and his absence will be felt.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Faf du Plessis expressed disappointment after his team's elimination from IPL 2024 by Rajasthan Royals (RR). He attributed the loss to a combination of the Impact Player rule and the dew during the chase, which he believes left RCB "20 runs short" of a competitive total.Batting first on a fresh pitch in Ahmedabad, RCB managed to post 172 for 8. However, du Plessis felt that the score was insufficient, especially considering the dew factor that would aid RR's chase. "With the dew coming in the second innings, we thought we were a little bit short with the bat," he said. "We needed a push, a few more runs to make it even more competitive."Du Plessis acknowledged the challenges of batting first on a sticky surface, but emphasized that the Impact Player rule has raised the par scores in T20 cricket. "If you look at naturally assessing the pitch and the conditions, you would say it's a 180 pitch," he explained. "But with the extra batter and the longer batting line-ups, your par scores are really not what they used to be, especially if there's dew."RCB's innings took a significant hit when they lost Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell in quick succession. Maxwell's dismissal, in particular, drew criticism from commentators Varun Aaron and Tom Moody, who labeled it as "reckless" and a "brain fade."Despite the setback, du Plessis praised his team's resilience in reaching the playoffs after a poor start to the season. "A lot of teams would have probably fallen off after one [win] from nine [eight]," he said. "We have got great characters in that dressing room, all of us really put our hands up with a lot of pride and a lot of fight in us to make sure we give our best and give it absolutely everything we have."However, du Plessis lamented the missed opportunity to advance further in the tournament. "It's a sad ending when it goes your way like that, you feel like is it possibly written in the stars that you could do something special here but we weren't special tonight in terms of just pushing that extra 20 runs with the bat."