'I mean, KL Rahul is certainly good enough to be a number five.'
Abhishek Sharma bats at nets; readies himself for Pakistan clash
Washington ruled out of T20I series against NZ; Bishnoi, Iyer added to squad
With Ishan Kishan breathing down Sanju Samson's neck, the latter will have to pull up his socks and prove his place in the squad.
'But now they can't take any chances. They have to play their best eleven again.'
Opener Sanju Samson once again failed to get back among the runs, as he was dismissed for 24 from 15 balls in the fourth T20I against New Zealand.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan praised outgoing head coach Jonathan Trott for his significant contribution to the team's progress and elevated standards. Khan also discussed the team's future and the upcoming World Cup.
Pathan also praised Virat Kohli's enduring fitness and consistency, calling him a "Run Machine" and noting that he continues to score centuries.
A fit-again all-rounder Washington Sundar will link up with the Indian squad in New Delhi ahead of the Namibia game on February 12, skipper Suryakumar Yadav said after the team's 29-run win against the USA in the T20 World Cup in Mumbai on Saturday.
Australia host the next T20 World Cup in 2028 but will be eyeing a bigger prize a few months before that when cricket is reintroduced to the Olympics in LA.
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.
The No 3 batter will rejoin India squad ahead of T20 WC warm-up game in Mumbai.
A look at some of the major controversies in past World Cups.
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.
UAE captain Muhammad Waseem believes his side was 15-20 runs short of a competitive total against Afghanistan and conceded that giving away a few extra boundaries with the ball proved costly in their five-wicket defeat in the T20 World Cup.
India has been on an FTA-signing spree of late. Since 2021, it has signed eight trade agreements, three of which -- with the UK, Oman and New Zealand -- were finalised in 2025 alone.
'Even if Reddy fails, the management should persist with him, and India will eventually get a good all-rounder.'
Bengal marched into the semi-finals of the Ranji Trophy after registering a comprehensive innings and 90 runs victory over Andhra in Kalyani on Tuesday.
Veteran South Africa batter David Miller believes his experience and calmness will be crucial as the Proteas aim for their first ICC T20 World Cup title. He emphasizes the importance of guiding younger players and maintaining focus throughout the tournament.
South Africa, already qualified for the Super Eights, will face the United Arab Emirates in their final Group D fixture of the T20 World Cup. South Africa would expect big-hitting youngster Dewald Brevis to regain his form against a struggling United Arab Emirates.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the must-win match against Zimbabwe on Thursday?
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.
A seemingly unstoppable force in the shortest format, the current India squad has an aura of invincibility around it unlike the one that ended the cricketing powerhouse's long wait for an ICC title in Barbados 19 months ago.
The opener also milked 100 runs for the opening wicket with Devon Conway.
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.
Duffy cautions against data obsession in T20s, waiting to cheer 'King' Kohli from RCB dug-out
Abhishek Sharma's recent struggles in the T20 World Cup have raised concerns, but experts believe his confidence remains intact and a strong comeback is imminent.
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.
Former captain Sourav Ganguly on Sunday backed the Indian team's aggressive batting template in the T20 World Cup, saying top-order players like Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma should not curb their attacking instincts even on two-paced surfaces.
India appear well set for T20 World Cup title defence, feels former India captain Sunil Gavaskar.
Axar Patel acknowledges added pressure in India-Pakistan clashes but says the team blocks out rivalry talk. He also hails Ishan Kishan's match-winning 77 in the T20 World Cup win.
Sunil Gavaskar hails Varun Chakravarthy as a 'magician' after his key wickets in India's first T20I win over New Zealand in Nagpur.
Virat Kohli has surpassed the legendary Sachin Tendulkar to become India's highest run-scorer against New Zealand in ODIs.
Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the ODI series against New Zealand after suffering a rib injury in the series opener in Vadodara.
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.
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.
India begin their Super 8 journey against South Africa at the Narendra Modi stadium in a thrilling clash where a single mistake could change the course of the semifinals.
Former wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel urged India to include the in-form Ishan Kishan ahead of Sanju Samson
Virat Kohli has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings for the first time in five years.
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