Sports / The Times of India
In a recent video, former Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz requested captain Babar Azam to join a six-hitting contest before the fourth T20I against New Zealand. Coach Azhar Mahmood intervened, barring participation. Riaz quipped, I would've hit bigger sixes. Despite Azam's frustration, the exchange captured a light-hearted moment. Pakistan have faced setbacks with Rizwan and Khan's injuries.
Axar Patel criticises IPL's Impact Player rule, risking all-rounders. He excelled for Delhi Capitals against Gujarat Titans. Rishabh Pant led DC. Rule introduced in 2023.
Delhi Capitals' Rishabh Pant ranks fourth among IPL wicketkeepers, with 92 dismissals. MS Dhoni leads with 185, followed by Dinesh Karthik (170) and Wriddhiman Saha (112). In a match against Gujarat Titans, Pant's catches and an unbeaten 88 propelled DC to 224/4, winning by four runs. They stand sixth in the points table, with GT seventh.
Delhi Capitals' Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel's exceptional partnership secures victory against Gujarat Titans in the IPL match, highlighting Pant's outstanding recovery post-injuries and readiness for the T20 World Cup.
Former Zimbabwe all-rounder Guy Whittall survived a leopard attack in the Humani region. His wife, Hannah Whittall, shared images of him with bandages. Chikara, his pet dog, came to his rescue and also received treatment for being bitten by the big cat. Whittall was later airlifted to Harare for further treatment.
Delhi Capitals' skipper Rishabh Pant shattered T20 records in IPL. Pant's 88 not out off 43 balls dominated Gujarat Titans. Notably, he ravaged pacer Mohit Sharma, scoring 62 runs in 18 balls at 344.44 SR. Final over: 30 runs off 5 balls. Pant eclipsed Usman Khan's feat, propelling Delhi's IPL campaign with 342 runs in nine matches.
Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers shared his views on the controversial Impact Player rule, asserting its minimal harm despite batting dominance in the IPL. Delhi Capitals' Axar Patel and a Gujarat Titans batter criticized the rule. De Villiers attributed the batting feast to stellar wickets and deemed it premature to assess the rule's impact, citing his initial excitement.
AB de Villiers suggests Mumbai Indians must win five of their last six IPL 2024 matches to improve their performance. Despite recent losses, he believes MI is still the strongest team in the league.
Delhi Capitals' skipper Rishabh Pant rejoiced returning to cricket with an unbeaten 88 off 43 balls, securing a narrow 4-run victory against Gujarat Titans. Pant, alongside Axar Patel, formed a crucial 113-run partnership, propelling Delhi to 224/4. Pant emphasized time on the field boosts his form, praising Rasikh Salam's bowling choice in the tense encounter.
Delhi Capitals emerged victorious against Gujarat Titans with strong performances from Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel. GT's Sai Sudharsan and David Miller also made significant contributions. DC climbed to No. 6 in the standings.
Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh, 17, received a hero's welcome upon his return from the Candidates Chess Tournament in Toronto. Hundreds awaited him at the airport, including students from Velammal Vidyalaya. Gukesh thanked his supporters, including his parents, coach, and school. He acknowledged Viswanathan Anand's influence and will challenge world champion Ding Liren. Gukesh holds multiple accolades, including India's youngest Grandmaster.
Delhi Capitals' spinner Kuldeep Yadav expressed satisfaction with the team's four-run victory over Gujarat Titans in IPL 2024, emphasizing the importance of the two points earned. During the post-match presentation, Kuldeep acknowledged the tense nature of the match and shared his approach to bowling, highlighting a strategic plan that led to a crucial wicket.
Marcus Stoinis overcame Cricket Australia's contract snub to excel in the IPL for Lucknow Super Giants, showcasing his talent with a historic innings. His impressive form may earn him a spot in the T20 World Cup squad.
Shivam Dube's consistent IPL performance must impress BCCI selectors when they gather to pick India's T20 World Cup squad. While it's being said that Dube faces competition from Hardik Pandya despite the latter not being in his best form, former India batsman Ambati Rayudu highlights the different roles both play.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) head coach Daniel Vettori praised skipper Pat Cummins for his exceptional leadership and discussed the influence of the Impact Player rule ahead of their clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2024. Vettori highlighted the fearless attitude of the team, especially with quality batters like Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma at the top.
Sunrisers Hyderabad dominate at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium with impressive wins over top teams. Strong leadership by Cummins, aggressive batting by Head and Sharma, supported by solid middle order and reliable bowling department, set them up for success.
Shivam Dube's IPL success sparks T20 World Cup debate. Limited bowling raises selectors' concerns. Competing with Rinku Singh, Dube's all-round skills and power-hitting prowess make him a strong contender for the Indian squad. Starting off the tournament as CSK's designated spin-hitter in the middle-order, the tall left-hander has shown that he can be dangerous against medium-pace as well.
Rishabh Pant's unbeaten 88 led the Delhi Capitals to a four-run win over the Gujarat Titans in their Indian Premier League match on Wednesday. After being asked to bat first, Pant (88* off 43 balls) and Axar Patel (66 off 43 balls) both notched contrasting half-centuries, helping Delhi Capitals achieve an impressive total of 224 for 4.
Delhi Capitals (DC) captain Rishabh Pant explained his choice to assign the crucial 19th over to Rasikh Salam rather than experienced bowler Anrich Nortje, despite the challenging situation. Pant's explosive unbeaten 88-run innings guided DC to a thrilling four-run win against the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the IPL match on Wednesday, improving his prospects for selection in India's T20 World Cup squad.
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill believes that the Impact Player contributes to higher-scoring matches by giving batters more freedom to attack bowlers aggressively. In the current IPL season, the 12th total exceeding 200 runs was recorded when Delhi Capitals scored 224 for 4 against the Gujarat Titans on Wednesday.
Invited to bat first, skipper Rishabh Pant's explosive innings, combined with Axar Patel's composed 66 off 43 balls, propelled Delhi Capitals to a formidable total of 224 for 4. Despite a valiant effort from Sai Sudarshan (65 off 29) and David Miller (55 off 23), Gujarat Titans fell short, finishing at 220 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.
An exciting showdown is on the horizon as Sunrisers Hyderabad, riding high on momentum, take on bottom-placed Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday. Sunrisers Hyderabad aim to leverage their formidable batting strength against RCB in their return-leg clash. Having surpassed the 250-run mark three times in this IPL season, Sunrisers Hyderabad have been pushing the limits of T20 batting with their aggressive approach.
Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant showcased his exceptional skills during his team's IPL 2024 match against the Gujarat Titans at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Returning to competitive cricket after a car accident in 2022, Pant led an assault on the Gujarat Titans bowlers, notching an unbeaten 88 off just 43 balls. His remarkable innings featured five boundaries and eight massive sixes.
In a dazzling display of athleticism, Gujarat Titans' Noor Ahmad dived to perfection to claim a breathtaking catch, sending Delhi Capitals' Prithvi Shaw back to the dugout during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The stunning catch left spectators in awe of Ahmad's agility and reflexes. With lightning-fast reactions, Ahmad ran forward before timing his dive to ultimately get hold of the catch.
Sprint legend Usain Bolt's inclusion as a brand ambassador for the upcoming ICC Mens T20 World Cup adds a touch of global prestige, blending the worlds of cricket and athletics. His unparalleled sporting legacy and charismatic persona are set to amplify the tournament's reach, attracting a diverse audience and igniting fervour among fans worldwide.
Shubman Gill, Gujarat Titans' captain, plays 100th IPL game against Delhi Capitals. DC defeated GT recently. Gill debuted with KKR, then joined GT to win the 2022 championship, showcasing impressive performance and bagging 'Player of the Tournament' award.
Kevin Pietersen's innovative switch-hit shot revolutionized cricket tactics, challenging traditional notions of batting and field placements. Now in India for IPL commentary, his unique flair continues to shine through, even on the streets of Delhi.
Ambati Rayudu's Team India squad for the T20 World Cup showcases a mix of experienced players like Ravindra Jadeja, Rohit Sharma Virat Kohli, and promising talents such as Riyan Parag, as the former India batsman went ahead with trusted and experienced performers as well as players who have been in form in the ongoing Indian Premier League.
Lucknow Super Giants consultant Adam Voges has criticized the Impact Player rule in the IPL, arguing that it hinders the development of all-rounders. He prefers a rule similar to the 'Power Surge' in the Australian Big Bash League, where the batting team can choose a two-over phase of fielding restrictions.
Chennai Super Kings, under coach Fleming's guidance, are strategizing lineup changes to enhance performance. Mitchell's high-priced acquisition and Stoinis' powerful, controlled batting at number three for LSG have been key factors in recent matches.
Under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, Kolkata Knight Riders have secured an impressive five victories out of seven matches in the ongoing IPL 2024 season. This commendable performance positions them as strong contenders, alongside table-topping Rajasthan Royals, in the race to secure a playoff berth. Top four teams go through to the playoffs.
D Gukesh won the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Candidates Chess Tournament 2024 in Toronto, Canada. He became the youngest-ever challenger to the world title and secured his place in chess history. Gukesh's victory marks a significant milestone for Indian chess, becoming the second Indian player, after Viswanathan Anand, to win the prestigious tournament.
David Miller, along with Rohit Sharma, voices discontent with IPL's 'impact player' rule, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the traditional 11-player cricket format for better balance, development of players, and adaptability to different pitch conditions.
Delhi Capitals face bowling challenges, Pant aims for T20 WC selection. Weather delay at Arun Jaitley Stadium impacts practice. Key bowlers and opponents performances scrutinized. Pant's form and potential selection discussed.
Arsenal secured their Premier League top spot with a 5-0 victory over Chelsea, with goals from Kai Havertz and Ben White, increasing pressure on Liverpool and Manchester City. Leandro Trossard also scored, putting Arsenal three points ahead of Liverpool and four points clear of Manchester City. Liverpool face Everton in the Merseyside derby.
The Uganda Cricket Association has appointed Abhay Sharma as the head coach of the men's national team, marking a significant move as the Cricket Cranes prepare for their upcoming Twenty20 World Cup debut. Sharma's extensive coaching experience, including stints with India A, Under-19s, women's cricket team, and Delhi Ranji Trophy team.
Marcus Stoinis on Tuesday said he knew in advance about his omission from the Cricket Australia contract list, but will be keen to play the T20 World Cup in June. The all-rounder, along with Ashton Agar, was left out of the new list of contracts for 2024-25 after 23 players were awarded deals by the country's cricket board last month.
Marcus Stoinis made a bustling unbeaten hundred, a perfect anti-thesis to Ruturaj Gaikwad's classy century to shepherd Lucknow Super Giants to a stunning six-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in their IPL match in Chennai on Tuesday.
Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting emphasised that the IPL provides an exceptional learning platform for budding talents, citing young cricketer Jake Fraser-McGurk as an example. Ponting, who serves as the head coach of the Delhi Capitals, expressed admiration for Fraser-McGurk's remarkable performance. Despite Delhi Capitals' loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the match, Fraser-McGurk's explosive innings of 65 runs off just 18 balls caught Ponting's attention and earned his commendation.
Former India pacer Irfan Pathan picks Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli as his top 3 for India's T20 World Cup campaign. Virat is currently in possession of the Orange Cap in IPL 2024, sitting on top of the list of run-getters with 379 runs in eight matches, including a century and two fifties, at a strike rate of 150.39.
West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara praised Yashasvi Jaiswal's composed innings in IPL 2024, highlighting his maturity in balancing time-taking shots with a high strike rate. Lara lauded Jaiswal's execution of cricketing shots, emphasizing his ability to dominate bowlers while exhibiting responsible batting, crucial for chasing a challenging total at Jaipur.
India's five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand has spawned a chess culture in India and the country is reaping the rewards of the Grandmaster's success with thousands of youngsters, mostly in their teens, taking up chess. Gukesh's triumph entitles him to a clash against reigning world champion Ding Liren of China in the last quarter of the year.
David Warner anticipates lower scores in the T20 World Cup co-hosted by the US and West Indies compared to the high-scoring IPL matches on flat pitches. Sunrisers Hyderabad's T20 scoring tactics may not be successful if replicated by international teams at the T20 World Cup that is scheduled to run from June 2 to 29.
Sandeep Sharma's remarkable return for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024 proved pivotal in their dominant nine-wicket win over Mumbai Indians. His five-wicket haul, utilizing variations and cutters on a challenging pitch, restricted MI to 179/9. Sharma, relishing his comeback from injury, reflected on his journey from being unsold to becoming a key player for RR.
Team India openers, Jaiswal and Rohit, were on opposing sides in Jaipur, yet their camaraderie shone through, with Jaiswal's admiration for his senior clearly apparent. In a video on 'X', Jaiswal, who shares the opening partnership with Rohit in international cricket, was captured approaching his national team captain and embracing him warmly after Rajasthan Royals beat Mumbai Indians.
Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest challenger for the World chess title, breaking the 40-year-old record set by legendary Garry Kasparov in 1984. He will face China's world champion Ding Liren in the championship match later this year, marking his first challenger in the 74-year history of the Candidates chess tournament.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are awaiting Mitchell Starc's IPL impact, with team mentor Gautam Gambhir stating his poor T20s record may not have been the perfect choice. However, three games have passed since Gambhir's confident declaration, and Starc's struggle to contain opposition batters may not fit the bill.