Cricket

Kuldeep Yadav's resurgence in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has propelled him to the forefront of India's spin bowling options for the upcoming T20 World Cup. After a dismal 2019 season, where he struggled for wickets and economy, Kuldeep has transformed into a formidable force, showcasing his improved pace and accuracy.In the ongoing IPL, Kuldeep has been a revelation for the Delhi Capitals, claiming 14 wickets in just nine matches at an impressive average of 20.50 and an economy rate of 8.20. His ability to break the bail with his deliveries highlights his increased pace, which has made him a more challenging proposition for batters.Kuldeep's resurgence has come at a crucial time for India, who are seeking a replacement for the injured Ravindra Jadeja in their T20 World Cup squad. With his current form, Kuldeep is the frontrunner to join Axar Patel as India's primary spin duo in the tournament.In contrast, Yuzvendra Chahal, who initially impressed for the Rajasthan Royals, has endured a dip in form in recent matches. His struggles have raised concerns about his ability to handle the pressure of the World Cup, especially on flat pitches where batters can dominate.Kuldeep's resurgence and Chahal's struggles have created a clear hierarchy in India's spin bowling department. Kuldeep is now the undisputed number one spinner, while Chahal's place in the World Cup squad is in jeopardy. However, Chahal has the experience and talent to bounce back and prove his worth in the business end of the tournament.

Rohit Sharma's recent struggles with the bat have raised concerns ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. The Mumbai Indians captain has managed just 33 runs in his last five IPL matches, including scores of 4, 11, 4, 8, and 6.Former South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock believes Rohit's poor form is due to a combination of factors, including the pressure of captaining the Indian team and the upcoming World Cup selection process."He'll be disappointed with that. He got off to a fiery start. Some people were saying, 'Look he's no longer captain so he's getting back to his old form'. He's still got two more games so hopefully he fires before he heads off to the World Cup," Pollock said on Cricbuzz."It's the manner in which he's getting out that will be more concerning for him. He's one of those when he's playing straight down the ground, there's not much that can go wrong, but he has tried to introduce a bit of a fiddly element to the game. To get the odd scoop here but he's popping the odd one up in the air. If he gets a good nut, he won't be too concerned, but to be honest, he's kind of got out to soft dismissals, to be honest."Pollock also suggested that the stress of captaining the Indian team and the upcoming World Cup selection process may have played a role in Rohit's poor form."I presume for the last few weeks, there has been a few conversations about trying to pick the Indian team. With that stress of finding the right balance, which player should be picked, all of a sudden, you are back in captaincy mode... The naming of the side, going to the press conference, explaining why you have picked a certain may have added to the stress," Pollock added.Rohit Sharma will be hoping to regain his form in the remaining two IPL matches before the World Cup. The Indian team will be relying heavily on their captain to lead them to success in the tournament.

India's Strategic Spin Quartet for T20 World CupWest Indies pace legend Courtney Walsh has endorsed India's decision to include four spinners in their T20 World Cup squad, recognizing it as a strategic alignment with their strengths.India's selectors have opted for Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja in their 15-man squad, a move that has raised eyebrows. However, Walsh believes it is a wise choice given India's historical reliance on spin bowling."India picking four spinners I'm not surprised... it seems to be their strength," Walsh said. "West Indies have picked three spinners. It's going to be different conditions and everybody has to balance the team."India's captain Rohit Sharma has hinted that the slow and sluggish wickets expected in the West Indies, as well as the unusually early starts, may have influenced their decision. Walsh agrees that these factors could favor spinners."India still have quality fast bowlers, most of the teams do, so it will be a very competitive tournament. The majority of the teams have good-quality fast bowlers and spinners," Walsh said. "It's (the tournament) going to be dominated by the bat possibly. But it is difficult to predict who is going to win it, difficult to predict which bowler is going to be a standout. The teams that execute well will be successful."Walsh also expressed optimism about the West Indies' chances in the tournament, which they will co-host. "I'm expecting them to do very well. It's a nice balanced team and I am very optimistic that they'll play quality cricket. The group is not the easiest but once we reach the super sixes, there's a really good chance."Walsh, who holds the record for the most Test wickets (519), offered advice to India's star pacer Jasprit Bumrah. "Stay fit, have fun. The more you play the more experienced you get," he said. "It's all about managing the injuries well. That will help him become fitter, stronger and better. You can only play if you are fit enough."Walsh also emphasized the importance of protecting young West Indies pace sensation Shamar Joseph, who played a key role in their recent Test victory in Australia. "West Indies have to (protect him), he's got to protect himself. When I watch his interviews he has a very level head, which is very, very good to see. He loves the game, has passion for the game," Walsh said. "I think the West Indies have to make sure to look after him. Keep him injury-free for longevity. It's early days yet but I'm very excited to see what he does."

Scotland's historic qualification for the T20 Women's World Cup is a testament to the team's resilience and the growing strength of women's cricket worldwide. Led by captain Kathryn Bryce, the Scots stunned favorites Ireland in the semi-final, securing their first-ever appearance at the global tournament.Bryce's early wickets set the tone for Scotland's victory, silencing the Irish crowd and instilling a sense of belief in her team. The opener Megan McColl and Bryce then chased down the target with ease, with Bryce hitting the winning runs to seal the historic triumph.Bryce attributed the team's success to their recent performances against Ireland and their belief in their own abilities. She emphasized the importance of early wickets in a crucial match, as they can "stun a team a little bit."The Scotland captain also highlighted the growth of women's cricket, evidenced by the competitive nature of the qualifying groups. She believes that Scotland's World Cup appearance will inspire young girls in the country and make the sport more accessible and enjoyable for all.Bryce's own journey to the World Cup began in her grandmother's garden, where she and her sister Sarah emulated their idols, Katherine Sciver-Brunt and Sarah Taylor. She hopes that Scotland's success will attract new fans to cricket and encourage more girls to take up the sport.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has named Assad Vala as their captain for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA. Vala, who also led the team in 2021, will be assisted by allrounder Charles Amini as vice-captain.Ten of the 15 players selected for the 2024 event were part of the squad in 2021. Jack Gardner, who was a reserve three years ago, has now been included in the main squad.PNG qualified for this year's T20 World Cup by topping the East Asia-Pacific Qualifier in 2023, where they won all six of their matches. They enter the tournament on the back of a 2-0 series win against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, which came immediately after they won a T20I tri-series also featuring Nepal and Hong Kong.PNG will start their World Cup campaign against co-hosts West Indies in Guyana on June 2. They are part of Group C, which also includes Afghanistan, New Zealand, and Uganda.Vala expressed optimism about the team's chances in the tournament. "The energy has been great within the team," he said. "For some of the boys who went to the last T20 World Cup, it's a different feeling now with a lot of the training, because the last time was during Covid and the preparation wasn't as good as what we're going through now. I am looking forward to this event because I know we are going to do well."

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has identified two uncapped players, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube, as crucial to India's success at the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.Jaiswal, a left-handed opener, impressed in the ICC World Test Championship series against England, amassing a record tally of runs. His explosive batting at the top of the order and fearless approach make him a valuable asset.Dube, a middle-order batsman, has been in scintillating form in the ongoing Indian Premier League, smashing 26 sixes in 11 matches. His ability to hit sixes at will and his prowess against spin bowling make him a match-winner.Shastri believes Dube's big-hitting could unlock big totals for India in the tournament. "His strike rate, which will be close to 200 most of the time, will help India immensely in going forward, getting those 190s, 200s that are needed in big competitions," Shastri said.Dube's impressive IPL performance, averaging over 40 with a strike rate of 170.73, has earned him high praise from Shastri. "He's big, he's strapping, and he hits a long ball," Shastri said.With their explosive batting and match-winning potential, Jaiswal and Dube are expected to play key roles in India's quest for T20 World Cup glory. Their ability to change the game in a matter of balls could prove invaluable in the high-pressure environment of the tournament.

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has heaped praise on Sanju Samson's impressive performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL), lauding the T20 World Cup-bound power-hitter for his exceptional handling of both spin and pace bowling.Samson's scintillating knock of 86 runs off just 46 balls against the Delhi Capitals on Tuesday showcased his remarkable batting prowess. Despite Rajasthan Royals' eventual defeat by 20 runs, Samson's innings propelled him to third place on the IPL's top-scorers chart with 471 runs in 11 matches.Hayden, a renowned cricket commentator, was particularly impressed by Samson's ability to adapt to different bowling styles. "Sanju Samson was batting like a dream, scoring 86 off 46 balls. He's proven his worth time and again...Throughout the tournament, he's been a master blaster, handling both spin and pace with finesse," Hayden remarked.Samson's timing and power were evident throughout his innings. "He times his innings well. He's got the power. And the power is a big thing in T20 cricket. Yet, what stands out is his commitment to his team. He just needed a bit of luck, especially towards the end of the match," Hayden added.Samson's performance has also caught the attention of former India cricketer Varun Aaron. "I think Sanju Samson has been batting really well. Bowlers are keen on dismissing him, evident from their reluctance to bowl bouncers despite being allowed two per over in this IPL," Aaron observed.Aaron noted that Samson's dismissal in the match against Delhi Capitals came after he was bowled a bouncer for the first time. "Interestingly, the over he got out, Khaleel Ahmed bowled the first bouncer to him in the match. This seemed to disrupt his footwork, as the subsequent wide slow ball, which he typically dispatches for six over covers, resulted in his dismissal," Aaron explained.Samson's impressive form has earned him a place in the Indian team for the upcoming T20 World Cup, where he will serve as the second wicketkeeper behind Rishabh Pant. His ability to handle both spin and pace bowling will be a valuable asset to the Indian team as they aim to lift the coveted trophy.

Yuvraj Singh and Rohit Sharma, two stalwarts of Indian cricket, share a deep bond that has stood the test of time. Their journey began in 2007 when they were part of India's triumphant T20 World Cup squad. While Yuvraj was at the zenith of his career, Rohit was just starting out.Rohit has always held Yuvraj in high regard. On the Kapil Sharma show, he recounted an amusing incident from his early days in the team. "I sat down in Yuvraj's seat on the team bus, not knowing that players had preferred seats. Yuvi just made eye contact and gestured me to move. RP Singh explained that it was his seat," Rohit recalled with a chuckle.Yuvraj has witnessed Rohit's remarkable transformation from a shy teenager to a world-class opener. "He had very poor English," Yuvraj joked, "but he was a funny guy from the streets of Borivali. We always tease him, but he's a great guy at heart."Their bond deepened during Yuvraj's final season as an active cricketer, when he played under Rohit's captaincy at Mumbai Indians. "He's never changed as a person, despite his success," Yuvraj said. "He's fun-loving, a great leader, and one of my closest friends from cricket."Yuvraj's admiration for Rohit extends beyond their personal relationship. He believes that Rohit deserves to lead India to a World Cup triumph. "I really want to see him with a World Cup trophy," Yuvraj said. "He's had a lot of success, but he hasn't won a World Cup yet. He deserves it."Rohit's leadership qualities have been evident in India's recent performances. Under his captaincy, India reached the final of the 50-over World Cup and the WTC Final last year, and the semifinals of the 2022 T20 World Cup.Yuvraj believes that Rohit's presence will be crucial in India's quest for the T20 World Cup title this year. "We need a good captain who takes decisions well under pressure," Yuvraj said. "Rohit is the one to do that."With the World Cup just around the corner, Yuvraj's words serve as a reminder of Rohit's importance to the Indian team. His experience, leadership, and unwavering determination will be vital if India is to end its long wait for an ICC title.

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson has emerged as a strong contender for India's first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman at the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup, according to his IPL coach Kumar Sangakkara. Samson's impressive performance in the ongoing IPL season has caught the attention of the Indian selectors, who included him in the 15-man squad for the June 1-29 tournament in the United States and the West Indies.Samson's inclusion in the squad is a testament to his consistent performances in the IPL. He is currently ranked third in the tournament's run-scoring charts with 471 runs in 11 games, behind only Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Samson's impressive form has been a key factor in Rajasthan Royals' success this season, as they currently sit second in the points table.While Rishabh Pant is also a strong contender for the wicketkeeper-batsman role in the Indian team, Samson's recent performances have put him in a strong position. In Rajasthan Royals' match against Pant's Delhi Capitals on Tuesday, Samson struck a blistering 86 off 46 balls, while Pant managed only 15 off 13 balls.Sangakkara believes that Samson has made a strong case for himself to be included in the Indian team's starting lineup for the World Cup. "It's really up to Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma and how they see the combination. But he (Samson) has made his case, so hopefully he'll have a good run in the World Cup," Sangakkara said.Samson's excellent form this season is a result of his improved clarity about his batting approach, according to Sangakkara. "With Sanju, the biggest thing about this season for him is having a lot of clarity about the way he should bat," Sangakkara said. "There are certain stages of the game that he seems to lose a bit of concentration, which we've addressed from past seasons."Sangakkara also praised Samson's dedication to his fitness and recovery. "He's changed his mindset about the importance of rest and recovery, rather than just training all the time and being tired mentally and physically. The rest is his exceptional ability," Sangakkara said.Samson, who has been on the fringes of the Indian team in recent years, has the potential to excel at the World Cup, according to Sangakkara. "He's a special player and when he's fresh and focused there's nothing he can't do," Sangakkara said. "He's a humble, grounded guy... not much on social media. He tends to like a lot of privacy, cares for the rest of the group."