Author: Vaibhav Tripathi

“Never felt like we are just a fan,” says Rithvik Bunkar, an ardent Rajasthan Royals fan and Super Royal Ambassador of the official fan club, the RR Super Royals. Rajasthan Royals aren’t just another IPL team; it’s a franchise that treats its fans like family, and Rithvik’s words support the statement. From hosting cricket tournaments for fans to arranging meetups with players, RR goes above and beyond to make every supporter feel valued and connected to the team. Every year before the start of IPL, the franchise organises cricket tournaments for fans, and arranging player meetups is the best part…

This time last year, few would have imagined Shubman Gill, eventual Orange Cap winner in IPL 2023, taking charge as captain of Gujarat Titans (GT). After Hardik Pandya’s move to Mumbai Indians (MI), Gill finds himself in the hot seat. Just 24 years old, Gill has limited experience in leading teams, having captained Punjab only twice in the domestic T20 competition about four years ago. When he takes the field against MI on March 24, Gill will become the fourth Indian full-time IPL captain under the age of 25, after Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant. Gill’s job is…

Rishabh Pant’s return to competitive cricket turned out to be a disappointing affair as Delhi Capitals (DC) lost their first game of the season to Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the first afternoon match of IPL 2024 by four wickets. PBKS successfully chased down 175 runs in 19.2 overs with four wickets in hand. Pant’s comeback story As Pant walked out to bat, the crowd erupted into a thunderous standing ovation, acknowledging his resilience and determination to recover swiftly. Early in his innings, the left-hander displayed his usual flair, attempting to play the cut shot towards the third-man area while going…

All eyes will be on Rishabh Pant on Saturday as he makes his much-awaited return to competitive cricket with Delhi Capitals, as they face-off against the Punjab Kings at a new IPL venue, the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, situated in the village of Mullanpur, on the outskirts of Chandigarh. Named after the late Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, who represented India in a solitary Test match in 1934, the venue holds historical significance, with Yadavindra Singh’s father, Bhupendrasingh Rajendrasingh, donating the Ranji Trophy in 1933. Similar to Mohali’s IS Bindra Stadium, renowned for high-scoring matches in previous IPL seasons, the…

Rishabh Pant will return to competitive cricket after nearly 15 months, when he leads the Delhi Capitals in their first match in IPL 2024 against Punjab Kings on Saturday. Expressing his sentiments ahead of this eagerly anticipated comeback, Pant said he was nervous. “Jittery, nervous, excited — all of it. But at the same time, just happy, being able to come back to professional cricket. I’m just looking forward to playing my first game,” said Pant. “Every time I take the field, it’s a different feeling altogether. I just wanted to bat as much as I could and get better…

MS Dhoni has stepped down as captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), passing the baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad for the upcoming IPL 2024 season. This significant announcement was initially shared by the official IPL page and later confirmed through an official media release from the CSK franchise. The 42-year-old has been at the helm of CSK since the inception of the IPL in 2008, except for 2016 and 2017, when the team was suspended. Although he handed over the captaincy to Ravindra Jadeja at the beginning of the 2022 season, Dhoni found himself back in the leadership role midway…

While marquee players may command attention, cricket’s sustenance lies in its fans, who constitute the solid support base. The IPL serves as a testament to this, showcasing how fans dictate the game’s trajectory and ensure that cricket remains immune to slowdowns or spectator fatigue. With fervent fan support, matches consistently sell out, TV viewership soars, and sponsors eagerly offer substantial financial backing. Among IPL franchises, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) stand out as the followed team, evidenced by their substantial social media following. MS Dhoni, CSK’s skipper since the league’s inception, has arguably been the driving force behind the formation…

Kolkata Knight Riders’s bold move to acquire Mitchell Starc for a record sum is expected to yield significant dividends, according to team mentor Gautam Gambhir. Reunited with the Kolkata-based franchise, Gambhir is confident that the Australian pace spearhead will deliver, devoid of the pressure of expectations surrounding the amount he commanded at the auction. Splurging an astonishing Rs 24.75 crore on Starc made him the most expensive buy in the history of IPL auctions. The New South Welshman, who represented Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2014 and 2015, boasts a commendable record in the cash-rich IPL, having claimed 34 wickets in…

Delhi Capitals (DC) have roped in Australian all-rounder Jake Fraser-McGurk as a replacement for Lungi Ngidi in the Indian Premier League starting on March 22.. Ngidi, the South African bowler, has been sidelined from the tournament due to a lower back injury. Fraser-McGurk, who made his international debut last month, joins DC at his reserve price of Rs. 50 lakh. The versatile 21-year-old, known for his right-handed batting and right-arm leg-break bowling, represents South Australia in domestic cricket and previously played for Delhi Capitals’ sister franchise, Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 league. Fraser-McGurk grabbed eyeballs with his impressive performance in…

The comeback man, Rishabh Pant, was in focus as Delhi Capitals (DC) began their preparation for the upcoming IPL 2024 with a pre-season camp. Pant, who joined DC’s training camp yesterday, didn’t wait too long to hit the nets as he went to the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam for the team’s first practice session. He was seen smashing balls over the ropes while batting, reminiscent of the old Rishabh Pant. Having observed Pant closely in the practice sessions, DC’s assistant coach Pravin Amre remarked that despite not playing for 14 months, he showed no…