Cricket

Arshdeep Singh, the young left-arm pacer, has emerged as a vital cog in India's T20I setup since his debut in 2022. His impressive performances have propelled him to the cusp of a significant milestone in the ongoing series against Bangladesh.With 86 wickets in 52 T20Is, Arshdeep is poised to surpass two legendary Indian bowlers in the T20I wicket-taking charts. After his three-wicket haul in the first T20I in Gwalior, he is just three wickets away from equaling Jasprit Bumrah's tally of 89 wickets in 70 T20Is. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, with 90 wickets from 87 T20Is, is also within reach.If Arshdeep maintains his current form, he could become India's second-highest T20I wicket-taker by the end of the series. Only Yuzvendra Chahal, with 96 wickets in 80 matches, stands ahead of him. Notably, all of India's top five T20I wicket-takers are still active, highlighting the depth of talent in the team.Arshdeep's rise has been meteoric. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace has made him a potent weapon in the powerplay and death overs. His consistency and ability to deliver under pressure have earned him the trust of the Indian team management.As India aims to clinch the series against Bangladesh, all eyes will be on Arshdeep to see if he can surpass these modern-day greats. Currently fifth among India's highest T20I wicket-takers, he trails his teammate Hardik Pandya, who has 87 wickets.India's next two matches are scheduled to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi (9 October) and Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad (12 October). Arshdeep will have ample opportunities to etch his name in the history books and further cement his status as one of India's most promising young bowlers.

India's bowling arsenal has received a significant boost with the debut of Mayank Yadav, a fiery pacer who has consistently clocked speeds exceeding 150 kmph. Yadav made his international debut in the first T20I against Bangladesh, where he claimed a wicket and impressed with his raw pace.However, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has downplayed the threat posed by Yadav, suggesting that his team has similar pacers in their net bowling lineup. "We have some similar fast bowlers in the nets. I don't think we were too worried about (Mayank Yadav)," Shanto said after Bangladesh's seven-wicket defeat in the series opener.Despite Shanto's comments, Yadav's performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has been nothing short of exceptional. His ability to generate express pace and swing the ball has made him a formidable force in the shortest format of the game.Meanwhile, Team India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, has arrived in New Delhi ahead of the second T20I against Bangladesh. The hosts will be aiming to seal the series with a second consecutive victory on Wednesday.After their impressive seven-wicket win in Gwalior, India will be confident of extending their lead in the three-match series. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be eager to bounce back and level the series.The second T20I promises to be a high-scoring affair, with both teams boasting explosive batting lineups. India will rely on the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav to provide the fireworks, while Bangladesh will look to Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, and Liton Das to deliver.

India's Abhishek Sharma Faces Criticism from Mentor Yuvraj Singh After Run-Out BlunderIn the first T20I against Bangladesh, India's opening batsman Abhishek Sharma faced criticism from his mentor, former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh, after a disappointing run-out. Chasing a modest target of 128 runs, Sharma and Sanju Samson started well, but Sharma's dismissal for 16 runs off 7 balls left a sour taste.Despite India's comprehensive victory, Sharma's run-out drew criticism. Taking to Instagram, Sharma shared a post expressing his commitment to the team, but Yuvraj Singh left a pointed comment: "Only if we apply our brains properly."Sharma's dismissal was particularly disappointing given his recent maiden T20I century. In a video released by the BCCI, Sharma had revealed that Yuvraj Singh had been happy when he was dismissed for a duck in the previous match."I spoke to him (Yuvraj) yesterday and he said I don't know why but he was very happy when I was out on zero. He said that's a good start. I think he must be very proud of me just like my family," Sharma had said.The bond between Yuvraj Singh and Abhishek Sharma goes beyond the traditional relationship between a former and current cricketer. Sharma credits Yuvraj Singh for his success at the international level."I am playing at this level because of him. The hard work he has put on me. For the past two, three years he has really worked hard not only on my cricket even off the field as well," Sharma had said.Yuvraj Singh's criticism of Sharma's run-out highlights the importance of mental focus and decision-making in cricket. While Sharma's commitment to the team is commendable, he will need to improve his situational awareness and avoid such costly mistakes in the future.

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya's impressive performance in the first T20I against Bangladesh has sparked discussions about his progress. While Pandya's 39-run knock and 1/26 bowling figures earned him praise, former India fast bowler RP Singh believes Bangladesh may not be the ideal benchmark to assess his form.Singh emphasized that Bangladesh's current form is not at the highest level, making it difficult to accurately gauge Pandya's progress. He suggested that a better assessment could be made against stronger opposition or in more competitive tournaments.Despite his reservations about using Bangladesh as a measure, Singh acknowledged Pandya's capabilities and praised his ability to contribute with both bat and ball. He highlighted Pandya's consistent bowling of four overs as a positive sign for the Indian team.Singh cautioned against overexcitement based solely on Pandya's performance against Bangladesh, emphasizing that tougher tests lie ahead. He believes that Pandya's true form will be revealed in more challenging matches.Pandya's performance has been a topic of discussion since his return from injury. His ability to bowl his full quota of overs and contribute with the bat has been seen as a significant improvement in his fitness and overall game.However, Singh's comments serve as a reminder that while Pandya's performance against Bangladesh is encouraging, it should not be taken as a definitive measure of his progress. Only time and tougher opposition will truly reveal the extent of his recovery and his ability to perform at the highest level.

Arshdeep Singh, the rising star of Indian cricket, has emerged as a leader within the pace attack. His sage counsel to debutant Mayank Yadav during the first T20I against Bangladesh in Gwalior is a testament to his growing stature.Arshdeep's journey to the top has been meteoric. Just two years ago, he was a newcomer to the international scene. Today, he is a key figure in India's white-ball setup, renowned for his death-over prowess. His ability to execute a mix of pace variations and pinpoint yorkers has made him a formidable force.Arshdeep's crowning moment came in Barbados, where he bowled a miserly 19th over to scuttle South Africa's chase in the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup final. The World Cup title, a lifelong dream for many, was achieved in quick time.Despite his rapid ascent, Arshdeep remains grounded. "I don't know how quickly these last two years have gone. I just try to enjoy and stay in the present," he said.The 25-year-old is also embracing new challenges. Last month, he featured in the long-format Duleep Trophy for India 'D'. A nine-wicket match-haul against India 'B' proved to be a highlight. Arshdeep's dismissal of India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav twice in that game showcased his versatility.While it is too early to suggest that Arshdeep is ready for Test duty, his experience bowling long spells with the red ball was invaluable. "Playing red ball cricket teaches you patience. In T20s, you don't need patience. I want to do my best in all formats wherever I get the opportunity," Arshdeep said.Arshdeep's rise to prominence is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He is a role model for aspiring cricketers, demonstrating that anything is possible with determination and perseverance.

Mahmudullah Retires from T20Is, Citing Focus on ODIsVeteran Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad has announced his retirement from Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), effective after the third and final match of the ongoing series against India. The 38-year-old made the announcement at a pre-match press conference ahead of the second T20I in Delhi.Mahmudullah, who made his international debut in 2007, has been a mainstay in Bangladesh's T20I setup for over a decade. He has played 139 T20Is, scoring 2,213 runs at an average of 22.13 and taking 92 wickets with his off-spin bowling. He has also captained Bangladesh in 35 T20Is."Yes, I'm retiring from T20Is after the last game of this series. It was pre-decided," Mahmudullah said. "It's the right time to move on from this format and concentrate on ODI."Mahmudullah's decision to retire from T20Is comes as no surprise, as he has been struggling for form in recent times. He has not scored a half-century in his last 10 T20I innings and has taken only two wickets in his last five matches.However, Mahmudullah remains a key player for Bangladesh in ODIs. He has played 232 ODIs, scoring 4,876 runs at an average of 33.14 and taking 153 wickets. He is also Bangladesh's most successful ODI captain, having led the team to 43 victories in 73 matches.Mahmudullah's retirement from T20Is will be a significant loss for Bangladesh, but it will also allow him to focus on his ODI career and help Bangladesh qualify for the 2023 World Cup.

Team India's T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, is poised to make history as he stands on the cusp of equaling Virat Kohli's record as the second-fastest batter to reach 2500 runs in T20 Internationals. With just 39 runs separating him from the milestone, Suryakumar has the opportunity to match Kohli's feat in the same number of matches (73).Kohli, who retired from T20Is in 2024, achieved the milestone in a remarkable 73 matches. Suryakumar, on the other hand, has amassed 2461 runs in 72 T20I games, showcasing his exceptional consistency and ability to score runs at a rapid pace.If Suryakumar manages to score 39 runs in the second T20I against Bangladesh, he will etch his name alongside some of the greatest T20I batters in history. The overall record for the fastest to 2500 T20I runs is held by Pakistan's Babar Azam, who reached the milestone in a mere 67 matches.Fastest to 2500 runs in T20Is:1. Babar Azam (Pakistan) - 67 matches2. Virat Kohli (India) - 73 matches3. Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) - 76 matches4. Aaron Finch (Australia) - 78 matches5. Martin Guptill (New Zealand) - 86 matchesSuryakumar's impressive T20I career has been marked by his ability to play high-impact innings at crucial moments. In the first T20I against Bangladesh, he played a quick-fire knock of 29 runs off just 14 balls, helping India secure a comfortable seven-wicket victory.With India leading the three-match series 1-0, all eyes will be on Suryakumar in the second T20I on Wednesday. If India manages to secure another win, they will wrap up the series and extend their dominant run following their recent 2-0 Test series sweep against Bangladesh.

India's dominance over Bangladesh in the ongoing T20I series continued as they secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory in the second match in Guwahati. The hosts, fielding a young and talented side, proved too strong for the full-strength visitors, who have struggled to match the "skills and mentality" of Suryakumar Yadav's men.Despite resting key players like Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, and Jasprit Bumrah, India's depth in white-ball cricket shone through. Sanju Samson, confirmed as an opener for the series, made a strong statement of intent with a brisk 19-ball 29, showcasing his ability to play freely in the powerplay. However, he failed to convert his promising start, much like his opening partner Abhishek Sharma, who displayed sheer power before running himself out.With first-choice openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill rested, both Samson and Sharma were keen to prove their worth. They seized the opportunity and looked to build a solid foundation for India's chase.The hosts' bowling attack, led by debutant Mayank Yadav's fiery pace, was equally impressive. Yadav, along with fellow first-timer Nitish Kumar Reddy, made a mark as a seam-bowling all-rounder, a rarity in Indian cricket. Arshdeep Singh capably led the pace attack, while mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy made a striking comeback after a three-year absence from the national team.Chakaravarthy, who is eyeing the spin all-rounder's spot left vacant by Ravindra Jadeja, will be a key player for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. He, along with Washington Sundar, will be looking to fill the void left by Jadeja's absence.On the other hand, Bangladesh, who fielded a similar side to the one they played at the World Cup earlier this year, have the advantage of experience but have been unable to crack the T20 format. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto admitted that his team has not been performing well in this format for a long time.Batting continues to be Bangladesh's weak link, and they struggled against India's disciplined bowling attack. Senior players like Liton Das and Mahmuddullah need to get their act together if Bangladesh wants to stay alive in the three-match series.The Bangladesh bowlers have the ability to spice up things, but against India's formidable lineup, they would need plenty of runs on the board.

Mayank Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy, the two debutants in India's T20I squad, made an impressive start to their international careers in the first match against Bangladesh. Despite initial nerves, they credited skipper Suryakumar Yadav for providing them with calming words and support.Mayank, a 21-year-old pace bowler, made his debut after recovering from an abdominal strain. He impressed with figures of 1/21 in his four overs. Nitish, also 21, made an impact with an unbeaten 16 off 15 balls, helping India secure a seven-wicket victory.Suryakumar's leadership played a crucial role in easing the debutants' nerves. "He gives you freedom," said Mayank. "He told me to do what I feel best, which is important for any fast bowler, especially when making your debut."Nitish added, "He is very calm and cool. He gave us the license to play without pressure, which is what any youngster would want from their captain."Mayank expressed his emotions about making his debut after a long injury layoff. "It's a great moment because I am coming from an injury. I was a bit nervous, but I told myself not to stress."He credited bowling coach Morne Morkel for shaping his development. "I know him very well, and it's easy for me to work with him. He knows what's best for me."Nitish was equally satisfied with his debut performance. "It's a dream-come-true moment for any cricketer in India. There was nervousness, but I enjoyed it. It was a proud moment for me and my family."The second T20I of the three-match series will be played in New Delhi on Wednesday. The debutants' performances have added depth to India's squad and raised expectations for the upcoming matches.