![Sanjay Manjrekar slams Dhoni fandom, CSK approach: “Sycophancy has seeped into cricket” Chennai Super Kings has endured a poor start to IPL 2026, winning just two of its first six matches to sit seventh on the points table.Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has come under scrutiny for the team’s struggles, with his own batting form also a concern. In six innings, he has managed only 82 runs.Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, however, believes the CSK management must also shoulder the blame.“This blame, I’m going to put at the doorstep of the owners and people who make the big decisions. Because Gaikwad, before he was captain, was phenomenal at the top of the order,” said Manjrekar on Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast.Manjrekar added that the overwhelming fandom surrounding CSK legend M.S. Dhoni has not helped Gaikwad’s situation.“And then that thing with M.S Dhoni, whether he’s going to be playing, whether he’s going to be captain, they handled that very badly. And this is where you see the sycophancy of Indian culture that has seeped into cricket as well. I mean, there isn’t just a fan following of Dhoni, there is sycophancy around it,” he added.He also recalled an incident that highlighted the intensity of Dhoni’s fandom.“There was [this] one instance of Dhoni trying to put his bat into the crease, and it was a very close call. And I said, well, he is clearly short of the crease, and it should be run out. They [fans] got angry with me for saying that because it was anti-Dhoni. So somewhere they lost sight of the whole picture.”Dhoni has not featured for CSK in IPL 2026 after suffering a calf strain in the lead-up to the season.When asked if Dhoni’s return could ease Gaikwad’s burden, Manjrekar expressed doubts about how CSK would accommodate him in the XI.“Maybe, but then you have to play Dhoni on the field. And how do you do that? I mean, increasingly, he’s finding it tough to deliver. So it was a bit of a joke when he used to come down the order and just play three or four balls. The coverage would hype that up as well – ‘What an innings.’ And it lasted four balls.“So that’s not feasible anymore, and it was never going to be a long-term thing. So I can’t pretend to know how Ruturaj felt when M.S. was on the field, but not captaining, as opposed to M.S. not being there and he being solely in charge,” said Manjrekar.Manjrekar also drew parallels between CSK and Mumbai Indians, pointing to an overreliance on big-name players.“CSK and Mumbai Indians are slightly guilty of being emotionally connected and invested in the big-name, big-brand players a bit too much. CSK even more so with Dhoni. This means that you’re not getting people who are in their prime. It’s like living in the past a little bit. It’s just about getting guys who are in their prime in T20 cricket. It’s such a modern-day format, so it’s best to be current with everything that you do with your team,” he added.Published on Apr 20, 2026 #Sanjay #Manjrekar #slams #Dhoni #fandom #CSK #approach #Sycophancy #seeped #cricket](https://i2.wp.com/ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/bgffx8/article70883769.ece/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1200/IMG_IPL_2024__2__2_1_JECQPB3Q.jpg?ssl=1 "Sanjay Manjrekar slams Dhoni fandom, CSK approach: “Sycophancy has seeped into cricket” Chennai Super Kings has endured a poor start to IPL 2026, winning just two of its first six matches to sit seventh on the points table.Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has come under scrutiny for the team’s struggles, with his own batting form also a concern. In six innings, he has managed only 82 runs.Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, however, believes the CSK management must also shoulder the blame.“This blame, I’m going to put at the doorstep of the owners and people who make the big decisions. Because Gaikwad, before he was captain, was phenomenal at the top of the order,” said Manjrekar on Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast.Manjrekar added that the overwhelming fandom surrounding CSK legend M.S. Dhoni has not helped Gaikwad’s situation.“And then that thing with M.S Dhoni, whether he’s going to be playing, whether he’s going to be captain, they handled that very badly. And this is where you see the sycophancy of Indian culture that has seeped into cricket as well. I mean, there isn’t just a fan following of Dhoni, there is sycophancy around it,” he added.He also recalled an incident that highlighted the intensity of Dhoni’s fandom.“There was [this] one instance of Dhoni trying to put his bat into the crease, and it was a very close call. And I said, well, he is clearly short of the crease, and it should be run out. They [fans] got angry with me for saying that because it was anti-Dhoni. So somewhere they lost sight of the whole picture.”Dhoni has not featured for CSK in IPL 2026 after suffering a calf strain in the lead-up to the season.When asked if Dhoni’s return could ease Gaikwad’s burden, Manjrekar expressed doubts about how CSK would accommodate him in the XI.“Maybe, but then you have to play Dhoni on the field. And how do you do that? I mean, increasingly, he’s finding it tough to deliver. So it was a bit of a joke when he used to come down the order and just play three or four balls. The coverage would hype that up as well – ‘What an innings.’ And it lasted four balls.“So that’s not feasible anymore, and it was never going to be a long-term thing. So I can’t pretend to know how Ruturaj felt when M.S. was on the field, but not captaining, as opposed to M.S. not being there and he being solely in charge,” said Manjrekar.Manjrekar also drew parallels between CSK and Mumbai Indians, pointing to an overreliance on big-name players.“CSK and Mumbai Indians are slightly guilty of being emotionally connected and invested in the big-name, big-brand players a bit too much. CSK even more so with Dhoni. This means that you’re not getting people who are in their prime. It’s like living in the past a little bit. It’s just about getting guys who are in their prime in T20 cricket. It’s such a modern-day format, so it’s best to be current with everything that you do with your team,” he added.Published on Apr 20, 2026 #Sanjay #Manjrekar #slams #Dhoni #fandom #CSK #approach #Sycophancy #seeped #cricket")
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#Sanjay #Manjrekar #slams #Dhoni #fandom #CSK #approach #Sycophancy #seeped #cricket">Sanjay Manjrekar slams Dhoni fandom, CSK approach: “Sycophancy has seeped into cricket” Chennai Super Kings has endured a poor start to IPL 2026, winning just two of its first six matches to sit seventh on the points table.
Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has come under scrutiny for the team’s struggles, with his own batting form also a concern. In six innings, he has managed only 82 runs.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, however, believes the CSK management must also shoulder the blame.
“This blame, I’m going to put at the doorstep of the owners and people who make the big decisions. Because Gaikwad, before he was captain, was phenomenal at the top of the order,” said Manjrekar on Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast.
Manjrekar added that the overwhelming fandom surrounding CSK legend M.S. Dhoni has not helped Gaikwad’s situation.
“And then that thing with M.S Dhoni, whether he’s going to be playing, whether he’s going to be captain, they handled that very badly. And this is where you see the sycophancy of Indian culture that has seeped into cricket as well. I mean, there isn’t just a fan following of Dhoni, there is sycophancy around it,” he added.
He also recalled an incident that highlighted the intensity of Dhoni’s fandom.
“There was [this] one instance of Dhoni trying to put his bat into the crease, and it was a very close call. And I said, well, he is clearly short of the crease, and it should be run out. They [fans] got angry with me for saying that because it was anti-Dhoni. So somewhere they lost sight of the whole picture.”
Dhoni has not featured for CSK in IPL 2026 after suffering a calf strain in the lead-up to the season.
When asked if Dhoni’s return could ease Gaikwad’s burden, Manjrekar expressed doubts about how CSK would accommodate him in the XI.
“Maybe, but then you have to play Dhoni on the field. And how do you do that? I mean, increasingly, he’s finding it tough to deliver. So it was a bit of a joke when he used to come down the order and just play three or four balls. The coverage would hype that up as well – ‘What an innings.’ And it lasted four balls.
“So that’s not feasible anymore, and it was never going to be a long-term thing. So I can’t pretend to know how Ruturaj felt when M.S. was on the field, but not captaining, as opposed to M.S. not being there and he being solely in charge,” said Manjrekar.
Manjrekar also drew parallels between CSK and Mumbai Indians, pointing to an overreliance on big-name players.
“CSK and Mumbai Indians are slightly guilty of being emotionally connected and invested in the big-name, big-brand players a bit too much. CSK even more so with Dhoni. This means that you’re not getting people who are in their prime. It’s like living in the past a little bit. It’s just about getting guys who are in their prime in T20 cricket. It’s such a modern-day format, so it’s best to be current with everything that you do with your team,” he added.
Published on Apr 20, 2026
Chennai Super Kings has endured a poor start to IPL 2026, winning just two of…
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#Deadspin #Red #Sox #hope #offense #wakes #early #Patriots #Day #Tigers">Deadspin | Red Sox hope offense wakes up early on Patriots’ Day vs. Tigers
Apr 19, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter Willson Contreras (40) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images The Boston Red Sox have endured a subpar start to the 2026 season, but a joyous Monday is on tap in the city as they close a four-game home series against the Detroit Tigers in the annual 11:10 a.m. game in celebration of Patriots’ Day in Massachusetts.
Manager Alex Cora’s club lost 6-2 on Sunday and will look to avoid finishing the wraparound weekend set with three losses. While ace lefty Garrett Crochet was charged with five runs in five innings in his second straight setback, Boston scored two or fewer runs in a third straight game and for the ninth time out of 21 this season.
“Some positive strides, but in that (four-run fifth) inning, it just didn’t work out,” Cora said of Crochet’s Sunday outing. “(Detroit starter Framber Valdez) had seven strikeouts. So, we didn’t do much (offensively).”
The Red Sox are set to start right-hander Sonny Gray (2-1, 4.43 ERA), who had a season-worst start last Tuesday at the Minnesota Twins. He allowed five runs on nine hits in four innings as Boston lost its second straight game to begin that series.
The 36-year-old had worked at least six innings in his two prior starts, including 6 1/3 scoreless against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 8.
Boston is 0-13 when its starters pitch less than six innings and 8-0 when they eclipse that mark.
“I just don’t feel like we’ve had a chance in the games,” Gray said in Minnesota.
Gray is 5-2 with a 2.41 ERA in 11 career outings (10 starts) against the Tigers. He faced them as a St. Louis Cardinal on May 19, 2025, striking out 10 across six shutout, three-hit innings.
The Tigers lost their ninth straight road game in Friday’s series-opening, 1-0 contest in 10 innings, but have responded with back-to-back wins to give them eight in their last nine games overall.
“I think we’re going to be fine on the road, and this proves it,” said outfielder Kerry Carpenter, who homered on Saturday and had a pinch hit on Sunday. “We’ve got a good team and are confident in any ballpark we’re in.”
Jahmai Jones (solo) and Dillon Dingler (three-run) both hit fifth-inning home runs against Crochet to lift the Tigers to Sunday’s win. Five of Detroit’s six RBIs came with two outs, and it was 4-for-7 as a team with runners in scoring position.
Dingler had a career day, going 4-for-5 while driving in four. His 18 RBIs are tied for second in the American League this season.
One Tiger who has yet to heat up is first baseman Spencer Torkelson, who went deep 31 times last season but finished 0-for-3 on Sunday, dropping his average to .182.
“For ‘Tork,’ connecting with one might be enough for him,” Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said. “It could click him right into being on time and hitting all pitches.”
Perhaps the same could happen with Jones, who hit his first homer of the season on Sunday and is now on a 4-for-10 streak.
Detroit hopes that the early-bird first pitch can change the recent luck of scheduled Monday starter Jack Flaherty (0-1, 4.05). He remains winless on the season despite allowing only a single run in each of his last two starts, striking out a combined 13 in 11 2/3 innings.
Flaherty, who is 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) against Boston, fanned a season-high seven Kansas City Royals during a six-inning start last Wednesday.
–Field Level Media
Apr 19, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter Willson Contreras (40) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images The Boston Red Sox have endured a subpar start to the 2026 season, but a joyous Monday is on tap in the city as they close a four-game home series against the Detroit Tigers in the annual 11:10 a.m. game in celebration of Patriots’ Day in Massachusetts.
Manager Alex Cora’s club lost 6-2 on Sunday and will look to avoid finishing the wraparound weekend set with three losses. While ace lefty Garrett Crochet was charged with five runs in five innings in his second straight setback, Boston scored two or fewer runs in a third straight game and for the ninth time out of 21 this season.
“Some positive strides, but in that (four-run fifth) inning, it just didn’t work out,” Cora said of Crochet’s Sunday outing. “(Detroit starter Framber Valdez) had seven strikeouts. So, we didn’t do much (offensively).”
The Red Sox are set to start right-hander Sonny Gray (2-1, 4.43 ERA), who had a season-worst start last Tuesday at the Minnesota Twins. He allowed five runs on nine hits in four innings as Boston lost its second straight game to begin that series.
The 36-year-old had worked at least six innings in his two prior starts, including 6 1/3 scoreless against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 8.
Boston is 0-13 when its starters pitch less than six innings and 8-0 when they eclipse that mark.
“I just don’t feel like we’ve had a chance in the games,” Gray said in Minnesota.
Gray is 5-2 with a 2.41 ERA in 11 career outings (10 starts) against the Tigers. He faced them as a St. Louis Cardinal on May 19, 2025, striking out 10 across six shutout, three-hit innings.
The Tigers lost their ninth straight road game in Friday’s series-opening, 1-0 contest in 10 innings, but have responded with back-to-back wins to give them eight in their last nine games overall.
“I think we’re going to be fine on the road, and this proves it,” said outfielder Kerry Carpenter, who homered on Saturday and had a pinch hit on Sunday. “We’ve got a good team and are confident in any ballpark we’re in.”
Jahmai Jones (solo) and Dillon Dingler (three-run) both hit fifth-inning home runs against Crochet to lift the Tigers to Sunday’s win. Five of Detroit’s six RBIs came with two outs, and it was 4-for-7 as a team with runners in scoring position.
Dingler had a career day, going 4-for-5 while driving in four. His 18 RBIs are tied for second in the American League this season.
One Tiger who has yet to heat up is first baseman Spencer Torkelson, who went deep 31 times last season but finished 0-for-3 on Sunday, dropping his average to .182.
“For ‘Tork,’ connecting with one might be enough for him,” Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said. “It could click him right into being on time and hitting all pitches.”
Perhaps the same could happen with Jones, who hit his first homer of the season on Sunday and is now on a 4-for-10 streak.
Detroit hopes that the early-bird first pitch can change the recent luck of scheduled Monday starter Jack Flaherty (0-1, 4.05). He remains winless on the season despite allowing only a single run in each of his last two starts, striking out a combined 13 in 11 2/3 innings.
Flaherty, who is 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) against Boston, fanned a season-high seven Kansas City Royals during a six-inning start last Wednesday.
–Field Level Media
Apr 19, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter Willson Contreras (40) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images The Boston Red Sox have endured a subpar start to the 2026 season, but a joyous Monday is on tap in the city as they close a four-game home series against the Detroit Tigers in the annual 11:10 a.m. game in celebration of Patriots’ Day in Massachusetts.
Manager Alex Cora’s club lost 6-2 on Sunday and will look to avoid finishing the wraparound weekend set with three losses. While ace lefty Garrett Crochet was charged with five runs in five innings in his second straight setback, Boston scored two or fewer runs in a third straight game and for the ninth time out of 21 this season.
“Some positive strides, but in that (four-run fifth) inning, it just didn’t work out,” Cora said of Crochet’s Sunday outing. “(Detroit starter Framber Valdez) had seven strikeouts. So, we didn’t do much (offensively).”
The Red Sox are set to start right-hander Sonny Gray (2-1, 4.43 ERA), who had a season-worst start last Tuesday at the Minnesota Twins. He allowed five runs on nine hits in four innings as Boston lost its second straight game to begin that series.
The 36-year-old had worked at least six innings in his two prior starts, including 6 1/3 scoreless against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 8.
Boston is 0-13 when its starters pitch less than six innings and 8-0 when they eclipse that mark.
“I just don’t feel like we’ve had a chance in the games,” Gray said in Minnesota.
Gray is 5-2 with a 2.41 ERA in 11 career outings (10 starts) against the Tigers. He faced them as a St. Louis Cardinal on May 19, 2025, striking out 10 across six shutout, three-hit innings.
The Tigers lost their ninth straight road game in Friday’s series-opening, 1-0 contest in 10 innings, but have responded with back-to-back wins to give them eight in their last nine games overall.
“I think we’re going to be fine on the road, and this proves it,” said outfielder Kerry Carpenter, who homered on Saturday and had a pinch hit on Sunday. “We’ve got a good team and are confident in any ballpark we’re in.”
Jahmai Jones (solo) and Dillon Dingler (three-run) both hit fifth-inning home runs against Crochet to lift the Tigers to Sunday’s win. Five of Detroit’s six RBIs came with two outs, and it was 4-for-7 as a team with runners in scoring position.
Dingler had a career day, going 4-for-5 while driving in four. His 18 RBIs are tied for second in the American League this season.
One Tiger who has yet to heat up is first baseman Spencer Torkelson, who went deep 31 times last season but finished 0-for-3 on Sunday, dropping his average to .182.
“For ‘Tork,’ connecting with one might be enough for him,” Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said. “It could click him right into being on time and hitting all pitches.”
Perhaps the same could happen with Jones, who hit his first homer of the season on Sunday and is now on a 4-for-10 streak.
Detroit hopes that the early-bird first pitch can change the recent luck of scheduled Monday starter Jack Flaherty (0-1, 4.05). He remains winless on the season despite allowing only a single run in each of his last two starts, striking out a combined 13 in 11 2/3 innings.
Flaherty, who is 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) against Boston, fanned a season-high seven Kansas City Royals during a six-inning start last Wednesday.
–Field Level Media
Apr 19, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter Willson Contreras (40) runs…
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Flow Capital to Tokenize $150M Private Credit Fund on Blockchain: Report
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#Toto #Wolff #George #Russell #watch #Indian #racer #Atiqa #Mir #shines #WSK #Italy">Toto Wolff, George Russell watch as Indian racer Atiqa Mir shines in WSK in Italy
Racing prodigy Atiqa Mir kept scaling new heights at 11 years of age as she recorded the highest-ever race finish by an Indian in her category at World Series Karting (WSK) with a stellar P2 in Race 1 here.
Atiqa, the first Indian to be supported by Formula One Academy and the highest-ranked female worldwide in the OKNJ category (age 12-14), showed scorching speed in the opening race of WSK Euro Series Round 2 at the South Garda Karting here.
This was also the second time ever that a female finished P2 in a race in the OKNJ class at WSK.
Atiqa has been turning heads with the sheer weight of her performances on the European circuit, and this weekend, among the spectators in Lonato were Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff and their star driver George Russell.
Atiqa hit her straps from the get-go, finishing P2 in the warmup.
In qualifying, she was a contender for pole position but missed the all-important slipstream, usually worth two-tenths of a second. Despite that, she finished fourth fastest in her group and only a 10th of a second behind the pole sitter.
The highlight of Atiqa’s weekend was unarguably Race 1, where she finished P2. She displayed strong racecraft and speed while battling the best drivers in the world. She missed P1 by only 8 tenths of a second.
Atiqa had incident-filled races during the rest of the weekend, with some hard racing resulting in some nosecone penalties, placing her in P12 out of 60 drivers in the Heat Rankings.
The pre-final and final races were tough, and she ended the weekend with P15 on the road out of 60 drivers.
Reflecting on her performance, Atiqa said, “A breakthrough weekend for me with another strong qualifying and a P2 finish. A few incidents spoiled what could have been a really strong weekend but it wasn’t meant to be. Lots of positives this weekend and now I will prepare for the biggest race of my career in two weeks time (Championship of the Future Euro Series and FIA European Championship).”
Atiqa’s father Asif Mir, a former Formula Asia Vice Champion, said the weekend was full of racing incidents and her daughter did the best she could in the circumstances.
“A strong start to Atiqa’s weekend with good qualifying and Race 1. She struggled after that as she had outside row starts in all her remaining races, but she held her own,” he said.
“The racing was very rough, and she got nosecone penalties for no fault of hers, but such is racing. Her progress is strong, and we keep working hard to make her a better driver.”
Published on Apr 20, 2026
Racing prodigy Atiqa Mir kept scaling new heights at 11 years of age as she recorded the highest-ever race finish by an Indian in her category at World Series Karting (WSK) with a stellar P2 in Race 1 here.
Atiqa, the first Indian to be supported by Formula One Academy and the highest-ranked female worldwide in the OKNJ category (age 12-14), showed scorching speed in the opening race of WSK Euro Series Round 2 at the South Garda Karting here.
This was also the second time ever that a female finished P2 in a race in the OKNJ class at WSK.
Atiqa has been turning heads with the sheer weight of her performances on the European circuit, and this weekend, among the spectators in Lonato were Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff and their star driver George Russell.
Atiqa hit her straps from the get-go, finishing P2 in the warmup.
In qualifying, she was a contender for pole position but missed the all-important slipstream, usually worth two-tenths of a second. Despite that, she finished fourth fastest in her group and only a 10th of a second behind the pole sitter.
The highlight of Atiqa’s weekend was unarguably Race 1, where she finished P2. She displayed strong racecraft and speed while battling the best drivers in the world. She missed P1 by only 8 tenths of a second.
Atiqa had incident-filled races during the rest of the weekend, with some hard racing resulting in some nosecone penalties, placing her in P12 out of 60 drivers in the Heat Rankings.
The pre-final and final races were tough, and she ended the weekend with P15 on the road out of 60 drivers.
Reflecting on her performance, Atiqa said, “A breakthrough weekend for me with another strong qualifying and a P2 finish. A few incidents spoiled what could have been a really strong weekend but it wasn’t meant to be. Lots of positives this weekend and now I will prepare for the biggest race of my career in two weeks time (Championship of the Future Euro Series and FIA European Championship).”
Atiqa’s father Asif Mir, a former Formula Asia Vice Champion, said the weekend was full of racing incidents and her daughter did the best she could in the circumstances.
“A strong start to Atiqa’s weekend with good qualifying and Race 1. She struggled after that as she had outside row starts in all her remaining races, but she held her own,” he said.
“The racing was very rough, and she got nosecone penalties for no fault of hers, but such is racing. Her progress is strong, and we keep working hard to make her a better driver.”
Published on Apr 20, 2026
Racing prodigy Atiqa Mir kept scaling new heights at 11 years of age as she…
