Indian Premier League (2021) Tournament Discussion

[Smbhayi]

IPL 2021 Following Kohli's Disagreement; BCCI Do Away With Soft Signal by Umpires on DRS Calls

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has made a big decision regarding the controversial on-field umpires giving soft signals when referring to a decision to the third umpire. The big change comes into consideration after Team India captain Virat Kohli claims it creates confusion.

According to the updated rules, “Soft Signal: Onfield Umpire giving Soft Signal while referring the decision to the 3rd Umpire will not be applicable.”

It is going to give full authority to the third-umpire to take the call with the technological advancements sans keeping in mind the umpire’s call.

“There have been cases wherein the soft signal has kind of created confusion rather than giving clarity to the third umpire and that is why it was felt that going back to the old method of referring decisions to the third umpire if the on-field umpires are not sure should be followed,” a source told ANI.

In the fourth T20I, Team India suffered at a couple of decisions due to the soft-signals from the third umpire. After the game skipper Kohli expressed his displeasure over the controversial calls.

“If it hits the stumps or missing the stumps, it should not matter how much the ball is clipping because it is creating a lot of confusion. One more factor that needs to be considered is how the fielding team responds to a dismissal that is claimed,” Kohli said.

“This is somewhere defining the soft signals as well. You have to question what the spirit of the game is and what those guidelines are because if things like that happen with the Indian cricket team overseas then you are talking about the completely different conversation about the spirit of the game.”

https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/...s-calls-975606

Great news.. Should've get rid of umpires calls too..

[Ab Fan]

Was going to support DC this time but if Rahane is in XI, then not interested tbh.

[OMB]

IPL 2021: Punjab Kings Unveil New Jersey, Golden Helmets New Addition For IPL 14

One big change to this Indian Premier League is – there is no Kings XI Punjab – as the Punjab-based franchise has been renamed Punjab Kings. The Punjab Kings is one team that would be looking for a change of fortunes as they are one of the few franchises that are yet to win the IPL crown. On Tuesday, the Punjab Kings unveiled their new jersey – days ahead of the start of the fourteenth season in India.



There is not a lot of change in design – they will continue to sport the red colour and stripes of gold on the sides – while the crest of a lion will have been placed below the two primary sponsors names.

The big change – like Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the past – would wear golden helmets.

The Punjab-based franchise would look to make the playoffs after missing out last year.

The Punjab Kings – who was one of the biggest buyers at the auction – have picked a couple of interesting picks in Shahrukh Khan and Jalaj Saxena. Both the Indian players have been domestic stars and could make all the difference.

Retained players: KL Rahul, Arshdeep Singh, Chris Gayle, Darshan Nalkande, Harpreet Brar, Mandeep Singh, Mayank Agarwal, Mohd. Shami, M Ashwin, Nicholas Pooran, Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda, Ishan Porel, Ravi Bishnoi, Chris Jordan, Prabhsimran Singh.

Players bought at Auction: Jhye Richardson (Rs 14 crore), Shahrukh Khan (Rs 5.25 crore), Dawid Malan (Rs 1.5 crore), Riley Meredith (Rs 8 crore), Moises Henriques (Rs 4.20 crore), Jalaj Saxena (Rs 30 lakhs), Utkarsh Singh (Rs 20 lakhs), Fabian Allen (Rs 75 lakh), Saurabh Kumar (Rs 20 lakh).

They would start their campaign against Rajasthan Royals on April 12.

[AMSS]

Dumb name, dumb kits.

[OldWarHorse]

Yet another team adds Gold to its jersey.

[JattMaula]

Yet another team adds Gold to its jersey.

Ugliest color on clothing is popular amongst IPL franchises. It looks even worse under lights.

[Ab Fan]

Delhi Capitals announces Rishabh Pant as their captain for IPL 2021. Shreyas Iyer ruled out of the tournament due to shoulder injury.

[Hasan123]

Delhi Capitals announces Rishabh Pant as their captain for IPL 2021. Shreyas Iyer ruled out of the tournament due to shoulder injury.

Which team do you support?

[rhony]

Iyer is very unlucky. He has been in great touch. This IPL would have cemented his T20 and ODI positions in Indian team. Now it's all up in the air. Pant has already cemented his place. Now it could be between Rahul and Iyer. Good IPL from Rahul would seal.his place.

[Ab Fan]

Which team do you support?

None..Just enjoy watching good cricket. Had an eye on DC for this year but not too sure with Rahane in the side

[rhony]

IPL 2021: Punjab Kings Unveil New Jersey, Golden Helmets New Addition For IPL 14

One big change to this Indian Premier League is – there is no Kings XI Punjab – as the Punjab-based franchise has been renamed Punjab Kings. The Punjab Kings is one team that would be looking for a change of fortunes as they are one of the few franchises that are yet to win the IPL crown. On Tuesday, the Punjab Kings unveiled their new jersey – days ahead of the start of the fourteenth season in India.



There is not a lot of change in design – they will continue to sport the red colour and stripes of gold on the sides – while the crest of a lion will have been placed below the two primary sponsors names.

The big change – like Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the past – would wear golden helmets.

The Punjab-based franchise would look to make the playoffs after missing out last year.

The Punjab Kings – who was one of the biggest buyers at the auction – have picked a couple of interesting picks in Shahrukh Khan and Jalaj Saxena. Both the Indian players have been domestic stars and could make all the difference.

Retained players: KL Rahul, Arshdeep Singh, Chris Gayle, Darshan Nalkande, Harpreet Brar, Mandeep Singh, Mayank Agarwal, Mohd. Shami, M Ashwin, Nicholas Pooran, Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda, Ishan Porel, Ravi Bishnoi, Chris Jordan, Prabhsimran Singh.

Players bought at Auction: Jhye Richardson (Rs 14 crore), Shahrukh Khan (Rs 5.25 crore), Dawid Malan (Rs 1.5 crore), Riley Meredith (Rs 8 crore), Moises Henriques (Rs 4.20 crore), Jalaj Saxena (Rs 30 lakhs), Utkarsh Singh (Rs 20 lakhs), Fabian Allen (Rs 75 lakh), Saurabh Kumar (Rs 20 lakh).

They would start their campaign against Rajasthan Royals on April 12.

Riley, Jhye, Malan, Jordan and Pooran. Punjab team chose well.

[Hasan123]

None..Just enjoy watching good cricket. Had an eye on DC for this year but not too sure with Rahane in the side

Expecting a good tournament after the 2020 version.

[JattMaula]

Riley, Jhye, Malan, Jordan and Pooran. Punjab team chose well.

Apart from Pooran all others are not elite t20 players. Riley and Jhye are good but IPL is in India and both are rookies. Malan is a good bat but not a gamechanger. Jordan can bowl yorkers sometimes but has habit of suffering really bad days.

[rhony]

Apart from Pooran all others are not elite t20 players. Riley and Jhye are good but IPL is in India and both are rookies. Malan is a good bat but not a gamechanger. Jordan can bowl yorkers sometimes but has habit of suffering really bad days.

The Indian contingent after opening partnership doesn't seem strong in Punjab. Malan can help there. Jhye can swing the ball and Riley has pace. They are good T20 players. Will be an exciting team to watch

[JattMaula]

The Indian contingent after opening partnership doesn't seem strong in Punjab. Malan can help there. Jhye can swing the ball and Riley has pace. They are good T20 players. Will be an exciting team to watch

Of cource they all are good t20 players. Other teams just have better ones.


Rahul needs to set himself free, both as batsman and and a leader if Punjab are to have any say in this IPL.

[rhony]

Of cource they all are good t20 players. Other teams just have better ones.


Rahul needs to set himself free, both as batsman and and a leader if Punjab are to have any say in this IPL.

It's always the sum of parts. Last year Punjab's bowling was atrocious. They seem to have atleast plugged it for now

[CrIc_Mystique]

As far as I am concerned with the IPL-my 5c take

-Hopefully the indian team regulars like VK, Ash, Ishant, Jazzboom, Hitman, Pant, Washi, Jinks, don't get injured, fatigued, burnt out - come the big prize - the WTC finals. And then on, the Eng tour.

- Hopefully, the injured like Shami, Jads get good game time under their belts to prepare them for the WTC finals and the Eng tour.

Any Idea if Jads is back?

Hopefully, the BCCI pulls out these guys before the IPL is over to send them to Eng to acclimatize, something u can be sure NZ is going to do, whilst our guys are busy in the IPL. Iam sure this wont happen.
The other big take id want is a LH preferably opener, someone like Devdutt Padikkal or Jaiswal - a young guy to partner Shubhi gill.
I frankly donot see Hitman lasting out as an opener for the duration of WTC finals and Eng tour. IF this happens in IPL will be a welcome bonus far fetched as it sounds, to go scouting for a test LH opener in a T20 tourney, having said that - IPL is what has made Thakur, Washi, Nattu, siraj etc....lets see

[OMB]

IPL 2021: "Have Nothing To Prove To Anyone," Says KKR's New Recruit Harbhajan Singh Ahead Of IPL 2021


Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh is least bothered by the people questioning his willingness to carry on playing cricket at the age of 40.

Harbhajan Singh was bought by KKR for his base price of Rs 2 crore.

Harbhajan Singh is still playing because he "wants to" and he "will", asserts the veteran off-spinner, as combative at 40 as he was in his heydays and least bothered by the people questioning his willingness to carry on. One of India's greatest spinners is back in IPL this year with the Kolkata Knight Riders after skipping the last season for CSK in the UAE and wants to now "enjoy every moment of whatever cricket is left" in him.

"Lot of people think 'Bhai yeh kyun khel raha hain?' Arrey bhai yeh unki soch hai, meri naahi. Meri soch hai ki main abhi khel sakta hoon, toh main khelunga (People think 'why is he playing' but that's your opinion. From where I see myself, I want to play and I will play)," Harbhajan told PTI in an interview.

https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2021/hav...mpression=true

[Hasan123]

@Ab Fan,Jason Roy has replaced Mitchell Marsh in the SRH squad.

Not sure SRH need another top order player. Don't understand this move. Thought they would want another all rounder if Marsh needed to be replaced.

[MenInG]

With a week to go for the start of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League, Wankhede Stadium, which is one of the IPL venues, could miss out on hosting matches. As per a report in the Hindu, eight groundsmen at the Wankhede have tested positive for the coronavirus and that has created panic among the officials.

Wankhede is set to host 8-9 IPL matches this season, but with the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the state, it is likely that BCCI may have to move IPL 2021 out of Mumbai.

There is no official confirmation on this. 19 groundsmen working at the iconic Wankhede went through RT-PCR tests (Covid tests) last week. Three of them tested positive on March 26, while five more tests conducted on April 1 returned positive results.

With Mumbai and Wankhede being one of the most popular cricketing venues in the country, this could come as a major setback for fans.

IPL 2021 is set to get underway on April 9 when reigning champions Mumbai Indians lock horns with Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai.

https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/...ovid-19-976244

[OldWarHorse]

I have no idea how they are going to pull it off. Things are looking worse right now.

[MenInG]

Delhi Capitals all-rounder Axar Patel has tested positive for COVID-19. He had checked into the team hotel in Mumbai on Mar 28, 2021, with a negative report. His report from the second COVID test, came positive

[avihash]

IPL will go ahead and be a success just like all previous editions. It is no psl, people tend to forget that fact. The entire economy of cricket is dependent on ipl and come what may it will be made out to be a success by the powers that may be.

[King_Kohli]

I have no idea how they are going to pull it off. Things are looking worse right now.

Nothing will happen.

[Thanos]

Read in some local newspaper that players and everyone in bubble will be GPS tagged. Any breach in bubble can be traced and person will have to serve 7 days quarantine if breach happens at any time. This GPS thing was done in last season as well in UAE.

Plus BCCI has put 4 corona officers each team compared to 1 officer in last season, to make sure no one breaks the rules. Hotel staff, drivers etc also serving quarantine and can't leave the bubble for duration of tournament.

It's really a herculean task to pull it off this time. Let's see.

[OMB]

Read in some local newspaper that players and everyone in bubble will be GPS tagged. Any breach in bubble can be traced and person will have to serve 7 days quarantine if breach happens at any time. This GPS thing was done in last season as well in UAE.

Plus BCCI has put 4 corona officers each team compared to 1 officer in last season, to make sure no one breaks the rules. Hotel staff, drivers etc also serving quarantine and can't leave the bubble for duration of tournament.

It's really a herculean task to pull it off this time. Let's see.

What worries me is that Covid-19 is very difficult to control. What happened in PSL can happen to IPL very easily. In spite of Bubble and those 4 corona officers per team.

The Bubble is no iron clad guarantee, its just a SOP with a set of rules. Takes only 1 person to spoil the party.
and I hope those 4 corona officers themselves don't relax the rules for players in return for an autograph.

[Thanos]

What worries me is that Covid-19 is very difficult to control. What happened in PSL can happen to IPL very easily. In spite of Bubble and those 4 corona officers per team.

The Bubble is no iron clad guarantee, its just a SOP with a set of rules. Takes only 1 person to spoil the party.
and I hope those 4 corona officers themselves don't relax the rules for players in return for an autograph.

Agree. A breach, few cases in teams and all foreign players will panic and try to leave. On top of that franchises will try to shoot some ads with players for their business. Though BCCI is very professional, organized and it has an example of PSL postponement due to carelessness, still it won't be easy.

Moreover the IPL window is almost 2 months. If BCCI pulls it off in next two month, my respect for BCCI management will grow in multiple folds.

[Last Monetarist]

https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/...ositive-976325

The Board of Control for Cricket in India – BCCI – is adamant about holding the 10 Indian Premier League games in Mumbai between April 10-25 despite an enormous spike in COVID-19 cases in the city, saying creating a bio-bubble at an alternative venue would not be feasible at a short notice. Delhi Capitals’ Axar Patel, 10 members of the ground staff at Wankhede stadium and six event managers, deployed by the BCCI, have added to the growing list of positive cases in the IPL, starting April 9.

Hyderabad and Indore have been kept as stand-by venues for the IPL in case the COVID situation spirals out of control but as of now, the BCCI is confident about holding the games in Mumbai.

“Yes, Hyderabad is one of the stand-by venues but for all practical purposes, we are still not thinking about shifting games from Mumbai. It will be difficult to create another bio-bubble at such short notice,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on Saturday.

The organizers are worried about the growing number cases at the Wankhede stadium. The number was 8 till Friday evening but now it’s 10.

If that wasn’t enough, around six members of the event management team have also tested positive for COVID-19 and have been sent to isolation.

“Yes, it was 8 positive cases yesterday as far as ground-staff are concerned. Today two more positive cases have emerged and all 10 have been sent back home and are isolated.

“We are bringing fresh ground-staff from the Mumbai CA ground in Kandivali for preparations. Also 6 to 7 event management staff hired by BCCI have also tested positive,” a senior Mumbai Cricket Association official told PTI.

In the afternoon, Delhi Capitals issued a statement that their spin all-rounder Axar Patel has been shifted to a COVID isolation facility after testing positive.

“Delhi Capitals all-rounder Axar Patel has tested positive for COVID-19. He had checked into the team hotel in Mumbai on March 28, 2021, with a negative report. His report from the second COVID test came positive,” the DC statement said.

“He is currently in isolation at a designated medical care facility. The Delhi Capitals medical team is in constant touch with Axar and ensuring his safety and well-being.”

With addition of 47,000 cases on Friday, Maharashtra is looking at a potential situation of a mini-lockdown as indicated by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

“…I am giving an indication for a complete lockdown, but not announcing it formally. If things do not improve visibly in a couple of days and if no other solution is found, we will have to announce another lockdown like it is being done globally,” Maharashtra CM had tweeted late on Friday.

When a senior BCCI office-bearer was asked about the situation, he admitted that BCCI is indeed concerned but are hopeful of pulling off matches.

“Look, even if there is a lockdown, the teams are in bio-bubble and also it’s a closed-door event. So we are still confident that IPL games in Mumbai will be held as per schedule with Delhi Capitals playing Chennai Super Kings on April 10 on the second day of the tournament.

“But Hyderabad and Indore are there on standby in case the situation goes out of hand. But if there is a lockdown, it is, even more, easier to hold the games as the crowd factor even around the venue and other paces is taken care of,” the office-bearer told PTI.

As of now, none of the teams currently in Mumbai — Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings — have access to Wankhede.

“Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings for example are taking turns to train at the Brabourne Stadium and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) ground. KKR is training in Navi Mumbai at the DY Patil before they leave for Chennai,” the official informed.

It is expected that BCCI’s medical unit will enhance the testing rate due to the surge of cases in the state.

Meanwhile, a positive case has also emerged from Chennai Super Kings’ media content team. The member isn’t a part of the bio-bubble. The team’s training schedule remains unaffected.

[BreadPakoda]

What worries me is that Covid-19 is very difficult to control. What happened in PSL can happen to IPL very easily. In spite of Bubble and those 4 corona officers per team.

The Bubble is no iron clad guarantee, its just a SOP with a set of rules. Takes only 1 person to spoil the party.
and I hope those 4 corona officers themselves don't relax the rules for players in return for an autograph.

Agree. Stupid decision to hold the IPL in India.

[MenInG]

Devdutt Padikkal is the latest IPL player to have contracted the novel coronavirus. As per a report in TOI, the RCB player tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. The RCB opener has been isolated from the rest of the squad and is in quarantine. The positive test now makes him doubtful for the IPL opener against reigning champions Mumbai Indians. Also Read - Amitabh Bachchan Hilariously Pokes Fun at Virat Kohli-Anushka Sharma

Padikkal was one of the biggest stars of the season. He was in fine form at the top of the order for RCB and was one of the biggest factors of RCB making the playoffs. Also Read - Delhi Capitals All-Rounder Axar Patel Set to Miss IPL 2021 Match Against MS Dhoni-Led CSK on April 10

His unavailability would come as a major setback for RCB. The side is in Chennai where they are training for the first match. Also Read - IPL 2021: BCCI Keen on Hosting Scheduled IPL Matches in Mumbai Despite Surge in COVID-19 Cases; Axar Patel, 10 Ground Staff Members Test Positive

Padikkal is the third IPL cricketer to test positive. Kolkata Knight Riders Nitish Rana was the first, while Delhi Capitals’ Axar Patel is the other. Rana has recovered and joined the squad after two negative tests. DC’s Patel could miss the first game of the Capitals.

With the second wave prevalent in the country, it would be interesting if BCCI can host games in Mumbai or not. Maharashtra has seen the biggest spike in the number of COVID-19 cases. Eight Wankhede groundsmen also tested positive.

https://www.india.com/sports/devdutt...-2021-4556153/

[CanadianG00se]

I have a serious doubt about IPL taking place in India after seeing so many cases being registered. BCCI should relocate IPL to UAE or postponed it until it is safe to hold it. BCCI should learn from PSL’s mistake and make necessary changes if needed. Safety should be priority

I also have my doubts on WT20 taking place later in the year with 16 teams of 30 member squad.

[MenInG]

IPL 2021: BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly said there are no changes in the schedule, even as 19 individuals including Devdutt Padikkal and Axar Patel have tested positive for COVID-19.

==

BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly has made it clear that the Mumbai leg of the Indian Premier League will go ahead as per schedule despite the Maharashtra government imposing heavy restrictions till April 30. - AFP

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief Sourav Ganguly has made it clear that the Mumbai leg of the Indian Premier League will go ahead as per schedule despite the Maharashtra government imposing heavy restrictions till April 30.

"There will be no change (in the schedule)," Ganguly told Sportstar on Sunday.

According to the new guidelines issues by the Maharashtra state government, religious places, gymnasiums, amusement parks, indoor sports complexes, parks, playgrounds, beaches, salons and beauty parlours will remain closed to avoid crowding during the day.

However, the BCCI indicated that the matches will not be shifted out of Mumbai as the players will be in a strict bio-bubble. So far, 19 individuals - which includes Devdutt Padikkal and Axar Patel - have tested positive for COVID-19, but that is not a matter of concern for the organisers.

So far, four teams - Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings - are training in Mumbai and all the nets sessions have been held at the Brabourne Stadium, Bandra Kurla Complex and even at the DY Patil Stadium.

“There is nothing to worry about for the teams as so far none of the teams have access to the Wankhede facilities. We will take all the initiatives to ensure that things are safe and fine,” the Board official, who is monitoring the proceedings in Mumbai, said.

On Sunday, Hyderabad Cricket Association chief Mohammad Azharuddin offered to host a few IPL matches in Hyderabad with the cases rising in Mumbai. However, the BCCI is confident that a back-up won't be needed.

The franchises, too, told this publication that they are hopeful that the tournament will be held in Mumbai. "We have not been informed anything about the change in venue. As franchises, we are taking all the measures and are following all the protocols. Hope the Mumbai leg goes ahead as per schedule. Last moment changes would lead to logistical issues," a franchise boss said.

The Mumbai-leg is set to begin on April 10 with Chennai Super Kings taking on Delhi Capitals.

https://sportstar.thehindu.com/crick...le34239468.ece

[MenInG]

The Board of Control for Cricket in India continues to look the dreaded COVID-19 virus in the eye. Even as Maharashtra accounts for more than half of the 100,000 positive cases recorded on Sunday, BCCI still wants IPL 2021 matches to go ahead at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.

The first match in Mumbai is scheduled on April 10 between former champions Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals. IPL 2021 opens in Chennai on April 9 with a match between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

As per well-placed sources, 14 members of the Four Seasons Hotel in Mumbai, a five-star facility, have allegedly tested positive for coronavirus. All 14 are part of the bubble that contains the personnel that will produce the live 'world' feed of the IPL.

Four Seasons Mumbai is housing the main production staff of the IPL. These include cameramen, producers, directors, EVS operators (people who provide slow and ultra-motion replays and instant graphics) and video editors.

The world feed is the main feed of a tournament. It goes across the world and partners associated with host broadcasters, STAR Sports.

STAR Sports is producing IPL 2021 on behalf of BCCI. They are also the host broadcasters. If any production personnel tests positive, it could impact the rest of the crew in the bubble, which is being managed by BCCI.

STAR Sports is managing a separate bio-bubble at the JW Marriot. That hotel houses another set of crew consisting manly of persons involved with vernacular and customised feeds. They have nothing to do with the world feed, directly.

STAR Sports CEO Sanjog Gupta said, "Please check with the BCCI...we don't manage the Four Seasons bubble," when asked if there was any cause for concern. BCCI's acting CEO Hemang Amin did not reply to Outlook's query.

Meanwhile, IPL 2021 matches will go ahead as planned, according to Maharashtra cabinet minister Nawab Malik on Monday. Between April 10-25, the Wankhede Stadium will host 10 matches and no fans will be allowed.

On Sunday, Mumbai registered a record single-day rise of 11,206 cases. With less than a week remaining for the IPL to start, COVID has left several stakeholders in an uncomfortable position, but the BCCI seems unmoved.

https://www.outlookindia.com/website...i-hotel/379324

[Last Monetarist]

https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/...m-replacements

In the lead-up to IPL 2021, many players have withdrawn from the tournament due to various reasons like injury or bubble fatigue.

In such cases, franchises are allowed to sign replacements having the same base price as the original players in their roster. But securing replacements has been a challenge for all teams in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nevertheless, let's take a look at the complete list of players for each of the eight teams who will not take part in the upcoming T20 tournament.

#1 IPL Team: Chennai Super Kings

Players Withdrawn: Josh Hazlewood
Replacement: Not yet secured.
Players who'll miss the opening game: Lungi Ngidi.

Josh Hazlewood withdrew from IPL 2021, citing bubble fatigue, considering that he has been part of bio-bubbles for over ten months.

CSK haven't signed a replacement for Hazlewood yet, with some of the franchise's potential targets declining to join over COVID-19 concerns.

Meanwhile, Lungi Ngidi will also miss the first game of the IPL 2021 season, as he'll serve his mandatory 7-day quarantine. The Proteas pacer joined the CSK squad after the second ODI of the Pakistan series on Sunday.

CSK will kick off their IPL 2021 campaign against the Delhi Capitals on Saturday, April 10th, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

#2 IPL Team: Delhi Capitals

Players Injured: Shreyas Iyer
Replacement: None.
Players who'll miss the opening game: Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Axar Patel (COVID-19).

Shreyas Iyer is likely to miss the entirety of IPL 2021 after sustaining a shoulder injury while fielding in the ODI series against England. The in-form Rishabh Pant has been appointed the Delhi Capitals (DC) captain for the season.

Meanwhile, DC's premier overseas pace duo of Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada will miss the opening few games after arriving from the ongoing South Africa-Pakistan ODI series. Axar Patel will also miss the first few games after testing positive for COVID-19; he will have to complete a 10-day quarantine.

While Shreyas Iyer's absence will be sorely missed, DC seem to have the squad depth to more than cover for him. DC open their IPL 2021 campaign against CSK on April 10th at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

#3 IPL Team: Kolkata Knight Riders

Players Injured: Rinku Singh
Replacement: Gurkeerat Mann Singh.

KKR have an almost fully fit squad for IPL 2021. Rinku Singh has been ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury, so KKR signed Gurkeerat Singh Mann to replace him.

Gurkeerat Singh featured for RCB in IPL 2020, scoring 71 runs in five innings without being dismissed once. He's solid with the bat and can contribute some overs of off-spin with the ball.

Meanwhile, KKR captain Eoin Morgan was an injury scare before the start of the IPL season. He has, however, said that he would be fully fit for KKR's season opener against SRH on April 11th at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

#4 IPL Team: Mumbai Indians

Players who'll miss the opening game: Quinton De Kock.

The Mumbai Indians also boast a relatively fit squad ahead of their IPL 2021 campaign. They will, however, miss the services of star opener and wicketkeeper Quinton De Kock for the opening game of the season.

The South African left-hander will have to undergo quarantine after arriving from national duty in the ongoing series against Pakistan.

MI open their IPL 2021 campaign against RCB on April 9th in Chennai.

#5 IPL Team: Punjab Kings

Injuries/ Players missing the opening game: None.

The newly christened Punjab Kings (PBKS) seem to have a fully fit squad ahead of their opening game of the IPL 2021 season. The KL Rahul-led side was the busiest in the mini-auction earlier this year, managing to pick up some exciting pace bowlers and all-rounders ahead of the new season.

They have had no injuries or player withdrawals and will look to reach the playoffs after narrowly missing out last season.

PBKS open their IPL 2021 campaign against RR at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday, April 12th.

#6 Rajasthan Royals

Players Injured: Jofra Archer
Replacement: None
Players who'll miss the opening game: David Miller.

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) were dealt a severe blow when Jofra Archer was ruled out of at least the first half of IPL 2021, as the player had to undergo elbow surgery. He could join the team later in the season, and that's why the Royals haven't looked for a replacement yet.

RR have a more than capable pacer in Chris Morris to lead the side's fast-bowling attack. However, it remains to be seen how they'll fare without Archer, who has been the team's talisman over the last few IPL seasons.

Meanwhile, David Miller, who was on fire for South Africa in the two ODIs against Pakistan, will miss RR's first game of the IPL 2021 season due to quarantine restrictions.

RR kick off their IPL 2021 campaign against PBKS on April 12th at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

#7 IPL Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore

Players who'll miss the opening game: Adam Zampa and Devdutt Padikkal (COVID-19).

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will miss the services of Devdutt Padikkal for the first few games of the IPL 2021 season.

Padikkal tested positive for COVID-19 in March, and he'll join the team only after he completes his quarantine. His absence could be huge for RCB, as he was their highest run-getter last season. It'll be interesting to see who'll open the batting with captain Virat Kohli at the start of the IPL season.

Meanwhile, Adam Zampa will also miss the opening game of the IPL season due to personal reasons.

RCB will open their IPL 2021 campaign against MI on April 9th at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

#8 Sunrisers Hyderabad

Players Withdrawn: Mitchell Marsh
Replacement: Jason Roy.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) were one of the first franchises to see a player withdraw from IPL 2021.

All-rounder Mitchell Marsh withdrew from IPL 2021 owing to his inability to spend long periods inside bio-secure bubbles. SRH signed England opener Jason Roy as his replacement for the season, signing him for his base price of Rs 2 crore.

It is an interesting choice, as Marsh was a middle-order batsman, and Roy isn't a like-for-like replacement. Nevertheless, it'll be interesting to see how the SRH XI will look like this season.

SRH kick off their IPL 2021 campaign with a clash against KKR on April 11th at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

[rhony]

Covid could derail IPL. That's least of the concerns though. It's worrying that cases are on rise worldwide. Hope the vaccines are already given to the vulnerable.

[Indiafan]

Shreyas Iyer will receive his entire 7 crore IPL salary from BCCI because of missing IPL

http://www.zeenews.india.com/cricket...n-2352937.html

As per the scheme, if a centrally-contracted Indian player gets injured while representing the country and misses the IPL partially or fully, he will be eligible for compensation. Hence, Iyer is eligible to receive his entire salary of ₹7 crores since he was on national duty when he injured his shoulder.

Its a good scheme by BCCI where players won't hesitate to give their all in international matches. Basically if you miss IPL matches because of injuries sustained while on national duty, BCCI will compensate for the money in matches you missed, including entire season money if applicable

[MenInG]

With days to go for the Indian Premier League, the Cricket Association of Pondicherry (CAP) has offered Pondicherry as an IPL venue on Monday as an alternative to COVID-19-hit Mumbai. P. Damodaran, a former secretary of CAP, who also takes most of the calls has written to BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and Secretary Jay Shah and made the proposal.

Damodaran’s letter read: “Please consider Pondicherry also as one the alternative venues for the IPL in case of an emergency. We have great facilities and the wickets are ready too. We have nice hotels and a good airport. ”

“If the IPL teams stay in the Mahabalipuram Beach Resorts, it would be a one-hour distance each between that place and the Chepauk in Chennai, CAP Stadium in Pondicherry,” Damodaran told TOI.

==

Mumbai: Two more members of the ground-staff and a plumber at the Wankhede Stadium have tested positive for COVID-19, a day after the facility was cleared to host its share of 10 IPL matches. The stadium is due to host its first IPL game of the season on April 10, following the lung-opener in Chennai between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 9.

“Three at the stadium have tested positive, two are groundsmen,” a Mumbai Cricket Association source told PTI. Earlier last Saturday, 10 ground-staff members of the stadium had tested positive, but most of them have since recovered.

On Monday, the Maharashtra government cleared the decks for the event in Mumbai despite the weekend lockdown provisions and night curfew in the city. The government allowed teams to practice and travel from their respective hotels to the stadium after 8pm, when the night curfew would be on to curb the pandemic.

On Tuesday, Maharashtra reported over 47,000 COVID-19 cases of which Mumbai accounted for more than 9000.

[OMB]

IPL 2021: Full schedule, venues, dates, timings- All you need to know about Indian Premier League 2021

The first match will be played between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 9 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) is almost upon us. The season will kick off with defending champions Mumbai Indians taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 9 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The IPL 2021 auction took place on February 18. The full IPL 2021 schedule was announced on March 7. The stakeholders have already entered their respective team bio-secure bubbles. It's now for the games to begin.

The matches will take place at six venues in India - Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, New Delhi, and Kolkata. The final of the tournament will be played at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium Ahmedabad on May 30th.


Here is the full schedule of the Indian Premier League 2021 season:

April 9th, 2021, Friday, 07:30 PM: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai

April 10th, 2021, Saturday, 07:30 PM: Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals in Mumbai

April 11th, Sunday, 2021, 07:30 PM: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Chennai

April 12th, Monday, 07:30 PM: Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings in Mumbai

April 13th, Tuesday, 07:30 PM: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians in Chennai

April 14th, 2021, Wednesday, 07:30 PM: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai

April 15th, 2021, Thursday, 07:30 PM: Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals in Mumbai

April 16th, 2021, Friday, 07:30 PM: Punjab Kings vs Chennai Super Kings in Mumbai

April 17th, 2021, Saturday, 07:30 PM: Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai

April 18th, 2021, Sunday, 03:30 PM: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Mumbai

April 18th, 2021, Sunday, 07:30 PM: Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings in Mumbai

April 19th, 2021, Monday, 07:30 PM: Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals in Mumbai

April 20th, 2021, Tuesday, 07:30 PM: Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians in Chennai

April 21st, 2021, Wednesday, 03:30 PM: Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai

April 21st, 2021, Wednesday, 07:30 PM: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings in Mumbai

April 22nd, 2021, Thursday, 07:30 PM: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rajasthan Royals in Mumbai

April 23rd, 2021, Friday, 07:30 PM: Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians in Chennai

April 24th, 2021, Saturday, 07:30 PM: Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Mumbai

April 25th, 2021, Sunday, 03:30 PM: Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in Mumbai

April 25th, 2021, Sunday, 07:30 PM: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Capitals in Mumbai

April 26th, 2021, Monday, 07:30 PM: Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Ahmedabad

April 27th, 2021, Tuesday, 07:30 PM: Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in Ahmedabad

April 28th, 2021 Wednesday, 07:30 PM Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Delhi

April 29th, 2021, Thursday, 03:30 PM: Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals in Delhi

April 29th, 2021, Thursday, 07:30 PM: Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Ahmedabad

April 30th, 2021, Friday, 07:30 PM: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in Ahmedabad

May 1st, 2021, Saturday, 07:30 PM: Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings in Delhi

May 2nd, 2021, Sunday, 03:30 PM: Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Delhi

May 2nd, 2021, Sunday, 07:30 PM: Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals in Ahmedabad

May 3rd, 2021, Monday, 07:30 PM: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in Ahmedabad

May 4th, 2021, Tuesday, 07:30 PM: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians in Delhi

May 5th, 2021, Wednesday, 07:30 PM: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings in Delhi

May 6th, 2021, Thursday, 07:30 PM: Royal Challengers vs Bangalore Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad

May 7th, 2021, Friday, 07:30 PM: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings in Delhi

May 8th, 2021, Saturday, 03:30 PM: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals in Ahmedabad

May 8th, 2021, Saturday, 07:30 PM: Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians in Delhi

May 9th, 2021, Sunday, 03:30 PM: Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings in Bangalore

May 9th, 2021, Sunday, 07:30 PM: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Kolkata

May 10th, 2021, Monday, 07:30 PM: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Bangalore

May 11th, 2021, Tuesday, 07:30 PM: Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals in Kolkata

May 12th, 2021, Wednesday, 07:30 PM: Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Bangalore

May 13th, 2021, Thursday, 03:30 PM: Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings in Bangalore

May 13th, 2021, Thursday, 07:30 PM: Sunriers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals in Kolkata

May 14th, 2021, Friday, 07:30 PM: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Capitals in Kolkata

May 15th, 2021, Saturday, 07:30 Pm Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings in Bangalore

May 16th, 2021, Sunday, 03:30 PM: Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in Kolkata

May 16th, 2021, Sunday, 07:30 PM: Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians in Bangalore

May 17th, 2021, Monday, 07:30 PM: Delhi Capitals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Kolkata

May 18th, 2021, Tuesday, 7:30 PM: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals in Bangalore

May 19th, 2021, Wednesday, 07:30 PM: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings in Bangalore

May 20, 2021, Thursday, 07:30 PM: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians in Kolkata

May 21st, 2021, Friday, 03:30 PM: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bangalore

May 21st, 2021, Friday, 07:30 PM: Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings in Kolkata

May 22nd, 2021, Saturday, 07:30 PM: Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals in Bangalore

May 23rd, 2021, Sunday, 03:30 PM: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals in Kolkata

May 23rd, 2021, Sunday, 07:30 PM: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings in Kolkata

May 25th, 2021, Tuesday, 07:30 PM: Qualifier 1 in Ahmedabad

May 26th, 2021, Wednesday, 07:30 PM: Eliminator in Ahmedabad

May 28th, 2021, Friday, 07:30 PM Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad

May 30th, Sunday, 07:30 PM: Final in Ahmedabad

https://www.hindustantimes.com/crick...613942745.html

[OMB]

IPL 2021: 2 ground-staff members among 3 more COVID-19 positive cases at Wankhede

The Wankede stadium is due to host its first IPL game of the season on April 10, following the lung-opener in Chennai between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 9.

Two more members of the ground-staff and a plumber at the Wankhede Stadium have tested positive for COVID-19, a day after the facility was cleared to host its share of 10 Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. The stadium is due to host its first IPL game of the season on April 10, following the lung-opener in Chennai between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 9.

“Three at the stadium have tested positive, two are groundsmen,” a Mumbai Cricket Association source informed news agency PTI.

Earlier last Saturday, 10 ground-staff members of the stadium had tested positive, but most of them have since recovered. On Monday, the Maharashtra government cleared the decks for the event in Mumbai despite the weekend lockdown provisions and night curfew in the city.

The government allowed teams to practice and travel from their respective hotels to the stadium after 8pm, when the night curfew would be on to curb the pandemic. On Tuesday, Maharashtra reported over 47,000 COVID-19 cases of which Mumbai accounted for more than 9,000.

Earlier, the Maharashtra government on Monday (April 5) cleared the decks for the Indian Premier League (IPL) to take place in the COVID-19-ravaged Mumbai, allowing teams to practice after 8pm and travel to their respective hotels during the night curfew that has been imposed to contain the pandemic. Due to the massive surge of COVID-19 cases in Mumbai and Maharashtra, the state government on Sunday (April 4) announced ‘Break the Chain’, under which section 144 and night-curfew from 8pm to 7am on weekdays has been imposed on entire Maharashtra, including Mumbai.

The guidelines are to be implemented from Monday evening. However, the state government has allowed the IPL teams to practice beyond 8pm, provided there is ‘strict adherence to bio-bubble’. The IPL 2021 starts in Chennai on April 9.

https://zeenews.india.com/cricket/ip...e-2353127.html

[CanadianG00se]

IPL should move to UAE. In India new variant of COVID is spreading rampant even among younger people. I just don’t see how they can host matches in Mumbai with cases rising every day. IPL will most likely have same fate as PSL.

[MenInG]

Former India wicketkeeper and Mumbai Indians' talent scout Kiran More has tested positive for COVID-19, the IPL franchise said on Tuesday. (More Cricket News)

The 58-year-old More is also the wicket-keeping consultant of the five-time IPL champions.

"Mr. More is currently asymptomatic and has been isolated. Mumbai Indians and Kiran More have followed all the BCCI health guidelines," MI stated in a media release.

"The MI medical team will continue to monitor Mr. More's health and abide by the BCCI protocols."

Among the players and support staff, Delhi Capitals' all-rounder Axar Patel has tested positive and is in isolation.

Royal Challengers Bangalore opener Devdutt Padikkal is currently in home quarantine, having tested positive for COVID-19 before joining the camp in Bengaluru.

There has been surge in COVID-19 cases in the country with Mumbai and state of Maharashtra

https://www.outlookindia.com/website...ovid-19/379446

[OldWarHorse]

Sams now tested positive in his second test, post testing negative after arrival.

Time to postpone and move it, shouldnt wait for s##t to hit the fan when the cases start coming in as the matches get going.

[sam_ahm]

Plenty of people testing positive before the IPL but IPL is not under any threat, during PSL when I and some others said that this is expected and is the new normal, many people thought it is criminal to say that and that heaven's are falling down if someone has tested positive for covid

In fact, despite massive number of cases in Mumbai and Maharashtra, BCCI is not even moving the games out of the city.

[OMB]

Look what Russell's done for KKR but Maxwell's been very disappointing': Gambhir on RCB's ₹14.25 Cr buy for IPL

Comparing Glenn Maxwell with another big-ticket all-rounder in the IPL, Andre Russell, who has been a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) since 2014, Gautam Gambhir said the Australian big-hitter has been very disappointing throughout the IPL.


“The most unfortunate thing is that despite getting that platform, he has not succeeded, apart from that one season in 2014 where he set the IPL on fire. Had he done that, I think none of the franchises would have released him. Look at what Andre Russell has done for KKR and the amount of time he's spent at one franchise,”

"Had Maxwell done really well in the IPL, he wouldn't have played for so many franchises, to be honest," Gambhir said. "He's played for so many franchises because he's not been consistent at all. We can't keep talking about 'he hasn't had the freedom' for the previous franchises he's played for… when he played for Delhi, he had a lot of freedom. Most of these franchises and coaches - because they think he's an X-factor - they want to try and provide him with the best platform where he can succeed.”

"The only reason why a franchise releases you is because you haven't performed. The more franchises you play for, it just shows you haven't really been able to get settled in any of the franchises. Hopefully, he delivers this time around because every year, he keeps getting more and more money just because he does really well for Australia. So hopefully from RCB's point of view, he can do really well. He's probably got freedom more than any other player in the IPL. I feel he has been very disappointing throughout the IPL, but hopefully, this time around he can turn it," Gambhir said.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/crick...768617456.html

[King_Kohli]

No doubt and that's why we've got you on our team now �� @usainbolt @pumacricket https://t.co/1k3ZkTozR5

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) April 7, 2021

[MenInG]

New Delhi: The latest edition of Indian Premier League is just around the corner with all eight franchises fine-tuning their preparations as they launch their campaigns to lift the silverware. The season starts from April 9 and will run across Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Kolkata and Ahmedabad with some of the biggest names from the world of cricket in action. Five-time winners and defending champion Mumbai Indians kickstart will lock horns with Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first match of the season at Chepauk in Chennai on Friday.

Ahead of the season, we take a look at the major records created during the 13 years of IPL that started in 2008 when in a fairy-tale finish, Rajasthan Royals defeated Chennai Super Kings in the final becoming the inaugural champions.


IPL Batting Records

The Top-Five Highest Run Getters

#Virat Kohli (RCB) 5878

#Suresh Raina (CSK) 5368

#David Warner (SRH) 5254

#Rohit Sharma (MI) 5230

#Shikhar Dhawan (DC) 5197

Most Number of Centuries

#Chris Gayle (Punjab Kings) 6

#Virat Kohli (RCB) 5

#David Warner (SRH) 4

#Shane Watson (CSK) 4

#AB de Villiers (RCB) 3

Most Number of Half-Centuries

#David Warner (SRH) 48

#Shikhar Dhawan (DC) 41

#Rohit Sharma (MI) 39

#Virat Kohli (RCB) 39

#Suresh Raina (CSK) 38

Most Sixes (Individual)

#Chris Gayle (Punjab Kings) 349

#AB de Villiers (RCB) 235

#MS Dhoni (CSK) 216

#Rohit Sharma (MI) 213

#Virat Kohli (RCB) 201

Most Number of Fours

#Sikhar Dhawan (DC) 591

#David Warner (SRH) 510

#Virat Kohli (RCB) 503

#Suresh Raina (CSK) 493

#Gautam Gambhir (KKR) 491

Best Strike Rate

#Andre Russell (KKR) 182.33

#Nicholas Pooran (Punjab Kings) 165.39

#Sunil Narine (KKR) 164.27

#Hardik Pandya (MI) 159.26

#Moeen Ali (CSK) 158.46

Highest Individual Scores

#Chris Gayle (Punjab Kings) 175 (66 balls) for RCB vs Pune Warriors India

#Brendon McMullum (KKR) 158 (73 balls) vs RCB

#AB de Villiers (RCB) 133 (59 balls) vs MI

#KL Rahul (Punjab Kings) 132 (69 balls) vs RCB

#AB de Villiers (RCB) 129 (52 balls) vs *Gujarat Lions

============

IPL All-Time Bowling Records

Highest Wicket-Takers

#Lasith Malinga (MI) 170

#Amit Mishra (DC) 160

#Piyush Chawla (MI) 156

#Dwayne Bravo (CSK) 153

#Harbhajan Singh (KKR) 150

Best Bowling Figures in a Match

#Alzarri Joseph (MI) 6/12 vs SRH

#Sohail Tanvir (RR) 6/14 vs CSK

#Adam Zampa (RPS) 6/19 vs SRH

#Anil Kumble (RCB) 5/5 vs RR

#Ishant Sharma (*DC) 5/12 vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala

Best Economy Rates

#Rashid Khan (SRH) 6.24

#Anil Kumble (RCB) 6.57

#Glenn McGrath (DD*/DC) 6.61

#Muttiah Muralitharan (CSK) 6.67

#Roloef van der Merwe (RCB) 6.74

Best Bowling Average

#Kagiso Rabada (DC) 18.09

#Doug Bollinger (CSK) 18.72

#Dimitri Masceranhas (*KXIP) 18.73

#Farveez Maharoof (DD*) 19.25

#Lasith Malinga (MI) 19.80

Most Number of Dots

#Harbhajan Singh (CSK) 1249

#Ravichandran Ashwin (DC) 1170

#Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH) 1164

#Lasith Malinga (MI) 1155

#Piyush Chawla (MI) 1148

[TheNightWatchman]

Can they do a virtual crowd?

[OMB]

Having No Home Advantage Is A Positive, Feels RCB Captain Virat Kohli

Since each team is playing on a neutral venue, Virat Kohli feels having no home advantage is one of the positives a side can take prior to the start of the Indian Premier League. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) face Mumbai Indians (MI) in the season opener on April 9.

The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was played without crowds due to the coronavirus pandemic but the cash-rich managed to break viewership records as 20 crore people tuned in to watch the tournament opener. Moreover, the opening week of last year's IPL saw the league being watched by 269 million viewers -- a rise of 11 million viewers per match as compared to 2019 -- and a 15 per cent hike in advertising volume as compared to the 12th edition.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli expects a similar craze this time too for the megaevent. The 14th edition of the IPL will get underway from Friday as RCB begin their campaign against defending champions Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai


Virat Kohli was speaking during the season opener's pre-match conferenceRCB face MI in the season opener on April 9RCB reached the playoffs last season
The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was played without crowds due to the coronavirus pandemic but the cash-rich managed to break viewership records as 20 crore people tuned in to watch the tournament opener. Moreover, the opening week of last year's IPL saw the league being watched by 269 million viewers -- a rise of 11 million viewers per match as compared to 2019 -- and a 15 per cent hike in advertising volume as compared to the 12th edition.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli expects a similar craze this time too for the megaevent. The 14th edition of the IPL will get underway from Friday as RCB begin their campaign against defending champions Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Since each team is playing on a neutral venue, Kohli feels having no home advantage is one of the positives a side can take prior to the start of the IPL.

"There is nothing like playing in M Chinnaswamy Stadium in front of your home crowd and I understand that obviously fans will miss watching us play but the good thing is that we are back in India and one more positive is there is no home advantage," said Kohli in a virtual press conference on eve of the IPL 2020.

"Every team is playing in neutral venues and the strength of your squad really comes to the fort. Precisely why last IPL was so competitive, until about the last three-four games, everyone was in reckoning to qualify," he further said.

"Which I think was great for the tournament, the viewership went through the roof which I expect to be the case this time around as well and the tournament will be very competitive this time around too," Kohli added.

https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2021/mi-...mpression=true

[OMB]

This is not going to be MS Dhoni’s last IPL, says Chennai Super Kings CEO

The 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) kicks off on Friday and three-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will play their first match, against Delhi Capitals, on Saturday. Ahead of the tournament, CSK chief executive Kasi Viswanathan speaks to The Indian Express about the team’s preparation, Cheteshwar Pujara and MS Dhoni’s future. Excerpts:

Last season was underwhelming by CSK’s lofty standards. The team didn’t qualify for the playoffs. Did Dhoni give a team talk after the tournament?

No. Normally what we do is, we have a process set before we start a tournament. So we did the process for last year’s tournament also. It so happened that we missed some of our best players, and a couple of them got infected by Covid. Those (the situation) were beyond our reach. Now the team is in good shape. The process has been good. They have been having practice sessions for the last 15-20 days. And we believe in our process. The captain is very clear – you should do the process properly and if the process is fine, the results will come.

Could this be Dhoni’s final year in the IPL as a cricketer? And if indeed this is his final year, do you have a succession plan ready?

See, I don’t think it is going to be his final year. This is my personal view and I don’t think we are looking at anybody now.

Ravindra Jadeja hasn’t played any competitive cricket after he got injured in Australia. How is he shaping up at the nets?

See, Jadeja has been cleared by the NCA. He has joined our team for practice. He is looking good. He is working hard. And we are hoping that he will be fully fit by the time the IPL starts.

Suresh Raina also had very little game time coming into the IPL.

He played the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. After that he has been practicing. He didn’t want to play a 50-over tournament (Vijay Hazare Trophy). (But) he has been practicing with us also for the last 10 days. He is very keen to do well. See, a player of his calibre who has done so much for CSK as well as the highest run-getter in the IPL for a period of the last 10-12 years (before Virat Kohli overtook him), he is very keen to prove himself.

Raina had abruptly left the CSK camp before the start of the last year’s tournament. Were there any hard feelings on his return?

Nothing. CSK is like a family.

When you picked Pujara at the auction, everybody clapped. Pujara wasn’t a part of the IPL for the last few years and the common perception is that he is a red-ball specialist. What was the thought process behind bringing him on to the fold? Is it that you wanted to honour his cricketing achievements or he will have a role to play in this IPL?

See, we also wanted to honour him, that’s for sure. But at the same time, I can tell you one thing, a person of his calibre with such good technique, he can adapt to any format. That is our view. He can be a player who can contribute a lot to CSK. That’s what we felt and that is the reason why we picked him. He will certainly have a role to play (up the order), but I cannot say whether he will play the first game or the second game. That is not the question (also). He is an important part of our group and we look forward to his contribution.

You had a clear-cut auction strategy, investing heavily in Moeen Ali (Rs 7 crore) and K Gowtham (Rs 9.25 crore), two spin-bowling all-rounders. But this year also, matches will be played at neutral venues albeit in India. Does it upset your plans a bit?

We are playing our matches in India where spinners have always been useful. That is one of the reasons why we picked the spinners, to strengthen our spin department. And invariably now that we are playing 10 games at one centre, the wickets will become slow (and) it will be useful for us.

Will it be difficult to fill Shane Watson’s void?

See, it is very difficult to fill the void of Watson and what he has done for us in the last three years. But at the same time, we will have to respect his sentiment, that he was the one who wanted to retire. It will be difficult, but we will definitely work on it.

[Ab Fan]

Kohli is right.

RCB are better off without home advantage. But I have my doubts on AB and Maxwell in Chennai type pitches, especially Maxwell.

[MenInG]

IPL Media Advisory

April 9th, 2021

Chennai Super Kings sign Jason Behrendorff as replacement for Josh Hazlewood

Australian fast bowler Jason Behrendorff has signed up with the Chennai Super Kings as a replacement for compatriot Josh Hazlewood for the VIVO Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.

The left-arm quick has featured in 11 ODIs and seven T20Is so far. This is Behrendorff’s second IPL team, having represented Mumbai Indians in 2019 where he played five matches and picked as many wickets.

Chennai Super Kings commence their VIVO IPL 2021 campaign with a match against Delhi Capitals on April 10, 2021 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

[MenInG]

[OMB]

IPL 2021: MS Dhoni hints this IPL season might be his last


MS Dhoni is back in Chennai Super Kings' yellow for the first time since the last IPL. And he may have just given a hint that this is his last outing for the franchise.

MS Dhoni lost the toss in CSK's tournament opener against Delhi Capitals. Opening up about his feelings on returning to the IPL, the legendary Indian skipper remarked that he would want to make the most of "whatever is left" in his career.

“Well, it’s good to be back because you want to make the most of whatever is left,” said MS Dhoni.
Our Lion up for the first game!
MS Dhoni has led CSK to a record 8 IPL finals, winning 3 of them. He retired from international cricket last year but continues to represent the franchise. Since IPL 2020, the 40-year-old has also famously remarked that it was 'definitely not' his last season.

Meanwhile, MS Dhoni also spoke about the playing conditions in Mumbai and CSK's team combination at the toss. He suggested that against popular opinion, dew won't be a factor in the game. He added that despite some last-minute issues the playing XI is 'ready to go'.

"We were also looking to bowl, it’s slightly difficult to defend on this ground. Dew could be a factor, but it’s cloudy today, so it might not be a factor. The combination looks good, some of the overseas players turned up late, some are in quarantine, but we are ready to go – Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran and Dwayne Bravo are our four overseas players,” said MS Dhoni.

CSK lost both their openers, Faf du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad cheaply. Suresh Raina and Moeen Ali counterattacked but not for too long. MS Dhoni, who came to bat at No. 7, got out for a 2-ball duck, chopping on Avesh Khan's pacy delivery back onto his stumps.


https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/...t?ref=homepage

[OMB]

IPL BTS: When 'RCB girl' faced dark side of social media

Virat Kohli and his boys gear up for another exciting season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) but one thing that will be missing are the loyal Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fanbase, cheering from the Chinnaswamy stands.




RCB's fanbase is one of the widest across the country and no matter what the result the supporters have remained loyal to the franchise. One such incident of true loyalty was witnessed in IPL 2019, pre COVID-19 times, when fans gathered at the venues to cheer for their team.

Kohli and co. had then finished at the bottom of the points table, but one thing that caught the eyes of the netizens in the edition was a fan girl named DeepikaGhose, who suddenly became an overnight sensation after being captured for a brief period of almost five seconds donning the RCB jersey.

The video went viral in no time and it saw a massive surge in the number of followers on Instagram. With all the attention she hogged because of a 5-second incident, the concerned girl took to Instagram and shared how the moment has changes her life but in a negative way.

"My name is Deepika Ghose & that is probably the only thing that is being said about me which is 100% TRUE," she said.

"I did not want any recognition or realise the number of times that I was on camera. I am no celebrity, just an ordinary girl who was enjoying the match. I did nothing to warrant the kind of attention that ensued after the TV images appeared and I certainly did not seek it," said Deepika.

"My identity, privacy, and life have been hacked in an instant. A lot of the overnight followers are men who have used this platform to be crude, vulgar, vicious & entirely disrespectful.

"Even more shocking is the hate I have received from women. How quick & cruel you have been to say mean things to & about me without even knowing me. I AM ONE OF YOU!" she added.

She concluded the post saying, "Yes, I am #theRCBgirl but I am SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT".

https://zeenews.india.com/cricket/ip...a-2353754.html

[King_Kohli]

Do you remember this couple?

[King_Kohli]

Ben Stokes ruled out of #IPL2021 with suspected broken hand.

[Firebat]

Ben Stokes is out of the Indian Premier League with what is suspected to be a broken hand

The England allrounder sustained the injury during Rajasthan Royals’ opening match with Punjab Kings on Monday when taking a catch to dismiss Chris Gayle.

Having dropped a chance earlier in the match, Stokes ran in from long on and dived forward to complete the dismissal of the West Indian batsman. He immediately felt discomfort in his left hand, grimacing as he got up to celebrate with his teammates.

He continued on in the match, though did not add to the one over he bowled before the incident. Opening the batting, he scored a three-ball duck as the Royals fell five runs short of their target of 222.

[Smbhayi]

Whose those..

[Ab Fan]

Whose those..

They are couples that got engaged in the crowds during one of the India-Australia LOI match which happened last December. The boy is Indian and the girl is Australian.

[MenInG]

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced a statewide curfew starting April 14 till May 1 to curb the spread of Covid-19, but it won't affect the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches at the Wankhede Stadium.

Sources in the know of developments in the IPL organising committee confirmed to ANI that the matches at the Wankhede Stadium would indeed be held as per the schedule.

"No effect on Mumbai matches as we have special permission, everything will go ahead as planned and we will take all necessary precautions," the source told ANI.

Wankhede is slated to host 10 IPL games this season, out of which two have been played. There are eight games remaining in the Mumbai leg.

Mumbai will be next hosting the match between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals on Thursday and then on Friday, Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings will lock horns with each other.

On Tuesday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced a statewide curfew starting 8 PM on April 14 till 7 AM, May 1 to curb the spread of Covid-19.

"We are imposing strict restrictions which will come into effect from 8 pm tomorrow. Section 144 to be imposed in the entire state from tomorrow. I will not term this as lockdown," said Thackeray while addressing the state of Maharashtra.

"Local train and bus services for essential services only, petrol pumps, financial institutions associated with SEBI and construction work to continue, hotel/restaurants to remain closed only take-away, home deliveries allowed," he added.

Cinema halls, theatres, auditoriums, amusement parks, gyms, sports complexes will also remain closed, announced the Maharashtra CM.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/...rashtra/744833