Speculations over a possible return in the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was rife when Rishabh Pant was spotted at a Delhi Capitals camp in Kolkata last month in the presence of senior franchise support staff including Sourav Ganguly (director of cricket), Ricky Ponting (head coach), and Pravin Amre (assistant coach). A month later, a report in ESPNCricinfo revealed that the wicketkeeper-batter is all set for a return, that too as a skipper. However, it was not until Monday, on the eve of the min-auction in Dubai when Pant addressed the rumours.

Pant has been put of cricketing action since incurring a horrible car accident in December 2022, after which all three key ligaments in his right knee were torn. He thereafter spent the entirety of 2023 on the sidelines, recovering at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. It was only in the second half of this year when videos began circulating on social media showing that he has resumed batting, although it was never clear whether he commenced wicketkeeping as well.

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A week back, an ESPNCricinfo report revealed that DC are all set to unleash Pant once again Although it did not specify his role in the XI, the report added that the franchise are happy to have him back both as a batter and a captain.

Speaking to the franchise ahead of the mini-auction for the IPL 2024 season, Pant broke silence on his speculated return saying that he is in much better place than he was few months back, but still requires a few months to gain 100 per cent fitness.

“Much better, given what I was doing few months ago. I’m still on recovery to 100 per cent but hopefully in few months time I will be able to do it,” Rishabh Pant said.

When further asked about his road to recovery, Pant, who is set to be on the auction table in Dubai, added: “It has been really amazing because whenever we keep playing cricket we feel no one loves us because there is so much pressure. Yes it was a hard time, but at least I got to know that people love and respect me and kind of kind of concern that they showed by heartwarming and crazy for me. It means a lot and helped a lot in recovery.

Well, Pant and DC have time until March to take the call. And if he does return to action, it will be his maiden appearance since featuring in the Bangladesh tour in late 2022

In a surprising move that sent shockwaves through the cricketing community, Mumbai Indians (MI) announced the appointment of Hardik Pandya as their captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, replacing the long-serving skipper Rohit Sharma. The decision was made public on Friday, marking a significant leadership transition for the defending champions.

Rohit Sharma’s legacy as captain

Rohit, one of the most successful captain in IPL history, led the Mumbai Indians to five title victories in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. His tenure as captain has been synonymous with success and consistency and he is also the current skipper of Team India so making the leadership change all of a sudden has expectedly so surprised the fans.

Hardik Pandya’s return in mega transfer deal

Notably, Mumbai Indians orchestrated a major move ahead of the IPL 2024 mini auction by bringing back star all-rounder Hardik in a mega transfer deal worth INR 15 crore from the Gujarat Titans (GT). Pandya had previously spent seven seasons with Mumbai Indians, contributing significantly to their four title wins.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma: Captaincy royalty and mastermind behind Mumbai Indians’ phoenix-like rise in IPL

In an official statement, Mumbai Indians acknowledged the significance of the leadership transition, stating, “Renowned all-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to take the helm as the captain of the Mumbai Indians, succeeding its longest-serving, one of the most successful and loved captains, the illustrious Rohit Sharma.”

Fan outrage on social media

The decision to replace Rohit with Hardik as captain did not sit well with many Mumbai Indians fans, who expressed their disappointment and anger on social media platforms. However, one fan took his displeasure to an extreme by burning a Mumbai Indians jersey in protest against the leadership change.

A video capturing the fan burning the Mumbai Indians’ jersey has gone viral on the internet, intensifying the controversy surrounding the captaincy change. The fan’s extreme reaction highlights the emotional attachment that supporters often develop with their favourite teams and players.

Is it coming home? Indian captain Rohit Sharma is two wins away from emulating legendary MS Dhoni, who masterminded India’s second ICC World Cup title triumph at the Wankhede Stadium in 2011. Overlooked by the Indian think tank for the 2011 World Cup, Rohit has a shot at redemption as the talismanic leader of the Men In Blue can land India’s first World Cup title since Dhoni and Co. triumphed in their backyard. Unbeaten in nine games, high-flying Team India will resume their rivalry with Kane Williamson’s New Zealand in the first semi-final of the ICC World Cup at Wankhede on Wednesday.

Over the years, Team India has witnessed unforgettable highs and lows in World Cup cricket. In the 2019 edition of the 50-over spectacle, it was ’45 minutes of bad cricket’ that put Virat Kohli and Co. out of the ICC World Cup. Dubbed as favourites, India ran out of steam in the knockout phase as Matt Henry-inspired New Zealand edged past Kohli’s men in the rain-marred semi-final of the World Cup 2019 at Old Trafford. While many believed stars were aligned for Dhoni to pull off a thrilling run-chase after a Ravindra Jadeja classic, New Zealand bounced back in the death overs to extend India’s trophyless drought at the grandest stage.

India’s bogey team at World Cup

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It’s an open secret that New Zealand are India’s bogey team in ICC events. India have only recorded two wins over the Black Caps in ten attempts across ICC tournaments. India have suffered defeats to New Zealand in its previous four knockout clashes. With Rohit at the helm, India ended its long-standing losing streak by hammering New Zealand in the round-robin phase of the ICC World Cup 2023. A Kohli masterclass paved the way for Rohit and Co. to break India’s 20-year jinx against the Kiwis at ICC tournaments.

All-rounder Rachin has already played a noteworthy knock of 75 against India. The Kiwi opener is also gunning for the numero uno position at the batters standings of the World Cup. The New Zealand batter has accumulated 565 runs in nine matches of the 50-over spectacle. The third-highest run-getter has also bowled nine overs and conceded 46 runs against India. Rohit’s Team India will have to feast on Kiwi spinners Rachin and Glenn Phillips at the World Cup semi-final. Ravindra and Phillips only leaked 58 runs in 11 overs at Dharamsala. Instead of targetting Mitchell Santner, Rohit and Co. can also go after the duo of Ravindra-Phillips in the rematch of the 2019 World Cup semi-final at Wankhede on Wednesday.

Bobat said –

“I’ve had the most amazing 12 years at the ECB. And it’s been both an honour and a privilege to have spent the last four years as Performance Director. Supporting our efforts towards multiple Ashes campaigns and World Cups has quite literally been the stuff of dreams.

Also Read: Jonny Bairstow livid at ‘utter chaos’ as England take over 38 hours to reach Guwahati for 2023 WC warm-up vs India

Bobat added – “I’ll be forever grateful for all of the opportunities and support that I received over the years and will carry with me many special memories, shared achievements and friendships.”

40 years old Bobat has overseen the England Men’s pathway for the past four years, identifying and developing the players that have helped the team win World Cups in the 50-over and 20-over formats, while reinvigorating their Test fortunes under the captain-coach partnership of Stokes and McCullum.

Three years after his retirement from international cricket, MS Dhoni still continues to be hot property (if not the hottest) in the Indian Premier League. And why wouldn’t he be? In three IPL editions since his international retirement, Dhoni has led Chennai Super Kings to two titles – the IPL 2023 victory being the record-equalling fifth title. What’s more? While batting largely at No.7 or 8 this year, Dhoni has scored at a strike rate of 181 – his best ever. Yes, he did not bat enough balls or score a heap of runs, but whenever he came in to bat, he made an impact. Isn’t that what a finisher’s role is?

After Dhoni’s superb run for CSK in IPL 2023, which was believed to be his last in the tournament, the legendary cricketer announced that he would try to come back next year, just for the fans. With the kind of form and fitness he has shown, despite battling a knee injury throughout the tournament, no one would complain if he does lead CSK again in the next IPL. But does this mean, Dhoni retired a bit too early from international cricket? Could he have given at least another year to Team India?

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram feels Dhoni perhaps could have played for India for some more time but he took the right decision to call it quits in August 2020. Mind you, Dhoni’s last match for India was in the 2019 ODI World Cup. He announced his retirement a year after keeping everyone guessing.

Also Read: Josh Hazlewood ruled out, replacement in squad for World Test Championship final named

“He could have still played for India if he wanted to, considering his performances. But, he retired at the right time and that’s why Dhoni is Dhoni,” Wasim Akram told Sportskeeda. The legendary Pakistan pacer also felt that Dhoni will be back next year. “I think he’ll come back stronger next year.”

When asked why he thinks so, he elaborated: “He has the experience, calmness and is physically very fit. Most importantly, he has the passion to play. No matter how fit you are, if you don’t have the passion, you will not be able to come up with performances.”

“He is physically fit and did not sit out of any matches [in IPL 2023]. After a certain age, making a comeback is difficult. But, knowing Dhoni, if that passion is still there, he will train. Match practice is very important, but I am sure he knows what he is doing.”

‘Dhoni can take any team to the final and win’: Wasim Akram

Also Read: People talk about Sachin but…: Sehwag ignores Dravid, picks Pakistan legend as ‘Asia’s biggest middle-order batter’

The former Pakistan skipper hailed Dhoni as a “gem of a cricketer”. “He is a gem of a cricketer, a gem of a captain. To win five IPLs with one team is a massive deal. It is such a big tournament. There are 10 teams and you have to play 14 matches each to qualify [for the playoffs]. They started slowly, but you give Dhoni any team, he takes them to the final and makes them win it.

“CSK, five titles is dream stuff. They have become a legendary team and that too in one of the biggest and most difficult tournaments in world cricket.

“Whenever Dhoni quits cricket, I am sure he will stay with CSK as a mentor, a president or whatever the word is. I don’t think Dhoni and CSK will separate,” Akram added.

There was bit of a concern among the Chennai Super Kings fans as the team headed to their 10th IPL final. Visuals of a spat between Ravindra Jadeja and captain MS Dhoni had sent fans into overdrive and it further deepened after the former took to Twitter to post a cryptic “Karma” tweet which drew a reaction from his wife as well. But the CSK star put all the rumours to rest with an ultimate act on social media the night after he led the team to a stunning IPL title win against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

It was after CSK’s final league game when a video of Jadeja’s spat with Dhoni set internet on fire. Dhoni was seen fuming at Ravindra Jadeja even after the team’s emphatic 77-run win against Delhi Capitals which guaranteed them a top-two finish, while the latter uttered no words.

Later, Ravindra Jadeja posted a cryptic tweet on “Karma” while his wife retweeted it, leaving fans concerned about Jadeja’s future in the team.

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But all was put to rest on Monday after the all-rounder smashed a six and a four in the last two balls to guide CSK to a five-wicket win. After the win, he dedicated it to Dhoni, posted a pic with the 41-year-old in social media with the post: “We did it for ONE and ONLY “MS DHONI mahi bhai aapke liye toh kuch bhi”, and then changed his Instagram DP to that iconic moment from the IPL 2023 final when Dhoni had lifted Jadeja after he hit the winning run.

Gujarat looked firmly in the contest after a stunning start from Mohit Sharma in the last over of the rain-affected IPL 2023 final where Chennai were chasing a revised target of 171 in 15 overs. The right-arm pacer, who picked two consecutive wickets in his previous over, started off with four straight yorkers to concede only three runs before erring in line and length to see Jadeja capitalising on it.

“I was just thinking that I need to swing hard no matter what. Yeah anything can happen. I was looking to hit straight because Mohit can bowl slower ones,” Ravindra Jadeja later said after the win.

MS Dhoni is a man of very few expressions but a lot of words, at least in the post-match interactions. Ever since he decided not to attend press conferences before or after a match, the only time Dhoni can be heard talking serious cricket is either at the toss or after the match to the broadcasters. No one is complaining though as the Chennai Super Kings captain has been speaking his heart out every time has had the microphone in his hand in IPL 2023. He, however, reserved the best for the final.

After Ravindra Jadeja hit a six and a four when CSK needed 10 runs off 2 balls in the last over to complete an incredible heist, giving Chennai a record-equalling fifth title, the biggest question was – Have we seen the last of Dhoni on the cricket field? Till the halfway mark of the tournament, there were no doubts that this was Dhoni’s last year as a player in the IPL but things slowly started to change when the legendary cricketer dropped subtle hints of thinking about turning for another season.

Dhoni will try to play another IPL

Also Read: ‘By a long margin for sure’: AB de Villiers names favourite player of IPL 2023 and it’s not Shubman Gill or Virat Kohli

After winning IPL 2023 beating Gujarat Titans in the final, Dhoni confirmed that it’s not curtains on his playing career yet. He will give himself 6-7 months and then decide on his future as CSK captain. This, he said, was a small return gift from his side to the fans for the love and appreciation he has received at every venue he has played this year.

That, believe it or not, was the only piece of news Dhoni provided late on Monday night. He also revealed that he cried before CSK’s tournament opener against GT at the same venue. Dhoni started off IPL 2023 by playing against GT in Ahmedabad on March 31 this year.

VIDEO: MS Dhoni reveals he cried during CSK’s IPL 2023 opener in Ahmedabad

“You do get emotional for the simple fact that it is the last part of my career. It started over here and when I was playing in the first game, I just walked around and the full house was chanting my name, my eyes (got) filled with water and I just stood there in the dugout for a while. I took my time and then I realised, I want to enjoy it. The same thing happened in Chennai. It was my last game there but it will be good to come back and play whatever I can,” Dhoni said when Harsha Bhogle asked about him being emotional.

Dhoni also talked about the brand of cricket that CSK plays under him. “The kind of cricket I play, they feel they can play that cricket. There’s nothing orthodox about it and I like to keep it simple. I think every trophy or bilateral series you win, has its own challenges. When it comes to the crunch, you need to have your individuals ready. The amount of pressure every individual can deal with is different. We tried to do that,” he said.

As far as the match was concerned, GT put on 214/4 batting first. Rain interrupted proceedings when CSK were 4/0 in 0.3 overs. When play resumed after a long delay, CSK had a revised target of 171 in 15 overs. They won it in the last over with five wickets in hand.

With his match-winning centuries, Gujarat Titans opener Shubman Gill has been single-handedly taking out the big names of IPL 2023. His second century this season against Royal Challengers Bangalore, at the Chinnaswamy, Gill handed Virat Kohli yet another heartbreaking before the playoffs. With his record knock of 129 on Friday against Mumbai in Qualifier 2, Gill ended MI’s bid for a sixth IPL trophy. With Gujarat Titans in the final for the second consecutive season, standing against Gill is the legendary MS Dhoni. And a former India fast bowler strongly believes that Dhoni will face the same fate as that of Kohli and Rohit.

“I feel Gill will gobble up the trio of Dhoni, Kohli, Rohit because the way he is batting. I feel next in line is Mahi. Even the Gujarat Titans team has looked excellent. Mumbai were in the game with Suryakumar Yadav there, but Gujarat have a good bowling depth as well. Despite coming in as a new team, they have made an impact. We had seen such formidability from CSK. Talking about Gill, he is a well grounded player. Anyone could lose focus given the money and fame in IPL, but Gill has looked composed,” he said.

Also Read: Sachin Tendulkar’s intense chat with Shubman Gill after GT star’s record 129 vs MI smashes the internet

Of the 851 runs Gill scored in IPL 2023, 533 runs came at the Narendra Modi Stadium in eight matches including three fifties and two tons. It is in fact the second-highest score by a batter in an IPL season (with home-away format) at a single venue after Virat Kohli’s tally of 597 runs at Chinnaswamy during his iconic 2016 season.

Gujarat will be strongly banking on Gill to make an impact in the big summit clash against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday.

‘Dhoni told Fleming ‘He’ll play all matches. Talk about the rest’: India star’s sensational revelation on CSK selection

Besides MS Dhoni being a legendary captain irrespective of the format or the team with the resources available, he also has a great eye for talent.

Besides MS Dhoni being a legendary captain irrespective of the format or the team with the resources available, he also has a great eye for talent. Over the years in his illustrious IPL career, the man has himself handed Team India so many match-winning options. On Saturday, ahead of Chennai Super Kings‘ IPL 2023 final against defending champions Gujarat Titans, a star bowler, who made his India debut the same year he was roped in by the franchise in 2018, made a sensational revelation on his how Dhoni selected him for the team.

Although Deepak Chahar is a name one associates with CSK, he did not start his journey at that franchise. In 2016 he had made his debut for presently-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) when CSK was suspended on grounds of corruption for two seasons. Dhoni was the skipper that year. All Chahar managed was two appearances that season and three more in the next year when Steve Smith had taken over the captaincy role.

Speaking to Gaurav Kapur on YouTube show ‘Breakfast with Champions’, Chahar recalled that India Stephen Fleming, who was head coach of RPS, was impressed with his batting rather than bowling in 2016, but he failed to make the eventual XI after a hamstring injury during the pre-season camp. And in the following year, he remained as a 12th man for the team.

“When I first me Mahi bhai, I was batting. Fleming had selected me for the Pune team, not for my bowling but my batting. On the first day of our camp we had a practice match. I was batting. I came one down. I hit five sixes to score 30 runs and then when I ran to take a run, I injured my hamstring. By the time I became fit, the combination of the team was set. Rajat Bhatia was playing year. Next year Steve Smith became the captain. Funny thing was that in 2017, I was the 12th man for the entire season. Every time they used to tell me, “Be ready. You might play”. I used to prepare for all the matches but got disappointed,” he said.

The 30-year-old then recalled that CSK, which had returned for the 2018 IPL season, had picked him in the auction. And while Fleming was reluctant in trying Chahar, who had only 5 IPL appearances so far, Dhoni confirmed that he would play in all the 14 matches that season.

“In the next year when the auction happened, they picked me in the team in 2018. During the discussion for the first match, Fleming wanted me to play after a few matches and wanted to include a senior player instead. Then Mahi bhai told him, “He has to play all the 14 matches no matter what. Talk to me about the rest.” Later Kasi (Vishwanathan, CSK CEO) sir told me that when the team was being formed my name was written first all the time,” he said.

Chahar picked 10 wickets that season in 12 matches at an economy rate of just 7.28 and showed a glimpse of his batting abilities in scoring 50 runs off 39 balls at a strike rate of 172.41.

Chahar later made his India debut in the T20 format a month after the IPL and then was picked in the Asia Cup squad as well in September.

When Sunil Gavaskar had retired, world cricket had wondered, ‘who’s next’, and there was Sachin Tendulkar to rule the sport. In the twilight of his career, the question reignited and in walked Virat Kohli. And although the Run Machine is still far from bidding adieu to the sport, his heir-apparent has arrived. Earlier last week, Shubman Gill had eclipsed Kohli’s ton with his match-winning hundred and on Friday, in presence of the legendary Sachin, Gill showcased smashed his third century in IPL 2023. And even though in both cases the two veteran stars suffered heartbreaks, there was surely a smile and some admiration at watching a youngster rise, and ready to take world cricket by storm.

It has been Gill’s year. He entered this edition’s IPL on the back of a maiden T20I century in January, a Test hundred in the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia in February, and in between the two was a record double ton in ODIs.

The 23-year-old then continued his sublime form in IPL 2023 where he finally scored his maiden ton, at his beloved Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, before getting another one in the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Chinnaswamy Stadium and finally notched up his third, in just four innings, in the Qualifier 2 tie against Mumbai Indians which saw him achieve a number of milestones.

Also Read: Shubman Gill’s ‘My goodness’ slap shot bewilders Rohit

The knock of 129 off just 60 balls now stands as the highest ever scored by a batter in the IPL playoffs. The score also took his run tally to 851 runs this season, making him the second Indian batter after Kohli to score 800 or more runs in a season, while his overall tally is now the third-best.

Following the game against MI, where Gill was presented with the Player of the Match award for his record knock as GT cruised to a second successive final after a 62-run win in Ahmedabad, the opener was seen having an intense chat with Sachin, mentor of MI side. The picture instantly went viral all over social media.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to Sachin Tendulkar’s chat with Shubman Gill after GT beat MI to storm into IPL 2023 final

“For me, it is playing ball to ball, over to over. The over where I hit three sixes gave me the momentum to go big. That’s when I realised it could be my day. It was a good wicket to bat on as well,” said Gill in the post-match presentation.

GT will now face Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2023 final on Sunday at the same venue.

Gujarat Titans opener Shubman Gill produced a magnificent batting display on Friday night, as he smashed 129 off just 60 deliveries to steer the side to a 62-run win over Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023 Qualifier 2. The win secured Titans a place in the final of the 2023 Indian Premier League, where they will take on the Chennai Super Kings. The young opener smashed 10 sixes and seven fours en route to the record-breaking knock in Ahmedabad – Gill’s 129 is now the highest individual score in IPL playoffs history.

Gill smashed the MI bowlers all around the park in a dazzling display strokeplay; he hit Akash Madhwal for three sixes in an over that – in his own words – set him up for a big score in the game. However, there was one shot in the 17th over of the innings against Cameron Green that left even Rohit Sharma absolutely stunned, as he looked visibly dumbstruck.

Also Read: Gambhir throws a death stare in bombastic gesture at Eden Gardens crowd

As Green bowled a short-pitched delivery, Gill charged down the track and played an almost tennis forehand-like slap shot over deep midwicket for a crazy six, leaving even the on-air commentators Ian Bishop and Sunil Gavaskar bewildered. The latter termed it a “tennis” shot, saying, “It’s a parallel six! It’s almost like a tennis shot!”

“Oh glorious, my goodness,” exclaimed Bishop seeing Gill’s breathtaking shot

VIDEO: Shubman Gill’s tennis forehand-like slap shot leaves Rohit dumbfounded; Gavaskar, Bishop in absolute awe

This was Gill’s third century in the 2023 season; en route his knock, he also crossed the 800-run mark in this year’s edition, becoming only the third player in the history of the tournament to do so (after Virat Kohli and Jos Buttler). Justifiably, Gill is currently the highest run-scorer in IPL 2023, and is likely to end the season with the Orange Cap. The closest to him among the remaining teams in the season is Devon Conway of the Chennai Super Kings, who has 625 runs to his name so far.

Gill was eventually dismissed in the 17th over of the innings by Madhwal, and walked off to a standing ovation from the fans, as well as the Titans dugout.

The final of the edition takes place on May 28, when the Titans will be aiming to settle scores with the Super Kings; MS Dhoni’s men had registered a 15-run win over GT in the first qualifier earlier this week.