Cricket

India Skipper Rohit Sharma Impressed by Nassau County International Cricket StadiumIndian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma recently visited the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, which is set to host several matches during the upcoming T20 World Cup. Sharma expressed his admiration for the new facility, stating that it will provide an exceptional experience for both teams and fans.The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium boasts a seating capacity of 34,000 and will host its first World Cup match on June 3 between Sri Lanka and South Africa. India will play their only warm-up game at the venue on June 1 against Bangladesh before facing Ireland, Pakistan, and USA in their Group A matches.Sharma praised the stadium's open ground and decent capacity, predicting that it will create an electrifying atmosphere during the World Cup matches. He also highlighted the excitement among fans in New York and across the globe for the tournament."It looks beautiful. It's quite an open ground. When we come here and play our first game, I just can't wait to feel the atmosphere in the stadium," Sharma said. "It's a decent capacity as well. Hopefully it's gonna be a good one. People in New York will be very interested in coming and watching the World Cup, with the World Cup happening for the first time here."The Indian captain expressed his eagerness for the tournament to begin, emphasizing the anticipation among players and fans alike. "I'm pretty sure all the fans across the various teams are quite excited and looking forward to this tournament, and also as players can't wait to get started," Sharma said.The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium is expected to be a major attraction during the T20 World Cup, providing a world-class venue for some of the most exciting matches in the tournament.

Virat Kohli, India's star batter, is the only member of the T20 World Cup squad yet to arrive in the United States. While the other 18 players, including four reserves, commenced training in New York on Wednesday, Kohli's arrival remains uncertain.Kohli's absence stems from a request for an extended break following the grueling Indian Premier League (IPL) season. He was last seen in Mumbai with his wife, Anushka Sharma, and former India cricketer Zaheer Khan.According to ESPNCricinfo, there has been no official update from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding Kohli's travel status. However, Press Trust of India (PTI) reports that Kohli is expected to reach New York on Friday.Kohli's availability for India's sole warm-up match against Bangladesh on Sunday, June 1, is in doubt due to the long flight. PTI notes that it is unclear whether he will be able to participate in the match after a lengthy journey.Kohli enjoyed a stellar IPL season, winning the Orange Cap for the second time with 741 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 154.70. India's T20 World Cup campaign begins on June 5 against Ireland in New York, followed by a highly anticipated clash with Pakistan on June 9. They will then face hosts USA on June 12 before moving to Lauderhill, Florida, for a game against Canada on June 15.

As the T20 World Cup approaches, the spotlight falls on India's star duo, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are likely making their final appearance in the tournament. With India's last major title triumph dating back to the 2013 Champions Trophy, the pressure is mounting on these veterans to deliver.Rohit, 37, and Kohli, 35, have been the backbone of India's batting lineup for over a decade. Rohit, known as "Hitman" for his aggressive style, has been a prolific run-scorer in all formats. Kohli, on the other hand, is renowned for his consistency and ability to anchor the innings.Despite their individual brilliance, India has fallen short in recent major tournaments. They lost the final of the 2021 ODI World Cup at home to Australia and failed to progress beyond the group stage of the 2022 Asia Cup.Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif believes this T20 World Cup is the last chance for Rohit and Kohli to win a global title. "They lost the World Cup final in Ahmedabad. They played as if they had the cup snatched away from them. Hearts were broken and fans were devastated," Kaif said.The veterans will be looking to combine their experience and form to guide India to glory. Kohli had a stellar IPL season, topping the batting charts with 741 runs. Former India batsman Ajay Jadeja believes Kohli should open the batting for India at the World Cup.Rohit, on the other hand, had a mixed IPL season, but he remains a dangerous batsman capable of changing the course of a match. Both Rohit and Kohli have been part of India's past World Cup triumphs, with Rohit winning the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 and Kohli playing a key role in the 2011 ODI World Cup victory.India faces a relatively easy group stage in this year's T20 World Cup, with matches against Pakistan, Canada, the United States, and Ireland. However, the knockout matches will be a true test of their mettle.As India's hopes rest on the shoulders of Rohit and Kohli, the nation will be eagerly watching to see if the star duo can end their global title drought and bring home the coveted trophy.

India's quest for a second T20 World Cup title faces a stern test as they prepare for the upcoming edition in the UAE and West Indies. The Rohit Sharma-led side has endured disappointing exits in the last two tournaments, raising concerns about their approach and tactics.Former England cricketer David Lloyd has added fuel to the fire, labeling India a "predictable team" that lacks the necessary risk-taking mentality. Lloyd believes that while India possesses talented players, they fail to fully unleash their potential due to a conservative mindset."The shackles are not off," Lloyd said. "I would think the opposition accept the quality... But they ain't taking a risk with bat or ball. So, you'd think of them as 'yeah, they will have their moments,' but they wouldn't be really threatening.'"Lloyd's comments have sparked debate among cricket pundits and fans alike. Some argue that India's cautious approach has hindered their success in recent tournaments, while others defend the team's strategy as a necessary balance between aggression and stability.India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 includes a mix of experienced veterans and rising stars. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain the cornerstones of the batting lineup, while Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant provide explosive firepower. The bowling attack boasts the experience of Jasprit Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal, complemented by the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.Despite Lloyd's skepticism, India will be determined to prove their worth on the global stage. They will face a tough challenge in a tournament that features some of the world's best T20 teams. However, with a talented squad and a burning desire to end their ICC trophy drought, India will be hoping to defy the odds and emerge victorious.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier off-spinner, has been a force to reckon with in the longest format of the game. However, former India opener Gautam Gambhir believes that the nation has missed out on witnessing Ashwin's true potential with the bat in white-ball cricket.In the domestic circuit, Ashwin has established himself as a genuine all-rounder, showcasing his prowess with both bat and ball. However, for India, he has primarily been utilized as a bowler, leaving his batting abilities largely untapped.Gambhir expressed his disappointment over this missed opportunity, stating that Ashwin's batting potential has not been fully realized at the international level. "A bit disappointed, this country hasn't seen the potential which you had with the bat, especially in white-ball cricket," Gambhir said in an episode of Ashwin's Kutti Stories.Ashwin's first-class record is a testament to his batting prowess. In 156 matches, he has accumulated 5,221 runs at an average of 28.06. In List A cricket, he has amassed 1,346 runs at a strike rate of 77.35.At the international level, Ashwin has shown glimpses of his batting ability. In 19 T20I innings, he has scored 184 runs, while in 63 ODI innings, he has amassed 707 runs.One of Ashwin's most memorable batting performances came in 2011 against the West Indies in Mumbai. Chasing a mammoth total of 590, Ashwin played a pivotal role in India's fightback, scoring a brilliant 103.While Ashwin's bowling prowess has earned him widespread recognition, Gambhir believes that India has missed out on a valuable opportunity to utilize his batting skills in white-ball cricket.

Former Australian captain Tim Paine has raised concerns about Team India's chances of winning the T20 World Cup 2024, emphasizing the crucial role of star batter Virat Kohli. Paine believes that India's success hinges heavily on Kohli's performance, drawing parallels to the importance of Glenn Maxwell for Australia."I can't see India winning the World Cup unless Virat Kohli has a really strong World Cup – bit similar to Glenn Maxwell's form," Paine stated on the 'Around the Wicket' podcast. "I know he hasn't been red-hot as of late, but I can't see Australia winning the World Cup unless Maxwell has a blinder."Kohli's recent form has been a topic of discussion, with the batter acknowledging his own mortality and the need to plan for retirement. However, he remains the leading run-scorer in the ongoing IPL 2024 and is determined to guide Royal Challengers Bangalore to the playoffs.Paine's warning serves as a reminder of Kohli's immense impact on the Indian team. His ability to anchor the innings, provide stability, and accelerate the scoring rate makes him a pivotal figure in India's batting lineup. If Kohli can rediscover his peak form, India will be a formidable force in the T20 World Cup.However, Paine's concerns are not unfounded. India's recent performances in T20 cricket have been inconsistent, and they have struggled to find a consistent winning formula. The team's over-reliance on Kohli and a few other senior players has also been a concern.To address these issues, India will need to find a way to spread the workload and develop a more balanced team. They will also need to improve their fielding and bowling, which have been areas of weakness in recent times.With the T20 World Cup just over a year away, India has time to address these concerns and prepare a team capable of challenging for the title. However, Paine's warning should serve as a wake-up call for the Indian team management and players. If Kohli fails to perform, India's chances of winning the World Cup will be significantly diminished.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has raised concerns over Yashasvi Jaiswal's recent form in the Indian Premier League (IPL), suggesting that it could impact India's opening combination for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Jaiswal, who is considered a potential opener for India in the T20 World Cup, has struggled in recent matches for Rajasthan Royals. In their fourth consecutive defeat, Jaiswal managed just four runs against Punjab Kings.Pathan believes that Jaiswal's current form could lead the Indian team to rethink their opening partnership. "It's a massive area of concern because I believe Yashasvi Jaiswal should start in the World Cup as he is a left-handed batter," Pathan said on Star Sports. "So the opposing team won't start with a left-arm spinner. They will hesitate a little if he is in form."However, Pathan also acknowledged the dilemma India might face, weighing the option of an in-form Virat Kohli opening alongside Rohit Sharma versus persisting with Jaiswal, who is relatively young and inexperienced. "The team will think whether they should open with in-form Virat Kohli alongside Rohit Sharma, or go with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is young and inexperienced. So it's extremely necessary for him to come in form," Pathan added.Despite Jaiswal's struggles, Pathan noted the silver lining of him getting more opportunities due to Rajasthan Royals' qualification in the tournament. However, he underscored the impact of Jaiswal's form on the team's performance, particularly in the absence of Jos Buttler."The good thing for Yashasvi is that he will get chances because his team has qualified, and if they make a place in the top two, he will get more chances. Keeping that in mind, there are a few positive things for Yashasvi, but this form will trouble Rajasthan Royals a lot as well," Pathan said.Observing Jaiswal's dismissal against Punjab, Pathan analyzed the opener's approach and suggested that he seemed unsettled and indecisive, ultimately leading to his downfall.

Former BCCI chief selector MSK Prasad has revealed that Shreyas Iyer was being groomed to become a future Indian cricket team skipper. Prasad, who served as the BCCI chief selector between 2016 and 2020, said that Iyer caught their eye while captaining the India A side."If you go back to the stats, in the last two years, when we were at the helm, Shreyas Iyer led the side (India A). I think out of the 10 series that India A played, we won 8. In the majority of those series, Shreyas led the side. He has been in and around as captain. He has been groomed for that particular slot," Prasad said.Prasad also said that Iyer was considered to be a top contender for India captaincy after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. "We felt that post Virat, post Rohit Sharma, you needed someone to lead the side that's when we started thinking about Shreyas Iyer or Rishabh Pant. But even ahead of Pant, was Iyer as a captain," he added.Iyer has been impressive as the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Prasad believes that Iyer is maturing into a very good leader. "He is slowly maturing into a very good leader. It's very important at the start of your captaincy career to have good team management. That's what he's getting from KKR. He is young, and they are going to invest in him. In the next two or three years, we will see Shreyas evolve into a wonderful captain," Prasad said.Iyer has not been included in the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. However, Prasad believes that Iyer is still a future captaincy prospect for India. "He is a very good player. He has got all the shots. He is a very good fielder. He is a very good runner between the wickets. He is a complete package. He is a future captain of India," Prasad said.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed to the International Cricket Council (ICC) that India's qualifying round matches during the 2025 Champions Trophy be scheduled exclusively in one city. This decision aims to streamline logistics and ensure efficient organization while maximizing the tournament's success.The PCB, which will host the prestigious event, has selected Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore as the venues for the tournament, with Lahore hosting the final match. By concentrating India's matches in one city, the PCB seeks to enhance the overall experience for players, officials, and spectators alike."The ICC general manager Wasim Khan also recently visited Lahore where he discussed the CT arrangements with the PCB top brass and it was suggested that the Indian team's travel itinerary be kept to a minimum," a PCB source informed.The source further disclosed that India might play its initial qualifying round matches in Karachi before transitioning to other venues for the knockout stages. Notably, the Indian cricket team hasn't competed in Pakistan since 2008, with their cricketing interactions limited solely to ICC tournaments.In the previous year, the Indian cricket board opted not to send the national team for the Asia Cup, which was ultimately conducted in Pakistan and Sri Lanka using a hybrid model.PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reiterated that all participating teams will honor their commitments to play in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan as scheduled. Additionally, he revealed that stadium renovation work is set to begin shortly, with the tournament anticipated to take place in February-March 2025.The PCB's proposal to schedule India's matches in one city is a strategic move to ensure smooth operations and minimize travel disruptions for the Indian team. This decision reflects the PCB's commitment to hosting a successful and memorable Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan.