"Burden, Disappointment": Rohit Roasted Brutally After Another IPL Flop Show

Rohit Sharma failed to score big once again as the star Indian cricket team batter was dismissed for 17 during the IPL 2025 encounter between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Monday. It has been a disappointing campaign for Rohit and after missing the previous game due to injury, all eyes were on the experienced campaigner. Rohit started well with two fours and a six but ended up getting clean bowled by Yash Dayal. Rohit's dismissal led to a lot of criticism on social media as fans expressed their thoughts about the star batter and his major lack of form.

Rohit Sharma's 100M 6s#MIvsRCB pic.twitter.com/EiIKxQBWmO

— HΞ℞Ø.18 (@_HERO_18_) April 7, 2025

Jasprit Bumrah made a much-awaited return to the Mumbai Indians lineup and expectedly bowled well but Royal Challengers Bengaluru rode on quick-fire half-centuries by Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar to post a massive 221/5 in Match 21 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Monday.

Rohit Sharma is now a burden for Mumbai Indians.

Poor form, negative vibe, and zero intent, but full attitude.

What a disappointment #IPL2025 #MIvRCB

— Nimesh (@Nimesh100x) April 7, 2025

Kohli hit some brilliant shots in his 67 off 42 balls, studded with eight fours and two sixes, while skipper Patidar blasted a 32-ball 64 as RCB made the most of some insipid bowling by Mumbai Indians.

Rohit Sharma plays or sit outside doesn't matter for MI now.

— abhay singh (@abhaysingh_13) April 7, 2025

Bumrah bowled well within himself and was his usual miserly self in the death overs for figures of 4-0-29-0 while Pandya returned with best figures for MI with 2/45. RCB started well with 73/1 in the power-play, added 78/3 in the middle overs before ending it with 70/2 in the death overs.

(With IANS inputs)

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Novak Djokovic Plays Down Monte Carlo Masters Hopes After Eye Infection

World No.5 Novak Djokovic, a finalist at the recent Miami Masters, said on Sunday that he did not have high expectations for the Monte Carlo Masters as he was suffering from the effects of an eye infection. Djokovic is a two-time winner in Monte Carlo but has not won any title since taking the gold medal at the Paris Olympics last summer. The hard courts of Miami marked a return to form even though the 37-year-old lost the final in straight sets to Czech teenager Jakub Mensik.

"I'm glad that I found at least in Miami that joy on the court and, I feel, performance level," said the former world No.1 at a press conference ahead of the tournament.

"Let's see if I can carry that into clay.

"It's obviously a completely different surface and I didn't have much time to get used to this tournament, so my expectations are not really high for the results here.

"It's more about trying to get matches and as many as possible, and obviously try to peak towards the end of the clay season which is, of course, most importantly in Paris."

The French Open, which takes place on the red clay of Roland Garros between May 25 and May 8, is the second Grand Slam event of the season, following the Australian Open where Djokovic reached the semi-finals before bowing out, injured, to Alexander Zverev.

The Serb admitted, however, that the eye infection and "a little bit of a viral infection" that he has been dealing with over the last week made him think twice about competing in Monte Carlo.

"It started in semi-finals day in Miami and I did struggle with it in the finals but it's calming down, I guess.

"I'm visiting the doctor later today so let's see. It should be okay."

Given a first round bye, Djokovic will face a second round match against either the Chilean Alejandro Tabilo or another veteran of the circuit, three-time Grand Slam winner Stanislas Wawrinka.

"People talk about my age, but what about him? He's 40 and he's still going strong. I love Stan.

"It would be a nice duel of veterans if we meet on the court."

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Fulham End Liverpool Unbeaten Premier League Run To Delay Title Party

Liverpool slumped to just their second Premier League defeat of the season as Fulham struck three times in 14 first-half minutes to boost their own European ambitions with a 3-2 win on Sunday. Arsenal's 1-1 draw at Everton on Saturday left Liverpool needing just 11 points from their final eight games to secure a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title. Arne Slot's men were unbeaten in 26 league games and looked set to take another step towards the title when Alexis Mac Allister's stunning strike opened the scoring. But poor defending allowed Ryan Sessegnon, Alex Iwobi and Rodrigo Muniz to turn the game around for Fulham.

"It's not often we concede three goals let alone in one game or 15 minutes," said Slot. 

"Conceding three goals like we did is not of the standards of Liverpool."

Liverpool still enjoy an 11-point lead at the top with seven games remaining.

Victory lifts Fulham to eighth and within three points of the top five, which is almost certain to be enough for a place in next season's Champions League.

"Our first half was really at a high level. To be able to have 10 shots and score three goals in the first half," said Fulham boss Marco Silva. "We had a good dynamic, good tempo, high energy."

Despite a stellar first season under Slot, Liverpool have shown signs of slowing down in recent weeks and came off the rails in west London.

After a Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain and League Cup final defeat to Newcastle, Liverpool edged out Everton 1-0 in a feisty Merseyside derby on Wednesday to get back to winning ways.

But the Reds appear to be running out of steam after challenging in four competitions for most of the season.

Mac Allister's blistering long-range strike into the top corner after 14 minutes gave Liverpool the dream start.

- Sloppy defending -

The Reds then wilted in the Craven Cottage sunshine, with a series of individual errors leading to Fulham's three quickfire goals.

Curtis Jones, deputising out of position at right-back, failed to control Andreas Pereira's cross and the ball fell kindly for Sessegnon to fire home his third goal in five games.

Andy Robertson then had a nightmare for Fulham's second.

The Scotland captain gave away possession deep in Liverpool territory, then could only head an attempted clearance into the path of Iwobi, whose shot deflected in off Robertson.

The normally unflappable Virgil van Dijk was at fault for the third as Muniz outmuscled the Dutchman and produced a brilliant low finish under Caoimhin Kelleher.

Diogo Jota was denied by Bernd Leno early in the second half with a big chance to reduce Liverpool's deficit.

It was not until Slot turned to his bench to introduce Luis Diaz, Conor Bradley and Harvey Elliott that the visitors sparked into life.

Mohamed Salah has not scored in his last four league games and wasted a big chance to break that drought when he turned Diaz's inviting cross over.

Bradley teed up Diaz to find the bottom corner and set up a grandstand finish 18 minutes from time.

Elliott hit the bar against his former club as Liverpool pushed in vain for an equaliser late on.

"The second half performance was outstanding. We had chances, but in the end we lacked time," added Slot.

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Chelsea Manager Maresca Slams "Unfair" Scheduling After Premier League Draw

Enzo Maresca insisted Chelsea's "unfair" schedule forced him to drop out-of-form forward Cole Palmer for Sunday's 0-0 draw at Brentford. Maresca's side had 24 hours less than Brentford to prepare for the west London derby after beating Tottenham 1-0 on Thursday. England star Palmer was eventually sent on by Maresca after an hour, but he was unable to break the deadlock, lifting his best chance over the crossbar in stoppage-time. Although Palmer has struggled for much of his second season with Chelsea -- failing to score in his last 12 games in all competitions -- Maresca was adamant it was the fixture list that was behind his axing against Brentford.

"We prepared the game in the way it was. We played a demanding game Thursday night," the Italian said.

"A tricky game, a sunny day, the pitch was dry, they tried to kill the tempo, but we did more than enough to win the game. The only thing we missed was the goal.

"We played Thursday night so not all of them were 100 percent. The idea was to start in one way and finish in another. The plan nearly worked. Overall the change between the first and second half was not enough to win the game.

"Was the scheduling unfair? I think so, at this stage of the season. We tried to adapt. Thursday night was a demanding game.

"We said many times when this is a transition game, it was demanding, compared to today. Yes, 24 hours makes a difference."

Brentford manager Thomas Frank agreed that the extra day was significant, with his side also affected by the fixture schedule this season.

Warming to the theme, the Dane went on to label the Club World Cup in June and July, which Chelsea are participating in, as "ridiculous".

"It's just another tournament. Will I watch it? No chance!" he added.

Next up for Chelsea is a UEFA Conference League quarter-final trip to Legia Warsaw on Thursday, but Maresca's priority is still qualifying for the Champions League.

"For sure, that's very important," he said. "Our target is to bring this club to where it needs to be, in the Champions League.

"Since day one we are up there, hopefully we can finish there."

Chelsea currently occupy fourth place in the Premier League, with a top-five finish likely to be enough to secure Champions League football next season.

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Atletico Snatch 93rd-Minute Winner, Stay Alive In La Liga Title Race

Pablo Barrios snatched Atletico Madrid a 2-1 victory at Sevilla on Sunday to provide Diego Simeone's side a lifeline in the Spanish title race. After leaders Barcelona drew on Saturday and Real Madrid fell to a home defeat, third-placed Atletico had the chance to gain back some ground on their rivals. Lucien Agoume sent Sevilla ahead with a long-range effort and Atletico levelled through a Julian Alvarez penalty in the first half, before Barrios struck in the final stages.

Atletico's draw at Espanyol last weekend left them virtually out of the title race, and despite their last-gasp victory they trail Barcelona by seven points with eight matches remaining.

"We needed this, to come to Sevilla is a hard place to go... the team, after the blow of conceding the first goal, pulled together and got the result we wanted," Atletico midfielder Koke told Movistar.

"We deserved the win and this is the line we have to follow... let's see where we get to."

Sevilla took the lead early on when Atletico cleared a cross to the edge of their box, with Agoume arriving to thump the ball past Jan Oblak.

Atletico levelled when Conor Gallagher burst into the box and was bundled over by Loic Bade.

Alvarez, who had a penalty controversially disallowed for a supposed double touch on the ball as Atletico were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid, dispatched it with ease.

The Argentina international sent Orjan Nyland the wrong way for his 12th league goal of a strong debut season at Atletico after joining from Manchester City last summer.

Oblak made a good save to deny Akor Adams, with Sevilla appealing for a penalty unsuccessfully after the goalkeeper collided with the striker in the aftermath.

Oblak also denied Chidera Ejuke at his near post, while Alvarez threatened sporadically for the visitors at the other end.

With the match heading for a draw, Barrios stepped up to snatch his side victory in the 93rd minute.

The 21-year-old drove forward before stroking home his first of the season with an accurate low effort as the shot opened up for him on the edge of the box.

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Trump Administration Fires U.S. Aid Workers in Quake Zone in Myanmar

By Edward Wong and Hannah Beech from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/3fjbTDx

'Last Match': Amid Dhoni Retirement Rumour, Speculation On Sakshi Video

The fans kept waiting for the thunderous sixes, helicopter shots, and mesmerising hits to the boundary from Mahendra Singh Dhoni. But they did not come on Saturday, as Chennai Super Kings lost another match in their den. The wait continued, MS Dhoni's bat failed to talk on this day and the legend trudged back to the dug-out as the social media erupted in disbelief, watching the man fade into the twilight.

For years acknowledged as one of the best finishers in white-ball cricket, Dhoni failed to guide Chennai Super Kings to victory against Delhi Capitals in Match 17 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.

Dhoni ended with an unbeaten 30 off 26 balls as CSK lost by 25 runs, ending with 158/5 from 20 overs with Vijay Sharkar not out on 69.

Ahead of the match, visuals showed MS Dhoni's parents in the stadium. It started a speculation that Dhoni might retire. Then, however, CSK coach Stephen Fleming clarified that Dhoni is 'still going strong'. Then a video clip went viral where MS Dhoni's wife is talking to their daughter Ziva. While her conversation was not audible at all, several users claimed she said: "Last match'. Many claimed the video was telecast during the last over of the match which CSK lost.

'It's his last match' - Sakshi to Ziva? #DhoniRetirement pic.twitter.com/pGK80rZwNn

— Storyteller (@sonofnetflix) April 5, 2025

With CSK chasing 184, Dhoni came in to bat at 74/5 in the 11th over after Ravindra Jadeja got out, trapped lbw by fellow spinner Kuldeep Yadav. With nearly nine overs in hand and 110 more runs needed, for the die-hard CSK fans, the stage was set for "Thala" to step in and guide the team home, sealing a memorable win with a last-ball six, just like in the 2011 World Cup final at the Wabkhede.

But on Saturday, the 43-year-old Dhoni failed to create the old magic and looked like a shadow of himself as he struggled to get the ball away as CSK slumped to a 25-run defeat, their first to the Delhi team at Chepauk in 15 years.

Dhoni shared an 84-run partnership with Vijay Shankar, which is CSK's highest for the 6th wicket in IPL, breaking the record of 73 between Hussey and S Badrinath, but in the end, it proved insufficient.

Dhoni could not provide the innings the thrust it needed towards the end was virtually tied down by Mukesh Kumar and Mitchell Starc as CSK needed 67 runs in the last three overs. The required rate continued to climb and Dhoni did manage to hit a four and a six, but that was too little to help CSK.

The thing that will hurt Dhoni and his fans the most is that his debacle came with his family including his parents, wife, and daughter in the stands. There were reports that before the match, MSD had sought his father Pan Singh Dhoni's blessings. Social media was rife with proclamations that Dhoni was set to announce his retirement from IPL cricket, just as abruptly as he quit Test cricket and ODI.

Dhoni played many dot balls in his knock, which caused a buzz on social media with many people seeking his retirement and others feeling sad seeing a legend struggling to guide the team to victory.

"MS Dhoni's reputation is built on years of leadership, consistency, and unmatched calmness, but sometimes even legends face moments where people question their choices," said a fan on X, formerly Twitter.

"As a diehard Dhoni fan, I'm requesting @ChennaiIPL to drop MS Dhoni for the next few matches. Give his spot to youngsters like Shaik Rasheed or Vansh Bedi. We already have Conway for wicketkeeping. So, Dhoni not necessary in playing 11," wrote another fan.

Some fans also made memes on Dhoni playing a dot ball on a free hit while some others suggested that this was a good time for him to retire.

Since the start of IPL 2025, there has been a lot of curiosity about how Dhoni, who will be turning 44 in a couple of weeks, will handle things. He was praised for his brilliant stumpings -- especially for dismissing Suryakumar Yadav of Mumbai Indians. But his batting came under fire when he came to bat at No.9 in one match and failed to score many runs in the other.

Saturday's struggle to properly execute the finisher's role, for which he is renowned, takes further fuel to the fire

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