Cricket

Team India Arrives in Delhi for Second T20I Against BangladeshNew Delhi, India - The Indian cricket team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Monday, November 21, 2023, ahead of their second Twenty20 International (T20I) match against Bangladesh. The Men in Blue received a warm welcome from their enthusiastic supporters at the airport.After disembarking from their flight, the Indian team boarded a bus and proceeded to their hotel in the national capital. They are scheduled to face Bangladesh in the second T20I on Wednesday, November 23, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.India currently holds a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after defeating Bangladesh by seven wickets in the opening T20I in Gwalior. Suryakumar's team will be aiming to secure a series victory with a win in the second match.The upcoming T20I is expected to be a high-scoring affair, given the batting prowess of both teams. India will be looking to continue their winning momentum, while Bangladesh will be determined to level the series.The Indian team has a strong batting lineup, led by Suryakumar Yadav, who has been in excellent form in recent matches. Other key players include KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. The bowling attack will be spearheaded by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, and Yuzvendra Chahal.Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be relying on their experienced batsmen, such as Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Liton Das. Their bowling attack will be led by Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, and Shoriful Islam.The second T20I between India and Bangladesh promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams eager to secure a series victory.

Varun Chakravarthy's remarkable return to the Indian team was marked by a stellar performance in the first T20I against Bangladesh in Gwalior. After a three-year absence, the mystery spinner played a pivotal role in India's crushing seven-wicket victory, claiming three wickets for 31 runs.Chakravarthy's comeback was an emotional moment for the 31-year-old, who expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent his country once again. "It was definitely emotional for me, and it feels nice to be back in the Blues, it feels like a rebirth," he said.The spinner's journey back to the national team has been marked by challenges and perseverance. After being dropped from the Indian side in November 2021, Chakravarthy faced criticism and doubts about his ability to return to the highest level. However, he remained determined to prove his worth.In the past year, Chakravarthy has enjoyed great success at the domestic level. He was the highest wicket-taker for Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2024 IPL, finishing with 21 wickets in 14 innings. He also played a key role in Dindigul Dragons' victory in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, taking 12 wickets in the tournament.Chakravarthy credits his recent success to the hard work he put in during the TNPL. "That's a place where I worked a lot, with Ash bhai [Ashwin]. We won the competition also, and that gave me the confidence here, because it was good preparation for me for this series," he said.In the first T20I against Bangladesh, Chakravarthy was introduced into the attack in the fifth over. He immediately made an impact, dismissing Towhid Hridoy in his second over. He followed that up with the wickets of Jaker Ali and Rishad Hossain, bamboozling the batters with his variations.Despite his impressive performance, Chakravarthy was disappointed with a dropped catch that could have given him a fourth wicket. However, he remained composed and focused on his task. "I thought it could have gone my way, but I can't complain," he said.Chakravarthy's return to form is a testament to his resilience and determination. He has overcome adversity to reclaim his place in the Indian team, and his performance in the first T20I suggests that he is ready to make a significant contribution to the side's success.

In a resounding display of dominance, India cruised to a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the opening T20 of the series in Gwalior. The hosts' triumph was orchestrated by a lethal bowling attack led by debutant Mayank Yadav and the returning Varun Chakaravarthy, who stifled the Bangladeshi batters.Mayank, a 22-year-old pacer from Delhi, made an impressive debut, generating serious pace and claiming the wicket of veteran Mahmudullah. His opening spell of 2-1-3-1 included a maiden over, showcasing his potential as a genuine fast bowler.Varun Chakaravarthy, making his comeback after nearly three years, also troubled the Bangladeshi batters with his enigmatic spin. He dismissed Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 64 for five in 10 overs.Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh played his part in the powerplay, removing openers Litton Das and Parvez Hossain Emon. He returned to end Bangladesh's innings, claiming the wicket of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who top-scored for the visitors with 35 not out.India's chase was equally impressive, with Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson setting the tone with aggressive batting. Samson played a delightful cameo of 29 off 19 before falling to Mehidy Hasan Miraz.Skipper Suryakumar Yadav continued the onslaught, picking up shots off pacer Taskin Ahmed in the fifth over. Debutant Nitish Reddy and Hardik Pandya guided India home in a canter, with Pandya finishing the game in style with a ballistic 12th over.The victory was a testament to India's depth and talent, as they showcased a formidable bowling attack and aggressive batting lineup. The series-opening win sets the stage for an exciting contest between the two sides in the remaining matches.

Mayank Yadav, the 21-year-old Indian pacer, made a memorable debut in the first T20I against Bangladesh on Sunday, claiming his maiden international wicket in style. Bowling with pace and precision, Yadav clocked a rapid 146.1kph delivery to dismiss allrounder Mahmudullah.Yadav's wicket-taking delivery was a short ball that Mahmudullah charged down the pitch to play. However, the batter could only manage a toe-end that sailed to deep point. It was a key moment for Yadav, who was making his international debut alongside all-rounder Nitish Reddy.Yadav had impressed in the 2024 IPL season with Lucknow Super Giants, where he showcased his raw pace. Despite an injury that cut his season short, Yadav's return to the international scene proved that he can consistently clock speeds above 140kph.Yadav's debut performance has raised expectations for the young pacer, who is seen as a potential future star for India. His ability to generate pace and swing the ball makes him a valuable asset to the Indian bowling attack.With his maiden T20I wicket, Yadav has put himself on the board early in his international career. As he continues to gain experience and develop his skills, he is likely to become a key player for India in the years to come.

India Hands Debuts to Mayank Yadav and Nitish Reddy in T20I Opener Against BangladeshIn a significant move, India has handed debuts to fast bowler Mayank Yadav and batting all-rounder Nitish Reddy in the first T20I against Bangladesh in Gwalior. Both players have impressed with their performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL), earning them a spot in the national team.India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, won the toss and elected to bowl first, aiming to exploit their strong bowling attack against Bangladesh. The debutants, Yadav and Reddy, will be eager to showcase their talent on the international stage after shining in high-pressure IPL moments.This move reflects India's commitment to nurturing young talent and building depth for future challenges. Suryakumar Yadav included Mayank Yadav, wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, power-hitter Rinku Singh, and all-rounder Washington Sundar in the playing XI, leaving out Tilak Verma, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, and Jitesh Sharma."We'll look to bowl first. Looks humid, don't think the wicket will change later on. Always a great feeling coming back home and playing in home conditions. We are really excited for that. There's a lot of talent involved in the group. The energy is great and most importantly, the guys are keen to learn. That's a great thing. (On the stadium) Looks beautiful, the crowd here looks lovely, very excited to play here. Guys who are missing out are Tilak Varma, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana and Jitesh," Suryakumar said at the toss.Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed his excitement for the series and praised the young Indian team. "It's a pretty new side. Couple of guys are coming for the T20s, I hope they do something special in the series. Last couple of months, they have worked really hard at home. Looks very fresh, I would have bowled first as well. Looks like a good wicket, I hope the openers will do something good. Three seamers and two spinners," said Shanto.Teams:India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh.Bangladesh: Litton Das (wk), Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam.

Temba Bavuma's injury woes continue to haunt South Africa as the Proteas captain is now in doubt for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Bavuma was ruled out of the third ODI against Ireland with an elbow injury, raising concerns about his availability for the Test matches starting on October 21.The injury is a recurrence of the same elbow problem that sidelined Bavuma during South Africa's T20 tour of India in 2022. It forced him to miss the subsequent tour of England and has plagued him ever since. Despite making a comeback ahead of the 2022 T20 World Cup, Bavuma has been hampered by a series of injuries, including hamstring niggles and a left hamstring injury sustained during the Boxing Day Test against India last year.Bavuma's absence from the Test series against Bangladesh is a significant blow to South Africa's hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The Proteas have six Tests remaining in the cycle, and they need to win at least five of them to have a chance of reaching the final.In Bavuma's absence, Rassie van der Dussen will lead South Africa in the Test series. T20I captain Aiden Markram has been rested for this series.South Africa are also without allrounder Wiaan Mulder for the white-ball series against Ireland. Mulder has left the tour for personal reasons. The Proteas have already taken a 2-0 lead in the ODI series and will play the third and final match on Monday. The preceding T20I series finished level at 1-1.

India's T20I Preparations Begin with Grueling Practice SessionAs India prepares to face Bangladesh in the first T20I match in Gwalior on Sunday, the team underwent an intense practice session on Saturday. This match marks India's first home T20 match since their triumph at the T20 World Cup in the West Indies earlier this year.Led by Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian squad features only four players from the World Cup-winning team. The practice session, overseen by Yadav, showcased the team's determination to defend their title in the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.Yadav, known for his innovative batting style, provided commentary on the practice session, describing the shots of batsmen like Washington Sundar and Rinku Singh in his unique Mumbaikar style. The Indian cricket board (BCCI) shared a video of the practice session on Twitter, highlighting the team's focus and preparation.India's T20I series against Bangladesh serves as a crucial step in their preparations for the 2026 World Cup. The team will aim to build on their success in the West Indies and develop a strong foundation for the upcoming tournament.

Gwalior, a city steeped in history and renowned for its royal lineage, is poised to witness the return of international cricket after a hiatus of over a decade. The Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium, a state-of-the-art venue located on the outskirts of the city, will host India's first home T20 match since their triumph at the 2023 T20 World Cup in the West Indies.The match marks a significant milestone for Gwalior, which last hosted an international cricket match in 2010 when Sachin Tendulkar etched his name in history by becoming the first cricketer to score a double century in ODIs. The upcoming T20 encounter will provide a platform for India to begin preparations for the defense of their T20 World Cup title in 2026, which they will co-host with Sri Lanka.Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India will field a squad featuring a blend of experienced players and promising youngsters. Fringe players like Mayank Yadav, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Reddy will have the opportunity to showcase their skills and stake their claim for a place in the team.One of the key storylines surrounding the match is the return of Varun Chakravarthy, the Kolkata Knight Riders spinner who last represented India in 2021. Chakravarthy's impressive performance in the 2024 IPL has earned him a recall, and his tricky bowling could pose a significant threat to Bangladesh.Despite his strong T20I record, Ruturaj Gaikwad's omission from the Indian squad has raised eyebrows. In his absence, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma will be expected to step up and provide stability to the batting lineup.Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be eager to bounce back from their 2-0 Test series defeat against India. Captain Najmul Shanto will need to lead by example, while experienced campaigners like Mahmudullah will be crucial to their chances of success.The T20 series between India and Bangladesh promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams looking to make a statement ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. The return of international cricket to Gwalior is a testament to the city's rich sporting heritage and its passion for the game.

Shivam Dube Ruled Out of Bangladesh T20I Series with Back Injury; Tilak Varma Named ReplacementNew Delhi: India's preparations for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh have suffered a major setback with the news that star all-rounder Shivam Dube has been ruled out due to a back injury. The three-match series is set to commence on Sunday in Gwalior.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed Dube's unavailability in a social media post, stating that he will miss the entire series. The board also announced that left-handed batter Tilak Varma has been named as his replacement.Dube's injury is a significant blow to the Indian team, as he has been a key contributor in the T20I format. In 33 T20I appearances for India, he has amassed 448 runs and claimed 11 wickets.It is understood that Dube's back injury resurfaced during training in Mumbai prior to the Bangladesh series. Despite traveling to Gwalior, the pain persisted, causing discomfort during training sessions.The 21-year-old Varma, who has played 16 T20Is for India, will join the squad in Gwalior on Sunday morning. He has scored 336 runs and taken two wickets in the shortest format of the game.Varma's inclusion in the squad is a testament to his impressive performances for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, he has recently been sidelined due to an injury, which prevented him from being selected for the T20I series against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.With Dube's absence, India will have to rely on other all-rounders in the squad, such as Hardik Pandya and Washington Sundar. The team will also be hoping that Varma can make a quick impact and fill the void left by Dube.