Cricket

Suryakumar Yadav, the newly appointed Indian T20 captain, has expressed his enthusiasm for leading the team on the field, despite not having previously held the captaincy role. He credits his leadership skills to the lessons he has learned from various skippers throughout his career.Yadav was named India's T20 captain last week, succeeding Hardik Pandya after Rohit Sharma's retirement from the format. His first assignment will be the three-match T20 series against hosts Sri Lanka, beginning on Saturday."I have always enjoyed being a leader on the field even though I was not the captain. I have always learnt a lot of things from different captains. It's a good feeling and a great responsibility," Yadav told BCCI.TV.Yadav's appointment marks the beginning of a new era for Indian cricket, with Gautam Gambhir taking over as head coach. Yadav and Gambhir share a strong bond from their days together at Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014."This relationship is special because in 2014 I played under him in KKR. It was special because from there only I got opportunities. The relationship is still strong," Yadav said.Yadav emphasized the importance of humility and staying grounded while leading the team. He believes that cricket is just a part of life and that it should not define one's self-worth."I think most important thing what I have learned from this sport is how humble you are after achieving or even after not doing well. I have learned when you do something on the ground you have to leave it on the ground," he said."This is not your life, this is just a part of your life. So you can't be when you are doing well you stay on the top and when you are not doing well, you are underground."Yadav's leadership style is likely to be influenced by the experiences he has gained from playing under different captains. He has learned the importance of communication, adaptability, and decision-making.As India embarks on a new chapter in its cricketing history, Yadav's leadership will be crucial in shaping the team's future. His experience, skills, and passion for the game make him an ideal candidate to lead India to success in the T20 format.

India's newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir has addressed the much-discussed relationship between himself and batting mainstay Virat Kohli, stating that it is a private matter. Gambhir and Kohli have had a history of confrontations in the Indian Premier League (IPL), but they will now be working together for the upcoming T20 and ODI tour of Sri Lanka."My relationship with Virat Kohli is between the two of us and not for TRPs," Gambhir said. He added that they have had "lots of discussions" and that "everyone has the right fight for their jersey."With the departure of Rohit Sharma and Kohli from the T20 International scene, workload management of players like Jasprit Bumrah becomes crucial. Gambhir emphasized the importance of managing Bumrah's workload, especially since Sharma and Kohli will now only play two formats."Workload for someone like Jasprit Bumrah is important," Gambhir said. "Now that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will play only two formats, I expect them to be available for most games."Gambhir also discussed the team's preparations for the Sri Lanka tour, highlighting the need for adaptability and flexibility. He believes that the team has the potential to perform well, but they must be prepared for the challenges ahead."We have a good team, but we need to be adaptable and flexible," Gambhir said. "We need to be able to play in different conditions and against different teams. We have the potential to do well, but we need to be prepared for the challenges ahead."

Somerset's clinical performance at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, propelled them to a six-wicket victory over Sussex Sharks, securing their place in the Vitality Blast South Group quarter-finals.Sussex's batting faltered after winning the toss, posting a modest 158 for 9. Harrison Ward's rapid 39 provided a brief spark, but Ben Green's devastating spell of 4 for 17 stifled their progress.Somerset's chase was equally impressive, with George Thomas' blistering 42 and Tom Abell's unbeaten 47 leading the charge. Sean Dickson's 28 and Tymal Mills' 2 for 28 were notable contributions for Sussex.The Sharks' powerplay began promisingly with Daniel Hughes' three consecutive fours and Ward's first six of the match. However, Jack Leach's introduction proved pivotal, removing Ward and triggering a Sussex collapse.Green's double strike in his first over further weakened the visitors, and despite Tom Alsop's brief resistance, James Coles and Nathan McAndrew's run-outs compounded their woes. Green's fourth wicket sealed Sussex's fate.Somerset's openers, Tom Banton and Thomas, set the tone for their chase with a brisk 34-run stand. Thomas' departure for 42 was a minor setback, but Abell and Kohler-Cadmore continued the momentum.Abell's survival of a caught and bowled chance proved crucial, as he and Dickson cleared the ropes to bring Somerset within sight of victory. Dickson's three boundaries off McAndrew sealed the deal, despite his eventual run-out.Somerset's victory not only secured their quarter-final berth but also boosted their chances of hosting a home tie. The Sharks, meanwhile, face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages.

Indian Women's Cricketers Rise in ICC T20 RankingsIndian women's cricket team opener Shafali Verma and captain Harmanpreet Kaur have made significant strides in the latest ICC T20 rankings, released on Tuesday. Verma has climbed two positions to share the 15th rank with New Zealand's Amelia Kerr and England's Danni Wyatt, while Kaur has gained three places to occupy the 12th spot.Verma's impressive performances in the recently concluded series against South Africa have propelled her up the rankings. The young opener has been in scintillating form, scoring consistently and playing some eye-catching shots. Her ability to clear the boundary with ease has made her a formidable force in the Indian batting lineup.Kaur, who led India to a 2-1 series victory over South Africa, has also been rewarded for her consistent performances. The experienced all-rounder has been a key figure in the Indian team for many years, and her leadership and batting skills have been instrumental in their success.Smriti Mandhana, known for her aggressive batting style, remains the highest-ranked Indian batter, holding steady at the fifth position. Mandhana has been in excellent form in recent months, and her ability to score runs at a brisk pace has made her one of the most feared batters in the world.Among the bowlers, the experienced Deepti Sharma maintained her position at the third spot. Sharma has been a consistent performer for India, and her ability to bowl both spin and seam makes her a valuable asset to the team.Radha Yadav made significant progress, moving up eight places to reach the 15th rank. Yadav has been in impressive form in recent matches, and her ability to take wickets at crucial junctures has been a major factor in India's success.Pooja Vastrakar ascended six positions to secure the 23rd spot. Vastrakar has been a reliable all-rounder for India, and her ability to contribute with both bat and ball has made her a valuable member of the team.Shreyanka Patil also improved her standing, climbing nine places to occupy the 60th position. Patil has been a promising young bowler for India, and her recent performances have shown that she has the potential to become a top-class spinner.In other news, England spinner Sarah Glenn achieved a new career-high rating of 768 points. Glenn has taken eight wickets in the first four matches of England's ongoing T20I series at home against New Zealand. This achievement has allowed her to retain her position as the world's No.2 ranked T20I bowler.The only player ahead of Glenn in the ratings is her teammate and fellow spinner, Sophie Ecclestone, who also has eight scalps from the first four matches of the five-game series.

Middlesex emerged victorious in their Vitality Blast encounter against Glamorgan, securing a six-wicket triumph in a rain-affected match at Cardiff. The contest was reduced to 10 overs per side, with Luke Hollman's exceptional bowling and crucial runs from Leus du Plooy and Martin Andersson proving decisive for Middlesex.Glamorgan's innings got off to a promising start, with openers Will Smale and Kiran Carlson amassing 27 runs in the powerplay. However, Hollman's devastating spell turned the tide, claiming four wickets in quick succession. Experienced batters Chris Cooke and Marnus Labuschagne fell victim to Hollman's accuracy, leaving Glamorgan reeling at 51 for 6.Despite Timm van der Gugten's late surge, Glamorgan could only muster 88 for 9 from their allotted overs. Mason Crane's unbeaten 18 provided some solace for the home side, but it was ultimately an underwhelming total.Middlesex's chase began with a solid opening partnership between du Plooy and Andersson. They accumulated 55 runs in the powerplay, putting their team in a commanding position. Du Plooy's dismissal for 28 brought Jack Davies to the crease, but he and Andersson departed in quick succession.With Middlesex needing 14 runs from the final two overs, Hollman's towering six off Labuschagne brought them within sight of victory. Despite Jamie McIlroy's late wicket, Joe Cracknell's boundary sealed the win for Middlesex with three balls to spare.Glamorgan's hopes of progressing in the competition now hang in the balance, as they will need to win all their remaining fixtures and rely on favorable results elsewhere. For Middlesex, despite this victory, qualification may be out of reach, as they can only accumulate a maximum of 13 points.

Ishan Kishan, the dynamic Indian wicketkeeper-batter, is determined to reclaim his place in the national team after a challenging six-month period. Having lost his spot in all three formats and his central contract, Kishan is eager to prove his worth once again.In an interview with the Indian Express, Kishan expressed his admiration for Rishabh Pant's recent return to the Indian side. He acknowledged the intense competition within the team, particularly with the impressive performances of Pant and Sanju Samson. However, Kishan remains unfazed and welcomes the challenge."It was heartening to see Rishabh back in action," said Kishan. "As far as competition goes, you love challenges. When you compete with quality cricketers, it enhances your game. I know it's not going to be easy, but competition gives you that feeling of satisfaction."Kishan's ambitions extend beyond the T20 format. He envisions himself as a key player in all three formats, as he was before his hiatus. "I see myself playing in all three formats," he stated. "I want to be part of all three formats."To achieve his goals, Kishan is focused on improving his fitness and preparing for upcoming tournaments. He is determined to stay in the present and not dwell on past setbacks or future uncertainties."I am not thinking too much about the future," said Kishan. "I want to stay in the present. I am only focused on how to become a better and different player from what I was six months ago. I will work on a few innovative shots and on my wicket-keeping."Kishan is eagerly awaiting the start of the domestic season, where he hopes to showcase his skills for Jharkhand. He believes that strong performances at the domestic level will pave the way for his return to the national team.

Surrey's resilience shone through in a thrilling Vitality Blast encounter at the Kia Oval, where they edged out Kent Spitfires by a narrow five-run margin under the Duckworth/Lewis method.Despite a delayed start due to rain, Surrey managed to post a competitive 103 for 5 in their allotted 10 overs. Laurie Evans led the charge with a brisk 25, while Dom Sibley and Reece Jordan contributed valuable sixes.Kent's chase got off to a shaky start as Daniel Bell-Drummond departed early. However, Feroze Khushi (35) and Sam Billings (14*) kept their hopes alive with some late hitting.The match reached a pivotal point in the penultimate over when Khushi was dismissed by Cameron Steel. Kent needed 17 runs from the final over, but Surrey's captain Chris Jordan held his nerve and restricted them to 81 for 3.Surrey's innings also featured a dramatic twist in the final over. Grant Stewart's no-ball full toss allowed Ben Geddes to smash a six, adding 19 runs to their total.Key moments in the match included Cameron Steel's economical fourth over, which stifled Kent's momentum, and Jordan's accurate bowling under pressure in the final over.Surrey's victory consolidates their position at the top of the South Group standings, while Kent's seventh loss in ten games leaves them struggling to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Gloucestershire emerged victorious in a thrilling Vitality Blast South Group encounter against arch-rivals Somerset at Taunton, chasing down a target of 195 with just one ball to spare.The visitors' pursuit was spearheaded by Miles Hammond's 42 and Beau Webster's 39, while Ben Charlesworth's unbeaten 24 off 13 balls proved crucial in the closing stages. Somerset had earlier posted 194 for six, with Tom Banton's 77* and Tom Green's 47 providing the impetus.Somerset's innings got off to a solid start, reaching 58 for two in the powerplay. However, Gloucestershire's bowlers kept the pressure on, with Marchant de Lange's sharp spell proving particularly effective. The home side found themselves struggling at 148 for five at the end of the 18th over, but Green's late onslaught, including 16 runs off the final four balls of the innings, gave them a competitive total.Gloucestershire's reply began with a setback as Cameron Bancroft fell cheaply. However, James Bracey and Hammond quickly put the visitors in control, adding 66 for the second wicket. Hammond's dismissal triggered a mini-collapse, with Bracey and Jack Taylor following in quick succession.Webster and Taylor then steadied the ship, putting on 65 for the fourth wicket. Taylor's departure left Gloucestershire needing 44 from 27 balls, but Webster and Price kept the scoreboard ticking over. With Meredith unable to bowl his final two overs due to a back spasm, it fell to Green to defend 21 off the last two overs.Charlesworth smashed a six off the penultimate ball to seal a remarkable victory for Gloucestershire. The result leaves Somerset winless after two matches in the Vitality Blast, while Gloucestershire move up to second place in the South Group.

Glamorgan's impressive form in the Vitality Blast continued as they secured a 26-run victory over Essex at Cardiff, marking their second consecutive win in the tournament.After being invited to bat first, Glamorgan posted a competitive total of 182 for eight, with Colin Ingram leading the charge with a top score of 47. Marnus Labuschagne and Chris Cooke provided valuable support, contributing 30 and 38 runs respectively.Essex's chase got off to a promising start as Adam Rossington and Paul Walter forged an 83-run partnership. Walter was particularly impressive, scoring 53 runs off just 33 deliveries. However, the introduction of Labuschagne and Mason Crane into the attack proved decisive.Labuschagne and Crane's legspin wizardry stifled Essex's momentum, claiming five wickets between them. Rossington fell for 43, while the middle order struggled to keep up with the required run rate.Timm van der Gugten had earlier made a significant impact with the ball for Glamorgan, claiming three early wickets to leave Essex reeling at 27 for three. His dismissal of Dean Elgar, Michael Pepper, and Robin Das put Essex on the back foot.Despite Walter's heroics, Essex were eventually bowled out for 156, falling well short of the target. Glamorgan's bowlers maintained excellent discipline throughout the innings, with van der Gugten, Labuschagne, and Crane sharing the spoils.The victory consolidates Glamorgan's position in the Vitality Blast standings, while Essex's hopes of progressing to the knockout stages have suffered a setback.