Cricket

Former England cricket captain Kevin Pietersen has expressed his dismay over the recent spate of violent incidents in London, including a stabbing on a train. The incident, which occurred on a train traveling between Shortlands and Beckenham, left the victim with serious injuries.Pietersen took to social media to share his concerns, labeling London a "disgrace of a place." He pointed out that the city has become increasingly unsafe, with people being robbed in broad daylight and women having their bags and jewelry stolen."WTAF is this now in London?!?!?! London was once the most amazing city. It's an absolute disgrace of a place," Pietersen wrote on Twitter.Pietersen's comments come amid growing concerns about crime in London. In recent months, there have been several high-profile incidents, including the murder of a teenager in a park and the stabbing of a police officer.The Metropolitan Police has launched an appeal for witnesses to come forward in connection with the stabbing on the train. The victim, who is in his 20s, is currently receiving treatment in hospital.Pietersen, who is currently in India for his IPL commentary stint, has been a vocal critic of the government's handling of crime in London. He has called for tougher sentences for criminals and a greater police presence on the streets.Pietersen's concerns are shared by many Londoners, who feel that the city has become increasingly unsafe in recent years. The government has pledged to tackle crime, but it remains to be seen whether its measures will be effective.

Rishabh Pant, the dynamic skipper of Delhi Capitals, is on the cusp of creating history in the Indian Premier League (IPL). As the Capitals take on Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Thursday, Pant is poised to become the first cricketer in the world to play 100 IPL matches for a single franchise.Pant, 26, returns to the IPL arena after missing last year's edition due to injuries sustained in a road accident. With 99 appearances under his belt, he stands shoulder to shoulder with Amit Mishra as the most-capped players for Delhi. However, this match will see Pant surpass Mishra's record and complete a century of IPL appearances for the franchise.Since assuming the captaincy in 2021 following Shreyas Iyer's injury, Pant has been a stalwart for Delhi. In 98 innings, he has amassed 2856 runs, emerging as the franchise's leading run-scorer ahead of David Warner. His tally includes one century and 15 fifties, making him a formidable force at the crease.Pant boasts an impressive record of 262 fours and 129 sixes, making him the only player to surpass the century mark in maximums for Delhi. Furthermore, he holds the distinction of the highest individual score in IPL by a Delhi Capitals batter.Beyond his batting prowess, Pant has also taken 62 catches and effected 19 stumpings, proving his worth with the keeping gloves. Despite a setback in their opening fixture against Punjab Kings, where Pant managed 18 runs from 13 balls, his return as captain has injected renewed energy into the Delhi Capitals' camp.Eager to bounce back and secure their first points in IPL 2024, Pant will be eager to deliver a commanding performance against Rajasthan Royals on a historic night for the wicket-keeping batsman.

Shivam Dube's resurgence under the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has been a testament to the franchise's ability to unlock the potential of underperforming players. After struggling to find his footing with the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals, Dube has flourished in CSK's batting lineup, becoming a key contributor to their success.CSK's clear role definition for Dube has been instrumental in his transformation. The team has given him the freedom to attack spin bowlers without hesitation, a strategy that has paid dividends. Last season, Dube smashed 57 sixes, including 35 against spin, the most by any Indian player in IPL history.Dube's improvement against the short ball has been another crucial factor in his success. Once a weakness, he has now become a confident player who can not only handle bouncers but also find boundaries off them. CSK batting coach Mike Hussey credits Dube's tireless work ethic for this improvement.CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad revealed that former India and CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has closely monitored Dube's progress against the short ball. Dhoni's guidance and the supportive environment at CSK have played a significant role in Dube's development.AB de Villiers, who played alongside Dube at RCB, believes that the CSK environment has allowed Dube to thrive. "He never really broke free in the RCB changing room," said de Villiers. "He talks about being free in CSK, and that is the magic recipe that MSD, Gaikwad, Fleming, and all the guys from the past have set up over there."Dube's resurgence is a testament to CSK's ability to identify and nurture talent. The franchise has a long history of getting the best out of players who have struggled elsewhere, including Shane Watson, Shardul Thakur, Robin Uthappa, Ajinkya Rahane, and Tushar Deshpande.

Cricket Australia (CA) has unveiled its new central contracts for the 2024-25 season, with several notable omissions and additions. Veteran all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who has been battling back injuries, is the most prominent name missing from the list.Stoinis, a key member of Australia's World Cup-winning squad last year, is an integral part of the short-format team. However, CA has opted to prioritize younger players ahead of the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA.Other players who have missed out on contracts include all-rounder Ashton Agar, opener Marcus Harris, pacer Michael Neser, and recently retired star David Warner.In their place, CA has awarded deals to a handful of new faces. All-rounders Matt Short and Aaron Hardie have been upgraded to the contract list after impressive performances during the summer. Fast bowler Nathan Ellis and young right-armer Xavier Bartlett have also earned full-time contracts.Bartlett impressed with his bowling against the West Indies earlier this year, taking two four-wicket hauls in ODIs and 2/37 in the solitary T20I he played.Cricket Australia selection chair George Bailey expressed confidence in the potential of the new contracted players. "Matt, Aaron, and Xavier have been extremely impressive in the early stages of their international careers," he said. "Their performances and the way they have embraced the international stage have been exciting to watch.""The panel believes they have strong futures and deserve their contracts as they work towards striving to become regulars in the Australian setup," he added.

Mumbai Indians' Captaincy Under Fire After High-Scoring ThrillerThe Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad witnessed a thrilling encounter between Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite a valiant effort to chase down a mammoth 247, Mumbai Indians fell short, prompting criticism from former Indian all-rounders Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan.Sunrisers Hyderabad set the tone with a blistering batting display, led by half-centuries from Travis Head (62), Abhishek Sharma (63), and Heinrich Klaasen (80). The trio propelled their team to a formidable total of 246 runs.In response, Mumbai Indians showed resilience, with Tilak Verma leading the charge with a quickfire 64 off 34 balls. However, their chase ultimately fell short by 31 runs, leaving them with their second consecutive defeat in the IPL 2024 season.The focus of criticism has fallen on Mumbai Indians' captain, Hardik Pandya. Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan questioned Pandya's batting strike rate, which he believes should match the team's high standards. Yusuf Pathan, on the other hand, criticized Pandya's decision to keep the spinners' overs, with Piyush Chawla and Shams Mulani bowling only two overs each.Pandya, who took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma, has faced scrutiny for his leadership decisions and performance with the bat. Despite his efforts to score 24 runs off 20 balls, his struggles were evident, raising questions about his effectiveness as a captain in high-pressure situations.The defeat has put Mumbai Indians under pressure, as they seek to turn their fortunes around in the IPL 2024 season. The team's next match is against the Chennai Super Kings on Saturday, April 15.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, continues to inspire and guide the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Since the inception of the IPL in 2008, Dhoni has been an integral part of CSK, leading them to four IPL titles and establishing the team as one of the most successful in the league's history.Under Dhoni's leadership, CSK has consistently performed at the highest level, earning them the reputation as the "Yellow Army." Dhoni's astute captaincy, strategic decision-making, and ability to motivate his players have been key factors in CSK's success. His calm demeanor and unwavering determination have made him a role model for both his teammates and fans alike.Despite relinquishing his captaincy ahead of the 2024 season, Dhoni remains a pivotal figure within the CSK setup. His presence on the field continues to inspire the players, as evidenced by the heartwarming gesture of Sri Lankan bowler Matheesha Pathirana touching Dhoni's feet before starting his bowling spell in CSK's match against Gujarat Titans.Dhoni's influence extends beyond the field as well. Young players like Sameer Rizvi have credited Dhoni for their success. Rizvi, who made his IPL debut for CSK in 2024, praised Dhoni for his guidance and advice, which helped him play with confidence and make an immediate impact.Rizvi's comments highlight the positive atmosphere and camaraderie within the CSK dressing room, which Dhoni has fostered over the years. The team's success is not only attributed to individual brilliance but also to the collective spirit and unity that Dhoni has instilled in his players.As CSK continues its journey in the IPL, Dhoni's legacy will undoubtedly continue to shape the team's identity and inspire future generations of cricketers. His contributions to the franchise and the sport of cricket as a whole have cemented his status as one of the greatest players and leaders in the history of the game.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) continued their winning streak in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, securing a comprehensive 63-run victory over the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the iconic Chepauk Stadium. The triumph was a testament to the team's strategic brilliance and the exceptional performances of their key players.CSK's batting lineup fired on all cylinders, with Rachin Ravindra (46 off 20 balls) and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (46 off 36 balls) providing a blistering start. Shivam Dube (51 off 23 balls) then unleashed a whirlwind knock, propelling CSK to a formidable total of 206/6 in their allotted 20 overs.GT's bowlers struggled to contain CSK's onslaught, with Rashid Khan (2/49) and Spencer Johnson (1/35) being the only ones to make any significant impact.In the chase, GT's batting faltered under the pressure of the target. Sai Sudharsan (37 off 31 balls), Wriddhiman Saha (21 off 17 balls), and David Miller (21 off 16 balls) showed glimpses of resistance, but it was not enough to prevent a collapse.CSK's bowlers were relentless, with Tushar Deshpande (2/21), Deepak Chahar (2/28), and Mustafizur Rahman (2/30) leading the charge. GT were eventually restricted to 143/8, handing CSK a comfortable victory.CSK's batting coach, Michael Hussey, praised Gaikwad's leadership and tactical acumen. He highlighted the skipper's ability to rotate bowlers effectively and set intelligent fields. Hussey also lauded the contributions of Ravindra, who has provided explosive starts to the team.Hussey further commended the performance of 20-year-old Sameer Rizwi, who made a cameo of 14 off six balls, including two sixes. He praised Rizwi's natural hitting ability, especially against spinners.The victory was a significant boost for CSK, who have now won two of their first three matches in the IPL 2024. The team's depth and versatility were on full display, with players from all departments contributing to the success.

Shamar Joseph, the 24-year-old West Indian pace sensation, is navigating the complexities of balancing international cricket with the lucrative world of franchise cricket. Having endured a challenging upbringing and now supporting a young family, Joseph is determined to secure a comfortable future for his loved ones.Joseph's journey has been marked by resilience and determination. Growing up in the humble village of Baracara, Guyana, he faced extreme poverty and worked various odd jobs to support his family. However, his passion for cricket never wavered.After making his international debut in 2018, Joseph quickly established himself as a formidable bowler. His ability to generate pace and swing has earned him praise from legendary West Indian fast bowlers like Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose.In the recent Test series against Australia, Joseph played through pain with a broken toe, showcasing his unwavering commitment to his team. His heroics in the series have further enhanced his reputation as a rising star in the cricketing world.Now, Joseph is set to make his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut with the Lucknow Super Giants. He is eager to learn from experienced players like KL Rahul and Justin Langer, the team's head coach. Joseph believes that the IPL will provide him with an invaluable opportunity to improve his skills and enhance his white-ball game.While Joseph is excited about the prospect of playing in the IPL, he remains committed to representing the West Indies in all three formats of the game. He recognizes the importance of maintaining his fitness to handle the demanding workload of international cricket.Joseph's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the pursuit of dreams. From humble beginnings to the bright lights of the IPL, he has overcome adversity to become one of the most promising young fast bowlers in the world.

Mumbai Indians' decision to hold back their star bowler Jasprit Bumrah proved costly as Sunrisers Hyderabad amassed a record-breaking total of 277 for 3 in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match.Bumrah, widely regarded as the world's best bowler in the T20 format, bowled just one over in the first ten overs of the innings. By the time he returned for his second spell, Sunrisers had already raced to 177 for 3, with Heinrich Klaasen batting on eight off three balls.Former Australia allrounder and Sunrisers head coach Tom Moody criticized Mumbai's strategy, calling it "extraordinary." He emphasized that Bumrah should have bowled two overs in the powerplay, as his wicket-taking ability is crucial in restricting the opposition's scoring."When you've got the best bowler in the world in this format... for him to only bowl one over in the first ten overs... is extraordinary," Moody said. "By then, the game's gone."Mumbai's reluctance to use Bumrah early on was likely due to their concern about Klaasen's big-hitting ability. However, Klaasen admitted that the runs scored by Sunrisers' top order gave him the freedom to face Bumrah without pressure."They didn't bowl their best bowler in the powerplay... that was our plan," Klaasen said. "They missed a trick up front. We've got incredible strikers up front in our batting line-up. They just set the tempo so our work was basically done."Moody believes that Mumbai should have been more flexible with their plans and reassessed their strategy after the first six overs, when Sunrisers had already scored 81 runs. He suggested that Bumrah should have been brought back for two overs immediately to try and stem the flow of runs."Every chance that Klaasen may not have batted today the way Sunrisers were going at the top," Moody said. "Could Mumbai not have changed their plans midway, especially with two strategic time-outs to reassess?"Mumbai's decision to hold back Bumrah ultimately backfired, as Sunrisers posted the highest score in IPL history and secured a comfortable victory.