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ICC T20 WC 2024: Pant, Pandya shune as India ease past Bangladesh

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Ray Sportz News Desk: Rohit Sharma led Indian Cricket started their preparation for the T20 World Cup in style, as they beat Bangladesh by 60 runs in the only warm-up game on Saturday. Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya showed character with the bat, whereas bowlers also bowled really well to restrict the Bangladesh batters in the middle.

Pant’s 53 (32b, 4×4, 4×6), who was making his India comeback after that horrific car accident in December 2022, and Hardik Pandya’s equally pleasing (40 not out, 23b, 2×4, 4×6) led India to a competitive 182 for five after opting to bat first.

India faced little trouble in defending the total as left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh found his bowling wares, leading the restriction of Bangladesh to 122 for nine.

There was a token fightback from Mahmudullah Riyaz (40 retired out; 28b, 4×4, 1×6) and Shakib Al Hasan (28), who milked 75 runs for the sixth-wicket.

But it helped Bangladesh only to reduce the margin of defeat after they were reduced to 41 for five.

Arshdeep, who had a less than satisfactory outing in the IPL for Punjab Kings, struck twice inside the Power Play, ousting Soumya Sarkar, caught behind by Pant, and Litton Das, who was bowled by a lovely in-curler from over the wicket.

Fellow pacer Mohammed Siraj added the wicket of Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (0) as they slipped to 10 for three in 3.5 overs, and it was too deep a hole to claw back against a competent bowling unit, which has good variety through the ranks.

The Indian bowlers also showed excellent skills to exploit a slow pitch which was also aided by an equally sluggish outfield where the ball did not roll along. Pacer Shivam Dube also chipped in with two wickets (2/11).

For Bangladesh, the defeat was a continuation of their gloomy build-up to the World Cup as they had recently lost the three-match T20I series against the USA 1-2.

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IND vs ENG: Chappell: Real Test Begins Now for Gill as India Trails England

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Ray Sportz Web Desk: Former Australia captain Greg Chappell believes that Shubman Gill is entering the most critical phase of his young leadership journey, as India trails 1-2 in the five-match Test series against England.After India’s narrow 22-run defeat in the third Test at Lord’s, Chappell acknowledged Gill’s talent with the bat and early signs of leadership promise, but noted that “the real test begins now.”With the series slipping away, India will aim for a comeback in the fourth Test, set to begin on July 23 at Old Trafford, Manchester, in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

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IND vs ENG: Rahane Urges Tactical Overhaul Ahead of Crucial 4th Test

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Ray Sportz Web Desk: As India prepares for the must-win 4th Test against England at Old Trafford, veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane has called on head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill to bolster the bowling lineup. With the series delicately poised at 1-2, Rahane stressed the importance of including an additional specialist bowler to enhance India’s chances of taking 20 wickets.
Citing England’s aggressive approach under Ben Stokes, Rahane highlighted the need for a sharper bowling attack, potentially at the cost of an all-rounder like Nitish Reddy. He hinted that a spinner such as Kuldeep Yadav could be the ideal inclusion.
“With matches often being decided in the final innings, the bowling unit must be equipped to apply pressure consistently,” Rahane said.
India is under pressure to level the series, and the selection strategy in Manchester may prove decisive.

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IND vs ENG: India Fall Short at Lord’s, Gill Calls Pant’s Run-Out the Turning Point

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Ray Sportz Web Desk: Team India suffered a heartbreaking 22-run defeat at the iconic Lord’s, falling behind 2-1 in the five-match Test series against England. Speaking at the post-match press conference, skipper Shubman Gill pointed to Rishabh Pant’s run-out in the first innings as the decisive moment of the match.
Chasing England’s first-innings total of 387, India were bowled out for exactly the same score. In the second innings, Ravindra Jadeja fought a lone battle, remaining unbeaten on 61, but lacked support from the other end.
“Our top order didn’t perform in this match,” Gill admitted. “If we had one or two big partnerships early on, the result could’ve been different. Pant’s dismissal came totally against the run of play and shifted the momentum.”
India will look to bounce back in the fourth Test at Old Trafford starting July 23.

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