Cricket

Axar Patel's unsung heroics played a pivotal role in India's victory over Pakistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The allrounder's versatility and adaptability proved invaluable for the team.Patel's batting depth allowed India to promote him up the order to face the moving ball and protect more experienced batters. His crucial 20 runs off 18 balls in a partnership with Rishabh Pant helped stabilize the innings.Moreover, Patel's bowling flexibility was evident in the 16th over, where he effectively shut down a left-hand batter with the shorter leg-side boundary and favorable wind. His ability to bowl to both left- and right-hand batters gives India a tactical advantage.Patel's selection in the squad and starting XI was unconventional, as India typically opts for an offspinner instead of two left-arm spinners. However, the team's decision to field both Patel and Ravindra Jadeja has paid off, especially considering the limited number of left-hand batters faced so far.Despite Patel's impressive performances, the absence of Kuldeep Yadav, India's only left-arm wristspinner, has raised questions. Bowling coach Paras Mhambrey explained that Yadav's exclusion is not a reflection of his skills but rather a matter of team balance.The seam-friendly pitches in New York have necessitated the inclusion of three seamers, while the abundance of right-hand batters has reduced the need for a left-arm wristspinner. However, Mhambrey acknowledged that Yadav may be called upon later in the tournament, especially if India faces more left-hand batters or needs additional penetration in the spin department.The choice between Patel and Jadeja remains a difficult one. Patel's versatility as a T20 batter gives him an edge, but Jadeja's vast experience and proven match-winning abilities cannot be overlooked.

Axar Patel, the unsung hero of India's thrilling victory over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup, played a pivotal role with both bat and ball, despite his contributions going largely unnoticed.Promoted to the unfamiliar No. 4 spot with India reeling at 19-2, Axar steadied the innings with a crucial 20 off 18 balls, providing a much-needed platform for the middle order. His innings was particularly impressive considering the challenging pitch conditions.With the ball, Axar followed up Jasprit Bumrah's brilliant 15th over with a stingy one of his own, conceding only two runs and putting immense pressure on Pakistan's batters. His ability to control the run rate and prevent boundaries proved crucial in the context of the match.Despite his impressive performance, Axar remains humble and downplays his contributions. "I don't think my over was the turning point," he said. "Every over was important, and the captain's changes seemed to be working."However, Axar's tactical acumen was evident in his bowling strategy. He bowled a couple of deliveries wide outside the off-stump, forcing the batters to shuffle in, before pushing one in that kept them guessing."It was important to play with their minds," Axar explained. "When I bowled outside, I knew they would come in, so I pushed it in."Axar's batting prowess has often been overlooked, but the team management recognizes his importance. In the practice sessions leading up to the Pakistan match, Rohit Sharma emphasized the need for Axar to improve his batting form."The captain has said that no position is fixed apart from the openers," Axar said. "We have to go up and down as per the need of the hour."With India playing only four specialist batters, the role of the allrounders becomes even more crucial. Axar, with his ability to contribute with both bat and ball, is a vital cog in the team's balance."It is about the balance," Axar said. "We have batting till No. 8 and seven bowlers to fall back on. Having options are crucial."

Sydney Sixers have pulled off a major coup by signing New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr on a three-year deal, taking advantage of the WBBL's new contracting rules. Kerr, ranked as the world's No. 2 allrounder, joins the Sixers after three successful seasons with the Brisbane Heat.The new rules allow each WBBL club to sign one player outside of the overseas draft, a move designed to retain talent and counter the lure of overseas leagues. The Sixers have made the most of this opportunity by securing the services of one of the most sought-after players in the world.Kerr has been a standout performer for the Heat, winning the club's player-of-the-year award three times. She is a versatile allrounder, capable of contributing with both bat and ball. As a batter, she has scored over 1,000 runs in the WBBL, including a century in the 2021-22 season. With the ball, she has taken 62 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 6.42.The 23-year-old's decision to join the Sixers was influenced by her family ties to Sydney. Her sister, Jess, played for the Sixers last season, and the opportunity to be closer to family was a major factor in her decision."It was an extremely hard decision to leave Brisbane as the players and staff there have been nothing but good to me," Kerr said. "But with the scheduling of women's cricket there is not much downtime and being based in Sydney was a big part of my decision."The Heat attempted to retain Kerr under the pre-draft multi-year contract system, but ultimately her desire to be closer to family swayed her decision."The Heat were keen to retain Melie and put a competitive offer to her," said Queensland's head of cricket, Joe Dawes. "However, we understand that being near to family is important in this stage of her life."Kerr's departure is a significant loss for the Heat, but the Sixers will be delighted to have secured her services. She is a world-class player who will undoubtedly make a major contribution to their team.

Hardik Pandya, the Indian all-rounder, is eagerly anticipating the upcoming T20 World Cup match against Pakistan, a team against whom he has enjoyed considerable success in the past. Pandya, who has played six T20Is against Pakistan, has taken 11 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 7.5."Standing in big games is very exciting for me," Pandya said. "I find it extra special and Pakistan has been one team where I have been very fortunate, I have been able to do well in a lot of games."Pandya's success against Pakistan is not limited to his bowling performances. He has also scored 84 runs in six innings, with a highest score of 40."It all comes down to the vibe," Pandya said. "Hold your breath, this is a request. This is not a fight, this is going to be history."India will be looking to continue their winning ways in the T20 World Cup after a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Ireland in their opening match. Pakistan, on the other hand, suffered a shock defeat to the USA in their first match.Pandya believes that India's bowling unit is one of their strengths and that they need to remain disciplined against Pakistan."India-Pakistan has always been very exciting, lot of cheer and buzz, a lot of emotion and a lot of excitement but at the same time, I hope we will be disciplined in that game, one goal as a group is we go and kind of hunt.""So, if we can do that, I think it will be a one more nice day for us," Pandya said.

Pakistan's hopes of a strong start to their T20 World Cup campaign have been dealt a blow with the ongoing injury concerns surrounding all-rounder Imad Wasim. Despite initial reports suggesting a precautionary absence, it has emerged that Imad's rib injury is more severe than initially disclosed.The 33-year-old missed Pakistan's opening match against USA, which they narrowly lost in the Super Over, and his absence has left a significant void in the team's balance. In his stead, Pakistan opted for Azam Khan and Shadab Khan as their specialist spinners, but both struggled to make an impact.Azam was dismissed for a golden duck, while Shadab's bowling performance drew criticism from captain Babar Azam. The lack of wicket-taking options from the spin department has been a major concern for Pakistan, who have traditionally relied on their spinners to control the middle overs.Imad's injury history is a cause for concern. He has battled a chronic knee injury throughout his career, which has limited his ability to play longer formats. Ahead of the 2019 World Cup, he was given extra time to pass a fitness test due to his knee injury.In 2023, Imad initially retired from international cricket but returned earlier this year with the sole aim of participating in this World Cup. However, his participation in the tournament is now in doubt, and his absence would be a major setback for Pakistan.With Pakistan already facing an uphill battle to qualify for the Super 12 stage, Imad's potential unavailability could prove to be a decisive factor in their hopes of progressing in the tournament.

Hardik Pandya's recent struggles have been well-documented. After a successful stint as captain of the Gujarat Titans in the IPL, his move to the Mumbai Indians for IPL 2024 was met with criticism from fans. The all-rounder, who had been lauded for his astute leadership, replaced fan favorite Rohit Sharma at the helm. Supporters expressed their displeasure by booing Hardik during matches.The noise surrounding his move undoubtedly affected Hardik's performance. He struggled with both bat and ball in the tournament, raising concerns about his form ahead of the T20 World Cup. However, much to the relief of Indian fans, Hardik delivered with the ball in the opening game against Ireland.The pitch at the Adelaide Oval aided his swing bowling, but Hardik also showcased his skill and accuracy. His first wicket came with a classic inswinger that foxed Lorcan Tucker. A hint of away swing next up proved too good for Curtis Campher. Mark Adair fell soon after, giving Hardik satisfying returns of three for 27.The early stage of Hardik's comeback was complete. The tough times in IPL 2024 forced him to introspect. "I'm very happy to start on a good note. Everything falls into place for people who work hard," Hardik told bcci.tv.India batting coach Vikram Rathour was pleased to have a fit-and-firing Hardik ready for duty. "Hardik looked really good. He's been bowling really well. He looks fit enough to go through four overs, and he's been bowling with pace and some accuracy," Rathour said.Hardik's performance in the opening game of the T20 World Cup is a positive sign for India. His ability to swing the ball and take wickets will be crucial to the team's success in the tournament. The all-rounder has shown that he can overcome adversity and deliver when it matters most.

Former New Zealand skipper and Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has lauded Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube for his unwavering dedication to honing his bowling skills ahead of the 2024 Indian Premier League season. Dube, who is an integral part of India's T20 World Cup squad, could play a pivotal role with the ball if the situation demands.Despite bowling consistently in the home series against Afghanistan, Dube only managed to bowl a solitary over during the IPL season. However, his bowling prowess came into sharp focus when he delivered three overs in the recent warm-up match against Bangladesh. His unique bowling style could prove advantageous on the low and slow tracks expected in the Caribbean.Fleming, in an interview with ESPNcricinfo, discussed Dube's progress and the impact of the IPL's impact player rule on his development as a bowler. "If his bowling is the way he talks about it, he's like Kapil Dev. He has been working really hard. He worked hard through the IPL. We had a number of players that could do the all-round role, and again, with the impact player rule, it actually diminishes the role of an all-rounder or a part-time bowler who bats well, which is a bit of a shame," Fleming said.Dube has taken eight wickets in 21 T20Is, with an average of 45 and an economy rate of 9.86. Despite these modest figures, his tall frame and gentle pace could be beneficial for Team India in the T20 World Cup. The team may require overs from players outside the main bowling attack, especially if they opt to play three spinners."He's been doing his bowling, he has had his loads up. He can be awkward [to face] in the right conditions, which you'd say would be a little bit slow, where his cutters and change of pace could play a part. He can play a part, he can do a job and he has worked very hard on it," Fleming added.As Team India prepares to kickstart their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland in New York on Wednesday, the inclusion of Dube in the playing XI remains a point of interest. His contributions, both with the bat and ball, could prove pivotal in India's quest for T20 World Cup success.

Shivam Dube, India's versatile all-rounder, is poised to showcase his multifaceted abilities at the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. Despite limited bowling opportunities in the recent IPL, Dube has received assurances from the team management that his bowling skills will be utilized.Dube's bowling prowess was recognized during India's T20I series against Afghanistan in January, where he impressed the team's senior players. However, the Impact Player rule in the IPL restricted his chances to hone his all-round capabilities."Rahul bhai (Rahul Dravid) and Rohit bhai (Rohit Sharma) have told me that I might get to bowl 2-3 overs at any point," Dube revealed to Star Sports.Despite bowling only one over in the IPL, Dube made a positive impact by claiming a wicket. He acknowledged the need to improve his bowling and worked diligently in the nets.Dube's explosive batting, which saw him score 369 runs at a strike rate of 162.29 in the IPL, secured his place in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup. His bowling skills now offer an additional dimension to the team, providing flexibility to include an extra batsman.Dube's inclusion in the playing XI could potentially lead to the omission of Axar Patel. Rohit Sharma's decision to select four spinners in the Indian squad, considering the slow tracks in the West Indies, could be influenced by Dube's handy off-spin.India, one of the favorites for the T20 World Cup, will begin their campaign on June 5 against Ireland. Dube's versatility and potential to contribute with both bat and ball will be a valuable asset for the team as they aim to lift the coveted trophy.

Cameron Green, the Australian all-rounder, has expressed his eagerness to play in the T20 World Cup despite a staggered arrival in the Caribbean after the Indian Premier League (IPL). Green, who has endured extensive travel in 2023, said he is accustomed to the long journeys, having experienced a 38-hour flight to join the Australian squad.Green's journey to Barbados was relatively smooth compared to some of his teammates, with only one lost bag. He was given a few days at home in Perth after RCB's elimination from the IPL a week ago."Just one bag lost - my cricket bag but it came the next day. My trip was about 38 hours while Starcy's (Mitchell Starc) was about 60 hours. So overall happy," Green told reporters after Australia's training session on Monday.Green's comfort in living out of a suitcase helped him find his rhythm late in the IPL campaign. After early struggles, he played an important role with bat and ball for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).Green was dropped by RCB five games into the competition but regained his footing during the team's late charge into the playoffs. He increased his strike rate from 107.93 in his first five games to 170.21 in his last seven.While Green may not be in Australia's XI for the match against Oman on Thursday, he could potentially bat anywhere in the top eight if needed."That's the beauty of what I've been exposed to in the last few years. It's not always been a consistent spot that I've locked into. But at the same time, I'm also thankful for that. I feel like I can jump in at many different roles. I think that's where I see myself this tournament, maybe plugging holes in the team," he added.Green admitted to feeling a touch sore after spending more time on the net than any of his colleagues since joining the group. However, he believes his preparation couldn't have been better.Balancing Green's workloads across different formats has been a concern for Australian management, given his rapid rise as a sought-after player."Talking to the other guys, it's been quite ridiculous the amount of travel and the lack of days at home, compared to normal years. I think you weirdly get used to it, been doing it for two years now. This is the most prepared I've been for some sort of tour. I think you (often) go from a Test tour into a T20 or straight into a Test tour - it's pretty extreme. But that's the beauty of the IPL this year. You actually got some unbelievable practice leading into this. So a lot of the guys in our team are pretty confident and hopefully, we can start the tournament off well," Green said.The World Test Champion and ODI World Cup winner will kickstart its tournament against Oman on Wednesday.