New rules, new captains, but same excitement as two months of cricket extravaganza kicks off in Kolkata.
'Especially in the middle overs. That's going to be a key challenge.'
While India are on a high after a measured six-wicket win over a sprightly Bangladesh, Pakistan are evidently tense after the 60-run loss in the tournament-opener to New Zealand.
England captain Jos Buttler lauded Abhishek Sharma for his blistering 54-ball 135 in India's dominant 150-run win in the fifth T20I on Sunday
India captain Suryakumar Yadav was very pleased with his men for "walking the talk" in terms of executing whatever was decided at the team meeting, following an emphatic seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the opening T20I in Gwalior on Sunday.
India is facing form concerns and selection dilemmas as they enter the final phase of their Champions Trophy preparations.
Since Suryakumar took over as captain last year, India have hardly put a wrong but his own form has dipped.
IMAGES from the second T20I in Gqeberha played between India and South Africa on Sunday
IMAGES from the Champions Trophy final played between India and New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday.
India will look to extend lead against England
Sanju Samson's technical weaknesses against express pace along with Rinku Singh's dip in form and fitness issues will be a concern for India
Gautam Gambhir has enlisted Kolkata Knight Riders Assistant Coach Abhishek Nayar's expertise for the role of assistant coach with Team India.
Virat Kohli's form in focus as India eye ODI clean-sweep over England
IMAGES from the 1st T20I between India and Bangladesh played in Gwalior on Sunday
Jharkhand, however, could not make the knockouts from the group as Gujarat topped it with Haryana being the second team to progress. Jharkhand finished third.
India's Champions Trophy squad has raised eyebrows with a number of bold selections, including a spin-heavy attack and the exclusion of experienced pacer Mohammed Siraj.
Choose Your India team for the first ODI against England in Nagpur.
Eden Gardens will host the first game of the five match T20I series between India and England on Wednesday.
A dominant India hammered England by 150 runs to claim the five-match series 4-1.
Sanju Samson became the first Indian to hit two consecutive hundreds in T20 Internationals to power the visitors to a thumping 60-run victory against South Africa.
It took the Indian team many intense sessions on the ground and off it to transform into a world class fielding unit. But, at the MPCA stadium here on Friday, its much-admired fielding coach T Dilip's focus was not on intensity but on "rhythm and flow".
Skipper Iyer hit 137 not out as Mumbai crushed Puducherry by a massive 163 runs in their Group C game in Ahmedabad.
Here is a look at likely retentions for some teams.
Indian batting line-up need to get its mojo back against a resurgent South Africa to regain the lost ground on rather unfamiliar SuperSport Park conditions
As captain, Gautam Gambhir won KKR its two titles. Now, as team mentor, can he inspire KKR to achieve glory?
Co-owner Shah Rukh Khan was not present at the Eden Gardens but his kids Suhana and AbRam cheered for the Knights from the stands.
After a disappointing showing in the Test series in Australia recently, the Indian team is eager to make a fresh start in the T20 format.
Varun Chakravarthy was the second highest wicket-taker in IPL 2024 with 21 wickets in 15 games as he played a major role in KKR's title triumph.
"I think he (Shami) will be a major miss for India, given the Australian conditions. The pace and bouncy wickets in Australia would have helped India in gaining an upper hand if Shami had been in the squad but that's not in the selector's hand as he is recovering, but I think he will be missed," Adams said.
Suryakumar Yadav has been named the captain for this T20I series, bringing his leadership and experience to the relatively young squad. Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma will serve as the wicketkeepers, while key players such as Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Washington Sundar are included to strengthen the batting and bowling departments.
Our batters don't know how to score 180 runs, admits Shanto
Captaon Suryakumar Yadav, all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel, the only member from the Test side, will be hoping for a strong outing so that India can apply some balm over the wounds from their recent home series defeat against New Zealand.
Tilak Varma stole the show with a spectacular maiden century as India clinched a narrow 11-run win over South Africa in a high-scoring third T20 International.
Kolkata Knight Riders wrist spinner Varun Chakravarthy on Friday said team owner Shah Rukh Khan has made a "huge impact" with his motivational speeches when the chips were down in the ongoing IPL.
Assistant Coach Abhishek Nayar has spearheaded the establishment of a temporary training facility in bustling Mumbai.
Ramandeep Singh showed great composure to settle under a high catch for the key wicket of SRH's Rahul Tripathi.
Heinrich Klaasen is the most expensive retained player in IPL history.
For DC, the onus will be on Prithvi Shaw and veteran Australian David Warner to provide a solid start.
While a few catches were put down by both teams, there were some that stuck.
Shubman Gill's return to form will provide a big boost to Gujarat Titans as they square off against table-toppers Kolkata Knight Riders in their must-win IPL game in Ahmedabad on Monday.
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