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Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will be leading India for the very first time as he has been named as the captain for the series against South Africa after KL Rahul was ruled out due to a groin injury on Wednesday. Minutes after wrapping up the pre-match press conference, Pant went out to the middle and he practiced power-hitting right adjacent to the centre wicket.
A considerably weakened Indian team will look to get their preparations for the T20 World Cup under way against a full-strength South Africa in a five-match series that begins in Delhi on Thursday.
The unrelenting heat wave, with the temperature hovering in the high 40s in the national capital meant both India and South Africa had to shift their afternoon practice to the evening over the last two days.
South Africa, India captain KL Rahul was ruled out of the five-match series due to an injury, and the unfortunate exit understandably left him disappointed. Rishabh Pant was named as India's captain, replacing Rahul who wished Pant all the luck. All-rounder Hardik Pandya will take over as vice-captain of the side, with seniors Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rested for the series. In a message on his Twitter account, KL Rahul expressed his feelings after his chance to lead India for the first time at home ended in disappointment. He wrote, "Hard to accept but I begin another challenge today. Gutted not to be leading the side for the first time at home, but the boys have all my support from the sidelines. Heartfelt thanks to all for your support. Wishing Rishabh and the boys all the luck for the series. See you soon."
Rahul injures groin on eve of T20I seriesNEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant's journey in international cricket has been as unpredictable as his batting. He has zoomed through the ranks forever copping criticism for his flamboyant game. Even as doubts over his consistency continue, Pant became India's second youngest T20I captain as KL Rahul was ruled out of the T20I series against South Africa due to a groin injury on Wednesday. A carefree and happy-go-lucky man on the face of it, Pant wore an intense look during the optional training at the Ferozeshah Kotla on Wednesday, a day before the first T20I against South Africa. Juggling duties with match officials and his wicket-keeping drills under the scorching sun, Pant was getting ready for his big day. As he walked off the ground and headed for the pre-match press conference, he mentioned: "I am so glad this has happened at Kotla. Wish Tarak sir (his childhood coach who passed away last November) was there to witness this moment."
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam became the first batter to knock three successive one-day international hundreds twice as he anchored a five-wicket win over the West Indies in Multan on Wednesday. Ranked number one batter in both limited-overs formats, Azam cracked a brilliant 107-ball 103 with nine boundaries to help Pakistan overhaul a tough 306-run target in 49.2 overs. Opener Shai Hope knocked 134-ball 127 for his 12th one-day international century to help the West Indies post an impressive 305-8 -- their highest against Pakistan in Pakistan. The win gives Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the three match series and 10 crucial points in the ODI Super League, a qualification process for 2023 World Cup (50 overs) to be hosted by India. But once Azam and Mohammad Rizwan (59) fell in quick succession, Pakistan were in a spot of bother with 50 needed off 32 balls.
Ranji Trophy team on Thursday created a global first-class record when all nine batters, who took guard, scored half-centuries in a mammoth first innings score of 773 for eight against a hapless Jharkhand on the third day of the quarter-final, here. At stumps, Jharkhand were 139 for 5 in their first innings and it is virtually impossible to stop Bengal from entering the semi-final as the opposition now trails by 634 runs. The match will be remembered for a record that stood the test of time since 1893 when the touring Australian team, in a first-class game against combined universities (Oxford and Cambridge), had eight of their batters scoring fifty or more.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam continued his rich vein of form in international cricket as he slammed a century in the first ODI against West Indies in Multan to set up the foundation for an exciting chase, which saw the hosts reach the target of 306 runs with 4 balls to spare in Multan. Babar's knock of 103 off 107 balls was the cornerstone of Pakistan's innings. He was ably supported by Imam-ul-Haq (65) and Mohammad Rizwn (59).