Cricket

IPL Performers: A Cautionary Tale for India's T20 World Cup SelectionAs the Indian Premier League (IPL) reaches its climax, cricket fans are once again clamoring for the inclusion of young players who have dazzled in the tournament. However, history has shown that IPL performances alone are not a reliable indicator of success at the international level, particularly in major competitions like the T20 World Cup.One of the key reasons for this is the difference in the level of competition. In the IPL, Indian batters often face fewer quality international bowlers than they would in a global tournament. Additionally, the wickets in the Caribbean and America, where the T20 World Cup will be held, may not be as flat as those in the IPL, requiring more technical batting skills rather than just power hitting.Another factor to consider is the team dynamics. Players who shine for their franchises in certain positions may not get the same opportunities with the national team, as India already has established performers in those roles. For example, Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who have excelled as openers for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings respectively, face stiff competition from Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal.The selectors have also made costly mistakes in the past by relying too heavily on IPL performers. In the 2021 T20 World Cup, Varun Chakravarthy was selected based on his impressive season for Kolkata Knight Riders, but he struggled to replicate his form in the same conditions for India. Similarly, in the 2022 T20 World Cup, Dinesh Karthik was preferred over Rishabh Pant as a finisher, a decision that ultimately backfired.Instead of focusing solely on IPL performances, the selectors should prioritize maintaining a fresh pool of players after the grueling two-month tournament. History has shown that teams that have played in the IPL immediately before a major tournament have struggled to perform well.In conclusion, while the IPL can provide a glimpse of potential talent, it is important to approach the selection of the T20 World Cup squad with caution. The selectors must consider the different conditions and level of competition, as well as the team dynamics, to ensure that they choose the best possible players to represent India.

Krishnamachari Srikkanth, the former India opener and chief selector, has strongly advocated for the inclusion of left-handed batter Rinku Singh in India's 15-member squad for the upcoming Men's T20 World Cup. Srikkanth believes that Singh's impressive international track record and finishing skills make him a certainty for the team.Singh rose to prominence during the 2023 IPL season, where he hit five consecutive sixes in the final over against the Gujarat Titans. He continued to showcase his finishing prowess throughout the season, amassing 356 runs in 15 T20I matches for India, with a remarkable strike rate of 176.23.Despite limited opportunities in the ongoing IPL 2024 due to Kolkata Knight Riders' strong top-order performance, Singh has maintained a high strike rate of 157.74 in eight matches. Srikkanth emphasized that Singh's international record should be prioritized over recent form."Rinku Singh is a certainty in my 15. He hasn't got that many opportunities to bat in the IPL, but you see his international track record, it's an amazing track record. Amazing track record in South Africa and with every opportunity he has got. So Rinku Singh has to be a certainty in the 15," said Srikkanth.Matthew Hayden, the former Australia batter, also praised the IPL for its role in identifying and developing Indian talent. He believes that the tournament has brought players like Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal into the spotlight, making them contenders for the World Cup squad.India, the 2007 T20 World Cup champions, will begin their campaign on June 5 against Ireland in New York. They are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Canada, and tournament co-hosts USA.

India's T20 World Cup Squad Announcement Imminent: All the Latest UpdatesThe highly anticipated BCCI selection committee meeting to finalize India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup is expected to take place today. Timesofindia.com will provide comprehensive coverage of the event, bringing you the latest updates and insights as the 15 players who will represent the nation are announced.The T20 World Cup is scheduled to commence shortly after the conclusion of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), which culminates on May 26. The tournament will feature some of the world's top cricket teams competing for the coveted title.Key Considerations for the Selection CommitteeThe selection committee will have several factors to consider when finalizing the squad. The team's recent performances in the IPL will be a major factor, as will the players' overall form and fitness. The committee will also need to balance experience with youth, ensuring a blend of seasoned veterans and promising young talent.Contenders for SelectionSeveral players have emerged as strong contenders for selection based on their impressive performances in the IPL. These include:* Batsmen: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant* All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel* Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra ChahalExpectations and PredictionsIndia is one of the favorites to win the T20 World Cup, given their strong batting lineup and experienced bowling attack. However, the competition will be fierce, with other top teams such as England, Australia, and Pakistan also vying for the title.

Chris Jordan is poised to make a triumphant return to the England T20I squad for the upcoming World Cup, set to be announced on Tuesday. The experienced all-rounder, who last played for England in 2023, will fill the void left by the injured Jamie Overton.Jordan's recall is a testament to his versatility and recent batting prowess. Since the start of the 2023 Vitality Blast, he has averaged 30.05 and struck at 160.53 in T20 cricket. His ability to contribute valuable cameos with the bat, coupled with his exceptional fielding and death bowling skills, makes him a valuable asset to the team.Ben Duckett, a left-handed batter, has also earned a spot as England's spare batter. Tom Hartley, an uncapped spinner, is expected to edge out Rehan Ahmed as the second frontline spinner behind Adil Rashid.Jordan's inclusion comes at the expense of Chris Woakes, who has yet to feature for Punjab Kings in the IPL this season. Jofra Archer, despite his ongoing elbow injury, is also expected to be named in the provisional squad. The ECB hopes that the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan will provide Archer with a platform to return to international cricket ahead of the World Cup.England's top four is likely to comprise Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Will Jacks, and Jonny Bairstow, all of whom have impressed in the IPL. Buttler, Jacks, and Bairstow have all scored centuries for their respective franchises, while Salt has amassed three half-centuries in his first eight innings.The provisional squad will be finalized after England's four-match T20I series against Pakistan, which begins on May 22. The World Cup is scheduled to take place in the Caribbean and the United States from June 28 to July 16.

Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) principal owner, Shah Rukh Khan, has expressed his ardent desire to see left-handed power-hitter Rinku Singh don the Indian jersey at the upcoming T20 World Cup. Khan's unwavering belief in Rinku's abilities stems from the young batsman's exceptional performances in the ongoing IPL 2023.Rinku, 26, has emerged as a formidable force in the KKR lineup, showcasing his explosive batting prowess. In a nail-biting encounter against Gujarat Titans, he played a pivotal role in KKR's remarkable victory, smashing five consecutive sixes in the final over. His exceptional strike rate of 176 plus in 15 T20I matches for India, including two half-centuries, has further solidified his credentials.Khan's optimism for Rinku's World Cup prospects is evident in his recent interview on Star Sports. "Such amazing players are playing for the country. I am really looking forward to Rinku, Inshallah being in the World Cup Squad and some other youngsters from other teams also," he said. "Some of them deserve it so much, but my personal wish is that Rinku makes it to the team. I will be so happy. That will be the high point for me."Despite the KKR top-order's dominance this season, Rinku has not had ample opportunities to showcase his batting skills. However, in his debut season, he amassed an impressive 356 runs in 15 matches, remaining unbeaten in seven of those games. His runs came at a strike rate of over 175, demonstrating his ability to not only hit big but also remain composed under pressure.Khan's admiration for Rinku extends beyond his cricketing abilities. He is deeply moved by the young batsman's journey to success, which was marked by numerous obstacles. Growing up in modest surroundings, Rinku's family faced financial struggles, with his father working as an LPG cylinder delivery man and his mother as a housewife. Despite the offer of a job as a sweeper, Rinku remained steadfast in his pursuit of cricket, believing it would lead him to greater heights."I just want them to feel happy and when I see these boys playing, I feel like I am living as a sportsperson myself. Especially players like Rinku and Nitish (Rana), I see myself in them. I feel really happy when they perform well," Khan said.

Rishabh Pant's impressive return to form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has put him in contention to become India's vice-captain for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, ahead of all-rounder Hardik Pandya.Pant, who has been out of action since a near-fatal car accident in December 2022, has shown remarkable resilience and skill in his comeback. In contrast, Pandya has struggled both as a batter and bowler in the ongoing IPL, raising questions about his leadership abilities.According to a report by Cricbuzz, Pant's current form gives him an edge over Pandya in the race to become Rohit Sharma's deputy. The national selectors are expected to meet on May 1 to consider re-appointing Pant as vice-captain, a position he held before his injury hiatus.Pant has previously captained India in the five-match T20I series against South Africa in June 2022. He is also expected to be India's first-choice wicketkeeper for the T20 World Cup in June.Other positions in the Indian squad for the World Cup are also up for grabs. Sanju Samson and KL Rahul are vying for the second wicket-keeper spot, while Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh are in contention for all-rounder roles.The top order is likely to consist of Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav. The middle order will feature Pant, Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja.Kuldeep Yadav is expected to be the specialist spinner, while Axar Patel may edge out Ravi Bishnoi for the other spinner's position. Veteran spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, despite his impressive performance for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, may once again miss out on selection.

Hardik Pandya's struggles as Mumbai Indians skipper have raised questions about his place in India's T20 World Cup squad. The all-rounder has endured a disappointing IPL season, with poor bowling figures, limited runs with the bat, and subpar leadership. Mumbai Indians' dismal performance, winning only three of their nine matches, has further fueled criticism.However, former pacer Varun Aaron believes that Pandya remains a key contender for India's T20 World Cup squad, ahead of Chennai Super Kings' Shivam Dube. Aaron attributes Pandya's struggles to his return to Mumbai Indians, which has placed immense pressure on him."Hardik is a proven match winner," Aaron said. "He's not at his best right now, but he's taking on a lot of pressure. He must be thinking, 'Why did I come here?'"Aaron believes that Pandya's move to Mumbai Indians was a mistake that has affected his performance. "He had a really good run at the Gujarat Titans," Aaron added. "Once you remove him from that pressure, he will shine."In nine matches for Mumbai Indians, Pandya has scored 197 runs at an average of 24.62 and a strike rate of 151.53. On the bowling front, he has taken only four wickets and leaked runs at an economy of close to 12 RPO.Pandya replaced Rohit Sharma as Mumbai Indians skipper ahead of the 2024 season. Sharma, a five-time title winner, has been a highly successful captain for the franchise.Despite Pandya's struggles, Aaron believes that he should be included in India's T20 World Cup squad. "He's a proven match winner," Aaron said. "He's got the experience and the skill. He's a big-match player."

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has emphasized the importance of considering a player's past contributions to the Indian team when selecting the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Pathan believes that standout performances in the ongoing IPL 2024 season should not automatically guarantee a spot in the team.Pathan draws on his own experience as an example. Despite being injured and dropped from the team, he was eventually recalled due to his past contributions. He argues that the selection committee should adopt a similar approach, acknowledging the value of experience and not solely relying on recent IPL performances.Pathan highlights the challenges of international cricket, where players face top-quality bowlers like Mitchell Starc and Pathirana. He believes that experienced bowlers with a proven track record should be prioritized over uncapped bowlers who may perform well in the IPL's smaller grounds and flatter pitches.While acknowledging the potential of young players, Pathan cautions against overlooking the importance of experience, especially in the slow conditions of the West Indies and the unknown element of the USA pitches. He cites the 2007 T20 World Cup victory as an example, where India's success was built on a core of experienced players.Pathan concludes by emphasizing the need for vigilance in selecting the squad for the upcoming World Cup. He believes that the slowness of the game in the West Indies demands experienced players who can handle the pressure and adapt to the conditions.

Pakistan's newly appointed head coach Gary Kirsten has set an ambitious target for the national cricket team: to win at least one of the three upcoming ICC events in the next three years. These events include two T20 World Cups (2024 and 2026) and the 2025 ODI Champions Trophy, which Pakistan will host.Kirsten, who is currently the mentor of IPL side Gujarat Titans, believes that winning one of these major tournaments would be a significant achievement for Pakistan. "If you can win one of those three ICC Events, that will be an amazing achievement on its own," he said.The former South Africa batter is expected to take charge of his new job from May 22 ahead of Pakistan's tour of England. He admitted that the time frame for preparations for the T20 World Cup in June is short, but he is confident that the team can build a solid foundation in the next three weeks.Kirsten emphasized the importance of creating a positive environment for the players to perform at their best. "My job is to make sure that the team operates at its best. If the team is operating at its best, we will always have a good chance of winning a trophy," he said.He also highlighted the immense talent within the Pakistan team, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf. "I'm looking forward to understanding what makes them tick and how I can help them to be the best versions of themselves going forward," he said.Kirsten believes that Pakistan has the potential to be one of the top teams in the world. "The view on Pakistan cricket hasn't shifted for a long time. There is always an expectation that it should be a high performing team all the time," he said. "It's always wonderful from a coaching perspective when you can help them unlock the real potential."