Cricket

Arshdeep Singh Credits Jasprit Bumrah for His Bowling SuccessIndia's rising pace sensation Arshdeep Singh has attributed his remarkable development as a bowler to the invaluable guidance of his senior teammate Jasprit Bumrah. The duo's formidable partnership played a pivotal role in India's triumphant run to the T20 World Cup 2024 title, with both pacers delivering match-winning performances throughout the tournament.Arshdeep, who has swiftly become a cornerstone of India's bowling lineup in T20 cricket, acknowledged Bumrah's profound influence in building pressure on opponents, thereby enhancing his own effectiveness and wicket-taking ability."I have had a really good bowling partner in Jassi bhai (Jasprit Bumrah), and he has helped me enormously in taking a lot of wickets by creating pressure from the other end. So a lot of credit goes to him as well," Arshdeep told the media ahead of the third T20I between India and South Africa.However, Arshdeep emphasized the importance of adapting to varying conditions and situations to maintain his performance level, especially in Bumrah's absence during the ongoing series."But the main thing is how well I can adapt to the conditions and the situations of the game, how I can attack the batsman early on and take some early wickets. And even at the death, how I can outsmart them and bring the game back into our hands," he added.Despite facing challenges in replicating his World Cup form, Arshdeep has managed to secure a couple of crucial wickets in the series. With the series currently tied at 1-1, he is focused on refining his approach to help India gain the upper hand in the upcoming matches.Arshdeep's rapid rise to prominence has been marked by his ability to swing the ball both ways, generate pace, and execute yorkers with precision. His partnership with Bumrah has formed a formidable bowling duo that has been instrumental in India's recent successes in T20 cricket.

Arshdeep Singh, the young left-arm seamer, has emerged as a formidable death-overs specialist in international cricket. With 89 wickets in just 58 T20I matches, Arshdeep has established himself as a reliable performer under pressure.Arshdeep's success stems from his ability to keep things simple and maintain composure in high-stakes situations. He adapts his plans to the conditions and the team's needs, focusing on executing accurate yorkers at high speeds."My plans depend on the conditions, the wickets, what kind of situations we are faced with," Arshdeep explained. "It's not that I have tasted success every day while bowling in the death."Despite his impressive record, Arshdeep remains level-headed and avoids overthinking. "We have to be level-headed, not think too much about death bowling," he said. "I just try to keep things simple, not complicate them, and look to fulfill the team's needs."Beyond his bowling prowess, Arshdeep is also striving to improve his batting skills. "I love a half volley from a spinner," he said. "But yes, I am trying my best to contribute with the bat as well whenever I get a chance."Arshdeep has benefited immensely from sharing the dressing room with experienced players like Jasprit Bumrah. "I have got a really good bowling partner in Jassi (Bumrah) bhai," he said. "He has helped me enormously in taking a lot of wickets by creating pressure at the other end."Arshdeep also praised T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav for his leadership qualities. "The way he controls his emotions, the way he manages his highs and lows, he is so strong mentally," he said.Looking ahead to the third T20I against South Africa, Arshdeep emphasized the importance of containing the Proteas' batters early on. "They are struggling against spinners, so the aim is to contain them early on and give a good platform to the spinners," he said.

Abhishek Sharma, once hailed as a rising star in Indian cricket, now faces intense scrutiny due to his recent batting struggles. After a promising start to his T20I career marked by a sensational century, his form has plummeted, raising questions about his future in the squad.Abhishek's international T20 debut was far from ideal, with a first-ball duck against Zimbabwe. However, he quickly redeemed himself with a blistering 46-ball century, showcasing his explosive potential. Since then, however, his form has been inconsistent.In the ongoing four-match T20I series against South Africa, Abhishek has been given multiple opportunities to open alongside Sanju Samson. However, his performances have been disappointing, with scores of 7 and 4 in the first two matches. Both dismissals came via bouncers, exposing his tendency to play hurried shots.Despite the mounting pressure, Abhishek's father and coach, Raj Kumar Sharma, remains optimistic. He believes his son is not out of form but needs one strong innings to regain his confidence. He also highlights Abhishek's ability to bounce back from setbacks, citing his century after a duck on his debut.With tough competition in the Indian squad, Abhishek's place in the team could be at stake if he doesn't find form soon. The third T20I might be his last chance to prove his worth and secure his spot.

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami is poised to make his long-awaited return to competitive cricket after an extended absence of nearly a year. The Bengal stalwart will don the blue and gold jersey in their Ranji Trophy encounter against Madhya Pradesh, commencing on Wednesday. This development marks a significant milestone in Shami's rehabilitation journey, as he received the green light from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to resume playing.Shami's return has been eagerly anticipated, with expectations of his participation in the Ranji Trophy. However, a delayed fitness certificate from the NCA due to reported injury concerns hindered his earlier involvement. Now, with the NCA's clearance, Shami is set to spearhead Bengal's pace attack against Madhya Pradesh.This comeback holds immense significance for both Bengal and India. Bengal will be bolstered by Shami's presence, especially with pacers Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar currently representing India in Australia, and Ishan Porel recovering from an injury. Shami's experience and skill will provide a much-needed boost to Bengal's bowling unit.For India, Shami's return to fitness ahead of the crucial Australian tour is a major development. His form and fitness will be closely monitored as he prepares for the upcoming challenges. Shami's last competitive appearance was in the 2023 World Cup final on November 19th, after which he embarked on an injury rehabilitation program.Shami's inclusion in the Bengal team is not only a boost to their performance but also a morale booster for the entire squad. Bengal currently sits in fifth place in the points table with 8 points from 4 games, having secured three crucial points in their last match against Karnataka. The team aims to qualify for the next round of the Ranji Trophy, and Shami's presence will undoubtedly enhance their chances.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the rising star of Indian cricket, has been hailed as "The New King" by the Australian media. His remarkable journey from humble beginnings to Test debutant has captured the attention of fans and critics alike.Born in Uttar Pradesh, Jaiswal moved to Mumbai with dreams of becoming a cricketer. Despite facing hardships, his dedication and resilience shone through. He made his Test debut in 2023 with a stunning 171 against the West Indies.Jaiswal's appetite for big knocks was evident in his double centuries against England in 2024. In October 2024, he became the first Indian batter to score 1,000 Test runs in a calendar year before turning 23.The Australian newspaper The Daily Telegraph has heralded Jaiswal as India's next superstar, comparing him to Virender Sehwag and Virat Kohli. However, the report also questions whether he can succeed on his maiden trip to Australia.Jaiswal's captain, Rohit Sharma, has expressed confidence in his abilities, stating that he has the potential to "do wonders for the team." The Test series in Australia will be a crucial test for Jaiswal, as success Down Under will determine if he can succeed Kohli as "The New King" and become "India's next superstar."

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian batsman, is approaching the twilight of his illustrious career. While his recent form has raised concerns, many believe he still has much to offer. However, Australian media reports suggest that the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) could mark Kohli's farewell from the Australian shores.Kohli's prolific batting has waned in recent times. In 2024, he has scored only 488 runs in 25 innings across formats, averaging a meager 20.33. In Test cricket, he has managed just 192 runs in 10 innings against Bangladesh and New Zealand.Despite his recent struggles, Kohli remains a formidable force. He has a proven track record of success in Australia, having scored India's lone century in the 2012 series. The Herald Sun report acknowledges Kohli's impact on the Australia-India rivalry, stating that he "defined" it for the past decade.However, the report also suggests that Kohli's time in Australia may be coming to an end. It highlights the emergence of Yashasvi Jaiswal, a left-handed opener who is seen as Kohli's potential successor. Jaiswal has impressed in recent months, establishing himself as one of India's most exciting young batters.While Jaiswal's potential is undeniable, it would be premature to write off Kohli just yet. India, the current holders of the BGT, have won their last two Test series in Australia. Kohli's experience and leadership will be crucial as India aims to retain the trophy.The BGT begins with the Perth Test on November 22. It will be a fascinating series, with Kohli's future in Australia hanging in the balance.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir, while preparing for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, has expressed his admiration for Sanju Samson's recent performances in South Africa. Despite not being directly involved in the South African tour, Gambhir acknowledged Samson's talent and the support he has received."It's not about me," Gambhir said. "It's his ability. He's been given the right number and backing, and he's worked hard. What he's doing for Indian cricket is just the start."Samson's century in the first T20I against South Africa made him the first Indian to score consecutive tons in the shortest format. Gambhir believes this is a positive sign for Indian cricket."Some of the young players are really coming through, which is always healthy," he said.Gambhir is now focused on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which will be crucial for India's World Test Championship final hopes. He believes the team's experience will be invaluable."We have got a lot of experienced players who have been to Australia a lot many times," he said. "Their experience will come in handy for the young players as well."Gambhir emphasized the importance of being prepared for the first Test."These 10 days are going to be very crucial," he said. "Come the 22nd morning, we should be absolutely ready and ready to fire from ball one."

Varun Chakaravarthy, the enigmatic spinner, has shed light on his three-year hiatus from international cricket, describing it as a "tough" period. He credits his return to form to the domestic grind and the clarity of role provided by new head coach Gautam Gambhir.In the second T20I against South Africa, the 33-year-old achieved career-best figures of 5 for 17. However, India suffered a three-wicket defeat in a low-scoring thriller."Definitely, the last three years were a little tough," Chakaravarthy said. "The only thing I could do was play lots of cricket. And I started playing a lot of the domestic league (TNPL) in India. And that definitely helped me understand my game better. And that's what helped me."As a member of the Kolkata Knight Riders, Chakaravarthy won the IPL title last season under the leadership of Gambhir, who was then appointed head coach of the Indian team. Chakaravarthy said Gambhir gave him guidance during the Bangladesh tour, helping him regain form."Yes, we played the Bangladesh tour and he was coaching the team. And definitely we spoke a lot and he gave me a lot of role clarity. He told me, even if you go for 30-40 runs, it doesn't matter. All you have to look is to pick wickets. So that's your role in the team. And yeah, the clarity which they gave definitely helped me."Chakaravarthy's remarkable spell helped reduce South Africa to 66 for 6 while they pursued a modest target of 125. However, a determined partnership between Tristan Stubbs (47) and Gerald Coetzee (19) guided the hosts home in 19 overs, ending India's 11-match winning streak.Chakaravarthy revealed that during the innings break, skipper Suryakumar Yadav urged the team to focus on giving their all without dwelling on the result. "During the innings break, Surya (skipper) came and told us that let's not think about the result and let's just go all out. And that's what we tried to do. We did our best and we could have pulled it off.""Obviously, the mindset has to be aggressive when the score is low. You have to pick wickets and that's when we can win the match. That has to be my approach in the next two games also because it's going to be a do-or-die match for us," he said.Performing well against a strong team like South Africa, according to Chakaravarthy, will give him confidence going into the remaining games. "Definitely, when we came to South Africa, we knew that it's going to be a challenging tour because the Proteas, they are one of the best teams right now and they have a powerful batting lineup.""Doing well against them definitely gives me motivation to do more better and definitely I can. Hopefully I can do well in the upcoming games."India will face South Africa in the third and final T20Is on Wednesday and Friday at Centurion and Johannesburg, respectively.

Sanju Samson, India's enigmatic batter, has opened up about his struggles in international cricket, revealing the self-doubt that plagued him during a string of failures. However, with unwavering self-belief and the support of captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir, Samson has staged a remarkable comeback, hitting back-to-back centuries in T20 Internationals.Samson's resurgence began with a breathtaking 111 against Bangladesh in the third T20I, followed by another ton in India's comfortable 61-run win over South Africa in the opening game of the series. The Kerala batter acknowledged the crucial role played by Yadav and Gambhir during his low phase."When you have a supporting captain like Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam bhai, they all support you during failures," Samson said. "The way they communicate with you in your failures is very important. Everyone knows that if we are going through a negative phase, then the player can get lost there."Samson's innings against South Africa included 10 monstrous sixes, propelling India to a formidable 202 for 8 in 20 overs. The wicket was challenging, but Samson's aggressive approach paid dividends."We are definitely the world champions at the moment," Samson said. "So I think we have to play like that and just keep on looking to dominate in this format."Samson's resurgence is a testament to his resilience and the importance of self-belief. Despite facing criticism for not fulfilling his potential, he has remained determined to prove his worth. With the support of his captain and coach, Samson has rediscovered his form and is now a key player in India's T20I setup.