Cricket

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has urged India to make a bold move and open the batting with young sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup. Vaughan believes that Jaiswal's exceptional batting skills and left-handedness would provide India with a much-needed advantage.During India's group stage matches, star batter Virat Kohli was promoted to open with captain Rohit Sharma. However, Kohli has struggled to find form, scoring only 1, 4, and 0 in the three games. Vaughan suggests that Kohli should return to his preferred position at number 3, allowing Jaiswal to take on the opening role.Vaughan also advocates for Rishabh Pant to bat at number 5 in the Super 8 matches, which will be played in the Caribbean. Pant has been batting ahead of Suryakumar Yadav in the group stage, but Vaughan believes that his aggressive style would be more effective in the middle order."I love Yashasvi Jaiswal, I'd want him to be opening the batting. Virat or Rohit at No.3, I'm not too bothered by which right-hander goes to No.3. Shivam Dube is at No.5 but in the Caribbean I'd have Rishabh Pant in there. Yashasvi is an incredible player. He is such a good batter, I would want him in," Vaughan said on Cricbuzz.Vaughan emphasizes the importance of having left-handed batters in the team, a mistake he believes India has made in the past. Jaiswal's left-handedness would provide a different dimension to India's batting lineup and make it more difficult for opposing bowlers to contain.India's final group match against Canada was washed out, but they still finished top of Group A with 7 points and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +1.137. They will now face the second-placed team from Group B in the Super 8 stage.

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has urged the team management to retain the opening batting combination of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the Super Eight phase of the ongoing T20 World Cup. Despite their underwhelming performances in the tournament so far, Jaffer believes the experienced duo will bounce back and find their rhythm in the crucial matches ahead.Kohli, who entered the World Cup in impressive form after a stellar IPL 2024, has struggled to make an impact, scoring only five runs in three innings. Rohit, too, has been inconsistent, accumulating 68 runs in three matches with a solitary half-century against Ireland.However, Jaffer emphasized the importance of sticking with the experienced pair, even though they have encountered difficulties in their recent performances. He explained that altering the batting lineup could create additional issues and hinder the effectiveness of crucial players such as Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav."Now that you are stuck with both of them, I don't think it's gonna make sense because you're gonna split both of them up," Jaffer said. "You might probably think of playing Yashasvi Jaiswal. That's probably what you're thinking, and then Rishabh Pant, who has done so well at number three, he has to bat even lower down the order, probably at number four. Then where does Suryakumar Yadav bat? So it's going to mess up the whole batting order, so I think they'll probably stick with that."Jaffer stressed that Pant has excelled at the number three position, while Yadav performs best when batting higher in the order. He believes that altering the batting lineup could disrupt the team's rhythm and hinder the performance of key players."Rishabh has done well at number three. Suryakumar, you don't want to bat him any lower than that, so I think they'll stick with that. But yeah, they have to go really hard in the powerplay. We've seen when Australia have done that against England, they were so ahead in the powerplay, getting that 74 runs. That's where you can make a mark. So Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the way they are batting, you could see that happen in the powerplay in West Indies."India secured their spot in the Super Eight with a resounding seven-wicket victory against co-hosts USA. As they gear up for their Caribbean clash with a formidable Afghanistan side, the Men in Blue will heavily rely on the resilience and skill of Kohli and Rohit to regain their form and lead the team to success.

Shubman Gill has refuted allegations of indiscipline following his departure from India's T20 World Cup squad. The young batsman took to social media to dismiss rumors, posting a photo with Rohit Sharma and his daughter, captioned "Sammy and I learning the art of discipline from Rohit Sharma."Gill was among four reserve players accompanying India's squad for the tournament. With the group stage complete, he and Avesh Khan are set to return home. Unconfirmed reports suggested Gill's departure was due to disciplinary issues, but India's batting coach Vikram Rathour has denied these claims.Rathour explained that the management team had pre-planned to release two reserve players after the Caribbean leg. "This was a plan from the beginning. When we come to the US, four players will come together. After that two will be released and two will travel with us to West Indies," he said.India's group stage concluded with a washed-out match against Canada. They topped Group A with seven points from three matches and qualified for the Super 8 stage. They will face Australia, Afghanistan, and potentially Bangladesh in the next round.Gill's departure has sparked speculation about his future with the Indian team. The 23-year-old has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League. He was expected to play a significant role in India's T20 World Cup campaign, but his exclusion from the squad has raised questions about his standing within the team.Despite the rumors, Gill remains a highly-rated prospect. His performances for Gujarat Titans in the IPL have earned him praise from experts and fans alike. He is likely to be recalled to the Indian team in the near future and will be determined to prove his worth.

The 2024 T20 World Cup Super 8 stage is set to commence on June 19, with seven of the eight participating teams confirmed. India, the reigning champions, will face off against Australia in a highly anticipated rematch of the 2023 World Cup Final on June 24.India secured their Super 8 berth by topping Group A, winning three games and having their final fixture washed out. Bangladesh is poised to become the eighth team, with the Netherlands holding an outside chance.The Super 8s will witness India's relocation from the USA to the West Indies. All three of India's Super 8 matches will be played in the Caribbean. Their opening match will be against Afghanistan on June 20.Super 8 Format:The Super 8 groups were predetermined based on a seeding format for the top eight teams in the rankings. However, due to the elimination of Pakistan, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka, their spots will be filled by USA (A2), Afghanistan (C1), and Bangladesh/Netherlands (D2).The seeding format aims to provide fans with a clearer understanding of potential match locations in the tournament's later stages. The top two teams from each Super 8 group will advance to the semi-finals.Super 8 Groups:* Group 1: India (A1), Australia (B2), Afghanistan (C1), Bangladesh/Netherlands (D2)* Group 2: USA (A2), England (B1), West Indies (C2), South Africa (D1)India's Schedule:* June 20: vs Afghanistan, Kensington Oval, Barbados [8:00 PM IST]* June 22: vs Bangladesh/Netherlands, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua [8:00 PM IST]* June 24: vs Australia, Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, St. Lucia [8:00 PM IST]

Virat Kohli's recent string of low scores in the ongoing T20 World Cup has not raised any concerns for India's batting coach, Vikram Rathour. Rathour emphasized that Kohli has been performing exceptionally well in practice sessions and is more motivated than ever as the Super Eight approaches.Despite being the highest run-scorer in the IPL, Kohli has managed to score only 1, 4, and 0 in his recent matches against Ireland, Pakistan, and USA, respectively. However, Rathour believes that these dismissals are not a cause for concern."He (Kohli) has been batting superbly from the tournament that he came from (IPL). Couple of dismissals here, doesn't change anything, he is batting really well," Rathour said.Rathour expressed confidence that India's top batter will deliver when it matters the most. "Actually, it's good that he is a little hungrier, he is really keen to do well and really switched on. It's a good space to be as a batsman, I think."The batting coach also addressed questions about the team's strategy of playing four all-rounders, including Shivam Dube and Axar Patel. Rathour suggested that the team will be flexible based on conditions."Again, we need to be a flexible team. We need to look at the conditions that are in front of us and be ready to deal with those. So as a team, we are going to be really flexible, I think."Rathour acknowledged that some game time in Florida ahead of the Super Eights would have been beneficial, but he expressed confidence in the team's ability to adapt to the tight schedule."Again, not ideal. It would have been great if we could have gotten a game today. But now this is what it is. So, we look forward to having a couple of good practice days in Barbados and getting into the game. So again, now the matches will happen simultaneously after one day.""So, as a team I think we are ready. We are used to this kind of schedule. We have done it in the past and I am sure we will do it really well this time as well."Rathour also commented on the issue of the ground in Florida not being fully covered, raising concerns to the ICC."This question should be asked to the ICC people. I won't be able to answer that. I don't know the reason why it was not covered and why it didn't have enough covers to cover the whole ground."Regarding the challenging New York drop-in strip, Rathour downplayed its impact on the team's performance."It's good. You should be able to play on all types of wickets. We have the skills to play in all types of conditions and do well. So, we have got the difficult wickets. Hopefully, we will get good wickets in the tournament.""And if we get turning wickets, we have 4 spin options, we have enough fast bowlers as well. So, whichever conditions come, I think we are really equipped to deal with that," he added.

India's final Group 'A' match against Canada in the ongoing T20 World Cup was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a waterlogged outfield. The match was scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM local time at the Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida, but umpires Richard Kettleborough and Sharfuddoula called off proceedings an hour later after a thorough inspection.Heavy rainfall the previous night had left the outfield saturated, making it unsafe for play. The decision was made after the umpires consulted with both teams and the match officials.India, who had already secured a place in the Super 8 stage with two wins from their first three matches, finished top of the group with seven points. They will now face Afghanistan in their first Super 8 fixture in Barbados on June 20.Canada, who had lost their first two matches, were left disappointed as they missed out on the chance to face the tournament favorites. Head coach Pubudu Dassanayake expressed his team's frustration but acknowledged the uncontrollable nature of the weather."As an associate nation, we would have loved to play against the Indian team. But nature cannot be stopped. There was heavy rain in the last two days, so it was tough to get the ground ready," Dassanayake said.India's focus will now shift to adapting to the different conditions in the West Indies. The pitches in the Caribbean are expected to be less conducive to fast bowling than those in New York, where India played their first three matches.Team combinations, batting approach, and par scores are some of the aspects that skipper Rohit Sharma and his team management will need to reassess. India batting coach Vikram Rathour expressed disappointment at not getting a game but emphasized the importance of player safety."It is disappointing for fans who have turned up to the stadium, and for us too. We were looking forward to playing the game. It was important for us to get match practice. But the rain is something we cannot control," Rathour said.Rathour also highlighted the concerns regarding injuries on a wet outfield. "The concern about sustaining an injury is always there when you play in less than ideal conditions. We are already in the Super 8, and you do not want any injuries ahead of important matches," Rathour added.

India and South Africa will face off in a crucial ODI match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, with both teams seeking to achieve their respective goals. India aims to stabilize its ODI form, while South Africa seeks vital qualification points for the 2025 ODI World Cup.India's recent ODI performances have been underwhelming, with only one victory in their last six matches. However, they will be bolstered by the return of Jemimah Rodrigues, who missed the recent T20I series against Bangladesh due to a back injury. Medium pacer Pooja Vastrakar is also fit to play.South Africa, on the other hand, comes into the contest after losing the T20I series against Sri Lanka and drawing the ODIs. They will also begin a new era without Hilton Moreeng, who served as head coach for over a decade.The Proteas will welcome back opener Tazmin Brits, who has recovered from a knee-ligament tear. With just six matches remaining in their qualification bid for the 2025 ODI World Cup, her return is a significant boost.The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has traditionally favored heavy-hitting batters due to its flat pitches and small boundaries. However, the weather may play a role, as the monsoon has taken a break on match-eve.

Australia's path to the T20 World Cup title has taken a challenging turn as they face an all-Asian Super Eight group. Despite winning their first three matches, Mitchell Marsh's side will encounter a formidable test against India, Afghanistan, and likely Bangladesh.The Super Eight stage will pose a significant challenge for Australia, who have historically struggled on spinning wickets. India boasts a formidable spin attack led by Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Kuldeep Yadav. Afghanistan's spin trio of Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed, and Mohammad Nabi is equally potent, while Bangladesh's Rishad Hossain has impressed with his leg-spin.Australia's vice-captain, Matthew Wade, acknowledged the challenges ahead. "We expect nothing different, and on their day they're all going to be very very hard teams to beat," he said. "We're expecting them to hit us with a fair bit of spin over the next little bit."The Australians have prepared for the spin challenge, but the conditions in the Caribbean are likely to favor the spinners. The match between South Africa and Nepal in St Vincent, where Australia will face Afghanistan, showcased the significant help available to spinners.Despite the challenges, Wade remains optimistic about Australia's chances. "I'm at my best when it's the last opportunity," he said. "Hopefully I can pull some good stuff out in the next little bit."However, Wade also hinted that this tournament could mark his farewell for Australia. "There are going to be players go out of this team. I'm more than comfortable if I'm one of them to get the next cycle of players coming in to play for Australia."

India vs. Canada: A Clash of Titans in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024Match 33 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 promises to be a captivating encounter as India, the tournament favorites, face off against Canada at the Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida.India, boasting an unblemished record in the tournament, will be eager to extend their winning streak. Their bowling attack has been exceptional, led by the lethal pace duo of Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah. Singh, with his pinpoint accuracy and ability to generate swing, has emerged as a key wicket-taker, while Bumrah's pace and yorkers have proved equally devastating.Axar Patel, the all-rounder, has also been a valuable contributor, providing both batting and bowling depth. His slow left-arm orthodox bowling has been effective in containing opposition batters, while his ability to strike boundaries with the bat adds another dimension to the Indian lineup.Canada, despite facing tougher opponents, has shown glimpses of their potential. Aaron Johnson, the top fantasy player in their last match, has been a consistent performer with both bat and ball. Kaleem Sana, the left-arm medium-fast bowler, has provided stability to the bowling attack, while Nicholas Kirton, the top-order batter, has been in good form.As India aims to maintain their dominance and Canada seeks to upset the odds, this match promises to be a thrilling contest. India's superior experience and depth will be tested against Canada's determination and home advantage. Fans can expect a blend of strategic gameplay, individual brilliance, and competitive spirit as both teams showcase their talents on the global stage.