Cricket

India's tour of South Africa in November 2023 will feature four T20 Internationals, marking the resumption of a series postponed in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The matches will be played in Durban, Gqeberha, Centurion, and Johannesburg between November 8 and 13.The original series was scheduled for 2021 but was postponed after a surge in COVID-19 cases in South Africa. India played only three Tests and three ODIs during that tour, with South Africa emerging victorious in both series.The teams agreed to reschedule the T20Is but were unable to find a suitable window until now. India's subsequent tour of South Africa in December 2023 included three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests, with the T20I and Test series ending in 1-1 draws and India winning the ODIs 2-1.Hosting India is a significant financial boost for the Cricket South Africa (CSA), with broadcast revenues from a single T20 match estimated at over R150 million (US $8.4 million). CSA reported a loss of R119 million for the previous financial year."We are grateful to the BCCI for their unwavering support of South African cricket and world cricket in general," said CSA chairperson Lawson Naidoo. "Indian cricket team tours are always filled with camaraderie and thrilling cricket, and our fans eagerly anticipate this series, which will showcase the exceptional talent of both teams."

India-born Estonian batter Sahil Chauhan has etched his name in cricket history by smashing the fastest century in all T20 cricket, eclipsing the previous record held by Chris Gayle. Chauhan's blistering 41-ball 144 not out, adorned with 18 sixes and six fours, propelled Estonia to a resounding victory over Cyprus.Chauhan's journey to this remarkable feat began in the humble village of Manakpur Devilal in Haryana, India. Inspired by the exploits of Rohit Sharma, Chauhan's passion for cricket led him to Estonia, where he discovered the sport anew."I've been a big Rohit Sharma fan since I watched him play," Chauhan said. "He's a brilliant player who doesn't take any pressure. I have learned a lot from him."Chauhan's uncle played a pivotal role in his move to Estonia, where he found employment in a small restaurant business. In 2019, he stumbled upon a cricket team in Estonia and joined their ranks."I started playing here in 2019. I was really bored so I started searching on Google for cricket in Estonia and I found a team's contact information and called them," Chauhan recalled.Despite his humble beginnings, Chauhan's talent shone through. He honed his skills in the Estonian cricket league, patiently awaiting an opportunity to showcase his abilities on a grander stage.That opportunity came in the T20 International match against Cyprus. Chasing a target of 192, Estonia found themselves in a precarious position at 40 for three. Chauhan, batting at No. 5, rose to the occasion."I was just thinking about the innings and the target we had to chase. I just played to the merit of the ball, and that's it," Chauhan said.Chauhan's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting. He dispatched the Cyprus bowlers to all corners of the ground, sending the ball soaring over the boundary with effortless ease. His sixes were a testament to his raw power, while his fours demonstrated his exquisite timing.Estonia eventually chased down the target with six wickets and seven overs to spare, thanks in large part to Chauhan's heroics. His record-breaking century has not only brought him international recognition but has also inspired countless aspiring cricketers around the world.

India's batting woes in the USA leg of the ICC T20 World Cup have raised concerns, but former all-rounder Robin Singh believes a change in conditions in the Super Eights in the West Indies could provide a boost.Captain Rohit Sharma and star player Virat Kohli have struggled to find form, with Sharma scoring just one significant innings of 52 against Ireland and Kohli managing only 1, 4, and 0 in the three matches.However, Singh is optimistic that the duo will come together for a strong opening partnership in Barbados, where Australia previously recorded a score above 200."I don't think that's really an issue, and it's not only Virat and Rohit. I think everyone who has opened innings in every team really struggled in the conditions provided during the World Cup so far," Singh said."But I think this is a different format. I mean, they have three games to play. They know exactly where they stand. These guys are seasoned and top of the line players. So, I'm pretty sure one of them is going to deliver. If not both, to be honest. It'd be nice to see both of them actually putting a really good partnership together."Singh also highlighted the importance of having a left-hander in the top three, which India has in Rishabh Pant."I've always advocated that you have a left-hander in the top three, even if he's not an opener. So, that makes a huge difference. If you see most of the bowlers, they're right-arm bowlers. They're not left-arm bowlers, so it changes the line totally. In T20, most people struggle a little bit with the lines if you have left and right combinations."Singh also cautioned against underestimating Afghanistan, who have a strong bowling attack led by left-arm fast-bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi, the tournament's leading wicket-taker."No, I don't think you can underestimate the Afghanistan team. Their bowlers have done very well. Farooqi has been bowling really well and they have a couple of seasoned fast bowlers as well. But I think in general, they have been a pretty confident team.""So, they are probably the dark horses of the tournament. So, it's really important to be at the top of the game against them, and you have to expect everyone to deliver. So, you can't take anyone for granted."

India's journey in the Super 8 stage of the tournament, where they aim to secure a semifinal berth, is fraught with challenges. Afghanistan, a formidable T20 side, has demonstrated their prowess in recent matches. Despite their defeat against the hosts, West Indies, they possess the ability to regroup swiftly and pose a significant threat in the qualifiers. Bangladesh, too, has given India a run for their money, particularly in the white-ball format, and will be eager to prove their mettle once again.India recognizes the arduous task ahead of them in securing a top-two finish in their group. Australia, a formidable opponent in all formats of the game, raises their level of play when facing India. They are aware of India's lingering disappointment after their defeat in last year's World Cup final and will be determined to exact revenge.India's batting lineup has yet to fully ignite, with only Rishabh Pant delivering consistent performances. The team has played three of their four matches on a challenging pitch in New York and faced a washout in Florida. Barbados, renowned for producing legendary cricketers, will provide a different playing surface and serve as an inspiration for India to showcase their top-quality cricket. Earning the appreciation of the Barbados crowd is akin to winning a rare prize. Playing here will also offer India valuable insights into the pitch conditions should they reach the final.The match will be a battle of wits between the spin magicians of Afghanistan and India's formidable batting lineup. Afghanistan will miss the services of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, a rare spinner who excels in the PowerPlay. However, with Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad in their ranks, they remain confident in their ability to restrict India to a manageable score. India may consider introducing the left-arm wrist spin of Kuldeep Yadav, although they are likely to field an unchanged playing eleven.The bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and ably supported by Arshdeep Singh, can extract bounce from the pitch if it is firm and hard. Hardik Pandya has bowled exceptionally well, effectively utilizing the bouncer. With Suryakumar Yadav finding form in the match against USA, the middle order concerns have been largely alleviated. Shivam Dube has also demonstrated a keen understanding of the game situation and the ability to bide his time on the unpredictable New York pitch.Predicting the outcome of a T20 match is never easy, especially against Afghanistan, whose players have extensive experience in T20 leagues worldwide. The team that maintains composure and executes their plans effectively will emerge victorious.

As the current Indian leadership group approaches the end of its tenure, it's time to reflect on their legacy. Their most significant contribution has been the transformation of India's limited-overs batting approach. Virat Kohli, for instance, has evolved into a formidable T20 batter while maintaining his ODI prowess.However, in India, legacy is often measured by ICC trophies. Unfortunately, this remains the yardstick for a team that has consistently ranked among the best. Ironically, while Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma's tenure has been marked by an aggressive batting philosophy, their legacy of pushing the boundaries has taken a back seat.Two of India's most explosive hitters, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, have been forced to adopt a more conservative approach, akin to the middle overs of an ODI. "We've pushed the needle forward in terms of our batting," Dravid acknowledged. "But we also need to be mindful of conditions."In T20 cricket, the batters' approach plays a crucial role, and it varies depending on the conditions. The unpredictability of new conditions in the West Indies will pose a challenge for India in the Super Eight."We feel we've got the experience and knowledge to counteract different situations," Dravid said. "We're looking at past games, scores, swing, turn, and bounce."However, Dravid emphasized the importance of adaptability. "Conditions can be very different to what you think it is," he said. "We will have to be quick and smart in assessing the conditions."One subtle but noticeable change in India's approach has been their willingness to adjust down rather than up. The top order, particularly Kohli, has shown faith in the batters to follow. This approach, combined with courage and indifference towards the end result, could prove beneficial for India in the T20 knockouts.

Birmingham Bears secured their second victory in three days, solidifying their position among the North Group contenders with a seven-wicket Vitality Blast triumph over Derbyshire Falcons at the Incora County Ground.On a challenging pitch that restricted run-scoring, the Bears restricted Derbyshire to a modest 133 for 7. Left-arm spinner Danny Briggs led the bowling attack with an impressive 2 for 23, while David Lloyd top-scored for the Falcons with a gritty 50 and Brooke Guest contributed an unbeaten 38. Richard Gleeson also chipped in with two wickets in the powerplay.Derbyshire's spinners initially threatened to stifle the Bears' chase, but Dan Mousley and Sam Hain displayed remarkable patience and resilience. Their 93-run partnership across 13.3 overs proved decisive, with Mousley sealing the victory with his seventh four with seven balls to spare.Derbyshire's innings got off to a shaky start when Aneurin Donald departed cheaply. However, Lloyd and Guest provided some stability before Gleeson struck twice in the final over of the powerplay to give the Bears an early advantage. Lloyd reached a 36-ball half-century with two towering sixes but was eventually caught attempting to clear the midwicket boundary.Samit Patel and Ross Whiteley fell cheaply, leaving Derbyshire struggling at 103 for 5. Mousley's offspin proved economical, conceding only 16 runs in his allocation. Zak Chappell's run-out in the final over left Derbyshire with a below-par total of 133.Birmingham's chase began with a setback as Daryn Dupavillon dismissed Rob Yates. Mousley responded with three quick boundaries, but Alex Davies was caught at midwicket after hitting a six. Mousley continued to anchor the innings, reaching his fifty from 42 balls.Patel and Mitch Wagstaff applied pressure with their spin bowling, but Mousley and Hain remained patient and gradually chipped away at the target. Hain eventually departed for 43, but Mousley remained unbeaten on 66* to guide the Bears to victory.

Durham's Graham Clark and David Bedingham put on a batting masterclass on Father's Day, guiding their team to a thrilling two-run victory over Lancashire Lightning in the Vitality Blast.Clark (87) and Bedingham (78) combined for a 109-run partnership, propelling Durham to a mammoth 218 for three, their highest total against Lancashire in T20s. Lancashire's chase started promisingly, but Durham's bowlers, led by Callum Parkinson's three-wicket haul, kept chipping away at their batting lineup.Despite a late surge from George Balderson, Jack Blatherwick, and Chris Green, Lancashire fell just short of the target, handing Durham their first home win of the Blast campaign.Durham skipper Alex Lees opted to bat first, and Clark wasted no time in setting the tone with a six off Luke Wood. Lees joined the party with a boundary off Saqib Mahmood, taking Durham past 50 in the powerplay.Balderson broke the opening stand with the wicket of Lees, but Bedingham continued the momentum, hitting consecutive fours off Luke Wells. Clark reached his half-century in 29 balls, and Bedingham followed suit shortly after.Mahmood dismissed Clark, but Bedingham kept the runs flowing, smashing a six over Blatherwick's head. The South African reached his half-century in 29 balls before falling in the final over.Lancashire's reply began disastrously as Parkinson bowled Josh Bohannon for four. Wells hit a six off Matthew Potts, but Ashton Turner removed him soon after.With the DLS par score rising due to drizzle, Lancashire needed to accelerate. Keaton Jennings and Matthew Hurst took them past 50, but Coughlin produced a stunning caught-and-bowled to dismiss Hurst.Nathan Sowter removed Jennings, and Parkinson got rid of Tom Bruce and Steven Croft. Green and Balderson fought back, but Raine dismissed Green, and Blatherwick's late sixes were not enough to prevent Lancashire from falling two runs short.

Northamptonshire Steelbacks secured a crucial 11-run victory over Worcestershire Rapids in the Vitality Blast, boosting their chances of reaching the knockout stages. The win marked Northamptonshire's fourth in six matches, while Worcestershire suffered their fourth consecutive defeat, making their path to the quarter-finals more challenging.On a two-paced hybrid pitch, batting proved difficult for both teams. Northamptonshire relied on a 75-run partnership between Matthew Breetzke and Sikandar Raza to post a competitive total of 143 for 6. Breetzke top-scored with 52 off 41 balls, while Raza contributed 43.Worcestershire's chase was anchored by Ethan Brookes, who scored 42, but they were unable to keep up with the required run rate. Ben Sanderson was the standout bowler for Northamptonshire, claiming 3 for 16, while the team's fielding was also exceptional.Northamptonshire captain David Willey won the toss and elected to bat, but he struggled alongside Breetzke. Willey was fortunate to survive an inside edge and a dropped catch, but he eventually fell for 14. Hayden Walsh and Adam Finch also picked up wickets to leave Northamptonshire at 49 for 3.Breetzke and Raza then steadied the innings, but their partnership was broken in the 19th over by Tom Taylor, who dismissed both batsmen. Saif Zaib was then trapped lbw by Finch, leaving Northamptonshire with a modest total.Worcestershire's chase began poorly as Rob Jones was caught behind off Raphael Weatherall. Sanderson then struck twice in quick succession, removing Gareth Roderick and Adam Hose to leave the Rapids reeling at 31 for 3.Brett D'Oliveira and Brookes attempted to rebuild the innings, but D'Oliveira was caught at mid-on off Weatherall. Brookes' dismissal, caught by George Bartlett off Willey, brought Worcestershire back into the game.However, Northamptonshire's bowlers maintained their discipline, with Smith and Pollock also falling in the deep. The Steelbacks held on for a crucial victory, keeping their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive.

Surrey's relentless performance propelled them to the top of the Vitality Blast South Group, dethroning Sussex Sharks with an impressive 54-run victory at Hove.Sussex, riding high on a four-match winning streak, faced a rude awakening as Surrey's potent attack dismantled their batting lineup. Australian import Spencer Johnson struck early, dismissing Harrison Ward and James Coles in the opening over. Sean Abbott then accounted for Daniel Hughes, leaving Sussex reeling at 24 for 3.Despite valiant efforts from John Simpson (25), Jack Carson (24), and Fynn Hudson-Prentice (23), Sussex's chase of 185 proved insurmountable. Surrey's bowlers maintained a relentless pressure, restricting Sussex to a mere 130 all out in 18.1 overs.Earlier, Surrey had posted a competitive 184 for 8, thanks to Laurie Evans' 41 and Jamie Smith's 45. Evans, facing his former county, shared a 67-run partnership with Dom Sibley, while Smith and Rory Burns added 69 for the fifth wicket. Danny Lamb emerged as Sussex's most effective bowler, claiming 3 for 36.Sussex's batting woes continued in their chase. Ward, who had scored 68 in their previous victory, was dismissed early by Johnson. Coles and Hughes followed suit, leaving Sussex in a precarious position. Simpson and Tom Alsop briefly steadied the ship, but Gus Atkinson and Ollie Lawrence struck to put Sussex on the back foot.Tom Curran's double-wicket over effectively ended Sussex's hopes, although Robinson and Carson added some respectability to the scorecard. Surrey's victory not only secured them the top spot in the group but also highlighted the gulf in class between the two sides.