Cricket

Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan has etched his name in the annals of T20 World Cup history by becoming the first bowler to claim 50 wickets in the tournament. The veteran all-rounder achieved the milestone during Bangladesh's Super Eight clash against India in Adelaide on Saturday.Shakib's 50th wicket came in the form of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, who was caught at mid-off for 23 off 11 deliveries. The left-arm spinner has now played 42 T20 World Cup matches, averaging 19.38 with an impressive strike rate of 6.81.Shakib's achievement is a testament to his longevity and consistency at the highest level. He is now the undisputed leader in the list of most wickets taken at T20 World Cups, well ahead of Pakistan's Shahid Afridi (39 wickets) and Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga (38 wickets).The Bangladesh star has been a key figure in his team's success at the tournament. He was instrumental in Bangladesh's historic victory over England in the 2016 edition, where he took 10 wickets and scored 114 runs.Shakib's milestone comes at a crucial time for Bangladesh, who are looking to qualify for the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup for the first time. They face a tough challenge against India, who are the defending champions and have won all four previous T20 World Cup encounters between the two teams.However, with Shakib leading the charge, Bangladesh will be confident of causing an upset and keeping their hopes of reaching the last four alive.

Ahead of India's crucial Super Eights clash against Bangladesh in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, former West Indies legend Brian Lara has expressed confidence in the Indian opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Lara believes that the experienced duo will deliver a strong performance against Bangladesh, setting the tone for India's knockout stage aspirations.India currently sits in second place in Group 1 of the Super Eights, with a win against Afghanistan and two points. Bangladesh, on the other hand, is at the bottom of the table after losing to Australia. This match is crucial for Bangladesh to keep their Super Eights hopes alive, while India can virtually secure a semifinal berth with a victory.Despite the opening pair's struggles in the tournament so far, Lara remains optimistic about their ability to turn things around. "India is going to be 100 without loss in that match if they bat first, right? And even if they bat second, they are going to be 100 without loss," Lara said.Lara acknowledged the threat posed by Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, but he believes that Rohit and Kohli's experience will prove too much for the opposition. "Of course, Fizz (Mustafizur) is an amazing bowler. He is going to come out and threaten, but I just feel that India is just too much," Lara said.Lara also praised the opening pair's overall quality, emphasizing their status as two of the best T20I players in the world. "I think it (Rohit-Virat pair) is going to give India that impetus that is needed going into the back end of the tournament of the semi-finals and the finals," Lara said.While the tournament has been dominated by bowlers, Lara believes that India's opening partnership can provide the necessary impetus for the team's success. "This World Cup is a World Cup where no team is very dominant because of the state of the pitches. But if India can solve the opening problem, and it is not a problem, it is the two best T20 players in the world, they are not going to run right now," Lara concluded.

India vs Bangladesh: A Rivalry Renewed in the Super EightsThe highly anticipated Super Eights clash between India and Bangladesh at the ongoing T20 World Cup promises to be a captivating encounter, fueled by both on-field rivalry and off-field tensions.India, the tournament favorites, enter the match with an unblemished record in the Super Eights, having dispatched Afghanistan with ease. Bangladesh, on the other hand, has struggled for consistency, losing to South Africa in their opening match.Despite their contrasting fortunes, Bangladesh has a history of upsetting India in big matches. The two South Asian neighbors have been involved in several off-field controversies, with Bangladesh expressing concerns over India's financial dominance in cricket.The head-to-head record between the two teams heavily favors India, but Bangladesh has shown resilience in the past. Rohit Sharma and his men will be wary of their opponents' ability to punch above their weight.The match will also feature a subplot of long-standing rivalry. The two teams have faced off in numerous high-stakes matches over the past decade, creating an atmosphere of intense competition.Both India and Bangladesh will be desperate for their batting stars to find form in this crucial encounter. India's top order, led by Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, has been in impressive touch, while Bangladesh will rely on the likes of Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim to deliver.The match promises to be a thrilling contest between two teams with contrasting strengths and weaknesses. India's experience and firepower will be tested against Bangladesh's determination and unpredictability.

India's quest for T20 World Cup glory in 2024 hinges on finding the optimal balance in their playing XI, according to former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar. During the group stage in the United States, India opted for a combination of three frontline pacers and two spinners. However, in the Super 8 match against Afghanistan, Mohammed Siraj was replaced by Kuldeep Yadav to bolster the spin attack. Hardik Pandya served as the third pacer, while Shivam Dube provided an additional seaming option.Manjrekar believes that India's diverse player pool allows them to adapt to different conditions and field the most effective lineup. "It's always advantageous to have multiple options, and that's crucial for any team management when there are exciting players to choose from," Manjrekar said on 'Caught & Bold' on Disney Hotstar. "However, they must prioritize selecting the best playing 11 to maximize India's chances of winning in specific conditions."India's impressive run in the ongoing T20 World Cup has showcased their versatility. They topped Group A with seven points after defeating Ireland, Pakistan, and the USA. Their final group stage match against Canada was abandoned due to rain. In their first Super 8 game, India defeated Afghanistan by 47 runs, with Suryakumar Yadav shining with a blistering 53 off 28 balls.India will face Bangladesh on Saturday at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua, aiming to extend their unbeaten streak. The team's roster includes a mix of experienced and emerging players: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj. Reserves include Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, and Avesh Khan.

After a match-winning knock of 53 off 28 against Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup Super 8 match, India batter Suryakumar Yadav heaped praise on Afghan spinner Rashid Khan, calling him the world's best bowler. During his 53-run innings, Suryakumar hit 16 runs off the six deliveries he faced from Rashid, helping India reach a winning total of 181/8 at the Kensington Oval on Thursday night.Speaking after the match, the world no.1 T20I batter emphasized the importance of asserting dominance against a player he regards as the world's best bowler. "I have told this before as well and I'll say that again on air when he bowls, it's very difficult to pick him so I know what shots I want to play when I'm inside. Best bowler in the world. You can't let him dominate. You have to be a step ahead. But I am happy to be on a better side today," said Suryakumar.Batting first, India were 79/3 after 10 overs, having lost Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Virat Kohli. But Suryakumar's partnership with Hardik Pandya got them back on track, leading to a solid first-innings score of 181/8. In their response, Afghanistan were bowled out for 134, thanks to an exceptional spell from Jasprit Bumrah, who finished with figures of 3-7, as India sealed a 47-run win.For his match-defining knock, Suryakumar was adjudged Player of the Match. Speaking about his performance, the batter said, "I think there's a lot of hard work and practice gone behind this. And as I say again and again, there's a lot of process and routines involved and when I go inside, when I play the game, I know I'm pretty clear in my mind what I want to do. Really happy with the way things went. And yeah, the first batter to get better of the match, hopefully the first of many.""I still remember when Hardik came into bat, I told him the same thing. Let's keep back with the same intent. Let's not leave too much to the end because in the end, it was definitely going to be a difficult thing to do with the ball getting old, reversing and all. So, I said let's keep pressing the pedal and see where we get in the end of 16 overs. But yeah, very happy with the way we got 180 on the board," he added.When asked about the adjustments needed after playing on challenging pitches in the USA and then moving to the Caribbean, the 33-year-old responded, "I think you just need to know what the game plan is. You practice accordingly when you get a few practice sessions and just know your game and when you go inside give the team fast what the team requires on that given day. Just, just be that way when you look at how the."

Shivam Dube's inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad has come under scrutiny following his underwhelming performances with both bat and ball. The all-rounder has failed to replicate his impressive IPL form for the Chennai Super Kings, raising questions about his place in the playing eleven.Dube's selection was based on his ability to hit spinners for sixes in the middle overs, a skill that impressed captain Rohit Sharma and the selectors. However, in four innings at the World Cup, he has managed only 44 runs, with a highest of 31 not out against USA.Compounding Dube's batting struggles is his limited use as a bowler. Rohit has only asked him to bowl one over in the tournament, which he conceded 11 runs in against USA. This reluctance to utilize Dube's bowling ability further weakens his case for inclusion.If India decide to drop Dube, middle-order batsman Sanju Samson is seen as a more suitable replacement than Yashasvi Jaiswal. Samson has a proven track record against spin, a key factor considering Bangladesh's likely use of spin-heavy bowling.However, some argue that Dube should be given one more game to prove his worth, especially against Bangladesh. They point to his potential to counter spin and his ability to provide depth to the batting lineup.Ultimately, the decision of whether to retain or replace Dube rests with Rohit and coach Rahul Dravid. They must weigh the pros and cons of each option, considering the team's overall balance and the specific challenges posed by Bangladesh.

Virat Kohli, the batting maestro, has yet to find his rhythm in the ongoing T20 World Cup. As India gears up for their crucial 'Super 8s' match against Bangladesh on Saturday, all eyes will be on Kohli to deliver a match-winning performance.In the group stage, Kohli's scores of 1, 4, and 0 raised concerns about his form. In India's first 'Super 8s' match against Afghanistan, he managed a run-a-ball 24. Former India opener Navjot Singh Sidhu believes that Kohli's lack of dominance is a cause for concern."If a powerful person doesn't showcase his power, then that person does get hurt, and should get hurt," Sidhu said on Star Sports. "I will learn only after I fall," he added. "I feel Kohli is mentally so strong that he wants to overpower his mistakes through training. He wants to overcome those (mistakes)."The Indian team management has experimented by promoting Kohli to the opening slot alongside Rohit Sharma. However, this move has not yielded the desired results so far. Kohli's prolific run as an opener for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the recently concluded IPL season has not translated to the international stage.Despite Kohli's struggles, India remains unbeaten in the tournament. They defeated Ireland, Pakistan, and USA in the group stage, followed by their victory over Afghanistan in the 'Super 8s'. India is aiming for their second T20 World Cup triumph and their first ICC trophy in 11 years.Kohli's return to form is crucial for India's success. The team will need their batting talisman to fire on all cylinders if they are to lift the coveted trophy. The match against Bangladesh presents Kohli with another opportunity to prove his worth and silence his critics.

The highly anticipated 'Super 8s' match of the T20 World Cup between India and Bangladesh is set to take place in the North Sound region of Antigua on Saturday. While the weather forecast predicts a relatively favorable outlook, the possibility of interruptions due to thunderstorms cannot be discounted.India, who emerged victorious in their opening Group 1 match against Afghanistan, are considered the clear favorites. However, they would be unwise to underestimate the spirited Bangladesh side, who have proven their mettle in previous encounters.According to accuweather.com, the weather forecast for Saturday in Antigua indicates partly sunny conditions with isolated thunderstorms. The cloud cover is expected to be around 41%, with intermittent rain showers throughout the day.The match is scheduled to commence at 10:30 am local time, which corresponds to 8 pm IST. India has entered the 'Super 8s' stage with an unblemished record, having secured victories over Ireland, Pakistan, and USA in the group stage. Their match against Canada in Florida was unfortunately washed out due to inclement weather.India's quest for a second T20 World Cup title is fueled by their desire to end an 11-year drought without an ICC event triumph. Their last major title came in the form of the Champions Trophy in 2013 under the leadership of MS Dhoni.India's inaugural T20 World Cup victory in 2007, also under Dhoni's captaincy, remains a cherished memory for fans. The team will be eager to replicate that success and bring home the coveted trophy once again.

The Indian cricket team's bowling attack in the Super 8 fixture against Afghanistan on Thursday was a unique one. It is not often that you see three left-arm spinners in the eleven. Kuldeep Yadav offers variety as a wrist spinner, while Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja come on with a stifling line and length. Axar, in particular, is adept at changing it up according to the match situation. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is waiting in the wings.The trio formed an effective combination on a slow, dry Kensington Oval pitch. Kuldeep, playing his first match of the tournament, took two wickets. Axar (1/15 in 3 overs) and Jadeja gave nothing away and applied the choke on the Afghan chase.Axar believes that active communication makes for a good partnership. "Having three left-arm spinners is an advantage on the wickets here. Our combination is very good. We communicate well. For example, whoever comes on to bowl first will communicate to the others on what is working and what is not. This is important when you bowl as a unit," Axar said at the press conference after India eased past Afghanistan by 47 runs.Being versatile to satisfy the needs of the team is crucial, Axar added. "I can bowl in the PowerPlay, middle or towards the end. I can be called by the captain in any situation. If I feel that I need to attack, then I plan accordingly. In the Pakistan match, when I came to bowl the 16th over, I felt that if I give less runs it will be very good for the team," said Axar.Axar described pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah as a "world class bowler", and that the quality of the Indian attack can "get us out of a tough situation".