Tag: Royal Challengers Bangalore

  • Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone go balle balle for Punjab Kings against RCB

    Express News Service

    BENGALURU: 8, 12, 12, 9, 6, 32, 1 and 56.

    These numbers of Jonny Bairstow in his first eight matches for the Punjab Kings does not draw a great picture. Even his half-century in the last game against Rajasthan Royals missed that dangerous Englishman, who can tear apart bowling attacks. But then when it comes to such players, it is just a matter of time. You never know when it is their day to turn on the heat.

    Teams in the IPL auction were also aware of his consistent performances in the last few editions and his match-winning abilities. For instance, he has scored 248 (in 7 matches, IPL 2021), 345 (11, 2020), 445 (10, 2019). No wonder, three teams, including Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings battled it out for his signature, and was eventually snapped by the latter for Rs 6.75 crore.

    Even when his performances were not up to the mark initially, the management had faith in his ability. They were looking at ways to get back to his scoring ways, moving him to number five from three as well. It did not work. It was then they took a strong call to give him his favoured position — opener. That was not easy with Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal, successful openers in the IPL, in that slot. The captain decided to move down the order and asked Bairstow to open alongside Dhawan. It worked.

    The 32-year-old, who opened for the first time in the last game, scored a half-century to give him the confidence.

    The opener then came up with a sensational 29-ball 66 to play an important role in helping Punjab score 209/9 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Mumbai on Friday.  Fellow countryman Liam Livingstone applied the finishing touches with a 42-ball 70 to power their team to a big score.

    ALSO READ | Bairstow enjoying opening slot for Punjab Kings after struggling in middle order

    Such was the dominance of the two Englishmen that Harshal Patel’s four-wicket haul remained in the backdrop. Punjab won the match by 54 runs as RCB just managed 155/9 in 20 overs.

    However, this innings from Livingstone does not come as a big surprise. The six-hitting machine has been in incredible touch this season as was witnessed in his fourth half-century of the season on Friday. He was at his menacing best, dealing in sixes (four in number). In fact, he was harsh on Josh Hazlewood, who was smashed for 24 runs in the penultimate over.

    The Australian, who conceded 64 runs from his 4 overs, was also punished badly by Bairstow. The opener got going with a 22-run over in the second over. Bairstow was on top of his game, looking to put bowlers on the back foot, and he achieved his objective. RCB could not even understand what hit them.

    He was finally dismissed by Shahbaz Ahmed in the 10th over, but the assault did not stop as Livingstone took over from there and put Punjab in a solid position before the break.

    If RCB had any chance of chasing down the score, they needed either Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell or Faf Du Plessis to score big, they just managed 20, 35 and 10 respectively.  And when Dinesh Karthik, their finisher, was out for 11, their chance of winning the game ended then and there in the 15th over.

    BENGALURU: 8, 12, 12, 9, 6, 32, 1 and 56.

    These numbers of Jonny Bairstow in his first eight matches for the Punjab Kings does not draw a great picture. Even his half-century in the last game against Rajasthan Royals missed that dangerous Englishman, who can tear apart bowling attacks. But then when it comes to such players, it is just a matter of time. You never know when it is their day to turn on the heat.

    Teams in the IPL auction were also aware of his consistent performances in the last few editions and his match-winning abilities. For instance, he has scored 248 (in 7 matches, IPL 2021), 345 (11, 2020), 445 (10, 2019). No wonder, three teams, including Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings battled it out for his signature, and was eventually snapped by the latter for Rs 6.75 crore.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Even when his performances were not up to the mark initially, the management had faith in his ability. They were looking at ways to get back to his scoring ways, moving him to number five from three as well. It did not work. It was then they took a strong call to give him his favoured position — opener. That was not easy with Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal, successful openers in the IPL, in that slot. The captain decided to move down the order and asked Bairstow to open alongside Dhawan. It worked.

    The 32-year-old, who opened for the first time in the last game, scored a half-century to give him the confidence.

    The opener then came up with a sensational 29-ball 66 to play an important role in helping Punjab score 209/9 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Mumbai on Friday.  Fellow countryman Liam Livingstone applied the finishing touches with a 42-ball 70 to power their team to a big score.

    ALSO READ | Bairstow enjoying opening slot for Punjab Kings after struggling in middle order

    Such was the dominance of the two Englishmen that Harshal Patel’s four-wicket haul remained in the backdrop. Punjab won the match by 54 runs as RCB just managed 155/9 in 20 overs.

    However, this innings from Livingstone does not come as a big surprise. The six-hitting machine has been in incredible touch this season as was witnessed in his fourth half-century of the season on Friday. He was at his menacing best, dealing in sixes (four in number). In fact, he was harsh on Josh Hazlewood, who was smashed for 24 runs in the penultimate over.

    The Australian, who conceded 64 runs from his 4 overs, was also punished badly by Bairstow. The opener got going with a 22-run over in the second over. Bairstow was on top of his game, looking to put bowlers on the back foot, and he achieved his objective. RCB could not even understand what hit them.

    He was finally dismissed by Shahbaz Ahmed in the 10th over, but the assault did not stop as Livingstone took over from there and put Punjab in a solid position before the break.

    If RCB had any chance of chasing down the score, they needed either Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell or Faf Du Plessis to score big, they just managed 20, 35 and 10 respectively.  And when Dinesh Karthik, their finisher, was out for 11, their chance of winning the game ended then and there in the 15th over.

  • Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone go balle balle for Punjab Kings against RCB

    Express News Service

    BENGALURU: 8, 12, 12, 9, 6, 32, 1 and 56.

    These numbers of Jonny Bairstow in his first eight matches for the Punjab Kings does not draw a great picture. Even his half-century in the last game against Rajasthan Royals missed that dangerous Englishman, who can tear apart bowling attacks. But then when it comes to such players, it is just a matter of time. You never know when it is their day to turn on the heat.

    Teams in the IPL auction were also aware of his consistent performances in the last few editions and his match-winning abilities. For instance, he has scored 248 (in 7 matches, IPL 2021), 345 (11, 2020), 445 (10, 2019). No wonder, three teams, including Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings battled it out for his signature, and was eventually snapped by the latter for Rs 6.75 crore.

    Even when his performances were not up to the mark initially, the management had faith in his ability. They were looking at ways to get back to his scoring ways, moving him to number five from three as well. It did not work. It was then they took a strong call to give him his favoured position — opener. That was not easy with Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal, successful openers in the IPL, in that slot. The captain decided to move down the order and asked Bairstow to open alongside Dhawan. It worked.

    The 32-year-old, who opened for the first time in the last game, scored a half-century to give him the confidence.

    The opener then came up with a sensational 29-ball 66 to play an important role in helping Punjab score 209/9 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Mumbai on Friday.  Fellow countryman Liam Livingstone applied the finishing touches with a 42-ball 70 to power their team to a big score.

    ALSO READ | Bairstow enjoying opening slot for Punjab Kings after struggling in middle order

    Such was the dominance of the two Englishmen that Harshal Patel’s four-wicket haul remained in the backdrop. Punjab won the match by 54 runs as RCB just managed 155/9 in 20 overs.

    However, this innings from Livingstone does not come as a big surprise. The six-hitting machine has been in incredible touch this season as was witnessed in his fourth half-century of the season on Friday. He was at his menacing best, dealing in sixes (four in number). In fact, he was harsh on Josh Hazlewood, who was smashed for 24 runs in the penultimate over.

    The Australian, who conceded 64 runs from his 4 overs, was also punished badly by Bairstow. The opener got going with a 22-run over in the second over. Bairstow was on top of his game, looking to put bowlers on the back foot, and he achieved his objective. RCB could not even understand what hit them.

    He was finally dismissed by Shahbaz Ahmed in the 10th over, but the assault did not stop as Livingstone took over from there and put Punjab in a solid position before the break.

    If RCB had any chance of chasing down the score, they needed either Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell or Faf Du Plessis to score big, they just managed 20, 35 and 10 respectively.  And when Dinesh Karthik, their finisher, was out for 11, their chance of winning the game ended then and there in the 15th over.

  • Struggling Virat Kohli mutes TV to silence critics

    By AFP

    NEW DELHI: Out-of-form Virat Kohli says that he has a sure-fire way of drowning out his growing number of critics — he just mutes the television.

    The 33-year-old former India skipper has endured an extended batting slump for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League and fell for his third golden duck of the season on Sunday.

    Commentators have said that the usually prolific batsman looks “overcooked” and needs a break, but in a mostly light-hearted video on Bangalore’s website Kohli said that he has learnt to drown out those who criticise him.

    “They can’t be in my shoes, they can’t feel what I feel, they can’t live my life, they can’t live those moments,” Kohli said of analysts attempting to write him off.

    “How do you cut out the noise? You either mute the TV or don’t listen to or pay attention to what people are saying. I do both of these things.”

    After his latest golden duck, when he flicked the opening delivery of the match to Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Kane Williamson, Kohli walked off with a wry smile.

    The host of the video joked that Kohli has two ducks, a reference to how the batsman got out twice in a row to first balls earlier this season.

    “It hasn’t happened to me ever in my career, I think. I have seen everything now. It’s been so long, I have seen everything in this game,” Kohli said with a grin.

    Kohli has now failed to score a century in more than 100 matches in all formats.

    He has managed just 216 runs from 12 games in the IPL this season, scoring one half-century.

    Still hoping to win a maiden IPL trophy with Bangalore, the team he captained between 2013 and 2021, Kohli spoke fondly about South African great and former IPL teammate AB de Villiers.

    “Miss him a lot. I speak to him regularly, quite regularly,” said Kohli.

    “He keeps messaging me… we stay in touch, he is very keenly obviously watching RCB and hopefully here next year in some capacity.”

    South Africa’s Faf du Plessis took over as Bangalore captain this season and they are currently fourth in the 10-team Twenty20 tournament and in the running for a playoff spot.

    NEW DELHI: Out-of-form Virat Kohli says that he has a sure-fire way of drowning out his growing number of critics — he just mutes the television.

    The 33-year-old former India skipper has endured an extended batting slump for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League and fell for his third golden duck of the season on Sunday.

    Commentators have said that the usually prolific batsman looks “overcooked” and needs a break, but in a mostly light-hearted video on Bangalore’s website Kohli said that he has learnt to drown out those who criticise him.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “They can’t be in my shoes, they can’t feel what I feel, they can’t live my life, they can’t live those moments,” Kohli said of analysts attempting to write him off.

    “How do you cut out the noise? You either mute the TV or don’t listen to or pay attention to what people are saying. I do both of these things.”

    After his latest golden duck, when he flicked the opening delivery of the match to Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Kane Williamson, Kohli walked off with a wry smile.

    The host of the video joked that Kohli has two ducks, a reference to how the batsman got out twice in a row to first balls earlier this season.

    “It hasn’t happened to me ever in my career, I think. I have seen everything now. It’s been so long, I have seen everything in this game,” Kohli said with a grin.

    Kohli has now failed to score a century in more than 100 matches in all formats.

    He has managed just 216 runs from 12 games in the IPL this season, scoring one half-century.

    Still hoping to win a maiden IPL trophy with Bangalore, the team he captained between 2013 and 2021, Kohli spoke fondly about South African great and former IPL teammate AB de Villiers.

    “Miss him a lot. I speak to him regularly, quite regularly,” said Kohli.

    “He keeps messaging me… we stay in touch, he is very keenly obviously watching RCB and hopefully here next year in some capacity.”

    South Africa’s Faf du Plessis took over as Bangalore captain this season and they are currently fourth in the 10-team Twenty20 tournament and in the running for a playoff spot.

  • Struggling Virat Kohli mutes TV to silence critics

    By AFP

    NEW DELHI: Out-of-form Virat Kohli says that he has a sure-fire way of drowning out his growing number of critics — he just mutes the television.

    The 33-year-old former India skipper has endured an extended batting slump for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League and fell for his third golden duck of the season on Sunday.

    Commentators have said that the usually prolific batsman looks “overcooked” and needs a break, but in a mostly light-hearted video on Bangalore’s website Kohli said that he has learnt to drown out those who criticise him.

    “They can’t be in my shoes, they can’t feel what I feel, they can’t live my life, they can’t live those moments,” Kohli said of analysts attempting to write him off.

    “How do you cut out the noise? You either mute the TV or don’t listen to or pay attention to what people are saying. I do both of these things.”

    After his latest golden duck, when he flicked the opening delivery of the match to Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Kane Williamson, Kohli walked off with a wry smile.

    The host of the video joked that Kohli has two ducks, a reference to how the batsman got out twice in a row to first balls earlier this season.

    “It hasn’t happened to me ever in my career, I think. I have seen everything now. It’s been so long, I have seen everything in this game,” Kohli said with a grin.

    Kohli has now failed to score a century in more than 100 matches in all formats.

    He has managed just 216 runs from 12 games in the IPL this season, scoring one half-century.

    Still hoping to win a maiden IPL trophy with Bangalore, the team he captained between 2013 and 2021, Kohli spoke fondly about South African great and former IPL teammate AB de Villiers.

    “Miss him a lot. I speak to him regularly, quite regularly,” said Kohli.

    “He keeps messaging me… we stay in touch, he is very keenly obviously watching RCB and hopefully here next year in some capacity.”

    South Africa’s Faf du Plessis took over as Bangalore captain this season and they are currently fourth in the 10-team Twenty20 tournament and in the running for a playoff spot.

  • Mike Hesson feels RCB is ticking along nicely as team after victory over LSG

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: After registering an 18-run win over Lucknow Super Giants, Royal Challengers Bangalore Director of Cricket Operations Mike Hesson said on Tuesday that the side is ticking along nicely and will continue to strive for improvement.

    Captain Faf Du Plessis regained form to hit a quick-fire 96 off just 64 deliveries and pacer Josh Hazelwood’s spell of 4/25 helped RCB gain an 18-run win against Lucknow Super Giants at the DY Patil Stadium on Tuesday.

    “We are ticking along pretty nicely as a team. Anuj and Faf have had three fifty-run partnerships that have been important for us. We have also had to bat in challenging conditions at times when we lost the toss and struggled to get underway. Faf came really good today and took the pressure off us when we lost early wickets. We are ticking along nicely but we will continue to try striving for improvement,” said Hesson in a post-match press conference.

    Hesson said that the side was pretty fortunate to get LSG captain’s KL Rahul’s wicket, who got dismissed by Harshal Patel for 30 in the eighth over of the game.

    “I would like to say that it was a pre-planned move, but it was not. We have had difficulties getting rid of KL Rahul. We were very happy to get that dismissal. Before that, we had made enough pressure from the scoring point of view,” he added.

    On Siraj not bowling during the death overs, Hesson said that the side has the flexibility to pick and choose as per the opposition and who is doing at a particular moment in time.

    “It is the beauty of our side that we have three very good death bowlers in Siraj, Hazelwood, and Siraj. Often they cover the final five overs. Today we felt that Siraj was doing a nice job. He got us a wicket, which is important. He was able to bowl nicely to the new batter. Ideally, we do not want two bowlers bowling the final over at the back-end, but today they did it. They did an excellent job,” added the Director of Cricket Operations for RCB.

    Coming to the match, put to bat first by LSG, RCB posted 181/6 in their 20 overs, largely powered by Plessis’s brilliant 96, well supported by brief but impactful innings from Shahbaz Ahmed (26) and Maxwell (23). For LSG, solid knocks from Krunal Pandya (42), KL Rahul (30), and Marcus Stoinis (24) kept the scoreboard ticking and hopes alive amid the consistent falling of wickets, but Hazelwood had the last laugh with his 4/25, who with Harshal Patel (2/47) ensured that the Giants fell 18-runs short of their fifth run in the tournament.

    RCB are at the second spot in the points table with 10 points and will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 23. On the other hand, LSG is at the fourth spot in the table and will take on Mumbai Indians on April 24.

    MUMBAI: After registering an 18-run win over Lucknow Super Giants, Royal Challengers Bangalore Director of Cricket Operations Mike Hesson said on Tuesday that the side is ticking along nicely and will continue to strive for improvement.

    Captain Faf Du Plessis regained form to hit a quick-fire 96 off just 64 deliveries and pacer Josh Hazelwood’s spell of 4/25 helped RCB gain an 18-run win against Lucknow Super Giants at the DY Patil Stadium on Tuesday.

    “We are ticking along pretty nicely as a team. Anuj and Faf have had three fifty-run partnerships that have been important for us. We have also had to bat in challenging conditions at times when we lost the toss and struggled to get underway. Faf came really good today and took the pressure off us when we lost early wickets. We are ticking along nicely but we will continue to try striving for improvement,” said Hesson in a post-match press conference.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Hesson said that the side was pretty fortunate to get LSG captain’s KL Rahul’s wicket, who got dismissed by Harshal Patel for 30 in the eighth over of the game.

    “I would like to say that it was a pre-planned move, but it was not. We have had difficulties getting rid of KL Rahul. We were very happy to get that dismissal. Before that, we had made enough pressure from the scoring point of view,” he added.

    On Siraj not bowling during the death overs, Hesson said that the side has the flexibility to pick and choose as per the opposition and who is doing at a particular moment in time.

    “It is the beauty of our side that we have three very good death bowlers in Siraj, Hazelwood, and Siraj. Often they cover the final five overs. Today we felt that Siraj was doing a nice job. He got us a wicket, which is important. He was able to bowl nicely to the new batter. Ideally, we do not want two bowlers bowling the final over at the back-end, but today they did it. They did an excellent job,” added the Director of Cricket Operations for RCB.

    Coming to the match, put to bat first by LSG, RCB posted 181/6 in their 20 overs, largely powered by Plessis’s brilliant 96, well supported by brief but impactful innings from Shahbaz Ahmed (26) and Maxwell (23). For LSG, solid knocks from Krunal Pandya (42), KL Rahul (30), and Marcus Stoinis (24) kept the scoreboard ticking and hopes alive amid the consistent falling of wickets, but Hazelwood had the last laugh with his 4/25, who with Harshal Patel (2/47) ensured that the Giants fell 18-runs short of their fifth run in the tournament.

    RCB are at the second spot in the points table with 10 points and will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 23. On the other hand, LSG is at the fourth spot in the table and will take on Mumbai Indians on April 24.

  • Mike Hesson feels RCB is ticking along nicely as team after victory over LSG

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: After registering an 18-run win over Lucknow Super Giants, Royal Challengers Bangalore Director of Cricket Operations Mike Hesson said on Tuesday that the side is ticking along nicely and will continue to strive for improvement.

    Captain Faf Du Plessis regained form to hit a quick-fire 96 off just 64 deliveries and pacer Josh Hazelwood’s spell of 4/25 helped RCB gain an 18-run win against Lucknow Super Giants at the DY Patil Stadium on Tuesday.

    “We are ticking along pretty nicely as a team. Anuj and Faf have had three fifty-run partnerships that have been important for us. We have also had to bat in challenging conditions at times when we lost the toss and struggled to get underway. Faf came really good today and took the pressure off us when we lost early wickets. We are ticking along nicely but we will continue to try striving for improvement,” said Hesson in a post-match press conference.

    Hesson said that the side was pretty fortunate to get LSG captain’s KL Rahul’s wicket, who got dismissed by Harshal Patel for 30 in the eighth over of the game.

    “I would like to say that it was a pre-planned move, but it was not. We have had difficulties getting rid of KL Rahul. We were very happy to get that dismissal. Before that, we had made enough pressure from the scoring point of view,” he added.

    On Siraj not bowling during the death overs, Hesson said that the side has the flexibility to pick and choose as per the opposition and who is doing at a particular moment in time.

    “It is the beauty of our side that we have three very good death bowlers in Siraj, Hazelwood, and Siraj. Often they cover the final five overs. Today we felt that Siraj was doing a nice job. He got us a wicket, which is important. He was able to bowl nicely to the new batter. Ideally, we do not want two bowlers bowling the final over at the back-end, but today they did it. They did an excellent job,” added the Director of Cricket Operations for RCB.

    Coming to the match, put to bat first by LSG, RCB posted 181/6 in their 20 overs, largely powered by Plessis’s brilliant 96, well supported by brief but impactful innings from Shahbaz Ahmed (26) and Maxwell (23). For LSG, solid knocks from Krunal Pandya (42), KL Rahul (30), and Marcus Stoinis (24) kept the scoreboard ticking and hopes alive amid the consistent falling of wickets, but Hazelwood had the last laugh with his 4/25, who with Harshal Patel (2/47) ensured that the Giants fell 18-runs short of their fifth run in the tournament.

    RCB are at the second spot in the points table with 10 points and will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 23. On the other hand, LSG is at the fourth spot in the table and will take on Mumbai Indians on April 24.

  • Will Dinesh Karthik’s RCB showing revive his India T20 World Cup dreams?

    By IANS

    NAVI MUMBAI: Dinesh Karthik’s role as a finisher for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) could pitchfork the 36-year-old wicketkeeper-batter into India reckoning as the team under Rohit Sharma looks to rebuild for the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.

    Former England captain Nick Knight said as much when he commented that he sees in Karthik a cricketer who can perform the job of a finisher in this year’s T20 World Cup if he continues to finish matches for his Bengaluru franchise in IPL 2022.

    In IPL 2022, Karthik has been a critical finisher for RCB, making 131 runs and averaging the same number with a strike-rate of 218.33, especially in matches against Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals.

    Though Bangalore fell short of the chase by 23 runs against Chennai Super Kings at the DY Patil Stadium on Tuesday, they were still in reckoning to hunt down 217 despite losing eight wickets, thanks to Dinesh Karthik’s quick-fire 34 off 14 balls, laced with two fours and three sixes at a strike-rate of 242.86.

    But his dismissal in the 18th over off Dwayne Bravo effectively sealed the fate of the match for Chennai. Karthik, who has made many comebacks to the Indian side since his debut in 2004, last played international cricket during the 2019 Men’s Cricket World Cup and has been out of the set-up post India’s exit from the semifinals of the mega event.

    “DK is a fantastic fella. He did work with us during the English summer (India’s Tour of England in 2021). As someone who knows him, I’m really feasting and enjoying on what he is doing. The one thing we came across when he met him was how much he loves the game. I think he is 36 and he’s not thinking about retirement. He is absolutely loving every minute. If he can keep finishing games like this, there might be a role for him at the World T20,” Knight was quoted as saying by cricket.com.

    Knight feels if CSK had got a low score, many wouldn’t have talked about the bowling performance of Sri Lanka off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana. Picked by Rs 70 lakh in the IPL Mega Auction in February this year, Theekshana finally got his moment to shine in IPL 2022 by picking 4/33 in his four overs.

    Theekshana proved to be a vital factor in derailing Bangalore’s chase of 217 by taking out openers Faf du Plessis and Anuj Rawat in power-play. He then came back in the later stages to dismiss Shahbaz Ahmed and Suyash Prabhudessai to keep Chennai on course for a 23-run win.

    “It was a fantastic night for him. If CSK were blown away for 130, 140 or may be 150, we won’t be talking about Theekshana. Nothing to take away from the spinners, but the dismissals mystery spinners get is when the batsmen are coming at you, under pressure.”

    “Last game he bowled four overs with no wickets and he didn’t bowl any good or any worse today. When you don’t have runs on the board, it’s not so straight forward for these guys. It’s the same with Jadeja. It’s the game situation that brings spinners in a bit more,” observed Knight, a former left-handed batter.

    Theekshana’s early strikes along with left-arm pacer Mukesh Choudhary and captain Ravindra Jadeja taking out Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell respectively meant Bangalore never had the strong foundation to chase 217 successfully, something which Knight firmly believed in.

    “On a surface like today (Tuesday), I thought the conditions were even. The powerplay was crucial and one of your top four has to set that up (chasing 200 plus) and guys in the middle can pick that up. That was the problem for RCB.”

    NAVI MUMBAI: Dinesh Karthik’s role as a finisher for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) could pitchfork the 36-year-old wicketkeeper-batter into India reckoning as the team under Rohit Sharma looks to rebuild for the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.

    Former England captain Nick Knight said as much when he commented that he sees in Karthik a cricketer who can perform the job of a finisher in this year’s T20 World Cup if he continues to finish matches for his Bengaluru franchise in IPL 2022.

    In IPL 2022, Karthik has been a critical finisher for RCB, making 131 runs and averaging the same number with a strike-rate of 218.33, especially in matches against Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Though Bangalore fell short of the chase by 23 runs against Chennai Super Kings at the DY Patil Stadium on Tuesday, they were still in reckoning to hunt down 217 despite losing eight wickets, thanks to Dinesh Karthik’s quick-fire 34 off 14 balls, laced with two fours and three sixes at a strike-rate of 242.86.

    But his dismissal in the 18th over off Dwayne Bravo effectively sealed the fate of the match for Chennai. Karthik, who has made many comebacks to the Indian side since his debut in 2004, last played international cricket during the 2019 Men’s Cricket World Cup and has been out of the set-up post India’s exit from the semifinals of the mega event.

    “DK is a fantastic fella. He did work with us during the English summer (India’s Tour of England in 2021). As someone who knows him, I’m really feasting and enjoying on what he is doing. The one thing we came across when he met him was how much he loves the game. I think he is 36 and he’s not thinking about retirement. He is absolutely loving every minute. If he can keep finishing games like this, there might be a role for him at the World T20,” Knight was quoted as saying by cricket.com.

    Knight feels if CSK had got a low score, many wouldn’t have talked about the bowling performance of Sri Lanka off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana. Picked by Rs 70 lakh in the IPL Mega Auction in February this year, Theekshana finally got his moment to shine in IPL 2022 by picking 4/33 in his four overs.

    Theekshana proved to be a vital factor in derailing Bangalore’s chase of 217 by taking out openers Faf du Plessis and Anuj Rawat in power-play. He then came back in the later stages to dismiss Shahbaz Ahmed and Suyash Prabhudessai to keep Chennai on course for a 23-run win.

    “It was a fantastic night for him. If CSK were blown away for 130, 140 or may be 150, we won’t be talking about Theekshana. Nothing to take away from the spinners, but the dismissals mystery spinners get is when the batsmen are coming at you, under pressure.”

    “Last game he bowled four overs with no wickets and he didn’t bowl any good or any worse today. When you don’t have runs on the board, it’s not so straight forward for these guys. It’s the same with Jadeja. It’s the game situation that brings spinners in a bit more,” observed Knight, a former left-handed batter.

    Theekshana’s early strikes along with left-arm pacer Mukesh Choudhary and captain Ravindra Jadeja taking out Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell respectively meant Bangalore never had the strong foundation to chase 217 successfully, something which Knight firmly believed in.

    “On a surface like today (Tuesday), I thought the conditions were even. The powerplay was crucial and one of your top four has to set that up (chasing 200 plus) and guys in the middle can pick that up. That was the problem for RCB.”

  • Will Dinesh Karthik’s RCB showing revive his India T20 World Cup dreams?

    By IANS

    NAVI MUMBAI: Dinesh Karthik’s role as a finisher for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) could pitchfork the 36-year-old wicketkeeper-batter into India reckoning as the team under Rohit Sharma looks to rebuild for the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.

    Former England captain Nick Knight said as much when he commented that he sees in Karthik a cricketer who can perform the job of a finisher in this year’s T20 World Cup if he continues to finish matches for his Bengaluru franchise in IPL 2022.

    In IPL 2022, Karthik has been a critical finisher for RCB, making 131 runs and averaging the same number with a strike-rate of 218.33, especially in matches against Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals.

    Though Bangalore fell short of the chase by 23 runs against Chennai Super Kings at the DY Patil Stadium on Tuesday, they were still in reckoning to hunt down 217 despite losing eight wickets, thanks to Dinesh Karthik’s quick-fire 34 off 14 balls, laced with two fours and three sixes at a strike-rate of 242.86.

    But his dismissal in the 18th over off Dwayne Bravo effectively sealed the fate of the match for Chennai. Karthik, who has made many comebacks to the Indian side since his debut in 2004, last played international cricket during the 2019 Men’s Cricket World Cup and has been out of the set-up post India’s exit from the semifinals of the mega event.

    “DK is a fantastic fella. He did work with us during the English summer (India’s Tour of England in 2021). As someone who knows him, I’m really feasting and enjoying on what he is doing. The one thing we came across when he met him was how much he loves the game. I think he is 36 and he’s not thinking about retirement. He is absolutely loving every minute. If he can keep finishing games like this, there might be a role for him at the World T20,” Knight was quoted as saying by cricket.com.

    Knight feels if CSK had got a low score, many wouldn’t have talked about the bowling performance of Sri Lanka off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana. Picked by Rs 70 lakh in the IPL Mega Auction in February this year, Theekshana finally got his moment to shine in IPL 2022 by picking 4/33 in his four overs.

    Theekshana proved to be a vital factor in derailing Bangalore’s chase of 217 by taking out openers Faf du Plessis and Anuj Rawat in power-play. He then came back in the later stages to dismiss Shahbaz Ahmed and Suyash Prabhudessai to keep Chennai on course for a 23-run win.

    “It was a fantastic night for him. If CSK were blown away for 130, 140 or may be 150, we won’t be talking about Theekshana. Nothing to take away from the spinners, but the dismissals mystery spinners get is when the batsmen are coming at you, under pressure.”

    “Last game he bowled four overs with no wickets and he didn’t bowl any good or any worse today. When you don’t have runs on the board, it’s not so straight forward for these guys. It’s the same with Jadeja. It’s the game situation that brings spinners in a bit more,” observed Knight, a former left-handed batter.

    Theekshana’s early strikes along with left-arm pacer Mukesh Choudhary and captain Ravindra Jadeja taking out Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell respectively meant Bangalore never had the strong foundation to chase 217 successfully, something which Knight firmly believed in.

    “On a surface like today (Tuesday), I thought the conditions were even. The powerplay was crucial and one of your top four has to set that up (chasing 200 plus) and guys in the middle can pick that up. That was the problem for RCB.”

  • How the absence of Harshal Patel rocked RCB’s boat in ‘Southern Derby’

    By IANS

    MUMBAI: Calling right-arm pace bowler Harshal Patel an integral part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) setup would be an understatement, given the kind of solidity he brings to the bowling line-up.

    The 31-year-old’s absence from the Faf du Plessis-led side on Tuesday due to bereavement in his family was one of the key reasons for RCB conceding 216 runs to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the ‘Southern Derby’ and then losing the high-scoring match by 23 runs.

    Du Plessis was at his wits’ end trying to explain how a star-studded side, which was on a three-match winning streak, went down to a team that had been searching for a winning formula in IPL 2022.

    The former South African skipper attributed the defeat to the absence of Patel, who had to leave the IPL bio-bubble after getting the news of his sister’s demise.

    “You see the value of Harshal (Patel), and what he offers. He has the ability to stop the game. We missed that (against CSK); we had a similar tone to the bowling. We lacked the variety we needed in our attack. Hopefully we can have him soon again,” said du Plessis.

    De Plessis said that bowlers started well but then the onslaught of Shivam Dube and Robin Uthappa took the game beyond RCB’s reach. Dube slammed an unbeaten 95, while Uthappa scored 88, and together they sewed together a stand of 165 runs to put the match beyond RCB’s reach.

    “First 7-8 overs were pretty good, then there was a period from 8-14 where (Shivam) Dube took the spinners on. That period, whatever we tried didn’t work. In order to chase down such a big score, you need one of the first four to set the foundation. We didn’t have that. CSK used their spinners well on a pitch that had some grip. The way we came back was credit to the depth,” said du Plessis.

    It was an off day in office for the RCB bowlers as they failed to find their stride. Despite Australian pace bowler Josh Hazlewood’s decent figures and Wanindu Hasaranga’s late brace, the CSK had enough on the board already.

    Speaking about debutant Suyash Prabhudessai, who scored 34 off 18 in the chase, du Plessis said, “Impressed with the way Prabhudessai played the way he did on debut,”.

    RCB will be up against the Delhi Capitals in their next game on April 16.

    MUMBAI: Calling right-arm pace bowler Harshal Patel an integral part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) setup would be an understatement, given the kind of solidity he brings to the bowling line-up.

    The 31-year-old’s absence from the Faf du Plessis-led side on Tuesday due to bereavement in his family was one of the key reasons for RCB conceding 216 runs to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the ‘Southern Derby’ and then losing the high-scoring match by 23 runs.

    Du Plessis was at his wits’ end trying to explain how a star-studded side, which was on a three-match winning streak, went down to a team that had been searching for a winning formula in IPL 2022.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The former South African skipper attributed the defeat to the absence of Patel, who had to leave the IPL bio-bubble after getting the news of his sister’s demise.

    “You see the value of Harshal (Patel), and what he offers. He has the ability to stop the game. We missed that (against CSK); we had a similar tone to the bowling. We lacked the variety we needed in our attack. Hopefully we can have him soon again,” said du Plessis.

    De Plessis said that bowlers started well but then the onslaught of Shivam Dube and Robin Uthappa took the game beyond RCB’s reach. Dube slammed an unbeaten 95, while Uthappa scored 88, and together they sewed together a stand of 165 runs to put the match beyond RCB’s reach.

    “First 7-8 overs were pretty good, then there was a period from 8-14 where (Shivam) Dube took the spinners on. That period, whatever we tried didn’t work. In order to chase down such a big score, you need one of the first four to set the foundation. We didn’t have that. CSK used their spinners well on a pitch that had some grip. The way we came back was credit to the depth,” said du Plessis.

    It was an off day in office for the RCB bowlers as they failed to find their stride. Despite Australian pace bowler Josh Hazlewood’s decent figures and Wanindu Hasaranga’s late brace, the CSK had enough on the board already.

    Speaking about debutant Suyash Prabhudessai, who scored 34 off 18 in the chase, du Plessis said, “Impressed with the way Prabhudessai played the way he did on debut,”.

    RCB will be up against the Delhi Capitals in their next game on April 16.

  • How the absence of Harshal Patel rocked RCB’s boat in ‘Southern Derby’

    By IANS

    MUMBAI: Calling right-arm pace bowler Harshal Patel an integral part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) setup would be an understatement, given the kind of solidity he brings to the bowling line-up.

    The 31-year-old’s absence from the Faf du Plessis-led side on Tuesday due to bereavement in his family was one of the key reasons for RCB conceding 216 runs to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the ‘Southern Derby’ and then losing the high-scoring match by 23 runs.

    Du Plessis was at his wits’ end trying to explain how a star-studded side, which was on a three-match winning streak, went down to a team that had been searching for a winning formula in IPL 2022.

    The former South African skipper attributed the defeat to the absence of Patel, who had to leave the IPL bio-bubble after getting the news of his sister’s demise.

    “You see the value of Harshal (Patel), and what he offers. He has the ability to stop the game. We missed that (against CSK); we had a similar tone to the bowling. We lacked the variety we needed in our attack. Hopefully we can have him soon again,” said du Plessis.

    De Plessis said that bowlers started well but then the onslaught of Shivam Dube and Robin Uthappa took the game beyond RCB’s reach. Dube slammed an unbeaten 95, while Uthappa scored 88, and together they sewed together a stand of 165 runs to put the match beyond RCB’s reach.

    “First 7-8 overs were pretty good, then there was a period from 8-14 where (Shivam) Dube took the spinners on. That period, whatever we tried didn’t work. In order to chase down such a big score, you need one of the first four to set the foundation. We didn’t have that. CSK used their spinners well on a pitch that had some grip. The way we came back was credit to the depth,” said du Plessis.

    It was an off day in office for the RCB bowlers as they failed to find their stride. Despite Australian pace bowler Josh Hazlewood’s decent figures and Wanindu Hasaranga’s late brace, the CSK had enough on the board already.

    Speaking about debutant Suyash Prabhudessai, who scored 34 off 18 in the chase, du Plessis said, “Impressed with the way Prabhudessai played the way he did on debut,”.

    RCB will be up against the Delhi Capitals in their next game on April 16.