India and West Indies will aim to come out with the final punch and outclass each other when they battle it out in the series decider at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.With the series closed in 1-1, the Indian hosts will face the West Indies two-times World Champion in the virtual final match at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Hosts will search for eight wins in a row over the West Indies in all their forms after the second T20I loss.The West Indies recovered to put the series on par with a comfortable victory over India in the second T20I in Thiruvananthapuram after Virat Kohli helped the hosts dominate the opening of the series in Hyderabad. Visitors did well to keep the hosts to a manageable total of 170 after winning the toss and decided to bowl first. Lendl Simmons and Evin Lewis achieved a healthy opening of 73 runs before both Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran led the West Indies to a convincing victory in the end.The Indian fielding was well below average at the first T20I. Dropping catches and many misfields led to say that if performance doesn't improve, the result won't be enough. The hosts are also good chasers, but they have to learn to defend goals.The vice-captain of India, Rohit Sharma, said the hosts did not trust the "very unpredictable" side of the West Indies which was well led by his fellow Indian team mate from Mumbai Indians, Kieron Pollard."They are unpredictable as a team. You never know what can happen on a particular day. Even in the first game, they played very well. It was Virat's brilliance that led us to the goal. With the West Indies, this always expected, said Rohit SharmaOn the other hand, the West Indies will imagine their chances of closing the series after their amazing return. For visitors, Wankhede brings good memories of the ICC 2016 World Cup semi-finals when Windies beat India and won the title.West Indies coach Phil Simmons said the team would rely heavily on Captain Kieron Pollard at the third T20 International Championship to decide the series against India, because his understanding of the field due to IPL exposure would be "invaluable" for bowlers."Kieron Pollard has played a lot at this place, while others haven't played much," Simmons said. "I think the experience they got from here is invaluable especially to Captain (Pollard), because he's been here for 10 years" at pre-match press conference.Here are the squads of both the teams:India: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Manish Pandey, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Deepak Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Sanju Samson.West Indies: Kieron Pollard (captain), Fabian Allen, Brandon King, Denesh Ramdin, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Sherfane Rutherford, Shimron Hetmyer, Khary Pierre, Lendl Simmons, Jason Holder, Hayden Walsh Jr, Keemo Paul, Kesrick Williams.HIGHLIGHTSWith the series locked at 1-1, hosts India take on two-time world champions West Indies in the virtual finalWest Indies bounced back to bring the series to parity with a comfortable victory over India in the second T20IIndia will be eyeing eight successive series win over West Indies across formatsRead More: India's squad for West Indies series: Rohit Sharma's workload, out-of-form Shikhar Dhawan in focus
Virat Kohli, Run machine, Chase Master, who is celebrating his 32nd birthday today, has received many nicknames for his insatiable desire to score goals. He is widely regarded as the best hitter to play the game ever, and few of his teammates rated him the best of all shapes. His ability to change the game depending on the look, without much confusion, is almost surreal. No wonder it is one of the biggest draws in international cricket. Let's take a look at the records kept by the captain of IndiaKohli holds the record for the most Test double-centuries by an Indian – 7 so far. He’s also the first Test captain to have recorded six doHe’s the fastest Indian to have scored 25 centuries in Test cricket.In 2019, he became the first hitter to score 20,000 points in a single contract.In 2016, it scored 973 points during the IPL, the most in a single edition in T20 League history.At the ODI World Cup 2019, he became the first captain to score five half-centuries in a row in the main event. In general, he is the second to do so after his Australian contemporary Steven Smith.He is the most successful test captain in Indian cricket history with 33 wins to his name.Kohli is the quickest ever to have scored 8,000 runs (175 innings), 9,000 runs (194 innings), 10,000 runs (205 innings), and 11,000 runs (222 innings) in ODI history.He’s the first batsman to have scored three straight centuries against two different opponents – against Sri Lanka and West Indies.He continues to be the only batsman to have scored over 300 runs in a bilateral series six times.He has scored 26 centuries in ODI chases which is the most ever in the format. Also Read: Virat Kohli : Superb looking tattoos and their meaning
In a five-day game in which both teams play twice, the rookies play an important role in laying the groundwork. For the first hit team, you want your players to get off to a great start so that the others can take advantage of that and put pressure on the opponent. One of the most important roles in converting a team's fortune to test cricket is the starting batsmen. No wonder why the teams with the best beginners at their disposal are so successful in the longer format.In Test Cricket, if a beginner falls early, it gets really hard on the mid-ranking to driveRecovery against the red ball. Beginners play against the opposing team's best shootersFace the toughest spells in Test Cricket. Test cricket has, over the years, witnessed many world-class beginners who become an inspiration for the younger generation.Gautam Gambhir and Virender SehwagGautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag have been hailed as one of Test Cricket's Best Indian Opening Pairs. It was super fun to watch the two hit together, regardless of the format. The two share a great bond and played for Delhi Ranji Team. Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir participated in several surprising opening partnerships during the period 2004-2012, where they wrestled together at the starting position in 87 events and scored 4,412 points with an average of 52.52. They participated in 11 federations of a hundred races in Test Cricket.Marvan Atapattu and Sanath JayasuriyaMarvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya ended their careers with a lot of jobs under their belt. Both scored numerous rounds in all formats and shared excellent Test Cricket partnerships. Together, they scored 4,469 points in 118 rounds when they began for Sri Lanka in the test. They scored matches with an average of 40.26 healthy and participated in 9 100 entries in the longest-running form of the game.Alastair Cook and Andrew StraussFrom 2006 to 2012, England was blessed with strong starting partner Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook. Both were prolific run-scorers for England. Alastair Cook is, in fact, England's number one run-scorer on auditions. Cook and Strauss scored many kicks together as beginners and contributed significantly to England's Test victories.They are currently the third-best starting pair on Test Cricket, having scored 4,771 passes together with an average of 40.96. Additionally, they shared 14 race partnerships when they opened for England in the test.Matthew Hayden and Justin LangerDuring the period 2000 and 2007, Australia was considered invisible. They boasted strong leadership, including a world-class starting pair of Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer. Langer and Haynes had the ability to build a great partnership and tire opposing bowlers.Both leftists have enjoyed an excellent cricket career. They formed many associations that helped the team win matches. Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer are currently the second-best starter duo on Test Cricket. The duo fought together in 113 rounds, scoring 5,655 rounds with an average of 51.88.Gordon Greenidge and Desmond HaynesThe West Indies staring couple Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes are still the best starting duo in Test cricket. Greenidge and Haynes love to work together and have come together in numerous partnerships. Greenidge and Haynes played one of the biggest roles in making the West Indies a formidable test unit during the 1990s, starting together in 148 rounds, scoring 6,482 points with an average of 47.31. Sew up to 16 assemblies for hundreds of executions.Also Read: India vs Australia 1st Test | IND vs AUS Probable XI | Fantasy Playing Tips | More
Cricket will return to India in February next year when India hosts England. India is set to play 4 Tests, 5 T20I, and 3 ODI against England, as BCCI announced on Thursday. It will be a good opportunity for both teams to get used to the conditions in India, especially with the T20 World Cup that will be held in India next year. Fans will be excited to see cricket returning to the country after nearly a year.Here is the full schedule of India vs England 2021.India vs England 2021, Test series Schedule1st Test: Chennai | 5th Feb-9th Feb2nd Test: Chennai | 13th Feb-17th Feb3rd Test: Ahmedabad | 24th Feb-28th Feb (D/N)4th Test: Ahmedabad | 4th-8th MarchIndia vs England 2021, T20I series Schedule1st T20I: Ahmedabad | 12th March2nd T20I: Ahmedabad | 14th March3rd T20I: Ahmedabad | 16th March4th T20I: Ahmedabad | 18th March5th T20I: Ahmedabad | 20th MarchIndia vs England 2021, ODI series schedule:1st ODI: Pune | 23rd March2nd ODI: Pune | 26th March3rd ODI: Pune | 28th MarchAlso Read: Jasprit Bumrah become highest paid Indian cricketer in 2020
Forty years of 'Captain Cool'. Previous India commander MS Dhoni praises his 40th birthday celebration on Wednesday. The Jharkhand-conceived cricketer, who might not have imagined turning into the player he did, was genuinely bound for significance. As a young man, he adored football yet years and years after the fact, he wound up as perhaps the best player from India to have graced the 22 yards of a cricket field. Such has been the life and seasons of MS Dhoni. With long bolts, unadulterated enthusiasm, and an irresistible grin, the Railways player entered the worldwide field in 2004. He confronted a couple of introductory hiccups toward the beginning of his disagreement the Indian group, his 148 against Pakistan in Vizag in 2005 showed the world the ability that he had. In any case, it was only the start of the tempest. Also Read: England- India Test Series To Kick Off 2nd World Test Championship: ReportHis enormous hitting capacities assisted him with fixing a spot in the Indian group across designs as he cut his own position in the games as 'the finisher'. Indeed, even before we understood, all of India ended up placing all their trust in the youthful shoulders of Dhoni, anticipating that he should rescue difficult situations. As a general rule, he conveyed as he changed into a senior player. Dhoni directed the 'Men dressed in Blue' to the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup title, helping in excess of a billion group recuperate from the 2007 ODI World Cup failure a couple of months back. He was uncommon. Continuously was. Then, at that point came the 2011 World Cup, when Dhoni 'polished it off in style' to hand his country the second they were sitting tight for as far back as 28 years. He, alongside his associate, gave batting incredible Sachin Tendulkar the ideal splitting blessing. In the event that that was adequately not, under his initiative, India secured the 2013 Champions Trophy on English soil. Sweet, correct? Lamentably, things didn't exactly continue as before since. His side went down to Australia in the 2015 World Cup elimination rounds followed that "that" Dhoni run-out finishing India's lingering any expectations of triumph against New Zealand during the 2019 CWC elimination rounds. Ultimately, on August 15, 2020, Dhoni reported his retirement from all types of cricket, cutting down the blinds on a distinguished lifetime.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has to reduce its dependence on funding from the International Cricket Council (ICC) as much of cricket's global governing body gets its funding from India, said the board's chairman Ramiz Raja. Ramiz said that this effectively means that cricket in Pakistan is at the mercy of Indian businesses and any political pressure in India to stop this funding can spell disaster for the sport in the country. "The ICC is a politicised body divided between the Asian and Western blocs and 90 per cent of its revenues are generated from India. It is frightening," the PCB Chief said appearing before the Senate Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial affairs on Thursday in Islamabad. "In a way India's business houses are running Pakistan cricket and if tomorrow the Indian PM decides he will not allow any funding to Pakistan, this cricket board can collapse," he added, but did not elaborate on the specifics.Also Read- ICC T20 World Cup 2021 complete schedule: India to face Pakistan on October 24 The former Pakistan captain also said that the ICC has reduced into an "event management company" considering how New Zealand and England are pulling out of their tours of the country. New Zealand canceled their tour just minutes before the start of the first match citing a security threat and Ramiz said some good news could be in store regarding the series in a week's time. "What New Zealand did was unacceptable because till now they have not shared any information with us on what led them to abandon the series in Pakistan. But they are now trying to reschedule the series," said Ramiz. "The good thing is they are working on something which means they want to mend things with us," he said.Also Read- Virat Kohli becomes first Indian batsman to score 10,000 runs in T20 format
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed the new jersey of the Indian cricket team for the men's T20 World Cup tournament to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman from October 17 to November 14.The new jersey is named 'Billion Cheers Jersey' and the patterns on the jersey are inspired by the billion cheers of the fans."Presenting the Billion Cheers Jersey! The patterns on the jersey are inspired by the billion cheers of the fans," the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) tweeted as the board shared the picture on social media.Presenting the Billion Cheers Jersey! The patterns on the jersey are inspired by the billion cheers of the fans. Get ready to #ShowYourGame @mpl_sport.Buy your jersey now on https://t.co/u3GYA2wIg1#MPLSports #BillionCheersJersey pic.twitter.com/XWbZhgjBd2— BCCI (@BCCI) October 13, 2021The jersey was released by MPL Sports, the official kit sponsors of the Indian cricket team till December 2023. The new jersey will replace the navy-blue retro jersey with blue, green, white and red stripes, inspired by the 1992 World Cup kit which the team has been sporting since the tour of Australia in November last year.The Indian team will enter the field wearing the new jersey for the first time in their practice match against England on October 18 and then against Australia on October 20. The jersey will then be worn during India's opening match in the men’s T20 World Cup against Pakistan on October 24.India are bidding to end their 8-year-long wait for an ICC title when they take the field under Virat Kohli's captaincy at the T20 World Cup 2021 in the UAE. The Asian giants last won a major title in 2013 and their last T20 World Cup title in the inaugural edition of the tournament.India's squad for T20 World Cup: Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma (vc), KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Rahul Chahar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohd Shami. Standby players: Shreyas Iyer, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar.Also Read- T20 World Cup: Shikhar Dhawan, Yuzvendra Chahal among big names missing from India's 15-man squad
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced a 16-member squad for the T20I series against New Zealand at home. Rohit Sharma has been named the captain of the T20I side while KL Rahul will be his deputy for the 3-match series, starting November 17. Virat Kohli, who stepped down as T20I captain after India's early exit from the T20 World Cup, has taken a break for the series and will be back for the Tests against New Zealand to be ready in time for the tour of South Africa later this year. Rohit Sharma will join hands with newly-appointed head coach Rahul Dravid, who will take over from the New Zealand Series. India is playing two tests after the T20I series but BCCI has yet to announce the Test team. India have not made complete changes to the squad in the T20I format despite their disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup in the UAE.Also Read- Virat Kohli T20I captaincy record: India Second most successful captain after DhoniWhile Hardik Pandya is not included in 16-man squad, the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and former captain Kohli have been rested. Pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami along with leg-spinner Rahul Chahar are the ones who are not part of the T20I squad.Yuzvendra Chahal, Muhammad Siraj and Shreyas Iyer ReturnMeanwhile, Yuzvendra Chahal, whose exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad was widely debated, returns to the squad for the New Zealand series. He has been preferred over Rahul Chahar, who played only 1 match -- the dead rubber against Namibia at the World Cup. Off-spinner R Ashwin has been retained after his impressive performances on his return to the T20I side after a 4-year-gap at the T20 World Cup. Bhuvneshwar Kumar also retains his place in the side while pacer Mohammed Siraj returns to the T20I side for the first time since March 2018. Shreyas Iyer, who was part of the reserve unit at the T20 World Cup, finds his way back to the team after a good start for the Delhi Capitals in the second half of IPL 2021. Deepak Chahar, who was also not part of the India squad at the World Cup, finds his way back into the squad.IPL performances rewardedMeanwhile, the likes of Venkatesh Iyer and Harshal Patel have been handed maiden India call-ups after dream runs in the IPL. While Harshal won the Purple Cap with a record-equalling tally of 32 wickets in IPL 2021, Iyer shone at the top, hitting 370 runs in 10 matches for Kolkata Knight Riders. Avesh Khan who rattled opposition batsmen with pace for Delhi Capitals also got the India call-up as Rahul Dravid's side looks a good mix of youth and experience..@ImRo45 all set to lead #TeamIndia's T20I squad against New Zealand. How excited are you for the home series? #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/wGCe0gBbL2— BCCI (@BCCI) November 9, 2021India squad for T20I series vs New ZealandRohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, R Ashwin, Axar Patel , Avesh Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj.Full Schedule of India vs New Zealand T20Is1st T20I in Jaipur on November 17 2nd T20I in Ranchi on November 19 3rd T20I in Kolkata on November 21Also Read- PTV sends Rs 100 million defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar
