In case you didn’t know? Russell made full use of the second life as he went on to smash five sixes and three fours from the next 11 balls, to power his team to a match-winning score of 218/4, their highest score at Eden Gardens. The heart of the matter Speaking about the incident at the post-match presentation, Ashwin said, “We weren’t really focused on the small things and they do cost you big in this format....
The two teams come into this match on the back of contrasting results, as CSK beat SRH in their last match while MI were beaten by RR. Rohit Sharma and his men haven’t lost two consecutive games in IPL 2019 yet, but playing against the leaders of the points table they would have their task cut out. The wicket on offer at Chennai has supported spin in this year’s IPL, so expect Rohit to go with three spinners....
At present DC lies in the third place in the points table in the 2019 IPL and have qualified for the plplayoffs. RR, on the other hand, needs to win this match to have any chance to make it to the playoffs. But even winning the match may not be enough as they will have to depend on the results of the RCB vs SRH and the MI vs KKR matches....
With three losses in their first three matches, RCB are languishing at the bottom of the points table. This season it is not just about the losses for RCB, but also how easily they have lost the games. Barring one match against Mumbai Indians, they have not even shown the stomach to fight in the other two games, against CSK and SRH. Many cricketing experts and fans are now suggesting a change in the leadership of RCB....
However, both the teams are going through contrasting fortunes in the ongoing IPL tournament. While CSK won all their three games so far, MI could manage only one win so far. The Men in Yellow beat Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals in their first three encounters. It was a complete team performance from CSK in all the three games. The Men in Blue, however, have not played to their potential in this tournament....
Both teams have lost their first match of the tournament. RCB lost to CSK in the tournament opener by 7 wickets while MI lost their first match to DC by 37 runs. The RCB vs MI rivalry has seen the two teams meeting each other 23 times. MI have won 16 of those matches while RCB have triumphed in nine. MI finished at the 5th position in IPL 2018 while RCB finished 6th....
The Royals themselves are coming off a loss to Kings XI Punjab despite looking very comfortable in the chase at one point in time. Both teams will rue their missed chances and will want to open their respective accounts on the points table with a win in this match. Kane Williamson is most likely to make a return for SRH as the captain and this will lift the burden from Bhuvneshwar Kumar who wasn’t too effective as a skipper....
Mumbai Indians return to action after a 6-day break after a loss to the Rajasthan Royals. They have had an injury crisis with talented pacer Alzarri Joseph being ruled due to injury. They have to pick the right team for this match and get a win in this match to get a grip over their spot in the top of the table. CSK come off of a win against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the same venue and the return to form of Shane Watson will be a cause of concern for the Mumbai Indians....
Kings XI Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin won the toss and decided to field first. Sunil Narine was in full flow with some great hitting at the top, which put pressure on the Kings XI Punjab bowlers. Narine and Chris Lynn added 34 runs in 2.4 overs to give the team a flying start. Mohammed Shami got the breakthrough by dismissing Lynn for 10 runs while Hardus Viljoen dismissed Narine for a quickfire 24 off 9 balls....
In recent years, Sunrisers Hyderabad has been one of the most consistent teams in the Indian Premier League. Having lost their opening game, SRH made a terrific comeback in front of their home crowd when they chased down 198 runs on the board. Kane Williamson came back to lead his team to another famous victory after missing the first game due to an injury. The most pleasing sight for their fans must be the arrival of David Warner as the southpaw has scored quickfire runs in both the games to give the hosts an explosive start....
Here is a look at three such players who will be seen whistling in the yellow jersey of Mumbai Indians. Rohit Sharma For the Mumbai Indians, Rohit Sharma has been the center of every debate before each edition of the IPL. His batting position is something that is a mystery before the start of every season. But wherever he bats, the captain of the three-time champions has never failed to perform well....
Royal Challengers Bangalore are the only side that we can say are all but out of the race but they still have a mathematically possible yet improbable chance for a shot at playoffs. Teams like the Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab have only themselves to blame for their current predicament and will have to win their remaining games as well as expect the other results to go their way....
The background Mumbai Indians created a bit of a flutter by challenging Twitterati to identify a better all-rounder trio than Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya and Kieron Pollard. On his official Twitter account, the seam all-rounder from India had posted an image comprising himself, his brother and the Caribbean mercenary. The details Sunrisers Hyderabad responded by pointing towards their own set of all-rounders - Afghanistan stars Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan as well as Bangladesh stalwart Shakib Al Hasan....
Aakash Chopra pointed out that both RCB and Sunrisers Hyderabad made some intriguing choices in their playing XI. The latter’s pick of Mitchell Marsh hurt them badly, with the Australian all-rounder rendered hors de combat. The reputed commentator observed that the Sunrisers Hyderabad were taken aback by the attack launched by Devdutt Padikkal, with the youngster even overshadowing the established Aaron Finch. Check the new IPL 2020 schedule here....
Their squad have always been the most sorted with David Warner and Kane Williamson taking charge of the batting, while the Rashid Khan-Bhuvneshwar Kumar duo have led the attack with the ball. After making it to playoffs in 2019, the team looks settled with sufficient bench strength. Let us take a look at three players who could prove to be surplus for SRH: #3 Wriddhiman Saha Wriddhiman Saha has been one of the best wicket-keepers in the country in recent times....
Throughout the tournament, there were some brilliant performances from Indian domestic players who have come through the ranks in the last couple of seasons. Since recent form always plays a key role in helping players get bids in the IPL auction, the top performers of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will be on the radar of all the franchises. The Indian uncapped players have done a good job in the recent past and they would hope that their performances in the domestic season don’t go unnoticed....
The format of the tournament is relatively straightforward. All teams play against each other twice in the league stage, with the top four teams advancing to the next round. Earlier, the organizers had planned two semifinals between the four best teams, but they have since replaced it with the playoffs. Under the playoff format, the top two sides get two opportunities to make it to the final. Meanwhile, the third and the fourth-placed teams need to win three matches on the trot to secure the championship....
The IPL gives players, especially uncapped Indians, a fair chance to showcase their talent before the world. The youngsters are given an opportunity to rub shoulders with the best in the world and gain useful insights to emerge as better cricketers. Every year there are some players who get neglected and find no buyers at the auction table. Even in 2019, there were a few players who failed to find a home at any franchise and returned disappointed from the auction....
Taking into consideration the current situation, the IPL might not happen in the near future. However, some talks of organising the event behind closed doors have been doing the rounds of late. Some of the players have stood behind the proposal as well, and the BCCI might give it some serious consideration. Even if the idea of playing behind closed doors materialises, it remains to be seen whether the overseas players will be allowed to, or whether they themselves are willing to, participate in the tournament....
After being put in to bat by SRH captain David Warner, debutant Devdutt Padikkal and Australian white-ball captain Aaron Finch got RCB off to a great start as they reached 90 in 10.5 overs. After both openers were dismissed off consecutive deliveries, captain Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers steadied the ship, before the former holed out in the deep off T Natarajan. De Villiers was at his fluent best, and he teed off at the death to take RCB to a par total of 163/5 in their 20 overs....
