In the highly anticipated T20 match between India and South Africa, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav expressed his disappointment after losing the toss but remained confident in his team's ability to put up a big total in the first innings. With the upcoming series against England in mind, Indian openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson will be looking to prove themselves and secure their spot in the playing XI. The South Africa skipper, Aiden Markram, on the other hand, chose to bowl first, hoping to make early inroads into the Indian batting order.
India's T20 Captaincy Saga: From Rohit Sharma to Suryakumar Yadav
Background
India's national cricket team captaincy has undergone significant changes in recent times, with different players leading the team across different formats. In the Twenty20 International (T20I) format, long-time captain Rohit Sharma stepped down after the conclusion of the 2022 T20 World Cup, paving the way for a new era of leadership.
Suryakumar Yadav's Appointment
In January 2023, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced Suryakumar Yadav as the new T20I captain. Known for his exceptional batting skills and aggressive leadership style, Yadav has emerged as a promising candidate to lead India in the shortest format of the game.
Upcoming England Series
India's next T20I assignment will be against England, who will tour the country for three matches in March 2023. The series will serve as a crucial preparation for the upcoming ICC World T20 tournament, scheduled to be held in Australia in October and November 2023.
Key Players to Watch
While Yadav will lead the team, several key players will be hoping to make their mark in the upcoming series. Openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson will be eager to cement their place in the starting lineup, while veteran all-rounder Hardik Pandya and pacer Jasprit Bumrah will be expected to play pivotal roles.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Who was the previous T20I captain of India? Answer: Rohit Sharma
2. Why did Rohit Sharma step down as T20I captain? Answer: To focus on his batting and other responsibilities
3. What are the strengths of Suryakumar Yadav as a leader? Answer: Aggressive mindset, excellent batting skills, and ability to motivate his team
4. Who will be the key players for India in the upcoming England series? Answer: Suryakumar Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah
5. What is the ultimate goal for India in the upcoming World T20 tournament? Answer: To win the trophy
Rising Indian cricketer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, has made a shocking decision to leave Mumbai and join Goa in the upcoming domestic season, as he seeks a change for personal reasons. The left-handed opener, who has already shown great potential in international cricket, will now represent a lesser-known team in hopes of making a bigger impact. This move is unprecedented, especially considering Jaiswal's successful stint with Mumbai and a lack of big names in the Goa team. Fans eagerly await the results of this surprising shift.
After Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) faced their first eight-wicket home defeat during IPL 2025, team mentor Zaheer Khan expressed his dissatisfaction with the pitch conditions. He stated that the curator did not consider it a home game, and requested for more support from the home facilities in order for the team to perform better in their home ground. Despite expecting the track to favour spin bowling, LSG's decision to bring in M Siddharth instead of Prince Yadav backfired as PBKS's fast bowling group proved to be too much for them.
On Monday, Mumbai Indians' medium-pacer Ashwani Kumar, a 23-year-old from Punjab's Jhanjeri, became the first Indian ever to take four wickets on his Indian Premier League debut, helping his team to an easy win against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium. Despite appearing at trials for multiple IPL franchises, Ashwani's humble village background and love for classic Punjabi food kept him grounded and motivated for his record-breaking performance. Coach Varinder Singh worked with Ashwani to develop his skills, and his proud mother, Meena Kumari, shared his love for besan ka chilla and aloo parathas with the media after the match.
Batting superstar Virat Kohli recently expressed his criticism towards the BCCI's decision to limit family time on international tours. This move has caused controversy, with players feeling that it affects their focus and personal well-being. Yuvraj Singh's wife, Hazel Keech, has spoken out in support of the updated policy, stating that it benefits both players and their families. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has confirmed that the rule will remain in place for the time being, citing its importance to the country and the board.
After leading the Indian cricket team to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy, Virat Kohli has announced his next big goal - winning the ODI World Cup in 2027. Amid speculation about his potential retirement, Kohli made it clear that he is not looking to slow down anytime soon. Meanwhile, other Indian players, including Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer, are set to retain their A+ grade contracts.
Pakistan's struggles continued in the second ODI against New Zealand as they lost seven wickets while chasing a target of 293. Star batter Babar Azam, who failed to perform in the first ODI, could only manage 1 run before being dismissed by Jacob Duffy. With fans and cricket enthusiasts expressing frustration over his ongoing struggles with the bat, the pressure is on Babar to deliver in the upcoming matches of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. Despite his form difficulties, many still believe that Babar's class is permanent and a big innings is just around the corner.
In a high-scoring and intense game, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets, 140-139, in double overtime. Despite a career-high 61 points from Nikola Jokic, the Timberwolves were able to rally and secure the win with two clutch free throws from Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The win also marks the Timberwolves' fourth consecutive victory over the Nuggets this season.
Nishant Dev, a young boxer from India, has recently turned professional after being inspired by legends like Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. The 23-year-old made his debut in the professional boxing world after falling in love with the sport while watching YouTube videos. Despite his loss in the Paris Olympics, Nishant's decision to go pro was not influenced by that defeat and he continues to train hard under the guidance of former American boxer Ronald Simms.
KKR all rounder Ramandeep Singh gives glowing praise to Mumbai Indians' Ashwani Kumar for his four-wicket haul in Mumbai's victory against Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 12 of the IPL 2025. Ashwani becomes the first player to achieve this feat on his IPL debut.
The Mumbai Indians started their IPL campaign with an 8-wicket victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders, with 23-year-old pacer Ashwani Kumar stealing the spotlight with his impressive performance. MI skipper Hardik Pandya praised the team's scouting efforts for discovering Kumar's talent, and highlighted his crucial wickets of Andre Russell and Quinton de Kock as the game-changers for the team. Fans can catch all the latest updates from IPL 2025 on News24, and follow them on social media for breaking news and updates.