Breaking News
No breaking news posts found.
‘Hats off to him’: Yograj Singh’s rare praise for MS Dhoni, slams retirement calls | Cricket News
gbussiness702118@gmail.com World
‘Hats off to him’: Yograj Singh’s rare praise for MS Dhoni, slams retirement calls | Cricket News


‘Hats off to him’: Yograj Singh’s rare praise for MS Dhoni, slams retirement calls
Yograj Singh and MS Dhoni

NEW DELHI: In a surprising shift in stance, former India cricketer Yograj Singh has come out in strong support of MS Dhoni, urging the veteran to continue playing in the IPL while taking aim at those calling for his retirement.Yograj, who has been a vocal critic of Dhoni in the past, struck a markedly different tone ahead of IPL 2026. In an interview with InsideSport, he praised Dhoni’s longevity, discipline and commitment to the game, insisting that age should not be a factor in judging a player’s future.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“Absolutely. I admire him. He’s still playing. He should keep on playing for another 10 years. Because he has proved his fitness. Guy’s discipline, guy’s dedication. Devoted,” Yograj said, in rare praise for the former Chennai Super Kings captain.He didn’t hold back while addressing critics either. “Who the hell are people going to tell him to retire? No,” he added, questioning the growing calls around Dhoni’s future.‘Age factor is very funny’Yograj also dismissed the debate around age, calling it misplaced in Indian cricket discourse. “When you’re performing, no one will drop you. So this age factor which you asked is very funny in this country, right?” he said.Interestingly, he even referenced modern greats like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli while making his point. “Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli… young cricketers and they want to quit. They should indeed make the world realise that ‘you are the best’,” he remarked.From critic to admirerThe remarks mark a notable turnaround from Yograj, who had previously blamed Dhoni for the premature end of his son Yuvraj Singh’s career. This time, however, he separated personal opinions from cricketing merit.“A great player, a great captain is different from being a great man… but as far as cricket is concerned… hats off to him,” he said.At 44, Dhoni remains one of the oldest players in the IPL setup and continues to draw immense fan interest despite a dip in recent performances. While speculation over his retirement resurfaces every season, Yograj’s emphatic backing has added a fresh twist to the ongoing debate.



Source link

‘Rohit can’t be an Impact Player’: Ex-India batter sends strong message to Hardik | Cricket News
gbussiness702118@gmail.com World
‘Rohit can’t be an Impact Player’: Ex-India batter sends strong message to Hardik | Cricket News


'Rohit can’t be an Impact Player': Ex-India batter sends strong message to Hardik
Mumbai Indians’ Rohit Sharma (PTI Photo)

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has urged Mumbai Indians to make full use of Rohit Sharma on the field, instead of restricting him to the Impact Player role. Rohit, who captained MI to five Indian Premier League titles, was largely deployed as an Impact Player last season. This meant his involvement was limited to batting, and according to Kaif, the team missed out on the leadership presence of their seasoned campaigner. Despite the curtailed role, Rohit still managed a solid campaign with 418 runs from 15 matches, averaging 29.86 at a strike rate of 149.29.

Watch

IPL 2026: Mukesh Kumar on Shami’s influence & India comeback plans

The franchise had handed over captaincy duties to Hardik Pandya ahead of IPL 2024. While that season ended in disappointment with MI finishing last, the team bounced back strongly in 2025, progressing to Qualifier 2. Kaif believes Rohit’s reduced role last year was a mistake, especially in high-pressure moments. He pointed to the Qualifier 2 clash against Punjab Kings, where MI fell short despite a match-winning innings from Shreyas Iyer. In that situation, Kaif felt Hardik could have benefited from Rohit’s on-field guidance.

Mohammad Kaif post

Mohammad Kaif post

In a post shared on X, Kaif stressed that MI should take advantage of a fitter and leaner Rohit, insisting that the veteran cannot be limited to being just an Impact Player. He highlighted that Rohit’s presence during crucial phases would not only support Hardik’s captaincy but also positively influence his own batting rhythm. “Mumbai Indians should fully utilise the fitter and leaner Rohit Sharma. He can’t be just an impact player, MI will need him in crunch situations. Also his inputs to captain Hardik Pandya will be precious. Last year in Qualifier 2 against Kings XI, when Shreyas Iyer was hitting, Hardik needed Rohit next to him. Full involvement in game will help Rohit the batter too,” Kaif wrote. Mumbai Indians began their IPL 2026 campaign with a home fixture against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.



Source link

Pak cricketer’s ‘Queen’ jibe at Maryam Nawaz sparks debate, later deletes post | Cricket News
gbussiness702118@gmail.com World
Pak cricketer’s ‘Queen’ jibe at Maryam Nawaz sparks debate, later deletes post | Cricket News


Pak cricketer’s 'Queen' jibe at Maryam Nawaz sparks debate, later deletes post

Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah has sparked controversy even before stepping onto the field in PSL 2026, where he is set to represent Rawalpindi Pindiz. The fast bowler triggered a debate on the opening day of the tournament after posting a sarcastic remark about Maryam Nawaz, the Chief Minister of Punjab, on X.Maryam Nawaz daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Shareef, was the guest of honour at the opening match of the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The newly made team Hyderabad Kingsmen faced the defending champions Pakistan Qalandars in the opening match of PSL 2026. Ahead of the match, Maryam, was warmly welcomed by the PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi who introduced her to the franchise owners participating in the tournament.After the PCB shared a video of Naqvi greeting Maryam on X, Naseem reshared the clip with a controversial comment that quickly went viral on social media.“Why is she being treat like the queen at Lords?” the Pakistan pacer had asked on X. The tweet was soon deleted but it had already went viral on social media triggering fans of Pakistan.

Untitled design (24)

Shortly the post was deleted, Naseem issued a clarification on X, stating: “This account of Naseem was recently hacked but has now been recovered successfully.”

Untitled design (25)

Despite the controversy, no legal action has been taken so far, and Naseem Shah is expected to continue playing for Rawalpindi Pindiz, who are making their PSL debut this season.The PSL season was opened with a bizarre incident where color from the Hyderabad Kingsmen’s jerseys turned the white ball pink and red during their match against the Lahore Qalandars. Hyderabad Kingsmen captain Marnus Labuschagne reported the issue to umpires, subsequently joking on social media about the “pink-ball contest.”“I did say to the umpires after the second over, ‘What’s going on? The ball is red.’ It must be from the clothes or something like that. I haven’t seen anything like this before, I’ve seen occasions where something on a bat comes onto the ball, or when it hits the pad and takes a bit of paint off. But I’ve never seen this happen with clothing. I’m sure they’ll sort it out in the next few games,” a baffled Labuschagne told reporters at the post-match press conference.



Source link

IPL 2026 weekend schedule: New season kicks off! Check matches, venues, timings | Cricket News
gbussiness702118@gmail.com World
IPL 2026 weekend schedule: New season kicks off! Check matches, venues, timings | Cricket News


IPL 2026 weekend schedule: New season kicks off! Check matches, venues, timings
IPL Captains (Screengrab)

IPL 2026 is set for a blockbuster start this weekend, with the champion teams and star players kicking off the season in front of fans across the world. Here is the schedule for the opening weekend, along with match details and venues.RCB vs SRH: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru- March 28 (Saturday)Sunrisers Hyderabad will take on defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, with the match starting 7:30 PM IST. The two sides last met at this venue in 2024, when SRH posted a record-breaking highest total of IPL 287/3. The match ended in SRH’s favor and also witnessed the highest aggregate in IPL history, with a combined 549 runs scored. At the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB and SRH have a competitive head-to-head record, with RCB holding an advantage with 5 wins in 8 matches, while SRH has secured 3 wins.RCB’s predicted playing XII: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Romario Shephard, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Jacob Duffy, Suyash Sharma (Impact Player) SRH’s predicted playing XII: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (C), Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Liam Livingston, Aniket Verma, Harsh Dubey, Harshal Patel, Eshan Malinga, Jaydev Unadkat Impact – Zeeshan AnsariMI vs KKR: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai – March 29 (Sunday)Three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders will face five-time champions Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, with the match starting 7:30 PM IST. The last time these two teams met in Mumbai, MI registered a dominant eight-wicket win on March 31, 2025. Debutant Ashwani Kumar starred with figures of 4/24 to bowl KKR out for 116, after which Ryan Rickelton’s unbeaten 62 off 41 balls helped MI chase down the target with 43 balls to spare, securing their first win of the 2025 season. Mumbai Indians (MI) dominate Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Wankhede Stadium, holding a 10-2 head-to-head record over 12 matches. MI’s predicted playing XII: Rohit Sharma, Quinton de Kock (WK), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Will Jacks, Hardik Pandya, Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Shardul Thakur (IMP)KKR’s predicted playing XII: Finn Allen, Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Cameron Green, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Kartik Tyagi, Blessing Muzarabani, Umran Malik (Imp)



Source link

‘Dupatta gali se color karwaya hai’: Kamran Akmal roasts PSL over jersey color fiasco | Cricket News
gbussiness702118@gmail.com World
‘Dupatta gali se color karwaya hai’: Kamran Akmal roasts PSL over jersey color fiasco | Cricket News


'Dupatta gali se color karwaya hai': Kamran Akmal roasts PSL over jersey color fiasco
Kamran Akmal roasts PSL (Screen grab)

Former Pakistan cricketer takes a brutal dig at PSL after an incident saw the regular white ball turn pink during the first match of the season between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore due to colour transfer from the Hyderabad Kingsmen’s jerseys.The PSL began its 2026 season on March 26, but controversy struck in the opening game itself. The clash between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore unexpectedly turned into what fans described as a ‘pink-ball contest.’ The match matter became a talking point on Social Media and Kamran Akmal didn’t hold back on trolling PSL and their jersey ‘dupatta lane’. “I genuinely thought Hyderabad Kingsmen got their kits dyed at some dupatta lane back home, the kind where they recolor white clothes for bargain rates.” – Kamran Akmal said on the Pakistani YouTube channel The Game Plan.

Watch

Axar Patel questions Impact Player rule: ‘All-rounders lose value’

“Kasam se, mujhe laga Hyderabad Kingsmen ne apne kits kisi desi dupatta lane se color karwaya hain, vahi jo saste mein safed kapdon ko naya rang chadha dete hain,” Kamran Akmal said Cricketers often polish the ball using their jerseys or a towel to maintain its shine, which helps bowlers generate swing. However, this incident has raised serious concerns, with many calling it an embarrassment for the PSL. Questions are being asked about how such poor-quality kits were approved, allowing jersey colour to transfer onto the match ball. Hyderabad Kingsmen’s captain Marnus Labuschagne also spoke about the incident in the post match conference, noting that he had experienced this for the first time. “I did say to the umpires after the second over, ‘What’s going on? The ball is red.’ It must be from the clothes or something like that. I haven’t seen anything like this before, I’ve seen occasions where something on a bat comes onto the ball, or when it hits the pad and takes a bit of paint off. But I’ve never seen this happen with clothing. I’m sure they’ll sort it out in the next few games,” a baffled Labuschagne told reporters.



Source link

Vaibhav Sooryanshi turns 15: Now officially eligible, is India senior debut next? | Cricket News
gbussiness702118@gmail.com World
Vaibhav Sooryanshi turns 15: Now officially eligible, is India senior debut next? | Cricket News


Vaibhav Sooryanshi turns 15: Now officially eligible, is India senior debut next?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (ACC)

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi turns 15 today, celebrating his birthday just one day ahead of IPL 2026. Since his IPL debut, fans have consistently wondered when he will break into India’s senior men’s team. With him officially turning 15, just a day before the new IPL season begins, he is now eligible to feature in senior international cricket, as per ICC’s player eligibility regulations (Article 4).Sooryavanshi grabbed global attention with his stellar performances in his debut IPL season in 2025. He received a record-breaking bid of Rs 1.1 crore from Rajasthan Royals as a youngster and quickly justified the hype, proving why he is regarded as one of India’s brightest emerging talents. In just his second IPL match, he smashed a sensational 100 off 35 balls.His rise, however, began earlier, three years ago, when, as a 12-year-old, he was already dominating bowlers much older than him. Despite his form, he was unable to make his senior debut due to age restrictions. However, after his heroics in the U19 World Cup 2026, along with impressive performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 and the Ranji Trophy 2025, and now with age on his side, he could soon be making headlines as a member of India’s senior men’s team.

Watch

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag watches West Ham vs Man City in London

Is he now eligible to play for Senior Men’s team?

As per INTERNATIONAL CRICKET COUNCIL PLAYER ELIGIBILITY REGULATIONS ARTICLE 4, ELIGIBILITY ON THE BASIS OF AGE 4.1 states, “ARTICLE 4 ELIGIBILITY ON THE BASIS OF AGE, “A Player will only be eligible to represent a National Cricket Federation in an International Match (including ICC Events and U19 Events) if he/she is aged 15 or over on the relevant squad submission date (in the case of ICC Events including U19 Events) or on the date of the first match of the series/tournament to the played (in the case of all other International Matches). “After the introduction of ICC’s regulations on Novermber 2020, the welfare and physical safety of minors participating in international cricket, including during travel, the ICC introduced a minimum age requirement of 15 years for all players competing in international matches at the U19 level and above, whether in ICC events or otherwise.Now that he has turned 15, he could be in contention for a senior India debut after the conclusion of IPL 2026. With the team currently undergoing a transition phase in Test cricket, selectors may keep a close eye on him, especially after his performances against England U19 in England. Looking ahead, with the build-up to the 2028 Olympics and T20 World Cup cycle, Sooryavanshi’s beast mode can be India’s turnaround. Regarding the ODI debut, the selectors may not change the squad untill the 2027 World Cup which could be last for some of the senior players. Following his impressive IPL debut, Sooryavanshi was drafted into the India U19 setup, where he continued to deliver standout performances.U19 World Cup 2026 (Player of the Tournament): Sooryavanshi led India to their sixth title, most notably smashing 175 runs off 80 balls (including 15 sixes) in the final against England.Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26: He became the youngest player to score a List A century at 14 years and 272 days. During a knock of 190 off 84 balls against Arunachal Pradesh, he broke AB de Villiers’ record for the fastest 150 in List A cricket, reaching the milestone in just 59 balls.Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Named vice-captain of Bihar at age 14, he scored his maiden first-class fifty with a 67-ball 93 against Meghalaya, narrowly missing out on becoming the youngest Ranji centurion.Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26: He continued his white-ball dominance with an unbeaten 108 and a composed fifty (50 off 34 balls) against Maharashtra, showing improved maturity by pacing his innings.Rising Stars Asia Cup (Doha): Representing India A, he recorded a “whirlwind” 144 off 42 balls against the UAE.



Source link

Embarrassment for PSL as Labuschagne left baffled by low quality jersey turning ball pink | Cricket News
gbussiness702118@gmail.com World
Embarrassment for PSL as Labuschagne left baffled by low quality jersey turning ball pink | Cricket News


Embarrassment for PSL as Labuschagne left baffled by low quality jersey turning ball pink
Marnus Labuschagne (Screen Grab)

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) had a controversial start on their opening day after an incident saw the regular white ball turn pink during the first match of the season due to colour transfer from the Hyderabad Kingsmen’s jerseys. The issue, noted as a first-time occurrence by Marnus Labuschagne which quickly drew attention on social media. The PSL began its 2026 season on March 26, but controversy struck in the opening game itself. The clash between Lahore Qalandars and Hyderabad Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore unexpectedly turned into what fans described as a ‘pink-ball contest.’ The Hyderabad Kingsmen captain alerted the umpires that the ball was changing colour, explaining that dye from his team’s jerseys was rubbing off onto the white ball, gradually turning it pink and later reddish.“I did say to the umpires after the second over, ‘What’s going on? The ball is red.’ It must be from the clothes or something like that. I haven’t seen anything like this before,” a baffled Labuschagne told reporters at the post-match press conference.“I’ve seen occasions where something on a bat comes onto the ball, or when it hits the pad and takes a bit of paint off. But I’ve never seen this happen with clothing. I’m sure they’ll sort it out in the next few games,” he added.After the conclusion of the match the Hyderabad Kingsmen posted a cheeky post on X after their poor kit jersey turned the match into a ‘pink-ball contest’. Cricketers often polish the ball using their jerseys or a towel to maintain its shine, which helps bowlers generate swing. However, this incident has raised serious concerns, with many calling it an embarrassment for the PSL. Questions are being asked about how such poor-quality kits were approved, allowing jersey colour to transfer onto the match ball. The Australian star expressed hope that the franchise owners would resolve the issue quickly.

Match Summary

Lahore Qalandars began their PSL 2026 campaign with a dominant 69-run win over Hyderabad Kingsmen. Batting first, Lahore posted 199/4, powered by Fakhar Zaman’s 53 and an unbeaten 40 from Haseebullah Khan. In response, Hyderabad were bowled out for 130, with Ubaid Shah, Sikandar Raza, and Haris Rauf taking two wickets each.The tournament is being played behind closed doors due to the West Asia crisis and is limited to Lahore and Karachi. PSL 2026 has also been impacted by the loss of several overseas players, many of whom have joined IPL teams as replacements.



Source link

PBKS SWOT: Allrounder-heavy Punjab Kings face middle-order concern | Cricket News
gbussiness702118@gmail.com World
PBKS SWOT: Allrounder-heavy Punjab Kings face middle-order concern | Cricket News


PBKS SWOT: Allrounder-heavy Punjab Kings face middle-order concern
File Pic: Punjab Kings players (ANI Photo)

Punjab Kings (PBKS), the last season’s runners-up, have built a high-ceiling, high variance squad, stacked with allrounders. They, however, have a noticeable gap in the middle-order that could potentially upend their balance and expose vulnerabilities in high scoring games. Under captain Shreyas Iyer, they will be eyeing their maiden IPL crown.Strengths: With Marcus Stonis, Azmatullah Omarzai and Marco Jansen, PBSK can stretch their batting till No.8 without sacrificing their bowling options. In Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen, they possess two world-class left-arm seamers who can be summoned at any time of the game. The squad has a strong core of Indians, including Iyer, Arshdeep, Yuzvendra Chahal and Prabhsimran Singh.Weaknesses: Punjab lack an established high-scoring domestic opener, which could put the onus on their captain to do bulk of the scoring at the top of the order. Lockie Ferguson brings raw pace, but he has the propensity to be erratic. Ageing stars like Stoinis and Chahal’s impact remains intact, but their sustainability across a long tournament like the IPL remains a question.Opportunities: Young batters like Priyansh Arya can redefine Punjab’s starts in the Powerplay with players Musheer Khan and Suryansh Shegde could become the X-factors.Threats: PBKS’s over-dependence on Iyer or Arshdeep could prove to be their undoing. If either of the two have lean patches, their progression to the knockouts would appear uncertain. Overall, they have a team replete with options but yet to nail down their first-choice playing XI.



Source link

IPL 2026: Gill fires bold ‘I don’t have anything to prove’ message despite T20 WC snub | Cricket News
gbussiness702118@gmail.com World
IPL 2026: Gill fires bold ‘I don’t have anything to prove’ message despite T20 WC snub | Cricket News


IPL 2026: Gill fires bold ‘I don’t have anything to prove' message despite T20 WC snub
Gujarat Titans’s Shubman Gill (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill has made it clear that he is not feeling any added pressure heading into the Indian Premier League 2026 season, insisting that his primary focus remains on helping his team secure another title rather than chasing individual milestones.Gill, who currently leads India in Tests and ODIs, was notably left out of the T20I side to accommodate Sanju Samson at the top of the order. The decision proved effective, as India went on to win a record third Men’s T20 World Cup title at the Narendra Modi Stadium earlier this month, with Samson emerging as the Player of the Tournament.

Watch

IPL 2026 should be audition for the next India T20I captain

Addressing the media ahead of the season, Gill emphasised that his performances over the past few years speak for themselves and that he does not feel the need to prove anything further.“Not at all. I think, if you look at the past three or four seasons, I have the most runs in IPL. So, I don’t think I have anything to prove, in this season particularly. The four years that I’ve played for this team, I think we have done decently well as a team, and I think I’ve done decently well as a batsman.“So, I don’t think I need to prove my worth to anyone. I think I need to do what I’ve been doing for the past four years. As a team, we need to be consistent, which I think we have been. If we continue doing that, sooner or later, I think we will win that trophy once more,” Gill said during a pre-season press conference on Thursday.The 26-year-old reiterated that personal achievements are not a driving factor for him, whether he is representing his franchise or the national team.“Honestly, I am not the one to look too much into personal goals, whatever team I am playing for, whether it be for my country or for Gujarat.“The team that I am playing for — I like them to win, and that is where my personal goal starts, and that’s where it ends. So, for me, I think the goal doesn’t change — make my team win as many matches as possible. Obviously, as a team, if you are playing in the IPL, you are playing to win it.“If you are playing a series, you are looking to beat the other teams in the series, so those are the goals that I look forward to, and I don’t really have my personal goals. Like right now, it’s obvious to win the IPL. Once that ends, obviously, we are going to have some other tournaments within the team. So my personal goals would change into that, and that’s how I like to look at my goals.”Gill has been in exceptional form in recent IPL seasons. In 2023, when Gujarat Titans reached the final, he clinched the Orange Cap with 890 runs at an average of 59.33 and a strike rate of 157.80. He followed it up with 426 runs in 2024 at an average of 38.73 and strike rate of 147.40, before scoring 650 runs in 2025 at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 155.88.With consistent performances behind him and leadership responsibilities on his shoulders, Gill enters IPL 2026 focused firmly on team success over individual accolades.



Source link

‘Prove me wrong’: Ex-India batter throws challenge to Ajinkya Rahane ahead of IPL 2026 | Cricket News
gbussiness702118@gmail.com World
‘Prove me wrong’: Ex-India batter throws challenge to Ajinkya Rahane ahead of IPL 2026 | Cricket News


'Prove me wrong': Ex-India batter throws challenge to Ajinkya Rahane ahead of IPL 2026
Kolkata Knight Riders Captain Ajinkya Rahane (PTI Photo)

Former India batter Aakash Chopra believes Ajinkya Rahane has a significant point to prove heading into IPL 2026, especially in addressing long-standing doubts about his game beyond the powerplay.Rahane led Kolkata Knight Riders from the front with the bat in IPL 2025, finishing as their top run-scorer. He amassed 390 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 147.72. Despite those numbers, questions persisted around his ability to maintain scoring momentum once the field restrictions were lifted, particularly against spin, which many felt slowed KKR down at crucial stages.

Watch

IPL 2026: Ishan Kishan steals the show at captains meet

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra admitted he has been among those who questioned Rahane’s effectiveness after the powerplay. However, he also sees the upcoming season as a chance for the KKR skipper to silence those criticisms.“Opportunities are plenty. Maybe Ajinkya Rahane, because I am one of those guys who have been slightly critical that he will have to be played in the powerplay as his role becomes extremely limited after that, but you can prove me wrong,” Chopra said.“It’s an opportunity. Not that you need to prove me wrong. Why would you even bother? However, if you score a lot of runs in the powerplay and after that as well, it’s a great opportunity for you,” he added.Chopra further pointed out the narrative surrounding KKR’s dependence on Gautam Gambhir, with some suggesting the franchise struggles to succeed without his influence as either a player or mentor. He believes Rahane now has the platform to counter that perception by guiding the team to a title.In the same discussion, Chopra highlighted the growing importance of Rinku Singh within the setup. Currently serving as vice-captain, Rinku could emerge as a leadership contender if he delivers consistently this season.“Rinku Singh is the vice-captain. Could be a potential captain by the next season. So there could be a huge role for him. He is always made to bat down the order. He might get the opportunity to bat slightly up the order this time, and he might flourish,” Chopra said.Chopra also turned his attention to Varun Chakaravarthy, stating that IPL 2026 offers him a chance to rediscover his wicket-taking rhythm.“It’s time for Varun Chakaravarthy to make people acknowledge his superiority once again because the last four matches in the World Cup were extremely cold. He has to come back to his wicket-taking self,” he observed.Varun ended the T20 World Cup 2026 as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 14 wickets in nine innings at an economy rate of 9.25. While he began the tournament strongly with nine wickets in India’s first four matches, his impact dipped later, managing just five scalps in the remaining games while conceding runs at a higher rate.



Source link