Latest news with #CheekyCheeka
India.com
4 days ago
- Sport
- India.com
Star India World Cup champion backs Sanju Samson as MS Dhoni's successor at CSK
MS Dhoni and Sanju Samson Chennai Super Kings haven't yet discovered the ideal MS Dhoni replacement. CSK won the Indian Premier League (IPL) a record five times while Dhoni was captain. Before the 2022 Indian Premier League, the team even tried to pass the leadership to Ravindra Jadeja. However, because of his poor performance, Dhoni was named captain again halfway through the season. In 2023, he remained the team's leader until Ruturaj Gaikwad was appointed as his replacement. But Gaikwad had to miss the season due to an injury, so Dhoni took over as captain once more. Krishnamachari Srikkanth backs Sanju Samson as Dhoni's replacement Former India batsman Krishnamachari Srikkanth has chosen Sanju Samson as the 'right replacement' for MS Dhoni after social media reports of the player's departure from the Rajasthan Royals surfaced. 'To tell you the truth, Sanju is a brilliant player and he's very popular in Chennai. He's got a good brand image in Chennai. As I said, I'll be the first one to pick him for Chennai if he is willing to leave and comes this side,' said Srikkanth in a video on his YouTube channel Cheeky Cheeka. 'He's the right replacement for MS Dhoni. Dhoni can maximum play this season, maybe not the year after and then you can have a smooth transition,' he added. Even if the side ropes in the Rajasthan Royals star, Srikkanth believes that Gaikwad should still be the team's captain. 'But I feel if Ruturaj Gaikwad has been given the captaincy, he should be continued with,' he said. MS Dhoni-led CSK is the most successful IPL franchise As the sixth-highest run scorer in IPL history, Dhoni has an impressive international career in addition to being a respected player in franchise cricket. Dhoni has scored 5439 runs at an average of 38.30 and strike rate of over 137 in 278 games, including 24 fifties. He has won two Champions League T20 titles with CSK in addition to five IPL titles, making the team one of the most successful team in the sports world, primarily due to his own name and brand. When the legendary batsman even steps into his dressing room to prepare for a potential batting opportunity, crowds follow and various fan clubs chant 'Dhoni' in unison.
NDTV
4 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Sanju Samson Asked To Replace MS Dhoni At CSK, Gets World Cup-Winner's Approval
It is evident that Chennai Super Kings have failed to find a perfect replacement of MS Dhoni so far. Under the leadership of Dhoni, CSK won the Indian Premier League (IPL) title a record-equalling five times. CSK even tried Dhoni leaving the leadership role, making way for Ravindra Jadeja ahead of IPL 2022, but such poor was the result that Dhoni was re-instated mid-season. He captained the side in 2023 as well before Ruturaj Gaikwad was picked as his successor in the role. As fate would have it, an injury during the season ruled Gaikwad out, with Dhoni once again taking over the role of CSK captain. Over the years, Dhoni has also played a crucial role for CSK with the bat and the wicketkeeping gloves. As reports of Sanju Samson leaving Rajasthan Royals have emerged on social media, former India batter Krishnamachari Srikkanth has picked the player as the "right replacement" for MS Dhoni. "To tell you the truth, Sanju is a brilliant player and he's very popular in Chennai. He's got a good brand image in Chennai. As I said, I'll be the first one to pick him for Chennai if he is willing to leave and comes this side," said Srikkanth in a video on his YouTube channel Cheeky Cheeka. "He's the right replacement for MS Dhoni. Dhoni can maximum play this season, maybe not the year after and then you can have a smooth transition," he added. Samson is the captain of Rajasthan Royals but Srikkanth feels that Gaikwad should continue to lead CSK even if the side ropes in the RR star. "But I feel if Ruturaj Gaikwad has been given the captaincy, he should be continued with," he said. Apart from a great international career, Dhoni is also reputable in franchise cricket, being the sixth-highest run-getter in IPL history. He has scored 5439 runs in 278 matches at an average of 38.30, including 24 fifties, at a strike rate of over 137. Besides five IPL titles, he has also won two Champions League T20 titles with CSK, making the franchise one of the most popular entities in the sporting world, largely on the basis of his own brand and name. Crowds follow and different fan clubs chant 'Dhoni' 'Dhoni' in unison when the batting legend makes even as much as an appearance inside his dressing room, gearing up for a possible chance at batting.
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Kris Srikkanth to LSG: Your season is over, rest Rishabh Pant for the remaining IPL matches
Former India captain Kris Srikkanth has called on Lucknow Super Giants to rest Rishabh Pant for their remaining fixtures in the ongoing IPL after the franchise was knockout of play-off contention by Sunrisers Hyderabad. In a season where Lucknow have been ravaged by injuries, Pant who was bought at the player auctions for a record Rs 27 crore has endured a season to forget. Captaining the side, he has posted only one fifty as he was dismissed for 7 on Monday. Having began his captaincy stint with a zero against his former franchise Delhi Capitals, Pant has touched two-figure score only thrice in 11 innings. His scores this season read: 0, 15, 2, 2, 21, 63, 3, 0, 4, 18 and 7. While he initially didn't show signs of struggling for form, as the tournament progressed, there were no signs of improvement. There have been questions as to whether the price tag added to the pressure and with the important England tour coming up, Pant's form has become a huge cause of concern for India. And speaking on his YouTube channel Cheeky Cheeka, Srikkanth said that the time has come for Pant to spend some time away from the game. 'Unfortunately things are not going Rishabh Pant's way,' Srikkanth said. 'Even when captaining… be it bowling changes or field placements, he seems to be messing up in some form or the other. Things are not going his way. Even with the bat, he can just play freely and be bold, but he seems to be playing half-hearted shots with no clarity. Every game he is finding new ways to get dismissed. During my playing days I use to invent ways to get dismissed and Pant is doing worse than me. 30 years back I was like that, today he is finding new ways to get out — reverse-sweep, reverse-paddle, swinging wildly — all of it is happening,' said the former chairman of selectors. With their play-offs hopes over, Srikkanth said the time has come for the franchise to leave Pant alone for his own good and advised the team to strengthen its bowling next season. 'I just want him to be left alone…they should say enough, just go and spend some time away. The season is over. Whatever they are planning for the next season — they have change the core and bring in bowlers — they don't have any bowlers in this team,' Srikkanth said.
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
'What is Zaheer trying to do? Doesn't Justin Langer have brains?' Srikkanth appalled at Rishabh Pant situation in LSG
Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth was furious at the Rishabh Pant situation in the Lucknow Super Giants. He pointed to the team management's decision to bat at No. 7 in the previous game against Delhi Capitals. It was the lowest Pant had batted in his T20 career in almost a decade. On March 24, at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, Pant was sent to bat at No. 7, behind South Africa's David Miller and uncapped Indians Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad. As the commentators expressed their shock over Lucknow's decision, Pant was seen having an animated discussion with team mentor Zaheer Khan while sitting in the dug-out. The wicketkeeper-batter eventually walked out with just two balls left in the innings and was dismissed for a duck on the last delivery when attempting an audacious reverse scoop. Speaking on his YouTube show Cheeky Cheeka, Srikanth questioned the logic behind the move as he fumed at head coach Justin Langer and Zaheer. "I didn't understand. Why did he come to bat for just two balls?" he asked. "What's Langer trying to do? What's the team management trying to do? Zaheer Khan trying to do?" When the host, his son Anirudh, interrupted by asking whose decision it was, Srikkanth responded, saying: I don't know. Some people say Rishabh Pant wanted to go in to bat but they didn't allow him. But he is the captain. Why should he have anybody's permission to go inside. At the end of the day it's team management decision. Everybody's sitting there. Langer is also there. Doesn't he have brains? ('Moolai-eh kidaiyaada avanaku?) Anirudh intervened again, reminding that Zaheer was also present, to which Srikkanth said: "Yes three people: Langer, Zaheer and Pant. Don't they have brains?". The LSG captain was immediately asked after the match, in which LSG lost by just one wicket, about his decision to come down to bat in the final over of the innings. Pant replied, "The idea was to like capitalise, we sent someone to capitalise on wicket like that. After that, Miller came in, and we just really got stuck in the wicket, but eventually, you know, these are the things we got to figure out and try to find our best combination going forward." LSG will next be in action against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala on May 4. They currently stand sixth in the table with 10 points from as many games.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
'Does Justin Langer have brains?' Kris Srikkanth slams LSG coach for handling Rishabh Pant poorly
Lucknow: Lucknow Super Giants' Rishabh Pant plays a shot during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 cricket match between Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals, in Lucknow. (PTI Photo/Shahbaz Khan) Former India captain and member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team Kris Srikkanth has lamented Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) head coach Justin Langer and mentor Zaheer Khan for poorly handling Rishabh Pant in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). LSG captain Rishabh Pant, who was acquired for ₹27 crore by the Lucknow franchise, has managed just 110 runs in 10 outings. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'I didn't understand. Why did he come to bat for just two balls?' Srikkanth said on his YouTube show Cheeky Cheeka. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Best website creation site | Build your store in minutes Shopify Shop Now Undo "What's Langer trying to do? What's the team management trying to do? What is Zaheer Khan trying to do?' In LSG's last game against Delhi Capitals, Rishabh Pant walked out to bat at number 7 with two balls remaining in the innings. Pant was dismissed off the last ball of the innings, failing to score any run. Poll Do you think Rishabh Pant should have batted higher in the order? No, the current position is fine Yes, he should bat higher "I don't know. Some people say Rishabh Pant wanted to go in to bat, but they didn't allow him," said Srikkanth. 'But he is the captain. Why should he need anybody's permission to go in? At the end of the day, it's the team management's decision." Former India captain Anil Kumble too had questioned Pant batting so low down the order. Who's that IPL player? "It's alright if you wanted to bat more freely under less pressure by coming in late, but this was way too late," Kumble said on JioCinema. "The kind of frustration Rishabh is showing is evident that he was wronged. He probably wanted to bat higher. "Was it his decision? Or was it coach Justin Langer's, or maybe mentor Zaheer Khan's? Whose decision was it? Because he looked very frustrated,' Kumble said. LSG will take on Punjab Kings on Sunday at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala.
