The former Pakistan captain is also confident that Yusuf Pathan will fire sooner than later.
The indomitable Chennai Super Kings will have the advantage of familiarity with the conditions but the unbeaten Kolkata Knight Riders would still be a tough nut to crack when they clash in the Oppo Champions League T20 final at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.
Rediff.com gives you a throwback to an eventful 2017, in pictures.
The paceman had injury problems in the recent ICC Champions Trophy in England, forcing him to miss the semi-final defeat by the hosts, and that has weighed heavily on the minds of the selectors with Test series coming up against Pakistan, India and Australia.
India has huge expectations from these champions. Rediff.com's Laxmi Negi and Norma Godinho glance at their chances at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Mumbai Indians need to rethink their strategy; Narine boost for Kolkata Knight Riders.
South Africa's success in Australia is often put down to their comfort on the hard local tracks, which can be similar to those at home, but they could face some unfamiliar conditions this year.
From Clive Lloyd and Viv Richards, Imran Khan and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, these cricketers, among others, etched their names in the annuls of cricketing history with heroic efforts that helped their teams clinch the big prize of One-day cricket. With the 2015 edition of the cricket World Cup starting on February 14, we bring you a brief history of finals from 1975-2011...
Rajneesh Gupta presents all the important numbers after the second week of IPL 2020.
Hetmyer smacked three sixes and eight fours in his entertaining knock, helping his side chase down a modest target of 128.
It remains to be seen if he gets a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the BCCI, which has maintained a tough stance in not allowing Indian cricketers to participate in T20 leagues such as BBL, CPL and BPL.
Kolkata Knight Riders will begin their title defence against a formidable Mumbai Indians side in the opening match of the eighth edition of Indian Premier League at the Eden Gardens, in Kolkata, on Wednesday.
Having managed to field a strong side in the last minute amid a contract row with their Board (WICB), West Indies captain Darren Sammy today said their aim is to bring back the World Twenty20 title to restore the faith among the Caribbean fans. "As of now we are in the World Twenty20 and that's what our focus is on. It's just cricket. At the end we are professionals, but this event means a lot to us as a group. The next World Twenty20 is in 2020 and a few of our guys won't be part of that event so this one is very important for us," Sammy said. "Everyone's focus is on winning. A win here will mean a lot to us and people at home, especially in the current situation of our cricket. It's not just about the men team but the women team as well. "The message is cricket. Once you step out on the cricket field you should not be worried about contracts and other stuff. It's about making your country proud," the skipper of the 2012 World T20 champion side in Sri Lanka told reporters in Kolkata. Presently ranked world no 2 in Twenty20 rankings, West Indies cricket was in serious crisis involving players' contracts in the run up to the upcoming event and a second string side was expected to be named had the row been not resolved at the last minut
Depleted by the absence of high-profile names, Indian Premier League 2014 champions Kolkata Knight Riders have a tough task on hand when they lock horns with formidable Chennai Super Kings in the opening Group 'A' match of the Champions League T20, in Hyderabad, on Wednesday.
The prospect of placid pitches and soaring temperatures present a formidable challenge to South Africa's hopes of verifying their status as the world's top team when their Test series against Pakistan begins in the United Arab Emirates on Monday.
'Dhoni has got his own ways of captaining the Indian team. He might not give out details or might not explain, but in his mind he knows very well how to captain the side, which players to pick and the right combination for a particular condition.'
Rajneesh Gupta presents all the important numbers after the sixth week of IPL 2020.
A chanceless century by Kirk Edwards, followed by a fine display in the field, enabled West Indies 'A' beat India 'A' by 45 runs in the third and final one-dayer at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore on Thursday. The victory gave the West Indies a 2-1 triumph in the three-match List A series, following victories in the second and third unofficial ODIs.
Rajasthan Royals head coach Paddy Upton termed their final league encounter of the IPL against Kolkata Knight Riders as a virtual quarter-final as it would decide on their team's chances of getting into play-offs.
Aruneel Sadadekar/Rediff.com picks his IPL Dream Team of Season 9. Check it out!
India's up and coming players, including Unmukt Chand and Rishi Dhawan, are expected to feature in the IPL auction for the first time as they figure in a 651-man list of uncapped players that will go under the hammer on February 12 and 13 in Bangalore.
Jayasuriya would like Sangakkara to continue beyond the World Cup.
'Every time I see Chris Gayle, I expect to see one Chris Gayle, and that's a positive Chris Gayle' 'I think we still have room for improvement'
Ireland justified their giant-killer tag by shocking the West Indies by four wickets in their opening World Cup encounter at the Saxton Oval, in Nelson, on Monday.
Graeme Smith made three in his final Test innings as South Africa were slipping towards a heavy defeat at the close on the fourth day of the series-deciding third Test against Australia on Tuesday.
'I'm very confident our young batting side will go a long way in this tournament. I'm very happy with the way we have prepared this season. We will come good, definitely. Scores will come, I've full faith in our batters'
Even as the dust settles down on IPL 9, Bikash Mohapatra/Rediff.com presents his Dream XI.
It's never easy for a fast bowler to make a comeback from a knee injury but Mohammed Shami is working very hard to get his rhythm back.
IPL Season 11 begins on April 7. Rajneesh Gupta has all the numbers.
England captain Wayne Rooney scored twice after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain headed the opener in a 3-1 win over Scotland as the visitors dominated a typically passionate Auld Enemy friendly at Celtic Park on Tuesday.
West Indies displayed all the familiar faults which have plagued them during the cricket World Cup in a quarter-final capitulation to New Zealand at the Wellington Regional Stadium.
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji list the 50 most valuable IPL-11 players.
With momentum on their side, Dhoni and Co need to justify the favorites' tag and go the distance.
On paper as well as on current form, West Indies are no match for defending champions India, who have registered convincing victories against Pakistan, South Africa and UAE in their first three matches of the ICC World Cup.
At a time when Indian tennis fans are content with success in doubles competitions, few are aware that Vijay Amritraj was within grasp of the singles crown at Wimbledon.
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji present Rediff.com's Most Valuable Player ratings for the ongoing IPL 8.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Their place in the semifinal already assured, Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir said there was no place for complacency in their inconsequential final Group A match of the Champions League Twenty20 against Dolphins in Hyderabad.
