Gavaskar Backs Pandya to Shine for India in T20 World Cup

Gavaskar Backs Pandya to Shine for India in T20 World Cup

Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has expressed confidence in Hardik Pandya’s ability to excel for the national team in the upcoming T20 World Cup, despite his underwhelming performance for Mumbai Indians in the ongoing IPL.

Gavaskar believes that Pandya’s performance for India will be significantly different from his IPL form, as playing for the country brings out a different level of motivation and determination in players. He noted that Pandya has faced challenges in the IPL but has handled them well, and expects him to be in a more positive frame of mind when representing India.

Gavaskar also praised the overall strength of the Indian team, stating that they are title contenders for the World Cup. He emphasized the importance of luck in international tournaments, but expressed confidence that India has the potential to bring the trophy back home for the first time since 2007.

The former India skipper highlighted the benefits of the IPL in preparing players for the World Cup, as it provides them with ample match practice and allows them to maintain their rhythm. He believes that the team will be well-conditioned and refreshed after a brief break between the IPL and the World Cup.

Gavaskar’s comments come as India prepares to kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland in New York on June 5. Pandya has been retained as vice-captain of the 15-member squad, despite his modest IPL performance.

Sunrisers Hyderabad Captain Pat Cummins Aims for IPL Triumph

Sunrisers Hyderabad Captain Pat Cummins Aims for IPL Triumph

Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins has set his sights on guiding the team to victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Speaking to The Hindu, Cummins expressed his determination to finish the IPL campaign on a high note, praising the team’s impressive performances.

“Our opener Abhishek Sharma is the most impressive I have seen. A real talent,” Cummins said. He acknowledged that while early dismissals of openers Travis Head and Sharma in the PowerPlay can put pressure on the team, he emphasized the strength of the batting lineup to cover for any setbacks.

Cummins, who led Australia to victory in the World Test Championship and the 2023 ODI World Cup, said there was little difference in his captaincy style between leading his country and SRH in the IPL. “The hardest thing is to know the players, motivate each one of them. Luckily, it didn’t take very long and they have been pretty welcoming,” he said.

Reflecting on the Impact Player Rule, Cummins expressed mixed feelings. While he acknowledged its potential to add excitement, he also noted the challenges it posed for bowlers. “It is a huge challenge to be a bowler, especially in a T20 format. You have to have plans as batters come hard at you,” he said.

Cummins attributed Australia’s success in World Cups to the confidence of the players, their brand of cricket, and their experience. “They know what it means to win big matches,” he said.

Shivam Dube's Evolution Impresses CSK Coach Fleming, Earns World Cup Call-Up

Shivam Dube’s Evolution Impresses CSK Coach Fleming, Earns World Cup Call-Up

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) coach Stephen Fleming has lauded the remarkable evolution of Shivam Dube as a cricketer. Dube’s inclusion in India’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup has been met with praise from Fleming, who believes the all-rounder has developed into a valuable asset for the national team.

“Shivam has proven this year that he’s not just a spinner-hitter,” Fleming said. “He has raw power, which is something that really impressed us, and he has consistently delivered during the tournament.”

Fleming highlighted Dube’s improved mental game, noting that the all-rounder has gained experience and is now more composed in his approach. “He’s a lot more complete in terms of what he’s trying to do and understanding this game,” Fleming added.

Dube’s ability to hit the ball long and consistently has been a key factor in his success. “He has continued to develop his strengths, which is the ability to hit the ball long and quite regularly,” Fleming said. “And he’s done that for us this year. So, if that form continues, he is going to be an impactful player for India.”

Fleming believes that Dube’s X-factor qualities make him a valuable addition to the World Cup squad. “In a World Cup, you need those X-factor players,” Fleming said. “I’m delighted that he will get that opportunity.”

Dube’s inclusion in the World Cup squad is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He has worked tirelessly to improve his game and has now become a complete cricketer. With his raw power, improved mental game, and ability to hit the ball long, Dube is poised to make a significant impact for India in the upcoming World Cup.

India Announce T20 World Cup Squad with IPL Performers Dominating

India Announce T20 World Cup Squad with IPL Performers Dominating

The Indian cricket team has announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, with several players earning their selection based on their impressive performances in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).

Rohit Sharma: The Mumbai Indians captain has been in scintillating form, scoring 311 runs in 9 matches at a strike rate of 160.30. His century against Chennai Super Kings was a standout performance.

Hardik Pandya: Despite a disappointing IPL campaign, Pandya’s all-round abilities have earned him a spot in the squad. He has scored 197 runs and taken 4 wickets in 9 matches.

Yashasvi Jaiswal: The Rajasthan Royals opener has been in excellent touch, with a century against Mumbai Indians being the highlight.

Virat Kohli: The former India captain has silenced his critics with a remarkable IPL season, amassing 500 runs at a strike rate of nearly 150.

Suryakumar Yadav: The Mumbai Indians batter has been one of the most consistent performers in the IPL, with a belligerent 78-run knock against Punjab Kings being a standout.

Rishabh Pant: The Delhi Capitals captain has returned to form after recovering from injuries, scoring 371 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 160.60.

Sanju Samson: The Rajasthan Royals captain has been in excellent form, scoring 385 runs at a strike rate of 161.08.

Shivam Dube: The Chennai Super Kings all-rounder has been a revelation, scoring 350 runs at a strike rate of 172.41.

Ravindra Jadeja: The Chennai Super Kings all-rounder has contributed with both bat and ball, scoring 157 runs and taking 5 wickets.

Axar Patel: The Delhi Capitals spinner has impressed with his all-round abilities, scoring close to 150 runs and taking 9 wickets.

Kuldeep Yadav: The Delhi Capitals spinner has been in excellent form, taking 12 wickets in 9 matches.

Yuzvendra Chahal: The Rajasthan Royals leg-spinner has been a standout performer, taking 13 wickets in 9 matches and becoming the first bowler to claim 200 wickets in the IPL.

Arshdeep Singh: The Punjab Kings left-arm seamer has picked up 12 wickets in 9 games.

Jasprit Bumrah: The Mumbai Indians pace ace has been in fabulous form, leading the wicket-takers’ column with 14 scalps in 9 games.

Mohammed Siraj: The Royal Challengers Bangalore pacer has been off-colour, taking only 6 wickets in 9 matches.

Finch Surprised by India's Four-Spinner T20 World Cup Squad

Finch Surprised by India’s Four-Spinner T20 World Cup Squad

Aaron Finch Expresses Surprise Over India’s T20 World Cup Squad Selection

Former Australian captain Aaron Finch has raised eyebrows over the composition of the Indian squad announced for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The squad features four spinners: Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav, among the 15 selected players.

Finch expressed his surprise at the inclusion of four spinners, stating that he would have preferred an additional fast bowler. “I was surprised by the four spinners as well. I had Rinku in there and only two spinners,” he said.

Finch believes that India’s reliance on spinners could leave them vulnerable in the powerplay, especially considering the inconsistency of their fast bowlers apart from Jasprit Bumrah. “I wanted the extra cover of that quick. And if they want to play three spinners in the game, one of them has to be prepared to bowl in the powerplay, and I don’t see any of those guys doing it consistently,” he explained.

However, former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop defended the selection, highlighting the potential behavior of pitches in the West Indies and USA during the T20 World Cup. Bishop noted that having four spinners could be an advantage, given their adaptability to varying pitch conditions.

“I guess spin will play a part in the tournament. The only concern I have is that the pitches for the World Cup may be slightly different from the ones we have seen in bilateral series or domestic tournaments. So I think it’s a luxury to have four spinners rather than it being a necessity,” Bishop said.

The Indian squad also includes experienced batsmen Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, as well as all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja. The team will be hoping to improve on their performance in the previous T20 World Cup, where they were eliminated in the group stage.

Hardik Pandya's Form, Rohit-Kohli's Future in Doubt Ahead of T20 World Cup Selection

Hardik Pandya’s Form, Rohit-Kohli’s Future in Doubt Ahead of T20 World Cup Selection

Ahead of the highly anticipated selection of the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) is reportedly engaged in discussions regarding the inclusion of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Sources within the BCCI have indicated that Pandya’s current form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is a subject of debate.

As captain of the Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2024, Pandya has overseen a disappointing campaign for his team. MI currently languishes in the bottom half of the table, with only three wins in nine matches. Pandya’s individual performances have also been underwhelming, with the all-rounder scoring just 197 runs in nine games at an average of 24.62 and a strike rate of over 151. His highest score is 46.

In addition to his batting struggles, Pandya has also been limited in his bowling output. He has bowled only 19 overs in the tournament, taking four wickets at an average of 56.75 and an economy rate of 11.94.

The BCCI sources have also hinted that the upcoming T20 World Cup could potentially mark the final international T20I appearances for veteran players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both players returned to the T20I set-up in January this year against Afghanistan, but their previous outing was the 10-wicket loss to England in the semifinals of the 2022 T20 WC in Australia.

Following that disappointing result, Team India has experimented with younger players such as Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, Rahul Tripathi, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top of the order in the shorter format.

Rohit and Kohli are two of India’s most accomplished T20I batters. Kohli is the highest run-getter in T20I cricket, with 4,037 runs in 117 matches at an average of 51.75 and a strike rate of over 138. Rohit is the second-highest run-scorer in the format, with 3,974 runs at an average of over 31 and a strike rate of almost 140.

The presence of both Rohit and Kohli in the team could potentially limit opportunities for promising young stars, who may find themselves in reserve roles rather than the playing eleven.

Indian Football Celebrates Golden Jubilee of 1974 AFC Youth Championship Triumph

Indian Football Celebrates Golden Jubilee of 1974 AFC Youth Championship Triumph

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the Indian football team’s historic triumph in the 1974 AFC Youth Championship with a grand felicitation ceremony in New Delhi. The event honored the members of the victorious squad that shared the title with Iran after a thrilling 2-2 draw in the final, even after extra time.

This remarkable achievement marked the last significant international triumph for Indian football, following the bronze medal won by the senior team at the 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok. AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey presented mementos to six members of the squad who were present at the ceremony: captain Shabbir Ali, C.C. Jacob, Dilip Palit, Shishir Guha Dastidar, Ranjit (Gobinda Das), and S.P. Kumar.

Coach Arun Ghosh, who guided the team to victory, was unable to attend due to health reasons. His son-in-law, former National table tennis champion Nupur Santra, received the memento on his behalf.

Chaubey expressed his admiration for the team’s accomplishments, acknowledging that they had achieved something truly special. However, he also lamented the lack of international exposure for Indian football in the decades that followed.

“For almost five decades after India’s independence, we never focused on utilizing the international friendly windows, the FIFA World Cup, or even to collaborate with the world of football,” Chaubey said. “We chose not to look beyond the Olympics and the Asian Games at that time. That seems to have cost us important international exposure.”

Chaubey emphasized the need to bridge the gap with other footballing nations, acknowledging that India had lost valuable time in developing its international presence.

The felicitation ceremony served as a reminder of the golden era of Indian football and the potential that the country holds in the sport. It also highlighted the importance of investing in international exposure and collaboration to foster the growth and development of Indian football on the global stage.

Hardik Pandya's Golden Duck Disappoints in First Game as India T20 Vice-Captain

Hardik Pandya’s Golden Duck Disappoints in First Game as India T20 Vice-Captain

Hardik Pandya’s Golden Duck Disappoints in First Game as India T20 Vice-Captain

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya’s disappointing IPL season continued on Tuesday as he fell for a golden duck in his first game after being named India’s vice-captain for the T20 World Cup.

Pandya, who was appointed Rohit Sharma’s deputy for the upcoming cricketing extravaganza in the Americas, failed to make an impact against Lucknow Super Giants. He was caught behind the stumps by KL Rahul off LSG pacer Naveen-ul-Haq, leaving MI reeling at 28 for 4 at the end of the Powerplay.

The 30-year-old’s dismissal highlighted his struggles in the ongoing IPL, where he has underperformed with both bat and ball. In nine matches so far, Pandya has scored a meager 197 runs, including 10 sixes, and taken only four wickets at an economy of 11.95.

Pandya’s poor form has contributed to MI’s dismal performance this season. Under his leadership, the team has managed only three wins and six losses in nine matches, leaving them languishing at the ninth spot on the points table.

The all-rounder’s appointment as MI captain was met with controversy, with many questioning his experience and leadership abilities. His struggles on the field have further fueled criticism, raising concerns about his suitability for the role.

As India prepares for the T20 World Cup, Pandya’s poor form is a cause for concern. The vice-captaincy is a significant responsibility, and his performances in the IPL have not inspired confidence.

Pandya will need to rediscover his form and prove his worthiness for the role if he wants to lead India to success in the upcoming tournament.

Ankita Raina Bows Out in First Round of $40,000 ITF Women's Tennis Tournament

Ankita Raina Bows Out in First Round of $40,000 ITF Women’s Tennis Tournament

Second seed Ankita Raina’s campaign in the $40,000 ITF women’s tennis tournament in Lopota, Georgia, came to an end in the first round. The Indian star fell to Daria Kudashova of Russia in a hard-fought three-set battle, losing 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(5).

Raina started the match strongly, taking the first set 6-4. However, Kudashova fought back in the second set, winning it 6-4. The third set was a nail-biter, with both players trading blows. In the end, it was Kudashova who prevailed in the tiebreaker, winning 7-6(5).

Despite the loss, Raina showed her fighting spirit and determination throughout the match. She also made it to the doubles quarterfinals, partnering with Snehal Mane. The Indian duo defeated Christine Gouws of South Africa and Georgia Kalamaris of France 6-1, 6-1.

In other results from the tournament, Kai Wehnelt of Germany defeated Manas Dhamne of India 7-5, 6-2 in the first round of the $25,000 ITF men’s event in Margherita di Pula, Italy. In the $15,000 ITF men’s tournament in Monastir, Tunisia, the doubles pair of Samir Reguig and Mohamed Makhlouf of Algeria defeated Abraham Asaba of Ghana and Karan Singh of India 6-7(2), 7-6(4), [10-7] in the pre-quarterfinals.

In the $15,000 ITF women’s tournament in Kursumlijska Banja, Serbia, the doubles team of Michaela Bayerlova of the Czech Republic and Wakana Sonnobe of Japan defeated Kiara Cvetkovic of Switzerland and Annika Kannan of India 6-1, 6-0 in the pre-quarterfinals. In the $15,000 ITF women’s tournament in Antalya, Turkey, the doubles pair of Sofya Gapankova and Varvara Pansshina defeated Florencia Moron of Argentina and Bela Tamhankar of India 6-1, 6-1 in the pre-quarterfinals.

In the $15,000 ITF women’s tournament in Monastir, Tunisia, Vaishnavi Adkar defeated Liu Le Yi of China 7-6(3), 6-1 in the first round, while Zeel Desai defeated Merna Refaat of Egypt 6-1, 5-7, 6-1.

Erling Haaland Becomes Barbarian King in Clash of Clans

Erling Haaland Becomes Barbarian King in Clash of Clans

Erling Haaland: From Football Field to Clash of Clans Barbarian King

Erling Haaland, the prolific Manchester City striker, has taken on a new role as the Barbarian King in the popular mobile game Clash of Clans. This marks the first time a real-life person has been featured as a playable character in the game.

Haaland’s inclusion in Clash of Clans is a testament to his immense popularity and the game’s global reach. The Norwegian forward has been a long-time fan of the game, making his appearance as the Barbarian King a natural fit.

In the game, Haaland’s Barbarian King is a formidable warrior with unique abilities. He wields a mighty axe and can summon a horde of barbarians to aid him in battle. Players can unlock Haaland’s Barbarian King by completing a special in-game event.

Haaland’s presence in Clash of Clans has generated excitement among fans of both the game and the footballer. The game’s developer, Supercell, expressed their delight at partnering with Haaland, stating that it was a “dream scenario.”

“I’ve been a huge fan of the game for a long time and know everything about it, so to appear as an in-game character is really cool,” said Haaland.

While Haaland’s virtual exploits in Clash of Clans are captivating, his real-life performances on the football field remain the primary focus for Manchester City fans. The club is currently engaged in a thrilling title race with Arsenal, with both teams vying for the Premier League trophy.

Manchester City holds a slight advantage with one game in hand, but the outcome of the title race remains uncertain. Haaland’s goalscoring prowess will be crucial for City’s hopes of securing the championship.

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