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India may not have the squad that ticks all the boxes but history has shown that the team can spring surprises, be it in 1983 or in 2007. A lot will depend on men on the wrong side of the 30s — Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Dinesh Karthik and R. Ashwin — and about how they want to shape their individual legacies while blending it with the team’s cause.

In this issue

29-10-202214 STORIES

Cause for concern: In recent months, none of India’s fast bowlers has been consistently good in the death overs. Arshdeep Singh is another bowler who leaks runs at the death, his economy rate shooting to 8.53 (from 7.75 in the PowerPlay) during those overs.

T20 World Cup, Group 2: All eyes on fast bowlers as India, Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh brace up for pacy, bouncy Australia

All four teams in Group B have packed their squad with fast bowlers for the T20 World Cup in Australia. Death bowling remains India’s achilles heel, w

The Australian team appeared slightly frazzled last year heading into the T20 World Cup and therefore surprised onlookers by winning the title. It has since enjoyed success in T20Is and heads into the World Cup at home as one of the favourites.

T20 World Cup, Group 1: Australia the team to beat at home

Australia has had an excellent run in T20Is this year, and will be the team to beat at home. Bigger outfields and pacier pitches will make life a tad

Tough days ahead: Rohit Sharma embarks on another tour to reiterate his captaincy attributes. Between M. S. Dhoni’s iceberg persona and Virat Kohli’s fiery outlook, Rohit straddles the middle ground. It is also a tribute to his longevity that only he and Dinesh Karthik have lasted from the squad that won the inaugural 2007 ICC World T20 in South Africa.

T20 World Cup: Can India spring a surprise to end title drought?

India may not be a squad that ticks all the boxes but history has shown that the side can spring surprises.

Trailblazer: Rohit Sharma is the first Indian batter to score a century in a T20 game. He scored an unbeaten 101 (45b) for Mumbai against Gujarat in the Interstate T20 competition in 2007.

T20 World Cup: Trivia, records, stats, unique feats, and more

Who scored the first century in T20 cricket? And who has served as captain the most times in T20 World Cups? Here are some numbers from the shortest f

Game changer: Australia’s Adam Zampa stemmed the tide after the Powerplay overs during the T20 World Cup semifinal against Pakistan. Had it not been for the leg-spinner’s impactful spell, the run chase may have been beyond Australia’s reach.

T20 World Cup: How match-ups and smart tactics make the difference between victory and defeat

Strategic punts on each ball can have a decisive impact on the course of a T20 game. Captains and teams that master the art can win tournaments.

Kardinia Park, also known as Simonds Stadium, is mainly used for Australian rules football.

T20 World Cup: A brief look at first-round venues - Kardinia Park, Geelong, and Bellerive Oval, Hobart

The first round of the T20 World Cup begins on Sunday, October 16. A brief look at Kardinia Park, Geelong, and Bellerive Oval, Hobart - the two venues

Beneficial: Chest-deep water is great for interval and power workouts as well as some plyometrics.

Fitnesswise: Strength training in swimming pool full of benefits

Workouts in the swimming pool can revolutionise fitness sessions, helping athletes build their athleticism to reach peak levels of fitness.

Making hay while the sun shines: During cricket matches face painters turn up to paint the faces of the fans with the logos of their favourite teams and sometimes the names of the players.

Sunil Gavaskar column: Hospitality, transport, food, merchandise, and more - how cricket drives the economy

Whenever there is a game of cricket in the country, one can see numerous employment opportunities opening up.

Shafali Verma struck her first T20I half-century after more than 18 months in India’s 59-run win over Bangladesh in the Women’s Asia Cup.

World of cricket: Shafali Verma youngest to 1,000 T20I runs; Babar, Rizwan on song in New Zealand

In the Asia Cup game against Bangladesh, Shafali Verma became the youngest batter in women’s cricket - at 18 years, 253 days - to complete 1,000 T20I

Arsenal fan: “For alarmingly large chunks of an average day, I am a moron,” wrote Nick Hornby in that marvellous book of football and obsession, masculinity and fandom and growing up, Fever Pitch.

Nick Hornby, fandom, and sporting obsessions

Nick Hornby followed Arsenal with the sort of passion, indeed obsession that passionate obsessives understand but those outside the charmed circle of

On top of the world: Race winner and 2022 F1 World Drivers’ champion Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates with his team after the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka International Racing Course.

Analysis: Verstappen clinches F1 title amid confusion, joins elite club

After his 12th win of the season, Max Verstappen had an unassailable 113-point lead over his nearest rival Sergio Perez and 114 over Charles Leclerc a

Great run: Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo scores his team’s second goal against Everton in the Premier League. It was Ronaldo’s 700th club goal of his career.

European Leagues: Ronaldo scores his 700th goal, Arsenal regains top spot in Premier League

It was an exciting week of football across Europe’s top-five leagues. From Cristiano Ronaldo’s landmark 700th club goal to Borussia Dortmund’s late eq

All set: Captains of all the teams at the launch of PKL 9 in Bengaluru on October 6. The competition will be held in three venues - Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad.

PKL 2022-23 preview: Revamped teams, new young players, and battle-hardened veterans to spice up new season

Rejigged teams with fresh strategies will provide a new flavour to the ninth season of the Pro Kabaddi League. The endurance of the league’s ageing wa

Kerala Blasters’ Ayush Adhikari (left) challenges for the ball during the Next Generation Cup in London in July. Adhikari was the captain of the team in the tournament.

ISL 2022-23: Five youngsters to watch out for

The ninth season of the Indian Super League begins on October 7. Here are five young players to watch out for.

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