Kings XI Punjab’s batting will be up against the effective bowling of Sunrisers Hyderabad in an Indian Premier League (IPL) game between two in-form teams here on Thursday. The live telecast of the IPL 2018 match between Kings XI Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad will start at 8 PM on April 19th (Thursday). Today’s IPL live match can be seen on the Star Sports network and IPL online free live streaming will be available on hotstar.com and Jio app. You can also follow our live blog for ball-by-ball updates and analysis on cricketnext.com. While Punjab have registered two wins in three matches so far, Hyderabad have won three games in a row, as both the teams registered crucial wins at the beginning of the tournament. The match at the Punjab Cricket Stadium pits a home side that has a lot of batting firepower against a Hyderabad side that is very balanced and their bowling line-up one of the best in the tournament. Punjab’s top-order batsmen Lokesh Rahul, Karun Nair — both from Karnataka — have delivered in the first three matches. One thing that will please the northern outfit is the return to form of West Indian marauder Chris Gayle, who blasted 63 off 33 deliveries during their four-run win over Chennai Super Kings in their last match. However, Punjab will want another veteran, Yuvraj Singh, and Mayank Aggarwal to also be among the runs as the home batsmen will require to be on top of their game against the Hyderabad bowlers. SRH’s strength lies in their bowling which has a lot of variety. They have restricted their opponents in three matches within the 150-run mark. Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who bowled 18 dot balls against Mumbai Indians, is a prime example. Besides Rashid, the likes of Billy Stanlake, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shakib Al Hasan, Sandeep Sharma and Siddharth Kaul provide a lot of options. Bhuvneshwar did not play against MI due to back pain but came back strongly to pick up three wickets for 26 runs against KKR, which must have relieved the Kane Williamson-led side. Also, one cannot underestimate SRH’s batting might. Hyderabad’s all three wins have come while chasing. Shikhar Dhawan, with 130 runs so far, has continued his superb form in the limited-overs cricket. With two crucial knocks of 50 and 36, Williamson has sent a message that the pressure of captaincy even in T20 cricket doesn’t overpower him. Williamson has been a class act for New Zealand and continues to be so here, ensuring that the side doesn’t miss the leadership shown by former captain David Warner. Hyderabad may continue to use wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha as a top-order batsman even if he has not cashed in on the opportunities so far. Apart from him, the likes of Shakib, Manish Pandey are proven performers and will look to showcase their talent again, especially against Punjab bowlers who have proved to be expensive, barring young Afghan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Captain Ravichandran Ashwin will hope fellow bowlers like Andrew Tye, Mohit Sharma and Barinder Sran restrict the Hyderabad line-up. The squads: SRH: Kane Williamson (Captain), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Manish Pandey, Rashid Khan Arman, Shikhar Dhawan, Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), Sandeep Sharma, Shakib Al Hasan, Carlos Brathwaite, Yusuf Pathan, Mohammad Nabi Eisakhil, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Billy Stanlake, Siddharth Kaul, Deepak Hooda, Syed Khaleel Ahmed, Shreevats Goswami, Basil Thampi, T. Natarajan, Bipul Sharma, Mehdi Hasan, Ricky Bhui, Sachin Baby, Tanmay Agarwal. KXIP: Ravichandran Ashwin (Captain), Axar Patel, Yuvraj Singh, Karun Nair, Lokesh Rahul, Chris Gayle, David Miller, Aaron Finch, Marcus Stoinis, Mayank Agarwal, Ankit Rajpoot, Manoj Tiwary, Mohit Sharma, Mujeeb Zadran, Barinder Sran, Andrew Tye, Akshdeep Nath, Ben Dwarshuis, Pardeep Sahu, Mayank Dagar, Manzoor Dar.
IPL 2018 Full Schedule
IPL 2018 Points Table
Author: News Analysis India
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Can Topedo Rashid Stop Gayle-force?
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Record-breaking Virat Kohli Becomes Highest Run-scorer
Indian Virat Kohli did not begin the current season of the IPL in the way he would have liked, but over the last couple of games, first against Rajasthan Royals and then against the Mumbai Indians he has come into his own.
While the Royal Challengers Bangalore have had no results to write home about, Kohli has been the silver lining for the otherwise floundering side. The captain who scored an unbeaten 92 right at the top of the order was the only major contributor as they tried to chase down the target of 214.
RCB may have lost once again after conceding more than 200 runs for the second consecutive game, but Kohli’s knock means he is now the highest scorer in the ongoing season. Kohli has amassed a total of 201 runs in four innings at an average of 67 and a strike rate of 143.Against Mumbai, Kohli scored more than 55 percent of the runs for his team and face more than half the balls bowled by the opposition too on his way to recording the second highest individual score (92*) of the season so far. Co-incidentally, the highest individual score so far this season was also scored in Tuesday’s match by Rohit Sharma (94).
Kohli, who is well known for his batting prowess and how he can dismantle opposition bowling attacks with utmost ease is the only person to have breached the 200 run mark this season. He has managed it in four games.
The Indian captain who has many batting record to his name, is now also the highest run scorer across all seasons of the IPL. Kohli’s knock against Mumbai took him past his India teammate and Chennai Super Kings man Suresh Raina. Behind the duo is another Indian batsman – Rohit Sharma.
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Virat Kohli Rues the Lack of Partnerships Against Mumbai Indians
Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli was extremely disappointed and unhappy with his batsmen against Mumbai Indians and believes they squandered a chance to make a statement. RCB who were chasing 214 against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai fell 46 runs short of the target, with Kohli being the lone warrior with a strokeful unbeaten 92.
“We just threw it away, and must reflect on our dismissals. Few good partnerships would’ve done the trick for us. Not the 40-45 scores but 80-85 one. But credit to Mumbai who bowled really well,” Kohli said post the defeat.
With his swashbuckling knock, Virat Kohli is now the highest scorer in this season’s IPL and is also the current owner of the orange cap. Kohli’s run tally after four games stands at 201.“I don’t really want to wear the orange cap right now. Mumbai played well, we didn’t get any chances, and when you have your back against the wall – like they did – they could play fearlessly. We tried our hardest but couldn’t get the breakthroughs in after the two early wickets,” a dejected Kohli added.
Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma though was pleased with his team’s performance as they broke a run of defeats in their fourth game.
“It wasn’t the ideal situation and I thought Umesh bowled in the right areas. There’s always something for the seamers in the first six overs, but the wicket was still soft when I came in, so just wanted to assess the situation and pace my innings. Always easier when you spend some time in the crease. This is a perfect game for us,” Rohit said after the win.
Mumbai’s batting, especially the captain has come under some scrutiny in the early stages of the IPL this year, but Rohit who will feel better after the 94 run knock says he is likely to bat at number four for Mumbai to give support to middle order.
“We can take lot of confidence from this game and move ahead. Yes, we lost the last three games, but we’ve played some good cricket. It was all about putting a collective performance. The idea behind me at No. 4 is to give the team some support towards the middle. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced player in the middle. Whatever I need to do for the team,” he said.
Rohit also showered high praise on the West Indian opener Evin Lewis who saw two of his teammates dismissed of their first ball at the beginning of the innings before going on to score an important half century.
“Lewis is very hard to bowl at once he gets in. The other day he played a crucial knock as well, but we did a mistake of not finishing off against Delhi Daredevils. If he continues to bat this way, then life will be much easier for our other batsmen,” he said.
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Five Indian Players Who Made it Big After Shining in the IPL
The Indian Premier League has over the years been a breeding ground for talented youngsters who have honed their skills by rubbing shoulders with the big international cricketers. Many of them have gone on to carve a niche for themselves in international cricket as well. Cricketnext takes a look at five Indian players, who hit the big league after their eye-catching performances in the IPL.
1) Yusuf PathanThe senior Pathan brother had made his international debut in the 2007 ICC WT20 final, but had not hit the big league yet. He was picked up by the Rajasthan Royals in the auction ahead of the maiden season of the league as an all-rounder who had the ability to whack the ball a fair distance. Pathan repaid that faith shown in him by the team management by becoming one of the pillars of the team, which went on to beat more fancied rivals to become champions of the inaugural season. Pathan was immediately included in the Indian team and had a fairly successful stint for a while. He was part of the 2011 ICC World Cup winning squad as well. Pathan played a total of 57 ODIs and 21 T20Is before fading away from the international scene. He went on to become an important part of the new-look Kolkata Knight Riders team, with who he won two IPL titles. Currently playing in the league for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
2) Ravindra Jadeja
A talented left-arm spinner who could use the long handle, Ravindra Jadeja was part of India’s U-19 World Cup winning team of 2008 and was picked up by Rajasthan Royals in the IPL auction. While he played his part in the championship winning season of 2008, Jadeja was banned from the IPL for a season after trying to secure a move to Chennai Super Kings against the rules. Jadeja turned out for CSK in the 2011 season and had an immediate impact with both bat and ball. CSK went on to win back to back titles the same season and Jadeja became an important part of MS Dhoni’s plans even on the international scene. ODI, T20I and Test debuts followed respectively as Jadeja became an integral part of Team India. He has since gone on to become the top rated Test bowler in ICC rankings, but the rise of wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav has seen him lose his position in the limited overs team after the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
3) Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane was for long one of India’s most talented young batsmen who had to wait in the wings as the fab four continued to rule the roost in Test cricket. He made his ODI and T20I debut for India in the year 2011 but was yet to cement his place in the team. The year 2012 saw Rahane open the innings in the IPL for Rajasthan Royals and play some scintillating knocks through the season. He displayed great technique and his strokeplay had a degree class in it, as the Mumbaikar went on to score three half-centuries and a century in the campaign and finished with 560 runs. This performance catapulted Rahane to stardom and he soon made his Test debut in 2013. Rahane has since gone from strength to strength in the longest format, becoming a mainstay in the middle order. While he is yet to cement a permanent spot in the limited overs team, he remains an integral part of the Indian team set-up ahead of the 2019 ICC World Cup.
4) Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal’s stocks have sky-rocketed ever since he became a potent weapon in the IPL for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Chahal has taken his skills to the next level and become a wicket-taking bowler not just for his franchise but for India as well. His breakthrough season came in 2015 as RCB, under the leadership and batting might of Virat Kohli, launched a bid for their maiden title in the 2015 season. Chahal was outstanding as he outfoxed top batsmen with his guile and ended the season with 23 wickets. RCB lost the second qualifier after finishing third in the points table. Chahal followed that season with another great campaign in 2016, finishing with 21 wickets as RCB this time lost in the final. An India cap followed in early 2017 and Chahal played a pivotal role as India defetaed England in the T20I series. Chahal’s great T20I form landed him an ODI debut and his form in limited overs cricket has been top notch. His wicket-taking ability has turned him into Team India’s premier bowler and his performance in England could be the key to India’s chances in the ICC World Cup.
5) Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya made his presence felt in the Mumbai Indians team in his debut season of 2015 as he belted some big sixes lower down the order to catch everyone’s attention. His numbers weren’t eye-catching but his performance and energy on the field was. Team India was looking for a pace bowling all-rounder and Hardik fit the bill as he was handed a high-profile T20I debut ahead of the 2016 WT20. He showed his maturity on the big stage as he bowled the crucial final over in the match against Bangladesh and took India home. He has since made his debut in ODIs and Test matches and made an instant impact in all three formats.
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Sanju Samson Fighting Lone Battle for Rajasthan Royals A Worry Ahead of KKR Clash
Since they have returned from their suspension the Rajasthan Royals have won two of their three games, and in one have posted what is the highest score this season so far. The Royals scored 217 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the last match, with Sanju Samson (92*) getting the bulk of the runs.
The Royals, in their three innings so far have totally scored 470 runs, with Samson being the only one who has scored more than 50.Samson, who has been the pick of the batsmen for the Royals, has scored a total of 178 runs, which is close to 40% of the total runs the team has scored.Samson’s tally is also almost double their second most successful batsman so far, captain Ajinkya Rahane who has scored 94 runs in three innings.
The Rajasthan Royals are also the only team who have got just one half-centurion among their ranks, even if the tournament is in its early stages now.
Against the Dinesh Karthik-led Kolkata Knight Riders, who have the most successful spinners in the IPL so far, the Royals will definitely need more than just Sanju Samson to stand up and be counted if they are to get a positive result.
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Hardik Pandya Apologises to Ishan Kishan, Calls Him ‘Cutie Pie’
Mumbai Indians all-rounder Hardik Pandya has apologised to wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan after a throw from Pandya — in the 13th over of the RCB innings — jumped from a bowler’s footmark near the popping crease and hit Kishan in the eye. Kishan was in a lot of pain and was given temporary medication before being taken off the field by the MI physio. Kishan’s right eye looked visibly swollen as he walked off. Aditya Tare kept wickets for Mumbai for the rest of the game.
Speaking at the end of the game Rohit Sharma said: “Unfortunate, I have not checked on him because I came here right after the presentation got over. He seems all-right, he has got little swelling in his eyes, which should be ok by tomorrow/ day after, we have got few days before we play the next match on 22nd, we have got 3-4 days, where we will assess and hopefully he will be fine.”
Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 92 went in vain as Rohit Sharma’s 94 helped Mumbai Indians beat Royal Challengers Bangalore to register their first win of the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday.
With this 46-run win, the defending champions have opened their account in the league while as for the losing skipper Kohli, he is now the proud owner of the orange cap. Also, during the course of his stunning innings, he surpassed Suresh Raina as the highest run-getter in the history of the league.
Chasing a mammoth target of 214, Bangalore got off to the best start possible with skipper Kohli and Quinton de Kock taking the attack to the Mumbai bowlers. The duo put on a stunning 40-run partnership for the opening wicket to give the away side an ideal start. However, it all changed in the fifth over of the innings when Mitchell McClenaghan came into the attack and got rid of de Kock and AB De Villiers in a span of four deliveries.
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Virat Kohli Doesn’t Feel Like Wearing Orange Cap After Loss, Markande Elated to Get Purple Cap
Winning and losing might be part and parcel of competitive sports, but Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli definitely likes to end on the winning side and that was evident when he was handed the orange cap at the end of the game at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.
Speaking as he was presented the orange cap as he now has 201 runs from 4 games, Kohli said: “I don’t feel like wearing this (orange cap) right now because it really doesn’t matter.”
Kohli is not only the highest run-getter at present in the current edition of the Indian Premier League, but is also the man with the most runs over the 11 editions of the cash-rich league with 4619 runs. He surpassed Chennai Super Kings batsman Suresh Raina – 4558 runs. At the third place is Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma with 4345 runs.On the other hand, Mumbai spinner Mayank Markande was handed the purple cap as he now has 8 wickets from 4 games and is closely followed by RCB pacer Chris Woakes who also has 8 wickets. They are followed by Sunil Narine with 7 wickets.
Speaking at the presentation, Markande said: “I am really glad to get the purple cap again. Really feels nice to compete with world class bowlers like Narine and Woakes.”
Markande picked up three wickets in Mumbai Indians’ opener against Chennai Super Kings and followed that up with a four-wicket haul against Sunrisers Hyderabad. While the defending champions were on the wrong end of the result on both occasions, Markande caught everyone’s attention with his guile and variety.
“He was working with me on his plans for certain batsmen here in Patiala before the IPL. After the match against CSK, we spoke over phone the next morning and he told me that he had planned MS Dhoni’s dismissal. He had even planned Rayudu’s dismissal by bowling him the flipper. The most important thing about Mayank is the amount of confidence he has, even as a youngster. He knows everything about his own game and works accordingly. This will hold him in good stead in future as he will now step into first-class cricket,” a proud coach Mahesh Inder Singh told Cricketnext.
Markande has played in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the domestic T20 and ODI tournaments respectively, but is yet to play in the Ranji Trophy for Punjab. His coach feels that his exploits in the IPL will boost his confidence and he could do well in the longer format as well.
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Mumbai Indians Trounce Royal Challengers Bangalore
Virat Kohli’s 92* went in vain as Rohit Sharma’s 94 helped Mumbai Indians beat Royal Challengers Bangalore to register their first win of the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, on Tuesday. With this 46-run win, the defending champions have opened their account in the league while as for the losing skipper Kohli, he is now the proud owner of the orange cap. Also, during the course of his stunning innings, he surpassed Suresh Raina as the highest run-getter in the history of the league.
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Courtesy meeting with Chief Minister Shri Kanubhai Taylor
Raipur, / Chief Minister. Raman Singh today founder Disable Welfare Trust of India at his residence office and respected activist Mr. Kanubhai from Pdsri Taylor paid courtesy calls. Speaking on the occasion. Singh was awarded insignia Bentkr. The Padma Shri Kanubhai Taylor himself divyanga are being made to improve Diwyangajnon welfare and quality of life are associated with different functions. His body Disable Welfare Trust of India Diwyangajon is working for the vocational training and rehabilitation. -
Sunil Narine Joins Illustrious List, Becomes Third Overseas Bowler to Scalp 100 Wickets
West Indian spin wizard Sunil Narine has added a fresh feather into his already illustrious cap by becoming only the third overseas bowler in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to scalp 100 wickets.
During Kolkata’s fourth match of the season against Delhi Daredevils, Narine finished with stunning figures of 3/18 in 3 overs to play a more than important role in guiding the home side to their second win of the season.
And by doing to, Narine became only the 11th bowler in the history of the league to go past the magical 100-mark, as far as wickets are concerned.Lasith Malinga (O): 154
Amit Mishra: 134
Piyush Chawla: 130
Harbhajan Singh: 129
Dwayne Bravo (O): 123
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 115
Ashish Nehra: 106
Vinay Kumar: 105
R Ashwin: 104
Sunil Narine (O): 102
Zaheer Khan: 102Moreover, Narine’s economy rate is also the best amongst all the players that have bowled at least 250 deliveries in the league. Narine takes the top spot ahead of the likes of Rashid Khan, Shaun Pollock and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Sunil Narine: 6.3
Rashid Khan: 6.4
R Ashwin: 6.5
Shaun Pollock: 6.5In the ongoing edition of the league, Narine has started ever so well and is currently the proud owner of the purple cap. So far, in four matches, Narine has scalped 7 wickets and he has given just 82 runs off the 90 deliveries that he has bowled thus far.
Following their latest win in the league, KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik had high praise for the spinners, especially Narine.
“The wrist spinners are picked in the IPL for a purpose. They’re doing a good job for us, they’re top quality spinners. Days you don’t win you sleep and wake up with a lot of thoughts. It’s something I’m getting used to. You’ve got to try and separate your batting and captaincy and do the job,” Karthik said.