Author: Atreyo Mukhopadhyay

He won two Indian Premier League (IPL) titles with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). In fact, he was one of the most important players in 2012 and 2014. Sunil Narine is a KKR legend. His off-spin and other turns mesmerised batters and won his team numerous matches. The other man did not win a title with KKR, but won hearts. At a match against Chennai Super Kings when the majority of spectators sported ‘Dhoni’ shirts, the rest were wearing jerseys with ‘Russell’ printed on the back. Andre Russell delivered a number of match-winning performances for KKR. Both were KKR…

India’s pace-bowling unit is going to play a major role when it comes to the World Test Championship final. It will be played in first half of the English summer, when conditions usually complement swing and seam. So, fast bowlers are going to be of utmost importance. Look at the prospective Indian line-up. Five batters, wicketkeeper and then five bowlers. Four of these bowlers will have to be of the quicker variety. Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj are certainties. Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur and Jaydev Unadkat are in the squad. All of them have been afflicted by minor niggles or…

Let us take a look at India’s batting prospects ahead of the World Test Championship final against Australia. Rohit Sharma, Shubhman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane are expected to form the top five. All of them have played in England. Some have played quite a few matches and others not as many. If one looks at how they have fared collectively and over a period of time, the numbers are not great. Let us see how they have done so far. Rohit Sharma (6 matches, 466 runs, average 42.36, 1 century): He has done rather well in…

Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood. Names that featured quite infrequently in the Australian XI in the four Test matches played in India between February and March. They were never part of the same team. There were spinners, three of them, a rarity in an Australian Test XI. Come The Oval and the World Test Championship final, the situation is going to be very, very different. All three — Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood — will be there, fresh and raring to go. That is going to be a troublesome proposition for the Indians, because most of them will be…

When Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma were adding 90 for the first wicket in just 58 balls, it seemed as though Mumbai would chase down 178 at a canter. But once both fell in the space in ten balls, the Lucknow Super Giants’ bowlers tightened the noose. Ultimately, it was Marcus Stoinis’ power-packed 47-ball 89 that turned out to be the difference, as Lucknow took a giant stride towards a playoff spot. Here are our takeaways from another last-over thriller. Mohsin’s comeback gathers pace He was one of the finds of the IPL in 2022. His left-arm pace had pushed…

Parnell’s party He was booked in 2012 for substance abuse during the IPL. He left South Africa, and opted for the English County Championship. It seemed Wayne Parnell’s international career was over. While he has not exactly revived it, he is back as an IPL force. The target of 172 that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) had set for Rajasthan was too steep. It was a slow pitch, and run-making there was not easy. Who said taking wickets is not? Parnell took three in three overs to end the contest then and there. He was aided by some smart catching and…

Prabhsimran Singh’s sparkling century led Punjab Kings to what appeared to be a modest total. But despite a blazing start from David Warner and Delhi Capitals, the Punjab spinners were just too good. Delhi lost 6 for 19 at one stage, and never recovered. Here are our takeaways from the game. Prabhsimran shuts door on Capitals This was primarily a contest between Prabhsimran Singh and the Delhi Capitals. It was his unbelievable century that was the difference between the teams. He came down to meet the ball on the front foot, he stepped back, he played half-cock — our man…

The situation reminds one of 2011. Days after a gruelling and successful World Cup campaign, the India players had to get into the IPL. And immediately after the IPL, there was a four-Test series in England. A jaded Indian team, then ranked No.1 in the world, travelled and got hammered 4-0. Is it going to be significantly different when the Indian team travels to London for the World Test Championship final, starting at The Oval from June 7? The IPL final takes places on May 28, so there is practically no gap to recuperate and reboot. Will Rohit Sharma’s team…

After the bowling unit had done the hard work of restricting Kolkata Knight Riders to 149, Rajasthan Royals romped home at Eden Gardens, with a whopping 41 balls remaining and nine wickets in hand. Yashasvi Jaiswal couldn’t quite get his hundred, but he played an innings that few that watched it will ever forget. Following on from Yuzvendra Chahal’s record-breaking spell, it was a night to remember for Rajasthan. Here are our takeaways from the game. Jaiswal the sensation Have him in the Indian team immediately. You cannot keep this young man out of the reckoning much longer. Yashasvi…

The Indian Premier League auction late last year saw staggering amounts of money dished out on some overseas stars. The teams which spent a lot had super expectations of them for sure. No one thought a Nicholas Pooran would go for Rs 16 crore, or a Sam Curran would become the costliest buy in IPL history. However, as the season approaches the end, a look at the performances of these players reveal that by and large, they have failed to live up to expectations. Here is a glance at how they have fared. Couldn’t handle it Sam Curran (Punjab Kings,…