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Controversial Pakistan batsman Salman Butt (File Photo | AFP)

Cricket/Indian Premier League 2021 (IPL 2021)/News

It Would Be Better If A New Team Like RCB Or Delhi Capitals Lift IPL 2021 Trophy: Salman Butt

Published on October 8, 2021

Salman Butt feels it could be a blessing in disguise if Mumbai Indians (MI) do not qualify for the playoffs in the latest edition of the Indian Premier League. Salman Butt believes in their absence, the odds of a new champion being crowned would increase.

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Salman Butt claimed that Mumbai Indians are a formidable team. He emphasized how they have gone on to win the tournament on several occasions, despite a rocky start.

Salman Butt: It Would Be Better If A New Team Like RCB Or DC Win The IPL 2021

The 37-year-old former tainted batsman and Pakistan skipper pointed out that the likes of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals could benefit from Mumbai’s exit. RCB and DC will look to lay their hands on the coveted trophy for the very first time.

“It is good that MI are out of the playoffs because once they start winning from the bottom, then they go on to win the title more often than not. Wouldn’t it be better if a new team like RCB or DC wins the title?. MI are dangerous,” Salman Butt said.

Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians currently occupy 6th place in the IPL 2021 points table. However, their underwhelming net run rate of -0.048 could limit their chances of making the cut for the all-important playoffs.

Mumbai Indians Can Still Qualify For Playoffs If They Score More Than 200 Runs Batting First And Beat SRH By At Least 171 Runs

The five-time defending champions will have to topple the 4th placed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the points table to become the fourth team to qualify. However, the chances of that happening are very slim as they will have to beat SRH by a humongous margin in order to do so.

MI is slated to take on SRH on Friday (October 8) in Abu Dhabi. They will have to score more than 200 runs after batting first in the game and beat Hyderabad by at least 171 runs to surpass KKR’s net run rate. Notably, they will not stand a chance if they bat second in the fixture.

KKR’s massive win against RR made the equation extremely stiff for MI to qualify for playoffs. Prior to the KKR vs RR match, all MI needed was a win and hoped that the Knight Riders lost. But KKR’s win made it all the more tricky for MI. KKR’s NRR jumped to +0.587 win a win over RR, which means that MI now will not only have to win but do it comprehensively to make it to the Playoffs.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ran riot with the ball and beat Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 54 of the VIVO Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 in Sharjah on Thursday. Put into bat, KKR posted 171/4 and then bowled out RR for 85 to register their seventh win of the season. While youngster pacer Shivam Mavi scalped four wickets, Kiwi pacer Lockie Ferguson picked three wickets as KKR marched towards the victory.

Brief Scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 171/4 (Shubman Gill 56, Venkatesh Iyer 38; Chetan Sakariya 1/23) beat Rajasthan Royals 85 (Rahul Tewatia 44, Shivam Dube 18; Shivam Mavi 4/21) by 86 runs.

Cricket/News

IPL 2021: The UAE Government Would Allow 60 Percent Attendance For 2nd Phase Of IPL 2021 At UAE

Published on August 15, 2021August 15, 2021

IPL 2021 received a big boost when the UAE government decided to allow 60 percent attendance at the stadiums for the second phase of the IPL 2021. This decision was taken after thorough consultations with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), as per the reports in the Telegraph.

Earlier, when the BCCI hosted the IPL 2021 in India before it got indefinitely postponed due to a bio-bubble breach, where no crowds were allowed at the venues, keeping the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in mind.

The Emirates Cricket Board are closely working the UAE government to allow fans inside stadiums during IPL 2021. — The Emirates Cricket Board is closely working with the UAE government to allow fans inside stadiums during IPL 2021.

IPL 2021: The UAE Government’s Decision To Allow 60 Percent Attendance Will Come As A Massive Boost For Players Playing IPL 2021

Likewise, no spectators were allowed to watch the games live during IPL 2020, when the entire tournament was played in the UAE. With 60 percent of the audience turning up at the stadiums, it will be a massive boost for the players while playing the IPL matches.

The BCCI had announced the entire schedule of the remainder of IPL 2021 last month. According to it, in the span of over 27 days, a total of 31 matches will be played. Amit Mishra(DC), Sandeep Warrier, Varun Chakravarthy(KKR), and Wriddhiman Saha(SRH) contracted the virus. Chennai Super Kings’ batting coach Michael Hussey and bowling coach Laxmipathy Balaji had also contracted the virus in India which led to the indefinite postponement of IPL 2021.

Fans At An UAE Stadium During IPL Photo Credit: (Twitter)

The second phase of IPL 2021 will commence on September 19 with a game between the Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Dubai. A total of 31 games, including the playoffs, will be played in this phase of the tournament. It will come to a close with the final on October 15. Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah are the three venues shortlisted to host the remaining IPL 2021 matches.

CSK and MI Are The First 2 Teams To Reach The UAE

CSK and MI are the first two teams to reach the UAE to begin their preparations for the tournament. While MS Dhoni and his men are currently in Dubai, the Rohit Sharma-led team has decided to commence their practice in Abu Dhabi. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are likely to reach Abu Dhabi around August 27.

Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians ©BCCI/IPL

Before the IPL 2021 came to an abrupt halt due to rising COVID-19 cases within the franchises, the Delhi Capitals (DC) were at the top of the table with 12 points (six wins in eight matches). CSK and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were second and third with five wins from seven games, while MI was fourth with four wins in seven matches.

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the Punjab Kings (PBKS) have won three games each out of seven and eight matches, respectively. Kolkata Knight Riders won just two games out of seven, while Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) got over the line only once in seven appearances and is at the bottom of the points table.

RCB leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in action during IPL 2020 | Saikat Das / Sportzpics for BCCI

Cricket/News

Yuzvendra Chahal Still Hopes To Represent India In Tests

Published on May 21, 2021August 31, 2021

Yuzvendra Chahal has seen several players younger than him make their Test debuts for India. Although India hasn’t considered him an option in red-ball cricket yet, the leg-spinner still harbours hopes of representing his nation in the longest format.

The 30-year-old has a solid record in first-class cricket, picking up 84 wickets in 31 games. However, the likes of Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Shahbaz Nadeem have featured ahead of him in recent years whenever India’s frontline spinners (Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja) have been unavailable for Tests.

RCB spin wizard Yuzvendra Chahal expresses his desire to play Test cricket

Yuzvendra Chahal Wants To Wear The Whites

Yuzvendra Chahal spoke to Sports Tak about his Test prospects, pointing to his stellar record in red-ball cricket over the past few years.

“Obviously, you want to wear the whites. If someone calls you a Test player, there is no bigger compliment. In the last 3-4 years, I have picked 50 wickets in the ten first-class matches, out of which two are India A games,” Chahal revealed.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have been India’s frontline Test spinners for several years now, making the difference time and again. Axar Patel made a sensational start to his Test career too, running through the England side in the home series earlier in the year. But Yuzvendra Chahal isn’t too bogged down for not getting a look in, admitting he needs to improve further, considering the spin options India has presently.

Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin AFP

“You see Axar came in and did well. Ashwin, Jadeja and Kuldeep are already there, so you feel that 3-4 players are already in the reckoning and it will be difficult for you to get a chance. Especially when they are performing so well. Ashwin bhaiyya completed 400 Test wickets and Jaddu Pa has over 250 wickets. Looking at them you feel that you have to improve more to get a chance,” Chahal admitted.

From having made his debut for RCB in 2014 to earning a national call-up in 2016 and taking 100 wickets in the IPL, Yuzvendra Chahal has had an impressive career so far. In his young international career thus far, the 30-year old has bagged 92 and 62 wickets in 54 ODIs and 48 T20Is respectively.

Yuzvendra Chahal Expected A Call-up When England Toured India In 2021 And Some Spinners Were Injured

Yuzvendra Chahal was not expecting to be part of India’s latest Test squad, with the team travelling to England for the World Test Championship final and the subsequent five-Test series against the host nation. But the leg-spinner interestingly revealed how he was hoping he would get a call-up when England toured India earlier this year.

“No, this time I wasn’t expecting a call-up. But yes, when England toured India and some of our spinners were injured, I felt somewhere that my name my prop up,” Chahal mentioned.

Axar Patel | Pankaj Nangia/ Sportzpics for BCCI

Shahbaz Nadeem and Washington Sundar were picked in absence of injured Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel in the 1st Test before Axar Patel’s stunning debut in the next Test. Axar Patel picked 27 wickets in 3 Tests finishing behind Ravichandran Ashwin who had 32 scalps.

Yuzvendra Chahal will get a chance to show his credentials when India takes on Sri Lanka in July. He is expected to be part of the Indian squad which will play three T20Is and three ODIs against the Lankans. In 106 IPL games since debuting for Mumbai in 2013, he has 125 scalps averaging 23.3.

Cricket/IPL 2020/News

IPL 2020: Gautam Gambhir Reckons Mumbai Indians’ Batting Line-up Makes Them Tough To Beat

Published on November 7, 2020

Gautam Gambhir believes that Mumbai Indians batting prowess has made them tough to beat. The defending champions have qualified for the final for the sixth time in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 history. And this time, they have the opportunity to break their odd and even jinx.

Mumbai Indians have a solid opening combination with Quinton de Kock, and Rohit Sharma followed with top-class Suryakumar Yadav, batting at number three. Yadav has been the most impactful player for MI this season, scoring mammoth runs at the top while also finishing off the job on some occasions.

Gautam Gambhir also observes that Suryakumar Yadav has no only handles the innings but even scores at a good strike rate. He believes if the top-order batsman is until the end of the innings, it could hurt any position.

“You keep talking about someone anchoring the innings and scoring at a good strike rate. Suryakumar Yadav anchors the innings and scores at 130, 135-plus strike rate, which is a great plus for Mumbai Indians. He’s someone who can play through the innings and hurt the opposition,” Gambhir told ESPNCricinfo.

Former Kolkata Knight Riders captain said that apart from solid top-order, they have massive contributors for death overs who with their power-hitting can damage any team’s plan.

“Then you know that you have the firepower of Kieron Pollard, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, all these guys can hurt you in the end overs – and you’re No. 3 who is supposed to bat long. What more do you want from your batting line up. I guess that’s why Mumbai is where it is right now.”

Gautam Gambhir explains how Mumbai Indians can be beaten:

IPL 2020: Gautam Gambhir Reckons Mumbai Indians' Batting Line-up Makes Them Tough To Beat 1 — Image Credit: IPL

Gautam Gambhir the only way to dominate against Mumbai Indians is to stop them at 150-160 total and have a proper bowling unit to defend it. As per him, if the four-time IPL winners cross 180 runs mark, problems can arise for the opposition.

“Unless and until you don’t restrict Mumbai Indians to 150-160, you have the bowling to defend that. The moment they get to 180, it’s very difficult for any opposition to compete, let alone win. Apart from Ben Stokes’ brilliance, I don’t think any team can chase down 190-plus,” Gautam Gambhir said.

The opponent for Mumbai Indians in the grand-finale will be decided after the second qualifier match between SunRisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals.

IPL 2020: SunRisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians - MI Predicted XI — Image Credit: IPL.

Cricket/IPL 2020/News

IPL 2020: Biggest Quality Of Mumbai Indians Is Nobody Dependent On Other – Saurabh Tiwary

Published on October 28, 2020

Mumbai Indians’ middle-order batsman, Saurabh Tiwary, has stated that his side is successful because it is not dependent on one or two players. And, he has also credited the quality of practice session behind the success of Mumbai Indians this season.

Saurabh Tiwary, who has amazed everyone with his power-hitting, said that although this year the rules and atmosphere has been different, the key for them is the homework they have done, i.e., practice.

“The best thing is that we are winning. The way we are practising and given the atmosphere here, you can’t really ask for anything better. We have been in great nick the whole season and the reason behind it is the practice we have been doing.

Tiwary, who has been heavily criticized for his overweight, played first two matches and then got injured. He has returned to the team in the last two matches of MI. Overall, in four matches played, he got the opportunity to bat in three and scored 42, 21 and 34 respectively.

The Bihar-born cricketer said that the biggest quality of Mumbai Indians is that they are not reliable on a player.

“Be it here in UAE or in Mumbai. Our biggest quality is that nobody is dependent on the other, which is a great sign. I played two matches and got injured and now I have got few matches again. Touchwood, the batting has been fine and the reason behind is it the practice we are doing.

Saurabh Tiwary sees silver lining in Mumbai Indian’s defeat in two super overs:

Although Mumbai Indian lost two super overs against RCB and KXIP, Saurabh Tiwary stated that the loss shows the quality of cricket they have played.

“We don’t feel like it’s a practice season. it feels like we are playing a proper match. We had faced two defeats in Super Over and this shows the good cricket we have been playing. When we are winning then the margins are good and that is why out NRR is also very good.

Tiwary said that Mumbai Indians aim is to qualify for the play-offs first and then to finish in the top-two.

“The target for us is to finish in top-two. The first stage for us is to qualify and the second is to qualify in top-2. We are in the first stage but our eyes are set on the second stage as well. We will keep assessing the targets as and when we achieve each target. Touchwood, let us just take one step at a time,” Saurabh Tiwary said in a video posted by Mumbai Indians official Twitter handle.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians will face Royal Challengers Bangalore on Wednesday (October 28).

IPL 2020: Rohit Sharma Reckons Mumbai Indians Will Lift Fifth Trophy — Mumbai Indians. Image Credit: IPL.

Cricket/IPL 2020/News

IPL 2020: Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians – MI Predicted XI

Published on October 24, 2020October 24, 2020

Mumbai Indians, who are currently rank number one holder in the points table, will face Rajasthan Royals on Sunday (October 25) at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020.

After registering a comfortable win against Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians will be confident to unleash their attack against RR, who are currently lying at the second last position in the table.

Here, let’s take a look at Mumbai Indians predicted playing XI

Quinton de Kock:

Quinton de Kock amassed unbeaten 46 runs off 37 balls and played second fiddle to Ishan Kishan against CSK to guide Mumbai Indians to a comfortable win. The wicketkeeper-batsman will be looking to play a big knock against RR.

Rohit Sharma:

IPL 2020: Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians - MI Predicted XI 2

Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma took rest in the last match because he had suffered from a hamstring injury while Kieron Pollard was handed captaincy. He will return to the team and will be pumped to play a big knock.

Overall, he has scored 260 runs, including two half-centuries, in nine matches at the strike rate of 129.35

3. Suryakumar Yadav:

Batting at number three position, Suryakumar has gathered 243 runs in nine matches. Whenever openers have lost their wickets early, the youngster has built partnerships. He will look to get good scores on board for Mumbai Indians in Abu Dhabi.

4. Ishan Kishan:

Although CSK had given undaunting 114 runs target, Ishan Kishan instead of playing a slow and composed innings went harsh on bowlers. He toyed them and scored 68 off 37 balls, striking six fours and five sixes to finish the game in thirteen overs.

5. Hardik Pandya:

Hardik Pandya is being used only as a batsman by the Mumbai Indians. The fast bowling allrounder had come after recovering from the injury. So, MI is not taking the risk to rush him for bowling. So, far, with the bat, he has snared 164 runs in nine matches at the strike rate of 160.78.

6. Kieron Pollard:

Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya. Image Credit: IPL.

Kieron Pollard is one of the biggest pillars of Mumbai Indians. Against KXIP, after the early fall of the top-order, he took the team to a fighting total of 176 runs after scoring 34* runs off 12 balls. He is always a big trouble for bowlers.

7. Krunal Pandya:

The spin bowling allrounder Krunal Pandya has contributed significantly with both bat and ball in all the matches. Against SRH, he scored 20 runs off just four balls, striking two boundaries and two sixes, while also with the ball, he picked one wicket. He is an integral part of the team and will be expected to produce similar spells for Mumbai Indians in the coming matches.

8. Rahul Chahar:

Rahul Chahar is the only in and out spinner that is playing for Mumbai Indians this season. He has given valuable contribution picking wickets of Virat Kohli, Ambati Rayudu and another crucial batsman to give a breakthrough to the team. Overall, he has picked up 13 wickets in ten matches.

9. Trent Boult:

Playing maiden season for Mumbai Indians, Trent Boult has become a crucial part of the team. With the new ball, he has produced magical spells to give a good start to the team.

After he could not contribute in MI’s win against KXIP, he demolished CSK’s top-order to restrict them to 114 runs.

10. James Pattinson:

James Pattinson is the replacement of Lasith Malinga in the Mumbai Indians squad. Having a huge responsibility to fill up the space of Malinga, Pattinson has performed exceptionally in seven matches. Overall, the Aussie has picked nine wickets in seven matches. He is going to play a key role for MI this season.

11. Jasprit Bumrah:

IPL 2020: Mumbai Indians vs SunRisers Hyderabad - MI Predicted XI — Jasprit Bumrah. Image Credit: BCCI/IPL.

The World-Class bowler Jasprit Bumrah is the trump card of Rohit Sharma. He once again showed his worth after just conceding five runs while picking one wicket in super over against KXIP although end results could not be in favour of MI. Also, in the last match against CSK, he dismantled their batting order, picking two wickets in his four overs.

Cricket/IPL 2020/News

IPL 2020: Rahul Chahar Reveals Zaheer Khan Has Helped Him To Become More Attacking Bowler

Published on October 22, 2020October 22, 2020

When Lasith Malinga was ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, everyone thought Mumbai Indians will replace the veteran with a quality spinner seeing the conditions in the UAE. But MI backed their young spinner Rahul Chahar in their squad. And their decision proved to be right. In their last nine matches, Chahar has given excellent performance, picking 11 wickets at the economy rate of 7.40.

In the recent interaction, Rahul Chahar revealed that former Indian pacer and Mumbai Indians mentor Zaheer Khan was behind his success. He said that Zaheer had immensely supported him to rectify his problems. He stated that the veteran better understood his bowling and always gives him a proper solution.

“I go to Zaheer Bhaiyya (Zaheer Khan), because from last year, whatever he is telling me I can understand. He understands my type of bowling too and sometimes he sits for an hour when I am bowling.

“Last year he took a separate session with me and told me the problems and solutions and I always go to him,” he said.

Zaheer Khan supported me to be attacking: Rahul Chahar

IPL 2020: Rahul Chahar Reveals Zaheer Khan Has Helped Him To Become More Attacking Bowler 3

Rahul Chahar also revealed that he, earlier, used to play safely but Zaheer taught him to be more fearless. He said that the former Indian pacer always backs and gives him confidence.

“Initially I was bowling safe balls, I wasn’t attacking, but he kept on telling me that you are an attacking bowler and can take wickets, go attack, don’t worry if you are hit for a six, he gives me confidence and says bowl freely,” the young spinner said.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians next assignment is against Chennai Super Kings on Friday in Sharjah.

Cricket/IPL 2020/News

IPL 2020: Krunal Pandya Reveals Secret Behind Mumbai Indians Success And What Makes Rohit Sharma A Special Captain

Published on October 18, 2020

Although other franchises are struggling albeit the first half of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 has passed, Mumbai Indians (MI) are looking unstoppable. From their bowling department to batting, they have ticked all the boxes to lift the trophy again this year. MI allrounder Krunal Pandya has shared the secret behind the franchise success in the ongoing IPL.

While speaking to timesnownews.com, Krunal Pandya revealed that the reason behind Mumbai Indians stellar performance is the practice they had done ahead of the tournament. He said that before landing in the UAE, MI had organized a one-month training camp in the Mumbai.

Pandya added that the camp had also helped players to build healthy relationships with each other. He reiterated that preparation before the tournament was reaping good results for them in the field in the ongoing season.

“I guess the preparation – that’s where we were very good. Before coming here, there was a camp for one month where all the players were together and were preparing for the tournament. In Mumbai, we were practising together.

“Everyone has been together for the last 3-4 months so it has helped as well to know each other individually. So whatever you see on the field is a result of the preparation that went going into the tournament,” Krunal said.

Krunal Pandya on Rohit Sharma’s speciality:

IPL 2020: Krunal Pandya Shares Secret Behind Mumbai Indians Success And What Makes Rohit Sharma A Special Captain — Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma. Image Credit: Getty Images

On being asked about what makes Rohit Sharma a special captain, Krunal Pandya said that the MI captain gives enormous support and backing to bowlers which is important.

“His biggest quality is that he allows you to back your strength which is very important as a bowler. He doesn’t complicate things. He backs you to do whatever you do. That’s what makes him a special captain.”

Krunal Pandya has contributed significantly to MI’s victory this season. After his 20 runs off four balls against SRH, he holds the highest strike in an innings by anyone in the IPL.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians, as of now, holds the second position in the points table with 12 points.

Cricket/IPL 2020/News

IPL 2020: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders – MI Predicted XI

Published on October 15, 2020

Mumbai Indians will take on Kolkata Knight Riders in the 32nd match of the ongoing Indian Premier League. The defending champion registered the victory in their last match against Delhi Capitals while Kolkata Knight Riders faced the defeat in their last face-off against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Mumbai Indians had registered a comfortable victory against Dinesh Karthik led KKR in their first meeting. But after that match, KKR’s performance has improved so it will be an interesting clash between the two sides.

Here, we have discussed MI’s predicted XI against KKR:

1. Quinton de Kock (wk):

IPL 2020: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders - MI Predicted XI 4 — Quinton de Kock (Image Credit: IPL)

After struggling to score run in the first four matches, Quinton de Kock, finally, has returned to his form. Against SRH, he scored 67 off 39 balls, striking four fours and four sixes. In the last match against Delhi Capitals, he amassed 53 off 36 balls at the strike rate of 147.22. Mumbai Indians will expect him to deliver a similar performance against KKR.

2. Rohit Sharma (c):

IPL 2020: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders - MI Predicted XI 5 — Rohit Sharma (Image Credit: BCCI/IPL)

Rohit Sharma is the core of Mumbai Indians. In the last seven matches, he has amassed 216 runs, including two half-centuries. He is undoubtedly going to play a pivotal role to guide his team to victory to maintain their spot in the points table.