IPL 2024 : The Rajasthan Royals start their campaign with a win at home.
On a wicket where spin plays a leading role RR captain Sanju Samson won the toss & wale red to bat. The Power Packed home side were running with a metropolitan of stars in the form of Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Trent Boult. Jos Buttler (11 off 9) tried to charge early on but was dismissed by Avesh Khan. The LSG got their second scalp as Yashasvi Jaiswal (24 off 12) was caught by Krunal Pandya while playing a false short off Mohsin Khan’s bowling. The Royals were 54 for the loss of 2 after power play. Riyan Parag alongside captain Sanju Samson stitched a 50+ partnership. Samson, with his fine hitting display went on scoring his 21st IPL 50 off just 33 balls. Riyan Parag (43 of 29) was dismissed by Naveen Ul Haq on a slower delivery where Parag tried to smash him for a consecutive six. Shamron Hermyer couldn’t do much as he was dismissed by Ravi Bishnoi just for 5 off 7. Hetmyer didn’t realize he nicked it. The on field umpire also took his time signaling it out. But Hetmyer thought he hadn’t edged it. But the UltraEdge showed a little spike. Some lower down the order fireworks from Sanju Samson took the Rajasthani side to 193 – 4. The LSG top order was not up to the mark. Trent Boult removed Quinton DeKock (4 off 5) right in the first over. Boult with his pace & swing in his very next over, then breached into the defenses of Devdutt Paddikkal (0 off 3). The debutant, Nandre Burger came to the attack and dismissed Aayush Badoni (1 off 5) as his maiden IPL wicket. Deepak Hooda (26 off 13) was just playing one way, aggressive but soon skied one up in the air as he went on taking Yuzi Chahal. LSG captain, K.L. Rahul & hard hitting Nicholas Pooran came to the recovery with Rahul smashing a 50 off 35 balls and Pooran hitting a brilliant 64 of 41 balls. In the 16th over Captain Rahul threw his bat for 58 off 44 balls as Dhruv Jurel grabbed a stunner. Ashwin soon had the ball in his hand and boy did he do some magic. He had his first wicket in this IPL season in the form of Marcus Stoinis (3 off 4). The Rajasthan Royals finally had the match in their control. The men in Pink won the duel by 20 runs. The Rajasthan Royals next play against the Delhi Capitals at home (SMS Stadium, Jaipur). The side would be high on momentum and would be looking forward to another win in the tournament. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye.
IPL 2024 : Curran guides the Punjab Kings home.
In a hot afternoon game at PBKS’ new home Mullanpur, the Punjab Kings won the toss & sent the visitors, the Delhi Capitals to bat. Delhi had a promising start. It was exactly the way you expect the Australian opening batters to come out. All guns blazing. Mitchell Marsh slammed the bowlers & the opening batters owned the first 4 overs. PBKS bowler Arshdeep Singh later went on dismissing Marsh (20 off 12). With 54 runs on the board & a casualty in the form of Mitch Marsh’s wicket, DC had a decent powerplay. David Warner (29 off 21) lead the charge but was soon perished on the bowling of Harshal Patel. The stadium erupted as the comeback king, Rishabh Pant walked in. But he couldn’t contribute much with the bat falling prey to Harshal Patel. If anyone was capable of a lower order charge for Delhi Capitals then it was only Azar Patel. Stubbs (5 off 8) had to depart as Shashank at mid off grabbed a screamer. Punjab Kings came out to bat but soon both the openers were back in the sheds early. Ishant Sharma struck right in the third over of the second innings. Shikhar Dhawan (22 off 16) tried to accelerate but failed. And so was the case with Jonny Bairstow (9 off 3) who also was sent back into the hut. It was then Sam Curran (63 off 47) who took charge with his extraordinary shot selection & power hitting. He went on hitting 6 fours and 1 six. Livingstone’s unbeaten 38 off 21 powered the hosts to a last-over finish at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. The hosts won by 4 wickets. Punjab Kings next play against the RCB on Monday, 25th March 2024. The sheer squad would be running high on momentum against the RCB who still hasn’t opened their account. On the other hand the Delhi Capitals need to regroup and play against the Rajasthan Royals on Thursday, 28th of March 2024. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye.
IPL 2024 : Friends turn foes as Starc takes on Cummins.
IPL is that kind of a tournament wherein the best of Indian and International duos have to separate themselves as they go on representing different franchises. The grandest cricketing show on earth has witnessed friends turn into foes, well just for the time being, like Kieron Pollard and Dwyane Bravo, Ishaan Kishan and Shubhman Gill, K.L Rahul and Hardik Pandya. Two of the most hottest properties in cricket, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins being the most recent of them. Pat Cummins vs Mitchell Starc. INR INR 20.50 crore vs INR 24.75 crore. Hardly a rivalry, even if it’s been talked up ahead of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) game at Eden Gardens tonight. For Cummins, it’s only going to be “weird looking across and seeing him in the other dugout”. “I will say this: hopefully I don’t have to face Starc because that means our batters have done quite well,” Cummins said at a press conference a day off from the game. “It’s funny… it’s one of the beauties of the IPL; I have been playing with Starcy for 15 years, [and] I can’t remember another game where I have played against him. Also it’s going to be weird looking across and seeing him in the other dugout.” Pat Cummins has grabbed everyone’s attention since he was declared the captain of the SRH side. This would be the first time that Cummins would be leading a t20 side. On the other hand Mitchell Starc has been the topic since he has been the top-pick at the IPL 2024 auction. Tonight’s clash between KKR and SRH is going to be held at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Starc would be pretty alien to these conditions and might take some time to adapt but the deck at Kolkata is very much similar to that of home for Pat Cummins as he has played for the KKR in his previous IPl seasons. Keeping the deck and the conditions aside, it’s going to be a mouth watering clash as the audiences speculate these two fast bowling machines go against each other tonight. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye.
IPL 2024 : CSK launches its season with an easy win.
On a pitch where dew could be a factor, the RCB skipper Faf Du Plessis put everyone to shock by electing to bat. While Virat Kohli (21 off 20) had a slow start, Captain Faf (35 off 23) came out all guns blazing. He was soon dismissed on a Mustafizur delivery as Rachin Ravindra grabbed a fantastic catch at deep backward point. In came Rajat Patidar (0 off 3) who couldn’t stay for too long in front of Mustafizur as he was dismissed in the same over. The batting collapse continued as Glenn Maxwell (0 off 1) couldn’t make an impact as well getting dismissed to Chahar. Even after power play RCB could never stand again. Wickets at regular intervals exposed the RCB batting order. Mustafizur with 4 scalps was threatening. Rawat (48 off 25) & Kartik (38 off 26) stitched a 80+ partnership with Rawat charging late in the innings, destroying Tushar Despande with 3 sixes in his over. The duo fired just when it mattered. The innings was a classic example of how quickly the game changes. CSK came out to bat with a clutch in the form of Rachin Ravindra (37 off 15)who was making his debut. Ravindra was accompanied by his captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad (15 off 15) who scored a run a ball. RCB got some middle over scalps with Cameron Green swinging the ball. Green first sent back Ajinkya Rahane (27 off 19) who tried to accelerate as much as he could, then also went on dismissing Daryl Mitchell (22 off 18). Ravindra Jadeja (25 off 17) and Shivam Dube (34 off 28) put up a match-winning fifty partnership and smart shot selection from Shivam Dube helped the Chennai Super Kings seemingly cruise to an easy win for the home side. CSK next plays against the Gujarat Titans with their momentum riding high on Tuesday, 26th of March 2024 while the RCB would be finding ways to bounce back with a win under their belt as they take on the Punjab Kings on Monday, 25th of March 2024. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye.
IPL 2024 : All the banter and fun have started again with Rishabh,” says Delhi Capitals’ all-rounder Axar Patel.
Delhi Capitals arrived in Chandigarh on Wednesday for their opening match against Punjab Kings. Chandigarh, 21 March 2024: As the JSW and GMR co-owned franchise Delhi Capitals arrive in Chandigarh for their opening match against Punjab Kings, all-rounder Axar Patel took a moment to reflect on the team’s preparations for the upcoming season of the IPL. He said, “Everyone is coming off good performances in their respective domestic and international outings. It’s been a great atmosphere in the team. We have had good intense training sessions in Vizag before our opening game.” “It’s a new season, we are starting afresh. Mainly the conversations with the coaches have been around the execution of plans and most importantly how to keep things simple in the tournament,” the 30-year-old added on the team’s approach in the IPL 2024. Speaking about his dear friend Rishabh Pant’s return to professional cricket, Axar said, “I’m sure everyone would have said that it’s great to have him back in the team, but personally, I missed him a lot, missed our banter both on and off the field last year.” “But, now that he is back, all the banter and fun have started alongside serious conversations around the game. I’m just looking forward to having more fun with him this season,” he concluded. The Delhi Capitals will take on Punjab Kings in their first match of IPL 2024 in Chandigarh on 23 March.
Football : Mumbai City FC Complete Signing of Slovakian Attacker Jakub Vojtuš.
Mumbai, 20th March, 2024: Mumbai City FC are delighted to welcome our new signing, Slovakian attacker Jakub Vojtuš, who joins the squad for the remainder of the season. The attacker will don the number 9 jersey for the Islanders, and replaces the Spaniard Iker Guarrotxena, who has been ruled out for the season due to a knee injury. The 30-year-old attacker kicked off his career with a stint at MSK Zilina, before catching the attention of the Italian giants Inter Milan and Chievo. Mumbai City FC’s new number 9 has previously also turned out for various clubs in Poland and Romania as well, and was part of MSK Zilina, when they won the Slovakian Championship in 2009/10. In 2020/21, the Slovak made seven appearances for CFR Cluj as they eventually went on to win the Romanian Championship. Vojtuš last played for the Romanian side ACSM Politehnica Iasi and he has also donned the national team colours in various age groups for his country. Currently, the Islanders, who are the holders of the ISL League Winners Shield, are top of the points table and have three games left to play, Hyderabad FC (Away), Odisha FC (Home), and Mohun Bagan Super Giant (Away), before the playoffs commence. Speaking on the occasion, Vojtuš said, “Playing in India and for the Mumbai City is a great opportunity for me, and I am delighted to have joined up with one of the best teams in the ISL. The team has done really well so far being top of the table, and I hope to be able to add to that and score goals and help the team defend the ISL League Shield.” Head Coach Petr Kratky said, “In Jakub, we have a very good attacking option, who is strong and experienced. He brings a lot of international pedigree with him and will be a big asset to our side. Jakub has demonstrated his abilities at a high level in his career and he will form an important part of our side, and we are excited to have him here in Mumbai City FC.”
Hockey : Manipur and Mizoram illuminate the rise of hockey in Northeast India with impressive show in 14th Hockey India Senior Women’s National Championship
Coaches of the two teams assess their performances in the tournament and share views on Hockey India’s role in Northeast’s hockey growth Pune, 22nd March 2024: In the heartland of Northeast India, where lush green landscapes meet vibrant cultures, a silent revolution is brewing on the hockey fields. Manipur and Mizoram, two states synonymous with their rich traditions and picturesque terrains, have emerged as the torchbearers of hockey prowess in the region, showcasing their mettle in the 14th Hockey India Senior Women’s National Championship. The journey of Hockey Mizoram and Manipur Hockey in the ongoing marquee domestic championship has not only been remarkable but also symbolic of the burgeoning progress of hockey in the Northeast region. Both teams, defying odds and expectations, reached the Quarter-Finals, reflecting the unwavering dedication and untapped potential that exists in the Northeastern states. This spirited performance has fostered a new era of hockey excellence in the region. Hockey Mizoram’s campaign was nothing short of spectacular. Backed by impressive performances from India striker Lalremsiami, Lalrinpuii and H Lalruatfeli, Mizoram registered emphatic victories over Himachal (10-0) and Rajasthan (20-2), to announce their arrival with authority. However, it was their showdown against Punjab that truly etched their name in the annals of Indian hockey history. Against all predictions, they punched above their weight and clinched a sensational 4-2 triumph against Punjab, stunning the hockey fraternity and proving their prowess on the national stage. Although they narrowly missed the semi-final berth, succumbing to a close 1-2 defeat against last year’s Bronze medallists Jharkhand, their journey was a testament to resilience and skill. “We were confident in our abilities. Despite being relatively new to the national stage, we believed in our team’s potential. Our players knew the significance of each match, especially in securing a spot in the Quarter-Finals. Similarly, we approached the game against Punjab with determination, knowing that a strong performance could lead us to victory, and eventually, our belief paid off as we emerged triumphant, surprising many with our tenacity and never-give-up spirit,” said Mizoram Coach Lal Rothuami before adding, “The tournament served as a valuable learning experience for our team, providing us with insights into our strengths and areas for improvement. Next time we will aim to at least make it to the final of the tournament.” Meanwhile, Manipur Hockey, featuring budding India stars Bichu Devi Kharibam, Suman Devi Thoudam and ably backed by Captain Lily Chanu Mayengbam, also left an indelible mark on the tournament with their stellar performances. Dominating their group stage encounters with commanding wins over Dadra & Nagar Haveli And Daman & Diu (12-0), Hockey Karnataka (3-0), and Uttarakhand (11-2), they showcased their dominance and tactical acumen. Despite a closely-fought battle against Maharashtra in the Quarter-Finals, ending in a 2-1 loss, their journey was nothing less than inspiring. “Our journey in this tournament has been incredibly rewarding. Coming from Manipur, our initial expectations were modest, yet reaching the Quarter-Finals filled us with immense joy and pride. It’s a significant achievement for our team, considering the challenges we faced as we didn’t get much time to practice as a team ahead of the tournament. While our Quarter-Final match highlighted areas for improvement, it’s all part of the learning process. Looking ahead, we aim to push ourselves further in the next edition of the tournament, building on the invaluable lessons we’ve learned,” said Manipur Coach Ngangom Priya Chanu. Crucially, the success of Manipur and Mizoram in the event underscores the pivotal role of grassroots development programs initiated by Hockey India. Through concerted efforts to nurture talent at the grassroots level, Hockey India has laid the foundation for a sustainable hockey culture in the Northeast. These initiatives, coupled with specialized coaching courses for domestic-level coaches, have provided a pathway for aspiring players to hone their skills and compete at the highest levels. Speaking on the same, Ngangom Priya Chanu said, “The development of hockey culture in the Northeast has been remarkable, benefiting both players and parents alike. Thanks to initiatives like Hockey India’s grassroots programs, young talents are nurtured from an early age, paving the way for promising careers.” “Also, the coaching courses provided by Hockey India to us have been instrumental in shaping the landscape of hockey not only in Manipur but also across the Northeast. These courses have empowered us with the latest techniques, strategies, and methodologies essential for nurturing young talents and honing their skills to compete at top levels. Also, they’ve facilitated networking, enabling us to share experiences and learn from coaches nationwide. This exchange has enhanced our coaching abilities and promoted camaraderie within the hockey community, leading to improved coaching quality and player development, ultimately advancing hockey in the Northeast.” The emergence of Manipur and Mizoram as hockey powerhouses serves as an inspiration for budding talents across the region, breaking stereotypes, and paving the way for a brighter future in the sport. Moreover, it highlights the transformative potential of sports in fostering social cohesion, gender equality, and regional development.
IPL 2024 : Ponting, Ganguly share insights on skipper Pant’s readiness for IPL 2024.
Pant was reappointed as DC’s captain on his comeback after 14 months. Chandigarh, 21 March 2024: As the JSW and GMR co-owned franchise Delhi Capitals gear up for their IPL 2024 opening match against Punjab Kings, Head Coach Ricky Ponting and Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly shared some insights on Rishabh Pant’s readiness for the upcoming season. Sharing his thoughts on Pant’s approach at the pre-season camp, Ponting said, “He has probably batted more in the last week than he has ever batted leading into most of the IPLs. I think from his point of view, he wants to get a bit of trust back in his body again. He has been putting himself through a few different paces and playing all the shots that he plays. He has been great, and more importantly, he has got a smile on his face, which is what all we love to see.” Meanwhile, Ganguly reflected, “I’m surprised with the improvements he has made. Hopefully, it’s a good season for him because he has gone through a lot emotionally. It’s never easy when you go through that sort of injury. It will be great to see him back not just for the Delhi Capitals, but for the Delhi Ranji team and for India as well because he is a special talent, a special player.” The star wicketkeeper-batter was reappointed as the captain of Delhi Capitals earlier this week. Speaking about Pant’s qualities as Captain, the Australian legend said, “We all love his infectious attitude and smile around the group. Although he is still young in age, he has actually played a lot of cricket. He sets an example, he has a lot of energy and that’s why other people tend to follow.” Former India Captain Ganguly stated that he will keep a close watch on Pant’s captaincy. “He is not the conservative type of batter, so you expect that character in his captaincy. Nobody comes as a ready-made captain. You learn as you go and I think captaincy is by instinct. I’m looking forward to watching him during the tournament,” he concluded. The Delhi Capitals will take on Punjab Kings in their first match of IPL 2024 in Chandigarh on 23 March.
IPL 2024 : The Thala takes on the King in the season opener.
The seventeenth season of the IPL will kick start tomorrow with a mouth watering contest. The curtain raiser features two of the most storied franchises in the IPL taking on each other. Ruturaj Gaikward’s (yes you read that right) Chennai Super Kings will be all set to take on the Faf Du Plessis lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The fixture promises to feature two of the megastars of the tournament. Thala, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and the King, Virat Kohli. Tomorrow’s fixture will be a return game for Virat Kohli as he picks up the bat and hits the ground after a break of nearly two months. Kohli had opted out of England’s tour of India due to personal reasons and had to miss the test series. It was later understood that Virat Kohli had to opt out because he and his better half, Anushka Sharma were expecting a child. On the 15th of February, 2024, the couple welcomed their baby boy to the world when India was playing a test match at Rajkot. On the other hand, M.S. Dhoni will be playing in the Chennai yellow nearly after 10 months as he was last seen in action in the finale of IPL 2023 against the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium at Ahmedabad. While the audiences are speculating this to be Dhoni’s farewell season, it is very much difficult to predict what exactly is going to happen. Dhoni, even at the age of 42 possesses such great level of fitness that may even leave a 24 year old awestruck. The match between the Chennai Super Kings and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru is to be held at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk in Chennai. A sea of yellow will be ready blowing their whistles and rooting for their favorite team on the top of their lungs. RCB and CSK have battled it out against each other at Chepauk for the 8 times in the past. RCB only has had an upper hand once against CSK at the Chepauk, back in 2008. This might be a great opportunity for the men in red to open their season with a win and of course to spoil Chennai’s party. The Sportz Planet desk,Atharva Shetye.
IPL 2024 : The Captain departs.
Just a day before the start of the cricketing carnival in India, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has passed the captaincy baton to a young leader in the form of Ruturaj Gaikwad. In a very surprising turn of events, M.S. Dhoni has stepped down as the CSK Captain. The former India and CSK skipper is speculated to retire at the end of this season by the fans. Gaikwad took part in the pre-season captains photoshoot and also met the other captains of the tournament. This will be the first time that he will be leading the IPL franchise which previously has lifted the title on five occasions. Fans are calling it the end of an era. The most successful captain in the IPL history with 133 wins under his belt is set to play this season just as a wicket-keeper batter for the men in yellow. Dhoni, the last time he played in yellow, had asserted the 2024 IPL season as a ‘gift’ to his fans and loyalists. Replacing Dhoni as the new captain, Gaikwad will be leading the Chennai based side up against the Faf Du Plessis led Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chepauk tomorrow. Gaikwad, who made his debut at CSK back in IPL 2020 has now played 52 games for the team and at IPL as well. The Chennai Super Kings have lifted the IPL trophy for 5 times under the leadership of M.S. Dhoni in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and most recently in 2023. A lot weighs on Gaikwad’s shoulders as the fans are expecting him to carry forward Dhoni’s legacy and take CSK towards its sixth IPL title this season. The Sportz Planet desk,Atharva Shetye.