Cricket

As India gears up to face Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8s, the threat of rain looms over the highly anticipated clash. The ongoing tournament has witnessed several rain-affected matches, including India's final group game against Canada.According to Accuweather, there is a 25% probability of rain in Barbados on Wednesday. While the morning is expected to be clear, precipitation is forecast around 1:00 PM local time. With the match scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM local time, rain interruptions are likely in the second half.India's practice session on Tuesday was also affected by rain, highlighting the potential impact on the match. The team's four spinners, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Yuzvendra Chahal, spent considerable time practicing against Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav.Despite the weather concerns, India remains focused on their goal of achieving success in the tournament. Captain Rohit Sharma expressed the team's determination to make a mark. "There is real keenness in the group to go and do something special," Sharma said. "We take our skill sessions quite seriously. There is something to achieve in every skill session that you do."India's spinners will be crucial in countering Afghanistan's spin threat. The Afghan team boasts a formidable spin attack led by Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi. India's batsmen will need to adapt quickly to the conditions and find ways to score against the spinners.The weather forecast remains uncertain, but India will be hoping for a clear day to showcase their skills against Afghanistan. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two talented teams, and the outcome could have a significant impact on the Super 8s standings.

India's journey in the Super 8 stage of the tournament, where they aim to secure a semifinal berth, is fraught with challenges. Afghanistan, a formidable T20 side, has demonstrated their prowess in recent matches. Despite their defeat against the hosts, West Indies, they possess the ability to regroup swiftly and pose a significant threat in the qualifiers. Bangladesh, too, has given India a run for their money, particularly in the white-ball format, and will be eager to prove their mettle once again.India recognizes the arduous task ahead of them in securing a top-two finish in their group. Australia, a formidable opponent in all formats of the game, raises their level of play when facing India. They are aware of India's lingering disappointment after their defeat in last year's World Cup final and will be determined to exact revenge.India's batting lineup has yet to fully ignite, with only Rishabh Pant delivering consistent performances. The team has played three of their four matches on a challenging pitch in New York and faced a washout in Florida. Barbados, renowned for producing legendary cricketers, will provide a different playing surface and serve as an inspiration for India to showcase their top-quality cricket. Earning the appreciation of the Barbados crowd is akin to winning a rare prize. Playing here will also offer India valuable insights into the pitch conditions should they reach the final.The match will be a battle of wits between the spin magicians of Afghanistan and India's formidable batting lineup. Afghanistan will miss the services of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, a rare spinner who excels in the PowerPlay. However, with Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad in their ranks, they remain confident in their ability to restrict India to a manageable score. India may consider introducing the left-arm wrist spin of Kuldeep Yadav, although they are likely to field an unchanged playing eleven.The bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and ably supported by Arshdeep Singh, can extract bounce from the pitch if it is firm and hard. Hardik Pandya has bowled exceptionally well, effectively utilizing the bouncer. With Suryakumar Yadav finding form in the match against USA, the middle order concerns have been largely alleviated. Shivam Dube has also demonstrated a keen understanding of the game situation and the ability to bide his time on the unpredictable New York pitch.Predicting the outcome of a T20 match is never easy, especially against Afghanistan, whose players have extensive experience in T20 leagues worldwide. The team that maintains composure and executes their plans effectively will emerge victorious.

India's head coach Rahul Dravid faced a barrage of questions about his past performances in Barbados during a press conference ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 match against Afghanistan. Dravid, who had a forgettable outing in Barbados as a player in 1997, was visibly irked by the reporter's query."Geez, thanks a lot buddy! I have had some other decent memories here as well," Dravid retorted sarcastically.The reporter persisted, asking if it was an opportunity for Dravid to create new and better memories. Dravid's patience snapped."God man! I am not trying to make new anything man!" he exclaimed.Dravid emphasized that he had moved on from his past performances and was solely focused on his current role as coach."I move on from things very quickly. That's one of my things. I don't look back on things. I try and look at what I am doing now, at the moment. I am not concerned about what happened in 97 or some other year," he said.Dravid acknowledged that his past performances would remain on the scorecard, but he refused to dwell on them."Even if we win this match tomorrow, unfortunately, that is still going to remain 80 on the scorecard, however much I try and will it. No I don't think about any retribution. I move on from things. What's in front of me, good or bad?"Dravid reiterated that he no longer identified with his past as a player."I don't think of myself much as a player anymore. Yeah, just move on. Focus on tomorrow, and try and get a good result tomorrow," he concluded.

India's head coach Rahul Dravid has hinted at the possibility of including wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the team for the Caribbean leg of the T20 World Cup. Dravid acknowledged the impact of wrist spinners in the Caribbean conditions, citing Adam Zampa's success as an example."It might be slightly different here. You might need an extra spinner, and then someone like Kuldeep or Yuzi can come into play," Dravid said ahead of India's Super 8 opener against Afghanistan.Dravid also expressed satisfaction with India's batting approach, noting that the team has become more aggressive in recent times. "We have actually been able to push the needle forward in terms of our batting," he said.However, Dravid cautioned against being overly aggressive in all conditions. "Cricket is a very condition-specific game," he said. "Sometimes we just get carried away with pushing the needle forward in T20 cricket."Dravid expects the wind to be a factor at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, which could favor Afghanistan's fast bowlers, including tournament leading wicket-taker Fazalhaq Farooqi."Afghanistan is a very dangerous team in this format of the game," Dravid said. "They play a lot of T20 cricket, and their cricketers are very prominent members of their IPL teams."Dravid also praised the cricket culture in the Caribbean and expressed his excitement for the business end of the tournament.

As the current Indian leadership group approaches the end of its tenure, it's time to reflect on their legacy. Their most significant contribution has been the transformation of India's limited-overs batting approach. Virat Kohli, for instance, has evolved into a formidable T20 batter while maintaining his ODI prowess.However, in India, legacy is often measured by ICC trophies. Unfortunately, this remains the yardstick for a team that has consistently ranked among the best. Ironically, while Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma's tenure has been marked by an aggressive batting philosophy, their legacy of pushing the boundaries has taken a back seat.Two of India's most explosive hitters, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, have been forced to adopt a more conservative approach, akin to the middle overs of an ODI. "We've pushed the needle forward in terms of our batting," Dravid acknowledged. "But we also need to be mindful of conditions."In T20 cricket, the batters' approach plays a crucial role, and it varies depending on the conditions. The unpredictability of new conditions in the West Indies will pose a challenge for India in the Super Eight."We feel we've got the experience and knowledge to counteract different situations," Dravid said. "We're looking at past games, scores, swing, turn, and bounce."However, Dravid emphasized the importance of adaptability. "Conditions can be very different to what you think it is," he said. "We will have to be quick and smart in assessing the conditions."One subtle but noticeable change in India's approach has been their willingness to adjust down rather than up. The top order, particularly Kohli, has shown faith in the batters to follow. This approach, combined with courage and indifference towards the end result, could prove beneficial for India in the T20 knockouts.

India's Path to T20 World Cup Glory: Aggression and Virat Kohli's Crucial RoleLegendary South African batter AB de Villiers has emphasized the importance of an aggressive approach for India to triumph in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup. He believes that the team should "throw the first punch" in their matches to gain momentum.India has concluded the group stage with an impressive record of three wins in three matches, but they face a tough challenge against Afghanistan in the Super Eights. De Villiers advises India to take risks early in the game and not be conservative.The former Proteas star also highlights the crucial role of Virat Kohli in India's batting lineup. He believes that Kohli should occupy the number three position, as he is "the best player in the world during middle overs."Despite a disappointing start to the tournament, Kohli has the potential to turn things around. De Villiers points to Kohli's exceptional performance in the recent Indian Premier League, where he adopted a more aggressive approach against spinners.However, Kohli's aggressive strategy has not been effective on the challenging pitches in New York. As India moves to more favorable conditions in the West Indies, Kohli will be eager to break his streak of low scores and showcase his newfound style.De Villiers believes that Kohli's ability to play both the attacking and absorbing roles makes him the ideal candidate for the number three position. He emphasizes that Kohli can control the pace of the innings and provide stability when needed.By adopting an aggressive approach and utilizing Kohli's versatility, India can increase their chances of breaking their drought of ICC tournament titles and emerging victorious in the T20 World Cup.

Virat Kohli's Form: Aakash Chopra Advocates Patience and Time on the FieldAhead of India's crucial T20 World Cup Super 8 match against Afghanistan, former cricketer Aakash Chopra has expressed his views on Virat Kohli's recent performance. Chopra believes that Kohli's form will improve if he spends more time on the field.Kohli has struggled in the group stage, scoring only 1, 4, and 0 runs against Ireland, Pakistan, and the United States, respectively. Chopra emphasized that Kohli's return to form is not solely dependent on the opponent but rather on his exceptional caliber as a player."I believe Virat Kohli should return to form against Afghanistan, not because of the opponent, but because of the calibre of player he is and the form he exhibited coming into this World Cup," Chopra said. "Considering the venue, there is hope the ball will come onto the bat well, and the side boundaries aren't very large. I think he has been overly aggressive."Chopra further analyzed Kohli's dismissals during this World Cup, suggesting that an overly optimistic approach has hindered his performance. "In India's last match against Afghanistan in Bengaluru, he attempted a six on the first ball and got out. His dismissals during this World Cup suggest an overly positive approach that hasn't worked for him. I hope he gives himself some time because Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq are in excellent form, plus they have a strong spin attack. If Kohli gives himself some time, his form won't be a concern," Chopra said.Chopra's advice aligns with the need for Kohli to regain his composure and focus on building an innings. By spending more time at the crease, Kohli can assess the conditions, adjust his approach, and regain his rhythm.

India, the tournament favorites, will face Afghanistan in their opening Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup on Thursday. Virat Kohli, eager to return to form, and Kuldeep Yadav, hoping for an opportunity, will be in focus for India.The main talking point ahead of the game is the composition of the Indian team. India must decide whether to stick with the same line-up that succeeded in the group stage or include Kuldeep Yadav, their top spinner from the past year, possibly at the expense of a fast bowler.Captain Rohit Sharma has expressed interest in playing all four all-rounders—Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja. This approach has worked in the bowler-friendly conditions in New York, and Rohit is likely to stick with the team that extends their batting until number 8.To accommodate Kuldeep, India would need to drop either Mohammed Siraj or Arshdeep Singh, with Siraj being the more likely candidate to be benched. Recent practice sessions suggest the pitch may favor spinners, strengthening Kuldeep's case. Additionally, a gentle breeze at Kensington Oval could assist pacers in swinging the ball during the powerplay.All eyes will be on Kohli, who has yet to score double digits in the tournament. His aggressive approach did not pay off in New York, but he is expected to excel on the better wickets in the Caribbean. At 35, Kohli is known for his high intensity and dedication, as demonstrated during training sessions.Afghanistan arrived at the Super 8s following a heavy defeat to the West Indies in St Lucia. Their previously dominant bowling attack was dismantled by the powerful West Indies batting lineup. Captain Rashid Khan dismissed the loss as a minor setback, maintaining that Afghanistan still has a strong chance of reaching the semifinals.Rashid will rely heavily on left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, who has been prolific in the powerplay and is the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 12 wickets. Farooqi's ability to swing the ball back in will be a significant challenge for Rohit and Kohli.Rashid himself will aim to take wickets while maintaining a low economy rate during the middle overs.

Suryakumar Yadav, the world's top-ranked T20 batter, has demonstrated his adaptability by adjusting his playing style to the challenging wickets encountered during the T20 World Cup. However, he anticipates the pitches in the Caribbean to be more conducive to his natural strokeplay.India's Super 8 journey commences on Thursday against Afghanistan. The team will also face Bangladesh and Australia in St Lucia, a venue that has already witnessed the highest total of the tournament. They will also play matches in Antigua.The "spicy" wickets in New York forced Suryakumar to exercise patience, particularly while playing shots behind the wicket. In India's match against USA, he guided the team to victory with an unbeaten 50 off 49 deliveries, a strike rate significantly lower than his impressive average of 168.06."If you have been number one for two years, you should be able to bat in different conditions and change the game as per the needs of the team. That displays good batsmanship and that is what I try," said Suryakumar during a media interaction."It's difficult to generate that force when there's no pace on the wicket and when someone has read your game nicely. So, at that time, you have to be very smart how you want to extend your innings. You have to change according to the situation, what team demands at that moment and talk to your partner who is inside, calm your nerves down and then take the innings ahead."Suryakumar is eager to showcase his versatile batting style once again in the West Indies, although he didn't face any significant challenges with the conditions in the United States."I was happy playing there as well (laughs). It's not that we weren't happy playing there, but we were playing for the first time, so yes, the conditions were different and little challenging as well. But we have played here (in West Indies), we know the conditions."The Kensington Oval pitch has a distinct brownish appearance, which the Indian team also observed during their previous tour of the Caribbean."The practice pitches, yeah, they were a little spicy in New York. It was fresh. They made the conditions after they got to know there is a World Cup there. Here they have been making pictures regularly and they are much better than (USA)," he said.The spinners have been doing well in the Caribbean conditions so far in the tournament but Suryakumar is not perturbed."That has always been my strong point (sweeps and reverse sweeps). I've tried to play the same way that I do in the practice sessions."In a strategic move, Virat Kohli has been paired with captain Rohit Sharma to open the batting, while Rishabh Pant has been elevated to the number three position. The question remains: if India suffers early wicket losses, will Suryakumar adapt his approach to the situation?"Nothing like that has happened. We try to play the format of the game. If there are early wickets you still have to put runs on the board and bat with that same intent. That is what we try and tell each other to take the positive route. The management has left it to the players to decide at that point of time," he added.