Cricket news
All-rounder Hardik Pandya or batter Ishan Kishan? Virat Kohli backs Pandya as specialist batter at No.6
Hours before Sunday’s high-octane T20 World Cup encounter between India and Pakistan at Dubai, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli made clear that all-rounder Hardik Pandya is very much part of the scheme of things as a finisher. The skipper believes that Pandya has done enough in the past to hold his place as a specialist batter in the side at No. 6.
On the same line, former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has said that all-rounder Hardik Pandya should be part of India’s playing XI against Pakistan because he can make the game one-sided if he performs well with the bat. He also said Pandya has the ability to finish off the match with the bat and if bowls, it’s icing on the cake.
Before Kohli, many were believed that Pandya, who is not fit to bowl and even struggling out of form with the bat too during the IPL, playing as a pure batsman will not be benefited for India.
Responding to a question on when Pandya will be able to start bowling, Kohli said that the all-rounder’s physical condition is improving and he could contribute with a couple of overs soon. He also said that the team management understands the value that he brings to the team with his big-hitting ability as he has played as a pure finisher for India in the past.
However, Pandya did impress in Australia last year as a specialist batsman with a 22-ball 42 in the second T20I in Sydney, a 50-ball 66 in the 3rd ODI in Canberra and a 76-ball 90 in the first ODI in Sydney.
Here are the predicted playing XIs
India: Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma (vc), KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali/Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf
Cricket news
India Vs Australia 2023 Schedule updates: Check Team India full fixtures and match venues for ODI series
All rounder Washinton Sundar and spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has also been picked for the three match one day international series. All rounder Axar Patel who had a hamstring injury will be available for the third match in the series.
Expectations are high as India take on Australia in the three match one day international series. Two teams have been announced by India for the crucial ODI series against the mighty Australian side. Captain Rohit Sharma, vice captain Hardik Pandya, batting superstar Virat Kohli and in form spinner Kuldeep Yadav will be unavailable in the first two matches of the ODI series against Australia.
All rounder Washinton Sundar and spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has also been picked for the three match one day international series. All rounder Axar Patel who had a hamstring injury will be available for the third match in the series.
Match Date Venue
India Vs Australia, 1st ODI 22nd September (Friday) Mohali
India Vs Australia, 2nd ODI 24th September (Sunday) Indore
India Vs Australia, 3rd ODI 27th September (Wednesday) Rajkot
All three matches of the India Vs Australia Series can be seen on live stream in India on Jio Cinema. The matches will start at 1:30pm onwards.
After making a remarkable comeback to international cricket in the Asia Cup Wicket Keeper- Batsman KL Rahul will captain the Indian team in the first two games of the ODI series against Australia. Indian Middle order batsman Shreyas Iyer will play the whole series. Iyer missed crucial matches in the Asia Cup due to back spasms. SuryaKumar who did not get a chance to play in the Asia Cup will make a comeback in the series against Australia.
Indian Team for first two matches:
KL Rahul(c), Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Suya Kumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, Prasidh Krishna and Tilak Verma
Indian Team for final ODI:
Rohit Sharma (c),KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, SuryaKumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, Axar Patel,Kuldeep Yadav, Virat Kohli,Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Mohammad Siraj, Shardul Thakur
Cricket news
Watch: India’s jersey for ICC World Cup 2023 unvieled
Adidas India’s kit partners also released an anthem of their own for the Indian Cricket Team. The anthem is 2 minute 21 second long. The anthem is called Impossible Nahi Yeh Sapna, 3 Ka Dream hai Apna.
There is a major change to the jersey that India wore in the the recent Asia Cup 2023. The white stripes have been replaced by India’s tri colour. The jerseys worn by Kohli, Rohit and others in the video has orange, white and green stripes on the shoulder. Social media users hailed the change from Adidas. Netizens said it is a master stroke and the tri colours has taken India’s World Cup jersey to a whole new level.
There will be no Dream 11 logo during the World Cup as according to ICC norms only the team’s name should be visible in the centre of the jersey. India has not won an ICC title since the Champion’s trophy in 2013. India is seen as one of the favourites to win the World Cup.
ICC launched the anthem of the ICC World cup 2023 on Wednesday. The anthem has Dil Jashn Bole has got mixed reviews on social media. Adidas India’s kit partners also released an anthem of their own for the Indian Cricket Team. The anthem is 2 minute 21 second long. The anthem is called Impossible Nahi Yeh Sapna, 3 Ka Dream hai Apna.
The Adidas Anthem has India Captain Rohit Sharma, Superstar Virat Kohli, vice-captain Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, pacers Shardul Thakur, Spinner Kuldeep Yadav and all rounder Ravindra Jadeja. The videos has a catchy rap which gives the message to put an end to India’s long wait to win an ICC trophy. The video also gives a sneak peak into India’s World Cup jersey
The main reason due to the favourable home conditions, recent form and a strong team. India has warmed up nicely by becoming the Asia Cup Champions eighth time in a row. India will start their World Cup journey against Australia on October 8 in Chennai. The first match of the World Cup will start with England Vs New Zealand in Ahmedabad.
Cricket news
Delhi Police praises Mohammed Siraj’s excellent performance in Asia Cup Finals on social media
Siraj performance with the ball was top notch as he dismantled the Sri Lankan batting lineup. He took six wickets in the match bringing the Indian team in a dominant position.
Indian pace bowler Mohammed Siraj’s exceptional bowling performance against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final not only recieved praise from fans all over the world but the Delhi Police social media team as well. They tweeted there would be no speed challans for Siraj today. This implied his fast paced bowling was not only permissible but highly appreciated as well.
Siraj performance with the ball was top notch as he dismantled the Sri Lankan batting lineup. He took six wickets in the match bringing the Indian team in a dominant position. Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah supported Siraj by taking three wickets and one wicket respectively. The Indian bowlers bowled out the Sri Lankan team for 50 runs only. This set the stage for the victory of the Indian team in the Asia Cup.
The highlight of the match was Siraj’s outstanding performance with the ball. He took his first five wickets in just 16 balls. This is the fastest five wicket haul by a bowler in one day international history. He took the wickets of Dhananjaya De Silva, Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samaraiwickrama and Pathum NIssanka and demolished the Sri Lankan batting lineup.
The match did not start on a smooth note rain caused weather delay in the match. The Sri Lankan Captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and chose to bat first against India. The match turned out to be memorable for Mohammed Siraj. He became the fourth bowler in ODI history to take four wickets in an over.
Anand Mahindra appreciated Mohammed Siraj in a post on X as the Indian cricketer decided to donate the player of the match cash prize to Colombo Ground staff. Anand Mahindra wrote on X he had just one word for Mohammed Siraj Class which comes from within. After he received the player of the match award, he decided to give away the cash to ground staff in Colombo.
