Cricket

Varun Chakravarthy's remarkable return to the Indian team was marked by a stellar performance in the first T20I against Bangladesh in Gwalior. After a three-year absence, the mystery spinner played a pivotal role in India's crushing seven-wicket victory, claiming three wickets for 31 runs.Chakravarthy's comeback was an emotional moment for the 31-year-old, who expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent his country once again. "It was definitely emotional for me, and it feels nice to be back in the Blues, it feels like a rebirth," he said.The spinner's journey back to the national team has been marked by challenges and perseverance. After being dropped from the Indian side in November 2021, Chakravarthy faced criticism and doubts about his ability to return to the highest level. However, he remained determined to prove his worth.In the past year, Chakravarthy has enjoyed great success at the domestic level. He was the highest wicket-taker for Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2024 IPL, finishing with 21 wickets in 14 innings. He also played a key role in Dindigul Dragons' victory in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, taking 12 wickets in the tournament.Chakravarthy credits his recent success to the hard work he put in during the TNPL. "That's a place where I worked a lot, with Ash bhai [Ashwin]. We won the competition also, and that gave me the confidence here, because it was good preparation for me for this series," he said.In the first T20I against Bangladesh, Chakravarthy was introduced into the attack in the fifth over. He immediately made an impact, dismissing Towhid Hridoy in his second over. He followed that up with the wickets of Jaker Ali and Rishad Hossain, bamboozling the batters with his variations.Despite his impressive performance, Chakravarthy was disappointed with a dropped catch that could have given him a fourth wicket. However, he remained composed and focused on his task. "I thought it could have gone my way, but I can't complain," he said.Chakravarthy's return to form is a testament to his resilience and determination. He has overcome adversity to reclaim his place in the Indian team, and his performance in the first T20I suggests that he is ready to make a significant contribution to the side's success.

Team India's emphatic victory over Bangladesh in the second Test has sparked widespread praise for skipper Rohit Sharma's leadership. Under his guidance, the Indian team displayed an aggressive approach and unwavering determination to secure a positive outcome.Rohit's leadership has been lauded for its attacking mindset, which has instilled a sense of confidence and purpose within the team. India's dominant performance in Kanpur not only resulted in a resounding victory but also sent a clear message to the cricketing world.While Rohit's leadership has garnered significant attention, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has emphasized the legacy of Virat Kohli's captaincy. Harbhajan believes that Kohli's leadership style brought about a transformative shift in Indian cricket."Kohli's captaincy may not have yielded a World Cup victory, but that doesn't diminish his stature as a captain or player," Harbhajan stated. He highlighted Kohli's bold approach, exemplified by India's willingness to chase down a daunting target of 400 in the fourth innings of a Test in Australia.Harbhajan praised Kohli's ability to ignite a fire within the team, instilling a belief that they could overcome any challenge. He credited Kohli for fostering a mindset that has been evident in the performances of young players like Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant."The determination to fight till the end, which Shubman and Rishabh displayed to win the Test in Gabba, was a testament to the change in the team's thinking," Harbhajan concluded.Despite India's lack of ICC titles under Kohli's captaincy, Harbhajan remains positive about his leadership style. He believes that Kohli's legacy lies in the transformation he brought to the Indian team, which has been carried forward by Rohit Sharma and the current generation of players.

Team India's dominance continued as they secured a historic 2-0 clean sweep against Bangladesh in the two-match Test series. After a resounding 280-run victory in Chennai, Rohit Sharma's men maintained their momentum with a comprehensive seven-wicket triumph in the rain-hit second Test in Kanpur.Despite losing two and a half days of play due to inclement weather, Team India adopted an aggressive approach and forced a result within three days. Skipper Rohit Sharma, who guided his team to victory, is currently enjoying a well-deserved break with his family.During a recent trip to Abu Dhabi, Rohit and his wife Ritika Sajdeh attended the NBA Abu Dhabi Games, where they met social media sensation Abdu Rozik and legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas. The couple's interactions with these celebrities sparked viral moments on social media.Reflecting on the Test series triumph, Rohit emphasized the importance of adapting to changing circumstances. "We had to start working with different personnel. Gautam Gambhir's mindset allows players to express themselves. It's been a good start," he said.With the Test series victory, India's focus now shifts to the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, commencing on Sunday in Gwalior. Rohit, along with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, recently announced their retirement from the T20I format after India's triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024.

Team India Intensifies Fielding Preparations Ahead of Bangladesh T20I OpenerThe Indian cricket team is leaving no stone unturned in their preparations for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh, commencing on Sunday in Gwalior. The players recently engaged in a rigorous fielding practice session under the watchful eyes of fielding coach T Dilip and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.Dilip, renowned for his transformative impact on the team's fielding performance, has introduced the Best Fielder Award during World Cup matches to motivate players to excel in this crucial aspect of the game. During the training session, he emphasized the importance of proper technique, guiding the players to "get your feet where you are throwing."All-rounder Hardik Pandya and spinner Varun Chakravarthy displayed exceptional dedication during the practice, while head coach Gautam Gambhir closely monitored the players' progress. Suryakumar Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, and Ravi Bishnoi showcased impressive catches, highlighting the team's commitment to fielding excellence.Following the conclusion of the Test series, India and Bangladesh will engage in a three-match T20I series. Suryakumar will continue to lead the Indian side, with Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma serving as wicketkeeper-batters.The T20I series will kick off with the first match in Gwalior on October 6, followed by the second and third matches in Delhi on October 9 and Hyderabad on October 12, respectively.

India's Women's T20 World Cup campaign kicks off on Friday with a highly anticipated clash against New Zealand. The team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, boasts a strong lineup featuring Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Deepti Sharma.Despite reaching the final in 2020 and the semi-final in 2022, India has fallen short against Australia on both occasions. However, former India regular Punam Raut believes the team has a chance to make a strong run this year."We have a very good setup and a strong team," Raut said. "Our preparations have been excellent, and we have been playing well."Raut highlighted the importance of consistency, particularly in the batting department. "In T20, bringing consistency is the most difficult thing for a batter," she said. "If our main five batters consistently perform well, only then can we win."The tournament will be played in the United Arab Emirates, a familiar venue for the Indian team. Raut believes the conditions will favor spinners, who could be the X-factor in the competition."Spinners will be the X-factor in this World Cup because the conditions are favorable for them," Raut said. "We have quite a few good spinners, like Shreyanka Patil and Deepti Sharma."India's second match in the tournament will be against Pakistan, a team they have traditionally dominated. Raut attributed this dominance to Pakistan's lack of batting strength."Pakistan always lack in batting, but they have a good bowling strength," Raut said. "If they have a good batting strength, they can do well against India."Australia remains the favorite to win the tournament, but Raut believes India can challenge them if they can overcome their consistency issues."Australia are a very good team, and we have to accept that," Raut said. "But if our main five batters consistently perform well, only then can we win."

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has praised his team for embracing the risk of forcing a result in the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, despite the match being heavily affected by rain. With only 35 overs bowled in the first three days, India managed to secure a 2-0 series sweep, extending their lead at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) rankings.Rohit's aggressive approach was evident from the start, as he launched the first two balls he faced for sixes. This mindset was shared by the other batters, who were willing to take risks to achieve a result. "We had to take a little bit of risk to get a result," Rohit said. "I know the result could have gone either way, but I was okay with it."Rohit emphasized the importance of the team's collective effort, particularly the bowlers who dismissed Bangladesh for 233 in the post-lunch session on day four. "The bowlers came to the party first," he said. "They got the wickets that we needed."Under Rohit's leadership, India has adopted an aggressive approach across formats, including at World Cups. For Rohit, aggression is about actions, not reactions. "The kind of batting we do, the kind of field positioning we do, the kind of bowling we do; that to me is aggression," he explained.Rohit also highlighted the team's exceptional fielding, especially their slip catching. "We took 23 out of 24 catches that came our way," he said. "The guys who were standing behind were so sharp."Rohit's captaincy style is based on trusting his judgment and decisions. "When you are playing at such a high level, you need to have a bit of everything," he said. "You need to be calm, to think wisely. There are a lot of decisions that you have to take on the field."Rohit's aggressive approach and trust in his team's abilities have transformed India into a team that prioritizes winning over everything else.

As Team India embarks on their Women's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, the players received a heartwarming surprise that boosted their spirits. In a video shared on Instagram by 'Team India,' the squad was treated to special video messages from their family members on the eve of the tournament's commencement.From captain Harmanpreet Kaur to coach Amol Muzumdar, each player was greeted with a wholesome message from their loved ones. The video captured the players gathered in a room, their faces beaming with joy and emotion as they watched clips from their families. Smriti Mandhana's brother, Harmanpreet Kaur's parents, Shafali Verma's brother, Asha Shobana's family, Richa Ghosh's father, and Amol Muzumdar's daughter all shared heartfelt messages of support and encouragement.The players, who are currently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the tournament, were visibly moved by the surprise. They laughed, teared up, and expressed their gratitude for the love and support from their families back home.India has yet to claim a Women's T20 World Cup title in the eight editions of the tournament. Their best finish was a runner-up position in 2020. However, the team faces a challenging group stage, which includes six-time champions Australia, twice runners-up New Zealand, Women's Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.Despite the tough competition, India's spin-heavy squad, led by Deepti Sharma, is expected to benefit from the slow pitch conditions in the UAE. The team boasts at least five regular spin bowling options, while only three seamers are included in the 15-player squad.India will also rely on the experience of Smriti Mandhana and the explosiveness of Shafali Verma at the top of the order. Both players are in good form heading into the tournament.The Women's T20 World Cup 2024 promises to be an exciting and competitive event. Team India will be determined to make history and bring home the coveted trophy for the first time.

India Women's Cricket Team Aims for T20 World Cup GloryNearly four months after India's historic T20 World Cup triumph, the spotlight now shines on the Indian women's cricket team as they embark on their quest for their maiden title. Led by the indomitable Harmanpreet Kaur, the team is determined to replicate the success of their male counterparts and etch their names in the annals of cricket history.India's journey begins on Friday against New Zealand in Dubai, marking the ninth edition of the Women's T20 World Cup. Despite reaching the final in 2020, the team has yet to claim the coveted trophy. However, this time around, they are brimming with confidence and eager to break the jinx.Captain Harmanpreet Kaur exudes optimism, stating, "Yes, hopefully. That's our aim." She emphasizes the team's preparation, positivity, and unwavering belief in their abilities. "We just want to go out and give our best," she adds.The Indian skipper's mantra for her team is simple: "Go and enjoy your game." She believes that when her players are relaxed and enjoying themselves, they perform at their peak.India's group stage fixtures include matches against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia. The team is well aware of the challenges ahead, but they are determined to start strong and maintain their momentum throughout the tournament.The Indian women's cricket team has a rich history and a talented squad. With Harmanpreet Kaur at the helm, they possess the experience, skill, and determination to make their dreams a reality. As they embark on their T20 World Cup journey, the nation stands behind them, cheering them on every step of the way.

India's quest for their maiden Women's T20 World Cup title is fueled by the recent triumph of the men's team, who ended a long trophy drought by winning the Men's T20 World Cup earlier this year. The Indian women's team is eager to replicate that success and make history by becoming the first nation to win both the men's and women's T20 World Cups in the same year.Batter Jemimah Rodrigues expressed the team's renewed determination after witnessing the men's team's victory. "Seeing them win just before our World Cup made it feel so much more real," she said. "That desire and passion to win was ignited when we saw Rohit Sharma and the team lifting the trophy."Captain Harmanpreet Kaur echoed Rodrigues' sentiments, stating that a victory would be a special moment for Indian fans and cricket history. "It would be very special," she said. "If we win, it will create a similar moment for Indian fans and for cricket history back home."India's path to the title begins with their opening match against New Zealand on October 4 in Dubai. They will then face Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia in their Group A games. Pacer Renuka Singh Thakur believes that the men's team's victory has given them hope and inspiration. "When the boys won, it gave us hope that we could replicate it," she said.Opener Shafali Verma added that a victory would be a joyous occasion for the nation. "Yes, the men's team winning the World Cup was an emotional moment for the entire country," she said. "If we win too, then it will be two World Cups in a year, which is a big thing for both us and the nation."Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana emphasized the importance of focusing on the process rather than the outcome. "Winning two trophies in a year would be a different achievement, but winning the World Cup itself will be very special," she said. "It's important for us to follow the process and take it one match at a time."