June 7, 2025
Headlines

cricket ndtv sports

"Bahut Hi...": MS Dhoni's Reaction Upon Hearing IPL 2024 Bhojpuri Commentary Is Intriguing

“Bahut Hi…”: MS Dhoni’s Reaction Upon Hearing IPL 2024 Bhojpuri Commentary Is Intriguing

Danijones04 mins

IPL is not just the celebration of the greatest cricketers on the planet but it is a melting pot of cultures too. Not just players from different countries, but a varied group of commentators can be seen and heard during the IPL. Nowadays, IPL is being broadcast is several languages including Gujarati, Bengali, Bhojpuri. The Bhojpuri commentary has popular actor Ravi Kishan donning a new hat. His commentary has gone viral on several occasions especially when MS Dhoni is playing. Recently, MS Dhoni’s long-time teammate Suresh Raina revealed the CSK star’s reaction upon hearing Bhojpuri commentary. Dhoni hails from Jharkhand. “MS Dhoni was discussing Bhojpuri commentary. He said, ‘Bahut hi gajabe commentary kar rahe Bhojpuriya me.’ (they are doing a great jop in Bhojpuri) I told him Haryanvi is also nice,” Raina revealed while speaking on Jio Cinema. You know you’re doing some good work when appreciates you #TATAIPL #IPLonJioCinema | @ImRaina | @rpsingh | @anantyagi_ pic.twitter.com/mXGLBY60gz — JioCinema (@JioCinema) April 16, 2024 Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the “batting template” for Chennai Super Kings’ death bowling, their bowling consultant Eric Simmons has revealed, saying that strategies that succeed against him in training sessions tend to work out fine in match situations as well. Recently, MS Dhoni slammed a four-ball 20 in IPL’s El Clasico against Mumbai Indians on Sunday. MI captain Hardik Pandy was at the receiving end of his fury. Ultimately, the 20 runs scored by CSK was crucial as the side won by 20 runs Dhoni is the “batting template” for Chennai Super Kings’ death bowling, their bowling consultant Eric Simmons has revealed. “They’re looking at restricting us to under 200 and then they’re suddenly facing 206 with an over like that. Every time — we live close to him — he continues to amaze us. To go out there and hit the first ball like that for six and then continue the way he does,” he said. “But he has been batting exceptionally well in the nets…just another unbelievable MS Dhoni moment,” added the South African. Simmons, a former India bowling coach, said Dhoni’s calmness is worth following. “His calmness at the wicket… we use him as a batting template when we’re bowling at the death, the pre-season because he’s so good at it. If we can test out our theories against him, then we know we’re going to do well,” he said. Topics mentioned in this article

Read More
"Lack Of Faith, Lack Of Skill": Irfan Pathan Tears Into Hardik Pandya's Captaincy

“Lack Of Faith, Lack Of Skill”: Irfan Pathan Tears Into Hardik Pandya’s Captaincy

Danijones07 mins

Mumbai Indians captain and all-rounder Hardik Pandya was put to sword by fans and former cricketers after yet another underwhelming show in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Hardik faced brutal criticism from prominent former players lost the high-profile encounter against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday. Hardik, who bowled the last over the innings, was ripped apart by the 42-year-old MS Dhoni, conceding 20 runs in the final 4 balls. His decision to bowl at the absolute end has been questioned by many, including former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan. (IPL 2024 Points Table) Booed and heckled by fans ever since he took over MI’s captaincy, Pandya found himself in the line of fire. Hardik was openly criticised by Irfan who put big question marks on the decision-making that the former Gujarat Titans skipper brings to the ground. It was the 26 runs that Pandya conceded in the final over with Mahendra Singh Dhoni going hammer and tongs, which proved to be decisive as Chennai Super Kings notched up a 20-run win over MI. Irfan feels the decision to bowl himself over Akash Madhwal shows lack of faith on the latter. Hardik Pandya bowling the last over showed the lack of faith on Akash madhwal’s bowling and his own lack of skill as a death over bowler. — Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 14, 2024 The likes of Sunil Gavaskar and Kevin Pietersen also questioned Hardik’s captaincy in the match. “Oh, absolutely ordinary bowling, ordinary captaincy. They should have been restricted despite the fact that Ruturaj Gaikwad had batted so well along with Shivam Dube. I do believe that they should have been restricted to 185-190,” Gavaskar said. “Probably the worst kind of bowling that I’ve seen for a long, long time,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports during the innings break after CSK posted 206 for 4. “It almost looks like I’ve had this embrace with my hero. I’ve got the kind of deliveries that he’s gonna hit for sixes. One six is fine. The next one is a length ball when you know this batter is hunting for a length ball that he wants to hit. “Third ball is again a full toss on the legs when you know he (Dhoni) is looking for a six.” Pandya finished with figures of 2 for 43 from his four overs and also had a tough time with the bat, managing a mere two runs off six balls at a crucial juncture of the game as MI ended at 186 for six despite a fine 63-ball 105 by former skipper Rohit Sharma. Pandya has faced fans’ ire right from the first match and even at the Wankhede Stadium, boos have followed him, forcing Rohit (against Rajasthan Royals) and Virat Kohli (in MI’s game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru) to ask the crowd to calm down a bit. Pietersen feels the outside noise is taking a toll on the flamboyant all-rounder. “I actually think, with Hardik Pandya, everything away from the game is affecting him so much. He’s smiling too much when he does the toss. He’s trying to act like he is so happy. He is not happy. I have been there. I have been in the firing line. And I can tell you now, it affects you. “The boos we have been hearing just now and I know they are happy to see former CSK captain (Dhoni), the lion, smacking him (Hardik) all over the park, it hurts you. Because he has emotions. And he is an Indian player and he doesn’t want to be treated like this. So when this is happening, it’s affecting him, it’s affecting his cricket and something needs to happen.” The 43-year-old former batter also wondered why Pandya didn’t use his spinners when the pacers were being targeted by CSK batters. “What I saw this evening wasn’t good enough. I saw a captain that had plan A from a team meeting that was five hours ago and a captain that didn’t want to go to plan B when he should have gone to plan B. “Like how on this Earth have you not bowled a spinner when your seamers are going for 20. Brian Lara said can we please bowl a spinner? Somebody needs to bowl here. You need to change the pace of the game.” MI will next take on Punjab Kings on April 18 in Chandigarh.

Read More
IPL Stars, Team Owners, Commentators Asked To Stop Posting Pictures From Stadiums. Here's Why

IPL Stars, Team Owners, Commentators Asked To Stop Posting Pictures From Stadiums. Here’s Why

Danijones04 mins

The BCCI has informed all commentators, players, IPL owners, and social media and content teams associated with the squads not to post any pictures or videos from the stadium on match days on social media, says a report. A recent incident when a former India batter got a picture clicked of him commentating during an IPL game and posted it on social media irked broadcast-rights holders. Soon after, he was asked to delete it by a BCCI staff member, according to an Indian Express report. The BCCI has taken strict action and notified all commentators, players, IPL owners, and social media and content teams associated with the squads that there will be consequences for violating the rules, aiming to prevent individuals or teams from accruing social media followers by sharing images or videos on match days, the report said. “The broadcasters have paid big money for IPL rights. So commentators cannot post videos or photographs on match day on social media. There have been instances where commentators have done an ‘Instagram Live’ or posted a photo from the ground. One video got one million views. Even IPL teams can’t post videos of live games. They can post a limited number of photographs and can give live match updates on their social media platforms. If found guilty, a franchise will be fined,” BCCI official was quoted as saying by Indian Express. The officials also mentioned that some players had recently shared pictures on match days and were instructed to remove them. “Even players have been told to be mindful of social media posts on match days. All posts by players are being monitored. They had been informed of the rules but we found that some of them have not followed it,” the official added. The report further indicated that an IPL team incurred a fine of Rs 9 lakh for sharing a video clip of a live game in which they were participating. The two holders of broadcast rights, Star India for television and Viacom 18 for digital maintain exclusive control over content pertaining to “live matches” and the “field of play.” To enforce adherence to the rules, designated staff members from a BCCI team overseeing IPL production closely monitor posts made by commentators, IPL teams, players, and individuals present at the ground in an official capacity. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article

Read More
Ruturaj Gaikwad Shatters KL Rahul's Record To Claim Huge IPL Milestone

Ruturaj Gaikwad Shatters KL Rahul’s Record To Claim Huge IPL Milestone

Danijones04 mins

Mumbai (Maharashtra) : Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opener and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad completed 2,000 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Sunday, becoming only the fourth player from his franchise to do so. The 27-year-old accomplished this milestone against arch-rivals the Mumbai Indians (MI) at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Playing what was perhaps his most fluent knock of the season, Gaikwad scored 69 in 40 balls. His knock was decorated with five boundaries and five majestic sixers. His runs came at a strike rate of 172.50. In 58 IPL matches, Gaikwad has made 2,021 runs at an average of 39.62 and a strike rate of 134.91. He has scored a century and 16 fifties in 57 innings, with his best score being 101*. He is the fourth-highest run-getter in the IPL for CSK behind Faf Du Plessis (2,721 runs in 92 matches), MS Dhoni (4,547 runs in 226 matches) and Suresh Raina (4,687 runs in 176 matches). He is the fastest Indian to reach the milestone in just 57 innings and the overall third fastest behind Chris Gayle (48 innings) and Shaun Marsh (52 innings). Gaikwad’s finest season with CSK, a franchise he has represented since his debut in 2020, was the 2021 season. In that season, he scored 635 runs in 16 matches at an average of 45.35 and a strike rate of 136.26, with a century and four fifties. He won the ‘Orange Cap’ for most runs and also the fifth IPL title for the ‘Men in Yellow.’ This season, Gaikwad has so far scored 224 runs in six matches at an average of 44.80 and a strike rate of just over 130, with two half-centuries. His best score is 69, making him the seventh-highest run-getter this season. Coming to the match, MI won the toss and put CSK to bat first. After Ajinkya Rahane (5) and Rachin Ravindra (21 in 16 balls, with two fours and a six) did not make much impact, Gaikwad (69 in 40 balls, with five fours and five sixes) and Shivam Dube (66* in 38 balls, with 10 fours and two sixes) stitched a 90-run partnership. Later, MS Dhoni (20* in four balls) came during the final over and a hat-trick of sixes took CSK to 206/4 in 20 overs. Hardik Pandya (2/43) was the pick of the bowlers for MI. Shreyas Gopal and Gerald Coetzee got a wicket each. Topics mentioned in this article

Read More
"Worst Kind Of Bowling": Sunil Gavaskar Blasts Hardik Pandya After MS Dhoni's Fiery Knock

“Worst Kind Of Bowling”: Sunil Gavaskar Blasts Hardik Pandya After MS Dhoni’s Fiery Knock

Danijones03 mins

Hardik Pandya (L) and MS Dhoni© AFP Legendary Indian cricket team batter Sunil Gavaskar was furious with Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya after he was hit for three consecutive sixes by MS Dhoni during the IPL 2024 match against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday. Hardik was the pick of the MI bowlers with two wickets but he was slammed for 20 runs by Dhoni in the final four balls of the CSK innings. Gavaskar slammed Hardik for his ‘ordinary bowling and ordinary captaincy’ and criticised the kind of deliveries that he produced. “Probably the worst kind of bowling that I’ve seen for a long, long time. It almost looks like I’ve had this embrace with my hero. I’ve got a bowling kind of deliveries that he’s gonna hit for sixes. One 6 is fine. The next one again a length ball when you know that this batter is looking for a length ball to hit. The third ball again, a full toss on the leg side and he’s looking for it and hits it for a 6. Absolutely ordinary bowling, ordinary captaincy,” Gavaskar said during his analysis in the mid-innings break. Gavaskar also referred to the interaction that Hardik and Dhoni had just ahead of the match. Hardik ran to Dhoni and hugged the former India skipper in a moment that has gone viral on social media. Coming to the match, Rohit Sharma’s century went in vain as Mumbai Indians lost to Chennai Super Kings by 20 runs. Rohit played a brilliant knock but the hosts kept losing wickets at regular intervals and an impressive four-wicket haul from Matheesha Pathirana ensured the victory for CSK. Earlier, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube slammed half-centuries while Dhoni provided a late flourish against Hardik’s bowling to take CSK’s total to 206. Thanks to the victory, CSK remain in the third position while Mumbai Indians are eighth in the competition with just four points from six matches. Topics mentioned in this article

Read More
Mumbai Indians

Virat Kohli’s Request In Vain As Mumbai Crowd Boos Hardik Pandya Once Again

Danijones03 mins

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya was once again booed by the crowd at the Wankhede Stadium during the IPL 2024 match against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday. Hardik has been on the receiving end of some negative reactions from the MI fanbase since replacing Rohit Sharma as the skipper. Things got worse as MI slumped to three back-to-back defeats in the competition but the past few games have witnessed a mini-resurgence for the side with two wins. During the last game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Virat Kohli was not pleased with the crowd booing Hardik and he requested them to cheer him and remember that he plays for the Indian cricket team. However, it looks like Kohli’s requests were in vain as Hardik was once again targeted with boos by the fans while loud chants of “Rohit Rohit” was also heard ahead of the start of the match. Hardik Pandya getting Huge boos at the toss This is Unreal by Rohit Sharma fans!!!pic.twitter.com/NJfUt2iuuH — ᴘʀᴀᴛʜᴍᴇsʜ⁴⁵ (@45Fan_Prathmesh) April 14, 2024 Meanwhile, Hardik won the toss and opted to field against Chennai Super Kings. “We would like to bowl first, dew will come into play. It (pitch) looks better than the last game, expecting a lot of runs. Need to stick to the basics. Winning is very important to get the momentum. We were able to win two games convincingly. That’s the beauty about IPL, everyone has to contribute. Your team will be able to achieve goals eventually. The dew started coming post 10 overs (in the last game.) It gets heavier in the evening. Same team.” Hardik said at the toss. Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings Playing XIs – Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, Time David, Mohd Nabi, Romario Shepherd, Shreyas Gopal, Akash Madhwal Jasprit Bumrah, Gerald Coetzee Subs: Suryakumar Yadav, Dewald Brevis, Naman Dhir, Nehal Wadhera, Harvik Chennai Super Kings:Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rachin Ravindran, Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Ajinkya Rahane, Sameer Rizvi, M.S. Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, Mustafizur Rahman Subs:Matheesha Pathirana, Sindhi, Mitchell Santner, Moeen Ali, Adil Rasheed Topics mentioned in this article

Read More
Mumbai Indians

Cheteshwar Pujara Joining CSK For IPL 2024? Cryptic Post Sends Internet Into Meltdown

Danijones04 mins

File photo of Cheteshwar Pujara© X (formerly Twitter) Veteran Indian cricket team batter Cheteshwar Pujara sent social media into frenzy after a cryptic post hinted towards a possible move to Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2024. “#SupperKings looking forward to join you guys this season!” Pujara posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The social media post caught fans by surprise ahead of CSK’s much-anticipated IPL 2024 encounter against Mumbai Indians on Sunday and the users were quick to give their opinions on the possible move. Pujara had previously played for the franchise back in 2021 but he did not play a single game for them. The social media was split over Pujara’s potential arrival in CSK as some praised it as a good decision by the franchise to bolster their ranks while some thought he will not provide value in T20 cricket. #SupperKings looking forward to join you guys this season! — Cheteshwar Pujara (@cheteshwar1) April 14, 2024 Chennai Super Kings have enjoyed a mixed run of form in the competition till now with three wins and two losses. However, they will have a tough challenge ahead of them when they face a Mumbai Indians side which has rediscovered its form after losing three matches on the trot in IPL 2024. @ChennaiIPL he is coming — Vijay_GreZz_ReturnzZ (@thalapathy96196) April 14, 2024 When it comes to head-to-head in the IPL, MI have a 21-17 advantage over CSK with a 7-4 win-loss advantage in matches which were played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. CSK have actually lost two out of their last three match that they have played at the venue. Don’t tell me It’s what am thinkingpic.twitter.com/cZ6BVc4A40 — Hustler (@HustlerCSK) April 14, 2024 Things can also get better for MI skipper Hardik Pandya who was previously booed by the crowd in the franchise’s home ground. However, during the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Virat Kohli urged the crowd to support Hardik and the reaction was vastly different from that point. Chants of “Hardik Hardik” was heard during the match against CSK may find themselves in a match where MI will enjoy a huge support from their home crowd. Topics mentioned in this article

Read More
"India Need Hardik Pandya For T20 World Cup": England Great Slams Booing Fans

“India Need Hardik Pandya For T20 World Cup”: England Great Slams Booing Fans

Danijones04 mins

Hardik Pandya’s debut season as captain of Mumbai Indians (MI) has been nothing less than a soap opera. The all-rounder replaced the long-serving Rohit Sharma as the captain of the franchise ahead of the IPL 2024 players auction. However, fans have not been happy over the change in leadership at MI. The crowd has made it presence felt by booing Hardik during matches so far this season. Former England captain Michael Vaughan shared his views on Hardik being booed by fans. Since Hardik played two seasons at Gujarat Titans, Vaughan admitted that he understood the hostility from the Ahmedabad crowd in MI’s first game this season at the Narendra Modi Stadium. However, Vaughan expressed his shock at the treatment Hardik received in Hyderabad, as well as the Wankhede “I don’t understand booing. I kind of get it in the first game in Gujarat, because he played for them for two years and did not well as a captain. But then when he went to Hyderabad, I was like, ‘What’s going on.’ Then when he came back to Wankhede, his own home support was booing him. I did not understand that,” Vaughan said  on BeerBiceps podcas. Vaughan urged fans to back Hardik as India would need him to be fit and firing for the T20 World Cup. “What Indian cricket fans need to understand is that Mumbai Indians are Indian fans and for India to win the T20 World Cup, they need Hardik Pandya. They need him to play well. So somehow, over the next few weeks, they need him to get that confidence level right upto the top level, because with India having Hardik flying, they got a great chance in lifting that trophy,” he added. Speaking further on the MI captaincy drama, Vaughan suggested that Rohit should have been the captain of the franchise. “I personally would’ve captained Rohit. Hardik coming back to MI is big enough pressure in itself, and Rohit is obviously going to be the Indian T20 captain. The sensible move would’ve been for Rohit to carry as MI captain with Hardik in mind for next year or 2,” Vaughan explained. Topics mentioned in this article

Read More
"What Have They Identified?": CSK Coach Stephen Fleming's Blunt T20 World Cup Message To BCCI

“What Have They Identified?”: CSK Coach Stephen Fleming’s Blunt T20 World Cup Message To BCCI

Danijones06 mins

Former New Zealand captain and five-time IPL-winning coach Stephen Fleming believes that India should decide on their style of play for the upcoming T20 World Cup and pick the in-form players accordingly. India will head into this year’s T20 global showpiece in the Caribbean and the USA to make yet another bid to end their wait for an ICC trophy, which extended further after they lost to Australia in the final of the 50-overs World Cup last year. It has been more than 10 years since India last won a global competition, which has, in a way kept ageing stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the mix despite growing calls for the T20I side to be blooded with young talent. “The thing for me is, what type of game plan do they want to play during the World Cup? What have they identified as the right style of play for India in an away condition?,” Fleming said when asked if CSK’s all-rounder Shivam Dube is primed for India call-up for the World Cup. “Then put players into that rather than just picking players and trying to find a game plan. I would be looking at the style of play that I would want, and then pick the players that are in-form and can perform the role that will best win that design,” Fleming said on the sidelines of CSK’s training session ahead of their IPL match against Mumbai Indians. Fleming said the amount of sheer power which Dube generates is good enough to compel the selectors into looking at him as one of the prospects for the T20 World Cup. “It’s probably one of the hardest jobs in world cricket, isn’t it, being an Indian selector. On one hand, very jealous as a New Zealander looking at the amount of talent that is on show and new players every game sort of pop up,” he said. “I love his power. I’m biased, aren’t I? But I think when you have a bit different power like that; I would have him in the side,” Fleming said. The former Kiwi skipper said Dube is reaping the benefits of the work that he has put in to face different kinds of bowlers, which has complemented CSK in return given the rule changes in the IPL such as the introduction of the impact player. “A lot of work last year to be honest, working him into that role and trying to use the change of rules to our advantage. He did a lot of work mentally last year on what that would look like, and then it was about opportunity. How long an opportunity would take for us to realise his potential,” Fleming said. “Or more importantly, for him to realise how good he could be. Since then, he has gone to another level. He works hard on all aspects. I know there’s a short-ball aspect that has been much publicised. But there’s a lot more to him than that,” he added. Fleming once again mentioned Dube’s power-hitting which has been a standout factor in his batting. “If anything, it deflects away from other areas. He uses that predictability to his advantage now. I haven’t seen a guy hit it harder (and) consistently hit it harder.” “Some of the power he can generate both from spin and from seam bowling is quite unique. When he’s in form like this, he’s a real weapon for us during those middle overs,” the CSK head coach added. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article

Read More
From Virat Kohli To Hardik Pandya: 5 T20 World Cup Selection Calls That Could Storm The World

From Virat Kohli To Hardik Pandya: 5 T20 World Cup Selection Calls That Could Storm The World

Danijones010 mins

It’s that time of the year again when India will get an opportunity to end their ICC trophy drought. The T20 World Cup 2024 is just around the verge with its participants gearing up for the marquee event scheduled to be held in the United States and the West Indies in June later this year. Whatever you say about prioritising domestic cricket or not, the ongoing IPL 2024 season will be more important for the T20 World Cup selection than any other domestic tournament. So, the high-profile T20 league will be crucial for contenders to stake claim in India’s 15-member T20 World Cup 2024 squad because there isn’t even a week between the IPL and the upcoming ICC T20 event. (IPL 2024 Points Table) Nearly a third of the IPL is over with a few contenders already making their mark in the league. Let’s first look at a few players that are reasonable certainties. Any such list should always begin with skipper Rohit Sharma, he will open the proceedings with Yashasvi Jaiswal. And once you bring back Rohit, there is no point in leaving Virat Kohli behind, knowing that India’s batting still revolves around him. The only other batter who will certainly fly to the West Indies and the United States is Suryakumar Yadav, considering his 17-ball fifty against RCB on his comeback. In addition to these star batters, Jasprit Bumrah is also a no-brainer for the ICC event. Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja are most likely to cement their places in the spin department. Meanwhile, the return of Rishabh Pant and the rich form of Yuzvendra Chahal has also perplexed the Indian think tank. Ahead of the squad announcement, the selectors will be keenly looking for a handful of answers from IPL to their questions. Keeping that in mind, let’s take a look at a few debate-stirring points on T20 WC squad selection. Seam-bowling all-rounder as sixth bowling option If fully fit and in form, Mumbai Indians’ new skipper Hardik Pandya is a definite starter. But the selectors will want to see what kind of role he plays for his IPL team. After five games this season, Hardik has scored 129 runs and has leaked runs at 11.12 in three innings. Meanwhile, Shivam Dube has had a wonderful start to the IPL 2024, with 176 runs in five innings at an impressive strike rate of 160, but he is yet to bowl in this IPL and that is what has thrown challenges to the selectors. However, it will be interesting to see how Shivam Dube will be accommodated in the playing XI. Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant ready for T20 World Cup? PBKS batter Jitesh Sharma was the closest contender for the wicketkeeper role at the start of the IPL but the decision-makers would ideally have liked to see him a little more in international outings. However, the return of Rishabh Pant has cleared the doubts concerning his recent form in the IPL. The southpaw smashed 196 runs in six innings at 157.72. Pant has competition from the likes of Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, and Ishan Kishan, who are likely to be vying for the second wicketkeeper slot in the squad. “Yeah look it’s great for Indian cricket, but it’s also great for Rishabh Pant. I think the work that has gone into his rehab to get back to that level of play at any standard is an amazing achievement. “He deserves a lot of credit for his hard work and it’s great to see him on the field, captaining and playing well, batting and keeping,” former Australia captain Michael Clarke was quoted as saying to IPL broadcaster Star Sports. Pant, who had surgery on his knee, has shown that he is ready to bat and keep. Does Virat Kohli deserve a place in the squad? Former India captain Virat Kohli is currently leading the Orange Cap list after amassing 319 runs in six matches at 79.75, including a century. There is no way he is going to be left out, despite some talks to the contrary about his ‘anchoring’ strike rate. Virat has been an absolute match-winner for India since his international debut. In T20 World Cups, he has accumulated 1,141 runs in 25 innings at an impressive average of 81.50 and a strike rate over 130. With an immense experience of 117 T20I matches, Virat’s presence in the middle order as an anchor will only provide balance alongside the swashbuckling and aggressive styles of Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Rinku Singh, and Shivam Dube. Pace bowlers apart from Bumrah Jasprit Bumrah is there for sure. He will be leading India’s pace battery in the T20 World Cup. But, India needs two more quicks in the starting XI for the ICC event. With Mohammed Shami out of contention due to injury and Bhuvneshwar Kumar not in India’s T20 schemes since the 2022 edition of the T20 World Cup, no one is closer to Bumrah in terms of quality and experience. The last squad that played against Afghanistan featured Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar. One of the all-format pacers, Mohammed Siraj has been conceding runs at 10.40 in the ongoing IPL with only four scalps to his name after six matches. Lucknow Super Giants’ pace sensation Mayank Yadav was somewhere in the talks of making the squad but he still needs a handful of international matches to prove his worth. With India’s 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 likely to be announced in the last week of April, these contenders have limited opportunities to impress and partner Bumrah in the fast bowling department. Who are the death-over hitters? Finishers auditioning for the aforementioned role must be able to strike 180 or more in overs 17 to 20. For that role, no one can go beyond Rinku Singh, at least in the T20 format. The southpaw has smashed 356 runs in 11 T20I innings at a whopping strike rate of 176.23. There is no reason to keep him…

Read More