Cricket

RCB Opt to Chase in Crucial Clash Against KKR at Eden GardensIn a pivotal encounter at the iconic Eden Gardens, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Faf du Plessis elected to field first after winning the toss against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The decision was driven by the historical advantage enjoyed by chasing teams at the venue."We will chase. This is probably a chasing ground, always has been," du Plessis explained, citing the conducive conditions for pursuing targets. However, he acknowledged the slightly cooler temperatures compared to previous matches, indicating a potential shift in game dynamics.Du Plessis expressed confidence in RCB's formidable batting lineup, suggesting that their firepower could neutralize any target set by KKR. "The batting is so strong that a general score of 60-70 isn't considered great. We know if we do a few things back, the momentum can be back and we do have the firepower," he remarked.To bolster their chances, RCB made three changes to their lineup, bringing in Kyle Jamieson, Mohammed Siraj, and Mayank Dagar.Responding to du Plessis' decision, KKR captain Shreyas Iyer expressed his team's preference for bowling first as well. "Last afternoon game here, we know how the wicket plays, we would have loved to bowl as well," he admitted.Iyer emphasized the importance of simplicity and adherence to game plans, stressing the need for KKR to execute their strategies effectively. He confirmed that KKR would maintain the same playing XI from their previous match.Playing XIs:Royal Challengers Bengaluru:* Faf du Plessis (c)* Virat Kohli* Will Jacks* Rajat Patidar* Cameron Green* Dinesh Karthik (w)* Mahipal Lomror* Karn Sharma* Lockie Ferguson* Yash Dayal* Mohammed SirajKolkata Knight Riders:* Philip Salt (w)* Sunil Narine* Angkrish Raghuvanshi* Shreyas Iyer (c)* Venkatesh Iyer* Andre Russell* Rinku Singh* Ramandeep Singh* Mitchell Starc* Varun Chakaravarthy* Harshit Rana

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have emerged as a formidable force in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season, riding on a wave of explosive starts and impressive performances from their openers. After securing their fourth consecutive victory against Delhi Capitals, SRH opener Travis Head expressed cautious optimism about the team's momentum.Head, who played a pivotal role in SRH's 67-run triumph with a blistering 89, acknowledged the team's impressive batting order. "It's very enjoyable. It's nice to be here and play well, and it's hard not to smile and enjoy yourself with the batting order that we've got," he said.SRH's dominance in the tournament has been characterized by their ability to post massive totals. In their latest match, they amassed a staggering 266 runs, marking their third 200+ innings this season. Head attributed this success to the team's positive energy and the leadership of coach Daniel Vettori and captain Pat Cummins."We are not getting too far ahead of ourselves. Obviously, we are excited. We have got four wins on the bounce now, we are playing well, and the energy is always better when you are winning," Head said.Former India pacer Zaheer Khan praised the contributions of Jake Fraser-McGurk (65 runs) and T Natarajan (4/19). Fraser-McGurk's blazing innings raised hopes of an improbable win for Delhi Capitals, while Natarajan's exceptional bowling performance helped secure the victory for SRH."Today, the line was way outside the off-stump. He has shown that he can open up that area as well and put bowlers under pressure, especially when he is able to generate power on his shots on the back foot to get the ball over the ropes," Zaheer said about Fraser-McGurk.SRH's impressive start to the season has instilled confidence within the team, and Head believes that the sky's the limit for their potential. "As long as we can keep instilling that confidence around how well we are playing, I guess the ceiling is as high as it wants to be," he said.

Former Indian all-rounder Suresh Raina has expressed his belief that Shubman Gill has the potential to become the next captain of the Indian men's cricket team. Raina's endorsement comes amidst speculation about the future of current captain Rohit Sharma, who has recently stated his desire to lead India to victory in the T20 World Cup this year and the World Test Championship (WTC) next year.Raina's comments were made during a discussion on Lallantop, where he said, "I would say he will be the next Indian captain (after Rohit Sharma). Ban sakta hai vo."Gill's appointment as captain of the Gujarat Titans (GT) for IPL 2024 has further fueled speculation about his leadership credentials. Despite GT's recent struggles, Gill has impressed as a leader, guiding the team to three wins in their first seven matches.The 23-year-old is also the leading run-scorer for GT this season, with 263 runs in seven matches at an average of 43.83. His performances have showcased his maturity and ability to handle pressure situations.Gill's leadership qualities were also evident during his time as captain of the India Under-19 team, which won the 2018 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. He has also captained the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL, albeit with limited success.Raina's endorsement of Gill as a potential future captain is significant, given his own experience as a leader in the Indian team. Raina captained India in limited-overs cricket on several occasions and is known for his aggressive and attacking style of play.If Gill is indeed appointed as India's next captain, he will have big shoes to fill. Rohit Sharma has been a successful leader, guiding India to victory in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2023 ICC World Test Championship.However, Gill's talent, leadership qualities, and experience suggest that he has the potential to succeed Rohit Sharma and lead India to future glory.

IPL 2024: Sunil Gavaskar Raises Concerns Over Bowlers' Plight, Calls for Boundary ExpansionLegendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his concerns over the dominance of batters in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, calling for measures to protect bowlers from the relentless onslaught.Speaking on the official broadcaster, Gavaskar proposed increasing the size of the boundary at every ground as a solution to address the imbalance between bat and ball in T20 cricket. He emphasized the importance of extending the boundary ropes, especially at smaller venues, to provide bowlers with a fair chance against power-hitting batters."I wouldn't suggest any changes to a cricket bat because they are all within regulations, but I have been saying this for a long time, increase the size of the boundary at every ground," Gavaskar said.He highlighted the space between the advertisement boards and the fence where the stands begin, stating that pushing the boundary back by a few meters could significantly impact the outcome of matches and provide bowlers with a much-needed respite."Look at this ground today, there is enough space to take it back a little more by a couple of metres. It can often prove to be the difference between a catch and a sixer," Gavaskar explained.Expressing his frustration with the current state of affairs in T20 cricket, Gavaskar criticized the prevalent trend of power-hitting, likening it to a final net session."What we have been seeing in T20 cricket over the last few days is that this is batting like the coach tells in the nets, 'This is the last round,' and everybody starts swinging their bat around bang, bang whether they get out or not," he said.Gavaskar underscored the diminishing excitement beyond a certain point, stressing the need for a more balanced contest between bat and ball."It's not exciting anymore. It's like a final net session. You know, you're just going to hit every ball for a six. There's no excitement in that," he added.Gavaskar's concerns highlight the growing need to address the imbalance between bat and ball in T20 cricket, ensuring that bowlers have a fair chance to compete and that matches remain exciting and competitive.

Chennai Super Kings Receive Rousing Welcome Ahead of Lucknow Super Giants ClashChennai Super Kings (CSK), the reigning Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, were greeted with a thunderous reception upon their arrival in Chennai ahead of their highly anticipated match against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium.The city was abuzz with excitement as fans, clad in the team's signature yellow jerseys, lined the streets to welcome their heroes. The official CSK social media handle shared a heartwarming video capturing the vibrant atmosphere, with supporters chanting slogans and waving flags.CSK, currently sitting fourth in the points table with four wins in seven games, are eager to bounce back from their recent setback against LSG. In their previous encounter, the Super Giants handed CSK an 8-wicket defeat at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.Despite a valiant effort from former skipper MS Dhoni, who showcased his trademark stroke play with three boundaries and sixes, guiding the team to a respectable total of 176 for 6 in 20 overs, it wasn't enough to secure victory.The crowd at Ekana Cricket Stadium rallied behind Dhoni as he exhibited his prowess with the bat, reminiscent of the fervor witnessed at Chepauk. However, KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock's stellar performances, each scoring a half-century, propelled LSG to their fourth win of the season, thwarting CSK's bid for a third consecutive triumph.With the support of their passionate fans, CSK will be determined to turn the tables on LSG and secure a crucial victory on home turf. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams, with both sides eager to climb the standings.

Mumbai Indians, after a dismal start to their Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign, have shown signs of resurgence with three wins in their last four matches. They will now face table-toppers Rajasthan Royals in a crucial reverse fixture on April 22 in Jaipur, seeking revenge for their earlier defeat.The five-time champions have been bolstered by the return to form of Suryakumar Yadav, whose 53-ball 78 against Punjab Kings was the cornerstone of their innings. Rohit Sharma's scintillating century, albeit in a losing cause, has also been a highlight for MI. However, the team's bowling woes remain a concern.Jasprit Bumrah has been the standout performer with the ball, taking 13 wickets and boasting the second-best economy rate in the tournament. However, his bowling colleagues have struggled, with Gerald Coetzee, Akash Madhwal, and skipper Hardik Pandya being inconsistent.Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, have been in rampaging form, occupying the top spot with 12 points. Their bowling unit, led by Trent Boult and Yuzvendra Chahal, has been particularly impressive. Boult has removed three of MI's top-order batters for naught in their previous encounter, while Chahal has been RR's most valuable player in the bowling department with 12 wickets.The Royals' batting has revolved around Riyan Parag, who has reinvented himself as a destructive force with 318 runs so far. Skipper Sanju Samson has also produced some fine knocks, while Jos Buttler has single-handedly chased down a 200-plus total to win RR's last match against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have been heavily reliant on Virat Kohli's batting prowess this IPL season, but former India pacer Varun Aaron believes it's time for the team's domestic players to step up and lessen the burden on their star batsman.Kohli has been in scintillating form, leading the batting charts with 361 runs in 7 innings and donning the Orange Cap. However, Aaron feels that RCB's domestic players need to contribute more to the team's success."It's just that RCB are not finding the rhythm, the domestic players are just not stepping up," Aaron said on Star Sports. "If you have to be anywhere at the top of the table or the middle of the table at this point, you have to have domestic players who are firing and you cannot always rely on Virat Kohli."Aaron, who played for RCB in the past, emphasized the importance of having domestic players perform well to balance the team's performance. "The other guys have to step up and also all their money is sitting in the dug-out. You can't spend that much cash on players and not have them play," he said.Former Australia captain Aaron Finch echoed Aaron's sentiments, suggesting that RCB needs a dynamic middle-order batsman to support Kohli effectively. "He's (Kohli) scored a lot of runs everywhere. He's a modern-day great. And I think the fact that he's getting runs and RCB are still not making it is a positive sign in one degree," Finch said. "It's that when Virat is playing well, that genuinely carries the rest of the players with him."Finch believes that RCB needs to find a consistent partnership with Kohli and an explosive middle-order player who can provide support. "They just need to find a partnership with him, they need to find an explosive middle-order player who is in form," he said.RCB will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens on Sunday, and Finch believes that the match has the potential to be an epic encounter. "It (KKR vs RCB) has got all the makings of an epic game," he said.

Suresh Raina, a former Indian cricketer renowned for his middle-order batting prowess, has expressed his disapproval of Mumbai Indians' decision to remove Rohit Sharma as captain and appoint Hardik Pandya in his place. Raina believes that Rohit should have retained the captaincy, citing his experience and leadership qualities."I don't know why he was removed as captain," Raina said. "But, MI are doing well now, they won the last match." However, upon being corrected by the interviewer, Raina acknowledged that Mumbai Indians have not been performing well in the ongoing IPL season.Raina speculates that the management's decision to appoint a younger captain may have influenced the change. "Rohit, I think is now 36 or 37," he said. "The management is looking to have a leader who is younger."Raina also suggests that the decision to name Hardik Pandya as captain could be reversed if Mumbai Indians continue to struggle. "If MI fail in 3-4 more matches, Rohit could be re-appointed as captain," he said.Raina expressed concern over the negative reactions from fans towards Hardik Pandya, who has been booed and jeered during matches. "This is not right," Raina said. "Saying such things about him, his family isn't correct. But, you can't do much, everyone has the right to say things. You have to learn to avoid it."Despite his criticism of the captaincy change, Raina acknowledged that Mumbai Indians have shown signs of improvement in their recent match. "They won the last match," he said. "So, let's see how they perform in the upcoming matches."

Shivam Dube, the enigmatic all-rounder from Mumbai, has emerged as a captivating dark horse candidate for India's T20 World Cup squad. His stellar performances for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 have not only propelled his team but also caught the attention of cricket pundits and former players.Dube's impact for CSK this season has been undeniable. As the side's star batter, he has amassed an impressive tally of 245 runs in seven matches, emerging as their highest run-scorer with a staggering strike rate of 157.05. With notable contributions including two half-centuries and a highest score of 66*, Dube's consistency and power-hitting prowess have been key factors in CSK's campaign.Former Australian cricketer and wicketkeeping maestro Adam Gilchrist recently endorsed Dube as his dark horse pick for India's T20 World Cup squad during an interview with Cricbuzz. Gilchrist praised Dube's irresistible form and highlighted his ability to take on both spin and pace bowling with confidence and finesse."Shivam Dube, I think his form is irresistible," Gilchrist remarked. "He's taken on spin bowling, which we've known and witnessed for a while. But he's taking on the quick bowlers. He seems to be confident in his shot selection all around the ground."Gilchrist further emphasized Dube's all-round talent, suggesting that his bowling skills could add depth to the Indian team if utilized effectively. Despite limited bowling opportunities, Gilchrist expressed optimism about Dube's potential impact in the T20 World Cup, urging the team management to consider maximizing his bowling contributions in the nets."If they get the message to him, to make sure he is at least bowling a lot in the nets...he is too irresistible as a talent, an all-round talent to not take to the World Cup," Gilchrist added.With the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee facing mounting pressure to assemble a formidable squad for the showpiece event, the inclusion of Shivam Dube as a dark horse candidate adds an intriguing dimension to the selection process. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball could prove invaluable in the high-pressure environment of the T20 World Cup.