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  • IPL 2025 Players Retention Special FREE Live Streaming: Check Deadline, Date, Time And Where, When And How To Watch Live Telecast On TV, Mobile Apps, Online? , cricket news

    The countdown has begun as IPL franchises gear up to finalize their retentions ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. The much-anticipated retention deadline, set for Thursday, October 31, will see teams announce which players will remain part of their core squads for the next cycle. This year, IPL teams can only retain up to six players, either through direct retention or the return of the Right to Match (RTM) card, last used in 2018.

    Key Retention Rules And Price Structure

    Teams can retain a maximum of five capped and two uncapped players, but only six in total. The IPL Governing Council has also set retention price slabs: Rs 18 Crore, Rs 14 Crore, and Rs 11 Crore for three capped players, with further retention options at Rs 18 Crore and Rs 14 Crore for two additional capped players. For uncapped players, each will cost Rs 4 Crore. If a franchise opts for full retention, they’ll head into the auction with Rs 41 Crore remaining from the expanded Rs 120 Crore purse.

    Key Details for IPL Retention Special Show

    Date: Thursday, October 31, 2024 Retention Deadline: 5 PM IST

    When is the IPL 2025 Retention Deadline? The IPL 2025 Retention deadline is scheduled for Thursday, October 31, 2024. On this day, all ten franchises will reveal their lists of retained and released players ahead of the much-anticipated IPL Mega Auction, expected to take place in November 2024.

    What Time is the IPL 2025 Retention Deadline? The retention deadline is set for 5 PM IST on Thursday, October 31. By this time, all teams must submit their finalized lists of retained and released players to the BCCI and IPL Governing Council.

    How to Watch the IPL 2025 Retention Show Online and on TV? The IPL Retention Special Show will begin streaming at 4:30 PM IST on October 31, available for free on JioCinema. For television viewers, the program will also air on the Star Sports Network.

    Flexible Spending for Star Players

    Franchises have some flexibility within the Rs 75 Crore allocation for capped retentions. Teams could choose to retain a high-value player for more than the set Rs 18 Crore if they stay within the limit, though this would reduce their remaining auction purse. This flexibility allows teams to make adjustments and retain their biggest stars if they choose.

  • IPL 2025: Retention Deadline Announced, Franchises Must Submit Player List By This Date | cricket news

    IPL 2025: The Indian Premier League (IPL) has officially announced the retention rules for the 2025 season, with franchises required to submit their final list of retained players by October 31st, 5 PM IST. This crucial deadline sets the stage for the 2025 auction, where teams will finalize their squads, balancing player retention and auction strategies.

    Retention Rules And Purse Deductions

    For IPL 2025, franchises can retain up to five capped players, with specific amounts being deducted from their auction purse depending on the number of players retained. The retention slabs are as follows:

    For the first three retentions: INR 18 crore, INR 14 crore, and INR 11 crore. For the next two retentions: INR 18 crore and INR 14 crore.

    In case a franchise retains five capped players and one uncapped player before the auction, a total of INR 79 crore will be deducted from the team’s purse of INR 120 crore. This leaves the franchise with INR 41 crore to spend at the auction. For franchises opting to retain four capped players and two uncapped players, INR 69 crore will be deducted from their purse.

    Notably, the salary cap for uncapped players remains unchanged from the 2021 mega auction, with franchises deducting INR 4 crore for each uncapped player retained.

    Impact Player Rule To Stay Until 2027

    Despite some opposition from certain franchises and top players, including India captain Rohit Sharma, the IPL has decided to keep the controversial Impact Player rule in place for at least three more seasons, extending its tenure until 2027.

    The Impact Player rule, introduced in 2023, has been a topic of debate, with some arguing that it disrupts the development of allrounders an essential element in Indian cricket. However, during a key meeting held on July 31st, attended by team owners and key officials, the majority of the franchises supported the continuation of the rule, citing its potential to add tactical depth to the game.

    While critics, including high-profile players, voiced concerns about the rule limiting opportunities for allrounders to hone their skills, the IPL management has maintained that it serves the league’s goals of innovation and excitement. The decision to retain the rule reflects the desire to keep experimenting with new dynamics that could add value to both the sport and viewership.

    IPL 2025: Retention Details

    With the retention deadline looming, franchises will have tough decisions to make regarding player retention and auction strategies. Teams will need to assess their squad balance carefully, weighing the pros and cons of holding on to core players versus building from scratch in the auction.

    Additionally, the continuation of the Impact Player rule adds another layer of complexity to team composition, particularly for those franchises looking to build teams around multi-dimensional players.

    As October 31st approaches, all eyes will be on the retained players’ lists as teams reveal their plans for IPL 2025, setting the stage for an exciting auction and an even more thrilling season ahead.

  • Delhi Capitals’ Official Twitter Hacked; Malicious Links Posted, IPL Franchise Deletes Post Minutes Later | cricket news

    In a worrying cyber attack, the official Twitter account of the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Delhi Capitals (DC) was hacked on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. The breach occurred on the alleged “national hacking day,” which has become notorious. for increased cyber activity across various platforms. Fortunately, the incident was contained swiftly as the suspicious post was deleted within minutes by the franchise.

    The hacker posted a malicious link on DC’s account, which was believed to be part of a larger scam targeting users of the Raydium decentralized exchange platform. Such fraudulent links are typically designed to lead unsuspecting users to fake websites that steal personal data or cryptocurrency.

    Interestingly, former Arsenal footballer Alexandre Lacazette’s Twitter account was also compromised on the same day, sharing similar content. This highlights the vulnerability of even well-established social media accounts to sophisticated cyber attacks, where hackers exploit popular profiles to execute phishing scams.

    DC’s Performance in IPL 2024

    On the cricketing front, Delhi Capitals finished the IPL 2024 season in sixth place with 14 points, narrowly missing out on the playoffs. Under the leadership of Rishabh Pant, who returned to competitive cricket after a 15-month injury layoff, the team managed to win seven out of 14 matches in the league stage.

    Despite Pant’s remarkable return, which saw him finish as DC’s top scorer for the season, the team once again fell short of reaching the knockout stages. The Delhi-based franchise, which has participated in all 17 editions of the IPL, continues its quest for a maiden title. Their best performance remains the 2020 IPL, where they reached the final under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy but were defeated.

    Delhi Capitals’ Title Drought

    The IPL 2020 final appearance in the UAE was a historic moment for the franchise, as it was the first time they had made it to the tournament’s summit clash. However, DC’s elusive hunt for their first IPL title continues, and they remain one of the three teams in the league to have participated in all editions of the tournament without lifting the trophy.

    As the Delhi Capitals look ahead to the next season, they will aim to strengthen their squad and break their title drought, while also ensuring their digital security is up to par to avoid further cyber incidents.

  • IPL 2025: Franchise Owners Oppose Uncapped Category For Retired Players. cricket news

    IPL 2025: Despite growing speculation that the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) want former India captain MS Dhoni to be considered an uncapped player in the IPL 2025 auction due to his retirement being nearly seven years ago, several IPL franchises are opposed to this idea. According to reports this issue was discussed during a recent BCCI meeting with IPL team owners

    The BCCI raised the topic while discussing broader criteria for uncapped players. A rule introduced before the inaugural IPL season in 2008 considered players retired from international cricket for over five years as uncapped. However, this rule was never utilized and was abolished three years ago. During the recent meeting, the suggestion to reintroduce this rule was met with resistance from multiple teams.

    Sunrisers Hyderabad owner Kavya Maran was among those who opposed the proposal. She argued that allowing a retired cricketer to be classified as an uncapped player would be ‘disrespectful’ and could set a ‘wrong precedent’ if such a player received a higher salary than a genuine uncapped cricketer. Maran suggested that Dhoni, if he wishes to continue, should enter the auction like any other player, allowing team owners to determine his value.

    The report also addressed rumors that Chennai’s push for this rule was motivated by a desire to retain Dhoni. These rumors were dismissed, noting that before the last mega auction in 2022, CSK retained Dhoni for Rs 12 crore, while Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was uncapped at that time, was retained for half that amount.

    As for whether Dhoni will play in IPL 2025, the answer remains uncertain. After undergoing knee surgery last year, Dhoni handed over the captaincy to Gaikwad and is expected to take on a finisher’s role in IPL 2024. Dhoni has stated that he and CSK will await clarity on retention rules before deciding his participation in IPL 2025.

  • Shah Rukh Khan’s bold move, blank cheque offered to Gautam Gambhir amid BCCI’s pursuit for Team India’s coaching role: Report | Cricket News

    The iconic Eden Gardens erupted in jubilation as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) clinched their third IPL title, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a nail-biting final on Sunday. Amidst deafening roars from the packed stands, the Shah Rukh Khan-owned franchise etched their name in IPL folklore once again, adding another glorious chapter to their storied legacy.

    Also Read: Virat Kohli Extends Break After IPL 2024, Could Miss Team India’s T20 World Cup Warm-up Game

    Gambhir’s Midas Touch

    Much of KKR’s success can be attributed to the tactical genius of mentor Gautam Gambhir. The former Indian opener, who led KKR to their previous two IPL triumphs, has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the team’s ethos. His calm demeanor and astute decision-making proved invaluable throughout the tournament, culminating in a well-deserved victory.

    Rinku Singh: The Unlikely Hero

    While star performers like Venkatesh Iyer and Nitish Rana played their part, it was the unheralded Rinku Singh who truly stole the show. With KKR teetering at 89/5 in their pursuit of 174, the left-hander displayed nerves of steel, smashing an unbeaten 42 off just 28 deliveries to guide his team home.

    Cummins’ Valiant Effort in Vain

    For SRH, Pat Cummins led from the front, both with the ball and the bat. The Australian spearhead claimed three crucial wickets before contributing a blistering 33 off just 18 balls. However, his efforts ultimately fell short as KKR held their nerve in the closing stages.

    Shah Rukh’s Unbridled Passion

    As the winning runs were scored, the celebrations reached a crescendo, with Shah Rukh Khan leading the charge. The Bollywood superstar, known for his unwavering passion for the sport, was seen embracing Gambhir and the players, his joy evident for all to see. The victory not only cemented KKR’s status as one of the most successful IPL franchises but also underscored Shah Rukh’s deep commitment to the team.

    Tactical Masterclass from Gambhir

    Gautam Gambhir’s influence on KKR’s fortunes cannot be overstated. From his shrewd team selections to his calculated bowling changes, the former India opener displayed a tactical acumen that kept his side ahead of the game. His ability to inspire and motivate his players was equally vital, as evidenced by the team’s resilience in the face of adversity.

  • DC vs LSG Dream11 Team Prediction, Match Preview, Fantasy Cricket Hints: Captain, Probable Playing 11s, Team News; Injury Updates For Today’s Delhi Capitals Vs Lucknow Super Giants In Arun Jaitley Stadium, 730PM IST, Delhi | cricket news

    Delhi Capitals (DC) face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2024 clash today. A lot happened after the last LSG clash at Lucknow as their team owner Sanjiv Goenka seemingly yelled at captain KL Rahul and the incident was caught on camera. After that video went viral, many India fans displayed their own displeasure at seeing and Indian player being mistreated like that in public view. The rumors began that Rahul may be dropped as captain after this season. There was a report that Rahul had not traveled with the team to Delhi for the match. But assistant coach Lance Klusener put all these rumors to rest when he said that there is not talk of change in captaincy within the Lucknow camp.

    Hopefully, we will see a KL Rahul-Rishabh Pant face-off in a match which is of utmost importance to both. Both LSG and DC have an outside chance to qualify for the playoffs, Their hopes are dependent on other match results as well. But firstly, they need to win their own games and hopefully, with a big margin.

    KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant can be good choices in your Dream11 team for this game. Jake Fraser-McGurk, Tristan Stubbs and Ayush Badoni are also must-haves in your fantasy team. Fraser-McGurk can even be your captain in this match.

    DC vs LSG: Probable Playing 11s

    Delhi Capitals Predicted XI: Prithvi Shaw, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Shai Hope, Tristan Stubbs, Rishabh Pant (c) (wk), Abishek Porel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Anrich Nortje, Khaleel Ahmed.

    Lucknow Super Giants Predicted XI: KL Rahul (c/wk), Arshin Kulkarni, Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Ashton Turner, Ravi Bishnoi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mohsin Khan.

    DC vs LSG DREAM 11 PREDICTION

    WICKET KEEPERS: Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Nicholas Pooran

    BATTERS: Jake Fraser-McGurk(c), Tristan Stubbs, Ayush Badoni

    ALL ROUNDERS: Axar Patel, Marcus Stoinis

    BOWLERS: Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed

    DC vs LSG: Squads

    Delhi Capitals: Rishabh Pant (c), Pravin Dubey, David Warner, Vicky Ostwal, Prithvi Shaw, Anrich Nortje, Abishek Porel, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Lalit Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Mitchell Marsh, Ishant Sharma, Yash Dhull, Mukesh Kumar, Tristan Stubbs, Ricky Bhui, Kumar Kushagra, Rasikh Dar, Jhye Richardson, Sumit Kumar, Shai Hope, Swastik Chhikara.

    Lucknow Super Giants: KL Rahul (c), Quinton de Kock, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Kyle Mayers, Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravi Bishnoi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Krunal Pandya, Yudhvir Singh, Prerak Mankad, Yash Thakur, Amit Mishra, Shamar Joseph, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, K. Gowtham, Arshin Kulkarni, M. Siddharth, Ashton Turner, Matt Henry, Mohd. Arshad Khan.

  • RCB vs DC Dream11 Team Prediction, Match Preview, Fantasy Cricket Hints: Captain, Probable Playing 11s, Team News; Injury Updates For Today’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru Vs Delhi Capitals In M Chinnaswamy Stadium, 730PM IST, Bengaluru | cricket news

    The upcoming clash between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Bengaluru promises to be a crucial encounter as both teams vie for a playoff berth in the Indian Premier League (IPL). DC currently occupies the fifth position in the points table, having secured six wins and suffered six losses, accumulating 12 points in total. Meanwhile, RCB finds themselves in the seventh spot, with five wins, seven losses, and 10 points to their name.

    In their previous outings, DC emerged victorious against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on May 7, while RCB secured a win against Punjab Kings (PBKS) just a few days prior. As the two teams prepare to battle it out on Sunday, fans eagerly anticipate a thrilling contest with high stakes.

    The spotlight of the season has undoubtedly been on Virat Kohli, who holds the prestigious Orange Cap for accumulating the most runs in the tournament thus far. Kohli has been in scintillating form, amassing a staggering 634 runs in 12 matches at a remarkable average of 70.44 and an impressive strike rate of 153.51. His outstanding performance includes a century and five half-centuries, with his highest score being an unbeaten 113 runs.

    Beyond the IPL, Virat Kohli boasts a remarkable record across all formats of the game, establishing himself as one of the modern greats of cricket. While he may not be the first or even among the top ten to achieve 100 professional cricket centuries, Kohli’s milestone is a testament to his legendary career and unmatched consistency on the field.

    As the Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore gear up for their clash, fans anticipate Virat Kohli to deliver yet another stellar performance, not only for the sake of his team’s victory but also to etch his name further into the annals of cricketing history.

    RCB vs DC: Probable Playing 11s

    Royal Challengers Bengaluru Predicted XI: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Will Jacks, Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidar, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Anuj Rawat, Cameron Greem, Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal.

    Delhi Capitals Predicted XI: Abishek Porel, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Shai Hope, Tristan Stubbs, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Anrich Nortje, Khaleel Ahmed.

    RCB vs DC DREAM 11 PREDICTION IPL 2024

    WICKETKEEPERS: Dinesh Karthik, Abhishek Porel

    BATTERS: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli(c), Tristan Stubbs

    ALL ROUNDERS: Will Jacks, Axar Patel (vc)

    BOWLERS: Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed

    RCB vs DC: Squads

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

    DC – Rishabh Pant (c), Pravin Dubey, David Warner, Vicky Ostwal, Prithvi Shaw, Anrich Nortje, Abishek Porel, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Lalit Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Mitchell Marsh, Ishant Sharma, Yash Dhull, Mukesh Kumar, Tristan Stubbs, Ricky Bhui, Kumar Kushagra, Rasikh Dar, Jhye Richardson, Sumit Kumar, Shai Hope, Swastik Chhikara.

  • PBKS Vs RCB Dream11 Team Prediction, Match Preview, Fantasy Cricket Hints: Captain, Probable Playing 11s, Team News; Injury Updates For Today’s Punjab Kings Vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru In HPCA Stadium, 730PM IST, Dharamsala | cricket news

    Punjab Kings (PBKS) face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Dharamsala today in what is a huge game. Both these teams are still in contention for a berth in the playoffs. Both Punjab and Bengaluru need to finish with maximum of 14 points and then results of other matches will decide whether they make the cut or not. These two teams will look to focus on what they can control: which is winning the match. Punjab Kings are missing their captain Shikhar Dhawann and there is no update on whether he is going to return soon or not. RCB do not have any injury concern which is a huge boost for them.

    Also Read | LSG Owner Sanjiv Goenka Gets ANGRY Publicly On KL Rahul After LSG Handed Embarrassing Loss Against SRH In IPL 2024; watch

    There are some top-class cricketers in action today and making a Dream11 team can be challenging. Jonny Bairstow has a solid record against RCB as in five innings, he has a century and two fifties, smashing 261 runs at a strike rate of 177.55. Rajat Patidar can be a good pick as well. Patidar has been batting with strike rate of 183 in overs 7 to 15. Virat Kohli can be your captain and Faf can be the vice-captain. Sam Curran and Cameron Green can be your all-rounders in the fantasy team. Check out the Dream11 prediction from us below.

    PBKS vs RCB Probable Playing 11s

    Punjab Kings (PBKS) Probable XI Team: Jonny Bairstow, Rilee Rossouw, Shashank Singh, Sam Curran (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Rahul Chahar, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, Prabhsimran Singh. (12th man)

    Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Probable XI Team: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Rajat Patidar, Will Jacks, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Swapnil Singh, Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Vyshak Vijay Kumar. , Yash Dayal (12th man)

    PBKS vs RCB Dream11 Prediction:

    Captain: Virat Kohli

    Vice-Captain: Faf du Plessis

    Wicketkeeper: Dinesh Karthik

    Batters: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Rajat Patidar, Jonny Bairstow

    All-rounders: Sam Curran, Cameron Green

    Bowlers: Mohammed Siraj, Vyshak Vijay Kumar, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh

    PBKS vs RCB: Squads

    Punjab Kings (PBKS) Full Squad: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Matthew Short, Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Sikandar Raza, Rishi Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Atharva Taide, Arshdeep Singh, Nathan Ellis, Sam Curran, Kagiso Rabada, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Bhatia, Vidwath Kaverappa, Shivam Singh, Harshal Patel, Chris Woakes, Ashutosh Sharma, Vishwanath Pratap Singh, Shashank Singh, Tanay Thyagarajann, Prince Choudhary, Rilee Rossouw.

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

  • IPL 2024 DC Vs RR: Why Sanju Samson Was GIVEN Out By Third Umpire After Shai Hope’s Controversial Catch? , cricket news

    IPL 2024 DC Vs RR: Why Sanju Samson Was GIVEN Out By Third Umpire After Shai Hope’s Controversial Catch?

    The Delhi Capitals (DC) vs Rajasthan Royals (RR) clash in IPL 2024 saw a controversial moment when Sanju Samson was dismissed in the 16th over if the innings. Samson was batting on 86 and all RR hopes were pinned on him as 60 runs were still required off 27 deliveries. Samson was a crucial wicket for DC and they were pretty relieved to see his back as the RR captain was held at long on boundary. But the dismissal is still being discussed as many of the Sanju and RR fans feel the third umpire was wrong to judge him out. RR could manage just 201 for 8 in 20 overs, losing the match by 20 runs.

    What is the controversy?

    Samson hit the ball down the ground but with not much elevation. Shai Hope, fielding at long on boundary, caught it at chest height. However, his legs were very close to the boundary cushions. So close that it appeared as if Hope’s shoes had brushed the cushions. Hope claimed the catch but the onfield umpire wanted to check the legitimacy of the catch by going upstairs and dialed Michael Gough, who was the man-in-charge for this game.

    IPL has got rid of soft signal. Now, what is a soft signal? While the onfield umpire transfers the responsibility to make some decisions to third umpire because the naked eye could not grab some visuals, he or she used to call it out or not out. This was called a soft signal. The third umpire used to look at the replays to see if the onfield decision can be reversed or not. The onfield umpire makes this soft signal by keeping in mind various factors. IPL stopped using soft signals from 2021 IPL while ICC scrapped it in 2023 for contentious catches.

    In Sanju’s case, umpire Gough was on his own to decide the fate of the batter. However, he himself needed to be fully assured that Hope had touched the cushions. While Hope’s feet were close to the ropes, the shadows created by them and the cushion was not making it very clear that the contact really happened. Umpire Gough stuck to the process and rules. There was no way he was going to get a clear picture. There was no soft signal here. Gough did not see any conclusive evidence to judge it not out.

    After looking at the available camera angles, Gough could not reach to a conclusion that Hope had not taken a legitimate catch. The decision is not saying that it was a clean catch. Rather it is saying that there was no enough evidence to say that it was not a legitimate catch.

  • Blame Game In Mumbai Indians Camp After Defeat vs KKR, Captain Hardik Pandya Says THIS | cricket news

    It was a night of reckoning for the Mumbai Indians (MI) as they suffered a demoralizing 24-run defeat at the hands of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 encounter at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. Despite a clinical bowling performance that restricted KKR to 169, MI’s batsmen faltered, succumbing to the relentless pressure exerted by the opposition bowlers. In the post-match presentation, a visibly dejected Hardik Pandya, the MI captain, pinpointed the lack of partnerships as the primary reason for his team’s downfall. “In the batting inning, we couldn’t form partnerships and kept losing wickets. In T20s, if you don’t form partnerships, it will cost you,” lamented Pandya, acknowledging the harsh reality of their performance.

    Hardik Pandya! pic.twitter.com/pmZ8wmN5tW — RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) May 3, 2024

    Trailing the Target, Mumbai Batters Crumble

    Chasing a challenging total of 170, Mumbai’s top order once again faltered, leaving the middle order exposed. Suryakumar Yadav’s valiant 56 provided a glimmer of hope, but his dismissal triggered a spectacular collapse, with the remaining batters failing to build any significant partnerships.

    Pandya, known for his candid assessments, admitted that there were many questions that needed to be answered, but he refrained from delving into specifics, perhaps reserving his thoughts for the dressing room debrief. “There are a lot of questions that will take some time to answer, but for now, not much to say,” he stated, reflecting the team’s disappointment.

    Hardik Stays Positive, Looks Ahead

    Despite the setback, Pandya maintained a positive outlook, acknowledging the efforts of his bowling unit in keeping KKR’s total within reach. “The bowlers did a fantastic job, the wicket got a little better after the first innings, the dew came on,” he said, recognizing the challenging conditions his batters faced.

    Embodying the spirit of a true leader, Pandya vowed to keep fighting, reminding himself and his teammates that the highs and lows are an integral part of the game. “You keep fighting, that is what I tell myself, never leave the battlefield, tough days come but good also come here, it’s challenging but challenges make you better,” he asserted, setting the tone for the upcoming matches.

    Mumbai’s Road Ahead: Lucknow Super Giants Await

    The Mumbai Indians now face the daunting task of regrouping and preparing for their next encounter against the formidable Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Sunday. With their campaign hanging in the balance, Pandya and his men will need to address their batting woes and rediscover their winning formula if they hope to salvage their IPL 2024 aspirations. As the IPL caravan moves on, one thing is certain: the blame game within the Mumbai Indians camp will continue until they find a way to overcome their shortcomings and reclaim their status as one of the most feared teams in the tournament.