The Indian cricket team has begun 2023 in one-dayers on a brilliant note. They first hammered Sri Lanka 3-0 at home in a three-match series and subsequently inflicted a whitewash on New Zealand by the same margin. While the Men in Blue have made a great start in the ODI World Cup year, which will be played at home towards the second half of 2023, one cannot read too much into the performances. In the past, India have also been exceptional in bilateral series but failed to translate the form into success in big ICC tournaments. As Team India builds up to the upcoming one-day World Cup, we analyze five challenges in front of the hosts.
1. WHERE TO FIT IN ISHAN KISHAN?
Very few countries can afford to leave out a guy who has notched up the fastest men’s ODI double hundred in their next match. India did that, backing Shubman Gill over Ishan Kishan for the Sri Lanka series. Gill, of course, has repaid the management’s faith, smashing three hundreds in his last four ODI innings. The stats include a belligerent double hundred as well. Skipper Rohit Sharma also seems to have rediscovered his form with the willow, even notching up his first one-day hundred in over 1000 days against New Zealand. If Rohit and Gill maintain their form and fitness, they seem set to be India’s openers at the ODI World Cup. However, it would be tough to leave out Ishan Kishan, given the kind of explosive talent that he is. India have tried him in the middle order in KL Rahul’s absence. However, he looked totally out of sorts against New Zealand. With Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and Rahul occupying the middle-order slots, the management will have a tough task if we want to fit in Kishan.
5 Reasons Why Suryakumar Yadav Must Stick To T20I Cricket
At 34 years old, Suryakumar Yadav is at a crucial juncture in his career. While age may be a concern for some cricketers, in SKY'S case, it could be a blessing in disguise. By focusing solely on T20ls, he can maximize his longevity in the game...
5 Reasons Why BCCI Should Stop Giving Special Treatment To Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are two of the most successful and iconic cricketers India has ever produced. Their contributions to Indian cricket are unparalleled, with both players boasting impressive records across all formats...
TOP-RANKED JANNIK SINNER AND WOMEN'S NO. 2 ARYNA SABALENKA WIN TITLES IN CINCINNATI
An American man hasn't won the title in Cincinnati since Andy Roddick in 2006. Sabalenka moved up a spot to No. 2 in the rankings before the match...
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA WINS FEDEX CUP PLAYOFFS OPENER
Birdies on the final two holes — among the toughest on the TPC Southwind - gave the Japanese star an even-par 70 and a two-shot victory over Xander Schauffele and Viktor Hovland, who thought they were playing for cash and FedEx Cup points...
AT THE PARIS OLYMPICS, CITIES AND COUNTRIES WERE DISCREETLY MAKING THEIR CASE TO HOST IN 2036
If the 2036 Olympics must go to Asia — a logical option to follow Paris, Los Angeles in 2028 and Brisbane in 2032 — then Indonesia will push its case as a fast-emerging economy of 280 million people...
STEPHEN CURRY'S BARRAGE SEALS ANOTHER OLYMPIC MEN'S BASKETBALL TITLE FOR USA
Kevin Durant - the first four-time men's gold medalist in Olympic basketball history - scored 15 for the Americans, as did Devin Booker. LeBron James, wearing metallic gold shoes that needed no explanation, scored 14...
MAN CITY BEAT MAN UNITED IN SHOOTOUT TO WIN COMMUNITY SHIELD
The game went straight to penalties - there is no extra time in the Community Shield and Silva saw his shot saved by Andre Onana off City's first attempt. Jadon Sancho failed off United's fourth kick...
5 REASONS WHY PAKISTAN IS OVERRATED IN TEST CRICKET
One of the primary reasons for Pakistan's struggles in Test cricket is the imbalance in team selections. The frequent introduction of new players disrupts team cohesion, causing tensions between newcomers and established member...
BANGLADESH REGISTER HISTORIC CRICKET TRIUMPH IN PAKISTAN
The recent civil unrest that toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina caused Bangladesh to be stripped of the Women's Twenty20 World Cup, and in the past week, the country has been hit by deadly flash floods that have affected millions of people...
PAKISTAN TEST CRICKETERS CRITICIZED AT HOME AFTER DEBACLE AGAINST BANGLADESH
Masood blamed lack of fitness and long gaps between test matches among the reasons for the debacle against Bangladesh as he suffered a second successive whitewash after losing 3-0 to Australia earlier this year...