Cricket

Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has expressed confidence in Hardik Pandya's ability to excel for the national team in the upcoming T20 World Cup, despite his underwhelming performance for Mumbai Indians in the ongoing IPL.Gavaskar believes that Pandya's performance for India will be significantly different from his IPL form, as playing for the country brings out a different level of motivation and determination in players. He noted that Pandya has faced challenges in the IPL but has handled them well, and expects him to be in a more positive frame of mind when representing India.Gavaskar also praised the overall strength of the Indian team, stating that they are title contenders for the World Cup. He emphasized the importance of luck in international tournaments, but expressed confidence that India has the potential to bring the trophy back home for the first time since 2007.The former India skipper highlighted the benefits of the IPL in preparing players for the World Cup, as it provides them with ample match practice and allows them to maintain their rhythm. He believes that the team will be well-conditioned and refreshed after a brief break between the IPL and the World Cup.Gavaskar's comments come as India prepares to kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland in New York on June 5. Pandya has been retained as vice-captain of the 15-member squad, despite his modest IPL performance.

The Indian cricket team has announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, with several players earning their selection based on their impressive performances in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).Rohit Sharma: The Mumbai Indians captain has been in scintillating form, scoring 311 runs in 9 matches at a strike rate of 160.30. His century against Chennai Super Kings was a standout performance.Hardik Pandya: Despite a disappointing IPL campaign, Pandya's all-round abilities have earned him a spot in the squad. He has scored 197 runs and taken 4 wickets in 9 matches.Yashasvi Jaiswal: The Rajasthan Royals opener has been in excellent touch, with a century against Mumbai Indians being the highlight.Virat Kohli: The former India captain has silenced his critics with a remarkable IPL season, amassing 500 runs at a strike rate of nearly 150.Suryakumar Yadav: The Mumbai Indians batter has been one of the most consistent performers in the IPL, with a belligerent 78-run knock against Punjab Kings being a standout.Rishabh Pant: The Delhi Capitals captain has returned to form after recovering from injuries, scoring 371 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 160.60.Sanju Samson: The Rajasthan Royals captain has been in excellent form, scoring 385 runs at a strike rate of 161.08.Shivam Dube: The Chennai Super Kings all-rounder has been a revelation, scoring 350 runs at a strike rate of 172.41.Ravindra Jadeja: The Chennai Super Kings all-rounder has contributed with both bat and ball, scoring 157 runs and taking 5 wickets.Axar Patel: The Delhi Capitals spinner has impressed with his all-round abilities, scoring close to 150 runs and taking 9 wickets.Kuldeep Yadav: The Delhi Capitals spinner has been in excellent form, taking 12 wickets in 9 matches.Yuzvendra Chahal: The Rajasthan Royals leg-spinner has been a standout performer, taking 13 wickets in 9 matches and becoming the first bowler to claim 200 wickets in the IPL.Arshdeep Singh: The Punjab Kings left-arm seamer has picked up 12 wickets in 9 games.Jasprit Bumrah: The Mumbai Indians pace ace has been in fabulous form, leading the wicket-takers' column with 14 scalps in 9 games.Mohammed Siraj: The Royal Challengers Bangalore pacer has been off-colour, taking only 6 wickets in 9 matches.

Aaron Finch Expresses Surprise Over India's T20 World Cup Squad SelectionFormer Australian captain Aaron Finch has raised eyebrows over the composition of the Indian squad announced for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. The squad features four spinners: Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav, among the 15 selected players.Finch expressed his surprise at the inclusion of four spinners, stating that he would have preferred an additional fast bowler. "I was surprised by the four spinners as well. I had Rinku in there and only two spinners," he said.Finch believes that India's reliance on spinners could leave them vulnerable in the powerplay, especially considering the inconsistency of their fast bowlers apart from Jasprit Bumrah. "I wanted the extra cover of that quick. And if they want to play three spinners in the game, one of them has to be prepared to bowl in the powerplay, and I don't see any of those guys doing it consistently," he explained.However, former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop defended the selection, highlighting the potential behavior of pitches in the West Indies and USA during the T20 World Cup. Bishop noted that having four spinners could be an advantage, given their adaptability to varying pitch conditions."I guess spin will play a part in the tournament. The only concern I have is that the pitches for the World Cup may be slightly different from the ones we have seen in bilateral series or domestic tournaments. So I think it's a luxury to have four spinners rather than it being a necessity," Bishop said.The Indian squad also includes experienced batsmen Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, as well as all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja. The team will be hoping to improve on their performance in the previous T20 World Cup, where they were eliminated in the group stage.

Ahead of the highly anticipated selection of the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) is reportedly engaged in discussions regarding the inclusion of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Sources within the BCCI have indicated that Pandya's current form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is a subject of debate.As captain of the Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2024, Pandya has overseen a disappointing campaign for his team. MI currently languishes in the bottom half of the table, with only three wins in nine matches. Pandya's individual performances have also been underwhelming, with the all-rounder scoring just 197 runs in nine games at an average of 24.62 and a strike rate of over 151. His highest score is 46.In addition to his batting struggles, Pandya has also been limited in his bowling output. He has bowled only 19 overs in the tournament, taking four wickets at an average of 56.75 and an economy rate of 11.94.The BCCI sources have also hinted that the upcoming T20 World Cup could potentially mark the final international T20I appearances for veteran players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both players returned to the T20I set-up in January this year against Afghanistan, but their previous outing was the 10-wicket loss to England in the semifinals of the 2022 T20 WC in Australia.Following that disappointing result, Team India has experimented with younger players such as Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, Rahul Tripathi, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top of the order in the shorter format.Rohit and Kohli are two of India's most accomplished T20I batters. Kohli is the highest run-getter in T20I cricket, with 4,037 runs in 117 matches at an average of 51.75 and a strike rate of over 138. Rohit is the second-highest run-scorer in the format, with 3,974 runs at an average of over 31 and a strike rate of almost 140.The presence of both Rohit and Kohli in the team could potentially limit opportunities for promising young stars, who may find themselves in reserve roles rather than the playing eleven.

Dhanashree Verma Celebrates Yuzvendra Chahal's T20 World Cup SelectionSocial media sensation and dancer Dhanashree Verma expressed her joy and excitement on Tuesday after her husband, Yuzvendra Chahal, was named in India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Taking to her Instagram story, Dhanashree shared a picture of a billboard featuring the members of Team India's T20 squad, with a caption that read, "Come on. @yuzi_chahal23 He is back."Chahal's inclusion in the squad is a testament to his impressive performances in recent times. Known for his ability to take wickets in the middle overs, Chahal has been a key asset for India in the past. He last represented the national team in August 2023.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled India's 15-member squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the USA and West Indies from June 2.Leading the team will be seasoned opener Rohit Sharma, while his Mumbai Indians teammate Hardik Pandya will serve as his deputy. Joining them in the squad are Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohd. Siraj.Chahal's inclusion as the second wrist spinner alongside Kuldeep Yadav strengthens India's bowling attack. The team will be hoping to replicate their success in the 2023 T20 World Cup, where they emerged as champions.

The "Impact Player" rule, introduced in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has inadvertently disadvantaged power-hitter Rinku Singh, who has been relegated to the reserves for the T20 World Cup. The rule allows teams to substitute a player during the match, giving them an extra tactical option.However, this rule has limited Rinku's playing time. As a finisher for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), he has only faced 82 balls in eight innings, averaging just 10 balls per innings. In contrast, Shivam Dube, who has played 203 balls for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has been included in the main squad due to his increased game time.Dube's ability to hit sixes (26) and fours (24) on slower decks has impressed the selectors. CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has effectively utilized Dube's power-hitting skills, while KKR has prioritized other players like Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer.Rinku's strike rate of 176 in 15 games for India is impressive, but it has not been enough to secure him a spot in the main squad. His omission is reminiscent of Ambati Rayudu's unfortunate exclusion from the 2019 ODI World Cup squad.Despite being named as a reserve, Rinku has a chance to make the 15-man squad if any of the first-team members are injured. The selectors also have the option to change the squad until May 23 if they deem it necessary.

Rishabh Pant's remarkable return to international cricket has been cemented with his inclusion in India's squad for the T20 World Cup in June. The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has made a stunning comeback after a horrific car accident 16 months ago.Pant's inclusion marks a significant milestone in his recovery journey. Since his return to elite cricket this year, he has amassed an impressive 398 runs in 11 matches in the ongoing Indian Premier League. His performances have earned him a place in the 15-member squad traveling to the United States and West Indies for the tournament starting June 1.Rohit Sharma will continue to lead the team, with Hardik Pandya serving as vice-captain despite facing criticism. Veteran wicketkeeper KL Rahul will make way for Pant's return.Pant's comeback is a testament to his resilience and determination. After the road crash in December 2022, which left him with severe injuries, he underwent an intensive rehabilitation program. His return to the field was met with a standing ovation from the crowd, a testament to his unwavering spirit.The squad also includes batting mainstay Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav, while Shubman Gill was among four reserves. Star all-rounder Pandya is making a comeback after an ankle injury sidelined him during the Afghanistan series in January.Despite facing inconsistency in the IPL, Pandya remains a key player for India. His return to the T20 team is crucial as the team prepares for the World Cup.The squad's selection has sparked some debate, with some questioning the inclusion of certain players. However, the selectors have expressed confidence in the team's ability to perform at the highest level.India will be looking to defend their T20 World Cup title, which they won in 2022. The tournament will be a major test for Pant and the rest of the squad, who will be determined to prove their mettle on the international stage.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, and the omission of middle-order batter Rinku Singh from the 15-man squad has raised eyebrows.Rinku Singh, known for his hard-hitting abilities, was widely expected to be included in the squad. However, the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee opted to include him only as a reserve player.The T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played in the US and the Caribbean from June 2, will see India fielding a strong squad. However, the exclusion of Rinku Singh has left many fans and experts questioning the decision.Rinku Singh has been in impressive form in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), despite limited opportunities. His omission from the main squad has sparked a debate on social media, with many expressing their disappointment.Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan took to Twitter to express his surprise at Rinku Singh's non-selection. "Rinku Singh not in the main squad for the T20 World Cup is a big surprise. He has been in good form in the IPL," Pathan tweeted.Other fans and experts have also voiced their opinions on the matter. Vikrant Gupta, a cricket analyst, tweeted, "Rinku Singh deserves to be in the main squad. He is a match-winner and can change the game with his batting."LoyalSachinFan, a popular cricket fan account, tweeted, "Rinku Singh's omission is a big mistake. He is a talented player who can make a difference in the T20 World Cup."Mufaddal Vohra, another cricket analyst, tweeted, "Rinku Singh's non-selection is a blow to India's batting depth. He is a player who can score runs quickly and put pressure on the opposition."The BCCI selection committee has not yet provided an official explanation for Rinku Singh's omission from the main squad. However, it is speculated that his recent dip in form and lack of opportunities in the IPL may have influenced the decision.Despite his non-selection, Rinku Singh remains a valuable asset to the Indian team. His inclusion as a reserve player indicates that the selectors still value his abilities and may consider him for a place in the main squad if injuries or other circumstances arise.

Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson and spinner Yuzvendra Chahal have been included in India's provisional squad for the T20 World Cup in the Americas, while star batter Shubman Gill and big-hitter Rinku Singh have been relegated to the reserves group.The BCCI announced the Rohit Sharma-led squad after a meeting between secretary Jay Shah and chief selector Ajit Agarkar in Ahmedabad. All-rounder Hardik Pandya was retained as vice-captain despite his poor recent form after taking over Mumbai Indians leadership in the ongoing IPL.Samson, who has had a good IPL both as a batter and captain for Rajasthan Royals, was included as the second wicketkeeper-batter behind Rishabh Pant, pipping the likes of K L Rahul and Ishan Kishan. Hard-hitting batter Shivam Dube also made the cut on the back of a strong IPL showing.Leg-spinner Chahal, who last played for India in August 2023, is the second wrist spinner in the team alongside Kuldeep Yadav. However, Gill, who is enjoying a good run in the IPL as Gujarat Titans captain, found himself among the standbys along with Kolkata Knight Riders' big-hitter Rinku Singh.The selectors decided to show faith in Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had a slow start in the IPL but regained his touch recently for Rajasthan Royals. The T20 World cup begins on June 2 in the USA and the Caribbean. India will open their campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York.