SPORTS

In his short international career, Hardik Pandya has seen it all -- highs and lows, injuries, surgery, being embroiled in controversies -- but he says he faces them with a smiling face. Putting behind all these, Pandya has shone not just as an all-rounder but as a leader, taking an under-rated Gujarat Titans to the final in a dream IPL debut season.

''People always talk, that's their job. I can't help,'' Pandya said in a virtual media interaction after leading the Titans to a seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday night to seal a final berth.

''The name 'Hardik Pandya' always sells. I've no problem with it, I just take it easy with a smiling face.''

India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin says he has "found a purpose in life", which is pushing the experimental boundaries without worrying much about the criticism that comes your way when you choose an uncharted terrain. Ashwin is relishing one of his "happiest IPL seasons" even as his 11 wickets and 183 runs won't exactly describe the kind of impact he has made on the Rajasthan Royals' campaign.

Ashwin, the T20 batter has been as much a revelation as Ashwin, the bowler, who bamboozled the dangerous Andre Russell with a gem that can easily be counted as one of the best deliveries this season.

Rajasthan Royals went to the top two of the Indian Premier League after a stellar performance with the bat against Chennai Super Kings in their final group stage game in the tournament.

Ashwin hit three sixes and two boundaries en route his 23-ball 40, winning Rajasthan Royals a thrilling encounter. He thumped his chest seven times after RR secured their victory in a celebration that has never been seen from Ashwin before.

With the win, Rajasthan proceeded to travel to Kolkata where the playoffs stages of the tournament is set to be played.

Tamil Nadu and Royal Challengers Bangalore batter Dinesh Karthik was picked in India squad for South Africa T20s on Sunday (May 22). After the announcement, the wicketkeeper and batter posted an update on his social media accounts, saying that belief is the key to success. 

"If you believe yourself, everything will fall into place! Thank you for all the support and belief...the hard work continues...", said Karthik with a picture from his Nidahas Trophy knock.

Not to forget, Dinesh had made it crystal clear in one of the interviews during IPL 2022 that his ultimate aim was to make an India comeback. 

On Thursday, Royal Challengers Bangalore outclassed league toppers Gujarat Titans to stay alive in the IPL playoffs race. While chasing down 169 runs, Bangalore’s former skipper Virat Kohli roared back to form and registered 73 runs off 54 deliveries, bringing in the crucial victory for his side.

During the encounter, Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium witnessed some unwanted aggression as the Gujarat-based side's players, including skipper Hardik Pandya and Matthew Wade, found it hard to control their anger.

Pandya, who had a tough day with the ball, gave away 35 runs in his three-over spell. It was in the 16th over of the RCB’s innings when Pandya had to stop his run-up as Glenn Maxwell was having some issue with the sightscreen. Maxwell moved from his mark and stopped the GT skipper, who had already started running.