The Indian men's hockey team dished out a much-improved performance as compared to its previous game but it still lost 2-4 to Australia in the second Test of the five-match series in Perth on Sunday.
'If Hardik doesn't bowl, it disturbs the balance of the side hugely'
Pandya knows exactly what he would like to imbibe from the three captains he has played under -- Dhoni, Kohli and Rohit.
Who do you think should be part of the Indian team for the T20 World Cup Super 8s match against Bangladesh?
Mumbai Indians will aim to land the killer punch after fluffing an easy run-chase in their opener when they meet a dangerous Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
Hardik seems to be in menacing form with the bat ahead of the World Cup, having overcome a back injury and a massive controversy following his sexist comments on a popular TV show.
Rohit Sharma was named the captain of the T20 World Cup 2024 Team of the Tournament after leading India to their second T20 World Cup crown.
Who do you think should be part of the Indian team for the T20 World Cup match against Canada?
'Hardik will lead the side. As far as KL Rahul is concerned, his T20I days seem to be numbered'
In red-hot form, two-time former champions Kolkata Knight Riders will look to seal an IPL playoff berth for the first time in three years when they take on the struggling Mumbai Indians in their final home match of the season, in Kolkata on Saturday.
India finished third in the 100th anniversary Spanish Hockey Federation international tournament in Terrassa. The team beat reigning FIH Pro League champions Netherlands 2-1 in the third-fourth play-off match on Sunday.
However, with the Asian Games now postponed to next year owing to the COVID-19 situation in China, HI decided to pick a strong team for the prestigious event, scheduled to begin from July 28.
The All-India Senior Selection Committee of the BCCI has picked the squads for India's upcoming series against New Zealand and Bangladesh
Blake Govers slammed a hat-trick as Australia routed India 7-4 in a high-scoring second hockey Test in Adelaide on Sunday.
Harmanpreet Singh had also captained the side in the recent series against Australia, where the side fought hard before losing the five-match rubber 1-4.
Virat Kohli will be expected to hit his straps after a lean run
The squad includes goalkeepers PR Sreejesh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak, and defenders Varun Kumar, Amit Rohidas, Surender Kumar, Jugraj Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, and Gurinder Singh.
Hardik suffered an acute lower back injury five months ago and underwent a surgery in London, following which he has been rehabilitating at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Hardik Pandya hit four towering sixes and ran swiftly between the wickets at the DY Patil T20 Cup as chief selector MSK Prasad closely monitored his fitness.
BCCI shared pictures on X with a caption, 'Gearing up for the Super 8s. Prep Mode on. #TeamIndia.'
Playing as the opener, Sanju Samson has made just 39 runs in the first two T20 Internationals against Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh bowlers have the ability to spice up things but against India's formidable lineup, they would need plenty of runs on the board.
Bangladesh fielding coach Nick Pothas on Friday admitted that "world's best team" India put his side under tremendous pressure throughout the Test and T20I series, but he wants to leverage it as a learning experience.
India's newly-forged coach-captain combination of Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav will look to make instant impact against a Sri Lankan team in disarray.
And who are they missing?
Pace spearhead Harshit Rana received a well-deserved maiden call-up, following his impressive performances.
'I have never seen a captain, who is so invested in team meetings and strategies.'
Images from the Indian Premier League match between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians, in Abu Dhabi, on Tuesday.
'When Hardik was dropped from the Zimbabwe tour, coach Sanjay Bangar called, telling him to work hard and not lose focus.' 'This really motivated Hardik to do better and he emerged one of the star performers during India A's tour of Australia.'
T20s are very unpredictable and if someone as dangerous as Hardik Pandya gets going, then the game can change in a matter of an over or two.
Olympic medal-winning defender Amit Rohidas will continue to lead the Indian men's hockey team in the crucial last leg of the 2021-22 edition of the FIH Pro League
'Dhoni will never go to a player and ask him what field you want.' 'He will want the player to learn from his own mistakes.' 'Rohit will put his arm around your shoulder and tell you, "This is what is expected from you, you can do this".'
Defending champions Mumbai got their Ranji Trophy campaign back on track with an emphatic nine-wicket win over Maharashtra in their second group A league game in Mumbai on Monday, offsetting the heavy loss to Baroda in the opening game.
Explosive left-hand batter Rinku has presented a strong case to be India's squad for the T20 World Cup in the USA and Caribbean.
Rohit's pitch inquiry, Kohli and Jadeja bat with high intensity
In the next 18 months, India will play several marquee events including the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series against Australia in November, next year's ICC Champions Trophy and a possible appearance in the World Test Championship Final in June.
Ajit Agarkar and skipper Rohit Sharma are expected to have an informal meeting in New Delhi to discuss India's 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni will lead Chennai Super Kings for a record 15th season during IPL 2024, starting later this month.
Faltering Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians desperate to resurrect IPL campaign
In a surprising move, KKR's batting sensation Rinku Singh was not picked in the 15-member squad.
Tanush Kotian's five-wicket haul helped Mumbai bounce back as the visitors bowled out Baroda for 185 in their second innings.
