SPORTS

The stage was set after the Royals restricted Punjab to a modest total of 147/8 on a sluggish pitch. Despite facing adversity at 115/5 during their chase, Hetmyer's blitzkrieg of boundaries, including a crucial four and three sixes, turned the tide in favor of Rajasthan. Rovman Powell also played a crucial role, contributing a vital 11 runs off just five balls to secure a narrow victory in the final over.

The Delhi Capitals chased down LSG's target of 167 runs in just 18.1 overs, losing a mere four wickets along the way. Australian talent Frazer-McGurk dazzled with a 35-ball 55 in his IPL debut, forming a formidable 77-run partnership with Rishabh Pant (41), leaving Rahul's side rueing the absence of Yadav.

Anoop Srivastava, the Founder-Director of the Jaipur Wax Museum, revealed that the decision to create a wax figure of Kohli stemmed from the overwhelming demand expressed by visitors, particularly children and young girls, who ardently admire the cricketer. Drawing inspiration from Kohli's dynamic and aggressive playing style, the team meticulously crafted the statue to reflect his persona authentically.

Lucknow Super Giants, batting first on a central spongy pitch, set a challenging target of 168 runs for Delhi Capitals. Ayush Badoni played a crucial innings, scoring a fine half-century. Kuldeep Yadav's bowling brilliance restricted Lucknow to 167/7, with figures of 3-20 in his four overs.

Bumrah's recent performance against Royal Challengers Bengaluru reaffirmed his stature as a game-changer, as he clinched a five-wicket haul, sharing the prestigious purple cap with Yuzvendra Chahal. Harbhajan Singh, speaking on 'Cricket Live' with Star Sports, marveled at Bumrah's evolution as a bowler, praising his insatiable hunger for improvement.

Nevertheless, amidst the sea of disapproval, Pandya discovered a pocket of support at the Wankhede Stadium, with encouragement even coming from rival star batsman Virat Kohli. "He (Pandya) loves challenges," remarked Kishan to the media post-Mumbai Indians' triumphant victory over RCB. "I know that he must be enjoying it. I know him personally. He is ready for the challenges because you cannot complain to the fans, they will come up with their explanations and their point of views."

Phogat, a decorated athlete with bronze medals in the 2019 and 2022 World Championships, along with a gold in the 2018 Asian Games, expressed concerns about potential doping allegations looming over her. She fears being ensnared in a doping case, adding to her already mounting frustrations.

Bumrah's standout performance, clinching a stellar 5-21, propelled Mumbai Indians (MI) to a commanding victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), securing a seven-wicket win with 27 balls to spare in the 25th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the electric Wankhede Stadium.

Suryakumar's explosive innings not only silenced any doubts regarding his form after a period of recovery from injury but also showcased his unwavering confidence in his abilities. Reflecting on his performance, he attributed his success to meticulous preparation and adaptability to the game's dynamics.

Speaking after their seven-wicket loss to MI, Du Plessis emphasized the importance of pushing for big scores, stating that their bowling lacks penetration, particularly in the powerplay overs. He highlighted the necessity of taking early wickets to avoid being on the back foot early in the game.