Cricket

India and South Africa Set for T20I Rematch with World Cup GrudgeThe upcoming T20I series between South Africa and India holds both a sense of unfinished business and a glimpse into the future. In the 2024 T20 World Cup final, India snatched victory from South Africa's grasp, leaving the Proteas heartbroken.While many key players from that final will be absent, the series remains significant as both teams prepare for the next World Cup in 15 months. India, fresh off a 3-0 series win against Bangladesh, will look to continue their aggressive approach. South Africa, on the other hand, will aim to bounce back from their recent struggles.Form Guide and Key PlayersSouth Africa's form has been inconsistent, with losses to West Indies and a draw against Ireland. Aiden Markram, who has struggled for runs this year, will be under pressure to deliver. India, meanwhile, has been in impressive form, posting a massive 297 for 6 in their last T20I. Tilak Varma, who has yet to make a significant impact at the international level, will be eager to prove his worth.Team News and DebutsSouth Africa may hand debuts to allrounder Andile Simelane and legspinner Nqabayomzi Peter. India is likely to give batting allrounder Ramandeep Singh his T20I cap and recall Axar Patel.Pitch and ConditionsThe match will be played at Kingsmead in Durban, a high-scoring venue with an average first-innings total of 184. However, rain could disrupt the proceedings, with a 40% chance of precipitation.Stats and Trivia* India has a strong head-to-head record against South Africa in South Africa, with six wins and three losses in nine T20Is.* Suryakumar Yadav has the highest strike rate (169.48) among players with at least 1000 T20I runs.* Arshdeep Singh is India's leading wicket-taker in T20Is this year, with 28 scalps in 14 games.* Heinrich Klaasen has three half-centuries and a strike rate of 168.09 in nine T20I innings against India.Quotes"It has been a testing few months now... But you lock into the bigger picture, you lock into how much it is going to help cricket in South Africa moving forward," said Aiden Markram on South Africa's recent struggles."It has always been challenging playing against South Africa... Hopefully, we will have a game [tomorrow]; last time we missed out on the game here," said Suryakumar Yadav on facing South Africa for the first time since the T20 World Cup final.

Arshdeep Singh Eyes 100-Wicket Milestone as India Prepares for South Africa T20I SeriesIndian seamer Arshdeep Singh is poised to make history as India embarks on a four-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series against South Africa. With 87 wickets from 56 matches, Arshdeep is just 13 wickets away from becoming the first Indian to capture 100 wickets in T20Is.Currently, Yuzvendra Chahal holds the Indian record for most wickets in T20Is, with 96 scalps from 80 matches. However, Arshdeep's impressive economy rate of 8.28 suggests that he could surpass Chahal's tally in the upcoming series.Interestingly, India's all-rounder Hardik Pandya is also on the cusp of reaching the 100-wicket milestone in T20Is. Pandya has claimed 87 wickets in 105 matches, boasting an economy rate of 8.17.The India-South Africa T20I series will commence on November 8 at Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban. The second match will be played at St George's Park in Gqeberha on November 10, followed by the third match at SuperSport Park in Centurion on November 13. The series will conclude with the fourth T20I at Wanderers Stadium on November 15.India's T20I squad for the South Africa series includes:* Suryakumar Yadav (C)* Abhishek Sharma* Sanju Samson (WK)* Rinku Singh* Tilak Varma* Jitesh Sharma (WK)* Hardik Pandya* Axar Patel* Ramandeep Singh* Varun Chakaravarthy* Ravi Bishnoi* Arshdeep Singh* Vijaykumar Vyshak* Avesh Khan* Yash Dayal

England's bowlers toiled hard but West Indies openers Brandon King and Keacy Carty put on a solid partnership to keep their team in the hunt in the second T20I at Kensington Oval.King led the charge with a commanding half-century, reaching the milestone with a boundary off Adil Rashid in the 19th over. Carty provided able support, contributing valuable runs throughout the innings.The West Indies openers started cautiously, with King and Carty scoring singles and twos in the early overs. However, they gradually grew in confidence and began to take on the England bowlers.King was particularly impressive, showcasing his power and timing with a series of boundaries. He reached his fifty off just 34 deliveries, including six fours and a six. Carty, on the other hand, played a more measured innings, rotating the strike and finding gaps in the field.England's bowlers struggled to contain the West Indies duo, with Jofra Archer and Sam Curran proving expensive. Rashid provided some respite with his leg-spin, but King and Carty were able to negotiate his deliveries with relative ease.As the innings progressed, the West Indies openers began to take more risks. King smashed a six off Rashid in the 17th over, while Carty hit a boundary off Liam Livingstone in the 16th.The partnership was eventually broken in the 20th over when King was caught at deep mid-wicket off Archer for 56. However, Carty remained unbeaten on 33, ensuring that the West Indies finished on a strong note.The West Indies will be pleased with their start to the innings, but they will need to continue to build on this platform and set a challenging total for England to chase.

Legendary spinner Anil Kumble has raised concerns about Sanju Samson's consistency ahead of India's upcoming T20I series against South Africa. Samson, a wicketkeeper-batter, has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career, but his ability to deliver consistently has been a question mark.Samson made his T20I debut in 2015 and has since played 33 matches, scoring 594 runs at a strike rate of 144.52. He has one century and two half-centuries to his name. However, his performances have been sporadic, with some impressive innings followed by periods of poor form.In the recent third T20I against Bangladesh, Samson showcased his batting prowess with a stunning 111 runs off just 47 deliveries. This performance has given him a boost of confidence, according to Kumble."There's been a lot of talk about keeping Sanju Samson in the team long-term, and that century he scored will certainly have given him a lot of confidence. We know the ability of Sanju Samson; he is a class act," Kumble said.However, Kumble believes that Samson needs to improve his consistency to become a regular member of the Indian team. He suggests that Samson should be given opportunities to bat in the top order, where he can make the most of his strong backfoot play and ability to handle fast bowlers and spinners."Consistency is a bit lacking, and I'm sure the Indian selectors are mindful of that. Placing him at the top of the innings, either at number one, two, or three, is where I believe he can truly add value to this team," Kumble added.India and South Africa will play a four-match T20I series starting on November 8 in Durban. The series will provide Samson with an opportunity to prove his worth and cement his place in the Indian team.

South Africa and India are set to clash in a four-match T20I series starting on Friday in Durban, marking their first encounter since India's triumph in the T20 World Cup final four months ago.Both teams have undergone significant changes since that memorable match in Barbados. South Africa will be without key players like Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Quinton de Kock. India, too, has made alterations, with only four players from their World Cup-winning squad featuring in this series.South African coach Rob Walter acknowledges the challenges of balancing overlapping cricket schedules. He emphasizes the need to manage players carefully to ensure they perform at their best when representing their country.Despite the absences, South Africa has assembled a strong squad that includes franchise stars David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Marco Jansen, and Keshav Maharaj. India, on the other hand, will field a mix of experienced players and promising youngsters, including Ramandeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, and Yash Dayal.The series holds financial significance for Cricket South Africa, with substantial revenue expected from Indian television broadcasts. It also provides an opportunity for India's emerging talents to showcase their skills ahead of the upcoming IPL auction.The schedule for the series is as follows:* November 8: Durban* November 10: Gqeberha* November 13: Centurion* November 15: Johannesburg

Sri Lanka has announced its squads for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against New Zealand, with Kusal Perera and Mohamed Shiraz making notable inclusions.Perera, who has been out of the ODI team for nearly a year, has earned a recall based on his impressive performance in the recent T20I series against West Indies, where he scored an unbeaten 55. Shiraz, a 29-year-old seamer, has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket, taking 84 wickets at an average of 18.75 in List A matches. However, he has only bowled four overs in international cricket so far.The T20I squad remains unchanged from the one that faced West Indies, with all-rounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe retaining his place. Dinesh Chandimal, who has not played international white-ball cricket since 2022, has also been included in the T20I squad after impressing in domestic competitions.Sri Lanka's batting lineup remains largely unchanged, with Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, and Charith Asalanka expected to form the core of the top order. In T20Is, Bhanuka Rajapaksa provides a power-hitting option in the middle order, while Janith Liyanage offers a more accumulative approach in ODIs, along with his seam bowling abilities.The spin department features the regular duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, with Jeffrey Vandersay and Dunith Wellalage also included in both squads. However, there are some changes in the seam-bowling department. Slingers Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara are only in the T20I squad, while left-armer Dilshan Madushanka and Shiraz are ODI bowlers who do not make the T20 outfit. Asitha Fernando is the only seamer to be included in both squads.The series against New Zealand will begin on November 9, with four matches (three T20Is and one ODI) to be played in Dambulla and the remaining two ODIs in Pallekele.

Former Indian cricket legend Yuvraj Singh has played a pivotal role in the development of young all-rounder Abhishek Sharma, who is now set to make his mark on the international stage.Sharma, who hails from Punjab, has been mentored by a galaxy of cricketing greats, including Yuvraj, Brian Lara, and Rahul Dravid. His father, Raj Kumar Sharma, is also a respected cricket coach.Yuvraj, who is Sharma's boyhood hero, spotted his potential during the COVID-19 pandemic and provided him with valuable guidance. The former left-handed batsman heaped praise on Sharma after he scored a century in Zimbabwe in July 2022.Sharma's impressive performances in domestic tournaments and the Indian Premier League (IPL) earned him a call-up to the Indian team for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa.Ahead of the series, Sharma expressed his excitement about playing at Kingsmead, Durban, where Yuvraj had famously smashed six sixes off England's Stuart Broad in the 2007 T20 World Cup."I have come here for the first time, but when I saw it (the ground) on TV and now that I am here, it's like a dream come true," Sharma said in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)."I was inspired by Yuvraj Singh's six sixes in 2007. The first day when I came here I was trying to figure out from what end to which end he had hit the sixes. He had sixes all over the ground, it's a great memory."Sharma recalled watching the historic moment with his family and celebrating India's victory with his entire neighborhood. He expressed his gratitude to Yuvraj for inspiring him and vowed to make him proud.The South Africa tour was not originally part of India's schedule but was arranged following discussions between the BCCI and Cricket South Africa (CSA). The T20I series will be played across four venues: Durban, Gqeberha, Centurion, and Johannesburg, with matches scheduled for November 8, 10, 13, and 15.

Virat Kohli, the batting maestro, celebrates his 36th birthday today. While he may have wished to commemorate this special occasion with a Test victory over New Zealand, as he did on his 35th birthday during the ODI World Cup, he finds himself navigating a challenging period in his cricketing career.Despite the current setbacks, Kohli remains an unparalleled icon, having led India to numerous memorable victories and etched unforgettable moments in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts. As he prepares for the upcoming tour of Australia, where India will face five Tests for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, let's revisit some of his remarkable records:* Most ODI Centuries: Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI centuries with a magnificent 117 against New Zealand in the ODI World Cup semifinal last year.* Fastest to 13,000 ODI Runs: Kohli broke another Tendulkar record by reaching the milestone of 13,000 ODI runs in just 267 innings, while Tendulkar achieved it in 321 innings.* Most Runs in an ODI Series and World Cup: Kohli's 765 runs during the 2023 ODI World Cup stand as the highest tally in the tournament's history, earning him the 'Player of the Tournament' award.* Most Hundreds Against One Team: Kohli's 10 centuries across formats against Sri Lanka are the most by a batsman against a single team.* Most Player of the Series Awards (T20Is): Kohli's 7 'Player of the Series' awards in T20Is are the most by any cricketer.* Most Player of the Series Awards (All Formats): Kohli has won an impressive 21 'Player of the Series' awards across ODIs, T20Is, and Tests.* Most Fifties in T20Is: The batting icon has scored 39 T20I half-centuries, the highest by any batsman.As Kohli embarks on the challenging tour of Australia, his fans and the cricketing world eagerly await his return to form. His determination and resilience have always been his hallmarks, and he will undoubtedly strive to overcome this temporary setback and continue to inspire generations of cricketers.

Phil Salt will continue to don the wicketkeeping gloves for England in the upcoming T20I series against the West Indies, despite the return of regular skipper Jos Buttler. Buttler, who has been sidelined for several months due to a calf strain, has been a mainstay behind the stumps for England in T20Is, having kept in 106 of his last 108 matches.However, Salt has been given the nod to keep in the T20I series, having impressed in the ongoing ODI series against the West Indies. The 26-year-old has kept in 13 of his 59 games for England across formats and has been preferred over Jordan Cox, who will take over the wicketkeeping duties for the upcoming Test series in New Zealand.Salt expressed his delight at being given the opportunity to keep, saying, "I enjoy keeping. I feel like that's where I offer most to the side." He acknowledged that he hasn't kept much for England recently but is eager to contribute in any way he can.Buttler's return to the team has raised questions about the long-term wicketkeeping arrangements for England. However, Salt indicated that there have been no discussions about the future beyond the current series. "I'm just glad to be doing it at the moment," he said.Salt's performances in the ODI series have been mixed. He scored 18 and 59 in the first two matches, with his half-century helping England tie the series in the second game. However, he has struggled to find consistency in ODIs, averaging only 24.30 in his last ten matches.Salt admitted that he needs to improve his strike rate and prolong his innings in 50-over cricket. "I know I could have got more runs," he said. "I think for myself it's how do I drop the strike rate and pump the average… prolonging my innings and extending partnerships."Despite the challenges, Salt remains optimistic about his future in ODI cricket. He believes that with more experience and opportunities, he can become a valuable asset to the team. "I'd love something like a domestic 50-over competition," he said. "I'd love the opportunity to play in that so you can get the rhythm and it's not always stop-start."