Former captain Sunil Gavaskar has picked young leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal as the best young talent from the just-concluded IPL-9, terming the Royal Challengers Bangalore player the best in terms of talent and temperament. 25-year-old Chahal took 21 wickets from 13 matches to finish IPL-9 as second highest wicket taker behind pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar's 23 from 17 games. "I am considering those who have temperament and not just talent. Yuzvendra Chahal, Rishabh Pant and Krunal Pandya are the top three. I will pick Chahal at the top as he has got the right temperament," Gavaskar said. "He (Chahal) is not afraid of tossing up the ball and he kept on doing that. When there is some turn on the pitch, there have to be big edges from the batsmen's bat. Chahal also has a big heart and he is not afraid of a big hit. On many occasions, he came back after being hit for sixes to claim wickets," he told NDTV.
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Only 1330 tickets remain unsold for the first Test between India and Pakistan, beginning on Tuesday.
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The newly-constructed Assam Cricket Association (ACA) Stadium in Barsapara looks like a batting belter, Australia's stand-in captain David Warner said ahead of the second T20 International against India, in Guwahati, on Tuesday.
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Replying to Gujarat's first innings total of 214, the visitors declared their first innings on 430 for 8 and then had Gujarat reeling on 205 for 5 at close of play on day 3 of the match.
Speedster Amit Bhandari claimed three wickets as Delhi took control of the Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat.
All-rounder Ajit Agarkar has been replaced by left-arm quick bowler Ashish Nehra.
India have replaced left-arm spinner Murali Kartik with Romesh Powar for the second ODI in Rawalpindi.
India pacer Jasprit Bumrah on Tuesday sought to play down the controversy surrounding poor umpiring in the second T20 International between India and England in Nagpur on Sunday, saying both sides will have to move on with the game as decisions do not always go in favour of only one team.
Following is a factbox on the second World Twenty20 semi-final between West Indies and India to be played at the Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, on Thursday.
India chose Virender Sehwag and Akash Chopra as their openers leaving out Anil Kumble and S Ramesh from the XI.
Sunil Gavaskar picked Pakistan as the favourites against India in the marquee match of the ICC World T20 to be played at the Eden Gardens on Saturday. India, who were the overwhelming favourites to win the title before the start of the mega event, were humbled by New Zealand in their opening match while Pakistan pummeled Bangladesh in their opener. "After the loss to New Zealand, India will be under far more pressure against Pakistan. I feel Pakistan start as favourites for the game on Saturday," Gavaskar told NDTV. Gavaskar said the highly awaited match will be about Indian batting versus Pakistan bowling as usual. "It is still pretty much Indian batting versus Pakistan bowling. However, with the way Indian bowlers have performed recently, they also won't be easy to tackle either. Ashwin (Ravichandran) is bowling well and so is Nehra (Ashish), ever since he has made a comeback. Then you have Jasprit Bumrah. So it will be a test for Pakistani batsman.
Leading past and present cricketers from India and Pakistan are expected to play in the May 6 day-night match.
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is not at all pleased with the use of some of the umpiring devices like ear-piece which he feels prevents the on-field official from hearing snicks and edges in a packed stadium.
Sachin Tendulkar says the "sound" that came off skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's bat during the recent Asia Cup was a reflection of his positive mindset and it was a good news for already "favourites" India in the World Twenty20.
The maestro, who played an incredible 200 Tests in his illustrious career, said even though India have had some quality seamers but never had the 'luxury' of an attack of such variety.
The former Australia captain is looking forward to seeing the pace ace in action Down Under later this year.
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The Indian team physio Andrew Leipus said Tendulkar had no fitness problems.
The off-spinner is the sixth Indian bowler to take a four-plus haul while on a tour with an India 'A' side
Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said his side played a "complete game" to beat Kings XI Punjab and enter the Champions League T20 final.
