Varma carries India to 2-0 lead against England
CHENNAI : Tilak Varma's brilliant 72 not out guided India to a thrilling two-wicket victory over England on Saturday, handing the hosts a 2-0 lead in the five-match Twenty20 International series.
Ravi Bishnoi Sport News
India's Likely Playing XI vs England, 2nd T20I: Mohammed Shami To Make Return?
India's thumping 7-wicket victory against England in the first T20I of the series saw the hosts set expectations clear from the word go. Opening batter Abhishek Sharma was the top-scoring batter, registering a knock of 79 runs off 34 balls as England were handed a cricketing lesson by India. However, the match did give the Indian team a heartbreak as there was no place for the returning pacer Mohammed Shami in the team. India only went with Arshdeep Singh as a frontline pacer, with all-rounder Hardik Pandya and three spinners accompanying him in attack.
2nd T20I: India Keep An Eye On Mohammed Shami's Fitness, Look To Extend Lead Against England
Unruffled by the lingering fitness concerns surrounding Mohammed Shami, the well-oiled machine that is India's T20 team will be eyeing an encore of its opening game performance against a stunned England in the second game of a five-match series in Chennai on Saturday. India lead the rubber 1-0 after a facile seven-wicket victory at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday. The hosts would certainly want to see Shami in action but his inclusion in the eleven, as things stand now, will depend on further evaluation of his fitness.
"I Am Little Worried": Mohammed Shami's Absence vs England Ahead Of Champions Trophy Raises Ex-Star's Suspicion
Mohammed Shami's potential return to international cricket was further delayed after the player's name was missing from India's playing XI against England for the first T20I in Kolkata on Wednesday. The right-arm pacer stayed on the sidelines due to a prolonged injury lay-off. Shami, who has already proved his fitness in practice sessions and domestic cricket for Bengal, was not there in the India playing XI. Notably, India played with one pure pacer in Arshdeep Singh while opting for three spin-bowling options.
Arshdeep Singh Shatters All-Time India T20I Record With Twin Blows In 1st England T20I
Pacer Arshdeep Singh on Wednesday became India's all-time leading wicket-taker in T20Is, surpassing leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in the elite list. Arshdeep achieved the feat during the first T20I of the five-match series against England at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Arshdeep was on 95 wickets heading into the series-opener, just one scalp behind Chahal (96) who is not part of the squad. However, he dismissed England openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett in the first and third over, respectively.
No Mohammed Shami In Playing XI For 1st England T20I. Suryakumar Yadav Says "We Want To..."
India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to bowl against England in the 1st T20I at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday. However, there was a big surprise as far as India's playing XI is concerned with star pacer Mohammed Shami unable to make the cut. Shami, who last played for India in November 2023, was seen bowling in the nets ahead of toss, before Suryakumar delivered the shocking news. Speaking on India's playing XI, India skipper Suryakumar said that he wanted to stick to the strengths.
India's Likely XI vs England In 1st T20I: These 2 Stars "May Have To Wait": Report. Reason Is...
With heavy dew likely to impact the proceedings during the opening T20I at the Eden Gardens, India's bowlers practised with wet balls and it will not be a surprise if the hosts field only two spinners, given the conditions. Dew is a perennial concern at this time of the year at Eden Gardens. Since dew makes it difficult to grip the ball, fielding a third spinner could prove to be costly. Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, a key member of the reigning IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders, appears to be an automatic choice for India and head coach Gautam Gambhir likely to pair him alongside vice-captain Axar Patel.
LSG Set To Unveil Rishabh Pant As Captain At "Special" Event In Kolkata: Report
Having made a splash at the IPL auction by acquiring Rishabh Pant, the most expensive player in IPL history, Lucknow Super Giants are all set to unveil the India star wicketkeeper as their next captain on Monday. Without disclosing anything, owner of LSG Sanjiv Goenka has called for the "special" media interaction of the IPL franchise where the jersey unveiling is also expected. Pant, who was bought by LSG for Rs 27 crore, would mark his second stint as a leader in the IPL.