Cricket

The upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season serves as a crucial audition for players vying for a spot in their respective national teams for the T20 World Cup, scheduled to commence on June 2. Among the hotly contested positions is that of wicketkeeper-batsman for the Indian team. Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has unequivocally endorsed Rajasthan Royals' captain Sanju Samson for this role.While Rishabh Pant's impressive return to form after his car accident, scoring two half-centuries and keeping wickets seamlessly, has strengthened his case, Harbhajan believes Samson's consistency and confidence make him a more suitable choice for the ICC event.Samson, currently ranked fourth among the top run-getters in IPL 2024 with 314 runs in 8 matches at a strike rate of 152.42, has consistently delivered, including a crucial 38 not out in Rajasthan Royals' nine-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians.Harbhajan, while acknowledging the brilliance of centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal, emphasized that Samson should not only be India's first-choice wicketkeeper for the T20 World Cup but also be groomed as the next T20 captain.Under Samson's leadership, RR has emerged as a formidable force, winning seven of their eight matches and topping the table with 14 points. Samson's closest competitors for the wicketkeeper-batsman's spot in the T20 World Cup include Pant, KL Rahul, and Ishan Kishan. However, Samson's impressive performances and leadership qualities have set him apart.

Sunil Narine, the enigmatic West Indian all-rounder, has unequivocally ruled out a return to international cricket, despite his exceptional form for Kolkata Knight Riders in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Narine, 35, has been in scintillating form, leading the tournament's MVP standings with a remarkable 109 not out from 56 balls against Rajasthan Royals last week, his maiden T20 century. He is also KKR's joint-leading wicket-taker, with nine scalps at an impressive economy rate of 7.10.Narine's resurgence has sparked calls for his recall to the West Indies squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be hosted in the Caribbean and USA. West Indies' T20I captain, Rovman Powell, has openly expressed his desire to have Narine back in the fold, but the off-spinner has remained adamant in his decision to stay retired.In a statement issued by KKR, Narine expressed his gratitude for the support and well wishes he has received but reiterated his decision to remain retired from international cricket. "I'm truly flattered and humbled that my performances recently have moved many people to publicly express their wish for me to come out of retirement and play in the upcoming T20 World Cup," Narine wrote. "I have made peace with that decision and whilst I never wish to disappoint, that door is now closed and I will be supporting the guys who take the field in June for West Indies."Narine's decision is a blow to West Indies' hopes of winning their third T20 World Cup title. The Caribbean side has struggled in recent years, failing to qualify for the Super 12 stage of the last two tournaments. Narine's experience and skill would have been invaluable to a team looking to make a deep run in their home tournament.However, Narine's decision is understandable. He has been plagued by injuries throughout his career and has expressed a desire to spend more time with his family. He has also been critical of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) in the past, accusing them of mismanagement and a lack of support for players.Despite his absence from international cricket, Narine remains one of the most respected and feared players in the world. His performances in the IPL have shown that he is still capable of producing match-winning performances at the highest level.

Hardik Pandya's Finishing Woes Continue to Haunt Mumbai Indians and Team IndiaHardik Pandya's struggles with the bat have become a major concern for both the Mumbai Indians and the Indian cricket team. In the recent clash against the Rajasthan Royals, Pandya once again failed to deliver, scoring a mere 10 runs off 10 balls at the death.This is not an isolated incident. Pandya has been struggling for runs throughout the current IPL season. In eight matches, he has managed just 151 runs at a lowly average of 21.57. His strike rate of 142.45 is also significantly lower than in previous seasons.Pandya's inability to provide a final flourish has been a major talking point in the IPL. Former India T20 World Cup winner Irfan Pathan has expressed concern, saying that it is a "big worry" for both the franchise and Team India.With the T20 World Cup just around the corner, Pandya's poor form is a major issue for the Indian team management. He is a key player in the side, and his inability to fire could have a significant impact on India's chances of success.Pandya's struggles are particularly concerning given his reputation as a big-hitter. He is known for his ability to clear the boundary with ease, but he has not been able to do so consistently this season.The Mumbai Indians have also been affected by Pandya's poor form. With three wins and five losses, they currently sit at the 7th spot on the points table. Pandya's inability to contribute with the bat has put additional pressure on the other batsmen in the team.It remains to be seen whether Pandya can turn his form around in the remaining matches of the IPL. If he does not, it could have serious implications for both the Mumbai Indians and Team India.

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.

The Virat Kohli no-ball controversy has sparked a heated debate within the cricketing community. While some experts support the umpire's decision to dismiss Kohli, others believe the call was incorrect.Former Indian all-rounder Navjot Singh Sidhu has emerged as a vocal critic of the decision. In a detailed video analysis, Sidhu outlined three key reasons why he believes Kohli should not have been given out.Firstly, Sidhu argues that the rule regarding the height of the delivery is flawed. He questions why batters are not given a 7-inch allowance, considering the 6-inch height restriction for bowlers.Secondly, Sidhu contends that the umpire's decision has effectively legalized beamers in cricket. He points out that a waist-high delivery would traditionally be considered a beamer, but the umpire's call in Kohli's case has changed this perception.Finally, Sidhu disputes the technology used to determine the trajectory of the ball. He believes the ball would not have dipped as significantly as suggested by the on-screen simulation.Sidhu concludes by emphasizing the need for rule changes to improve the game. He argues that the benefit of the doubt should always go to the batter and that the current law regarding no-balls needs to be carefully reviewed and amended.

Aaron Finch Advocates for Virat Kohli at No. 3 for India in T20 World CupFormer Australian captain Aaron Finch has strongly recommended that Virat Kohli bat at the No. 3 position for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Finch believes that Kohli's stability and ability to anchor the innings make him the ideal candidate for this crucial role.Kohli, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in modern cricket, possesses an exceptional ability to build and accelerate innings. His presence at No. 3 would provide India with a solid foundation and allow the team to capitalize on the momentum created by the openers.Finch, during a discussion on Star Sports, expressed his admiration for Kohli's batting prowess, particularly at the No. 3 position. "Virat Kohli is the best No. 3 this game ever produced in white-ball cricket, so I will keep him at No. 3 for the T20 World Cup," Finch said.Kohli has recently demonstrated his adaptability by opening the batting for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite the change in role, he has excelled, leading the run charts with 379 runs in 8 matches and scoring a century against Rajasthan Royals.While Kohli's usual batting position for India in T20I matches is at No. 3, his impressive performances at the top of the order for RCB highlight his versatility and ability to excel in various roles. This versatility solidifies his status as one of the most complete batsmen in contemporary cricket.With the T20 World Cup set to commence shortly after the conclusion of the IPL, Finch's recommendation for Kohli to bat at No. 3 is likely to be carefully considered by the Indian team management. Kohli's experience, skill, and ability to perform under pressure make him a valuable asset for India in their quest for T20 World Cup glory.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, is experiencing a remarkable resurgence in his final IPL season, according to Chennai Super Kings batting coach Mike Hussey. Dhoni, who recently stepped down as CSK captain, is batting at an unprecedented strike rate of 255.88, showcasing his explosive form.Hussey believes that Dhoni's current state of mind is contributing to his exceptional performance. "He's just in a wonderful place in his career," Hussey said. "He's comfortable, happy, and enjoying his cricket."Despite facing different bowling strategies designed to counter his finishing prowess, Dhoni continues to evolve and improve. "He'll continue to evolve and make himself better," Hussey said. "He's making it harder for bowlers to bowl to him."Hussey also expressed confidence in Rachin Ravindra, a young Kiwi batsman who has faced some recent setbacks. "He's going well," Hussey said. "He's just one inning closer to that big score."Ahead of CSK's home match against Lucknow Super Giants, Hussey emphasized the importance of moving the ball quickly and dismissing key batsmen like KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock early on. "Rahul has been a fantastic player for a long time," Hussey said. "He's very difficult to bowl to."While CSK will play three consecutive home games, Hussey is taking a cautious approach. "Wins are important at any time of the tournament," he said. "But it's dangerous to think too far ahead."

Sussex emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against Gloucestershire, securing a four-wicket triumph at the County Ground in Hove. After posting a mammoth 479 in their first innings, Sussex set Gloucestershire a challenging target of 144 in the fourth innings.Gloucestershire's resistance was led by Miles Hammond and Zafar Gohar, who forged a stubborn partnership to extend the game. Hammond's gritty 77 and Gohar's 52 kept Sussex at bay, but the visitors ultimately fell short.Sussex's chase was far from straightforward. Gohar's five-wicket haul reduced them to 70 for 4, but Cheteshwar Pujara's unbeaten 44 proved to be the match-winner. Pujara's calm and composed innings, alongside Danny Lamb's 28, guided Sussex to victory.The triumph marks a significant milestone for Sussex, who have made a strong start to the County Championship Division Two season. Under the guidance of head coach Paul Farbrace, the team has added experienced recruits like Danny Lamb and John Simpson, who have played pivotal roles in their early success.Farbrace has emphasized the importance of giving players greater responsibility, and captain John Simpson has set the tone with his unflappable leadership. Sussex's ability to respond to solid first-innings totals from their opponents has been a key factor in their success.Despite Gloucestershire's valiant efforts, Sussex's determination and resilience proved too much to overcome. The victory solidifies Sussex's position as pace-setters in Division Two and suggests that they are a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming matches.