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Martin Guptill

Martin Guptill

Martin Guptill Hopeful Of Getting Fit For Australia Series

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New Zealand opener Martin Guptill is facing a race against time to get fit for the Australia tour. Guptill picked up a moderate calf strain, playing for Auckland against Wellington during a Ford Trophy match on January 3. The opener had to retire hurt on the score of 32 and didn’t come back.

New Zealand is set to travel to Australia on January 24 for a series of 3 ODIs and one T20I. The first ODI will be played on January 30 in Perth. Before the series, they are also scheduled to play one warm-up game at the same venue on January 27.

Martin Guptill - AP
Martin Guptill – AP

Guptill scored 152 runs with a strike rate of 163.44 in the last T20I series against India

“BLACKCAPS and Auckland Aces opener Martin Guptill is hopeful of a late January return to cricket after an MRI scan confirmed a tear in his left calf,” New Zealand Cricket released a statement.

“NZC’s Medical Staff described the tear as moderate; said his condition was improving and that the injury would continue to be monitored during a period of rehabilitation, Guptill and NZC Medical Staff are tentatively targeting a return in the Auckland Aces January 22 Dream11 Super Smash match against the Central Stags,” the release added.

Martin Guptill was in tremendous form in the last T20I series against India as he scored 152 runs in 3-matches with a strike rate of 163.44.

Martin Guptill Hopeful Of Getting Fit For Australia Series 1
Image Credit: Twitter

Previously Guptill scored 384 runs in 10 ODI innings with a hundred and a fifty. Though the Kiwis haven’t enjoyed touring Australia of late. They couldn’t win a single ODI since Feb 2009 in Australia. The story is pretty much the same in T20Is as they lost all three T20Is in Australia.

Meanwhile, the schedule of their tour might be changed due to stricter guidelines of Western Australia where their first game was scheduled to play on January 30. According to the current schedule, they will play 2nd and 3rd ODI at Hobart and Sydney respectively. The only T20I is scheduled to play at Canberra on February 8.

This tour will be also one of the few assignments for Ross Taylor who is set to retire from all forms of cricket after an ODI series against the Netherlands at home which is scheduled to play in March-April.

Also read “I Think South Africa Has Worked Jasprit Bumrah Out”- Fanie de Villiers

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Rohit Sharma, India
Rohit Sharma. Image Credits: Twitter
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Rohit Sharma India’s Best Batsman Of 2021 – Aakash Chopra

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Aakash Chopra has picked Rohit Sharma as Team India’s best batsman of 2021 in both the longest and shortest formats of the game.

Rohit Sharma has amassed 906 runs at an impressive average of 47.68 in Tests this year. In T20Is, India’s new limited-overs skipper has smashed 424 runs at an excellent average of 38.54, along with a terrific strike rate of 150.88.

Rohit Sharma celebrates his century during the fourth Test against England. (Twitter/BCCI)
Rohit Sharma celebrates his century during the fourth Test against England. (Twitter/BCCI).

Aakash Chopra: Rohit Sharma Played Defining Knocks And He Scored Runs Irrespective Of Home Or Away In Tests In 2021

Rohit Sharma who averages 46.88 in 43 Tests played 11 Tests in 2021 and averaged 47.68 which included 2 tons and 4 fifties.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra chose Rohit Sharma as India’s Test batter of the year ahead of Rishabh Pant and said: “There are a lot of names that come to mind – Rishabh Pant’s name comes because he has scored a lot of runs. He was the one who helped conquer Gabba in the end. But my Test batter of the year has to be Rohit Sharma. He played defining knocks.”

The cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra highlighted that a different facet of Rohit Sharma’s game came to the fore in 2021.

Aakash Chopra explained: “The conditions were difficult during England’s tour of India and he scored runs. The first innings of the second Test in Chennai – he was on one side and the entire team, including the opposition, was on the other side.

“The quality of batting that was on display. Then when he went to England, once again he kept on fighting and stood there. We saw a different style of Rohit Sharma’s batting.”

Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra. (Photo Source: Twitter).

Aakash Chopra pointed out that Rohit Sharma has made patience his strongest virtue this year.

He observed: “When his Test career gets over and his book is opened, you will remember 2021 with a lot of love. This is the pivotal year. He started loving Test cricket this year, he started loving defense and leaving the balls. He was enjoying it.”

Rohit Sharma has struck two centuries and four half-centuries in Tests in 2021. The 161-run knock in Chennai and the 127 at the Oval were standout performances, both coming in bowler-friendly conditions.

Aakash Chopra Picked Rohit Sharma As India’s Best T20I Batsman Of 2021 As Well

Aakash Chopra picked Rohit Sharma as India’s best T20I batter of the year as well. In 11 T20I matches, he scored 424 runs averaging 38.55 at a strike rate of over 150. In 2020 too, his batting average was 46.67 but he played only 4 T20Is then. He scored the most 5 fifties and managed to become the third batsman to score more than 3000 T20I runs (3197 runs in 119 T20I matches).

He stated: “In T20Is, you think about Rahul but he has not scored that many runs. Kohli has also not scored that many runs. You will remember Suryakumar and Ishan Kishan’s names as well but in my opinion, once again it is Rohit Sharma.”

Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma | AFP

The 44-year-old commentator added that Rohit Sharma has been both consistent and destructive as a T20I batter.

Aakash Chopra elaborated: “This year has been different because the strike rate has gone up and the average has also gone up. He has been given the T20I captaincy also now. So, the best Test batter and the best T20 batter is Rohit Sharma – this is the year of Rohit Sharma.”

Aakash Chopra concluded by naming Rohit Sharma as India’s best player of the year across formats.

Rohit Sharma is just behind Virat Kohli and New Zealand opener Martin Guptill in the list for most runs in T20Is. Virat Kohli has scored 3227 runs and is behind Martin Guptill, who has 3299 runs to his name, while Rohit Sharma has now 3197 runs to his name. Rohit Sharma became only the third men’s batter to score 3000 runs in T20 internationals in his side’s final game of the ongoing T20 World Cup.

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Rohit Sharma, India
Rohit Sharma. Image Credits: Twitter
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Aakash Chopra Picks Rohit Sharma As A Best Batsman, Ravichandran Ashwin As Best Bowler And Axar Patel As Best Debutant In 2021

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Aakash Chopra, the former Indian cricketer on Friday picked the best cricketer for Team India in the T20Is, Tests, and overall formats before naming the best debutant for the year. Aakash Chopra picked Rohit Sharma as the best cricketer for 2021 having picked him as the best batsman in Tests and T20Is for this calendar year and named Axar Patel as the best debutant.

There were two contenders for India’s best batting spot in Test cricket, the other being Rishabh Pant, who played two sensational knocks, both in the fourth innings against Australia earlier this year. But Aakash Chopra picked Rohit Sharma, who scored 906 runs in 21 innings at 48.19 with two centuries and four fifties in the year 2021.

Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Aakash Chopra: Rohit Sharma Best Test Batsman For India In 2021 And Ravichandran Ashwin Best Test Bowler In 2021

The veteran cricketer turned commentator admitted that 2021 will remain a pivotal year for Rohit Sharma as it showed a different side of his batting in Test cricket. Aakash Chopra was particularly impressed with Rohit Sharma’s performance in the England 4 Test tour earlier this summer, where he scored 497 runs, facing 1136 deliveries, at 45.18 with a century and three fifties.

“From an Indian standpoint, we have Rishabh Pant. He was the one who helped India conquer Gabba and he even scored in Sydney. But my Test batter of the year is Rohit Sharma. And when Test cricket’s history will be written, and 2021 will be remembered as the pivotal year for Rohit Sharma as a Test cricketer. The year showed that he has finally fallen in love with the format.”

“He has learned how to defend the ball, and leave the ball. He scored runs in difficult English conditions. The Chennai knock in the second innings – he was on one side and the rest of the players were on the different side altogether – that was the quality of his batting. We still have one more Test match to go, but without a doubt, he has to be my Test batter of the year,” he said speaking on his YouTube channel.

Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma
Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma

Aakash Chopra then picked Ravichandran Ashwin as the best Test bowler. The off-spinner picked 52 wickets (most in 2021) at just 16.2 and also became India’s third-highest wicket-taker surpassing Harbhajan Singh. Aakash Chopra was impressed as Ravichandran Ashwin became the lead wicket-taker in 2021 despite sitting out of the Test at Gabba for injury in Australia and the 4 Tests in England as Ravindra Jadeja was preferred over him.

“We had Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah is also there. But my Test bowler of the year will be Ravichandran Ashwin. He did not play at the Gabba and missed the England tour, hence missing five Tests in 2021. He also scored runs as a batsman, notched up a century as well.

“But here I’m talking about Ashwin the bowler, who has picked 52 wickets in 8 Tests. Had he played those five Tests, he would have taken 70 wickets. He has been sensational and he will eventually surpass Kapil Dev’s tally as well,” he said.

Aakash Chopra then named Rohit Sharma as the best T20I batsman before naming him as the best cricketer in 2021. Aakash Chopra also picked Jasprit Bumrah as the best bowler in the format.

“Kl Rahul? But he didn’t score that many runs. Neither did Virat Kohli. Suryakumar Yadav is also there. Ishan Kishan played a couple of good knocks. But if you just look at the numbers and the impact and the performances, it’s once again, Rohit Sharma.

“And this year has been different because his strike rate has improved significantly and so did his average. And he has also been made the T20I skipper. He has indeed been the best T20I batter. This is the year of Rohit Sharma. In fact, if you ask me to pick the best player from 2021, I would go with Rohit.”

Team India opener Rohit Sharma became second India and third overall to score 3,000 T20I runs. Rohit Sharma reached the feat during the 2021 T20 World Cup game against Namibia on Monday. The opener reached the milestone with a six, becoming the third cricketer after fellow teammate Virat Kohli and New Zealand’s Martin Guptill to breach the 3000-run mark in the shortest format of the game.

Rohit Sharma reached the mark in his 116th T20I. The 34-year-old, who has been recently appointed T20I and ODI skipper made his debut in the shortest format of the game in 2007.

Aakash Chopra Names Axar Patel As The Best Debutant For 2021 For Any Team

Aakash Chopra signed off picking left-arm spinner Axar Patel as the best debutant for 2021. Having made his maiden Test appearance in the home series against England, Axar Patel picked 36 wickets in five Tests at just 11.86 with five five-wicket hauls.

“Axar has changed the way India have played Test cricket. He picked five five-wicket hauls in five Tests. Even Don Bradman didn’t score five centuries in five Tests. And it’s equivalent of that. Not just India, he has been the overall best debutant in 2021.”

Axar Patel | Pankaj Nangia/ Sportzpics for BCCI
Axar Patel | Pankaj Nangia/ Sportzpics for BCCI

Axar Patel contributed with 52 and 41* runs in the recently-concluded second Test to help India take the upper hand against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai before India won the 2nd Test comprehensively by 372 runs. In only 5 Tests, he has scored 179 runs averaging 29.83, and taken 36 scalps averaging a mere 11.86.

The left-arm spinner has had a dream start to his Test career. He bagged 27 wickets in 3 Tests in his debut series versus England besides taking a five-wicket haul on a slow Kanpur pitch against New Zealand before injury ruled him out of the South Africa tour.

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Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal
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Yuzvendra Chahal Feels There Is No Substitute For Hard Work And Wants To Do Well Under Rohit Sharma

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Yuzvendra Chahal has overcome the disappointment of being ignored for the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup despite having a fairly impressive IPL 2021 season for RCB. Now, he wants to focus on what lies ahead and make the most of the chances, not dwelling too much on the past.

Besides, the World Cup shock omission, he wasn’t retained by his IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of the mega auction in IPL 2022. But Yuzvendra Chahal is unperturbed and is focused on the immediate challenge – performing for his domestic team Haryana in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Yuzvendra Chahal of Royal Challengers Bangalore In IPL [photo: Twitter]
Yuzvendra Chahal of Royal Challengers Bangalore In IPL [photo: Twitter]

Yuzvendra Chahal: There Is No Substitute For Hard Work

Immediately after India’s disappointing outing in the World Cup, Yuzvendra Chahal was called back for the home T20I series against New Zealand but played only one T20I. A week later, the leg-spinner got another setback as Royal Challengers Bangalore decided not to retain him despite him being one of RCB’s top performers with the ball in the last eight seasons.

“I am looking to do well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and help Haryana win the title,” Chahal said. “I am bowling well in the nets and enjoying my bowling. There is no substitute for hard work. Whatever has happened has happened. After a gap of one year this time Ranji Trophy is also going to take place. I want to make most of the chances.”

Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli (Image Credit: Twitter)

RCB retained Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Mohammed Siraj in the IPL retention that took place on Tuesday. Yuzvendra Chahal, who had been a part of the franchise since 2014, was released. Yuzvendra Chahal’s exclusion comes as a huge surprise to RCB fans. The leg-spinner has been the leader of Bangalore’s bowling attack for a good five to six years now.

Yuzvendra Chahal is the only RCB bowler to claim more than 100 IPL wickets. Yuzvendra Chahal has thus far featured in 114 IPL games, claiming 139 wickets at an average of 22.28 and an economy rate of 7.59-all for RCB.

Yuzvendra Chahal Is Looking Forward To Doing Well Under Skipper Rohit Sharma And Coach Rahul Dravid

Yuzvendra Chahal, who has taken 161 wickets at the international stage, says the support of his family helped him deal with the phase that followed after he learned of him not being picked in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup in UAE. In his international career thus far, the 30-year old has bagged 97 and 64 wickets in 56 ODIs and 50 T20Is, respectively apart from 139 scalps in 114 IPL games.

Yuzvendra Chahal picked a wicket, that of New Zealand opener Martin Guptill, on his return to XI, conceding 26 runs in four overs as India beat New Zealand by 73 runs in the final inconsequential T20I against New Zealand and register a 3-0 whitewash at home.

“It was disappointing to lose a spot in the Indian team for a mega-event like the World Cup,” Chahal said.

“I think I did reasonably well in the IPL and in the series against Sri Lanka. But that’s part of a sportsperson’s life. I was eyeing the World Cup since the time it was postponed. Nevertheless, I got great support from my family to overcome that disappointment. It was wonderful to get into the India dressing room against New Zealand.”

Rohit Sharma, Rahul Chahar Photo: © Twitter/@IPLd (Main Image)
Rohit Sharma, Rahul Chahar Photo: © Twitter/@IPLd (Main Image)

Yuzvendra Chahal though returned to the India setup with the three-match T20I series against New Zealand last month. With Rohit Sharma taking over as the new India T20I captain from Virat Kohli, the legspinner is hoping to continue the good work under the new skipper and new coach Rahul Dravid.

“I have done well under Virat (Kohli) and hope to keep doing well under Rohit’s (Sharma) captaincy in the T20 format. I have played with Rahul Dravid as coach while being in the India A team. He is a great coach with an intelligent cricket mind. Then there is Paras Mhambrey also now as bowling coach. I held discussions with him on my bowling. His inputs would definitely benefit me,” Yuzvendra Chahal said.

Yuzvendra Chahal picked only four wickets in seven games in the India leg of the 2021 Indian Premier League, at an economy rate of 8.26, which saw him fall out of contention for the race to the T20 World Cup squad, to Rahul Chahar, who snared 11 wickets in as many games(7 IPL games) at an economy rate of 7.21.

However, the RCB leg spinner made an impressive comeback in the second leg, picking 14 wickets in eight matches at an economy rate of 7.06. At the same time, Mumbai Indians’ Rahul Chahar struggled immensely, managing only two wickets in four games at an economy rate of 7.73.

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Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal
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Yuzvendra Chahal Will Be On That Flight To Australia For The Next T20 World Cup, Says Dinesh Karthik

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Dinesh Karthik, a veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batsman on Sunday picked leg-spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal, as an absolute certainty for Rohit Sharma-led India’s squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup slated to be played in Australia next October.

Following the culmination of the India-New Zealand bilateral T20I series, Dinesh Karthik named one bowler Yuzvendra Chahal who he believes will be a certain selection in Rohit Sharma’s India in the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia.

Dinesh Karthik file image. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)
Dinesh Karthik file image. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)

Dinesh Karthik: Yuzvendra Chahal Has Single-Handedly Grown In Stature In IPL And Will Be Retained By RCB Franchise

Yuzvendra Chahal was finally picked in India’s T20I squad for the third game against New Zealand in the series. It was his first appearance for India since the tour of Sri Lanka in summer earlier this year, following which he was dropped from the T20 World Cup squad where Rahul Chahar was picked ahead of him. However, following the end of the tournament, the bowler was reconsidered for the New Zealand series while Rahul Chahar was dropped.

Dinesh Karthik was all praise for the leg-spinner as he made his comeback to the XI, pointing out how he has improved as a bowler and how also being a chess player has helped him as a bowler.

“Great to see him come back. And he showed his character. The way he bowled in the second leg of IPL, he was an absolute champion. He is the top leg-spinner in India. I always rate him very high because he is also a chess player and they are always a couple of moves ahead than normal people,” said Dinesh Karthik.

“And that is always a special attribute for me. He’s got good skills, good variations and is a brave bowler and he has single-handedly grown in stature in IPL. He was bought for INR 10 lakhs by RCB in 2013, and now he is beyond what it is and that shows he has improved over time and has shown his value. I’m sure he will be retained by the franchise,” said Dinesh Karthik.

Leg-spinners Rahul Chahar (L) and Yuzvendra Chahal
Leg-spinners Rahul Chahar (L) and Yuzvendra Chahal

”He is also a very good bowler abroad as well, a very important attribute to keep in mind when India travel to Australia for the next T20 World Cup. I am sure he will be on that flight to Australia. And I also know Rohit trusts him a lot. Their relationship is not just strong off the field, on the field they have some good conversations,” said Dinesh Karthik.

Yuzvendra Chahal picked only four wickets in seven games in the India leg of the 2021 Indian Premier League, at an economy rate of 8.26, which saw him fall out of contention for the race to the T20 World Cup squad, to Rahul Chahar, who snared 11 wickets in as many games at an economy rate of 7.21.

However, the RCB leg spinner made an impressive comeback in the second leg, picking 14 wickets in eight matches at an economy rate of 7.06. At the same time, Rahul Chahar struggled immensely, managing only two wickets in four games at an economy rate of 7.73.

Yuzvendra Chahal Felt Down For 2-3 Days After Being Surprisingly Dropped For T20I World Cup

Earlier this month, Yuzvendra Chahal had opened up about his World Cup snub, saying that he found it difficult to come to terms with the shocking decision, but his family and fans helped him bounce back.

“I was not dropped in four years and then I got dropped for such a marquee event. I felt really bad. I was down for two-three days. But then I knew the second leg of the IPL was still around the corner. I went back to my coaches and spoke to them a lot,” Yuzvendra Chahal said.

Yuzvendra Chahal picked a wicket, that of New Zealand opener Martin Guptill, on his return to XI, conceding 26 runs in four overs as India beat New Zealand by 73 runs in the final inconsequential T20I against New Zealand and register a 3-0 whitewash at home.

RCB leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in action during IPL 2020 | Saikat Das / Sportzpics for BCCI
RCB leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in action during IPL 2020 | Saikat Das / Sportzpics for BCCI

Yuzvendra Chahal missed the bus to T20 World Cup 2021 owing to some inconsistent performances, both for India as well as in the first half of the Indian Premier League for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Varun Chakravarthy, Rahul Chahar, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja were the spin options for India in the 2021 T20I World Cup.

The 35-year old spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made noteworthy outings in the opening two games against New Zealand, where he returned with figures 4-0-23-2 and 4-0-19-1, but he was rested for the final 3rd T20I as Yuzvendra Chahal was picked instead.

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KL Rahul And Rohit Sharma (Image Credit: Twitter)
KL Rahul And Rohit Sharma (Image Credit: Twitter)
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Rohit Sharma And KL Rahul Are Undoubtedly First Choice Openers: Dinesh Karthik

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Dinesh Karthik, wicket-keeper batsman has complete faith in KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma as the go-to opening pair for Team India. He believes this should be the opening pair heading into the T20 World Cup next year.

The pair once again stitched a vital stand at the top of the order against New Zealand on Friday. They built a solid platform to secure a series win for India over New Zealand with one match remaining.

KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma---Image: Twitter
KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma—Image: Twitter

Dinesh Karthik: Rohit Sharma And KL Rahul Are Undoubtedly First Choice Openers But India Need To Find A 3rd Opener

Dinesh Karthik feels India should focus on finding their third and final opener in the squad. He will need to bat at the top in case an injury rules out either Rohit Sharma or KL Rahul from playing. He also noted that there is no need for more than three openers in the squad.

The 117-run stand in the 2nd T20I was their fifth-century partnership as a pair in T20Is, the joint-most for any pair, equaling the feat of Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. It was also their fourth as an opening pair, equaling the feat of the Pakistani pair and India’s Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan.

Rohit Sharma now holds the record of being part of most century stands in T20I cricket, surpassing Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Martin Guptill from New Zealand.

“In my mind there is no doubt that Rohit and Rahul are the first choice openers. What they need to find out is, if one of them is injured for the World Cup, then who is going to be their third opener who can fill in. I don’t think we need more than 3 openers in the squad.”

Dinesh Karthik Photo: © Reuters (Main Image)
Dinesh Karthik Photo: © Reuters (Main Image)

Dinesh Karthik also put up some good options for the spot. Ishan Kishan, Venkatesh Iyer, and Ruturaj Gaikwad are the other options to open in the squad while Shikhar Dhawan, who isn’t in the squad is another option for his excellent run in the last two IPL seasons.

He added: “Are you going to look towards a left-hander like Ishan Kishan, Venkatesh Iyer, or Shikhar Dhawan or someone like Ruturaj Gaikwad. One of them should definitely be given a break in the next game and the team should look into their third opener.”

Dinesh Karthik termed India’s performance in the second T20I as clinical as the team romped their way to victory without any prominent hiccups. He also lauded coach Rahul Dravid for sending Venkatesh Iyer in at No.3.

“The word here is clinical. Just going ahead with things smooth and calm manner. Good to see Iyer getting a hit. Good on Rahul Dravid to promote him up the order. Straightforward finish for India very good batting upfront by Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, let’s not forget about the quality of the knocks they both played.” Karthik explained.

The KKR all-rounder came into bat in the previous contest in a pressure situation and perished in just two deliveries. This time around, he was able to settle in and assess the conditions. The team was already in a comfortable position by the time he arrived at the crease. He remained unbeaten on 12 off 11 deliveries as Rishabh Pant finished the innings from the other end with his pyrotechnics.

Dinesh Karthik: India Must Continue In The Same Vein While New Zealand Would Be Disappointed To Lose The T20I Series Despite Coming As T20I WC Runners Up

Dinesh Karthik noted India’s dominance in bilateral series, especially at home. He feels that the process under coach Rahul Dravid is in place for the team to succeed at big tournaments in a similar fashion.

“Disappointing from New Zealand’s perspective, coming in as runner-ups in a World Cup final and pretty much getting thrashed in both matches by India here. This also goes on to show India’s ability to do so well in bilateral series and if they continue in the same way, form, and confidence like this into multi-nation tournaments, we will be unstoppable in many ways, the process is already out in place, we have a good coach and a steady captain. Interesting times ahead for Team India.” Karthik elaborated.

Rahul Dravid Photo Credit: PTI
Rahul Dravid Photo Credit: PTI

India has already secured the series following wins in Jaipur and Ranchi. The focus is expected to be on bench strength as the teams move to Kolkata to play the third and final T20I of the series.

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Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra. (Photo Source: Twitter)
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Aakash Chopra Hails Ravichandran Ashwin And Axar Patel For Turning The Course Of The 2nd T20I

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Aakash Chopra has highlighted that Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel’s exceptional spells turned the course of the second T20I against New Zealand in Team India’s favour.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel conceded just 45 runs in the combined eight overs they bowled and scalped two wickets in the process. Harshal Patel, who was duly chosen as the Player of the Match for his spell of 2/25 on his T20I debut, was the other standout Indian bowler. Harshal Patel picked the most wickets in IPL 2021-32 scalps.

Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Aakash Chopra Praised Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel For Being Economical And Feels The Duo Won India The Match

While reviewing India’s bowling performance in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra was effusive in his praise of Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel.  Cruising at 64 for one in the powerplay, the Kiwis suddenly hit a roadblock in the crucial middle overs and managed just 64 runs from 7 to 16 overs, with Ravichandran Ashwin (1/19) and Axar Patel (1/26) dominating the New Zealand batters in the dew-laden condition.

“Ashwin and Axar together took a couple of wickets, they were economical as well. In my opinion, both of them set the match, let’s be very honest. It is difficult to bowl spin with an extremely wet ball, both bowled exceedingly well and brought India back in the match. In fact, in my opinion they won India the match.”

Ravichandran Ashwin of India. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Ravichandran Ashwin of India. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out that the spin duo had brought India back into the game after Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell had given the Kiwis a blazing start.

Aakash Chopra elaborated: “The start Guptill and Mitchell had given, they were smashing it from the first over. They started batting as though they are going to post 200-225 runs. They demolished the Indian bowlers in the first six overs.”

Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell smoked 48 runs for the first wicket before the former was dismissed on the second ball of the fifth over. Team India staged a comeback thereafter to restrict the Black Caps to a score of 153/6 in their allotted 20 overs.

Aakash Chopra Praised Harshal Patel For Bowling Difficult Overs But Was Surprised And Troubled That Deepak Chahar And Bhuvneshwar Kumar Were Expensive

Aakash Chopra highlighted the impact the spinners had post the powerplay overs.

Aakash Chopra explained: “When you score 64 runs in the powerplay and still do not post a total of 154, it means you didn’t even score 90 runs in the last 14 overs, it implies the spinners bowled amazingly well, whether it was Ashwin or Axar Patel.”

While also lauding Harshal Patel’s excellent spell on debut, the 44-year-old added that Deepak Chahar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were found slightly wanting.

Harshal Patel picked up the key wickets of Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips BCCI
Harshal Patel picked up the key wickets of Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips BCCI.

Aakash Chopra observed: “After that, Harshal Patel. He bowled the difficult overs, I thought he was very very good. The surprising and troubling thing is that Deepak Chahar is not bowling well and in this match Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was economical in the last match, his meter was also down.”

Deepak Chahar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar conceded a total of 81 runs in the eight overs they bowled. Team India might look to leave one of the two-seamers out and play Avesh Khan in the final T20I.

Man of the Match Harshal Patel’s slower ball, meanwhile, proved just as effective on international debut as it had done through his record-breaking 2021 IPL season where he took the maximum of 32 scalps, in conjunction with the long boundaries at the JSCA Stadium. He conceded just 25 in his four overs and took the wickets of Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips, both caught in the deep.

Post-powerplay, New Zealand only scored 89 at 6.36 per over, with Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Tim Seifert, and James Neesham combining to score 36 off 51 after the fields spread out. That New Zealand ended up with 153 was largely down to the fast hands of Glenn Phillips, who hit three sixes in scoring 34 off 21.

India 155 for 3 (Rahul 65, Rohit 55, Southee 3-16) beat New Zealand 153 for 6 (Phillips 34, Mitchell 31, Harshal 2-25, Ashwin 1-19) by seven wickets

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Sourav Ganguly. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Sourav Ganguly. (Photo Source: Twitter)
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Sourav Ganguly To Ring The Eden Bell To Commence The 3rd T20I In Kolkata

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Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly will be ringing the Eden Bell at the Eden Garden stadium in Kolkata to commence the third T20I game between India and New Zealand on Sunday.

India and New Zealand will be squaring off with each other in the second T20I of the three-match series in Ranchi on Friday and in Kolkata for the third clash on Sunday.

Sourav Ganguly- Twitter
Sourav Ganguly- Twitter

Sourav Ganguly To Ring The Eden Bell To Commence The 3rd T20I; Suryakumar Yadav’s 62 See India Win 1st T20I By 5 Wickets

Suryakumar Yadav (62) and Rohit Sharma (48) starred with the bat as India chased down 165 to defeat New Zealand by five wickets in the first T20I of the three-match series here at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Wednesday.

Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav (BCCI)

Coming to the first match, Martin Guptill and Mark Chapman played knocks of 70 and 63 respectively as New Zealand posted a total of 164/6. For India, Ravichandran Ashwin and Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned with two wickets each. With this win, India gained a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the second game set to be played on Friday.

New Zealand Off To A Great Start In The 2nd T20I

In the 2nd T20I, New Zealand has gone off to a flier, managing 80/2 in only 9 overs after being inducted to bat first. Martin Guptill scored 31 off only 15 balls, and Mark Chapman, who scored 21 off 17 balls, were dismissed by Deepak Chahar and Axar Patel, respectively.

Martin Guptill - AP
Martin Guptill – AP

Harshal Patel replaced injured Mohammed Siraj for India, while New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson, Todd Astle, and Rachin Ravindra weren’t included. However, Adam Milne, James Neesham, and Ish Sodhi were back in starting XI.

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) had made a lot of plans as Eden Gardens will be hosting an international match after two years. But a recent directive from the Board has advised against any other program or function before the game.

That means the Jagmohan Dalmiya Memorial Conclave will have to be deferred till the association stages its next international game, which could be an ODI in February when India hosts the West Indies. The CAB had also planned a short felicitation for new India head coach Rahul Dravid and T20I captain Rohit Sharma, but that too seems unlikely at present.

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has been appointed as the Chairman of ICC’s Cricket Committee, the governing body confirmed on Wednesday (November 17). Sourav Ganguly will be replacing his former India teammate Anil Kumble, who has served a maximum of three-year terms after being appointed in 2012.

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Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid - K. MURALI KUMAR
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It’s Too Early To Comment On New Head Coach Rahul Dravid’s Coaching Style, Says Ravichandran Ashwin

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India’s star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said that it is too early for him to comment on Rahul Dravid’s coaching style, but he is sure that the head coach will be big on preparation and process.

Rahul Dravid’s coaching stint got off to a winning start as Rohit Sharma-led India defeated New Zealand by five wickets in the first T20I.

Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma | AFP

Ravichandran Ashwin: It’s Too Early To Comment On Rahul Dravid’s Coaching Style

Rahul Dravid coached and led the India U-19 side to great success in the U-19 World Cup. He would hope to translate the efforts into the senior team, who are struggling at the big stage for quite some time now. He was recently appointed as the interim head coach for the Sri Lanka series, with Ravi Shastri busy with the Test team in England. The new coach has been offered a hefty contract and will be drawing a salary of Rs 10 crore.

The amount makes him one of the highest-paid Indian coaches. His first stint came in 2014 when he travelled to England as a batting consultant for the Test series. In July 2021, he returned as interim head coach for Sri Lankan limited-overs tour as Ravi Shastri-led coaching staff was in England for a Test series.

“It’s too early for me to comment on Rahul Dravid’s coaching style, we need to give him breathing space. He’s put the hard yards in through the U-19 level etc. He won’t leave much to chance, and he’ll be all about preparation and process, so that we can bring the happiness back into the Indian dressing room,” Ashwin told host broadcaster Star Sports after the first T20I ended.

Rahul Dravid Photo Credit: PTI
Rahul Dravid Photo Credit: PTI

Suryakumar Yadav (62) and Rohit Sharma (48) starred with the bat as India chased down 165 to defeat New Zealand by five wickets in the first T20I of the three-match series here at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

Earlier, Martin Guptill and Mark Chapman played knocks of 70 and 63 respectively as New Zealand posted a total of 164/6. For India, Ravichandran Ashwin and Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned with two wickets each.

Ravichandran Ashwin Thought India Would Win Around The 15th Over

The spin prodigy Ravichandran Ashwin was impressive in the UAE during the recently-concluded T20I World Cup, In the three outings, he scalped six wickets and maintained an economy of 5.25. The 35-year old made a similar noteworthy outing in the opening game against the Kiwis where he returned with figures 4-0-23-2.

“The slower you bowled, there was more purchase you got on this pitch. If you hit the seam and tossed it up, it did do things like Santner showed in the second innings.

“It’s tricky in T20s, you can’t miss your lengths and you don’t know when to toss it up but here it did help to give it some air. It was a slightly under-par score and we thought 170-180 would be par. We thought we would cruise home around the 15th over, but that’s T20 cricket for you,” said Ravichandran Ashwin.

Ravichandran Ashwin of India. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Ravichandran Ashwin of India. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

After being overlooked for the first two games, both of which India lost in the T20I World Cup, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was finally brought into the playing XI after a hiatus of 4 years in T20Is and was the standout spinner for Team India in the three matches he played in the Super 12 stage.

“I bowled the first over in the powerplay, and figuring out the pace to bowl is important and it took me some time to figure that out. It’s about varying to pace and knowing when to vary it.

“It’s important to take each of the 24 balls as an event, and look at each ball in isolation and as an opportunity. You might have to play catch-up, but the batsman is trying to play catch-up and trying to play you too, so you can’t get intimidated,” he added.

With this win, India gained a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the second game set to be played on Friday.

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KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma---Image: Twitter
KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma---Image: Twitter
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India Persisting With Rohit Sharma And KL Rahul As Openers In T20Is Is A Message To The Selectors, Says Aakash Chopra

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Aakash Chopra believes Team India’s decision to bat Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul at the top of the order despite the presence of a plethora of other openers is a message to the selectors.

The 16-member Indian squad for the T20I series against New Zealand comprises five openers – Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Venkatesh Iyer. While Venkatesh Iyer was included in the playing XI for the first T20I as a batting all-rounder at No. 6, Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad were left to warm the benches.

KL Rahul And Rohit Sharma (Image Credit: Twitter)
KL Rahul And Rohit Sharma (Image Credit: Twitter)

Aakash Chopra: India Persisting With Rohit Sharma And KL Rahul As Openers Is A Message To The Selectors

While reflecting on India’s successful run chase against Kiwis in the bilateral series in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra pointed out that Team India persisting with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul as their openers is a hint to the selectors.

He said: “The Indian team was starting a new era and they said that Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul will remain their two openers, we are not going to change. It’s a message to the selectors as well that we cannot play if you pick 5-7 openers because we want to move forward with these two openers.”

Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav (BCCI)

The former India cricketer added that middle-order batsman Suryakumar Yadav shone while batting at his customary No. 3 position.

Aakash Chopra elaborated: “Suryakumar Yadav at three. Here also they didn’t play Ishan Kishan at three, they kept the opener in his place. Surya came and shone. He said that you can cover the sun’s light for some time with the clouds but can’t stop forever.”

Suryakumar Yadav smashed 62 runs off just 40 deliveries in a knock studded with six fours and three sixes. He was the dominant partner in his 59-run second-wicket stand with Rohit Sharma.

Aakash Chopra: India Should Persist With Risk Taker Suryakumar Yadav

Aakash Chopra highlighted that middle order Suryakumar Yadav’s risky approach is mandatory in the game’s shortest format.

He explained: “The best thing I like is that he is a risk-taker. The boundary shots he plays, they are all risky but not taking risks in T20s is the biggest risk. You have to keep investing in him if you have to make a new template for T20s.”

Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The reputed commentator concluded by pointing out that Team India just scraped through to a win.

Aakash Chopra observed: “Pant came and he is not able to hit. He was going at less than run-a-ball. He hit a four of the last ball and went ahead, which is a great thing. Iyer [Shreyas] at No.5, he was not able to bat because the form is not with him at the moment. Venkatesh Iyer did hit a boundary and in the end, India won the match.”

India needed 21 runs off 20 deliveries with seven wickets in hand when Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed. However, they made heavy weather of it before Rishabh Pant hit the winning runs with two deliveries to spare.

On Wednesday, India beat New Zealand by five wickets in the first T20 International to go 1-0 up in the three-match series. Chasing a target of 165, Suryakumar Yadav (62 off 40 balls) and skipper Rohit Sharma (48 off 36 balls) scored the bulk of the runs as India reached the target in 19.4 overs.

Earlier, New Zealand scored a competitive 164 for 6, riding on half-centuries from Martin Guptill (70 off 42 balls) and Mark Chapman (63 off 50 balls).

Brief Scores:

New Zealand: 164/6 in 20 overs (Martin Guptill 70, Mark Chapman 63; Ravichandran Ashwin 2/23, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/24).

India: 166/5 in 19.4 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 62, Rohit Sharma 48; Trent Boult 2/31).

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