Cricket

The national selectors have included promising pacer Mayank Yadav in a special camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) ahead of the T20I series against Bangladesh starting October 6. The camp is limited to a few players, including Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, and Abhishek Sharma.Mayank, a 21-year-old from Delhi, has been at the NCA since the IPL due to a recurring side strain. He burst onto the scene in the last IPL, clocking over 156 kmph in his first two matches. The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has identified him as a future prospect in their quest to build a strong pool of pace bowlers."Mayank hasn't complained of any pain over the last month or so. He is bowling full tilt at the NCA. The selectors are interested to see how ready he is for international cricket. With the long Test season ahead, the selectors are keen on trying new faces for the T20Is against Bangladesh. Pandya has not played competitive cricket for nearly a couple of months. Even Abhishek needs some quality practice," a BCCI source said.The selectors are expected to rest Test specialists for the T20I series, opening up an opportunity to try out new players, keeping the T20 World Cup in 2026 in mind.The NCA team has charted a roadmap for Mayank's comeback. For now, he has been asked to start with T20 cricket. He hasn't been cleared to play Ranji Trophy for Delhi yet."Mayank is bowling close to 20 overs with the white ball in three separate spells in a day. There is a strong chance of selectors picking him for the Bangladesh series after seeing him in the camp at NCA. Agarkar is slated to travel to Bengaluru to attend the inauguration of the new NCA," the source said.While Mayank is yet to receive a clearance for Ranji Trophy, it is understood that selectors may ask him to travel with the Indian team during the three-Test series against New Zealand at home next month."The selectors don't want him to be restricted to just the T20 format. Therefore, they want to carefully monitor his progress. India head coach Gautam Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel rate Mayank highly since their time at Lucknow Super Giants," he said.With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj set to be rested for the T20I series, Arshdeep Singh is likely to lead the attack. The likes of Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, and Harshit Rana are also in the mix.

South Africa, led by Aiden Markram, opted to bowl first in the opening T20I against Ireland at the County Ground in Bristol. The Proteas fielded a balanced attack featuring four seamers and three spinners, resting experienced pacer Lungi Ngidi.Ottneil Baartman and Lizaad Williams made their tour debuts, while all-rounders Wiaan Mulder and Patrick Kruger completed the seam attack. In the spin department, South Africa deployed left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin, legspinner Nqaba Peter, and Markram himself as an occasional offspinner.Ireland, missing captain Andy Balbirnie, handed Ross Adair an opportunity to open the batting alongside Paul Stirling. They also opted for a spin-heavy attack, including left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys, George Dockrell, and legspinner Ben White.Ireland have never defeated South Africa in a T20I, and the Proteas will be keen to maintain their dominance. South Africa's batting lineup features three opening batters, with Reeza Hendricks and Ryan Rickelton at the top of the order and Matthew Breetzke at number three.The match promises to be a competitive affair, with both teams looking to gain an early advantage in the three-match series.

With the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh, the Indian cricket team is expected to announce its squad this week. While Rishabh Pant remains the primary wicketkeeper, Sanju Samson is set to take over as the No. 1 glovesman in the shortest format. However, the race for the second wicketkeeper's slot is heating up, with Jitesh Sharma emerging as the frontrunner ahead of Ishan Kishan.Sharma's impressive performances for Vidarbha have caught the attention of the selectors, and he is believed to have an edge over Kishan, who is currently part of the Rest of India squad. Kishan's selection in the Rest of India team suggests that his international comeback may be slightly delayed.With the Test series against New Zealand starting on October 16, several top players, including Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah, are likely to be rested as part of the workload management program. This opens up opportunities for players who have been in good form recently.Abhishek Sharma, the hard-hitting Punjab left-hander, is expected to return to the mix in the absence of Shubman Gill. However, it remains unclear who will partner him at the top of the order if both Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are rested.Ruturaj Gaikwad, the captain of the Rest of India team, is also in a tight spot as he will likely be busy with the Irani Cup until October 5, leaving little time before the Bangladesh T20Is begin. There is speculation that Jaiswal might play the first match, while Gaikwad could join the squad for the last two games.Hardik Pandya is set to return to the national side, along with Shivam Dube. Other players who were part of the Zimbabwe series, such as Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Tushar Deshpande, and Ravi Bishnoi, are also expected to be included in the squad. Harshit Rana, who was in Zimbabwe as a backup pacer, could also get a chance.

Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, two talented wicketkeeper-batters, have showcased their skills in the recent Duleep Trophy, each scoring a century. Samson's performance was particularly impressive, amassing 196 runs in four innings for India D, while Kishan managed 123 runs representing India C.Samson's performance in the Duleep Trophy has raised questions about whether he can regain his place in India's T20I squad against Bangladesh. Despite his impressive showing, Samson's previous two T20I appearances against Sri Lanka in July, where he recorded back-to-back ducks, may still linger in the selectors' minds.Kishan, on the other hand, has recently garnered attention for adhering to the selectors' directive to engage in domestic cricket. This move has sparked rumors about his potential return to the Indian squad for the forthcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh.Prior to his exclusion from the team nearly a year ago, due to factors not entirely linked to his on-field performance, Kishan had almost secured his position in India's white-ball setup. His consistent performance had even led to his inclusion in the 50-over World Cup squad.However, Kishan's chances of a recall to the Indian team may have to wait, despite his renewed focus on domestic cricket. The selectors have included Kishan in the Irani Cup squad, while Samson, who has played 30 T20Is, is not part of the five-day fixture that concludes just a day before the first T20I against Bangladesh on October 6.Although selectors can always pull a player from domestic matches for international duty, it seems that Samson might remain the preferred choice for now. He may be called upon to open the innings, a role he undertook during the series against Sri Lanka, albeit without success.The selectors are unlikely to pick Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal for the T20Is, keeping their more important Test duties in mind. The two had opened in the T20Is in Lanka but are expected to be kept out, along with other Test players such as Mohammed Siraj, Axar Patel, and Rishabh Pant, who were part of the T20I squad in Sri Lanka.This decision may provide an opportunity for Sai Sudarshan, who featured in a T20I in Zimbabwe in July. The Tamil Nadu and Gujarat Titans batter is part of the Irani squad.India will host Bangladesh for T20Is starting on Sunday, October 6 in Gwalior. The remaining two matches will be played on October 9 (New Delhi) and October 12 (Hyderabad).

Australia's dominance over New Zealand continued as they secured a 3-0 series sweep in the final T20I in Brisbane. Georgia Wareham and Ashleigh Gardner played pivotal roles in the victory, showcasing their all-round abilities.Wareham's legspin restricted New Zealand to 146 for 6, claiming two wickets for 21 runs. Her promotion to No. 3 in the batting order proved effective, as she smashed 26 off 16 balls to ease the run-rate pressure.Ellyse Perry and Gardner then combined for a 61-run stand, with Perry contributing 36 and Gardner 33. Despite late dismissals, their partnership put Australia on the brink of victory.New Zealand's innings was anchored by Georgia Plimmer's maiden T20I half-century (53). However, their hopes of a strong finish were dashed by a late collapse, losing five wickets for 28 runs. Annabel Sutherland picked up two wickets in an over, while Wareham and Gardner also contributed with crucial dismissals.Wareham's performance at No. 3 offers Australia options ahead of the T20 World Cup. Her ability to strike the ball powerfully and play comfortably against both pace and spin could prove valuable in the tournament.Gardner's all-round display earned her the Player of the Series award. Her 1 for 27 with the ball and 33 runs with the bat highlighted her versatility.

Australia's dominance in women's cricket was tested in the second T20I against New Zealand in Mackay, as they narrowly secured a 29-run victory despite a dramatic batting collapse.After winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia's innings was anchored by Alyssa Healy's 38 off 25 balls. However, a stunning collapse saw them lose 7 wickets for just 28 runs, with New Zealand legspinner Amelia Kerr claiming a career-best 4 for 20. Ellyse Perry's 34 proved crucial, but her bizarre run-out triggered Australia's downfall.New Zealand's chase started cautiously, with Suzie Bates scoring a steady 34. However, Ashleigh Gardner and Annabel Sutherland combined to take 4 wickets for 34 runs, squeezing the run rate and closing out the game despite some sloppy fielding from Australia.Healy's aggressive start set the tone for Australia's innings, but Perry struggled for timing. Healy's dismissal for 38 proved costly, as Australia's middle order crumbled. Kerr's wrong'uns proved devastating, dismissing Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, and Sophie Molineux.New Zealand's chase was hampered by Australia's tight bowling in the powerplay. Bates broke free briefly, but her dismissal for 34 left the visitors needing a high run rate. Gardner's revenge on Kerr and Litchfield's catch to remove Bates put Australia in control.Despite some untidy fielding, Australia's bowlers held their nerve. Maddy Green and Izzy Gaze threatened a late surge, but Sutherland's catch off Gardner sealed the victory.

Liam Livingstone's stellar performances against Australia have propelled him to the pinnacle of the ICC T20I all-rounder rankings. The English star has dethroned Marcus Stoinis, ascending seven places to claim the No. 1 spot.Livingstone's rise is attributed to his impressive all-round display in the two-match T20I series against Australia. He amassed 124 runs, including a match-winning 87 off 47 balls in Cardiff, and claimed five wickets.The series witnessed Livingstone's elevation to the No. 4 batting position, a role he relished. "I want that responsibility. I want to try to win games of cricket for England, and the higher up the order, the more chance you have of doing that," he stated.Livingstone's bowling also proved crucial, forming a formidable spin partnership with Adil Rashid. Their combined efforts helped England restrict Australia's explosive starts.In addition to his T20I success, Livingstone has earned a recall to the ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia, replacing the injured Jos Buttler.Meanwhile, Travis Head has solidified his position as the No. 1 T20I batsman, scoring 90 runs off 37 balls in the series. Adam Zampa's rise in the bowling rankings has resulted in the top six spots being occupied by spinners.Livingstone's ascent to the top of the all-rounder rankings is a testament to his versatility and match-winning abilities. His performances have not only earned him individual accolades but have also contributed to England's success in the shortest format of the game.

South Africa's women's cricket team secured a thrilling ten-run victory over Pakistan in the opening match of their three-game T20I series in Multan. Despite a shaky start, the Proteas managed to post a competitive total of 132 for 4, thanks to a crucial half-century from Tazmin Brits and a solid partnership with Sune Luus.Pakistan's chase got off to a disastrous start as they lost five wickets for just 47 runs. However, a resilient partnership between Aliya Riaz and Fatima Sana brought them back into contention. The duo put on an unbroken 75-run stand, but it ultimately proved insufficient as South Africa held on for a narrow victory.South Africa's innings was anchored by Brits, who scored 56 not out off 49 deliveries. Luus contributed 27 off 27 balls, while Chloe Tryon provided a late cameo with 15 not out off 7. Pakistan's bowlers struggled to contain the Proteas, with Sadia Iqbal being the pick of the bunch with figures of 3-34.Pakistan's chase was hampered by a series of early wickets. Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka bowled superbly, taking two wickets each. Eighteen-year-old Seshnie Naidu made a memorable debut, taking a stunning catch and dismissing Sadaf Shamas with her second ball.Riaz and Sana played with great determination, but their efforts were not enough to secure victory. Riaz finished on 52 not out off 40 balls, while Sana scored 37 not out off 33. South Africa's fielding was sloppy at times, with three catches being dropped, but they managed to hold on for a hard-fought win.The victory gives South Africa an early advantage in the series. The second match will be played on May 26, followed by the third and final match on May 28.