Cricket

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.

Shubman Gill, the promising Indian batter and captain of Gujarat Titans, has faced a dip in form in the ongoing IPL 2024 season. Despite a strong start, Gill has struggled to maintain consistency, with his last significant score of 50+ runs coming on April 10 against Rajasthan Royals. Since then, he has been dismissed for single-digit scores on three occasions.Gill's struggles have raised concerns, especially considering his omission from the T20 World Cup squad. However, former India opener Virender Sehwag has expressed confidence in Gill's ability to bounce back. Sehwag believes that Gill should draw inspiration from legendary batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, and VVS Laxman, who never allowed a dip in form to derail their careers."He should focus on scoring runs at a good strike-rate so he doesn't get replaced," Sehwag advised. "He has to learn from the greats who never gave a reason to get dropped."Gill's struggles have coincided with Gujarat Titans' poor performance in IPL 2024. The team, which won the title in 2022 and finished runners-up last year, currently languishes at the ninth spot in the table with just four wins from 11 games.One of the Titans' major weaknesses has been their performance during the Powerplay, particularly with the bat. Against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Saturday, they posted the lowest Powerplay total of any team this season, scoring only 23 runs. Their Powerplay run-rate of 7.54 and strike-rate of 118.43 are the lowest among all teams in IPL 2024.Addressing their underwhelming performance in the Powerplay will be crucial for the Titans if they are to salvage their season and make a late push for a playoff spot.

Former Indian batsman Virender Sehwag has expressed his bewilderment over the tactics employed by Mumbai Indians (MI) during their 24-run defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.Chasing a modest target of 170, MI's batting lineup crumbled, losing wickets at regular intervals. They were eventually bowled out for 145 in 18.5 overs at the Wankhede Stadium.Sehwag questioned the decision to send captain Hardik Pandya and Tim David down the order at No. 7 and 8, respectively. He also raised concerns about KKR's decision to hold back star all-rounder Andre Russell."KKR saved Andre Russell; he played only two balls. Mumbai Indians saved Hardik Pandya and Tim David. What did you achieve by doing that? There were many deliveries left, and they all got out. You could've come earlier, or maybe you could've finished the game earlier, too," Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.Sehwag criticized Hardik for batting down the order, pointing out that he had consistently batted in the top order for Gujarat Titans in the previous season. He urged the MI management to take action against the players and staff responsible for the team's poor performance."Hardik Pandya batted at 4 consistently when he was the GT captain. What has happened here? It baffles me that the experienced players are coming so low," Sehwag said."I'm baffled by this. Management needs to take severe action on players and ask them what's happening. Or, players should speak up about why their batting positions are changed. The captain, batting coach, bowling coach, and support staff are at fault here. Owners need to ask strict questions," he added.Hardik, speaking after the match, admitted that MI failed to form partnerships and lost wickets too frequently. He acknowledged that there were many questions that needed to be answered but declined to elaborate further."I mean obviously in the batting inning, we couldn't form partnerships and kept losing wickets, in T20s if you don't form partnerships, it will cost you. Not much, there are a lot of questions that will take some time to answer but for now, not much to say," Pandya said in the post-match presentation.

Virender Sehwag has launched a scathing attack on Ravichandran Ashwin for his recent statement that strike rate doesn't matter for bowlers. Sehwag, known for his outspoken nature, pointed out Ashwin's poor wicket-taking record in the ongoing IPL 2024 and suggested that the off-spinner might not find a place in the playing XI of a team coached by him."This is the same as when KL Rahul had said that the strike rate doesn't matter. Same thing. He said it for batting, Ashwin has said it for bowling that it doesn't matter if you get the wickets. If his stats aren't good, then he may not even get picked in the auction next year. When you pick a bowler, do you expect him to give away 25-30 runs or do you expect him to give you wickets and become man of the match twice or thrice?" Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.Sehwag further criticized Ashwin's bowling style, suggesting that the off-spinner is not getting wickets because he is not bowling his best deliveries. "All his competitors - Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav or anyone else - are getting the wickets. He thinks if he bowls off spin then anyone will hit him. Which is why he bowls his carrom bowl, which is why he is not getting any wickets. Maybe if he believes in his off spin or doosra, he can bag more wickets. But that's his mindset. But if I were a mentor or a coach of a franchise, I wouldn't think like that. If my bowler is thinking about saving runs and not taking wickets, he won't find a place in the team."Despite Ashwin's poor form, Rajasthan Royals have continued to support him by featuring him regularly in their playing XI. However, his spin-bowling teammate at RR, Yuzvendra Chahal, has been more prolific with 13 wickets in 9 matches and has maintained an economy rate of 9.Earlier, Ashwin had made an appeal after bowlers getting hammered in the current IPL season saying "Save the bowlers someone plsss SOS SOS SOS".

As the May 1 deadline for squad submission for the T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, former Indian batter Virender Sehwag has unveiled his strongest XI for the marquee event. Sehwag's team features a blend of experience and youth, with a focus on current form and versatility.Sehwag's XI is led by captain Rohit Sharma, who will open the batting alongside rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal. The middle order boasts the formidable trio of Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rishabh Pant, who returns to the team after recovering from injuries.For the all-rounder role, Sehwag has opted for either Shivam Dube or Rinku Singh, both of whom have impressed in the ongoing IPL season. The spin department is anchored by Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, while the pace attack features Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Sandeep Sharma.Sehwag's decision to exclude Hardik Pandya from his XI has raised eyebrows, given the all-rounder's status as a key player for India. However, Sehwag believes that Pandya's recent poor form warrants his omission from the starting lineup."Hardik is a great player, but he's not in the best of form right now," Sehwag said. "I think he should be in the 15-man squad, but he may not be in the starting XI."Sehwag's XI reflects his belief in the importance of adaptability and versatility in T20 cricket. The team features several players who can bat and bowl, providing the captain with multiple options to adjust to different match situations.With the World Cup just months away, Sehwag's XI serves as a valuable blueprint for the Indian selectors as they finalize their squad. The team's balance, experience, and current form make it a formidable contender for the coveted trophy.

Virender Sehwag, the former Indian cricket opener, is renowned for his witty remarks and humorous takes on various topics. His humor often shines through on social media, where he engages with fans and followers with light-hearted banter. Sehwag's commentary, whether on cricket or everyday observations, is filled with laughter and puns. He has a knack for making people smile with his straightforward and playful language.During a recent appearance on the Club Prairie Podcast alongside former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, Sehwag once again hogged the limelight for his blunt remarks. When asked if he foresaw a time when Indian players would participate in other T20 leagues, Sehwag responded with a touch of lighthearted overstatement, "No, we don't need to. We are rich people, we don't go to poor countries for other leagues."Sehwag also recounted a moment when he turned down an offer from the Big Bash League due to the offered amount being insufficient. "I still remember when I was dropped from the Indian team and I was playing IPL. Then I got an offer from BBL that I should participate in the Big Bash, I said okay how much money, they said $100,000." "I said I can spend that money in my holidays, even last night's bill was more than that," the 45-year-old jokingly revealed.Sehwag's remarks have sparked a debate on social media, with some fans applauding his honesty and others criticizing his dismissiveness of other T20 leagues. However, one thing is for sure: Sehwag's wit and humor continue to entertain and engage cricket enthusiasts around the world.

Virender Sehwag, the former Indian opener, has expressed his unwavering support for Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young star of Rajasthan Royals. Despite a challenging start to the IPL season, Sehwag believes Jaiswal has the potential to be included in India's T20 World Cup squad.Sehwag, speaking on Cricbuzz, acknowledged the pressure of comparisons that Jaiswal faces. He drew from his own experiences, stating that he was compared to Sachin Tendulkar during his early days. However, Sehwag emphasized the importance of ignoring such comparisons and focusing on one's own game."Comparison can hurt you," Sehwag said. "I can't perform like Tendulkar. When I was compared, I made some changes in stance and how I played, so people stopped saying that I look or bat like Tendulkar."Sehwag expressed optimism for Jaiswal's future, acknowledging the challenges that come with being a young cricketer from a small city. "I have high hopes for this boy," Sehwag said. "When you come from a small city, you know you have to put in the hard work otherwise you might have to go back."Despite Jaiswal's initial struggles in the IPL, Sehwag remained steadfast in his support, asserting, "He will come back to form soon. I believe his ticket and visa for the World Cup is confirmed."Jaiswal's return to form came in spectacular fashion during Rajasthan Royals' clash against Mumbai Indians, where he notched a breathtaking unbeaten century, guiding his team to a resounding nine-wicket victory. This performance has reignited discussions about his potential inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad, despite facing competition from other talented players.Sehwag's endorsement of Jaiswal is a significant boost for the young cricketer. With his talent and determination, Jaiswal has the potential to become a valuable asset for the Indian team in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Virender Sehwag Raises Concerns Over Hardik Pandya's Captaincy at Mumbai IndiansFormer Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has expressed concerns over the performance of Mumbai Indians under the leadership of Hardik Pandya. Despite backing Pandya as captain, Sehwag highlighted the pressure he faces and the team's struggles.Sehwag believes that Pandya's expectations may be weighing him down, leading to a decline in his performance. He also pointed out that Mumbai Indians have faced similar challenges in the past, even under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma."I don't think he is under pressure. It could be the pressure of his own expectations," Sehwag said. "But Mumbai Indians were in this situation last year as well, and even before that, where Rohit Sharma didn't score runs as a captain. And Rohit Sharma ne as a captain jitaya bhi nahi 2-3 saal se (even Rohit Sharma did not win it as a captain in last 2-3 years)."Under Pandya's captaincy, Mumbai Indians have suffered five defeats in eight matches, including a recent loss to the Rajasthan Royals. Pandya's own performance has been lackluster, with only 151 runs scored and four wickets taken in the tournament so far.Sehwag emphasized that Mumbai Indians are aware of their past struggles and should not panic. However, he also acknowledged that Pandya's expectations and the team's poor performance could be a cause for concern."Mumbai Indians know that they have been in this situation before. If he is expecting a lot and he is not getting wickets, not scoring runs, and the team is losing under his captaincy, then that's wrong," Sehwag added.Despite the criticism, Sehwag remains supportive of Pandya as captain. He believes that Pandya has the potential to lead Mumbai Indians to success, but he needs to find a way to manage his expectations and improve his performance.

Punjab Kings' woes continue in IPL 2024 as they suffer a fourth consecutive defeat, this time at the hands of Gujarat Titans by a narrow three-wicket margin. The loss leaves the Preity Zinta co-owned franchise languishing in ninth place in the standings, exacerbating their struggles in the absence of star player Shikhar Dhawan due to injury.With Dhawan sidelined, all-rounder Sam Curran has assumed the captaincy role, but his performances with both bat and ball have failed to impress. India cricket legend Virender Sehwag has been particularly critical of Punjab Kings' approach, questioning their decision-making regarding player roles and lineup adjustments."If I was in the PBKS dugout, I would not even pick him in my team, neither as a batting all-rounder nor as a bowling all-rounder. I wouldn't pick him," Sehwag remarked on Cricbuzz, highlighting Curran's underwhelming contributions.Sehwag further emphasized his point, stating, "A player is not of any use if he can bowl a bit and bat a bit. You either bat properly and win us the match, or you bowl and win us the game. This bits and pieces part I don't understand."Statistically, Curran's performance this season has been lackluster, managing only 152 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 116.03, with just one half-century to his name. Despite taking 11 wickets for Punjab Kings, his overall impact has been questioned amidst the team's struggles.Punjab Kings' batting has also been inconsistent, with only Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone consistently delivering substantial contributions. The middle order has failed to provide adequate support, with the likes of Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Shahrukh Khan, and Jitesh Sharma failing to live up to expectations.The bowling attack has also been underwhelming, with Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh failing to replicate their previous performances. The absence of Dhawan has also deprived Punjab Kings of a reliable opening batsman, putting additional pressure on the other batters.As the IPL 2024 season progresses, Punjab Kings find themselves at a crossroads, facing mounting pressure to arrest their slide and salvage their campaign without the services of key player Shikhar Dhawan.