Former Indian star Yuvraj Singh said Suryakumar Yadav and pacer Jasprit Bumrah will be the key players for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Yuvraj Singh played a crucial role in India's triumph in 2007 and also added that Suryakumar needs to have a good outing to win the cup for the second time and Bumrah needs to be at his best. "Suryakumar Yadav (is India's key player)," Yuvraj was quoted as saying by ICC." He added, "Because the way he plays, he can change the complexion of a game in 15 balls. And he is definitely a surety for India to win this T20 World Cup, Surya is going to be the key. Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024: The race behind the stumps! "I think Jasprit Bumrah is also the key with the bowling and I would like to see a leg-spinner in the squad as well, like Yuzvendra Chahal as he has been bowling really well. "But being a batter, I would say Suryakumar Yadav (is the key player)." When asked about India's first-choice wicket-keeper for the T20 World Cup 2024, Yuvraj showed his faith in Dinesh Karthik but also said if he is not a part of the playing XI then there is no point picking him in the squad as Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson are also delivering well with the willow. "DK (Karthik) has been batting well, but the thing with DK is that the last time (2022) they picked him and the T20 WC was on he didn't get to play," Yuvraj noted. "If DK is not in your XI I don't think there is any point in picking him. There is Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson and both guys are in great form and obviously they are younger. "I would like to see DK in the mix, but if he is not going to play then you would rather have someone who is younger and can make the difference." Yuvraj knows just how important Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are to India's fortunes in the T20 showpiece and refused to put an end date on when he thinks the duo should retire from international cricket. Instead, Yuvraj suggested that Rohit and Kohli should consider giving up on playing T20I cricket after the T20 World Cup and concentrate on other formats. "As you get older people start talking about your age and they forget about your form," Yuvraj stated. "These guys have been great players for India and they deserve to go (retire) when they want. I would like to see more younger players in the T20 format, because it gets the load off them (experienced players) playing 50-over (ODIs) and Test matches. After this (T20) World Cup I would like to see a lot of younger guys come into the team and make the T20 side for the next World Cup." Yuvraj picked Chennai Super Kings left-hander Shivam Dube as one player that he wants to see in the squad, thanks to his explosive batting. "I would like to see Shivam Dube in the squad," he said. He has been in and out of the (Indian) team, but this IPL he has been batting very well and he is someone who can be the game-changer. "There are a lot of other guys who have been playing for a while now, but I would like to see Shivam Dube in the mix," he added. (With PTI Inputs)
26 April,2024 05:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDelhi Capitals will look to keep their winning momentum on against inconsistent Mumbai Indians when they clash against each other in the IPL 2024 match on Saturday. The Delhiites are having a rollercoaster IPL 2024 season as they have won four matches out of nine. Currently, Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals are in the sixth position with eight points and the win against Mumbai Indians will boost their chances for the IPL 2024 playoffs. DC's biggest positive has undoubtedly been skipper Rishabh Pant's form, which appears to be improving with each game. He has looked sharp behind the stumps and seems to be batting with freedom. He was at his belligerent best during a match-winning unbeaten knock against Gujarat Titans on Wednesday. Struggling MI have won three matches out of eight games and are in the eighth position after facing defeat in the IPL 2024 match against Rajasthan Royals by nine wickets. Looking at Rishabh Pant's form there are chances that he can make up to India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 despite the competition with Sanju Samson, Dinesh Karthik and Ishan Kishan. Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024: The race behind the stumps! In Jake Fraser-McGurk, DC has found a reliable top-order batsman who can make the most out of the powerplay. But more is expected from opening batsman Prithvi Shaw as he is used as an impact player. David Warner who missed the previous game might feature again in the playing XI as his replacement Shai Hope failed capitalise on the opportunity. Tristan Stubbs also proved his skills with the willow, while Axar Patel also scored crucial runs during the GT clash. While the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar have bowled economically, DC's fast bowling unit needs to step up. Pace spearhead Anrich Nortje is having a forgettable season and has leaked runs at 13.36 which has been a major problem for Delhi. The likes of Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar and Ishant Sharma have been plagued by injuries leading to inconsistent runs. They were taken to the cleaners by MI batters, who piled on 234/5 earlier in the season. And DC would be wary of a similar performance. MI's resurgence this season began with a win against DC and the five-time champions would hope for an encore in the crucial clash. For Mumbai, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma have got runs but all of them have found form in patches. It's time for the likes of Tim David, Ishan Kishan and skipper Hardik Pandya to contribute in a big way and take some pressure off the top trio. While the batting department has occasionally looked good, the bowling remains a massive cause of concern.Jasprit Bumrah has expectedly been MI's standout bowler. He has led the attack with 13 wickets at an economy rate of 6.37. However, new addition Gerald Coetzee has been inconsistent in his maiden IPL. Though he has an economy of 10.10, the South African pacer has accounted for 12 wickets in eight games.But barring the two seamers, Mumbai's bowling has disappointed. IPL 2024 Squads for DC vs MI: Delhi Capitals: Rishabh Pant (c), David Warner, Abishek Porel, Ricky Bhui, Yash Dhull, Shai Hope, Prithvi Shaw, Tristan Stubbs, Kumar Kushagra, Swastik Chikara, Ishant Sharma, Jhye Richardson, Rasikh Dar Salam, Vicky Ostwal, Anrich Nortje, Mukesh Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Praveen Dubey, Khaleel Ahmed, Sumit Kumar, Axar Patel, Gulbadin Naib, Lalit Yadav, Jake Fraser-McGurk. Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya (c), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Dewald Brevis, Jasprit Bumrah, Piyush Chawla, Gerald Coetzee, Tim David, Shreyas Gopal, Ishan Kishan (wk), Anshul Kamboj, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal, Kwena Maphaka, Mohammad Nabi, Shams Mulani, Naman Dhir, Shivalik Sharma, Romario Shepherd, Arjun Tendulkar, Nuwan Thushara, Tilak Varma, Harvik Desai, Nehal Wadhera, Luke Wood. (With PTI Inputs)
26 April,2024 01:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs the Indian wicketkeeper-batsmen are displaying an extraordinary show in the IPL 2024 with the willow as well as big gloves, the question that arises is who will board the flight for the T20 World Cup 2024? The global showpiece is set to kick start in June. Lucknow Super Giants' captain KL Rahul can be one of the most debatable choices for the slot of India's wicketkeeper-batsman for the T20 World Cup 2024. KL's form in the cash-rich league's 2024 edition is quite decent. So far, in eight matches, he has scored 302 runs with a highest score of 82 runs. LSG skipper is also seen taking correct DRS calls during the matches. KL Rahul also has the ability to shift gears according to the T20 conditions. Keeping in view, the West Indies track, KL is likely ahead of the other keepers in the Indian squad. Also Read: IN PHOTOS | IPL 2024, RCB vs SRH: Bengaluru's showdown in Hyderabad Returning from a near-to-death accident, Rishabh Pant is also among the talk for the T20 World Cup 2024 slot. Previously, the concern was related to his fitness, but as time passed, Pant seemed to be quite promising with his glovework. So far, featuring in nine IPL matches, the left-hander has accumulated 342 runs and has been batting well down the order. Sanju Samson is another contender for the T20 World Cup 2024. The right-hander has been displaying impressive strokes as he has registered 314 runs in eight IPL 2024 matches. His footwork against the spinner in the IPL 2024 has impressed everyone. Also Read: Moment when Sachin Tendulkar made his arrival in world cricket Dinesh Karthik, an absolute match-winner has gained the limelight during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL 2024 matches. Despite, RCB having ups and downs in their campaign, Karthik has been a consistent performer with his willow. His match-winning abilities put him in the place where the position of regular keeper can be questioned. Coming down the order, Karthik can be a useful option to give the opposition the final touches. Ishan Kishan's form after a few matches has seen an unexpected dig. In eight IPL 2024, the left-hander has managed to score 192 runs. Donning big gloves, Kishan has showcased decent performances if compared to the above four contenders. Rohit Sharma will be leading the Indian squad in the T20 World Cup 2024. The squad is expected to be announced by the end of this month. The "Men in Blue" will begin their campaign against Ireland on June 5. The mega clash of cricket, India vs Pakistan is set to be played on June 9.
26 April,2024 12:52 PM IST | Mumbai | Sujay Shivalkar
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 ChatterjeeADVERTISEMENT
