Cricket

Indian Batters Blaze to 221/9 in Second T20I Against BangladeshThe Indian cricket team's batters unleashed a fiery assault on Bangladesh in the second T20I in Delhi on Wednesday, posting an imposing total of 221/9. Nitish Reddy and Rinku Singh led the charge with blistering half-centuries, while Hardik Pandya provided a late surge.After a sluggish start that saw three wickets fall in the Powerplay, Reddy and Rinku rescued India with a magnificent 100-plus partnership. Reddy, playing only his second T20I, showcased his immense talent with a scintillating 74 off 34 balls, including seven maximums and four boundaries. Rinku, known for his explosive hitting, contributed 53 off 29 balls, smashing five boundaries and three sixes.Reddy's innings was particularly impressive, as he played with a maturity beyond his years. He reached his maiden T20I fifty in just 27 balls and continued to punish the Bangladesh bowlers with his powerful strokeplay. Rinku, too, displayed his big-hitting prowess, smashing the first six of the match off leg-spinner Rishad Hossain.Hardik Pandya, who came to the crease after Reddy's departure, maintained the momentum with a quickfire 32 off 19 balls. He hit two sixes and two fours, including a boundary that surpassed MS Dhoni's tally of 116 fours in T20Is.Despite the impressive batting display, India's top-order struggled against the pace trio of Tanzim Hasan, Mustafizur Rehman, and Taskin Ahmed. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma were dismissed cheaply, while Suryakumar Yadav fell to a slower delivery from Mustafizur.Bangladesh's bowlers fought back in the latter stages, with Mustafizur and Taskin claiming three wickets each. However, the Indian batters had already done enough damage to set up a challenging target for the visitors.

Bangladesh and West Indies will face off in a crucial Women's T20 World Cup match in Dubai on Tuesday, with both teams aiming to boost their semi-final hopes.Bangladesh, led by Nigar Sultana, began their campaign with a victory over Scotland but suffered a setback against England. West Indies, captained by Hayley Matthews, lost their opener to South Africa but rebounded with a convincing win against Scotland.The match will be a test of the teams' ability to handle spin bowling, as the Sharjah Cricket Stadium has produced low first-innings totals and only two successful chases in this tournament.Bangladesh's batting has struggled in both games, but Sobhana Mostary has emerged as a key player. She top-scored against both Scotland and England, providing stability in the middle order.West Indies will be boosted by the return of left-arm spinner Zaida James, who missed the Scotland game due to a jaw injury. Her presence will strengthen their bowling attack, which has been led by Chinelle Henry.A win for West Indies would put them in contention for the top spot in the group, while a loss for Bangladesh would significantly damage their chances of reaching the semi-finals.

India's bowling arsenal has received a significant boost with the debut of Mayank Yadav, a fiery pacer who has consistently clocked speeds exceeding 150 kmph. Yadav made his international debut in the first T20I against Bangladesh, where he claimed a wicket and impressed with his raw pace.However, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has downplayed the threat posed by Yadav, suggesting that his team has similar pacers in their net bowling lineup. "We have some similar fast bowlers in the nets. I don't think we were too worried about (Mayank Yadav)," Shanto said after Bangladesh's seven-wicket defeat in the series opener.Despite Shanto's comments, Yadav's performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has been nothing short of exceptional. His ability to generate express pace and swing the ball has made him a formidable force in the shortest format of the game.Meanwhile, Team India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, has arrived in New Delhi ahead of the second T20I against Bangladesh. The hosts will be aiming to seal the series with a second consecutive victory on Wednesday.After their impressive seven-wicket win in Gwalior, India will be confident of extending their lead in the three-match series. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be eager to bounce back and level the series.The second T20I promises to be a high-scoring affair, with both teams boasting explosive batting lineups. India will rely on the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav to provide the fireworks, while Bangladesh will look to Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, and Liton Das to deliver.

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.

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya's impressive performance in the first T20I against Bangladesh has sparked discussions about his progress. While Pandya's 39-run knock and 1/26 bowling figures earned him praise, former India fast bowler RP Singh believes Bangladesh may not be the ideal benchmark to assess his form.Singh emphasized that Bangladesh's current form is not at the highest level, making it difficult to accurately gauge Pandya's progress. He suggested that a better assessment could be made against stronger opposition or in more competitive tournaments.Despite his reservations about using Bangladesh as a measure, Singh acknowledged Pandya's capabilities and praised his ability to contribute with both bat and ball. He highlighted Pandya's consistent bowling of four overs as a positive sign for the Indian team.Singh cautioned against overexcitement based solely on Pandya's performance against Bangladesh, emphasizing that tougher tests lie ahead. He believes that Pandya's true form will be revealed in more challenging matches.Pandya's performance has been a topic of discussion since his return from injury. His ability to bowl his full quota of overs and contribute with the bat has been seen as a significant improvement in his fitness and overall game.However, Singh's comments serve as a reminder that while Pandya's performance against Bangladesh is encouraging, it should not be taken as a definitive measure of his progress. Only time and tougher opposition will truly reveal the extent of his recovery and his ability to perform at the highest level.

England's 2019 World Cup-winning captain, Eoin Morgan, has heaped praise on India's impressive victory against Bangladesh in the second Test in Kanpur. Despite rain and a wet outfield disrupting play for over two days, Rohit Sharma's team emerged victorious by seven wickets, showcasing their aggressive approach with both bat and ball.Morgan lauded India's aggressive style of play, describing them as masters of their home conditions. India's last home Test series defeat came in 2012 against England, and they have remained unbeaten in home Test series ever since.Morgan believes that if India can replicate their Kanpur performance in Australia, they will pose a significant challenge to the hosts. "If they go to Australia and play in that manner, a big part of that series will lie in the balance on the fitness of Nathan Lyon and how they play (him)," Morgan said. "If they take that mindset into playing Nathan Lyon like that, it asks a lot of questions of Australia."Morgan also acknowledged India's hunger and desire to win, which he believes sets them apart. "They have to be considered one of the greatest in their own conditions," he said. "What makes them so good is their hunger and desire to want to win. Their attitude towards that they never take for granted."After their 2-0 whitewash of Bangladesh, India will host New Zealand in a three-Test series. Following that, the Test team will travel to Australia for the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which will feature five Tests. India has a strong record against Australia in the traditional format, having beaten them convincingly at home and in their own backyard in the last two Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series.

Mahmudullah Retires from T20Is, Citing Focus on ODIsVeteran Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad has announced his retirement from Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), effective after the third and final match of the ongoing series against India. The 38-year-old made the announcement at a pre-match press conference ahead of the second T20I in Delhi.Mahmudullah, who made his international debut in 2007, has been a mainstay in Bangladesh's T20I setup for over a decade. He has played 139 T20Is, scoring 2,213 runs at an average of 22.13 and taking 92 wickets with his off-spin bowling. He has also captained Bangladesh in 35 T20Is."Yes, I'm retiring from T20Is after the last game of this series. It was pre-decided," Mahmudullah said. "It's the right time to move on from this format and concentrate on ODI."Mahmudullah's decision to retire from T20Is comes as no surprise, as he has been struggling for form in recent times. He has not scored a half-century in his last 10 T20I innings and has taken only two wickets in his last five matches.However, Mahmudullah remains a key player for Bangladesh in ODIs. He has played 232 ODIs, scoring 4,876 runs at an average of 33.14 and taking 153 wickets. He is also Bangladesh's most successful ODI captain, having led the team to 43 victories in 73 matches.Mahmudullah's retirement from T20Is will be a significant loss for Bangladesh, but it will also allow him to focus on his ODI career and help Bangladesh qualify for the 2023 World Cup.

India's dominance over Bangladesh in the ongoing T20I series continued as they secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory in the second match in Guwahati. The hosts, fielding a young and talented side, proved too strong for the full-strength visitors, who have struggled to match the "skills and mentality" of Suryakumar Yadav's men.Despite resting key players like Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, and Jasprit Bumrah, India's depth in white-ball cricket shone through. Sanju Samson, confirmed as an opener for the series, made a strong statement of intent with a brisk 19-ball 29, showcasing his ability to play freely in the powerplay. However, he failed to convert his promising start, much like his opening partner Abhishek Sharma, who displayed sheer power before running himself out.With first-choice openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill rested, both Samson and Sharma were keen to prove their worth. They seized the opportunity and looked to build a solid foundation for India's chase.The hosts' bowling attack, led by debutant Mayank Yadav's fiery pace, was equally impressive. Yadav, along with fellow first-timer Nitish Kumar Reddy, made a mark as a seam-bowling all-rounder, a rarity in Indian cricket. Arshdeep Singh capably led the pace attack, while mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy made a striking comeback after a three-year absence from the national team.Chakaravarthy, who is eyeing the spin all-rounder's spot left vacant by Ravindra Jadeja, will be a key player for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. He, along with Washington Sundar, will be looking to fill the void left by Jadeja's absence.On the other hand, Bangladesh, who fielded a similar side to the one they played at the World Cup earlier this year, have the advantage of experience but have been unable to crack the T20 format. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto admitted that his team has not been performing well in this format for a long time.Batting continues to be Bangladesh's weak link, and they struggled against India's disciplined bowling attack. Senior players like Liton Das and Mahmuddullah need to get their act together if Bangladesh wants to stay alive in the three-match series.The Bangladesh bowlers have the ability to spice up things, but against India's formidable lineup, they would need plenty of runs on the board.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has heaped praise on young Indian pace sensation Mayank Yadav, who made his international debut in the first T20I against Bangladesh on Sunday. Ali expressed hope that Yadav will be part of the Indian squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Test series in Australia.Yadav, who impressed during this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) with Lucknow Super Giants, made an immediate impact on his India debut. In four overs, he took one wicket for 21 runs at an economy rate of 5.20. While he did not reach the 150 kph mark, he consistently hit 140 kph, showcasing his raw pace.Ali, speaking on his YouTube channel, said, "It was a dream debut for Mayank Yadav. He started off with a maiden and even clocked 149.9 kmph. He has come from an injury, which is why his speeds have not been 157 or 158. Just imagine if he had been given the new ball instead of Hardik Pandya. He instilled fear. If you guys saw the match, batters did not play him on the front foot. I hope that he remains fit and goes to Australia."In the match, India won the toss and opted to bowl first. Bangladesh was bundled out for 127 runs in 19.5 overs, with Najmul Hossain Shanto (27) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (35*) being the top scorers. Arshdeep Singh (3/14) was the pick of the bowlers for India, while Varun Chakravarthy (3/31) and Yadav (1/21) also contributed.During the chase, India lost Abhishek Sharma early, but Sanju Samson (29) and Suryakumar Yadav (29) put on a 40-run stand for the second wicket. Hardik Pandya (31*) and debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy (16*) then sealed the win for India with a 52-run partnership for the fourth wicket.Bangladesh failed to rise with the ball in the second inning and could only pick up two wickets. Mustafizur Rahman and Mehidy were the only wicket-takers for the visitors. Arshdeep was named the 'Player of the Match' for his fine spell.