Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

India have enough ammunition going into World Cup: Shastri

India are a flexible side with enough ammunition in their arsenal going into the World Cup, says head coach Ravi Shastri, making it clear that combinations would depend on conditions.

When Vijay Shankar was picked in the 15-man squad, it was largely perceived that the Tamil Nadu all-rounder could bat at crucial number four position but Shastri said there is not one player, who is certain to play in that position.


"We are a flexible team. It's horses for courses, we have got enough ammunition. We have got enough players who can bat at 4. So, I am not really worried about that," Shastri said.

"I think we have got all bases covered. Last thing you want is passengers on the tour. You want to have in those 15 players ... who can play anytime, at any given time. If there is a major injury to a fast bowler, there will be a replacement almost straight away," he said in an interview with CricketNext.

The ICC ODI World Cup will be played in the UK from May 30 to July 14.

All-rounder Kedar Jadhav suffered an injury during then IPL, where key wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav's lack of form also came under the scanner but Shastri said, "it doesn't worry me at all."

"In-fact I am totally blanked out from that. When the flight takes off on the 22nd, (May) we will see who are the 15 on that and just take it from there. Luckily in Kedar's case, there is no fracture so we will wait and watch. There is still time so it should be ok," he said.

Shastri said a team can't pre-plan for a big event like the World Cup and the four years leading up to the tournament is the time to prepare.

"In these big tournaments.... You go with the flow, you react spontaneously to different situations and the four years that have gone in between the World Cup, that's what prepares teams," he said.

The former captain handpicked West Indies and Australia to watch out for in the showpiece event.

"When they (West Indies) were in India I said we might have beaten them but we had a tough series and they played some excellent cricket. And I said that at the given time, there was no (Chris) Gayle, there was no (Andre) Russell in that side," Shastri said.

"I said watch out for this side, they have serious talent and I was very happy about that. Because you have played in the glory days of West Indies against some of the best players to have played the game and then the country has gone through some real debacles.

"The power hitting there is something that no team comes close. When it comes to the sheer ability to hit sixes, they are way up the ladder there."

Talking about defending champions Australia he added: "You would expect that from Australia. They have won more World Cups than any other team in the last 25 years. There is never an Australian team which is not competitive.

"And now they have got all their players back and they seem to be in pretty good form but then again in the World Cup it is that given day," Shastri said.

More For You

tulip-siddiq-city-minister
Tulip Siddiq

Tulip Siddiq self-refers to ethics watchdog over property claims

TREASURY minister Tulip Siddiq has asked the prime minister's ethics watchdog to examine claims about her use of two London flats, amid growing questions about property arrangements linked to her family's connections in Bangladesh.

The minister, who oversees anti-corruption efforts in Britain's financial sector, has stepped back from a planned China visit to assist with the inquiry.

Keep ReadingShow less
Indian media watchdog demands probe into journalist's death

Mukesh Chandrakar

Indian media watchdog demands probe into journalist's death

INDIA's media watchdog has demanded a thorough investigation after a journalist's battered body was found stuffed in a septic tank covered with concrete.

Freelance journalist Mukesh Chandrakar, 28, had reported widely on corruption and a decades-old Maoist insurgency in India's central Chhattisgarh state, and ran a popular YouTube channel "Bastar Junction".

Keep ReadingShow less
ArcelorMittal

ArcelorMittal South Africa said its engagement with the government led to some progress, but not enough to sustain the long steel business. (Photo: Getty Image)

AFP via Getty Images

ArcelorMittal South Africa to shut long steel plants, 3,500 jobs at risk

ARCELORMITTAL South Africa Limited (AMSA), a subsidiary of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal’s global operations, has announced plans to cease operations at its long steel plants.

The decision, which will affect over 3,500 jobs, comes after prolonged efforts to address challenges in the South African steel industry.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nadella-Modi

Modi and Nadella discussed the company’s plans for growth, innovation, and upskilling in India. (Photo: X/@satyanadella)

Microsoft announces £2.4bn India investment after Nadella-Modi meeting

MICROSOFT on Tuesday (7) announced a £2.4 billion investment to expand its Azure cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) capacity in India over the next two years.

The announcement followed a meeting between Microsoft chairman and CEO Satya Nadella and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on Monday (6), during which they discussed the company’s plans for growth, innovation, and upskilling in the country.

Keep ReadingShow less
afg-vs-eng-getty

England's men's ODI team is scheduled to play Afghanistan in Lahore on February 26. (Photo: Getty Images)

Politicians urge ECB to boycott match against Afghanistan

OVER 160 British politicians have called on the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to boycott their Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan next month as a stand against the Taliban regime's restrictions on women's rights.

The Taliban’s return to power in 2021 has effectively banned female participation in sports, a move that violates the International Cricket Council's (ICC) regulations. Despite this, Afghanistan continues to compete in international cricket.

Keep ReadingShow less