Cricket

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced its 25-man squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in the West Indies and USA from June 2 to June 29. While the batting lineup boasts star players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav, concerns have been raised about the bowling attack, particularly the inclusion of Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj in the main lineup.Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal, a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, has expressed his reservations about the pace attack, stating that it lacks strength beyond Jasprit Bumrah. "I don't like the pace attack. Other than Jasprit Bumrah, it's not that good," Lal said. "Siraj has done well here and there, but his performances at the international level have been patchy."Lal believes that the bowling lineup will rely heavily on Bumrah for wickets and match-winning performances. "Not only in T20 cricket, you need a good pacer who can get you the wickets to win matches," he emphasized. "Bumrah is a wicket-taker and a match-winner. Let's see how Siraj performs. Otherwise, India will rely on Bumrah a lot."Lal also questioned the inclusion of Arshdeep and Siraj, stating that he is not confident in their abilities. "I am not sure about Arshdeep, nor am I sure about Siraj," he said. "Pandya is not that effective either. I think the team management has taken a chance on him. The pace line-up is the weak link. Apart from Bumrah, we have to see how Siraj and Arshdeep bowl."Lal's concerns stem from India's history of success being tied to a strong pace attack. "If you look at the history, India performed well only when they had a good pace attack," he said. "Only then, they won a lot of matches."Lal's preferred choice for the bowling attack would have been Thangarasu Natarajan, the current Sunrisers Hyderabad death-over specialist. "If I had a chance (to pick one), I would've picked Natarajan," he said. "I would have vouched for him because he is a good bowler at the death."

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has been slapped with a hefty fine of Rs 24 lakh for his team's second slow over-rate offense in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The incident occurred during their match against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium on Tuesday, April 30.According to the IPL's Code of Conduct, Pandya was fined INR 24 Lac as it was his team's second offense of the season. The rest of the Playing XI, including the Impact Player, were each individually fined either INR 6 Lac or 25 per cent of their respective match fees, whichever was lesser.The match itself saw Mumbai Indians struggle to post a competitive total, managing only 144 for seven. Nehal Wadhera (46), Ishan Kishan (32), and Tim David (35 not out) were the only notable contributors.In reply, Lucknow Super Giants chased down the target with four balls to spare, thanks to a 45-ball 62 from Marcus Stoinis. The Australian all-rounder hit seven fours and two sixes in his innings.With this victory, Lucknow Super Giants climbed to the third spot in the IPL standings with six wins in 10 games. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, slumped to their seventh loss in 10 games, leaving them languishing near the bottom of the table.

Rishabh Pant's remarkable comeback to international cricket, just 16 months after a horrific car accident, is a testament to his resilience and determination. The wicketkeeper-batter has shed an astonishing 16 kg in the past four months, transforming his physique and regaining his fitness.Pant's recovery journey began with a calorie-deficit diet, consuming only 1000 calories per day despite his demanding training regimen. He sacrificed his favorite foods, including rasmalai, biryani, and fried chicken, and even sushi was off-limits.In addition to his diet, Pant adhered to a strict sleep cycle, shutting down all gadgets by 11 pm to ensure eight to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep. He also resumed wicketkeeping drills, practicing for 45 minutes daily.The results of Pant's hard work are evident in his leaner physique and improved fitness. He now looks as fit as he did when he first burst onto the international scene.Pant's selection for India's T20 World Cup squad is a testament to his remarkable recovery and his unwavering determination to return to the highest level of cricket. His comeback is an inspiration to all, demonstrating that with resilience and perseverance, anything is possible.

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed concerns over the selection process for the upcoming T20 World Cup, questioning the consistency and rationale behind the decisions made by the selectors.Pathan highlighted a shift in strategy, recalling that after India's disappointing performance in the last T20 World Cup, the management had decided to prioritize young players over experienced campaigners. However, he expressed surprise at the apparent reversal of this approach in the current squad selection, where experience seems to have taken precedence over youth.Pathan emphasized the importance of adhering to a consistent selection process, suggesting that while experience may be crucial, following a defined process could lead to better outcomes. He pointed out the absence of young talent like Rinku Singh from the squad, expressing disappointment over the exclusion of promising players and the potential impact on team dynamics.In contrast, cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar offered a different perspective, attributing Rinku's exclusion to his current form in the ongoing IPL. Gavaskar highlighted the dynamic nature of selection decisions and the importance of current performance.Pathan's concerns raise questions about the long-term vision and strategy of the Indian cricket team. The selectors' decision to prioritize experience over youth may be a short-term solution, but it could have implications for the team's future success. It remains to be seen whether the current squad will be able to deliver the desired results at the T20 World Cup, and whether the selection process will be reviewed and refined in the future.

KL Rahul's Leadership Shines as He Prioritizes Mayank Yadav's Well-beingIn a display of exemplary leadership, Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul put the well-being of pacer Mayank Yadav ahead of the team's immediate needs during their recent clash against the Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2024.After delivering the first ball of his fourth over, Mayank experienced a side strain, prompting Rahul to make the difficult decision of not risking the young bowler for the remaining deliveries. "I have not really spoken to him. He had slight pain in his side and after the first ball, he said that there was a bit of pain. I thought there was no need to risk it, he is still a young lad," Rahul explained during the post-match presentation.Despite the injury scare, Mayank had showcased his talent and potential earlier in the match, with his deliveries consistently reaching impressive speeds. "In this game, he showed he has more skills than bowling 150-plus. The more he plays, the more he will learn when to bowl what. Right now, we have given him a free hand to just enjoy himself and bowl what he wants," Rahul remarked, acknowledging Mayank's versatility and growth as a bowler.Mayank's injury scare highlights the physical demands faced by players in the intense IPL season. However, his ability to bounce back and deliver impactful performances reflects his resilience and determination.Rahul's decision to prioritize Mayank's well-being over the team's immediate needs underscores his commitment to player welfare and his understanding of the importance of long-term health. By putting Mayank's health first, Rahul has set an example for other captains and emphasized the need to balance performance with player safety.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season has witnessed an unprecedented batting onslaught, leaving bowlers struggling to contain the run flow. The combination of flat pitches and shortened boundaries has created a nightmare scenario for bowlers, with scores in excess of 250 runs becoming commonplace.Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pacer Mohammed Siraj has acknowledged the challenges faced by bowlers this season. "The level of cricket has gone extremely high," he said. "Every second game, you see scores of 250-260 in the IPL. But, this was not the case in the past. Very rarely have we seen scores of 250 or more in the previous seasons."The lack of swing and movement on the flat wickets has further compounded the bowlers' woes. "Bowlers have no help," Siraj lamented. "The boundaries are small. On top of that, these are flat wickets. In the past, there was swing with the new ball. That too is not happening now. It has changed a lot. For bowlers, the mantra is 'keep playing, keep getting hit'."Despite the adversity, Siraj remains optimistic and urges bowlers to maintain their belief. "We (Bowlers) have to believe," he said. "For me especially, I have seen a lot of ups and downs in life. I believe that if I get hit in a match, I can bounce back in the next. I always look to bounce back and never give up."Siraj also emphasized the need for bowlers to adapt to the changing conditions. "The game has gone to a level such that if I get hit even after bowling a good delivery, I don't have a problem," he said. "I haven't bowled badly in the tournament. (A bowler conceding) 40 runs has become normal. In the past, it was like 'Oh no, he has given 40 runs in 4 overs'. But, 40 runs have become normal."As the IPL 2024 season progresses, it remains to be seen how bowlers will respond to the batting onslaught. The flat pitches and shortened boundaries are likely to continue to favor batsmen, but bowlers will need to find ways to adapt and contain the run flow if they want to succeed in this high-scoring environment.

Sanju Samson's consistent performances in the ongoing IPL have reignited hopes of his inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad. The Rajasthan Royals skipper has led his team to the top of the points table, showcasing his leadership skills and batting prowess.Samson's batting has undergone a transformation this season. He has adopted a more consistent approach, anchoring the Royals' batting lineup at number three. His match-winning 71 against Lucknow Super Giants was a testament to his improved mental fortitude and technical adjustments.Personal coach Bijumon N attributes Samson's success to eight months of rigorous training focused on the T20 World Cup. They have worked on his mental preparation, batting technique, and ability to handle spinners. Samson has become more adept at using his feet and has added new strokes to his repertoire against slow bowlers.Despite his impressive form, Samson faces stiff competition for a spot in the Indian team. Rishabh Pant is likely to be the first-choice wicketkeeper, leaving Samson with a limited chance to play. However, his consistent performances in the IPL have put him in contention for a backup role.Samson's inclusion in the Indian team would be a significant moment for Kerala cricket. The state has a rich cricketing history, and Samson's success could inspire future generations of players. With the T20 World Cup approaching, Samson's form and experience could prove invaluable to Team India.

Australia's T20 World Cup squad has been announced, with some notable omissions. Jake Fraser-McGurk, despite his impressive IPL performances, and Steven Smith, a veteran of three-formats, have been left out.The selectors have opted for flexibility, choosing Ashton Agar as a second specialist spinner and Cameron Green as a spare allrounder. Nathan Ellis has been included as the fourth fast bowling option, while Josh Inglis will serve as the reserve wicketkeeper and utility batter.Fraser-McGurk's exclusion is surprising given his recent form. However, the selectors have prioritized experience and versatility. Travis Head, David Warner, and Mitchell Marsh, who were dominant at last year's ODI World Cup, will form the top three.Smith's omission is less shocking. He has struggled to find a place in Australia's T20I side, having been dropped from the 2022 World Cup squad. The selectors have opted for a settled middle order, with Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, and Matthew Wade likely to be in the first-choice XI.Green and Inglis were preferred to Fraser-McGurk and Smith due to their versatility. Green can cover for the injury-prone Marsh and Stoinis, while Inglis can fill in as wicketkeeper or bat in various positions.Chairman of selectors George Bailey explained the rationale behind the selections. "We believe Ashton can play a critical role in this tournament... The batting options available allow a tailored approach to each venue and opponent."Marsh, the captain, expressed his excitement about leading the team. "It's been an immense privilege to play for my country and now an even greater honour to lead the squad to a World Cup."

Virat Kohli's recent performance in the IPL 2024 has sparked discussions about his strike rate. However, renowned commentator and former national team coach Ravi Shastri has come out in support of Kohli, emphasizing the importance of performance within the broader team context.Shastri highlighted that Kohli's strike rate may drop when wickets fall around him, as was the case in his match-winning knock against Gujarat Titans. Kohli's gritty 70 off 44 balls, coupled with a stellar century from Will Jacks, steered RCB to a commanding nine-wicket triumph.Shastri also acknowledged RCB's mixed fortunes, noting that there are only 1 or 2 consistent performers. Despite this, Kohli's statistical prowess in IPL 2024 further accentuates his cricketing legacy. With over 7,700 runs, Kohli stands tall as the all-time leading run-getter in IPL history. His ability to consistently deliver, evident in achieving the 500-run milestone for the seventh time, places him in elite company alongside David Warner.Kohli's unwavering focus amidst criticism and Shastri's astute observations underscore the nuanced interplay between individual performance and team dynamics in cricket. Kohli's ability to adapt to different situations and contribute to team success, even when his strike rate may not be as high as some would like, highlights his value as a player.