Cricket

1742 days ago

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Rohit Sharma Should be The Indian T20 Captain: Michael Vaughan

Former England captain, Michael Vaughan has applauded Rohit Sharma after the Mumbai Indians' skipper led his side to record 5th Indian Premier League title win on Tuesday (November 10) night when the team beat Delhi Capitals by five wickets in the final of IPL 2020 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. ## Riding on Rohit's 51-ball 68 runs innings, Mumbai chased down a target of 157 runs. The all-round performance from the team members led them to become the most successful franchise of the T20 tournament with five IPL titles in their kitty now. It was Rohit's 6th IPL title as a player. ## Appreciating the vice-captain of the Indian team, Vaughan took to Twitter and backed Rohit Sharma for Indian T20 captaincy, "Without question, Rohit Sharma should be the Indian T20 captain .. fantastic man manager & leader .. & he knows exactly how to win T20 games .. it would also give Virat chance to take a breather and just be the player .. it's works for all other teams around the world ..#IPL2020", he tweeted. ## Without question Rohit Sharma should be the Indian T20 captain .. fantastic man manager & leader .. & he knows exactly how to win T20 games .. it would also give Virat chance to take a breather and just be the player .. it’s works for all other teams around the world ..#IPL2020— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 10, 2020 ## Speaking to Cricbuzz Live, Vaughan said, "I believe India would be a better T20 team with Rohit Sharma as captain". Giving the reason behind his choice of Rohit as T20 captain, he said that Rohit Sharma as T20I captain will ease pressure from Virat Kohli and will allow him to play more as a player and focus on ODI and Test leadership. ## The Rohit Sharma-led side remained the most successful team in the season with 10 wins from 15 games they played in the 56-day long contest. MI is now the only second team after Chennai Super Kings to successfully defend the title. Dhoni's CSK had done it in IPL 2010 and 2011 while now MI has done it in 2019 and now 2020. ## Successfully breaking the jinx of winning the titles only in odd years, the Mumbai side has now clinched the title in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020 under Rohit's leadership.## Also Read - Virat Kohli To Return India After The First Test Against Australia; Rohit Sharma Included In Test Squad ## Stay tuned...

Cricket

1746 days ago

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Gautam Gambhir Feels Royal Challengers Bangalore Should Look Beyond Virat Kohli As Captain

Former India opener, Gautam Gambhir has slammed Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper, Virat Kohli after RCB lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad by 6-wickets in Eliminator on Friday (November 6) and knocked out from the tournament. Gambhir feels that Virat Kohli should be held accountable for RCB's failure and should step down from captaincy. ## "100%, because the problem is about accountability. Eight years into the tournament [without a trophy], eight years is a long time. Tell me any other captain, forget about the captain, tell me any other player who would have got eight years, and wouldn't have won the title and would have still continued with it. So it has to be accountability. A captain needs to take accountability", Gambhir said in a live interaction on ESPNCricinfo.## "It's not only about one year, but it's also not only about this. I have nothing against Virat Kohli but somewhere down the line, he needs to put his hand up and say, 'yes, I am responsible. I am accountable", he continued. ## Virat Kohli has captained RCB in 125 matches in which, the team has won 55 matches and lost 63 games. Under Kohli's captaincy, RCB has reached the final only once where they lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016. ## Speaking about the same, Gambhir said, "Eight years is a long, long time. Look at what happened to Ashwin. After two years of captaincy [for the Kings XI Punjab], he couldn't deliver and he was removed. We talk about MS Dhoni, we talk about Rohit Sharma, we talk about Virat Kohli, not at all. Dhoni has won three titles, Rohit Sharma has won four titles, and that's the reason they've captained for such a long time because they've delivered. I'm sure if Rohit Sharma wouldn't have delivered for eight years, he would have been removed as well. There should not be different yardsticks for different people".## "The problem and the accountability starts from the top, not from the management nor the support staff, but from the leader. You're the leader, you're the captain. When you get the credit, you should take the criticism as well", Gambhir said. ## .@GautamGambhir says it is time for Bangalore to look beyond Virat Kohli as captain 🏏https://t.co/hbe8aQOUsg #T20Timeout pic.twitter.com/9ntEpG1uDY— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 7, 2020 ## Stay tuned...

Cricket

1747 days ago

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It's a Privilege To Watch Jasprit Bumrah Bowling: Shane Bond

Mumbai Indians' bowling coach, Shane Bond has lauded pacer Jasprit Bumrah, terming him "the best fast bowler in T20 cricket in the world". Jasprit Bumarh, the purple cap holder, helped 4-times champions, Mumbai Indians to storm into their 6th Indian Premier League final after blowing Delhi Capitals away by 57 runs in the Qualifier 1 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday (November 5). ## Bumrah returned with the impressive figures of 4 wickets for just 13 runs in his 4 overs and also won man of the match. He also snatched the purple cap from Capitals' Kagiso Rabada and currently stands with 27 wickets in 14 games. ## "Jasprit, it's a privilege to watch your bowling. The best t20 fast bowler in the world goes about his work", Bond said in a video posted by Mumbai Indians on Twitter on Friday. ## Bumrah, who now holds the record for the most wickets taken by an Indian bowler in an IPL season, said that he mainly focuses on executing his plans during the match and also ready to bowl whenever the situation demands. ## "I am okay with not getting wickets and winning the tournament, I have been given a role so I just want to execute that role", Bumrah said in the post-match presentation ceremony. "Opening yorker was really important. I decided I will do that early in the game and when it comes off it's always nice. I am always ready when the captain wants me to bowl".## Most wickets in an IPL season by an Indian bowler -27 #JaspritBumrah (2020) *26 #BhuvneshwarKumar (2017)24 #HarbhajanSingh (2013)24 #JaidevUnadkat (2017)#IPL2020 | #MIvDC | #MIvsDC— Sacnilk Sports (@SacnilkSports) November 5, 2020 ## Today, in IPL 2020, Royal Challengers Bangalore will be up against Surisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator and the winner will face Delhi Capitals in Qualifier 2 on November 8. The winner of Qualifier 2 will face MI in the final on November 10 in Dubai for the title. ## Stay tuned...

Bollywood

1751 days ago

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Kolkata Knight Riders' Teammates Extended Wishes For Shah Rukh Khan On His 55th Birthday

One of the biggest stars of Indian cinema, Shah Rukh Khan is celebrating his 55th birthday today (November 2). While his fans and well-wishers all over the world are sending their birthday wishes for King Khan, Kolkata Knight Riders' team members on Monday extended wishes to their franchise owner. ## In a video uploaded shared by Kolkata Knight Riders on social media handles, KKR players shared memories of their first meeting with Shah Rukh Khan, favorite dance moves of SRK, and also their wishes for the iconic actor.## "I remember once going to Bali and there were just two things which the auto driver told us - So, you are from India, Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Veer-Zaara. That's how famous he is", said wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik.## "Everybody described him as the Tom Cruise of India. He is actually more exciting than Tom Cruise", said KKR captain Eoin Morgan.## Special wishes from the boys for our main Knight without whom the KKR family is incomplete! 💜🤗Happy birthday, @iamsrk 🥳#KKRHaiTaiyaar #Dream11IPL #HappyBirthdaySRK pic.twitter.com/7sv7iLzqSV— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) November 2, 2020 ## "It was a special moment. He (SRK) was so humble and cool. He was standing beside me and gave me a hug. I am a tough guy but I was blushing", said Andre Russell while recalling his first meeting with the Bollywood superstar. "Keep being yourself. Keep being this amazing human being," he further said while doing the famous "Chammak Challo" dance step.## Shah Rukh has been keenly watching the performance of his team during the ongoing Indian Premier League being played in the United Arab Emirates. His team are currently placed at the fourth spot in the table, with 14 points from 14 matches, and are still in contention for the playoffs. ## Stay tuned...

Cricket

1752 days ago

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Ruturaj Gaikwad Looks Like A Young Virat Kohli: Faf du Plessis

Chennai Super Kings' opener Faf du Plessis said that "Ruturaj Gaikwad looks like a young Virat Kohli" after later becomes the first player from CSK to score three consecutive fifties in the IPL history. CSK, riding on the successive fifties from Gaikwad, finished off their IPL 2020 campaign with a thumping 9-wickets win over Kings XI Punjab which also proved to be a final nail in the coffin for KXIP who knocked out of the tournament. ## Faf du Plessis, who played a vital role with 48 off 34 balls in CSK's easy win was really impressed with the way young Gaikwad handled the pressure situations in this tournament. ## "He (Gaikwad) looks like a young Virat Kohli doesn't he. What stands out for me the most is is his composure. Pressure situations don't really get to him. That is always pleasing to see in a young guy and looks like he has a bright future", du Plessis said in the post-match presentation ceremony. ## Also Read - 'Definitely Not', MS Dhoni Refutes Rumors Of Playing His Last Game For CSK## Gaikwad with an unbeaten 62 off 49 balls, scored his third consecutive fifty and all three came in the successful run chases which also earned him his third consecutive man of the match. He said that it was difficult for him to miss out on the first few games but backed his ability when the opportunity arrived. ## "I was scoring well in the domestic circuit in every format, so I was feeling confident. Even for my club and state team, I had to be the anchor, make sure the team wins and I stay till the end. At times, I also need to be aggressive. One of my favourite - inside-out (shot)", Gaikwad said after the match. ## "Not to be part of the squad which was practicing initially, to miss the first few games, it was difficult for me. But the management and every teammate made sure that I was positive. An important part of the squad and it did help a lot. Being in the change room and being on the field - I was used to it", he added.## Stay tuned...

Cricket

1752 days ago

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'Definitely Not', MS Dhoni Refutes Rumors Of Playing His Last Game For CSK

In a crucial or a do or die match, Kings XI Punjab will be up against Chennai Super Kings who have already been out of the Indian Premier League 2020's playoffs' race. While KXIP will need an outright win to keep their hopes alive to qualify for the playoffs, CSK will also look to finish the tournament on high. ## However, one thing that was going on in everyone's mind was that Dhoni is playing his last match for Chennai? Since he has already announced his retirement from international cricket and CSK has also not done enough which resulted in that three-times champions have failed to reach the playoffs for the first time in their 11 years of IPL history, people were curious to know his future plans for CSK. ## At the toss, when asked if it was his last game ever for CSK, the captain cool refutes saying, "definitely not" and put a full stop to his retirement rumors from IPL, at least till the next season of the Indian Premier League which is not too far away. ## Danny Morrison : Could this be your last game in yellow ? #MSDhoni : Definitely Not!#CSK have won the toss and they will bowl first against #KXIP in Match 53 of #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/KhaDJFcApe— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) November 1, 2020 ## Earlier, Chennai Super Kings' CEO Kasi Viswanathan had also said that they want Dhoni to continue leading the franchise in the IPL 2021 as well and hoped that Dhoni will do the same.## "Yes, definitely. I am very confident that Dhoni will lead CSK in 2021. He has won three titles for us in the IPL. This is the first year we have not qualified for the playoffs. No other team has done that. One bad year does not mean we will have to change everything", Viswanathan had told The Times of India. ## Stay tuned...

Cricket

1753 days ago

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Big Jump In Viewership Of IPL 2020, Up By 28% Compared To The Last Year: BARC Report

The ongoing Indian Premier League has witnessed a big jump in viewership. As compared to the last season, the dream 11 IPL 2020 recorded a jump of 28% according to data released by Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India. ## Data provided by BARC shows IPL 13 registered 7 billion viewing minutes for the first 41 matches aired across 21 channels, which is 28 percent higher as compared to IPL 12 at the same stage. IPL 12 had got 5.5 billion viewing minutes for 44 matches aired across 24 channels. ## "The IPL was a blessing to all those who wanted something from the 'old normal'. The viewership of the IPL has increased from last season, as the data shows," BARCIndia have informed in s tweet.## The IPL was a blessing to all those who wanted something from the 'old normal'. The viewership of the IPL has increased from last season, as the data shows.#BARCIndia #WhatIndiaWatches #AudienceMeasurement #Viewership #IPL #IndianPremierLeague #IPL2019 #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/E008AEtlAu— BARCIndia (@BARCIndia) October 30, 2020 ## The data also showed that performance per match of IPL 13 is higher than the last season. The cume reach of IPL 13 for 41 matches was 108 million, 11 percent higher than IPL 12. Earlier, it had registered 98 million cume reach.## While IPL 2020 is garnering more viewership than its previous season, the data released by BARC aren't surprising at all. Since the IPL 2020 is being played without a crowd due to the covid-19 pandemic, it was expected that more people will watch the tournament on television and broadcasters were also assuming the highest rating of IPL this season.## Earlier, the opening match of IPL 2020 between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, also set the viewership record. The opening day recorded an unprecedented 200 million viewership and became the most-watched match on an opening day for any sporting league in the world. ## Stay tuned...

Cricket

1754 days ago

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Ravindra Jadeja Dedicates Chennai Super Kings's Victory Over Kolkata Knight Riders To Fans

Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has expressed gratitude to the fans at homes for their support during the ongoing Indian Premier League edition in the UAE in which the three-time champions failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in their IPL history. ## The MS Dhoni-led, CSK that is already out of contention of making a top-four finish, came out with improved performance compared to their earlier games as they defeated Kolkata Knight Riders in a thrilling manner on Thursday. CSK chased down the 173-run target on the last ball of the match, with Jadeja smashing back-to-back sixes as they defeated KKR by 6 wickets and dented their chances of making it to the playoffs. ## "This one was for the fans. Thank you for the fantastic support", tweeted Jadeja after playing an incredible knock of unbeaten 31 from just 11 deliveries. Apart from him, the young Ruturaj Gaikwad came out with yet another match-winning performance as he scored 73 runs to anchor the chase.## This one was for the fans. Thank you for the fantastic support. 💛💪#whistlepodu @chennaiipl pic.twitter.com/mMJTgrwnfs— Ravindrasinh jadeja (@imjadeja) October 29, 2020 ## "I was hitting the ball well in the nets and kept thinking about that and I managed to do that in the match. We (me and Curran) were talking about going after the bowlers, and in the last 12 balls, you don't think much. Just see the ball and hit the ball", Jadeja had said in the post-match presentation ceremony. ## "I was looking to not lose my shape, and I knew if they bowled in my arc, I could hit a six. Winning every game always means a lot to us", he added. ## CSK's win over KKR made sure that the table topper, Mumbai Indians qualify for the playoffs and becomes the first team to do so. CSK, having 10 points from 13 games, will play their final match of the tournament against Kings XI Punjab on Sunday.## Stay tuned...

Cricket

1755 days ago

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'He Just Keeps Getting Better', Mumbai Indians' Stand-In Skipper Kieron Pollard Lauds Suryakumar Yadav For His Match Winning Knock

A day after BCCI selectors didn't select Suryakumar Yadav for the Australia tour, the Mumbai Indians' number 3 batsman sent out a strong message to the selectors by playing a match-winning knock of unbeaten 79 off just 43 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Wednesday (October 28). ## Kieron Pollard, the MI's stand-in skipper, has lauded Surya for his brilliant knock and also encouraged him to stay consistent.## "Imagine someone batting at that strike rate after two early wickets. Deep down inside he must be very very disappointed to not have donned the blue for India. He just keeps getting better. Again as an individual if you keep staying consistent, you will be rewarded. Nothing happens before its time", said Pollard in the post-match presentation ceremony.## Pollard triggered RCB`s collapse 131/3 to 139/6 between the 16th and 18th overs with the wicket of AB de Villiers, who looked set for a trademark swashbuckling inning.## "I am big on match-ups in a way. I also watch a lot of cricket. I took a punt and bowled at AB. I could have waited for the last over but if someone has to go for runs I thought I`d take it".## After a 5-wicket win over RCB, MI has 16 points from 12 matches and is ranked number 1 in the points table. While RCB stands at number 2 with 14 points in 12 matches. ## Stay tuned...

Cricket

1757 days ago

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'I Am Very Confident That Dhoni Will Lead CSK In 2021' - CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan

It has been a forgettable season of the Indian Premier League for one of the most successful franchises and three-times champions, Chennai Super Kings who, for the first time have failed to qualify for the playoffs in their 11 years of IPL history. ## A lot of questions have been raised over the team's future and even on Dhoni – whose own performance has been below par as per his own standards in UAE. However, despite the poor performance of the team and MS Dhoni, the faith of the franchise in the captain cool continues to rise. ## CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan said that one bad season does not make this team look bad. He also hopes that Dhoni will continue to lead CSK in 2021 as well. ## "Yes, definitely. I am very confident that Dhoni will lead CSK in 2021. He has won three titles for us in the IPL. This is the first year we have not qualified for the playoffs. No other team has done that. One bad year does not mean we will have to change everything", Viswanathan told The Times of India.## Ahead of the tournament, two of their key players, Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh pulled out of the 13th edition due to personal reasons and CSK CEO believes that the withdrawals of these two players have upset the balance of the team. ## "We didn't play to our potential this season. We lost games that we should have won. That pushed us back. The withdrawals of Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh coupled with Covid cases in the camp meant that the balance of the side was upset", Viswanathan added.## Stay tuned...

Cricket

1758 days ago

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My Father Always Used To Tell Me You Should Remain Not Out In The Game: Mandeep Singh

Mandeep Singh has been going through a roller coaster of emotions in the past week, with the sad demise of his father a couple of days back. However, despite that personal tragedy and with heavy heart, the 28-year old talented cricketer from Punjab choose to stay with the franchise, Kings XI Punjab and help them to advance in the Indian Premier League 2020. ## Unfazed by the things happening around his personal life, Mandeep has braved himself to perform for KXIP on it, scoring a match-winning unbeaten 66 against Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday, October 26 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. His knock came at a crucial stage of the tournament in which, KXIP is well and truly alive to qualify for the playoffs. ## "This was very special. My father always used to tell me to remain not out in every game, definitely special", said Mandeep Singh in a post-match interview and dedicated his half-century to his late father. "He always used to tell me, whether you score 100 or 200, you should be not out", he added. ## "I had a talk with Rahul before the start of the game. Last game I was trying to score quicker and I wasn't comfortable doing that. I told Rahul if I play my normal game, I will win the game and I had the belief", revealed Mandeep on that chase. ## "He (Rahul) told me to back my game and play the way I want to play, pretty happy with the win. He (Gayle) was just telling me to keep batting and play till the end and I just told him that he should never retire. He is too good. We are very excited", Mandeep added. ## Mandy paaji looks up, a tribute to his father 🙌WHAT. A. KNOCK. 👏#SaddaPunjab #IPL2020 #KXIP #KKRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/QcZYvCkBcm— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) October 26, 2020 ## Mandeep's special knock was appreciated by the rest of his teammates as well, with coach Anil Kumble and captain KL Rahul coming out to congratulate him for his fifty as well during the strategic timeout of the game against KKR.## "The kind of toughness Mandeep has shown has rubbed on to other ways. Everybody is emotional. Just to put his hand up, just to be there, just to finish off the game, makes us so proud", remarked Rahul in the post-match interview, speaking in praise of Mandeep. ## Meanwhile, Kings XI Punjab, after an easy win over KKR has opened up the tournament once again. With 12 points in 12 matches, the KL Rahul led side is at number 4 in the points table. Though KKR has also 12 points Punjab is marginally ahead in the Net Run Rate which could be the deciding factor at the end of the league stage. ## Stay tuned...

Cricket

1759 days ago

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IPL 2020 Playoffs To Be Played From 5th November With Final On 10th November In Dubai

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the playoffs dates of the Indian Premier League 2020. Dubai will host the final of the tournament on the 10th of November as well as serve as the venue for Qualifier 1 between the top two sides at the end of the league stage, on November 5. ## The Eliminator and Qualifier 2 will be held on November 6 and 8 respectively, in Abu Dhabi. All games will start at 19:30 [7:30 PM] IST.## IPL Playoffs Schedule -## Qualifier 1 - Team 1 vs Team 2, Dubai, on November 5 ## Eliminator - Team 3 vs Team 4, Abu Dhabi, on November 6## Qualifier 2 - Winner of Eliminator vs Loser of Qualifier 1, Abu Dhabi, on November 8## Final - Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2, Dubai, on November 10## Sharjah to host Women's T20 Challenge - Sharjah has been picked as the only venue to host the Women's T20 Challenge which will be played between November 4 and 9. The three teams --- Velocity, Supernovas, and Trailblazers led by Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Smriti Mandhana respectively, will play a game against each other on November 4, 5, and 7, and the top two teams will qualify for the final.## All the matches except the second match between Velocity and Trailblazers will begin at 7:30 PM IST. Match 2, which will be played on November 5, will be an afternoon match starting at 15:30 [3:30 PM] IST. ## The 2020 Women's T20 Challenge will begin with last year's finalist Supernovas taking on Velocity in the opening game. The complete schedule is as below.## Match 1: Supernovas vs Velocity, Sharjah, on November 4 at 19:30 IST## Match 2: Velocity vs Trailblazers, Sharjah, on November 5 at 15:30 IST## Match 3: Trailblazers vs Supernovas, Sharjah, on November 7 at 19:30 IST## Final: Team 1 vs Team 2, Sharjah, on November 9 at 19:30 IST## Stay tuned...