Cricket

Virat Kohli's record-breaking eighth IPL century has sparked a heated debate over his selection for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Despite leading the IPL 2024 run-scoring charts with 316 runs in five matches, Kohli's slow strike rate of 146.30 has raised concerns among critics.However, Kohli's Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) teammate Glenn Maxwell has come to his defense, dismissing the doubts surrounding his T20 World Cup fate. Maxwell praised Kohli's exceptional batting skills, particularly his ability to perform under pressure."Virat Kohli is the most clutch player I have ever played against," Maxwell said. "The innings he played against us in Mohali during the 2016 T20 World Cup is still the best innings I have ever seen been played against me. His awareness of what he needs to do to win the game is just phenomenal."Maxwell's comments highlight the importance of Kohli's experience and big-match temperament. Despite his recent struggles with strike rate, Kohli remains a proven match-winner with a remarkable track record in international cricket.Kohli's T20 international career has seen him play 117 matches for India, scoring 4037 runs at a strike rate of 138.16. He has scored one hundred and 37 fifties, demonstrating his consistency and ability to adapt to different conditions.While the debate over Kohli's selection for the T20 World Cup is likely to continue, Maxwell's support serves as a reminder of his immense talent and potential. With the tournament just months away, Kohli will be eager to prove his critics wrong and cement his place in India's squad.

Rajasthan Royals' director of cricket, Kumar Sangakkara, has lauded the exceptional form of Riyan Parag, while refraining from confirming his spot in India's T20 World Cup squad.Parag has been a revelation for the Royals this season, ranking second in the IPL's leading run-scorers' list with 261 runs. His impactful contributions have been crucial for the team's success.Sangakkara praised Parag's potential, stating, "I think his (Parag's) potential is there for everyone to see." He emphasized the importance of Parag focusing on the present IPL campaign, rather than speculating about his inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad."For Riyan it's really about concentrating on Rajasthan and this season, and whatever happens (being considered for T20 World Cup) will happen after that," Sangakkara said.Sangakkara expressed confidence in Parag's abilities, highlighting his dedication and hard work. "As long as he keeps his head down, he is working hard, he is batting well, he is very organized, he's worked hard in the off-season, he just needs to keep doing those good things and, if he does all that, good things will happen," he said.Despite the Royals' recent defeat against Gujarat Titans, Sangakkara defended star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, asserting, "Ash (Ashwin) is one of the greatest spinners to play the game." He anticipated a strong comeback from Ashwin, emphasizing that occasional setbacks are part of the game.Reflecting on the match, Sangakkara identified crucial moments where the Royals faltered, particularly in the last two overs. Despite a commendable effort from Kuldeep Sen, pinch-hitters Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan's contributions tilted the game in favor of Gujarat Titans.As the IPL season progresses, Sangakkara and the Rajasthan Royals remain focused on regaining momentum and securing victories in their quest for success in the tournament.

Adam Zampa, Australia's premier leg-spinner, has opted out of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season to prioritize his mental and physical well-being ahead of the T20 World Cup in June.Zampa, who was set to join Rajasthan Royals, withdrew on the eve of the season after a grueling 12 months that included the ODI World Cup, T20I series against India, and the Big Bash League (BBL)."I'm completely drained from 2023," Zampa explained on the Willow Talk podcast. "I did the full IPL last year, and the World Cup was three months in India as well."Despite his initial intentions to play in the IPL, Zampa realized he couldn't offer his best to the Royals. "I felt like I just couldn't really offer the Rajasthan Royals the best version of myself," he said.Another factor in Zampa's decision was the uncertainty surrounding his playing time. With Indian spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and R Ashwin in the Royals' squad, Zampa wasn't sure how many games he would get."It came down to my decision being I probably need to put my body and my mental health first," he said. "I've got a young family, and it's not easy to spend nine weeks in India."Zampa's absence from the IPL is a significant blow to the Royals, but it's a necessary step for the 30-year-old as he looks to maintain his peak form for the T20 World Cup."Looking forward to the World Cup, that's what's more important to me, that's for sure," Zampa said.Zampa will be a key figure in Australia's quest to win the T20 World Cup and complete the trifecta of men's world titles. He is expected to form a spin partnership with Ashton Agar, who is in contention for a recall to the squad.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the schedule for Pakistan's three-match T20I tour of Ireland. The matches will be played at Castle Avenue in Dublin on May 10, 12, and 14. This series is part of Pakistan's 12-match preparation for the T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies.Before heading to Ireland, Pakistan will host New Zealand for five T20Is in April, with the first match scheduled for April 18. The final game of the series will take place on April 27. Following the New Zealand series, Pakistan will embark on a tour of England, where they will play four T20Is starting May 22.Pakistan's last T20I outing was against New Zealand in January, where they played a five-match series in New Zealand. Ireland, on the other hand, recently faced Afghanistan in the UAE, losing both the ODI and T20I series. However, they secured a historic first Test win in Abu Dhabi.The T20I series against Pakistan will be Ireland's first international matches since their tour of the UAE. Pakistan was initially scheduled to play three T20Is against the Netherlands in May, but the series was postponed indefinitely due to scheduling conflicts and concerns about player workload.The PCB is actively seeking an alternative window to reschedule the Netherlands series. The upcoming T20I series against Ireland will provide Pakistan with valuable preparation for the T20 World Cup. The team will be looking to fine-tune their skills and build momentum ahead of the global tournament.

Suryakumar Yadav's IPL Absence Extended Due to Sports Hernia SurgerySuryakumar Yadav, the world's top-ranked T20 batter, will miss additional Indian Premier League (IPL) matches as he recovers from a sports hernia surgery. The National Cricket Academy (NCA) is closely monitoring his progress.The Mumbai Indians, Yadav's franchise, have lost their first two matches of the tournament without his presence. "Surya is making good progress and will soon be back playing for MI. However, he may have to sit out for a few more games after missing the first two," a BCCI source revealed.Despite Mumbai's struggles, the BCCI is prioritizing Yadav's health, recognizing his importance in the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA in June. "Our primary concern is ensuring he's on track for the World T20. He will play for MI, but we can't rush him after a sports hernia surgery," the source added.Yadav, known for his wide range of shots, has drawn comparisons to South African legend AB de Villiers. He boasts an impressive strike rate of 171.55 in the T20 format.The 33-year-old has represented India in 60 T20 Internationals, scoring 2141 runs, including four centuries. Mumbai Indians will face Rajasthan Royals in their third match on Monday, their first home game of the season in Mumbai.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has identified former Australia and New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Luke Ronchi as its preferred candidate for the vacant head coach position. Extensive discussions have been held with the 42-year-old, who has also coached Pakistan Super League side Islamabad United.The PCB's search for a high-profile coach has been hampered by a lack of interest from potential candidates, many of whom are already committed to other leagues or have reservations about working in Pakistan. Ronchi, who retired from professional cricket in 2019, has since worked as a batting consultant and coach for the New Zealand team.Sources within the PCB indicate that a contract with Ronchi is expected to be finalized in the coming days, ahead of Pakistan's home T20 series against New Zealand in April. Ronchi has reportedly requested ironclad assurances that he will be given a sufficient time frame to work with the Pakistan team, regardless of the results.The PCB has faced criticism in the past for its handling of foreign and local coaches, which may have contributed to the reluctance of some candidates to accept the position. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi recently blamed the leakage of salary details and other aspects of a possible coaching contract with Shane Watson for the Australian's withdrawal from discussions.Despite the challenges, the PCB has begun its training camp at the Kakul army base in preparation for the T20 World Cup in June. Ronchi, who has the unique distinction of representing both Australia and New Zealand in international cricket, is seen as a potential solution to the PCB's coaching woes.

UAE's top-order batter Usman Khan, born in Pakistan, has been summoned to Pakistan's training camp with the army in Kakul. This move signals Pakistan's eagerness to entice him to represent the country of his birth in international cricket. Usman joins 28 other players for the camp, which runs from March 26 to April 8.Despite the PCB's silence on Usman's inclusion or any official change in his status as a UAE player, his selection for the camp is a clear indication of Pakistan's intentions. In the recent PSL, Usman played as a registered overseas player, amassing the second-highest run tally. Prior to that, he participated in the ILT20 and Abu Dhabi T10 as a local player for the UAE.In an interview with ESPNcricinfo earlier this month, Usman downplayed his chances of playing for Pakistan in the near future, expressing his determination to complete the residency period to qualify for the UAE. However, he still has 14 months to go before becoming eligible for the UAE.Usman had previously cited the uncertainty in Pakistan and the ease of obtaining no-objection certificates from the Emirates Cricket Board as reasons for switching allegiances. However, since he has not yet played for the UAE, he can still return to Pakistan without any waiting period.Given the rapid developments at the PCB, it is highly likely that Usman will be included in Pakistan's squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand. This move is part of Pakistan's preparations for the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA in June.The training camp also marks the return of two players who recently reversed their retirement decisions: Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir. Imad's success in the PSL and CPL makes him an attractive prospect for Pakistan, while Amir remains hopeful of representing his country again. Haris Rauf, who is recovering from a shoulder injury, has also been included after his central contract was reinstated by the PCB.

Mohammad Amir, the enigmatic Pakistani fast bowler, has made a sensational U-turn on his international retirement, declaring his availability for selection for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Amir's last appearance for Pakistan was in a T20I against England in 2020, after which he abruptly announced his retirement from international cricket, citing mental torture.However, in a recent social media post, the 31-year-old Amir expressed his renewed desire to represent his country. "I still dream to play for Pakistan!" he wrote. "After positive discussions with the PCB, I feel that I am needed and can still contribute to the team. I am available to be considered for the upcoming T20 World Cup."Amir's decision comes after a successful stint in the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he claimed 10 wickets in nine games for the Quetta Gladiators. His impressive performances have reignited hopes that he can still be a valuable asset to the Pakistani team.Amir's announcement follows a similar move by all-rounder Imad Wasim, who also reversed his retirement to make himself available for the T20 World Cup. The return of these experienced players is a major boost for Pakistan, who will be looking to make a strong impact in the tournament.Amir's return to international cricket is a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite the challenges he has faced, he remains committed to representing his country and contributing to its success. His experience and skill will be invaluable to Pakistan as they aim to lift the T20 World Cup trophy for the second time.

Pakistan's versatile all-rounder Imad Wasim has reversed his retirement from T20I cricket, making himself available for selection ahead of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup.In a statement on social media, Wasim expressed his delight at declaring his availability for Pakistan in the T20I format leading up to the World Cup. However, he clarified that his availability does not extend beyond the tournament, which begins on June 1.Wasim's return to the international fold comes after a successful 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL) season, where he played a pivotal role in Islamabad United's title triumph. His impressive performances, including a five-wicket haul in the final, sparked speculation about his potential return to the national team.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly approached Wasim earlier this week to reconsider his retirement, and the all-rounder agreed without any conditions.Wasim's all-round abilities and his impressive record in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) make him a valuable asset for Pakistan. In the CPL, he has amassed 61 wickets at an average of 18.88 and an economy rate of 6.20.With the majority of the 2024 T20 World Cup scheduled to be played in the West Indies, Wasim's experience in the CPL could prove invaluable for Pakistan.While Wasim is not currently interested in a central contract, his availability until the T20 World Cup represents a mutually beneficial arrangement for all parties involved.Wasim has represented Pakistan in 66 T20Is, scoring 486 runs at a strike rate of 131.70 and claiming 65 wickets with an economy of 6.26. His return to the national team is expected to bolster Pakistan's chances of success in the upcoming T20 World Cup.