Cricket

Shubman Gill, the promising Indian opener, is determined to make a significant impact in the upcoming Test season. Despite his impressive performances in white-ball cricket, Gill acknowledges that his Test career has yet to reach its full potential.In preparation for the ten Test matches scheduled this season, Gill has focused on strengthening his defense against spinners. He believes that improving his ability to defend on turning tracks will allow him to play more scoring shots."I worked on my defense a little bit more against spinners. You should be able to defend a lot more when you are playing on a turning track against spinners, then you can play the scoring shots," Gill said.Gill's performance in the home series against England earlier this year was his most sustained in Test cricket to date. He amassed close to 500 runs, including a century and two half-centuries. He hopes to build on that performance in the upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh.The 24-year-old opener also spoke about his growth as a player and a person, attributing it to his experiences in the Indian team and his captaincy role with the Gujarat Titans in the IPL."Every match or tournament that you play, you look to learn more about yourself irrespective of whether you are captain or not the captain. More so because of the captain you will get to know about other players too. It's important for the captain to have a connect with the players," Gill said.Gill emphasized that his role as a batsman remains unchanged despite being part of the leadership group. He believes that his primary responsibility is to score runs for the team.The Duleep Trophy, which begins on Thursday, will provide Gill with an opportunity to adjust to the demands of red-ball cricket. He believes that the tournament will be a good competition, as he will be playing against some of his Indian teammates.Gill also revealed that India pacer Prasidh Krishna will not be available for the opening round of the Duleep Trophy due to an injury.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have emerged as two of the most formidable spinners in Indian cricket history. Their partnership has been instrumental in India's success on numerous occasions, with both players ranking among the top wicket-takers for the national team.While Ashwin and Jadeja often bowl in tandem in home conditions, Jadeja is typically preferred over Ashwin in overseas Tests. In a recent interview, Ashwin addressed this dynamic, stating that he does not harbor any jealousy towards his teammate."You are talking about jealousy," Ashwin said. "It's not Jadeja's fault that I'm not playing. I don't have the kind of jealousy where I would wish to keep him out just to play myself."Ashwin went on to lavish praise on Jadeja, calling him the "most talented cricketer" he has ever seen. "Jadeja is the most talented cricketer I've seen; everything about him is natural," Ashwin said. "Over the years, our relationship has improved as we've learned to understand each other's differences."Ashwin emphasized the importance of clear communication with players who are not in the playing XI to avoid misunderstandings. "It's crucial to handle players who are not playing with clarity and reassurance," he said. "If someone is replaced, it's not about fault but about opportunity and team dynamics."Ashwin also stressed the need for internal inspiration rather than external comparisons. "The focus should be on internal inspiration rather than external comparisons," he said. "We need to overcome the conditioning that leads to jealousy."Ashwin's comments highlight the importance of camaraderie and mutual respect within a team environment. By acknowledging Jadeja's talent and downplaying any perceived rivalry, Ashwin demonstrates a mature and professional approach to the game.

India A's spinners, Minnu Mani and Priya Mishra, put on a dominant performance on the opening day of the four-day match against Australia A in Gold Coast, sharing nine wickets to restrict the hosts to 212.Australia A, opting to bat first, made a promising start with openers Emma de Broughe and Georgia Voll. However, Mishra's introduction in the 13th over proved pivotal as she dismissed de Broughe with a wrong'un. Mani then joined the party, trapping Australia A captain Charlie Knott in front.Voll played a fluent innings, scoring 71 off 95 balls, but was eventually caught behind off Mannat Kashyap. Mishra and Mani continued to bowl with discipline, picking up regular wickets on a surface that was not as spin-friendly as expected.Kate Peterson and Grace Parsons showed patience and used the crease well against the spinners, adding 60 runs for the ninth wicket. However, Mani broke the stand by trapping Parsons lbw, while Mishra's wrong'un accounted for Peterson.In reply, India A lost Priya Punia early to a short ball from Maitlan Brown. Shubha looked at ease against the fast bowlers but was trapped lbw by Peterson. Shweta Sehrawat and Tejal Hasabnis then steadied the innings, adding an unbroken 53-run stand for the third wicket.Sehrawat, who finished the day unbeaten on 40, looked increasingly comfortable as the innings progressed. Hasabnis, with 31 not out, provided solid support. India A ended the day on 100 for 2, trailing Australia A by 112 runs.

Sri Lanka's recent ODI series victory over India marked a significant milestone for the team, breaking a 27-year drought against their formidable rivals. Captain Charith Asalanka attributed the triumph to the team's improved top-order batting and the exceptional performance of their spinners.The series was played on pitches that favored spin bowling, and Sri Lanka's spinners took full advantage. Jeffrey Vandersay, Dunith Wellalage, and Asalanka himself were the top wicket-takers, claiming 27 of the 30 Indian wickets that fell. Despite the absence of premier spinner Wanindu Hasaranga in two of the matches, the Sri Lankan spinners proved their mettle.However, it was not just the spinners who contributed to the victory. Sri Lanka's top-order batters provided solid platforms, with Avishka Fernando scoring 96 in the third match, Pathum Nissanka contributing 101 runs, and Kusal Mendis adding 103."On these pitches, until the ball gets a little older, it's easier to bat, and it takes less spin," Asalanka explained. "What we planned was for someone in the top order to get a big score, and for others around him to play around him and get to a good score."The improved top-order performance was a significant change from the past, where Sri Lanka often struggled to provide a solid foundation for their middle order. Asalanka credited the team's newfound freedom and positive environment for the turnaround."As a team we tried to create a good environment, after talking to the coach," Asalanka said. "We tried to give a lot of freedom to our players and to show their talent. We don't put much pressure on them."The ODI series victory was a major boost for Sri Lanka, who had been thrashed 3-0 in the preceding T20I series. Asalanka expressed confidence that the team can continue to compete against the best when they play to their potential.

India's preparations for the upcoming Women's Asia Cup and World Cup are in full swing, and the team's spin and fast-bowling departments are taking shape. With Radha Yadav and Deepti Sharma as the established first two spinners, the battle for the third spinner's spot is heating up between Shreyanka Patil and Asha Sobhana.Patil and Sobhana both played key roles in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's WPL 2024 title triumph, with Patil offering batting depth and Sobhana providing variety with her wrist-spin. Former India captain Anjum Chopra believes the decision will be based on variety and form."If I have to pick skillful spinners, I would want a left-arm spinner, off-spinner, and leg-spinner," Chopra said. "Then the second question comes of the form. Radha Yadav is coming back into form, and Shreyanka brings a lot of value in terms of her bowling, fielding, and batting."In the fast-bowling department, Arundhati Reddy has made a strong case for herself with impressive performances in the recent T20I and ODI series against South Africa. Her seam-bowling all-round ability and fielding prowess have caught the attention of the team management."Arundhati has done reasonably well on coming into the Indian team," Chopra said. "She adds a lot of quality in terms of the fielding department and can bat well."India's success in the Women's Asia Cup has been built on consistency and a wide range of bowling options. Chopra believes the team needs to maintain that consistency and explore more bowling options."First and foremost thing will be the consistency and options of the playing 12," Chopra said. "Then the different wickets that they'll be playing on. They've seen Bangladesh and will now be playing in Sri Lanka. So who bowls when, where, how are scenarios and, situations, in terms of the bowling options as well."Chopra also highlighted the need for a genuine all-rounder who can contribute in all three departments. "At this point of time, apart from Pooja Vastrakar, I don't see anyone filling that gap," she said. "If they can get those quick legs onto the park, they can get those utility players on the path that will really balance out things in all departments."

England's former captain, Paul Collingwood, predicts that the team will field four spinners against India in the second semifinal of the T20 World Cup. He believes that Adil Rashid, a "golden nugget" for England, will pose a significant challenge to Indian batters on the spin-friendly pitch at Providence Stadium.Collingwood highlights Rashid's exceptional deception and ability to turn the ball both ways, making him a formidable force in T20 cricket. He acknowledges that Indian batsmen are generally adept at playing spin, but he believes that Rashid's current form could prove decisive.Collingwood also suggests that England may consider fielding Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, and Will Jacks as additional spin options. He emphasizes the importance of Rashid's confidence and the spectacle of witnessing a top-form leg spinner facing some of the world's best batters.On the other hand, former Australian spinner Brad Hogg believes that India will not include Yuzvendra Chahal in their playing XI, opting instead for Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. He cites the dry wicket conditions and India's depth in spin as reasons for this decision.Hogg praises Kuldeep and Axar for their effectiveness against left-handers and suggests that Jadeja would be a better choice than Chahal if the pitch does not favor spin. He emphasizes Jadeja's all-round abilities and his ability to perform well in various conditions.

Kuldeep Yadav, the left-arm chinaman bowler, has emerged as a key player for India in the Super 8 stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Despite missing the entire group stage, Kuldeep has made an immediate impact, picking up five wickets in two matches.After scalping three wickets against Bangladesh, Kuldeep drew a comparison between the pressure of playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the pressure of a World Cup. "IPL is completely different, boss. It's totally different," said Kuldeep. "What you experience in IPL is not what you're experiencing in T20 World Cup."Kuldeep enjoyed a brilliant season with Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024, picking up 16 wickets in 11 games. However, he was surprisingly left out of India's XI in their first group game against Ireland.In the Super 8, Kuldeep has been on fire. After getting two wickets against Afghanistan, he picked up three crucial wickets against Bangladesh. The 29-year-old got the wickets of opener Tanzid Hasan, the experienced Shakib al-Hasan, and the in-form Towhid Hridoy. He finished with figures of 3-19 from his four overs.Kuldeep emphasized that spinners need to be aggressive to succeed in the shortest format. "In this format (T20), you have to read what the batters are trying to do, but be more aggressive. The length matters a lot. The aggression is helping me through the IPL and the T20 World Cup," he said.With wins over Afghanistan and Bangladesh, India boast a very healthy net run rate in their Super 8 group and are almost certainly going to make the semis of the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has hinted at the potential use of spinners in the death overs during India's ICC T20 World Cup Super Eights campaign. India will face Afghanistan in their opening Super Eight match on June 20 in Barbados.Jadeja believes that the slow and dry wickets in the West Indies will provide assistance to spinners, particularly in the middle overs. "Spinners will have help here in the middle overs. You could see spinners being used in the death overs as well," he said.Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav echoed Jadeja's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of bowlers' lengths in T20I cricket. "The spinners do get help in the West Indies... In this format, the bowlers' length becomes crucial," he said.India's squad includes four spinners: Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal. This selection suggests that the team is prepared to utilize spin bowling throughout the tournament.India will be aiming for big wins against Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Australia in the Super Eights to qualify for the semifinals. The team is eager to end its drought for an ICC trophy since 2013's Champions Trophy and win its first T20 World Cup since the inaugural edition in 2007.

Nepal, buoyed by their stunning victory over South Africa, opted to bowl first against Bangladesh in a crucial ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier match at the Grenada National Stadium. The decision was based on the expectation of dew in the second innings and the favorable conditions for spinners at the venue.Bangladesh, seeking a win to secure a berth in the Super Eight stage, fielded an unchanged XI from their triumph against Netherlands. Nepal, on the other hand, made one alteration, bringing in batter Sundeep Jora for fast bowling allrounder Karan KC.Nepal captain Rohit Paudel explained their decision to bowl first, stating, "We want to give our bowlers the best conditions. We expect dew in the second innings, so we want to make the most of the first innings."Pitch expert Samuel Badree predicted variable bounce, similar to the Nepal-South Africa match, which could favor the spinners once again.A victory for Bangladesh would guarantee their progression to the Super Eight stage. However, if Nepal emerges victorious, Netherlands could potentially qualify if they defeat Sri Lanka in a concurrent match in Gros Islet.