Cricket

India and Bangladesh are set to clash in a five-match T20I series in Sylhet, starting Sunday, as both teams prepare for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh later this year.Bangladesh, who were thrashed 3-0 by Australia at home recently, will be looking to improve their batting, which struggled against the Aussies. Captain Nigar Sultana was the only consistent performer, scoring 96 runs in three innings. The hosts will need top-order batters such as Fargana Hoque, Sobhana Mostary, and Rubya Haider to provide a solid foundation.India, on the other hand, will be hoping to carry the momentum from the 2024 WPL into international cricket. Several of their international players got back to form in the tournament, including openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana. With some new names in the mix, India will be keen to experiment and find their ideal combinations before the T20 World Cup.One of the key problems for India will be how to accommodate all their talented spinners. Legspinner S Asha and spin-bowling allrounder S Sajana have earned maiden international call-ups on the back of their WPL performance, while Radha Yadav has returned to the squad after a year. With Deepti Sharma and Shreyanka Patil being the first-choice spinners, it remains to be seen how India squeeze in Asha, Radha, and Saika Ishaque in the XI.The pitch and conditions in Sylhet are expected to assist the seamers initially, but both teams might still bank on spinners for wickets. India have played two T20Is against Bangladesh at this venue, and both times, they scored 150-plus and restricted the hosts to 100 or below.

Yuvraj Singh, the former Indian cricketer and ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador, has expressed his admiration for Dinesh Karthik's performance with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. However, he believes that the experienced wicketkeeper should only be included in India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup if he is assured a place in the starting lineup."DK (Karthik) has been batting well, but the thing with DK is the last time (2022) they picked him and the T20 WC was on he didn't get to play," Yuvraj said.Yuvraj emphasized that if Karthik is not going to be a part of the playing XI, there is little point in selecting him for the squad. He pointed out that there are other talented wicketkeepers like Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson, who are both in excellent form and are also younger than Karthik."If DK is not in your XI I don't think there is any point in picking him. There is Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson and both guys are in great form and obviously they are younger. I would like to see DK in the mix, but if he is not going to play then you would rather have someone who is younger and can make the difference," added the former T20 World Cup winner.Dinesh Karthik has been in impressive form in the ongoing IPL 2024 season. Despite batting lower down the order for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he has scored 262 runs in nine matches. As a result, his significant contributions have sparked discussions about his potential inclusion in India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Yuvraj's comments come as India prepares for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be held in the United States from June 9th to July 1st. India is one of the favorites to win the tournament, and Yuvraj believes that Karthik could be a valuable addition to the squad if he is given a clear role."If he is going to be in the XI and he is going to play, then I think he is a great option. But if he is not going to play, then I think you have to look at other options," Yuvraj said.The final decision on whether or not to include Karthik in India's squad for the T20 World Cup will be made by the selectors. However, Yuvraj's comments are likely to be taken into consideration, as he is one of the most experienced and successful cricketers in India's history.

India's T20 World Cup squad announcement is eagerly anticipated, with former Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake expressing his admiration for the depth of talent in Indian cricket. The tournament, co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies from June 2 to 29, will see India begin their campaign on June 5 in the United States.Blake, a known cricket enthusiast, believes that India's talent pool is so vast that the BCCI could potentially send three teams to the World Cup. "Currently, it is incredibly challenging to select the Indian T20 World Cup team due to the immense talent pool available," Blake wrote on Twitter.India's Group A opponents include Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and the United States. They will kick off their campaign against Ireland in New York on June 5, followed by a highly anticipated clash with Pakistan at the same venue on June 9. India will then face the co-hosts US on June 12 in New York before concluding their group stage against Canada in Lauderhill, Florida.The BCCI is expected to announce the Indian squad before the end of this month, and the selection process is likely to be a challenging one given the abundance of talent available. India will be aiming to add to their two T20 World Cup titles, won in 2007 and 2014.

Aaron Finch Advocates for Virat Kohli at No. 3 for India in T20 World CupFormer Australian captain Aaron Finch has strongly recommended that Virat Kohli bat at the No. 3 position for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Finch believes that Kohli's stability and ability to anchor the innings make him the ideal candidate for this crucial role.Kohli, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in modern cricket, possesses an exceptional ability to build and accelerate innings. His presence at No. 3 would provide India with a solid foundation and allow the team to capitalize on the momentum created by the openers.Finch, during a discussion on Star Sports, expressed his admiration for Kohli's batting prowess, particularly at the No. 3 position. "Virat Kohli is the best No. 3 this game ever produced in white-ball cricket, so I will keep him at No. 3 for the T20 World Cup," Finch said.Kohli has recently demonstrated his adaptability by opening the batting for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite the change in role, he has excelled, leading the run charts with 379 runs in 8 matches and scoring a century against Rajasthan Royals.While Kohli's usual batting position for India in T20I matches is at No. 3, his impressive performances at the top of the order for RCB highlight his versatility and ability to excel in various roles. This versatility solidifies his status as one of the most complete batsmen in contemporary cricket.With the T20 World Cup set to commence shortly after the conclusion of the IPL, Finch's recommendation for Kohli to bat at No. 3 is likely to be carefully considered by the Indian team management. Kohli's experience, skill, and ability to perform under pressure make him a valuable asset for India in their quest for T20 World Cup glory.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has expressed openness to the possibility of playing bilateral series with India if the Indian team visits Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy next year.Naqvi's comments came in response to a recent interview by Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who praised the Pakistan cricket team and said it would be "awesome" to play the neighbors in a Test series overseas."If any options in this regard come, we will consider it, but our target right now is to host the Champions Trophy and first let India come for the tournament," Naqvi said. "Right now, till the CT, there is no slot available as our team has a packed itinerary.""Once they come here first, then we can look at any proposal whenever it comes before us," he added.The two teams last played a bilateral limited-overs series in 2012-13, when Pakistan visited India. However, India has refused to play any Tests against Pakistan since 2007, when the two countries engaged in a rubber on Indian soil.Last year, India declined to send its team for the Asia Cup matches in Pakistan, forcing the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to adopt a hybrid model for the event, with most matches being held in Sri Lanka.Naqvi met with BCCI secretary Jay Shah during an ICC meeting in Dubai in February. The meeting was seen as a positive step towards improving relations between the two cricket boards.If India does agree to play a bilateral series in Pakistan, it would be a significant development in the cricketing rivalry between the two nations. The series would likely attract a huge amount of attention and would be a major boost for Pakistan cricket.

Zak Crawley, England's leading run-scorer in the recent Test series against India, believes that the team will not abandon their aggressive approach despite their shortcomings in the subcontinent. However, he acknowledges the need for refinement to capitalize on their dominant positions.Crawley emphasized that England's faith in their attacking methods remained unwavering throughout the series, despite their eventual 4-1 defeat. He pointed to the fourth Test in Ranchi, where England squandered a significant first-innings lead, as a missed opportunity."We never really lost faith and had the same attitude," Crawley said. "We genuinely believed in ourselves and thought we could win the series. We were in all the games."Crawley expressed satisfaction with his personal performances, having emerged as England's most consistent batter with 407 runs at an average of 40.70. He attributed his improved form to a more positive mindset and a focus on smothering the spin."I am trying to embrace failure more and accepting it is part of the game," Crawley said. "So, I'm trying to stick with that."Despite his success against India's spinners, Crawley admitted that he was unable to replicate his remarkable 189-run innings from the Ashes against their seamers. However, he emphasized his confidence against pace bowling and his willingness to engage with the opposition's best bowlers."I just thought, 'there are a couple of good balls in here, I just need to put them under pressure early'," Crawley said. "I feel like a bit more pace on the ball has always suited my game a little bit more."Crawley also revealed that he had undergone laser surgery to correct his short-sightedness, which had previously required him to wear contact lenses. He believes that this has improved his ability to pick up the ball.While Crawley's series record paled in comparison to India's Yashasvi Jaiswal, he insisted that he is not driven by a desire for big scores. Instead, he focuses on staying present and playing one ball at a time."Whenever I have looked too far ahead like that, that is how you get out straight away," Crawley said. "Actually, a couple of those occasions I was thinking, 'I need to get a big score' and I wasn't in the process."Crawley believes that England need to refine their approach to absorbing pressure and putting it back on the opposition. He emphasized that the team will not become more negative but will seek to identify the right moments to absorb pressure."We always talk about absorbing pressure and putting pressure back on," Crawley said. "The last couple of years we've done the putting back on pretty well, and we've spoken about maybe picking those moments to absorb at the right times as well."

Bangladesh's Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid has made history by becoming the first umpire from his country to be inducted into the prestigious ICC Elite Panel of Umpires. This significant achievement marks a milestone for Bangladesh's cricket fraternity and underscores the country's growing stature in the international cricketing arena.Sharfuddoula's elevation to the elite panel is a testament to his exceptional skills and experience as an umpire. He has officiated in numerous international matches, including 10 Tests, 63 ODIs, and 44 T20Is. His calm demeanor, sharp decision-making, and ability to handle pressure have earned him the respect of players, coaches, and fans alike.Alongside Sharfuddoula, India's Nitin Menon has also been inducted into the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires for an unprecedented fifth time. Menon, who joined the elite panel at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, remains the only Indian in the 12-member club. His inclusion is a recognition of his consistent performances and his ability to adapt to the evolving demands of the game.The ICC Elite Panel of Umpires is the highest level of umpiring in international cricket. Umpires who are selected for this panel have demonstrated exceptional abilities and have consistently met the rigorous standards set by the ICC. They are responsible for officiating in the most high-profile matches, including Test matches, One-Day Internationals, and Twenty20 Internationals.The induction of Sharfuddoula and Menon into the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires is a significant development for both Bangladesh and India. It reflects the growing strength of umpiring in these countries and their commitment to promoting fair play and integrity in the sport.

The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has kicked off with a record-breaking opening day, attracting an unprecedented number of viewers. According to the host broadcaster, Disney Star, the opening ceremony and the first match drew a massive 16.8 crore viewers.The opening day also witnessed the highest-ever watch-time of 1276 crore minutes, surpassing all previous seasons. Additionally, the peak TV concurrency for an opening day reached a staggering 6.1 crore viewers, indicating the immense popularity of the tournament.Defending champions Chennai Super Kings emerged victorious in the opening match, defeating Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six wickets. The match was played in front of a packed crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.The record-breaking viewership is a testament to the growing popularity of the IPL, which has become one of the most-watched sporting events in the world. The tournament has attracted a global audience, with fans tuning in from over 200 countries.The IPL's success can be attributed to several factors, including the high level of competition, the presence of world-class players, and the exciting format of the tournament. The IPL has also benefited from the rise of digital platforms, which have made it easier for fans to watch the matches live and on-demand.The record-breaking opening day viewership is a positive sign for the IPL, which is expected to continue to grow in popularity in the years to come. The tournament is a major revenue generator for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and has helped to promote the sport of cricket in India and around the world.

Cricket Australia (CA) has expressed its eagerness to host a bilateral series between India and Pakistan, should the respective cricket boards agree to such a venture. The announcement comes as both India and Pakistan are scheduled to tour Australia in November for separate series.India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13, with their encounters limited to global ICC events. However, the thrilling T20 World Cup match between the two nations at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 2022, which drew a record crowd of 90,293, has reignited interest in a potential bilateral series.CA chief executive Nick Hockley emphasized the organization's desire to host such a series, stating, "We would love to host that if the opportunity arose. If we can play a role, we'd love to play a role."Hockley acknowledged that the decision ultimately rests with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), but CA remains open to facilitating the event.CA's head of scheduling, Peter Roach, also expressed interest in hosting a tri-series involving India and Pakistan, but noted that there is currently no room for such a series in the Future Tours Programme (FTP).Despite the scheduling challenges, CA remains committed to exploring opportunities to host India and Pakistan in a bilateral series. The organization believes that such a series would not only be a sporting spectacle but also a significant cultural event.