Rajasthan Royals had a "great season" but a "little bit of panic" chasing Sunrisers Hyderabad denied them a place in the Indian Premier League final, team director Kumar Sangakkara said on Friday. Trent Boult led Rajasthan's charge in the second and last qualifier on Friday when he struck three early blows to help restrict Hyderabad to 175-9 in Chennai. But inaugural champions Rajasthan, whose 2008 win under late Australian hero Shane Warne remains their only title, faltered in their chase and finished on 139-7. It was a disappointing end for a team which held a top two position in the table for most of the season, only to lose four in a row at the end and slip to third. They knocked out Royal Challengers Bengaluru during the play-offs but lost to Hyderabad, who will play Kolkata Knight Riders in the final on Sunday, by 36 runs. Former Sri Lanka captain Sangakkara blamed their defeat on "losing wickets in clusters". "Wicket turned a little bit probably, but I think a little bit of panic and not building enough partnerships past that first wicket." Rajasthan, led by Sanju Samson, won eight of their first nine matches this season but lost four out of the next five -- with the other game a washout. But Sangakkara insisted his side had a "great season". Also Read: Balance or bias? IPL nears epic conclusion amid batting barrage "All we can do is put ourselves in positions of play-offs and vying for finals, which we did," he told reporters. "All the guys, throughout the season played really phenomenal cricket." Rajasthan missed their opener Jos Buttler, who along with other England players returned home ahead of the play-offs to be with the national team for the T20 World Cup in June. Buttler hit two centuries and was a force to reckon with in Rajasthan's chases. But his replacement Tom Kohler-Cadmore made 10 in Friday's do-or-die match after scores of 18 and 20 in previous games. "We always say that the best ability is availability and unfortunately we lost Jos," said Sangakkara. "He is a big loss without a doubt. When you're in a playoff like this and you've got that start without Jos, we expect the other batters to also step up." (With agency inputs)
07 March,2025 12:06 PM IST | Ahmedabad | mid-day online correspondentAustralia's World Cup-winning captain Pat Cummins will need a spectacular turnaround to secure another major title on Sunday, when his Sunrisers Hyderabad face Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2024 final only five days after a heavy loss. Hyderabad beat Rajasthan Royals by 36 runs in the last IPL 2024 qualifier in Chennai on Friday to secure a place in their third IPL final. But that win came after a crushing eight-wicket defeat by two-time champions Kolkata in the first play-off in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. Hyderabad's only title in the world's most lucrative T20 tournament came in 2016 under another Australian, David Warner. Fast bowler Cummins, for whom Hyderabad paid $2.5 million in the IPL auction, led Australia to both the world Test championship title and an ODI World Cup triumph last year. "Very practical guy, very humble, very empathetic with his fellow team-mates and coaching staff," Hyderabad assistant coach Simon Helmot said of Cummins. "He is into the statistics, gets the information he needs against a particular opposition in certain conditions. Doesn't waste time in team meetings, our team meeting today went for 35 seconds," he told reporters. Hyderabad have racked up record IPL totals of 277 and 287 in a high-scoring tournament, with Cummins' astute leadership and rotation of bowlers also an advantage when defending totals. Also Read: Balance or bias? IPL nears epic conclusion amid batting barrage Standing in Cummins' way will be fellow Australian and Kolkata quick Mitchell Starc, who rattled Hyderabad's top order in the first qualifier. Left-arm quick Starc became the most expensive player in IPL history when Kolkata paid $2.98 million for his services, overtaking Cummins in the same auction in December. Starc justified the outlay when he returned figures of 3-34 at the world's biggest cricket stadium on Tuesday, including bowling fellow Australian and Hyderabad opener Travis Head for a duck. Kolkata, led by India's Shreyas Iyer, have been the side to beat in the competition and topped the 10-team table with 20 points in the league phase. Apart from the big signing of Starc, Kolkata brought Gautam Gambhir on board as mentor after the former India batsman led the team to two titles in 2012 and 2014. Kolkata beat home side Chennai Super Kings to lift their first title the last time they played a final at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. "I'm very confident that KKR are going to win here," Australian cricketer-turned-commentator Matthew Hayden told Star Sports, pointing out that a few days off had given them the opportunity to understand their opponents' strengths and weaknesses. Kolkata have lost just three matches all season, with all-rounder Sunil Narine promoted to open the innings and leading their batting charge with 482 runs, including a century. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy and fast bowler Harshit Rana have also shared 37 wickets between them. However, Kolkata's bowlers will be wary of Hyderabad's left-handed opening pair of Head and Abhishek Sharma, who have given their team many strong starts. Head has scored 567 runs, with a century and four fifties, to stand fourth in the IPL batting chart led by Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli on 741. Abhishek, 23, has been described as a future India star with his 482 runs and a punishing strike-rate of more than 207. (With agency inputs)
07 March,2025 12:05 PM IST | Chennai | mid-day online correspondentMitchell Starc bowled a sensational opening spell to fire Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title with a eight-wicket thrashing of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Sunday final. Kolkata bowled out Hyderabad for IPL's lowest total of 113 in a final as Australia's left-arm quick Starc returned figures of 2-14 to live up to his top billing in the world's most lucrative T20 tournament. Starc went to Kolkata for a record $2.98 million in the December auction and ended IPL 2024 with two stellar performances, including a match-winning 3-34 in the first play-off to hammer the same opponent. Kolkata's batsmen had it easy and despite Sunil Narine's early departure, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who made 39, and Venkatesh Iyer, on 52 not out, helped the team home with 9.3 overs to spare after a partnership of 91. Iyer, a left-handed batsman, reached his 50 in 24 balls and hit the winning runs to trigger celebrations for Kolkata, who remained the most dominant team after they ended top of the table with 20 points in the league phase. Skipper Shreyas Iyer was unbeaten on six, and at the other end, when Kolkata players came rushing on to the pitch and the stadium fireworks went off. Also Read: ‘Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo re’ done right IPL 2024 prize money: Full list of winners Over time, the IPL prize fund has witnessed a notable escalation, mirroring the burgeoning appeal and intensity of the competition. In the most recent development, the total IPL 2024 prize money allocated to teams has soared to a commendable INR 46.5 crore. Champions: INR 20 crore Runners-up: INR 13 crore Third Place: INR 7 crore Fourth Place: INR 6.5 crore Emerging Player of the Tournament: INR 20 lakh Orange Cap (Top Run-Scorer): INR 15 lakh Purple Cap (Top Wicket-Taker): INR 15 lakh Power Player of the Season: INR 15 lakh Super Striker of the Season: INR 15 lakh Most Valuable Player: INR 12 lakh Game Changer of the Season: INR 12 lakh Orange Cap: Virat Kohli (741 runs) Purple Cap: Harshal Patel (4-wicket lead)
07 March,2025 11:39 AM IST | Chennai | mid-day online correspondentKolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Sunil Narine has become the first player to win the 'Most Valuable Player' award in the Indian Premier League (IPL) thrice after beating the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2024 final. Narine won his first MVP award in the IPL 2012 after picking up 24 wickets, it was also his debut season. His second MVP came in the 2018 season of the tournament when he scored 357 runs and picked 17 wickets as well. In IPL 2024, Narine displayed a stunning performance for the Kolkata-based franchise. He scored 488 runs and bagged 17 wickets. In the final match of the IPL 2024 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Narine took one wicket and gave 16 runs in his four-over spell, he removed Jaydev Unadkat from the crease in the 18th over. During the run chase, he scored six runs after playing two balls at a strike rate of 300. Also Read: ‘Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo re’ done right KKR lifted their third title under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer after thumping the Hyderabad-based franchise by 8 wickets on Sunday. Recapping the match, SRH won the toss and elected to bat first. KKR rocked SRH with continuous wickets, with the big buy Mitchell Starc justifying his hefty price tag. Only skipper Pat Cummins (24 in 19 balls, with two fours and a six) and Aiden Markram (20 in 23 balls, with three fours) touched the 20-run mark and SRH was bundled out for 113 in 18.3 overs. Andre Russell (3/19) was the top bowler for KKR. Starc (2/14) and Harshit Rana (2/24) also contributed well with the ball. Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy and Vaibhav Arora took a wicket each. KKR pulled off the run-chase of 114 run-target in just 10.3 overs with eight wickets in hand. Venkatesh Iyer (52* in 26 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (39 in 32 balls, with five fours and two sixes) shined for KKR in the final match of the tournament. (With agency inputs)
07 March,2025 11:39 AM IST | Chennai | mid-day online correspondentKolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer played a crucial role in his side's third IPL title win with an unbeaten half-century against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Chennai's Chepauk Stadium on Sunday. Continuing his fine show in the knockout stages of IPL 2024, Venkatesh in the final scored 52* in 26 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes, with strike rate of 200.00 accelerating KKR's easy run chase of 114 runs and ending it within the first half of the innings itself. Iyer has a fine record in the IPL playoffs with KKR. In the eliminator of 2021 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Iyer scored 26 runs in 30 balls, helping KKR win. In the qualifier second against Delhi Capitals (DC) and the final against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Iyer scored 55 in 41 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes and a knock of 50 in 32 balls, with five fours and three sixes. However, KKR lost to CSK in the final by 27 runs. In five knockout stage matches, Iyer has scored 232 runs at an average of 77.33 and four fifties, with the best score of 55. Only CSK star Suresh Raina has scored more fifty-plus scores (a total of seven) in the IPL knockouts stages. Also Read: ‘Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo re’ done right Now in this IPL 2024 final, he has scored a match-winning 52* in 26 balls. This is also Iyer's fourth-successive fifty-plus scores in IPL playoffs/knockouts, surpassing three by Lendl Simmons of Mumbai Indians (MI). The official handle of KKR acknowledged Venkatesh's playoff heroics, tweeting, "THE ONLY PLAYER IN #TATA IPL HISTORY TO SCORE 4 CONSECUTIVE 50s IN THE PLAYOFFS - VENKATESH IYER. ACKNOWLEDGE THE CLUTCH CHIEF!." THE ONLY PLAYER IN #TATAIPL HISTORY TO SCORE 4 CONSECUTIVE 50s IN THE PLAYOFFS - VENKATESH IYER. ACKNOWLEDGE THE CLUTCH CHIEF! β pic.twitter.com/8bDan80DTw — KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) May 26, 2024 In this IPL season for KKR, Iyer scored 370 runs in 13 innings at an average of 46.25 and a strike rate of over 158, with four half-centuries and best score of 70. Coming to the match, SRH won the toss and elected to bat first. KKR rocked SRH with continuous wickets, with the big buy Mitchell Starc justifying his Rs 24.75 crore price tag. Only skipper Pat Cummins (24 in 19 balls, with two fours and a six) and Aiden Markram (20 in 23 balls, with three fours) touched the 20-run mark and SRH was bundled out for 113 in 18.3 overs. Andre Russell (3/19) was the top bowler for KKR. Starc (2/14) and Harshit Rana (2/24) also contributed well with the ball. Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy and Vaibhav Arora took a wicket each. KKR pulled off the run-chase of 114 runs in just 10.3 overs with eight wickets in hand, with Venkatesh Iyer (52* in 26 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (39 in 32 balls, with five fours and two sixes) shining for KKR.
07 March,2025 11:38 AM IST | Chennai | mid-day online correspondent"You guys watch, I will also be lifting the World Cup," an ecstatic Rinku Singh said after clinching IPL 2024 with Kolkata Knight Riders, looking forward to the T20 showpiece in the Americas where he will be among the reserves for Team India. Kolkata Knight Riders won their third IPL title by trouncing former champions Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets in the final on Sunday night. The team's batting order, both top and middle, was in form throughout the event, including Rinku. Although the 26-year-old batted in only 11 innings, he was effective with 168 runs at a strike rate of 148.67. "I am headed to Noida first, and then, I will be going to the United States of America. You guys watch, I will also be lifting the World Cup," Rinku told 'Jio Cinema'. Rinku's omission from India's World Cup squad was a talking point after its announcement last month. He is among the four reserves, including star batter Shubman Gill. Talking about KKR's performance this season, Rinku credited the entire unit and also lauded team mentor Gautam Gambhir, who returned to the side after seven years. "You can't credit just one person because everyone has worked hard. Since GG (Gautam Gambhir) sir came, a lot of things have changed. Sending Sunil early, he batted so well," Rinku said. "The batters played well, and the bowling was great. Venky (Venkatesh Iyer) has been batting really well for the last five-six matches, so overall, everyone has done really well," he added. Also Read: Venky, KKR's very own 'clutch chief' Speaking to the same channel's newly-launched show 'Dhawan Karenge' with Shikhar Dhawan, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant recounted how his cricket-loving father gifted him an expensive bat, leaving his mother livid. Pant returned to professional cricket during the just-concluded IPL 2024. He was out of action since December 2022 after suffering a horrific car accident on the Delhi-Dehradun highway. "It was my father's dream to become a cricketer, and I am glad I could fulfil it. I decided I wanted to be a cricketer when I was in the 5th grade. My dad gifted me a bat worth Rs 14,000, and my mom got super angry," he said. Pant had a great season in IPL 2024 with Delhi Capitals, finishing as the side's highest run-scorer with 446 runs in 13 games at a strike rate of 155.40, including three half-centuries. However, he could only lead the team to a sixth-place finish. (With agency inputs)
07 March,2025 11:38 AM IST | Chennai | mid-day online correspondentWhen Kolkata Knight Riders captain Shreyas Iyer recreated Lionel Messi's famous World Cup celebration after winning the IPL 2024, it was nothing sort of an Argentina moment for him. Earlier, he was also snubbed from the Board of Control for Cricket in India's central contract. He finally found a deep sense of triumph and vindication in this victory, much like Messi did after exorcising the ghosts of losing the 2014 final and winning the trophy for his country after a 36-year wait. Following the Iyer-led KKR victory, the two-time champions Kolkata waited 10 years to lift the trophy. Little wonder then that he chose to imitate the man who knows all about rising from setbacks. So, Iyer, with the trophy in his hands, took a playful walk towards his teammates, quite similar to what Messi did after the final against France in Doha, and handed the big prize to them. Also Read: IPL 2024 | "It is really amazing what he did": Pietersen heap praise on Narine "I am hearing a lot about Gautam Gambhir, who has created a magnificent culture in the KKR team. But this guy (Iyer), I don't think he is getting enough credit. Shreyas Iyer needs some credit," said the legendary Ian Bishop after KKR's triumph against SRH at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Openers Sunil Narine and Phil Salt have got the most runs for Kolkata, but they played as a team and managed to come out victorious in the dominant season, topping the table with two rounds to spare, and enduring just three losses in between. "It is hard to express how we are feeling right now. The wait was so long. We played like invincibles throughout the season. There is so much to cherish right now," said Iyer. For Shreyas Iyer's childhood coach Pravin Amre, it was a sort of special feeling. Amre was the one who tested Iyer and promoted him to bat at number three from number seven in his maiden Ranji season in 2014-15. Iyer returned with 153, his maiden first-class hundred in their match against Bengal at Eden Gardens in December 2014. "I challenged him in his entire career (in Mumbai)...I knew how strong-willed he's and it was my job as a coach to challenge him. He always liked to take the challenge in a good stride. he is a good team man. In the last World Cup, he scored 530 runs," Amre said. "I always told him you just do whatever is in your hands, let the other people do their job, you just remain focus on what's in your hands," added Amre who first took him under his wings at the Shivaji Park Gymkhana. By leading KKR into the final, Iyer achieved the rare feat of playing the summit clash as captain of two different franchises in the IPL. The KKR skipper missed the last season because of a back injury that required surgery in London last year. He made a comeback in the Asia Cup and went on to become India's third leading run-getter after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in last year's ODI World Cup. The year didn't start well for him though as he had a difficult outing in the home Test series against England and looked patchy scoring 140 runs in the first two matches before being left out for the final three Tests. It was learnt that he developed the recurring back problem, even though he was cleared by the Board medical staff. Iyer then became the centre of a controversy when he missed the Ranji Trophy for his home state Mumbai and went on to attend KKR's pre-season camp. Iyer, however, returned to play for Mumbai in the semifinal and final against Vidarbha where he scored a resolute 95 in the second innings of their 42nd Ranji triumph. The Board omitted him from the Grade B contract and BCCI secretary Jay Shah issued a stern warning asking players not to prioritise IPL over domestic cricket. Under intense scrutiny, Iyer looked rusty at the start of the IPL and got out for a two-ball duck in their opener against SRH.He had some significant contributions later on but his efforts were all overshadowed by Narine and Salt's explosive batting. However, Iyer personified "Captain Cool" and held the team's cause ahead of his individual milestones. He went on to become the fourth leading run-getter for KKR this season with 351 runs and two fifties. Shreyas Iyer's best knock of the IPL 2024 came during the qualifier one match against SRH where he scored unbeaten 58 guiding his team to the finals of the mega event. "The way he handled the team as a player is commendable. More than that, he is improving as a leader and the experts in the game are also appreciating his leadership qualities," Amre said. "I personally believe success is not an accident he has worked hard for this, handling the team. Yes, he had a good team under him but bringing the best out of everyone is important," he added. (With PTI Inputs)
07 March,2025 11:38 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFormer New Zealand cricketer Ross Taylor believes that Virat Kohli's influence is "right up there" with the football icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Over the past couple of years, Kohli's influence in the world of cricket as well as on social media has increased tremendously. While talking about the growing rise of social media, Taylor stated that the stalwart batter is a "global superstar" and is on the same level as Ronaldo and Messi in the world of social media. "Players are putting out posts endorsing products and all that. Who would have thought that in 2008? Virat Kohli is a global superstar in the world of sports in terms of Instagram and social media. Virat is right up there with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi". (180 Not Out Podcast). The Portuguese goal-scoring machine, Ronaldo has 630 million followers on Instagram, which is the most anyone has on the platform. The 2022 World Cup winner, Messi has 503 million followers on Instagram and overall he is second on the list. Kohli is close to making it into the top-10 and currently sits in the 16th spot with 269 million followers. While making an impact in the world of social media, Kohli continues to make his ever-growing presence felt on the cricket field as well. In the recently concluded IPL 2024, the 35-year-old who featured for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the Orange Cap for scoring most runs in the 17th edition of the cash-rich league. Also Read: 'On national duty': Hardik Pandya joins Team India ahead of T20 WC opener He scored 741 runs in 15 matches at an average of 61.75, with a century and five fifties in IPL 2024. His best score was 113* and his strike rate stood at 154.69, the highest it has ever been for Kohli in a single IPL season. Overall, in 252 IPL matches, Virat scored 8,004 runs at an average of 38.66 and a strike rate of 131.97, with eight centuries and 55 half-centuries. His best score is 113*. Kohli will now feature on the global stage for the Indian team in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and the West Indies. The Men in Blue will kick off their campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York. (With agency inputs)
07 March,2025 11:38 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Millions of fervent Kolkata Knight Riders’ aficionados revelled in jubilance as Kolkata vanquished Hyderabad by eight wickets to clinch the coveted IPL trophy in a pulsating final held in Chennai on Sunday. The euphoria transcended geographical boundaries, igniting scenes of ecstasy from Kolkata’s famous Shyambazar five-point crossing area in the North to the historic allure of the Maidan in the South, and beyond. Miles away, in the heart of the Tamil Nadu capital, a throng of 38,000 spectators gathered at the iconic Chepauk stadium, their collective gaze fixed on colossal screens broadcasting the titanic clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and KKR. Against the backdrop of a setting sun, the air resonated with the stirring strains of ‘Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo Re’, punctuated by a sea of yellow and purple flags fluttering in harmonious unison. Crazy celebration the rainy and cyclonic night in the Kolkata after winning the IPL#IPLfinal #KKR https://t.co/9fdlreJW5P — Ganpat Teli (@gateposts_) May 27, 2024 “Gambhir bhai (Gautam) made it happen. This is all because of him. I think we were the best team this IPL. It was enthralling. You can see how we have outnumbered them (SRH fans) today. The madness has paid off. East or West, KKR is the best,” Nitin Mondal told Mid-Day, on the sidelines of the lopsided IPL showdown. Also Read: ‘Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo re’ done right For Mondal, who attended an IPL match for the first time, ‘Khan darshan’ at the B1 hospitality box was a cherry on the cake. The 34-year-old brand executive from Unilever did not shy away from turning into a choreographer showing the ‘Lungi Dance’ footwork before others around him finally relented and followed suit. This is Crazy π₯π₯ΆPeople celebrated KKR's Championship even in hevay Rain.It talks about Our Fanbase Passion. π pic.twitter.com/yHpjviN6C5 — Rokte Amar KKR π£π‘ (@Rokte_Amarr_KKR) May 27, 2024 “Bhai paisa vasool ho gaya! (brother, it was worth the money we paid)”, “I saw him with my own eyes!” “He blew a kiss at me!” The shrieks of joy and jubilation filled the air almost every time Bollywood Badshah Shah Rukh Khan appeared on the display board. Back in Kolkata, the reverberations of victory echoed through the streets as the resplendent boom of fireworks and firecrackers pierced the night sky amid the looming threat of severe cyclone ‘Remal’, while jubilant motorists unleashed a symphony of honks, an exuberant symphony heralding KKR’s triumphant ascension to their third IPL title. Fans celebrated KKR's Championship in style ππ₯ pic.twitter.com/qy0weYzxOh — Rokte Amar KKR π£π‘ (@Rokte_Amarr_KKR) May 27, 2024 Yet, amid the euphoric celebrations, a bittersweet sentiment pervaded the air for valiant fans of Hyderabad, who, in the face of defeat, grappled with a poignant blend of pride and disappointment. Even fans who had not pledged allegiance to the Knights but found themselves at the Chepauk were overcome by the occasion and the scenes of celebration. "Of course, we are upset," conceded 17-year-old Manish Reddy, his voice tinged with melancholy. "Though we may not have witnessed the lifting of the trophy, what we have achieved this season is truly remarkable. Special credits to Patty (Pat Cummins)," he reflected. All About Passion. pic.twitter.com/nLmuZlv2io — Rokte Amar KKR π£π‘ (@Rokte_Amarr_KKR) May 26, 2024 His father, Sai Venkatesh, however, proudly displayed allegiance to KKR with the team logo painted on both cheeks. "KKR is the best team, you have to agree to that. They have been blowing us away this season, what a team! It's simply astounding, the feat they've accomplished," he remarked, who had flown to Chennai with his family. Meanwhile, a sea of fervent supporters bedecked in KKR jerseys and draped in the vibrant hues of purple and yellow congregated in bustling squares and bustling thoroughfares near the Eden Gardens, their hearts aflutter with resounding cheers that echoed through the labyrinthine streets even past midnight. As one fan near the media box interestingly proclaimed in a resounding declaration, ‘we are the King’s minions, we never lose’, we can’t help but faintly hum ‘Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo re!
07 March,2025 11:37 AM IST | Chennai | Srijanee MajumdarEngland pace bowler Gus Atkinson has been named as the ICC Men's Player of the Month for July. He pushed his contenders Washington Sundar and Charlie Cassell down to win the award. "It is a real privilege to win the ICC Player of the Month! The start to my Test career has been unbelievable, and I never imagined achieving this level of success in my first series with England. I am incredibly grateful to my teammates and the fantastic environment created by Baz (Brendon McCullum) and Stokesy (Ben Stokes)," Atkinson said as quoted by ICC. "It's an honour to play and represent my country. I know there is a lot of hard work ahead, especially with a big series against Sri Lanka coming up. I'm excited to maintain consistency and do my best to help England succeed," the pacer added. Gus Atkinson made his Test Debut during the last match against James Anderson. In that match, the pacer claimed 12 wickets. Also Read: "There's a lot to play for in the World Test Championship": Shan Masood The brilliant spell included a five-for in each innings as the 26-year-old ran through the West Indies batting order to record incredible figures of 7/45 in the first innings, bundling out the visitors for just 121. He followed up the initial heroics with yet another five-wicket haul (5/61) as England recorded an innings win by 114 runs. For a total of 12 wickets, he was the undisputed choice for the Player of the Match award, as per the ICC. Atkinson continued his impressive form, taking 10 more wickets across the remaining two Tests. This included a four-wicket haul in the first innings of the final Test in Birmingham. He also contributed with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 21 in the second Test at Nottingham and another 21 in the final match. Later, Gus Atkinson ended the series as the leading wicket-taker. He bagged 22 wickets, following which was awarded the "Player of the Series".
11 February,2025 05:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe International Cricket Council (ICC) is yet to officially announce the ratings for the pitch and outfield of the 54 matches held in the United States and West Indies during the T20 World Cup 2024, despite seven and a half weeks having passed since the conclusion of the global event. More than the matches in the West Indies, the focus is on the ratings of the eight games held at the Nassau County ground in New York state where the average first innings score across eight games was a modest 107.6 on the fresh drop-in pitches prepared by Adelaide curator Damian Hough. A scan of the ICC website, where the ratings of pitch and outfield are uploaded, shows that no updates have been made since May 31, 2024, for international games (men and women). The New York track and outfield received worldwide flak for the inconsistent bounce and slow outfield with even scores of 120 proving difficult to chase. It remains unclear why the pitch and outfield ratings haven't been uploaded in the ICC website even after 46 days. During the 50-over World Cup in India, the ICC uploaded pitch assessment ratings within a week of match completion, making the delay in this case particularly unusual. Also Read: Kohli-Rohit absent; Pant, Rahul, and Jadeja take the spotlight in Duleep Trophy The match referees for those eight T20 World Cup 2024 matches in New York were Ranjan Madugalle (3 games), David Boon (3 games), Jeff Crowe and Richie Richardson. The categories of ratings are very good, good, satisfactory, average, below average and New York, if fairly assessed, is likely to get average or below average rating for both pitch and outfield. It is understood that with cricket being included in the Olympics programme for the Los Angeles edition in 2028, the ICC is keen to avoid adverse findings as far as quality of pitches are concerned during the global event in the United States. In the next four years, the ICC will need to create necessary sporting infrastructure required to be a part of the Los Angeles Olympics as New York did not set a promising example for the sport's entry into the Games. (With agency inputs)
11 February,2025 05:01 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
