Cricket

Virat Kohli's half-century against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match on Thursday sparked a flurry of discussions on social media. While Kohli's contribution helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) end their six-game losing streak, his slow knock of 51 runs off 43 balls raised questions about his form and approach.Kohli's innings began promisingly, with the former RCB captain reaching his half-century in 37 balls. However, his scoring rate slowed down significantly after the powerplay, as he struggled to find boundaries. This led to criticism that Kohli was prioritizing his personal milestone over the team's needs.Adding to the intrigue, Kohli refrained from celebrating his half-century, a gesture that hinted at his dissatisfaction with his performance. This action sparked speculation that Kohli is aiming for something bigger, possibly a century or a match-winning knock.Despite Kohli's slow knock, RCB managed to post a competitive total of 206/7 thanks to contributions from Rajat Patidar (50), Cameron Green (37*), and Swapnil Singh (12*). In response, SRH's batting lineup faltered, with only Abhishek Sharma (31), Shahbaz Ahmed (40), and skipper Pat Cummins (31) offering any resistance. RCB bowlers Green (2/12), Karn Sharma (2/29), and Swapnil Singh (2/40) led the charge, restricting SRH to 171 all out.Kohli's performance has been a subject of scrutiny throughout the IPL season. While he has scored three half-centuries, his strike rate has been a concern. Critics argue that Kohli's slow batting is hindering RCB's progress, while supporters maintain that he is a valuable asset to the team.As RCB languishes at the bottom of the points table, Kohli's form will be crucial in determining their chances of making the playoffs. The upcoming matches will provide him with an opportunity to prove his critics wrong and lead RCB to victory.

As the May 1 deadline for squad submission for the T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, former Indian batter Virender Sehwag has unveiled his strongest XI for the marquee event. Sehwag's team features a blend of experience and youth, with a focus on current form and versatility.Sehwag's XI is led by captain Rohit Sharma, who will open the batting alongside rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal. The middle order boasts the formidable trio of Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rishabh Pant, who returns to the team after recovering from injuries.For the all-rounder role, Sehwag has opted for either Shivam Dube or Rinku Singh, both of whom have impressed in the ongoing IPL season. The spin department is anchored by Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, while the pace attack features Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Sandeep Sharma.Sehwag's decision to exclude Hardik Pandya from his XI has raised eyebrows, given the all-rounder's status as a key player for India. However, Sehwag believes that Pandya's recent poor form warrants his omission from the starting lineup."Hardik is a great player, but he's not in the best of form right now," Sehwag said. "I think he should be in the 15-man squad, but he may not be in the starting XI."Sehwag's XI reflects his belief in the importance of adaptability and versatility in T20 cricket. The team features several players who can bat and bowl, providing the captain with multiple options to adjust to different match situations.With the World Cup just months away, Sehwag's XI serves as a valuable blueprint for the Indian selectors as they finalize their squad. The team's balance, experience, and current form make it a formidable contender for the coveted trophy.

Axar Patel's remarkable batting performance for Delhi Capitals against Gujarat Titans has reignited the debate over his inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad ahead of Ravindra Jadeja. Both players are left-arm spinners, exceptional fielders, and capable batsmen. However, Axar's T20 batting prowess appears to surpass Jadeja's, as evidenced by his ability to execute powerful shots and adapt to various batting situations.While Jadeja's heroics in the IPL final last year, where he secured the title for Chennai Super Kings with a six and a four, cannot be overlooked, Axar's recent performances suggest he may be a more suitable choice for the T20 World Cup. In this IPL season, both players have comparable statistics. Axar has amassed 123 runs in nine matches with a strike rate of 132.36, while Jadeja has scored 157 runs with a strike rate of 131.93. However, Axar's superior six-hitting ability, a crucial aspect of T20 cricket, sets him apart. He has struck five maximums compared to Jadeja's two.Axar's taller trajectory and quicker round-arm action may also enhance his effectiveness as a bowler in the West Indies, where wickets tend to offer more grip. While Jadeja excels as a bowler in ODIs and Tests, his T20 bowling can become predictable due to his consistent line and length, making it easier for batters to counter him.In this IPL, Axar has claimed seven wickets in nine matches with an impressive economy rate of 7.06, a remarkable feat considering the flat wickets. He has also bowled 53 dot balls in 186 deliveries, demonstrating his ability to restrict runs. Rishabh Pant has effectively utilized Axar in the powerplay as well.In contrast, Jadeja has managed only four wickets despite bowling in spin-friendly conditions. His economy rate has also been higher at 7.85, and he has bowled fewer dots (43).Their T20I records are also comparable. In 52 games, Axar has scored 361 runs with a strike rate of 144.40 and taken 49 wickets with an economy rate of 7.26. Jadeja has played 66 games, scoring 480 runs with a strike rate of 125.32 and taking 53 wickets with an economy rate of 7.10.However, this IPL has highlighted Jadeja's inability to accelerate the game's pace when batting at No. 4. In contrast, Axar Patel has demonstrated his versatility by starting slowly at No. 3 and then accelerating his innings, showcasing his wide range of strokes against Gujarat Titans.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Faf du Plessis breathed a sigh of relief after his team snapped a six-match losing streak with a convincing 35-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Thursday."The last two games, we've shown great signs of fight. The SRH game was 270 plus, we got 260. The KKR game as well - 1 run. We've been close for a while, but you need to win matches to get confidence as a group. Will sleep easier tonight," du Plessis said at the post-match presentation ceremony.The RCB captain emphasized the importance of performances in building confidence within the team. "You can't speak confidence into the group, can't fake confidence into the group. Only thing that gives confidence is performances," he said.While Virat Kohli has been the leading run-scorer for RCB, du Plessis expressed satisfaction that other batters are also contributing. "The competition is so strong, the teams are so strong that you'll get hurt if you're not at 100 percent. More guys are scoring runs now. First half of the tournament only Virat was scoring runs. Greeny scoring runs now will be massive for him," he said.Chasing 207, SRH's aggressive approach with the bat backfired as they found themselves at 69-5 in the 8th over. They were unable to recover from that early setback and eventually fell short of the target.RCB's victory was a much-needed boost for the team, which had been struggling for form in recent matches. The win will give them confidence as they look to climb up the IPL standings.

Punjab Kings' skipper Shikhar Dhawan, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury, will miss the team's match against Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday. The team hopes to have him back for their next game against Chennai Super Kings on May 1.Dhawan last played against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 9 and has missed three matches since then. Sam Curran has stepped in as captain in his absence.PBKS spin bowling coach Sunil Joshi said Dhawan is recovering and could return for the team's next game in Chennai."He was in form and we really missed his batting services. We saw him batting yesterday, going through the nets and everything," Joshi said on the eve of their match against KKR."He is on the road to recovery. Hopefully, he should be fit for the next game (against CSK)," he said.PBKS have struggled as a batting unit and are ninth on the table with four points from eight matches.Jitesh Sharma's StrugglesWicket-keeper batter Jitesh Sharma has been a disappointment for PBKS in the ongoing IPL. Once considered a contender for India's first-choice wicketkeeper, Sharma has scored just 128 runs from eight innings at an average of 16.00 and a strike rate of 125.49.Joshi attributed Sharma's struggles to the pressure of meeting expectations."Jitesh is a quality batter and we all know that the time has come for him to fire tomorrow. And yes, of course, there are multiple players in the whole IPL," Joshi said."They are all eager to be in the T20 World Cup squad. But at times, most of the players are in that phase that (the thought of) making it to the Indian team will always keep haunting. So, it's about focusing on basic, right things."Joshi said Sharma needs to focus on performing one ball at a time and not worry about the Indian team selection.Pressure on KKRJoshi believes the pressure will be on KKR to perform and win at home."We've come out of home. The pressure should be on the home team now so we can play freely and get runs," he said.

New Zealand's disciplined bowling attack, led by Will O'Rourke and Ben Sears, proved too strong for Pakistan in the third T20I in Lahore, securing a four-run victory and a 2-1 series lead.Chasing 179, Pakistan lost early wickets and struggled to keep up with the required run rate. Fakhar Zaman's spirited 61 kept Pakistan in the hunt, but his dismissal and that of Iftikhar Ahmed in consecutive overs sealed their fate. Imad Wasim's late surge kept the game alive, but Jimmy Neesham's tight final over denied Pakistan the victory.Earlier, New Zealand had posted 178 for 7, thanks to Tim Robinson's explosive 51 and Tom Blundell's quickfire start. Pakistan's bowlers, particularly Abbas Afridi, fought back in the middle overs, but New Zealand's bowlers held their nerve in the end.Abbas Afridi impressed with his accurate bowling, taking 3 for 20, while Shadab Khan made a stunning catch in the field. Sears and O'Rourke, both making their T20I debuts for New Zealand, played a crucial role in restricting Pakistan's scoring and taking key wickets.

Vanuatu, a small island nation with a population of just over 300,000, has stunned the cricketing world by defeating Zimbabwe, ranked 12th in the ICC Women's T20I rankings, in the opening match of the Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier in Abu Dhabi.Vanuatu's spinners, Vanessa Vira and Nasimana Navaika, wreaked havoc on Zimbabwe's batting lineup, sharing seven wickets between them. Vira dismissed Modester Mupachikwa in the second over, while Andrew bowled Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano and captain Mary-Anne Musonda in quick succession. Navaika then took four wickets in 10 balls, leaving Zimbabwe reeling at 55 for 8 after 11 overs.In response, Vanuatu lost their openers early but captain Selina Solman and Navaika steadied the ship with a 19-run stand. Navaika was eventually dismissed by Audrey Mazvishaya, but Vanuatu held on to secure a historic six-wicket victory with 21 balls to spare.This victory is a testament to the rise of Vanuatu cricket. In the last seven months, they have defeated regional rivals Papua New Guinea and earned a morale-boosting victory over a much stronger Zimbabwe side. Their success is a result of hard work, determination, and the support of their passionate fans.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) emerged victorious in their clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Hyderabad, breaking their six-game losing streak and reigniting their playoff hopes.RCB's spinners played a pivotal role in the victory, with part-time offspinner Will Jacks dismissing Travis Head in the opening over. Swapnil Singh and Karn Sharma continued the onslaught, leaving SRH reeling at 85 for 6 after 10 overs.SRH's chase of 207 was further hampered by Cameron Green and Faf du Plessis' quick-fire cameos. Virat Kohli also contributed with a 51, but his innings lacked the usual explosiveness.Earlier, RCB had posted a competitive 206 for 7, thanks to Rajat Patidar's blistering 19-ball half-century. Patidar's innings set the tone for RCB's batting, with Kohli and du Plessis providing valuable support.SRH's bowlers, led by Jaydev Unadkat and T. Natarajan, fought back with some late wickets, but it was not enough to prevent RCB from securing a much-needed victory.The win keeps RCB's playoff hopes alive, while SRH's chances of reaching the knockout stages have taken a significant hit.

Maia Bouchier, England's rising star, has set her sights on solidifying her position as the team's top-order batter ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. The 25-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough winter tour of New Zealand, where she seized the opportunity to showcase her skills in the absence of senior players.Bouchier's promotion to the opening slot during the Sri Lanka series last summer proved fruitful, as she complemented Nat Sciver-Brunt's century with a career-best 95. However, it was her performance in the T20I series against New Zealand that truly cemented her status. Batting at No.3 in the first three matches, she made significant contributions, including a series-sealing 91 from 56 balls after being promoted to open in the fourth match."I've been waiting for that moment," Bouchier said. "I've really enjoyed my cricket and putting in some performances for England. Going into this summer, I'll do as much as I can to grab every opportunity and keep that spot now."Bouchier's success is the culmination of a settled run in the side, promised to her by head coach Jon Lewis last summer. Despite her impressive form in the Hundred, she had previously been limited to middle-order roles. However, her recent performances have outshone both Tammy Beaumont and Sophia Dunkley, making her a strong contender for a first-choice opening spot at the World Cup."It was all about being patient for that moment," Bouchier said. "I guess I had to do those tough years to get to that point, but playing in those [lower-order] positions meant I had to be able to adapt quickly, so that has only helped me going up to the top of the order."England's summer schedule includes home series against Pakistan and New Zealand, followed by the Hundred. Bouchier is confident that the team has addressed its shortcomings against spin, a notable weakness in recent years."Bangladesh is going to be difficult, and spin is always a talking point, but really it comes down to the game situation and the ball in hand at that moment," Bouchier said. "Everyone has been working on playing to their strengths against spin, whether it's reverse-sweeping or long sweeps to the other side of the pitch."Bouchier also highlighted the importance of the MCC Foundation Hubs tournament, which provides opportunities for young girls to participate in cricket. She believes that the program's growth reflects the increasing interest in women's cricket."It's amazing," she said. "This foundation is there for kids and teenagers in that range, who don't know whether they want to play, but they're really interested in getting involved. It gives them access and brings the community together as well, which is exactly what you want."