Khati Group

Mustafizur Rahman set it up with his bagful of cerebral variations before Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube got the job done with their superlative finishing skills to script a comfortable six-wicket win for Chennai Super Kings over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL opener on Friday. CSK, who have not lost to RCB at home since 2008, thus kept their enviable record intact. Mustafizur, with his best ever IPL figures of 4/29 in four overs, was largely responsible for restricting RCB to 173 for six on a good batting track, where a 95-run sixth wicket stand off 50 balls between Anuj Rawat (48 off 25 balls) and Dinesh Karthik (38 not out off 26 balls) was the visitors' only saving grace. Jadeja (25 not out off 17 balls) brought his oodles of experience just when things could have got tricky in the run chase, hurrying a rusty Dube (34 off 28 balls) into completing some quick doubles to complete the chase in 18.4 overs. Dube also grew in confidence in Jadeja's company towards ...

Indian spin veteran Ravichandran Ashwin on Wednesday spoke on the bowling action of Sri Lanka and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Matheesha Pathirana and pointed out that the youngster puts his back under immense strain while bowling and "gets into awkward positions". The 21-year-old pacer was one of the standouts for CSK in their fifth-title-winning season last year, taking 19 wickets at an average of 19.52. The pacer recently suffered a hamstring injury during the second T20I against Bangladesh this month. He has played 12 ODIs and six T20Is for Sri Lanka. Speaking on his Youtube channel on Wednesday, Ashwin said that Pathirana has a lower angle of release, which puts his back under strain and his front leg "collapses" while releasing the ball. Comparing his action with Lankan pace legend Lasith Malinga, with whom the 21-year-old has drawn comparisons due to his slingy action, Ashwin said that Malinga has a "beautiful" side-on action which is much bette...

Former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu is back to cricket, with the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 being his new commentary assignment, years after he left the cricketing arena for politics. As the world gears up to hear Sidhu's anecdotes from the commentary box, the former all-rounder dropped a big statement just days before the start of the 17th season of the IPL. Speaking of some of the legends of Indian cricket, including Virat Kohl, MS Dhoni , Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar , Sidhu named the batter he rates the highest. During the pre-IPL chat, Sidhu was asked if he feels Virat Kohli should bat at the No. 3 spot for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Sidhu wasn't in agreement with the idea, though he admitted that he is the greatest batter in the world. "I don't think so. It's what the team demands. You could be the greatest player in the world, which he is. But if your team is not winning, especially hasn't held the trophy once, then it's ...

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has opened up on the Mumbai Indians captaincy saga, with Rohit Sharma set to play under the new leadership of Hardik Pandya . Hardik replaced Rohit as captain of the franchise after MI traded him from Gujarat Titans before the IPL 2024 players auction. While there has been rumours of a possible rift between the two players, Harbhajan shared his views on the equation between Rohit and Hardik, and hoped that the too could set their differences aside and do what's best for the franchise. "Only time will tell. Who will be comfortable or who will not? Mumbai Indians have been a solid and formidable team in IPL. I am sure they would love to leave the controversies behind and pave the way for the future," Harbhajan told Times of India in an interview. Rohit is the most successful captain in the history of the IPL, alongside MS Dhoni , having led MI to five titles (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020). Hardik, on the other hand, led GT to IPL...

Mumbai Indians on Wednesday named uncapped South African medium-pacer Kwena Maphaka as injured Sri Lankan pacer Dilshan Madushanka's replacement for the upcoming IPL season. The 23-year-old Lankan pacer suffered a hamstring injury in the just-concluded ODI series in Bangladesh, which the visitors lost 1-2. Madushanka was roped in by MI during the IPL Auction ahead of the upcoming season for Rs 4.6 crore, having shone during the ODI World Cup last year, claiming 21 wickets in nine meetings. Meanwhile, the 17-year-old Maphaka came into the limelight after being adjudged the Player of the Tournament during the U19 World Cup at home this year, scalping 21 wickets at an average of 9.71. He is rated very highly by Proteas legend Allan Donald. Having played for South Africa A and South Africa Emerging teams since last year, he was roped in by Paarl Royals for SA20 2023-24 but did not get to play a game. Maphaka's T20 numbers read 13 wickets in nine games at an economy of 6.71, inc...

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli , who have not played a lot of T20 cricket since the 2022 edition, are expected to be on the flight to USA and Caribbean for the ICC showpiece. Former Indian cricket team star Navjot Singh Sidhu, who is set to be back in the commentary box after a decade with the upcoming IPL, has an interesting take on the duo's role for the 2024 T20 World Cup.  "They will be needed there. These are giants of cricketing world. Form is like the morning dew, it can elude you but class of these people has stamp of authority. "I would rate Kohli as the greatest Indian batsmen for the simple reason, his fitness, he is getting fitter with age like old wine does. Technically very sound and he has the uncanny knack of adapting to all three formats, same goes for Rohit," Sidhu explained in his inimitable style. "Both are quality players. I am not sure about Rohit's fitness levels. With age you tend to slow down, your reflexes tend to go. Sehwag with ...

Former India pacer Vinay Kumar was inducted into the Royal Challengers Bengaluru Hall of Fame during the RCB Unbox event on Tuesday. Vinay joins the elite company of RCB icons Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers . "Formidable cricketer, Our third-highest wicket-taker. We're celebrating Namma Vinay Kumar as we engrave his name on the elite list. - RCB Hall of Fame," RCB wrote on X. Vinay also known as "The Davangere Express", was a formidable face during his time with RCB. He was a part of the franchise from 2008 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2013. He was the leading wicket-taker for RCB for two consecutive seasons with 19 wickets in 2012 and 23 in the 2013 season. The Karnataka-born cricketer had an illustrious IPL career where he represented four teams which included Mumbai Indians, RCB, Kochi Tuskers Kerela and Kolkata Knight Riders. He claimed 105 wickets in 105 matches during the 11 seasons that he spent in the cash-rich league. He is RCB's third-highest wick...