Cricket

Ramandeep Singh, a 27-year-old cricketer from Punjab, India, has earned his maiden call-up to the Indian T20 cricket team. The all-rounder was presented with his first Indian cap by Hardik Pandya and will join the team for the third and final match against South Africa.Singh's selection is a testament to his impressive performances in recent tournaments. In the ACC Men's T20 Asia Cup for India A, he showcased his batting prowess with a blistering 64 runs off 34 balls in the semi-final against Afghanistan. His consistent performances in first-class cricket have also caught the attention of the selectors.Singh has played for two Indian Premier League (IPL) teams: Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders. He is currently on the roster of Kolkata Knight Riders for the 2025 IPL season. During the 2024 IPL season, he played in nine games for Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring 125 runs at a strike rate of 201.61.Singh's inclusion in the Indian team comes as a replacement for Avesh Khan. He will be expected to contribute with both bat and ball, given his all-round abilities.In the recent Emerging Teams Asia Cup tournament, Singh represented India's A team in four matches, scoring 94 runs and taking three wickets. His quickfire 66 runs in the semi-final against Afghanistan was a standout performance. He also contributed with 13 runs against Oman and 17 runs against Shaheen. As a bowler, he claimed three wickets over three innings.Singh's selection is a recognition of his hard work and dedication. He has consistently performed at the domestic level and has now earned his chance to represent his country at the highest level.

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has advocated for the inclusion of Ramandeep Singh in the Indian team for the third T20I against South Africa. Uthappa believes that Ramandeep's all-round abilities, including his batting and bowling prowess, would bolster the team's lower order.India's batting lineup faltered in the second T20I, with the team struggling to post a competitive total. Uthappa identified the lack of solidity in the lower order as a key issue, suggesting that Ramandeep could provide stability at number 8."You need an all-rounder there (at number 8) is what I feel. You need someone who can bat and bowl. Whether that is a spinner or a fast bowler, other than Hardik Pandya I mean. It is what can fill that gap. Right now they don't have any, but they have Ramandeep on the wings, which is why I am saying - bring him on to play," Uthappa said.Ramandeep, who has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket, offers both batting and bowling options. He can provide a solid middle-order presence, while also contributing with his medium-pace bowling.In the second T20I, India's bowlers, led by Varun Chakravarthy's maiden five-wicket haul, restricted South Africa to a modest total of 128. However, the Proteas' lower order, anchored by Tristan Stubbs and Gerald Coetzee, guided the team to a three-wicket victory.The series is now level at 1-1, with the third T20I scheduled for Wednesday. Uthappa's suggestion to include Ramandeep could be a strategic move to address the team's lower-order woes and improve their chances of securing a series victory.

Suryakumar Yadav's Culinary Debut: Introducing India's Newest T20I StarsAhead of India's T20I series opener against South Africa, captain Suryakumar Yadav donned the chef's hat to introduce two exciting new additions to the team: bowler Vyshak Vijaykumar and batsman Ramandeep Singh. In a novel and engaging video shared by the BCCI, Yadav, affectionately known as SKY, showcased the players as if they were ingredients in a culinary masterpiece."Captain & Chef SKY introduces two new faces/dishes to the team menu. Ready to serve," read the caption accompanying the video. "SKY like never seen before," it added.Both Vijaykumar and Singh are uncapped players eager to make their international debuts in the four-match T20I series. The series kicks off on Friday at the Kingsmead stadium in Durban, with the remaining matches scheduled for November 10 (Gqeberha), November 13 (Centurion), and November 15 (Johannesburg).Yadav's culinary analogy aptly captured the anticipation surrounding the debutants. Vijaykumar, a left-arm pacer, has impressed with his pace and accuracy in domestic cricket. Singh, on the other hand, is a hard-hitting batsman known for his aggressive style of play.The introduction of these young talents is a testament to India's commitment to nurturing and developing future stars. The T20I series against South Africa provides an ideal platform for Vijaykumar and Singh to showcase their skills and stake their claim for a permanent spot in the national team.As India embarks on this new chapter in its T20I journey, the culinary metaphor employed by Yadav serves as a reminder of the team's hunger for success and its willingness to experiment with new ingredients. The addition of Vijaykumar and Singh brings fresh energy and excitement to the squad, and fans can expect a tantalizing blend of experience and youthful exuberance on the field.

Former Indian cricket captain Anil Kumble has expressed his belief in the potential of three domestic players, Yash Dayal, Vyshak Vijaykumar, and Ramandeep Singh, to represent the Indian cricket team. Kumble's endorsement comes as these players have impressed with their performances in domestic cricket.Kumble praised Yash Dayal's resilience and development as a left-arm seamer. He highlighted Dayal's ability to move the ball both ways and his impressive death-over bowling skills. Kumble believes that Dayal's strong comeback after conceding five sixes to Rinku Singh demonstrates his character and capabilities.Kumble also acknowledged Vyshak Vijaykumar's contributions to Karnataka's cricketing success. He described Vijaykumar as a talented player who has made a significant impact in domestic cricket. Kumble expressed surprise that Vijaykumar did not receive enough opportunities at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and hopes that he gets a chance to showcase his skills in South Africa.Kumble did not overlook Ramandeep Singh's dynamic playing style and impressive fielding skills. He praised Singh's ability to strike powerfully in the middle order and his exceptional fielding abilities. Kumble believes that Singh's all-round skills, including his occasional bowling, would be valuable at the international level.Kumble's endorsement of these players highlights their potential to contribute to the Indian cricket team. Their impressive domestic performances have caught the attention of the former captain, and they will be hoping to continue their good form and earn a place in the national side.

In a thrilling encounter at the Emerging Teams Asia Cup T20 tournament, Afghanistan A emerged victorious over India A by 20 runs, securing their place in the summit clash against Sri Lanka A.Afghanistan A's openers, Sediqullah Atal and Zubaid Akbari, set the tone for their team's dominant performance. Atal smashed 83 runs off 52 balls, including four sixes and seven boundaries, while Akbari contributed 64 runs off 41 balls, hitting four sixes and five fours. Their 137-run opening partnership laid the foundation for Afghanistan A's impressive total of 206/4.In response, India A struggled to gain momentum, losing three wickets within the powerplay. Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh, and Tilak Varma were dismissed cheaply, leaving India A reeling at 48/3. Ayush Badoni and Nehal Wadhera attempted to steady the innings, but Afghanistan A's bowlers kept the pressure on.Ramandeep Singh emerged as a beacon of hope for India A, scoring a valiant half-century. He forged a 68-run partnership with Nishant Sindhu in just 31 balls, giving India A a glimmer of hope. However, Nishant's unfortunate run-out in the 16th over proved to be a turning point.With India A needing 53 runs from the last three overs, the momentum shifted decisively in Afghanistan A's favor. Abdul Rahman held his nerve in the final over, dismissing Ramandeep on the last delivery and restricting India A to 186/7.In the other semifinal, Sri Lanka A displayed their bowling prowess, restricting Pakistan Shaheens to a modest 135/9. Leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha was the star performer, claiming 4/21, while Nipun Ranskika and Eshan Malinga chipped in with two wickets each. Sri Lanka A chased down the target in 16.3 overs, setting up a tantalizing final against Afghanistan A.

India Announce T20I Squad for South Africa Series, Ramandeep Singh and Vijaykumar Vyshak Earn Maiden Call-upsThe Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming four-match T20I series against South Africa, which commences on November 8 in Durban. The squad features two notable inclusions: middle-order batter Ramandeep Singh and fast bowler Vijaykumar Vyshak, who have earned their maiden India call-ups.Ramandeep Singh, a 24-year-old right-handed batter, has been in impressive form for Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has consistently scored runs at a high strike rate, showcasing his ability to accelerate the innings in the middle overs.Vijaykumar Vyshak, a 23-year-old right-arm fast bowler, has also caught the attention of selectors with his performances for Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket. He has impressed with his pace and accuracy, consistently troubling batters with his ability to swing the ball both ways.However, the squad also includes three notable absentees due to injuries. Batting allrounder Riyan Parag is undergoing rehabilitation for a chronic right shoulder injury, while fast bowler Mayank Yadav and seam-bowling allrounder Shivam Dube are also unavailable due to unspecified injuries.Mayank Yadav, who made his international debut during the recent home T20Is against Bangladesh, has been plagued by injuries throughout his career. He missed the entire IPL 2024 season due to an abdominal muscle issue, which has raised concerns about his long-term fitness.The Indian squad for the T20I series against South Africa is as follows:* Suryakumar Yadav (capt)* Abhishek Sharma* Sanju Samson (wk)* Rinku Singh* Tilak Varma* Jitesh Sharma (wk)* Hardik Pandya* Axar Patel* Ramandeep Singh* Varun Chakaravarthy* Ravi Bishnoi* Arshdeep Singh* Vijaykumar Vyshak* Avesh Khan* Yash DayalThe series against South Africa will be a crucial test for India as they prepare for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia. The team will be looking to build momentum and fine-tune their combinations ahead of the global tournament.

Ramandeep Singh's Sensational Catch Stuns in Emerging Asia Cup ClashIn a thrilling encounter between India A and Pakistan A at the Emerging Asia Cup, Ramandeep Singh's extraordinary catch left everyone in awe. Pakistan A opener Yasir Khan, who was in fine form with 33 runs off 22 balls, attempted a big shot through mid-wicket. However, Ramandeep sprinted towards the boundary and executed a perfect dive to complete the catch, leaving former India wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik to hail it as "one of the greatest catches ever by an Indian."India A's top order fired in unison, posting 183 for 8 after opting to bat. Tilak Verma top-scored with a 35-ball 44, while openers Abhishek Sharma (35 off 22) and Prabhsimran Singh (36 off 19) provided an aggressive start. Pacers Anshul Kamboj (3/33) and Rasikh Salam (2/30) and spinner Nishant Sindhu (2/15) shared eight wickets to restrict Pakistan A to 176/7.Ramandeep's stunning catch was not the only highlight for India A in the field. They delivered an impressive performance throughout, saving vital runs in the closing moments.After losing two wickets to Kamboj's pace early in the chase, Yasir Khan and Qasim Akram began to attack fiercely. However, Ramandeep's spectacular catch at deep midwicket broke their partnership, dismissing Yasir. In the same over, Nishant removed Akram.Arafat Minhas top-scored for Pakistan with a 29-ball 41, but it was Abdul Samad who blazed away to 25 off 15 balls. Samad brought the equation down to 42 off 24 balls with a six and two boundaries off Vaibhav Arora in the 16th over.However, Anshul dismissed Samad with the first ball of the final over, completing a memorable win for India A.

Kolkata Knight Riders' Ramandeep Singh Fined for Code of Conduct BreachKolkata Knight Riders' medium pacer Ramandeep Singh has been penalized for violating the Indian Premier League (IPL) Code of Conduct during their match against Mumbai Indians at the Eden Gardens. The 27-year-old was found guilty of a Level 1 offense under Article 2.20 of the Code of Conduct.Singh acknowledged his wrongdoing and accepted the Match Referee's sanction. As per the IPL Code of Conduct, the Match Referee's decision for Level 1 breaches is final and binding.The incident occurred during the rain-affected match between KKR and Mumbai Indians on Saturday. KKR emerged victorious by 18 runs, securing their place in the playoffs as the first team this season.Singh contributed 17 runs off 8 balls in the match. However, his actions on the field led to the disciplinary action. The specific details of the offense have not been disclosed.The IPL Code of Conduct aims to maintain fair play and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. It outlines various offenses and corresponding penalties, ranging from fines to suspensions.By adhering to the Code of Conduct, players and teams ensure a level playing field and uphold the integrity of the IPL.

Ramandeep Singh's Sensational Catch Stuns IPL 2024In a thrilling encounter between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Sunday, Ramandeep Singh etched his name in IPL history with an extraordinary catch that has been hailed as the "best catch of IPL 2024."During the second over of LSG's innings, young opener Arshin Kulkarni mistimed a swinging delivery from Mitchell Starc, sending the ball soaring high into the night sky. Ramandeep, who was initially nowhere near the ball, displayed incredible athleticism by sprinting a considerable distance before executing a full-body dive to complete the catch.The effort left commentators and fans alike in awe. Former Indian cricket team head coach Ravi Shastri exclaimed, "That's up in the air, difficult chance...ohhhhh! What a catch! Is that the best catch of the IPL?" Former India star Deep Dasgupta echoed his sentiments, responding with an "Oh my God."Ramandeep's catch not only showcased his exceptional fielding skills but also played a crucial role in KKR's eventual victory. The visitors went on to restrict LSG to a modest total, with Sunil Narine top-scoring for KKR with 81 runs. Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy claimed three wickets each to guide KKR to a comfortable win.After the match, LSG captain KL Rahul acknowledged the brilliance of Ramandeep's catch. "That was a sensational catch," he said. "It was a difficult chance, but he made it look easy."Ramandeep's catch has become an instant viral sensation, with fans and experts alike praising his athleticism and skill. It is a testament to the high level of fielding that has become synonymous with the IPL, and it is sure to be remembered as one of the most iconic moments of the 2024 season.