Cricket

Rasikh Salam's Hat-Trick Over Propels India A to Victory in ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia CupIn a dominant display of pace bowling, India A's Rasikh Salam wreaked havoc on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) batting lineup in the second Group B match of the ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024.Salam's devastating over during the Powerplay proved to be the turning point of the match, as he ripped through the UAE's top order, claiming three wickets in quick succession. The 24-year-old pacer dismissed Nilansh Keswani, Vishnu Sukumaran, and Syed Haider in the space of five deliveries, leaving the Emirates reeling at 15 for 3.Salam's hat-trick bid was narrowly missed, but he continued to torment the UAE batsmen, finishing with impressive figures of 2 overs, 15 runs, and 3 wickets. His spell effectively dismantled the UAE's batting lineup, which was eventually bowled out for a paltry 107 runs in 16.5 overs.In response, India A chased down the target with ease, reaching 110 in just 10.5 overs. Abhishek Sharma led the charge with a blistering 58 off 24 balls, including six fours and four sixes, sealing a comprehensive seven-wicket victory.For his outstanding performance, Rasikh Salam was deservedly named 'Man of the Match'. His hat-trick over proved to be the catalyst for India A's victory, showcasing his exceptional pace and accuracy.

Mumbai's formidable all-rounder duo, Tanush Kotian and Shams Mulani, have been instrumental in the team's recent Ranji Trophy success. However, their partnership will be temporarily broken as Kotian prepares to join the India A squad for their tour of Australia.Mulani, the senior partner, expressed his admiration for Kotian's batting abilities, stating that he will miss him more as a batter than a bowler. "We have been bowling together and doing well together, but with the replacements we have, I am sure Himanshu (Singh) and I can also deliver in tandem," Mulani said.The Mumbai team recently secured a nine-wicket victory against Maharashtra, a crucial win after a disappointing loss to Baroda. Mulani emphasized the importance of bouncing back from the setback. "We reflected pretty hard on the loss. We went through the video footage extensively. Some people took responsibility for the loss. It feels nice for our side when the seniors club in and the others raise take responsibility. It feels nice with the way we bounced back on the first morning here that set the game up for us," he said.Kotian's departure for Australia presents an opportunity for other players to step up and fill his void. Himanshu Singh is expected to take over Kotian's role as the team's primary all-rounder. Singh has shown promise in the past, and Mulani is confident in his ability to contribute to the team's success.Despite the temporary separation, Mulani remains optimistic about the team's prospects. "All the best to Tanush, it's a huge opportunity to represent India A. I will not miss him that much (with the ball) but definitely will miss him as a batter," he said.

Ramandeep Singh's Sensational Catch Stuns in Emerging Asia Cup ClashIn a thrilling encounter between India A and Pakistan A at the Emerging Asia Cup, Ramandeep Singh's extraordinary catch left everyone in awe. Pakistan A opener Yasir Khan, who was in fine form with 33 runs off 22 balls, attempted a big shot through mid-wicket. However, Ramandeep sprinted towards the boundary and executed a perfect dive to complete the catch, leaving former India wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik to hail it as "one of the greatest catches ever by an Indian."India A's top order fired in unison, posting 183 for 8 after opting to bat. Tilak Verma top-scored with a 35-ball 44, while openers Abhishek Sharma (35 off 22) and Prabhsimran Singh (36 off 19) provided an aggressive start. Pacers Anshul Kamboj (3/33) and Rasikh Salam (2/30) and spinner Nishant Sindhu (2/15) shared eight wickets to restrict Pakistan A to 176/7.Ramandeep's stunning catch was not the only highlight for India A in the field. They delivered an impressive performance throughout, saving vital runs in the closing moments.After losing two wickets to Kamboj's pace early in the chase, Yasir Khan and Qasim Akram began to attack fiercely. However, Ramandeep's spectacular catch at deep midwicket broke their partnership, dismissing Yasir. In the same over, Nishant removed Akram.Arafat Minhas top-scored for Pakistan with a 29-ball 41, but it was Abdul Samad who blazed away to 25 off 15 balls. Samad brought the equation down to 42 off 24 balls with a six and two boundaries off Vaibhav Arora in the 16th over.However, Anshul dismissed Samad with the first ball of the final over, completing a memorable win for India A.

In a thrilling encounter at the ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024, India A emerged victorious over Pakistan A by a narrow margin of 7 runs. Led by captain Tilak Varma, India A posted a competitive 183/8 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to contributions from Abhishek Sharma (35), Prabhsimran Singh (36), and Varma himself (44).Pakistan A's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost their captain Mohammad Haris early on. Yasir Khan provided some resistance with a quickfire 33, but his dismissal proved to be a turning point. Anshul Kamboj and Rasikh Salam kept the pressure on with crucial wickets, while Qasim Akram (27) and Arafat Minhas (41) tried to steady the ship.However, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, and Abdul Samad's late surge (25 off 15) was not enough to prevent Pakistan A from falling short. Kamboj's impressive bowling performance (3/33) earned him the Man of the Match award.India A's victory was a testament to their collective effort, with contributions from various players. Their bowlers, led by Kamboj and Salam, kept the Pakistan A batsmen in check, while their batsmen provided a solid foundation.Pakistan A, on the other hand, will be disappointed with their performance, particularly their inability to build substantial partnerships. They will need to regroup and improve their execution in their upcoming matches.India A will now face United Arab Emirates on Monday in their next match, while Pakistan A will look to bounce back against Afghanistan.

Ishan Kishan, the explosive left-handed batter, is set to make a comeback to the India A team after being dropped from the BCCI central contracts earlier this year. Kishan's return to the domestic circuit as captain of Jharkhand has paved the way for his inclusion in the India A squad for two four-day "Tests" against Australia A and an intra-squad match with the senior team.Kishan's omission from the central contracts raised concerns about his prioritization of the Indian Premier League (IPL) over domestic cricket. However, his recent performances for Jharkhand have demonstrated his commitment to the domestic game.The two "Tests" against Australia A will be held at McKay from October 31 to November 3 and at the MCG from November 7 to 10. While the BCCI has yet to announce the official squad, Ruturaj Gaikwad or Abhimanyu Easwaran is expected to lead the side.Easwaran, who has scored four centuries in his last four first-class matches, could also be called up as a backup opener for the senior team. Skipper Rohit Sharma is set to take a break during one of the first two Tests due to personal reasons.Bengal will be represented in the India A squad by seamer Mukesh Kumar and keeper-batter Abhishek Porel. The likely squad includes:* Ruturaj Gaikwad* Abhimanyu Easwaran* Devdutt Padikkal* Sai Sudharsan* B Indrajith* Abishek Porel (wk)* Ishan Kishan (wk)* Mukesh Kumar* Ricky Bhui* Nitish Kumar Reddy* Manav Suthar* Navdeep Saini* Khaleel Ahmed* Tanush Kotian* Yash DayalKishan's return to the India A team is a testament to his talent and determination. It also highlights the importance of domestic cricket in the development of Indian players.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, the prolific opener, is poised to lead India A on their upcoming tour of Australia later this month. The 15-man squad will feature a host of talented players, including Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, and Devdutt Padikkal, who are all vying for a spot in the Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.With Rohit Sharma expected to miss the first two matches of the Test series due to personal reasons, India will need to name a reserve opener. The matches against Australia A will provide an opportunity for Easwaran and Sudharsan to showcase their skills and stake their claim for a place in the Test squad.Easwaran, 29, has been in exceptional form this domestic season, scoring two centuries in the Duleep Trophy, another century in the Irani Trophy, and a ton for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. Sudharsan, 23, has also impressed with a first-class hundred for English county Surrey, a century in the Duleep Trophy, and a double-hundred in Tamil Nadu's ongoing Ranji Trophy match.The middle-order of the India A squad will be bolstered by Padikkal, B Indrajith, and Ricky Bhui, while Abishek Porel and Ishan Kishan will share wicket-keeping duties. Nitish Kumar Reddy, Tanush Kotian, and Manav Suthar will provide all-round options, and the pace attack will be led by Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, and Yash Dayal.Reddy, 21, has recently recovered from a hernia and made his T20I debut for India against Bangladesh earlier this month. He is seen as a promising all-rounder who could benefit from more experience and exposure.India A will play Australia A in two four-day matches in Mackay from October 31 and in Melbourne from November 7. They will then face the India squad in a warm-up match in Perth between November 15 and 17 before the first Test against Australia begins on November 22.

Teenaged batting prodigy Sam Konstas has earned a coveted opportunity to showcase his talents on the international stage, as he has been named in the Australia A squad for the upcoming red-ball series against India A. This selection marks a significant milestone in Konstas' burgeoning career, as he aims to impress the national selectors and secure a Test debut.Konstas' inclusion in the 17-man squad is a testament to his exceptional performances in the opening round of the Sheffield Shield. The 19-year-old opener lit up the domestic circuit with twin centuries against South Australia, becoming the first teenager to achieve this feat since Ricky Ponting in 1993.With allrounder Cameron Green ruled out of the summer due to injury and Steven Smith likely to move back to his preferred position at No. 4, Konstas has emerged as a potential contender for the first Test against India in Perth. The squad also includes experienced Test players Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft, but Matt Renshaw has been omitted.Harris has started the season strongly with a century and a half-century, while Bancroft and Renshaw have struggled in recent matches. South Australia skipper Nathan McSweeney will captain Australia A, a role he has fulfilled on several previous occasions.Allrounder Beau Webster, the reigning Shield player of the season, is also in the mix for Test selection. Fringe Test quicks Scott Boland and Michael Neser have been selected, along with Victoria quick Fergus O'Neill. Offspinners Todd Murphy and Corey Rocchiccioli are also in the squad and will be vying for a spot on Australia's Test tour of Sri Lanka early next year.Cooper Connolly, who made his ODI debut in England, is the only player named in both the ODI and Australia A squads. Josh Philippe and Jimmy Peirson will serve as wicketkeepers.The first four-day game in Mackay ends on November 3, followed by the first ODI on November 4. The second four-day game at the MCG runs from November 7-10, with the second and third ODIs scheduled for November 8 and 10.Australia's national selector, George Bailey, expressed excitement about the squad, particularly given the impressive performances in the early stages of the Sheffield Shield season. He emphasized that the selection process aimed to identify players who could contribute to the upcoming Test summer and reward strong domestic form.

Tilak Varma, a rising star in Indian cricket, has been appointed as the captain of India A for the upcoming Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup, scheduled to commence in Oman on October 18. Varma, who has already made his mark in international cricket with four ODI and 16 T20I appearances, will lead a squad that boasts a blend of experience and youthful exuberance.Joining Varma in the leadership group are Abhishek Sharma and Rahul Chahar, both of whom have represented India at the international level. The batting contingent is bolstered by players who have showcased their talent in the Indian Premier League (IPL), including Ayush Badoni, Ramandeep Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, Nehal Wadhera, and Anuj Rawat.The bowling attack is equally impressive, featuring R Sai Kishore, Hrithik Shokeen, Rasikh Salam, Vaibhav Arora, and Aaqib Khan. All-rounders Nishant Sindhu, a member of India's victorious Under-19 World Cup squad in 2022, and Anshul Kamboj, who impressed in the recent Duleep Trophy, add depth to the team.India A will kick off their campaign against Pakistan A on October 19. Oman and UAE are the other two teams in their group. This tournament marks a departure from previous editions, which were played in the 50-over format. India emerged victorious in the inaugural edition in 2013, while Pakistan has claimed the title in the last two tournaments.The Emerging Teams Asia Cup provides a valuable platform for young and emerging players to showcase their skills and gain experience at the international level. India A will be eager to make a strong impression under the leadership of Tilak Varma and challenge for the title.

Shams Mulani, the Mumbai all-rounder, has been a consistent performer on the domestic circuit for the past three seasons. Despite missing out on the first round of the Duleep Trophy, Mulani made an immediate impact when he got his opportunity. In his first match for India A, he top-scored with 89 and took four wickets to set up their win over India D. In the next match against India C, he scored a crucial 44 and took three wickets.Mulani's performances in the Duleep Trophy have put him in contention for a place in the Indian team. However, the 27-year-old is focused on his performance and helping his team win."My target always is to help the team win. Personal milestones will come and go, but the more important thing is the team's win," Mulani said. "Personally, I would like to do what I am continuing to do for the past three seasons where I've been picking up wickets and scoring runs. I must be ready for whatever opportunity I get. For that, I need to score runs and take wickets-...just keep knocking on the door."Mulani's consistent performances have not gone unnoticed. He was included in the India A squad for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh. This is a great opportunity for Mulani to showcase his skills and push for a place in the Indian team.