Cricket

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) nearing its conclusion, Indian cricketers are set to shift gears and start preparations for the T20 World Cup 2024. With Rohit Sharma leading the side, the Indian team would hope to go all the way in the marquee event, unlike the ODI World Cup last year where a defeat in the final against Australia ended the big dream.While Team India has the star power in all departments of the game, former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh has urged the team to play as a unit, putting 'we' in front of 'I'. In a chat on Star Sports, Harbhajan Singh recalled how senior players rallied around MS Dhoni during the ICC World T20 in 2007, giving him ample support and guidance to succeed as a unit."Not many people know, Dhoni was a very new captain, so he needed that support from all of us. Before matches against teams like Australia, New Zealand, and England, our core group would get together during the game to strategize for the next few overs. For example, in a match against Australia, I bowled the crucial 17th or 18th overs because if we managed to give away only 4 runs, it saved us a lot," said Harbhajan."Back then, batters didn't score 25 runs in an over unlike today. The decision-making was always a team effort. When you play together as a united team, you win more competitions. Dhoni was a great listener, taking collective decisions that benefited the team. It was never about individual performances but about playing as 'we'," he added.Harbhajan asked if the Indian team, under Rohit Sharma, could do something similar and achieve collective success. "Similarly, the question now is, can Rohit Sharma do it? Rohit is not alone; it's about 'we'. If we play as a united team, thinking about collective success rather than individual achievements, then we can win. But if we only focus on personal goals, things become difficult. It's all about the 'we' mentality, and that's when things come to life," said Bhajji.

With the T20 World Cup 2024 fast approaching, Team India skipper Rohit Sharma has emphasized the importance of team unity and downplayed personal milestones. The tournament, scheduled to commence on June 1 in the USA and West Indies, will see India begin their campaign against Ireland on June 5.Rohit, who assumed the captaincy after Virat Kohli, has instilled a sense of collective responsibility within the team. "It's not about personal milestones and stats," he said in a recent interview. "It's about what 11 of us can bring on the table and win the trophy."India's quest for a major ICC title has spanned over a decade, and Rohit is determined to break the drought. "When I took over as captain, I wanted everyone to drive in one direction," he explained. "That's how team sport should be played."Despite speculations about his retirement after the T20 World Cup, Rohit has expressed his desire to continue playing for several more years. "I want to play for a few more years and make an impact on world cricket," he said. "I have seen more downs than ups in my life, and the human version of what I am today is because of the past and the downs."India's schedule in the group stage includes matches against Pakistan on June 9, USA on June 12, and Canada on June 15. The team will be eager to secure a top-two finish in their group to advance to the Super 12 stage.Rohit's leadership and the team's collective spirit will be crucial in India's pursuit of T20 World Cup glory. With a blend of experience and youthful exuberance, the team has the potential to overcome any challenges and emerge victorious.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has initiated the search for a new head coach for the senior men's cricket team. Current coach Rahul Dravid's contract expires in June 2024, and while he is eligible to re-apply, reports suggest he may not be interested in continuing.The BCCI has invited applications for the position, with a deadline of May 27, 2024. The selection process will involve a review of applications, personal interviews, and assessments of shortlisted candidates.BCCI secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that the board is also considering overseas candidates, but the decision will depend on the recommendations of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC). Shah has stated that he cannot interfere if the CAC selects a foreign coach.According to reports, the BCCI has informally discussed the position with Stephen Fleming, the former New Zealand captain and current coach of Chennai Super Kings. Fleming has extensive experience in Indian cricket and is familiar with the players and conditions. However, it is unclear if he will apply for the job.The BCCI's decision to seek a new coach comes amid a period of transition for the Indian team. Dravid has been credited with improving the team's performance in Test cricket, but the team has struggled in limited-overs formats. The upcoming ODI World Cup in India later this year will be a key test for the team and could influence the BCCI's decision on the next coach.The search for a new coach has sparked interest among fans, with many taking to social media to submit their applications. The BCCI's announcement has also raised questions about the future of Dravid, who is widely respected in Indian cricket.

With the T20 World Cup 2024 fast approaching, England players have begun withdrawing from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 to fulfill international commitments. However, Indian players face a unique challenge as the IPL final coincides with the tournament's start date, leaving them with limited time for collective preparation.Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed concern over the lack of preparation time for Team India. He believes the IPL scheduling has hindered the team's ability to play warm-up matches and acclimatize to the conditions in the United States, where the World Cup will be held."With this IPL scheduling, it is difficult to have everyone together to play a few matches," Singh said. "We have two games in America before the tournament starts, but that's not enough."Singh emphasized the importance of having 4-5 warm-up games before the tournament to build team cohesion and adjust to the conditions. He also suggested a 10-15 day gap between the IPL and major ICC events like the World Test Championship or World Cups to allow for adequate preparation."When you are playing a tournament like the World Cup or WTC, the team should play together for 10-15 days," Singh said. "It will be better for the team's performance."The IPL's scheduling has been a topic of debate in recent years, with some arguing that it conflicts with international commitments and hinders the preparation of national teams. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has defended the IPL's timing, citing its popularity and financial benefits.However, with the T20 World Cup being one of the most prestigious events in cricket, the issue of preparation time for the host nation is likely to remain a topic of discussion.

Mumbai Indians' Dismal IPL Performance Raises Concerns for Team India Ahead of T20 World CupMumbai Indians' disastrous IPL season under new captain Hardik Pandya has cast a shadow over Team India's preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup. With nine losses in 13 games, MI are out of playoff contention and face the ignominy of finishing last on the points table.Amidst the team's struggles, the poor form of two key Indian stars, Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya, has emerged as a major concern. Rohit, the Indian captain, has managed only 349 runs in 13 IPL games at an average of just over 29. Hardik, the vice-captain, has fared even worse with just 200 runs.This lack of form is particularly worrying for Team India, who will rely heavily on Rohit and Hardik in the T20 World Cup. Rohit is the team's leading batsman, while Hardik is a crucial all-rounder who provides both batting and bowling options.Cricket expert and commentator Harsha Bhogle has expressed concern over the duo's struggles, stating that head coach Rahul Dravid's immediate task is to get them back in good shape. "With both Team India captain Rohit and vice-captain Hardik struggling, a worried cricket expert and commentator Harsha Bhogle opined that head coach Rahul Dravid’s task at hand right now would be getting the two back in good shape," Bhogle tweeted.However, there is some good news for Team India. Other Indian stars in the MI lineup, such as Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah, have performed well in the IPL. Yadav has scored 303 runs in 13 games, while Bumrah has taken 12 wickets.The T20 World Cup begins on June 1, with India taking on Ireland in their opening match on June 5. Team India will be hoping that Rohit and Hardik can rediscover their form before the tournament and lead the team to success.

Rahul Dravid's tenure as Team India's head coach is set to expire in June 2023, prompting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to initiate the search for his successor. The appointment of the new coach will be followed by the selection of assistant coaches for batting, bowling, and fielding, as per a report by Cricbuzz.BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed that Dravid's contract ends in June and that he is eligible to reapply if he desires. The new coach's tenure is expected to span three years. Shah emphasized that the decision regarding the nationality of the coach will be made by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), highlighting the BCCI's global outlook.Traditionally, the BCCI has appointed a single coach for all formats of the game. However, Shah indicated that the CAC will determine whether this practice will continue or if separate coaches will be appointed for white-ball and Test cricket.The BCCI's decision-making process will be guided by the CAC, which will evaluate candidates and make recommendations. Shah noted that there is no precedent for such a situation in India, where a head coach's tenure has ended and a new one has been appointed.The BCCI's search for a new head coach is expected to attract a wide range of candidates, both domestic and international. The successful candidate will be tasked with guiding Team India through a challenging period, including the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in 2023 and the ICC World Test Championship final in 2023.

In the lead-up to the World Cup, Team India's chief selector Ajit Agarkar revealed that Rinku Singh's selection was a subject of intense debate. Agarkar explained that the committee prioritized a specific team combination, which ultimately left Rinku on the sidelines. Captain Rohit Sharma's preference for four spinners further limited the options for the selectors.However, this decision has raised eyebrows among experts and former players. Rinku Singh, a 26-year-old batter from Aligarh, has emerged as a reliable performer in high-pressure situations. His recent performances in the IPL and T20Is have showcased his ability to deliver under immense pressure.India's struggles in knockout matches at the World Cup have been well-documented. The team has failed to replicate its regular season form in these crucial games. Rinku Singh's inclusion could have provided a much-needed spark to the lower batting order, which has lacked a proven finisher.Rinku's statistics speak for themselves. In 15 T20Is, he has remained unbeaten in 7 innings, contributing invaluable runs in each of them. His strike rate of 176 and average of 89 are testament to his ability to accelerate the scoring rate.In crucial matches against Nepal, Australia, South Africa, and Afghanistan, Rinku has consistently delivered under pressure. His unbeaten 37 against Nepal, 31 against Australia, 46 against South Africa, and 68 against Afghanistan were all match-winning contributions.Despite his impressive form, Rinku was relegated to the reserves, while players with inferior recent performances were selected. This inconsistency in selection logic has raised questions about the decision-making process.The omission of Rinku Singh from the World Cup squad is a grave injustice. His ability to perform under pressure and his proven track record in high-stakes matches make him an invaluable asset to any team. India's chances of success at the World Cup would have been significantly enhanced with Rinku in the lineup.

Team India's T20 World Cup 2024 Jersey Leaked on Social MediaWith the T20 World Cup 2024 just around the corner, the Indian cricket team's new jersey has reportedly been leaked on social media. The leaked images show a jersey with tri-colour stripes on a v-shaped neck, featuring the traditional three stripes of Adidas on the saffron sleeves.The leak has sparked mixed reactions among fans, with some expressing disappointment and others praising the design. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet officially released the jersey, but the leaked images have gone viral on social media.This is not the first time that Team India's new kit has been leaked online. In the past, the jerseys for the 2019 World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup were also leaked before their official release.The BCCI had recently announced the 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, which includes the return of Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, and Yuzvendra Chahal. The squad also features three seamers (Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh) and four spinners (Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Kuldeep Yadav).India captain Rohit Sharma explained the decision to pick four spinners in the squad, stating that the team wanted to have more options in the spin department, especially considering the conditions in the host country.The T20 World Cup 2024 will be held from October 16 to November 13 in the United States and the West Indies. India will be looking to win their second T20 World Cup title, having previously won the tournament in 2007.

India's quest for T20 World Cup glory continues as they prepare for the 2024 edition in the USA and West Indies. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel has named a 15-member squad, hoping to end India's decade-long ICC trophy drought.Rohit Sharma will lead the charge as captain, with Hardik Pandya as his deputy. The squad boasts a mix of experience and youth, with eight players from the 2022 T20 WC squad making the cut.Rohit Sharma, despite a slow start to 2023, has regained his form in IPL 2024, scoring 315 runs at a strike rate of 158.29. Hardik Pandya, on the other hand, has struggled with injuries and form, but remains a key all-rounder.Explosive opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has impressed since his T20I debut in 2023, amassing 502 runs at a strike rate of 161.93. Virat Kohli, India's all-time leading T20I run-scorer, has also regained his touch, scoring 500 runs in IPL 2024.Suryakumar Yadav, the world's No.1 T20I batter, is the backbone of India's batting lineup. He has smashed 466 T20I runs since IPL 2023 at a strike rate of 158.Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has made a strong comeback after a serious car crash, scoring 398 runs in IPL 2024. Sanju Samson, another wicketkeeper-batter, has also impressed with 385 runs in nine matches.Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj complete the squad.India will face stiff competition in the 2024 T20 World Cup, but they will be determined to bring home the trophy and end their ICC drought.