IPL 2024: PBKS Win Toss, Elect To Bowl First Against CSK

The winner of Saturday’s clash will book a spot in the playoffs, joining Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the next round of IPL 2024. If RCB are to enter the playoffs, they need to beat CSK by at least 18 runs.

If CSK win, irrespective of the margin, they enter the knockouts. A washout due to a huge rain threat would mean RCB, who are on a five-match winning streak, would be out of the competition and CSK would book their spot in the playoffs.

Santner, the left-arm spin all-rounder, comes into the playing eleven as Moeen, the off-spin all-rounder, has returned to his home in England for international duty.

“The wicket looks good, conditions are overcast and we will look to make the most of the movement in the first 2-3 overs,” said Gaikwad.

“It looks a bit damp, but we'll go with great intent. Every game in the IPL is must must-win, nothing changes for us, we'll take it ball-by-ball, and try and win the small processes. We've won some crucial games to go ahead of the pack in the middle,” said Gaikwad.

RCB skipper Faf du Plessis said he would have bowled as well and added his playing eleven is unchanged. Faf didn’t mention though that Will Jacks is back in England and is replaced by Glenn Maxwell in the playing eleven.

“But we put up a good score when we batted first last (at the home venue). Losing the toss isn't ideal, but we'll take a lot of confidence from the last five games. The set-up is great, the last match before the knock-out stage, the scenario is nicely set up and we're happy to play our last league game in front of our fans. Not thinking a lot, we'll take it as it comes and do our best,” he said.

Playing XIs:

Chennai Super Kings: Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Daryl Mitchell, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Mitchell Santner, Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh and Maheesh Theekshana

Impact Substitutes: Shivam Dube, Sameer Rizvi, Prashant Solanki, Shaik Rasheed, Mukesh Choudhary

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Karn Sharma, Yash Dayal, Lockie Ferguson and Mohammed Siraj

Impact Substitutes: Swapnil Singh, Anuj Rawat, Suyash Prabhudessai, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Himanshu Sharma 
(IANS) 

Read More Sports News

Talking to IANS, Shikhar shared that how his heart skipped a beat when he was going for the show for the first time.

“Mera dil zaroor dhak dhak kia jab mai pehli baar show ke liye jaa raha tha. Jab maine Akshay paaji ke saath shoot kia to mera dil dhak dhak kar raha tha, I could feel ki jaise match me hota tha na, wo nervousness aati hain... which is very good, very normal. Then it happened, I was smiling, I didn't expect that it will happen,” the left-handed batsman told IANS.

Calling himself a very confident man, Shikhar, who is fondly known as the 'Gabbar' of the Indian cricket team, said: “I was like I will pull it off and I like to prepare. So, before going to the show, I took some acting classes. Usme padhai karai gayi. Maine kaha acting to ho nahi rahi hai, isme padha rahe hain zyada. So, I did all the preparation in one to two months. And then I just jumped in. I had put in my all heart and soul.”

On the USP of the show, Shikhar, who plays for 'Punjab Kings' in the Indian Premier League commented: “There are many talk shows already, so I asked my team that if I do talk show then how will it be different. Mera bhi yahi sawal tha ki mai kya alag karunga? So my team made me realise that like my personality is different, all of you know me as a cricketer, you might not know me as a person.”

“My sense of humour, spontaneity, cheekiness, energy and vibe -- there are many aspects to every individual. All those things will come in my show. There will be soulful, funny talks and some games, so it will be a mix blend of everything,” he said.

During the shoot of the show, Shikhar even realised the value of a scriptwriter.

“When the scriptwriter wrote the show synchronising my personality with it, then I thought yes it's a different thing. I said 'ab maza aa raha hai mujhe',” he said.

Shikhar, who is poised to bring forth his A-game, said the idea of the show came from his team.

“Of course as a cricketer, I am ageing, I have played for so many years, and since I am not there in the Indian team for a long time... I have shown my entertainment side and lived it through Reels, so I felt that I had that thing that I can start something in the entertainment field,| he said.

“I talked to my team about my dream and then that dream turned into a reality. My team worked hard and then we came up with this talk show,” he said.

The first guest of the show will be Bollywood's 'Khiladi', Akshay Kumar.

'Dhawan Karenge' will air on JioCinema Premium from May 20.

(IANS)

“Vote for the BJP means a vote for Rashtra Bhakt and Ram Bhakt which is also a vote for development, security and growth of every section of the society,” Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said while addressing the campaign rally for BJP nominee Ujjwal Nikam from North Central Mumbai.

He slammed Congress and the INDIA bloc leaders for raising “questions” over the martyrdom of IPS officer Hemant Karkare and other ATS officers during the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

“It is sickening that the Congress and the INDIA bloc leaders are busy glorifying Ajmal Kasab. Ujjwal Nikam, as a learned prosecutor, was responsible for pleading the case against Kasab after which the court ordered his (Ajmal Kasab) execution. Nikam fought to get punishment for terrorists and mafias,” the Chief Minister said.

He said that under the Modi government, the country is not only safe and secure but the terrorist activities have also been curbed.
“The situation was different before the Modi government came to power as there were burgeoning Maoist activities and terror incidents in the country,” the Chief Minister said.

He said that when terror attacks used to take place earlier, the Congress government used to say the terrorists were from outside the borders.

“This equation has changed under the Modi government so much that even if a firecracker busts, Pakistan clarifies that they are not behind it. This is the new Bharat, which doesn't spare those indulging in terror activities against us,” Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said.

He added that in the new Bharat, there is respect, development and security.

The Chief Minister also criticised Congress for its “anger” over the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

“In Uttar Pradesh, various statements were issued by Congress leaders on the construction of Ram Mandir. Some say it should not have been constructed while others say it should have been constructed outside the country. Under the Modi government, the Ram Mandir was constructed at its original place. I tell Congress people that they have an opportunity to construct Ram Mandir in Italy and if they still are angry then they should construct a temple of Bajrangbali there,” the Chief Minister said.

He also took a swipe at Congress for declaring that if voted to power they (Congress) would “demolish” the Ram Mandir.

“You (Congress) are not in a position to come to power as you are raising the questions over the existence of Ram and Bharat. Therefore, you will not get any opportunity,” Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said.

(IANS)

Read More Election News