Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has been a hotbed of speculation regarding player selection for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. With the Indian cricket team announcement for the marquee event just a week away, the competition for slots is fierce. However, based on current form, Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant appears to have all but secured his spot as the number one wicketkeeper-batter.After recovering from a serious car crash injury, Pant has showcased his exceptional skills behind the stumps and maintained consistency with his batting. However, his performance against Gujarat Titans' Mohit Sharma in the last over of their recent match was nothing short of extraordinary.DC began the final over at 193/4 and ended it on 224/4, thanks to Pant's explosive batting. He smashed 6, 4, 6, 6, and 6 off the last five deliveries, leaving GT in a state of shock. The DC star remained unbeaten on 88* off just 43 balls.In the same match, Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel played contrasting fifties to propel Delhi Capitals to a formidable total of 224 for 4 against Gujarat Titans. After medium pacer Sandeep Warrier (3/15) dismissed the top three batsmen, Axar (66 off 43 balls) and Pant (88 not out of 43 balls) forged a crucial 113-run partnership to stabilize the innings.Pant was in his element, hitting eight maximums and five fours. Tristan Stubbs also contributed with a quickfire 26 off 7 balls.With his impressive performances, Pant has emerged as a strong contender for the wicketkeeper-batter role in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024. His ability to combine aggressive batting with reliable wicketkeeping makes him a valuable asset to any team.

Dinesh Karthik, the 38-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, has ignited the Indian Premier League (IPL) with his exceptional performances in the ongoing season. His blistering 35-ball 83 against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday night has reignited the debate about his inclusion in Team India for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Karthik's recent form has been nothing short of remarkable. In just seven matches, he has amassed 226 runs at a staggering strike rate of over 205. His two impressive fifties have showcased his ability to anchor the innings and accelerate at will.The clamor for Karthik's inclusion in the World Cup squad has gained momentum on social media. Former India teammate Ambati Rayudu has also voiced his support, praising Karthik's late heroics against Sunrisers. However, former T20 World Cup winner Irfan Pathan has expressed a different view.Pathan believes that Karthik's inclusion is unlikely despite his current form. He argues that it would be unfair to sideline current players like Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, and Jitesh Sharma, who have been part of the regular scheme of things.Karthik faces stiff competition for the T20 World Cup slot. Pant, Samson, KL Rahul, and Sharma are all vying for the wicketkeeper-batter role. The squad announcement is expected later this month, and the selectors will have a tough decision to make.Karthik's experience and recent form make him a strong contender for the World Cup squad. However, the selectors must also consider the long-term prospects of younger players like Pant and Samson. The decision will ultimately depend on the team's strategy and the specific roles they want each player to fulfill.

Ishan Kishan, the wicketkeeper-batter for Mumbai Indians, has undergone a transformation in his approach to the game. After a break from cricket, Kishan has returned with a renewed focus on self-improvement and contributing to his team's success in the IPL 2024.Kishan's recent performance against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he scored a blistering 69 off 34 balls, is a testament to his newfound mindset. He acknowledges that a berth in India's T20 World Cup squad is not within his control and is instead taking a match-by-match approach."About the World Cup, it is not in my hands and I am taking things very easy right now. You have to take one match at a time. One needs to understand that a lot is not in the hands of the players," Kishan said.Kishan's break from cricket came after he requested a break during India's tour of South Africa in December. He was subsequently not considered for any national assignments, and India head coach Rahul Dravid emphasized the need for Kishan to play domestic cricket to make his comeback.During his break, Kishan focused on improving his cricketing skills. He played for Reserve Bank of India in the DY Patil T20 Cup and trained with MI skipper Hardik Pandya."I was practicing as well as I could," Kishan said. "I had taken (an) off (time) and when you take an off, a lot of it is gets spoken about on social media.""What we can do is that if you have taken time (out) for yourself, use it the best way possible for yourself," he added.Kishan's efforts have paid off in the IPL, where he is currently the leading run-getter for MI with 161 runs from five matches. His strike-rate of 182.95 has given his side an early momentum.However, Kishan is not using his performance to prove a point to his detractors. "There is nothing like that (that) I want to prove to someone. I just have to go there and enjoy," he said.Kishan has also worked on his mindset, which has helped him become a stronger individual. "This is where getting a good mindset works. The Ishan Kishan of the past would not have left the balls alone if the bowling was good in the first two overs," he said."But with time I have learned that a 20-over game is also very long and you can take your time and move forward while keeping the belief in yourself," he added.Kishan's empathy for his teammates has also grown, which he believes has contributed to MI's improved performance in the IPL. "These were the few things which helped me in the period and even now. We (MI) lost (a few) matches but most of the players were keen to work with the rest," he said."It was never about us performing well individually and not knowing what other players are going through," he added.Kishan's transformation is a testament to his resilience and determination. He has used his break from cricket to improve himself as an individual and as a player, and is now ready to lead Mumbai Indians to success in the IPL 2024.

Dhruv Jurel, the promising wicketkeeper-batter who made his Test debut for India against England, has drawn comparisons to the legendary MS Dhoni from none other than Sunil Gavaskar. However, Jurel remains humble and focused on his own path."Thank you so much Gavaskar sir for comparing me with Dhoni sir. But I want to say personally that no one can replicate what Dhoni sir has done," Jurel said at the 'India Today Conclave'.Jurel recently revealed a valuable piece of advice he received from Dhoni regarding finishing games. "Every wicketkeeper-batter has his designated batting position, and people often criticize players without understanding their job. Batting at No. 7 or No. 8 is always difficult," Jurel told Sportstar."I had a conversation with (MS) Dhoni bhaiya regarding this, and he told me that 'if you bat at No. 7 or No. 8, failures are certain. You need to cut out the noise and not think about what people say. If you manage to win two out of 10 games for your team, that's enough.'"Jurel admitted that Dhoni's words inspired him. "When you bat down the order in a high-pressure situation, you don't know what the bowlers are thinking, and you can't afford to waste time. People often consider wicketkeepers as additional batters, but it's not always easy to bat in tricky situations."Despite the comparisons to Dhoni, Jurel remains focused on his own game. "The competition will be there, but you just need to focus on your game and move on."When asked about his chances of breaking into the Indian team for the T20 World Cup, Jurel was honest and realistic. "I don't see myself anywhere. It has always been a dream of mine (to play in the World Cup for India). But, I won't think about it. If I get that opportunity, good. If I don't get it, fine. It's about scoring runs for me, play good cricket, help my team win. That's all I think, no matter what match is it."Jurel faces competition for the T20 World Cup squad not only from outside but also within his IPL team, Rajasthan Royals. Sanju Samson, one of India's finest wicket-keeper batters in white-ball cricket, will also be hoping to make a strong case for his inclusion.

Mumbai Indians, the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, have signed Saurashtra wicketkeeper-batter Harvik Desai as a replacement for Vishnu Vinod, who was ruled out of the ongoing tournament with a forearm injury.Desai, 24, is a right-handed wicketkeeper-batter who has played 27 T20s, 40 List A matches, and 46 First-Class games for Saurashtra. He has scored over 1,500 runs in T20s, including two centuries and seven half-centuries.The Saurashtra star will join the Mumbai Indians squad immediately and is expected to make his IPL debut soon. He will provide cover for Ishan Kishan, who has been in impressive form for Mumbai this season.Mumbai Indians are currently eighth in the IPL points table with three wins and five losses. They will be hoping that Desai's addition to the squad can help them improve their fortunes and make a push for the playoffs.

Star wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has joined the Mumbai Indians (MI) camp ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The 25-year-old's arrival comes amidst a tumultuous period in his career, marked by controversies and setbacks.Kishan's absence from the Indian team has been a subject of speculation. India head coach Rahul Dravid stated that Kishan had not made himself available for selection and needed to play domestic games to qualify. However, Kishan opted to train with Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya in Baroda instead of representing Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy.Consequently, the BCCI terminated Kishan's central contract last month. Despite these setbacks, Kishan has now joined the MI camp, where he was welcomed with a humorous video by the franchise.MI will open their IPL campaign on March 24 against Gujarat Titans, a team led by Hardik Pandya, who left MI to join GT in 2022. Pandya's return to MI as captain will be a significant moment for the franchise.Kishan's inclusion in the MI squad adds depth to their batting lineup, which also includes Rohit Sharma, Tim David, Suryakumar Yadav, and N. Tilak Varma. The team boasts a strong all-rounder contingent led by Pandya, Romario Shepherd, and Shams Mulani.In the bowling department, MI has retained the services of Jasprit Bumrah, Jason Behrendorff, and Kumar Kartikeya. The addition of Dilshan Madushanka and Nuwan Thushara from Sri Lanka further strengthens their bowling attack.With a balanced squad and a new captain at the helm, MI will be aiming to reclaim the IPL title they last won in 2020. Kishan's return to the fold will provide a much-needed boost to their aspirations.

Rishabh Pant Cleared to Return as Delhi Capitals Captain in IPL 2024After a harrowing car crash in December 2022, Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant has been declared fit to resume his role as wicket-keeper batter in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The National Cricket Academy (NCA) has cleared Pant to keep wickets, ending weeks of speculation about his availability.Pant's return is a major boost for the Delhi Capitals, who have been eagerly awaiting his leadership and wicket-keeping skills. The 26-year-old has undergone extensive rehabilitation and is ready to shoulder the dual responsibility in the event starting March 22."After undergoing an extensive 14-month rehab and recovery process, following a life-threatening road mishap on December 30th, 2022, near Roorkee, Uttarakhand, Rishabh Pant has now been declared fit as a wicket-keeper batter for the upcoming IPL 2024," the BCCI said in a statement.Pant's determination to return to action has been evident throughout his recovery process. In an interaction with Star Sports, he recalled telling his doctor that he would shave off at least six months from his recovery timeline."I asked the doctor how long will it take for me to recover. I told him that everybody is speaking different things, but you will give me the most clarity about it. He (Doctor) said it would take 16 to 18 months. I told the doctor from whatever timeline you give me, I will reduce six months from it," Pant had told the official TV broadcasters of IPL.The Delhi Capitals welcomed Pant's return with a heartfelt post on social media. "Ready to ROAR. Welcome back, Rishabh Pant. Can't wait to see you," the franchise captioned a graphic.However, one fan took a humorous jab at the editing skills of the DC admin, saying that even he could have made a better graphic for the returning Pant. Pant, known for his sense of humor, responded to the comment with a laughing emoji.Pant's return to the Delhi Capitals will be a major storyline in IPL 2024. The franchise will be hoping that their skipper can lead them to their maiden IPL title.

Alex Carey's heroics in the second Test against New Zealand have etched his name alongside legendary wicketkeeper-batters Adam Gilchrist and Rishabh Pant. Carey's unbeaten 98 guided Australia to a thrilling three-wicket victory, securing a 2-0 series sweep.Carey's innings was a masterclass in resilience and composure. With Australia reeling at 80/5, he steadied the ship, forging a crucial partnership with skipper Pat Cummins. His 123-ball knock featured 15 boundaries, showcasing his exceptional strokeplay.Carey's performance was not limited to his batting. He also equaled Gilchrist's record for most dismissals in a Test match for Australia, with 10 catches and a stumping. This all-round brilliance earned him the 'Player of the Match' award.Carey's achievement is particularly significant considering the elite company he joins. Gilchrist, known for his explosive batting, holds the record for the highest score by a wicketkeeper in a successful run-chase, with his 149* against Pakistan in 1999. Pant, India's dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, is third on the list with his 89* against Australia in 2021.Carey's heroics have not only cemented his place in Australian cricket history but also highlighted the growing importance of wicketkeeper-batters in the modern game. Their ability to contribute significantly with both bat and gloves makes them invaluable assets to any team.

Legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble has heaped praise on young wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, comparing him to the legendary MS Dhoni. Jurel made a remarkable Test debut in the third match against England at Rajkot, scoring a valuable 46 off 104 balls. He followed it up with a match-winning performance in the fourth Test in Ranchi.Kumble, speaking to JioCinema, lauded Jurel's temperament and technique. "Dhruv Jurel certainly has all the credentials to get to where MS (Dhoni) reached in his career," Kumble said. "He's not just shown the temperament of his technique to defend but even when he's attacking. Even in that first innings, he was very assured, he went after and then hit those big sixes."Kumble also praised Jurel's glovework, particularly against pacers. "He has (Jurel) been exceptional, especially of the faster bowlers...He is only going to improve. This is only his second Test and I am sure as he starts playing more and more he'll only get better. And it only augers well for India. And to have him in a squad is exceptional," he elaborated.Jurel's contributions were crucial in India's victory in the fourth Test. In the first inning, his knock of 90 runs and a 76-run partnership with Kuldeep Yadav pulled India out of a difficult situation and reduced England's lead to just 46 runs. Later, his 39* in the second innings and partnership with Shubman Gill helped India overcome the pressure of quick wickets and pull off a tense run chase of 192 runs. He earned the 'Player of the Match' award for his efforts in only his second Test.Jurel will be in action again in the fifth and final Test to be played at Dharamshala from March 7. His performances have raised expectations, and he is seen as a potential successor to Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in 2020.