Cricket

India holds a pivotal role in safeguarding the future of Test cricket, particularly in regions like the West Indies, according to Cricket West Indies (CWI) CEO Johnny Grave. Despite a demanding schedule, Grave commends the BCCI's unwavering commitment to the format. However, he emphasizes the need for the ICC to take proactive measures to protect Test cricket beyond the traditional strongholds of India, England, and Australia.In the current World Test Championship cycle, only three of the nine ICC Full Members (India, England, and Australia) will engage in five-match series. Three teams (Ireland, Afghanistan, and Zimbabwe) have yet to participate in the championship since its inception in 2019.Grave believes India's influence and resources position them as a leader in promoting Test cricket. He highlights their support for the reintroduction of cricket into the Olympics, a move that has significantly benefited Associate nations.Regarding the financial challenges faced by the CWI, Grave advocates for centralized travel costs within the World Test Championship. He argues that the burden of travel expenses should be shared among participating teams, fostering a sense of unity and reducing the financial strain on individual boards.The upcoming T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the West Indies and USA, is expected to provide a significant economic boost to the region. Grave estimates a potential revenue of US$300 million, which will contribute to the CWI's financial stability.Grave also emphasizes the importance of equitable revenue sharing within the ICC, particularly regarding the distribution of hosting rights for major events. He believes that spreading these events across multiple nations will not only provide financial benefits but also create a more level playing field.

Rishabh Pant and Arshdeep Singh, two contrasting players, have emerged as unsung heroes for India in the ongoing T20 World Cup.Pant, a prodigious talent who miraculously survived a life-threatening accident, has played crucial knocks in India's three victories. Batting at No. 3, he has provided stability and momentum to the team. His 31-ball 42 against Pakistan was a masterclass on a challenging pitch.Captain Rohit Sharma's decision to promote Pant to No. 3 was a strategic move. It allows India to have a left-right combination in the middle order and utilize Pant's counter-attacking abilities. Rohit believes Pant's all-round game will be invaluable in the West Indies leg, where spin is expected to play a significant role.Arshdeep Singh, on the other hand, has impressed with his ability to swing the new ball and deliver accurate yorkers at the death. His left-arm angle provides variety to India's pace attack. After a strong performance against Ireland, Arshdeep was entrusted with the last over against Pakistan, where he successfully defended a low total.In the match against USA, Arshdeep claimed four wickets for just nine runs, earning him the Man of the Match award. His ability to bowl consistently at a good pace and execute variations makes him a valuable asset for India.Both Pant and Arshdeep have shown resilience and determination in their performances. Pant has overcome his physical and mental challenges to deliver for his team, while Arshdeep has worked tirelessly to improve his skills.As India enters the Super-8s, the contributions of Pant and Arshdeep will be crucial. Their ability to perform under pressure and provide match-winning moments will be key to India's success in the tournament.

India's journey through the Group A stage of the T20 World Cup 2024 in the United States was a tale of resilience and tactical brilliance. The team's opening match against Ireland was a straightforward affair, but the subsequent clash against arch-rivals Pakistan tested their mettle.Recognizing the challenging conditions on the New York pitch, India employed clever tactics. They promoted Axar Patel up the batting order to provide stability, while Jasprit Bumrah was brought back into the attack at a crucial juncture to neutralize Pakistan's momentum. These strategic moves proved effective, as India secured a hard-fought victory.The match against the United States was a gritty affair, with India digging deep to overcome a determined opposition. However, a washout in the final group match against Canada left the team disappointed. The Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium was expected to host a shortened game, but the outfield remained unfit for play due to inadequate ground coverage.India's batting coach, Vikram Rathour, expressed his frustration at the lack of match practice. He emphasized the importance of getting a game ahead of the Super 8 stage in the West Indies, especially considering Virat Kohli's poor form. Kohli, who has managed only five runs in three outings, was expected to find his rhythm in the West Indies, where pitches are more conducive to batting.Rathour, however, expressed confidence in Kohli's ability to bounce back. He stated that Kohli is "hungrier than ever" to prove his worth and is eager to make a significant contribution to the team's success.

Smriti Mandhana's magnificent century (117 off 127 balls, 12 fours, 1 six) propelled India to a resounding 143-run victory over South Africa in the first of three One-Day Internationals at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday.Opting to bat first, India recovered from a shaky start to post a competitive total of 265. The hosts were reeling at 99 for five before Mandhana's heroics rescued them. The left-handed opener played a patient and composed innings, anchoring India's recovery and setting the platform for a big score.Mandhana received valuable support from Jemimah Rodrigues (17), Deepti Sharma (37), and Pooja Vastrakar (31 not out). The Indian batters took advantage of some sloppy fielding from South Africa, with Nonkululeko Mlaba's dropped catch of Vastrakar proving particularly costly.In reply, South Africa never looked like chasing down the target. Debutant leg-spinner Asha Sobhana wreaked havoc with her accurate bowling, claiming four wickets for just 21 runs in 8.4 overs. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt was dismissed in the very first over, while Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, and Marizanne Kapp all fell cheaply.Annerie Dercksen and Sune Luus offered some resistance, but their efforts were in vain as South Africa were bundled out for a mere 122. Sobhana's impressive performance earned her the Player of the Match award.The victory gives India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The second ODI will be played in Lucknow on June 19, followed by the third and final match in Visakhapatnam on June 22.

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.