Latest news with #MostValuablePlayer
Mint
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Mint
IPL Most Valuable Player: How does it work, and why are none of the RCB players featured in the top 10?
The evaluation process deployed by the Indian Premier League to determine the Most Valuable Player award is a curious one. The Orange Cap and Purple Cap are determined in a straightforward manner. The player with the most runs gets the former, and the player with the most wickets gets the latter. Other awards, like most fours, most sixes, and super striker, follow similar objective parameters. Here is where the MVP gets into a tricky spot. It's definitely not a subjective award. The attempt to make it an objective award is where things get complex. Player Team Points 1 Sai Sudharsan Gujarat Titans 311.0 2 Suryakumar Yadav Mumbai Indians 300.0 3 Yashasvi Jaiswal Rajasthan Royals 273.0 4 Nicholas Pooran Lucknow Super Giants 272.5 5 Mitchell Marsh Lucknow Super Giants 272.0 The first thing one might notice is the absence of Prasidh Krishna, the purple cap holder, from the top five. So, where is Prasidh Krishna? He is occupying the 9th spot with 246 points. The second question is an extension of the first. How many bowlers are in the top 20 list? Four. Player Team Overall rank Points Sunil Narine Kolkata Knight Riders 6 270.5 Prasidh Krishna Gujarat Titans 9 246.0 Pat Cummins Sunrisers Hyderabad 13 226.0 Mohammed Siraj Gujarat Titans 18 219.5 Here comes the third and most important question. Where is Jasprit Bumrah? He is the 33rd name on the list. Yes, Jasprit Bumrah is the 33rd Most Valuable Player of the season. Bumrah missed four games at the start of the season, which puts him at a disadvantage over the others. Yet, he has taken 18 wickets from just 11 matches, which is 3 more than Mohammed Siraj and 2 more than Pat Cummins, the other names who are ahead of him. In an interesting and odd way, RCB's Josh Hazlewood occupies the 34th place. Sunil Narine and Pat Cummins score points with the bat too. Bumrah has faced only one ball in the entire season. Is it Bumrah's fault that he does a better job than anyone else in the league with the ball, and yet, he is finding himself in 33rd place? Let's understand the scoring system to get a detailed idea. Facet Metric Points Batting Fours 2.5 Sixes 3.5 Bowling Wickets 3.5 Dots 1.0 Fielding Catches 2.5 Run outs 1.0 Stumpings 2.5 Player 4s 6s Catches Total Sai Sudharsan (GT) 88 21 7 311.0 Suryakumar Yadav (MI) 65 35 6 300.0 Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR) 60 28 10 273.0 Nicholas Pooran (LSG) 45 40 8 272.5 Mitchell Marsh (LSG) 56 37 1 272.0 Sai Sudharsan: 88 fours (88*2.5 = 220 points) + 21 sixes (21*3.5 = 73.5 points) + 7 catches (7*2.5 = 17.5 points) = 311 points. Sunil Narine occupies the 6th spot because of his genuine all-round skills. He opens the innings and bowls four overs. 12 wickets and 89 dots got him 131 points with the ball. 25 fours and 19 sixes got him 129 points with the bat. 3 catches and 3 run-outs got him 10.5 points. Narine didn't have an extraordinary season by his own lofty standards. Yet, his contribution in two areas got him a high sixth-place finish with 270.5 points. Let's explore the disparity in the points system. Two bowlers have taken a five-wicket haul in IPL 2025 Mitchell Starc (DC) vs SRH - 5/35 with 12 dots Hardik Pandya (MI) vs LSG - 5/36 with 10 dots Starc got 29.5 points for his five wickets (17.5 points) and 12 dots (12 points) Hardik got 27.5 points for his performance against LSG. Mohammed Siraj's 17 dot balls and four wickets against SRH fetched him 31 points, the most points managed by a bowler in an inning. 35 batters have scored at least 5 sixes and 5 fours in an innings in IPL 2025. Those 35 instances fetched them a minimum of 30 points (17.5 for 5 sixes, 12.5 for 5 fours). A batter hitting five sixes in an inning has a higher likelihood to happen than a bowler taking five wickets in an inning. 2. A batter has two higher-valued metrics to maximise their score (3.5 points for a six, 2.5 points for a four), whereas a bowler has one higher-valued metric (3.5 points for a wicket) and one lower-valued metric (1 point for a dot ball). Metric Player Count Points Fours (2.5 points) Sai Sudharsan 88 220.0 Sixes (3.5 points) Nicholas Pooran 40 140.0 Dot balls (1 point) Mohammed Siraj 151 151.0 Wickets (3.5 points) Prasidh Krishna 25 87.5 Sai Sudharsan's points through the fours alone are higher than the total points collected by all specialist bowlers, except Prasidh Krishna. Former Indian international cricketers Abhinav Mukund and Subramaniam Badrinath debated about the points system in the Tamil broadcast during the league game between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings in Ahmedabad. Yashasvi Jaiswal was leading the MVP charts at that point. They questioned the batter-friendly nature of the points system and also opined that Yashasvi wasn't their MVP. CSK, DC and RCB have no entries in the top 10 list. Absence of RCB players demand scrutiny due to them being the first team to reach the final of IPL 2025. Virat Kohli at 12th position is the highest-ranked RCB player in the MVP list. Metric Count Points Fours (2.5 points) 63 157.5 Sixes (3.5 points) 19 66.5 Catches (2.5 points) 3 7.5 Run outs (1 point) 3 3.0 Total 234.5 Krunal Pandya is the only genuine all-rounder in the RCB starting XI, and even he has batted only 6 times. Krunal has scored 105 runs this season, and 73 of those came in one game, against Delhi Capitals. The Most Valuable Player award was won by a player from the title-winning team in three of the first five seasons. Sachin Tendulkar and Chris Gayle won the awards as runners-up in 2010 and 2011, respectively. Season Player (team) Team's position 2008 Shane Watson (RR) Winners 2009 Adam Gilchrist (Deccan Chargers) Winners 2010 Sachin Tendulkar (MI) Runners-up 2011 Chris Gayle (RCB) Runners-up 2012 Sunil Narine (KKR) Winners The next 15 seasons witnessed several oddities. Season Player Team's position 2013 Shane Watson (RR) 3rd place 2014 Glenn Maxwell (PBKS) Runners-up 2015 Andre Russell (KKR) 5th place 2016 Virat Kohli (RCB) Runners-up 2017 Ben Stokes (RPSG) Runners-up 2018 Sunil Narine (KKR) 3rd place 2019 Andre Russell (KKR) 5th place 2020 Jofra Archer (RR) 8th place (last) 2021 Harshal Patel (RCB) 4th place 2022 Jos Buttler (RR) Runners-up 2023 Shubman Gill (GT) Runners-up 2024 Sunil Narine (KKR) Winners Jofra Archer won the award in 2020 despite the Rajasthan Royals finishing last in the points table. The points system overwhelmingly favours the batters. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Josh Hazlewood, and Prasidh Krishna should be given an equal chance to lay their hands on the prestigious award. Stay updated on all the action from the IPL 2025. Check the IPL 2025 Schedule, and follow the top performers with the Orange Cap and Purple Cap.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
What happened when Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani faced off in New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers World Series rematch
People watching baseball on Friday night at Dodger Stadium were amazed by the amazing home run battle between Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani in the very first inning. Both of these MVPs showed why they are baseball's best hitters, exciting the crowd of 53,276 and making history in the process. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Aaron Judge started the show with a massive solo home run that travelled 446 feet over dead centre and was his 19th home run of the season. The New York Yankees captain's home run made him tie outfielder Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies for third in the major league home run rankings. Shohei Ohtani struck back right away in the bottom part of the inning, hitting a home run in the centre field on the first pitch thrown by Max Fried. Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani make Major League Baseball history with unprecedented achievement The remarkable sequence marked the first time in Major League Baseball history that reigning Most Valuable Player award winners have homered in the first inning of the same game. Previously, Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants and Miguel Tejada of the Oakland Athletics held the distinction as the first reigning Most Valuable Player recipients to homer in the same game on June 30, 2002, though not in the opening frame. Shohei Ohtani hits 2 home runs vs. Aaron Judge & the Yankees 🎯 | ESPN MLB Playfully, Aaron Judge made a joke about Shohei Ohtani, saying he was trying to mimic what Aaron Judge did. The New York Yankees hitter stated that winning and helping the team were much more important to him than personal achievements. Speaking through an interpreter, Shohei Ohtani noted that scoring another run would enable the Los Angeles Dodgers to maintain their momentum. Los Angeles Dodgers complete dramatic comeback victory behind Shohei Ohtani's multi-homer performance Despite the New York Yankees building a 4-1 advantage with additional home runs from Austin Wells and Trent Grisham in the second inning, the Los Angeles Dodgers orchestrated a stunning comeback to secure an 8-5 victory. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Shohei Ohtani delivered the decisive blow with his second home run of the night in the sixth inning, his 22nd of the season and 15th of May, tying him with Pedro Guerrero and Duke Snider for the most home runs in a single month in Los Angeles Dodgers franchise history. The two-way superstar is currently on pace for an unprecedented 63-home run, 32-steal season, which would surpass his own historic 50-50 achievement from the previous campaign. The New York Yankees entered the series with a commanding 35-20 record, leading the American League East division by seven games, while the Los Angeles Dodgers held a 34-22 record with a two-game lead in the National League West division. Where to watch: Fans can catch the remainder of this weekend series between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers on Fox Sports, with games scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at Dodger Stadium. Also Read: The World Series rematch continues to deliver the star power and excitement that make this rivalry one of baseball's most compelling storylines, setting the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable weekend series between two championship-calibre organisations.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NBA Finals berth puts Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Stephen Curry MVP company
The post NBA Finals berth puts Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Stephen Curry MVP company appeared first on ClutchPoints. It has been quite a ride in the 2024-25 NBA season so far for Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Advertisement But he's not done yet. After being named the 2025 NBA Most Valuable Player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added another major award to his resume, as he won the 2025 Western Conference Finals MVP, as he led the Thunder to a series win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. With the league MVP in the bag and an NBA Finals berth with the Thunder, the former Kentucky Wildcats star will be joining future Basketball Hall of Famer and Golden State Warriors superstar point guard Stephen Curry in an exclusive club. From the NBA Communications X account: 'Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be the first player to win the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award and play in the NBA Finals presented by @YouTubeTV in the same season since Golden State's Stephen Curry in 2015-16.' Advertisement Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will officially complete that feat once he steps on the court in the 2025 NBA Finals. For now, he and the Thunder will still have to wait to see which team they will be locking horns with in the last stage of the playoffs, with the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks still battling it out in the Eastern Conference finals. That series could be over as soon as this Thursday night, though, as Indiana could set the date with the Thunder in the NBA Finals with a win over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden in Game 5. With his ability to take over games on offense, Gilgeous-Alexander has become such a dangerous weapon for the Thunder on the court that none of Oklahoma City's previous three playoff opponents managed to solve. He dominated the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round, thwarted the Denver Nuggets in the second round and humbled the Timberwolves in the conference finals. Gilgeous-Alexander had a spectacular series versus the Timberwolves. After lighting up Minnesota for 34 points on 14-for-25 shooting in the Thunder's series-clinching 124-94 win on Wednesday, Gilgeous-Alexander concluded the Western Conference finals with averages of 31.4 points, 8.2 assists and 5.2 rebounds through five games.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Fact or fiction: Do the Rockets have the best assets to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo?
ESPN insider Bobby Marks, formerly an NBA front office executive with the Brooklyn Nets, is seemingly bullish on the ability of the Houston Rockets to trade for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason. In a 'fact or fiction' segment published Wednesday, Marks was asked if Houston has the best set of assets to chase Antetokounmpo. Advertisement Marks replied, via ESPN: Fact. There are three things on the checklist of chasing a superstar. You have to have draft equity, which certainly Houston has, when you look at the No. 10 pick in the (2025) draft. Then you have all of your future assets, such as picks that are coming from Phoenix and Dallas. They check the box there. Then you have young players on rookie contracts. Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, Cam Whitmore, there is a list of those players. Then you have to have those sizable contracts. Remember, we work in a system where you basically have to get within 125% of the salary that's coming back, when it's that big. Dillon Brooks, Fred VanVleet. Them and San Antonio check those boxes, as far as having those appealing assets if you're going to go out and chase a superstar. And in contrast to the Spurs, who finished 34-48 and No. 13 among 15 Western Conference teams last season, the Rockets went 52-30 and finished at No. 2 overall. That could perhaps be the final piece of the puzzle, should Antetokounmpo want to leave Milwaukee and pursue a better opportunity to compete for an NBA championship. While the Bucks could still theoretically trade Antetokounmpo to a non-preferred destination, it rarely happens with NBA superstars — since it's usually not worth it to trade premium young assets for a player who doesn't want to be with the acquiring organization for the long-term. The next domino, of course, is seeing whether the 30-year-old Antetokounmpo actually asks Milwaukee for a trade after spending his first 12 NBA seasons with the franchise. ESPN reported earlier this week that he's at least considering other possibilities. Advertisement If he does, it seems likely that Houston will be among the leading suitors. Beyond Brooks and VanVleet, the Rockets also have Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun entering significantly larger contracts (which can be useful for trade purposes) in 2025-26. While Thompson is theoretically movable, as Marks noted, he's widely viewed as untouchable in trade talks. A 6-foot-11 power forward, Antetokounmpo averaged 30.4 points (60.1% FG), 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game in the 2024-25 season. A two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP), the 'Greek Freak' is a nine-time NBA All-Star and a perennial MVP candidate. More: Report: In 2025 offseason, Rockets open to pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo trade with Bucks This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Fact or fiction: Do Rockets have the best assets to trade for Giannis?
Reuters
21 hours ago
- General
- Reuters
Angels star Mike Trout activated, in lineup as DH
May 30 - Activated by the Los Angeles Angels on Friday after spending one month on the injured list, Mike Trout is in the starting lineup as the designated hitter against the host Cleveland Guardians. Trout, 33, is batting fifth in his return. Outfielder Matthew Lugo was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move. Trout, a three-time American League Most Valuable Player, sustained a bone bruise on his surgically repaired left knee while trying to beat out a grounder on April 30. This week, Trout resumed running the bases and taking batting practice. He returns to an Angels team that has lost five games in a row after winning its previous eight. Trout is in his first season as a right fielder, having moved from center field in an attempt to maintain his health. In his absence, Jo Adell served as the primary right fielder and hit .200 with four homers and seven RBIs over 23 games this month. That average is actually higher than Trout's .179 this year. He's also carrying a subpar .264 on-base percentage. However, Trout has nine homers, 18 RBIs and a .462 slugging percentage through 29 games. Trout, 33, captured AL Rookie of the Year in 2012, then won AL MVP honors in 2014, 2016 and 2019. He also finished second in MVP voting in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2018. The 11-time All-Star is a nine-time Silver Slugger honoree. Across 1,547 games in 15 seasons, Trout owns a career batting slash line of .297/.408/.579 with 387 homers, 972 RBIs and 214 stolen bases. His total of 85.8 Win Shares, per Baseball-Reference, ranks fifth all-time among center fielders -- trailing only Willie Mays, Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker and Mickey Mantle. --Field Level Media
