Cricket

India's head coach Rahul Dravid has hinted at the possibility of including wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the team for the Caribbean leg of the T20 World Cup. Dravid acknowledged the impact of wrist spinners in the Caribbean conditions, citing Adam Zampa's success as an example."It might be slightly different here. You might need an extra spinner, and then someone like Kuldeep or Yuzi can come into play," Dravid said ahead of India's Super 8 opener against Afghanistan.Dravid also expressed satisfaction with India's batting approach, noting that the team has become more aggressive in recent times. "We have actually been able to push the needle forward in terms of our batting," he said.However, Dravid cautioned against being overly aggressive in all conditions. "Cricket is a very condition-specific game," he said. "Sometimes we just get carried away with pushing the needle forward in T20 cricket."Dravid expects the wind to be a factor at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, which could favor Afghanistan's fast bowlers, including tournament leading wicket-taker Fazalhaq Farooqi."Afghanistan is a very dangerous team in this format of the game," Dravid said. "They play a lot of T20 cricket, and their cricketers are very prominent members of their IPL teams."Dravid also praised the cricket culture in the Caribbean and expressed his excitement for the business end of the tournament.

Afghanistan's remarkable journey in the T20 World Cup has been a testament to their growing prowess in the shortest format of the game. After a stunning victory over New Zealand, the Afghans find themselves atop both the leading run-scorers' and wicket-takers' charts, a testament to their all-round strength.Fazalhaq Farooqi, a 23-year-old left-arm quick, has emerged as a key figure for Afghanistan. With 12 wickets in four matches, he has been the tournament's most prolific wicket-taker, showcasing his ability to swing the ball and generate pace. His performance against New Zealand, where he claimed three early wickets, was instrumental in Afghanistan's 84-run victory.Afghanistan's batting has also been impressive, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz leading the way. The fearless opener has amassed 167 runs, including a blistering 80 against New Zealand. His aggressive approach and ability to clear the boundary with ease have made him a dangerous force at the top of the order.The emergence of Gurbaz and Farooqi has complemented Afghanistan's traditional strength in spin bowling. Rashid Khan, the talismanic captain, and Mohammad Nabi have been their usual reliable selves, while Noor Ahmed has shown promise as a rising star.Afghanistan's success is not merely a matter of individual brilliance. Under the guidance of former England batter Jonathan Trott, the team has developed a collective mindset and a belief in their own abilities. They have shed their underdog status and are now seen as a genuine threat to the established cricketing nations.The Afghans' performance in the Super Eight stage will be a true test of their mettle. They face formidable opponents in India, Australia, and Bangladesh, but they will be confident of making a strong push for a semifinal berth.

India, the tournament favorites, will face Afghanistan in their opening Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup on Thursday. Virat Kohli, eager to return to form, and Kuldeep Yadav, hoping for an opportunity, will be in focus for India.The main talking point ahead of the game is the composition of the Indian team. India must decide whether to stick with the same line-up that succeeded in the group stage or include Kuldeep Yadav, their top spinner from the past year, possibly at the expense of a fast bowler.Captain Rohit Sharma has expressed interest in playing all four all-rounders—Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja. This approach has worked in the bowler-friendly conditions in New York, and Rohit is likely to stick with the team that extends their batting until number 8.To accommodate Kuldeep, India would need to drop either Mohammed Siraj or Arshdeep Singh, with Siraj being the more likely candidate to be benched. Recent practice sessions suggest the pitch may favor spinners, strengthening Kuldeep's case. Additionally, a gentle breeze at Kensington Oval could assist pacers in swinging the ball during the powerplay.All eyes will be on Kohli, who has yet to score double digits in the tournament. His aggressive approach did not pay off in New York, but he is expected to excel on the better wickets in the Caribbean. At 35, Kohli is known for his high intensity and dedication, as demonstrated during training sessions.Afghanistan arrived at the Super 8s following a heavy defeat to the West Indies in St Lucia. Their previously dominant bowling attack was dismantled by the powerful West Indies batting lineup. Captain Rashid Khan dismissed the loss as a minor setback, maintaining that Afghanistan still has a strong chance of reaching the semifinals.Rashid will rely heavily on left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, who has been prolific in the powerplay and is the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 12 wickets. Farooqi's ability to swing the ball back in will be a significant challenge for Rohit and Kohli.Rashid himself will aim to take wickets while maintaining a low economy rate during the middle overs.

Afghanistan's Spin Prowess Poses Threat to India in T20 World Cup Super 8sAs the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 enters its crucial Super 8s stage, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has issued a stern warning to Rohit Sharma-led Team India about the formidable challenge posed by Afghanistan.Afghanistan has defied expectations, securing a spot in the Super 8s by defeating Uganda, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea in succession. Despite a heavy 104-run loss to West Indies, the Rashid Khan-led side remains confident as they prepare to face India, Australia, and Bangladesh in the next phase of the tournament.Harbhajan Singh, speaking to Star Sports, lauded Afghanistan's spin attack, describing it as "the best in this tournament" and highlighting the potential threat it poses to India. "They (Afghanistan) are a very good team. From the graph we've seen, they've risen significantly in a short period of time. They have Rashid Khan and Nabi. Their spinners are probably the best in this tournament. Their batting is strong; they don't just play fluke shots or get out playing reckless shots. They now have experience after playing in the ODI World Cup. They almost defeated Australia," Harbhajan remarked.Harbhajan emphasized that Afghanistan should not be underestimated, particularly in crucial moments. "This team has strength and can defeat any big team. And when they play against India, they shouldn't be underestimated because if they win the toss and a few things go in their favour, (toh lene ke dene pad sakte hain) it could be challenging," he added, underscoring Afghanistan's potential to cause upsets.India, led by Rohit Sharma, are set to face Afghanistan on June 20 in Barbados, followed by matches against Bangladesh on June 22 in Antigua and Australia on June 24 in St. Lucia.Afghanistan's rise in international cricket has been remarkable. They have consistently punched above their weight, challenging established teams and proving their mettle on the global stage. Their spin attack, led by Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, is a formidable force, capable of bamboozling even the most experienced batsmen.India, on the other hand, will be keen to prove their dominance in the Super 8s. They have a well-balanced team with a potent batting lineup and a solid bowling attack. However, they cannot afford to take Afghanistan lightly, especially considering their recent performances.The clash between India and Afghanistan on June 20 promises to be a thrilling encounter. Afghanistan will be determined to prove their worth against one of the tournament favorites, while India will be eager to maintain their winning momentum. The outcome of this match could have a significant impact on the Super 8s standings and the eventual outcome of the tournament.

In a thrilling encounter at St Lucia, West Indies unleashed an explosive batting display against Afghanistan, setting a new record for the highest powerplay score in men's T20 World Cups. The Caribbean side amassed a staggering 92 runs for the loss of just one wicket in their first six overs, leaving the Afghan bowlers reeling.The catalyst for this batting onslaught was Nicholas Pooran, who unleashed a brutal assault on Azmatullah Omarzai's bowling in the fourth over of the innings. Omarzai's over went for a record-equaling 36 runs, with Pooran smashing three sixes and a four.The carnage began with a towering six over third man, followed by a no-ball four through midwicket. A wide delivery and a missed yorker further compounded Omarzai's misery, before Pooran sliced a boundary through deep backward point. The over culminated in two more sixes, with Pooran clearing the deep midwicket and non-striker boundaries with ease.Pooran's onslaught was reminiscent of Yuvraj Singh's iconic six consecutive sixes against Stuart Broad in the 2007 T20 World Cup. The West Indian's power-hitting prowess left the Afghan bowlers shell-shocked and set the tone for a dominant performance by the Caribbean side.

In the final group match of the men's T20 World Cup 2024, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan elected to field after winning the toss against West Indies at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St Lucia.Afghanistan fielded an unchanged lineup, while West Indies made two alterations. Romario Shepherd was replaced by Obed McCoy, who was given an opportunity to play after Shepherd returned home for the birth of his second child. Shai Hope also came into the side in place of Roston Chase, bolstering the batting lineup.The match was played on a fresh pitch, with the wind expected to be a significant factor. Rashid Khan expressed his desire for his team to experience chasing a total, as they had only done so once in the tournament against Papua New Guinea.West Indies, led by Rovman Powell, opted to bat first. Their lineup featured Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran, Shai Hope, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, and Obed McCoy.Afghanistan's bowling attack consisted of Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad, Rashid Khan, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, and Ibrahim Zadran.The match was crucial for both teams, as a victory would secure their place in the Super Eight stage of the tournament. Afghanistan had already qualified for the Super Eight, while West Indies needed a win to join them.

West Indies and Afghanistan Clash in Battle of UnbeatensGros Islet, St. Lucia - The highly anticipated clash between West Indies and Afghanistan on Tuesday promises to be a thrilling encounter, despite having no bearing on the Super Eight standings. Both teams have enjoyed unbeaten runs thus far, and they will be eager to maintain their momentum heading into the crucial knockout stages.West Indies, known for their explosive batting lineup, will be led by Rovman Powell, who has yet to fully ignite in this tournament. However, the presence of Nicholas Pooran, Brandon King, and Andre Russell provides the hosts with a formidable batting arsenal. Their bowling attack, anchored by Akeal Hosein and Alzarri Joseph, has also been impressive.Afghanistan, on the other hand, will rely heavily on their spin wizard Rashid Khan, who has been in excellent form with six wickets in the middle overs. Their batting lineup, led by Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, has also shown promise.The pitch at Gros Islet has been conducive to high-scoring matches, with teams preferring to bowl first after winning the toss. However, the windy conditions could play a factor in the game.West Indies will be looking to maintain their impressive death-over run rate, while Afghanistan will aim to continue their frugal spin bowling. The match-up between Gurbaz and West Indies' left-arm spinners, Hosein and Gudakesh Motie, will be particularly intriguing.Both teams are expected to field unchanged lineups, with Johnson Charles and Shai Hope vying for a spot in the West Indies batting order. Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott has emphasized the importance of keeping his players motivated despite the lack of qualification implications.With both teams eager to prove their mettle and build confidence for the Super Eight, the West Indies vs Afghanistan clash promises to be an entertaining and competitive affair.

Australia's path to the T20 World Cup title has taken a challenging turn as they face an all-Asian Super Eight group. Despite winning their first three matches, Mitchell Marsh's side will encounter a formidable test against India, Afghanistan, and likely Bangladesh.The Super Eight stage will pose a significant challenge for Australia, who have historically struggled on spinning wickets. India boasts a formidable spin attack led by Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Kuldeep Yadav. Afghanistan's spin trio of Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed, and Mohammad Nabi is equally potent, while Bangladesh's Rishad Hossain has impressed with his leg-spin.Australia's vice-captain, Matthew Wade, acknowledged the challenges ahead. "We expect nothing different, and on their day they're all going to be very very hard teams to beat," he said. "We're expecting them to hit us with a fair bit of spin over the next little bit."The Australians have prepared for the spin challenge, but the conditions in the Caribbean are likely to favor the spinners. The match between South Africa and Nepal in St Vincent, where Australia will face Afghanistan, showcased the significant help available to spinners.Despite the challenges, Wade remains optimistic about Australia's chances. "I'm at my best when it's the last opportunity," he said. "Hopefully I can pull some good stuff out in the next little bit."However, Wade also hinted that this tournament could mark his farewell for Australia. "There are going to be players go out of this team. I'm more than comfortable if I'm one of them to get the next cycle of players coming in to play for Australia."

Mujeeb Ur Rahman's T20 World Cup campaign has come to an abrupt end due to a recurring finger injury. The Afghan spinner, who missed the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season with the same ailment, played in Afghanistan's opening match against Uganda but has been sidelined since.The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on Friday that Hazratullah Zazai, an opening batter, will replace Mujeeb in Afghanistan's squad. The replacement was approved by the event technical committee following Afghanistan's victory over Papua New Guinea.Afghanistan had initially named Noor Ahmad as Mujeeb's replacement in the squad. Ahmad played in Afghanistan's last two fixtures, taking one wicket in their win over New Zealand and 1 for 14 in their victory over PNG."He's going to be a big part for us going forward, as these wickets continue to wear," said Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott about Noor. "It's always nice to have the option of him to come into the side, or the left-arm spin of Nangeyalia Kharote, who can come into the side - he did really well in the last [series] against Ireland - and obviously [Mohammad] Nabi, who can bowl spin as well."Zazai, a left-handed opening batter, is not a direct replacement for Mujeeb but will strengthen Afghanistan's batting lineup. He has not played a T20I since February but has participated in the last two T20 World Cups and holds the second-highest individual score in a men's T20I.Afghanistan secured their place in the Super Eight stage by defeating PNG and will face West Indies in their final group game on Monday in St Lucia.