Cricket

After a match-winning knock of 53 off 28 against Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup Super 8 match, India batter Suryakumar Yadav heaped praise on Afghan spinner Rashid Khan, calling him the world's best bowler. During his 53-run innings, Suryakumar hit 16 runs off the six deliveries he faced from Rashid, helping India reach a winning total of 181/8 at the Kensington Oval on Thursday night.Speaking after the match, the world no.1 T20I batter emphasized the importance of asserting dominance against a player he regards as the world's best bowler. "I have told this before as well and I'll say that again on air when he bowls, it's very difficult to pick him so I know what shots I want to play when I'm inside. Best bowler in the world. You can't let him dominate. You have to be a step ahead. But I am happy to be on a better side today," said Suryakumar.Batting first, India were 79/3 after 10 overs, having lost Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Virat Kohli. But Suryakumar's partnership with Hardik Pandya got them back on track, leading to a solid first-innings score of 181/8. In their response, Afghanistan were bowled out for 134, thanks to an exceptional spell from Jasprit Bumrah, who finished with figures of 3-7, as India sealed a 47-run win.For his match-defining knock, Suryakumar was adjudged Player of the Match. Speaking about his performance, the batter said, "I think there's a lot of hard work and practice gone behind this. And as I say again and again, there's a lot of process and routines involved and when I go inside, when I play the game, I know I'm pretty clear in my mind what I want to do. Really happy with the way things went. And yeah, the first batter to get better of the match, hopefully the first of many.""I still remember when Hardik came into bat, I told him the same thing. Let's keep back with the same intent. Let's not leave too much to the end because in the end, it was definitely going to be a difficult thing to do with the ball getting old, reversing and all. So, I said let's keep pressing the pedal and see where we get in the end of 16 overs. But yeah, very happy with the way we got 180 on the board," he added.When asked about the adjustments needed after playing on challenging pitches in the USA and then moving to the Caribbean, the 33-year-old responded, "I think you just need to know what the game plan is. You practice accordingly when you get a few practice sessions and just know your game and when you go inside give the team fast what the team requires on that given day. Just, just be that way when you look at how the."

India's Playing XI Balance Crucial for Success, Emphasizes Sanjay ManjrekarFormer Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has stressed the paramount importance of finding the optimal balance in India's playing XI to secure victories in different conditions. During the recently concluded T20 World Cup in the United States, India experimented with various combinations, opting for three frontline pacers and two spinners in the group stage. However, they altered their strategy in the Super 8 stage against Afghanistan, dropping Mohammed Siraj for Kuldeep Yadav to bolster their spin attack.Manjrekar believes that India's diverse pool of players provides them with ample options to choose from. However, he emphasizes that the team must prioritize selecting the best combination suited to the specific conditions they face. "It's always advantageous to have multiple options, but the key is to remain true to what would be the most effective playing XI to lead India to victory in a given situation," Manjrekar said.In the match against Afghanistan, Hardik Pandya assumed the role of the third pacer, while Shivam Dube provided an additional seam option. This shift demonstrated India's adaptability and willingness to adjust their balance based on the playing surface. Manjrekar's insights underscore the significance of flexibility and adaptability in team selection to suit varying conditions, which he believes will be crucial to India's success.

Ravi Shastri's Luggage Mishap at T20 World Cup: A Humorous TaleFormer India head coach and renowned commentator Ravi Shastri encountered an unexpected challenge during the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup when his luggage went astray, landing on a different island. Despite the inconvenience, Shastri's witty and optimistic nature shone through as he shared his experience on social media.Shastri, known for his sharp commentary and infectious enthusiasm, found himself in a peculiar situation when he arrived at the breakfast table in Antigua wearing a robe. The reason? His luggage had somehow ended up on another island, leaving him without his usual attire.Undeterred, Shastri took to Twitter to share his predicament with his followers. "Feeling like a drug lord at breakfast in this outfit here in beautiful Antigua, even though my luggage is still on another island. Can't wait for it to arrive soon!" he wrote, accompanied by a picture of himself in his makeshift attire.Shastri's humorous take on the situation resonated with fans, who praised his ability to stay positive and entertain even in less-than-ideal circumstances. His optimistic nature and resilience were evident in his light-hearted caption, which highlighted his ability to find humor in adversity.The luggage mishap is not an uncommon occurrence in the West Indies, with several players having faced similar issues in the past. However, Shastri's ability to turn the inconvenience into a moment of amusement has been widely appreciated.Shastri's last on-field appearance was at the toss of India's match against Afghanistan in Barbados. For the upcoming Super 8 game against Bangladesh at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, he traveled with the Indian team from Barbados to Antigua.Despite the luggage mishap, Shastri remains focused on his commentary duties, providing insightful analysis and entertaining anecdotes to viewers around the world. His ability to connect with fans and bring a unique perspective to the game has made him one of the most popular commentators in cricket today.

Shivam Dube's inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad has come under scrutiny following his underwhelming performances with both bat and ball. The all-rounder has failed to replicate his impressive IPL form for the Chennai Super Kings, raising questions about his place in the playing eleven.Dube's selection was based on his ability to hit spinners for sixes in the middle overs, a skill that impressed captain Rohit Sharma and the selectors. However, in four innings at the World Cup, he has managed only 44 runs, with a highest of 31 not out against USA.Compounding Dube's batting struggles is his limited use as a bowler. Rohit has only asked him to bowl one over in the tournament, which he conceded 11 runs in against USA. This reluctance to utilize Dube's bowling ability further weakens his case for inclusion.If India decide to drop Dube, middle-order batsman Sanju Samson is seen as a more suitable replacement than Yashasvi Jaiswal. Samson has a proven track record against spin, a key factor considering Bangladesh's likely use of spin-heavy bowling.However, some argue that Dube should be given one more game to prove his worth, especially against Bangladesh. They point to his potential to counter spin and his ability to provide depth to the batting lineup.Ultimately, the decision of whether to retain or replace Dube rests with Rohit and coach Rahul Dravid. They must weigh the pros and cons of each option, considering the team's overall balance and the specific challenges posed by Bangladesh.

Virat Kohli, the batting maestro, has yet to find his rhythm in the ongoing T20 World Cup. As India gears up for their crucial 'Super 8s' match against Bangladesh on Saturday, all eyes will be on Kohli to deliver a match-winning performance.In the group stage, Kohli's scores of 1, 4, and 0 raised concerns about his form. In India's first 'Super 8s' match against Afghanistan, he managed a run-a-ball 24. Former India opener Navjot Singh Sidhu believes that Kohli's lack of dominance is a cause for concern."If a powerful person doesn't showcase his power, then that person does get hurt, and should get hurt," Sidhu said on Star Sports. "I will learn only after I fall," he added. "I feel Kohli is mentally so strong that he wants to overpower his mistakes through training. He wants to overcome those (mistakes)."The Indian team management has experimented by promoting Kohli to the opening slot alongside Rohit Sharma. However, this move has not yielded the desired results so far. Kohli's prolific run as an opener for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the recently concluded IPL season has not translated to the international stage.Despite Kohli's struggles, India remains unbeaten in the tournament. They defeated Ireland, Pakistan, and USA in the group stage, followed by their victory over Afghanistan in the 'Super 8s'. India is aiming for their second T20 World Cup triumph and their first ICC trophy in 11 years.Kohli's return to form is crucial for India's success. The team will need their batting talisman to fire on all cylinders if they are to lift the coveted trophy. The match against Bangladesh presents Kohli with another opportunity to prove his worth and silence his critics.

The highly anticipated 'Super 8s' match of the T20 World Cup between India and Bangladesh is set to take place in the North Sound region of Antigua on Saturday. While the weather forecast predicts a relatively favorable outlook, the possibility of interruptions due to thunderstorms cannot be discounted.India, who emerged victorious in their opening Group 1 match against Afghanistan, are considered the clear favorites. However, they would be unwise to underestimate the spirited Bangladesh side, who have proven their mettle in previous encounters.According to accuweather.com, the weather forecast for Saturday in Antigua indicates partly sunny conditions with isolated thunderstorms. The cloud cover is expected to be around 41%, with intermittent rain showers throughout the day.The match is scheduled to commence at 10:30 am local time, which corresponds to 8 pm IST. India has entered the 'Super 8s' stage with an unblemished record, having secured victories over Ireland, Pakistan, and USA in the group stage. Their match against Canada in Florida was unfortunately washed out due to inclement weather.India's quest for a second T20 World Cup title is fueled by their desire to end an 11-year drought without an ICC event triumph. Their last major title came in the form of the Champions Trophy in 2013 under the leadership of MS Dhoni.India's inaugural T20 World Cup victory in 2007, also under Dhoni's captaincy, remains a cherished memory for fans. The team will be eager to replicate that success and bring home the coveted trophy once again.

Former New Zealand cricketer Ian Smith has high praise for Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, comparing him to Australian legend Adam Gilchrist. Smith believes that Pant has the potential to match Gilchrist's achievements if he maintains his current form.Pant has impressed Smith with his performances since returning from a car accident earlier this year. He has been in excellent form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the ongoing T20 World Cup."Rishabh Pant since his accident has come back very strong and he looks in terrific form. He is dynamic. He's aggressive, he's dangerous," Smith said.Like Gilchrist, Pant has shown his versatility by batting in various positions across different formats. Smith believes this makes him a valuable asset in white-ball cricket."He can compliment who's with him, whether he comes in to support Kohli or whether he comes in to support... Rohit Sharma, so three is a good spot for him because I firmly believe that in white-ball cricket your best players should have the opportunity to face the most deliveries. And so that's what makes him valuable.""He can hit the first ball he faces out of the ground and he's got other bailout options as well if it doesn't work out that way. I mean, you know, he's replaced a very good player in KL Rahul. KL Rahul is a world-class cricketer. That says it all for me," Smith added.Pant, 26, is seen as a similar type of cricketer to Gilchrist, who could bat down the order in Test cricket and up the order in white-ball formats. However, Smith cautions that Pant still has a long way to go to reach Gilchrist's records, who scored over 15,000 runs in international cricket and took over 800 catches behind the stumps."Ah yeah, well, he's got a bit to go. But yes, similar type of cricketer who can, in Test cricket, bat down the order. And in white-ball cricket can be back at the top of the order. So there's that similarity with Gilchrist there. But if he continues in the same vein for a few more years, then people will say Gilchrist and Pant, yeah, very close," Smith said.

Pakistan's cricket captain, Babar Azam, is reportedly considering legal action against YouTubers and former cricketers who have accused him of misconduct during the team's disappointing T20 World Cup campaign. Sources close to Azam have revealed that he is disheartened by the social media campaign targeting him and is determined to hold those responsible accountable.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly assisting Azam in gathering evidence related to the allegations. The board's legal department is collecting statements and reviewing social media posts to build a case against the accused individuals.The criticism against Azam and the Pakistan team intensified after their early exit from the World Cup. Former players and fans expressed their disappointment with the team's performance, particularly their losses to the United States and India.Some of the players and officials have already returned to Pakistan, while others, including Azam, are expected to depart on Saturday. Former teammate Ahmed Shehzad has been particularly vocal in his criticism of Azam, accusing him of poor leadership and decision-making.Pakistan's next international assignment is a three-match ODI series against Australia in November. The team will be hoping to bounce back from their World Cup disappointment and regain their form ahead of the 2023 World Cup in India.

Afghanistan vs Australia: Maxwell's Return and the Battle of the SpinnersThe highly anticipated clash between Afghanistan and Australia in Kingstown promises to be a captivating encounter, with all eyes on Glenn Maxwell's return to form. In their previous encounter, Maxwell's heroics propelled Australia to victory, and he will be eager to make a similar impact against Afghanistan's formidable spin attack.Afghanistan's middle order has struggled in this tournament, striking at a rate of less than 100, while Australia's middle order has been in impressive form, striking at 168.09. Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar could pose a significant threat to Afghanistan's batters on the spin-friendly Kingstown pitch.Naveen-ul-Haq will be Afghanistan's key weapon against Australia's power-hitters, while Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, and Maxwell will look to exploit Afghanistan's weaknesses. David has a strong head-to-head record against both Naveen and Rashid Khan.Australia may consider bringing back Agar to bolster their spin attack, while Afghanistan is likely to retain Hazratullah Zazai despite his recent struggles.The pitch in Kingstown has favored spinners, with 22 wickets taken at an economy rate of 5.64 in six innings. Rashid Khan and Zampa, two of the world's best T20 wristspinners, will be the key players to watch.