Cricket

The cricketing world is abuzz with speculation about whether Virat Kohli should open the batting with skipper Rohit Sharma in the upcoming T20 World Cup. This debate has intensified following Kohli's exceptional performance in the IPL 2024, where he emerged as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 741 runs in 15 innings.Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who had previously criticized Kohli for his slow strike rate during the first half of the IPL, has now joined the chorus of voices advocating for Kohli to open the innings alongside Rohit. "Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as openers. The way Kohli has batted, particularly the second half of the IPL, he deserves to open the batting with Rohit Sharma, the captain," Gavaskar said in an interview with Star Sports.Gavaskar emphasized that the team should not prioritize a left-right combination over selecting the most in-form players. "So no, I don't think. It's very good to talk on television about left hand-right hand combination, good players are good players. In Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, you have got 2 terrific and 2 fantastic batters. The kind of form Kohli has shown in the IPL, he has to open the batting."Gavaskar also highlighted the psychological advantage of having Kohli walk out to bat with a partner. "As he is in that flow, he is in that rhythm. You don't want Kohli to wait, even if it is for an over, or even 5 deliveries before he comes out to bat. It is a different feeling when you are walking out with someone to bat. There is a little bit of exchange that they will say let us get going, etc. Walking out alone is different than walking out with a partner," he added.Kohli's impressive performance in the IPL has reignited the debate about his ideal batting position in the Indian team. While some experts believe that he should continue to bat at number three, others argue that his aggressive style of play would be better suited to the opening slot.The decision of whether or not to open with Kohli will ultimately rest with the Indian team management. However, Gavaskar's endorsement of Kohli as an opener adds weight to the argument that the star batsman should be given the opportunity to lead the Indian batting charge in the T20 World Cup.

As the T20 World Cup commences on Sunday, the spotlight will be firmly fixed on Team India, who have been yearning for an ICC trophy since 2013. Despite coming tantalizingly close in the ODI World Cup last year, losing to Australia in the final, the pressure is mounting for Rohit Sharma's men to end their ICC trophy drought.Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra, in a conversation with AB de Villiers on YouTube, shared his insights on India's prospects. He acknowledged the challenges ahead, given India's recent struggles in T20 cricket. However, he expressed optimism that the team's familiar lineup and the potential for spin-friendly pitches in the West Indies could provide an advantage.Chopra made a bold prediction regarding India's batting order, suggesting that Virat Kohli would open alongside Rohit Sharma, leaving no room for Yashasvi Jaiswal in the playing XI. He also emphasized the importance of Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube's power-hitting abilities in the latter stages of T20 innings, especially in the West Indies' day games.Team India enters the tournament with confidence, having secured a convincing 60-run win against Bangladesh in their warm-up game. Rishabh Pant's impressive performance, scoring 53 off 32 balls, showcased his potential in the T20 format.India's opening match against Ireland on Wednesday will set the tone for their campaign. A strong start will be crucial in building momentum and setting the stage for a successful run in the tournament.

India vs Pakistan: Suresh Raina Backs India to Triumph in T20 World Cup ClashThe highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan at the T20 World Cup on June 9 has ignited immense excitement among cricket enthusiasts worldwide. Former Indian batter Suresh Raina has expressed his confidence in India's chances of victory, citing the team's strong performance and the leadership of Rohit Sharma.Raina praised Sharma's ability to command respect in the dressing room and his strategic planning. He highlighted India's versatility, with two all-rounders in the squad, giving them a tactical advantage.Recalling his own playing days, Raina emphasized the significance of India-Pakistan matches. He stated that Indian players are determined to give their all and emerge victorious against their arch-rivals."When you are representing your country, you try to give your best," Raina said. "We have retired from the sport, but not from the heart. When you see the tricolour, you feel Jee Jaan lagaadenge lekin inse nahi haarenge [we will give it our all but not lose to them]."India enters the T20 World Cup after a successful IPL season, while Pakistan recently suffered a setback in a T20I series against England. However, Raina believes that India's momentum and Sharma's leadership will prove decisive.The India-Pakistan clash is not merely a sporting event but a symbol of national pride and rivalry. The match promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with both teams eager to prove their supremacy on the global stage.

Rohit Sharma Fan Interrupts T20 World Cup Warm-Up MatchIn an unfortunate incident during India's T20 World Cup warm-up match against Bangladesh at Nassau Stadium in New York, a Rohit Sharma fan breached security and entered the field to meet the Indian skipper. The incident occurred during Bangladesh's chase of 183, when the fan bypassed security and ran onto the field to approach Rohit.Security personnel swiftly intervened, apprehending the fan and escorting him out of the stadium. Play resumed after a brief interruption. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of fan intrusions during cricket matches, with players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli frequently encountering such behavior.Earlier in the match, Rishabh Pant strengthened his case for a starting berth in India's T20 World Cup squad as the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter. Pant, returning to the Indian team after a horrific car accident in December 2022, scored a fluent 53 (32b, 4x4, 4x6) on a slow pitch.Suryakumar Yadav (31, 18b, 4x4) and Hardik Pandya (40 not out, 23b, 2x4, 4x6) also made significant contributions, helping India reach a competitive total of 182 for five despite the absence of any substantial partnerships.

India's T20 World Cup preparations took an unexpected turn as Sanju Samson opened the batting alongside Rohit Sharma in their warm-up match against Bangladesh in New York. Samson's brief stay at the crease ended with an lbw dismissal for 1, leaving India's opening combination still up for debate.With regular openers Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Virat Kohli in the squad, Samson's inclusion at the top of the order raised eyebrows. Kohli, who arrived in New York on the eve of the match, was unavailable for the warm-up game. Samson, one of two wicketkeeper-batters in the squad alongside Rishabh Pant, replaced Samson at the crease at No. 3.The opening combination has been a topic of discussion for India, with Rohit expected to take one of the two slots. Kohli, despite his successful IPL campaign as an opener, has traditionally batted at No. 3 in T20Is. Jaiswal, on the other hand, provides a left-handed option and can prevent oppositions from bowling left-arm spin in the powerplay, a style of bowling that has troubled both Rohit and Kohli in the past.However, given that this is a warm-up match where both teams can use their entire squads, the choice of Samson as opener and Pant at No. 3 should not be overanalyzed. India may be looking to assess both their keepers before deciding on their opening combination for their tournament opener against Ireland on June 5.

The recent IPL season witnessed a tumultuous change in leadership at Mumbai Indians, with Rohit Sharma stepping down as captain and Hardik Pandya taking over. This decision sparked widespread controversy, with fans expressing their disapproval of Pandya's captaincy style.Despite Mumbai Indians' disappointing 10th place finish, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes that the internal issues within the franchise should not be discussed in the national dressing room. He emphasizes that the focus should be on Rahul Dravid's expectations for each player and ensuring their alignment with the team's goals.Australian batting legend Matthew Hayden echoes Pathan's sentiments, stating that the issue should not be addressed at all during the World Cup. He highlights the importance of a strong and unified dressing room where leadership is evident without explicit communication.Pathan also draws attention to the celebrity culture in Indian cricket, which he believes can sometimes hinder the team's performance. He compares it to the Australian cricketing culture, which lacks such a celebrity element. Pathan suggests that finding a balance between the two cultures would benefit Indian cricket.As India prepares for their first T20 World Cup game against Ireland on June 5, Pathan emphasizes the need for a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities within the team. He believes that the players should focus on executing Dravid's plans and maintaining a positive and supportive environment.

India's T20 World Cup preparations got underway with a warm-up match against Bangladesh at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Saturday. Captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat, citing challenging conditions. Notably, Virat Kohli missed out on the game, as confirmed by Sharma.The match provided India with a valuable opportunity to acclimatize to conditions similar to those they will encounter in their group stage matches against Ireland, Pakistan, and the United States. Bangladesh, on the other hand, sought to find their winning formula after a disappointing series defeat to the USA.Sharma explained Kohli's absence, stating that he had only arrived the previous day and needed time to adjust. He also revealed that the rest of the squad was available for selection. Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed his desire to bowl first, but acknowledged the need to adapt to the conditions.India's playing XI featured a mix of experienced and emerging players, including Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, and Shivam Dube. Bangladesh fielded a strong side led by Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mahmudullah.The match was a closely contested affair, with both teams showcasing their strengths and weaknesses. India's batting lineup struggled to find consistency, while Bangladesh's bowlers impressed with their accuracy and variations.In the end, India emerged victorious by a narrow margin, providing them with a much-needed confidence boost ahead of the T20 World Cup. The match also highlighted areas for improvement, which the team will undoubtedly address in their remaining preparations.

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has advocated for Virat Kohli to open the batting alongside skipper Rohit Sharma in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. Ganguly believes that Kohli's exceptional performance as an opener for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2024 IPL season, where he won the Orange Cap, should be replicated in the international arena.Kohli's remarkable IPL campaign saw him amass 741 runs in 15 matches, averaging an impressive 61.75 with a century and five fifties. His highest score was an unbeaten 113, and his strike rate of 154.69 was the highest he has ever achieved in a single IPL season.Ganguly emphasized the importance of Kohli playing with the same freedom and aggression he displayed in the second half of the IPL. He believes that Kohli's ability to dominate the opposition and score at a rapid pace will be crucial for India's success in the T20 World Cup."I want Virat to bat the way he did for RCB in the second half of the IPL. He has to bat with freedom. Needless to say, he is a great player, but for India to do well, Virat will have to bat with freedom like he did in the IPL," Ganguly stated.Ganguly also praised wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who made a strong comeback to professional cricket after a serious car accident in December 2022. Pant's impressive performance in the IPL, where he scored 446 runs at an average of 40.54 and a strike rate of 155.40, has earned him Ganguly's admiration.Ganguly highlighted Pant's unique ability to find angles on the ground and expressed confidence in the 26-year-old's potential to make a significant impact in the T20 World Cup. "He is a very special talent. His keeping is good, but his batting really special. He is capable of picking some great angles in the ground, and that's his USP. Not every player will be able to do that, you see. And that's what makes Pant very important for India," Ganguly said.India will be eager to end their ICC trophy drought in the T20 World Cup, having last won an ICC event in 2013. The team has reached the finals and semifinals of various ICC tournaments since then but has failed to secure a major trophy. India will aim to win their first T20 World Cup title since their inaugural victory in 2007 in South Africa.

India's T20 World Cup Journey: A Saga of Triumphs and HeartbreaksSix months after the bittersweet ODI World Cup campaign, Indian cricket fans eagerly anticipate the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, hoping to end the country's 11-year ICC trophy drought. India's journey in the T20 World Cup has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by both triumphs and heartbreaks.Inaugural Triumph (2007)India etched its name in history as the inaugural T20 World Cup champions in 2007. Gautam Gambhir's heroic 75 in the final propelled India to a defendable total of 157 against Pakistan. Despite a late surge by Pakistan, Joginder Sharma's iconic catch sealed India's victory.Struggles to Reach KnockoutsIn the eight editions of the tournament played so far, India has failed to reach the knockouts in four. In 2009, the defending champions failed to win a single game in the Super Eight. The following year, they suffered another Super Eight elimination. In 2012, India missed out on the semifinals despite winning two matches in the Super 8.Knockout HeartbreakIndia has also experienced heartbreak in the knockout stages. In 2014, Virat Kohli's brilliant 319 runs in the tournament went in vain as India lost to Sri Lanka in the final. In 2016, India reached the semifinals but was defeated by West Indies. In 2022, England handed India a crushing 10-wicket defeat in the semifinals.Virat Kohli's DominanceVirat Kohli has been a force to reckon with in the T20 World Cup. In five editions, he has amassed 1141 runs, including 14 half-centuries. He is the only player to win the Player of the Tournament award twice.Spinners Lead the WayRavichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have been India's most successful bowlers in the tournament. Ashwin has taken 32 wickets, while Jadeja has 21. Irfan Pathan is India's highest wicket-taking pacer with 16 wickets.Rohit Sharma's ConsistencyRohit Sharma is one of only two players to have played in every edition of the tournament. He has scored 963 runs in 39 matches, providing stability to the Indian batting lineup.As India gears up for the 2024 T20 World Cup, fans will be hoping for a repeat of the 2007 triumph. With a talented squad led by Rohit Sharma, India has the potential to end its ICC trophy drought and bring home the coveted title.