A look at five possible mouth-watering match-ups in the upcoming India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup in Colombo on Sunday.
India may have won the toss in Vadodara, but the real storm broke at the team announcement. Arshdeep Singh's exclusion from the first ODI against New Zealand ignited a wave of fan fury, turning the spotlight firmly on India's puzzling pace-bowling choices.
Easwaran has been a domestic cricket stalwart for Bengal, with 107 first-class games, 8,070 runs at an average of 48.32 with the help of 27 centuries and 33 fifties.
For Gambhir, the Oval Test isn't just about levelling the series, it's about reaffirming his credentials as a long-term leader of this talented Indian squad.
BJP sources said Gambhir may be fielded from the New Delhi constituency, currently represented by the party's Meenakshi Lekhi.
'Daily, we make him play at least 700, 800 balls so that he knows which one to play and which one to leave,' reveals his coach Sanjay Bharadwaj.
As India head into a series-deciding fifth Test, questions over Gambhir's tactics and temperament are growing louder.
'...the guys who are just part of Test cricket, I think for them to prepare and play domestic cricket is very, very important.'
In the last 10 games that United have played under Amorim's stewardship, they had lost six games, while under Gambhir, India have lost eight out of their last 11 Tests.
India embracing high-risk approach in T20s, says Gautam Gambhir
Beginning of Gambhir era: Coach becomes most powerful figure in Indian dressing room
The pitch, left unwatered for nearly a week, appeared dry and brown with faint traces of grass, conditions that could bring reverse swing and variable bounce into play later in the match.
Sack Gambhir before he damages any more careers, if you must. But it cannot stop there. The project ahead must be bigger, more ambitious, and far more urgent: Rebuilding the spine of Indian cricket from the grassroots up, and giving the Test team the seriousness it deserves. Only then will Indian cricket stop lurching from one crisis to another and begin, once again, to imagine greatness, suggests Prem Panicker.
Former off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin defended under-fire India head coach Gautam Gambhir after the 0-2 home Test series loss to South Africa.
Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma's explosive batting performances propelled India to a record-breaking total against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has admitted that dealing with the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be a significant challenge for the team.
Hours after Rohit made his understated retirement announcement on Instagram, Gambhir put the speculation to rest with a glowing tribute
History shows New Zealand are yet to lose to India in the T20 World Cup.
Gambhir Leads Chorus as Cricket Fraternity Hails India's Triumph
Gambhir is reportedly inclined toward appointing a young captain who can serve as a close ally in shaping the team's future, with Gill fitting that profile.
Despite concerns over his recent form, India are expected to maintain their faith in Abhishek Sharma for the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand on Sunday.
While Samson thrives as an opener, chances of batting at the top look slim.
India opener Abhishek Sharma's availability for Thursday's match against Namibia is uncertain because of a stomach bug.
India captain Shubman Gill threw his weight behind Gautam Gambhir following the latter's fiery exchange with The Oval's chief curator Lee Fortis, firmly asserting that the India coach was well within his rights to inspect the square.
Fans are so confident of India retaining the ICC World T20 title that that they would like March 8 (the day of the final) to be added to the list of special days in March as 'Indian cricket's double-triumph day'.
Barring Jasprit Bumrah, who got five wickets in England's first innings, none of the other bowlers looked penetrative as the hosts chased down a target of 371 with minimum fuss.
Shubman Gill's fate wasn't actually sealed on Saturday when BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced the squad for the T20 World Cup but when the fourth T20 International was called off on Wednesday due to thick smog.
Ashwin warned that England may have 'poked the bear' with their recent behaviour, pointing to the post-match tensions in Manchester and now the Oval pitch spat as signs that India are being pushed into a corner - a place where they historically thrive.
In 242 international appearances, Gambhir scored 10,324 runs at an average of 38.95, with 20 centuries and 63 fifties in 283 innings. He is amongst 14 Indians to have 10,000 international runs.
'The 50-over World Cup is still two and a half years away. It is very important to stay in the present.'
Sanju Samson received a big vote of confidence as bowling coach Morne Morkel said the opener was just one knock away from breaking free from a lean run.
We are friends, people have said lot for TRP: Gambhir on his relationship with Virat Kohli
Mahendra Singh Dhoni says nobody should decide the future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, insisting that performance and fitness must guide selection
Hockey India announced INR 3 lakh each to players and Rs 1.5 lakh to the support staff.
India defend the decision to drop Axar Patel for Washington Sundar against South Africa, calling it a tactical call based on powerplay match-ups.
After KKR's victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Friday, he celebrated with the team and his family.
That is the level of trust we have in each other.'
Former wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel on Wednesday said India head coach Gautam Gambhir "had all the right of just losing it" following a fiery confrontation with Lee Fortis, Surrey's head of ground staff at The Oval.
It may be a matter of celebration in the Indian dressing room but there is something that has not gone down too well with cricket fans.
From the commentary box in Vadodara, Harsha Bhogle delivered a blunt reminder: in the rush to judge young cricketers online, India may be losing sight of what actually matters -- performances on the field.
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