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“Another 2-3 Cycles”: Andre Russell Eyes Long-Term IPL Future with KKR

May 5, 2025, 2:52 am

Under-pressure Jamaican star Andre Russell on Sunday quieted his critics by hitting a match-winning score and his teammate Varun Chakravarthy confirmed that the seasoned all-rounder is eager to keep playing in the IPL for “easily six more years.” Russell, who recently turned 37, was under the radar for his inconsistent batting this season following his retention by defending champions for Rs 12 crore in a three-year contract prior to the mega auction. With only 72 runs in seven innings at an average of 10.28, four single-digit scores, doubts were slowly being raised concerning his place within the team.

Match-Winning Performance at Eden Gardens

But on Sunday, the Jamaican rewound the clock with a scorching unbeaten 57 off 25 balls, propelling KKR to 206/4 in a do-or-die encounter at Eden Gardens. The hosts went on to defeat Rajasthan Royals by a single run in a heart-stopping finish to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Andre Russell Wants to Play for Six More Years

“As far as I have spoken to him and interacted with him, he still wants to play another 2-3 cycles of IPL which is easily six more years,” Chakravarthy said of Andre Russell in the post-match media interaction.

A one-cycle term was used to mean three seasons in between mega auctions, so Andre Russell is looking to remain with KKR deep into his 40s if his form and fitness allow.

“He looks fine and fit. It doesn’t matter how old you are. If you are able to contribute to the team, that’s enough. In franchise cricket, they are not going to question you,” said Chakravarthy.

Andre Russell Can Hammer Spin Too

Andre Russell, elevated up the batting order, was struggling against spin at first, managing just 2 from his first 9 balls, as Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga restricted him tightly.

But Chakravarthy put an end to speculation that Russell is a limited batsman who only performs against pace.

“I feel it was his choice. He made that choice not to attack the spinners. But that’s not the truth, as in he can’t hit spin. He can hammer spin. We have seen it before and even in the nets when we practice, he can hammer that. But he took a different approach today that was very smart on him and congratulations to him.”

Chakravarthy’s Seam-Up Surprise

Chakravarthy, who played a crucial role in the win with two wickets in an over to break Rajasthan Royals’ momentum and returned figures of 2/32, also revealed that he has been working on a new seam-up delivery—something he used to good effect in the Powerplay against India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal.

“I started working on it just before the Champions Trophy so that I can bring something new because I end up bowling the Powerplay, so the ball is more newer and can swing,” he explained.

“So I just thought I can bowl one or two balls that can swing in and out. So that was the thought behind it,” added Chakravarthy who was India’s leading wicket-taker with nine scalps in their victorious Champions Trophy campaign earlier in March.

Knockout Mindset for KKR’s Playoff Hopes

With five wins from 11 games, KKR now must win all three of their remaining matches to stand a chance of making the playoffs. Chakravarthy said the team has adopted a knockout mindset.

“We have to win all the matches so it becomes knockouts for us. We have the mindset that we have to win five knockout matches every game is a knockout game, we have to bring our A-game here. Good that we have got a win.”

“Such wins will give us momentum and self-belief that we can pull off tight matches, and this is exactly what we needed at this time. So, from here, I am hopeful that we can pull off the next three matches. We have done it before. So, no excuses from us.”

Abhishek Nayar Returns to KKR as Assistant Coach After BCCI Exit

April 19, 2025, 5:46 pm

KKR made Abhishek Nayar’s return official through their social media handles, showing excitement about his return. Abhishek Nayar is familiar with the KKR franchise; he was earlier a key member of the team’s coaching staff, working on player development and strategy. His previous stint with KKR saw him doing a lot of behind-the-scenes work, especially in developing young players within the academy of the franchise.

Abhishek Nayar’s Leaving Team India

Nayar’s withdrawal from the national side was as part of a wider overhaul of the coaching group by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Senior players reportedly opposed his coaching style, leading to his exit. In spite of the short tenure, Nayar’s exposure at the national level is an asset in addition to his coaching qualifications.

Impact of Abhishek Nayar on KKR’s Campaign

Fit-back into KKR’s coaching paradigm, Abhishek Nayar is likely to strengthen the strategic planning and the performance of players. Being a part of the franchise culture and operations, Abhishek Nayar is positioned to deliver instant results. When KKR enters the testing period of the IPL season, the experience of Nayar can serve as a determinant in the development of competitiveness among the team.

Nayar’s return also brings him back with players he has worked with earlier, which can revive successful combinations. His approach to coaching, focusing on developing players and understanding tactics, suits KKR’s goals for the season.

Looking Ahead at KKR’s Campaign

As the IPL 2025 season unfolds, everyone will be watching how Nayar’s reappointment will shape KKR’s performance. The franchise hopes to tap into his experience in order to cut through the demands of the tournament and attempt a strong finish. Nayar’s journey exemplifies the evolving nature of coaching assignments in cricket, where shifts between national and franchise assignments become more frequent.

With Abhishek Nayar back in the team, the KKR supporters and stakeholders will be optimistic that his inputs will guide the team to victory in the rest of the season’s matches.

PBKS Coach Ricky Ponting Praises Team After Historic IPL Win Over KKR

April 16, 2025, 6:57 am

Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach Ricky Ponting praised his team’s fighting spirit and determination after they pulled off a dramatic 16-run victory against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The win came despite PBKS defending just 112 runs, the lowest total ever successfully defended in IPL history.

PBKS managed to bowl out the defending champions for only 95 runs in 15.1 overs at Mullanpur. Their bowlers, especially Yuzvendra Chahal and Marco Jansen, delivered outstanding spells to compensate for a weak batting performance.

Ponting admitted that the thrilling nature of the match had his heart racing. He said, “The heart rate is still up there. I’m 50 years now and don’t need more games like these.”

He explained that defending a low total can often be more difficult than chasing one. “Defending 112, with 16 runs up our sleeves. We actually said to the guys at the halfway mark that these really small chases, like these, are sometimes the hardest,” Ponting added.

He also mentioned that the pitch conditions made it hard for both teams to score runs. “The wicket wasn’t easy, as you can see that right through the game, it was definitely holding up,” he noted.

Ponting praised Chahal’s performance, calling it an incredible spell of bowling. He shared that Chahal had suffered a shoulder injury in the previous match and had to pass a fitness test before playing. Ponting recalled asking Chahal before the game if he was fit to play. Chahal told him, “Coach, I am 100 per cent right, let me out there.” Ponting added, “Yeah, what a spell of bowling!”

Although PBKS struggled with the bat, Ponting said he felt proud of how the team responded with the ball. He admitted their batting fell short due to poor shot selection and execution. But once the team took the field, their energy and belief made the difference. “Even if we had lost that game, I couldn’t have been prouder of the way we went about the second half,” he said.

Ponting believed this match could mark a turning point in their campaign. He explained that even a close loss would have shown the team’s fighting spirit. “So, if we had gone down in a really close one, I would have been telling the guys that was actually a season-defining moment – and it might be now as well,” he said. He added, “To be able to dig deep and win a game like that, I reckon at the halfway mark there weren’t too many people around the world that thought that we could have defended it – and we have. Credit to all the boys. They were terrific tonight.”

Ponting also spoke about the tactical adjustments made during the game. Instead of sticking to their regular strategy, they opted to start the bowling with Marco Jansen and Bartlett instead of Arshdeep Singh. According to Ponting, match-ups showed that Jansen and Bartlett would be more effective, so they adapted their approach.

In closing, Ponting acknowledged the emotional impact of the win. “Wins like these are always the sweetest ones. And if you can pull this off, then it should be as good a win as most guys have been involved in. I have coached a lot of games in the IPL, and that might just be about the best win I ever had,” he said.

Match Summary:

PBKS had won the toss and chosen to bat first. Openers Priyansh Arya (22 off 12 balls) and Prabhsimran Singh (30 off 15) gave the team a strong start, adding 39 runs quickly. However, a tight bowling spell from Harshit Rana (3/25) and sharp fielding by Ramandeep Singh left PBKS at 54/4 after the powerplay. Later, Sunil Narine (2/14) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/21) prevented any recovery, bowling PBKS out for 111 in 15.3 overs.

In response, KKR lost quick wickets as PBKS bowlers dominated. Chahal took 4/28, while Jansen grabbed 3/17. Despite efforts by Angkrish Raghuvanshi (37 off 28) and Andre Russell (17 off 11), KKR collapsed to 95 all out in 15.1 overs.

After this win, PBKS moved to fourth on the points table with four wins and two losses (8 points). KKR dropped to sixth with three wins and four losses (6 points).

Ajinkya Rahane Blames Batting Collapse for KKR’s IPL 2025 Loss to MI

April 1, 2025, 2:25 pm

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Ajinkya Rahane commented on KKR’s loss to the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 12th Indian Premier League 2025 match. During the post-match presentation, Rahane blamed the loss on a team batting failure, citing a lack of partnerships and inability to make the most of a good batting wicket. He felt that a total of 180-190 would have been possible, but the team lost too many wickets early on and could not recover. He also credits the bowlers for their efforts despite the low score.

Ajinkya Rahane Highlights Batting Struggles

“Collective batting failure. It was a good wicket to bat on as I said during the toss. 180-190 would have been good on this wicket. It has a very good bounce. You sometimes need to use the pace and bounce. We got to learn quickly from this game. Couldn’t do anything with the ball. They tried their level best. But not much runs on the board. We kept on losing wickets. Four wickets in the powerplay. It was hard to consolidate and get that total on the board. You need that partnership going. You need one batsman to stick till the end,” Rahane stated in the post-match presentation.

Mumbai Indians Clinches Eight-Wicket Victory

Mumbai Indians (MI) won by eight wickets against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the current IPL 2025 on Monday at the Wankhade stadium, Mumbai. Kolkata Knight Riders were bowled out for 116 in the 17th over, thanks to Mumbai Indians left-arm seamer Ashwani Kumar, who created history as the first Indian bowler to take a four-wicket haul on IPL debut.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lost wickets at regular intervals, and they never had any substantial partnerships throughout the entire innings. While bowling, only Andre Russell was able to take two wickets, removing Rohit Sharma and Will Jacks, while the rest of the Kolkata Knight Riders bowlers remained wicketless in the second innings. Mumbai Indians (MI) pursued 117 in the 13th over with wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton being the highest scorer of MI in the second innings with 62 runs off 41 balls, comprising 4 fours and 5 sixes.

IPL 2025 Opener at Risk: Rain Threatens KKR vs RCB Clash at Eden Gardens

March 21, 2025, 1:48 pm

The 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season will get underway with a high-octane opener between title holders Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens on March 22. However, the crowd and organizers are on tenterhooks as weather reports indicate heavy rainfall that might upset the eagerly awaited match and its pre-match celebrations.

Weather Forecast: Rain Threatens IPL Opening Ceremony and Match

As per AccuWeather, Kolkata is likely to see a 74% probability of rain in the daytime on March 22, which goes up to a 90% chance in the evening. The weather forecast predicts a chance of “a couple of thunderstorms” in the evening, which is the time the IPL opening ceremony and the match between KKR and RCB are planned. Such weather conditions are worrying as they might lead to delays or even the cancellation of the events.

Grand Opening Ceremony in Jeopardy

The IPL 2025 opening ceremony, which is scheduled to start at 6 PM IST, has a lot of performances lined up by popular artists such as Punjabi singer-rapper Karan Aujla, Bollywood singer Shreya Ghoshal, and actress Disha Patani. The bad weather is a major risk to these performances, and organizers might have to plan for contingency measures to keep performers and spectators safe.

Match Timing and Possible Impact

The KKR vs. RCB game is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST. Given the strong possibility of thunderstorms in the evening, the game is at risk of being delayed or even a washout. The drainage facilities at the Eden Gardens will be instrumental in deciding the possibility of playing, given that heavy rain might make the outfield unfriendly for play.

Spectators are requested to keep themselves posted about updates in weather forecasts and notifications by the IPL authorities for any alterations in the fixture.

New Rules Introduced in IPL 2025

Amid weather issues, IPL 2025 introduces several rule changes to improve the competitiveness and fairness of the tournament:

Second New Ball to Counter Dew: To counter the problems caused by dew in night matches, second-new-ball options will be available for teams bowling second from the 11th over. This step is to equalize the game by counteracting the disadvantage faced by bowlers because of a wet ball.

Saliva Ban Removed: Bowlers can now use saliva on the ball, a banned practice before due to health and safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The modification enables bowlers to have more control and achieve the desired ball motion.

DRS Expansion: The Decision Review System (DRS) has been extended to cover referrals for height-based no-balls and wides outside the off-stump. Through Hawk-Eye technology and ball tracking, this extension is designed to enhance the accuracy of umpiring decisions.

Continued Impact Player Rule: The Impact Player rule, which allows sides to substitute one player during a game, remains in effect. The rule is utilized for tactical flexibility and offers more opportunities for uncapped players to play.

With the opener of the IPL 2025 season soon to come, all eyes are on Kolkata’s weather. While there is tremendous excitement for the KKR vs. RCB clash, the looming threat of rain, however, hangs heavy and potentially jeopardizes the event. Meanwhile, franchises and fans alike are eagerly hoping for a favorable sky so that the tournament can kick off in style, bringing the thrilling cricketing action for which the IPL is renowned.

IPL 2025: Dwayne Bravo Joins Kolkata Knight Riders as Mentor for IPL 2025

September 27, 2024, 11:23 am

KKR Names Bravo as New Mentor

Defending IPL champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), have appointed former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo as their mentor for the 2025 season. The legendary cricketer replaces Gautam Gambhir, who stepped down from the role to become the head coach of the Indian national team.

Bravo Leaves Chennai Super Kings

Bravo’s new role with KKR brings an end to his association with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he served as the bowling coach in IPL 2024. The announcement came just hours after Dwayne Bravo revealed his retirement from all forms of cricket on September 27, 2024. The highest wicket-taker in T20 history, with 631 wickets in 582 matches, Bravo made his decision following a groin injury that ended his participation in the 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Global Role with Knight Riders Franchises

KKR CEO Venky Mysore expressed excitement about Bravo’s appointment, noting that he will be involved not only with the IPL team but also with Knight Riders’ other franchises in the CPL, Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA, and ILT20 in the UAE. Mysore stated, “DJ Bravo joining us is a very exciting development. His deep desire to win, along with his vast experience and knowledge, will greatly benefit our franchise and players. We are thrilled he will also contribute to our global teams.”

Long-Standing Association with Knight Riders

Though Bravo has primarily represented Mumbai Indians and CSK in the IPL, he has a strong connection with the Knight Riders, having played the majority of his CPL career with the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR). He guided TKR to consecutive CPL titles in 2017 and 2018 and led St Kitts & Nevis Patriots to their maiden CPL victory in 2021.

End of an Illustrious Career

Bravo retired from international cricket in 2021 but remained active in franchise cricket, coaching roles, and as a key player. Recently, he worked as CSK’s bowling coach and served as Afghanistan’s bowling consultant for the 2024 T20 World Cup held in the West Indies and the USA. Known for his mastery of slower balls and exceptional death bowling, Bravo became synonymous with T20 cricket throughout his career.

Rare of Rarest: Rinku Singh Makes Stunning Revelation of Being “Bitten 6 Times By…” – WATCH

July 18, 2024, 9:00 pm

In a recent episode of Cyrus Broacha’s talk show, Rinku Singh, a prominent player for the Kolkata Knight Riders, shared a surprising story about his encounters with a monkey. He revealed that he has been bitten by a monkey not just once, but six times. This revelation left Cyrus Broacha and the audience both amused and shocked, adding a memorable twist to the interview. This unusual tale highlights the unpredictable and sometimes bizarre challenges that people, especially those like athletes who often travel, can face.

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This story is a prime example of the light-hearted yet revealing moments that connect sports figures with their fans, showing a more human side to their public personas. Such experiences, while often humorous, help fans see athletes as relatable individuals facing unique challenges.

Adding to Rinku Singh’s interesting times, he was also recently in the news for another reason. He received a new cricket bat from none other than Virat Kohli, marking the second time Kohli has gifted him a bat. The first bat Kohli gave him broke during a match when Rinku was playing against a spinner.

Gautam Gambhir Set To Take Helm As India’s Head Coach, Official Announcement Soon: Report

May 28, 2024, 11:25 pm

With Kolkata Knight Riders securing their third IPL title under the mentorship of Gautam Gambhir, the former India captain’s potential appointment as the next head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team is gaining traction. The application deadline for the position ended on Monday, and Gambhir’s name is prominently circulating in cricketing circles, particularly after his remarkable success in the latest IPL season.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s meeting with Gambhir following KKR’s title victory on Sunday has further fueled speculation about Gambhir’s potential appointment. A recent report from Cricbuzz indicates that Gambhir’s appointment is nearly confirmed, with negotiations progressing on various fronts.

“A very high-profile owner of an IPL franchise, who is very close to the BCCI top brass, said that Gambhir’s appointment is a done deal and the announcement will come soon. A high profile commentator, who is very clued to the happenings in the BCCI said efforts are being made to rope in Gambhir. The fact that an announcement has not yet come suggests that negotiations are underway on multiple fronts — between the two parties and, perhaps, with some others too,” the report said.

Jay Shah recently dismissed claims that the BCCI has approached any former Australian cricketer for the position of India’s next head coach, hinting that Rahul Dravid’s successor is likely to be an Indian by emphasizing the need for a ‘deep understanding’ of the game’s structure in the country.

While Dravid has reportedly informed the board that he is not interested in a third stint, former Australian players such as Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer have stated that they declined offers for the high-profile role.

“Neither I nor the BCCI have approached any former Australian cricketer with a coaching offer. The reports circulating in certain media sections are completely incorrect,” Jay Shah said in a statement.

“The buzzword inside the coach selection circle is ‘desh ke liye karna hai’. Both the BCCI and Gambhir share the belief that ‘we must do it for the country.’ And the conversation between Jay Shah and Gambhir is understood to be centred around this idea,” the Cricbuzz report stated.

Sunil Narine becomes first player to win MVP award in IPL thrice

May 27, 2024, 1:13 pm

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Sunil Narine has clinched the ‘Most Valuable Player’ award in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the third time, a first in the league’s history, following KKR’s victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 2024 season final.

Narine’s initial MVP accolade came during the IPL 2012, his debut season, where he secured 24 wickets. His second MVP title was earned in the 2018 season, amassing 357 runs and claiming 17 wickets.

In the 17th edition of the IPL, Narine exhibited stellar performances for KKR, tallying 488 runs and taking 17 wickets. During the IPL 2024 final against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Narine conceded only 16 runs and took a crucial wicket in his four-over spell, dismissing Jaydev Unadkat in the 18th over. He also contributed with the bat, scoring six runs off two balls at a striking rate of 300 during the run chase.

Under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, KKR secured their third IPL title by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets in the final match.

In the final showdown, Sunrisers Hyderabad won the toss and opted to bat first. However, KKR’s bowling attack, led by Mitchell Starc, dismantled SRH’s batting line-up, restricting them to a mere 113 runs in 18.3 overs. Only skipper Pat Cummins and Aiden Markram managed to cross the 20-run mark.

KKR’s Andre Russell emerged as the top bowler, claiming three wickets for 19 runs. Starc and Harshit Rana also made significant contributions with two wickets each, while Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, and Vaibhav Arora each grabbed a wicket.

KKR chased down the 114-run target in just 10.3 overs with Venkatesh Iyer and Rahmanullah Gurbaz leading the charge, scoring 52* and 39 runs respectively, securing victory for their team in the tournament’s final showdown.

Shah Rukh Khan, AbRam Joins KKR’s Training Session Ahead of IPL Match

April 29, 2024, 10:21 am

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan is known for his love for cricket, especially his support for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL. During the ongoing season, he has been actively involved in the team’s activities, from cheering in the stands to interacting with players.

Recently, Shah Rukh Khan attended KKR’s training session ahead of their match against Delhi Capitals (DC) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. He even brought his son AbRam along, showing him the ropes of cricket training. Videos posted by KKR’s social media team and SRK’s fan club, SRK Universe, captured the actor playing some shots and enjoying the session.

The highlight, however, was AbRam, who was seen bowling to KKR player Rinku Singh. This adorable moment left many fans nostalgic, as they marveled at how quickly AbRam has grown. One fan commented, “How time flies… AbRam bowling to Rinku Singh was never on my list.”

As for the upcoming match between KKR and DC, both teams are looking to secure a win. DC, currently in sixth place on the points table, is aiming to break into the top four. Meanwhile, KKR, in second place, is seeking to bounce back after a recent loss. The match promises to be exciting, with both teams eager to strengthen their positions in the tournament.

KKR’s Narine discusses challenge of facing swing during intense knockout against DC

April 4, 2024, 1:56 pm

Following Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) 106-run victory over Delhi Capitals (DC), KKR bowling all-rounder Sunil Narine, who delivered a match-winning half-century, remarked on the challenging conditions he faced at the start of his innings, attributing it to swing and the difficulty in batting.

Narine’s explosive innings of 85 runs off 39 balls propelled Kolkata to a formidable total of 272/7, the second-highest in IPL history, a score they defended despite notable contributions from DC skipper Rishabh Pant and Tristan Stubbs. DC was eventually bowled out for 166 runs, resulting in a resounding victory for KKR in Visakhapatnam.

In a video shared by the IPL’s official X handle, Narine expressed, “To start off, it was tough, there was a lot of swing. Once you made contact with one or two balls, everything came a little easier. It was nice to do it in front of the big boss (Shahrukh Khan). You have those days when everything clicks.”

His teammate Andre Russell reflected on Narine’s impact, noting how Narine’s aggressive approach motivated him to attack the bowlers from the outset, albeit after taking some time to settle. Russell acknowledged the importance of their comprehensive victory, highlighting its significance for their net run rate.

In the match, Sunil Narine’s blazing knock (85 off 39 balls, including seven fours and seven sixes), Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s impressive performance (54 off 27 balls, with five fours and three sixes), and contributions from Andre Russell (41 off 19 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes) and Rinku Singh (26 off eight balls, with one four and three sixes) propelled KKR to a commanding total.

DC’s chase faltered early, reaching 33/4 before a brief resurgence led by skipper Rishabh Pant (55 off 25 balls, with four boundaries and five sixes) and Tristan Stubbs (54 off 32 balls, with four boundaries and four sixes). However, they fell short as KKR’s bowlers, including Vaibhav Arora (3/27) and Varun Chakravarthy (3/33), restricted them to 166 all out.

Sunil Narine’s impactful performance earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ award. With this win, KKR stands at the top of the table with three consecutive victories and six points, while DC languishes at the ninth spot with one win and three losses, accumulating two points.

KKR’s Harshit Rana fined 60% of match fee for IPL Code of Conduct breach.

March 24, 2024, 1:21 pm

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) pacer Harshit Rana was fined 60 percent of his match fees for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during his IPL debut against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Eden Gardens. The IPL confirmed the fine in a statement, saying, “Kolkata Knight Riders bowler Harshit Rana has been fined a total of 60 percent of his match fees for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during his team’s Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on March 23.”

Rana was found guilty of two Level 1 offences under Article 2.5 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct. The statement explained, “Rana committed two Level 1 offences under Article 2.5 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct. He was fined 10 percent and 50 percent of his match fees for the two respective offences. Rana admitted to the two offences and accepted the Match Referee’s sanction. For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Match Referee’s decision is final and binding.”

Despite the disciplinary issue, Rana had an impactful performance in the match, taking three wickets for 33 runs in his four-over spell. His efforts in the final over of the second innings helped KKR secure a victory.

In the match, KKR posted a challenging total of 208/7, with Andre Russell’s explosive 64* off 25 balls being a standout performance. In response, SRH got off to a good start but faltered in the middle overs. However, Heinrich Klaasen’s 63 off 29 balls and Shahbaz Ahmed’s quickfire 16 off five balls kept SRH in the hunt. Ultimately, Rana’s disciplined bowling in the final over ensured KKR’s victory as SRH fell short by a narrow margin.

Shankar, Sudarshan led Gujarat Titans to 204/4 against KKR

April 9, 2023, 6:26 pm

With explosive batting by Vijay Shankar at the death, after Sudharsan set the platform, the Gujarat Titans posted a total of 204/4 against the Kolkata Knight Riders to chase at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

After winning the toss, the Gujarat Titans chose to bat, with Wriddhiman Saha and Shubman Gill opening the innings. The openers started steadily against the Kolkata pacers; however, when spinner Sunil Narine was introduced in the fourth over of the match, Kolkata took their first wicket as Saha, who was dismissed for 17 in 17 balls to a brilliant diving catch from N Jagadeesan. GT was 33/1 in 4.2 overs.

The Gujarat Titans reached their 50-run mark in just 5.1 overs. After the powerplay, Gill was standing strong in the middle with 20 in 14 balls, and he was partnered by Sai Sudharsan with five in five balls. GT was at 54/1 in 6 overs. The duo of Sudharsan and Gill brought up the fifty-run partnership in just 30 balls. GT was at 88/1 after 10 overs, with Gill at 36 in 27 balls and Sudharsan at 22 in 16 balls.

Just after GT reached their 100-run mark in 11.3 overs, Gill’s innings came to an end with Narine’s second wicket in 11.4 overs when Umesh Yadav caught him at long-on. GT’s opener was in 39 on 31 balls, consisting of four boundaries. GT was 100/2 after 11.4 overs. The 12th over started with a four against Umesh by Abhinav Manohar, and to continue the rhythm, he hit two more boundaries in the next two balls.

Giving another blow to Gujarat’s batting, youngster Suyash Sharma bowled Abhinav with a cracking googly in his second over. Abhinav was at 14 in 8 balls consisting of 4 fours. Whereas, GT was at 118/3 after 13.3 over.

After 15 overs, Gujarat scored 132/3 with Vijay Shankar and Sudharsan batting on the crease. Sudharsan was batting at 46 in 31 balls, and Shankar was batting at 2 in 3 balls.
Gujarat’s in-form batter, Sudharsan, clinched his second half-century of the IPL 2023 in 34 balls in 16.2 overs.

With Sudharsan’s single in 16.4, Gujarat got to the 150-run mark. With his three-wicket haul, Narine got the wicket of Sudharsan in 17.3 overs. Sudharsan performed prenominal scoring of 53 in 38 balls, bringing the Titans to 153/4. Taking advantage of the platform set by the top batters, Shankar accelerated in the last second over of the match, punishing Ferguson for an expensive 25 runs where he was hit by two sixes, two fours, and one no ball.

With explosive batting, Shankar reached his fifty in just 21 balls with a six. And after the half-century, he hit two sixes in the next consecutive balls, making a hat-trick of sixes. Gujarat ended their innings at 204/4 with the help of Shankar’s unbeaten 63 in 24 balls and David Miller’s unbeaten two runs in three balls.

Shah Rukh Khan celebrates with Suhana Khan and Shanaya Kapoor after Kolkata Knight Riders win Thursday’s match- See Pics

April 7, 2023, 11:21 am

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is back in the film industry with the massive success of Pathaan. The film is helmed by Siddharth Anand. SRK is now ready to be active in the film industry. However, he has now taken a break from his busy career as the IPL fever has begun. For those unaware, SRK attended the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore on Thursday. The actor was attended by his daughter Suhana Khan and her best friend, Shanaya Kapoor. SRK’s manager Pooja Dadlani was also spotted at the match. After his IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders won the match, he was seen celebrating with Suhana and Shanaya.

Take a look

Lighting it up & how ✨ @iamsrk & #SuhanaKhan straight from Knight's Den ??#KKRvsRCB #ShahRukhKhan #KKR #AmiKKR pic.twitter.com/QkLkkgGl0u

— Shah Rukh Khan Universe Fan Club (@SRKUniverse) April 6, 2023

The King with The Princess ?✨#KKRvsRCB #ShahRukhKhan #KKR #AmiKKR pic.twitter.com/AIfeICURGj

— Shah Rukh Khan Universe Fan Club (@SRKUniverse) April 6, 2023

Eden Gardens posing with the happiness of "JHOOME JO PATHAAN "?? #KKRvsRCB #ShahRukhKhan #KKR #AmiKKR pic.twitter.com/XrNoRVUYFO

— Shah Rukh Khan Universe Fan Club (@SRKUniverse) April 6, 2023

Meanwhile, on the professional front, SRK will be next seen in Jawan which is ready to hit the theatres in June. The film also marks the Bollywood debut of popular Tamil director Atlee. Apart from SRK, it features Nayanthara. In the film, Vijay Sethupathi is playing the lead antagonist. The superstar is also joining hands with senior filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani for the first time. They are teaming up for the upcoming social drama, which has been titled Dunki. Adding more details, SRK is expected to resume the shooting of the project after wrapping up Jawan. In the film, Taapsee Pannu is playing the female lead.