Cricket

Suresh Raina, the former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter, has attributed the team's success in the Indian Premier League (IPL) to its strict no-partying culture. Raina, who spent the majority of his IPL career with CSK, believes that franchises that have not won the league have indulged in excessive partying.In an interview, Raina took a subtle dig at these franchises, saying, "Only those who are used to partying haven't won (the league)." He further elaborated, "Chennai never partied. That's why they have been the most successful. 2-3 teams who partied have not won the IPL yet."Raina emphasized the importance of discipline and focus in achieving success in the IPL. He questioned how teams could expect to perform well on the field if they were partying late into the night. "If you party late into the night, how will you play in the morning? In May-June's heat, how will you play afternoon games if you have partied all night?" he asked.The former India star also highlighted the fact that many players in the IPL are also representing India. He stressed the need for players to prioritize their national commitments and maintain a healthy lifestyle. "We are also playing for India, keep in mind. If I don't play well, why will my captain select me?" he said.Raina's comments have sparked a debate about the role of partying in the IPL. While some believe that it is a harmless way for players to relax and socialize, others argue that it can negatively impact their performance on the field.

KKR Mentor Gambhir Lauds RCB's Character in Thrilling IPL EncounterKolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir has praised Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for their resilience and character in their narrow one-run defeat to KKR at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.In a match that ebbed and flowed, RCB displayed a fighting spirit despite losing early wickets. Phil Salt's blistering 48 off 14 balls gave them a solid start, while skipper Shreyas Iyer (50), Rinku Singh (24), Andre Russell (27*), and Ramandeep Singh (24*) contributed valuable runs.However, KKR's bowlers, led by Cameron Green (2/35), kept the pressure on, restricting RCB to 222/6.In the chase, RCB lost Virat Kohli and Faf Du Plessis cheaply. But a century partnership between Will Jacks (55) and Rajat Patidar (52) put them back in contention.Russell and Sunil Narine then turned the tide with their economical spells, taking three and two wickets, respectively. Karn Sharma's late heroics with three sixes in the final over proved futile as RCB fell short by a single run.Gambhir took to social media to commend RCB's performance. "Phenomenal display of character by RCB today," he wrote on his official X account.Russell was named Player of the Match for his all-round contribution. With this victory, KKR moved up to second place in the standings, while RCB remained at the bottom.

Mumbai Indians, the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, have regained their confidence after a dismal start to the 2024 season. Winning three of their last four matches, the team has shed the shadow of their initial hat-trick of defeats. This newfound confidence is evident in the light-hearted moments shared during practice sessions.In a recent video posted on social media, MI captain Hardik Pandya transformed into a cameraman, capturing candid shots of his teammates and even the Rajasthan Royals players. With a DSLR camera in hand, Hardik called out the names of players, ensuring they were in focus for his lens.This playful moment highlights the camaraderie within the MI camp, which has been instrumental in their recent resurgence. Hardik, who replaced Rohit Sharma as captain this season, has brought a fresh perspective to the team.MI's recent victories against Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings have propelled them to seventh place in the IPL standings. With six points from three wins in seven matches, the team needs to maintain consistency to secure a playoff berth.Their upcoming match against the Rajasthan Royals on Monday at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur will be a crucial test. A win would further boost MI's confidence and strengthen their playoff aspirations.

In a stunning upset, an undermanned New Zealand team led by Mark Chapman's unbeaten 87 stunned Pakistan by seven wickets in the third Twenty20 international in Rawalpindi.Chapman, a 29-year-old left-hander, anchored New Zealand's chase of 179 with a blistering 42-ball knock, silencing a packed 16,000-strong holiday crowd. His innings featured four sixes and nine fours, his eighth half-century in the format.Pakistan's innings was highlighted by Shadab Khan's 41 and Babar Azam's 37. However, New Zealand's bowlers kept the hosts in check, with leg-spinner Ish Sodhi claiming 2-25.Tim Robinson (28 off 19) and Tim Seifert (21 off 16) provided a solid start for New Zealand, setting the tone for Chapman's heroics. Chapman and Dean Foxcroft (31) then combined for a 117-run third-wicket partnership, putting New Zealand in a commanding position.Pakistan skipper Azam rued dropping Chapman twice, on 16 and 36. "When you drop a set batter's catches, he will take the game away from you," said Azam.New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell praised his team's effort, particularly the partnership between Chapman and Foxcroft. "Really happy with the way the guys put the learnings from last night," said Bracewell.The victory squared the five-match series at 1-1, with the final two matches scheduled for Lahore on April 25 and 27. Both teams are using the series as preparation for the Twenty20 World Cup in June.

In a thrilling encounter at Mullanpur, Gujarat Titans emerged victorious over Punjab Kings by three wickets, securing their fourth win in the 2024 IPL. The match was dominated by the spinners, with R Sai Kishore leading the charge for Gujarat with an impressive 4 for 33 in four overs.Punjab Kings' batting woes continued as they were dismissed for a below-par 142, exposing their vulnerability against spin. Sai Kishore, Rashid Khan (1/15), and Noor Ahmed (2/20) combined to dismantle the Punjab batting lineup. Liam Livingstone provided some resistance with two wickets in the middle overs, but Harpreet Brar's expensive spell of 35 runs in four overs proved costly.Gujarat Titans' chase was anchored by Shubman Gill (35 off 29) and Sai Sudharsan (31 off 33), but it was Rahul Tewatia's late cameo of 36 not out off 16 that sealed the victory. Tewatia's six boundaries in the final overs eased the pressure and guided Gujarat to a comfortable win in 19.1 overs.The victory propelled Gujarat Titans to the sixth spot in the points table, while Punjab Kings remained rooted at the bottom with their sixth loss in eight matches. Kolkata Knight Riders' win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru earlier in the day further solidified their position in second place, while RCB languished at the bottom.Virat Kohli maintained his dominance at the top of the scorers' chart with 379 runs from eight matches, earning him the Orange Cap. Jasprit Bumrah's 13 wickets in seven games secured him the Purple Cap.

Derbyshire's hopes of avoiding a three-day defeat in their Vitality County Championship clash against Leicestershire were kept alive by Wayne Madsen's resilient half-century.After being forced to follow-on 407 runs behind, Derbyshire faced an uphill battle. However, Madsen, a veteran of 40 years, stood firm, scoring an unbeaten 59 from 114 balls to guide his team to 224 for 6 at the close.Despite missing several key bowlers, Leicestershire had bowled Derbyshire out for 167 in their first innings, with Tom Scriven, Ben Mike, and Scott Currie each taking three wickets.In their second innings, Derbyshire slipped to 144 for 6, but Alex Thomson, who remained unbeaten on 46, joined Madsen in a crucial partnership that lasted 27 overs.Derbyshire's chances of avoiding the follow-on had seemed slim at the start of the day, but they managed to resist Leicestershire's push for victory.Nightwatchman Sam Conners was the first to fall, followed by Derbyshire captain David Lloyd, who was dismissed for 54 by Mike.Aneurin Donald and Anuj Dal steadied the ship with a 67-run stand, but Donald's reckless shot off Liam Trevaskis gave Leicestershire a boost.The lower order quickly subsided, with Currie claiming the last two wickets.In the second innings, Derbyshire openers Harry Came and Reece passed 50 before Currie struck twice in quick succession.Lloyd was then deceived by a full toss from Trevaskis, while Brooke Guest was pinned leg before half-forward just before tea.Madsen passed 15,000 first-class runs after the interval, but Donald was bowled by Scrivens.Dal joined Madsen for seven overs before being caught behind off Mike.However, Thomson's partnership with Madsen frustrated Leicestershire, giving Derbyshire a glimmer of hope of salvaging a draw.

Northamptonshire's batting prowess was on full display as they amassed a mammoth 605 for 6 declared against Glamorgan in their Vitality County Championship Division Two encounter. Karun Nair's unbeaten double century (202*) was the cornerstone of their innings, while Ricardo Vasconcelos (182) and Saif Zaib (100*) also made significant contributions.Nair, a former India Test player, showcased his class with a masterful 253-ball knock, anchoring Northamptonshire's innings. He shared a crucial 212-run partnership with Zaib, who registered his maiden century of the season. Vasconcelos, who resumed on 166, missed out on a double hundred but played a pivotal role in setting the platform for their imposing total.Glamorgan's bowlers struggled to contain Northamptonshire's batting onslaught. Mir Hamza dismissed Vasconcelos, while Brad Wheal accounted for George Bartlett. James Harris trapped James Sales leg before, but Zaib's arrival injected fresh impetus into the innings.Zaib played with aggression, hitting boundaries off Harris and Mason Crane. He was dropped on 71 and again on 99, but eventually fell for 100 in Crane's next over. Nair continued to punish the Glamorgan attack, reaching his double century and prompting Northamptonshire captain Luke Procter to declare.In response, Glamorgan reached 104 for 3 at stumps, still trailing by 230 runs. Billy Root and Ul Hassan provided a solid start, but Northamptonshire's bowlers made inroads. Raphy Weatherall dismissed Ul Hassan, while Zaib and Ben Sanderson accounted for Root and Sam Northeast respectively.With persistent showers forecast for Monday, Glamorgan's hopes of salvaging a result may rest on the weather. However, Northamptonshire will be confident of pushing for victory, given their substantial first-innings advantage.

Nottinghamshire's Joe Clarke and Will Young etched their names into the record books with an extraordinary third-wicket partnership that transformed the Vitality County Championship match against Somerset at Taunton. The duo's unbroken stand of 370, spanning nearly six hours, shattered the previous Nottinghamshire record set 121 years ago.Clarke and Young emerged at the crease with their side trailing by 213 runs. However, they displayed unwavering concentration and shot selection, frustrating the Somerset bowlers throughout the day. Clarke, who had already scored centuries against Worcestershire and Essex this season, reached his half-century off 88 balls and went on to compile an unbeaten 209. Young, equally impressive, contributed 156 not out, reaching his century off 234 deliveries.The pair's partnership surpassed the previous highest third-wicket stand for Nottinghamshire against Somerset, set by Mike Harris and Sir Garfield Sobers in 1974. By tea, they had extended their lead to 20 runs, and the second new ball failed to make any impact after the interval.Young's superb square-driven four off Migael Pretorius brought up his century, and the partnership soon reached 300. Clarke joined the double-century club with a single off Lewis Goldsworthy, and the Notts lead continued to grow with every over.Somerset skipper Lewis Gregory tried various bowling options, but nothing could break the Notts pair's dominance. The record was broken in the final over when Young pulled a two off Pretorius. The crowd and the Somerset team applauded the duo as they walked off the field, having faced 303 and 304 balls respectively.Nottinghamshire's remarkable batting display has put them in a commanding position in the match. With a lead of 157 runs and two days remaining, they will be confident of securing a victory that would boost their hopes of promotion to Division One.