Cricket

Legendary West Indian batsman Brian Lara has urged India to promote Suryakumar Yadav to the crucial number three position in their batting lineup for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Lara believes that Suryakumar's exceptional skills and abilities make him the ideal candidate to occupy this pivotal spot in the team's batting order.Lara, who is currently providing commentary for the Indian Premier League (IPL), emphasized the importance of getting Suryakumar to the crease as early as possible. He believes that the swashbuckling batsman can put India in an unassailable position if he bats first or win the game if he bats second."My one advice, and I don't know if you're going to like it or not, but Sky has to bat at three. He just has to bat at three. He is one of the greatest T20 players in the game," Lara said. "And you speak to players like Sir Viv, and he will tell you he used to want to get out there in the middle."Lara's suggestion would require a reshuffling of India's top order, with Suryakumar moving up to number three and Virat Kohli potentially opening the innings alongside Rohit Sharma. This would leave Yashasvi Jaiswal on the bench.Lara also expressed his hope for an India-West Indies final at the T20 World Cup, which would make up for the disappointment of India's early exit from the 2007 ODI World Cup in the Caribbean."India and West Indies final is going to make up for so much wrong that has happened in the past. India missing out in 2007 in the second round, that killed us in the Caribbean. We don't want that to happen again," Lara said.Regarding India's spin bowling options, Lara believes that only a couple of the four spinners selected in the squad, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, are likely to play in the starting eleven. He praised Chahal's intelligence and ability to out-think batters, as well as Kuldeep's wicket-taking prowess.Despite the ongoing debate surrounding Kohli's strike rate, Lara believes that players like him are essential to the team's success. "You have to have a player like Virat in the playing eleven," Lara added.

Yuvraj Singh, the iconic Indian cricketer and brand ambassador for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, has expressed his ardent desire to witness his close friend Rohit Sharma donning a World Cup medal as India's captain. Yuvraj, who played a pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup triumph in 2007 and ODI World Cup victory in 2011, believes Rohit possesses the leadership qualities necessary to guide India to glory in the upcoming tournament.Yuvraj emphasized the importance of a captain who can make sound decisions under pressure, and he believes Rohit fits the bill perfectly. "He's the one to take them," Yuvraj asserted. "He was the captain when we lost in the 50-over (2023 World Cup) final. He has won five IPL trophies (for Mumbai Indians) as a captain. I think we need somebody like him to captain India."Yuvraj's friendship with Rohit dates back to their early days in the Indian team. He fondly recalled Rohit's debut during the 2007 Ireland tour, when Yuvraj was already an established member of the white-ball squad. Their bond has only grown stronger over the years, and Yuvraj described Rohit as a "great guy at heart" who has remained humble despite his immense success."Fun-loving, always having fun with the guys. A great leader on the park and one of my closest friends from cricket," Yuvraj said of Rohit. "I really want to see Rohit Sharma with a World Cup trophy and a World Cup medal (as captain). He really deserves it."India will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York. Yuvraj's presence as brand ambassador and his unwavering support for Rohit Sharma will undoubtedly inspire the Indian team as they strive to bring home the coveted trophy.

India continued its dominance over Bangladesh in the fourth women's T20 match in Sylhet on May 6, securing a 56-run victory via the Duckworth-Lewis method. The match was shortened to 14 overs per side due to persistent rain and hail.Harmanpreet Kaur (38) and Richa Ghosh (24) shared a crucial 44-run partnership to help India post a competitive 122 for six. Bangladesh, chasing 125 in 14 overs, struggled to keep up with the required run rate.Opener Dilara Akter (21) provided some resistance, but the rest of the batters failed to reach double digits. India's bowlers, led by Asha Sobhana (2/18), Deepti Sharma (2/22), Radha Yadav (1/15), and Pooja Vastrakar (1/16), restricted Bangladesh to 68 for seven.India now leads the five-match series 4-0. The victory was particularly significant for Kaur, who played her 300th international game. She and Ghosh played key roles in boosting India's total after a rain break.Bangladesh's batters, on the other hand, were unable to cope with the pressure of chasing a revised target. The Indian bowlers maintained a tight line and length, making it difficult for the hosts to score boundaries.India's victory extends their impressive record against Bangladesh in women's T20 cricket. The team has now won 10 consecutive matches against their neighbors.

David Warner, the renowned Australian opener, has expressed his deep affection for India, a country that has showered him with immense love and admiration. Warner, who won the IPL title with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016, has always been a fan favorite in India.In a recent interview with Ashwin, Warner revealed that he has been overwhelmed by the love he has received in India. He said, "I get a lot of people asking me if I want a house here. One day, maybe when I finish my cricket, I would like to come here and spend some time."Warner's popularity in India is such that he is often joked about owning a place in the country. However, he clarified that he does not currently have a house in India but has considered it in the past.Warner also spoke about his controversial exit from Sunrisers Hyderabad, a team he led to the IPL title in 2016. He said that he was hurt by the way he was treated by the franchise, especially the fact that he was blocked on social media."It did (hurt) because it was a sense of hurt for fans. The fans are the most important relationship you could have," Warner said. "Not sure why I was blocked. But, I did engage with a lot of fans on the social media side for SRH."Despite the acrimonious end to his time with Sunrisers Hyderabad, Warner remains grateful for the love and support he has received from Indian fans. He said, "I still got fans who come onto my page and talk to everyone. So it's great."Warner's love for India is evident in his frequent interactions with fans on social media and his willingness to embrace the country's culture. He said, "I go to the malls with my girls and I embrace everything."Warner's popularity in India is a testament to his charisma and his genuine love for the country. He is a true ambassador for the sport of cricket and a role model for aspiring cricketers around the world.

India's Test series triumph against England earlier this year was etched into the memories of cricket enthusiasts for its thrilling matches and memorable moments. One such moment was the witty remark by Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, who instructed his fielders to avoid "roaming around as if they're in a garden."This statement, captured by the stump microphone, went viral and amused fans. Recently, Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, who was part of the Test series, shared his humorous take on Rohit's comment."Rohit said not to roam around in the garden, and he's right. These guys really walk as if they're in a garden," Ashwin said during a promotional event.Ashwin also highlighted the importance of keeping the ball dry for reverse swing, a technique he employs effectively. He expressed his frustration with fielders who would apply saliva or sweat to the ball, hindering his ability to generate reverse swing."If you put sweat on the ball, how can I bowl reverse swing?" Ashwin said. "That's how he reacts."Ashwin also had a hilarious take on the size of boundaries in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season."The boundary in Jaipur is huge. When I saw that, I told Dhruv Jurel, 'At least let it be somewhere.' Watching that, I felt at this stage of my career, I would need a bicycle to reach the boundary," Ashwin said."Then in the next stadium, I felt I could walk and the next I could run. In one, I felt if I spit my chewing gum, it will cross the boundary rope for a six," he added.Rajasthan Royals will face Delhi Capitals in their next IPL match on Tuesday at the Arun Jaitely Stadium.

MS Dhoni's Global Fanbase: Pakistan's Shahnawaz Dahani Recalls Memorable EncounterFormer Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni's immense popularity extends beyond national boundaries, captivating fans worldwide, including those in neighboring Pakistan. One such ardent admirer is fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani, who recently shared a heartwarming recollection of his meeting with the Indian legend.During the 2021 T20 World Cup, Dhoni served as the Indian team's mentor, providing guidance and support to the players. It was during this time that Dahani had the opportunity to meet his idol. In a video that has resurfaced on social media, Dahani recalls the encounter with great fondness."He is a personality that people all over the world admire," Dahani said. "I am one of his many fans. When I knew we were playing India the following week, I couldn't resist telling him, 'Aap Dhoni hain, mai Dahani hu.'"Dhoni's response was met with laughter, and the two shared a brief but memorable moment. After the match, Dahani approached Dhoni again, this time for a photograph. Dhoni obliged, and the image quickly went viral on social media."It was a dream come true for me," Dahani said. "Meeting Mahendra Singh Dhoni was an unforgettable experience."Dahani's admiration for Dhoni is a testament to the Indian legend's enduring legacy. Despite retiring from international cricket in 2020, Dhoni continues to inspire and captivate fans around the globe.

Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has raised concerns over India's potential decision to boycott the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year. He believes that refusing to participate in an ICC event could have severe consequences for the Indian team.Latif emphasized that teams are obligated to fulfill their commitments to ICC events, as they are aware of the tournament schedule and venues when signing contracts. He cited the example of the 1996 World Cup, where Australia and West Indies' refusal to travel to Sri Lanka resulted in a significant change in the tournament format and Sri Lanka's eventual victory."If India or Pakistan has signed in, they will have to go for that event," Latif said. "If any circumstances occur on a government level, then you have to provide a logical answer as to why not coming."Sources have indicated that Team India may not participate in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan due to security concerns. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed a hybrid model, with India's qualifying round matches being held in a single city. However, Latif believes that refusing an ICC event could backfire on India."In my opinion, refusing an ICC event can backfire," he said. "You can refuse the bilateral series citing the conditions in Pakistan are not right etc etc... But it will be tough to refuse ICC events."The PCB has selected Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore as the tournament venues, with Lahore hosting the final match. The ICC is expected to make a decision on the venue and format of the Champions Trophy in the coming weeks.

Virat Kohli's inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad has sparked debates about his role in the team. While some believe he should open the batting, others suggest he should play as an anchor. However, former Australia all-rounder Tom Moody believes there is no such thing as an anchor in T20s.Kohli has been in impressive form for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, scoring 500 runs at a strike rate of 147.49. This has led to suggestions that he could open the batting for India at the T20 World Cup, alongside Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal.However, Moody believes that Kohli should not be pigeonholed into a specific role. "He's got many gears. He needs to work through those. He's smart enough and experienced enough to adjust to 11-an-over or 9-an-over required rate," said Moody.Kohli has a proven track record in T20 internationals, having played some sublime knocks for India. His 82 against Australia in Mohali during the 2016 T20 World Cup and his 82 not out against Pakistan in Melbourne during the 2022 T20 World Cup are just two examples.Former India pacer Irfan Pathan believes that Kohli will have a major impact on the upcoming T20 World Cup. "Jab waqt aata hai, yehi player akela khada hota hai, Virat Kohli (when it's required, he is the player who stands alone)," said Pathan.India will open their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York, followed by the big game against Pakistan on June 9 at the same venue.

India's T20 World Cup Bowling Strategy Relies Heavily on SpinIn preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Caribbean, India has devised a bowling plan centered around a heavy reliance on spin. The team's decision is based on the slow and sluggish wicket conditions expected in the region, as well as the early start times for India's matches.Captain Rohit Sharma justified the inclusion of four spinners and just three pacers in the 15-member squad. He explained that the morning start times, typically around 10 am local time, present technical challenges that favor spin bowling."With a morning start at 10-10.30am, there's a little bit of technical aspect involved in this," Rohit said. "The reason for picking four spinners is something I won't reveal now."The four spinners in the squad are Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal. Jadeja and Patel are left-arm spinning all-rounders, while Yadav and Chahal are wrist spinners.Rohit also highlighted the need for a middle-order power hitter to accelerate the scoring against spinners. He identified Mumbai all-rounder Shivam Dube as the player to fill this role."The one thing we really looked at was middle-overs hitting," Rohit said. "We picked Shivam Dube based on the IPL and a few games before the IPL as well."Dube has been in impressive form for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, smashing 350 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 171.56. He is expected to contribute with the ball as well, despite bowling only one over in this IPL.Rohit revealed that he had a clear idea of the World Cup squad before the IPL. "You make the playing XI in your mind and work around it," he said. "The talk of what our final 15 started much before the IPL."