Cricket news

India-Pakistan T20 World Cup encounter: Players to watch out for

While India are one of the favourites to clinch the prestigious title, it would be foolish to write off Pakistan because Pakistan is known for registering big wins. The final will be played in Dubai on November 14, with November 15 marked as a reserve day.

Published

5 years ago

October 20, 2021

The two arch-rivals India and Pakistan are set to face each other in their opening T20 World Cup 2021 clash on Sunday (October 24) and the hype around the match has now reached a new level.

The final will be played in Dubai on November 14, with November 15 marked as a reserve day.

While India is one of the favourites to clinch the prestigious title, it would be foolish to write off Pakistan because Pakistan is known for registering big wins.

Ahead of the high-voltage encounter, take a look at 5 players to watch out for:

Virat Kohli:

Kohli, who has not been scored a century since September 2019, has been in good form with the bat. So it would be the last chance for him to shine with the bat and as well to win a T20 World Cup as captain

Apart from announcements to quit as India T20 captain after the World Cup, Kohli has also confirmed that he will open the batting along with Rohit Sharma. This gives him enough time to score runs and help India set defendable targets.

Babar Azam

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is, without a doubt, the best batsman in his team and best too across all formats. Babar’s contribution will play an important role in deciding the outcome of the match.

Rohit Sharma

The Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma, who finished IPL 2021 with 381 runs from 13 games, has the potential to destroy any bowling attacks as he did during ICC World Cup in 2019. He is one of the senior players in India.

Mohammad Rizwan

When it comes down to the most number of runs scored for Pakistan this year, Rizwan finishes on top while Babar comes in second, with the former scoring 752 runs from 17 innings while the latter scored 523 runs from 17 innings. The opening of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan could be the biggest threat for team India.

KL Rahul

Lokesh Rahul, who won the Orange Cap scoring 626 runs in 13 games at a strike rate of 138.8 last year, is at the peak of his career across all formats. He is likely to open with Sharma in the T20 World Cup 2021. He has been one of the most consistent batsmen in the shortest format and is expected to play a massive role for India in the batting department.

Haider Ali

After dropping Azam Khan and Sohaib Maqsood, it would be a golden opportunity for Haider Ali to showcase the form that got him to this level. He was the 5th highest scorer at the recently concluded National T20 Cup for Northern, averaging 63.40 at a strike rate of 146.75, and looking very much back to his best.

Ravindra Jadeja

His stocks in white-ball cricket have certainly seen a sharp rise due to his stellar performances as a batsman for the Chennai Super Kings and for team India as well. He can be entrusted with the role of a finisher in the T20 World Cup. He also provides a lot more balance in the squad.

Fakhar Zaman

Indian fans can never forget Fakhar Zaman as he single-handedly led Pakistan to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final. Fakhar Zaman was initially not a part of Pakistan’s World Cup squad but was later added to the team.

Jasprit Bumrah

After taking 21 wickets in IPL 2021, Bumrah will lead India’s pace attack in the T20 World Cup 2021.

Imad wasim

Imad Wasim, who will likely open the bowling most games, could also be contributed to the team with the bat.

Up Next

Virat Kohli shares breakfast date picture with Vamika and Anushka Sharma, Vamika’s ponytail has fans happy

Don't Miss

Happy birthday Virender Sehwag: On his special day, know how Sehwag became Multan ka Sultan by scoring historic triple century against Pakistan

Cricket news

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs to win Asian Games cricket gold

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final to retain the gold medal in the competition.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 3, 2026

APNLive Desk

India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games 2026 on Saturday to retain the gold medal.

India posted 211 for six after being sent in to bat, before restricting Pakistan to 192 for six in their 20 overs. The victory gave India their second successive Asian Games gold medal in men’s cricket.

India post 211 in final

India’s batting was led by Abhishek Sharma, who scored 61 off 28 balls, while Tilak Varma contributed 51 off 22 balls.

The two batters provided the momentum as India reached 211 for six from their 20 overs.

India captain Shreyas Iyer had won the toss and elected to bat first in the final.

Pakistan fall 19 runs short

Pakistan’s chase was anchored by Hasan Nawaz, who made 96 from 51 balls. Saim Ayub added 29 from 22 balls, but Pakistan finished on 192 for six after 20 overs.

India’s Axar Patel and Washington Sundar each took two wickets as Pakistan fell short of the target.

The result secured the gold medal for India, while Pakistan finished with silver. Sri Lanka won the bronze medal after defeating Bangladesh in the bronze-medal match.

India retain Asian Games cricket title

The victory marked India’s second consecutive men’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games. India had also won the men’s cricket gold at the Hangzhou edition.

India’s victory over Pakistan also completed a gold-medal double for the country in cricket at the 2026 Asian Games, after the women’s team won the women’s cricket final earlier in the competition.

Cricket news

Jasprit Bumrah becomes first Indian to play T20Is in 13 countries

Jasprit Bumrah became the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries after featuring against Sri Lanka in Japan.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 1, 2026

APNLive Desk

Jasprit Bumrah added another milestone to his international career on Thursday after taking the field for India against Sri Lanka in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket semifinal in Japan.

Bumrah’s appearance at Nishin made him the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries, according to the report. He moved ahead of former India captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have each played T20Is in 12 countries.

Bumrah’s 13-country T20I record

Before playing in Japan, Bumrah had represented India in T20Is in 12 other countries — India, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the United States, West Indies and Zimbabwe.

His appearance in Japan took the tally to 13. Kohli, Rohit and Bhuvneshwar had played in all of those countries except Japan, leaving Bumrah alone at the top of the list.

Kohli and Rohit cannot add to their totals as both have retired from T20I cricket, according to the source.

Bumrah shines against Sri Lanka

Bumrah also made an immediate impact in his first T20I appearance in Japan. He claimed two wickets in his opening over against Sri Lanka and finished with figures of 2/7 in two overs.

India went on to dismiss Sri Lanka for 45 in 9.5 overs and won the semifinal by 124 runs to book a place in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final.

The result set up an India-Pakistan gold-medal clash, scheduled for October 3.

Jasprit Bumrah has become the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries. His appearance against Sri Lanka in Japan took him past Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have played T20Is in 12 countries each.

Cricket news

India beat West Indies by 8 wickets, Gill hits record 223

Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 223 and Rohit Sharma’s 101 helped India chase 406 against West Indies and win the second ODI by eight wickets in Guwahati.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 1, 2026

[email protected]

India produced a remarkable batting performance to defeat West Indies by eight wickets in the second ODI in Guwahati, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

West Indies posted 405 for 7 in their 50 overs after centuries from John Campbell, Shai Hope and Amir Jangoo. India then produced an emphatic response, reaching 406 for 2 in just 43.3 overs.

Shubman Gill led the chase with an unbeaten 223, while Rohit Sharma provided strong support with a century.

Gill’s record-breaking double century

Gill remained unbeaten on 223 from 133 balls and completed his double century in 117 deliveries.

His innings made him the first batter to score an ODI double century in 117 balls, according to the report. His unbeaten 223 was also recorded as the highest ODI score by an Indian captain and the highest score by an Indian in an ODI chase.

Gill’s innings contained a combination of boundaries and sustained attacking batting as India comfortably reached the target set by West Indies.

Rohit Sharma scores 101

Rohit Sharma also produced a century during India’s chase, scoring 101 from 75 balls.

The innings also saw Rohit reach the milestone of 12,000 ODI runs. He became the third Indian batter to reach the landmark after Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.

Virat Kohli contributed 29 runs before being dismissed during the chase.

West Indies post 405

Earlier, West Indies put up a huge total of 405 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs.

John Campbell scored 101, while Shai Hope made 104. Amir Jangoo also struck a century, scoring 114.

Despite the three centuries, West Indies could not defend the total as India’s top order produced a dominant chase.

India take 2-0 series lead

India completed the chase in 43.3 overs, finishing on 406 for 2 and securing an eight-wicket victory.

The result gives India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series, with the second match producing a record-breaking individual performance from captain Shubman Gill.