Author: Vaibhav Tripathi

Slowly but surely, KL Rahul is finding his rhythm again. He appears more confident and decisive in his approach, demonstrating a clearer vision of how he intends to navigate this format. Just a year ago, Rahul faced criticism for his sluggish strike rate, batting at a mere 113 in the IPL. It was hard to believe that this was the same player who previously boasted a strike rate of 158.41 in 2018. However, in IPL 2024, there is a noticeable transformation in Rahul’s gameplan. The batting numbers are evident. Accumulating a total of 378 runs at an impressive average of…

Rajasthan Royals are reminding IPL fans of their 2008 glory days. Back then, it was Shane Warne who led by example. Now, Sanju Samson has taken up the mantle. The skipper has consistently led the charge with the bat this season. Once again, he anchored the innings against Lucknow Super Giants, making 71 off just 33 balls. His flawless performance guided RR to victory. Sanju and Dhruv Jurel steered the team to the target of 197 runs. RR maintained their position on top, while LSG remained in fourth place. Neat work from RR new ball bowlers It’s rare to see…

It’s a narrative of two spinners, both team-mates in the Indian squad but adversaries in the IPL. With Lucknow Super Giants taking on Rajasthan Royals in Lucknow on Saturday, all eyes will be on Ravi Bishnoi and Yuzvendra Chahal. Both are leg-spinners, but they have different styles. They are both competing for the role of the third spinner in India’s T20 World Cup squad. With Kuldeep Yadav’s position all but confirmed as the primary spinner and Ravindra Jadeja to be the spin-bowling all-rounder, the question remains, who will be the third tweaker? Bishnoi came in as Chahal’s replacement in the…

Forty-one matches have been completed in the IPL 2024 season so far. Indeed, this edition of club cricket, played on the most lavish scale in India, has again captured the attention of fans worldwide. There have been moments of brilliance as well as moments of disappointment for the players, and fans. A few have risen to the occasion and proved their worth, while some have struggled to meet expectations. The trend is true for both the Indian and overseas players. Here is a look at the hits and misses. Two Hits: Travis Head (Rs 6.8 Crore) Aussie Travis Head has…

There is a different sense of calm whenever Ruturaj Gaikwad bats. The CSK skipper is a nervy starter and, at times, he tends to lose his wicket early in the powerplay. Matt Henry bowled a big inswinger first up to Gaikwad in the Tuesday night clash between CSK and LSG. Gaikwad left it alone, and the ball went over the stumps. On other days, that same ball might have crashed into them. But it was Gaikwad’s day, and after that ball, he didn’t look back. Next over, he played a back-foot punch and a cover drive; both going for fours…

Australian players know exactly how to silence a full-capacity crowd. Travis Head did it in Ahmedabad during the 2023 ODI World Cup, and Marcus Stoinis repeated the feat against the defending champions Chennai Super Kings in Chennai. He smashed an unbeaten 63-ball 124 runs to steer his team to a six-wicket win in a run-chase of 211. Stoinis’ innings overshadowed Ruturaj Gaikwad’s majestic hundred, which allowed CSK to cross the 200-run mark, but it ultimately proved insufficient. This victory has now elevated LSG to the fourth position, while CSK has dropped to fifth. Ton-up Gaikwad sizzles Ajinkya Rahane…

Just three days after enduring a heavy defeat in Lucknow, the Chennai Super Kings will once again face off against the Lucknow Super Giants, this time hosting the fifth-placed side at their fortress, Chepauk. However, if CSK replicates their performance from the match in Lucknow, it could spell trouble, allowing KL Rahul and his team to conquer the fortress, especially if they capitalise on the powerplay. At the heart of CSK’s struggles with the new ball lies one of their most reliable players, Deepak Chahar. The 31-year-old right-arm pacer, who joined CSK in 2018, has been their most successful…

Just three months ago, in January, Jitesh Sharma was considered the front-runner for the wicketkeeper’s spot in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup. With Rishabh Pant sidelined after a serious car accident, it became clear why the selectors had opted for Jitesh as India’s primary wicketkeeper. He possessed all the necessary skills – powerful striking ability, adept glovework, and, most importantly, game sense. He seemed like the ideal choice. Everything seemed to align in his favour, including his performance of 100 runs from nine T20Is at a strike-rate of 147.05. His forte lay in his capacity to hit…

Although it was a home game for Punjab Kings (PBKS), they failed to read the conditions. Gujarat Titans (GT) assessed the pitch well, opting to play an extra spinner, and that proved to be a match-turning decision. Three GT spinners bagged seven wickets between them, restricting PBKS to 142. With the home side playing just one frontline spinner in Harpreet Brar, it was never going to be enough. PBKS still tried to make a game of it, but once again, Rahul Tewatia stood in their way and ensured that the home side didn’t run away with a win. PBKS middle-order…

Last year, two IPL-winning teams, Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Titans (GT), were involved in one of the biggest trade deals of all time. Hardik Pandya moved back to his previous franchise, Mumbai, from GT, where he had led the team for two years. Replacing Rohit Sharma came as a shock to many in the cricket fraternity. Two big questions being raised are, how did GT let go of their skipper and how did MI appoint Pandya as captain. Amidst these questions, the undeniable occurred. It all unfolded rapidly but was undeniably enjoyable. Mumbai Indians introduced Pandya to the cricketing…