News Analysis India

Tag: IPL

  • Ravichandran Ashwin hits back at KKR captain Eoin Morgan, asks him to ‘stop taking moral high ground’

    By PTI

    DUBAI: An angry Ravichandran Ashwin on Thursday asked Eoin Morgan and Tim Southee to not use “derogatory” words and lecture him on ‘Spirit of Cricket’ by taking a moral high ground after their on-field bust-up over an extra run during an IPL game.

    During Tuesday’s IPL match between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders, Ashwin tried to take a run after a throw from the deep by Rahul Tripathi had ricocheted off his partner Rishabh Pant’s body.

    Morgan and Ashwin then had an altercation with the England white-ball skipper calling the Indian a “disgrace” and accusing him of not adhering to the ‘Spirit of Cricket’ despite MCC rules allowing runs after rebound from a batsman’s body.

    England were also awarded four runs after a throw from the deep had rebounded off Ben Stokes’ bat during the 2019 World Cup final, and the umpire had signalled overthrows, leading to their title triumph.

    On Tuesday, after Ashwin was dismissed by fast bowler Southee, the bowler had apparently rebuked the senior India star by saying, “That’s what happens when you cheat”.

    Soon Ashwin was seen charging towards Morgan and Southee, prompting Dinesh Karthik to intervene and douse the fire.

    In a series of tweets, Ashwin clarified his stand and made it clear that he would again run if the ball hit a fielder’s body.

    “1. I turned to run the moment I saw the fielder throw and dint (didn’t) know the ball had hit Rishabh. 2. Will I run if I see it!? Of course I will and I am allowed to. 3. Am I a disgrace like Morgan said I was? Of course NOT,” Ashwin said.

    He then told Morgan and Southee that ‘Spirit of Cricket’ can’t be different strokes for different folks.

    “Did I fight? No, I stood up for myself and that’s what my teachers and parents taught me to do and pls (please) teach your children to stand up for themselves.

    “In Morgan or Southee’s world of cricket they can choose and stick to what they believe is right or wrong but do not have the right to take a moral high ground and use words that are derogatory,” he further wrote.

    Ashwin is not liking that people have got down to passing judgements because of this incident.

    “What’s even more surprising is the fact that people are discussing this and also trying to talk about who is the good and bad person here!” The Indian off-spinner with 400-plus Test scalps then said that all ‘Old School’ proponents of the gentleman’s game should allow different perspectives to co exist.

    “There are millions of cricketers with several thought processes that play this great game to make it their careers, teach them that an extra run taken due to a poor throw aimed to get you out can make your career and an extra yard stolen by the non striker can break your career,” he wrote.

    He also requested people to not judge on the basis of on-field cricketing decisions, saying that all those who criticise are the ones who have made a living out of it.

    “Do not confuse them by telling them that you will be termed a good person if you refuse the run or warn the non striker, because all these people who are terming you good or bad have already made a living or they are doing what it takes to be successful elsewhere.

    “Give your heart and soul on the field and play within the rules of the game and shake your hands once the game is over. The above is the only ‘spirit of the game’ I understand,” he said.

  • All eyes on Venkatesh Iyer vs Ravi Bishnoi match-up as upbeat KKR square off against Punjab Kings

    By PTI

    DUBAI: IPL’s newest sensation Venkatesh Iyer’s footwork or the lack of it will be put through a stern test against the sharp googlies bowled by Ravi Bishnoi when Kolkata Knight Riders square off against a beleaguered Punjab Kings here on Friday.

    Knights all-rounder Venkatesh has caught everyone’s attention with his fearless strokeplay against genuine pace but Bishnoi’s wrist spin has troubled the best in the business during the last two editions.

    It will be the biggest match-up in the game which is very important for KL Rahul’s Punjab Kings if they have any intentions of staying afloat in the competition.

    Rahul had admitted after the defeat against Mumbai that his team has not played well under pressure and needs to put up a better fight.

    The poor show from the middle-order has also hurt them badly as only Rahul (422 runs) and his opening partner Mayank Agarwal (332 runs) have found some form.

    ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle, with 193 runs from 10 games, has been the biggest disappointment.

    Likewise, Nicholas Pooran, the highly rated West Indies dasher, has managed only 70 runs in 10 knocks which perfectly summarises Punjab Kings’ troubles.

    The Indian talent has also not come to the party as far as batting is concerned with both M Shahrukh Khan and Deepak Hooda not making the best use of the opportunities that they have got so far.

    There have been way too many batting collapses and it will be a challenge of sorts for these players to face Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy on a slow track.

    The eight overs from the premier spinners could go a long way in deciding the fate of the match.

    Punjab also has problems aplenty in the bowling department with none save for Bishnoi (9 wickets economy rate 6.16) have been able to trouble the opposition batsmen.

    Mohammed Shami (14 wickets, 7.68) and Arshdeep Singh (13 wickets, 7.64) have got wickets but have leaked runs at the death, most recently against Mumbai Indians the other day.

    For KKR, Venkatesh’s (126 runs at strike rate of 144 plus) mastery against spin has not yet been a topic of discussion but it will be interesting to see if he can survive the first spell of Shami and Arshdeep.

    Also, how he tackles Bishnoi and left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar during the middle overs will be keenly observed.

    Venkatesh will certainly like to put up a strong show which will get him a fat contract during the big IPL auction next year.

    KKR have also made one correct move by sending Nitish Rana up the order as he is a far better player of spin bowling than his skipper Eoin Morgan.

    The strategy paid dividends in their win against Delhi Capitals earlier in the tournament.

    Teams

    Kolkata Knight Riders: Eoin Morgan (C), Dinesh Karthik, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Karun Nair, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathy, Shubman Gill, Harbhajan Singh, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Kuldeep Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Pawan Negi, M Prasidh Krishna, Sandeep Warrier, Shivam Dube, Tim Southee, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy, Andre Russel, Ben Cutting, Shakib Al Hasan, Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Sheldon Jackson, Tim Seifert

    Punjab Kings: KL Rahul (C), Mayank Agarwal, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Porel, Shahrukh Khan, Mohammed Shami, Nathan Ellis, Adil Rashid, Murugan Ashwin, Harpreet Brar, Moises Henriques, Chris Jordan, Aiden Markram, Mandeep Singh, Darsan Nalkande, Prabhsimran Singh, Ravi BIshnoi, Utkarsh Singh, Fabian Allen, Saurabh Kumar, Jalaj Saxena.

    Match Starts: 7:30 pm IST.

  • IPL 2021: KS Bharat genuine top-class batter, says RCB teammate Glenn Maxwell

    By ANI

    DUBAI: After registering a seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) all-rounder Glenn Maxwell praised Srikar Bharat, calling him ‘genuine top-class’ batter.

    Chasing 150, Glenn Maxwell and Srikar Bharat scored 50 and 44 respectively as RCB defeated Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets with 17 balls to spare. With this win, RCB consolidated its position at the third spot with 14 points from 11 games.

    “I thought we played really well. They got off to an absolute flier and to bring them back in the last 10 overs was outstanding, then we controlled the tempo of the innings and finished it off. I have felt good since coming here, got myself into a nice routine at training and outside of training as well, just feel like it is really clicking for me. I don’t suppose it (the atmosphere) is different to any other franchise, just what we have created as a group,” Maxwell told host broadcaster Star Sports after the game ended.

    ALSO READ | My job is to provide good base for finishers like AB de Villiers, Maxwell: RCB’s KS Bharat 

    Earlier, Harshal Patel’s three-wicket haul helped RCB restrict Rajasthan Royals to 149/9 in the allotted twenty overs. For Sanju Samson’s side, Evin Lewis top-scored with a knock of 58 runs from 37 balls. Yuzvendra Chahal was adjudged as Man of the Match for his two-wicket haul.

    “It is nice to have a bunch of guys doing different things and not relying on one guy. Everyone is chipping in and it has been a really enjoyable group so far. I wouldn’t call it an experiment, he’s (Bharat) a genuine top-class batter and the way he has gone about his innings is outstanding,” he added.

    RCB will next square off against Punjab Kings on Sunday in the ongoing IPL.

  • We don’t play blame game in Rajasthan Royals, says team director Sangakkara 

    By PTI

    DUBAI: Kumar Sangakkara doesn’t believe in blame game as both success and failure is collective in nature, Rajasthan Royals Team Director said after another disappointing performance from his team which seriously dented their IPL play-off hopes.

    Royals after the Delhi Capitals game put up another shoddy batting performance that saw Royal Challengers Bangalore cantered to victory. Royals are now seventh in eight-team table.

    “We don’t play the blame game in our franchise. We win together, we lose together. We haven’t done well enough, haven’t been smart enough with our batting and we all know that. The players know it. So, we’ll try to keep things simple, focus on training and how we plan to execute what we’ve spoken about,” Sangakarra said at the post-match media conference.

    “We always keep things simple. There’s a lot of pressure on players that they put on themselves. In the game itself, there’s a lot of pressure,” Sangakkara added.

    For Sangakkara, his job is to guide the team rather than putting more burden on them.

    “My job is not to add to that but guide them (on) how to deal with it and come up with their best performances,” he said.

    To manage highs and lows require different perspective feels Sangakkara. “There’s many ways that you manage the highs of wins and disappointments of a loss and be able to keep yourself calm and focus on what needs to be done.

    “At times like this, it’s very easy to be dejected and break up into little groups where murmurings can start but our group has held together really well,” added the Sri Lankan batting great.

    The former Sri Lankan wicket-keeper also praised skipper Sanju Samson, saying he will be selected in the national team for a longer run “Yeah, we do have one-on-one chats on a lot of things.

    And when we do talk cricket, India aspirations come at a time when the IPL is over. And our chats are very-much IPL-focused. Not just his (Samson’s) batting but about captaincy, about the team and how we are playing,” Sangakkara added.

    Samson, who has scored 452 runs this season, is the leading run-getter for his franchise.

    “He (Samson) is a very good player, a very special player. He has done exceptionally well for us this season. And I am sure that he has aspirations to play for India and, at some point, I think he will be selected for a longer run. He is good and ready at any-time that he is picked,” Sangakkara signed off.

  • My job is to provide good base for finishers like AB de Villiers, Maxwell: RCB’s KS Bharat 

    By PTI

    DUBAI: Royal Challengers Bangalore wicket-keeper KS Bharat is happy that he is able to provide a stable base as a number three batsman, for finishers like Glenn Maxwell which has been a key recipe in the last two wins for his franchise.

    RCB dished out a clinical display with both bat and ball to record a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League on Wednesday, to boost their prospects of a top-two finish.

    With knocks of 32 and 44 against MI and Rajasthan Royals, Bharat has sorted RCB’s problems with their one-drop batter in the current edition.

    “So, number three is always a beautiful spot to play. It asks a lot of questions if you are not ready for it. And we at RCB, we have always focussed on keeping the strike going and get busy right from ball one,” Bharat said at the post-match press conference.

    “…. and the little things of running and calling well and rotating the strike, all these little pointers, it plays a huge role in building up a partnership,” the Andhra keeper-batsman said.

    For him, providing a platform for Maxwell and de Villiers to have a final assault is the main thing.

    “The number three is someone who keeps the scoreboard ticking at 8 or 9 per over, then you will have a good base (and) for people like Maxi (Maxwell) and AB coming in after 12th over.

    “If you have the wickets in hand, then you can go all out towards the end of the innings. So, the message is clear saying I should get a partnership going and we are sticking to it,” he explained.

    Just like any youngster would say, Bharat was no different when asked the staple question about what he has learnt from the likes of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.

    “If you play with Virat bhai (Virat Kohli), AB (De Villiers) and (Glenn) Maxwell, you tend to learn a lot of good things in terms of cricket and as well as how to handle yourself on and off the field,” Bharat said at the post-match press conference.

    Bharat and Maxwell, one of the sought after T20 player, shared a crucial stand which helped RCB and the stumper said that the communication between the two was all tactical.

    “And coming back to this innings, me and Maxi (Maxwell), we were having the conversation of what are the areas we could access and what are the boundary options…” ….how many overs one particular bowler is going to bowl, what are his lengths, so it’s all purely tactical things what we were discussing out in the centre and it came out well,” he noted.

    On his 44-run knock, he said, “It is obviously a good feeling winning this game and coming back to it and contributing going out in the centre.

  • We have got rewards because we have been fearless: Kohli after win against Royals

    By PTI

    DUBAI: Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli on Wednesday said impressive middle overs bowling and staying fearless during the game’s crucial moments contributed to the team’s fine run in this edition of the IPL.

    RCB rode on an all-round performance to beat Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets here to boost their prospects of a top-two finish in the league phase.

    “We’ve got the rewards because we’ve been fearless and confident in the moments that the game can go either way,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

    “Couple of important things are clicking: middle-overs bowling is one. If you take wickets you can change the game.”

    “And batting also, we’ve got a few good opening starts. Devdutt and I have focused on giving the team good starts so that the middle-order with AB, Bharat and Maxwell can make more. Boys have stepped up, so that’s been key for us.”

    Following their seventh win this season, RCB were placed third in the standings with 14 points, and Kohli was particulary pleased with the way his bowlers have fought back in the last two matches.

    “We have come back strongly in two games back-to-back with the ball, which is a great sign. We know if you can hold your nerve with the ball you’re going in the right direction. In both games the opponents were 56/0 in the powerplay, but in both games we took wickets to ensure the opposition does not get away.

    “We knew that with the kind of bowling attack we have, things can open up when we take wickets.”

    “As batters you can’t take too many risks when you’re searching for two points too, so we went to look for mistakes from their batters. (Evin) Lewis hit a few sixes and it was courageous from Garton and the others,” the Indian captain signed off.

    Yuzvendra Chahal, who was named Man of the Match for his measly spell in the middle overs after RR had got off to a brisk start, said he got his confidence back during the limited overs series in Sri Lanka.

    “In the first half of IPL, I didn’t get wickets in the first three-four matches. After the break, I backed myself. I bowled well in the Sri Lanka series and I got my confidence back. I spoke to players and family on what I am doing wrong. I wanted to maintain that momentum here,” Chahal said.

    RR skipper Sanju Samson admitted that his side failed to capitalise on a fine start as his openers added 77 runs in quick time, only to see the team being restricted to 149 for nine in the end.

    “We got a great start, couldn’t capitalise. Middle order needs some confidence. We went in with intent, the wicket was two-paced and our batters kept mistiming it. To be honest, it’s been a hard one week for us, we need to put in a fight as a franchise,” Samson said.

    “Happy with the effort and intent with the bowling. We don’t have anything to lose. That kind of mindset brings a lot of freedom, have seen some funny things happen. Need to keep on believing and fighting till the last match,” he added.

  • IPL 2021: All-round RCB thrash Rajasthan by seven wickets, keep top two hopes alive

    By PTI

    DUBAI: Royal Challengers Bangalore dished out a clinical display with both bat and ball to record a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League here on Wednesday, boosting their prospects of a top-two finish.

    Chasing 150, RCB completed the task with as many as 17 balls to spare.

    Star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell blazed away to an unbeaten 50 off just 30 balls, while Srikar Bharat played sensibly for his 44 off 35 deliveries.

    RCB needed 71 runs in the back 10 after the RR bowlers checked the flow of runs following the dismissals of Virat Kohli (25) and Devdutt Padikkal (22).

    Kohli and Padikkal gave the team a brisk start as RCB scored nine runs per over in the power play.

    The Indian captain got three boundaries in the first over though he was lucky with the first one that flew over the slip cordon off a leading edge.

    However, both got out after settling down with Kohli falling to a fine direct hit by Riyan Parag after he had made a diving stop.

    Earlier, RCB staged an excellent comeback as Rajasthan Royals blew away a blistering start to finish at 149 for nine.

    Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed (2/10) and leg-break bowler Yuzvendra Chahal (2/18) triggered the slide after RR were cruising at 100 for one in the 11th over.

    Pacer Harshal Patel (3/34) came close to picking a hat-trick in successive matches, in the final over, but Kartik Tyagi denied him that as RR lost eight wickets for 49 runs.

    Evin Lewis top-scored with 58 off 37 balls, but he was guilty of throwing away his wicket at a crucial juncture, and so was skipper Sanju Samson (19), whose adventurism did not help his team.

    Asked to take first strike, RR saw off two quiet overs before Evin Lewis and Yashasvi Jaiswal (31) decided to cut loose at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

    From eight for two in two overs, RR were cruising at 39 for no loss at the end of fourth before racing past the fifty-run mark in the next over, with Lewis being the aggressor.

    Jaiswal played the day’s first scoring shot when he hit Mohammed Siraj through the cover and in the next over, he clobbered Glenn Maxwell for a huge six over long on.

    Lewis took over after that, smashing debutant English left-arm pacer George Garton for two sixes and a four as RR picked 18 off the over.

    Garton was coming back into the attack after being strangely taken off despite a very economical first over.

    Lewis hammered another six and a four against Harshal Patel, as RR crossed the fifty in the fifth over.

    India pacer Siraj came back to bowl a tight sixth over but Jaiswal got two boundaries off Daniel Christian to record RR’s best opening partnership of the ongoing season, even as Kohli kept switching his bowlers frequently.

    Maxwell kept things tight in the next over, giving away just four runs, before Jaiswal smoked Christian for a maximum over extra cover.

    However, Christian had the last laugh as Jaiswal mistimed and failed to clear Siraj at mid off.

    It swung a bit early on but the fast bowlers didn’t get much purchase from the pitch as the innings progressed.

    Lewis continued in same vein and hit Harshal Patel for two successive fours before in-form skipper Sanju Samson went inside out to clobber leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal over extra over for a six.

    Garton, who was taken to the task by Lewis in his second over, came back strongly to exact revenge when he had the big-hitter from Trinidad sky one for wicketkeeper Bharat Srikar to complete a high catch.

    Samson pulled Garton over deep square leg for a six but RR lost the plot after that, the slide starting with the wicket of Mahipal Lomror off Chahal.

  • BCCI invites state units officials for Qualifier 2, IPL final

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The BCCI has invited the Presidents and the secretaries of its affiliated units to watch the Qualifier 2 and the summit clash of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the UAE.

    BCCI secretary Jay Shah wrote to the officials that “this is an ideal time to catch up” as the domestic season is getting underway.

    “Let us meet in Sharjah for the Qualifier 2 and then again for the grand final in Dubai. We have chalked out an itinerary for you and my team will ensure you have an extremely pleasant stay,” wrote Shah in the letter.

    The second phase of the IPL is approaching the business end with teams involved in a tight race for the Play-offs.

    The Qualifier is scheduled for October 13 while final will be played on October 15.

    The BCCI secretary also said that getting remainder of the IPL in UAE was “a blessing in disguise” since it is helping the players prepare for the T20 World Cup.

    The T20 World Cup will begin from October 17 in Oman and the UAE.

  • We have belief, we can get out of any situation: Mumbai Indians all-rounder Kieron Pollard

    By PTI

    ABU DHABI: Kieron Pollard says Mumbai Indians’ struggling players have belief in each other’s ability, asserting that they will wriggle out of the difficult situation as they continue to be in hunt for the IPL Play-offs.

    The defending champions defeated Punjab Kings by six wickets on Tuesday night to stay afloat even as their big guns and youngsters are still striving to get back their rhythm.

    “We don’t actually plan for things to be like this. What we have is belief in one another and we believe we can get out of any situation,” Pollard, who completed 10,000 runs in T20 cricket and also touched 300-wicket mark, said at the post-match media interaction.

    Mumbai Indians are placed fifth with 10 points from 11 matches so far.

    “We have put ourselves in this situation and the players and the management are sticking together.

    “It is a matter of giving all the guys confidence and finding the best solutions. These are guys who have done it for us time and time again.”

    Pollard did not appreciate the criticism the team is facing from outside.

    “It’s difficult when you have a lot of other people on the outside as well speaking about it. These people speak and they don’t understand what people go through as cricketers. So for us, it is about backing individuals and trying to give them the confidence to do well because they are young, talented individuals.”

    The West Indian said their focus is on present when asked how the pitches are likely to behave during the T20 World Cup that will begin immediately after the conclusion of the IPL.

    “To be honest, the World Cup is irrelevant at this point of time, we are playing the IPL tournament. When you are in a tournament as an individual, you look to think about the present and not look too far ahead,” he said.

    “Everyone one is going on about the pitches, but you cannot get what you want all the time. As a professional athlete, you need to adapt. For me, personally it is about staying in the present and dealing with what is in front of us as a team,” Pollard, who starred with an all-round performance (2/8 and 15 not out in 7 balls) added.

    Pollard also had words of praise for Saurabh Tiwary, who made a crucial 45 in MI’s winning cause, saying he had done well in the opportunities he got and it is a sign of a guy who is focussed on what he needs to do.

    “Every time he’s gotten an opportunity for us, more often than not, coming out and churning out numbers of batting in those crunch situations.

    “And that is a sign of a guy who is focused on what he needs to do, sometimes he misses out for invariable reasons, but that’s the nature of team sports. He was the backbone for us. Well played to him,” he added.

    Meanwhile, young Punjab Kings spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who kept MI batsmen on the leash with a spell of 4/25 in 4 overs, said he felt good about dismissing Suryakumar Yadav off the first ball he faced.

    “I wanted to bowl a googly to Surya first up. If he picks it ok, he didn’t and it hit the stumps. I wanted to bowl wicket to wicket. Surya was deceived and dismissed. His dismissal felt good for me,” he said.

    Bishnoi also got the key wicket of MI captain Rohit Sharma.

    Asked about the performances of the overseas players in the team, Bishnoi said, “They are trying their best in the nets. They want to perform. It is a matter of time…But they are giving their best for the team.”

  • Didn’t play to our potential till now, says Rohit as Rahul accepts his team can’t handle pressure

    By PTI

    ABU DHABI: Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma agreed that his team didn’t play to their potential in the first three games on resumption while his Punjab Kings opposite number KL Rahul had no hesitation in admitting that his team is not handling pressure situations well enough.

    MI beat Punjab Kings by six wickets after three back-to-back defeats and are now back in play-off contentions with 10 points from 11 games.

    “We do agree that we didn’t play to our potential, but it’s a long tournament and we need to stick to our plans and reading the situations is very important and we can take a lot of confidence from that. It is important not to lose the guard,” Rohit said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

    He was all praise for Hardik Pandya, who finally returned to form with a 40 not out off 30 balls.

    “The way he (Hardik) understood the situation was very crucial from a team’s perspective, it’s important for him to spend the time in the middle as he’s coming back from a injury.”

    Rahul, on his part, seemed disappointed when asked about whether his young team is unable to cope up with pressure situations.

    “It is what it is, we haven’t been able to handle the pressure. We’ll learn more if we play more together as a team,” Rahul said.

    “We need to be positive. We have three games, so we need to take one game at a time. We need to go out there and enjoy ourselves. All our games in the UAE have gone down to the wire, hopefully we can build on that.”

    He also accepted that 135 was not a defendable target on this track.

    “It was a great fight, but 135 was not enough on this pitch.”

    “We should have got about 170. The boys showed a lot of fight with the ball, we have done that two games in a row. The next three games will be interesting for us as the table looks interesting,” Rahul said.

    Rohit said that it was a tough call to drop someone like Ishan Kishan but the team will back him as he tried to get back to form.

    “It’s a tough call (on dropping Ishan Kishan). Saurabh (Tiwary) has played the perfect role today and he’s done well to nudge around in the middle overs. We are gonna back him (Ishan Kishan) as he’s a very important player for us.”