Bhuvneshwar Kumar didn't mince words when he categorically said that 'things could have been different' had Aiden Markram's catch been taken or a couple of close run-outs been effected in the team's five-wicket defeat against South Africa on Sunday.
A lot of grey areas are yet to be addressed, but a young Indian team, with an admirable collective temperament, will start as favourites in the series-deciding fifth T20 International against South Africa, in Bengaluru, on Sunday.
Another failure to win an ICC tournament will put Virat Kohli's leadership future in doubt. When BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah hold a virtual meet with the national selectors in a couple of days' time, the leadership issue will be discussed.
Virat Kohli was rested from the three-match T20I series against the West Indies.
Virat Kohli hit a second successive unbeaten half century. Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav also reached the 50-mark
While Ishan Kishan has done well so far, Ruturaj Gaikwad (23, 1) has pulled the team down with questions being raised over his technique against quality pacers and his ability to force the pace early on.
Comeback man Heinrich Klaasen followed Rassie Van der Dussen's suit in turning out to be an unlikely hero with a career-best 81 as South Africa once again outwitted India by four wickets on a tricky pitch to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.
While Rohit Sharma will be eager to test his ultra-aggressive batting template against the Asian giants, for Virat Kohli it is the perfect platform to return to form after enduring a tough phase in the last few years.
India T20I skipper Rohit Sharma has said that playing alongside Trent Boult for Mumbai Indians has helped both of them know each other's weaknesses and strengths and as a result, it is always a good battle when they play for their national teams.
India would look to finalise their batting order for the tournament-proper when they take on Australia in their second and final warm-up game in Dubai on Wednesday.
Mohammed Shami was ruled out of the rubber, starting Tuesday, late on Saturday night after he tested positive for COVID-19.
Jasprit Bumrah was declared fit and was available for selection, but the selectors don't want to rush him back.
The absence of the team's established players, such as Virat Kohli and Rishbah Pant as well as KL Rahul, in the upcoming three T20 Internationals will definitely translate into more opportunities for the likes of Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson.
Abdul Samad bowled the 20th over and gave away 20 runs but it was not enough for CSK to get over the line as they faced their third defeat in this season.
Cameron Green's magnificent maiden hundred and Rohit Sharma's half century powered Mumbai Indians to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad.
IMAGES from the Indian Premier League match played between Delhi Capitals and SunRisers Hyderabad in Delhi on Saturday.
It turned out to be a lop-sided contest as India were thoroughly outplayed in both batting and bowling by a dominant England.
In the middle-order, Shreyas will replace Kohli, who was given a much-needed break ahead of his landmark 100th Test.
If Kolkata Knight Riders beat Rajasthan Royals on Thursday, then Mumbai Indians may find it very difficult to qualify for the play-offs even if they beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in their final league match.
Dasun Shanaka is their 10th captain in nearly five years, and barring a classy batsman like Dhananjaya de Silva and a steady pacer in Dishmantha Chameera, this team lacks quality to challenge the might of the Indian team led by Shikhar Dhawan.
PHOTOS of the IPL 2023 match between Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday.
India have only themselves to blame for their below-par showing in the Asia Cup as they struggled to put up consistent performances with both bat and ball.
Arshdeep Singh credits his success in the T20 World Cup to senior pace bowling partner Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who he said has been creating relentless pressure in the Powerplay overs which has made it easier for him to get wickets.
Nicholas Pooran's sensational late cameo powered Lucknow Super Giants to a seven-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Young Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh said that using variations, especially the slower ones, on a sticky wicket was the key to his success in the first T20 International against the West Indies on Friday.
Images from the fifth Twenty20 International between India and England, in Ahmedabad, on Saturday.
Images from the Asia Cup match played between India and Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday.
Images from the IPL 2023 match between Kolkata Knight Riders and SunRisers Hyderabad played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday
Shardul Thakur replaced spinner Axar Patel, who was transferred to the list of standby players.
The Indian team's strategy is expected to undergo paradigm shift with some players getting a subtle yet stern message to lift their games as they face an embarrassing possibility of a clean sweep against South Africa in the third ODI, in Cape Town on Sunday.
Rahane to lead India in one-off Test vs Afghanistan
Bhuvneshwar took six wickets at an economy rate of 4.65 in the three ODIs
Sunrisers Hyderabad's seasoned seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar on Sunday praised his younger pace colleague Umran Malik, saying watching him bowl fast 'is a joy'.
Virat Kohli and Co. arrived in Pune by a chartered flight from Ahmedabad at around 4.45 PM
Led by a determined showing from their bowlers, SRH restricted CSK to a below par 154/7 in their 20 overs before Abhishek Sharma's fluent half-century helped them outclass the defending champions by eight wickets.
India's bowling coach Paras Mhambrey says Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh have shown their ability to perform under pressure.
The Indian team is good enough to reach the semi-finals of T20 World Cup but for the side to play at its full potential, Hardik Pandya "needs to start bowling" and Bhuvneshwar Kumar must crank up the pace, feels former Australian speedster Brett Lee.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been laid low by sports hernia, the latest in a series of injuries, which kept him out of the recent One-day series against West Indies.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for Sunday's first T20I against Ireland?
