Cricket

Former Australian skipper Aaron Finch has hailed Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as a "class player" due to his exceptional versatility that brings balance to any team he represents. Jadeja's recent performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have further solidified his reputation as a top-class cricketer.In Chennai Super Kings' victory over Punjab Kings on May 5, Jadeja showcased his all-around abilities. He scored a valuable 40 runs and claimed three wickets, playing a pivotal role in his team's triumph. Finch, who has witnessed Jadeja's brilliance firsthand, was impressed by his performance."Ravindra Jadeja is such a versatile player, which makes him so effective. With the ball, he would have loved more wickets," Finch said. "He's been economical, going at under eight per over throughout the tournament. Leading with three wickets today (Sunday), he showed he is an absolute class player."Finch was particularly impressed by Jadeja's ability to return with figures of 3/20 in his full quota of four overs while defending a modest total of 169. "Three wickets for just 20 runs when the Punjab Kings were chasing a total of 170 odd runs is just superb. It just shows why he's one of the best players in the world," the Australian said.Finch also praised Kolkata Knight Riders' Sunil Narine, another versatile player who has been in exceptional form this season. The 2021 World T20-winning Australian skipper believes that it is extremely difficult to contain Narine for a long period of time."It's truly remarkable, isn't it? I mean, seeing Sunil Narine stride out to open the batting. Before this season, you're thinking, if we can just keep him quiet for a couple of balls, he'll try and do something and play a big shot. But this season, he's not only getting off to explosive starts but also batting smartly and seizing control of the innings," Finch said.The 35-year-old Narine smashed 81 off just 39 balls to power KKR to a comfortable 98-run win over Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday night. In the process, Narine also became the fourth player to score more than 450 runs and take 10 plus wickets in a single IPL edition.

Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) resurgence to the top of the Indian Premier League (IPL) standings has been attributed to the strategic guidance of former captain Gautam Gambhir, who now serves as the team's mentor. Gambhir's insights, honed during his successful tenure as KKR skipper, have revitalized the franchise's performance, leading them to reclaim their dominant form in the tournament.Under Gambhir's leadership, KKR clinched the IPL title twice and secured playoff berths on five occasions between 2011 and 2017. Young pacer Harshit Rana acknowledged Gambhir's profound understanding of the game, stating, "He has a lot of knowledge on how to turn games in our favor, and it helps us a lot in the middle."Rana emphasized the team's adherence to Gambhir's preferred style of cricket, which focuses on strategic discipline and adaptability. "Not only this match, this entire season we have been focusing a lot on the style of cricket that Gautam Gambhir wants us to play," Rana remarked during a press conference following KKR's commanding victory over Lucknow Super Giants.In the latest triumph, KKR showcased their astute reading of the conditions, with Rana playing a pivotal role in restricting the opposition with figures of 3/24. Despite concerns over Mitchell Starc's economy rate, Rana expressed unwavering faith in the Australian speedster, highlighting his influential presence within the team.Reflecting on his aspirations, Rana expressed his ambition to represent India while maintaining a steadfast focus on delivering consistent performances for his franchise. "My aim is to play for India, but whatever franchise I play for, I try to give my best on the day of the match," he affirmed.Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants' Naveen Ul Haq conceded defeat against the brilliance of Sunil Narine's explosive innings, which propelled KKR to a daunting total. Naveen acknowledged Narine's exceptional batting display, lamenting the failure of their bowling plans to contain the West Indian all-rounder.Despite the setback, Naveen remained pragmatic, acknowledging the need to regroup and refocus for their upcoming fixtures. "Every team has a bad day, and we cannot keep focusing on that, we have to move on," he concluded, echoing the sentiment of resilience required in the demanding landscape of the IPL.

Despite losing the toss in the majority of their Indian Premier League (IPL) matches, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have maintained their winning ways, according to skipper Shreyas Iyer. After their victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Sunday, KKR climbed to the top of the points table.In the match against LSG, Iyer lost his eighth toss in 11 games, but it did not affect KKR's performance. After being asked to bat first, KKR posted an impressive total of 235 for six. Their batting prowess was complemented by a strong bowling display, as they restricted the hosts to a mere 137 runs, securing another crucial win on their journey towards the playoffs."The last 6 matches in the dressing room there has been havoc, teammates are coming in and asking skip what's happening, we are losing tosses, but we are winning games that's what matters," said Iyer at the post-match presentation in Lucknow."We had a great start in the powerplay. A lefty-righty combination makes things difficult for the opposition. It's all about the freedom, to go out and express themselves.""We want to go out and be positive whatever the situation is, sometimes it doesn't work out but sometimes it does."Opener Sunil Narine smashed an unbeaten 81 off 39 balls before the bowlers did their job to script a big win.LSG need to win their remaining three games to push for a play-off spot, and the do-or-die situation will help his team, insisted skipper KL Rahul."We've made a couple of mistakes when we've come up against batters like Sunil and anyone that's powerful. That type of intimidation puts pressure on our bowlers. That'll be the chat once we get back to the dressing room - move on from this game, see where we went wrong and try and get better.""This is our last home game for us, so we are on the road for the next three games. It's pretty clear for us, if you want to get to the top four, you got to win all the games. That will give us a little bit of freedom to go out there and be a little bit more fearless, little bit brave to take on the game," said Rahul.

Sunil Narine's blistering knock of 81 off 39 balls propelled Kolkata Knight Riders to a formidable total of 235 for six against Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on May 5.Narine's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, as he smashed three fours and a six in the fourth over off Mohsin Khan. He continued his onslaught, reaching his fifty with a delicate late-cut four against leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi. The West Indian batter targeted the LSG pacers, launching them over the fence with a cleared front foot.Narine's whirlwind knock ended on 81 after he mistimed a quicker one from Bishnoi. However, his dismissal did not deter KKR, as Ramandeep Singh's six-ball 25 in the death ensured that the visitors breached the 220-run mark for the fifth time this season.The KKR innings started with a quickfire 61-run opening stand between Narine and Phil Salt. Salt peppered LSG's new-ball bowlers with boundaries, while Narine played sedately. Angkrish Raghuvanshi also contributed with some crisp drives on the off side.The LSG bowlers fought back in the middle overs, with Naveen-ul-Haq dismissing Salt and Andre Russell. However, Narine's brilliance and Ramandeep Singh's late cameo ensured that KKR finished on a high.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season has witnessed a batting bonanza, with the 250-run mark being breached eight times already. Amidst this run-fest, two bowlers have stood out as exceptional performers: Jasprit Bumrah and Sunil Narine.Bumrah, the Mumbai Indians' pace spearhead, has been in scintillating form, leading the Purple Cap charts with 17 wickets in 11 matches. His economy rate of 6.25 is a testament to his ability to control the flow of runs while also picking up crucial wickets.Narine, the Kolkata Knight Riders' mystery spinner, has also been impressive, claiming 13 wickets in 11 matches at an economy rate of 6.72. His unique bowling action and variations have made him a formidable force, bamboozling batsmen with his deceptive deliveries.Ravindra Ashwin, the Rajasthan Royals' spinner, has praised Bumrah and Narine for their exceptional performances. However, he took a subtle dig at Narine's bowling action, which has been questioned in the past. Ashwin declined to elaborate on the topic, stating that it was against his policy.Despite his praise for Bumrah and Narine, Ashwin has struggled for form this season, leaking runs at nine per over and claiming only two wickets in nine matches. His recent comments that taking wickets in T20s is irrelevant have drawn criticism from former India batter Virender Sehwag.Sehwag believes that Ashwin's remarks could hurt his chances of being picked in the IPL auction next season. He emphasized that bowlers are expected to take wickets and not merely contain runs.The ongoing IPL season has highlighted the importance of bowlers who can not only restrict runs but also pick up wickets. Bumrah and Narine have emerged as the standout performers in this regard, while Ashwin's struggles serve as a reminder that even experienced bowlers can face challenges in the high-scoring environment of T20 cricket.

Sunil Narine, the enigmatic all-rounder, has been the cornerstone of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for over a decade. His explosive batting, economical bowling, and exceptional fielding have made him an indispensable asset to the franchise.KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan has heaped praise on Narine, calling him the "Superman" and the driving force behind the team's success. Narine's contributions have been instrumental in KKR's two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.This season, Narine has been in scintillating form, scoring a century, two half-centuries, and taking nearly a dozen wickets. His all-round brilliance has propelled KKR to the second position in the standings.Shah Rukh Khan believes that Narine's versatility makes him an invaluable player. "He's a boss on the field, a player, a bowler, a batsman, a wicketkeeper, a fielder. He's an 'anything' player," said Khan.Narine's impact extends beyond his on-field performances. His infectious spirit and deep affection for KKR have made him a fan favorite. "We're very fortunate to have players, Indian or foreign, who have deep feelings for the team... Sunil, like I said, he's an 'anything' player," added Khan.KKR's success is also attributed to the dynamic duo of Narine and Andre Russell. Shah Rukh Khan emphasized the importance of these two players, stating that their absence would be a significant blow to the team.Russell, known for his flamboyant hairstyle, has become a fashion icon in the IPL. Shah Rukh Khan praised Russell's style and his close friendship with Rinku Singh, comparing them to the iconic Jai-Veeru duo from the classic film "Sholay."Gautam Gambhir, KKR's former captain and current mentor, has also played a pivotal role in the team's success. Shah Rukh Khan expressed his admiration for Gambhir, saying that his return to the franchise has been seamless.As KKR continues its quest for a third IPL title, Sunil Narine remains the heart and soul of the team. His all-round abilities, infectious spirit, and deep connection with the franchise make him an indispensable asset to the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Suryakumar Yadav's Hilarious Narine Impression Sparks Laughter in IPLIn a lighthearted moment amidst the intense competition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Mumbai Indians batsman Suryakumar Yadav brought a smile to the face of Kolkata Knight Riders' star spinner Sunil Narine.During a recent match between the two teams, Yadav showcased his playful side by imitating Narine's signature celebration after scoring a century. The video, shared on Mumbai Indians' social media, captured the moment as Yadav mimicked Narine's stoic expression and raised his bat in triumph.Narine, known for his serious demeanor on the field, couldn't help but burst into laughter at Yadav's antics. The video quickly went viral, delighting fans and showcasing the camaraderie between the two players.The incident occurred during a crucial match between KKR and Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. KKR, led by Shreyas Iyer, currently hold second place in the IPL standings with six wins from nine games. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, have struggled this season and are unlikely to qualify for the playoffs despite having five games remaining.Despite the contrasting fortunes of the two teams, the moment between Yadav and Narine provided a welcome respite from the intense competition. It highlighted the lighter side of the IPL and the camaraderie that exists among players, even from rival teams.

Phil Salt's blistering half-century propelled Kolkata Knight Riders to a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Salt's 68 off 33 balls, including seven fours and four sixes, laid the foundation for KKR's successful chase of 154.Salt's aggressive approach in the powerplay, where he scored 60 runs, set the tone for KKR's dominant performance. He targeted Lizaad Williams and Khaleel Ahmed, plundering runs at a rapid pace. His opening partner, Sunil Narine, played a supporting role, allowing Salt to take the lead.The Salt-Narine duo has been a revelation for KKR this season, forming a formidable opening partnership. They have amassed 485 runs in nine innings, the highest by any opening pair in the IPL. Their run rate of 12.43 is also the second-highest for any pair to have opened the batting at least five times.Salt attributed their success to their complementary styles and open communication. "We've dovetailed nicely," he said. "If one of us gets going, we feed the strike to that person. We normally do all the talking the day before. Sunil keeps it very simple, but he's a deep thinker of the game."KKR captain Shreyas Iyer praised Salt's involvement and consistency. "Phil comes for team meetings and gives his inputs," Iyer said. "He's completely engrossed in the game. It's just pure bliss to see him coming and performing the way he has been."Salt's performance against DC showcased his ability to take risks and put pressure on the opposition. His aggressive batting style has been a key factor in KKR's success this season, and he will be looking to continue his impressive form in the upcoming matches.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) unleashed a batting onslaught against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match at Eden Gardens on April 26, posting a mammoth total of 261 for 6. This was the highest score in IPL history at the iconic venue and the second-highest for KKR, after their 272 against Delhi Capitals in 2024.Sunil Narine (71) and Phil Salt (75) provided a blistering start, amassing 138 runs in just 10.2 overs before Narine's dismissal. Salt followed suit at 163 in 12.3 overs. Andre Russell (24 off 12) and Venkatesh Iyer (39) then added 40 runs in three overs.Captain Shreyas Iyer took on the PBKS bowling attack, scoring 28 runs off just 10 balls. Rinku Singh (5) was dismissed quickly, but Venkatesh Iyer and Ramandeep Singh guided KKR past the 260-mark.None of the PBKS bowlers were spared the onslaught. Arshdeep Singh (2 for 45), Sam Curran (1 for 60), Harshal Patel (1 for 48), and Rahul Chahar (1 for 33) were the wicket-takers. PBKS fielding was sloppy, with three dropped catches.