Cricket

Josh Little, Ireland's star fast bowler, will remain with the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL) until their final group match on May 16. This decision has been made with the approval of Cricket Ireland, allowing Little to miss Ireland's upcoming T20I series against Pakistan and tri-series in the Netherlands.Little's absence from the Ireland squad is a significant blow as they prepare for the T20 World Cup in June. However, Cricket Ireland has allowed him to stay with the Titans due to his impressive performances in the IPL. In his first appearance of the season, Little took 4 for 45 against the Chennai Super Kings.Ireland's provisional 15-man squad for the World Cup remains unchanged from the one that faced Afghanistan in their recent T20I series. The squad will face Pakistan in three T20Is, starting in Dublin on Friday, and then play a tri-series with Netherlands and Scotland from May 19-24.Paul Stirling, Ireland's white-ball captain, will appear at his eighth successive T20 World Cup. He is the fifth-highest run-scorer in men's T20I history and has played a crucial role in Ireland's success in the tournament.The squad has undergone minor changes since 2022, when Ireland reached the Super 12s. Ross Adair, Neil Rock, and Ben White have been added to the squad, while Stephen Doheny, Fionn Hand, Conor Olphert, and Simi Singh have been omitted."The squad is one that we have gradually developed and tested out over the last 18 or so months," said Heinrich Malan, Ireland's coach. "We have an intensive block of T20 cricket coming up this month ahead of the T20 World Cup, and we will be aiming to win as many of those games as possible."Ireland will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against India on June 5 and will face Canada, USA, and Pakistan in the group stage.

India's T20 World Cup Strategy: Balancing Superstars and PlanningFormer West Indies captain Brian Lara has emphasized the importance of a tailored strategy for India's head coach Rahul Dravid to optimize the performance of superstars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma during the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Americas.Lara believes that while the team's experience is valuable, it's crucial to avoid relying solely on individual brilliance. "Sometimes when you have a team with a lot of superstars, you forget the plan and you believe that the superstars can do it," he said. "They just have to turn up."Lara cited the example of the West Indies team during the 1987 ODI World Cup, which despite being led by the legendary Sir Vivian Richards, failed to reach the semifinals. "Obviously when you have such great players, you want to stick to that experience because you feel that they can do it," he said.Lara advised Dravid to ensure a clear plan is in place, especially given the big names in the Indian squad. "You've got a lot of exciting young players coming out and you also have that sort of conundrum," he said. "India have gone with a team that has experience. My advice, and it's not my criticism, it's my advice to Rahul Dravid is to make sure and have a plan."While acknowledging the omission of Rinku Singh as unfortunate, Lara expressed confidence in the team's ability to win the World Cup. "The team is capable of winning the World Cup," he said. "Yes, it's a team that have maybe a couple of youngsters missing because of the situation. But I still believe that if they plan properly. India could win the World Cup."

Legendary West Indian batsman Brian Lara has urged India to promote Suryakumar Yadav to the crucial number three position in their batting lineup for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Lara believes that Suryakumar's exceptional skills and abilities make him the ideal candidate to occupy this pivotal spot in the team's batting order.Lara, who is currently providing commentary for the Indian Premier League (IPL), emphasized the importance of getting Suryakumar to the crease as early as possible. He believes that the swashbuckling batsman can put India in an unassailable position if he bats first or win the game if he bats second."My one advice, and I don't know if you're going to like it or not, but Sky has to bat at three. He just has to bat at three. He is one of the greatest T20 players in the game," Lara said. "And you speak to players like Sir Viv, and he will tell you he used to want to get out there in the middle."Lara's suggestion would require a reshuffling of India's top order, with Suryakumar moving up to number three and Virat Kohli potentially opening the innings alongside Rohit Sharma. This would leave Yashasvi Jaiswal on the bench.Lara also expressed his hope for an India-West Indies final at the T20 World Cup, which would make up for the disappointment of India's early exit from the 2007 ODI World Cup in the Caribbean."India and West Indies final is going to make up for so much wrong that has happened in the past. India missing out in 2007 in the second round, that killed us in the Caribbean. We don't want that to happen again," Lara said.Regarding India's spin bowling options, Lara believes that only a couple of the four spinners selected in the squad, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, are likely to play in the starting eleven. He praised Chahal's intelligence and ability to out-think batters, as well as Kuldeep's wicket-taking prowess.Despite the ongoing debate surrounding Kohli's strike rate, Lara believes that players like him are essential to the team's success. "You have to have a player like Virat in the playing eleven," Lara added.

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has expressed concern over Indian skipper Rohit Sharma's recent string of low scores, suggesting that the fatigued batter may benefit from a break before leading India in the upcoming T20 World Cup.Rohit, who is set to captain India in the global tournament next month, has struggled with four single-digit scores in his last five matches for Mumbai Indians in the current IPL season. The 37-year-old has endured a demanding season, including a rigorous five-Test series preceding the IPL, with Mumbai Indians now almost out of contention for the playoffs.Clarke believes that Rohit may be feeling the effects of fatigue and that a break could do wonders for him. However, as the Indian captain and a key player for Mumbai Indians, Rohit is unlikely to get a break."Rohit, being the wise judge of his own performances, will undoubtedly be disappointed, especially considering his strong start. In my view, he might be feeling a bit fatigued as well," Clarke told Star Sports."A break to freshen up could do wonders for him, but as the Indian captain and a key player for Mumbai Indians, you're not getting a break. He's going to have to find form," Clarke continued.Clarke expressed confidence that it's only a matter of time before Rohit returns to his usual form as a batter."He was in a great mood. He's happy, which is a really good sign. He doesn't seem to be struggling with his timing; it's just a matter of getting out," he said."With someone like Rohit, it's only a matter of time before he finds his form again. Hopefully, he stresses less and focuses on his game because he's too talented to keep missing out. He's at his best when he's timing the ball, rather than trying to force it," he added.Clarke also had praise in store for Rohit's deputy for the World Cup and MI skipper Hardik Pandya, who returned with 4-0-31-3 in their seven-wicket win over SRH on Monday."In the last couple of games, he's been taking wickets with his bowling, making some adjustments along the way. For an all-rounder, success in one department boosts confidence across the board," Clarke said."This aspect is crucial for Hardik Pandya's cricket in any format - he needs to contribute with the ball. Initially, he didn't bowl as much as expected or desired in the first half of this tournament. However, in the last three or four games, he's returned to form."Clarke also said Pandya used his bouncers effectively which is an essential weapon in his armoury."He used his bouncer effectively, which I love seeing because it is a strong weapon in his arsenal. He executed the basics flawlessly, which is not only beneficial for Mumbai but also for Indian cricket as a whole, as it will enhance his overall performance," said Clarke.

Hardik Pandya's resurgence with the ball has been a welcome sight for the Indian team ahead of the T20 World Cup. Despite a disappointing IPL season as Mumbai Indians captain, Pandya's all-round abilities remain unmatched in India.Chief selector Chetan Sharma emphasized Pandya's unique balance and versatility, particularly his bowling prowess. Pandya's ability to bowl at the death and provide Rohit Sharma with flexible options is crucial for the team's success.In Monday's match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Pandya delivered an incisive spell, taking three for 33 in four overs. His accurate bowling and ability to exploit the Wankhede pitch's bounce and movement played a significant role in restricting Hyderabad to a manageable total.Pandya's return to form, along with Suryakumar Yadav's blazing century, bodes well for India's World Cup aspirations. Both players have overcome injuries and are now hitting their stride at the right time.Pandya's bowling has been particularly impressive in his last three matches, where he has bowled his full quota of overs and taken wickets consistently. His ability to adapt to different conditions and bowl to the situation is a testament to his skill and experience.Former West Indies great Kieron Pollard, Mumbai Indians' batting coach, has been a staunch supporter of Pandya. He believes that Pandya's recent bowling performances are a positive sign for both the player and Indian cricket.If Pandya can continue his good form in Mumbai Indians' remaining two matches, he will regain much of the confidence that was shaken during his disappointing IPL campaign. His return to bowling fitness and effectiveness will be a major boost for India's World Cup hopes.

Rohit Sharma's Form Slump Raises Concerns for Mumbai Indians and IndiaFormer India cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has expressed concern over the alarming dip in form of Mumbai Indians' opener Rohit Sharma. Sharma's struggles have extended beyond the IPL franchise, casting a shadow over India's preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup.In the recent match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Sharma's woes continued as he was dismissed for a mere four runs off five deliveries. This dismal performance followed a string of low scores since his century against Chennai Super Kings on April 14th. Sharma's subsequent scores of 6, 8, 4, 11, and 4 have raised serious concerns about his form."There is a massive difference between Rohit Sharma's first six matches and last five matches. He is going in single digits in the last five matches and that is a real worry," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.Sharma's struggles are particularly concerning given his importance to both Mumbai Indians and the Indian team. As the captain of Mumbai Indians, his form is crucial for the franchise's success. For India, Sharma is a key player in the upcoming T20 World Cup, where his experience and leadership will be vital.Sharma's dismissal against SRH, where he attempted a big shot off Pat Cummins only to be caught behind, highlighted his difficulties in finding his rhythm and timing at the crease. Chopra emphasized that Sharma's form is essential for both Mumbai Indians and India, as his struggles could have significant implications for both teams.

Sanju Samson, the captain of Rajasthan Royals (RR), has revolutionized his T20 approach by embracing an aggressive mindset from the outset. He believes that every batsman must adopt this mentality for their team to thrive in the fast-paced format.Samson's transformation has earned him a recall to the Indian team for the T20 World Cup. In IPL 2024, he has amassed 385 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 159.09, propelling RR to second place in the points table with 8 wins."It's a 20-over game," Samson emphasized. "Each over is crucial. You can't afford to wait to settle down or target specific bowlers. You have to go for boundaries from the start."Samson's philosophy aligns with the modern T20 game, where teams prioritize boundary-hitting and aggressive intent. He believes that every player must contribute to the team's dominance, eliminating the concept of individual scoring patterns."There's only one way to succeed in T20s," Samson asserted. "You have to dominate. If you don't, you're setting yourself up for failure. Everyone needs to contribute to the team's success."Samson's journey to international recognition has been a testament to his perseverance and adaptability. Despite making his T20I debut in 2015, he only earned his first ODI cap in 2021. However, his recent resurgence has solidified his position as a valuable asset to the Indian team.With the T20 World Cup approaching, Samson is eager to cement his place in the national side. His aggressive approach and proven ability to score runs at a rapid pace make him a formidable force in the shortest format of the game.

Yuvraj Singh, the iconic Indian cricketer and brand ambassador for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, has expressed his ardent desire to witness his close friend Rohit Sharma donning a World Cup medal as India's captain. Yuvraj, who played a pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup triumph in 2007 and ODI World Cup victory in 2011, believes Rohit possesses the leadership qualities necessary to guide India to glory in the upcoming tournament.Yuvraj emphasized the importance of a captain who can make sound decisions under pressure, and he believes Rohit fits the bill perfectly. "He's the one to take them," Yuvraj asserted. "He was the captain when we lost in the 50-over (2023 World Cup) final. He has won five IPL trophies (for Mumbai Indians) as a captain. I think we need somebody like him to captain India."Yuvraj's friendship with Rohit dates back to their early days in the Indian team. He fondly recalled Rohit's debut during the 2007 Ireland tour, when Yuvraj was already an established member of the white-ball squad. Their bond has only grown stronger over the years, and Yuvraj described Rohit as a "great guy at heart" who has remained humble despite his immense success."Fun-loving, always having fun with the guys. A great leader on the park and one of my closest friends from cricket," Yuvraj said of Rohit. "I really want to see Rohit Sharma with a World Cup trophy and a World Cup medal (as captain). He really deserves it."India will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York. Yuvraj's presence as brand ambassador and his unwavering support for Rohit Sharma will undoubtedly inspire the Indian team as they strive to bring home the coveted trophy.

Amidst reports of a rift between Pakistan captain Babar Azam and allrounder Imad Wasim, a video has emerged from the team's training session in Ireland that has fueled speculation. The footage shows Wasim confronting Azam on the sidelines of the net session at the Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin.The incident has raised concerns about the team's unity ahead of a crucial T20I series against Ireland and England. Wasim has previously denied any disagreement with Azam, who was reappointed as captain after stepping down following Pakistan's disappointing performance at the ODI World Cup last year."We have no issues with Babar. He is the captain of the team and we are all supporting him. Maybe Babar has become captain again because he will lead us to the (T20) World Cup trophy," Wasim was quoted as saying in a report on 'geosuper.tv'.However, the video suggests otherwise. Wasim appears animated and confrontational as he engages in a heated discussion with Azam. The incident has raised questions about the team's leadership and the potential impact on their performance in the upcoming matches.Pakistan will play three T20Is in Ireland, followed by a four-match T20I series in England. After that, the team will travel to the US for the T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the West Indies from June 2 to 29.India and Pakistan are clubbed in Group A and will face each other on June 9 in New York. The outcome of the match could have significant implications for both teams' chances of advancing to the knockout stages.The video of the confrontation between Azam and Wasim has cast a shadow over Pakistan's preparations for the T20 World Cup. The team's unity and leadership will be crucial factors in their quest for success in the tournament.