Author: Vaibhav Tripathi

Is it even an IPL season if Sanju Samson isn’t a hot topic of discussion, especially regarding his chances of making it into the Indian T20I squad? In a new year and new season, the same conversation about Samson the star. It’s been just five games for Samson in this year’s IPL, and he’s once again looking like a million-dollar player, the one in whom Rahul Dravid invested a lot. With 246 runs under his belt at a staggering average of 82 and a strike rate of 157.69, talk has begun swirling about him being the prime candidate for the…

Given the way Gujarat Titans’ middle-order has fared this season, not many would have given them a chance to win the game at the halfway mark, when Rajasthan Royals finished at 196 in their allotted 20 overs. But a resilient Shubman Gill, with another captain’s knock, and the lower-middle-order’s resistance defied the odds. They put an end to RR’s unbeaten streak in this year’s IPL by chasing the target on the last ball of the match, winning the cliffhanger and maintaining their dominant record over the Royals. Jaiswal on a lean run Once again, Yashasvi Jaiswal failed to make it…

It’s a narrative marked by divergent fortunes, not only from the team’s viewpoint but also from that of the players. While one has enjoyed a reasonably positive beginning, the other has seemed somewhat disoriented. All eyes will be on Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal as Rajasthan Royals take on Gujarat Titans in Jaipur today. Earlier this year in January, Indian team head coach Rahul Dravid vowed to persist with the opening combination of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. If that statement is to be believed, then Jaiswal is an automatic choice for the ICC T20 World Cup. However, things…

In the lead-up to the season opener, Ruturaj Gaikwad found himself confronted with one of the most formidable challenges in the IPL: assuming leadership of the Chennai Super Kings. Unlike many of its counterparts, CSK boasts a deep-rooted dependence on the enduring legacy of its former captain, MS Dhoni. Thus, stepping into Dhoni’s illustrious role presented Gaikwad with a daunting task, compounded by the weighty expectations and traditions associated with the franchise. For years, Dhoni’s leadership on and off the field has been synonymous with CSK’s success. Under his stewardship, the team has clinched five IPL titles and established itself…

The match was more or less sealed when Kolkata Knight Riders stumbled to 85/5 at the end of the 12th over, following a remarkable performance by Ravindra Jadeja. The left-arm spinner returned figures of 3/18 in four overs. Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad then came up with an unbeaten 67 to help the home team past the target of 138 with lots to spare. It was KKR’s first defeat in four matches and CSK’s third win in five. All-round bowling effort from CSK Despite losing Phil Salt early, KKR managed 56 in the powerplay, with Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Sunil…

Two seasoned strategists with a history of facing off both as teammates and rivals, MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir, meet once more, but this time in altered roles. Dhoni no longer captains Chennai Super Kings (CSK), while Gambhir doesn’t lead Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) either, but their influence remains unmatched. While it’s uncommon to attribute too much of a team’s success to mentors, when those figures are Dhoni and Gambhir, their impact cannot be overlooked. This dynamic will be at the forefront as CSK and KKR clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday, keeping the spotlight firmly…

When a team is chasing a big total, say in excess of 200, it has to make decisions that work in their favour. Of course, a lot of things have to fall in place for the decisions to work. But it all starts with decision-making. While much has been said about the final over by Anrich Nortje, which proved to be the difference between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, another incident stood out as odd. Rishabh Pant didn’t come out to bat until the third wicket fell. Having smashed two back-to-back half-centuries, Pant should’ve come in earlier. He has been…

It was a neck-and-neck contest until nearly the end of the Mumbai Indians’ innings. The difference was made in Anrich Nortje’s last over, which went for 32 runs, courtesy Romario Shepherd, who went berserk. That shifted the momentum entirely in the home team’s favour. Once they had 235, chances of Delhi Capitals getting there were bleak. MI finally got off the mark in their fourth match. DC went bottom of the table with one win from five. DC choke MI in middle overs Mumbai Indians got off to a strong start, courtesy openers Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan, who capitalised…

Having suffered three consecutive defeats, it became imperative for Mumbai Indians players to step away from the field for a brief period to recharge in IPL 2024. The franchise arranged a short trip for the players in Jamnagar, which transformed into a delightful team bonding experience. Having played and lost three, the traditional slow starters of the cash-rich league must get their campaign rolling against a struggling Delhi Capitals, who have registered only one win in three games so far. Fans of Mumbai Indians were filled with excitement and relief on Friday on learning that Suryakumar Yadav, renowned as Mr.…

At a time when there is talk about Virat Kohli’s place in the T20 World Cup squad – whether he should play in June or not, given the scrutiny of his approach and strike-rate – a team like Gujarat Titans (GT) are playing with several sheet anchors. This approach has cost them a few runs and possibly a win in their last game, against the Punjab Kings on home turf in Ahmedabad on Thursday night. Although GT managed to put up a total of 199, which seemed likely to be enough given how well the Titans had defended targets in…