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New look Indian side for New Zealand series

Published

3 years ago

November 16, 2021

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Rahul Dravid’s first assignment as India coach will see a new-look side – led by Rohit Sharma – take on World Cup finalists New Zealand in a three-match T20I series, which begins in Jaipur on Wednesday.

Virat Kohli announced in September that he would leave the T20 captaincy following the World Cup.

Kohli’s tenure ended in a disaster, as the pre-tournament favourites crashed out in the group stages.

Kohli’s decision to step down as T20 captain also coincided with the departure of head coach Ravi Shastri who is touted to join Ahmedabad’s IPL franchise.

As a result, Rohit and Dravid have been tasked with spearheading a new era for India in the shortest format of the game.

Rohit has led Mumbai Indians to a record five IPL titles since being appointed permanent captain in 2013.

Even Dravid has hailed the leadership skills of the 34-year-old.

The quartet of Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja have been rested for the series.

Despite forming an integral part of India’s T20 side over recent years, all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been omitted.

The new entrants include 3 players who had a sensational stint in the IPL.

Venkatesh Iyer, Harshal Patel and Avesh Khan have earned call-ups.

Ruturaj Gaikwad – the top run-scorer in the 2021 IPL – has been rewarded with a recall following his prolific form for Chennai Super Kings.

Yuzvendra Chahal also returns to the fold, having been a surprise exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad.

Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel are also included in the 16-man squad following their absence in the UAE.

Rohit’s opening partner KL Rahul has been named vice-captain, with Rishabh Pant and Ravichandran Ashwin also set to feature.

New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson will miss the three-match series, instead opting to focus on the Test Series which gets underway in Kanpur on November 25.

Pacer Tim Southee will take over the reins in Williamson’s absence.

India squad:

Rohit Sharma (capt), KL Rahul, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Harshal Patel, Mohammad Siraj.

New Zealand squad:

Tim Southee (capt), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi.

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Kathmandu Gurkhas Set Modest Target for Janakpur Bolts in NPL

Published

12 hours ago

December 12, 2024

Maadhav

Kathmandu Gurkhas, after opting to bat first, set Janakpur Bolts a modest target of 102 runs in their ongoing Nepal Premier League (NPL) match. Kathmandu’s innings ended at 101/10 in 19.3 overs. They struggled throughout, with only Gerhard Erasmus (20) and Stephen Eskinazi (17) offering resistance. The rest of the batting line-up faltered, with notable contributions from Karan KC (19) and Shahab Alam (8*).

Janakpur’s bowlers dominated, with Lalit Rajbanshi and Sher Malla both taking three wickets each, while Mohammad Mohsin added two. The Bolts are now tasked with chasing a relatively low total to secure the win.

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Pokhara Avengers Secure Thrilling Super Over Win Against Biratnagar Kings

Published

12 hours ago

December 12, 2024

Maadhav

The Pokhara Avengers emerged victorious in a nail-biting super over against Biratnagar Kings in the Nepal Premier League. Biratnagar posted 140 runs, which Pokhara matched, taking the game into the super over.

In the super over, Pokhara posted 19 runs, thanks to a strong contribution from Raymon Reifer. Biratnagar struggled to chase down the target, managing only five runs, securing a crucial win for Pokhara. This result keeps Pokhara’s playoff hopes alive, while Biratnagar became the second team to be eliminated from the tournament.

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Mohammad Rizwan Faces Backlash for Underwhelming Knock in Pakistan’s Loss to South Africa

Published

2 days ago

December 11, 2024

Maadhav

Mohammad Rizwan has come under heavy fire for his performance during Pakistan’s loss to South Africa in a high-stakes match. Critics described his innings as lackluster, accusing him of playing a “shameless” and “criminal” knock that failed to meet the demands of the situation. His inability to accelerate scoring when required drew ire from fans and analysts alike, with many questioning his intent and decision-making under pressure.

While Rizwan’s cautious approach ensured some stability, it proved inadequate against South Africa’s aggressive game plan. His inability to shift gears in critical moments ultimately hurt Pakistan’s chances, and his performance sparked a broader debate about his role and strategy in the team’s batting order. Some commentators were particularly scathing, questioning how Rizwan could reflect on his effort given the circumstances.

The incident has added to the scrutiny of Pakistan’s overall performance in the tournament, with many demanding better strategies and execution from key players. Rizwan, regarded as a pivotal figure in the lineup, now faces the challenge of responding to the criticism and delivering under pressure in future matches.