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Tag: IPL 2023

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Virat Kohli joins Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of IPL clash with Chennai Super Kings

Virat Kohli made his first public appearance after the birth of his son when he returned to Bengaluru to join the Royal Challengers Bangalore camp ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League season. “It’s really good to be back, firstly playing cricket and just starting off the IPL. Always exciting to come back to Bangalore for the start of the IPL season. So similar emotions, similar feelings and I haven’t been off the media radar. I have been into the normalcy, you can say for 2 months. So, yeah, I am pretty happy and excited to be back and I hope all the fans are excited and happy as well,” Kohli said in a video shared by RCB. Kohli, who was out of the country for the birth of his second child, arrived in India on Sunday. The former India and RCB captain was seen taking rounds of the...
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‘Ye bhai gaya…’: Axar Patel recalls chilling moment when he heard about Rishabh Pant’s accident | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: As Saturday marked one year of Rishabh Pant's near-fatal car accident, his India and Delhi Capitals teammate Axar Patel recalled the chilling moment when he first got to know about the mishap. Last year, Pant was involved in a horrific car accident as he escaped from his burning car after it hit a divider on the Delhi-Roorkee highway. Pant got seriously injured but received timely help from the people at the site of the accident. In a video posted by Pant's IPL franchise Delhi Capitals, Axar recalled the moment when he learned about the accident as the first thoughts in his mind came 'ye bhai gaya'."Subah 7 ya 8 baje mere phone pe ring baji. Pratima di ka phone aya. Pratima di ne mujhe pucha ki 'teri Rishabh se kab baat hui thi last?' Mene bola 'nahi, kal karne wala tha lekin...
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Watch: LSG coach Justin Langer heaps praise on KL Rahul | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Indian middle-order batsman KL Rahul, captain for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has garnered accolades from his peers, including being described as a "beautiful, elegant-looking player" by head coach and former Australian opener Justin Langer.Langer complimented Rahul and said that he is fortunate to have him as a captain in a video that was uploaded by the LSG's official X handle."When I was an Australian coach and we had a series against India, I never used to relax until Virat Kohli and KL Rahul got out. Because he is (Rahul) so dangerous player and he is such a beautiful elegant looking player," said Langer.Rahul is equally adept at countering pace and spin, according to Langer."He has experience. He can play to both sides of the ground. He plays spin and quick bowling ...
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WATCH: Mitchell Starc fulfills his promise, gives signed shoes to young fan | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Star speedster Mitchell Starc won several hearts following Australia's 79-run win over Pakistan in the second Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.At the end of lunch on Day 5, Starc had promised a young fan that he would gift him his shoes and sign it if Australia manage to take all the wickets by the end of the day.After Australia won the match, Starc fulfilled his promise and gifted his shoes to the young fan.He also signed them and clicked photos with him. WATCH: Australia signed off 2023 year on a high. They won the ICC World Test Championship final vs India, retained the Ashes, the ODI World Cup final vs India, and won the Test series against Pakistan.A fired-up Pat Cummins bagged five wickets and 10 in the match to earn Australia a nail-biting win (by 7...
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After a Rs 5.8 crore deal with RR, Shubham Dubey wants to buy a house for family | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Shubham Dubey's life underwent a positive transformation when Rajasthan Royals secured him for Rs 5.8 crore in the recent IPL player auction, erasing the early struggles in the Vidarbha man's journey.An assertive middle-order batsman, Dubey showcased his talent in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, boasting an impressive strike rate of 185. In the past, he had witnessed his father engaging in odd jobs, including selling paan, to afford a cricket kit for him.With the recent turn of events, the family has left those struggles behind, and understandably, Dubey is overjoyed."My family couldn't afford to buy a cricket kit but my father still got me one. But they never forced me to do something else despite our struggling financial situation."My father is a modest man who took up ...
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BCCI seeks IPL title sponsor amidst stringent conditions: Report | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In its search for a new title sponsor for the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has established strict conditions for prospective bidders, according to a report.Notably, the BCCI has indicated a hesitancy to consider bids from companies or brands based in China, citing apprehensions about affiliations with nations that do not maintain amicable relations with India."While specific countries or brands have not been mentioned explicitly, the BCCI's decision stems from the public backlash and a negative experience with Vivo, a Chinese smartphone maker. This situation arose in the aftermath of the border standoff between India and China. Subsequently, Vivo chose to exit from the five-year sponsorship agreement, relinquishing the rights t...
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‘I don’t regret any of it’ – Mitchell Starc says prioritizing international cricket over IPL helped his game | Cricket News – Times of India

Australia's fast-bowling spearhead Mitchell Starc, who made history by becoming the most expensive Indian Premier League player at the recently-concluded auction, revealed that he deliberately declined numerous lucrative offers from the IPL in the past to prioritize his international career and as a result improve his skills.At the IPL auction held on December 19, two-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders secured Starc's services for a record Rs 24.75 crore.This marks his return to the tournament after a hiatus since 2015.Starc explained that the break from the IPL afforded him the opportunity to rejuvenate and maintain fitness for international commitments, contributing to his overall improvement in the game."Juggling one cricket schedule is hard enough, let alone when there's two i...
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‘By the time the next IPL starts…’: CSK CEO says MS Dhoni has ‘recovered well’ after knee surgery | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan is optimistic MS Dhoni will be fully fit before the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League, stating that their skipper has recovered well after the knee surgery. The former India skipper underwent an operation on his left knee after leading CSK to a record-equalling fifth IPL title earlier this year. Viswanathan informed that Dhoni has been undergoing rehab and will hit the nets soon. "He has recovered well (from his knee injury). He is undergoing his rehab programmes, started training. By the time the next IPL starts, I am sure he will be fit to play," Viswanathan said to ANI. Earlier, in the IPL this year, Dhoni, in quite a few matches was seen sporting knee strappings and was also seen struggling while running between the wickets...
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WATCH: ‘Want to spend more time with…’ – MS Dhoni reveals post-retirement plans | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Fans are brimming with anticipation for the return of Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the upcoming Indian Premier League 2024 season, where he will resume his leadership for the defending champions Chennai Super Kings.Dhoni, who has led the team to five IPL titles in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023, was initially unsure whether he would want to feature in the upcoming edition of the cash-rich league.“If you see, this is the best time to announce my retirement. But with the amount of love and affection I have been shown wherever I have been this year, the easy thing would be for me to say “Thank you very much,” but the tough thing for me is to work hard for another nine months and come back and play at least one more season of the IPL. A lot depends on the body; I have 6-7 months to ...
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Landscape gardener 18 months back, Spencer Johnson makes his mum smile with hefty IPL paycheck | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Australia's Spencer Johnson, a landscape gardener just a year ago due to the absence of a professional cricket contract, is now celebrating a remarkable turn of events. In a span of 18 months, the fast bowler has transitioned from tending to gardens to securing a substantial IPL deal with the Gujarat Titans, bringing a radiant smile to his mother's face.The astounding transformation in Johnson's fortunes was highlighted at the IPL auction in Dubai on Tuesday, where the Gujarat Titans invested a significant Rs 10 crore in acquiring him.This hefty price tag not only signifies a major breakthrough in his cricketing career but also stands as a testament to the unpredictability and resilience inherent in the world of sports. It wasn't too long ago that Johnson faced the prospect o...
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‘Always weird to see yourself on TV…’: Rachin Ravindra on IPL auction moment | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: New Zealand's emerging talent, Rachin Ravindra, shared his thoughts on the "strange" moment when his name appeared during the IPL 2024 auction. The 22-year-old all-rounder garnered attention from multiple franchises, with Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Chennai Super Kings showing early interest. Eventually, the defending champions, CSK, secured Ravindra's services for Rs 1.8 crore."It was a strange feeling, but it was nice to have a couple of boys around me.It's really exciting; you grow up watching IPL, always weird to see yourself on TV with paddles going up," Rachin expressed to New Zealand Cricket.His compatriot Daryl Mitchell also landed a significant deal with CSK, securing Rs 14 crore. Ravindra expressed happiness for Mitchell, stating, "Watching Daryl's auction was...
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Watch: ‘How will CSK fans feel…,’ Dhoni’s graceful reply when asked to support RCB | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is as graceful off the field as calm and cool he is on the field. Enjoying his time in the IPL off-season, the Chennai Super Kings captain is in Dubai nowadays, where the IPL 2024 auction was also held. Dhoni's graceful response can be seen in a video that is going viral, in which a 'die-hard RCB fan for 16 years' asks Dhoni to win one trophy for RCB, much to loud cheering and clapping by others present at the event.Dhoni pauses for a few seconds and then gave such a graceful reply that the audience is forced to cheer and clap once again.Dhoni has been an integral part of CSK since the inception of the league. He's not just a player but also the face of the franchise, having captained the team for many seasons.Under Dhoni's leadership...
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‘Pat is a top-quality bowler, but…’: Jason Gillespie questions Pat Cummins’ IPL price tag | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie has expressed his doubts about the high price tag attached to Pat Cummins in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Gillespie believes that T20 cricket is not Cummins' strongest format, but he does support Mitchell Starc's record-breaking deal. Cummins, who is the Australian captain, was involved in a bidding war between the Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai Super Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, eventually securing a contract worth a staggering Rs 20.50 crore.'Pat is a top bowler, but…'Gillespie, speaking on SEN Radio, said, "Pat is undoubtedly a top-quality bowler and a great leader, we've seen that. However, I don't believe T20 is his best format. In my opinion, he is a Test bowler, and Test cricket is where he exce...
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Exclusive: ‘Building a strong team bond is…’ – Shikhar Dhawan reveals how he plans to lead Punjab Kings in IPL 2024 | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Shikhar Dhawan has had a successful career in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since its inception. Starting his IPL career in the inaugural season in 2008 with the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Shikhar Dhawan is known for his stylish strokeplay, ability to anchor the innings, and knack for scoring runs consistently.Dhawan is the second highest all-time leading run scorer in the tournament, showcasing his value as a dependable opener.He has amassed 6617 runs from 217 IPL matches at an average of 35.39, which included two hundreds and 50 fifties.Throughout his IPL career, Dhawan has been recognized for his aggressive yet elegant batting style, solid technique that has helped him to contribute significantly to the teams he has represented.Speaking exclusively to Timesof...
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Punjab Kings Clarify Picking the Right Cricketer in IPL Auction | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Punjab Kings on Wednesday issued a clarification asserting that they had selected the correct cricketer during the IPL auction in Dubai, refuting reports suggesting they bid for the 'wrong' player due to confusion in the name.Shashank Singh was acquired during the latter part of the auction on Tuesday as franchises sought to add uncapped Indian players in the base price range of Rs 20 lakh.When the auctioneer announced Shashank's name, PBKS co-owner Preity Zinta raised the paddle, and the cricketer was swiftly sold. Reports suggested that the franchise later 'realized' the alleged mistake and approached the auctioneer to reverse the deal.In its clarification, PBKS said, "Media have reported on Shashank Singh being bought erroneously by Punjab Kings. The Kings would like to cl...
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Daryl Mitchell: ‘Will help us set up the family in many ways’: Daryl Mitchell opens up on Rs 14 crore IPL deal with CSK | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell expressed his gratitude after securing a massive Rs 14 crore deal with five-time champions Chennai Super Kings in the IPL auction held in Dubai on Tuesday.Mitchell, who became the third millionaire in the auction, sees this opportunity as a way to set up his family and considers himself lucky to play for such a prominent franchise.Reflecting on the experience, Mitchell mentioned that his teammate and all-rounder Mitchell Santner was the first to contact him after the auction.He shared that he was eagerly watching the screen as his name came up, coincidentally on his eldest daughter Addie's birthday while wrapping up birthday presents.As soon as he was bought by CSK, he got in touch with head coach and former Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming....
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‘Kohli 42 cr, Bumrah 35 cr’: Former India opener says Starc, Cummins’ record-breaking deals unfair to Indian stars | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: 'Eye-popping', 'jaw-dropping' were some of the terms that surely popped into the minds of cricket fans when Australian pacers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins fetched staggering amounts in the IPL 2024 auction in Dubai on Tuesday. Starc became the most expensive player in the IPL history with a bid of Rs 24.75 crore, minutes after his skipper Pat Cummins fetched Rs 20.50 crore pay cheque.Shortly after Cummins garnered an astounding bid from Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders upped the ante by presenting an even more substantial salary package for the left-arm pacer, who had last participated in the IPL back in 2015.Former India opener Aakash Chopra voiced his dissatisfaction over the hefty price tags the Aussie pacers secured. He expressed the view that it is unfair to ...
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‘Kohli Rs 42 cr, Bumrah 35 cr’: Former India opener says Starc, Cummins’ record-breaking deals unfair to Indian stars | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: 'Eye-popping', 'jaw-dropping' were some of the terms that surely popped into the minds of cricket fans when Australian pacers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins fetched staggering amounts in the IPL 2024 auction in Dubai on Tuesday. Starc became the most expensive player in the IPL history with a bid of Rs 24.75 crore, minutes after his skipper Pat Cummins fetched Rs 20.50 crore pay cheque.Shortly after Cummins garnered an astounding bid from Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders upped the ante by presenting an even more substantial salary package for the left-arm pacer, who had last participated in the IPL back in 2015.Former India opener Aakash Chopra voiced his dissatisfaction over the hefty price tags the Aussie pacers secured. He expressed the view that it is unfair to ...
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KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir justifies Mitchell Starc’s record-breaking pay cheque | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: As Kolkata Knight Riders shelled out a record-breaking Rs 24.75 crore to buy the services of Australian quick Mitchell Starc for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League, mentor Gautam Gambhir justified pay cheque saying that the pacer will be the X-factor for the team and a leader of the bowling pack. Gambhir pointed out that Starc's presence will be a massive help for the domestic bowlers and the left-handed pacer is someone who can deliver in any phase of the game. On Tuesday, Starc became the most expensive buy ever at the IPL auction."He (Starc) is an X-factor, there is no doubt about that. Someone who can bowl with the new ball, bowl in the death overs and more importantly, someone who can lead the attack," Gambhir, who was present at the auction, said."He is go...
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Watch: MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant play tennis in Dubai after IPL auction | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: After making his active involvement in the IPL 2024 auction, Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant took his time off to try his hands at tennis in Dubai.Pant was seen playing tennis with his idol and Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni. A video of Pant and Dhoni exchanging volleys late in the evening at an indoor tennis court went viral on social media.The video captures the moment when Pant received enthusiastic cheers for delivering a powerful overhead smash, leaving Dhoni visibly surprised.Pant had an eventful day alongside Team Director Sourav Ganguly and head coach Ricky Ponting at the mini IPL auction in Dubai on Tuesday.The wicketkeeper batter Pant, who had met with a horrifying car accident last year and missed the entire 2023 after undergoing a knee surgery, said he w...