News Analysis India

Tag: IPL

  • Clarity regarding my role given by RCB management benefitted me: Harshal Patel

    By ANI
    CHENNAI: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pacer Harshal Patel on Tuesday said he benefitted from the clarity regarding his role given by the team management two weeks prior to the start of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL).

    Harshal had delivered a stunning bowling performance before AB de Villiers’ masterclass took RCB home against defending champions Mumbai Indians in the opening game of IPL. Harshal had picked five wickets (three in the final over) to restrict Rohit Sharma’s side to 159.

    “Clarity is always good. It helps you with your mental preparation, it helps you with your skill preparation. Whenever you have clarity, you know whatever situations you are going to face in the game and you can prepare mentally accordingly and in terms of skill so it is always good to have clarity about your role,” said Harshal while replying to an ANI query during a virtual press conference.

    When asked how he feels with Virat entrusting him to be the death over specialist, Harshal said: “I wanted to become a bowler or a player who takes on responsibility and the captain is confident enough to put me in those important situations and I look at it as a privilege. It is something I have looked forward to for a very long time and I am very happy that I am being put in those situations now.”

    Talking about the performance of the uncapped players in this season, Harsal said: “Most of the teams have started looking at what the bowler is doing in training and practice games. I think it is a good trend people are starting to realise that even the uncapped players are good enough to take the responsibility of bowling at the death. I think we will see more of that going forward.”

    In the opening game against Mumbai Indians, Harshal changed the complexion of the game by taking three wickets in the final over of the innings and Mumbai batters did not have any answers to his yorkers and slower balls.

    “Obviously, it is very important to start well. The sort of game I had the other night, I did not expect that, to be very honest. I wanted to execute my plans, it was one of those nights where everything came my way, I know it’s a pendulum and bowling at the death, you can win some games for your team but you can also lose some games for your team so I am prepared both ways,” said Harshal.

    Before the IPL 2021 season, Harshal was traded by Delhi Capitals to Royal Challengers Bangalore. Talking about this trade, Harshal said: “Not really, I was not involved in that really. It’s a welcome decision from my side because I knew with Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje in Delhi Capitals, I will not get the opportunities I am getting here. It is great to be in a team where I can showcase my skills and where I have the privilege of being put in difficult situations.”

    “I have had massive performance anxiety in the past IPL seasons for this particular reason, you know you are going to get dropped if you have one bad game. It is again a very mental thing, you have to figure out how you get out of that mindset. There is no one solution to this problem, each and every individual has to figure out how to get out of this mindset,” he added.

  • In some ways, I think this is a bad move for Mumbai Indians to pick up Marco Jansen right now: Scott Styris

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: Mumbai Indians’ pacer Marco Jansen might have impressed one and all with his performance against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League, but former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris reckons that it was a bad move on the part of the franchise to pick the Proteas bowler.

    Styris believes other franchises will now take notice of Jansen and with a big auction coming up next year, Mumbai might not be able to retain him.

    “I thought it was a phenomenal performance. I haven’t seen much of him as well. I asked Parthiv Patel, who has had a little bit of scouting experience with Marco. All around, I thought he is incredibly impressive and the reason for that is not about the simple factor that he gets bounce because he is six foot eight, which is what you expect. He touched 143mph, which is serious pace. He is going to get bounce if he has got pace. And he started, on that pitch, to bowl the slower balls as well,” said Styris on Star Sports’ show ‘Cricket Connected’.

    “But in some ways, I think this is a bad move for Mumbai Indians to pick up Marco Jansen right now, because now, as we are doing, we are talking about it, everybody is talking about it. And with the possibility of a major auction next year, then I think Mumbai may have to suddenly pay up big bucks because they are not going to keep him,” he added.

    Further elaborating on his point, Styris said: “So, I would suggest, to think a little bit long-term, maybe put him on the ice this year and Mumbai Indians could have swept in next year having for a long time like Lasith Malinga. Because I think he has got that skill to be a starting front-line bowler in the IPL for 10 years.”

    Jansen playing his first game for Mumbai Indians returned figures of 2-28 from his four overs. Along the way, he also picked up key wickets of Glenn Maxwell and Shahbaz Ahmed.

    AB de Villiers played a knock of 48 off just 27 balls with the help of four 4s and two 6s to help RCB defeat Mumbai Indians by two wickets in the tournament opener on Friday in Chennai.

    Mumbai Indians will next lock horns against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) later on Tuesday.

  • Have no words to tell, don’t think I could have done anything more, says RR captain Sanju Samson

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Sanju Samson’s magnificent 119 on his captaincy debut for Rajasthan Royals came in a losing cause but he said the second part of his innings was the best he ever played.

    Samson hit 12 fours and seven sixes in his astonishing 63-ball innings but in the end failed to send Arshdeep Singh’s final ball for the maximum runs as RR lost the match by four runs.

    “The second part of the innings was the best I ever played. In the first part, I was not timing it very well.

    I took my time, respected the bowlers, took singles and got into a rhythm and then I started to play my shots in the second half,” he said at the post-match presentation. 

    “I enjoy my shots but I come back to the present after I play those shots. It automatically happens, when I focus on my skills and watch the ball and react. Sometimes I lose my wicket also, so I just play the same way.”

    He said it was about trusting his processes and being honest to his abilities.

    “I did that, and it came off tonight. The coin (at the toss) looked really nice so I pocketed it, asked the referee if I can have it, but he said no.”

    Samson also said he could not have done better than that though he rues failing to clear the ropes on the final ball.

    “I don’t have words to tell, very close game, came close but unfortunately. I don’t think I could have done anything more.

    “I timed it well, but unfortunately couldn’t clear the man in the deep. It’s all part of the game. We thought the wicket was getting better and we could chase the target down. Despite the loss, I think the team played really well.”

    Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul said he didn’t stop believing in the team and knew that a couple of wickets will give his side the win.

    “The game went deep only because me included, we dropped some sitters. We bowled well until about 11-12 overs. We’re used to this, and it’s not something new for us, but a win like this brings the team together.

    “We batted really well and bowled well in patches. We weren’t consistent with the lengths but the bowlers will learn. A lot of talented, skilful players, and it’s important that we back them,” said Rahul who scored 91 in his team’s 221 for 6 after being asked to bat.

    Rahul praised Deepak Hooda who hit a 28-ball 64 to lay the foundation of Punjab King’s big total, along with him.

    “It was an amazing innings from Hooda, and that’s the kind of fearless batting we want to see in the IPL.

    “We have been tentative sometimes, and it’s important for us to play fearlessly at times, so I am happy that the expectations are being understood and met. Gayle and Hooda were both good that way.”

    Talking about Arshdeep who dismissed Samson with the final ball of the match, Rahul said, “I always go to Arshdeep for crucial overs and he enjoys the pressure.

    “He loves being in the contest and I love throwing him the ball, and he trusts himself and trusts his skills, so that’s always good to see.”

  • Rajasthan Royals win toss, opt to field against Punjab Kings

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson on Monday won the toss and opted to field first against Punjab Kings in game four of the Indian Premier League (IPL) here at the Wankhede Stadium.

    At the time of the toss, RR skipper Samson said: “We are going to bowl first. We had challenges while picking the XI. Morris, Stokes, Buttler, and Fizz are our overseas players. Very excited about the role.”

    On the other hand, Rahul said: “We all know the history of Wankhede. Everyone wants to bowl first. But we would want to play good cricket. It is about the batting group helping the bowling group and vice-versa. We were really happy with the auctions. Meredith, Richardson, Gayle, and Pooran are our foreign players.”

    For Punjab Kings, there are three debutants as Riley Meredith, Jhye Richardson, and Shahrukh Khan have been named in the final playing XI. Universe Boss Chris Gayle handed out a cap to Shahrukh Khan.

    Ahead of the first game against Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals’ Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara had spoken about how the side would give a long rope to its players so that they can succeed and not take too much pressure.

    Rajasthan Royals last year opted for quite a few opening pairs with Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes all opening at some stage in IPL 2020. Sangakkara did not reveal who will open the batting this time around, but he did confirm that a long rope would be provided to the players.

    Rajasthan Royals Playing XI: Sanju Samson (c), Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Shivam Dube, Manan Vohra, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Chris Morris, Shreyas Gopal, Chetan Sakariya, Mustafizur Rahman

    Punjab Kings Playing XI: KL Rahul (c), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Shahrukh Khan, Jhye Richardson, Murugan Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Riley Meredith, Arshdeep Singh

  • SRH all-rounder Jason Holder completes quarantine, ready for challenge

    By ANI
    CHENNAI: SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) all-rounder Jason Holder has finished his mandatory seven-day quarantine and is looking forward to getting into the groove for the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).

    Holder arrived in Chennai to join SRH camp on April 5 and was quarantined as per BCCI’s SOP. The West Indies all-rounder expressed delight to be back with the squad and will now begin training for the cash-rich league.

    “It’s great to be back. It was long enough in a room so happy to be back. It’s been a tough couple of months so looking forward to the challenge ahead. Looking forward to train, obviously, it’s been warm here in India so need to get accustomed to that,” said Holder in a video posted by SRH on Twitter.

    SRH might have lost their opening match in the IPL 2021, but star spinner Rashid Khan feels the Hyderabad-based franchise has a strong squad and is capable of beating any team in the showpiece event.

    SRH had a disappointing start to the tournament as the David Warner-led side failed to chase the target of 188 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday.

    KKR restricted SRH to 177 despite Abdul Samad’s fighting cameo in the death overs.

    “We played really well. As a bowling unit, we bowled well, as a batting unit, we batted well. But it was a matter of 10 runs in the end. We gave our 100 per cent and it was also the first game of the tournament,” said Rashid in a video posted on SRH’s Twitter.

    “We had a good game, bowling and batting were good. We will take the positives from the game and move on to the next game against Bangalore (RCB). We just need to do the right things and have self-belief.” he added.

    The Afghanistan spinner knows SRH is a strong side and wants his players to express themselves on the field. SRH will next lock horns with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Wednesday.

  • Delhi Capitals spinner Ashwin ‘updating spin-bowling software’ ahead of game against Rajasthan Royals

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: Seasoned off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin might have been expensive in his team’s opening game in the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season, but the Delhi Capitals bowler is “updating” himself with new variations to bamboozle the batsmen in the upcoming matches.

    Ashwin picked an all-important wicket of Moeen Ali, but gave away 47 runs in his quota of four overs. The star spinner had been in sensational form for the national side but failed to leave a mark in the Capitals’ opening game.

    Delhi Capitals on Monday shared a picture of Aswhin in which the spinner can be seen pondering upon while rolling the ball.

    “Just @ashwinravi99’s spin-bowling software updating itself with new variations,” Delhi Capitals tweeted.

    While Ashwin went for runs in the first game, batsmen Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw fired on all cylinders to script Delhi Capitals’ win on Saturday.

    Dhawan played a blistering knock of 85 from 54 balls, while Shaw smashed 72 runs off 38 balls to help Delhi Capitals defeat Chennai Super Kings by seven wickets.

    Dhawan said that youngster Shaw made a comeback like a champion in IPL 14 after going through a bad patch earlier in the year.

    “It was lovely to watch Prithvi bat so effortlessly and timing the ball so nicely. He went through a bad patch earlier and has come back as a champion. He did so well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scored so many centuries and a double century as well. And now, he has brought the same form in IPL. I am so happy to see him perform that well,” Dhawan said in the Delhi Capitals release.

    The 35-year-old added that a comprehensive victory in their first match of the season is a huge confidence booster for the team.

    “Starting a season on such a high note increases the team’s confidence tremendously. There’s a positive vibe in the dressing room now. We prepared well for the match and everything fell into place nicely. I am very happy with the team’s and my own performance. Looking forward to the next game,” he said.

    Delhi Capitals will next take on Rajasthan Royals here at the Wankhede Stadium on April 15.

  • SRH capable of beating any team in IPL 2021, says Rashid Khan

    By ANI
    CHENNAI: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) might have lost their opening match in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, but star spinner Rashid Khan feels the Hyderabad-based franchise has a strong squad and is capable of beating any team in the showpiece event.

    SRH had a disappointing start to the tournament as the David Warner-led side failed to chase the target of 188 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday evening.

    KKR restricted SRH to 177 despite Abdul Samad fighting cameo in the death overs.

    “We played really well. As a bowling unit, we bowled well, as a batting unit, we batted well. But it was a matter of 10 runs in the end. We gave our 100 per cent and it was also the first game of the tournament,” said Rashid in a video posted on SRH’s Twitter.

    “We had a good game, bowling and batting were good. We will take the positives from the game and move on to the next game against Bangalore (RCB). We just need to do the right things and have self-belief.” he added.

    The Afghanistan spinner knows SRH is a strong side and wants his players to express themselves on the field.

    “We are capable of beating any team in this competition. We have a strong squad, we have the ability in each and every department. We just need to go there and express our skills,” said Rashid.

    Kane Williamson missed the first match against KKR on Sunday and coach Trevor Bayliss said the New Zealand skipper will needing a little bit of extra time to get match ready.

    “We just felt that Kane needed a little bit of extra time to get match fit and a little bit more time in the nets. He would have played in place of Jonny Bairstow obviously if that had occurred. But we aren’t too perturbed about that, Jonny has been in form recently in white-ball cricket here in India. Kane will obviously come into calculations as the tournament unfolds,” Bayliss said in a virtual press conference after the game.

    SRH will next lock horns with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Wednesday.

  • Dream of taking MS Dhoni’s wicket fulfilled, I’m very happy: Delhi Capitals pacer Avesh Khan

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: Delhi Capitals’ fast bowler Avesh Khan was the pick of the bowlers in his team’s seven-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings in their first match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) here at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.

    The 24-year-old, who returned with figures of 2/23, helped the Delhi franchise restrict CSK to 188/7 in their 20 overs before the Delhi Capitals chased the target down in 18.4 overs. The speedster was particularly thrilled about taking the big wicket of MS Dhoni.

    Dhoni batted for just two balls before he was cleaned up by Avesh. The former India skipper looked to play a pull shot, but only managed to get an inside edge back onto the stumps.

    “Three years ago, I had a chance to take Mahi bhai’s wicket, but somebody had dropped the catch. But now my dream of taking Mahi bhai’s wicket is fulfilled, so I am very happy about it. Since he has not played competitive matches for some time, we had planned to put pressure on him and because of that pressure I could take his wicket,” said Avesh in an official Delhi Capitals release.

    The fast bowler said Delhi Capitals will have to maintain the momentum they have attained after winning their first match of the competition.

    “I was quite happy with my performance in our first match, and I am even happier because the team has won. I put the team in a good position with the wickets of Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) and Faf du Plessis. I was happy with the way I carried out the role given to me by the team management. After winning the first match, everyone’s confidence goes up. Now, we have to maintain the momentum,” said Avesh.

    Avesh added that Faf du Plessis’ wicket helped him get into a good rhythm. “Rishabh backed me and gave me the second over of the match and I took a wicket in that over itself. A wicket in the initial part of a fast bowler’s spell is really good for his rhythm. du Plessis is a good batsman and if he continued to play, then he would’ve made things difficult for us.”

    The 24-year-old revealed he hired a dietician ahead of this IPL to improve his fitness. “I have reduced my weight by 5 kg. I have hired a personal dietician and I plan my diet according to the dietician’s directions. My diet plan changes on a day-to-day basis, depending on my gym and training sessions and rest days. Improving my fitness has helped me a lot. I am feeling light, and I feel great when I run. I had to sacrifice some of my favourite dishes for 20-25 days, but that has helped me to stay on track for achieving some of my personal goals,” said Avesh.

    While speaking about the fast-bowling prowess of the Delhi Capitals, Avesh said the Delhi franchise has the best fast bowling line-up in the IPL.

    “I think we have the best fast bowling line-up in the tournament. Kagiso Rabada won the Purple Cap last season, Anrich Nortje bowled the fastest ball in IPL history last season, Ishant Sharma is an experienced bowler and Umesh Yadav has been bowling well in the nets as well. There’s good competition among the fast bowlers in our team,” signed off Avesh.

  • Jasprit Bumrah is your trump card, have to use it in an aggressive manner: Zaheer Khan

    By ANI
    CHENNAI: Zaheer Khan, Director of Cricket Operations, Mumbai Indians on Monday said the last edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was a tipping point in Ishan Kishan’s career and the left-handed batsman has just flourished from there.

    Mumbai Indians lost the opening game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Friday and now the side would lock horns against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Tuesday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

    “Ishan Kishan is looking assured, he is looking calmer. When you are growing as a cricketer, you are trying to make that impact at the highest level, you have that tipping point. The last year was a tipping point for Ishan when he played that knock against RCB, he just flourished from there, he is in the same zone, he is going about his business, he is making sure that he is continuing his processes and spending enough time in the nets,” said Zaheer during a virtual press conference on Monday.

    Before IPL 2021, Ishan had made his T20I debut for India and he played a match-winning knock in his very first match on the big stage.

    “Well, I think giving them freedom to express themselves is very important. As a setup, we encourage that and we encourage each and every individual to bring out their original self in the middle. When you do not have that clatter of thought, you are able to express yourself freely. We do have healthy discussions around what they can add to their game, as cricketers, you always look to evolve yourself to try and understand the game better. We try hard, we are lucky enough to have a squad in hand who keep pushing the boundaries,” said Zaheer.

    When asked about Jasprit Bumrah not bowling enough at the start of the innings, Zaheer said: “Bumrah is your trump card, when you have a trump card, then you have to use it in an aggressive manner, when you really need it. That is how the process revolves around Jasprit, he can turn the game around at any stage.”

    Opening batsman Chris Lynn played a knock of 49 runs in the first match against RCB, but his spot is not guaranteed anymore as wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock has finished his quarantine and he would be available for the match against KKR.

    “It is a good headache to have as a management, we are lucky to have such a squad where people are waiting to grab their opportunity. We have players who keep pushing each other so that is the exciting part. All I can say is as management when you have these types of headaches, it is assuring that you are well set in the tournament,” said Zaheer.

  • IPL 2021: Have to wait and see how the tournament shapes up if dew is a factor, feels Zaheer Khan

    By ANI
    CHENNAI: Zaheer Khan, Director of Cricket Operations, Mumbai Indians on Monday said it needs to be seen how the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 shapes up if dew becomes a factor in each and every game.

    Zaheer’s comment comes on the back of CSK skipper MS Dhoni and SunRisers Hyderabad captain David Warner talking about the dew factor and the role it is playing in IPL games this season.

    “If there is a dew factor, then we have to wait and see how the tournament shapes up. As we play more and more games, whether it is actually becoming a factor in terms of an advantage to one team, we have to wait for that,” said Zaheer during a virtual press conference.

    After the loss against KKR, Warner commented on the dew factor, saying: “The dew made a difference. If the bowlers overpitched, it was easy to hit it, and with the height in their team, and with the cross-seam, it stopped a little bit on us.”

    On the other hand, CSK skipper Dhoni said that the 7:30 PM start is giving an advantage to the team chasing as the dew sets in and chasing becomes a lot easier. “Especially when you have dew in your mind and you are batting first, you want to get those extra 10-15 runs — that was normally in 8pm start games. Now the 7.30 start means the opposition will have at least half an hour when there will be very little amount of dew on the field, which means it will not come on as nicely as it will in the second innings.

    “So you have to score those 15-20 extra runs to make it even, and after that also you have to get early wickets to make a big mark on the game,” said Dhoni.

    IPL matches traditionally used to start at 8 pm but the timings have been changed with evening games starting at 7:30 pm while the afternoon games start at 3:30 pm as compared to the initial scheduling of 4 pm.