Cricket

India's head coach Amol Muzumdar has finally revealed the mystery surrounding the team's No. 3 batting position, confirming that Harmanpreet Kaur will occupy the crucial spot in the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup. This decision was made prior to the tournament and was solidified during India's warm-up matches.The No. 3 position has been a revolving door for India in recent times, with several players tried and tested. However, Harmanpreet's power-hitting ability and experience make her the ideal candidate to maximize her impact in the middle order.Muzumdar explained that Harmanpreet's strike rate has been significantly lower when batting at No. 4 or 5, and the team believes that giving her the opportunity to set herself at No. 3 will allow her to unleash her full potential.While Yastika Bhatia was initially considered the frontrunner for the No. 3 spot, her knee injury during the Bangladesh tour opened the door for Harmanpreet. Despite Bhatia's return to the squad, she may have to wait for her chances.Muzumdar also highlighted the importance of Jemimah Rodrigues at No. 4 or 5, where her ability to maneuver against spin and find gaps in the field is crucial. Rodrigues' strike rate at No. 5 is significantly higher than at No. 3.The Women's Premier League (WPL) has played a significant role in identifying and developing players for the Indian team. Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, and S Asha are among those who have enhanced their reputations through the WPL and have earned their place in the World Cup squad.Muzumdar emphasized the elevated fitness levels and fielding standards of the team, which have been a priority since he took over as coach. The team has undergone rigorous training and monitoring to improve their overall performance.

The Indian cricket team embarks on a grueling Test season, with a packed schedule that includes a three-Test series against New Zealand, a tour of Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and a five-match series against England in 2025.India's last Test series victory in England came in 2007, and the Rohit Sharma-led side is determined to break the drought. Former England paceman Stuart Broad believes this could be Virat Kohli's final tour of England."This could be Virat's last tour of England," Broad said. "They've got so much talent and depth, and England are slightly more youthful and less experienced but have a huge amount of talent and play this front-foot style of cricket."Broad predicts a close series, with both teams possessing formidable strengths. "I don't think it will be a five-nil or a four-nil, it will probably be going down to the last Test. If the weather plays ball, I think it will be 2-2."He emphasizes the significance of India's victory at Lord's in 2021, which left a lasting impact on the England team. "It was an aggressive test match, Mohammed Siraj bowled fantastically well on the final day, a drier pitch and just getting that bit of movement.""It was an amazing, emotional Test match to watch, and I know how much that hurt the England dressing room. Equally, it was very joyous for India to come here - we saw the joy on Kohli's face and how much that meant to him. I think it's going to be an absolute crackerjack of a series."

Indian cricket legend Rohit Sharma's recent remarks in Marathi have ignited excitement among fans. Speaking at an event in Rashin, Maharashtra, Rohit expressed how winning the 2024 T20 World Cup has profoundly impacted his life."Our big goal was to win the World Cup, after winning the World Cup, my life has come to life," he said, drawing thunderous applause from the crowd.Rohit's heartfelt words resonated with fans, as India's 11-year wait for an ICC trophy culminated in an emotional victory over South Africa in the final in Barbados. The triumph marked a significant milestone in Rohit's career, fulfilling a long-held dream.Over the years, Rohit had endured several heart-wrenching defeats, including the semi-final loss to England in the 2022 T20 World Cup and the ODI World Cup final loss to Australia in 2023. However, his unwavering determination and persistence paid off in 2024 when he led India to the coveted title.Beyond the team's success, Rohit also achieved personal milestones during the tournament. He became the first player to hit 200 sixes in T20 Internationals, a record set during a high-pressure Super 8 match against Australia in St. Lucia. This achievement cemented his legacy as one of the greatest T20 players of all time.Following India's victory, Rohit made an emotional announcement, declaring the final his last T20I match. "No better time to say goodbye to this format," he said, marking the occasion with his 50th win as Indian T20 captain.Rohit's remarks have sparked a wave of excitement among fans, who are eager to witness his continued success in other formats of the game. His leadership and determination have inspired a new generation of cricketers and cemented his place as one of the most iconic figures in Indian cricket history.

Despite his spectacular one-handed catch that dismissed Bangladesh's Litton Das in the second Test, Rohit Sharma surprisingly missed out on the 'Impact Fielder of the Series' award. The award, presented by India's fielding coach T Dilip, went to Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mohammed Siraj instead.Rohit's catch in the Kanpur Test drew widespread praise, becoming a topic of discussion among experts and commentators. However, it was not enough to secure him the award, despite Dilip naming two winners.In his address to the team after the series, Dilip lauded Rohit as "reliable as a Swiss watch" but did not include him among his top two picks. Jaiswal and Siraj were named joint-winners, leaving Rohit visibly stunned.Siraj also grabbed a one-handed catch on Day 5 of the Kanpur Test, dismissing Shakib al Hasan. However, he initially misjudged the ball's trajectory before making amends with a diving catch. Jaiswal and KL Rahul also made impressive catches in the slip region throughout the series.Despite the snub, India secured a 7-wicket win in the second Test, completing a 2-0 series sweep. Despite rain washing out over two and a half days of play, Rohit's team showcased their all-round abilities.The victory strengthens India's position at the top of the World Test Championship points table, bringing them closer to the final.

India Women's Cricket Team Dominates in Second Warm-Up Win Ahead of T20 World CupThe Indian women's cricket team continued their impressive form in the lead-up to the Women's T20 World Cup, securing a 28-run victory over South Africa in their second warm-up match in Dubai.India's batters laid the foundation for the win, posting a competitive total of 144/7 against a formidable South African bowling attack. Smriti Mandhana (21), Harmanpreet Kaur (10), Jemimah Rodrigues (30), Deepti Sharma (35*), and Richa Ghosh (36) all contributed valuable runs.However, it was South Africa's Ayabonga Khaka who stole the show with an exceptional bowling performance. The pacer claimed five wickets for just 25 runs in her four overs, including three wickets in her final over to restrict India's total.Undeterred, India's bowlers responded magnificently in the second innings. Renuka Singh opened with a maiden over, setting the tone for a disciplined bowling display. Deepti and Harmanpreet also chipped in with economical spells, each taking a wicket.South Africa's openers, Laura Wolvaardt (29) and Tazmin Brits (22), provided a solid start, but India's spinners kept the middle order in check. Chloe Tryon (24) and Annerie Dercksen (21*) fought valiantly towards the end, but the chase fell short by 28 runs.The victory marks India's second consecutive warm-up win, following their 20-run triumph over the West Indies. The team will now turn their attention to the Women's T20 World Cup, which begins on Thursday in the UAE.India will open their campaign against New Zealand on October 4, followed by matches against Pakistan (October 6), Sri Lanka (October 9), and Australia (October 13).

India's Unlikely Triumph: How Garry Sobers Predicted the 1983 World Cup UpsetIn the annals of cricket history, India's victory in the 1983 World Cup stands as a testament to the power of belief and the ability to defy expectations. While the team was not considered a favorite, legendary West Indies all-rounder Garry Sobers had a hunch that Kapil Dev's men could pull off a major upset.Sobers's prediction proved prophetic, as India went on to defeat the defending champions and his former team, the West Indies, in the final. But what was it that led Sobers to make such a bold prediction?According to Yashpal Sharma, a batsman on the victorious Indian team, Sobers was impressed by India's performance in a warm-up match against Sri Lanka. "We had made 285, thanks to a partnership between Kapil and myself," Sharma recalled. "Seeing us score that much on a green top, he said, 'These guys might be underdogs, but watch out for them in the World Cup.' He knew."Sobers's prediction was based on more than just India's batting performance. He also recognized the team's fighting spirit and determination. "They were a young team, but they had a lot of heart," Sobers said. "They were not afraid to take on anyone."India's victory in the 1983 World Cup was a watershed moment for Indian cricket. It inspired a generation of players and helped to establish India as a major force in the sport. Sobers's prediction played a small but significant role in that triumph, and it serves as a reminder that even the most unlikely of teams can achieve great things with belief and determination.

Rohit Sharma Explains Decision to Retire from T20Is: 'Time for Me to Move On'After leading India to victory in the T20 World Cup earlier this year, Rohit Sharma made the surprising decision to retire from the format in international cricket. While many believed he was still fit enough to play both white-ball formats and Test cricket, Sharma felt it was the right time to step aside.In a recent podcast, Sharma, who was also part of MS Dhoni's team that won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, shed light on his reasons for retiring from T20Is."The only reason I retired from T20Is is because I have had my time," Sharma said. "I enjoyed playing the format, I played for 17 years, I did well and all of that. Then, you won the (2024) World Cup. This was the best time for me to decide that 'okay, this is now time for me to move on and look after the other things'. There are a lot of good players who can do well for India."Sharma emphasized that his decision was not based on any physical limitations. "It (decision to quit T20Is) was not because I felt anything. I just felt this was the right time. I could still play all three formats easily. That's why I say fitness is in your mind, how you train your mind.""I believe everything is in the mind. I am a person who has got a lot of self-belief because I know that I can control my mind when I have to. Sometimes it's not easy. I know most of the time I can do that. If you tell your body that you are young, you can do this, you can do that, (then) of course you can," Sharma added.Sharma's retirement from T20Is has paved the way for Suryakumar Yadav to take over the role. Yadav has been in impressive form in recent months and is expected to play a key role in India's future T20I campaigns.

Hardik Pandya, India's swashbuckling all-rounder, has sparked speculation about a potential return to Test cricket after posting a video of himself practicing with a red ball on Instagram. However, former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has cast doubt on the possibility, citing Pandya's injury history and the physical demands of the longest format.Pandya, who hasn't played a Test match since September 2018, underwent back surgery in 2019. Patel believes that Pandya's body may not be able to withstand the rigors of four-day and five-day matches."I'm not looking at Hardik Pandya (in Tests)," Patel said on Jio cinema show during the second India vs Bangladesh Test in Kanpur. "He was practicing with the red ball only because the white ball wasn't available. I don't think his body allows four-day and five-day matches. He has to play at least one first-class game (before being considered for selection in Tests), which is very unlikely."Last year, Pandya was offered a place in the World Test Championship final against Australia but declined, stating that he did not want to be a regular Test player.Pandya's last first-class appearance was in December 2018. He also skipped this year's Duleep Trophy due to workload management.Patel's comments echo concerns raised by other experts about Pandya's fitness and durability. The all-rounder has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, including back, shoulder, and hamstring issues.If Pandya does not return to Test cricket, it would be a significant blow to India's hopes of regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from Australia in the upcoming series. Pandya's all-round abilities, including his aggressive batting and effective medium-pace bowling, would be a valuable asset to the team.However, it appears that Pandya's focus will remain on limited-overs cricket, where he has established himself as one of the world's leading all-rounders.

India's Captaincy Conundrum: Who Will Lead if Rohit Sharma is Unavailable?With the second Test against Bangladesh looming, the question of who will captain India if Rohit Sharma is injured or unavailable remains unanswered. Traditionally, the team's vice-captain would assume the leadership role, but no vice-captain has been named for this series.Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has clarified that the team does not require a designated vice-captain. He highlighted the presence of several players with leadership qualities and captaincy experience at the highest level."We have got a lot of IPL captains in this team," Nayar said. "Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Yashasvi Jaiswal have all led their franchises. I wouldn't look at them as youngsters anymore. They have the leadership qualities that are required."Nayar also emphasized that the team's decision-making regarding the playing XI will be influenced by the pitch conditions and weather forecast."We don't know which surface we are going to play on yet," Nayar said. "Kanpur is often known to have good pitches, but we are not sure about the bounce. The conditions and forecast will be a huge factor in how the pitch plays."All players are currently fit and available for selection, according to Nayar.