Cricket

Hardik Pandya, the Indian all-rounder, is set to make his return to domestic cricket in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, India's premier T20 tournament. Pandya will join his brother, Krunal Pandya, who will captain the Baroda team.Baroda finished as runners-up in last year's edition of the tournament and will be looking to go one step further this time around. They have been placed in Group B alongside Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Saurashtra, Karnataka, and Sikkim.Under Krunal Pandya's leadership, Baroda has made a strong start to the domestic season. They currently top the standings in Group A of the Elite Division, with four wins and a loss from five matches.Hardik Pandya last played for India in the T20I series against South Africa, where he had modest returns of 59 runs and two wickets. He will be hoping to regain his form and fitness ahead of the upcoming international assignments.The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will get underway on November 23rd, and the final will be played on December 11th.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is set to make his return to domestic cricket with Bengal in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The announcement comes as a welcome boost for Team India, which is preparing for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia with a relatively inexperienced pace attack.Shami's return to domestic cricket marks an important step in his comeback journey. The 32-year-old has been sidelined with injuries for much of the past year, but he has shown signs of regaining his form in recent matches. In Bengal's Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh, Shami took seven wickets and scored 36 runs, demonstrating his all-round abilities.Shami's form is a positive sign for Team India, which is heading to Australia with a pace attack that lacks experience at the highest level. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are the only two bowlers in the squad with significant Test experience, while the likes of Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep are yet to establish themselves at the international level.Shami's experience would be invaluable in Australia, where he has a proven track record. In eight Tests down under, he has taken 31 wickets at an average of 32.16, including best figures of 6/56. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace would be a major asset for India in the challenging conditions in Australia.If included in the squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Shami will be looking to reclaim his spot in the Indian team ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy and the Indian Premier League in 2025. His return to domestic cricket is a significant step towards achieving that goal.

Shreyas Iyer, the in-form batter, has been appointed as the captain of the 17-member Mumbai squad for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scheduled from November 23 to December 15. The squad also includes Prithvi Shaw, who has been recalled after being dropped from the Ranji Trophy side due to fitness and discipline issues.Iyer has been in exceptional form this Ranji Trophy season, amassing 452 runs at an impressive average of 90.40, including two centuries. His blistering 233 against Odisha and 142 against Maharashtra were instrumental in Mumbai's consecutive victories.The inclusion of Shaw is a significant development, as the 25-year-old opener has been in prolific form in domestic cricket. He has scored 332 runs in four innings in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, including a century and two half-centuries.Other notable inclusions in the Mumbai squad include Ajinkya Rahane, who has been captaining the team in the Ranji Trophy, and Siddhesh Lad, who has also been among the runs this season. Spin bowling all-rounder Tanush Kotian, who recently represented India A in unofficial Tests in Australia, has also been selected.Veteran all-rounder Shardul Thakur, who has been a regular member of the Indian team in recent years, will add experience and depth to the Mumbai side. The squad also features promising young players such as Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Jay Bista, and Suryansh Shedge.Mumbai will be aiming to make a strong impact in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which is a domestic Twenty20 tournament. The team has a balanced squad with a mix of experience and youth, and will be hoping to challenge for the title.

Karnataka Unveils Squad for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Vysakh Vijaykumar ReturnsKarnataka has announced its 15-player squad for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scheduled to take place in Indore from November 23rd to December 5th. The team will be led by Mayank Agarwal, with Manish Pandey serving as vice-captain.The squad features the return of fast bowler Vysakh Vijaykumar, who recently missed two rounds of the Ranji Trophy due to his selection for the Indian T20I team. Vijaykumar's inclusion bolsters Karnataka's bowling attack, which also includes experienced campaigners like Shreyas Gopal and Vasuki Koushik.Karnataka's batting lineup boasts a wealth of talent, including India's middle-order batsman Devdutt Padikkal, Abhinav Manohar, and KL Shrijith. The team will be hoping for consistent performances from these batsmen to guide them through the tournament.Karnataka has been placed in Group B for the tournament and will face a challenging schedule. They will open their campaign against Uttarakhand, followed by matches against Tripura, Saurashtra, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Baroda, and Gujarat.The team's support staff remains unchanged, with Yere Goud continuing as head coach and Mansur Ali Khan as bowling coach. They will be tasked with guiding Karnataka to success in the tournament.The full Karnataka squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is as follows:* Mayank Agarwal (Captain)* Manish Pandey (Vice-captain)* Devdutt Padikkal* Abhinav Manohar* Shreyas Gopal* R Smaran* KL Shrijith (Wicketkeeper)* Vysakh Vijaykumar* MacNeil H Noronha* Vasuki Koushik* Manoj Bhandage* Vidyadhar Patil* LR Chethan (Wicketkeeper)* Shubhang Hegde* L Manvanth Kumar

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made a surprising decision to eliminate the Impact Player rule from the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, despite its continuation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the next three seasons.The Impact Player rule, introduced in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on an experimental basis, allows teams to substitute a player during the match. However, it has faced criticism from players and coaches, including Indian captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who argue that it hinders the development of all-rounders and disadvantages bowlers.According to sources, the rule's removal from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is due to concerns about its impact on the competition. With teams fielding specialists, the game becomes a "12 vs 11" contest, reducing the opportunities for all-rounders.The BCCI's decision to retain the Impact Player rule in the IPL is reportedly influenced by pressure from broadcasters. The rule has been credited with adding excitement to the tournament, particularly in the last two editions, which witnessed high-scoring matches.However, the rule's critics argue that it undermines the traditional balance of T20 cricket, where teams rely on a combination of batting, bowling, and fielding skills. They contend that it favors specialist batsmen and makes it more difficult for bowlers to defend their totals.The BCCI's decision to remove the Impact Player rule from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is a significant development that could have implications for the future of T20 cricket in India. It remains to be seen whether the rule will be reintroduced in future editions of the tournament or if it will be permanently discontinued.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a groundbreaking step to enhance the competitiveness and recognition of domestic cricket in the country. In a significant move, the BCCI has announced the introduction of prize money for exceptional performers in all domestic cricket tournaments, including the prestigious Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for senior men's cricket.This initiative marks a major shift in the BCCI's approach to domestic cricket, which has traditionally been overshadowed by the glamour and financial rewards of international cricket. By offering prize money, the BCCI aims to make domestic cricket more lucrative and encourage young players to strive for excellence.The BCCI will now award prize money in all Women's and Junior Cricket tournaments, including the Under-16 (Vijay Merchant Trophy), Under-19 (Cooch Behar Trophy), and Under-23 (CK Nayudu Trophy) tournaments for men, and the Under-15, Under-19, and Under-23 events for women.In addition to the prize money, the BCCI has also decided to eliminate the toss in the CK Nayudu Trophy for the 2024-25 season. This move is intended to reduce the impact of luck on the outcome of matches and give visiting teams a fairer chance of competing.The BCCI's decision to introduce prize money and eliminate the toss in domestic cricket is a testament to its commitment to developing and nurturing the next generation of Indian cricketers. By providing financial incentives and creating a more competitive environment, the BCCI hopes to inspire young players to reach their full potential and contribute to the success of Indian cricket on the international stage.

Indian batter Mandeep Singh has announced his departure from Punjab after a 14-year stint, opting to join Tripura for the upcoming domestic season. The 32-year-old made the announcement via Instagram, expressing gratitude for his time with Punjab and excitement for the new chapter in his career.Mandeep's decision comes after a successful tenure with Punjab, where he captained the team to victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for the 2023-2024 season. He has been a consistent performer for Punjab, amassing 6448 runs in 99 matches at an impressive average of 47.76. His tally includes 15 centuries, with a top score of 235.In his Instagram post, Mandeep acknowledged the support he received from the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), particularly from former cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh. He also thanked the PCA management and staff for their unwavering support throughout his journey.Tripura will benefit immensely from Mandeep's experience and batting prowess. The team recently lost wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha, who returned to Bengal. Mandeep's presence will provide stability and leadership to the Tripura batting lineup.In addition to Mandeep, Tripura has also acquired the services of former Punjab batter Jiwanjot Singh for the upcoming season. The duo's experience and talent will be invaluable assets for Tripura as they aim to make a mark in the domestic circuit.Mandeep's move to Tripura marks a significant shift in his career. He has been a mainstay in the Punjab setup for over a decade, but he believes it is time for a new challenge. Tripura will provide him with a fresh start and an opportunity to continue his pursuit of cricketing excellence.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the schedule for the 2024-25 domestic cricket season, prioritizing player well-being and the development of women's cricket. The season will commence with the Duleep Trophy on September 5, followed by the Irani Cup and the first five league matches of the Ranji Trophy.The white-ball tournaments, including the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, will follow. The Ranji Trophy will then resume with the final two league matches and the knockout stages.To ensure player welfare, the BCCI has incorporated an extended gap between matches, allowing for ample recovery time. Additionally, all Women's challenger tournaments will feature teams selected by the national selectors.The CK Nayudu Trophy will undergo a revamp, introducing a new points system that rewards balanced performances in batting and bowling. The toss will also be abolished for CK Nayudu Trophy matches, with the visiting team choosing whether to bat or bowl first.BCCI Secretary Jay Shah emphasized the importance of player well-being and the development of women's cricket in the scheduling process. He stated, "To prioritize player welfare, an extended gap between matches has been incorporated, ensuring ample time for recovery and sustained peak performance."The new points system in the CK Nayudu Trophy aims to encourage all-round performances and will be evaluated post-season for potential implementation in the Ranji Trophy in subsequent seasons.