Tag: RohitSharma

Rohit and Kohli Return for ODI Series Against Sri Lanka, Suryakumar Yadav to Lead T20I Side

Staff ReporterSports 0

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that they will be available for the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka next month. The BCCI senior selection committee is expected to meet on Thursday evening via a Zoom call, as board secretary Jay Shah is attending the International Cricket Council annual conference in Sri Lanka.

The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, in consultation with the BCCI, has decided that Suryakumar Yadav will lead the Indian T20I team for the three-match series, while Rohit Sharma will continue to lead the Indian side in the ODIs. The Indian Express had earlier reported that Suryakumar was likely to captain the T20I side, as the selectors were uncertain about appointing Hardik Pandya as skipper due to his past fitness issues. Pandya was India’s vice-captain during their triumphant T20 World Cup campaign.

The selection committee has informed the BCCI that they are open to replacing Suryakumar as captain in the future if his performance does not meet expectations. The BCCI is considering Suryakumar to lead the Indian team at the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka.

Although Pandya seemed a front-runner for the captaincy, it is understood that BCCI officials and selectors explained their long-term plans to him, highlighting why they preferred Suryakumar for the role.

Meanwhile, the senior players in the team have agreed to the request of newly appointed coach Gautam Gambhir to participate in the three-match ODI series, as it will be his first series as coach.

Pandya will only be playing in the T20Is and will not be part of the ODI squad. The senior selection committee has decided to rest their ace pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, for the short series. Rishabh Pant will feature in both the Indian squads.

Rajasthan Royals middle-order batsman Riyan Parag has pushed his case for a spot in the Indian middle order and is likely to be picked for both the ODI and T20I sides. The selection committee is trying out new faces for the future, and Parag, who can also bowl, is likely to secure a berth in both squads. Parag’s inclusion means Suryakumar will not be part of the ODI squad, and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal will feature only in the T20I squad.

Shreyas Iyer, who last featured in the ICC World Cup 50-over team, will make his way back into the Indian ODI side. The BCCI had excluded Iyer from the annual contract earlier this year, but with his return to international cricket, he will soon be reinstated in the BCCI’s annual contract. Mumbai all-rounder Shivam Dubey is likely to feature in both squads, especially with Pandya opting out of the ODIs.

The BCCI and the selection committee are making strategic decisions to shape the future of Indian cricket. By choosing Suryakumar Yadav as the T20I captain and resting key players like Bumrah, they aim to strike a balance between nurturing new talent and maintaining the team’s competitive edge. With the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, the Indian team will showcase a mix of experienced players and promising newcomers, setting the stage for an exciting cricketing contest.

India Levels Series with Resounding Victory Over South Africa in Shortest-Ever Test Match

Staff ReporterSports, Cricket 0

India secured a convincing seven-wicket victory over South Africa at Newlands in the second test, leveling the two-match series at 1-1 in a match that concluded within five sessions. In a pursuit of a modest target of 79, India finished their second innings at 80 for three, strategically countering a challenging wicket that still favored the bowlers.

Rohit Sharma led the charge, remaining unbeaten at 16, while Shreyas Iyer contributed 4 runs. The wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal (28), Shubman Gill (10), and Virat Kohli (12) were the only setbacks for the Indian side.

The brevity of the match, completed in 642 balls, raised eyebrows, setting a new record for the shortest-ever test match with a decisive winner, surpassing Australia’s 656-ball victory over South Africa in 1932. Reflecting on the achievement, India’s captain Rohit Sharma commented, “Obviously it’s a great feat, but having said that we had to learn from whatever mistakes we made (in the first test). The bowlers still have to put the ball in the right areas and the boys got rewarded for it. When you come to this part of the world, it’s always difficult, but we take pride in our performance outside of India.”

South Africa, winning the toss and opting to bat, faced a dire situation in their first innings, getting dismissed for a mere 55 on a record-breaking opening day. However, they made a comeback by restricting India to 153 in their first innings, a phase where the visitors lost six wickets without adding a single run, an unprecedented occurrence in 147 years of test cricket.

Jasprit Bumrah emerged as the star performer for India, claiming six wickets for 61 runs. His exceptional line and length, coupled with poor shot selection from the South African batsmen, played a crucial role in dismantling the home side. The hosts were bowled out for 176 in their second innings just before lunch on the second day, setting the stage for India’s triumph.

Aiden Markram provided a glimmer of resistance for South Africa, scoring a rapid 106 despite challenging conditions. His century, achieved in 99 balls, was an impressive display of skill. However, Markram’s aggressive approach cost him dearly, as he mistimed a delivery from Mohammed Siraj, resulting in a skied shot caught by Rohit Sharma at mid-off. Markram’s innings included 17 fours and two sixes.

Reflecting on the match, South Africa’s retiring captain, Dean Elgar, expressed disappointment over their poor first innings with the bat. “A tough one for us, we were positive coming into the game, but the first innings with the bat… India bowled well and used the conditions to a tee,” he remarked. Elgar defended his decision to bat first, stating, “It (the wicket) was a bit of a ripper, to the naked eye it looked a nice one, but it played different to what everyone thought it would play. I still don’t regret my decision to bat first, but they outskilled us in the first session.”

The series, now leveled at 1-1, has seen a reversal of fortunes for both teams. South Africa dominated the first test, winning by an innings and 32 runs, while India showcased resilience and adaptability to claim victory in the second test. As the cricketing world reflects on this intriguing series, the focus will undoubtedly shift to the upcoming matches, with anticipation building for more competitive and enthralling encounters between these two cricketing giants.

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