Hardik Pandya made a memorable comeback to the Indian team, smashing a blistering half-century to power India to a thumping 101-run win over South Africa in the first T20 International.
Hardik Pandya can expect a friendly reception from the fans at the Wankhede Stadium in IPL 2025 after playing crucial roles in India's T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy triumphs.
All-rounder Axar Patel was named vice-captain of the squad, which also saw the return of in-form Ishan Kishan, who pipped Jitesh Sharma as the second wicketkeeper behind Sanju Samson.
Shardul Thakur will lead Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. The 17-member squad includes India T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav, Sarfaraz Khan and Shivam Dube.
'The brand of cricket we wanted to play was the same, result is in front of us.'
India T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav said a short break after the South Africa series last year and a conscious change in his batting approach helped him rediscover his touch.
A seemingly unstoppable force in the shortest format, the current India squad has an aura of invincibility around it unlike the one that ended the cricketing powerhouse's long wait for an ICC title in Barbados 19 months ago.
As India start their T20 World Cup title defence in less than 72 hours, one is tempted to look at Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir's working relationship which has been fantastic, at least so going by the results -- a whopping 31 wins in 39 games with a winning percentage of 79.48.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav dazzled with a vital half-century as defending champions India registered a scratchy 29-run win against the United States of America despite a stunning top-order collapse.
Rohit Sharma offered a hilarious piece of advice to spinner Kuldeep Yadav ahead of the T20 World Cup this year from February 7.
Spinner Krunal Pandya upstaged brother Hardik as Royal Challengers Bengaluru edged Mumbai Indians by 12 runs in a high-scoring thriller.
Hardik Pandya is gearing up for a comeback that cricket fans have been eagerly awaiting.
'India will have to use him carefully. If they want him to bowl three overs early, then Arshdeep Singh has to partner Bumrah in the death overs.'
A mouth-watering India-South Africa warm-up at the D Y Patil stadium did exactly that, igniting anticipation and hopes among fans.
Ravichandran Ashwin stressed that Washington Sundar must be treated as a frontline bowling all-rounder and given a full quota of overs to build confidence with the bat as well.
Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title. The 10th edition of the 20-overs global showpiece event will run from February 7 to March 8.
The olive green outfit choice drew comparisons with ex-wife Natasa Stankovic, who also shared photographs wearing similar colours.
Shivam Dube shows he's no longer just a spin basher as smarter mindset fuels growing comfort against pace.
Hardik Pandya marked his return to the Indian team from a two-month injury layoff with a match-winning half-century.
'Jitesh Sharma has shown he is quite a capable player. He can bat lower down the order and look to hit the big shots even with a slightly older ball.'
Just months ago, the Mumbai Indians captain faced jeers from his home crowd during IPL 2024. On Thursday, the same stadium erupted in cheers as Hardik was hailed a hero for his crucial role in India's T20 World Cup victory.
Pollard said highs and lows are part of the journey as an individual and he was happy seeing Pandya's progress.
Hardik Pandya produced another sterling performance with the bat in the fourth T20I against England on Friday, emerging as the joint-highest scorer with Shivam Dube on 53 runs in the match in Pune.
Suryakumar Yadav, who returned to form with a blazing 82* against New Zealand at Raipur, spoke on how he dealt with his lean patch
Will Jacks rewarded Mumbai Indians for the faith they showed in him despite a lean spell with bat and ball by helping them to a four-wicket win over struggling Sunrisers Hyderabad
Model, muse, and Hardik Pandya's rumoured lady love, Mahieka Sharma can do it all!
In the chase, India lost Shubman Gill for a golden duck, while Marco Jansen got rid of Abhishek Sharma and India skipper Suryakumar Yadav, before Baartman broke the 35-run stand between Axar Patel and Varma.
This is the most open T20 World Cup in history. The traditional powers are compromised. The new powers have gained strength, observes Faisal Shariff.
'As a batting unit, we fell short. We win as a team, we lose as a team. I take full ownership.'
Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya credited his bowlers for using variations effectively and executing plans smartly on a slugging wicket as his side registered a four-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in their IPL match in Mumbai on Thursday.
India's World Cup winning captains -- Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepika T C and Rohit Sharma -- were honoured by the Reliance Foundation in Mumbai on Monday.
The T20 WC champions will look to enter this phase with clarity of intent as they refine roles, streamline combinations and settle the XI that will carry the weight of expectations in front of home crowds.
Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya said a cricketer has to be a pure all-rounder to find place in the starting eleven due to the Impact Player rule.
'Gill is recovering really well, it's a speedy recovery.'
Shami puts Bengal on top of points table with easy win vs Services
These comments come after India recently announced their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. Suryakumar Yadav is set to lead India in his first-ever ICC tournament as captain, with Axar Patel named as his deputy.
Tournament co-hosts India will be out to defend their Twenty20 World Cup title in familiar home conditions next month.
Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed that T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill is "ready to start" ahead of the first T20I against South Africa of the five-match series, which will take place on December 9.
Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar, on the other hand, feels that Pandya has the ability to replicate Mahendra Singh Dhoni's role as a finisher in the Indian ODI set-up.
Cricket has never been the same since India's thrilling, last-over win over Pakistan in the final at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, on September 24, 2007.
