Cricket News: “Should have been chasing 170”: Bangladesh upset with umpiring in Durban | Bangladesh upset with umpiring in 1st Test vs SA
Bangladesh have been left disappointed by the umpiring in the ongoing first Test against South Africa, with all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and director Khaled Mahmud leading a chorus of discontent. A number of decisions – particularly LBW – had gone against Bangladesh in the first session on the fourth day, prompting calls to reinstate neutral umpires for international matches.
“There was no hiding from the [poor] umpiring in today’s play,” said Mahmud. “A number of decisions went against us. We also missed out on a wicket when the boys seemed scared of taking a review. If we got those decisions, we might be chasing 180 instead of 270. To be really honest, I have seen such inconsistency in umpiring after a long time. But the umpires are the best judge on the field. We have to accept the decisions.”
The instances that Mahmud refers to begin as early as the fifth over in South Africa’s second innings. Dean Elgar was struck on the back leg but was given not out by umpire Marais Erasmus, with ball tracking showing the ball hitting off-stump but not enough to overturn the decision on review.
Fellow umpire Adrian Holdstock had his not out decision for an lbw against Sarel Erwee overturned in the 19th over. According to ESPNCricinfo’s live commentary, it “looked so out to the naked eye and it was a surprise that the on-field call was not given despite a screeching appeal”.
Dean Elgar then looked absolutely plumb in the 38th over, which was also given not out. It was overturned on review, and gave Taskin Ahmed his first wicket for the Test.
Bangladesh upset with umpiring: Shakib calls for neutral umpires
Shakib Al Hasan, who is unavailable for this Test series due to personal reasons, said that it’s time to reintroduce neutral umpires. After COVID-19 situation put a halt to cricket in 2020, it then brought about a situation where the ICC introduced home umpires to reduce the amount of travel.
“I think it’s time for ICC to get back to neutral umpires as the COVID situation is OK in most cricket playing countries,” Shakib tweeted.
I think it’s time for #Icc to back to neutral umpires as covid situation is ok in most cricket playing countries. #SAvBAN
Bangladesh selector and former captain Habibul Bashar was in agreeance.
“I totally agree with Shakib,” Bashar said. “Since Covid protocols are all but over, we should go back to neutral umpires. Umpires make mistakes but definitely neutral umpires ensure everyone gets the advantage. We have seen that on and off in this series. The DRS is certainly helpful but the umpire’s call isn’t really going in our favour.
“When you have a neutral umpire in the middle, even if he makes a mistake, you don’t think it is deliberate. We have seen many decisions in this series which could have gone our way, but didn’t.”
Bangladesh will start day five in a difficult position at 11/3, still in need of 263 runs to win their first Test against South Africa. Spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer were outstanding on the fourth evening, ripping through the Bangladesh top order to leave the home side as strong favourites heading into the final day in Durban.
Cricket News: Jimmy Neesham shares special Ross Taylor story from his debut | Ross Taylor retires: Neesham shares story about NZ legend
New Zealand will wave farewell to one of their finest ever cricketers on Monday in their third ODI against Netherlands in Hamilton. The great Ross Taylor will take the field one final time, prompting more tributes to a player that has contributed so much to cricket as a whole.
During the ODI series, all-rounder Jimmy Neesham spoke of the sheer impact that Taylor has had on New Zealand cricket as well as himself personally. In an exclusive interview with CricBlog, Neesham said that Taylor has helped shape the culture to what it is today, and also shared a story from his own debut back in 2012.
“He’s been an absolute giant of our game over the last 20 years. Early 2000s was when he debuted for New Zealand, which seems like a different era at the moment,” Neesham said.
“Yes, you’ll miss the runs and the catches and all that kind of thing, but just the sort of individual he was is what will leave a hole in our group. But, I think he can be proud of the influence he has had in shaping our culture over the last decade-and-a-half, and watch on with pride over the next few years and know that was a huge hand he had in creating that culture.”
Ross Taylor rang me before my New Zealand debut – Neesham
Before heading over to South Africa for his debut series in international cricket in 2012, Jimmy Neesham received a phone call from an anonymous number. It was Ross Taylor on the other end, wishing Neesham all the best for the tour. It is a moment that the all-rounder still holds dear.
“He’s been such a quality performer and such a great guy to know off the field. When I first got picked for the Black Caps in 2012, he [Ross Taylor] was having a series off when the captaincy change and that sort of thing was happening,” said Neesham.
“He wasn’t coming on the tour, and a couple of days after the team was announced, I got a phone call from an unsaved number on my phone. I answered and it was him saying ‘hey mate, Ross Taylor here, just wanted to wish you all the best for the tour’, and I just remember thinking we didn’t know each other at all at the time.
“He didn’t have to do that. I imagine he probably called the other four or five guys who were debuting on that tour and said the same thing. I think that’s testament to his character that he’s willing to make those phone calls and talk to the young guys, and offer his experience off the field.”
Ross Taylor will finish career as New Zealand’s highest run-scorer in Tests and ODIs
Ross Taylor will say goodbye to cricket as New Zealand’s highest-ever run-scorer in ODIs (8,593) and Tests (7,683). He was a pinnacle of consistency over a number of years, with the period between the 2015 and 2019 World Cups particularly prolific in terms of ODI cricket.
Also, his final match will be his 450th in international cricket. He has crossed 18,000 runs across formats at an average above 42, with a remarkable 40 hundreds and 93 fifties.
After a slow start to the ODI series vs Netherlands, Taylor will certainly be keen to contribute and finish his career on the best possible note.
You can watch CricBlog’s full interview with Jimmy Neesham here or below.
CSK vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2022 Match 11 | CSK vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction Today | Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings Key Players | Brabourne Pitch Report
In a long tournament where each team plays 14 matches, the third game doesn’t seem so crucial when you look at it on face value. However, in a competitive league with two new, capable teams involved, you cannot afford to fall too far behind.
That is the predicament Chennai Super Kings find themselves in. The defending champions have lost their opening two games in contrasting fashion; one after crawling to 131 and the other after failing to defend 200+. Coach Stephen Fleming spoke of the difficulty of bowling in the dew after the defeat to Lucknow, but what CSK have done so well over the years is eliminate the distractions and perform against adversity. They need to do it here.
In terms of Punjab Kings, we’ve received the same picture as we’ve seen for many a year. After thumping 200+ to defeat RCB, the Kings crumbled in a heap against Umesh Yadav to showcase the inconsistency that still plagues the franchise despite many new, high-quality faces. They did fight with the ball for a while against KKR, but the Andre Russell storm was too much to handle. Now, they get the chance to bounce back less than 48 hours later.
Chris Jordan had a tonsil infection, and has now been discharged from hospital. Whether he is fit enough to play this match remains to be seen, but CSK do need an experienced bowling option.
Chennai Super Kings: 1. Robin Uthappa, 2. Ruturaj Gaikwad, 3. Moeen Ali, 4. Shivam Dube, 5. Ambati Rayudu, 6. Ravindra Jadeja (c), 7. MS Dhoni (wk), 8. Dwaine Pretorius, 9. Dwayne Bravo, 10. Chris Jordan, 11. Tushar Deshpande
According to ESPNCricinfo, Jonny Bairstow is available after quarantine and is likely to replace Odean Smith.
Ruturaj Gaikwad has started another series/tournament slowly. The reigning Orange Cap holder has scored 0 and 1 this season, with a run out in his last match. He scored just 5 and 12 vs PBKS last season, and Arshdeep Singh dismissed him in both matches. Can he turn his form around?
Robin Uthappa is a player enjoying some great form. He is coming off a 27-ball 50 against Lucknow, where he looked in terrific touch. He averages 39 and strikes at 133 in the powerplay in IPL, so Punjab need his wicket early.
Moeen Ali looked good for more in his first game of IPL 2022 (35 off 22 balls vs LSG). Moeen is an excellent spin hitter, and Punjab have spinners who predominantly turn the ball into left-handers. He strikes at 166 vs wristspin, 155 vs left-arm spin and 152 vs off-spin in the IPL.
Ravindra Jadeja has had a quiet start to IPL 2022 with bat and ball. He has the ability to turn it around here, particularly given his batting form across IPL 2020 and 2021: 459 runs at an average of 57.38 and strike rate of 157.73.
Jadeja has scored 158 runs in nine innings for CSK vs PBKS at an average of 31.60 and strike rate of 143.64. He has taken 10 wickets in 15 innings against Punjab at an average of 35.90 and economy rate of 7.92.
Dwayne Bravo has a crucial role to play in the CSK attack. He has taken 15 wickets in 13 outings vs PBKS at an average of 22.33 and economy rate of 8.17.
Punjab Kings:
Shikhar Dhawan has strong numbers against CSK. He has scored 908 runs against them at an average of 41.27 and strike rate of 128.98, which includes eight 50+ scores in 26 innings.
Dhawan has a good record against two of CSK’s main bowlers: Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja. He has scored 93 runs in 64 balls vs Bravo (two dismissals) and 106 runs in 64 balls vs Jadeja (one dismissal).
Can Mayank Agarwal improve on his poor record vs CSK? He has scored 238 runs in 14 innings at an average of 17.00 and strike rate of 123.96.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa has made a terrific start to IPL 2022. The Sri Lankan has struck scores of 43 and 29 at an overall strike rate of 238.70.
Jonny Bairstow is set to return. The Englishman has one fifty in five innings vs CSK (overall average of 22.75). Can he improve on these numbers?
Bairstow has terrific numbers in the three key phases of an IPL innings. He strikes at 139 in the powerplay, 150 between overs 7-11 and 152 between overs 12-16. He will no doubt take on CSK’s bowlers right away.
Kagiso Rabada will be key for PBKS. He concedes under seven runs per over vs CSK in the IPL, taking a wicket every 22 deliveries against them on average. Importantly, he averages 9.6 and concedes 9.3 per over in the death period. He has taken the most wickets of any bowler in the IPL since 2019.
Arshdeep Singh has taken three wickets in two matches vs CSK (econ. 7.00).
Rahul Chahar took 2/13 in four overs in his last match (vs KKR), where he found some turn. Also, he loves bowling to left-handers, where he has taken 11 wickets in IPL matches in India since 2019 (only Rashid Khan has more among spinners). So, expect him to be used against Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali.
Other Stats and Facts
Head-to-head: Matches 26, CSK 16, PBKS 10.
Shivam Dube struck seven boundaries in 30 deliveries last match vs LSG (49).
Dwayne Bravo to Mayank Agarwal in the IPL: 16 balls bowled, 12 runs scored, one dismissal.
A wide line will be key Bhanuka Rajapaksa. The Kings keeper-batsman has been very strong over the legside, particularly square leg and deep midwicket.
Shikhar Dhawan averages 66.8 vs CSK since the start of IPL 2020.
MS Dhoni vs PBKS: 20 innings, 593 runs, avg. 53.90, SR 151.12.
It has been two belting batting surfaces so far at Brabourne Stadium. In the first match, Delhi pulled off a heist to chase 178 vs MI, before Lucknow chased over 200 against CSK. With this being a night game, expect the ball to come onto the bat beautifully especially in the second innings.
Dew is likely. Another clear and warm evening is forecast.
Dream11 Prediction
Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.
Option 1:
CSK vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction: IPL 2022 Match 11
Option 2:
CSK vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction: IPL 2022 Match 11
Fan2Play Prediction
Base team:
Wicket-keepers: Jonny Bairstow
Batsmen: Shikhar Dhawan, Robin Uthappa
All-rounders: Moeen Ali
Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Dwayne Bravo
Match Prediction
CSK’s bowling is under the spotlight. If they are required to bat first, it might be difficult for them to get a win. However, PBKS are capable of losing early wickets, so CSK’s best chance is to take early wickets.
GT vs DC Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2022 Match 10 | GT vs DC Dream11 Prediction Today | Gujarat Titans vs Delhi Capitals Key Players | Pune Pitch Report
Like the Mumbai Indians, it has been quite the wait for Delhi Capitals after their excellent, come-from-behind victory over the five-time champions last week. The Capitals, who were without most of their overseas stars, dug deep to beat Mumbai, with Lalit Yadav and Axar Patel pulling off a heist when the game looked all-but-lost.
Now, they are getting ready for their first night match of the season. Chasing teams continue to dominate, so the onus is on the team batting first today to put runs on the board, of which getting through that dreaded powerplay period is a key factor. One of the chasing victories was by Gujarat Titans in the battle of the newbies against Lucknow earlier this week. Like the Capitals, though, the Titans collapsed at the top, so improvement is required.
However, an opportunity awaits for Gujarat’s excellent bowling attack in what could be helpful conditions early on. Mohammed Shami was outstanding in the powerplay against Lucknow, while Lockie Ferguson and Rashid Khan provide more than ample support. For Delhi, they will welcome back at least one overseas seamer, which will provide their bowling attack with a little extra punch.
Gujarat should stick with the same XI that beat Lucknow.
Gujarat Titans: 1. Shubman Gill, 2. Matthew Wade (wk), 3. Vijay Shankar, 4. Abhinav Manohar, 5. Hardik Pandya (c), 6. David Miller, 7. Rahul Tewatia, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Varun Aaron, 10. Lockie Ferguson, 11. Mohammed Shami
Mustafizur Rahman and Lungi Ngidi are available for Delhi. One of them is likely to play. David Warner will be available for Delhi’s next match on April 7.
Mohammed Shami vs the Delhi top order will be a key battle. He has dismissed Prithvi Shaw once in 25 deliveries in the IPL (34 runs) and once in 13 deliveries vs Rishabh Pant (17 runs).
Shami was player of the match against Lucknow, courtesy of his 3/25.
The IPL world is still waiting for Shubman Gill to show the consistency his talent is craving. He began IPL 2022 with a duck, and averages 29.78 in nine matches vs Capitals (SR 119.11).
Matthew Wade enjoys batting first in T20s. He averages 36.83 and strikes at 148.81 batting first compared to 17.38 and 115.83 batting second.
Hardik Pandya began life as an IPL captain with victory vs Lucknow. He scored important runs after two early wickets vs Lucknow (33) and got through four overs with the ball.
Hardik has poor numbers against the Capitals (178 runs, avg. 16.18, SR 142.20), although he played against different DC attacks in the past. He averages 33 and strikes at 182 against medium pace in the IPL, and the current DC attack has a number of those types of bowlers in their attack with Anrich Nortje still out injured.
Rashid Khan has solid numbers against DC, with 15 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 18.27 and economy rate of 5.71. His battle with Rishabh Pant could be key, as the DC captain strikes at just 110 vs Rashid in T20s (two dismissals in 71 deliveries).
Lockie Ferguson takes a wicket every 20 deliveries on average vs DC. The Kiwi speedster has taken 19 wickets in his last 15 IPL matches.
Delhi Capitals:
Prithvi Shaw strikes at 145 in IPL matches in India, and strikes at 145 in the powerplay. However, how he fares against pace will be key, as he averages just 20 vs medium pace (SR 141) and 25 vs high pace (SR 146).
Tim Seifert looked in really good touch last week vs MI, taking on Jasprit Bumrah with success. He then succumed to the legspin of Murugan Ashwin, so keep an eye on his battle with Rashid Khan (if he gets to face him).
Will Rishabh Pant fire today? He missed out last week against MI, and how he fares against Shami and Rashid in particular will be key. He strikes at 146 vs medium pace and 136 vs wristspin in the IPL.
Expect Shardul Thakur to play a key role in the powerplay. He has dismissed Shubman Gill twice in 18 deliveries in the IPL, whilst conceding just 12 runs. Also, Thakur has the most wickets of any bowler in T20s at Pune (19, avg. 21.05, SR 15.11).
Kuldeep Yadav was at his very best in the MI match last week (3/18). He took 2/31 in his only T20 match at Pune so far.
Other Stats and Facts
Lalit Yadav (48* off 38 balls) and Axar Patel (38* off 17 balls) were magnificent in the finishing department last week vs MI.
Mohammed Shami vs Prithvi Shaw: 25 balls, 34 runs, one dismissal.
Rashid Khan is six wickets away from 100 in the IPL.
Rahul Tewatia produced the knock that Rahul Tewatia is known for. He smashed 40* (24) during the week to get GT home against LSG.
Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium Pune Pitch Report and Weather
Pune is the only ground so far where the team batting first has won. Sanju Samson, who was described as an incredible cricketer by Jimmy Neesham, smashed a 27-ball 55 to lead the Royals to a 200+ score.
Dew should be a factor, though. Expect the captain who wins the toss to choose to chase. A very hot and clear evening is forecast.
Dream11 Prediction
Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.
Option 1:
IPL 2022 Match 10: GT vs DC Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
IPL 2022 Match 10: GT vs DC Dream11 Prediction
Fan2Play Prediction
Base team:
Wicket-keepers: Rishabh Pant
Batsmen: Prithvi Shaw, David Miller
All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel
Bowlers: Mohammed Shami, Rashid Khan, Shardul Thakur
Match Prediction
Chasing team is likely to win this one, with Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Shami in particular capable of picking wickets in the powerplay.
MI vs RR Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2022 Match 9 | MI vs RR Dream11 Prediction Today | Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals Key Players | DY Patil Pitch Report
Remember the Mumbai Indians? The five-time champions? Well, they’re back after a break of nearly a week, and they have had plenty of thinking time after collapsing in a heap against Delhi Capitals last week to extend their winless run in the first match of a season to nine straight years.
However, what has underpinned MI’s success over the years is their ability to bounce back. The form of Ishan Kishan and Basil Thampi is cause for encouragement, while Jasprit Bumrah will be looking to respond after a tough match personally against DC. But, while their batting looks strong, it is their bowling that doesn’t quite have the same depth to it as previous years, which was on display last week as there was a clear reliance on one or two bowlers.
So, an opportunity presents itself for a confident Rajasthan Royals team. The Royals have caused Mumbai problems in recent years, and it can be argued they look as good as they have for quite some time. Jimmy Neesham, in an exclusive interview with CricBlog, provided some insight into just how well Sanju Samson is going. Prasidh Krishna is loving life alongside Lasith Malinga and Trent Boult. The spin duo of Ashwin and Chahal will be sure to test MI’s questionable middle overs batting. If they can get it right today, they’ll be hard to beat.
However, as the IPL has shown so far, it’s easy to have a bad day. Both teams will be looking to avoid that here in the second day game of IPL 2022.
Zaheer Khan confirmed that Suryakumar Yadav is available for selection. MI have a decision to make on their all-rounder slot after Daniel Sams went the distance last week against DC. Fabian Allen could replace him.
Ishan Kishan’s superb record as an IPL opener continued last week. His 81* off 48 balls now takes him to 636 runs as opener in IPL cricket at an average of 63.60 and strike rate of 157.43.
Rohit Sharma has historically struggled against RR (393 runs, avg. 20.68). His battle with Trent Boult could be vital here as Sharma averages just 22 against left-arm medium fast bowling in the IPL (23 dismissals). However, given it is a day game, the ball could swing less.
MI will be hoping SuryakumarYadav finds his groove right away. He has struck 308 runs in eight matches vs Royals at an average of 44.00 and strike rate of 145.28, although this is a new-look Royals attack.
Suryakumar has a terrific record vs Ashwin in the IPL (64 balls faced, 93 runs scored). Against Chahal, he has scored 65 runs off 52 deliveries for two dismissals.
Kieron Pollard strikes at 207 in the death overs in the IPL. The West Indian has not found his groove since leg one of IPL 2021, and his team is in need of a big effort here.
Jasprit Bumrah had a rare bad day last week against DC (3.2-0-43-0). The star bowler has a fine record against the Royals, with 14 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 17.57 and economy rate of 6.47.
Bumrah has a fine record against Jos Buttler. He has dismissed him three times in 44 deliveries in all T20s, conceding just 38 runs in the process. Bumrah also has good numbers against Samson in the IPL: 45 balls bowled, 48 runs conceded, two wickets.
Murugan Ashwin was excellent last week vs DC (2/14). Basil Thampi also showed his wicket-taking ability (3/35).
Rajasthan Royals:
Sanju Samson started the season brilliantly with a 27-ball 55 vs SRH. He has the most runs in MI-RR matches, with 530 runs in 16 innings at an average of 35.33 and strike rate of 145.21.
In the IPL, Samson strikes at 144 between overs 7-11, 164 between overs 12-16 and 170 at the death. The key for RR will be to set a platform for him.
Although Jos Buttler has a sub-par record vs Bumrah, he has an outstanding record overall vs MI. The star Englishman has struck 300 runs in five innings vs MI since 2018 at an average of 75.00 and strike rate of 166.67.
Devdutt Padikkal looked good in the number three role for RR. He struck 41 off 27 balls in his last match. Also, he averages 83 and strikes at 136 vs left-arm spin, so he could look to target Fabian Allen (if picked). Also, Padikkal averages 60 and strikes at 133 vs wristspin, so watch for his battle with Murugan Ashwin.
Shimron Hetmyer is fast-becoming one of the IPL’s most impressive finishers. He struck 242 runs at an average of 34.57 and strike rate of 168.05 in IPL 2021 and 32 (13) in his first match of IPL 2022. But, can he overcome Bumrah at the death?
Trent Boult will come up against his old team after he and Prasidh Krishna dominated SRH in the powerplay. Krishna said that their partnership will continue to grow, and today is an opportunity to do that. Boult has dismissed Rohit four times in 47 deliveries in T20s (66 runs).
Yuzvendra Chahal has taken 22 wickets in 15 matches vs MI at an average of 21.18 and strike rate of 15.82.
Other Stats and Facts
Head-to-head: Matches 27, MI 14, RR 12, N/R 1.
Mumbai have won three of the past four matches between the teams. Before that, RR had won four straight.
Both Ashwin and Chahal have dismissed Kieron Pollard five times in T20 cricket.
Bumrah has Hetmyer’s measure in T20s so far: 13 balls bowled, 12 runs scored, three dismissals.
Ishan Kishan has scored a half-century in each of his last four IPL matches.
Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai Pitch Report and Weather
Two contrasting matches on this ground so far in IPL 2022. In the first, Punjab Kings chased down RCB’s 205. In the second, KKR nearly defended 128 against RCB.
This is the first day game at this ground this season, so batting should be easier under the sun than under lights. If there is movement, it is unlikely to be for very long.
Dream11 Prediction
Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.
Option 1:
IPL 2022 Match 9: MI vs RR Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
IPL 2022 Match 9: MI vs RR Dream11 Prediction
Fan2Play Prediction
Base team:
Wicket-keepers: Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan
Batsmen: Suryakumar Yadav, Devdutt Padikkal
All-rounders: Jimmy Neesham
Bowlers: Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah
Match Prediction
Rajasthan Royals look more settled and confident, particularly in the bowling department. However, that alone doesn’t mean an easy win. A score of 180+ in a day game could be a tough chase for either side.
Cricket News: PBKS & KKR are teams to watch out for in IPL 2022 – Neesham | Jimmy Neesham says Punjab and Kolkata will be tough to beat in IPL 2022
All-rounder Jimmy Neesham has pinpointed Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as two teams to watch out for in IPL 2022 apart from his own Rajasthan Royals. The addition of two new teams has evened out the playing field, but both these teams have undeniable strengths that can serve them well throughout the long tournament.
In an exclusive interview with CricBlog, Neesham was asked about which teams have caught his eye. PBKS and KKR, with varying strengths, were his picks.
“I think Punjab Kings have a really strong looking lineup,” said Neesham. “Kolkata as well is another one; they have high-quality spin through the middle like we do [Ashwin, Chahal] with Chakravarthy and Narine so I think I look at those two teams and think they have a very good chance of challenging at the backend of the competition.”
Momentum is crucial – Neesham
While PBKS and KKR have their strengths, Neesham also pointed out that the length of the tournament and sheer competitiveness means you have to be on your game throughout. Any team that can get on a roll will be well placed to make an impact at the business end of the IPL.
“It’s such a momentum game and it’s such a long tournament – any team can get on a roll and win two or three games in a row, and all of a sudden, they’re the favourites,” said the all-rounder.
“For us, it’s less about talking about the other favourite teams and more about preparing as best we can and looking to get through it ourselves.”
“The thing that strikes me about Sanju is that you can sort of see the quality of batsman when you play against them in games, and you get a feel for how they strike the ball. But, you don’t really understand until you can watch them train day after day and hitting balls. You really get a sense of how high-quality they are,” he said.
“Sanju played a couple of shots at training a couple of days ago and I looked across at Daryl Mitchell [New Zealand teammate] and we just sort of looked at each other and went ‘wow’, that’s a hell of a cricketer.”
You can catch CricBlog’s full interview with Jimmy Neesham here or watch below.
Cricket News: Relationship with Boult & Malinga exciting – Prasidh Krishna | Pace bowler Prasidh Krishna on his current bowling form
Much to the delight of everyone at the Rajasthan Royals, one of their big recruits for the IPL 2022 season has hit the ground running. Prasidh Krishna, who went into the auction on the back of a magnificent performance in the three-match ODI series against West Indies earlier this year, has picked up where he left off.
Prasidh, along with new-ball partner Trent Boult, ripped through Sunrisers Hyderabad to give the Royals the perfect start to a campaign they can fancy their chances in. Both took two wickets apiece, conceding a combined total of just 39 runs in eight overs.
In a media release on the Rajasthan Royals website, Prasidh said he was looking forward to his partnership with Boult, and spoke about the messages he received from family after his strong Royals debut.
“Honestly, I was looking forward to working with Boulty (Trent Boult) as soon as the auctions were done. It is exciting to have the highest wicket-taker in Powerplays bowling with you. We’ve had conversations around how we can prepare, what we can do, and a lot of other tactical things. It’s good to start off this partnership in the right way,” said Prasidh.
“Everybody was happy, I had messages coming in. I called up home the next morning and they all said they were very happy to see me in new colours. Everyone was saying it was a good start and that we have a very good team,” he said.
Malinga has made a huge difference to the bowling unit – Prasidh Krishna
The pace bowler also gave praise to Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga who joined the Royals as bowling coach for IPL 2022. Not only is Prasidh learning bowling skills off Malinga, but he can pick the brains of one of the greatest ever T20 bowlers, while focusing on just a few key things.
“He (Malinga) has kept things very simple with us, talking about how we can simplify things and not complicate them, because that’s what we want as fast bowlers – have lesser things to think about. He has made a huge difference to the whole bowling unit, with everyone working harder towards one particular goal. Personally for me, we’ve narrowed down on a few things that we’re working on,” said Prasidh.
“We have a really, really high-potential unit and I think anybody, on that given day, is capable of doing good and winning games for the Royals. I think that’s a very exciting thing and gives so much confidence when you know you have such good bowlers bowling with you.”
Samson leading the way – Jimmy Neesham
Krishna’s words echo that of all-rounder Jimmy Neesham, who is also excited about the Royals’ prospects this season. Boult and Krishna ripped through Sunrisers after skipper Sanju Samson played a blinder with the bat. In an interview with CricBlog, Neesham said that Samson the batsman is benefitting from being captain.
“Leadership works for him really well,” said Neesham. “He likes captaining the team, and I see huge things for him in his future; not just IPL wise but international cricket as well. He is an incredibly high-quality cricketer,” said Neesham.
You can catch CricBlog’s full interview with Jimmy Neesham here or watch below.
Cricket News: “Dear Shane” – Tribute to Shane Warne, from an India fan | India fan pays tribute to the late, great Shane Warne
Dear Shane,
Your sudden passing has left us totally shattered. It has also made us realize how life is so bloody fickle. It’s like one of your vicious googly, messing up all our plans, just like you used to mess up a batsman’s defence.
Anyways, this ain’t a post to celebrate your on-field achievements. Enough has been written and will be written about it. And, honestly, Shane, even a billion words won’t do justice to your achievements.
But, you were more than just those 1000 odd wickets or the 1000s of runs that you scored at the international level. Because, you know, Shane, there are very few cricketers, let alone spinners, who had this infectious charisma that attracted bums on seats.
You were the ultimate showman; one who enthralled, gobsmacked, made us tear our hair apart, shattered us (when India was playing against you) in equal measure.
Cricket was like a 4D chess for you, and more often than not, you were always, ALWAYS, five steps ahead of the opposition.
Shane, you were a perfect reflection of a flawed genius. When you were not winning Australia games of cricket, you were busy hitting on women, cheating on your wife, or taking money from bookies. You were also pretty annoying as a commentator at times. Even though your knowledge about the game is unparalleled, and you never shield away from giving an opinion – qualities which I admire the most in you – it felt that your ego clouded over your judgement sometimes.
You were also pretty loud and at times uninformed about the other team players, and at that moment we may have wanted you out of the comm box. But, you were also the first player to applaud, clap for a good performance from an opposition; you were also the one who raised charities during the 2004 Tsunami; you were also the one who would go to any extent to help for people you cared for. And that was very clear in the many tributes aimed your way.
You were also the one who would keep giving autographs to his fans until no one was left to ask; you were also the one who was more than eager to share your huge reservoir of wisdom with youngsters.
As I said, you were a flawed genius; a perfect embodiment of life; but your good deeds far far FAR outdid your misdemeanours.
It’s funny, Shane! Two months ago, I used to mute you whenever you used to come on air, but, now that you have been muted forever, your voice keeps echoing in my head.
But, then, as they say, we always realize, appreciate the worth of someone when they are no longer with us.
Cricket News: “I see huge things in the future of Sanju Samson” | Jimmy Neesham on the Royals, Sanju Samson & Jos Buttler
New Zealand and Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Jimmy Neesham has heaped praise on Royals captain Sanju Samson during the ongoing IPL 2022 tournament. In an exclusive interview with CricBlog, Neesham said the Royals are well placed to do well this season thanks to both Samson the batsman and captain.
The Royals began their campaign with a clinical victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 29, with the batting lineup playing a crucial role. However, the Royals are well known for making good starts to IPL campaigns, and Neesham says the team is focused on the job at hand with Samson’s leadership central to that.
“When you’ve got a batting lineup with guys like Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag seems an incredibly talented batsman as well there at number six, we’re confident,” Neesham said to CricBlog.
“Obviously one from one is the start you’re looking for, but it’s a really long tournament – 14 games and about 8 weeks – so a lot can go wrong in that period of time. For us, it’s about trying to stay as level as possible. We’ve got the best possible example in Sanju Samson as a captain as far as staying level-headed and getting the job done.”
Best thing about IPL is playing & training with guys like Samson, Buttler – Neesham
The all-rounder provided some insights into what he sees from his Royals teammates at training. According to Neesham, the sheer level of skill and fact that high-quality cricketers miss the playing XI is testament to the IPL’s quality.
“The quality of cricket is better than anywhere else in the world”, said Neesham. “You have four overseas players, and it’s the best players in the world [in the tournament].
“Looking at our Rajasthan Royals, it’s pretty ridiculous. Even training in the nets, and seeing the talent of guys that aren’t even in the playing XI as far as guys like Navdeep Saini and Kuldeep Sen. Guys that bowl serious pace and struggling to even make the playing XI is testament to how high-quality the tournament is.
“It’s one of the circled events on the world calendar.”
Neesham then spoke about how training and playing with players like Samson and England superstar Jos Buttler is a terrific experience. Having those types of players helps elevate the others in the group, and Neesham believes that will hold the Royals in good stead for the season.
“One of the best things about the IPL is being able to live day-to-day with these guys that are so high-quality and watch how they train. Sanju is definitely one of those players, Jos Buttler is another I was excited to join when I looked at the team,” said the all-rounder.
“The thing that strikes me about Sanju is that you can sort of see the quality of batsman when you play against them in games, and you get a feel for how they strike the ball. But, you don’t really understand until you can watch them train day after day and hitting balls. You really get a sense of how high-quality they are.
“Sanju played a couple of shots at training a couple of days ago and I looked across at Daryl Mitchell [New Zealand teammate] and we just sort of looked at each other and went ‘wow’, that’s a hell of a cricketer,” Neesham continued.
“Leadership works for Samson”
In addition to Samson’s batting ability, Neesham also spoke highly of Samson the captain. He believes he is a natural leader and that brings out the best in him in all aspects of his game.
“Leadership works for him really well,” said Neesham. “He likes captaining the team, and I see huge things for him in his future; not just IPL wise but international cricket as well. He is an incredibly high-quality cricketer.”
The Royals will play their second match against Mumbai Indians on Saturday before locking horns with Royal Challengers Bangalore on Tuesday.
You can catch CricBlog’s full interview with Jimmy Neesham here or watch below.
KKR vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report: IPL 2022 Match 8 | KOL vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction Today | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings Key Players | Wankhede Pitch Report
After the Chennai Super Kings-Lucknow Super Giants match ended as a thriller, we could be in for another in match eight of IPL 2022.
Punjab Kings, with batting talent to die for, will now be boosted further by the inclusion of Protea Kagiso Rabada. One of the most prolific IPL bowlers in recent seasons, Rabada will be tasked with making inroads in the powerplay and, more importantly, hold PBKS in good stead at the death – an area they have really struggled with over the years. This includes the last game against RCB, where they conceded over 200 runs courtesy of leaking plenty of runs at the backend.
However, Odean Smith coming down the order at seven represents a world of opportunity for Punjab. His 8-ball 25*, filled with brute force and extravagant power, tells the top order that if they do their job, Smith and co. are very capable of finishing the job. Indeed, his battle with fellow West Indian Andre Russell, if fit, should be a beauty.
However, it is easier said than done for the Punjab top order with Kolkata Knight Riders’ excellent powerplay bowling. After Umesh Yadav led KKR to an easy win against CSK, he and Tim Southee almost stole the show whilst defending a small total last game. The batting was a let down against RCB, but the powerplay bowling duo of Southee and Yadav, as well as KKR’s spin options, is going to be a tough test for the Punjab lineup to overcome. This should be a good clash.
Andre Russell is in some doubt for this clash due to a shoulder issue. If he is unavailable, he could be replaced by either Mohammad Nabi or Chamika Karunaratne.
Kolkata Knight Riders: 1. Venkatesh Iyer, 2. Ajinkya Rahane, 3. Shreyas Iyer (c), 4. Nitish Rana, 5. Sam Billings, 6. Sheldon Jackson (wk), 7. Andre Russell/Chamika Karunaratne/Mohammad Nabi, 8. Sunil Narine, 9. Tim Southee, 10. Umesh Yadav, 11. Varun Chakravarthy
Kagiso Rabada is now available for the Punjab Kings.
Although this is a relatively new-look Punjab attack, Ajinkya Rahane is a player who can set up a platform given his past experience against the Kings. He has scored 455 runs in 17 matches against them at an average of 32.50 and strike rate of 114.61.
Shreyas Iyer will be key as always. The KKR skipper was outstanding against West Indies and Sri Lanka earlier this year, and one feels a big knock is not far away. He has scored 298 runs in 11 matches vs Punjab at an average of 29.80 and strike rate of 121.63.
Shreyas will be looking to improve on his record at the Wankhede. The KKR skipper has scored 326 runs in 17 innings on this ground at an average of 23.29 and strike rate of 115.60.
KKR will be hoping Andre Russell is fit. The star West Indian has a strike of 199.24 in nine innings vs Punjab (261 runs). Also, he has a great record against Kagiso Rabada in the IPL: 27 balls faced, 60 runs scored, one dismissal.
It’s a new look Punjab lineup, so can Sunil Narine keep up his amazing record against the franchise? He has taken 31 wickets in 21 matches against the Kings at an economy rate of just 6.98.
Narine has taken 11 wickets in 10 matches at the Wankhede at an average of 23.91 and economy rate of 6.71.
Umesh Yadav has been brilliant so far in IPL 2022, taking 2/20 and 2/16 so far. His powerplay partner, Tim Southee, was outstanding against RCB (3/20).
Punjab Kings:
Shikhar Dhawan is on the brink of 800 runs against KKR. He has scored 794 runs at an average of 29.41 and strike rate of 117.46 against them. Also, he has solid numbers at the Wankhede: 21 inns, 685 runs, avg. 34.25, SR 127.56.
Importantly, he has been dismissed just once in 76 deliveries against Umesh Yadav in the IPL (86 runs) but twice in 38 deliveries against Tim Southee (37 runs). Key battles.
Mayank Agarwal looked in brilliant touch against RCB (32 off 24 balls). Also, he has solid numbers vs KKR (223 runs, avg. 37.17, SR 136.81) and at the Wankhede (296 runs, avg. 32.89, SR 148.00).
Agarwal has never been dismissed by Southee in the IPL (35 deliveries, 46 runs) and has been dismissed once in 24 deliveries by Umesh Yadav (28 runs).
Bhanuka Rajapaksa was magnificent against RCB. The Sri Lankan smashed 43 off 22 deliveries to give the innings important momentum in the middle overs. How will he fare against KKR’s attack?
Odean Smith was magnificent with the bat as mentioned (25* off eight balls), but his partnership with Rabada and Arshdeep with the ball could also be key for Punjab. He bowled a lot of the crunch overs against RCB and was expensive, but he has wicket-taking potential.
Kagiso Rabada has taken 11 wickets in eight matches against KKR at an average of 24.45 and strike rate of 16.55. He also has solid numbers at the Wankhede, with 10 wickets in six matches at an average of 21.30 and economy rate of 8.88. Rabada averages 9.6 runs per wicket at the death in the IPL at a respectable economy rate of 9.3.
Arshdeep Singh averages 10.3 per wicket in the death overs at a respectable economy of 9.4. He has taken five wickets in as many matches vs KKR (avg. 25.20, econ. 8.59).
Other Stats and Facts
Head-to-head: Matches 29, KKR 19, PBKS 10.
Punjab could look to introduce Rahul Chahar when Shreyas Iyer walks to the crease. The leg-spinner has dismissed Iyer twice in seven deliveries in the IPL. Also, Chahar averages 16 and concedes just 7.1 per over in the powerplay.
Sunil Narine vs Mayank Agarwal in the IPL: 27 balls bowled, 38 runs scored, two dismissals.
Narine concedes just 5.9 runs per over in overs 7-11, and players such as Mayank Agarwal (SR 169) and Liam Livingstone (SR 134) strike well at this stage. It could be an interesting battle.
Shahrukh Khan averages 27 and strikes at 184 in the death overs.
Wankhede Stadium Pitch Report and Weather
In the two games at the Wankhede so far this season, the teams batting first (CSK and LSG) lost 35/2 and 32/4 in the powerplay respectively. A total of eight wickets have fallen in the powerplay on this ground this season at an average of 19.25 and strike rate of 18.
Expect some more movement in this night game, particularly with the bowlers on show who are very good in this period (i.e. Umesh, Southee). The chasing team has won both matches at the Wankhede so far in IPL 2022, and expect the captain who wins the toss to choose to chase.
Another clear and warm night is forecast.
Dream11 Prediction
Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.
Option 1:
IPL 2022 Match 8: KKR vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
IPL 2022 Match 8: KKR vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction
Fan2Play Prediction
Base team:
Wicket-keepers: Bhanuka Rajapaksa
Batsmen: Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer
All-rounders: Liam Livingstone, Andre Russell, Odean Smith
Bowlers: Umesh Yadav, Kagiso Rabada
Match Prediction
A lot depends on whether the team batting first can get through the powerplay period without too much damage. In a tournament where the chasing team is dominating, the team batting first needs more than the 131 and 158 that CSK and LSG have put up on this ground so far. 180+ is a minimum.
