The in-form Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore takes on Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings in a top-of-the-table IPL showdown in Mumbai on Sunday with two points and momentum at stake.
India and Pakistan meet in their opening World Cup match at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday. Ahead of what promises to be a thrilling contest here's a fact-file on the teams.
Even on paper, there is not much to choose, especially with Pune beating MI thrice this season including a comprehensive victory in Qualifier 1. But a impressive show by Mumbai in the final cannot be ruled out.
Ambati Rayudu conceded that his side will have to play each game as a must-win.
Rajasthan Royals face a herculean task when they take on mighty Chennai Super Kings in a must-win Indian Premier League (IPL) match, in Jaipur, on Friday.
Dhoni has turned back the clock with his last three innings, two of them half centuries, adding to the fine run of imposing all-rounder Shane Watson.
Skipper Ambati Rayudu and Faiz Fazal put together a 151-run stand on the second day of the second 'Test' against the England under-19 side.
Chennai Super Kings prevailed over a weakened Sunrisers Hyderabad by four runs to consolidate their position at the top of the order
'I am extremely elated to be in the Indian World Cup team'
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's heroics with the bat went in vain as Chennai Super Kings went down by four runs against Kings XI Punjab in a close finish in the Indian Premier League.
Gambhir said Rayudu not making the cut is the most unfortunate bit about the squad announced on Monday.
Following the debacle in the New Zealand ODI series, the selectors finally lost patience with the under-performing Suresh Raina and Ishant Sharma and axed them from India's squad for the Asia Cup later this month. Cheteshwar Pujara, who played two ODIs in Zimbabwe in August, made a comeback to the ODI squad.
Citing Mahendra Singh Dhoni's lack of form, former India captain Mohammed Azharuddin has said that India's ODI skipper is "no longer the player he used to be".
Wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson, who replaced the injured Ambati Rayudu in the Indian squad for the remainder of the Zimbabwe tour, said he is happy and excited to don the country's colours.
Chopra also said that of all the eight franchises currently in the IPL, CSK is the one that needs a mega auction to happen ahead of the next year's IPL. Currently, it is not known whether CSK will stick to the players which played this year.
Mumbai Indians humbled Chennai Super Kings by 37 runs in the Indian Premier League, in Mumbai, on Wednesday.
India are eyeing a place in the final after three wins in as many matches, while Pakistan will look to step up their game in the Super Four match, after a scare against Afghanistan.
Abhinav Mukund and skipper Ambati Rayudu struck half-centuries as India A gained a slight edge, reaching 342 for six against South Africa A, thereby taking a 82-run lead at stumps on the second day of the second and final unofficial 'Test'.
India will start their Asia Cup campaign against minnows Hong Kong on Tuesday followed by the big game against Pakistan.
An elated Ambati Rayudu on Thursday said his maiden hundred in international cricket, which helped India crush Sri Lanka in the second One-Day International, will certainly be a "special one" as it took a long time to come.
Ruturaj Gaikwad continued his golden run with the bat with his third half-century in a row to help Chennai Super Kings end on a high, with a hat-trick of victories, even as they failed to make the IPL playoffs for the first time.
KXIP's chances of a top four finish took a serious hit after Rajasthan Royals handed them a seven-wicket loss,
Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming took solace from finding the "right player" in Ruturaj Gaikwad as he dealt with the mixed emotions of notching up victories after being knocked out of the IPL play-offs contention.
Delhi Daredevils defeated Mumbai Indians by 10 runs in their IPL match at the Feroz Shah Kotla.
Shastri said Kohli at number 4 can make the batting unit more strong
Vinayak Mane and Ambati Rayudu hit half centuries as Elite 'B' took a 194-run first innings lead against Plate 'A' on day 2 in the Duleep Trophy match.
Ambati Rayudu slammed his maiden hundred as India produced yet another comprehensive batting performance to ease past Sri Lanka by six wickets in the second One-Day International, in Motera, Ahmedabad, on Thursday.
Whether it was promoting Sam Curran to the opener's slot or finishing pacer Deepak Chahar's quota upfront while using seven bowlers to dry up runs, every move produced desired result.
India overcame a disastrous start to beat New Zealand by 35 runs in the fifth and final One-Day International in Wellington on Sunday and finish the series with a 4-1 scoreline in their favour.
The middle-order continues to remain a concern for CSK with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni himself not being at his best.
The Indian fans could get a glimpse of the immensely talented Shubman Gill in the senior team jersey if he is chosen to replace Virat Kohli for Thursday's fourth ODI against New Zealand.
KKR have plenty of resources in bowling but Karthik, it seems, has not been able to manage them well
'We know it won't be ... easy for us as we are playing away from home'
Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings head into the match after identical seven-wicket wins over Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad respectively.
Rahul Chahar's brilliant spell of 2/14 helped Mumbai Indians crush Chennai Super Kings by 6 wickets to enter the IPL final.
Discarded opener Shikhar Dhawan roared back to form with a sublime 128 as India B beat India A by 23 runs in the opening match of the Deodhar Trophy cricket tournament, in Visakhapatnam, on Saturday.
Dhoni wants his top-order to be more discreet with shot selection.
Ordered 3D glasses to watch World Cup: Rayudu after exclusion
IMAGES from the Indian Premier League match played between Delhi Daredevils and Chennai Super Kings in New Delhi on Friday
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