Avesh Khan cleared to join Lucknow Super Giants

Avesh is expected to be available for selection for LSG's next match, on March 27 against Sunrisers Hyderabad

IPL 2025: After Chepauk, Wankhede Holds A Special Place In Dhoni's Heart

ICC ODI World Cup: Legendary cricketer MS Dhoni has named Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium as his favourite stadium besides Chennai Super Kings (CSK) home venue Chepauk. Dhoni led Men in Blue to its second ICC ODI World Cup title after a long wait of 28 years in 2011 at Wankhede. CSK, for which Dhoni has played since the inception of IPL in 2008 barring two seasons, and the MA Chidambaram Stadium, also known as Chepauk, in Chennai, have become more like a home for the wicketkeeper-batter. I wouldn't say I have a second favourite because we get the same kind of reception almost everywhere. Mumbai, I have a soft corner because in 2007, when we won the T20 World Cup, we came back here and got a very warm reception. The 2011 final was also here, and there are a lot of memories, so it has a special place in my heart, Dhoni said on JioHotstar's The MS Dhoni Experience. The 43-year-old said that its impossible to pick one stadium in India, but Chepauk is special because with the whistle, they are very loud. The former CSK skipper holds the record for hitting the most sixes in Chepauk. His tally stands at 74 in 70 matches. He has also scored 1,469 runs at a strike rate of 145.15, including 93 boundaries at the venue. Other than that, even if you're playing in Bangalore, the crowd is amazing, they're very loud, and all the noise stays inside the stadium. In Kolkata, big capacity crowd, the same is with Ahmedabad now. So, it becomes very difficult - who will you pick? Because they come with all their heart, they support the teams, they support cricket. Chepauk is special because with the whistle, they are very loud, he added. The wicketkeeper-batter further reacted to the immense love that he has received from fans in the IPL. He said fans showing their love is their way of saying thank you very much for whatever he has done. I have always said, it's a big thank you from the fans' side. That's what I believe. Whatever last few years I'm in and I will be playing, it's a way of them saying, Thank you very much for whatever you have done, and it's amazing. Especially when you play a sport, what you want is the appreciation of the fans. And when it comes to cricket, India is the place to play. Being part of the Indian cricket team is one of the biggest things. I'm not playing international cricket, so IPL is the next best thing that can happen. Whenever you walk in, everybody is very excited, they're waiting for you, they want you to do well - even at times when you're playing against the team that they want to win, but they still want you to perform, contribute a bit, whatever it may be. It's an amazing feeling, said Dhoni. I have always said, it's a big thank you from the fans' side. That's what I believe. Whatever last few years I'm in and I will be playing, it's a way of them saying, Thank you very much for whatever you have done, and it's amazing. Especially when you play a sport, what you want is the appreciation of the fans. And when it comes to cricket, India is the place to play. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

IPL 2025: Starc Hails 'calm' And 'fantastic' Captain Axar Patel After DC Win

Lucknow Super Giants: Australia and Delhi Capitals (DC) pacer Mitchell Starc has lauded captain Axar Patel for his calmness following a thrilling one-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their IPL 2025 opener in Visakhapatnam on Monday. Starc returned with the figures of 3-42 in his four-over spell to restrict LSG to 209/8 despite power-hitting flex by Mitchell Marsh (36-ball 72) and Nicholas Pooran (30-ball 70). In reply, Delhi had a wobbly start and went on to lose wickets at regular intervals, but Ashutosh Sharma's blitz proved crucial to take the side over the line with an unbeaten knock of 66 in 31 balls laced with five sixes and as many fours. He was also named the Player of the Match. Axar also contributed with a cameo knock of 22 off 11 balls, while Tristan Stubbs contributed a crucial 34 before debutant Vipraj Nigam (39 off 15 balls) stitched a crucial stand in the pressure situation. He's been pretty calm. This is the first time I've shared a dressing room with him. Having seen him from the other side of the field, it's impressive how he has developed into such a dominant all-rounder in international cricket today. Even the intent he showed with the bat tonight played a crucial role in getting us on our way. Hes been fantastic, Starc said on JioHotstar. Of course, we also have Faf Du Plessis, who has captained extensively in both international and franchise cricket. I think we have a great mix of senior players - experienced leaders like Faf and Tristan Stubbs, who have been with this team for a while. Theres a wealth of knowledge within the group. And with Axar, his cool, calm, and collected approach to the game is evident. Hopefully, that rubs off on the rest of the team. Chases like tonight - where we dig deep and get over the line - will only strengthen us moving forward, he added. Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar feels that LSG captain Rishabh Pant will deliver an improved performance in the coming matches after getting out on a six-ball duck in his first match for the new franchise. I think he knows. He actually mentioned in the post-match interview that you often learn more from your mistakes than from your successes. When you bat well, theres not much to reflect upon, but when you dont perform with the bat or ball, you understand the areas that need improvement, he said. Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar feels that LSG captain Rishabh Pant will deliver an improved performance in the coming matches after getting out on a six-ball duck in his first match for the new franchise. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Bangladesh Ex-Captain Tamim Iqbal Recovering After Heart Attack

Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal regained consciousness and was speaking to family members after suffering a major heart attack during a domestic match, cricket officials told AFP on Tuesday. The 36-year-old was leading Mohammedan Sporting Club in a match of the 50-over Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League when he was rushed to a nearby hospital after severe chest pain on Monday. He is now better. He talked to his family members and also walked briefly at the hospital, club official Tariqul Islam said. Mohammedan physiotherapist Enamul Haque said Tamim was in a stable condition and would likely be transferred to another medical facility soon. We had to go to hospital quickly to save his life, and luckily we did that, Enamul told AFP. Tamim was in critical condition when he was rushed to hospital, Razeeb Hasan, the medical director at the facility where Tamim received treatment, told reporters on Monday. He also said Tamim had to undergo surgery to implant stents to clear an artery blockage. News of Tamim's health crisis saw an outpouring of support from the cricketing world. Please pray that my brother Tamim recovers quickly and returns to the game! long-time teammate Shakib Al Hasan wrote in a social media post. Tamim's heart attack came the same day as Shakib's 38th birthday, but the all-rounder said he was unable to enjoy the occasion because of the news. Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh likewise offered his prayers and wishes. You've faced tough opponents before and come out stronger, this will be no different. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Stay strong, Yuvraj wrote on social media. Tamim represented Bangladesh in 391 matches across formats between 2007 and 2023, and was their one-day captain. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers He scored more than 15,000 runs and is the only Bangladeshi to record centuries in all three international formats.

IPL 2025: Ashutosh's 'phenomenal' Innings Will Be Remembered For A 'long Time', Stars Hail DC Batters' Heroics

Lucknow Super Giants: Ashutosh Sharma is receiving praise from all corners after his 31-ball 66 not out guided Delhi Capitals (DC) to an unlikely one-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2025, calling his knock phenomenal, which will be emembered for a long time. One such praise came from none other than India legend Sunil Gavaskar, who applauded Ashutosh's quality of stroke play in his terrific innings. Well, we saw him do that last year as well - he played some terrific innings, and his confidence has only grown since. Once youve done it before, you enter the next season with even greater self-belief. Hes also played another season of domestic cricket, where he has been smashing the ball around and scoring plenty of runs, so he came in full of confidence, said Gavaskar on JioHotstar. From the very first ball, he was striking it cleanly from the middle of the bat, sending it deep - these werent just occasional sixes clearing the boundary, they were landing in the stands, again and again. This innings will be remembered for a long, long time - not just because of the quality of stroke play, but because of the high-pressure situation, he added. Chasing a daunting target of 210, DC faced an uphill battle after losing two big wickets of Jake Fraser-McGurk and Abishek Porel in the first over. However, Vipraj Nigam and Ashutosh rose to the occasion, forging a remarkable comeback to secure a memorable victory. Former Australia skipper Michael Clarke also expressed his views on Ashutosh's innings, saying that by the end of the tournament, his knock will be featured in the top five. Honestly, Lucknow Super Giants will review everything - the captaincy decisions made by Rishabh Pant, the execution with the ball - whether they went the right way with spin or pace. But sometimes, in this game, you simply have to give credit to the opposition. That innings by Ashutosh was phenomenal. Were going to witness many unbelievable innings throughout this IPL, but I promise you, by the end of the tournament, this will be in the top five, said Clarke. Ashutosh walked out at No. 7 as Impact Substitute in DC's chase of 210 when the scoreboard read 65/5 in the seventh over. He delivered a game-changing knock, smashing an unbeaten 66 off 31 balls studded with five sixes and as many fours. There was support, first from Tristan Stubbs (34 in 22) and then from IPL debutant Vipraj, who scored 39 in 15 balls as DC achieved their highest successful run chase in IPL history. Honestly, Lucknow Super Giants will review everything - the captaincy decisions made by Rishabh Pant, the execution with the ball - whether they went the right way with spin or pace. But sometimes, in this game, you simply have to give credit to the opposition. That innings by Ashutosh was phenomenal. Were going to witness many unbelievable innings throughout this IPL, but I promise you, by the end of the tournament, this will be in the top five, said Clarke. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Pope squeezed out as South Australia hope to break 29-year drought

Scott and Doggett set to return with one more tough selection decision to come for South Australia as they try to win their first Shield title since 1996