Cricket

India's revamped T20I team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, is poised to clinch the series against Bangladesh in the second T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Yadav's leadership qualities have become evident since his appointment as captain in July, as he actively engages in training sessions and provides guidance to younger players.Yadav's intense batting session and discussions with Abhishek Sharma and Jitesh Sharma highlight his focus on evolving and adapting to the demands of international cricket. The team's composition reflects a long-term strategy towards the 2026 T20 World Cup, with fresh faces and specific player pools for different formats.Head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar have emphasized the importance of format-specific specialization. Speedster Mayank Yadav has been identified as a potential asset for the next T20 World Cup, and this series serves as an audition for players aiming to establish themselves in the shortest format.Yadav's mandate is to build a team capable of defending India's T20 World Cup title. While Bangladesh may not pose a significant challenge, the Indian team management is using the series to assess the progress of its own players. The emphatic victory in the first T20I suggests that younger players are emerging as potential threats to the established seniors.

Australia's Test opening conundrum remains unresolved as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India approaches. Shane Watson believes Steven Smith should continue at the top of the order, despite his recent struggles.Smith's move to opener after David Warner's retirement has sparked debate. Watson initially favored Cameron Green for the role, but Green's impressive performances at No. 4 have convinced him otherwise."Cameron Green came in and batted at No. 4 and did a brilliant job," Watson said. "He's the perfect No. 4 candidate now."However, Green's availability for the India series is uncertain due to a lower back injury. Cricket Australia is assessing his scans and an announcement on his status is expected this week.Smith's four-Test stint as opener has yielded 171 runs at an average of 28.50. Watson believes Smith's recent struggles are due to technical issues, not his position."He was a little bit off with his technique," Watson said. "If he opens and makes those little adjustments, he can be incredibly successful."Watson also expressed his disappointment with the decision to host the opening Test in Perth instead of Brisbane."The Gabba is a more challenging place to play for the foreign teams," Watson said. "It provides a few more challenges, whereas Perth, for example, it's not humid, the ball doesn't swing as much."The Gabba has been an Australian stronghold, but has been breached recently by West Indies and India. The ground's future is uncertain as Brisbane requires upgraded infrastructure for the 2032 Olympic games.

Australia's formidable batting lineup and experienced bowling attack proved too much for New Zealand in the Women's T20 World Cup on Tuesday. The defending champions posted a challenging 148/8, thanks to Beth Mooney's 40 and Ellyse Perry's 30, and then restricted their opponents to 88 all out.Opener Mooney and Alyssa Healy (26) provided a solid start for Australia, adding 41 runs for the first wicket. Mooney, who was initially given out lbw but successfully overturned the decision, played a crucial role in setting the platform for a big total.Perry, batting at number three, chipped in with a valuable 24-ball 30, while Phoebe Litchfield contributed 18. New Zealand's Amelia Kerr was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4/26, including the wicket of Litchfield.In reply, New Zealand's chase never really got going. They lost wickets at regular intervals, with Megan Schutt (3/3), Annabel Sutherland (3/21), and Sophie Molineux (2/15) sharing the spoils.Kerr, who had earlier impressed with the ball, top-scored for New Zealand with 29, but her efforts were in vain as the team fell well short of the target.With this victory, Australia maintained their unbeaten record in the tournament and moved to the top of Group A. New Zealand, on the other hand, suffered their first defeat and will need to bounce back in their remaining matches.

India's Rise as a Pace-Bowling SuperpowerIn the annals of cricket, India's transformation into a pace-bowling powerhouse is a remarkable tale. For decades, the nation's bowling attack was characterized by spin and guile, but a recent surge in fast bowlers has propelled India to the forefront of the global pace-bowling scene.The catalyst for this change was the emergence of Kapil Dev, a charismatic all-rounder who possessed genuine pace. His success inspired a generation of young bowlers to embrace the art of fast bowling. However, it was not until the arrival of Javagal Srinath that India truly established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the pace-bowling department. Srinath's ability to consistently bowl at speeds over 140 kmph paved the way for a new era of Indian fast bowling.In recent years, India has witnessed the rise of a new breed of tearaways, including Umran Malik and Mayank Yadav. Malik, a raw talent discovered on a cement wicket, has clocked speeds of over 150 kmph, while Yadav, known as the "New Delhi Express," has also shown immense promise.The emergence of these young fast bowlers has not only strengthened India's bowling attack but has also changed the perception of Indian cricket. No longer are they seen as a team reliant solely on spin. Instead, they now possess a balanced attack that can challenge the best in the world.However, managing fast bowlers is a delicate art. As Suryakumar Yadav, India's T20I skipper, rightly points out, it is crucial to "manage him well." Fast bowling is a physically demanding task, and bowlers need proper rest and recovery to maintain their longevity.Injuries are a constant threat to fast bowlers, and India has had its fair share of setbacks. Umran Malik, for example, missed the Duleep Trophy due to a hip issue. Proper injury management is essential to ensure that these young bowlers can fulfill their potential.Mental strength is another key factor for fast bowlers. Bowling at high speeds requires immense concentration and the ability to handle pressure. India's fast bowlers have shown great resilience in this regard, often performing under intense scrutiny.The rise of India as a pace-bowling superpower is a testament to the hard work and dedication of its bowlers. With a talented pool of young fast bowlers at their disposal, India is well-positioned to continue its dominance in the world of cricket.

Harvansh Singh's scintillating century propelled India U-19 to a commanding position against Australia U-19 on day two of the second Youth 'Test' at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.Singh's masterful knock of 117 (143b, 7x4, 6x6) anchored India's innings, which ended on a formidable 492. The right-hander displayed an array of strokes, showcasing his power-hitting prowess with six towering sixes over the leg-side. His elegant drives and punches, both off the front and back foot, helped him reach his century and push India's total beyond the 450-run mark.Australia's bowlers had a tough start to the day, with fast bowler Oliver Patterson dismissing India's skipper Soham Patwardhan (63) early on. However, Mohamed Enaan and Singh forged a resilient partnership of 54 runs for the seventh wicket. Enaan's dismissal brought N. Samarth to the crease, who played aggressively, hitting two consecutive sixes off Lachlan Ranaldo. However, the off-spinner soon dismissed both Samarth and Chetan Sharma in the same over.With India's innings nearing its end, Singh took over, dominating both the fast bowlers and spinners. He showcased his power-hitting by smashing six sixes on the leg-side between the long-on and deep-mid wicket region. His elegant punches and drives, both off the front and back foot, helped him reach his century and pushed India to post 492. He also had a crucial 90-run partnership for the last wicket alongside Anmoljeet.Australia's innings got off to a shaky start as leg-spinner Enaan dismissed openers Riley Kingsell and Steven Hogan, while off-spinner Anmoljeet sent back Simon Budge, leaving the visitors at 42 for three. However, skipper Oliver Peake (62 batting) and Alex Lee Young (45 batting) revived the innings with an unbroken 100-run fourth-wicket stand, ending the day at 142 for three.With the pitch showing signs of uneven bounce and the visiting team trailing by 350 runs, an intriguing day three is in store.

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy Final could potentially be relocated from Lahore to Dubai if India qualifies for the championship match. The tournament is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, with matches spread across Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi.However, due to ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan, there is uncertainty regarding India's participation in the event. The Telegraph reports that alternative venues for India's matches are being considered, with Dubai emerging as a potential host for the final if India qualifies.Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has expressed confidence that the tournament will be held in Pakistan as planned, including India's matches. However, the BCCI has previously cited government restrictions as the reason for not touring Pakistan.India last played a bilateral series with Pakistan in 2012-13, and the two teams have only met at global events since then. The last time India toured Pakistan was in July 2008.The decision on whether India will participate in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan remains uncertain. If India does not travel to Pakistan, the tournament could face significant logistical challenges, as alternative venues would need to be secured for India's matches.The ICC has not yet made any official announcement regarding the potential relocation of the final. However, the situation is being closely monitored, and a decision is expected in the coming months.

The Indian cricket team is set to embark on a crucial tour of Australia, with the first Test match scheduled to commence on November 22 in Perth. To prepare for the highly anticipated series, the team is expected to depart for Australia at least two weeks prior to the opening fixture.During their stay in Australia, the Indian team will engage in one or two intra-squad matches against their 'A' team counterparts. These matches will serve as a valuable tune-up for the Test series, providing the players with an opportunity to acclimatize to the Australian conditions and test their skills against a competitive opposition.The Indian senior team's home Test series against New Zealand will conclude on November 5 in Mumbai. Following the series, the Test squad is expected to depart from Mumbai within a few days. Similar to their previous tour of South Africa, the BCCI is considering organizing a four-day game between India and India A. This match is expected to provide Rohit Sharma's men with a high-quality match simulation.The India A team is also scheduled to play a couple of A Tests during their tour of Australia. The squad, comprising the country's bench strength, is expected to leave India by October 25.In recent years, the BCCI has observed a decline in the quality of practice matches. During Mahendra Singh Dhoni's tenure as Test captain, many of these tour games were granted unofficial status to allow all 15 members of the squad to bat and bowl.However, the senior team reintroduced the concept of intra-squad games during the 2021 World Test Championship final in England. These matches are played in proper whites and officiated by umpires, providing a more realistic match experience.During the 2023-24 series in South Africa, both India A and India were present in the country simultaneously. In between the two 'A' Tests, the second-string team faced off against the main team before the latter's opening game at the Centurion."Normally, home countries nowadays don't want to provide their best domestic talent for practice. It always helps in quality match practice if a bunch of India hopefuls are pitted against the stars. These are players knocking on the doors and eager to perform," said a BCCI insider.In preparation for the second Test in Adelaide, which will be played under lights with a pink ball, the Indian senior team will participate in a two-day day/night pink ball game at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on November 30 and December 1 against Prime Minister's XI.During the Test series, two separate Indian teams will be competing in different countries simultaneously. While the Test team gears up for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a World Test Championship final at stake, the Suryakumar Yadav-led T20 team will play four matches in South Africa between November 8-15.The India 'A' team for Australia will be selected after the first round of Ranji Trophy games (from October 11-14). The senior national selection committee will also pick an India U-25 squad next week for the Emerging Asia Cup, which will be held in Muscat this year.

New Zealand's women's cricket team will embark on a three-match ODI tour of India later this month, a series that was initially postponed due to scheduling conflicts. The matches, scheduled for October 24, 27, and 29 in Ahmedabad, will serve as a crucial step in both teams' quest for direct qualification to the 2024 Women's Cricket World Cup.The series holds particular significance for New Zealand, who currently sit sixth in the ICC Women's Championship standings, just one spot below India. With West Indies and Bangladesh potentially threatening their position, the matches against India are vital for the White Ferns' hopes of securing an automatic berth in the World Cup.The hosts, India, will also be eager to perform well in the series, as they aim to solidify their position among the top five teams in the championship standings. The top five teams, along with the hosts, will earn direct entry to the World Cup, while the remaining teams will have to compete in a global qualifier.Both teams will be coming off the Women's T20 World Cup in the UAE, which concludes on October 23. If they reach the final, they will have less than 72 hours to prepare for the ODI series. This could potentially impact the availability of key players, including India's Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma, and New Zealand's Sophie Devine.The series will mark New Zealand's first ODI matches in India since 2015, when they overcame a 1-0 deficit to clinch the series. The White Ferns will be hoping for a similar result this time around, as they look to strengthen their position in the championship standings and secure their place in the World Cup.

Team India's T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, is poised to make history as he stands on the cusp of equaling Virat Kohli's record as the second-fastest batter to reach 2500 runs in T20 Internationals. With just 39 runs separating him from the milestone, Suryakumar has the opportunity to match Kohli's feat in the same number of matches (73).Kohli, who retired from T20Is in 2024, achieved the milestone in a remarkable 73 matches. Suryakumar, on the other hand, has amassed 2461 runs in 72 T20I games, showcasing his exceptional consistency and ability to score runs at a rapid pace.If Suryakumar manages to score 39 runs in the second T20I against Bangladesh, he will etch his name alongside some of the greatest T20I batters in history. The overall record for the fastest to 2500 T20I runs is held by Pakistan's Babar Azam, who reached the milestone in a mere 67 matches.Fastest to 2500 runs in T20Is:1. Babar Azam (Pakistan) - 67 matches2. Virat Kohli (India) - 73 matches3. Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) - 76 matches4. Aaron Finch (Australia) - 78 matches5. Martin Guptill (New Zealand) - 86 matchesSuryakumar's impressive T20I career has been marked by his ability to play high-impact innings at crucial moments. In the first T20I against Bangladesh, he played a quick-fire knock of 29 runs off just 14 balls, helping India secure a comfortable seven-wicket victory.With India leading the three-match series 1-0, all eyes will be on Suryakumar in the second T20I on Wednesday. If India manages to secure another win, they will wrap up the series and extend their dominant run following their recent 2-0 Test series sweep against Bangladesh.