Abhishek Sharma struck a magnificent 79 off 34 balls as India beat England by seven wickets in the first T20 International here on Wednesday. Chasing a paltry 133 for a win, India overhauled the target with 43 balls to spare as they reached 133 for 3 in just 12.5 overs. Also Read: IND vs ENG 1st T20I highlights: India wins the match by 7 wickets Abhishek made England pay for a dropped catch as he hit five fours and eight sixes during his hurricane 34-ball innings. His opening partner Sanju Samson made 26 off 20 balls. Earlier, India bowled England out for 132 in 20 overs after the visitors were asked to bat by home team captain Suryakumar Yadav. Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy (3/23) was the most successful Indian bowler while seamer Arshdeep Singh (2/17), Axar Patel (2/22) and Hardik Pandya (2/42) chipped in with two wickets apiece. For England, captain Jos Buttler played a lone hand with 68 off 44 balls. Brief Scores:England: 132 all out in 20 overs (Jos Buttler 68; Varun Chakravarthy 3/23, Arshdeep Singh 2/17, Axar Patel 2/22, Hardik Pandya 2/42).India: 133 for 3 in 12.5 overs (Abhishek Sharma 79; Jofra Archer 2/21). This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
22 January,2025 10:18 PM IST | Kolkata | PTIThe Suryakumar Yadav-led Team India is all set to lock horns with England for the first T20I which is underway at the Eden Gardens. The T20I series between India and England will witness five matches being played at different venues. Ahead of the IND vs ENG 1st T20I, Axar Patel will also be in focus following that it will be his first task as a vice-captain at the international level. In IND vs ENG 1st T20I, people will also keep tabs on if whether Mohammed Shami will feature or not. If the pacer plays the first T20I, then it would mark his first international appearance since the ODI World Cup 2023. Also Read: "You grow stronger...": Mohammed Shami opens up on his comeback from injury Shami will also be expected to lead the pace attack without the likes of Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah. It will be a new challenge for England's coach Brendon McCullum as it will be his first task since he has taken over as the whit-ball coach. IND vs ENG 1st T20I live:Team India won the first T20I match against England by seven wickets.IND: 133/312.1: WOOD TO TILAK: LEG BYES! 1 RUN12.2: WOOD TO HARDIK: DOT12.3: WOOD TO HARDIK: DOT12.4: WOOD TO HARDIK: 1 RUN12.5: WOOD TO TILAK: FOUR!IND: 127/311.1: RASHID TO TILAK: 1 RUN11.2: RASHID TO ABHISHEK: DOT11.3: RASHID TO ABHISHEK: SIX!11.4: RASHID TO ABHISHEK: 2 RUNS11.5: RASHID TO ABHISHEK: OUT! ABHISHEK SHARMA'S BLISTERING KNOCK COMES TO AN END11.6: RASHID TO HARDIK: 2 RUNSIND: 116/210.1: GUS TO ABHISHEK: SIX!10.2: GUS TO ABHISHEK: FOUR!10.3: GUS TO ABHISHEK: 1 RUN10.4: GUS TO TILAK: FOUR!10.5: GUS TO TILAK: 1 RUN10.6: GUS TO ABHISHEK: DOTIND: 100/29.1: LIAM TO ABHISHEK: FOUR!9.2: LIAM TO ABHISHEK: 1 RUN9.3: LIAM TO TILAK: DOT9.4: LIAM TO TILAK: DOT9.5: LIAM TO TILAK: 1 RUN9.6: LIAM TO ABHISHEK: 1 RUNIND: 93/28.1: JAMIE TO TILAK: 1 RUN8.2: JAMIE TO ABHISHEK: SIX!8.3: JAMIE TO ABHISHEK: 2 RUNS8.4: JAMIE TO ABSHISHEK: DOT8.5: JAMIE TO ABHISHEK: 1 RUN8.6: JAMIE TO TILAK: DOTIND: 83/27.1: RASHID TO ABHISHEK: DOT 7.2: RASHID TO ABHISHEK: DOT7.3: RASHID TO ABHISHEK: DOT7.4: RASHID TO ABHISHEK: FOUR!7.5: RASHID TO ABHISHEK: SIX!7.6: RASHID TO ABHISHEK: SIX!IND: 67/26.1: JOFRA TO TILAK: 1 RUN6.2: JOFRA TO ABHISHEK: 1 RUN6.3: JOFRA TO TILAK: DOT6.4: JOFRA TO TILAK: 1 RUN6.5: JOFRA TO ABHISHEK: 1 RUN6.6: JOFRA TO TILAK: DOTIND: 63/25.1: WOOD TO ABHISHEK: SIX!5.2: WOOD TO WOOD: SIX!5.3: WOOD TO ABHISHEK: DOT5.4: WOOD TO ABHISHEK: FOUR!5.5: WOOD TO ABHISHEK: 1 RUN5.6: WOOD TO TILAK: 1 RUNIND: 45/24.1: JOFRA TO SANJU: 2 RUNS4.2: JOFRA TO SANJU: OUT!4.3: JOFRA TO SURYAKUMAR: DOT4.4: JOFRA TO SURYAKUMAR: DOT4.5: JOFRA TO SURYAKUMAR: OUT!4.6: JOFRA TO TILAK: FOUR!IND: 39/03.1: WOOD TO SANJU: DOT3.2: WOOD TO SANJU: DOT3.4: WOOD TO SANJU: DOT3.3: WOOD TO SANJU: DOT3.5: WOOD TO SANJU: BYES! FOUR!3.6: WOOD TO SANJU: WIDE3.7: WOOD TO SANJU: 1 RUNIND: 33/02.1: JOFRA TO ABHISHEK: DOT2.2: JOFRA TO ABHISHEK: DOT2.3: JOFRA TO ABHISHEK: FOUR!2.4: JOFRA TO ABHISHEK: DOT2.5: JOFRA TO ABHISHEK: SIX!2.6: JOFRA TO ABHISHEK: DOTIND: 23/01.1: GUS TO SANJU: FOUR!1.2: GUS TO SANJU: FOUR!1.3: GUS TO SANJU: DOT1.4: GUS TO SANJU: SIX!1.5: GUS TO SANJU: FOUR!1.6: GUS TO SANJU: FOUR!IND: 1/00.1: JOFRA TO SANJU: DOT0.2: JOFRA TO SANJU: DOT0.3: JOFRA TO SANJU: DOT0.4: JOFRA TO SANJU: DOT0.5: JOFRA TO SANJU: DOT0.6: JOFRA TO SANJU: 1 RUNENG: 132/10 (20)ENG: 121/8 (19)ENG: 114/8 (18)ENG: 110/8 (17)ENG: 103/7 (16)ENG: 99/6 (15)ENG: 97/613.1: AXAR TO JOS: 1 RUN13.2: AXAR TO JAMIE: DOT13.3: AXAR TO JAMIE: OUT!13.4: AXAR TO GUS: 1 RUN13.5: AXAR TO JOS: 1 RUN13.6: AXAR TO GUS: DOTENG: 93/512.1: RAVI TO JAMIE: 1 RUN12.2: RAVI TO JOS: DOT12.3: RAVI TO JOS: FOUR!12.4: RAVI TO JOS: DOT12.5: RAVI TO JOS: FOUR!12.6: RAVI TO JOS: 1 RUNENG: 84/511.1: HARDIK TO JOS: 1 RUN11.2: HARDIK TO JACOB: 2 RUNS11.3: HARDIK TO JACOB: DOT11.4: HARDIK TO JACOB: DOT11.5: HARDIK TO JACOB: OUT!11.6: HARDIK TO JAMIE: 1 RUNENG: 80/410.1: RAVI TO JACOB: WIDE!10.2: RAVI TO JACOB: 1 RUN10.3: RAVI TO JOS: 1 RUN10.4: RAVI TO JACOB: 1 RUN10.5: RAVI TO JOS: DOT10.6: RAVI TO JOS: WIDE!10.7: RAVI TO JOS: DOT10.8: RAVI TO JOS: 1 RUN ENG: 74/49.1: VARUN TO JACOB: DOT9.2: VARUN TO JACOB: 1 RUN9.3: VARUN TO JOS: 2 RUNS9.4: VARUN TO JOS: 1 RUN9.5: VARUN TO JACOB: DOT9.6: VARUN TO JACOB: 1 RUNENG: 69/48.1: RAVI TO JOS: 1 RUN8.2: RAVI TO JACOB: DOT8.3: RAVI TO JACOB: 1 RUN8.4: RAVI TO JOS: 1 RUN8.5: RAVI TO JACOB: 1 RUN8.6: RAVI TO JOS: DOTENG: 65/47.1: VARUN TO BROOK: DOT7.2: VARUN TO BROOK: FOUR!7.3: VARUN TO BROOK: OUT! STUMP BOWLED!7.4: VARUN TO LIAM: DOT7.5: VARUN TO LIAM: OUT!7.6: VARUN TO JACOB: DOTENG: 61/26.1: AXAR TO BROOK: DOT6.2: AXAR TO BROOK: SIX!6.3: AXAR TO BROOK: DOT6.4: AXAR TO BROOK: 1 RUN6.5: AXAR TO JOS: SIX!6.6: AXAR TO JOS: 2 RUNSENG: 46/25.1: VARUN TO JOS: DOT5.2: VARUN TO JOS: 1 RUN5.3: VARUN TO BROOK: DOT5.4: VARUN TO BROOK: FOUR!5.5: VARUN TO BROOK: 1 RUN5.6: VARUN TO JOS: 2 RUNSENG: 38/24.1: ARSHDEEP TO JOS: 1 RUN4.2: ARSHDEEP TO BROOK: 1 RUN4.3: ARSHDEEP TO JOS: DOT4.4: ARSHDEEP TO JOS: 1 RUN4.5: ARSHDEEP TO BROOK: DOT4.6: ARSHDEEP TO BROOK: DOTENG: 35/23.1: HARDIK TO JOS: WIDE!3.2: HARDIK TO JOS: FOUR!3.4: HARDIK TO JOS: FOUR!3.3: HARDIK TO JOS: DOT3.5: HARDIK TO JOS: FOUR!3.6: HARDIK TO JOS: FOUR!3.7: HARDIK TO JOS: 1 RUNENG: 17/22.1: ARSHDEEP TO JOS: 1 RUN2.2: ARSHDEEP TO BEN: DOT2.3: ARSHDEEP TO BEN: DOT2.4: ARSHDEEP TO BEN: FOUR!2.5: ARSHDEEP TO BEN: OUT! ARSHDEEP STRIKES THE SECOND WICKET AS WELL2.6: ARSHDEEP TO BROOK: DOTENG: 12/11.1: HARDIK TO JOS: 1 RUN1.2: HARDIK TO JOS: FOUR!1.3: HARDIK TO JOS: DOT1.4: HARDIK TO JOS: DOT1.5: HARDIK TO JOS: FOUR!1.6: HARDIK TO JOS: 1 RUNENG: 3/10.1: ARSHDEEP TO SALT: DOT 0.2: ARSHDEEP TO SALT: DOT0.3: ARSHDEEP TO SALT: OUT! PHIL SALT MISJUDGES IT AND SANJU SAMSON LEAVES NO CHANCE OF DROPPING THE BALL0.4: ARSHDEEP TO JOS: TWO RUNSHARDIK TO0.5: ARSHDEEP TO JOS: DOT0.6: ARSHDEEP TOJOS: 1 RUNIND vs ENG 1st T20I live: Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to bowl first in the first T20I match at the Eden Gardens.IND vs ENG 1st T20I live: Full squads India: Suryakumar Yadav (capt.), Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel (v-capt.), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Shami, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel (wk). England: Jos Buttler (capt.), Ben Duckett, Phil Salt (wk), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood. IND vs ENG 1st T20I live: Playing XI India: Suryakumar Yadav (capt.), Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel (v-capt.), Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi. England: Jos Buttler (capt.), Ben Duckett, Phil Salt (wk), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.
22 January,2025 10:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTeam India star pacer Mohammed Shami opened up on his return to the national side after recovering from his ankle injury. Team India is all set to lock horns with England for the first T20I match at the Eden Gardens. Ahead of the T20I series against England, Mohammed Shami will lead the Indian pace attack in Jasprit Bumrah's absence. Last year, Shami returned to domestic cricket with Bengal after undergoing an ankle surgery that kept him sidelined for nearly a year. Shami had also been a part of Bengal's squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Mohammed Shami's last international appearance was during the ODI World Cup 2023. Following the injuries, the pacer returned to the game for Bengal in a Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh. Also Read: "No one has to tell Rohit what to do": Mumbai skipper Ajinkya Rahane Earlier on January 11, Mohammed Shami was added to the India squad for the T20I series against England. Speaking in a video shared on the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) social media handle and said that he had waited for an entire year and worked very hard to get back to the Team India squad. He added that one will get results if they work hard. "I waited for an entire year and I worked very hard, there was a sense of fear even while running. It is difficult for any player to get injured after being in full flow, go to the NCA for rehabilitation and then make a comeback. When you go through injuries, I feel you grow stronger as an athlete. Because you have to repeat a lot of things while being mentally strong... whatever is done, it is done. I have crossed that phase. If you work hard, you will get the result...," Shami told BCCI in a video. After testing times & a long wait, he is back to don the blues 💙For Mohd. Shami, it's only "UP & UP" 👆🏻 from here onWATCH 🎥🔽 #TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @MdShami11 | @IDFCFIRSTBank https://t.co/V03n61Yd6Y — BCCI (@BCCI) January 22, 2025 Shami has also been added to the Team India squad for the forthcoming Champions Trophy 2025, which will kick off from February 19. The five-match T20I series will kick off on January 22 in Kolkata. The second and third matches will be held on January 25 and 28 in Chennai and Rajkot, respectively. The fourth game of the series will be played on January 31 in Pune. Mumbai will host the final match of the T20I series on February 2. India's squad for the T20I series against England: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel (VC), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Shami, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel (WK). (With ANI Inputs)
22 January,2025 06:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane feels that Rohit Sharma doesn't need to be told what to do and he will get a big one once he gets in. Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal will be in focus when Mumbai will lock horns with Jammu and Kashmir at the BKC Ground. "See, Rohit is Rohit. We all know that. Aapko bhi pata hai Rohit ka character (You also know Rohit's character). I am really happy to have both of them back in the Mumbai dressing room," Ajinkya Rahane told media during Mumbai's training session here on Wednesday. "Rohit has always been relaxed. Even playing at the international level, his character is similar. His attitude is pretty much relaxed. He knows his game really well so, no one has to tell him what he needs to do." "Once he gets in, I'm sure he will do well. He has never changed, which is a very good thing," Rahane added. Form has deserted the 37-year-old Rohit in the past few months with Test losses to New Zealand (at home) and Australia (away) weighing heavily on him currently." Ajinkya Rahane further said that every player goes through ups and downs but Rohit Sharma has been really confident. "What is important is (that) he is hungry, he is determined to do well. I am sure once he gets in, he will get a big one," the veteran, who has shared the Indian dressing room with Rohit, said. Also Read: "It's going to be a bat-vs-bat contest": Akash Chopra on India vs ENG T20 Series "He batted really well yesterday (in) a couple of sessions so it's part and parcel of a player's career. I am really confident about Rohit." Ajinkya Rahane also said that the Jammu and Kashmir clash could be the only match that Rohit Sharma would feature in the Ranji Trophy this season. The Indian skipper will then return to the national side to lead the pack against England for the three ODIs and later for the Champions Trophy 2025. "I think he's only playing this game; not sure about the next game. His inputs in the next four days will be really important," Ajinkya Rahane said. The Mumbai skipper said that Yashasvi Jaiswal has shown determination at the highest level which has been the reason for his success in the international circuit. "...(In the) last couple of years, he's been performing well for the Indian team (and) before that, going into the Indian team, he did well for Mumbai as well," he said. "It's good to have a guy like Yashasvi in the team who is really hungry and determined to score runs. These things will really impact all the youngsters in the dressing room," Rahane added. Ajinkya Rahane heaped praises on Rohit and Jaiswal for sharing their experiences with the Mumbai team. "As a team, (and) individually, players are going up to them (and) asking questions, learning from them. Once they are on the field, I am sure the players will watch them and they'll learn a lot of things from them," he added. When asked if Rohit and Jaiswal would open for Mumbai, Rahane quipped "Is this even a question?" "For any cricketer, getting match preparation (and) game-time is really important. Obviously, there is no red-ball (Test) cricket at this moment. But they are going to play white-ball (competitions)," he said. Rahane, meanwhile, was confident that Mumbai would be able to hit their strides after spending a considerable time in white-ball competitions. Teams played five Ranji league games before white-ball tournaments -- Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy and Vijay Hazare ODI Trophy -- were conducted. The Ranji season now resumes for its second and final leg. "The challenge is to adapt quickly as a team because everyone has been playing white-ball cricket since last one-and-a-half-months. For us as a team, it's important to be in the moment, focus on our strengths," Rahane said. "In red-ball (cricket), we've been doing really good as a team so it's all about staying in the moment, not too much thinking about the result and outcome," he said. (With PTI Inputs)
22 January,2025 05:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFormer India cricketer Akash Chopra, while speaking exclusively on Star Sports’ Game Plan, shared his thoughts on India’s upcoming T20 series against England, starting today at 7:00 PM on the Jio-Star Network, the official broadcaster. Here’s what he had to say: On India’s domination in T20 internationals:"Sky is the limit. I mean, quite literally. He is the captain as well, and under his tenure, the team is also playing very aggressively. See, once in a while, when you think too far ahead and fly too high, then sometimes you fall too. So, when we're talking about close to 300 run targets, it's possible that one day we'll reach only 125. That is also a possibility. But, the way this team plays, it feels like it's been decided—we'll be fearless. After that, we'll see what happens." On Abhishek Sharma’s form:"Abhishek’s form has been a little up and down. In the beginning, in his second T20I, he scored a century against Zimbabwe. After that, a lot of promise, a lot of potential, but not enough performance. So, I think for Abhishek Sharma, this is the final opportunity, and I really love the kid. I think if he does well, it will be a great thing. But these 5 matches—go ahead and live your life. Because in these matches, like Sanju has made his name in the last 3 matches, in the same way, Abhishek Sharma will have to do it. Or else, there will be a little change in time, and Jaiswal will come back." Also Read: AB de Villiers to come out of retirement? Here's what he said about his return On Suryakumar Yadav’s performance:"Honestly, for Surya, it's a little interesting. If we see the T20 numbers for the last whole year, they are very middling numbers. So, it's been a pretty dry period for Surya runs-wise. He didn't shine that much, but batting at number 4, I think, is a little counterproductive. Surya should be batting at 3, but he has given his place to Tilak. So, he will have to wait because, in the beginning, when the runs are more, Surya has less time to actually express himself. So, it's going to be difficult once again." On Arshdeep Singh’s role in this series:"Extremely important. Because there will be Ben Duckett and Phil Salt as their opening pair, at number 3 they have Jos Buttler, and you realize that if their wickets don't fall, then there will be a lot of beating. But the best thing about this bowler is that he takes wickets in the initial overs. He also has variations." On Jos Buttler:"I think Jos Buttler, even in 2024, his numbers are good. It's a 5-match series, so he knows what he can do, and we can expect at least 2 batting innings from Jos Buttler." On expectations from today’s game and the overall series:"Let's prepare for the run-fest. Because a lot of runs will be made. See, it's a T20 format. In many places, there might be a role of dew because it's still cold in many places, you might see dew in the evening. It's possible that the team that will chase later will feel a little easier to chase because in T20’s it happens anyway. But If dew comes, then it becomes even easier. So, from east to west, I think, batting will be at its best. It'll be fun. There'll be a lot of beating for the bowlers." On the overall India vs England series:"It's going to be a bat-vs-bat contest. Because batting is a heavy-weight on both sides. If we look at the clash, it's not a light-weight clash. It's a heavy-weight clash, in which, if you hit a six, the other team can hit two. And it's possible that if the pitch is right, both innings will be equal. The tempo can be set with the first match, and the other team will also look at it from the same perspective. You're also playing elevens. You're also worried about batting. That's why you play two-three proper bowlers; the rest are all-rounders. So, when both teams play the same type of cricket, almost a similar brand of cricket, then there should be a good clash. In my opinion, there should be a lot of runs." On the challenges faced by Team India in recent months:"In the past six months, if there is anything we have learned, it is that we have to work hard. We can't do without it. We never lost to Sri Lanka for 27 years. But we lost. We've never lost to New Zealand in our lives. For the first time, we lost a series 3-0 in a team match. So, one thing I've understood is that it's good to be humble. It's good to stay grounded. And whatever you do on the field, it is considered the same. So, I'm not going to take this series lightly." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
22 January,2025 04:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAB de Villiers wants to play real cricket again. The South African legend is not looking to feature in the high-pressure environment of the Indian Premier League (IPL), but somewhere casual where he can have a bit of fun and please his children. AB De Villiers drew curtains on all forms of cricket in November 2021 to spend more time with his family. The former South African captain is now involved with multiple projects in charity and broadcasting. He is also the brand ambassador of the ongoing SA20. But in a chat with Melinda Farrell on her Youtube channel, de Villiers let it slip that he wishes to play the game again. Also Read: Dropped from Team India, Mohammed Siraj gears up for next round of Ranji Trophy matches "I might still play cricket one day. No confirmation whatsoever. My kids are putting me under a bit of pressure and I feel like I could go to the nets with them," de Villiers said referring his three children -- two sons Abraham and John, and daughter Yente. "My boy could feel me bowling machine balls...maybe I will walk out and play a bit of casual cricket somewhere," he added. AB de Villiers hinted at playing proper cricket but not featuring in professional leagues like IPL or SA20. "I am talking on a more serious note, actually, of playing some real cricket not professional IPL or SA20 stuff but who knows? I have had my fair share (of high pressure cricket), that's done," he said. A slight challenge to that ambition is his eyesight, especially the "bit blurry" left one. " ...this right one is the dominant one, it is working fine. I am doing it for my kids and see if I can go out there and enjoy cricket again. Even if it is very casual and see where we draw the line. "We are not talking RCB (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) and some stuff. I don't want to feel that pressure again. Wherever I go I would want to have bit of fun," added the batting great, whose wide range of strokes, some of them quite unconventional, earned him the moniker 'Mr 360'. AB de Villiers represented the Rainbow Nation in 114 Test matches, 228 ODIs and 78 T20Is. He also holds the record of the fastest 50, 100 and 150 in ODI cricket. (With PTI Inputs)
22 January,2025 04:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentHaving been dropped from the Indian squad of the whit-ball series against England and the Champions Trophy 2025, Mohammed Siraj will feature in the domestic cricket to regain his national team. With this in mind, Mohammed Siraj is all set to play in the Group B Ranji Trophy match against Vidarbha from January 30. Mohammed Siraj has started his preparation at the Gymkhana grounds in Hyderabad. Team India captain Rohit Sharma said that Mohammed Siraj has lost his effectiveness with the old ball and was dropped from the team after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Also Read: Yuzvendra Chahal alongside these players are set to play in Shani’s Trophy 2025 "Mohammed Siraj gets into gear for the upcoming #RanjiTrophy match between Hyderabad and Vidarbha! He kicked off his prep with an intense session at Gymkhana grounds TODAY!" the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) said in a post on X on Tuesday. The HCA also put out a video on X, formerly Twitter, which showed Siraj bowling at full steam in nets to local batters. Mohammed Siraj will make his appearance in Hyderabad's next Ranji Trophy match after getting concluded with Himachal Pradesh's match from January 23 to 26. Vidarbha are currently leading the points table in Group B with 28 points from five matches with Himachal Pradesh at second with 21 points. Hyderabad is presently sitting in sixth position with nine points from five matches with one win, two losses, and two draws. Siraj has recently confirmed his availability for Hyderabad's match match against Vidarbha. Jagan Mohan Rao, the President of Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), told IANS that he didn’t know the reason behind Siraj not being available for the game against Himachal Pradesh on January 23. Rao added that there’s a likely chance of Siraj playing the next Ranji Trophy game for Hyderabad, where they will be up against table-toppers Vidarbha, starting on January 30 in Nagpur. Mohammed Siraj wasn't picked in India's squad for three ODIs against England and the Champions Trophy 2025. In ODIs from 2002 to 2024, Mohammed Siraj claimed 71 wickets with an average of 22.97, the most by any Indian speedster in this period. (With IANS Inputs)
22 January,2025 03:34 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTeam India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, Riyan Parag and Rahul Tewatia are the players to feature in the Shani's Trophy which will kick start in February 2025. The Shani's Trophy will witness the likes of retired stars, current Ranji Trophy players and state-level cricketers under one roof. The Shani’s Trophy will feature 10 competitive teams, battling it out in a unique 25-over format. Each day will feature two matches, with one scheduled for the morning and the other for the afternoon/evening session, ensuring non-stop action for fans. The tournament will see the star-studded lineup of players who bring immense experience to the Shani's Trophy. Also Read: Meet Shahid Saeed Ansari, an India cricketer by day and a delivery agent by night! Leading the charge is Yuzvendra Chahal, India’s premier leg-spinner, renowned for his match-winning abilities in white-ball cricket. Joining him is Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, Indian Premier League (IPL) star Riyan Parag and Jayant Yadav. All of these players are currently not part of India's T20I squad but will be gearing up for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Adding to the prestige of the event, former Indian cricketer and ex-BCCI selector Chetan Sharma has been announced as the Shani's Trophy brand ambassador, the organisers informed in a release on Tuesday. Speaking about the tournament Sumit Shukla, president of Shani's Trophy and managing director of Divya Future Sports, said, "We are thrilled to bring this unique format to life in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) and the Cricket Association of Lucknow (CAL). With the backing of the UPCA and CAL and the participation of some of the finest cricketers, we aim to deliver an unforgettable cricketing experience for fans." The Shani’s Trophy is being jointly organized by the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) and the Cricket Association of Lucknow, in collaboration with Divya Future Sports. In a letter of intimation on behalf of the Cricket Association of Lucknow addressed to Sumit Shukla, it has been stated that the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) and the Cricket Association of Lucknow have granted permission to stage the tournament. (With IANS Inputs)
22 January,2025 03:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShahid Saeed Ansari’s life is a juggle… and a struggle! By day, the wheelchair-bound cricketer, who represents the Indian team, practises his batting and wicketkeeping skills, and by night (7 pm to 11 pm), he negotiates the busy Malad traffic as a Zomato delivery agent. Ansari, 44, has played around 40 international matches for India since 2017, scoring one half-century besides numerous stumpings and sharp catches. Shahid Saeed Ansari has always been in love with cricket despite losing sensation in both feet after a severe bout of fever at the age of one. His mother Shamim, 73, excitedly illustrates how he would crawl, climb and then jump over a three-foot wall adjoining their home to get to a nearby ground to play with his friends when he was a kid. “He would always say he’ll play for India one day, but we thought it was impossible,” Shamim tells mid-day in their modest 10 feet by 20 feet tenement in the narrow bylanes of Malwani, Malad. India wheelchair cricketer Shahid Saeed Ansari plays one on the off side during a practice session in Malwani, Malad, yesterday. Pics/Nimesh Dave Could not afford school Also Read: Satwik-Chirag sail into Rd 2 Ansari’s story is one of sheer grit and determination. He studied at Queen Mary HS in Malad till Class IV after which he had to leave school due to financial constraints. A few years later, he enrolled for a technical course at the Yashwantrao College in Borivli, but had to give that up too due to lack of funds. That’s when he started doing odd jobs to survive. “I began stitching clothes at an outlet in the 1990s. A few years later, I repaired electric appliances at home. Then came the mobile revolution in the 2000s and I learnt how to repair phones. This continued till 2015 even as I kept playing gully cricket with friends, not knowing wheelchair cricket even existed. In 2015, I got to know of it and started training. In 2017, there was a selection trial in Agra, where I got picked for the Bangladesh series and made my India debut,” explains Ansari, who plays as an all-rounder in the Maharashtra state team. Ansari is proud of his lone half-century in 40-odd internationals. “There are no official statistics for Indian wheelchair cricket, so I can’t give you numbers, but that 60 was a match-winning effort against Bangladesh in Dhaka during a three match T20I tour there in 2017-18,” says Ansari. Ansari with his collection of trophies and medals at his modest home in Malwani Asia Cup coming up Currently, Ansari is training hard for the 3rd Asia Cup to be held in Pakistan this April followed by an eight-team World Cup (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Australia, Kenya) also to be held in the neighouring nation. His cricket journey though hasn’t been financially rewarding. “Agra-based Divyang Cricket Control Board is our parent body, but with the Board of Control for Cricket in India not considering us for affiliation, funding is our biggest problem. We India players are not paid. Only if we win a tournament, the prize money, which maybe a couple of lakh rupees, is split between all of us,” says Ansari, which is why he decided to rent an electric wheelchair around a year back to work as a food delivery agent. Ansari heads out for a Zomato delivery in Malad yesterday “Zomato have been kind. Initially, they would pay Rs 18 per delivery, so monthly I earned just Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000. But recently, they increased the amount to R80 for wheelchair agents. Now I earn Rs 15,000 to Rs 18,000 per month of which 30 per cent goes towards rent for my electric wheelchair. A new electric wheelchair costs around R1 lakh which is obviously unaffordable for me. But the good thing about this job is that I work in the evenings [7pm to 11pm] so I can do my cricket practice in the morning or afternoon,” says Ansari. Mounting expenses The income is clearly insufficient as he has cricket equipment to purchase regularly besides four mouths to feed. “My daughter Huraina is three and will start school next year, so my expenses will increase. I hope to get a private or a government job that offers stability,” he says. But Ansari is not one to sit around and sulk meanwhile. He is preparing to organise a national-level three-team (Maharashtra, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh) Wheelchair Cricket League in the city and is spreading the word among promising wheelchair-bound cricketers and also approaching sponsors. As fate would have it, one of his Zomato deliveries took him to Malad-based restaurateur Ronnie D’Souza, who also runs UK United Sports, where players are coached in disciplines like horse riding, football, hockey and basketball. “When Shahid approached me, I was touched and promised to help him. I hope and pray the wheels of fortune keep turning for him from now on,” says D’Souza. Those interested in helping Shahid Saeed Ansari can get in touch with him on 7977987417 Shahid Ansari’s international career highs 2017Made his international debut in a three-match T20I bilateral series against Bangladesh in Dhaka. 2018Played in a three-match T20I bilateral series against Bangladesh in Mumbai. 2018Played in a T20I triangular series in Kathmandu, Nepal (involving the hosts and Bangladesh). 2019Played in the first edition of the Wheelchair Cricket Asia Cup T20I tournament in Kathmandu, Nepal 2023Played in the 2nd Wheelchair Cricket Asia Cup T20I tournament in Kathmandu, Nepal
22 January,2025 08:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Ashwin FerroMumbai Cricket Association president Ajinkya Naik has hailed umpire Anil Dandekar, who will officiate in his 100th first-class match tomorrow when Tamil Nadu take on Chandigarh in the Ranji at Salem. “This achievement is testament to your hard work, dedication, and passion for the game,” said Naik in a message. Also Read: 'Sky is the limit' According to a report on the BCCI website, Dandekar has officiated in 87 Ranji Trophy matches, four Duleep Trophy matches, two Sheffield Shield matches, two Sunfoil Series matches and four tour matches. He has also officiated Test, ODI, and T20 International cricket as a reserve umpire.
22 January,2025 07:42 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentBig guns Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will not fire for India anymore, the two having retired from T20 Internationals after the World Cup last year. But, then, that’s far from the talking point before Suryakumar Yadav and his men take on England at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday. No, it’s not about the two’s terrible batting form in recent months, but the manner in which India have approached cricket’s shortest format post the Caribbean conquest. The new mantra seems to be ‘SKY is the limit’ with batters quickly imbibing the spirit of their new skipper. A team that was already pushing the boundaries in aggressive batting has found a new gear. T20’s record-breaking year had ended with ridiculous run-rates. Big contest For T20 fans, it’s just as well that the hosts will be up against England in the five-match series that begins here. Jos Buttler & Co have arrived with the material and mood to make this a real contest. At the Eden, with its perfect pitch and short boundaries, the teams could well set the tone with a rollicking run-feast. Also Read: Gill’s appointment as vice-captain is forward-thinking move: R Ashwin If the likes of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma and SKY promise to provide the perfect launch to the innings, England have their men in Phil Salt, Ben Duckett and Buttler. Both Salt and Buttler have happy memories of the ground from last year’s IPL. Seven in the visitors’ squad enjoy this familiarity factor. In a match loaded in favour of batsmen, the impact of bowling units could well decide the outcome. The Indians have the arduous task of delivering without Jasprit Bumrah’s incisive pace and fit-again Mohammad Shami, Harshid Rana and Arshdeep Singh will have to rise to the occasion. KKR’s Varun Chakravarthy, among wickets here and in SA, will be back to familiar conditions. Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar add nice variety to the spin department while Hardik Pandya’s pace is a handy option. Pace aces England’s pace bowling has the more ominous look. The likes of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood will enjoy the bounce and ‘carry’ of the Eden strip but Adil Rashid’s maturity as a leg-spinner could well thrust him into a crucial role. It could be a good toss to win with dew usually playing a big role at this time of the year. India, reigning World T20 champions, had knocked out England in the semi-finals, an outcome that has had heads rolling. It has left both teams with just that whiff of the ‘new.’
22 January,2025 07:39 AM IST | Kolkata | Arup ChatterjeeADVERTISEMENT
