Cricket

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma, who had previously criticized the IPL's "impact player" rule, found himself benched in the match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as an impact substitute in an IPL 2024 game.Sharma had expressed his disapproval of the rule, stating that it would hinder all-rounders and that cricket is played by 11 players, not 12. He argued that the rule takes away from the game's cricketing aspect and prevents players like Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar from bowling.However, in the MI vs KKR match, Sharma was not included in the starting XI. Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya elected to bowl first, making one change to the playing XI by bringing in Naman Dhir for Mohammad Nabi.Pandya acknowledged the team's recent struggles but expressed optimism about playing well on their home ground. KKR captain Shreyas Iyer opted to field an unchanged side.Mumbai entered the game after three consecutive defeats, while KKR had won two and lost one in their last three matches. Despite KKR's recent success, Mumbai holds a dominant head-to-head record, having won 23 out of 32 matches.

Mumbai Indians' Playoff Hopes Dwindle Despite Captain's Vow to Fight OnMumbai Indians' quest for a sixth Indian Premier League (IPL) title appears increasingly elusive as the team continues to struggle in the 2024 season. Despite having five matches remaining, the five-time champions find themselves in a precarious position, with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread.During the toss against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday, captain Hardik Pandya acknowledged the team's challenging campaign but expressed his determination to keep fighting. "It's always about playing for pride," Pandya said. "It looks quite tough for us, but at the same time, we want to play good cricket. It feels good to be back home."Mumbai Indians have managed only three wins from their first 10 matches, leaving them second-to-last on the points table. Even if they were to win all their remaining games, they would only reach 16 points, which is unlikely to be enough to challenge the top teams.Pandya, who took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma before the season, has endured a difficult campaign, struggling to make an impact with both bat and ball. The all-rounder has been hampered by a long injury layoff and has yet to find his rhythm in the IPL.The team's batting has also been inconsistent, with only Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan showing any signs of form. The bowling attack has also been underwhelming, with Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer still sidelined by injuries.Despite the setbacks, Pandya remains optimistic that the team can turn things around. "We want to play good cricket," he said. "We have a good track record, and we want to keep playing for pride."However, the odds are stacked against Mumbai Indians, and their playoff hopes appear to be fading with each passing match. The team will need to produce a remarkable turnaround in their remaining games to have any chance of reaching the knockout stages.

Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to bowl first against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Friday. MI made one change to their lineup, bringing in Naman Dhir in place of Mohammad Nabi, while KKR fielded the same playing XI.MI's decision to bowl first proved to be a wise one as they restricted KKR to a modest total of 165/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers for MI, claiming 5/10 in his four overs. He was ably supported by Piyush Chawla, who took 2/22.In reply, MI got off to a solid start with Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav putting on a 50-run partnership for the first wicket. However, KKR fought back with wickets at regular intervals, including the key scalps of Kishan and Yadav.Despite the setbacks, MI managed to stay in the hunt thanks to a crucial 35-run knock from Tim David. However, with the asking rate climbing, MI eventually fell short by 10 runs, finishing on 155/9.KKR's victory was largely due to their disciplined bowling performance, led by Bumrah. The Indian pacer was unplayable at times, consistently hitting the right areas and generating good pace. Chawla also played a key role, providing control and picking up crucial wickets.For MI, the defeat was a disappointing one, as they failed to capitalize on their strong start. Kishan and Yadav looked in good touch, but they were unable to convert their starts into big scores. David's late cameo gave MI a glimmer of hope, but it was ultimately not enough.

India's T20 World Cup Squad: Should Rinku Singh Have Been Included?Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has expressed his opinion on India's squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, suggesting that the team management could have considered including Rinku Singh.Rinku Singh's exclusion from the 15-member Indian squad has been a topic of debate among experts and fans. The explosive batter has impressed with his performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and for the Indian cricket team in T20Is.Chief selector Ajit Agarkar clarified that Rinku's omission was not due to any shortcomings on his part. However, he was included in the reserves, while Shivam Dube was rewarded for his form in the ongoing IPL.India opted for four spinners – Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal – for the tournament to be played in the USA and the Caribbean. However, many experts believe that four spinners may be excessive, given the pitches are likely to be more suited to pace bowling.Latif believes that Rinku Singh's experience in finishing matches could have been valuable for India. "Rinku Singh has the experience of finishing off, which we have already seen," Latif said. "In my opinion, if it seems there is one bowler extra, then Rinku Singh could have been in the squad."India's squad for T20 World Cup 2024:* Rohit Sharma (C)* Hardik Pandya (VC)* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Virat Kohli* Suryakumar Yadav* Rishabh Pant* Sanju Samson* Shivam Dube* Ravindra Jadeja* Axar Patel* Kuldeep Yadav* Yuzvendra Chahal* Arshdeep Singh* Mohammed Siraj* Jasprit BumrahReserves:* Shubman Gill* Rinku Singh* Khaleel Ahmed* Avesh Khan

England Women's cricket team is embracing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance their selection process. Head coach Jon Lewis credits AI with playing a crucial role in their drawn Ashes series last year.Lewis first encountered the technology from London-based company PSi while coaching in the Women's Premier League (WPL). The system allows coaching staff to simulate various match-ups and scenarios."We can run simulated teams against simulated opposition to understand how they might match up," Lewis explained. "I can send multiple lineups, and they run approximately 250,000 simulations per team, considering all possible permutations."Lewis emphasizes that AI is not the sole determinant of team selection but rather a valuable tool to inform decisions. "We used it successfully in the Ashes last summer to match up against the Australian side," he said.However, Lewis acknowledges the limitations of historical data in the women's game, which can impact the accuracy of AI simulations. He believes this will improve as the international schedule and franchise scene expand.While AI can assist in borderline selection calls, Lewis prioritizes a people-first approach. "We're on the ground with the players, and that's our primary consideration," he said. "But AI is a fascinating tool that complements our cricketing judgment."Lewis highlighted the T20I leg of last summer's Ashes as an example where AI proved beneficial. "We identified a strength in Australia and matched our best bowlers to that part of the game," he said. "It helped us win the T20 series and get back into the Ashes."Beyond data analysis, England Women have also engaged in team-building exercises, including cold-water swimming, to foster resilience and clear thinking under pressure."Cricket is a tactical game that requires clear thinking and anxiety management," Lewis said. "By taking players out of their comfort zones, we encourage them to voice opinions, support each other, and connect on a deeper level."The players' honest discussions about their fears and anxieties will enable the coaching staff to support their personal growth and enhance their performance on the field.

Justin Langer's Competitive Spirit Shines in Push-Up Challenge with Lucknow Super Giants PacerAt 53 years old, Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer proved that age is just a number when he engaged in a push-up challenge with his 24-year-old pacer, Naveen-ul-Haq. During a training session ahead of their clash against Kolkata Knight Riders, Langer showcased his unwavering competitive spirit and desire to win.In a video shared by the franchise on social media, Langer and Naveen were seen in an intense push-up battle. Despite being less than half of Langer's age, Naveen struggled to keep up with his head coach's relentless pace. Langer emerged as the clear winner, demonstrating his exceptional fitness and determination.Langer's competitive nature has been evident throughout his first season as head coach of LSG. Under his guidance, the team has secured a top-four position in the IPL points table with six wins and four losses. However, the likes of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings, and Delhi Capitals are hot on their heels as the season approaches its climax.In the past two editions of the IPL, LSG has reached the play-offs but failed to advance to the finals. Langer's experience and leadership will be crucial as the team aims to break this trend and make a deep run in the tournament.

Pakistan Cricket Board's Army Training Camp for Men's Team Draws Support from Rashid LatifFormer Pakistani cricketer Rashid Latif has expressed his support for the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to send the senior men's team to an Army camp for training ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. The move, which was met with some skepticism from the public, has been praised by Latif for its potential to improve team bonding and address fitness concerns.The PCB's decision to adopt a unique training approach stemmed from concerns raised about the team's fitness standards during the 2023 ODI World Cup. The Babar Azam-led side underwent a grueling training session at the Army School of Physical Training in Kakul, where they were subjected to intense physical and mental challenges.Despite initial negative reactions from netizens, Latif believes the PCB's move was justified. "The team's condition was not looking very good... there was some tension within the team," he said. "They got a chance to stay together in an army training camp. If there had been a camp in Lahore or Karachi, everyone would have stayed on their phones and gone to their rooms at the end of the day."Latif emphasized the importance of team bonding in the success of any sports team. "There were no mobile phones, no more distractions, and everyone had to remain together in the army training, which helped in building the bonding among the players," he said. "I agree that cricket-specific training should be preferred, but the reason was that perhaps the team had some sort of tension, and that is why they were sent for that training."The PCB's decision to send the team to an Army camp is a testament to the organization's commitment to improving the team's performance and fostering a positive team culture. While the results of the training camp will not be immediately apparent, it is hoped that the experience will have a lasting impact on the team's cohesion and fitness levels.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the match officials for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Americas, scheduled to begin on June 1. Indian umpires Nitin Menon and Jayaraman Madanagopal, along with ICC match referee Javagal Srinath, will represent India at the tournament.The ICC has selected a total of 26 match officials, including 20 umpires and six referees, to oversee the 55 matches across nine venues in the United States of America (USA) and the West Indies. The list of umpires includes renowned ICC officials such as Richard Illingworth, Kumar Dharmasena, Chris Gaffaney, and Paul Reiffel.Madanagopal, along with Sam Nogajski, Allahudien Paleker, Rashid Riaz, and Asif Yaqoob, will make their ICC senior men's competition debut. The six referees include Ranjan Madugalle, Jeff Crowe, and Andrew Pycroft, who are also well-known in the cricketing world.ICC General Manager Wasim Khan expressed confidence in the selected match officials, stating that they have a "complement of experienced match officials and other high-performing members who have been recognized for their strong and consistent performances." He added that the ICC is proud of the team assembled and is confident that they will perform strongly.The T20 World Cup in the Americas will feature 16 teams competing in the first round, with the top eight teams advancing to the Super 12 stage. The tournament will culminate in the final on June 16 in Lauderhill, Florida.

Dhoni's Heartwarming Gesture: Jersey Presentation to CSK and MustafizurIn a touching display of camaraderie, legendary cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni presented his signed jersey to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and pacer Mustafizur Rahman. The gesture was met with immense gratitude from Mustafizur, who shared the special moment on social media."Thanks for everything Mahi bhai. It was a special feeling to share the same dressing room with a legend like you. Thanks for keeping faith in me everytime. Appreciating your valuable tips, I will remember those things," Mustafizur wrote on Twitter.The left-arm pacer expressed his eagerness to reunite with Dhoni in the future, saying, "Looking forward to meeting and playing with you again soon."Mustafizur's departure from the CSK camp for international duty has left a void in the team. CSK currently sits in fifth place on the points tally, with five wins and five losses in 10 matches.CSK head coach Stephen Fleming expressed disappointment over Mustafizur's absence, stating, "Losing Fizz (Mustafizur Rahman) is disappointing."Despite the setback, Fleming praised the performance of English pacer Richard Gleeson, who filled in for Mustafizur. "Richard Gleeson was good, and it was a positive," Fleming said.Fleming acknowledged the challenges faced by the team due to injuries and roster changes. "We've had to make a few changes, which is unusual. Again, that's part of it, and we have got the resources," he said."Just they haven't had the game time to be really comfortable with their roles and us to be comfortable with a game plan, which we're struggling a little."