BY SACNILK

After the initial setback, the three-times champions Chennai Super Kings is back on track with a dominating 10-wickets win over Kings XI Punjab on Sunday. It is only the second win for CSK in 5 matches which came after chasing down a big total of 179 without putting much effort. ## Shane Watson, who had not been able to show anything special with the bat before this match, scored an unbeaten 83-run knock on 53 balls while regaining his old form. However, it was Faf du Plessis, who has been a stand out performer for CSK so far in this year's IPL, played an unbeaten knock of 87 runs off 53 balls and added 181 runs with Watson for the first wicket which is highest ever partnership for CSK in the history of the Indian Premier League. ## Du Plessis, however, has credited skipper MS Dhoni and head coach, Stephen Fleming for showing faith in the players and sticking with the same team despite some of the players were not performing well. Plessis called it a CSK way that doesn't make quick changes even after losing a few games. ## "I thought in the previous game we were good with the ball, but we didn't bat well", du Plessis said during the post-match presentation. "Today Watto was a big plus for us. A lot of guys haven't played cricket, so you hope that you strike form immediately. But when that doesn't happen, it does take a bit of time. Hopefully, our guys find their best form over the next 3-4 games".## "Credit to MS Dhoni and Stephen Fleming for sticking with the side. It is a Chennai way to stick with the players more than other teams might even when others feel like making changes. It comes with experience and credit to the management for sticking with the players". ## On the other hand, MS Dhoni said that they did the small things right while following the "process" which has been his mantra throughout his career. Dhoni also stressed out at the role of Fleming who, he thinks, doesn't get the kind of recognition he deserves. ## "The good thing between us (him and Fleming) is that we decide each and everything between us. It's not like we don't have debates over selections. But it stays between us", said Dhoni. ## Meanwhile, CSK moved up to number 6 in the points table with 4 points. The team will next face Kolkata Knight Riders on October 7 in Abu Dhabi. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Kolkata Knight Riders had almost pulled off a record-breaking chase against Delhi Capitals on Saturday (October 3) at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah. However, it remained almost as the two times champions KKR fell short of 18 runs in a chase of 228. ## At one stage, KKR looked completely out of the match as they reduced to 6 wickets for just 122 runs. However, Eoin Morgan (44 off 18) and Rahul Tripathi (36 off 16) had some other plans whose late show brought hopes back to KKR camp, and it seemed that the franchise might chase down 229 to create an IPL record. ## However, it didn't happen, a stunning penultimate over from Anrich Nortje followed by a cracker of a final over by Marcus Stoinis changed things and eventually won the game for Delhi Capitals to take the team on top of the points table. ## After the match, India's world cup winning team member, S Sreesanth said that Eoin Morgan, who led England to maiden ODI World Cup win last year, should lead Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, instead of Dinesh Karthik who has failed to impress with both the bat and leadership so far in this year's IPL.## Sreesanth explained that having a World Cup-winning captain as the leader of the team will certainly help the franchise who can lead the team like MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli from the front. ## "Genuinely feel @Eoin16 should lead the side,(surly not*dk kolaimandaaaiiiOctopus) World Cup-winning captain should surly lead ipl side. I hope #kkr looks at this issue.nd win ✌🏻they need a leader who will lead from front like Rohit ,Dhoni or Virat..what a player", Sreesanth wrote on Twitter.## Genuinely feel @Eoin16 should lead the side,(surly not*dk kolaimandaaaiii🐙 )World Cup winning captain should surly lead ipl side.I hope #kkr looks at this issue.nd win ✌🏻they need a leader who will lead from front like Rohit ,Dhoni or Virat..what a player #ipl #kkr #cricket— Sreesanth (@sreesanth36) October 3, 2020 ## However, Eoin Morgan justified the decision of the team management to send him to lower down the order as he feels that it is difficult to bat up the order with so many match-winners in the side. "When you look at our batting line-up, we have a number of match-winners, so it's very difficult to go up the order, particularly when you have a world-class all-rounder in Andre Russell. He is an incredible striker, and when he comes up the order, obviously everybody else has to shift down a little bit", said Morgan. ## In the four matches so far, KKR has an equal share of win and lose and currently is in fifth place on the points table with 4 points. The team will next take on Chennai Super Kings in their next game on Wednesday, October 7. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

The Royal Challengers Bangalore's skipper Virat Kohli has heaped praise on the 20-year old Devdutt Padikkal who has been one of the stand-out players of the Indian Premier League 2020 so far. Padikkal, who has been consistent with his performance so far, is the leading scorer for RCB after the first 4 matches with 174 runs. ## Against Rajasthan Royals, Padikkal played a classy knock of 63 off 45 balls in a chase of 155, which helped RCB to register an easy win of 8 wickets. Though Virat himself was the top scorer of the inning with an unbeaten 72 off 53 balls, it was Padikkal's knock that caught his attention and he couldn't stop himself to praise the young talented batsman. ## "I saw him play and told Simon (Katich) that this guy has got some serious talent because he's got reach, a great eye, a great balance. It's very difficult for the bowlers to continue bowling the same lines and lengths against a leftie. The way he bats... very clean shots. You don't feel like he is taking risks", Virat said during the post-match presentation ceremony. ## The leading run-getter of the IPL history, Virat said that Padikkal is a smart guy who understands the game really well and hoped that he will continue to bat longer which going to beneficial for the team. ## "I just kept talking to him about building an inning. If he can bat longer for the team, it's gonna benefit us. Today he carried from 40 to 65 odd which helped the team eventually. He's a smart guy, he understands the game well and he responds to the feedback very well. The more he keeps learning, the better it is for RCB", Virat added. ## Playing as an opener, Padikkal so far has scored 56, 1, 54, and 63 and played a key role for RCB that is currently is in at number 2 on the points table with 6 points. ## While it has been an almost unprecedented start to IPL 2020 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Virat Kohli himself has back in form after the failure in the first 3 games with the bat. A smiling Kohli later said that he had told Jos Buttler, the Royals wicketkeeper, during his innings that he both loved and hated the game, because of the contrasting fortunes it made you experience as a player.## "It's a funny game you know. It's an amazing game. I was telling Jos when I was batting in there, I love this game and I hate it too", Virat said at the post-match presentation to Ian Bishop when asked about his form. "It's something that you need to understand as a player. When you play so much of cricket, you do feel like at times you're not in control of what you want to do".## "But more than that, you feel disappointed when the team's not doing well. But when the team's doing well, you feel like 'Okay I've got some more space to figure out how I want to go about applying my kind of batting for the benefit of the team".## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

While the cricket fans were still in owe of Rahul Tewtia's coming from behind knock from last night, for the second consecutive day, the IPL witnessed a nail-biting contest as Mumbai Indians staged an impressive comeback with the bat to force a Super Over against Royal Challengers Bangalore only to lose it.## Here's how Twitter reacted to the madness - ## The best gift of 2020, the Indian Premier League.#RCBvMI— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 28, 2020 ## Well played to both teams.Unbelievable Cricket! #RCBvMI #IPL2020— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) September 28, 2020 ## Cmon india .. don’t go any where it’s IPL....fasten ur seat belts .. just WOW..@bcci @IPL— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) September 28, 2020 ## How can you not like cricket ?— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) September 28, 2020 ## This years @IPL has been incredible ... Still without question the market leader for all T20 tournaments ... So many games go down to the wire ... !!! @cricbuzz— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) September 28, 2020 ## Wow, how much is enough! What is safe! Ishan Kishan! Little fellow, huge power. Pollard! Go up the order!— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 28, 2020 ## Two great super overs. We thought we had seen it all yesterday. And now this. Just the best tournament in world cricket. #Dream11IPL— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 28, 2020 ## Well at least I’m on my couch 😂 #IPL2020— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) September 28, 2020 ## Jeepers gentlemen!!! You guys are playing some serious cricket in the UAE.. 👀👌🏻 #IPL2020— Morne Morkel (@mornemorkel65) September 28, 2020 ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

A hard-hitting all-rounder from Haryana, Rahul Tweatia's coming from behind knock scripts one of the most dramatic of chases in the history of the Indian Premier League at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium against Kings XI Punjab. ## Scoring just 8 off the first 19 balls in a chase of 224, Tewatia had started feeling the heat before things took a dramatic turnaround for him and off his next 12 deliveries, he hit seven sixes and scored 45 runs and helped Rajasthan Royals to complete the highest-successful run chase in IPL history. ## Twitter lauded the southpaw's remarkable turnaround.## What an amazing game of cricket. So many things to talk about. Firstly - what courage and heart shown from Tewatia, especially after his poor start with the bat, well done young man-awesome ! My man @IamSanjuSamson once again-pure class ! Great win @rajasthanroyals wow wow wow !— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) September 27, 2020 ## What an incredible game of cricket.....Rahul Tewatia, you’ve shown all of us that miracles do happen. Five sixes in an over against an International fast-bowler. Especially after the struggle. A Fairy tale. #RRvKXIP— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 27, 2020 ## Tewatia morphed into MSD 🔥🤣🙌🏼— Sam Billings (@sambillings) September 27, 2020 ## The Tewatia story will stay forever. What an insane turn around. I love human triumph. Sport is such a great teacher, we can write someone off but we can’t erase them! Wow. So happy with what we got to see. Incredible lesson for life.— Danish Sait (@DanishSait) September 27, 2020 ## That was an unbelievable finish! One thing this game taught me was that we can never give up however bad the situation is in life! Tewatia started like a no 11 batsman but ended like a no.1 champ, unbelievable batting by @IamSanjuSamson and Tewatia! #IPL2020 #RRvKXIP— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) September 27, 2020 ## Tewatia mein Mata aa gayi.What a redemption. Such is cricket and such is life, changes within minutes.— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 27, 2020 ## Tewatia's innings is just another evidence how unpredictable is 2020. #IPL2020 #Tewatia— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) September 27, 2020 ## Outstanding come back from #tewatia wasn’t easy for him bad choice of lengths certainly helped him #welldone #IPLinUAE— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 27, 2020 ## Such is life!! It turns in a span of 2 minutes. #Tewatia— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) September 27, 2020 ## Mr @rahultewatia02 na bhai na 😅 thanks for missing one ball ! What a game congratulations to rr for a spectacular win !!! #RRvKXIP @mayankcricket great knock @IamSanjuSamson brilliant !— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) September 27, 2020 ## Tewatia doing a Dhoni. Except that the game is still alive. #RRvKXIP #IPL2020— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) September 27, 2020 ## Games like this could be such a powerful tone setter.. What a phenomenal effort by @rajasthanroyals tonight ... And this is without Contributions from Butler and Ben Stokes is yet to arrive.. #IPL2020— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) September 27, 2020 ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Former India opener and legendary Sunil Gavaskar, clarifying his comments on Virat Kohli's performance in the Indian Premier League clash against Kings XI Punjab, said he had never blamed Anushka Sharma nor made a sexist remark on her.## The incident took place on Friday during the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab where Sunny G was reacting on a viral video in which Virat and Anushka are seen playing cricket during the lockdown period.## Sunny Gavaskar said after watching the video that because of the lockdown, Virat only got to the practice of Anushka bowling that he didn't get a chance to do proper practice in lockdown. He was discussing the video with his co-commentator, Akash Chopra. ## Anushka, however, reacted on his remark and wrote on an Instagram story, "That, Mr. Gavaskar, your message is distasteful is a fact but I would love for you to explain why you thought of making such a sweeping statement on a wife accusing her of her husband's game? I'm sure over the years you have respected the private lives of every cricketer while commentating on the game. ## Now, the legendary cricketer has clarified that he didn't blame and disrespect her. Speaking to India Today, Gavaskar was quoted as saying, "Firstly, I would like to say it again. Where am I blaming her? I am not blaming her. I am only saying that the video said that she was bowling to Virat. Virat has played only that bowling during the lockdown period. It's a tennis ball, a fun game that people have to pass time during the lockdown. That's all. Where am I blaming her for Virat's failures?"## He further stated that he has always supported that wives going with husbands on tour. "You know me, I am the one who has always batted for wives going with husbands on tour. I am the one that a normal guy going to the office for a 9-5 job, when he comes back home, he comes back to his wife. Similarly, cricketers, when they go out for a tour or even when they are playing at home, why can't they have their wives with them?"## "Because after their working hours are over, they have to get back to their wives like every other common man does. So I am not blaming her", he further said.## The match, however, didn't go well for Virat and his team against KXIP. The India skipper first dropped KL Rahul twice, who went on to score a century, in the KXIP innings and he only scored one with the bat before he was removed by Sheldon Cottrell. RCB went on to lose their second match of IPL 2020 by 97 runs.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

The Dream 11 Indian Premier League was kicked start on September 19 as Chennai Super Kings took on Mumbai Indians. The MS Dhoni-led CSK emereged as victorious as three times champions defeated defending champions by 5 wickets in a thrilling finish. ## Since the IPL 2020 is being played without crowd due to the covid-19 pandemic, it was expected that that crowds will watch the tournament on television and broadcasters were also assuming the highest rating of IPL this season. ## And now, the viewership result of the opening match between CSK and MI is probably higher than what broadcasters were hoping for.## As per the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) report, an unprecedented 200 million people tuned in to watch the tournament opener which is the highest ever opening day viewership for any sporting league in any country. ## The BCCI Secretary Jay Shah took to his official Twitter handle and shared the viewership record which includes the viewership both on Star Sports India and Disney+Hostart VIP. ## Total viewership on @StarSportsIndia and @DisneyPlusHS.@starindia @ThakurArunS @BCCI— Jay Shah (@JayShah) September 22, 2020 ## The IPL is one of the most watched sports tournaments in the world while it is most watched cricket league in the world. So the viewership results aren't surprising at all with no crowd is allowed to watch the matches in the grounds. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

On the second day on the row of Dream 11 IPL 2020, the match went to the wire with Delhi Capitals defeated Kings XI Punjab in a super over. For Delhi Capitals, Marcus Stoinis showed his brilliance with both bat and ball and awarded man of the match. He scored a quickfire 53 off 21 balls and took 2 wickets to take the game into the super over. ## However, former team India opener, Virendra Sehwag has questioned the match result while criticizing the umpire's decision in the short run. Actually, Mayank Agarwal took 2 runs off the third ball of the 18th over. One of them was called short by the umpire. Only one run was added to this ball, however, the replay showed that it was a complete run. ## Taking to Twitter, Sehwag wrote, "I don’t agree with the man of the match choice. The umpire who gave this short run should have been man of the match. Short Run nahin tha. And that was the difference. #DCvKXIP".## I don’t agree with the man of the match choice . The umpire who gave this short run should have been man of the match. Short Run nahin tha. And that was the difference. #DCvKXIP pic.twitter.com/7u7KKJXCLb— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 20, 2020 ## Due to that short run, KXIP's team could score 157 runs in response to 157 runs. If the second run was not declared short, then the Punjab team would have scored 158 runs. Then there is no need to go to the Super over for the match result and the Punjab team would have been the winner.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

After a long hurdle, the 13th season of the much-awaited Dream 11 Indian Premier League was kicked-off yesterday with Chennai Super Kings took on Mumbai Indians at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.## Despite being played in completely different circumstances, the tournament opener was nothing sort of a thriller just like the previous CSK vs MI matches as the 3-times champions Chennai defeated the defending champions Mumbai Indians by 5-wickets with just 4 balls to spare. ## However, one of the moments of the day came just before the start of the play when the Chennai skipper brought out his humorous one-liner against the Match Referee Manu Nayyar. The skipper also applauded his team members for keeping themselves fit during the quarantine period in the UAE. ## "Wanted to know if we can have a slip (considering the social distancing norms under the current circumstances)", Dhoni said at the Toss. "Have the liberty during lockdown to spend time on yourself to keep fit. Have to applaud every member of the squad. The first six days in quarantine is very difficult. Felt each individual used that time well and nobody was disappointed or frustrated", he added. ## Another moment came during the match which proved to be a turning point. Sam Curran, who was picked ahead of Dwayne Bravo for the match and played a match-turning cameo of 18 runs off 6 balls which proved as crucial as Ambati Rayudu and Faf du Plessis's fifties in CSK's win. ## However, it was surprised move by MS Dhoni to send Curran ahead of him, as described by Curran after the match. "To be honest, I was very surprised when Jadeja got out for me to go ahead of MS Dhoni. It was a big shock to me but he (Dhoni) is a genius and thought something (about sending me before himself). The plan was obviously to go out there, have a go at them if it comes off", Curran said after the match. ## ICYMI, it was MS Dhoni's first match after the semi-final of the World Cup, 2019 against New Zealand which was on the 9th of July 2019. He had also announced his retirement from international cricket recently. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

The three-times champions Chennai Super Kings opened the account after defeating 4-times and defending champions Mumbai Indians in the opening match of Dream11 IPL 2020 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.## Here is the current team standings RankTeamMatchesWonLostTiedN/RPointsNet RRLast 5 Results (Q) Mumbai Indians 14 9 5 0 0 18 +1.107 L.W.W.L.W (Q) Delhi Capitals 14 8 6 0 0 16 -0.109 W.L.L.L.L (Q) Sunrisers Hyderabad 14 7 7 0 0 14 +0.608 W.W.W.L.W (Q) Royal Challengers Bangalore 14 7 7 0 0 14 -0.172 L.L.L.L.W 5. Kolkata Knight Riders 14 7 7 0 0 14 -0.214 W.L.L.W.L 6. Kings XI Punjab 14 6 8 0 0 12 -0.162 L.L.W.W.W 7. Chennai Super Kings 14 6 8 0 0 12 -0.455 W.W.W.L.L 8. Rajasthan Royals 14 6 8 0 0 12 -0.569 L.W.W.L.W ## Dream XI IPL 2020: Check Out The Complete And Team Wise Schedule Of The Tournament## Last updated after the 56th match## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

These are the trying times for the entire humanity that is battling the covid-19 pandemic. However, every difficult time or crisis gives birth to new heroes, and no doubt, the idea of Heroes in the field has got redefined in the past six months as regular people have transformed themselves into selfless frontline warriors who are winning the battle of humanity in these unpreceded times. ## To acknowledge the efforts and honour the sacrifices made by these real heroes, Royal Challengers Bangalore has come up with a unique idea to pay tribute to the covid heroes. The three-times finalist, RCB team will be wearing a tribute jersey with the message "My Covid Heroes" both during training and matches for the entire tournament through #MyCovidHeroes initiatives. ## To make this initiative special, RCB players would be sharing some of the inspirational stories on the team's Social Media Handles throughout the season in a bid to inspire millions of RCB fans around the world. ## "In the past few months, whenever I heard the stories of the Covid Heroes it has given me literal goosebumps. These real challenges have made the country proud and inspired all of us to be more persistent and dedicated to our efforts to build a better tomorrow", said RCB skipper Virat Kohli during the tribute Jersey launch on Thursday.## "I am truly proud to wear RCB's "My Covid Heroes" jersey as a sign of solidarity and gratitude to everyone who is right now going the extra mile to support the community at large. They have batted day and night and fought on the field, and I am honored to call them my heroes", Kohli added. ## During the Jersey launch, RCB players including Virat Kohli, Parthiv Patel, and Devdutt Paddikal interacted with some of the covid heroes including Simranjeet Singh, Hetika Shah, and Zeeshan Javid who have worked tirelessly and have created a strong positive impact in these testing times.## Apart from this, The team has also started an online fundraiser on Milaap, a crowdfunding website with a goal to raise Rs. 7.5 lakh and provide 150 families with milk on a daily basis. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

The 13th season of the Indian Premier League is just about the corner to kick-off with Chennai Super Kings will be taking on the defending champions, Mumbai Indians in the tournament opener tomorrow (September 19) at 7:30 PM in Abu Dhabi. ## However, this year, there will be a lot of things different as compared to the previous seasons of the IPL all because of the ongoing covid-19 pandemic. This year, there will be no crowd to cheer the players in the ground as all be watching the tournament from their homes on the TV screens. ## The different circumstances are going to be challenging for the players. However, despite IPL 2020 set to be played behind closed doors in the UAE, the Royal Challengers Bangalore captain, Virat Kohli foresaw no drop in his playing intensity. ## "The intensity and passion won't drop even if there are no crowds," Kohli said at a media session to launch Royal Challengers covid warriors campaign. "Yes, empty stadiums will give us a strange feeling, and I won't deny it'll not be different when we walk out. But the feeling has changed a little after many training sessions and practice matches".## Virat Kohli admitted that the crowds are an amazing part of the game but this time, they will be playing for bigger reasons to bring back smiles on the faces who have suffered due to the pandemic.## Dream XI IPL 2020: Check Out The Complete And Team Wise Schedule Of The Tournament## "You understand why you started playing - because you love the game. This is a chance for us to play with that feeling with the entire country watching. As long as we're playing for the right reasons, all external factors become irrelevant.## "Yes, crowds are an amazing part of the game but this time, that's not what we're playing for. This time we're playing for a bigger reason. To bring smiles back on people's faces, those who've faced tough times due to the pandemic", Kohli said. ## Royal Challengers Bangalore will begin their campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on September 21 in Dubai. RCB is one of the only three teams playing the IPL 2020 that are yet to win an IPL title despite reaching into the final on three occasions. The other two teams who haven't won the title yet are Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Capitals. ## Stay tuned...