Cricket

BCCI gives shock to Pakistan, India to skip Women’s Emerging Asia Cup, pull out of Men’s Asia Cup

The BCCI has informed the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) about the decision to withdraw from both events happening in June and September, respectively New Delhi: Due to the continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly decided to skip the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup and even pull out from the Men’s Asia Cup. The development leaves the future of the men’s Asia Cup in serious jeopardy. As of now, India has the hosting rights for the Men’s Asia Cup, set to happen in September this year in T20 format. Apart from India and Pakistan, Bangladesh, UAE, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and Oman were to be a part of the tournament.…

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IPL preview: Focus shifts to rebuilding as CSK, RR face off in contest for pride

The May 20 match is between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals New Delhi: The contest between laggards Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals holds no significance in the context of the play-offs, but both teams will aim to accelerate their rebuilding process, with the MS Dhoni-led side looking to transform itself from a ‘dad’s army’ into a young brigade. The Tuesday match is the last of the 2025 edition for the Royals, who have nothing to savour except finding exceptional talent in Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who forced the cricket world to take note of his unexpected coruscating show. The bad bowling picks at the auction have hurt the Jaipur-based side the most, apart from a non-impressive show by the middle order.…

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Brar spell, Nehal knock ensure victory for Punjab

Shashank Singh (59 off 30) and Nehal Wadhera (70 off 37) propelled PBKS to a formidable 219/5. Their aggressive partnerships helped PBKS set a challenging total, taking them closer to a playoff spot Jaipur: Left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar bowled a match-turning spell after Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh made bruising fifties as Punjab Kings edged closer to an IPL playoff berth with a 10-run win over Rajasthan Royals here on Sunday. Brar, who came in as a substitute for skipper Shreyas Iyer — possibly unwell due to extreme heat — was introduced in the fifth over and the left-arm spinner walked away with an impressive 3/22 in four overs, helping PBKS to restrict RR to 209/7 in the chase of 220.…

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Sunrisers Hyderabad aim to combat their weaknesses in face-off against Lucknow Super Giants

For SRH, it will be a chance for some of their players to shrug off rustiness that has plagued their campaign through and through Lucknow: Rishabh Pant will aim to hit the refresh button after a wretched run as Lucknow Super Giants make one last-ditch attempt to stay alive in IPL play-offs race by winning their remaining three league matches, starting with clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad here Monday. Last year’s finalists SRH are already out of contention and will be playing for pride while LSG have an outside chance of sneaking into the last-four if they can get to 16 points with three emphatic wins. LSG’s net run-rate -0.469 however, makes it virtually impossible unless their last three opponents are completely…

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KKR has to blame itself, says Aaron Finch

Finch was all praise for Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer. Hyderabad: JioStar expert Aaron Finch said that the big-hitting all-rounder Andre Russell was batting too far down the order and it didn’t start well for Kolkata Knight Riders which was knocked out of the IPL after the game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru was washed out on Saturday night in Bengaluru. “Russell simply wasn’t given the opportunities to influence games the way he can. They’ve only got themselves to blame. They almost kicked themselves after that last game against CSK – it was theirs to win,” the former Australian captain said. “The match was almost wrapped up, and they still couldn’t cross the line, which turned out to be an incredible…

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Rain knocks out Kolkata off playoffs race, RCB step closer to next stage

RCB tops the points table after match cancelled due to incessant rain and both teams sharing a point each Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru moved a step closer to the IPL playoffs, while defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders were knocked out of the race as incessant rain washed out their match here on Saturday, forcing the teams to settle for a point apiece. Rain of varying intensity that started around 6 pm never relented as even the toss could not take place, and the officials eventually called off the game at 10.24 pm. The Royal Challengers now have 17 points from 12 matches, and a win from their remaining two games will be enough for them to seal a berth in the…

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I live in the present, don’t think too much about the future, says Gujarat Titan’s Ishant Sharma

Titans’ focus is always on small impactful performances, Says Ishant Sharma Hyderabad: One of the IPL veterans, Ishant Sharma, says that in Gujarat Titans no one thinks about the caps – Purple or Orange. “The main objective is always to win the game at hand. Do not think too much about the play-offs. We always take pride in someone raising their hand for the team’s cause,” he said. The Gujarat Titans seasoned campaigner, Ishant, who featured in every single IPL edition since 2008 playing for six different franchises so far, says the team atmosphere in Titans is always chilled. “In fact, there are no formal team meetings and most of them last for five minutes, but bowlers get the first say in expressing themselves,” Ishant said in the Star Sports Press Room interaction ahead of the Titans’ match against…

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IPL preview: Punjab eye playoff spot as RR seek pride in final home game

The match starts at 3:30 pm IST on May 18 Jaipur: Punjab Kings will look to renew their bid for a playoff berth with another commanding performance here on Sunday against Rajasthan Royals, who have failed to rise above mediocrity despite possessing the resources this season. As action returns to the Sawai Mansingh stadium after a week-long enforced break, Shreyas Iyer’s side will hope to move past the nightmare on May 8, when their match against Delhi Capitals in scenic Dharamsala had to be called off due to India-Pakistan border tensions, forcing the players to return to their dressing rooms in pitch darkness. As PBKS take the field on Sunday, comfortably placed at third spot on the table with 15 points…

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As IPL resumes, Gavaskar says teams on winning streak might slow down

Gavaskar said for sides like Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, or Punjab Kings, the pause could help reassess and figure out how to improve Hyderabad: Cricket legend and former India captain, Sunil Gavaskar, said the recent break in the tournament might slow down teams that were on a winning streak. Speaking on Star Sports Press Room interaction, Gavaskar said for sides like Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, or Punjab Kings, the pause could help—they could reassess and figure out how to improve. “The next 8–10 days will be very interesting. At the start, the league is like a marathon with 14 games. But now, with only 2-3 matches left, it’s a sprint to the finish—to break into the top four, or ideally, the…

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Kohli just wants to get on with business, says RCB Director

“It was an unusual few days for everybody (because of the suspension of the IPL due to Indo-Pakistan tension on the border). For me personally, there was lots to sort out and it was a busy few days,” Mo Bobat, Director of Cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru Hyderabad: “It was an unusual few days for everybody (because of the suspension of the IPL due to Indo-Pakistan tension on the border). For me personally, there was lots to sort out and it was a busy few days,” Mo Bobat, Director of Cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, said in an interaction on Friday. “For many of our lads, actually, it was a well-earned rest. And, actually, we were saying even yesterday, the boys came in…

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