Indian T20 Team Names Tilak Varma as Vice-Captain Amid Criticism Over Selection The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed Tilak Varma as vice-captain of the Indian T20 team, replacing Akshar Patel in the role. The decision was made by the BCCI selection committee ahead of international fixtures against Ireland, England, and the Asian Games. Varma, who will also serve as deputy captain, will take on the responsibilities previously held by Patel. The move has sparked debate among cricket analysts and former players, with some questioning the rationale behind the appointment. Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikant has publicly criticized the selection, arguing that Varma lacks the experience and form required for the role. Srikant highlighted that Varma, a relatively new player in the T20 circuit, has not consistently performed at the highest level. "Tilak Varma has no captaincy experience, and he is not in good form," Srikant stated in a YouTube video. "He hasn’t shown the ability to take on big shots or lead effectively under pressure. His performance in the past two to three IPL seasons has been disappointing, and he failed to deliver in the recent season as well." Srikant further questioned the decision to exclude Rajat Patidar, the captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL 2026, from the national team. Patidar, who led his franchise to a historic IPL title, has been a consistent performer in the tournament. "Why was Patidar, who has delivered outstanding results in the IPL, not included in the squad?" Srikant asked. "His leadership and batting skills make him a better fit for the role than Varma." The criticism also extended to the inclusion of Washington Sundar in the team.#bcci #akshar_patel #royal_challengers_bangalore #tilak_varma #krishnamachari_srikant
Chennai Super Kings' Gurjapneet Singh Claims Maiden IPL Wicket on First Delivery Chennai Super Kings (CSK) secured a 23-run victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) in an IPL 2026 match on April 12, 2026. The game saw the debut of 6-foot-3-inch fast bowler Gurjapneet Singh, who made an immediate impact by dismissing DC captain Akshar Patel on his first delivery. This achievement marked Singh as the 17th bowler in IPL history to take a wicket on his maiden ball, joining an elite group that includes legends like Ishant Sharma and Shane Harwood. Singh, who was retained by CSK for the 2026 season after missing IPL 2025 due to injury, delivered a stunning performance. His first over ended with a wicket as Patel was caught by Sarfaraz Khan at backward point. The catch, which required a high jump and a long run, sparked celebrations among CSK players. The match itself was a dominant display by CSK, who posted 212 runs for the loss of two wickets in their batting innings. Sanju Samson scored 115 not out from 56 balls, while Ayush Mhatre contributed 59 with four sixes and three fours before retiring hurt. Delhi Capitals struggled in their chase, managing only 189 runs. Akshar Patel, DC's opener, was the only wicketfall for CSK's bowlers, as the hosts' attack dominated the second half of the innings. Singh's performance was a testament to his readiness for the IPL, having previously represented India A and showcased his pace and accuracy in domestic cricket. Gurjapneet Singh's career highlights include 33 first-class wickets at an average of 22.06 and 17 List-A wickets at 20.41. In T20 cricket, he has taken 22 wickets at 24.38 in 16 matches. His IPL debut was a significant milestone, as he now joins a select group of players who achieved the rare feat of dismissing a batter on their first ball.#chennai_super_kings #akshar_patel #sarfaraz_khan #delhi_capitals #gurjapneet_singh
World Champions Lose Top Spot as Varun Chakravarthy Falls from Number One in ICC Rankings, Bumrah-Ishnan See Major Jump The ICC T20 rankings have undergone significant changes following the recent World Cup, with India’s Varun Chakravarthy losing his number one spot to England’s Rashid Khan. Chakravarthy, who led India to victory, now ranks second, while Rashid Khan reclaimed the top position. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, a key player in India’s World Cup campaign, dropped to sixth in the rankings despite his stellar performances. Bumrah’s consistency and pace remain a major threat, but his ranking reflects the competitive nature of the T20 format. Meanwhile, all-rounder Akshar Patel made a remarkable leap, climbing six positions to 17th in the rankings. England’s Adil Rashid also improved his position, moving up one spot to fourth. In the batting category, India’s Abhishek Sharma has claimed the number one spot, while Ishan Kishan, who scored 317 runs in the World Cup, rose to second. This marks India as the first team to have both its top two T20 batsmen in the global rankings. New Zealand’s Finn Allen and England’s Jacob Bethel also achieved career-best rankings, securing 20th and 16th positions respectively. The updated rankings highlight the dominance of Indian players in the T20 format, with multiple athletes securing top positions. The competition remains fierce, and the rankings will likely shift further as the season progresses.#jasprit_bumrah #varun_chakravarthy #rashid_khan #icc_t20_rankings #akshar_patel
