Cricket

India's T20 World Cup Squad: Spinners Take Center StageFormer Indian opener WV Raman has endorsed the selection of four spinners in India's T20 World Cup squad, citing the nature of pitches in the West Indies and the recent performances in the IPL as key factors.India's squad for the ICC marquee event includes Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal. Raman believes that the inclusion of these spinners is a well-thought-out decision based on the conditions in the West Indies."The pitches in the West Indies are more conducive to spinners these days," Raman said. "The spinners have also done well in the IPL on good hard-flat tracks in India. This has prompted the selectors to think that you are better off with spinners rather than fast bowlers."In the IPL, Chahal took 18 wickets from 15 matches with an economy of 9.41, Kuldeep claimed 16 wickets with an economy of 8.65, Axar took 11 wickets at 7.65, and Jadeja secured 8 wickets at 7.85.Raman is optimistic about India's chances in the T20 World Cup. "We have a lot of brilliant cricketers who can be match-winners on their days," he said. "T20 is such a format where you need a bit of luck as well, especially in the knockouts, and that's where experience also counts, which we have aplenty in the side."Despite concerns over the narrow gap between the IPL and the T20 World Cup, Raman believes it will not affect the players. "Today's cricketers are fit enough and more or less used to playing non-stop. So, they will manage," he noted.India's campaign begins on Wednesday against Ireland in New York at the Nassau County Stadium. Raman supports the idea of expanding cricket to new destinations. "I think that is something that the ICC will consider. They will look at as many cost-effective measures and innovations to get more teams into the fold and venues under their bracket."

Virat Kohli, the batting maestro, is the cynosure of all eyes at the T20 World Cup in the United States and the Caribbean. Fans are eagerly capturing every moment of their beloved star, and a recent video circulating on social media has become a testament to Kohli's unwavering focus.In the video, Kohli is seen sitting in the team's dugout, preparing to eat. However, despite the cheers of fans and a plate of food laid out before him, Kohli remains laser-focused, oblivious to the distractions. His unwavering determination is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the game.India's victory over Bangladesh in their warm-up match has signaled their readiness to challenge for their second T20 World Cup title. Kohli, who recently won the Orange Cap as the top run-getter in the IPL, did not bat in the practice match, allowing the team to test other batting options.India's campaign in Group A begins on June 5 with a match against Ireland in New York. The highly anticipated clash against Pakistan follows on June 9 at the same venue. Co-hosts USA and Canada complete the group.Kohli's presence in the Indian team is a major boost to their title aspirations. His experience, skill, and leadership will be invaluable as India aims to reclaim the T20 World Cup trophy they last won in 2007.

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has lauded Rishabh Pant for his exceptional performance in challenging conditions during India's T20 World Cup warm-up game against Bangladesh on Saturday. The wicketkeeper-batter scored a rapid 53 off 32 balls, helping India set a competitive target of 183. India subsequently restricted Bangladesh to 122/9, securing a comprehensive 60-run victory in New York.Manjrekar praised Pant for his ability to quickly assess the conditions and adapt his game accordingly. "The pitch was slightly difficult when he came to bat. We saw Sanju Samson getting out after scoring only one run off six balls. After that, he (Pant) came and his specialty is that he is extremely street-smart and assesses very quickly what needs to be done," Manjrekar said on Star Sports.Pant's explosive innings included four fours and four sixes. Manjrekar highlighted Pant's impressive strike rate of nearly 200 on a difficult pitch, which underscored his ability to perform under pressure. "He is a batter who scored runs at a strike rate of almost 200 on a difficult pitch. This is Rishabh Pant's specialty. His record in T20Is is very ordinary, an average close to 20 and a strike rate of 120 or lower, but we saw today what this guy can do," Manjrekar added.Former India all-rounder Sanjay Bangar also commended Pant for his approach, noting his initial caution before launching into big shots. "Everyone will talk about the four fours and four sixes he hit, but he scored only one run off his first six or seven deliveries. So the best thing was that he gave himself time, especially against the spinners. We have the notion that he plays a lot of shots against spinners," Bangar said.Bangar further observed Pant's comfort against both pace and spin. "Actually, his best shots are against the pacers and he gets out many times against spinners. Today he batted well against both pacers and spinners. So I feel a stability has come into his mind considering the way he batted," Bangar noted.Pant's performance against Bangladesh demonstrated his potential to be a game-changer. Despite his modest T20I record, his ability to adapt to challenging conditions and perform under pressure makes him a valuable asset to the Indian team.

The T20 World Cup is set to commence, and the anticipation is palpable. Several teams are vying for the coveted title, each boasting unique strengths and strategies.India:India, led by the formidable Rohit Sharma, is a formidable contender. Their squad boasts a harmonious blend of technical prowess, power-hitting capabilities, exceptional spinners, and the indomitable Jasprit Bumrah. This well-rounded team is equipped to excel in diverse conditions, making them a force to be reckoned with.Australia:Australia, brimming with confidence, has a proven track record of success. Their explosive batting lineup, anchored by the likes of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Adam Zampa, is complemented by a formidable bowling attack. The absence of external pressure can further enhance their threat level.South Africa:Despite recent controversies, South Africa is quietly assembling a formidable limited-overs team. Inspired by Australia's template, they have assembled a squad of power-hitters and skilled bowlers. Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and Tristan Stubbs possess the destructive potential to dismantle any opposition.England:England, eager to redeem themselves after a disappointing ODI World Cup campaign, is determined to make amends. Led by the experienced Jos Buttler, they have a balanced squad featuring a blend of youth and experience. Their big-hitters and reliable white-ball bowlers are capable of delivering on the grandest stage. The return of Jofra Archer to peak form could elevate England to the status of a top contender.Dark Horse: West Indies:On paper, the West Indies may not appear as the most formidable team. However, home advantage and their inherent unpredictability make them a force to be reckoned with. With power hitters like Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, and Shimron Hetmyer in their ranks, they possess the firepower to challenge any opponent.

India's T20 World Cup preparations took an unexpected turn as Sanju Samson opened the batting alongside Rohit Sharma in their warm-up match against Bangladesh in New York. Samson's brief stay at the crease ended with an lbw dismissal for 1, leaving India's opening combination still up for debate.With regular openers Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Virat Kohli in the squad, Samson's inclusion at the top of the order raised eyebrows. Kohli, who arrived in New York on the eve of the match, was unavailable for the warm-up game. Samson, one of two wicketkeeper-batters in the squad alongside Rishabh Pant, replaced Samson at the crease at No. 3.The opening combination has been a topic of discussion for India, with Rohit expected to take one of the two slots. Kohli, despite his successful IPL campaign as an opener, has traditionally batted at No. 3 in T20Is. Jaiswal, on the other hand, provides a left-handed option and can prevent oppositions from bowling left-arm spin in the powerplay, a style of bowling that has troubled both Rohit and Kohli in the past.However, given that this is a warm-up match where both teams can use their entire squads, the choice of Samson as opener and Pant at No. 3 should not be overanalyzed. India may be looking to assess both their keepers before deciding on their opening combination for their tournament opener against Ireland on June 5.

India's T20 World Cup preparations got underway with a warm-up match against Bangladesh at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Saturday. Captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat, citing challenging conditions. Notably, Virat Kohli missed out on the game, as confirmed by Sharma.The match provided India with a valuable opportunity to acclimatize to conditions similar to those they will encounter in their group stage matches against Ireland, Pakistan, and the United States. Bangladesh, on the other hand, sought to find their winning formula after a disappointing series defeat to the USA.Sharma explained Kohli's absence, stating that he had only arrived the previous day and needed time to adjust. He also revealed that the rest of the squad was available for selection. Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed his desire to bowl first, but acknowledged the need to adapt to the conditions.India's playing XI featured a mix of experienced and emerging players, including Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, and Shivam Dube. Bangladesh fielded a strong side led by Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mahmudullah.The match was a closely contested affair, with both teams showcasing their strengths and weaknesses. India's batting lineup struggled to find consistency, while Bangladesh's bowlers impressed with their accuracy and variations.In the end, India emerged victorious by a narrow margin, providing them with a much-needed confidence boost ahead of the T20 World Cup. The match also highlighted areas for improvement, which the team will undoubtedly address in their remaining preparations.

The T20 World Cup 2024 is set to kick off on Sunday with a match between USA and Canada. For India, the tournament begins on June 5 with a clash against Ireland. The highly anticipated match against Pakistan is scheduled for June 9.Ahead of the tournament, former players Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Misbah Ul Haq shared their insights on the event. Misbah Ul Haq named Australia and Pakistan as the top contenders for the title."Australia knows how to win. They come to Asia and win by playing with just one spinner. You can't write off Australia from any World Cup," said Misbah. "The second team is very difficult. We have to back Pakistan because we live in Pakistan. India's team is very strong, they have everything."Irfan Pathan believes that Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube will play crucial roles for India in the tournament. "Hardik will have a set role to finish the game, and Shivam Dube will play as a floater, acting as an enforcer against the spinners," said Pathan.Pandya had a disappointing IPL season, but Pathan believes he will regain his form before the Super 8 stage. "The good thing about the Indian team now is that they will get a chance to be in form before the Super 8, as we will play teams who are not at the top level apart from Pakistan," said Pathan.Dube, on the other hand, had a strong IPL season, scoring 396 runs at a strike rate of 162.29. Pathan believes he will be a valuable asset in the knockout stages."Shivam Dube will play that kind of role," said Pathan. "He will play as an enforcer against the spinners in the playoffs."With a strong squad and a favorable schedule, India will be among the favorites to win the T20 World Cup 2024.

India, the inaugural T20 World Cup champions in 2007, will face Bangladesh in a warm-up match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Saturday. This match will serve as a crucial opportunity for India to test the ground conditions and the nature of the drop-in pitches, as they will play their first three group matches against Ireland, Pakistan, and USA at the same venue.Beyond testing the playing conditions, India will also seek answers to several questions that will help captain Rohit Sharma and chief coach Rahul Dravid determine their preferred playing XI.Opening Combination:Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar highlighted the uncertainty surrounding India's opening combination. He suggested three possibilities:* Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma (left-right combination)* Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma (left-right combination)* Yashasvi Jaiswal not included in the playing XIWicketkeeper-Batsman:Manjrekar believes that Rishabh Pant should be brought back into the Indian team as soon as possible, and the warm-up match could provide an ideal opportunity. He suggested that Pant could be preferred over Sanju Samson.Preferred Spinners:India has several talented spinners in their squad, including Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal. Manjrekar emphasized the importance of assessing their form and determining the preferred combination.

Rahul Dravid, India's head coach, has been tasked with leading the team to glory in three major events: the 2022 T20 World Cup, the 2021-23 ICC World Test Championship, and the 2023 ODI Cricket World Cup. India has been yearning for an ICC trophy since M.S. Dhoni's side triumphed in the 2013 Champions Trophy.As Dravid's tenure nears its end, the three big events have come and gone, and India remains without a major title. The 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup presents Dravid with a final opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.Like Dravid, captain Rohit Sharma is eager to break India's trophy drought. He came close in the 2023 ODI CWC, only to be thwarted by a ruthless Australia in the final. Sharma also led India in the previous T20 mega event, where eventual champion England crushed them by 10 wickets in the semifinal.Sharma will have a similar squad at his disposal this time around. Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav, the highest and third highest tournament run scorers in 2022, are in top form after impressive performances in IPL 2024. The return of Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the 2022 festivities due to a back injury, further strengthens the lineup. Bumrah's pinpoint accuracy and lethal yorkers can bail India out of desperate situations.The team management must learn from the costly mistake they made in the 2023 final. The batters were overly cautious in Ahmedabad, a strategy that can be fatal in modern-day T20 cricket. Attacking relentlessly is the only way to succeed.India has been fortunate with the draw. They face no major threats in Group A, with Pakistan being the only potential obstacle. Ireland, USA, and Canada should be easy pickings. India's progress to the Super 8s, reserved for the top two teams in each group, is virtually guaranteed.No World Cup is complete without a marquee India-Pakistan game. The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York will host this highly-anticipated clash on June 9. Kohli's majestic straight six off Haris Rauf at Melbourne is still fresh in the memory. The occasion demands another unforgettable moment.The bigger tests await in the Super 8s, which will be held in the West Indies. India, and Dravid in particular, will not have fond memories of the last time the Caribbean hosted a big event. The 2007 World Cup shock group-stage exit, under Dravid's captaincy, is best forgotten. Thankfully, this group of players bears no scars from that horror.And so, another quest begins. Dravid, Rohit & Co. will be desperate to return home with a trophy.