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No Home Matches For Teams In IPL 2021 Season

HT News March 8, 2021

The IPL 2021 will start on April 9 and conclude on May 30. And the matches will be played in six venues but no team will play at home ground.

IPL venues

Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai are the venues where IPL matches will be played. Mumbai has been included in the list of venues despite the city witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases. But the matches will be played behind closed doors for added safety of the players. The final match will be played at the Nardendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 30.

The opening fixture of IPL

The first match of IPL season 2021 will be played in Chennai on April 9. It will be between the defending champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Total matches of IPL

IPL season 2021 will host a total of 56 matches out of which Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata & Bengaluru will host 10 matches each while Ahmedabad and Delhi will host 8 matches each. During the league states, all the teams will play at 4 out of 6 venues and all the venues will be neutral for the teams.

IPL season 2021 doubleheaders

This time, there’ll be 11 doubleheaders with 6 teams playing three afternoon matches and 2 teams playing two afternoon matches. The timing of matches will be 3:30 PM IST for afternoon matches and 7:30 PM IST for evening matches.

The previous season was shifted to UAE due to epidemic but this season will be played in India because the COVID-19 situation has improved in the country.

Source:- https://bit.ly/3bnRiHS

West Indies VS Sri Lanka: Watch 6 Sixes In An Over After A Hat Trick Of 3 Dismissals

HT News March 4, 2021

Audiences at the Antigua stadium had a joyous moment in the West Indies vs Sri Lanka first T20 International (T20I). They first witnessed a hat-trick by Lankan spinner Akila Dananjaya who dismissed three top players of West Indies. But in the next over, Kieron Pollard sent his balls to boundaries.

Akila Dananjaya’s hat trick

West Indies were playing on 52/0 in 3.1 overs when Dananjaya stalled their momentum by dismissing Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran in successive deliveries. It was a great feat by Lankan spinner but the celebrations were cut short by the West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard.

Kieron Pollard hits sixes

A confident Akila Dananjaya was brought in to dismiss more players in the sixth over but this time Kieron Pollard turned the tables on Sri Lanka by delivering six sixes.

The first one was thrown over the cow corner when Pollard caught Akila unaware about his batting skills. In the next ball, Pollard took a shot straight to the sight-screen. The third and fourth deliveries were on long-off and deep midwicket respectively. The fifth one was a half-tracker and the sixth was again to the deep midwicket.

But in the next over, Pollard lost his wicket at leg-before. But the damage to the Sri Lanka had already been done by the West Indies batsman.

Kieron Pollard became the second batsman to score six-sixes in an over in T20I. The first one is Yuvraj Singh who smashed Stuart Broad of England in the 2007 T20 World Cup. In international cricket, Pollard became the third batsman to hit six-sixes.

Source:- https://bit.ly/2PoCUq6

United Was All Praise For Crystal Palace After The Wednesday Draw

HT News March 4, 2021

Manchester United finished second on 51 points from 27 games after the Wednesday match with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The match ended on a draw despite both the contestants getting plenty of opportunities to score goals. United is 14 points behind Manchester City that still has a derby game at hand. But Crystal Palace stands on the 13th with only 34 points.

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seemed most disappointed

It was a third successive 0-0 draw in all competitions for United. They failed miserably despite having their best striker Edison Cavani who missed the last four games due to a muscle injury.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said that it was disappointing. They were just a little bit off. He further said that if the team weren’t on spot, they won’t win games. Palace had always made hard for United.

United has just came into their form after winning Real Sociedad with 4-0 after a goalless Stalemate with Chelsea. But the Wednesday match again pushed the United into uncertainty. They lost the edge they are known for.

Manager Solskjaer accepted that Palace is a good team and that Palace made United play the way they want to. He said that in the second half they never got going.

Opportunities missed in the game

The first opportunity came for United in the 14th minute with Cavani skied a close-range shot over the bar. The second chance was missed in the 44th minute when Joel Ward denied Cavani a tap-in from three meters.

Palace missed an opportunity in the 90th minute when Patrick van Aanholt was engaged one-on-one with United goalkeeper but Dean Henderson came to … Read the rest

Rohit Sharma Is Next Best To Virat Kohli In ICC Test Batting Rankings

HT News March 1, 2021

The opening batsman Rohit Sharma became No. 8 on the ICC Test Batting Rankings. He moved 6 spots after winning the third test against England at Ahmedabad. In India, Rohit Sharma is the second best batsman after captain Virat Kohli who stands on 5th position on ICC Test Batting Rankings. But the senior batsman Cheteshwar Pujara slipped two spots to No. 10.

How Rohit Sharma improved his test batting rankings?

He started out as an opening batsman for test matches in 2019 and proved his worth in all conditions and situations. And this Mumbai Indians captain was instrumental in winning three tests against the ongoing four test match series against England. He ended his dry spell of Australia tour on the home pitch.

How Rohit Sharma performed on home pitch?

He showed the magic of batting in the second test in Chennai where he scored 161 runs and defended the match. His big century helped India make a comeback in the series by leveling the series with 1-1. It is to be noted that India lost the first test to England in Chennai.

Rohit Sharma successfully passed the pink ball test in the third test Ahmedabad when he scored the match-winning 61 runs. The match ended within two days. Rohit amassed 298 runs in three tests against England.

R Ashwin enters the top 3 club

Off-spinner R Ashwin becomes the only spinner in the top 10 of the Test Bowling Rankings. He moved 4 spots to become No. 3 on the rankings. Ashwin picked 13 wickets in three tests in Australia but he has so far taken 24 wickets in three tests against England. Ashwin … Read the rest

Liverpool End Their Dry Season By Defeating Sheffield United With 2-0

HT News March 1, 2021

Liverpool defeated the last-placed Sheffield United with 2-0 on Sunday. But there is little to triumph for The Reds already had a miserable run of four defeats in February. Also, the defending barely managed the Sunday match that includes an own-goal by Sheffield’s Kean Bryan.

What are the chances of defending champions in Premier League 2021?

The Reds have almost lost their chances to the championship this season. The Sunday win with 2-0 could do little for the defending champions that need more time to come out from the shock of losing crucial matches to Everton, Manchester City and Leicester. But manager Jürgen Klopp looked hopeful about Liverpool’s prospects.

What did Jürgen Klopp say about Liverpool’s win?

A jubilant Jürgen Klopp said that Liverpool should have scored three times before they scored two goals. He further said that the finishing was good and that he knew that the team needed improvement for the upcoming fixtures.

Was Jürgen Klopp right in his assessment of his team’s ability to score three times?

Liverpool missed many opportunities in the first half but it was Sheffield goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale that kept The Reds at bay in the entire first half. And it was only in the second half that Liverpool could score their first goal.

The 20-year-old Curtis Jones that has just came out of the academy brought the breakthrough for Liverpool in 48th minute when shot a deflected cross by Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The second goal came in 64th minute when Roberto Firmino charged towards the Sheffield’s goalpost and fired a missed shot that was turned into an own-goal by Kean Bryan.

Source:- https://bit.ly/2ZXDgpF

India Wins Ahmedabad Test But The Feat Is Still Incomplete

HT News February 26, 2021

India defeated England in the 3rd test of the 4-test match series at Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad. And it is a big feat for India as it is now closer to reaching the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final at the Lord’s.

What next for Indian cricket team?

After winning the third-test match of thumping victory of 10-wickets, India is gearing up for a crucial fourth-test match starting 4th March at the same place. While England has lost its contention the final of WTC, it can spoil India’s chance to play the final, if it wins the fourth-test match.

The fourth-test match is crucial for black caps, if they want to pay the final. They have to win the match or at the best, draw the match in order to prevent Australia from getting a lead over them. The points tally gives the real reason for Indian team to fear losing the fourth-test and the final.

What are the points of India, England and Australia?

One of the three teams will reach the ICC WTC final and play with New Zealand. But England is out of the contention and it won’t make a comeback even, if, it wins the fourth-test against India. But Australia could get a lead, if India loses its fourth-test.

India stands on points tally with 71 points and England is down to 64.1 points. But Australia with 69.2 points is closer to India. If India loses the fourth-test, it will lose the battle to Australia. The final match will be played in June at Lords.

Source:- https://bit.ly/3aVhxVN

A Goalless Draw Takes United To Europa League Last 16

HT News February 26, 2021

Manchester United had to contend with a goalless draw against Real Sociedad at Old Trafford on Thursday. But it couldn’t prevent the Man U team from progressing to the Europa League round of 16.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s knew that his team would reach the next level as they were leading 4-0 from the first leg of the league. Also, he was confident of the players like Bruno Fernandes and Anthony Martial.

Missing goals

Real Sociedad missed the first goal opportunity in the 13th minute when they were awarded with a penalty kick for a clumsy challenge from Daniel James of the United. But captain Mikel Oyarzabal sent the ball too wide of the goal.

It was United’s turn to score a goal on the 24th minute when Bruno Fernandes spotted the Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro off his line and tried to send the ball into the net but the shot was crushed at the crossbar.

In 36th minute, Remiro provided James an opportunity to score a goal when he saved a lofted from Fernandes but James failed with his headed effort.

Man U got another opportunity to score a goal in 63rd minute when a firm headed goal by their substitute Axel Tuanzebe was ruled out of VAR. It resulted from Victor Lindelof had fouling Job Bautista.

Manchester United introduced Shola Shoretire

The Red Devils launched their youngest player, Shola, in the 76th minute. At 17, Shola is the youngest player of United to play in a European game. Solskjaer said that Shola had got some skills and attributes and that he could become a good player.

Source:- https://bit.ly/2ZQr7CS

What Are Real Madrid Fans Rejoicing About?

HT News February 25, 2021

It is a big day for Real Madrid. The Merengues won the match with Atlanta and with this win, they kicked off their round of 16 win. But this victory has bigger meanings for Real Madrid. With this victory, they got the opportunity to play in 100 UEFA Champions League knockout round fixtures. Also, it became the first team to reach this stage.

Real Madrid makes history

It has been 25 years since Raúl González led Real Madrid to the victory against Juventus that was the title winners at that time. It was a narrow first-leg victory for Real Madrid in their first outing in the latter stages of the league that had been revamped by then.

Real Madrid earned a unique distinction of winning the group stages in all of 25 of their UEFA Champions League campaigns. Also, they are the first and the only club to reach this stage with 50 knockout wins. Their close competitor Bayern are just one win away after their victory at Lazio. Real Madrid is also the 13-times European champion and now they have become the first clubs to play a century of knockout fixtures.

Source:- https://bit.ly/3qVhDSR

Why Should India Bat First In Motera Stadium?

HT News February 24, 2021

India will play its third test against England at Motera Stadium, Ahmedabad. India is playing 4-test series with England. The first two matches of the series were played in M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. India lost the first test but won the second match with 317 runs.

Motera Stadium

It is a newly built stadium and it is the first match of the stadium. It will be a day-night match played with a pink ball. The stadium has a capacity of over 110,000 audiences.

How is the pitch at Motera Stadium?

The pitch is expected to help fast bowlers as the match will be played with a pink ball and curators leave much grass on the pitch to maintain shine of the ball. Also, dew could play a crucial role in giving speed to ball. Since it is a day-night match, dew is expected to be on the pitch late in the evening. Curators have cleaned the pitch a day before the match.

How is the environment in Ahmedabad?

The match will start at 2:30 PM but then the temperature could be around 33-34 degree celsius. But it could drop to 27 degree by 10 PM. According to experts, the temperature change in late evening will bring a change in the match a well.

First batting advantage

Considering the pitch and the environment, India could have first batting advantage. Since India is considering playing with five pacers including Umesh Yadav that replaced Shardul Thakur, India will certainly have first batting advantage.

Source:- https://bit.ly/3qVAzBa