Cricket

Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has heaped praise on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Shreyas Iyer, comparing him to the legendary Shahid Afridi with the added advantage of brains. Sidhu believes Iyer has the potential to excel in the upcoming IPL 2024, especially after being overlooked for the BCCI central contracts.Sidhu lauded Iyer's ability to adapt to different situations while batting, saying, "He reminds me of a better Shahid Afridi. An Afridi with better brains. He adapts to the situation." Sidhu also praised Iyer's tenacity and determination, particularly after recovering from a serious injury.Meanwhile, KKR's former captain Gautam Gambhir has returned as a mentor for the team. Gambhir, who led KKR to two IPL titles and five playoffs during his tenure, has been tasked with guiding the team to success once again.KKR has made a significant signing in Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who will be expected to play a crucial role in the power-play and death overs. The team also boasts a strong batting lineup, including Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Phil Salt, Venkatesh Iyer, and Shreyas Iyer.However, KKR's success will depend on the performance of their spinners, such as Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, and Suyash Sharma. The team will need to utilize the home conditions to provide assistance to their spin bowlers.

Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders Clash in IPL 2024 OpenerKolkata, March 23: The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season kicked off with a thrilling encounter between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.SRH captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to exploit the early morning conditions. KKR captain Shreyas Iyer, on the other hand, was confident in his team's batting lineup.The KKR openers, Venkatesh Iyer and Phil Salt, got off to a solid start, putting on 45 runs for the first wicket. However, the introduction of Marco Jansen into the attack proved to be a game-changer. The South African left-arm pacer dismissed both openers in quick succession, leaving KKR reeling at 45/2.Shreyas Iyer and Nitish Rana then steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership. But just when KKR seemed to be gaining momentum, Cummins struck with a double-wicket over, removing both Iyer and Rana.Andre Russell and Sunil Narine provided some late fireworks, but KKR could only manage to post a total of 165/8 in their allotted 20 overs.In response, SRH got off to a shaky start, losing Mayank Agarwal and Rahul Tripathi cheaply. However, Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen steadied the ship with a 60-run partnership.Markram, in particular, played a brilliant innings, scoring 75 runs off just 50 deliveries. He was well-supported by Klaasen, who contributed 45 runs.Despite a late surge from KKR, led by Mitchell Starc's 3/30, SRH managed to chase down the target with four balls to spare.Key Details:* SRH won the toss and elected to bowl first.* KKR posted a total of 165/8 in 20 overs.* SRH chased down the target with four balls to spare.* Aiden Markram was named Player of the Match for his brilliant 75-run knock.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the spearhead of Sunrisers Hyderabad, is on the cusp of a remarkable milestone as he prepares to face Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening match of IPL 2024. The seasoned fast bowler is just four wickets away from becoming the first Indian bowler to claim 150 wickets for a single franchise in the league. Only two other bowlers, Lasith Malinga (Mumbai Indians) and Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders), have achieved this feat in the IPL's history.Meanwhile, the spotlight will also be on Shreyas Iyer's return from a lengthy injury layoff. The Indian batter, who missed the entire 2023 season due to a back injury, will lead Kolkata Knight Riders, who have made some strategic additions while retaining the core of their team. Iyer recently impressed with a 95 in Mumbai's Ranji Trophy triumph, but his availability for all matches remains uncertain due to fitness concerns.Kolkata Knight Riders have welcomed back their most successful captain, Gautam Gambhir, as a mentor. His partnership with head coach Chandrakant Pandit, a renowned tactician in the domestic circuit, will be crucial to their revival. Team principal owner Shah Rukh Khan has emphasized the importance of ownership and accountability, urging Gambhir to lead the franchise to success.Under Gambhir's captaincy, Kolkata Knight Riders enjoyed a golden era from 2011 to 2017, winning two IPL titles, reaching five playoffs, and finishing as runners-up in the Champions League T20 tournament.The biggest signing of this IPL season is Kolkata Knight Riders' acquisition of Australian pacer Mitchell Starc for a record sum of Rs 24.75 crore. The left-arm quick will face immense pressure to perform, especially in the power-play and death overs. Starc and Andre Russell are the only experienced pacers in Kolkata Knight Riders' ranks, making their workload management a critical factor.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vice-captain Nitish Rana expressed optimism about star batter Shreyas Iyer's fitness and leadership role in the upcoming IPL 2024 season. Iyer, who missed the previous season due to injury, has returned to the KKR camp with a back issue.Rana, who led KKR in Iyer's absence, acknowledged the challenges faced by the team last year. "We did not achieve everything we wanted, yet it was the greatest experience for me," he said. Despite finishing seventh in the points table, Rana believes there is a renewed sense of determination within the team."This time, our team is very positive and you can feel it in the dressing room. There is a determination to win, which wasn't so strong last year. Everyone is thinking about the trophy," Rana added.Regarding Iyer's fitness, Rana expressed hope that he would be able to lead the team throughout the season. "Shreyas is back with the team and is quite fit. Of course, he had fitness issues in the past, but I hope I do not have to take up this responsibility again," Rana said.Rana also highlighted the strength of the KKR squad, which includes experienced players like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Venkatesh Iyer, as well as promising youngsters like Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rinku Singh."We have a good mix of experience and youth. We have a lot of match-winners in our team. We are confident that we can go all the way this time," Rana concluded.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will kick off the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season on March 23 in Kolkata. The match will feature the return of Shreyas Iyer, who missed the entire 2022 season due to a back injury. Iyer will lead KKR, who have made some tactical additions while keeping the nucleus of the side intact.KKR's most successful captain, Gautam Gambhir, is back as a mentor. His partnership with head coach Chandrakant Pandit, a shrewd tactician in the domestic circuit, will be key to their revival. The team's biggest signing is Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who will be under huge pressure to perform. His spell in power-play and the death overs will be crucial.SRH, under the leadership of Australian captain Pat Cummins, will also be looking to make a strong start. Cummins is the second-most expensive buy in this IPL and all eyes will be on him to revive the fortunes of the side that has had two wooden-spoon finishes in the last three seasons.On paper, KKR with a star-studded batting and spin-heavy attack to complement Starc's pace, will be overwhelming favorites. But SRH, under the shrewd captaincy of Cummins, will definitely fancy their chances. Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen's batting firepower in the power-play and death overs will be vital. Their bowling also looks balanced with the experienced Cummins and India's veteran death-overs specialist Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the lineup, while the likes of Washington Sundar and Wanindu Hasaranga will be crucial in the spin department.

Nitish Rana, the left-handed batter of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), is ready to lead the team again if required, despite the return of first-choice skipper Shreyas Iyer. Rana, who was appointed captain last year due to Iyer's unavailability, hopes that Iyer remains fit throughout the season."Shreyas is back with the team and is quite fit. Of course, he had fitness issues in the past, and we cannot take anything for granted. I hope I do not have to take up this responsibility again, as we are hoping Shreyas leads in all the matches," Rana said.However, Rana is prepared to step into the captain's role if necessary. "If a situation arises where I have to wear the captain's band again, I am ready for it. I was made the captain last year, and that was the biggest thing for me. Although we did not achieve everything we wanted, yet it was the greatest experience for me," he added.Despite last year's disappointing performance under his captaincy, Rana believes the team has a positive mindset this season. "This time, our team is very positive, and you can feel it in the dressing room. There is a determination to win, which wasn't so strong last year. Everyone is thinking about the trophy," he said.KKR has invested heavily in Mitchell Starc, the Australian fast bowler, who is expected to bolster the team's bowling attack. Rana believes Starc's experience will be invaluable. "Starc is too experienced to let the price tag affect him. We had been missing a death bowler, and he has filled up that spot. He knows what needs to be done. In fact, I feel he will be one of our main performers this time," Rana said.While Starc will be a key player, Rana also highlighted the potential of KKR's young pacers. "Last year, all our three young pacers (Chetan Sakariya, Vaibhav Arora, and Harshit Rana) did well in bits and pieces, and we expect them to do the same this time. This is a chance for them to learn from Starc," he said.Rana also expressed his desire to be selected for the upcoming World T20 squad. "Everyone wants to play for the country, and many players will have it in the back of their mind, but we have to stay in the present. I too want to get selected for the World T20 squad, but at this moment, I am thinking only about the IPL. I believe I can get 600 runs in this tournament, and I will be aiming for that," he said.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, are determined to make a strong comeback in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. After a disappointing performance last year, the team has made significant acquisitions at the mini-auction, including the high-profile signing of Mitchell Starc.KKR's batting lineup boasts a formidable array of power hitters, including Phil Salt, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana, and Sunil Narine. The team's spin attack is equally impressive, with Varun Chakravarthy and Mujeeb Ur Rahman providing a potent combination.However, KKR's pace bowling remains a concern. Despite the addition of Mitchell Starc, the team lacks experienced pacers who can consistently deliver in the death overs. The overreliance on Starc could prove to be a weakness if he fails to perform.The return of Gautam Gambhir as mentor and the availability of Shreyas Iyer after his injury layoff are major positives for KKR. Gambhir's leadership and Iyer's captaincy skills will be crucial for the team's success.KKR's finishers, such as Rinku Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, and Andre Russell, have the potential to be game-changers. However, Russell's recent form has been inconsistent, and Narine's batting has also been underwhelming. The team will need these players to perform at their best to achieve success.

Shreyas Iyer's Back Injury Flares Up, Threatening IPL ParticipationMumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer's worst fears have materialized as his back injury has resurfaced during the Ranji Trophy final. The recurring injury, which required surgery last year, now casts doubt on his participation in the initial stage of IPL 2024, where he captains the Kolkata Knight Riders.During his 95-run knock in the second innings at the Wankhede Stadium, Iyer experienced back spasms and sought treatment from the Mumbai physio twice. On Day Four of the final, he was unable to take the field due to the pain.Sources close to the situation have revealed that Iyer underwent a scan of his back at a hospital. The results indicate that the same back injury has aggravated, making it unlikely that he will play on Day 5 of the Ranji Trophy final."It's not looking good. It's the same back injury which has got aggravated. It's unlikely that he will take the field on Day 5 of the Ranji Trophy final. He is in danger of missing the initial matches of the IPL," a source told TOI.Iyer had previously missed two Ranji Trophy matches this season due to back pain. During the recent Test series against England, he informed the Indian team management about the recurring injury. However, after being cleared by the National Cricket Academy's medical team, the BCCI denied him a central contract due to his absence from Ranji Trophy matches.The IPL is set to commence on March 22, with KKR playing their first match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Kolkata on March 23. Iyer's injury is a major concern for KKR, who will be without their captain for the crucial initial matches of the tournament.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Chandrakant Pandit has heaped praise on Shreyas Iyer after the star batter's scintillating 95 for Mumbai in the second innings of the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha. Iyer, who was dismissed for just seven in the first innings, smashed 10 fours and three sixes during his whirlwind knock.Pandit, who will join forces with Iyer during IPL 2024, hailed the KKR skipper for his fearlessness and compared his knock to the World Cup semi-final century. "It was an important innings for Shreyas and he delivered it when it mattered. Although in a different format, his innings resembled the one in the World Cup semifinal here at the Wankhede against New Zealand (he had scored 105 off 70 deliveries then). He is playing good cricket and it was bad luck that he could not score big runs in the last few games," Pandit told Cricbuzz."The fact that he smashed 10 boundaries and three sixes is an indication that he is playing fearlessly and is not changing his style of play. The innings will stand him in good stead," he added.For the unversed, Iyer had smashed 105 off just 70 balls in the ODI World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, also at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.After the Ranji Trophy final, Iyer will associate with Chandrakant Pandit at KKR, having missed the last season of IPL due to an injury.Pandit also hailed Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane for his knock in the second innings, saying that the veteran played the best knock for his side. "I liked his (Musheer) approach and his partnership with Iyer may have made things difficult for Vidrabha. But the best knock I think came from Ajinkya (73). He scored those runs when Umesh Yadav was in the midst of a good spell. Now with so many runs on the board, it will be very difficult for Vidarbha," he concluded.