Newsfile: May 8

Gambhir fined: Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir has been fined for his team's slow over rate during their IPL match against Delhi Daredevils on Monday. Knight Riders, who beat Daredevils by six wickets, were assessed to be one over behind the required rate after the match. Since it was Gambhir's first offence of the season, under the IPL's code of conduct relating to over-rate offences, he was fined $20,000.

Dinda says comeback was rushed: Pune Warriors fast bowler Ashok Dinda had said prior to Tuesday’s game against Rajasthan Royals that he was a doubtful starter, as he is yet to fully recover from his side strain. Dinda had picked up the injury during Warriors match against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 17, and was sidelined for five games because of it. He has since played two matches, but, he said, his comeback was rushed because of Warriors’ loss of form after a decent start to the league. “It takes a bit of time to recover from side strain. Had we kept on winning, perhaps I wouldn't have come back as early as I did. But the situation was such that I had to take the chance,” Dinda said. Despite missing out due to injury, Dinda is Warriors' leading wicket-taker so far, with nine scalps.

CSK can still finish in top four – Albie: With five wins in 12 games, Chennai Super Kings, the two-time IPL champions, face the possibility of not making it to the knockout rounds of the league for the first time. If they are to progress, they must win four of four games, and even then it could come down to net run rates. However, allrounder Albie Morkel is not ruling Super Kings out just yet. "It is a massive challenge but we like challenges. I wouldn't be surprised if we made the top four. It is going to be difficult but we are a champion team and we know how to win trophies,” he told PTI. The team’s problem, so far, has been finishing off games, Albie said. “The finishing is not up to the mark. It is not something we are used to. It is just the closing of the games, whether batting or bowling. It is just one ball at the crucial time. If we nail the little basics at the right time, it would make the difference."

Cricket has moved ahead with IPL – Pollock: Mumbai Indians bowling coach Shaun Pollock has said the IPL has aided cricketers both financially and technically. “Before the IPL, soccer players, golfers and tennis players were the envy of other sportspersons. Now cricketers have joined the big-buck-earners,” Pollock was quoted as saying by IANS. “Cricket has moved ahead amazingly with the IPL, both financially as well as technically. The IPL is a platform for cricketers to experiment and try out new things. We have seen bowlers coming up with baffling deliveries and batsmen playing hitherto unknown, breathtaking shots. It has broken all barriers. The playing format may be the same as any form of international cricket, but the players from different backgrounds and cultures are mingling like one family. That has helped the players to share their experiences with others and gain immensely.”