SPORTS MANIA

Skipper MS Dhoni rued that the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) couldn't push on in the middle overs after a strong start provided by opener Ruturaj Gaikwad during their five-wicket loss aganist Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2023 opener on Friday evening in Ahmedabad. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/ipl-2023-ms-dhoni-wants-more-from-batters-after-csks-loss-to-gujarat-titans/articleshow/99161166.cms

Captain Temba Bavuma scored an unbeaten 90 to steer South Africa to an easy eight wicket victory over the Netherlands in their one-day international on Friday and take his side a step closer to automatic World Cup qualification. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/south-africa-move-closer-to-world-cup-qualification-with-easy-win-over-dutch/articleshow/99154424.cms

Will Young hit 86 not out as hosts New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in Friday's third one-day international, ending the visitors' hopes of qualifying directly for the World Cup this year. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/sri-lankas-hopes-of-direct-world-cup-qualification-end-in-loss-to-new-zealand/articleshow/99139897.cms

Injuries on both the sides, coupled with unavailability of a few foreign players, will make the choices restricted for the two teams, who have new leaders in place in the form of Punjab's Shikhar Dhawan and Kolkata's Nitish Rana. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/ipl-2023-pbks-vs-kkr-under-new-leaders-kolkata-knight-riders-and-punjab-kings-eye-a-positive-start/articleshow/99138734.cms

source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/live-cricket-score-updates-bangladesh-vs-ireland-3rd-t20i/liveblog/99138034.cms

With Rishabh Pant still recuperating from injuries suffered in a horrific car crash last year, it will be Australia's David Warner leading Delhi Capitals in this Indian Premier League season, as they open their campaign with an away clash against KL Rahul's Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/ipl-2023-lsg-vs-dc-delhi-capitals-begin-life-without-rishabh-pant-open-campaign-against-lucknow-super-giants/articleshow/99137294.cms

It was during an online Chennai Super Kings 'fan interaction' last season that somebody asked MS Dhoni whether the beloved 'Thala' would play at Chepauk one last time. The skipper assured with a smile: "My last match will be at Chepauk." It was huge relief for his massive fan-base, and now, in a year's time, that final leg of a fabulous journey is all set to roll. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/ipl-2023-can-ms-dhoni-make-his-final-season-memorable-and-ensure-a-smooth-transition-to-a-new-leader/articleshow/99131583.cms

IPL had hit the reboot button last season with two new teams coming into the competition. Gujarat Titans winning the trophy in its debut season validated the claims of India's resource pool that could easily accommodate 10 teams in the league. In doing so, Titans have built a reputation for themselves while able leadership qualities of Hardik Pandya came to the fore. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/ipl-2023-defending-champions-gujarat-titans-take-on-four-time-winners-chennai-super-kings/articleshow/99130210.cms

source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-vs-sri-lanka-3rd-odi-live-cricket-score/liveblog/99129819.cms

Title holders Gujarat Titans will be eager to begin the new season from where they finished off the last one as they take on four-time champions Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League opener in Ahmedabad on Friday. After a gap of four years, the cricketing extravaganza returns to the radiational home-and-away format and 12 cities will be hosting a total of 70 league phase matches. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/champions-gujarat-titans-clash-with-heavyweights-chennai-super-kings-in-opener-as-ipl-returns-to-home-and-away-format/articleshow/99113509.cms

A marquee figure in the Delhi Capitals franchise, Axar Patel will be donning the vice-captaincy hat in the upcoming season and the all-rounder is all excited about his new role in the team. With regular skipper Rishabht Pant out for the entire season, Australian David Warner was announced the captain of the side and Axar was assigned as his deputy. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/reward-of-my-hard-work-axar-patel-on-vice-captaincy-role/articleshow/99110457.cms

IPL 2023 is all set to begin. The opening match of the 16th season will see two very good friends going up against each other as captains. Hardik Pandya will lead his Gujarat Titans team out with the hope and aim of defending their title at the end of the season. MS Dhoni meanwhile will be leading CSK again, with the hope that they can bounce back hard after a very disappointing 9th place finish in IPL 2022. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/ipl-2023-match-1-gt-vs-csk-when-and-where-to-watch-head-to-head-full-squads-likely-playing-xis-venue-details-and-more/articleshow/99109668.cms

'Workload management' is the buzzword for India's players heading into another IPL season, especially with the World Test Championship final to follow soon after... source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/ipl-2023-team-india-players-need-to-be-handled-with-care/articleshow/99105543.cms

In it's second part of SWOT analysis of the participating teams, TOI looks at how Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders look like. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/ipl-2023-how-royal-challengers-bangalore-delhi-capitals-punjab-kings-sunrisers-hyderabad-kolkata-knight-riders-look-like/articleshow/99103965.cms

Mumbai Indians are looking for a turnaround to their dismal performance in the last edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), but their new coach Mark Boucher is willing to give Rohit Sharma some rest during the league stage if the MI skipper asks for it. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/if-rohit-sharma-asks-for-rest-will-give-him-a-game-or-two-off-mumbai-indians-coach-mark-boucher/articleshow/99087464.cms

The IPL has always been a tournament that has had the biggest cricketing stars on the field. But off the field as well, a number of legendary cricketers are associated with the 10 franchises as Head Coaches. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/lara-fleming-nehra-ponting-sangakkara-and-more-the-legends-who-are-ipl-coaches/articleshow/99086259.cms

source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/bangladesh-vs-ireland-2nd-t20i-live-cricket-score-commentary/liveblog/99084213.cms

In an interview with TOI, South Africa great Rhodes, the fielding coach of the Lucknow Super Giants, spoke on what makes a good fielder, the role of coaches and the future of one-day cricket. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/who-are-worlds-top-three-fielders-jonty-rhodes-lucknow-super-giants-ipl-2023-indian-premier-league/articleshow/99080794.cms

Riding on Romario Shepherd's late batting assault and a five-wicket haul by Alzarri Joseph, West Indies cruised to a series-clinching seven-run win against South Africa in the third Twenty20 international at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/3rd-t20i-romario-shepherd-alzarri-joseph-take-west-indies-to-series-win-vs-south-africa/articleshow/99076697.cms

The 16th edition of the IPL will kick off with a clash between two captains who are also great friends off the field. As is tradition, the defending champions will start the season and match 1 of IPL 2023 will see the reigning champions Gujarat Titans take on 4 time champions the Chennai Super Kings in Ahmedabad. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/ipl-2023-match-1-gujarat-titans-vs-chennai-super-kings-everything-you-need-to-know/articleshow/99061017.cms

Read More on TOI Sports source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/web-stories/indians-to-take-hat-tricks-in-ipl-history/photostory/99058271.cms

Cricket is still in its infancy in the US but the legendary Kapil Dev is hopeful of the game reaching great heights in the future. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/kapil-dev-hopeful-of-cricket-reaching-great-heights-in-usa/articleshow/99056304.cms

IPL 2023 is now around the corner and from this edition onwards the fans will get to see a new rule which promises to make matches more exciting. This will be the very first season where teams will get to choose an 'Impact Player'. This will be a substitute player who can come in to both bat and bowl. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/ipl-rule-recap-the-impact-player-rule/articleshow/98936258.cms

The second one-day international between New Zealand and Sri Lanka was washed out by persistent rain at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Tuesday. The washout dealt a further blow to the tourists' slender hopes of automatic qualification for this year's World Cup. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/nz-vs-sl-rain-washes-out-2nd-odi-between-new-zealand-and-sri-lanka/articleshow/99053931.cms

Pakistan thumped Afghanistan by 66 runs win in the third and final Twenty20 international in Sharjah on Monday but Afghanistan take the series 2-1. Shadab Khan gave an allround performance to guide Pakistan to a consolation win. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/shadab-khan-leads-pakistans-consolation-t20i-win-afghanistan-take-series/articleshow/99049143.cms

Sourav Ganguly likes to be absorbed in cricket. After overseeing a rigorous training session as Delhi Capitals' director of cricket at the Ferozeshah Kotla, as he sat down for an interaction, he browsed through every match happening around the globe on his phone. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/theres-enough-talent-its-about-how-india-prepare-for-big-events-sourav-ganguly/articleshow/99047978.cms

source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/bangladesh-vs-ireland-1st-t20i-live-cricket-score/liveblog/99029849.cms

Who is the better batsman - Virat Kohli or Babar Azam? The debate raged on for a while and ultimately most experts rated Virat higher than Babar, thanks largely to the fact that Virat just has the better numbers and is way ahead of Babar on most of the centuries list. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/virat-kohli-babar-azam-abdul-razzaq-ipl-psl-sachin-tendulkar-virender-sehwag-india-vs-pakistan/articleshow/99027996.cms

Their men's team is the most successful IPL team of all time with 5 titles and now the Mumbai Indians women's team has won the inaugural Women's Premier League title. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/wpl/inaugural-wpl-edition-the-top-performers/articleshow/99027157.cms

Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah made his first appearance post his surgery during the Women's Premier League (WPL) final at the Brabourne Stadium. Bumrah underwent back surgery in New Zealand earlier this month. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/wpl/jasprit-bumrah-makes-first-appearance-post-his-back-surgery-during-wpl-final/articleshow/99026213.cms

Read more on TOI Sports source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/web-stories/south-africa-record-highest-successful-run-chase-in-t20is/photostory/99016028.cms

Five-time champions Mumbai Indians returned to their home ground -- the iconic Wankhede Stadium -- ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. The players returned to the home ground after a gap of two years. Mumbai will play their first match at the venue on April 8 against arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/ipl-2023-mumbai-indians-return-to-wankhede-stadium-after-2-years/articleshow/99011890.cms

Swashbuckling batsman Chris Gayle lauded Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli for his work ethic and passion. Gayle also went down memory lane and recalled the intense competition between the two during their heyday at Royal Challengers Bangalore. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/i-like-virat-kohlis-passion-and-work-ethic-batting-with-him-was-just-fantastic-chris-gayle/articleshow/99009323.cms

Read More on TOI Sports source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/web-stories/hat-tricks-in-ipl-history/photostory/99008930.cms

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly says India's star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant "must take his time to heal properly" from his injuries, before making a comeback to competitive cricket. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/rishabh-pant-must-take-his-time-to-heal-properly-sourav-ganguly/articleshow/99008583.cms

India star batter Shikhar Dhawan on Sunday lauded the young sensation Shubman Gill and said he would pick the 23-year-old over himself in the national side, given his current form with the bat of late. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/the-way-shubman-gill-is-playing-ill-pick-him-ahead-of-myself-shikhar-dhawan/articleshow/99007648.cms

Royal Challengers Bangalore's star batter Rajat Patidar is doubtful for at least the first half of the upcoming season due to a heel injury. Patidar had an impressive outing for RCB in IPL 2022. He finished the IPL 2022 as the third-highest run-scorer for RCB, behind du Plessis and Kohli, scoring 333 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 152.75. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/rcbs-rajat-patidar-likely-to-miss-first-half-of-ipl-2023-with-heel-injury/articleshow/99006028.cms

Being the captains of India and Australia, Harmanpreet Kaur and Meg Lanning have crossed swords many times, heralding one of the most exciting rivalries in the women's game. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/wpl/wpl-2023-mumbai-indians-face-delhi-capitals-in-final/articleshow/99004026.cms

Royal Challengers Bangalore icon Virat Kohli on Saturday arrived in Bengaluru for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League, which starts from March 31. RCB will host Mumbai Indians in their season opener on April 2 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/virat-kohli-arrives-in-bengaluru-for-upcoming-season-of-ipl/articleshow/98995140.cms

Rishabh Pant's absence considerably reduces Delhi Capitals' chances in the upcoming edition of Indian Premier League as the fear factor associated with the franchise won't be there this time round. What could affect the Ricky Ponting-coached side even more is the lack of quality Indian pacers in the team, which will start its campaign against Lucknow Super Giants on April 1. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/delhi-capitals-lack-of-indian-pace-bowling-firepower-remains-a-concern/articleshow/98993827.cms

Mumbai Indians would look to cap their superb Women's Premier League season (WPL) by defeating Delhi Capitals in the final of the inaugural edition of the tournament at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/wpl/wpl-final-mumbai-indians-take-on-delhi-capitals-for-inaugural-title/articleshow/98991229.cms

Read More on TOI Sports source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/web-stories/ipl-will-impact-player-rule-help-delhi-capitals/photostory/98988786.cms

Mohammad Nabi starred as Afghanistan cruised to a six-wicket win over Pakistan in the first Twenty20 international of a three-game series on Friday. This is Afghanistan's first win in four Twenty20 internationals against Pakistan. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/1st-t20i-mohammad-nabi-stars-as-afghanistan-clinch-historic-win-over-pakistan/articleshow/98984893.cms

source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-vs-sri-lanka-1st-odi-live-cricket-score/liveblog/98983822.cms

A disciplined life off the field is key to producing disciplined performances on it, feels Australian great Ricky Ponting, who would love to create good human beings out of solid cricketers. "The better person you are, it is easy to become a better player. If you haven't got your personal life in order, it is really difficult to become a disciplined performer on the field," Ponting said at a promotional event of IPL franchise Delhi Capitals here on Friday. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/my-job-is-to-not-just-make-young-indians-better-players-but-make-them-better-human-being-too-dc-coach-ricky-ponting/articleshow/98971129.cms

Read more on TOI Sports source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/web-stories/top-10-most-wickets-by-an-indian-bowler-in-odis-since-2020/photostory/98944145.cms

Former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni rolled his arms at the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) camp during the franchise's training session. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/watch-ms-dhoni-bowls-during-csk-training-session-for-ipl-2023/articleshow/98966973.cms

Read More on TOI Sports source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/web-stories/best-bowling-spells-in-ipl-history/photostory/98964538.cms

source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/australia-in-india/web-stories/what-ails-team-indias-odi-world-cup-preparations/photostory/98959445.cms

Mumbai Indians were off the blocks at such a searing pace that at one point it looked like no one would be able halt their juggernaut. But two defeats in the last three matches meant they missed out on an automatic place in the final of the Women's Premier League. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/wpl/wpl-eliminator-mumbai-indians-batting-vs-up-warriorzs-spin/articleshow/98956807.cms

Captain Rohit Sharma, following the loss to Australia at Chepauk, was quite frank in his assessment about what needs to be done going ahead if India are to win the World Cup. The skipper feels the important thing is to understand the role each player needs to play. source https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/australia-in-india/australia-series-defeat-highlights-team-indias-odi-world-cup-preparations-problems/articleshow/98955619.cms