Cricket
PSL Final: Islamabad United Clinch Title With Win Over Multan SultansMultan Sultans vs Islamabad United Highlights: Islamabad United defeated Multan Sultans by two wickets to clinch Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 title. Martin Guptill was the top-scorer with 50 while Imad Wasim finished the match in style. Batting first, Usman Khan scored a half-century while Iftikhar Ahmed provided the late flourish as Multan Sultans registered 159 for the lack of nine wickets in 20 overs. Imad Wasim was the pick of the Islamabad United bowlers as he took five wickets and skipper Shadab Khan ended up taking three. (SCORECARD | STREAMING)
Here are the Highlights of Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United PSL FinalSanju Samson Just Like Rohit Sharma : India Star s Bold Captaincy Verdict
Back with his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, India wicket-keeper batter Dhruv Jurel is hoping to replicate his form at Rajasthan Royals after a commendable series with the Test team against England. Having done exceptionally well under Rohit Sharma s leadership, Jurel is now eager to prove his worth to Rajasthan captain Sanju Samson. Ahead of the start of the new season, Jurel spoke highly of Samson s captaincy and even drew parallels between the RR skipper and Rohit Sharma.
It s been three years since I ve been playing under Sanju Samson. He s quite a chill character. He is just like Rohit Sharma is when it comes to personality. He talks frequently about strategies, he gives you a sense of security, Jurel said in a chat with News 24.
Rohit s camaraderie with young players like Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, etc. was visible during India s Test assignment against England. Jurel explained how Samson also believes in taking everyone together, be it the senior members of the team or juniors.
I was on the bench the first year but he didn t make me feel that. Samson takes everyone together. Even now, he shares plans not just off the field but off it too. He shares his experience, he said.
Jurel was also asked about him being called the next MS Dhoni . The young wicket-keeper batter, understandably flattered by the talks, said that there was, is, and will be only one MS Dhoni.
Jurel made his India debut recently during the five-match Test series against England, where he scored 190 runs after appearing in 3 matches and 4 innings. With IPL just less than a week away, Rajasthan would be looking to continue their high-flying performance after narrowly missing out on it in the last season and losing the final to Gujarat Titans a season before.
With ANI inputs
Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel Get Central Contracts After Fulfilling Criteria
India s newest batting star Sarfaraz Khan and wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel were inducted into Group C of BCCI s central contract with an annual retainership fee of Rs 1 crore, having fulfilled the criteria of playing three Tests in a current season. Their names were ratified during BCCI Apex Council meeting which was held on Monday. Sarfaraz, a domestic heavyweight for Mumbai, scored three half-centuries in three Tests against England while Agra man Jurel, with scores of 90 and 39 not out in a tricky chase at Ranchi, won the Player of the Match in only his second game. Ratification of central contract was on the agenda and both have made the cut.
Ranji Trophy scheduling
The BCCI is likely to revisit the Ranji Trophy calender for the next season and will not schedule any matches in the northern part of India during the months of December and January, when fog and bad light often play spoilsport.
While the detailed domestic calender will be announced later, the BCCI Apex Council did discuss the tentative schedule of the 2024-25, which was one of the primary items in the eight-point agenda of the Apex Council meeting on the day.
For the past few seasons, the Ranji Trophy is starting in January and ending in second week of March and in north-Indian cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Kanpur, Meerut, Jammu, Dharamsala, most matches are being affected by bad light and fog during peak winter months.
No decision has been taken yet but Ranji Trophy, like earlier years could start from mid or end October after the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which serves as an IPL auction platform. Some states are losing crucial points in do-or-die games because of inclement weather from mid-December to mid February, a senior BCCI source told PTI.
It has been also learnt that BCCI will form a committee, which will decide whether union territory Daman & Diu get associate membership.
Foreign boards can t talk to state bodies directly for exposure trips
A lot of ICC associate member nations like Nepal want to come for exposure trips to India and play practice games against some of the state sides. In fact the Nepal team, which will play the T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies, are supposed to train in the national capital and also plan to play a few T20 matches against Gujarat, Baroda in a three-team tournament called Friendship Cup.
However BCCI s Apex Council made it clear that any affiliated state unit will need NOC from the parent body before they can host any international team.
Mandhana s Reply To You Have Won The Trophy For RCB Remark Wins Hearts
Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Smriti Mandhana was ecstatic following her side s maiden Women s Premier League (WPL) title win on Sunday. RCB defeated Delhi Capitals by eight wickets to claim the WPL 2024 title and this was the first time that a RCB side (men s or women s) won a trophy. Following the victory, presenter and former Indian women s cricket team skipper Anjum Chopra told Mandhana that she has finally won the trophy for RCB but the left-hander batter s response won hearts. Mandhana quickly replied that that it was the team and not only her who has won the all important trophy.
Feeling hasn t still sunk in. Hard for me to come out with expressions. One thing I ll say is I m proud of the bunch. Our Bangalore leg was really good. We came to Delhi and had two tough losses, she said.
That s what we spoke about that we need to step up at the right time. These tournaments are about peaking at the right time. Last year taught us a lot of things. What went wrong, what went right. Management just said this is your team, build it (your way). Thumbs up to them.
For RCB, it s a lot more. I m not the only one who won the trophy, the team has won the trophy. I m not the person to talk about what I feel. This is in top five maybe. Obviously a World Cup would top it. Have a message for the fans - the most loyal fanbase.
One statement that always comes up is Ee Sala Cup Namde. Now it s Ee Sala Cup Namdu. Kannada is not my first language but it was important to say it for the fans, she concluded.
RCB s spin attack weaved magic in the first innings to nullify DC s explosive start. Sophie Molineux spearheaded the attack but the 21-year-old off-spinner Shreyanka Patil turned out to be the game-changer for RCB.
She picked up a four-wicket haul and removed the tail end within a blink of an eye to restrict DC to a sub-par total of 113. In reply, RCB comfortably chased down the target with three balls to spare and with eight wickets in hand.
(With ANI inputs)
Tanzid, Rishad Power Bangladesh To ODI Series Win Against Sri Lanka
Rishad Hossain played an attacking innings of 48 after substitute Tanzid Hasan Tamim hit 84 off 81 balls Monday, steering Bangladesh to a four-wicket win and a 2-1 ODI series victory over Sri Lanka. Set a modest target after Janith Liyanage s unbeaten 101 guided Sri Lanka to 235 all out in 50 overs, Bangladesh raced to 237-6 in 40.2 overs. Rishad remained unbeaten on 48 off just 18 balls. The hosts were in danger when Wanindu Hasaranga forced Mehdiy Hasan Miraz, the last recognised batsman, to give a catch to Pramod Madushan for 25, with Bangladesh still 58 runs away from victory.
But Rishad dispatched the first ball he faced over midwicket for six and did not look back.
He hit four sixes and five fours in his whirlwind innings before Mushfiqur Rahim, 37 not out, finished the game with a boundary off Maheesh Theekshana.
Tanzid led the initial charge, replacing Soumya Sarkar in the second innings as a concussion sub, despite Lahiru Kumara wreaking havoc with 4-48.
Tanzid batted really well at the start. The way Mushi (Mushfiqur) batted, I think it helped Rishad s innings, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said.
On a wicket like this, the bowlers showed a lot of character.
Liyanage earlier staged a lone battle en route to his maiden century after Bangladesh made regular strikes, with Taskin Ahmed leading the way for the home side with 3-42.
Skipper Kusal Mendis (29) and Charith Asalanka (37) made a good start but lost their wickets before they could build bigger innings.
I think we were 40-50 runs short but we bowled well in few overs, Mendis said.
Janith (Liyanage) batted really well, a couple of wickets fell in the middle overs, and he then batted very well.
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first, only to lose both openers inside four overs.
Taskin struck early, trapping in-form opener Pathum Nissanka leg-before for one, then dismissing the other opener Avishka Fernando for four in his next over.
Mustafizur Rahman, playing his first match in the series, removed Sadeera Samarawickrama off his first ball for 14 to leave Sri Lanka reeling at 41-3.
Leg-spinner Rishad made Mendis his first ODI wicket, also off his first ball of the game.
Mustafizur ended Asalanka s counter-attacking innings before Mehidy claimed two back-to-back wickets to expose the tail.
But Liyanage held one end firm to ensure Sri Lanka batted out 50 overs, hitting Taskin over the cover for a four in the final over to reach his century off 101 balls.
Mustafizur and Mehidy claimed 2-39 and 2-38, respectively.
Bangladesh won the opener by six wickets, with Sri Lanka taking the second by three wickets on Friday.
The two teams will now play a two-match Test series, beginning on Friday in Sylhet.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Do Not Focus : Pandya Finally Opens Up On Backlash Post Replacing Rohit
Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya on Monday said his predecessor Rohit Sharma will continue to be a guiding force for him during the IPL despite the unexpected change of leadership that the franchise announced ahead of the upcoming season, triggering a backlash from the fans. Pandya, who led Gujarat Titans in the past two seasons, is back at Mumbai Indians as captain for the 2024 edition. Having led Mumbai Indians to five titles, Rohit was surprisingly replaced by Pandya going into the upcoming season.
It will not be any different, he will always be there to help me. You mentioned that he is the captain of the Indian team, which helps me because this team, what it has achieved, it has achieved under him ...from now onwards, it is (about) what he has achieved, I just have to carry forward that, Pandya said at a media interaction here.
I don t think it will be any awkward or any different. It will be nice feeling because we have been playing for 10 years. I have played my whole career under him and he is going to have his hand on my shoulder throughout the season, he added.
Pandya admitted his move of leaving the Gujarat Titans captaincy and replacing Rohit at the helm in Mumbai Indians did upset a section of fans.
The backlash...To be very honest we respect fans but at the same time, we focus on the sport and what is required. I focus on the controllables and I do not focus on what I cannot control, Pandya said.
At the same time, we are very grateful to fans. A lot of fame and love comes from them and they have every right and I respect their opinion, he added.
However, Pandya said he has not met Rohit for the last two months or so and would only be chatting with the former skipper once the squad gets into action during the practice game here on Monday.
Yes and no. He has been travelling and playing, Pandya replied when asked if he has had a chat with Rohit.
We are professionals, by the time the team comes together...we have been playing cricket...it has only been a couple of months that we have not seen each other. Whenever the IPL starts, which is from today since we have the practice game, once he comes, we will definitely have a chat, he said.
The star all-rounder will be making his comeback to top-level cricket with the IPL, having undergone a lengthy rehabilitation for the ankle injury he suffered in the ODI World Cup at home in October.
I have no issues with my body, I plan to play all the games. In IPL, I have not missed many games anyway. Technically, I was out for three months. It was a freak injury and it had nothing to do with my earlier injuries. I tried to stop the ball and ended up getting injured, said Pandya.
The 30-year-old got instant success as leader of Gujarat Titans and after his return to the high-profile Mumbai franchise, he will be expected to add another silverware to their trophy cabinet.
Expectations will always be there in Mumbai Indians. We must focus on the process. I cannot win tomorrow, we will have to wait for two months and see how we prepare, how we get together. We will play a brand which everyone will enjoy, he said.
Head coach Mark Boucher, who was sitting alongside Pandya in the media interaction, was also asked about Rohit and his role going forward.
Rohit has been in fantastic form. Looking forward to Ro going out and expressing himself. We watched him bat against England. He has been batting fantastic, said Boucher.
The Mumbai Indians coach hoped that the amount of cricket that the squad members have played in recent months would hold them in good stead in the IPL.
Thankfully, there has been a lot of cricket that has been going on. So, the guys have played a lot of cricket. We are in a very good position from the players perspective. The guys have been in good form as well, he said.
Obviously, there are injuries which you have to manage. It s about trying to find roles for the new faces in the team. We are in a good position as a team. We are trying to give direction to the whole squad as to how we want to play, added the former South African cricketer.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Mumbai Indians Name Wood As Replacement For Injured Behrendorff
Five-time champions Mumbai Indians on Monday named England left-arm fast bowler Luke Wood as injured Australian Jason Behrendorff s replacement for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League.
According to a statement from the IPL, Wood will join MI for Rs 50 lakh.
Mumbai Indians (MI) name Luke Wood as replacement for the injured Jason Behrendorff for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, the IPL said in a statement.
Wood has played five T20Is for England, in addition to two ODIs, and has eight T20I wickets against his name.
MI bowlers Dilshan Madushanka and Gerald Coetzee are also facing serious issues ahead of their first game against Gujarat Titans on March 24.
Not Been Off Media Radar : Kohli s 1st Reaction After Joining RCB For IPL
Star India batter Virat Kohli expressed happiness at his return to the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) camp ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season starting from March 22 and acknowledged It is really good to be back. The 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will start on March 22, with defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) set to clash with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in a South Indian derby at their home arena - MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Virat has not played any competitive cricket since the two T20I matches of the three-match series against Afghanistan in January. He missed the five-match Test series against England at home due to the birth of his son Akaay in London. With the IPL just a few days away, the fans are no doubt excited to see Virat back on the cricketing field, wearing the Red and Gold colours of the franchise.
In a video posted by RCB on their social media, Virat said, It is really good to be back, firstly playing cricket. Also, exciting to come back to Bangalore for the start of the IPL season. Similar emotions, similar feelings. I have not been off the media radar for two months, I have been into normalcy you can say. I am pretty happy to back, I hope all the fans are happy and excited as well.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Royal Challengers Bangalore (@royalchallengersbangalore)
This season of IPL will be crucial for Virat as the women s RCB team has lifted their maiden Women s Premier League (WPL) after beating Delhi Capitals in the final on Sunday at Delhi s Arun Jaitley Stadium. Virat, once the RCB skipper, will be looking to end the men s team s 16-year title drought. Also, a great IPL campaign will also help him solidify his spot in India s ICC T20 World Cup 2024 squad, where his spot is under threat due to the emergence of young players as per several media reports.
Virat is the highest run-getter in IPL of all time. In 237 matches and 229 innings, Virat has scored 7.263 runs at an average of 37.24, with a strike rate of 130.02. His best score is 113. He has scored seven centuries, most by a batter and 50 fifties in his IPL career.
Last season, Virat was the fourth-highest run-getter, piling up 639 runs at an average of 53.25 and at a strike rate of 139.82. His best score was 101*. The 35-year-old scored two centuries and six fifties but could not take his side to the playoffs.
Pant Might Find It Very Difficult To Get Back His Fluency In IPL: Gavaskar
Rishabh Pant will find it very difficult to be at his fluent best at the beginning of the IPL but Sunil Gavaskar expects that his knees will react better once he starts batting more and more in match situations. Having survived a horrific car crash in December, 2022, Pant will make a comeback to competitive cricket after more than 14 months as Delhi Capitals captain after an extensive rehabilitation program. It ll be very difficult. But the good thing is he (Pant) has played some cricket. So he has got some practice. To get fluency in batting is a little tough, Gavaskar told Star Sports .
He then explained his point of view.
When you talk of a knee injury, the pivoting that takes place. Wicket-keeping is difficult as well, but even in batting, the knee is quite important. So, maybe, in the beginning, we won t see the real Rishabh Pant that we are used to, the maestro said.
Pant s presence and his chatty nature also adds to the entertainment quotient, Gavaskar admitted.
To find a wicket-keeper like him who comments from behind the stumps, that s full-on entertainment because there are a lot of wicket-keepers who would like to disturb your concentration by saying different things. .....but Rishabh Pant has the ability to say such a thing that whoever he is targeting, they also laugh, they also enjoy it. But when enjoying it, their concentration goes down a bit, right? The advantage is for his team then. Gavaskar is also interested in how Shubman Gill s maiden captaincy stint turns out.
That is going to be the most important thing: the way he can handle the captaincy. Will it affect and impact his batting? And the second thing is there is a commonality in our initials; both of us are SG s, and if we go even further, my initials are SMG, and he has Shubh-Man Gill in his name.
Help : Ashwin Feels The Pinch Of Unreal IPL Ticket Demand, Calls On CSK
R Ashwin is one of the best-performing Indian cricketers in the past one decade. He has been India s best bowler in Tests. Recently, he scalped his 500th wicket during the India vs England Test series. In that same series, he also played his 100th Test for India. But even after doing so much, getting an IPL ticket seems to a tough job like many others. R Ashwin is a resident of Chennai, where the first match of the IPL 2024 will be played between MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
However, the Rajasthan Royals players has been left stunned by the unexpected demand for tickets . Unreal ticket demand for the #CSKvRCB #IPL2024 opener at Chepauk. My kids want to the see opening ceremony and the game. @ChennaiIPL pls help, he post on X.
Ashwin s entry into the 500-wicket club has delighted the legendary Anil Kumble who said the off-spinner s immense success over the last decade stems from his desire to learn and ability to rise above constant challenges.
Unreal ticket demand for the #CSKvRCB #IPL2024 opener at Chepauk.
My kids want to the see opening ceremony and the game.@ChennaiIPL pls help
At 516 wickets currently, Ashwin is the second highest wicket-taker in Tests for India behind Kumble (619), and the former India leg-spinner wasn t one bit surprised.
Ashwin has had as many challenges thrown at him. He hasn t allowed a single one of them to check his progress. He s been an exceptional match-winner for the country for more than a decade, and the consistency that he has shown is a great hallmark.
That calls for utter and complete dedication to the cause, said Kumble during a function organised by Tamil Nadu Cricket Association to felicitate Ashwin for completing 100 Tests and 500 wickets.
Kumble said Ashwin has been able to tackle the huge amount of expectations placed on him by the ever-demanding Indian fans.
In India, once you have raised the bar to a certain level, it isn t easy to keep performing. The expectations in every game are unrealistically high. Anything less than five wickets is considered a failure. Although unfair to the player concerned, Ashwin has managed that really well, Kumble said.
But those numbers are the result of Ashwin s bloody-minded work on and off the field, reckoned Kumble.
His numbers have been outstanding. There is no fun in stacking up the wickets if it doesn t help the team win. He has an overwhelming correlation with his and India s success. He s seldom been satisfied with being very good or even excellent. Each day, he wants to be better than the previous one. That s the sign of a great learner, he said.
With PTI inputs
Awaiting Update : MI Head Coach Provides Big Injury Update On Suryakumar
Mumbai Indians (MI) head coach Mark Boucher on Monday opened up on Suryakumar Yadav s injury and said that the team management is currently waiting for updates from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In the IPL, Suryakumar represents the Mumbai Indians (MI). In his IPL career, the 33-year-old has 3249 runs in 124 innings. While speaking at Mumbai Indians pre-season press conference, Boucher said that they have always gone through fitness problems. The former Proteas cricketer added that Mumbai Indians have a world-class medical team. We are awaiting updates on Suryakumar from the BCCI. We have always been under a cloud of fitness issues but we have a world-class medical team. We may lose one or two in terms of fitness but we have to move on as is sport, Boucher said.
Recently, Suryakumar took to his official Instagram account and shared a video of him working out at the gym.
While sharing the video, he wrote, Kaam chalu hai doston, Milte hain jaldi.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Surya Kumar Yadav (SKY) (@surya_14kumar)
The 33-year-old was last seen in the 3rd T20I match against South Africa. Following that he failed to play a single match for India after sustaining an injury.
The Mumbai-based franchise will kick off their campaign against Gujarat Titans on Sunday at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
MI IPL 2024 squad: Rohit Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, N. Tilak Varma, Tim David, Vishnu Vinod, Arjun Tendulkar, Shams Mulani, Nehal Wadhera, Jasprit Bumrah, Kumar Kartikeya, Piyush Chawla, Akash Madhwal, Jason Behrendorff, Romario Shepherd, Hardik Pandya (C), Gerald Coetzee, Dilshan Madushanka, Shreyas Gopal, Nuwan Thushara, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Mohammad Nabi, Shivalik Sharma.
KL Rahul Cleared For IPL 2024 But NCA Issues Injury Warning: Report
Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul is all set to play for his franchise from the opening IPL game after getting all clear from the National Cricket Academy but he has been advised to gradually return to keeping in mind the nature of his injury. Rahul had once again suffered a strain in his quadriceps during the first Test against England in Hyderabad and even though he was expected to join the team by the third game, the stylish right-hander felt a tightness in his muscles and skipped all the remaining games. Rahul posted a short video of his batting, basic keeping drills and outfielding practice at the NCA.
The NCA has given him clearance and he will join his mates in Lucknow on Thursday (March 20) before they travel to Jaipur for the opening game against Rajasthan Royals on March 24. It is understood that he has been told to avoid squatting initially and he can don the big gloves in coming days. For first few games, he will only play as pure batter, a BCCI source tracking the developments of LSG told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
It is understood that even the franchise isn t losing its sleep over Rahul s keeping as they have two quality short-format glovesmen in former Proteas star Quinton de Kock and West Indies Nicholas Pooran, who is also vice-captain for this season.
However for Rahul, keeping will be an important aspect of his game if he has to stake claim for a spot in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies in June.
Rahul will not be considered for a top three slot in the Indian T20 team considering his previous performances. He can be that keeper-batter at Nos 5 or 6 if he has a decent IPL. But if he plays purely as a batter, you have a far better option in Rinku Singh, apart from Rishabh Pant, who might just stake a claim with some power-packed performances, a BCCI source privy to developments, said.
I Am Heartbroken: Ashwin s Chat With Janhvi Kapoor Parody Account Viral
After his heroics in the India vs England Test series, Ravichandran Ashwin will be expected to show his magic in the IPL too. During the course of the Test series, Ashwin played his 100th Test and also picked his 500th wicket in the format, the second Indian to do so. Now Ashwin will be playing for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. He along with Yuzvendra Chahal are a potent spin force.
Before things get serious in the IPL, Ashwin engaged in a hilarious chat with the parody account of actress Janhvi Kapoor.
It all started with Ashwin replying on a post on X by Ravindra Jadeja. Jaddu! I couldn t control my surprise and laughter through and through your message, Ashwin wrote in reply to Did you like my Tamil post by his Indian cricket teammate.
In reply to that post, a X user with the display name Janhvi kapoor(Parody) , having a following of over 10000, wrote: Very nice Aswin
To which, Ashwin wrote: Hey Janhvi
One X user then said: its parody anna.....reply here....
Omg . Is that so? I am heartbroken (in emoji), replied Ashwin.
Sir nan fake account the X user with the display name Janhvi kapoor(Parody) said then.
To which, Ashwin said: U shouldn t say it, cos it says parody and the fun is to interact as if you are real.
U shouldn t say it, cos it says parody and the fun is to interact as if you are real.
— Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) March 18, 2024With 516 scalps in 100 Tests, Ashwin is a bonafide superstar in Indian cricket, just second behind the great Anil Kumble in the list of top Indian wicket-takers in the five-day format.
But it was not the case back in 2008 when he was roped in as a local spinner by Chennai Super Kings. He did not get a game that year as the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan led their spin attack.
Dhoni flung the new ball to Ashwin in the 2011 IPL final against Royal Challengers Bangalore and the then rookie off-spinner made an impact in the fourth ball itself, dismissing an in-form Chris Gayle.
The same year he made his India debut under Dhoni, picking up the player of the match honours in the game against the West Indies in Delhi.
In 2008 I met all the greats (in CSK dressing room) Mathew Hayden and MS Dhoni. I sat through (IPL) 2008. I was a nobody then, where am I to play in a team that had Muttiah Muralitharan, said Ashwin, who was felicitated by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association in a grand ceremony for his rare achievements, in a dipped-in-emotion voice.
I am indebted to Dhoni for the rest of my life for what he gave me. He gave me an opportunity with the new ball to go head on with Chris Gayle and 17 years later Anil bhai would be talking about the same episode, he fondly recalled.
Bit Of Circus : IPL s Rs 24.75 Crore Buy Starc Sums Up Best T20 League
Australia pacer Mitchell Starc is all set to make his Indian Premier League (IPL) comeback after an eight-year hiatus from the tournament. During the IPL 2024, Starc became the most expensive player in the history of the players auction after KKR spent a mind-boggling Rs 24.75 crores to get. The bidding war for Starc was, however, started by Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals but both the teams backed off when the price for the lanky pacer was inching close to the Rs 10 crore mark.
Interestingly, Starc was also sold to KKR ahead of IPL 2018, but the Australian pacer decided to pull out of the tournament to an injury. He last played in the tournament for RCB during IPL 2015.
Speaking on his IPL comeback, Starc said that he can t wait to don the KKR jersey.
It s been 8 years, I think. Back to KKR where I was supposed to be in 2018. So I ll be back there for the chance to pull on the gold and purple. I guess my memories are a few and far between of back in 2014 and 2015 with RCB but yeah, really excited to get stuck in. Obviously, a new group of players. A bunch of guys I certainly haven t met or been able to work with before, Starc said in a video post by cricket.com.au.
The one we all are waiting for!
Come home soon, Mitchpic.twitter.com/li0cTZg3Om
The 34-year-old feels that the IPL can get a bit chaotic at times due to the competitiveness, admitting that the cash-rich league is the best franchise based tournament.
A couple of guys that I ve, international guys that I ve played against and come across. Yeah, it s gonna be exciting. It s definitely a new challenge. But yeah, it ll be exciting. It s always a bit of a circus when it is the best T20 league in the world. So, yeah I look forward to it, he added.
Starc, 34, has usually prioritised international duty over IPL but decided to enter the auction with one eye on the T20 World Cup that follows the IPL.
He has only played only two seasons of the IPL, taking 34 wickets in 27 games at an average of 20.38.
Garden Mein Ghoomne Nahi Deta : MI Announce Rohit s Arrival In Unique Way
Captain or no captain Rohit Sharma is an important cog in Mumbai Indians scheme of things in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Under him, Mumbai Indians became one of the most successful IPL franchises alongside Chennai Super Kings. This time Rohit Sharma will no longer lead Mumbai Indians, who will be captained by Hardik Pandya. While Mumbai Indians started training for IPL 2024 a few days, Rohit Sharma took a break after India s Test series against England.
On Monday, the Indian cricket team captain finally joined the camp and the franchises announced his arrival in the most unique way possible. In a video post with the caption, Woh aa gaya...Ro aa gaya (Rohit is here) a boy can be seen telling his friend: Woh aa gaya. Jo garden mein ghoomne nahi deta.
It attributes to one of Rohit s viral comment during India vs England Test series where he told youngsters to field with intensity and not like someone who were roaming around a garden.
... ! #OneFamily #MumbaiIndians @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/TId1LOUgnr
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 18, 2024Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya on Monday said his predecessor Rohit Sharma will continue to be a guiding force for him during the IPL despite the unexpected change of leadership that the franchise announced ahead of the upcoming season, triggering a backlash from the fans.
Pandya, who led Gujarat Titans in the past two seasons, is back at Mumbai Indians as captain for the 2024 edition. Having led Mumbai Indians to five titles, Rohit was surprisingly replaced by Pandya going into the upcoming season.
It will not be any different, he will always be there to help me. You mentioned that he is the captain of the Indian team, which helps me because this team, what it has achieved, it has achieved under him ...from now onwards, it is (about) what he has achieved, I just have to carry forward that, Pandya said at a media interaction here.
I don t think it will be any awkward or any different. It will be nice feeling because we have been playing for 10 years. I have played my whole career under him and he is going to have his hand on my shoulder throughout the season, he added.
Why MI Thought Rohit Shouldn t Lead? Boucher Asked. This Happens Next
There has been a lot of controversy surrounding Hardik Pandya replacing Rohit Sharma as the Mumbai Indians skipper ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Pandya, who completed a sensational trade move from Gujarat Titans, ended Rohit s ten-year tenure as captain and the decision has split both experts and fans. In an event organised by the franchise on Monday, Hardik and head coach Mark Boucher answered questions from the media but both of them avoided answering questions pertaining to the captaincy situation. In multiple videos posted on social media, reporters were heard asking questions regarding Rohit and the situation but they were discouraged from continuing with their queries.
If the captaincy transition was smooth, why would you not answer what made the management remove Rohit Sharma as skipper?
Just makes it clear that MI messed up thing.pic.twitter.com/IYpssznNsC
In one video, a reporter asked Hardik if he had a captaincy clause in his contract during the trade to MI but the all-rounder did not answer the question. On another occasion, Boucher was asked about what made the side replace Rohit as the captain but the former South Africa cricketer avoided answering.
Hardik believes that there won t be any awkwardness between him and Rohit. As MI continue to gear up for the upcoming season, Hardik opened up about his relationship with Rohit and he believes that the Indian skipper will bring in his experience and back him throughout the season.
Hardik Pandya & Mark Boucher dropping the questions asked by Fans.
Where is the credibility of fans @mipaltan ??
pic.twitter.com/0v2wguYNMs
First of all, it won t be different he is going to be there to help me out if I need his help. At the same time, you have also mentioned he is the captain of the Indian cricket team which helps me because this team has achieved under his belt and from now onwards it is going to be what he has achieved I will just carry forward that. So I don t think it will be awkward or anything different. It will be a nice feeling because we have been playing for 10 years, I have played whole my career under him and yeah I know he is going to have a hand on my shoulder always throughout the season, Hardik said.
Hardik also opened up dealing with the backlash from fans regarding the change in captaincy. He emphasised on his mindset of focusing on things that are under his control rather than pivoting on factors that remain out of his control.
Yes I will be bowling, to be honest, we respect fans but at the same time we focus on the sport I focus on what is required I control the controllable I don t focus on what I can t control and at the same point in time we are grateful to fans. A lot of fame name comes from them. I respect their opinion, Pandya said.
(With PTI inputs)
Everyone Questioned Whether... : RCB s Shreyanka Patil After WPL Title Win
Following Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Women s Premier League (WPL) title win, their bowling all-rounder Shreyanka Patil said that competition has opened a new platform for women s domestic players and given them a chance to build a great career out of cricket. RCB spinners, particularly Shreyanka and calm knocks from Sophie Devine, skipper Smriti Mandhana and Perry took the Red and Gold side to their maiden WPL title after beating Delhi Capitals in the title clash at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday. Speaking to ANI after the RCB s win, Shreyanka said that WPL has provided an all new platform to women domestic players.
There is something out of cricket for us now. A couple of years ago, everyone questioned whether there is a career out of this sport. Now WPL has opened a platform for domestic players thanks to BCCI. It is heartening to see youngsters doing well. It is a big showcase for us where we can showcase our skills, said Shreyanka.
She also expressed happiness at the title win and cannot wait to visit Bengaluru with the team to celebrate the trophy win with the fans.
I am really happy and excited (to go to Bengaluru). We won the trophy and found ourselves short of words to talk. We were just dancing. We had been dreaming about it since day one. We were manifesting it. Now we want to go to Bengaluru and hear crowds chant our name, said the youngster.
Talking about the final, Shreyanka said that the team wanted to keep things simple.
Shreyanka topped the bowling charts to win the Orange Cap, taking 13 wickets in the tournament at an average of 12.07, with two four wicket hauls, including one in the finals.
However, she was not happy with how she started. But she counted on herself to make a comeback.
The way I started this tournament, I was not happy. I just couldn t get those wickets. The way others performed was fantastic in bowling. I did not let my hopes down and felt there would be a comeback. The management backed me. Smriti told me that 17th is going to be a big day for us and you are going to do it for us. I enjoyed bowling in Delhi, said Shreyanka.
Talking about Virat Kohli s video call following the win, Shreyanka said that she was initially not aware that the superstar batter for RCB men s team and India was on the call.
I did not know that Virat was on a video call, I was just dancing around. Then I saw team celebrating it with the video. I wanted to join and not miss any moment of it. Then Nikhil sir showed me the phone and asked me to talk, concluded Shreyanka.
Coming to the match, DC won the toss and elected to bat first. Openers Shafali Varma (44 in 27 balls, with two fours and three sixes) and skipper Meg
Lanning (23 in 23 balls, with three fours) started off really well for the team with a quickfire 64-run opening stand.
However, Shreyanka Patil (4/12), Sophie Molineux (3/20) and Asha Sobhana (2/14) helped RCB bounce back just after the powerplay and removed Delhi batters one-by-one, triggering an unfathomable batting collapse. DC was all out for 113 in 18.3 overs.
In the chase of 114, RCB put on a 49-run opening stand, powered by Sophie Devine (32 in 27 balls, with five fours and a six). However, RCB was tested by Delhi bowlers in middle overs and skipper Smriti Mandhana (31 in 39 balls, with three fours) departed at a crucial juncture to leave RCB at 82/2 in 15 overs. However, Ellyse Perry (35* in 37 balls, with four boundaries) and Richa Ghosh (17* in 14 balls, with two fours) finished the chase with three balls left.
Minnu Mani and Shikha Pandey took a wicket each for DC.
Molineux secured the Player of the Match award.
Ellyse Perry Helped Me, She Is A Legend: RCB s Richa Ghosh After WPL Win
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, who played a key role in team s Women s Premier League triumph, lauded her teammate Ellyse Perry, saying the Australian legend helped her a lot and contributed to the team s victory through her batting and bowling. Richa and Perry formed the winning partnership that took RCB through while chasing a target of 114 in a keenly contested final against Delhi Capitals here on Sunday. RCB spinners, particularly Shreyanka Patil, and Sophie Devine, skipper Smriti Mandhana and Perry took also chipped in with valuable knocks in RCB s maiden WPL title victory. Richa told ANI said that she enjoyed batting with Australian all-rounder and learnt a lot from her. It felt really nice batting with Ellyse Perry. She helped me out a lot. It was really fun batting with her. She won us matches with her batting and bowling, she is a legend, said Richa.
Perry won the Orange Cap in the tournament for most runs, scoring 347 runs at an average of 69.4, with two half-centuries. She also took seven wickets, including a six-wicket-haul.
Richa scored 257 runs in 10 matches at an average of 42.83, with two half-centuries and best score of 62. She scored runs at a strike rate of over 141.
Richa said she is happy that RCB finally has a trophy and the team cannot wait to go to Bengaluru and celebrate it with the fans.
I am really happy that RCB finally has a trophy. I m excited to go to Bengaluru and see how fans receive us after our win, said Richa.
Richa also said that the team receiving a video call from RCB men s former skipper Virat Kohli after the win was a special moment .
The batter said that the pitch was helping the batters initially.
In the starting, wicket was helping the batters. But it was a matter of only one or two wickets. We tried keeping it simple with our bowling and not take it too easy while batting and not thinking that we will chase down easily, said Richa.
I try to improve my game all the time and whether I am playing for India or RCB, I give my hundred percent, she added.
Delhi Captials won the toss and elected to bat first. Openers Shafali Varma (44 in 27 balls, with two fours and three sixes) and skipper Meg Lanning (23 in 23 balls, with three fours) started off well for the team with a quickfire 64-run opening stand.
However, Shreyanka Patil (4/12), Sophie Molineux (3/20) and Asha Sobhana (2/14) helped RCB bounce back just after the powerplay and removed Delhi batters one-by-one, triggering a collapse with the team able to put up 113 runs in 18.3 overs.
Chasing 114, RCB put on a 49-run opening stand, powered by Sophie Devine (32 in 27 balls, with five fours and a six). However, RCB was tested by Delhi bowlers in middle overs and skipper Smriti Mandhana (31 in 39 balls, with three fours) departed at a crucial juncture to leave RCB at 82/2 in 15 overs. However, Ellyse Perry (35* in 37 balls, with four boundaries) and Richa Ghosh (17* in 14 balls, with two fours) finished the chase with three balls left.
Minnu Mani and Shikha Pandey took a wicket each for DC.
Molineux secured the Player of the Match award.
Kolkata Owner Aksha On How Saif Manifested Their ISPL Trophy
The ISPL final saw the Tiigers of Kolkata put on a dominant performance, as they beat Majhi Mumbai by 10 wickets to take home the trophy of the Indian Street Premier League. Much of the credit goes to the players, coaching staff and management, as the Tiigers turned their season around with some impressive performances both while fielding and while bating, with players like Prathamesh Pawar, Bhavesh Pawar, Munna Shaikh and Raju Mukhiya standing out across the tournament with impressive performances.
However, the Tiigers of Kolkata had another good-luck talisman waiting in the wings, one that manifested their dramatic victory in the ISPL final days before the first ball was even bowled.
At the ISPL Auction, held on 25th February, Saif Ali Khan, one of the owners of the Tiigers of Kolkata, was the only owner to step on stage and lift the ISPL trophy, effectively pulling it out of the hands of Abhishek Bachchan, owner of Majhi Mumbai. It is said that history often repeats itself over time, and such was the case with the ISPL final, as the Tiigers of Kolkata snatched the victory out of Majhi Mumbai s hands to win the final, a perfect parallel to the Saif Ali Khan lifting the trophy on the day of the auction.
Commenting on how they manifested this victory, Owner of Tiigers of Kolkata and Chairman of Aspect Global, Aksha Kamboj had this to say - On the auction day, my co-owner Saif went and voluntarily picked up the trophy, which I think was the perfect manifestation for our victory in the Final
The belief and support of owners Aksha Kamboj, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan have played a big part in the Tiigers of Kolkata s ISPL campaign, with the owners being the team s biggest source of strength and belief. Sport has always been about belief, and
throughout the tournament, the Tiigers of Kolkata have embodied this belief, from a successful auction to a successful trophy lift, the Tiigers of Kolkata have truly manifested their glory with full Shakkti Kka Swag.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a press release)
Video: Drama As Journalists Walk Out Of Pre-Final Press Conference In PSL
Ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 final, an epic drama unfolded in the media room at the pre-event press conference. As journalists gathered in the room for the Multan Sultans presser, a verbal clash took place between them and the franchise s media manager. It was Multan coach Abdul Rehman who arrived to speak to media but the reporters weren t happy with the manager s behaviour. The journalists were displeased by the proceedings and the manager asked them to leave if they wanted to. Some decided to take heed and walk out of the room.
Jo nahin baithna chahta, woh nahin baithe. Koi issue nahin hai. (If anyone doesn t want to attend the press conference, they can leave. No issues), the media manager said.
Karachi Journalist boycotted Multan sultan s press conf on manager s misbehaviour. Journalists asked captain or senior player for conf but manager said we will not entertain according to you and if you dont want to sit, you can go .we respect every franchise and expect same pic.twitter.com/zYlGPFBhD0
— Ehsan Khan UtmanZai (@EK_UtmanZai) March 17, 2024Time and again, Pakistan cricket has made headlines for wrong reasons. Recently, the national team s fast bowler Naseem Shah said that there s a culture of insecurity.
Naseem Shah came out in the open about the culture of insecurity in the national side, saying senior players are afraid of taking breaks to rest their bodies, fearing replacement by younger players. Shah, who was ruled out of the 50-over World Cup in India last year due to a shoulder problem, added that even he was afraid about losing his place in the side due to the injury.
Honestly, the main players are afraid of giving their bodies rest even when they know they need a break because the Pakistan cricket culture is such that if a new player comes in and performs in a match or two, you don t know if he will replace you permanently in the team, Shah told Cricwick.
This fear does not allow players to rest because you are scared your careers could end there, the young bowler said.
Naseem said there was a need for clarity and better communication between senior players, team management, selectors and the Pakistan Cricket Board.
In other countries, if a main player is given a break he is assured he will not be dropped in case his replacement comes in and performs in a match or two, he said.
With PTI inputs