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Bangladesh peg hopes on Shakib Al Hasan's return for Test lift

Bangladesh were counting on the return of veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan for a much-needed energy lift ahead of BAN vs SL 2nd Test, stand-in coach Nic Pothas said Friday. Sri Lanka thrashed Bangladesh by 328 runs in the first match of the series, with the hosts failing to post 200 in either innings. Shakib is returning to BAN vs SL 2nd Test squad starting Saturday after more than a year's absence, and after being elected to the Bangladeshi parliament in January. "I think any team that has Shakib in it is very fortunate. We welcome him back," Pothas told reporters. "It is always great to have him in the change room. His energy is very infectious," he said. "He has a lot of experience for the guys to learn from, and whenever Shakib is back, he's a giver. So we really enjoy having him around the group." Also Read: Carnage, Travis Head style! Pothas also defended Bangladesh's under-fire batsmen, saying the team was in the middle of a generational change. "We have a very young and inexperienced group. There was a very elite group before this. Now we have to build," he said. "The only thing that we request is that people be patient. These are very good young players, but they are young, and they're playing against an experienced team, and it will take time." Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva said he expected his side's top order batters to come good in Chittagong after failing to shine in the first Test. "They had been performing well in the last few matches. I have no doubt that they will definitely perform in this match," he told reporters. Sri Lanka were untroubled in Sylhet despite losing Nishan Madushka for two and 10. De Silva and fellow middle-order batsman Kamindu Mendis scored a century in each innings of the game, becoming only the third pair from the same country to do so in a Test. Brothers Greg and Ian Chappell of Australia and Pakistan's Misbah-ul-Haq and Azhar Ali were the other two duos to make the feat. (With agency inputs)

29 March,2024 05:56 PM IST | Chittagong | mid-day online correspondent
Virat Kohli, Mitchell Starc (Pic: AFP)

'Going to be nice match-up': Steve Smith on Virat vs Starc contest in RCB vs KKR

Ahead of clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), former Australia skipper Steve Smith said that the contest between legendary batter Virat Kohli and left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc will be interesting to watch as both players were skilled performers. The Kolkata-based franchise will lock horns against RCB in their upcoming match in IPL 2024 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday. Starc has returned to the tournament after a long time, with IPL 2024 being his first season since 2015 when he represented RCB. Kohli and Starc has never faced-off each other in the cash-rich league so far as his first season (2014) with RCB only. "I quite like [Starc's] match-up to Virat, the ability to swing the ball back down the line as a lefty. We have seen him [Kohli] get out on a few occasions to Shaheen Afridi, Trent Boult, Mohammad Amir. In the first game against Punjab Kings, Kohli had an opportunity off Sam Curran dropped at slip. So I quite like the left-handed match-up," Smith said on ESPNcricinfo's TimeOut. Also Read: Carnage, Travis Head style! Smith said that Starc will try to get outside edge while angling it away in the same manner in which Sam Curran tried in the last match but at much more pace. "Starcy's going to swing the ball back down the line early on, I'd imagine, and then use the wobble seam to go across him [Kohli], and potentially try and nick him off. It's going to be a good game, and I'm aware Virat would know how Starc's trying to attack him as well - whether he tries to potentially come down the track [to] just take the swing out of play [we'll see]. It's going to be interesting to see how he counters it," the 34-year-old added. Kohli has faced 28 deliveries from Starc in T20I cricket while playing for India. In five battles, Kohli struck Starc for 47 runs without being dismissed. Kohli averages 31.53 against left-arm seamers in T20s, with 52 dismissals. In the end, Smith said that he's sure that Kohli might have seen has data against Starc and left-arm seamers in the shortest format of the game and will try his best to improve it. "You obviously learn as you go along, and you understand what players are trying to do to try and get you out. I'm sure he would have seen that [data], and tried to improve on that throughout. So it's going to be a nice match-up," the Sydney-born player concluded.

29 March,2024 05:30 PM IST | Bengaluru | mid-day online correspondent
Avesh Khan (Pic: PTI)

'Execution wise, it was probably my best last over': Avesh Khan

Rajasthan Royals pacer Avesh Khan feels the last over he bowled against Delhi Capitals in the ongoing IPL 2024 was probably his best effort in the death overs. The India pacer had to defend 17 runs in the last over on Thursday night and he was able to do that rather comfortably, landing one yorker after the other. Delhi could only get four runs from that over, ensuring a 12-run win for the home team. Going into the IPL 2024 season, Lucknow Super Giants had traded Avesh to Royals. "It is not the first time I bowled the last over. Last year I defended against Rajasthan. When I played for Delhi (bowled the last over there also), execution wise this was my best over. All the balls were in the same spot, wide yorkers," said Avesh, who has played eight ODIs and 20 T20s. Also Read: First week of IPL17: Record-breaking show at Hyderabad and same old story for MI The 27-year-old also spoke about how his role has changed compared to last season when he turned up for LSG. "In Lucknow and DC, I used to bowl one over upfront or two overs in the powerplay. Here I bowl two overs after powerplay and in the death as well I get to bowl. Team management and Sanju (Samson) give gull freedom to execute plans and that is helping. Sanju is a bowlers' captain. There was also no dew factor tonight and that helped me being accurate. Dew may impact your execution at times," Avesh said. He gave due credit to Royals' new number four Riyan Parag, who singlehandedly kept his team in the game after an ordinary start, smashing an unbeaten 84 off 45 balls. "It was a match changing innings considering we had lost wickets early and run rate was on the lower side. He helped us post a fighting total. He is in good touch and showed that in this and the last game," Avesh added. (With agency inputs)

29 March,2024 04:48 PM IST | Jaipur | mid-day online correspondent
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma (left) and Travis Head during their 68-run stand v Mumbai Indians on Wednesday. PIC/PTI

First week of IPL17: Record-breaking show at Hyderabad and same old story for MI

Records galore at Hyderabad The Sunrisers Hyderabad v Mumbai Indians (MI) clash in Hyderabad saw several records being broken with the home team smashing IPL’s best 277-3 in the allotted 20 overs, to surpass the previous innings highest by Royal Challengers Bangalore (263-5 v Pune Warriors India in 2013). The match also witnessed 36 sixes, the most in an IPL with an aggregate of 523 runs, also the tournament’s record. The game also saw four batsmen (SRH’s Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen and Tilak Varma of Mumbai Indians scoring half-centuries in less than 25 balls, the first in a cash-rich league.    Same old story for Mumbai Indians A change in captain couldn’t change the fortunes of MI as the five-time IPL champions got off to a disappointing start yet again for the 12th consecutive time in the tournament. Newly-appointed skipper Hardik Pandya called correctly at the toss and asked Gujarat Titans (GT) to bat. The hosts were restricted to 168-6 in the allotted 20 overs, thanks to 3-14 off four overs by pacer Jasprit Bumrah. In reply, former skipper and opener Rohit Sharma provided MI with a solid start. The visitors, however, lost the game by six runs after being firmly placed at 107-2 in 12 overs, with 56 required off 48 balls. Captain Hardik Pandya (right) and Rohit Sharma during Mumbai Indians's opening encounter against Gujarat Titans at Ahmedabad last Sunday. PIC/AFP Home teams dominate The first week of IPL-17 saw home teams dominate handsomely. Overall in nine matches in the week, to everyone’s surprise, the hosts won all nine. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) were the only two teams to play both their matches at home, while Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants, who have played all away matches, are yet to register victories. Rajasthan Royals players celebrate their win over Delhi Capitals at Jaipur on Thursday. PIC/AFP Champs CSK stay on top CSK started from where they ended last year. The defending champions beat Royals Challengers Bengaluru by six wickets in the season’s opening encounter. The newly-appointed skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s side continued to dominate at home as they went on to defeat last year’s runner-up GT by a massive 63-run margin. Chennai Super Kings's players celebrate their win over Gujarat Titans on Tuesday. PIC/PTI Fans await MSD’s batting magic  Mahendra Singh Dhoni handing over CSK captaincy to Gaikwad has speculated that this could be the wicketkeeper-batsman’s last IPL. Hence, Dhoni’s fans are eagerly waiting to see him score big with the bat. However, to much of their disappointment, the fans were kept waiting to see him bat in the first two matches with the former India skipper dropping to No. 8. Mahendra Singh Dhoni. PIC/PTI

29 March,2024 11:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Rohan Koli
Travis Head in action. Pic/AFP

Mid-Day Premium Carnage, Travis Head style!

In the annals of cricketing lore, there exists a narrative that transcends the boundaries of mere sport and ascends to the realm of epic saga. It’s a tale of relentless pursuit, unwavering determination, and unparalleled mastery etched upon the verdant canvas of cricketing arenas worldwide. At the heart of this saga stands a colossus, a modern-day titan whose exploits have rewritten the script of cricketing brilliance – Travis Head. To witness the Aussie unleash carnage on the cricket field is to behold a spectacle of raw power, exquisite finesse, and unyielding resolve converging in a symphony of sporting greatness. With the willow as his sceptre, Head commands the crease with regal authority, each stroke an ode to his indomitable spirit and insatiable hunger for success.  If the Motera showdown last November was not enough, the 30-year-old brought back nightmare for Indians with a 24-ball 62 to lead the batting carnage on Wednesday after Hyderabad batted first and went past the previous IPL best of 263-5 by Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2013.  "The wicket was good but, no matter how good or bad you bowl, if the opposition gets 277 that means they batted very well," Mumbai skipper Hardik Pandya said at the post-match press conference. The bowlers were good. It was tough out there. Close to 500 runs were scored so the wicket was helping the batters." With an impeccable blend of technique and temperament, he manoeuvres the cricket ball with surgical precision, dissecting bowling attacks with a surgeon's precision and inflicting carnage upon hapless opponents. The genesis of Head's cricketing prowess lies in the crucible of adversity, where trials and tribulations forged a steely resolve that would come to define his meteoric rise. It is on the hallowed turf of the cricket field that Head finds his true calling, his bat an extension of his being, each stroke a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence.  Whether caressing the ball through the covers with the finesse of a maestro or unleashing a ferocious onslaught of boundaries with the fury of a tempest, Head's batting transcends the ordinary and ascends to the sublime. But his greatness extends beyond mere statistics and accolades, it is rooted in his insatiable hunger for success and his relentless pursuit of perfection. With each innings, he pushes the boundaries of human potential, challenging the limits of what is possible and inspiring a generation of aspiring cricketers to dream big and aim high. In the cauldron of competition, Head emerges as a paragon of mental fortitude, his unwavering focus and unyielding determination serving as a beacon of inspiration for his teammates and fans alike. In the face of adversity, he remains resolute, his steely resolve undiminished, his spirit unbroken. "Head is one of my favourite batters, I really admire his batting. Had a great time with him," said Abhishek Sharma, who, inspired by the Aussie, smashed the fastest fifty in IPL’s history for SRH. In the crucible of competition, Head's leadership shines brightest, his tactical acumen and strategic brilliance guiding his team to victory against the toughest of adversaries. In an era defined by fleeting fame and transient glory, he stands as a beacon of hope, a symbol of perseverance, and a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit. To witness him unleash carnage on the cricket field is to bear witness to a spectacle of sporting greatness unmatched in the annals of cricketing history. With his bat as his sword and his spirit as his shield, Head conquers the cricketing arena with a ferocity and determination that leaves spectators in awe and opponents in fear. In the grand tapestry of cricketing lore, his legacy shines bright as a testament to the triumph of talent, resilience, and indomitable spirit.

29 March,2024 11:31 AM IST | Mumbai | Srijanee Majumdar
Rishabh Pant. Pic/PTI

Rishabh Pant feels disappointed after Delhi's 12-run loss against Rajasthan

Following his side's 12-run loss against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL 2024 on Thursday, Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Rishabh Pant said that he felt 'disappointed' after the defeat. While speaking at the post-match presentation, Pant said that they will learn from the loss against the Rajasthan-based franchise. He also praised Mitchell Marsh and David Warner for giving DC a 'good start' in the second inning. The skipper further added that in the middle of the second inning, they lost few wickets for which they had to cover up so many run in the final overs of the match. "Definitely disappointed. Best thing we can do from this is learn from it. The bowlers did really well till 15-16 overs, batters sometimes go on at the death and score quickly, that happened in this game. Marsh and Warner gave a good start, but we lost a few wickets in the middle overs and in the end we had too many runs to cover up. There are other options, we wanted Nortje to bowl at the death and sometimes you can go for runs, hopefully we can do better in the next match," Pant said. Recapping the match, RR continued the trend of the home team emerging victorious as they clinched a 12-run win over Delhi at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. This marked the ninth consecutive win in nine games for the home team. The Australian duo of Mitchell Marsh (23) and David Warner (49) got off to a brisk start as DC amassed 30 runs in 2.1 overs. Also Read: Russell backs head coach Pandit after Wiese’s ‘militant’ claim Nandre Burger breached Marsh's defence to claim the first wicket while chasing 186. Rick Bhui fell in the same over for a two-ball duck. Skipper Rishabh Pant and Warner strung a 67-run stand to keep DC on track of the chase. Warner fell for 49 and Pant departed moments late. Impact Player Abhishek Porel failed to contribute much, unlike the previous game. Tristan Stubbs tried to pull off late heroics by scoring two consecutive sixes in Ravichandran Ashwin's over. But Sandeep Sharma and Avesh Khan kept their nerves to get RR across the finishing line. Throughout the chase, DC struggled to push for runs as the wicket got slower and RR held on to their line and length. (With agency inputs)

29 March,2024 09:22 AM IST | Jaipur (Rajasthan) | ANI
Glenn Maxwell. Pic/PTI

IPL 2024: RCB batting coach McKenzie backs Maxwell to come out of lean run

Glenn Maxwell has played just six balls across two matches to make three runs in this IPL, but Royal Challengers Bengaluru batting coach Neil McKenzie on Thursday hoped the Australian all-rounder to hit his straps sooner than later. Maxwell fell for a first-ball duck against Chennai Super Kings while a return to Chinnaswamy Stadium, a favourite hunting place of his, too did not offer any respite. "You know, that's cricket. It's up and down. It's only two games. We know with Maxie, he's going to win us a couple of games. "He has made a slower start to the tournament, but we know that he's going to win games for us later on in the tournament," McKenzie said in the pre-match press conference. "It's not a case of when that will happen. You're still in early stages (of IPL). In the high-octane T20 cricket, you know, your fortunes change pretty quickly, you know, they change overnight," he added. Also Read: First week of IPL17: Record-breaking show at Hyderabad and same old story for MI The former South African batsman was also delighted to see premier batter Virat Kohli making a match-winning fifty against Punjab here a couple of days ago. "Virat has been an unbelievable performer for so long. It was a privilege to sit and watch (his fifty). I think just the way he sums up conditions, the way he sort of knows who's going to bowl what"he has been one of our if not the best batter for a very long time. "So, it was really good to see him hitting the ground running and play a really important knock for the side after that two months of no cricket. So, you can always trust him to put the team first," said McKenzie. McKenzie said the good outings of Indian batters like Dinesh Karthik, Anuj Rawat and Mahipal Lomror have given RCB a lot more confidence and flexibility, without taking the responsibility away from top-order players.  This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

29 March,2024 09:12 AM IST | Bangalore | PTI
Rajasthan Royals' Riyan Parag plays a shot during the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket match between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Pic/AFP

IPL 2024: Last 3 days I was in bed, I was on painkillers, says Riyan Parag

Architect of Rajasthan Royals' win over Delhi Capitals, young batter Riyan Parag on Thursday revealed that he was not well for the last three days and had to take painkillers to recover in time for their IPL match here. Considered a precocious talent, the 22-year-old from Assam finally came off age as he slammed a blistering 84 not out off 45 balls to set up a 12-run win for Rajasthan Royals against Delhi Capitals. "I have worked very hard, the last 3 days I was in bed, I was on painkillers, I just got up today and I'm very happy," said Parag, who was adjudged the Player of the Match, during the post-match presentation. Despite his talent, Parag struggled to live up to the expectations and had underwhelming numbers to show in the last few seasons but his hard work paid off as he hit his highest IPL score to lift RR to 185 for 5 here. "(Emotions) They are settled, mom is here, she has seen the struggle, the last 3-4 years," he said. "I know what my opinion is about myself. That does not change regardless of whether I get a zero or not." He played as a finisher in the earlier editions but this time, the team management gave him an extended role at No. 4. Parag was also coming into the season after scoring loads of runs at the Deodhar trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s. "That's a lot to do with the type of season as well, I had a great domestic season and that helps," he said. "Someone in the top four has to play the 20 overs, the wicket was keeping low and stopping, in the first game Sanju bhayya did it." Also Read: First week of IPL17: Record-breaking show at Hyderabad and same old story for MI Parag's performance also impressed his captain Sanju Samson. "Riyan Parag has been a big name in the last few years. Wherever I go, people ask me about him. There is something very special he can give to Indian cricket," Samson said. RR had a disastrous start as they were 36 for 3 in the eighth over but Parag slowly constructed his innings before accelerating in the end to lift them to a good total. "The way we started, the first ten overs, we were like Rovman, be ready you might have to bat! The IPL is changing and we all have to be flexible," Samson said. RR's decision to bring in Nandre Burger as an impact player, replacing Shimron Hetmyer also reaped dividends as the South African pacer struck twice in the fourth over. "Earlier it was about 11 players, now it is about all 15 players. Me and Sanga had a lot of chat between 15th and 17th over before deciding the Impact Player. It's all about gauging in which zone they are. You have to look at that and take your decision. "I saw Sandy (Sandeep Sharma) was calm and Avesh (Khan) was also looking good, so I went with that," he added referring to the brilliant death bowling by the two pacers." Talking about his strategy going into the final over, Avesh, who defended 17 runs in the final over, said: "My plan is always clear. One side was longer, so my plan was to bowl wide yorkers. "I was giving myself five seconds and only thought about executing them. My focus is always on the execution and back my yorkers. "Enjoying myself here because we have Sandeep, Boult, Burger, all of whom have different skills. Samson gives me freedom to execute and only steps in if he sees I am struggling. "I try to improve myself everytime. In T20s I try to reinvent myself. I never think about selection and only practice what I want to bowl." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

29 March,2024 09:05 AM IST | Jaipur | PTI
Representational Image. Pic Courtesy/iStock

Modern CA summer camp in Thane

Modern Cricket Academy will conduct their summer camp at Varsha Vandana ground, Panchpakhadi, Thane West, for boys and girls in the age group of 10-22 from April 2 to May 20. Former Mumbai Ranji coach Sulakshan Kulkarni will be a guest coach. For more details, contact Ankit Tiwari on 7972506118. Also Read: Pandya will be booed louder in Mumbai, says Manoj Tiwary

29 March,2024 07:07 AM IST | Mumbai | A Correspondent
Hanuma Vihari

ACA serves showcause notice to ex-skipper Hanuma Vihari

The Andhra Cricket Association has served a showcause notice to Hanuma Vihari a month after the India batter accused the governing body of unceremoniously removing him from captaincy and vowed not to play for the state again. However, Vihari is yet to respond to the notice which was served after the ACA Apex Council meeting a few days ago. “Yes, we have served him a showcause notice and we are awaiting his reply,” an ACA official told PTI on conditions of anonymity. However, the official said the association did not want to prolong the issue. “This is just to find what made him react the way he did last month. He has not reached out to us, so this is a chance for him to come out with his grievances. Also Read: Pandya will be booed louder in Mumbai, says Manoj Tiwary “After all, we value Vihari and his contributions to the growth of state cricket as he has played a big part in Andhra going up in the ranks in domestic cricket,” he added. The train of unsavoury incidents began soon after Andhra lost to Madhya Pradesh in this year’s Ranji Trophy quarter-final. The 30-year-old right-handed batter took to social media to accuse the ACA of stripping him of captaincy right after Andhra’s first match of the season against Bengal. However, at that time, Vihari attributed the decision to “personal reasons.” But in his Instagram post, Vihari said the ACA acted under pressure from a local politician after his son, a 17th player during that match, complained that the middle-order batter shouted swear words at him. “I have decided that I will never play for Andhra where I lost my self-respect,” Vihari wrote in his emotional outburst. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

29 March,2024 07:03 AM IST | Bangalore | PTI
Chandrakant Pandit and David Wiese

Russell backs head coach Pandit after Wiese’s ‘militant’ claim

Senior all-rounder Andre Russell on Thursday supported Kolkata Knight Riders’s head coach Chandrakant Pandit, whose coaching style was termed “militant” by former KKR all-rounder David Wiese. Jamaica’s Russell, an integral part of KKR’s core group, sounded different. “We’ve been working with him from last year. I think when you’re working with a coach for the first time, you have to make sure that you adjust to their philosophy. There have to be rules. We are professionals. So, we don’t complain,” said Russell at the pre-match press meet here. Also Read: Pandya will be booed louder in Mumbai, says Manoj Tiwary “I try to do the best for this franchise. He’s been doing an amazing job, and we’ve gotten coming back as well,” he added. Pandit had taken over as KKR coach ahead of IPL 2022. “He [Pandit] is known in India as a very militant type of coach. He is very strict, very disciplinarian that type of stuff. Sometimes in franchise cricket, when you have overseas guys, who’ve played all over the world, they don’t need anyone coming and telling them how they need to behave, what they need to wear and what they need to do the whole time. So, that was tough,” said Wiese on the podcast Hitman for Hire. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

29 March,2024 07:02 AM IST | Bangalore | PTI
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