Cricket

Team India engaged in an extensive three-hour practice session in New York on the eve of their T20 World Cup warm-up match against Bangladesh. The session witnessed the participation of key players, including captain Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya, who honed their batting skills in the nets. Star spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and pacer Jasprit Bumrah also took to the nets to sharpen their bowling techniques.Shubman Gill, one of the four traveling reserves, showcased his batting prowess alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube, who fulfilled bowling duties. Dube, who faced challenges with his batting form during the latter stages of the IPL, received guidance from Rohit Sharma on bowling strategies.Hardik Pandya, who endured a disappointing IPL season, engaged in discussions with batting coach Vikram Rathour. Pandya's performance in the IPL was marked by a modest 211 runs in 14 matches and an economy rate exceeding 10 runs per over.Meanwhile, star batter Virat Kohli was notably absent from the practice session due to his delayed arrival in New York. Kohli reportedly requested a break from the BCCI and may miss the warm-up match.The warm-up game against Bangladesh is expected to provide an opportunity for all players, excluding Kohli, to showcase their skills. Kohli is anticipated to arrive before the practice game, but jet lag may prevent him from participating.

Indian Cricket Team's Form Concerns Ahead of T20 World Cup 2024As the Indian cricket team gears up for the T20 World Cup 2024, concerns have been raised about the form of key players Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya. While Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah have been in impressive form, Sharma and Pandya have struggled in recent matches.Rohit Sharma, the team's captain, has been criticized for his poor run of form in the IPL 2024. Despite scoring 417 runs in 14 matches, he has had a string of low scores as an opener. This has raised questions about his ability to lead the team to victory in the upcoming World Cup.Hardik Pandya, who is considered a vital all-rounder, has also been inconsistent in the IPL 2024. While he has performed well with the ball in the latter stages, his overall performance has been below par. This has led to concerns about his fitness and ability to contribute effectively in the World Cup.Former BCCI president and ex-Indian cricket team coach Sourav Ganguly has expressed his concerns about the duo's form. However, he remains confident in Rohit Sharma's ability to perform at the highest level."Rohit is a great of the game, and if you see what he did in the 50-over World Cup, I am confident he will do that again. At this level, form is about a couple of games when you have that kind of quality," Ganguly said.Ganguly also highlighted the importance of Hardik Pandya playing more cricket to regain his form."Hardik is different because he doesn't play that much cricket, and that's a worry. I want him to consistently play cricket, for only then can he hit a rich vein of form," Ganguly said.Ganguly also addressed concerns about the form of Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh, two fast bowlers who have been inconsistent in the IPL 2024."I am not really worried. Again, you have to take into account the nature of pitches in the IPL, the ground dimensions, and the conditions on offer for the fast bowlers. The World Cup will be very different, and the conditions in the West Indies will not be anywhere near the IPL. Our bowlers shouldn't have an issue in the World Cup is my assumption," Ganguly said.As the T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, the Indian cricket team will need to address the concerns surrounding the form of Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya. If they can regain their form and perform at their best, India will have a strong chance of winning the tournament.

Rahul Dravid, India's head coach, has been tasked with leading the team to glory in three major events: the 2022 T20 World Cup, the 2021-23 ICC World Test Championship, and the 2023 ODI Cricket World Cup. India has been yearning for an ICC trophy since M.S. Dhoni's side triumphed in the 2013 Champions Trophy.As Dravid's tenure nears its end, the three big events have come and gone, and India remains without a major title. The 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup presents Dravid with a final opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.Like Dravid, captain Rohit Sharma is eager to break India's trophy drought. He came close in the 2023 ODI CWC, only to be thwarted by a ruthless Australia in the final. Sharma also led India in the previous T20 mega event, where eventual champion England crushed them by 10 wickets in the semifinal.Sharma will have a similar squad at his disposal this time around. Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav, the highest and third highest tournament run scorers in 2022, are in top form after impressive performances in IPL 2024. The return of Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the 2022 festivities due to a back injury, further strengthens the lineup. Bumrah's pinpoint accuracy and lethal yorkers can bail India out of desperate situations.The team management must learn from the costly mistake they made in the 2023 final. The batters were overly cautious in Ahmedabad, a strategy that can be fatal in modern-day T20 cricket. Attacking relentlessly is the only way to succeed.India has been fortunate with the draw. They face no major threats in Group A, with Pakistan being the only potential obstacle. Ireland, USA, and Canada should be easy pickings. India's progress to the Super 8s, reserved for the top two teams in each group, is virtually guaranteed.No World Cup is complete without a marquee India-Pakistan game. The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York will host this highly-anticipated clash on June 9. Kohli's majestic straight six off Haris Rauf at Melbourne is still fresh in the memory. The occasion demands another unforgettable moment.The bigger tests await in the Super 8s, which will be held in the West Indies. India, and Dravid in particular, will not have fond memories of the last time the Caribbean hosted a big event. The 2007 World Cup shock group-stage exit, under Dravid's captaincy, is best forgotten. Thankfully, this group of players bears no scars from that horror.And so, another quest begins. Dravid, Rohit & Co. will be desperate to return home with a trophy.

Rohit Sharma's Lighthearted Encounter with the NBA TrophyAs Team India prepares for the T20 World Cup, captain Rohit Sharma took a break to interact with the iconic NBA championship trophy at the Nassau County International Stadium in New York. The skipper's playful demeanor and love for basketball were evident throughout the interaction.In a video posted by the NBA on Instagram, Rohit addressed the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy in Punjabi, saying, "Oh Larry paaji, kya haal chaal?" His humorous greeting amused fans, adding a fun twist to the serious preparations for the upcoming tournament.Rohit's admiration for basketball was further highlighted when he revealed his favorite player, the legendary Michael Jordan. "My favorite has always been Michael Jordan, for what he did for the Chicago Bulls is obviously quite inspiring," he said.The Indian captain also expressed his enjoyment in watching current-generation basketball stars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry. "Guys like LeBron James, Steph Curry, those are the guys I love watching," he said.Rohit's lighthearted comments extended to the weight of the NBA trophy. "Oh, it looks quite heavy. No wonder they're so big and tall and strong," he remarked.The ICC T20 World Cup is set to take place in the West Indies and the USA from June 2 to 29. Team India will face Bangladesh in their only warm-up game on June 1 in New York.India will be aiming to capture their first T20 World Cup title since their victory in the inaugural edition of the tournament back in 2007. In the most recent edition hosted in Australia in 2022, India faced a disappointing defeat to England in the semifinals.

India's T20 World Cup Squad: Youth vs. ExperienceFormer Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has sparked a debate over the selection of India's T20 World Cup squad, suggesting that a younger team might have been more advantageous. Manjrekar advocates for injecting youthful talent like Yashaswi Jaiswal into the mix, rather than solely relying on experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.Despite the absence of Sharma and Kohli from many T20 matches last year, selectors have chosen to reinstate them, presumably banking on their experience. Manjrekar notes that the default opening pair now appears to be Sharma and Kohli, whereas he would have preferred exploring alternatives, such as incorporating the promising Jaiswal."Ideally, I would not have gone that way; I would have stuck with a slightly more younger kind of, core set of players but the selectors have committed themselves to the icons, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli," Manjrekar said.Manjrekar doubts that Jaiswal would secure a spot in the Indian XI, expressing disappointment that the selectors have opted for a more conservative approach. He believes that a younger team would have brought more flair and unpredictability to the tournament."Unfortunately, Jaiswal will have to sit out. I would have gone completely with a new lot (and) then he would have had a lot more flair and it would be something different," he said.Manjrekar also rejected the idea that Mohammed Amir and Shaheen Shah Afridi would present a significant threat to the Indian batters in the upcoming clash between the two arch-rivals on June 9th. He believes that Amir has not played at the international level for too long and that Afridi is not the same bowler he was two years ago."Mohammed Amir played his last international T20 seven years back. We have no idea what his form is like today. Shaheen Afridi is not the same bowler that he was two years ago.""India have handled him really well, if you remember the Asia Cup, even in the 50-overs World Cup we had a one-sided match. I do not see Pakistan as a major threat to India, plus the names (of) Mohammed Amir and Shaheen Shah Afridi. I do not think this is a problem for India," he added.Meanwhile, Irfan Pathan labeled left-arm spinner Imad Wasim as a potential threat. He believes that Wasim's ability to bowl stumps to stumps with the new ball could pose a challenge to the Indian batters.Manjrekar expressed confidence in Hardik Pandya's ability to excel as a finisher, citing his performance in the last T20 World Cup. He believes that Pandya's ability to score quickly and under pressure makes him a valuable asset to the team."My vote will always go to Hardik Pandya. I know he had a pretty quiet IPL, but go back to the last T20 World Cup that India played, the last match, semis against England at Adelaide.""Hardik Pandya got 60 off 30 balls at a strike rate of 190 after India had got 62 in their first 10 overs."Pathan mentioned that both Pandya and Shivam Dube would fulfill distinct roles in the competition. He believes that Pandya will have a set role to finish the game, while Dube will play as a floater and provide support against the spinners.Manjrekar highlighted India's cautious approach in the first round of the tournament, drawing parallels to their early exit in the 2007 50-overs World Cup in the Caribbean. He believes that India will feel the pressure of the first round and that their performance in the knockout stages will be crucial."India will feel the pressure of the first round because (in) 2007 (in) the West Indies, funny things (had) happened. I see India up and running very quickly. (But) I'm just going to watch this Indian team in the matches that matter - semis and the finals," he said."For India, World Cups are not anymore about getting into the final round. It's about what you do in the final rounds," he added.Manjrekar also asserted that Kohli tends to face extra pressure in knockout games because of his stature, a situation not mirrored by Sharma. He believes that Kohli feels obliged to bat longer and take more responsibility, which can sometimes affect his performance."Virat does take it upon himself. You see that happening in all the big games to bat a little longer, perhaps feels obliged because of the kind of stature that he has in Indian cricket to bat longer rather than just come and bat freely," he said."But Rohit Sharma will do that, no matter his stature. We saw that in the ODI World Cup. But I'm worried about Virat really when it comes to semis and the finals," he added.

Former Indian batter Aakash Chopra has speculated that star batter Rohit Sharma and young wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan may not feature for Mumbai Indians (MI) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.Rohit's future with MI has been uncertain since he was relieved of his captaincy duties by the franchise. MI appointed Hardik Pandya as captain for IPL 2024, but the five-time champions endured a disastrous season, finishing at the bottom of the 10-team points table.Chopra believes that Rohit may have played his last game for MI. He also suggests that Kishan, who was acquired by MI for a hefty price tag of 15.5 crores, may be released by the team. However, Chopra notes that MI could use the 'Right to Match' card to retain Kishan if necessary."I think they will let Ishan Kishan go. They might use the 'Right to Match' card because 15.5 crores is just too much money. I don't think Ishan will be retained," Chopra said on his YouTube channel."I think Rohit Sharma has played his last match for the Mumbai Indians, whether he doesn't want to be retained or the franchise lets him go," he added. "Either way, I see them parting ways. I don't think you will be seeing Rohit Sharma in the Mumbai Indians jersey again. That's just my understanding. I might be wrong, but I feel, either which way, Rohit Sharma will not be playing for the Mumbai Indians when you start the next season."Rohit's next assignment will be to lead the Indian cricket team in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. India will face Ireland in their tournament opener on June 5.

Rohit Sharma Eyes Shivam Dube's Seam-Up Skills for T20 World CupIndian captain Rohit Sharma is considering utilizing all-rounder Shivam Dube's seam-up bowling abilities more frequently in the upcoming T20 World Cup. This revelation came during India's first training session in the US, where Dube was seen receiving guidance from Rohit on bowling lengths.Despite playing 14 matches for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the recently concluded IPL season, Dube bowled only six deliveries. However, he impressed with his solitary over, taking a wicket while conceding just 14 runs.CSK primarily utilized Dube's batting skills, asking him to target spinners in the middle overs. With his left-handed batting and ability to score quickly, Dube amassed 396 runs in 14 innings, including three half-centuries.However, Rohit may have a different plan for Dube in the T20 World Cup. With the tournament being played on slow, spinning tracks in the US and West Indies, India may need an additional seam-bowling option. Dube's medium-pace bowling could provide the team with some variety and control.Rohit's decision to explore Dube's bowling skills is a testament to his versatility and the team's desire to find the best possible combination for the World Cup. India has been waiting for an ICC trophy for 11 years, and Rohit is determined to end that drought.

India Skipper Rohit Sharma Impressed by Nassau County International Cricket StadiumIndian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma recently visited the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, which is set to host several matches during the upcoming T20 World Cup. Sharma expressed his admiration for the new facility, stating that it will provide an exceptional experience for both teams and fans.The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium boasts a seating capacity of 34,000 and will host its first World Cup match on June 3 between Sri Lanka and South Africa. India will play their only warm-up game at the venue on June 1 against Bangladesh before facing Ireland, Pakistan, and USA in their Group A matches.Sharma praised the stadium's open ground and decent capacity, predicting that it will create an electrifying atmosphere during the World Cup matches. He also highlighted the excitement among fans in New York and across the globe for the tournament."It looks beautiful. It's quite an open ground. When we come here and play our first game, I just can't wait to feel the atmosphere in the stadium," Sharma said. "It's a decent capacity as well. Hopefully it's gonna be a good one. People in New York will be very interested in coming and watching the World Cup, with the World Cup happening for the first time here."The Indian captain expressed his eagerness for the tournament to begin, emphasizing the anticipation among players and fans alike. "I'm pretty sure all the fans across the various teams are quite excited and looking forward to this tournament, and also as players can't wait to get started," Sharma said.The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium is expected to be a major attraction during the T20 World Cup, providing a world-class venue for some of the most exciting matches in the tournament.

Team India's T20 World Cup preparations kicked off in earnest with an intensive three-hour training session in New York on Thursday. The squad, which arrived in the US on May 27, had a couple of days off to adjust to the time difference and weather conditions.The training session was a serious affair, with skipper Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav facing the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya in the nets. Hardik, in particular, had a grueling session, bowling for an hour before unleashing his power against the bowlers. He also engaged in a lengthy discussion with batting coach Vikram Rathour.Unusually, tailenders Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh focused on their batting skills, while all-rounders Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, and Hardik trained with both bat and ball. Yuzvendra Chahal, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Avesh Khan, and Rinku Singh, who arrived late in New York, participated in light training drills.The training session emphasized adapting to the pitch conditions, which offered considerable bounce. India's first warm-up game is scheduled against Bangladesh on Saturday.