'Kohli will become a world-class captain' - de Villiers
A round-up of IPL news on April 19, 2013
Nikita Bastian
19-Apr-2013
Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman AB de Villiers has words of high praise for his team's captain, Virat Kohli. This IPL is Kohli's first assignment as full-time captain of a senior team and he has, at times, been a little hot-headed when under pressure. De Villiers, who is South Africa's limited-overs leader, said Kohli would improve with time. "Obviously, he is very young and inexperienced when it comes to captaincy. Having said that, he has made some really positive moves; he has led from the front, he has the batting ability as well," de Villiers said. "He has shown a lot of leadership qualities, he will learn more along the way and in the next few years, he will become a world-class captain. He is already showing signs of that."
'Injury concerns' for Kings XI - Lehmann
Darren Lehman, the Kings XI Punjab coach, has said his team have a few injury worries ahead of their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Uppal. Speaking on the eve of the game, he said: "We have a couple of injury concerns and you might see a couple of changes in the XI tomorrow. But we'd like to keep it to ourselves. We'll probably make the decision in the morning." His team were wary of Sunrisers' bowlers, he said, and the game would pit legspinners Amit Mishra and Piyush Chawla against each other. "They've got a very good bowling attack. But we have got our plans. We know pretty much what they do and they know how we play. I've always rated Mishy highly. We've got Piyush Chawla and it's going to be a contest between the two leggies." Mishra had taken four wickets in five balls against Pune Warriors on Wednesday to close out an improbable victory, as Sunrisers defended 119.
Darren Lehman, the Kings XI Punjab coach, has said his team have a few injury worries ahead of their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Uppal. Speaking on the eve of the game, he said: "We have a couple of injury concerns and you might see a couple of changes in the XI tomorrow. But we'd like to keep it to ourselves. We'll probably make the decision in the morning." His team were wary of Sunrisers' bowlers, he said, and the game would pit legspinners Amit Mishra and Piyush Chawla against each other. "They've got a very good bowling attack. But we have got our plans. We know pretty much what they do and they know how we play. I've always rated Mishy highly. We've got Piyush Chawla and it's going to be a contest between the two leggies." Mishra had taken four wickets in five balls against Pune Warriors on Wednesday to close out an improbable victory, as Sunrisers defended 119.
All about the team for Harbhajan
Harbhajan Singh, the Mumbai Indians offspinner, has said for him the team as a whole is most important, not who his team-mates are - even if it's former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting with whom he has a bit of a stormy history. Speaking to the IPL site, Harbhajan said: "I am playing for a team. For me the team comes first, no matter whom I am playing with or whom I am playing against. If I am playing for one team, whether it is playing with Ricky Ponting or Kiron Pollard, I will still run and hug my team-mates."
Harbhajan Singh, the Mumbai Indians offspinner, has said for him the team as a whole is most important, not who his team-mates are - even if it's former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting with whom he has a bit of a stormy history. Speaking to the IPL site, Harbhajan said: "I am playing for a team. For me the team comes first, no matter whom I am playing with or whom I am playing against. If I am playing for one team, whether it is playing with Ricky Ponting or Kiron Pollard, I will still run and hug my team-mates."
Saurabh Tiwary, Dilshan fit again for RCB
Batsmen Tillakaratne Dilshan and Saurabh Tiwary have joined the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad, ahead of their home game against Rajasthan Royals on Saturday. Dilshan had bruised his knuckle during the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 7, and subsequently had flown home to Sri Lanka for Sinhalese New Year. Tiwary was also out injured - he had shoulder trouble.
Batsmen Tillakaratne Dilshan and Saurabh Tiwary have joined the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad, ahead of their home game against Rajasthan Royals on Saturday. Dilshan had bruised his knuckle during the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 7, and subsequently had flown home to Sri Lanka for Sinhalese New Year. Tiwary was also out injured - he had shoulder trouble.
Nikita Bastian is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo