(Cricket news) The level of intensity is rising every day as Rivalry Week promises to provide some of the most intense and thrilling encounters between the greatest rivals in TATA IPL history.
As the tournament’s final stretch approaches, fans are also getting to see the rivalry between North and South teams as some of the biggest clubs from each region compete against one another for two vital points. One of the most closely contested games in the tournament’s 15-year history, all clubs are still in contention for a playoff position.
The TATA IPL’s “Greatest Rivalry” between CSK and MI kicked off the rivalry week on May 6; the second-largest match will now take place at Wankhede Stadium between Royal Challengers Bangalore and MI.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of the most productive batsmen in Indian cricket over the past ten years, will face off in this match. However, in the current competition, the two illustrious batters are experiencing very different trajectories. This season, Rohit has had trouble scoring runs, whereas Virat is in fantastic form and doing so frequently.
Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag believes Rohit’s issue is more mental and not mechanical. Speaking on Star Sports’ Cricket Live, Sehwag said, “Rohit Sharma is not battling with the bowlers but with himself. There is a mental block. There’s no problem with his batting technique. Some confusion is going on in his mind. But the day he gets going, we will make up for all the previous matches.”
Imran Tahir, a former South African cricketer, praised Kohli for his ability to regularly score runs and attributed it to his diligence and hard work. Speaking on Star Sports’ Cricket Live, Tahir said, “Virat Kohli has always had the urge to score runs. You can score maximum runs in one season, two or three seasons, but if you are successful in doing this for 15 consecutive seasons, then it can be attributed to the result of your hard work and dedication. What Virat has done in the last 15 years is really commendable.”
Former Australian cricketer Aaron Finch stated that Ruturaj Gaikwad, the opener for CSK, is an example for Mumbai Indians’ opening batters to follow.
Speaking on Star Sports’ Cricket Live, Finch said, “MI’s opening combination looks confused they are taking a lot of risk. They were looking to hit all the balls. They should learn from Ruturaj Gaikwad, he remains so calm in the middle and hits the loose balls.”
RCB are in the bottom part of the points standings, but former Indian cricketer S Sreesanth supports Faf du Plessis & Co. in their effort to recover and reclaim their form.Speaking on Star Sports’ Cricket Live, Sreesanth said, “RCB still has many matches. This team will definitely win. You look at Delhi itself. After losing six matches, this team is now winning. RCB is already winning. I think RCB will regain its rhythm.”
A last-over drama between KKR and PBKS resulted in the latter team winning, and it was their star combo of Andre Russell and Rinku Singh who led KKR to victory, with the latter scoring the game-winning run on the final ball.
Mohammed Kaif, a former cricketer for India, praised Rinku Singh for consistently elevating his stature.Speaking on Star Sports’ Cricket Live, Kaif said, “Credit to Rinku for asking a player like Russell to rotate strike on the fifth ball of the delivery. An uncapped Indian player like Rinku Singh asking a finisher like Russell to come to the non-striker’s end shows the confidence this player has in his game. This for me, is a story about the IPL.”
In the meantime, Harbhajan Singh, a former cricketer for India, asserted that Russell’s return to form is good news for KKR. Speaking on Star Sports’ Cricket Live, Harbhajan said, “The win against PBKS will give a lot of confidence to KKR. Their star players Andre Russell and Rinku Singh finished the game for them. Russell regaining his form is big news for them.”
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