Cricket

India's batting coach, Vikram Rathour, has acknowledged the challenges faced by star batsman Virat Kohli during the ongoing T20 World Cup. However, Rathour believes that Kohli's struggles have provided an opportunity for the team's less experienced players to step up and make valuable contributions.Despite India's unbeaten run in the tournament, Kohli has struggled to find his rhythm, particularly during the powerplay. In the match against Afghanistan, he managed only 24 runs off 24 balls."I'm not happy. I would love it if he gets going and scores more runs," Rathour said. "But yeah, it is good when you are challenged at times."Rathour pointed out that the team's success has been due to the contributions of other players, such as Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav. Pant played a key role in the victory over Afghanistan, while Yadav's half-century proved to be the turning point in the match."The guys who are not getting too much of batting in India sometimes, they are the ones who put up scores today and our middle-order came to play," Rathour said.India is set to face Bangladesh in Antigua on Saturday. Rathour believes that the team's depth and the conditions in the Caribbean will give them an edge in the upcoming encounter."We've always had depth as a team," Rathour said. "But yeah, these conditions maybe suit us more because we can afford to play two or three spinners at times."Rathour also emphasized that India will not take Bangladesh lightly."They're a good unit. They have a lot of guys who can spin the ball and they are good in certain conditions," Rathour said. "But again, in this format I think every team is a tough team."

India's Hardik Pandya Provides Balance, Bangladesh Faces Uphill BattleIndia's resurgence in the T20 World Cup 2024 continues as they prepare to face Bangladesh in a crucial Super Eight clash. The turnaround time from their victory over Afghanistan is short, but India's newfound balance, thanks to Hardik Pandya's all-around contributions, gives them an edge.Suryakumar Yadav has emerged as India's savior in recent matches, bailing them out of precarious situations. However, the pressure mounts on Shivam Dube to deliver as the team's spin enforcer. Against Bangladesh's formidable spin attack, Dube's performance will be crucial.Bangladesh, known for their left-arm spinners, now boasts a more versatile attack with Mustafizur Rahman and Rishad Hossain as trump cards. However, their batters have struggled to provide a solid foundation for their bowlers.India's bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, poses a significant threat to Bangladesh's batting lineup. Pandya's return to full fitness has given India the flexibility to field either a third seamer or a third spinner in Kuldeep Yadav.Beyond the on-field battle, this rivalry has gained an extra edge in recent years, fueled by controversial incidents and passionate fans. The match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium promises to be another intense encounter.

Virat Kohli's struggles in the ongoing T20 World Cup have been a major talking point, with the star batter managing just five runs in his first three matches. However, his performance against Afghanistan, where he scored 24 off 24 balls, has given hope that he is finding his form.Kohli, who was the leading run-scorer in the 2022 IPL with 741 runs, has been criticized for his lack of impact in the tournament. His scores in the group stage matches were underwhelming, with knocks of 1, 4, and 0.Despite the criticism, batting legend Brian Lara has come to Kohli's defense. Lara believes that the time Kohli spent at the crease against Afghanistan, despite not scoring big, will serve as a confidence booster for the Indian batsman."24 off 24, you can say that's not great but the most important thing is that he spent some time out there. India has got one step closer to winning this trophy. I believe that Virat Kohli is just gonna go from strength to strength as he comes down to the Caribbean. He's going to Antigua next, you're gonna see him go out there and plough and plough, he's gonna get runs," Lara said on Star Sports.The Indian team management's decision to persist with Kohli as Rohit Sharma's opening partner has backfired badly and drawn significant criticism, with many questioning the wisdom of Kohli's current batting position.However, Lara holds a contrasting viewpoint on the matter. He believes that patience is crucial when dealing with a player of Kohli's caliber, given his reputation as a big match performer."When he gets into full swing, it's a different story. We just have to be very patient with him, we're gonna see a lot of him there's still a lot of games left in this World Cup," he added.Kohli's performance in the remaining matches of the tournament will be crucial for India's chances of winning the T20 World Cup. If he can find his form and start scoring runs, India will be a formidable force.

Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian cricketer, has lauded Rishabh Pant's performance in India's emphatic victory over Afghanistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup. While acknowledging Pant's quickfire 20 runs off 11 balls, Gavaskar's praise extended beyond the immediate statistics, focusing on the wicketkeeper-batsman's improved fitness and growing maturity.Gavaskar's comments came after India secured a comfortable 47-run win, maintaining their unbeaten streak in the tournament. Suryakumar Yadav's blistering half-century and Jasprit Bumrah's three-wicket haul were instrumental in the victory, but it was Pant's overall contribution that caught Gavaskar's eye.Reflecting on Pant's journey back from a severe car accident, Gavaskar expressed relief and delight at the player's remarkable recovery. "It's a miracle, you know? I mean, we all were so concerned when we heard about the accident. We heard about the severity of the injuries and we were all praying for him just to be ok. But not only has he been ok, he's come back so strongly. He's lost a little bit of weight, which was probably needed and it looked at one stage that he was just maybe getting a little overweight. He's lost a bit of weight and he's looking so good, so fit," Gavaskar told Star Sports after the match.Gavaskar emphasized the significance of Pant's decision to prioritize wicketkeeping over relying on Rohit Sharma, despite the latter's renowned fielding prowess. "Look at his mobility. Those two catches that he took, he was. He ran about 20-30 yards. I know the ball was up in the air, but there was Rohit Sharma there, one of the safest pairs of hands in the game. But wicketkeeper's gloves are always much safer than ordinary hands, you know, plain hands. So he was there and again recognising the situation."Gavaskar drew parallels between Pant's development and Hardik Pandya's evolution as a cricketer, emphasizing the importance of maturity and situational awareness. "This is the maturity that is so important. We've seen it with Hardik Pandya, we are seeing it in Rishabh Pant's cricket. The maturity of understanding conditions. Yes, batting wise, he will still continue to play the game. That's exactly what you want because he's a naturally attacking player and he can upset the bowler totally. That's what he did. He didn't score too many runs. He got 20 in about 10 deliveries at a SR of 200 but that is exactly what you want at that stage," remarked the Indian batting icon.Unbeaten so far in the tournament, India next take on Bangladesh in the Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua on Saturday.

India's tour of South Africa in November 2023 will feature four T20 Internationals, marking the resumption of a series postponed in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The matches will be played in Durban, Gqeberha, Centurion, and Johannesburg between November 8 and 13.The original series was scheduled for 2021 but was postponed after a surge in COVID-19 cases in South Africa. India played only three Tests and three ODIs during that tour, with South Africa emerging victorious in both series.The teams agreed to reschedule the T20Is but were unable to find a suitable window until now. India's subsequent tour of South Africa in December 2023 included three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests, with the T20I and Test series ending in 1-1 draws and India winning the ODIs 2-1.Hosting India is a significant financial boost for the Cricket South Africa (CSA), with broadcast revenues from a single T20 match estimated at over R150 million (US $8.4 million). CSA reported a loss of R119 million for the previous financial year."We are grateful to the BCCI for their unwavering support of South African cricket and world cricket in general," said CSA chairperson Lawson Naidoo. "Indian cricket team tours are always filled with camaraderie and thrilling cricket, and our fans eagerly anticipate this series, which will showcase the exceptional talent of both teams."

Wicket-Keeper Pant's Enthusiasm and Captain Rohit's Laidback Style Create Humorous Moment in India-Afghanistan MatchWicket-keepers are renowned for their energetic presence on the field, often tasked with boosting team morale during challenging moments. Rishabh Pant, India's wicket-keeper, is particularly known for his exuberant nature behind the stumps, frequently requesting reviews and enthusiastically pursuing catches.In contrast, captain Rohit Sharma exudes a more relaxed demeanor, approaching the game with a laidback attitude that translates into his elegant batting style. This contrast was evident during the India-Afghanistan Super 8 T20 World Cup match, which India won by 47 runs.During the 11th over of Afghanistan's run chase, Kuldeep Yadav bowled a delivery that Gulbadin Naib mishit high into the air over the covers. Pant immediately sprinted from behind the stumps, exclaiming "mine, mine." Rohit, who could have also attempted the catch, remained stationary at his position, barely moving an inch.To Pant's credit, he made the catch appear effortless, despite having to cover a significant distance while keeping his eyes fixed on the ball. Rohit, in his characteristic style, chose not to interfere with Pant's pursuit of the catch, seemingly saying, "All yours."As Pant completed the catch, he playfully tossed the ball to his skipper, who still refrained from catching it. The International Cricket Council (ICC) shared a video of the amusing moment on their Instagram handle.The Indian cricket team will now travel to Antigua to face Bangladesh on Saturday.

The highly anticipated Super Eights clash between an undefeated India and a struggling Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup promises to be a captivating encounter. The two South Asian rivals have a long history of on-field rivalry and off-field drama, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this crucial match.India, a formidable cricketing power, enters the game with a professional performance against Afghanistan in their opening Super Eights match. However, the team's batting stars, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, have yet to deliver defining knocks. Shivam Dube, who was expected to provide power-hitting in the middle and death overs, has also failed to impress.Bangladesh, on the other hand, finds themselves in a must-win situation after their loss to Australia. Their batting has been a major concern throughout the tournament, with openers Litton Das and Tanzid Khan underperforming. The lack of power-hitters is also hurting their chances.Despite their struggles, Bangladesh has shown resilience in the past. They will need to find a way to tackle India's formidable bowling attack, led by the sensational Jasprit Bumrah. The pacers, led by Mustafizur Rahman, have done alright, but leg-spinner Rishad Hossain needs more support in the spin department.The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams desperate for a victory. India will be looking to solidify their position as a title contender, while Bangladesh will be fighting to keep their hopes alive. The outcome of this clash could have a significant impact on the tournament standings and the eventual winner.

Ravindra Jadeja's exceptional fielding prowess has been a crucial factor in India's success in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Despite not making significant contributions with the bat or ball, Jadeja's fielding brilliance has saved numerous runs and taken stunning catches.In India's 47-run victory over Afghanistan in their Super Eights opener, Jadeja showcased his fielding skills with two spectacular catches in the deep. He grabbed Mohammad Nabi's catch at deep mid-wicket off Kuldeep Yadav in the 17th over and then took the catch of Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan at deep third man in the next over, giving Arshdeep Singh his first wicket.Jadeja's fielding efforts were recognized by the Indian cricket board (BCCI), which shared a video on its official Twitter handle showing fielding coach T Dilip presenting the 'fielder of the match medal' to Jadeja in the Indian dressing room after the match.Dilip praised the team for adapting to the conditions in Barbados and showing tremendous attention to details. He highlighted the readiness and lightning skills of Arshdeep Singh, the sharp instincts of Jadeja, and the consistency and effort of Axar Patel.Dilip also lauded Rishabh Pant for his determination and focus. He then announced that India head coach Rahul Dravid would present the medal, which was met with cheers from the cricketers. Dravid presented the medal to Jadeja, who lifted him up in his arms.Jadeja expressed his gratitude for the medal, saying, "This medal is very important, I am very happy to get this medal today and I am very very inspired from Mohammad Siraj. Thank you Siraj, cheers!"The Indian cricket team now heads to Antigua to face Bangladesh on Saturday.

India's Bowling Prowess Shines in T20 World Cup VictoryIndia's comprehensive 47-run victory over Afghanistan in their Super 8 opener of the T20 World Cup showcased the depth and quality of their bowling attack. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel hailed Jasprit Bumrah as a "world-class bowler" and emphasized the confidence within the team in their bowlers' ability to handle pressure situations.Patel highlighted Bumrah's exceptional skills and the overall strength of the Indian bowling lineup. "With the quality of bowlers we have on our side, we can get out of a tough situation," he said.Patel also praised the hands-off approach of bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, who trusts Bumrah's judgment and encourages him to execute his game plan without interference. "He has an idea of what to do and what not to do," Patel said of Bumrah. "The bowling coach doesn't interfere much. He says that whatever your mindset is, it is clear, so just execute your plans."India's bowling unit has been a crucial part of their success in the tournament so far. They have displayed tactical adaptability and the ability to adapt to different conditions.In their next Super 8 match, India will face Bangladesh on Saturday. The match will be a test of their bowling strength against a team that has shown resilience and determination in the tournament.