Cricket

India Announces Squad for T20I Series Against Bangladesh, Mayank Yadav Earns Maiden Call-UpNew Delhi: The Indian cricket team has announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, scheduled to commence on October 6. The squad, led by Suryakumar Yadav, features several notable inclusions and exclusions.Pace sensation Mayank Yadav has received his maiden call-up to the national team after an impressive performance in the domestic circuit. Yadav, who has been sidelined since April due to an injury, has been rewarded for his consistent pace and wicket-taking ability.Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy makes a comeback to the Indian squad after nearly three years. Chakravarthy, known for his deceptive variations, will bolster the team's spin attack.Test regulars Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant have been rested for the series, providing opportunities for other players to showcase their talent.Nitish Reddy, the reserve seam-bowling all-rounder, has been included in the squad after missing the recent Zimbabwe tour due to an injury. Promising cricketers Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, and Harshit Rana have also secured their spots in the team.Jitesh Sharma will serve as the secondary wicketkeeper behind Sanju Samson, who will be the primary choice.The series against Bangladesh will serve as a crucial preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. India will be looking to fine-tune their combinations and strategies ahead of the global tournament.

Ravi Shastri, the former India coach and renowned commentator, recently shared a heartwarming post on social media, highlighting the unsung hero of the Indian cricket team: Raghuvendra Dwivedi, affectionately known as 'Raghu.'Dwivedi, a throwdown specialist, has been an indispensable member of Team India's backroom staff since 2011. His exceptional skills and dedication have earned him the admiration of players, coaches, and fans alike.Shastri, in his post, described Raghu as the "heartbeat of the Indian Cricket team," a testament to his unwavering support and contributions. Dwivedi's role extends beyond his technical expertise; he is a constant source of motivation and encouragement for the team.Virat Kohli, the former India captain, has also acknowledged Raghu's invaluable contributions. In a 2020 live session, Kohli praised Raghu's understanding of footwork and bat movement, crediting him for the team's improvement in playing fast bowling.Dwivedi's ability to hurl balls at speeds of up to 155 kmph from a sidearm position has made him an indispensable asset in training sessions. His unwavering commitment to the team's success has earned him the respect and admiration of all who work with him.As India prepares for the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, Raghu will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the team's preparations. His expertise and dedication will be instrumental in helping India secure a 2-0 sweep and further strengthen their position at the top of the World Test Championship standings.

Team India's assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, was left in stitches after witnessing Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja's hilarious imitation of Jasprit Bumrah's bowling action. The incident occurred during the pre-match warm-up routine before the second Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka.As the players gathered for their warm-ups, Kohli and Jadeja couldn't resist poking fun at their teammate's unique bowling style. They mimicked Bumrah's exaggerated run-up and unorthodox release, much to the amusement of Ten Doeschate. The former Netherlands batter was seen covering his face with a baseball glove as he struggled to contain his laughter.The light-hearted moment provided a brief respite from the serious business of the Test match. However, the day's play was cut short due to bad light and heavy rain. India, who had opted to bowl first, had reduced Bangladesh to 107-3 before the weather intervened.Mominul Haque (40*) and Mushfiqur Rahim (6*) were at the crease when the umpires called off play. The match could potentially be the last Test appearance for Bangladesh's legendary all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, who recently announced his impending international retirement.Despite the rain delay, India remain in a strong position in the series. They lead 1-0 after winning the first Test in Chattogram by 188 runs. Akash Deep impressed with the ball, taking two early wickets to justify captain Rohit Sharma's decision to field first.The second Test is scheduled to resume on Saturday, weather permitting. India will be looking to seal the series victory, while Bangladesh will be desperate to level the scores.

Shubman Gill, India's rising batting star, continued his meticulous preparations for the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur by honing his technique against spin bowling. During India's practice session at Green Park, Gill engaged in intense cover drive drills with Rishabh Pant, who took on the role of a spinner."I'm going to hit a lot of drives against Jaddu (Jadeja) bhai," Gill declared in a video shared by the BCCI.Pant's brief stint with the ball drew a playful reaction from KL Rahul, who reminded the wicketkeeper-batter of his bowling exploits in the Delhi Premier League. Pant managed to outwit Gill once, prompting the latter to exclaim, "What a way to beat the batter!""You had a great practice session, Rishabh," Gill remarked in the video.The practice session also featured the presence of skipper Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, the spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav, and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.Team India arrived in Kanpur on Tuesday, eager to build on their impressive victory in the first Test in Chennai. Under the guidance of new head coach Gautam Gambhir, India cruised to a dominant 280-run win, with Gill playing a pivotal role.In the second innings, Gill remained unbeaten on 119, forging a crucial 167-run partnership with Pant to keep Bangladesh at bay. Ravichandran Ashwin was named 'Player of the Match' for his all-round performance, scoring a vital 113 in the first innings and claiming a six-wicket haul in the second.Ashwin's six-wicket haul marked his 37th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, equaling the legendary Shane Warne for the second-most five-wicket hauls in Test history. Only Sri Lankan great Muttiah Muralitharan, with 67 five-wicket hauls, stands ahead of Ashwin.

As the Women's T20 World Cup approaches, Indian spinner Poonam Yadav has shared her insights on the team's preparations and potential. India's campaign begins on October 4 against New Zealand, followed by a highly anticipated clash with Pakistan on October 6.Yadav emphasized the tactical decisions captain Harmanpreet Kaur may face, particularly regarding the balance between pacers and spinners. She suggested that wrist-spinner Asha Shobana could be a valuable asset, especially if dew becomes a factor. Deepti Sharma is expected to play a key role in India's bowling attack, and Yadav believes both Sharma and Shobana could feature prominently depending on conditions.India's group also includes Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Pakistan. Yadav acknowledged Sri Lanka's desire to defeat India again but expressed confidence in India's past success against them at the World Cup level. She also highlighted the importance of Shafali Verma's explosive batting at the top of the order, which can put the opposition on the back foot.Yadav praised the improvements made under coach Amol Mazumdar, who has focused on enhancing fielding and fitness. She believes the team's positive environment and hard work will contribute to their success.

India's star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant made a triumphant return to Test cricket with a record-equalling century in the first match against Bangladesh in Chennai. Despite initial nerves, Pant's determination and attacking instincts propelled him to a match-winning performance.Pant's comeback was highly anticipated after a life-threatening car accident in December 2022. His 109-run innings in the second innings showcased his resilience and unwavering spirit. The innings was a blend of aggressive strokes and calculated defense, leaving the Bangladesh bowlers bewildered."I was very nervous, very jittery," Pant admitted. "But there was some fire inside that I wanted to make it happen."Pant's partnership with opener Shubman Gill was crucial in India's victory. The duo shared a 167-run stand, with Gill contributing a composed 110. Pant praised Gill's off-field camaraderie, which translated into their on-field success."When you have a great relationship outside the field, it really helps to bat with that guy," Pant said. "We were just having fun, talking about the game, and staying relaxed."Pant's performance extended beyond his batting. He was also involved in a light-hearted moment on the stump mic, where he cheekily instructed the Bangladesh captain on field placements."O bhai, ek idhar aayega (Brother, one fielder should come here). One on midwicket," Pant said, drawing laughter from fans and commentators.India's 280-run victory puts them 1-0 up in the two-match Test series. Pant's century and match-winning partnership have set the tone for the second and final Test in Kanpur, which begins on Friday.

Team India skipper Rohit Sharma heaped praise on Ravichandran Ashwin for his exceptional all-round performance in the first Test against Bangladesh at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. Ashwin's match-winning ton and fifer earned him the Player of the Match award.With the bat, Ashwin played a crucial knock of 113 runs from 133 balls, hitting 11 boundaries and two maximums. His innings helped India post a formidable total of 404 runs in the first innings.With the ball, Ashwin was equally impressive, bagging six wickets in his spell of 21 overs. He conceded 88 runs and played a key role in restricting Bangladesh to 150 runs in their first innings.Rohit Sharma lauded Ashwin's contributions, saying, "He's next in line to talk to you, he's the right man to answer what he does. Every time we look up to him, he's always there for us whether with the bat or ball. I don't know if I speak here, it'll be enough of what he does for this team. Every time we see him come out and do the job, it's always so brilliant. He's never out of the game."Rohit also spoke about wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who made a successful return to Test cricket after two years. Pant played a crucial knock of 109 runs in the second innings, helping India set a target of 513 runs for Bangladesh."He's been through some really tough times. The way he has managed himself through those tough times was superb to watch. He came back in the IPL, followed by a very successful World Cup and this is the format he loves the most. For us, it was never about what is he going to do with the bat, we always knew what he had with the bat and with the gloves as well," Rohit said."It was just about giving him the game time. Credit to him as well, he went on to play Duleep Trophy and got ready for this Test match and had an impact straightaway in the game. No matter what the conditions are, whether we play in India, whether we play outside, we want to build the team around that (strong bowling)," the opener added.

Team India's dominance continued as they secured a resounding 280-run victory over Bangladesh in the first Test of the two-match series in Chennai. The hosts set a daunting target of 515 for Bangladesh, who were eventually dismissed for 234 on the fourth day.Ravichandran Ashwin emerged as the star performer for India, showcasing his all-round brilliance. With the bat, he notched up a powerful century, while with the ball, he claimed a memorable six-wicket haul. Ashwin's exceptional performance played a pivotal role in India's comprehensive victory.The match also witnessed a light-hearted moment involving India skipper Rohit Sharma. On the fourth day, Sharma was captured on camera flipping the bails at the striker's end and hilariously casting a spell on the stumps. The incident drew comparisons to Virat Kohli's habit of switching bails during matches, adding a touch of humor to the proceedings.India's victory gives them an unassailable 1-0 lead in the series. The second and final Test will be played in Kanpur from September 27.In the post-match presentation, Rohit Sharma expressed his satisfaction with the result, highlighting the team's preparation and the impact of Rishabh Pant's century. He also emphasized the importance of building a strong bowling unit capable of adapting to various conditions.

After a brief hiatus, the Indian cricket team returned to Test whites with a resounding victory in the first Test against Bangladesh at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The 280-run triumph not only extended India's unbeaten streak in Tests but also highlighted the team's growing depth and versatility.The Indian batting unit, which has undergone a transition in recent years, showed signs of maturity and resilience. While the senior trio of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and K.L. Rahul failed to set the scoreboard ablaze, the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill stepped up with crucial contributions. Gill's century in the second innings was particularly impressive, showcasing his ability to anchor the innings and guide the team to victory.The biggest gain for India, however, was the validation of its all-rounder zone. Wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant, spinners R. Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja all played pivotal roles in the team's success. Ashwin's century and his partnership with Jadeja in the first innings laid the foundation for India's dominance, while Pant's fiery ton in the second innings sealed the deal.Pant's story is a testament to his determination and resilience. After surviving a horrific car accident in December 2022, he has made a remarkable comeback, proving that he is a force to be reckoned with. His ability to alter the course of a game with his aggressive batting and fearless fielding makes him an invaluable asset to the Indian team.India's bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, was equally impressive. The pace trio of Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep, along with the spin twins Ashwin and Jadeja, proved to be a nightmare for the Bangladeshi batters. The fielding was also top-notch, with sharp catches and quick reflexes in the outfield.As India moves to Kanpur for the second Test, Rohit Sharma's men have a chance to further emphasize their superiority. With the senior players expected to find their form and the all-rounders continuing to contribute, India is well-positioned to maintain its dominance in the Test arena.