Cricket

India's promising pace sensation, Mayank Yadav, has made an impressive debut in the T20 format. However, former left-arm fast bowler RP Singh believes that Yadav should not be rushed into Test cricket as he still has room for development.Singh acknowledges Yadav's pace and control but emphasizes that Test cricket demands a higher level of skill and endurance. He suggests that Akash Deep, who has played more domestic cricket, would be a better choice for the upcoming Test series in Australia."For the Australia tour, Akash Deep should be in the pace bowling attack. His bowling style suits better," Singh said. "Mayank Yadav has pace, which is one aspect of fast bowling, but there are many variations and skills that develop slowly."Singh highlights the importance of managing Yadav's workload, both in terms of bowling and gym sessions. He believes that Yadav needs to improve his skills and develop a roadmap for his progress with the help of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and BCCI coaches.Despite his reservations about Yadav's readiness for Test cricket, Singh praises his accuracy and control in his maiden international outing. "He started with a maiden as his first over in his first international match, so it tells that he has an idea about the accuracy along with pace," Singh said.Singh's comments underscore the need for a balanced approach in developing young fast bowlers. While Yadav's pace is undeniable, it is crucial to ensure that he has the necessary skills and experience to succeed at the highest level.

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya's impressive performance in the first T20I against Bangladesh has sparked discussions about his progress. While Pandya's 39-run knock and 1/26 bowling figures earned him praise, former India fast bowler RP Singh believes Bangladesh may not be the ideal benchmark to assess his form.Singh emphasized that Bangladesh's current form is not at the highest level, making it difficult to accurately gauge Pandya's progress. He suggested that a better assessment could be made against stronger opposition or in more competitive tournaments.Despite his reservations about using Bangladesh as a measure, Singh acknowledged Pandya's capabilities and praised his ability to contribute with both bat and ball. He highlighted Pandya's consistent bowling of four overs as a positive sign for the Indian team.Singh cautioned against overexcitement based solely on Pandya's performance against Bangladesh, emphasizing that tougher tests lie ahead. He believes that Pandya's true form will be revealed in more challenging matches.Pandya's performance has been a topic of discussion since his return from injury. His ability to bowl his full quota of overs and contribute with the bat has been seen as a significant improvement in his fitness and overall game.However, Singh's comments serve as a reminder that while Pandya's performance against Bangladesh is encouraging, it should not be taken as a definitive measure of his progress. Only time and tougher opposition will truly reveal the extent of his recovery and his ability to perform at the highest level.

Harry Singh, the son of former Indian cricketer RP Singh Senior, made history by serving as the 12th man for England in their first Test match against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford in Manchester. This marked a significant moment for the young cricketer, who has strong ties to Indian cricket.RP Singh Senior, Harry's father, played for India in two ODIs against Australia in 1986. As a left-arm fast bowler, he had a successful domestic career, representing India in 59 first-class matches, taking 150 wickets, and scoring 1413 runs. After retiring, he moved to England in the late 1990s and became a coach for Lancashire County Cricket Club and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).Harry Singh has inherited his father's passion for cricket and has been making steady progress in his own career. In July 2023, he made his List A debut for Lancashire in the One-Day Cup. In seven matches, he scored 87 runs and claimed two wickets with his off-breaks.Singh's talent was recognized in 2022 when he was selected to represent England's U19 team for their home series against Sri Lanka. His performance in the series caught the attention of the England selectors, who invited him to join the senior team as the 12th man for the first Test against Sri Lanka.Harry Singh's journey to the England Test team is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He has followed in his father's footsteps and is now making a name for himself in international cricket. As he continues to develop, he has the potential to become a valuable asset to the England team.

India-Pakistan Clash at T20 World Cup: Pressure Mounts on PlayersThe highly anticipated T20 World Cup is set to commence on June 1, and one of the most eagerly awaited matches is the high-voltage clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan. Former India pacer RP Singh believes that the pressure on the players during this encounter will be immense.India's World Cup preparations have been bolstered by their participation in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. Pakistan, on the other hand, has played bilateral T20I series against New Zealand, Ireland, and England, with mixed results.Despite Pakistan's recent struggles, Singh emphasizes that the World Cup is a different ball game. "Things change during the World Cup," he said. "The match is always high-voltage, so there is a lot of pressure on the players."The intensity of the India-Pakistan rivalry was evident in their last World Cup encounter in 2022. With India needing 28 runs off 8 deliveries, Virat Kohli delivered a towering six over Haris Rauf's head, followed by another maximum on the next ball. Kohli's heroics laid the foundation for India's successful chase of 160.Before the epic clash, India will face Ireland in their tournament opener on June 5, while Pakistan will meet the USA on June 6. Fans can expect another nail-biting encounter between the two Asian giants.

Former Indian pacer Rudra Pratap Singh believes that Punjab Kings underutilized young left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh during the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL). However, Singh believes that Arshdeep can be a valuable asset for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup, especially alongside Jasprit Bumrah.Arshdeep finished the IPL with 19 wickets in 14 matches, but his economy rate of 10.03 raised concerns. Singh believes that Arshdeep's usage was not optimal and that he should have been given more opportunities to bowl in the death overs."If we assess Arshdeep on the basis of his IPL performance, I think he hasn't been utilized well," Singh said. "The utilization of the bowlers also depends on their captain, in which conditions he uses them, in which situation he makes them bowl and how best that he thinks his bowler is."Singh believes that Arshdeep's left-arm action and variations make him a potent threat in the death overs. He suggests that Arshdeep should focus on using cutters effectively on the slower wickets in the United States, where the T20 World Cup will be played."Talking about the length on the tracks in the USA during an early morning start, as per my understanding, there should be a bit of slowness in the wicket," Singh said. "So, the ideal length will be somewhere around just short of good length."Singh also believes that Bumrah should bowl three overs in the death overs, with Arshdeep as his preferred partner. He feels that Arshdeep's variations give him an edge over Mohammed Siraj in this role."Death bowling is really important in T20 cricket," Singh said. "Bumrah may bowl three overs in the death overs. He is our mainstay there. My preference alongside Bumrah in the death is Arshdeep over Siraj because of the variations he has."Singh also highlighted the importance of Hardik Pandya bowling his full quota of overs, which would allow India to field three specialist spinners. He believes that Shivam Dube can also be a valuable addition to the team as a batting all-rounder."Hardik bowled in the IPL and bowled four overs so there's no injury scare," Singh said. "Hardik's bowling will be important and he will have to bowl all his quota of 4-overs."

MS Dhoni, the legendary wicketkeeper-batter, continues to captivate the world of cricket with his unwavering presence and exceptional skills. Despite stepping down as captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of IPL 2024, the 42-year-old remains a dominant force on the field.Dhoni's recent onslaught against Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya, where he smashed a hattrick of sixes, left fans and experts in awe. His ability to adapt to his age and set new benchmarks for the younger generation is a testament to his enduring legacy.Amidst the ongoing IPL season, speculation about Dhoni's potential retirement from the tournament has been rife. However, former CSK batter Suresh Raina, now a commentator with Jio Cinema, has provided a resounding answer to the question of whether Dhoni will continue playing for CSK in IPL 2025."Khelenge (He will play)," Raina declared confidently when asked about Dhoni's future.Former India pacer RP Singh, who was also part of the commentary panel, echoed Raina's sentiments, suggesting that Dhoni may have two more seasons left in him.Raina also revealed Dhoni's reaction to Bhojpuri commentary, a language spoken in Dhoni's home state of Jharkhand. "MS Dhoni was discussing Bhojpuri commentary. He said, 'Bahut hi gajabe commentary kar rahe Bhojpuriya me.' (they are doing a great job in Bhojpuri) I told him Haryanvi is also nice," Raina said.In the match against Mumbai Indians, Dhoni's blistering four-ball 20 proved crucial in CSK's 20-run victory. His ability to deliver under pressure and guide his team to success remains unmatched.As the IPL season progresses, all eyes will be on Dhoni to see if he can continue his remarkable journey and lead CSK to another championship title. His presence on the field is not only a source of inspiration for his teammates but also a reminder of the enduring power of experience and determination.