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Legendary West Indian all-rounder <keyword id="20508612" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dwayne-Bravo" source="keywords">Dwayne Bravo</keyword> has announced his <keyword id="19908343" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="retirement" source="keywords">retirement</keyword> from all forms of cricket, bringing down the curtains on a two-decade-long career that spanned numerous cricket leagues and international arenas. The 40-year-old World Cup winner will now embark on a new journey as a mentor for the <keyword id="19899758" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kolkata-Knight-Riders" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Kolkata Knight Riders" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Kolkata Knight Riders">Kolkata Knight Riders</keyword> (KKR), marking the end of his illustrious association with Chennai Super Kings (<keyword id="19896464" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CSK" source="keywords">CSK</keyword>), where he played and coached. Bravo’s announcement came on Instagram on Thursday, where he shared his heartfelt farewell to the sport. "Today is the day I say goodbye to the game that has given me everything," Bravo wrote. "Twenty-one years as a professional cricketer – it's been an incredible journey, filled with many highs and a few lows. Most importantly, I was able to live my dream because I gave you 100 at every step." While he expressed his desire to continue, Bravo acknowledged it was time to "face reality," adding that his body could no longer withstand the strain and injuries that had come with the game. <h2>Injury shortens final <keyword id="21618603" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CPL" source="keywords">CPL</keyword> stint</h2>Bravo had declared earlier this year that the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season would be his last, but fate had other plans. A groin injury sustained while fielding in a match against the St. Lucia Kings prematurely ended his CPL stint, cutting short his farewell tournament. Reflecting on the injury, Bravo said, "My mind wants to keep going, but my body can no longer endure the pain, the breakdowns, and the strain. I can't put myself in a position where I might let down my teammates, my fans, or the teams I represent." Despite the bittersweet ending to his career, Bravo made it clear that he leaves with no regrets. "Though this ending is bittersweet, I have no regrets about my career or this decision. Now, I look forward to my next chapter. Once again, thank you. See you soon on the other side." <h2>From CSK star to <keyword id="21527152" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="KKR-mentor" source="keywords">KKR mentor</keyword></h2>Bravo's <keyword id="19906063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IPL" source="keywords">IPL</keyword> legacy is immense, having won three IPL titles with CSK after joining the franchise in 2011. His versatility and leadership on the field earned him a special place in the hearts of CSK fans, and his transition to the role of bowling coach for the team in 2023 was a testament to his enduring impact. However, his new role with KKR signals the end of his long-standing CSK chapter. At Kolkata Knight Riders, Bravo will replace Gautam Gambhir, who left his mentorship role to take over as India's head coach earlier this year. Venky Mysore, CEO of Knight Riders Group, expressed his enthusiasm for Bravo’s new role. "DJ Bravo joining us is an exciting development. His relentless drive to win, along with his vast experience and deep knowledge, will greatly benefit our franchise and players," Mysore said in a media release. Bravo’s responsibilities will not be limited to the IPL. He will also oversee KKR's other <keyword id="20214221" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="T20" source="keywords">T20</keyword> franchises, including the Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL, Major League Cricket (MLC) in the US, and International League T20 (ILT20) in the UAE. "We’re also pleased that Bravo will be involved with our other franchises globally," Mysore added. <h2>An iconic career comes to a close</h2>Bravo’s <keyword id="20513887" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cricket-career" source="keywords">cricket career</keyword> is nothing short of legendary. With 582 T20 matches under his belt, 631 wickets, and nearly 7,000 runs, he redefined the role of an all-rounder in the shortest format of the game. His influence transcended national and international boundaries, as he played for franchises across the globe and even served as a consultant for the Afghanistan men's team. Speaking about his new journey with KKR, Bravo said, "I've been part of the Trinbago Knight Riders for the last 10 years in the CPL. Having played for and against the Knight Riders in various leagues, I have a lot of respect for how they operate." The end of Bravo’s playing career signals the beginning of a new chapter in the cricketing world. For fans who have followed his journey for over two decades, his presence off the field will surely bring as much wisdom as his performances did on it. As Bravo himself said, "The Champion bids farewell," but his legacy will continue to inspire many, both within KKR and around the world. (With inputs from PTI)

“Body can no longer endure the pain”: CSK legend Dwayne Bravo retires from cricket, to join KKR as mentor

Chennai on Sunday witnessed a rain-free morning, but cloudy weather returned ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final between <keyword id="6354467" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kolkata-knight-riders" source="Orion">Kolkata Knight Riders</keyword> (KKR) and <keyword id="1494441" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sunrisers-hyderabad" source="Orion">Sunrisers Hyderabad</keyword> (SRH) at the <keyword id="20899355" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ma-chidambaram-stadium" source="keywords">MA Chidambaram Stadium</keyword>. As per ESPNcricinfo, KKR's training session was disturbed by a sharp spell of rain lasting over an hour. However, at the time of 1 pm on Sunday afternoon, the rain peril appeared to be removed, having just a 4 per cent chance of precipitation according to Accuweather. In case the weather becomes the hurdle in the summit clash, there is a provision for a <keyword id="21810472" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="reserve-day" source="keywords">reserve day</keyword>. Notably, the 2023 <keyword id="19931" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IPL-final" source="Orion">IPL final</keyword> in Ahmedabad went into the reserve day, where due to the rain the match was pushed to the finish of the match. In the match, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) chased down the revised total target of 171 in 15 against Gujarat Titans (GT) - at 1:35 am on what was actually day three. KKR finished the league stage on the top of the points table with nine wins, three losses and two no results, giving them 20 points. They earned a direct spot in the final by defeating SRH in the qualifier one. SRH got a second shot at the title in the qualifier two against Rajasthan Royals (RR) and they made the most of it by defeating the Men in Pink by 36 runs. Meanwhile, SRH captain Pat Cummins remarked that his golden run as captain in all formats of cricket has to end at some point in time. "It has been great. The run has got to stop at some point. It has been a great couple of years. I had not captained in T20 before this tournament. I did not know what to expect. It is quite fast-paced (in T20Is). Drawing on ODI captaincy last year, it (T20Is) did not feel too foreign," Cummins said in the pre-match press conference. The pitch for the final is a red-soil strip which was also used for CSK's match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on May 1. On the playing surface, KKR captain Shreyas Iyer the wicket is different from what it was yesterday during the qualifier two between SRH and Rajasthan Royals (RR). "It is red soil, yesterday it was black. Looking through TV, we thought dew was going to play a role, but it did not the ball started spinning," he concluded. Irrespective of who comes out on top, the cricket fans and the sport itself will win, fortunate enough to witness what could the final game of a game-changing IPL.

IPL 2024 final: Will rain play spoilsport in blockbuster title clash between KKR-SRH?

Chennai Super Kings went on to grab their fourth Indian Premier League title, beating runners up Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 27 runs in the finals in Dubai. Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni found the real edge in his openers, which included the 24-year old <keyword id="4238575" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ruturaj-gaikwad" source="Orion">Ruturaj Gaikwad</keyword> who’s burst into the scene with a flurry of runs off relatively orthodox batting shots but, nevertheless, scoring at the plucky pace characteristic to Twenty20 (T20) cricket. Gaikwad is the youngest player to be the highest run scorer in a single season of the IPL. He is not part of the Indian squad picked for the upcoming T20 world cup. <div type="image" title="Ruturaj Gaikwad" msid="87047623" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;CSK&amp;#39;s Ruturaj Gaikwad becomes youngest Orange Cup holder in the Indian Premier League&amp;#39;s history.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Gaikwad and his South African partner <keyword id="521498" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="faf-du-plessis" source="Orion">Faf Du Plessis</keyword> have scored more than half, 56% to be specific, of the runs scored by Chennai Super Kings in the last nine matches, the second leg of the tournament played in the United Arab Emirates. The two of them together continued their form into the finals against KKR scoring 50 runs at the end of the six-over powerplay, a crucial period of play at the start of the innings where the fielding positions are restricted. <div type="image" title="Du plessis" msid="87046529" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Faf Du Plessis, the South African batter who has not been picked for the upcoming T20 international world cup, has been the second highest scorer in IPL 2021.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> But rising to the big occasion, KKR openers Shubman Gill and Venkatesh Iyer beat the CSK’s score with 55 runs during the powerplay at the IPL 2021 finals. However, it wasn't enough as the franchise owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan lost the match, falling 27 runs short of target. While the match is still open for anyone to win, here’s a snapshot of how Gaikwad and Du Plessis have powered CSK into the finals: Chennai Super Kings have scored the most runs during the powerplay compared to any other team in IPL 2021. Faf Du Plessis was the second highest scorer in IPL 2021 at 633, just two runs short of his CSK opening partner Gaikwad. Gaikwad scored a total of 635 runs to bag the orange cap that honours the highest run scorer in the IPL each season. He became the third batsman in CSK's history to score 600 runs in an IPL season when his side beat DC, on October 10, with 70 runs in just 50 balls. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6em; box-shadow: none; width: 468pt; font-family: Merriweather; table-layout: fixed; padding-bottom: 10px !important; background-image: inherit !important; background-position: inherit !important; background-size: inherit !important; background-repeat: inherit !important; background-attachment: inherit !important; background-origin: inherit !important; background-clip: inherit !important;" class="redcator-table-advance"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 5pt; border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Batter </td><td style="padding: 5pt; border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Runs in one season </td><td style="padding: 5pt; border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Year </td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 5pt; border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Michael Hussey </td><td style="padding: 5pt; border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">733 </td><td style="padding: 5pt; border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">2013 </td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 5pt; border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Ruturaj Gaikwad </td><td style="padding: 5pt; border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">635 </td><td style="padding: 5pt; border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">2021 </td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 5pt; border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Ambati Rayudu </td><td style="padding: 5pt; border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">602 </td><td style="padding: 5pt; border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">2018 </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody></table>In the finals, orange cap winner Gaikwad and Du Plessis scored 118 of the 192 runs. Du Plessis was the second highest run scorer in IPL 2021. Kolkata Knight Riders had scored 615 runs in the power play and added another 55 in the IPL 2021 finals. CSK lost only 15 wickets during the powerplay in IPL 2021 and also had the best run rate of 8.1 per over against spinners, which KKR was betting on with Shakib Al Hassan and Varun Chakravarthy being the team’s spearheads. Chakravarthy has taken Dhoni’s wicket three times out of the four times the two teams played before the finals. However, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s strike against spinners was 200, the best by any batter in IPL 2021 and so he decided to lead the attack against KKR in the finals. Going into the IPL 2021 finals, CSK had the highest number of wickets, 27, in the first six overs followed by Delhi Capitals’ 26. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/three-unicorns-hundreds-of-crore-in-loss-and-very-little-market-share-whats-the-hype-around-online-car-retailers/articleshow/87012417.cms">Three unicorns, hundreds of crore in loss and very little market share — What's the hype around online car retailers?</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/retail/news/this-indian-billionaire-is-racing-towards-the-worlds-top-50-adding-nearly-10-billion-to-his-net-worth-in-the-last-10-months/articleshow/86991638.cms">This Indian billionaire is racing towards the world's top 50 adding nearly $10 billion to his net worth in the last 10 months</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/after-semiconductor-chips-and-coal-india-now-has-a-tomato-shortage/articleshow/86989363.cms">After semiconductor chips and coal, India now has a tomato shortage</a>

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis ⁠— amazing data on how the two openers led CSK to IPL 2021 championship

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) got a fresh lease of life in the IPL 2021 finals as their talented opener <keyword id="6362888" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shubman-gill" source="Orion">Shubman Gill</keyword> was brought back to bat after being declared caught out in the tenth over of the match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). CSK’<keyword id="12319422" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="s-ambati-rayudu" source="Orion">s Ambati Rayudu</keyword> caught a skier from Gill off a ball from Ravindra Jadeja except that it was later found that the ball had hit the spidercam, the one that’s suspended high above the ground, held together by cables. The ball was declared dead due to the intervention and Gill had to be brought back to the crease. Gill had scored 31 till that moment and went on to add another 9 runs in what was left of Jadeja’s over including two boundaries. Gill eventually fell at 53 off 43 balls with 67 runs left to chase in 46 balls. Deepak Chahar took the wicket in his fourth over before closing his spell of four over conceding a total of 31 runs and the one wicket of Shubman Gill. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/csk-vs-kkr-in-ipl-2021-finals-orange-cap-winner-ruturaj-gaikwad-and-faf-du-plessis-give-dhoni-a-shot-at-the-fourth-indian-premier-league-title/articleshow/87045512.cms">Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis ⁠— amazing data on how the two openers gave CSK a real shot at IPL 2021 championship</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/three-unicorns-hundreds-of-crore-in-loss-and-very-little-market-share-whats-the-hype-around-online-car-retailers/articleshow/87012417.cms">Three unicorns, hundreds of crore in loss and very little market share — What's the hype around online car retailers?</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/retail/news/this-indian-billionaire-is-racing-towards-the-worlds-top-50-adding-nearly-10-billion-to-his-net-worth-in-the-last-10-months/articleshow/86991638.cms">This Indian billionaire is racing towards the world's top 50 adding nearly $10 billion to his net worth in the last 10 months</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/after-semiconductor-chips-and-coal-india-now-has-a-tomato-shortage/articleshow/86989363.cms">After semiconductor chips and coal, India now has a tomato shortage</a>

Bizarre! Shubhman Gill was brought back to bat after being declared out

<ul><li>The <keyword id="6354831" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-premier-league">Indian Premier League</keyword> (IPL) brand valuation increased by 13.5% this year to ₹475 billion, according to global advisory firm Duff &amp; Phelp. </li><li>There was a 20% increase in the ad spending on IPL this year. </li><li>Among the IPL franchises, <keyword id="13880" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mumbai-Indians">Mumbai Indians</keyword>, Chennai Super Kings(CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders(KKR) topped the charts in terms of valuation at ₹8.09 billion, ₹7.32 billion and ₹6.3 billion, respectively. </li></ul>The value of cricket is rising, and that is evident with the rising brand value of Indian Premier League (IPL). This year, IPL’s brand value increased by 13.5% to ₹475 billion (₹47,500 crore), says <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/sports/ipl-brand-value-rises-7-to-68-billion-in-2019/article29458678.ece">Duff &amp; Phelps IPL Brand Valuation report 2019</a>. Last year however it rose even more at 18.87% growth to ₹418 billion (₹41,800 crore). A dip in sponsorships had led to the slower growth this year, the report says. In spite of this, this year IPL got over 100 team sponsorships from government and the industry. This is a good run even as the World Cup was held in the same year, which should have ideally eaten into the cricket pie. But, there was a 20% increase in the ad spending on IPL. "The advertisers could have taken a conservative stance and saved their budgets for the World Cup, but the high viewership interest in IPL continued to attract them," Varun Gupta, Managing Director, Asia Pacific Leader for Valuation Services <a href="https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/sports-trends/ipl-brand-valuation-growth-slows-down-to-13-5-in-2019-4453891.html">told</a> Moneycontrol. Among the IPL franchises, Mumbai Indians, <keyword id="13886" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chennai-Super-Kings">Chennai Super Kings</keyword> (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) topped the charts in terms of valuation at ₹8.09 billion (₹809 crore), ₹7.32 billion (₹732 crore) and ₹6.3 billion (₹629 crore), respectively. While Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings recorded a growth of 8.5% and 13.1%, respectively, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) saw an 8% dip in the brand value. <keyword id="6354506" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Royal-Challengers-Bangalore">Royal Challengers Bangalore</keyword> also lost some of its brand value which is now at ₹5.95 billion (₹595 crore). On the other hand, the brand value of <keyword id="3251768" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi-Capitals">Delhi Capitals</keyword>, which is sixth on the list, grew by 8.9% — registering second highest growth this year. “For growth trajectories to maintain their momentum, all teams need to focus on their on-field performance while continuing to broaden their footprint, forge relationships and generate revenue opportunities in growth markets,” Gupta added. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/icc-cricket-world-cup-2019-star-network-and-hotstar-viewership/articleshow/69719956.cms">ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 viewership so far on Hotstar is far from the IPL peak</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/hotstar-gains-from-ipl-final-and-game-of-thrones-second-last-episode/articleshow/69303484.cms">IPL final and Game of Thrones semi-final saw Hotstar break all records</a>

Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals pick up brand value as KKR and Royal Challengers fall

Hyderabad: <keyword id="13886" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chennai-Super-Kings">Chennai Super Kings</keyword> were reeling at 41/3 in the semifinal against <keyword id="13883" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Kings-XI-Punjab">Kings XI Punjab</keyword>. <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/faf-du-plessis/26001/8109">Faf du Plessis</a> and <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/dwayne-bravo/26001/10038">Dwayne Bravo</a> steadied the ship with a steady 65-run stand for the fourth wicket. While Bravo was at his aggressive best, <keyword id="518062" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Du-Plessis">du Plessis</keyword> played the second fiddle and scored an important 46 off 33 balls to help CSK reach 182/7. 
 
Speaking to clt20.com, du Plessis said that the team handled pressure well and his partnership with Bravo, combined with some aggressive hits from <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ravindra-jadeja/26001/32004">Ravindra Jadeja</a> down the order helped CSK reach a good total in the end. "We wanted to get a partnership and it was important to knock the ball around for two or three overs. I thought we did really well to hit the gaps in the field, not necessarily taking the guys in the fence on. It was about taking calculated risks. That is something which lacked in <keyword id="194506" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="The-Kings">the Kings</keyword> XI Punjab innings. They kept trying to hit boundaries. With the wicket being a little two paced, you needed a little more batsmanship than power," he said. 
 
Du Plessis said that he was not too bothered about his constant shuffling in the batting order. "I think all of our batsmen from batting positions 5, 6 &amp; 7 play a similar role where they all come in and look to be aggressive. With <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/dwayne-smith/26001/10043">Dwayne Smith</a>, <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/brendon-mccullum/26001/6035">Brendon McCullum</a> and <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/suresh-raina/26001/4059">Suresh Raina</a> at the top it is all power and all guns blazing. It was important for someone to strike a balance between all that firepower. I am used to opening the batting in T20 cricket and tonight I got an opportunity to go in the fifth over and counter-attack and play a bit aggressively. When the field went back, I saw myself looking into my role back at number four. It was then about hitting the spaces and running well between the wickets." 
 Du Plessis, who scored three centuries in the recent tri-series in <keyword id="41570" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Zimbabwe">Zimbabwe</keyword>, added that he felt good about his batting. He said that the main aim for CSK was to win as many trophies as they can. "We are done with one step but we have another big game coming up against KKR who are a very good team. We are very pumped up. We don’t want to get to another final and lose. We want to get the silverware. "

Du Plessis: CSK Desperate To Win More Trophies

On Tuesday, Kolkata Knight Riders will continue their fairy-tale run in the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League with their Qualifier against pre-tournament favourites Kings XI Punjab. KXIP dropped just six points on their way to the Play-offs, while the 2012 champions began their campaign on a horrid note, picked up in the middle and made it into the last four thanks to a seven-match winning streak.
 

	Four players have played a crucial hand in their dramatic turnaround, and will hold the key in putting it past KXIP in front of a capacity crowd at their home ground, the Eden Gardens.
 

	Robin Uthappa
 Much like other teams, <keyword id="6354544" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="KKR">KKR</keyword> were also chopping and changing in their bid to find the right eleven players during the UAE leg of the tournament, a period during which they suffered. The opening combination didn't fit with Gautam Gambhir in woeful touch and Jacques Kallis failing to find fifth gear, while Manish Pandey and Manvinder Bisla couldn't answer the call. UAE leg over, and Uthappa was pushed to open the innings and to the average fan, he single-handedly scripted the turnaround. 

	Since opening the innings, Uthappa has gone on to topple Glenn Maxwell and Dwayne Smith to become the leading run-scorer with an envious run of form: 47, 65, 47, 46, 80, 40, 67, 83* and 41 have been his previous nine innings. Uthappa has been the backbone of KKR's batting thanks to which big-hitters like Shakib Al Hasan and Yusuf Pathan have flourished. Against KXIP, he will be the key to flatten a KXIP side who have been on a roll of their own.
 

	Sunil Narine
 

	The West Indian was retained by the franchise for a very specific reason, and he hasn't disappointed. Narine is the best on show as far as his craft is concerned, and remains a threat against any team thanks to his deadly accurate offspin. In the two previous games against KXIP, Narine had figures of 3 for 24 and 1 for 30 from his four overs. While KKR couldn't get over the line in Abu Dhabi, they managed to do so in Cuttack. Narine has also been the tournament's leading wicket-taker so far, tied on 20 from 13 games with Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
 

	While Bhuvneshwar's Sunrisers Hyderabad have been eliminated, Narine has a chance to consolidate his position further. While he hasn't taken wickets with as much regularity as he would have liked, teams have found it difficult to score against him. Gambhir has used him intelligently - Narine bowls two, sometimes three overs at the back end of the innings and that's where teams have struggled against him. In addition to his 20 scalps, Narine has been the most economical too, going at 6.00 runs per over. Only twice have KXIP not managed to score over 150 in completed innings, and both have come against the bowling attack featuring Narine.
 

	Yusuf Pathan
 

	KKR's batting order worries in the UAE were not only attributed to the top order, but the failure of their middle order to hold them together. Yusuf Pathan showed glimpses of his old spark in a defeat to Chennai Super Kings, but the Yusuf known for his belligerence was missing.
 

	Against SRH at Eden Gardens, however, Yusuf rose to the occasion with a blistering 72 from just 22 balls that took his team home in a big chase in just 14.2 overs. KKR had given themselves two chances at the final, and while everything else fell into place since returning to India, the spark in Yusuf that was missing ensured they were firing on all cylinders.
 

	Yusuf had tore into Dale Steyn for 26 in an over, and how he counters the pace of Mitchell Johnson and co. could determine the outcome of the fixture.
 

	Shakib Al Hasan
 

	Two agonizingly close defeats to Rajasthan Royals - the one with the Super Over and the other that featured the implosion - had threatened to derail KKR's campaign, but the Bangladesh allrounder ensured they came close. Since then, though, Shakib has played an important part in some of KKR's victories with both bat and ball.
 

	Shakib is has been second best only to Narine in terms of economy rate, and has broken crucial stands with his left-arm spin, providing an able back-up to Narine from the other end. His hard-hitting innings of 60 and 46* ensured victories over Royal Challengers Bangalore and CSK, keeping KKR's winning streak unbroken. Together with Narine, he will be tasked with keeping a big-hitting KXIP batting line-up at bay, and batting at No 5 to see the team to either a big total or home in a chase.

IPL: KKR's Fantastic Four Who Will Be Key In The Last Four

The <keyword id="19906063" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="ipl" source="keywords">IPL</keyword> mega auction 2024 kickstarted at 3 pm today at the Abady Al-Johar arena in Jeddha, Saudi Arabia. It will continue till tomorrow, and viewers can tune into Star Sports network on television and the JioCinema App. A total of 574 players were released by the respective franchise ahead of the mega auction. Of the 574 players, 366 are Indian, while 208 are overseas, including three from associate nations. The auction will see 318 Indian uncapped players and 12 uncapped overseas players in contention. There are 204 slots available, with 70 reserved for overseas players. The highest reserve price is set at Rs 2 crore, with 81 players opting for this bracket. The largest segment comprises players with a base price of Rs 30 lakh, totalling 320. The first set includes <keyword id="19904097" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shreyas-iyer" source="keywords">Shreyas Iyer</keyword>, Rishabh Pant, and Arshdeep Singh, while the second features KL Rahul, <keyword id="20038368" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="yuzvendra-chahal" source="keywords">Yuzvendra Chahal</keyword>, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj. The overseas marquee players are Mitchell <keyword id="19928915" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="starc" source="keywords">Starc</keyword>, Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, David Miller, and Kagiso Rabada. Several teams will deploy Right-to-Match (RTM) cards during the auction. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), having retained six players each--the maximum allowed--will not have any RTM cards. Punjab Kings (PBKS) hold four RTMs, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) three, and Delhi Capitals (DC) two. Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Gujarat Titans (GT), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), and Mumbai Indians (MI) each have one RTM. RTM cards enable teams to buy back released players by matching the highest bid. In this auction, the team with the highest bid can increase their offer once more, after which the team holding the RTM card can match the final bid to secure the player. The IPL 2025 Mega Auction promises to deliver high-stakes action, with marquee players and strategic manoeuvres set to enthral cricket fans. A total of 12 marquee players, including Indian stars like Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul have created a lot of buzz within the cricket fraternity. A total of 574 players have been shortlisted from an initial pool of 1,574 names. These players will go under the hammer from November 24-25 in Jeddah. The list includes 208 overseas players, 12 uncapped overseas talents, and 318 uncapped Indian players, according to Wisden. Here is a look at all the marquee players who will be going under the hammer: Jos Buttler (England) Buttler is one of finest white-ball batters of this generation, with 11,929 runs, eight centuries and 83 fifties to his name in 427 T20s. A T20 World Cup-winning captain for England, Buttler made a name for himself in the IPL during his stint with Rajasthan Royals (RR) from 2018 to 2024. For RR since 2018, Buttler scored 3,055 runs at an average of 41.84 and a strike rate of 147.79, with 7 centuries and 18 fifties. His best score was 124. He is the team's third-highest run-getter of all time. The IPL 2022, in which RR finished as runners-up, was the zenith of Buttler's career, as he ended up on the top of run-scoring charts, with 863 runs in 17 matches at an average of 57.53 and a strike rate of over 149, with four centuries and four fifties. His best score was 116. In the last season, Buttler scored 359 runs in 11 matches at an average of 39.88, with two centuries. Buttler also represented Mumbai Indians (MI) from 2016-17, scoring 527 runs in 24 matches with one half-century. He won the title with them in 2017. Shreyas Iyer (<keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword>) Iyer has played all formats for India, proving his mettle mostly in ODI cricket, where he averages 47 and has scored five centuries and 18 fifties in 57 ODIs. In 51 T20Is for India, Iyer has scored 1,104 runs at an average of 30.66 and a strike rate of over 136, with eight half-centuries and best score of 74*. During his time with Delhi Capitals (2015-21), he earned a reputation as a fierce young leader, taking DC to finals in 2021. After joining Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2022, Iyer went one step further and won the franchise its third IPL title, its first in 10 years, this year. Throughout the season, Iyer along with mentor Gautam Gambhir, led the team's aggressive, high-scoring brand of cricket from the front. In his IPL career, Iyer has scored 2,375 runs at an average of 31.67, with a strike rate of 123.96 and 16 half-centuries. His best score is 96. In his last season for KKR, he scored 351 runs in 15 matches at an average of 39.00 and a strike rate of over 146, making two fifties. Rishabh Pant (India) The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter is an all-format for India and a livewire on the field. Having proven himself as a man for big stages in Test cricket, Pant's T20 game is just as solid. Though he has scored 1,209 runs in 76 T20Is at an underwhelming average of 23.25, strike rate of almost 128 and just three fifties, his overall T20 numbers are way better, having made 5,022 runs in 202 matches at an average of 31.78, strike rate of over 145, with two centuries and 25 fifties. Pant has represented Delhi Capitals (DC) for his entire IPL career since 2016, scoring 3,284 runs in 110 matches at an average of 35.31, with a century and 18 fifties. He was appointed as the team's captain in 2021 and led them to playoffs in the same season. During this last season, which marked his return from competitive cricket after a serious road accident in 2022-end, Pant scored 446 runs in 13 matches at an average of 40.54 and a strike rate of 155.40, with three fifties and best score of 88*. He was the leading run-scorer for DC. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa) The South African pacer is among the best in the world, having taken 71 wickets in 65 T20Is. He is the part of the SA team which reached the T20 World Cup finals this year and took 13 wickets in nine matches. Rabada has played T20 leagues and competitions worldwide and taken 264 scalps in 211 matches. In the IPL, Rabada has represented Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings, having taken 117 wickets in 80 matches. With PBKS from 2022-2024, he took 41 wickets in 30 matches while with DC from 2017-2021, he took 76 wickets in 50 matches. In 11 matches last season for Punjab Kings, he took 11 wickets at an average of 33.81. Arshdeep Singh (India) A brilliant left-arm pacer for his swing and wicket-taking abilities, Arshdeep has represented India in 59 T20Is and has already taken 92 wickets at an average of 18.47, making him the most successful pacer for India in T20Is and their second-highest wicket-taker of all-time despite debuting only in 2022. The youngster was a crucial part of India's T20 WC winning squad this year and was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 17 wickets in eight matches at an average of 12.47. Since 2019, the year of his IPL debut, Arshdeep has represented the Punjab Kings in 65 matches, taking 76 wickets at an average of 27.00 and best figures of 5/32. The season this year was his strongest-ever showing, taking 19 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 26.58. Mitchell Starc (Australia) A multi-time world champion with Australia across all formats, Starc is considered as one of the deadliest pacers of this era, having taken 681 wickets in 281 matches. In 65 T20Is for Australia, he has taken 79 wickets at an average of 23.81. in 142 T20Is played worldwide, he has taken 193 wickets at an average of 20.59 and best figures of 4/15. After two seasons with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) from 2014-15, Starc made his IPL return this year as the most expensive player ever, brought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for Rs 24.75 crores. Though he delivered mixed returns during the league stage, the 'Big Match Starc' came into play during playoffs, delivering outstanding spells of 3/34 and 2/14 against <keyword id="19959099" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sunrisers-hyderabad" source="keywords">Sunrisers Hyderabad</keyword> (SRH) in the Qualifier 1 and final. He ended the season with 17 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 26.12 including a four-wicket haul. So far in his IPL career, Starc has taken 51 wickets in 41 matches. Yuzvendra Chahal (India) The Indian spin veteran is the chart-topping bowler, owning the most wickets by an Indian in T20is and by any bowler in the IPL. In the IPL, Chahal has taken 205 wickets in 160 matches at an average of 22.44, with best figures of 5/40. In 80 T20Is he has taken 96 wickets at an average of 25.09 with best figures of 6/25. Also in all of T20s, he has taken 354 wickets in 305 matches, the most by an Indian bowler. Chahal remains the leading wicket-taker for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), even after departing in 2021 following a tenure that began in 2014. In 113 matches for RCB, he took 139 wickets at an average of 22.03, with a best of 4/25. Since joining Rajasthan Royals (RR) in 2022, Chahal has helped the team reach the playoffs twice in three seasons. He is also the leading wicket-taker in IPL history, amassing 205 wickets in 160 matches at an average of 22.44, with a best of 5/44. He won the Purple Cap in 2022, his debut season with RR, securing 27 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 19.51, with best figures of 5/40. During the 2024 season, he took 18 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 30.33. Liam Livingstone (England) A T20 World Cup-winning all-rounder, Liam has scored 877 runs in 53 T20Is at an average of 27.40 and a strike rate of almost 152, with a century and two fifties. With his useful right-arm spin, he has taken 32 wickets at an average of over 23, with best figures of 3/17. He owns the record for fastest T20I ton by an England player, in just 42 balls. The batting all-rounder has played for Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) since his tournament debut in 2019, scoring 939 runs in 39 matches at a strike rate of 162.46 and six fifties. He has also taken 11 wickets. His best has come with Punjab, who signed him for Rs 11.5 crores ahead of the 2022 season, which proved to be his breakthrough, scoring 437 runs in 14 matches with four fifties and a strike rate of 182.08 and getting six wickets in 14 matches. In the last season, Livingstone scored 111 runs in seven matches at an average of 22.20, striking at over 142 and having the best score of 38*. David Miller (South Africa) An elite T20 finisher, Miller is considered as one of the modern white-ball greats for South Africa. In 128 matches for Proteas, he has made 2,473 runs at an average of 32.54, striking at almost 140, with two centuries and seven fifties. In the IPL, Miller is known for his stints with Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans. His stint with Punjab from 2012-19 made him a valuable IPL commodity, as he enjoyed his peak years from 2013-15, reaching the finals in 2014. After a few years' of underwhelming performances and being benched, GT placed trust in his finishing abilities and he repaid the faith with a 481-run season in 16 matches with two fifties, playing a crucial role in the team's title win in his debut season. Miller is also known for his fine performances in knockout games. In 41 matches for GT, he has scored 950 runs at an average of 45.24, with three fifties in 38 innings and a strike rate of 145.26. In the last season, he scored 210 runs at an average of 35.00 and a strike rate of over 151, with a half-century. KL Rahul (India) A versatile batter for India across all formats. He can open, bat in middle-order, anchor and accelerate. A highly capable wicketkeeper-batter as well. He is India's fourth-highest run-getter in T20Is, scoring 2,265 runs in 72 matches at an average of 37.75, striking at almost 140 with two centuries and 22 fifties to his name. In 132 IPL matches since his debut in 2013, KL has played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, even going on to captain the latter two teams. In 132 matches, he has scored 4,683 runs at an average of 45.47 and a strike rate of 134.61, with four centuries and 37 fifties. For LSG since 2022, he has scored 1,410 runs at an average of 41.47, with a strike rate of 130.68, two centuries and 10 fifties. He has never won an IPL title. In 14 matches last season, he scored 520 runs at an average of 37.14 and a strike rate of 136.12 and four half-centuries. His best score was 82 and he ended up as seventh-highest run-getter in the season. Mohammed Shami (India) The Indian pace veteran has represented India in all formats, having taken 448 wickets in 188 matches. His finest hour in an Indian jersey came during the 50-over World Cup at home last year, where he emerged as the leading-wicket-taker with 24 wickets in just seven matches and played a crucial role in India's runners-up finish. In IPL, Shami has played for Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans. He has taken 127 wickets in 110 matches at an average of 26.86. Shami was the Purple Cap holder for most wickets in GT's 2023 runners-up season and has taken 48 wickets in 33 matches at an average of 21.04 for the team. This also remains his last IPL season as he missed the previous season due to an ankle injury. Mohammed Siraj (India) Siraj is a solid all-format pacer for India, having taken 165 wickets across 91 matches, with a lot of match-winning performances in overseas Tests. He is the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 winner with the team. In his IPL career, he has played for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) from his debut in 2017, taking 93 wickets in 93 matches at an average of 30.34. Since 2018, he has been a vital part of RCB's pace attack, having taken 83 wickets in 87 matches at an average of 31.45 and best figures of 4/21. In the last season this year, he took 15 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 33.07, playing a crucial role in the team's inspirational playoffs qualification. (ANI) A total of 1,574 players will go under the hammer in the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Sunday and Monday which includes 1,165 Indian players and 409 overseas players, all competing for a place in the world's premier T20 league. The comprehensive list of registered players features 320 capped players, 1,224 uncapped players, and 30 players from Associate Nations. Specifically, the breakdown includes 48 capped Indian players, 272 capped international players, 152 uncapped Indian players who previously played in IPL seasons, 3 uncapped international players with prior IPL experience, 965 uncapped Indian players, and 104 uncapped international players. Among the 409 overseas players, Australia leads with 76 registrations, followed by South Africa with 91, and England with 52. Other notable countries include New Zealand with 39, West Indies with 33, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka with 29 each, and the USA with 10 players. Players from Bangladesh (13), Ireland (9), Canada (4), Netherlands (12), Zimbabwe (8), Scotland (2), UAE (1), and Italy (1) have also registered. With each of the ten IPL franchises able to fill a maximum squad of 25 players, 204 slots will be available at the IPL 2025 player auction. The event promises to be highly competitive as teams build their rosters for the next three years.

IPL 2025: What can you expect from the mega auction at Jeddah in Saudi Arabia?

As he takes the field for <keyword id="19929032" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gujarat-Titans" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Gujarat Titans" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Gujarat Titans">Gujarat Titans</keyword> (GT) during the Indian Premier League (<keyword id="19906063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IPL" source="keywords">IPL</keyword>) clash against <keyword id="19907060" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi-Capitals" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Delhi Capitals" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Delhi Capitals">Delhi Capitals</keyword> (DC) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday, skipper <keyword id="6362888" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shubman-Gill" source="Orion">Shubman Gill</keyword> will be featuring in the 100th match of his career in the cash-rich league. GT will be locking horns with DC in a mid-table clash in Delhi on Wednesday. In their last match, Delhi managed to beat Gujarat comprehensively, skittling out the 2022 champions for just 89 runs and chasing it easily. GT won its previous league match against Punjab Kings while DC registered a heavy loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Since his debut with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) following the ICC U19 World Cup win, <keyword id="19930297" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gill" source="keywords">Gill</keyword> has managed to carve out an enviable IPL career within such a short span that not many have been able to. In 99 matches, Gill has scored 3,088 runs at an average of 38.12 and a strike rate of 38.12, with three centuries and 20 fifties. His best score is 129. He is already the 25th-highest run-scorer in league's history. Gill represented KKR from 2018-21 and the franchise played a crucial role in his development as a cricketer. He was given backing right from the first season, getting to play 13 matches, in which he scored 203 runs at an average of 33.83 and a strike rate of 146.04, with a knock of 57* as his solitary fifty. He went on to star in franchise's brilliant 2021 season, where it first won just three out of its first eight games but made it to the finals. He was his franchise's highest-run getter and overall eighth-highest run-getter with 478 runs in 17 matches at an average of 28.11 and a strike rate of 118.90, with three half-centuries and the best score of 57. Gill preserved his best for the knockout stages, scoring a quickfire 29 in 18 in a low-scoring eliminator against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where KKR chased down 139 with two balls to go. Later, his useful knocks of 46 and 51 during the Qualifier two against Delhi Capitals and final against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) announced to the world that he was ready for big games. KKR parted ways with Gill in the 2022 season. In 58 matches for KKR, Gill made 1,417 runs at an average of 31.49 and a strike rate of 123.00, with 10 fifties and best score of 76. He signed with Gujarat Titans for the 2022 season and won the title with them in their debut season. Gill starred in this winning season, ending as the second-highest run-getter for GT with 483 runs in 16 games at an average of 34.50 and a strike rate of 132.33. He also scored four half-centuries, with his best score being 96. Gill's unbeaten 45* in the final helped the franchise chase down 131 runs in a low-scoring clash against Rajasthan Royals. These seasons served as a trailer for what Gill could accomplish. The batter's game was elevated multifold during the next season as he found runs and the ball found the middle of his bat like never before. Gill took home the 'Player of the Tournament' and 'Orange Cap' honours for scoring the most runs in the season, with 890 runs at an average of 59.33 and a strike rate of 157.80. His best score was 129 in just 60 balls, scored against Mumbai Indians (MI) in Qualifier two. GT finished as runners-up to CSK. In the ongoing season, Gill has scored 298 runs in eight matches at an average of 42.57 and a strike rate of 146.80. He has struck two fifties, with the best score of 89*. With GT, Gill has scored 1,671 runs in 41 innings at an average of 46.42 and a strike rate of over 147, with three tons and 10 fifties and the best score of 129. Promising rookie seasons, crucial knocks during knockout matches, IPL trophy, Orange Cap, Player of the Tournament award and captaincy. Gill has ticked a lot of franchise cricket boxes at such a young age of 24. Could he become the next captain to lead Gujarat to glory? SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/realme-narzo-70-narzo-70x-5g-smartphones-launched-in-india-starting-at-11999/articleshow/109557895.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/realme-narzo-70-narzo-70x-5g-smartphones-launched-in-india-starting-at-11999/articleshow/109557895.cms" target="_blank">Realme Narzo 70, Narzo 70X 5G smartphones launched in India starting at ₹11,999</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-let-loose-event-scheduled-for-may-7-ipads-expected-to-be-launched/articleshow/109553148.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-let-loose-event-scheduled-for-may-7-ipads-expected-to-be-launched/articleshow/109553148.cms" target="_blank">Apple Let Loose event scheduled for May 7 – New iPad models expected to be launched</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/google-pixel-8a-may-be-more-expensive-than-its-predecessor-as-per-a-new-leak/articleshow/109499394.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/google-pixel-8a-may-be-more-expensive-than-its-predecessor-as-per-a-new-leak/articleshow/109499394.cms" target="_blank">Google Pixel 8a may be more expensive than its predecessor, as per a new leak</a>

Shubman Gill to play 100th IPL game as Gujarat locks horns with Delhi today

IPL 2023 schedule, time and match details

In the first week of IPL 7, Glenn Maxwell dominated the show with his big-hitting prowess. Now, in the second and final week of the UAE leg, gocricket.com takes a look at all the moments which grabbed headlines. 
 
Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals: A chequered rivalry 
 
Before the start of IPL 7, CSK and RR were in the news for events off the field relating to the IPL spot-fixing scandal. When both teams strode out to the ring of fire in Dubai, they added another chapter to the rivalry. CSK made 140 and Rajasthan fell short by seven runs. Ravindra Jadeja was the star for CSK with an unbeaten 36 and a haul of 4/33. In an eerie way, in the match between these two teams in 2013 in Jaipur which is believed to be in the centre of the scandal mentioned above, CSK had made 141 when the bet was that they would make 140. At that time, Gurunath Meiyappan was watching. Now, with Gurunath sidelined, CSK achieved this score. Odd twist of fate? 
 
<keyword id="258312" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Chris-Lynn">Chris Lynn</keyword> takes the catch of the summer 
 In a cricket match, seldom has a catch been the talking point. In the match between <keyword id="6354506" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Royal-Challengers-Bangalore">Royal Challengers Bangalore</keyword> and Kolkata Knight Riders, Chris Lynn provided the moment of the tournament which helped KKR snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. KKR managed to get to 150 and RCB needed nine runs in the last over. Vinay Kumar, who was part of several last-over finishes in the IPL, gave away just three runs in the first three balls. On the fourth ball, the match changed totally. 
 
Vinay bowled a shortish delivery just outside off. AB de Villiers moved to the off side and pulled it high over deep mid wicket. He had not timed it all that well but with the deep mid wicket boundary at Sharjah been short, it seemed the ball would sail over. Lynn, though, had other plans. His job was made difficult by the fact that he slipped up while lining up for the catch. However, he kept his eyes on the ball, raised his hands and arched back like a gymnast to pouch the catch. With the momentum threatening to take him over the ropes, he stuck out his right hand and ensured that he landed just inches in front of the rope. This moment gave KKR victory by two runs. One of the must watch (video link) moments that should be replayed over and over again 
 
Pollard is the best catcher in the IPL. No, he is not, say CSK 
 <keyword id="61632" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Kieron-Pollard">Kieron Pollard</keyword> has built a reputation that he can pouch just about anything. Every team has felt his brilliance in the field, except CSK. In the 2013 IPL clash between CSK and Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede, Pollard dropped Michael Hussey, then playing for CSK, thrice in three balls off Mitchell Johnson. He managed to pouch a good one off Suresh Raina but the three consecutive dropped catches were a sight to behold. 
 In the match against CSK in Dubai, Pollard was once again generous in the field for CSK. In the sixth over, <keyword id="55681" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Brendon-McCullum">Brendon McCullum</keyword> smashed one past mid off. Pollard leapt with one hand but he could not latch onto it. This was a difficult catch but for Pollard's standards, it could have been taken. However, in the 16th over bowled by Harbhajan Singh, Faf du Plessis slog swept the bowler to deep square leg where Pollard dropped a sitter. It seems Pollard suffers from yellow fever when it comes to catching against CSK. 
 
Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals: A tale of two ties 
 KKR and RR played out the first ever tie in the 2009 IPL in Cape Town. In that match, both teams ended on 150 and it was <keyword id="18938" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Yusuf-Pathan">Yusuf Pathan</keyword> who stole the show when he smashed three sixes of Ajantha Mendis to help RR put one over KKR. Five years later and in another neutral venue, KKR and RR played out their second tie. With the scores tied on 152, KKR batted in the one-over eliminator and scored 11. With three needed off the last ball, Steven Smith batted in a way which gave a new definition to smart play under pressure. He knew that in the event of the super over been tied, RR would go through as they had hit more boundaries. He spotted the gap at extra cover and he walked down the track to push it into that gap for a couple. It was the first time that a super over was tied in the IPL. Once again, KKR had failed to get over the line against RR. 
 
Sandeep Sharma shows his mettle 
 
In the IPL, there is a prevalent theme that bat dominates ball to such an extent that bowlers are scarred for life. However, one young gun has thwarted this notion. He was the star performer in the 2012 U-19 World Cup in Australia. With an ability to swing the ball in and away both in the air and off the seam, Sandeep Sharma is a valuable bowling asset for any team. In this edition of the IPL, Sandeep has maintained discipline and he has reaped rich rewards. His performances in the game against Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he picked up three wickets, earned him the Man of the Match award. With an economy rate of 5.63, average of just 8.85 and a strike-rate of just 9.4, Sandeep has added more potency to the already potent Kings XI Punjab.

IPL Week 2 Review: Lynn Takes The Catch Of IPL

TRP-hungry TV shows, masala news debates, scripted reality shows step aside – it’s time for a cocktail of all three. Yes, IPL is back and the cricketing world is abuzz with festive cheer. So, as we join these celebrations and gear up to cheer for our favourite teams in the following days, let’s have a look at the good, the bad and the ugly of IPL. 
 
THE GOOD 
As the eighty eight warriors from eight teams get set go, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with its amazing win-loss ratio seems to be a hot favourite. CSK’s bright track record evolves from its achievement in making it to the final four in previous seven IPL tournaments. Having won two IPL titles, it has played four finals till date. Of 115 matches played in IPL, CSK has won 69 and lost only 44; thereby, attaining the best win-loss ratio of 1.57. 
 
THE BAD While they were there in first and the last IPL played, Kings XI Punjab, the Ness Wadia co-owned team has failed to qualify for the final four in 5 IPL tournaments. With a Win-Loss Ratio of 1.10, it has found a companion in <keyword id="13802" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Rajasthan-Royals">Rajasthan Royals</keyword> in terms of not-up-to-the-mark performance. Rajasthan Royals has won 54 out of 104 matches. However, the only consolation for Rajasthan Royals over its comparison to the bhangra brigade is its victory in the first IPL edition. 
 
THE UGLY Though Delhi Daredevil has made it to the Final Four <keyword id="108404" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="thrice">thrice</keyword>, yet its performance had been the poorest. Having lost 59 matches out of 105, it has the lowest win-loss ratio of 0.75. Now with <keyword id="351" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Yuvraj-Singh">Yuvraj Singh</keyword> in their court, Delhi finally aspires to hit a home run, something that IPL followers are also looking forward to this season. 
 
KNOCK(OUT) STAR With power and panache being their sole mantra, <keyword id="6354925" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Kolkata">Kolkata</keyword> Knight Riders have always been the IPL queen bee. Having raised the trophy twice in 7 seasons, KKR is known for its knockout skills. The achievement is based on KKR’s 77% victory in the final-four stage. 
 
<keyword id="161142" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Best-Buy">BEST BUY</keyword> Ever since the IPL was conceptualized, player auction has become the norm. Though auction rates vary from time to time, this year’s IPL auction has found in Yuvraj Singh an extravagance. Having bought by <keyword id="13845" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Delhi-Dare-Devils">Delhi Dare Devils</keyword> for Rs 16 crores, ex Royal Challenger Bangalore, Yuvi has recently made headlines for his venturing to support young entrepreneurs. 
 The 3 best buys in the IPL this season are: Yuvraj Singh (Delhi Dare Devils) for Rs 16 crore, Dinesh Karthik( <keyword id="12643" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Royal-Challengers">Royal Challengers</keyword> Bangalore) for Rs 10.5 crore, and <keyword id="125980" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Angelo-Matthews">Angelo Matthews</keyword> (Delhi Dare Devils) for Rs 7.5 crore. 
 The lowest bargains this year are: Hanuma Vihari of <keyword id="1494441" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Sunrisers-Hyderabad">Sunrisers Hyderabad</keyword>, Sumit Narwal of Kolkata Knight Riders, Akshay Wakhare of <keyword id="13880" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Mumbai-Indians">Mumbai Indians</keyword>, Shishir Bhavenane of Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Brainder Sran of Rajasthan Royals. All of these players have been sold for Rs 10 lakh in the IPL auction that happened this February. 
 However, it’s definitely surprising that acclaimed players like <keyword id="22772" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Kumar-Sangakkara">Kumar Sangakkara</keyword>, <keyword id="23015" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Mahela-Jayawardene">Mahela Jayawardene</keyword>, <keyword id="70374" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Tillakaratne-Dilshan">Tillakaratne Dilshan</keyword> and Shadab Jakati found no takers in the latest season of IPL. 
 
 
 
 
(Statistics courtesy : Wikipedia) 
 (Image: <keyword id="-101" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="India-Times">India Times</keyword>)

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