Cricket

Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan has urged Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya to ignore the criticism he has faced from fans and let his performances speak for themselves. Khan believes that Pandya's struggles are a reflection of the evolving nature of franchise cricket, where fans are more vocal in expressing their opinions."When the individual represents the country, it will again go back to the normal," said Khan. "Every athlete should understand that it's ultimately the trophies you win, the performances you put out, putting your body on the line, showing dedication, determination, and you will be able to win their hearts."Khan also discussed the upcoming T20 World Cup and expressed his confidence in Rishabh Pant's selection. "I'm happy with how he is progressing," said Khan. "He has quickly got into the groove and has shown that he hasn't lost his touch."Regarding the Indian bowling attack, Khan believes that Mohammed Siraj should be included in the World Cup squad alongside Jasprit Bumrah, despite his recent struggles in the IPL. He also praised Arshdeep Singh's performances and acknowledged the potential of other left-arm pacers like Mohsin Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, and Yash Dayal.Khan also commented on the impact of the 'Impact Player' rule on the development of Indian allrounders. He agrees with Rohit Sharma's concerns that the rule may hinder the progress of players who can contribute with both bat and ball."It will affect the find or the progress when you are looking at the half allrounders," said Khan. "You can have a specialist bowler to create that balance."Khan emphasized the importance of valuing the ability to bowl quickly and urged young pacers like Mayank Yadav and Umran Malik to work on their overall skills to sustain their success.

Rishabh Pant's Stellar Return Enhances Delhi Capitals' IPL ProspectsAfter a harrowing car crash in December 2022, Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant's return to cricket has been a testament to his resilience and determination. Not only has he resumed his role as a dynamic batter and wicketkeeper, but he has also taken on the captaincy with aplomb.Pant's exceptional performance against Gujarat Titans, where he effected four dismissals (two catches and two stumpings), has drawn praise from his fielding coach, James Hopes. "Pant's keeping is very good," Hopes remarked. "He is rounding in on some pretty good form in the back half of the tournament and he is leading really well."Pant's leadership has been instrumental in the Capitals' impressive fielding performance. Against the Titans, they put up a superb effort, skittling out their opponents for a mere 89 runs in 17.3 overs. Hopes attributed this success to the team's hard work and dedication.In addition to his exceptional wicketkeeping, Pant has also been the leading run-getter for the Capitals. In seven matches, he has amassed 210 runs at a strike rate of 156.71, including two half-centuries. His batting prowess has been a key factor in the team's success.Pant's return to form has not only boosted the Capitals' performance but has also given his fans a reason to celebrate. His triple role as captain, batter, and wicketkeeper is a testament to his versatility and skill. As the tournament progresses, Pant's leadership and contributions will be crucial in determining the Capitals' chances of lifting the IPL trophy.

Sunil Narine's remarkable transformation as an opener for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) has been attributed to the strategic vision of team mentor Gautam Gambhir. Narine's maiden T20 century, a blistering 56-ball 109 against Rajasthan Royals, has solidified his status as a formidable force at the top of the order.Prior to this season, Narine had struggled to make an impact in the lower middle order, amassing only 154 runs over the past three seasons. However, Gambhir's decision to promote him to the opening slot has unlocked his potential, with Narine already accumulating 276 runs in just six games.After his historic century at the Eden Gardens, Narine acknowledged Gambhir's role in his resurgence. "You can see the way Narine is batting this time. In every match, he's making runs, opening the batting and that was his (Gambhir's) idea only," said KKR teammate Rinku Singh.Narine's success as an opener is not entirely new. Under Gambhir's captaincy in 2017, he smashed the IPL's fastest fifty in 15 balls, a record that has since been broken. Narine also holds the record for the fastest 50 in the Bangladesh Premier League, with a 13-ball half-century for Comilla Victorians in 2022.Rinku Singh believes that Narine's transformation is not due to any significant technical changes, but rather a result of his hard work and improved patience. "He's more patient now. Earlier he used to swing his bat to every ball, now he has restrained himself and playing according to the merit of the ball. He is batting thoughtfully and wisely," said Rinku.Despite Narine's heroics, KKR fell short against Rajasthan Royals, with Jos Buttler's unbeaten 107 guiding the Royals to an eight-wicket victory. However, Rinku remains optimistic about the team's prospects. "Our team is doing very well. We are not thinking much (about the loss). Credit to RR they did well. Also, you need a bit of luck in your favour. It was there day. Buttler innings was the turning point. Full credit goes to him," said Rinku.While the KKR top order has been firing on all cylinders, Rinku, who was the team's leading run-getter in IPL 2023 with 474 runs, has had limited opportunities. This season, he has scored 83 runs at an impressive strike rate of 184-plus, but is yet to register a half-century."Our top order batters are doing so well that I'm not getting much opportunities to show my batting this time," said Rinku. However, he remains confident that he will be back to his best soon. "I had a niggle, I will be back to playing the full match against RCB on Sunday," he said.

Matthew Kuhnemann, a left-arm orthodox spinner, has left Queensland and is set to join Tasmania in pursuit of more first-class cricket opportunities. This move aims to enhance his chances of selection for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, former Test opener Joe Burns has been omitted from Queensland's contract list following a disappointing season.Kuhnemann, 27, made his Test debut for Australia last year in India, claiming 5 for 16 in Australia's only victory in Indore. However, since then, he has not featured in a single Sheffield Shield match for Queensland. The Bulls have preferred legspinner Mitchell Swepson as their primary spinner, leaving Kuhnemann with limited opportunities.In Tasmania, Kuhnemann is expected to become the team's leading spinner in both Shield and Marsh Cup cricket. He will bolster Tasmania's attack, which narrowly missed out on winning the Shield title last season. Kuhnemann remains contracted to play for the Brisbane Heat in the BBL for the next two seasons.Burns, on the other hand, has been left out of Queensland's contract after being dropped from both the Shield and Marsh Cup sides last summer. His Shield omission came as a surprise, given his strong performances earlier in the season. Despite being the Bulls' leading run-scorer through the first seven games, Queensland opted to promote younger batters in the second half of the season.Queensland has decided not to offer the 34-year-old Burns a contract. He has played 23 Tests for Australia and scored four Test centuries. He is also out of contract at the Melbourne Stars.The Bulls have instead promoted opener Angus Lovell onto the contract list after his Shield debut last summer. Queensland has also signed four of Australia's Under-19 World Cup winners for next season, including captain Hugh Weibgen and promising quick Callum Vidler.Queensland is still searching for a new coach after parting ways with Wade Seccombe last month.

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has been fined INR 12 lakh for a Code of Conduct breach in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match against Punjab Kings. The incident occurred on Thursday, April 18, at the PCA New International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Pandya failed to complete the 20 overs of bowling within the stipulated time. This is the first instance of such an offense by Pandya, which resulted in a fine of INR 12 lakh.The BCCI statement confirmed the fine, stating that "Hardik Pandya, the Mumbai Indians captain, has been fined after his team maintained a slow over rate during their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match against Punjab Kings."A repeat of the offense could lead to more severe penalties for Pandya and other Mumbai Indians players.In the match itself, Mumbai Indians emerged victorious, securing their third win of the IPL 2024 campaign. Chasing a target of 193 runs, Punjab Kings struggled to gain momentum, losing wickets at regular intervals.Despite a valiant effort from Ashutosh Sharma, who scored 61 runs off 28 balls, and Harpreet Brar, who contributed 21 runs off 20 balls, Punjab Kings fell short of the target, being bowled out for 183 runs in the last over.

Yashasvi Jaiswal's recent struggles in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have raised concerns about his place in India's T20 World Cup squad. The left-handed opener, who was among the top run-getters in the previous IPL season, has managed only 122 runs in six matches this year.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra expressed his worry about Jaiswal's form, stating that he is "trying to murder every ball" instead of playing with his natural timing. Chopra urged Rajasthan Royals' director of cricket operations, Kumar Sangakkara, or India captain Rohit Sharma to intervene and provide guidance to the young batter."I am getting slightly worried about Yashasvi because Yashasvi didn't used to play like this. He is trying to murder every ball. You are a very good player, and you are good because you believe in timing. You are not a wrestler and you are not Andre Russell. Your playing style is very different," Chopra said.Jaiswal's poor form has opened the door for other young batters to stake their claim for a spot in the T20 World Cup squad. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, and Riyan Parag have all impressed with their performances in the IPL.With Virat Kohli also being considered as an opening option alongside Shubman Gill, Jaiswal's continued struggles could result in him being dropped from the World Cup race.

Mayank Yadav, the young fast bowler for Lucknow Super Giants, has made a remarkable impact in the ongoing IPL 2024. His sensational debut performance, where he bowled the fastest delivery of the competition at 156.7 Kmph and claimed three wickets, propelled his team to victory against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. However, a side strain during the match against Gujarat Titans has sidelined him since.Ahead of LSG's crucial game against Chennai Super Kings, assistant coach Lance Klusener provided an update on Mayank's fitness and potential return. "I am not sure regarding his participation in tomorrow's match against Chennai. He has been bowling in the nets, but his fitness is our priority. We can't say anything regarding his participation," Klusener stated.LSG's official Twitter account shared a video of Mayank bowling in the nets, hinting at his possible return. Former Australian cricketer Tom Moody believes Mayank is in contention for a spot in India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad. "He is definitely in the conversation. Whether you take that risk punting on him or not is another conversation," Moody said.Former New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan echoed Moody's sentiments. "If his form continues throughout this tournament, the World Cup starts six days after the IPL, I think it would be crazy not to look at the players who are in form going into that tournament," McClenaghan said.Mayank's impressive performances have caught the attention of experts and fans alike. His ability to bowl at high speeds and his wicket-taking prowess make him a valuable asset for any team. If he can maintain his form and fitness, he could potentially earn a spot in the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

KL Rahul, the skipper of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), is facing a crucial juncture in his career as he prepares to lead his team against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Ekana Stadium. With two consecutive losses and a lackluster batting performance, Rahul is under pressure to deliver both for his team and his aspirations of representing India in the upcoming T20 World Cup.Rahul's desire to bat in the middle order and keep wickets, despite LSG's abundance of world-class keepers, stems from his realization that breaking into India's top three is an arduous task. With Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav firmly entrenched in those positions, Rahul's best chance of making the Indian squad lies in establishing himself as a finisher.However, the competition for lower-order places in the Indian team is fierce, with Rishabh Pant regaining his sharpness behind the stumps and Shivam Dubey proving his worth as a big-hitter. The emergence of Rinku Singh as a finisher further complicates Rahul's path to the national team.Rahul's best performances in the IPL and T20Is have come as an opener, but his strike rate has been declining in recent seasons. In 2018, he amassed 659 runs with a strike rate of 158.41, but his strike rate has since dropped to 135.38 in 2022.To enhance his chances of making the Indian squad, Rahul needs to rediscover his destructive form as an opener. A high-impact performance in the remaining LSG games, with a strike rate of 150 or more, could convince the selectors to consider him as a backup opener or traveling reserve.

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan: A Dynamic Duo on and Off the FieldRohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have established themselves as one of the most formidable opening pairs in Indian cricket, particularly in the limited-overs format. Their exceptional on-field chemistry stems from their close friendship off the field, which has played a pivotal role in their success as a batting unit.Ahead of the highly anticipated match between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians, the two openers shared a heartwarming moment, embracing each other in a warm hug. The official broadcaster of the Indian Premier League (IPL) captured this touching encounter, showcasing the camaraderie between the two players.Despite Dhawan's absence from the match due to an injury, his presence was felt as Punjab Kings came tantalizingly close to upsetting the five-time champions. Chasing a challenging target of 193, Ashutosh Sharma's blistering 28-ball 61 nearly pulled off a remarkable heist, but Punjab ultimately fell short by a narrow margin of 9 runs.The result saw Mumbai Indians climb to the seventh spot in the IPL points table with three wins from seven matches, while Punjab Kings slipped to ninth place with two victories from seven outings.The bond between Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan extends beyond the cricket field. They are known for their jovial nature and often engage in playful banter, which has endeared them to fans and teammates alike. Their ability to maintain a positive and supportive environment has contributed to their consistent performances as an opening pair.