Cricket

The Indian cricket team's impressive performance at the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup continued with a thrilling victory over Pakistan in the semi-final. Led by Tilak Varma, the team has showcased exceptional talent and determination throughout the tournament.In the crucial match against Pakistan, India's openers, Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh, provided a solid start, scoring 68 runs in the powerplay. However, Pakistan's left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem struck on his first ball, dismissing Abhishek. Muqeem's fiery send-off sparked controversy, drawing criticism from former Pakistan captain Basit Ali.Ali expressed his disappointment with Muqeem's behavior, stating that it was disrespectful and unbecoming of a young player. He emphasized the importance of teaching young players to respect their opponents and maintain a sportsmanlike spirit.Despite the setback, India fought back with resilience. Tilak Varma top-scored with 44 runs, while Prabhsimran Singh and Abhishek contributed crucial cameos. India posted a competitive total of 183 for 8 in 20 overs.In response, Pakistan fought valiantly, but India's bowlers proved too strong. Anshul Kamboj emerged as the top wicket-taker with three scalps, while Rasikh Dar Salam and Nishant Sindhu claimed two wickets each. India's remarkable comeback secured a well-deserved victory.The Indian team's success in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup is a testament to the depth of talent and the bright future of Indian cricket. The players have demonstrated their skills, determination, and ability to perform under pressure. As they continue their journey, they will undoubtedly face new challenges, but their talent and resilience will serve them well.

India's Emerging Team continued their impressive run in the Emerging Teams Asia Cup, securing a dominant seven-wicket victory over UAE in Al Amerat, Oman. This triumph marks their second consecutive win in the tournament, following their narrow seven-run victory over Pakistan in the opener.Opener Abhishek Sharma played a pivotal role in India's success, smashing a scintillating half-century in just 24 deliveries. His blistering knock included five fours and four sixes, setting the tone for India's chase. Skipper Tilak Varma also contributed with a steady 21 off 18 balls.UAE, opting to bat first, struggled to gain momentum against India's formidable bowling attack. Seamer Rasikh Salam emerged as the star performer, claiming three wickets in his opening over. Ramandeep Singh also chipped in with two strikes, as India bundled out UAE for a meager 107 in 16.5 overs.UAE skipper Basil Hameed and Rahul Chopra provided some resistance with a 41-run partnership, but Abhishek's brilliance broke the alliance. Chopra's valiant 50 off 50 balls proved to be a lone bright spot for UAE.With a target of 108, India's chase was a mere formality. Ayush Badoni sealed the victory with a six and a four, completing the chase with 55 balls remaining.India's dominance in the tournament is evident, as they currently top Group B with four points. They will face hosts Oman in their final group game on Wednesday, aiming to maintain their winning streak and secure a place in the semifinals.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has made strategic decisions regarding player retentions ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction. The franchise has reportedly identified Heinrich Klaasen as their primary retention, followed by Pat Cummins and Abhishek Sharma.Klaasen, a South African wicketkeeper-batter, is set to receive INR 23 crore as the top-earning player. Cummins, the Australian all-rounder and former SRH captain, will receive INR 18 crore, while Sharma, the Indian all-rounder, will get INR 14 crore.Despite being SRH's highest-paid player last year, Cummins has reportedly taken a selfless approach by agreeing to Klaasen's higher salary. This decision reflects Cummins' commitment to team success over personal gain.The IPL allows franchises to retain up to six players, but SRH is opting for just three retentions. This strategy will give them a significant advantage in the auction, as they will have a larger purse to acquire new talent.Cummins' leadership and collaboration with coach Daniel Vettori have been instrumental in SRH's recent success. Under their guidance, young players like Sharma and Nitish Kumar Reddy have flourished.SRH is expected to finalize the retentions of Travis Head and Reddy soon. The franchise will have one Right-to-Match (RTM) card available at the auction, which can be used to retain an uncapped Indian player.Pat Cummins will continue as SRH captain in 2025, leading the team's charge for another successful season.

Sunrisers Hyderabad Retain Klaasen, Cummins, and Sharma Ahead of IPL 2025Sunrisers Hyderabad has made its first three retentions ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, with South African power-hitter Heinrich Klaasen topping the list. According to ESPNcricinfo, Klaasen will receive INR 23 crore as the franchise's highest-paid retained player.Australian allrounder Pat Cummins, who captained Sunrisers in 2024, has been retained for INR 18 crore, while Indian allrounder Abhishek Sharma has been retained for INR 14 crore.Klaasen had a stellar IPL 2024 season, amassing 479 runs in 15 innings at a strike rate of 171.07. He was Sunrisers' second-highest scorer behind Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. Sharma, who had the highest strike rate among the top-ten run-scorers last season, scored 484 runs in 16 innings with a strike rate of 204.21.Cummins led Sunrisers to the IPL 2024 final, where they narrowly lost to Kolkata Knight Riders. His leadership and all-round abilities were crucial to the team's success.Sunrisers are also expected to retain Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy soon. The IPL has set October 31 as the deadline for retentions ahead of the mega auction.The retentions of Klaasen, Cummins, and Sharma signal Sunrisers' intent to build a strong team for IPL 2025. Klaasen's power-hitting and Sharma's all-round abilities will provide the team with a solid foundation, while Cummins' leadership and experience will be invaluable.

India's Abhishek Sharma Faces Criticism from Mentor Yuvraj Singh After Run-Out BlunderIn the first T20I against Bangladesh, India's opening batsman Abhishek Sharma faced criticism from his mentor, former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh, after a disappointing run-out. Chasing a modest target of 128 runs, Sharma and Sanju Samson started well, but Sharma's dismissal for 16 runs off 7 balls left a sour taste.Despite India's comprehensive victory, Sharma's run-out drew criticism. Taking to Instagram, Sharma shared a post expressing his commitment to the team, but Yuvraj Singh left a pointed comment: "Only if we apply our brains properly."Sharma's dismissal was particularly disappointing given his recent maiden T20I century. In a video released by the BCCI, Sharma had revealed that Yuvraj Singh had been happy when he was dismissed for a duck in the previous match."I spoke to him (Yuvraj) yesterday and he said I don't know why but he was very happy when I was out on zero. He said that's a good start. I think he must be very proud of me just like my family," Sharma had said.The bond between Yuvraj Singh and Abhishek Sharma goes beyond the traditional relationship between a former and current cricketer. Sharma credits Yuvraj Singh for his success at the international level."I am playing at this level because of him. The hard work he has put on me. For the past two, three years he has really worked hard not only on my cricket even off the field as well," Sharma had said.Yuvraj Singh's criticism of Sharma's run-out highlights the importance of mental focus and decision-making in cricket. While Sharma's commitment to the team is commendable, he will need to improve his situational awareness and avoid such costly mistakes in the future.

Yuvraj Singh, the legendary Indian all-rounder, has played a pivotal role in mentoring two promising Punjab batsmen: Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma. Both players have already made their India debuts, with Gill emerging as a rising star in world cricket and Sharma showcasing his exceptional six-hitting abilities.On Sharma's 24th birthday, Yuvraj took to social media to extend his heartfelt wishes and share a glimpse of their training session. "Happy birthday sir Abhishek. Hope you take as many singles this year as many as you knock out of the park," Yuvraj wrote playfully, acknowledging Sharma's penchant for hitting towering sixes.Sharma made his international debut in the T20I series against Zimbabwe earlier this year, where he played under the leadership of Gill. Despite being part of a young Indian team, Sharma impressed with his blistering century in the fourth match of the series, amassing 124 runs in four innings.A versatile batsman, Sharma initially played in the middle order but has successfully adapted to batting in the top three positions for Punjab in domestic cricket and the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League. He also possesses useful left-arm spin bowling skills.Yuvraj's social media post further emphasized the importance of hard work and dedication. "Keep putting in the hard work! Loads of love and wishes for a great year ahead!" he wrote.Sharma's journey to the international stage is a testament to his talent and the guidance he has received from mentors like Yuvraj Singh. As he continues to develop his skills, Sharma has the potential to become a formidable force in Indian cricket.

Former Indian cricket team spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed his disappointment over the exclusion of Abhishek Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Sanju Samson from the Indian squad for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka.Harbhajan took to social media to voice his concerns, stating, "Hard to understand why @yuzi_chahal @IamAbhiSharma4 @IamSanjuSamson are not part of the Indian Team for Sri Lanka."Abhishek Sharma, a young batter, has been in impressive form, scoring big against Zimbabwe. Yuzvendra Chahal, a veteran spinner, had a brilliant IPL season. Sanju Samson, while included in the T20I squad, was left out of the ODI squad.Meanwhile, newly-appointed T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity. He said, "The last few weeks have been nothing short of a dream and I am truly grateful. This new role brings with it, a lot of responsibility, excitement, and enthusiasm."India has named Suryakumar Yadav as the captain of their men's T20I team for the tour of Sri Lanka, with Shubman Gill named as the vice-captain of both the T20I and ODI sides. The white-ball tour to Sri Lanka will start from July 27 and will consist of three T20Is and ODIs. It will be India's first international assignment under new coach Gautam Gambhir.

India's recent T20I series triumph over Zimbabwe has brought to light the impressive performances of Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Former chief selector Saba Karim has urged the team management to consider these two young batters as opening options for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.Karim believes that Gill and Jaiswal have demonstrated exceptional form and should be given the opportunity to lead the Indian batting lineup. He also suggests including Abhishek Sharma in the squad, considering the expected presence of Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav in the middle order."The most crucial positions are in the top order," Karim emphasized. "I believe the selectors should opt for Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill. Abhishek Sharma deserves a place in the 15-man squad, given that Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav are likely to bat at No. 3 and No. 4."The selection of the opening pair will be a key decision for head coach Gautam Gambhir, who will be leading the team for the first time. The captaincy role is also yet to be determined, with Hardik Pandya not expected to be available."The captain's choice in T20Is will also influence the selection," Karim added. "Gambhir and the captain will need to determine their vision for the team and select players accordingly. Ruturaj Gaikwad is another player who has been performing well in the top order."India's victory in Zimbabwe was a testament to the depth of their squad, with only three players from the T20 World Cup-winning team featuring in the series. Captain Shubman Gill praised his team's adaptability and determination after losing the opening match."It was an excellent series," Gill said. "The hunger we showed after the first loss was phenomenal. Many players had long flights and were not accustomed to the conditions, but they adapted remarkably."

Riyan Parag, the Indian all-rounder, expressed his delight at making his international debut alongside his former U19 teammate Abhishek Sharma. Parag, who played a crucial role in India's series win against Zimbabwe, praised skipper Shubman Gill's leadership skills.After India's 42-run victory in the fifth and final T20I, Parag reflected on his journey. "It was special to make my debut with Abhishek," he said. "We opened our jerseys together, remembering our time at the 2018 U19 World Cup."Parag also spoke about his partnership with Sanju Samson, his Rajasthan Royals teammate. "We had a chat about having a partnership like we used to have at RR," he said. "We're glad we could do well."Parag lauded Gill's captaincy, saying, "He has been like a captain even when he wasn't. He's been exceptional in the field."Despite his impressive IPL performance, Parag had a modest debut, scoring just 24 runs in two innings. However, India secured a 4-1 series victory.In the match, Zimbabwe elected to field first and restricted India to 167/6. Samson (58) and Parag (22) led the Indian batting, while Blessing Muzarbani took two wickets.Zimbabwe started well in the chase, but Shivam Dube's spell and a crucial run-out of Sikandar Raza turned the tide. Mukesh Kumar then cleaned up the tail, dismissing Zimbabwe for 125.Dube was named 'Player of the Match' for his all-round performance, while Washington Sundar, who scored 28 runs and took eight wickets in the series, received the 'Player of the Series' award.