Tag: Trent Boult

  • Dhanashree Verma Avoids Saying RCB While Congratulating Yuzvendra Chahal For Playing 150 IPL Matches | cricket news

    As Yuzvendra Chahal stepped onto the field for his 150th IPL match, the cricketing world’s attention was firmly fixed on the legspinner’s impressive milestone. However, it was Chahal’s wife, Dhanashree Verma, whose subtle actions during her congratulatory message sparked a fresh wave of intrigue and debate. In a video posted on social media, Dhanashree enthusiastically celebrated Chahal’s achievement, showering him with praise and affection. Yet, one aspect of her message stood out in stark contrast – the conspicuous absence of any mention of Chahal’s former franchise, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

    A Bitter History with RCB

    Chahal’s association with RCB had been a long and fruitful one, with the spinner serving the Bangalore-based team for eight seasons and emerging as their highest wicket-taker in the league’s history. However, the decision to release Chahal ahead of the 2022 IPL auction had left a bitter taste, not just for the player but for his ardent supporters as well. Dhanashree’s pointed silence on the RCB connection was not lost on the keen-eyed observers, who were quick to interpret it as a subtle yet powerful statement. The fact that she carefully avoided even uttering the name of Chahal’s former franchise spoke volumes about the lingering discontent within the Chahal household regarding the team’s decision to part ways with the spin wizard.

    A Lasting Wound

    This was not the first time Dhanashree had publicly expressed her displeasure over RCB’s treatment of her husband. In the past, she had taken to social media to voice her frustration, urging the team’s management to “stop doing this to him” and highlighting the emotional toll it had taken on Chahal and his family.

    By refraining from mentioning RCB in her latest congratulatory message, Dhanashree seemed to be sending a clear message – that the wound inflicted by the franchise’s decision to let go of Chahal has yet to fully heal. Her silence was a powerful statement, a refusal to acknowledge the team that had once been Chahal’s home, but now stood as a painful reminder of the uncertainties that come with the professional sport.

    Irony of the Situation

    The irony of the situation was not lost on the cricketing community either. Chahal, who had given his all to RCB over the years, was now being celebrated in the colors of a different team, Rajasthan Royals, while his wife pointedly avoided any reference to his former employers. As the IPL season progresses, all eyes will be on Chahal’s performances and how he handles the emotions surrounding his past association with RCB. Meanwhile, Dhanashree’s subtle yet meaningful actions have once again highlighted the personal toll that the business of professional sports can take on the athletes and their loved ones.

    A Powerful Statement

    In the end, Dhanashree’s silence spoke volumes, serving as a reminder that the scars of the past can often linger long after the initial wounds have healed. It was a testament to the strength of the Chahal family bond and a powerful statement that even in the face of professional setbacks, their unwavering support for each other remains unshakable.

  • Rajasthan Royals pacer Trent Boult praises Kuldeep Sen for his spell against LSG

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals pacer Trent Boult praised his fellow teammate Kuldeep Sen for defending 15 runs in the last over against Lucknow Super Giants.

    Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 and a four-wicket haul from Yuzvendra Chahal helped Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by three runs here at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

    “My role with the new ball is to take as many wickets as possible. It’s a pretty simple game for me at the top and get it to swing. The humidity and the overheads assisted it. Limited English from Kuldeep, he runs in hard though,” said Boult in a post-match presentation.

    “He executed it well in the end and he is only going to get better. Some quality fast bowling in our side and in the tournament going around. I’ll probably watch my batting before my bowling (laughs),” he added.

    In the last over, Sanju Samson led Rajasthan needed to defend 15 runs and youngster Kuldeep Sen held his nerves against big-hitting Marcus Stoinis to take the team to the third win in four matches and go to the top of the points table.

    Defending a 166-run target the inaugural champions needed some early wickets upfront and Trent Boult did exactly that by giving a double blow to Lucknow dismissing their skipper KL Rahul and Krishnappa Gowtham for golden ducks.

    Rajasthan Royals were at one stage struggling at 67 for 4 but Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 helped them register 165/6 in 20 overs.

  • Rajasthan Royals pacer Trent Boult praises Kuldeep Sen for his spell against LSG

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals pacer Trent Boult praised his fellow teammate Kuldeep Sen for defending 15 runs in the last over against Lucknow Super Giants.

    Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 and a four-wicket haul from Yuzvendra Chahal helped Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by three runs here at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

    “My role with the new ball is to take as many wickets as possible. It’s a pretty simple game for me at the top and get it to swing. The humidity and the overheads assisted it. Limited English from Kuldeep, he runs in hard though,” said Boult in a post-match presentation.

    “He executed it well in the end and he is only going to get better. Some quality fast bowling in our side and in the tournament going around. I’ll probably watch my batting before my bowling (laughs),” he added.

    In the last over, Sanju Samson led Rajasthan needed to defend 15 runs and youngster Kuldeep Sen held his nerves against big-hitting Marcus Stoinis to take the team to the third win in four matches and go to the top of the points table.

    Defending a 166-run target the inaugural champions needed some early wickets upfront and Trent Boult did exactly that by giving a double blow to Lucknow dismissing their skipper KL Rahul and Krishnappa Gowtham for golden ducks.

    Rajasthan Royals were at one stage struggling at 67 for 4 but Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 helped them register 165/6 in 20 overs.

    MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals pacer Trent Boult praised his fellow teammate Kuldeep Sen for defending 15 runs in the last over against Lucknow Super Giants.

    Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 and a four-wicket haul from Yuzvendra Chahal helped Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by three runs here at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

    “My role with the new ball is to take as many wickets as possible. It’s a pretty simple game for me at the top and get it to swing. The humidity and the overheads assisted it. Limited English from Kuldeep, he runs in hard though,” said Boult in a post-match presentation.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “He executed it well in the end and he is only going to get better. Some quality fast bowling in our side and in the tournament going around. I’ll probably watch my batting before my bowling (laughs),” he added.

    In the last over, Sanju Samson led Rajasthan needed to defend 15 runs and youngster Kuldeep Sen held his nerves against big-hitting Marcus Stoinis to take the team to the third win in four matches and go to the top of the points table.

    Defending a 166-run target the inaugural champions needed some early wickets upfront and Trent Boult did exactly that by giving a double blow to Lucknow dismissing their skipper KL Rahul and Krishnappa Gowtham for golden ducks.

    Rajasthan Royals were at one stage struggling at 67 for 4 but Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 helped them register 165/6 in 20 overs.

  • Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya are recovering very well: Trent Boult

    By PTI

    ABU DHABI: Mumbai Indians pacer Trent Boult is not sure if skipper Rohit Sharma and all-rounder Hardik Pandya would feature in their next IPL game on Thursday but said both of them are recovering well.

    West Indies’ Kieron Pollard had led the side against Chennai Super Kings in the absence of Rohit, who has a dodgy knee while Pandya also missed the game due to a niggle.

    “They are both recovering very well. In terms of their selection for the next game, I’m not too sure what’s going on there. But day by day, they are improving,” Boult said during a virtual press conference on the eve of their game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

    “They are obviously two vital players in the XI for Mumbai. And we’re desperate to get them back. So, fingers crossed that they’ll be pretty good to go over the next couple of games,” added the New Zealand pacer.

    Boult said Rohit was “sorely missed” in the game against CSK but defended the team management’s decision to rest the star opener.

    “He is right up there in terms of experience and runs achieved in this format. So, it was a big hole but it was a good decision to make sure he is 100 per cent with the amount of cricket coming up. If he comes to the eleven, it will be brilliant, but we want to make sure he is 100 percent fit,” said Boult.

    The defending champions have a better record against KKR in the cash-rich league but Boult believes that history does not matter in this format.

    “It is more about starting afresh, every game is such a big game, every match is important now. History is history, it is nice to have previous results against them, but they are a quality side and we would not take them lightly,” said the left-arm pacer.

    Boult, 32, also felt that competing in the IPL was good preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup, which will be held in the UAE and Oman in October-November.

    “You could probably not have any better build-up to the tournament like the T20 World Cup. The focus is on what’s on for the next couple of weeks, but in terms of preparation, it is very good. Conditions can change quite quickly but having to deal with the heat and humidity is a big challenge at this stage. It is going to be interesting to see how conditions move over the course of the next few weeks,” Boult signed off.

  • Really excited to get back in UAE: Mumbai Indians pacer Trent Boult

    By IANS

    ABU DHABI: New Zealand pacer Trent Boult said he is really excited to get back in the UAE ahead of the second leg of IPL 2021. In the first half of IPL 2021, Boult took eight wickets in seven matches at an economy rate of 8.46.”

    “I’ve enjoyed a couple of months. I’m really excited to get back here’ It’s obviously pretty hot. Six days in quarantine has been ticked off. Look forward to getting involved,” said Boult in a video posted by Mumbai Indians on Sunday.

    “There are obviously some good memories. Coming back through to the same hotel, same room. Amazing team room and obviously, the facilities are exactly the same. But there has been some good time. So hopefully, we can refresh the memory and pick up where we left off,” added Boult.

    The 32-year-old remarked that the side will reflect on past success and continue with what they know the best. “Different circumstances, with half the tournament played. So I’m sure all the franchises are well prepared and looking forward to getting into it. But the beauty is, we’ve had some success here. So it’s about going back and reflecting on that and hopefully continuing what we know best.”

    Boult’s countrymate, Adam Milne, was touched by other players showing him around the team hotel. “Getting used to the hotel which is lovely, and all the areas and being shown around by the boys who were here last year, which is nice, really nice,” said Milne, who played in one match in the first half of IPL 2021.

    The 29-year-old said he was in a cricketing rhythm while playing in the UK. Milne took 12 wickets for Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred and appeared for Kent in the”T20 Blast. “Not too bad.’Obviously, I’ve been playing some cricket in the UK. So, it’s nice to sort of keep a bit of a continuous cricket game. You’ve obviously been bowling in the backyard (laughing towards Boult).”

    Boult had a chuckle and said, “I think I’ve only just got here so I think it’s probably more about dusting off more cobwebs and getting used to the heat. Just easing into it. But Milne’s a couple of days to get him in and obviously been playing some good cricket over in England a’ well. So, it’s going to be exciting to hopefully get it “ack together.”

    Defending Champions Mumbai Indians will be opening their second leg of the IPL 2021 campaign against Chennai Super Kings on September 19 in Dubai.

  • Mankading a sensitive issue, it doesn’t cross my mind: Mumbai Indians pacer Trent Boult

    By ANI
    CHENNAI: Mumbai Indians pacer Trent Boult on Thursday said that ‘Mankading’ still remains a sensitive issue in the sport and he does not think about it as the final call needs to be taken by the umpire if the batters are advancing too far ahead at the non-striker’s end.

    Mumbai Indians has so far played four matches, winning two and losing two. In various matches this season, replays have shown that the non-striker is way out of his crease at the time of the bowler delivering the ball.

    “I think it is quite a sensitive issue. From my point of view, it does not really cross my mind, I have other things that I am concentrating on. I am more focused on what I am doing with the ball. I think the umpires have the power and jurisdiction to make a call if someone is advancing too early,” said Boult during a virtual press conference on Thursday.

    During IPL 2019, a huge controversy erupted when then Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) skipper Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Rajasthan Royals’ Jos Buttler via ‘Mankading’. Many former cricketers like Shane Warne had slammed Ashwin for this move.

    When asked about how less travelling has helped the bowlers in the ongoing edition of the IPL, Boult said: “I think it is enjoyable, it is nice to sit in a room and plan about things. I suppose it is just a result of the conditions in the world at the moment, it’s a pretty tough time for a lot of people and we are fortunate enough to play cricket at this time.”

    Talking about playing under Rohit Sharma, Boult said: “I only have one season experience of Rohit being the captain. He has been very successful, with five championships under his name. He is pretty approachable, he backs all the players to execute their skills. He is a very positive guy.”

    Mumbai Indians will next take on Punjab Kings in the IPL on Friday here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium and this would be Mumbai’s last game in Chennai.

  • Strength of Mumbai Indians is to fight till the end, bowlers looking to adapt to the dew: Trent Boult

    By ANI
    CHENNAI: Mumbai Indians pacer Trent Boult on Thursday said the strength of his side has been to fight till the last ball of the match and the bowlers have been able to do that in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

    Mumbai Indians has so far played four matches, winning two and losing two. The side’s middle-order has struggled in all four games and the side has failed to post a total in the range of 170-180 even once.

    “I am sure the middle-order is not too pleased with how things have gone so far. I know the guys are hungry and desperate to put in a good performance in our last game in Chennai. Not an ideal start, we would like few more runs on the board. The strength of the side is fighting till the end and the bowlers have managed to do that. It should be an exciting game against Punjab, hopefully, we will get few more runs on the board,” said Boult while replying to an ANI query during a virtual press conference on Thursday.

    When asked about the challenge of bowling in the dew, Boult said: “It is definitely tricky when the ball gets wet like that. The other night was the worst it has been in terms of dew. In terms of being a foreign player, it is something we are not used to in New Zealand, but it is part and parcel here, as bowlers you need to be able to execute some kind of deliveries so that is a good challenge. Ideally, you want to see an even contest between bat and ball.”

    “From a personal point of view, I just swing the ball around, but the surface and conditions here have not allowed that. But, that’s the beauty of coming to this part of the world, the challenge becomes to adapt to these kinds of conditions. I am enjoying the challenge, it has been great bowling with Bumrah and seeing how he operates. Yeah, it is a great challenge and I am looking to just improve my game,” he added.

    Mumbai Indians will next take on Punjab Kings in the IPL on Friday here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium and this would be Mumbai’s last game in Chennai.

    “Punjab Kings’ batsmen are incredibly dangerous. I have bowled to KL Rahul a few times and I think he is one of the classiest batsmen in the world when he gets going. 100 per cent we need to be on our game as a bowling unit. Chris Gayle, the Universe Boss is a very experienced player, it is going to be a great challenge, we are coming off a defeat and we would be firing,” said Boult.

    When asked about the form of Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya, Boult said: “I think it is very hard for me to talk from the batting point of view. They are key ingredients to our team, things have not gone to plan as yet. Wickets are hard here, they must be thinking about giving themselves some extra balls. Yeah, hopefully, we can take good advantage of the good starts we are getting.”

  • IPL 2021: Jasprit Bumrah is one of the best bowlers in death overs, says Trent Boult

    By ANI
    CHENNAI: After the 13-run win over SunRisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday, Mumbai Indians pacer Trent Boult lauded fellow seamer Jasprit Bumrah and said he is one of the best bowlers in the slog overs.

    Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma played knocks of 40 and 32, but SRH managed to maintain a stranglehold as Mumbai Indians were restricted to 150/5. In response, SRH was bundled out for 137 despite a flying start given by Jonny Bairstow.

    SRH needed 47 runs in the last five overs and Vijay Shankar whacked back to back sixes in Krunal Pandya’s third over to reduce the gap. But SRH was again put on the back foot when they lost two wickets in the 18th over and the team’s hopes were finally down when Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Shankar with 17 required off seven balls.

    SRH collapsed from 129/5 to 137 in nine balls as Boult and Jasprit Bumrah denied the batsmen any chance of slogging in the death overs.

    Bumrah bowled economically and just gave 14 runs in his fours overs including a wicket while Boult returned with the figures of 3-28. Spinner Rahul Chahar also bagged three wickets for MI.

    “It’s great to see a guy like that operate. How clear he is with what he is doing with the ball throughout the whole spell. But at the death, I personally believe he is one of the best bowlers in the death overs. He makes my job a lot easier but it’s nice to be on the right side of those situations and hopefully, we can get a bit of momentum in the tournament,” Boult said at the post-match press conference.

    “It’s hard to pin-point one performance there. A lot of credit to the whole side for hanging in there. We knew we were a few runs short of the par score. But we also knew that this is a pitch where you can fight. And you get a couple of wickets, you can really get back in the chase. I thought a couple of direct hits from Hardik (Pandya) and the three wickets from Rahul (Chahar) were important when we were bowling. And then Bumrah there, bowling his four overs for only 14 was pretty amazing,” he added.

    New Zealand pacer further talked about the difference between the wickets in Mumbai and Chennai.

    “The contrast between Wankhede and Chepauk Stadium is quite considerable. It looks like its swinging around nicely and it’s a perfect surface in Mumbai. Here as a pace bowler, you got to be extremely accurate. Key has really been our ability to bowl dot balls and keep pushing the run rate,” Boult said.

    Boult also shared his views over their first-leg matches in Chennai.

    “I think it’s very unique. It gives us a chance to settle at the venue. But the key would be to obviously read the conditions quickly as possible and make the most of them really. So, it’s a unique situation. We’ve got five here, 4 in Delhi, move around a little bit. But, I think especially in the first half of the tournament you obviously get on the right side of a couple of results and like I touched on earlier, it’s nice to get those couple of wins in the last two matches,” he said.

  • Chahar, Boult steer Mumbai Indians to 13-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad

    By PTI
    CHENNAI: Sunrisers Hyderabad’s middle-order continued to misfire as spinner Rahul Chahar and pacer Trent Boult fashioned Mumbai Indians to a 13-run win in their IPL match here on Saturday.

    Defending 150, leg-spinner Chahar (3/19) stifled the middle-order before Boult (3/28) polished off the tail as SRH were bowled out for 137 in 19.4 overs.

    Opting to bat, MI had a good start but Vijay Shankar and Mujeeb Ur Rahman claimed two wickets each as SRH stemmed the flow of runs in the middle overs.

    However, Kieron Pollard managed to lift MI to 150 for 5 with the help of a 22-ball 35 which included two sixes of the last two balls of their innings.

    Chasing 151 for a win, Jonny Bairstow smashed a 22-ball 35 to give SRH a rollicking start, while David Warner too managed a 36 off 34 but once the duo were back in the hut, the middle-order again failed to come to the fore.

    Back at the top with his opening partner Warner, Bairstow amassed 18 runs from Trent Boult in the third over with the help of three fours and a six.

    Adam Milne was then treated with equal disdain, sending him for two maximums and a four as he bled 19 runs.

    Krunal Pandya was then handed the ball but the result was the same as he conceded 13 runs with Bairstow and Warner smashing a six and a four respectively as SRH amassed 55 in 5 overs.

    Bumrah then bowled a tight over but Warner sent Milne for a six as SRH reached 57 for no loss in powerplay.

    Lady luck smiled on MI finally when Bairstow hit wicket while looking for a slog sweep off Krunal.

    Chahar then removed Manish Pandey (2), while Hardik’s direct throw found Warner short as SRH slumped to 91 for 3.

    Chahar handed SRH a twin blow in his last over, dismissing Virat Singh (11) and Abhishek Sharma (2) — both playing their first games of the season.

    Vijay (28 off 25) cracked two sixes off Krunal to keep SRH in the hunt but he kept losing his partners as Abdul Samad (7) was sent packing by Hardik with another direct throw and then Boult produced a perfect yorker to rid get of Rashid (0).

    Vijay too perished in the next over as SRH fell short once again.

    Earlier, Rohit Sharma (32 off 25) and Quinton de Kock (40 off 39) scored 53 in the powerplay after opting to bat but Vijay (2/19) and Afghanistan spin duo of Mujeeb (2/29) and Rashid Khan (0/22) brought the Sunrisers back in the game.

    Rohit completed 4000 T20 runs as a skipper and also surpassed Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s record of hitting the most number of sixes by an Indian in the tournament.

    The 33-year-old now has 217 sixes in IPL, one ahead of Dhoni.

    He occupies the third place in the overall list after Punjab Kings’ Chris Gayle (351) and Royal Challengers Bangalore’s AB de Villiers (237).

    With Rohit and de Kock looking in full flow, it seemed MI will put up a big score.

    However, MI soon slipped to 71 for 2 with Vijay Shankar dismissing Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav (10) in his two overs.

    While the MI skipper holed out to Virat Singh in the sixth over, Suryakumar was caught and bowled in the 9th over.

    Rashid Khan and Mujeeb then tightened the screw on MI as the well-set de Kock next perished at deep mid-wicket.

    With MI at 107 for 3 in 16 overs, Pollard clubbed one over mid-wicket but Mujeeb soon dismissed Ishan Kishan (12 off 21) with wicketkeeper Bairstow taking a fabulous catch.

    New man Hardik Pandya and Pollard couldn’t produce their trademark hitting as the former holed out to Virat in the deep.

    Pollard, who was dropped by Vijay in 19th over, ended things on a high, smashing the last two balls of Bhuvneshwar Kumar for two sixes.