Cricket

Good News for MS Dhoni fans

Published

1 year ago

May 23, 2024

Ray Sportz News Desk: Good news for fans as Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanath has revealed that they are ‘very, very hopeful’ of former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni participating in IPL 2025 as a player.

Dhoni, who led CSK to a record five Indian Premier League titles, stepped down as the skipper before the start of the ongoing season, handing the responsibilities to Ruturaj Gaikwad, who led the team to a fifth place finish.

Speculations have been rife that this could be Dhoni’s final season in the tournament but Viswanathan asserted that it was completely up to the former India captain to take a final call on his future.

“I do not know. It is a question which only MS can answer. The question for us, we have always respected the decisions taken by MS. We have left it to him,” he said to a question on CSK’s YouTube channel.

“As all of you know, he has always taken his decisions and announced them at the appropriate time. We do expect that we will get a decision as and when he decides.

“But we are very, very hopeful that he will be available for CSK the next year. That is the view and expectations of the fans and mine.” Dhoni, who had underwent surgery to treat a knee injury issue last year, scored 161 runs in 73 balls at a strike rate of 220.55 this season. He was also good behind the stumps.

Cricket

IND vs ENG: Chappell: Real Test Begins Now for Gill as India Trails England

Published

19 hours ago

July 19, 2025

Ray Sportz

Ray Sportz Web Desk: Former Australia captain Greg Chappell believes that Shubman Gill is entering the most critical phase of his young leadership journey, as India trails 1-2 in the five-match Test series against England.After India’s narrow 22-run defeat in the third Test at Lord’s, Chappell acknowledged Gill’s talent with the bat and early signs of leadership promise, but noted that “the real test begins now.”With the series slipping away, India will aim for a comeback in the fourth Test, set to begin on July 23 at Old Trafford, Manchester, in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Cricket

IND vs ENG: Rahane Urges Tactical Overhaul Ahead of Crucial 4th Test

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2025

Ray Sportz

Ray Sportz Web Desk: As India prepares for the must-win 4th Test against England at Old Trafford, veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane has called on head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill to bolster the bowling lineup. With the series delicately poised at 1-2, Rahane stressed the importance of including an additional specialist bowler to enhance India’s chances of taking 20 wickets.
Citing England’s aggressive approach under Ben Stokes, Rahane highlighted the need for a sharper bowling attack, potentially at the cost of an all-rounder like Nitish Reddy. He hinted that a spinner such as Kuldeep Yadav could be the ideal inclusion.
“With matches often being decided in the final innings, the bowling unit must be equipped to apply pressure consistently,” Rahane said.
India is under pressure to level the series, and the selection strategy in Manchester may prove decisive.

Cricket

IND vs ENG: India Fall Short at Lord’s, Gill Calls Pant’s Run-Out the Turning Point

Published

5 days ago

July 15, 2025

Ray Sportz

Ray Sportz Web Desk: Team India suffered a heartbreaking 22-run defeat at the iconic Lord’s, falling behind 2-1 in the five-match Test series against England. Speaking at the post-match press conference, skipper Shubman Gill pointed to Rishabh Pant’s run-out in the first innings as the decisive moment of the match.
Chasing England’s first-innings total of 387, India were bowled out for exactly the same score. In the second innings, Ravindra Jadeja fought a lone battle, remaining unbeaten on 61, but lacked support from the other end.
“Our top order didn’t perform in this match,” Gill admitted. “If we had one or two big partnerships early on, the result could’ve been different. Pant’s dismissal came totally against the run of play and shifted the momentum.”
India will look to bounce back in the fourth Test at Old Trafford starting July 23.