Simon Doull's Controversial India Squad for T20 World Cup Excludes Sanju Samson

Simon Doull’s Controversial India Squad for T20 World Cup Excludes Sanju Samson

Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull has sparked a debate with his proposed India squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, excluding Sanju Samson despite his impressive performances for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024.

Doull’s selection dilemma mirrors the challenge facing the Ajit Agarkar-led selectors, particularly regarding the two wicket-keeping positions. While Rishabh Pant remains the frontrunner, the backup role has become a contentious issue, with Samson, KL Rahul, and Dinesh Karthik all vying for the spot.

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Doull unveiled his preferred combination, with Pant as the first-choice keeper and Rahul as the backup. However, he made a surprising move by assigning Pant the No. 3 batting position, aiming to accommodate other players in the lineup.

“I have flipped and flopped a lot about this, but I want Rishabh Pant at No. 3 because I can’t see fitting the other players in without my keeper batting at No. 3. Also, I wanted a left-hander followed by two righties,” Doull explained.

Despite Pant’s struggles in T20Is, Doull expressed confidence in his evolution and highlighted his improved fitness during IPL 2024.

Another intriguing decision by Doull was his preference for Shivam Dube over Hardik Pandya, based on Dube’s impressive batting displays for Chennai Super Kings.

Doull’s starting XI for India features Virat Kohli as the opener alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal as the backup. The squad includes Ravindra Jadeja as the lone all-rounder, with expectations for Dube to contribute with his bowling skills. Arshdeep Singh is the third seamer, with Avesh Khan serving as the backup option in the pace department.

Gujarat Titans' Top Order Relies Heavily on Shubman Gill Amidst Kane Williamson Absence

Gujarat Titans’ Top Order Relies Heavily on Shubman Gill Amidst Kane Williamson Absence

IPL Live Score RCB vs GT: Gujarat Titans’ Top Order Relies Heavily on Shubman Gill

The Gujarat Titans (GT) have had an inconsistent campaign in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, with their top order heavily reliant on captain Shubman Gill. Gill has been the cornerstone of GT’s batting, consistently delivering crucial knocks. However, the team’s inability to integrate Kane Williamson into the lineup due to overseas player restrictions has put additional pressure on Gill.

Gill’s importance to GT cannot be overstated. He has scored 450 runs in 10 matches, averaging 45.00 and striking at 132.35. His contributions have been instrumental in GT’s victories, particularly in the absence of Williamson. However, the team’s over-reliance on Gill has also exposed their vulnerability.

In the absence of a reliable second opener, GT has struggled to provide Gill with adequate support. Matthew Wade, who opened with Gill in the early matches, has been inconsistent, while Wriddhiman Saha has failed to make a significant impact. This has resulted in GT’s top order often being dismissed cheaply, leaving the middle order with a daunting task.

The onus is on Gill to deliver almost every game, especially considering GT’s overseas conundrum. Williamson, a world-class batsman, has been restricted to just two appearances due to the team’s four-overseas player limit. This has deprived GT of a potential match-winner and further increased the pressure on Gill.

To address their top-order woes, GT may consider promoting David Miller or Rahul Tewatia to the opening slot. Both players have shown glimpses of their batting prowess and could provide Gill with the support he needs. Additionally, the team could explore the option of playing an extra overseas batsman, sacrificing a bowling option, to accommodate Williamson.

Gujarat Titans to Battle Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2024 Clash

Gujarat Titans to Battle Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2024 Clash

Gujarat Titans to Face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2024 Clash

Gujarat Titans (GT) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will lock horns in Match 45 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on April 28.

Match Information:

* Match: Gujarat Titans vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Match 45
* Date: April 28, 2024
* Time: 03:30 PM IST
* Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Team Previews:

Gujarat Titans, currently ranked seventh on the points table, will be looking to improve their position after a narrow defeat to Delhi Capitals in their previous match. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, on the other hand, are languishing at the bottom of the table and will be desperate for a win to revive their campaign.

Pitch Report and Weather Conditions:

The pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium is expected to favor batters, with an average first-innings score of 170 runs. The weather forecast predicts a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius and humidity of 13%.

Head-to-Head:

In the three previous encounters between these teams, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s batters have earned the most fantasy points, while Gujarat Titans’ bowlers have been the top performers.

Dream11 Top Captain and Vice-Captain Picks:

* Captain: Virat Kohli (RCB)
* Vice-Captain: Mohit Sharma (GT)

Other Key Players:

* Cameron Green (RCB)
* Lockie Ferguson (RCB)
* Will Jacks (RCB)
* Sai Sudharsan (GT)
* Rajat Patidar (RCB)
* Rashid Khan (GT)
* Sai Kishore (GT)
* Shahrukh Khan (GT)

Squad Information:

Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (c), Kane Williamson, Wriddhiman Saha, Umesh Yadav, David Miller, Jayant Yadav, Vijay Shankar, Mohit Sharma, Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Rashid Khan, Joshua Little, Sai Kishore, Darshan Nalkande, Azmatullah Omarzai, BR Sharath, Kartik Tyagi, Spencer Johnson, Sai Sudharsan, Manav Suthar, Sushant Mishra, Matthew Wade, Noor Ahmad

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Faf du Plessis (c), Dinesh Karthik, Virat Kohli, Swapnil Singh, Karn Sharma, Glenn Maxwell, Reece Topley, Lockie Ferguson, Tom Curran, Alzarri Joseph, Mahipal Lomror, Rajat Patidar, Mohammed Siraj, Mayank Dagar, Cameron Green, Will Jacks, Suyash Prabhudessai, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Manoj Bhandage, Anuj Rawat, Yash Dayal, Akash Deep, Saurav Chauhan, Rajan Kumar, Himanshu Sharma

Conclusion:

The clash between Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams eager to secure a victory. The match will be streamed live on Star Sports and Disney+ Hotstar.

Messi's Brace Powers Inter Miami to Victory Over New England

Messi’s Brace Powers Inter Miami to Victory Over New England

Lionel Messi’s scoring prowess continues to shine in Major League Soccer (MLS), as the Argentine maestro netted a brace to lead Inter Miami to a 4-1 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday. The win extends Miami’s winning streak to three games, with Messi contributing five goals during that run.

Despite New England taking an early lead through Tomas Chancalay, Miami equalized through Messi’s first goal in the 32nd minute. The 36-year-old then put Miami ahead in the 68th minute with a clinical finish after a superb pass from Sergio Busquets.

Messi’s influence continued in the final stages, as he assisted Benjamin Cremaschi and Luis Suarez for Miami’s third and fourth goals, respectively. The victory sees Miami climb to the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino praised his team’s performance, highlighting the importance of their recent win over Kansas City. “The Kansas City game was a key for us, because we had just been eliminated by Monterrey and the team showed their character,” he said.

New England coach Caleb Porter acknowledged Messi’s brilliance, stating, “That’s Messi. You have to look at both those moments because I thought they were able to find two goals when we felt pretty good about the way we were limiting their effectiveness in creating clear chances.”

Elsewhere in MLS, Christian Benteke scored twice for D.C. United in their 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders. Real Salt Lake moved to the top of the Western Conference with a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union, while defending champions Columbus Crew were held to a goalless draw by Montreal.

Gill Recalls Kohli's Inspiring Advice: 'Score a 100 in Your First Innings'

Gill Recalls Kohli’s Inspiring Advice: ‘Score a 100 in Your First Innings’

Shubman Gill Recalls Virat Kohli’s Inspiring Advice: ‘You Can Score a 100 in Your First Innings’

Ahead of the highly anticipated clash between Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League (IPL), rising star Shubman Gill has shared a memorable encounter with Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli.

Gill, who is often hailed as the ‘Prince’ of Indian cricket, has long admired Kohli’s batting prowess and leadership qualities. In a recent video shared by the host broadcaster, Gill revealed his first conversation with Kohli during a tour of New Zealand.

“When I spoke to him for the first time, he told me that every time a new kid comes, people say he needs a couple of chances, he needs some innings to get through,” Gill recalled. “But he said, ‘I think if you are good and capable, then you can start from your first innings, you can score a 100 in your first innings.'”

Kohli’s words left a lasting impression on Gill, who realized the importance of self-belief and seizing opportunities. “I came to know what kind of a person he is and I really liked it,” Gill said. “He saw that capability in me and said I had to give it my 100%.”

Gill’s admiration for Kohli extends beyond his batting skills. He also values Kohli’s unwavering determination and competitive spirit. “He’s a very competitive person, and he wants to win every game,” Gill said. “He’s a great leader, and he always puts the team first.”

As Gujarat Titans prepare to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gill is eager to put Kohli’s advice into practice. With both teams looking to improve their standings in the IPL, the match promises to be a thrilling contest.

Liverpool's Title Hopes Fade After West Ham Draw

Liverpool’s Title Hopes Fade After West Ham Draw

Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes suffered a major setback on Saturday as they were held to a 2-2 draw by West Ham United. The result leaves the Reds four points behind leaders Arsenal with just three games remaining.

West Ham took the lead through Jarrod Bowen in the first half, but Liverpool responded with goals from Andy Robertson and an own goal from Alphonse Areola. However, Bowen struck again in the second half to earn the Hammers a share of the spoils.

The draw was Liverpool’s fourth in their last five league games, and it leaves them facing an uphill battle to catch Arsenal. The Gunners have a game in hand and are in pole position to win their first Premier League title since 2004.

Manchester City, who play Nottingham Forest on Sunday, are also in contention for the title. Pep Guardiola’s side are two points behind Arsenal and have two games in hand.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Newcastle United boosted their hopes of European football next season with a 5-1 win over Sheffield United. The victory condemned the Blades to relegation to the Championship after just one season in the top flight.

Manchester United’s push for Europe was held up by Burnley in a 1-1 draw. Antony scored his first Premier League goal for United, but Zeki Amdouni equalized from the spot in the 87th minute.

Aston Villa’s top-four challenge was dented by a 2-2 draw against Chelsea. Marc Cucurella’s own goal and Morgan Rogers’ strike had put Villa in control, but Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher scored in the second half to earn Chelsea a point.

Everton secured their Premier League status with a 1-0 win at home to Brentford. Idrissa Gueye scored the only goal of the game in the 60th minute.

VAR Controversy Mars Chelsea's Comeback at Aston Villa

VAR Controversy Mars Chelsea’s Comeback at Aston Villa

Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea were denied a dramatic late victory at Aston Villa on Saturday, as a controversial VAR decision disallowed a goal that would have sealed a 3-2 win. The Blues had fought back from two goals down to earn a hard-fought point, but Pochettino was left furious by the intervention of the video assistant referee.

Villa took an early lead through an own goal from Marc Cucurella, and Morgan Rogers doubled their advantage before half-time. Chelsea responded with goals from Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher, but their hopes of a comeback were dashed when Axel Disasi’s effort was ruled out for a foul by Benoit Badiashile.

Pochettino was incensed by the decision, claiming that it had “damaged English football.” He said: “The referee is unbelievable and it’s ridiculous. It is difficult to accept. They didn’t see a foul on the pitch and then VAR changed the decision of the referee. For me that was a normal challenge.

“It is painful as it has damaged English football. Villa’s players and their fans didn’t understand why the goal was disallowed. For me it damaged a little bit the Premier League. If we want to be the best league in the world it should be protecting the spectacle and the decision.”

The draw was a blow to Villa’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League, but they remain seven points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham, who have three games in hand. Unai Emery’s side will be hoping to avoid a repeat of last season, when they missed out on a top-four finish on the final day.

Chelsea, meanwhile, remain ninth in the table, but Pochettino insists that he has the backing of his squad. The Blues have spent over £1 billion on new players since Todd Boehly’s takeover, and Pochettino will be under pressure to deliver results in the coming months.

Sanju Samson's Stunning Knock Reignites World Cup Selection Debate

Sanju Samson’s Stunning Knock Reignites World Cup Selection Debate

Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson’s scintillating knock against Lucknow Super Giants has reignited the debate surrounding his inclusion in India’s T20 World Cup squad. Samson’s match-winning 71 off just 33 balls, including seven boundaries and four maximums, has garnered support from veteran cricketers, who believe he deserves a place in the national team.

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen was quick to advocate for Samson’s inclusion, stating that he “has to go” to the World Cup. Pietersen praised Samson’s talent and ability to perform under pressure, emphasizing that he should be one of the first picks for the selectors.

Samson’s consistent batting performances throughout the IPL season have strengthened his case for World Cup selection. With 385 runs in 10 matches, including four fifty-plus scores, Samson is currently leading the run-scoring charts among all Indian wicket-keeping options in IPL 2024. He is also second in the race for the Orange Cap, further solidifying his credentials.

Samson’s ability to deliver under pressure was evident in his match-winning knock against Lucknow. With Rajasthan Royals needing 16 runs off the final over, Samson smashed Avesh Khan for a six and a four to secure a crucial victory.

Samson’s inclusion in the World Cup squad would provide India with a versatile and explosive option in the middle order. His ability to play both spin and pace bowling effectively, as well as his experience as a captain, make him a valuable asset to any team.

With the T20 World Cup just a few weeks away, the selectors will have a tough decision to make regarding Samson’s inclusion. However, his recent performances have undoubtedly strengthened his case, and he will be hoping to continue his impressive form in the remaining IPL matches.

Nadal Extends Madrid Stay, Tsitsipas Stumbles in Second Round

Nadal Extends Madrid Stay, Tsitsipas Stumbles in Second Round

Rafael Nadal’s farewell tour at his home tournament in Madrid took a positive turn as he avenged his recent defeat to Alex de Minaur with a 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 victory. Despite admitting to ongoing physical issues, Nadal displayed resilience and determination to advance to the third round, where he will face Argentina’s Pedro Cachin.

Nadal’s performance was met with thunderous applause from a capacity crowd that included royalty and sports icons. However, the 22-time Grand Slam champion remained cautious, acknowledging that he still needs time to regain his peak form. “No, not yet. It needs time,” Nadal said. “To play over two hours means a lot to me and the atmosphere here is just a joke.”

Nadal’s participation in the upcoming French Open remains uncertain, as he will assess his recovery after the Rome tournament. “It’s not a thing about losing or winning. It’s about going on court there with the feeling that I can fight and I can be competitive,” Nadal explained. “So if I am not able to go on court and dream, for me it doesn’t make sense to go.”

Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas suffered a shock second-round exit at the hands of world number 118 Thiago Monteiro. The Greek star, who had only one defeat on clay this season, struggled with his rhythm and balance, losing 6-4, 6-4 in just over 90 minutes.

Top seed Jannik Sinner extended his unbeaten record against fellow Italians to 13-0, defeating Lorenzo Sonego 6-0, 6-3. Third seed Daniil Medvedev also advanced to the third round after a hard-fought 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Matteo Arnaldi.

In the women’s draw, world number one Iga Swiatek cruised past Sorana Cirstea 6-1, 6-1 to set up a fourth-round clash with Sara Sorribes Tormo. Ons Jabeur, the 2022 champion, overcame a slow start to defeat Leylah Fernandez 7-5, 2-6, 6-4. US Open champion Coco Gauff also advanced with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Dayana Yastremska.

India's T20 World Cup Squad Selection: Pacers Under Scrutiny

India’s T20 World Cup Squad Selection: Pacers Under Scrutiny

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is serving as a crucial platform for players to showcase their skills and earn a spot in India’s T20 World Cup squad. The selectors are closely monitoring the performances of potential candidates, and a meeting is scheduled this weekend in New Delhi to finalize the team.

One of the key areas of focus is the selection of frontline pacers. While Jasprit Bumrah’s place is secure, the identity of his partner remains uncertain. Mohammed Shami’s injury has opened up opportunities for other contenders.

Among capped pacers, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Avesh Khan are strong candidates. However, uncapped pacers Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, and T Natarajan have also impressed with their performances in the IPL.

A recent poll conducted by NDTV Sports revealed that fans favor Siraj and Mayank to join Bumrah in the T20 World Cup squad. Mayank, despite playing only two matches, has made a strong impact with his raw pace. Siraj, despite a disappointing IPL season, has a proven track record, having played a key role in India’s Asia Cup triumph last year.

Experts have also weighed in on the selection debate. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has advocated for Mayank’s inclusion, while others have expressed support for Siraj based on his past performances.

The selectors face a tough decision in choosing the right combination of pacers. They must balance experience with form and potential. The T20 World Cup is a high-stakes tournament, and India will need a strong bowling attack to succeed.

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