Chess

Gukesh D: The Youngest World Chess Championship Challenger in History

In the world of chess, prodigies often capture our attention, but rarely do they reach the pinnacle of the sport at such a young age. Dommaraju Gukesh, known as Gukesh D, made history by becoming the youngest Challenger for the World Chess Championship after clinching the 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament. At just 17 years old, Gukesh is set to face World Champion Ding Liren later this year, marking a significant milestone in the history of chess.

Gukesh D The Youngest World Chess Championship Challenger in History
Gukesh D The Youngest World Chess Championship Challenger in History

17-year-old GM Gukesh Dommaraju has won the 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament and is the youngest player in history to win a Candidates.

A Rising Star

Gukesh has been on the radar of chess enthusiasts since his early days. He achieved the title of Grandmaster at the age of 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days, making him the third-youngest Grandmaster in history at the time. Since then, he has continued to improve, demonstrating a level of maturity and skill beyond his years.

The 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament

The 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament was one of the most suspense-filled editions in history. Heading into the final round, four players were vying for the top spot, including Gukesh, Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana, and Ian Nepomniachtchi. Gukesh needed only a draw against Nakamura with the black pieces to secure at least a tie for first place, and he rose to the challenge admirably. His strategic play in the opening caught Nakamura off-guard, and they drew the game, securing Gukesh’s spot at the top of the leaderboard.

The decisive moment came in the match between Caruana and Nepomniachtchi. The game was filled with twists and turns, with both players having opportunities to win. However, a series of blunders and missed chances resulted in a draw after 109 moves, confirming Gukesh as the winner of the tournament.

A Historic Moment

Gukesh’s victory in the 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament is a testament to his talent and perseverance. His calm demeanor and strategic thinking under pressure have impressed chess experts and fans alike. His journey to becoming the youngest Challenger in history is a remarkable achievement, and his upcoming match against Ding Liren promises to be an exciting contest.

In his post-tournament comments, Gukesh expressed his joy and relief, acknowledging the emotional rollercoaster he experienced while watching the Caruana-Nepomniachtchi game. His humility and gratitude reflect his maturity, despite his young age.

Looking Ahead

As Gukesh prepares for his World Chess Championship match against Ding Liren, the chess world eagerly anticipates the clash of these two great minds. Gukesh’s journey from a young prodigy to the top contender for the World Championship serves as an inspiration to young chess players worldwide. His success story reminds us that with dedication, hard work, and a passion for the game, even the most ambitious dreams can come true.

Athletics

Team India Secures Place for Paris 2024 in Marathon Race Walk Mixed Relay

In a significant achievement, Team India has secured automatic qualification for the marathon race walk mixed relay at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This milestone comes after an outstanding performance at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Antalya 24, held on Sunday, April 21.

The marathon race walk mixed relay, which will debut at the Paris Olympics in August 2024, consists of teams comprising one man and one woman who collectively complete a marathon distance of 42.195 km, divided into four legs of approximately equal distance. Each athlete alternates with their teammate, creating a unique and challenging event.

Team India’s successful qualification marks a significant moment in Indian athletics, reflecting the growing strength and depth of race walking talent in the country. As they prepare for the upcoming Olympic Games, Indian athletes will focus on refining their technique, building endurance, and coordinating their relay strategy.

India’s qualification alongside other strong teams from countries like Italy, Japan, and Spain underscores the international competitiveness of the race walking community. Among the top performers at WRW Antalya 24, Italy set a championship record with a time of 2:56:45 in the marathon race walk mixed relay, showcasing the level of competition that awaits in Paris.

Team India Secures Spot at Paris 2024 Olympics in Marathon Race Walk Mixed Relay. Here is the list of the teams that secured their spots for Paris 2024 at WRW Antalya 24:

  1. Italy
  2. Japan*
  3. Spain*
  4. Mexico
  5. Brazil
  6. Australia*
  7. Spain
  8. Ukraine
  9. France
  10. China*
  11. China
  12. Colombia*
  13. Germany
  14. Colombia
  15. Australia
  16. Japan
  17. India
  18. Turkiye
  19. Slovak Republic
  20. Poland
  21. Canada
  22. Hungary

India’s qualification comes at a pivotal time, with the event scheduled to take place on Wednesday, August 7, just six days after the individual 20 km race walking events that open the athletics program on Thursday, August 1.

First Time: This will be the first time the mixed relay format will be showcased on the Olympic stage, offering a unique opportunity for teams to demonstrate their teamwork and adaptability.

As the countdown to Paris 2024 begins, Team India will be focused on rigorous training, fine-tuning their race strategies, and building the resilience required for this demanding event.

Indian athletics enthusiasts, along with the entire nation, eagerly await the performance of Team India at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, confident that the athletes will represent their country with pride and compete at the highest level.

Stay tuned as Team India embarks on their Olympic journey, ready to inspire and captivate audiences with their extraordinary feats of athleticism at Paris 2024.

Fantasy Cricket

Dream11 Prediction and Predicted Winner and Dream11 Team for RR vs MI Match 38

The 38th match of IPL 2024 will feature Rajasthan Royals locking horns with Mumbai Indians at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur (SMS), on April 22, 2024, at 19:30 IST. This highly anticipated match is expected to draw significant attention from cricket fans and fantasy cricket enthusiasts alike. Let’s take a look at the probable playing XI, form guides, key player predictions, and winner predictions to help with your Dream11 team selection.

Dream11 Fantasy Tips

For Dream11 fantasy teams, some players stand out as strong choices. Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Tilak Varma are excellent batter options. All-rounders like Riyan Parag and Hardik Pandya bring versatility to the team. Among the bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult are likely to make a significant impact.

Probable Playing XI

Here are the probable playing XI for both teams:

  • Mumbai Indians (MI) Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Tim David, Hardik Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Gopal, Mohammad Nabi, Gerald Coetzee.
  • Rajasthan Royals (RR) Playing XI: Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Rovman Powell, Avesh Khan.

Form Guide

The recent form of both teams can indicate their expected performance:

Best Players Predictions

Here are some predictions for the key players to watch:

  • Best Batters: Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan are expected to be crucial for Mumbai Indians, while Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson are likely to make significant contributions for Rajasthan Royals.
  • Best Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah and Piyush Chawla could be impactful for Mumbai Indians, while Trent Boult and Yuzvendra Chahal are the predicted top bowlers for Rajasthan Royals.

Dream11 Team

This Dream11 Team XI represents a balanced lineup for the 38th match of IPL 2024, featuring a mix of experienced players and emerging talents from Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Mumbai Indians (MI). Here’s a breakdown of the selected players:

  1. Jos Buttler (RR) – Known for explosive starts and consistent performance with the bat. A reliable opening batter.
  2. Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR) – A young opener with solid performances in IPL 2024.
  3. Rohit Sharma (MI) – A veteran cricketer and key middle-order batter.
  4. Sanju Samson (RR) – The captain of RR and a significant contributor with the bat.
  5. Suryakumar Yadav (MI) – A dynamic batter renowned for his innovative shots.
  6. Hardik Pandya (MI) – An all-rounder who offers power-hitting and medium-pace bowling.
  7. Riyan Parag (RR) – A young talent with the ability to contribute with both bat and ball.
  8. Tim David (MI) – A lower-order hitter known for his hard-hitting ability.
  9. Ravichandran Ashwin (RR) – An experienced off-spinner with batting skills lower down the order.
  10. Jasprit Bumrah (MI) – A top-class fast bowler with pinpoint accuracy.
  11. Trent Boult (RR) – A left-arm fast bowler with excellent swing and accuracy.
  12. Impact Player will be picked from the Bowling unit either Fast bowlers or Spin bowlers based on the pitch condition.

Winner Prediction

Given the current performance and form guide, Rajasthan Royals are predicted to win against Mumbai Indians. RR have had a strong start to the season with two wins in two matches, while MI has faced two losses, before the last few victories indicating a challenging start for them. Considering the above predictions and team performances, it seems likely that Rajasthan Royals could maintain their winning streak, while Mumbai Indians would need a significant turnaround to claim victory.

Build your Dream11 fantasy team, focusing on key players, form guides, and predicted winners to gain an advantage in your fantasy league.

IPL 2024

Who Said What @ DC vs SRH Match in IPL 2024

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s explosive duo, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, combined for an incredible 131 runs off just 38 balls, leading SRH to a dominant 67-run victory over Delhi Capitals in a thrilling IPL encounter.

Travis Head is Player of the Match

On a bit of a roll there. Enjoyable, boys are on a roll. (Assessing conditions early) When you’re in good form, just trying to keep it simple. Reacted to the ball. (Batting with Abhishek) First time we saw spin in the powerplay last game, and seeing how aggressive he is against spin, we try to let him do his thing against spin. He did it today too. (Head bowling offspin?) I think out of everyone I’m the worst bowler. Markram might pip me. [smiles]. Nitish and Shahbaz also gave some handy overs. Good to have so many options. (Head’s last 12 months or so) Things have been coming together after a couple of years. Hard work. But also been playing a lot of T20s. Nice to be batting high up at the batting order too.”

Winning captain Pat Cummins

Good record here. Another great game of cricket. You saw there wasn’t much in the powerplay for both sets of bowlers. After that it slowed down, but overall a great batting wicket. (No dew in chase?) Yes little bit of grip out there, that may be a factor. (On batters teeing off) Part of me is excited and elated, part of me is worried that I’ll have to bowl there [smile]. Really happy how we closed out the bowling. Everyone was disciplined in the field.”

  1. Sunrisers Hyderabad continue to utterly dominate with the bat.
  2. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma’s 125-run stand in the powerplay blew Delhi Capitals away and pretty much set the result in stone.
  3. Sunrisers slowed down, but finished strong.
  4. Capitals started strong, scoring 88 in their powerplay, and were going above the required rate after around eight overs.
  5. But in the end, that start was too much to recover from.
  6. Sunrisers go second on the table with another win in a high-scoring affair.
  7. Jake Fraser-McGurk was incredible for Capitals, smashing 65 off 18.
  8. Abishek Porel also impressed with a 22-ball 42.
  9. Pant then played an odd innings, and could not get going for the longest time.

Rishabh Pant

“[On bowling first] The only thought process behind that was we thought there would be some dew but it didn’t come. I thought if we could restrict them to 220-230 we would be in with a chance. [On their bowling] I think powerplay was the difference. We were just catching up throughout the match. That was the massive difference. Hopefully we will come back with more thought process and clear mindset. [On FMCG] He’s been batting phenomenal, he is coming nicely for us. That is what you want. Sticking together as a time at the hardest time. We have to look at the areas we can improve and come back in the next game.”

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

“(Rate that bowling performance) When defending those many runs, you either go for plenty or you get wickets. We accepted that we’ll go for plenty of runs when defending those many runs, but the plan was to keep executing. (Own form) Feeling good. Not among the wickets but the way I want to execute it is happening. Just a matter of time. (Natarajan’s season) Amazing. We know how good he is at yorkers. He keeps working hard, silent guy, goes unnoticed a lot. We know how important he is for Sunrisers. (SRH’s batting in 2024 – impressive?) For so many years, this is the first time where our batting is clicking so much. As a bowling unit, happy to take the back seat. They are ruining us (smiles), when we defend 180 or so, it’ll feel like less. (They play same way in nets?) Yes, same, especially Head and Abhishek, playing same way. Batters sometimes play opposite in the nets, but they play the same way. (How will the IPL be won – will it be bowling?) Bowling is something …. somebody says batting wins your sponsorship, but bowling wins you championship. The way we are bowling right now looks bad on the scorecard but it is pretty good for us.”

Cricket Records, IPL 2024

IPL 2024: IPL Highest Innings Score at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi

In the Indian Premier League (IPL), cricket enthusiasts witnessed some breathtaking matches over the years. Let’s delve into a statistical analysis of some high-scoring encounters:

TeamScoreAgainstOversInnsDate
Sunrisers Hyderabad266/7Delhi Capitals2014/20/2024
Delhi Capitals231/4Punjab Kings2014/23/2011
Chennai Super Kings223/3Delhi Capitals2015/20/2023
Rajasthan Royals220/3Sunrisers Hyderabad2015/2/2021
Delhi Capitals219/4Kolkata Knight Riders2014/27/2018
Mumbai Indians219/6Chennai Super Kings2025/1/2021
Mumbai Indians218/7Delhi Capitals2013/17/2010
Chennai Super Kings218/4Mumbai Indians2015/1/2021
Royal Challengers Bangalore215/1Delhi Capitals2015/17/2012
Delhi Capitals214/3Gujarat Lions17.325/4/2017

Insights and Analysis:

  1. Highest Total: Sunrisers Hyderabad’s monumental score of 266 against Delhi Capitals on 4/20/2024 stands as the highest total in the listed matches, showcasing an exceptional batting performance.
  2. Consistent Performers: Delhi Capitals feature prominently in this list, highlighting their batting prowess and ability to post imposing totals against various opponents.
  3. Close Encounters: Several matches witnessed high-scoring encounters with tight finishes, indicating the competitive nature of IPL cricket.
  4. Chennai Super Kings vs. Mumbai Indians: Matches involving these two powerhouse teams, such as their clash on 5/1/2021, often result in high-scoring thrillers, captivating fans worldwide.
  5. Impact of Innings: The presence of both first and second innings scores demonstrates the significance of batting first or second in determining match outcomes in T20 cricket.
  6. Scoring Rate: Matches with high run rates, reflected in overs less than the standard 20, underscore the aggressive batting strategies employed by teams to maximize their scoring potential.
Cricket Records, IPL 2024

SRH’s 125/0 is the HIGHEST Powerplay total in T20 history

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Sunrisers Hyderabad Makes T20 History with Highest Powerplay Total

In a historic display of dominance, Sunrisers Hyderabad achieved the highest Powerplay total in T20 cricket history during their clash against Delhi Capitals.

Led by an electrifying partnership between TM Head and Abhishek Sharma, Sunrisers Hyderabad unleashed an unprecedented onslaught from the get-go. The duo’s aggressive batting saw Hyderabad racing to a monumental 125/0 in just 6 overs, rewriting the record books and leaving their opponents shell-shocked.

TM Head emerged as the chief architect of Hyderabad’s blistering start, smashing a sensational 84 runs off a mere 16 balls. His innings was punctuated by an array of boundaries and sixes, as he single-handedly dismantled the Delhi Capitals’ bowling attack.

Abhishek Sharma provided crucial support at the other end, contributing a valuable 40 runs to the record-breaking opening partnership. Together, they showcased an exhibition of power-hitting that left fans and pundits alike in awe.

Hyderabad’s relentless assault not only set the tone for the match but also etched their names in cricketing history.

Cricket Records, IPL 2024

Sunrisers Hyderabad Smashes Records: Achieves Fastest 150 in IPL T20 History

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Achieves Fastest 150 in IPL T20: Sunrisers Hyderabad blazed through the record books as they achieved the fastest 150 in T20 history, reaching the milestone in a breathtaking 8.3 overs during their match against Delhi Capitals.

The Hyderabad outfit dominated from the onset, setting an electrifying pace during the Powerplay 1 phase. With a mandatory 125 runs target in mind, they wasted no time in asserting their dominance, notching up 50 runs in just 2.4 overs. The opening duo of TM Head and Abhishek Sharma provided a scintillating start, smashing boundaries and dispatching the ball to all corners of the ground. Head’s blitzkrieg innings saw him reaching a stunning half-century off a mere 16 balls, powered by 7 fours and 4 sixes.

Read the Fastest 100 Record in IPL

The onslaught continued as Sunrisers Hyderabad raced to the 100-run mark in just 4.6 overs, with the first wicket partnership contributing a formidable 100 runs in just 30 deliveries. The strategic timeout at 125/0 in 6 overs only provided a momentary respite for Delhi Capitals, as the onslaught resumed unabated.

However, Delhi Capitals sought to halt Hyderabad’s juggernaut when they challenged a decision in the 8.3 overs, but their hopes were dashed as the review favored the batting side, maintaining their momentum.

In a whirlwind display of power-hitting, Sunrisers Hyderabad reached the unprecedented milestone of 150 runs in just 8.3 overs, rewriting the record books and leaving their opponents stunned.

IPL 2024

DC vs SRH IPL 2024: Sunrisers Hyderabad smash fastest team 100 in IPL history

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Record Power Play by Sunrisers with smash fastest team 100 in IPL history. That was absolute carnage in the powerplay. Sunrisers going much harder than they did when they broke the record for highest IPL score twice this season.

Sunrisers Hyderabad created history as they created the fastest century in IPL history. The team reached the 100-run mark in just 5 overs.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) holds the record for the fastest team hundred in IPL history, reaching 100 runs in 7.0 overs during the 2024 match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) earlier on  IPL 2024 however, SRH beat their own record within a week time with 100 runs in Just 5.00 overs during the 2024 match against Delhi Capitals.

The SRH left-handed batters are unleashing a carnage here and Delhi Capitals are just looking clueless about where to bowl him.

  • Powerplay 1: Overs 0.1 – 6.0 (Mandatory – 125 runs, 0 wicket)
  • Sunrisers Hyderabad: 50 runs in 2.4 overs (16 balls), Extras 0
  • 1st Wicket: 50 runs in 16 balls (TM Head 44, Abhishek Sharma 8, Ex 0)
  • TM Head: 50 off 16 balls (7 x 4, 4 x 6)
  • Sunrisers Hyderabad: 100 runs in 4.6 overs (30 balls), Extras 1
  • 1st Wicket: 100 runs in 30 balls (TM Head 62, Abhishek Sharma 40, Ex 1)
  • Strategic Timeout: Sunrisers Hyderabad – 125/0 in 6.0 overs (TM Head 84, Abhishek Sharma 40)
  • Read more Olympic Update on www.olympics.fyi

And Also, Sunrisers Hyderabad achieve the FASTEST 150 in T20 history.

Reached there in just 8.3 overs.

Cricket, IPL 2024

Who Said What in LSG vs CSK IPL 2024

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Lucknow Super Giants vs Chennai Super Kings

IPL34: 4/19/2024

Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow

Result: LSG won by 8 wickets (with 6 balls remaining)

Lucknow Super Giants triumphed over Chennai Super Kings by 8 wickets with 6 balls left. KL Rahul’s blazing 77 and Quinton de Kock’s 55 led LSG to chase down CSK’s 177,

Who Said What

KL Rahul, LSG captain, also the Player of the Match: “Feels good at the end of the day, When you win, looks like you make all the decisions right. Impossible to get all right. Depends on the kind of wicket we are playing on and the kind of batters there are. We spend time doing homework on tactics and strategy and we spoke about them not settling against one style of bowling. We worked really hard at training, good to see the team sticking to that. Halfway stage, I would have happy with 160. Felt the wicket was slow, a bit of grip but not too much. 160-165 would have been ideal. But MSD walks in and the bowlers feel intimidated. He walks in and bowlers were under pressure, the crowd was really loud, he has done it in the past. Felt that if we bat well, we could chase it down. I have been trying to assess the situation and today it came off. With Chennai’s spinners, they tried to put brakes on us. We tried to get to a good start. Tried to take them down, luckily it came off. When your partnership goes on, you can take a few more chances. Glad that it happened. I don’t think the crowd in Chennai will roar for us. I told the boys in huddle to get used to the crowd cheering for CSK because we would get it again in a few days. Looking forward to playing CSK in a couple of days.”

Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK captain: “We finished off very well, couldn’t have asked for more. But after powerplay, we couldn’t kick off till 14-15th over. We lost wickets regularly and were 10-15 short. Slightly difficult to bat but with Impact Player rule you need an extra batter. With dew coming on later, felt 180-190 could have been good. [Bowling in the powerplay] is one area we would like to improve, puts opposition in the back foot if we can get wickets in the powerplay. Good to play them again soon, will come back with homework done.”

Marcus Stoinis: “It was an important win for us. We will meet them in Chennai in couple of days but nice to be back on the winning way. We started well with the ball, taking early wickets. Hats off to the way they finished off, especially MS. Quinny and KL batted well to seal it. Important partnership at the top, allows us to play the rest of the innings and plan the rest of the order as well. We got the confidence in the team. There’s been different boys stepping up. Bowlers bowling well, partnerships with the bat. I’ve said to KL, when do you need me to bowl again.”

Cricket, IPL 2024

LSG vs CSK IPL Match LSG won by 8 wickets (with 6 balls remaining)

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4/19/2024: As Lucknow Super Giants squared off against Chennai Super Kings, fans eagerly awaited a clash of cricketing titans. With both teams boasting seasoned players and a history of nail-biting encounters, excitement surged as the stage was set for an electrifying showdown packed with drama and sporting prowess.

In a thrilling encounter, Lucknow Super Giants emerged victorious by 8 wickets against Chennai Super Kings with 6 balls to spare. KL Rahul’s explosive innings of 77 runs off just 46 balls, supported by Quinton de Kock’s solid 55, propelled LSG to chase down the target of 177 runs set by CSK. This comprehensive win showcased LSG’s dominance, reaffirming their strength in the tournament.

Lucknow Super Giants vs Chennai Super Kings

Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow

Winner: LSG won by 8 wickets (with 6 balls remaining)

Plaeyer of the Match: KL Rahul

KL Rahul was undoubtedly the star of the match for LSG, showcasing his prowess both with the bat and in the field. His innings of 82 runs off just 53 deliveries not only anchored his team’s batting effort but also provided the impetus needed to set a challenging total. Additionally, his sharpness in the field was evident through his two catches, further contributing to his team’s victory. Rahul’s all-round performance rightfully earned him the title of Player of the Match, highlighting his importance to the team’s success.

Chennai Innings:

Chennai Super Kings started their innings with a solid Powerplay, scoring 51 runs for the loss of 2 wickets. Despite a few setbacks, they managed to reach 100 runs in 14.2 overs, with Ravindra Jadeja playing a crucial role. Jadeja’s half-century, supported by Moeen Ali, propelled them to a respectable total of 176/6 in 20 overs, with MS Dhoni contributing 28 runs towards the end.

Lucknow Innings:

On the other hand, Lucknow Super Giants had a blazing start to their innings, scoring 54 runs without losing a wicket in the Powerplay. KL Rahul led the charge with a quickfire fifty off just 31 balls, supported by Quinton de Kock. The partnership between the two reached 100 runs in 65 balls, with de Kock also notching up his fifty. Lucknow Super Giants comfortably chased down the target, reaching 150 runs in just 16.1 overs, with Rahul leading the way with an impressive knock of 77 runs. However, they faced a minor setback when a review by Chennai Super Kings resulted in the dismissal of Nicholas Pooran, but a subsequent review challenged by Lucknow Super Giants overturned a no-ball decision, keeping their momentum intact.