Tuesday, April 22
Shreyas Iyer is considered a crucial asset for Team India in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy due to his dependable middle-order batting and skill against spin. Despite recent setbacks, Iyer has shown impressive form in domestic cricket, including leading Mumbai to title victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, making him a strong contender for the squad.
Australia chief selector George Bailey is optimistic that Cameron Green will play as a batsman in the World Test Championship final against South Africa. Green, recovering from back surgery, is expected to return to batting by May. Mitchell Marsh was dropped for the Sri Lanka series, but Bailey remains hopeful about his future contributions.
Albino Gomes shares his journey from playing as a goalkeeper in school to his pivotal role in Aizawl FC's 2017 I-League win. He highlights key moments, including a crucial penalty save. Gomes now plays for Jamshedpur FC in ISL and aims to rejoin the national team, emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes and improving continuously.
Tamil Nadu opening batter N Jagadeesan hit six consecutive fours in an over during the Vijay Hazare Trophy pre-quarterfinal match against Rajasthan on Thursday. Tamil Nadu bowled Rajasthan out for 267. Varun Chakaravarthy took five wickets. Rajasthan's innings collapsed after a strong start, losing their last nine wickets for just 83 runs.
India's hope for a third consecutive series win in Australia faltered as poor batting performances led to a 1-3 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Inconsistent displays from both young and senior players, along with ineffective partnerships and inadequate rest for bowlers, were highlighted by former chief selector Sunil Joshi as key factors in the loss.
A Pakistan Cricket Board official has ensured that preparations for the Champions Trophy are on track, with renovations at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the National Bank Stadium in Karachi to be completed by early February. The tournament begins on February 19, with India playing their matches in Dubai as part of an agreement between the ICC, PCB and BCCI.
Varun Chakaravarthy's exceptional five-wicket haul led Tamil Nadu to bowl out Rajasthan for 267 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy pre-quarterfinals. His crucial spell helped dismantle Rajasthan's strong position, turning the game after a significant second-wicket stand. Chakaravarthy's form continues to bolster his case for a consistent spot in India's T20I squad.
Mohammed Shami showcased his form with a three-wicket spell for Bengal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy preliminary quarterfinal against Haryana. Despite being slightly expensive, 3 for 61, Shami's performance boosts his prospects for a comeback to the Indian team, having been absent since the 2023 ODI World Cup because of injury and subsequent flare-up issues during rehab.
SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith highlighted the league's uniqueness due to its professional and competitive franchises, strong local and international player rosters, and passionate fan support. He emphasised the positive global image the league projects, with filled stadiums and exciting matchups. Season 3 starts with Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs MI Cape Town.
As Team India faces England in a three-match ODI series, all eyes are on Virat Kohli's strategy. Former coach Sanjay Bangar and Sanjay Manjrekar believe ODIs are the ideal format for Kohli to rediscover his form, given his success in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Kohli aims to excel in ODIs, having retired from T20 Internationals.
