On Thursday, December 14, in Johannesburg, during the third and final Twenty20 International against South Africa, Suryakumar Yadav improved his standing in the game’s shortest format by scoring a fourth century that tied the record. Upon being asked to bat first, India’s skipper took the lead right away, scoring 100 runs off of just 56 balls to help the team to a formidable total of 201/7. In his thrilling innings, Suryakumar struck eight sixes and seven fours.

Former Indian sprinter Zaheer Khan expressed praise
Suryakumar Yadav gave an explanation of why bowlers find it challenging to bowl against the Mumbai batter following his impressive knock. Zaheer observed that it is quite difficult for a bowler to carry out their plans since the 33-year-old plays strokes in every direction on a cricket pitch.

Without a doubt, he is establishing a reputation for himself. Bowlers find it extremely tough to deal with his ability to make shots all over the field. In this format, with the field constraints, bowlers always have an opportunity if they can strike one side of the pitch, according to a remark from Zaheer on Crizbuzz.

However, bowlers find it difficult when faced with a batsman like Surya, who can knock the ball to long on, midwicket, smash sixes over covers, and effectively employ pace by opening his bat’s face. It’s never going to be simple for bowlers to carry out their strategies since he chooses his fielders and his places, he said.

Zaheer Khan gave bowlers the simple advice to “try and get Suryakumar out.”
With four hundred Twenty20 internationals, Suryakumar Yadav tied the record shared by Glenn Maxwell and Rohit Sharma. The most T20I hundreds for the flashy right-hander also come when batting at No. 3 or lower. According to Zaheer, opposition bowlers’ primary goal should be to remove Suryakumar.

One method of stopping him would be to simply offer oneself the best opportunity to bowl the deliveries and get him out. That was ultimately the outcome, Zaheer continued.

India triumphed by 106 runs to square the three-match series 1-1. The Proteas were bowled out for just 95 after facing a formidable total of 202. Kuldeep Yadav was the visitors’ top player with the ball, going five for forty. Arshdeep Singh and Mukesh Kumar each claimed one wicket, and fellow tweaker Ravindra Jadeja also claimed a few wickets. It was decided that Suryakumar was Player of the Series and Player of the Match.

In a show of respect and admiration for the cricketing legend, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to retire the illustrious No. 7 shirt, which MS Dhoni famously wore as his captain. This symbolic act, which he took three years after quitting international cricket, will serve as a reminder of the immense impact he had on Indian cricket.

The BCCI has informed present and prospective players that the numbers linked to these cricketing legends are off-limits, in keeping with the similar tribute given to Sachin Tendulkar’s No. 10 shirt in 2017. When it comes to choosing their jersey number, the cricket players on Team India will have fewer options thanks to this directive. The Indian roster of accessible numbers now has restrictions, even though the International Cricket Council (ICC) allows players to select any number between 1 and 100.

The number allotment for the current Indian squad and those who are in contention has already been determined, according to a senior BCCI official, leaving a small pool of perhaps 60 odd numbers. In the event that a player missed a year or more of action, the board declined to give their number to a rookie. As such, those who have just made their debut now have just about thirty possibilities to pick from, which highlights the scarcity of numbers.

A dearth of numbers among graduates
Yashasvi Jaiswal, 21, had to change course on his India debut this year when he saw his old No. 19, which he had worn when playing for the Rajasthan Royals. Dinesh Karthik, who is still active in cricket but is now a commentator, held the number. As a result of his desired number being unavailable, Jaiswal adapted by selecting No. 64 for his national team jersey.

Even in youth sports, where talented athletes compete to obtain their desired jersey number, the importance of jersey numbers is clear. Notably, the coveted No. 7 was already taken; therefore, emerging sensation Shubman Gill faced a challenge in his Under-19 career. After deciding on No. 77, Gill stuck with it when he moved up to the senior squad, demonstrating the bond players frequently form with their jersey numbers.

At the Wanderers Stadium on Thursday, December 15, Team India faced South Africa in the third Twenty20 International of the series, and they had a task ahead of them. In the decisive match, Team India had everything on the line after dropping the second Twenty20 International, and they delivered. But the Men in Blue’s near-injury scare was one of the game’s major thrills. Captain Suryakumar Yadav hurt himself during the second inning as he injured his ankle while fielding. After being carried off the field right away, the great batter did not return.

In addition, he was observed hobbling to the presentation ceremony following the game, where he disclosed the severity of his injuries. Fans breathed a great sigh of relief when the captain said the injury is not too serious and he should recover quickly.

“I am doing well. It doesn’t seem so bad because I can still walk. Reaching a hundred was an amazing accomplishment, particularly for a worthy cause. Playing a bold brand of cricket was one thing we wanted to check off our list. I’m very glad the boys had such character. A three- or four-for never makes Kuldeep pleased. A wonderful self-birthday gift,” Suryakumar Yadav remarked following the game.

India focused on winning the ODI series.
South Africa and India’s three-game Twenty20 International series ultimately came to an end. India entered the third T20I with business after losing the second match. After losing the toss, India elected to bat first in the opening over at the Wanderers Stadium, and they batted brilliantly.

Yashasvi Jaiswal struck first in the inning, scoring 60 runs off of 41 deliveries. In addition, Suryakumar Yadav demonstrated his class by reaching 100 runs in just 56 deliveries. India demonstrated their skill with the ball after amassing an enormous first-inning total of 201 runs.

India won the match by 106 runs after South Africa was bowled out for 95 runs by Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mukesh Kumar, and Arshdeep Singh, each scoring one wicket. India will not play South Africa in a three-match ODI series that begins on December 17.

India overcame Aiden Markram’s team by 106 runs in the third game of their Twenty20 International Series on Thursday, December 14, in Johannesburg, averting a series loss. The series concluded 1-1 as a result of this outcome. Aakash Chopra, a former opener for India, examined the actions of a few of the Indian players competing in the series. Shubman Gill, a gifted opener, may have an issue with his technique against left-arm spinners, according to the cricketer-turned-commentator.

LBW dismissals of Shubman for 0 and 8, respectively, occurred in both games. During the third Twenty20 International, he attempted to sweep Keshav Maharaj, but the on-field umpire smacked him on his pads, promptly giving him out. Replays later revealed that he would have survived if he had opted for a review because the ball had missed the stumps.

Shubman Gill Twenty20 international stats are inconsistent. One or two significant knocks are there, but everything else is low. It appears that he is having trouble with left-arm spin as well. Aakash Chopra wrote on his YouTube page, “From what I understand, the left-arm spinners have trapped him inside the powerplay.”

Shubman Gill played his first T20I match earlier this year against New Zealand, where he earned his first century. After accumulating 890 runs at an average of 60 for the Gujarat Titans, he went on to win the orange cap in the Indian Premier League. Gill hasn’t been able to perform well regularly in the game’s shortest format, despite scoring a half-century against the West Indies.

Aakash Chopra says Tilak Varma is losing out on possibilities.
In addition, Chopra said that Tilak Varma, who scored 29 and 0 while batting at No. 3 in the series against South Africa, lost out on a great chance.

Tilak Varma is passing up chances. He needs to exercise caution because his Ireland series wasn’t great and he is losing out even in this situation by batting at number three. He was forced to bat slightly down the order against Australia. Because it is still Kohli’s, No. 3 is already a tough position to keep. I believe that Rohit and Kohli will compete in the Twenty24–20 World Cup,” Chopra continued.

In the Caribbean, the southpaw made a strong debut to his international career. With 173 runs at an average of 57.67 in five innings, he concluded as India’s leading run scorer in the five-match series. Nevertheless, he has only scored 137 runs in the next ten games.

Chopra also mentioned Jitesh Sharma, an Indian wicketkeeper and batsman. Following the ODI World Cup 2023, the 30-year-old had some spectacular cameos against Australia in the home T20I series. He did not, however, do well in the Rainbow Nation, as he managed just five runs in the two Twenty20 Internationals. The 46-year-old claimed that Jitesh missed out on a chance to firmly establish his place on the squad. KL Rahul and Sanju Samson, among others, are reportedly waiting in the wings for a chance to return to the T20I lineup, according to Chopra.

“In some ways, Jitesh Sharma has also missed out on opportunities, but he bats down the order. If he doesn’t, someone else will be prepared to take his place. Perhaps Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, or Rishabh Pant once he recovers completely,” Chopra remarked.

Given that he rarely plays down the order, perhaps it isn’t Ishan Kishan. I don’t think it will happen, but Samson might have a shot if he bats at No. 5 for RR. Jitesh Sharma is thus, in a sense, a front-runner, but not really,” he said.

In a talk on Aakash Chopra’s daily sports show “#AAKASHVANI,” Anjum Chopra, a JioCinema expert, discussed her expectations for the Test match between India Women and England Women at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai starting on December 14.

About India’s prospects in the match
Anjum Chopra: India’s home ground advantage gives them a good chance. However, given that England’s Test players were training at the city’s gymkhanas throughout the white-ball series, I believe the circumstances will favor England. They are thus more accustomed to their surroundings. Anyway, there is more red-ball cricket played in England. In 2021, our players faced Australia in their final Test match. They haven’t played long-format domestic matches or red-ball cricket since then. Therefore, England is unquestionably a better fit for red-ball cricket than India.

Regarding the probable combination for India
Anjum Chopra: Meghna Singh and Sneh Rana ought to be starting, in my opinion. We could witness this spin combination if Deepti Sharma and Rajeshwari Gayakwad join Sneh. We will immediately have six bowlers if Renuka Singh Thakur and Pooja Vastrakar (an all-round player) play in addition to Megna Singh. Richa Ghosh and Yastika Bhatia are the two wicketkeepers; I would go for Yastika Bhatia because of her excellent batting and keeping. Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Harmanpreet Kaur are included in the top and middle order.

On the development of England in Test cricket

Anjum Chopra: England’s results have gotten better over time. They performed admirably in the Test match against the Ashes. Tammy Beaumont reached two hundred runs. Their advancement has been steady since then and will continue into the upcoming Test match against India. Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone are the two people England would like to accompany. Kate Cross has also joined the group. Their bowling combination will therefore be excellent. Since England’s bowling and fielding are far more accustomed to using the red ball, their main goal will be to bat well.

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Rohit Sharma shared his thoughts on social media for the first time after the heartbreaking World Cup for India on Wednesday. He candidly discussed how emotionally taxing the India defeat to Australia in the ODI World Cup final was for him. After India had been performing well in the competition, the loss came as a shock to Rohit, who had to cope with the fallout.

On Wednesday, December 13, South Africa and India will play their third and final Twenty20 international match at Johannesburg’s Wanderers Stadium. The second T20I proved to be quite important after the previous one was swept. After winning the toss, Aiden Makram chose to bowl first. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, who were the first players to be ejected by the visitors before they could pose a threat to the scoring, gave the team a terrible start. Despite having more experience than players like Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma was chosen for the playing XI. Despite having a strong start, the southpaw was unable to build on it.

Suryakumar Yadav, the skipper of India and the top-ranked T20I batsman, put together an impressive 70 runs off of 48 balls for the fourth wicket. After the veteran was out for a 36-ball 56, it fell to Rinku to lead India to a significant victory. The little batsman had an impressive performance, hitting an undefeated 68 off just 39 balls. In the latter stages, India lost a few wickets quickly. Play was halted by rain in 19.3 overs, with them at 180/7. The Proteas’ two best bowlers were Gerald Coetzee (3/32) and Tabraiz Shamsi (1/18).

The hosts were given a revised goal of 152 runs in 15 overs following the rain break. The Indian bowlers found it difficult to contain the top order of South Africa. After a commanding 30-ball partnership of 54 runs between Reeza Hendricks and Markram, Tristan Stubbs and Andile Phehlukwayo completed the picture. The Indian bowlers had a tough time holding the ball since it was getting wet every time it was struck down the ground, making circumstances difficult for them. Using the DLS technique, South Africa ultimately prevailed by five wickets with seven balls remaining. India’s chances of winning the series are now slim. They can only tie the series at one game remaining.

Pitch report for Wanderers Stadium
One of the Rainbow Nation’s most batter-friendly stadiums is The Wanderers. In T20Is, the average score after one inning is 173. At this location, the West Indies achieved the most successful chase, scoring 236/6 in 19.2 overs against South Africa. Teams trailing have won 17 games, while teams batting first have won 15. The good news is that there is no probability of rain in Johannesburg on match day, according to AccuWeather.

Most Likely Starting XI
South Africa

Gerald Coetzee and Marco Jansen were only chosen for the first two games of the tournament; they are projected to quit the team, forcing South Africa to rely more heavily on their fast bowling resources. Uncapped pacers: Ottniel Baartman and Nandre Burger may take their spot. But if the hosts follow this path, the batting lineup would appear very thin because Jansen is a highly valuable batsman at No. 7. The home team may choose to replace Coetzee with one of Burger and Baartman’s players and bring in the explosive Donovan Ferreira to fill his absence. In this scenario, Markram will need to bowl four overs.

Predicted starting lineup: David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nandre Burger, Ottniel Baartman, Lizaad Williams, Tabraiz Shamsi, Aiden Markram (C), Matthew Breetzke, Reeza Hendricks, and Heinrich Klaasen (WK).

India

In terms of selection for the second Twenty20 International, India took a few risks. They selected Tilak instead of the more seasoned Shreyas Iyer, who earlier this month hit fifty runs in India’s final Twenty20 International match against Australia. Additionally, they did not include Ravi Bishnoi in the starting XI. Bishnoi was the Player of the Series winner in the most recent T20I series against Australia. If they are re-added to the squad for the game that matters most, it will be intriguing to see.

Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Rinku Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and Mukesh Kumar are the predicted starting eleven.

T20Is Head-to-Head Records between SA and IND:
Matches Played 26
India won 13
South Africa won 11
NR 2
First Meeting 1 December, 2006
Last Meeting 12 December, 2023
SA vs IND 3rd T20I Broadcast details:
Date Thursday, December 14
Timing 08:30 PM (IST)
Live Streaming Disney+Hotstar
Live Broadcast Star Sports Network

Rain played spoilsport and made the surface unfit for play, forcing South Africa and India to postpone their first Twenty20 international of the present series. On Sunday, December 10, both teams were scheduled to play at Kingsmead Stadium. It is noteworthy that Cricket South Africa (CSA) expects to make over a billion rand ($53 million) from the series against the Men in Blue alone, mostly from TV rights. But the Proteas suffered an early defeat in the series due to a wet start. In relation to this, former Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar assumed the spotlight and examined how the CSA was getting ready for the opening Twenty20 international in Durban. In the first Twenty20 International, the 74-year-old described how the rain did not cover the entire field.

It doesn’t begin for another hour if the earth is still exposed and the rain stops. Abruptly, the rain returns. Thus, there is absolutely no play. Everyone is receiving large sums of money (cricket boards). Let’s be clear about this. Every cricket board is quite wealthy. They are lying if they claim not to. They may not own the same wealth as the BCCI. Alright, it makes sense. However, Gavaskar told Star Sports, “every board has the funds to purchase these covers to cover the entire ground.”

Let’s not make an apology. Sunil Gavaskar
In addition, Gavaskar spoke highly of former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, pointing out that Eden Gardens in Kolkata is the only venue in the country equipped with a completely covered rain management system.

“At this point, the boards must completely cover the ground. We shall make no excuses. I seem to recall that there was a Test match at Eden Gardens when the game didn’t start due to an issue. Eden Gardens had the entire field covered for the next game. That’s the type of initiative you should strive for. “The person in charge was Sourav Ganguly, who ensured that Eden Gardens remained blame-free,” stated Gavaskar.

As David Warner prepares to retire, all eyes will be on the person who will take over as Australia’s opening man once he leaves. The hero of Australia’s ODI World Cup victory, Travis Head, has dismissed any speculation that he would take first place.

In Test cricket, Head highlighted that opening the batting is a “specialist job.”. Travis Head said that the players who have been waiting a long time to join the squad should get a chance first, despite his outstanding performances at the top of the order in the ODI format.

“The first opportunity should go to the people who have been waiting a long time to join the team. However, discussions with everyone are still ongoing; for me, the opening in the subcontinent is the only one, according to Head’s comments as cited by ESPNcricinfo.

Andrew McDonald, Australia’s head coach, has alluded to an unusual selection for Warner’s heir. Head thinks the selectors are happy with his middle-order effort, though.

“[Selectors] are pleased with my middle-order performance. In the future, I don’t see myself traveling about too much,” he declared.

The three most probable candidates to start are Marcus Harris, Matthew Renshaw, and Cameron Bancroft. These players are still being considered by selectors because of their performance in the home arena. Head, who had, owing to an injury, replaced Warner as an opener during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year in India, said that his concentration is on the middle order and that he is dedicated to contributing where he has excelled over the previous two years. “I think [opening] it’s a specialist job,” he stated.

Not sure whether I’ll make it to that T20 World Cup: Travis Head
After being instrumental in Australia’s ODI World Cup victory, Head’s focus is now on Test cricket, with the opening match against Pakistan scheduled for December 14. He stated that he was really interested in clinching a berth for the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA next year after thinking back on his previous T20I series against India.

“Since I’m not guaranteed a spot in that T20 World Cup, I wanted to show up, give it my all, and attempt to earn a spot on the squad. We thought playing the three T20s was a better opportunity than Shield,” Head remarked. “We haven’t got many T20 opportunities coming up over the next little bit, so it was sort of that last chance to press my claims to make sure that I’m in the mix.”

Head was upbeat, despite his damaged hand not feeling fully recovered. He admitted that the training at the WACA field had been dull.

“It was a pretty average training session yesterday. The wicket is trickier,” Travis Head remarked. Nothing much has changed on my end; I try to be upbeat. I want to be bold, but I also want to use the proper ratios.”

In Australia, Head has become a hero to many admirers; some even dress up as him for holiday get-togethers. He anticipates a resounding reception from the local supporters coming to the Perth Test.

Head is focused on his middle-order position and hopes to carry on his cricket career with the same positive vibes that have made him a beloved figure in Australia as the first Test match against Pakistan draws near.