In IPL Cricket, Kings Eleven Punjab will take on Kolkata Knight Riders in Indore at 4 PM and Delhi Daredevils will meet Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi at 8 pm on Saturday (May 12).

On Friday night, Rajasthan Royals defeated Chennai Super Kings by four wickets in a thrilling encounter in Jaipur to keep their playoff hopes alive in the tournament.

Opting into bat, Chennai posted 176 for 4 wickets in stipulated 20 overs. In reply, Rajasthan Royals overhauled the target in 19.5 overs riding on Jos Buttler unbeaten 95 in just 60 balls.

Hindusthan Samachar/Shri Ram Shaw

From the time he was dating actress Anushka Sharma to his wedding in Italy and even now — months after the two tied the knot — prying paparazzi and public scrutiny of Virat Kohli’s life has not stopped. India’s cricket captain and the icon of the country’s youth says it can get uncomfortable, but he is learning to deal with it.

Virat and Anushka, fondly called “Virushka” by their fans, dated for four years before tying the knot in an intimate affair in Tuscany, Italy, last December.

With celebrity status comes the baggage of being under the scanner all the time. Does he find it easy?

“The constant public scrutiny about my personal life can become a bit uncomfortable at times. However, I have learnt how to handle it. Celebrities are also normal human beings — just like any other person, and I feel people should let them have their space,” Kohli told IANS in an e-mail interview.

The 29-year-old Indian cricket team captain, who endorses multiple brands including Puma, says he keeps a good balance between his personal and professional lives despite his chock-a-block schedules.

“I keep a good balance between my personal and professional life. When I am with family, I try to completely switch off from cricket. I try to catch up with friends, watch a movie or go out for a drive. I like spending time with my dog,” he said.

However, he said when he is on a tour for cricket, he puts his “mind and heart into the next game”.

“It includes regular training for fitness and skills,” added the Delhi boy, who represented the city’s cricket team at several age-group levels before making his India team debut in 2006.

On his journey from domestic cricket to becoming India captain, Kohli told IANS: “It has been an incredible journey. I come from a humble background, and my journey towards where I am today started from a colony in West Delhi.

“The road to success was not easy and I have learnt to face challenges head on. I have come through the ranks of junior cricket, making my way to Ranji trophy and then the Indian team.”

The Padma Shri awardee cherishes being a part of the winning team during the World Cup in 2011, describing it as an “amazing experience”.

Kohli, who made his ODI debut for India against Sri Lanka at the age of 19, asserted that it was always his dream to represent India.

“From the very first day, my goal has been to play for my country, and this brings me immense pride. Standing on the cricket pitch, and seeing your countrymen cheer for you, is a happy feeling, and I enjoy every moment of it,” said the India team skipper, who also won the Arjuna Award in 2013.

With biopics on cricketers like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar and Kapil Dev gaining popularity in Bollywood, does he foresee a movie on his life?

“It is not something I have thought about a lot. And if there’s one ever made, I feel it will be more of a real account of my life than a biopic,” said the Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper, who has launched the first performance footwear from the brand One8 for Puma.

Kohli says with One8, he wants to make sports products better.

“My experience of playing the sport at the highest level helps me provide inputs to create superior products.”

He says it’s a shoe created for cricket enthusiasts and players alike as they are light and adaptive, designed in a way to enhance performance.

G.D. Birla “A” along with South Point High School and Ballygunge Siksha Sadan moved into the semi-finals of the senior girls division of the 46th All India Invitation School regatta rowing meet here on Thursday.

In the last-eight stage, G.D. Birla “A” defeated National High School West Bengal, Ballygunge Siksha Sadan beat National High Schhol CBSE and South Point outrowed G.D. Birla “B” in the Rabindra Sarovar.

In the semi-finals, Ballygunge Siksha Sadan will meet G.D. Birla “A” while South Point will take on the winners of the other quarter-final between St. Thomas and Delhi Public School to be held on Friday.

In the Junor Boys group Jatragachi Pranavananda High School “B” from rural areas from North 24 Parganas District and represented and by Reazul Mollah, Shibu Das, Sayeed Ali and Dhananjoy Mondal maintained their fine form and took their appointed place in the penultimate stage of the meet winning their race against Sebastian “A” comfortably.

Other junior boys team to enter the semi-finals are DAV Kolkata, last year’s winners Jatragachi Pranavananda “A” and La Martiniere Boys “A” who beat National High School CBSE “A”, National High School, West Bengal and National High School CBSE “B” respectively.

In the last four stage Jatragachi Pranvananda “A” will row against their school mates Jatragachi “B” and La Martiniere “A” will meet DAV Kolkata.

Rishabh Pant’s valiant century went in vain as Sunrisers Hyderabad made light work of Delhi Daredevils’ challenging 187/5 to romp home by nine wickets and consolidate their stay at the top of the Indian Premier League (IPL) points table.

The visitors overcame the early loss of opener Alex Hales (14) as the other opener Shikhar Dhawan (92 not out off 50 balls; 4×9, 6×4) and skipper Kane Williamson (83 not out off 53 balls; 4×8, 6×2) stitched together a 176-run second stand to demoralise bottom-placed Delhi’s spirited effort midway into the match.

With the loss, Delhi’s hopes of reaching the play-off are up in the smoke and can now only play the party spoilers in the cash-rich tournament.

Returning to his home ground, Dhawan started the chase by slamming pacer Harshal Patel for a boundary through point even as Williamson continued his glorious run with the willow this season.

The Delhi bowlers started losing the plot right after the powerplay when the right-left duo of Williamson and Dhawan propelled the Sunrisers to 51/1 before racing to 91/1 midway into the innings.

Dhawan used the flat Ferozshah Kotla track to the most, slamming the Delhi bowlers all over the park to bring up his half century in 30 balls before Williamson caught up with the southpaw to race to his sixth fifty of the season in 38 balls.

By now, Delhi had lost all hopes of a comeback as the Sunrisers duo handsomely outbatted the efforts of the hosts with seven balls to spare.

Earlier, Pant once again stepped up to the occasion with his maiden IPL century to rescue Delhi from a dismal start and help them post a challenging 187/5.

Involved in two avoidable run-outs, Pant compensated the miscommunication on the field with a blistering unbeaten 63-ball 128 which contained 15 boundaries and seven sixes, to arrest a careless start from the hosts.

Electing to bat, Delhi had themselves to blame for a sluggish start which saw them lose the opening duo of Prithvi Shaw (9) and Jason Roy (11) in consecutive deliveries before skipper Shreyas Iyer (3) departed off a silly run-out.

Fortunately for Delhi, the fall of three quick wickets did not affect Pant, whose purple patch with the bat continued and together with Harshal Patel (24 from 17 balls; 6×2) steadied the ship with a 55-run stand for the fourth wicket.

With five overs left in the innings, Delhi stared at some sort of respectability before another miscommunication between the batsmen ended Patel’s stay.

Pant, however continued his onslaught as he launched Shakib for a massive six to bring up his half century in 36 balls even as the out-of-form Glenn Maxwell (9) remained a mere spectator to the southpaw’s fireworks.

The Delhi stumper, who became the youngest to 1000 IPL runs, immediately moved into the 90s when he clobbered Afghan leg-spinner Rashid Khan for a four and a six off consecutive balls before treating Bhuvneshwar Kumar with disdain.

Pant then muscled pacer Siddharth Kaul’s full toss to the deep midwicket boundary to bring up his maiden IPL ton in mere 56 balls before slamming Bhuvneshwar for two fours and three consecutive sixes to milk 26 off the final over.

Brief Scores: Delhi Daredevils 187/5 (Rishabh Pant 128 not out, Harshal Patel 24; Shakib Al Hasan 4/27) lose to Sunrisers Hyderabad 191/1 (Shikhar Dhawan 92 not out, Kane Williamson 83 not out) by 9 wickets.

The Supreme Court will hear on implementation of constitutional reforms for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday (May 11).

12 out of the 37 state units, including North Eastern States, have submitted a common four-point suggestion to amicus curiae Gopal Subramanium.

The four points that the affiliated units want to be reconsidered are – one state one vote, cooling-off period, constitution of apex council, distribution of power and functions between elected representatives and professionals.

It may be recalled that during the last hearing on May 1st, the three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of India Deepak Mishra had instructed all the affiliated units of BCCI to file their suggestions with regards to clauses which they are finding practically difficult to implement.

Hindusthan Samachar/Shri Ram Shaw

In IPL cricket, Rajasthan Royals will take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Friday (May 11). The match will begin at 8 pm.

On Thursday night, Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Delhi Daredevils by nine wickets at Firoze Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi.

Chasing 188 runs for victory, Sunrisers Hyderabad reached the target with 7 balls to spare and 9 wickets in hand.

Unbeaten Shikhar Dhawan scored 92 and Kane Williamson contributed 83 runs for Hyderabad.

Earlier opting to bat, Delhi Daredevils posted a challenging 187 for 5 in stipulated 20 overs.

Rishabh Pant smashed unbeaten 128 off 63 balls for Delhi. Hyderabad’s Shakib Al Hasan picked up two wickets giving away 27 runs.
Hyderabad now top the eight-team points table with 18 points, Delhi are placed at the bottom with just 6 points.

Hindusthan Samachar/Shri Ram Shaw

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan has apologised for the “lack of spirit” after his team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lost the match to Mumbai Indians at the ongoing Indian Premier League.

Shah Rukh, who co-owns the team with actress Juhi Chawla and her spouse Jay Mehta, on Wednesday night took to Twitter to apologise to KKR fans.

“Sports is about the spirit and wins/losses don’t reflect that. But tonight as the ‘Boss’ I need to apologise to the fans for the lack of spirit,” he wrote.

On Wednesday, Mumbai Indians outclassed Kolkata Knight Riders by 102 runs at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

On the acting front, Shah Rukh is currently busy with Anand L. Rai’s “Zero”, where he will be seen playing a dwarf.

The film also features actresses Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif.

Teenage wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan, whose 21-ball 62 helped Mumbai Indians (MI) thrash Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by a whopping 102 runs, credited the team’s backing for his success, saying it has helped him bat freely.

“It’s always good for a youngster to bat up the order and when your skipper and the franchise is backing you, it’s just about playing your game. I am comfortable batting anywhere,” Kishan told reporters at the post-match press conference on Wednesday night.

MI were 62 for 2 after nine overs when Ishan joined skipper Rohit Sharma at the crease. Rohit’s message to Kishan was pretty simple — “back yourself and attack”.

“Coach also said in the time-out that just be yourself, back yourself and that we needed some good hits today. Rohit bhai also said, ‘You can hit well, just look at the ball and get with the flow.’

“They knew if I remained there I could get a lot of runs. I just had to look at the ball till the last moment and keep it going,” the 19-year-old Jharkhand southpaw said.

It took Ishan 30 minutes to change the complexion of the game. From 72/2 after 10 overs, MI jumped to 144 in the 15th over.

Kishan and Rohit scored 82 for the third wicket in which the latter contributed just 18.

One of the highlights of Ishan’s innings came in the 14th over when he took on Kuldeep and smashed him for four successive sixes. The over saw 25 runs coming off it.

“Kuldeep is outgoing for me (bowls the delivery that turns away from me) but he loves to bowl the googly at me. I’ve played him earlier as well. So I knew he was trying to get the ball outside the off stump,” Kishan said about his plans to counter KKR’s left-arm spinner.

“My target was that if I get the ball in my arc, I would hit it out of the park. It was like ‘keep watching the ball’. If you get the ball, hit, otherwise you can go for a single as well. Rohit was batting with me, so there was no problem. I knew if I don’t score, he can cover up.”

MI have backed Ishan despite three ducks — two of them being first ball ducks — in the tournament so far.

In the early part of the tournament, he batted at No. 3 but has now been moved to No. 4 to accommodate Rohit in top three.

He started the tournament with a 29-ball 40 against Chennai Super Kings and then made 44 off 23 against Delhi Daredevils even as the team lost both the games. He knocked his first half-century off the season against Rajasthan Royals but the team slipped to another defeat.

Ishan was asked about state-mate and legendary former India captain MS Dhoni helping him.

“I also get lots of tips from Dhoni bhai. He’s a legendary player and keeps telling me that I can take time. I feel confident when these guys talk to me,” Ishan said.

MI, who are now in fourth position in the points table, take on struggling Rajasthan Royals next at home.

“Mumbai Indians love to bounce back,” Ishan said on the team stringing together three back-to-back wins on the spin after facing a series of reversals.

“When the team comes together and talk to each other, it’s about helping out each other. We know we have done mistakes in the previous matches. Now we are just backing and helping out each other. We are just thinking about one match at a time and putting up a good show.”

There is good news for the cricket fans who have had an issue with the late games of the Indian Premier League. The play-offs and the final of the 11th edition of the Indian Premier League will start at 7pm instead of the usual time of 8pm. Thanks to the slow over rates, some of the game have gone on to end at around 12 midnight and with matches slotted right through the week, this isn’t the most viewer-friendly practice as most also need to head to schools, colleges and work the next morning.

Speaking to CricketNext, IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said that it was an effort to help the fans who have an issue getting back home from the stadium late in the night as also those who have work the next morning and have an issue with watching the late encounters on television.

“The IPL is what it is because of its fans and the tournament has over the years been followed avidly both on the ground and on television at homes. So, keeping the interest of the fans in mind, it was decided that the play-off games and the final will start an hour earlier. So, instead of the 8pm start, the games will start at 7pm.

“It gets difficult not only for those at the stadium, but also for those watching on television as students and office-goers also need to get back to their respective stuff next morning and it helps if the game starts an hour earlier,” he explained.

The historic Eden Gardens will host two play-off matches that were originally scheduled in Pune. “The GC has confirmed that Kolkata will host the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 on May 23 and 25 respectively,” Shukla had earlier said.

As per the original schedule, Pune was scheduled to host the Eliminator and Qualifier 2, but the venue became Chennai Super Kings’ adopted home for six matches owing to security concerns for the Cauvery protests in Tamil Nadu.

The 67,000 capacity Eden Gardens emerged as the frontrunner and was adequately compensated by the IPL GC. “We are happy to host the play-off matches and are looking forward to it,” Cricket Association of Bengal joint-secretary Avishek Dalmiya said.

Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium will play host to the Qualifier 1 and the Final on May 22 and 27 respectively.

Mohamedan Sporting Club will have their task cut out when they take on high-flying Minerva Punjab FC in the final of the U-13 Youth League at the Vidyasagar Stadium in Barasat on Tuesday.

Minerva have been brilliant en-route to the final.

Like their U-15 team which got the better of DSK Shivajians to clinch the U-15 Youth League title and their senior counterparts which clinched the I-League trophy defying all odds, the U-13 colts have also done well to reach the summit clash.

But in Mohamedan Sporting Club, they will have a tough opponent who have not only performed well this far but also have the home advantage.

Having stunned SAI East Zone 2-0 in the semi-final, Mohamedan Sporting Club will have to administer an even greater shock in order to deny the Minervans the trophy, who grounded high-flying Sudeva FC 5-0 to book their place in the final.

Mohammedan SC like to play counter-attacking football, as they soak up pressure for long periods before launching the ball forward to their speedy attackers up front.

This, especially, suits the midfield mainstay Mohammed Zeedan to a tee, as well as Sujay Budhuk and Nabakumar Santra, all of whom use their pace to occupy space behind the opponents.

Led by Irfan Mondal, Wasid Ali, Aftab Ali and Anisur Rahaman, the Mohammedan SC backline should give Minerva problems throughout the match.

“Tomorrow’s game is extremely important because we want to win and crown our efforts. It will be premature to say how we would approach the match but I can say it will be a good game. Everything is possible on the field and if it needs us to play our best football in the tournament we will”, Mohammedan SC coach Ananta Kumar Ghosh said.

“We respect Minerva because they are good that is why they made it to the final but we have a good group of players which is ready to get us the win.

“We have good players with good qualities and we have to show that in the final. Despite the Minerva team being strong we have what it takes to win and keep the trophy here.

“If we can win this one then it will be huge for our fans. We want to do it for them,” Ghosh added.

On the other hand, Minerva’s dominance in the tournament has been unmatched, outscoring opponents by a 19-1 margin.

The Anthony Andrews-coached side has based their game on a solid defence that hasn’t conceded since their final round opener against BBFS.

With only one goal conceded, the Minervas have the meanest defence and rely on the brilliance of Tongbram Maheron Singh up front to make it to the final.

Though Maheron has deservedly taken many of the plaudits in the tournament, Longjam Swami Singh and Himanshu Jangra have often been just as important to many of Minerva’s winning efforts.