Cricket

India vs Afghanistan: Kohli's Form and Kuldeep's Inclusion in Focus as Super 8 BeginsAs the T20 World Cup enters its Super 8 stage, all eyes will be on India's opening clash against Afghanistan in Barbados. The match will be a crucial test for the Indian team, particularly for star batsman Virat Kohli, who is yet to score a double-digit total in the tournament.Kohli's struggles in New York have raised concerns, but he is expected to bounce back on the more favorable wickets in the Caribbean. The 35-year-old is known for his unwavering intensity, and his performance in training sessions suggests that he is determined to make a statement.Another key factor to watch will be the inclusion of left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav. With the pitch at Kensington Oval expected to offer assistance to spinners, Kuldeep's case for a place in the starting lineup has strengthened. The gentle breeze blowing across the ground could also provide swing for the pacers in the powerplay.The Indian team combination is a major talking point ahead of the game. Skipper Rohit Sharma has previously expressed his desire to field all four all-rounders - Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja - in the playing eleven. However, the inclusion of Kuldeep may force a rethink of that strategy.Afghanistan, on the other hand, will be looking to cause an upset against the tournament favorites. The team has shown impressive form in recent matches, and they will be confident of their chances against India.The match promises to be an exciting contest between two talented teams. Kohli's return to form and the potential inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav will be key factors to watch as India aims to start their Super 8 campaign with a victory.

AFG vs IND: Kuldeep Yadav's Inclusion Hinges on Team CombinationAs India prepares to face Afghanistan in their opening Super 8 fixture of the T20 World Cup, the spotlight falls on the team's combination. Skipper Rohit Sharma has previously expressed his desire to field all four all-rounders, leaving little room for spinner Kuldeep Yadav.However, the pitch at Kensington Oval is expected to favor spinners, potentially strengthening Kuldeep's case for inclusion. The Indian team's practice sessions have hinted at the pitch's spin-friendly nature, making Kuldeep's inclusion a tempting prospect.To accommodate Kuldeep, India would need to drop either Mohammed Siraj or Arshdeep Singh. Siraj is the more likely candidate to be benched, given the potential for spin to play a significant role in the match.Virat Kohli's Form and Kuldeep Yadav's OpportunityVirat Kohli, who has endured a lean run of form, will be eager to rediscover his touch against Afghanistan. The match also presents an opportunity for Kuldeep Yadav to showcase his skills and stake a claim for a regular spot in the team.India's Unbeaten Run and Afghanistan's ChallengeIndia enters the Super 8 stage unbeaten, having topped their group. Afghanistan, on the other hand, finished second in their group behind co-hosts West Indies. The match will be a test of Afghanistan's ability to challenge the tournament favorites.

India's head coach Rahul Dravid has hinted at the possibility of including wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the team for the Caribbean leg of the T20 World Cup. Dravid acknowledged the impact of wrist spinners in the Caribbean conditions, citing Adam Zampa's success as an example."It might be slightly different here. You might need an extra spinner, and then someone like Kuldeep or Yuzi can come into play," Dravid said ahead of India's Super 8 opener against Afghanistan.Dravid also expressed satisfaction with India's batting approach, noting that the team has become more aggressive in recent times. "We have actually been able to push the needle forward in terms of our batting," he said.However, Dravid cautioned against being overly aggressive in all conditions. "Cricket is a very condition-specific game," he said. "Sometimes we just get carried away with pushing the needle forward in T20 cricket."Dravid expects the wind to be a factor at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, which could favor Afghanistan's fast bowlers, including tournament leading wicket-taker Fazalhaq Farooqi."Afghanistan is a very dangerous team in this format of the game," Dravid said. "They play a lot of T20 cricket, and their cricketers are very prominent members of their IPL teams."Dravid also praised the cricket culture in the Caribbean and expressed his excitement for the business end of the tournament.

India, the tournament favorites, will face Afghanistan in their opening Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup on Thursday. Virat Kohli, eager to return to form, and Kuldeep Yadav, hoping for an opportunity, will be in focus for India.The main talking point ahead of the game is the composition of the Indian team. India must decide whether to stick with the same line-up that succeeded in the group stage or include Kuldeep Yadav, their top spinner from the past year, possibly at the expense of a fast bowler.Captain Rohit Sharma has expressed interest in playing all four all-rounders—Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja. This approach has worked in the bowler-friendly conditions in New York, and Rohit is likely to stick with the team that extends their batting until number 8.To accommodate Kuldeep, India would need to drop either Mohammed Siraj or Arshdeep Singh, with Siraj being the more likely candidate to be benched. Recent practice sessions suggest the pitch may favor spinners, strengthening Kuldeep's case. Additionally, a gentle breeze at Kensington Oval could assist pacers in swinging the ball during the powerplay.All eyes will be on Kohli, who has yet to score double digits in the tournament. His aggressive approach did not pay off in New York, but he is expected to excel on the better wickets in the Caribbean. At 35, Kohli is known for his high intensity and dedication, as demonstrated during training sessions.Afghanistan arrived at the Super 8s following a heavy defeat to the West Indies in St Lucia. Their previously dominant bowling attack was dismantled by the powerful West Indies batting lineup. Captain Rashid Khan dismissed the loss as a minor setback, maintaining that Afghanistan still has a strong chance of reaching the semifinals.Rashid will rely heavily on left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, who has been prolific in the powerplay and is the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 12 wickets. Farooqi's ability to swing the ball back in will be a significant challenge for Rohit and Kohli.Rashid himself will aim to take wickets while maintaining a low economy rate during the middle overs.

India's bowling attack has been a formidable force in the T20 World Cup, but former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming believes the addition of left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav could provide an extra edge. With the Caribbean pitches expected to offer turn in the Super 8 stage, Yadav's wicket-taking prowess could prove invaluable.India has currently opted for a combination of three fast bowlers (Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh) and two spinners (Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel). However, Fleming suggests that Kuldeep's inclusion could provide a different dimension to the attack."I would think maybe Kuldeep would come in to provide that extra bit of wicket-taking flair if the wickets do provide the turn as they get a little bit more used and you get closer to the end of the tournament," Fleming said.Fleming also emphasized the importance of adaptability, noting that India has the flexibility to adjust its bowling strategy based on the conditions. "But they've still got that opportunity now to do both which is good and horses for courses, you can't be so set in one way of playing that you miss the opportunities to take advantage of conditions."India's selection of two left-arm spin all-rounders, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja, has also been a topic of discussion. While Axar has been among the wickets, Jadeja has yet to make a significant impact, bowling only three overs in three matches. Fleming, however, sees no issue with playing two players with similar skill sets."So, there are subtleties around them both but again, and I hate that notion of left-handers can't bowl to left-hand batters so we can dispel that myth and both of those players can hopefully play along."India has made some tough decisions in its team selection, with talented players like Yashasvi Jaiswal missing out due to the presence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant in the top order. Fleming believes that India has made smart choices in its team composition, considering the potential for spin-friendly conditions in the West Indies."This is a team that in some ways is picked for the finals in my view, it's a team that has spinners that can dominate, it has players that can dominate spin and we've seen spin in the West Indies play quite a big part, not so much in New York.""So, I think they've got job done and they've got quite smartly a view of mind, this is how we want to play the key games now going into hopefully the semi-finals and final."

India Intensifies Preparations for T20 World Cup Super 8s in CaribbeanThe Indian cricket team has arrived in the Caribbean for the Super 8s stage of the T20 World Cup, determined to make a strong impact after a mixed performance in the group stage. The team held an intense practice session in New Delhi, with key players Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav putting in extra effort to prepare for the crucial matches ahead.Kohli, who struggled for form in New York, scoring only 1, 4, and 0 in the group stage, was seen working on his batting technique in the nets. He focused on lofted drives and pull shots, aiming to regain his rhythm and make a significant contribution in the Super 8s.Jadeja, who has yet to make a notable impact with either bat or ball, also participated in the practice session. The all-rounder was only required to bat once and was not heavily relied upon for his bowling in New York, but he is expected to play a more prominent role in the Caribbean conditions, which favor spinners.Kuldeep, who has not featured in the playing eleven thus far, is also likely to be included in the team for the Super 8s. The left-arm spinner is expected to be a key weapon for India in the Caribbean, where pitches have traditionally favored spinners.The entire Indian squad participated in the practice session, eager to make the most of the opportunity after not having played since completing the New York leg on June 12. Poor weather conditions in Fort Lauderdale prevented any training or play, making this session all the more important.The pitches in New York were heavily criticized for being slow and unresponsive, but the surfaces in the Caribbean are expected to be more conducive to high-scoring matches. In the tournament so far, a score of 200, considered par in the IPL, has only been surpassed twice, both times in the Caribbean. Even a total of 150 has often proven to be competitive.Indian captain Rohit Sharma was seen inquiring about the condition of the training pitches, given the importance of adapting to the local conditions. Kohli and Jadeja spent a significant amount of time in the nets, working on their batting techniques. Rishabh Pant, India's most impressive batter in the tournament so far, also faced deliveries from Bumrah, Hardik, Kuldeep, and Axar Patel in the nets.With the breeze blowing across the facility, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh managed to generate significant swing with the ball, indicating that the conditions in the Caribbean could be favorable for swing bowlers as well.

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has hinted at the potential use of spinners in the death overs during India's ICC T20 World Cup Super Eights campaign. India will face Afghanistan in their opening Super Eight match on June 20 in Barbados.Jadeja believes that the slow and dry wickets in the West Indies will provide assistance to spinners, particularly in the middle overs. "Spinners will have help here in the middle overs. You could see spinners being used in the death overs as well," he said.Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav echoed Jadeja's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of bowlers' lengths in T20I cricket. "The spinners do get help in the West Indies... In this format, the bowlers' length becomes crucial," he said.India's squad includes four spinners: Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal. This selection suggests that the team is prepared to utilize spin bowling throughout the tournament.India will be aiming for big wins against Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Australia in the Super Eights to qualify for the semifinals. The team is eager to end its drought for an ICC trophy since 2013's Champions Trophy and win its first T20 World Cup since the inaugural edition in 2007.

Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar expressed surprise over the omission of Kuldeep Yadav from India's playing XI in their opening match of the 2024 T20 World Cup against Ireland. Gavaskar, speaking on Star Sports' pre-match coverage, said, "I'm surprised. Kuldeep bowled really well in the IPL. His exclusion came as a little surprise."Kuldeep, a left-arm wrist spinner, had been widely expected to start for India in the tournament. However, Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid opted for Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel as their two regular spinners.Kuldeep has impressive T20I statistics, with 59 wickets in 35 matches at an average of 14.1 and an economy rate of 6.75. He has also taken two five-wicket hauls, one against England in England and the other against South Africa in South Africa.In the recently concluded IPL 2024, Kuldeep picked up 16 wickets in 11 games for Delhi Capitals. His exclusion from the Indian team raised eyebrows on social media, with many fans and experts questioning the decision.Former India opener Wasim Jaffer tweeted, "No Kuldeep? #INDvIRE #T20WorldCup." Another fan account, @Delphy06, wrote, "Kuldeep Yadav dropped today by Team India. Axar Patel given chance to prolong batting line up vs Ireland."India's decision to leave out Kuldeep may have been influenced by the warm-up game against Bangladesh, where he failed to pick up a wicket in two overs. However, his IPL form and overall record suggest that he is a valuable asset to the team.Despite Kuldeep's absence, India fielded a strong team against Ireland. All three frontline seamers - Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammad Siraj - were included, while Rishabh Pant edged out Sanju Samson as the wicket-keeper batsman. Virat Kohli returned to the opening slot alongside Rohit Sharma, while Yashasvi Jaiswal missed out.India began their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign with a match against Ireland on June 5, aiming to win their second World T20 title.

Rohit Sharma's Witty Banter with Kuldeep Yadav Highlights Team India's CamaraderieAhead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, Team India captain Rohit Sharma showcased his comedic flair during a promotional shoot. In a lighthearted moment, Rohit presented the ICC ODI Team of the Year cap to teammate Kuldeep Yadav, turning the ceremony into a hilarious exchange.Rohit began by acknowledging Kuldeep's contributions to the team, saying, "It's my great pleasure to present this wonderful cap to a wonderful athlete who has been a real asset for Team India."Kuldeep responded with a simple, "Thank you, Rohit bhai."Not letting him off the hook, Rohit encouraged Kuldeep to say more. "You want to say something?" he asked."No, no, all good," the spinner replied."You should say something," Rohit insisted.Feeling the pressure from his captain, Kuldeep hesitantly added, "I mean, nothing much to say. I had a great season last year, both with the bat and ball."Feigning shock, Rohit responded, "Bat? When?"A confused Kuldeep stuttered, "I mean. I mean.""I mean uh, when?" Rohit pressed further, much to the amusement of everyone present."Test series," Kuldeep sheepishly admitted."This is ODI," Rohit clarified, with a smile.Attempting to explain, Kuldeep said, "But I performed with the bat as well, so last year I was really good with the ball during the World Cup as well."Rohit then said mockingly, "I am captain of this team. I have never seen him bat. So, I don't know what he is talking about," leaving Kuldeep grinning and the audience in stitches."Thank you, Rohit bhai," Kuldeep concluded.The promotional shoot perfectly captured the camaraderie and humor within the Indian cricket team. The T20 World Cup is set to begin on June 2 in the USA and West Indies. India will kick off their campaign against Ireland on June 5.