Following <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s seven-wicket win over South Africa in the second Test, pacer Jasprit <keyword id="19989685" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bumrah" source="keywords">Bumrah</keyword> expressed happiness over the win at the very ground where he made his Test cricket debut. Bumrah's second-inning six-wicket haul made all the difference as, despite Aiden Markram's ton, South Africa could set only 79 for India to wrap up this Test in around 1.5 days, which India chased down successfully. Following the win, Bumrah took to Instagram, expressing his joy over the team's dominant performance. "Special day, special match," said the caption of Bumrah's post. Bumrah was crowned as India's 'Player of the Series', taking 12 wickets in two matches, with the best figures of 6/61. He also took a four-wicket haul in the first Test at Centurion and ended as the leading wicket-taker in the series. Following the match, Bumrah said in the post-match presentation, "This ground will always hold a special place in my heart. It was always a dream to play Test cricket and the journey started here, there is always fond memories of my first game. Very happy that it went well today as well. That journey started in 2018 - our bowling unit was experienced and we wanted to create an impact. We knew that if we wanted to do well in foreign conditions, we would have to bowl a lot more and consistently." "In India, the spinners do a lot more work. The vision started from there. Our team is also going through a transition. A lot of the bowlers have been changed, but the message is still the same, you have to keep fighting. It is not easy playing in South Africa, different conditions, the crowd are also something. We fought it out in the last game as well. It is difficult to keep coming at it because it requires a lot of strength and patience. If you lose it, in one session, the game goes out of your hand." "We are very happy that we were able to do it in this game. I did not expect the game to go this fast, I have never played a shorter Test match in my life. Looking at the wicket on the first day, nobody really thought that this much was going to happen. We wanted to bat first as well. Test cricket gives you surprises. Very happy that we got our first win (in Cape Town), a great series and a fighting series," he concluded. Coming to the match, South Africa elected to bat first and was bundled out for just 55 in 23.2 overs, with Kyle Verreynne (15) and David Bedingham (12) being the sole players to touch double digits. Mohammed Siraj's fiery spell of 6/15 destroyed the Proteas' top and middle order, while Jasprit Bumrah (2/25) and <keyword id="19923640" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mukesh-kumar" source="keywords">Mukesh Kumar</keyword> (0/2) also took wickets. In their first innings, India was 153/4 at one point, with solid scores coming from Virat Kohli (46 in 59 balls, with six fours and a six), <keyword id="19899523" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rohit-sharma" source="keywords">Rohit Sharma</keyword> (39 in 50 balls, with seven fours) and <keyword id="19929450" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shubman-gill" source="keywords">Shubman Gill</keyword> (36 in 55 balls, with five fours), but a Lungi Ngidi three-wicket over sunk India to 153 all out in 34.5 overs. Ngidi (3/30), Kagiso Rabada (3/38) and Nandre Burger (3/42) took three wickets each for SA. Later in their second innings, SA ended the day one at 62/3, with Aiden Markram (36*) doing the bulk of the scoring. Skipper Dean Elgar managed 12 runs in his final Test innings. Mukesh got two while Bumrah got one wicket. On the next day, though Markram scored a fighting century, a knock of 106 in 103 balls with 17 fours and two sixes, the six-wicket haul by Bumrah (6/61) bundled out SA for 176 in 36.5 overs, setting India just 79 runs to win. Mukesh Kumar took two wickets while Prasidh Krishna and Siraj got one. With the help of knocks from openers <keyword id="19904096" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="yashasvi-jaiswal" source="keywords">Yashasvi Jaiswal</keyword> (28) and skipper Rohit Sharma (16*), India chased down the total with seven wickets in hand in 12 overs. Siraj won the 'Player of the Match' award and both sides shared the trophy with the scoreline at 1-1. 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"Special day, Special match": Bumrah following India's win over South Africa in 2nd Test

<ul><li>Quinton de Kock, <keyword id="13937" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="rohit-sharma" source="Orion">Rohit Sharma</keyword> and <keyword id="835484" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="trent-boult" source="Orion">Trent Boult</keyword> have seen a good jump in - their <keyword id="40478" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="odi" source="Orion">ODI</keyword> points.</li><li>Afghanistan’s <keyword id="62359" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="rashid-khan" source="Orion">Rashid Khan</keyword> has climbed two spots higher to fourth place</li><li>Among the quicks, Bumrah is up seven spots while South Africa's Lungi Ngidi is up six spots.</li></ul> Pakistan skipper <keyword id="197178" type="General" weightage="70" keywordseo="Babar-Azam" source="Orion">Babar Azam</keyword> has had a quiet start to the ICC World Cup 2023 compared to his high standards. He has scores for 5, 10 and 50 in the three matches he has played. However, for now, courtesy Shubham Gill being out of action for India’s first two games, he has retained the number one spot in the latest One Day International (ODI) rankings released by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Thus, the Pakistan captain has edged up to 836 rating points and stretched his lead in the ODI batting rankings to 18 points. Gill remains in second spot after overcoming illness to kick off his Cricket World Cup campaign with 16 runs against Pakistan. Meanwhile, Quinton de Kock, Rohit Sharma and Trent Boult have each made their move towards the peak of the Men's ODI Player Rankings in the latest update, reports ICC. Devastating displays from South Africa opener de Kock and India captain Rohit at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 have propelled the duo higher in the ODI Batting Rankings. De Kock started the tournament with back-to-back tons but missed an opportunity to climb even closer to top spot when dismissed for 20 and sparking a match-turning South Africa batting collapse of 4/8 against Netherlands. The South Africa keeper-batter has nonetheless risen three spots to third in the ODI batting rankings, leapfrogging teammate Rassie van der Dussen in fourth. Rohit has made an even bigger jump of five places to sixth after amassing 131 runs against Afghanistan then backing it up with an imperious 86 from 63 balls against arch-rivals Pakistan. Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (up 19 spots to 18th) and Netherlands captain Scott Edwards (up 16 spots to 27th) have also surged in the batting rankings following superb innings that inspired each of their teams to shock victories. New Zealand pacer Boult is within reach of the No.1 spot in the ODI Bowling Rankings following a destructive spell against Bangladesh. Boult is only one rating point behind current leader Josh Hazlewood (660 rating points) after moving up one place in the latest ratings update. The 34-year-old had Litton Das caught off the first ball of the match to immediately have Bangladesh on the ropes in their recent Cricket World Cup clash. Boult finished with 2/45 against Bangladesh after also dismissing Towhid Hridoy for his 200th wicket in ODIs. The left-arm quick has a formidable record at Cricket World Cups after being the equal-leading wicket-taker alongside Australia's Mitchell Starc on 22 scalps in 2015. Boult also finished the 2019 tournament among the top-10 wicket-takers when claiming 17 victims. Afghanistan magician Rashid Khan has climbed two spots higher to fourth place in the bowling rankings, while South Africa's own spinner Keshav Maharaj makes a bigger move of seven spots to equal fifth alongside Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Among the quicks, India's Jasprit Bumrah (up seven spots) and South Africa's Kagiso Rabada (up one spot) have risen to equal 14th, as Lungi Ngidi jumps six spots to 16th. Bangladesh veteran Shakib Al Hasan holds onto the No.1 spot in the ODI All-rounder Rankings with 343 rating points. A fast start to the Cricket World Cup has helped New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner climb one spot to equal sixth. Glenn Maxwell's impressive impact with the ball so far at the Cricket World Cup boosts his standing three places to eighth in the all-rounder rankings. (With text input from IANS)

Cricket ODI rankings: Rohit, QDK rise but Babar holds on to No. 1 spot

Cricket <keyword id="41288" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="West-Indies" source="Orion">West Indies</keyword> (CWI) on Monday recalled star batter <keyword id="3237385" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="shimron-hetmyer" source="Orion">Shimron Hetmyer</keyword> for their upcoming three-match ODI series against <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> at home, starting Thursday at Kensington Oval. <keyword id="4484238" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="hetmyer" source="Orion">Hetmyer</keyword> hasn't featured for the West Indies side in almost a year but earns a recall on the back of a solid season in the Indian Premier League with the Rajasthan Royals that netted a total of 299 runs from 13 innings. The left-hander hasn't played an ODI for the Caribbean side in two years, with Hetmyer's last appearance in a 50-over match coming against Australia in July 2021. The 15-member squad was named following a four-day camp at Kensington Oval held to prepare the white-ball players for the upcoming ODI Series, as well as the five-match T20I Series that follows. The selectors also recalled left-handed batter <keyword id="4747807" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="shimron" source="Orion">Shimron</keyword> Hetmyer and fast bowler <keyword id="6975266" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="oshane-thomas" source="Orion">Oshane Thomas</keyword>. Fast bowler Jayden Seales and leg-spinner <keyword id="5872777" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="yannic-cariah" source="Orion">Yannic Cariah</keyword> have been included following their rehabilitation from surgery while left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie has also been included, following his recovery from injury. The Kensington Oval hosts the first two matches in the three-match ODI Series on Thursday and Saturday. The teams then will move to Trinidad for the third and final ODI at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on August 1. Chief selector and West Indies great Desmond Haynes said he was looking forward to the ODI series against India and is confident that Hetmyer and Thomas will perform well. "We welcome Oshane and Shimron back into the group. Both have played at the international level before, with some success, and we believe they will fit well into the set-up. Oshane brings pace and is a potential wicket-taker with the new ball. Shimron's style of batting will offer a lot, especially in the middle stage of the innings and he is also a potential 'finisher', Haynes said in an official statement released by CWI. Regulars Nicholas Pooran and Jason Holder are unavailable for the series while wicket-keeper batter <keyword id="3484029" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="shai-hope" source="Orion">Shai Hope</keyword> has once again been named captain for the three matches. West Indies failed to qualify for the ODI World Cup this year, finishing outside the top two in the recently concluded ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament in Zimbabwe. West Indies squad: Shai Hope (c), Rovman Powell (vc), Alick Athanaze, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Dominic Drakes, Shimron Hetmyer, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair and Oshane Thomas. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/gadgets/news/after-smartwatches-the-next-wave-of-wearables-may-be-led-by-smart-rings/articleshow/102081592.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/gadgets/news/after-smartwatches-the-next-wave-of-wearables-may-be-led-by-smart-rings/articleshow/102081592.cms" target="_blank">After smartwatches, the next wave of wearables may be led by smart rings</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/netflix-india-ends-password-sharing-outside-households/articleshow/101976844.cms">Netflix India ends password sharing outside households – Here’s how it will work</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-5-z-flip-5-galaxy-watch-series-6-and-more-set-to-launch-july-end/articleshow/101538049.cms">Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, Galaxy Watch Series 6 and more set to launch July-end</a>

West Indies strengthen squad with Shimron Hetmyer, Oshane Thomas for India ODIs

For the second time in a week, large parts of south <keyword id="6358070" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="mumbai" source="Orion">Mumbai</keyword> were hit by a massive power failure on Sunday night, with many areas without electricity for over 12 hours, officials said here on Monday. The BEST said that 3 11KV faults occurred in <keyword id="6355459" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="colaba" source="Orion">Colaba</keyword> which affected 19 Distribution Sub Stations, but power supply was restored to 70 per cent of the affected regions by late night. The tentative cause is said to be many areas dug up which may have led to power outage, and with repair work completed on a war footing on the faulty feeders, the supply was normalised, though some areas are still affected. It may be recalled that on Sunday, February 27, large parts of south Mumbai experienced a major power failure which even hit the suburban local trains, but was restored after three hours and later normal supplies started. That was the biggest power breakdown since October 12, 2020 when entire Mumbai was plunged into a blackout for over 18 hours, crippling normal life, and later the then <keyword id="540021" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="maharashtra-power" source="Orion">Maharashtra Power</keyword> Minister <keyword id="9681236" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dr-Nitin-Raut" source="Orion">Dr. Nitin Raut</keyword> ordered a probe into a possible sabotage. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/as-ravichandran-ashwin-surpasses-kapil-dev-have-a-glance-at-indias-top-wicket-takers-in-test-cricket/slidelist/90048043.cms">As Ravichandran Ashwin surpasses Kapil Dev, have a glance at India’s top wicket takers in test cricket</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/captain-fresh-raised-50-million-in-a-round-led-by-tiger-global-prosus-ventures/articleshow/90047364.cms">This Bengaluru-based fish and meat delivery startup just doubled its valuation to half-a-billion dollars</a>

Mumbai hit with a massive power failure for the second time in less than seven days

New Delhi, April 8 (<keyword id="105681" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="IANS">IANS</keyword>) Fast bowler <keyword id="479464" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bhuvneshwar-Kumar">Bhuvneshwar Kumar</keyword> from India's men's team and spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad and batter Punam Raut from the women's team have been nominated for the <keyword id="46227" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="International-cricket-council">International Cricket Council</keyword>'s (ICC) Player of the Month award. Bhuvneshwar played three ODIs against England in which he took six wickets with an economy rate of 4.65. He also went on to play five T20Is against them where he took 4 wickets with an economy rate of 6.38. He was the standout bowler on either side in the white ball series between India and England. Rajeshwari played five ODIs against South Africa and was their leading wicket-taker in both the white ball series with South Africa. She took eight wickets with an economy rate of 3.56 in the ODIs and in the three T20Is against the same opponent she took four wickets with an economy rate of 4.75. Punam played five ODIs against South Africa where she scored 263 runs at 87.66 with a strike rate of 71.66. Punam was India's top run-scorer in the ODI series against South Africa, scoring a century and two half-centuries in these games.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar , Rajeshwari and Punam from women's cricket team nominated for ICC player of the month award

Cricket World Cup 2019: India’s bowling attack is lethal like never before

<ul><li>Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal will be playing for the first time in a World Cup.</li><li>Ravindra Jadeja is likely to play all games, leaving Virat Kohli to pick one between Yadav and Chahal.</li><li>Kedar Jadhav is a batting all rounder who can be an alternative when India goes with three full-time bowlers.</li></ul>India is going into the 2019 Cricket World Cup, with three spinners - Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal - vying for what will almost certainly be a maximum of two available slots in the playing XI. For Yadav and Chahal, this will be the first opportunity to represent the country in a World Cup. The slots for other two specialist bowlers will be filled by the fast bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah, the best one day international (ODI) bowler in the ICC rankings, will spearhead the attack, while the second fast bowlers’ slot will be a toss up between Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami. Jadeja, the first choice So who does India select among its spinners? Jadeja looks set to be India’s frontline spinner based on his bowling record in England. Jadeja has taken 27 wickets from 17 games at an average of 27.00 and a strike rate of 31.50 - which makes him India’s joint-highest wicket taker in England (a record he shares with Madan Lal). Jadeja’s record in England also includes his performance in the 2013 Champions Trophy, where he topped the wickets chart. Jadeja also provides an X-factor with his allround abilities, particularly his exceptional fielding. Having represented the country on 151 occasions, including 8 times in the 2015 World Cup, he is by far India’s most experienced bowler. He is followed by Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, who has featured in 105 games. Kuldeep vs Chahal In different playing conditions (like in the 2018 Asia Cup) Kuldeep and Chahal would have both been included in the playing XI along with Jadeja. While the World Cup debutants have impressive ODI records, the faster wickets in England mean that captain Virat Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri have the unenviable task of choosing between them. Overall record <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt;"><colgroup></colgroup><col /><col /><col /><col /><col /><col /><col /><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ff9900;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;"> </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ff9900;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">Matches </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ff9900;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">Wickets </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ff9900;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">Best bowling in an innings </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ff9900;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">Average runs per wicket </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ff9900;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">Strike rate (balls per wicket) </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ff9900;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">Economy rate </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">Kuldeep Yadav </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">44 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">87 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">6/25 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">21.74 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">26.40 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">4.93 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">Yuzvendra Chahal </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">41 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">72 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">6/42 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">24.61 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">30.10 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">4.89 </td></tr></tbody></table> Record in England <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt;"><colgroup></colgroup><col /><col /><col /><col /><col /><col /><col /><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ff9900;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;"> </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ff9900;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">Matches </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ff9900;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">Wickets </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ff9900;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">Best bowling in an innings </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ff9900;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">Average runs per wicket </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ff9900;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">Strike rate (balls per wicket) </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ff9900;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">Economy rate </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">Kuldeep Yadav </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">3 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">9 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">6/25 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">16.44 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">20 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">4.93 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">Yuzvendra Chahal </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">3 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">2 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">1/43 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">67.50 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">90 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;">4.50 </td></tr></tbody></table> Their inclinations may be favour of Kuldeep if they rely on statistics, his superior record in England, and the uniqueness of his left-arm chinaman action. Kuldeep also has a better record in the past year - he has taken 48 wickets from 24 matches at an average of 23.14 while Chahal has taken 29 wickets from 18 games at 28.72. On the other hand, Kuldeep had a forgetful time in the Indian Premier League, taking 4 wickets from 9 nines for the Kolkata Knight Riders before being dropped for the last 5 matches, while the legspin of Chahal fetched him 18 wickets from 14 games for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Rotation as an option Considering the tournament schedule - which <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/cricket-world-cup-2019-will-be-played-in-the-same-format-as-the-one-in-1992/articleshow/69428438.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">replicates the format in the 1992 World Cup</a>, with all teams playing against each other in the league phase - India may also be tempted to rotate its three spinners based on the opponent and ground conditions. India could then take an informed call on their No. 2 spinner based on how Kuldeep and Chahal fare. The Kedar Jadhav factor The unlikely evolution of Kedar Jadhav’s offspin provides India with an additional option as the 6th bowler, and he could be yet another hurdle to Yadav and Chahal-- especially in case India decides to shore up their batting and select only three specialist bowlers (Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar/Shami, and Jadeja). Jadhav, Pandya, and Vijay Shankar could then be asked to share the remaining 20 overs between them. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/icc-cricket-world-cup-2019-what-is-a-winning-total/articleshow/69423271.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Cricket World Cup 2019: Minimum run rate needed on every ground Team India is playing on</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/world-cup-2019-shikhar-dhawan-vs-virat-kohli-vs-rohit-sharma-vs-ms-dhoni/articleshow/69406577.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Cricket World Cup 2019: Here’s why Shikhar Dhawan may be India’s best bet in batting</a>

The World Cup debut for two Indian spinners will be an edgy affair

Having last won a Test overseas over three years back, expectations are sky high from <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ms-dhoni/4001/4057">Mahendra Singh Dhoni</a> and Co. to deliver in England. India are playing a five-Test series after a gap of 17 long years and the nearly six-week long Test tour will challenge the mettle of this young Indian side. For the visitors, though, there is a lot to ponder before they take the field next Wednesday at Trent Bridge. 
 
India need not look too far back in time in order to not repeat certain mistakes they have been guilty of committing, especially overseas. It was for the first time in two decades that India were humbled by a 4-0 series loss, when Dhoni and his men came a cropper against Andrew Strauss' Three Lions in 2011 and lost their No. 1 ranking. 
 
In order to move over the horrid past of their last Test tour of England, India will have to come face to face with few of the traditional problems they have been facing on overseas tours. Here, we broadly look at the mistakes that India cannot afford to make this time around. 
 
Defensive batting 
 One of the reasons why the famed Indian middle-order trio of <keyword id="2727" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rahul-Dravid">Rahul Dravid</keyword>, <keyword id="6354267" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Sachin-Tendulkar">Sachin Tendulkar</keyword> and VVS Laxman were so successful in scoring big runs was due to the explosive batting of <keyword id="7567" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Virender-Sehwag">Virender Sehwag</keyword> at the top. If Sehwag would fail, the scoring-rate invariably dipped and the batsmen tended to go into a shell, giving the opposition bowlers loads of chances to apply the pressure. This tendency among the Indian batsmen continues even today. Plus, against experienced operators like <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/james-anderson/3001/3040">James Anderson</a> and <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/stuart-broad/3001/3067">Stuart Broad</a>, who are well acquainted with the weaknesses of the touring batsmen, the Indians will have to be one step ahead. This is where the Murali Vijays, Gautam Gambhirs and Cheteshwar Pujaras will have to back free-flowing strokemakers like <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/shikhar-dhawan/4001/28004">Shikhar Dhawan</a>, <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/virat-kohli/4001/25007">Virat Kohli</a> and, later on, Dhoni. 
 
On the 2011 tour, the Indians managed to reach a score of 300 or more only once in eight innings. That never really made matters easy for their bowlers. This time around, the top and middle-order batsmen will have to ensure that one of the top four bats till the time the second new-ball is taken so that there isn't undue pressure on Nos. 5, 6 and 7. 
 
Where are the wicket-takers? 
 
Indian bowlers have been guilty of not being able to take 20 wickets to win a Test match. In the last 12 overseas Tests, oppositions have been bowled out just 10 times out of the 20 innings by India. This is primarily due to the absence of a strike bowler that can run through the opposition. Barring an odd spell, either by Zaheer Khan or Ishant Sharma, the Indian bowlers do not pose a stiff challenge for any batting opponent. This fact got further strengthened when the Indians were unable to bowl out oppositions in the two warm-up matches at Leicester and Derby. There will be extra pressure on the Indian seamers to get the best out of the surfaces. Spin bowlers too will have to be handled as wicket-taking options as over-reliance on pace has never been India's strength. 
 
Take your catches 
 One of the areas that the Indian Test side has struggled with off late is their close-in catching. The retirements of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid in the last couple of years have made India's slip catching poorer. <keyword id="6354486" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Virat-Kohli">Virat Kohli</keyword> does not seem like a natural slip fielder but yet he is persisted with in the cordon. Recent overseas series losses in New Zealand and <keyword id="6355117" type="COUNTRY" weightage="40" keywordseo="South-Africa">South Africa</keyword> were testimony to the fact that dropped catches headlined India's woes on the field. For example, a couple of chances not taken by Indian fieldsmen saw <keyword id="55681" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Brendon-McCullum">Brendon McCullum</keyword> post a record 302 that knocked India out of the last Test they played in February. Fielding coach Trevor Penney knows this and would be working overtime with the players to improve their overall catching technique. 
 
Getting the selection right 
 
A gap of almost four months since India last played a Test match and a host of limited-overs games, especially Twenty20s (World T20 and IPL) gives Dhoni extra options of making cosmetic changes to the side. One such change should be the choice of lone spin bowler. <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ravindra-jadeja/4001/32004">Ravindra Jadeja</a> has been chosen over leading spinner <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ravichandran-ashwin/4001/26007">R Ashwin</a> for the last three Tests that India have played. For a bowler of Ashwin's capabilities and repertoire, it is quite unfortunate that he hasn't featured in the Test XI. Jadeja had two poor outings against the Kiwis earlier this year, when he just took three wickets at an average of 85.66. Jadeja does contribute with the bat lower down the order but so does India's highest-ranked Test bowler, Ashwin. Dhoni must include Ashwin in the playing XI for the Nottingham Test, especially after the spinner voiced that he was making an effort to be aggressive in England. However, Dhoni's reluctance to give Ashwin an extended run in the two warm-up ties may yet again prove a deterrent for the tall offspinner. 
 
Regarding his own captaincy, Dhoni has shown tendency to be less proactive at times, even lacking ruthlessness that is required to close out games after reaching positions of strength. Needless to say, he will have to be at his best or else it would give his detractors more material to sharpen their knives with.

Mistakes India Cannot Afford To Make In England

After the high of Lord's, the low at Southampton. Following India's 266-run defeat at Ageas Bowl on Friday, gocricket.com assesses how each of the 11 players fared. 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/murali-vijay/4001/4102">Murali Vijay</a> 
Vijay followed his defiant batting at Lord's - 24 and 95 - with a stumbling performance. He looked out of sorts against <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/james-anderson/3001/3040">James Anderson</a> on day three and perished for 34 to a moment of indecision to <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/stuart-broad/3001/3067">Stuart Broad</a>. Worse, though, was Vijay's lethargic run out for 12 in the second innings. After two strong games, a low can be excused to an extent. And Vijay is a batsman who finds a way out of a slump. 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/shikhar-dhawan/4001/28004">Shikhar Dhawan</a> 
Vijay's opening partner has looked out of sorts in England and his place in the XI is now in jeopardy ahead of the Old Trafford Test. Six innings, 122 runs, highest of 37 in the second innings at Southampton. The cracks in his technique were again exposed by Anderson in the first innings, while in the second Dhawan fell to <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/joe-root/3001/73004">Joe Root</a>'s part-time offspin. Looks far removed from the dasher who bullied Australia in Mohali and stood tall in New Zealand. Has Dhawan exhausted whatever faith the management has in him? 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/cheteshwar-pujara/4001/4106">Cheteshwar Pujara</a> 
India's No 3 had his poorest match of the series. Was tested by a fiery Anderson in the first innings where he looked uncomfortable against his bounce. Fell to a rising delivery from Broad that he failed to negotiate, and was caught behind when trying to weave out the ball's way. In the second, with India staring at a mountain, Pujara nicked off against <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/moeen-ali/3001/3153">Moeen Ali</a> for two. Pujara has not looked as shaky in Tests as he has in England. His rock-solid technique is being tested. 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/virat-kohli/4001/25007">Virat Kohli</a> 
India's superstar showed signs of shrugging off his poor form in this Test, but twice squandered starts. His dismissal to Anderson in India's first innings was an extension of a nagging problem - the corridor of uncertainty outside off stump. His dismissal to Ali's offbreaks in the second was just downright ordinary. How Kohli fares in the next two Tests could impact whether he is regarded as a truly exceptional player or just a good one. 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ajinkya-rahane/4001/32045">Ajinkya Rahane</a> 
India's best batsman, with two fifties. Looked good during his first-innings 54 until he made a mess of a long hop from Ali. Batted 121 balls for 52 not out in the second, the only Indian to cross 37. Goes to Old Trafford the most confident player of the team. 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/rohit-sharma/4001/4095">Rohit Sharma</a> The case of India's most frustrating batsman continued. Drafted in for his first Test in England, in place of allrounder <keyword id="258548" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Stuart-Binny">Stuart Binny</keyword>, Rohit found himself no further fans with a silly dismissal to Ali in the first innings. Shortly before tea, Rohit dashed out and lofted to mid-off, then sunk to his knees in despair. In the second, he made six before falling early on day five, edging off Anderson. Could be swapped for Binny in a week's time. 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ms-dhoni/4001/4057">MS Dhoni</a> 
His biggest lapse in this match was falling early on day four, when India needed to bat out time. On 50 overnight, and with two tailenders remaining, India's captain hooked at one from Anderson and top-edged to the wicketkeeper. He failed to add a run to his total and India's innings lasted 25 balls. Was flat in the field, letting the game slip away. As often in the past, when teams start to attack, Dhoni eases into defensive mode and this was glaring here too. Needs to shake himself and the team up. 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ravindra-jadeja/4001/32004">Ravindra Jadeja</a> 
Was India's leading wicket-taker in this Test but his left-arm spin was very ordinary, and the way Bell and debutant Jos Buttler took Jadeja apart in England's first innings was striking. His wickets either owed to poor shots, wrong calls or the need for quick runs. He got Cook for 95 with a short ball down the leg side; Buttler heaved and missed when the declaration was imminent; Gary Ballance was incorrectly given out; Bell and Root both went looking for quick runs in the second innings. Jadeja conceded 205 runs in 56.2 overs (economy rate 3.65) and with the bat, made 31 and 15. Calls for R Ashwin to play in his place have grown louder. 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/bhuvneshwar-kumar/4001/25023">Bhuvneshwar Kumar</a> 
No doubt, his average returns had a direct link to India's loss. Struggled to show the consistency and determination of the first two Tests, taking four wickets for 160 runs and scoring 19 and 0. A failure was around the corner, and the fatigue showed on Bhuvneshwar when he walked off the field Wednesday. 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/mohammed-shami/4001/30030">Mohammed Shami</a> 
Turned in another poor showing, and should make way for a fresher pair of legs at Old Trafford. Cranked up some good pace on day one and did bowl some scattered short deliveries that tested England's batsmen, but overall Shami was ordinary and erratic. His five wickets in the series have come every 115 deliveries and at a cost of 73.20 each. Time to go? 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/pankaj-singh/4001/4100">Pankaj Singh</a> A domestic stalwart for Rajashan with 300 wickets in 77 first-class matches, Pankaj was handed a Test cap when <keyword id="11685" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ishant-Sharma">Ishant Sharma</keyword> was ruled out, and finished with a record he won't want attached to his name: the most runs conceded by a debutant bowler without a wicket. However, he bowled far better than the stats suggest, particularly on day one, and should have had <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/alastair-cook/3001/3056">Alastair Cook</a> early as well as <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ian-bell/3001/3048">Ian Bell</a>. Was the best of India's three pacers, doing whatever was asked of him, but a lack of pace and those awful figures could confine Pankaj to a solitary Test appearance.

A Report Card On India's Defeat

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/35630550.cms" />On Tuesday, Kolkata Knight Riders will continue their fairy-tale run in the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League with their Qualifier against pre-tournament favourites Kings XI Punjab. KXIP dropped just six points on their way to the Play-offs, while the 2012 champions began their campaign on a horrid note, picked up in the middle and made it into the last four thanks to a seven-match winning streak.
 

	Four players have played a crucial hand in their dramatic turnaround, and will hold the key in putting it past KXIP in front of a capacity crowd at their home ground, the Eden Gardens.
 

	Robin Uthappa
 Much like other teams, <keyword id="6354544" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="KKR">KKR</keyword> were also chopping and changing in their bid to find the right eleven players during the UAE leg of the tournament, a period during which they suffered. The opening combination didn't fit with Gautam Gambhir in woeful touch and Jacques Kallis failing to find fifth gear, while Manish Pandey and Manvinder Bisla couldn't answer the call. UAE leg over, and Uthappa was pushed to open the innings and to the average fan, he single-handedly scripted the turnaround. 

	Since opening the innings, Uthappa has gone on to topple Glenn Maxwell and Dwayne Smith to become the leading run-scorer with an envious run of form: 47, 65, 47, 46, 80, 40, 67, 83* and 41 have been his previous nine innings. Uthappa has been the backbone of KKR's batting thanks to which big-hitters like Shakib Al Hasan and Yusuf Pathan have flourished. Against KXIP, he will be the key to flatten a KXIP side who have been on a roll of their own.
 

	Sunil Narine
 

	The West Indian was retained by the franchise for a very specific reason, and he hasn't disappointed. Narine is the best on show as far as his craft is concerned, and remains a threat against any team thanks to his deadly accurate offspin. In the two previous games against KXIP, Narine had figures of 3 for 24 and 1 for 30 from his four overs. While KKR couldn't get over the line in Abu Dhabi, they managed to do so in Cuttack. Narine has also been the tournament's leading wicket-taker so far, tied on 20 from 13 games with Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
 

	While Bhuvneshwar's Sunrisers Hyderabad have been eliminated, Narine has a chance to consolidate his position further. While he hasn't taken wickets with as much regularity as he would have liked, teams have found it difficult to score against him. Gambhir has used him intelligently - Narine bowls two, sometimes three overs at the back end of the innings and that's where teams have struggled against him. In addition to his 20 scalps, Narine has been the most economical too, going at 6.00 runs per over. Only twice have KXIP not managed to score over 150 in completed innings, and both have come against the bowling attack featuring Narine.
 

	Yusuf Pathan
 

	KKR's batting order worries in the UAE were not only attributed to the top order, but the failure of their middle order to hold them together. Yusuf Pathan showed glimpses of his old spark in a defeat to Chennai Super Kings, but the Yusuf known for his belligerence was missing.
 

	Against SRH at Eden Gardens, however, Yusuf rose to the occasion with a blistering 72 from just 22 balls that took his team home in a big chase in just 14.2 overs. KKR had given themselves two chances at the final, and while everything else fell into place since returning to India, the spark in Yusuf that was missing ensured they were firing on all cylinders.
 

	Yusuf had tore into Dale Steyn for 26 in an over, and how he counters the pace of Mitchell Johnson and co. could determine the outcome of the fixture.
 

	Shakib Al Hasan
 

	Two agonizingly close defeats to Rajasthan Royals - the one with the Super Over and the other that featured the implosion - had threatened to derail KKR's campaign, but the Bangladesh allrounder ensured they came close. Since then, though, Shakib has played an important part in some of KKR's victories with both bat and ball.
 

	Shakib is has been second best only to Narine in terms of economy rate, and has broken crucial stands with his left-arm spin, providing an able back-up to Narine from the other end. His hard-hitting innings of 60 and 46* ensured victories over Royal Challengers Bangalore and CSK, keeping KKR's winning streak unbroken. Together with Narine, he will be tasked with keeping a big-hitting KXIP batting line-up at bay, and batting at No 5 to see the team to either a big total or home in a chase.

IPL: KKR's Fantastic Four Who Will Be Key In The Last Four

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/35673285.cms" /> It has been widely said that having the best batsman or the best bowler in the side isn't alone going to help a team win tournaments and no one exemplifies this theory more than Sunrisers Hyderbad. Boasting one of the stronger sides on paper, they had the firepower required to go all the way but were incapable of repeating last year's success and crashed out in the league phase of <keyword id="6354312" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="IPL">IPL</keyword> 7. Their campaign was marred by a few bizarre decisions taken by the team management, which eventually led to their demise. They swapped <keyword id="17805" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Shikhar-Dhawan">Shikhar Dhawan</keyword> with Darren Sammy as the captain at the fag end of the tournament, sent <keyword id="60604" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="David-Warner">David Warner</keyword> - one of the most destructive openers of the current era - down the order for most of the season and experimented with the batting order repeatedly. All these factors combined with over-dependence on reputed names did them in. 

	Provided they had delivered the goods, SRH could have finished a lot better than what they did - sixth in the points table - if not lift the trophy.
 

	IPL 7 record: Played 14, Won 6, Lost 8, Points 12
 Sunrisers didn't quite start their IPL 7 crusade in a manner they would have liked. A lukewarm start in the UAE, where they lost three of their first five matches, denied them the early momentum they would have hoped for. The wins came against a muddled <keyword id="6354884" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Delhi-Daredevils">Delhi Daredevils</keyword> and a then-woeful Mumbai Indians. The India leg too didn't witness much of a difference and they could manage only four wins out of nine. However, a late surge saw them beat <keyword id="6354506" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Royal-Challengers-Bangalore">Royal Challengers Bangalore</keyword> and Chennai Super Kings in back-to-back games but it came a little too late as the equation got stiffer. In their last league match, they need to beat Kolkata Knight Riders by a massive margin, which in the end proved too much. 

	High point
 By the time it arrived, matters were already out of hand. After an average UAE leg, the last few matches in India saw Sunrisers live up to their batting-heavy reputation. Prior to their second match against <keyword id="13883" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Kings-XI-Punjab">Kings XI Punjab</keyword> in Hyderabad, SRH's previous best was 184/1 against DD - one of the weaker sides in the tournament. But against KXIP they notched up 205/5 - their highest total in the IPL - but unfortunately ended up second-best. With their backs to the wall, SRH pulled off back-to-back wins against RCB and CSK to give themselves a chance for a play-off spot, be it a slight one. 

	Low point
 

	When they were bundled out for their lowest total this season - 121 against KXIP. Chasing 194 was always going to be a tough ask but no one expected their batting to do this badly. Only Lokesh Rahul spent time at the crease and top-scored with 27. As many as five batsman fell between 10-20. L Balaji took 4/13 and got the all-important wickets of Aaron Finch (19), Warner (8) and Sammy (15).
 

	Captaincy verdict
 

	The appointment of Dhawan as captain was perhaps not a wise decision considering the kind of form he was in prior to the tournament. His initial few scores were 38, 1, 33, 7 and 6 for an average of 17. It took Dhawan 12 innings to register his first half-century of the season and it came when Sammy was given charge of the team. Dhawan ended IPL 7 with 377 runs in 14 matches at an average of 29. His form was a major setback and it reflected in his captaincy as well. When Glenn Maxwell and David Miller went hammer and tongs, Dhawan looked listless as a leader and his shoulders dropped. The body language didn't indicate the best of signs either. Perhaps Sammy should have been the first choice for the post considering his experience leading West Indies.
 

	Most valuable player
 

	Not too many might have expected Bhuvneshwar Kumar to put up a show like he did: 20 wickets from 14 games at an economy of 6.65. His bowling had rhythm and he got the ball to swing both ways. He stood out in the Powerplays - his dot balls accounting to almost 60 percent - and was exceptional in the death overs.
 

	Also, not many SRH batsmen delivered but the David Warner batted, he clearly seemed to be in the wrong team at the wrong time. Despite being shuffled in the line-up, the Australian opener managed to hit a purple patch with 528 runs from 14 matches at an average of 48. He scored six half-centuries, the most by any batsman this season and his 90 against CSK was a pioneer innings.
 

	Major disappointment
 Not one but two. While IPL's second-highest wicket-taker <keyword id="74737" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Amit-Mishra">Amit Mishra</keyword> was far from his best, Dale Steyn leaked runs frequently. SRH played Mishra in 10 games, in which he scalped seven wickets at an average of 48.57. He went wicketless in four consecutive games and his economy-rate has been 9.06 - an alarming stat considering Mishra has never gone above 8.02 in the last six editions. On the other hand, with 11 wickets from 14 games, Steyn has gone at an economy of 7.69. Thrice was he taken for above 20 runs in an over - 24 by <keyword id="77602" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="AB-de-Villiers">AB de Villiers</keyword>, 23 by MS Dhoni and 26 by Yusuf Pathan, all of which Sunrisers lost. Another telling stat being he has conceded 46 boundaries this season - the most by any bowler. Clearly, not something people want to associate with the world's No. 1 ranked bowler. 

	Verdict
 

	An overall disappointment. SRH were expected to pose some real threat to their oppositions in the beginning of the tournament but instead fell flat in their approach. The big guns failed to step up to the occasion as no one except Warner has performed consistently. The No. 1 ranked Twenty20 batsman, Finch, managed only 309 runs from 13 innings with two half-centuries. Also, the inability to strike a correct team composition in the initial stages was a big letdown and that is what stopped them from setting the right tone.
 

	Must do for 2015
 

	First and foremost, the skipper needs to lead from the front and make sure his side sticks to the basics. Then, make sure his best batsmen open the innings and face the maximum number of balls. Third, persist with the opening pair of Warner and Finch with Dhawan at No.3 and not tinker with it. SRH would also expect more of the domestic crop to leave an impact and not rely too much on reputed foreign names. This might sound easier than done but once executed, they might do what their successors Deccan Chargers did in 2009.

IPL Review: Irrational Choices Cost SRH

Australian spin legend <keyword id="17439" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Shane-Warne">Shane Warne</keyword> wants England to make a strong statement against <keyword id="6355572" type="COUNTRY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Sri-Lanka">Sri Lanka</keyword> in the two-Test series starting at Lord's on Thursday. Warne hoped that England <keyword id="16561" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="skipper">skipper</keyword> <keyword id="9234" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Alastair-Cook">Alastair Cook</keyword> would lead from the front and be proactive as a leader. 
 
"The Ashes whitewash is over, big-name players have moved on and this week I am excited to see the new brand of cricket Alastair Cook wants to play. I hope Cook has realised he has to own his own team, and that this is not Peter Moores' team. His job is to get everyone ready to play for Cook and England. This is Cook's team and I hope he demanded from the selectors they picked players with the traits to produce the brand of cricket he wants to play under his leadership. England's style of play will be a reflection of Cook's mindset and outlook," Warne wrote in his latest column for The Telegraph on Wednesday. 
 The former Test star stressed that in order to forget the 5-0 Ashes thrashing at the hands of <keyword id="6355478" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Australia">Australia</keyword>, Cook must lead England aggressively and show intent that they want to get back to number one position in the rankings. 
 
"Cook should have been smashing his fist on the table and saying this is the way we are going to play. After a 5-0 hammering you want England to come out this week and be really aggressive, send a message to Sri Lanka and the world that his team are ready to regain the No 1 spot. If Cook wants to stay boring and be the same old England by bowling wide of off stump and trying to build up pressure slowly then he has chosen the wrong path. It was proved in Australia that it is an approach which does not work and it will be fascinating to see if they have learnt from losing the Ashes 5-0. Test cricket has evolved rapidly and Cook must sense the moment," he said. 
 
However, Warne was not impressed by the inclusion of wicketkeeper Matt Prior in place of in-form Jos Buttler and he hints that coach Peter Moores may have had a role behind the move. 
 
"I find it really surprising they have gone back to Matt Prior. When you are restructuring the team why pick Prior and not Jos Buttler? He has just shown how dangerous he is with the bat with a brilliant one-day hundred so stick with him while he is on a roll. Going back to Prior I really believe is a backward step. This is the time for new beginnings. If you are going to rebuild the team then the keeper is vital because he sets the tone and standards in the field. England dropped him for a reason. He was not doing the job properly. He has only kept in one first-class match before this Test, I hope this is not a teacher's, or should I say coach's pet selection. I think that it is a Moores call, the old Sussex connection with Prior. I think it is, as I said, a teacher's pet selection and Buttler has been hard done by. 
 The 44-year-old gave the example of <keyword id="14583" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Adam-Gilchrist">Adam Gilchrist</keyword> to explain how a player becomes better with experience at the top level and why Buttler must be given a go in Test cricket. 
 
"Buttler gives that extra dimension with his batting. Prior might be slightly better behind the stumps but it is not as if England have picked two front-line spinners and the keeper will have to stand up all day. Instead, they have picked a part-time off-spinner. I played for Australia when Adam Gilchrist first came in to the side. He was not a complete keeper then, but he improved and everyone wanted a Gilchrist in their team, and why wouldn't you, because of his brilliant batting at seven. He worked his butt off to be the best keeper possible, and it came with experience. 
 
"Gilly revolutionised the batsman/keeper role and now every team wants that kind of player. Well, Buttler could be your man so give him a go. It should be a case that Buttler needs to mess up in order to lose his England place, not the other way round. Buttler should not be going back to county cricket. Moores has to win respect in his new job. Telling Prior to earn his stripes back would have been a perfect way of doing it," he said. 
 Regarding England's spin resources, Warne felt that the untimely retirement of <keyword id="62118" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Graeme-Swann">Graeme Swann</keyword> has left a big hole in their bowling attack. 
 "England have rebuilding work to do and it will naturally take time to replace the wonderful Graeme Swann. He jumped from a sinking ship in Australia and should have finished that series off but we should still respect him for what he achieved. The fact England have picked a part-timer in <keyword id="1811046" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Moeen-Ali">Moeen Ali</keyword> shows the hole Swann has left behind. If you are a young spinner in England it is time to put your hand up because there is a spot waiting for you," he wrote. 
 
He believes that the inclusion of Moeen in the Test squad augers well for other bits-and-pieces English cricketers who can now hope to have a future in the Test side. "I will be here for the next 10 weeks and I will be keeping a close eye on the spinners in county cricket to see who is out there. Even batters who bowl a bit of spin, such as Moeen, have got a chance too. 
 
"Moeen has, by sheer weight of county runs for Worcestershire and bowling a few overs of spin, earned a Test cap without being a front-line spinner so all those bits-and-pieces cricketers should get down to the nets and start bowling for hours every day because they could get a Test cap for England. All county front-line spinners should not take the selection of Moeen to heart either. They just have to show the selectors what they have got and demand selection by pure performance," he said. 
 
The highest wicket-taker in Ashes history with 195 scalps, Warne has urged England to pick up 'match winners with character'. "England have to find someone who does a good job for what they need, which either means being accurate or someone who rips it big, can take five wickets and win a game but might get smashed. This is where Cook needs to decide on the traits he wants and hopefully he goes for match winners with character," he said.

Don't Be Boring, Warne's Advice To Cook

<keyword id="6355572" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Sri-Lanka">Sri Lanka</keyword> have been meticulously planning for the 2015 ICC World Cup. For Sri Lankans the focus on the World Cup started with the Asia Cup tournament in Bangladesh in February. That was exactly with one year to go for the tournament. 
 
The Sri Lankans won that competition comfortably with an unbeaten record. But their main focus was to win series away from home before the challenge in Australia and New Zealand. Hence, the five-match series against England was high on the agenda. 
 
That Sri Lanka overcame this challenge with a hard fought 3-2 win in tough conditions is indication that they are moving in the right direction. They were the losing the finalists in the last two World Cups in the West Indies (2007) and subcontinent (2011) and they want to go all the way in 2015. 
 Prior to the 2015 World Cup, there will be two short home series against <keyword id="6355117" type="COUNTRY" weightage="40" keywordseo="South-Africa">South Africa</keyword> and Pakistan, two strong outfits and then a lengthy seven-match series against New Zealand away from home just before the World Cup. These games, especially the lengthy tour of New Zealand, should get the team well prepared for a grand show in the World Cup. 
 
They will savour the ODI series win in England for many reasons. One of the things that the selectors and the team management focused on was allowing younger players in the team to take more responsibility. They will be glad that vice-captain Lahiru Thirimanne kept his cool in the series deciding final game in Birmingham to post an unbeaten half-century during a tense run chase. Thirimanne was named Man of the Match 
 Ashan Priyanjana was another player who was tried out during the series and his 43 off 33 balls with two fours and two sixes in the second game in Durham was another highlight from a <keyword id="197090" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="young-player">young player</keyword>. Fielding was another discipline that Sri Lankans were putting a conscious effort to improve on and although this tour hasn't stood out for excellence on the field, there are signs that the team is gradually getting there. The ambition for Angelo Mathews' side is to be the best fielding unit during the World Cup above New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. 
 The senior players – <keyword id="22772" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Kumar-Sangakkara">Kumar Sangakkara</keyword>, Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakeratne Dilshan - all played crucial roles during the series and Sangakkara's brilliant century at Lord's in the fourth ODI, his first hundred at the Home of Cricket was the standout. 
 
The series win is doubly special as the senior players were angered by the defection of Head Coach Paul Farbrace to England's ranks, a mere two weeks before the tour. There were concerns that England had the edge with Farbrace possessing a sound knowledge of Sri Lanka's strong points and weak links. The players, particularly, the seniors were pumped up to prove that Farbrace defection wasn't a major blow. 
 
The icing on the cake was the series win resulting in Sri Lanka moving up to No 2 in the official ICC Rankings just below Australia. 
 
The idea is to knock Australia out and take the number one spot before long, but for the home series against South Africa and Pakistan they will carry on a few more experiments in order to get the combination right for the World Cup. The proof for their meticulous planning is in their ODI record as this year of the 14 ODIs they have played, Sri Lanka have won 12. With so much planning going in ahead of the World Cup, there's no reason why they should not do well in Australia and New Zealand in eight months time. 
 Everything is not perfect though. The two defeats the tourists suffered at The Oval and <keyword id="2023" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Old-Trafford">Old Trafford</keyword> saw humiliating batting collapses. In the first ODI at The Oval they were shot out for 144 as the top order failed to negotiate the moving ball well. At Old Trafford they hit a new low getting bowled out for 67 runs, their lowest against England and third lowest overall. The Sri Lankans definitely need to tighten their games when conditions aren't to their linking as it was in the case at The Oval and Old Trafford when the seam bowlers got plenty of assistance. 
 
A huge drawback was offspinner Sachithra Senanayake, who was their highest wicket-taker during the series getting reported for a suspect bowling action. Senanayake's action now will come under the microscope and his reporting has upset Sri Lanka's planning somewhat. They weren't too pleased when the bowler was reported after they had squared the series and just before the deciding ODI. 
 
It was a massive disappointment to see allrounder Thisara Perera being discarded after the first game at The Oval. The move was initiated in order to get the balance right. But Perera is not the kind of player Sri Lanka should be discarding to get the balance right. His name should be one of the first picks after the five names that are certain to play – Mathews, Malinga, Sangakkara, Jayawardene and Dilshan. 
 Mind you Perera was Man of the Match in the one off T20 international where his monstrous hitting powered the tourists to 183 runs. Perera smashed 49 off 20 deliveries with seven fours and two sixes before accounting to England <keyword id="16561" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="skipper">skipper</keyword> Eoin Morgan. Perera truly is a match-winner. 
 
For some reason, the selectors believe that Perera is better suited for T20 cricket. But the selectors having indicated that they are desperately looking at fast bowling allrounders for the 2015 campaign, there's no way they can discard Thisara Perera. 
 
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