Cricket

Suryakumar Yadav's appointment as India's T20I captain for the Sri Lanka tour has sparked debate, with former batsman Mohammad Kaif expressing his belief that Hardik Pandya should have retained the role.Kaif, in an interview with IANS, argued that Pandya's experience as T20I captain and his successful stint leading the Gujarat Titans in the IPL made him the ideal choice. "Hardik has captained the Gujarat Titans for two years and in their first year itself, they made it to the final... Hardik has experience captaining the T20I side. He was also the vice-captain at the T20 World Cup," Kaif said.Kaif also questioned the decision to appoint Shubman Gill as vice-captain, replacing Pandya. "Gambhir is an experienced captain and coach...He understands cricket very well. I think 'Hardik ne aisa koi galat kaam nhi kia k unko captaincy na mile' (Hardik has not done anything wrong that he should not get the captaincy)," Kaif added.Pandya led India in 16 T20Is before suffering an injury during the ODI World Cup last year. He also guided the Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in 2022 and the runners-up spot in 2023.Kaif believes Pandya's experience and success in both the IPL and international cricket made him the most suitable candidate for the T20I captaincy. "He has experience, has captained in the IPL; and leading a new team (Gujarat Titans) to trophy, with fresh and young faces, is a huge thing. He has made the Titans win by working from zero in the IPL...I think he was entitled to the captaincy," he said.Despite Kaif's reservations, Suryakumar Yadav remains a highly respected and experienced player. He is currently ranked as the world's No. 1 T20I batsman and has been a key member of India's T20I team for several years. It remains to be seen whether he can lead India to success in the upcoming Sri Lanka tour and beyond.

Shubman Gill has been appointed as the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka, starting from July 27. This decision marks a significant leadership change, as Hardik Pandya, who was India's vice-captain during the recent T20 and ODI World Cups, has been replaced by the Gujarat Titans skipper.In the T20I squad, Gill will serve as the deputy to the newly appointed captain, Suryakumar Yadav, who has been entrusted with leading the team. Gill's appointment as vice-captain comes after his successful stint as the captain of the second-string Indian side that secured a 4-1 T20 series victory in Zimbabwe.For the ODI squad, where Suryakumar Yadav is not included, Gill will assume the role of vice-captain under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, who led India to victory in the T20 World Cup. Rohit will continue to captain the ODI team, which will play three matches against Sri Lanka in Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium on August 2, 4, and 7.Virat Kohli will make his return to the ODI squad, while pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah remains absent from the tour after a demanding season. Rohit and Kohli had initially planned to take a break but decided to return for the ODI matches as India begin preparations for the upcoming Champions Trophy scheduled for next year in Pakistan.The decision to appoint Gill as the vice-captain over Hardik Pandya, who was Rohit's deputy in the T20 World Cup, is attributed to Pandya's frequent injury setbacks. Pandya remains part of the T20 squad but has been excluded from the ODI series, which will also see the return of Shreyas Iyer, who had previously lost his contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The Indian cricket team is on the lookout for a new T20I captain following Rohit Sharma's retirement from the format. Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav have emerged as the frontrunners for the role, with the latter gaining momentum in recent days.Hardik, the current vice-captain, was initially seen as the favorite to succeed Rohit. However, concerns over his injury record have raised questions about his suitability for the captaincy. Suryakumar, on the other hand, has impressed with his consistent performances and leadership qualities.According to media reports, Suryakumar is likely to be named captain for the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka. The team management is reportedly concerned about Hardik's injury history and believes Suryakumar would be a more reliable option.Head coach Gautam Gambhir has reportedly expressed his preference for a captain who is not injury-prone and whose workload can be managed effectively. Gambhir's comments have further strengthened Suryakumar's case for the captaincy.Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav has climbed to the second spot in the ICC T20I batting rankings, while Yashasvi Jaiswal has moved up to sixth. Ruturaj Gaikwad has dropped to eighth, while Shubman Gill has made a significant jump to 37th.No Indian features in the top 10 of the T20I bowlers rankings. Axar Patel has dropped to 13th spot after being rested for the Zimbabwe series.The Indian cricket team is expected to announce its squad for the Sri Lanka series on Thursday. The captaincy decision will be closely watched, with Suryakumar Yadav emerging as a strong contender to lead the team.

Ravindra Jadeja's departure from T20I cricket has left a significant void in the Indian team, opening up a crucial spin-bowling allrounder position. Several contenders are vying for the spot, including Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Abhishek Sharma.Axar Patel remains the frontrunner after his impressive performances in high-pressure situations during the T20 World Cup. However, Washington Sundar has strengthened his claim with a standout performance in the recent Zimbabwe series, where he emerged as the joint-highest wicket-taker.Abhishek Sharma, a rising star, has also made a strong case for himself. While not a direct replacement for Sundar, Sharma's ability to bat at the top of the order and bowl left-arm spin makes him a versatile option.Sunrisers Hyderabad coach J Hariesh highlights the differences between Sundar and Sharma. Sundar is known for his consistency, while Sharma possesses a wider range of variations. However, Sharma's consistency is still a work in progress.Hariesh believes that Sharma and Sundar could potentially compete for the same spot in the Indian team. Sharma's destructive batting and ability to handle both spinners and new-ball bowlers make him a valuable asset.With the T20 World Cup in 2024 approaching, the competition for the spin-bowling allrounder role is expected to intensify. Sundar, Sharma, and Patel will need to maintain their form and prove their worth to secure a place in the Indian squad.

Former Indian spinner Amit Mishra has expressed his reservations about the appointment of Shubman Gill as India's T20I captain for the Zimbabwe series. Mishra believes that Ruturaj Gaikwad would have been a more suitable choice.Mishra, who played 22 Tests, 36 ODIs, and 10 T20Is for India, admitted that the decision to appoint Gill as captain was surprising. He stated that Gill lacks the necessary captaincy skills and experience."I would not have made him the captain. You saw the IPL this season, Gill doesn't know how to captain the side, he is clueless," Mishra said.Mishra also questioned the rationale behind appointing Gill as captain simply because he is a part of the Indian team. He argued that Gill's performance in the IPL and with the Indian team does not justify his elevation to the captaincy."Just because he is a part of the Indian team, he shouldn't be made the captain. Gill has done well in the IPL over the last few seasons, he did fine in the Indian team as well. The Indian team made him the captain as they want to give him leadership experience, which wasn't visible when he led Gujarat Titans in IPL," he added.Mishra suggested that Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant, or Ruturaj Gaikwad would be more suitable candidates for the India T20I captaincy. He praised Gaikwad's ability to perform under pressure and his calm demeanor."There's Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant, Ruturaj Gaikwad who can lead India in T20Is. Right now, the BCCI is only looking to assess all options," Mishra said.Mishra also hinted that Rahul Dravid's favoritism may have played a role in Gill's appointment as captain. He suggested that Gaikwad is a more deserving candidate based on his performances."Everyone has some liking. I am not a Shubman Gill hater, I also like him. But, I feel Ruturaj is a better option because he has scored runs in tougher situations, be it for Chennai Super Kings or during the Asian Games. He is a good option, should be kept with the team, the way Yashasvi Jaiswal was with the Indian side at the T20 World Cup," he further explained.

VVS Laxman, India's head coach for the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, honored star finisher Rinku Singh with the 'Fielder of the Series' award following India's 4-1 triumph. The series marked the beginning of the post-Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma T20I era, and the tradition of awarding the 'Fielder of the Series' continued.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video of the ceremony on Instagram, where Subhadeep Ghosh announced the winner. Before the ceremony, a video message from former India fielding coach T Dilip was played, emphasizing the importance of fielding."Boys, fielding has always been paramount to us in Indian cricket, and it's an aspect of the game where we have set high standards over the years. We should aim to continue to strive for excellence in this area. As we all know, we follow a tradition, which is the fielding medal. The medal is given to a player that makes a significant impact in the game with their fielding," Dilip said.Ghosh, who served as India's fielding coach for the series, praised each player for their contributions. While highlighting the importance of catches, he announced Rinku as the winner of the 'Fielder of the Series' award."Another good day in fielding. I think it was a terrific effort from each and every one. I think, in the last five months, we have been thrown into different scenarios and different challenges. As I always say, catching is very, very important. If you take the catches, you can control the game, and you can dominate the game, which we did today," Ghosh said."Every time he steps on the ground, I think he always says, I stand up. I think he always steps on the ground, putting no tools from me. I think this is going to Rinku Singh," he concluded.Ghosh called Laxman to present the medal to Rinku for his efforts throughout the series, which saw him complete six catches."I really enjoyed playing with everyone. It was my 4th or 5th series, so I really enjoyed it. To be honest, I like batting and fielding a lot. I enjoy it a lot. It's a lot of fun. It's a lot of fun to run. So what else can I say, God's Plan," Rinku said.India's next tour will be against Sri Lanka, marking the first assignment of new head coach Gautam Gambhir. The tour will begin with a three-match T20I series on July 27 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The T20I series will be followed by a three-match ODI series, beginning on August 2 at R Premadasa Stadium.

Australia's T20I and ODI squads for the upcoming tours of Scotland and England have been announced, marking a shift towards the future. Perth Scorchers allrounder Cooper Connolly has earned his maiden international call-up for the T20I series, while Jake Fraser-McGurk has been included in both the T20I and ODI squads.Connolly, despite limited domestic T20 experience, impressed in the 2022-23 BBL final, securing the title for the Scorchers. His impressive strike rate of 145.80 and strong performance on his Sheffield Shield debut have earned him a spot in the national team.Mitchell Marsh will continue as captain for both the T20I and ODI sides, with Pat Cummins rested for the entire tour. Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell will miss the T20Is but will join the squad for the ODIs. Matthew Short, who was a traveling reserve at the T20 World Cup, will remain at home for the birth of his first child before joining for the five one-dayers against England.Ashton Agar and Matthew Wade have been dropped from the T20I squad, while David Warner has retired from international cricket. Fraser-McGurk is expected to establish himself as Warner's successor at the top of the order in both limited-overs formats.In the T20I squad, Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson will join Josh Hazlewood in the pace attack. Allrounders Cameron Green and Aaron Hardie are included across both formats, with Green likely to see more opportunities. Josh Inglis will replace Wade as the wicketkeeper in T20Is."This tour gives us a great opportunity to bring in some new players and give senior players time to prepare for the home summer," said national selector George Bailey. "We are particularly pleased to offer Cooper his first opportunity in the T20 squad."With the Champions Trophy on the horizon, the white-ball series against Pakistan and a home Test series against India, the selectors have invested in integrating new players into the squad. Alex Carey returns to the ODI squad as Inglis' understudy.

Ravi Bishnoi, the young Indian leg-spinner, has emerged as a formidable force in white-ball cricket. After briefly holding the top spot in the ICC T20I bowler rankings in 2022, Bishnoi has consistently showcased his exceptional skills, earning him a place in the Indian team for the recent T20I series in Zimbabwe.Unlike conventional leg-spinners who rely on the looping leg-break, Bishnoi's primary weapon is the googly, a delivery that turns into the right-hander. This unique approach has made him a difficult proposition for batters, who often struggle to anticipate his variations.Bishnoi's ability to control the pace and angle of his deliveries adds to his unpredictability. He can deceive batters with his quick arm-action and subtle changes in length. Despite his reliance on the googly, Bishnoi has also demonstrated the ability to turn the ball away from the right-hander, showcasing his versatility.In the Zimbabwe series, Bishnoi played a pivotal role in India's come-from-behind triumph. In the first match, he claimed a stunning 4-2-13-4, including three bowled and one leg-before wicket. His ability to strike with the new ball and maintain pressure throughout his spell proved invaluable.Bishnoi's exceptional fielding skills further enhance his value to the team. He is an electric fielder with a powerful arm, making him a threat in the outfield and a reliable option in the circle.With his unique bowling style, impressive fielding abilities, and a growing reputation as a wicket-taker, Ravi Bishnoi is poised to become a mainstay in India's white-ball setup. As he continues to develop and refine his skills, he has the potential to become one of the most feared bowlers in the world.

Sanju Samson's Mammoth Six Powers India to Series Victory Over ZimbabweIn a thrilling conclusion to the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, Sanju Samson unleashed a colossal 110-meter six that left cricket fans in awe. Facing Brandon Mavuta in the fifth and final match, Samson sent the ball soaring over the roof and out of the ground, showcasing his immense power.Samson's innings of 58 off 45 balls, studded with four sixes, played a pivotal role in India's 42-run victory. He shared a crucial 65-run partnership with Riyan Parag, who contributed 22 off 24 balls, to stabilize the innings after a shaky start.Alongside Samson, Shivam Dube's quickfire 26 off 12 balls propelled India to a competitive total of 167 for six. In response, Zimbabwe's batting faltered against the disciplined bowling of Mukesh Kumar, who claimed an impressive 4/22. Dube (2/25) and Washington Sundar (1/7) also chipped in with wickets as India bowled out Zimbabwe for 125 in 18.3 overs.Samson's six was not only a testament to his power but also a symbol of India's dominance in the series. The hosts won the first four matches comfortably, with Samson playing a key role in each victory. His ability to pick the right moments to attack and his fearless approach made him a constant threat to the Zimbabwean bowlers.Mukesh Kumar's bowling performance was equally impressive. The young pacer consistently troubled the Zimbabwean batsmen with his accuracy and variations. His early breakthroughs set the tone for India's bowling effort, and he continued to pick up wickets throughout the innings.India's victory in the series is a testament to the depth and talent of their squad. Despite missing several key players due to injuries, the team managed to overcome a spirited Zimbabwean challenge. Samson's six and Mukesh Kumar's bowling were the highlights of the final match, but the entire team deserves credit for their consistent performances throughout the series.