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Tag: Mumbai Indians

  • Hardik Pandya, Natasa Stankovic Goes On Vacation Amid Divorce Rumours: Report | Cricket News

    In a dramatic turn of events, Hardik Pandya, India’s star all-rounder, has found himself at the center of swirling divorce rumours while also grappling with a tough IPL season. As speculations about his personal life with wife Natasa Stankovic intensify, Hardik has reportedly jetted off to an undisclosed overseas location for a much-needed break before joining the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 in New York.

    Also Read: IPL 2024: From Virat Kohli’s Orange Cap To Harshal Patel’s Purple Cap, Who Won What – In Pics

    Professional Turmoil and Criticism

    Hardik Pandya’s leadership tenure with Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024 was nothing short of tumultuous. The decision to appoint him as the captain, replacing Rohit Sharma, was met with widespread disapproval from fans. Throughout the season, Hardik faced relentless criticism, with jeers greeting him at every match. The weight of expectations and the negative atmosphere affected his performance significantly, contributing to Mumbai Indians’ disappointing finish at the bottom of the standings.

    Mark Boucher, Mumbai Indians’ coach, commented on the situation, stating, “A lot of the stuff that he’s going through is, personally, maybe a little uncalled for. It’ll certainly be a learning curve for Hardik as his growth in leadership. While times are tough now, a couple of things will pass and it’ll make him a tougher leader and it’ll certainly grow him in the role as well.”

    Personal Life Under Scrutiny

    As Hardik grapples with professional setbacks, his personal life has been thrust into the spotlight. Rumours of a split with Natasa Stankovic, his wife, have been rampant. The couple, who have a young son, have not made any public statements regarding their relationship status, leaving fans and media speculating.

    Hardik’s absence from the initial batch of players departing for the T20 World Cup added fuel to the fire. Instead of boarding the plane with his teammates, he opted for a brief vacation abroad, reportedly in London for a training stint before rejoining the national team in New York. This move has only intensified the rumours about his marital status.

    Hardik’s Road to Redemption

    Despite the storm of controversy and criticism, Hardik Pandya remains a crucial figure for India’s T20 World Cup campaign. As the vice-captain, his role is pivotal in the team’s strategy and morale. His brief hiatus is seen as an attempt to rejuvenate himself after a taxing IPL season.

    The Indian cricket team, led by Rohit Sharma and including key players like Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rishabh Pant, has already commenced their journey to the USA. The squad’s first practice session in New York will be crucial in setting the tone for their World Cup campaign. Hardik’s timely arrival and state of mind will be critical in determining his and the team’s performance.

    What Lies Ahead for Hardik Pandya?

    The coming weeks will be decisive for Hardik Pandya. On one hand, his performance in the T20 World Cup could silence critics and reaffirm his position as one of India’s top all-rounders. On the other hand, the resolution of his personal issues will be keenly watched by fans and the media alike.

    As Hardik gears up to join his teammates, the focus will be on his ability to compartmentalize his personal struggles and channel his energy into his game. The support of his teammates and the guidance of the coaching staff will play a crucial role in his journey ahead.

  • From Coin Flip To DRS Disputes: Are Umpires Mumbai Indians’ 12th Man In IPL 2024? , cricket news

    Mumbai Indians continued their resurgence in IPL 2024 with a hard-fought 9-run victory over the Punjab Kings on Thursday. However, the match was overshadowed by several umpiring decisions that sparked allegations of bias toward the five-time champions. After winning the toss, Punjab Kings opted to field first at the picturesque Mullanpur Cricket Stadium. Despite losing Ishan Kishan early, solid knocks from Suryakumar Yadav (78), Rohit Sharma (36) and Tilak Varma (34*) propelled Mumbai to an imposing 192/7. In reply, PBKS were left reeling at 14/4 before Shashank Singh (41) and Ashutosh Sharma (61) launched a valiant fightback. But ultimately, their 183/9 fell just short as Jasprit Bumrah (3/21) and the MI bowling attack held their nerve.

    I got the video downloaded before pic.twitter.com/ToZBwd2Siw

    — MODI OUT, NO BJP (@footyxg) April 18, 2024

    _ Toss Update _

    Punjab Kings win the toss and elect to bowl against Mumbai Indians.

    Follow the Match __ https://t.co/m7TQkWeGn7#TATAIPL | #PBKSvMI pic.twitter.com/soKlffZDxX — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 18, 2024

    Umpiring Controversies Galore

    While MI showed champions’ poise, the match was marred by several umpiring calls that favored the visitors and sparked furious debates on social media.

    Coin Toss Controversy Reignited

    Weeks after the coin toss controversy in their match against RCB, cameras zoomed in to capture the coin landing during the toss – likely to quell any suspicions after claims of impropriety last time.

    Dubious Wide Calls

    A seemingly legitimate wide call against Arshdeep Singh in the 15th over was overturned after MI reviewed, with the third umpire deeming it a legal delivery despite it passing well wide of Tim David’s bat. However, it was the very next delivery that really set tongues wagging. Suryakumar hammered the ball through covers, only for Nitin Menon to signal a wide much to PBKS’s disbelief – with replays suggesting the ball was well within David’s reach.

    Caught Behind Controversy

    The Pakistan-born duo of Shashank and Ashutosh had revived PBKS’s hopes with a brilliant 89-run stand. But controversy struck when Menon ruled Ashutosh out caught behind in the 17th over despite him appearing to miss the ball. Though PBKS reviewed, Menon stuck to his call with the hotspot appearing inconclusive, leading to furious protests from the PBKS camp citing bias.

    Social Media Erupts

    Fans were split on the impartiality of the umpiring, with #UmpiresBias and #MIChampions trending on Twitter as allegations of favoring the Mumbai franchise surfaced. “Once again, another shameful display of umpiring in favor of MI. From dodgy wides to dubious caught behinds – is the IPL scripted for them to win?” fumed one fan. Others cited past instances like the infamous 2019 no-ball controversy and Faizu Nazar’s controversial wide call in the 2008 IPL final as proof of long-standing bias. However, MI supporters countered that umpiring errors were simply part of the game, adding: “Bad umpiring is lapped up when it’s against MI but conveniently ignored when they benefit. #Halademocracy.” As umpiring standards continue being scrutinized, the controversy provided an unsavory backdrop to a classic IPL encounter – once again shining an uncomfortable spotlight on the game’s officiating.

  • Blame Game In MI Camp After Hardik Pandya’s MI Lose To CSK? Mumbai Captain Makes Big Statement | cricket news

    In a high-stakes clash between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, the latter emerged victorious in what was dubbed the IPL’s ‘El Clasico.’ The match, held at Wankhede Stadium, turned into a run-fest, ultimately ending with CSK securing a 20-run win. Initially, Mumbai’s opening duo, Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan, unleashed a barrage of boundaries during the powerplay, posing a significant threat to CSK’s bowlers. However, the tide shifted in the eighth over when Matheesha Pathirana intervened. His crucial breakthroughs, dismissing Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav, turned the game in CSK’s favour. Mumbai Indians skipper, Hardik Pandya, acknowledged Pathirana’s impact, crediting him as the pivotal difference-maker.

    Also Read | IPL 2024: After Rohit Sharma’s Pants Come Off During MI Vs CSK Clash, Memes Pour In; Check Best Ones Here

    Despite Mumbai’s strong start, CSK’s bowlers, including Shardul Thakur and Mustafizur Rahman, faced challenges containing the onslaught. Thakur, in particular, struggled initially but made a remarkable comeback in his final over, conceding just two runs. Rahman also found it tough to find his rhythm, conceding 55 runs in his spell. However, CSK’s strategic approach and adaptability, guided by the astute leadership of MS Dhoni, proved crucial in navigating the challenging conditions.

    Reflecting on the match, MI captain Pandya acknowledged CSK’s smart planning and execution, highlighting the role of Dhoni’s guidance from behind the stumps. He emphasized the difficulty posed by the pitch, which gradually deteriorated, making batting more challenging as the game progressed.

    “Definitely it was gettable. But I think they bowled pretty well, Pathirana was the difference. He came and got the wickets, at the same time they were also quite smart with their approach. They used the longer boundary well,” Haridk said after. the game.

    “It was about batting well and keeping our intent, which we did till Pathirana came in. We were on course to get the total, those couple of wickets. [in his first over] we lost set us back. From there we were chasing the game,” he added.

    In the contest, Mumbai Indians opted to bowl first after winning the toss. CSK capitalized on the opportunity, posting a formidable total of 206/4, courtesy of impressive contributions from Shivam Dube, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, and a late flourish by MS Dhoni.

    Despite Rohit Sharma’s heroic unbeaten knock of 105 runs, Mumbai Indians fell short of the target, unable to chase down the mammoth total set by CSK. Overall, the match showcased the competitive spirit and tactical acumen of both teams, with CSK emerging triumphant due to their superior execution and adaptability in the face of adversity.

  • IPL 2024: MS Dhoni Takes Hardik Pandya To The Cleaners, Smashes 3 Sixes In A Row During IPL ElClasico – WATCH | cricket news

    When MS Dhoni stepped up to the crease during the IPL ElClasico, he smashed three consecutive sixes in the last over of the innings. It was the perfect finish. MI skipper Hardik Pandya was bowling the last over and unarguably he was taken to the cleaners by the former CSK captain. Crowd at Wankhede went crazy as MS Dhoni smashed 20 off 4 balls.

    Watch the video here…

    MS DHONI SMASHED 3 CONSECUTIVE SIXES ON THE FIRST THREE BALLS… pic.twitter.com/h9X7t2D4r2 — Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 14, 2024

    Brilliant half-centuries by Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube and a ‘Mahi Special’ hat-trick of sixes by MS Dhoni in the final over took Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to 206/4 in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Mumbai. Indians (MI) at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

    MI need to score 207 runs to secure their third successive win and continue their superior record over CSK in the IPL. After being put to bat first by MI, CSK was off to a bad start as they lost Ajinkya Rahane early for just five runs off eight balls. Gerald Coetzee got the wicket and Hardik Pandya took a fine catch at mid-on. CSK was 8/1 in 1.4 overs.

    Rachin Ravindra was joined by skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. The duo took a little time to settle in, but it was not too late until Gaikwad let his hands loose by smashing Coetzee for two fours and a six in the fifth over. (IPL 2024: ‘Expectations Will Be There But He’s 42,’ Ex-India Cricketer On Whether MS Dhoni Will Move On In Batting Order)

    The sixth and final over of the powerplay by Akash Madhwal gave away 10 runs, including two fours. CSK was 48/1 after six overs, with Gaikwad (29*) and Rachin (12*) unbeaten.

    Just when it seemed that Rachin was picking up speed and momentum, he was caught behind by Ishan Kishan on a Shreyas Gopal delivery for 21 in 16 balls, with two fours and a six. CSK was 60/2 in 7.5 overs. Shivam Dube came in at number four, hoping to carry on with his explosive run of form and six-hitting.

    The 10th over by Hardik leaked 15 runs, including three majestic fours by Shivam. CSK ended the first half of their innings at 80/2, with Gaikwad (36*) and Dube (15*) unbeaten. Dube continued with his aggression, hitting Romario Shepherd for two fours. Gaikwad ended Akash Madhwal’s 12th over with a six to help the Men in Yellow touch 100-run mark.

    Gaikwad reached his second IPL half-century in 33 balls, with three fours and four sixes. The 14th over by Romario was what CSK needed as Dube hit two sixes over deep backward square leg and long-on and then powered a pull shot through mid-wicket for a four.

    After a single, Gaikwad produced a classy boundary in the backward point region, securing 22 runs from the over. The score reached 132 runs. CSK continued hitting big in the next over as well, as two fours and a six-over deep point by Shivam took the team 17 runs ahead. Dube reached his second IPL 2024 fifty in 28 balls, with seven fours and two sixes. Also, CSK reached the 150-run mark in 15.1 overs.

    On the very next ball, though, skipper Pandya ended the 90-run partnership as Mohammed Nabi caught Gaikwad at long-on, ending his knock at 69 runs in 40 balls, with five fours and five sixes. CSK was 150/3 in 15.2 overs.

    Daryl Mitchell joined Dube at the other end. The run flow was restricted considerably after Gaikwad’s dismissal. Mitchell’s struggling knock of 17 in 14 balls was ended by Pandya, who got him caught by Nabi near the boundary. CSK was 186/4 in 19.2 overs.

    MS Dhoni walked in and made an immediate impact with three successive sixes, one over long-on, the other over long-off and the third over square leg. 200 was up for CSK in 19.5 overs.

    Dhoni took a double on the final ball, CSK ended at 206/4, with Dhoni (20* in four balls) and Dube (66* in 38 balls, with 10 fours and two sixes) unbeaten. Pandya (2/43) was the pick of the bowlers for MI. Gopal and Coetzee got a wicket each.

  • ‘I Am Very Scared Of…’: Virat Kohli Reveals His Biggest Fear Ahead Of MI Vs RCB Clash In IPL 2024 | cricket news

    Ahead of the clash against five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) opener Virat Kohli opened up about his biggest fear in a viral video. Virat is currently participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, representing the Bangalore-based franchise. With the T20 World Cup starting from June 1 onwards, this tournament is his chance to prove that his slightly more conservative approach to T20 cricket, which mixes aggressive hitting with anchoring skills, is still a great model to follow these days when batters are going big. from ball one.

    Also Read | MI vs RCB Live Cricket Score and Updates, IPL 2024: Check Royal Challengers’ Playing 11

    The former RCB skipper asserted that whenever there is bad turbulence, he is the first one to hold the sides of the seat.

    “I am very scared of turbulence. Oh my god, I look so stupid and like a fool. Whenever there is a bad turbulence, I am the first guy to hold the sides of the seat. So I feel like, I am the gone ,” Kohli said in the RCB Podcast Trailer.

    Kohli has been in remarkable form ongoing 17th edition of the IPL. The right-hand batsman has already has a century to his name and has struck 316 runs in 5 matches at an average of 105.33.

    Virat’s team RCB is off to a poor start in the IPL this year, having won only one out of their five matches so far. Their next challenge will be the contest against five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

    RCB squad for IPL 2024: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis(c), Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik(w), Saurav Chauhan, Reece Topley, Mayank Dagar, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal, Himanshu Sharma, Suyash Prabhudessai, Mahipal Lomror, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Swapnil Singh, Karn Sharma, Tom Curran, Lockie Ferguson, Alzarri Joseph, Will Jacks, Anuj Rawat, Manoj Bhandage, Akash Deep, Rajan Kumar.

  • Suryakumar Yadav Injury Update: Star Batter Declared Fit By NCA To Play For Mumbai Indians? Read Here | cricket news

    India and MI’s star middle-order batsman Suryakumar Yadav has been declared fit to play by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for the upcoming Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals match at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday (April 7). Surya will return to cricket action after three months of recovery and rehab at the NCA. The BCCI and staff at NCA did not want to risk the batter’s chances of getting injured again when he returned to action so that’s why they took as much time as possible to analyze Yadav’s fitness.

    “He is fit now. The NCA made him play a few practice games and he looked good. He can join the Mumbai Indians team. We wanted to be sure that when Surya goes back to MI, he is 100 percent fit and ready to play games. He wasn’t feeling 100% during his first fitness Test before the IPL, so we waited to see if there was any pain while he was batting,” a source in the BCCI confirmed to the Indian Express. (SRH vs CSK Match Tickets Being Black Market? Mohammed Azharuddin Makes Bold Accusations)

    Suryakumar Yadav endured a grade II ankle tear during the T20I series in South Africa, initially sidelining him for seven weeks. However, a subsequent hernia injury necessitated surgery, prolonging his absence until now.

    The return of Yadav, ICC’s top-ranked T20I batsman, comes as a much-needed boost for the struggling Mumbai Indians. With three consecutive defeats in the IPL 2024 season, skipper Hardik Pandya has faced mounting criticism from fans in every match.

    After losing three consecutive matches at the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya said that they will continue fighting in the T20 tournament.

    In MI’s previous encounter against Rajasthan Royals (RR), Pandya scored the highest for Mumbai with 34 off 21 deliveries, while Tilak Varma played a crucial knock of 32 runs in 29 balls, taking MI to 125/9 after Rajasthan bowlers absolutely bossed Mumbai batters. in their homecoming match on Monday.

    Pandya took to his official

    “If there’s one thing you should know about this team, we never give up. We’ll keep fighting, we’ll keep going,” Pandya wrote on video)

    Summarizing the match, after winning the toss, RR opted to bowl first. Trent Boult (3/22) destroyed the MI top-order in the powerplay, reducing them to 20/4. A 56-run partnership between skipper Hardik Pandya (34 in 21 balls, with six fours) and Tilak Varma (32 in 29 balls, with two sixes) brought some order into the innings briefly before MI experienced a collapse again to end at 125/ 9 in 20 overs.

    Yuzvendra Chahal (3/11) and Nandre Burger (2/32) bowled well for RR and rocked the MI batting line-up with regular wickets, never giving them a chance to breathe.

    In the run chase, RR lost openers Jos Buttler (13), Yashasvi Jaiswal (10) while skipper Sanju Samson could make only 12 in 10 balls. Reduced to 48/3, they were in a tricky situation. But Riyan Parag once again performed a brilliant rescue act, scoring 54* in 39 balls, with five fours and three sixes to take his side to a six-wicket win with 27 balls left. Akash Madhwal (3/20) was the pick of the bowlers for MI.

    Following the win, the Rajasthan-based franchise stand at the top place of the standings with six points at a net run rate of +1.249. On the other hand, Hardik Pandya’s side are at the bottom of the table and are yet to score points.

  • Rohit Sharma Tells Wankhede Fans To Not Boo Hardik Pandya, Video Goes Viral; Watch | cricket news

    Former Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Rohit Sharma was seen calming down the crowd at Wankhede during the IPL 2024 game between home side Mumbai Indians and visitors Rajasthan Royals. The match was won by RR but throughout the game the anti-Hardik Pandya slogans were heard in the stadium. Hardik felt he was playing in an away contest in his homeground in IPL as he was constantly booed at the Wankhede stadiums. It all started at the toss when commentator Sanjay Manjrekar asked the crowd to behave when the booed as soon as Hardik’s name was called.

    Also Read | IPL 2024: Sara Tendulkar Spotted Watching MI vs RR Clash At Wankhede Stadium, See Viral PIC

    But the crowd was relentless in their pursuit to prove that this team was still Rohit Sharma’s. Every time, Hardik’s name was taken in the stadium or he came on the big screen, the fans chanted ‘Rohit, Rohit’. Hardik could be seen visibly disturbed when the crowd booed once again as he dropped a catch.

    Even Rohit could see the hostile nature of the Wankhede crowd which he had not seen before in IPL for their own player. While fielding in the deep, Rohit made a gesture to the fans sitting in that section of the crowd to calm down. The cameras captured him doing this and the video went viral instantly.

    Watch Rohit asking fans not to boo Hardik below:

    Rohit Sharma saying crowd not to boo Hardik Pandya, Just gentleman things. pic.twitter.com/xSm6cRj3BO

    — Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) April 1, 2024

    Coming to the match, Mumbai produced one of the worst performances in years as they were restricted to just 125 for 9 in 20 overs. Trent Boult demolished MI’s top-order, reducing them to 20 for 4 inside four overs. Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya played knocks of 32 and 34 runs respectively to steady the innings but soon they too departed and MI kept on losing wickets from thereon, eventually finishing with just 125 on the board. RR too had a bad start but Riyan Parag played another fine innings of unbeaten 54 runs to see the team through as the visitors registered their third win on the trot.

    IPL 2024 Points Table

    Rajasthan Royals (RR) have jumped to the top of the points table with three consecutive wins to their names. They are looking in solid form. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have dropped to second spot followed by Chennai Super Kings at the third. Gujarat Titans are fourth on the table while Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants are fifth and sixth respectively. The bottom four teams are Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians.

  • IPL 2024 Winning Formula: Hit Most Sixes And Enter Final As Proven By CSK, MI, RCB; Check Stat | cricket news

    Hitting sixes matter in T20. Teams without big six-hitters tend to struggle, whether internationally or in franchise cricket. IPL is no different. History tells you that teams which have more sixes in the past editions, barring 2008, have reached the finals. This stat is a reason why the likes of Andre Russell, Glenn Maxwell, Rinku Singh, MS Dhoni, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya are so important to the success of their teams. Some of these players have had their fitness struggles but the franchises never turned their back on them. These players are match-winners on their day as they can chase down any target on the back of their power game.

    Also Read | IPL 2024 RCB vs CSK: MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli On Cusp Of Breaking Major T20 Records; Check Here

    Explaining how six-hitting skill is a game changer in T20Is using an India loss as an example

    Strong power game helped West Indies win 2 T20 World Cup titles. Remember that semifinal clash in T20 World Cup in 2016 between West Indies and India. West Indies won it because of their power game. In fact, Windies won these World Cups because of their boundary-clearing abilities.


    In this semifinal alone, Windies hit 11 sixes against India's 3. India made 192 for 2 in 20 overs with Virat Kohli hitting 11 fours and just 1 six in his innings of 89 off 47 balls. The knock came at a brisk strike rate of 189.36. Dhoni hit just one boundary after facing 9 balls. Rohit Sharma, during innings of 31-ball 43, hit 3 fours and sixes each. India returned with eight wickets in hand and with six-hitters Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja unused. That was a tactical error on part of India as they failed to put up something over 220 despite wickets in hand and after playing 120 balls.

    Follow Full Coverage Of IPL 2024 Here

    Windies batsmen got reprieves in that match but they made full use of it. That is T20 cricket's nature, by default. There's always more risk involved but the returns are also maximum. Windies finished the game in 19.4 overs. What helped them were 11 sixes. They also hit more boundaries (20) in comparison to India (17). In a nutshell, West Indies hit 144 runs out of rheir 196 in boundaries (sixes and fours) and India scored just 92. This difference is quite telling.

    England adopted the same six-hitting principle in ODIs when they began their revival post the 2015 World cup debacle. The road was tough but they did not change their game and were eventually rewarded with the first fifty-over World Cup. The fact that they won the final on the number of boundary counts sort of tells the whole importance of boundaries.

    Which teams have hit most sixes in every IPL season sine 2008 and how many of them went to the finals?

    Now that we have explained the importance of six, here's proving how key a role this skill plays in IPL as well. The most sixes hit in first season of IPL by a team was just 95, by Kings XI Punjab. The second most was from Deccan Chargers. Both did not make it the final. However, since 2009, at least one team of the two teams with most sixes that season has made it the final.


    In 2009, Chargers hit 99 sixes and won the competition. In 2010, CSK were won the competition with most sixes (97). In 2011, CSK won it again with second-most sixes in the season (91) while RCB hit 94 and were the finalists. In 2012, CSK made the finals again with 112 sixes. Mumbai Indians (MI) hit the most sixes in 2013 and won the competition while. Punjab Kings made their first final in 2014 on back of 127 sixes, the most that season.

    In 2015 too, MI hit most sixes (120) and won the championship for the second time. Next year, RCB made the final with 142 sixes. and 2017, MI won the competition for the third time with 117 sixes, against most in that edition.

    CSK in 2018 (145), 2021 (115) and 2023 (133), MI in 2019 (115) and 2020 (137) hit most sixes in these respective editions to win the tournament while Rajasthan Royals made the final on back of 137 sixes. in the tournament in 2022. The trend tells you clearly. The teams who can consistently hit sixes in this league increase their chance of qualifying for the final.

  • IPL 2024: Ishan Kishan Copies Lasith Malinga's Bowling Action – WATCH | cricket news

    Ahead of the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024), the Mumbai Indians' camp appears to be brimming with excitement as they gear up for the tournament. With all eyes on newly appointed captain Hardik Pandya, the team atmosphere is notably buoyant. Adding to the lively atmosphere, star Indian batsman Ishan Kishan joined in on the fun. The 25-year-old entertained his teammates by impersonating the team's bowling coach, Lasith Malinga, during a training session.

    Mumbai Indians shared a clip of Ishan sporting a colored wig resembling Malinga's iconic hairstyle. In the video, Ishan not only showcased his new look but also attempted to mimic Malinga's distinctive bowling action, much to the amusement of everyone present. (IPL 2024: 'Virat Kohli Needs To Score Runs Ahead Of T20 World Cup As Players Have Leapfrogged Him,' Says Dale Steyn)

    Watch the video here:


    Back in Mumbai Indians colours, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya on Friday vowed to play a brand of cricket which no one will forget as he leads the five-time champions this IPL season. Pandya was traded by MI from Gujarat Titans ahead of the upcoming season. He made his IPL debut with MI in 2015 and won four titles with the side before joining GT in 2022. He lead GT to a title win in the same season.

    “The feeling of wearing this color is very special for me. Journey started here, coming back home and playing is always going to be special,” said Pandya, who replaces Rohit Sharma as captain, in a video posted by the franchise on social media. .

    “We will make sure we will play a brand of cricket which all will be proud of and at the same point of time it's going to be a ride no one will forget.”

    Pandya was welcomed back with open arms by MI head coach Mark Boucher, who backed him to do well. (IPL 2024: LSG Welcome Gabba Test Hero Shamar Joseph With Hilarious Dig At Australia – WATCH)

    “He (Pandya) certainly knows the changing room better than what I do. It's sort of homecoming for couple of people.”He has fitted in really well and is excited for the season. We look forward to having him back and winning some games for Mumbai Indians again,” told Boucher in another MI video.

    “At the start of each season, everyone is very excited. There's a couple of new faces around, so there's a little bit of nerves as well. We would like building up to the start of the season.”

  • 'You Get Injured 2 Months Before IPL', Praveen Kumar Slams Hardik Pandya, Asks Him To Prioritize Country Over Franchise. cricket news

    IPL 2024 is not far away. The league starts on March 22 with the first match between defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Fans are going to see some new things in the next edition, including some new captains. Pat Cummins, for example, has taken over captaincy duties at Sunrisers Hyderabad. Likewise, we will see a new captain at Mumbai Indians. Who would have thought that such a line would be written about MI so soon.

    Last year, in what was one of the most talked-about trades in IPL history, Hardik Pandya came back to Mumbai Indians and a few days later, he was also named as the captain, replacing Rohit Sharma, who won them the championship a record. five times. Rohit's ouster was not welcomed by his fans and majority of the MI fan base. MI saw a huge dip in their Instagram fan following but the management did not go back on the decision. Head coach Mark Boucher was later heard saying on a podcast about the decision, saying the fans went emotional but the decision was purely based on cricketing logic as MI aims to prepare a captain for future.

    Former India pacer Praveen Kumar's video, now, is going viral in which he can be heard speaking about Pandya's habit of getting injured just two months before IPL. He felt that Pandya is among the cricketers who are giving importance only to IPL and are ignoring national duty as well as domestic cricket. One cannot understand whether this video is new or from old times but after listening to what he is saying, one understands that it is a video of recent times.

    “You get injured two months before the IPL, you don't play for the country, you don't play for your state in domestic cricket, and just directly play in the IPL. That's not how things should be done. It's okay to earn money, there's nothing wrong with that. But you have to play for state and country and now people only give importance to the IPL),” Praveen Kumar said in the now viral interview clip.

    Watch the Praveen Kumar clip here:

    Former cricketer Praveen Kumar talking about Hardik Pandya how he's fit only for IPL but not for nation or domestic. He also feels Rohit Sharma could have captained 3-4 more years in MI colour_ pic.twitter.com/2I6Hljvf88 — Immy|| __ (@TotallyImro45) March 12, 2024

    The clip is going viral on the internet and may have reached Pandya's phone as well. If the MI captain watches it, he will surely look to give a fitting reply to Praveen, by playing some outstanding knocks in the league and taking MI to the record-extending sixth title.