Cricket

Lauren Bell, England's pace spearhead, has vowed to maintain an aggressive approach with the ball, aiming to "attack the stumps" as a default strategy. This approach will be crucial for England's success in the remaining T20I series against Pakistan and in the upcoming T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, where slow, low wickets are expected.Bell's determination stems from a rusty first spell in the opening T20I against Pakistan, where she conceded 12 runs in her first over. However, she bounced back strongly, dismissing three batters and helping England secure a 53-run victory.Despite acknowledging flaws in England's performance, Bell emphasized that their execution, rather than intent, was the issue. She believes that the team's depth and character allowed them to overcome a shaky start and ultimately prevail.With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, Bell is adamant that England will not abandon their aggressive approach, which has been instilled by head coach Jon Lewis. She recognizes that failures may occur, but the team remains committed to their attacking style of play.Under Lewis' guidance, Bell has emerged as England's attack leader, a role she embraced during last summer's Ashes. Despite a challenging moment in the series, she has gained confidence from the support of her captain and coach.Bell's decision to prioritize international cricket over a lucrative WPL deal reflects her commitment to leading England's bowling attack. While acknowledging the potential benefits of playing on subcontinental pitches in the WPL, she believes that her focus must remain on international success.As England prepares for the Bangladesh World Cup, Bell recognizes the importance of adapting to the slow, low conditions. She emphasizes the need to keep the stumps in play and bowl with pace-off.Bell's determination to attack the stumps and maintain consistency will be key for England's success in the remaining Pakistan series and the upcoming T20 World Cup. Her aggressive approach and leadership will be crucial as the team aims to overcome the challenges of subcontinental wickets and emerge victorious.

Sanju Samson's exceptional performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have propelled him into the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The 29-year-old has secured the position of the second wicketkeeper-batter, behind Rishabh Pant, surpassing formidable contenders like KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan.Former India opener Gautam Gambhir believes that this is the opportune moment for Samson to make a significant impact on the international stage. He expects the wicketkeeper-batter to not only participate but also lead India to victories.Gambhir emphasizes that Samson has accumulated ample experience and should now harness his full potential to deliver memorable performances. "Now that you've gotten picked in the World Cup team, you have that opportunity-the kind that you need to make sure you start winning games for India if you get the chance," Gambhir told SportsKeeda.He adds, "You have that experience of playing international cricket. You are not a newbie that you will wait any longer. You have tasted international cricket and you've done well in the IPL, and now you have the chance to play the World Cup. So, hopefully, Sanju shows the world what he is capable of at this stage."Gambhir also believes that Samson's captaincy experience with the Rajasthan Royals will positively influence his batting at the T20 World Cup. "Just the quality of a player. I don't need to see much. Five minutes are enough to figure out what kind of a player he is," Gambhir said."Mentally, you always grow, and skill-wise as well. Otherwise, if you get stagnant, you won't be able to survive for too long. The good thing is be it fitness, power-hitting, keeping or captaincy... he has not put a foot wrong. Through captaincy, you start accessing, judging better, reading better. That is when you also become a better batter. I hope Samson's captaincy reflects on his batting at the T20 World Cup if he gets a chance."Samson's inclusion in the Indian squad is a testament to his consistent performances in the IPL. He has been a key player for the Rajasthan Royals, leading them to the finals in the 2022 season. His ability to score runs quickly and his impressive wicketkeeping skills make him a valuable asset to the Indian team.

Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has shed light on the leadership qualities of MS Dhoni that led India to victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007.Dhoni's ability to involve his team members in decision-making was crucial to India's success. "Before matches against teams like Australia, New Zealand, and England, our core group would get together during the game to strategize for the next few overs," Harbhajan revealed.In the nail-biting final against Pakistan, Dhoni's decision to give the crucial 19th over to Harbhajan proved decisive. Harbhajan conceded only seven runs and took the wicket of Umar Gul, setting the stage for Joginder Sharma to seal the victory in the final over.Harbhajan emphasized the importance of collective leadership and team unity. "When you play together as a united team, you win more competitions. Dhoni was a great listener, taking collective decisions that benefited the team. It was never about individual performances but about playing as 'we'," he said.Harbhajan believes that Rohit Sharma, India's current captain, can emulate Dhoni's success by fostering a similar team environment. "If we play as a united team, thinking about collective success rather than individual achievements, then we can win," he said.The upcoming T20 World Cup in New York on June 9 will provide another opportunity for India and Pakistan to showcase their rivalry. Harbhajan's insights into Dhoni's leadership provide valuable lessons for Rohit Sharma and the Indian team as they prepare for the tournament.

Sri Lanka, fresh from securing their berth in the Women's T20 World Cup, will host West Indies for a three-match ODI and T20I series from June 15-28. The tour will serve as a crucial preparation for Sri Lanka ahead of the T20 Asia Cup, which they will also host starting July 20.For Sri Lanka, the series against West Indies will be their second bilateral T20I assignment this year, following their successful tour of South Africa in March and April. They are also scheduled to tour Ireland in August.West Indies, on the other hand, recently concluded a month-long tour of Pakistan, where they emerged victorious in both the ODI and T20I series. This tour of Sri Lanka will be their final competitive outing before the Women's T20 World Cup in October.The last time these two teams met in a bilateral series was in 2017, when West Indies swept Sri Lanka in both T20Is and ODIs. West Indies hold a dominant head-to-head record against Sri Lanka in T20Is, with 18 wins to Sri Lanka's 14. In ODIs, the contest has been closer, with West Indies winning 18 and Sri Lanka 14.However, this tour promises to be a more competitive affair, with Sri Lanka entering the series on the back of historic series wins over England, New Zealand, and South Africa in the past year.The ODI series, which is part of the ICC Women's Championship, will be played in Galle from June 15-21. The Women's Championship serves as a pathway to the 2025 ODI World Cup, with the top four teams apart from hosts India earning direct qualification. West Indies are currently seventh on the Women's Championship points table, while Sri Lanka are eighth.The T20Is will be held in Hambantota from June 24-28.

The recent appointment of Hardik Pandya as captain of the Mumbai Indians (MI) has sparked rumors of a rift with Rohit Sharma, the former MI captain. The move has not yielded positive results, with MI failing to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs. Pandya's performance has also been underwhelming, raising questions about his selection for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Despite his poor form, Pandya was included in the 15-man squad for the World Cup. Reports suggest that neither Rohit Sharma nor the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, supported his selection. However, it is believed that Pandya was picked under "pressure."Sources claim that Rohit Sharma, Ajit Agarkar, and some selectors opposed Pandya's inclusion during the selection meeting in Ahmedabad. The report also indicates that Rohit may retire from the T20 format after the World Cup.However, Pandya's place in the playing XI is not guaranteed. Even if he plays, he may not feature in all matches. Agarkar explained that the selection committee had no choice but to include Pandya due to the lack of a suitable replacement.India will play three of their four Group A matches in New York, including the highly anticipated clash with Pakistan on June 9. Their fourth fixture is scheduled for June 15 in Florida against Canada.

Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has urged current skipper Babar Azam to adapt his batting approach to match situations and maintain an optimal strike rate in T20 cricket. With the T20 World Cup approaching, Misbah emphasized the need for Babar to adjust his batting style according to the team's requirements.Misbah praised Babar's recent innings of 75 off 42 balls against Ireland in the third T20I, showcasing his ability to play explosive knocks when needed. However, he stressed that Babar must be versatile and capable of shifting gears in modern-day T20 cricket."We saw, he [Babar] improved his strike rate against Ireland. Hopefully, he will bat like that when the team requires that sort of an innings from him. If an anchor role is required, then anchor it is. But you have to be potentially ready to play at 160-170 or even a strike rate of 200 if the team needs it. It will be an important thing for Babar to not bat at 130-140 strike rate if the team is chasing 200," Misbah stated.Misbah acknowledged the pressure faced by players, but emphasized the importance of mental strength and resilience in handling criticism and external expectations. He highlighted the ability of top cricketers to channel criticism into motivation and use it as fuel to perform better on the field."Outside noise does affect a player, but good players, who are mentally strong, top cricketers in the world, they take motivation from criticism. They write down those noises that yes, I have to answer them on the ground. Somehow, they take motivation from those voices and criticism," Misbah elaborated.As Pakistan prepare for the T20 World Cup, Misbah's insights underline the importance of Babar Azam's adaptability and mindset in leading the team's batting lineup effectively, with the aim of achieving success in the upcoming tournament.

New Zealand's T20 World Cup preparations have been impacted by the absence of official warm-up matches. However, the team is confident that their recent experiences in the IPL, Pakistan tour, and CPL will provide them with the necessary preparation.Head coach Gary Stead explained that logistical challenges and the staggered arrival of players from the IPL made it impractical to arrange warm-up fixtures. Instead, the team will rely on additional training sessions to fine-tune their game plan.Nine players have gained valuable experience in the IPL, while others participated in the Pakistan tour. However, match time has varied significantly for key players in India. Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, and Kane Williamson have had limited opportunities, while Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra have featured more prominently.Trent Boult has been a consistent performer for Rajasthan Royals, taking 12 wickets. With the bat, only Mitchell has had a successful tournament, scoring 314 runs at a strike rate of 144.70.First-choice openers Devon Conway and Finn Allen are recovering from injuries and have not played since February. Conway is expected to be assessed upon his return from India, while Allen is still experiencing some discomfort.Tim Southee, who was rested for the Pakistan tour, has not played a game since the New Zealand season ended. Despite these absences, Stead remains confident in the team's preparations."We've only got two players who haven't been to a T20 World Cup that are in this squad," he said. "That shows our group is experienced and they can lean back on those past experiences."The team has been practicing on various surfaces to simulate the conditions they may encounter in Guyana and Trinidad. Stead believes the pitches could initially favor high scores but may deteriorate with repeated use.New Zealand faces a challenging group stage, with Afghanistan, West Indies, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea as their opponents. Stead acknowledges the difficulty of the task but is eager to embrace the challenge.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has raised concerns over Yashasvi Jaiswal's recent form in the Indian Premier League (IPL), suggesting that it could impact India's opening combination for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Jaiswal, who is considered a potential opener for India in the T20 World Cup, has struggled in recent matches for Rajasthan Royals. In their fourth consecutive defeat, Jaiswal managed just four runs against Punjab Kings.Pathan believes that Jaiswal's current form could lead the Indian team to rethink their opening partnership. "It's a massive area of concern because I believe Yashasvi Jaiswal should start in the World Cup as he is a left-handed batter," Pathan said on Star Sports. "So the opposing team won't start with a left-arm spinner. They will hesitate a little if he is in form."However, Pathan also acknowledged the dilemma India might face, weighing the option of an in-form Virat Kohli opening alongside Rohit Sharma versus persisting with Jaiswal, who is relatively young and inexperienced. "The team will think whether they should open with in-form Virat Kohli alongside Rohit Sharma, or go with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is young and inexperienced. So it's extremely necessary for him to come in form," Pathan added.Despite Jaiswal's struggles, Pathan noted the silver lining of him getting more opportunities due to Rajasthan Royals' qualification in the tournament. However, he underscored the impact of Jaiswal's form on the team's performance, particularly in the absence of Jos Buttler."The good thing for Yashasvi is that he will get chances because his team has qualified, and if they make a place in the top two, he will get more chances. Keeping that in mind, there are a few positive things for Yashasvi, but this form will trouble Rajasthan Royals a lot as well," Pathan said.Observing Jaiswal's dismissal against Punjab, Pathan analyzed the opener's approach and suggested that he seemed unsettled and indecisive, ultimately leading to his downfall.

In a groundbreaking move for Indian sports streaming, Disney+ Hotstar will offer the ICC Men's T20 World Cup with Hindi audio description and Indian Sign Language (ISL) for visually and hearing impaired viewers. This marks the first time such accessibility features have been introduced for live cricket streaming in India.The tournament, which is estimated to have a media value of ₹1,600–2,000 crore, will feature 10 matches with these accessibility features, including India matches, semifinals, and finals. Disney+ Hotstar had previously streamed some Indian Premier League matches with a Hindi descriptive track in 2022.Sajith Sivanandan, head of Disney+ Hotstar, emphasized the importance of democratizing the game by making it accessible to all. He noted that the platform aims to make its original programming available with closed captioning and audio description tracks.While ISL interpretation of commentary is new for streaming, Disney has faced challenges in ensuring consistent closed captioning and audio description for content licensed from studios. A review by The Hindu last year found that most streaming platforms in India have limited availability of same-language closed captioning or audio description for their content.The IT Rules, 2021 include a recommendation for streaming platforms to make their content accessible to differently abled users. However, most work in this regard has been through the industry's own practices, and the government has not visibly exerted pressure to facilitate accessibility on OTT platforms.Disney+ Hotstar's initiative is a significant step towards making sports more inclusive and accessible to all. It aligns with the growing demand for accessibility features in the digital age and sets a positive example for other streaming platforms to follow.