Cricket

Hardik Pandya's leadership aspirations have faced another setback after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appointed Suryakumar Yadav as the T20I captain for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. This decision has sparked speculation about the potential impact on the relationship between Pandya and Yadav.However, a heartwarming moment captured on video before the team's departure to Sri Lanka has eased concerns. In the video, Pandya and Yadav are seen shaking hands and embracing, indicating that there is no animosity between them.At a pre-departure press conference, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained the rationale behind the decision to appoint Yadav as captain. He cited Yadav's impressive performances, his cricketing acumen, and his status as one of the world's leading T20 batters.Agarkar also hinted that fitness played a role in the decision, as Yadav is more likely to be available for all matches. He emphasized that Pandya remains a crucial player for India, despite not being named captain."In regards to Hardik, he's still a very important player for us and that's what we want him to be, that player that he can be because those sorts of skill-sets are very difficult to find," said Agarkar.India's tour of Sri Lanka will commence with the first T20I on July 27. The three-match T20I series will be followed by a three-match ODI series.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has vehemently criticized the reported reluctance of India to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Ali accused several international cricket boards of blindly following the dictates of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).Ali alleged that these boards, including the English, New Zealand, West Indies, and Australian boards, are swayed by the financial incentives offered by the BCCI when their players participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He claimed that these boards would readily agree to any proposal put forward by BCCI President Jay Shah, including the relocation of the Champions Trophy to a neutral venue.Ali also commented on the recent developments involving the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. He suggested that Naqvi had been given false hope by other boards that Pakistan would be granted a bilateral series against India after the Champions Trophy, potentially in a third country.However, Ali strongly advocated against Pakistan agreeing to play the bilateral series in a neutral venue if India refused to play in Pakistan. He argued that the PCB should maintain its stance and refuse to compromise on the principle of home advantage.Ali's comments come amidst reports that the Indian cricket team is unlikely to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy in 2025. The BCCI is reportedly planning to request the ICC to adopt a hybrid model, with India's matches potentially being played in Sri Lanka or Dubai.The ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February to March 2025. Due to tense political relations, Team India has not played in Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008. The last bilateral series between the two nations occurred in 2012-13, with India hosting Pakistan for two T20Is and three ODIs.A similar situation arose during last year's Asia Cup, which was initially planned for Pakistan. However, all of India's matches, including those against Pakistan, were held in Sri Lanka, with the final taking place in Colombo, where India emerged victorious.

Star Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav is gearing up for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, which commences on July 27. In preparation for the series, Yadav has been diligently practicing and shared a glimpse of his training regimen on Instagram. The 33-year-old posted a video of himself running on the field, showcasing his dedication to the sport.Yadav has been appointed as the captain of India's T20I team for the Sri Lanka tour, with Shubman Gill serving as the vice-captain for both the T20I and ODI sides. This decision marks a shift in leadership, as Hardik Pandya, who previously led the T20I team, has been removed from the role.Pandya's removal comes despite his impressive performance in the recent T20 World Cup, where he scored 144 runs and took 11 wickets. However, Yadav has also proven his leadership capabilities, having led India to five victories in seven matches during his previous stints as captain.India's tour of Sri Lanka will feature a three-match T20I series, followed by a three-match ODI series. The T20I leg will be played at the Pallekele International Stadium, while the ODI matches will be held at the R Premadasa Stadium.Both teams will be led by new head coaches. Sanath Jayasuriya has been named as the interim head coach for Sri Lanka, while Gautam Gambhir will take over as India's head coach, succeeding Rahul Dravid.India's last bilateral white-ball series in Sri Lanka was in July 2021, where they won the ODI series 2-1 and lost the T20I series by the same margin. The upcoming tour will provide both teams with an opportunity to test their skills and prepare for future challenges.

India's tour of Sri Lanka marks a significant shift in the team's leadership and selection strategy under new head coach Gautam Gambhir. In the T20I side, Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed captain, while Hardik Pandya, previously seen as a natural successor to Rohit Sharma, has been overlooked.The ODI team has also undergone bold changes, with the exclusion of key players like Ravindra Jadeja, Suryakumar Yadav, and Sanju Samson. The inclusion of Harshit Rana and Riyan Parag in both the T20I and ODI squads has raised eyebrows.T20I Squad:The T20I squad sees the return of senior players like Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj. Notably, Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who featured against Zimbabwe, have been dropped.ODI Squad:The ODI squad welcomes back Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Mohammed Siraj, and Khaleel Ahmed. Riyan Parag and Harshit Rana have earned maiden call-ups.However, the exclusion of Sanju Samson, who scored a century in his last ODI match, has been met with surprise. Other notable omissions include Ruturaj Gaikwad, B Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, and Yuzvendra Chahal.Key Changes:* Suryakumar Yadav appointed T20I captain* Hardik Pandya overlooked for T20I captaincy* Ravindra Jadeja, Suryakumar Yadav, and Sanju Samson excluded from ODI squad* Harshit Rana and Riyan Parag earn maiden ODI call-ups* Sanju Samson's exclusion from ODI squad raises questions

Shreyanka Patil, India's promising offspinner, has been ruled out of the ongoing Women's Asia Cup due to a fractured finger. The 21-year-old sustained the injury during India's opening match against Pakistan on Friday.Patil played a crucial role in India's victory, bowling economically and picking up two wickets. However, she was not required to bat as India chased down the target with ease.The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) confirmed Patil's injury in a press release, stating that she had fractured the fourth finger of her left hand. The injury is a significant setback for India, who are aiming to defend their Asia Cup title.Tanuja Kanwar, an uncapped left-arm spinner, has been called up as Patil's replacement. Kanwar, 26, has impressed in domestic cricket and the Women's Premier League (WPL).Patil's absence is a blow to India's bowling attack. She has been a consistent performer for the national team, taking 13 wickets in 12 T20Is. She has also represented India in three ODIs.Kanwar, on the other hand, is a promising young spinner who has made a name for herself in the WPL. She was bought by Gujarat Giants for INR 50 lakh in 2023 and has impressed with her left-arm spin from behind the popping crease.India's next match at the Women's Asia Cup is against the UAE on Sunday. The team will be hoping to bounce back from Patil's injury and continue their quest for the title.

Pakistan's Hasan Ali has expressed his stance on the possibility of India not participating in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan. In an interview with Samaa TV, Ali echoed the PCB's position that the tournament will take place in Pakistan regardless of India's presence.Ali emphasized the importance of separating sports from politics, noting that many Indian players have expressed their desire to play in Pakistan. However, he acknowledged that India has its own policies and considerations."If we're going there (to India) to play, then they should come to Pakistan too," Ali said. "But if India don't want to come, we'll play without them. Cricket should be played in Pakistan."Reports indicate that India may not travel to Pakistan due to ongoing political tensions. The BCCI is reportedly considering requesting the ICC to move their matches to Sri Lanka or Dubai.The Champions Trophy is scheduled for February-March 2025 in Pakistan. India has not played a bilateral series in Pakistan since 2008 due to strained relations. Their encounters have been limited to ICC tournaments and Asia Cups.Pakistan won the Champions Trophy in 2017, while India claimed the title in 2013 and 2002.Ali's comments highlight the complex relationship between sports and politics, particularly in the context of India-Pakistan cricket. While many fans and players desire to see the two teams compete on Pakistani soil, political tensions may ultimately prevent it.

Suryakumar Yadav, India's newly appointed T20I captain, has expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support and affection he has received from fans and well-wishers. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Yadav acknowledged the immense responsibility that comes with the captaincy but also expressed his excitement and enthusiasm for the role."Thank you so much for the outpouring of love, support, and best wishes from you all," Yadav wrote. "The last few weeks have been nothing short of a dream, and I am truly grateful. Playing for the country is the most special feeling that I will never be able to describe in words."Yadav's appointment as T20I captain follows Rohit Sharma's decision to step down from the role after India's triumph at the T20 World Cup last month. The 33-year-old Yadav has been selected to lead a 15-member Indian T20 team for a three-match series in Sri Lanka, starting on July 27 in Pallekele.According to reports, Yadav's aggressive batting style in the middle order and his reliability in the T20 format made him the primary choice for new head coach Gautam Gambhir. Yadav, who previously captained Mumbai in domestic cricket, led India to a 4-1 T20 series win over Australia last year and followed it up with a 1-1 result in South Africa.Yadav's appointment has been met with widespread praise from the cricketing fraternity. Former India captain Virat Kohli hailed Yadav as a "fearless and aggressive" player who will bring a "fresh perspective" to the team. Head coach Gambhir expressed confidence in Yadav's leadership abilities, saying that he is "a natural leader who leads by example."As India prepares for the T20I series against Sri Lanka, Yadav will be keen to make a strong start to his captaincy tenure. The series will provide him with an opportunity to establish his authority and set the tone for the team's future. With his proven ability and the support of his teammates and fans, Yadav is well-positioned to lead India to success in the shortest format of the game.

Pakistan Elects to Bat First Against India in Women's Asia Cup OpenerIn the inaugural match of the 2024 Women's Asia Cup, Pakistan captain Nida Dar opted to bat first after winning the toss against India in Dambulla. The decision was influenced by the dry and used pitch, which had witnessed Nepal's victory over UAE earlier in the day.India made three alterations to their lineup from their previous encounter with South Africa. Richa Ghosh returned as wicketkeeper after recovering from a concussion, while Renuka Singh and D Hemalatha replaced Arundhati Reddy and Sajeevan Sajana. The bowling attack featured three spinners (Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, and Shreyanka Patil) and two pacers (Pooja Vastrakar and Renuka).Pakistan, on the other hand, fielded a spin-heavy side with Tuba Hassan, Sadia Iqbal, and Nashra Sandhu as frontline spinners. Syeda Aroob Shah and Dar provided additional spin options, while Fatima Sana and Aliya Riaz handled the fast bowling duties.India holds a 5-1 advantage over Pakistan in Asia Cup matches, but Pakistan secured a victory in their last encounter in Sylhet in 2022.India's Playing XI:* Shafali Verma* Smriti Mandhana* D Hemalatha* Harmanpreet Kaur (c)* Jemimah Rodrigues* Richa Ghosh (wk)* Deepti Sharma* Pooja Vastrakar* Shreyanka Patil* Radha Yadav* Renuka Thakur SinghPakistan's Playing XI:* Sidra Ameen* Gull Feroza* Muneeba Ali (wk)* Nida Dar (c)* Aliya Riaz* Iram Javed* Fatima Sana* Tuba Hassan* Sadia Iqbal* Nashra Sandhu* Syeda Aroob Shah

Ravindra Jadeja's absence from India's squads for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour has sparked discussions about the future of the spin all-rounder position in the team. With the Champions Trophy on the horizon, the new management under head coach Gautam Gambhir is keen on exploring other options to build a team for the future.Jadeja has been a crucial part of India's ODI setup for the past decade, with an impressive record of 2756 runs and 220 wickets. However, the management believes that it is time to look at other options to ensure a smooth transition in the spin all-rounder role.Axar Patel has emerged as the first-choice spin all-rounder, with Washington Sundar being considered the second-choice. Both players have shown promise in recent performances, and the management is eager to give them more opportunities to prove their worth."There are only six ODIs, including the three in Sri Lanka, before next year's Champions Trophy," a BCCI source told the Hindustan Times. "The selectors want to utilize the handful of games by giving more opportunities to Axar Patel and Washington Sundar."Jadeja's position in the Test team remains unaffected, highlighting his importance in home conditions for India's World Test Championship bid."Jadeja is outstanding in Test cricket. His bowling in home conditions is unmatchable. He will be important for India's World Test Championship bid," the source added.The decisions made by the new management reflect a strategic shift towards grooming future talents ahead of the Champions Trophy. The Sri Lanka tour will provide a valuable opportunity for Axar Patel and Washington Sundar to showcase their skills and stake their claim for a permanent spot in the team.