Two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders would strive for a handsome win over struggling Rajasthan Royals in their last round-robin game to stay ahead in the IPL play-offs race in Sharjah on Thursday.
The KKR think-tank might not be unduly worried as their campaign is still at a nascent stage, but they would like to see the first-choice pacer and spinner finding their range at the earliest.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL 2024 campaign is just one-match old, but it has already exposed their biggest chink. It's fragility in bowling, and they need better returns from bowlers against a confident Punjab Kings at an unforgiving M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, on Monday.
Bobat also backed England all-rounder Will Jacks to come in handy.
There were many contenders on Sunday for the best batter's prize: Salt, Jacks, Iyer, Patidar, Karn Sharma...
Talking about carrying the momentum or starting again in the knockout stage, Boult said, 'For me, it is starting again. We are against some classy opposition coming to the business end of the tournament.'
Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan was the costliest purchase on Day 1 of the players' auction as Mumbai Indians shelled out a massive Rs 15.25 crore to get him back.
Cameron Green braved cramps to smash a career-best 89 not out and secure Australia's nervy two-wicket victory against New Zealand in the opening one-day international in Cairns on Tuesday.
Siraj, Shubman nominated for ICC Player of the Month Award
Fast bowler Tim Southee will lead the Black Caps in the five matches against England starting in Christchurch on November 1.
All about IPL 2025 which kicks off on March 22, Saturday.
From a maths perspective, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans can still reach the IPL playoffs, but they need to ward off inner gremlins on Saturday to notch a mandatory win to keep that dream flickering.
Skipper Rohit Sharma (46) led India's rollicking start but it was Kohli's fourth 50-plus score in five innings that helped to inflict on New Zealand their first defeat of the tournament.
NZ face WI in virtual knockout, rain threatens to derail England again
IMAGES from the IPL match played between Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bangalore
Experienced opener Martin Guptill is a doubtful starter for New Zealand's T20 World Cup match against India in Dubai on Sunday after he suffered a toe injury during their clash against Pakistan.
Gujarat Titans' captain Hardik Pandya rued that technology did not come to their rescue when Matthew Wade was adjudged LBW in a controversial call but said overall on most occasions it has helped in taking right decision.
Warner described local fans as "derogatory and pretty vulgar" after the Australians were targeted for abuse during a test and ODI tour of New Zealand in 2016.
With 3,248 runs to his name, Martin Guptill is atop the leading T20I scorers' list, ahead of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have scored 3,227 and 3,086 runs respectively.
Desperate Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be under tremendous pressure to get their act together against an equally struggling Mumbai Indians when the two teams face-off in an Indian Premier League match in Mumbai on Thursday.
He also praised opposite number Hardik Pandya.
Images from the Indian Premier League match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders, in Abu Dhabi, on Monday.
Images from the Indian Premier league match between Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, in Abu Dhabi, on Thursday.
Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) have acquired the services of Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) pacer Shardul Thakur for the 10th edition of the Indian Premier League.
Images from the Indian Premier League match between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders, in Sharjah, on Wednesday.
With nine defeats from 11 matches, the Sunrisers are languishing at the bottom, while KKR, in fourth place with 10 points from 12 matches, still have hopes of qualifying for the knock-out stage.
Images from the T20 World Cup Group C match between the West Indies and New Zealand in Trinidad on Thursday.
On a roll post the IPL's resumption, Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders will look to continue their winning streak when they meet in a high-octane Indian Premier League encounter, in Abu Dhabi, on Sunday.
Victory left New Zealand on 10 points and in pole position to bag the last semi-final spot and join India, South Africa and Australia. Pakistan will now need to beat England by a massive margin to leapfrog New Zealand on net run rate.
'He's certainly right at the top and one of the best'
Veteran all-rounder Mitchell Santner will captain the New Zealand side for the three-match T20I series against India.
'He is one of the best bowlers you can have right now in the team. I would want to learn from him a lot, not only about T20 cricket or white-ball cricket but also Test cricket.'
Starc took his tally to 19 wickets in the tournament so far.
With five consecutive defeats, bottom-placed RCB have the daunting task of winning their remaining seven games to keep their play-off prospects alive.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing for the World Cup match against New Zealand?
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji present Rediff.com's Most Valuable Player Index of T20 World Cup 2024 after Game 54.
The Rajasthan Royal bowlers fended off the RCB batters in the Eliminator in Ahmedabad.
With no Jasprit Bumrah in the Indian line-up, the 'Men In Blue' are missing a trick. And despite Mohammed Shami's brilliance in the warm-up game against Australia on the other day in Brisbane, the bowling unit doesn't inspire much confidence.
Once again, RCB are looking on course to finish without a trophy after losing six out of their first seven games.
