Cricket

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), languishing at the bottom of the Indian Premier League (IPL) standings, sought respite from their dismal performance with a lighthearted question-and-answer session. The highlight of the session was former RCB captain Virat Kohli's witty response involving teammate Dinesh Karthik's wife.When Karthik asked Kohli to name his favorite sportsperson outside of cricket, Kohli quipped, "Your wife." The response sent shockwaves through the team, including skipper Faf du Plessis."It's a great answer, for sure. I had a different answer in my head. You caught me off-guard, completely, I swear," a stunned Karthik said.Dipika Pallikal, one of India's top-ranked squash players, is married to Karthik. The couple tied the knot in 2015 and have two sons, Kabir and Zian.RCB's dismal performance this season has seen them win only one match out of seven, leaving them on the brink of elimination from the playoffs race. The team's struggles have been attributed to a combination of factors, including poor batting performances and inconsistent bowling.Despite their disappointing results, RCB's players have maintained a positive attitude, engaging in lighthearted banter to keep spirits high. Kohli's witty response to Karthik's question is a testament to the team's camaraderie and resilience amidst adversity.

England's captain, Heather Knight, has set a bold challenge for her squad to dominate regional cricket this summer. With the T20 World Cup and Ashes looming later this year, Knight hopes domestic players will seize the opportunity to stake their claim for selection.The Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, a 50-over competition, kicks off on Saturday. While many of England's centrally-contracted players will miss the opening weekend due to Tammy Beaumont's wedding, they will have chances to feature for their regions before the T20I series against Pakistan on May 11."It's never a closed door," Knight emphasized. "The standard of regional games has skyrocketed, so performances are more valuable. We want England players to dominate and put their names forward for selection."Competition for places in England's T20 setup is fierce ahead of the World Cup in Bangladesh. Knight is encouraged by the recent 4-1 series win in New Zealand and the return of Mahika Gaur and Freya Kemp from injury."We have a real depth of players," Knight said. "It makes selection tougher, but it's a good place to be. With the World Cup in October, we need to keep moving forward."Maia Bouchier emerged as a breakout star in New Zealand, finishing as the leading run-scorer. Knight praised her talent and ability to convert it into performances."She's someone you watch and think, 'how does she play that shot?'" Knight said. "She's had a brilliant tour, and now it's about building on that consistency."Edgbaston has already sold over 10,000 tickets for England's opening T20I against Pakistan. Knight believes the joint marketing campaign with the men's series can build on the success of last summer's Ashes."It was an awesome summer to be involved with," Knight said. "We felt the support and momentum for cricket around the country. Hopefully, we can put on a show."

Dwayne Bravo, the legendary all-rounder who graced the Indian Premier League (IPL) with his Caribbean flair, has transitioned into a mentor for young bowlers. As the bowling coach of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Bravo is now dedicated to imparting his vast experience to the next generation of cricketers.On the eve of CSK's match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Bravo was spotted engaging with Shamar Joseph, a promising Caribbean pace sensation. Joseph, who made a remarkable debut in Australia earlier this year, recently played his first IPL game for LSG.Bravo shared his wisdom with Joseph, emphasizing the importance of consistent practice and developing a strong foundation. "If you want to bowl, you have to get in the habit of bowling more than what you bowl in the game," Bravo advised. "Never finish a training session without bowling 12 yorkers. Stay on the top of the off stump. Do your skills. Do your pace."Joseph, who was acquired by LSG as a replacement for Mark Wood, had a forgettable IPL debut, conceding 47 runs without taking a wicket. Bravo's guidance aims to help Joseph overcome these initial setbacks and unlock his full potential.Bravo's mentorship extends beyond Joseph. As CSK's bowling coach, he works closely with the entire bowling unit, sharing his insights on strategy, technique, and the art of deception. His experience as a world-class all-rounder provides invaluable lessons for the young bowlers under his tutelage.Bravo's transition from player to coach is a testament to his passion for the game and his desire to give back to the sport that has given him so much. As he continues to guide and inspire young bowlers, Bravo's legacy in the IPL will extend far beyond his own playing days.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming has provided an update on the injury status of frontline pacer Deepak Chahar, stating that he is recovering from a minor niggle and will return to action soon.Chahar has been sidelined for the past few matches due to the injury, but Fleming assured that he is on the mend and undergoing rehabilitation. The coach emphasized that Chahar's absence has been well-covered by Shardul Thakur, who has performed admirably in his place."He is doing his rehabs well. It was a minor injury, nothing to worry about. Shardul Thakur bowled well in the last match against Mumbai, so we opted to give time to Chahar to recover well," Fleming said at a pre-match press conference.Thakur, who replaced Chahar in the playing XI against Mumbai Indians, conceded just 35 runs in his four overs without taking any wickets. CSK went on to win the match by 20 runs, thanks to a brilliant performance by Ruturaj Gaikwad.With Chahar's return imminent, CSK will have a stronger bowling attack at their disposal. The team currently sits third in the IPL 2024 standings with 8 points from 6 games.

Rohit Sharma Expresses Concerns Over 'Impact Player' Rule Ahead of T20 World CupMumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma has voiced his reservations about the 'impact player' rule introduced in the Indian Premier League (IPL), stating that it could have detrimental effects on Team India's preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup.The 'impact player' rule allows teams to substitute a player from their bench after the first innings, providing them with an additional tactical option. However, Rohit believes that this rule could hinder the development of all-rounders, who are crucial for India's success in the shortest format."I am not a big fan of the Impact sub rule," Rohit said in a recent podcast. "It is going to hold all-rounders back. Eventually, cricket is played by 11 players, not 12. You are taking so much from the game to make it entertaining for people around."Rohit pointed out that all-rounders like Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar are not getting enough bowling opportunities due to the 'impact player' rule. This, he believes, could be a major concern for India ahead of the T20 World Cup, where all-rounders play a pivotal role."If you look just from the cricketing aspect of it, I feel guys like Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar aren't getting to bowl, which for us is not a good thing," Rohit said. "I don't know what you can do about it. There are 12 players for you, it is entertaining, you can bring on the impact player after watching how the game is going, how the pitch is behaving."Rohit's concerns were echoed by former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, who co-hosted the podcast. Gilchrist expressed concerns that the 'impact player' rule could compromise the integrity of cricket for the sake of entertainment."I think it has added something special," Gilchrist said. "It's all built for spectators and for their entertainment. But you are compromising the fundamental of cricket. Why T20 was so entertaining, because you were not compromising with the integrity of cricket."Gilchrist pointed out that the number of high-scoring matches in the IPL has increased significantly since the introduction of the 'impact player' rule, suggesting that it may be encouraging teams to take more risks and play more aggressively."It is 11 vs 11, same size field, the field restrictions are also the same," Gilchrist said. "There was no gimmick needed. I think it is a bit concerning."Rohit and Gilchrist's concerns highlight the potential impact of the 'impact player' rule on the development of all-rounders and the overall balance of the game. As Team India prepares for the T20 World Cup, it remains to be seen whether the rule will have a positive or negative effect on their chances of success.

Mumbai Indians' Captaincy Decisions Questioned After Viral Social Media PostAfter Mumbai Indians' narrow victory over Punjab Kings on Thursday, a cryptic social media post has sparked speculation about internal tensions within the team. The post, allegedly re-shared by MI all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, criticized the team's captaincy decisions, particularly the omission of Nabi from the bowling attack.The Instagram story, attributed to a user named ijaz.azizi07, read: "@mumbaiindians some of you captain's decision is very strange and surprise people!? Nabi didn't bowl today." It also praised Nabi's fielding contributions, noting his two catches and one run out.Nabi, a veteran Afghan spin allrounder, was acquired by MI in the IPL 2024 auction. In the match against Punjab Kings, he was dismissed for a duck but played a crucial role in the field, taking the catches of Ashutosh Sharma and Shashank Singh and participating in the run out of Kagiso Rabada.However, the Instagram story post, which social media users claimed had been re-shared by Nabi, was not present on his profile on Friday afternoon. The original post by ijaz.azizi07 remains on the user's handle, but it is unclear if Nabi actually re-shared it.The viral screenshot has raised questions about the atmosphere within the MI camp, but the team has not issued any official statement regarding the incident. Meanwhile, MI captain Hardik Pandya has been fined for the team's slow over-rate in the match against Punjab Kings.

Rishabh Pant Embraces 'Babysitter' Role for Delhi Capitals TeammatesRishabh Pant, the enigmatic wicketkeeper-batter, has once again taken on the mantle of 'babysitter,' this time for his Delhi Capitals (DC) teammates. In a heartwarming video released by the IPL franchise, Pant was seen engaging with the children of his fellow players, bringing joy and laughter to the team environment.The video, which has gone viral on social media, captures Pant's playful interactions with David Warner's daughters and head coach Ricky Ponting's son. As the clip unfolds, the familiar chant of "Pant, Pant" can be heard in the background, adding to the lighthearted atmosphere.Throughout the video, Pant exudes genuine enthusiasm and joy, highlighting his delight in being back in the IPL environment, surrounded by his teammates and their families. His infectious energy and playful spirit create a sense of camaraderie and warmth within the team.Pant's role as a 'babysitter' has become synonymous with his character both on and off the field. During India's 2018 tour of Australia, he earned the nickname from then-Australian captain Tim Paine, who jokingly asked if Pant would be interested in babysitting his children.However, the term has taken on a more positive connotation, representing Pant's nurturing and caring nature. His interactions with the children of his teammates showcase his genuine love for the game and his desire to create a positive and supportive environment for everyone involved.As the IPL season progresses, Pant's 'babysitter' role is likely to continue, bringing smiles to the faces of his teammates and their families. His ability to balance his on-field brilliance with his off-field warmth and camaraderie makes him a true asset to the Delhi Capitals franchise.

Lahore, Pakistan - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to announce a new set of coaches for the national team by the end of this month, covering both red and white ball formats. The board has received applications from several reputed coaches, including South Africa's Gary Kirsten and Australia's Jason Gillespie.The PCB has emphasized that the appointments will be made through a due process, with all commitments being met. The last time the board followed this process was in 2019, when Misbah-ul-Haq was named head coach and chief selector. Since then, appointments have been made on a consultancy or interim basis.This time, the PCB will only invite candidates who have applied for the coaching positions. Even Kirsten and Gillespie, who have been in direct negotiations with the board, were asked to apply through the due process.The PCB has also set April 20 as the deadline for candidates interested in applying for assistant coach positions. Azhar Mahmood, who was recently named head coach for the New Zealand series on a consultancy basis, will also have to go through the process.The PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has made it clear that the long-term appointments of coaches will be done through a due process. The board is expected to take time until the end of the month to reach a decision and make an announcement.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is in full swing, and fans are eagerly awaiting the announcement of India's T20 World Cup squad. The tournament, scheduled for June 2 in the West Indies and the USA, will see the BCCI announce the 15-man playing contingent later this month.One of the biggest talking points surrounding the Indian squad is the wicketkeeping options. Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Ishan Karthik, Jitesh Sharma, and KL Rahul are all vying for a place in the squad. Veteran wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has also emerged as a potential candidate due to his impressive form in the IPL.India has struggled to find a regular wicketkeeper since MS Dhoni's retirement in 2020. During a recent interaction, India captain Rohit Sharma was asked about Dhoni and Karthik's chances of making the World Cup squad.Rohit joked that while Dhoni is "sick and tired," Karthik could be a viable option for the team. "I was quite impressed, especially with Dinesh Karthik. The way he batted a couple of nights back (vs SRH). Dhoni as well. He came to play four balls against us and made a huge impact with those 20 runs. Eventually, it proved to be the difference in the end," Rohit said on the Club Prairie Fire podcast."It'll be hard to convince MS Dhoni for the World Cup. He is sick and tired. He is coming to the US. He is into golf now, so he'll be playing that in the US. DK will be easier to convince," he added.India's Probable World Cup Squad:Batters: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku SinghAll-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Axar PatelSpinners: Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi BishnoiWicketkeeper-Batters: Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Sanju SamsonPacers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan