Cricket

Kagiso Rabada, South Africa's premier fast bowler, has returned home from the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to an infection in the soft tissue of his lower limb. Despite the setback, Rabada is expected to be fit for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which begins on October 16 in Australia.Rabada played 11 matches for the Punjab Kings in the IPL, taking 11 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 8.85. However, he will miss the team's final two matches as he undergoes treatment for the infection.The South African Cricket Board (CSA) released a statement confirming Rabada's condition and stating that he is being "closely monitored by the medical team" ahead of the World Cup.Rabada's inclusion in the South African squad is crucial, as he is the only black African player named in the 15-man provisional squad. This has sparked controversy, as CSA has targets for the national team to field an average of six players of color in every XI, with at least two being black African.South Africa will fall short of this target at the T20 World Cup, with only six players of color in the squad and only one black African (Rabada). Therefore, Rabada will need to play every game to ensure that the team does not fall too far behind the overall target.Lungi Ngidi is the only other black African player who was in contention for the squad and has been included as a traveling reserve. South Africa's other fast bowlers include Anrich Nortje, who has returned after a nine-month break due to a stress fracture, Gerald Coetzee, Ottniel Baartman, and Marco Jansen.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup squad announcement delay has raised concerns among cricket enthusiasts, with former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja expressing his dissatisfaction. Pakistan remains the only team yet to reveal its lineup for the highly anticipated tournament, scheduled for June.Raja criticized the management's indecisiveness, stating that every player seems to be on trial as they struggle to assess their potential. He emphasized the need for a swift squad announcement, as the team cannot afford to experiment indefinitely.The Pakistani pacers have faced challenges in finding rhythm throughout their recent tour of Ireland. Shaheen Shah Afridi, despite taking wickets, has been expensive, while Mohammad Amir and Naseem Shah have struggled to make an impact. Hasan Ali's performance in the third T20I was particularly disappointing, conceding 42 runs in just three overs.Raja also questioned the body language of some bowlers, particularly Hasan Ali and Mohammad Amir. He expressed concerns about the role of Abbas Afridi, who has conceded 43 runs in two matches.Despite the bowling woes, Pakistan managed to avoid a series defeat in Ireland, winning the third T20I by six wickets. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan played key roles with the bat, scoring 75 and 56 runs respectively.Raja praised Azam's strike rate but questioned the inclusion of Saim Ayub, who has failed to provide a solid start for the team. He suggested that Ayub's confidence could be damaged if he continues to struggle.With the T20 World Cup approaching, Pakistan faces pressure to finalize its squad and address its bowling concerns. The management must make decisive decisions to ensure the team's competitiveness in the tournament.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed an unprecedented surge in ultra-aggressive cricket, particularly during the powerplay. However, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) head coach Justin Langer believes it remains uncertain whether teams can replicate this approach in the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Americas.Despite the high-scoring nature of the IPL, with teams amassing 200 or more runs 37 times this season, LSG has managed to achieve this feat only once. Langer acknowledges that his team has struggled in the powerplay, which has been a key factor in their recent loss to Delhi Capitals (DC)."The Lucknow wicket has been a real contest between bat and ball, whereas a lot in this tournament has been very one-sided towards the bat," Langer said. "So that's certainly, we haven't capitalized in our powerplay like some of the other teams have."Langer praised the ultra-aggressive approach that has transformed the shortest format of the game. "It's been absolutely amazing watching some of these powerplays. It's almost transformed the game. And whether people can continue to do this and whether they can do it during the World Cup, time will tell. But it's certainly been ultra-aggressive cricket."Despite DC's impressive total of 209, LSG's Arshad Khan gave them a scare with an unbeaten 33-ball 58. Langer believes Khan has immense potential and could become a valuable all-rounder.DC's Tristan Stubbs also impressed with a 25-ball 57 and a wicket. Langer acknowledged Stubbs' talent and highlighted the importance of match-ups in modern cricket."There's so much data these days, so when you do your analysis leading into every game, what often happens traditionally is left-handers don't have as much impact on the game against off-spin when the ball's spinning away," Langer said. "You saw Bishy (Ravi Bishnoi) bowled beautifully when they're spinning away, whereas when the ball's spinning back into the left-hander or the off-spin is spinning back into the right-hander, it tends to be more in the arc to be hitting some of these sixes."DC assistant coach Pravin Amre praised the team's Indian bowlers for their contributions. "I think last four or five games, all Indian bowlers are doing a good job," Amre said. "I think that was very important for us, like the way Khaleel bowled, Mukesh bowled, Ishant bowled, I think that was very positive for us as a franchise."

India's T20 World Cup Wicketkeeper Dilemma: Gambhir Backs Pant Over SamsonFormer Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding India's first-choice wicketkeeper for the upcoming T20 World Cup, expressing his preference for Rishabh Pant over Sanju Samson. Gambhir's decision is based on two key factors: Pant's batting position and left-handedness.Batting PositionGambhir highlights the contrasting batting positions of Pant and Samson in the Indian Premier League (IPL). While Pant has primarily batted in the middle order, Samson has been a top-order batsman. Given India's established top three of Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Virat Kohli, Gambhir believes Pant's presence in the middle order is crucial.Left-HandednessAnother factor influencing Gambhir's choice is Pant's left-handed batting style. He emphasizes that Pant's left-handedness brings variety to India's middle order, creating a strategic advantage with a left-hand-right-hand combination.Samson's RoleWhile acknowledging the quality of both Pant and Samson, Gambhir suggests that Samson could be considered for the finisher's role if the team management deems him more suitable. However, he reiterates his preference for Pant as the natural middle-order batsman who aligns better with the team's requirements.Support and PatienceGambhir stresses the importance of supporting whichever player is chosen for the wicketkeeper role. He urges the team management and fans to provide patience and encouragement, rather than undue criticism, in the event of a player's temporary dip in form.ConclusionGambhir's analysis provides valuable insights into the factors that should influence India's wicketkeeper selection for the T20 World Cup. While both Pant and Samson possess exceptional abilities, Gambhir's preference for Pant is based on his suitability for the middle order and the strategic advantage of his left-handedness.

Rishabh Pant's remarkable return to cricket after his life-threatening accident has been a testament to his resilience and determination. Having played for the first time since December 2022, Pant has eased into the rigors of top-flight cricket without major physical discomfort. He finished the league phase of IPL 2024 as Delhi Capitals' highest run-scorer with 446 runs in 13 games at a strike rate of 155.40. His performances have earned him a place in India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Pant expressed his gratitude for the support he received during his recovery and return to the field. "The kind of support I got from whole India I would say was heartening to see," he said. "Wherever I went to play, I got support from each and every person. That was really good to see."Despite the challenges faced by Delhi Capitals throughout the season, including injuries and suspensions, Pant remained positive. "We had a few injuries here and there, few ups and downs, illnesses, but as a franchise you can't complain all the time," he said. "You've got to make the best use of whatever you have in your hand."Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul lamented his team's poor start in their loss to Delhi Capitals. "This has been the problem for us through the season, that we keep losing a lot of wickets in the powerplay," Rahul said. "We've never been able to get off to a really solid start to bring in players like [Marcus] Stoinis and [Nicholas] Pooran into the game, and get them to walk in at the 7th or 8th over mark with a solid start."Despite their disappointing performance, Rahul remained optimistic about the future. "We did well in the back end, and 200 [208] was a par score. We should have chased it down," he said. "We'll take the positives from this game and try to finish the season on a high."

The Indian cricket team is set to bid farewell to its head coach, Rahul Dravid, after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup in June. Dravid has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of his decision to step down, citing personal reasons.Dravid's decision comes as a surprise, as he had previously agreed to an extension of his contract beyond the 2023 World Cup. However, sources close to the team reveal that Dravid had expressed his desire to spend more time with his family even before the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in March.The BCCI has officially invited applications for the head coach position, with May 27 set as the deadline. Last week, BCCI secretary Jay Shah stated that Dravid "will have to re-apply" if he wants an extension. This announcement raised eyebrows, as it was widely expected that Dravid would continue in his role.The Hindu understands that Dravid had clarified his decision to step down well in advance due to personal reasons. Despite requests from senior players to reconsider, Dravid remained firm in his decision.Had Dravid agreed to an extension, the BCCI may have considered having separate coaches for limited-over and Test match formats. However, as per Shah's statement, there will only be one head coach across all formats, with the appointment lasting until the end of 2027.Contrary to speculation, V.V.S. Laxman, the head of the National Cricket Academy, is unlikely to enter the fray for the head coach position. This may force the BCCI to consider an overseas coach in consultation with senior players. Feelers have been sent to a couple of IPL franchise head coaches who have been part of the T20 league for a considerable time. However, none of them have expressed willingness to apply for the post so far.

Gary Kirsten, the former South African cricketer and coach, will commence his two-year tenure as head coach of the Pakistan men's national cricket team on May 19 in Leeds. This appointment marks a significant milestone for Pakistan cricket, as Kirsten brings a wealth of experience and success to the role.Kirsten's coaching credentials are impeccable. He guided India to victory in the 2011 ODI World Cup, a historic achievement that cemented his status as one of the most respected coaches in the game. He also coached South Africa for two years, leading them to several notable victories.In his new role, Kirsten will be tasked with preparing Pakistan for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA. The team's first match in the tournament will be against the USA in Dallas on June 6. Kirsten believes that Pakistan has the potential to make a strong impact at the World Cup, but it will require collective effort and unwavering support."These are indeed thrilling times for Pakistan cricket," Kirsten said. "The upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 presents a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our skills and uphold Pakistan's legacy as a formidable force in cricket."To support Kirsten in his mission, the PCB has also appointed Simon Helmot as fielding coach and David Reid as mental performance coach. Helmot will join the team on May 31, while Reid will arrive on May 20 and remain until the end of the World Cup.The PCB's decision to prioritize the mental well-being of its players is a testament to the growing recognition of the importance of mental health in sports. Reid, a seasoned expert with nearly two decades of experience, will provide comprehensive care to the players, helping them thrive both on and off the field."Ensuring the mental health and well-being of our elite cricketers is not just a priority, but a fundamental commitment," said Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chairman. "We are confident that our players will receive the comprehensive care they need to thrive both on and off the field."Kirsten's appointment, along with the addition of Helmot and Reid, signals a new era for Pakistan cricket. The team will be looking to build on its recent successes and make a strong statement at the T20 World Cup. With Kirsten at the helm, Pakistan has the potential to achieve great things.

With the T20 World Cup 2024 fast approaching, England players have begun withdrawing from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 to fulfill international commitments. However, Indian players face a unique challenge as the IPL final coincides with the tournament's start date, leaving them with limited time for collective preparation.Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed concern over the lack of preparation time for Team India. He believes the IPL scheduling has hindered the team's ability to play warm-up matches and acclimatize to the conditions in the United States, where the World Cup will be held."With this IPL scheduling, it is difficult to have everyone together to play a few matches," Singh said. "We have two games in America before the tournament starts, but that's not enough."Singh emphasized the importance of having 4-5 warm-up games before the tournament to build team cohesion and adjust to the conditions. He also suggested a 10-15 day gap between the IPL and major ICC events like the World Test Championship or World Cups to allow for adequate preparation."When you are playing a tournament like the World Cup or WTC, the team should play together for 10-15 days," Singh said. "It will be better for the team's performance."The IPL's scheduling has been a topic of debate in recent years, with some arguing that it conflicts with international commitments and hinders the preparation of national teams. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has defended the IPL's timing, citing its popularity and financial benefits.However, with the T20 World Cup being one of the most prestigious events in cricket, the issue of preparation time for the host nation is likely to remain a topic of discussion.

India's T20 World Cup Semi-Final: Guyana Bound with No Reserve DayIndia's path to the T20 World Cup semi-finals has been laid out, with the team set to play in Providence, Guyana, on June 27 if they qualify for the knockout stage. This decision, confirmed by the ICC's playing conditions, is driven by the match timings and India's large television audience.The Guyana semi-final will commence at 10.30am local time, which translates to a more favorable 8pm in India, ensuring maximum viewership. In contrast, the first semi-final in Tarouba, Trinidad, is scheduled as a night game, starting at 8.30pm local time, which would be 6am in India.To accommodate the Guyana semi-final's timing, the ICC has allocated an additional 250 minutes of extra time to the match. This is in contrast to the 190 minutes allotted to the first semi-final and the final, which have reserve days. The tournament schedule does not allow for a reserve day for the second semi-final, hence the extended extra time.However, this extended extra time may not be sufficient in the event of persistent rain, as a decisive result requires both teams to bat for at least ten overs. In most T20 matches, the team batting second only needs to face five overs for a result to be achieved in weather-affected games. However, in the semi-finals and final, the team batting second must face a minimum of ten overs for a result.This rule was also in place for the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-finals and final in Australia. The ICC's decision to allocate the second semi-final to Guyana and provide additional extra time highlights the importance of India's television market and the desire to ensure a fair and decisive result in the event of weather interruptions.