Cricket

The Ranji Trophy semifinals are set to ignite with a tantalizing clash between Mumbai and Tamil Nadu, two cricketing powerhouses with a rich history. While the absence of star players has garnered attention, the presence of several notable figures has elevated the anticipation for this marquee matchup.Tamil Nadu, after a sluggish start to the season, has found its rhythm and received a significant boost with the addition of B. Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar. Sai Sudharsan, who recently completed rehabilitation for a back injury, joined the squad on Thursday, while Sundar arrived after being released from India's Test squad. The duo engaged in an extensive training session on Friday morning.Mumbai, on the other hand, also had a lengthy practice session. Shreyas Iyer, who missed the quarterfinal against Baroda and was omitted from the BCCI's central contracts list, will be under scrutiny. The aggressive batter had a lengthy batting stint in the nets on Thursday but took it easy on Friday. Iyer will replace Suryansh Shedge in the Mumbai lineup.Mumbai may consider bringing in wicketkeeper Prasad Pawar for opener Bhupen Lalwani. Hardik Tamore, despite his impressive batting performance in the quarterfinal, struggled behind the stumps, prompting Mumbai to consider bolstering its depth.Tamil Nadu, besides the inclusion of Sai Sudharsan and Sundar, may also field pacer Kuldeep Sen in place of M. Mohammed. The green-looking surface at the Bandra-Kurla Complex facility could favor Sen's pace, complementing captain R. Sai Kishore's skillful left-arm spin.

Dhruv Jurel, a rising star in Indian cricket, has drawn comparisons to the legendary MS Dhoni after his impressive performances in the recent Test series. His composed and impactful displays have earned him accolades from both fans and cricketing legends alike.During the series, Jurel's contributions in both innings of the Ranchi Test match were particularly noteworthy. In the first innings, he forged a crucial partnership with Kuldeep Yadav, guiding India to a competitive total. In the tense run chase, he once again rose to the occasion, forming a match-winning stand with Shubman Gill to secure victory for India.Jurel's ability to remain composed under pressure and deliver crucial performances has led to significant praise from renowned figures within the cricketing fraternity. Sunil Gavaskar, one of India's cricketing greats, stated, "I want to say that he is another MS Dhoni in the making. I know there can never be another MSD but you know the presence of mind that he has, MSD also when he started, it was that. And Jurel has that game awareness. Street-smart cricketer."Sourav Ganguly, ex India captain and former BCCI chief, echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging Jurel's talent while urging caution against premature comparisons to Dhoni. "Dhruv Jurel… what a Test match he had under pressure on a difficult wicket. There is huge talent and if you miss and you go back down in the ladder, it will be very hard to come back. MS Dhoni is in a different league. Jurel has talent; there's no doubt about it. But it took MS Dhoni 20 years to be MS Dhoni. Rather 15 years for Dhoni to be Dhoni. So let him [Jurel] play. Jurel's ability to play spin, pace and most importantly to perform under pressure. That's what you look for in a youngster," Ganguly was quoted as saying by RevSportz.Jurel's emergence has captured widespread attention, with his performances drawing comparisons to the legendary MS Dhoni. Amidst the impressive debuts of Sarfaraz Khan and Akash Deep, Jurel's composed and impactful displays have stood out, earning him accolades from both fans and cricketing legends alike.

Australia's dominance continued on day two of the first Test against New Zealand at Basin Reserve, as they extended their lead to 217 runs. Despite losing Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne cheaply towards the end of the day, Australia's bowlers had earlier dismantled New Zealand's batting lineup for a mere 179 runs.Cameron Green, who had remained unbeaten on 174 in Australia's first innings, continued his heroics with the ball, claiming 5-70. Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Marsh also chipped in with wickets, while Nathan Lyon's 4-43 saw him surpass Courtney Walsh's tally of 519 Test wickets.New Zealand's top order crumbled under the pressure of Australia's relentless bowling attack. Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, and Rachin Ravindra were all dismissed cheaply, leaving the hosts reeling at 29 for 5. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips attempted to rebuild the innings with an 84-run partnership, but Lyon's introduction proved decisive.Phillips, who top-scored for New Zealand with 71, and Matt Henry, who contributed 42, provided some resistance, but Australia's bowlers remained relentless. Lyon's sharp turn and probing deliveries outside off stump proved too much for the New Zealand batsmen.In response, Australia's openers, Usman Khawaja and David Warner, faced a tough eight overs before stumps. Captain Tim Southee provided a glimmer of hope for New Zealand by dismissing Smith and Labuschagne, but Lyon and Khawaja survived to keep Australia in a commanding position.Green's marathon innings and record-breaking partnership with Josh Hazlewood had earlier given Australia a significant advantage. The pair added 116 runs for the tenth wicket, the highest of the innings and the highest last-wicket stand for Australia against New Zealand.New Zealand's bowlers, who had initially looked promising, struggled to maintain their discipline, conceding 41 extras. Henry eventually dismissed Hazlewood to claim his five-wicket haul, but Green's dominance had already put Australia in a commanding position.

Rishabh Pant, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, is set to make a remarkable return to competitive cricket as the captain of Delhi Capitals in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. However, he will not be donning the wicketkeeping gloves in the initial phase of the tournament, as per the franchise co-owner Parth Jindal.Jindal, in a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo, expressed confidence in Pant's fitness and readiness for the IPL, subject to the BCCI's imminent clearance. He revealed that Pant has been undergoing rigorous rehabilitation and has started wicketkeeping drills, indicating his progress towards full recovery from the horrific car accident he suffered in December 2022.To ensure Pant's smooth transition back into competitive cricket, the Capitals management has decided to utilize him solely as a batter for the first seven games of the IPL. This cautious approach aims to minimize the strain on his recovering knee and allow him to regain his rhythm gradually.The IPL will mark Pant's first competitive appearance since the Test series in Bangladesh in December 2022. His return is highly anticipated, considering his exceptional batting skills and leadership qualities. The Capitals are optimistic that Pant's presence will provide the much-needed balance and stability to the team.In addition to Pant's return, the Capitals have bolstered their squad with several exciting acquisitions, including Tristan Stubbs, Mitchell Marsh, and Harry Brook. Jindal believes these additions have transformed the team into a well-rounded unit capable of challenging for the title.The franchise is also counting on the experience of David Warner and the explosive batting of Brook, who is expected to play a pivotal role in the lower middle order. Jindal expressed his confidence in Brook's ability to make a significant impact at number six.Furthermore, the Capitals have invested in a group of talented uncapped Indian players, scouted and recommended by team director Sourav Ganguly. These players, including Kumar Kushagra, Sumit Kumar, and Ricky Bhui, are expected to contribute to the team's success.With a strong blend of experience and youthful exuberance, the Delhi Capitals are poised for a successful campaign in IPL 2024. Pant's leadership, coupled with the team's overall strength, makes them a formidable contender for the coveted trophy.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to witness a new era as Hardik Pandya takes over the captaincy of the Mumbai Indians, succeeding the legendary Rohit Sharma. This decision has sparked discussions among cricket enthusiasts, with many wondering how Pandya will fare in his new role.Former Indian wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel believes that Pandya will face immense pressure while leading the Mumbai Indians. He acknowledges that Pandya's captaincy stint with the Gujarat Titans was successful, leading them to the championship in their inaugural season. However, Patel emphasizes that replacing a five-time title-winning captain like Rohit Sharma, who has been at the helm of Mumbai Indians for 10 years, will be a challenging task.Patel highlights that Mumbai Indians fans have high expectations from their team, and qualifying for the playoffs is not considered a success; winning championships is the ultimate goal. He believes that the decision to appoint Pandya as captain is well-thought-out, considering the franchise's transitional phase.Former India player Wasim Jaffer shares similar sentiments, stating that Hardik Pandya's return to Mumbai Indians as captain will evoke mixed emotions among the fans. He anticipates a full house at the stadium for the opening match against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on March 24. Jaffer believes that Pandya will aim to make a strong statement in his first game as captain and set an example for the team.The decision to remove Rohit Sharma from the captaincy may have been met with mixed reactions, but it was made with the intention of ushering in a new era for Mumbai Indians. The franchise is looking to transition smoothly and build a team that can continue their legacy of success.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recently implemented a new rule mandating all centrally contracted cricketers, who are not with the national team, to participate in red-ball cricket in the domestic circuit. This decision was made to address the growing concern of players missing domestic cricket, which is seen as crucial for their development and match fitness.BCCI Secretary Jay Shah emphasized the importance of domestic cricket for players' overall growth and stated that no excuses would be tolerated in this matter. He mentioned that all contracted players have been informed about this rule and that they must adhere to it. Shah also clarified that this rule is not specifically targeted at any particular player, such as Ishan Kishan, who was recently in the news for reportedly being asked by the BCCI to play for Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy.In the midst of this controversy, reports emerged that Shreyas Iyer had made himself unavailable for Mumbai's Ranji Trophy quarterfinals citing injury concerns. However, the National Cricket Academy (NCA) has confirmed that Iyer has no 'fresh injuries' and was fit to play. This has raised questions about the validity of Iyer's injury claims and whether he is genuinely injured or simply avoiding domestic cricket.Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan took to social media to express his concern about the different rules seemingly being applied to different players regarding their participation in domestic cricket. He questioned why some players are allowed to skip domestic matches under the pretext of looking after their bodies while others are expected to play.The BCCI's decision to enforce mandatory participation in domestic cricket is a significant step towards ensuring that players are adequately prepared for international cricket. Domestic cricket provides players with the opportunity to gain valuable experience, improve their skills, and build their match fitness. By mandating their participation, the BCCI aims to raise the overall standard of Indian cricket and produce players who are ready to compete at the highest level.

The Ranji Trophy quarterfinals are set to begin across India from Friday, with eight teams vying for a spot in the semifinals. Among the contenders are familiar faces like Mumbai, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, as well as giant-killers Vidarbha and Baroda.Mumbai, the 41-time champions, will face Baroda in a depleted state, missing key players like Shreyas Iyer and Shivam Dube. However, they will be bolstered by the inclusion of U-19 World Cup star Musheer Khan. Mumbai will rely on their in-form opener Bhupen Lalwani and key weapon Mohit Avasthi to lead their charge.Vidarbha, the only team apart from Mumbai to have recorded five wins in the group stage, will take on a formidable Karnataka side. Vidarbha will miss the services of seasoned campaigner Faiz Fazal, but they will be confident playing in their backyard. Skipper Akshay Wadkar, Dhruv Shorey, and former Karnataka batter Karun Nair will be key for Vidarbha, while Aditya Sarwate and Aditya Thakare will handle the bowling responsibilities.Karnataka, who finished second in Group C behind Tamil Nadu, will feel the absence of Devdutt Padikkal, but they have capable batsmen like Manish Pandey and Sharath Srinivas. Pacer Vysakh Vijaykumar's all-round brilliance will also be a crucial factor for Karnataka.Saurashtra, led by Cheteshwar Pujara, will be confident against Tamil Nadu, who have made it to the Ranji Trophy knockouts for the first time in six years. Pujara has been in prolific form this season, amassing 780 runs, while skipper Arpit Vasavada and Prerak Mankad have also contributed with the bat. Saurashtra's Dharmendrasinh Jadeja is in contention for the most wickets this season, with 39 scalps.Tamil Nadu, who finished second behind Vidarbha in Group A, will rely on Narayan Jagadeesan and Baba Indrajith for runs. Spinners R Sai Kishore and S Ajith Ram have been their key wicket-takers.At the Holkar Stadium in Indore, hosts Madhya Pradesh will face a dangerous Andhra side, who are coming off a three-match unbeaten run. Ricky Bhui has been the season's best performer with the bat, while Hanuma Vihari has also made vital contributions. Andhra finished second behind Mumbai in Group B, indicating their form and confidence.Madhya Pradesh, the 2021-22 Ranji Trophy winner, have been unbeaten this season. Venkatesh Iyer and Kumar Kartikeya have been their standout performers.With so much talent on display, the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals promise to be an exciting and closely contested affair.

The Indian cricket team is gearing up for the fourth Test against England in Ranchi, and uncapped pace bowler Akash Deep has emerged as a strong contender to partner Mohammed Siraj in the playing XI. Deep has been impressive in the optional training sessions, showcasing his pace and accuracy. He was seen bowling at full intensity alongside his Bengal teammate Mukesh Kumar at the nets and also engaged in an extensive batting session on the eve of the Test.With India missing key players like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer, they have been forced to hand debut caps to Rajat Patidar, Dhruv Jurel, and Sarfaraz Khan. The absence of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has also opened up a spot in the bowling attack, and Deep is eager to seize the opportunity.Home team batting coach Vikram Rathour praised Deep's skills, saying, "Anybody who gets into the Indian team has to be a special cricketer. He (looks) like a really good bowler who has done really well in domestic cricket. He has got a decent pace, bowls a good line, looks really good."The upcoming Test in Ranchi is expected to have overcast conditions and cooler temperatures compared to the previous venues. This shift in weather could favor the seamers, and Deep's pace and ability to bowl in-dippers could prove valuable. If selected, Deep would become the 313th Indian cricketer to represent the country in Test cricket.Mukesh Kumar, another pace-bowling option, is also in contention for a spot in the playing XI. He was released ahead of the third Test in Rajkot but is back in the mix for Ranchi. However, his lackluster performance in the second Test at Visakhapatnam, where he went wicketless in the first innings and conceded 44 runs in seven overs, may count against him.England, on the other hand, have finalized their playing XI, bringing back Ollie Robinson in place of Mark Wood. Robinson will partner with the experienced James Anderson, while Shoaib Bashir, Tom Hartley, and part-time bowler Joe Root will handle the spin duties.During the optional practice session, India had a light turnout, with only a few players participating in the nets. Shubman Gill, R Ashwin, Akash Deep, KS Bharat, Washington Sundar, and Devdutt Padikkal were among those who attended the session.India currently leads the five-Test series 2-1, and a win in Ranchi would give them an unassailable 3-1 lead. The match promises to be an exciting contest between two evenly matched teams.

The Indian cricket team has witnessed the remarkable rise of young talents like Yashaswi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan, who have made a significant impact in their initial Test matches. These players have showcased their exceptional skills and adaptability, highlighting the strength of India's domestic cricket circuit.Yashaswi Jaiswal, the 22-year-old Mumbaikar, has already achieved two double centuries in just six Test matches. His fearless and expressive batting style against a formidable England side has garnered praise from experts and fans alike. His Ranji teammate, Sarfaraz Khan, has also made a confident start to his Test career, scoring impressive half-centuries in both innings of his debut match in Rajkot.India's batting coach, Vikram Rathour, attributes the success of these young players to the robust domestic cricket system in India. He believes that the domestic circuit has equipped them with the necessary skills and mental fortitude to handle the pressure of Test cricket. Rathour emphasizes the importance of a good start for young players, as it instills confidence and helps them settle into the international arena.The performances of Jaiswal and Khan have come at a crucial time for the Indian team, considering the absence of key players like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer. Rathour acknowledges the challenges of missing key players but sees this series as an opportunity for the young players to establish themselves on home wickets.Rathour also highlights the strength of India's domestic cricket, expressing confidence in the quality of players coming through the ranks. He believes that the domestic circuit provides a solid foundation for players to succeed at the international level.While Rajat Patidar has yet to make a significant impact with the bat, Rathour remains supportive of the young player. He emphasizes the need for patience and understanding, as Patidar adjusts to the challenges of international cricket. Rathour believes that Patidar has the potential to deliver impactful innings in the future.The article also acknowledges the contributions of Ravindra Jadeja, the world's No. 1 all-rounder, who has performed consistently throughout the series. Rathour praises Jadeja's simplicity and clarity of approach, both in his batting and bowling.