This IPL serves as the final selection ground for India's T20 World Cup squad. Key battles include Rishabh Pant versus Sanju Samson for the wicketkeeping role, and KL Rahul's bid for a comeback. With fitness concerns over Bumrah, backup pacers are crucial, while spinners Chakravarthy, Patel, and Yadav vie for spots. Consistent finishers are also needed.
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The Dubai Capitals won their first ILT20 title by defeating the Desert Vipers by four wickets. Sikandar Raza's blistering finish and key contributions from Rovman Powell and Shai Hope were crucial. Despite the Vipers' competitive total, they fell short in a closely contested final, earning praise from stand-in captain Sam Curran.
During the off-season, Sharma collaborated closely with the current RCB batting coach, Karthik, who retired after the previous season. Speaking ahead of RCB's home fixture against Delhi Capitals, Sharma discussed how Karthik had been instrumental in transforming his approach to the game.
India vice-captain Shubman Gill will now use an MRF sticker on his bat starting from the Champions Trophy semi-final against Australia. This new endorsement deal ends his long association with CEAT. At 25, Gill has already secured partnerships with several premium brands, highlighting his rising market value.
In the absence of Harmanpreet Kaur and Renuka Singh, Smriti Mandhana leads the Indian women's cricket team in their first bilateral series against Ireland. India looks to maintain their winning streak after recent victories against the West Indies, with notable performances expected from Harleen Deol, Pratika Rawal, and Jemimah Rodrigues.
Mitchell Starc's fiery spell put India on the back foot early on Day 3 of the Brisbane Test. He dismissed openers Jaiswal and Gill cheaply, leaving India struggling to chase Australia's imposing first-innings total of 445. Australia's innings concluded earlier in the day, adding 40 runs to their overnight score. The series is currently tied at 1-1.
The ICC Champions Trophy returns after more than seven years, with Pakistan hosting an ICC tournament for the first time since 1996. Rivalries, particularly India vs Pakistan, and key player absences add to the intrigue.
Yuvraj Singh, one of India's finest cricketers, struggled to regain his place in the team post-cancer under Virat Kohli's stringent leadership. Despite his pivotal role in past victories and beating cancer, his fitness concessions were denied. Uthappa highlights the contrasting captaincy styles, emphasizing the impact on team dynamics.
Smriti Mandhana has climbed to second place in both T20I and ODI batting rankings after impressive performances against the West Indies. She now trails only South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt and Australia's Beth Mooney. Alongside, Indian and Australian players, including Harmanpreet Kaur, Annabel Sutherland, and Renuka Singh Thakur, made notable advancements in their respective rankings.
South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch had a remarkable start to his Test career, taking a wicket with his first delivery against Pakistan. Bosch dismissed Shan Masood, sparking a top-order collapse that saw Pakistan fall from 36/0 to 56/4. Bosch's debut performance shifted the match in South Africa's favor, adding to the legacy of South African pacers.
India's Mohit Sharma shared a balanced view of BCCI's revised policy restricting family members on tours. A day earlier, Virat Kohli, however, had strongly emphasised the importance of family presence for players' mental well-being. Players' spouses and families are allowed only after the first two weeks on tours exceeding 45 days or for a week on shorter tours.