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The league stage of the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League is done and dusted with the two-time champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, reaching the IPL 2024 final after defeating the SunRisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1 followed by the Rajasthan Royals thrashing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Eliminator. SRH and RR will lock horns in Qualifier 2 as the winner will face KKR in the final.
In this article, we will look at the big updates around the IPL 2024 that took place on Thursday, May 23, but before that, let’s check the match scheduled for the day.
Today's match preview
SunRisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals
The SunRisers Hyderabad will play against the Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 of the IPL 2024 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The Qualifier 1 was a one-sided battle in which SRH lost to KKR, which has put them in a must-win situation in their upcoming IPL playoffs match. The circumstances will be no different for RR in the IPL 2024 Qualifier 2, who managed to win their first game in nearly three weeks, getting the better of RCB in the Eliminator.
Major events around IPL that happened on May 23
Kevin Pietersen wants Virat Kohli to leave RCB for this team; gives Ronaldo-Messi example
On Wednesday, May 22, Royal Challengers Bengaluru suffered a tough defeat in the IPL 2024 Eliminator against Rajasthan Royals, to bow out of the tournament. In the post-match show with Star Sports, Kevin Pietersen spoke about how Virat Kohli should leave RCB for the Delhi Capitals in his quest to win the elusive IPL trophy, citing examples of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, among others.
It's tough to play without Jos Buttler and have Shimron Hetmyer injured: Ravichandran Ashwin
The inaugural IPL champions, Rajasthan Royals, ended the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's six-game winning streak with a four-wicket win on Wednesday in the IPL 2024 Eliminator. In a post-game interview with the official broadcaster, Star Sports, RR all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin talked about the difficulty faced by the Rajasthan franchise due to star opener Jos Buttler's mid-season exit and Shimron Hetmyer's injury.
Ashwin praises RR's Parag, Jaiswal, and Samson after win against RCB
After the Rajasthan Royals eliminated the Royal Challengers Bengaluru from IPL 2024 on Wednesday, RR all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin heaped praise on the Indian batting trio of Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Sanju Samson in a post-game interview with the official broadcaster, Star Sports. Ashwin also said that the RR batting trio can "make you pull your hair apart many times."
DC coach Ricky Ponting turns down Team India's head coach role
Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting confirmed that the BCCI approached him to take over the head coach role of the Indian cricket team from Rahul Dravid. The 49-year-old Delhi Capitals head coach stated that he would love to be coaching a national team, but it's a 10-11 month job, which doesn’t fit into his lifestyle currently. During the latest episode of the ICC Review, Ponting said, "A national head coach is a 10 or 11-month-of-the-year job, and as much as I'd like to do it, it just doesn't fit into my lifestyle right now and the things that I really enjoy doing."
England skipper Jos Buttler claims International Cricket "shouldn’t clash" with IPL
Despite the IPL 2024 being slated to end on May 26, England Cricket called their players for the T20I series against Pakistan, which was scheduled to begin on Wednesday. However, the continuous downpour in Leeds, the venue for the first T20I ensured no play could be possible. England skipper Jos Buttler, who was representing Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2024 laid out his views on ECB’s decision to back out their players amidst the IPL playoffs and backed the board’s decision as he said, " It’s my personal opinion that there shouldn’t be any international cricket that clashes with the IPL."
Hardik Pandya, Natasa Stankovic spark separation rumours with social media activities
After enduring possibly the worst seasons ever in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a skipper and player, Hardik Pandya has been confronted with another turmoil. Recently, rumors have been circulating that Hardik was involved in a possible rift with her wife Natasa Stankovic. The talks of their separation have been fueled recently owing to the various social media activities that have been observed over the past couple of months.
Why Stephen Fleming wouldn’t apply for India head coach’s position? CSK CEO explains
The BCCI invited applications for a new head coach for the Indian men’s cricket team as the team’s current coach Rahul Dravid’s tenure is coming to an end after the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Reportedly, the BCCI approached CSK boss Stephen Fleming to take up the role, however, the former New Zealand skipper rejected the offer. The CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan said that Stephen Fleming might not take up the call as it would require him to be involved for nine to 10 months.
