Team India

T20 World Cup: India is the strongest side even with injuries, says Morgan

Danijones5 months ago05 mins

File picture of former England ODI captain Eoin Morgan | Photo Credit: AP India’s remarkable reservoir of talent and formidable depth within their squad makes them strong contenders to win the upcoming T20 World Cup, feels former England skipper Eoin Morgan. India have gone with almost the same squad as they had in the last edition of the T20 World Cup while adding the likes of young Yashasvi Jaiswal, Yuzvendra Chahal and Sanju Samson. “The strongest side even with injuries throughout the tournament is India. Their strength and depth is absolutely incredible,” Morgan said on Sky Sports. Also read | ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2024: full schedule, dates and venues “And it’s almost probably, we’re talking about who the players that were missed out in their squad of 15 because of the quality that they possess. “They are favourites for me, the quality they have on paper, if they produce it I think they can beat anybody quite well in the tournament,” he added. India were spoilt for choice as they were forced to leave the likes of Shubman Gill and K.L. Rahul. “The only decision I would have had differently and if I was selecting the squad, I would have Shubman Gill over Yashasvi Jaiswal. I have played alongside him, I know how he thinks. I know how he works. “I feel he’s a future leader within that side and I think in big moments, in World Cups the more leaders the better. Even if he’s sitting on the sideline, you still need inspiration from here and there, a sense of positivity.” India head into almost every tournament as favourites but they haven’t won an ICC title in over a decade. The last trophy the ‘Men in Blue’ lifted was the Champions Trophy in 2013. In the last edition of the T20 World Cup they were hammered by 10 wickets by eventual winners England in the semifinals in Adelaide. “I think they can (win), because they have go to a stage now where Adelaide would hurt, recently losing the (ODI) World Cup at home to Australia in front of 1,25,000 Indian fans. “The spinner will come into the game, the level of batsmanship will come into the game if the wickets slow down like we think. But also that excellence in power hitting is the point of difference for me. Shivam Dube has to play,I think he’ll set this World Cup alight. Irony that only time India won T20 WC was pre-IPL: Atherton Many argue that India’s cricket in T20 format has improved by leaps and bounds since the advent of the IPL. But former England captain Michael Atherton pointed out that it ironical that the only time India won the T20 World Cup was before the IPL came into being. “It’s also an irony, because everyone talks about the IPL and how it has improved India’s T20 cricket. The irony is that the only time they have won is pre IPL,” Atherton said. India were the first T20 World Cup winners in 2007. Under the captaincy of the talismanic Mahendra Singh Dhoni, they had beaten arch-rivals Pakistan.

Rinku Singh: T20 World Cup: Why India needed a Rinku-first policy | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago07 mins

In a press conference explaining Team India‘s selection for the World Cup, BCCI‘s chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that Rinku Singh was “the toughest thing to discuss…it was all about the combination we wanted.” The chief selector meant that the committee did its best but it couldn’t find Rinku a place considering the big picture. It also came to light that captain Rohit Sharma wanted four spinners for the squad which had reduced the options for the selectors.A day later, former India captain and ex-BCCI president Sourav Ganguly shared a similar view.What’s clear from these statements is that the 26-year-old batter from Aligarh wasn’t thought of as an automatic selection. Rather, he was at best considered as the last possible player for the 15-member squad, and later consigned to the reserves. Here’s why such a thought process is erroneous. India won the T20 World Cup for the first and last time in 2007, the year before IPL arrived. In the seven editions, thereafter, it has entered the final only once (2014) and semifinal twice (2016 & 2022). England, West Indies, even Pakistan and Sri Lanka enjoy better records than India. A key reason behind these failures is the team’s inability to produce its best cricket in high pressure knock-out games in the World Cup. Most players considered essential by the selectors are the same blokes who have been unable to perform time and again in these matches. That’s why India needed a Rinku-first policy. Here was a journeyman who emerged from the shadows to capture national spotlight delivering wins from near-impossible situations in IPL 2023 and, of late, in T20Is to become India’s elusive 911 man. On recent international performance and making a comparative assessment of his temperament in tough situations with other so-called ‘undroppables’, his selection should have been the easiest, not the “toughest” decision to make. How many proven – not on paper — finishers in T20Is, especially in tough situations, does this team’s lower batting order have?Let’s walk the talk with hard statistics. Rinku has played 15 T20Is, batted in 11 innings, remained unbeaten in 7. Barring a couple of games, he made invaluable contributions improving the team’s situation in each of them. His strike rate is 176; average 89. No surprise former internationals such as Kris Srikkanth, Irfan Pathan and Ambati Rayudu have also spoken up over his non-inclusion. His freewheeling undefeated 37 off 14 balls gave India the edge in a crucial Asian Games tie against Nepal. Nepal scored 179/9 in the game; India won by just 23 runs, and in retrospect, Rinku’s input was critical.Against Australia in Thiruvananthapuram last November, Rinku blitzkrieged an unbeaten 31 off 9 deliveries. The innings underlined that he could move into fifth gear at a moment’s notice. In the same series, he smashed 46 off 29 balls, the highest score in the team with the second highest run rate. India won that game too. Then again, last December against South Africa in faraway Gqeberha, his unconquered 68 off 39 balls was the side’s highest score with the highest strike rate.In Bengaluru this January, in his last international game against Afghanistan, Rinku was outstanding in a tough situation. Coming in to bat with India 22/4, he produced in tandem with Rohit Sharma an unbeaten game-changing partnership of 190. It is surprising that Rohit, who scored an unbeaten 121 (off 69) in that nerve-jangling game, couldn’t place him among 15.In all these knocks as well as in IPL 2023, Rinku’s batting displayed calm, power and situational awareness. He found a way to outwit bowlers, mould his shotmaking to the situation.If Rinku’s recent IPL form was a reason for his omission, what about several other selected players whose form seems to be getting worse with every passing game? That aside, there’s a lack of consistency in selection logic. If Dube, who averages nearly 40 and has a strike rate of 145 in T20Is, was rewarded for his superlative IPL show, why isn’t medium pacer T Natarajan even in the reserves. His current IPL stats — wickets, economy rate, strike rate – as well as ball control and ability to bowl at the death is superior to the chosen ones.Team India may or may not perform well at the forthcoming World Cup beginning in June. But irrespective of the result, the omission of Rinku Singh will remain a case of grave injustice.

‘Yeh ek din ki mehnat nahi hain’: Manika Batra on her historic win against World No. 2 Wang Manyu | More sports News

Danijones6 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Indian table tennis star Manika Batra bested the current World No. 2 Wang Manyu of China to enter the last 16 of the ongoing Saudi Smash in Jeddah on Monday.Addressing the media following her monumental triumph, the Indian paddler celebrated the win as the “biggest achievement” of her career in singles.“It was my biggest achievement in my singles’ career.I am really happy that I won against her. I have been working hard in my training sessions with my coach Aman Balgu, my practice partner and trainer. So I am really happy because I worked hard (for this result). Of course, yeh ek din ki mehnat nahi hain (This is not the result of a single day’s effort). I kept on working hard for days, months, and years. I am glad that all those training sessions bore fruit for me,” said the 39th-ranked Batra.Vowing to keep her momentum, she added, “I will keep on fighting as I did today. I was fighting for every ball. I would like to keep this fighting spirit for my next match and the coming tournaments.”Having recently lost her position as the top-ranked Indian female player to Sreeja Akula (World No.38), Batra defeated China’s Wang 3-1 (6-11, 11-5, 11-7, 12-10) in a 37-minute encounter. The Indian paddler will now lock horns with Germany’s Nina Mittelham, ranked 14th in the world, for a spot in the quarterfinals.The 28-year-old has already qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024 and will be representing India in the most significant sporting event of the year.

‘Will send team to Pakistan only if…’: BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla on India’s Champions Trophy participation | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago06 mins

NEW DELHI: Rajeev Shukla, the vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has clarified that the Indian team’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy next year, scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February to March 2025, is contingent upon receiving approval from the central government.The statement comes amidst speculation regarding India’s potential absence from the tournament.Tensions between India and Pakistan have significantly impacted cricketing relations between the two nations since 2008, following the Asia Cup. Bilateral series between India and Pakistan have been suspended since December 2012-January 2013, with ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup serving as the primary platforms for their cricketing encounters.The decision to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy hinges on various factors, including the prevailing diplomatic and security situation between the two countries. Given the history of strained relations and security concerns, any decision regarding India’s participation will be subject to careful consideration and consultation with relevant authorities.Speaking to the ANI, Shukla said, “In the case of the Champion Trophy, we will do whatever the Government of India will tell us to do. We send our team only when the Government of India gives us permission. So we will go according to the decision of the Indian government.” Pakistan resorted to a hybrid strategy during the hosting of the Asia Cup last year due to logistical and security challenges, notably hosting all of India’s matches, including potential encounters against Pakistan, in Sri Lanka. This decision was made in the interest of ensuring the smooth conduct of the tournament while accommodating security concerns and diplomatic sensitivities.Contrastingly, when it came to the possibility of adopting a similar hybrid approach for the ODI World Cup hosted by India the previous year, Pakistan did not seriously consider such a strategy.Instead, they participated in the tournament in India, playing all their matches at various venues across the country. Despite initial discussions regarding the feasibility of a hybrid approach, Pakistan ultimately competed in the tournament in India, albeit facing challenges in the group stages and being eliminated early on.It’s worth noting that Pakistan holds the distinction of being the defending champions of the ICC Champions Trophy, with their triumph in the last edition held in 2017. As they gear up for future tournaments, Pakistan will undoubtedly aim to replicate their past success on the global stage.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has designated Lahore as the only location for India matches for the Champions Trophy that Pakistan has been awarded for the next year, as ESPNcricinfo reported earlier in May.According to ESPNcricinfo, PCB has locked three locations–Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi–to host the two-week Champions Trophy. India’s draft schedule calls for them to play all of their games at Lahore, which is also the location of the final.It is said that the idea of putting India in a single place was put forward to avoid potentially significant logistical and security issues related to their travel. Additionally, it gives Indian fans a comparatively easier choice to visit because it is headquartered in Lahore, which is near the Wagah border crossing between the two countries.PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said earlier that the board had sent a draft schedule of the tournament, likely to be staged in mid-February next year, to the ICC. Discussions on it involving the eight participating members will take place, with the major sticking point likely to be whether the India team travels or not.(With ANI inputs)

Owning a house in India? David Warner opens up on his special love for the country, cricket-crazy fans | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago05 mins

NEW DELHI: Renowned Australian opener David Warner has always had a special place in his heart for India.An IPL title winner with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016, Warner, over the years, has been showered with immense love from the fans across the country.The 37-year-old too has been kind in sharing his love and appreciation for the fans over social media and meet-ups with fans.And it won’t be exaggerating to say that the Australian, to an extent, is more popular in the country than some of the local stars.Warner, recently opened up on the love he has received in the country and said that it has been overwhelming. Amid such popularity, there have also been jokes around Warner owning a place here.Putting all the speculations to a rest, Warner in an interview to Ashwin said, he indeed looked for a place some time back and would like to spend more time in the country.“I don’t (have a house in India). I did look at some stages. I get a lot of people asking me if I want a house here. One day, maybe when I finish my cricket, I would like to come here and spend some time. Lifestyle is good. I am a people’s person. I go to the malls with my girls and I embrace everything,” Warner said in the latest episode of R Ashwin’s YouTube show.“People say I am mad for going out without security and all that. But, at the end of the day, people have a lot of respect. I think people come and ask for photos, yes. But when you are out without your kids and embracing the culture, I think people understand and keep their distance. Sometimes though, in some smaller villages, it can get a little difficult. We do take security with us. But it’s great, I love it. You walk down the street in India and there’s always a game of cricket on,” he added.Warner’s feud-filled exit from Sunrisers, despite winning a title for them, was also a major talking point in his IPL career.From his exit to him being blocked by the franchise, Warner also spilled the beans on his relationship with the franchise.“It did (hurt) because it was a sense of hurt for fans. The fans are the most important relationship you could have. With the engagement with the fans that I had, with the team I had was very good,” Warner said.“Not sure why I was blocked. But, I did engage with a lot of fans on the social media side for SRH. I did feel it was my duty to engage with the fans, making sure they keep coming back. That’s what is most important. But from the blocking point of view, I don’t know. I have been sitting on it for about 5 years. It was bizarre. At the end of the day, I still got fans who come onto my page and talk to everyone. So it’s great,” he added.

Team India’s ‘leaked’ T20 World Cup jersey sparks massive social media furore

Danijones6 months ago04 mins

With the T20 World Cup scheduled for next month, and fans will be gearing up for a proper cricket extravaganza. The tournament is being co-hosted by the West Indies and US. The BCCI have already announced Team India’s 15-member squad, and there were some surprises. The Team India jersey has been leaked allegedly. Meanwhile, cricket fans are also waiting for the unveiling of India’s official T20 World Cup jersey. Adidas is BCCI’s official kit sponsor, and they have been making different kits for ODIs and T20Is. The ODI jersey is collared, and shows the tiger’s stripes. Meanwhile, the T20I jersey symbolises the Ashoka Chakra, which is in the Indian flat. Both jerseys have stripes on the shoulder. Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India’s general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! Download Now! Recently, a photo went viral on social media, which allegedly showed India’s jersey for the upcoming ICC showpiece event. The alleged leak shows the jersey with tri-colour stripes on a v-shaped neck, and the traditional Adidas stripes on saffron sleeves. Here is the alleged leaked jersey photo: If this is actually the jersey, this will be then considered a huge mishap on BCCI and Adidas’ side, as jersey unveilings are usually filled with suspense. It left social media in a state of meltdown. Reacting to the photo, one fan said, “Not goodd.” Meanwhile, another fan calle it a ‘training kit’. Another fan called it “worst”. Rohit Sharma will be leading the Indian squad in the ICC tournament, and we will also see Rishabh Pant make his international return. The DC skipper has been included in the 15-member squad, having missed more than a year of cricket due to a freak car accident. Sanju Samson is the other wicketkeeper-batter in the squad, with KL Rhaul getting snubbed. Meanwhile, Shivam Dube’s IPL form has made it impossible to ignore him and he is expected to play a key role. The spin department consists of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, who will be assisted by the pace battery consisting of Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj and Hardik Pandya. Also, the reserves list consists of Shubman Gill, Rinky Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan. The Indian batting line-up is also well-equipped, consisting of the likes of Rohit, Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav.

IPL 2024: Mohammed Siraj’s good show for RCB a shot in the arm for Team India | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago07 mins

NEW DELHI: Mohammed Siraj‘s turn-around has been instrumental in Royal Challengers Bengaluru‘s late-inning comeback in this IPL, and the pacer’s impressive form may have also helped calm Indian nerves ahead of the T20 World Cup next month.IPL ORANGE CAP | IPL PURPLE CAP | IPL POINTS TABLEIn the most recent manifestation of his transformation, Siraj destroyed the Gujarat Titans with a two-wicket burst in the Power Play, taking the wickets of Wriddhiman Saha and Shubman Gill.Siraj took an incredible 2-0-9-2 at that point, and as he is expected to share the new ball with Jasprit Bumrah in the ICC final, it is also a huge boost for the national side.After working with Siraj for the past five years, assistant coach Adam Griffith of the RCB attributed that change to him “swinging the ball again.”“He’s the leader of our group. He’s played a lot for India in the last few years and has done really well. It’s not just him bowling well. It’s his aggression, his body language, him taking the batters on to try and get wickets is such an important part of what we’re trying to do.“Having him up and going, swinging the ball again, bowling with good pace, and being aggressive is so important to us,” said Griffith in the post-match press meet in Bengaluru on Saturday after RCB defeated GT by four wickets. The bowling performance of the Royal Challengers, with a combined economy rate of 10.28 and 45 wickets, was the lowest in the IPL season.As the leader, it was Siraj’s job to sort of galvanize the others, and he raised his hand.Maybe the nine days off he received between April 12 and April 20 helped him refocus and become more alert.The Sunrisers Hyderabad game in Bengaluru, where they amassed an IPL record 287 for three, was the one he missed in the meantime.Griffith outlined the reasoning behind allowing Siraj some free time.“He’s like any other player when they are fatigued. It’s very important to give them that break. That’s just as important as the training component, sometimes even more important.“He is a rhythm bowler – his run-up is so important to what he does. So, we want him fresh and running in hard,” he said. Siraj participated in four games against the Kolkata Knight Riders, SRH, and two against GT after his comeback from the break. In a high-scoring game against the Knight Riders, RCB lost by one run, but they won the other three.In those three matches, Siraj had figures of 4-0-20-0, 4-0-34-1 and 4-0-29-2.Griffith said Siraj has found a good balance between off-time and preparation.“He knows his body really well. He knows what he needs to do to prepare and every now and then we might need to give him a little bit of a push in that direction.“I’ve been with him now for five or so years, so I can tell when he’s going well and when he needs a rest,” he added.This version of Siraj was a throwback to IPL 2023 when he picked up 19 wickets and 10 of them were in the Power Play.The energy of Siraj seemed to have percolated to other bowlers too as the young Yash Dayal dished out a frugal and productive spell upfront – 4-0-21-2.It meant that the Titans were restricted to the lowest Power Play score of this IPL season – 23/3.Griffith said the RCB bowlers have collectively managed to hit a better line as they notched up three wins on the bounce.“We’ve swung the ball all tournament upfront. We talked about bowling a lot straighter and attacking the stumps as much as we can to challenge the batters’ defence and make them play aggressive shots if they want to come at us.“That’s the challenge for them to do and the boys put them exactly where we wanted them (against GT),” he explained.(With PTI inputs)

Was vice-captaincy point of discussion? Chief selector Ajit Agarkar spills beans on Hardik Pandya’s form ahead of T20 WC – India TV

Danijones6 months ago03 mins

Image Source : BCCI/IPL BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar spoke at length about Hardik Pandya and his form in IPL 2024 for the Mumbai Indians Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and Indian skipper Rohit Sharma addressed the press conference in Mumbai on Thursday, May 2 following the T20 World Cup 2024 squad announcement. The questions ranged from being about Rinku Singh’s absence to the reason for picking four spinners in the squad of 15 and about Hardik Pandya’s form, who has been chosen as vice-captain. Agarkar was asked if there was any discussion regarding the vioce-captaincy and the former India pacer denied it while elaborating on Hardik’s form. “Not really, nothing discussed as regards to vice-captaincy. Form, I mean you want all guys to be in good form. I think he [Hardik] has come after a long-ish layoff but the good part is he has gotten through all the games so far for MI. We have got a month and a little bit [more] till we play our first game. We know he is doing that and the hope is that he keeps building on that form. “As long as he is fit, we know what he brings, the balance he gives to the team. I don’t think there’s a replacement for things he can do as a cricketer at the moment, especially when it comes to the way he bowls really gives balance. I think it’ll give Rohit options to play different combinations. So it’s his fitness for us is critical and so far, fortunately, he’s gone okay in this IPL,” Agarkar added while Rohit beside him nodded. Hardik hasn’t had the best of outings in IPL 2024 leading the Mumbai Indians as he has scored 197 runs in 10 matches averaging 22, at a strike rate of 150. With the ball too, Hardik has had a mixed-0bag taking just six wickets in the competition at an economy of 11. As Agarkar said, Hardik is invaluable to the balance of the side and both the captain and the team management will hope to see the Mumbai Indians skipper slowly building up to his best.

‘Nothing new to me, it’s…’: Rohit Sharma on his return to T20 captaincy | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Seasoned Rohit Sharma exuded confidence while embracing the familiar mantle of T20 captaincy, stating that it’s nothing new to him and it’s a part of his life during the media interaction post India’s T20 World Cup selection in Mumbai on Thursday.His words resonate with the calm assurance of someone well-versed in leadership’s ebbs and flows.Undeterred by the weight of responsibility, Rohit’s demeanour suggests a seasoned player ready to navigate the challenges ahead.“I was captain. Not being captain and then again captain. It’s part of life. Not everything will go your way. It’s been a great experience. Before in my life, I was also not captain and played under different captains. It’s nothing to me. I have always tried to do what’s required as a player and I have tried to do that in the last 1 month,” Rohit told reporters on his return to T20 captaincy.Rohit stressed upon the fact that the team management particularly looked at middle-order hitting since our top-order has been good.“Don’t know how the pitch will be in the USA. We are playing in the West Indies but at different venues. You have to look at the opposition combinations as well. One thing that we looked at was middle-order hitting. Our top-order hitting has been alright, not that bad.We wanted someone to play that role in the middle overs freely, without worrying about who is bowling. Shivam Dube was the guy who showed this in IPL. Again, no guarantee what our playing XI will be like. Will decide based on practice and the combination of our opposition,” Rohit added.With a past adorned by numerous captaincy stints, he steps back into the role with an air of nonchalance, as if slipping into a comfortable pair of shoes. Rohit’s return is not just a reinstatement; it’s a reaffirmation of his capability to steer the team through the choppy waters of T20 cricket with aplomb.

Rishabh Pant: Playing for India is not a destination, it’s a journey: Rishabh Pant | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago04 mins

NEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant delved into the profound intricacies of ambition, dreams, and the perpetual journey of cricket, offering a glimpse into his remarkable resilience and unwavering determination.In a candid interview on Star Sports, Pant’s reflections on the evolution of dreams resonated deeply as he articulated, “You have some dreams which you have been seeing since childhood…Then there are some dreams which, as your life goes on, you have to give dreams to yourself.” This introspective perspective shed light on the transformative nature of aspirations, evolving from childhood fantasies to self-motivated milestones.Drawing from personal experience, Pant emphasized the necessity of setting new goals to sustain motivation and growth, stating, “As a kid I always thought I have to play for India… So I played for India, now what? You have to give yourself different dreams.” His words echoed the sentiment of continuous self-challenge and reinvention, crucial for navigating the complexities of life and sport.While acknowledging the significance of focusing on the process, Pant underscored the importance of establishing small, attainable targets in life to fuel motivation. “It is important to give yourself these small goals in life… So that we remain motivated. And this is a constant journey,” he remarked, highlighting the perpetual quest for personal and professional excellence.In a poignant analogy, Pant likened the cricketing journey to a dynamic progression rather than a static destination, asserting, “I feel cricket is not a destination. Playing for India is not a destination. It’s a journey.” His profound insight underscored the enduring commitment and continuous evolution inherent in the pursuit of sporting excellence. Pant’s introspective musings come against the backdrop of his remarkable resurgence in the cricketing arena, marked by his triumphant return to the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. This milestone follows a tumultuous period during which Pant faced a near-fatal car crash, resulting in a severe knee injury that threatened his career.Undeterred by adversity, Pant’s resilience and determination shone through as he staged a remarkable comeback to competitive cricket, dazzling fans with his explosive batting displays in the ongoing Indian Premier League. With 398 runs in 11 innings at a blistering strike rate of 158.56, Pant’s performances underscored his indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to excellence.