Cricket

The second Test between India and Bangladesh is shrouded in uncertainty as both teams remain unaware of the pitch conditions. India's batting coach, Abhishek Nayar, expressed his ignorance about the surface, while Bangladesh's head coach, Chandika Hathurusinghe, revealed that two pitches have been prepared, but the final decision will be made on the morning of the match.During India's training session, captain Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir inspected both pitches. The drier black-soil surface seemed to garner more attention. Initial indications suggest a batting-friendly start, transitioning to slow and low turn from the third day onwards.However, the weather forecast poses a challenge. Overcast conditions and thunderstorms are predicted for the first three days, potentially hindering the natural wear and tear that typically aids spin-friendly pitches. Rain interrupted India's training session, prompting the groundstaff to cover the square.As a result, India will finalize their XI on the morning of the Test, considering the possibility of an extra spinner instead of the extra seamer used in Chennai. Both pitches appear promising, but the conditions will ultimately determine the pitch's behavior.India leads the series 1-0 and may opt for a spinner over a seamer. Kuldeep Yadav, who impressed against England earlier this year, and Axar Patel, known for his relentless stump-to-stump attack, are potential candidates. Axar played alongside R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in India's last Test in Kanpur against New Zealand in 2021, which ended in a draw.

The T20 World Cup semifinals have been marred by inclement weather, with Guyana experiencing heavy rainfall during the India-England clash and Barbados, the venue for the final, facing a similar forecast.India's emphatic 68-run victory over England propelled them into the title match against South Africa, who comfortably defeated Afghanistan in the first semifinal. However, the teams' travel to Bridgetown, Barbados, for the final on June 29th, has raised concerns due to the gloomy weather outlook.Unlike the second semifinal, the final has a reserve day (June 30th) in place. However, the weather forecast for both days is far from ideal. Accuweather.com predicts "cloudy, breezy, and humid" conditions on Saturday (June 29th), with a high probability of showers and thunderstorms, particularly in the early hours. The cloud cover is expected to be 99%.The forecast for the reserve day (June 30th) is equally concerning, with "mostly cloudy and humid" conditions and a likelihood of rain and thunderstorms in the afternoon.The weather conditions could significantly impact the final, potentially forcing delays or even a postponement. The International Cricket Council (ICC) will be closely monitoring the situation and making contingency plans if necessary.Despite the weather concerns, fans remain hopeful that the final will be played in its entirety and that the tournament will conclude with a thrilling and memorable match.

Ahead of the highly anticipated T20 World Cup semi-final clash between India and England, Indian captain Rohit Sharma addressed the media in a pre-match press conference. While the focus should have been on the exciting match-up between the two cricketing giants, the weather and pitch conditions have dominated the headlines.In the previous edition of the T20 World Cup, England outplayed India in the semi-finals, with Jos Buttler and Alex Hales leading the charge. However, the pitch in Guyana is expected to favor spinners, a skill that India has traditionally been known to handle better.Despite this perceived advantage, Rohit Sharma downplayed any notion of India having an upper hand. He emphasized that both teams have played in various conditions and that the key to victory lies in playing good cricket.The weather has been a major concern in Georgetown, with rain interrupting play in recent days. The ICC has not allocated a reserve day for the semi-final, meaning that a washout would result in India advancing to the final while England would be eliminated.This has led to accusations from former England players that the ICC is favoring India. However, Rohit Sharma dismissed these claims, stating that the Indian team is focused on winning the match rather than worrying about the weather."We don't know what's going to happen. The only thing I'm worried is if the game goes on until pretty late, we have a charter flight. We might miss that flight," Rohit said. "But that's OK. It's the ICC' and the Cricket West Indies' headache to get us to the next venue."With two strong teams set to face off, the semi-final promises to be a thrilling encounter. Despite the weather concerns, both India and England will be determined to put on a memorable performance and secure a place in the final.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has requested the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to postpone the upcoming white-ball series scheduled for late July in Greater Noida, India. The BCB has cited concerns over the weather conditions during that time of year, which is typically the monsoon season in the subcontinent.The ACB had initially proposed a schedule of three ODIs and three T20Is between July 25 and August 6. However, the BCB believes that the weather in Greater Noida during that period would not be suitable for international cricket.The BCB had previously postponed the series due to concerns over player workload management. Bangladesh's next assignment is a two-Test series in Pakistan from mid-August, followed by a tour of India in September and October. The team will also play two Tests against South Africa at home and a full tour of the West Indies later in the year.The BCB has requested that the series against Afghanistan be rescheduled to a time when both boards can find a suitable window. The ACB has yet to respond to the request.The postponement of the Afghanistan series is part of the BCB's efforts to manage the workload of its players. The team has a busy schedule in the coming months, including the World Test Championship cycle, which concludes in December 2024.

Florida's unpredictable weather has cast a shadow over the T20 World Cup, leading to a series of washouts and frustration among teams and fans alike. The continuous rain has resulted in numerous ground inspections and the cancellation of several crucial matches, including the highly anticipated India vs. Canada encounter.The inclement weather has particularly affected Pakistan, who have seen their hopes of advancing in the tournament dwindle due to the washouts. After losing their opening matches to the USA and India, Pakistan's chances of progressing rested on a win against Canada. However, the rain-abandoned match between the USA and Ireland effectively ended their campaign.Former India opener Navjot Singh Sidhu has expressed his disappointment with the ICC's handling of the situation, emphasizing that the outcomes of matches should be determined by the teams' skills rather than weather conditions. He pointed out the lack of adequate facilities at venues in the US and the unpreparedness to tackle inclement weather, especially in flood-prone Florida.Sidhu highlighted the disparity between cricket and other sports, where stadiums are fully covered to ensure that matches can proceed even in adverse weather conditions. He urged the ICC to invest in better infrastructure and resources to ensure that teams' abilities are fairly assessed.The washout of the USA vs. Ireland match was particularly frustrating, as it was a crucial Group A fixture that ended without a ball being bowled due to the wet outfield. The India vs. Canada match at the same venue the following day met the same fate.Pakistan's inconsequential last group match against Ireland is also scheduled to be held in Lauderhill, Florida, as the city continues to experience flood-like conditions. The team's hopes of salvaging some pride from the tournament now rest on a positive result in this match.

India and Pakistan, two cricketing giants, are set to clash in a highly anticipated T20 World Cup Group A match at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York on Sunday. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to prove their dominance.India, led by Rohit Sharma, enters the match with a strong performance against Ireland, securing an 8-wicket victory. Pakistan, captained by Babar Azam, suffered a disappointing loss against the US in a super-over finish. Despite Pakistan's recent setback, India cannot afford to underestimate their arch-rivals.However, the weather forecast for New York on Sunday casts a shadow over the match. Accuweather predicts a 51% chance of rain at 11 AM local time (8:30 PM IST), which is half an hour after the scheduled start of the match. If rain interrupts the proceedings, extra time will likely be allotted.Despite the weather concerns, fans remain hopeful for a full 20-overs-a-side match. India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has sustained a blow to his left thumb during a net session but has resumed practice after receiving medical attention.The pitch at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium has been under scrutiny for its uneven and slow outfield. However, India began their campaign on a positive note, registering an 8-wicket win against Ireland on the same pitch.The International Cricket Council (ICC) has acknowledged the inconsistent pitch conditions and has assured that groundsmen are working diligently to improve the surfaces for the remaining matches.With the stage set for a blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan, the outcome remains uncertain. Both teams possess talented players and a deep-rooted rivalry, making this match a must-watch event for cricket enthusiasts worldwide.