Connect with us
DAPA Banner

Sports

IPL 2026: ‘We are keeping it simple’- Ruturaj Gaikwad eyes playoff push after big win vs MI | Cricket News

Published

on

IPL 2026: ‘We are keeping it simple’- Ruturaj Gaikwad eyes playoff push after big win vs MI
Chennai Super Kings’ captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (PTI Photo)

Ruturaj Gaikwad reflected on a complete team performance after guiding Chennai Super Kings to a commanding eight-wicket win over Mumbai Indians, a result that keeps their playoff hopes alive. Named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 67, Gaikwad highlighted how CSK managed to wrest back control after a brief phase of pressure. “Feels good. We started really well, first couple of overs, they got a momentum after that and we pulled it back,” he said, pointing to the bowlers’ ability to respond under pressure. MI had raced to 57 for 1 in the powerplay, but CSK’s attack, led by Noor Ahmad (2/26) and Anshul Kamboj (3/32), tightened the screws through the middle overs. Gaikwad was particularly pleased with Kamboj’s approach, saying, “He is someone who is keeping it really simple, sticking to the process and his mind is thinking like a batters mind.” He also noted Noor’s improvement, adding that the spinner “has made some adjustments and come along really well.” Chasing 160, CSK lost Sanju Samson early to Jasprit Bumrah, but Gaikwad stressed the importance of one of the top three batting deep. “It was about getting through the first couple of overs and then it was about one of the top three staying there,” he explained. He anchored the innings alongside Kartik Sharma, who impressed with an unbeaten 54. Praising the youngster, Gaikwad said, “Good confidence booster for him and us as well. Yes, he is a six-hitter but he has the other game as well, but he picks and chooses particular deliveries.” Gaikwad also shed light on team selection decisions, explaining the balance CSK sought by opting for all-round options. “We thought about how to get the balance right, how to get a batter at eight and the extra bowler. Veer and Ghosh are someone who can contribute with both.” Reflecting on his own form, he remained composed. “As I always saying, I was feeling well, feeling confident, but it is T20 cricket. I have been in a good frame of mind and it was only a matter of time.” With the win, CSK stay firmly in the playoff race, and Gaikwad emphasised the team’s simple approach going forward: “Mistakes are going to happen but have to make sure we come back strong, give everything for the jersey and the fans.”

Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sports

Caitlin Clark cleared to play in Fever preseason finale after injury scare

Published

on

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

The Indiana Fever wrap up their 2026 preseason schedule Saturday night against the Nigerian national team.

Caitlin Clark was not listed on the injury report entering the game. Concerns arose about her health and immediate availability after she collided with a Dallas Wings player in Thursday’s preseason matchup. She limped to the bench but appeared to walk it off during a replay review that resulted in a Flagrant 1 call.

Clark returned to make two free throws before spending the remainder of the game on the sideline.

Advertisement

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Caitlin Clark dribbling a basketball at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever brings the ball up court against Azzi Fudd of the Dallas Wings during the first half of a preseason game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 30, 2026. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

She finished with a team-high 21 points. Clark made two of her three attempted three-pointers, while knocking down 11 of 13 from the free throw line. She also had two rebounds, four assists and one steal in the contest.

Two days later, the two-time All-Star is available for Saturday night’s game despite the injury scare.

A string of injuries sidelined Clark in 2025, limiting the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader to 13 games in her second WNBA season. The injury woes last year included a groin strain followed by an ankle bone bruise.

Advertisement
Caitlin Clark dribble during a WNBA

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark plays during the first half against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on Apr. 25, 2026. (John Jones/Imagn Images)

Ahead of the WNBA’s milestone 30th season, ESPN ranked the league’s top 50 active players. Back-to-back MVP and defending WNBA champion A’ja Wilson led the list at No. 1. She was also ESPN’s top-ranked player entering 2025. Clark was the No. 10 player on the list.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark shooting a basketball during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark shoots the ball in the second half against the Dallas Wings at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on April 30, 2026. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Indiana appears to be getting healthy ahead of the regular season, with Fever center Aliyah Boston expected to make her debut Saturday. She missed the first two exhibition games after suffering an injury while playing in Unrivaled. Fever guard Ty Harris was also cleared to play Saturday.

The Fever open the regular season on May 9 in Dallas against the Wings.

Advertisement

Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Fernando Mendoza says Raiders OTAs may keep him from White House visit

Published

on

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Fernando Mendoza responded to a question Saturday about whether he will visit President Donald Trump at the White House to celebrate the Indiana Hoosiers’ historic college football championship.

Mendoza said that he “believed” the scheduled date of the visit, May 11, was the first day of the Las Vegas Raiders’ organized team activities (OTAs). But he was incorrect, as the Raiders’ OTAs don’t start until May 18.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Advertisement
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza speaking at a news conference in Henderson, Nevada.

Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, attends a news conference at the Raiders Headquarters in Henderson, Nev., on April 24, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

“If it is on the first day of OTAs, like I said, I’m on the bottom of the totem pole here, I got to prove myself, I can’t miss practice,” Mendoza told reporters at a Raiders press conference on Saturday. “As a rookie, I don’t think that’s a good look. I want to try to best serve my teammates, and I don’t think that would be accomplishing that goal.”

The Raiders don’t have anything in their offseason program scheduled for May 11.

INDIANA’S FERNANDO MENDOZA WINS 2025 HEISMAN TROPHY

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza looking on during warmups at Hard Rock Stadium

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza looks on during warmups before the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Jan. 19, 2026. (Sam Navarro/Imagn Images)

Mendoza led Indiana to the college football championship and the first 16-0 season in the modern history of the sport. The team announced it was visiting the White House to celebrate the accomplishment on Friday.

Advertisement

Mendoza became one of the biggest names in the sport during his heroics for Indiana last season, en route to the Heisman Trophy. He was the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

President Donald Trump, White House, briefing

President Donald Trump hosts NCAA collegiate national champions at the White House in this April 2026 photo. (Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The other college football champions who went on to be the No. 1 overall picks, Trevor Lawrence and Joe Burrow, each visited Trump at the White House in the president’s first term. Lawrence visited in 2019 and Burrow went in 2020.

Now, all eyes turn to Mendoza, who etched his name in college football history and the hearts of many football fans, to see if he will make the trip once realizing that OTAs are not on the same day as the visit.

Advertisement

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Gunther’s favor from Paul Heyman revealed on SmackDown,  Brock Lesnar has officially retired?

Published

on

Paul Heyman was spotted by eagle-eyed WWE fans on SmackDown this week, in the background of a backstage segment between Fraxiom and R-Truth.

Heyman was seen talking with Adam Pearce, but this was the only time The Oracle made an appearance this week. It seems that this was a significant moment on the show, since this later led to Gunther’s return to the brand.

Gunther was on RAW when he was battling Seth Rollins ahead of WrestleMania, but it seems that Heyman had something to do with his move over to SmackDown and his shot at Cody Rhodes.

Advertisement

Real reason behind Reigns vs. Fatu revealed – Check here!

There is a belief that WWE was showing fans that this was the favor that Gunther asked for from Heyman, which could also confirm that Brock Lesnar has retired.

Gunther vs Brock Lesnar was believed to be Paul Heyman’s favor

There was major speculation that Gunther would push for Brock Lesnar to make his return so that he could be added to his retirement list, but it seems that this isn’t the case.

Gunther could have instead asked for Paul Heyman to talk to Pearce and help him get a shot for the WWE Championship, since Roman Reigns is busy with Jacob Fatu on RAW. Cody Rhodes appears to be a better target for The Ring General, and now he has his eyes on the prize ahead of Backlash.

Advertisement

Gunther protected Heyman from Seth Rollins when Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed were sidelined, which left him indebted to the Austrian star, and now it appears that he has decided to cash in.

There is no other reason why Pearce and Paul Heyman would need to speak, since The Vision is on RAW. WWE also made a point of showing the two men talking to make it clear it’s connected. This could be confirmed if the two men have a backstage segment next week, since Gunther should have his shot at the World Championship confirmed for Backlash momentarily.

It will be interesting to see if Gunther can dethrone Rhodes or if Backlash will see the return of Randy Orton, who could still have a bone to pick with Rhodes after WrestleMania 42.