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It’s an opportunity for him to do something different: Rahul Dravid on KL Rahul’s wicketkeeping duties in 1st Test vs South Africa

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  With KL Rahul set to keep in the upcoming Boxing Day Test for India, his first full wicketkeeping assignment in the national side, coach Rahul Dravid put his weight behind the player saying it will be a new and exciting challenge. “It’s an exciting challenge and it’s an opportunity for him to certainly do something different. Obviously with Ishan (Kishan) not being available, the opportunity came up. We have a couple of keepers we can choose from. Rahul is certainly one. We have had this discussion with him and he’s very confident. He’s very keen on giving it a go,” Dravid said in a press conference on Sunday. “We do understand that it’s not probably something he has done as often. He’s been doing it regularly in 50-over cricket. So, that’s certainly tough to play 50 overs and then bat the full day. That can take a lot out of your body. He has prepared well. Over the last 5-6 months he has done a lot of keeping, even though it’s in the white ball format. But this will be a new an...

India vs South Africa, third ODI: Match Prediction - Who will win today’s match between SA vs IND?

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  India (IND) and South Africa (SA) are poised to clash in the third and final ODI of the three-match series at Boland Park, in Paarl. In the series opener at Wanderers Stadium, India dominated, securing a convincing eight-wicket victory over South Africa. However, in the second ODI, courtesy of Tony de Zorzi's impressive century, the Proteas made a strong comeback with an eight-wicket win.  As the series stands level, both teams are now focused on securing a win in the upcoming decider to clinch the series. IND vs SA Match Details: Particulars Details Match India vs South Africa, 3rd ODI Venue Boland Park, Paarl Date & Time Thursday, December 21, 4:30 PM Live Broadcast and Streaming Details Star Sports Network, Disney+Hotstar Boland Park, Paarl, Pitch Report and Conditions Boland Park's pitch is known for its well-balanced wicket, with fast bowlers expected to receive some assistance in the early stages of the game. However, as the match progresses, batters are ...

2022 FIFA WC final rewind: One year since Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup and completed football

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  The cameras panned on Lionel Messi. This was supposed to be his night, wasn’t it? The night he completed football.  The fulfillment of a career that had until then possessed every trophy – team and individual – except one. But in the 81st minute the smile on Messi’s face was one of embracing the harsh reality. Was this to be another 2014? After all the dazzling showmanship he’d put up on the pitch for the entirety of the tournament, was it all going to end in vain?  Had the World Cup just been snatched away from his grasps, again? Was this another harsh reality check of sport not giving two hoots about a happy ending. A few yards from him, the French players were wheeling away in celebration. Kylian Mbappe had equalized for France after Argentina had dominated the entirety of the final. The flashbacks for Messi, Argentina, and their vociferous supporters in Doha and elsewhere must’ve been bone-chilling. The script seemed eerily familiar to the heartbreaks they had endur...

‘Surprised that Mumbai Indians moved on from Rohit Sharma so early’: Wasim Jaffer on Hardik Pandya being made MI captain

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  Mumbai Indians caused a flutter by handing over the reins of captaincy to Hardik Pandya over longtime skipper Rohit Sharma, who has played a part in the franchise’s five Indian Premier League titles. Hardik spent two years at the IPL newcomers Gujarat Titans, where he led them to the title in the inaugural season before a finals appearance last season. So it was a surprise for everyone when he was traded by the Titans to his original franchise Mumbai Indians. It was a bigger surprise to see that Mumbai appointed Hardik as captain. “I’m surprised that MI has moved from Rohit Sharma so early. It happened so quickly, I’m also a little surprised. When they did the trade, it was probably communicated to Hardik that he was going to become the captain.  But whether it was communicated to Rohit, I don’t know,” former India and Mumbai cricketer Wasim Jaffer said on ESPNCricinfo. “There were a couple of guys who were pretty hopeful of becoming the captain. One of them is Suryakumar Ya...

West Indies vs England 2nd T20I: Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match?

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  The second T20I match between West Indies (WI) and England (ENG) is scheduled to take place in Grenada on Thursday afternoon.  The West Indies team emerged victorious in the first game of the series, winning by four wickets on Tuesday in Barbados, as they successfully chased down a target of 172 with 11 balls remaining. Despite a shaky start with the ball in the first T20I, West Indies managed to slow down England's batters and eventually chased down the target in the 19th over. If they maintain the same level of intensity, it will be difficult for England to defeat them in this match. Although England lost the opening T20I, some promising performances are going to boost their confidence. The conditions in Grenada could be favorable for much of England's bowling attack, and we can anticipate a high level of play from the team in this upcoming T20I. WI vs ENG Match Details Particulars Details Match West Indies vs England, 2nd T20I Venue National Cricket Stadium, St Geor...

South Africa vs India 3rd T20I: Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match between SA vs IND?

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  India seeks to square off the series against South Africa in the concluding T20I clash at Johannesburg's Wanderers Stadium on Thursday, December 14.  Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India faced a setback in the rain-curtailed second T20I, losing to Aiden Markram's South Africa by 5 wickets via the DLS method. The series commenced with the opener in Durban abandoned without a toss due to rain. In the second T20I showdown, India, boosted by half-centuries from skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh, posted 180/7 in 19.3 overs. Rain intervened, resulting in a revised 15-over chase for South Africa with a target of 153. The Proteas successfully chased down the total, seizing a 1-0 lead. Both teams aim for an uninterrupted face-off in Johannesburg before heading into the three-match ODI series. SA vs IND Match Details: Particulars Details Match South Africa vs India, 3rd T20I Venue Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg Date & Time Thursday, December 14, 8:30 PM Live Broadcast an...

Zimbabwe vs Ireland 2nd T20I: Match Prediction – Who will win today's match between ZIM vs IRE?

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  The second match of the three-game T20I series between Zimbabwe (ZIM) and Ireland (IRE) is scheduled to be played at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.  Zimbabwe clinched a thrilling victory in the first match, securing a narrow one-wicket win to claim a 1-0 series lead. Looking ahead, fans can anticipate another nail-biter. Both Ireland and Zimbabwe's batters will aim to deliver improved performances, posting substantial totals on the board for their bowlers to defend. ZIM vs IRE Match Details: Particulars Details Match IRE vs ZIM, Ireland Tour of Zimbabwe Venue Harare Sports Club, Harare  Date & Time Wednesday, December 9, 04:30 PM Live Broadcast and Streaming Details Fancode Harare Sports Club Pitch Report The surface at the Harare Sports Club typically favors bowlers, especially those with a slower or medium pace. Batting is expected to be challenging on this surface, requiring batters to spend some time before going all out. Spinners are also expected to...