Cricket

Rohit Sharma to Lead India in Champions Trophy and World Test ChampionshipBCCI Secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that Rohit Sharma will continue as India's captain for two major tournaments in 2024: the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the World Test Championship (WTC) final in London.Shah expressed confidence in Sharma's leadership, stating, "I am confident that under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, we will win the WTC Final and Champions Trophy."Sharma, who recently retired from T20Is after leading India to victory in the T20 World Cup, will turn 38 in April 2024. Despite his age, Shah believes he is the right man to lead India to success.In a video message, Shah congratulated the Indian team on their T20 World Cup triumph and dedicated the victory to Sharma, Virat Kohli, outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid, and Ravindra Jadeja.Shah highlighted the importance of the final five overs of South Africa's innings, crediting Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya for their contributions."Now, our next target is the WTC final and the Champions Trophy," Shah declared.It was Shah who had previously announced in February that Sharma would lead India in the 2024 T20 World Cup, predicting that India would win the championship.

Rahul Dravid, the outgoing India head coach, left an unforgettable mark on his final day at work by assigning a special task to star batter Virat Kohli. Amidst the celebrations of India's T20 World Cup triumph, Dravid reminded Kohli of his unfinished business: winning the World Test Championship Final."All three white ticked off, one red to go. Tick it," Dravid told Kohli, referring to the limited-overs global trophies (T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup, and Champions Trophy) that Kohli has already collected. The "red" trophy represents the World Test Championship Final, which India has lost twice.Kohli, who retired from T20 Internationals after the World Cup victory, smiled at Dravid's words. The 51-year-old coach, who was appointed in 2021, ended his tenure with this event.India's T20 World Cup triumph was their second overall, after their inaugural title in 2007. In the ODI format, India has won the 1983 and 2011 World Cups, along with the 2013 Champions Trophy.The congratulatory video also featured Suryakumar Yadav, whose spectacular catch to dismiss David Miller proved crucial in the final. Yadav expressed his disbelief at the magnitude of the achievement.Pacer Arshdeep Singh showcased polaroid shots taken before and after the final, highlighting the transformative power of belief.Due to Hurricane Beryl, the Indian team is currently stranded in Barbados. The team is expected to return to India on a charter flight.

Rahul Dravid, India's former head coach, set a final goal for star batter Virat Kohli after the team's triumph in the T20 World Cup. Dravid urged Kohli to conquer the World Test Championship, referencing Kohli's impressive collection of limited-overs global trophies."All three white ticked off, one red to go. Tick it," Dravid told Kohli, referring to Kohli's victories in the T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup, and Champions Trophy. Dravid repeated warmly, "Go tick it."Dravid's tenure as India's coach ended on a high note after his appointment in 2021. India secured their second T20 World Cup title by defeating South Africa by seven runs, the first being in 2007 under Mahendra Singh Dhoni.India's cricket achievements include ODI World Cup victories in 1983 and 2011, along with Champions Trophy titles in 2002 and 2013.The celebratory video also featured Suryakumar Yadav, who made a remarkable catch to dismiss David Miller in the final. Yadav expressed his overwhelmed feelings, saying, "No feelings right now, I don't know what to say."Pacer Arshdeep Singh proudly showed polaroid photos taken before and after the final, illustrating his belief in the team's success. "This is what belief can do," he said.With India celebrating this significant achievement, the focus now shifts to future goals, inspired by the legacy of its cricketing legends.

The Indian cricket team's recent triumph at the T20 World Cup has ignited ambitious aspirations within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Secretary Jay Shah has set his sights on conquering the World Test Championship and Champions Trophy, emphasizing the significance of experienced senior players in the squad."Our target is to win the World Test Championship final and Champions Trophy," Shah declared. "The seniors will be there."Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, instrumental in India's victory over South Africa, have bid farewell to T20Is, along with Ravindra Jadeja. Shah lauded their contributions, highlighting the value of experience in high-stakes tournaments."Experience makes a lot of difference," Shah said. "A good player knows when to say goodbye to the game. We saw that yesterday."India's title drought has been broken after a decade of near misses in major finals. Shah expressed optimism about the team's future, citing its depth and versatility."We have the biggest bench strength," Shah said. "We can field three teams if needed."The transition following the retirement of key players is underway, with Shah acknowledging the impact of their departure."Transition has already happened with three greats retiring," Shah remarked.India's T20 World Cup victory marks their first ICC title in 11 years, fueling hopes for continued success with a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has meticulously planned a series of seven red-ball matches for the Bangladesh Test team, signaling a shift in focus from T20Is to the World Test Championship (WTC) for the remainder of the year. Bangladesh has four crucial Test series remaining in their 2023-25 WTC cycle against Pakistan, India, South Africa, and West Indies.To prepare for these challenging encounters, the Test cricketers will engage in three four-day matches in Chattogram next month. These home matches will be followed by two four-day fixtures against Pakistan A in Darwin from July 19 to 29. The Bangladesh A team will then embark on a tour to Pakistan in August for two additional four-day matches against the same opponents. New Zealand A is also expected to tour Bangladesh in August or September.In addition to these matches, Bangladesh players have been diligently participating in training camps in Chattogram and Sylhet since May. BCB's cricket operations chairman, Jalal Yunus, expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the Test players in these camps. He emphasized that the four-day games against formidable opponents will provide invaluable experience ahead of the WTC matches."We aim to provide the best possible preparation for our players before the demanding Test schedule in the coming months," Yunus stated. "The rest is up to the players. I have been closely monitoring the Bangladesh Tigers camp, and I am pleased with their progress."The Bangladesh senior men's team is expected to depart for Pakistan on August 17 for two Tests, with venues and dates yet to be announced. Following the Pakistan series, they will face India in two Tests in Chennai and Kanpur, accompanied by three T20Is.Bangladesh may potentially tour India twice in three months if the BCB accepts the Afghanistan Cricket Board's revised schedule for two white-ball series in late July. The ACB has proposed playing three ODIs and three T20Is in Greater Noida. This tour was initially postponed in March due to Bangladesh's busy schedule in 2024, but with the Champions Trophy now on their agenda, the BCB is considering the tour, given that they have only three ODIs scheduled between now and next February.Sources indicate that the series is still under discussion, as the BCB has reservations about playing in Noida during July due to unfavorable weather conditions.After the bilateral series in India in September, Bangladesh will host South Africa for two home Tests in October. They will then tour West Indies for a full series in November and December.

India holds a pivotal role in safeguarding the future of Test cricket, particularly in regions like the West Indies, according to Cricket West Indies (CWI) CEO Johnny Grave. Despite a demanding schedule, Grave commends the BCCI's unwavering commitment to the format. However, he emphasizes the need for the ICC to take proactive measures to protect Test cricket beyond the traditional strongholds of India, England, and Australia.In the current World Test Championship cycle, only three of the nine ICC Full Members (India, England, and Australia) will engage in five-match series. Three teams (Ireland, Afghanistan, and Zimbabwe) have yet to participate in the championship since its inception in 2019.Grave believes India's influence and resources position them as a leader in promoting Test cricket. He highlights their support for the reintroduction of cricket into the Olympics, a move that has significantly benefited Associate nations.Regarding the financial challenges faced by the CWI, Grave advocates for centralized travel costs within the World Test Championship. He argues that the burden of travel expenses should be shared among participating teams, fostering a sense of unity and reducing the financial strain on individual boards.The upcoming T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the West Indies and USA, is expected to provide a significant economic boost to the region. Grave estimates a potential revenue of US$300 million, which will contribute to the CWI's financial stability.Grave also emphasizes the importance of equitable revenue sharing within the ICC, particularly regarding the distribution of hosting rights for major events. He believes that spreading these events across multiple nations will not only provide financial benefits but also create a more level playing field.

Sri Lanka's emphatic 328-run victory over Bangladesh in the first Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium has propelled them up the World Test Championship (WTC) rankings. This triumph marks their eighth away Test win over Bangladesh, maintaining their undefeated record in the format against the hosts.Prior to this match, Sri Lanka languished at the bottom of the WTC standings with zero points, while Bangladesh occupied the fourth spot with 12 points and a points percentage of 50. However, Sri Lanka's resounding victory has earned them 12 points in three games, boosting their points percentage to 33.33. This surge has lifted them above South Africa (25%) and England (17.50%), tying them with Bangladesh in sixth place.The first Test result has triggered a reshuffle in the WTC table. The West Indies have ascended to fifth place with the same points percentage as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh but a superior points tally (16). Pakistan, with a points percentage of 36.66, has moved up to fourth place with 22 points.On Day 4 of the match, Mominul Haque displayed remarkable resilience against Sri Lanka's formidable bowling attack. His steadfast batting kept the Sri Lankan bowlers at bay and helped Bangladesh navigate the first session. However, wickets continued to fall at the other end, limiting Bangladesh to a score of 182 and sealing a 328-run defeat in the first Test.Sri Lanka's victory has not only bolstered their WTC standing but also instilled confidence within the team. They will be eager to maintain their momentum in the second and final Test of the series, which commences on May 23rd at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

India's emphatic innings and 64-run victory over England in the fifth and final Test in Dharamsala has solidified their dominance atop the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. The comprehensive win sealed a 4-1 series triumph for India, further extending their lead in the WTC table.After securing the top spot last week, India's massive victory in Dharamsala earned them 12 crucial points, boosting their point percentage from 64.58 to 68.51. New Zealand, the two-time WTC finalists, now sit in second place with a point percentage of 60, while Australia remains third with 59.09.England, on the other hand, suffered their heaviest defeat under the "Bazball" era and their fourth consecutive loss against India. The defeat dropped their point percentage from 19.44 to 17.5, leaving them eighth in the standings.Kuldeep Yadav's five-wicket haul and centuries from Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill in the first innings laid the foundation for India's victory. Veteran spinner R Ashwin then starred on the third day, claiming his 36th five-wicket haul in his landmark 100th Test.After taking a commanding 259-run lead, India dismissed England for 195 in their second innings late on the third day. Kuldeep was named Player of the Match for his five-wicket haul in the first innings, while young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal received the Player of the Series award for his 712 runs in the series.India's victory in Dharamsala further cements their status as one of the world's leading Test teams. With the WTC final scheduled for June 2023, India will be eager to maintain their position at the top of the standings and secure a berth in the prestigious event.

India's upcoming Test match against England in Dharamsala faces potential disruptions due to inclement weather, according to a report by The Telegraph. The match, scheduled to begin on March 7, could experience chilly temperatures, rainfall, and even sleet. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 1 Degree Celsius, while the minimum could drop below -4 Degree Celsius.Despite the weather concerns, India remains in a strong position in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. The team recently replaced New Zealand at the top of the rankings after defeating England in the fourth Test in Ranchi. India now has a points percentage of 64.58, ahead of New Zealand's 60.00.Australia, currently in third place, has closed the gap on New Zealand after gaining 12 points in the Wellington Test. The Aussies now have 78 points from 11 matches and a points percentage of 59.09. They have the opportunity to move up to second place if they win the second and final Test against New Zealand in Christchurch from March 8.India, meanwhile, will face England in the final match of the five-Test series in Dharamsala. If England wins this match, Australia could climb to the top spot in the WTC standings.