Cricket

India's T20 World Cup Semifinal Fate: Guyana Bound on June 27India's quest for an elusive ICC trophy will take a crucial turn on June 27, as they are set to play the second semifinal of the T20 World Cup in Guyana if they qualify for the last four stage. According to the ICC's playing conditions for the tournament in the USA and Caribbean, a reserve day is only allocated for the final in Barbados on June 29.The decision to schedule India's potential semifinal in Guyana was made considering the timing of the semifinals in Trinidad and Guyana. The first semifinal in Trinidad on June 26 is a night affair, while the knock-out game in Guyana is a day game, which aligns better with the Indian TV audience's viewing preferences.The second semifinal will commence at 8.30 PM IST and will have an additional 250 minutes of playing time if the match is affected by weather. The added time for the first semifinal will be spread over two days."The Final on 29 June will have a reserve day on 30 June. The semi-finals will each have additional time added in order to complete the match which will total 250 minutes," the playing conditions state."For the first semi-final on 26 June, 60 minutes will be available at the end of the day's play with the remaining 190 minutes scheduled for 2pm on 27 June.""Whilst the additional 250 minutes for the second semi-final scheduled on 27 June will be utilised if needed through extended playing hours on the scheduled day," the playing conditions further explain.India will be eager to break their ICC trophy drought and will commence their campaign against Ireland in New York on June 5. They will then face arch-rivals Pakistan at the same venue on June 9.

India's women's cricket team has made significant strides in the latest ICC Women's T20I rankings, reflecting their impressive performance in the recently concluded series against Bangladesh. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has climbed three places to 13th in the batters' list, while Richa Ghosh has moved up two spots to 23rd.Left-arm spinner Radha Yadav has also made a notable jump, rising seven places to 23rd in the bowlers' rankings. Titas Sadhu has also improved her position, moving up 18 spots to 60th. These rankings come just months before the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, where India will be hoping to make a strong impact.England's players have also made progress in the rankings. Heather Knight has risen four places to 18th in the batters' list, while Amy Jones has moved up three places to 26th. All-rounder Sarah Glenn has climbed two spots to fourth in the bowlers' rankings, behind teammate Sophie Ecclestone.Sri Lanka's players have also been rewarded for their success in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier event. Skipper Chamari Athapaththu, who was the leading run-scorer at the tournament, has risen two places to equal seventh on the batters' list. She has also moved up one place to fifth in the all-rounders' rankings.Inoshi Fernando and Udeshika Prabodhani have also made gains in the bowlers' rankings, moving up five spots each to 19th and 30th respectively. These rankings reflect the growing strength of women's cricket around the world, with players from various nations making their mark on the international stage.

The proliferation of T20 leagues has raised concerns about the future of Test cricket, prompting West Indian legend Brian Lara to urge the ICC to intervene and establish a structured framework for franchise-based tournaments.Lara believes that the ICC should take a proactive role in regulating the relentless expansion of T20 leagues, which have encroached upon the traditional space occupied by Test cricket. He emphasized the need for a more organized approach to ensure that Test cricket remains relevant and viable.Lara acknowledged that T20 leagues have become increasingly popular due to their entertainment value and shorter format, which caters to the demands of modern-day spectators. However, he stressed that Test cricket offers a unique experience that should not be overlooked."I like the Test Championship and I think it is important to make sure that the game remains relevant," Lara said. "We haven't educated the present-day public about the importance of batting a session and not losing a wicket."Lara also highlighted the financial challenges faced by smaller cricket nations, which rely heavily on gate receipts and TV rights revenue. He expressed concern that the wealth accumulated by the "big three" nations – India, Australia, and England – could further exacerbate the financial disparities within the sport."It's hard to see outside of the big three – Australia, England, and India – how countries are going to survive when economically it's tough for them," Lara said.To address these concerns, Lara suggested that the ICC consider incentivizing Test cricket and exploring ways to attract spectators back to the grounds. He emphasized the importance of creating a compelling experience for fans, both on and off the field."Try to get them (crowd) back into the ground," Lara said. "I'm almost sure you've experienced it in India, where a sponsor preferred to spend his money on three hours of cricket instead of five days of cricket."Lara's appeal to the ICC underscores the growing need for a balanced approach to cricket, one that recognizes the popularity of T20 leagues while preserving the legacy and significance of Test cricket.

India's quest for an ICC trophy has been elusive since their 2013 Champions Trophy triumph. Despite coming close at the 2019 ODI World Cup, they fell short in the final against Australia. Former opener Virender Sehwag believes that India's lack of fearlessness contributed to their defeat.In the 2019 World Cup final, India's batting faltered after a promising start by Rohit Sharma. Sehwag emphasizes that India needs to adopt a fearless approach, especially between the 11th and 40th overs. He cites his own experience from 2007-08 to 2011, where India treated every match as a knockout game."We used to treat every match as a knockout match, a World Cup semifinal; if we lose, we are out (of the tournament)," Sehwag explains. "So from 2007-08 to 2011, we won a lot of tournaments and prepared for the World Cup."Sehwag believes that India should adopt this mindset and play every match as if it were a knockout game. "That mindset is needed in that (Indian) dressing room when you go into a knockout match, you play fearlessly, with bravery, play with some risk. That, I think is lacking."India's bowlers started well in the 2019 World Cup final, but Travis Head's match-winning century turned the tide in Australia's favor. Sehwag believes that India needs to be more aggressive in their approach and take calculated risks."I think that mindset is needed in that (Indian) dressing room when you go into a knockout match, you play fearlessly, with bravery, play with some risk. That, I think is lacking."

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has identified two uncapped players, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube, as crucial to India's success at the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.Jaiswal, a left-handed opener, impressed in the ICC World Test Championship series against England, amassing a record tally of runs. His explosive batting at the top of the order and fearless approach make him a valuable asset.Dube, a middle-order batsman, has been in scintillating form in the ongoing Indian Premier League, smashing 26 sixes in 11 matches. His ability to hit sixes at will and his prowess against spin bowling make him a match-winner.Shastri believes Dube's big-hitting could unlock big totals for India in the tournament. "His strike rate, which will be close to 200 most of the time, will help India immensely in going forward, getting those 190s, 200s that are needed in big competitions," Shastri said.Dube's impressive IPL performance, averaging over 40 with a strike rate of 170.73, has earned him high praise from Shastri. "He's big, he's strapping, and he hits a long ball," Shastri said.With their explosive batting and match-winning potential, Jaiswal and Dube are expected to play key roles in India's quest for T20 World Cup glory. Their ability to change the game in a matter of balls could prove invaluable in the high-pressure environment of the tournament.

The Indian cricket team unveiled its official jersey for the 2024 T20 World Cup, marking a significant departure from the design worn at the 2023 ODI World Cup. The new jersey features a vibrant blue and orange hue, symbolizing the team's determination to break its drought at ICC events.Since their last ICC trophy victory in 2013 under MS Dhoni's captaincy, India has come tantalizingly close to success but has ultimately fallen short in the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy, and World Test Championship.The jersey, priced at Rs 5999 for regular size, is available for purchase on Adidas' official website. Interestingly, the price of the jersey is comparable to the cost of a flight from Delhi to Goa, which currently hovers around Rs 5500.Adidas released a sneak peek of the jersey on social media, featuring Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma and teammates Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja. Despite rumors of a possible leak, fans expressed excitement and anticipation for the tournament.India's squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup includes:* Rohit Sharma (C)* Hardik Pandya (VC)* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Virat Kohli* Suryakumar Yadav* Rishabh Pant* Sanju Samson* Shivam Dube* Ravindra Jadeja* Axar Patel* Kuldeep Yadav* Yuzvendra Chahal* Arshdeep Singh* Mohammed Siraj* Jasprit BumrahReserves:* Shubman Gill* Rinku Singh* Khaleel Ahmed* Avesh Khan

India's first-ever 'hybrid pitch' was unveiled at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium in a grand ceremony on May 6. The event was attended by IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal and cricket dignitaries including Paul Taylor, a former England cricketer and SIS's international cricket director.The hybrid pitch, which combines natural turf with synthetic fibres, promises enhanced durability and consistent playability, reducing the strain on ground staff and maintaining quality playing conditions. With only 5% synthetic fibres, the pitch ensures that the natural characteristics essential for cricket are preserved.The introduction of hybrid pitches is set to revolutionize cricket in India, following their success in iconic venues like Lord's and The Oval in England. "The introduction of hybrid pitches is set to revolutionize cricket in India, following their success in iconic venues like Lord's and The Oval in England," said Dhumal, who hails from Himachal Pradesh.The 'Universal Machine', a critical component in installing the hybrid surface, was developed by SISGrass in 2017 and has been instrumental in the rollout of similar pitches across England's county cricket grounds. This innovation aligns with the ICC's recent sanctioning of hybrid pitches for T20 and one-day international matches, with plans to expand their use in four-day county championships starting this year.The integration of technologies like SISAir, a root aeration system, further underscores the commitment to enhancing cricket infrastructure in India. This system improves the pitch's health and resilience, benefiting players with better and safer playing conditions.The unveiling of the hybrid pitch at the HPCA stadium marks a significant milestone in the development of cricket in India. It is expected to enhance the quality of matches, reduce injuries, and provide a more consistent playing surface for both domestic and international cricket.

Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has raised concerns over India's potential decision to boycott the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year. He believes that refusing to participate in an ICC event could have severe consequences for the Indian team.Latif emphasized that teams are obligated to fulfill their commitments to ICC events, as they are aware of the tournament schedule and venues when signing contracts. He cited the example of the 1996 World Cup, where Australia and West Indies' refusal to travel to Sri Lanka resulted in a significant change in the tournament format and Sri Lanka's eventual victory."If India or Pakistan has signed in, they will have to go for that event," Latif said. "If any circumstances occur on a government level, then you have to provide a logical answer as to why not coming."Sources have indicated that Team India may not participate in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan due to security concerns. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed a hybrid model, with India's qualifying round matches being held in a single city. However, Latif believes that refusing an ICC event could backfire on India."In my opinion, refusing an ICC event can backfire," he said. "You can refuse the bilateral series citing the conditions in Pakistan are not right etc etc... But it will be tough to refuse ICC events."The PCB has selected Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore as the tournament venues, with Lahore hosting the final match. The ICC is expected to make a decision on the venue and format of the Champions Trophy in the coming weeks.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released its annual team rankings update, with Australia claiming the top spot in Test cricket while India continues to dominate white-ball formats.Test Cricket:Australia's triumph in the World Test Championship final against India has propelled them to the summit of the Test rankings. With 124 rating points, they hold a 19-point advantage over third-placed England. India, the runners-up in the World Test Championship, sits in second place with 120 points. The top 10 remains largely unchanged, with South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Bangladesh occupying positions four to nine, respectively.ODI Cricket:Despite losing to Australia in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final, India retains its top ranking in ODI cricket with 122 points. Australia follows closely with 116 points, while South Africa (112), Pakistan (106), and New Zealand (101) complete the top five. England (95) and Sri Lanka (93) are separated by just two rating points in sixth and seventh place, respectively.T20I Cricket:India remains the undisputed leader in T20I cricket with 264 rating points. However, Australia has closed the gap to just seven points, moving up to third place ahead of England. Pakistan has dropped two places to seventh, while Scotland has made a significant jump to 12th position. South Africa (250) has moved up two places to fourth.Key Points:* Australia has surpassed India to become the top-ranked Test team.* India continues to dominate white-ball cricket, holding the top spot in both ODI and T20I formats.* The rankings update considers performances from May 2021 to May 2023, with recent results weighted more heavily.* The top 10 rankings in Test cricket remain largely unchanged, with Australia, India, and England occupying the top three positions.* In ODI cricket, India and Australia remain the top two teams, followed by South Africa, Pakistan, and New Zealand.* India maintains its dominance in T20I cricket, with Australia and England trailing behind.