Mohammed Shami Eyes Strong Comeback, Focuses on Fitness

Mohammed Shami Eyes Strong Comeback, Focuses on Fitness

Mohammed Shami, India’s premier fast bowler, is determined to make a strong comeback to international cricket after recovering from an ankle injury. Shami, 34, last played in the 2023 ODI World Cup final and has been sidelined since then.

“I am working hard to make a comeback soon because I know I have been out of action for quite some time,” Shami said at the Cricket Association of Bengal’s (CAB) annual awards ceremony. However, he emphasized the importance of ensuring his fitness before returning to the field.

“I want to ensure there is no discomfort when I return. I’ve to work on my fitness, so that there is no discomfort,” Shami said. “The stronger I return, the better it is for me. I don’t want to rush and risk getting injured again.”

Shami has already started bowling but is not taking any chances until he is 100% fit. He is likely to make a comeback to competitive cricket for his domestic side Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, with a potential international appearance later in one of the Test matches against New Zealand.

“If I need to play domestic cricket to test my fitness, I will,” Shami said. “What matters most is that I am fully ready for whatever comes next, regardless of the opposition or format.”

Shami is expected to be a key figure in India’s preparations for the upcoming five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. “We are the favorites, they should be worried,” Shami said confidently.

South East Stars Reach Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Final After Thrilling Victory

South East Stars Reach Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Final After Thrilling Victory

The South East Stars have secured their place in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final after a thrilling three-wicket victory over the Southern Vipers in a semi-final that went down to the wire.

The Vipers posted a competitive 220 for 9 from their 50 overs, with Nancy Harman top-scoring with 38. Tilly Corteen-Coleman was the pick of the Stars’ bowlers, claiming 3 for 33.

The Stars’ chase got off to a shaky start, losing three wickets for just 10 runs. However, a remarkable partnership of 90 from 86 balls between Alice Davidson-Richards and Kalea Moore turned the tide in their favor.

Davidson-Richards, who was dropped on 31, remained unbeaten on 90, while Moore contributed an unbeaten 52. The duo’s heroics propelled the Stars to victory with just seven balls to spare.

The Vipers’ innings was anchored by Harman and Alice Monaghan, who put on a 48-run partnership for the seventh wicket. However, Corteen-Coleman and Davidson-Richards combined to dismiss both batters in quick succession.

The Stars’ chase was also marked by a crucial dropped catch by Naomi Dattani, who spilled a simple chance offered by Davidson-Richards when she was on 31. This proved to be a pivotal moment in the match, as Davidson-Richards went on to play a match-winning knock.

The Stars will now face the Sunrisers in the final at Grace Road on Saturday, while the Vipers’ season comes to an end.

Mohammed Shami Targets Bengal Comeback, Eyes Border-Gavaskar Trophy Triumph

Mohammed Shami Targets Bengal Comeback, Eyes Border-Gavaskar Trophy Triumph

Mohammed Shami Aspires for Bengal Comeback, Eyes Border-Gavaskar Trophy Triumph

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) recently held its Annual Award Ceremony, honoring exceptional achievements in cricket. Among the celebrated individuals was India’s star fast bowler, Mohammed Shami, who received a special award for his outstanding performance during the Cricket World Cup 2023.

During his acceptance speech, Shami expressed his desire to return to the Bengal team. The fast bowler, who has been sidelined from international cricket, aims to regain his place in the national squad by showcasing his skills in domestic tournaments.

“I definitely want to play for Bengal next season. I am looking forward to playing two to three matches for Bengal in Ranji. It will help me to make a comeback in international cricket. I have been training at the NCA and I want to play as and when I am 100 percent fit,” Shami said, as quoted by IANS.

Shami, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, was discovered while playing first-class cricket for Bengal. After debuting in 2011, he played 15 first-class and 15 List A matches before being selected for India’s ODI squad to face Pakistan in Delhi in January 2013.

Expressing his gratitude towards Bengal, Shami said, “I can’t thank Bengal enough. I was born in a family in UP where there was no opportunity. So I often say I was born in UP but made in Bengal. This is a journey of 22 years and I am so grateful to Bengal for making me what I am. The love and warmth Bengal has shown will never be forgotten.”

Shami also shared his thoughts on the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, set to begin in December. He believes that India are the favorites to defeat Australia in the five-match Test series later this year.

“I think India are favorites to win the series. In the last series in Australia, we played with a young team with a lot of senior players missing. But we proved we were the best. So I feel the next series will be competitive one and India will be victorious,” Shami added.

Sunrisers Storm into RHF Trophy Final with Seven-Wicket Triumph

Sunrisers Storm into RHF Trophy Final with Seven-Wicket Triumph

Sunrisers’ trio of Grace Scrivens, Cordelia Griffith, and Jodi Grewcock propelled the team to a maiden Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final appearance with a dominant seven-wicket victory over Northern Diamonds.

Chasing 233 at Headingley, Sunrisers’ openers Scrivens and Jo Gardner laid a solid foundation with a 70-run partnership. Scrivens, who captained the side, notched up 56 runs off 73 deliveries, including a towering six over long-on.

After Gardner’s dismissal, Griffith took charge, scoring a season-best 68 off 89 balls. Her innings featured an array of shots, including a memorable cut for four off Katie Levick and a six over square-leg off Rachel Slater.

Grewcock, who also registered a season-best score of 63 not out off 68 balls, joined Griffith in a crucial 134-run partnership for the third wicket. Their alliance effectively sealed the victory for Sunrisers in the 44th over.

Northern Diamonds, aiming for their fourth 50-over final, had posted a competitive 232 for 8. Opener Emma Marlow led the way with a measured 63, while Sterre Kalis contributed 49 and Phoebe Turner chipped in with a late 32 not out.

Sunrisers’ bowlers, led by Kate Coppack and Grewcock, kept the Diamonds in check throughout the innings. Coppack conceded only 29 runs from her 10 overs, while Grewcock took one wicket and conceded 26 runs in eight overs.

Despite the absence of key seamer Sophie Munro, who left the field injured after bowling just two overs, Sunrisers cruised to victory with eight RHF Trophy wins this season, surpassing their combined total of six wins in the first four seasons of regional cricket.

Sunrisers will now face South East Stars in the final at Leicester next Saturday, aiming to cap off a remarkable season with their first RHF Trophy title.

Gloucestershire Crush Sussex to Reach Vitality Blast Final

Gloucestershire Crush Sussex to Reach Vitality Blast Final

Gloucestershire’s dominance in the Vitality Blast continued as they secured a resounding eight-wicket victory over Sussex in the second semi-final at Edgbaston. The triumph sets up a thrilling West Country showdown with local rivals Somerset in the final, giving Gloucestershire a chance to claim their first silverware in nearly a decade.

Sussex’s batting woes began early as David Payne’s swing proved too much for Daniel Hughes, who was dismissed for just one run. Matt Taylor then joined the party, claiming the wickets of Harrison Ward and James Coles to leave Sussex reeling at 35 for 4 after the powerplay.

Ollie Price and Tom Smith continued the onslaught, with Price dismissing Tom Clark and Fynn Hudson-Prentice. Smith then removed John Simpson and Ollie Robinson, leaving Sussex stranded on 64 for 7.

Jack Carson and Ollie Robinson briefly rallied, adding 37 runs, but Smith returned to dismiss Robinson and James Bracey completed a stumping to remove Tymal Mills. Payne wrapped up the innings in the 18th over, conceding just nine runs in a stellar display.

Gloucestershire’s chase was far less eventful. Despite losing Miles Hammond early, Cameron Bancroft and James Bracey put on a 54-run partnership to break the back of the chase. Bracey sealed the victory with a mighty six over long-off, securing Gloucestershire’s place in the final with 38 balls to spare.

Djokovic Dominates in Davis Cup Return, Serbia Takes 2-0 Lead

Djokovic Dominates in Davis Cup Return, Serbia Takes 2-0 Lead

Novak Djokovic made a triumphant return to competitive tennis, crushing Greek player Ioannis Xilas 6-0, 6-1 in the Davis Cup World Group I tie on Saturday. The victory marked Djokovic’s first match since his shock third-round exit at the US Open.

Playing in front of his home crowd at the Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Belgrade, Djokovic displayed his dominance from the outset. He lost just 15 points in the entire match, showcasing his exceptional form and determination to bounce back from his recent setback.

Djokovic’s victory gave Serbia a 2-0 lead on Day 1 of the two-day tie against Greece. World No. 53 Miomir Kecmanovic had earlier opened the tie with a 6-3, 6-3 win over No. 713 Aristotelis Thanos.

The Greek team was without their star player Stefanos Tsitsipas, who withdrew ahead of the tie due to a back injury. Despite Tsitsipas’ absence, Greece put up a spirited fight, but they were ultimately outmatched by the superior quality of the Serbian team.

The tie between Greece and Serbia was one of 12 promotional ties taking place this weekend. The 12 winning nations from the World Group I ties will qualify for the 2025 Davis Cup qualifying round next winter.

Djokovic’s performance in Belgrade was a clear indication that he is back to his best and ready to challenge for more Grand Slam titles. The Serbian maestro will be looking to add to his record-breaking tally of 21 Grand Slams when the Australian Open gets underway in January.

Indian Cricket Team Prepares for Bangladesh Test Series in Chennai

Indian Cricket Team Prepares for Bangladesh Test Series in Chennai

The Indian cricket team has commenced preparations for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, scheduled to begin on September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The team arrived at the venue on Thursday night and took to the field the following day under the guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel.

The series marks the return of several key players to the Test fold. Virat Kohli, who last featured in the format during India’s tour of South Africa in January, will be eager to regain his form after a disappointing T20 World Cup and Sri Lanka tour. KL Rahul, who missed the majority of the England Test series due to injury, has also made his comeback.

The pace attack will be bolstered by the return of Jasprit Bumrah, who has been out of action since the T20 World Cup final. He will be joined by Mohammed Siraj and debutant Yash Dayal. The spin quartet of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav will provide balance to the team.

Rohit Sharma will continue to lead the side, while Rishabh Pant returns to Test cricket for the first time since his life-threatening accident in December 2022. Pacers Akash Deep and Yash Dayal have received maiden call-ups, adding depth to the bowling department.

The series against Bangladesh will be a crucial test for India as they prepare for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The team will be looking to build momentum and find their rhythm ahead of the highly anticipated clash.

India Trails Sweden 0-2 in Davis Cup World Group I Tie

India Trails Sweden 0-2 in Davis Cup World Group I Tie

India’s Davis Cup hopes suffered a setback as they fell 0-2 behind Sweden in the World Group I tie on Saturday. N Sriram Balaji and Ramkumar Ramanathan were both defeated in straight sets in the opening singles matches.

Balaji, a doubles specialist, was outplayed by Elias Ymer 6-4, 6-2. The Indian struggled to keep up with Ymer’s powerful groundstrokes and was broken twice in each set.

Ramkumar, a more experienced Davis Cupper, was expected to level the tie against Leo Borg, the son of legendary Bjorn Borg. However, the 21-year-old Borg proved to be a formidable opponent, winning 6-3, 6-3.

Ramkumar’s challenge fell apart in just 58 minutes. He failed to find a way past Borg’s solid serve and consistent groundstrokes. The Indian also made several unforced errors, which proved costly.

India now face an uphill battle to win the tie. They need to win all three remaining matches on Sunday, including the doubles and two reverse singles.

Captain Rohit Rajpal has a tough decision to make regarding the doubles pairing. Balaji and Ramkumar could be given another chance, but Niki Poonacha may also be considered.

India have a history of overcoming 0-2 deficits in Davis Cup ties. They beat Brazil in 2010 and China in 2018 after trailing 0-2. However, they will need to produce a special performance to do so again against Sweden.

Younis Khan Urges Babar Azam to Emulate Virat Kohli's Leadership and Performance

Younis Khan Urges Babar Azam to Emulate Virat Kohli’s Leadership and Performance

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has urged star batsman Babar Azam to emulate Indian cricketing icon Virat Kohli’s approach to leadership and performance. Younis’s comments come amid growing pressure on Babar, who has faced scrutiny both on and off the field.

Younis emphasized that Babar’s appointment as captain was based on his exceptional talent. However, he stressed that players must prioritize performance over social media presence. “Players should use social media wisely, but their real answers should come through their performances with the bat and ball,” Younis said.

He highlighted the importance of fitness and work ethic, noting that opportunities like Babar’s captaincy do not come often. “He has achieved a lot at such a young age, but what he needs to know what he wants to achieve in the future. Captaincy is a small thing, performance is what matters,” Younis added.

Drawing a parallel with Kohli, Younis praised the Indian batsman’s decision to step down from captaincy to focus on his performance. “Look at Virat Kohli. He chose to step down from captaincy on his own terms, and now he’s breaking records worldwide. This shows that playing for the country should be the priority. If there’s any energy left, then play for yourself.”

Babar’s recent form has been a cause for concern, with his scores in the recent Test series against Bangladesh leading to his drop from the ICC top 10 rankings for batters. This slump has intensified scrutiny over his leadership in white-ball cricket, particularly after Pakistan’s disappointing exit from the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2024.

Younis urged Babar to focus on his fitness and work ethic, and to learn from the example of Kohli. “He needs to focus on his fitness and work ethic because opportunities like these don’t come around often,” Younis said.

Gambhir to Bring Aggressive Approach to Indian Cricket Team, Says Jadeja

Gambhir to Bring Aggressive Approach to Indian Cricket Team, Says Jadeja

Former Indian batsman Ajay Jadeja believes that Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, will instill an aggressive and proactive approach in the team during the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Jadeja expects Gambhir to keep the opposition on their toes throughout the series, which begins on September 19 in Chennai.

“His approach is aggressive. There will never be a dull moment with him around. He will always try something. He will do what he believes,” Jadeja said about Gambhir’s coaching style. “He will not sit back and let things flow. He will be out there, trying things.”

Jadeja, who played 196 ODIs for India, believes that Gambhir will not hesitate to make bold decisions, such as appointing Suryakumar Yadav as captain. “I am looking forward to the excitement we are going to see this year,” he added.

Despite Bangladesh’s recent Test series victory against Pakistan, Jadeja remains confident in India’s abilities. “India is a far superior team,” he said. “Any team that has just won will always think they can win. But there is a difference between the Pakistan team at the moment and the India cricket team.”

Jadeja also commented on India’s upcoming Test tour of Australia in November. “November is far off, but we have done well in Australia in the past. Why should we not think that we will do it again?” he said.

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