Cricket

India-South Africa T20I Opener Heats Up with On-Field AltercationDuring the opening match of the T20I series between India and South Africa in Durban, a heated exchange of words erupted between India skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Proteas quick Marco Jansen. The incident occurred in the 15th over of South Africa's chase when Jansen objected to Indian wicketkeeper Sanju Samson collecting a throw on the pitch.Jansen's objection stemmed from his belief that Samson had collected the ball unfairly. The Indian skipper, Yadav, intervened and engaged in an animated conversation with Jansen and fellow Proteas batter Gerald Coetzee. The on-field umpire promptly intervened to separate the players from both teams.The altercation did not end there. As Yadav walked back to his position, he continued to exchange words with Coetzee. The tension on the field was palpable, but the situation was eventually defused.Later in the same over, Jansen was dismissed by Ravi Bishnoi for 12 runs on the final delivery. India went on to secure a convincing 61-run victory, thanks to a blistering century from Samson (107 off 50 balls) and impressive performances from spinners Varun Chakaravarthy and Bishnoi.The victory marked India's first in a T20I match at Kingsmead, Durban, and gave them a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. Despite the on-field altercation, the match was played in a competitive spirit, with both teams showcasing their skills and determination.

India vs South Africa T20I Series: A Clash of TitansIndia and South Africa are set to face off in a highly anticipated T20I series, with the first match scheduled for Friday, November 8, at the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban. The two cricketing giants have a rich history of intense rivalry, and this series promises to be no different.Head-to-Head RecordIn the 20-over format, India and South Africa have met 27 times, with India holding a slight edge with 15 wins to South Africa's 11. This series will provide an opportunity for both teams to add to their respective tallies.India's Recent FormIndia is entering the series on the back of a dominant 3-0 series victory over Bangladesh in October. The team has been in impressive form, with key players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav in top shape.South Africa's StrugglesSouth Africa, on the other hand, has struggled to find consistency since their defeat in the T20 World Cup 2024 final. They suffered a 3-0 loss to the West Indies and drew 1-1 against Ireland in subsequent series.Young Guns in FocusThe series will also be a platform for young players to showcase their talent. India will be led by the dynamic Suryakumar Yadav, while South Africa will be captained by the promising Aiden Markram. Both teams have a number of exciting young players who could make a significant impact.Match ScheduleThe India vs South Africa T20I series will consist of four matches, with the remaining fixtures scheduled as follows:* 2nd T20I: November 10, St George's Park, Gqeberha* 3rd T20I: November 13, SuperSport Park, Centurion* 4th T20I: November 15, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Suryakumar Yadav's Culinary Debut: Introducing India's Newest T20I StarsAhead of India's T20I series opener against South Africa, captain Suryakumar Yadav donned the chef's hat to introduce two exciting new additions to the team: bowler Vyshak Vijaykumar and batsman Ramandeep Singh. In a novel and engaging video shared by the BCCI, Yadav, affectionately known as SKY, showcased the players as if they were ingredients in a culinary masterpiece."Captain & Chef SKY introduces two new faces/dishes to the team menu. Ready to serve," read the caption accompanying the video. "SKY like never seen before," it added.Both Vijaykumar and Singh are uncapped players eager to make their international debuts in the four-match T20I series. The series kicks off on Friday at the Kingsmead stadium in Durban, with the remaining matches scheduled for November 10 (Gqeberha), November 13 (Centurion), and November 15 (Johannesburg).Yadav's culinary analogy aptly captured the anticipation surrounding the debutants. Vijaykumar, a left-arm pacer, has impressed with his pace and accuracy in domestic cricket. Singh, on the other hand, is a hard-hitting batsman known for his aggressive style of play.The introduction of these young talents is a testament to India's commitment to nurturing and developing future stars. The T20I series against South Africa provides an ideal platform for Vijaykumar and Singh to showcase their skills and stake their claim for a permanent spot in the national team.As India embarks on this new chapter in its T20I journey, the culinary metaphor employed by Yadav serves as a reminder of the team's hunger for success and its willingness to experiment with new ingredients. The addition of Vijaykumar and Singh brings fresh energy and excitement to the squad, and fans can expect a tantalizing blend of experience and youthful exuberance on the field.

Suryakumar Yadav, India's T20I captain, addressed the media ahead of the first T20I against South Africa on Thursday. One of the key questions he faced was regarding the absence of Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad from the Indian T20I side.Gaikwad has emerged as one of the finest batters in recent times, impressing with his performances in both red-ball and white-ball cricket. However, he continues to be overlooked for national selection.Suryakumar acknowledged Gaikwad's talent and consistent performances but emphasized the need to respect the team management's process. He highlighted that there are many deserving players who have been performing well and that the management has a specific routine or process for giving them opportunities."Rutu (Ruturaj) is a fantastic player. He has been performing consistently across all formats, wherever he plays. There are a lot of players who have been performing well even before him, so there is a routine or process that I think that the management has come up with, so it is important to follow that," Suryakumar said.He added, "He is young and is doing well. I feel, uska bhi number aayega. Uska bhi time aayega. (His time will also come)."Gaikwad has represented India in the T20I series against Zimbabwe this year, scoring 133 runs at an average of 66.50 and a strike-rate of 158.33. He is also the captain of CSK in the IPL and has led the India C team in the Duleep Trophy.Despite his impressive domestic record, Gaikwad seems to be missing something from a national selection perspective. It remains to be seen when he will finally get his chance to represent India at the highest level.

Suryakumar Yadav, India's T20I captain, has revealed the invaluable lessons he has learned from his predecessor, Rohit Sharma. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining balance and composure, Yadav credits Sharma's leadership philosophy for shaping his own approach to captaincy.According to Yadav, Sharma's philosophy revolves around staying grounded and maintaining a level head, even in the face of adversity. He has taught Yadav that life balance is essential for players to handle losses and setbacks without becoming overly emotional.As India's T20I captain, Yadav has adopted Sharma's approach of dedicating substantial time with teammates away from the cricket field. He believes that this enhances their performance during matches by fostering strong interpersonal relationships and camaraderie."Winning and losing is part and parcel of sports," said Yadav. "I have learnt from him (Rohit) that in life, balance is important. After doing well, even if you lose, your character should not change. This is one quality a sportsman should have."Yadav views Sharma as a true leader who goes beyond the role of a captain. He has observed Sharma's calm demeanor, his ability to treat players with respect, and his keen understanding of their mental state."A leader is one who decides how his team plays a particular format," said Yadav. "I have been noticing him for nearly ten years. I know how he treats his players, what he wants from them. That route I have also taken as he has been successful."Yadav has customized Sharma's approach to align with his own leadership style and requirements. He believes that understanding players' mental state and emotional well-being is crucial for maximizing their potential performance."You have to understand what's happening around and what's going on in their minds," said Yadav. "There needs to be a comfort level as they have different types of skill sets. The freedom to express themselves is very important and I am trying to give them that."Yadav's adoption of Sharma's leadership principles has been evident in his own captaincy style. He has fostered a positive and supportive environment within the team, encouraging players to express themselves and perform to the best of their abilities.

India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav remains determined to add to his solitary Test cap, despite his impressive T20I credentials. The 34-year-old has been actively participating in domestic cricket, including the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy, in an effort to earn a Test recall."When the time comes, I will make a Test comeback," Yadav asserted. "I am playing all the domestic tournaments, be it red-ball or white-ball. I don't miss any game. If that [Test comeback] has to happen, it will happen."Yadav also expressed his support for Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma, who has faced criticism following India's 3-0 Test series whitewash at home against New Zealand. "In sports, winning and losing are common. Everyone works hard, everyone wants to win," Yadav said. "For me, the most important thing in life is the balance. Whether he's [Rohit] doing well or not, his character does not change. That is one quality which I feel a sportsman should always have."As T20I captain, Yadav has learned valuable lessons from Rohit, particularly in handling youngsters. "I know how he [Rohit] treats the players, what he wants from them. So that route I have also taken because he's been very successful recently," Yadav explained. "I try to replicate that. When I am on the ground, I keep noticing how his body language is, how calm he is under pressure situations, how he talks to the bowlers, how he treats everyone on the field and off the field."Under Yadav's leadership, India has achieved impressive results in T20Is, winning 11 out of 13 matches. Yadav attributes this success to providing his players with freedom and clarity. "You have to understand what's happening around, what's going on in their [the players'] minds and it is very important to give them that comfort," he said. "Everyone has different skillset, and they also want to come out and express themselves. So that freedom is very important when they get onto the field and that is what I try and give."India's T20I squad for the South Africa series includes several young players, and Yadav believes they have made his job easier. "They have made my job very easy if you've seen the last two to three series," Yadav said. "I have told them to keep the needs of the team in front, and whatever calls they take, we are here to back them."Despite the bouncy nature of South African pitches, Yadav is confident in India's ability to perform well. "We do play on good bouncy pitches back home in India also. There are quite a few, so it's nothing new for us," he said. "And we played here last year. We know what the conditions are and what the ground and wicket have for us. We have our game plan, we'll back that and are very excited for the series ahead."

Suryakumar Yadav, the flamboyant Indian batter, will lead the Men in Blue in a four-match T20I series against South Africa, commencing on November 8. Yadav, known for his exceptional batting prowess, has amassed four centuries in the shortest format, including a memorable ton against the Proteas during India's previous T20I tour to South Africa in December 2023.In his two previous T20I appearances in South Africa, Yadav has amassed 156 runs at an impressive average of 78 and a blistering strike rate of 169.56. While the first T20I in Durban was abandoned due to rain, India suffered a narrow defeat in the second match at Gqeberha, despite Yadav's valiant 36-ball 56.However, it was in the third and final T20I at Johannesburg that Yadav truly showcased his brilliance. Batting at number four, he reached his half-century off just 32 deliveries and went on to smash his fourth T20I century off a mere 55 balls. His blistering knock, adorned with eight sixes and seven fours, propelled India to a formidable total of 201/7.Kuldeep Yadav's exceptional bowling performance, claiming five wickets for just 17 runs, then helped India restrict South Africa to a paltry 95 runs, securing a 1-1 draw in the series.The South Africa tour was not initially included in India's schedule but was arranged following discussions between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket South Africa (CSA). The T20I series will be played across four venues: Durban, Gqeberha, Centurion, and Johannesburg, with matches scheduled for November 8, 10, 13, and 15.

India and South Africa, two cricketing powerhouses, are set to reignite their rivalry in a four-match T20I series in South Africa from November 8. The two teams last faced off in a thrilling T20 World Cup final in June, where India emerged victorious by a narrow margin of 7 runs.The T20I rivalry between India and South Africa has been a captivating spectacle, marked by competitive and high-stakes matches. Over the years, both teams have consistently delivered close, hard-fought contests, whether on South African soil or in India.India has a slight edge in the bilateral T20I series against South Africa, having won 6 out of 9 matches played in South Africa. However, the Proteas have shown their resilience on home soil, particularly in the T20 World Cup final.India's victory over South Africa in the 2007 T20 World Cup was a pivotal moment in the history of the format. India went on to win the inaugural championship, and the victory over South Africa was a key step in their triumph.David Miller, South Africa's prolific batsman, leads the run-scoring charts in India-South Africa bilateral T20Is with 452 runs in 21 matches. He is followed by Indian stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have both retired from the shortest format of the game.Bhuvneshwar Kumar, India's medium-fast bowler, leads the charts when it comes to most wickets in India-South Africa bilateral T20Is. He has taken 14 wickets from 12 matches against South Africa in T20Is.Suryakumar Yadav, who is set to lead India in the upcoming series, has played two T20Is in South Africa, scoring 56 and 100 in December 2023. His century in the third T20I of the series powered India to a 106-run victory and helped them draw the series 1-1.The India-South Africa T20I rivalry has showcased the adaptability of both teams, with South Africa performing well on Indian pitches, which are generally slower, and India showing resilience on South African fast, bouncy tracks.The upcoming series promises to be another thrilling chapter in the India-South Africa T20I rivalry. With both teams boasting talented players and a history of close matches, fans can expect a captivating spectacle of cricket.

Mumbai Indians (MI), the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, have retained their core group of Indian players ahead of the 2025 season. The franchise secured the services of Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, and Tilak Varma.Bumrah, the star pacer, emerged as the highest-paid player with a salary of Rs 18 crore. Skipper Pandya, who led MI to a disappointing last-place finish in IPL 2024, will earn Rs 16.35 crore. Suryakumar Yadav, the prolific batter, will also receive Rs 16.35 crore. Rohit Sharma, the former captain, will earn Rs 16.30 crore, while young all-rounder Tilak Varma will receive Rs 8 crore.The retention process involved extensive discussions within the MI management. According to sources, Rohit Sharma played a key role in determining the salaries of his teammates. He reportedly suggested that Bumrah, Pandya, and Suryakumar should be paid more than him, as they are still active members of the Indian T20I team.All three batters agreed that Bumrah deserved the highest salary among the retained players. Sources attributed this decision to the respect and importance Bumrah holds within the team.Another topic of debate within MI was the captaincy. Pandya's performance as captain in IPL 2024 drew criticism, and some members of the management considered a change. However, the franchise ultimately decided against it, believing that three captains in three years would be detrimental to the team's stability.