News Analysis India

Tag: Indian Premier League 2022

  • How Shikhar Dhawan changed the batting strategy after debacle against Delhi Capitals

    By IANS

    MUMBAI: Punjab Kings seem to have learnt a lesson from their defeat in the previous game against Delhi Capitals on April 20, where their ultra-aggressive approach let them down big time.

    On Monday, Shikhar Dhawan — who made just nine in the nine-wicket thrashing by DC — took his time to establish himself at the crease before unleashing a flurry of strokes as he ended up making a 59-ball 88, which proved decisive in the end and helped PBKS return with a vengeance to beat Chennai Super Kings by 11 runs.

    The ultra-attacking approach in the previous game had been massively criticised as PBKS had folded up for 115, but on Monday, the put on an imposing 187 at the Wankhede.

    Dhawan said he focused on the process after the debacle against DC, adding that staying calm early on proved decisive.

    “The process, I always talk about it, I focus on it. About my fitness, my approach — I keep working on those skills. Results will take care of itself. The wicket was stopping a bit (like the previous game against DC), I tried to go for the big shots, but I couldn’t connect. But I kept my calm. Once I get set, I can get those boundaries; that’s what I bank on. While batting first, it’s about putting pressure on the bowlers and getting boundaries. We don’t have to lose too many wickets, that was our conscious effort,” said Dhawan.

    He added about his interaction with the PBKS camp following the loss to DC. “I have become a senior in the team (laughs), I give a lot of input to the players and my captain, on the field. The youngsters think a lot, sometimes they overthink, so I try to communicate with them. I talk about the law of attraction and how to achieve big in life,” he said.

    It was a big win for the Punjab Kings in terms of how important these two points were at this crucial stage in the tournament. The team will take on Lucknow Super Giants next on April 29.

    Rabada opened up about the way PBKS began the game and later, the nerves in the bowling department. “In the powerplay, we were a bit behind the rate, but I must commend Shikhar and Mayank (Agarwal) the way they held their nerve, and then the way Shikhar and Bhanu (Bhanuka Rajapaksa) played was just unbelievable,” the South African pacer said.

    He added, “They set the platform for our batters to come in and play freely and then Liam Livingstone came in and hit a few gentle strokes out of the park and that set us up nicely. We got ourselves a winning total and I thought each and every individual in our bowling attack put their hand up.”

  • CSK coach Stephen Fleming feels MS Dhoni’s best time to come out for batting is from 15 overs onwards

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming on Monday said the best time for MS Dhoni to come out to bat is from 15 overs onwards.

    Shikhar Dhawan’s unbeaten 88 helped Punjab Kings beat Chennai Super Kings by 11 runs at the Wankhede Stadium here. Ambati Rayudu’s 39-ball 78-run knock went in vain as CSK lost their sixth match of the season.

    “We lost a wicket in the 13th over, pretty close to when we have seen MS Dhoni come in the last 13 years. We had this discussion a lot, MS’ best time is from about 15 overs onwards and Jadeja has played some good innings for us from the stage, and we don’t throw that out based on 1-2 games,” said Fleming during a post-match press conference.

    About the match, Fleming said that when a match is as high scoring as one played on Monday, there are always a couple of twists and turns where the team could have performed better.

    “For the majority of the innings, we were in control. But they (PBKS) finished really well,” added the CSK head coach.

    About Rayadu’s hand injury, Fleming said that the first check was done around the break and the player’s hand was bruising.

    “It was just a case of icing that and getting that down and I think a little padding around the glove. It was the same hand that was broken sometime back, so it is still pretty tender and a knock like that can obviously cause some damage. But fortunately for us, it settled down he batted well,” he added.

    Fleming said that all-rounder Moeen Ali, who injured his ankle, is in his recovery period.

    “X-Rays revealed there was no fracture, which is good. We are hopeful that the recovery will be quick, given that there is no fracture,” added the coach.

    Coming to the match, Punjab Kings lost captain Mayank Agarwal early during the powerplay. But a 110-run stand between Shikhar Dhawan (88*) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (42) and some hard-hitting strokes of Liam Livingstone (19), PBKS reached 187/4 at the end of their 20 overs.

    Chasing 188, CSK kept losing wickets at regular intervals, though Ruturaj Gaikwad (30) and Ambati Rayadu ensured that the team crossed the 50-run mark in 7.5 overs. Later, Rayadu (78) continued his assault on the Punjab bowling line-up, putting a 64-run stand with captain Ravindra Jadeja (21). The equation came down to 27 in the last over, MS Dhoni attempted to take his team over the line, but was caught by Jonny Bairstow while attempting to hit it over the ropes.

    Punjab Kings won the match by 11 runs and Shikhar Dhawan was given the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his 88* off 59 which included nine fours and two sixes.

    With this win, Punjab Kings are at the sixth spot in the points table with eight points while Super Kings lay at the ninth spot with just four points. PBKS will take on Lucknow Super Giants on April 29 while CSK will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 1.

  • CSK coach Stephen Fleming feels MS Dhoni’s best time to come out for batting is from 15 overs onwards

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming on Monday said the best time for MS Dhoni to come out to bat is from 15 overs onwards.

    Shikhar Dhawan’s unbeaten 88 helped Punjab Kings beat Chennai Super Kings by 11 runs at the Wankhede Stadium here. Ambati Rayudu’s 39-ball 78-run knock went in vain as CSK lost their sixth match of the season.

    “We lost a wicket in the 13th over, pretty close to when we have seen MS Dhoni come in the last 13 years. We had this discussion a lot, MS’ best time is from about 15 overs onwards and Jadeja has played some good innings for us from the stage, and we don’t throw that out based on 1-2 games,” said Fleming during a post-match press conference.

    About the match, Fleming said that when a match is as high scoring as one played on Monday, there are always a couple of twists and turns where the team could have performed better.

    “For the majority of the innings, we were in control. But they (PBKS) finished really well,” added the CSK head coach.

    About Rayadu’s hand injury, Fleming said that the first check was done around the break and the player’s hand was bruising.

    “It was just a case of icing that and getting that down and I think a little padding around the glove. It was the same hand that was broken sometime back, so it is still pretty tender and a knock like that can obviously cause some damage. But fortunately for us, it settled down he batted well,” he added.

    Fleming said that all-rounder Moeen Ali, who injured his ankle, is in his recovery period.

    “X-Rays revealed there was no fracture, which is good. We are hopeful that the recovery will be quick, given that there is no fracture,” added the coach.

    Coming to the match, Punjab Kings lost captain Mayank Agarwal early during the powerplay. But a 110-run stand between Shikhar Dhawan (88*) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (42) and some hard-hitting strokes of Liam Livingstone (19), PBKS reached 187/4 at the end of their 20 overs.

    Chasing 188, CSK kept losing wickets at regular intervals, though Ruturaj Gaikwad (30) and Ambati Rayadu ensured that the team crossed the 50-run mark in 7.5 overs. Later, Rayadu (78) continued his assault on the Punjab bowling line-up, putting a 64-run stand with captain Ravindra Jadeja (21). The equation came down to 27 in the last over, MS Dhoni attempted to take his team over the line, but was caught by Jonny Bairstow while attempting to hit it over the ropes.

    Punjab Kings won the match by 11 runs and Shikhar Dhawan was given the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his 88* off 59 which included nine fours and two sixes.

    With this win, Punjab Kings are at the sixth spot in the points table with eight points while Super Kings lay at the ninth spot with just four points. PBKS will take on Lucknow Super Giants on April 29 while CSK will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 1.

    MUMBAI: Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming on Monday said the best time for MS Dhoni to come out to bat is from 15 overs onwards.

    Shikhar Dhawan’s unbeaten 88 helped Punjab Kings beat Chennai Super Kings by 11 runs at the Wankhede Stadium here. Ambati Rayudu’s 39-ball 78-run knock went in vain as CSK lost their sixth match of the season.

    “We lost a wicket in the 13th over, pretty close to when we have seen MS Dhoni come in the last 13 years. We had this discussion a lot, MS’ best time is from about 15 overs onwards and Jadeja has played some good innings for us from the stage, and we don’t throw that out based on 1-2 games,” said Fleming during a post-match press conference.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    About the match, Fleming said that when a match is as high scoring as one played on Monday, there are always a couple of twists and turns where the team could have performed better.

    “For the majority of the innings, we were in control. But they (PBKS) finished really well,” added the CSK head coach.

    About Rayadu’s hand injury, Fleming said that the first check was done around the break and the player’s hand was bruising.

    “It was just a case of icing that and getting that down and I think a little padding around the glove. It was the same hand that was broken sometime back, so it is still pretty tender and a knock like that can obviously cause some damage. But fortunately for us, it settled down he batted well,” he added.

    Fleming said that all-rounder Moeen Ali, who injured his ankle, is in his recovery period.

    “X-Rays revealed there was no fracture, which is good. We are hopeful that the recovery will be quick, given that there is no fracture,” added the coach.

    Coming to the match, Punjab Kings lost captain Mayank Agarwal early during the powerplay. But a 110-run stand between Shikhar Dhawan (88*) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (42) and some hard-hitting strokes of Liam Livingstone (19), PBKS reached 187/4 at the end of their 20 overs.

    Chasing 188, CSK kept losing wickets at regular intervals, though Ruturaj Gaikwad (30) and Ambati Rayadu ensured that the team crossed the 50-run mark in 7.5 overs. Later, Rayadu (78) continued his assault on the Punjab bowling line-up, putting a 64-run stand with captain Ravindra Jadeja (21). The equation came down to 27 in the last over, MS Dhoni attempted to take his team over the line, but was caught by Jonny Bairstow while attempting to hit it over the ropes.

    Punjab Kings won the match by 11 runs and Shikhar Dhawan was given the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his 88* off 59 which included nine fours and two sixes.

    With this win, Punjab Kings are at the sixth spot in the points table with eight points while Super Kings lay at the ninth spot with just four points. PBKS will take on Lucknow Super Giants on April 29 while CSK will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 1.

  • I always believed that Mukesh Choudhary is destined for bigger things: Coach Surendra Bhave

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: When a gangly teenager named Mukesh Choudhary, all of 16 back in the day, bowled for the first time at the 22-yards academy, there was some spark which convinced former national selector Surendra Bhave to believe that his newest ward will make it big.

    Eight years hence, 25-year-old Choudhary has grabbed opportunities provided by Chennai Super Kings with seven wickets from seven games, including a man-of-the-match winning 3/19 against Mumbai Indians.

    “When I saw him at our academy in the first week, I immediately told our coach Rajesh Mahurkar that I could 100 percent visualise a first-class player in him. They (academy coaches) still can’t believe that what I predicted came true,” Bhave, a former first-class heavyweight and current Punjab Ranji team coach told PTI.

    Bhave recollected the time when young Choudhary came to him after not being satisfied with a couple of academies.

    “Mukesh came to my academy after after having visited a couple of academies earlier. I believe somebody suggested that he visit our academy if he wants systematic coaching,” Bhave, who has scored nearly 8000 first-class runs for Maharashtra and West Zone, said.

    But since his academy did not play invitational tournaments which is a norm if one wants to make a case for Ranji Trophy selection.

    What worked for Choudhary was his good physique, coupled with a very smooth action.

    It wasn’t long before Bhave laid the first platform for the Rajasthan boy which enabled him to showcase his talent in-front of Maharashtra selectors.

    “He had a naturally beautiful action, which was refined, and had a good physique. Then he trained with us on a regular basis.

    “When I felt that he was doing well and he needed a platform, that is when I was spoke to officials of the Deccan Gymkhana club and told them that I had a rookie left-arm pacer and it was necessary for him to get a platform and that is when Deccan Gymkhana took him up,” Bhave recalled.

    Deccan Gymkhana, one of the oldest clubs in Pune, had produced many state players and when they took Choudhary into their folds, as they say the rest is history.

    “It is Maharashtra Cricket Association’s selection criteria that squads are chosen on basis of performances in the invitational leagues.”

    Bhave is happy that despite having a couple poor games, CSK persisted with him and that yielded results when he removed Rohit Sharma and ishan Kishan first up in their match against Mumbai Indians.

    “He (Mukesh) got a good platform in terms of CSK. He didn’t have two great games (but still CSK backed him). He is in right hands and a guy like MS (Mahendra Singh Dhoni) to guide him from behind the stumps, it is like a stuff of dreams (for Mukesh),” Bhave, one of the finest domestic coaches, said.

    Nikhil Dixit, his coach at Deccan Gymkhana, insisted that the rookie pacer was taking wickets at ease in the invitational tournaments and that paved the way for him.

    “Mukesh was taking wickets at ease during the invitational matches. His consistent performances helped him to break into the U-23 side and then into the Maharashtra Ranji team. He was also net bowler for the CSK, which also helped him make the cut,” said Dixit.

    MUMBAI: When a gangly teenager named Mukesh Choudhary, all of 16 back in the day, bowled for the first time at the 22-yards academy, there was some spark which convinced former national selector Surendra Bhave to believe that his newest ward will make it big.

    Eight years hence, 25-year-old Choudhary has grabbed opportunities provided by Chennai Super Kings with seven wickets from seven games, including a man-of-the-match winning 3/19 against Mumbai Indians.

    “When I saw him at our academy in the first week, I immediately told our coach Rajesh Mahurkar that I could 100 percent visualise a first-class player in him. They (academy coaches) still can’t believe that what I predicted came true,” Bhave, a former first-class heavyweight and current Punjab Ranji team coach told PTI.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Bhave recollected the time when young Choudhary came to him after not being satisfied with a couple of academies.

    “Mukesh came to my academy after after having visited a couple of academies earlier. I believe somebody suggested that he visit our academy if he wants systematic coaching,” Bhave, who has scored nearly 8000 first-class runs for Maharashtra and West Zone, said.

    But since his academy did not play invitational tournaments which is a norm if one wants to make a case for Ranji Trophy selection.

    What worked for Choudhary was his good physique, coupled with a very smooth action.

    It wasn’t long before Bhave laid the first platform for the Rajasthan boy which enabled him to showcase his talent in-front of Maharashtra selectors.

    “He had a naturally beautiful action, which was refined, and had a good physique. Then he trained with us on a regular basis.

    “When I felt that he was doing well and he needed a platform, that is when I was spoke to officials of the Deccan Gymkhana club and told them that I had a rookie left-arm pacer and it was necessary for him to get a platform and that is when Deccan Gymkhana took him up,” Bhave recalled.

    Deccan Gymkhana, one of the oldest clubs in Pune, had produced many state players and when they took Choudhary into their folds, as they say the rest is history.

    “It is Maharashtra Cricket Association’s selection criteria that squads are chosen on basis of performances in the invitational leagues.”

    Bhave is happy that despite having a couple poor games, CSK persisted with him and that yielded results when he removed Rohit Sharma and ishan Kishan first up in their match against Mumbai Indians.

    “He (Mukesh) got a good platform in terms of CSK. He didn’t have two great games (but still CSK backed him). He is in right hands and a guy like MS (Mahendra Singh Dhoni) to guide him from behind the stumps, it is like a stuff of dreams (for Mukesh),” Bhave, one of the finest domestic coaches, said.

    Nikhil Dixit, his coach at Deccan Gymkhana, insisted that the rookie pacer was taking wickets at ease in the invitational tournaments and that paved the way for him.

    “Mukesh was taking wickets at ease during the invitational matches. His consistent performances helped him to break into the U-23 side and then into the Maharashtra Ranji team. He was also net bowler for the CSK, which also helped him make the cut,” said Dixit.

  • I always believed that Mukesh Choudhary is destined for bigger things: Coach Surendra Bhave

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: When a gangly teenager named Mukesh Choudhary, all of 16 back in the day, bowled for the first time at the 22-yards academy, there was some spark which convinced former national selector Surendra Bhave to believe that his newest ward will make it big.

    Eight years hence, 25-year-old Choudhary has grabbed opportunities provided by Chennai Super Kings with seven wickets from seven games, including a man-of-the-match winning 3/19 against Mumbai Indians.

    “When I saw him at our academy in the first week, I immediately told our coach Rajesh Mahurkar that I could 100 percent visualise a first-class player in him. They (academy coaches) still can’t believe that what I predicted came true,” Bhave, a former first-class heavyweight and current Punjab Ranji team coach told PTI.

    Bhave recollected the time when young Choudhary came to him after not being satisfied with a couple of academies.

    “Mukesh came to my academy after after having visited a couple of academies earlier. I believe somebody suggested that he visit our academy if he wants systematic coaching,” Bhave, who has scored nearly 8000 first-class runs for Maharashtra and West Zone, said.

    But since his academy did not play invitational tournaments which is a norm if one wants to make a case for Ranji Trophy selection.

    What worked for Choudhary was his good physique, coupled with a very smooth action.

    It wasn’t long before Bhave laid the first platform for the Rajasthan boy which enabled him to showcase his talent in-front of Maharashtra selectors.

    “He had a naturally beautiful action, which was refined, and had a good physique. Then he trained with us on a regular basis.

    “When I felt that he was doing well and he needed a platform, that is when I was spoke to officials of the Deccan Gymkhana club and told them that I had a rookie left-arm pacer and it was necessary for him to get a platform and that is when Deccan Gymkhana took him up,” Bhave recalled.

    Deccan Gymkhana, one of the oldest clubs in Pune, had produced many state players and when they took Choudhary into their folds, as they say the rest is history.

    “It is Maharashtra Cricket Association’s selection criteria that squads are chosen on basis of performances in the invitational leagues.”

    Bhave is happy that despite having a couple poor games, CSK persisted with him and that yielded results when he removed Rohit Sharma and ishan Kishan first up in their match against Mumbai Indians.

    “He (Mukesh) got a good platform in terms of CSK. He didn’t have two great games (but still CSK backed him). He is in right hands and a guy like MS (Mahendra Singh Dhoni) to guide him from behind the stumps, it is like a stuff of dreams (for Mukesh),” Bhave, one of the finest domestic coaches, said.

    Nikhil Dixit, his coach at Deccan Gymkhana, insisted that the rookie pacer was taking wickets at ease in the invitational tournaments and that paved the way for him.

    “Mukesh was taking wickets at ease during the invitational matches. His consistent performances helped him to break into the U-23 side and then into the Maharashtra Ranji team. He was also net bowler for the CSK, which also helped him make the cut,” said Dixit.

  • Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen backs Jos Buttler to continue sensational run in IPL

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Some of the shots he played you can’t buy them”, raved Kevin Pietersen, who backed Jos Buttler to continue his stellar show in the IPL as he is in “sublime” form.

    Buttler has been in sensational form for Rajasthan Royals, scoring centuries against Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals.

    “We are running out of adjectives and superlatives. The IPL is made incredible by the innings like these,” Pietersen said on ‘Star Sports’.

    “The spectators love this, we love this, everybody in the studio loved this. I mean some of the shots he played you can’t buy them. You can’t practice that (because) no one sells it.

    “You either have it or you don’t. He’s such a fine talent and in such a sublime form. When he starts to strike like that sometimes you’ve just got to say you know what, this guy is so good. He took his time and capitalised.

    Against the Capitals, Buttler hit nine sixes and as many fours in his sparkling 116 from 65 balls to take Rajasthan to 222-2.

    “Jos did an unbelievable job against Delhi Capitals (in the previous game). I am sure he’ll continue to do so because when you’re in this kind of form in the tournament, you’ll just bat and bat and bat, especially when the wickets are this good.

    “So, I don’t expect him to change the way he plays,” he said.

    MUMBAI: Some of the shots he played you can’t buy them”, raved Kevin Pietersen, who backed Jos Buttler to continue his stellar show in the IPL as he is in “sublime” form.

    Buttler has been in sensational form for Rajasthan Royals, scoring centuries against Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals.

    “We are running out of adjectives and superlatives. The IPL is made incredible by the innings like these,” Pietersen said on ‘Star Sports’.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “The spectators love this, we love this, everybody in the studio loved this. I mean some of the shots he played you can’t buy them. You can’t practice that (because) no one sells it.

    “You either have it or you don’t. He’s such a fine talent and in such a sublime form. When he starts to strike like that sometimes you’ve just got to say you know what, this guy is so good. He took his time and capitalised.

    Against the Capitals, Buttler hit nine sixes and as many fours in his sparkling 116 from 65 balls to take Rajasthan to 222-2.

    “Jos did an unbelievable job against Delhi Capitals (in the previous game). I am sure he’ll continue to do so because when you’re in this kind of form in the tournament, you’ll just bat and bat and bat, especially when the wickets are this good.

    “So, I don’t expect him to change the way he plays,” he said.

  • Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen backs Jos Buttler to continue sensational run in IPL

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Some of the shots he played you can’t buy them”, raved Kevin Pietersen, who backed Jos Buttler to continue his stellar show in the IPL as he is in “sublime” form.

    Buttler has been in sensational form for Rajasthan Royals, scoring centuries against Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals.

    “We are running out of adjectives and superlatives. The IPL is made incredible by the innings like these,” Pietersen said on ‘Star Sports’.

    “The spectators love this, we love this, everybody in the studio loved this. I mean some of the shots he played you can’t buy them. You can’t practice that (because) no one sells it.

    “You either have it or you don’t. He’s such a fine talent and in such a sublime form. When he starts to strike like that sometimes you’ve just got to say you know what, this guy is so good. He took his time and capitalised.

    Against the Capitals, Buttler hit nine sixes and as many fours in his sparkling 116 from 65 balls to take Rajasthan to 222-2.

    “Jos did an unbelievable job against Delhi Capitals (in the previous game). I am sure he’ll continue to do so because when you’re in this kind of form in the tournament, you’ll just bat and bat and bat, especially when the wickets are this good.

    “So, I don’t expect him to change the way he plays,” he said.

  • Many sporting giants have gone through this phase: Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma after poor run at IPL 2022

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: Following a dismal show in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma expressed his gratitude to the well-wishers and said many sporting giants have gone through such phases.

    MI is currently having the worst run in the history of IPL. The five-time champions have faced defeat in all the eight matches they have played so far.

    “We haven’t put our best foot forward in this tournament but that happens, many sporting giants have gone through this phase but I love this team and its environment.

    Also want to appreciate our well-wishers who’ve shown faith and undying loyalty to this team so far,” tweeted Rohit Sharma.

    The MI skipper is also having an off time with the bat as he has only scored 153 runs in eight games.

    On Sunday, Mumbai suffered their eighth defeat of IPL 2022 against Lucknow Super Giants, after KL Rahul’s unbeaten knock of 103 and Krunal Pandya’s three-wicket haul guided their side to a 36-run win.

    MI are next scheduled to clash with Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai on Saturday.

  • Many sporting giants have gone through this phase: Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma after poor run at IPL 2022

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: Following a dismal show in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma expressed his gratitude to the well-wishers and said many sporting giants have gone through such phases.

    MI is currently having the worst run in the history of IPL. The five-time champions have faced defeat in all the eight matches they have played so far.

    “We haven’t put our best foot forward in this tournament but that happens, many sporting giants have gone through this phase but I love this team and its environment.

    Also want to appreciate our well-wishers who’ve shown faith and undying loyalty to this team so far,” tweeted Rohit Sharma.

    The MI skipper is also having an off time with the bat as he has only scored 153 runs in eight games.

    On Sunday, Mumbai suffered their eighth defeat of IPL 2022 against Lucknow Super Giants, after KL Rahul’s unbeaten knock of 103 and Krunal Pandya’s three-wicket haul guided their side to a 36-run win.

    MI are next scheduled to clash with Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai on Saturday.

    MUMBAI: Following a dismal show in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma expressed his gratitude to the well-wishers and said many sporting giants have gone through such phases.

    MI is currently having the worst run in the history of IPL. The five-time champions have faced defeat in all the eight matches they have played so far.

    “We haven’t put our best foot forward in this tournament but that happens, many sporting giants have gone through this phase but I love this team and its environment.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Also want to appreciate our well-wishers who’ve shown faith and undying loyalty to this team so far,” tweeted Rohit Sharma.

    The MI skipper is also having an off time with the bat as he has only scored 153 runs in eight games.

    On Sunday, Mumbai suffered their eighth defeat of IPL 2022 against Lucknow Super Giants, after KL Rahul’s unbeaten knock of 103 and Krunal Pandya’s three-wicket haul guided their side to a 36-run win.

    MI are next scheduled to clash with Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai on Saturday.

  • Delhi Capitals’ Tim Seifert tests positive for COVID, tonight’s game against Punjab Kings under doubt

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The IPL game between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings on Wednesday evening has been put under serious doubt after wicket-keeper batter Tim Seifert tested positive for COVID-19.

    The New Zealand player is the second overseas cricketer in the Capitals team after Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh to catch the infection, taking the overall count of positive cases to six.

    The positive case emerged after a fresh round of testing conducted on Wednesday morning, according to a BCCI source.

    “As far as we know, Tim Seifert of New Zealand has tested positive,” said a BCCI source.

    “We were tested in the morning and we will be tested again shortly. We continue to be isolated,” said a player on the condition of anonymity.

    Officials from the Punjab franchise told PTI the squad was ready to leave for the venue.

    As per the IPL regulations, a minimum of 12 players including seven Indians are needed for the game to go ahead in case of a COVID outbreak.

    There is also an option to reschedule the game if the minimum player requirement is not met.

    The BCCI was on Tuesday forced to shift the game to Mumbai from Pune “to avoid any further incident due to any undetected case during a long-distance bus journey in a closed environment”.

    Delhi physio Patrick Farhart and sports massage therapist Chetan Kumar had tested positive last week while Marsh, who is hospitalised, team doctor Abhijit Salvi and social media content team member Akash Mane returned positive tests on Monday.

    Seifert had also contracted the virus last season when he was with the Kolkata Knight Riders.

    Multiple cases across four teams had forced the organisers to suspended the IPL last season before it was completed in the UAE in September-October.