Kings XI Punjab continued their winning streak with a facile five-wicket victory to strengthen their position at the top of the heap as Royal Challengers Bangalore were left licking their wounds after yet another loss in the ongoing Indian Premier League in Dubai on Monday.
With 59 matches spread across 10 cities, the cash-rich league starting Saturday will unearth new domestic talents apart from giving some of the tried and tested faces a shot at redemption during the next seven weeks of what is again expected to be a perfect marriage of cricket and entertainment.
A total of 20 matches will be played in the United Arab Emirates from April 16 to 30 at three venues -- Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Dubai.
David Miller is in awe of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's finishing skills and the South African says he wants to imbibe the former India skipper's calmness in high-pressure run chases.
Gujarat Lions opener Aaron Finch was all praise for his 'Champion' West Indies team-mate Dwayne Bravo, who he feels 'keeps getting better and better with age'.
Strike rates are over-rated, said Kings XI Punjab captain K L Rahul, brushing aside criticism of his bottom-placed team which lost its fourth match on the trot, failing miserably in a chase of 202 against SunRisers Hyderabad, in Dubai, on Thursday.
Kolkata Knight Riders are back in familiar home conditions but can ill-afford to take Kings XI Punjab lightly, who are showing signs of improvement under a newly-appointed skipper, when the two teams clash in Kolkata, on Wednesday.
Maxi's stroke play was confident as he took on the RCB bowlers, playiog a series of switch-hits and reverse sweeps.
Kings XI Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia, who spoke to the BCCI officials including president Sourav Ganguly on Friday, said the situation has to improve for the 13th edition of the IPL to take place.
Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli says the team has to take responsibility for the defeat to Kings XI Punjab in the IPL match in Sharjah on Thursday.
Gill, who was interviewing Kohli, was quick to add: 'These three combined would have had 1200 to 1500 wickets. They prepare us for all kinds of conditions heading into the match.'
Guitar and card games are options former Australia speedster Brett Lee wants the IPL-bound cricketers to explore in order to maintain the bio-secure bubble during their long stay in the UAE. The IPL will be held in the United Arab Emirates from September 19 to November 10 in a controlled environment owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Delhi Daredevils beat Kings XI Punjab by five wickets in their Indian Premier League match in Pune on Wednesday. It was Delhi's first win in 12 matches and their first against Punjab after four straight defeats.
'There is only one Thala and everyone knows who he is.'
A net bowler with the Indian team right now, uncapped Karnataka all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham is still trying to get a grip on his emotions after fetching a mind-boggling Rs 9.25 crore deal with Chennai Super Kings which left his parents and wife overwhelmed by tears of joy.
Australian big-hitter Glenn Maxwell has attributed his inconsistent run in the IPL over eight seasons to frequent changes in his role, something that is very clear to him when playing for his country.
SunRisers Hyderabad skipper David Warner praised leg-spinner Rashid Khan after his superb showing with the ball against Kings XI Punjab on Thursday, saying it is great to have a bowler like him in the team.
At one stage, Rahul Tewatia was struggling on 17 from 23 balls, before he smashed his way to a remarkable 53 from 30 balls to help Rajasthan Royals make IPL history.
Kings XI Punjab on Sunday denied allegation that the members of the team had damaged the dressing room during their IPL match against Pune Warriors on April 8.
The indomitable Chennai Super Kings will have the advantage of familiarity with the conditions but the unbeaten Kolkata Knight Riders would still be a tough nut to crack when they clash in the Oppo Champions League T20 final at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.
Rajneesh Gupta presents Mumbai Indians's record in the IPL over the years:
Game 54 of IPL 2020 will see the Kolkata Knight Riders take on the Rajasthan Royals at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore have won only three games out of 10 in IPL-12 so far.
Sakshi Dhoni, undoubtedly the fist lady of Indian cricket, seems to have passed on her luck to husband's Chennai Super Kings.
Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma is working on his game and hamstring muscle to ensure that he is back in India's teams for the Australia tour.
Rahul Tewatia reveals that he always kept believing that he could hit sixes despite struggling initially in his innings.
Rahul broke a couple of records en route the match-winning century.
Rahul broke Sachin Tendulkar's 8-year record.
Jasprit Bumrah showcased why he is rated so highly as a bowler on Sunday night.
Check out the league standings in the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League.
Kings XI Punjab batsman Shaun Marsh has received an official warning and reprimand for breaching the VIVO Indian Premier League Code of Conduct during his team's match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad on Saturday.
In T20 cricket Gayle, perhaps, holds the same place that Don Bradman has in Test cricket.
Earlier in the tournament, Punjab got off to a similar situation in their first game against Delhi Capitals where they failed to score a single run in the last ball and the match went to Super Over where Punjab lost the game.
It was a day dominated by record-breaking performances from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Yuzvendra Chahal as Rajasthan Royals pummelled Kolkata Knight Riders into submission.
In the absence of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul was named vice-captain of the ODI and T20I teams. He also makes a comeback to the Test team, as Shikhar Dhawan was named only in the limited-overs' side.
With Kings XI Punjab's victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL match at Mohali on Monday Preity Zinta's famous dimpled smile is back.
Delhi Daredevils find themselves in an 'oh-so-familiar' situation as they seek home comfort against a Chris Gayle-inspired Kings XI Punjab
Dhawan also said that batting second at the Wankhede Stadium becomes easier because of the dew.
Anil Kumble is happy that KKR leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy is back in his element having sorted his technical issues.
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