BY SACNILK

Indian Premier League 2020 which was scheduled to begin earlier this year in March, will now be played in the United Arab Emirates. Among the few options of holding this year's IPL, BCCI has selected UAE to host the tournament which was postponed earlier due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, BCCI will have to wait for the government's approval. ## "We have written to the government seeking permission to host the tournament in UAE. The dates have not been finalized as yet and will be decided at the (next) IPL GC, which will be held in the next seven or ten days", IPL chairman Brijesh Patel told to Cricbuzz, on Tuesday (July 21). ## After the International Cricket Council (ICC) postponed Men's T20 World Cup 2020 which was scheduled to hold in Australia in October-November yesterday on July 20, the doors were open for the IPL to take place. ## After asserting the COVID-19 situation, BCCI looked at several alternatives in a bid to host the tournament later in the year in India. Boards from several countries - Sri Lanka, New Zealand and UAE offered to host the tournament. Last month, the Emirates Cricket Board had offered to host the tournament in UAE, stating that they had the required infrastructure for it.## In all likelihood, UAE will end up hosting the tournament. However, Brijesh Patel didn't deny the possibility of hosting the tournament in India and hinted that options are open as of now. The decision, however, will be taken in the upcoming IPL Governing Council meeting.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Former South Africa captain and one of the best batsmen of all-time, AB de Villiers said that he is a better batsman than Indian captain Virat Kohli when it comes to changing the game quicker. However, he also said that Kohli is a more reliable batsman than him as the later likes to bat deeper in the innings. ## While talking to Harsha Bhogle on a Cricbuzz in Conversation episode on Wednesday, de Villiers said, "We take on different bowlers. I personally like to attack a little earlier, not to show weakness early on. I am earlier to the trigger. I want the bowlers to feel early on that it will be trouble if I’m allowed to bat for 5 overs".## "Virat is a more reliable batsman. He’s the one you want to bat for 15 overs. I am better in a way I could change the game quicker, have an injection that could swing the game. So together we are a nice combo", he added.## Also Read - Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers picked India-South Africa combined ODI XI ## AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli are two of the most successful players in the history of the Indian Premier League. Playing for the Royal Challengers Banglore, the duo has played some of the best knocks and has been involved in many great partnerships in the IPL. They are the only two players with two 200+ partnerships in the T20s.## It is not a secret anymore that Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers shared a great bond of friendship. They have often seen talking about how they enjoy batting with each other and enjoy each other's company. De Villiers also believes that Kohli would belong to the category of great batsmen because of how he raises his game when his team needs him to bail them out. ## Harsha Bhogle also asked him to pick his all-time IPL XI and not to forget to pick himself. De Villiers, while picking his team, named MS Dhoni to lead his all-time best IPL XI and the reason he gave for picking Dhoni as captain that Dhoni is one of the most successful skippers of all time in the white-ball format.## For openers, the star batsman picked Virendra Sehwag and Rohit Sharma while Virat Kohli will be at number 3 followed by himself at number 4. Among the bowlers, he picked Kagiso Rabada and Jasprit Bumrah along Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rashid Khan. ## Here is AB's complete team: Virendra Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, MS Dhoni (C & WC), Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Kagiso Rabada. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Shanthakumaran Sreesanth is eying on the Indian Premier League season 2021 as he will be available to play the professional career again after completing his 7-year ban in September 2020. The 37-year old Kerala speedster has already begun practicing with the Kerala U-23 and Ranji players. ## The pacer has turned to renowned NBA coach Tim Grover, who has worked with the legendary superstars like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant to resorting his guidance to remain mentally fit. He stated that his day begins with Grover's online mental conditioning classes before turning up for an extended indoor nets session in Ernakulam. ## "Grover was one of the biggest names in the NBA. I attend Grover's online sessions from 5.30 am to 8.30 am thrice a week. In the afternoon, I train from 1.30 pm to 6 pm at the indoor nets in Ernakulam with a lot of Kerala U-23 players and Ranji Trophy players like Sachin Baby," Sreesanth told PTI. ## "I am bowling three hours for six days a week. First two hours with the red ball and final hour with the white ball. So, I guess around 12 overs I am bowling every day to build stamina," he added. ## Sreesanth was one of the most promising pacers of India. It was only in 2013 when he was being charged for alleged involvement in spot-fixing during the 6th of IPL which led to his life ban by BCCI only to chopped down to seven years on the advice of the Supreme Court of India. ## During the time of his ban, he has always tried to prove that he was not involved in the fixing saga. Now, the Kerala pacer believes that he can prove people wrong who accused him of spot-fixing by returning in the IPL 2021. ## When he was asked about his chances of an IPL return, he said, "I will put my name for sure (at the auctions) if I am performing well, which I think I will. There are teams that will be interested and I have always told myself that I will again play IPL. That's where I was thrown out and I will make sure I am back on that platform, win matches".## "The only place through which I can give an answer (to the corruption charges) is through IPL even if I play for India. I want to face the fear and that's the only way to live life," he said. ## "Most of my fear was about what people would say when I play my next cricket match. I am sure all those people will realize what I went through and who are behind it. Everything will come out sooner or later. I will make sure that I have that much performance to get picked".## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Fielding used to be one of the most underrated things in world cricket. But ever since T20 cricket has introduced, the fielding standards have gone to a different level all-together. Nowadays, the fitness level of the players has no match and the fielders are capable of pulling the superman efforts in the fields. ## There is a phrase 'catches win matches' which is perhaps more relevant these days than ever before. Fielders are always on their toes and do not hesitate to make acrobatic efforts to convert half-chances into full. The Indian Premier League is being one of the best T20 tournaments in the world has only raised the standard of the fielding where we have seen some stupendous fielding and catching efforts over the years. ## Here, we are bringing you the top five fielders with the most number of catches in the history of the IPL. let's have a look (list does not include wicket-keepers) - ## 1. Suresh Raina (102 catches) - The key player for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, Suresh Raina is one of the best fielders India has ever produced and helmed amongst the best in the world. Perfectly suited for the shortest format, Raina is getting better with age. Leaving the spectators in owe with his stupendous skills in the field, he has taken some of the great catches for his franchise Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Lions over the years. With 102 catches in 193 matches, Raina has taken the highest number of catches and sitting comfortably at the number one position. Known as Mr. IPL for his all-round ability, the 33-year old is the second on the list of players with most runs in the IPL with 5368 runs.## 2. AB de Villiers (84 catches) - AB de Villiers over the years has proved that he is not only a great batsman but also a fielder who has changed the course of the game with his superhuman efforts in the fields. He is one of the few players whose fitness is next level. With 84 catches in 154 matches for Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore, the South African is at number 2 among the top fielders in the IPL. He is one player the current generation looks up to him as an idol. AB with his incredible fielding and catching has shown the world how important fielding is in cricket. ## 3. Rohit Sharma (83 catches) - Not termed as one of the best fielders in the world, but one can trust his safe pair of hands when he is on the field. A very elegant batsman and pleasing to watch, Rohit Sharma has shone many times that he too can grab catches out of nowhere. With 83 catches in 188 outings Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians, the Mumbai Indians' captain is in top three among the highest catch takers in the tournament history. Often termed 'lazy' while batting, Rohit is improving catching skills and getting better in the field with each passing day. Talking about his captaincy, he is the most successful captain in the IPL with 4 titles to his name for Mumbai Indians. He is also one of the most successful batsmen and is on number among the leading run-getters. ## 4. Kieron Pollard (82 catches) - A typical current West Indian player who believes in hitting the ball long at the same time remain on top when it comes to fielding. Kieron Pollard might have had off days with bat and ball but when he is on the field, he hardly had disappointed his team. From stopping the unstoppable to pulling off one-handed screamers at the boundary rope, Pollard has been one of the most impressive catchers in the history of the IPL. The 6 feet 4 inches tall has taken 82 catches in 148 matches for Mumbai Indians. With his power-hitting and part-time bowling skills with an incredible athleticism in the field, Pollard has been a vital player for Mumbai Indians over the years. It will be very hard to replicate some of his catches even for the best amongst the best. ## 5. Dwayne Bravo (74 catches) - One of MS Dhoni's trusted players in the IPL, Dwayne Bravo has never left a chance to entertain the fans with his smirky dance moves along with taking some of the breathtaking catches at the boundary line. Very much similar to Pollard, Bravo has made some of the most difficult catches look effortlessly easy. With 74 catches in 134 matches, the 36-year old Trinidadian is on the fifth place among the players with most catches in the IPL. A very effective batsman lower down the order and one of the leading wicket-takers in the T20 cricket, Bravo has been a valuable asset for every team he has played. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the finest off-spinners India has ever produced. His willingness to learn different things and look ahead of the game makes him a stand out performer. However, things were not the same at the beginning of his career. He had to work hard in the first-class cricket before he was picked by MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League in 2008 that changed his life forever. ## However, before becoming MS Dhoni's go-to man, the captain cool had a little idea about the then Ravichandran Ashwin who was looking to make his impact on the big stars like Matthew Hayden or Michael Hussey and the captain MS Dhoni himself. ## Talking to Harsha Bhogle in the episode of Cricbuzz in Conversation, Ashwin said, "The first thought that entered my head was that I will show these people who I am."## "I don't know if it's bullish or if its arrogance. People can talk and relate it to so many things but that's just the way I was. If I bowled to Hayden in the nets, I wanted him to play me and go back and think, how am I going to play this guy in the nets the next day. That's the impact I wanted to leave. Nobody was giving me a chance in hell to say ok Ashwin will play alongside Muralitharan or ahead of Muralitharan," he added. ## At the time when the great Muthiah Muralitharan was at his peak and was the first choice spinner of CSK, Ashwin used to thought that he could go ahead of Murli, such madness he had back then. ## "Murali is one of the greatest bowlers to have walked this planet. I thought I'll get there ahead of him one day, it was a madness of my head. Surely it was also a madness of the process I'd put myself through."## It might have seemed madness at that time, but Ravichandran Ashwin has somehow proved himself by becoming one of the leading wicket-takers in the world today, also equalling Muralitharan's feat of becoming the joint-fastest to take 350 wickets in just 66 Tests. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Legendary Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar said that the BCCI should consider holding the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 in Sri Lanka in September as he thinks that BCCI's plan of organizing the tournament in October looking far from reality after the Australia government has formally announced that 25 percent crowd can turn up for sporting events that have opened the door for the T20 World Cup that is scheduled to play in Australia in October. ## "After the announcement by the Australian government, there seems to be a possibility of conducting a World T20 in October. Maybe the teams will have to reach three weeks earlier, have seven days of practice games and also 14-day quarantine," Gavaskar told Sports Tak of Aaj Tak.## "If ICC believes that World T20 can happen, then having IPL looks difficult because it could only be held if World T20 is postponed but after the announcement (by Australia PM Scott Morrison), IPL in October looks difficult," he added.## While the T20 World Cup is looking more imminent than the IPL in October, Sunny G believes that holding IPL in Sri Lanka in September makes more sense as it can't be held in India around that time because of the monsoon.## "September you can't have IPL in India due to monsoon. But maybe in Sri Lanka from early September with teams playing each other once instead of a double header. Maybe you can think of that," Gavaskar said. ## The 70-year old also thinks that without the crowd, cricket will be a different experience as fans lift players' game. "Fans lift your game. The atmosphere is very different when they are present. Obviously players will lose out on that. Also, they will be wary of a team huddle, also may be a fist bump after a good shot".## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

An opening batsman and the limited-overs vice-captain, Rohit Sharma recalled the time when he got to share the dressing room with former Australian captain, Ricky Ponting, and heap praised the two-time world cup winning captain for his influence on the players as player and coach. In a live chat session on Instagram with spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit talked about the various things including his stint with Mumbai Indians.## "I feel Ponting is a guy from another planet. He knows how to bring out the best in someone. He has won two World Cups for Australia. So he knows how to win Championships," Rohit told Ashwin.## In IPL 2012, Sachin Tendulkar stepped down from MI's captaincy and Harbhajan Singh was made the captain before he too stepped down in 2013. That time, Rohit felt that he would be the next captain but then Ricky Ponting was bought in the auction.## "In 2013, we got Ricky Ponting in the auction. In 2012 Sachin paaji said that he would not lead Mumbai Indians and Bhajju paa (Harbhajan Singh) was made the skipper. But in 2013, I don't know why Bhajju paa wasn't the captain. And I thought I will be made the captain, but then Ponting was bought in the auction," said Rohit.## "Ponting was the first one to arrive in India for the 2013 season. He wanted to understand everyone. He said that he wanted to have a team bonding session first. In a way, it made a very positive impact on everyone. Ponting really motivated the younger guys," he added.## When Ponting was bought by Mumbai Indians in the auction, he was given captaincy instantly. However, he gave up captaincy after the first six matches in IPL 2013 as he couldn't perform well in those matches. That was the time when Rohit Sharma was handed over MI's leadership before MI won 4 IPL titles under his captaincy.## "But then he was not scoring runs, he decided to step down as the skipper, but eventually Ponting called me and I was given the captaincy. Ponting actually was player-cum-coach during the 2013 season. He was always there to help me," Rohit said.## Rohit Sharma also talked about how his life has changed since the arrival of his baby girl Samaira who he considers his lucky charm. The right-handed also revealed why he has given up on eating the famous street food of Mumbai. ## "I've been out a couple of times, gone to that famous place near Chowpatty. One of the best pav bhaajis you will get there. Now I've got a little one in the house, probably sleeping at that point so there is no chance of going and eating pav bhaajis after midnight," he said. ## Once Virat Kohli had said that Rohit Sharma is one of the laziest people in the team. Now, Rohit has confessed his love for sleeping and said he needs at least 9-10 hours of sleep. ## "It's true that I've never made it to the breakfast table in IPL history, also because of other reasons as it gets very late after matches. I need my 9-10 hours of sleep, that is a must. Since Samaira was born, I used to sleep with her. I somehow managed to sleep with her and wake up with her. Because once she's up your not going to get your sleep," Rohit said.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Star batsman and the vice-captain of limited-overs cricket, Rohit Sharma is hoping that India's tour of Australia later this year goes ahead as par plans. In a live chat session on Instagram with David Warner, Rohit Sharma expressed his desire to play against Australia in Australia. But the coronavirus pandemic has come as a big halt to cricket but Rohit is hoping that situation to get better later the year. ## Already stopped many cricket activities including IPL (as of now), the pandemic has also created a big doubt to the T20I world cup that is scheduled to take place in Australia in October-November, but there have been discussions underway between BCCI and Cricket Australia about finding options to make the tour a possibility. ## "Actually we were quite looking forward to this year's tour as well. I hope somehow both the boards - the Australian and the Indian board they somehow try and manage to do something and get this series underway. It'll be great for the teams as well, but also great for people to start cricket with. It'll be a great series for people to watch. It'll be a great way to kick off cricket in the world if that happens," Rohit said.## In conversation with David Warner, Rohit Sharma said how much he and team India love playing against Australia and what it meant to them when they beat Australia in Australia for the first time when India toured Australia last year. ## "I personally love playing against Australia. Whenever there's an opportunity to play against Australia, it's a different feeling. And last year when we won the series, which has never happened before in the history of Indian cricket, it was good for us as a team. I know you guys (Warner and Smith) were missing but still, what the bowlers did there, what the batters did there was a great boost," he said. ## Talking about IPL that has been postponed indefinitely, Rohit Sharma said that if the situation gets better, then IPL could be played at some stage but said that he is focussing on that Australia tour and hoping it really happens. ## "IPL is likely to happen at some stage as well, but I have no idea about what date or what month it would be. Once everything settles down a little bit there'll be a better idea for us to judge whether the IPL is likely to happen or not but I am really looking forward to that Australian tour. I hope it really happens... in January or February or whenever it is. I really hope that happens. We love coming to Australia, we love playing against you guys," he said. ## FYI, India is scheduled to play 4 Tests, and 3 ODIs series down under in December and January. However, recent strict travel restrictions due to coronavirus pandemic have created uncertainty over the Australia tour. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 21 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan says he has never given "Chak De! India" type of lessons to his Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team.## KKR co-owner SRK was referring to his role in the film of Kabir Khan, coach of an underdog Indian women's hockey team that goes on to win the World Cup under his guidance.## Kabir Khan's "70-minute" pep talk to his team in the film before the final match has gone onto become a contemporary pop classic moment in Bollywood.## However, as an owner of his IPL team, Shah Rukh essays a very different role.## "I was just hanging there, waving my arms from my balcony. So, when we won it, it was a vindication of belief because a lot of people started telling me to sell the team which I never would. And I don't say that out of evil, I said it out of belief and confidence," Shah Rukh said while recalling the moments when his team won the IPL.## "Actually, the first match we won, I was going to jump from my balcony, but I think my kids, I think it was my daughter who caught me. I could have flown that night, but I settled at home. I have been a sportsman all my life at a very small level, so I have never really given them some ‘Chak De! India's kind of lectures I have never done that," he added.## Shah Rukh opened up on Star Sports show "Cricket Connected". Gautam Gambhir, former captain of KKR, was also part of the episode.## Looking back at his memories about the team, Gambhir said: "He told me when I was at the auction that this is your make or break moment and he will not interfere. I just promised him one thing. I don't know when it's going to be, but by the time I leave, whether it's going to be after 3 years or 6, but by the time I leave this franchise, this franchise will be in a much better position. That's the promise I made to him."## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Here are the list of the Purple Cap winners in IPL SNBowlerMatchesWicketsBBIAvgEcon4w5wYear 1. Sohail Tanvir (RR) 11 22 6/14 12.09 6.46 1 1 2008 2. RP Singh (DC) 16 23 4/22 18.13 6.98 1 0 2009 3. Pragyan Ojha (DC) 16 21 3/26 20.42 7.29 0 0 2010 4. Lasith Malinga (MI) 16 28 5/13 13.39 5.95 0 1 2011 5. Morne Morkel (DD) 16 25 4/20 18.12 7.19 1 0 2012 6. Dwayne Bravo (CSK) 18 32 4/42 15.53 7.95 1 0 2013 7. Mohit Sharma (CSK) 16 23 4/14 19.65 8.39 1 0 2014 8. Dwayne Bravo (CSK) 17 26 3/22 16.38 8.14 0 0 2015 9. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar (SRH) 17 23 4/29 21.30 7.42 1 0 2016 10. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar (SRH) 14 26 5/19 14.19 7.05 0 1 2017 11. Andrew Tye (KXIP) 14 24 4/16 18.66 8.00 3 0 2018 12. Imran Tahir (CSK) 17 26 4/12 16.57 6.69 2 0 2019 13. Kagiso Rabada (DC) 17 30 4/24 18.26 8.34 2 0 2020 14. Harshal Patel (RCB) 15 32 5/27 14.34 8.14 1 1 2021 ## Orange Cap Winners In IPL ## Follow for more...

BY SACNILK

Here are the list of the Orange Cap winners in IPL SNBatsmanMatchesRunsH.S.10050Ave.SRYear 1. Shaun Marsh (KXIP) 11 616 115 1 5 68.44 139.68 2008 2. Matthew Hayden (CSK) 12 572 89 0 5 52.00 144.81 2009 3. Schin Tendulkar (MI) 15 618 89* 0 5 47.53 132.61 2010 4. Chris Gayle (RCB) 12 608 107 2 3 67.55 183.13 2011 5. Chris Gayle (RCB) 15 733 128* 1 7 61.08 160.74 2012 6. Michael Hussey (CSK) 17 733 95 0 6 52.35 129.50 2013 7. Robin Uthappa (KKR) 16 660 83* 0 5 44.00 137.78 2014 8. David Warner (SRH) 14 562 91 0 7 43.23 156.54 2015 9. Virat Kohli (RCB) 16 973 113 4 7 81.08 152.03 2016 10. David Warner (SRH) 14 641 126 1 4 58.27 141.81 2017 11. Kane Williamson (SRH) 17 735 84 0 8 52.50 142.44 2018 12. David Warner (SRH) 12 692 100* 1 8 69.20 143.86 2019 13. KL Rahul (KXIP) 14 670 132* 1 5 55.83 129.34 2020 14. Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK) 16 635 101* 1 4 45.35 136.26 2021 ## Purple Cap Winners In IPL ## Follow for more...

BY SACNILK

In T20 cricket, outstanding performances are often quickly forgotten because of the frenetic rate at which they come. It is one of the criticisms of this format but what about those performances which the scenario of seeing this game. It can be the quickest format but some of the batting performances are hard to forget.## Well, there can be nothing better stage than the Indian Premier League to remember such brilliant knocks. On 28 April 2019, Hardik Pandya played one of the memorable knocks (91 off 34 balls) but unfortunately, he missed out his maiden T20 century by just 9 runs. He missed but his knock will be remembered as one of the finest knocks in IPL history. Here we will take the list of top five fastest centuries of IPL history.## 1. Chris Gayle (30 balls, RCB vs PWI, 2013)## When you are talking about T20 cricket and not talk about the universe boss, it's unfair. On 23 April 2013, Chris Gayle scored the fastest century in any form of professional cricket. It also remains the highest score of this format. His knock actually broke many records, Most sixes in a T20 inning (17), the highest score by a team (263) and so on; the records kept tumbling during Gayle's knock, and his team ended up winning by a massive margin. Chris Gayle went on to score 175 off just 66 balls.## 2. Yusuf Pathan (37 balls, RR vs MI, 2010)## Yusuf Pathan holds the record of the fastest century in IPL by an Indian player. After his knock, Shane Warne (RR captain then) described it one of the best knocks in his 21-years of career. Pathan's 100 off 37 balls in Mumbai in 2010 was a remarkable achievement considering his team were floundering in a chase of 213. Pathan hit eight sixes and nine fours and nearly pulled off what would have been a stunning victory.## 3. David Miller (38 balls, KXIP vs RCB, 2013)## Another batsman who considers as a T20 specialist. David Miller pulled off something remarkable against Royals Challengers Bangalore. When he came to the crease, Kings XI Punjab was needed 140 in 12.2 overs but his destructive knock of 101 off 38 balls actually finished the game with two overs to spare.## 4. Adam Gilchrist (42 balls, DC vs MI, 2008)## To chased down 154 against Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, Adam Gilchrist needed just 12 overs to breeze past the home side. He hit 10 sixes and 9 fours in his knock of 109 off 47 balls which is the 4th fastest century in the history of the Indian Premier League.## 5. AB de Villiers (43 balls, RCB vs GL, 2016)## There are a few batsmen who look as exciting as AB de Villiers when in full flow. His ability to play the shots all-around the park makes the most dangerous batsman in T20 cricket. In 2016, against the Gujrat Lions, AB de Villiers smashed 129 off 52-balls. He paired with Virat Kohli, probably the best two best limited-overs batsmen in the world at the time. The duo struck record 229-runs partnership in RCB's mammoth total of 248. AB hit 12 sixes and 10 fours in his electrifying knock.## Follow for more...