Batsmen let down Kolkata yet again

Published

4 years ago

April 29, 2021

admin

Delhi Capitals marched on to another victory on Thursday night as they overwhelmed a weary Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets.

The Capitals have got 10 points under their belt, levelling with Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the points table.

Rishabh Pant rotated the bowlers extremely well to restrict Kolkata to 154/6 on a track that offered tremendous help to batsmen.

Delhi openers cripple KKR hopes early

Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw kept the Kolkata fielders in check in the powerplay by notching 67 runs in a flash.

Shaw took the game away from the Riders single-handedly.

He smacked five consecutive fours off Shivam Mavi’s first and only over after which KKR skipper Eoin Morgan did not give him the ball again.

He brought up his half-century of 18 balls, which is the fastest fifty of the season and joint second-fasted half-century by a Delhi player.

The batting prodigy was declared the Man Of The Match for his 82 (41).

Dhawan was no less than a spectator in the game and batted patiently for his 46 (47).

The left-handed was happily chipping the ball for singles with Shaw going berserk from the other end.

They brought up a second 100-run stand of the season tonight, making the chase a walk in the park.

How KKR is wasting Russell

Andre Russell is the only KKR player who has stepped up to the occasion so far.

But his contribution with the bat wasn’t significant enough to take Kolkata home.

Despite losing five of seven games this season, Morgan hasn’t elevated Russell’s batting order.

He has been creaming the ball all over the park, but his cameos only make KKR’s small total decent.

With Kolkata sliding down the points table and openers and middle-order consistency letting the team down, there appears to be no harm in promoting his batting position in a game or two.

Delhi Capitals 156 for 3 (Shaw 82, Dhawan 46, Cummins 3-24) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 154 for 6 (Russell 45*, Gill 43, Yadav 2-13) by seven wickets.

Preview: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs. Punjab Kings

Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on lop-sided Punjab Kings at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday night.

Once an apprentice of Virat Kohli in RCB, KL Rahul will lead Punjab Kings against his former IPL franchise tonight.

Probable Player Of The Match

Rahul has impressive numbers against RCB.

The wicket-keeper batsman has scored 371 runs and averages 74.20 against Bangalore.

He has been Punjab’s highest run scorer (240) this season and he is likely to carry on with his sublime form on Thursday.

Match Prediction

Punjab Kings thumped Bangalore both times last season, but Kohli’s men look like a different team in 2021.

Bangalore have been on a rampage, winning five of their six games.

They thrashed reigning IPL champs Mumbai Indians in the league opener and haven’t looked back since.

Punjab’s journey in the tournament has been rather different.

They are ranked sixth in the points table with only two victories so far.

Hence, Bangalore are favourites for the Thursday clash.

Andy Roberts Declares Mohammed Shami as India’s Best Bowler

Published

21 hours ago

December 10, 2024

Maadhav

West Indies cricket legend Andy Roberts has lauded Mohammed Shami as India’s most skilled pacer, emphasizing his superiority in effectiveness and consistency over others, including Jasprit Bumrah. While acknowledging Bumrah’s ability to claim crucial wickets, Roberts expressed that Shami’s control, seam positioning, and adaptability under diverse conditions set him apart.

Roberts critiqued Mohammed Siraj, stating he has yet to reach the same level as Bumrah and Shami. He highlighted that Shami’s ability to relentlessly hit good lengths and extract movement makes him India’s standout bowler. He urged Indian cricket to focus more on nurturing such talent for long-term success in international cricket.

Roberts’ observations offer a fresh perspective on India’s pace attack dynamics, sparking debates among cricket fans worldwide.

CRICKET

Lumbini Lions Seek Redemption; Karnali Yaks and Pokhara Avengers in Critical Clash

Published

21 hours ago

December 10, 2024

Maadhav

In the Nepal Premier League (NPL), the struggling Lumbini Lions are set to face the confident Chitwan Rhinos in a bid to break their losing streak. The Lions, yet to register a win after four matches, risk elimination unless they turn their form around. The Rhinos, with three wins, are aiming to solidify their top-tier standing.

In the day’s second match, the Karnali Yaks, fresh off two consecutive victories, are eager to maintain their momentum as they face the Pokhara Avengers. For the Avengers, a win is crucial to revive their campaign and keep playoff hopes alive. The Yaks, currently mid-table, are striving for consistency as they target a secure playoff position.

Both matches are critical for defining the tournament’s playoff landscape, as teams fight for survival and dominance. Fans can expect thrilling action as these sides battle for vital points.

CRICKET

Ben Curran’s Zimbabwe Call-Up: A Historic Moment for the Curran Legacy

Published

2 days ago

December 9, 2024

Maadhav

Ben Curran, brother of England cricketers Sam and Tom Curran, has earned his maiden call-up to Zimbabwe’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against Afghanistan. The Curran family has deep ties to Zimbabwean cricket, with Ben’s father, Kevin Malcolm Curran, and grandfather, Kevin Patrick Curran, representing Zimbabwe internationally.

The series begins with T20Is on December 11, followed by ODIs and Tests. Ben will feature exclusively in the 50-over format. A left-handed batter, Ben boasts an impressive domestic career, averaging 33.30 in List A and 34.70 in first-class cricket. His inclusion reflects Zimbabwe’s reliance on talent with global exposure.

Zimbabwe’s ODI squad, led by Craig Ervine, also features rising stars like Newman Nyamhuri. The T20I side, captained by Sikandar Raza, includes dynamic players like Blessing Muzarabani and Ryan Burl, signaling a balanced blend of experience and youth for the challenging series ahead.