Cricket

The upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 has sparked intense discussions regarding India's squad selection, particularly for the wicket-keeping position. With the announcement expected in early May, several contenders are vying for the role, including Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant, and Sanju Samson. KL Rahul, who has been considered both as a specialist batter and a wicket-keeping option, is also in the mix.Legendary Australian wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist weighed in on Rahul's World Cup chances, emphasizing the importance of focusing on present performances rather than dwelling on the future. "He needs to think - How am I going to win this tournament for my franchise? How am I going to win it tonight? I know there is this overarching shadow of the World Cup, but win the IPL, be the best player you can be in winning the IPL, and you'll be on the plane if you're in the narrative of selecting," Gilchrist advised.Meanwhile, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting expressed his concerns about the IPL's 'Impact Player' rule. "This Impact Player is taking the all-rounders out of the game a little bit," Ponting said. He explained that teams can now field specialist batsmen down to number eight, potentially reducing the value of all-rounders. However, Ponting acknowledged that the rule aims to entertain spectators and suggested that its continuation should be based on fan feedback.As the IPL progresses, the performances of these players will be closely scrutinized as the selectors finalize their World Cup squad. Rahul's ability to contribute both with the bat and behind the stumps will be a key factor in his selection, while Kishan, Pant, and Samson will need to showcase their consistency and match-winning abilities. The 'Impact Player' rule will also be a topic of discussion, with its potential impact on team strategies and the role of all-rounders.

With the T20 World Cup 2024 fast approaching, the debate over India's squad selection has intensified. Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has weighed in with his picks, opting for a lineup that includes some surprising omissions.Kaif's XI features Yashasvi Jaiswal as an opener alongside Rohit Sharma, replacing the in-form Ishan Kishan. The middle order remains largely unchanged, with Virat Kohli at No. 3, Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4, and Hardik Pandya at No. 5. Rishabh Pant retains his spot at No. 6.To bolster the team's batting depth, Kaif has opted for a plethora of all-rounders. Axar Patel slots in at No. 7, followed by Ravindra Jadeja at No. 8. Kuldeep Yadav, known for his deceptive bowling, takes the No. 9 spot.The pace attack features the experienced Jasprit Bumrah and the rising star Arshdeep Singh. Kaif's XI prioritizes versatility and batting depth, aiming to provide India with a well-rounded squad capable of adapting to different match situations.The T20 World Cup 2024 will commence on June 1, with the high-profile clash between India and Pakistan scheduled for June 9 in New York. A total of 20 teams will compete in the tournament, divided into four groups of five teams each. The semi-finals will be held on June 25 and 27, leading up to the grand finale on June 29.

Ishan Kishan, the wicketkeeper-batter for Mumbai Indians, has undergone a transformation in his approach to the game. After a break from cricket, Kishan has returned with a renewed focus on self-improvement and contributing to his team's success in the IPL 2024.Kishan's recent performance against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he scored a blistering 69 off 34 balls, is a testament to his newfound mindset. He acknowledges that a berth in India's T20 World Cup squad is not within his control and is instead taking a match-by-match approach."About the World Cup, it is not in my hands and I am taking things very easy right now. You have to take one match at a time. One needs to understand that a lot is not in the hands of the players," Kishan said.Kishan's break from cricket came after he requested a break during India's tour of South Africa in December. He was subsequently not considered for any national assignments, and India head coach Rahul Dravid emphasized the need for Kishan to play domestic cricket to make his comeback.During his break, Kishan focused on improving his cricketing skills. He played for Reserve Bank of India in the DY Patil T20 Cup and trained with MI skipper Hardik Pandya."I was practicing as well as I could," Kishan said. "I had taken (an) off (time) and when you take an off, a lot of it is gets spoken about on social media.""What we can do is that if you have taken time (out) for yourself, use it the best way possible for yourself," he added.Kishan's efforts have paid off in the IPL, where he is currently the leading run-getter for MI with 161 runs from five matches. His strike-rate of 182.95 has given his side an early momentum.However, Kishan is not using his performance to prove a point to his detractors. "There is nothing like that (that) I want to prove to someone. I just have to go there and enjoy," he said.Kishan has also worked on his mindset, which has helped him become a stronger individual. "This is where getting a good mindset works. The Ishan Kishan of the past would not have left the balls alone if the bowling was good in the first two overs," he said."But with time I have learned that a 20-over game is also very long and you can take your time and move forward while keeping the belief in yourself," he added.Kishan's empathy for his teammates has also grown, which he believes has contributed to MI's improved performance in the IPL. "These were the few things which helped me in the period and even now. We (MI) lost (a few) matches but most of the players were keen to work with the rest," he said."It was never about us performing well individually and not knowing what other players are going through," he added.Kishan's transformation is a testament to his resilience and determination. He has used his break from cricket to improve himself as an individual and as a player, and is now ready to lead Mumbai Indians to success in the IPL 2024.

Ishan Kishan's blistering 69 off 34 balls for Mumbai Indians (MI) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has reignited his hopes of a T20 World Cup berth. Prior to this match, Kishan had struggled with just 92 runs in four innings, but his explosive knock has boosted his confidence.However, a fan's question to former SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) head coach Tom Moody raised an intriguing auction-related query. The fan asked if Moody regretted not bidding more than 15 crore for Kishan during the IPL 2022 mega auction.MI had released Kishan ahead of the auction, but they reacquired him for a staggering Rs 15.25 crore. SRH engaged in a bidding war with MI, but they withdrew once the price exceeded Rs 15 crore.Moody's response to the fan's question was humorous: "Gentleman, I wasn't holding the paddle."Kishan's performance in this IPL season is crucial for his World Cup aspirations. He was recently dropped from the BCCI's central contract due to his reluctance to play in the Ranji Trophy. This followed his withdrawal from the South Africa Tests last year, citing fatigue.The 25-year-old has not been considered for any subsequent national assignments, and India head coach Rahul Dravid has advised him to play domestic cricket to earn a recall.Regarding his World Cup chances, Kishan said, "It is not in my hands and I am taking things very easy right now. You have to take one match at a time. One needs to understand that a lot is not in the hands of the players."Kishan's resurgence in the IPL has put him back in contention for the World Cup squad. His ability to score quickly and consistently makes him a valuable asset to any team.

Ishan Kishan, the wicketkeeper-batter for Mumbai Indians, has undergone a significant transformation since his break from cricket. Prioritizing personal growth and team success over individual accolades, Kishan is determined to help Mumbai Indians excel in the IPL 2024.During his recent break, Kishan focused on developing his cricketing skills and mindset. He practiced diligently and trained with MI skipper Hardik Pandya. This newfound approach has been evident in his performances this IPL, where he is currently the leading run-getter for MI with 161 runs from five matches.Kishan's mindset shift has also been crucial. He has learned to manage pressure and focus on what he can control. This has allowed him to play with greater freedom and confidence."I have learned that you do not have to add pressure on yourself about these things which are not in your hand," Kishan said. "You have to figure out what are controllables and what are uncontrollables."Kishan's empathy and understanding of his teammates' struggles have also contributed to his growth. He believes in supporting and motivating his fellow players, recognizing that everyone goes through ups and downs."I also know when someone is not doing well, how they feel like," Kishan said. "I also felt it changed for me, that if someone is not doing well then let's talk to them and find their mindset."Kishan's transformation has been a positive development for Mumbai Indians. His leadership and contributions on and off the field have helped the team navigate a challenging start to the IPL.While Kishan acknowledges that a berth in India's T20 World Cup squad is not in his hands, he remains focused on improving himself and helping Mumbai Indians succeed."It's a very big tournament and you do not want to overstep," Kishan said. "I am just taking one game at a time and however I can help the team, let's do it."

Ishan Kishan, the talented wicketkeeper-batter from Jharkhand, has found himself in a precarious position after being excluded from the BCCI's central contract list. However, a recent conversation with BCCI secretary Jay Shah has sparked hope for a potential comeback.Kishan's exclusion from the contract list was a result of his reluctance to play first-class cricket. Despite repeated attempts by the Indian team management to involve him, he did not participate in any Ranji Trophy games this season. Instead, he opted to practice with his Mumbai Indians skipper, Hardik Pandya, in preparation for the IPL.This decision ultimately cost him his contract, but Shah's gesture of engaging in conversation with Kishan and national captain Rohit Sharma could be a sign of a potential thaw. While the contents of the discussion remain unknown, the fact that Shah, an influential figure in Indian cricket, is showing interest in Kishan is a positive development.Kishan's chances of a comeback in the T20 World Cup have dwindled in recent months, with Rishabh Pant back in contention and KL Rahul also expressing his desire to keep wickets. However, the IPL provides him with a massive opportunity to make a case for himself with consistent performances.The presence of national captain Rohit during Shah's conversation with Kishan is significant. It suggests that Kishan's performance will be the primary factor in determining his future with the Indian team, despite his past attitude issues.Mumbai Indians batting coach Kieron Pollard has also expressed confidence in Kishan, stating that he is an "experienced" player within the setup and expects big things from him. With the selectors traveling to select IPL games to check on World Cup hopefuls, Kishan has a golden opportunity to prove his worth.

Star wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has joined the Mumbai Indians (MI) camp ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The 25-year-old's arrival comes amidst a tumultuous period in his career, marked by controversies and setbacks.Kishan's absence from the Indian team has been a subject of speculation. India head coach Rahul Dravid stated that Kishan had not made himself available for selection and needed to play domestic games to qualify. However, Kishan opted to train with Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya in Baroda instead of representing Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy.Consequently, the BCCI terminated Kishan's central contract last month. Despite these setbacks, Kishan has now joined the MI camp, where he was welcomed with a humorous video by the franchise.MI will open their IPL campaign on March 24 against Gujarat Titans, a team led by Hardik Pandya, who left MI to join GT in 2022. Pandya's return to MI as captain will be a significant moment for the franchise.Kishan's inclusion in the MI squad adds depth to their batting lineup, which also includes Rohit Sharma, Tim David, Suryakumar Yadav, and N. Tilak Varma. The team boasts a strong all-rounder contingent led by Pandya, Romario Shepherd, and Shams Mulani.In the bowling department, MI has retained the services of Jasprit Bumrah, Jason Behrendorff, and Kumar Kartikeya. The addition of Dilshan Madushanka and Nuwan Thushara from Sri Lanka further strengthens their bowling attack.With a balanced squad and a new captain at the helm, MI will be aiming to reclaim the IPL title they last won in 2020. Kishan's return to the fold will provide a much-needed boost to their aspirations.

India head coach Rahul Dravid has urged Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan to prioritize domestic cricket to regain their places in the national team. Both players have been under scrutiny for opting out of domestic cricket in recent months.Dravid emphasized that playing domestic cricket is crucial for players to showcase their skills and force the selectors to consider them. He stated that contracts and selections are not his responsibility but that he values players who demonstrate commitment to domestic cricket.Kishan has not played any BCCI-sanctioned cricket since opting out of the South Africa Test series, while Iyer missed the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals due to back spasms. However, Iyer has since returned to play for Mumbai in the semi-finals and is expected to feature in the final.Dravid acknowledged that both players remain in contention for selection but stressed the importance of them performing well in domestic cricket. He highlighted that there are numerous examples of players who have been selected despite not having contracts.The BCCI recently announced a Test Cricket Incentive Scheme that will increase match fees for players who feature in over 75% of Tests played in a season. Dravid emphasized that this scheme should be viewed as a reward for hard work rather than a financial incentive.He praised the challenges and rewards of Test cricket, noting that it requires special qualities to succeed in the format. Dravid expressed hope that the recognition and support for Test cricket will continue to attract players to the format.

BCCI's Domestic Cricket Mandate: A Step in the Right Direction, Says Mohinder AmarnathLegendary Indian cricketer Mohinder Amarnath has lauded the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to prioritize domestic cricket, making it mandatory for all fit and available players to represent their state teams."It's a positive move that should have been implemented long ago," Amarnath said at the launch of the JITO Premier League. "It should apply to all cricketers, not just a select few."Amarnath emphasized the importance of domestic cricket in developing players' skills and fostering a strong foundation for the national team. "Everybody should play domestic cricket," he asserted.When asked about the specific cases of Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer being instructed to play domestic cricket, Amarnath stated, "There should be no need for warnings. Decisions should be made and applied to everyone."He urged the BCCI to enforce strict rules and ensure that all Indian players participate in domestic competitions. "Players cannot make their own decisions," he said. "It's up to the BCCI and state associations to determine what's best."Amarnath also praised R. Ashwin for surpassing 500 wickets in Tests and playing his 100th Test for India. "He's a fantastic cricketer," Amarnath said. "I remember watching him for the first time when I was a consultant with Bengal Cricket. He showed his class immediately."Amarnath expressed surprise at Ashwin's occasional exclusion from the team but expressed confidence in his continued success. "He's a fine bowler both at home and overseas," he said. "I'm sure he will keep performing and contributing to the team."