IPL 2021 | RR vs SRH: Jos Buttler posts highest individual score by an Englishman in IPL history

Ipl 2021: Shikhar Dhawan confident of DC victory against Punjab

Delhi Capitals highest run-scorer this season, opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan believes that the team is moving in the right direction as it is not overly dependent upon any particular individual. “We have won five out of seven so we are in a great position and the good thing is that the entire team is performing,” he said in a video uploaded by the Delhi Capitals on their official Twitter account. “Be it batting or bowling, the team isn’t dependent on a single individual. There is always someone or the other taking responsibility on match day and that has made the team really strong,” added the 35-year-old. Talking about the team’s next assignment against Punjab in the Northern Derby at the Narendra Modi Stadium tonight, Dhawan, who has so far scored 311 runs in seven innings so far, believes that the Delhi team can overpower the Punjabis. “No opposition is a weak opposition in the IPL. So we have to make sure that every time we go on the field, we give our best and implement our plans,” said Dhawan before adding that Punjab are a good side and playing well. “We must respect that, but we are going to win another game I think,” said the southpaw.

IPL 2021 | Tom Moody cites team combination behind 'hard call' of sacking David Warner

The director of cricket operations at the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Tom Moody has said that the franchise had to take a tough call where someone big but underperforming had to make way for change in the team in wake of repetitive poor performances in the 14th edition of the IPL. Moody said that Warner is very disappointed at missing out from the leadership position and then from the playing XI, but that would have been the case for any other player, and that the Australian has come to terms with the reasoning behind his ow exclusion from the team. “We had to make the hard call, somebody has to miss out and unfortunately it’s him. He’s shocked and disappointed. Anyone would be disappointed. He has come to terms with the logic behind what we want to achieve from a franchise’s perspective. He has rallied around the team and more importantly, the team has rallied around him,” Moody said to the host broadcaster Star Sports before the game against the Rajasthan Royals. There are words surrounding a possible fallout between Warner and the think tank after the former made public his disapproval of Manish Pandey’s exclusion from the team. But, Moody said that the team is not going back to what led to the move of sacking Warner having made significant changes in the last 24-48 hours. Notably, David Warner has been an IPL legend for the Sunrisers and he led the side to the IPL championship in the 2016 edition.

Delhi Capitals appoint Saba Karim as Head of Talent Search

Delhi Capitals have appointed former India wicket-keeper Saba Karim as Head of talent search. The franchise made the announcement on Sunday. “JSW and GMR co-owned Delhi Capitals on Sunday announced former India wicketkeeper-batsman Syed Saba Karim as the franchise's Head of Talent Search,” said a release from the Capitals. Saba Karim credited the players to make a IPL a successful tournament in these testing times. “Firstly, I would like to commend the incredible courage shown by the players during this year's IPL," said Karim. "It's not easy for anyone to stay away from their loved ones at this very difficult time. Yet they have stuck around, and continued playing the tournament, for which they deserve plenty of credit." Talking about his new role in the DC side, Saba said that he was pretty excited to begin with his new role. "I am very excited to begin my role as Talent Scout for the Delhi Capitals. The IPL has, over the years, unearthed so much talent, and continues to produce world class action. Delhi Capitals is an exciting team to work with, and I am looking forward to help them grow further." Saba has also been the national selector earlier. He has represented the country in 1 Test and 34 ODIs. DC have had some good show so far in the IPL 2021 and they will now take on Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

IPL 2021: Mahela Jayawardene rates Pollard's knock as one of the very best

Mumbai Indians halted Chennai Super Kings’ winning run after completing a sensational run-chase in the final delivery of the match courtesy a special knock from the blade of Kieron Pollard. MI’s head coach Mahela Jayawardene rated Pollard’s knock as one of the very best he has seen from the Caribbean. In a video posted by the Mumbai Indians, Jayawerdena can be seen congratulating his team for chasing down a mammoth target of 219 runs. The Mumbai vs Chennai contest has always been one of the high-octane games of the competition. It is regarded as the El Classico of IPL and Jayawerdena also reiterated the fact that this game hasn’t been easy for either of the teams. “It was an amazing game. I think history shows that this game is not an easy game for either of the teams. I think the quality both team possesses showed today. The margins are very small. I think the conditions and all that helped. Two powerhouse team to conquer and I think we held our nerves a little bit better at the back end,” Jayawardene said. Speaking on Pollar’s exceptional knock, Jayawardene said, “And obviously Polly’s amazing knock. Cant take that away. One of the very best, I have seen a few from Pollard while I have been in Mumbai but this is right up there. Just the mental toughness for him to go through that whole scenario, analysing what he needs to do and who he needs to take down and going through and keeping other batters calm collective as well. Great knock from him. Pollard not only made a match-winning impact with the bat but he also bagged two crucial wickets with the ball in hand. He was close to taking three having missed a tough chance and with Jadeja getting away with the LBW call. Jayawardene said that Pollard was not too happy after not being given the ball for a third over despite bagging a couple of wickets. “Showed a lot of leadership qualities out there especially with the ball as well. He was bit upset that he wasn’t given the third but I know he was a bit tired at that time. Overall it was a fantastic game for Polly and the whole team. Another win. Gives us an opportunity to play some consistent cricket and focus on producing the goods in the second half of the tournament. Chasing a mammoth target of 219, Mumbai Indians began fluently with the help of some exceptional shots from the blade of Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma. The skipper was dismissed after a partnership of 60 runs with QDK. Rohit’s dismissal brought in two more as Suryakumar Yadav and QDK was also dismissed in quick succession. MI needed a big knock from Pollard and he came out all guns blazing. He started taking on the spinners and after a few sixes, there was no respite for any of the bowlers. Even his mishits were sailing over the boundary ropes and CSK was under the pump. Despite losing his partners at the other end, he kept plundering sixes at will and eventually helped MI chase the target down in the final delivery of the match. He remained unbeaten on 87 of 34 deliveries which included 6 fours and 8 sixes.