India face a tough spin challenge from England in the T20 World Cup semi-final at Wankhede Stadium, as both teams aim for a perfect game in the high-pressure knockout.
With Rashid and Ahmed currently unavailable, Liam Dawson is the squad's only specialist spinner, meaning Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell may be required to bowl more than initially planned.
The left-handed batter acknowledged that pressure of international cricket is way more intense than a league.
India bowling coach Morne Morkel backs Wankhede and Motera curators amid pitch debate, says preparing 200-plus surfaces late in season is challenging.
'When you are playing on spin-friendly pitches, you need to prepare differently.'
Abhishek Sharma stressed the importance of adapting to conditions after playing a decisive role in India's opening T20I win against New Zealand in Nagpur on Wednesday.
'Someone with a strong record against Australia, especially as a coach, is worth considering. Looking ahead to the Ashes in 2027, England might benefit from a different voice -- that extra 1% that helps teams win.'
Shaheen Shah Afridi's availability could be crucial for the team's chances in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
England captain Harry Brook defended his team's ability to play spin bowling despite a loss to the West Indies in the T20 World Cup, where spinners took six wickets. He cites their recent series win against Sri Lanka as evidence of their capabilities.
'The next two to three weeks will not be decided in Washington.' 'They will be decided in Tehran, in whatever calculation Iran makes about the costs of continued resistance against the costs of appearing to have yielded.'
Buoyed by a dominant win over Italy, Scotland captain Richie Berrington believes his team has the firepower to upset two-time champions England, who made a scratchy start to the tournament, in their T20 World Cup Group C match in Kolkata on Saturday.
'Players and staff have been working hard and making many sacrifices to put the team in a great position to succeed in the tournament.'
Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has been ruled out of remainder of Australia's Big Bash League due to a knee injury.
Cricket Australia were left millions of dollars out of pocket, having to refund tickets for a confirmed sell-out crowd on day three at the 100,000-seat stadium and for another large crowd for day four.
The Supreme Court of India has allowed passive euthanasia for a 32-year-old man who has been in a permanent vegetative state since 2013, highlighting the legal and ethical considerations surrounding the right to die with dignity.
Daryl Mitchell scored an unbeaten 131 from 117 balls to lead New Zealand to a seven-wicket win over India in the second One-Day International on Wednesday.
Virat Kohli ruled out any possibility of returning to Test or Twenty20 internationals after his player-of-the-match century guided India to a 17-run win over South Africa.
India's mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy is becoming less effective in T20 Internationals as top teams develop strategies to decode his variations.
Batting great Alistair Cook says England's 2-2 home series draw against Shubman Gill-led India was against "not a great Indian side", flagging concerns over the team's preparation for the Ashes.
The overwhelmingly bowler-friendly Melbourne pitch on which 20 wickets fell on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test has prompted Kevin Pietersen and Dinesh Kartik to point out the selective criticism of Indian tracks when spinners get wickets in a heap.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav said his team has ticked almost all the boxes in the group stage, expressing satisfaction with the collective batting effort as it heads into the Super Eights of the T20 World Cup.
Namibia have qualified for the last three ICC T20 World Cups (2021, 2022 and 2024). They are one of the three hosts of the 2026 T20 World Cup, alongside South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Pant cops blow during nets ahead of ODI series against New Zealand
'Just like we are playing in the T20 series. We don't want to change anything. If we are doing something right, why should we change it?'
Sri Lanka didn't have the best of preparations for the T20 showpiece as they were whitewashed 0-3 by England in a home T20 series. Ireland will be led by veteran Paul Stirling and feature key players like Harry Tector and Josh Little.
Beyond upsets, Dutch team chasing consistency: Bas de Leede
Most 38-year-olds would hate leaving home but Virat Kohli's commitment to the game remains unmatched, said former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn.
'They're all going to score because they are naturally gifted players but the real high-risk way of playing, I'm afraid it hasn't worked.'
'They discuss with Gautam the ODI format, the matches that we have and our plans for South Africa.'
Afghanistan will begin their World Cup campaign against New Zealand on February 8 in Chennai.
Speaking to select media ahead of the Women's Premier League, Shreyanka spoke at length about dealing with back-to-back injuries.
'I have a deep affection for Indian cricket. If someone asked me to come back, I wouldn't say no.'
Ishan Kishan dedicates his Player-of-the-Match award to Indian fans and teammates after a stellar performance against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup.
New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy is set to make his Twenty20 World Cup debut next month after being picked in the 15-member squad led by Mitchell Santner.
Nepal secured a thrilling seven-wicket victory over Scotland in their final T20 World Cup match, marking their first win in the tournament in 12 years. Kushal Bhurtel's explosive start and Dipendra Singh Airee's unbeaten fifty led Nepal to victory.
India opener Abhishek Sharma's availability for Thursday's match against Namibia is uncertain because of a stomach bug.
'My role is not to impose a system, but to nurture an environment where athleticism, awareness, and pride in the field can grow naturally.'
Suryakumar Yadav's batting was a lesson on how to bat under pressure while the other reputed batters fell one by one at the other end.
Saiteja Mukkamalla provided the impetus to USA's total with a 51-ball-79 against The Netherlands in Chennai on Friday.
India cricketers, along with coach Gautam Gambhir, visited Shri Jagannath Temple in Odisha's Puri on Tuesday to seek blessings ahead of the first T2OI of the five-match series against South Africa, set to be played on the same day at Cuttack's Barabati Stadium.
