Cricket

Rohit Sharma Prepares for New Zealand Test Series with VigorIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has commenced his preparations for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, scheduled to begin on October 16 in Bengaluru. The Kiwis will play a three-match Test series in India, with the second Test starting in Pune on October 24 and the third in Mumbai on November 1.Sharma, who led India to a triumphant series victory against Bangladesh, is eager to continue his team's winning momentum. In a viral video, the Indian skipper can be seen engaging in stretching and running exercises on a ground, cheered on by onlookers and fans.Sharma has a solid track record against New Zealand, particularly at home. In six Tests against the Kiwis, he has scored a highest of 82 at an average of 53.00. His performances in India have been particularly impressive, as the conditions tend to favor his attacking style of play.Another viral video captures the enthusiasm of fans who thronged to click pictures of Sharma as he returned from practice. The Indian captain's popularity and the anticipation surrounding the Test series are evident in these videos.New Zealand has suffered a setback ahead of the series, with former captain Kane Williamson ruled out of the start due to a groin strain. However, the Kiwis remain a formidable opponent, and Sharma is determined to lead India to victory.The Test series against New Zealand will be a crucial test for Sharma and his team. A strong performance will boost their confidence and solidify their position as one of the top Test nations in the world.

India Set to Face Bangladesh in Second T20I, Aiming to Seal Series VictoryNew Delhi, India - The Indian cricket team, brimming with youthful energy, will take on Bangladesh in the second T20I of the three-match series on Wednesday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The hosts are brimming with confidence after their commanding seven-wicket victory in the opening match in Gwalior, where they bowled out Bangladesh for a paltry 127 before chasing down the target comfortably within 12 overs.Given the all-round success of the squad, India is unlikely to tinker with their winning combination. The team, boasting several versatile players capable of contributing with both bat and ball, may stick to the same playing XI. This means that players like Harshit Rana, Jitesh Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Ravi Bishnoi may have to wait a little longer for their opportunity.The team conducted an optional practice session one day ahead of the match, with key players such as Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya, and Mayank Yadav taking the day off. This indicates the confidence in their current form and fitness. Captain Suryakumar Yadav led the practice session on Tuesday, indulging in intense batting in the nets.Team India will aim to seal the series with another victory. With momentum on their side, India will look to put up another strong performance to take an unassailable 2-0 lead.Probable India Playing XI:* Abhishek Sharma* Sanju Samson (w)* Suryakumar Yadav (c)* Nitish Reddy* Hardik Pandya* Riyan Parag* Rinku Singh* Washington Sundar* Varun Chakravarthy* Arshdeep Singh* Mayank Yadav

India's bowling arsenal has received a significant boost with the debut of Mayank Yadav, a fiery pacer who has consistently clocked speeds exceeding 150 kmph. Yadav made his international debut in the first T20I against Bangladesh, where he claimed a wicket and impressed with his raw pace.However, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has downplayed the threat posed by Yadav, suggesting that his team has similar pacers in their net bowling lineup. "We have some similar fast bowlers in the nets. I don't think we were too worried about (Mayank Yadav)," Shanto said after Bangladesh's seven-wicket defeat in the series opener.Despite Shanto's comments, Yadav's performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has been nothing short of exceptional. His ability to generate express pace and swing the ball has made him a formidable force in the shortest format of the game.Meanwhile, Team India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, has arrived in New Delhi ahead of the second T20I against Bangladesh. The hosts will be aiming to seal the series with a second consecutive victory on Wednesday.After their impressive seven-wicket win in Gwalior, India will be confident of extending their lead in the three-match series. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be eager to bounce back and level the series.The second T20I promises to be a high-scoring affair, with both teams boasting explosive batting lineups. India will rely on the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav to provide the fireworks, while Bangladesh will look to Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, and Liton Das to deliver.

India's revamped T20I team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, is poised to clinch the series against Bangladesh in the second T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Yadav's leadership qualities have become evident since his appointment as captain in July, as he actively engages in training sessions and provides guidance to younger players.Yadav's intense batting session and discussions with Abhishek Sharma and Jitesh Sharma highlight his focus on evolving and adapting to the demands of international cricket. The team's composition reflects a long-term strategy towards the 2026 T20 World Cup, with fresh faces and specific player pools for different formats.Head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar have emphasized the importance of format-specific specialization. Speedster Mayank Yadav has been identified as a potential asset for the next T20 World Cup, and this series serves as an audition for players aiming to establish themselves in the shortest format.Yadav's mandate is to build a team capable of defending India's T20 World Cup title. While Bangladesh may not pose a significant challenge, the Indian team management is using the series to assess the progress of its own players. The emphatic victory in the first T20I suggests that younger players are emerging as potential threats to the established seniors.

India's T20 World Cup campaign has hit a roadblock after a disappointing start. Despite being pre-tournament favorites, Harmanpreet Kaur's team has underperformed, losing to New Zealand and narrowly defeating Pakistan.The team's biggest concern lies in their batting unit. Explosive openers Shafali Varma and Smriti Mandhana have failed to make an impact, struggling against spin and posting dismal Powerplay scores. The onus falls on Mandhana to lead the charge against Sri Lanka's spin-heavy attack, despite her underwhelming record against them.The bowlers have also been inconsistent. India's dominant record against Sri Lanka (19/5) offers little solace, as the Indian team has not played since the Asia Cup final in July, where they suffered a defeat.Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be eager to secure their first points after losses to Pakistan and Australia. Led by Chamari Athapaththu, they will look to exploit India's vulnerabilities and make a strong comeback.With a crucial match against Australia looming, India cannot afford another slip-up. They must improve their net run rate (-1.217) and find a way to ignite their batting unit. The team's fate hangs in the balance as they face Sri Lanka in a must-win encounter.

Mayank Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy, the two debutants in India's T20I squad, made an impressive start to their international careers in the first match against Bangladesh. Despite initial nerves, they credited skipper Suryakumar Yadav for providing them with calming words and support.Mayank, a 21-year-old pace bowler, made his debut after recovering from an abdominal strain. He impressed with figures of 1/21 in his four overs. Nitish, also 21, made an impact with an unbeaten 16 off 15 balls, helping India secure a seven-wicket victory.Suryakumar's leadership played a crucial role in easing the debutants' nerves. "He gives you freedom," said Mayank. "He told me to do what I feel best, which is important for any fast bowler, especially when making your debut."Nitish added, "He is very calm and cool. He gave us the license to play without pressure, which is what any youngster would want from their captain."Mayank expressed his emotions about making his debut after a long injury layoff. "It's a great moment because I am coming from an injury. I was a bit nervous, but I told myself not to stress."He credited bowling coach Morne Morkel for shaping his development. "I know him very well, and it's easy for me to work with him. He knows what's best for me."Nitish was equally satisfied with his debut performance. "It's a dream-come-true moment for any cricketer in India. There was nervousness, but I enjoyed it. It was a proud moment for me and my family."The second T20I of the three-match series will be played in New Delhi on Wednesday. The debutants' performances have added depth to India's squad and raised expectations for the upcoming matches.

Team India's Women's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign has hit a roadblock after their opening loss to New Zealand. Despite a subsequent victory against Pakistan, their semi-final qualification remains uncertain due to their poor Net Run Rate (NRR) of -1.217.Australia and New Zealand, with NRRs of +1.908 and +2.900 respectively, are the frontrunners in the group. India's loss to New Zealand has made their qualification contingent on the outcome of the match between New Zealand and Australia.If New Zealand defeats Australia, they will top the group with four wins and secure a knockout berth. India can then qualify by beating Australia, as both teams would have three wins in four matches.However, if Australia defeats New Zealand, India's chances of qualification will be severely compromised. Australia and New Zealand's superior NRRs would require India to pull off significant upsets and achieve a favorable NRR in their remaining matches.Historically, New Zealand and Australia have faced off in 51 Women's T20Is since 2006, with Australia holding a slight edge with 28 wins to New Zealand's 21.India's qualification hopes now rest on New Zealand's ability to defeat Australia. A New Zealand victory would open the door for India to advance to the next round, while an Australian win would make their path to the semi-finals extremely challenging.

The Indian cricket team is set to make a grand return to the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes tournament, scheduled to take place from November 1 to 3, 2024. The tournament, which was first held in 1992, was last played in 2017 before being revived this year.The 20th edition of the tournament will feature 12 teams, including India, Pakistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Hong Kong, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The tournament will be held at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground.India has a rich history in the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, having won the tournament in 2005. Other previous winners include England and South Africa, who have won the title five times each. The tournament has also witnessed some of the biggest names in cricket, including Brian Lara, Wasim Akram, Shane Warne, Sachin Tendulkar, M.S. Dhoni, and Anil Kumble.The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is a unique tournament, with matches played between two teams of six players. Each game consists of a maximum of five overs for each side. However, the title clash will see each team bowl five overs of eight balls, up from the six deliveries in normal matches.Barring the wicket-keeper, every member of the fielding side must bowl one over. Wides and no-balls count as two runs. Batsmen are forced to retire at 31 runs but can come back in once all other batsmen have been dismissed or have retired.The return of the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is a major boost for the sport in the region. The tournament is expected to attract a large crowd and provide fans with an opportunity to see some of the best cricketers in the world in action.

Team India Arrives in Delhi for Second T20I Against BangladeshNew Delhi, India - The Indian cricket team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Monday, November 21, 2023, ahead of their second Twenty20 International (T20I) match against Bangladesh. The Men in Blue received a warm welcome from their enthusiastic supporters at the airport.After disembarking from their flight, the Indian team boarded a bus and proceeded to their hotel in the national capital. They are scheduled to face Bangladesh in the second T20I on Wednesday, November 23, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.India currently holds a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after defeating Bangladesh by seven wickets in the opening T20I in Gwalior. Suryakumar's team will be aiming to secure a series victory with a win in the second match.The upcoming T20I is expected to be a high-scoring affair, given the batting prowess of both teams. India will be looking to continue their winning momentum, while Bangladesh will be determined to level the series.The Indian team has a strong batting lineup, led by Suryakumar Yadav, who has been in excellent form in recent matches. Other key players include KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. The bowling attack will be spearheaded by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, and Yuzvendra Chahal.Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be relying on their experienced batsmen, such as Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Liton Das. Their bowling attack will be led by Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, and Shoriful Islam.The second T20I between India and Bangladesh promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams eager to secure a series victory.