India made just one change to their squad as Umesh Yadav replaced Shardul Thakur for the last two Tests of the ongoing four-match series against England.
Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje are expected to spit fire on a track that will offer steep bounce as India's top-order gears up for its toughest test in adverse conditions against a top-notch South African side in the T20 World Cup on Sunday.
India have only themselves to blame for their below-par showing in the Asia Cup as they struggled to put up consistent performances with both bat and ball.
Virat Kohli went out of his comfort zone during the Asia Cup and played a rare sweep shot and Rohit wants even the bowlers to push their limits.
IMAGES from the IPL match played between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans in Mumbai on Friday.
Jasprit Bumrah is of the view that the pitches in England used for white ball cricket are the "flattest tracks" he has ever bowled on, as there is rarely any movement in the air or off the pitch. The pacer, one of the most important components in India's set-up, busted the myth about English conditions and tracks during an interaction with the media in Southampton on Thursday.
Shardul Thakur replaced spinner Axar Patel, who was transferred to the list of standby players.
India are set for a T20 appetizer ahead of their marquee Test series against Australia when they face the touring New Zealand in a three-match series, beginning in Ranchi, on Friday.
Gujarat Titans have been firing on all cylinders, with their batting prowess and bowling might.
India's bowling coach Paras Mhambrey says Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh have shown their ability to perform under pressure.
K L Rahul has been named vice-captain of the squad, which also has Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harshal Patel, Venkatesh Iyer, Avesh Khan, Axar Patel.
Punjab, who are on eight points from 11 games, need to win the match to keep their play-offs hopes alive, while KKR (10 points from 11 games) also need a victory to boost their hopes.
Senior opener and first-choice vice-captain KL Rahul is expected to reclaim his place back in the Indian team along with seamer Deepak Chahar when the squad will be selected for the Asia Cup on August 8.
A look at how India have fared in their World Cup opening games.
"It was a treat to watch you play, the six off the back foot in the 19th over against (Haris) Rauf over long-on was spectacular. Keep it going," Tendulkar tweeted.
Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Siraj have been added to the squad as injury replacements but they do not figure in the World Cup-bound squad, as of now.
SunRisers Hyderabad has the biggest purse while Kolkata Knight Riders has the slimmest purse.
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.
Should India bring in Ravichandran Ashwin and attack New Zealand with spin? Should they include all-rounder Shardul Thakur?
Last season, Punjab finished 6th, narrowly missing on the playoffs.
A desperate Sunrisers Hyderabad would seek inspiration from skipper David Warner to arrest any further slide when they take on Punjab Kings in an IPL match, in Chennai, on Wednesday.
Captaining a young side could be tricky, but Hardik Pandya, who led India to a 2-1 series win over Asian champions Sri Lanka, feels it was not that difficult, as he just had to ensure that they "belong at this level".
What changes must India make to the playing XI for Friday's second T20 International against Australia?
'I think it's a very healthy trend. It's an embarrassment of riches.'
Punjab Kings kept their prospects of making the play-offs alive after a a five-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in Dubai on Friday. They are placed fifth with 12 points, after five wins and seven defeats. Victory in Sunday's outing will certainly enhance their chances.
The national selectors did well to deliver a loud and clear message as they sought to kickstart the transition in the Indian T20 team.
'Batsmen were good, but if have to win overseas, we have to get players from the MRF Pace Foundation and the NCA coming through, try to prepare pitches to encourage these faster bowlers rather than dusty turners'
In other big movements, Punjab Kings have released their last edition's captain Mayank Agarwal, while West Indies skipper Nicholas Pooran was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Fit again Ravindra Jadeja and Hanuma Vihari made their way back into the Indian Test squad, while all-rounder Hardik Pandya was left out for next month's IIC World Test Championship final against New Zealand and the five-match series against England.
As coach Ricky Ponting pointed out, he would expect a better "on his feet" thinking from the young captain.
RR will have to get their combination right as only four foreigners can make the playing XI.
Here is a look at the team that will open its campaign against Rajasthan Royals in Mumbai on April 12.
With a massive pool of talent that have performed in the IPL and in other T20Is, Indian selectors have their task cut out when they meet to pick the squad for the T20 World Cup on Wednesday.
Rajneesh Gupta presents all the interesting numbers from Day 4 of the India-England Test at Trent Bridge.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for Sunday's T20 World Cup game against Pakistan?
IMAGES from the IPL match played between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians in Mumbai on Friday.
Besides KL Rahul, another individual who would like to answer his critics with solid performances is Pant.
Referring to India's problem of plenty in pace bowling, Kohli said, as a captain, he couldn't have been happier.
Should the non-performers in IPL's UAE leg be axed?
The most sought-after megastars of the current generation are primed to show their might against a bunch of enigmatic cricketers as India and Pakistan engage in an ICC T20 World Cup face-off, something that transcends the 22-yard strip.
