Cricket

Team India, fresh from their triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024, is set to embark on a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, commencing on July 6. The Indian contingent, led by opening batter Shubman Gill, features a blend of experienced and uncapped players as the team looks to nurture future talent in the shortest format.The series marks the international debut for Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, and Tushar Deshpande, who have impressed with their performances in domestic cricket. Parag, who emerged as the third-highest run-getter in the recent IPL season, expressed his excitement and admitted to misplacing his passport and phones due to his overwhelming enthusiasm."So excited that I've forgotten my passport. I've forgotten my phone. I've not forgotten, I've misplaced them. But I have it now," Parag said in a video posted by the BCCI.Abhishek Sharma, another debutant, revealed that he received a congratulatory call from his Punjab teammate Shubman Gill after his selection. "I felt very good. Before my interview, when I reached home, my parents were giving interviews. I felt proud," Sharma said.The Indian squad for the first two T20Is against Zimbabwe has undergone some changes due to the delayed departure of the T20 World Cup-winning players from Barbados. Sai Sudarshan, Jitesh Sharma, and Harshit Rana have been added as replacements for Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.The series against Zimbabwe provides an opportunity for India to experiment with new combinations and assess the potential of emerging players. As the team transitions into a new era following the retirement of senior stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, the focus will be on identifying and grooming future stars.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was compelled to make three alterations to the Indian squad for the T20I series against Zimbabwe due to several members being stranded in Barbados. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shivam Dube, and Sanju Samson, who were all part of India's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, were unable to depart the island nation sooner due to a hurricane threat that prompted the government to suspend all flights.For the first two matches, the selectors named Harshit Rana, Jitesh Singh, and Sai Sudharsan as replacements. Harshit and Sudharsan were rewarded for their outstanding performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, while Jitesh has been in contention for a few years.However, their inclusion raised questions about the omission of other Team India stars. Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Varun Chakravarthy, Mayank Yadav, Umran Malik, and Yash Dayal were among those who were overlooked.Ishan Kishan's case is particularly intriguing. He was a regular member of the Indian team across all formats until the tour of South Africa, where he requested a break from the BCCI. Between that series and the T20 World Cup 2024 squad selection, several events occurred, leading the selectors to sideline the Mumbai Indians wicket-keeper batter.Kishan was reportedly asked to play Ranji Trophy for Jharkhand and other domestic tournaments to be considered for selection, but he opted to train with Hardik Pandya for the IPL 2024 campaign. This decision appears to have displeased the BCCI and selectors, who did not select him for the Zimbabwe series despite Sanju Samson's absence for the first two matches. The current pecking order suggests that Kishan is not even the fourth-choice option in the shortest format, with Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Dhruv Jurel, and Jitesh Sharma ahead of him.Kishan's case is not isolated, as similar questions can be raised about seven other players, including KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, two experienced Indian players who were also not selected for the Zimbabwe tour.In the bowling department, the absence of Varun Chakravarthy, Mayank Yadav, Umran Malik, and Yash Dayal also raises questions, while many believe that an all-rounder like Venkatesh Iyer could have been considered.

The Indian cricket team's tour of Zimbabwe has presented a golden opportunity for promising young talents to showcase their skills on the international stage. Among the notable inclusions are all-rounders Abhishek Sharma and Riyan Parag, along with pacer Tushar Deshpande, who have received their maiden call-ups to the national team.Abhishek Sharma, a 22-year-old batting all-rounder from Punjab, had a breakthrough season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, amassing 484 runs in 16 games at an impressive strike rate of 204.21, including a remarkable 42 sixes. His explosive batting and handy off-spin bowling have earned him recognition, and he will be eager to translate his domestic success to the international arena."I received a call from Gill after the selection, I felt very good. When I went home, I saw that before my interview, my parents were giving interviews. That is the one moment I would cherish for the rest of my life. I felt proud. Ever since I started from day one, I had the dream of playing for India. I knew if I kept working hard I would get an opportunity but did not know I would go outside India, to Zimbabwe. This feels like a reunion," said Abhishek.Tushar Deshpande has been rewarded for his consistent performances in domestic cricket. Known for his ability to extract bounce and movement off the pitch, Deshpande will be looking to make an impact with his pace and accuracy in the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe."The firsts are always special as we all say, same for me because playing for the country is very special. Travelling with the team, and getting to know them is important. The fun we have during travels is also important," the pacer asserted.21-year-old Riyan Parag has been a consistent performer in the IPL, emerging as the third-highest run-getter in the 2024 edition with 573 runs in 16 matches, including four half-centuries."Ever since I was a kid, it was a dream to travel like this. Though we play matches, but traveling, wearing Indian clothes, is a dream. It is a new team, almost, a lot of new and old faces. Ever since I was a kid, I dreamt of it. There will be a special connection with Zimbabwe," added Parag.The inclusion of these talented players in the Indian squad reflects the team management's commitment to identifying and nurturing young talent. The tour of Zimbabwe will provide them with a valuable opportunity to gain international experience and showcase their abilities on a global stage.

Nitish Kumar Reddy's international debut has been put on hold due to an undisclosed injury, forcing him to withdraw from India's T20I tour of Zimbabwe. Shivam Dube has been called up as his replacement in the 15-member squad.Reddy, a promising 21-year-old seam bowling allrounder, earned his maiden India call-up after an impressive IPL 2024 season with Sunrisers Hyderabad. He amassed 303 runs at a strike rate of 142.92 and claimed three wickets in 13.1 overs.In his second IPL innings, Reddy played a pivotal role in SRH's two-run victory over Punjab Kings, scoring a quickfire 64 off 37 balls. He also contributed an unbeaten 76 off 42 balls against Rajasthan Royals later in the tournament. With the ball, he dismissed notable batters like Rishabh Pant, Tristan Stubbs, and Jitesh Sharma.Reddy has been part of the BCCI's target group of young players under the NCA's supervision for the past year. His replacement, Shivam Dube, is a member of India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad. While his performance in the tournament has been modest, he had a stellar IPL 2024 season.Dube, primarily batting in the middle overs, emerged as Chennai Super Kings' spin-hitter, scoring 396 runs in 14 games at a strike rate of 162.29. He was CSK's second-highest run-scorer behind Ruturaj Gaikwad.India will face Zimbabwe in a five-match T20I series in Harare starting on July 6. With senior players rested, Shubman Gill will lead the squad, which includes maiden India call-ups for Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, and Tushar Deshpande.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is preparing to send a young Indian team to Zimbabwe for a five-match T20I series in July, while the senior players rest ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.Shubman Gill is expected to lead the team in the absence of Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav. The squad will likely include promising IPL stars like Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Tushar Deshpande, and Harshit Rana.Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rinku Singh, who are currently with the Indian team in the USA and West Indies for the T20 World Cup, will also join the Zimbabwe-bound squad.With Gautam Gambhir's appointment as India's new head coach still pending, National Cricket Academy head VVS Laxman is likely to accompany the team to Zimbabwe along with other coaches. Gambhir is expected to take over for the subsequent tour of Sri Lanka in late July.

Ireland's cricket landscape is set to witness a unique blend of home and away fixtures in 2024, as the Irish Cricket Board (ICB) navigates infrastructure challenges with innovative solutions.In a bid to overcome the lack of a permanent home stadium and the high costs of temporary infrastructure, Ireland will host a "home" white-ball series against South Africa in Abu Dhabi later this year. This decision, described as "creative" by ICB chief executive Warren Deutrom, allows Ireland to fulfill its international commitments while addressing infrastructure constraints.The South Africa series, initially scheduled for Ireland in July, will now comprise two ODIs and three T20Is in Abu Dhabi from late September. This marks the second consecutive away series against Ireland that South Africa will play on neutral ground, following the relocation of two T20Is to Bristol in England in 2022.Despite the absence of a permanent home stadium, Ireland will host a historic men's Test match for the second time in their history in July. The Civil Service ground in Stormont, Belfast, will host a one-off Test against Zimbabwe from July 25-29. However, financial and logistical obstacles have forced the cancellation of the six white-ball games in that tour.Ireland's home fixtures also include a highly anticipated series against England's women's team, marking England's first tour of Ireland in the professional era. The series will feature three T20Is and three ICC Women's Championship ODIs in August and September.Deutrom acknowledged the challenges faced by Ireland in hosting international cricket, but emphasized the board's commitment to finding creative solutions. He stated, "We know we'll have to explore ways to creatively increase our capacity to host an ever-increasing schedule in the short term."Despite the challenges, Irish cricket fans can look forward to a packed schedule in 2024, with over 40 days of senior international cricket to enjoy. The season promises a diverse array of fixtures, including the historic Belfast Test, the possibility of Irish sides participating in two T20 World Cups, and visits from some of the world's top teams.