Latest news with #KKR-CSK
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
IPL 2025: KKR's damp squib of a season
Kolkata: Their fate out of their hands for some time, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were eliminated from IPL 2025 when rain washed out their must-win match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Bengaluru on Saturday. It was the second time that KKR were dealt a cruel hand by the weather, the first being the match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Eden Gardens that was abandoned halfway due to rain and storm. That no-result, following successive defeats, meant KKR had to win their remaining matches and hope for a string of results to go their way. For all the positivity skipper Ajinkya Rahane exuded after snatching defeat from victory against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), it would always prove to be a bit much. Especially in a format where matches turn in one over, think KKR-CSK. There is usually more than one reason why performance does not meet potential in a league. Arsenal did not lose the Premier League only because of injuries to key players. But it also showed that the squad lacked depth and that was on the club. That Arsenal failed to win 10 matches where they led is on the manager and the players. That they played six matches with 10 players is also down to the conduct of their players. So with KKR and their inability to defend the title for the third time. It is always a sign of things not going to plan when a team has to depend on things they cannot control. And things not going to plan encapsulated KKR's campaign this season. It showed in the two-wicket defeat to CSK, in the one-run win against Rajasthan Royals (RR) and in the batting collapses against Mumbai Indians (MI) and PBKS. The 16-run defeat to PBKS was possibly the lowest point of the campaign. Win handsomely and they would have been on top of the table. At 62/2 chasing 112, that looked possible. But a terrible lack of batting smarts and Yuzvendra Chahal's guile led to a defeat that Ian Bishop on commentary said could be season-defining. Till then, Chahal was struggling. Since then, the leg-spinner has got a hattrick. Taken in conjunction with the collapse against MI and meandering to a 39-run defeat against Gujarat Titans, it highlighted KKR's struggle with the bat. Not a single 50-run opening partnership tells its own story. On way to their third title, openers Sunil Narine and Phil Salt had notched up five of them and posted one century stand. KKR have one 100-plus stand this term and one in the 90s, leaders Gujarat Titans have three and one in the 90s. In second place, RCB have two three-figure partnerships and three in the 90s, Virat Kohli featuring in all of them. 'T20 is not only about hitting sixes and big shot,' Rahane has said. Kohli, for whom many in crowd had worn his Test whites on Saturday, is an embodiment of that. Rahane was KKR's most consistent batter but got little support as Venkatesh Iyer, who got 370 runs with four half-centuries last term, struggled for form and in trying to hit his way out of trouble found different ways of getting out. And because of instability at the top, KKR's attacking batters (Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh) rarely got the platform to express themselves. It may have affected KKR's thinking which showed in getting Chetan Sakariya for one game. And as the season went on, it certainly affected their bowling. Against RR and CSK respectively, KKR had half the opposition out with 120 and 135 to get but won one match by one run and lost the other. The pace attack lacked bite and that meant teams could play out Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy. That two of the top five most expensive overs were bowled by KKR summed up their bowling woes.
India.com
13-05-2025
- Sport
- India.com
Not Shubman Gill, R Ashwin backs THIS star player to be next Indian Test captain, his name is...
Not Shubman Gill, R Ashwin backs THIS star player to be next Indian Test captain, his name is... New Delhi: After legendary cricketers and Indian cricket icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their Test retirements just days apart, former all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed concern, suggesting that challenging times lie ahead for the Indian team. 'We were in the middle of the KKR-CSK game when Rohit announced his retirement, and now today, Virat as well,' said Ashwin in the latest episode of *Ash ki Baat* on YouTube. 'I had been hearing about Virat's possible retirement for the past couple of days, but I'm sure the BCCI must have spoken to him too. That's a personal conversation, and obviously, it's not something I'd reveal here.' 'I honestly had no idea that both of them would retire so suddenly. These are going to be testing times for the Indian cricket team,' he added. Ashwin mentioned that this marks the beginning of a new era under head coach Gautam Gambhir. He highlighted Gambhir's challenging start, referencing a heavy defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, a Test series whitewash at home against New Zealand, and a white-ball series loss in Sri Lanka after taking over from Rahul Dravid. Ashwin, with 106 Test matches to his name, also expressed support for premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah as a potential candidate for India's next Test captain. 'I would definitely say it is the beginning of the Gautam Gambhir era,' Ashwin said. 'The team that Gambhir will take to England for the five-Test series will be an entirely new and transformed side, where Jasprit Bumrah could possibly be the most senior player in the squad.' 'Obviously, he is also a strong option for the captaincy role,' Ashwin added. 'I believe he deserves to lead the side, but the final decision will rest with the Indian selectors, who will consider his physical workload and fitness before making a call.' Many reports suggest that Shubman Gill is the frontrunner to take over as the new Test team captain. The senior selection committee, headed by former India all-rounder Ajit Agarkar, believes that the 25-year-old Gill is the ideal candidate to succeed Virat Kohli. Before making an official announcement, the selectors are expected to consult with the BCCI on the decision. If appointed, Gill's first major challenge as Test captain will be leading India in the five-match Test series in England. It was earlier mentioned that Jasprit Bumrah, India's vice-captain and fast bowling leader, is unlikely to be given a leadership role during the upcoming Test series in England, which begins at the end of June. Despite leading India to their only Test victory on the Australia tour earlier this year, Bumrah is expected to manage his workload carefully and is unlikely to play in all five Test matches in England. As a result, the selectors will have to choose an alternative captain for the series.
Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘Bumrah is obviously an option for captaincy, he deserves it': Ashwin backs Jasprit for Test leadership role after Rohit-Kohli retirement
Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin feels the Indian team is in for testing times ahead after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from Test cricket in a span of one week. Speaking on the latest episode of Ash ki baat on YouTube, he said, 'We were in the middle of the KKR-CSK game when Rohit announced his retirement, and then today, Virat as well. I've been hearing the news of Virat's supposed retirement for the last two days, but they (BCCI) must've spoken with him as well; that's a personal conversation I would obviously not bring out here.' 'I had no idea that both of them would retire all of a sudden, as it would be testing times for the Indian cricket team,' he added. Ashwin also called for the new era under coach Gautam Gambhir. After taking over the coaching reins from Rahul Dravid, Gambhir had to endure a white-ball series loss in Sri Lanka, a whitewash against New Zealand in Test matches at home and a crushing defeat at the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. A veteran of 106 Tests, Ashwin also backed ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah for the captaincy role. 'I would definitely say it is the beginning of the Gautam Gambhir era. The team that Gambhir will take to England for five Tests will be a completely new team, a completely transformed team where Jasprit Bumrah would possibly be the senior-most player,' he said. 'Obviously, he is also an option for captaincy (role). I believe he deserves the captaincy, but the Indian selectors will take a decision based on his physical capacity,' added Ashwin. It has been reported by the Indian Express that Shubman Gill is the frontrunner to take over the reins as the new captain of the Test team. According to the same report, it is understood that the senior selection committee, headed by former India all-rounder Ajit Agarkar, is of the opinion that 25-year-old Gill is the ideal candidate to take over as Test captain. However, the selectors will discuss the same with the BCCI before making a formal announcement. If appointed as Test skipper, Gill's first assignment will be the five-match Test series in England. Earlier, it was reported how India's fast bowling figurehead and vice-captain Bumrah is unlikely to be given a leadership role on the Test tour to England starting June-end. The star fast bowler had captained India to its only Test match win during the Australia tour at the turn of the year, apart from leading in two other Tests. But since Bumrah is unlikely to feature in all five Tests in England, as part of his workload management, the selectors had to look at another option.
News18
07-05-2025
- Sport
- News18
'Terrific Job...' Ravi Shastri Hails 'Operation Sindoor' On Air During KKR vs CSK
Last Updated: During the KKR-CSK IPL 2025 match, Ravi Shastri praised the Indian armed forces' Operation Sindoor in Pakistan and PoJK. Cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar showed support online. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri took a moment during the Kolkata Knight Riders-Chennai Super Kings clash in IPL 2025 to hail the Indian armed forces' precise and strategic counterterrorism response — Operation Sindoor — in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The Operation was carried out in response to response to the terror attack in Pahalgam in which 26 Indian tourists lost their lives. The air and missile strikes focused only on terror infrastructure linked with internationally designated groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Earlier, several cricketers—many of whom have long been vocal in support of India's armed forces—were quick to respond with heartfelt messages on social media, using hashtags like #OperationSindoor and #JaiHind, now trending nationwide. Sachin Tendulkar, the master blaster, weighed in with a unifying message that struck a chord across age groups: 'Fearless in unity. Boundless in strength. India's shield is her people. There's no room for terrorism in this world. We're ONE TEAM!" 'Wrestling icon and Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia, whose brother was killed in the Pahalgam attack, also broke his silence with a moving tribute to the Army's bravery. 'I am immensely proud of our Indian Army. They have honoured the death of my brother with justice, courage, and precision," Punia told IANS. 'Their actions have brought some solace to families like mine while making the entire nation proud. It is our duty to support the armed forces without division or politics. On matters of national security, the country must speak in one voice. Let this operation be a warning: any attack on India will be met with strength and resolve," said Punia. Pragyan Ojha, ex-India spinner and former players' association representative, also joined the chorus of respect: 'Jai Hind" Harbhajan Singh, a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Rajya Sabha, minced no words in his tribute. In a social media post, he wrote: 'JAI HIND #OperationSindoor is Bharat's response to the brutal killing of our innocent brothers in Pahalgam." Jhulan Goswami, legendary Indian women's team pacer, hailed the operation with poetic precision in her post: 'Precision. Purpose. Power. That's how India answers. #OperationSindoor" Shikhar Dhawan, known for his flair both on and off the field, posted a short clip on Instagram capturing the spirit of the operation, with the caption: 'Jo kaha tha, woh karke dikhaya. Justice is served. Bharat Mata Ki Jai!" ('We did what we said we would. Justice is served. Hail Mother India!"). India men's cricket team fast bowler Mohd Shami said, 'The Indian Armed Forces turned adversity into a powerful Fateh moment. Their courage and valor in the face of danger have made us all proud. Jai hind" (With IANS Inputs) First Published: May 07, 2025, 22:28 IST
