Cricket

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.

The Duleep Trophy and Irani Cup, two prestigious tournaments in Indian First Class cricket, showcased the cream of the crop. While the quality of cricket lived up to expectations, the sluggish pace of play, with teams and captains seemingly indifferent to adhering to the prescribed over-rate, cast a shadow over the proceedings.Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane, a veteran of 85 Test matches, has called for the imposition of run penalties to curb the over-rate menace in domestic cricket. "There is no penalty for the overs short... if they start penalising the team by the number of runs for every over that the fielding team is short by, for instance 12 runs for one over, 24 for two and so on and it should be added after every day's player," Rahane suggested after leading Mumbai to its 15th Irani Cup triumph.The over-rate in the Irani Cup was so abysmal that the game was repeatedly brought to a standstill. While Rest of India (RoI), led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, bowled 68 and 70 overs on the first two days, respectively, the final day's play was the most bizarre. With RoI in no hurry and Mumbai batters employing time-wasting tactics to secure a draw, only 38 overs were bowled in 240 minutes before the teams shook hands.Currently, the fielding captain and team face monetary sanctions for over-rate violations – 10 to 50% of the match-fee for the team and 20 to 100% for the captain. Monetary and disciplinary sanctions are also imposed on the batting side for time-wasting."I always believe that players should maintain that discipline. They should play within the rules. But at the moment there is no penalty, so I cannot comment too much about the rules. Whoever is managing domestic cricket, I feel if they can add a strict run penalty, it will be a huge thing," Rahane emphasized.

Arundhati Reddy's Stellar Performance Propels India to Victory over Pakistan in Women's T20 World CupIn a thrilling encounter at the Women's T20 World Cup, India's Arundhati Reddy emerged as the star performer, delivering an exceptional bowling display to restrict Pakistan to a modest total of 105/8. Reddy's impressive figures of 3/19 played a pivotal role in India's eventual victory.Reddy's impact was immediate, as she dismissed Omaima Sohail (3) and Aliya Riaz (4) in quick succession. Her most significant contribution came in the final over, when she clean bowled Pakistan's experienced batter Nida Dar. Reddy's aggressive delivery rattled Dar's stumps, sending her back to the pavilion.The Indian bowlers, as a collective, adapted well to the pitch conditions after conceding 160 runs against New Zealand in their opening match. They effectively took pace off their deliveries, making it challenging for the Pakistani batters to score freely. This strategy resulted in a remarkable 58 dot balls being delivered by the Indian bowlers.Pakistan's powerplay was particularly ineffective, as they managed only 29 runs for the loss of two wickets. The Indian bowlers maintained their dominance throughout the innings, restricting Pakistan to a below-par total. Despite Nida Dar's valiant effort of 28 runs off 34 balls, Pakistan struggled to push the ball into the gaps.Reddy's outstanding performance was a testament to her skill and determination. Her ability to adapt to different conditions and execute her plans effectively proved invaluable for India. The victory over Pakistan has boosted India's confidence as they look to progress further in the tournament.

Jacques Kallis, the legendary South African all-rounder, has been hailed as the "most talented player" ever by former Australian captain Ricky Ponting. Ponting's admiration stems from Kallis' exceptional all-round abilities and impressive statistics throughout his illustrious career.Kallis, who played from 1995 to 2013, amassed 13,289 runs in 166 Test matches, averaging an impressive 55.37. He scored 45 centuries and 58 fifties, solidifying his place as South Africa's highest Test run-scorer. His highest score of 224 ranks him third globally behind Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar.As a bowler, Kallis claimed 292 wickets at an average of 32.65, with best figures of 6/54. He took five five-wicket hauls in Tests, making him South Africa's seventh-highest wicket-taker.In One-Day Internationals (ODIs), Kallis scored 11,579 runs in 328 matches, averaging 44.36. He hit 17 centuries and 86 fifties, with a top score of 139. He was South Africa's leading run-scorer in ODIs, ranking eighth globally.With the ball, Kallis took 273 wickets in ODIs at an average of 31.79, including five-wicket hauls. He stands as South Africa's second-highest wicket-taker in ODIs, behind Shaun Pollock.In 25 T20 Internationals, Kallis scored 666 runs at an average of 35.05 and took 12 wickets.Overall, Kallis scored 25,534 runs in 519 international matches, with 62 centuries and 149 fifties. His 577 wickets across all formats place him among South Africa's top bowlers.Despite his remarkable achievements, Ponting believes that Kallis is "one of the most underrated players ever" in cricket. He noted that Kallis' all-round abilities and impressive statistics should earn him a place among the all-time greats.

In the scorching heat of Dubai, Pakistan's captain Fatima Sana made a crucial decision to bat first against India in their Group A encounter of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024. The match marked the first meeting between the two arch-rivals in the tournament.Both teams entered the contest with minor injury concerns. Pakistan's Diana Baig, who suffered a calf injury in their previous match against Sri Lanka, was replaced by legspinner Syeda Aroob Shah. This left Sana and Aliya Riaz as the only seam bowlers in Pakistan's XI, which featured six spinners.India, on the other hand, brought in S Sajana to replace the injured Pooja Vastrakar. Sajana's inclusion slightly extended India's batting depth but came at the expense of a seam bowler. The all-rounder had recently gained attention for hitting a last-ball six for Mumbai Indians in the WPL 2024 opener.The match was played on a fresh pitch with almost equidistant square boundaries (61m and 60m). The longest hit was straight down the ground, measuring 73m. The temperature hovered around 37 degrees Celsius, adding to the physical challenge for both teams.Pakistan's batting lineup featured Muneeba Ali as the wicketkeeper, followed by Gull Feroza, Sidra Amin, Omaima Sohail, Nida Dar, Tuba Hassan, Fatima Sana, Aliya Riaz, Syeda Aroob Shah, Nashra Sandhu, and Sadiq Iqbal.India's batting order consisted of Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Deepti Sharma, S Sajana, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, and Renuka Singh.The match promised to be a thrilling encounter between two of the top teams in women's cricket. Pakistan would look to upset India and secure a crucial victory in their quest for a semifinal berth, while India aimed to maintain their dominance and extend their winning streak in the tournament.

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.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council's recent decision to reinstate the rule allowing franchises to register retired or inactive international players as "uncapped" has sparked a flurry of speculation. Many believe the move was specifically tailored to accommodate legendary cricketer MS Dhoni, enabling the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to retain him at a reduced cost of INR 4 crore.While CSK has denied any prior discussions with Dhoni, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif is convinced that the rule change was solely motivated by the desire to keep Dhoni in the game. "You will see MS Dhoni again. He's fit, batting at a strike rate of 200, and keeping well. That's why I believe the rules will keep changing until he wants to play," Kaif said on Star Sports.Kaif believes the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was justified in altering the rulebook, given Dhoni's exceptional status. "I believe the rule has been changed rightly. If he's fit and playing well, why not change the rule and let him play? Everyone knows the rule has been changed for Dhoni sahab, and why not? You would want to change the rule for a player like Dhoni," Kaif asserted.Dhoni has hinted that his IPL future hinges on the league's retention rules. Now that the rules are clear, the veteran wicket-keeper batter is expected to make his decision known soon.The IPL's decision to accommodate Dhoni has raised questions about the fairness of the competition. Some argue that it gives CSK an unfair advantage, while others believe it is a fitting tribute to one of the greatest players in the game.Regardless of the controversy, it is clear that Dhoni remains a pivotal figure in Indian cricket. His presence in the IPL would undoubtedly boost the league's popularity and provide fans with the opportunity to witness one of the most iconic players of all time.

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.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is gearing up for its next season in 2025, and the highly anticipated "Big Auction" is set to take place in late November. While Dubai has been the traditional venue for overseas auctions, the BCCI is considering a move to Saudi Arabia for this edition.According to a report by Cricbuzz, Riyadh and Jeddah are the two Saudi cities being considered as potential hosts. While Dubai remains in the running, it is not the preferred option. The report suggests that the higher costs associated with hosting the auction in Saudi Arabia could be a factor in the final decision.Despite the potential financial implications, the BCCI, as the world's richest cricket board, is unlikely to be deterred by the increased expenses. However, the logistical requirements of the auction, including accommodating officials from the 10 teams and the two broadcasters, Disney Star and Jio, will need to be carefully considered.London was initially considered as a potential venue, but the onset of winter in the UK ruled it out. The auction is expected to be a two-day event, and the BCCI is keen to finalize the venue soon.The "Big Auction" is a crucial event in the IPL calendar, as it allows teams to bolster their squads ahead of the upcoming season. With a number of high-profile players expected to be available, the auction is likely to attract significant attention from fans and media alike.