Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pacer Yash Dayal recently opened up about the bittersweet moment of dismissing the iconic MS Dhoni during the knockout clash of IPL 2024 between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and RCB. The match saw RCB knocking CSK out of the tournament, securing the last playoff spot.

Dhoni, in what could potentially be his final IPL appearance, gave fans a glimpse of his legendary finishing abilities when he hit a six off the first ball of the final over, leaving CSK needing just 11 runs off five deliveries. However, Dayal, who had previously faced heavy criticism for conceding five consecutive sixes to Rinku Singh in IPL 2023, made a strong comeback by dismissing Dhoni, a crucial moment that sealed RCB’s victory.
“I felt bad after getting MS Dhoni out,” – Yash Dayal
Reflecting on that moment, Dayal expressed mixed emotions. “I felt bad after getting him out,” he shared during an interview with Jatin Sapru. “The way he left the field with frustration, you couldn’t tell if he’ll come back. You don’t know if this was his last time on the ground.”

Dayal credited RCB skipper Virat Kohli for his guidance in the tense final moments of the match. “Virat bhai advised me not to give pace or bowl onto Shardul’s bat. I had immense confidence at that moment,” Dayal revealed.

With MS Dhoni’s uncertain future looming, fans are eagerly waiting to see if the veteran will make a return to the IPL in 2025, or if this was his final bow on the cricketing stage.

Former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan is reportedly poised to take on the role of mentor for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. According to sources, Zaheer is expected to replace key figures Gautam Gambhir and Morne Morkel, who have recently departed the LSG setup.

Gautam Gambhir, who had been serving as a mentor for LSG, left the franchise to rejoin Kolkata Knight Riders for the IPL 2024 season. Meanwhile, Morne Morkel has also exited the LSG management to take up a role within the Indian cricket team. With the duo’s departure, Zaheer Khan’s appointment comes at a critical time as LSG looks to fill the leadership void left by these experienced individuals.
‘Zaheer is being considered to step into Gambhir’s shoes and is expected to provide his insights to the Lucknow Super Giants’ – Sources
Reports suggest that Zaheer Khan will not only take on the mentorship role but will also act as a vital link between the players and the management, helping to maintain cohesion within the team. His experience and expertise, particularly with bowlers, are expected to be invaluable for the franchise.

“Zaheer is being considered to step into Gambhir’s shoes and is expected to provide his insights to the Lucknow Super Giants’ bowlers. He will also serve as a mediator between the players and management, a role that requires both strategic acumen and a deep understanding of the game,” a source told Cricbuzz.

Zaheer Khan, who has previously served as a mentor for Mumbai Indians, is set to work alongside a renowned coaching staff that includes the likes of Adam Voges, Lance Klusener, and Jonty Rhodes. This combination of coaching expertise is anticipated to bolster LSG’s chances of securing their first IPL title.

Since their IPL debut in 2022, Lucknow Super Giants have consistently made it to the playoffs but have yet to capture the coveted trophy. The addition of Zaheer Khan could be the catalyst they need to finally lift the title.

India’s dynamic middle-order batsman Rinku Singh has expressed his interest in joining the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. As the anticipation builds for the IPL 2025 mega auction, Rinku Singh, who currently plays for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has made it clear that he would love to be a part of the RCB setup, primarily due to his admiration for Virat Kohli.

“RCB, because Virat Kohli is there” – Rinku Singh

Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to disclose the retention rules for the mega auction, Rinku is keeping his options open in case KKR decides not to retain him. In a recent interview with Sports Tak, when asked which franchise he would like to join for the 18th IPL season, Rinku didn’t hesitate to name RCB, citing Kohli as the key reason.

“RCB, because Virat Kohli is there,” Rinku said, underscoring his respect and fondness for the former Indian captain. The camaraderie between Rinku and Kohli has been evident on and off the field, making Rinku’s desire to play under Kohli’s influence a natural choice.

Rinku also touched on the evolution of India’s T20 team after the retirement of Rohit Sharma, praising new captain Suryakumar Yadav for his composed leadership. “He is a very good captain. I have played under Rohit Bhai. He is very calm and doesn’t talk much. He is a very good captain,” Rinku remarked.

The left-handed batsman, who shot to fame with his remarkable feat of hitting five consecutive sixes in an IPL 2023 match against Gujarat Titans, also addressed his recent exclusion from the Duleep Trophy squad. Admitting that his performance in the Ranji Trophy was subpar, Rinku said, “I didn’t do well. I actually didn’t play as many Ranji Trophy matches too, I played only 2-3 matches and didn’t perform well. That is why I wasn’t selected. I hope in the upcoming games, I will be selected.”

As Rinku Singh looks to bounce back and make his mark, his potential move to RCB could add a new dimension to the franchise’s lineup, especially with his explosive batting prowess. The Duleep Trophy, featuring top Indian players like KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Shubman Gill, is set to kick off soon, and Rinku hopes to earn his spot back in future selections.

Dindigul Dragons have lifted their maiden Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) title after a thrilling six-wicket victory over the defending champions Lyca Kovai Kings in the 2024 final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai last night.

Led by veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, the Dragons showcased consistent performances throughout the season. In the final, they successfully chased a modest target of 130 runs to clinch the title.

Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Dindigul Dragons made early inroads by picking three wickets in the powerplay, putting the Lyca Kovai Kings on the back foot. Opener S Sujay provided a brisk start with 22 runs off 12 deliveries but was soon dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy. The Kings’ middle-order batsmen Ram Arvindh and Atheeq Ur Rahman were the top scorers for their team, contributing 27 and 25 runs respectively, and helping their side reach a total of 129/7 in 20 overs.

The Dragons’ bowlers were instrumental in restricting the Kings to a low score. Sandeep Warrier, Varun Chakravarthy, and P Vignesh each picked up two wickets, ensuring the Kings couldn’t build substantial partnerships.

Chasing 130, the Dindigul Dragons faced early setbacks as they lost both openers, Vimal Khumar and Shivam Singh, for single digits. However, a crucial partnership between skipper Ravichandran Ashwin and wicketkeeper Baba Indrajith steadied the innings. Ashwin scored a composed 52 off 46 balls, while Indrajith added 32 off 35 balls.
Sarath Kumar’s quickfire 27 runs sealed the victory for the Dragons, with a towering six in the 19th over. The Dragons reached the target in 18.2 overs, marking a historic win as they lifted their first TNPL trophy.

India’s long-format skipper, Rohit Sharma, recently reflected on the Men in Blue’s disappointing defeat against Sri Lanka in the second ODI of the three-match series. The hosts secured a comfortable 32-run victory, dismissing India for 208 in 42.2 overs.

Sri Lanka batted first and posted a total of 240 runs in their allotted 50 overs. Chasing the target, Rohit Sharma provided a brisk start, scoring 64 runs off 44 deliveries at a strike rate of 145.45. However, his dismissal by Jeffrey Vandersay marked a turning point, leading to a collapse in the Indian batting order.

‘You have to play consistent cricket and we failed to do that today’ – Rohit Sharma 

During the post-match presentation ceremony, Sharma expressed his disappointment over the loss and acknowledged Vandersay’s exceptional performance, which included a six-wicket haul. “When you lose a game, everything hurts. It’s not just about those 10 overs. You have to play consistent cricket and we failed to do that today. Little disappointed but these things happen. You have to adapt to what’s in front of you. With left-right, we felt it’ll be easier to rotate strike. Credit to Jeffrey, he got six wickets. The reason I got 65 is because of the way I batted. When I am batting like that, there’s a lot of risks taken,” said Rohit.

Reflecting on his batting approach, Sharma emphasized the importance of scoring heavily during the powerplay. “If you don’t cross the line, you always feel disappointed. I don’t want to compromise on my intent. We understand the nature of this surface, it gets really tough in the middle overs. You have to try to get as many as possible in the powerplay. We weren’t good enough. Don’t want to look too much into how we played. But there’ll be talks about our batting in the middle overs,” he added.

With the series currently poised at 1-0 in favor of Sri Lanka, India will aim to level the series in the final match on August 7 in Colombo. The visitors will be eager to bounce back and secure a victory to draw the series.