Hardik Pandya had that look on his face, the one he had when Avesh Khan bowled him with a near-perfect full-toss. A mix of surprise and shock, yet that of appreciation. The only difference being that he was fielding this time. It was the 16th over of Rajasthan Royals’ innings. Gerard Coetzee bowled it short and wide, on a good length and just outside off stump. Yashasvi Jaiswal moved towards the leg side, gave himself enough room, pulled it over deep square for a maximum and walked up to skipper Sanju Samson for a fist bump. The sheer force behind the stroke propelled it past Pandya's grasp, hurtling out of the field with such velocity that it left him stunned and powerless. Jaiswal blazed through a dazzling century off just 59 balls to get back among runs in the ongoing season. It took him only seven balls to realise that this was going to be his day. The exit door for Pandya and Co. had been well and truly unlatched. This was destined to end in calamity. Also Read: Waist-level conundrum Mumbai are back on familiar turf. Monday’s embarrassing defeat to Royals after a bowling slump was their fifth in eight matches, leaving Pandya’s men gasping for revival. They need not look elsewhere for inspiration for they know the way out. Be it their poor start in the inaugural 2008 IPL, or in 2015 when they won for the second time despite losing five out of the first six games, they have repeatedly defied the odds. The IPL editions of 2013, 2014, and even 2015, showed how Mumbai has a bizarre knack for bringing out its best in adverse situations. But is it too late this year? No, it is never too late to start over, they say. Pandya, amid the relentless boos and jeers, knows his team only has to do what it has done over the years to bounce back, and he is hopeful. “I don't think it was our best day in the field as well. Overall, we did not put the right foot in the park and eventually, they outplayed us. After the game, it's not the right time to go to the players, everyone is professional, they know their roles,” he said. Also Read: Cheerleading is not everyone’s cup of tea In 2008, Mumbai began with four defeats but won the next six games. However, failure to reach the semifinal in the first two seasons saw them turn into a determined unit, and that was in full display two seasons later. Having been off to their best possible start, winning seven of the first ten matches, they reached the final but surrendered to Chennai Super Kings in the final. Over the next two editions, they rubbed shoulders with the tournament’s best teams Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and CSK and advanced to the playoffs. But losses left them yearning to lay their hands on the trophy. Though they won six of the first ten matches in 2013, tougher challenges awaited them. Having mauled Rajasthan by four wickets with a ball to spare in the second qualifier, Mumbai pipped CSK by 23 runs in the final. It was a bittersweet moment in every sense following Sachin Tendulkar’s announcement that it marked his final IPL appearance. It was in 2014 when Mumbai truly set their mark as a side that could stage remarkable comebacks. Among their five title wins, 2015 had looked the most improbable as they began with five defeats in six games. Again, the side went on to win nine of their next ten games before lifting the trophy a second time. An inconsistent run in 2016 rendered Mumbai unable to reach the playoffs, but they made amends the following year. In 2018, they were prevented from reaching the playoffs after a crisp 11-run defeat from Delhi Daredevils in the 55th game of the 56-game league stage. Yet again, they rectified their mistakes the subsequent year. In the 2020 edition, Mumbai found the sweet spot that all planners and great players seek. Three years have passed since, naturally, the title drought stings, considering the team value and experience and money invested into acquiring some new faces at February's player auction.
26 April,2024 11:22 AM IST | Mumbai | Srijanee MajumdarUnwanted record for Mohit Sharma Veteran Gujarat Titans pacer Mohit Sharma became the most expensive bowler in IPL history when he leaked 73 runs without dismissing a batter off four overs at an economy rate of 18.20 against Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Kotla. He displaced Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) Basil Thampi, who had gone for 70 runs against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2018. The right-arm medium pacer conceded 42 runs in his first three overs and was smashed for 31 in the final over, which saw four sixes and a four from DC skipper Rishabh Pant. Powerplay show by SRH SRH’s Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma during their 131-run stand v DC at Kotla. PIC/AFP SRH have stunned one and all by smashing the highest IPL total twice this season, and there was no stopping for the 2016 champions against DC at Kotla. Openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma gave SRH a solid start, smashing 125-0 in 6 overs—a record Powerplay score in a T20 match. The first six overs saw 13 fours and 11 sixes. The previous T20 Powerplay record was held by Nottinghamshire (106-0) against Durham in 2017 at Trent Bridge, while in the IPL, the highest was by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) — 105-0 versus RCB in 2017. Dhoni yet to be dismissed CSK’s MS Dhoni hits a four against LSG at Chepauk on Tuesday. Pic/AFP Chennai Super Kings's (CSK) Mahendra Singh Dhoni is yet to be dismissed this season. He has smashed 91 runs in six innings at an impressive strike-rate of 260.00. With speculation that this could be the 42-year-old's last IPL, the former CSK skipper is receiving the loudest of cheers as he walks in to bat at any venue, and the wicketkeeper-batsman hasn't disappointed either. Dhoni didn't come into bat in the first two matches as India's World Cup-winning captain dropped himself to No. 8. His first appearance as a batsman this season was witnessed against DC at Vizag. Coming in at No. 8, Dhoni smashed an unbeaten 37 off just 16 balls, including four fours and three sixes. He, however, couldn't take CSK over the line, but was massively lauded for his first competitive innings after almost 10 months. The right-handed batsman’s hat-trick of sixes in the final over off Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya proved decisive as the defending champions went on to win the game by 20 runs. Stoinis stuns CSK Marcus Stoinis celebrates LSG’s win over CSK. PIC/AFP Lucknow Super Giants’s (LSG) Marcus Stoinis on Tuesday created history by scoring an unbeaten 124, the highest individual score in an IPL run chase, as the visitors reached the 211-run target in the final over to hand CSK their first home defeat this season. It was also the highest run-chase in IPL at Chepauk. Stoinis’s 63-ball knock, which was laced with 13 fours and six sixes surpassed Kings XI Punjab’s (now Punjab Kings) Paul Valthaty’s 120 not out against the then Dhoni-led CSK to chase 189. Stoinis’s maiden IPL hundred is also the highest individual score against CSK in IPL. The game also witnessed two centuries scored by players from both sides as batting first, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 108 not out off 60 balls to take CSK to 210-4. A win for RCB, finally RCB players celebrate their win over SRH. PIC/AFP RCB beat batting powerhouse SRH by 35 runs to register their first win exactly after a month and only their second victory this season to end a six-match losing streak. The victory keeps RCB’s playoff hopes alive despite being placed at the bottom of the points table with two wins and seven defeats. The Faf du Plessis-led side lost the IPL opener to CSK at Chepauk. They then beat Punjab Kings in a last-over thriller at home for their first win this year. Later, they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders (twice), LSG, Rajasthan Royals, MI and SRH.
26 April,2024 09:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Rohan KoliProducing a brilliant all-round performance, Greater Mumbai Police SC ‘B’ emerged champions defeating JSW Steel Ltd SC by nine wickets in the ‘C’ Division final of the MCA Corporate Trophy at the Mumbai Police Gymkhana ground on Thursday. Also Read: Watch out for Ramjani at T20 World Cup Electing to bat, JSW Steel were bowled out for a paltry 88 in 17.5 overs. Later, Mumbai Police easily surpassed the winning target reaching 90-1 in 15 overs. Mumbai Police left-arm spinner Anuj Giri (2-29) was adjudged the player of the final. 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
26 April,2024 08:25 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesWhen Uganda kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against Afghanistan at Providence on June 4, one name on their team sheet could evoke interest on these shores—former Mumbai U-16 cricketer—Alpesh Ramjani. Kandivli boy Ramjani, 29, was announced as brand ambassador of Gretex Corporate Services Limited, a merchant banking firm. Also Read: Recurve men enter final; Priyansh, Jyothi make compound semis Left-arm spinner and batter Ramjani said at a function in Mumbai on Thursday that the firm and he “resonated upon our stories of triumph and disaster and treating them the same.” Ramjani, according to a press release, faced personal challenges, such as the loss of his father before going on to play international cricket for Uganda. The T20 World Cup will be held in West Indies and America from June 2 to 29. West Indies (June 9) and New Zealand (June 15) are the other top teams which Uganda will face in the tournament. They will be up against Papua New Guinea on June 6. Ramjani played a good hand in Uganda’s qualification for the T20 World Cup and opened the bowling to good effect in the African Games in March. 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
26 April,2024 08:20 AM IST | Mumbai | PTIFormer Zimbabwe cricketer Guy Whittall, was hospitalised after miraculously surviving a leopard attack earlier this week. Whittall was out on a walk with his dog at a conservancy he owns in Zimbabwe. Also Read: Becker discharged from bankruptcy, says lawyer According to a post by his wife, Hannah Whittal, on social media (Facebook), the injury happened on Tuesday following which he was airlifted to Harare for treatment. Whittal played 46 Tests and 147 ODIs for Zimbabwe between 1993 and 2003 and amassed 4,912 runs in both formats. In the Test, he claimed 51 wickets and 88 in ODIs. 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
26 April,2024 07:55 AM IST | Humani | IANSFormer India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes Rishabh Pant can do things most Indian wicketkeeper-batters can’t, and that’s why he should be in the T20 World Cup squad. Pant—88 off 43 balls—was at his magnificent best, hammering eight sixes and five fours at a strike rate of 204.6 as DC posted a whopping 224-4 against Gujarat Titans. “The only reason we are debating that [wicketkeeper’s slot] is because of the options we have. There is a Sanju Samson as an option and KL Rahul is very exciting, but the thing about Rishabh Pant, and that’s why I will back him in the 15 and in the playing XI as well, is that come the big stage like a semi-final of the T20 World Cup, this is a guy who will get you a hundred in 60 balls and win the game,” Manjrekar said on Star Sports Cricket Live. Also Read: Pantastic! “Now that’s something not too many in the Indian team can do. We’ve seen the Indian team come into the final rounds and not quite deliver in the big matches. Rishabh Pant is temperamentally just in a different kind of space where that kind of stage or platform just allows him to flourish more. He just relaxes in that kind of a situation,” he added. Another former India cricketer, Deep Dasgupta, is confident of Pant’s inclusion in the playing XI: “He [Pant] walks into my playing XI. The only doubt before the IPL started was his fitness level after whatever happened a year-and-a-half ago. What kind of physical state is he in and if he’s fit. Actually, I was having a chat with him. He’s actually lost six kilos in the last four or five months and he’s been working really hard. So yeah, he’s fitter, he’s quicker and batting better.” This was Pant’s highest score of IPL-17 where he has already amassed 342 runs in nine matches, including three half-centuries, at an average of 48.86. 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
26 April,2024 07:20 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesSpotting the brightest star on a full moon night can be tough. But on Wednesday night, with a full moon illuminating the sky, DC skipper Rishabh Pant was clearly the brightest star in a run-fest between Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Sure, Axar Patel expertly negated the threat by GT spinners Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, with a 43-ball 66 in his 113-run stand with Pant, but it was the wicketkeeper-batter who excelled with 88 not out off just 43 balls. There were doubts over Pant unleashing his best self as a finisher after a scratchy 44 in the high-pressure chase against Sunrisers Hyderabad on his homecoming on April 20. But Pant was simply brilliant against GT, hitting eight sixes and five fours at a strike-rate of 204.6. Also Read: There’s a hitch with Mitch! When Pant walked in to bat, DC were in dire straits at 44-3. He had to initially bide his time and keep the scoreboard ticking with Axar. “When I was there in the first timeout, we discussed what can be the ideal score here. We came down to 180 and focused on getting it and then taking it from there. Rishabh was confident about getting 180 and felt that if we can achieve that, we can get more,” DC batting coach Pravin Amre said at the post-match press conference. Pant first hit a short ball down leg-side off Noor for a slog-sweep four over fine leg. When Rashid bowled short, he went quickly on the backfoot to pull him for four. When Noor pitched it full, he slogswept for six. Mohit Sharma, GT’s death overs specialist, came in the 12th, but his length was to Pant’s liking—short and wide—to pull and cut. The 16th over saw Pant welcoming Mohit with a whip over deep midwicket for six and then whack a full, slower ball over long off. Pant reached his 50 off 34 balls with a slog off Mohit over long-on for six. Mohit returned for the 20th over and Pant’s powered his way to four sixes and a four to collect 31 runs off it. “He [Pant] started his preparation at the two-week pre-season camp in Vizag and prepared himself very well because before that, he was at the NCA. I remember his first day when he came to the Vizag camp, he went straight to the ground from the airport. He was hungry, he made sure that he was going to utilise every day. You can see all his hard work is paying off. A couple of good knocks gave him the confidence, and today was special. He got 31 runs against an experienced bowler like Mohit in the 20th over and that really shows that he’s in good form,” said Amre. Since his return to competitive cricket following the life-threatening car crash, Pant’s performance with both bat and gloves has been closely monitored. And this electrifying knock has not just kept DC in the hunt for the playoffs but may well have secured his spot in Team India for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and USA in June. 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
26 April,2024 07:15 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesFriday’s clash between Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders may appear to be a mismatch, but the Knights know better. Having survived bottom-placed Royal Challengers Bengaluru by the skin of their teeth on Sunday, KKR will be loath to taking anything for granted. There are no battle of unequals in IPL. Iyer & Co are in top-two Despite never slipping from their top-two position, Shreyas Iyer & Co. have been falling short on a few fronts, none more glaringly so than the struggle of Mitchell Starc to get into the groove. The predicament was harshly highlighted on Sunday when, defending 21 in the final over, the left-arm pacer was clobbered for three sixes by No. 9 no-hoper Karn Sharma as RCB almost pulled off a huge upset. The costliest player in IPL history ended up conceding 55 runs in three overs. Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024: KL, Samson in race for second wicketkeeper's slot Starc has gone for 287 runs in seven matches at 11.48 per over, and has only six wickets to show. While KKR have persisted with Starc purely on potential, on hopes that when he does get his act together, he will be a crucial cog in their attack, carrying him is coming at a cost. It’s just as well that the team is doing well enough to give him a long rope. “He’s a legend, and shouldn’t be judged on a few matches,” said Ramandeep Singh, even as he credited Gautam Gambhir for bringing clarity on each player’s role. “It’s largely because of him that we’re doing so well.” Punjab Kings have been severely set back by a shoulder injury to Shikhar Dhawan that will keep him out of Friday’s match too. Stand-in skipper Sam Curran and Prabhsimran Singh did put together 52 for the opening wicket the other day, but the punch that Dhawan was expected to provide in power-play hasn’t happened yet. It doesn’t help that English opener Jonny Bairstow is woefully short of form. All this has brought pressure on the middle-order, and it’s being left to the likes of Lian Livingstone, 32-year-old Shashank Singh and young Ashutosh Sharma to do the catching up. Tough task for PBKS Led by South African speedster Kagiso Rabada, Punjab have a potent pace attack and the battle against the home team’s dashing openers promises to be an intriguing one but, then, KKR’s batting is a lot more than just Phil Salt and Sunil Narine. The 35-year-old Trinidadian all-rounder is also likely to emerge as the biggest challenge for the Punjab batsmen. Trying to prevent their fifth consecutive loss, Punjab Kings have their job cut out.
26 April,2024 07:10 AM IST | Kolkata | Arup ChatterjeeKL Rahul is believed to be slightly ahead of Sanju Samson in the race for second wicketkeeper’s slot even as Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya’s indifferent batting form remains a worry for the national selection panel which is expected to announce the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup in Americas by the end of this month. Also Read: IPL 2024: Kohli's 51 pushes RCB 206 runs against SRH The other bone of contention in drafting the final squad could be the choice of an extra bowler. It remains to be seen whether an extra pace bowler in Avesh Khan will be accommodated or whether the choice would be between Lucknow Super Giants leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi and Delhi Capitals all-rounder Axar Patel considering the low and slow tracks in the West Indies. It is understood that skipper Rohit Sharma is likely to have a meeting with chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar to discuss the outline of the team. With the ICC setting a May 1 deadline for the announcement of 15-member squads, the BCCI is expected to reveal the names by the end of this week. 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
26 April,2024 07:05 AM IST | New Delhi | PTILeft-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat came up with a lively spell (4-0-30-3) on a flat wicket as Royal Challengers Bengaluru scored 206-7 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Thursday. It was the same wicket where Sunrisers Hyderabad hit that 277-3 against Mumbai Indians but 32-year-old Unadkat applied the brakes in the middle overs to stop RCB in their tracks. RCB skipper Faf de Plessis won an important toss and straightway opted to bat so that they could put pressure on SRH, forcing captain Pat Cummins to make a bit of adjustment for bowling first on this flat wicket. Also Read: 'If after scoring 900 runs last season...': Gill backs himself for WC inclusion Virat Kohli and Du Plessis meant business as they hammered Bhuvneshwar Kumar for 14 runs and then struck 19 runs in Cummins’s first over. However, left-arm seamer H Natarajan broke the partnership by dismissing Du Plessis (12 ball-25). RCB suffered a second blow as Will Jacks was bowled while trying to sweep leg-spinner Mayank Markande. Rajat Patidar took the bull by its horns. Exuding confidence, he enlivened the proceedings by hitting four successive sixes in Markande’s third over even as Kohli decided to play an anchor’s role, getting his 50 in 37 balls. The bowler conceded as many as 27 runs in that over. Patidar got to his 50 (2x4, 5x6) in 19 balls. But then, as seen in this tournament, he threw away his wicket immediately when he flicked the Saurashtra left-arm seamer’s full toss straight into Abdul Samad’s hands at square-leg. RCB suddenly lost the momentum as SRH bottled up Kohli and Cameron Green. A frustrated Kohli was deceived by Unadkat’s slower bouncer to be caught at deep mid-wicket. Unadkat, who was exceptional with his variation, had the RCB batters in knots. He claimed his third wicket as left-hander Mahipal Lomror was held in the deep. Brief scoresRCB 206-7 in 20 overs (V Kohli 51, R Patidar 50, C Green 37*; J Unadkat 3-30) v SRH (scores incomplete)
26 April,2024 07:00 AM IST | Hyderabad | N Jagannath DasGujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill has backed himself to make the cut for India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup on the back of his splendid run-scoring form in the last season of the IPL. The marquee event is set to kick off on June 1 in the USA and the West Indies and teams are scheduled to submit their squads for the showpiece tournament till May 1. As the deadline approaches, Gill exuded confidence in donning the Blue jersey and representing India on the world stage on the back of his exemplary form in the previous season and the ongoing season of the cash-rich league. "Definitely, I will back myself to be able to make the squad. If after scoring 900 runs last season I don't back myself then there is no point in scoring all those runs. It is a dream for me to be able to represent my country on a world stage, in a tournament like that," Gill told ANI. Last year, in 17 matches Gill amassed 890 runs in the previous season at an average of 59.33. His mouth-watering numbers featured three centuries which served as the icing on the cake. In the ongoing season, Gill has featured in nine matches and struck 304 runs at an average of 38.00 and a strike rate of 146.15. Also Read: 'If I think only about selection, I'm doing injustice to my team': Shubman Gill The IPL 2024 marked a special occasion for the 24-year-old as he made his captaincy debut in the tournament for GT, and also played his 100th match in the IPL on Wednesday. Before the season, he succeeded Hardik Pandya as the skipper of the franchise and has four wins in nine matches in the current edition. Gill has had a fair share of problems in his captaincy debut season, with veteran quick Mohammed Shami missing the season due to an injury. Along with this, the star spin duo of Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmed are struggling to find their rhythm while the pacers are yet to taste success this season. Rashid has scythed 8 wickets in nine matches while Noor has six scalps in seven matches. While seasoned pacer Mohit Sharma bowled the costliest spell in the history of IPL. He conceded 73 runs against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in his four-over spell on Wednesday. Experienced pacer Umesh Yadav has had a decent outing while Rs 10 crore signing Spencer Johnson is yet to deliver an impactful performance for GT. Gill reflected on his journey as a captain in the ongoing season and backed the "magnificent" spin duo to turn around their season in the remaining five games. "My captaincy experience has gone really good. I have learned a lot of things. I think Noor and Rashid have been nothing short of magnificent for me as a captain and the team," Gill added. GT will play their next IPL 2024 game in Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday. (With agency inputs)
25 April,2024 10:23 PM IST | Ahmedabad | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
