India is facing form concerns and selection dilemmas as they enter the final phase of their Champions Trophy preparations.
India's hockey team skipper Harmanpreet Singh and veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh expressed disappointment at not being able to realise their goal of winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, but said a bronze will be at least better than returning home empty-handed.
It could also open the door for in-form Andhra all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who scored a historic maiden Test century during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Arvinder and the franchise feel satisfied with the troops assembled before the tournament, just like in 2022.
Given India's batting collapses in the last two matches, key changes to the playing XI are anticipated.
A seemingly invincible India will be eager to sharpen their game against spin and give a run to second-line players ahead of the semi-final when they take on New Zealand in their last group match of the Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday.
India's cricket team has embarked on a journey to Dubai for the upcoming Champions Trophy, aiming to secure another global trophy after their T20 World Cup triumph last June.
Beginning with the Eden T20I, the two teams will fight it out in a full white ball series, comprising five T20Is and three ODIs, which will serve as a crucial warm-up for the Champions Trophy, slated to begin on February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai.
A round-up of Monday's action in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament.
Pakistan has the upper hand in the Champions Trophy, winning three of the five matches against India.
'Five spinners, Siraj ignored for Rana, and Jaiswal dropped. Brain-faded captain and coach combo!'
New rules, new captains, but same excitement as two months of cricket extravaganza kicks off in Kolkata.
Mohammed Shami's much-awaited return to top-flight cricket did not receive too many supporting signals during the seasoned pacer's nearly hour-long stint of varying intensity at the India nets here on Friday. Despite working hard on finding his bowling rhythm, Shami never really hit his flowing peak. While he was expected to feature in the playing 11 during India's first T20I against England at Kolkata on Wednesday, the management decided to delay his comeback. Shami's rhythm and sharpness gradually hit a higher gear but the whole picture was one of rustiness, raising questions about his current form and the decision to select him for the series against England and the Champions Trophy.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the second ODI against England on Sunday?
The left-hander clobbered eight sixes and five fours in his scintillating 79 off 34 balls as India chased down a modest 133-run target in 12.5 overs.
India's Abhishek Sharma has surged to the second spot in the ICC Men's T20I Player Rankings for batters after a stunning 135-run innings in the fifth and final T20I against England.
India take on Bangladesh in the first of the three-match T20I series in Gwalior, on Sunday.
IMAGES from the 3rd T20I between India and England in Rajkot on Tuesday.
Harshit Rana's debut as a concussion substitute became a central talking point, overshadowing India's series-clinching 15-run victory and its unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.
'India needs to score big because they will have to defend those totals without Bumrah.'
'I never saw him as MS Dhoni the greatest. For me, Mahi is my brother.'
Their pre-tournament decision to fill the squad with five spinners drew a lot of flak from all corners, but it is now proving to be a masterstroke on the slow pitches in Dubai.
Put into bat, Abhishek's onslaught propelled India to their highest powerplay score of 95 studded with 16 boundaries.
India will look to extend lead against England
Besides two goalkeepers, the Asian Games-bound team will have six defenders, five midfielders and as many forwards.
Ahead of the start of India's 3-match T20I series against New Zealand, Hardik Pandya and his mates -- Washington Sundar, Umran Malik, Shreyas Iyer, Arshdeep Singh, Shardul Thakur -- were spotted shirtless -- much like what Salman Khan used to do in the late 1990s and early 2000s -- at a lovely beach.
India lost 2-4 against the Netherlands in shootout after their return leg FIH Pro League match ended in a 1-1 draw in Rourkela on Wednesday.
IMAGES from the 1st T20I played between India and England at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday.
'Bring out the speed guns, the pace battery has arrived,' BCCI captioned a video posted on its X handle.
India have used 12 out of their 15 players in the first three games and it would be interesting to see if one among the two uncapped pacers Yash Dayal or Vysakh Vijaykumar gets a debut cap in case the pitch warrants an extra specialist speedster.
IMAGES from the second T20I in Gqeberha played between India and South Africa on Sunday
The BCCI's retention and auction rules ensure that franchises will have to make careful decisions to balance retaining star power with building depth across their squads.
Captaon Suryakumar Yadav, all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel, the only member from the Test side, will be hoping for a strong outing so that India can apply some balm over the wounds from their recent home series defeat against New Zealand.
IMAGES from the 1st T20I between India and Bangladesh played in Gwalior on Sunday
India will send 117 athletes to the Paris Olympics, starting July 26 in the French capital. This will be India's second-biggest contingent at an Olympic Games after 121 athletes went to Tokyo in 2021. A total of 47 female and 70 male athletes will be part of the Indian contingent at the Games.
Shreyas Iyer returned to defending champions Mumbai's 16-member side for the Ranji Trophy Elite Group A clash against Odisha
It will be a test of wits between Pandya brothers Hardik and Krunal when defending champions Gujarat Titans clash with Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL match in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Sanju Samson will look to continue his domination of the bowlers but India need more stability in the top order
Mystery spinner bowls in nets as India prep for three-match ODI series vs England.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances