News Analysis India

Tag: IPL

  • There was a little bit of shoulder concern but you will very soon see Hardik Pandya bowl: Zaheer Khan

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Mumbai Indians Director of Cricket Operations Zaheer Khan on Monday said the side is confident that Hardik Pandya will bowl in this edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

    The all-rounder did not bowl in the last edition of the IPL. While he has bowled on and off for India, he didn’t bowl in the season opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai on Friday.

    “Hardik as a whole package is of great value everyone knows that. It was a workload-related thing in the previous game. He bowled in the whole series against England and in the last ODI he bowled about nine overs and that’s why in consultation with the physio we have to take that approach,” Zaheer said in the pre-match virtual press conference ahead of the clash against Kolkata Knight Riders.

    “There was a little bit of shoulder concern but don’t think it is worrisome and you will very soon see him bowl. For the timelines, you have to ask the physio but in terms of Hardik the bowler coming in this tournament, we are very confident that he will be chipping in with the ball in his hand as well,” he added.

    Former India pacer confirmed that Quinton de Kock and Adam Milne will be available for the clash against KKR.

    “Quinton is out of his quarantine, he did his practice session yesterday with the team. Looking forward to the season, he will be available for tomorrow’s game,” he said.

    When asked will Chris Lynn and Marco Jansen be replaced by de Kock and Milne against KKR, he said, “We have to wait till tomorrow that’s closer to the game, we will take that decision on that. But very excited with Marco as well, the squad is looking very good whether I see them in the practices they are very upbeat and looking for that opportunity. When you are part of the champion side you have to wait for your opportunities and that’s what all the group is aware of.

    “Similarly, when you see a youngster like Marco going out there and making that kind of impact. Obviously, he was nervous in the first game but now he is nice and relaxed. He made a good comeback on his IPL debut. Lynn is a pro. He is a good character to have in the dressing room. As professional athletes, you have to be prepared, you have to align yourself with how the team management is thinking and the communication is going to be the key,” he added.

    Zaheer further said Kieron Pollard and Hardik will be their sixth bowling option in the tournament.

    “Pollard is our sixth bowling option. He is an experienced campaigner in our squad. So, he is definitely going to be our sixth bowling option and whenever Hardik starts bowling, he is going to be our bowling option as well. In that department, we not very concerned. You have to just adapt and adjust,” Zaheer said.

  • I am fortunate as KKR has some of the biggest hitters: Prasidh Krishna

    By ANI
    CHENNAI: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) pacer Prasidh Krishna has said he feels fortunate as his side has some of the biggest hitters in the game and he does not have to bowl against them in Indian Premier League (IPL).

    Prasidh returned with two wickets on Sunday as KKR defeated SunRisers Hyderabad by 10 runs in the third game of the IPL 2021 here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

    “I was trying my best to get the pace up. There wasn’t much in the wicket and I had to put in something to get the ball to the keeper. We had a very good 10-day camp to get everyone into good nick and it’s nice that everyone has chipped in. The wicket was slow, not easy to hit off a length which I realised while bowling and they (Rana and Tripathi) did really well,” Prasidh told host broadcaster Star Sports at the end of the game.

    “Vijay Hazare Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali and all those games have gotten me game time and helped me with my performances. Confidence is upbeat now because I am coming off a good series and I hope to contribute further for my team. Some of the biggest hitters are in my side, so I am quite fortunate. But all the players are down to earth and it’s really nice being part of this team,” he added.

    SRH suffered a 10-run defeat against KKR after Nitish Rana and Rahul Tripathi’s knocks of 80 and 53 were backed by a spirited bowling performance by the Eoin Morgan-led side.

    Earlier, Rana and Tripathi played knocks of 80 and 53 respectively as KKR posted a total of 187/6 in the allotted twenty overs. Andre Russell (5) failed to leave a mark with the bat as he was dismissed by Rashid Khan. In the final two overs, Dinesh Karthik (22*) managed to add a few crucial runs and KKR’s total went beyond the 185-run mark.

  • COVID was a setback, but I am perfectly fine now: RCB batsman Devdutt Padikkal

    By ANI
    CHENNAI: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) opening batsman Devdutt Padikkal has said while testing positive for Covid-19 was a setback, he is perfectly fine now.

    Ahead of IPL 2021, Padikkal had tested positive for Covid-19 and he was undergoing home quarantine. After returning three negative Covid-19 tests, he joined RCB’s team bubble in Chennai.

    “Covid was a setback, I wished that it did not happen but that is something I could not control so once it was there, I had to accept the way it was. It was just about making sure that I stay fit and be ready for the game. I am completely fine now, most importantly I am able to move around. Unless you are a 100 per cent, you cannot push yourself so I just wanted to make sure that I am 100 per cent,” said Padikkal in a video posted on the official Twitter handle of RCB.

    Padikkal played his first season for RCB last year and he managed to leave a good impression after scoring 473 runs from 15 matches at an average of 31.53 with his best score being 74.

    “It has been a roller coaster to an extent. Last IPL was amazing for me and it was such a great experience. The opportunities I got and the fact that I was able to contribute for the side was all that mattered. After that, Syed Mushtaq Ali was decent and then Vijay Hazare, I was just looking to get into my rhythm, it was really great to have the runs behind me coming into the IPL. I know I am confident as I have runs behind me in the domestic season,” said Padikkal.

    The left-handed batsman had a good build up to the IPL after he finished the Vijay Hazare Trophy as the second highest run-getter. He finished with a tally of 737 runs

    “My favourite innings would be against Mumbai which we had in Abu Dhabi last season. I felt that it was the best that I batted throughout the IPL, but in terms of being the most memorable, it could be the first one because the debut is a special feeling and to be able to get fifty in the first match, always feels good,” said Padikkal.

    RCB managed to win the first match against Mumbai Indians in the ongoing edition of the IPL, and the Virat Kohli-led side will next lock horns against SunRisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

  • Delhi Capitals batsman Shikhar Dhawan says Prithvi Shaw made a champions-like comeback

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: Delhi Capitals opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan said that youngster Prithvi Shaw has made a comeback like a champion in IPL 14 after going through a bad patch earlier in the year.

    Dhawan and Shaw sealed the deal for their team with a partnership of 138 runs in their opening match of the Indian Premier League 2021 against the Chennai Super Kings here at the Wankhede Stadium 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.

    “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.

    When asked about Rishabh Pant’s captaincy in his first match as DC skipper, Dhawan said, “We are missing Shreyas Iyer, and I am glad that his surgery went well. But I am very happy for Rishabh Pant. He is a young captain and it’s a great thing that he has got a win in his first match as captain. He was very calm and composed while leading the side. He made good changes as well and I am sure that with experience, he’s only going to get more refined.”

    The opening batsman feels Delhi Capitals can lift the title this season with the continued backing from the team’s fans.

    “I would like to thank the fans for their love and wishes and tell them to keep supporting us the way they have been doing and continue to be a part of the DC family. And with the fans’ support, we will surely win and bring the trophy home,” he said.

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

  • KKR vs SRH: It was for my friends, says Nitish Rana on celebration post fifty

    By ANI
    CHENNAI: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batsman Nitish Rana said that his celebration after scoring a half-century against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) was dedicated to his friends.

    Rana and Rahul Tripathi’s knocks of 80 and 53 were backed by a spirited bowling performance as KKR triumphed over SRH by 10 runs here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday. KKR first posted a total of 187/6 in the allotted twenty overs and then the bowlers managed to restrict SRH to 177/5.

    “Feels good to start the season on a high note. I will try to carry this form and help the side as much as possible. The wicket was fresh so I played cautiously in the first few overs and then when I saw the ball is in my zone, I started hitting them. I was trying to hit the loose balls,” Rana said in a video posted by the official website of the IPL.

    When Harbhajan Singh asked what does his celebration mean after the half-century, Rana said, “It was for my friends. My friends love the song Brown Munde and before the season began I told them when I do this (celebration), it will mean that we all are brown munde.”

    For Eoin Morgan’s side, Prasidh Krishna managed to take two wickets. For SRH, Jonny Bairstow and Manish Pandey played knocks of 55 and 61 respectively. This win was also KKR’s 100th in the IPL.

    Morgan heaped praises on Rana and said he played a match-winning knock for the side.

    “I’m delighted for Nitish. Obviously, a match-winning innings today. The thing that impressed me the most about his innings was the method he used, played really aggressively and always took a positive option which really did set up our batting innings,” Morgan said while replying to an ANI query in a virtual press conference after the game.

  • Nitish Rana played match-winning innings for us: KKR skipper Eoin Morgan

    By ANI
    CHENNAI: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Eoin Morgan was delighted with the way Nitish Rana batted against the SunRisers Hyderabad and said that he played a match-winning knock for the side.

    Rana and Rahul Tripathi’s knocks of 80 and 53 were backed by a spirited bowling performance as KKR triumphed over SRH by 10 runs here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. KKR first posted a total of 187/6 in the allotted twenty overs and then the bowlers managed to restrict SRH to 177/5.

    “I’m delighted for Nitish. Obviously, a match-winning innings today. The thing that impressed me the most about his innings was the method he used, played really aggressively and always took a positive option which really did set up our batting innings,” Morgan said while replying to an ANI query in a virtual press conference after the game.

    When asked about the batting position of Dinesh Karthik after he smashed 22 off nine balls coming out at number six, Morgan said, “Dinesh is happy with where he is at the moment. We are in regular conversation with him being vice-captain and me being the captain. One of the many strengths within our squad and two of the most talented guys in the country opening the batting for us. Tripathi at three played beautifully and the middle-order we have is extremely versatile. When Dinesh plays like that or Russell plays in the way he can play, it is obviously the destructive batting unit that has potential to win matches.”

    Seasoned spinner Harbhajan Singh just bowled one over in the game and Morgan said despite that he did not finish his spell he played a role by motivating players around him.

    “It’s more to do with the match-ups. We analysed the opposition batsmen and him bowling the first over was a plan based on that. He created an opportunity, but unfortunately the catch was dropped. The role he played from thereon was outstanding. He used his experience, spoke to the players and lent his hand wherever needed. From the time he has arrived in the camp, he has shown more energy than anyone else. Hopefully, he can continue doing that and keep bowling beautifully the way he has been,” he said.

    When asked about the challenges of the bubble life, England skipper said, “Everyone within the squad, backroom staff and coaches are aware of how tough the bubble life is and the challenges it presents. It’s tough at different stages and particularly when you aren’t playing. Working hard and waiting for an opportunity could be a challenge.

    “Having been in that position myself, I think the mind is waiting for that opportunity and trying to manage how you spend your energies. Often, if you aren’t in a good headspace, then you don’t take the opportunity when it arrives. There are regular conversations going on about the players’ welfare at the moment,” he added.

  • Kane Williamson needed a little bit of extra time to get match fitness: SRH coach Trevor Bayliss

    By ANI
    CHENNAI: SunRisers Hyderabad coach Trevor Bayliss on Sunday said that Kane Williamson needs a bit of extra time to get to his match fitness as the New Zealand skipper missed the opening game for the side against Kolkata Knight Riders.

    SRH suffered a 10-run defeat against KKR here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium after Nitish Rana and Rahul Tripathi’s knocks of 80 and 53 were backed by a spirited bowling performance by the Eoin Morgan-led side.

    “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.

    Needing 57 off 24 balls at one stage, SRH promoted Vijay Shankar ahead of big-hitter Abdul Samad.

    When asked about sending Shankar before Samad, Bayliss said, “Vijay in our practice matches that we had a few days ago was our best player. He struck the ball beautifully and made 95 in one of the games, hit a lot of the balls long way over the fence. It’s always difficult in those situations whenever you go in you have to go pretty much from the first ball you face.”

    “Samad in a short space of time last IPL and this one has shown that he has a lot of talent and is a clean striker of the ball. I think as he gets more experience, he will get more opportunities,” he added.

    Bayliss further said that the side would continue to reward last season’s performers as they helped the team turn their fortunes around and make a late dash into the playoffs.

    “At the moment what we wanted to do is reward the guys who finished the tournament last year. We got off to a slow start the last tournament but came back well to reach the finals (playoffs). Someone like Saha opening and batting so well in that tournament we felt we should reward the guys who finished it so well for us last year,” the coach said.

    “Depending on fitness and form, we know Jonny can open the batting and keep as well. It gives us options but yes he has done well for England at number 4 recently,” he added.

  • Nitish, Rahul half-centuries take Kolkata to 187 for 6 against Hyderabad

    By PTI
    CHENNAI:

    Opener Nitish Rana (80) and Rahul Tripathi (53) hit fluent half-centuries to propel Kolkata Knight Riders to a challenging 187 for six against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their Indian Premier League match, here on Sunday.

    SRH’s Rashid Khan (2/24) was yet again at his best, asking tough questions to the batsmen but most of his bowling colleagues proved ineffective on a batting-friendly wicket.

    Dinesh Karthik (22 not out off 9 balls) provided a late flourish to KKR innings but they could gather only 42 runs in the last five overs.

    Left-handed opener Rana struck the ball hard and clean to provide his side a confident start after they were asked to take first strike.

    His strokes on the off-side — the drives and cuts – were of highest quality and a treat to the eye.

    Neither Bhuvneshwar Kumar nor T Natarajan could stop Rana from hitting boundaries even as Subhman Gill was quiet initially.

    Sandeep Sharma was hit for three boundaries in a row by him.

    Gill opened up his arms to hit a massive straight six off Natarajan to make it even better for KKR.

    However, the run-flow was affected when ever-reliable Rashid got the ball in his hands.

    He also provided the breakthrough when he deceived Gill with a wrong’un to find the stumps.

    Rana though kept going strong, completing his half-century with a six off Vijay Shankar after surviving an LBW appeal off Rashid.

    He got the decision overturned, taking the DRS call.

    Rana’s six-hitting continued after getting his fifty as he punished Natarajan and Sandeep again.

    His colleague at the other end Rahul Tripathi also stroked confidently and fluently.

    He smashed a massive six off Bhuvneshwar and then followed it up with a cheeky four in the third-man region.

    He completed his fifty with another boundary off Bhuvneshwar but was dismissed by Natarajan soon after when he top-edged a ball.

    Rashid too sent back dangerous Andre Russell (5) back.

    Mohammed Nabi (2/32) got rid of Rana and Eoin Morgan (2) off successive balls in the 18th over.

  • SRH captain David Warner wins toss, asks KKR to bat

    By PTI
    CHENNAI: Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper David Warner won the toss and elected to bowl against Kolkata Knight Riders in their Indian Premier League match, here on Sunday.

    Veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh was named in the KKR playing eleven.

    The Teams

    Kolkata Knight Riders: Eoin Morgan (c), Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik, Andre Russell, Shakib Al Hasan, Pat Cummins, Harbhajan Singh, Prasidh Krishna and Varun Chakravarthy

    Sunrisers Hyderabad: David Warner (c), Wriddhiman Saha, Manish Pandey, Jonny Bairstow, Vijay Shankar, Mohammad Nabi, Abdul Samad, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma and T Natarajan

  • More fun for fans as Chennai Super Kings ties up with new video-sharing partners

    By IANS
    BENGALURU: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans can now also watch exclusive live streams and uploaded short videos of their favourite players on social media apps, Glance and Roposo.

    Glance, a leading lock screen content platform, and Roposo, which is a short-video sharing platform, announced on Sunday their partnership with CSK as their official ‘lock screen partner’ and official short-video app partner, respectively.

    The Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led team will be live streaming some special shows on Glance, and post original short videos on Roposo throughout the tournament.

    “Getting a top-tier team like CSK to be Glance and Roposo’s exclusive lock screen and short video partners is a testament to the popularity and reach of our platforms. With the CSK team all set to live stream their exclusive and original content, we are primed to offer the users of Glance and Roposo an unmatched experience throughout this year’s tournament,” said Bikash Chowdhury, vice-president, marketing (Glance).

    CSK have set up their official profile on Roposo and fans will soon be able to engage with some of their favourite players.

    As smartphone users shift towards digital platforms for content consumption, mobile ‘lock screen’ has emerged as one of the key mediums for content consumption in the country.