#is ishan kishan wicket keeper

[oneturfnews]

As the IPL 2024 season kicks off, the spotlight is on Pat Cummins, the Australian pace sensation who has emerged as the best buy for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). With a stellar track record as a player and a captain, Cummins brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the SRH squad. Under the astute guidance of CEO Kavya Maran, SRH's decision to acquire Cummins is poised to pay rich dividends.

Cummins: A Champion on and off the Field Pat Cummins' journey in cricket has been nothing short of extraordinary. From his early days as a promising young talent to becoming the world's premier fast bowler, Cummins has consistently raised the bar. His leadership qualities were evident when he led Australia to a resounding 4-0 Ashes victory, showcasing his ability to inspire and galvanize his team to success.

Test Championship and World Cup Glory Cummins played a pivotal role in Australia's triumph in the Test Championship in 2023, spearheading the bowling attack with skill and precision. His ability to deliver under pressure and pick crucial wickets at key moments proved instrumental in Australia's success. Furthermore, Cummins' contribution to Australia's World Cup win in 2023 highlighted his all-round prowess and match-winning abilities.

The Best Buy for SRH As SRH gears up for IPL 2024, the addition of Pat Cummins to their squad is a game-changer. His presence not only strengthens their bowling attack but also brings invaluable leadership and experience to the team. Cummins' ability to bowl at pace and extract bounce from any surface makes him a potent weapon in the T20 format.

CEO Kavya Maran's Vision Credit must be given to SRH CEO Kavya Maran for her astute decision to acquire Pat Cummins. Maran's vision and strategic acumen have been instrumental in shaping SRH's squad for IPL 2024. By identifying Cummins as the missing piece in the puzzle, Maran has demonstrated her commitment to building a championship-winning team.

Cummins: The Key to SRH's Success As SRH embarks on their IPL 2024 campaign, all eyes will be on Pat Cummins to lead the charge. His ability to deliver match-winning performances with both bat and ball, coupled with his leadership on and off the field, makes him the linchpin of SRH's title aspirations. With Cummins in their ranks, SRH fans can dare to dream of lifting the IPL trophy once again.

[tfgadgets]

"Should Focus On IPL": Ex-Pakistan Star's Harsh 'No Chance' Verdict On Ishan Kishan

File photo of Ishan Kishan© BCCI It has been a topsy turvy year for Ishan Kishan. The wicket-keeper batter was left out of the BCCI central contracts and it looked like there is no way back to the Indian cricket team for the youngster. However, with Kishan getting included in the Duleep Trophy squad, it looks like the BCCI is willing to give him another chance to stake his claim for a spot in…

[rajexpress-seo]

T20 World Cup- Which Wicketkeeper Will Get A Chance? Rishabh Pant Or KL Rahul, Who Will Get A Place In The Team?

Sports News In Hindi - The ICC T20 World Cup is going to start from June 1. The Indian team is currently playing the 17th season of IPL. In such a situation, players are trying to get noticed by the selectors by showing their best performance in the IPL tournament. So let us know which wicketkeeper can get a place in the T20 World Cup team?

Sports Desk - The ICC T20 World Cup will be hosted by West Indies and the United States. This mega event is going to start from June 1 and will continue till June 29. Currently, Indian players are showing their strength in the Indian Premier League 2024. The selection committee of BCCI i.e. The Board of Control for Cricket in India is keeping a close eye on the performance of the players. Let us tell you that the players are showing their excellent performance in the IPL. Which wicketkeeper will get a place in the Indian team because players like Sanju Samson to Rishabh Pant are staking their claim in IPL 2024. Which player the selectors will include in the team will be known only on the day of the official announcement. Let's take a look at the performance of all the wicketkeeper contenders.

Comeback With A Bang After The Accident - Latest Sports News

Left-handed batsman Rishabh Pant became a victim of a car accident in 2022. Pant has returned fit to the field from IPL 2024. He is also doing wicket keeping for the Delhi team. So far this season, he has played 6 matches in IPL, in which he has scored 194 runs at an average of 32.33. Pant has scored 2 half centuries so far. During this period his strike rate has been 157.72. Pant is considered to be the strongest contender for the World Cup.

Runs Are Coming Off The Bat Of RR Player

Rajasthan team captain Sanju Samson is scoring a lot of runs in this IPL. Cricket experts believe that Sanju is the second biggest contender after Pant. Sanju has played 7 matches so far, scoring 264 runs in his 6 innings at an average of 66. Sanju has scored three half-centuries so far. His best score so far has been 82 not out.

If I Get A Place, I Will Play The Role Of A Finisher.

Comeback king Dinesh Karthik is showing his aggressive style in IPL. In the match between RCB vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Karthik has scored 83 runs in 35 balls. Had brought his team close to the score. Earlier, Karthik had played an explosive inning of 53 runs in 23 balls against Mumbai. But RCB had to face defeat in both the matches. Let us tell you that till now Karthik has scored 226 runs in 6 innings of 7 matches at an average of 75.33. If the 38-year-old batsman gets a place in the World Cup team, he can play the role of an excellent finisher.

Stormy Innings Of Captain KL Rahul - Latest Sports Hindi News

Right-handed batsman and wicketkeeper KL Rahul is playing the role of captain very well in IPL 2024. As the captain of LSG, Rahul's bat is also speaking strongly. He has played 6 matches so far, in which he has scored 204 runs at an average of 34. So far Rahul has scored 1 half century. During this period his strike rate has been 138.77. But compared to other players, this player's claim is becoming weak.

Ishaan Kishan Is Also In The Race To Claim

Left-handed batsman and wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan was also involved in the wicket-keeper race. But till now Ishaan's bat in IPL is better than other contenders.

Has been weak. Let us tell you that Mumbai opener Ishaan has played 6 matches so far, in which he has scored 184 runs at an average of 30.66. His strike rate has also been 178.64. This batsman has so far scored only one half century with his bat.

[sportsgr8]

IPL 2024: Suryakumar Yadav s 78 Powers Mumbai Indians To 192/7 Against Punjab Kings

Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium: Top-ranked T20I batter Suryakumar Yadav brought out his trademark shots to make a fine 78 and power Mumbai Indians to a daunting 192/7 against Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium, here on Thursday. On a two-paced pitch, Suryakumar hit seven fours and three sixes, showing impeccable wrist-work and collecting boundaries behind the square to hit his highest IPL score against PBKS. He was also supported by handy knocks of 36 and 34 not out from Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma respectively, as MI scored 77 runs in their last six overs. For PBKS, Harshal Patel and stand-in captain Sam Curran were the pick of the bowlers with spells of 3-31 and 2-41 respectively. Electing to bowl first, Kagiso Rabada drew first blood as Ishan Kishan slashed a short ball straight to backward point in the third over. Suryakumar got off the mark by using his wrists to flick and steer Rabada for back-to-back fours, followed by taking another boundary off Harshal with a whip. Rohit brought out his trademark pull to hit an 80-m six off Arshdeep Singh, before being trapped lbw by a dipping slower delivery from Harshal. He took a very late review, with replays showing the ball missed the stumps, thus earning him a reprieve. Rohit and Suryakumar would take a four and six each off Curran as MI ended power-play at 54/1. Curran continued to rotate his bowlers, which ensured MI weren’t let off the hook in the middle overs. But Suryakumar continued his shot-making spree by whipping, sweeping and lofting with elan to get his fifty in 23 balls. Rohit didn’t get much of the strike after power-play, despite hitting Harshal for a six down the ground, and was even struck on the helmet by Curran, which needed a concussion test. A ball later, he reached out to drive off a slower delivery from Curran, but sliced to backward point in the 12th over. PBKS dried up boundaries in the 12th, 13th and 14th overs, before Tilak broke the boundary drought by lofting and driving Arshdeep for successive fours. Suryakumar then drilled a drive through extra cover to collect another boundary as 15 runs came off the 15th over. Suryakumar survived an lbw appeal off Rabada in the 16th over, and followed it up by lofting inside-out and scooping over keeper for four and six respectively. Tilak then came in to end the 18-run over with a pulled six off Rabada at deep mid-wicket. But Suryakumar fell in the next over, slicing to backward point off Curran and fell for 78 off 53 balls. MI captain Hardik Pandya’s poor form continued as his attempt to muscle a slower short ball from Harshal found the fielder at deep mid-wicket. Tim David injected momentum in the death overs by hitting two fours and a six in the 19th over yielding 18 runs. But Harshal had a solid final over, taking out David and Romario Shepherd, with Mohammad Nabi being run-out on the final ball to keep MI eight short of 200. Brief Scores: Mumbai Indians 192/7 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 78, Rohit Sharma 36; Harshal Patel 3-31, Sam Curran 2-41) against Punjab Kings Read the full article

[buglecourier]

Ishan Kishan Overlooks BCCI Directive, Triggers Controversy By Missing Ranji Trophy Match

India wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan has been in the headlines for a while because he decided to miss the Ranji Trophy in favour of personal practice, in the wake of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Ishan, who has been out of the India squad since withdrawing from the tour of South Africa, owing to mental fatigue, remains away from all sorts of cricketing commitments despite being urged by head coach Rahul Dravid and others in the BCCI to resume playing.

Ishan was informed by the BCCI management to play Jharkhand's final Ranji Trophy Elite Group match against Rajasthan, starting February 16. But, the wicket-keeper batter gave that match a miss. It wasn't just him but pacer Deepak Chahar, who also has been away from cricketing action for a while, decided to overlook his Ranji Trophy commitments.

A few weeks ago, reports emerged that Ishan Kishan has been training with Hardik and Krunal Pandya at the Reliance Stadium. Several reports emerged, suggesting the BCCI isn't happy with Ishan's attitude, directing him to return to domestic cricket and join Jharkhand's Ranji Trophy team.

But, as Jharkhand announced their playing XI for the match against Rajasthan, Ishan's name couldn't be found.

Earlier, the BCCI secretary Jay Shah said that the board isn't going to 'tolerate the tantrums', asserting that young players who aren't injured have to play red-ball cricket for their state teams.

"They have been informed on phone already and I'm going to write letters as well that if your chairman of selectors, your coach and your captain are asking for it then you will have to play red-ball cricket," Shah had said.

"(It applies to) whoever is fit and young - we are not going to tolerate any other tantrums. This message is for all centrally contracted players. Everyone will have to play, otherwise, the chairman of the selection committee has given me his suggestions and I am going to give him a free hand to let him take his own calls freely," he had asserted.

India batter Shreyas Iyer, who was not picked for the last three Tests against England, didn't feature in the Mumbai XI either. It isn't yet known if he is injured or didn't make himself available for the Ranji Trophy team.

These three players -- Kishan, Chahar and Iyer -- were specifically told to play for their respective state teams in first-class cricket.

In the absence of Kishan, Kumar Kushagra continued doing wicket-keeping duties for Jharkhand.

Jharkhand, who have only one win and 10 points from six matches so far, are playing Rajasthan at home in their final round.

The manner in which Kishan has missed match after match since returning midway from the national's team South Africa tour citing "travel fatigue", hasn't gone down well with the men who matter in the Indian cricket establishment.

More so after it was found that he was training in Baroda with his new Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya while his state team languished near bottom of group A table in Ranji.

There is a general consensus that a strict policy needs to be adhered to so that a group of young players don't make "playing IPL to IPL" a habit.

[tsportsday]

India wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan will miss the Test series against South Africa due to personal reasons. The BCCI didn't mention the exact reason for Ishan's release. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named KS Bharat as his replacement. Ishan hasn't featured for the Indian team since the conclusion of the ODI World Cup 2023, where India were beaten by Australia in the final.KS Bharat last featured for India in a Test back in June this year when the national team took on Australia in a Test series. Bharat had only made his Test debut for India in February this year, that too against Australia. Bharat wasn't the BCCI's plans for the Test assignment against South Africa but had to be brought in after Ishan's request.In a release, the BCCI said: "Mr Ishan Kishan has requested the BCCI to be released from the upcoming Test series against South Africa citing personal reasons. The wicket-keeper has subsequently been withdrawn from the Test squad.The Men's Selection Committee has named Mr KS Bharat as a replacement."Bharat might not be the first-choice wicket-keeper for India in the Test series against South Africa, with reports emerging that KL Rahul could be tried for the spot behind the stumps. Rahul has proved to be a handy option behind the stumps both in T20Is and ODIs.With Rishabh Pant still far from making a comeback, odds favour Rahul to be tried as a wicket-keeper across three formats. However, wicket-keeping in Tests remains a much difficult task, in comparison to ODIs and T20Is. It would be interesting to see how the BCCI decides to manage Rahul's workload if he is made a full-time wicket-keeper in all three formats.India's squad for Tests:Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat (wk)Topics mentioned in this article

[sports1socket]

TRENDING

Who Will Rule the Test Cricket World? Join the Excitement of Australia vs India in the WTC Final!

WTC Final 2023 Fantasy Team: The highly anticipated final of the World Test Championship, featuring Australia and India, is set to take place at the picturesque Kennington Oval in London from 7th to 11th June 2023. These two teams have emerged as powerhouses in Test cricket in recent times, guaranteeing an enthralling and closely contested match.

India currently holds the top spot in the Test rankings and boasts a formidable batting lineup led by the exceptional Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara. Their bowling attack is equally impressive, with the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, and Ravindra Jadeja, all adept at taking wickets. Pujara and Kohli have been the standout run-scorers for India in the World Test Championship cycle, while Ashwin has been their leading wicket-taker and the third-highest overall.

Australia ranked second in Test cricket, possesses a formidable batting order spearheaded by Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith. Complementing their batting prowess, their bowling attack features the talents of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon, all highly skilled in claiming crucial wickets.

Also Read: What will happen if the WTC 2023 final is drawn or washed out?

Match Information

Game: Australia vs India, Final

Match: ICC World Test Championship Final

Date: 7th June 2023, Wednesday

Time: 3:00 PM IST

Venue: Kennington Oval, London

Probable Playing XI

Australia

David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, TM Head, C Green, AT Carey(wk), Pat Cummins(C), Mitchell Starc, SM Boland, Nathan Lyon Bench: JP Inglis, MS Harris, Matt Renshaw, MR Marsh, Josh Hazlewood, Todd Murphy

India

Rohit Sharma(C), Shubman Gill, CA Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Axar Patel, RA Jadeja, Ishan Kishan(wk), Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, M Shami Bench: KS Bharat, Yashasvi Jaiswal, SA Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin, UT Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Mukesh Kumar

Also Read: Fans from the United States can watch the final of WTC 2023 here

Injury and Availability News

Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the game.

Weather Report

Mostly sunny.

Pitch Condition

The pitch at Kennington Oval is expected to be balanced, offering a fair contest between bat and ball.

Average 1st Inning Score

155.

Win Prediction

India.

Pitch Report

Kennington Oval is a traditional English ground renowned for its fast and bouncy pitches. However, in recent years, the pitch has become more even, providing assistance to spin bowlers. The upcoming pitch is anticipated to be dry, hard, and possess some grass cover. Overall, it should offer an ideal setting for Test cricket, demanding both teams to perform exceptionally well to secure victory.

Player Picks

Captains

Virat Kohli (IND | BAT)

Kohli has been the second-highest run-scorer for India in the current WTC cycle, accumulating 869 runs in 28 innings with an average of 32.18. He arrives at this game following a successful campaign in the recently concluded Indian Premier League.

Usman Khawaja (AUS | BAT)

Khawaja has been the leading run-scorer for Australia in the WTC cycle, amassing 1608 runs in 28 innings at an impressive average of 69.91. He was the top scorer in the previous Test series against India.

Rohit Sharma (IND | BAT)

Sharma has accumulated 700 runs in 17 innings during the WTC cycle, with an average of 43.75. This match will mark his 50th Test appearance, and he will be eager to make a significant impact.

Players to Avoid in Your Fantasy Sports Team

Srikar Bharat (IND | WK)

Bharat made his Test debut against Australia this year but managed to score only 101 runs in four games.

Mitchell Marsh (AUS | ALL)

Although Marsh has been recalled to the Australian side, it is uncertain whether he will make it to the playing XI for this game.

WTC Final 2023 Fantasy Team Suggestion

Wicket-keepers: Ishan Kishan, Alex Carey

Batters: Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith

All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Cameron Green

Bowlers: Mohammed Shami, Mitchell Starc

DISCLAIMER:

The team selection presented in this article is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. When making your own team selection, please take into consideration the points mentioned and use your own judgment.

[blogynewsz]

Unveiling the Thrilling Battle: KL Rahul's Make or Break Moment with Ishan Kishan Right at His Heels

India is preparing for their highly anticipated match against Pakistan in Colombo, with KL Rahul expected to make a comeback and feature in the game. Rahul has faced scrutiny over his place in the team due to repeated failures before his injury. During his absence, the young wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan has impressed with his performances, particularly his knock of 82 against Pakistan in the first…

[nfliplnews]

[ad_1] Indian cricket team skipper Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced the squad for Cricket World Cup 2023 on Tuesday. Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah - the trio that made their return from injury recently - were all included in the squad while Sanju Samson and youngster Tilak Varma missed out. Suryakumar Yadav found a spot as a specialist batter while Ishan Kishan was the pick for wicket-keeper batter. In the spin department, Yuzvendra Chahal was a notable omission."There were a couple of fitness issues we had but all three players have come back, KL is looking good. We feel this squad gives us the best balance for this World Cup," chief selector Ajit Agarkar said."KL looked really good there but picked up a niggle just before the Asia Cup. He has gotten over it. He is an important player for us and we are happy to have him." Hardik Pandya was named the vice captain of the Indian squad.A look at IPL team-wise representation in the Cricket World Cup 2023 squad -Mumbai Indians -Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar YadavGujarat Titans - Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya. Mohammed ShamiKolkata Knight Riders -Shreyas Iyer, Shardul ThakurRoyal Challengers Bangalore -Virat Kohli, Mohammed SirajDelhi Capitals -Axar Patel, Kuldeep YadavLucknow Super Giants -KL RahulChennai Super Kings - Ravindra JadejaSunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals have no players from their ranks in the squad.India's squad for Cricket World Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj.(With PTI inputs)Topics mentioned in this article [ad_2] Source link

[blogynews]

The Mystery Unraveled: Will Sanju Samson Replace KL Rahul to Take on Pakistan?

India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, has confirmed that KL Rahul, the wicket-keeper batter, will not be able to participate in the first two games of the Asia Cup 2023. This means that another wicket-keeper batter will have to take his place for the matches against Pakistan and Nepal. While Ishan Kishan is the only member of the main 17-man squad who can keep, the Indian team also has Sanju Samson…

[blogynewz]

The Mystery Unraveled: Will Sanju Samson Replace KL Rahul to Take on Pakistan?

India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, has confirmed that KL Rahul, the wicket-keeper batter, will not be able to participate in the first two games of the Asia Cup 2023. This means that another wicket-keeper batter will have to take his place for the matches against Pakistan and Nepal. While Ishan Kishan is the only member of the main 17-man squad who can keep, the Indian team also has Sanju Samson…

[sports0909]

India vs Pakistan ODI World cup 2023, Prediction

The ODI World Cup 2023 is here, bringing us thrilling cricket matches and unforgettable moments. One match that's making everyone super excited is between India and Pakistan. This match is going to be a big deal and could change the whole tournament. In this blog, we'll talk about why these two teams have such a big rivalry, highlight players to watch, and see how fantasy sports app are making the match even more exciting.

Predicted Playing Elevens for Pakistan and India in the ODI Cup 2023

Pakistan ODI Cup 2023 Playing 11 (Predicted): Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Litton Das, Tanzid Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Naim Sheikh

India ODI Cup 2023 Playing 11 (Predicted): Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Surya Kumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma(C), Hardik Pandya (Vice-Captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Shubman Gill

India vs Pakistan ODI World Cup 2023 Match Details

The ODI World Cup 2023 stands as a jubilant celebration of cricketing excellence, bringing together the finest teams from across the globe. Beginning with the Super 12 matches on September 2, 2023, the pinnacle of the tournament will witness the clash between the top two teams, a spectacle that epitomises the zenith of cricketing skills and sportsmanship.

Adding Fun with Fantasy Sports Apps

Fantasy cricket app have changed how fans enjoy cricket. These apps let fans create their own pretend teams by picking real players. The real players earn points based on how well they do in real matches. As the India vs Pakistan match gets closer, fans using these apps are checking player stats, pitch conditions, and planning their pretend teams. It's like a game within a game, and it makes watching the match even more fun.

The India vs Pakistan match in the ODI World Cup 2023 is going to be a huge deal. As we gear up for this intense match, fantasy sports apps offer a way to be a part of the excitement. Whether you're cheering for your favourite players or making a pretend team, mixing real cricket with fantasy games is going to make this match unforgettable. So get ready, cricket fans, for a match that's not only happening on the field but also in the fantasy cricket world

[sportsgr8]

India ‘A’ Selection Is Good Opportunity For Upendra Yadav, Kumar Kushagra: Ajay Ratra

With KS Bharat: With KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel selected in the Test squad for the first two games against England at Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, Kumar Kushagra and Upendra Yadav were recently included in the India ‘A’ team for the second and third four-day games against England Lions in Ahmedabad. While Upendra was a member of India ‘A’ team on their tour of South Africa in 2021, Kushagra has been handed a maiden call-up to the squad. Former India wicketkeeper-batter Ajay Ratra believes the duo are on the radar of the selection committee, resulting in their selection for India ‘A’ team. "India ‘A’ is your second-best Test team and with them being selected for those games, it means that the selectors and team management are keeping an eye on those two, based on their domestic performances for a long time. There’s a lot of cricket happening and it’s great that those two wicketkeepers are getting a chance to play in this format," he said in an exclusive conversation with IANS. With Rishabh Pant still recovering from injuries sustained in a horrific car accident in December 2022, India has fielded three different wicketkeepers in Test cricket since February 2023 – Bharat, Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul. Bharat had been in the ‘A’ team set-up for a long time before graduating to the Test level, while Rahul has been the primary wicketkeeper in ODIs and even donned the gloves for the Test tour of South Africa. Kishan has been on a mental health break from the game since December 2023 while Jurel was given a Test call-up, based on his good showings in domestic cricket and India ‘A’ games. Hence, the call-ups of Kushagra and Upendra to the India ‘A’ team have two aims – of expanding the wicketkeeper pool in senior men’s cricket and give the ‘A’ level exposure to youngsters like Kushagra and Upendra. When Kushagra’s India ‘A’ call-up came, the wicketkeeper-batter converted his overnight score of an unbeaten fifty into a fine 132 for Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy match against Services at the Airforce Complex Ground in Palam, New Delhi. Last month, Kushagra had earned an astonishing INR 7.2 crore deal with Delhi Capitals at the IPL 2024 Player Auction in Dubai. Ratra, who played six Tests and 12 ODIs for India, recalled seeing Kushagra as a young keeper a few years ago at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. “I still remember about doing an U16 camp with Kumar Kushagra in Bengaluru. The way he showcased his glovework at the U16 level, it made for a very impressive look.” "The NCA has a lot of camps going on in a year and at that time, he was at the U16 level. Someone like Jayant Yadav was at the NCA for rehab or practice and he needed a wicketkeeper to do his bowling practice. "We then sent Kumar for helping him and even though it was a practice session happening, he was catching balls at ease and gathered the deliveries very well. Seeing that, I got a feeling that he would be a decent keeper and has now done well at the domestic level." On the other hand, Upendra is a big-hitting wicket-keeper who has kept wickets and got big runs for Uttar Pradesh and Railways in first-class cricket. "I haven’t seen much of Upendra, but have heard a lot about him and read about his scores too. So, the India ‘A’ selection is a good opportunity for them and the way Dhruv Jurel entered India ‘A’ setup before getting the Test call-up, they can take inspiration from it." "If an overseas series comes up and whether India would take KL Rahul as a keeper there, there’s some time to it. But India ‘A’ selection is a good opportunity for both Upendra Yadav and Kumar Kushagra," concluded Ratra. Read the full article