Cricket

Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed as India's new T20I captain, succeeding Rohit Sharma who retired from the format after leading India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Yadav's first assignment will be the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka on June 27, 28, and 30, which will also mark the debut of India's new coach, Gautam Gambhir.The decision to appoint Yadav as captain was made by the selection panel led by Ajit Agarkar, who considered several factors, including fitness concerns and workload management. Hardik Pandya, who was Rohit Sharma's deputy at the T20 World Cup and has captained India in three ODIs and 16 T20Is, was initially considered for the role. However, his recent ankle injury and limited playing time in T20Is since 2022 may have influenced the decision.Yadav, on the other hand, has captained the Mumbai state team in domestic cricket and has led India to a 4-1 series win over Australia and a 1-1 draw against South Africa in recent T20I series. His experience and leadership qualities were key factors in his appointment as captain.The appointment of Yadav as captain is seen as the first step towards building for the next T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka in 2026. The team will look to Yadav to provide stability and guidance as they prepare for the tournament.

The Indian cricket team is on the lookout for a new T20I captain following Rohit Sharma's retirement from the format. Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav have emerged as the frontrunners for the role, with the latter gaining momentum in recent days.Hardik, the current vice-captain, was initially seen as the favorite to succeed Rohit. However, concerns over his injury record have raised questions about his suitability for the captaincy. Suryakumar, on the other hand, has impressed with his consistent performances and leadership qualities.According to media reports, Suryakumar is likely to be named captain for the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka. The team management is reportedly concerned about Hardik's injury history and believes Suryakumar would be a more reliable option.Head coach Gautam Gambhir has reportedly expressed his preference for a captain who is not injury-prone and whose workload can be managed effectively. Gambhir's comments have further strengthened Suryakumar's case for the captaincy.Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav has climbed to the second spot in the ICC T20I batting rankings, while Yashasvi Jaiswal has moved up to sixth. Ruturaj Gaikwad has dropped to eighth, while Shubman Gill has made a significant jump to 37th.No Indian features in the top 10 of the T20I bowlers rankings. Axar Patel has dropped to 13th spot after being rested for the Zimbabwe series.The Indian cricket team is expected to announce its squad for the Sri Lanka series on Thursday. The captaincy decision will be closely watched, with Suryakumar Yadav emerging as a strong contender to lead the team.

Rohit Sharma, India's ODI captain, is set to return to action in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, according to a report by Hindustan Times. Earlier speculations suggested that Sharma, along with Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, would miss the entire tour. However, the report claims that Sharma will be back in action, while Kohli and Bumrah will enjoy an extended leave after a grueling schedule.The series against Sri Lanka will be India's first assignment under new head coach Gautam Gambhir. It will also be a crucial preparation for the Champions Trophy 2025, with India playing only six ODIs before the tournament. Sharma's involvement in the series is seen as a significant step in India's preparations.Meanwhile, the T20I captaincy remains a topic of discussion. Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav have emerged as strong contenders, but media reports suggest that Yadav has an advantage due to concerns over Pandya's fitness.Yadav has emerged as a dark horse to become India's T20 captain until the 2026 World Cup. He captained India in eight T20Is against Australia and South Africa last year and is reportedly the preferred choice of Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.Pandya, who was India's T20 vice-captain under Sharma, will take a break during the ODI series against Sri Lanka due to personal reasons. He is expected to lead the side in the T20Is, which will run from July 27 to 30 in Pallekele. The ODIs will follow from August 2 to 7 in Colombo.The squad for the series is expected to be announced in the next couple of days.

Young Pakistani Cricketer Stuns with Suryakumar Yadav-Esque CatchIn the realm of local cricket, captivating moments often emerge, leaving fans in awe. Following the viral video of a young boy imitating Jasprit Bumrah's unorthodox bowling action, another clip has surfaced on social media, showcasing a remarkable catch reminiscent of Suryakumar Yadav's breathtaking grab in the T20 World Cup final.This time, a young Pakistani cricketer has taken the internet by storm with a video of his stunning catch. The footage captures a local cricket match in Pakistan, where children are playing on a hilly terrain. As a batsman lofts a shot high into the air, the wicketkeeper charges uphill, his eyes fixed on the ball. With lightning-fast reflexes, he extends his left hand and completes a stunning one-handed grab, dismissing the batsman.The video has left social media users in disbelief, marveling at the young cricketer's athleticism and skill. The catch bears an uncanny resemblance to Suryakumar Yadav's iconic catch in the T20 World Cup final against England. Yadav's acrobatic effort, where he ran backwards and dived to his left, was hailed as one of the greatest catches in cricket history.The young Pakistani cricketer's catch has drawn comparisons to Yadav's brilliance, highlighting the growing talent and passion for cricket in Pakistan. The video has garnered widespread attention, with many praising the young player's exceptional fielding abilities.Earlier, a young boy's imitation of Bumrah's bowling action had impressed Pakistan legend Wasim Akram. Akram took to social media to express his delight, marveling at the youngster's control and perfect replication of Bumrah's renowned style.Bumrah played a pivotal role in India's victorious T20 World Cup campaign, earning the coveted 'Player of the Tournament' award for his exceptional bowling. His unique bowling action, characterized by a high-arm release and a slinging motion, has become a trademark of his bowling style.The emergence of these young cricketers in Pakistan is a testament to the country's rich cricketing tradition and the passion for the sport among its youth. As these young players continue to hone their skills, they have the potential to become future stars of the game and inspire generations to come.

After India's triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024, the team's future is in the spotlight. With the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the focus turns to the appointment of a new T20I captain.Hardik Pandya, the vice-captain, was initially seen as the frontrunner. However, Suryakumar Yadav has emerged as a surprise contender. Yadav's exceptional performance in the World Cup final, including a crucial catch of David Miller, has bolstered his case.Yadav boasts an impressive record in T20Is, with 2340 runs in 68 matches at an average of 43.33 and a strike rate of 167.74. He has led India in 7 T20Is, securing five victories.On the other hand, Pandya has accumulated 1492 runs in 100 T20Is, averaging 26.64, with four fifties. He has also claimed 84 wickets in T20Is. He has captained India in 16 T20Is, winning 10 matches.Gautam Gambhir, India's new head coach, is reportedly in favor of Yadav as the preferred candidate for the captaincy. Gambhir, along with chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, has discussed the leadership transition with Pandya.Pandya, who served as Rohit's deputy at the T20 World Cup, has been informed about India's long-term captaincy plans. Despite being fully fit and available for the upcoming T20I series, there is strong speculation that Yadav could lead the team not only in the Sri Lanka series but also potentially until the 2026 World Cup.The decision on the captaincy will be crucial for India's future in T20 cricket. Both Yadav and Pandya have their strengths and weaknesses, and the team management will need to carefully consider all factors before making a decision.

With Team India embarking on a white-ball tour of Sri Lanka later this month, the debate over the team's new T20I captain has intensified. Former selector Saba Karim has weighed in on the discussion, suggesting Hardik Pandya as the natural replacement for Rohit Sharma, who retired from the format after the T20 World Cup triumph.Karim believes Pandya's experience as vice-captain during India's World Cup victory and his previous stints as captain make him the ideal candidate. "The first thing that needs to be decided is who will captain in T20Is. Rohit Sharma has retired, he won't play T20Is. So you will have a new captain. I feel there are two contenders. If we see logically, Hardik Pandya should become the captain because he was the vice-captain in the winning World Cup campaign. He also captained India in the past. I feel the preparation now should be for the next T20 World Cup which is going to happen after two years," Karim told Sony Sports.Karim also threw a surprise recommendation into the mix, suggesting Suryakumar Yadav as a potential captain. Yadav led India in a home T20I series against Australia last year, where India emerged victorious. "I feel the discussion should be about SKY because Suryakumar Yadav captained India in the home series against Australia. India defeated Australia there and he also batted well. So he can definitely come forward as an option. If the selectors feel Hardik Pandya has played a fantastic role and can do the same as a captain as well, he can definitely be the ideal candidate. So I feel these are the two contenders," he added.Meanwhile, Shubman Gill recently led a young Indian team in a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, which India won 4-1. Gill's performance as captain has also sparked discussions about his potential to lead the team in the future.As the BCCI prepares to announce the squad and captain(s) for the Sri Lanka tour, the debate over India's next T20I captain is likely to continue. Pandya, Yadav, and Gill are all strong contenders, and the selectors will have a tough decision to make.

India's historic triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024 has sent shockwaves across the nation, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of cricket enthusiasts. After an 11-year drought, India emerged victorious in the tournament's final match, defeating South Africa by a narrow margin of 7 runs at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. This victory marked India's second T20 World Cup title, the first since 2007.Upon their return to India, the victorious team was greeted with an outpouring of love and admiration. Among the many unforgettable moments was the iconic image of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two legendary figures in Indian cricket, holding the trophy aloft during a victory parade in Mumbai.A recent video shared by the Mumbai Indians franchise, captured by World Cup-winning team member Suryakumar Yadav, reveals the heartwarming story behind this iconic photograph. In the clip, Kohli can be seen persuading Sharma to join him in posing with the trophy before the adoring fans."Come on, Rohit, let's go," Kohli urges his teammate. "Let's give them a picture."Sharma initially hesitates, but Kohli's persistence prevails. Together, they walk towards the edge of the open bus, holding the trophy high for the crowd to see.The image of Sharma and Kohli, two stalwarts of Indian cricket, united in victory, has become a symbol of the team's triumph. It is a testament to their camaraderie and the spirit of sportsmanship that has always defined the Indian cricket team.Following India's T20 World Cup triumph, Kohli and Sharma announced their retirement from the T20I format, while Ravindra Jadeja also decided to step away from the shortest format of the game. Former England captain Michael Vaughan hailed the tournament as a fitting farewell for these veterans, acknowledging the abundance of talent waiting to take their place."It was a perfect way for Kohli, Rohit, and Jadeja to bow out of T20I cricket," Vaughan said. "They've been incredible servants to the game, and they've left a legacy that will inspire future generations."

Suryakumar Yadav's gravity-defying catch in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa has sparked a heated debate over its legitimacy. While many have hailed it as a stunning display of athleticism, others have questioned its fairness.In a recent interview, Yadav addressed the controversy surrounding the catch. He vehemently denied touching the boundary line during the catch, stating, "I didn't touch the line when I caught the ball in the final match against South Africa."Yadav explained that he had practiced such catches extensively and was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. "I had practiced many times to take a catch like that one. During the match, my mind was calm. God gave me an opportunity to do well for the country," he said.The catch has drawn comparisons to the iconic catch taken by Kapil Dev in the 1983 World Cup final against the West Indies. Dev's catch, which involved running sideways from mid-on, is widely regarded as one of the greatest catches in cricket history.However, some social media users have alleged that the boundary cushion was deliberately pushed outside during the second innings to give India an unfair advantage. Yadav dismissed these claims, saying, "We can't keep everyone happy. I did what occurred to me as correct."Despite the controversy, Yadav's catch remains a defining moment in his career. It showcased his exceptional fielding skills and contributed to India's victory in the World Cup final.

Suryakumar Yadav maintains his second position in the ICC Men's T20I batting rankings, while Ruturaj Gaikwad makes significant progress to climb to seventh place. The rankings reflect the performances of players in the ongoing Zimbabwe tour, where India's backup players have showcased their talent.Gaikwad's impressive 77 not out in the second T20I against Zimbabwe has propelled him up 13 places in the rankings. Other Indian batters who have made gains include Rinku Singh (up four places to 39th) and Abhishek Sharma (debuts at 75th).In the bowlers' rankings, Axar Patel remains the lone Indian in the top 10 at ninth position, despite dropping two places. Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah have also slipped down the rankings.However, there have been some notable movements in the top 10 of the bowling rankings, with Adam Zampa, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Maheesh Theekshana gaining positions. India's Ravi Bishnoi has jumped eight places to 14th after taking six wickets in the first two games against Zimbabwe.In the T20I all-rounders' rankings, Hardik Pandya has dropped a place to second, while Wanindu Hasaranga of Sri Lanka has moved to pole position. India's Washington Sundar has entered the top 50, while Axar Patel is placed 12th.The Zimbabwe tour has provided an opportunity for India's backup players to stake their claim for a regular place in the side, especially with the retirement of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja. The performances of Gaikwad, Rinku Singh, and Abhishek Sharma have been particularly encouraging.