As the 16th edition of the glitzy Indian Premier League is set to unfold, let's take a look at the driving force of the T20 league and what's in store in this edition.
Australian legend Ricky Ponting feels Mohammed Shami's strength lies in the longest format and there are better quick bowlers in India's T20 set up, weighing in on his absence from the Asia Cup squad.
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.
'India fans can't wait for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 to start for this reason. We have the players, we have the momentum -- we just need to go out there and execute now.'
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 have to be honest now. What happens when India arrive at a World Cup? Everyone plays them up. Nobody wants to criticise them because you get hammered on social media and pundits worry about losing work in India one day," he wrote. However, Vaughan feels now is the "time to tell it straight,"
Images from the first T20 between India and Sri Lanka, in Colombo, on Sunday.
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.
Rajneesh Gupta presents Sunrisers Hyderabad's IPL record over the years.
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.
It is still early days but the coach who taught Bhuvaneshwar Kumar the basics of cricket, says the talented India seamer could soon prove to be a cricketer of an ilk, who epitomises the value of a true all-rounder.
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.
Rashid and Rahul turned the game on its head with their unbeaten 59-run stand from just 24 balls.
Having found his mojo back after a prolonged lean patch, Kohli was at his attacking best but slowing down cost him and India 20-25 runs.
India's skipper Virat Kohli was surprised that Shardul Thakur wasn't the man-of-the match in the third ODI against England, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar not man-of-the-series, saying credit to them for bowling so well in adverse conditions.
India captain Virat Kohli moved up a place to fourth in the ICC T20 rankings for batsmen, while his deputy Rohit Sharma climbed three spots to 14th in the latest update issued on Wednesday.
Virat Kohli will be facing the most defining test of his captaincy career as he expects his men to be the proverbial 'phoenix rising from the ashes' when India take on a street-smart New Zealand in a do-or-die T20 World Cup Super 12 match in Dubai on Sunday.
Rishabh Pant made no bones about the uninspiring performance of the two leading spinners
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.
India is led by senior batsman Shikhar Dhawan and coached by NCA head Rahul Dravid.
The Men in Blue are on a 12-match winning streak and come Thursday, they can create an all-time record of winning 13 T20I games in a row.
Images from the second T20 International between India and New Zealand, in Ranchi, on Friday.
An extensive experience of playing the Big Bash League in Australia contributed to Jos Buttler and Alex Hales' absolute dominance over India in the T20 World Cup semi-final, said head coach Rahul Dravid.
History is also a bit against India when it comes to results at the business end of the ICC events.
Shardul Thakur replaced spinner Axar Patel, who was transferred to the list of standby players.
How India's cricketers fared in the three-match T20I series against England.
India's pace bowling craftsman, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was engaged to girlfriend Nupur on Thursday.
Images from India's training session in preparation for Thursday's match against the West Indies.
Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant said the failure of the Indian bowlers to claim wickets in the middle overs proved vital in their seven-wicket defeat against South Africa in the second ODI in Paarl on Friday.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for Tuesday's third T20I against South Africa?
'We know it won't be ... easy for us as we are playing away from home'
Images from the first Twenty20 International between India and Sri Lanka, in Dharamsala, on Saturday.
Sunrisers Hyderabad's head coach Tom Moody attributes role clarity for the team's success.
The All-India Senior Selection Committee of the BCCI has picked the squads for India's upcoming series against New Zealand and Bangladesh
Images from the IPL 2022 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday.
An emphatic victory over Bangladesh in their final warm-up game on Tuesday may have boosted the team's confidence, but former champions India are yet to finalise plans for their World Cup campaign opener against South Africa, says seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
KL Rahul will have to show drastically improved leadership acumen when he leads India against a buoyant South African side in the second ODI on Thursday.
One of the most consistent teams in the Indian Premier League over the last five years, Sunrisers Hyderabad would look to improve upon their middle-order batting in the upcoming 14th edition of the T20 league.
Indian cricket fraternity has also come out in support of the young pacer who had dropped a crucial catch in the 18th over of the match.
Images from the T20 World Cup Super 12 Group 2 match between India and Pakistan, in Dubai, on Sunday.
