Cricket

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced its 15-man squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be held in the West Indies and USA from June 1. The squad features a blend of experienced veterans and promising IPL performers, but the omission of talented stars like Rinku Singh, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Ravi Bishnoi has raised eyebrows among fans and pundits.While the BCCI and team management have opted for a conservative approach, the ICC's deadline of May 01 for provisional squads allows for changes to be made until May 25. This provides a glimmer of hope for players like Rinku, who could potentially replace an injured or unavailable player in the final squad.The BCCI's reserve list includes Rinku Singh, Shubman Gill, Avesh Khan, and Khaleel Ahmed. In the event of an injury or other issue, the Indian team can be altered, allowing the management to select a player from the reserves. A similar situation occurred at the ODI World Cup last year, where Ravichandran Ashwin replaced Axar Patel after the latter sustained an injury.For Rinku to make it into the playing XI, however, a player like Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, or Suryakumar Yadav would need to be unavailable. The Indian team will begin their World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5, followed by a highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on June 9. They will then face the USA and Canada on June 12 and 15, respectively.India is placed in Group A of the tournament alongside Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and co-hosts USA. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 12 stage, where they will be joined by the top eight teams from the previous T20 World Cup.

Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Rishabh Pant opted to bat first in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on April 29. DC made two changes to their lineup, bringing in Prithvi Shaw for Kumar Kushagra and right-arm pacer Rasikh Salam Dar. KKR captain Shreyas Iyer also made two alterations, introducing Australian quick Mitchell Starc and right-arm pacer Vaibhav Arora.DC's innings got off to a shaky start as they lost opener Prithvi Shaw for a duck in the first over. However, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Abishek Porel steadied the ship with a 42-run partnership. Porel was dismissed for 22, but Fraser-McGurk continued to anchor the innings, scoring a valuable 46 off 34 deliveries.Shai Hope and Rishabh Pant then combined for a crucial 53-run stand for the fourth wicket. Pant played a captain's knock, scoring 43 off 29 balls before being dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy. Tristan Stubbs and Axar Patel made brief contributions, but it was Kuldeep Yadav's late cameo that propelled DC to a competitive total. Yadav smashed an unbeaten 24 off 12 balls, including two sixes, to take DC to 173/7 in their allotted 20 overs.KKR's chase began disastrously as they lost their top three batsmen - Phil Salt, Sunil Narine, and Venkatesh Iyer - for just 13 runs. Shreyas Iyer and Rinku Singh attempted to rebuild the innings, but their partnership was broken by Khaleel Ahmed. Andre Russell provided some late fireworks with a 25-ball 45, but it was not enough to prevent KKR from falling short by 44 runs.Kuldeep Yadav was the star performer for DC with the ball, claiming 4/33 in his four overs. Khaleel Ahmed and Rasikh Salam Dar also chipped in with two wickets each.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), led by Shreyas Iyer, have emerged as a formidable force in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. With five victories and three defeats from eight games, KKR currently occupies the second spot in the points table.Ahead of their crucial match against Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Iyer shared his insights on the factors that fuel his motivation on the field. In a video shared by the host broadcaster, Iyer revealed that the presence of the crowd and the adrenaline rush associated with hitting boundaries are key motivators for him."When you're at the other side of the line, there are butterflies in your stomach," Iyer said. "You always think about the crowd, the situation, and what will happen."However, once he steps onto the field, Iyer enters a state of focus where everything else fades away. "The moment you step in, I go blank," he explained. "You can see the crowd cheer, you can hear them, but at the same time, you're there in your zone. After going into that zone, nothing else matters."Iyer emphasized the energy he derives from the crowd's support. "When you hit a six or a four and the crowd starts making noise, it gives you so much energy inside," he said. "And also when the crowd chants your name."KKR's previous encounter with DC at Visakhapatnam earlier this month resulted in a victory for the Kolkata-based franchise. The two teams have faced each other 32 times in the IPL, with KKR holding a slight edge with 16 wins compared to DC's 15. One game ended with no result.Both KKR and DC are aware of the importance of maintaining their momentum in the tournament. With the playoffs approaching, every match becomes crucial, and neither team can afford to let their guard down.

Kolkata Knight Riders Skipper Shreyas Iyer Embraces Pressure, Targets Top Spot in IPL 2024Ahead of the crucial clash against Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders captain Shreyas Iyer has expressed his unwavering belief in thriving under pressure. In an interview with Star Sports, Iyer emphasized the importance of expectations in driving his performance."I always have high expectations for myself," Iyer said. "Expectations are necessary because without them, I won't feel the pressure to perform. I personally love and thrive on the pressure to deliver."Iyer's philosophy aligns with the team's current form, as KKR has emerged victorious in five of their last seven IPL matches. The Kolkata-based franchise is brimming with confidence, aiming to secure a top position in the league stage.With seven matches remaining, KKR will face a stern test against Punjab Kings, who have struggled this season. However, Iyer remains unfazed, recognizing the importance of a win against an underperforming opponent."A win against Punjab Kings could be crucial for us," Iyer said. "They may not be in the best form, but we can't take them lightly. We need to focus on our game and execute our plans."Iyer's individual performances have been impressive, with the skipper amassing 190 runs from seven matches. His crucial 50-run innings against Royal Challengers Bengaluru played a pivotal role in KKR's victory.Under the guidance of mentor Gautam Gambhir, Iyer and his team are determined to make a strong push for the playoffs. With their current momentum and Iyer's leadership, KKR is well-positioned to achieve their goals.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), led by Shreyas Iyer, have emerged as a formidable force in IPL 2024, securing five victories in seven matches. Despite Iyer's modest batting performance, the team's consistent success has boosted morale.In a recent interview with Cyrus Broacha, Iyer attributed his confident stride to childhood teasing. "They used to tease me," he said, referring to his teammate Nitish Rana. "This is natural. I've walked like this since I was young."Iyer humorously suggested that his "bouncy toes" might contribute to his distinctive gait. The trio, including Iyer, erupted in laughter at his explanation.KKR's success has been a collective effort, with contributions from various players. Andre Russell has been a key performer, scoring 180 runs and taking 10 wickets. Nitish Rana has also been impressive, amassing 200 runs.The team's bowling attack has been equally effective, with Umesh Yadav leading the charge with 12 wickets. Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine have also been instrumental in restricting opposition batters.KKR's strong start has positioned them as one of the favorites to reach the playoffs. With a balanced squad and a winning mentality, they aim to continue their impressive run and challenge for the IPL title.

Kolkata Knight Riders Skipper Shreyas Iyer Fined for Slow Over-Rate in IPL MatchKolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Shreyas Iyer has been penalized with a hefty fine of Rs 12 lakh for a slow over-rate offense during their recent Indian Premier League (IPL) match against the Rajasthan Royals. The incident occurred in a thrilling encounter that saw the Royals emerge victorious by a narrow margin of two wickets.The Indian Premier League (IPL) issued a statement confirming the fine on Iyer. "As it was his team's first offence of the season under the IPL's Code of Conduct relating to minimum over rate offences, Iyer was fined Rs 12 lakhs," the release clarified.The setback for KKR came amidst their IPL campaign, where they have now recorded their second loss in six games. On the other hand, the win for the Rajasthan Royals marked their sixth triumph in seven matches, placing them in a strong position in the tournament.The fine imposed on Iyer serves as a reminder for teams to adhere to the IPL's regulations, including maintaining the required over-rate. The enforcement of such rules is crucial to ensure the smooth conduct of the games and adherence to the scheduled timings, which are important for broadcasters and fans alike.The incident highlights the importance of on-field discipline and the consequences teams and their captains can face when they fail to comply with the IPL's standards.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul has acknowledged the need for introspection after his team's second consecutive defeat in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite a promising start to the season, LSG has now slipped to fifth place on the points table."We're not panicking, but we can't afford to be complacent," Rahul said after the eight-wicket loss to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). "We need to identify our mistakes and have some tough conversations."LSG's batting has been a concern, with the team failing to cross 160 in their last two matches. "We need to figure out how to get to the 180-200 run mark," Rahul emphasized.Against KKR, LSG lost wickets in clusters, leaving them with a below-par total. "We kept losing wickets in bunches, and we left about 30 runs out there," Rahul lamented. "If we had kept wickets in hand, we could have gotten a lot more runs."KKR captain Shreyas Iyer praised his bowlers for their performance. "We bowled well under pressure," Iyer said. "We wanted to minimize the half-volleys and force the batters to use their power."The unbeaten 120-run partnership between Iyer and Phil Salt proved decisive for KKR. Salt credited Iyer for his support and praised the Eden Gardens wicket for its similarity to home conditions in England."Shreyas was good in the middle and kept me on task," Salt said. "The ball bounces a bit more here, and you can aim squarer."LSG will need to address their batting woes and find a way to post more competitive totals if they want to regain their winning ways. KKR, on the other hand, will look to build on their momentum and maintain their position near the top of the table.

Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) unbeaten streak in the IPL 2024 was shattered by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a comprehensive seven-wicket defeat on Monday. The KKR batters, known for their aggressive approach, failed to deliver on the Chennai pitch, managing only 137/9 in 20 overs.Ravindra Jadeja and Tushar Deshpande led the CSK bowling attack, taking two wickets each to restrict KKR's scoring. After the match, a fan questioned KKR's strategy, suggesting that a more "selfish" approach with a player prioritizing personal milestones could have resulted in a higher score.However, former New Zealand fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan disagreed, urging KKR to stick to their fearless approach. "Sometimes you shoot for the stars and land on the moon. No biggie - their formula has worked so far no need to become selfish," McClenaghan tweeted.KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer acknowledged the team's shortcomings in assessing the wicket. "We were phenomenal in the powerplay but after that, we couldn't capitalize, we lost consecutive wickets. We weren't able to assess the conditions as quickly as possible," Iyer said.The defeat marked KKR's first loss of the season, while CSK secured their second win. The match highlighted the importance of adapting to different pitch conditions and the challenges of maintaining an unbeaten run in the competitive IPL.

Kolkata Knight Riders Opt to Field First Against Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2024 ClashIn a highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 encounter, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to field first against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 29.Iyer explained his decision, stating that the team had been preparing well and wanted to carry forward their momentum. He also revealed that Ankul Roy would be the only change in their lineup.RCB captain Faf du Plessis expressed his disappointment at not being able to bat first, but acknowledged the support of the home crowd. He confirmed that their team would remain unchanged.The teams took to the field with the following lineups:Royal Challengers Bangalore:* Faf du Plessis (capt)* Virat Kohli* Rajat Patidar* Glenn Maxwell* Cameron Green* Dinesh Karthik* Anuj Rawat (wk)* Alzarri Joseph* MJ Dagar* Mohammed Siraj* Yash DayalKolkata Knight Riders:* Phil Salt (wk)* Venkatesh Iyer* Shreyas Iyer (capt)* Rinku Singh* Sunil Narine* Andre Russell* Ramandeep Singh* Mitchell Starc* AS Roy* Harshit Rana* CV VarunThe match commenced with RCB openers Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli facing the KKR bowlers. The duo provided a solid start, putting on a 50-run partnership before du Plessis was dismissed by Mitchell Starc.Kohli continued to anchor the innings, scoring a half-century, while Rajat Patidar and Glenn Maxwell made valuable contributions. However, the KKR bowlers managed to restrict RCB to a total of 165/6 in their allotted 20 overs.In response, KKR's openers Phil Salt and Venkatesh Iyer got off to a flying start, putting on a 60-run partnership. However, RCB's bowlers fought back, with Mohammed Siraj and Alzarri Joseph picking up key wickets.Shreyas Iyer and Andre Russell attempted to revive the chase, but they were unable to sustain the momentum. KKR eventually fell short of the target, losing by 23 runs.