India will look to ensure a smooth passage into the semi-finals with yet another victory.
Murali Vijay regained his form while playing for Essex after being dropped from India's Test squad but the opener insists that neither he tinkered with his technique during his county stint nor he played there to reclaim his place.
The Indian team management released pace duo of Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar besides all-rounder Gurkeerat Singh Mann from the Test squad to enable them to play their next Ranji Trophy matches for their respective state sides on Saturday.
Miffed with reports that its senior players were contemplating retirement after failing in the Test series loss to Australia, the Indian team management rejected the speculation as "baseless" and refused to answer queries on the matter.
The Indian team management on Monday appealed to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) against suspensions imposed on five members of the squad for their role in the ugly showdown with Pakistan players during the tri-nation tournament match in Burnbury, Australia, last week.
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The Indian team management quelled concerns over Ishant Sharma's fitness after the pacer walked off bowling just 5.3 overs on the opening day of their first practice match against Cricket Australia Chairman's XI in Canberra on Thursday. Team officials insisted that Sharma left the field to remove some strapping from his ankle that had loosened and was uncomfortable with it.
A World Cup victory will put Kohli in a league of his own and even those sceptical about his tactical nous, will have no other option but to grudgingly doff their hats at his heady achievements.
Veteran batsman Gautam Gambhir is all set to be released by the Indian team management as the Delhi and District Cricket Association's selection committee has named him in the 16-member Delhi squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Rajasthan.
The Indian team management will decide in the next 24 hours if they need to seek a cover for fast bowler Ishant Sharma ahead of the important four-Test series against Australia, starting on December 26.
Virender Sehwag's sharp dip in form has been a cause of concern for the Indian team management but as far as Delhi Daredevils' director of coaching TA Sekar is concerned, the senior batsman is still an automatic choice as the captain.
India would be desperate for the likes of Mahendra Singh Dhoni to find some form ahead of the semi-final when they take on Sri Lanka in their last preliminary World Cup clash, in Leeds, on Saturday.
Indian cricketers were conspicuous by their absence at the ICC Annual Awards here with the team manager claiming that the invitation came far too late even though a few of the side's players were there in the list of nominees.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, on Wednesday, said that the Indian team management must think of including all-rounder Irfan Pathan in the team as he may come handy with the bat as well as on the field.
Amit Mishra, currently at the business end of intense rehabilitation, is puzzled by rumours that he failed the YoYo test alongside Suresh Raina and M S Washington Sunder.
In its bid to counter European heavyweight nations during the upcoming Champions Trophy hockey tournament, the Indian team management headed by Australian chief coach Michael Nobbs is mulling on roping in an assistant coach from Europe on temporary basis.
India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on Wednesday came under severe criticism from Wasim Akram for his performance at Lord's with the former Pakistan captain calling for the inclusion of leg-spinner Amit Mishra in his place.
"We have three days, but I am not 100 per cent sure whether he will play or not," skipper M S Dhoni said, adding, "It is a long series and we don't want to risk any individual."
News of all that's transpired on and off the cricket field.
The Indian team management was miffed with the Wankhede track prepared by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) ground staff for the deciding fifth and final ODI against South Africa which the hosts lost by 214 runs to clinch the series 3-2, in Mumbai, on Sunday.
Having won the three-match ODI series 2-1, India are currently leading the five-match T20 series 2-0.
YoYo test under scanner
Indian batsman Suresh Raina was rendered a doubtful starter for the must-win third One-dayer against New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday after injuring his elbow during a practice session.
Wednesday saw the commencement of India's short pre-World Cup camp at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore and the Indian team management seemed extra cautious about the players who are returning from injuries, especially after Praveen Kumar's exit from the mega tournament due to elbow injury.
There were reports that Indian team management is not happy with pitch and outfield at the Essex county ground, the venue of their only warm-up game that was curtailed to three days owing to heat wave in England.
In their bid to help the players combat with trying match situations, the Indian team management is all set to rope in noted sports psychologist Sandy Gordon with the third cricket Test against Australia starting at the MCG.
'Nothing wrong with his methods but changes in approach may help Rahul'
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Opener Gautam Gambhir's injury will certainly keep the Indian team management worried ahead of the second Test match against South Africa which will start at the Kingsmead from Sunday.
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Team management wants to have long-term vision for Kuldeep Yadav
Mumbai Indians' consistency on the big day paid off again during a season where there were more than 30 last-over finishes.
National chairman of selectors MSK Prasad on Tuesday said that he doesn't believe "you know more when you have played more", hitting back at his detractors for constantly demeaning his panel owing to its modest international record.
An 'upset' Sri Lanka Cricket on Tuesday apologised to Indian opener Virender Sehwag for the deliberate no-ball bowled by off-spinner Suraj Randiv which left him stranded on 99 in their tri-series match in Dambulla and promised action on the matter after getting a probe report.
The Indian team management has its fingers crossed over the fitness of opener Virender Sehwag, who sustained a hamstring injury during the thrilling win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup in Dambulla.
Zaheer Khan feels that one shouldn't go 'crazy or overboard' if the bowler in question is not ready for the challenge.
Team manager Ranjib Biswal's report on India's disastrous Twenty20 World Cup campaign in the West Indies is being examined by the BCCI and appropriate action will be taken on its basis, Board spokesman Rajiv Shukla said in Mumbai on Monday.
Indian team manager at the Twenty20 World Cup, Ranjib Biswal, on Saturday submitted his report on the side's disastrous campaign in the West Indies to the BCCI highlighting fitness and disciplinary issues.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Rodney Hogg were engaged in a war of words with the former Australian pacer saying that the Indian spinner was successful against South Africa mainly due to the spin-friendly wickets during the Test series.
Out of favour India veteran Yuvraj Singh's decision to do fitness training at the National Cricket Academy at the expense of Ranji Trophy matches has not gone down well with a section of the Board of Control for Cricket in India officials.
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