Cricket

After India's triumphant T20 World Cup victory, the players have returned home to celebrate with their loved ones. Captain Rohit Sharma arrived late Thursday night, while star batter Virat Kohli flew to London to reunite with his family.Hardik Pandya, India's vice-captain, received a surprise visit from young keeper-batter Ishan Kishan. A viral video captured the heartwarming moment as the two shared a hug and Kishan kissed Pandya on both cheeks."Good meri jaan. Very good, love you," Kishan exclaimed, while Pandya laughed in amusement.The bromance between Pandya and Kishan has become a social media sensation. During a recent interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pandya reflected on the past six months, revealing that he had maintained his composure despite facing adversity."The last 6 months have been very entertaining for me, there have been a lot of ups and downs and the public booed me. A lot of things happened and I always felt that if I give any answer, it would be through sports... So I believed that I would stay strong, will work hard," Pandya said.Despite being mercilessly trolled during the Indian Premier League, Pandya played a pivotal role in India's World Cup victory, notably dismissing Heinrich Klaasen.Meanwhile, Kishan, who is currently without a BCCI central contract, was omitted from the T20 World Cup and Zimbabwe T20I squads. He was reportedly dropped from the central contracts list after refusing to play domestic cricket.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was compelled to make three alterations to the Indian squad for the T20I series against Zimbabwe due to several members being stranded in Barbados. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shivam Dube, and Sanju Samson, who were all part of India's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, were unable to depart the island nation sooner due to a hurricane threat that prompted the government to suspend all flights.For the first two matches, the selectors named Harshit Rana, Jitesh Singh, and Sai Sudharsan as replacements. Harshit and Sudharsan were rewarded for their outstanding performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, while Jitesh has been in contention for a few years.However, their inclusion raised questions about the omission of other Team India stars. Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Varun Chakravarthy, Mayank Yadav, Umran Malik, and Yash Dayal were among those who were overlooked.Ishan Kishan's case is particularly intriguing. He was a regular member of the Indian team across all formats until the tour of South Africa, where he requested a break from the BCCI. Between that series and the T20 World Cup 2024 squad selection, several events occurred, leading the selectors to sideline the Mumbai Indians wicket-keeper batter.Kishan was reportedly asked to play Ranji Trophy for Jharkhand and other domestic tournaments to be considered for selection, but he opted to train with Hardik Pandya for the IPL 2024 campaign. This decision appears to have displeased the BCCI and selectors, who did not select him for the Zimbabwe series despite Sanju Samson's absence for the first two matches. The current pecking order suggests that Kishan is not even the fourth-choice option in the shortest format, with Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Dhruv Jurel, and Jitesh Sharma ahead of him.Kishan's case is not isolated, as similar questions can be raised about seven other players, including KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, two experienced Indian players who were also not selected for the Zimbabwe tour.In the bowling department, the absence of Varun Chakravarthy, Mayank Yadav, Umran Malik, and Yash Dayal also raises questions, while many believe that an all-rounder like Venkatesh Iyer could have been considered.

Former Indian batter Aakash Chopra has speculated that star batter Rohit Sharma and young wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan may not feature for Mumbai Indians (MI) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.Rohit's future with MI has been uncertain since he was relieved of his captaincy duties by the franchise. MI appointed Hardik Pandya as captain for IPL 2024, but the five-time champions endured a disastrous season, finishing at the bottom of the 10-team points table.Chopra believes that Rohit may have played his last game for MI. He also suggests that Kishan, who was acquired by MI for a hefty price tag of 15.5 crores, may be released by the team. However, Chopra notes that MI could use the 'Right to Match' card to retain Kishan if necessary."I think they will let Ishan Kishan go. They might use the 'Right to Match' card because 15.5 crores is just too much money. I don't think Ishan will be retained," Chopra said on his YouTube channel."I think Rohit Sharma has played his last match for the Mumbai Indians, whether he doesn't want to be retained or the franchise lets him go," he added. "Either way, I see them parting ways. I don't think you will be seeing Rohit Sharma in the Mumbai Indians jersey again. That's just my understanding. I might be wrong, but I feel, either which way, Rohit Sharma will not be playing for the Mumbai Indians when you start the next season."Rohit's next assignment will be to lead the Indian cricket team in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. India will face Ireland in their tournament opener on June 5.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has extended a lifeline to Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, who were previously excluded from the central contracts list for missing Ranji Trophy matches. The duo has been included in the National Cricket Academy's (NCA) High Performance Monitoring Programme for the 2024-25 domestic cricket season.This move signals that the BCCI and national selection committee are not holding grudges against Iyer and Kishan. If they demonstrate a positive attitude towards domestic cricket and perform well for their respective state teams, they could regain their central contracts and be recalled to the Indian team.Mumbai allrounder Musheer Khan, who impressed in the Under-19 World Cup and played a key role in Mumbai's Ranji Trophy triumph, has also been included in the NCA program. The list primarily consists of players who are not centrally contracted but are on the cusp of breaking into the Indian team.The selected players are expected to undergo a month-long camp at the new NCA facility near Bengaluru under the guidance of chairman VVS Laxman. The camp will focus on enhancing their skills and preparing them for higher levels of competition.Other notable players included in the NCA program are pacers Mayank Yadav, Umran Malik, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Sen, Harshit Rana, Khaleel Ahmed, and Tushar Deshpande. Batsmen Riyan Parag, Ashutosh Sharma, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Kishore, and Prithvi Shaw are also part of the group. Mumbai's spin allrounders Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian have also been selected.The national selectors have also chosen a set of players for the under-23 camp, which includes those who have yet to feature in domestic cricket. This camp will provide opportunities for young players to showcase their talent and potentially earn a place in the NCA program in the future.

Mumbai Indians' David vs Goliath: Ishan Kishan Takes on Towering Daniel SamsIn a playful twist on the legendary David vs Goliath tale, Mumbai Indians' diminutive Ishan Kishan has emerged as the "giant" against the towering Australian all-rounder Daniel Sams. Standing at an impressive 6'5", Sams is a formidable presence on the field. However, in a recent video shared by the Mumbai Indians on their official Twitter handle, it's the 5'6" Kishan who steals the show.The video captures a lighthearted moment between the two cricketers, where Kishan, taking advantage of his shorter stature, charges at Sams' legs, refusing to be intimidated by his size. The playful grappling match ends with both players tumbling to the ground, with Kishan declaring himself victorious with a smile and a fist pump.This playful interaction highlights the camaraderie and lighthearted atmosphere within the Mumbai Indians camp, despite their disappointing performance in the ongoing IPL 2024. The five-time champions were the first team to be eliminated from the tournament and have only one league match remaining, scheduled against the Lucknow Super Giants in Mumbai on Friday.Despite their early exit, the Mumbai Indians have maintained a positive attitude, focusing on developing their young players and building a strong foundation for the future. Kishan, in particular, has been a bright spot for the team, showcasing his exceptional batting skills and leadership potential.The video of Kishan's playful encounter with Sams has garnered significant attention on social media, with fans praising the team's spirit and the camaraderie between the players. It serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, humor and sportsmanship can prevail.

The exclusion of Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from the list of centrally-contracted players was a decision made solely by chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, according to BCCI secretary Jay Shah. This decision has sparked controversy, with many questioning the rationale behind it.Shah emphasized that "nobody is indispensable" and that the decision was made in accordance with the BCCI's policy of prioritizing domestic cricket. Kishan and Iyer were left out after failing to show up for domestic engagements despite a directive from the BCCI.Kishan went on a long break after the end of the ODI World Cup last year and remained unavailable until the IPL. Iyer eventually did feature in a few matches for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, including the semifinal and the final. However, he still found himself at the receiving end after it emerged that he had attended a Kolkata Knight Riders' camp in Mumbai when his domestic side was busy playing a Ranji Trophy fixture.Shah reiterated the Board's position that Indian players will have to prioritize domestic cricket. He stated that he had spoken with the players after their exclusion and that they had expressed their willingness to play in domestic tournaments if they were considered for white-ball selection.Shah also addressed the issue of high scores in this year's IPL, saying that it ultimately comes down to who is playing well and who can sustain performance. He emphasized that players need to prove themselves and give back-to-back performances in Team India.Shah also revealed that he had a conversation with Kishan after Mumbai Indians' match against Gujarat Titans. He said that he did not advise him anything but rather had a friendly talk with him, encouraging him to do well.The decision to exclude Kishan and Iyer has been met with mixed reactions. Some have criticized the BCCI for being too harsh, while others have supported the move, arguing that it sends a strong message to players about the importance of domestic cricket.

Mumbai Indians' Ishan Kishan Fined for Code of Conduct BreachMumbai Indians wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been reprimanded and fined 10% of his match fees for violating the Indian Premier League (IPL) Code of Conduct during their match against Delhi Capitals.The incident occurred at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. According to an IPL statement, Kishan committed a Level 1 offense under Article 2.2 of the Code of Conduct. The specific nature of the offense was not disclosed, but Article 2.2 encompasses actions outside the normal course of cricket, such as damaging equipment or fixtures.Kishan admitted to the offense and accepted the Match Referee's sanction. For Level 1 breaches, the Match Referee's decision is final and binding.The IPL Code of Conduct aims to maintain fair play and sportsmanship within the league. It outlines various offenses and corresponding penalties, ranging from reprimands to suspensions.Kishan's fine serves as a reminder to players of the importance of adhering to the Code of Conduct. It also highlights the IPL's commitment to upholding the integrity and reputation of the tournament.Despite the incident, Kishan remains a key player for Mumbai Indians. His aggressive batting and wicketkeeping skills have been instrumental in the team's success in recent seasons.

Mumbai Indians' head coach Mark Boucher has shed light on some amusing and endearing quirks of the team's star players. In a video shared on MI's social media platforms, Boucher, along with batting coach Kieron Pollard and bowling coach James Pannent, revealed some behind-the-scenes insights into the dynamics of the franchise.Boucher disclosed that Rohit Sharma, the former captain and current batter, has a peculiar habit of giving awkward hugs and handshakes. "Rohit does not usually hug people a lot," Boucher said. "But when he does, it's a bit of an awkward hug."When asked about a player with an unexpectedly loud laugh, Boucher promptly named wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan. "Ishan has a very loud laugh," Boucher said. "It's very infectious. It's one of those laughs that makes you laugh even if you don't know what he's laughing about."Pollard revealed that Suryakumar Yadav is prone to making autocorrect mistakes while texting. "Suryakumar is a very good texter," Pollard said. "But he makes a lot of autocorrect mistakes. It's quite funny."Pollard also described explosive batter Tim David as "absent-minded." "Tim is a very good cricketer," Pollard said. "But he's a bit absent-minded. He's always forgetting things."Despite these amusing quirks, the MI players are a close-knit group with a strong bond. They have won five IPL titles, making them one of the most successful teams in the tournament's history.Currently, MI is placed sixth in the 10-team points table with three wins and four losses. They will face table-toppers Rajasthan Royals on Monday at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

With the T20 World Cup 2024 fast approaching, the race for spots in India's final squad is intensifying. The battle for batting and bowling positions is heating up, but the question of who will don the wicket-keeping gloves remains unanswered. Here are the top contenders for India's wicket-keeper role in the upcoming tournament:Rishabh Pant:Despite his modest T20I average and strike rate, Pant's impressive form in IPL 2024 has made him a strong contender. After a lengthy absence due to injury, Pant has returned with a bang, captaining Delhi Capitals to a strong start. His 210 runs in seven matches, including two fifties, have showcased his explosive batting and leadership skills.Sanju Samson:Samson's T20I record for India is underwhelming, but his performances in the IPL have been exceptional. Currently fourth in the Orange Cap list with 276 runs, Samson has struck three fifties, including an unbeaten 82. His average of 55.20 and strike rate of 155.06 make him a formidable candidate for the wicket-keeper role.Ishan Kishan:After a brief hiatus, Kishan has returned to form in IPL 2024. The explosive left-hander has scored 184 runs in six matches for Mumbai Indians, including a best of 69. With a T20I average of 25.67 and six fifties, Kishan has proven his ability to perform at the international level.KL Rahul:Rahul is the least likely of these players to make the T20 World Cup squad. His recent form in T20Is has been underwhelming, and he has struggled in IPL 2024, scoring only 204 runs in six matches. However, a strong second half of the tournament could boost his chances of sneaking into the squad.