Cricket

Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan has urged Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya to ignore the criticism he has faced from fans and let his performances speak for themselves. Khan believes that Pandya's struggles are a reflection of the evolving nature of franchise cricket, where fans are more vocal in expressing their opinions."When the individual represents the country, it will again go back to the normal," said Khan. "Every athlete should understand that it's ultimately the trophies you win, the performances you put out, putting your body on the line, showing dedication, determination, and you will be able to win their hearts."Khan also discussed the upcoming T20 World Cup and expressed his confidence in Rishabh Pant's selection. "I'm happy with how he is progressing," said Khan. "He has quickly got into the groove and has shown that he hasn't lost his touch."Regarding the Indian bowling attack, Khan believes that Mohammed Siraj should be included in the World Cup squad alongside Jasprit Bumrah, despite his recent struggles in the IPL. He also praised Arshdeep Singh's performances and acknowledged the potential of other left-arm pacers like Mohsin Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, and Yash Dayal.Khan also commented on the impact of the 'Impact Player' rule on the development of Indian allrounders. He agrees with Rohit Sharma's concerns that the rule may hinder the progress of players who can contribute with both bat and ball."It will affect the find or the progress when you are looking at the half allrounders," said Khan. "You can have a specialist bowler to create that balance."Khan emphasized the importance of valuing the ability to bowl quickly and urged young pacers like Mayank Yadav and Umran Malik to work on their overall skills to sustain their success.

Yashasvi Jaiswal's recent struggles in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have raised concerns about his place in India's T20 World Cup squad. The left-handed opener, who was among the top run-getters in the previous IPL season, has managed only 122 runs in six matches this year.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra expressed his worry about Jaiswal's form, stating that he is "trying to murder every ball" instead of playing with his natural timing. Chopra urged Rajasthan Royals' director of cricket operations, Kumar Sangakkara, or India captain Rohit Sharma to intervene and provide guidance to the young batter."I am getting slightly worried about Yashasvi because Yashasvi didn't used to play like this. He is trying to murder every ball. You are a very good player, and you are good because you believe in timing. You are not a wrestler and you are not Andre Russell. Your playing style is very different," Chopra said.Jaiswal's poor form has opened the door for other young batters to stake their claim for a spot in the T20 World Cup squad. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, and Riyan Parag have all impressed with their performances in the IPL.With Virat Kohli also being considered as an opening option alongside Shubman Gill, Jaiswal's continued struggles could result in him being dropped from the World Cup race.

Sri Lanka's women's cricket team has set their sights on reaching the semi-finals of both the T20 and ODI World Cups, according to captain Chamari Athapaththu. The team has shown impressive form in recent months, winning T20I series against Bangladesh, England, and South Africa, and reaching the final of the Asian Games. They also won ODI series against Bangladesh and New Zealand and are in contention for automatic qualification for the 2025 ODI World Cup.Athapaththu's confidence stems from her team's recent performances, including her own record-breaking 195 not out against South Africa. This innings not only marked the third-highest individual score in women's ODIs but also led Sri Lanka to the highest successful chase in the format.The team's success is also attributed to the contributions of young players like Nilakshika Silva, who scored an unbeaten 50 against South Africa. Athapaththu believes that her team has the potential to achieve great things, especially if they continue to play with the same determination and skill.However, Athapaththu is also aware of the challenges ahead. Sri Lanka must perform well against West Indies and Ireland to secure a top-five finish in the Women's Championship table and qualify for the ODI World Cup. They must also navigate the T20 World Cup qualifiers in the UAE, where they are grouped with Thailand, Scotland, Uganda, and USA.Despite the challenges, Athapaththu remains optimistic about her team's chances. She is particularly excited about the prospect of seeing another Sri Lankan batter surpass her record score. She believes that such achievements can inspire the next generation of cricketers and help Sri Lanka become a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.

MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, may have retired from international cricket in 2020, but he continues to dominate the Indian Premier League (IPL) with his exceptional batting skills. In a recent match against Mumbai Indians, Dhoni once again proved his mettle by smashing three consecutive sixes off Hardik Pandya's bowling in the final four balls of the innings, leading Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a thrilling victory.Dhoni's unbeaten 20-run knock proved to be the decisive factor in CSK's 20-run win. His performance has sparked discussions about his potential inclusion in India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.In a viral podcast video, former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist expressed his admiration for Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik, another experienced Indian wicketkeeper-batsman. Gilchrist praised their skills and predicted a bright future for both players."Every game, every night everyone is speculating which Indian is going to get a boarding pass to the Caribbean," Gilchrist said. "The keeper-batsman's role is to an extent up for grabs. Amazing amount of young keeper-batsmen at your disposal to pick from. And I reckon the two standouts, two youngsters who are really shining, who I reckon they both gonna have a big future when they grow up, be older and more mature - Dinesh Karthik and MSD. I reckon they're gonna be great players when they grow up."Gilchrist's sarcastic remark drew smiles from India captain Rohit Sharma and former England captain Michael Vaughan. Rohit acknowledged Karthik's impressive batting performance in recent matches and Dhoni's impact in the CSK game."Yeah, was quite impressed, quite impressed, specially with Dinesh the way he batted a couple of nights back and Dhoni as well, I mean look he came to play four balls, made a huge impact, got those 20-22 runs and that was eventually the difference in the end," Rohit said.However, Rohit expressed doubts about Dhoni's willingness to participate in the T20 World Cup. "Look it'll be hard to convince MSD for sure to come to West Indies, I guess. He's sick and tired. He's coming to US though, to do something else. He's into golf now, so he's coming to play golf I guess. DK will be easy to convince I guess," Rohit said.Karthik has been in excellent form in IPL 2024, scoring 226 runs from seven matches. Against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he smashed a 35-ball 83 while chasing 288 for victory. Despite his efforts, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) lost the match by 25 runs.

India's cricket fraternity has been abuzz with speculation regarding a purported meeting between captain Rohit Sharma, BCCI chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, and head coach Rahul Dravid to discuss India's strategy for the upcoming T20 World Cup. However, Rohit Sharma has swiftly dismissed these claims as "fake" in an interview on the Club Prairie Fire podcast with Michael Vaughan and Adam Gilchrist."I haven't met anyone," Rohit clarified. "Ajit Agarkar is somewhere in Dubai playing golf and Rahul Dravid is actually watching his kids play in Bengaluru... We haven't met, to be honest."Rohit emphasized the importance of relying on credible sources and cautioned against believing unverified reports. "In today's day and age, unless you hear it from either myself or Rahul himself or Ajit himself or someone from BCCI coming and talking in front of the camera, everything is fake."Despite the denials, the speculation surrounding India's T20 World Cup squad continues to intensify. One of the key talking points has been the potential inclusion of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, whose remarkable comeback from a car accident in December 2022 has sparked discussions about his selection.Pant has amassed 194 runs in six matches since his return, maintaining a strike rate of 157.72. Former England pacer Stuart Broad has been a vocal advocate for his inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad, citing a particular shot played by Pant against Kolkata Knight Riders as evidence of his exceptional talent.With the BCCI set to unveil India's T20 World Cup squad in the first week of May, every IPL fixture gains heightened significance as players vie for limited spots. The tournament serves as a critical platform for players to showcase their skills and stake their claim for a place in the national team, amidst a backdrop of intense scrutiny and speculation.

Stuart Law, the former Australian batsman, has been appointed as the new head coach of the USA men's cricket team. Law's first assignment will be the three-match T20I series at home against Bangladesh ahead of the T20 World Cup in June, which the USA will co-host with the West Indies.Law expressed his excitement about the opportunity, stating, "It is an exciting opportunity to join USA cricket at this time. USA is one of the strongest Associate nations in the sport, and I believe that we can mold a formidable squad going ahead." He added, "The first task will be to prepare the team for the series against Bangladesh and then set our sights on our home World Cup, which will be huge."USA Cricket chairman Venu Pisike praised Law's experience and accomplishments, saying, "Stuart is one of the most accomplished coaches in the sport. He brings a lot of experience to USA Cricket with his varied assignments, particularly in developing international sides over the years." Pisike continued, "His appointment will only help the team grow to their full potential. We are excited to have Stuart on board just before the World Cup and look forward to lots of successes together."Law has a wealth of coaching experience, having previously served as head coach for Bangladesh, West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan on an interim basis. He has also coached the Bangladesh Under-19s and led Bangladesh to their first Asia Cup final in 2012. In Australia, Law has held various roles, including batting coach to the national team, a position with CA's Centre of Excellence, and coaching the Under-19 team.USA will face Bangladesh in three T20I matches at Prairie View, where they recently defeated Canada 4-0 in a T20I series. Law's appointment is expected to bolster the USA team's preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup and help them achieve their full potential.

The introduction of the Impact Player rule in IPL 2024 has significantly altered the dynamics of the tournament, effectively transforming it into a 12-a-side contest. While the rule has led to higher scores, it raises concerns about its impact on the development of all-rounders in Indian cricket.Jos Buttler's recent match-winning performance as an Impact Player for Rajasthan Royals highlights the rule's potential. However, it also underscores the fact that teams are prioritizing batting over all-round ability. Players like Rahul Tewatia and Shivam Dube, who possess bowling skills, have been relegated to specialist batting roles.This trend is particularly concerning given India's historical struggles in producing all-rounders. The IPL was once seen as a platform to nurture such players, but the Impact Player rule has removed the incentive for teams to invest in their development.Ravindra Jadeja remains the only genuine all-rounder in Indian cricket who is consistently utilized in both batting and bowling roles in the IPL. Hardik Pandya's reluctance to bowl and Krunal Pandya's limited batting opportunities further highlight the dearth of all-rounders.The absence of all-rounders in the IPL has implications for the Indian team's performance in international tournaments like the T20 World Cup. The lack of players who can contribute with both bat and ball limits the team's tactical flexibility and adaptability.The Impact Player rule has undoubtedly made the IPL more entertaining, but it has also raised questions about its long-term impact on Indian cricket. The tournament must strike a balance between providing entertainment and fostering the development of all-rounders, who are crucial for the success of the national team.

Jofra Archer, the enigmatic English fast bowler, has expressed his desire to represent his country at the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. However, he has also cautioned that he may struggle to endure another "stop-start year" after battling persistent injuries over the past three years.Archer has been sidelined since May 2023 due to an elbow injury, but the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is planning his return to international cricket during the four-match T20I series against Pakistan in late May, just before the World Cup. He is expected to be included in England's provisional World Cup squad, which must be submitted to the ICC by May 1.England will kick off their World Cup campaign at Kensington Oval in Barbados with matches against Scotland and Australia on June 4 and 8, respectively. Archer was born and raised on the island and has trained with England squads there on recent tours, but he has never played an international match there."I really do want to be in the team," Archer said in an interview with The Athlete's Voice by 4CAST. "I really do want to be playing back at home… I'd love my family and my dogs at that first game back. I haven't played for England at all this year, so I think it would be really fitting if that could happen."Archer traveled to India last month with Sussex's pre-season tour, which he described as a "good gauge" and a "valuable check" on his progress. Rob Key, England's managing director, stated earlier this month that Archer had returned to the Caribbean to continue his rehabilitation, while also ruling him out of contention for Test cricket this summer."The last two years have been really stop-start, so I just think that everyone's going to just take it a bit easy," Archer said. "If I'm ready then fine, happy days. But if I'm not, they're still supporting me until whenever I am ready.""Worst-case scenario, even if I don't make it to the World Cup for whatever reason, there's still the T20 Blast, there's still the Hundred. There's still cricket that I haven't got a chance to play in the last couple of years. As much as I want to play in the World Cup, if it doesn't happen for whatever reason, at least I still know I could be somewhat active as well."Archer also discussed the impact of negative social media comments on his mental well-being during his time on the sidelines. "Everybody - honestly, everybody - has an opinion. It doesn't matter what you do or how good you are, everyone will have a go at you at some point," he said."Even now, any time England or my franchises post, all of the comments are - or if I post training clips, people are like: 'He'll probably be injured tomorrow.' It's just stupid comments like that… I really need people to take accountability for what they say, because if you're saying that stuff, you've got to answer for it."

The Indian cricket team is set to prioritize experience over IPL newcomers for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Americas. The national selection committee will finalize the squad by the end of this month, adhering to the ICC's May 1 deadline for the provisional 15-member roster.While some seasoned players may face disappointment, the selectors are expected to reward those who have consistently performed well in T20 Internationals and the IPL. Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are in contention for a spot, but only one of the two finishers, Rinku Singh or Shivam Dube, is likely to make the cut.The second wicketkeeper's position is also up for grabs, with Sanju Samson facing competition from Jitesh Sharma, KL Rahul, and Ishan Kishan. Rahul and Kishan's lack of experience in the middle order during this IPL season complicates their selection.Hardik Pandya's bowling fitness remains a concern, but his selection is not in doubt. Virat Kohli's inclusion is also a formality. Other automatic selections include Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and Kuldeep Yadav.The reserve spinner's slot could be a three-way battle between Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ravi Bishnoi. Chahal is the most skilled bowler, but his repeated omissions from important squads raise questions about his inclusion.The 'Impact Player' rule, which allows teams to substitute a player during the match, has been detrimental to Indian cricket, according to a former international player. It has killed the concept of all-rounders, making half-fit players like Hardik Pandya more valuable.While young players like Riyan Parag, Mayank Yadav, and Abhishek Sharma have performed well in the IPL, the selection committee is likely to ease them into the national team via bilateral cricket.