The bustling form of several Indian pace bowlers in the ongoing IPL looks to be the only major discussion point on Saturday in the corridors of the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, when India's squad for the ICC Champions Trophy is announced. This summer's tournament will be held in England where seam and swing bowling will find favour and that India's selectors have several names to ponder over can only be a good sign.
From India's last ODI squad, the men to drop out are most likely going to be Ashok Dinda and Shami Ahmed for two new pace-bowling faces. India have not played 50-over cricket since January, which leaves the selectors to pick the 15-man squad largely on reputation and IPL form. Thus, the persons of interest would be Umesh Yadav, Vinay Kumar, Praveen Kumar and Irfan Pathan. With Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar certainties having performed creditably in India's last two ODI series and currently enjoying good form in the IPL, two of the four are likely to be picked.
The favorites look to be Umesh and Vinay. Umesh - who has not played an ODI since July 2012 - made a return to competitive cricket at the end of the domestic season and in the IPL has bowled hard and fast to take 13 wickets from ten games so far. The most athletic and quickest of India's crop of pace bowlers, Umesh would be a major asset in England. Vinay currently is the leading
11:59 AM, May 03, 2013
It's the hits, the heaves and the "Yes maximums" that makes any T20 match an exciting and entertaining one. So if IPL 6 is high ...
12:18 PM, May 01, 2013
New Delhi: Normal service was restored for Delhi Daredevils who followed up an excellent run-chase two nights ago with another sloppy batting performance that formed the basis of their seventh defeat in eight matches. Given first use of a sluggish Feroz Shah Kotla surface on Tuesday evening, the hosts made 120 for 7 which Kings XI Punjab chased down for the loss of five wickets to pocket their fourth win...
11:06 PM, Apr 23, 2013
Mohali: What threatened to be a mismatch between the defending IPL champions and a struggling Kings XI Punjab turned out to a gripping encounter at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on Tuesday. After yesterday's upset win for Pune Warriors over heavyweights Chennai Super Kings, Punjab pulled the ground from underneath Kolkata Knight Riders' feet to record a thrilling four-run victory. The fans in Mohali were treated to a see-saw match....
07:41 PM, Apr 16, 2013
Pune: Kings XI Punjab put up a remarkable allround performance to crush Pune Warriors India by eight wickets in their first match of the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League. This is Pune's second consecutive defeat after they lost their opening match by 22 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday. Pune won the toss and opted to bat on a pitch offering substantial assistance to the seam bowlers. Praveen...
06:57 PM, Apr 07, 2013
After scoring 176/2 in their 20 overs, Bengal restricted UP to 162/9 to emerge winner by 14 runs. ...
05:35 PM, Mar 27, 2013
Suspended for unruly behaviour during the Corporate Trophy, Praveen Kumar is remorseful and has vowed not to repeat the incident in future. ...
05:00 PM, Mar 18, 2013
Praveen Kumar was suspended by the BCCI after using abusive language and making intimidating advances during the Corporate Trophy in February. ...
10:50 AM, Mar 09, 2013
When you first attend cricket coaching at your local club, you see immediately that a great importance is given to being disciplined in your attitude ...
08:25 AM, Feb 14, 2013
On-field brawl puts the Indian pacer in hot water during the match between ONGC and Income Tax. ...
04:38 PM, Feb 07, 2013
The rookie UP pacer picked up 5 for 59 as Delhi were dismissed for 235 on day one of their opening encounter. ...
05:16 PM, Nov 02, 2012
The India pacer is upset after being ignored for the recently concluded home series against New Zealand. ...
03:05 PM, Sep 14, 2012
Adam Gilchrist led from the front, helping KXIP chase 121 and leaving Chennai dependent on other results to make the play-offs. ...
07:21 PM, May 17, 2012
Tiruparankunram: In a marked departure from the usual practice of putting up posters for politicians and actors, some youngsters have put up a giant flex board near Tiruparankunram praising Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Kumar for holding the assembly polls in a fair manner. The youths of Avaniapuram, who claimed to be members of the 'Praveen Kumar's fans association', said they also performed "milk abhishekam' to the Board, which...
11:56 AM, May 16, 2011
Chennai: With the model code of conduct coming into force for the April 13 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, the Election Commission on Wednesday ordered stoppage of distribution of free colour TV sets, the ruling DMK's flagship scheme. Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Kumar also warned of "severe action" against officials found violating the code. "District Collectors and the Heads of Departments have been asked to stop forthwith distribution of free colour...
01:32 PM, Mar 02, 2011
The world No. 58, Vladislav Tkachiev was sleeping during his game. ...
04:57 PM, Sep 04, 2009
CNN-IBN's panel of cricket experts discuss Kolkata Knight Riders' emphatic win over Royal Challengers Bangalore. ...
01:20 AM, May 17, 2008
Roseau, Dominica: Shivnarine Chanderpaul followed Brian Lara in becoming the second West Indies batsman to pass 10,000 Test runs on Thursday and team-mate Darren Bravo said he is the example to follow for the new generation of cricketers in the Caribbean. Bravo, who shared in a 110-run partnership with the 37-year-old Chanderpaul, has long viewed his relative Lara as a role-model and that is visible at times in his batting...
11:38 AM, May 16, 2008
