Suryakumar Yadav is optimistic about the upcoming IPL season despite a recent dry spell with the bat. He remains flexible in the batting order, focusing on consistency and maintaining a clear mindset. The season carries extra significance as he aims to regain form for the Indian cricket team. He will lead the Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings in the absence of suspended Hardik Pandya.
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The SA20 final on February 8 at the Wanderers will be played before a sold-out crowd for the third consecutive year. Tickets for the season finale have sold out faster than the previous year. Fans are encouraged to purchase playoff tickets to see the top teams compete for final spots.
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.
Mumbai Indians' captain and all-rounder Hardik Pandya reflects on his journey from facing criticism to winning widespread acclaim after playing a vital role in India's T20 World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy triumphs. He emphasized on the importance of perseverance and self-belief to turn things around.
Fakhar Zaman's impressive 67 off 52 balls helped Desert Vipers secure a five-wicket win over MI Emirates at the Dubai International Stadium. Contributions from Alex Hales and Sam Curran were crucial in chasing down a target of 160. Despite a late effort from Kieron Pollard and Romario Shepherd, Zaman's performance was pivotal for the Vipers' victory.
Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran, who was part of the Indian squad in Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has suffered a hairline fracture on his right hand’s middle finger, sidelining him from the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches. Easwaran, known for his consistent performances in India A teams, sustained the injury during a club match.
South African fast bowler Gerald Coetzee, playing for Joburg Super Kings, has been sidelined from the SA20 tournament due to a hamstring strain. His absence is a significant loss as he was a potential replacement for injured Anrich Nortje. Coetzee's participation in the upcoming Champions Trophy remains uncertain, adding to South Africa's fast-bowling concerns.
Smaran Ravichandran's 101 off 92 balls guided Karnataka to a fifth Vijay Hazare Trophy, defeating Vidarbha by 36 runs in a high-scoring final. Supported by Krishnan Srijith's 78 and Abhinav Manohar's explosive 79, Karnataka posted 348/6. Despite Dhruv Shorey's century, Vidarbha fell short, being all out for 312 in 48.2 overs.
Team India and England arrived in Kolkata for their upcoming T20I series starting Wednesday at Eden Gardens. Both teams, preparing for the Champions Trophy, will have three training sessions before the first match. Eden Gardens will host its first international game since November 2023, with a full-capacity crowd expected.
India's head coach Gautam Gambhir emphasized the significant roles that veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will play in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. He highlighted the unique challenge of the tournament's format and praised captain Suryakumar Yadav for his impact on the T20I squad.
Tilak Varma moved to second place among T20 batters and could potentially overtake Travis Head for the top spot with good performances in the next matches. Varun Chakravarthy jumped to fifth among bowlers after a strong showing against England. Adil Rashid regained the No.1 spot among T20I bowlers following three economical performances against India.