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May 22, 2024
According to a report, RCB canceled its practice session and press conference due to a severe security threat. However, another report quoted a GCA official saying heat was an issue.
As the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) gear up for the IPL 2024 Eliminator contest against Rajasthan Royals (RR), a report claimed that the franchise had to cancel its only practice session before the start of the match due to a security concern. The concern allegedly arose over Virat Kohli’s security, prompting RCB to abandon the practice session. RCB was to practice at the Gujarat College Ground in Ahmedabad on Tuesday before the Eliminator on Wednesday but couldn’t go ahead with the schedule
According to Anandabazaar Patrika, the franchise didn’t even hold a press conference on the eve of the Eliminator match against the Royals due to the security threat, prompting many to leave puzzled over the unusual development. The report also claimed that was a factor.
A report in the Times of India quoted a top Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) official as giving a different version of the incidents that unfolded.
“There was no terror threat. We had made provision for both the Rajasthan Royals and RCB to practice at the Gujarat College ground. RCB were supposed to practice from 2 to 5pm, before they changed it to 3-6pm, as the light is good till 6.30pm in the summer in Ahmedabad.
However, the Rajasthan Royals practiced from 3.30 to 6.30pm at the Gujarat College ground with their full squad,” Anil Patel, secretary, Gujarat Cricket Association, said.
“RCB skipped their practice session due to the prevailing heat wave in the city. We had told RCB that they can use the indoor practice facility there, or at the Indoor facility at the Narendra Modi Stadium. However, RCB didn’t want to practice because of the heatwave.
As per the ABP report, the Gujarat Police hinted that Virat’s security was the primary reason behind the cancellation of the practice session and the press conference. The police also reportedly arrested four people from Ahmedabad on suspicion of terrorist activity.
After the police informed the IPL franchises—Bengaluru and Rajasthan—one acted on the call and canceled all commitments for the day. At the same time, the other went ahead with the schedule.
“Virat Kohli learned about the arrests after arriving in Ahmedabad. He is a national treasure, and his security is our utmost priority,” Vijay Singh Jwala, a police officer, said. “RCB did not want to take a risk. They informed us that there would be no practice session. Rajasthan Royals were also informed about the development, but they had no problems going ahead with their practice.”
The police also strengthened the security arrangements outside RCB’s team hotel. Even IPL-accredited members were reportedly not allowed to enter the team hotel. A ‘green corridor’ was said to be created for the Rajasthan Royals to reach the training ground. The likes of R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Riyan Parag reportedly chose to stay at the hotel and miss the practice session. Skipper Sanju Samson reached the ground late.
Strict security measures are also expected to be taken for the IPL 2024 Eliminator between RCB and RR on Wednesday.
Kavya Maran, owner of SRH, has been a constant presence in her team’s matches throughout the IPL 2024.
On Tuesday, it was a mundane performance by SunRisers Hyderabad against Kolkata Knight Rider in Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2024 in Ahmedabad. For a side that now has the highest scores in the IPL, SunRisers Hyderabad’s decision to bat first against Kolkata Knight Riders stemmed from the belief that they would be able to back their strength. However, what happened was quite the opposite. KKR’s Mitchell Starc came to the party at the right time, as SRH was all out for just 159. KKR reached the target in less than 14 overs.
Kavya Maran, SRH owner, has been a constant presence in her team’s matches throughout the IPL 2024. She was clearly not happy with her team’s display. However, one particular expression of hers has been widely shared. It was when SRH lost a review against KKR’s Sunil Narine in the third over. The appeal was for an LBW off the bowling of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, but DRS showed that the ball was pitched outside the leg.
It surprised Maran.
Unbeaten half-centuries by captain Shreyas Iyer (58*) and Venkatesh Iyer (51*) guided Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to a crushing eight-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Qualifier 1 and place in the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at Narendra Modi Stadium here on Tuesday.
Hyderabad will have another chance to face KKR in the final. They will next take on the winner of the Eliminator match between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Chennai on Friday.
Chasing 160, openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sunil Narine gave KKR an electric start in the Powerplay overs as the due scored runs at a run rate of over 10 runs per over.
The first-wicket partnership lasted for 44 runs in 20 balls before T. Natrajan made inroads in the fourth over. The pacer removed Gurbaz at the score of 23 to bring the side back in the game after the thundering start in the chase.
Venkatesh Iyer joined Narine in the middle and kept the momentum going. They added 23 runs before Pat Cummins got Narine (21) in his first over into the attack just after the powerplay.
Shreyas Iyer walked out to bat at No. 4 and built the match-winning partnership for the side, allowing them to chase the total with 38 balls to spare.
Shreyas (58*) and Venkatesh (51*) accumulated an unbeaten 97-run partnership for the third wicket. Also, they smashed their individual fifties during the successful run-chase. Both players hit four sixes and five fours each as they went berserk to take their side to the final.
Earlier, KKR restricted Sunrisers Hyderabad to 159 all out in 19.3 overs after the latter decided to bat first.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Top Cricket News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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