Friday, March 29TRUSTED FEARLESS INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS PORTAL

Day: May 20, 2023

Sports

PBKS coach Jaffer vents frustration at bowlers, says team underperformed all season

Punjab Kings batting coach Wasim Jaffer. | Photo Credit: R. V. Moorthy Punjab Kings batting coach Wasim Jaffer has been left frustrated with the performance of his bowlers, saying they "didn't live up to the expectations" this IPL season.The Punjab franchise began their campaign promising a lot but ended up making an early exit, winning just six of the 14 matches they played.The former India cricketer's dissatisfaction with the bowlers' performance came to the fore following a four-wicket loss to Rajasthan Royals in Dharamsala on Friday, which ended PBKS' slim hopes of making it to the playoffs despite having a potent bowling attack, including Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada and Sam Curran."The kind of bowling attack we had, especially the fast bowlers and even spinners, we should have b...
Sports

Bundesliga: Bayern Munich defeat to RB Leipzig hands Borussia Dortmund chance to claim title; Hertha Berlin relegated

Bayern Munich squandered its lead on Saturday as Leipzig came from behind to win 3-1 in the Bundesliga, giving Borussia Dortmund the chance to move top going into the final weekend. Bayern just needed to win its last two games to be sure of claiming its record-extending 11th consecutive title, but Leipzig’s shock win in Munich handed Dortmund the initiative. Dortmund faces Augsburg away on Sunday. If it wins that game, and its final game at home to Mainz next weekend, Dortmund would end Bayern’s 10-year reign as German champion. It had started so well for the Bavarian powerhouse, which dominated the opening half hour against the cautious visitors. Thomas Müller – making his second consecutive start for Bayern – set up Serge Gnabry for the opener in the 25th minute. But Leipzig responded...
Sports

First reaction is satisfaction, says LSG skipper Krunal Pandya after sealing play-offs berth

Lucknow Super Giants captain Krunal Pandya on Saturday lauded his side’s fighting spirit in their thrilling one-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders that took them to the IPL play-offs. LSG’s regular skipper KL Rahul was ruled out of the tournament earlier this month after injuring his right thigh in a match against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Krunal was handed the captaincy and he did an impressive job, leading the side into the play-offs. “First reaction is satisfaction. We never gave up, we were put under lot of pressure but credit to the boys,” he said at the post-match presentation. “At one stage, they were 61/1 but I’ve seen it before that at this level 2-3 tight overs and we’re in the game. And there was some grip for the spinners as well.” Krunal was in awe of KKR left-handed bat...
Sports

IPL 2023: Lucknow Super Giants survive Rinku Singh scare to qualify for playoffs

Batting under pressure and with wickets falling at the other end, Rinku Singh with a gallant unbeaten 67 off just 33 balls almost pulled off a heist that would have put Kolkata Knight Riders in the reckoning for a playoff spot. With 21 needed off the last over and then 18 off three, Rinku managed a six and followed it up with a four and a six but KKR fell short by one run to give Lucknow Super Giants an assured place in the playoffs. Lucknow fast bowler Yash Thakur bowled a nervy last over, in which he conceded two wides but also bowled two dot balls to put Rinku under immense pressure. The second-last ball, which was a little wide outside off, was smashed for a four by Rinku which meant KKR needed eight off the last ball. When Andrew Russell, not at his best but still a dangerous finis...
Sports

Manchester City retain Premier League title after Arsenal lose to Nottingham Forest | Football News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Defending champions Manchester City were on Saturday confirmed Premier League champions after second-placed Arsenal were beaten 0-1 away at Nottingham Forest.Arsenal needed at least one point to stay mathematically alive in the title race but ended on the losing side against Forest. Arsenal's defeat ensured a fifth title in six seasons for the Pep Guardiola side. City, on 85 points, take on Chelsea at home on Sunday with three games to play. Arsenal, on the other hand, are on 81 points with just one game left.It is City's seventh Premier League title since they were bought by Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2008 and they are now just two wins away from completing a treble only previously achieve by Manchester United in 1999.City face Manchester United in the...
Sports

IPL 2023, KKR vs LSG emotional rollercoaster: Superstar Rinku Singh falls short, Andre Russell misfires, Nicholas Pooran counter-attacks as LSG edge past KKR

Rinku, a bonafide star It’s official now. Rinku Singh is not a one-match wonder and is here to stay. The jailbreak against Gujarat Titans so many weeks ago may be a one-in-a-blue-moon event, but in subsequent matches, the left-hander has proven to be the knight in shining armour for KKR, when those around him have flattered to deceive. He is their chase-master, adapting his game to the demands of the situation. He narrowly came up short on Saturday, but did his burgeoning reputation no harm as KKR scored 39 of the 41 runs required in the final two overs, his bating partner Vaibhav Arora contributing just one of them. KKR may have been knocked out of the competition, but they will do well to build their squad for the next few editions around Rinku. Expectations will be much higher from t...
Sports

KKR vs LSG Highlights, IPL 2023: Lucknow Super Giants survive Rinku Singh scare to eliminate Kolkata Knight Riders and enter playoffs | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Just when Lucknow Super Giants thought they had it covered, Rinku Singh reminded them of his hitting prowess, which almost stole the win away from the visitors in their crucial IPL 2023 match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday. But despite the 33-ball 67 not out by Kolkata Knight Riders' pocket-size dynamo, LSG managed to hang on and in the end won by the thinnest of margins, one run, to book themselves a spot in the playoffs. Requring 21 runs off the last over to go past LSG's 176/8, KKR had Rinku well set; but his two sixes and a four off the last three balls of the match fell just a run short (175/7) of forcing a Super Over. Earlier, LSG owed it to Nicholas Pooran's 30-ball 58 and his 74-run stand for the sixth wicket with Ayush Badoni (25) that helped them revive ...
Sports

Premier League: Roberto Firmino swansong not enough for Liverpool’s top-four hopes | Football News – Times of India

LIVERPOOL: Roberto Firmino kept Liverpool's bid for Champions League football next season hanging by a thread as the Brazilian waved goodbye to Anfield with a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa on Saturday.The Brazilian netted his 110th Liverpool goal a minute from time in his final home game for the club.But a point did little for the Reds' faint chances of hunting down Newcastle and Manchester United for a top-four finish as they both now need just one point form their remaining two games to guarantee Champions League football.A point also aids Villa's chances of a return to Europe for the first time since 2010.Unai Emery's move one point ahead of Tottenham in seventh with victory over Brighton in their final game next weekend good enough to secure at least Europa Confer...
Sports

Manchester United beat Bournemouth to close on Champions League | Football News – Times of India

BOURNEMOUTH: Midfielder Casemiro scored a brilliant acrobatic volley to give Manchester United a 1-0 Premier League win at Bournemouth on Saturday that took them closer to Champions League football next season.United moved on to 69 points in fourth place in the table, behind Newcastle United on goal difference and needing one point from home games against Chelsea and Fulham next week to seal a return to European club soccer's most prestigious competition.Fifth-placed Liverpool, who are on 66 points after a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, face relegated Southampton on the final day.The visitors dominated the opening exchanges and went ahead in the ninth minute when Cherries defender Marcos Senesi tried to hook away a Christian Eriksen pass behind the defence, but only succeeded in teeing u...
Sports

Man United beat Bournemouth to close on Champions League

Midfielder Casemiro scored a brilliant acrobatic volley to give Manchester United a 1-0 Premier League win at Bournemouth on Saturday that took them closer to Champions League football next season. United moved on to 69 points in fourth place in the table, behind Newcastle United on goal difference and needing one point from home games against Chelsea and Fulham next week to seal a return to European club soccer’s most prestigious competition. Fifth-placed Liverpool, who are on 66 points after a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, face relegated Southampton on the final day. Three important points!! 🔥⚽️@ManUtd @premierleague pic.twitter.com/YNCjKCy0JN — Antony Santos (@antony00) May 20, 2023 The visitors dominated the opening exchanges and went ahead in the ninth minute when Cherries defende...
Sports

IPL 2023: KKR vs LSG | Pooran fifty props Lucknow to fighting 176/8 vs KKR

Lucknow Super Giants batsman Nicholas Pooran during his knock at the Indian Premier League 2023 match against Kolkata Knight Riders, in Kolkata on May 20, 2023. | Photo Credit: PTI Nicholas Pooran held the innings together with a counter-attacking fifty to propel Lucknow Super Giants to a fighting 176 for eight against Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League in Kolkata on May 20. Pooran (58 off 30 balls) rebuilt the innings after LSG were precariously placed at 73/5 with all their top batters, including the in-form duo of Marcus Stoinis (0) and Krunal Pandya (9), getting out cheaply. Put into bat, LSG struggled to break free early on with rookie new ball bowler duo of Vaibhav Arora (2/30) and Harshit Rana (1/21 from three overs) setting the pace beautifully before spinners g...
Sports

‘Always team first’: MS Dhoni reveals what qualities he looks for in a player | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Saturday revealed what qualities he looks for in a player in his team after leading the team into 12 playoffs in 14 seasons. CSK became the second team to seal the top-four slot this season, after defending champions Gujarat Titans, with a commanding 77-run victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) at Arun Jaitley stadium in Delhi.Dhoni added that there is no secret recipe apart from choosing players who believe in "team first philosophy" and a co-operative management that stands through thick and thin."If you are doing whatever is best for the team, it falls into line. The management has been great, including the support staff. They always keep telling us to not worry and to keep doing what we have been doing. But of course, t...
Sports

CSK ‘still not too sure’ of home conditions ahead of qualifiers | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: As Chennai Super Kings defeated Delhi Capitals in their last league game to become the second team to qualify for the playoffs, MS Dhoni and co. ensured a visit back home to Chennai where Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator are scheduled to take place. But head coach Stephen Fleming on Saturday admitted that Chennai might struggle to capitalise on the home advantage as they are still 'not sure' of how the conditions might play out at the Chepauk during the knockouts.During the league phase of the tournament, CSK lost three out of their 7 games at home. "We are still not too sure about our conditions in Chennai, other years we were pretty sure but it's changed a little bit this year," Fleming said at the post match conference.After the loss against Kolkata Knight Riders, skipper MS...
Sports

Super Kings make the playoffs thrashing Capitals with a dominant display

In full flow: Ruturaj Gaikwad laid the platform for CSK’s victory with a fine innings at the top. | Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy The script that unfolded at the Ferozeshah Kotla was in keeping with the popular sentiments of thousands of spectators donning the Dhoni jersey.Unchallenged, Chennai Super Kings cruised to a dominating 77-run victory over an unsteady Delhi Capitals. Indeed, the one-sided nature of the contest was in keeping with the performances of these teams in the league phase. Improving NRR Importantly, Super Kings finished its league engagements on 17 points, behind leader Gujarat Titans and a place in the playoffs. In the process, it significantly improved its Net Run Rate (NRR) from +0.381 to +0.652 to make things very difficult for Lucknow Super Giants, the neare...
Sports

Italian Open: Holger Rune rallies past Casper Ruud into final – Times of India

Holger Rune showcased his unwavering determination as he rallied from a set and break down to secure a remarkable 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-2 victory over world number four Casper Ruud in an absorbing all-Scandinavian Italian Open semi-final. Reflecting on his stunning comeback, Rune said, "I told myself at this moment I had nothing to lose, he's probably going to win the match. So I told myself to play free and enjoy myself as it would probably be my last set here."The French and U.S. Open runner-up, Ruud, initially gained the upper hand, clinching a tightly contested first set with his powerful forehand, which yielded an impressive tally of 22 winners. As Ruud secured a break in the second set to take a 4-2 lead, it appeared he was firmly on course for a spot in the final.However, Rune's resolve...
Sports

‘We are here to upset the party for Mumbai’: SRH coach Brian Lara ahead of the clash with MI | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Bottom-dwellers Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will face five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI), who are still in the playoffs contention, at Wankhede stadium on Sunday in their final Indian Premier League match of the season.Despite SRH's disappointing campaign, batting legend and head coach Lara conveyed the team's determination to end the season on a positive note. "We are here to upset the party for Mumbai; we want to win, and it will be great to at least end in that fashion. But it's going to take a lot of effort and professionalism in putting a team together moving forward. But to get the right attitude and get everyone pulling in the right direction is very important," Lara emphasised. He recognized the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and fostering unity with...
Sports

IPL 2023: DC vs CSK | If you do whatever is best for team, it falls in line, says Dhoni

Delhi Capitals captain David Warner and Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni at the end the Indian Premier League 2023 match in New Delhi on May 20, 2023. | Photo Credit: PTI There is no secret recipe of leading a team into 12 play-offs in 14 seasons apart from choosing players who believe in "team first philosophy" and a co-operative management that stands through thick and thin, CSK skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said on May 20. Dhoni, who is probably playing the last of his 16 IPLs, has batted as low as No. 8 and given chances to players like Shivam Dube to excel in a role assigned for him. "There is no recipe as such (CSK's play-offs record). You try to pick the best players and try to give them the best slot. You use them in the manner where they have most chances of succeeding and ...
Sports

IPL 2023: CSK go second on points table as Gaikwad-Conway help crush Delhi Capitals

Synopsis: Gaikwad-Conway overpower ‘villain’ Warner to keep CSK in playoffs fight Delhi Capitals assistant coach Shane Watson had critiqued the grassless-slow Kotla strip on the eve of the game. Hours before the toss, it’d be watered and rolled to take the assist away from the bowlers. The toss however, went CSK’s way and so did the game, with the wicket slowing down as the game progressed. By the time Delhi realised the nature of the wicket, it was Chennai who had the ball, early wickets and 223 runs in their kitty to see through a vital win. Gaikwad-Conway have a field day The signs were there, from the very beginning. Of a calamitous outing for the DC bowlers. One can point finger at Ruturaj Gaikwad rocking back in the second over, slow motion in real time, and splitting the gap betw...
Sports

‘Where are my runs?’, Suryakumar wondered during lean patch | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The last 15 months have been a roller-coaster ride for world no.1 T20I batter Suryakumar Yadav. From hitting the zenith in the shortest format to a series of low scores and then back again among runs, life on the field has been a full circle for Suryakumar. Reflecting on his journey to the pinnacle to hitting the nadir and the rise to top again, Surya stressed on having a 'balanced life'. During the entire phase, the swashbuckling batter realised the importance of having a balance in life irrespective of the on-field results."I feel it's very important to have that balance in life. That's what I have learnt from last year and this. Last year was full of highs. This year, it started the way I wanted it to start but then suddenly, (there were) three-four ducks in four-five game...