Cricket

Mumbai Indians' IPL 2024 campaign has hit rock bottom after their seventh loss in 10 games, effectively ending their playoff hopes. The five-time champions have been plagued by a series of issues, including a captaincy change and a string of poor performances.The decision to replace Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as captain has been met with mixed reactions. While some believe that Pandya's aggressive style could revitalize the team, others have questioned his leadership abilities. The team's performance on the field has also been disappointing, with the batters failing to put up competitive totals and the bowlers struggling to contain the opposition.In their latest defeat, Mumbai Indians managed a paltry 144/7 in 20 overs against Lucknow Super Giants. Captain Hardik Pandya was dismissed for a duck, while Rohit Sharma scored just 4 runs. LSG chased down the target with ease, winning by four wickets with 19.2 overs to spare.Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan has blamed Hardik Pandya for Mumbai Indians' poor performance. "The team that qualified last year didn't have Jasprit Bumrah, but this season they had his services. Still, they are in this situation. Purely because the team wasn't managed well on the ground. Too many mistakes by their captain Hardik Pandya," Pathan wrote on social media.However, former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta believes that Pandya's poor form in the IPL will not affect his selection for the T20 World Cup squad. "I don't think so. I mean, obviously, the IPL is a very important tournament, but you've to also keep in mind about the credit they have achieved in the past, how they've done in the past, and I think Hardik has done alright," Dasgupta said."We've seen him bat down the order, and that's where he will be expected to bat. He's played a couple of good innings; he's bowled alright. I'm not going to be too worried with what he's done so far in the IPL. I think he's a match winner both with the bat and at times with the ball as well."

The Indian cricket team has announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, with several players earning their selection based on their impressive performances in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).Rohit Sharma: The Mumbai Indians captain has been in scintillating form, scoring 311 runs in 9 matches at a strike rate of 160.30. His century against Chennai Super Kings was a standout performance.Hardik Pandya: Despite a disappointing IPL campaign, Pandya's all-round abilities have earned him a spot in the squad. He has scored 197 runs and taken 4 wickets in 9 matches.Yashasvi Jaiswal: The Rajasthan Royals opener has been in excellent touch, with a century against Mumbai Indians being the highlight.Virat Kohli: The former India captain has silenced his critics with a remarkable IPL season, amassing 500 runs at a strike rate of nearly 150.Suryakumar Yadav: The Mumbai Indians batter has been one of the most consistent performers in the IPL, with a belligerent 78-run knock against Punjab Kings being a standout.Rishabh Pant: The Delhi Capitals captain has returned to form after recovering from injuries, scoring 371 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 160.60.Sanju Samson: The Rajasthan Royals captain has been in excellent form, scoring 385 runs at a strike rate of 161.08.Shivam Dube: The Chennai Super Kings all-rounder has been a revelation, scoring 350 runs at a strike rate of 172.41.Ravindra Jadeja: The Chennai Super Kings all-rounder has contributed with both bat and ball, scoring 157 runs and taking 5 wickets.Axar Patel: The Delhi Capitals spinner has impressed with his all-round abilities, scoring close to 150 runs and taking 9 wickets.Kuldeep Yadav: The Delhi Capitals spinner has been in excellent form, taking 12 wickets in 9 matches.Yuzvendra Chahal: The Rajasthan Royals leg-spinner has been a standout performer, taking 13 wickets in 9 matches and becoming the first bowler to claim 200 wickets in the IPL.Arshdeep Singh: The Punjab Kings left-arm seamer has picked up 12 wickets in 9 games.Jasprit Bumrah: The Mumbai Indians pace ace has been in fabulous form, leading the wicket-takers' column with 14 scalps in 9 games.Mohammed Siraj: The Royal Challengers Bangalore pacer has been off-colour, taking only 6 wickets in 9 matches.

Ahead of the highly anticipated selection of the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) is reportedly engaged in discussions regarding the inclusion of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Sources within the BCCI have indicated that Pandya's current form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is a subject of debate.As captain of the Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2024, Pandya has overseen a disappointing campaign for his team. MI currently languishes in the bottom half of the table, with only three wins in nine matches. Pandya's individual performances have also been underwhelming, with the all-rounder scoring just 197 runs in nine games at an average of 24.62 and a strike rate of over 151. His highest score is 46.In addition to his batting struggles, Pandya has also been limited in his bowling output. He has bowled only 19 overs in the tournament, taking four wickets at an average of 56.75 and an economy rate of 11.94.The BCCI sources have also hinted that the upcoming T20 World Cup could potentially mark the final international T20I appearances for veteran players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both players returned to the T20I set-up in January this year against Afghanistan, but their previous outing was the 10-wicket loss to England in the semifinals of the 2022 T20 WC in Australia.Following that disappointing result, Team India has experimented with younger players such as Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, Rahul Tripathi, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top of the order in the shorter format.Rohit and Kohli are two of India's most accomplished T20I batters. Kohli is the highest run-getter in T20I cricket, with 4,037 runs in 117 matches at an average of 51.75 and a strike rate of over 138. Rohit is the second-highest run-scorer in the format, with 3,974 runs at an average of over 31 and a strike rate of almost 140.The presence of both Rohit and Kohli in the team could potentially limit opportunities for promising young stars, who may find themselves in reserve roles rather than the playing eleven.

Rohit Sharma's Journey from Adversity to Greatness: A Tribute from Gautam GambhirFormer Indian cricketer and Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir has hailed Rohit Sharma's remarkable journey to becoming one of the world's premier batsmen. Recalling a pivotal moment in Sharma's early career, Gambhir shared an anecdote from a series in Sri Lanka where Sharma faced criticism after a string of low scores."As much knowledge as I have of cricket, and from the cricket that I've seen, you are going to dominate world cricket," Gambhir told Sharma at the time. This prophetic statement has since come to fruition, with Sharma establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with.Despite early challenges, Sharma's resilience and determination propelled him to success. Gambhir praised Sharma's ability to turn talent into consistent performance at the highest level, noting, "He didn't have a very easy start in international cricket, he had a difficult start."Reflecting on Sharma's leadership qualities, Gambhir highlighted how Rohit's early struggles shaped his approach to captaincy. "If his start was very easy, he would have always felt that international cricket is very easy," Gambhir remarked. "Today, if any young player is struggling, Rohit Sharma will feel that if it was tough for him, it will be difficult for him as well. That's why he probably leads that well and keeps it very balanced."Acknowledging Sharma's prowess on the field, Gambhir admitted the challenge of devising strategies to contain him as an opponent. Despite their competitive rivalry, Gambhir expressed admiration for Sharma's contributions to the game, including pivotal moments such as run-outs and match-winning performances.Gambhir concluded by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to play alongside Sharma at the 2007 T20 World Cup, stating, "People talk about my knock and Irfan's spell, but Rohit Sharma's contribution towards the back end, his run out against South Africa, are all the memories I have of him. I've enjoyed playing with him and interacting with him."Gambhir's reflections serve as a poignant reminder of Sharma's enduring impact on Indian cricket and his journey from adversity to greatness.

The Indian cricket team's selection for the T20 World Cup 2024 is a complex task for the BCCI and team management. While most players are likely to be retained, several backup roles remain fiercely contested.Captain Rohit Sharma faces two crucial decisions: whether to include a fourth specialist pacer alongside Hardik Pandya and whether to consider Shubman Gill. Hardik Pandya's vice-captaincy is also under scrutiny, with Rishabh Pant emerging as a potential contender.Yuzvendra Chahal, despite being the IPL's leading wicket-taker, may be overlooked in favor of Kuldeep Yadav as the primary spinner. Axar Patel is expected to edge out Ravi Bishnoi for the second spinner's spot.The top order is likely to feature Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav. The middle order will comprise Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja. Shivam Dube or Rinku Singh could be included as an all-rounder, while Sanju Samson or KL Rahul will compete for the second wicketkeeper's role.Hardik Pandya's recent performances for Mumbai Indians have raised concerns, with the all-rounder scoring only 197 runs and taking four wickets at a high economy rate.A recent poll conducted by NDTV Sports revealed that fans believe Hardik Pandya should not be included in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup.

Rohit Sharma, the enigmatic Indian cricketer, celebrates his 37th birthday today, marking an illustrious career that has left an indelible mark on the sport. From his humble beginnings to his current status as one of the most revered batsmen in the world, Rohit's journey has been a testament to his unwavering determination and exceptional talent.Rohit's international debut in 2007 hinted at the brilliance that was to come. His ability to anchor innings with grace and power quickly earned him a reputation as a dependable batsman. A pivotal moment in his career came during the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, where his promotion to the opening slot proved to be a masterstroke. Since then, he has redefined the art of opening batting, amassing over 10,000 runs in ODIs with a staggering average of 49.12, including a monumental 264 – the highest individual score in ODI history.Rohit's dominance extends beyond white-ball cricket. In Test cricket, he has established himself as a dependable opener, capable of withstanding the toughest bowling attacks. With over 4,000 runs at an average of 45.46, he has cemented his place among the game's elite batsmen.Rohit's leadership prowess has been on full display in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he has led the Mumbai Indians to a record-breaking five titles. His astute captaincy and ability to inspire his teammates have made him a revered figure in the world of T20 cricket.The 2023 ODI World Cup served as another chapter in Rohit's storied career, where he finished as the tournament's second-highest run-scorer, showcasing his mettle on the grandest stage of them all.As Rohit continues to mesmerize cricketing aficionados with his elegant strokeplay and calm demeanor, his legacy as one of the game's true icons only continues to grow. On his 37th birthday, the cricketing fraternity joins together in celebrating the extraordinary journey of the man affectionately known as the 'Hitman' of Indian cricket.

Brian Lara Unveils Dream India Squad for T20 World Cup 2024Ahead of the highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2024, legendary West Indian cricketer Brian Lara has shared his preferred 15-member squad for Team India. Lara's proposed roster, unveiled on Star Sports' social media platform, features a blend of experienced veterans and promising young talents.Leading the charge is skipper Rohit Sharma, who has been instrumental in India's recent success in the shortest format. The batting lineup boasts the likes of Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, all of whom have proven their mettle on the international stage.Behind the stumps, Lara has opted for the dynamic duo of Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant, providing depth and flexibility to the batting order. The all-round abilities of Shivam Dube add another dimension to the team, while the spin trio of Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal offers a formidable bowling attack.Pacers Arshdeep Singh, Sandeep Sharma, and Mayank Yadav complete the lineup, ensuring a potent mix of batting, bowling, and fielding expertise.Lara's squad selection has sparked discussions among cricket enthusiasts, with many agreeing with his choices while others expressing their own preferences. The inclusion of young players like Jaiswal and Mayank Yadav is seen as a positive step towards building a strong future for Indian cricket.With the T20 World Cup fast approaching, fans are eagerly anticipating the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan, scheduled for June 9 in Long Island. India's group stage campaign also includes matches against Ireland, USA, and Canada, setting the stage for an exciting journey in pursuit of T20 World Cup glory.

The T20 World Cup 2024 is fast approaching, and the Indian cricket team is still grappling with the question of who will open the batting alongside captain Rohit Sharma. While Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the frontrunners, Virat Kohli has emerged as a surprise contender.Gill has been in impressive form for Gujarat Titans in the ongoing IPL 2024, scoring 304 runs in 9 matches. Jaiswal, on the other hand, has had a slower start for Rajasthan Royals but has recently hit a sensational century against Mumbai Indians.According to a poll conducted by NDTV Sports, fans have picked Jaiswal as Rohit's ideal opening partner for the T20 World Cup, with Kohli coming in at No. 3. This suggests that fans believe Jaiswal's left-handedness and aggressive style would complement Rohit's right-handedness and experience.However, Kohli's inclusion as an opener is an intriguing prospect. The star batter has been criticized for his strike rate in recent times, but some experts believe that opening the batting would allow him to play his natural game and maximize his impact.Gill, for his part, is eager to make the T20 World Cup squad. "If I am able to make it to this year's T20 World Cup, it would be nothing short of a dream coming true," he said in an interview with Hindustan Times. "Last year's World Cup experience would help me as we try to win the World Cup."The Indian team management has a tough decision to make, but they will be buoyed by the fact that they have several talented options to choose from. The T20 World Cup is one of the most prestigious tournaments in cricket, and India will be determined to lift the trophy for the second time.

Virat Kohli's batting position in the upcoming T20 World Cup has sparked a debate among cricket experts. Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes that Kohli opening the innings with skipper Rohit Sharma would create opportunities for power-hitting finishers like Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube in the Indian playing XI.Pathan, who played a pivotal role in India's 2007 T20 World Cup triumph, suggests that Yashasvi Jaiswal should partner Rohit Sharma as the openers due to their contrasting batting styles and Jaiswal's impressive international strike rate of 160. However, he acknowledges that Kohli opening the batting would allow for a more balanced team composition."If Virat opens up the batting, it will allow the combination of 11 to be in a certain way, which you want," Pathan explained. "If that happens, you might see Shivam Dubey playing, if he's there in the squad. You might see guys like Rinku Singh in the playing 11 as well."Pathan also emphasizes the importance of Jaiswal's underutilized leg-break bowling, which could provide the team with an additional bowling option. "Jaiswal has actually been bowling regularly in the nets," he said. "So what you can do is you can actually play proper five bowlers and maybe have him as a sixth bowler, as an option to keep it."Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden also advocates for Kohli batting as much as possible in the powerplay. "I've got to have him in the powerplay," Hayden said. "If I'm going to pick him, he has to play in the powerplay. He has to play the majority of those six overs as an opener."Hayden believes that Kohli's batting position is crucial for India's success in the World Cup. "It all comes down to are we interested in selecting a side that we believe is the right balance and is going to win this World Cup," he said.