Cricket

Mayank Yadav, India's promising right-arm pacer, is diligently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. His exceptional pace has garnered attention since his impressive performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, despite playing only four matches.During his brief IPL stint, Yadav showcased his raw talent, claiming seven wickets at an economical rate of 6.99. His blistering pace consistently exceeded 150 kmph, with his fastest delivery clocking in at an astonishing 156.7 kmph.However, Yadav's promising run was cut short by an injury, prompting questions about his potential inclusion in the Indian squad. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah acknowledged Yadav's talent but remained non-committal about his immediate selection."I cannot give you any answer on Mayank Yadav as there is no guarantee whether he will be in the team or not. But he is potentially a good fast bowler, and we are looking after him. He is currently in the NCA," Shah told Times of India.Yadav's IPL debut for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in 2023 was equally impressive, but an injury forced him to withdraw after just four games. Despite being acquired by LSG for a base price of Rs 20 lakh in the 2022 auction, he was replaced by Arpit Guleria due to an injury.Throughout his T20 career, Yadav has amassed 19 wickets in 14 matches, while in List A cricket, he has claimed 34 wickets in 17 matches. He represents Delhi in the domestic circuit.In April 2024, Yadav etched his name in the IPL record books by delivering the fastest ball of the tournament. His blistering delivery propelled Lucknow Super Giants to a resounding victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru.Yadav's rehabilitation at the NCA is a testament to his determination to overcome injuries and fulfill his potential. With his raw pace and impressive track record, he remains a promising prospect for the Indian cricket team.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is nearing a return to action after a prolonged absence due to an ankle injury. The injury, sustained shortly after the 2023 ODI World Cup, initially appeared minor, but subsequent swelling necessitated surgery.Shami's recovery has progressed steadily at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. He resumed bowling last month and has gradually increased his workload. The selectors are closely monitoring his progress and will soon decide if he should participate in the Duleep Trophy matches starting September 5 to prove his fitness.The first Test against Bangladesh on September 19 in Chennai remains the target for Shami's comeback. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has expressed optimism about his recovery, stating that "September 19 is the first Test and that was always the goal."Even if Shami misses some or all of India's home Tests, he has ample time to regain his rhythm before the tour of Australia. The Ranji Trophy begins in October, followed by two first-class games for India A in Australia from October 31.Shami's return will be a significant boost for India, who have relied heavily on Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Umesh Yadav in his absence. His experience and wicket-taking ability will be crucial in the upcoming Test series and the World Test Championship.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is eager to make his comeback through domestic cricket after recovering from an ankle surgery. Shami, who has been out of action since February, has started bowling at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru but is yet to bowl at full throttle."It's difficult to say when I will be back. I am trying hard but hopefully you will get to see me in Bengal colours before I don the India jersey again," Shami said while being felicitated by the East Bengal club in Kolkata.The 33-year-old pacer said the injury came at a time when he was trying to recover from India's ODI World Cup final defeat. "We never thought the injury would be this serious. The plan was to address it after the T20 World Cup since we had the IPL and the ICC T20 mega event coming almost back-to-back after last year's World Cup. But it turned worse during the ODI World Cup itself and I also did not find it right to risk playing on with it," he recalled."Even the doctors could not fathom that the injury will take such a serious turn and will take so much time to heal," the pacer said.India's highest wicket-taker in the 2023 World Cup, Shami thus had to miss this year's IPL and also watched India's T20 World Cup triumph sitting at home. "To tell you frankly, I got tense when South Africa were pulling things back in the final. For a moment memories of our 2023 WC final loss returned to haunt me. But luckily Suryakumar Yadav took that great catch to fetch us the Cup and it took time to sink in that India have actually won it," Shami stated.Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly, who was also honoured in the evening, also looked forward to Shami's comeback. "I am actually surprised to see Shami has played only 101 ODI matches. Somebody with his calibre and talent should have played many more," Ganguly said.The former BCCI chief remembered seeing Shami first while playing for Bengal in late 2000s. "Laxmi (Ratan Shukla) was the Bengal skipper then and I immediately told him that this boy (Shami) is an exceptional talent. I am happy to see him converting that talent into performance," he added."It's said that (Jasprit) Bumrah is the best pacer, but Bumrah has become the best because he got Shami at the other end. So you have pressure from both ends," Ganguly pointed out.

Indian pace spearhead Mohammed Shami is determined to make a strong comeback to international cricket after a brief injury layoff. The veteran fast bowler has been diligently training in the nets, showcasing his unwavering determination to regain his place in the Indian team.Shami's last competitive appearance was in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup final against Australia, where he played through pain but still managed to impress with his pace and swing. He finished the tournament with an impressive 24 wickets in just seven matches, including three five-wicket hauls.Despite his exceptional performance, Shami was forced to miss the South Africa tour and the T20I series against Afghanistan due to an Achilles tendon injury. He underwent successful recovery surgery in February, which ruled him out of the IPL and the ICC T20 World Cup.With 448 wickets in 188 international matches, Shami is one of the most successful fast bowlers of the modern era. His ability to generate pace and swing makes him a formidable threat to any batting lineup.Shami's return to the Indian team will be a major boost for the side, especially with the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in 2027. His experience and skill will be invaluable as India looks to reclaim the coveted trophy.

Arshdeep Singh, India's rising star pacer, has hailed the recent T20 World Cup triumph as the most memorable match of his career. The 25-year-old played a pivotal role in India's victory, claiming 2-20 in his four overs against South Africa in the thrilling final.Despite not being part of India's ODI World Cup final team last year or the IPL final, Arshdeep displayed remarkable composure under pressure. His impressive performance in the T20 World Cup, where he emerged as India's leading wicket-taker with 17 scalps, showcased his exceptional talent."For cricketers, every match is crucial, but the World Cup final holds a special place in my heart," Arshdeep told IANS. "Winning the trophy was an unforgettable experience. The atmosphere, the intensity, and the joy of lifting the cup with my teammates made it incredibly special. It's a moment I'll cherish forever, knowing we made our country proud on such a grand stage."Arshdeep's impressive T20I record, with 79 wickets in 52 matches at an average of 18.40, further highlights his prowess. He will now travel with the Indian team to Sri Lanka for a three-match T20I and ODI series, starting on July 27.Arshdeep's journey to the top has been marked by hard work and determination. He made his international debut in 2022 and has quickly established himself as a key member of India's bowling attack. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace makes him a formidable opponent.As India gears up for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, Arshdeep will be looking to continue his impressive form. His performances will be crucial as India aims to maintain its dominance in the shortest format of the game.

Glamorgan have bolstered their T20 Blast squad with the acquisition of Scotland's pace spearhead, Chris Sole. The 30-year-old joins the Welsh county for the remainder of the group stages, bringing with him a wealth of international experience and raw pace.Sole's inclusion is a significant boost for Glamorgan, who have struggled to find consistency in the Blast this season. The Welsh county currently sits seventh in the South Group, with only the top four teams progressing to the quarter-finals.Sole's arrival is expected to provide a much-needed injection of pace to Glamorgan's bowling attack. The right-armer has been clocked at speeds above 90mph/145kph during his international career and has a proven track record of taking wickets.Glamorgan head coach Grant Bradburn, who previously worked with Sole during his time in charge of Scotland, is confident that the fast bowler will make a significant contribution to the team."To be able to add Chris Sole's high-quality skills, experience, and character into our squad brings an exciting vibe to our team," Bradburn said. "Having worked with Chris previously in Scotland, we know the high value he will bring and I'm sure he will thrive in our environment."Glamorgan's director of cricket, Mark Wallace, echoed Bradburn's sentiments, highlighting Sole's impressive performances for Scotland."We have been tracking Chris for a while, and now that his World Cup campaign is over with Scotland, it's great to be able to bring him in to add some pace to our attack and bolster our seam bowling resources in the Vitality Blast," Wallace said.Sole, who took two wickets at the T20 World Cup, is eager to make an immediate impact for Glamorgan."I'm very excited to be included in Glamorgan's Vitality Blast campaign and can't wait to join the squad at the Oval tonight," Sole said. "Hopefully, I can contribute to some on-field success in the coming weeks."Glamorgan will hope that Sole's inclusion can help them secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Blast. The Welsh county faces a tough challenge in their remaining group matches, but they will be confident that Sole can provide the X-factor that they need to succeed.

David Johnson, Former Indian Fast Bowler, Passes Away at 52New Delhi, India - The Indian cricket community is mourning the loss of former fast bowler David Johnson, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 52. Johnson, affectionately known as "Benny," had a brief but memorable stint with the Indian cricket team, playing two Test matches in 1996.Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Johnson made his first-class debut for Tamil Nadu in 1993. He quickly gained recognition for his pace and swing, and was selected to represent India A in 1995. His impressive performances earned him a call-up to the national team for the Test series against South Africa in 1996.Johnson made his Test debut in the second match of the series at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. He bowled with pace and accuracy, taking 2 wickets in the match. He also played in the third Test at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, Delhi, where he claimed 3 wickets.Despite his promising start, Johnson's international career was cut short due to injuries. He retired from first-class cricket in 2000 and pursued a career in coaching. He served as the bowling coach for the Tamil Nadu cricket team and the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings.Johnson's passing has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Former Indian captain Anil Kumble expressed his condolences on Twitter, saying, "Saddened to hear the passing of my cricketing colleague David Johnson. Heartfelt condolences to his family. Gone too soon 'Benny'!"Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah also paid tribute to Johnson, tweeting, "Deepest condolences to family and friends of our former Indian fast bowler David Johnson. His contributions to the game will always be remembered."David Johnson's legacy as a talented fast bowler and a dedicated coach will continue to inspire young cricketers in India. His untimely demise is a great loss to the cricketing fraternity.

Niranjana Nagarajan Retires from Cricket: A Journey of Gratitude and AccomplishmentsIndian fast bowler Niranjana Nagarajan has bid farewell to the sport she has dedicated 24 years of her life to. In an emotional social media post, the 35-year-old announced her retirement from all forms of cricket.Nagarajan's journey began at the tender age of 19 when she made her international debut in an ODI against England in Bath. She went on to represent India in two Tests, 22 ODIs, and 14 T20Is between 2008 and 2016.Her Test debut in Wormsley in 2014 was a memorable one. She claimed four wickets in the first innings, helping India bowl out England for a mere 92 runs. Nagarajan also contributed with a gritty 27 runs, paving the way for India's historic fourth Test win overall and second against England.Throughout her career, Nagarajan picked up 24 wickets in ODIs and nine in T20Is. She last played for India in a T20I against Sri Lanka in Ranchi in 2016.Beyond her international exploits, Nagarajan was a key figure for Railways and Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket. Her contributions to the sport have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Arjuna Award in 2012.In her retirement announcement, Nagarajan expressed her gratitude for the opportunities cricket has given her. "Playing cricket at a professional level has been the best thing that could have happened to me," she said. "It gave me a vision, ambition, and reason to look forward in life."Nagarajan's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian women's cricket. She leaves behind a legacy of determination, resilience, and a love for the game that will continue to inspire future generations.

Khaleel Ahmed, the Delhi Capitals pacer, has made a triumphant return to the Indian cricket team after a four-and-a-half-year absence. The 26-year-old left-arm pacer has been named as a standby for the upcoming T20 World Cup, a testament to his impressive performances for DC in the ongoing IPL.Ahmed has been in scintillating form this season, claiming 14 wickets in 12 matches. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace has made him a formidable force in the DC bowling attack.Speaking on the DC Podcast, Ahmed expressed his delight at being recalled to the national team. "The way the past few months were going and the way the IPL started, I had the intuition that something good would happen," he said. "As the IPL matches progressed, my confidence continued to grow. I realized I was bowling well, and it has always been about moving one step ahead. Finally, when the name came, I was so happy, and it's a step ahead for me."Ahmed's last appearance for India was in a T20 match against Bangladesh in Nagpur in November 2019. Since then, he has endured a challenging period, missing out on selection for the national team."2019 was a long time ago. Every day, at the back of my mind, I missed that feeling of playing for the country," Ahmed said. "Every time I used to watch India play, I used to imagine what I would have done if I was there in the team. So, every day was like a battle and these kinds of conversations were going on inside my head."Despite the setbacks, Ahmed remained determined to regain his place in the Indian team. He took just a week's break after the last IPL and played all the domestic matches."It's tough as a fast bowler, but I made up my mind that irrespective of what happens to me, I'm going to play all the matches. I pushed myself mentally in the past year and have grown with it," he said.Ahmed believes that the current IPL season, which has been a nightmare for bowlers, is the perfect opportunity for fast bowlers to shine."If a bowler performs in tough situations like these, he will be considered a King, and I want to be that King. So, this is what my mentality has been about the current scenario," he said.Ahmed's return to the Indian team is a testament to his resilience and determination. He has overcome adversity to reclaim his place in the national setup and is now poised to make a significant contribution to India's T20 World Cup campaign.