sports.ndtv.com - "No Fixed...": Axar Patel's Honest Verdict On Team Composition Ahead Of England T20Is

"No Fixed...": Axar Patel's Honest Verdict On Team Composition Ahead Of England T20Is

Openers are the only ones with a fixed slot in the Indian T20 line-up and the batting order that follows will be made up of "multiple floaters", new vice-captain Axar Patel said on Monday while spelling out the team's strategy ahead the five-match series against England. India will start their campaign against England in a five-match T20I series at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday. Asked about being a floater in batting order, the all-rounder replied: "...it's not just about me; it applies to everyone in the team.

Merciless Iga Swiatek Crushes 'Lucky Loser' Eva Lys To Reach Melbourne Quarters

Iga Swiatek showed no mercy as she ended "lucky loser" Eva Lys's historic run at the Australian Open on Monday, the world number two marching into the quarter-finals 6-0, 6-1. There was to be no happy ending to Lys's incredible story against the ruthless five-time Grand Slam champion from Poland, who will meet either Emma Navarro or Daria Kasatkina for a place in the semi-finals. "There's a lot to improve. I don't feel like I'm in my peak yet," said Swiatek, who has dropped only two games in her last two matches.

Shruti Kotwal Eyes 2026 Winter Olympics Qualification, Wishes Skaters Ahead Of KIWG 2025

Shruti Kotwal will have her eyes on the upcoming Khelo India Winter Games 2025 in Ladakh even as she trains in the United States for the Asian Winter Games in February in China. India's first professional woman speed skater took part in KIWG last year and produced some standout performances in her maiden appearance at these Games. The 33-year-old from Pune will be leading India's charge in the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China from February 7-14. The sports ministry has cleared a squad of 41 athletes for AWG.

Rishabh Pant Gets Big 'Responsibility Warning From Suresh Raina: "Has To Tell Himself..."

Former cricketer Suresh Raina shared his views on the importance of Rishabh Pant in the Men in Blue squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 and said that the wicketkeeper-batter needs to "play with more responsibility". Earlier on Saturday, Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar and skipper Rohit Sharma held a press conference to announce the 15-member squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 and ODI series against England. Pant made his ODI debut in 2018 against West Indies following that he has scored 871 runs in 31 50-over matches at a strike rate of 106.21. The 27-year-old's last ODI game was against Sri Lanka in 2024, where he scored just six runs at a strike rate of 66.66.

Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite Pinpoints Reason For West Indies' Defeat Against Pakistan In 1st Test

Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite pointed out the reason behind West Indies' 127-run defeat against Pakistan in the first Test match of the series and said that the pitch in Multan was difficult to bat on. With the help of Sajid Khan's nine-wicket haul in the Multan Test, Pakistan clinched a massive 127-run triumph over West Indies on Sunday. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Brathwaite said that the Caribbeans expect the same type of pitch in the second Test match of the series against Pakistan.

On Shubman Gill's Elevation As Vice-Captain, Suresh Raina's Honest Take: "Rohit Sharma Clearly..."

Former India cricketer Suresh Raina believes opener Shubman Gill being appointed as the side's vice-captain for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy is a move which speaks volumes about his potential as a future leader. Gill served as India's vice-captain in the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka last year, and retained the position in the squad for three ODIs against England and the ICC Champions Trophy, with chief selector Ajit Agarkar saying that he showed ample qualities to be in that leadership role.

Rohit Sharma, Ajit Agarkar Slammed Over Mohammed Siraj's Champions Trophy Omission: "Feel For DSP"

Pacer Mohammed Siraj's exclusion from India's Champions Trophy squad has raised a few eyebrows. On Saturday, the BCCI announced a 15-man squad for the upcoming ODI series against England, as well as the mega event. Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Shami are the three front line pacers while youngster Harshit Rana will feature in the first two ODIs against England. Bumrah's fitness situation is unclear with the BCCI set to provide a clarity on the same in early February.

'Don't Need To Prove Anything To Anyone': Axar Patel's Blunt Take On T20I Vice-Captaincy

A contender to take veteran Ravindra Jadeja's place permanently at some point, spin-bowling all-rounder Axar Patel is aware of the possibilities that may arise during India's big Test transition but he doesn't feel the need to prove "anything to anyone" to make his case. Axar, who turned 31 on Monday, has been Jadeja's under-study for the past decade with same skill-sets but with a bit of less finesse than his fellow senior Gujarati. In his 11-year-international career, Axar has taken 184 wickets across three formats and 55 of them have come in 14 Tests, two of which were in Bangladesh when Jadeja was unfit.

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"No Fixed...": Axar Patel's Honest Verdict On Team Composition Ahead Of England T20Is

Merciless Iga Swiatek Crushes 'Lucky Loser' Eva Lys To Reach Melbourne Quarters

Shruti Kotwal Eyes 2026 Winter Olympics Qualification, Wishes Skaters Ahead Of KIWG 2025

Rishabh Pant Gets Big 'Responsibility Warning From Suresh Raina: "Has To Tell Himself..."

Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite Pinpoints Reason For West Indies' Defeat Against Pakistan In 1st Test

On Shubman Gill's Elevation As Vice-Captain, Suresh Raina's Honest Take: "Rohit Sharma Clearly..."

Rohit Sharma, Ajit Agarkar Slammed Over Mohammed Siraj's Champions Trophy Omission: "Feel For DSP"

'Don't Need To Prove Anything To Anyone': Axar Patel's Blunt Take On T20I Vice-Captaincy