Cricket

Hardik Pandya, the dynamic all-rounder, is set to make his much-anticipated return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the upcoming edition. After two successful seasons with Gujarat Titans, Pandya will don the captain's hat for his former franchise, Mumbai Indians, where he began his IPL journey in 2015.During a recent appearance on Star Sports' 'Star Nahi Far' show, Pandya reminisced about his time with MI. When asked about his total number of half-centuries in the tournament, he was surprised to learn that he had scored 10. However, Pandya downplayed the significance of individual statistics, stating that they are merely numbers and that he values team success over personal milestones."I don't like the innings where we lost," Pandya said when asked about his favorite half-century. "Stats are just numbers; it's a waste of time."Pandya's comments sparked a debate on social media, with former India batter Irfan Pathan questioning the BCCI's decision to exclude Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from the central contract due to their non-participation in domestic cricket. Pathan argued that if players like Pandya are allowed to skip red-ball cricket, then the same rule should apply to all players."If players like Hardik don't want to play red-ball cricket, should he and others like him participate in white-ball domestic cricket when they aren't on national duty?" Pathan wrote on social media. "If this doesn't apply to all, then Indian cricket won't achieve the desired results!"Pandya's return to MI is expected to bolster the team's chances of regaining the IPL title. The all-rounder's all-around abilities, including his explosive batting, accurate bowling, and exceptional fielding, make him a valuable asset to any team.With the IPL set to commence in March, Pandya will be eager to prove his worth and lead Mumbai Indians to glory. His experience, leadership skills, and unwavering determination will be crucial for the team's success in the upcoming season.

Gautam Gambhir's Stern Message to Kolkata Knight Riders: IPL is About Cricket, Not BollywoodAhead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir has issued a clear and unwavering message to his team: IPL is not about Bollywood or after-parties, but a golden opportunity for young players to showcase their talent in the world's most competitive cricket league.In an exclusive interview with Star Sports, Gambhir emphasized the importance of focusing on the game and delivering results on the field. "I made it very clear on Day 1 that IPL for me is serious cricket. It's not about Bollywood, it's not about you, it's not about after-party and stuff. It's about going out there and playing competitive cricket," he stated.Gambhir, who led KKR to IPL titles in 2012 and 2014 as captain, believes that the IPL is the closest league to international cricket in terms of intensity and pressure. "It is probably closest to international cricket as compared to any other league and if you want to be known as a successful franchise, you should be able to deliver on the cricket field," he added.KKR failed to reach the play-offs in the previous season, finishing seventh in the standings. Gambhir acknowledged the disappointment and urged the players to work harder for the passionate fanbase of the team. "I think there are very passionate fans. We need to be honest to them. We need to try and probably bring that happiness on their smiles because I've always believed I think the most loyal fans have been fans from Kolkata because they've gone through a lot in the first three years of the IPL," he said.Gambhir's message is a reminder that the IPL is not just about entertainment and glamour, but also about showcasing cricketing talent and delivering results for the fans. As the league enters its 17th season, KKR will be looking to bounce back and prove their worth under Gambhir's guidance.

New Zealand Cricket Security Delegation Inspects Pakistan Ahead of T20 SeriesA security delegation from New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has arrived in Pakistan to assess the security arrangements for the upcoming T20 series between the two nations in April. The delegation, comprising two NZC officials and an independent security expert, will visit Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad to inspect match venues, team hotels, and receive briefings from government and security officials.The five-match T20 series is scheduled to take place in Lahore and Rawalpindi from April 18 to 25. The New Zealand team is expected to arrive on April 14, but may be depleted by the absence of key players due to the Indian Premier League (IPL) taking place concurrently.The security delegation's visit is a crucial step in ensuring the safety of the New Zealand team during their tour of Pakistan. In September 2021, the New Zealand team abruptly returned home without playing a match after their government received credible threat information.The delegation's assessment will focus on evaluating the security measures in place, including venue security, transportation arrangements, and the overall security environment in Pakistan. They will also meet with local authorities and security personnel to discuss the security plan for the visiting team.The New Zealand Players Association CEO is also part of the delegation, highlighting the importance of player safety and well-being. The delegation's findings will be used to determine the level of security required for the New Zealand team during their tour.The successful completion of the security delegation's visit will pave the way for the resumption of international cricket in Pakistan, which has been affected by security concerns in recent years. The T20 series between New Zealand and Pakistan is a significant step towards restoring Pakistan's status as a safe destination for international sports events.

Cameron Green's impressive performance in the Wellington Test, where he scored a match-winning 174 not out, has prompted Australian selectors to prioritize his red-ball preparation ahead of the upcoming home summer. Despite being in contention for the T20 World Cup, Green was left out of the T20I series against New Zealand to play Sheffield Shield cricket.This decision paid off as Green scored an unbeaten 103 for Western Australia against Tasmania, helping his team secure a draw. Green himself credited this preparation for his stunning century in Wellington, where he was the only player to score more than 71 on a challenging batting surface.With no Tests scheduled until the Border-Gavaskar series against India in late November, Australia will tour England for ODIs and T20Is in September and host Pakistan for similar matches in November. Green is expected to be a regular in both ODI and T20I sides, but coach Andrew McDonald emphasized the importance of prioritizing his red-ball preparation."The next stress point on that's going to be next summer leading into the Indian Test series," McDonald said. "I think it'll be a conversation where he's at. I'd like to probably err on the side of preparing him through red-ball. We know how good a white-ball player he is."McDonald acknowledged that not all multiformat players require the same preparation, but he believes Green would benefit from playing Shield games before the first Test against India."I think with the results he's had out there, he'll probably come to us and say can you give us a couple of Shield games before the first Test against India," McDonald said.McDonald also highlighted the importance of Shield cricket for other players, emphasizing that individual needs will be considered."We'll use Shield cricket to get ready for the Test summer on an individual's needs basis," McDonald said. "There won't be any [prescription that] this is what we're doing with every player."New Zealand coach Gary Stead expressed his desire for his players to play more first-class cricket before Test matches."I would love as national coach to see us play some Plunkett Shield prior to going into Test matches and certainly it's something that is high on my agenda to try and get New Zealand Cricket to keep thinking about the structure of our season," Stead said.McDonald praised Green's performance at No.4, where he was recalled against West Indies."We think he can be a long-term option there and I think this is a big step towards that," McDonald said. "The conversations are always that he's obviously a quality player and probably the statistics that everyone was looking at early on in his career probably didn't reflect the player that's in front of us."

The IPL 2023 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants witnessed a heated on-field spat between Virat Kohli, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Gautam Gambhir. The incident, which became a major talking point, has been the subject of much discussion and speculation.According to Naveen, the altercation began in Bengaluru during the away match between the two teams. After Avesh Khan's winning runs, Naveen claims that Kohli expressed displeasure with the helmet throw. In the return match in Lucknow, Naveen was sledged by Kohli and Mohammed Siraj despite the game being virtually lost.The spat escalated after the match during the handshake, with Gambhir intervening in support of Naveen. Naveen believes that Gambhir's involvement stemmed from an incident in the previous game where a KKR bowler attempted to run out the non-striker in the final over.Kohli and Gambhir have a history of heated moments in the IPL, including a previous altercation in 2013. Naveen suggests that Gambhir's "shush" gesture was a response to the crowd's reaction to the run-out attempt.Despite the on-field tension, Kohli and Naveen later resolved their differences during the ODI World Cup in October, embracing each other in a show of reconciliation.

India's emphatic series victory over England in Ranchi takes on a new dimension when considering the contrasting weather conditions between Ranchi and Dharamsala, the venue for the fifth and final Test. With the hosts securing an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series, the Dharamsala match holds significance primarily for World Test Championship (WTC) points.Had the series been poised at 2-1 or 2-2 heading into the fifth Test, England would have harbored hopes of triumphing or sharing the trophy in the familiar conditions of chilly, rainy Dharamsala. However, India's dominance in the previous three Tests has effectively extinguished those aspirations.India's ascent to the top of the WTC table, following Australia's victory over New Zealand in Wellington, further underscores the significance of the Dharamsala Test. The weather forecast for the morning of March 7, when the match is scheduled to commence, paints a stark contrast to the conditions in Ranchi.Temperatures in Dharamsala are expected to hover around 5 degrees Celsius, with a forecast of "mostly cloudy and cold with a little rain." The afternoon temperature is predicted to reach 7 degrees, dropping to around 4 degrees in the evening.Despite the chilly start, the weather is anticipated to improve over the next four days, with temperatures ranging from 11 to 21 degrees. England, who began the series with a 28-run victory in the first Test, have since suffered three consecutive defeats.India leveled the series with a 106-run win in Visakhapatnam, followed by a massive 434-run victory in Rajkot. The hosts sealed the series with a five-wicket triumph in Ranchi, leaving England with little hope of salvaging the series in Dharamsala.

KL Rahul on Track for IPL Return, Eyes T20 World Cup SelectionSenior Indian batsman KL Rahul is expected to be fit for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, which begins on March 22. Rahul, who missed the last three Tests against England due to a quadriceps injury, has undergone surgery and is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI's National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore.Rahul, the captain of the Lucknow SuperGiants, is eager to prove his worth in the IPL as he aims to earn a spot in India's T20 World Cup team as a wicketkeeper-batsman. A source close to the player revealed that Rahul consulted top medical experts in London before returning to India on Sunday."He is keen to prove his worth in the IPL as he's in line for selection in India's T20 World Cup team as a 'keeper-bat," the source told TOI.Rahul's injury woes began during the England tour last year, where he suffered a quadriceps strain in the second Test at Lord's. He underwent surgery in Germany in August and has been working diligently on his recovery since then.The Lucknow SuperGiants will kick off their IPL campaign against the Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur on March 24. Rahul's return to fitness will be a major boost for the franchise, which will be looking to make a strong impact in its debut season.If Rahul can regain his form and fitness in the IPL, he will be a strong contender for a place in India's T20 World Cup squad. The tournament is scheduled to be held in Australia later this year, and Rahul's experience and leadership qualities could prove invaluable for the team.

Pat Cummins Appointed Captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2024Pat Cummins, the Australian Test and ODI captain, has been appointed as the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. Cummins replaces Aiden Markram, who led the team in the 2023 season.Cummins' appointment marks a significant shift for Sunrisers Hyderabad, as he has never captained a side in the IPL before. However, his impressive leadership credentials with the Australian national team have convinced the franchise to entrust him with the responsibility.Under Cummins' captaincy, Australia has achieved remarkable success in recent years. They won the World Test Championship in 2023, defeating India in the final. Cummins also led the team to victory in the 2023 ODI World Cup, cementing Australia's status as one of the top cricketing nations in the world.Cummins' leadership style is characterized by his calm demeanor, strategic acumen, and ability to inspire his teammates. He is known for his meticulous planning and attention to detail, which has been instrumental in Australia's recent triumphs.Sunrisers Hyderabad will be hoping that Cummins can replicate his success with the Australian team at the IPL level. The franchise has struggled in recent seasons, failing to qualify for the playoffs since 2019. Cummins' appointment is seen as a major step towards rebuilding the team and challenging for the title.Cummins will have a talented squad at his disposal, including the likes of Kane Williamson, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Umran Malik. With his leadership and the team's potential, Sunrisers Hyderabad will be one of the teams to watch in IPL 2024.

The highly anticipated fifth and final Test match between India and England is set to commence on March 7 in Dharamsala. Despite India's commanding 3-1 lead in the series, both teams are determined to give it their all in the final encounter.Ahead of the match, a video of batter Shubman Gill undergoing an intense workout at the PCA Stadium in Mohali has surfaced on social media. Gill's dedication and focus are evident as he sprints across the ground, leaving fans impressed.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced updates to India's squad for the Dharamsala Test. Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the fourth Test, will make his return to the team. Bumrah has been a formidable force in the series, claiming 17 wickets at an impressive average of 13.64.However, India will be without wicket-keeper batter KL Rahul, who has been ruled out due to an injury. The BCCI Medical Team is closely monitoring his condition and coordinating with specialists in London for further management.Meanwhile, Washington Sundar has been released from the squad to participate in the Ranji Trophy for his domestic side, Tamil Nadu.The updated India squad for the Dharamsala Test includes:* Rohit Sharma (capt)* Jasprit Bumrah (vice-capt)* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Shubman Gill* Rajat Patidar* Sarfaraz Khan* Dhruv Jurel (wk)* KS Bharat (wk)* Devdutt Padikkal* R Ashwin* Ravindra Jadeja* Axar Patel* Kuldeep Yadav* Mohammed Siraj* Mukesh Kumar* Akash DeepAs India aims to maintain its top spot in the World Test Championship points table, England will be eager to salvage some pride in the final match. The clash promises to be an exciting and competitive affair, with both teams determined to end the series on a high note.