Cricket

Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Rishabh Pant opted to bat first in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on April 29. DC made two changes to their lineup, bringing in Prithvi Shaw for Kumar Kushagra and right-arm pacer Rasikh Salam Dar. KKR captain Shreyas Iyer also made two alterations, introducing Australian quick Mitchell Starc and right-arm pacer Vaibhav Arora.DC's innings got off to a shaky start as they lost opener Prithvi Shaw for a duck in the first over. However, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Abishek Porel steadied the ship with a 42-run partnership. Porel was dismissed for 22, but Fraser-McGurk continued to anchor the innings, scoring a valuable 46 off 34 deliveries.Shai Hope and Rishabh Pant then combined for a crucial 53-run stand for the fourth wicket. Pant played a captain's knock, scoring 43 off 29 balls before being dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy. Tristan Stubbs and Axar Patel made brief contributions, but it was Kuldeep Yadav's late cameo that propelled DC to a competitive total. Yadav smashed an unbeaten 24 off 12 balls, including two sixes, to take DC to 173/7 in their allotted 20 overs.KKR's chase began disastrously as they lost their top three batsmen - Phil Salt, Sunil Narine, and Venkatesh Iyer - for just 13 runs. Shreyas Iyer and Rinku Singh attempted to rebuild the innings, but their partnership was broken by Khaleel Ahmed. Andre Russell provided some late fireworks with a 25-ball 45, but it was not enough to prevent KKR from falling short by 44 runs.Kuldeep Yadav was the star performer for DC with the ball, claiming 4/33 in his four overs. Khaleel Ahmed and Rasikh Salam Dar also chipped in with two wickets each.

Lucknow Super Giants Aim to Strengthen Playoff Hopes Against Struggling Mumbai IndiansLucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Mumbai Indians (MI) will face off in a crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter on Tuesday, with both teams seeking to bolster their playoff aspirations.LSG, currently fifth in the standings, will be buoyed by the return of Mayank Yadav, who has recovered from injury. The team's bowling attack, led by Ravi Bishnoi and Mohsin Khan, has been impressive, and they will be confident of restricting MI's batting lineup.MI, on the other hand, have endured a disappointing campaign, languishing in ninth place. Their overseas fast bowlers have struggled to make an impact, leaving Jasprit Bumrah with an excessive workload. The team's batting has also been inconsistent, with Suryakumar Yadav yet to fully rediscover his form.Key Players to Watch:* Quinton de Kock (LSG): The South African opener has been inconsistent this season, but his explosive potential could prove decisive.* Suryakumar Yadav (MI): The Indian batter is MI's key run-scorer, and his return to form is crucial for their playoff hopes.* Jasprit Bumrah (MI): The Indian pace spearhead has been MI's most reliable performer, but he needs support from his teammates.Pitch and Conditions:The match will be played at the Lucknow stadium, where no team has scored over 200 runs in five games so far. The pitch is expected to be on the slower side, favoring the spinners.Quotes:* LSG bowling coach Morne Morkel on de Kock's form: "We need to back him in that position."* MI spinner Kumar Kartikeya on their game plan: "We want to keep things as simple as possible - restrict runs and try to take wickets."

Mayank Yadav Returns to Fitness, Set to Boost Lucknow Super Giants Against Mumbai IndiansLucknow Super Giants have received a major boost ahead of their crucial clash against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday, with young pace sensation Mayank Yadav passing all fitness tests and being declared available for selection.Yadav, who suffered a soreness in the lower abdominal area during the match against Gujarat Titans, has been sidelined for the past few games. However, the 21-year-old has now recovered and is eager to make his return to the field."Regarding Mayank Yadav, he has passed all the fitness tests and is in the probable XII for the match against Mumbai Indians. He is looking good and is ready to bowl again," confirmed LSG bowling coach Morne Morkel in the pre-match press conference.Yadav's return is a timely one for Lucknow, who have struggled with their bowling in recent matches. The pacer has been one of the team's most impressive performers this season, claiming six wickets in just three appearances.His ability to generate pace and swing the ball will be a valuable asset against a strong Mumbai Indians batting lineup. Yadav's return will also provide some much-needed depth to the LSG bowling attack, which has been heavily reliant on Avesh Khan and Dushmantha Chameera.With Yadav back in the mix, Lucknow will be confident of putting up a strong performance against Mumbai Indians and continuing their push for a playoff spot. The match will be played at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday.

Rishabh Pant's impressive return to form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has put him in contention to become India's vice-captain for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, ahead of all-rounder Hardik Pandya.Pant, who has been out of action since a near-fatal car accident in December 2022, has shown remarkable resilience and skill in his comeback. In contrast, Pandya has struggled both as a batter and bowler in the ongoing IPL, raising questions about his leadership abilities.According to a report by Cricbuzz, Pant's current form gives him an edge over Pandya in the race to become Rohit Sharma's deputy. The national selectors are expected to meet on May 1 to consider re-appointing Pant as vice-captain, a position he held before his injury hiatus.Pant has previously captained India in the five-match T20I series against South Africa in June 2022. He is also expected to be India's first-choice wicketkeeper for the T20 World Cup in June.Other positions in the Indian squad for the World Cup are also up for grabs. Sanju Samson and KL Rahul are vying for the second wicket-keeper spot, while Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh are in contention for all-rounder roles.The top order is likely to consist of Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav. The middle order will feature Pant, Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja.Kuldeep Yadav is expected to be the specialist spinner, while Axar Patel may edge out Ravi Bishnoi for the other spinner's position. Veteran spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, despite his impressive performance for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, may once again miss out on selection.

Hardik Pandya's struggles as Mumbai Indians skipper have raised questions about his place in India's T20 World Cup squad. The all-rounder has endured a disappointing IPL season, with poor bowling figures, limited runs with the bat, and subpar leadership. Mumbai Indians' dismal performance, winning only three of their nine matches, has further fueled criticism.However, former pacer Varun Aaron believes that Pandya remains a key contender for India's T20 World Cup squad, ahead of Chennai Super Kings' Shivam Dube. Aaron attributes Pandya's struggles to his return to Mumbai Indians, which has placed immense pressure on him."Hardik is a proven match winner," Aaron said. "He's not at his best right now, but he's taking on a lot of pressure. He must be thinking, 'Why did I come here?'"Aaron believes that Pandya's move to Mumbai Indians was a mistake that has affected his performance. "He had a really good run at the Gujarat Titans," Aaron added. "Once you remove him from that pressure, he will shine."In nine matches for Mumbai Indians, Pandya has scored 197 runs at an average of 24.62 and a strike rate of 151.53. On the bowling front, he has taken only four wickets and leaked runs at an economy of close to 12 RPO.Pandya replaced Rohit Sharma as Mumbai Indians skipper ahead of the 2024 season. Sharma, a five-time title winner, has been a highly successful captain for the franchise.Despite Pandya's struggles, Aaron believes that he should be included in India's T20 World Cup squad. "He's a proven match winner," Aaron said. "He's got the experience and the skill. He's a big-match player."

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has emphasized the importance of considering a player's past contributions to the Indian team when selecting the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Pathan believes that standout performances in the ongoing IPL 2024 season should not automatically guarantee a spot in the team.Pathan draws on his own experience as an example. Despite being injured and dropped from the team, he was eventually recalled due to his past contributions. He argues that the selection committee should adopt a similar approach, acknowledging the value of experience and not solely relying on recent IPL performances.Pathan highlights the challenges of international cricket, where players face top-quality bowlers like Mitchell Starc and Pathirana. He believes that experienced bowlers with a proven track record should be prioritized over uncapped bowlers who may perform well in the IPL's smaller grounds and flatter pitches.While acknowledging the potential of young players, Pathan cautions against overlooking the importance of experience, especially in the slow conditions of the West Indies and the unknown element of the USA pitches. He cites the 2007 T20 World Cup victory as an example, where India's success was built on a core of experienced players.Pathan concludes by emphasizing the need for vigilance in selecting the squad for the upcoming World Cup. He believes that the slowness of the game in the West Indies demands experienced players who can handle the pressure and adapt to the conditions.

Match 47 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 promises an exciting clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Both teams are vying for a top-four finish, with KKR currently second on the points table and DC fifth.KKR's recent loss to Punjab Kings has put their winning streak on hold, but they remain a formidable force. Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Phil Salt have been their key performers, contributing significant fantasy points.DC, on the other hand, have been in impressive form, defeating Mumbai Indians in their last match. Jake Fraser-McGurk, Axar Patel, and Rishabh Pant have been their top fantasy point-getters.The Eden Gardens pitch is known for its batting-friendly nature, with an average first-innings score of 181 runs. Both pacers and spinners are expected to find success on this surface.Weather conditions are expected to be favorable for cricket, with temperatures around 32 degrees Celsius and moderate humidity.In the head-to-head battle, KKR's batters have earned more fantasy points than DC's, while DC's bowlers have been more productive.Fantasy Picks:Captain: Sunil Narine (KKR)Vice-Captain: Rishabh Pant (DC)Top Captain and Vice-Captain Picks:* Sunil Narine (KKR)* Andre Russell (KKR)* Phil Salt (KKR)* Kuldeep Yadav (DC)* Tristan Stubbs (DC)* Axar Patel (DC)* Shreyas Iyer (DC)* Khaleel Ahmed (DC)* Varun Chakravarthy (KKR)Fantasy Team:Wicket-Keepers: Phil Salt (KKR), Rishabh Pant (DC)Batters: Tristan Stubbs (DC), Shreyas Iyer (DC), Jake Fraser-McGurk (DC)All-Rounders: Andre Russell (KKR), Sunil Narine (KKR), Axar Patel (DC)Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav (DC), Khaleel Ahmed (DC), Mukesh Kumar (KKR)

Chennai Super Kings Reign Supreme in T20 Cricket with Record-Breaking 200+ TotalsChennai Super Kings (CSK), the formidable Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, has etched its name in the annals of T20 cricket history by achieving the most 200+ totals in the shortest format of the game. Their remarkable feat of scoring 212/3 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2024 match at Chepauk marked their 35th occasion of surpassing the 200-run mark in the tournament.This extraordinary achievement is a testament to CSK's consistent batting prowess and their ability to dominate opponents with their aggressive approach. Their victory against SRH, which they secured by bowling out their rivals for just 134 runs in 18.5 overs, further solidified their status as one of the most successful teams in T20 cricket.CSK's dominance in this aspect of the game is unmatched, with Somerset, an English county cricket team, trailing behind with 34 occasions of breaching the 200-run barrier. India, the cricketing powerhouse, has also made its mark with 32 200+ totals in T20 internationals, showcasing the depth and talent of its batting lineup.Another IPL team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has also earned a reputation for their explosive batting displays, recording 31 occasions of scoring 200 or more runs in IPL history. Bolstered by some of the game's most exciting batsmen, RCB's aggressive style has made them a perennial threat in T20 cricket.From the English county scene, Yorkshire's tally of 29 200+ totals reflects their tradition of producing talented cricketers. Yorkshire's commitment to attacking cricket has yielded impressive results, cementing their status as a force to be reckoned with in domestic competitions.Not to be outdone, Surrey, another prominent English county team, has amassed 28 200+ totals in T20 cricket. Surrey's blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging talents has consistently produced thrilling performances, making them a team capable of achieving remarkable feats with the bat.

IPL 2024: Resurgent Delhi Capitals Aim to Conquer Kolkata Knight Riders' Bowling WoesThe Indian Premier League (IPL) is set for another thrilling encounter as the resurgent Delhi Capitals (DC) take on the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the iconic Eden Gardens. DC, buoyed by four wins in their last five matches, will be looking to exploit KKR's bowling vulnerabilities and ascend to the top four in the standings.DC's batting has been a revelation this season, with Aussie Jake Fraser-McGurk emerging as their X-factor. The 22-year-old power-hitter has taken the IPL by storm, scoring 247 runs in five matches at a staggering strike rate of 237.50. His ferocious batting display at the top has been a major catalyst for DC's resurgence.South African Tristian Stubbs has also left everyone in awe with his astonishing power-hitting. In a recent match against Mumbai, he smashed a 25-ball 48 not out, showcasing his immense potential. Roshabh Pant, the DC captain, has also been making rapid progress with every match. The DC top-five, comprising Fraser-McGurk, Abhishek Porel, Shai Hope, Pant, and Stubbs, will be a cause of concern for the KKR bowling attack.On the other hand, KKR has endured three defeats in their last five matches, with their profligacy in bowling hurting them badly. The Gautam Gambhir-mentored side will need to address their bowling woes if they want to challenge DC's formidable batting lineup.The match promises to be a high-scoring affair, with both teams possessing explosive batting firepower. DC will be looking to continue their winning momentum and consolidate their position in the top half of the table, while KKR will be desperate to turn their fortunes around and reignite their playoff hopes.