Cricket

Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, who has been in phenomenal form in this IPL, has not given up on his dream to play for India again and would do "everything he can to be in that flight" to the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies next month. Karthik, who will turn 39 by the time the World Cup kickstarts on June 1, was also part of the last edition of the T20I World Cup in Australia in 2022, which was also his last appearance for Team India. Since then he has become an off-the-field cricket expert, involved in commentary stints.Returning to IPL this season, he has taken his batting to a new level and displayed some astonishing power-hitting to strike at a rate of 205-plus. He is also the third leading run-getter for RCB with 226 runs, behind Virat Kohli (361) and skipper Faf du Plessis (232)."At this stage in my life, it would be the greatest feeling for me to represent India. I'm very, very keen to do so. There is nothing bigger in my life other than representing India in this T20 World Cup," the RCB wicketkeeper-batters said ahead of clash against KKR.With Karthik's also emerging as a contender, the wicketkeeper slot will be a hotly-contested one for which the Team India think tank may pick two at the most. Making a comeback from a near-fatal accident, Rishabh Pant has also showed positive intent while captaining Delhi Capitals, and Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals), Ishan Kishan (Mumbai Indians), KL Rahul (Lucknow Super Giants) are also in the fray.Karthik said he would respect whatever the Big Three -- coach Rahul Dravid, captain Rohit Sharma and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar -- decide. "I also feel there are three very, very stable, honest people who are at the helm to decide what should be the best Indian team for the World Cup -- Rahul Dravid, Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar. And I'm completely with them. I respect any decision that they take. But all I can say is I'm 100 per cent ready, and I'll do everything I can to be on that flight to the World Cup."

Dinesh Karthik, the Royal Challengers Bangalore wicketkeeper-batter, has once again showcased his exceptional finishing abilities in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). His explosive 83 off 35 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad has reignited discussions about his potential inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad.Karthik's impressive performance in the IPL has been consistent, with him scoring 226 runs in seven matches at a remarkable strike rate of 205.45 and an average of 75.33. His ability to accelerate the innings in the death overs has been crucial for RCB, despite their recent losses.During the match against Mumbai Indians, Team India captain Rohit Sharma was heard teasing Karthik on the stump mic, acknowledging his push for a spot in the T20 World Cup squad. Karthik's impressive batting performance has also caught the attention of former India cricketer Irfan Pathan.However, Pathan believes that the selectors should consider Rishabh Pant over Karthik for the major tournament. He argues that Pant is in better form and has proven his worth in the middle order.Despite Pathan's opinion, Karthik's experience and finishing skills remain valuable assets for the Indian team. He was a key member of the winning Indian teams in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.As the 2024 T20 World Cup approaches, Karthik's name is once again in contention for a spot in the squad. His impressive batting performance in the IPL has demonstrated his ability to contribute to the team's success.Whether Karthik will make the journey to the T20 World Cup remains to be seen. The selectors will have a tough decision to make, weighing his experience and finishing skills against the form and potential of other players.

Rinku Singh's limited opportunities in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 have raised concerns among cricket experts, who believe he deserves a place in India's T20 World Cup squad despite his lack of game time.Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed his support for Rinku, stating that his exceptional finishing skills and consistency make him a valuable asset to the team. Despite playing only five innings this season, Rinku has scored 83 runs at a strike rate of 162.75, showcasing his ability to accelerate the innings in the latter stages.Manjrekar emphasized that Rinku's limited opportunities should not overshadow his talent. "He's a straight walk-in into the Indian team," Manjrekar said. "Every time he has got the opportunity, you've seen how good he can be, in the sense of his consistency and the range that he has."Rinku's impressive performances in the IPL earned him an India call-up for the white-ball series in Ireland last year, where he made his international debut in a T20. Since then, he has featured in 15 T20Is and scored 356 runs, including two fifties, at a strike rate of 176.25. He has also played two ODIs.Despite his limited opportunities in the IPL this season, Rinku's ability to finish innings and his impressive international record make him a strong contender for a place in India's T20 World Cup squad. With his exceptional skills and experience, Rinku could prove to be a valuable asset to the team in the upcoming global tournament.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is in full swing, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is gearing up to announce the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup later this month. According to reports, India captain Rohit Sharma will meet with the chairman of the selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, and other office bearers to discuss the 15-man probables. The meeting is expected to take place on April 27 or 28 in Delhi.Rohit Sharma will be in the national capital during that time for the IPL 2024 match between Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians, which will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday, April 27. Agarkar is currently on vacation in Spain but will return in time for the meeting in Delhi.The deadline to submit the 15-man squad list to the ICC is May 1. Players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Siraj are all expected to make the cut for the squad.However, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya's place in the team is not certain. His selection will depend on his performance in IPL 2024. Pandya, who is currently leading Mumbai Indians, hasn't been bowling in full tilt this season, while his batting has also been average.The selectors are also monitoring the situation between Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal for the openers slot. Gill currently has the edge over Jaiswal, who has struggled in the first seven games for Rajasthan Royals. However, his performances in the past might force the selectors to think otherwise.One of either Rinku Singh or Shivam Dube could be left out of the squad. As far as India's second wicketkeeper is concerned, the selectors are keeping a close eye on the likes of Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, and Ishan Kishan, who is currently out of a central contract.Yuzvendra Chahal is in contention for a place in the squad, but the likes of Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi are also in the race. Chahal hasn't played a T20 World Cup yet, but his experience and IPL performances might give him the edge.

The Indian cricket team's provisional squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup will be announced on May 1st. According to sources, the BCCI selectors are likely to opt for a conservative approach, relying on experienced players rather than experimenting with new faces.Ten players are considered automatic choices for the squad: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and Kuldeep Yadav.However, there is some uncertainty surrounding the backup opener's role. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill are the frontrunners for the spot, but if both are selected, one of the finishers, Shivam Dube or Rinku Singh, may be left out.Dube has been in impressive form for Lucknow Super Giants in the ongoing IPL, scoring 245 runs in seven games at an average of 49 and a strike rate of 157.05. Rinku Singh, on the other hand, has scored 83 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 162.75 and an average of 27.67.However, Dube's recent dismissal against Chennai Super Kings raised concerns about a flaw in his batting technique. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan pointed out that Dube's tendency to play shots outside the off stump line could be exploited by bowlers.In the IPL match between Lucknow Super Giants and Chennai Super Kings, openers KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock played a crucial role in LSG's comfortable eight-wicket victory. The duo put on a match-winning partnership of 134, the highest for any wicket at the Ekana Stadium.Ravindra Jadeja top-scored for CSK with an unbeaten 57, while Moeen Ali and MS Dhoni provided late fireworks with their six-hitting. However, CSK's total of 176 for six proved insufficient as Rahul and De Kock chased down the target with ease.

England's captain, Heather Knight, has set a bold challenge for her squad to dominate regional cricket this summer. With the T20 World Cup and Ashes looming later this year, Knight hopes domestic players will seize the opportunity to stake their claim for selection.The Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, a 50-over competition, kicks off on Saturday. While many of England's centrally-contracted players will miss the opening weekend due to Tammy Beaumont's wedding, they will have chances to feature for their regions before the T20I series against Pakistan on May 11."It's never a closed door," Knight emphasized. "The standard of regional games has skyrocketed, so performances are more valuable. We want England players to dominate and put their names forward for selection."Competition for places in England's T20 setup is fierce ahead of the World Cup in Bangladesh. Knight is encouraged by the recent 4-1 series win in New Zealand and the return of Mahika Gaur and Freya Kemp from injury."We have a real depth of players," Knight said. "It makes selection tougher, but it's a good place to be. With the World Cup in October, we need to keep moving forward."Maia Bouchier emerged as a breakout star in New Zealand, finishing as the leading run-scorer. Knight praised her talent and ability to convert it into performances."She's someone you watch and think, 'how does she play that shot?'" Knight said. "She's had a brilliant tour, and now it's about building on that consistency."Edgbaston has already sold over 10,000 tickets for England's opening T20I against Pakistan. Knight believes the joint marketing campaign with the men's series can build on the success of last summer's Ashes."It was an awesome summer to be involved with," Knight said. "We felt the support and momentum for cricket around the country. Hopefully, we can put on a show."

Rohit Sharma Expresses Concerns Over 'Impact Player' Rule Ahead of T20 World CupMumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma has voiced his reservations about the 'impact player' rule introduced in the Indian Premier League (IPL), stating that it could have detrimental effects on Team India's preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup.The 'impact player' rule allows teams to substitute a player from their bench after the first innings, providing them with an additional tactical option. However, Rohit believes that this rule could hinder the development of all-rounders, who are crucial for India's success in the shortest format."I am not a big fan of the Impact sub rule," Rohit said in a recent podcast. "It is going to hold all-rounders back. Eventually, cricket is played by 11 players, not 12. You are taking so much from the game to make it entertaining for people around."Rohit pointed out that all-rounders like Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar are not getting enough bowling opportunities due to the 'impact player' rule. This, he believes, could be a major concern for India ahead of the T20 World Cup, where all-rounders play a pivotal role."If you look just from the cricketing aspect of it, I feel guys like Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar aren't getting to bowl, which for us is not a good thing," Rohit said. "I don't know what you can do about it. There are 12 players for you, it is entertaining, you can bring on the impact player after watching how the game is going, how the pitch is behaving."Rohit's concerns were echoed by former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, who co-hosted the podcast. Gilchrist expressed concerns that the 'impact player' rule could compromise the integrity of cricket for the sake of entertainment."I think it has added something special," Gilchrist said. "It's all built for spectators and for their entertainment. But you are compromising the fundamental of cricket. Why T20 was so entertaining, because you were not compromising with the integrity of cricket."Gilchrist pointed out that the number of high-scoring matches in the IPL has increased significantly since the introduction of the 'impact player' rule, suggesting that it may be encouraging teams to take more risks and play more aggressively."It is 11 vs 11, same size field, the field restrictions are also the same," Gilchrist said. "There was no gimmick needed. I think it is a bit concerning."Rohit and Gilchrist's concerns highlight the potential impact of the 'impact player' rule on the development of all-rounders and the overall balance of the game. As Team India prepares for the T20 World Cup, it remains to be seen whether the rule will have a positive or negative effect on their chances of success.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is in full swing, and fans are eagerly awaiting the announcement of India's T20 World Cup squad. The tournament, scheduled for June 2 in the West Indies and the USA, will see the BCCI announce the 15-man playing contingent later this month.One of the biggest talking points surrounding the Indian squad is the wicketkeeping options. Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Ishan Karthik, Jitesh Sharma, and KL Rahul are all vying for a place in the squad. Veteran wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has also emerged as a potential candidate due to his impressive form in the IPL.India has struggled to find a regular wicketkeeper since MS Dhoni's retirement in 2020. During a recent interaction, India captain Rohit Sharma was asked about Dhoni and Karthik's chances of making the World Cup squad.Rohit joked that while Dhoni is "sick and tired," Karthik could be a viable option for the team. "I was quite impressed, especially with Dinesh Karthik. The way he batted a couple of nights back (vs SRH). Dhoni as well. He came to play four balls against us and made a huge impact with those 20 runs. Eventually, it proved to be the difference in the end," Rohit said on the Club Prairie Fire podcast."It'll be hard to convince MS Dhoni for the World Cup. He is sick and tired. He is coming to the US. He is into golf now, so he'll be playing that in the US. DK will be easier to convince," he added.India's Probable World Cup Squad:Batters: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku SinghAll-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Axar PatelSpinners: Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi BishnoiWicketkeeper-Batters: Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Sanju SamsonPacers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan

Imad Wasim's Exclusion from Pakistan T20I Team Raises QuestionsFormer Pakistan cricketers have expressed their bewilderment over the omission of all-rounder Imad Wasim from the team for the first T20I against New Zealand. Wasim, who recently came out of retirement, was expected to play a key role in the team's preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Despite his impressive performances in domestic cricket, Wasim was left out of the playing eleven, sparking criticism from former players. Iqbal Qasim, a former Test player, questioned the logic behind the decision, stating that Wasim should have played instead of Shadab Khan.Mohsin Khan, a former player and chief selector, emphasized the importance of giving players like Wasim and Mohammad Amir, who also came out of retirement, ample playing time to regain their form. He believes that they need to overcome the "rustiness" of not playing international cricket for an extended period.It is speculated that the decision to exclude Wasim may be related to his strained relationship with Pakistan captain Babar Azam. Azam is said to have left the Karachi Kings franchise in the Pakistan Super League due to Wasim's presence.Former captain Mohammad Hafeez has claimed that Wasim retired from international cricket after feeling mistreated by the team management, including Azam.Despite the controversy surrounding Wasim's omission, cricket analyst Omar Alavi believes that Azam must make decisions based on merit and situational requirements. He emphasized that Azam has a second chance to create his legacy as Pakistan captain and must ensure that selections are made fairly.Pakistan will face New Zealand, Ireland, and England in a series of T20Is in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup. The team will be looking to maximize their preparations and build momentum ahead of the tournament.