BY SACNILK

India, the number two ODI team after England, has always been lack of consistency at number 4 in the batting order. Despite being ruthless in ODIs, India will want to fill the number four slot before the World Cup. KL Rahul could be the one. Even though his place in ODI side has been uncertain but He is hopeful that his recently concluded IPL form, will help him cement his place in ODI side.## "My childhood dream is to play the World Cup and if the team management wants me to bat No 4, I am ready to do it because nothing is bigger than playing for India. I hope to continue with my recent form in ODIs too," Rahul told TOI on the sidelines of an event in Chandigarh.## Rahul, who had scored 659 runs in 14 matches in IPL 2018, said that he is ready for every challenge thrown to him. He is even ready to sacrifice his opening slot to give some solidity at number 4.## "Right now my aim is to score runs for my country and it doesn't matter if it is coming as an opener or in the middle order. As long as I am performing these things don't matter but the final decision is taken by the team management. If they want me to bat at No 4, then I am up for the challenge," said Rahul.## Mind you, India had tried as many 10 players at number 4 since 2015 world cup. But none of them could hold his place for the longer period.## KL Rahul is preparing for the one-off Test against Afghanistan. It will be a historic Test for Afghanistan as they will be playing their first ever Test match starting June 14. Afghanistan has included five spinners in their squad to challenge batting heavyweight India. When Rahul was asked about Afghanistan's spin-heavy squad, he said,## "No doubt they are a very talented squad with some really good spinners. That's their strength but we will play to our strength."## However, Rahul will have extra responsibility on his shoulders to provide a good start to India as Virat Kohli has opted out himself from this match.## For more updates and news, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.

BY SACNILK

India's wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha is doubtful for Afghanistan Test after he got injured while batting in the second qualifier against KKR on May 25. The 33-year-old will be closely monitored by the BCCI's Medical Team in the lead up to the one-off Test against Afghanistan.## The BCCI Media Release said: "Mr. Wriddhiman Saha suffered an injury to his right thumb while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the VIVO IPL Qualifier 2 against Kolkata Knight Riders on 25th May 2018 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. He has been advised rest for 5-6 weeks and he can play only after this period"## "To determine the future course of injury management, Mr. Saha will see a specialist and the BCCI Medical Team will continue to monitor his progress".## Shah has been India's regular wicketkeeper since MS Dhoni retired from the Test cricket. This is the second time in this year when Saha got injured. ## He had missed out the second and third test match against South Africa and Parthiv Patel then took his position in both matches.## Even in this year IPL, he missed out five matches due to injury before playing in the second qualifier. But it was his bad luck that he got injured again and missed out the final. ## Shreevats Goswami replaced him in the final. However, he had a miserable season with the bat as he had scored only 122 runs in 11 matches.## BCCI likely to announce the replacement soon as India is scheduled to play in Afghanistan's first ever Test starting from June 14. ## For more updates and news, stay tuned to us. ## Thanks for the reading.

BY SACNILK

Shikhar Dhawan had a wonderful season of Indian Premier League with the bat. He scored 497 runs for Sunrisers Hyderabad and was among the top ten batsmen in leading run-getter. But unfortunately, Sunrisers lost in the final against Chennai Super Kings and missed to win the title for the second time.## The 32-year old swashbuckling left-hander was participating in Ceat Cricket Rating Award on Monday 28th May where he awarded Ceat international batsman of the year. In an exclusive interview to TOI, Dhawan said that he is ready for the upcoming overseas challenge. And also talked about India-Afghanistan's historic Test and challenges playing against Rashid Khan.## Here is an interview was given by him to TOI:## How would you sum up the Sunrisers' IPL campaign this time?## It was good. We lost our captain (David Warner) before the tournament began. Then Kane Williamson came along and he had a wonderful season. He's a good captain. I had a good season too. We played in the final, though the result didn't go our way. Overall, we played good cricket and enjoyed the season.## How much of a setback was losing Warner before ball one this season? When he was ruled out, did you expect to be given the captaincy?## Of course, it was a huge setback to lose Warner. He's such a big player. My name was being discussed by people about captaincy, but the (SRH) management thought that Kane was the right choice. That's normal. Williamson is an experienced captain. He's calm, and took the team along, like a family. He's amazing, and he led from the front.## You must have played a lot of Rashid Khan in the Sunrisers nets. How do you see the threat in the Test match against Afghanistan?## Of course. When I played him for the first time, I found him tough to deal with. However, now I'm used to playing him. If I play (in the XI), it'll be a good challenge to play against him. I'll look forward to scoring runs off him!## With Murali Vijay and KL Rahul around, you're never sure of your place in the Test side. How difficult is it to compete with such quality batsmen for a spot in the side?## There's always pressure. There's pressure to retain your spot in every team. It's a good thing for Indian cricket that there's so much competition (for the opening slot). All three of us are experienced. Rahul has done so well in the IPL, and in the (Test) series against Australia before that.## You have a decent pace attack now. Do you think that you'll do well in England this time? Yes, our team is experienced. Our bowlers are fit. Bhuvneshwar (Kumar) has been rested for the Test against Afghanistan, so he'll be fresh for England. We have other quality bowlers too. So, our bowling and batting both are good. Of course, the English wickets offer a different challenge. The faster we adapt to English conditions, the better it will be. We have to be good in all the departments, and that includes slip catching as well. England is a formidable side at home. We've to play exceptional cricket to beat them.## Your last tour to England (in 2014) wasn't great. You were dropped after failing in the first two Tests. Are you looking to set the record straight this time?## Absolutely. That tour wasn't great, but I learned a lot from that. Now, I'm going to play in England after four years. I've gained a lot of experience in this period. I'm a better player than what I was the first time. I'm confident that this time, I'll do well by the grace of God. Hopefully, things will go my way.## Are you hopeful that your captain, Virat Kohli, too will do well in England, unlike the last time?## Of course. The good thing is that all our batsmen are technically sound. They all have a burning desire (to do well). Sab like dil she khelte hain (everyone plays with a passion). Everyone tries to do well. I don't think anyone wouldn't want to do well. Everyone wants to be a hero of a match, and God willing, that will happen.## In South Africa, you were dropped after failing in the first Test. How frustrating was that?## That's part of the game. The (team) management would have felt that KL was a better option than me at that moment. Of course, it was hard (on me) at that point, but you have to take it in your stride and keep working. So, when I was dropped, I was working on my fitness and in the nets. When I got a chance in the ODIs, I did well. I was happy at the end of the day.## You have a fantastic One-day record, but do you think you can do better in Test cricket?## Of course. It's not that my Test record is bad presently. I have an average of 42, and I've played Tests consistently for the last four-five years. I hope in my journey ahead from here, I improve my Test record. According to me, an average of 42 is also good. Maybe, it isn't for you! In the ODIs, my average is 44-45, so 42 is good. Till now, I have played only 20-30 Tests, so it takes time. Everything takes time. Of course, I could have done well. I did my best. Sometimes it worked for me, sometimes it didn't. Now with more experience, I am sure that things are going to go my way more.## How do you manage to raise your game and deliver so consistently in the big tournaments, be it World Cup or the Champions Trophy?## See, I am a big believer in process. I have the same attitude even if I play here, or in an ICC tournament. Naturally, my records have been good in ICC events, but it's not like that I play there with a different attitude. I play with the same attitude, the same way, whether I play in the IPL or the Ranji Trophy or for the Indian team.## You wife wasn't keeping too well in recent times? How tough has this phase been for you in that sense?## I knew that she was to be operated, so I wanted to be there (last year). And I was there for her. At that particular moment, I felt that was more important than cricket. It's not like I don't value cricket, but at that moment it was necessary for me to be there for my wife, so I chose to do that. Of course, I missed playing then, but then when I came back, I started playing again.## Who's your favourite batsman in international cricket?## AB de Villiers. He's a great batsman and more than that he's a gem of a person too. A great leader. I have learned a lot of things by just watching him. I'm happy that I played against him.## Any targets that you have set for yourself?## Nothing as such. There's a lot of cricket left in me now. I want to do better and better for me, and for the country. I want to keep playing for as long as I can because I made it to the Indian team late in my career. I still have that passion within me. I know I can achieve a lot more. I want to make up for that lost time. Meri book Abhi baaki hai (I'm still hungry for more success).## With the packed overseas season for the next one year, Team India will be hoping that Shikhar Dhawan keeps continuing his fine form. Before going to England, India will play against Afghanistan's first ever Test match, starting from June 14. After that India will play 3 T20s against Ireland in Ireland before heading to Englan for 3 T20s, 3 ODIs, and 5 Tests## Thanks for the reading.

BY SACNILK

Virat Kohli's plan of play for Surrey cricket club has been dismissed after a neck injury ruled him out from his County cricket participation. A BCCI media release confirmed on Tuesday, May 23.## Virat got injured his neck during an IPL match against Sunrisers Hyderabad and therefore he has advised to take rest before five-match Test series against England in England.## The BCCI medical team, after doing all necessary scans, have advised him to undergo a period of rehabilitation considering India's tough tour of England ahead.## "He will begin training and subsequently undergo a fitness test at the NCA in Bengaluru from June 15. The BCCI Medical Team is confident that Kohli will regain full fitness ahead of India's upcoming tours to Ireland and England," the release further stated.## Mind you, Virat Kohli was already skipping Afghanistan Test due to his County commitment for Surry cricket club where he had signed a contract with the club for the month of June, saying, "It has long been an ambition of mine to play county cricket and I am thankful to Alec Stewart and Surrey for allowing me the opportunity to join them during their 2018 season. I can't wait to get to the Kia Oval."## Virat Kohli had raised his concern over heavy workload in the past as well. He had said before the Tri-Nation Nidahas Trophy that, "Physically, I had a few niggles, I am just getting over those. The workload has started to disagree (taking a toll) with me a little bit. I have to be very careful about how I go forward with my body, my mind, my cricket."## The injury gave a big blow to Kohli's preparation ahead of the England tour where India will play three T20s, three ODIs, and five Tests.## For more updates and news, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.

BY SACNILK

Not often a 8 ball innings awarded Man Of The Match unless it is Dinesh Karthik. When he came out to bat India needed 34 runs in just 12 balls but Dinesh Karthik had some other plans. He starts the 19th over with a six to Rubel Hossain over the long on followed by four and six in next to balls. He made 22 runs in 19th over and target came down quickly. Only 12 runs needed in last over, Bangladeshi's Captain Shakib Hassan played a gamble by giving the ball to Soumye Sarkar. The first ball of the 20th over was a dot ball to Vijay Shankar, who was struggling to hit throughout his innings then single of the next 2 balls and equation came down 9 of 3 balls, the next ball went for four but on fifth ball Vijay Shankar caught out on long on and now it's up to Dinesh Karthik to take India Home. India needed six of the last ball to win the final and Dinesh Karthik hit it over the cover for six and the celebration started in Indian dressing room. Karthik made 29 of just 8 balls.## "It was the best innings I have played in my life" Karthik said ## Earlier in the day Indian Captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bowl first, expecting the pitch will play better for the batsman in the second innings. India made only one change as they drafted Jaydev Unadkat in place of Mohammed Siraj. Bangladesh played with unchanged XI.## Bangladesh came out with different approach as the charged down Indian attack but risk was always there of lossing wicket. Opener Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das played some good shots but India's best bowler of this tournament and Yuzvendra Chahal took 3 wickets in space of 11 balls.## But Sabbir Rahman, who was the chief architect of Bangladeshi's innings, played some good shot. He was the top scorer with 70 runs in just 50 balls he was bowled by Jaydev Unadkat in 19th over of the innings. Bangladesh made 166/8 in 20 overs.## India's reply was began in fifth gear, both Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan unleashing themselves on Shakib and Mahidy Hassan, who opend howling for Bangladesh. Rohit Sharma who was the top scorer in last match, was India's go to man in powerplay in the final. He hit two sixes to Mehidy in only second over of the innings, that the off spinner never returned to bowl in whole innings.## Despite lossing Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina in quick succession in the powerplay, Rohit and Rahul kept playing their shots ensured Bangladesh never gained the upper hand. The duo put on 51 run stand in just 36 balls before Rahul was caught at deep squire leg.## However Rohit Sharma continued his assault on Bangladeshi bowler. In this process he completed his 14th T20I fifty-he also become the 3rd Indian to reaching 7000 runs in T20I career. However, he departed soon after completed his fifty.## Suddenly India loss their plot as Vijay Shankar who was promoted ahead of Dinesh Karthik strughled to hit boundaries and the required rate was increasing continues. In this Manish Pandey lost his wicket.## As the Pandey was walking off the field, Dinesh Karthik walking in. ## For more and latest news about Cricket, Stay tuned to us. ## Thanks For Reading, Sacnilk!