Cricket

Ravindra Jadeja's suitability as India's No. 7 batsman in the upcoming T20 World Cup has come under scrutiny, with former Australian cricketer Tom Moody expressing concerns over his strike rate. Moody believes that India needs a player with a higher impact at that position.Jadeja has been a key player for India in both batting and bowling, but his strike rate of 131.93 in the current IPL season has raised questions about his ability to contribute significantly in the middle order. Moody stated that he would only include Jadeja in the team as the best left-arm spinning option, but not as a No. 7 batsman."In my eleven, he's not batting at No. 7. I don't think he's good enough to bat seven in a World Cup side. He's proven that with his strike rate. You need an impact-type player batting at seven," Moody said.Former India cricketer K Srikanth echoed Moody's sentiments, acknowledging Jadeja's big-match experience but highlighting Axar Patel's potential match-winning abilities. Srikanth believes that while Jadeja is likely to start due to his experience, Axar Patel's inclusion in the squad is equally important."Jadeja will be in the 11 but Axar will also be in the 15. Axar is also a potential match-winner, you have to understand that," Srikanth said. "But the first choice will go to Jadeja at number 7 by sheer experience and the way he's played international cricket in the past and he's a big match player."Srikanth emphasized the dilemma faced in choosing between Jadeja and Axar Patel, likening them to essential components of the team. "Both Jadeja and Axar Patel will be there. Probably the first nod will go to Jadeja for the first match and then probably Axar Patel. Both of them are equally important to me; it's like my right eye and left eye; which one do I choose?" he added.As the T20 World Cup squad announcement approaches, debates surrounding player selections and batting positions continue to intensify. Experts and fans eagerly await the final decision from the selectors, who will have to balance experience, form, and the need for impact players in their lineup.

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has sparked a debate by advocating for Virat Kohli to open the innings for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup, alongside young star Yashasvi Jaiswal. Hayden believes this left-right combination would provide a significant advantage for Team India.Hayden's reasoning stems from Kohli's exceptional form in the ongoing IPL 2024, where he has amassed 430 runs in just 9 matches at an impressive average of 61.43. He argues that Kohli's presence in the powerplay would maximize his impact on the game."I've got Virat there. I've got to have him in the powerplay. If I'm going to pick him, he has to play in the powerplay. He has to play the majority of those six overs as an opener, because Yashasvi does deserve to be there in my opinion, and it will be a left and right hand combination which will be a huge bonus," Hayden stated.Hayden's suggestion has raised eyebrows, as Rohit Sharma has been India's regular opener in recent times. However, Hayden believes that Kohli's current form and the potential benefits of a left-right combination outweigh Sharma's experience."Who would have even thought that we would be having this conversation about the greatest player in India, maybe ever. So it all comes down to are we interested in selecting a side that we believe is the right balance and is going to win this World Cup," Hayden said.India's T20 World Cup record has been mixed since their triumph in the inaugural tournament in 2007. They have reached the final only once since then, losing to Sri Lanka in 2014. Hayden's suggestion aims to address this inconsistency and give India a better chance of lifting the trophy once again.

India's T20I captaincy has been a subject of debate, with former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team director Joy Bhattacharjya expressing concerns about Rohit Sharma's suitability for the role.Bhattacharjya believes that Rohit's current form and the team's performance under his leadership have raised questions about his effectiveness as captain. He argues that Rohit's appointment has hindered the team's progress, forcing them to accommodate him as an opener despite the presence of in-form players like Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill.Bhattacharjya suggests that Jasprit Bumrah would be a more suitable captain, citing his exceptional bowling skills and importance to the team. He also speculates that Rohit's appointment may have been influenced by his desire to end his career on a high note by winning the T20 World Cup, a tournament he won in 2007.Bhattacharjya's comments have sparked a discussion about the future of India's T20I captaincy. With the World Cup approaching, the BCCI will need to carefully consider the team's performance and the suitability of Rohit Sharma as captain.

Former Indian all-rounder Suresh Raina has expressed his belief that Shubman Gill has the potential to become the next captain of the Indian men's cricket team. Raina's endorsement comes amidst speculation about the future of current captain Rohit Sharma, who has recently stated his desire to lead India to victory in the T20 World Cup this year and the World Test Championship (WTC) next year.Raina's comments were made during a discussion on Lallantop, where he said, "I would say he will be the next Indian captain (after Rohit Sharma). Ban sakta hai vo."Gill's appointment as captain of the Gujarat Titans (GT) for IPL 2024 has further fueled speculation about his leadership credentials. Despite GT's recent struggles, Gill has impressed as a leader, guiding the team to three wins in their first seven matches.The 23-year-old is also the leading run-scorer for GT this season, with 263 runs in seven matches at an average of 43.83. His performances have showcased his maturity and ability to handle pressure situations.Gill's leadership qualities were also evident during his time as captain of the India Under-19 team, which won the 2018 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. He has also captained the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL, albeit with limited success.Raina's endorsement of Gill as a potential future captain is significant, given his own experience as a leader in the Indian team. Raina captained India in limited-overs cricket on several occasions and is known for his aggressive and attacking style of play.If Gill is indeed appointed as India's next captain, he will have big shoes to fill. Rohit Sharma has been a successful leader, guiding India to victory in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2023 ICC World Test Championship.However, Gill's talent, leadership qualities, and experience suggest that he has the potential to succeed Rohit Sharma and lead India to future glory.

Yashasvi Jaiswal's recent struggles in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have raised concerns about his place in India's T20 World Cup squad. The left-handed opener, who was among the top run-getters in the previous IPL season, has managed only 122 runs in six matches this year.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra expressed his worry about Jaiswal's form, stating that he is "trying to murder every ball" instead of playing with his natural timing. Chopra urged Rajasthan Royals' director of cricket operations, Kumar Sangakkara, or India captain Rohit Sharma to intervene and provide guidance to the young batter."I am getting slightly worried about Yashasvi because Yashasvi didn't used to play like this. He is trying to murder every ball. You are a very good player, and you are good because you believe in timing. You are not a wrestler and you are not Andre Russell. Your playing style is very different," Chopra said.Jaiswal's poor form has opened the door for other young batters to stake their claim for a spot in the T20 World Cup squad. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, and Riyan Parag have all impressed with their performances in the IPL.With Virat Kohli also being considered as an opening option alongside Shubman Gill, Jaiswal's continued struggles could result in him being dropped from the World Cup race.

India's cricket fraternity has been abuzz with speculation regarding a purported meeting between captain Rohit Sharma, BCCI chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, and head coach Rahul Dravid to discuss India's strategy for the upcoming T20 World Cup. However, Rohit Sharma has swiftly dismissed these claims as "fake" in an interview on the Club Prairie Fire podcast with Michael Vaughan and Adam Gilchrist."I haven't met anyone," Rohit clarified. "Ajit Agarkar is somewhere in Dubai playing golf and Rahul Dravid is actually watching his kids play in Bengaluru... We haven't met, to be honest."Rohit emphasized the importance of relying on credible sources and cautioned against believing unverified reports. "In today's day and age, unless you hear it from either myself or Rahul himself or Ajit himself or someone from BCCI coming and talking in front of the camera, everything is fake."Despite the denials, the speculation surrounding India's T20 World Cup squad continues to intensify. One of the key talking points has been the potential inclusion of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, whose remarkable comeback from a car accident in December 2022 has sparked discussions about his selection.Pant has amassed 194 runs in six matches since his return, maintaining a strike rate of 157.72. Former England pacer Stuart Broad has been a vocal advocate for his inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad, citing a particular shot played by Pant against Kolkata Knight Riders as evidence of his exceptional talent.With the BCCI set to unveil India's T20 World Cup squad in the first week of May, every IPL fixture gains heightened significance as players vie for limited spots. The tournament serves as a critical platform for players to showcase their skills and stake their claim for a place in the national team, amidst a backdrop of intense scrutiny and speculation.

India's elusive quest for ICC glory has been a topic of much debate, with former England captain Michael Vaughan expressing his surprise at the team's inability to convert their talent into trophies. Since their last ICC triumph in 2013, India has come close but ultimately fallen short in several major tournaments.Vaughan, speaking on The Ranveer Show, questioned the significance of the ICC Champions Trophy, which India won in 2013. "That's not a trophy really," he said. "There is the World Cup and the World Test Championship now, India lost both the finals there."Despite the presence of exceptional captains and players, India has struggled to replicate their domestic dominance on the international stage. Vaughan praised the efforts of Rohit Sharma, Sourav Ganguly, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni, but emphasized that India should be winning more trophies."I feel India should be winning every 2-3 trophies that are available," Vaughan said. "They have so much talent in this country."India's recent performances have been a source of frustration for fans and pundits alike. They reached the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy, 2019 ODI World Cup, and 2023 ODI World Cup, but failed to secure victory. They also lost in the final of the inaugural World Test Championship.Vaughan believes that India's inability to win ICC titles is a combination of factors, including pressure, big-match temperament, and a lack of consistency. He urged the team to learn from their mistakes and strive for greater success in the future.

India's women's cricket team has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Bangladesh, scheduled to commence on April 28. The squad features two notable inclusions in S Sajana and S Asha, who have earned their maiden India call-ups.Sajana, a hard-hitting batter, emerged as one of Mumbai's breakout stars in the recently concluded Women's Premier League (WPL). Her ability to accelerate the innings in the latter stages was instrumental in Mumbai's success. Asha, on the other hand, became the first Indian to claim a five-wicket haul in the WPL. She finished as the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament, showcasing her impressive bowling skills.The squad also includes the return of experienced all-rounder D Hemalatha and left-arm spinner Radha Yadav. Hemalatha last played a T20I in September 2022, while Yadav's last appearance came at the T20 World Cup in South Africa last year.The composition of the squad aligns with captain Harmanpreet Kaur's stated goal of providing opportunities to top performers ahead of the T20 World Cup, scheduled for September-October in Bangladesh.Jemimah Rodrigues, a key member of the Indian team, will miss the Bangladesh tour due to a back niggle. She is currently undergoing treatment at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. The decision to rest Rodrigues is precautionary, considering the upcoming T20 World Cup.The squad is predominantly spin-heavy, reflecting the expected conditions in Bangladesh. Deepti Sharma will lead the spin attack, supported by Shreyanka Patil, Saika Ishaque, Asha, and Radha Yadav. Renuka Singh Thakur and Titas Sadhu are the two frontline pacers, with Pooja Vastrakar and Amanjot Kaur providing seam-bowling options.Richa Ghosh is expected to be the first-choice wicketkeeper, while Yastika Bhatia, who has impressed as a pure batter, is likely to serve as a backup.India will be aiming to continue their dominance over Bangladesh in T20Is. In their previous encounter in July 2022, India won the series 2-1.

Former England cricketer Nasser Hussain has praised India skipper Rohit Sharma for his exceptional performance in the recently concluded Test series against England. Hussain believes that Sharma's calm and composed demeanor on the field belies his immense skill and brilliance as a batsman.Sharma amassed 400 runs in the five-match series, including two centuries, at a strike rate of 64.21. Hussain noted that Sharma's ability to adapt his captaincy style to suit the team's needs was evident throughout the series."I think sometimes people confuse Rohit as a laidback cricketer who just lets the game drift," Hussain said. "There is a lot of skill, thought, and brilliance about his batting. And I thought he had an excellent series as captain."Hussain cautioned against comparing Sharma's captaincy style to that of his predecessor, Virat Kohli. "Don't confuse (Rohit with Virat's captaincy) because he has come off the back of Virat Kohli. In your face, aggressive captain. In the huddle at Lord's, saying let's unleash hell on the England batting lineup. Rohit is not quite the same sort of person. He has that fire burning within."Despite England's early 1-0 lead in the series, India fought back to win four consecutive matches and seal a 4-1 victory. Hussain attributed India's success to their ability to capitalize on England's mistakes and their resilience in the face of adversity."England had their chances, notably in Rajkot and Ranchi, but India came back strong on both occasions to win," Hussain said. "India showed great character and determination to come back from behind and win the series."Hussain concluded by highlighting the importance of Sharma's leadership in India's triumph. "Rohit has been a calming influence on the team," he said. "He has created a positive and supportive environment, which has allowed the players to perform to their full potential."