Shikhar Dhawan's injury has unintentionally forced India to go for a tactical rejig despite convincing victories in the first two games against South Africa and Australia.
Mumbai Indians face an uphill task against the firepower of Kolkata Knight Riders batters when the teams clash in Mumbai on Sunday in the Indian Premier League, with both former champions looking to get their campaigns back on track.
Defending champions Gujarat Titans will be eyeing a hat-trick of victories, while Kolkata Knight Riders, fresh from their decimation of Royal Challengers Bangalore, will be keen to show that win was not a flash in the pan when the two sides clash in the IPL in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Afghanistan fared only slightly better against defending champions Australia in their opener, losing by seven wickets, but Malinga is not taking them lightly.
Heinrich Klaasen is the most expensive retained player in IPL history.
The third and final T20 International between New Zealand and West Indies was abandoned due to rain at the Bay Oval, in Mount Maunganui, on Monday.
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson extolled Pakistan bowlers' "outstanding" performance against them, saying their clinical show at the death was of the "highest class".
David Miller blasted a quickfire 51-ball 94 as Gujarat Titans pulled off an incredible come-from-behind three-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2022 match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Sunday.
Virat Kohli's World record 50th ODI hundred, a scintillating century by Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Shami's brilliant pace bowling powered the hosts past New Zealand in the first semi-final with a 70-run victory at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.
IPL 2022 saw many top players failing to justify their huge price tags with the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Kieron Pollard and Ravindra Jadeja failing to inspire their teams.
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.
Captain David Warner single-handedly scripted the turnaround with an unbeaten 47 from 33 balls and somehow forced the game into the Super Over, which gave Sunrisers Hyderabad another shot at victory despite being so behind in the race at one point.
New Zealand will be banking on injured pace bowlers Trent Boult (hand), Matt Henry (thumb) and Lockie Ferguson (calf) coming back into contention for the Tests
The most interesting aspect of the contest is the form of batters from both sides which has been the reason of their success so far.
Seifert blitzkrieg helps Kiwis beat India in opening T20
RCB's openers gave the hosts the perfect start, before the middle order delivered once again to take the hosts to a defendable total. Cameos from Dinesh Karthik and Glenn Maxwell added the final flourish.
'Williamson, Jamieson rested from T20s as Tests key priority.'
Karthik will be surrounded by cricketing brains all around him with the 2019 England World Cup winning skipper as his deputy, and New Zealand great Brendon McCullum as the head coach.
The Indian fans could get a glimpse of the immensely talented Shubman Gill in the senior team jersey if he is chosen to replace Virat Kohli for Thursday's fourth ODI against New Zealand.
Images from the IPL 2023 match between Kolkata Knight Riders and SunRisers Hyderabad played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday
LSG do not have to fret so much about the mathematical scenarios as a win would be enough for them to seal their back-to-back playoff berth.
An unwell Trent Boult skipped the New Zealand cricket team's training session at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Monday, staying away from the squad as a precautionary measure. The left-arm pacer is among eight players including Ross Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner, who are attending the first half of the camp that started on Sunday.
Known for his six-hitting prowess, Hardik this season will have to take more responsibility with the bat and also bat higher up the order.
India were caught in a spin web on the Ranchi pitch as they lost the series opener by 21 runs on Friday.
Resurgent KKR face struggling RR, aim to break into top-4
Following is the list of players who have been released by the different franchises ahead of the auction for the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League.
Struggling KKR seek change of fortunes against RCB
With DC having lost all five games so far this season, a rejig of the top order against KKR at the Ferozeshah Kotla in a bid to revive their fortunes could be on the cards.
The complete list of players sold in the IPL 2025 Auction in Jeddah.
Glenn Phillips scored a half century off 33 balls as New Zealand thrashed the West Indies by 90 runs in the second Twenty20 International to take a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
New Zealand registered a 13-run win over the West Indies in the first T20I to take 1-0 lead.
'He is very special. I believe he is going to be one of the best that Pakistan have ever produced'
Despite his team being unable to defend a fighting total against Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League match in Sharjah on Tuesday, Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant asserted that the bowling unit does not need a "massive change".
KKR did not win the mini-battles in the game and 172 eventually proved too little.
The Black Caps were also scheduled to travel to Australia for an ODI series but the fixture was on Friday postponed to next summer (2021-22) due to the pandemic.
Two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders will be striving to turn around their fortunes in IPL 2021 after a below-par showing last season.
India were expected to try out a bunch of players after another World Cup debacle but if the team combination for the second T20 was any indication, they seemed reluctant to start with a clean slate.
'As a cricketer, in the last few years, we lost out on a few games which we could have potentially played. Yes, if we could sneak in a few matches, it would be great.'
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji present Rediff.com's Most Valuable Player Index of World Cup 2023 after the first 12 games.
Images from the 1st ODI between India and New Zealand played in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
