Page 2 - India Cricket Team

Iyer backs Sanju and Abhishek as openers, says Sooryavanshi must wait

India T20 captain Shreyas Iyer on Wednesday said young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi cannot "walk" into the playing eleven just yet as Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are scoring consistently at the top, insisting that the teenager will get his chances in due course. Since being picked for the England and Ireland tour earlier this year, Sooryavanshi has featured in eight of the 21 T20Is India have played so far as regular openers Abhishek and Samson have been performing consistently. Both of them played a key role in India defending their T20I World Cup title earlier this year. "It's important that a talent like him (Sooryavanshi) should always be happy around the dressing room," Iyer said on the eve of a five-match series against New Zealand here. "He is very young, he has more years to get opportunities. It's not like he can walk in right now, because our openers are scoring consistently, and they have won the World Cup." At the Asian Games, Samson dropped down to numb

"Who will talk to me?": Mohammed Shami on communication with selectors

Bengal's Ranji Trophy win over Services, Mohammed Shami discusses doubts about his ability to bowl long spells, communication with selectors and his international future.

Shafali Verma reprimanded for breaching ICC Code of Conduct in 2nd T20I

India vice-captain Shafali Verma was on Tuesday handed an official reprimand for throwing the ball to the ground in frustration after dropping a catch during the second T20I against Zimbabwe. The 22-year-old was found to have breached Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during India's nine-wicket victory in Raipur on Sunday. Verma was found to have breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match," an ICC media release said. In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to Verma's disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period. The incident occurred in the 12th over of Zimbabwe's innings when Verma, after dropping Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano at mid-off off Shree Charani's bowling, threw the ball to the ground in frustration. Verma admitted the offence and accepted the sanction propos

IND vs NZ stats: Top 10 highest wicket-takers across Tests, ODIs and T20Is

New Zealand will host India in five T20Is, five ODIs and two Test matches in the all-format tour starting on Thursday

IND vs NZ stats: Top 10 highest run-getters across Tests, ODIs and T20Is

In the 41-day-long tour, India will face New Zealand in five T20Is, five ODIs and two Test matches

Shafali reveals focus on consistency after studying Australian batters

After making an aggressive fifty against Zimbabwe in the second T20I, Indian women's team opener Shafali Verma on Sunday said she analysed the methods of Australian batters to inculcate more consistency into her batting. Shafali's 25-ball 55 led India to a series-clinching nine-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the second T20I here. "In 2025, when I was back at home, I was thinking about what I can improve. Consistency was one of those things and I analysed the Australian batters to see what they were doing to try and improve," Shafali said during the post-match presentation. The right-hander was adjudged player of the match. Skipper Smriti Mandhana, who made an unbeaten 47, was delighted to see Shafali deliver in a crucial match. "Shafali was just doing her thing and I was happy to take singles. And when my chances came, I took them. That's the brand we want to play," she said. Mandhana was also impressed to see a better bowling effort. "It was a good one today. The bowlers were real

Shafali, Mandhana power India to 9-wicket win over Zimbabwe in 2nd WT20I

Opener Shafali Verma clobbered a 25-ball 55 as India dismantled an inexperienced Zimbabwe by nine wickets in the second women's T20I to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series here on Sunday. The result of the match was a forgone conclusion once Zimbabwe were restricted to a lowly 102 for eight after they opted to bat first. Shafali and skipper Smriti Mandhana (47 not out) unfurled their elite skills to decimate the tourists during their riveting opening stand, as India chased down the target of 103 in a mere 8.5 overs. It also helped Mandhana begin her full-time captaincy stint with a series triumph. Shafali, who added 96 runs with Mandhana, reached her fifty in 26 balls by hitting off-spinner Beloved Biza for a six. It was her 22nd half-century in T20Is. Michelle Mavunga suffered at the hands of the Indian opener, getting creamed for 4, 4, 6 in successive balls. Mandhana too had her moments when she peeled off four boundaries in a row off pacer Nyasha Gwanzura,

IND vs WI 5th T20I live streaming: Where to watch today's cricket match?

India vs West Indies 5th T20I begins at 7 pm IST on Saturday, with the toss at 6:30 pm IST. Fans in India can stream the match on the JioHotstar app and website

India vs West Indies 5th T20I: Playing 11, live toss time (IST), streaming

Shreyas Iyer-led Team India will look to avoid another T20I series loss when they take on the West Indies in the fifth T20I in Bengaluru on Saturday

IND vs ZIM live streaming: Where to watch today's women's T20I match?

India women vs Zimbabwe women 1st T20I begins at 7 pm IST on Friday, with the toss at 6:30 pm IST. Fans in India can stream the match on the JioHotstar app and website

IND vs WI 5th T20I: Bengaluru weather report and hourly rain forecast

Both India and West Indies will be looking to secure the series by winning the fifth T20I in Bengaluru, as the series is currently tied at 2-2 after four matches

Comeback preponed! Bhuvneshwar added to India's squad for 5th T20I vs WI

Bhuvneshwar, who last represented India in November 2022, could now feature in the final T20I in Bengaluru on Saturday

Iyer stresses better execution and fresh mindset after T20I loss vs WI

India skipper Shreyas Iyer on Wednesday stressed the need for better execution and the right mindset going forward after the hosts suffered a 24-run defeat against the West Indies in the fourth T20I here. India's innings ended at 223/9 in 19.3 overs after Arshdeep Singh retired hurt while chasing the West Indies' imposing total of 247 for three, allowing the visitors to level the five-match series 2-2. The series decider will be played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday. "It all started with bowling. We didn't execute our line and lengths well and, at the end of the day, when you're chasing 250, you have to go about it in a certain pattern," Iyer said. "I liked our approach during the chase, but we were unfortunate that we couldn't execute our plans with the ball, and that's where we fell a bit short." "They executed their plans well, and there was a bit of assistance from the wicket as well. The ball was kicking up, and they used the field pretty well. So, cred

ODI World Cup triumph not enough, India must work hard in T20Is: Mandhana

Newly appointed captain Smriti Mandhana on Wednesday said India may have won the ODI World Cup recently, but the team still needs to work hard in the shortest format, with the inaugural edition of the Women's Champions Trophy set to be held early next year. India will host the six-team tournament in the T20 format at Mumbai's Brabourne Stadium and the BCA Stadium in Vadodara from February 14 to 28. Mandhana is set to lead India in her first assignment as full-time captain when the hosts take on Zimbabwe in a three-match T20I series starting here on Friday, followed by three ODIs in Vadodara. She took charge from Harmanpreet Kaur. Mandhana said India would look to make the most of the six T20Is ahead of the Women's Champions Trophy. "The first bilateral (series) with Zimbabwe, I think, is very exciting. It is our first time playing with them," Mandhana told reporters here. "Sometimes, playing with Zimbabwe and all the Associate nations, it feels like you can learn a lot from them a

IND vs WI 4th T20I: Hope and Paul shine as West Indies level series 2-2

Keemo Paul's 5 for 41 followed Shai Hope's first-innings 102 not out as a clinical West Indies beat India by 24 runs in the fourth T20I to level the five-match series 2-2 here on Wednesday. The fifth and final T20I will be played on Saturday at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Sanju Samson struck a 23-ball 56 at the top but India fell way short in the run chase, getting bowled out for 223 in reply to the West Indies' 247 for three. Arshdeep Singh copped a blow to his right shoulder in the final over from Shamar Joseph and subsequently retired out. Earlier, Hope led the way with 102 not out as the West Indies posted a huge total. Hope struck nine sixes and four fours to make his runs off 50 balls. Sherfane Rutherford made 49 not out off 26 balls with four fours and three sixes. Brief scores: West Indies 247/3 in 20 overs (Shai Hope 102 not out, Shimron Hetmyer 33, Sherfane Rutherford 49 not out; Prince Yadav 1/36) beat India 223 all out in 19.3 overs (Sanju Samson 56, Tilak Varm

IND vs WI 4th T20I live streaming: Where to watch today's cricket match?

India vs West Indies 4th T20I begins at 7 pm IST on Wednesday, with the toss at 6:30 pm IST. Fans in India can stream the match on the JioHotstar app and website

Sammy says West Indies' powerplay struggles hurting them against India

West Indies need to win both powerplays to beat India in India, head coach Darren Sammy said on Tuesday, identifying the first six overs as the decisive phase in the ongoing T20I series while backing experienced all-rounder Roston Chase amid criticism over his place in the side. India lead the five-match series 2-1 ahead of the fourth T20 International here on Wednesday, with Sammy saying his side had repeatedly been forced to recover from expensive powerplays while bowling. "I think the powerplay was the difference that prevented us from going 2-1 up, because we could have been 2-1 up as well," Sammy said. He pointed out that India had scored at nearly 14.5 runs per over in the powerplay, despite West Indies restricting the scoring rate to below 10 runs an over in each of the subsequent three phases. "For us, it is about controlling the powerplay. So far, we have had to pull the game back every single time. That is an area we need to work on," he said. "To beat India in India, yo

India need attacking mindset to take wickets vs West Indies, says Tilak

India need to hunt for wickets rather than containing a power-packed West Indies batting line-up, vice-captain Tilak Varma said on Tuesday, stressing the importance of bowling plan execution as the hosts look to seal the five-match T20 International series in the fourth game itself. India are 2-1 ahead in the series and a win on Wednesday will give them an unassailable lead, while the visitors will be eager to draw level. The West Indies demonstrated their batting firepower by chasing down India's 249 in the second T20I, with skipper Shai Hope smashing a 45-ball 102. Tilak said India ill afford to relax against a side whose power-hitting extends till the last batter in the line-up. "The West Indies are a really good side, especially in T20 format. They play so much franchise cricket, so they know how to play this format. The power they have is unbelievable," Tilak said at the pre-match press conference on Tuesday. "Everyone can hit the ball. It is not just the openers, number thre

India vs West Indies 4th T20I: Playing 11, live toss time (IST), streaming

Abhishek Sharma's explosive 69 off 30 balls helped India post 223 in the third T20I in Indore, where the hosts eventually secured victory to go 2-1 up in the series

New Zealand announce ODI squad for India series; Test stars to leave early

Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson, and Tim Seifert will make their return to New Zealand's ODI setup, while Rachin Ravindra returns from a shoulder injury for the upcoming five-match series against India beginning November 4. Due to the Test series that follows the white-ball games, the selectors have named a split squad, withdrawing red-ball specialists after the third match. The New Zealand selectors have split the squad into three groups, with only six players -- Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Will Young, and Blair Tickner -- named for all five ODIs. Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, and Nathan Smith will feature exclusively in the first three matches starting with the game at Eden Park in Auckland. Following the third game, these Test specialists will leave the squad to prepare for the longer format in Wellington. To fill the vacancies for the final two ODIs, seven addition