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After losing their first six matches this season, RCB showed signs of making a comeback winning the next 4 out of their 5 games. But unfortunately, the team lost the winning momentum and once again failed to reach the playoffs. It is hard to single out any particular area for the team’s lacklustre performance, but the new recruits’ failure to perform is a major reason for RCB’s downfall. After finishing 6th on the points table last year, RCB released a barrage of players including stalwarts like Brendon McCullum and Chris Woakes....

This year is already shaping up to be one of the best seasons the IPL due to its unpredictability. This year, we have seen how one moment can change a game completely in a team’s favor. These game-changing moments also gave fans a reason to watch the game until the end as anything can happen at any moment. As the saying goes: “It isn’t over till the fat lady sings....

When a side invests generous amounts in prodigious Indian talent, acquires a cadre of international performers, and appoints a charismatic leader like MS Dhoni at the helm to steer things, it materializes into Chennai Super KIngs. CSK have undoubtedly been the most consistent side in the league. The team has made it to the playoffs every season it has played, featuring 7 times in the final and having 3 titles in the kitty....

RCB captain Virat Kohli and wicket-keepers AB de Villiers and Parthiv Patel took some stunning catches in the fielding session, with the onlookers cheering them on. De Villiers donning the gloves might be something new for RCB fans, since the former Proteas captain has largely only patrolled the boundaries in the IPL. But he did keep wickets in the Big Bash League earlier this year, and him taking up the role would free up an opening slot that could be used by young Karnataka batsman Devdutt Padikkal....

Sunil Narine failed to get going alongside Shubman Gill, which meant that KKR failed to get good starts more often than not. Three players who could replace Sunil Narine at the top of the order for KKR: Sunil Narine only managed a meagre 121 runs in ten matches at a poor average of 13.44. He especially struggled against the fast bowlers and couldn’t make much of an impact. Considering his poor returns, KKR might consider a few other options to replace Sunil Narine at the top of the order....

While MI boast of a stellar record against KKR, with a head-to-head record of 22-6, the men in purple and gold are not the ones to be taken lightly. Rohit Sharma has specifically been dominant against the Kolkata Knight Riders. The Mumbai Indians captain has amassed 982 runs at an average of 46.76 in 28 innings against KKR. Among all the other franchises he has played against, Rohit has scored the most runs against the Kolkata Knight Riders....

Speaking to ANI today, the CSK CEO revealed that their crew was already quarantining, as per the SOP laid down for IPL 2021. But they need the UAE government’s approval before taking off. Viswanathan mentioned that the BCCI was in talks with the authorities in the UAE. He expects the CSK crew to receive the permission by tomorrow. CSK will become the first team to reach the United Arab Emirates ahead of the second phase of IPL 2021....

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, MS Dhoni saw his team reduced to 24/4 in the powerplay. Ambati Rayudu retired hurt with an arm injury as well, leaving CSK with a herculean task to revive the innings. They did just that, though, as Ruturaj Gaikwad’s stellar 88-run knock helped them reach a par total of 156/6. In response, MI were pegged back early by Deepak Chahar before the CSK bowlers continued to chip away at the wickets....

There was no change at the top of the IPL 2021 Purple Cap list, as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) seamer Harshal Patel enjoys a 4-wicket lead. The 30-year-old has scalped 17 wickets at a remarkable strike rate of 8.47 so far. Prithvi Shaw jumped up 9 spots and broke into the top 3 of the IPL 2021 Orange Cap list. After smashing a scintillating 41-ball 82 tonight, the 22-year-old has now amassed 269 runs at a strike rate of 165....

While Chennai opened their IPL 2021 UAE leg with a victory against the two-time defending champions, Bangalore suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Kolkata Knight Riders. The Virat Kohli-led outfit will look forward to making a fresh start at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium tomorrow. The pitch in Sharjah is great for batting. Fans witnessed many high-scoring matches at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium last year. The short boundaries of this ground further help the batters....

Sam Billings was picked up by the Delhi Capitals for Rs 2 crore this year, with Rishabh Pant set to lead the franchise in Shreyas Iyer’s absence this season. This will be Billings’ second stint with the Delhi outfit. In a media release, the Englishman recalled an instance featuring Rishabh Pant from the duo’s younger days. Rishabh Pant has carved a niche for himself over the past few months, becoming one of the most exciting prospects in international cricket....

Ajinkya Rahane and Jos Buttler were then dismissed in the span of two overs and that turned the game and the momentum. RR never really recovered and they wasted a good start as could only manage 142. They also couldn’t bat out their 20 overs (they were all out in 19 overs). Kuldeep Yadav bamboozled the RR batting as he took a 4-fer and dented the RR batting line-up....

The Daredevils have a balanced squad with a quality option for almost every slot. However, whether they’ll be able to cross the final hurdle is yet to be seen. On that note, let’s look at how the team from Indian’s capital city might line up for their tournament opener against KXIP. Openers Gautam Gambhir(C) Gambhir has returned to the Delhi-based franchise six years and two IPL titles later and would be leading them from the front....

Do you think you have the tactical acumen to predict who will fare better in each IPL match? If you are looking for a way to put it to good use, all you need is to look at StarPick. With plenty of exciting features and a chance to win millions in prize money, here is how you can get started with StarPick. Select your StarPick team here. RCB were forced to make quite a few changes in their playing XI for their encounter against KKR as AB de Villiers had to sit out due to a bout of viral fever....

Jos Buttler was the go-to man for Royals yet again as he scored his third consecutive half-century to help his side score 158 off their 20 overs. In reply, Kings XI Punjab was jolted by three early blows and never really recovered as they ended up 15 runs short despite KL Rahul batting all the way through to remain unbeaten on 95. Here are the 5 major talking points from today’s contest....

Sadly, that has not been the case for the Orange army so far, as many of their batsmen have been struggling for runs.With the Royals losing three out of their six matches so far, they need to put up a strong fight to overcome the threat of Sunrisers’s bowling unit. Let us now look at two players who can make the difference in this crunch Super-Sunday fixture at Jaipur if they step-up....

In the reverse fixture, the Sunrisers had walloped the Royals by nine wickets and the hosts were desperate to settle scores. Williamson won the toss, and it is a day game, the Sunrisers captain decided to bat first. Hyderabad hoped to start well but once again they lost an early wicket in the form of Dhawan, who chopped on. Alex Hales, who was making his IPL debut, stitched together a fine partnership with his skipper....

The IPL format brings out the best in the players. Relatively young players get more exposure by playing along with internationally acclaimed talents, and the unique mix of youth and experience makes for an intriguing spectacle. IPL is the biggest stage where several international stars from different countries get together in the same dressing room. Even the super-busy players make it a priority to play the IPL despite their tiring schedule....

Amit Mishra replaced Trent Boult and was the fourth most discussed topic. It was as if urban India was aching for action and are now hanging on to every little detail surrounding IPL 2019. Considering that the country is running into election season, the small matter of a cricket match between two city teams should barely matter. After all, the contest could even be inconsequential in the long drawn out calendar of this colourful event....

The players’ list will be further pruned before the auction when the franchises submit their wish-list in a couple of days time. There are 50 slots which are up for the grab for Indians during the auction. Some of the Indian players are in brilliant form and in all likelihood, they will trigger an auction war. Who will be the next Jaydev Unadkat of 2018? Here is the list of five Indian players who could set the auction on fire....