Cricket

India's T20 World Cup Squad Announcement Imminent: All the Latest UpdatesThe highly anticipated BCCI selection committee meeting to finalize India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup is expected to take place today. Timesofindia.com will provide comprehensive coverage of the event, bringing you the latest updates and insights as the 15 players who will represent the nation are announced.The T20 World Cup is scheduled to commence shortly after the conclusion of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), which culminates on May 26. The tournament will feature some of the world's top cricket teams competing for the coveted title.Key Considerations for the Selection CommitteeThe selection committee will have several factors to consider when finalizing the squad. The team's recent performances in the IPL will be a major factor, as will the players' overall form and fitness. The committee will also need to balance experience with youth, ensuring a blend of seasoned veterans and promising young talent.Contenders for SelectionSeveral players have emerged as strong contenders for selection based on their impressive performances in the IPL. These include:* Batsmen: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant* All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel* Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra ChahalExpectations and PredictionsIndia is one of the favorites to win the T20 World Cup, given their strong batting lineup and experienced bowling attack. However, the competition will be fierce, with other top teams such as England, Australia, and Pakistan also vying for the title.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has set May 1 as the deadline for teams to announce their squads for the 2024 T20 World Cup. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee is still deliberating over several key decisions, including the backup wicket-keeper, third opener, pace bowling unit, and power hitters.Backup Wicket-keeper:Rishabh Pant is expected to be the first-choice wicket-keeper, but the selectors are undecided between KL Rahul and Sanju Samson as his backup. Rahul has more experience, while Samson has been in excellent form in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Third Opener:Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are likely to open the batting for India, but the third opener's spot is up for grabs. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill have not been in good form, while Rahul and Samson could also be considered.Pace Bowling Unit:Jasprit Bumrah is the automatic choice as the lead pacer, with Mohammed Siraj likely to be his partner. However, Siraj's recent performances have been inconsistent, and Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, and Arshdeep Singh are also in contention.Power Hitters:Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja have struggled in the IPL this season, raising concerns about their form in the middle order. The selectors are considering Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, and Tilak Varma as potential replacements.The BCCI is facing a tough task in finalizing the squad, as there are several talented players vying for a limited number of spots. The team management is prioritizing players who have performed well in the IPL and have the potential to make an impact in the World Cup.

The Indian cricket team's selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, faces a daunting task as the deadline for announcing the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup approaches. With the tournament just over a month away, the committee must strike the right balance in selecting a team capable of challenging for the title.One of the key decisions involves the choice of the second wicketkeeper-batsman. Rishabh Pant's impressive form and fitness make him the clear first choice, but the selection committee is torn between Sanju Samson and KL Rahul for the backup role. Rahul's experience at the top of the order and his willingness to bat in the middle order give him an edge, despite his inconsistent performances in recent times. Samson, on the other hand, has been in scintillating form for Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing IPL.Another contentious issue is the composition of the seam attack. With Mohammed Shami injured, the Indian bowling unit appears vulnerable. The IPL has exposed the struggles of Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj, who have conceded runs at an alarming rate. Despite these concerns, the team management is keen on sticking with the bowlers who have been part of the setup for the past few years.However, the selectors must also consider the impressive performances of Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar, who have shown promise in bowling the tough overs. The decision between an extra spinner (Ravi Bishnoi) or an extra pacer will depend on the team's assessment of Hardik Pandya's seam bowling capabilities.Finally, the selection committee must address the need for power hitters in the middle order. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been consistent run-getters, but the onus will fall on the likes of Hardik and Ravindra Jadeja to provide the explosive scoring needed to post big totals. The team management had identified Rinku Singh for this role, but his lack of IPL experience may count against him. Shivam Dube and Tilak Varma are also in contention, but their performances in the IPL have been mixed.The selection committee has a difficult task ahead of them, but they must make the right decisions to give India the best chance of success at the T20 World Cup.

Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of the senior men's selection committee, made a significant appearance at the Delhi Capitals-Mumbai Indians clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday. His presence during the match sparked speculation that a meeting to finalize India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup could be imminent.Sources close to the matter revealed that Agarkar was spotted in the commentary box of the media center at the stadium. This suggests that he may have been in discussions with key stakeholders regarding the team selection.Earlier reports had indicated that Agarkar was scheduled to meet captain Rohit Sharma in New Delhi after returning from a holiday in Spain. The purpose of this meeting was to finalize India's squad for the T20 World Cup, which is set to commence on June 1 in the West Indies and USA.The International Cricket Council (ICC) has set a cut-off date of May 1 for all teams to announce their 15-member squads for the Men's T20 World Cup. India will kick off their campaign against Ireland on June 5 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.As the 2007 Men's T20 World Cup winners, India is placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Canada, and tournament co-hosts USA. The team will be eager to make a strong showing in the tournament and reclaim the title.Agarkar's presence at the Delhi-Mumbai match suggests that the selection committee is actively working to finalize the squad. With the cut-off date approaching, it is likely that an announcement will be made soon.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has overhauled its national women's selection committee, expanding it to seven members in a bid to improve the team's performance. The decision follows Pakistan's disappointing 3-0 ODI series loss to West Indies at home.The new selection committee includes four former Pakistan internationals: Asmavia Iqbal, Marina Iqbal, Abdul Razzaq, and Asad Shafiq. They are joined by former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Batool Fatima. The head coach and captain (currently Mohtashim Rasheed and Nida Dar) will also be part of the seven-member panel.Former fast bowler Saleem Jaffar is the only member not retained from the previous selection committee.The first task for the new selection committee will be to pick the squad for Pakistan's upcoming tour of England, where they are scheduled to play three T20Is and three ODIs from May 11 to 29. All three ODIs are part of the ICC ODI women's championship 2022-25.Pakistan are currently fifth on the women's championship table with eight wins and 13 losses in 21 ODIs. Ahead of them on the points table are Australia, South Africa, England, and New Zealand. The top five teams from the championship, along with hosts India, will directly qualify for the 2025 ODI Women's World Cup. The remaining teams will participate in a qualifier tournament.Pakistan started off the ODI series against West Indies with a 113-run loss. They then suffered a narrow, two-wicket defeat in the second game before going down in the third ODI by 88 runs. With scores of 140*, 44, and 141, Hayley Matthews was the star of the series as she finished with 325 runs while averaging 162.50. She was also the joint-leading wicket-taker along with Dar, picking up six wickets.Pakistan will now compete in a five-match T20I series against West Indies which gets underway on April 26 and will run through till May 3. All matches will be played in Karachi. They will then travel to England with the first T20I scheduled to be played on May 11 in Birmingham.

The Indian cricket team is set to prioritize experience over IPL newcomers for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Americas. The national selection committee will finalize the squad by the end of this month, adhering to the ICC's May 1 deadline for the provisional 15-member roster.While some seasoned players may face disappointment, the selectors are expected to reward those who have consistently performed well in T20 Internationals and the IPL. Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are in contention for a spot, but only one of the two finishers, Rinku Singh or Shivam Dube, is likely to make the cut.The second wicketkeeper's position is also up for grabs, with Sanju Samson facing competition from Jitesh Sharma, KL Rahul, and Ishan Kishan. Rahul and Kishan's lack of experience in the middle order during this IPL season complicates their selection.Hardik Pandya's bowling fitness remains a concern, but his selection is not in doubt. Virat Kohli's inclusion is also a formality. Other automatic selections include Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and Kuldeep Yadav.The reserve spinner's slot could be a three-way battle between Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ravi Bishnoi. Chahal is the most skilled bowler, but his repeated omissions from important squads raise questions about his inclusion.The 'Impact Player' rule, which allows teams to substitute a player during the match, has been detrimental to Indian cricket, according to a former international player. It has killed the concept of all-rounders, making half-fit players like Hardik Pandya more valuable.While young players like Riyan Parag, Mayank Yadav, and Abhishek Sharma have performed well in the IPL, the selection committee is likely to ease them into the national team via bilateral cricket.