Cricket

Team India's T20 World Cup 2024 Jersey Leaked on Social MediaWith the T20 World Cup 2024 just around the corner, the Indian cricket team's new jersey has reportedly been leaked on social media. The leaked images show a jersey with tri-colour stripes on a v-shaped neck, featuring the traditional three stripes of Adidas on the saffron sleeves.The leak has sparked mixed reactions among fans, with some expressing disappointment and others praising the design. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet officially released the jersey, but the leaked images have gone viral on social media.This is not the first time that Team India's new kit has been leaked online. In the past, the jerseys for the 2019 World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup were also leaked before their official release.The BCCI had recently announced the 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, which includes the return of Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, and Yuzvendra Chahal. The squad also features three seamers (Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh) and four spinners (Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Kuldeep Yadav).India captain Rohit Sharma explained the decision to pick four spinners in the squad, stating that the team wanted to have more options in the spin department, especially considering the conditions in the host country.The T20 World Cup 2024 will be held from October 16 to November 13 in the United States and the West Indies. India will be looking to win their second T20 World Cup title, having previously won the tournament in 2007.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) pacer Harshit Rana has once again found himself in hot water with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for his on-field celebrations. Rana, who has already been penalized twice this season for similar offenses, couldn't resist repeating his antics in the IPL 2024 match against Lucknow Super Giants.Despite being handed a 100% fine on his match fee and a one-match suspension for breach of IPL Code of Conduct, Rana managed to "tease" the BCCI with his latest celebration. The uncapped Indian pacer kept a finger on his mouth after dismissing a Lucknow batsman, prompting fans to speculate that he was mocking the cricket board.KKR also decided to share the picture of Rana's celebration on social media, further fueling the controversy. The BCCI is yet to comment on the incident, but it is likely that Rana will face further disciplinary action.Rana's previous celebration, which earned him a suspension, came in the match against Delhi Capitals. The pacer had celebrated a wicket by running towards the boundary line and jumping over the advertising hoardings. The BCCI deemed this celebration to be "excessive" and "against the spirit of the game."The BCCI has been cracking down on excessive celebrations in recent years, with the aim of maintaining the decorum of the game. However, some players have argued that the rules are too strict and stifle their creativity.It remains to be seen whether the BCCI will take offense to Rana's latest celebration and hand him another penalty. The pacer has already admitted to the offense and accepted the sanction for his previous celebration, but it is possible that the BCCI will view his latest antics as a deliberate provocation.

Hardik Pandya's inclusion in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024 has sparked controversy, with former all-rounder Irfan Pathan questioning the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision. Despite poor form in the IPL 2024, Pandya was not only selected for the 15-man squad but also named vice-captain.Pathan criticized the BCCI for making exceptions for Pandya, who has been absent from domestic cricket. He pointed out that players like Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were forced to prove themselves in domestic cricket before being recalled to the Indian team."Regular participation in domestic cricket is essential for serving Indian cricket throughout the year," Pathan said. "But there's this one player who returns from injury without fulfilling the same requirements."Pathan also questioned Pandya's performance consistency and commitment to Indian cricket. He suggested that Jasprit Bumrah would have been a better choice for the vice-captaincy role."To succeed in tournaments like the World Cup, it's imperative that every player is treated fairly and equally," Pathan said. "I believe someone like Bumrah wouldn't have been a bad choice either."Pathan's comments highlight the ongoing debate over Pandya's place in the Indian team. While some believe he is a valuable all-rounder, others question his form and commitment. The BCCI's decision to select him for the T20 World Cup 2024 is likely to be a topic of discussion in the coming months.

India's T20 World Cup Squad Unveiled: Agarkar and Rohit Sharma to Address MediaThe Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce its squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma will hold a press conference in Mumbai to reveal the selected players and provide insights into the selection process.The press conference will be held on Tuesday, and the duo will take questions from the media. The announcement of the squad has been eagerly anticipated by cricket fans across the country, as India aims to reclaim the T20 World Cup title after their disappointing performance in the 2021 edition.Agarkar, a former India pacer, has been instrumental in the selection process. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role, having played 191 ODIs and 26 Tests for India. Sharma, on the other hand, is one of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history. He has led India to numerous victories, including the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2022 Asia Cup.The selection of the squad is based on several factors, including recent performances, fitness, and team balance. The selectors have considered the strengths and weaknesses of the players and have chosen a squad that they believe can compete at the highest level.The T20 World Cup will be held in Australia from October 16 to November 13. India is placed in Group 2 alongside Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh, and two qualifiers. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 12 stage.

Legendary Indian cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth has expressed his disappointment over the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to overlook Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.Gaikwad, who is currently the highest run-scorer in IPL 2024 with over 500 runs in 17 innings, was surprisingly left out of the Indian squad. Srikkanth believes that Gaikwad's impressive performances, including a century against Australia, warranted his inclusion in the team.In contrast, Shubman Gill, who has been struggling for form in all formats, has been added to the reserve list. Srikkanth accused the team management of "favouritism" and questioned Gill's selection ahead of Gaikwad."Shubman Gill is totally out of form, but why is he selected in the team? There's no doubt that Ruturaj Gaikwad deserves a place. He scored more than 500 runs in 17 innings. Also, he scored a century against Australia. Shubman Gill is selectors' delight. He gets a chance even if he fails. He finds a place even if he fails in Tests, ODIs, and T20s. There's too much favouritism in selection. The team selection is all about favouritism," Srikkanth said in a video on his YouTube channel 'Cheeky Chekka.'Srikkanth's criticism echoes the sentiments of many fans and experts who believe that Gaikwad's omission is a major oversight. The 26-year-old opener has been in excellent form in recent months and has proven his ability to score runs consistently at the highest level.The BCCI's decision to overlook Gaikwad has also raised questions about the selection criteria for the Indian team. Critics argue that the selectors are biased towards certain players and that performance is not always the primary factor in team selection.The exclusion of Rinku Singh, another in-form batsman, from the T20 World Cup squad has also drawn criticism. Singh has been in impressive form for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024 and many believe he deserved a place in the Indian team.The BCCI has not yet responded to Srikkanth's allegations of favouritism. However, the team management will be under pressure to justify their decision to leave out Gaikwad and Singh from the T20 World Cup squad.

Mayank Yadav, the pace sensation from Delhi, faces an uncertain future in the remaining IPL round-robin stage after sustaining a suspected abdominal muscle tear during the match against Mumbai Indians. This is his second injury setback in the past four weeks, casting doubt on his availability for the crucial knockout games.However, there is a silver lining for the 21-year-old. The BCCI is set to offer him a pace bowling contract alongside Umran Malik, Vidwath Kaverappa, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Yash Dayal, and Akash Deep. This contract will place Yadav under the supervision of the NCA's Sports Science and Medical team, who will oversee his injury management and fitness program."Mayank has a tear, but it is likely a grade 1 tear. It will be cutting it fine, but if LSG qualifies for the play-offs, he might be able to play the knockout games. But it is like hoping against hope, and right now, he is doubtful for the remaining IPL games," a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.Yadav burst onto the scene with impressive performances at the start of the IPL, earning back-to-back 'Player of the Match' awards. However, he broke down in the third match and was ruled out for four weeks. He made a comeback against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday but was forced to leave the field after bowling 3.1 overs.Had Yadav been fit throughout the tournament, he could have been a potential left-field selection for the T20 World Cup. However, the Indian cricket establishment is now focused on handling him with care."He will soon be handed a pace bowling contract, and once he is in the BCCI Pathways structure, his growth will be systematically monitored. The national selection committee and the Indian team management would like to gradually blood him and ensure that he can maintain peak fitness," the BCCI source added.

Virat Kohli's inclusion in India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad has sparked debate, with former Australian opener Matthew Hayden questioning whether the veteran batter is the right choice. Despite Kohli's impressive form in the ongoing IPL season, Hayden believes that the BCCI should prioritize performance over reputation.Kohli has been in scintillating form for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), amassing 500 runs in just 10 matches, including four half-centuries and a century. His crucial knock of 70 off 44 balls against Gujarat Titans on Sunday further cemented his status as a key player for RCB.However, Hayden argues that Kohli's slow strike rate and lack of impact in the middle overs could be a liability for India in the T20 World Cup. He suggests that the BCCI should consider younger players who are more suited to the demands of modern T20 cricket."From an Australian cricket point of view, our philosophy is pretty simple. We pick not the names or the icons but select those who are going to win you the World Cup," Hayden said. "We've got our own debates on our front. David Warner... should he go? We've had our challenges and I think we have been very good over the last 20 or even 30 years to actually think what is the side that is going to win."Hayden acknowledges Kohli's impressive statistics but questions whether he is the best option for India in the T20 World Cup. "This Virat Kohli discussion is probably the primary discussion here. Is he the individual who is going to win you the World Cup? I mean, his last ODI World Cup was a fantastic campaign. He has got nothing wrong with his statistics, historically no matter what tournament he plays.""So the challenge from mine is his experience vs the young impetus that is required to play great World Cup cricket."Despite the concerns raised by Hayden, the BCCI has shown faith in Kohli by including him in the 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup. It remains to be seen whether Kohli can justify his selection and lead India to victory in the tournament.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, and the omission of middle-order batter Rinku Singh from the 15-man squad has raised eyebrows.Rinku Singh, known for his hard-hitting abilities, was widely expected to be included in the squad. However, the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee opted to include him only as a reserve player.The T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played in the US and the Caribbean from June 2, will see India fielding a strong squad. However, the exclusion of Rinku Singh has left many fans and experts questioning the decision.Rinku Singh has been in impressive form in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), despite limited opportunities. His omission from the main squad has sparked a debate on social media, with many expressing their disappointment.Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan took to Twitter to express his surprise at Rinku Singh's non-selection. "Rinku Singh not in the main squad for the T20 World Cup is a big surprise. He has been in good form in the IPL," Pathan tweeted.Other fans and experts have also voiced their opinions on the matter. Vikrant Gupta, a cricket analyst, tweeted, "Rinku Singh deserves to be in the main squad. He is a match-winner and can change the game with his batting."LoyalSachinFan, a popular cricket fan account, tweeted, "Rinku Singh's omission is a big mistake. He is a talented player who can make a difference in the T20 World Cup."Mufaddal Vohra, another cricket analyst, tweeted, "Rinku Singh's non-selection is a blow to India's batting depth. He is a player who can score runs quickly and put pressure on the opposition."The BCCI selection committee has not yet provided an official explanation for Rinku Singh's omission from the main squad. However, it is speculated that his recent dip in form and lack of opportunities in the IPL may have influenced the decision.Despite his non-selection, Rinku Singh remains a valuable asset to the Indian team. His inclusion as a reserve player indicates that the selectors still value his abilities and may consider him for a place in the main squad if injuries or other circumstances arise.

India's T20 World Cup Squad Announcement Imminent: All the Latest UpdatesThe highly anticipated BCCI selection committee meeting to finalize India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup is expected to take place today. Timesofindia.com will provide comprehensive coverage of the event, bringing you the latest updates and insights as the 15 players who will represent the nation are announced.The T20 World Cup is scheduled to commence shortly after the conclusion of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), which culminates on May 26. The tournament will feature some of the world's top cricket teams competing for the coveted title.Key Considerations for the Selection CommitteeThe selection committee will have several factors to consider when finalizing the squad. The team's recent performances in the IPL will be a major factor, as will the players' overall form and fitness. The committee will also need to balance experience with youth, ensuring a blend of seasoned veterans and promising young talent.Contenders for SelectionSeveral players have emerged as strong contenders for selection based on their impressive performances in the IPL. These include:* Batsmen: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant* All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel* Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra ChahalExpectations and PredictionsIndia is one of the favorites to win the T20 World Cup, given their strong batting lineup and experienced bowling attack. However, the competition will be fierce, with other top teams such as England, Australia, and Pakistan also vying for the title.