The Indian cricket team wrapped up their T20I series against Bangladesh in emphatic style, clinching a dominant 133-run victory in the third and final match in Hyderabad. Winning the toss, captain Suryakumar Yadav opted to bat first, and the Indian batters put on a masterclass, posting a colossal total of 297/6—the highest-ever T20I score by a Test-playing nation. Sanju Samson led the charge with a breathtaking maiden T20I century, scoring 111 off just 47 balls. His partnership with Suryakumar (75 off 35) produced a monumental 173-run stand for the second wicket, leaving Bangladesh's bowlers hapless on a night where nothing went their way.

Despite losing both Samson and Suryakumar in quick succession, India maintained their momentum with explosive finishes from Hardik Pandya (47 off 18) and Riyan Parag (34 off 13), adding vital runs in the death overs. Bangladesh, who had been outclassed in all departments throughout the series, crumbled under the pressure once again, failing to put up a fight in the chase. India's comprehensive win not only secured a clean sweep but also marked their third-biggest victory margin in T20Is, sending the team into celebration mode as they dominated the series from start to finish.

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Decoding India's Explosive Batting Display in the Final T20I

India's dominating performance against Bangladesh in the final T20I of the 2024 series was exemplified by their incredible ability to clear the boundary at will. The above image provides a breakdown of India’s six-hitting prowess during their mammoth total of 297/6. It captures the key contact points where the batters connected with the ball to send it flying over the ropes for sixes, highlighting just how aggressively the Indian top-order and middle-order approached the game. These sixes played a pivotal role in setting up India's third-largest victory margin in T20Is.

The image reveals that a significant number of sixes were hit from deliveries pitched in a particular zone around the stumps. As indicated by the 54.5% figure on the image, more than half of the sixes came from balls in this primary hitting arc. The orange dots represent where Indian batters connected with the ball to launch their sixes, and they are densely concentrated in this highlighted area. This shows that the Bangladesh bowlers frequently bowled within the range where Indian batters could swing freely and clear the boundary with ease.

The variety of six-hitting points, however, also illustrates the versatility of the Indian batters. While many sixes came from the traditional off-stump region, several were struck from deliveries that were wide outside off or full-pitched deliveries closer to the stumps. This reflects the adaptability of the batters, as they could take on different types of deliveries and still find ways to muscle the ball for maximum runs. The spread of contact points across the graph showcases India’s all-round aggression, with players using innovative strokes to maximize run-scoring opportunities.

This aggressive approach was led by Sanju Samson, who struck a maiden T20I century (111 off 47), and captain Suryakumar Yadav, who contributed a quick-fire 75 off 35 balls. Together, they stitched a massive 173-run partnership that laid the foundation for India's record-breaking score. The sixes highlighted in the graph are a testament to their dominance, as they consistently found ways to dispatch the ball to the boundary, keeping Bangladesh’s bowlers under constant pressure.

In conclusion, the above image captures the essence of India’s T20I batting blueprint—brutal aggression, a fearless mindset, and an ability to hit sixes from varied deliveries. India’s clinical display of power-hitting helped them post a colossal total, which ultimately paved the way for a massive 133-run victory, completing a clean sweep of the series. The graph not only serves as a visual representation of the match's carnage but also as a reflection of how India has mastered the art of attacking T20 cricket.

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Ravindra Jadeja has had an impressive Test career, showcasing his exceptional all-round skills over the course of 140 matches. With 303 wickets to his name, Jadeja has proven to be one of India's most reliable spinners. His bowling economy of 2.48 reflects his ability to maintain tight control over the game, forcing batters into mistakes. His average of 23.9 is a testament to his consistency and knack for taking key wickets, often breaking crucial partnerships in the middle overs. Jadeja’s adaptability on different surfaces, combined with his precision, has made him a vital asset in both home and away conditions.

Jadeja's strike rate of 57.7 and his balls per wicket ratio of 78.7 illustrate his balance between attack and control. Whether bowling in turning conditions or on flatter tracks, Jadeja has regularly outwitted batsmen with his variations and accuracy. Beyond just his bowling, his fielding and lower-order batting have made him a complete package, often contributing to India’s victories with valuable runs and game-changing moments in the field. His resilience, combined with his ability to perform under pressure, has established him as one of the finest all-rounders in modern Test cricket.

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From Grit to Glory: Ravindra Jadeja’s Impactful Test Career

Ravindra Jadeja's Test career is a testament to his consistency and adaptability against various international sides, with each team presenting unique challenges. His best performances, in terms of wickets taken, have come against Australia, where he has claimed 89 wickets in 32 innings. His economy rate of 2.34 and average of 19.3 highlight his dominance, and his five five-wicket hauls, including a career-best 7/42, underline his ability to dismantle strong Australian batting lineups. Jadeja's control is reflected in his dot percentage (79.1%), showing how effectively he has kept Australian batsmen under pressure over the years.

Against England, Jadeja has played 37 innings, picking up 70 wickets while maintaining an economy of 2.58. Though his bowling average against England (32.6) is higher compared to Australia, his standout performances, including a best of 7/48, prove his value in pivotal Test series. The dot percentage of 76.4% showcases his ability to tie down English batsmen, even in seam-friendly conditions, reflecting his versatility as a bowler.

His exploits against South Africa are equally impressive, where he has taken 42 wickets in 15 innings at a miserly economy of 2.28. With an average of just 19.1 and a strike rate of 50.4, Jadeja has been a thorn in South Africa's side, consistently taking wickets in crucial moments. His three five-wicket hauls against the Proteas, including a best of 6/138, demonstrate his ability to rise to the occasion against top-quality batting lineups. Notably, his dot percentage of 81.1% highlights his control and accuracy.

Jadeja’s 33 wickets against Sri Lanka in 14 innings have come at an economy rate of 2.85, with a strong bowling average of 23.7. His ability to trouble Sri Lankan batsmen is evident from his two five-wicket hauls, with a best of 5/41. Similarly, against New Zealand, Jadeja has taken 25 wickets in 16 innings, maintaining an economy of 2.41. Though his strike rate against the Kiwis is slightly higher at 77.8, his effectiveness in restricting runs is clear from his 80.4% dot ball percentage.

While his sample size against Afghanistan is smaller, Jadeja's efficiency shines through, taking 6 wickets in just 2 innings at a remarkable average of 5.8 and an economy of 2.73. His best bowling figures of 4/17 against Afghanistan illustrate his ability to strike early and maintain pressure. Across all teams, his dot percentages hover around or above 78%, highlighting his incredible control over line and length, keeping batsmen on the defensive, and cementing his legacy as one of India’s most reliable Test bowlers.

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In comparison to batters and bowlers, India has produced a relatively scarce number of quality all-rounders. Top-order batters and spin spinners have always dominated the cricketing landscape. However, the few all-rounders that have emerged are not just numbers but remarkable talents on the world stage.

These Indian all-rounders have consistently showcased their versatility with both bat and ball, winning matches single-handedly, inspiring their teammates, and setting a benchmark for aspiring young cricketers. Here's a writeup to the top 5 Indian all-rounders who have left an indelible mark on Indian cricket history.  

Kapil Dev

It's no surprise to find Kapil Dev topping the given list. Kapil Dev, an embodiment of raw spirit and grit, has the potential to be remembered as one of India's best athletes. He bowls for extraordinarily lengthy durations that modern bowlers could never imagine, and he has never missed a match due to fitness difficulties. The former captain is India's third-highest wicket-taker in Tests.

But, above all, the 1983 World Cup win was the catalyst for the halo around him. His incredible catch to eliminate Viv Richards in the World Cup final may have been the turning point in the West Indies' dominance. In 382 international cricket matches, he has scored a colossal 9031 runs and 687 wickets. 

Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin's career has been a rollercoaster, but it has significantly influenced his arsenal. He replaced Harbhajan Singh on the Indian team and shattered several test records. Ashwin, a street-smart cricketer, used several variations to confuse batters across forms.

Even though he was one of the players who lost his spot in the ODI and T20 teams owing to India's glut of spinners, no one could match his test supremacy. With cautious knocks and daring ramp shots, Ashwin is one of India's top all-rounders. He has scored 4302 runs and taken 744 wickets in his current international spell across all formats.

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja completely transformed the fielding aspect of the game, including his all-round ability. Jadeja failed to gain a position on the Indian side despite playing as Virat Kohli's vice-captain in the Under-19 World Cup. Jadeja is still evolving as a limited-overs all-rounder, but his combination with Ravichandran Ashwin is lethal in Test cricket. Jadeja is now a match-winning batsman, ball player, and fielder.

India cannot omit him from any of their teams. With his recent retirement from the T20I side, his fundamental contributions in the ODI and Test formats will be crucial for the Indian team in the coming days. In his international career, he has made 6393 runs and scalped 568 matches in 279 matches.

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Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan was hyped as the future Kapil Dev during his early career. A great left-arm bowling all-rounder with the ability to swing the ball both ways joined the Indian team and immediately made an impression. He became the first Indian bowler to achieve a test hat-trick in the opening three deliveries of a test match.

After demonstrating his ability to knock rapid boundaries late in the innings, he was an easy pick to play for India in the 2007 T20 World Cup, when he was named Man of the Match in the final. In his 141-match career, he scored 2821 runs and scalped 301 wickets. 

Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri is a complete all-rounder both on and off the pitch. In some ways, he revolutionised the game by going against the tide. While batters began scoring runs more quickly, his defensive tactics, such as his ability to play long innings and tire out the opposition and subsequent high scores against formidable opponents, greatly benefited him.

He was a right-handed batsman who bowled left-arm orthodox, an unusual breed of player. But at times, Ravi Shastri became so vicious that he blasted six sixes in one over. His excellent statistics of 3830 runs with 151 wickets in test cricket and 3108 runs with 129 wickets in one-day internationals speak for themselves. Adding cherry on the top, he is also excellent at coaching and commenting.

Team India is ready for the upcoming home Test series against Bangladesh. Before the beginning of a busy Test cricket schedule, Indian captain Rohit Sharma opened up about the importance of workload management. 

India will start their 10-match Test campaign this week with the two-match home Test series opener against Bangladesh at Chennai. After hosting Bangladesh, including a three-match T20I series, India will host a three-match Test series against New Zealand. 

After hosting the Test series against New Zealand, India will first travel to South Africa for a four-match T20I series.

In late November, India will start their five-match away Test series against the hosts Australia. All their upcoming ten Test matches are part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship. 

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I think we have done that pretty well: Indian captain Rohit Sharma

Indian captain Rohit Sharma is giving importance to workload management, which majorly focuses on pacers' workload. Talking about it, Rohit opened up their workload management during the five-match home Test series against England early this year, which India won by 4-1 after losing the opening Test of that series.

Rohit said, according to ESPNcricinfo, "We have laid out some plans on how we are going to manage these bowlers. But again, it all depends on the workload that has been carried by them in these games. So yeah, we will monitor that. I think we have done that pretty well. Even when we played against England [at home, earlier this year], we managed to get Bumrah one Test match off. We managed to give Siraj one Test match off.

"So it all depends on how the body feels at that particular time, what the [strength and conditioning] is, and what the physios feel about them, when is the right time to give them a break from the game, and then take the call."

You want your best players to play all the games: Rohit Sharma

Rohit further clarified that the best players couldn't play all matches during the long cricket season. In this situation, team management becomes crucial for the Indian captain. 

The Indian captain added, "You want your best players to play all the games, but that's not possible because there is so much cricket that happens. It is not only Test cricket, there is T20 cricket happening [against Bangladesh and South Africa] in the middle of the Test series as well. So you [have] got to understand everything, and then see what is best for the team and then manage your bowlers around it."

We saw some exciting prospects in the Duleep Trophy as well: Rohit Sharma

Rohit also praised the pace bowlers, who have performed well in the ongoing Duleep Trophy. He is very happy with a strong pool of new Indian pacers. 

Rohit said, "We have got a lot of bowlers who are there for us. We saw some exciting prospects in the Duleep Trophy as well. I am not too worried about the kind of bowlers that are waiting in the wings for us."

In the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2024/25, the right-arm pacer Anshul Kamboj is the leading wicket-taker with 11 wickets, including 8/69 during India B’s first innings. 

Mukesh Kumar has taken 10 wickets in the ongoing Duleep Trophy, while Akash Deep and Khaleel Ahmed have picked up nine wickets each, and the fast bowler Harshit Rana bagged eight wickets. Bengal pacer Akash Deep claimed a fifer and four-fer in his only match of the tournament against India B.

The opening T20I of the three-match series between India and Sri Lanka is set for Saturday, July 27, at Pallekele International Stadium. In this first game, Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has the chance to set a major international record as the first batter worldwide to achieve it.

Having debuted for India last year, the young southpaw has scored 953 runs in 16 innings across 11 matches this year. The Rajasthan Royals star is now just 7 runs away from becoming the first batter in 2024 to reach 1,000 runs in international cricket across all formats.

The 22-year-old has scored 740 runs in six Tests and 213 runs in five T20Is. Although the Mumbai-based cricketer was part of the Indian squad that won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA last month, he did not play in any of the matches.

Before the T20I series against India began, Sri Lanka suffered two major setbacks with injuries to Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara. Both star fast bowlers have been ruled out of the series, which will be played entirely in Pallekele.

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India’s squad for the T20I series : Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, Khaleel Ahmed, and Shivam Dube.

Arshdeep Singh, the left-arm pacer who starred in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 victory, is on the verge of fulfilling his long-standing dream of playing Test cricket. The 25-year-old has consistently expressed his aspiration to compete in Test matches.

Following his standout performances in the T20 World Cup, Singh is now poised for his debut in the Test squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Rohit Sharma and the team are scheduled to play a five-match Test series against Australia from November to December this year, and Singh’s impressive form suggests he will receive his maiden Test call-up.

Arshdeep Singh’s first Test call-up is approaching for the upcoming tour of Australia

Indian selectors are considering adding the left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh to the Test squad, given his outstanding performances in limited-overs cricket. Impressed by his exceptional showing in the T20 World Cup 2024, the selectors are eager to include him in the team for the upcoming tour of Australia.

Singh ended the T20 World Cup 2024 as one of the joint-leading wicket-takers, alongside Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi, with 17 wickets. Reports suggest that the national selectors have advised him to play a few matches in the upcoming Duleep Trophy to strengthen his chances of earning a Test call-up.

A source close to the situation told the Times of India: “Arshdeep has demonstrated impressive swing in white-ball cricket for India. He might be asked to participate in some domestic red-ball games, starting with the Duleep Trophy on September 5, to improve his selection prospects for the Australia tour. There’s a strong possibility that he could become India’s key player, alongside Jasprit Bumrah, in Australia.”

The source also mentioned, “The selectors are particularly interested in adding another left-arm pace option to the white-ball squad, which is why Khaleel Ahmed was included in the Zimbabwe tour and has been selected for both the ODIs and T20Is in Sri Lanka.”Currently, both Khaleel and Arshdeep are with Team India in Sri Lanka. They will participate in the upcoming three-match T20I series, followed by a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. The tour begins with the first T20I match on July 27 in Pallekele.

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Riyan Parag and Harshit Rana are set to be developed as future stars

Riyan Parag has reportedly been included in both white-ball squads for the Sri Lanka tour due to an injury to middle-order batsman Tilak Varma. The Indian selectors aim to develop Parag, who is known for his solid all-round skills, including decent bowling, exceptional fielding, and explosive batting.

Similarly, Harshit Rana has received his maiden call-up to India’s ODI squad, thanks to his impressive ability to bowl yorkers, slower balls, and other variations in the death overs, making him a valuable asset in white-ball cricket.The selectors are focusing on grooming Rana, Parag, and Khaleel Ahmed for the future as the Indian team navigates a transition phase, with Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja having retired from T20I cricket.

Team India has departed for Sri Lanka to participate in a 3-match T20I and ODI series. The T20I squad left from Mumbai on Monday, July 22. Head coach Gautam Gambhir headed to the airport immediately after his first press conference since taking over the role. Hardik Pandya also joined the team, sharing a light-hearted interaction and a hug with the newly appointed assistant coach Abhishek Nayar before they flew out.

Hardik will participate solely in the T20I series as a player. Shubman Gill has replaced him as the team’s vice-captain. Although Hardik was once a contender for the T20I captaincy after Rohit Sharma’s retirement, Suryakumar Yadav was ultimately chosen for the role. Ajit Agarkar, BCCI’s chairman of selectors, highlighted that while Hardik remains a key player for the team, his fitness challenges influenced this decision.

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Why didn’t Hardik get the captaincy?

“Regarding Hardik, he remains a crucial player for us. However, fitness has been a challenge for him, which complicates decisions for the coach and selectors. We need someone who is consistently available. Despite this, we believe Surya has the qualities needed for captaincy. We also think we can manage Hardik more effectively; we’ve seen his capabilities with both bat and ball in the World Cup. We discuss role changes with every player, and yes, we’ve had conversations with him,” Agarkar said in a media briefing.

India’s newly appointed head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has confirmed the appointment of all-rounders Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate as assistant coaches for the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka.

Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar has expressed concern over Hardik Pandya’s unexpected removal from leadership roles following the BCCI’s announcement of the squad for the Sri Lanka tour. The selectors have appointed Shubman Gill as the new vice-captain for both white-ball formats and Suryakumar Yadav as the new T20I captain.

The decision was surprising to many, as Pandya was anticipated to assume leadership duties after Rohit Sharma’s retirement, having led the team in his absence since 2022. Bangar commented that he would have expected Pandya to be named captain for the T20 World Cup had he not been sidelined by injury during the ODI World Cup.

“I’m somewhat surprised that Hardik isn’t the T20 captain. Before the last T20 World Cup, it seemed likely that if Rohit hadn’t taken over as captain and Hardik hadn’t been injured, Hardik would have been appointed as the captain,” Bangar said on Star Sports.

Bangar further described the decision as a troubling step backward for the team.”The Indian team was moving in a certain direction, and the selectors appeared to be aligned with that path. This sudden change feels somewhat concerning. It’s known that the chairman of the selection committee and the coach have spoken with Hardik Pandya,” he added.Pandya first captained India in June 2022 during the tour to Ireland and continued to lead the team in T20s after their exit from the T20 World Cup 2022. However, his injury in the ODI World Cup impacted his leadership role.

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Pandya’s stellar performance in the T20 World Cup 2024

Pandya made a remarkable return in the T20 World Cup 2024, playing a crucial role in India’s triumphant campaign with both bat and ball. He amassed 144 runs from six innings at an average of 48 and a strike rate of 151.57, including one half-century. His highest score came against Bangladesh in the Super 8 stage, where he remained unbeaten on 50* off 27 balls.With the ball, the right-arm seamer claimed 11 wickets in eight innings at an average of 17.36 and an economy rate of 7.64.

His standout bowling performance came in the final, where he took 3/20 in three overs, dismissing Heinrich Klaasen (52 off 27) and David Miller (21 off 17).In the final over, Pandya successfully defended 16 runs, removing Miller on the very first ball with a spectacular catch by Suryakumar Yadav, securing a seven-run victory for India.

Richa Ghosh made history with her stunning performance against the UAE in Dambulla, as India surpassed 200 runs in T20Is for the first time during the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 on Sunday, July 21. Richa became the first Indian wicketkeeper-batter in the Women’s Asia Cup to score a fifty, helping India finish strong. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur topped the innings with a score of 66, finishing as the highest scorer.

The UAE won the toss and chose to bowl first. India got off to a strong start with Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, but Mandhana was dismissed quickly. Shafali continued her aggressive play, scoring 37 runs off just 18 balls, helping India reach 52 runs in 5 overs before she was dismissed. India faced a setback when Hemalatha was bowled by Hotchandani. However, Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues steadied the innings, with the Indian skipper playing the aggressive role.

The pair added 54 runs together before Jemimah was dismissed with more than 8 overs remaining. Richa Ghosh then stepped in and completely changed the game.

The Richa Ghosh performance

The Indian wicketkeeper began with a few singles before hitting a boundary to get her momentum going. In the 15th over, she smashed a six and then proceeded to hit UAE skipper Esha Oza for four boundaries in the next over.

Richa kept rotating the strike with her captain, quickly bringing up their 50-run partnership. At one point, it seemed India might fall short of 200 runs as Harmanpreet struggled to find her rhythm in the 19th over.

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However, the Indian skipper finished the over with a flourish, hitting two boundaries and a six off the last three balls. In the final over, Harmanpreet was run out due to a mix-up with Richa, but the wicketkeeper-batter made up for it by finishing strong.

Richa sent the last five deliveries to the boundary, remaining unbeaten on 64 off 29 balls with 12 fours and a six. India concluded their innings with 201 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 20 overs.

The previous highest total for India in T20Is was 198 for 4 in 20 overs against England in Mumbai in 2018.

KKR assistant coach Abhishek Nayar is expected to be appointed to the Indian team’s support staff. Reliable sources inform IndiaToday.in that Nayar will join the Indian team on their tour of Sri Lanka, marking Gautam Gambhir’s first assignment as head coach. Nayar, who has been with KKR for six years, has a proven track record of helping Indian domestic players, including Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik, through challenging times.

Alongside Nayar, the Board of Control for Cricket in India is expected to enlist another former KKR player, Ryan ten Doeschate, who is currently the assistant coach for the LAKR franchise in Major League Cricket in the USA.

Support and Transition: Nayar’s impact and the BCCI’s new direction

Both Nayar and ten Doeschate have been part of the KKR setup at different times and are known for their supportive nature. Nayar has a proven track record of assisting players like Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, and Rinku Singh during difficult periods. Players such as Varun Chakravarthy have highlighted how Nayar uplifted the dressing room after challenging losses in the 2024 IPL season.

In the last game, after conceding so many runs, it was a tough pill to swallow, but the entire team motivated us. Abhishek Nayar and even Shahrukh Khan came and spoke to me, which definitely lifted our spirits.Chakravarthy shared in a Twitter post during the IPL.

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The Indian men’s team support staff, which included Paras Mhambrey (bowling coach), T. Dilip (fielding coach), and Vikram Rathour (batting coach), will not be part of the Gambhir era. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the decision on Tuesday, July 9, via a press release, where they congratulated the trio for their highly successful tenure with the Indian team. The BCCI also expressed gratitude to Rahul Dravid for nurturing young talent and leading India to three finals in ICC tournaments during the 2023/24 cycle.