Cricket

India and Bangladesh are set to clash in a five-match T20I series in Sylhet, starting Sunday, as both teams prepare for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh later this year.Bangladesh, who were thrashed 3-0 by Australia at home recently, will be looking to improve their batting, which struggled against the Aussies. Captain Nigar Sultana was the only consistent performer, scoring 96 runs in three innings. The hosts will need top-order batters such as Fargana Hoque, Sobhana Mostary, and Rubya Haider to provide a solid foundation.India, on the other hand, will be hoping to carry the momentum from the 2024 WPL into international cricket. Several of their international players got back to form in the tournament, including openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana. With some new names in the mix, India will be keen to experiment and find their ideal combinations before the T20 World Cup.One of the key problems for India will be how to accommodate all their talented spinners. Legspinner S Asha and spin-bowling allrounder S Sajana have earned maiden international call-ups on the back of their WPL performance, while Radha Yadav has returned to the squad after a year. With Deepti Sharma and Shreyanka Patil being the first-choice spinners, it remains to be seen how India squeeze in Asha, Radha, and Saika Ishaque in the XI.The pitch and conditions in Sylhet are expected to assist the seamers initially, but both teams might still bank on spinners for wickets. India have played two T20Is against Bangladesh at this venue, and both times, they scored 150-plus and restricted the hosts to 100 or below.

Former Indian seamer Irfan Pathan has urged Indian cricket to reassess the importance placed on Hardik Pandya's role as an all-rounder, emphasizing the need for impactful performances in ICC tournaments. Pathan's remarks come amidst Pandya's struggles in the ongoing IPL season, sparking debates over his inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad.Pathan highlighted the necessity for Pandya to deliver substantial contributions at the international level, particularly in ICC events. He emphasized that Pandya's potential alone is not sufficient and that he needs to make a tangible impact on the field.Expressing concern over the disparity between IPL performances and international cricket, Pathan advised Pandya to commit to consistent participation throughout the year, rather than selective appearances. He stressed the importance of fostering a team-oriented approach, drawing parallels with Australia's strategy of nurturing collective excellence over individual brilliance.Beyond Pandya's role, Pathan raised concerns about India's finishers and the effectiveness of the pace bowling unit ahead of the T20 World Cup. He noted that while India's top-order batting and middle-overs bowling are relatively settled, the team needs to address concerns in the finishing and fast bowling departments.Pathan emphasized the need for improvement in key areas, underscoring the significance of addressing these challenges to bolster India's prospects in the upcoming tournament. He highlighted the importance of finding a reliable finisher with a high strike rate and improving the performance of the pace bowlers, particularly in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.

Former Indian pace spearhead Zaheer Khan has unveiled his squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, featuring some surprising selections and omissions.Wicketkeeper:Zaheer has opted for Rishabh Pant as the sole wicketkeeper in his team, overlooking other contenders like Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, and Ishan Kishan. He believes Pant's all-around abilities and experience make him the best choice.Pace Bowlers:Zaheer has included four pace bowlers in his squad, with the notable addition of left-arm seamer Yash Dayal. Dayal has impressed in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League, and Zaheer sees him as a valuable option to add variety to the attack. Mohammed Shami's injury layoff has also influenced this selection.All-Rounders:Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya are the two all-rounders in Zaheer's squad. Dube provides a power-hitting option in the middle order, while Pandya offers a versatile skillset with his batting, bowling, and fielding.Spinners:Ravindra Jadeja is the lone spinner in the squad. His all-around abilities, including his exceptional fielding and batting, make him an indispensable asset.Batters:Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli form the core of Zaheer's batting lineup. Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are competing for the opening slot, while Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh provide depth in the middle order.Key Omissions:Zaheer's squad notably omits KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan, who are all considered strong contenders for the wicketkeeper role. He also overlooks Dinesh Karthik, who has been in impressive form in recent times.Zaheer's Rationale:Zaheer believes that his squad provides the best balance and flexibility for the T20 World Cup. He emphasizes the importance of having four pace bowlers to exploit the conditions in Australia. He also values the all-around abilities of his players, who can contribute in multiple facets of the game.

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has strongly criticized the team management's decision to experiment with the squad ahead of the T20 World Cup. Pakistan's recent 4-run defeat to New Zealand in the fourth T20I has raised concerns about the team's preparation for the upcoming global tournament.Raja questioned the logic behind experimenting with the team so close to the World Cup. He argued that such experiments could lead to a loss of confidence and disrupt the team's rhythm. "Where is it written that when you are trying to test your bench strength it is necessary to lose?" Raja asked. "I can't understand what you are trying to do."Raja also criticized the team's captaincy changes and batting order adjustments, which he believes have destabilized the team. He pointed out that Pakistan's white-ball team was performing well before these changes were made.The former cricketer expressed concern about the number of people involved in the team's decision-making process. "Too many cooks in the dugout and a lot of people are trying to be experts," Raja said. "There is massive confusion."Raja emphasized the importance of building a competitive team and focusing on winning. He warned that if Pakistan continues to experiment and lose matches, it will negatively impact their mindset going into the World Cup."You need to make a combination that makes you competitive," Raja said. "You can't lose matches by experimenting based on talent. You can experiment all you want but you can't lose matches against this New Zealand team."Pakistan will face England in a four-match T20I series after the conclusion of the New Zealand series. Raja believes that if Pakistan loses that series as well, it will be a major setback for their World Cup preparations."If you lose the England series, in what frame of mind will you go in New York to defeat India?" Raja asked. "Your body of work is defeat. Pakistan needs to focus on victory."

The Indian cricket team's T20 World Cup squad is expected to be announced soon, with captain Rohit Sharma set to meet BCCI selectors in Delhi this weekend. The deadline for announcing the provisional squad is May 1, indicating an imminent announcement.Several experts have weighed in with their picks for the 15-member squad, with some common names emerging. NDTV has conducted a mini poll to determine the most likely candidates for selection.Openers/Top 3:Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are virtual certainties for the squad, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill as potential openers. Jaiswal's left-handedness gives him an edge over Gill, who may have to settle for a backup role.Middle-Order:Suryakumar Yadav is a lock for the middle order, while Shivam Dube's big-hitting abilities make him a strong contender. Rinku Singh is another option, but his limited game time may hinder his chances.Allrounders:Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja are the undisputed allrounders in the squad. Pandya's all-around abilities make him indispensable, while Jadeja's left-arm spin and batting prowess are invaluable.Wicketkeeper:Rishabh Pant is the first-choice wicketkeeper, with Sanju Samson as the backup option.Spinners:Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal are the overwhelming favorites for the spin bowling roles. Ravi Bishnoi has also received some support, but Kuldeep's recent form gives him the edge.Pacers:Jasprit Bumrah is the only Indian pacer who has consistently impressed in the IPL. Arshdeep Singh and T Natarajan have emerged as strong contenders for the remaining two spots, with Mohammed Siraj also in the mix.Conclusion:With a 15-member squad limit, one big star may have to miss out. NDTV's poll suggests that Shubman Gill may be the unfortunate omission, given India's abundance of right-handed top-order options.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has sparked a debate by questioning the reliance on star openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to carry the entire team's batting burden. Hafeez, who served as Pakistan's team director in 2020, believes that the team needs a more balanced batting lineup.During his tenure, Hafeez made a controversial decision to break up the Azam-Rizwan opening partnership, replacing Rizwan with Saim Ayub and dropping Azam to the number three spot. He argued that this change was necessary to spread the responsibility and create a more dynamic batting order."Babar and Rizwan are great players, but they do not represent the whole Pakistan team," Hafeez said. "They cannot take the whole responsibility of the team upon their shoulders. I felt Saim Ayub as an opener was a solution for us."Hafeez explained that Azam has been batting at number three for several years and that moving him down the order would not significantly impact his performance. He also praised Ayub's potential as an opener, despite his early failures."Saim must play as an opener in the T20 World Cup 2024 despite early failures," Hafeez said. "He has the talent and the ability to succeed at the highest level."Hafeez's comments come as Pakistan struggles in their ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. After winning the second match, Pakistan has lost two consecutive games, giving New Zealand an unassailable 2-1 lead.The team's batting has been inconsistent, with Azam and Rizwan failing to replicate their usual dominance. Hafeez's suggestion to diversify the batting lineup could be a potential solution to Pakistan's current struggles.

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has expressed his belief that all-rounder Axar Patel will secure a spot in the Indian team for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Ganguly highlighted Patel's versatility as a key factor in his selection, emphasizing his ability to contribute both with the bat and ball.Patel has impressed throughout the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season, showcasing his bowling prowess with an impressive economy rate of 7.06. However, it is his batting that has caught Ganguly's attention. When promoted up the order against the Gujarat Titans, Patel displayed his power-hitting abilities, demonstrating his potential to provide valuable runs in the middle order."Axar is a certainty for the T20 World Cup," Ganguly stated. "He can bat at No. 8 and contribute 15-20 runs, which is crucial in T20 cricket. He can also smack spinners, making him a valuable asset."Ganguly, who serves as the Director of Cricket for the Delhi Capitals, praised Patel's all-around abilities, comparing him to fellow all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. "Jadeja and Axar are incredibly talented and gifted," Ganguly said. "They can bat, bowl, and field, making them invaluable to any team."Ganguly also acknowledged Patel's batting prowess in Test cricket, highlighting his ability to score runs under pressure on turning pitches. "He has the ability to strike the ball and doesn't need time for technique in T20 cricket," Ganguly explained. "He's a tremendous cricketer who can contribute in all aspects of the game."In addition to Patel, Ganguly expressed confidence in wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant's inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad. Pant has recovered well from his recent injuries and has been in impressive form in the IPL, scoring three half-centuries."Rishabh will go to the T20 World Cup," Ganguly asserted. "He's a surety in the Indian team. He's a world-class player who can keep, bat, and captain."Ganguly acknowledged the competition for the wicketkeeper's spot, with players like Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, and Dinesh Karthik also in contention. However, he believes Pant's all-around abilities make him the standout choice.

With the highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2024 approaching, Indian batter Shubman Gill has expressed his aspirations and concerns regarding his potential selection for the prestigious tournament.Gill, a rising star in the Indian cricket team, has not yet made a significant impact in the T20 format. His performance for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been underwhelming, with only 304 runs scored in 9 matches at an average of 38 and a strike rate of 146.15.Despite his recent struggles, Gill remains hopeful about his chances of making the 15-man T20 World Cup squad. "If I am able to make it to this year's T20 World Cup, it would be nothing short of a dream coming true," he said in an interview with Hindustan Times.However, Gill acknowledges that missing out on selection would be a disappointment. "After scoring almost 900 runs (in IPL) last season, I would obviously be disappointed as a player," he admitted.Gill faces stiff competition for the opening spot in India's T20I team. Rohit Sharma, the team's captain, is a guaranteed starter, while Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal are also vying for the role.Kohli is currently the top-scoring batter in IPL 2024, while Jaiswal has impressed as an opener for India across formats, including T20Is. Jaiswal's left-handedness provides balance at the top, and his strike rate has been superior to Gill's in the shortest format.Gill remains optimistic about his chances, but he understands the challenges he faces. "I will keep working hard and try to improve my game. If I am not selected, I will still be cheering for the players and wish them the best," he said.The T20 World Cup 2024 is scheduled to be held in the West Indies and the United States from June 14 to July 14. India will be aiming to win their second T20 World Cup title, having previously triumphed in 2007.

With the T20 World Cup 2024 fast approaching, the Indian cricket team is gearing up to select its 15-member squad. Experts have weighed in on the ideal lineup, with two players unanimously agreed upon for the playing XI: Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah.Former spinner Harbhajan Singh suggests a flexible batting order, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma opening and Kohli batting at No. 3 or 4 depending on the situation. He emphasizes the importance of a left-right combination at the top and the need to adapt to different scenarios.Another former star, Navjot Singh Sidhu, advocates for a strong bowling attack with three spinners and three quality fast bowlers. He recommends Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja as the spinners, and Mayank Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, and Mohsin Khan as the pacers.Sidhu stresses the importance of prioritizing wicket-taking bowlers over all-rounders. He believes that a solid bowling unit is crucial for World Cup success, as evidenced by the strategies of past winning captains.The Indian team has a wealth of options, but Sidhu urges the selectors to avoid compromising on bowling quality. He argues that a strong bowling attack can compensate for any shortcomings in the batting lineup.