India all-rounder Washington Sundar was on Wednesday ruled out of the five-match T20 series against New Zealand due to a side strain.
The No 3 batter will rejoin India squad ahead of T20 WC warm-up game in Mumbai.
West Indies will look to maintain their winning form against a struggling Nepal side in their T20 World Cup Group C match at the Wankhede Stadium. West Indies have won both their matches so far, while Nepal are coming off a heavy defeat against Italy.
India face arch-rivals Pakistan in a high-stakes U-19 World Cup Super Six clash, seeking revenge for their crushing Asia Cup final defeat in Bulawayo.
Captain Shubman Gill backed veteran opener Rohit Sharma despite his below-par showing during India's 2-1 defeat in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand.
The opener also milked 100 runs for the opening wicket with Devon Conway.
Following India's emphatic eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third T20I, leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi said he focused on bowling in the right areas and worked extensively on his lengths after enduring a difficult Indian Premier League (IPL) season last year. Bishnoi delivered an impressive spell of 2/18 in four overs, playing a key role in restricting New Zealand to 153/9 in 20 overs. His disciplined bowling effort laid the foundation for India's dominant win in Guwahati. Speaking during the post-match press conference, Bishnoi said he worked closely with his coaches at home in Jodhpur after being left out of the Indian T20I side. The leg-spinner added that playing matches in the Vijay Hazare, Syed Mushtaq and Ranji Trophy tournaments has helped him to make a comeback. "It's always difficult when you are away from the side. You feel like you should be there, but you aren't. I had time to work on my own bowling. I worked a lot. I worked with my coaches at home in Jodhpur. Then I played domestic matches again. I played a few matches in the Vijay Hazare, Syed Mushtaq and Ranji Trophy tournaments. All those things helped me a lot to come back," Bishnoi said. The 24-year-old further stated that he consciously tried to bowl in the right areas and adapt his rhythm according to match conditions. "I was trying to bowl in the right areas. It depends on my rhythm on the given day. I have worked on my lengths. I didn't have a good IPL last season. I was a bit nervous and excited," he added. On Abhishek Sharma's blistering batting performance, Bishnoi said, "The way Abhishek is batting, India needs this. He practices a lot. Hope he continues this form for a long time." Sharma made an outstanding unbeaten 68 runs in just 20 balls, including seven fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 340. Abhishek Sharma's fifty, paired with Suryakumar Yadav's blistering unbeaten 57 off 26 balls, propelled India to a convincing eight-wicket win, chasing down 154 runs in just 10 overs. With this victory, India also took the five-match T20I series, winning all three T20Is.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav would want the attacking batter in him to front up and bolster his leadership against New Zealand when the five-match T20I series gets underway in Nagpur on Wednesday, serving as a final dress rehearsal for India's World Cup title defence in less than three weeks' time.
The T20 format is built on speed and the ability to think on one's toes, but a Super Over finish is like a diamond that will sparkle forever, points out K R Nayar.
South Africa's senior batter David Miller on Saturday received medical clearance to join the national squad for the T20 World Cup which begins on February 7.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the opening match against USA?
New Zealand coach Rob Walter said all-rounder Michael Bracewell's participation in the five-match T20I series against India is dependent on his recovery from a minor left-calf strain that he sustained during the recent third ODI at Indore.
Pathan also praised Virat Kohli's enduring fitness and consistency, calling him a "Run Machine" and noting that he continues to score centuries.
India appear well set for T20 World Cup title defence, feels former India captain Sunil Gavaskar.
Kane Williamson has decided to skip the three-match ODI series to focus on the Test series against the West Indies next month.
Defending champions India have unveiled a well-rounded 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup
Washington ruled out of T20I series against NZ; Bishnoi, Iyer added to squad
Former wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel urged India to include the in-form Ishan Kishan ahead of Sanju Samson
Ten Doeschate admitted that, in hindsight, India would have preferred playing a third spinner instead of Reddy, given how effectively New Zealand's spinners exploited the conditions.
'I mean, KL Rahul is certainly good enough to be a number five.'
Scotland, a late entry into the T20 World Cup, is set to face West Indies in their opening match. Scotland aims to prove their worth and cause upsets against higher-ranked teams, while West Indies look to leverage their experience and firepower.
Harry Brook admits he feared losing the England captaincy after a New Zealand incident as the team prepares for ODIs and T20Is in Sri Lanka.
India's T20 mindset similar for all competitions; will give Washington time to recover: Suryakumar
'Even if Reddy fails, the management should persist with him, and India will eventually get a good all-rounder.'
'But now they can't take any chances. They have to play their best eleven again.'
The India U-19 team, currently playing in the ongoing U-19 World Cup, had a virtual interaction with batting great Sachin Tendulkar ahead of their crucial Super Six clash against Pakistan.
The Budget reflects a clear focus on strengthening India's long-term prospects by leaning on nation-building sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav says India will consider playing two spinners in the T20 World Cup if the situation demands, highlighting the team's strong spin bowling options and flexible batting lineup.
Duffy cautions against data obsession in T20s, waiting to cheer 'King' Kohli from RCB dug-out
India vice-captain Axar Patel expressed surprise at the Wankhede pitch conditions during their T20 World Cup opener against the USA, despite securing a victory. He highlighted the team's resilience after an early batting collapse and Suryakumar Yadav's match-winning innings.
Sunil Gavaskar hails Varun Chakravarthy as a 'magician' after his key wickets in India's first T20I win over New Zealand in Nagpur.
Menon to officiate in his fourth T20WC, Padmanabhan to make his debut
India begins their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA, aiming to leverage their strong team composition and recent form to secure a victory.
New Zealand batter Glenn Phillips said the chance to script another chapter of history in India was "pretty cool" but stressed that his side would rely on process and adaptability rather than emotion as they eye a rare white-ball series success against a formidable host.
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.
Some sections of the crowd inside the Indore stadium chanted 'Gambhir Haaye Haaye' during the presentation ceremony after India suffered a 41-run defeat against New Zealand in the third ODI.
Back to his brilliant best, Suryakumar Yadav's unbeaten 82 lit up Raipur in the 2nd ODI against New Zealand, to shut out all doubters, days ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Abhishek Sharma's pyrotechnics followed a now familiar script with India out-batting New Zealand by 48 runs in the opening T20 International in Nagpur on Wednesday.
Former India opener WV Raman and RR's Zubin Bharucha analyse Sanju Samson's T20I struggles, breaking down technical and mental aspects of his batting.
New Zealander Glenn Phillips is fast emerging as one of the few batters who appear to have cracked the Varun Chakravarthy puzzle in the first T20I in Nagpur.
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