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Dhoni concedes CSK were ‘a batter light’; impressed with Pathirana and Choudhary

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2 years ago

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 Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni conceded at the conclusion of the team’s campaign in IPL 2022 that the defending champions were “a batter light”, adding that Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana and 25-year-old quick Mukesh Choudhary were the finds of the season for the four-time champions.

CSK dished out another below-par performance against Rajasthan Royals at the Brabourne Stadium in their last league game on Friday, losing by five wickets despite all-rounder Moeen Ali (93 off 57 balls) giving them a fairy-tale start and the platform to aim for a 200-plus score. In the end, some inept batting by the middle and lower order saw the side manage just 150/6 in 20 overs.

Dhoni agreed that CSK should have a slightly deeper batting line-up.

“What we need to realise is we’re playing a batter light. Once we lost those quick wickets, Moeen had to change his momentum. I feel if one of the batters had batted with him, he could have continued his momentum. It gives liberty for the batsmen coming in to play their shots or play whatever their game is.

“I feel the role and responsibility got slightly swapped when we lost those wickets and that made it really difficult. So a batter light with the last four not really known for their batting. If we had gone hard and lost another wicket there, we wouldn’t have got anything that we would look to defend.

“I would say we were 10-15 runs short. But of course you need to bowl well after that. If their (RR) openers get going and if they get too many in the first six, then 180 also is not enough. Depending on whatever the par score is, the start is important, the first six overs especially on wickets that are really nice. So I feel definitely 15 runs short,” said Dhoni.

Expressing confidence in the young quick bowlers, the skipper said that whenever they’d got the opportunity, they had tried to maximise the gains.

“Whatever games they have got, they have learned a lot from it. One of the biggest examples is Mukesh (Choudhary). He has played all the games but what is impressive is to see from the first game till the last game how he has improved, how he can bowl at the death. Still, yes, what he will do is go back and learn out of the outings he has got. That’s what we really want from players. Once they have got that experience, what is important, next year once they turn up for IPL is that they shouldn’t start from scratch again.

“It’s important to remember in their mind what really happened in IPL, what strengths they developed, what are the thinking when you are under pressure. That is what is needed from the youngsters and most of them have made the most of whatever chance they have got.

“Other than that, our Malinga (Matheesha Pathirana), he’s really good. It’s difficult to pick him and I feel he will definitely contribute next year for us in a big way.”

Dhoni rued the fact that the players did well in patches, while in a tournament like the IPL, the entire team needs to fire.

“We have done well in patches but what is important is to keep doing well as a team. One of the ways is one of the individuals keeps doing well in every game and others contribute. But I feel the crucial thing is whenever you get an opportunity, once you are in, make sure you make the most of it whether you are a bowler or a batter and keep learning. It’s not a one-year tournament. You keep coming back year after year. So once you keep learning and once you’re matured, that’s when you capitalise and be a big IPL player for the next 10-12 years. That’s what is really needed from youngsters.”

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‘I Presume That He Will Continue As Captain Till The T20 World Cup In 2024’: Sourav Ganguly On Rohit Sharma

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1 week ago

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December 1, 2023

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Impressed with his captaincy at the ODI World Cup, former captain Sourav Ganguly on Friday threw his weight behind Rohit Sharma, saying he should lead India at least till the T20 World Cup in June next year.

Rohit, who led India to the ODI World Cup final at home, and Virat Kohli have taken a “break” and will miss the white-ball leg of the upcoming South Africa tour, beginning December 10.

Talking to reporters, Ganguly said the duo deserved rest so that they come back “fresh” for the hectic calendar ahead.

“Once Rohit is back playing all formats, he should be the captain of India, because he has done so well in the World Cup,” said the former BCCI president, who was named the Dabur Chyawanprash’s brand ambassador for East India, during a program here.

“You saw in the World Cup how well they played. They are absolutely integral and an important part of Indian cricket. Interestingly, both Rohit and Kohli haven’t played a T20I since the semifinals against England in the 2022 T20 World Cup and the BCCI was not clear whether the duo should be in India’s scheme of things for the T20 global showpiece in six months time.

After the 2022 T20 World Cup, Hardik Pandya was named India’s T20 captain but following his injury during the ODI World Cup, Suryakumar Yadav is leading the team in the ongoing five-T20 series against Australia.

“They have been exceptional this World Cup” – Sourav Ganguly on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

“World Cups are different than a bilateral series because the pressures are different. They have been exceptional this World Cup and hopefully six-seven months down the line in the West Indies they will be again at their best,” Ganguly said.

“He’s (Rohit) a leader. I expect and I presume that he will continue as captain till the T20 World Cup in 2024.” The duo will be back for the two-Test series in South Africa beginning with the Boxing Day Test in Centurion.

“Very rightfully, they have taken a break because there is so much cricket all the time. I cannot imagine that you played a World Cup final on the 19th and in three days’ time you’re playing a T20I series against the same team,” Ganguly said.

“It is not easy to pick yourselves up, especially with the pressures and demands of the World Cup. I’m happy that they have got a break.

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National

IPL 2024: ‘We Respect His Decision’, Gujarat Titans’ Director Of Cricket On Hardik Pandya’s ‘Desire’ To Return To Mumbai Indians

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2 weeks ago

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November 27, 2023

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Gujarat Titans’ Team Director Vikram Solanki acknowledged Hardik Pandya’s contribution to the team’s success in then last two seasons. The former England cricketer revealed that it was the all-rounder himself who expressed his desire to return to the Mumbai Indians and that they wholeheartedly respect it.

On Monday, Mumbai Indians’ officially proclaimed Pandya’s inclusion in their ranks as some confusion prevailed after all 10 franchises announced their retention and released list. The Titans decided to trade Pandya for a sum of INR 15 crore, with Shubman Gill succeeding the all-rounder as the franchise’s captain for IPL 2024.

As the first captain of Gujarat Titans, Hardik Pandya has helped the franchise deliver two fantastic seasons that resulted in winning one IPL championship and one appearance in the final,” Solanki was quoted as saying in a statement.

“He has now expressed a desire to return to his original team Mumbai Indians. We respect his decision and wish him all the very best in his future endeavours,” the former England batter further added.

“Shubman Gill has shown growth in stature and standing” – Vikram Solanki on Gujarat Titans’ new captain

Solanki, who has closely worked with the Gill, vouched for his maturity.”Shubman Gill has shown growth in stature and standing over the last two years at the highest level of the game. We’ve seen him mature not only as a batter but also as a leader in cricket,” Solanki opined.”His maturity and skill is evident in his on-field performance and we are extremely excited to embark on a new journey with a young leader like Shubman at the helm,” the head of GT think-tank said.

The Titans finished as the runners-up in IPL 2023.

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National

‘Use And Throw Has Been…’: Did Irfan Pathan Take Dig At Hardik Pandya On Reports Of Moving Back To Mumbai Indians Ahead Of IPL 2024?

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2 weeks ago

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November 25, 2023

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Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan posted a cryptic tweet on X, referring to the ‘Use and Throw’ policy and netizens have predictably started analysing who is it directed to. With star all-rounder Hardik Pandya likely to shift his base back to Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2024, fans allege that the post is meant for him.

Several reports have suggested that the Gujarat Titans captain will return to his old franchise in an all-cash deal of ₹15 crore ahead of the 2024 edition. Should it materialise, it will be the biggest trade of the season, given the 30-year-old is one of the most-sought white-ball players in the world today and won the crown on his captaincy debut.Pathan took to X and wrote, ‘Use and throw has been the real characteristic since the start.’

Hardik Pandya currently nursing an ankle injury suffered during the 2023 World Cup:

With the seam-bowling all-rounder suffering an ankle injury during the 2023 World Cup game against Bangladesh, ruling him out of the remaining fixtures too, he is likely to mark his return during IPL 2024. Notably, Pandya could also be leading Team India in the 2024 T20 World Cup set to take place in June 1st week in the West Indies and USA.

The Baroda-born cricketer was part of Mumbai Indians from 2015-2021 and played a hand in four of their title wins. Hence, he would be an invaluable addition to the five-time champions’ arsenal.

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