Raipur is set to host all three matches of the India-Zimbabwe women's T20I series from October 16 to 20 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, with ticket sales opening on October 12.
India's team management is considering pairing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi with Abhishek Sharma for the second T20I against West Indies due to Sanju Samson's poor form. While the middle-order has performed well, Samson's consistent low scores are a concern. The article also discusses potential changes in the pace bowling combination and the West Indies' need for a higher total.
Smriti Mandhana has been appointed captain of the Indian women's cricket team for both T20I and ODI formats, with Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma named vice-captains respectively. This follows Harmanpreet Kaur's decision to step down. The squads for the upcoming home series against Zimbabwe have also been announced, featuring new inclusions and notable exclusions due to injury.
India's new captain Smriti Mandhana is set to lead the women's team in a T20I series against Zimbabwe, marking a new era. She aims to elevate the team's professionalism, power-hitting, and fielding, while fostering a strong team culture. Mandhana also highlighted the importance of Harmanpreet Kaur's experience and praised deputy Shafali Verma's growth, as the team prepares for the ICC Women's Champions Trophy 2027.
Gautam Gambhir, head coach of the Indian men's cricket team, celebrated his 45th birthday on Wednesday. Former teammates Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina, along with BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla, extended their wishes. Gambhir is currently with the team in Hyderabad for the fourth T20I against West Indies, where India aims to seal the series.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes that a strong performance by Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand could pave his way back into the Indian ODI team and secure a spot for the next year's 50-over World Cup. Ashwin highlighted Bhuvneshwar's unique ability to swing the ball and his decent pace as crucial assets, especially in conditions like South Africa and Australia. He also stressed the importance of the pacer maintaining his fitness.
Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar lauded Shreyas Iyer's maiden T20I century against the West Indies, stating it came at an 'important time' and signalled the Indian skipper's return to his best form after a challenging period with the bat.
Abhishek Sharma's explosive 69 runs off 30 balls propelled India to a 14-run victory against the West Indies in the third T20I, giving them a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Sharma also discussed his batting partnership with Ishan Kishan and the importance of preparation.
India opener Abhishek Sharma discusses his strategic approach to batting against West Indies bowlers, which led to his match-winning 69 runs in the third T20I. He explains how he adapted to their field placements and bowling plans, contributing to India's 14-run victory and a 2-1 series lead. Sharma also touched upon India's ruthless mindset, the performance of Naman Dhir, and his partnership with Ishan Kishan.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi batted in his inimitable style before being dismissed for 14 off 10 balls on his international debut in the Twenty20 International match against England on Saturday.
Shreyas Iyer-led India, unbeaten in their last two T20 series in New Zealand, will rely on their formidable batting lineup to overcome the relatively inexperienced New Zealand side in the upcoming five-match T20I series, despite having minimal time to acclimatise.
New Zealand batters Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes have been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against India due to injuries, with Josh Clarkson and Blair Tickner named as replacements.
India all-rounder Naman Dhir made an impressive T20I debut, contributing significantly with his off-spin bowling to help India secure a win against West Indies. Despite his bowling success, Dhir, whose primary strength is batting, is eager for an opportunity to showcase his skills with the bat. He credited the IPL for preparing him for international cricket and expressed his joy at fulfilling his dream of representing India.
India captain Shreyas Iyer defended leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi after his expensive 29-run over proved pivotal in India's four-wicket defeat to England in the second T20I. Iyer acknowledged the momentum shift but refused to pinpoint blame, while England's Jacob Bethell was lauded for his match-winning unbeaten 76.
Ravichandran Ashwin discusses Bhuvneshwar Kumar's recall to the T20I squad, attributing it to his consistent IPL performance without chasing rewards. He also touches upon Mohammed Shami's potential comeback, his relationships with Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli, and predicts India and South Africa as strong contenders for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Suresh Raina said Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return to the national squad the reward of hard work, discipline and consistent performances in domestic cricket.
Cricket legend Kapil Dev has cautioned against creating 'excessive hype' around 15-year-old Indian cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, drawing parallels with Vinod Kambli's career, and urged the media to give the young talent time to develop.
Jemimah Rodrigues and Yastika Bhatia scored half-centuries, and debutant Nandani Sharma impressed with the ball as India defeated England by 38 runs in the first T20I.
Former chief selector MSK Prasad has expressed bewilderment over Suryakumar Yadav's exclusion from India's T20I squad, suggesting it's a rest rather than a drop. He also questioned the omission of Rajat Patidar despite his strong IPL performance and the inclusion of Shivam Dube, while praising the selection of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
'There is more trust in Shivam Dube because he has done it for India. Nitish Kumar Reddy has bowled well for SRH, but so far for India in T20Is, unfortunately, he hasn't played that role yet.'
Pacer Keemo Paul discusses how West Indies bowlers effectively used slow balls on a gripping pitch and the absence of dew to secure a 24-run victory over India in the fourth T20I on Wednesday. He also highlighted captain Shai Hope's crucial century and strong team planning as key factors in their success.
West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein acknowledges India as a "very dangerous" side ahead of the upcoming five-match T20I series. He discusses the challenges of bowling in the powerplay against India's strong batting lineup and emphasizes the importance of planning, execution, and sticking to effective strategies, aided by data. Hosein asserts that the West Indies team is ready for the challenge and will not back down.
The real victory in New Zealand is not about winning every match but returning from it knowing exactly what kind of team India should have for the future, points out K R Nayar.
Former India batter Suresh Raina has lauded seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return to the Indian T20I side after a four-year hiatus, praising his discipline, hard work, and resilience as 'truly inspiring'.
Ireland scripted history by registering their first-ever win over India, handing the visitors a 34-run defeat in the first T20I in Belfast on Friday. This is Ireland's first victory over India in any format.
Former India player Cheteshwar Pujara believes that consistency is 'overrated' for top-order batters in T20 cricket, expressing confidence in Sanju Samson's ability to regain form with a single impactful innings.
Harmanpreet Kaur's career has been defined by landmark innings, record-breaking longevity and milestones that have mirrored the rise of Indian women's cricket.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir acknowledged Roston Chase's disciplined bowling spell as a 'game-changing' factor in the second T20I, but stressed the need for India to improve their ability to defend large totals after West Indies successfully chased down 250.
India continued their dismal run, suffering yet another defeat in the ongoing tour of England, going down by nine wickets in the fourth T20I to concede the five-match series in Bristol on Thursday.
Former chief selector M S K Prasad wants Mohammed Shami considered for the New Zealand series and the 2027 ODI World Cup while former bowling coach Bharat Arun says the pacer has nothing left to prove.
It remains to be seen if India will fall back on Sanju Samson to revive their sagging fortunes with a revamped batting order in the must-win fourth T20 International in Bristol on Thursday.
Ishan Kishan's unbeaten 80 off 46 balls guided India to a 124-run victory over Sri Lanka in the Asian Games men's cricket semi-final, securing their place in the final against Pakistan. His exceptional performance also saw him surpass Virat Kohli's T20I record for fifty-plus scores in a calendar year and move closer to Suryakumar Yadav's record for most T20I runs in a year.
Suryakumar Yadav has been dropped from Mumbai's Ranji Trophy squad for the opening match against Chandigarh, despite confirming his availability, due to selectors' concerns over his red-ball form after an 18-month hiatus from the format.
West Indies bowling coach Ravi Rampaul urged his batters to "rotate the strike" and rely on their better players of spin to "counter" India's three-pronged spin-bowling attack.
India's spin-bowling all-rounder Naman Dhir discusses how his experience as a batter enhances his ability to read opponents while bowling. He elaborates on his strategy for dismissing Kamil Pooran in the recent T20I match against West Indies and outlines his role as a batting all-rounder in the Indian team, emphasising his reliance on line, length, and pace variations.
Ishan Kishan smashed an unbeaten 80 against Sri Lanka to overtake Virat Kohli's T20I record for fifty-plus scores in a calendar year and move within 80 runs of Suryakumar Yadav's India record.
New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson believes the coming tour of New Zealand will present significant challenges and exciting opportunities for 15-year-old Indian cricket sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, despite his impressive recent performances.
Ahead of the second T20I against West Indies in Ranchi, local player Ishan Kishan and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi showcased their attacking batting in India's practice session. Kishan, returning to the national setup after a disciplinary issue, impressed assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak with his maturity. Sooryavanshi, a young talent, also drew significant attention with his powerful hitting. The team, having won the first T20I, plans to maintain its fearless approach for the upcoming match.
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer wants Mohammed Shami back in India's ODI team, backing a Bumrah-Shami-Siraj pace attack ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Roston Chase calls Shai Hope underrated after his 45-ball T20I century powered the West Indies to a record chase, strengthening the skipper's case ahead of the IPL mini-auction.
