Franchise Cricket

Latest updates

  1. Dhoni to take time on retirement decisionpublished at 18:39 BST 25 May

    MS Dhoni batting for Chennai Super KingsImage source, Getty Images

    Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni says he has "four to five months" to decide if he continues playing professional cricket.

    The former India captain, who turns 44 in July, led Chennai to a 83-run win over Gujarat Titans on Sunday, but his side finished bottom of the Indian Premier League table.

    "There's no hurry to decide what needs to be done," Dhoni said after the match.

    "Every year, it's 15% more effort to keep the body fit - not to forget this is top-level cricket.

    "It's professional cricket - you have to be at your best - and it's not always performance that you can count, because if cricketers start retiring because of performance then a few of them will retire when they're 22."

    Dhoni has scored 196 runs in 13 innings this season, with a high score of 30, taking over the captaincy after an injury to Ruturaj Gaikwad.

    CSK head coach Stephen Fleming has said that Dhoni, once known as one of the game's great finishers, now "can't bat for 10 overs" because of problems with his knees.

    "What is important to see is how much hunger you have, what kind of fitness you have, and how much you can contribute to the team, and whether the team needs you or not," Dhoni added.

    "I will go back to Ranchi - haven't been home for a long time - enjoy a few bike rides.

    "I'm not saying I'm done, I'm not saying I'm coming back. As I said, I have the luxury of time. When you have the luxury then why not think about it and then decide?"

    Franchise Cricket banner
  2. Gujarat fail to seal top spot with Chennai losspublished at 15:02 BST 25 May

    Shubman Gill of Gujarat Titans looks skyward after being dismissed against Chennai Super KingsImage source, Getty Images

    Gujarat Titans failed to secure top spot in the Indian Premier League, losing by 83 runs to Chennai Super Kings in their final game of the regular season.

    Victory against the league's bottom side would have sealed first place for the current leaders, but they now risk being overtaken and having to play an extra knockout game to reach the final.

    Chasing 231, only the tournament's top run-scorer, opener Sai Sudharsan (41), made more than 20, as Gujarat were bowled out for 147 in the 19th over.

    The result means play-offs qualified teams have now lost four games in a row, with Gujarat enduring back-to-back defeats

    Chennai's batters put in a strong performance after captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni chose to set a target, with 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre (34) and Devon Conway (52) leading from the top of the order.

    Urvil Patel (37) and Shivam Dube (17 from eight deliveries) both kept the innings moving, before Ravindra Jadeja (21) and Dewald Brevis (57) put on an unbroken 76-run partnership to close out their 20 overs.

    South African Brevis, 22, hit four fours and fives sixes in his 23-ball innings, helping Chennai to finish on 230-5, their highest score of the season.

    Gujarat lost new India Test captain Shubman Gill (13) early in their reply, while England's Jos Buttler was caught for five and Sherfane Rutherford was dismissed for a four-ball duck as the leaders slipped to 30-3.

    Shahrukh Khan (19) put on a partnership of 55 with Sudharsan, but both batters were caught in Jadeja's 11th over, putting Chennai firmly in control.

    Noor Ahmad took 3-21 to move clear the top of the tournament's wicket-taker table, while seamer Anshul Kamboj finished with figures of 3-13, having Sai Kishore caught behind to finish the match.

    Chennai finish bottom of the standings despite moving level on points with ninth-placed Rajasthan, who have a superior net run-rate.

    Gujarat will now wait on the final results of Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians to decide their play-off schedule, but any combination of final results will see them lose top spot.

    Franchise Cricket banner
  3. Kings miss chance to go top of IPL with Capitals losspublished at 19:11 BST 24 May

    Josh InglisImage source, Getty Images

    Punjab Kings lost to Delhi Capitals by six wickets in the Indian Premier League, as teams chasing the top spot continued to slip up.

    Leaders Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Kings have all already qualified for the play-offs along with Mumbai Indians but are battling to secure their seedings.

    The Titans failed to consolidate their position on Thursday, losing to Lucknow Super Giants, opening the door to RCB and the Kings to take first position.

    Both teams failed to capitalise, with RCB unable to beat Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings now falling to Delhi.

    Sameer Rizvi hit an unbeaten 58 from 25 balls in Jaipur as fifth-placed Capitals successfully chased 207 with three balls to spare.

    All of Delhi's batters contributed to their innings, with KL Rahul (35), Faf du Plessis (23), Karun Nair (44) and Sediqullah Atal (22) all chipping in before Tristan Stubbs (18 not out) joined Rizvi for an unbroken 53-run partnership that took the Capitals over the line.

    Kings lost Priyansh Arya (6) in the second over after being put into bat, with the opener caught by Stubbs off seamer Mustafizur Rahman, who took 3-33.

    However Josh Inglis struck 32 off 12 balls from number three, while captain Shreyas Iyer top-scored with a 34-ball 53.

    Marcus Stoinis then closed the innings by smashing three fours and four sixes on his way to an unbeaten 44 from 16 deliveries, as Kings closed on 206-8.

    Kings remain in second, level on points with third-placed RCB, but one less than leaders Gujarat.

    All three teams have one game remaining, and Gujarat can seal a top spot with a win against Chennai on Sunday (11:00 BST).

    Delhi were already out of contention for the knockout phase and have now finished their season with a guaranteed fifth-place finish.

    Franchise Cricket banner
  4. RCB miss chance to top IPL table with SRH defeatpublished at 19:55 BST 23 May

    Pat Cummins bowling for Sunrisers HyderabadImage source, Getty Images

    Royal Challengers Bengaluru missed out on the chance to move top of the Indian Premier League table with a 42-run defeat by Sunrisers Hyderabad.

    Chasing 232, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli got RCB off to a decent start, putting on an 80-run partnership inside seven overs.

    Kohli was caught at point by Abhishek Sharma for 43, while Salt, who hit a 32-ball 62, spooned a Pat Cummins (3-33) delivery to Harshal Patel at mid-off to leave RCB 129-3.

    Rajat Patidar (18) and captain Jitesh Sharma (24) began to rebuild, adding 44 for the fourth wicket, but the former's dismissal in the 16th over prompted a collapse.

    Patidar's run out was the first of seven wickets to be lost for 16 runs, as RCB were bowled out for 189.

    Ishan Kishan was the star of the Hyderabad innings, hitting an unbeaten 94 from 48 deliveries at number three, including seven fours and five sixes.

    Abhishek Sharma (34), Heinrich Klaasen (24) and Aniket Verma (26) all chipped in as Hyderabad closed on 231-6.

    RCB, who have already qualified for the end of season play-offs, slip to third on net run-rate with one game to play, while Hyderabad stay in eighth.

    Franchise Cricket banner
  5. Marsh hits ton as Lucknow damage Gujarat's top-two hopespublished at 19:23 BST 22 May

    Mitchell Marsh batting for Gujarat TitansImage source, Getty Images

    Mitchell Marsh hit a stunning century as Lucknow Super Giants beat Gujarat Titans by 33 runs, denying their opponents the chance to consolidate their position at the top of the Indian Premier League.

    The Australian opener hit 10 fours and eight sixes on the way to a 64-ball 117, while Nicholas Pooran added an unbeaten 27-ball 56 as Lucknow posted a formidable 235-2 in Ahmedabad.

    Gujarat's powerful top order of Sai Sudharsan (21), Shubman Gill (35) and Jos Buttler (33) all got starts but failed to kick on, leaving the leaders 97-3 at half-way.

    Sherfane Rutherford (38 from 22 balls) and Shahrukh Khan (57 from 29) added 86 for the fourth wicket, but the former's dismissal early in the 17th over dramatically stalled Gujarat's reply.

    The leaders failed to score another boundary after the West Indian all-rounder was caught at mid-wicket off Will O'Rourke (3-27), losing six wickets for 20 runs to finish on 202-9.

    Gujarat chose to field at the toss, and Marsh ensured they would regret their decision, adding an opening partnership of 91 with Aiden Markram.

    South African Markram lifted a Sai Kishore delivery to long-off to fall for 36, but Marsh pushed on alongside Pooran until he was dismissed in the penultimate over, caught at point by Rutherford off Arshad Khan.

    Rishabh Pant then struck two sixes in Kagiso Rabada's final over, with Lucknow clearing the boundary 17 times on the way to setting a total Gujarat proved incapable of chasing.

    Lucknow were already out of contention for the end of the season play-offs and remain in seventh despite moving level on points with sixth-placed Kolkata Knight Riders.

    Gujarat, who have qualified for the knockout stage, could now be overtaken at the top of the table by Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings, who both sit one point behind the leaders having played one game less.

    Franchise Cricket banner
  6. Mumbai reach IPL play-offs with win over Delhipublished at 20:04 BST 21 May

    Mumbai Indians celebrate a wicketImage source, Getty Images

    Mumbai Indians secured a place in the Indian Premier League play-offs at the expense of opponents Delhi Capitals with a 59-run win.

    Chasing 181, Delhi failed to find their feet, slipping to 66-5 at the half-way stage.

    Sameer Rizvi offered some resistance with 39, but was bowled by Mitchell Santner, who took 3-11, and Delhi were all out for 121 with 10 balls to spare.

    Mumbai struggled in their innings, grinding to 132-5 at the end of the 18th over, having scored just 78 runs in the 12 overs since the powerplay.

    However Suryakumar Yadav and Naman Dhir struck 48 from the last 12 balls, closing the Mumbai innings with an unbroken 57-run partnership.

    Suryakumar hit a 43-ball 73 that featured seven fours and four sixes, while Dhir scored 24 from eight balls, as Mumbai finished on 181-5.

    Delhi's reply started poorly, with captain Faf du Plessis (6) finding Mitchell Santner at long-on in the second over, while the in-form KL Rahul was caught behind for 11 off Trent Boult.

    Abishek Porel (6), Vipraj Nigam (20) and Tristan Stubbs (2) also fell cheaply as the first five wickets were shared one apiece by five Mumbai bowlers.

    Rizvi put on a 38-run partnership with Ashutosh Sharma (18), but both batters were dismissed by Santner in the 15th over and from there Delhi slid to a big defeat, losing their last five wickets for 18 runs.

    The play-off places are now decided, with Mumbai joining Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings in the knockout stages.

    Delhi can now finish no higher than fifth, with one game in their season remaining.

    Franchise Cricket banner
  7. Quetta seal PSL final spot with win over Islamabadpublished at 20:03 BST 21 May

    Quetta Gladiators celebrate a wicketImage source, Getty Images

    Table-toppers Quetta Gladiators progressed to the final of the Pakistan Super League with a 30-run win over second-placed Islamabad United in the qualifier match.

    In the first match of the end of season play-offs, Islamabad were bowled out for 179 in the final over while pursuing 210.

    Finn Allen (41) drove the start of the Quetta innings, while Faheem Ashraf (45) and Dinesh Chandimal (48 not out) added 95 to push on from a precarious 113-5.

    Faheem was caught off the bowling of Salman Irshad from the penultimate ball of the innings as the league leaders closed on 209-6.

    Islamabad's reply started well, with Sahibzada Farhan (52) and Rassie van der Dussen (35) adding 71 after Alex Hales was bowled by Faheem for a two-ball duck.

    Their wickets left the early season leaders on 101-3, and from there the innings stalled.

    Salman Ali Agha struck hit 44 from 26 deliveries prior to being caught off Usman Tariq, who took 3-32, but five more batters were dismissed for single figures as Islamabad fell short of their target.

    They will now face the winner of Thursday's first eliminator match between Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalanders, who finished third and fourth in the regular season, with the winners of that game playing Quetta in the final on Sunday.

    Franchise Cricket banner
  8. Ahmedabad to host IPL final & RCB match movedpublished at 16:06 BST 20 May

    Narendra Modi Stadium Image source, Getty Images

    The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the world's largest cricket stadium, will host the final of this year's Indian Premier League.

    It will also host the second qualifier during the play-offs with New Chandigarh hosting the first qualifier and the eliminator.

    The play-off phase was originally due to be split between Hyderabad and Kolkata prior to the IPL's suspension amid the rising tensions between India and Pakistan.

    "The new venues for the play-offs were decided by the IPL governing council keeping in mind the weather conditions and other parameters," organisers said.

    New Chandigarh, in the state of Punjab, which borders Pakistan, has not held any of the league phase matches since the IPL resumed.

    In another change, Royal Challengers Bengaluru's match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday has been moved to Lucknow because of heavy rain and floods in Bengaluru.

    RCB had their match against Kolkata Knight Riders washed out on Saturday and more rain is forecast for the remainder of the week.

    They have already qualified for the play-offs while Sunrisers are out. Two wins would guarantee a top-two finish, thus giving them two chances to reach the final on 3 June.

    Franchise Cricket banner
  9. Lucknow's Digvesh banned after 'notebook' send-off published at 11:41 BST 20 May

    Confrontation between Digvesh Rathi and Abhishek SharmaImage source, BCCI/IPL

    Spinner Digvesh Rathi has been banned from Lucknow Super Giants next match after his send-off to Abhishek Sharma and subsequent confrontation on Monday.

    After dismissing Sunrisers opener Abhishek, Digvesh performed his 'notebook celebration' - pretending to write a dismissal in an imaginary notebook - and dismissively waved Abhishek from the crease.

    The pair then exchanged words and had to be separated by umpire Michael Gough.

    It is the third time Digvesh has been charged after using the celebration during this year's IPL and takes him to five demerit points, resulting in a one-game ban.

    The spinner was charged for breaching Article 2.5 of the International Cricket Council Code of conduct, which prevents players "using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter".

    Article 2.5 includes actions that could be "considered to disparage or demean" the batter, including pointing towards the pavilion.

    Digvesh received one demerit point for a similar celebration against Punjab Kings on 1 April, when he also made minor contact with batter Priyansh Arya, and again on 4 April after dismissing Naman Dhir.

    He was also fined 50% of his match fee for the latest infringement.

    Abhishek was fined 25% of his fee and given one demerit point under Article 2.6 - "using a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting" - following the confrontation.

    Digvesh Rathi celebrationImage source, BCCI/IPL
    Franchise Cricket banner
  10. LSG's play-off hopes over after defeat by Sunriserspublished at 19:19 BST 19 May

    Digvesh Rathi and Shardul ThakurImage source, BCCI/IPL

    Lucknow Super Giants' slim play-off hopes are over after Sunrisers Hyderabad chased 206 for a consolation six-wicket win in the Indian Premier League.

    Lucknow had to win all three of their remaining matches to have any chance of qualifying but their fate was sealed by a fourth consecutive defeat.

    They were guilty of not making the most of being 115-0 inside 11 overs in posting 205-7 and then failed to recover from Abhishek Sharma's brutal early assault.

    Opener Abhishek raced to an 18-ball fifty, including four consecutive sixes off Ravi Bishnoi, and when he was caught at deep extra cover for 59 from 20 balls Sunrisers were already 99-2 after 7.3 overs.

    India international Ishan Kishan hit 35 and South Africa batter Heinrich Klaasen 47, meaning Sunrisers eased to victory with 10 balls to spare even with Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis retiring hurt on 32 with an apparent hamstring injury.

    Lucknow had earlier made a perfect start as openers Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram made 65 and 61 respectively.

    But Rishabh Pant made only seven - his fourth single-figure score in five innings - and LSG failed to kick on with Nicholas Pooran the only other batter to make double figures with 45.

    Sunrisers were already unable to reach the play-offs but the win means, with one match to go, they will not finish bottom of the standings this year.

    Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals are now the only sides who can join Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the play-offs.

    Scorecard, IPL fixtures & results, table

    Franchise Cricket banner
  11. Hales helps Islamabad snatch second spot in PSLpublished at 19:11 BST 19 May

    Alex HalesImage source, PCB

    Alex Hales marked his return to Islamabad United with a blistering 88 as his side secured a top-two finish in the Pakistan Super League by beating Karachi Kings by 79 runs.

    Hales, who joined Islamabad following the PSL's resumption, hit eight sixes in his 35 balls as Islamabad piled up 251-5.

    He put on a 153-run opening stand with Sahibzada Farhan, who made 73, before being bowled in the 17th over. Shadab Khan also added a 19-ball 42.

    Karachi reached 80-1 in response but crumbled after James Vince was caught at long-on for eight and were dismissed for 172 in 18.2 overs.

    Had Karachi reached 204 they would have held onto second place but, having been overtaken by Islamabad on net run-rate, they drop to third and must now play in the eliminator.

    The play-offs begin on Wednesday with the first qualifier between Islamabad, who had lost four matches in a row after starting with five wins, and leaders Quetta Gladiators with the winner progressing directly to the final.

    The eliminator between takes place a day later between Karachi and Lahore Qalandars.

    Scorecard, PSL fixtures & results, table

    Franchise Cricket banner