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IPL 2024 brings the razzmatazz of non-stop cricket to town, marking the start of the Men in Blue’s T20 World Cup countdown.

In this issue

30-03-202432 STORIES

On a mission: RCB captain Faf du Plessis will look to end the side’s title drought in 2024.

RCB Team Preview, IPL 2024: Royal Challengers Bengaluru season prediction, SWOT analysis, predicted XI, squad

IPL 2024: Much like in the past, RCB remains a batting-heavy team, with the balance tilting towards its top order, consisting of skipper Faf du Plessi

The Master: MS Dhoni with the title-winning CSK team last season.

CSK Team Preview, IPL 2024: Chennai Super Kings season prediction, SWOT analysis, predicted XI, squad

IPL 2024: The team’s strength lies in its deep batting order, with Deepak Chahar, no mug with the bat, coming in as low as No. 10.

A new dawn: Shubman Gill, the Orange Cap holder (890 runs in 17 matches) from the previous season, will take charge of GT this season.

Gujarat Titans team preview, IPL 2024: GT season prediction, SWOT analysis, predicted XI, squad

IPL 2024: The team’s fortunes hinge on the performances of recent recruit Shahrukh Khan, all-rounder Rahul Tewatia, and Australian pacer Spencer Johns

In focus: Hardik Pandya’s return has been the centre of attention in Mumbai Indians’ buildup to the new season.

MI team preview, IPL 2024: Mumbai Indians season prediction, SWOT analysis, predicted XI, squad

IPL 2024: Having previously captained Gujarat Titans, Pandya has significant leadership experience, which will be buoyed by MI’s cricketing acumen, on

IPL calling: Monty Desai left Atlanta, USA, and flew down to Jaipur to work with IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals as one of its main talent scouts for more than half a decade.

How IPL is bridging the old and the new, on and off the pitch

Over time, the IPL has emerged as a highly successful global sports league, fostering opportunities for both current and retired Indian cricketers.

On a comeback trail: Rishabh Pant makes a return to the Delhi Capitals camp after missing the 2023 season.

IPL 2024: Delhi Capitals team preview, season prediction, SWOT analysis, predicted XI, squad

IPL 2024: In light of Pant’s absence from cricket for over a year, Delhi will lean heavily on Warner and Marsh in the batting department.

Return unknown: KL Rahul’s return date after his right quadriceps injury during the India-England Test series is yet to be confirmed.

IPL 2024: Lucknow Super Giants team preview, season prediction, SWOT analysis, predicted XI, squad

IPL 2024: Captain KL Rahul’s absence, stemming from a right quadriceps injury sustained during the India-England Test in Hyderabad, raises questions a

In good touch: Yashasvi Jaiswal, who recently became the fastest Indian to reach 1000 runs as an opener in men’s Tests, would like to carry that form into this year’s IPL.

IPL 2024: Likely opening pairs for all 10 Indian Premier League teams

On average, in a T20 match, openers face 40 deliveries, translating to one-third of the total balls a team could face.

Much-awaited return: Rishabh Pant will lead Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya returned to competitive cricket at the recently concluded DY Patil T20 Tournament.

Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya in IPL 2024 spotlight as T20 World Cup selection looms

The national selectors will keep a close eye on six players during the T20 league: a pair of IPL captains, a wicketkeeping duo, and a couple of vetera

In Tonk, a city 95 km south of Jaipur, jubilation erupted at the Blair Cricket Academy as news of Khaleel’s inclusion in a new IPL side spread.

IPL memories: Khaleel Ahmed – From bylanes of Tonk to corridors of IPL fame

Khaleel Ahmed’s initial encounter with India’s most lucrative sporting league traces back to 2016, when the Delhi Daredevils secured his services for

T. Natarajan didn’t get a game in the 2018 and 2019 IPL seasons but had a memorable tournament with the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the UAE in 2020, where he carved a niche for his expert use of the yorkers.

IPL memories: T Natarajan – The late bloomer leaves his mark

T. Natarajan’s fairy tale commenced in the 2020 IPL when he emerged from the SRH bench, introducing himself as the specialist in delivering impeccable

The left-arm pacer’s control at the death helped him end IPL 2022 with the second-best economy rate in the phase, his 7.58 only second to the inimitable genius of Jasprit Bumrah.

IPL memories: Arshdeep Singh – When left is right

Left-arm medium pacer Arshdeep Singh turned heads in the IPL with his ability to bowl the tough overs at the death.

Kolkata Knight Riders’ Rinku Singh plays a shot during the IPL 2023 cricket match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants, at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata.

IPL memories: Rinku Singh – Shining with resilience

Rinku Singh’s exploits for KKR last IPL did not go unnoticed, as he earned his maiden international callup.

In focus: Captain Shikhar Dhawan’s lack of game time recently might pose a problem for Punjab Kings.

IPL 2024: Punjab Kings team preview, season prediction SWOT analysis, predicted XI, squad

IPL 2024: Punjab Kings will play all its home games this year at the new Mullanpur Stadium in Mohali.

Back in Purple: Shreyas Iyer, captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, returns after missing the previous season due to an injury.

IPL 2024: Kolkata Knight Riders team preview, season prediction, SWOT analysis, predicted XI, squad

IPL 2024: Last season, Kolkata’s pacers faced a challenging time, securing only 30 wickets at an alarming economy rate of 10.54.

The lanky Sai Kishor<modify>e has won back-to-back IPL titles </modify>with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT).

IPL memories: Sai Kishore – Spinning into the spotlight

The IPL extravaganza has put an otherwise shy and soft-spoken Sai Kishore front and centre of Indian cricket’s assembly line of talent.

Although he never went on to play international cricket, there came a turning point in 2012 when Bisla played a match-winning innings of 48-ball 89 to help the Kolkata Knight Riders beat Chennai Super Kings to secure its maiden Indian Premier League title.

IPL memories: Manvinder Bisla – The innings of a lifetime

Manvinder Bisla’s 89 in the final against Chennai Super Kings was his highest score of the 2012 IPL season.

Sanju Samson, the captain of Rajasthan Royals.

IPL 2024: Rajasthan Royals team preview, season prediction, SWOT analysis, predicted XI, squad

IPL 2024: Royals have a well-established batting line-up, with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Samson, and Shimron Hetmyer forming the core.

Pat Cummins, who was snapped up by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 20.50 crore, has been appointed SRH captain for upcoming IPL.

IPL 2024: Sunrisers Hyderabad team preview, season prediction, SWOT anlaysis, predicted XI, squads

IPL 2024: Sunrisers Hyderabad faces a conundrum after the significant signing of Pat Cummins, dealing with an abundance of overseas players.

Rigours of the sport: Menstrual irregularities and disordered eating patterns are common among female athletes and can have long-term repercussions on overall health.

Food For Thought

Empowering female athletes through nutrition

Being mindful of protein intake is paramount in achieving peak performance, evident in how our women cricketers tailor their diets to meet their uniqu

Janneke Schopman.

Off-side: Need a level playing field in sports administration

Out of 60 NSFs recognised by the Union Sports Ministry, only a meagre three have a woman president.

Ri-Bhoi U18 girls’ football team won gold after defeating East Khasi Hills in the final.

Meghalaya Games - a dress rehearsal for Tura district and the state ahead of 40th National Games

The recently concluded Meghalaya Games underscores the effort of the state to break its conventional image and emerge as a formidable power in sports

Two-way focus: Even though the 24-year-old finds coaching enjoyable, he has no plans of quitting as a professional athlete for now.

PVL 2024: Player-cum-coach Max Senica says Indian players tend to be a lot more aggressive

Balancing dual roles as player and coach, Max Senica aims to defend titles while mentoring young talent in a sport he never imagined pursuing.

Tough times: Currently languishing at 11th in the points table, CFC is heading towards another underwhelming season.

ISL 2023-24: Chennaiyin FC looking for a silver lining

Chennaiyin FC’s loss to Hyderabad FC did not deter the spirit of its fans, as the team struggles for consistency in its performances.

India’s Ravindra Jadeja and Shubman Gill celebrate the wicket of England’s Jonny Bairstow in Ranchi.

Gavaskar: Verbal skirmishes make the pleasure of beating England greater

Some English players can’t stomach the fees for which some of the Indian players are bought in the IPL and compare their achievements at the internati

Bashir follows team-mate Rehan Ahmed, who was 18y-128d when he claimed 5/48 against Pakistan in Karachi on 19 December 2022.

Statsman: Shoaib Bashir second youngest in Tests to get a fifer

The England spinner also became the third youngest to claim a five-wicket haul against India.

Victory lap: Aslam Inamdar, captain of the victorious Puneri Paltan, receives the PKL trophy from Vinod Tiwari (International Kabaddi Federation President) in the presence of Kailash Kanpal (CEO, Puneri Paltan) and Pullela Gopichand.

PKL 10: Maiden title caps Puneri Paltan’s league of dominance

The Paltans won the title with a level of authority unheard of in the 10 seasons of PKL, with only two defeats in 24 matches.

Leading from the front: Captain Smriti Mandhana’s (R) form with the bat in the Bengaluru leg of WPL 2024 lifted RCB’s performances. She can also be seen discussing tactics with ace all-rounder Ellyse Perry. Mandhana says she is ‘happy’ Perry is fielding for her side and not others.

WPL 2024: A vision that RCB collectively bought into

Despite not securing an IPL title, the men’s team has maintained fervent fan support through effective marketing. RCB now wants to couple this brand-b

Nerves of steel: Manish Pandey (with bat) and V. Vyshak played crucial knocks to guide Karnataka to a thrilling one-wicket win over Railways.

Ranji Trophy 2023-24 Diary: Showdown in Surat; Umesh Yadav fan favourite in Nagpur

Karnataka and Railways met in the group stage to produce an exhilarating match up at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium in Surat, with Manish Pandey stayi

Nurturing talent: Puneri Paltan had a squad stacked with all-rounders. If an Aslam Inamdar (in pic) was sent to the bench, in came a Mohit Goyat or a Pankaj Mohite or an Akash Shinde — all academy exports.

PKL 10: Triumph of Puneri Paltan’s academy system in a lopsided season

While the Pro Kabaddi League has undoubtedly flourished amidst glitz and glamour over the past decade, the sport itself yearns for the extra punch it

No surprise: Max Verstappen (forefront) kick-started his title defence in style, posting easy wins in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in the first two weekends of the year ahead of his teammate Sergio Perez.

Formula One 2024: Red Bull sees red despite wins in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia

In the 75th year of F1, Red Bull aims to maintain its dominance amidst internal turmoil, while Ferrari poses a growing challenge.

Hunting the Three Lions: India thrashed England by an innings and 64 runs to seal a comprehensive 4-1 series victory in Dharamshala.

IND vs ENG Test Review: India settled, England has more questions than answers

Four debutants stepped up in the absence of key players, signalling a promising future for Indian cricket amid the ongoing WTC cycle (2023–25).

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