Cricket

Team India captain Rohit Sharma has set realistic expectations for fans regarding scoring at the Nassau County International Stadium, where the Men in Blue will play their first three group matches in the T20 World Cup.Addressing the media ahead of India's opening game against Ireland on Wednesday, Rohit emphasized that the surfaces at the venue will pose significant challenges for batters, unlike the high-scoring pitches of the IPL."Certainly it doesn't look like a place where you can score easily. So we've got to be a little mindful of that and see what best we can do. That is what the experience in the dressing room is all about and we have got a lot of that," Rohit stated.India's warm-up match against Bangladesh at the same venue, which they won by 60 runs, provided insights into the difficult batting conditions. Rohit pointed out the necessity of adapting quickly to these surfaces."We are all coming off playing in IPL where a lot of runs were scored, so it's important to have that balance, understand what is required here. It's certainly not going to be IPL kind of scores here, so we are very mindful of that and we just need to assess as quickly as possible and then bring your game into the picture," he added.The Indian skipper also highlighted the importance of finding the right team composition, particularly the balance between seamers and spinners. Reflecting on their match against Bangladesh, Rohit noted the effectiveness of spin on these pitches."When we played the game with Bangladesh, all three spinners bowled two overs. It wasn't that easy to hit them. And in yesterday's match (SA versus SL), the spinners also took wickets. No one knows the conditions," Rohit explained.As Team India prepares to face Ireland on Wednesday, the talk of breaking their ICC title drought since 2013 has resurfaced. Reflecting on this, Rohit stressed the importance of staying focused on the present."I have thought a lot about this thing. I am just going to go and play the way I can and get everyone together to play as a team. I will be focusing on that. Everyone in the team has their own way of dealing with tournaments like World Cup and I'm sure they'll take the right calls as well. But for me, it's important not to look too far ahead. Just think about what we need to do tomorrow, play the game well and then take it from there. Not think too much and put pressure on yourself," Rohit said.Following their opener against Ireland, India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in New York on June 9.

Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya Bury Differences Ahead of T20 World CupRumors of a rift between Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have been circulating since the latter replaced the former as captain of the Mumbai Indians in the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Both players endured a disappointing IPL campaign, with MI finishing at the bottom of the standings.However, as India prepares for the T20 World Cup, it appears that Sharma and Pandya have put their differences aside. In a photo shared by journalist Vimal Kumar, Sharma, the captain, was seen batting in the nets while Pandya, his deputy, bowled to him.The image suggests that the two players are committed to uniting for the common goal of winning the World Cup. India will begin their campaign on Wednesday against Ireland in New York.The equation between Sharma and Pandya has been a topic of discussion in the lead-up to the tournament. Sharma traveled with the first group of players to New York, while Pandya joined the team a few days later.Despite the rumors, it seems that the two players have resolved their issues and are focused on leading India to success. India will be aiming to end their ICC trophy drought, having last won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013.

Virat Kohli Should Open with Rohit Sharma in T20 World Cup, Says Sunil GavaskarLegendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has suggested that Virat Kohli should open the batting alongside skipper Rohit Sharma in India's T20 World Cup match against Ireland on Wednesday. Gavaskar believes that this move would allow Kohli to utilize his aggressive style of play and provide a solid foundation for the team's innings.Kohli has been India's designated number three batter in the white-ball format for a long time. However, he has been in excellent form lately, scoring 741 runs in 15 matches for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the recent IPL season. Gavaskar believes that Kohli's current form warrants a promotion to the opening slot."Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to open the batting along with Yashasvi Jaiswal at three," Gavaskar said on 'Star Sports' while giving his preferred line-up for the game.Gavaskar also picked Rishabh Pant ahead of Sanju Samson for wicketkeeping duties and Mohammed Siraj ahead of left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. He believes that Pant's aggressive batting style and Siraj's ability to swing the ball both ways make them better options for the team."Suryakumar Yadav at four, Rishabh Pant at five. At number six, I would have Hardik Pandya, number seven would be Ravindra Jadeja, number eight, not necessarily in that batting order, Shivam Dube. Number nine Kuldeep Yadav, number 10 Jasprit Bumrah and number 11 will be Siraj," he said.India will face Ireland in their opening match of the T20 World Cup on Wednesday. They will then take on arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday.

India's T20 World Cup squad boasts an impressive quartet of all-rounders, and captain Rohit Sharma has emphasized their crucial role in the team's success. The squad includes pace-bowling all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube, as well as left-arm spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, who can all contribute significantly with the bat.Rohit acknowledged the versatility and balance that these all-rounders bring to the team. He stated, "In fast-bowling all-rounders we have Hardik and Dube while Jadeja and Axar give us options in the spin department." The captain emphasized the need to utilize these players effectively throughout the tournament, depending on the conditions and the team's needs.The spin attack also features wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, adding to the team's potency. Rohit acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the conditions and emphasized the importance of finding the best combination that suits the team's needs, whether it involves playing all three spinners or relying on the seamers.India had the benefit of playing a warm-up match against Bangladesh before facing Ireland, Pakistan, and the USA in the tournament proper. Rohit cautioned against expecting high scores similar to those witnessed in the recent IPL, given the behavior of the pitch at Nassau County ground on Monday.The team carries the weight of immense expectations, having not won an ICC title since 2013. Rohit shared his thoughts on the team's mindset entering the tournament, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the present and playing as a cohesive unit. He said, "I am just going to go and play the way I can and get everyone together to play as a team."Rohit is also excited about playing in New York for the first time. He expressed, "From the time you arrived in New York, pending only 10 minutes at immigration, which is very rare, doesn't happen. So you can make out that the buzz is there, even the locals here are quite intrigued by a cricket tournament happening, a world cup happening here."

India's skipper, Rohit Sharma, expressed his disappointment over Rahul Dravid's decision to step down as head coach after the T20 World Cup. Sharma revealed that he had attempted to persuade Dravid to remain in his position, but the latter had made up his mind to move on.Dravid's departure marks the end of a successful three-year tenure, during which India has achieved significant victories. Despite not winning a major trophy under his leadership, Dravid's contributions have been widely acknowledged.Sharma praised Dravid's unwavering determination and his ability to guide the team through challenging situations. He highlighted Dravid's role in shaping the team's direction and his willingness to embrace new ideas."He's shown a lot of great determination throughout his career," said Sharma. "And that is something that when he came here as a coach, I wanted to learn from him."Sharma also acknowledged Dravid's influence on his own career, having made his international debut under Dravid's captaincy in 2007. He described Dravid as a role model and a source of inspiration for the entire team."He was my first international captain when I made my debut in Ireland," said Sharma. "Then I've seen him play while I was just coming into the team (for) Test matches when he was captain. And such a big role model for all of us."While the team has not yet planned a formal farewell for Dravid, Sharma expressed his gratitude for the coach's contributions. He emphasized that Dravid's legacy will continue to inspire the team in the years to come.

Team India embarks on its ICC T20 World Cup 2024 journey with a crucial opening match against Ireland on Wednesday. Led by the experienced Rohit Sharma, the team aims to shed the disappointment of last year's ODI World Cup final loss and make a strong start in this prestigious tournament.Rohit, now 36, is eager to add an ICC trophy to his illustrious career, a feat that has eluded India since 2013. The team's last T20 World Cup triumph came in the inaugural edition in 2007 under Mahendra Singh Dhoni's leadership. Since then, India has reached the final only once, in 2014, where they were defeated by Sri Lanka.Ahead of the tournament, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been in impressive form. In a warm-up match against Bangladesh, he showcased his power-hitting abilities with an unbeaten 40 off 23 balls, including four sixes. Pandya also claimed a wicket in the match.India's preparations for the World Cup have been thorough, including a comprehensive training camp and a warm-up match against Bangladesh. The team's confidence is high, and they are determined to make a strong statement in the tournament.The opening match against Ireland will be a crucial test for India. Ireland has emerged as a competitive force in recent years, and they will be looking to upset the Indian juggernaut. However, India's experience and quality should give them the edge in this encounter.As the tournament progresses, India will face other formidable opponents, including England, Australia, and Pakistan. The team will need to maintain their focus and execute their plans effectively to achieve their goal of lifting the T20 World Cup trophy.

India's T20 World Cup Opening Combination Remains a MysteryAhead of India's T20 World Cup opener against Ireland on June 5, head coach Rahul Dravid has remained tight-lipped about the team's opening combination. While Rohit Sharma is expected to partner with Virat Kohli at the top of the order, there is speculation that Yashasvi Jaiswal could also be an option."We've got options, so we are obviously not going to reveal our cards just yet," Dravid said. "We have Rohit and Jaiswal, and Virat opened in the IPL as well."The playing surface at the Nassau County ground has drawn attention due to its inconsistent bounce and sluggish outfield. However, Dravid refused to complain about the pitch conditions."We had three practice sessions here. From the third session onwards, the wicket became better," Dravid said. "But a wicket is a wicket. We don't want to label it as bad or good. It is a wicket and you have to manage and you have to adjust to it."Dravid emphasized that his squad will focus on adapting their game to suit the current state of the ground. "We will not complain about the wicket," he said. "A score of 200 was considered a par in the recently concluded IPL, but here at this venue, it appears to be more than just a par score; it seems like a winning score.""As we talk about T20 cricket, maybe we won't be able to play like that in this tournament," Dravid added. "Maybe in this venue. We will hopefully play in many venues. So, it will be different there. So, it will be important to adapt."Dravid also defended the performance of the players in recent ICC events, acknowledging the team's efforts despite falling short at crucial moments. "To be very honest with you, I think we've actually played really well in these World Cup tournaments," Dravid said. "In terms of our consistency, we've been very consistent.""Yes, we probably haven't been able to get across the line in the knockout game," Dravid admitted. "So, we just probably haven't been able to execute in that last phase. So, hopefully we play good cricket to get ourselves into those positions again and then maybe play good cricket on the day to cross the line."

India's T20 World Cup Batting Order: Hayden Advocates for Kohli as OpenerAs India prepares for their T20 World Cup opener against Ireland, former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has sparked a debate over the team's batting order. Hayden believes that Virat Kohli should open the innings, while Rohit Sharma would be more effective batting at number four.Hayden's suggestion stems from the importance of having a left-right combination at the top of the order to counter opposition leg-spinners. He argues that Kohli's exceptional record as an opener and his recent Orange Cap win in IPL 2024 make him the ideal candidate for the role."You have to have a left-right combination. You can't have five right-handers in a row. Australia would just say hello to Zampa," Hayden said. "Kohli has to open or he does not play in my team. He is in absolute red-hot form."Hayden also believes that Rohit Sharma's versatility and experience make him a better fit for the middle order. "Rohit is a versatile player and does not shy away from batting in that middle order. He has a successful record in T20I cricket batting at No. 4 and he can lead the batting group from the early middle order," he explained.Kohli's record in T20 World Cups is exceptional. He is the tournament's highest run-getter with 1141 runs in 27 matches at an average of 81.50. His inclusion as an opener would provide India with a solid foundation and allow him to set the tone for the innings.However, there is speculation that India might opt for the opening pair of Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal. This would leave Kohli at number three, a position he has also excelled in.Ultimately, the decision of India's batting order will rest with the team management. They will need to weigh the pros and cons of each option and determine the lineup that gives them the best chance of success in the T20 World Cup.

As the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup approaches, India's captain Rohit Sharma faces the challenge of finalizing the team's playing XI. Despite a dominant warm-up victory against Bangladesh, the lineup remains uncertain, particularly at the top of the batting order.One notable omission from the warm-up match was Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was overlooked in favor of Sanju Samson. This decision suggests that Virat Kohli, who missed the match due to a late arrival, will open the batting with Rohit Sharma.Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan has expressed concerns about this move, arguing that Jaiswal should not be dropped from the XI. Pathan emphasizes the need for more bowling options in the team, citing the lack of bowling depth among the top batsmen."With the selected team, there can be two combinations," Pathan explained. "In one combination, you can play with six bowlers, including Axar Patel, to deepen the batting lineup. In the other combination, you can play with four front-line bowlers and expect Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya to bowl."Pathan also highlighted the importance of Hardik Pandya's bowling contribution. "If Hardik can give you the option of bowling three to four overs, this problem will be largely solved," he said. "Our other batsmen, like Rohit, Virat, or Suryakumar Yadav, can't bowl, which makes us somewhat handicapped."As India prepares to face Ireland in their opening match, the debate over the ideal playing XI and bowling strategy continues. Fans and experts alike are eager to see how India will address these challenges in their quest to end the ICC trophy drought and clinch the T20 World Cup title.